Blog Tour: How to Break a Boy by Laurie Devore

Today on WinterHaven Books I am kicking off the blog tour for How to Break a Boy by Laurie Devore!!  For my stop I am sharing my review with you!

How to Break a Boy by Laurie Devore

Publisher: Imprint

Release Date: Jan 31st, 2017

Purchase: Amazon

Keep your enemies close, but your friends closer.

Olivia Clayton has mastered the art of tearing others down to stay on top. She and her best friend, Adrienne, rule their small southern town like all good mean girls do--through intimidation and manipulation.

After Olivia suffers a family tragedy and catches Adrienne sleeping with her boyfriend, Olivia is over it. She decides to make a change--but it's impossible to resist taking Adrienne down one last time. Up to her old tricks, Olivia convinces golden boy Whit DuRant to be her SAT tutor and her fake boyfriend. But when it starts to feel real, Whit gets caught up in Olivia and Adrienne's war.

Olivia may ruin everything she touches, but this time she won't go down without a fight--not if it means losing Whit.

And definitely not if it means losing what's left of herself.

“If the Heathers had had smartphones.” ―Kirkus Reviews

My thoughts:
How to Break a Boy was my type of contemporary novel!  It wasn't soft and dreamy, it was tough, dark and a little scary which worked for me.

In a nutshell the story is about Olivia and how she lives her life in the shadow of her partner in crime friend Adrienne.  These two together were a high school students worst nightmare.  They were ruthless, mean, and always out to get somebody even if you just make eye contact wrong you are on their list. When Olivia's brother dies, she changes and begins to think maybe this mean girl lifestlye isn't what she wants anymore.  Leaving isn't always easy though and so begins her journey to find herself without popularity, her brother, and her toxic friend.

It was painful to read quite a few places in this story.  So many times Olivia could have done the right thing, but she stays under Adriennes thumb and causes chaos for so many people.  I won't lie I wanted to slap her so many times throughout this book, but her saving grace was that she little by little saw her errors and wanted to correct them.  It took awhile, but she slowly grew a backbone and for that I am grateful.

My favorite character in this though was Claire.  She was a kind of secondary character and I thought she was amazing.  She got caught up in the mess of Olivia's fight with Adrienne and I felt sorry for her, but I liked her positive attitude which helped guide Olivia.  It wasn't always easy for her, but she didn't let things tear her down.

My other favorite character was Whit which won't surprise you if you read this book.  He was definitely a shining character throughout and my heart broke for him when things turned bad.  He was an innocent bystander, but he definitely caught the brunt of the fight and I can't lie it ticked me off.  He didn't deserve what happened to him and I was shocked at the extent Adrienne went.  He handled it better than most though and I have to give him credit for standing his ground.

My one problem with this story though was that I wanted more of a conclusion with Adrienne. I don't think she should have been able to walk away so easily and I know that her world changed somewhat, but it wasn't enough for me.  I wanted her to suffer more honestly.

I thought this story was going to be more of a revenge story, but it turned out to be more of a saving story and I liked it.  There were frustrating scenes and I wanted to punch a few people, but you know high school is tough and this shows just how tough it can be.  I know this is extreme, but peer pressure is out there and I've seen a lot of bad things so if you think about it this really isn't that extreme.  I'm glad the author chose to show the darker side of school and I can even understand why she chose to let things be at the end.  Nothing is ever tied up perfectly in a bow and this story shows that.  I'm just glad a few characters ended up where I hoped they would.

Dark story with shinning moments that held me captivated till the last page.  Can't ask for more than that!

3.5 snowflakes

About the Author
Laurie Devore was born and raised in small town South Carolina and graduated from Clemson University. She now lives and works in Chicago, where she misses the charms and contradictions of the south every day. In her spare time, she reluctantly runs marathons, watches too much TV, and works a "y’all" into every conversation. How to Break a Boy is her debut novel.

Review: After the Woods by Kim Savage

After the Woods by Kim Savage
Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux
Release Date: Feb 23rd, 2016
Purchase: Amazon

Would you risk your life to save your best friend?

