Treasured Thursdays: Most Treasured Angel Creek Misfit w/ Flash Giveaway

Treasured Thursday is a weekly event created by Touya over at The Reader's Garden that is all about our most treasured. We're hosting it here now, for those of you who are interested in joining us. This week, in honor of our month long appreciation of Ada Adams, author of the Angel Creek series, we're featuring our most treasured Angel Creek Misfit. 

This was so very hard for me because I love them all-they're all so awesome in their own special ways.  In the end, though, it was about who I related to the most. And for that reason, I had to choose Sophie.  I mean, she's a bookworm (so am I, obviously), she is pretty shy (I can be too) and she starts a book blog (hello, we could almost be sisters!). So yes, I chose Sophie because frankly I think she ROCKS. She may be quiet and shy and seem like a pushover but when it comes right down to it, she has the backs of everyone on her team. She may be terrified, but she'll be there anyway. And for that,I think,  you really MUST love her. 

**You can purchase ReVamped & ReAwakened for your kindle! And if you purchase one of them today, leave your order number in the comments & tomorrow morning we will draw 3 random winners to win some Angel Creek Series swag! **

Treasured Thursdays: Thanksgiving Edition

Treasured Thursday is a weekly event created by Touya over at The Reader's Garden that is all about our most treasured. We're hosting it here now, for those of you who are interested in joining me. We're changing things up a bit this week in honor of Thanksgiving and today we'll be talking about the author, series and character we're most thankful for. 

This took some major mulling for me. There are so very many wonderful authors, series and characters out there. And I'm thankful for all of them in some way or another. I will start with the easiest one for me. The character I am most thankful for (and probably always will be) is Jo March from Little Women by Louisa May Alcott. 

Jo is the first character I ever read about who I immediately felt a kinship to. She wasn't worried about her hair or her clothes, she cared about books and writing. And she, like me, would sit and read for hours, sometimes laughing or crying along with the stories.  Her story remains one of my favorites to this day and I do believe she helped cement my love of the written word. 

As for series I'm most thankful for, I'm cringing just thinking this, but it's true so I have to say it: the Twilight series by Stephenie Meyer. 

I'm not saying it's the most well-written series I've ever read or even my favorite series ever. It's about the people I've met and the ways my life has branched out because of this series that I'm really thankful for it. Twilight came into my life at a point when I had a lot of stress and worry and it helped me escape and made reading exciting again.  It was the first thing that I was so passionate about that I started a fan community on facebook. Also, I have met so many amazing people thanks to my love of Twilight. It brought me to the YA genre and in a roundabout way, to Lana and blogging. So you could say, I found what I love to do and some of my very best friends all because of this series. For those reasons,  I am definitely thankful for Twilight. 

Moving on to the author I'm most thankful for; again, this took some thought. But, this lovely lady was the very first indie author I ever dealt with and she's a gem, to put it mildly. Michelle Warren, author of the phenomenal Seraphina Parrish trilogy, is the author for which I am the most thankful. 

I will be forever thankful for Michelle Warren because not only did she create an amazing universe for us to read about in her books but she opened the door to the Indie universe to me. I am ashamed to say I had never read a book by an indie author before her so I really didn't know what to expect.  I was completely blown away by Wander Dust and made it a point to search out other indies after I finished it. Now, I'm happy to say that probably 80% of the books I enjoy the most are all written by indie authors.  If not for Michelle Warren, I wouldn't have even looked at some of my favorite books (The Hope Series by Frankie Rose, Intangible by J Meyers, the PJ Stone Trilogy by D.T. Dyllin & so many more). So, thank you again Michelle, for opening up this vast new universe to me with your superb storytelling.  

Okay, so, I honestly don't know what Mel and I were thinking. This has got to be the hardest selection I have ever done. I have been sitting here for hours, trying to figure this out. But I think I've finally got it.

...

.....

.......

.....

...

No, I don't.

