The Best Reader [Search results for thriller] 

Cherie Colyer is here today to talk about her debut novel Embrace. This is a book that I am super excited to read and 3 lucky readers will get the opportunity to check it out as well.

Fill out the form below to be entered to win. 3 winners will get an ebook of Embrace.

1. In Embrace, a lot has happened and Madison is struggling with all the changes, can you tell us a little of what she is dealing with when we meet her character?
We meet Madison in October. She’s a junior in high school, single for the first time since freshman year, and learning to accept the fact that one of her friends returned from summer break with an unfounded hatred toward her. Madison manages to keep her chin up though: staying in touch with her ex who now lives in another state, pretending she doesn’t hate her English class, being the woman of the house, and doing her best to avoid any more changes in her life. When Madison’s best friend tells her that her life’s about to change, Madison is less than thrilled to find out what’s next.
2. There seems to be a lot of mystery in this book. What are 3 words you would use to describe the story?
Fast-paced thriller
3. Tell us a little about Issac.

Isaac’s the mysterious new guy who’s caught more than just Madison’s eye. He’s a senior, six-foot-some, brown hair, velvet brown eyes, and he’s a guy with a secret. It’s the things he doesn’t say out loud that have Madison questioning if he’s right for her. He’s a strong male who knows how to handle himself. Being brought up by parents who know exactly who he his has allowed him to sharpen his abilities. I don’t want to say much more or I’ll give away his secret, but I will say you don’t want to get on his bad side.
4. Embrace is your debut novel. What has been the most surprising part of being a debut author?
I’m going to have to say just how many things have to be done to successfully launch a book. There are so many steps that a novel goes through from the time an author signs the contract to when the book is released and just as many people involved. It can be a bit overwhelming, but I had a wonderful editorial staff, an amazing marketing team that made sure nothing fell through the cracks, and the support of fellow authors to lean on for moral support and guidance.
5. I saw that you are working on a few new projects right now. Can you tell us a bit about them?
I’d love to. I’m currently working on a sequel for Embrace. Madison and her friends will be back, facing new threats and new supernatural elements they’ll have to defeat. I recently finished writing a teen paranormal thriller about a brother and sister who have been Chosen by otherworldly beings to be unwilling participants in a celestial battle that threatens to tear their relationship apart by forcing them to fight on opposite sides. Having both heaven and hell watching their every move is bad enough, but it’s the lengths these siblings are willing to go to save the other that puts them in the greatest danger of all. And last but not least, my middle grade ghost story follows four friends as they search for ghosts, confront their fears, and find the inner-strength needed to face the unknown.

Embrace by Cherie Colyer
Publisher: Omnific Publishing (December 20th, 2011)
Reading Level: Young Adult
Paperback: 222 pages
Madison is familiar enough with change, and she hates everything about it. Change took her long-term boyfriend away from her. It caused one of her friends to suddenly hate her. It's responsible for the death of a local along with a host of other mysterious happenings. But when Madison meets a hot new guy, she thinks her luck is about to improve.Madison is instantly drawn to the handsome and intriguing Isaac Addington. She quickly realizes he's a guy harboring a secret, but she's willing to risk the unknown to be with him.Her world really spins out of control, however, when her best friend becomes delusional, seeing things that aren't there and desperately trying to escape their evil. When the doctors can't find the answers, Madison seeks her own.Nothing can prepare her for what she is about to discover.Dangerous, intoxicating, and darkly romantic, Embrace is a thriller that will leave you spellbound.

Prize:

• 3 winners will receive an ebook of Embrace by Cherie Colyer

• You must be at least 13 (or have permission) to enter.
• Name and email must be provided.
• Extra entries are possible and links must be provided.
• Contest is International and ends February 18th.
• Once contacted, the winner will have 48 hours to respond.
• The form must be filled out to enter.

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"'Cryer's Cross' is definitely a book I'll need to put on my classroom shelves." — Miss Remmers

From Amazon.com...

"The small town of Cryer’s Cross is rocked by tragedy when an unassuming freshman disappears without a trace. Kendall Fletcher wasn’t that friendly with the missing girl, but the angst wreaks havoc on her OCD-addled brain.