Julia did. When a paroled predator attacked Liv in the woods, Julia fought back and got caught. Liv ran, leaving Julia in the woods for a terrifying 48 hours that she remembers only in flashbacks. One year later, Liv seems bent on self-destruction, starving herself, doing drugs, and hooking up with a violent new boyfriend. A dead girl turns up in those same woods, and Julia’s memories resurface alongside clues unearthed by an ambitious reporter that link the girl to Julia’s abductor. As the devastating truth becomes clear, Julia realizes that after the woods was just the beginning. 

My Thoughts:
After the Woods is a thrilling creeptastic ride that showed me just how crazy people can really be.

The synopsis does a fantastic job setting up the story.  The book starts out showing us what happened in the woods that day with Julia and Liv, but as you can guess we don't know everything and man was this book explosive.

I think my favorite part of this book was the atmosphere that Kim Savage has created.  This setting was creepy from the get go and that darkness continued throughout the story in so many ways.  It almost felt like a sinister shadow was following each and every character and I promise I could feel it in my fingers while holding this book.  This to me was genius!  I loved this and I didn't want to put this book down!

The only thing that truly bothered me was the ending. After so much build up I expected an explosion, but that's not what happened.  Things become very clear to the reader, but I think a certain character got off a little too easily.  I think Julia deserved more after what she did for this person and it just didn't feel right to me.  I liked Julia and I thought she was a super strong character, but she needed more closure from these horrific events.

Other than the ending I truly enjoyed this book.  I even liked the romance!  It felt a bit rushed, but that's not uncommon amoung YA books and in this one I actually totally bought it.  If you are looking for a super suspenseful kidnapping story with a huge twist this is for you!  I can't wait to see what Kim Savage comes up with next!

3.5 snowflakes

Review: Devoted by Jennifer Mathieu

Devoted by Jennifer Mathieu
Publisher: Roaring Book Press
Release Date: June 2nd, 2015
Purchase: Amazon

Rachel Walker is devoted to God. She prays every day, attends Calvary Christian Church with her family, helps care for her five younger siblings, dresses modestly, and prepares herself to be a wife and mother who serves the Lord with joy. But Rachel is curious about the world her family has turned away from, and increasingly finds that neither the church nor her homeschool education has the answers she craves. Rachel has always found solace in her beliefs, but now she can’t shake the feeling that her devotion might destroy her soul.

My thoughts:
Oh this book where do I ever begin.  I wasn't quite sure what to expect when I picked this up because sometimes books with a heavy religious theme will not work for me, but this one really worked.  Yes it has religious themes, but don't let that turn you away because it is about so much more than just that.

Rachel has grown up inside Calvary Christian church.  This church has very strict views and most of them center around women not really having privileges.  Each male and female have a role and these roles are not to be questioned by anyone.  I won't go into all their beliefs because it would take me awhile, but I will name a few so you can get an idea of this church's ideas.  Women are to be helpmeets which basically translates to homemaker with a few huge exceptions.  For lack of a better way of saying this women have to wait hand and foot on their husbands, never question their husbands or the church, birth control is a no no so you might have 12 kids, and schooling/jobs are not allowed.

This is just the tip of the iceberg and I have to say I was a little infuriated with this book.  I had to take a step back because while this would not work for me, for some it worked.  The author did a really good job at showing both sides. Rachel on one hand felt suppressed while her sister Faith thrived in the same environment.  I questioned Faiths sanity, but again everybody is different and who am I to tell anyone how to live.  I do wish that their rules would have allowed people who didn't share their views to still be allowed to socialize with church members.  My heart broke for Rachel when she chose her path and certain events transpired.  I was proud of her for having the courage and outraged by the aftermath.  It just isn't right!

I don't know a lot about this type of strict religion and after reading this I am definitely intrigued. What draws people to these types of extremist church's?  Who starts this and how do they get members?  Where were these church's founded?  I honestly have so many questions and I am really going to start looking into this!