Can I be honest? I don't have a character I'm most thankful for. I don't! I'm sorry. I apologize. But honestly, there are too many I care too deeply for. I can't tell you there is one character who changed my life or one who still influences me now. But I don't want to leave you guys hanging... So, my favorite character--

And you wanna know why? Because Butter is the prime underdog of the planet. He's a he (and in YA, this is hard to be), he's fat, he's not the most popular and he's not trying to fit in. I love his story more than any other I've read in the past three years (and I started three years ago, see below) and probably always will. His story broke my heart into tiny little pieces and it'll probably never be whole again. I adore this book with a passion and will always be thankful I found it. xoxo

Now...I feel like a hypocrite saying this, considering how much I bash it and make fun of it, but... But this is truth-

NO ONE HIT ME! Listen. I am not ashamed of this. I remember why I got into this series. I had seen the commercial for the movie every 5 minutes and I'd thought Edward was cute, and therefore ended up watching the movie, and then wanting to read the book, which I got as a present for Easter of 2009. Before Twilight, I didn't really "fangirl" over anything. I watched Criminal Minds and played on a website called Miniclip and Facebook and hung out with my one and only friend at the time and that was it. But when I started the Twilight Saga it gave me something to fangirl over. I'm not saying it's the best thing I've ever read and I'm not saying it's the worst. But what it did was introduce me to vampires, which sent me on a hunt to find a billion fangtastic books (Vampire Academy, Vladimir Todd, Vampire Diaries, etc.) and shows, which led me to fan pages on Facebook, which therefore led me to Mel, whom of which I don't know I would do without at this point. And The Twilight Saga opened up my mind to hundred of books and genres that I never would've went out and found on my own, which means I would never be on this blog that I love. 

So, yes. Twilight is, hands-down, the series I am most thankful for. Thank you for sharing, Stephenie Meyer.

....URGH!! Do you know how hard this is for me? Take one look at my Goodreads shelf and you'll understand. I don't obsess over specific authors often. Yes, I follow David Levithan and Julie Anne Peters and Ellen Hopkins like a creep stalker when it comes to their work, but... Ugh. Okay, I got it. The author I am most thankful for is Auntie Heather Brewer.

And the weird thing is, the only thing I've read of Heather's is her part in Dear Bully. But that tiny little short was enough to make me fall in love with her. And last month, I met her at The Tattered Cover, and just listening to her talk solidified I will forever be a minion. Whether I read Eighth Grade Bites and/or First Kill and hate them both (pfft) or not, I will always love this woman. She has got to be the sweetest person ever, and she's scarily open about her experience with being bullied, and isn't hateful about any of it. I am most thankful for her because she proves to everyone they are not alone, and her love of her minion hoard (aka: fans) is obvious and doesn't seem fake at all. 

Thank you for being there, Auntie. We love you!

Treasured Thursdays: Most Treasured BAMF Female Characters With Giveaway

Treasured Thursday is a weekly event created by Touya over at The Reader's Garden that is all about our most treasured. We're hosting it here now, for those of you who are interested in joining me. This week our topic is our most treasured BAMF (Bad Ass M*F**) female characters. 

This was so hard for us! We could never pick just one from the vast number of eligible female characters in the literary world so we decided to do a Top 5 (we each have a different #1 though..you'll see) So here you are: our Top 5 BAMF females! 

#5 -Annabeth Chase from The Heroes of Olympus series by Rick Riordan: 

Annabeth is terrified. Just when she's about to be reunited with Percy—after six months of being apart, thanks to Hera—it looks like Camp Jupiter is preparing for war. As Annabeth and her friends Jason, Piper, and Leo fly in on the Argo II, she can’t blame the Roman demigods for thinking the ship is a Greek weapon. With its steaming bronze dragon masthead, Leo's fantastical creation doesn't appear friendly. Annabeth hopes that the sight of their praetor Jason on deck will reassure the Romans that the visitors from Camp Half-Blood are coming in peace.

And that's only one of her worries. In her pocket Annabeth carries a gift from her mother that came with an unnerving demand: Follow the Mark of Athena. Avenge me. Annabeth already feels weighed down by the prophecy that will send seven demigods on a quest to find—and close—the Doors of Death. What more does Athena want from her?

Annabeth's biggest fear, though, is that Percy might have changed. What if he's now attached to Roman ways? Does he still need his old friends? As the daughter of the goddess of war and wisdom, Annabeth knows she was born to be a leader, but never again does she want to be without Seaweed Brain by her side.

