Book Review: Charade, by Cambria Hebert (Fifteenth review for The 2012 TBR Pile Reading Challenge)

Here's my fifteenth review for this

wonderful challenge!!

For the rules and a list of hosting blogs,

just click on the challenge button above.

There are great prizes involved,

so be sure to check out

the rules and consider joining in!

Charade 
(Heven and Hell #2)
Cambria Hebert
Trade Paperback, 332 pages
Cambria Hebert
August 1, 2012
Paranormal Romance, Urban Fantasy, Young Adult Fiction

This second installment of Hebert's exciting young adult series is just as fascinating to read as the first one!

Having been brought back to life by the angel Airis, and given a paranormal power, Heven is now also the guardian of a secret scroll that must be returned to the catacombs of Rome.  She and Sam must do this at all costs, or many people will die.  On the way to accomplishing this task, they must deal with constant demon attacks, as well as the mysterious behavior of Sam's younger brother, Logan, whom Heven can't bring herself to trust.  She refrains from making this clear to Sam, though, since she doesn't want to come between him and his brother.  So she endures the discomfort, even as her suspicions about Logan continue to grow.

This novel brings in a very interesting new character -- Gemma, a fallen angel, who offers to help train Sam and Cole (who has been told what's really going on) to fight demons successfully.  Although Sam is a hellhound, he must be able to deal with these creatures in his human form, as well, since he won't always have the time or opportunity to shift forms.  It was quite fascinating to read how Gemma, whose feminine appearance belies great strength and fighting skills, went about training the two boys.

TIRADE RELEASE DAY!!

Tirade

(Heven and Hell #3)

Cambria Hebert

Trade Paperback, 396 pages

November 30, 2012

Paranormal Romance, Urban Fantasy,

Young Adult

From the Goodreads Synopsis

Minutes and hours stretch into days. How long can Sam survive being confined in Hell? I have a plan… a plan with a lot of holes. I need someone who can make up for my weaknesses, someone who possesses the power that I lack. Riley is supposed to be off limits. He’s dangerous, he’s mean and he’s not to be trusted. But I do.

On my way to free Sam I find my true path, a secret place and new allies. But in Hell nothing is easy… and everything is cruel. The only thing left to do is survive.

Waiting On Wednesday #55: Elegy, by Tara Hudson

This is a weekly book meme, hosted by

Jill @ Breaking the Spine,

which features future releases that
we book bloggers

are eagerly anticipating!


Here's my pick for this week!

Elegy
(Hereafter #3)
Tara Hudson
Hardcover, 400 pages
Harper Teen
July 4, 2013
Fantasy, Paranormal Romance, YA


From the Goodreads Synopsis

A stalker ghost, misguided Seers, and spellbinding wraiths—Amelia Ashley has faced them all. Now her greatest hope is to spend the rest of her afterlife with her living boyfriend, Joshua. But the demonic forces return to give her an ultimatum: turn herself over to the darkness or watch them murder one living person per week until she does.
 

I LOVE the combination of

ghosts and romance!!

I've been hooked on this type

of thing

ever since I read my first such book,

Tryst, by the British author

Elswyth Thane.

There's just something about

this combination that 

makes me dive into a book and

forget everything else!!

I do have the first novel in this series,

and it's in my TBR pile,

so we'll see how it goes....

But I can barely wait until this book

is published!

I want it right this very minute!
Especially since it has
such a gorgeous blue cover!!!


Amazon Purchase Link



What do you think of my choice?
What gorgeous book(s)
are you all anxiously awaiting
this week?

GRATITUDE GIVEAWAYS HOP WINNER!!!!

 

 

 

And the winner is...

 

Anne Consolacion!!

(Facebook page HERE.)

 

 

CONGRATULATIONS!!

 

 

You have won the exciting 

YA novel

Greta and the Goblin King!!

 

 

 

Greta and the Goblin King

Chloe Jacobs

Paperback, 290 pages

Entangled Publishing, LLC

November 13, 2012

Fantasy, Paranormal Romance,

Young Adult

 

 

 

You have already been notified

by email, so please

be sure to send a reply

as soon as possible!

