Thursday, June 30, 2011

Blog Hop Lovin'

It's that time of the week for a little bloggy blog lovin' with...
Book Blogger Hop
Hosted by Jen

Every week there's a new question, and it's a great way to get to meet new bloggers!

What keeps you reading beyond the first few pages of a book, and what makes you want to stop reading a book and put it back on the shelf?"

I really think, for me, what keeps me reading, is different every time. Really it just used to be my  neurotic behavior that dictated I finish EVERY book I started...I then one day realized how stupid that was to force myself. So know I think I just have to feel it. The characters, the setting, the voice, the flow...all of it.
The one sure way to make me put it back on the shelf, and submit to defeat, is when the writer just gives me way too much description. I mean don't get me wrong I love a good mental picture as much as the next person, but that is what my imagination is for. Otherwise I would have just stuck to watching a movie. Having to read through all the little, mundane details bores me and takes the fun out of imagining things for myself. And after all isn't that what reading is all about...imagination?!


What have we been up to this week?

~Darkfallen reviews one of the best Paranormal YA books she has ever read Winter's Shadow
~ We spent a week with Greta and Urban Fantasy with her reviews of:
 A Brush Of Darkness
Halfway To The Grave
StormFront (Dresdin Files #1)
Magic Bites (Kate Daniels #1)
Angel of Vengeance
~ Greta gets serious and squeeful with Between Here and Forever
~ Darkfallen does what she does best in this weeks Teaser Tuesday
~ We celebrated a new book in this weeks Book Birthday Shout Out
(a awesome new meme hosted by the fabulous Bewitched Bookworms, you should join in!)
~Find out what has us on pins and needles with Waiting on Weds
~ Welcome to the winner's circle Spellbound Edition
~ Squeetasim GIVEAWAY kickoff!! Win a signed copy of Darkfallen's new fav book Winter's Shadow & book inspired necklace!!!


Have a great weekend...









Signed Copy of Winter's Shadow & Winter's Necklace GIVEAWAY!!

So everyone knows I love to read...
But do you know why?
I'll skip all the boring parts and lets just say:

Once there was a girl named Kaycee, and she hated to read. Wouldn't open a book to save her life. Seriously she would rather die then read a book! Then one day she gave in and picked up Eclipse...that's right she skipped the first 2 and went right for Eclipse.
And then....

Darkfallen was born.

What does this have to do with a giveaway you ask?
Hang in there you'll see;)

I have always had a strong passion for writing. While most people read books I guess, I was writing them. Now that I have combined my passion for writing with reading & reviewing...
This book..
The one your about to have a chance to win...
Is why!!

Winter's Shadow is by far, hands down, one of the BEST paranormal YA books I've read.....

EVER!!!

From a writers point of view or from a readers point of view, no matter how you slice it this book is nothing short of amazing. In fact amazing probably is an understatement.

To see my review of Winter's Shadow click here!

M.J. Hearle hit this one out of the park, the ball is never to be found again!!
In fact one might venture to say that this new paranormal kid on the block just bumped Mrs. Meyer to the little leagues....

*gasp*
*Greta slaps hand over Darkfallen's mouth*
*Darkfallen bites Greta*
What? I'm just sayin...

Thanks to the Aussie wonderment that is M.J. Hearle we have a signed copy of Winter's Shadow up for grabs!
But wait there's more!!
Seeing how moved I was by this book I decided to spice it up even more!

What can be better than a signed copy Darkfallen?
How about book inspired jewelry?!?!?

Yep yep that's right, not only will one lucky winner get a signed copy of the book, they will also get their very own necklace inspired by Winter's necklace in the book!!

WOW I see you got feeling all crafty *winks*
Sure did, but I've grown attached so you might have to pry it from my hands. Lolz

Sorry about the pic..I learned that I do NOT have a career in photography anytime soon;)
The necklace is on a silver chain and the pendant is an emerald green swarovski crystal, just like the one Winter wears!!

Oh yea...and this little baby is 1 month old today!!!

Rules Schumles:

1.) You must be wandering around the wastelands talking to yourself, somewhere.
(In other words you must be a follower)

2.) Remember momma always said that it's nice to share, and sharing is caring!
(Please tweet about this post for extra points!)

3.) For those of you that are currently signed up for the Bloggerhood tour of this book you will be automatically entered.

4.) This contest is open to US, Canada, & Europe.

5.) And last but most important to enter you have to fill out the form HERE!!!

This contest will be open until Midnight on July 8th!!

Until next time...



Angel of Vengeance

Title: Angel of Vengeance: The Novel that Inspired the TV Show Moonlight
Author: Trevor Munson
Published: 2011
Synopsis from Goodreads


The novel that inspired the TV series Moonlight puts a twist on the classic Dracula vampire tale and blends it with Chandler hardboiled P.I. detective fiction.