Ok, Mel here, I'm going to go first. Let me tell you some of the reasons I adore Annabeth. First of all, Annabeth, daughter of Athena, ALWAYS has a plan. She is always thinking up the best course of action for any situation. Also, she's intensely loyal to those she loves. And lastly, not only is she wise, but she tempers her wisdom with compassion. She's extremely lovable but don't think that makes her weak-it will be your last mistake.

Lana here, in the other font :D *ahem*
I remember when I first started the Percy Jackson series, Annabeth was always my favorite character. I loved Grover and Percy, of course, but Annabeth was easily my favorite, and still is (she's up there with Thalia and Clarisse). I love her because she's funny and brave and loyal, and far too good for Percy (Luke/Annabeth shipper, just sayin'...). She is one of my favorite females and probably will always be.

#4-Farley Hope from The Hope Series by Frankie Rose:

Everyone has a soul

Some are just worth more than others

Farley Hope was seventeen when her mother disappeared. In the last six months not much has changed, except that her eighteenth birthday came and went and still no sign of Moira. Her life is just as complicated as it always was. Since her father died in a car crash before she was even born, she’s officially parentless, and to top it all off she’s still suffering from the hallucinations. Mind-splitting, vivid hallucinations- the kind prone to induce night terrors and leave you whimpering under your covers like a baby.

The last thing on her mind is boys. Farley is on break from St. Judes’ when she meets Daniel. It’s not some casual run in at a party, or even a blind date with friends, though. Daniel is the guy following her in his 1970′s Dodge Charger; the guy standing at her window in the LA lunch hour traffic, trying to persuade her to leave everything behind and follow him. And he's hot as all hell.

The moment Farley lays eyes on Daniel, everything changes. He is cold and withdrawn, but there are cracks in his harsh veneer- cracks that betray the secrets he is trying so hard to hide. Farley is drawn into a world that will shake apart everything she thought she ever knew. There are truths out there that she must learn: that a person’s soul is their only real currency, and there are people who would do anything to take hers; that loving someone can hurt so much more than hating them; but, most importantly, when your future is predestined, there is little you can do to change it.

Farley Hope is prophesied.

Her coming has been awaited for hundreds of years.

She is destined to end the tyranny of the Soul Reavers.

To do so she must die.

Mel here again and I'm going to be honest with you guys:  I LOVE Farley. She may be in the midst of a tremendous personal trauma but she doesn't sit around waiting for others to make everything right again. She goes out and does what she can to learn the truth.  Also, despite her ever changing life, she doesn't panic. She is calm in the face of chaos and that is truly bad ass in my opinion. 

I am reading Sovereign Hope per Mel's suggestion, and am loving every minute of it. Farley, especially. I knew from the very first chapter her and I would be good imaginary friends. She is so amazing-- Bad ass in all the right ways while not being a bitch, not a panicky girl, and she doesn't fall all over the sexy piece of yummy she has following her around. She is one of the best female characters I've read about! :D

#3-Seraphina Parrish from the Seraphina Parrish Trilogy by Michelle Warren:

Ever since her sixteenth birthday, strange things keep happening to Seraphina Parrish.

The Lady in Black… burns Sera’s memories.

Unexplainable Premonitions… catapult her to other cities.

The Grungy Gang… wants to kill her.

And a beautiful, mysterious boy… stalks her.

But when Sera moves to Chicago, and her aunt reveals their family connection to a centuries old, secret society, she is immediately thrust into an unbelievable fantasy world, leading her on a quest to unravel the mysteries that plague her. In the end, their meanings crash into an epic struggle of loyalty and betrayal, and she’ll be forced to choose between the boy who has stolen her heart and the thing she desires most.

Wander Dust is the breathtaking fantasy that will catapult you through a story of time, adventure, and love.

Mel here again-let's talk about Sera now. She is your anti-damsel in distress and that's how she wants it. She doesn't want anyone to have to rescue her-she wants to be in the action, taking care of herself and helping those she cares about any way she can. She is hilariously sarcastic and unique. Truly an original, and I just can't get enough of her story!

Sera is one of those girls that really doesn't like being rescued. She is smart and funny, and isn't stupid enough to waddle into dangerous situations and then go, "Oh, darn!" which is wonderful. And if she ever gets a little...discouraged, she A) has her reasons and B) doesn't wallow for long. She has her moment and it's over. She is witty and kick-ass, and just flat out awesome!

