Someone Else's Life Blog Tour! Author Interview with... Katie Dale

I'm excited to be taking part today in the Canadian Blog Tour for Katie Dale's YA debut novel, Someone Else's Life! If you're looking for a heartfelt contemporary novel with an appeal for both YA and adult readers, then I'm sure you'll be interested in taking a closer look at Someone Else's Life.

Thanks to Random House Canada, I was able to ask Katie Dale a few questions...

Fans of Jodi Picoult, Caroline B. Cooney, and Lurlene McDaniel--teens and adults alike--will relish this thrilling emotional rollercoaster ride as a web of family secrets brought to light devastates lives on both sides of the Atlantic.

When 17-year-old Rosie's mother, Trudie, dies from Huntington's disease, her pain is intensified by the knowledge that she has a fifty percent chance of inheriting the crippling disease herself. Only when Rosie tells her mother's best friend, "Aunt Sarah," that she is going to test for the disease does Sarah, a midwife, reveal that Trudie wasn't her real mother after all. Rosie was swapped at birth with a sickly baby who was destined to die.

Devastated, Rosie decides to find her birth mother in California. But all does not go as planned. As Rosie discovers yet more of her family's deeply buried secrets and lies, she is left with an agonizing decision of her own, one which will be the most heart breaking and far-reaching of all.

1) Who was your favourite character to write about in Someone Else's Life?

Kitty was a great character to write about – she’s such a personality, and her dialogue is often quite snappy, so her scenes are often quite dramatic and glamourous. However, I think Jack was my favourite character, as he tries so hard to do the right thing by everyone even though he’s completely stuck in the middle of a terrible situation.

2) What kind of research was involved in understanding Huntington's Disease and making it an important part of your novel?

I had never heard of Huntington’s disease before I started writing Someone Else’s Life, so it was really important to me to make sure I got all my facts right and gave an authentic and accurate portrayal of the devastating disease. I consequently spent a long time researching the disease and talking to and meeting with people who have or are affected by Huntington’s – some of the most inspiring and courageous people I’ve ever met. 

3) Your debut novel brings a whole new level to the complexities of family relationships. What was the most challenging aspect about writing Someone Else's Life?

The most challenging and time-consuming aspect was researching Huntington’s disease. I found I could imagine myself in most of the characters’ difficult family situations, but it was most difficult when it came to Huntington’s disease, and accurately portraying the heartbreaking effects of the terrible disease. So it was important to me to take the time to get it right, and be authentic.

4) In the novel, Rosie learns secrets about her family that she would never have dreamed to guess. If you could live a day in someone else's life, who would you choose?

That’s a tough one. I think living a day in anyone else’s life would be fascinating and eye-opening, indeed that’s one of the things I love most about writing and acting – putting myself in someone else’s shoes for a while and imagining what life must be like for them. I think I’d choose to live a day in the life of someone in a third world country, as I think we could all stand to be reminded of how lucky we are and just how much we take for granted in life. 

5) Can you tell us more about the next novel you're working on for readers to enjoy?

Yes! The next book is another stand-alone YA, but this time it’s more of a thriller – here’s the blurb:

Tall, dark, and handsome, the first time Lou meets mysterious Christian she knows he is The One. But Christian is hiding a terrible secret. Why does he clam up every time Lou asks about his past? Why does he have the initials L.N. engraved on his watch? Why doesn’t he have any family – and why does he dye his blond hair black? Then when Christian’s house goes up in flames, his tires are slashed, and he flees for his life, Lou insists on going with him.

But as Christian’s secret is unveiled in front of the whole world, it seems everything he’s ever told Lou is a lie. Even his name. Her loyalties torn, her emotions in tatters, Lou must decide whether to stand by the man she loves, or turn him over to his pursuers. Can what they’re saying about him really be true? Should she trust him? Or is she in terrible danger…?

But Christian isn’t the only one keeping secrets. For what if their accidental meeting was no accident at all… 

*****

Thanks so much to Katie Dale for answering my questions! If you'd like to learn more about Someone Else's Life, you can visit Katie Dale's author website.

I'm the final stop on the Someone Else's Life Blog Tour, but here are the blogs where you can check out the earlier stops during the week:

Monday, March 26^th: Guest Post & Giveaway at Evie Bookish

Tuesday, March 27^th: Q&A at XpressoReads

Wednesday, March 28^th: Guest Post & Giveaway at All I Ever Read

Thursday, March 29^th: Q&A at Book Nerd

Friday, March 30^th: Q&A at Midnight Bloom Reads

Waiting on Wednesday (90) - Girl of Nightmares by Kendare Blake

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine spotlighting upcoming releases we're eagerly anticipating.

Release Date: August 7, 2012

Publisher: Tor Teen

Summary (from Raincoast Books):

** Contains spoilers if you haven't read Anna Dressed in Blood! **

It's been months since the ghost of Anna Korlov opened a door to Hell in her basement and disappeared into it, but ghost-hunter Cas Lowood can't move on.

His friends remind him that Anna sacrificed herself so that Cas could live - not walk around half dead. He knows they're right, but in Cas's eyes, no living girl he meets can compare to the dead girl he fell in love with. 

