Review: The Mephisto Covenant by Trinity Faegen

Title:  The Mephisto Covenant (Mephisto Covenant #1)
Author:  Trinity Faegen
Pages:  434
Genre:  Paranormal Young Adult Literature
Publisher:  Egmont USA
Obtained:  Library
Summary:  Sasha is desperate to find out who murdered her father. When getting the answer means pledging her soul to Eryx, she unlocks a secret that puts her in grave danger--she is an Anabo, a daughter of Eve, and Eryx's biggest threat.

A son of Hell, immortal, and bound to Earth forever, Jax looks for redemption in the Mephisto Covenant--God's promise he will find peace in the love of an Anabo. After a thousand years, he's finally found the girl he's been searching for: Sasha.

With the threat of Eryx always looming, Jax knows he has to keep Sasha safe and win her over. But can he? Will Sasha love him and give up her mortal life?

The Dish:  Sasha has a lot being thrown at her all at once.  Within a single day, she's confronted the leader of a supposed cult to find out about her father's murder, stoned by members of said cult, rescued by a young man dressed in black, and had her memories erased of anything about said man.  When she gets home after all of this has happened, she learns her mother is being departed to Russia for being suspected as a spy, and Sasha is going to live with the uncle and aunt she never knew about.  May I take a break from the Tilt-O-Whirl of events, please?

With everything that's being hurled at Sasha, I'm surprised she's still standing and able to take in everything.  I admire that aspect about her as a character, but there were some issues I had with her behavior, too.  Yes, I realize it might have been due to her proximity to Jax, but to see her constantly stating, "No, I have to stay away from him," and then turn right around to run to the one she thought was "not right" was driving me up the wall.  It felt like I was at Wimbledon watching Sasha going from one side of the court to the next. 

Other than being a Son of Hell, Jax didn't seem like that bad of a guy.  What he does is ultimately for the greater good even though it means no redemption for the Lost Souls from humans who pledged themselves to Eryx.  And when it came to Sasha, it appeared as though he did everything in his power to help her, which really speaks of his character and the fact that he does want redemption from God.  It was nice to also be introduced to his five brothers as I believe each of them will be a focus for the next books in The Mephisto Covenant series. 

What was rather disheartening was how quickly certain people seemed to give up and follow Eryx.  Were they that desperate enough to give up their souls?  I won't go into greater detail because I don't want to spoil the story, but it was something that gave more despair to the story sometimes even more than what Sasha had to endure. 

Trinity Faegen has told a story that revolves around the fight between good and evil and given it a new twist.  I was impressed with how Faegen chose to handle the religious aspect of the story, and I'm already curious to see what she has in store for the next book, The Mephisto Kiss. 

Book 6

Waiting on Wedneday: The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

This week's "Waiting On" Wednesday selection is:

The Raven Boys

By Maggie Stiefvater

Publish Date September 18th by Scholastic Press

From Goodreads~

"There are only two reasons a non-seer would see a spirit on St. Mark's Eve," Neeve said. "Either you're his true love...or you killed him."

It is freezing in the churchyard, even before the dead arrive.

Every year, Blue Sargent stands next to her clairvoyant mother as the soon-to-be dead walk past. Blue herself never sees them--not until this year, when a boy emerges from the dark and speaks directly to her.

His name is Gansey, and Blue soon discovers that he is a rich student at Aglionby, the local private school. Blue has a policy of staying away from Aglionby boys. Known as Raven Boys, they can only mean trouble.

But Blue is drawn to Gansey, in a way she can't entirely explain. He has it all--family money, good looks, devoted friends--but he's looking for much more than that. He is on a quest that has encompassed three other Raven Boys: Adam, the scholarship student who resents all the privilege around him; Ronan, the fierce soul who ranges from anger to despair; and Noah, the taciturn watcher of the four, who notices many things but says very little.

For as long as she can remember, Blue has been warned that she will cause her true love to die. She never thought this would be a problem. But now, as her life becomes caught up in the strange and sinister world of the Raven Boys, she's not so sure anymore. 

Let's face it, folks, Maggie's done it again, and this one sounds so very mysterious.  I'm eager to see how this fantasy series will turn out with the first novel, and it reminds me a bit of the film, Krabat.  September will be here before we know it, and I'll be getting my hands on a copy as soon as possible.  

What are you waiting on this Wednesday?

Stacking the Shelves (4)

We are all book lovers and the need to share our enthusiasm is sometimes overwhelming. Stacking the Shelves, created and hosted at Tynga's Reviews, is all about sharing the books you are adding to your shelves, may it be physical or virtual. This means you can include books you buy in stores or online, books you borrow from friends or the library, review books, gifts, and of course ebooks!

Call of the Sea ARC by Rebecca Hart (From Publisher for Blog Tour, thank you Kelly!)

