June - Month in review & great new books for July!

Books Read:

Click on links to read reviews: 

 Reviewed by Jen: Chime by Franny Billingsley 3 out of 5.
The Day Before by Lisa Schroeder - rating: 4 out of 5.
Reviewed by Jen: Enclave by Ann Aguirre  - rating 4 out of 5.
Forgotten by Cat Patrick - rating 5 out of 5.
Hurry up and Wait by Isabel Ashdown - rating: 3½ out of 5.
The Little Women Letters by Gabrielle Donnelly - rating 2½ out of 5.
The Raising by Laura Kasischke - review coming soon!
The Truth about Celia Frost by Paula Rawsthorne - review coming soon!
Fallen by Lauren Kate - rating 3½ out of 5.
Passion (Fallen #3) by Lauren Kate - rating 4½ out of 5.
Torment (Fallen #2) by Lauren Kate - rating 4 out of 5.
Spellbound by Cara Lynn Schulz - rating 3½ out of 5.
Swim the Fly by Don Calame - rating 4 out of 5.

Tighter by Adele Griffin - rating 5 out of 5.

 June Favourites:
Tighter by Adele Griffin - A Gripping, tense, atmospheric thriller
Forgotten by Cat Patrick - one of my 2011 faves. A genius idea and a romance I loved!
Passion by Lauren Kate - Past Lives, shared history and a romance to die for! Love this series!

Book News/Features:
 Book Trailer: David by Mary Hoffman
Book Trailer: Passion by Lauren Kate.
Cover Reveal: The Last Echo (The Body Finder #3) by Kimberly Derting.
Cover Reveal: Hallowed (Unearthly #2) by Cynthia Hand.
UK Cover Reveal: Bloodlines by Richelle MeadUK Book News: RHCB signs a trio of titles by YA novelist Karen Mahoney.
UK Book News: Introducing Splinter a new YA imprint from Sterling Children's Books.

Blog Tours/Interviews/Guest Posts:
 Delightful Debutantes #19 - Cat Patrick & Forgotten
Delightful Debutantes #20 - Josephine Angelini & Starcrossed
Guest Post: Steph from My Girl Friday picks her great Aussie Summer Reads!
Guest Post: Alexa from Not Enough Bookshelves picks her top 5 summer reads!
Interview: Gabrielle Donnelly author of The Little Women Letters.Immortal War Blog Tour: Justin Somper on Killing Off Vampirates!
Passion Blog Tour: Lauren Kate picks her dream movie cast!

New Books for July - my picks
Amy & Roger's Epic Detour - Review coming soon!

David by Mary Hoffman - review coming soon!

The Donor by Helen Fitzgerald

Everlasting (Immortals #6) by Alyson Noel

Forever (Wolves of Mercy Falls #3) by Maggie Stiefvater 

Forgive my Fins by Tera Lynn Childs - review coming soon!

Haunting Violet by Alyxandra Harvey - review coming soon!

Sometimes it Happens by Lauren Barnholdt

Tempest Rising by Tracy Deebs - review coming soon!

Texas Gothic by Rosemary Clement-Moore - review coming soon!

Image Source: We Heart It

Reviewed by Jen: Chime by Franny Billingsley.

Product details:
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC.
Release date: April 4th 2011.
Hardcover, 368 pages.
Rating: 3 out of 5.
Ages: 12+
Source: Received from publisher for review.
Reviewed by: Jen

Before Briony's stepmother died, she made sure Briony blamed herself for all the family's hardships. Now Briony has worn her guilt for so long it's become a second skin. She often escapes to the swamp, where she tells stories to the Old Ones, the spirits who haunt the marshes. But only witches can see the Old Ones, and in her village, witches are sentenced to death. Briony lives in fear her secret will be found out, even as she believes she deserves the worst kind of punishment.

Then Eldric comes along with his golden lion eyes and mane of tawny hair. He's as natural as the sun, and treats her as if she's extraordinary. And everything starts to change. As many secrets as Briony has been holding, there are secrets even she doesn't know.

I think when it comes to Franny Billingsley’s book Chime I will be in the minority in that I had a really difficult time reading this one.  Most reviews’ refer to the author’s unique use of language as a positive, yet I felt that ultimately the actual story became lost and unattainable, buried under a mountain of words that did little to enhance the movement of the action. 

Seventeen-year-old Briony has a difficult life.  Her beloved stepmother was recently poisoned to death, although rumor has it that she committed suicide.  Her identical twin sister Rose, who is not entirely all there, is becoming increasingly difficult to deal with and may have the fatal swamp cough.  As if that is not enough, Briony herself is a witch and the cause of all her family’s pain and suffering.  Being a witch usually means certain death and Briony would prefer not to be hanged if she can help it.  Things look bleak for Briony until the handsome Eldric comes to live with Briony and her family.  Eldric is quite the opposite of the dour Briony and soon she finds herself intrigued by the way she feels when she is around him.  As a witch Briony believed that feelings were something “normal” girls had, not “witchy” girls like her.  Unfortunately, Eldric’s father has been hired by the town of Swampsea to drain the swamp in order to help the town progress into the 19^th century.  The witches and spirits who live in the swamp are not happy and their leader, the Boggy Mun, sends out the swamp cough to take the lives of the Swampsea’s children as revenge.  Only witchy Briony can stop the deaths, but in order to do so she must tell her secret and risk a date with the gallows. 

Chime is a unique story in the way that it is written.  Briony narrates and her voice is often caustic and filled with dry wit.  The problem I had with the writing is that the narrator often spends too much time describing what she is thinking rather than what is happening in the story.  I was annoyed by the way that Briony continuously referred to herself in the third person.   Her thoughts were often repetitive and her ideas seemed incredibly juvenile.  The character did not come across as a seventeen-year old.  Briony’s twin sister Rose truly annoyed me.  I found absolutely nothing endearing about her at all, and neither did Briony, who often fantasized about getting away from Rose. The manipulative and co-dependent relationship between the sisters just added another frustration to the story.  For every few sentences of action the reader needs to wade through pages of inner thoughts and ramblings in order for the plot to move forward.  The writing itself is beautiful and the author has obvious talent, this was just not my type of story.  Anyone who enjoys classic romances, ala Jane Austen, and period pieces will probably enjoy Chime for the very reasons I disliked it. 

