Monday, September 26, 2011

YA DEBUT OF THE MONTH: Interview + Giveaway: The Mephisto Covenant author Trinity Faegen!



HI! This is Roshini, and today we have author Trinity Faegan, whose book is this month’s YA Debut of the Month! The Mephisto Covenant is Trinity’s first YA book, AKA her debut into this amazing genre! Thank you for visiting, Trinity! Could you tell us a little about your novel?
I am so humbly honored that you chose The Mephisto Covenant as YA Debut of the Month! Thank you! As for the book, here’s a wee blurb:
A descendant of the daughter of Eve, born before Original Sin, Sasha falls in love with Jax, a son of the dark angel, Mephistopheles, then discovers she alone can save him from Hell, but only if she gives up mortality and her birthright of certain Heaven to join him and his brothers in a war to save mankind’s free will.

Where did you get the magnificent idea for your book?
Several years ago, someone very close to me was the victim of sexual assault. I thought a lot about evil – why does it exist? Are all humans capable of evil? A story formed, one that would be the ultimate good vs. evil tale, and while I was searching for the best way to tell it – should there be angels, or demons, or some other supernatural creatures – I dreamed of these guys who are neither angel nor demon, but a little of both. I’d love to think the dream was divine, but in truth, probably just my subconscious sorting things out. I will say, it blew me away, and when I woke up, it wasn’t long before I’d imagined the details of the mythology of the Mephisto.

Where do you usually write? 
I use a spare bedroom of my house as my office. I’ll show you a photo of my desk, which is messy with bulletin boards, covered with a thousand memories, but will spare you the bookshelves. They’re scary!

Was there a reason for the setting of the book? Have you been to Colorado before?
I’ve been in love with Colorado since I was a very small child. We went there on vacations, several times, and in high school, my family went camping and fishing in the San Juan mountains. In college, friends and I went skiing there. Now, as an adult, I love those mountains because they’re breathtaking, but also because they’re a part of my history. There’s magic in the San Juans! And Telluride is quaint, charming, and so lovely.

Will there be more to this novel or is it a stand-alone, because I’m craving more of the story!
This is the first of a series, but it is stand-alone. No cliffhanger! The second book, which will be out in Fall 2012, will feature a different Mephisto brother and another Anabo. As for a third, it’s not contracted yet, but I remain hopeful this one will sell well enough that Egmont will want to publish more. In publishing, you never know!

Could give us a book recommendation?
Have you read Simone Elkeles’s Perfect Chemistry series? The third, Chain Reaction, was just released. I’m dying to get caught up so I can take a day off and read it! They’re definitely romances, but they also speak to some very big issues. I’m also a huge fan of Heather Brewer’s Vlad Tod books, starting with Eighth Grade Bites.  I also have to put in a word for the Class of 2K11 books. I’ve read all of them, and they’re all wonderful in their own, unique, amazing way. For a list, with blurbs, check out the website.

Give us an inanimate object that describes you. How?
A coffee cup. For one thing, I’m a total coffee addict, but metaphorically, sometimes I’m hot, sometimes cold, sometimes fresh, sometimes day-old, sometimes filled to the brim with warmth and flavor, and other times drained to the bottom, and all that’s left are grounds.

If you could go into a book world, where would you go?
If I didn’t have to stay forever, because I do love creature comforts like toilets and running water and penicillin, I’d go into the world of Jane Austen – Regency England. Those were interesting times, not only for society, but inventions and discoveries.

