13 More Days Till It's The End Of The World: An Interview With Heather Jensen

We have 13 more days till the end of the world, and to help us count down, we are interviewing Heather Jensen with a fun "Fill-in The Blank" interview (Her answers are underlined and in Gold).  

1. My vampires are mostly nocturnal because they only have access to their moon-given abilities at night.
2. The Waking Moon is Aurora's art studio/gallery, named for the full moon in April, the same month that Aurora was made into a vampire.
3. My phone, my guitar, my iPod are the 3 things that I would NEVER live without because they each offer different, but equally important, forms of therapy to keep me sane.
4. I love writing because it gives me a chance to escape into another reality and get out the ideas and conversations that are always floating around inside my head.
5. When I write songs as Trey, I'm a much better songwriter than I ever could be as Heather.
6. The next project I intend to tackle is a YA novella that still encompasses the paranormal and rock fiction elements my readers have come to know me for.
7. If I was a character in my book, I’d be Aurora, though I'd settle for just some painting lessons from her.
8. If the zombie apocalypse happened, I’d be ready. My daddy raised girls who pack guns and know how to shoot 'em! :).
9. Oh no! Writers block has occurred!  Now I will go back to the plot outline, pick a new point in the story to work on, change up my soundtrack a little, and hope it goes away.
10. The 3 reasons you should read my book are the vampires are unique, the band is entertaining, and the combination of paranormal and musical elements are hard to find in New Adult fiction. 

Author:

Heather Jensen writes paranormal fantasy for teens and adults. She began writing her first book at the age of 16. She is an avid reader and loves anything vampire-related, but likes all kinds of fantasy. When she’s not writing she enjoys traveling, listening to music, going to concerts, playing guitar and spending time with friends and family. She is addicted to Oreos and White Knight drinks from Perks. Her favorite color is green and the uglier the shade the better. Heather lives in Southern Utah with her husband and son where she continues to write the Blood And Guitars series. The second book in the series, Immortals And Melodies is available on Kindle and will soon be in paperback. The third and final installment titled Fangs And Fame will be released in 2013.

Author's Links:

Author Website

Facebook

Twitter

 Google+

Book Trailer Playlist on Youtube

Goodreads Author Page 

Available Books:

 

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Happy Reading!

Cana

Happy Hanukkah

Happy Hanukkah 

to you and all your family.

From everyone at 

Place of Reads Book Blog!

14 More Days Till It's The End Of The World: Follow Friday (30)

Welcome to Follow Friday Hosted 

By Parajunkee.com and Alisoncanread.com

Q: Activity! Who do you want to be? If you could choose any character from a book. What do you think that character looks like and what do you have in common?

A. What a hard question!  I am tied between two beautiful characters.  I'd be Beauty from Beauty by Robin McKinley or I'd be Diana Bishop from Deborah Harkness' All Souls Triology.  Both characters and I have a strong stubborn streak, and we all are searching for something that is missing.  Beauty is searching for the missing pieces on who the Beast actually is and how to help him.  Diana is searching for who she is as well as a mystical book.  And I'm searching for stuff too (we are not going into what I'm searching for in this post :P).

I think each character looks something different than I, but I think that is the way it should be.  :)

And Don't forget to join in on the END OF THE WORLD FUN here!!!

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Happy Reading!

Cana

15 More Days Till It's The End Of The World: And So It Begins!

Since the Mayan Calendar predicts that the end of the world is December 21, 2012, people have been proclaiming that the world is going to end.  I find this very funny… I mean, this isn’t the first time someone has predicted the end of the world.  So, I thought, “Why not celebrate the end of the world?”  I mean, how many times can the end of the world come around, right ;)?

So we are going to celebrate!

So before the end of the world happens, we are going to celebrate!

Be prepared for great reviews, marvelous posts, amazing interviews and breathtaking giveaways!  The great thing is that this giveaway happens through December 22.  And if the world doesn’t end, you have a great chance of winning some books!

And speaking of giveaways…

We have some marvelous items to giveaway!

• A Signed Copy of The Selection by Kiera Cass
• A Signed Copy of The Kissing Tree by Prudence Bice
• A Copy of Ascent of Blood by Elizabeth Marx
• 5 - E-book Copies of The Scavengers by Mike Parker
• An E-book Copy of Blood and Guitars by Heather Jensen
• An E-book Copy of Bleeding Hearts by Ash Krafton
• An E-book Copy of The Mine by John Heldt
• An E-book Copy of The Journey by John Heldt
• A Swag Bag from Ada Adams

When All Is Said And Done…

So pull up a chair, sit in front of your computer, and catch up on some of those blog posts that you have been meaning to…  Better yet, read a book that you have been meaning to… Because if the world ends on December 21, you are out of luck!

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Happy Reading!

Cana

And The Count Down Starts Tomorrow! Waiting On Wednesday

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

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

Description:

Sophie doesn’t believe in happily ever after. These days, she’d settle for alive after sunrise.

Advice columnist and newly-appointed oracle to the demivampire, Sophie Galen has more issues than a Cosmocollection: a new mentor with a mean streak, a werewolf stalker she can’t shake, and a relationship with her ex’s family that redefines the term complicated. And then there’s her ex himself, who is more interested in playing leader of the vampire pack than in his own salvation.