Cover Candy #13 - Recent Swoonworthy Cover Reveals!

So much pretty with the cover reveals lately. I can barely keep up!  Here are my picks of the latest swoonworthy cover reveals. I love them all!

Let me know what you think of the featured covers in comments. Will you be adding any of these to your wish list? 

******************** 

I've been following Brodi's blog for a while now and I was super excited to see her cover reveal for Everneath last week.  Everneath is partially based on the Hades/Persephone myth, and it's got a very pretty cover. I'm also very interested to find out if  Brodi has based either of the love interests here on  our mutual obsession, Rafa Nadal. ;) Can't wait to read this one!

Everneath by Brodi Ashton

Publisher: HarperCollins/ Balzar + Bray

Release date: January 2012

Ages: 14+

Last spring, Nikki Beckett vanished, sucked into an underworld known as the Everneath, where immortals Feed on the emotions of despairing humans. Now she's returned- to her old life, her family, her friends- before being banished back to the underworld... this time forever.

She has six months before the Everneath comes to claim her, six months for good-byes she can't find the words for, six months to find redemption, if it exists.

Nikki longs to spend these months reconnecting with her boyfriend, Jack, the one person she loves more than anything. But there's a problem: Cole, the smoldering immortal who first enticed her to the Everneath, has followed Nikki to the mortal world. And he'll do whatever it takes to bring her back- this time as his queen.

Oooh, how gorgeous is this cover?! So much pretty.  I am a fan of all things witchy, although I usually stick to modern day witchy stuff. Still, I think the combination of witchcraft and history makes this book sound like a winner, and with this cover, I have to see what lies inside!

Born Wicked by Jessica Spotswood

Publisher: Putnam Juvenile

Release date: February 2012

Ages: YA


Cate Cahill and her sisters are considered eccentric bluestockings—a little odd, a little unfashionable, and far too educated for their own good. The truth is more complicated; they’re witches. And if their secret is discovered by the priests of the Brotherhood, it could mean an asylum, a prison ship—or an early grave. Before their mother died, she entrusted Cate with keeping them safe and keeping everyone, including their father, in the dark about their powers. When her father employs a governess and Cate begins to receive notes from her missing, presumed-mad godmother, her task becomes much more difficult. As Cate searches for answers in banned books and rebellious new friends, she must juggle unwanted proposals, tea parties, and an illicit attraction to the new gardener. Cate will do anything to protect her sisters, but at what cost to herself?

There is a lot of buzz surrounding Tempest by Julie Cross.  The movie rights have already been snapped up by Summit Entertainment (of Twilight fame), and it features time travel, romance and all that other good stuff that we all love! This one will also be published in the UK by Macmillan!

Tempest by Julie Cross

Publisher: Macmillan/Thomas Dunne

Release date: January 2012

Ages: YA

Jackson thought he had all the time in the world with Holly. Until time took him away from her . . .

 

Nineteen-year-old Jackson Meyer is a normal guy . . . who just happens to be able to travel through time. It’s all just harmless fun until the day Jackson witnesses his girlfriend, Holly, get fatally shot. In his panic, Jackson jumps back two years, but it’s not long before the people who shot Holly come looking for him. And these “Enemies of Time” will stop at nothing to recruit (or kill) this powerful young time-traveler. Jackson must decide how far he is willing to go to save Holly . . . and the entire world

This sounds like a great contemp with an edge - just how I like them! I'm hoping this shows up on Galley Grab!

Where it Began by Ann Redisch Stampler

Publisher: Simon Pulse

Release date: March 6th 2012

Ages: YA

Gabby Gardiner wakes up in a hospital bed looking like a cautionary ad for drunk driving and lacking a single memory of the accident that landed her there. What she can remember, in frank and sardonic detail, is the year leading up to the accident. 

As she takes us through her transformation from invisible girl to on-trend Girl Who Dates Billy Nash (aka Most Desirable Boy Ever), she is left wondering: Why is Billy suddenly distancing himself from her? What do her classmates know that Gabby herself does not? Who exactly was in the car that night? And why is Gabby left alone to take the fall?

Putting the pieces together will take every ounce of Gabby's strength. As she peels back the layers of her life, she begins to realize that her climb up the status ladder has been as intoxicating as it has been morally complex...and that nothing about her life is what she has imagined it to be.

Check out this cover for Faery Tales and Nightmares, a collection of short stories by Melissa Marr! I'm not usually one for short stories, but this cover is so pretty that I might just need it for my bookshelf!

 

* Please note: These covers may not be  final and may be subject to change.

UK Book News: Random House Children's Books acquires a trio of novels from YA author Karen Mahoney!

Random House Children's Books have acquired not one, not two, but three new titles from Karen Mahoney, author of The Iron Witch and its upcoming sequel The Wood Queen.

These new titles will include the third and final book in The Iron Witch trilogy, entitled The Stone Demon, to be published in 2013.

RHCB have also snapped up two books in a Karen's new series, Beautiful Ghosts. This one features Moth, a teenage vampire who first appeared in a short story Falling to Ash in The Eternal Kiss anthology.

Here's more about Beautiful Ghosts: 

Being a vampire is for life - not just a lifestyle.
Reluctant teenage vampire Marie 'Moth' O'Neal infiltrates a group of Otherkin kids in Boston, teenagers who believe they are reincarnated vampires, in order to find out who or what is killing off the troubled teens... and then turning them into something truly undead with a taste for human flesh. All this while trying to stop sexy young hunter Jace Murdoch from shooting anything that doesn't breathe - including her.

Well, I just love the sound of this one. I can't wait to meet this guy Jace! ;)

If you haven't already seen it, here is the cover art for The Wood Queen, the second book in the Iron Witch trilogy, which will be released in February 2012.

Congrats, Karen! It's all happening! :)

Book Review: Hurry Up and Wait by Isabel Ashdown.

Product details:
Publisher: Myriad Editions.
Release date: June 16th 2011.
Paperback, 260 pages.
Rating: 3½ out of 5.
Ages: Adult.
Source: Received from publisher for review.