#2-Stasia from the Daughters of the Sea Trilogy by Kristen Day:

Once you’ve been touched by darkness, it never leaves you…

Abandoned by her parents as an infant; seventeen year old Hannah spent her childhood wading through countless foster families until being adopted by the Whitmans three years ago.

Unfortunately, Atlanta’s high society wasn’t quite ready for Hannah…or the strange events that plague her.

Chilling visions of murder, unexplained hallucinations, and a dark, mysterious guy who haunts her nightmares all culminate to set in motion a journey of self-discovery that will challenge everything she’s ever believed; not to mention her sanity.

Sent to live at The House of Lorelei on Bald Head Island, NC for ‘kids like her’, Hannah quickly realizes things are not what they seem. Her fellow ‘disturbed’ teens are actually the descendants of mythical Sea Gods and Goddesses. And so is she.

But when Finn, the ghost from her dreams, appears in the flesh; her nightmares become reality and her dark visions begin coming true. Inexplicably drawn to him, she can’t deny the dangerous hold he has on her heart. The deadly secrets he harbors will ultimately test her courage and push the boundaries of her love.

She must decide if she is ready to embrace the ancient legend she is prophesied to be a part of. The fate of all the descendants will forever depend upon it.

Mel again-let me begin by saying it was very hard for me to not put Stasia in that number one slot. She is truly bad ass in so many ways. For someone with the tragic background she's endured, she is remarkably together. She does not wallow in self pity and whine, 'why me?' . No, she is fierce and takes life as it comes, rising to meet each new challenge thrown at her. She is awesome, enough said. 

Stasia...where do I start with her... She is so amazing. The poor girl has trudged through Hell and now has a whole new destiny to deal with, but she never pouts, and she doesn't lean on Prince Charming and sigh because he will fix everything. She can handle her own, and that's what makes her special. She is definitely a wonderful character; one of my favorites :)

And now we come to the #1 spot on our list. We couldn't agree so we decided to each talk about our picks separately. 

Mel's #1-Rose Hathaway from the Vampire Academy Series by Richelle Mead:

St. Vladimir’s Academy isn’t just any boarding school—it’s a hidden place where vampires are educated in the ways of magic and half-human teens train to protect them. Rose Hathaway is a Dhampir, a bodyguard for her best friend Lissa, a Moroi Vampire Princess. They’ve been on the run, but now they’re being dragged back to St. Vladimir’s—the very place where they’re most in danger...

Rose and Lissa become enmeshed in forbidden romance, the Academy’s ruthless social scene, and unspeakable nighttime rituals. But they must be careful lest the Strigoi—the world’s fiercest and most dangerous vampires—make Lissa one of them forever. 

Ok, so many of you already know how much I LOVE the Vampire Academy series in general and Rose, the main character, in particular.  Rose is the very definition of BAMF. Her future is all about protecting her best friend and their people from the scariest evil around. She puts everything on the line,  time and time again to protect others. She is probably the most selfless teenage girl on the planet. Only once does she act selfishly and that is to fulfill a promise to the man she loves. How can you not love that?!!? She is sarcastic and aggressive but actually pretty sweet (in her own way) and simply put, a good person. She would risk EVERYTHING for those she cares about and she does again and again. And seriously, if you haven't read these books, what in the world are you waiting for???  That's it for me! Lana's turn now! 

Lana's #1-Sara Jane from Cold Fury by T.M. Goeglein:

Sara Jane Rispoli is a normal sixteen-year-old coping with school and a budding romance--until her parents and brother are kidnapped and she discovers her family is deeply embedded in the Chicago Outfit (aka the mob).

Now on the run from a masked assassin, rogue cops and her turncoat uncle, Sara Jane is chased and attacked at every turn, fighting back with cold fury as she searches for her family. It's a quest that takes her through concealed doors and forgotten speakeasies--a city hiding in plain sight. Though armed with a .45 and 96K in cash, an old tattered notebook might be her best defense--hidden in its pages the secret to "ultimate power." It's why she's being pursued, why her family was taken, and could be the key to saving all of their lives.

Action packed, with fresh, cinematic writing, Cold Fury is a riveting and imaginative adventure readers will devour.