LA-based P.I. and vampire Mick Angel has been hired by a beautiful red-headed burlesque dancer to find her missing sister. But the apparently simple case of a teenage runaway is soon complicated by drug dealers, persistent cops, murder, and Mick’s own past. Mick must learn the hard way what every vampire should know - nothing stays buried for ever, especially not the past.
















This book was FANGTASTIC!!

Finally! Something that is so awesome I want to sick my teeth so deeply into it that I come back with a fang missing just because I just didn't want to give it up.

You don't have to be a Moonlight Fan to enjoy this story. No sir re bobby! You don't even need to know what Moonlight is to enjoy it. It explains everything perfectly.

While this book is based on the series it was actually written before the series and just recently published.

Like all books and shows they both have their differences.

A major one is in the book Mick is a whole lot darker, wears a fedora, chain smokes, was a smack addict in the past, he has to be invited inside a house to do hypnotic things to people, he can't go out in the sunlight at all, and only takes his blood by a needle (usually).


I remember Mick shooting up a couple times but I also remember him drinking it from a cup. Am I wrong about that?

There is no Josef, (waaaaaa!) or any other side characters from the show (like the Cleaner or that video game vampire dude, or that morgue guy) but Coraline (who is Mick's love interest in the past and transforms him into a vampire in the show) is mentioned a lot in flashbacks about how Mick became a vampire. (and it's not the story you think)

Now, BETH (Mick's love interest in the show) is hinted at but again... not like you think. I really hope that these books are continued because THAT would have to be the next book.



The book:

We journey into the world of vampire P.I. Mick Angel. He takes on a case involving a missing 14 year old girl. Throughout the story we meet a variety of people and in a Pulp Fiction kind of way it will make you want to read the book twice just so you can catch on to little tidbits you might have missed in the beginning.



I seriously loved it. Like I said... it's a lot darker than the series but that's what made it so awesome. I also enjoyed that this was written by a man. (gasp!) You could tell he really wanted to give Mick a MAN'S MAN feel and not a "I want to know you feelings" kinda vampire feel (not that anything is bad about vampire feelings. I love them too.).



I think MEN would enjoy this book and if the series had been done the way the book had been done then I think that more men would have been in the audience.

I definitely recommend this book. It's a quick read but well worth it. I bet I'll read it again and again.




Welcome to the Winner's Circle: Spellbound Edition

The time as come...
Another giveaway comes to an end.....

ahhh come one don't cry!
There will be more, I promise;)


And the winner is....

Congratulations!!!
Woot Woot!
Oh Yea!


Until Next Time....



Wednesday, June 29, 2011

Magic Bites (Kate Daniels #1)

Title: Magic Bites
Author: Ilona Andrews
Published: 2007
Synopsis from Goodreads


Atlanta would be a nice place to live, if it weren’t for magic .





One moment magic dominates, and cars stall and guns fail. The next, technology takes over and the defensive spells no longer protect your house from monsters. Here skyscrapers topple under onslaught of magic; werebears and werehyenas prowl through the ruined streets; and the Masters of the Dead, necromancers driven by their thirst of knowledge and wealth, pilot blood-crazed vampires with their minds. In this world lives Kate Daniels. Kate likes her sword a little too much and has a hard time controlling her mouth. The magic in her blood makes her a target, and she spent most of her life hiding in plain sight. But when Kate’s guardian is murdered, she must choose to do nothing and remain safe or to pursue his preternatural killer. Hiding is easy, but the right choice is rarely easy . . .


WOW!!

That was a really different book from my norm ;) The vampy poos weren't smexy, there were cat-weres (which was extremely coolies), and the werewolves were exactly how I wanted (could stand on 2 feet and go all Red Riding Hood on Grandma)

I had a little trouble getting into this book because of all the names and info thrown at me in the beginning. I had a hard time keeping up. I really wish there was a list of characters Index in the back. That would have helped out a lot.

Kate (in my opinion) was like one of those scary girls in high school that I tried to steer clear of. She's uber strong and not at all like the soft twisty ankle girls that everyone is into now-a-days. I didn't have a problem with her character at all but I did raise my eyebrows at some of the things she said -- like how kids were made lolz.

I really dug Curran. Me-Ow!! He was hot to ummm... let's see.. trot would be the wrong word.... Ok... I want to go on Safari with him. I'm hoping that we get to know him better in the next book.

All and all it was a good book. If you like ACTION and ADVENTURE that I totally recommend this book to you.



Waiting on Wednesday






"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we just can't wait to get our sticky fingers on.

Title: Texas Gothic
Author: Rosemary Clement-Moore
Published: July 12, 2011
Synopsis from Goodreads


Amy Goodnight's family is far from normal. She comes from a line of witches, but tries her best to stay far outside the family business. Her summer gig? Ranch-sitting for her aunt with her wacky but beautiful sister. Only the Goodnight Ranch is even less normal than it normally is. Bodies are being discovered, a ghost is on the prowl, and everywhere she turns, the hot neighbor cowboy is in her face.