In her eagerly anticipated second novel Mail on Sunday Novel Competition winner Isabel Ashdown explores the treacherous territory of adolescent friendships, and traces across the decades the repercussions of a dangerous relationship.It’s more than twenty years since Sarah Ribbons last set foot inside her old high school, a crumbling Victorian-built comprehensive on the south coast of England. Now, as she prepares for her school reunion, 39-year-old Sarah has to face up to the truth of what really happened back in the summer of 1986.August 1985: Sarah celebrates her fifteenth birthday in the back garden of the suburban seaside house she shares with her ageing father. As she embarks on her fifth and final year at Selton High School for Girls Sarah’s main focus is on her erratic friendships with Tina and Kate; her closest allies one moment, her fiercest opponents the next as they compete for the attention of the new boy, Dante. When her father is unexpectedly taken ill, Sarah is sent to stay with Kate’s family in nearby Amber Chalks. Kate’s youthful parents welcome her into the comfort of their liberal family home, where the girls can eat off trays and watch TV in Kate’s bedroom. They’ve never been closer – until a few days into her stay, events take a sinister turn, and Sarah knows that nothing will ever be the same again.

Hurry up and Wait, the second novel from Isabel Ashdown is a pure nostalgia trip of a book, perfect for those of you who danced to Walk Like an Egyptian at the local youth club, applied Rimmel’s Heather Shimmer lipstick and thought you were the height of sophistication, and sang along to Blondie’s Sunday Girl, the song from which this book takes it’s title. If you grew up in the eighties and would like to take a trip down memory lane while also reading a hard-hitting coming of age read, then this one is for you. While a lot of the eighties references were lost on me, there were a lot of aspects of this one that I did enjoy, such as the insightful focus on female friendships, and the story of a summer that went oh, so wrong, with disastrous consequences for fifteen year old Sarah Ribbons.

We meet present day Sarah as she prepares to attend her high school reunion. She seems overly anxious and nervous about meeting her old class mates and bumping into lost loves, and it soon emerges that something very bad happened to Sarah way back when she was a teenager in the eighties. Sarah is hiding a deep, dark secret, one she’s never told anyone, and now, as she returns to the town where she grew up, and to her old school, she must finally face her demons.

Ashdown then takes us back to the eighties where we meet Sarah as she celebrates her fifteenth birthday. We learn of her elderly father, her summer job, and the school year that follows with her friends Kate and Tina, who are two girls that you will just love to hate! Let’s just say that these friendships, like many of the teenage kind, are filled with friction, rivalries, sniping, and general boyfriend stealing nastiness. We witness the trials and tribulations of Sarah’s fledgling relationship with the exotically named Dante, but, though this is a coming of age story, don’t expect first loves and sweet romances here. This book is dark and edgy, and rather than crushes and first kisses you can expect inappropriate relationships, loss of innocence and the consequences of both.

What I liked most about this novel was it’s depiction of female friendships, especially the competitive rivalry-filled friendships that seem to form between teenage girls. The depiction of the relationship between Sarah, Kate and Tina, which seems to change on a weekly basis is insightful and perceptive and something that everyone will relate to. As it often is with friendship trios, it’s often two against one here with Sarah often on the losing side. With friends like the cocky and spiteful Kate and the shy and awkward Tina, Sarah sure didn’t need any enemies!

With heavy foreshadowing throughout, Hurry up and Wait doesn’t contain a whole lot of surprises, but its themes are as such that they are still hard-hitting and unsettling. While the book veers a little into mundane territory as it depicts the ins and outs of Sarah’s very ordinary everyday life, this even pace only serves to heighten the shock and discomfort we feel as the true events of the summer of 1986 unfold before our eyes.

Hurry up and Wait is certainly a powerful coming of age read, and for those of you who were teenagers in the eighties it will be a joy to read, and a pleasurable trip down memory lane that will really take you back!

Cover Reveals: The Last Echo (The Body Finder #3) by Kimberly Derting & Hallowed (Unearthly #2) by Cynthia Hand!

The covers and full synopsis for two of my most anticipated books for 2012 have just been revealed, and they both sound amazing! Hallowed (Unearthly #2) is out in late January 2012 while The Last Echo (The Body Finder #3) will be released in April 2012.


The Last Echo sounds all kinds of amazing, although I'm sensing trouble for Jay and Vi (Nooooo!!) while Unearthly remains one of my favourites of 2011, so I'm super excited to read the sequel! 

 The Last Echo (The Body Finder #3) by Kimberly Derting.
Publisher: HarperCollins
Release date: April 2012
Ages: 14+

Violet kept her morbid ability to sense dead bodies a secret from everyone except her family and her childhood-best-friend-turned-boyfriend, Jay Heaton. That is until forensic psychologist Sara Priest discovered Violet’s talent and invited her to use her gift to track down murderers. Now, as she works with an eclectic group of individuals—including mysterious and dangerously attractive Rafe—it’s Violet’s job to help those who have been murdered by bringing their killers to justice. When Violet discovers the body of a college girl killed by “the girlfriend collector” she is determined to solve the case. But now the serial killer is on the lookout for a new “relationship” and Violet may have caught his eye....

ALA Booklist described The Body Finder as “a suspenseful mystery and sensual love story that will captivate readers who enjoy authentic high-school settings, snappy dialogue, sweet romance, and heart-stopping drama,” while Kirkus Reviews called Desires of the Dead “imaginative, convincing, and successful suspense.” The Last Echo heightens the tension as Violet uncovers dark murders, faces new dangers, and struggles with her love for Jay and her confusing connection with Rafe. Fans of Lisa McMann and Laurie Faria Stolarz, as well as Kimberly’s devoted fan base, won’t be able to resist Violet’s newest thrilling adventure.