Now he's seeing Anna everywhere: sometimes when he's asleep and sometimes in waking nightmares. But something is very wrong... these aren't just daydreams. Anna seems tortured, torn apart in new and ever more gruesome ways every time she appears.
 

Cas doesn't know what happened to Anna when she disappeared into Hell, but he knows she doesn't deserve whatever is happening to her now. Anna saved Cas more than once, and it's time for him to return the favor.

If you've read my review of Anna Dressed in Blood, then you'll know just how much I loved it! It's probably one of my favourite ghost stories I've ever had the pleasure of reading and I couldn't help but crush on Cas the entire time. The storyline was creepy and suspenseful, but it also had a lot of heart too. I absolutely cannot wait to see how Kendare Blake will continue Cas and Anna's story with the sequel, Girl of Nightmares!

In My Mailbox (62)

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by Kristi at The Story Siren where we share any new books or goodies we bought, received, borrowed, etc. during the week.

The past couple of weeks, I've gotten...

Received for Review:

• Blood Red Road (Dust Lands #1) by Moira Young (Read my review from when the book was first released in hardcover!)
• The False Prince (The Ascendance Trilogy #1) by Jennifer A. Nielsen
• Going Ape! by Eduardo Bustos and Lucho Rodriguez
• ARC of The Last Princess by Galaxy Craze
• Man Overboard! by Curtis Parkinson
• Puppet by Eva Wiseman 

Thanks so much to Hachette Book Group Canada, Random House Canada, Scholastic Canada, and Tundra Books for sending these novels for review! (I'll admit, I was especially surprised to receive a children's book but the illustrations inside look fun.)

Bought:

• Spell Bound (Hex Hall #3) by Rachel Hawkins
• A Temptation of Angels by Michelle Zink 

I already read Spell Bound and thought it was a rather bittersweet finish to the series. Sophie is ever the sarcastic protagonist though, which I was glad! And I was excited to buy A Temptation of Angels yesterday! Historical fiction with romance and the supernatural? Sounds good to me!

And I saw The Hunger Games movie last night and absolutely LOVED it! They've stuck quite well with the book and for any of the scenes they've added, I thought it added more to the storyline. I'm pretty sure I'll be finding myself watching it a second time in theaters soon enough.

What about YOU? Any new reads/finds this week?

And as always... Happy Reading! 

Book Trailer! - Bitterblue by Kristin Cashore

The book trailer for Kristin Cashore's Bitterblue, the final novel in The Seven Kingdoms trilogy, premiered yesterday on Mundie Moms!

I feel like we've been waiting forever for Bitterblue to be released, so I'm crazy excited to see what will happen in the book! I re-read Graceling and Fire not too long ago, so I'm ready to enter the richly-described and imaginative world Kristin Cashore has created once again!

To learn more about the series, you can "like" the Graceling Realm facebook fanpage or you can visit the Graceling Realm website the publisher has created, where you'll also be able to read an excerpt from Bitterblue. 

Release Date: May 1, 2012
Publisher: Dial Books for Young Readers

Summary:

Eight years after Graceling, Bitterblue is now queen of Monsea. But the influence of her father, a violent psychopath with mind-altering abilities, lives on. Her advisors, who have run things since Leck died, believe in a forward-thinking plan: Pardon all who committed terrible acts under Leck's reign, and forget anything bad ever happened. But when Bitterblue begins sneaking outside the castle--disguised and alone--to walk the streets of her own city, she starts realizing that the kingdom has been under the thirty-five-year spell of a madman, and the only way to move forward is to revisit the past.

Two thieves, who only steal what has already been stolen, change her life forever. They hold a key to the truth of Leck's reign. And one of them, with an extreme skill called a Grace that he hasn't yet identified, holds a key to her heart.

Black Heart Blog Tour! Author Interview with... Holly Black

I'm very excited to be taking part today in the Canadian Blog Tour for Holly Black's latest novel, Black Heart, the final novel in the Curse Workers trilogy! I read Black Heart the other night and absolutely loved it. Just like the previous novels, it was unpredictable and left me guessing what would happen next until the very end. If you're a fan of the series, I'm sure you'll be running to the bookstore as soon as it's released!

Thanks to Simon & Schuster Canada, I was able to ask Holly a few questions...

Cassel Sharpe knows he’s been used as an assassin, but he’s trying to put all that behind him. He’s trying to be good, even though he grew up in a family of con artists and cheating comes as easily as breathing to him. He’s trying to do the right thing, even though the girl he loves is inextricably connected with crime. And he’s trying to convince himself that working for the Feds is smart, even though he’s been raised to believe the government is the enemy.

But with a mother on the lam, the girl he loves about to take her place in the Mob, and new secrets coming to light, the line between what’s right and what’s wrong becomes increasingly blurred. When the Feds ask Cassel to do the one thing he said he would never do again, he needs to sort out what’s a con and what’s truth. In a dangerous game and with his life on the line, Cassel may have to make his biggest gamble yet—this time on love. 

1) Who was your favourite character to write about in Black Heart? 