When a second student goes missing—someone close to Kendall’s heart—the community is in an uproar. Caught in a downward spiral of fear and anxiety, Kendall’s not sure she can hold it together. When she starts hearing the voices of the missing, calling out to her and pleading for help, she fears she’s losing her grip on reality. But when she finds messages scratched in a desk at school—messages that could only be from the missing student who used to sit there—Kendall decides that crazy or not, she’d never forgive herself if she didn’t act on her suspicions.

Something’s not right in Cryer’s Cross—and Kendall’s about to find out just how far the townspeople will go to keep their secrets buried."

Book Trailer

After reading "Wake" by Lisa McMann, I knew I needed to read more of Lisa McMann (but no, I haven't gotten my hands on "Fade" or "Gone" yet).

The premise of "Cryer's Cross" is fantastically mysterious (just view the above Book Trailer). It's a perfect combination when the premise and the cover are equally intriguing and "grab worthy."

I'll admit that the beginning of the novel is a bit slow and I didn't feel the "need" to continue reading until I was a third through it. I didn't understand how everything fit together and (again, I'll admit) I became a bit frustrated. But then all of a sudden "weird" happenings appeared and the plot began to escalate.With this escalation my anticipation and "need to read" grew exponentially.

Something completely different about this suspenseful novel that I haven't come across in a YA book before was the main character, Kendall, dealt with OCD. At first the constant reminder of the meticulous actions seemed repetitive and unnecessary, but as the plot evolved I saw the purpose in the detailed OCD mannerisms.

While reading this book I realized I had a few OCD tendencies of my own — not necessarily straightening desks or markers, but more in my travels. For instance, in college I drove the same route to school and to Walmart as I did the first time, even though after living in Aberdeen for a while I found a shorter less congested route; I always say I'm a habitual creature. It almost pains me to switch that part of my route up. Another "for instance" of this behavior is when I fly out of the cities I always stay at the same hotel. It's near the airport, they let you park your car and shuttle you for free, and they have an epic continental breakfast! Yes, I could probably find a cheaper place to stay, but this is less that $100 and it's familiar.

Okay, back to the book. After getting through the exposition of the book, "Cryer's Cross" was perfectly timed and flawlessly executed. The suspense and mystery kept me guessing and thinking the entire time. The ending was "wrapped" up perfectly; yes, it was a quicker ending but it fit the story well. The romance was intriguing but not over done and didn't take away from the story (although at the end, I won't lie, my heart fluttered a bit).

The thriller part of the story was creepy and mysterious but the actuality of it was completely perfectly disturbing but believable at the same time — well, as believable as it could be. I was impressed with McMann's ability to write a thriller with a realistic end (see spoiler at the end). I will say that the romance between Kendall and Nico, I thought, could have been left out. He could have just been her best friend. I thought it was a bit over-dramatic how all of a sudden she had "feelings" for him once he had gone missing. Overall, "Cryer's Cross" is definitely a book I'll need to put on my classroom shelves.

SPOILER:
I loved how the kids who went missing didn't just magically appear at the end — it was morbid but it was a "real" ending.

Originality: 10/10
Ending: 10/10
Characters: 10/10
Plot: 9/10
My reaction/enjoyment: 10/10
Cover: 10/10
Overall: 59/60 A

To the FTC, with love: Received for Review (eBook)

To find out more about this series and author, visit the following links: -Visit Lisa around the web here: Website | Blog | Twitter | Facebook | GoodReads
-BUY THE BOOK on February 8th!: Amazon | Barnes and Noble

Real quick, another OCD thing — I have 229 followers, I'd love to have 230. Just to make it even:)

Janice Gable Bashman is the author of WANTED UNDEAD OR ALIVE: Vampire Hunters and Other Kick-Ass Enemies of Evil. She also has written for THE BIG THRILL, NOVEL & SHORT STORY WRITER’S MARKET, THE WRITER, WILD RIVER REVIEW, and many others. She can be reached at www.janicegablebashman.com.
Jonathan Maberry is a NY Times bestseller, multiple Bram Stoker Award-winner and a writer for Marvel Comics. He has written a number of award-winning nonfiction books and novels on the paranormal and supernatural, including WANTED UNDEAD OR ALIVE, THE CRYPTOPEDIA, VAMPIRE UNIVERSE, THEY BITE, ZOMBIE CSU and PATIENT ZERO. He can be reached at www.jonathanmaberry.com.

