Hero of My Heart Blog Hop March 31st - April 10th

Book Synopsis of Hero of My Heart by Megan Frampton:

In this emotional and powerfully erotic tale of love and redemption, a tender vicar’s daughter and a tortured war hero discover that sin may be their only salvation.

When Mary Smith’s corrupt, debt-ridden brother drags her to a seedy pub to sell her virtue to the highest bidder, Alasdair Thornham leaps to the rescue. Of course the marquess is far from perfect husband material. Although he is exceedingly handsome, with a perfect, strong body, chiseled jaw, and piercing green eyes, Alasdair is also too fond of opium, preferring delirium to reality. Still, he has come to Mary’s aid, and now she intends to return the favor. She will show him that he is not evil, just troubled.

Mary was a damsel in need of a hero, but Alasdair’s plan is shortsighted. He never foresaw her desire to save him from himself. Alasdair is quite at home in his private torment, until this angel proves that a heart still beats in his broken soul. The devil may have kept her from hell, but will Mary’s good intentions lead them back to the brink—or to heaven in each other’s arms?

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Megan Frampton

Megan Frampton's love affair with books began when her parents moved her to a remote town in New Hampshire where there was only one television station. And then the TV broke. She devoured every book of fiction in her well-read parents' library, finding special joy in Georgette Heyer and the fairy tales collected and translated by Andrew Lang. Megan majored in English literature at Barnard College and worked in the music industry for fifteen years. She lives in Brooklyn, New York, with her husband and her son.

~ Prizes ~

Hoppers, increase your chances to win by visiting and entering to win at each of the sites listed below. The more times you enter the better the odds you'll win one of the following fabulous prizes being given away:



5 eBook copies of HERO OF MY HEART! by Megan Frampton (on sale April 8th)
3 eBook copies of A VAMPIRE SALVATION by Virna DePaul (on sale April 22nd)
2 eBook copies of Taking Shots by Toni Aleo (on sale April 23rd)
AND . . . . . one (US only) prize winner receives a BOX of books! INCLUDING, Debbie Macomber’s STARTING NOW!

GOOD LUCK!

Rules:

Must be 18 years or older and US or Canada to enter & win. 

Blog hop is sponsored by Romance at Random which is owned and operated by Random House, Inc. and they will be in charge of contacting winners and distributing prizes.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Participating blogs:

And Then She Fell (The Cynster Sisters Duo #1) by Stephanie Laurens

• Title: And Then She Fell (Cynster Sisters Duo)
• Classification: Adult Fiction
• Genre: Historical Romance
• Format: Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: Avon (March 26, 2013)
• ISBN-10: 0062068644
• ISBN-13: 978-0062068644

Henrietta Cynster is known throughout London society as "The Matchbreaker". With her family's high standing in society she is privy to information the majority of Londoners are not. When approached by a woman or family who wishes to know if their said fiance/future son-in-law is marrying for love, money, or other nefarious reasons, Henrietta is just the person to uncover any unpleasantries associated with them. She's never counseled anyone on what to do with the information she discovers; she just makes sure they have the information they need to make an informed decision.

The most recent request made of her was to discover what she could about her brother's best friend, James Glossup, for one of her friends, Melinda Wentworth. When James discovers what Henrietta has done, he quickly takes her aside and explains his situation to her. The woman known as 'The Matchbreaker' is about to turn matchmaker. The Cynster family necklace, however, has other ideas.

After eight years of not finding a match and declaring herself a spinster, The 'Matchbreaker' has finally met her match.

This was truly a delightfully fun book. It's the first book of the latest Cynster series, The Cynster Sisters Duo.  If you haven't read the previous books, don't worry. Stephanie Laurens did an excellent job of summing up what is going on at the beginning of the book. You won't feel lost, but be warned, you're going to want to read all the books of her previous series. It's been eight years since Henrietta received the charmed necklace from Angelica. As Henrietta's sister Mary points out, you have to wear the necklace to find your special someone. The necklace was gifted to the Cynster girls by a Scottish deity and is said to assist the wearer in finding her true hero--the man by whose side she would live in wedded bliss for the rest of her life. I think quite a few people would love to get their hands on a necklace like that. :)

Henrietta is a strong woman not really looking for love. She has nothing against it, it's just never been one of her priorities. When she finds out about James' predicament, she decides to help him find someone to marry. He has only 4 weeks to find and wed a suitable bride or he'll lose a portion of his inheritance. Not wishing to let down all the people who would lose their jobs, he's decided it's time to face up to his family responsibilities and marry. As the two set a plan in motion and start sifting through the eligible females of the ton, they realize they get along well with each other and enjoy each other's company. It also soon becomes clear to James that he really doesn't have to look very far for his perfect match, and he sets out to entice Henrietta. But amidst a budding romance, it becomes obvious that someone is trying to kill Henrietta as series of unfortunate events prove to not be so unfortunate but deliberate. The question then becomes who is trying to kill her? A jilted fiance or a person who isn't happy with her meddling with other people's business? No one is really certain.

While I'm not usually one for whirlwind romances, even in book form, I felt the near death experience these two faced definitely sped up the process of getting to know each other. Additionally, as James was one of Henrietta's brother's good friends, I'm guessing the two already knew each other a little before they united to find him a match. The mystery and drama behind the attempts on Henrietta's life made for a very fun tale. It wasn't until Henrietta had an 'Aha!' moment that everything started to fall in place for me.

