Saturday 29 June 2013

Book Haul (#50)

Hey,

Sorry about not posting a Book Haul last weekend! I was on a music tour with my school in Germany. It was amazing, but I had no internet access and came back to so many emails. Now I am all over the place.

Fortunately, I came back to loads of awesome packages.

This week I bought and received and borrowed:
Sweet Peril (The Sweet Trilogy, #2)Shudder (Stitch Trilogy #2)
Sweet Peril (Sweet #2) by Wendy Higgins - Bought -
I LOVVVEEED SWEET EVIL! Kaidan is amazing.
Shudder (Stitch #2) by Samantha Durante - Received -
Thank you, Sam! I'm on the blog tour for this book and I can't wait to read it because I enjoyed the first book, Stitch.
Confessions of an Almost-Girlfriend (Confessions, #2)Ink (Paper Gods, #1)
Confessions of an Almost-Girlfriend (Confessions #2) by Louise Rozett - Received -
Thank you, Mira Ink! I thought the first book was really interesting.
Ink (Paper Gods #1) by Amanda Sun - Received -
Thank you, Mira Ink! I've heard amazing things about this book!
Love Is a NumberFathomless (Fairytale Retellings, #3)
Love is a Number by Lee Monroe - Received -
Thank you, Hachette Children's Books! I adore the sound of this book! Just check out the blurb.
Fathomless (Fairytale Retellings #3) by Jackson Pearce - Received -
Thank you, Hachette Children's Books! I've really enjoyed the previous books so I'm interested in what Jackson Pearce can deliver next.
The OriginalsRevived
The Originals by Cat Patrick - Borrowed -
I loved Forgotten and thought it was time to read more of Cat's books.
Revived by Cat Patrick - Borrowed -
Prodigy (Legend, #2)Tidal (Watersong, #3)
Prodigy (Legend #2) by Marie Lu - Borrowed -
Legend was amazing! I'm so excited to read what's going to happen next.
Tidal (Watersong #3) by Amanda Hocking - Borrowed -
I read Lullaby last week and requested Tidal immediately! Bring it on.

Leave a link to your Book Haul/Letterbox Love/Stacking the Shelves/In My Mailbox/Showcase Sunday in the comments below so I can it out!

Enjoy your books,
Sam :D

Friday 28 June 2013

The Parts I Remember Blog Tour Stop

Hey,
Welcome to The Parts I Remember Blog Tour! This is a new adult contemporary novel that looks and sounds super interesting! Check out the cover and blurb below. And also an interview with the author, A. K. Mills.
The Parts I Remember
The Parts I Remember by A. K. Mills
Release Date: March 1, 2013
Act first. Think never. Remember nothing.

Welcome to Kelly Rockport’s existence at Haysville University, where responsibility is just an elective. After all, fake IDs, alter egos, and one-night stands are all part of the college experience, right? So what if she blacks out from time to time? Memory is overrated.

When freshman year lasts about as long as a one-night stand and is quickly followed by the Year of the Blackout, Kelly projects junior year to be nothing shy of amazing. But as shots, beer, cocaine and men mesh together in an intoxicating haze, Kelly’s reckless ways get her into serious trouble. The only problem is, she can't remember what happened.

As she hovers along the edge of consciousness, Kelly forces herself to think past her pain to piece together the shards of her life. This is her story, told in her words: The Parts I Remember.
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Sounds pretty intriguing, right? You can add the book on Goodreads, or purchase it on Amazon UK or Amazon.

Let's give a big cheer for A. K. Mills....
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How did you get the idea for The Parts I Remember?
The idea for The Parts I Remember came to me one night after a family member ended up in the hopsital after a night of drinking. It lead me to ask a lot of "what if" questions. The title came later when I was out to dinner with my cousin and we were talking about college and laughing at the parts we remembered. 
    
What can readers expect from the book?
Readers can expect to have their heartstrings yanked, sensibities challenged, and morals questioned as they fall in and out of love with the main character, Kelly Rockport. You either were her or knew her, loved her or hated her. Regardless, the journey she takes them on will be one they won't forget.