Writers Who Changed Our Worlds
by Janice Gable Bashman and Jonathan Maberry

Readers. Writers. We all love a good book. Whether it’s a mystery, thriller, horror, fantasy, science fiction, etc. And we can all remember our favorites. Those books that kept us reading long after we should have stopped to do something else, the books that kept us up late into the night when we had school or work the next day. As authors we strive to be the one who does that to readers, whose work is so compelling it keeps readers from doing anything else but reading. Because, let’s face it. We all love a good book.
For our book WANTED UNDEAD OR ALIVE: Vampire Hunters and Other Kick-Ass Enemies of Evil, we interviewed tons of authors (and screenwriters, filmmakers, actors, and others) about their favorite good vs. evil book, movie, and comic, so we thought we’d discuss the writers that have influenced us over the years.
JANICE GABLE BASHMAN: There are so many writers I could list, but these are three that have influenced me tremendously.

SHIRLEY JACKSON—When I read Shirley Jackson’s short story “The Lottery,” first published in 1948, I couldn’t believe the horror and the shock she elicited in only a few pages. It’s been at least 20 years since I first read the story and the memory of it still sends chills down my spine and makes me cringe. It’s a perfect blend of horror, suspense and ancient ritual. Characters so real you can’t help but relate to them and be thankful you aren’t them.

Jackson also wrote the incredible horror novel HAUNTING OF HILL HOUSE, published in 1959.

Jackson’s work has affected me both as a reader and a writer.

JAMES ROLLINS—The thriller lover in me admires how James Rollins (DEEP FATHOM, ICE HUNT, ALTER OF EDEN, DOOMSDAY KEY, etc.) combines action-adventure with science, exploration, mystery, fear, horror, archeology, etc. to create a story that always keeps me turning the pages. As a writer, I look at his work and am amazed at how he pulls it off, how he combines so many factors to create a plausible and enjoyable read. But he does… and that’s the beauty of it.

WALTER MOSLEY—I’m a big fan of Walter Mosley’s stories featuring Socrates Fortlow (ALWAYS OUTNUMBERED, ALWAYS OUTGUNNED; WALKIN’ THE DOG; THE RIGHT MISTAKE). How he describes his characters. The language he uses to create his tales. How every sentence, every word, is chosen for its precise meaning. How the spot-on dialogue makes the characters so vivid. How he tells the story of real people in real situations doing real things but fills those stories with so much meaning. To study Walter Mosley’s stories is a great lesson in writing.

JONATHAN MABERRY:

RICHARD MATHESON: I met Matheson when I was fourteen, and he took some time to have a few long chats with me about writing, creativity, the business of publishing, and about developing an analytical mind. Matheson’s novels are always different, always hard to classify, and often cross-genre. His 1954 classic, I AM LEGEND, is the first real blend of hard science and true horror; and the underlying metaphors of xenophobia, classicism and societal perception are as dead on-target now as they were then. Shame the filmmakers seem to miss Matheson’s whole point, which is alluded to in the title! His other works are equally layered and compelling: THE SHRINKING MAN, THE LEGEND OF HELL HOUSE, WHAT DREAMS MAY COME, STIR OF ECHOES… the list goes on and on.

JAMES LEE BURKE: Burke is probably my favorite living author. His writing is lush, descriptive, subtle, gritty, and always compelling. His Dave Robicheaux novels in particular are filled with sensual phrasing and visceral scenes that make all five of your senses come alive while reading. I particularly love BLACK CHERRY BLUES for its insights into corruption, heroism and redemption; THE TIN-ROOF BLOWDOWN, for the unflinching way Burke presents the social and cultural devastation that resulted from the government’s mishandling of Katrina; and THE GLASS RAINBOW, for showing that even eighteen books into a series that has unfolded over 23 years, Burke still manages to surprise his readers.

