COVER REVEALS & REDESIGNS: STARGLASS, FIENDISH, and THE INVENTOR'S SECRET

 

Original MoS Hardcover

STRANGE AND EVER AFTER: I love the covers for this trilogy! Great titles, too. 

MAID OF SECRETS (paperback): I like the redesign a bit more. 

 

Original Hardcover

STARGLASS (paperback): I liked the original, but the brighter blues and greens on the redesign have won me over. I love the new font, too! 

STARBREAK: I really like this one, too.  

 

FIENDISH: Eerie! Creepy house, random flowers...it definitely stands out! 

THE TAKING: Not too much going on, but the title looks great. 

Original covers for this trilogy

  

DON'T CLOSE YOUR EYES (WAKE / FADE / GONE omnibus): The older covers are better and stand out more, in my opinion. But I haven't read these books, so maybe the new cover works. 

ON THE FENCE: A bit typical, isn't it? The book sounds great, though. 

ONLY EVERYTHING: This one is a bit strange...I'm curious to see what the novel is about. 

First Cover Design

THE INVENTOR'S SECRET: I like this design so much more than the heart! It's fantastic!

Have you spotted any fabulous covers lately? 

Recap: Summer Lovin' Tour Stop at Copperfield's Books

I managed to find the time to attend the May 19th stop on the Summer Lovin' tour, and I'm so glad that I did! The lovely Zoe from Zoe's Book Review's was moderating, and there's was a nicely sized group readers in attendance (including Nancy of Ravenous Readers, Katie of Twirly Reads, and likely other people I didn't get a chance to talk to since I was in a rush).

I managed to get a few clips of each author speaking. But, my camera is getting a bit old, so there's some extra noise and the image quality is only decent (I'm sorry it isn't better!):

Accidentally cut off Morgan Matson... 

All six authors!

The book signing begins...

Fun Facts I Didn't Catch On Camera

*   Sarah Ockler uses tarot cards quite a lot. Also, she's apparently a total master at using spreadsheets to plan her books.

*   Jessi Kirby was arrested in the middle of class during high school by a police officer (who happened to be her uncle). Her mom put him up to it, though. 

*   Author Stacey Jay stopped by, and she was rocking some killer boots (my battery died, so I couldn't snap a pic)


And honestly, I probably forgot all of the other fun stuff, Sunday was a crazy day for me. If you live near the last two tour stops, you should definitely visit these ladies! I wish I could have stuck around for a bit longer, it was a great event!

The Queen's Library (19)

For Review

Vessel by Sarah Beth Durst

Autographed Books Won from April

White Cat by Holly Black (REVIEW)

Red Glove by Holly Black

City of Bones by Cassandra Clare

City of Ashes by Cassandra Clare

The Demon's Lexicon by Sarah Rees Brennan

The Demon's Covenant by Sarah Rees Brennan

The Demon's Surrender by Sarah Rees Brennan

I'm surprised the "won" books made it since they lost their original wrapping along the way, got a bit banged up and bent. Plus, my post office lost the package, found it, and then I had to pay for the replacement box USPS put the books in before they let me receive the package. Kind of a miracle they made it to me, all things considered!

Purchased Audiobooks

Matched by Ally Condie (REVIEW)

Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen

With the Whispersync technology (read kindle books + listen to audio version at the same time on select devices), some audiobooks are discounted if you own the Kindle version. Since I own the Kindle versions of Matched and WfE, both audiobooks were only $3.95 each on Audible! I couldn't resist a deal like that.

Many thanks to Sarah Beth Durst + Simon & Schuster for VESSEL! And huge thanks to April for the signed books!  :)

Inspiration / Credit

Waiting on Wednesday (Times Two!)

Hosted by Jill of Breaking the Spine

The Last Echo by Kimberly Derting

Release: April 2012

Publisher: HarperCollins Children's Books

Summary:

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....

Yes, I still need to read Desires of the Dead, but I'm purposely waiting until closer to spring so that way I'll have less of a wait for this book. I. Am. Excited. 

Skyship Academy: The Pearl Wars by Nick James

Release: September 8th, 2011

Publisher: Flux

Summary: 

A devastated Earth’s last hope is found in Pearls: small, mysterious orbs that fall from space, and are capable of supplying enough energy to power entire cities. Battling to control the Pearls are the Skyship dwellers—political dissidents who live in massive ships in the Earth’s stratosphere—and the corrupt Surface government. 

Jesse Fisher, a Skyship brat, and Cassius Stevenson, a young Surface operative, cross paths when they both venture into forbidden territory in pursuit of Pearls. Their chance encounter triggers an unexpected reaction, endowing each boy with remarkable—and dangerous—abilities that their respective governments would stop at nothing to possess. Enemies thrust together with a common goal, Jesse and Cassius make their way to the ruins of Seattle to uncover the truth about their new powers, the past they didn’t know they shared, and a shocking secret about the Pearls.

I don't really know what to say, except for this could be a really good book. Plus, how cool is that cover?

What are you waiting on?

Waiting on Wednesday + iClue

WOW is hosted by Jill of Breaking the Spine

But I Love Him by Amanda Grace (aka, Mandy Hubbard)

Release: May 2011

Summary:

Tonight was so much worse than anything before it. Tonight he didn’t stop after the first slap.

