July Giveaway ~ VOTE!

I'm trying to do a giveaway every month ~ they are just SO much fun ~ and this month I want to do something a little different than just picking a book and throwing it out there. I want you to pick. On the right hand sign you'll notice a poll asking "What book do you want to read in July?"... Well, all the books listed are, from what I've gathered from other blogs and my own personal opinion, *highly anticipated* reads of the summer. You'll have until July 7th to vote, and you can vote once per day :).

Here are the contestants:

"Together we lifted our feet and stepped into the unknown"—the thrilling sequel to the New York Times bestseller A Discovery of Witches

Deborah Harkness exploded onto the literary scene with her debut novel,A Discovery of Witches, Book One of the magical All Souls Trilogy and an international publishing phenomenon. The novel introduced Diana Bishop, Oxford scholar and reluctant witch, and the handsome geneticist and vampire Matthew Clairmont; together they found themselves at the center of a supernatural battle over an enchanted manuscript known as Ashmole 782.

Now, picking up from A Discovery of Witches’ cliffhanger ending,Shadow of Night plunges Diana and Matthew into Elizabethan London, a world of spies, subterfuge, and a coterie of Matthew’s old friends, the mysterious School of Night that includes Christopher Marlowe and Walter Raleigh. Here, Diana must locate a witch to tutor her in magic, Matthew is forced to confront a past he thought he had put to rest, and the mystery of Ashmole 782 deepens.

Deborah Harkness has crafted a gripping journey through a world of alchemy, time travel, and magical discoveries, delivering one of the most hotly anticipated novels of the season.

The year is 1876, and there’s something strange and deadly loose in Philadelphia…
Eleanor Fitt has a lot to worry about. Her brother has gone missing, her family has fallen on hard times, and her mother is determined to marry her off to any rich young man who walks by. But this is nothing compared to what she’s just read in the newspaper—

The Dead are rising in Philadelphia.

And then, in a frightening attack, a zombie delivers a letter to Eleanor…from her brother.

Whoever is controlling the Dead army has taken her brother as well. If Eleanor is going to find him, she’ll have to venture into the lab of the notorious Spirit-Hunters, who protect the city from supernatural forces. But as Eleanor spends more time with the Spirit-Hunters, including their maddeningly stubborn yet handsome inventor, Daniel, the situation becomes dire. And now, not only is her reputation on the line, but her very life may hang in the balance.

A sexy and poignant romantic tale of a young daredevil pilot caught between two brothers.
High school senior Leah Jones loves nothing more than flying. While she’s in the air, it’s easy to forget life with her absentee mother at the low-rent end of a South Carolina beach town. When her flight instructor, Mr. Hall, hires her to fly for his banner advertising business, she sees it as her ticket out of the trailer park. And when he dies suddenly, she’s afraid her flying career is gone forever.

But Mr. Hall’s teenage sons, golden boy Alec and adrenaline junkie Grayson, are determined to keep the banner planes flying. Though Leah has crushed on Grayson for years, she’s leery of getting involved in what now seems like a doomed business — until Grayson betrays her by digging up her most damning secret. Holding it over her head, he forces her to fly for secret reasons of his own, reasons involving Alec. Now Leah finds herself drawn into a battle between brothers — and the consequences could be deadly.

Happy Reading ~ and Voting ~ Everyone :)


~ Keely ~

Feature and Follow

#FF is a weekly tradition hosted by Parajunkee and Alison Can Read. The bottom line is we get to meet and connect with other book bloggers and learn a little bit about each other :).


This week's question is:

Birthday Wishes — Blow out the candles and imagine what character could pop out of your cake…who is it and what book are they from??

Holy wow, how do I even begin to choose? Okay, okay... I've joined all the hype recently, and I'd have to say Christian Grey from the notorious Fifty Shades of Grey. I'm such a sucker for broody, complicated-on-the-verge-of-tortured men. I can't help it ~ he's just too sexy to resist, twitchy palm and all :).

Happy Reading Everyone :)


~ Keely ~

Booking Through Thursday and From the Review Pile

This week's question asks:

Who taught you to read?

I'm told I taught myself, which makes sense because I don't ever remember a time when I couldn't read. My mother used to read me stories, and when I started telling it along with her, she thought I'd just memorized it. Until one day, my dad was reading the paper and I walked up to him, read the headline, and continued about my business. I guess I've been reading ever since :).

AND...

From the Review Pile is a meme hosted by Stepping Out of the Page every Thursday.
The aim of this meme is to showcase books that you've received for review (or if you don't receive review books, any book that you own and really want to read/review) but haven't yet got around to reading, in order to give the book some extra publicity.