Other than Cassel and Lila, I always loved writing Barron, because although he might be a sociopath, he's also a lot of fun. When he's in a scene, crazy things are going to happen! And I love writing Cassel and Barron's grandfather -- an assassin, sure, but full of warm-hearted yet vaguely sinister advice and support for his grandkids nonetheless. 

2) I've always been amazed how Cassel can find himself in a heap of trouble, but then find a solution in a way where all the details in the book suddenly fall into place. How did you research the cons and techniques involved which Cassel routinely uses in the books? 

I did wind up doing a lot of research for the book, but the research was really interesting. Lots of times I am drawn to a story because I am interested in the research. I re-read a bunch of noir classics and hardboiled mysteries, read a lot of books on true crime, read more about organized crime, and watched many heist movies. But I think, in the end, the two most useful books were The Big Con, which analyzes different cons in great detail and Influence: A Psychology of Persuasion, which talks about how people can be made to do things. I would recommend them to anyone. 

3) If you were a member of Zacharov's crime syndicate, what kind of curse worker would you be and how would you use your talents to make your boss proud? 

That's a great question! I think I would like to be a luck worker because I think in that line of work, low expectations are the best way to make your boss proud. My aim would be to keep a low profile and also to get a cool mobster name, like Holly "The Squid" Black or Holly "Triple Shot Espresso, No Sugar" Black. 

4) The entire look for the Curse Workers trilogy was recently given a completely new facelift. Was the new concept for the cover designs a welcome change? 

The artwork is really beautiful and very different from anything I've seen before. What I think I like best about it is how the covers feel simultaneously very modern and also reminiscent of a cover that might be at home on The Great Gatsby. But what I really hope is that other people will like the covers, pick up the books and give the series a try. 

5) With the series coming to a close, can you share with us what you're working on next for readers to enjoy? 

In 2013, I actually have TWO books coming out. 

I have a middle grade called DOLL BONES, about three kids -- Zachary, Poppy and Alice -- who go on a journey, despite their own uncertain friendship, to bury a doll that may or may not be made from human bones. It's creepy and fun and it may be the most difficult thing I've ever written, but I am really, really proud of it. 

The second book is a teen novel, called THE COLDEST GIRL IN COLDTOWN. It's based on a short story I wrote a few years ago and it's set in a world where the sudden spread of vampirism caused the United States to wall off parts of cities, creating "Coldtowns" where humans and vampires live side by side in a lawless and decadent détente. Outside the quarantined zones, people watch videos uploaded from inside with fascination, making instant celebrities of monsters. When only Tana Bach and her ex-boyfriend, Aidan, survive a lockdown party massacre that leaves both of them infected, they have to travel with a half-mad vampire named Gavriel, into the heart of everything that Tana has always feared. 

That's the first time I tried to summarize COLDTOWN -- it's hard because I'm not quite finished with it yet!

*****

Thanks so much to Holly Black for answering my questions! Don't forget, Black Heart will be hitting shelves on April 3! And if you haven't checked out the Curse Workers series yet, I'd highly recommend you give the books a try!

You can learn more about Holly Black and the Curse Workers series on Simon & Schuster Canada's website.
 

Waiting on Wednesday (89) - Ten by Gretchen McNeil

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine spotlighting upcoming releases we're eagerly anticipating.

Release Date: September 18, 2012

Publisher: Balzer + Bray

Summary (from Goodreads): 

And their doom comes swiftly.

It was supposed to be the weekend of their lives—an exclusive house party on Henry Island. Best friends Meg and Minnie each have their reasons for being there (which involve T.J., the school’s most eligible bachelor) and look forward to three glorious days of boys, booze and fun-filled luxury.

But what they expect is definitely not what they get, and what starts out as fun turns dark and twisted after the discovery of a DVD with a sinister message: Vengeance is mine.

Suddenly people are dying, and with a storm raging, the teens are cut off the from the outside world. No electricity, no phones, no internet, and a ferry that isn’t scheduled to return for two days. As the deaths become more violent and the teens turn on each other, can Meg find the killer before more people die? Or is the killer closer to her than she could ever imagine?

Gretchen McNeil's upcoming novel Ten sounds like the perfect novel to leave you on edge and suspecting all the characters of being at fault. With horror and suspense interwoven in the plot, Ten is one of those books which already stands apart from other YA novels with its fresh concept. And to top it off, the book's awesome cover matches the dark atmosphere exactly! I can't wait to read this book!

Spotted! Cover of Burn for Burn by Jenny Han & Siobhan Vivian

The book cover for Burn for Burn, the first novel in a new trilogy, co-written by Jenny Han and Siobhan Vivian was officially revealed today on Seventeen Magazine! And if you're on Tumblr, I'd suggest following the new Burn for Burn blog, which the authors have created, to get the latest news on the trilogy!

 Release Date: September 18, 2012

Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers

Add to Goodreads

Summary (from Goodreads): 

The start of a brand-new young adult trilogy about three very different girls who overcome their differences and band together to seek revenge on those who have wronged them, uncovering a supernatural secret about what brought them together and why in the process. Each book will rotate back and forth between the perspectives of all three characters.