Could you give aspiring writers a pep talk…kidding…but, really, what should writers who want to get published do? What kind of attitude should they have?
Oh, my – I’m the Queen of Pep Talks! Celebrate every success, no matter how insignificant it may seem. Enjoy the process, because if it’s sucking the soul out of you, why do it?
I was moderately successful as an adult fiction author, then hit a dry spell. I amicably parted ways with my agent and began searching for a new one. I queried over 100 agents. In between, I revised and rewrote Mephisto, each time taking into account the feedback I’d received. I’d been in correspondence with Meredith Bernstein, someone I admired, respected and liked very much. She called after I sent her yet another revised version and said, “You know this still isn’t there, don’t you?” Okay, yeah, I did know it. I was just SO anxious to get this book out there to publishers, worried the premise would be sold by someone else and I’d hear the dreaded, “We just bought a similar book.” So I hadn’t done what I knew in my heart I had to do. I expressed my fears to her and she said, “It doesn’t matter. This is your book, as only you can tell it. You know what it needs to be right, because you’re a good writer. Do what you have to do and when you know it’s right, send it to me again.”
I started over. I rewrote the entire book – same story, different dress. I was still querying other agents – never put all your eggs in one basket – and with the rewritten Mephisto, I had 3 offers of representation, plus one who said she’d take it if I’d cut out the sex scene. In the end, I chose Meredith, and she sold Mephisto in three weeks, at auction. The whole process, from the original idea, to sale, took four years. There were so many times I wanted to give up and start a new project, but I couldn’t. I love this project SO much, and now that it’s about to be released, there are no words to adequately express my joy. But it wouldn’t be happening if I’d let those agents who said no cause me to give up. Never, ever, ever give up. If you want it bad enough, if you work hard enough, you’ll meet your dreams.

Thank you sooo much for joining us, Trinity! I really enjoyed your book, and I know more people will love your book as much as me!
I’m so grateful for the warm welcome, and your lovely words – thank you!

AUTHOR BIO:
Trinity Faegen

Trinity Faegen wasn’t always a writer. She had an illustrious career as a Campus Cop in college, led many children astray as a camp counselor, and decorated Christmas trees for sweet, and notsosweet, little old ladies. She loves metal and rock, the Rocky mountains, chocolate cake and college football. She hates sappy stuff and hypocrites. Mostly, though, she loves to write.

Trinity lives in the outback of Texas with her husband and a mean cat. If you’d like to share camp stories, or ask Trinity why she’s ruining her hearing by listening to metal on headphones, write to her at:  trinity@trintiyfaegen.com






Purchase on Amazon.com |Barnes & Noble | IndieBound |Egmont USA | Borders

GIVEAWAY! (SIGNED hardcover of The Mephisto Covenant by Trinity Faegen
Rules:
Not international...sorry author/publisher sponsored.
ENDS: October 12th, 2011
13 Years or Older!!!
There are extra entries, many of them: add links when applicable!

Review: The Mephisto Covenant by Trinity Faegen (YA DEBUT of the MONTH: September)

Book: The Mephisto Covenant, The Redemption of Ajax
Author: Trinity Faegen
Publishing Date: September 27, 2011
Publisher: EgmontUSA
Pages: 448
Recommended: Ages 14 Up
Source: ARC From author to feature for YA Debut of Month

Summary:
Sasha is desperate to find out who murdered her father. When getting the answer means pledging her soul to Eryx, she unlocks a secret that puts her in grave danger—Sasha is Anabo, a daughter of Eve, and Eryx’s biggest threat.

A son of Hell, immortal, and bound to Earth forever, Jax looks for redemption in the Mephisto Covenant—God’s promise he will find peace in the love of an Anabo. After a thousand years, he’s finally found the girl he’s been searching for: Sasha.
With the threat of Eryx looming, Jax has to keep Sasha safe and win her over. But can he? Will Sasha love him and give up her mortal life? (Via Goodreads)

Review:
With amounts of action and romance that'll get you off your feet, The Mephisto Covenant is a book you CANNOT miss! This novel is spectacular with twists, and incredible characters.
When Elise first sent me the novel to review and feature as the YA Debut Book of the Month, I was utterly hyped up to get the chance to read and review it. The second that book started, it had me enthralled! I can tell you for sure that all of my hype for the book certainly did not go to waste. It had all kinds of characters, some you hated with a passion, others you thought were perfection, and last but not least, the people who you cried for. Okay, yeah I cry very easily, so when something bad happens in a book, non the less a movie, I start crying. The Mephisto Covenant had writing that is worth way more than paying those dollars to buy yourself a copy tomorrow, scratch that, today. Trinity Faegen brought life to these characters, this universe where the concept of Mephistos and Anabos is mind-catching. I truly did love the main concept of the book; to be a lover from such different worlds. Sasha, an Anabo, daughter of Eve and Jax, the son of hell! Sasha must accept Jax for who he is and love him enough to stay with him forever so God will be able to here his Mephisto soul. There was only a small downfall to the whole book; Sasha's indecisiveness. At some parts I almost wanted to yell, "Just stick with a decision, women!" That really didn't take much away from the book though, it was kind of refreshing from main characters who say they love a guy the second they lay eyes on them...not that I'm saying True love at first sight is not possible...in fact that's something every girl like me dreams about....awkward....*cough*...Um yeah...back to the awesomeness of the book. The Mephisto Covenant is buy me right now and read til the end kinda book that MUST be read! The story is something that you will never be able to forget and will want more of. I CANNOT wait for the next in this series! Notice the extensive use of capital letters, must mean the book is really incredible!