JOHN D. MacDONALD: MacDonald’s most celebrated creation was the intellectual boat bum, Travis McGee. Irascible, occasionally antisocial, charming, charismatic, and frequently anti-establishment, Travis is the model for the ‘thinking person’s hero’. The stories were meticulously plotted and laid out along devious pathways that not only made the books a thrill to read for the first time, but a pleasure to re-read. No one has tried to out-MacDonald MacDonald, and that’s a good thing. He was the sharpest knife in the literary drawer. And the books are just so damn much fun!
WANTED UNDEAD OR ALIVE deals with the struggle of good vs evil in film, comics, pop culture, world myth, literature, and the real world. Everything from ghosts to vampire slayers to paranormal investigators to FBI serial-killer profilers. It includes interviews with folks like Stan Lee, Mike Mignola, Jason Aaron, Fred Van Lente, Peter Straub, Charlaine Harris and many more; and the book is fully illustrated by top horror, comics & fantasy artists. In stores everywhere.

Wanted Undead or Alive: Vampire Hunters and Other Kick-Ass Enemies of Evil by Jonathan Maberry & Janice Gable Bashman Publisher: Citadel (September 1st, 2010) Reading Level: Young Adult Paperback: 320 pages Discover the nature of Evil- and how to kick its butt!

These days you can-t swing an undead lycanthrope without hitting a Minion of Evil. They-re everywhere-TV, film, the basement-right behind you! It-s never been more important to know what you can do to keep them at bay. Garlic? silver bullets? holy water? torch-wielding mob?

From today-s foremost experts on nightmares-come-to-life, this indispensible guide identifies and describes mankind-s enemies-supernatural beasts, ghosts, vampires, serial killers, etc.-and unearths effective time-proven responses to each horrific threat.

Separate fact from fiction, the deadly from the merely creepy. Learn when to stand your ground and when to run screaming for your life. Determine which monster-specific heroes to call and their likelihood of success. Consider your own potential as a Champion for Good, Conqueror of the Damned.

Whether we-re talking ancient vampire hunters or modern-day FBI profilers, it-s good to know someone-s got your back in the eternal struggle between Good and Evil. And this book, with over fifty illustrations, as well as commentary from luminaries like filmmaker John Carpenter, author Peter Straub, and the legendary Stan Lee, provides all the information and reassurance you need to sleep soundly at night.

Just not too soundly.

Thank you so much Janice and Jonathan for being on my blog today!
For more information Janice Gable Bashman / Twitter / Facebook / Goodreads
Jonathan Maberry / Twitter / Facebook / Goodreads

Purchase from: Amazon / Barnes & Noble / The Book Depository

1. I read that you loved to write, even as a young child; can you share some of the first stories you wrote? It’s funny you should ask, because in my office at home (which I’m sitting in right now) I’ve framed the first story I wrote. It’s hanging on the wall above my desk. It’s called “The Boy With the Seagull.” It’s written in blue magic marker, and it’s absolutely ridiculous. I was five years old. And when I was in elementary school, I used to spend hours on my dad’s computer every summer, writing (mostly fictional) accounts of “What I Did for My Summer Vacation.” I’d make up these crazy vacations that my family had supposedly gone on, and I imagined how impressed my teachers would be by these fabulous accounts of my amazing experiences. And every year, when school started, I always expected my English teachers to ask us to write an essay on how we’d spent our vacation, — I was always so excited to be so well prepared! But nobody ever asked. Somewhere at my parents’ house, there’s a drawer full of those stories. The funny part is that all I really did during my summer vacations was sit around writing. I guess it’s all paying off now.
2. It’s so interested that you went to the Linsly School in West Virginia. I lived in West Virginia until 3 years ago. What did you think about the school and the area? Did your experience influence the stories you write now?