We here at Paranormal Wastelands are super mondo excited about this book. So excited that we are donning our leather chaps.


Darkfallen: GRETA NOES!!
Greta: What?
Darkfallen: Forgetting something?


*Greta turns around in a circle trying to figure it out


Darkfallen: Uhhh... dude.. Drafty much?
Greta: Scoff scoff scoff! You don't wear undies with ass-less chaps! That's such a fashion faux pas
Darkfallen: Said the girl who won't wear anything above the knee
Greta: Bite me
Darkfallen: Ewww! Cover that thing up!!
Greta: Quit judging me or I'm going to shake my money maker... Weren't we supposed to be saying something?
Darkfallen: Oh yeah... I think it was




Must have NOWS!
We needs it!!
We wants it!!
We can't lives without it!!





Now that you've heard what our CAN'T WAIT book is... What's yours? Drop us a comment so we can find out what has you on pins and needles.




Tuesday, June 28, 2011

Book Birthday Shout Out

Birthday Book Shout Out is a weekly meme from the Bewitched Bookworms to celebrate anxiously awaiteded new releases and their authors!





Amber’s life is spinning out of control. All she wants is to turn up the volume on her iPod until all of the demands of family and friends fade away. So she sneaks off to the beach to spend a day by herself.


Then Amber meets Cade. Their attraction is instant, and Amber can tell he’s also looking for an escape. Together they decide to share a perfect day: no pasts, no fears, no regrets.

The more time that Amber spends with Cade, the more she’s drawn to him. And the more she’s troubled by his darkness. Because Cade’s not just living in the now—he’s living each moment like it’s his last.













About the Author



Lisa Schroeder is a native Oregonian. She has a dog named Stormy and a cat named Sparkles. She loves music and her book "I Heart You, You Haunt Me" made both Greta and Darkfallen squee.















Doesn't this book look fabatabulous? Where were these books back when I was in high school?!!! It sounds delicious and I bet your bottom dollar that we will be asking for seconds.


Happy Birthday "THE DAY BEFORE"! Paranormal Wastelands can't wait to fall in love with you!

Storm Front (The Dresden Files #1)

Title: Storm Front
Author: Jim Butcher
Published: 2000
Synopsis from Goodreads

Harry Dresden--Wizard
Lost items found. Paranormal investigations.
Consulting. Advice. Reasonable rates.
No Love Potions, Endless Purses, Parties, or Other Entertainment.

Harry Dresden is the best at what he does. Well, technically, he's the only at what he does. So when the Chicago P.D. has a case that transcends mortal creativity or capability, they come to him for answers. For the "everyday" world is actually full of strange and magical things--and most of them don't play too well with humans. That's where Harry comes in. Takes a wizard to catch a--well, whatever.

There's just one problem. Business, to put it mildly, stinks. So when the police bring him in to consult on a grisly double murder committed with black magic, Harry's seeing dollar signs. But where there's magic, there's a black mage behind it. And now that mage knows Harry's name. And that's when things start to get... interesting.

Magic. It can get a guy killed



This book was great!!! I freaking loved it!! It really got me out of my anti-male author funk ;)


What can i say to convince you all to read this book? Harry is tre' cool, has his own business card, is a wizard, is cooler than Harry Potter, does some interesting things without clothes on hahas!!, and is just an all around good guy ;) I loved him!! He rarely even cussed!

The side characters are to die for. Mister the cat is great!! Bob the skull is a little horndog that is just fabulous. Toot-toot the fairy is my new Bff (he came over for pizza last night), and the Demon Toad... well, I guess he's kinda like the Hypno Toad off Futurama but scarier. (All giant toads are probably kinda scary)

I never thought I would dig a crime story. Well, I guess this wasn't really a crime story. It was more like a mystery. Kinda like Sookie but in guy form. OH! And there's a vampire!! (now I have your attention, don't I?)

I totally think a hubz or a wife would adore this book.

2 magic tricks way way up!!




Monday, June 27, 2011

Teaser Tuesday

Welcome to Teaser Tuesday!
This meme is sponsored by MizB over at Should Be Reading.
(wanna learn more about how you too can join in and play along? click here)


This weeks teaser is from....
Passion by Lauren Kate

"The beautiful angel blinked a few times, as if trying to decide whether Luce was an apparition. Then she titlted her head ever so slightly at the man she was standing with, as if trying to send him a signal. Before he'd even turned all the way around, Luce recognized the clean, sharp profile.
Cam." page 134

I'm still not that far int his book yet. I absolutely loved the first 2 books, and I am really hoping to say the same for this one!