Cover Thoughts:
The girl on the cover with the gorgeous dress is probably Sasha! I love the way black creates a dazzling cover color for the book and the color itself fits the story so well. The font it utterly magnificent, you can stare at the cover for a day after finishing reading the book itself. The cover is artistically beautiful!


Rating:
5/5 Stars for an awesome Paranormal Romance read!










TBR book: Goodreads: The Mephisto Covenant


-ROSHINI

Touch by Jus Accardo: WIn Contest

Jus Accardo is hosting a contest for one ARC at her blog! 
http://www.jusaccardo.com/2011/09/wanna-read-touch-before-november-1st-enter-to-win-an-arc/

Awesome book! Go check out the contest!

-ROSHINI

Saturday, September 24, 2011

The Premiere: Book Blogger Interviews (BBI): Elise, Bookish Delights



The Premiere of BBI! Today is the special day that I will have the first ever interview for Book Bloggers Interviews! To honor the founder, in a sense, of Bookish Delights I asked Elise to be the first blogger interviewed! She agreed! So......today we have Elise from Bookish Delights for interview.

THANK YOU SOOO MUCH FOR DOING THIS, ELISE!!!!

What brought you to creating Bookish Delights and what inspired the name?


I wanted to share my love for books with other book lovers, so I created Bookish Delights. Bookish Delights started as a book giveaway blog back in May 2010. The blog then expanded as a YA book review site and also author interviews were featured, etc. Then I got more book reviewers who have also helped to expand Bookish Delights with other memes, features, graphic designs, etc. Before creating this blog, I would giveaway or donate books to those in need, since I enjoyed helping others. I gave books to cancer patients, to foster kids, foster homes, libraries, the salvation army, those less fortunate who couldn't afford to buy books. I also acted as an independent advocate for my town's public library (who was very limited in funding) and requested many books for young adults and children, which our library received via donation. With the creation of my blog Bookish Delights, I was able to reach a wider group of people online who enjoyed reading books but didn't have the extra funding to buy books. The name Bookish Delights was inspired by my love for both books and desserts, so I thought this name worked well. Books were like my bookish dessert.


Give us a little background on you.


I have always loved to read books. I enjoy reading almost any genre. My favorite is probably historical fiction. I am a recent college graduate. Aside from books, I love to travel, play sports, play with my dogs, watch movies, and discover new great restaurants. Bookish Delights is the first blog I've ever created, so I'm not as computer savvy as others, but I'm still learning. I enjoy sharing my bookish interests with other people and like to procrastinate by visiting other great book blogs.


What makes you jump around the house when you see it on the blog?

What makes me jump around the house is seeing comments on my blog. It shows that people are taking the time to read posts and like what they see, so they comment. Also when authors contact me to have their book reviewed on my site.


In your opinion, what is the best part of Bookish Delights?

The best part of Bookish Delights, in my opinion, is using it as a bookish platform to spread awareness about important issues/causes. So giving back in any way I can the best thing for me. An example is when I was a part of spreading Autism awareness on my blog. I reviewed an autism book, and had giveaways of autism books. I also had a blog post about autism statistics, factual information, and posted videos about autism so people could learn more about this disorder. I have close relatives that are autistic so I was glad to use my blog in a positive way about something I care about.


What do you think the best thing a blogger can give to their readers is?

I think the best thing a blogger can give to their readers is their honest opinion (whether it is favorable or not) about the subject they are discussing, whether it be books, movies, food, etc.


Where do you like to write your posts?

I like to write my posts in my room, but after my computer crashed, I have to go to the library to use the computer to make my posts.


What was the most challenging part of making a blog and getting it to higher levels? 