The Mephisto Covenant by Trinity Faegan (Interlibrary Loan FTW)
Lola and the Boy Next Door by Stephanie Perkins (Library)

Artisan Bread in Five Minutes a Day by Jeff Hertzberg (Library)

What did you stack your shelves with this week? ^_^

TGIF (25): Show Me Your Cover

TGIF is a weekly meme created and hosted by Ginger of GReads! that recaps the week's posts and has a different question each week.

Question: What are some of the worst book covers, but hold some of the best stories?

My Answer: This was a really tough one for me because most of the books on my bookshelves have fairly nice if not relevant covers.  I think the first cover for Ruby Red by Kerstin Gier is not necessarily the worst, but it isn't as "eye-catching" as other covers in YA literature.  And by "first cover" I mean the German cover.  The first US cover is definitely appropriate for the content, and the story is really amazing.  Definitely check it out if you haven't already!

***

This week on Denim-Jacket Librarian Dishes:

Stacking the Shelves (3)

Beaux Livres (4): Bookstores

Waiting on Wednesday: Stormdancer by Jay Kristoff

Reviews:

The Girl of Fire and Thorns by Rae Carson

Review: The Girl of Fire and Thorns by Rae Carson

Title:  The Girl of Fire and Thorns
(Fire and Thorns #1)
Author:  Rae Carson
Pages:  424
Genre:  Young Adult Fantasy
Publisher:  Greenwillow Books
Obtained:  Library
Summary:  Once a century, one person is chosen for greatness.

Elisa is the chosen one.

But she is also the younger of two princesses, the one who has never done anything remarkable. She can't see how she ever will.

Now, on her sixteenth birthday, she has become the secret wife of a handsome and worldly king--a king whose country is in turmoil. A king who needs the chosen one, not a failure of a princess.

And he's not the only one who seeks her. Savage enemies seething with dark magic are hunting her. A daring, determined revolutionary thinks she could be his people's savior. And he looks at her in a way that no man has ever looked at her before. Soon it is not just her life, but her very heart that is at stake.

Elisa could be everything to those who need her most. If the prophecy is fulfilled. If she finds the power deep within herself. If she doesn't die young.

Most of the chosen do.

The Dish:  Princess Lucero-Elisa does not believe she is the one who should bear the Godstone, the gift bestowed upon God's chosen once every one hundred years.  She's not good with royal politics, she's not graceful or lithe, and she's terrified of horses (her only true flaw in my opinion).  While she believes her elder sister would be a more suitable bearer of the Godstone as well as a more suitable match for King Alejandro of her country's ally, it is Elisa who is led down the aisle in a marriage that any self-doubting sixteen-year-old girl would hesitate to enter.

These reasons are why she is one of the most amazing fantasy heroines.  Elisa knows her flaws, or at least what she thinks of as flaws, and she doubts herself constantly throughout the story, but she keeps moving forward despite having these reservations about herself.  One could say this is due to those around her that offer support and belief in her, but it is also Elisa's own determination to rise to the task of bearing the Godstone that makes her such a remarkable heroine.

Rae Carson created and brought to life amazing and life-like supporting characters, and I say "supporting" both in the casting sense and in what they do to help Elisa find her path to grow.  Starting with Ximena and Aneaxi, Elisa's nurse and lady-in-waiting, they have been there for the princess ever since she was a baby.  Then, there is the stoic Hector, King Alejandro's man-at-arms, who proved to be a great councilor to Elisa sometimes without even speaking.  The desert escorts were by far some of the most earnest characters from the unreadable Cosme to her brother, Humberto, who became devoted to Elisa.  The two that I'm awaiting to learn more about are Ximena and Hector, both of which give me the impression that there is far more to their story than we've heard thus far.

While The Girl of Fire and Thorns is a rather lengthy book, the story didn't feel as such.  Between the transitions for Elisa going from one realm to another, the pace was energetic, and I certainly felt the energy flowing from the pages.  Carson's writing has an amazing use of description without going into a tangent, and this makes the reader aware of Elisa's ability to notice the details that are often missed.

Those who are destined for greatness will not often find it while in the comforts of the familiar.  No one knows that more than Lucero-Elisa, bearer of the Godstone and hope for her people.  I can't wait to read the continuation of Elisa's story, so look for The Crown of Embers on September 18th!

Book 5

Waiting on Wednesday: Stormdancer by Jay Kristoff

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

This week's "Waiting On" Wednesday selection is:

Stormdancer

By Jay Kristoff

Published on September 18, 2012 by St. Martin's Press

From Goodreads~

A Dying Land

The Shima Imperium is verging on the brink of environmental collapse; decimated by clockwork industrialization and the machine-worshippers of the Lotus Guild. The skies are red as blood, land choked with toxic pollution, wildlife ravaged by mass extinctions.