I've been really excited to read Burn for Burn ever since hearing the news that Jenny Han and Siobhan Vivian were collaborating together! I love Han's Summer trilogy and absolutely enjoyed reading Vivian's Not That Kind of Girl when it first came out, so it's easy to see why I would be looking forward to Burn for Burn so much. I hope a more detailed summary for the book will be released soon, but even just the small tease offered is enough to catch my interest!

What do you think about the book cover? It's so pretty, right?

Embrace Blog Tour & Giveaway! Author Interview with... Jessica Shirvington

I'm sure you've been hearing all the buzz lately for the North American debut of Jessica Shirvington's Embrace, the first novel in the Violet Eden Chapters! Today, I'm really excited to be taking part in the Embrace Blog Tour celebrating the recent release of the novel. Only one question remains: Are you ready to EMBRACE?

Thanks to Raincoast Books and Sourcebooks, I was able to ask Jessica Shirvington a few questions...

It starts with a whisper: “It’s time for you to know who you are…”

Violet Eden dreads her seventeenth birthday. After all, it’s hard to get too excited about the day that marks the anniversary of your mother’s death. As if that wasn’t enough, disturbing dreams haunt her sleep and leave her with very real injuries. There’s a dark tattoo weaving its way up her arms that wasn’t there before.

Violet is determined to get some answers, but nothing could have prepared her for the truth. The guy she thought she could fall in love with has been keeping his identity a secret: he’s only half-human—oh, and same goes for her.

A centuries-old battle between fallen angels and the protectors of humanity has chosen its new warrior. It’s a fight Violet doesn’t want, but she lives her life by two rules: don’t run and don’t quit. When angels seek vengeance and humans are the warriors, you could do a lot worse than betting on Violet Eden… 

1) Who was your favourite character to write about in Embrace? 

I definitely feel the closest to Violet. Embrace is written in the first person so she remains the focus of my attention. However, I do have a lot of fun with some of the minor characters as well. In particular, some of the less behaved characters like Onyx, who reappears in Entice (book 2) as well. 

2) What was your initial reaction after seeing the gorgeous US book cover? 

I think I was actually shaking. It is so beautiful. As a writer, you hope that the cover of your books will portray the story and mirror what you have imagined in your mind during the writing phases. The US cover did this perfectly. Now I am bursting to find out what they have planned for Entice! 

3) In Embrace, there's quite the romance connection tying Violet, Lincoln and Phoenix together. What is it about love triangles that you think attracts YA readers so much? 

I think love triangles are representative of the confusion many of us feel growing up. Plus, let's be honest, who wouldn't want the attention of a couple of highly desirable guys? I think we all wonder how we would deal with that particular problem. Mostly, I think we want our characters to go on a journey of self-exploration. They may not start out perfect in the beginning and they may make a lot of mistakes on the page, but we like to see them develop and love triangles can offer a lot in this department. 

4) How did you research the mythology and hierarchy of angels to help inspire the series? 

I concentrated my research on looking at a variety of religious interpretations. I didn't want to just follow a Christian point of view or otherwise - so I was able to discover many differing opinions and versions of stories I was able to incorporate into my angels. I also based the structure of angels around well-known versions of the angel hierarchy. I found this to be a good base to build on and it then fed the strength and power developments for many of my characters. There are so many stories out there - it is just about picking which ones work for the world building and the characters. 

5) Was there a particular deleted scene from Embrace that you wish had made it into the final version?

Not really. I think once you make a cut, you have to let the scene go. There was one scene I was attached to, still am, that focused on part of Violet's past. But really, although it was important to me, it didn't move the story forward in the right way so it was the right decision to let it go. 

6) Can you tell us more abut the next book you're writing for readers to enjoy? 

ENTICE will be out in the States in September 2012. I'm really looking forward to sharing the next chapter of Violet's story with everyone. Violet is introduced to some new characters that arrive from The Academy in New York and they find themselves on a race against to clock to hunt down the lost Grigori Scripture before Phoenix gets to it. Violet and Lincoln discover more about their connection and grow closer. Phoenix is back and determined to get what he wants at any cost - and his hold over Violet is stronger than ever. 

Soon after Entice, in March 2013, EMBLAZE will be out. And right now, I'm working on book 4, ENDLESS.

*****

Thanks so much to Jessica Shirvington for answering my questions! If you'd like to learn more about the author and Embrace, you can check out her author website... or visit the US official website for the book series where you'll be able to read character biographies, teaser chapters and more!

Giveaway! Sourcebooks is very kindly offering to give away one copy of Jessica Shirvington's Embrace to a lucky reader!

• please fill out the Rafflecopter form to enter
• must have a US / CANADA mailing address
• giveaway will end on March 29, 2012
• winner will be contacted by email afterwards
• do not leave your email address in the comments

Giveaway is closed.

Congratulations to Sarah C.! 

Waiting on Wednesday (88) - Meant To Be by Lauren Morrill

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine spotlighting upcoming releases we're eagerly anticipating.