Can you relate to the reckless main character Kelly in any way?
I had a lot of fun in college, but not on the same level as Kelly. I can relate to having an older sister or, in my case, sisters, who tried to steer me in certain directions when they didn't approve of what I was doing at the time.

Have you got a favourite YA book/series at the moment?
I recently purchased my first Colleen Hoover book. I am intrigued by how she got her start in the business and am looking forward to reading her books. But over the last decade, I would have to say that I have really enjoyed reading Sophie Kinsella. She is definitely one of my favorite authors. 

Are you working on any other projects?
Yes, I have a couple of projects started. Every time that I get a new idea, I start the story. Whether I write one word or a thousand words, I get my thoughts down so that I can come back to it. There is nothing more frustating than thinking of a good story and then forgetting it when you have the time to write it. The story that I am currently focusing on evaluates the relationships of three young couples. 

If readers want to find you, where can they go? 
They can find me at my Website, on Goodreads, on Facebook: or by Email. I love to hear feedback: good, bad, or ugly.
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Make sure you add The Parts I Remember to your Goodreads TBR list!! (HERE!)

Enjoy the rest of the tour!
- Sam :D

Thursday 27 June 2013

Age of The Aura Spotlight

Hey,

I am here today to show you a science fiction YA book called Age of the Aura, Phase I: Champions of Power by Samuel Odunsi Jr. Check out the cover and blurb below!

http://i.imgur.com/MaKH93P.jpg
Release Date: June 5, 2013

 The Blessed Galaxy has no other name. After being gifted with the Auras—five great powerhouses of celestial creation—the title was a suitable fit. For millennia, the governing bodies have ruled their respective reaches of the Galaxy while harnessing the might of the Auras. But now they face the threat of a calamity, from an unlikely source, that could shake the lives of all. Lowen Sars, a devout man of science, decides to take on the burden of saving the Galaxy’s people once he learns of the calamity. But he soon realizes that the role of a hero was a calling not meant for him, even with his sudden promotion. In his process of self-discovery, Lowen begins the fateful saga of not only the Blessed Galaxy, but also the kingdom in possession of the corrupt Aura. 
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Read more behind the story! http://ageoftheaura.com/universe/ 
Download Phase I for FREE on Amazon! (June 24th-28th ONLY!) 
http://amzn.to/M8k1vf Enter to Win a Physical Copy of Phase I on GOODREADS!
Goodreads Book Giveaway
Champions of Power by Samuel Odunsi Jr.

Champions of Power

by Samuel Odunsi Jr.

Giveaway ends July 24, 2013.
See the giveaway details at Goodreads.
Enter to win
Watch the awesome book trailer below!
Make sure you check out the book if you sci-fi stories!

Enjoy your week,
Sam :D

Wednesday 26 June 2013

Waiting on Wednesday (57)

Hey,

This week I've been waiting for...
The Iron Traitor (The Iron Fey: Call of the Forgotten, #2)
Release Date: October 22, 2013
IN THE REAL WORLD, WHEN YOU VANISH INTO THIN AIR FOR A WEEK, PEOPLE TEND TO NOTICE.

After his unexpected journey into the lands of the fey, Ethan Chase just wants to get back to normal. Well, as "normal" as you can be when you see faeries every day of your life. Suddenly the former loner with the bad reputation has someone to try for-his girlfriend, Kenzie. Never mind that he's forbidden to see her again. 

But when your name is Ethan Chase and your sister is one of the most powerful faeries in the Nevernever, "normal" simply isn't to be. For Ethan's nephew, Keirran, is missing, and may be on the verge of doing something unthinkable in the name of saving his own love. Something that will fracture the human and faery worlds forever, and give rise to the dangerous fey known as the Forgotten. As Ethan's and Keirran's fates entwine and Keirran slips further into darkness, Ethan's next choice may decide the fate of them all.

I adore this world so much. The Iron Fey series was absolutely incredible, and I really enjoyed The Lost Prince... I can only imagine what Julie Kagawa has in store for us next. (And look at that sexy beast on the cover... It's Keirran.)
Leave a link to your WoW post in the comments so I can check it out!