At the beginning of senior year, Ann was a smiling, straight-A student and track star with friends and a future. Then she met a haunted young man named Connor. Only she can heal his emotional scars; only he could make her feel so loved-and needed. Ann can’t recall the pivotal moment it all changed, when she surrendered everything to be with him, but by graduation, her life has become a dangerous high wire act. Just one mistake could trigger Connor’s rage, a senseless storm of cruel words and violence damaging everything-and everyone-in its path.

This evocative slideshow of flashbacks reveals a heartbreaking story of love gone terribly wrong.

This one sounds like it could be a touching, intense read - I've definitely got this one on my wishlist! 

Click pic for info about winning the books!

On another note, Mandy Hubbard is one of the authors who joined with Lisa & Laura Roecker, Beth Revis, Lee Nichols, Kimberly Derting and Adelle Griffen to bring iClue to the blogosphere: 6 Authors, 6 Mysteries, 6 Chances to win an iTouch. Considering the amazing authors behind this (like the hilarious LiLa's - who have the most amusing blog ever, not to mention a mysteriously fun novel), it's bound to be amazing. 

Intrigued? Go check out the website for more info on how it works, prizes, et cetera...and be sure to check out the first mystery! 

What are you waiting on this week?

-Lea

Waiting on Wednesday (Times Two!)

WOW is hosted by Jill of Breaking the Spine

The Pledge by Kimberly Derting

Release: November 15th, 2011

Goodreads Summary:

Words are the most dangerous weapon of all.

In the violent country of Ludania, the classes are strictly divided by the language they speak. The smallest transgression, like looking a member of a higher class in the eye while they are speaking their native tongue, results in immediate execution. Seventeen-year-old Charlaina has always been able to understand the languages of all classes, and she’s spent her life trying to hide her secret. The only place she can really be free is the drug-fueled underground clubs where people go to shake off the oppressive rules of the world they live in. It's there that she meets a beautiful and mysterious boy named Max who speaks a language she's never heard before . . . and her secret is almost exposed.

Charlie is intensely attracted to Max, even though she can’t be sure where his real loyalties lie. As the emergency drills give way to real crisis and the violence escalates, it becomes clear that Charlie is the key to something much bigger: her country’s only chance for freedom from the terrible power of a deadly regime.

This just sounds completely awesome, and it'll be interesting to see Kimberly write something different. 

The Name of the Star by Maureen Johnson

Release: September 2011

Goodreads  Summary:

A modern-day thriller about Rory, an American high-school student who enrolls at a London boarding school for her junior year. Soon after her arrival, a series of murders begins to take place across the city—on the exact dates and in the exact style of Jack the Ripper. Rory’s ties to the killer bring her in contact with a secret paranormal branch of the British police, as they attempt to stop the mysterious killer.

I was sold at "modern-day thriller" - I love thrillers. You can't ever go wrong with Maureen's books. 

What are you waiting on this week?

The Body Finder by Kimberly Derting

The Body Finder
Kimberly Derting
Pages: 336 (hardcover)
Publisher: HarperTeen
ISBN-13: 978-0061779817
Source: Won from Raila, and bought a copy
My Summary:

Violet Ambrose can see and hear echoes of the dead. Ever since she was a child, she's always been drawn to animals that have been killed...and even humans that have been killed.

When a serial killer starts to prey on innocent girls in town, Violet knows that she's the only one who will be able to spot the killer, and the echoes of his victims that cling to him. Except Jay, Violet's best friend, isn't too keen on letting Violet run around looking for a killer. To complicate things more, Violet's starting to feel something more for Jay, especially when the other girls in her town start flocking to him like bees to honey.

The more Violet digs and searches, the closer she gets to discovering the killer...maybe even too close for her own good.

Dear Kimberly Derting: You totally rock as an author (and a person, I'm sure), and The Body Finder is incredible. Very spectacular. Or any other praise-worthy word you prefer.

The relationships in this book are wonderful. I definitely want to see more relationships like these in YA novels. Violet's family actually cares about her, acts like a family, and are present throughout the story (something that is definitely not always the case in YA novels). Violet's friendship with Jay is realistic and sweet. None of the characters seemed cliché, and Violet's unique and unusual ability was artfully woven into the story in such a normal way that it didn't seem weird or impossible for her to have this skill.

The suspense builds slowly, and the mystery kept me curious about what would happen next. Violet's gift has to be the most intriguing part, because it is nothing like what I've read before. In the end, I really want to get my hands on the sequel, Desires of the Dead. If it's anything like its predecessor, it's going to be amazing.

Highlights: The passages narrated by the killer were definitely amazingly eerie. I think that had to be my favorite part, because I wasn't really expecting it. And okay, the cover is totally wonderful too. It just seems to work perfectly with the story. The realistic characters and interactions between them, of course, were a huge plus.

Lowlights: I saw the ending coming, but that didn't bother me too much. It would have been awesome too, if there was just a bit more suspense, a bit more mystery, and a bit more of the killer's perspective because that was definitely interesting.

Rating: 5 out of 5

The Body Finder Book Trailer!!!

Kimberly Derting has posted the trailer for The Body Finder on her blog! (As well as an awesome contest!!)

-Lea