Now c'mon...Tease me!!
Title: Halfway to the Grave
Author: Jeaniene Frost
Published: 2007
Synopsis from Goodreads


Half-vampire Catherine Crawfield is going after the undead with a vengeance, hoping that one of these deadbeats is her father—the one responsible for ruining her mother's life. Then she's captured by Bones, a vampire bounty hunter, and is forced into an unholy partnership.

In exchange for finding her father, Cat agrees to train with the sexy night stalker until her battle reflexes are as sharp as his fangs. She's amazed she doesn't end up as his dinner—are there actually good vampires? Pretty soon Bones will have her convinced that being half-dead doesn't have to be all bad. But before she can enjoy her newfound status as kick-ass demon hunter, Cat and Bones are pursued by a group of killers. Now Cat will have to choose a side . . . and Bones is turning out to be as tempting as any man with a heartbeat.




Dear Tv Big WIGS,

You know how the teeny boppers have their Vampire
Diaries? And you know how you gave us Moonlight then you took it away? Then you
gave us True Blood just to keep us quiet (thank you for that lolz).... Well, my
big shot pets, I have found your next big hit. Meet Kat! She's a half
vampire/human girl bent on ridding the world of those icky wicky blood suckers.
I know I know! Sounds a bit like a girly Blade, aye? Well it gets better. Just
like Blade how he has that dude that helps him. How old is that dude? Like 100?
LMAO!! Well, Kat has a delicious hunk of English Vampire Man Meat helping her
out. WHAT? you ask.... that's right! She runs into a broody that's a bounty
hunter who wants to rid the world of the bad vamps. And mingled in we have Kat
falling in love, hiding her broody from her Bible thumping grandparents, a
mother who is very anti-fang, and just a whole bunch of lovely episodes. Trust
me... you want to pick this up!

With love,
GRETA

Alright my pretty pretty girlies!! This book was fangtastic!! I actually think I enjoyed it more than Sookie. (quit gasping lolz) It was so RAWR and awesome!! I really really dug BONES! Omg spank me!! A blonde English crumpet with fangs. Nom nom nom!!! Wrap him up, I'll take him to go.

I wasn't too sure if I was going to dig this book or not. I've had it on hold at my library ever since
AH was talking about it. Then I think Danny read it... and I was STILL on hold for it. I was like ... COME ON LIBRARY!! I guess every housewife in the Birmingham Area wanted a piece of Bones. And who can blame them? I swear on my Halloween Candy he's worth the long wait. Nom nom nom!!

The main reason I was leery about this book was because it's one of those... what do you call it?... Urban Fantasy type books. I found out that I'm really not into the chick bad ass and her life of fighting crime. Well, this book changed my mind. I do dig that as long as it's done like this. Kat wasn't overly macho and didn't cuss too much for my virgin ears. She didn't try to go all GRAPE APE on everything. She was really down to earth. Sure, she knew how to stake a vamp and could run 40 miles in one night (uhhhhh....) but as long as Bones was chasing her then I was a happy girl full of squee.

I totally recommend this book to anyone who wants a good vampy poo story that has a bit of bite to it.

2 fangs way up!!













Between Here and Forever

Title: Between Here and Forever
Author: Elizabeth Scott

Published: May 2011
Synopsis from Goodreads

Abby accepted that she can’t measure up to her beautiful, magnetic sister Tess a long time ago, and knows exactly what she is: Second best. Invisible.

Until the accident.

Now Tess is in a coma, and Abby’s life is on hold. It may have been hard living with Tess, but it's nothing compared to living without her.

She's got a plan to bring Tess back though, involving the gorgeous and mysterious Eli, but then Abby learns something about Tess, something that was always there, but that she’d never seen.

Abby is about to find out that truth isn't always what you think it is, and that life holds more than she ever thought it could...



I super loved this book! And I don't say that very often so you know you can trust me ;)

(note: I wouldn't trust her on everything. She cheats at put put golf)

When I got the feel of this story all I could think of was that this was a modern "Sleeping Beauty".

Abby's sister Tess WAS the bees knees. Every boy wanted to date her and all her friends wanted to be her. Mom and Dad uber loved her and Abby... well, Abby just wanted to get away from being Tess's sister for a while and just be Abby. Then on New Years Day her sister Tess gets into a car accident and lands into a coma. Now, Abby is on a mission to wake up her sister. It seems like just like before she's stuck back in Tess's shadow but this time its even harder because she's asleep.

Every day Abby visits her sister. Talks to her. Alerts the nurses and badgers the doctors when she sees the slightest movements in her eyes. And then one day she meets a boy who she thinks will have the power to wake her sister. A beautiful boy with a beautiful voice who works in the gift shop at the hospital. She convinces the boy to come up and talk to the Sleeping Beauty... and to Abby's surprise... Tess's eyes move once he speaks. We go from there on Abby's adventure in trying to wake her sister, learns about life, and realizes she is more than just a shadow of a sister in a coma.