Alright, guys. I read Cold Fury back in July, and I am still utterly obsessed with it. It is seriously one of the better books I've read all year and I am eagerly awaiting the second. And why is that? Because Sara Jane is the MOST AWESOME OF AWESOME FEMALE CHARACTERS EVER. Honest to God, she is a kick-butt kind of girl who has had the rug torn out from under her, and is still swinging! And the best part about it, is it still seems real. While she is a BAMF heroine, she is still scared and she still thinks guys are cute and she doesn't shut herself off of the world even though she's trying to save it. I adore her and I think you will, too. :)

Well there you have it folks! Our Most Treasured BAMF females! Who made your list? 
Now, because we love you guys, we decided to throw in a giveaway! 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Treasured Thursdays: Most Treasured Anthologies

Treasured Thursday is a weekly event created by Touya over at The Reader's Garden that is all about our most treasured. We're hosting it here now, for those of you who are interested in joining me. This week our topic is our most treasured anthologies.

Anthologies are one of my favorite types of books-- With so many different stories by so many different authors, it's near impossible I won't find at least one style of writing I don't like. I have several on my shelf, and on my Kindle, and I have not grown bored.

That being said, choosing a "favorite" or "most treasured" may sound like it would be difficult for me. But in all honesty, this is probably the easiest Treasured Thursdays I could ever come up with.

This book, Dear Bully, has got to be one of the most heart-wrenching and powerful books I have EVER read. 70 authors, 70 stories, straight from the heart of a topic I am very passionate about-- bullying. Victims, perpetrators, observers... You get their story.

I can't even tell you how many times I cried during this book. I can't express how my respect for these seventy people just grew with words, because I simply don't have them. This book really hit home at some times, and I probably won't ever find a book--anthology or no--that I treasure more.

This is my most treasured, what's yours?

Treasured Thursday: Most Treasured Contemporary Novel

Treasured Thursday is a weekly event created by Touya over at The Reader's Garden that is all about our most treasured. We're hosting it here now, for those of you who are interested in joining me. This week our topic is our most treasured contemporary novel.  

I am actually a little stunned we haven't done this yet. I know most of us tend to lean toward the supernatural side of YA, but aren't there any fans of high school? ...Well, in books, anyway?

I'm a fan, obviously, and I've read a LOT. Almost as many as I have read in the paranormal area. That being said, the first one that springs to mind is The Karma Club by Jessica Brody.

Madison Kasparkova always thought she understood how Karma works. Do good things and you'll be rewarded, do something bad and Karma will make sure you get what you deserve.

But when Maddy's boyfriend cheats on her, nothing bad comes his way. That's why Maddy starts the Karma Club, to clean up the messes the universe has left behind. Sometimes, though, it isn't wise to meddle with the universe.

It turns out Karma often has plans of its own.

While "Beautiful Disaster" (Jamie McGuire) is probably my new favorite book of all time, I think I've blabbed enough about it (for the day.. ;) ) so I'll blab about THIS today! The Karma Club is just a quirky, yet honest book about karma (obviously) and Maddy learning SHE was not hired to be its advocate. Definitely my most treasured!

Treasured Thursdays: Most Treasured Male Heroes

Treasured Thursday is a weekly event created by Touya over at The Reader's Garden that is all about our most treasured. We're hosting it here now, for those of you who are interested in joining me. This week our topic is our most treasured male heroes.  

This was a very easy choice for me. There is one hero who captured my attention and held it from the first moment I encountered him; Percy Jackson from Rick Riordan's Olympians series'.  He is, in my opinion, that perfect combination of funny, sweet and brave that makes it impossible to dislike him. My favorite thing about him, though is his unwavering loyalty to those he loves. He will walk through fire, go to hell and back to help someone in need. I adore him and I am eagerly awaiting the last installment of Riordan's Heroes of Olympus series, The Mark of Athena, due out next month! 

I had a couple people to choose from when I was considering choices, here. While a male protagonist is sometimes hard to find, they are all quite enjoyable. But honestly, my most treasured is probably Vladimir Tod, from Heather Brewer's Eighth Grade Bites. Vlad is a clever little twit, who very much embodies the male attitude (props to Heather, for not making Vlad sound like a girl), and gives us a new spin on vampires. I really love Vlad, and I can't wait to continue with Brewer's series!