Have a good week,
Sam :D

Tuesday 25 June 2013

Teaser Tuesday (7)

Hey,
This is a weekly bookish meme is hosted by MizB at Should Be Reading.
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To participate you:
* Grab your current read
* Open to a random page
* Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
* BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS!
(Make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
* Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!
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This week, I've chosen a small snippet from The Testing by Joelle Charbonneau.

The Testing (The Testing, #1)"Tomas sits back and only adds the occasional comment.He, too, is observing - weighing their laughter and their silences. Tomas notices me watching. Quickly, I look away as my cheeks burn. not that Tomas isn't used to being looked at. Most girls in our class would spend the entire school day watching him instead of the blackboard. Since his assigned seat was directly behind mine, I never had the distraction. But I'd have to be blind not to notice the way laughter and the single dimple in his left cheek transform his angular face. More than once my finger have itched to brush back the lock of hair that always falls across his forehead. not that I'd ever have the courage to try. Which is okay. Boys and dating have never been on my priority list. And they certainly can't be now."

You can add the book to your Goodreads list HERE! It will be out in the UK on August 1st and it's already available in the US so definitely check it out if you love dystopia.

Have a good week,
Sam :D

Monday 24 June 2013

My review of Dance of the Red Death

Dance of the Red Death (Masque of the Red Death #2) by Bethany Griffin
Release Date: April 4, 2013
Goodreads | Amazon UK | Amazon | The Book Depository

Dance of the Red Death (Masque of the Red Death, #2)In Dance of the Red Death, Araby’s world is in shambles—betrayal, death, disease, and evil forces surround her. She has no one to trust. But she finds herself and discovers that she will fight for the people she loves, and for her city.

Her revenge will take place at the menacing masked ball, though it could destroy her and everyone she loves…or it could turn her into a hero.


Dance of the Red Death is the wondrous and stunning conclusion to The Masque of the Red Death. The stakes are higher than ever and Araby and her friends are against time to find the cure to the disease wiping out most of the population. But our main girl has to fight the betrayal surrounding her. She cannot trust Will, despite her pull to him. And nor can she trust Elliot, who may claim to love her, but is hiding something deadly.

One of the things that I love about the books is the setting. Araby's world is dangerous and full of mystery and twists at every corner. No one is safe, no matter where they are. The disease will catch up with you if you do not possess a mask. I love the tension and world building in these books and that's what really stands out for me. You can't fully be absorbed into a book like this if the world isn't described properly, but Griffin does a wonderful job.

Araby is just as we left her! Courageous, loyal and strong - maybe even stronger! She manages to put Will's betrayal aside while they are on their journey, and work through the obstacles put in front of her at every turn. Her determination to help April no matter what really touched me. A great example of an amazing friendship.

I didn't exactly enjoy her relationship with Elliot since I have been team Will since page 1. But I did keep going because every now and then, Araby and Will end up in the same room or near each other and they talk and those conversations show that Araby still cares about Will, no matter what he did, and that Will cares about Araby even though it might have seemed otherwise when he betrayed her. Will is lovely. He tries to make it up to Araby in little ways that will make your heart ache.
There are quiet a few bad guys that appear in this book, and I got quite a lot of them mixed up. Damn my brain. But I enjoyed the tension and danger they added to the plot. 

Dance of the Red Death is a brilliant conclusion that I could not bear to put down! Action and mystery riddled on every page, with romance on the side to make the story that much more interesting. I'm anxious to see what Bethany Griffin may have for us next!
Rating
A review copy was provided by Orion Publishing

Saturday 22 June 2013

Let's Talk: Twilight

Hello there!

It's been a few weeks (or months, my memory is terrible) since I posted my last "Let's Talk" post and I was just sitting around when I decided I should write another. I hope that's okay with you all since I know that some don't really like these discussion-y posts. And if you don't, that's completely fine, just let me know in the comments so I can take that into consideration when I write my posts.