Hallowed (Unearthly #2) by Cynthia Hand

Publisher: HarperTeen

Release date: January 2012

Ages: 13+

For months part-angel Clara Gardner trained to face the raging forest fire from her visions and rescue the alluring and mysterious Christian Prescott from the blaze. But nothing could prepare her for the fateful decisions she would be forced to make that day, or the startling revelation that her purpose—the task she was put on earth to accomplish—is not as straightforward as she thought. Now, torn between her increasingly complicated feelings for Christian and her love for her boyfriend, Tucker, Clara struggles to make sense of what she was supposed to do the day of the fire. And, as she is drawn further into the world of part angels and the growing conflict between White Wings and Black Wings, Clara learns of the terrifying new reality that she must face: Someone close to her will die in a matter of months. With her future uncertain, the only thing Clara knows for sure is that the fire was just the beginning.

Described by Richelle Mead as “utterly captivating,” Unearthly received outstanding reviews, garnered accolades from New York Times bestselling authors, and was named an Indie Next Pick. In this heart-wrenching sequel, Cynthia Hand expertly captures the all-consuming joy of first love—and the agony of loss. This beautifully woven tale will appeal to fans of Lauren Kate, Becca Fitzpatrick, and Aprilynne Pike.

* Please note: These covers may not be  final and may be subject to change. 

Book Trailer & Blog Tour Announcement: David by Mary Hoffman.

If you're looking for a historical fiction fix this summer, look no further than David by Mary Hoffman. In this epic tale, Hoffman re-imagines the story behind Michaelangelo's statue of David.  Set in a world of spies, treachery and murder, this is set to be a great read!

To celebrate the release of her epic tale, Mary Hoffman will be undertaking an epic blog tour which will take place from July 4th-August 4th. The tour will be stopping here on July 11th, and I'll be reviewing the book around then too, so make sure you stop by and check it out!

You can see a full list of blog tour stops by clicking the image below.

Also, check out this great book trailer for David by Mary Hoffman.

Guest Blogging at Books for Company!

I've been guest blogging again! This time I did a guest blog over at Books for Company  for Jodie's Paperback or Hardback feature. I love book covers, and this guest blog totally allowed me to indulge in my cover lust! Thanks to Jodie for having me over.  You can take a look at my cover picks by clicking:  here.

Follow on Facebook for extra content & comps!

UK Cover Reveal: Bloodlines by Richelle Mead! *Updated!*

OMG! Squee!!

Check out this new UK cover for Bloodlines by Richelle Mead. I'm counting down the days to this one and I seriously can't wait to read it! If you haven't already seen the US cover for this eagerly anticipated Vampire Academy spin-off, then take a look here.   Bloodlines will be released in the US and UK in August. I know a couple of US bloggers who snagged a copy at BEA and they assure me that this book is amazing.

I cannot wait to read it!!

BLOOD DOESN'T LIE. Sydney is an alchemist, one of a group of humans who dabble in magic and serve to bridge the worlds of human and vampires. They protect vampire secrets - and human lives. When Sydney is torn from her bed in the middle of the night, at first she thinks she's still being punished for her complicated alliance with dhampir Rose Hathaway. But what unfolds is ...moreBLOOD DOESN'T LIE. Sydney is an alchemist, one of a group of humans who dabble in magic and serve to bridge the worlds of human and vampires. They protect vampire secrets - and human lives. When Sydney is torn from her bed in the middle of the night, at first she thinks she's still being punished for her complicated alliance with dhampir Rose Hathaway. But what unfolds is far worse. Jill Dragomir - the sister of Moroi Queen Lissa Dragomir - is in mortal danger, and the Moroi must send her into hiding. To avoid a civil war, Sydney is called upon to act as Jill's guardian and protector, posing as her roommate in the last place anyone would think to look for vampire royalty - a human boarding school in Palm Springs, California. But instead of finding safety at Amberwood Prep, Sydney discovers the drama is only just beginning...

You can also keep up to date with all the latest BLOODLINES news:

On Facebook

***COVER UPDATE ***

So, just a couple of days ago, I received an email  to let me know that the UK cover for Bloodlines has changed, and will now match the US cover, giving this series, which is sure to be a global hit, a more global series look. Take a look! 

Summer Spotlight Guest Post: Steph from My Girl Friday picks her Great Aussie Summer Reads!

As I’m writing this from Melbourne, Australia, we are just starting our winter here and it is damn cold! Here are my picks for five Australian & New Zealand books that I think are perfect for some summer reading (and to everyone in the Northern hemisphere, please enjoy some sunshine and iced tea for me!)

Graffiti Moon by Cath Crowley ~ A beautiful, exciting and honest dual-perspective narrative, set in my lovely home city of Melbourne! Ed, Lucy and their friends spend an evening searching for love, honesty and art in an all-night, cross-city adventure (think Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist, but more poetic, with graffiti and set in Australia). It’s a fresh and exciting story, filled with characters you are guaranteed to fall in love with. 

Notes from the Teenage Underground by Simmone Howell ~ Gem, Lo and Mira pick ‘Underground’ as their theme for the summer holidays – inspired by Andy Warhol, the factory and underground cinema. This book is a total keeper – full of film references, realistic characters, brilliant dialogue and teenspeak, has a strong and likeable voice and is so warm, funny and honest. It also celebrates young women who are smart and not afraid to stand up for themselves (extra yay!).

On the Jellicoe Road by Melina Marchetta ~ If you haven’t read this yet, what are you waiting for? You have a territory war between townies, boarders and a group of cadets; amazing, well-written and loveable characters and an exciting plot with an older, haunting story woven throughout. It is also a beautiful coming-of-age tale, has multiple heart-warming (and heart-breaking!) moments and is one of the best teen romances I’ve read in a long while. Read it and you will understand why Melina Marchetta is the undisputed queen of Australian YA literature.

A Pocketful of Eyes by Lili Wilkinson ~ Love a good mystery? Then I’m sure you will adore Lili’s latest novel! After the body of her boss is found in the Red Rotunda at the Natural Museum of History, seventeen year-old Bee is convinced something is amiss and is determined to investigate. Throw in a deliciously nerdy boy, a fangirl of a mother, a summer job in the taxidermy department, and a plot that is full of twists and turns (as well as some excellent flirty banter) and you have one excellent YA mystery novel on your hands. 