The Characters:
Easy to love! There were a ton of times where I laughed out loud. I haven't had a book do that to me in ages. Abby almost reminded me of myself which is probably why I liked it so much. She didn't dig super model girls, was kinda pushy, and a little naive. In my opinion... that made the book for me. Super loves! I actually would have hung out with this character. There aren't many characters in books out there that I would say that about.

The Plot:
Very original and just when you think you have everything figured out they slam you with a twisty turn that will leave you thinking.

The Parents:
This book is NOT done in modern YA fashion because the parents are throughout the story. Loved that. That made the story a bit more real. And because this doesn't have any werewolf hunk a monks running around I thought it was necessary (we don't need the 'rents around when there's a wolf on the prowl hahahs)

The Cover:
This is the part that I don't get. There is no where in the story where a girl is holding a sunflower in the grass on a sunny day. Actaully this story takes place in the cooler months... so I don't get the cover at all. I probably would have made it a cracked unicorn figurine (you'll understand why after you read it)

Age Appropriate:
There isn't much cussing in this book. Nothing too off the wall. There is also not too much WOAH WOAH WOAH SHUT YOUR EYES kind of stuff. These topics are brought up but they are discussed in a fashion that will not damage your child. Think After School Special. We need more of that. I think any girl 12 and up would do fine reading this book.

The Author:
I freaking uber loves her. I've read "Living Dead Girl" and loved every minute of it and after reading this book I can't wait to read more. Elizabeth Scott is now one of my favorite authors.



A great read that will leave you wanting more...because the way it ended WILL leave you wanting more and screaming Sequel. Fingers Crossed!




















Sunday, June 26, 2011

A Brush of Darkness (Abby Sinclair #1)

Title: A Brush of Darkness
Author:

Published:
January 2011
Synopsis from Goodreads




The man of her dreams might be the cause of her nightmares.

Six months ago, Abby Sinclair was struggling to pick up the pieces of her shattered life. Now, she has an enchanted iPod, a miniature unicorn living in her underwear drawer, and a magical marketplace to manage. But despite her growing knowledge of the OtherWorld, Abby isn’t at all prepared for Brystion, the dark, mysterious, and sexy-as- sin incubus searching for his sister, convinced Abby has the key to the succubus’s whereabouts. Abby has enough problems without having this seductive shape-shifter literally invade her dreams to get information. But when her Faery boss and some of her friends vanish, as well, Abby and Brystion must form an uneasy alliance. As she is sucked deeper and deeper into this perilous world of faeries, angels, and daemons, Abby realizes her life is in as much danger as her heart—and there’s no one she can trust to save her.




A supernatural mystery set near the crossroads of Fairey that packs a punch, has something to drool at, made me squee because there was a werewolf that walked on two feet, and has a teeny tiny unicorn.



This book was AWESOME!!

It's basically about a human that signed a contract with a supernatural being that owns a bookstore. The contract states for the next 7 years the human (Abby) will be her Fairey boss's touch stone (basically the fairy's way to hop from here to there easily) and because of this Abby won't age while employed.

Sound good, right?

But what happens when your boss goes missing?

Mystery on!!

The world was very vivid. It reminded me of Hellboy when he was at the market place. Every being is soo imaginative.

My favorite character was the size of a kitten. A small little unicorn that purred, had an obsession with underwear drawers, was a non stop face stuffer of food, and humped legs. Loves it!! It made me want to have a unicorn as a pet.

There were several LOL moments with this book and a couple of twists and turns that I didn't see coming. Definately a nice book to spend a weekend with :)





Saturday, June 25, 2011

Winter's Shadow by M.J. Hearle: Review beyond words...

Published by Pan Macmillan AU on June 1st 2011
This book is only published in Austrailia but can be purchased internationally online at the following:
 I have also heard that it can be found at Kobo, iBookstore, and eBooks, but I wasn't able to find it there.

Synopsis borrowed from Goodreads:

Blake Duchamp...

He's all that Winter Adams can think of. Ever since their fateful meeting at Pilgrim's Lament. Ever since he looked at her with those emerald eyes. Ever since he saved her life.

But Blake isn't all that he seems. There is a strangeness about him, something dark and otherworldly. Something dangerous. In his attic is a secret he would kill to defend, but Winter seems to have a special ability to make him forget his duty. And he is her only protection against the gathering darkness.

The only problem is, to protect Winter, Blake must risk exposing her to an even greater danger. Himself.


Darkfallen's thoughts:

AHHHH this book is SO SO SO good that I don't even know where to start. Which leads me to wonder if just saying that is the best thing I can do? Wondering if there is anyway that I can find the words to describe the level of awesomeness with in these pages?

But that's NOT good enough. So I'm going to try here...