This week's topic? *Drumroll* TWILIGHT! I know I will either hear a groan or a "Yipee!" from readers. We have out Twihards and then others (like me) who are not too keen. So let's have one big talk about the appeal of the Twilight, but also the reason why some people seem to loathe it so much. Let's begin.
We all know Twilight is a big... big thing. Originally written as a book by Stephanie Meyer, who then wrote three more follow-ups: New Moon, Eclipse and Breaking Dawn, but then were made into five films with Robert Patterson playing the lead male role and Kristen Stewart as the lead protagonist. The films and books made instant fans became a worldwide phenomenon. 

I'm not saying Twilight is the worst thing on earth because I respect that some people do love the world that Meyer has created and I would hate to ruin that by putting my negative thoughts in. So, we'll name the good and the bad. 
Negative:
Bella
I've realised how much some people hate the character of Bella. They claim she is weak, naive, and possesses no type of personality of her own. To a certain extent, I agree with this, but not entirely.
She was weak at the start of the series and very naive. She goes off into the woods with a guy who she KNOWS is dangerous and tells him that she wants to be with him. I mean.... Girl, you've only just met him last week! The whole instant-love thing really does not work for me. 

However, towards the end of the series, she does grow a backbone and really takes charge. She drops the pathetic human and really grows into her vampire form.
The Romance
Yes. The "romance". As previously mentioned in my point above, I did not like the instant-love thing that Bella and Edward had going on. I'm sure some did not mind it, but I did. The two just started going out...
image
Just like that.

They didn't get to know each other, or have any kind of in-depth conversation. Nope, he just saved her from some drunk men, popped through her window to watch her during the night, and showed her his sparkling chest. 
Edward is basically absent for most of New Moon (#2), but makes a proper reappearance in Eclipse (#3) where he plans to marry Bella. ER WHAT?!?!?!?!? I just didn't see how they could have "fell in love" so fast when they didn't even really know each other in the first place. 

In the movies, it was cute to see them together and all but at the back of my mind I was always thinking: They are practically strangers to each other!
Positive
The Books
When I read the books, I thought that they weren't written too badly and I actually got into the story. You've got to admit that Meyer is original and did not copy anyone! Unlike some of the books now a days which are just copies of previous successful books. Twilight was thought up all on its own and did not have to copy anything to become successful.
The World
Meyer does a really good job at building up this dangerous paranormal world that is really easy to get sucked into. Each author has their own take on vampires, but Meyer's version just seems to have that extra "oomph". Vampire Diaries? Er, no thanks. I tried reading them but they were terrible. I mean, if you love them... sorry! I've heard the TV series are better than the books though.
The Films
I think that the directors did an awesome job at bringing the Twilight saga to the big screen. The effects and the visuals and the sets were all incredible. Most Twilight fans probably got into it because of having seen the film and then wanting to read the books. Or some are just in it for the shirtless Jacob, right? *Sigh* 
image
RANDOM THOUGHTS
The Boys
I've been thinking hard about this. As mentioned previously, are some fans simply in it for the whole "Team Edward" or "Team Jacob" thing? Do they simply enjoy staring at Taylor Lautner's abs, or are they really interested in the story? Maybe it's Robert Pattinson and his sparkly skin and "sexy" hair? 
So guys, now it is your turn to voice what YOU think about Twilight and whether you agree with any of my points, simply comment below. I'm really interested in what others think of it.

Have a good weekend,
Sam :D

P.S. I found this way too funny.

Thursday 20 June 2013

Dare You To Blog Tour

Hey guys!

I hope you have enjoyed the Dare You To Blog Tour so far! Don't know what Dare You To is? Well, you better check out Pushing the Limits by Katie McGarry, because this is the companion novel and they are books that you definitely DO NOT want to miss.
For those of you who want to read the blurb and see the cover for Dare You To, here you go...
Dare You To (Pushing the Limits, #2)
If anyone knew the truth about Beth Risk's home life, they'd send her mother to jail and seventeen-year-old Beth who knows where. So she protects her mom at all costs. Until the day her uncle swoops in and forces Beth to choose between her mom's freedom and her own happiness. That's how Beth finds herself living with an aunt who doesn't want her and going to a school that doesn't understand her. At all. Except for the one guy who shouldn't get her, but does....



