Onyx by Jennifer L Armentrout ~ tour stop (Student review, Character Interview & GIVEAWAY)

The Official release date for Onyx is August 14th!

My stop on the tour stop is super exciting.  I have TWO wonderful things for you.  First, I have a student review from Cora.  I know it's summer but I have my ways.

By Cora

I don't usually read sequels cause they are weird and the story plot changes, but Oynx was one out of two books I couldn't wait to read the books following. I really liked the flow of Oynx it had just the right amount of emotion and story in it. The plot came together really well and it made sense and it was very entertaining to read the entire book. I liked how much you got to know the kind and rather well looking side of Daemon but his irritating side was still there. My favorite part was when they find out something about Dawson and the book sadly came to an end leaving me and all its future readers in suspense. In conclusion, Oynx was an amazing read that I recommend to anyone that likes Jennifer's books and everyone else as well.

The second thing I have for you is an interview with Blake from Onyx.  Now Blake is the guy that I wanted to reach inside the pages of the book and smack upside the head MANY times.  So when I was asked to pick a character to interview, I asked for him.  I will say I was my normal nice self and didn't give him a piece of my mind.  BUT I will tell you that his answer to one question gave me pause.  See if you can figure out which one.  I give you Blake.



Hey Blake, thanks for talking to me. Love being here at the smoking hole. They have great lasagna here. Have you ever had it?

"No problem." Looks around and then seems to get comfortable. "I'm more into sugary sweet types of food. Not big on Italian."

No Italian food? Really? Well, um..tell me about the first time you met Katy. What was your impression of her?

His brows raise. "I thought she seemed like a really nice girl. Not someone I normally pay that much attention to, but there's just something special about her."

Interesting.  Special, huh?  And now, what do you think of her?

"The same thing." He runs a hand through his messy, bronze colored hair. "Yeah, the same thing."

Nothing different?  Really?  Well then can you tell me something about Katy that we don't learn from the book?

Blake laughs. "There's a lot of things I can tell you, but a gentleman doesn't kiss and tell, so I don't snoop and tell."

Hmmm...well okay.  What about you, tell me something about you that we won't learn from reading the book?

"I once threw up on a ride at Disneyland when I was a kid."

Oh well...I promise not to tell.  So, if you could have one wish, no questions asked, what would it be?

"Easy." He sits back and sighs. "To get the hell away from all of this."

Oh, you don't like it here?  Interesting.  Okay, if you could go back in time and change one thing, what would it be?

"There isn't anything I can change about what I've done," he says. "I would change what other people have done."

Oh really? Well that's interesting.  Then, are we gonna see you in Opal?

Blake smiles slightly. "I am hard to get rid of."

I'll just bet.

Randomness:

M&M or skittles? Skittles
Sweet or salty? Sweet
Day or night? Day
Chocolate or vanilla? chocolate
Mountains or ocean? ocean
Blue or brown eyes? blue
Blond or brunette? either

Hmmm.... no hair color preference.  You are telling today aren't you.  Thanks Blake. I appreciate you talking to me. Let's go eat. What's your favorite?

"Thanks! Let's have some cake."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Did you figure out which question surprised me???  Well I'm not telling just just.  You can guess and I'll let you if you're right.

You know I love Onyx.  I hope all you guys will love it too.  Here's the deets on this book, if you haven't seen it.

ONYX Synopsis:

Being connected to Daemon Black sucks…

Daemon’s determined to prove what he feels for me is more than a product of our bizarre connection. I’ve sworn him off even though he’s running more hot than cold these days. But against all common sense, I’m falling for him. Hard.

Our relationship issues aren’t out biggest problem…

The Department of Defense is here. If they ever find out what Daemon can do and that we’re linked, I’m a goner. So is he. And when a new boy shows up a school with a secret of his own, things get complicated fast. I need to choose between my own instincts and Daemon’s.

But then everything changes…

I’ve seen someone who shouldn’t be alive. Daemon’s never going to stop searching until gets the truth. What happened to his brother? Who betrayed him? And what does the DOD want from them—from me?

No one is who they seem. And not everyone will survive the lies.

About the author:

Jennifer lives in Martinsburg, West Virginia. All the rumors you've heard about her state aren't true. When she's not hard at work writing, she spends her time reading, working out, watching really bad zombie movies, pretending to write, and hanging out with her husband and her Jack Russell, Loki.

Her dreams of becoming an author started in algebra class, where she spent most of her time writing short stories....which explains her dismal grades in math. Jennifer writes young adult paranormal, science fiction, fantasy, and contemporary romance. She also writes adult romance under the name J. Lynn.