I said before that religion is not what this is all about and its not.  Yes there is a lot of Scripture and a lot of heavy view points, but underneath all that is Rachel.  She is a character who is just trying to find her place in the world and finds herself stuck somewhere she doesn't want to be.  She is very intelligent and wants to know everything, but the church limits her.  When Lauren, a former member who left the church, moves back to town Rachel finds a way to reach out to her and this gives her an opening she didn't have before.  Rachels courage was amazing and I loved watching her come into her own.

The secondary cast of characters like Mark, Lauren, and Diane were amazing. They didn't make Rachel feel like she was an outcast or alien.  I loved how open and honest Rachel was with each of them and it was very endearing.  I was so happy that she had such a strong group of people around her who just wanted to show her life wasn't all about Calvary.

This book really touched my heart and made me see what I take for granted.  Even access to a computer without someone telling you what is allowed to look up is a privilege.  This book opened my eyes and I can't wait to dive into my own research.

4 Snowflakes

Kids Comic Q&A Blog Tour!

Today on WinterHaven Books I’m excited to take part in the Five Questions with Kids Comic Book Tour hosted by Macmillan!  Rafael Rosado and Jorge Aguirre, authors of DRAGONS BEWARE!, are interviewing amazing graphic novel artists throughout the month of May and we have Cecil Castellucci with us today!

 

RAFAEL/JORGE: Hi Cecil, thanks so much for answering our questions. You might not remember us, but we met you at a First Second Books get together at the San Diego Comic-con in 2012, when our first book, "Giants Beware" came out - and Rafael was a part of a Kids Comics drawing challenge which you moderated that year.
Yes of course! Hello again!

QUESTION: Can you describe your process when you worked with Sara Varon on Odd Duck? Did you write a full script, an outline? How closely did you collaborate?
Odd Duck started off as an early chapter book with spot illustrations at a different publisher. When I discovered that they had picked Sara Varon, of whom I was a great fan, I freaked out with happiness. I loved Chicken and Cat and of course Robot Dreams. I thought that since we both did comics that it would be fun to throw out my words and have more fun with illustration. The publisher was not so convinced, so Sara and I talked to each other and we jammed over the phone and Sara came up with the layout that it is now. The publisher didn't really like what we came up with. They thought it was too odd! So we decided to go elsewhere. So I would call it an open script with big collaboration between Sara and I once it came to thumbnails. We both weighed in on text pacing and art pacing and it worked out really well for us. We recently did a collaboration for Comics Squad the same way.

QUESTION: We really like this quote of yours: "Writing is writing is writing... I think that writing a novel or comic book or libretto or short story is just like an artist choosing to draw a landscape with pastels, watercolors, oils, or whatever. So really, it's no different except that you shade differently." So do you feel different kind of limitations or freedom when you're writing a graphic novel versus a novel or vice versa? http://thecoachellareview.com/fiction/interview_cecilcastellucci.html
Absolutely! I think the great thing about writing in different mediums is that you don't have to worry about cramming everything in. I have the freedom to do what is best for the medium and if I want to do something else, I can just write another story and express myself in the way that I cannot elsewhere. It also informs how I approach things, sort of strengthens the craft. For example, I find that I'm freer with my prose, able to cut things in order to serve pacing. As for comics, I take great joy in working with an artist who cares about the story as much as I do and I relish in the silence that comics can bring that prose doesn't. I kind of married these two with the hybrid novel I wrote called Year of the Beasts. When words could no longer adequately express the emotions in the book, I turned to comics. That was very fun to do.

QUESTION: Unless we're mistaken, you seem to have written for every medium imaginable, but we didn't see any film or TV credits for you (except for your appearance in the documentary "Starvoids"). Since you're based in entertainment capital of the world, Los Angeles, is writing for TV or film something that' s on your list of projects you'd like to do? Have you tried adapting your books into the film/TV medium?
You are right! I haven't really done any TV or Films. I mean, I did make one feature film that I wrote and directed that is pretty much obscure, but was a fun exercise in improv and stuff. But it was not a formal film script in any way. More like an experiment. I did just actually write my first screenplay because the story wanted to be told that way. Nothing happened with it, but it gave me great confidence and I think it's nice to have as a spec in case anyone does option one of my books. I haven't tried adapting one of my books yet, but I'm toying with the idea of it. As for television, it used to be that I didn't watch much because I didn't have cable. But now with all the streaming, I'm caught up. And loving the ongoing storytelling. I write with a bunch of friends who are television writers in cafes, and I am obsessed with the fact that there is a writers room and that people get together and break a story. I want to break a story! So who knows! Maybe I will try that one day for one season on some show! But it's also been kind of nice living in Hollywood all these years and not be in the biz.