You have 72 hours.

If I haven't heard from you

by then,

another winner will be chosen.

 

 

I'd like to thank everyone

who participated in this

"Gratitude Giveaways Hop!!

Do stay tuned,

because I have another giveaway 

coming your way very soon!! 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

INNOVATIVE ONLINE BOOK TOURS: Interview/Giveaway - Cephrael's Hand, by Melissa McPhail

 

 

 

Welcome to this stop

on the 

Cephrael's Hand 

blog tour,

sponsored by

Innovative Online Book

Tours!!

 

 

 

 

Please join me in welcoming Melissa McPhail, author of the fascinating fantasy, Cephrael's Hand, to A Night's Dream of Books!  Thank you for joining us, Melissa!

 

I encourage all of my readers to enter the accompanying giveaway!  You will find the Rafflecopter widget below. 

 

And now, on to the interview!

 

 

Maria:  When did you begin writing, and who were your major literary influences?

 

Melissa:  I started at writing at the age of five, with poetry penned at my grandmother's kitchen table.  In those days, The Chronicles of Narnia imbued my life with a near-constant sense of magic and mystery.  All during my childhood, writing and reading were as much outlets for my creative energies as they were havens when the sharp tongues and flying barbs of teenage villains stung too deeply.  Susan Cooper's wonderful Dark Is Rising series gave me a world to vanish into, and I read the books -- and the rest of her novels -- many times.

 

I began writing in true in high school, where I focused on fantastical short stories that wove my boarding school experiences into a tapestry of magical escape.  In those years I read broadly, from Bradbury and Asimov to Robert Ludlum, from Dickens to Chaucer and lots of Shakespeare in between.  I thrived on philosophy -- Hesse's Siddhartha, the Bhagavad Gita, Emerson, Hugo, Payne, Ayn Rand and even Heinlein's Stranger In A Strange Land opened my eyes to new ideals.  As an adult, fantasy is still my playground.  While I always enjoy escaping into it, I use it now as an innocuous medium for exploration of often difficult ideas and deeper truths.

CHARADE READ-ALONG: Fourth Week's Discussion Questions

Welcome to the fourth and final

week of the long-awaited

Charade Read-Along!!!

This exciting YA paranormal romance,

written by Cambria Hebert,

is the second in her acclaimed

Heven and Hell series!!

There are great prizes at stake

for all participants!

For further information,

as well as to sign up, 

just click on the button above.

This week's questions are being hosted by

Veronica @

Mostly Reviews!

Just click on this button to go to her post.

Week 4: Chapters 21 - 24 Discussion Questions

1.)  Did you have a favorite part in this book?

I would have to say that I really enjoyed the entire book.  However, I particularly liked reading about how Sam went into Heven's dream and was able to find the thread that allowed the Dream Walker to get into her head, and thus, her dreams.  I loved it when Sam broke the connection!  It was fascinating to read about this, and I applaud Cambria for being so imaginative!

Shelf Candy Saturday #45: Rift, by Andrea Cremer

 

 

 

Welcome to

Shelf Candy Saturday!!

This weekly meme/blog hop, hosted here,

features beautiful book covers!

It was originally hosted by

Stephanie @

Five Alarm Book Reviews,

a blog I really miss...

 

 

If you'd like to participate, just grab my button (or create your own), write your own post, and link up in the Linky widget at the bottom of this post. Just be sure to click on "Read more" so that the entire post will open up.

 

As a bonus, you can include information on the artist, designer, and/or photographer in your post, but it's not required. You can simply feature a cover and explain why you love it!

 

 

 

Here's my choice for this week!

 

 

 

 

Rift

(Nightshade Prequel #1)

Andrea Cremer

Hardcover, 430 pages

Philomel Books

(An imprint of Penguin Books (USA) Inc.)

August 7, 2012

Paranormal Romance, Urban Fantasy,

Feminist Fiction, Young Adult Fiction

 

 

Why do I love this cover?

 

The first things that caught my eye were the fierceness and determination of this beautiful female warrior.  Next I noticed that strange, curved blade she's holding in her right hand.  It's obviously razor-sharp! 