The most challenging part of making the blog was the technical stuff, like adding functions to the blog, like gfc, an email subscription, an rss feed, etc. Also learning how to make the blog visually appealing and set up like a book blog. It wasn't hard to gain followers since my blog did start as a giveaway blog.
ROCKY ROAD


If you could describe yourself with a flavor, what would it be and why?


I would probably choose a flavor of ice cream, so rocky road, since my life has always been a little rough and a struggle.

If you could travel through time, where would you go?


I would probably travel to the 1920s when the flapper lifestyle was popular, and prohibition was going on and speakeasys were the spot to be. It sounds like fun and a little dangerous.


If you had the chance to change one thing on your blog, without having to pay one cent, what would it be?

I would probably change the visual appearance of the blog (since before I had it a plain blogger template which was boring), although Roshini has been great on starting to change the design layout and graphics! Thanks Roshini! The blog redesign is coming out great!


What is the best YA book and YA cover so far?

The best YA book in my opinion is probably The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho (I think its for all ages though). It's about following your dreams which is a timeless book that you can always turn to again and again. I don't have a favorite YA cover. That is a tough one. There are so many great ones out there and they keep getting better and better!




Thanks for the interview Roshini! I had a fun time answering the questions. 


Your welcome! I had so much fun doing this interview! Now, people have a chance to know more about a book blogger like you!


Are YOU a book blogger? Do you want to get interviewed? Then sign up at this link:

I hope you enjoyed this interview! I'll be back soon with another interviewee! Adios!

-ROSHINI



Camilla Chafer's Unruly Magic Giveaway Blitz


Hope this shows up fixed now!!!





SCHEDULE
Sept 22nd
Sept 23rd



Giveaway blitz on all of these sites! Offering 1-2 copies of Unruly Magic on each site! Scroll down for my giveaway! Awesome book filled with witchcraft and everything else awesome in the world!



A quiet little town where everything is far from normal.
A fractured witch council threatening to tear the supernatural world apart.
Life hasn't been easy for novice witch Stella but small town life seems to be agreeing with her. When a frightened young woman appears in Stella's house and begs for her protection, Stella is pulled into a dangerous game where she'll need both her magic and her wits to unravel the secrets that surround her.
Just what is her new home town's big mystery? Is Stella's new charge really on the run from the Council or is she a dangerous murderer ready to manipulate her way to freedom? And with old friends and new seemingly ready to help, who can Stella trust when she's not even all that sure that they don't have their own agenda.
With bewitching friends and two super-sexy mysterious men by her side, Stella must uncover dangerous truths, fast, before she ends up paying the ultimate price.

Camilla Chafer
Author bio:
Hi, I'm Camilla and I'm the author of Illicit Magic and Unruly Magic, the first two books in the Stella Mayweather Paranormal Series. The series starts with a lonely young English woman, Stella, who has been caught up in a terrifying witch hunt and is whisked thousands of miles away to what she thinks is safety to learn her craft. The series is a blend of magic and mystery with a splash of romance and a dash of humour - and while the girls really do go all out to save themselves, there's always a hunky guy or two on hand to help them out.

I live in London, UK but I try to travel as often as I can - lately I've been to Paris, all over Denmark, Luxembourg, and several US states. In my day job I'm a journalist and editor so I write for magazines, newspapers and websites throughout the world (my favourite assignment was spending a week riding rollercoasters - if you listen carefully you can probably still hear me screaming).

Pick up the book at Amazon, Amazon UK, Smashwords, and Barnes & Noble
Check out the book and author's sites at Goodreads, Facebook, and Twitter.
Don't forget to go to the author's website to read the first chapter and a deleted scene on the downloads page.mazon UK contemporary fantasy Top 10 bestsellling Stella Mayweather series.





-ROSHINI

Monday, September 19, 2011

Joined: 2011 Spooktacular October Paranormal Reading Challenge

I've joined an awesome Reading Challenge!


October Paranormal Reading Challenge
So I have to read at least three paranormal books for the challenge! Any suggestions? Signs ups are open til October 7th! Click on button to sign up! Awesome challenge! There will be prizes!

-ROSHINI

Friday, September 16, 2011

Cover Reveal: Insurgent by Veronica Roth (Divergent 2)

The cover for Divergent #2, otherwise known as Insurgent has been released!!! I know that I'm super excited and Brynne who reviewed the book is also super excited! What do you guys think about? Love it? Hate it? In between? I absolutely love it!!!!!!!!!!!!