As usual, I have a couple of books I can't wait to crack open. I don't know why I do this to myself!! I buy these books thinking I'll get to them in a few days, and of course, life happens, and they sit on my shelf, and stare at me with the proverbial puppy dog eyes, wondering why I've neglected them for so long. Needless to say, it makes me very anxious!

On my list:

"In a future world, vampires reign. Humans are blood cattle. And one girl will search for the key to save humanity."Allison Sekemoto survives in the Fringe, the outermost circle of a vampire city. By day, she and her crew scavenge for food. By night, any one of them could be eaten.

Some days, all that drives Allie is her hatred of "them." The vampires who keep humans as blood cattle. Until the night Allie herself is attacked--and given the ultimate choice. Die...or become one of the monsters.

Faced with her own mortality, Allie becomes what she despises most. To survive, she must learn the rules of being immortal, including the most important: go long enough without human blood, and you will go mad.

Then Allie is forced to flee into the unknown, outside her city walls. There she joins a ragged band of humans who are seeking a legend--a possible cure to the disease that killed off most of humankind and created the rabids, the mindless creatures who threaten humans and vampires alike.

But it isn't easy to pass for human. Especially not around Zeke, who might see past the monster inside her. And Allie soon must decide what--and who--is worth dying for.

AND...

Daunted by the singular sexual tastes and dark secrets of the beautiful, tormented young entrepreneur Christian Grey, Anastasia Steele has broken off their relationship to start a new career with a Seattle publishing house.

But desire for Christian still dominates her every waking thought, and when he proposes a new arrangement, Anastasia cannot resist. They rekindle their searing sensual affair, and Anastasia learns more about the harrowing past of her damaged, driven and demanding Fifty Shades.

While Christian wrestles with his inner demons, Anastasia must confront the anger and envy of the women who came before her, and make the most important decision of her life.

***Don't forget to enter the giveaway for the first in the FS trilogy, Fifty Shades of Grey! only one more day!! Enter HERE***


Happy Reading Everyone :)




~ Keely ~

Waiting on Wednesday

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly tradition hosted by Breaking the Spine in which we bookies spotlight the novels we are anxiously waiting to get our hands on..

This week's anticipated reads are:

Breaking Point (Article 5 #2) by Kristen Simmons
Release Date: February 5, 2013

There isn't even a synopsis for this book yet!! But I can provide a little background with the synopsis for Article 5 (review here) courtesy of GRs.

Article 5:

New York, Los Angeles, and Washington, D.C., have been abandoned.
The Bill of Rights has been revoked, and replaced with the Moral Statutes.

There are no more police—instead, there are soldiers. There are no more fines for bad behavior—instead, there are arrests, trials, and maybe worse. People who get arrested usually don't come back.

Seventeen-year-old Ember Miller is old enough to remember that things weren't always this way. Living with her rebellious single mother, it's hard for her to forget that people weren't always arrested for reading the wrong books or staying out after dark. It's hard to forget that life in the United States used to be different.

Ember has perfected the art of keeping a low profile. She knows how to get the things she needs, like food stamps and hand-me-down clothes, and how to pass the random home inspections by the military. Her life is as close to peaceful as circumstances allow.

That is, until her mother is arrested for noncompliance with Article 5 of the Moral Statutes. And one of the arresting officers is none other than Chase Jennings—the only boy Ember has ever loved.

AND since I can never pick JUST one:

 Unravel Me (Shatter Me #2) by Tahereh Mafi
Release Date: February 5, 2013

Another without a synopsis yet... but no worries, here's a hint of what may be going on with the description of Shatter Me.

Juliette hasn't touched anyone in exactly 264 days.

The last time she did, it was an accident, but The Reestablishment locked her up for murder. No one knows why Juliette's touch is fatal. As long as she doesn't hurt anyone else, no one really cares. The world is too busy crumbling to pieces to pay attention to a 17-year-old girl. Diseases are destroying the population, food is hard to find, birds don't fly anymore, and the clouds are the wrong color.

The Reestablishment said their way was the only way to fix things, so they threw Juliette in a cell. Now so many people are dead that the survivors are whispering war-- and The Reestablishment has changed its mind. Maybe Juliette is more than a tortured soul stuffed into a poisonous body. Maybe she's exactly what they need right now.

Juliette has to make a choice: Be a weapon. Or be a warrior.

In this electrifying debut, Tahereh Mafi presents a world as riveting asThe Hunger Games and a superhero story as thrilling as The X-Men. Full of pulse-pounding romance, intoxicating villainy, and high-stakes choices, Shatter Me is a fresh and original dystopian novel—with a paranormal twist—that will leave readers anxiously awaiting its sequel.

Happy Reading Everyone :)


~ Keely ~

Breaking Point Cover Reveal!