QUESTION: What are you working on now?
Well, I am just finishing up the Princess Leia novel Moving Target for Star Wars Journey to the Force Awakens and that's been really fun. As for new projects, I've got a comic book maxi series that I'm trying to get off the ground and I'm writing my first Middle Grade novel. I'm also finishing up the libretto for my newest opera. And a bunch of other things. I've always got a million stories I want to write or should be writing.

QUESTION: What's on your nightstand?
A stack of novels that I want to read next. The stack is so hight that it threatens to topple on me. A glass of water. My journal. My earrings that I always forget are there and that I want to be wearing. Actually, I'm going to go and put those on right now.

Children's Book Week is the annual celebration of books for young people and the joy of reading. It is the longest-running national literacy initiative in the country.

In 2015, official Children’s Book Week events – including appearances by beloved children’s book authors & illustrators, children’s open mic nights, read-alouds, book-themed costume parties, and much more – will be held in all 50 states. Photos from last year here. Event attendees receive complimentary Children’s Book Week posters and tote bags. You can see how the celebrations for 2015 are shaping up here.

Children’s Book Week is administered by Every Child a Reader (ECAR) and the Children’s Book Council (CBC) is the anchor sponsor. 

 Be sure to follow the rest of the tour!  You can find the tour schedule by clicking here.

Blog Tour: The Winner's Curse by Marie Rutkoski

Today on WinterHaven Books I am participating in the blog tour for The Winner's Curse by Marie Rutkoski!  I am really excited to join in this tour and for my stop I was asked this question..

The ‘Winner’s Curse’ is an economics term that means you’ve gotten what you wanted – but at too high a price.  What would you pay too much for?

This is a very loaded question that I know I could answer in a number of ways, but I am going to go with my first love and that is cupcakes!  I am a cupcakeaholic and just recently spent an insane amount of money at a wonderful bakery in Austin.  Every time I walk into a bakery I have to buy at least four cupcakes and money is no option.  Yes I realize I have a problem.  Books would have to be my second choice for this question, but cupcakes rules my number one spot.

What about you?  What would you pay too much for?

The Winner's Curse by Marie Rutkoski

Published on Farrar Straus Giroux on March 4th 2014

Winning what you want may cost you everything you love

As a general’s daughter in a vast empire that revels in war and enslaves those it conquers, seventeen-year-old Kestrel has two choices: she can join the military or get married. But Kestrel has other intentions.

One day, she is startled to find a kindred spirit in a young slave up for auction. Arin’s eyes seem to defy everything and everyone. Following her instinct, Kestrel buys him—with unexpected consequences. It’s not long before she has to hide her growing love for Arin.

But he, too, has a secret, and Kestrel quickly learns that the price she paid for a fellow human is much higher than she ever could have imagined.

Set in a richly imagined new world, The Winner’s Curse by Marie Rutkoski is a story of deadly games where everything is at stake, and the gamble is whether you will keep your head or lose your heart.

The Winner's Crime by Marie Rutkoski

Expected Publication on March 3rd, 2015 by Farrar Straus Giroux

Book two of the dazzling Winner's Trilogy is a fight to the death as Kestrel risks betrayal of country for love.

The engagement of Lady Kestrel to Valoria’s crown prince means one celebration after another. But to Kestrel it means living in a cage of her own making. As the wedding approaches, she aches to tell Arin the truth about her engagement…if she could only trust him. Yet can she even trust herself? For—unknown to Arin—Kestrel is becoming a skilled practitioner of deceit: an anonymous spy passing information to Herran, and close to uncovering a shocking secret.