Ryan Stone is the town golden boy, a popular baseball star jock-with secrets he can't tell anyone. Not even the friends he shares everything with, including the constant dares to do crazy things. The craziest? Asking out the Skater girl who couldn't be less interested in him.

But what begins as a dare becomes an intense attraction neither Ryan nor Beth expected. Suddenly, the boy with the flawless image risks his dreams-and his life-for the girl he loves, and the girl who won't let anyone get too close is daring herself to want it all...
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The cover is pretty hot, isn't it? And - of course - not forgetting the trailer that Mira Ink put together. 
For this tour stop, Katie McGarry has provided an awesome excerpt from the book, but also a song from the Dare You To playlist! Check them both out below.
EXCERPT
“Scott told me you had blond hair,” says the woman.
I swallow, but it’s hard to do when my throat tightens. The little girl I used to be, the one with blond hair, died years ago and I hate thinking about her. She was nice. She was happy. She was…not someone I want to remember.
“Why is your hair black?” The lawn ornament at the other end of the kitchen island has officially become annoying.
“What are you exactly?” I ask.
“This is my wife, Allison,” my uncle says.
The Cheerios catch in my throat and I choke. “You’re married?”
“Two years,” says Scott. Ugh. He does that googly-eye thing Noah does with Echo.
I slide another spoonful of Cheerios into my mouth. “When I’m done—” crunch, crunch, crunch “—I’m going home.”
“This is your home now.” Scott has that calm tone again.
“The hell it is.”
Allison’s eyes dart between me and the knives. Yeah, lady, a couple of hours in jail and I’ve moved from destruction of property to sociopath.
“Maybe you should listen to her,” she says.
“Yeah,” I say through more crunches, “maybe you should listen to me. Your wife’s worried I’m going to go all Manson and slit her throat while she sleeps.” I smile at her for effect.
Color drains from her face. At times, I really enjoy being me…
***
Now, one of the songs from the playlist is Pink's "Don't Let Me Get Me", which is the perfect song for our main character Beth.
I hope you've enjoyed this post and don't forget to look through the tour to find more exciting content!

Have a good week,
Sam :D

Wednesday 19 June 2013

Waiting on Wednesday (56)

Hey,

This week I'm waiting for...
Ink (The Paper Gods, #1)
Release Date: June 25, 2013
I looked down at the paper, still touching the tip of my shoe. I reached for it, flipping the page over to look.

Scrawls of ink outlined a drawing of a girl lying on a bench.

A sick feeling started to twist in my stomach, like motion sickness.

And then the girl in the drawing turned her head, and her inky eyes glared straight into mine.

On the heels of a family tragedy, the last thing Katie Greene wants to do is move halfway across the world. Stuck with her aunt in Shizuoka, Japan, Katie feels lost. Alone. She doesn’t know the language, she can barely hold a pair of chopsticks, and she can’t seem to get the hang of taking her shoes off whenever she enters a building.

Then there’s gorgeous but aloof Tomohiro, star of the school’s kendo team. How did he really get the scar on his arm? Katie isn’t prepared for the answer. But when she sees the things he draws start moving, there’s no denying the truth: Tomo has a connection to the ancient gods of Japan, and being near Katie is causing his abilities to spiral out of control. If the wrong people notice, they'll both be targets.

Katie never wanted to move to Japan—now she may not make it out of the country alive.

:O Wowza! I've never seen a book about life on paper before... this should be interesting! I think the closest I've come to this kind of idea was when I played "Drawn to Life" on the Nintendo Wii... I guess that doesn't really count, but they are based on the similar lines. 

And the cover is gorgeous so bring it on! (Not to mention all the positive reviews.)
image
Leave a link to your WoW post in the comments and I'll check it out!

Have a great week,
Sam :D

Monday 17 June 2013

My review of Stung

Stung (Stung #1) by Bethany Wiggins
Release Date: July 4, 2013
Goodreads | Amazon UK | Amazon | The Book Depository

StungIn a world in crisis, children are the future. Part of the cure. Not now. Children are deadly. Marked one to ten. Fiona is a TEN. She just doesn't know it yet . . . She doesn't know her true strength. 