Big fan of Kristen Simmons debut novel Article 5, and I'm pleased to be sharing the cover for the second book in the trilogy, Breaking Point, to be released February 5, 2013. TO FAR AWAY!!!

What do you think?? Very dilapidated city, and instead of overlooking it (as in the first cover), they are facing it head on.. That, coinciding with the title, I'm very curious to find out what Ember and Chase will be up to. Can't wait!!!!


Happy Reading Everyone :)




~ Keely ~

Teaser Tuesday

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

This week, my teaser is plucked from the pages of Gwynneth White's Pledged:

Bags strewn on the back seat dropped onto the floor and Coke bottles clattered
around their feet, drowning out their yells. Huge clods of graphite-grey mud flew past
the windows, and with a grinding whine the Land Cruiser came to a stop. They sat
motionless, breathing heavily.

Happy Reading Everyone :)


~ Keely ~

Pledged Launch and Book Tour

I'm very excited to be a part of the "Pledged Launch and Book Tour"! Erin and Seth are two very determined individuals (well, mostly Erin), so I think this is going to be a great summer!!

Check it out:

Everyone has a soul mate. But what do you do when your soul mate would rather give his soul to the demons than be with you? 

Seventeen-year-old Erin has a problem. Seth has been hers forever, but now an ancient promise is tearing him away. And Reuel, the demon to whom the promise was made, will stop at nothing to force Seth to forsake Erin and to worship him.

How can Erin win against a pledge so binding that it has damned countless others to the same fate she and Seth will face if Reuel wins – an eternity alone?

The answer lies in the past. To find it, Erin and Seth must risk all, travelling back in time to a dangerous world where love is forbidden, and life – and death – hang on a promise.

Follow Erin and Seth as they travel to ancient Shenaya to break the pledge that has plagued their families for millennia. Caught in a war between the Angelic Guardians and the Gefallen, the disembodied dead, they must fight to keep their souls in tact and their love untainted.

Sound awesome? I thought so too... So who is this Gwynneth White who writes about time travel, forbidden love, and an ancient war? Here's what she writes about herself:

I have spent my entire life living in a parallel universe of make-believe characters, only coming back to reality for long enough to check that no one burnt the house down in my absence. A few years ago I decided to commit some of those ‘friends’ and their stories to paper. The Soul Wars Saga is the result of those efforts. Before that I co-authored two non-fiction travel books – The Complete Guide to 4x4 Trails and The Ultimate 4x4 Guide. Both books became instant best-sellers in South Africa where I live. And before that even, I studied a degree in African History and Politics at the University of Stellenbosch. When I’m not writing, I am a wife to Andrew and a mom to Stephanie, Erin, and Kate, our teenage daughters. My family and I live in a small town outside Cape Town with two dogs, a cat, a horse, and some neglected fish. Now that you know a little about me, I would love to get to know you. Please befriend me at:

Twitter: @GwynnethWhite
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Gwynneth-White/172095512890074
Goodreads:  http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/7360328-gwynneth-white
Blog: http://todayinshenaya.blogspot.com/
Email: gwynnethwhite@4xforum.com

So, check it out and be sure to stop back in for more updates on Pledged by Gwynneth White :)


Happy Reading Everyone :)


~ Keely ~

Musing Monday

This week’s musing asks…

Do you set goals for yourself, while reading? For example, “I want to get this book finished this weekend“, or “I will read __ pages today“, etc. Why, or why not?

I really try not to do this to myself ~ I want to remain in that place where I read for the joy of the story. BUT, since I've started this blog, I've started to make a reading schedule, thinking "I really need to get some more reading done this weekend..." It's something I try to avoid because I find that when I turn a hobby into a pressured obligation, it's not as much fun. Nothing would break my heart more than if reading wasn't fun for me anymore...


Happy Reading Everyone:)


~ Keely ~

Sunday Soul Baring

Been a really busy weekend.. Had friends and family over, so, of course, all things reading and writing have been put on hold in lieu of life. :) ... It is nice to sit down in front of my computer with Trapt blaring through my speakers for a little visit to my blog and my novel... I'm a little stuck on it ~ not sure where to go with it next ~ having too many moments of self doubt... I guess it's what they call writer's block. :)

Anyway, here's something I scrounged up from the deep recesses of thoughts plucked from my journal.

“There you go, hon. You probably should have stitches, but I don’t think looking pretty is a priority these days.” I heard him scoff as he shook his head. She handed him two aspirin.

“Now take these, grab a towel, and go clean up. You need a bath.” With that, Gwen abruptly got up and moved on to her next patient.

“Would you like some water for those?” I asked, encouraging him to turn around. When his eyes met mine, I froze.