I had a great time at the Linsly school, and I can honestly say that I got a fabulous education there. They offered so many great creative writing and specialized literature classes. I felt very lucky. And my experiences there have absolutely influenced my writing – Breathless , my first novel, is based heavily on my years at boarding school.
3. Where the Truth Lies is the companion novel to Breathless . Can you tell us a little about the relationship between these books?
First of all, they’re both set at boarding schools. But while Breathless is set in West Virginia, and the school in the book is based on a real place, Where the Truth Lies is set at a completely fictional school in Connecticut. Aside from that, there are a couple of crossover characters: Mazzie Moon gets a few mentions, and so does Renee (who was Katie Kitrell’s roommate at Yale in Breathless).

4. In Where the Truth Lies , Emily discovers lies that turn her world upside down. Can you tell us a little more about the deceptions Emily faces in this book?
Without giving too much away, I will say that they’re huge deceptions. They basically shake the entire foundation of her life. What’s most interesting to me is that, as the story progresses, something happens to Emily that really puts those deceptions into perspective. It certainly doesn’t make them any easier for her to accept or deal with, but I think that, as she grows, she is at least able to understand the motivations behind all the lies.
5. Can you tell us what you are currently working on? Will any future books have a connection to the characters in Breathless and Where the Truth Lies ?
I just finished my third novel, which is called Between . It will be out next year. I’m SO excited about it! It’s a supernatural thriller. It’s actually been pretty successful already – it’s been sold to publishers in ten different countries! I truly cannot wait to see how teenage readers respond to the story. And I’ve just started working on my fourth novel, which will be released in 2012. It’s a murder mystery, also with a somewhat supernatural element, about identical twins who share a very dark past. To answer your other question, neither of those upcoming titles have any connection to Breathless or Where the Truth Lies .
I really appreciate you taking the time to answer these questions for me!: ) Thanks!

Read my review of Where the Truth Lies Enter for a chance to win an ARC of Where the Truth Lies
Find Jessica Warman
Jessica Warman Purchase Where the Truth Lies
Amazon / The Book Depository / Barnes & Noble

I'd like to again welcome this week's Guest Reviewer, Leslie from That Chick That Reads!

********************
From Amazon.com...

"Kevin Curran wants to unite his family, but he's ready to give up on his younger brother, Danny-three years lost to heroin addiction and hard, desperate living on the streets of New York. When Danny shows up on Kevin's Staten Island doorstep, looking clean, fit, and prosperous, Kevin can't help but be overjoyed that his brother has escaped his past life. But at what price? Not even Kevin's worst nightmares could have prepared him for the horrors he'll discover about his brother's dark history. After a brief reunion, Danny offers Kevin a role in an underworld plot revolving around the Bloodroot Children's Hospital, an abandoned juvenile asylum with a nefarious past. Hoping to rescue Danny from his criminal life after years ago failing to save him from his addiction, Kevin accepts. While Danny's plan unfolds, Kevin is drawn into a world of murder, Mafia hit men and dangerous espionage. The halls of Bloodroot reveal one horrifying secret after another: about the building's history, about Danny's life of addiction and crime, and about the true roots of the Curran family. At the end of the maze of monsters, the brothers make a discovery so horrific it may force them to destroy each other."

Lately I’d been reading thrillers and mysteries but this one is by far my favorite, it has all of the elements a good thriller needs to have. A good storyline, unforgettable characters, and, last but not least, some romance.

The storyline was very interesting, throughout the entire novel, I could see why certain things were written a specific way. I also enjoyed a quote Danny said while speaking to his brother Kevin on page 66, “He murders because he’s afraid of the future, of worlds and people he’ll never understand and never be a part of. We call them terrorist because they cause terror but it oughta be because that’s all they feel”. That quote literally gave me chills, because I feel the same way concerning terrorists.

Moving on to characters, we have Kevin, the “scardy cat”, a teacher who lost the fun of it all and lives a boring life, Danny, the ex drug user who comes back clean and sober without much explanation, and, last but not least, Kelsey, the strong female character who gets Kevin out of his shell. The characters were totally unforgettable. My favorite was definitely Danny. He was a tough kid who’s determined to turn his life back around regardless of the consequences.