Treasured Thursdays: Most Treasured 'I love you' 's

Treasured Thursday is a weekly event created by Touya over at The Reader's Garden that is all about our most treasured. We're hosting it here now, for those of you who are interested in joining me. This week our topic is our most treasured 'I love you' 's. Confused? Well, let me explain. You know those scenes in your favorite books when the hero or the heroine FINALLY spills how they feel? That's what I'm talking about today. 

Mine is simple, and yes, I know I'm talking A LOT about this book lately but I really do adore it. The way Daniel Montisauri confesses his feelings to Farley in Frankie Rose's Sovereign Hope is phenomenal. Since I'm flying solo for this week, I'll share the scene in it's entirety. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do. 

He fixed her in his gaze and set his jaw, his hands twitching at his sides. "You feel something for me," he said, daring her to try and deny it. 

There was no point trying to hide it now. She looked away, numb. 

"You can't feel that way about me." He lowered his voice. "It'll only get you hurt."

"Oh, come on! That's so cliche! What's that even supposed to mean?" 

"It means my life is one that prevents me from the luxury of silly romantic notions. I can't have you look at me the way you just did. I don't care what Agatha's told you, or what she thinks she knows. This isn't going to happen, okay?"

Silly romantic notions? Farley's embarrassment quickly moved aside to make room for her anger. "Agatha hasn't told me anything. None of you ever do. You're right, I do feel something for you, but don't worry. From your reaction, it's pretty clear that the feeling's not mutual. I'm not some crazy stalker. I'd appreciate it if you wouldn't flatter yourself into thinking that I'm completely head over heels in love with you. So just go!" she screamed, destroyed by his words and the feelings of rejection that coursed through her. 

"You don't understand."

"I think I do."

"No! You don't!" The hard look in his eyes morphed into something more pained and desperate. He stepped forward and grabbed her roughly by the arms, the same way he had done in the silo. 

"I sat there and watched you for months. Months! I watched you everywhere you went; I watched you when you didn't go anywhere at all! When you were so low you couldn't even leave the house. I watched the most beautiful person I'd ever seen get screwed over by the cops and have her life threatened on a daily basis without her even knowing it."

Farley stared up at him-frozen and unblinking-his words barraging her.

"How do you think I felt when I found you bleeding and broken on the floor of Aldan's room? I thought you were dead!" He stood, his eyes on fire, with something terrible strewn across his face. His voice dropped to barely more than a whisper. "We've got a war about to be unleashed here-one that I'm going to die for. One where you and I are an impossibility. So I don't get to tell you that I love you. And you don't get to look at me like that."

~Sovereign Hope by Frankie Rose-Kindle location 2808

Intense, right?? I get chills every time I read it!! Kudos to Frankie Rose! And by the way, if you guys have not read this book yet, I really don't know what you're waiting for! 

This is my most treasured, what's yours? 

Treasured Thursdays: Most Treasured Indie Authors

Treasured Thursday is a weekly event created by Touya over at The Reader's Garden that is all about our most treasured. We're hosting it here now, for those of you who are interested in joining me. This week our topic is our most treasured Indie authors! 

I thought this was going to be a very hard choice for me when Lana and I first discussed it. Honestly, there are so many wonderful Indie authors out there; how do we pick just one? So, I asked myself which characters had stuck with me the most after I put their book down? And I realized this wasn't hard at all. My most treasured Indie author is Frankie Rose, author of the highly addictive Hope series.

 I was hooked on Ms. Rose's writing from the very first sentence of Sovereign Hope; she has created the most dynamic and unique characters I've read in a while and I just adore them.  Her books are exquisitely crafted and superbly written with emotion and action; I recommend them to everyone I know who loves to read.  

Sovereign Hope is out now- available in both ebook and paperback, and the second installment, Eternal Hope is due out in October. You can check our archives for my reviews of both books. I promise you'll enjoy the ride if you decide to check them out. 

Frankie Rose was born in the United Kingdom, but now lives with her husband in sunny Australia.

She officially makes things up for a living, and when she's not doing that, she is generally making paper birds out of receipts and old lists or taking photographs that make her smile.