Seeing him.. again.. was like breathing fresh air through stale lungs. How was he here? It was like my vault of old memories had opened and released its contents into this new world. I couldn’t speak past the lump in my throat and the adrenaline that was surging through my veins.

I finally blinked through my shock to see that he was just as surprised as I was. His mouth hung partially opened, and he was sitting at an awkward angle, as if he’d forgotten he was turning around to respond to my question. He cleared his throat.

“Sure, Rowan. I’d love some water.”

Join in if you'd like :)


Happy Reading and Writing Everyone :)

~ Keely ~

Booking Through Thursday and From the Review Pile

Hot day here in New England ~ Feels more like the South Texas weather I used to know. What I'd give to jump in a big pile of snow :) Thank all that is Holy that summers here are short!

Anyway, this week's BTT asks:

Do you have a favorite quote from a book?

My favorite quote of all time was said by Pablo Picasso ~ 

"Everything you can imagine is real."

I don't think it gets any better than that, but here are a few quotes from books that struck me in one way or another:

“Words are like physical objects around us that appear to be continuous and whole but are in fact composed of particles too small for for the eye to see, for the brain to imagine. Words oversimplify reality. Break open a word, and it's like breaking a mold. The contents seep free, become something new.” ~ Christina Meldrum, Madapple

“People hide their truest nature. I understood that; I even applauded it. What sort of world would it be if people bled all over the sidewalks, if they wept under trees, smacked whomever they despised, kissed strangers, revealed themselves?” ~ Alice Hoffman, The Ice Queen

“I'm not sure what I am. I just know there's something dark in me. I hide it. I certainly don't talk about it, but it's there always, this Dark Passenger. And when he's driving, I feel alive, half sick with the thrill of complete wrongness. I don't fight him, I don't want to. He's all I've got. Nothing else could love me, not even... especially not me. Or is that just a lie the Dark Passenger tells me? Because lately there are these moments when I feel connected to something else... someone. It's like the mask is slipping and things... people... who never mattered before are suddenly starting to matter. It scares the hell out of me.” ~ Jeff Lindsay, Darkly Dreaming Dexter

AND...



From the Review Pile is a meme hosted by Stepping Out of the Page every Thursday. The aim of this meme is to showcase books that you've received for review. (or any book that you own and really want to read/review) but haven't yet got around to reading, in order to give the book some extra publicity.

This week, I'm spotlighting two books I received recently for review ~ *can't wait* to read 'em!! Embrace by Cherie Colyer and Willow Pond by Carol Tibaldi

How far would you go to save the people you love?

Madison is familiar enough with change, and she hates everything about it. Change took her long-term boyfriend away from her. It caused one of her friends to suddenly hate her. It’s responsible for the death of a local along with a host of other mysterious happenings. But when Madison meets a hot new guy, she thinks her luck is about to improve.

Madison is instantly drawn to the handsome and intriguing Isaac Addington. She quickly realizes he’s a guy harboring a secret, but she’s willing to risk the unknown to be with him.

Her world really spins out of control, however, when her best friend becomes delusional, seeing things that aren’t there and desperately trying to escape their evil. When the doctors can’t find the answers, Madison seeks her own.

Nothing can prepare her for what she is about to discover.
Dangerous, intoxicating, and darkly romantic, Embrace is a thriller that will leave you spellbound.

The Roaring Twenties crumble into the Great Depression, but Virginia Kingsley, New York's toughest and most successful speakeasy owner, is doing just fine. Now that the world is falling apart, bootlegging is a flourishing business, and she's queen of that castle.

Then her infant nephew is kidnapped. Her niece, Laura, and Laura's philandering movie star husband, are devastated. The police have few leads, and speculation and rumors abound in the media circus that follows the celebrity abduction.

Only one reporter, Erich Muller, seems to care enough about the child's welfare and the parents' feelings to report the case responsibly. Over the course of the investigation, Erich Muller and Laura fall in love, but their relationship is doomed to failure since he suspects her beloved aunt Virginia is behind the kidnapping. Laura, jaded when it comes to men, sides with Virginia.

But Virginia has figured out the truth, and she can't tell anyone for fear of losing her niece's affections and having the police ransack her life. So she pursues her own investigation, shaking down, threatening, and killing one petty crook after another during her search.

Little Todd's absence shapes everyone's lives. When he is finally found, the discovery will bring disaster for some and revelation for others.

Happy Reading Everyone :)


~ Keely ~

Breaking Dawn Part 2 Trailer

Holy Wow  ~  I've got goosebumps :) .. Yes I'm a Twilight fan... and *no* I'm not ashamed to admit it.. If I can get my husband (who doesn't read any further than FoxNews.com) to read all four books and countdown to the movies along with me, then I know this is good :)

CAN'T WAIT!