First and Foremost, this is M.J. Hearle's debut novel, and this is not only the best debut novel I've ever read, but probably one of the BEST books I've ever read...period With equal parts suspense, love, swoon-worthiness, fright factor, heart wrenching moments you are left on the edge of your seat. This book will leave you white knuckle gripping the pages, feverishly reading in to the wee hours of the night(until your husband kicks you out of the bedroom and you revert to the living room because there is no need for sleep when your reading this), heart pounding, blood flowing, as you turn each and every page.

Winter's character is flawlessly written in the fact that she sees so many flaws in herself. She is shy, self-conscious, and kind of a self made loner. With her pale freckled skin, red hair, and lopsided mouth when she looks in the mirror she doesn't see anything worth looking at. Maybe that's why I relate to her, I dunno, but I love her. I love how she doubts herself, because that is something that I do everyday. How it is so hard for her to believe that Blake actually finds her attractive. How nervous she is when she is around him. It all just works so perfectly. I mean isn't that how most teenage girls feel?

Then there is Blake... *swoon swoon swoon*

I love the mystery behind him. In fact all the mystery behind the entire book just makes it that much better. You are constantly left guessing WHAT the supernatural element is.

At one point I wouldn't have been the least bit surprised if a ghost flew by the window, a vampire rang the doorbell, an incubus answered the door, a pixie let the werewolf off it's chain, while a faerie sits in the corner brushing her kitty, only to reveal that the kitty is actually a changeling! Yes....I really did think of all of these creatures while trying to figure it out.

Where any of my guesses right you ask? HAHAHAS come on now you don't really think that I'm gonna tell you now do you?

You will just have to read and find out! yes I am aware that I am evil...but you love me for it *winks*

But back to Blake and Winter. Their relationship, while tragically tangled, is smooth and perfect. The best part is how at one point I'm reading, loving it, flying through the pages, and then DA da dummmmm, and before I even realized that I had time to get emotionally attached there is an ache in my chest and a tear escaping my eyes as I audibly gasp. M.J.Hearle sneaks up behind you and compels you to a point you no longer feel like a bystander looking in. No you have become the story...the story has become you. This is by far the best Paranormal YA I've read in the last few months.

With a twist at the end that leaves you begging for more....I can't CAN'T wait for the next book in this series to come out. And you can bet you finest possession that I WILL be re-reading this book. Because once just simply isn't enough for a book with this much wonderment.

Look out world there is a new supernatural kid on the block and he isn't going anywhere!

One last note before we hit the road here. Unfortunately this book is only released in Australia right now. But never fear you can get a chance to read it through a tour that's going on HERE! Thanks to the fine people at Pan Macmillan AU & M.J. Hearle for making that possible. Also for all you publisher's out there M.J. Hearle is in the market for a US publisher, so please if your reading this do yourself a favor and look him up! I wouldn't steer ya wrong this book is beyond words...

If I could I would give this book more than 5 stars....
Which can only mean one thing, that it is time for some Darkfallen advice and my highest level of praise!

Buy it, borrow it, rent it, download it, steal it if you have to...but you have to READ this book!!!


you can even hop on tour with it, but do what ya gotta do to get your hands on it;)
Oh and I almost forgot....a little birdy told me there is going to be a giveaway.
like a signed copy, and maybe even multiple copies!!!
When you ask???
Well I'm not really supposed to say but....I hear lots of good things happen on July 1st
Like this little book will be 1 month old;)
*hint hint wink wink*
Until next time....



Thursday, June 23, 2011

Blood Magic by Tessa Gratton: Review of AWESOME


Published May 24th by Random House
Pick up your copy at Amazon, B&N, or your local indie today!

Synopsis borrowed from Goodreads:

It starts off simply.

Draw a circle ... place a dead leaf in the center ... sprinkle some salt ... recite a little Latin ... add a drop of blood ...

Maybe that last part isn't exactly simple. Yet somehow it feels right to Silla Kennicott. And nothing in her life has felt remotely right since her parents' horrific deaths. She's willing to do anything to uncover the truth about her family—even try a few spells from the mysterious book that arrived on her doorstep ... and spill some blood.

The book isn't the only recent arrival in Silla's life. There's Nick Pardee, the new guy next door who may have seen Silla casting a spell. She's not sure what he saw and is afraid to find out. But as they spend more time together, Silla realizes this may not be Nick's first encounter with Blood Magic. Brought together by a combination of fate and chemistry, Silla and Nick can't deny their attraction. And they can't ignore the dark presence lurking nearby—waiting to reclaim the book and all its power.

Tessa Gratton's intoxicating first novel will keep pulses racing, minds reeling, and pages turning right up to the very last drop of blood.

Darkfallen's squeeful review:

In Tessa Gratton's debut novel she hit this one out of the park! I loved this book.