 

This indomitable warrior totally dominates the cover, with her intense, penetrating stare at the viewer, and that weapon raised, ready for action.  She's definitely not to be messed with!

 

THE 2012 CHRISTMAS SPIRIT READING CHALLENGE!!

 

Announcing the fourth annual

2012 Christmas Spirit Reading Challenge!!

 

 

This wonderful event will run from

November 19, 2012, through Jan. 6, 2013,

and is hosted by Michelle at her gorgeous blog,

The Christmas Spirit,

which is dedicated to keeping that

most enchanting season

of the year alive all year long!

 

For complete information,

as well as to sign up,

just click on the button above.

There will be a giveaway

at the end of the challenge,

so I encourage you to sign up!!

 

 

Here are the reading levels:

 

Candy Cane: Read 1 book

Mistletoe: Read 2 - 4 books

Christmas Tree: Read 5 - 6 books

 

Additional Levels:

 

Fa, La, La, La Films:

Watch a bunch of, or a few,

Christmas movies...

it's up to you!

 

Visions of Sugar Plums:

Read books with your

children this season,

and share what you read!

 

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!! BOOKS & AUTHORS I AM THANKFFUL FOR!!

Happy Thanksgiving, Everyone!!

I'm wishing all of my readers,

whatever country you're in,

a wonderful day!!

Although Thanksgiving is

an American holiday,

the idea of thanking a Higher Power

for the blessings we enjoy

is one that has universal applicability.

What am I thankful for?

I'm very thankful for all the things treasured by all of us -- family, health, and a roof over my head, especially in these stressful economic times!

I'm especially thankful for all the books and authors that have inspired and entertained me, and I'd like to list some of them here.   Although, for the sake of convenience, I am listing them in a certain order, they are all equally memorable to me!  Just click on each image to be taken to the Goodreads page for each book or series.



This novel has had a lasting impact on my life.  The great Bronte's masterpiece, which tells the story of the courageous Jane, willing to sacrifice true love in the name of moral principle, is a stirring one, and totally unforgettable!  It's also a powerful tale of a woman's determination to remain true to herself.  The main characters, Jane Eyre and Edward Rochester, will forever remain in my mind as the quintessential romantic heroes.  Pictured is one of the several editions of this novel in my personal collection.

CHARADE READ-ALONG: Third Week's Discussion Questions

 

 

 

 

Welcome to the third week of

the long-awaited

Charade Read-Along!!!

 

This exciting YA paranormal romance,

written by Cambria Hebert,

is the second in her acclaimed

Heven and Hell series!!

There are great prizes at stake

for all participants!

For further information,

as well as to sign up, 

just click on the button above.

 

This week's questions are being hosted by

Heidi @

Rainy Day Ramblings!

Click on this button to go to her post.

 

 

 

 

 

Week 3: Chapters 14 - 20 Discussion Questions

 

 

1.)  In these chapters the characters go to Italy.  What one place would you like to travel to that you haven't been? 

Although there are many places I'd love to travel to, the very first one that comes to mind is Paris.  I know it's a cliché, but I do think this is the most romantic city on the planet!  I love everything about Paris -- the architecture of the older buildings, especially those in the Art Nouveau style, the winding, medieval streets, French art (especially Cézanne, Pissarro, and Degas), Notre Dame Cathedral, the Sacré-Coeur, the museums, the food, the wine... I'd love to be able to stroll through Montmartre and check out the sidewalk artists. 

 

Notre Dame de Paris

View from the south.

(photo: Wikipedia Commons)

 

Shelf Candy Saturday #44: Trey of Swords, by Andre Norton

 

 

 

Welcome to

Shelf Candy Saturday!!

This weekly meme/blog hop, hosted here,

features beautiful book covers!

It was originally hosted by

Stephanie @

Five Alarm Book Reviews,

a blog I really miss...

If you'd like to participate, just grab my button (or create your own), write your own post, and link up in the Linky widget at the bottom of this post. Just be sure to click on "Read more" so that the entire post will open up.