Ah now it gets good, the love. I’m a sucker for some good loving in a book, I was rooting for those two since day one. The romance didn’t interfere with the main point of the book, which I found so refreshing. It didn’t consume every page but there was enough in there that made me very happy.

Bill is also the author of Fresh Kills, which I noticed was mentioned briefly in this novel. I can not wait to read the Fresh Kills! Overall I give this novel 4.5 out of 5 paws!

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Thank you so much Leslie for such an AWESOME review! This sounds like an interesting read!

Make sure to visit Leslie at That Chick That Reads and share some book love! Check out her original review. Thank you so much! (This is Leslie's second week in a row!)

A couple weeks ago, thanks to Book Blogs, Preetham Grandhi, was able to send me a personally signed copy of "A Circle of Souls". Now for my review!

From Amazon.com...
"The sleepy town of Newbury, Connecticut, is shocked when a little girl is found brutally murdered. With the murderer on the loose, the police desperately look for any clues to lead to his identity. Meanwhile, a psychiatrist in a nearby hospital is also in a desperate search to find the cause of seven-year-old Naya Hastings' devastating nightmares. Afraid that she might hurt herself in the midst of a torturous episode, Naya's parents have turned to the bright young doctor as their only hope. When these two situations converge, they set off an alarming chain of events. In this stunning psychological thriller, innocence gives way to evil, and trust lies forgotten in a web of deceit, fear, and murder."

Okay, I'll admit it. I wasn't sure that I was going to like this book and kind of dreaded starting it. I took it along with me to DC thinking I would 'some how' manage to stay interested on the flight there and back again.

I am very excited to say that I was absolutely surprised with this book. I started reading it when we got to the airport (two hours early!), I continued to read it through the entire flight to Milwaukee, then during the hour lay over, and I finished it during the descent to Reagan (the airport). I just could not put it down!

The characters were easy to relate to and it's written extremely well. Fast paced and captivating — this book is just... amazing! And that's just the tip of the literary iceberg. The mystery is what really makes this book special. While the exposition of the story is a little non existent — I didn't find myself missing it (odd — I know). Right away, even with out the exposition, I was drawn into the characters from page one. I just couldn't wait to see 'who dun it'. The medical and legal parts of the book were spot on — and if they weren't, I couldn't tell!

If I absolutely had to pick something that I didn't like or could have done with out — I'd say the romance part, even though it is extremely minimal. And all the references to the FBI Agent's legs and figure — it made the very likable characters seem sleazy and shallow.

But really — even if you don't think this is your 'type' of book, you need to read it. I think it's for everyone who loves a good mystery! I gave it to my dad and he read it on the way back today. Mom's got dibs!

I'd like to thank Preetham Grandhi for such an awesome book! I am so impressed and hope to read another book of his in the near future!

If you are a member of Book Blogs — be my friend (please)! Also, I encourage you to look up Mr.Preetham Grandhi. I highly highly recommend everyone to buy this book or to find it at your local library!

I couldn't find a meme that fit exactly what I was looking for — so we'll just try this. I don't want something on Monday, because there are already two memes I'm participating in. And I'm really not a big reader of new releases (right away at least) — so "Waiting on Wednesday" doesn't really work for me. I'm looking for a meme where I can post what I receive in the mail (either through contests or for review) and whatever I get from the library. If you know of something like this — please let me know!

Last week I received in my mailbox three books! My first three books at that! I am very excited!

For Review:
Then thanks to Book Blogs, Preetham Grandhi, was able to send me a personally signed copy of "A Circle of Souls".

From Amazon.com...
"The sleepy town of Newbury, Connecticut, is shocked when a little girl is found brutally murdered. With the murderer on the loose, the police desperately look for any clues to lead to his identity. Meanwhile, a psychiatrist in a nearby hospital is also in a desperate search to find the cause of seven-year-old Naya Hastings' devastating nightmares. Afraid that she might hurt herself in the midst of a torturous episode, Naya's parents have turned to the bright young doctor as their only hope. When these two situations converge, they set off an alarming chain of events. In this stunning psychological thriller, innocence gives way to evil, and trust lies forgotten in a web of deceit, fear, and murder."