Release Date: November 13, 2012

Publisher: Delacorte Books for Young Readers

Summary (from Random House Canada): 

Meant to be or not meant to be . . . that is the question.

It's one thing to fall head over heels into a puddle of hazelnut coffee, and quite another to fall for the—gasp—wrong guy. Straight-A junior Julia may be accident prone, but she's queen of following rules and being prepared. That's why she keeps a pencil sharpener in her purse and a pocket Shakespeare in her, well, pocket. And that's also why she's chosen Mark Bixford, her childhood crush, as her MTB ("meant to be").

But this spring break, Julia's rules are about to get defenestrated (SAT word: to be thrown from a window) when she's partnered with her personal nemesis, class-clown Jason, on a school trip to London. After one wild party, Julia starts receiving romantic texts . . . from an unknown number! Jason promises to help discover the identity of her mysterious new suitor if she agrees to break a few rules along the way. And thus begins a wild goose chase through London, leading Julia closer and closer to the biggest surprise of all: true love.

Because sometimes the things you least expect are the most meant to be. 

I'm always on the lookout for YA romantic contemporary novels to read, so Lauren Morrill's debut novel, Meant To Be, sounds like a book I could easily fall in love with in a heartbeat! I've been really excited to read this book for awhile now... but its November release date is still much too far away! I definitely can't wait to get my hands on Meant To Be!  

Torn by Amanda Hocking

Title: Torn (Trylle Trilogy #2)
Author: Amanda Hocking
Release Date: February 28, 2012 (paperback)
Publisher: St. Martin's Press
Pages: 336
Source: Bought

Overall: 4.5 Stars

Summary:

Amanda Hocking is an indie publishing sensation whose self-published novels have sold millions of copies all over the world. Step into the world of the Trylle, and prepare to be enchanted....

When Wendy Everly first discovers the truth about herself - that she's a changeling switched at birth - she knows her life will never be the same. Now she's about to learn that there's more to the story...

She shares a closer connection to her Vittra rivals than she ever imagined - and they'll stop at nothing to lure her to their side. With the threat of war looming, her only hope of saving the Trylle is to master her magical powers - and marry an equally powerful royal. But that means walking away from Finn, her handsome bodyguard who's strictly off limits... and Loki, a Vittra prince with whom she shares a growing attraction.

Torn between her heart and her people, between love and duty, Wendy must decide her fate. If she makes the wrong choice, she could lose everything, and everybody, she's ever wanted... in both worlds.

As a special gift to readers, this book contains a new, never-before-published bonus story, "One Day, Three Ways," set in the magical world of the Trylle. 

My Thoughts:
Picking up immediately after the events in Switched, Amanda Hocking's Torn was once again an addictive read that left me breathless and refusing to set the novel down until I had finished. There's an allure to this series and its characters which I simply find irresistible!

There was some excellent character growth in this novel which I just absolutely loved! We learn there's more to Elora's cold demeanor as the Queen of the Trylle when she reveals more of her past, and suddenly, the tough love she gives to Wendy becomes so much more understanding. And instead of running away from her destiny, Wendy is finally beginning to realize what it means to be a princess and the responsibilities that rest on her shoulders. With Finn denying his feelings for her because of their class differences, Wendy finds herself growing attached to Loki, a powerful Vittra who helps her when she needs it most. But with powers to control and political affairs to worry about, Wendy is going to have to set romantic feelings aside in favour of protecting her people... 

I had my suspicions about why the Vittra wanted Wendy so badly, so while the news comes as a huge revelation and shock to Wendy, I simply smiled with the confirmation that I'd been right. It added a wonderful new twist to the story, and combined with the threat that King Oren represents against the Trylle, it certainly sets events in motion which need to be resolved in the final book. I can't wait to see what will happen!

I'm very nervous to see how the Trylle Trilogy will conclude when Ascend is released! Once again, Amanda Hocking ends the novel on a note that left me desperate for more pages to read. Will Wendy have her happily ever after? I sure hope so...

Spotted! Cover of Romeo Redeemed by Stacey Jay

Stacey Jay officially revealed the cover of Romeo Redeemed, the companion novel to Juliet Immortal, today on her blog!

Release Date: October 9, 2012

Publisher: Delacorte Books for Young Readers

Add to Goodreads

Summary (from Random House Canada): 

Seductive companion to the popular Juliet Immortal, in which former lovers—Romeo and Juliet—meet, not as true lovers, but truly as enemies.

Cursed to live out eternity in his rotted corpse, Romeo, known for his ruthless, cutthroat ways, is given the chance to redeem himself by traveling back in time to save the life of Ariel Dragland. Unbeknownst to her, Ariel is important to both the evil Mercenaries and the love-promoting Ambassadors and holds the fate of the world in her hands. Romeo must win her heart and make her believe in love, turning her away from her darker potential before his work is discovered by the Mercenaries. 

While his seduction begins as yet another lie, it soon becomes his only truth. Romeo vows to protect Ariel from harm, and do whatever it takes to win her heart and soul. But when Ariel is led to believe his love is a deception, she becomes vulnerable to Mercenary manipulation, and her own inner darkness may ultimately rip them apart.