The Shattering by Karen Healey ~ Eleven dead teenage boys. A picturesque, beachside tourist town and a summer curse. This is my pick for those who like their YA with a nice side-serving of the paranormal. Karen Healy has written an intriguing, fast-paced and fresh mystery with a dynamic, multicultural cast of characters. Certainly something a little different in the supernatural department, that will provide a refreshing change from the influx of bit-lit books.

******************** 

Thanks so much Steph for the great guest post! I love Aussie YA and I love the sound of all of these books! I've added Notes from the Teenage Underground to my wish list after reading your rec.  I really enjoyed Karen Healey's debut Guardian of the Dead, so I will definitely be checking out The Shattering too!

If you loved Steph's guest post like I did, you should stop by her very cool blog My Girl Friday to read about Fiction, Film & Food and to find out more about the girl behind the blog!

If you'd like to write a Summer Spotlight guest post just drop me an email at daisychainbookreviews(at)gmail(dot)com 

Delightful Debutantes #20: Josephine Angelini & Starcrossed.

Have you read Starcrossed by Josephine Angelini yet? It's a big sweeping epic of Greek Myths, dangerous enemies, swoonworthy romance, and all that other fun stuff, making it the perfect summer read!

Read on to find out all about the inspiration behind Starcrossed and some sneak peeks into Dreamless, the next book in the Starcrossed trilogy.

Starcrossed is one of those books that has something for everyone – it’s a perfect blend of rich mythology combined with a forbidden romance that will keep readers hooked right to the end. Where did you get the inspiration to write such a great story?

Well, I was trying to pitch a different idea for a supernatural YA series to my husband who is a screenwriter here in LA.  I blew it.  The idea was just way too complicated for a first novel, and I confused the heck out of him.  He wisely suggested that I start with a simpler idea.

I cried my eyes out, but only for about ten minutes.  Then I looked at my beloved bookshelf for solace and I found a copy of Romeo and Juliet sitting right next to the Iliad.  I looked at my husband and asked him if anyone had ever tried to do a modern day re-telling of the Iliad set in high school, and focusing on the love story. 

His eyes lit up and I started outlining.  A door closed, but a window opened.

Starcrossed UK

I loved the depth of characterization in Starcrossed, and even though there are a lot of characters (especially in the Delos family!) I felt like I got to know them all. I loved finding out about all their different quirks, character traits and special abilities.  Apart from the main characters of Helen and Lucas, who were your favourite secondary characters to write, and why?

Claire is just a hoot.  Claire and Hector are my favorite to write, mostly I think because I can really flex my sarcasm muscles with both of them.  Also, it’s so gratifying to be a woman and get to think like Hector—who can, on occasion, be a big jerk and a womanizer.  I love his swagger.

While we’re on the subject of characters, I keep on hearing about this character called Orion who is going to feature in Dreamless, the second book in the Starcrossed trilogy.  Can you tell me anything about him? Do I sense trouble ahead for our favourite starcrossed pair Helen and Lucas hmmm…?

Trouble indeed!  I don’t want to tell you too much about Orion, but I will say he is a Son of Aphrodite.  He’s got some very interesting…ahem…talents.  Gods, I love that guy.

Speaking of Helen and Lucas, I think readers are going to love their dangerous and forbidden romance. Of course it helps that Lucas is drop dead gorgeous too. Can you tell me some of your all-time favourite literary couples?

I tend to rock the classics when I do “all time” lists.  I love Anne and Gilbert from Anne of Green Gables.  I love how the fight for half their lives and then realize that they are perfect for each other.  I love Elizabeth Bennett and Mr. Darcy from Pride and Prejudice.  Also another couple who fought bitterly before they realized they were in love.  Wait, I see a pattern here…

Starcrossed US

Starcrossed left me wanting to know more about Greek Mythology and all its legends. Can you recommend some books for fans of Starcrossed who would like to do some further reading of their own?

Anything by Homer, Sophocles, Euripides, Aeschylus, and Aristophanes—you know the usual suspects.  But if those guns are a little too big, I’d just suggest getting an anthology of Greek Mythology at the books store.  The myths are just so bizarre and cool-- lots of blood and sex and people turning into flowers or trees or monsters.  It’s awesome.

I’ve recently started a feature on my blog that’s all about spotlighting great summer reads. Starcrossed is on a lot of summer reading lists this year.  What books are top of your summer reading list?

I want to read Beauty Queens by Libba Bray.  I’ve always had a strong feminist streak in me (With 6 big sisters it was more of a survival instinct than a philosophical stance.  If I didn’t respect women I’d end up getting crushed by one, you see.)  I’m glad that there are more feminist books out on the shelves nowadays.  For a while women rejected even the word “feminist”, but I think that’s changing.  I think women are starting to realize that you don’t have to stop being feminine to be a feminist and they are coming around.

So, I’ve already asked about Orion, but is there anything else you can let readers know about Dreamless, the next book in the series? Any sneak peeks as to what happens next?

Dreamless is darker, and there is a lot more action.  A fair portion of it takes place in the Underworld so there is a creepy edge to this story.  Oh, and it’s sexier.  I couldn’t be happier with how it turned out.  :)

Thanks Josie for the great interview - you are a true delight! :)  I can't wait to meet Orion! Sounds like my kinda (bad) boy!

UK Book Trailer for Starcrossed:

Josie's Blog

Josie's Website

Follow Josie on Twitter

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Book Review: The Day Before by Lisa Schroeder.

Product details:
Publisher: Simon Pulse.
Release date: June 28th 2011.
Hardcover, 320 pages.
Rating: 4 out of 5.
Ages: 14+
Source: Galley Grab

Amber’s life is spinning out of control. All she wants is to turn up the volume on her iPod until all of the demands of family and friends fade away. So she sneaks off to the beach to spend a day by herself. 

Then Amber meets Cade. Their attraction is instant, and Amber can tell he’s also looking for an escape. Together they decide to share a perfect day: no pasts, no fears, no regrets.

The more time that Amber spends with Cade, the more she’s drawn to him. And the more she’s troubled by his darkness. Because Cade’s not just living in the now—he’s living each moment like it’s his last.