Silla and her brother live in a small town in Missouri, where everyone knows everything about everyone. Which wasn't so bad until Silla came home to find her parents tangled in a bloody mess. Now the whole town is buzzing with the gossip of a murder/suicide, as the police called it, and staring at Silla like she is going to snap and go on a rampage herself. Silla, suffering the loss of her parents, and the withdrawal from herself begins to wonder if maybe they are all right? Is she going crazy? NO! She refuses to believe that anymore than she refuses to believe her dad killed her mother.

And then there is the book. The mysterious book that just shows up on her doorstep. The handwriting that Silla can't deny belongs to her father. Sent by the Deacon?

Nicholas doesn't have many memories of his mother, and the ones he does have aren't happy ones. More like nightmare visions on drug addictions and suicide attempts until he was 8 and she finally left him behind. Still he can't help but want to know more about her. To find her. And that's what he plans to do. Until his dad married a women half is age and moves them from Chicago to this small town dump. To live in the very house his real mother grew up in. Doing anything to escape his step-mothers presence he ventures into the old cemetery behind the house.

That's when he sees her. Sitting against a head stone, book in her hands.

Just a drop of blood.

And everything changes....

For me this book was great. It's a fast flowing read. The words just roll of the pages creating a beautiful and scary new world. The relationship between Silla and her brother is by far the sweetest thing I have ever seen in my life. The way he protects her, watches over her, calls her bumblebee. I love him for that! And don't even get me started on Nick...he is snarky, and rude, and so so swoon worthy. Between him and Silla they take teenage angst to a whole new level. It's perfect and real.

I also love how you get to read from both Silla & Nick's p.o.v. It brings you closer to understanding them. And I simply have to pat Mrs. Gratton on the back for the way she wrote Nick's character. It is nice that for once, the teenage boy actually sounds like a teenage boy. Yes he is rude at times, he cusses here and there, he hates is step-mother and isn't afraid to say it, he has dirty teenage hormone driving thoughts...all these things that EVERY teenage boy thinks you get here.

Simply put this book is the start of something beautiful....I can feel it!        




Until next time....

Wednesday, June 22, 2011

200 Followers GIVEAWAY!!! Winner's Circle!!

That's right another giveaway comes to an end...
And I just wanted to say WOW at all the entries we had for this one.
When we announced this giveaway we had 199 followers...
now...
We are OVER 300!!!
That is MOST awesome with whipped cream, cherries, and fruit loops on top;)
Don't judge me;P
Fruit Loops really? C'mon Darkfallen
*rolls eyes*
Hey don't you dare act like you don't know about my Fruit Loop lovin. Just be glad I didn't add Captain Crunch! lolz

Anyways.....
Let's get down to it shall we?

*drum roll*

And the winner's are....

That's an amazing group of winners there!!
 
And Greta and I would like to take the time for a very special thanks to the fine folks at Random House Publishing for making the giveaway possible!
 
Thank you so very very much!
Not only for this but for all the of amazing books:))
 
Congratulations again everyone!!!
 
Until next time...
 
 

Waiting on Wednesday






Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we just can't wait to get our sticky fingers on.



Title: Bad Taste in Boys
Author: Carrie Harris
Published: July 12th 2011
Synopsis from Goodreads


Kate Grable is horrified to find out that the football coach has given the team steroids. Worse yet, the steroids are having an unexpected effect, turning hot gridiron hunks into mindless flesh-eating zombies. No one is safe--not her cute crush Aaron, not her dorky brother, Jonah . . . not even Kate!

She's got to find an antidote--before her entire high school ends up eating each other. So Kate, her best girlfriend, Rocky, and Aaron stage a frantic battle to save their town. . . and stay hormonally human






We here at Paranormal Wastelands are super mondo excited about this book. We're so excited that we're rockin' our Zombie High cheerleader outfits, shaking our skuly pom poms, and getting ready to lead the world into a Zombie Apacolypse Pep Rally Squee.



You know the cheer!!

Bring it baby!



Must have NOWS!

We needs it!!
We wants it!!
We can't lives without it!!



~ ra ra ra ~



Now that you've heard what our CAN'T WAIT book is... What's yours? Drop us a comment so we can find out what has you on pins and needles.




Tuesday, June 21, 2011

Spellbound by Cara Lynn Schutz: Review/GIVEAWAY!!

Spellbound by Cara Lynn Shultz
Expected publication: June 28th 2011 by Harlequin Teen
Pre-order your copy today at Amazon, B&N, or your local indie today!
Synopsis borrowed from Goodreads:
What's a girl to do when meeting The One means she's cursed to die a horrible death?
Life hasn't been easy on sixteen-year-old Emma Conner, so a new start in New York may be just the change she needs. But the posh Upper East Side prep school she has to attend? Not so much. Friendly faces are few and far between, except for one that she's irresistibly drawn to—Brendan Salinger, the guy with the rock-star good looks and the richest kid in school, who might just be her very own white knight.
But even when Brendan inexplicably turns cold, Emma can't stop staring. Ever since she laid eyes on him, strange things have been happening. Streetlamps go out wherever she walks, and Emma's been having the oddest dreams: visions of herself in past lives—visions that warn her to stay away from Brendan. Or else.