I love reading Stacey Jay's novels and after falling in love with Juliet Immortal last year, I just couldn't wait to see what would happen next in the companion novel! The cover for Juliet Immortal was absolutely gorgeous, so I wasn't sure if Random House could possibly create another cover just as beautiful... but wow! They sure have outdone themselves because I'm loving this one too!

If you still haven't read Juliet Immortal yet, you can read my review with my gushing thoughts on the novel. It's a great twist to Romeo & Juliet which I'm sure you would enjoy!

Cross My Heart by Sasha Gould

Title: Cross My Heart
Author: Sasha Gould
Release Date: March 13, 2012 (hardcover)
Publisher: Delacorte Books for Young Readers
Pages: 272
Source: ARC provided by publisher

Overall: 3.5 Stars

Summary:

Venice, 1585.

When 16-year-old Laura della Scala learns that her older sister, Beatrice, has drowned, she is given no time to grieve. Instead, Laura's father removes her from the convent where he forcibly sent her years earlier and orders her to marry Beatrice's fiancé, a repulsive old merchant named Vincenzo. Panicked, Laura betrays a powerful man to earn her way into the Segreta, a shadowy society of women who deal in only one currency—secrets. The Segreta seems like the answer to Laura's prayers. The day after she joins their ranks, Vincenzo is publicly humiliated and conveniently exiled. Soon, however, Laura begins to suspect that her sister's death was not a tragic accident but a cold-blooded murder—one that might involve the Segreta and the women she has come to trust.  

My Thoughts:
What first attracted me to Cross My Heart was its cover, without a doubt. I love the dark background and the glamour of the girl's gorgeous Venetian mask, and after I read the plot description, the mystery aspects continued to draw my attention. Venice, a shadowy secret society of women, and a dash of forbidden romance... how could I resist?

When Laura della Scalla learns she is to leave the convent her father forced her into many years ago, her happiness is soon shattered after she discovers she's only coming home because her beloved sister, Beatrice, has drowned. With a dwindling estate and ambitions for more political power, Laura's father is now forcing his daughter to marry the cold, old merchant Vincenzo whom Beatrice had been engaged to previously. Desperate to avoid exchanging one form of prison for another, Laura finds herself joining the Segreta, who are her only hope in avoiding the marriage. But when Laura learns there's more to Beatrice's death than a tragic accident, she doesn't know who to trust anymore...

The novel really brings to light the limitations of the freedom woman had during the time period, and how their futures were often in the hands of men. Daughters were often forced into marriages that were more like business arrangements, so I admired Laura finding the strength to try and change her fate on her own terms. Not surprisingly, Laura practically has a non-existent relationship with her father, but she still has to play nice for him and not bring shame to her family name. But her years in the convent have also left her naive and unprepared in many ways for a high society where gossip, secrets, and power are everything.

Sasha Gould's debut novel Cross My Heart is a wonderful historical novel that will allure readers with its Venice setting and the power of dark secrets just waiting to be revealed. I would have liked to possibly learn more about the origins of the Segreta and seen more suspense in Laura's inquiries into the death of her sister... but nevertheless, I still very much enjoyed seeing the storyline unfold before my eyes.

Thanks so much to Random House Canada for providing this review copy!

In My Mailbox (61)

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by Kristi at The Story Siren where we share any new books or goodies we bought, received, borrowed, etc. during the week.

This week, I got...

Received for Review:

• Croak (Croak #1) by Gina Damico
• ARC of Fated (Soul Seekers #1) by Alyson Noel
• ARC of Last Rite (Personal Demons #3) by Lisa Desrochers
• ARC of Of Poseidon by Anna Banks 

Thanks so much to Raincoast Books and Thomas Allen & Son for sending these novels for review!  

Bought:

• Scarlet by A.C. Gaughen 

I kept hearing a lot of praise for Scarlet, leaving me really excited to get my hands on a copy of the book. I couldn't find it in stores, so I ended up ordering it. I read the book right away and LOVED it! Scarlet is an awesome twist on the Robin Hood legend and I have a feeling I'll be re-reading the book again very soon.

What about YOU? Any new reads/finds this week?

And as always... Happy Reading!  

Book Trailer! - The Calling by Kelley Armstrong

The US book trailer for Kelley Armstrong's The Calling, the second novel in the Darkness Rising trilogy, was released today on HarperTeen's facebook page!

I'm really excited to read The Calling... and if the book trailer is any indication, the action and suspense are continuing to build off the thrilling cliff-hanger note which The Gathering ended on. I can't wait to see what will happen!

Release Date: April 10, 2012
Publisher: Doubleday Canada

Summary:

On the heels of the wildly popular The Gathering comes the second in the "Darkness Rising" YA trilogy from NYT bestselling author Kelley Armstrong.

Maya Delaney's paw-print birthmark is the mark of what she truly is--a skin-walker. She can run faster, climb higher, and see better than nearly everyone else. Experiencing intense connections with the animals that roam the woods outside her home, Maya knows it's only a matter of time before she's able to Shift and become one of them. And she believes there may be others in her small town with surprising talents.