Overall, I gave this book 4 out of 5 roses. A fun mixture of drama, suspense, and romance. If you've read the other Cynster books you'll be delighted to see the little glimpses of those who were paired before Henrietta. Also, it should be noted that Ms. Laurens stated that the next book, The Taming of Ryder Cavanaugh, which will feature Henrietta's sister Mary's pairing, begins in the midst of this one. I look forward to seeing how these two books fit together. Plus, I love the glimpse Ms. Laurens gave us at the end of this book of the next. It sounds like it will be a most enjoyable book. On the Lisarenee Romance Rating Scale, this book gets a STEAM rating--too hot for a fan, but you still have a handle on things. You should use extreme caution when reading a book with this rating in public. People may inquire as to why you looked flustered and flushed.

Order of the series:

Last Chance Book Club (Last Chance) by Hope Ramsay

• Title: Last Chance Book Club
• Classification: Adult Fiction
• Genre: Contemporary Romance
• Format: Paperback, 384 pages
• Publisher: Forever (March 26, 2013)
• ISBN-10: 1455522295
• ISBN-13: 978-1455522293
• Author's Website: http://hoperamsay.com/

Savannah thinks he's nothing but trouble.

Dash thinks she's a snob.

Miriam, the town's local match maker, thinks the two are just right...for each other.

Some may say Miriam's ways of bringing a couple together are sneaky. Some might say they're manipulative and devious, but the one thing you'll never hear anyone say is that she got it wrong. She always gets it right.

"A matchmaker has to use all of her wiles sometimes. Especially when the people involved are hardheaded, confused, and just a little bit willful."

Getting a couple who despise each other together? Well, it's downright priceless.

This was such a delightfully fun read. They say first impressions are hard to break and with Savannah White and Dash Randall it was never more true. Growing up the two encountered each other during the summers they spent in the small town of  Last Chance where they competed for the affections of Savannah's grandfather. The two have a sorted history which includes snakes, blown up barbie dolls, and mean spirited declarations. There have never been two people who couldn't stand each other more than these two. But as fate would have it, the two were destined for each other. They say love and hate are just two sides of the same coin so it seems only fitting that these two would end up finding love on the flip side of their emotions.

Savannah is a divorced mother trying to make a break from her old life and do right by her son. She's decided to move to Last Chance and get back to her roots and out from under the domineering grips of both her mother and ex-mother-in-law. She's also trying to shake up her ex-husband in the hopes he'll finally show some interest in their son. Something he's done very little of these past couple of years. After two more failed relationships she's sworn off men deciding to focus more on herself and her son. She feels, "Last Chance might be her last chance to really take charge of her life." Under the cover of her Uncle's funeral she steals away from her old life in Baltimore like a thief in the night. Telling no one, not even her son, of her plans.

Dash Randall is a recovering alcoholic and a former professional baseball player. He's attempting to turn his life around after letting his addictions ruin his career. He's been sober for 18 months and has sworn off both liquor and women, his two greatest vices. When Savannah comes back to Last Chance he instantly bonds with her son, Todd, seeing a bit of himself in him at that age. He's handsome and rich and when he was younger, Savannah's archenemy. He's well on the way to rebuilding his life when Savannah makes her way back into the picture. It just takes her a while to realize it.

It was fun to see these two get together as they attempted to restore the theater which was dear to the man they both loved and admired, Savannah's grandfather. The fact the theater is named The Kismet, which means fate or destiny, added to the charm of the story. While the two started out with preconceived notions about one another, they slowly begin to realize they aren't the same two people they'd imagined from childhood. They've grown up and changed. All the while, Savannah's Aunt Miriam is working her matchmaking magic in the background to gently nudge these two into seeing what is truly right in front of them. But all is not smooth sailing because outside forces will attempt to keep them apart.

Overall, I gave this one 4 out of 5 Roses. I enjoyed this one a lot. It's a very heartwarming story that left me with a smile on my face and put me in a good mood for the rest of the day. I especially enjoyed how the town's book club was reading Pride and Prejudice, and how they noted the slight similarities between Dash and Savannah's relationship and the one between Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth Bennet. It made this story a nice tribute to a wonderful classic. Very nicely done. On the Lisarenee Romance rating scale, this one gets a  FAN rating--the temperature in the room seems to have suddenly gone up a couple of degrees and a fan would be nice

Chronological order of the series as listed on Ms. Ramsay's website:

Book News

Big News: Amazon.com to Acquire Goodreads SEATTLE--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Mar. 28, 2013-- Amazon.com, Inc. (NASDAQ:AMZN) today announced that it has reached an agreement to acquire Goodreads, a leading site for readers and book recommendations that helps people find and share books they love.  “Amazon and Goodreads share a passion for reinventing reading,” said Russ Grandinetti, Amazon Vice President, Kindle Content. “Goodreads has helped change how we discover and discuss books and, with Kindle, Amazon has helped expand reading around the world. In addition, both Amazon and Goodreads have helped thousands of authors reach a wider audience and make a better living at their craft. Together we intend to build many new ways to delight readers and authors alike.”  “Books – and the stories and ideas captured inside them – are part of our social fabric,” said Otis Chandler, Goodreads CEO and co-founder. “People love to talk about ideas and share their passion for the stories they read. I’m incredibly excited about the opportunity to partner with Amazon and Kindle. We’re now going to be able to move faster in bringing the Goodreads experience to millions of readers around the world. We’re looking forward to inspiring greater literary discussion and helping more readers find great books, whether they read in print or digitally.”  “I just found out my two favorite people are getting married,” said Hugh Howey, best-selling author of WOOL. “The best place to discuss books is joining up with the best place to buy books – To Be Read piles everywhere must be groaning in anticipation.”  Following the acquisition, Goodreads’s headquarters will remain in San Francisco, CA. Founded in 2007, Goodreads now has more than 16 million members and there are more than 30,000 books clubs on the Goodreads site. Over just the past 90 days, Goodreads members have added more than four books per second to the “want to read” shelves on Goodreads.  Terms of the acquisition were not disclosed. Subject to various closing conditions, the acquisition is expected to close in the second quarter of 2013.