Follow Frankie Rose: 

Goodreads

Blog

Hope Series Facebook Fan Page

Website

Now, this was really hard for me. Even though I hadn't read an Indie Author book until recently. They scared me. Errors scare me, and for some reason, I forgot about the little thing called, "editing". Duh. Now I love them; I would much rather read something by an independent author than anything else. It makes me happy to know someone didn't come by and change the entire story because they didn't like it. 

That being said, I have been thinking about this all week. But in reality, this really wasn't that difficult, when I considered it. I have told everyone about her books, I am going to order a paperback to have on my shelf, and never let anyone touch it because her book is that good, and her characters are all wonderful. I don't hate any of them (and I always hate at least someone...). I'm talking about J Meyers.

I'm starting to sound like a broken record with how much I talk about Intangible now, aren't I? Oh, well. Maybe you will go read it then. This is a wonderful book! And Intuition (the prequel) is a cute little back story. And it's not some random "I felt like writing" story- It is mentioned in Intangible, and I love that! Everything braids together and it makes me oh so happy! J Meyers is definitely my most treasured :)

J. Meyers grew up in Vermont and now lives in Central New York. When she's not reading or writing, she's chasing her four kids around, exploring the outdoors with them, relishing the few quiet moments she gets with her husband, baking sweet treats, and forgetting to make dinner. Though she cannot actually see the future nor heal with a touch of her hand, she likes to think her children believe she can. Intangible is her first novel.

Find J on her:
Blog
Facebook
Goodreads
Twitter

Treasured Thursdays: Our Most Treasured Covers

Treasured Thursday is a weekly event created by Touya over at The Reader's Garden that is all about our most treasured. I'm hosting it here now, for those of you who are interested in joining me. This week our topic is our most treasured covers! 

This was hard. I mean, really, really hard for me to decide. There are SO many beautiful covers out there. However, I  thought back to a cover that made me buy the book without glancing at the inside flap. And that narrowed it down quite a bit. Out of all the lovely covers in my collection, my most treasured is White Cat by Holly Black.  Just look at that cover, the glossy black background with the handsome young man on the cover, you may not be able to see his eyes, but you can tell he's arresting. The black ensemble makes him look menacing not only to the cat in his arms but to anyone who crosses him. I HAD to buy this book, I really didn't have a choice. And I was so very happy with my purchase! If you haven't read these books, go NOW and get them and step into a new kind of 'family business' story. 

Cassel comes from a family of Curse Workers - people who have the power to change your emotions, your memories, your luck, by the slightest touch of their hands. And since curse work is illegal, they're all criminals. Many become mobsters and con artists. But not Cassel. He hasn't got magic, so he's an outsider, the striaght kid in a crooked family. You just have to ignore one small detail - he killed his best friend, Lila, three years ago.

Cassel has carefully built up a facade of normalcy, blending into the crowd. But his facade starts to crumble when he finds himself sleepwalking, propelled into the night by terrifying dreams about a white cat that wants to tell him something. He's noticing other disturbing things too, including the strange behavior of his two brothers. They are keeping secrets from him. As Cassel begins to suspect he's part of a huge con game, he must unravel his past and his memories. To find out the truth, Cassel will have to outcon the conmen.

All right, Mel, you think you had issues? Au contraire, I do believe I was having just as bad an issue as you. 

But be honest, here, how many pretty covers are there? Everybody! Can you pick just one? Especially when beauties like "Hush, Hush", "Nightshade (original cover, TYVM)", "The Adoration of Jenna Fox (paperback)", and "Thirst Vol. 1" are out there? This is HARD. 

But the one that made me pick it up, and buy it, and then go, "Now, what's this about again...?" is definitely 'The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer'. I think I'd seen people talking about it before, but it never really sunk in, and I'll admit, I took forever to even pick it up... But God. I'm not even half-way through, and I am completely drawn in! Hodkin's writing is plain hypnotizing! I cannot wait to read more! :D 

Thank the Lord for pretty covers...

Mara Dyer doesn't think life can get any stranger than waking up in a hospital with no memory of how she got there.

It can.

She believes there must be more to the accident she can't remember that killed her friends and left her mysteriously unharmed.

There is.

She doesn't believe that after everything she's been through, she can fall in love.

She's wrong.