Now, Maya and her friends have been forced to flee from their homes during a forest fire they suspect was deliberately set. Then they're kidnapped, and after a chilling helicopter crash, they find themselves in the Vancouver Island wilderness with nothing but their extraordinary abilities to help them get back home.  

Mark Your Calendars! March Edition

To my fellow Canadians, are you ready to mark your calendars? Here are some upcoming YA bookish events to look forward to in March!  

Tahereh Mafi

Tahereh Mafi will be in British Columbia promoting her debut novel Shatter Me!

• Saturday, March 10, 2012 at 2:00 p.m. ~ Chapters Metrotown: Metropolis, Metrotown 4700 Kingsway, Burnaby, BC. 

Charles de Lint

Canadian author Charles de Lint will be having a book launch to celebrate the release of his YA novel Under My Skin, the first novel in the Wildlings series, being published by Penguin Canada's new imprint RazOrbill. 

• Thursday, March 15, 2012 at 7:00 p.m. ~ Raw Sugar Café: 692 Somerset Street West, Ottawa, ON. 
• More information about the book launch can be found on his website.

Leah Bobet

Canadian author Leah Bobet will be celebrating the release of her debut YA novel Above with a book launch party in Toronto!

• Thursday, March 22, 2012 at 8:00 p.m. at Hotel Ocho: 195 Spadina Avenue, Toronto, ON.
• You can also find more details on the Facebook event page for the launch party.    

Looking Ahead to April... 

Canadian author Kelley Armstrong will be promoting the release of The Calling, the second novel in the Darkness Rising trilogy, with a reading, Q&A and signing!

• Saturday, April 7, 2012 at 2:00 p.m. ~ Indigo Yorkdale: 3401 Dufferin Street, Toronto, ON.
• Saturday, April 21, 2012 at 2:00 p.m. ~ Chapters South London: 1037 Wellington Road, London, ON.

*****

I'm hoping I'll be able to attend the book launch for Leah Bobet's Above this month... so I just have to hope I don't have too much schoolwork at the time!

I hope some of you will be able to make it to these events and have fun meeting the authors! Are you looking forward to any of these events?

Waiting on Wednesday (87) - Rift by Andrea Cremer

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine spotlighting upcoming releases we're eagerly anticipating.

Release Date: August 7, 2012

Publisher: Philomel

Summary (from Penguin USA): 

Chronicling the rise of the Keepers, this is the stunning prequel to Andrea Cremer's internationally bestselling Nightshade trilogy!

Sixteen-year-old Ember Morrow is promised to a group called Conatus after one of their healers saves her mother's life. Once she arrives, Ember finds joy in wielding swords, learning magic, and fighting the encroaching darkness loose in the world. She also finds herself falling in love with her mentor, the dashing, brooding, and powerful Barrow Hess. When the knights realize Eira, one of their leaders, is dabbling in dark magic, Ember and Barrow must choose whether to follow Eira into the nether realm or to pledge their lives to destroying her and her kind.

With action, adventure, magic, and tantalizing sensuality, this book is as fast-paced and breathtaking as the Nightshade novels.

I was more of a latecomer to reading the Nightshade series but once I began reading them, I thought they were so addictive and difficult to put down! I read the final novel in the trilogy, Bloodrose, not too long ago and I'm still not sure how I feel about its ending... I think bittersweet would be the best way to describe it for now.

Anyways, I'm definitely looking forward to Andrea Cremer's Rift and learning more about the history of the Conatus, and how the events back then influenced those in the Nightshade trilogy since it will cover more about how the Searchers and Keepers came into being. It sounds like it will be really exciting! 

You can learn more about Rift from the official cover reveal on MTV's Hollywood Crush and read a sneak peek of Rift (the first chapter!) also on that website.

Spotted! Cover of The Kill Order by James Dashner

James Dashner revealed the cover of The Kill Order, a prequel to The Maze Runner trilogy, late last week on his blog!

 Release Date: August 14, 2012

Publisher: Delacorte Books for Young Readers

Add to Goodreads

Summary (from Random House Canada): 

Before WICKED was formed, before the Glade was built, before Thomas entered the Maze, sun flares hit the earth and mankind fell to disease.

The Kill Order is the story of that fall.

A prequel to the Maze Runner trilogy, The Kill Order has been in the works since the completion of The Maze Runner. The story of civilization's fall was kept under wraps and is the explication of the events that began this bestselling series.

What an awesome cover! I've been excited to see the cover of James Dashner's The Kill Order for awhile now because they always hint about part of the setting in the book. And, of course, I'm really happy there will be a prequel so we'll be able to see everything that happened before WICKED started trying to take over everything. There was always so many questions raised in The Maze Runner trilogy, so it will be great to learn more about how the post-apocalyptic world Dashner has created was first led into such chaos.

Are you also looking forward to The Kill Order? And if you haven't checked out this series yet, I've reviewed all three of the books in The Maze Runner trilogy, if you'd like to read my thoughts on them: The Maze Runner, The Scorch Trials, and The Death Cure. 

