It's Monday! What are you reading?

It's Monday! What are you reading? is a weekly meme hosted by One Person's Journey Through a World of Books. Each week we will share the books we have just finished reading, are currently reading, and are planning to read.



Just Finished Reading:
Breaking Beautiful by Jennifer Shaw Wolf
Masque of the Red Death by Bethany Griffin

Currently Reading:
Second Chance Summer by Morgan Matson

Planning To Read:
The Goddess Test by Aimee Carter



What are you reading this week?

May Book Portrait: Of Poseidon by Anna Banks

I'm so excited to bring you another month of this feature! Book Portrait of the Month will showcase one book that has a cover/synopsis/etc. that I find particularly striking. In each post I hope to include teasers and author interviews or guest posts (when possible), as well as a giveaway. Hopefully this feature will bring more attention to some very deserving books!

So without further ado I present May's feature:



OF POSEIDON by Anna Banks
Reason for Feature: Cover

About the Book:
Published By: Feiwel & Friends | Release Date: May 22, 2012
Reading Level: Young Adult | Genre: Fantasy

Galen is the prince of the Syrena, sent to land to find a girl he’s heard can communicate with fish. Emma is on vacation at the beach. When she runs into Galen—literally, ouch!—both teens sense a connection. But it will take several encounters, including a deadly one with a shark, for Galen to be convinced of Emma’s gifts. Now, if he can only convince Emma that she holds the key to his kingdom . . .

Told from both Emma and Galen’s points of view, here is a fish-out-of-water story that sparkles with intrigue, humor, and waves of romance.

"'Hold my breath?' she gasps, peering down at the water.

He nods against her cheek, appreciating the silkiness of her skin, almost iridescent in the storm. 'For now. But not always. Are you holding it?'

She nods. He catapults backward -- and under."

You can read my review of OF POSEIDON here.



~INTERVIEW~


I'm very excited that Anna Banks was kind enough to participate in this new feature! Please take a few minutes to learn more about this author and her book.

If this were twitter, how would you pitch OF POSEIDON in 140 characters or less?

First of all, this was hard! Why would you do this to me? Are we enemies???

Second of all, here is what I came up with:

To unite two kingdoms, Galen teaches Emma to use her Gift. Too bad he’s falling for her; her Gift destines her to be w/his older brother.

From where did you draw your inspiration from the story? Have mermaid tales always appealed to you?

Okay, so I never actually read a mermaid book before I started to write one. I was looking for something to write besides vampires, weres, etc. Then I watched this documentary about how they’d found a giant squid—something scientists had long written off as myth, fishermen’s lore. Then I wondered what else could be out there that we don’t know about? Could mermaids exist? (After doing so much research for the book, I decided that mermaids *could* actually exist. But don’t tell anyone I said that).

What are your favorite quotes from Emma and Galen?

Emma: Even more than terror, I feel the insanity of the situation. I’m about to ask a fish the size of my house to make a U-turn. Because Galen, the man-fish behind me, doesn’t speak humpback.

Galen: “She didn’t shove me, she tripped into me,” he says. “And I didn’t knock her out on purpose. She ran from me and I chased her and—”

From the characters in OF POSEIDON, which do you connect with the most? Which did you enjoy writing the most?

I connect the most with Emma. I always feel awkward and uncomfortable in my own skin, and I’m pretty pale…I really LOVE to write Toraf. He’s so fun and outrageous. (You’ll see!)

I’m sure most people would agree that this cover isbeautiful. Was this the originalcover, or were there other drafts? What did you think when you first saw the proofs?

This was the first and final draft. Well, a little tweaking to the font, but not the image, and I think it’s obvious why. When I got the email from my editor and saw my cover for the first time…I felt like the luckiest author on the planet. It was breakthaking, alluring, exactly what a cover should be.

A lot of people don’t realize that the author really doesn’t have a say in the cover. Sure, the publisher wants to make the author happy, but the ultimate cover decision lies with the publisher. It could have been bad. Very much bad. But it wasn’t. It’s so beautimous! ☺

What surprised you most while writing this book?