Fiona doesn't remember going to sleep. But she has woken to find her entire world has changed - her house is abandoned and broken, and her neighbourhood is barren and dead. Even stranger is the tattoo on her right wrist that she doesn't remember getting but somehow knows she must cover at any cost. And she's right. When the honeybee population collapsed, a worldwide pandemic occurred and the government tried to bio-engineer a cure. But instead the vaccination turned people into ferocious, deadly beasts. They have been branded as a warning to unvaccinated survivors. Key people needed to rebuild society are protected inside a fortress-like wall. Fiona has awakened branded, alone and on the wrong side of the wall . . .


I've never really thought about the important of bees. I mean, they're just tiny little creatures that fly around your face and food while you're trying to have a picnic or something, surely they could not impact the world so much if they weren't around? WRONG! 

Stung transports us into the future world where bees are extinct and everything is in chaos. Only one thing can save humanity: the children. They are marked one to ten, as part of the cure. Fiona is ten, even if she doesn't know what that is. Fiona wakes up after a long sleep and the world isn't exactly how she remembered it. She has a tattoo on her wrist and barely remembers anything from before her nap. Then she finds a companion who fills her in on the vaccination that was meant to save the future generation, but instead transformed them into deadly beasts. A wall separates the beasts from the survivors and those who hold the information to rebuilding the world. Fiona is a ten with a strong chance of turning into a beast in the middle of nowhere with no one to guide her back to her family who may be on the other side of the wall.

As soon as I read the blurb I knew I had to try this book out even after reading some mixed reviews. And I'm so glad I did pick this up because I enjoyed it a lot more than I thought I would. I loved the idea of it and the world building and it was just awesome! 

Fiona wasn't tough as other heroines may be, nor was she whiny and irritating like some *cough* Bella Swan *cough*, she was in the good inbetween stage where you could at least relate to her at some point; her decisions, her personality, etc. Especially when she has an unlikely encounter with her childhood friend, Dreyden Bowen. 

At first he isn't very nice to Fiona because he thinks she is a monster, but when he recognises who she is... he softens. And overtime, well, I say "overtime" but I don't mean a really long period of time, their feelings for each other grow and I loved how that showed a lighter and more innocent side to the story. First love and all.

image
Dreyden? I loved him. I loved his protective side and the way he always tried to help Fiona. I loved how they told childhood stories to each other and made the world around them seem so much more tragic. 

The book seems to end on an interesting cliffhanger that I'm sure the sequel will pick up nicely. I am actually really excited and genuinely looking forward to the sequel. Monsters, a broken world and a gripping romance, Stung is a dystopian that you won't want to miss in 2013 if your looking for debuts.
Rating
A review copy was provided by Bloomsbury

Sunday 16 June 2013

PODs Blog Blitz

Hey,
This event is hosted by YA Bound! So shall I introduce you to PODs by Michelle Pickett?
Release Date: June 26, 2013

Seventeen-year-old Eva is a chosen one. Chosen to live, while others meet a swift and painful death from an incurable virus so lethal, a person is dead within days of symptoms emerging. In the POD system, a series of underground habitats built by the government, she waits with the other chosen for the deadly virus to claim those above. Separated from family and friends, it's in the PODs she meets David. And while true love might not conquer all, it's a balm for the broken soul.


After a year, scientists believe the population has died, and without living hosts, so has the virus. That's the theory, anyway. But when the PODs are opened, survivors find the surface holds a vicious secret. The virus mutated, infecting those left top-side and creating... monsters.