When I first heard of The Day Before by Lisa Schroeder, I was a little wary despite being completely in love with the premise of the book. Having never read a book written in verse before, I wasn’t quite sure if it would be to my taste. However, I’m glad to say that these fears were totally unfounded. Schroeder’s writing is beautiful, giving readers an immediate insight into the mindset of her characters. Her writing is raw, powerful, emotional and real and will enable readers to establish a deep connection with the characters in this book as they learn of the events that have led them to spend one perfect day together before their lives change forever.

I was initially drawn to this book by the synopsis which immediately reminded me of one of my all time favourite movies Before Sunrise, starring Ethan Hawke and Julie Delpy. It’s a movie that is beautifully referenced in the text as “the most romantic movie ever”, and I agree that this movie, depicting an unexpected, perfect day when two strangers meet and immediately connect, is pretty special. Truly perfect days are a rare thing, filled with simple pleasures, made perfect by the people they are shared with.

Amber and Cade meet when they are both trying to experience a day free from worry, free from hurt, free from expectations. This is a perfect day book, for sure, but it has a dark ominous cloud hanging over it in the shape of what is to come next in the lives of Amber, a girl caught in a heartbreaking tug of war, and Cade, a boy who has had to make a life-changing decision, and who is living every moment like it’s his last. Amber and Cade don’t know each other, they meet by chance, or by fate, as they embark on the day before the day that their lives are set to change forever.

I went through a range of emotions while reading this book. It’s dark in places, but also funny, sweet and romantic. It’s a book that will tug at your heartstrings, but also leave you smiling as you witness the connection between Amber and Cade as they share special, once in a lifetime moments together, including perfect kisses under a glitter filled sky. Sometimes the right person comes along just when you need them most, and Amber and Cade find solace and understanding in each other as they face that dreaded tomorrow that they never want to arrive.

This book was beautiful in every way, filled with life great characters, special moments and life lessons that made me sit up and listen. As a person who is not a big fan of change, I appreciated the message that if you embrace change, it doesn’t have to be a bad thing. As a quick read, this book totally left me wanting more, just like all the best books do. Maybe Lisa Schroeder will take inspiration from Before Sunset which revisited the characters from Before Sunrise almost a decade down the line and give us a sequel some time. I, for one, would love to read more!

Announcement: Amy & Roger's Epic Blog Tour!

Amy & Roger's Epic Detour by Morgan Matson is one of the best books I've read this summer - it became an instant favourite of mine and I didn't want to let it go! I can't wait to read more from Morgan!

To celebrate the UK release of Amy & Roger's Epic Detour, Simon & Schuster UK have organised a very cool blog tour which starts right here on July 4th. I'll also have some other treats in store in addition to my Q&A with Morgan, so watch this space!

You can find full details of the blog tour in the banner below and if you click it, you'll be directed to an exclusive Spotify playlist featuring a selection of twelve tracks from one of Amy & Roger's addictive road trip playlists! I love those playlists!

Enjoy!

Please Note: Spotify is currently available in the following countries: Finland, France, Norway, Netherlands, Spain, Sweden, United Kingdom.

Book Review: Tighter by Adele Griffin.

Product details:
Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers
Release date: May 10th 2011.
Hardcover, 216 pages.
Rating: 5 out of 5
Ages: YA
Source: Received from author for review

When 17-year-old Jamie arrives on the idyllic New England island of Little Bly to work as a summer au pair, she is stunned to learn of the horror that precedes her. Seeking the truth surrounding a young couple's tragic deaths, Jamie discovers that she herself looks shockingly like the dead girl—and that she has a disturbing ability to sense the two ghosts. Why is Jamie's connection to the couple so intense? What really happened last summer at Little Bly? As the secrets of the house wrap tighter and tighter around her, Jamie must navigate the increasingly blurred divide between the worlds of the living and the dead.

Brilliantly plotted, with startling twists, here is a thrilling page-turner from the award-winning Adele Griffin.

As soon as I read the creepy synopsis for Tighter by Adele Griffin I knew that I had to read this book, better yet, even though I have never read anything by Griffin before, I had a good feeling that I would love Tighter, and oh, how I did! I am a sucker for ghostly tales, especially those that have gothic undertones, and are set in big old houses, where fear and menace lurk around every corner. It’s safe to say that I love a good fright, and so naturally, I read this late at night. And it is a testament to this book and to Griffin’s writing, that while reading Tighter on a balmy summer night in June, it gave me chills and sent shivers down my spine. Oooh, it is really that good! Ghostly, gothic, haunting and menacing, this book reeled me in and didn’t let me go until I was done.

Seventeen year old Jamie Atkinson is not in a good place. Haunted not only by chilling nightmares and visions that constantly disrupt her sleep, but also by a broken heart, she needs to escape a dull summer stuck at home with her parents, with no friends and no boyfriend to keep her occupied. Jamie’s solution to all her problems is to lose herself in a haze of prescription pills, but her mother provides an altogether healthier resolution to her “mopey” behaviour when she sets her up with the perfect job as a summer au pair on the idyllic New England island of Little Bly, where she will reside at Skylark, a grand old house, and take charge of Isa, a sweet girl who lives in her own little world. Not so sweet is Isa’s know-it-all brother Milo, and Connie Hubbard, an ill-tempered housekeeper who has nothing good to say about Jamie and who is constantly keeping watch over her. Those two, though, are the least of her problems, when she learns of Isa’s former au pair Jessie, a girl who Jamie bears a striking resemblance to, and her boyfriend Peter, who both died tragically a year before. It seems that something is not quite right at Skylark, and Jamie is determined to get to the bottom of the mystery as she stumbles through summer in her drug-fuelled haze, shadowed by an eerie presence and haunted by ghosts only she can see.

While I haven’t read The Turn of the Screw by Henry James, on which Tighter is loosely based, and so can’t make comparisons between the two, I will say that Tighter, with its ominous, eerie presence, big old house, an imposing housekeeper, reminded me in many ways of Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier. Fans of this one will also enjoy the psychological torment of The Moth Diaries by Rachel Klein and The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield which is similarly beautifully written and has a similar gothic feel. That said, while I’ve read a lot of gothic ghost stories, very few have caught me unawares as this one did. Nothing could have prepared me for the revelations in this book, and while I’m usually pretty good at figuring out plot twists in books of this kind, I will admit that this one left me shocked. I had no idea! I was left speechless by the shocking revelations here, and I have since re-read most of the book and seen that the clues were there, but at the time they were so well hidden.