Jennifer L. Armentrout | Goodreads | Twitter | FB | Amazon | B&N 

Check out the rest of the tour:

Reading Angel 8/08/12 

The Bookish Babes 8/09/12
Fiktshun 8/10/12
Reading Lark 8/11/12
Stuck in Books 8/12/12
Confessions of a Vi3tBabe 8/13/12
Mundie Moms 8/14/12
Romancing the Book 8/14/12
Good Choice Reading 8/15/12
Fantasy Book Addict 8/16/12
Xpresso Reads 8/17/12
YA Sisterhood 8/18/12
Books Complete Me 8/19/12
K-Books 8/20/12
Two Chicks on Books 8/21/12
Once Upon a Twilight 8/22/12 

***GIVEAWAY***

I have one paperback copy of Obsidian AND Onyx to giveaway! 
US only
Ends August 22nd

Fill out the rafflecopter below

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Obsidian by Jennifer L Armentrout ~ a student review

It may be summer but some of my crazy book loving students are still reviewing for me.  Check out Cora's take on Obsidian.

By Cora

The moment I read the back cover of Obsidian I knew it was going to be phenomenal, as if the name of the author already didn’t give that away. The first chapter was very intriguing as Katy or Kitten had her very first argument with Daemon within the first few pages. I liked how fast paced it was. I don’t like it when books take a year to get to the good parts but this book was all good part. One of my favorite parts, and trust me it was hard to pick one, was the part when Kitten woke up in Daemons arms. There was more than one but I'll let you figure out which one. I loved Daemons playful yet irritating personality and I enjoyed how Katy's character changed from being a boring pushover to the daring girl who had the courage to call the hot mysterious Daemon a duchebag. Obsidian is most definitely my favorite book, it even beats "Half-Blood" also by Jenifer L. Armentrout but they both were amazing reads. Obsidian totally came out on top and took a special place in my heart as it will yours.

I couldn't agree with her more! How about you? Have you read Obsidian yet?

Jennifer L Armentrout  | Twitter | FB | Goodreads | Amazon | B&N

Shift by M.R. Merrick ~ Student Review & GIVEAWAY

I have another fabulous review for you from one of my students.  Patrick read and reviewed the first book in this series, Exiled a few weeks back and now he's here again to review Shift.

Check out his review of Exiled here.

Shift (The Protector series, # 2)

By Patrick

Recently I read the novel "Shift" by M.R. Merrick, the sequel to "Exile" and the second book in the Protector series.

In this adventure Chase, Rayna, and their friends face a plethora of challenges. Rayna is shifting into a werecat, Willy is shifting into a werewolf, and Riley is still on the loose.

While cautiously balancing his problems, Chase Williams must learn about himself and explore his own abilities. This not only poses the problem of possibly hurting himself, but the people around him.

My personal favorite part is when both packs and Chase's team are battling the cyclops against all odds.

Beautifully written with a deep story, Mr. Merrick artfully manages to balance a healthy amount of romance and mystery with a hefty dose of action that continues to the last page. A fantasy novel to truly be reckoned with that will keep you enticed to the end and craving more. I personally believe that "Shift" has set the bar for future fantasy novels and will inspire.

I have some fabulous giveaways to let you know about too! M.R. Merrick is giving away TWO sets of SIGNED books for the Protector series.  The first set is on Goodreads.  You can just click the link below to enter that one.

Goodreads Book Giveaway

Exiled

by M.R. Merrick

Giveaway ends June 16, 2012.
See the giveaway details at Goodreads.

Enter to win

The other chance to win a set of his signed books is by filling out the rafflecopter below.  You need to follow his blog (M.R. Merrick ) to enter but you will find some extra entries in there too!  (One about me and twitter =))


a Rafflecopter giveaway

In case you forgot how much I LOVED these books, check out my reviews for Exiled and Shift.

Can't wait to win them?  Find them for purchase below.

Exiled -------->Amazon | B&N | Book Depository

Amazon | B&N | Book Depository  <-------Shift  

Student Review Exiled by M.R. Merrick + GIVEAWAY reminder

As many of you know, I'm a middle school teacher.  While I teach math, my students are well aware of my passion for reading.  The bookshelf in my classroom is their first clue.  Then I'm always picking up their books and asking them about whether they like it.  Once I get what kind of books they like, then I'm suggesting books to them.  I did that recently.  I loaned Patrick Exiled bu M.R. Merrick.  He soaked it up quickly, finishing his math fast so he could read in my class. =)  I asked him to write a review for the blog and WOW am I glad I did.  Patrick's thoughts about the book ROCK!  He's reading Shift now and has already agreed to review it too.  So enough rambling from me.  Here's Patrick.

Exiled by M.R. Merrick

By Patrick

Recently, I read the book Exiled by M.R. Merrick. The book immediately immerses you into the action of Chase Williams, a teenager exiled from an elite group of magical demon hunters known as the Circle. Exiled with his mother for lack of an elemental power and defiance, the pair lived in a slummy part of the town of Stonewall. With lives plagued by attacks of vampires, shifters, warlocks, and other various underworlders, Chase meets another rogue hunter, Marcus Starkraven, and a half-demon half-hunter named Rayna. Despite their first impressions, Chase and Rayna soon discover more and more about each other than they ever would have expected.