As Arin enlists dangerous allies in the struggle to keep his country’s freedom, he can’t fight the suspicion that Kestrel knows more than she shows. In the end, it might not be a dagger in the dark that cuts him open, but the truth. And when that happens, Kestrel and Arin learn just how much their crimes will cost them.

About the Author:

Marie Rutkoski is the author of the YA novel The Shadow Society and the children's fantasy series The Kronos Chronicles, including The Cabinet of Wonders, The Celestial Globe and The Jewel of the Kalderash. Her next project is a YA trilogy that begins with The Winner's Curse, which is scheduled to be published in March 2014.

Marie grew up in Bolingbrook, Illinois (a suburb of Chicago), as the oldest of four children. She holds a BA from the University of Iowa and a PhD from Harvard University. Marie is currently a professor at Brooklyn College, where she teaches Renaissance Drama, children's literature and fiction writing. She lives in New York City with her husband and two sons.

For the full tour schedule click HERE 
 To see the master website for The Winner's Trilogy click HERE and to play a fun game from the book "Bite and Sting" click HERE

Giveaway time!  The wonderful people at Macmillan have offered to send one lucky reader a copy The Winner's Crime.  The book will be shipped out when finished copies are available.

US Only

Good Luck! 

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40 Days for 40 Years...Tuck Everlasting Blog Tour

We are so excited to have the opportunity to participate in the 40 Days for 40 Years Tuck Everlasting Blog Tour! Tuck Everlasting is one of my favorite childhood stories and I am so honored to be able to share with our friends the cover for the 40th Anniversary edition and answer the question: What if you could live forever?

The newly released 40th Anniversary edition of Tuck Everlasting cover...

2015 marks the 40th anniversary of Natalie Babbitt’s celebrated, ground-breaking title Tuck Everlasting (Anniversary edition on sale January 20). In celebration of the anniversary, Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group will publish a special anniversary edition featuring an introduction from Wicked author Gregory Maguire.

Doomed to, or blessed with, eternal life after drinking from a magic spring, the Tuck family wanders about trying to live as inconspicuously and comfortably as they can. When ten-year-old Winnie Foster stumbles on their secret, the Tucks take her home and explain why living forever at one age is less of a blessing than it might seem. Then complications arise when Winnie is followed by a stranger who wants to market the spring water for a fortune.

Upon the book’s publication in 1975, Natalie was greeted with concern from parents and educators who were stunned to read a book about death written for children. She is an author who challenges her readers and thinks the best questions are the This 40th anniversary will introduce a whole new generation to this timeless classic. The book has sold over 3.5 million copies in the US alone, and has never been out of print since publication.

NATALIE BABBITT is the award-winning author of Tuck Everlasting, The Eyes of the Amaryllis, Knee-Knock Rise, and many other brilliantly original books for young people. She began her career in 1966 as the illustrator of The Forty-Ninth Magician, a collaboration with her husband. When her husband became a college president and no longer had time to collaborate, Babbitt tried her hand at writing. Her first novel, The Search for Delicious, established her gift for writing magical tales with profound meaning. Knee-Knock Rise earned her a Newbery Honor, and in 2002, Tuck Everlasting was adapted into a major motion picture. Natalie Babbitt lives in Connecticut, and is a grandmother of three.

This beautiful Anniversary edition went on sale January 20, 2015. If you haven't yet purchased your copy, you can do so HERE

For this tour each blogger was asked to answer the following question:

 What if you could live forever?

I instantly thought...what a loaded question! Then I asked myself after re-reading this classic, well, what if? I mean, I could live a life unlike any other. Travel the world, seek new adventures, experience the world change and live the stories only I'd naturally read in a history book. It all sounds so thrilling and very surreal, but in the long run, would I truly be happy? 

I pondered what it would be like and I can honestly say, no. I'd choose the same as our beloved Winnie Foster. I believe the circle of life is exactly just that. We are born, live out the life that was given to us, and then we will perish as intended. It's an excellent reminder, though, to live our lives to fullest with the time we are given.