....P.S. I feel embarrassed that for the first fifteen seconds I didn't know that the tree was a symbol of Amity...

-Roshini!!!
Photobucket
Once again...SQUEE!!!!!

Wednesday, September 14, 2011

Tour: Giveaway and Review: Monarch by Michelle Davidson Argyle

Book: Monarch
Author: Michelle Davidson Argyle
Publisher: Rhemalda Publishing
Published: (Today!) September 15, 2011
Acquired: ARC for Tour from Publisher
Page Count: 341


Summary:
Nick's life as a CIA spy should be fulfilling, but it has only given him unhappiness, a wife who committed suicide, and two daughters who resent everything he has become. Now, stuck in the Amazon on the last mission of his career, he must track down Matheus Ferreira, a drug lord and terrorist the United States has tried to bring down for years. If he succeeds, he'll have the chance to start his life over again. Just when he's on the brink of catching Ferreira, he's framed for a murder that turns his world upside down. His only chance of survival lies in West Virginia, where Lilian Love, a woman from his past, owns the secluded Monarch Inn. He's safe, but not for long. (Via Goodreads)






REVIEW:


Thrillers have always been a touchy ground for me to delve into. At first, after requesting Monarch, I was frightened by what the outcome of me reading it would be. I have to say though, that it was one the best thrillers I've EVER read. Territories apart from my comfort zone crash straight to disaster, but this book proved that wrong very strongly.
Miss Argyle created a thriller novel that was truly an epitome of all the thriller novels I read. She had action and the characters were soo real! Each character was very intense and they all went through metamorphous, just like a monarch butterfly. Especially Nick-the main character of the novel. 
The novel is thriller, and like most thrillers it has an intricate plot and a twist entwined into it. Though this does make it like most thrillers, the twist itself separates Monarch from most trite thrillers. I loved the way the book worked out and I want to read more!
COVER THOUGHTS:
I have to say, wow! Creepy much? A dead body with monarch wings, wrapped in a plastic wrap with a tag that has the author's initials on it. I shivered when I first got a good look at the cover of Monarch. Definite points towards the scare factor!
RATING:
4.5/5
You should go out and buy it today! It comes out today! (September 15th)


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:



Michelle is a mother, artist, and writer 
who lives in the Rocky Mountains with 
her sword-wielding husband and 
energetic daughter. She writes contemporary, literary, and fantasy fiction. To date she has released two novels,Cinders and Monarch. The Breakaway will be released in 2012 and Bonded will be released in 2013.
















Buy the Book: Compare your Prices


Giveaway: A print copy of Monarch sponsored by Rhemalda Publishing. The info will be sent to the publisher who will send the winner the book! The giveaway ends October 5th




-ROSHINI

Tuesday, September 13, 2011

Tour: Character Interview + Giveaway: Signs of Martha by Sarah Raymond


Signs of Martha by Sarah Raymond September 12th - September 17th

Picture

Monday, September 12: Cyndi at Dog-Eared and Bookmarked (Author This or That)
Tuesday, September 13: Amber and Melissa at Me, My Shelf and I (When I’m Not Writing)
Wednesday, September 14: ROSHINI at Bookish Delights(Character Interview: Tammy Mills)
Thursday, September 15: Christie at The Fiction Enthusiast (Author Book Picks)
Friday, September 16: Ashley at Books from Bleh to Basically Amazing (Character This or That: John)
Saturday, September 17: All Reviews


Sarah Raymond: Author


Martha, 16, longs to escape pressures to conform to her community and quirky family, and dreams of big-city fame as an artist. Velvet, a local signpainter for agri-business, gives Martha a chance. With an agenda of her own, Velvet urges Martha to create honest messages that will win her an acceptance into art college. To Velvet’s delight, Martha builds a collection of hand-painted, slanderous road signs that badmouth their community. But as soon as the exhibit is mounted, Velvet is gone, the neighbours are outraged, and Martha is forced to make difficult decisions about friends, family and about making art. (Via Goodreads) 






Today, visiting Bookish Delights, we have Tammy Mills a character from Signs of Martha by Sarah Raymond. I am so excited to have Tammy come over and answer a few of my questions for all of you guys! I'm going to hand this over to Tammy to introduce herself! Everyone say hi!