Happy Reading (and Viewing) Everyone :)




~ Keely ~

Waiting on Wednesday

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted @ Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

This week's pre-publication "can't-wait-to-read" selection is:

The cover is what really got me on this one.. Gorgeous! Add in the incredibly appealing synopsis, and we have a winner :)

Venom by Fiona Paul

Released Date: October 30th 2012

Cassandra Caravello is one of Renaissance Venice’s lucky elite: with elegant gowns, sparkling jewels, her own lady’s maid, and a wealthy fiancé, she has everything a girl could desire. Yet ever since her parents’ death, Cassandra has felt trapped, alone in a city of water, where the dark and labyrinthine canals whisper of escape.

When Cass stumbles upon a murdered woman—practically in her own backyard—she’s drawn into a dangerous world of courtesans, killers, and secret societies. Soon, she finds herself falling for Falco, a mysterious artist with a mischievous grin... and a spectacular skill for trouble. Can Cassandra find the murderer, before he finds her? And will she stay true to her fiancé, or succumb to her uncontrollable feelings for Falco?

Beauty, love, romance, and mystery weave together in a stunning novel that’s as seductive and surprising as the city of Venice itself.

AND...

I'm a little perturbed by the title of Hush Hush's final installment ~ I was hoping for something....more ~ It's kinda obvious, but I suppose it does fit.. I really love the black and white cover, almost as much as I love the story itself! October is going to be a good month :)


Finale by Becca Fitzpatrick
Release Date: October 23rd 2012

Nora is more certain than ever that she is in love with Patch. Fallen angel or no, he is the one for her. Her heritage and destiny may mean that they will always be enemies, but there is no turning her back on him. But now they face their biggest challenge. Can their love survive a seemingly insurmountable divide. And in the end, will there be enough trust left to rebuild what has been broken? The lines are drawn - but which sides are they on?

What are you looking forward to?


Happy Reading Everyone :)


~ Keely ~

Cover Reveal ~ Hidden by P.C. Cast and Kristin Cast

Ah, the series I fell in love with years ago has yet another (#10) novel to be released October 16th 2012, and the cover has been graciously revealed this week!

Hidden by P.C. Cast and Kristin Cast

In the must-read tenth installment of the #1 New York Times bestselling vampyre series, Darkness won’t stay hidden for long… “Move over Stephenie Meyer.” –People

The House of Night series is an international phenomenon, reaching #1 on U.S., German, and UK bestseller lists, and remaining a fixture on theNew York Times Children’s Series bestseller list for more than 140 weeks and counting. With nearly 12 million copies in print, rights sold in thirty-eight countries to date, and relatable, addictive characters, this series is unstoppable. Now in Hidden, the tenth installment of the series, the stakes are higher than ever before.

Neferet’s true nature has been revealed to the Vampyre High Council, so Zoey and the gang might finally get some help in defending themselves and their beloved school against a gathering evil that grows stronger every day. And they’ll need it, because Neferet’s not going down without a fight. Chaos reigns at the House of Night.

I really, really love this cover, as I've loved all the ones before. It's dark and beautiful, and the adornment of tattoos surrounding Zoey and the stormy night-sky is a nice touch. Ready for some closure with this much-adored series :).

Happy Reading Everyone :)


~ Keely ~

Musing Monday

This week’s musing…

"I read an article, this past week, about book covers, and the difference between print & digital covers; about how the digital covers have almost disappeared entirely, while publishers decide to just skip right to the content.

What do you think about this? Do you think the book cover is “dead”? Do you care whether the “covers” on digital books exist or not?

If you have the time, read the article and then share your thoughts! "

I'm not sure how they come up with this information, but I hope the book cover never dies. The cover is what draws me in; it's what makes me read the 'blurb' and ultimately buy the book. There's nothing I love more than opening up my Kobo or Kindle app and seeing all the colorful squares that fill my digital library, and if I'm looking for a particular story, I always look for that familiar cover that pulled me in in the first place.

I don't view my ebooks a whole lot differently than my hard copies. My 'real' books are kinda like a work of art to me, filling up my bookshelf with all kinds of unique colors and tones, and more importantly, when I see the cover, the story comes flooding back to me and I can relive those moments. Same for my digital library.

I don't think the cover is dead, and I hope they never see it as a nonessential element in digital books.


Happy Reading Everyone :)

~ Keely ~

Giveaway!

When literature student Anastasia Steele is drafted to interview the successful young entrepreneur Christian Grey for her campus magazine, she finds him attractive, enigmatic and intimidating. Convinced their meeting went badly, she tries to put Grey out of her mind - until he happens to turn up at the out-of-town hardware store where she works part-time.