The above was part of a press release which was posted on Amazon.To read the full press release, CLICK HERE.

Carnival of Souls (Book 1) by Melissa Marr

• Title: Carnival of Souls
• Classification: Dark New Adult Fiction
• Genre: Paranormal
• Hardcover: 320 pages
• Publisher: HarperCollins; 1 edition (September 4, 2012)
• ISBN-10: 0061659282
• ISBN-13: 978-0061659287

Once upon a time in a land far, far away witches and daimons coexisted. But a war broke out between the two races which lead to the daimons taking over the land and the witches being cast out into the human realm.  Whole families perished. Friends and loved ones were killed. The most powerful of witches were executed. A separation in powers ensued and hatred thrived. Not all were happy about the separation. The witches wanted their home back or at least the ability to live there. So in the years since, some have plotted and planned in secret to infiltrate the ranks of the daimons. Patiently waiting for the time when they could seize control and rise to power once again.

Now the fate of the two races lies within the hands of two young woman, Aya and Mallory. Both were raised to hate daimons. Both were raised to infiltrate their ranks. Both were raised to get back that which was once taken, but will they fulfill the destiny some have chosen for them? Only time will tell....

Doesn't this sound like it would be the most awesome book? Well, I was prepared to love this story, but instead I felt gypped. I know Melissa Marr is a fabulous writer, but I felt the world building was a little lacking, and a lot of preparation was put  into getting things set up and then the book just ended. What!? I tried closing the book and opening it again to see if perhaps it was a joke, but alas it was not. THE STORY JUST ENDED. Gah! There was very little depth to it. I kept waiting for the real story to begin, but it just didn't. There were a lot of loose ends left dangling and that's taking into consideration this is the first book in a duet. I went to Melissa Marr's Carnival of Souls' site, just to be sure, and she states this was going to be a stand alone book, but it got too big and so she expanded it to two. Truly lovely Ms. Marr, but  when splitting one story into two separate beings, you need to apply a bit of King Solomon's wisdom.

Instead of thinking of it as one singular baby, (I've often heard author's refer books to being their babies, so just go with me on this one.) think of it as a set of Siamese twins. Do you have enough of the vital parts to successfully perform a separation? If not you may need to add a little something. Perhaps only one has a working heart and you'll need to implant one in to the other, or you need to add a little meat to the one's bones. Basically what I'm trying to say is both should be able to survive and stand on their own two feet. If you were a first time author I seriously doubt your star ratings would be so high. Also, if you come across such a situation in the future, you may want to consider releasing the second book within a month of the first that way the novelty of the book doesn't have time to wear off.  The poor splitting of one book into two, unfortunately, was not the only problem I had with this book.

The story focuses on three young people. Mallory is a daimon living as a human. She knows daimons and witches exists, but believes she herself is human. Aya is from the upper caste of the City. She has entered the Carnival of souls in hopes of being able to win a seat in The City's government. Women had never been allowed a position within the government, they are required to breed and little else and Aya is not content to do just that. She wants to make a difference and change things. Kaleb, on the other hand, is from the lowest caste of The City. If he can win, he will rise to the highest caste in the city and no longer be constrained to the fate of being little more than a slave.

Mallory is utterly clueless, thanks to her mother and her stepfather, about who and what she is. She has no idea of what could potentially happen to her or the fact that her father (the nonbiological one) at one time wished to use her as a pawn in a war that might never be won. At this point in the story, she is no more than a puppet, and while I felt sorry for her, I didn't bond with her. I'd categorize her at this point as a Stepford daughter because "Good daughters don't question. They obey." and she does that with bells on.

Aya is a strong female who wants to change the world by becoming one of the people entrusted in ruling The City. Her intentions may be good, but considering who we later find that she's teamed up with, I have to question that. At the very beginning, I liked her. Then her ruthlessness reared its ugly head, and I ended up hating her. Later, she redeemed herself a bit, but by that time I actually couldn't have cared less about her.

Kaleb, ahh, what can I say about him other than I absolutely dislike the guy? I'd rather his crotch sniffing pack mate end up with the girl than him. And yes, I said crotch sniffing. Doesn't that just turn a girl on? *shudder* Sadly, crotch sniffing is by far the least of the offenses in this book, and Kaleb does the one thing I can't forgive him for in any way, shape, or form.

He marries someone he professes to love by proxy (don't worry this is not the the moment I'm referring to) without the female's consent. Then he proceeds to consummate said marriage by proxy as well. Ew! Ew! Double D@mn Ew! (Did I mention I very rarely swear?) WTF? (And I do mean that quite literally.) There are lines that should NEVER be crossed if you consider yourself in any way a writer of romance or would like to include romance in your book and that, my dear, is one of them. I love a tortured hero as much as the next, but I will NEVER like this character and hope he doesn't get a happy ending. The description of the scene just sealed his fate. There is no coming back from this.