Book Trailer! - Out of Sight, Out of Time by Ally Carter

Ally Carter revealed the book trailer for Out of Sight, Out of Time, the fifth novel in her popular Gallagher Girl series, a few days ago on her blog!

My sister and I are huge fans of the Gallagher Girls series and we're so excited for the release of Out of Sight, Out of Time, it's not even funny. I can't even bring myself to read any of the sneak peeks of the book because I'm afraid it will be too much torture having to wait a little longer to read the book in its entirety.

And you can now "apply" to join the Gallagher Academy by checking out the official website for the series! I hope you enjoy watching the book trailer! It looks just as exciting as I'm sure the book will be!

Release Date: March 13, 2012
Publisher: Disney-Hyperion

Summary:

The last thing Cammie Morgan remembers is leaving the Gallagher Academy to protect her friends and family from the Circle of Cavan—an ancient terrorist organization that has been hunting her for over a year. But when Cammie wakes up in an alpine convent and discovers that months have passed, she must face the fact that her memory is now a black hole. The only traces left of Cammie’s summer vacation are the bruises on her body and the dirt under her nails, and all she wants is to go home.

Once she returns to school, however, Cammie realizes that even the Gallagher Academy now holds more questions than answers. Cammie, her friends, and mysterious spy-guy Zach must face their most difficult challenge yet as they travel to the other side of the world, hoping to piece together the clues that Cammie left behind. It’s a race against time. The Circle is hot on their trail and willing stop at nothing to prevent Cammie from remembering what she did last summer.

Spotted! Cover of The Essence by Kimberly Derting

Kimberly Derting revealed the title and cover of the second novel in the Pledge trilogy on Saturday morning on her blog!

 Release Date: January 1, 2013

Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry

Add to Goodreads

There's no official plot description available yet, but that's okay for me because I still haven't actually read The Pledge yet. I have to wait for my sister to read the book first so that I can read it after her. I might have to bug her to get a move on so that I can finally read it! 

What do you think about the cover for The Essence? I love it matches the concept for the first novel and how the red is subtle, yet still so eye-catching!

In My Mailbox (60)

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by Kristi at The Story Siren where we share any new books or goodies we bought, received, borrowed, etc. during the week.

This week, I got...

Received for Review:

• BZRK (BZRK #1) by Michael Grant
• ARC of Cross My Heart by Sasha Gould
• ARC of Dust Girl (The America Fairy Trilogy #1) by Sarah Zettel
• ARC of Flirting in Italian by Lauren Henderson
• Illuminate (Gilded Wings #1) by Aimee Agresti
• ARC of Jersey Girl by Beth Ann Bauman
• ARC of Lies Beneath Lies Beneath #1) by Anne Greenwood Brown
• ARC of One Moment by Kristina McBride
• ARC of Ruby Redfort: Look Into My Eyes (Ruby Redfort #1) by Lauren Child
• ARC of Seraphina by Rachel Hartman
• Starters (Starters #1) by Lissa Price
• ARC of Timepiece (Hourglass #2) by Myra McEntire

Thanks so much to Random House Canada and Thomas Allen & Son for sending these novels for review! I was completely shocked and giddy to receive a box with ARCs of upcoming titles from Random House Canada during the week! And for my participation in the I've Got Your Number Blog Tour, they were also very sweet to send me a signed bookplate with Sophie Kinsella's signature. Thanks again!

Bought:

• The Fine Art of Truth or Dare by Melissa Jensen
• Torn (Trylle Trilogy #2) by Amanda Hocking 

I so happy to get my hands on Amanda Hocking's Torn this week! I read it last night and loved it just as much as the first book!

What about YOU? Any new reads/finds this week?

And as always... Happy Reading!  

March Release Picks

March is another great month for YA novels that I'm so excited to read! 

Here are this month's releases that I'm most looking forward to checking out! Once again, I've matched my Chapters/Indigo list. I've gone back to my usual top ten book selections! If you'd like to know what other novels will be releasing this month, you can find more on my Upcoming Releases page as usual.   

March 1

Above by Leah Bobet ~ Goodreads / Chapters/Indigo *Canadian Release Date*

Perception (Clarity #2) by Kim Harrington ~ Goodreads / Chapters/Indigo

March 6

Balthazar: An Evernight Novel by Claudia Gray ~ Goodreads / Chapters/Indigo

Embrace (Violet Eden Chapters #1) by Jessica Shirvington ~ Goodreads / Chapters/Indigo

Illuminate (Gilded Wings #1) by Aimee Agresti ~ Goodreads / Chapters/Indigo

Where It Began by Ann Redisch Stampler ~ Goodreads / Chapters/Indigo

March 13

Out of Sight, Out of Time (Gallagher Girls #5) by Ally Carter ~ Goodreads / Chapters/Indigo

Spell Bound (Hex Hall #3) by Rachel Hawkins ~ Goodreads / Chapters/Indigo

Starters (Starters #1) by Lissa Price ~ Goodreads / Chapters/Indigo

March 20

A Temptation of Angels by Michelle Zink ~ Goodreads / Chapters/Indigo 

***** 

What books are YOU most looking forward to reading in March? What books did I miss that you can't wait to read?