Becoming a better oracle is tough enough, but when Sophie encounters a deadly enemy – one she never dreamed of facing – it will take everything she’s ever learned in order to survive.

Coming out on May 2013

Why?

1. Well, I read the first book and it made me LOVE vampires even more than I use to... :)
2. The 2nd book sound pretty awesome. I mean, sounds like it will keep you on the edge of your seat.
3. I'm hoping Marek and Sophie will get back together, because vampire or not, I think they make an amazing couple

ALSO, a reminder that tomorrow we start the count down to the end of the world! 

We are going to have giveaways, book reviews, guest posts and tons of fun on the count down to see if December 21 will really be the end of the world!  Sign up to participate, and don't forget to come back every day to try and win one of our amazing prizes!

So what are you waiting for?

Happy Reading!

Cana

Audio Review: Grave Mercy by R.L. LaFevers

Description:

Why be the sheep, when you can be the wolf?

Seventeen-year-old Ismae escapes from the brutality of an arranged marriage into the sanctuary of the convent of St. Mortain, where the sisters still serve the gods of old. Here she learns that the god of Death Himself has blessed her with dangerous gifts—and a violent destiny. If she chooses to stay at the convent, she will be trained as an assassin and serve as a handmaiden to Death. To claim her new life, she must destroy the lives of others.

Ismae’s most important assignment takes her straight into the high court of Brittany—where she finds herself woefully under prepared—not only for the deadly games of intrigue and treason, but for the impossible choices she must make. For how can she deliver Death’s vengeance upon a target who, against her will, has stolen her heart?

My Review:

Grave Mercy by R.L. LaFevers 

My rating: 5 of 5 stars 

Grave Mercy is not like any other book I have ever read.  It combines history, assassins, conspiracy, romance, and the God of Death.  I started reading this book with an open mind and hoping for the best.  I ended the book knowing that I had just finished my all-time favorite book.

Ismae was abused most of her life, and she only escaped thanks to an herb witch who promised Ismae’s mom she would look after the girl.  She was taken to the convent of St. Mortain, the patron saint of death.  It is here that her life takes a very different turn.  Ismae discovers gifts that Mortain has given her and trains to be a deadly assassin.  There is nothing cooler than a medieval woman becoming an assassin.  Ismae struggles with the cruelty from her past, but she doesn’t let it keep her from serving the God she loves.  I love the strength that Ismae shows when facing difficult tasks whether it is taking on 3 men at once or embroidery.  She uses all of her training and life experiences to help save her duchess.  Ismae is a fighter through and through.

She meets her match with Duval.  He is the bastard brother to the duchess.  Duval is strong, caring, loyal, and very protective of the women he loves.  He would do anything to protect his sister from a bad marriage or losing her duchy.  Duval teaches Ismae that there is more to her God then what the convent let on.  They work together to keep the duchess safe and fall in love in the process.  They do not let their feelings for each other get in the way of their duty.  Duval is that rare man who does not want a prim and proper woman.  He wants the woman who has been through hardships and never gave up.  I love how tough and strong he is around everyone, but he breaks down the barriers around his two half-sisters.  Duval is not your typical knight in shining armor.  I love that he is just a man trying to protect his little sister.

The story gets interesting with different suitors who want to marry the duchess, and of course, the mystery of who is the traitor.  Ismae and Duval stay on their toes trying to keep the duchess safe from a swarm of people trying to manipulate her.   These are two very strong characters that complement each other well.  I love how Ismae is more interested in weapons then embroidery.  She is not a planner and she knows it.  Ismae wants to take action.  Duval is her planner.  He comes up with the ideas on how to keep the duchess safe. 

I love how this book shows a battered and broken woman can come back stronger than before.  She can be as loyal and useful as any man.  She can use a variety of weapons and poisons with ease.  It makes you feel like you can do anything after reading about Ismae.  The relationship between Ismae and Duval is amazing.  It isn’t love at first sight for them, and there is no definite happily ever after.  This love story seems more real to me because it isn’t all roses and honey.

I would definitely recommend this book if you want a change from the normal historical fiction books.

Kimberly 

Bamboo and Lace by Lori Wick

Description:

Lily Walsh has spent all of her 24 years as a missionary's daughter on the Asian island of Kashien. Isolated from the western world, she devours the letters she receives from her brother in Hawaii. When her father reluctantly allows Lily to visit Jeff, she is thrilled-until he is called away.

Left with the Kapaia family, Lily awakens to a new understanding of God's love and of who she was created to be. Returning home, her deepening friendship with Gabe Kapaia and her faith are tested by her father's increasingly stern ways. Will her obedience cost her the desire of her heart?

My Review:

Bamboo and Lace by Lori Wick

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This beautiful love story is a classic for Lori Wick.  You have your conflict, your love, and the encouraging family.  But besides that, there is a great and enduring message of God’s love and his plans for us.

So what did I like about it?

·        I love how adoption is a constant message of this book.  I mean, I wholly believe in adoption, and the encouraging views of it (that also includes the difficulties) is absolutely wonderful.

·        I think that Gabe is an amazing man.  His love for God, his willingness to help Lily adjust to the way of America, and his faith in God’s plans are just too sexy for words. 

·        Learning about the Asian culture was pretty neat.  I don’t have a lot of knowledge about it, so to read about it in a book was pretty unique for me.

Overall, I think this book is pretty good.  Highly recommend this book.

Happy Reading!

Cana