While I still think you are a great writer Ms. Marr, I have no choice but to give this book a 1 out of 5 roses.  :( I was very disappointed. 

Melissa Marr talks about her book, Carnival of Souls:

Book Trailer of Carnival of Souls:

Immortally Embraced (Monster M*A*S*H #2) by Angie Fox

• Title: Immortally Embraced
• Classification: Adult Fiction
• Genre: Paranormal Romance/Romantic Comedy
• Format: Paperback: 304 pages
• Publisher: St. Martin's Paperbacks (February 26, 2013)
• ISBN-10: 031254667X
• ISBN-13: 978-0312546670
• Author's Website: http://www.angiefox.com/

     "When do you leave?"
     "In an hour."
     My eyes flew open. "What?"

Petra and Galen knew their days together were numbered, however, neither would have imagined to have so few. The saying, "Here today, Gone tomorrow." was never more true than when there's a war underfoot.

     "We can't see each other anymore.(...) Don't hold back your life the way you did before I met you. You were only existing." His fingers skimmed my cheek. "More than anything I want you to live, even if I can't be there with you."
     I didn't know what to say.
     He brushed his lips against my forehead, "Good-bye . Petra." he said before he walked out of my life. 

Upon the heels of his declaration and departure the first part of a new prophecy was revealed by the oracles...

'The peacekeeper will find love as a hideous new weapon is born.'

And then the seemingly unbelievable happened. She received a note:

'Meet me by the burned out officers' showers.'

But the note wasn't from Galen. Marc, Petra's first love, the man she'd helped bury years ago, stood before her asking for her help.

     "Why are you here?"
     "I need someone I can trust."

A colleague of Marc's had been working on a big project off the books. Marc had covered for him until one night when he'd been called away by work. Dr. Keller disappeared that night and a ghost had begun haunting the lab soon after. Marc needed Petra's help to find out what the good doctor had secretly been working on and if it had gotten into the wrong hands. Could it be the weapon foretold by the prophecy?

This is the second book to the Monster M*A*S*H series. If you didn't read the first, you may get a little lost at the very beginning. A war has been raging for centuries. The younger gods had declared war on the older ones and the two had been battling for control ever since. Both are stubborn and determined to win. Everyone else is caught in the crossfire. There is one ray of hope, however. A prophecy handed down by the Oracles says a healer whose hand can touch the dead will put an end to the war. Petra recently found out she is the healer, aka "peacekeeper", of prophecy. She can see ghosts but needs to hide the fact because the army has a tendency to torture and kill people with her unique skill set.

I have to admit finding out that Petra would end up with a new love interest, or rather an old one, made me curious how Ms. Fox would pull this off without making me dislike Petra. I'm happy to say she did it with flying colors. In the first chapter of the book Galen breaks up with her to go on a classified mission of which he'll tell her nothing except that he may not be back for many years. She's absolutely devastated and starts to wonder if he truly ever had any lasting feelings for her. Right when she's at her most vulnerable, the man she once hoped to marry, Marc, shows up alive and well. She's hurt, furious, confused...you name it and she was feeling it. She goes through a roller coaster ride of emotions as he explains what happened.

In deciding to help Marc, Petra needs to infiltrate the enemies camp, and we get our first real look at how the other half lives. The old army is much different from the new. Petra realizes instantly how lucky she is to have been recruited by the new gods. As they attempt to solve the mystery of what Dr. Keller was working on, the old feelings Petra had for Marc come rushing back and sooner rather than later she finds herself giving into temptation. He's like her version of comfort food.

Marc is a fun character. He's a shape shifter who can change into a dragon. In all the years he and Petra have been apart, he never stopped loving her and hopes to rekindle what they had, if only for the short while they can be together and he can be very persuasive. *smirk* He's handsome, charming, smart and all Petra ever wanted. It's no wonder things heat up between the two of them so quickly. But although initially he seems like the Marc of old, Petra soon realizes he's been slightly broken by the war, and Petra can feel he's holding back. 

Overall, I gave this book 4 out of 5 roses. This was another fun and highly entertaining read.While each of the three parts of the prophecies seem to have a clear cut meaning, I tend to find what I think they're implying is totally or slightly wrong. I love the little twists involved with them. The heat between Marc and Petra scorched the pages, but I read the synopsis of her next book, Immortally Ever After, and I'm going to try to not get too attached to Marc. I can't wait to see what happens next. This could be the beginning of a triangle that could rival Janet Evanovich's Stephanie Plum's with Morelli and Ranger. We'll have to wait and see. On the Lisarenee Romance Rating Scale, this one scored a STEAM rating--too hot for a fan, but you still have a handle on things. You should use extreme caution when reading a book with this rating in public. People may inquire as to why you looked flustered and flushed.

Order of the series:

Coming August 27th: 

Book News

Scarlet, the sequel to Cinder, may become a movie....

According to Entertainment Weekly, "Marissa Meyer doesn’t just write about fairy tales — she’s living one. Scarlet, the second installment in the Lunar Chronicles following 2012′s Cinder, was published last week and it’s already hit #4 on the New York Times Best Sellers list. Even more exciting, a movie could be on the horizon — Meyer says they’re “just wrapping up negotiations” with a studio. “I’m keeping my fingers crossed,” Meyer told us over the phone. If you’re as obsessed with the cyborg mechanic as we are, then this news is cause for its own royal ball. Check out more from our interview with the author after the jump, including her thoughts on her new fiery-haired protagonist and her favorite scene from Scarlet."
To check out the full article, CLICK HERE to go to Entertainment Weekly's website.

