Sunday, July 29, 2018

JULY 4th GIVEAWAY WINNER!!!



I'd like to announce the winner
of my July 4th Giveaway!!

And the winner is....

Brian @ Babbling Books!!

He has already claimed his prize!


https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2666176-i-am-a-strange-loop






This book sounds SO fascinating, I bought myself a copy, too! Since it's nonfiction, I will be reviewing it on 
my other blog, though.

A HUGE "thank you" to everyone
who entered this giveaway!
Please stay tuned, as I'm holding
giveaways ALL the time, whether
my own, for a blog tour, or 
as part of a giveaway blog hop!!







 

Saturday, July 28, 2018

Book Blogger Hop No. 136: Bloggers' First Names Promininently Displayed on Their Blogs



Welcome to the Book Blogger Hop,
hosted by Billy @





This Week's Question

Do you agree or disagree with this
statement: "A blogger's first name
should be in a prominent space
on his/her blog"?

(Submitted  by Elizabeth @





My Answer

This is certainly something that can be pretty frustrating. Since we bloggers (whether we blog about books or not) belong to a blogging community, it stands to reason that we would all want to know how to identify those who are nice enough to comment on our posts. So, in principle, I would tend to agree that bloggers should make it easy for visitors and commenters to find out just who they are, and that this information should either be visible in the blog's sidebar, or on an "About Me" page. 

Having stated this, I can also understand that some bloggers might prefer to remain anonymous, and thus, not use their real names on their blogs. This could be for any number of reasons, and is something that should be respected. However, such bloggers could nevertheless use some sort of name -- perhaps a nickname, or "pen name", or whatever. It just becomes pretty awkward to address someone by their blog name, lol. Like, "Hi, A Night's Dream of Books!" Lol. 

Of course, no blogger should feel COMPELLED to use their real name, but a nickname, I think, should be good enough. In my case, I would use "TwilightDreamLover", if I had a mind to. That's how much I LOVE The Twilight Saga! Lol. Or, in honor of my OTHER literary love, I might use "HermioneWizard", or some such thing. :)

When I first started this blog, I DID use "TwilightDreamLover" for a while -- a VERY short while, though. I then decided to use my real name ("Behar" is my husband's last name). So, for this blog, I am really "Maria Behar", which I figure is easy to remember. Besides, I still have dreams of writing a book someday, so of course I will want to write with this name. (Although, who knows, I might decide to use a pen name, lol.)

Sometime back, I had my Blogger profile information in my blog's sidebar. Then I decided to create an "About Me/Contact" page, which is where I now have a short bio, as well as a picture. 

I also have a "signature" at the end of most posts. You'll see it at the end of this post. The one exception to this is when I do a blog tour post. In that case, I always include the tour company's button at the end of the post.  

I have to add that I really don't mind if someone doesn't use any name, not even a nickname. Yes, it does make things a bit awkward, but what I do, when I get a comment from someone with no name other than their blog name, is to address my reply as "Hi, there!". I think this works just fine!

Naturally, it's a different story entirely when a blogger is emailing a publisher or book tour company for an ARC to review. Then they need to use their real name. But that's between the publisher and/or the book tour company, of course.

Bottom line: I think that bloggers should feel comfortable doing what works best for them. Yes, having access to a real name or nickname is nice, but if a blogger chooses not to use one, then they will be "Hi, there!" to me. Lol. 
  
By the way, one blogger I know uses the nickname "J9". This blogger doesn't want their employer to know that they blog, for whatever reason. So I address them as "J9". If they had chosen to go by their blog name, though, then you all know how I would have addressed this person.  :) 




What are your thoughts on
this topic?
If you're participating in this hop,
I'll go comment on your 
own BBH post.
If not, I will then comment on one 
of your blog posts!
Thanks for visiting!!!  
 





Wednesday, July 25, 2018

Can't Wait Wednesday No. 70: Archangel's Prophecy, by Nalini Singh





Welcome to "Can't Wait Wednesday"!



This is a weekly event hosted by
Tressa @ Wishful Endings!
This is also where we excited book bloggers showcase future releases we're eagerly anticipating! 
For more information, 
please click HERE.