Won:
I won in a Twitter Contest from @lizzyarmentrout a wonderful signed copy of "A Vengeful Spirit".

From Amazon.com...

"Welcome to Pilotview, NC; a quiet, peaceful town where nothing much happens. That all changes when evil strikes the Irvin family. Why is someone targeting Tucker's family? What could a 12 year old have done to bring such terror to his home? Why is his father missing? Shelly Gale, his teacher, can't resist helping one of her students as his family seems to go through trial after trial."

Finally, thanks to Laurel and Vic at Jane Austen Today, I won a copy of "Rude Awakenings of a Jane Austen Addict".

From Amazon.com...
"Laurie Viera Rigler’s debut novel, Confessions of a Jane Austen Addict, was a hit with fans and critics, and a BookSense and Los Angeles Times bestseller. Its open-to-interpretation ending left readers begging for more—and Rude Awakenings of a Jane Austen Addict delivers. While Confessions took twenty-first-century free spirit Courtney Stone into the social confines of Jane Austen’s era, Rude Awakenings tells the parallel story of Jane Mansfield, a gentleman’s daughter from Regency England who inexplicably awakens in Courtney’s overly wired and morally confused L.A. life.

For Jane, the modern world is not wholly disagreeable. Her apartment may be smaller than a dressing closet, but it is fitted up with lights that burn without candles, machines that wash bodies and clothes, and a glossy rectangle in which tiny people perform scenes from her favorite book, Pride and Prejudice. Granted, if she wants to travel she may have to drive a formidable metal carriage, but she may do so without a chaperone. And oh, what places she goes! Public assemblies that pulsate with pounding music. Unbound hair and unrestricted clothing. The freedom to say what she wants when she wants—even to men without a proper introduction.

Jane relishes the privacy, independence, even the power to earn her own money. But how is she to fathom her employer’s incomprehensible dictates about “syncing a BlackBerry” and “rolling a call”? How can she navigate a world in which entire publications are devoted to brides but flirting and kissing and even the sexual act itself raise no matrimonial expectations? Even more bewildering are the memories that are not her own. And the friend named Wes, who is as attractive and confusing to Jane as the man who broke her heart back home. It’s enough to make her wonder if she would be better off in her own time, where at least the rules are clear—that is, if returning is even an option."

From the library:

"Suspense and Sensibility"
"Mr. Darcy Presents His Bride"

I am very much excited to read these books. So look forward to reviews and perhaps even an author review (we'll see if I can persuade them). And even more exciting — receiving my first books (inevitably) means my first give away! Since "A Circle of Souls" is personalized to me, I don't think I'll give it away. I might 'lend' it to my dad — he's really interested in reading it — or I may even keep it for my classroom! But stay tuned for all the possibilities!

If you are a member of Book Blogs — be my friend (please)! Also, I encourage you to look up Mr.Preetham Grandhi. If you are a twitter"er" — @lizzyarmentrout is always up for interesting conversations and she is extremely friendly! And you can always look me up too! @ReaganRay — although I can't promise to be near as entertaining! And definitely stop by Jane Austen Today — I stop there everyday.

Thank you so much, Ms. Armentrout, Laurel and Vic at Jane Austen Today, and Mr. Grandhi. I look forward very much to reading these books!

Tonya Hurley is here today to talk about her book Precious Blood. There's also a fantastic contest that you can sign up for below!

Saints and Sinners Tour By Tonya Hurley
PRECIOUS BLOOD is the tale of three Brooklyn teenagers – Lucy, Cecilia and Agnes – who are at the lowest point of their lives when they encounter Sebastian, an enigmatic guy who believes that each of them may be the incarnation of a namesake historic female martyr.

These martyr legends are some of the first young adult stories that we have. These girls are possibly the first young adult superstars on record – their tales of passion, strength, struggle, the supernatural, suffering, and devotion are what all good love stories are made of.