Tighter is a quick, engrossing read, and it certainly packs a punch. Griffin’s writing style is impeccable, fast-paced and taut, making the book a total page-turner. I read the final pages of Tighter, thinking that yeah, in the end everything made sense, and then with one final twist, Adele Griffin managed to shock me once more, and almost had me sleeping with the light on. Tighter is spooky, shocking and unputdownable. It will play on your mind long after you finish it. A must read!

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I first heard about Adele Griffin and Tighter over at Small Review (thanks Small - now we can be fangirls together!) and I just wanted to highlight this great Small Special on Adele Griffin that you can check out on the blog.  There's a great guest post by Adele over there that tells the story behind the cover of Tighter, and it's definitely worth reading!

Big thanks to Adele Griffin who noticed that I was dying to read Tighter, and offered to send me a copy. Authors are awesome! Needless to say, this didn't affect my opinion of the book, or this review in any way. I just fully loved it!!

Summer Spotlight Guest Post: Alexa from Not Enough Bookshelves picks her Top Five Summer Reads!

Ah Summer! Whether you are lying on a beach, sipping a ice cold drink with an umbrella in it; or curled on the sofa with a cup of tea wondering why the British summer is always so wet! I have some great YA summer reads for you.

Imaginary Girls by Nova Ren Suma ~ reading this is like floating down river in a boat, the sun on your face, a gentle breeze playing over you and only the vaguest idea what your destination is going to be. But this book is all about the journey.

Along for the Ride by Sarah Dessen ~ Sarah Dessen is the queen of summer reads and this is one of my favourites. It takes place at the beach and there are parties, midnight trips, bike riding, a screaming baby and a very sweet romance.

Scrambled Eggs at Midnight by Brad Barkley and Heather Hepler ~ I adore this book told in the alternating POV by Elliot and Callie as they fall in love over the summer. I also love the setting, a camp for overweight children whose motto is What would Jesus eat?

Stealing Heaven by Elizabeth Scott at her best. A cop and a thief fall for each other during the course of a summer in the small town of Heaven. It's both adorable and achingly sad.

A Little Wanting Song by Cath Crowley ~ It's Christmas in this book, but as it's set in Australia it's also summer, so it qualifies. Told from both Charlie and Rose's points of view this is such a beautiful book, it had me absolutely hooked from page one.

Thanks so much for having me Leanna and if anyone has any great summer reads to recommend I'd love to hear about them!

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Thanks so much Alexa for the great guest post! I love the sound of all of these books and will definitely be adding them to my wish list!  I haven't yet read anything by Sarah Dessen or Elizabeth Scott (terrible, I know), but I've wanted to check out those authors for a while now, and I think I'll start with the books you picked! They both sound fab!

If you'd like to read more from Alexa, you should stop by her most excellent blog Not Enough Bookshelves where you can read her fab reviews and also check out photos (including an Anna and the French Kiss moment!) from her recent trip to Paris!

If you'd like to write a Summer Spotlight guest post just drop me an email at daisychainbookreviews(at)gmail(dot)com 

Book Review: Spellbound by Cara Lynn Shultz.

Product details:
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Release date: June 28th 2011
Paperback, 384 pages.
Rating: 3½ out of 5
Ages: YA
Source: Netgalley.

What's a girl to do when meeting The One means she's cursed to die a horrible death?

Life hasn't been easy on sixteen-year-old Emma Conner, so a new start in New York may be just the change she needs. But the posh Upper East Side prep school she has to attend? Not so much. Friendly faces are few and far between, except for one that she's irresistibly drawn to—Brendan Salinger, the guy with the rock-star good looks and the richest kid in school, who might just be her very own white knight.

But even when Brendan inexplicably turns cold, Emma can't stop staring. Ever since she laid eyes on him, strange things have been happening. Streetlamps go out wherever she walks, and Emma's been having the oddest dreams: visions of herself in past lives—visions that warn her to stay away from Brendan. Or else.

Best described as Gossip Girl with a paranormal twist, Spellbound, the debut novel by Cara Lynn Schultz is brimming with hot guys, mean girls, and an ugly ancient curse which leaves our spellbound lovers in serious danger. An enjoyable, fast-paced read, with sassy prose and a feisty protagonist who I immediately warmed to, Spellbound was, however, a little lacking in certain departments. For one, it didn’t provide me with anything that I haven’t already read dozens of times before in YA paranormal romances (Haven and Shadow Hills are two that immediately spring to mind), and these days I need something more than the well trodden formula of new girl, new school, hot guy, insta-love, guy turns jerk, back in love, ancient curse, that this book offers.

Sixteen year old Emma Conner has experienced a lot of tragedy and hardship in her short life, so a new start with her wealthy aunt in New York is just what she needs. What she doesn’t need is the unwanted attention she attracts at her first day at Vincent Academy her prestigious new school on the Upper East Side, namely from Anthony who is a total sleaze, and Kristin, all round Queen bitch and leader of her very own band of mean girls, who has taken an instant dislike to Emma. It’s not all bad though. On her first day at school she makes eye-contact with Brendan Salinger, who happens to be just about the hottest guy she has ever laid eyes on, and is instantly smitten. Brendan seems pretty taken with her too, but then after a date and an almost kiss, he turns cold. Emma has to figure out if this guy is just not that into her, or if there is something more sinister at work, like, say, an ancient curse, that means the two can never truly be together…

So far, so predictable, right? Well, it was for, me, but that’s not to say that I didn’t enjoy this one. While the story and the mystery here are pretty formulaic, I have to admit, the love interest is smokin’ hot! Even though that YA affliction of insta-love is hard at work here (We have a soul mate situation), I couldn’t help but be drawn to Emma and Brendan. Emma is funny, feisty and has some great one liners, and even if she does lose all reason whenever Brendan is near, it’s hard to hold it against her. Brendan is just a bit yum! With his rock star good looks, and constant leaning, I swooned. What’s so appealing about constant leaning, you ask? Well to me, it reminds me of one of my all time biggest crushes Jordan Catalano* from My So-Called Life, who made Angela Chase lose all sense of reason with his constant leaning “I just like how he’s always leaning. Against stuff. He leans great.” Brendan leans great too. If you like Jordan Catalano, you will love Brendan, the sexy bad boy with a sweet, soft side.