Blog Tour Interview, Giveaway, & Review: Trial by Fire by Josephine Angelini

Today on WinterHaven Books I am super excited to be participating in the blog tour for Josephine Angelini!!  I absolutely adored Trial by Fire and yes I am still squeeing over Josephine joining us today!!  I also have a very special giveaway to share with you at the end!!  First though check out her answers to my questions!  Love love love her answers!!!

Welcome Josie!!

1. The world you created was incredibly unique, how did you come up with the idea?
When I’m worldbuilding I always try to make it feel like it’s real, so everything has to be there for a logical reason. The parallel world that I created for the WorldWalker Trilogy was shaped mostly by the system of magic that I developed for that world. First I had to develop the magical system, and then I sat down and thought about what kind of world would be the result of people having that particular skill set.
For example, if magic made licorice out of nothing, than licorice would be a really cheap, and as a result, people would probably live in houses made of licorice, or their cars would run on licorice, or something like that. People make use of what’s around them, and economies, technology, governments, and architecture come out of that. That’s where I start when I create a world—on what’s handy. Simple and logical is always best, and strangely, it can also be a source of originality.

2. If you could be Lillian or Lily which would you chose and why?
Lily, for sure. I feel bad for Lillian. After all, she is the one who lost Rowan.

3. Tristan was a horrible best friend to boyfriend character! I honestly wanted to punch him for Lily! Does he serve a greater purpose in the sequel??
It’s so funny that you had such a strong negative reaction to him! When I finished the first draft I was so surprised when all of my beta readers loved him. They were all expecting Lily to be with Tristan and I couldn’t figure out why. I don’t think Tristan is a bad person, but he’s still immature in the first book. I think it has something to do with the “first guy” principle in YA.
Usually, the first guy we meet in a YA book is assumed to be the one the girl ends up with, but I rarely find that in life. Usually a girl’s first love is a disaster! I wanted to write something that was closer to life. And, to answer your question—yes. Tristan is very important throughout the series.

4. I could honestly gush about your book for days and days! What book have you gushed about recently?
Thank you so much! I’m so happy you enjoyed it that much! Recently I’ve been recommending Storm Siren by Mary Weber. It’s a really strong debut book, and I LOVE the heroine.

4. Can you tell us a little about the sequel? I'm dying to know something..anything!!
How to do this without giving anything away? I will say that in Trail of Tears we learn a lot more about Lillian, and maybe even come to agree with her. And the love story in the second book gets way steamier.

Thanks Josie for stopping by!

Find the Author:

Website / Twitter / Facebook / Trailer / Series Website /  

I have to say that Josie's answer for my Tristan question really blew me away and made me love this book even more.  Such a unique and realistic way of writing a character!  I cannot wait to see what happens with him! 

Trial by Fire by Josephine Angelini
Publisher: Feiwel & Friends
Release Date: September 2, 2014
Purchase: Amazon

Love burns. Worlds collide. Magic reigns.

This world is trying to kill Lily Proctor. Her life-threatening allergies keep her from enjoying many of the experiences that other teenagers take for granted...which is why she is determined to enjoy her first (and perhaps only) high-school party. But Lily's life never goes according to plan, and after a humiliating incident in front of half her graduating class Lily wishes she could just disappear.

Suddenly Lily is in a different Salem - one overrun with horrifying creatures and ruled by powerful women called Crucibles. Strongest and cruellest of all the Crucibles is Lillian . . . Lily's identical other self in this alternate universe. This new version of her world is terrifyingly sensual, and Lily is soon overwhelmed by new experiences.

Lily realizes that what makes her weak at home is exactly what makes her extraordinary in New Salem. It also puts her life in danger. Thrown into a world she doesn't understand, Lily is torn between responsibilities she can't hope to shoulder alone, and a love she never expected.

But how can Lily be the saviour of this world when she is literally her own worst enemy?

My Thoughts:
Macmillan has these books called Fierce Reads and for so long I just thought they were books that have fierce heroines, but now after reading Trial by Fire I understand what a Fierce Read actually is.  This book brought out the fierceness in me.  I wanted to fight for Lily and Rowan, I wanted to just jump right inside this book and fight with all the fierceness my bookies have.  So Fierce Reads aren't just talking about the books characters, which let me assure you Lily and Rowan were two of the fiercest characters ever, they are talking about bringing out the readers inner Fierce and pulling them into a story they will never forget.