Eva and David hide from the infected in the abandoned PODs. Together they try to build a life--a new beginning. But the infected follow and are relentless in their attacks. Leaving Eva and David to fight for survival, and pray for a cure.
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You can also check out an awesome excerpt below!
The bus ride to the quarantine facility took more than ten hours. I was shoved against the window by my seatmate who slept almost the entire trip. He was a big guy, taking up most of the seat, and when he slept his body lolled to the side, wedging me against the metal side of the bus.
 As we traveled, the air turned hot and dry, different than the humid, sticky climate of my coastal Texas hometown. The old school bus didn’t have air conditioning and the small windows didn’t let much air in. My seatmate’s body heat didn’t help. I was hot, thirsty, and had to pee in the worst way.
Wondering how much longer I’d be drooled on by the guy next to me, I strained my face against the window, looking for anything on the flat landscape.
That’s when I saw them.
I don’t know why I was surprised. I should’ve expected it after what had happened at the high school, but I hadn’t. It was worse than at the school—rioters everywhere. They waved anti-raffle signs and signs cursing the “Chosen.”
The land around the quarantine area was flat, dry, and dusty. The people lining the road sat under makeshift tents to keep out of the sun. Some stood on top of their RVs waving their handmade signs; one burned an American flag.
I watched women holding their small children toward the bus, begging with tear-stained faces for us to take them. I wanted to reach out and snatch them out of their mothers’ hands as we drove past. Several of the other people on the bus reached up and pushed their windows shut.
The National Guard at the quarantine site didn’t allow  people to get close enough to touch the bus. They were shot with rubber bullets or Tasered if they tried to cross the police line. Every time I heard the shot of the riot guns I jumped. My muscles ached from tensing them—waiting for the inevitable sound.
“Why are you crying?” A boy sitting in front of me looked at me like I’d grown another head. “They’d probably kill you and steal your place in the PODs if given the chance.”
I shook my head, remembering what my dad had told me. “They’re just scared,” I said. After all, they were, essentially, the walking dead.
The rioters screamed and cursed us. They threw rocks and eggs as we drove by. An egg hit the window next to me, the slimy insides plopping against my head, matting my hair.
“Gross,” the boy sitting next to me said.
I just looked at him and rolled my eyes.
Yeah, the egg is gross. And the drool coming out of your mouth and dripping on my leg while you slept, leaning on me, was glorious.
The bus stopped in a fenced area like the one at the high school. The crowd screamed and banged the fence posts with their crude, homemade picket signs. Some climbed on the fence, pulling at it like chimpanzees at the zoo.
“Stay seated until your name is called,” a soldier yelled. “When you are called, grab your belongings and wait to be escorted into the building.”
Oh please, call this guy’s name. He needs to move before I shove him off the seat. I’m tired of being pinned against the side of the bus. I need some room.
Thankfully, my name was called soon after we stopped. I stood, stretched the kinks out of my muscles, and plowed through the massive body blocking me. Clambering over the other luggage that filled the aisle, I grabbed my two suitcases and stood in front of the bus.
The one-story brick building was large but had no windows, only a single green door. I couldn’t see the other sides, but I had a feeling there’d be no windows there, either—no glass for rioters to break through.
The soldier walked up from behind me, tapping my suitcase with his clipboard. “Follow me.”
I shuffled into the brick building, guided by the same guardsman who’d ripped me away from my parents hours earlier…
“I love you,” my mom said through her tears, her voice thick and trembling.
“I want to stay with you,” I pleaded.
“Come here, kiddo.” My dad, his face distorted with grief, folded me in a tight hug. He kissed the top of my head and told me he loved me and how proud he was of me. “I know, when this is over, you are going to do great things, Eva. you’re a fighter. I love you so much.”
A rough hand grabbed my arm, pulling me away from my dad. “Get on the bus,” the male voice ordered, yelling to be heard over the crying of parents and children saying their final goodbyes.
“I’m not done saying goodbye…” He didn’t let go, pulling me with him. My heels digging into the dirt, I tried to pull away. I needed one more hug, to hear them tell me they loved me and to tell them I loved them, too.
“MOM!” I screamed. “DAD!” Tears stained my face. The man thrust me toward the steps of the old, yellow school bus. I screamed one more time for my parents, telling them I loved them, reaching my arms out to them.
I could see my mom’s body rock with the force of her cries. Tears ran down my father’s face. “We love you, Evangelina,” I heard them call just before the bus door closed.
It was the last thing I’d hear my parents say. It was the last image I’d have of them. I pressed my hand to the window of the bus, my head bowed as I sobbed. I didn’t try to hide my tears. Everyone on the bus was crying for their families. We knew what awaited them.
Death.
I shook my head, trying to erase the horrible memory. I wanted to remember the good things about them, not saying goodbye.
Goodbyes are hard, but this one had been different. This wasn’t a goodbye, I’ll see you in a month. It was a permanent goodbye. I’d never see my parents again. The overwhelming sadness took over, like a black hole sucking me in. Fat, salty tears ran down my face, and I could feel my nose running. I wiped my arm across it. My eyes were swollen, my throat sore, and my chest tight.
I was alone. My parents were gone. No brothers or sisters. Just me—an orphan of the virus.
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About the Author:
I'm a wife, mother, author, reader, although not always in that order.  I write young adult urban fantasies, science/fiction and paranormal romances and have recently started dabbling in young adult contemporary romance. Reading was one of my earliest passions, writing soon followed. I began writing seriously during college where I graduated Summa Cum Laude with a degree in accounting. Why I chose a career that frowns on creativity remains a mystery.