Kiera Cass announced on her blog in January that the CW picked up The Selection as one of its new pilots for the season. She says,"At this point, there's still very little else known, but it seems to be confirmed that Aimee is no longer available to play America. I'm sad to lose her, but I can't wait to see what new faces will come to the cast. I'll be updating as new info comes along.

Please remember that this doesn't mean the show will make it to air. Just like last year, they could go through the whole process and still not pick it up. But we can cross our fingers together and see what happens!"

To find out the latest, check out her blog at

Kiera also announced on March 13th, "I’m so excited to be able to tell you about my newest project. Here’s the write up in Publisher’s Weekly. I hope you’ll love 238 as much as you love America:

Erica Sussman at HarperTeen has acquired a new series by Kiera Cass, author of The Selection. In the as-yet-untitled YA romance, which was pitched as Matched meets Never Let Me Go, children trained in academies to be perfect friends can be purchased by the wealthy as companions, and a forbidden romance ensues. Elana Roth of Red Tree Literary negotiated the two-book deal for world English rights."

CLICK HERE to read more on Kiera's website.

The Outlander series has recently been optioned for a TV series, not a film, as was previously reported. 

"On November 6, 2012, it was announced that the Starz cable channel will develop the Outlander miniseries with Sony Pictures TV and Ron Moore. Ron Moore will write the series adaptation. This means that at least a pilot episode will probably be developed in 2013. Click here to read the article on Deadline Hollywood’s web site."

To read more, Click Here to read more at Diana Gabaldon's website.

The Bronze Horseman Film News

Paullina Simons announced on her blog, "I’m thrilled to tell you that our mutual dream of seeing The Bronze Horseman on the big screen is one step closer to reality.

ITA Productions, a British company, has optioned the rights to my book. The producer, Martyn Hall, and the director, Sash Andranikian, love Tatiana and Alexander, and want nothing more than to make it into an emotional visual spectacle of a film. Sash, from a long line of animators and movie-makers, is Russian-American like me. He has read all three TBH books, and tells me that he loves them all. Martyn says The Bronze Horseman is the only book that has made him cry. They are looking to go into pre-production by the end of 2013, and to begin shooting early in 2014. So perhaps by the end of 2014, with a healthy dose of luck, we might have our movie."

To read more CLICK HERE to check out Paulina's website.

Lisa Kleypas has expanded her Friday Harbor Series to include another book. Yay! No cover yet, but the book is titled, Lightning Bay. According to Goodreads the book is slated to hit store shelves in September. The following is early book synopsis:

After the turmoil of a broken engagement, all Neva Landry wants is to make a success of her Friday Harbor alpaca farm. But when her ex-fiance Zachary Logan is injured in a lightning strike, she offers to take care of him while he recuperates. Soon Neva discovers that Zach has become an enigmatic stranger who now poses a greater threat to her heart than ever before. Is Zach really the same man, or is there somehow a chance that he could be an angel in disguise?

Unveiling the Covers

So I decided to jump in head first and divulge upcoming book covers as I find them. Some are beautiful, some are horrific and some make you smile. So if you haven't yet seen them here are some of the covers you have to look forward to:

This  is probably going to be one of my favorite covers of 2013. I love the blue color and the way the images behind Alice are posed differently from the one in the front. 

The expected release date of Zombie Glass is September 24th.

Book Synopsis:

Inspired by the childhood classic Alice in Wonderland, this harrowing and romantic story features teen zombie slayer Alice Bell who has lost so much—family, friends, her home. After a strange new zombie attack, Alice fears she may be losing her mind as well. A terrible darkness blooms inside her, urging her to do wicked things. The whispers of the dead assault her ears and mirrors seem to come frighteningly to life. She’s never needed her team of zombie slayers more—including her boyfriend, Cole—than she does now. But as Cole strangely withdraws and the zombies gain new strength, Ali knows one false step may doom them all.

Water seems to be a big thing in books this year, and I must say I like the look. 

Teardrop is expected to be released in October 22nd.

Book Synopsis:

Never, ever cry. . . . Eureka Boudreaux's mother drilled that rule into her daughter years ago. But now her mother is gone, and everywhere Eureka goes he is there: Ander, the tall, pale blond boy who seems to know things he shouldn't, who tells Eureka she is in grave danger, who comes closer to making her cry than anyone has before.

But Ander doesn't know Eureka's darkest secret: ever since her mother drowned in a freak accident, Eureka wishes she were dead, too. She has little left that she cares about, just her oldest friend, Brooks, and a strange inheritance—a locket, a letter, a mysterious stone, and an ancient book no one understands. The book contains a haunting tale about a girl who got her heart broken and cried an entire continent into the sea. Eureka is about to discover that the ancient tale is more than a story, that Ander might be telling the truth . . . and that her life has far darker undercurrents than she ever imagined. From Lauren Kate comes an epic saga of heart-stopping romance, devastating secrets, and dark magic . . . a world where everything you love can be washed away.

Another book that has a beautiful water theme. I really like this trend. I may let myself get swept away by this one. *smirk* Have I ever mentioned I'm a sucker for a beautiful cover. *sigh* 

Across a Star-Swept Sea is due to be released on October 15th.