There's also a Linky widget, so participating blogs can link up!




Here's my choice for this week!


 Archangel's Prophecy
(Guild Hunter, Book 11)
Nalini Singh
Mass Market Paperback, 368 pages
Berkley
     October 30, 2018        
Paranormal Romance, Urban Fantasy

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/38350780-archangel-s-prophecy?ac=1&from_search=true






Return to New York Times bestselling author Nalini Singh’s darkly passionate Guild Hunter world, where human-turned-angel Elena Deveraux, consort to Archangel Raphael, is thrust center stage into an eons-old prophecy....

Midnight and dawn, Elena’s wings are unique among angelkind…and now they’re failing. The first mortal to be turned into an immortal in angelic memory, she’s regressing. Becoming more and more human. Easier to hurt. Easier to kill.

Elena and Raphael must unearth the reason for the regression before it’s too late and Elena falls out of the sky. Yet even as they fight a furious battle for Elena’s very survival, violent forces are gathering in New York and across the world.

In China, the Archangel Favashi is showing the first signs of madness. In New York, a mysterious sinkhole filled with lava swallows a man whole. In Africa, torrential monsoon rains flood rolling deserts. And in Elena’s mind whispers a haunting voice that isn’t her own.

This time, survival may not be possible…not even for the consort of an archangel.


 Why I can't wait for this one!

Well, what can I say? Yes, this is yet ANOTHER series I've been wanting to dive into for the LOOOOONGEST time, and yet, never have.... Oh, it's SO frustrating!! Okay, I suppose I can just keep hoping that someday, I'll be able to read the first book, at the very least! LOL. Because I've heard nothing but RAVES about this series, and it encompasses three of my FAVORITE genres -- paranormal fiction, romance, and urban fantasy!! 


Be sure to check out the previous
ten books in this bestselling
series by clicking HERE!!







I've been writing as long as I can remember and all of my stories always held a thread of romance (even when I was writing about a prince who could shoot lasers out of his eyes). I love creating unique characters, love giving them happy endings and I even love the voices in my head. There's no other job I would rather be doing. In September 2002, when I got the call that Silhouette Desire wanted to buy my first book, Desert Warrior, it was a dream come true. I hope to continue living the dream until I keel over of old age on my keyboard.

I was born in Fiji and raised in New Zealand. I also spent three years living and working in Japan, during which time I took the chance to travel around Asia. I’m back in New Zealand now, but I’m always plotting new trips. If you’d like to see some of my travel snapshots, have a look at the Travel Diary page (updated every month).

So far, I've worked as a lawyer, a librarian, a candy factory general hand, a bank temp and an English teacher and not necessarily in that order. Some might call that inconsistency but I call it grist for the writer's mill.


What do you think of my
choice this week? 
Please leave a comment and
let me know!


Monday, July 23, 2018

Book Blitz/Giveaway!! Searching, by Cindy Cipriano



This blitz is brought to you by 
Xpresso Book Tours!!

Be sure to enter the blitz-wide giveaway!!



Searching
(The Fading Series, Book 2)
Kindle Edition, 300 pages
Clean Teen Publishing
July 20, 2018
Fantasy, Romance, Young Adult Fiction

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/40181409-searching


NEWS FLASH FOR ALL OF US LOVERS
OF PRINTED BOOKS!!
THE SEARCHING PAPERBACK WILL BE RELEASED ON
FEBRUARY 26, 2019!!
BE SURE TO CHECK OUT THE AMAZON
LINKS BELOW!!





A fast-paced fantasy romance with rich characters and immersive storytelling, Searching is the second book in the Fading series by award-winning author Cindy Cipriano.
 
To say Leath is traveling light is an understatement. She's only bringing three things on her trip. One is a silver heart locket—a gift from her longtime best-friend-turned-boyfriend Victor Santana. Next is a wedding token in the shape of a "J", from James Turner. And of course, she's packing her pistol. That's it. She knows that when she leaves Woodvine, even her own mother may not remember her in the shifted reality that will be left behind. Bringing anything else would be pointless. But she's driven now, by something that eclipses everything else, something she just got back: her memories. And now that she remembers James—she won't stop searching until she finds him.