The romance here, though, while pretty hot, overshadowed the rest of the plot. Themes of witchcraft and ancient curses are explored, but never really developed, nor is Emma’s family background, which I thought was going to be more integral to the plot. Most of the time, while Emma and Brendan realize they have to do something about the curse that haunts their love, they would rather just make out instead. I also anticipated plot twists and an exciting ending for this one, but unfortunately it all fell a little flat.

Despite my issues with this one, Spellbound is a solid debut overall, and even when I wasn’t so enamoured with the storyline, I admit that Brendan and his sexy leaning kept me turning the pages. Spellbound is definitely worth checking out if you’re looking for a quick, fun read, but for those looking for something completely new or different that stands out from the PR pile, this isn’t it.

* If you don’t know who I’m talking about, you might know him instead as the lead singer of 30 Seconds to Mars. ;)

Cover Candy #12 - Recent Swoonworthy Cover Reveals!

It's Cover Candy catch-up time again! I have some great covers to share with you this time round!

Let me know what you think of the featured covers in comments. Will you be adding any of these to your wish list? 

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Incarnate by Jodi Meadows has got me all intrigued.  I'm always interested in themes of reincarnation, and this one certainly sounds like a very different twist on the theme! Love that cover too!

 Incarnate by Jodi Meadows

Publisher: HarperCollins Children's Books

Release date: January 2012

Ages: YA

NEWSOUL
Ana is new. For thousands of years in Range, a million souls have been reincarnated over and over, keeping their memories and experiences from previous lifetimes. When Ana was born, another soul vanished, and no one knows why.

NOSOUL
Even Ana’s own mother thinks she’s a nosoul, an omen of worse things to come, and has kept her away from society. To escape her seclusion and learn whether she’ll be reincarnated, Ana travels to the city of Heart, but its citizens are suspicious and afraid of what her presence means. When dragons and sylph attack the city, is Ana to blame?

HEART
Sam believes Ana’s new soul is good and worthwhile. When he stands up for her, their relationship blooms. But can he love someone who may live only once, and will Ana’s enemies—human and creature alike—let them be together? Ana needs to uncover the mistake that gave her someone else’s life, but will her quest threaten the peace of Heart and destroy the promise of reincarnation for all?

Jodi Meadows expertly weaves soul-deep romance, fantasy, and danger into an extraordinary tale of new life.

Love, love, love the sound of The Gathering Storm, the first in a trilogy by Robin Bridges. This one is set in Tsarist Russia and has lots of Paranormal goodness too. Can't wait to read this! 

 The Gathering Storm by Robin Bridges

Publisher: Delacorte Books for Young Readers

Release date: January 2012

Ages: YA

St. Petersburg, Russia, 1888. As she attends a whirl of glittering balls, royal debutante Katerina Alexandrovna, Duchess of Oldenburg, tries to hide a dark secret: she can raise the dead. No one knows. Not her family. Not the girls at her finishing school. Not the tsar or anyone in her aristocratic circle. Katerina considers her talent a curse, not a gift. But when she uses her special skill to protect a member of the Imperial Family, she finds herself caught in a web of intrigue.
An evil presence is growing within Europe's royal bloodlines—and those aligned with the darkness threaten to topple the tsar. Suddenly Katerina's strength as a necromancer attracts attention from unwelcome sources . . . including two young men—George Alexandrovich, the tsar's standoffish middle son, who needs Katerina's help to safeguard Russia, even if he's repelled by her secret, and the dashing Prince Danilo, heir to the throne of Montenegro, to whom Katerina feels inexplicably drawn.

The time has come for Katerina to embrace her power, but which side will she choose—and to whom will she give her heart?

I love contemporary fiction with an edge, and this one certainly fits the bill! Someone Else's Life by Katie Dale will be released in the UK and the US in 2012.  I'm going with the UK cover, which I prefer, but you can also check out the US cover here.

Someone Else's Life by Katie Dale

Publisher: Simon & Schuster UK

Release date: April 2012

Ages: YA

When seventeen-year-old Rosie’s mother, Trudie, dies from Huntington’s Disease, her pain is intensified by the knowledge that she has a fifty-per-cent chance of inheriting the crippling disease herself. Only when she tells her mum’s best friend, ‘Aunt Sarah’ that she is going to test for the disease does Sarah, a midwife, reveal that Trudie was not her biological mother after all... Devastated, Rosie decides to trace her real mother, hitching along on her ex-boyfriend’s GAP year to follow her to Los Angeles. But all does not go to plan, and as Rosie discovers yet more of her family's deeply-buried secrets and lies, she is left with an agonising decision of her own - one which will be the most heart-breaking and far-reaching of all...

The Sharp Time by Mary O' Connell is another book with an intriguing premise and a pretty cover.  I first spotted this over on Books for Company and immediately added it to my wish list!

The Sharp Time by Mary O' Connell

Publisher: Delacorte Press

Release date: November 2011

Ages: YA

Sandinista Jones is a high school senior with a punk rock name and a broken heart. The death of her single mother has left Sandinista alone in the world, subject to the random vulnerability of everyday life. When the school system lets her down, her grief and instability intensify, and she ponders a violent act of revenge. 

Still, in the midst of her crisis, she gets a job at The Pale Circus, a funky vintage clothing shop, and finds friendship and camaraderie with her coworker, a boy struggling with his own secrets. 

Even as Sandinista sees the failures of those with power and authority, she's offered the chance to survive through the redemptive power of friendship. Now she must choose between faith and forgiveness or violence and vengeance.

I love this cover for the special edition of Delirium by Lauren Oliver (out August). I wasn't a  huge fan of the original cover, and I think this one is so much better!

* Please note: These covers may not be  final and may be subject to change.