Book Synopsis:

Centuries after wars nearly destroyed civilization, the two islands of New Pacifica stand alone, a terra formed paradise where even the Reduction—the devastating brain disorder that sparked the wars—is a distant memory. Yet on the isle of Galatea, an uprising against the ruling aristocrats has turned deadly. The revolutionaries’ weapon is a drug that damages their enemies’ brains, and the only hope is rescue by a mysterious spy known as the Wild Poppy.

On the neighboring island of Albion, no one suspects that the Wild Poppy is actually famously frivolous aristocrat Persis Blake. The teenager uses her shallow, socialite trappings to hide her true purpose: her gossipy flutternotes are encrypted plans, her pampered sea mink is genetically engineered for spying, and her well-publicized new romance with handsome Galatean medic Justen Helo… is her most dangerous mission ever.

Though Persis is falling for Justen, she can’t risk showing him her true self, especially once she learns he’s hiding far more than simply his disenchantment with his country’s revolution and his undeniable attraction to the silly socialite he’s pretending to love. His darkest secret could plunge both islands into a new dark age, and Persis realizes that when it comes to Justen Helo, she’s not only risking her heart, she’s risking the world she’s sworn to protect.

In this thrilling adventure inspired by The Scarlet Pimpernel, Diana Peterfreund creates an exquisitely rendered world where nothing is as it seems and two teens with very different pasts fight for a future only they dare to imagine.

I'm drowning in beautiful covers. It's got water, feathers and a tree tattoo. Definitely an eye catcher. Kudos to all the awesome cover artists out there. 

Tidal is scheduled to come out June 4th.

Book Synopsis:

Don't miss Tidal, the spellbinding third book in the Watersong series by New York Times bestselling author Amanda Hocking!

Gemma and Harper Fisher are facing the fight of their lives. Gemma has been cursed with extraordinary powers that have a terrifying dark side, but she’s finally found what she needs—a way to break the curse and become human again. But finding the means to do it will be her greatest challenge yet. And now Penn, Lexi and Thea—the gorgeous but deadly creatures who cursed her—are determined to kill her before she has a chance. Making matters worse, Penn has her sights set on Daniel—the guy Harper loves—and Penn always gets what she wants.

This cover looks awesome. I'm liking the waterfall and the girl hidden within the letter A. Very cool. 

The Ward is due out April 30th. 

Book Synopsis:

Sixteen-year-old Ren is a daredevil mobile racer who will risk everything to survive in the Ward, what remains of a water-logged Manhattan. To save her sister, who is suffering from a deadly illness thought to be caused by years of pollution, Ren accepts a secret mission from the government: to search for a freshwater source in the Ward, with the hope of it leading to a cure.

However, she never expects that her search will lead to dangerous encounters with a passionate young scientist; a web of deceit and lies; and an earth-shattering mystery that’s lurking deep beneath the water’s rippling surface.

Jordana Frankel’s ambitious debut novel and the first in a two-book series, The Ward is arresting, cinematic, and thrilling—perfect for fans of Scott Westerfeld or Ann Aguirre.

I like this one too. It grabs your attention and interest. Could that be something evil rooting itself into her being? I guess we'll have to wait to find out.

Snakeroot is slated to come out December 10th. 

Book Synopsis:

Fans asked for it, and now they've got it! Andrea Cremer is continuing the story she began in in her internationally bestselling trilogy: Nightshade, Wolfsbane and Bloodrose. In this new installment, Bosque Mar haunts the dreams of both Adne and Logan, trying to escape for the Nether, where Calla, Shay and the other Guardians trapped him in the final battle in the War of All Against All. Will he turn Adne to the dark side? Will Logan reclaim his birthright? And will darkness take over our world? In a novel filled with magic, romance and breakneck action, master storytelling Andrea Cremer's newest installment will not disappoint!

I've noticed a trend with the orange and red covers lately. So where exactly is this guy's butterfly tattoo? Hey, I'm just say'n.... lol 

The next in the Lords of the Underworld series, 

The Darkest Craving, is due out July 30th. 

Book Synopsis:

New York Times bestselling author Gena Showalter is back with a breathtaking Lords of the Underworld tale about a warrior trapped by darkness and the woman determined to save him

Having endured weeks of torture in the bowels of hell, Kane wants nothing to do with his beautiful rescuer, Josephina Aisling. The half-Fae female threatens to awaken the demon of Disaster inside him—a beast he’s determined to kill, no matter the price.

Josephina is hunted by a brutal enemy—her royal family—and Kane is her only source of protection. He’s also the only male to ever set her aflame, and even he succumbs to the heat. But as they navigate the treacherous world of the Fae, they are forced to make a choice: live apart…or die together.

As I was saying, there seems to be an orange and yellow cover trend. I kind of like it, but the two are not my favorite color combo. It reminds me of the 70's when my sister painted her room yellow and orange. 

The Fiery Heart is due to come out November 19th.

Book Synopsis:

In The Indigo Spell, Sydney was torn between the Alchemist way of life and what her heart and gut were telling her to do. And in one breathtaking moment that Richelle Mead fans will never forget, she made a decision that shocked even her. . . .

But the struggle isn't over for Sydney. As she navigates the aftermath of her life-changing decision, she still finds herself pulled in too many directions at once. Her sister Zoe has arrived, and while Sydney longs to grow closer to her, there's still so much she must keep secret. Working with Marcus has changed the way she views the Alchemists, and Sydney must tread a careful path as she harnesses her profound magical ability to undermine the way of life she was raised to defend. Consumed by passion and vengeance, Sydney struggles to keep her secret life under wraps as the threat of exposure—and re-education—looms larger than ever.