The unworldly, innocent Ana is shocked to realize she wants this man, and when he warns her to keep her distance it only makes her more desperate to get close to him. Unable to resist Ana’s quiet beauty, wit, and independent spirit, Grey admits he wants her - but on his own terms.

Shocked yet thrilled by Grey's singular erotic tastes, Ana hesitates. For all the trappings of success – his multinational businesses, his vast wealth, his loving adoptive family – Grey is a man tormented by demons and consumed by the need to control. When the couple embarks on a passionate, physical and daring affair, Ana learns more about her own dark desires, as well as the Christian Grey hidden away from public scrutiny.

Can their relationship transcend physical passion? Will Ana find it in herself to submit to the self-indulgent Master? And if she does, will she still love what she finds?

Hysteria. Complete hysteria. People rave about this book ~ they either bash it completely or gush about it to no end. Personally, I'm on on the side of the fans. It's a fun, sexy, romantic, emotionally-intense, completely-thrilling read! What's not to like? (Check out my *official* ;) review here...)

I just read an article recently, and the comments basically revolved around the opinion that liking this book is an insult to women everywhere (*gag*) because of the whole male-dominance-control thing that Christian Grey has. But, honestly, Ana doesn't really let that fly. Grey only has as much control as she allows, and from what I've read, she's got him wrapped around her little finger. However, she doesn't take advantage of him and he doesn't take advantage of her ~ they learn to trust each other, but Christian's demons prove to be much darker than Ana can seem to handle as she tries to "bring him towards the light."

There's a whole lot more going on in this book aside from the 'scenes of bondage.' I feel it's more a story about setting your fears aside ~ overcoming them to reveal what you need the most, and that's why I've decided to give away a copy of this controversial novel :).

(Open to U.S. only ~ One day I'll host an international giveaway :) Promise!)



a Rafflecopter giveaway



Good luck!

Happy Reading Everyone :)


~ Keely ~

Sunday Soul Baring

Sunday Soul Baring is a tradition in the making ~ each Sunday I push myself into my novel, rereading, editing, and, of course, writing. I really like to start out by picking a random page and reading what I've already written ~ it seems to be the best inspiration to keep moving forward. I don't have a lot of time during the week, and some days I totally feel the overwhelming task I've undertaken here, but that's what Sundays are for :).


Here's a piece of what I'm rereading and editing today:

I could hear the echo of birds singing all around me, a soft breeze moving swiftly through the branches, allowing the trees to whisper to one another. It was peaceful. Serene. As if the horrors I had experienced had never happened.

I was vaguely aware of a throbbing in my knee and a dampness coating my cheeks. I opened my eyes to the sight of blue skies between the leaves of the protective canopy above me.

“Michael?.” I sat up, looked around. I was alone. “Michael!,” I sobbed as the memory that was hidden by my dreams came flooding back to me.

His eyes locked on mine. I could see the desperation as potently as I could feel it. Run, he mouthed. Then the gun, the sound, that atrocious bang that signaled the abrupt end of my entire world.

Feel free to join in :).

Happy Reading (and Writing) Everyone :)


~ Keely ~

Feature & Follow Friday

TGIF! Feature & Follow is a weekly tradition hosted by Parajunkee and Alison Can Read. Rules of the game: Follow our lovely hosts, Follow their feature, and Follow other bloggers. Gain followers and meet other bookies/new friends that are as obsessed as you are...or I am.. whatever.. :)

Q. Happy Father's Day!! Who is your favorite dad character in a book and why?

Parajunkee calls it a *dork alert*, and I guess it is what it is, but my first thought was Charlie from Twilight. I love him! He's hilarious and completely accepting, loving Bella unconditionally as any pops should.

Happy Reading Everyone :)


~ Keely ~

Review: Fifty Shades of Grey by E.L. James

When literature student Anastasia Steele is drafted to interview the successful young entrepreneur Christian Grey for her campus magazine, she finds him attractive, enigmatic and intimidating. Convinced their meeting went badly, she tries to put Grey out of her mind - until he happens to turn up at the out-of-town hardware store where she works part-time.

The unworldly, innocent Ana is shocked to realize she wants this man, and when he warns her to keep her distance it only makes her more desperate to get close to him. Unable to resist Ana’s quiet beauty, wit, and independent spirit, Grey admits he wants her - but on his own terms.

Shocked yet thrilled by Grey's singular erotic tastes, Ana hesitates. For all the trappings of success – his multinational businesses, his vast wealth, his loving adoptive family – Grey is a man tormented by demons and consumed by the need to control. When the couple embarks on a passionate, physical and daring affair, Ana learns more about her own dark desires, as well as the Christian Grey hidden away from public scrutiny.