LEARN MORE ABOUT SEARCHING!

Clean Teen Publishing Interviews the Author 

One-liner for Searching? 

How far would you search for "The One"?

More details? 

Leath is packing light: just her two lockets (one from Victor, one from James), and of course, her pistol.  She knows that when she leaves Woodvine, even her own mother may not remember her in the shifted reality that will be left behind.  But she’s driven by something that eclipses everything else: her recovered memories.  Now that she remembers James, she won’t stop searching until she finds him.

Where did the idea for Searching come from? 

Searching is the second book in The Fading Series. Searching takes up immediately where Fading left off, just as Leath puts her foot down inside Judaculla. 

What genre is Searching? 

Young Adult.
But – the entire series crosses genres. It’s a paranormal, dystopian, Young Adult romance mash-up. Searching is also a crossover, appealing to Young Adults and up.


Who would enjoy reading Searching? 

Fans of Fading who are waiting to find out if it’s Victor or James.
And, anyone who has ever been in love with two people at the same time.

James is sort of a two-sides-to-one-coin kind of guy. Was it difficult, writing his character? 

Definitely, but so worth it!
*sighs*
He’s drop-dead gorgeous and funny, but he hovers over dark territory. It was a challenge writing him because I wanted my readers to see what Leath sees in James. In Searching, fans will see just how deep James’s feelings for Leath go.  


And Leath’s other love interest, Victor, was it hard to write him? 

Not a bit.
*sighs again*
Victor is the definition of the perfect guy. He’s good-looking, funny, confident and charismatic. Not to mention he has an exceptionally beautiful heart. 


Who is your favorite character in Searching? 

Ever continues to be my favorite character. She’s the girl you love to hate. I think we’re all hoping that in the end, she’ll do the right thing. The problem is we lose faith in her each time she opens her mouth. As I continue writing the series -- I’m currently working on Book Three -- James is fast becoming a close second to Ever as my favorite character. I think readers will enjoy watching James’s growth from Fading to Searching to where I am now in writing the series. 

Who designed the cover of Searching? 

The talented Marya Heidel. Isn’t it stunning?!

How many books are in the Fading series?

 There will be at least 4 books in the series.

How can readers keep up with you and the Fading series? 

Anything and everything about The Fading Series can be found at Clean Teen Publishing or CindyCipriano.com.



Favorite lines from Searching

I wanted to touch him. So I did.
(page 1)

The first time I held hands with Victor Santana, it wasn't romantic. Not at all.
(page 3)

Victor's strong hand cradled mine, and he became my tether to reality.
(page 3)

His warm lips brushed against my ear as he whispered three little words. "I can wait."
(page 6)

Name: James Turner. Age: 17. Parents: Emancipated Minor.
(pages 10 - 11)

"I don't usually get this close to a girl, unless I'm going to kiss her," said the boy, giving me a playful grin.
(page 23)

When we were apart, it seemed as if all of eternity passed before I saw him again.
(page 110)

To one boy, I'd gladly give my heart. To the other, my life.
(page 130)

I wondered how long a person could live like this, so completely torn in half.
(page 130)

She could have any boy in the restaurant. Why was she falling all over mine?
(page 147)

But right now I had him. The boy of my dreams.
(page 174)

"I will never stop loving you," he said. "Not even in death."
(page 268)




Purchase Links
 Amazon US/Amazon UK/Amazon CA








 

 Cindy Cipriano lives in North Carolina with her husband, son and their 27 pets. 

Not really. 

Just three dogs who think they are children and three cats who think they are raccoons. It only seems as if they make 27. When Cindy isn't writing, she enjoys spending time with her family and the avoidance of cooking. 

Cindy's first novel, The Circle, Book One of The Sidhe, won the 2014 Moonbeam Children's Book Silver Award for Pre-Teen Fiction - Fantasy. Other titles in the series include The Choice, Book Two of The Sidhe (2015) and The Lost, Book Three of The Sidhe (2017). This seven-book series is published by Odyssey Books. 