Well hi, I'm Tammy Mills, a friend of Martha's. Actually I'm better friends with Leanne, but she likes Martha so I'm kind of stuck with both of them. Notstuck, exactly, I don't mean it that way....

So, is it vanilla, chocolate, or another?

I loveabsolutely anything cold and frozen that winds up in my mouth. You could dishup anything--strawberry, too--out of that box of neocosmopolitan icecream and I'd say thank you very much.

Enough of the food questions, let's get on to the real deal.

Why do you think you play as role in the story?

I can't say I read the whole book because I'm not much of areader-type, but Leanne gave me the main idea of what happened. I figured outright away how come I got put into the story. It's so that someone could lookkind of dumb and innocent next to Martha and Leanne. So that Martha could seeherself as smarter. But what's smart about what she did, making all them signs?Personally, I feel that keeping your mouth shut tight and going along with themain crowd is the smart thing. So if I got put in the book to show someone whojust follows the leader and doesn't think a whole lot for herself, then I don'tcare. Because I think that's the way to go. Don't you?

What type of attitude do you have and what do you expectout of others?

Attitude?I don't have attitude and I know what you mean by attitude. That girl VelvetRudder--now she's got attitude with that holier that thee or thou or whateverattitude. But I'm fine with pretty much anybody, not that I might care to go ona cruise ship and drink Margharitas with all of them. I figure people areeither "normal" or a little cuckoo. Normal is good and the others,well, they're good for a laugh, anyway.

What do you want from life, and what is your goal in the book?

Same as everybody. In life I want a job. Nothing too hard, but one that pays the billsso I can have a beer or two with the girls on Saturday night and buy some nicethings like them fuzzy slippers shaped like rabbits, which I saw and likedright away. I want to get married in a church and have about two hundred peopleand for no fights to break out later in the evening. I'm not sure who the groom would be, but let's just say there's someone at the hockey rink I don't mindlooking at.

You are stranded, on a place with no access to much of anythingexcept for water and one type of veggie. What would you have with you and why?

That's easy. I'd choose french fries. If you don't think that counts as a vegetable, then I'd drink a lot of water until maybe Leanne showedup with something decent to eat.

Thank you, Tammy! It was great to have you over to answer some questions for the interview! I know that a lot of people will want to read the book now! That's why there is a giveaway for my copy of the book I received! Since Sarah Raymond has graciously sent the book over to me to review and feature, it would be nice to help her out and pass it on. If you do win the book, please try to review it too!


Book Trailer:

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4800885.Sarah_Raymond
Can't wait for it? Compare your prices here and buy it!

GIVEAWAY: ENDS OCTOBER 1ST!!!!!


-Roshini

Sunday, September 11, 2011

9/11: Ten Years Later


Ten Years Later. Ten years later, we can still feel the difference in which the terrorist attack changed our lives. Bookish Delights wants to take this second in which you are reading this post to honor the victims of the attack.  Though the attack itself barely had any thought in mind when it happened since I was so young then, it still resonates in my head. Thank you for taking the time to read this post in remembrance.

-Roshini

Saturday, September 10, 2011

Tour Coming Up: Earth (Elemental #1)

There will be a really fun tour coming up on October 25th. A Tale of Many Reviews is hosting a promotional book blog tour for the first book in this YA series, Earth (Elemental #1), by Shauna Granger. The promotion is in honor of the second book, Air (Elemental #2), which is set to release October 31 ~ yes, Halloween! Each participant will receive an ebook copy (no prints) of Earth (Elemental #1) to review! Bookish Delights is already a part of the tour, but there are still spots open. TO JOIN THE TOUR, click on the previously shown link to A Tale of Many Reviews.

  Shayna and her two best friends have the abilities to manipulate and control the four elements, earth, air, water and fire. While learning to hone their growing powers, they discover a new and malicious presence in their sleepy beach town. Someone is performing blood magic and threatens to expose their small magical community. So far only small animals have been slaughtered, but then the nightmares start. Shayna suffers nightmares of being chased and sacrificed only to wake up bloodied and bruised. She thinks her magical blood is the ultimate target for the final blood rite. When an innocent girl, Tracy, is kidnapped Shayna knows it’s only a ploy to draw her out; she can’t let someone die because of her.

-ROSHINI