Trail by Fire starts out..okay I am just going to say it bad.  Tristan is a horrible childhood BFF/crush ever!  I normally love the childhood friend turn to boyfriend angle but man this guy was just mean and I wanted to kick him out of this book!  Without his stupidity though Lily wouldn't have given in and decided to leave her world though so Tristan did serve a purpose even though I hate to admit it.  I'm glad to also say that his doppelganger was better, but I have a very real suspicion that he will still turn out to be a dirtbag.  When Lily suddenly turns around and finds herself in another version of her world she has no idea what to do.  Her life has always been a little crazy, but this was an all new brand of crazy for her.  She quickly learns that she will have to adapt to her new surroundings before she can find her way home. With doppelgangers, witch craft, multiple versions, and willstones this story is an adventure that takes Lily a girl who could barely keep herself alive to a girl who is one of the strongest witches and can change the world.

I loved this and I don't mean love as in think about the story a bit and then put it back up to never really think of again. No I mean I fiercely love this story to where I will buy a physical copy and pet it everyday and reread my favorite passages for years.  Yes I loved it that much.  It is such a unique spin on witchcraft and omg the world is just amazing!  This author weaves in science and really makes the reader think.  You find out later in the story the reason why Lilian (the original Lily in the new world) brings Lily into her new world and I get it.  We don't know everything because well this is the first book in the trilogy so there is a lot more to come, but we do know that Lily is there to right a wrong and that Lilian thinks she is right by killing everyone who practices science. See at first I was like that's so wrong, but the more you read you see that Lilian has a reason and while killing people is never the answer you do see her point.  I love books that make me think and this one not only does that it makes me really wonder which side I would want to be on.  The obvious one isn't always the answer and I think Lily may realize this sooner rather than later.

Rowan was *squee* amazing.  After hating Tristan with everything and wishing him a painful death it was such a fun ride to fall for Rowan.  Was he easy to like at first, no but he was no where near as bad as Tristan and you have to give him a little leeway too.  When he meets Lily he thinks she is Lilian and well he hates Lilian for various reasons so he can't trust Lily.  Their relationship grows and oh my what a story that was.  I loved every bit of their interaction and I almost swooned when she claimed him.  You will have to read the story to find out exactly what that means hehe.  Such a great pair!  And there is one scene that literally had me fanning myself!  Sorry had to throw that in there!

This was a book that I didn't want to put down, but at the same time I didn't want to finish it.  I kept reading a chapter and then walking away so that I could savor it. I haven't done that it a very long time, maybe not since Twilight so that should tell you how much I adored this story.  This is my first book by Josephine Angelini but it will not be last that's for sure.  I adore her writing, characters, and world building and I am positive I will love everything she writes.  Yep can't say that about most authors, but for Ms.Angelini I am going to say it and own it!

Blizzard Read!!!!!

Giveaway time!! The wonderful people at Macmillan are giving us one copy of Trial by Fire to giveaway to one lucky reader!  Just fill out the form below to enter.
Open to US/Canada residents only
Good Luck! 

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Also don't forget to check out all the awesome tour stops that happened this week!  I promise you definitely want to check these out!  Click HERE!

Blog Tour: The Kiss of Deception (The Remnant Chronicles, #1) by Mary E. Pearson

Today on WinterHaven Books we are participating in the blog tour for The Kiss of Deception by Mary E. Pearson!  This book gave me the FEELS and I am so excited to join in this amazing tour!!

The Kiss of Deception (The Remnant Chronicles, #1) by Mary E. Pearson

Publisher: Henry Holt

Release Date: July 8th, 2014

Purchase: Amazon / B& N

In this timeless new trilogy about love and sacrifice, a princess must find her place in a reborn world.

In a society steeped in tradition, Princess Lia’s life follows a preordained course. As First Daughter, she is expected to have the revered gift of sight—but she doesn’t—and she knows her parents are perpetrating a sham when they arrange her marriage to secure an alliance with a neighboring kingdom—to a prince she has never met.