Miller's Island Mysteries Number 1, The Case of the Toxic River (2017) is the first in her eleven-book science mystery series (Vulpine Press). Number Two, The Case of the Catalyst, will release in 2018.

Fading, the first in her Young Adult series, was published in April, 2018. (Clean Teen Publishing). Fading is the tale of first loves and the consequences of dreaming up Mr. Right.





http://xpressobooktours.com/2018/05/21/blitz-sign-up-searching-by-cindy-cipriano/




Saturday, July 21, 2018

Shelf Candy Saturday No. 255: The Sisters of the Winter Wood, by Rena Rossner



Welcome to Shelf Candy Saturday!



This is my weekly feature
showcasing beautiful covers!
It also provides information, 
if available, on their 
very talented creators!



Here's my choice for this week!





The Sisters of the Winter Wood
Rena Rossner
Hardcover, 464  pages
Redhook
September 25, 2018
Fantasy, Magical Realism



https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/37854049-the-sisters-of-the-winter-wood




My Thoughts About This Cover

I first came across this STUNNING cover on the wonderful blog, Books of Teacups, created by Anna Cuneo! You can find that post HERE

This cover strikes me as a very elegant, festive, "Christmasy" cover, although I know it has nothing at all to do with that holiday. It could be that, in addition to the elegant, festive feel of this image, the mention of the word "winter" in the title also makes me think of that beautiful holiday.

Although I do prefer silver to gold, in terms of jewelry, when it comes to book covers, I love them both! And this particular cover shows off the tones of gold SO beautifully.....

The various tones of gold, from light to dark, also give an illusion of depth and three dimensions to this image. The intertwining, gnarled branches form a beautiful, naturally-ornamented frame around the title. Woven into them are several objects that obviously have something to do with this story. At the top, an equally gnarled crown alludes to the rule of a kingdom.

Since I have read the book's synopsis, I know the golden animals are shapeshifting sisters; one is a swan, and the other, a bear. However, the fact that they're calmly standing together, instead one attacking the other, is another hint that these are not ordinary animals. Also, they seem to be discussing something.

In addition to the "Christmasy" feel to this cover, it has a magical, fairy tale feel, and a touch of whimsy, too. Is it obvious yet that I'm totally smitten? 

The font used for the title and author's name is a classic one, except that the letters "R",  "S" and "W" have been somewhat embellished. The font also contributes to the cover's overall elegance. 

The brilliant cover artist is Rebecca Yanovskaya, and the cover designer is Lauren Panepinto.

Yanovskaya graduated from the Illustration Program at Sheridan College Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning. This is a polytechnic institute that grants diplomas and degrees, and is based in Ontario, Canada. 

Yanovskaya is most likely of Russian descent, and this is noticeable in her work, which is done with a combination of ballpoint pen and gold leaf. This is quite a unique and remarkable artistic technique. A freelance illustrator, Yanovskaya has been influence by several sources, such as Pre-Raphaelite art, theatrical costuming, and neoclassical art. She creates illustrations with fantasy, science fiction, and horror elements. Some of her clients include the Royal Canadian Mint, Princessa Productions, Easton Press, and Magpie Games. She lives in Toronto, Canada.

Lauren Panepinto is a combination of many things, such as Graphic Designer, Art Director, Creative Director, writer, and teacher. 

Panepinto is currently the Creative Director of the Orbit Books division of the Hachette Book Group. She has designed covers for several client/writers, such as Iain Banks, Mira Grant, James S. A. Corey, Brent Weeks, and Gail Carriger, as well as many others.

Panepinto has also written articles on fantasy and science fiction, for ImagineFXmagazine, i09.com, Orbitbooks.net. She has also acted as judge for the Society of Illustrators in New York and L.A.

A graduate of The School of Visual Arts in NYC, she has degrees in Graphic Design and Advertising. 

I envy Lauren Panepinto not only for her diverse career, but also because she has blue hair! Lol.

It's more than obvious that these two form a dynamite team! And they're now on my evergrowing list of Favorite Cover Illustrators and Designers!!




Online Links
Rebecca Yanovskaya

 Lauren Panepinto




What do you think of 
this week's cover?
Please leave a comment
and let me know!