 

As a bonus, you can include information on the artist, designer, and/or photographer in your post, but it's not required. You can simply feature a cover and explain why you love it!

 

 

 

 

Here's my choice for this week!

 

 

 

Trey of Swords

(Witch World Series 1:

The Estcarp Cycle #6)

Andre Norton

Mass Market Paperback, 180 pages

Ace Books

July 1, 1978

Fantasy

 

 

 

Why do I love this cover?

 

This illustration is a composite of semi-realistic, semi-stylized images.  To me, the best part of the illustration is the knight's head at the bottom of the cover.  I love the chain mail covering his chin and neck.  But what I find really amazing is the knight's helmet, which depicts a very fierce face with hypnotic, penetrating eyes that make you stop in your tracks and stare back.  The knight's eyes are closed, so it seems as if his personality is temporarily asleep, and the terrifying warrior on his helmet has taken over.  This image is a bit disturbing, yet superbly done.

GRATITUDE GIVEAWAYS BLOG HOP!!

Welcome to the third annual

Gratitude Giveaways Blog Hop,

which runs from Nov. 15th

to Nov. 25th, 2012!!

The host of this FAB event is

Kathy @

I Am A Reader, Not a Writer!!

This giveaway is a very special one, since its

purpose is to thank blog followers!!

To enter, all you need to do is to follow

A Night's Dream of Books

through whichever option you prefer!!

And here's the exciting prize,

which

The Book Depository

will deliver

right to your door!!

Greta and the Goblin King

Chloe Jacobs

Paperback, 290 pages

Entangled Publishing, LLC

November 13, 2012

Fantasy, Paranormal Romance,

Young Adult

From the Goodreads Synopsis

While trying to save her brother from a witch’s fire four years ago, Greta was thrown in herself, falling through a portal to Mylena, a dangerous world where humans are the enemy and every ogre, ghoul, and goblin has a dark side that comes out with the eclipse.

INNOVATIVE ONLINE BOOK TOURS: Review/Giveaway - Forbidden Life, by Kimberly Kinrade

 

 

 

Welcome to this stop

on the 

FORBIDDEN LIFE

blog tour,

sponsored by

Innovative Online Book

Tours!!

 

(Due to unforeseen

circumstances, I'm publishing

this post after the end

of the tour.

My apologies to all...)

 

 

 

 

  

Forbidden Life

(Forbidden Trilogy #3)

Kimberly Kinrade

394 pages

Evolved Publishing

October 15, 2012

Paranormal Romance, Urban Fantasy,

Young Adult

 

 

From the Goodreads Synopsis

 

 

A sinister force waits for them in darkness, ready to devour their powers and take their lives.

Sam's baby is the key to a lock that must never be opened. To keep her child safe, Sam will do anything.

Drake might have found a way to get his powers back and save his family, at what cost?

Luke and Lucy uncover secrets in an organization they thought they could trust, and the lives of all Rent-A-Kid children are at stake.

In this last Forbidden Trilogy installment, the secrets to Rent-A-Kid will finally be revealed.

 

 

My Review

 

(Note: Since there's no paperback edition of this book available yet, I have had to read it as a PDF document on my PC.  [I do not own, nor do I want to own, either a Kindle or a Nook.]  I had already made a commitment to review the book, hoping to get a printed edition, but apparently that won't be for a while yet.  I have therefore made an exception in this case.  This does not in any way mean that I am now wholeheartedly embracing ebooks, because I most definitely am NOT.  I am eagerly awaiting the release of the printed edition.)

 

 

The third installment of this exciting trilogy gives us a more rounded picture of Lucy and Luke, the twins who are Sam's closest friends, although most of the author's attention is on Lucy.  

 

As the novel opens, the twins have found an organization that will help them in their mission to rescue their remaining friends from the clutches of the evil Rent-A-Kid organization.

 

I was so happy to see how courageous Lucy is!  She's even more of a strong heroine than Sam, incredibly enough.  In this novel, she really shines!  She survives all sorts of traumatic events with great courage, strength, and resourcefulness, while her brother, paradoxically, becomes moody and depressed at the carnage around them, which takes place mostly at the beginning of the book.