I was surprised how quickly I wrote it. It went very fast and painlessly, because I knew where I wanted it to go. It just kind of spewed out onto the page. I was also surprised how difficult it was to keep Galen and Emma apart because I really wanted them to get. Together. Already.

Now that OF POSEIDON is finished and you are looking back, are there things about your writing process or the finished product that you wish you could change?

Because I’m obsessive-compulsive, there are millions of tiny little things I could change. You can’t imagine how I felt to turn in edits for the last time, to know that THERE WILL BE NO CHANGES AFTER THIS. But because I shouldn’t dwell on it, I won’t be too specific and tell you what I would change, because that would lead to MORE things I would change, which would lead to even MORE things I would change, which would…



~GIVEAWAY~
I am very excited to offer one copy of OF POSEIDON for a giveaway!

This contest is open internationally as long as The Book Depository ships to your country. Must be 13 to enter. Please see my Contest Policy for more information.

This contest will close on Friday, June 1 at 12:00 AM CST.

Cover Reveal: The Mephisto Kiss by Trinity Faegen

I'm so excited to be one of the blogs participating in this cover reveal! Last year Texas author Trinity Faegen published her debut novel, The Mephisto Covenant, and on September 25, 2012, the sequel will be available! And now, without further ado, I present The Mephisto Kiss by Trinity Faegen.



The eyes never lie. No one’s eyes are darker than Eryx's. Not even the Devil’s.

When Jax and Sasha first see Jordan Ellis, they know she is no ordinary teenager. She’s the daughter of the President after all, but she’s also Anabo – a descendant of Eve.

What they don’t know is that Eryx plans to kidnap Jordan and force President Ellis to pledge his soul. If Eryx’s plot succeeds, the consequences would be catastrophic.

But the Mephisto brothers do know about Jordan’s secret identity. And for one of them, she could be the match that leads to their soul’s salvation.

Now it’s a desperate race against time to save Jordan and prevent Eryx’s haunting eyes from discovering her true identity.

A thrilling story of romance, danger, and intrigue, THE MEPHISTO KISS continues the marvelous mythology that began in THE MEPHISTO COVENANT.



There is more! Trinity Faegen is hosting a giveaway for an ARC of THE MEPHISTO KISS on her blog! This contest is open internationally and you can receive extra entries for each cover reveal post on which you comment. For more details and to enter the contest, visit Trinity's blog here:

http://trinityfaegen.com/blog/

Review: Of Poseidon by Anna Banks

OF POSEIDON
By: Anna Banks
Published By: Feiwel & Friends
Release Date: May 2, 2012
Series: None
Pages: 324
Genre: Fantasy
Reading Level: Young Adult
Source: ALA Midwinter
Buy the Book: Amazon

Goodreads Summary: Galen is the prince of the Syrena, sent to land to find a girl he’s heard can communicate with fish. Emma is on vacation at the beach. When she runs into Galen—literally, ouch!—both teens sense a connection. But it will take several encounters, including a deadly one with a shark, for Galen to be convinced of Emma’s gifts. Now, if he can only convince Emma that she holds the key to his kingdom . . .

Told from both Emma and Galen’s points of view, here is a fish-out-of-water story that sparkles with intrigue, humor, and waves of romance.



Confession time: As a child, whenever I was at a pool or the beach, I always wanted to pretend to be a mermaid. I thought it would be awesome to be Ariel and swim around with friends like Flounder and Sebastian. Now, whenever I see tales about mermaids, I want to read them. Of Poseidon is certainly a story that lives up to its gorgeous cover and all of its possibilities.

Despite living on the Jersey shore, Emma has never been a huge fan of the water. But when she goes on vacation with her friend to the beaches in Florida, not only will she be forced to swim, but also this swim will change the course of her life. Galen thinks that Emma could be just the person he is looking for, but convincing Emma that she is will be no easy task. Emma may have a lot to learn about herself and Galen's undersea world, but Galen has just as much to learn about Emma. Sparks might fly between them, but there are other plans that might threaten Galen and Emma's happiness. Can Emma accept the truth and embrace her destiny? And if she does...what will happen to Galen?