Can their relationship transcend physical passion? Will Ana find it in herself to submit to the self-indulgent Master? And if she does, will she still love what she finds?

Oh, if only there were more Christian Grey's in the world. I don't know if that would be a blessing or a curse, but I'd take it, either way.

I wasn't sure what to expect from this book that has caused such hysteria, resulting in fan clubs and hate clubs alike. I'm a little confused as to why some people loathe this book, so much so that there are actual sites dedicated to banning it. Although Fifty Shades is probably topping my favorites list when it comes to the romance genre, I didn't feel that the.. we'll call it *intimacy*.. was as horrifying and appalling as some made it out to be. Although those scenes take up plenty of residence in this novel, I feel that it has more to do with Christian's 'fifty shades of effed up' psyche than just whips and handcuffs for the sake of being kinky.

I fell in love with the story happening between Ana and Christian. Their meeting and attraction is unexpected for both of them, and it changes them, causing them to do things that are outside their normal realm of 'comfortable.' I mean, who wouldn't love being the reason the sexy, tormented, and moody as hell Christian Grey breaks his own very defined set of rules? It's no wonder Ana can't stay away.

Her innocence and inexperience in any kind of relationship is pretty obvious as she analyzes everything Christian says and does. I didn't know whether to hug her or slap her...(wait...okay, maybe "slapping" isn't the best plan to shake Ana Steele out of her palm-twitching-Grey-induced daze. It's official. The girl's standards will never be met by any other hearts-and-flowers guy she hopes to meet.) It can get a little annoying how obsessive she is about wanting "more" from him, but in a way, I get it. She doesn't want to be a toy - what woman does? - and although it has the potential to tear her heart to shreds, she's not afraid to stand up for what she wants and what she believes is good for her, although I don't think Christian Grey is something she'll ever get over.

When it comes down to it, I'd have to say I love this book and I'll most definitely be finishing the series - I ordered Fifty Shades Darker soon after I shook myself from the emotional stupor I was left in after finishing the last chapter of FS of Grey. It really is a whirlwind of emotions - cut out the 'erotica' and it would still be unbelievably intense.

Christian's dark, mysterious past; Ana's innocence and newly found strength; their unfailing ability to challenge each other. It's no wonder people become obsessed with this series. ;)


Happy Reading Everyone :)


~ Keely ~

Tiger's Destiny Cover Reveal :)

So we started out with Tiger's Curse, which led into Tiger's Quest, bringing us to Tiger's Voyage. I've had mixed feelings about these books, but I will admit that I'm excited to discover what happens next and if Kelsey ever makes up her damn mind!

Tiger's Destiny is next on the list, being released September 4th 2012, and the cover has been revealed!! It definitely sparks some curiosity ~ a hawk with glowing eyes? I can't quite place why, but this feels darker than the previous three books.

What do you think??

Happy Reading Everyone :)




~ Keely ~

Booking Through Thursday and From the Review Pile

This week's question asks:

Have you ever bought a book, started reading it and then realised you have already read it? If so, how far did you get?

This has never happened to me with a book, although I used to reread books all the time - intentionally - but I've definitely done this before with movies. I've added movies to my Netflix queue that sounded awesome, received them in the mail, only to have realization dawn on me thirty minutes in. So strange.

From the Review Pile is a meme hosted by Stepping Out of the Page every Thursday.

The aim of this meme is to showcase books that you've received for review (or if you don't receive review books, any book that you own and really want to read/review) but haven't yet got around to reading, in order to give the book some extra publicity.

I know that a lot of you have a huge pile of books that you want to read/review, but it understandably takes a while to get around to reading them all - here you can give a book (or two!) some of the publicity that it deserves, even if you haven't read it yet!

Right now, I have a few books patiently waiting for my undivided attention. I can't wait to get to them!

First is The Savage Grace by Bree Despain. I love this series, and although I need to brush up on the events of the last one (hey, it's been an entire year), I can't wait to find out what happens next!

A troubled soul. An impossible choice. A final battle.


Wrestling with the werewolf curse pulsing deep inside of her, Grace Divine was finally able to find her brother, but it nearly cost her everything.


With her boyfriend, Daniel, stuck in wolf form and Sirhan's death approaching, time is running out for Grace to stop Caleb Kalbi and his gang of demons. If she fails, her family and hometown will perish. Everything rests on Grace's shoulders.


The final installment in The Dark Divine trilogy brings Daniel and Grace's love story to a breathtaking conclusion.

Second is one I found for an astounding $2.99 for Kindle. The Demon Trapper's Daughter has been on my TBR list for too long now and I'm excited to finally be diving into it - soon.