I wrote my debut young adult novel, PODs, in 2011. PODs, a science/fiction, post-apocalyptic romance, will be released June 4, 2013 through the amazing Spencer Hill Press.  My second young adult title, Milayna, a paranormal romance, will release through Spencer Hill Press beginning in March 2014. Milayna is a standalone, with series potential. It’s meant to be a trilogy. The Infected, a PODs novel, will release November 2014. It is the second, and last, book in the PODs series.
I always love to hear from readers, bloggers and other authors!
Find Michelle here:
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Since Michelle and the ladies at YA Bound are so awesome, they've got a giveaway for all you guys who want to read PODs! You can win: POD's Swag Bundle including: A signed first edition of PODs, PODs bookmarks and some of my next release Milayna, a tote bag, stickers, and a gift card ($10) to Amazon. Simply fill in the Rafflecopter below:

Good luck to you all and I hope you have a lovely day,
Sam :)

Saturday 15 June 2013

Book Haul (#49)

Hey,

Sorry for not posting a Book Haul post last week! I didn't receive or borrow anything, but this week I am overwhelmed with library books! AHHH! Not to mention some others to die for.

This week I bought, received, borrowed and swapped:
The Fault in Our StarsObsession
The Fault in Our Stars by John Green - Bought -
I read this book a while back and ABSOLUTELY LOVED IT! I didn't enjoy Looking for Alaska from John Green but I did adore this so I had to buy my own copy.
Obsession by Jennifer L. Armentrout - Bought -
This a new adult and it ties in with the Lux series so I had to get it. Plus, it was on an offer for 99 cents, which is 66p in the UK... How could I resist?
Why We Broke UpShades of Earth (Across the Universe, #3)
Why We Broke Up by Daniel Handler - Swapped -
I swapped this on Goodreads and I have heard some awesome things about it! 
Shades of Earth (Across the Universe #3) by Beth Revis - Borrowed -
The ending to the previous book, A Million Suns, was so annoying!! I've heard AMAZING things about the ending to this book.
Lullaby (Watersong, #2)If I Should Die (Revenants, #3)
Lullaby (Watersong #2) by Amanda Hocking - Borrowed -
I enjoyed Wake and thought I should catch up on the other books in the series. Bring on the mermaids!
If I Should Die (Revenants #3) by Amy Plum - Borrowed -
I can't believe this is the end of the trilogy! I adore these books and I hope there's a good ending.
The Rising (Darkness Rising, #3)Siege and Storm (The Grisha, #2)
The Rising (Darkness Rising #3) by Kelley Armstrong - Borrowed -
The previous two books have been really cool and the story lines have been interesting. Hopefully this one will be the same.
Siege and Storm (The Grisha #2) by Leigh Bardugo - Received -
A big, big thank you to Orion Publishing! I requested Shadow and Bone and absolutely loved it so I had to get my hands on this. I only received S&S this morning and the cover is more beautiful in real life!

Leave a link to your Book Haul/Stacking the Shelves/Letterbox Love/In My Mailbox/Showcase Sunday in the comments below so I can check it out!

Enjoy your books,
Sam :D