Forget any preconceived notions you may have of paranormal YA books where the heroine doesn't know she's paranormal. Of Poseidon will blow them all out of the water...literally. We are almost thrown into the middle of the story with Emma running into Galen, and the fast pacing, snappy banter, and sizzling romantic tension never abates for the remainder of the novel. I enjoyed watching Galen trying to navigate life on land with a little help from Emma and Rachel, and with Toraf, one of Galen's Syrena friends, in the picture, there is no shortage of laughter. I also loved learning the history and lore of the Syrena and reading about the underwater adventures that Galen and Emma shared. Also, being able to read from both Emma and Galen's perspective was quite interesting; I felt like I came to know both of them better and it allowed me to understand Galen's world in a way I wouldn't have otherwise.

Did I mention that Of Poseidon doesn't follow so many conventions that other novels do? I liked that Emma did not merely acquiesce to what Galen wanted and told her. Instead, she wanted her own answers and, prince or not, she wasn't one to let him order her around. I also appreciated that not everything was perfect between Emma and Galen. There were real obstacles, but moreover, there were real feelings, which made loving their relationship so much easier.

Of Poseidon will draw you in and have you floating away with the story, and after that ending, I am dying to know what happens next! This is a fantastic debut from Anna Banks that you will not want to miss.

"Waiting on" Wednesday

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



This week's selection is:

IF I LIE
By: Corinne Jackson
Published By: Simon Pulse
Release Date: Aug. 28, 2012
Preorder the Book: Amazon

Goodreads Summary: A powerful debut novel about the gray space between truth and perception.

Quinn’s done the unthinkable: she kissed a guy who is not Carey, her boyfriend. And she got caught. Being branded a cheater would be bad enough, but Quinn is deemed a traitor, and shunned by all of her friends. Because Carey’s not just any guy—he’s serving in Afghanistan and revered by everyone in their small, military town.

Quinn could clear her name, but that would mean revealing secrets that she’s vowed to keep—secrets that aren’t hers to share. And when Carey goes MIA, Quinn must decide how far she’ll go to protect her boyfriend…and her promise.



Why it's wanted:
I love hard-hitting contemporary novels that make you think, and this book sounds like it would do just that. I also want to know what Quinn's secrets are...

Teaser Tuesday (39)

I'm very excited to be one of the many blogs participating in Teaser Tuesdays! TT is a weekly meme hosted by MizB at Should Be Reading. To participate:

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

"'I'm saving something special to give you on your birthday.'

My whole head throbs.

It hurts too much to remember."


p. 9 (ARC) from BREAKING BEAUTIFUL by Jennifer Shaw Wolf

Please share your teasers - post them or link to your blog!

It's Monday! What are you reading?

It's Monday! What are you reading? is a weekly meme hosted by One Person's Journey Through a World of Books. Each week we will share the books we have just finished reading, are currently reading, and are planning to read.



Just Finished Reading:
Of Poseidon by Anna Banks

Currently Reading:
Breaking Beautiful by Jennifer Shaw Wolf

Planning To Read:
Glimmer by Phoebe Kitanidis



What are you reading this week?

Review: The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight by Jennifer E. Smith

THE STATISTICAL PROBABILITY OF LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT
By: Jennifer E. Smith
Published By: Poppy / Little Brown
Release Date: Jan. 2, 2012
Series: None
Pages: 236
Genre: Contemporary Fiction / Romance
Reading Level: Young Adult
Source: Bought
Buy the Book: Amazon

Goodreads Summary: Who would have guessed that four minutes could change everything? Today should be one of the worst days of seventeen-year-old Hadley Sullivan's life. She's stuck at JFK, late to her father's second wedding, which is taking place in London and involves a soon to be step-mother that Hadley's never even met. Then she meets the perfect boy in the airport's cramped waiting area. His name is Oliver, he's British, and he's in seat 18C. Hadley's in 18A.

Twists of fate and quirks of timing play out in this thoughtful novel about family connections, second chances and first loves. Set over a 24-hour-period, Hadley and Oliver's story will make you believe that true love finds you when you're least expecting it.



How much sweetness can be wrapped up in one book? The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight sets a new standard for that. From the cover to the characters and the story itself, this book will make you fall in love with everything and fall in love with love all over again.