Darkfallen's thoughts:

There is so many things that I absolutely loved about this book! So first off I would just like to say Way To GO! for Cara Lynn Shultz on a job well done:)

I only had one slight issue with the writing. Nothing major. So lets' get that out of the way and move on to the awesome sauce. My only complaint is that I felt it could have used some better editing. And here is what I mean by that. Note this is just a example and not an actually sentence from the book.

"I saw the most perfect silky, smooth black dress through the glass window of the store. I ran inside to try on the silky black dress, and it fit perfectly. So perfectly that I couldn't believe the way the silky black fabric clung to all the right places."

Ok have you figured out what part bothered me? If you were to guess is was the over use of the same descriptive words (silky black or even perfectly) you would be right. I would just like to state that I get it...I do. When I write it happens to me all the time! Then I go back through it, try to catch all of my repetitive words and fix them. Then I let someone else read it and it never fails they always find more! Lolz. That is just what happens when you get into your grove and you pound out 2,000 words in a sitting, but I just wish that someone would have caught more of these. I will say that towards the end there were less and less of these mistakes;)

Now on with all that is awesome!

I absolutely adored Emma. There simply isn't any other word to describe it! She is smart, funny, witty, snarky as all hell, and most importantly not only can she handle her own, but she will stand up for what she believes in. Even if that means picking a fight with a guy twice her weight! LOLZ I also love how Emma seemed to be a constant battle with herself, and with the new broken version of herself. With the tragic lose of her mother and her brother she has been through alot. Losing the people you care most about is a sure way to make a girl grow up to fast. But even though inside Emma knows that the world is a complicated, and ugly place; even though she has been left jaded by the hand life dealt her...she is always reminding herself that NOT everyone else her age has. She does everything in her power to protect her little cousin from learning these things. Which makes me love her more.

And then there is Brendan...
*swoon*

Wow this boy had me at "I heard she asked him out, he laughed in her face and peaced out. Like he gave her the peace sign and walked away.

I mean seriously any teenage boy that would do that to the most popular girl in school is alright in my book! And don't even get me started on how swoon worthy he is once you actually get to know him. The way his and Emma's relationship grows is perfect. And I don't mean perfect, love at first sight, now they are inseparable. I mean more like why does she make me feel this way so I am going to run away kind of way. It was refreshing and REAL that they didn't just instantly jump into some huge serious relationship. I enjoyed watching them tip toe and dance around each other and when they finally stopped the dancing around the love you felt was amazing.

And the best part about all of this was these teenagers actually acted like teenagers!! Which is rarer and rarer in YA these days. I mean they got in trouble, they never cleaned their room, they forgot to do their homework, the had snarky teenage fueled fits...all of it is what makes this book stand out!

Overall this was a great book to debut Cara Lynn Shultz and I can't wait to see what she has up her sleeve next!         
Now on to the GIVEAWAY!!!
Want a chance to win your very own copy of awesome sauce?
Well you are in LUCK!
Compliments of the fine people at HarlequinTeen one lucky wastelander will get a copy of Spellbound!!
This contest is open to wastelanders with a US or Canada mailing address..

Rules Schmules:
1.) If your not already lost in the wastelands, what are you waiting for? Jump in the waters are...well just jump in;)
(this is ferret speak for you must be a follower to enter so join us!)

2.) As usual sharing is caring so tweet or post this link to facebook for xtra points!

3.) We love each and every one of your comments so please rant for us will ya?!
(leave a comment on this post and xtra points for you!)

4.) And last, but the most important part, fill out the entry form HERE!!

This giveaway will be open until Midnight June 28th!!

Good Luck!


Teaser Tuesday


Welcome to Teaser Tuesday!
This meme is sponsored by MizB over at Should Be Reading.
(wanna learn more about how you too can join in and play along? click here)


This weeks teaser is from....
Blood Magic by Tessa Gratton


Nick~ "Murder? You think your parents were murdered by someone doing the magic? I didn't know you thought that. Nice thing to leave out, speaking of lies. 'By the way, dear Nick, this person chasing us might be a murderer? How long have you known? How long have you been keepint that secret?"

*gasp*

If that doesn't grab ya I don't know what will....
But I do have to admit I hard a hard time chosing the teaser from this book.
There is just so SO many things in here I wanted to tease you with!

Wanna be 1 of five people to win a copy of this book?
Click HERE to get all the details!
But don't hesitate the enties close tonight at midnight! (central time)

And because 1 giveaway just isn't enough...poke around the wastelands and you might be able to win yourself a copy of Spellbound while your at here;)


Now c'mon.....TEASE ME;)