In the book PRECIOUS BLOOD, the first in THE BLESSED trilogy, Cecilia, Agnes and Lucy are three girls struggling to make it in a gritty, modern day Brooklyn- looking for love, for fame, and for who they really are.

AGNES of THE BLESSED Trilogy

Agnes is in love with love. And, when Sebastian comes to her that fateful night in the emergency room, after her suicide attempt, she is ready to believe in love, and him, whole-heartedly. She is the youngest of the three girls, and a headstrong, hopeless romantic, consumed with the notion of ideal love.

A rebellious bohemian in both dress and attitude, Agnes is an open-minded, carefree spirit most comfortable in her long skirts and thrift store jewelry finds, writing journal entries in her homespun and loungy bedroom with cozy knitted blankets, silk robes, and embroidered cushions everywhere smelling of incense and burning candles. Hers is a world of vintage boutiques and flea market scores, which define her unconventional style and her artsy personality as well as her loyalty to the past and ability to see beauty in things. While she may be a sentimental daydreamer, Agnes is no pushover. She finds herself constantly at odds with her overbearing, divorced and decidedly more practical mother, Martha, with whom she shares a Park Slope brownstone. Martha pushes her toward guys with big futures and family money but Agnes pushes back, holding out for something genuine. Something real. Something everlasting.

Photo Credit: N atalie Shau

Precious Blood by Tonya Hurley
Published: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers (May 14th, 2013)
Reading Level: Young Adult
Summary:
What if martyrs and saints lived among us? And what if you were told you were one of them?
Meet Agnes, Cecilia, and Lucy. Three lost girls, each searching for something. But what they find is Beyond Belief.
The story begins in PRECIOUS BLOOD and continues in PASSIONARIES, available 1/7/14.

Prize:

The Patron Saints of Summer Prize Pack One (1) winner receives:

· Earbuds (courtesy of Cecilia, Patron Saint of Music) · Sunglasses (courtesy of Lucy, Patron Saint of Sight) · Essie Chastity Nail Polish (courtesy of Agnes, Patron Saint of Chastity) · Copy of Precious Blood

· AND an Agnes t-shirt

Giveaway open to U.S. addresses only. Prizing & samples courtesy of Simon & Schuster.

Rules:

• You must be at least 13 to enter.
• Name and email must be provided and counts as 1 entry.
• Extra entries are possible and links must be provided.
• Contest is US Only and ends July1st
• Once contacted, the winner will have 48 hours to respond.
• The form must be filled out to enter.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Learn more at http://theblessed.com Like The Blessed on Facebook Follow The Blessed and Tonya Hurley on Twitter and join the conversation using #PreciousBlood Follow The Blessed on Pinterest
About the Author
Tonya Hurley is the New York Times best-selling author of the highly acclaimed “ghostgirl “ book series; creator, writer and producer of animated and live action hit television series; writer and director of independent films; writer and director of commercials for Playstation, Gameboy and Warner Home Video; and creator of groundbreaking videogames. Her new young adult trilogy, THE BLESSED, begins with Precious Blood.

Praise for Precious Blood
“Our new favorite dark, sexy rock-n-roll thriller.” (SugarScape.com)
“Intriguing premise, fiery dialogue, and digs about celebrity-obsessed culture that moves at the speed of Twitter… ” (Publishers Weekly)
"… Hurley brings her deadpan wit and blackest humor to the first tale in this trilogy about spirituality, sacrifice and supernatural romance." (MTV Hollywood Crush)

The rest of the Saints and Sinners tour:
Monday, June 17: Meet Agnes the girl at Confessions of a Bookaholic and Agnes the Saint at Candace’s Book Blog.

Tuesday, June 18: Meet Cecilia the girl at Bewitched Bookworms and Cecilia the Saint at A Life Bound by Books.
Wednesday, June 19: Meet Lucy the girl at The Reading Date and Lucy the Saint at All Things Urban Fantasy
Thursday, June 20: Meet Sebastian the boy at Vampire Book Club and Sebastian the Saint at The Book Cellar.
Friday, June 21: In Bed With Books has a Q&A with Tonya.