Demon Trapper Riley Blackthorne just needs a chance to prove herself—and that’s exactly what Lucifer is counting on…

It’s the year 2018, and with human society seriously disrupted by the economic upheavals of the previous decade, Lucifer has increased the number of demons in all major cities. Atlanta is no exception. Fortunately, humans are protected by Demon Trappers, who work to keep homes and streets safe from the things that go bump in the night. Seventeen-year-old Riley, only daughter of legendary Demon Trapper Paul Blackthorne, has always dreamed of following in her father’s footsteps. When she’s not keeping up with her homework or trying to manage her growing attraction to fellow Trapper apprentice, Simon, Riley’s out saving citizens from Grade One Hellspawn. Business as usual, really, for a demon-trapping teen. When a Grade Five Geo-Fiend crashes Riley’s routine assignment at a library, jeopardizing her life and her chosen livelihood, she realizes that she’s caught in the middle of a battle between Heaven and Hell.

Happy Reading Everyong :)

~ Keely ~

Waiting on Wednesday

Here's what I've stumbled across recently that I just can't wait to read:

The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater
Release Date: September 18th 2012

“There are only two reasons a non-seer would see a spirit on St. Mark’s Eve,” Neeve said. “Either you’re his true love . . . or you killed him.”


It is freezing in the churchyard, even before the dead arrive.


Every year, Blue Sargent stands next to her clairvoyant mother as the soon-to-be dead walk past. Blue herself never sees them—not until this year, when a boy emerges from the dark and speaks directly to her.


His name is Gansey, and Blue soon discovers that he is a rich student at Aglionby, the local private school. Blue has a policy of staying away from Aglionby boys. Known as Raven Boys, they can only mean trouble.


But Blue is drawn to Gansey, in a way she can’t entirely explain. He has it all—family money, good looks, devoted friends—but he’s looking for much more than that. He is on a quest that has encompassed three other Raven Boys: Adam, the scholarship student who resents all the privilege around him; Ronan, the fierce soul who ranges from anger to despair; and Noah, the taciturn watcher of the four, who notices many things but says very little.


For as long as she can remember, Blue has been warned that she will cause her true love to die. She never thought this would be a problem. But now, as her life becomes caught up in the strange and sinister world of the Raven Boys, she’s not so sure anymore.


From Maggie Stiefvater, the bestselling and acclaimed author of theShiver trilogy and The Scorpio Races, comes a spellbinding new series where the inevitability of death and the nature of love lead us to a place we’ve never been before.

AND...

Tiger's Destiny by Colleen Houck
Release Date: September 4th 2012

With three of the goddess Durga's quests behind them, only one prophecy now stands in the way of Kelsey, Ren, and Kishan breaking the tiger's curse. But the trio's greatest challenge awaits them: A life-endangering pursuit in search of Durga's final gift, the Rope of Fire, on the Adaman Islands in the Bay of Bengal.


It's a race against time--and the evil sorcerer Lokesh--in this eagerly anticipated fourth volume of the bestselling Tiger's Curse series, which pits good against evil, tests the bonds of love and loyalty, and finally reveals the tiger's' true destiny once and for all.

Happy Reading Everyone :)

~Keely~

And the Winner is....

After a nightmarish encounter with a werewolf, seventeen-year-old Adria Dawson loses her sister, but gains the love of a mysterious young man and his legendary family.

Strange and tragic things begin to happen in the small town of Hallowell, Maine: residents come down with an unexplainable ‘illness’ and some disappear. In the midst of everything, Isaac Mayfair is adamant about keeping Adria safe, even from her sister whom he has warned her to stay away from.

As unspeakable secrets unfold all around Adria, impossible choices become hers to bear. Ultimately, no matter what path she takes, her life and the lives of those she loves will be in peril. As she learns about the werewolf world she also learns why her place in it will change the destinies of many.

And the #FF100 Giveaway comes to an end... Such a great week! Met so many awesome book bloggers and encountered tons of fabulous features and giveaways...

The winner of my giveaway, a softcover copy of The Mayfair Moon is....

***Jennifer Haile***

Congrats!!!! And thanks to everyone who entered :)

Happy Reading Everyone :)

~Keely~

Teaser Tuesday

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page

• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)

• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!



This week's teaser is plucked from the ever popular Veronica Roth's Insurgent :

  "I think we cry to release the animal parts of us without losing our humanity. Because inside me is a beast that snarls, and growls, and strains toward freedom, toward Tobias, and, above all, toward life. And as hard as I try, I cannot kill it.
   So I sob into my hands instead."

I love that :)



Happy Reading Everyone :)

~ Keely ~