Pulses will race throughout this thrilling fourth installment in the New York Times bestselling Bloodlines series, where no secret is safe.

Even though I don't really care so much for orange and yellow, I really like this cover. Truly a great use of the colors on this cover. I think I like it because it reminds me of the sunset sky. Well done. 

If I Should Die is slated to come out May 7th.

Book Synopsis:

I will not lose another person I love. I will not let history repeat itself.

Vincent waited lifetimes to find me, but in an instant our future together was shattered. He was betrayed by someone we both called a friend, and I lost him. Now our enemy is determined to rule over France’s immortals, and willing to wage a war to get what they want.

It shouldn’t be possible, none of it should be, but this is my reality. I know Vincent is somewhere out there, I know he’s not completely gone, and I will do anything to save him.

After what we’ve already fought to achieve, a life without Vincent is unimaginable. He once swore to avoid dying—to go against his nature and forsake sacrificing himself for others—so that we could be together. How can I not risk everything to bring my love back to me?

Okay so it comes out on March  26th and you've probably all seen it already, but it's my blog so I can do what I want and I soooooo want this book. lol  Charlaine Harris and I both open Ms. Frost's books with happy anticipation. Hey, I'll be giving in to my temptation for this one. Will you? You still have time to preorder. Love the bat in the background.

 Book Synopsis:

Dating the Prince of Darkness has its challenges...

Leila's psychic abilities have been failing her, and now she isn't sure what the future holds. If that weren't enough, her lover, Vlad, has been acting distant. Though Leila is a mere mortal, she's also a modern woman who refuses to accept the cold shoulder treatment forever–especially from the darkly handsome vampire who still won't admit that he loves her.

Like choosing between eternal love and a loveless eternity...

Soon circumstances send Leila back to the carnival circuit, where tragedy strikes. And when she finds herself in the crosshairs of a killer who may be closer than she realizes, Leila must decide who to trust– the fiery vampire who arouses her passions like no other or the tortured knight who longs to be more than a friend? With danger stalking her every step of the way, all it takes is one wrong move to damn her for eternity.

These covers are turning up the heat with this color combo. Two flaming covers. First water now fire. I believe that is a new model? Yikes! Curran does not look happy. Kate better be careful or she'll slice off part of her braid. lol

Magic Rises comes out July 30th.

 Book Synopsis:

Atlanta is a city plagued by magical problems. Kate Daniels will fight to solve them—no matter the cost.

Mercenary Kate Daniels and her mate, Curran, the Beast Lord, are struggling to solve a heartbreaking crisis. Unable to control their beasts, many of the Pack’s shapeshifting children fail to survive to adulthood. While there is a medicine that can help, the secret to its making is closely guarded by the European packs, and there’s little available in Atlanta.

Kate can’t bear to watch innocents suffer, but the solution she and Curran have found threatens to be even more painful. The European shapeshifters who once outmaneuvered the Beast Lord have asked him to arbitrate a dispute—and they’ll pay him in medicine. With the young people’s survival and the Pack’s future at stake, Kate and Curran know they must accept the offer—but they have little doubt that they’re heading straight into a trap…

Well, when you play with fire you tend to get burned and so it seemed only fitting that  the next cover up be Burned by Karen Marie Moning. As there still isn't a publication date listed for this one nor a synopsis yet, this may not be the final cover. We'll have to patiently wait and see. 

Book Synopsis:

(None available at this time. )

I'm not sure I like this one as much as most of Jennifer's covers. Is that a shovel? It looks like she's in a graveyard. Could she be digging up a relative's grave or some family secrets? Hmmm......

Hear of Venom comes out August 27th. 

Book Synopsis:

The hotly anticipated ninth novel in the hugely popular Elemental Assassin series finds Gin Blanco on a dangerous mission to rescue a friend.

When a terror from the past threatens Gin’s friend and body-disposer, Sophia, Gin will stop at nothing to protect her, even if it means walking straight into a killer’s trap. Meanwhile, the rocky romance between Gin and Owen reaches a turning point—can they reunite and rekindle their love? Or will the things Gin has been forced to do in her line of work as the deadly assassin the Spider keep them apart forever? Assuming, that is, she survives long enough to find out…

I love the cover. Perhaps the water and fire mixed to produce a little steam in the background or is that smoke? I must say it's always a good idea when one dresses to impress, as Quinn does above, to bring a little extra protection. We all can learn from her fine example. lol

Kiss of Blood comes out June 25th.

Book Synopsis:

ONLY ONE WOMAN CAN SAVE VAMP CITY 

One of the few humans who managed to escape the deadly twilight world of Vamp City, Quinn Lennox vows to never return. But the vampires want her back, for only she has the power to renew the magic of their crumbling world--and free the vampires trapped within. 

When the handsome, dangerous, and all too seductive Arturo Mazza comes for her, Quinn knows she can never trust him after the betrayal she suffered at his hands. But with her beloved brother's fate hanging in the balance, and her own power beginning to emerge, she chooses to risk all on yet another perilous journey back to Vamp City. And though she tries to deny it, her heart begins to hold hope that even a ruthless vampire can learn the meaning of true love…

.

A very fun and flirty cover just like a lot of Angie's books. I just have one question--Do you think they use a lot of Windex? *grin*

My Big Fat Demon Slayer Wedding is tentatively scheduled to be released May 1st, but at present is not listed on Amazon.