On the morning of her wedding, Lia flees to a distant village. She settles into a new life, hopeful when two mysterious and handsome strangers arrive—and unaware that one is the jilted prince and the other an assassin sent to kill her. Deception abounds, and Lia finds herself on the brink of unlocking perilous secrets—even as she finds herself falling in love

My Thoughts:

The Kiss of Deception has been on my radar for quite some time and let me tell you my reader peeps it was so worth the wait!  This book *squees* this book is just...it is just everything!  I even got the FEELS!  I have never gotten the FEELS from a book before.  Sure I've gotten tiny feels and I've gushed before but I have never gotten the FEELS, but after reading this amazing book I was left with the FEELS for quite some time and I am still thinking about it!  

Okay I am going to try and reign in my gushing to at least fill you in a little bit.  This story was explosive from the get go.  The summary does a wonderful job at letting you know what to expect but what it leaves out is beyond amazing.  We have Princess Lia who is not ready to wed the boy her parents have promised her too. She has never met this boy and knows that the life that is ahead of her is not the one she was meant for.  With no other option she escapes and tries to find a life that will fit her better.  Unbeknownst to her she is being looked for by not one but two different people.  I can't tell you more than this but let me tell you the story is not as simple as it seems and I was left guessing who was who right up until the last moment!

Mary E. Pearson has taken this genre to a whole other level for me.  I have always liked fantasy but this book has made me love it.  The characters were just amazing and I wish I could meet them in person.  There is a love triangle BUT don't run away, the author will make you love both sides of the triangle.  It is not a simple who do I love, the triangle is twisted and I wasn't even sure who I wanted to win.  I'm still somewhat on the fence but I think I have my flag printed.  I am just going to wait until the next installment to fly it.

I think my favorite part of this book was the way the author chose to introduce her chapters and the alternating POVs.  I love that she chose to just label her characters so we weren't sure who was speaking.  This might not make that much sense but if you pick this book up you will see.  Each chapter that is not told from Lia has a certain title that describes who is talking but the fun part is that you don't know which guy this actually is.  You won't find out until way later in the book and I was blown away by the reveal.  I'm telling you I have the FEELS!

If you are looking for an amazing fantasy novel look no further.  I have been on the look out for an amazing one ever since I finished Graceling and let me tell you this book has surpassed Graceling for me and that was a tough fight!  Love love love this book! 

Blizzard Read!!

Giveaway time!

The wonderful people at Macmillan have graciously offered to send one lucky reader their very own copy of The Kiss of Deception!!  Just fill out the Rafflecopter form below.

Good Luck!

 Open to US/Canada only

a Rafflecopter giveaway

About the Author:

Mary E. Pearson is the award-winning author of The Jenna Fox Chronicles, The Miles Between, A Room on Lorelei, and Scribbler of Dreams. She writes full-time from her home office in California where she lives with her husband and two golden retrievers.

Author Links/Info

-Follow Mary Pearson on Twitter!

-Check out her website!

-Read an excerpt of Kiss of Deception now!

The tour doesn't stop here!  Be sure to check out the other amazing blogs that are joining in the fun!

The Kiss of Deception Blog Tour Schedule

Monday July 7

Icey Books (Review)

The Starry-Eyed Revue (Guest Post)

Tuesday July 8

Adventures of a Book Junkie (Review)

Cuddlebuggery (Guest Post)

Wednesday July 9

FicFare (Review)

Two Chicks on Books (Guest Post)

Thursday July 10

Winterhaven Books (Review)

Tales of a Ravenous Reader (Guest Post)

Friday July 11

MundieMoms (Review)

Alice Marvels (Guest Post)

Monday July 14

YA Bibliophile (Review)

Bewitched Bookworms (Guest Post)

Tuesday July 15

That Artsy Reader Girl (Review)

Jenna Does Books (Guest Post)

Wednesday July 16

ExLibris (Review)

My Friends are Fiction (Guest Post)

Thursday July 17

Birth of a New Witch (Review)

Good Books and Good Wine (Guest Post)

Friday July 18

Google Hangout with Mary Pearson hosted by Belle of the Literati