Hadley Sullivan would be perfectly fine not going to her father's wedding, thank you very much. She's never met her soon-to-be stepmother and has no burning desire to do so. After the way her parent's marriage ended, Hadley has stuck by her mother and intends to keep it that way. As luck (or fate) would have it, Hadley misses her flight to London by four minutes and is stuck waiting for the next one. Hadley decides to go through with the trip, and it is in the waiting area that she meets Oliver, a British student at Yale who offers to help with her bag. As it turns out, they are seated in the same row on the plane. And thus begins a true trans-Atlantic relationship complete with both laughter and tears. Over the course of 24 hours both Hadley and Oliver learn a great deal not only about each other but also about themselves.

I am one of the people who is always on the fence about "love at first sight." I've heard people swear that it's true, but I suppose that until it happens to you, it's something that is hard to believe or accept. But Jennifer Smith's book may have made me rethink that a bit. There is no doubt that Hadley and Oliver have an instant connection, and yet (thank goodness) there are no immediate declarations of eternal love. Instead, their relationship develops just like any other might, from Oliver's first chivalrous actions, to both deep and lighthearted conversations on the plane, to elaborate gestures that prove that Hadley and Oliver are not simply travel companions. Moreover, these are not simply happy people skipping blithely through the fields of love. Both Hadley and Oliver have real issues to face, and I loved that even though their situations were different, they were able to help each other. Their conversations are by turns tender, touching, and funny, and when I closed the book I still wanted to see more of their relationship.

This book also explores familial relationships, something that is so often overlooked in YA novels. I really enjoyed reading about Hadley's relationship with her dad as she recalled their shared memories and looked to a future that would be seemingly empty of any true closeness. I especially loved their shared love of literature and all of the references to other books...and yes, even the way quotes from Dickens run throughout this book. One other thing that I found interesting - Smith's writing style and the voice (third person present) is different from what I have seen before. It took me a bit to get used to it, but once I did I was quickly swept away by the story.

While everything about The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight may not be peaches and cream, I think it is safe to say that despite the bittersweet moments, you will still have a smile on your face. I look forward to seeing what Jennifer E. Smith writes next!

"Waiting on" Wednesday

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



This week's selection is:

EMBERS AND ECHOES
By: Karsten Knight
Published By: Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing
Release Date: Aug. 28, 2012
Preorder the Book: Amazon

Goodreads Summary: Ashline Wilde is about to discover that when you’re the reincarnation of a Polynesian volcano goddess, “new beginnings” are just a myth.

Leaving the fiery ruins of her sophomore year behind her, Ash travels to the sizzling beaches of Miami, hot on the trail of the little sister she’s only seen in visions. But her happy family reunion isn’t all palm trees and paradise. A cult of evil gods-on-earth, known as the Four Seasons, has kidnapped her sister to use in its terrifying new religion. Soon, the streets of Miami erupt in chaos and violence…and Ash gets caught right in the tropical crossfire.

Ash isn’t without help, however. Unexpected romance arrives in the form of Wes, an Aztec god of night with his own vendetta against the Four Seasons. As memories of Ash’s previous life begin to flicker into her dreams, the boundaries between ally and enemy, life and death, and love and hate all bleed together. And when a mysterious trickster from her past reappears to derail her new quest, Ash must choose between the echoes of a once-forgotten yesterday and the embers of an uncertain future.

Because when old flames return from the dead, even a volcano goddess can get burned.



Why it's wanted:
I really enjoyed Wildefire and with the cliffhanger ending, I've needed the next installment for almost a year now! I can't wait to see where Knight takes these characters next!

Teaser Tuesday (38)

I'm very excited to be one of the many blogs participating in Teaser Tuesdays! TT is a weekly meme hosted by MizB at Should Be Reading. To participate:

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

"'Hold my breath?' she gasps, peering down at the water.

He nods against her cheek, appreciating the silkiness of her skin, almost iridescent in the storm. 'For now. But not always. Are you holding it?'

She nods. He catapults backward -- and under."


p. 107 (ARC) from OF POSEIDON by Anna Banks

Please share your teasers - post them or link to your blog!