Book Synopsis:

Lizzie Brown is about to have the destination wedding her dreams. But as this former preschool teacher knows, being a demon slayer makes everything more complicated. The vengeful Earl of Hell is still on her tail. And now it seems that one of the guests at the eccentric, seaside mansion is possessed and trying to kill her. Maybe she should just elope.

The groom, studly shape-shifting griffin Dimitri Kallinikos, vows to protect her at all costs. Yet even he is acting suspicously. And minions of the devil are popping up everywhere. Now Lizzie must protect her socialite mother, her Greek inlaws and her grandmother’s gang of biker witches – all of whom are convinced they know what’s best for her, and her big day. As the wedding draws closer, Lizzie has to learn who is behind the attacks – and fast – or risk losing everyone she loves.

Just when I thought the number of title knockoffs from Eat, Pray, Love were finished, another author just couldn't resist. I'm guessing this is a zombie book so I guess it's appropriate that someone couldn't let a good title die. A fitting tribute to the title Eat, Pray Love? We'll have to wait and see.

Eat, Brains, Love is scheduled to come out on October 1st. 

Other Eat, Pray, Love knockoffs with the original to compare:

Book Synopsis:

Jake Stephens was always an average, fly-under-the-radar guy. The kind of guy who would never catch the attention of an insanely popular girl like Amanda Blake — or a psychic teenage government agent like Cass. But one day during lunch, Jake’s whole life changed. He and Amanda suddenly locked eyes across the cafeteria, and at the exact same instant, they turned into zombies and devoured half their senior class.

Now Jake definitely has Amanda’s attention — as well as Cass’s, since she’s been sent on a top-secret mission to hunt them down. As Jake and Amanda deal with the existential guilt of eating their best friends, Cass struggles with a growing psychic dilemma of her own — one that will lead the three of them on an epic journey across the country and make them question what it means to truly be alive. Or undead.

Eat, Brains, Love is a heartwarming and bloody blend of romance, deadpan humor, and suspense that fans of Isaac Marion’s Warm Bodies will devour. With its irresistibly dry and authentic teen voice, as well as a zombie apocalypse worthy of AMC’s The Walking Dead, this irreverent paperback original will leave readers dying for the sequel that’s coming in Summer 2014.

Remember how I said how some covers were horrorific? At first I thought this was a beautiful and then realized she had no arms. Gah! I think those might be dead leaves or dead flowers. I'm not sure. This one might get creepiest cover for 2013. *SHUDDER* 

Some Quiet Place comes out July 8th. 

Book Synopsis:

I can’t weep. I can’t fear. I’ve grown talented at pretending.

Elizabeth Caldwell doesn’t feel emotions . . . she sees them. Longing, Shame, and Courage materialize around her classmates. Fury and Resentment appear in her dysfunctional home. They’ve all given up on Elizabeth because she doesn’t succumb to their touch. All, that is, save one—Fear. He’s intrigued by her, as desperate to understand the accident that changed Elizabeth’s life as she is herself.

Elizabeth and Fear both sense that the key to her past is hidden in the dream paintings she hides in the family barn. But a shadowy menace has begun to stalk her, and try as she might, Elizabeth can barely avoid the brutality of her life long enough to uncover the truth about herself. When it matters most, will she be able to rely on Fear to save her?

I know it's stupid, but I can't get myself to read this series because the covers are so creepy. I've heard it's a really good series. Anyone else have this problem?

White Trash Zombie is slated to come out July 2nd.

Book Synopsis:

Lights, cameras... zombies!

When a zombie movie starts filming in town, things get crazy, and white trash zombie Angel Crawford suspects it’s not just the plot of the movie that’s rotten. With zombies both real and fake roaming the streets, it’s up to Angel to fit all the pieces — and body parts — together to save herself, her town, and quite possibly the human race.

I think he frightens me! Eep!

Macrieve comes out July 2nd.

Book Synopsis:

In this pulse-pounding Immortals After Dark tale, #1 New York Times bestselling author Kresley Cole delves into the darkest mysteries and deepest passions of Clan MacRieve. . . .

A BEAST IN TORMENT

Uilleam MacRieve believed he’d laid to rest the ghosts of his boyhood. But when a brutal torture revives those ancient agonies and destroys his Lykae instinct, the proud Scot craves the oblivion of death. Until he finds her—a young human so full of spirit and courage that she pulls him back from the brink.

A BEAUTY IN CHAINS

Seized for the auction block, Chloe Todd is forced to enter a terrifying new world of monsters and lore as a bound slave. When offered up to creatures of the dark, she fears she won’t last the night. Until she’s claimed by him—a tormented immortal with heartbreaking eyes, whose touch sets her blood on fire.

A FULL MOON ON THE RISE 

With enemies circling, MacRieve spirits Chloe away to the isolated Highland keep of his youth. But once he takes her to his bed, his sensual mate becomes something more than human, evoking his savage past and testing his sanity. On the cusp of the full moon, can he conquer his worst nightmare to save Chloe . . . from himself?

Is it just me or does the guy look like he needs a cigarette?

The Vampire with the Dragon Tattoo comes out August 27th.

Book Synopsis:

The fourteenth book in the Love at Stake series features that gorgeous Scottish vampire in a kilt, Dougal Kincaid!

Everyone thinks vampire Dougal is shy,

But he’s a man with secrets...