Merrick offers a deep, rich story line with characters easily relatable to any teenager. Iced with the blood and gore every teenager seeks in gruesome detail and packaged in twists and turns, Exiled takes the fantasy genre to a whole new level, setting the bar for future fantasy writers. Personally, my favorite scene was when Vincent and Chase began to fight because it conveyed the way vampires changed in horrendous detail and perfectly exemplified Chase’s bravery when in a dangerous situation.

Any reader, fantasy fan or not, but especially fantasy enthusiasts, will be drooling over Exiled and craving the rest of the books in the Protector series.

What do you think of Patrick's review?

I still have an giveaway going for winner's choice or Exiled or Shift in paperback.  Gonna add an entry for making a comment to Patrick on his review.  Patrick's in my 8th grade honors math class, bet you couldn't tell could ya?  Smart one, he is.  Let him know what you think and add an entry for the giveaway in the rafflecopter below.

M.R. Merrick | Twitter | FB | Goodreads | Amazon | B&N | Book Depository

Pure Tour - Student review & GIVEAWAY

As many of you know, I'm a 8th grade math teacher.  My students know that I love to read.  They love having access to my books - especially when I get books early.  My students LOVE Jennifer L. Armentrout too and were fighting over who got to read my ARC Pure first.  Zoe got it third.  Here is her review.

 




I would have to say Pure is my favorite book.  Although I liked the whole book, I had my favorite parts.  One of my favorite parts was when Alex and Aiden were in the car on their way to the council.  I also really enjoyed the swimming pool scene.  After getting to know the sweet side of Seth, I like him just as much as Aiden.

*** GIVEAWAY *** 

This giveaway is for eBooks of all three books out in this series: Daemon, Half-Blood, & Pure.  International as long as you can accept an eBook.  The giveaway will fun until the end of the tour, April 13th.  Be a follower of StuckInBooks and fill out the rafflecopter below.  Leave Zoe a comment for another entry.

Half-Blood by Jennifer L Armentrout - A student review

To end the week celebrating the release of Half-Blood, I have another review from one of my 8th grade honors math students.  She is totally in love with this book.  She's on her second time through it in less than a week.

Student Review
By Cora


Half Blood was amazing.  I loved the playful/flirty banter between Alex and Aiden.  One of my favorite parts was this one:

Aiden cracked his neck.  "I turn twenty-one in October."

"Huh."  I shook the bottle.  "So have you always been so...mature?"

His brows furrowed.  "Mature?"

"Yeah, you sound like a dad!"  I deepened my voice and tried to look stern.  "Don't look at me that way, or else."

Aiden blinked slowly.  "I don't sound like that and I didn't say 'or else'."

"But if you had, what would the 'or else' be? " I hid my grin with the bottle.

He glanced to the side, frowning.  "Can you just not talk through this?"

That was one of my favorite parts because it shows Alex's personality and how she and Aiden interact throughout the book.  My favorite character would have to be Aiden cause, come on, doesn't he sound like a good piece of eye candy?  I also like the way he doesn't care who's a half and who's a pure.  He treats them equally.

The second I opened the book, I was very intrigued.  It took me two days to read the book.  I read all the twilight books within a week but I have to say Half-Blood is better.  And, Aiden, he can train me anytime.

Nice job, Cora.  Thanks for sharing another review on my blog.

It's been a fun week with lots of Half-Blood.  If you missed any of it, here's the recap.

Seth interview

Aiden interview

Inside Alex's head blog tour stop

Alex interview

Don't forget I'm giving away a copy of Half-Blood.  Go back to the Seth interview for the  GIVEAWAY. 

Jennifer L. Armentrout | Goodreads | Amazon | B&N | Book Depository

Starcrossed by Josephine Angelini Student Review

So a lot of you know that I'm an 8th grade math teacher.  Even though I teach math, I have a passion for reading and my students soon discover it.  My bookshelf with all my current favorites jammed onto it is the first clue, but I'm always picking up their books and talking to them about books.  With that passion, I've decided to share my blog with my students.  From time to time, I'm going to have a student review posted.  This first one is from an 8th grade student who is in my honors math class.  She has read and reviewed Starcrossed by Josephine Angelini.  Enjoy.

By Cora 


From the first page, I was fully engrossed in the beautiful twisting love tale between Helen and Lucas.  From beginning, middle to end, my emotions rose and fell along side Helen's.  Nothing you'd expect but everything you'd love.  By far the best book I've read in years.






Thanks Cora, I couldn't agree more!  I hope you'll review for me again.  Check out my review for Starcrossed here.

Haven't read Starcrossed?  Check it out below.

Josephine Angelini | Goodreads | Amazon | B&N | Book Depository 

I am not compensated for the links on this post.