An Impossible Quest

The hunters of the imperial court are charged by their Shogun to capture a thunder tiger--a legendary beast, half-eagle, half-tiger. But any fool knows thunder tigers have been extinct for more than a century, and the price of failing the Shogun is death.

A Sixteen Year Old Girl

Yukiko is a child of the Fox clan, possessed of a hidden gift that would see her executed by the Lotus Guild. Accompanying her father on the Shogun's hunt, she finds herself stranded: a young woman alone in Shima's last wilderness, with only a furious, crippled thunder tiger for company. Even though she can hear his thoughts, even though she saved his life, all she knows for certain is he'd rather see her dead than help her.

But together, the pair will form an indomitable friendship, and rise to challenge the might of an empire.

***

After reading that *points to the summary* do I need to justify why I'm waiting on Stormdancer's release date?  Between Asian folklore and the heroine's quest, I really think it speaks for itself. ^_^

What are you waiting on this Wednesday?

Stacking the Shelves (3)

We are all book lovers and the need to share our enthusiasm is sometimes overwhelming. Stacking the Shelves, created and hosted at Tynga's Reviews, is all about sharing the books you are adding to your shelves, may it be physical or virtual. This means you can include books you buy in stores or online, books you borrow from friends or the library, review books, gifts, and of course ebooks!

Firethorn by Sarah Micklem (Gift from Marla at Starting the Next Chapter, thanks hun!)

Taken at Dusk by C.C. Hunter (Bought from B&N)

The Girl of Fire and Thorns by Rae Carson (Library)

Orcs: Forged for War by Stan Nicholls (Library)

Spike: After the Fall by Brian Lynch & Franco Urru (Library)

Needless to say, I'm trying to make great use of my library system, especially since I started ordering for the collection. :)

What did you stack on your shelves this week? ^_^

TGIF (24): A Book Blogger is Born

TGIF is a weekly meme created and hosted by Ginger of GReads! that recaps the week's posts and has a different question each week.

Question: What made you decide to start your very own book blog?

My Answer: I was inspired by Karen of Books Beside My Bed to start my book blog. As a librarian, it's a great way to talk about books (whether new or classic) and meet other readers. I've met some awesome and amazing people through blogging, and I'm sure there will be plenty more as I continue to read, learn from other bloggers, and keep on talking about books. :) So a special thanks to Karen. 


***
This week on Denim-Jacket Librarian Dishes:

Stacking the Shelves (2)

Happy Mother's Day!

Beaux Livres

Top Ten Tuesday (46): Books That You Think Deserve Their Own TV Show

Reviews:

ARC Review: Underworld (Abandon Trilogy #2) by Meg Cabot

Giveaways: 

Love in Bloom Giveaway Hop

Love In Bloom Giveaway Hop!

Love in Bloom 

Giveaway Hop

Featuring Lighthearted/Contemporary Young Adult Romance

& Sweet, Clean Adult Romance

Hosted by I Am A Reader, Not A Writer & Portrait of a Book

May 18th to 23rd

Ah, spring. A time of new life, flowers bursting into an array of colors amid a sea of green, and young love.  In celebration of Love In Bloom, I'm giving away a copy of Stephanie Perkins' Anna and the French Kiss.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

ARC Review: Underworld by Meg Cabot

Title:  Underworld (Abandon Trilogy #2)
Author:  Meg Cabot
Pages:  320
Genre:  Young Adult Fantasy, Mythology
Publisher:  Point
Obtained:  ARC provided by publisher
Summary:  Seventeen-year-old Pierce Oliviera isn't dead.

Not this time.

But she is being held against her will in the dim, twilit world between heaven and hell, where the spirits of the deceased wait before embarking upon their final journey.

Her captor, John Hayden, claims it's for her own safety.  Because not all the departed are dear.  Some are so unhappy with where they ended up after leaving the Underworld, they've come back as Furies, intent on vengeance... on the one who sent them there and on the one whom he loves.

But while Pierce might be safe from the Furies in the Underworld, far worse dangers could be lurking for her there... and they might have more to do with its ruler than with his enemies.

And unless Pierce is careful, this time there'll be no escape.

The Dish:  Reading Underworld has made me want to go back in time and lower my rating of Abandon to 4 Snowflakes.  Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed Abandon, but I didn't read it with the fervor that I read Underworld.  This is one case where I felt the sequel outdid its predecessor. 

The story picks right back up from where we last left Pierce and John after he swept her away to the Underworld for her own safety.  While Pierce is still hesitant about being in the realm of the dead for eternity, being with John makes it appear more enticing.  Speaking of John, although he is still a bit on the brooding side (though what death deity wouldn't be?), there were changes in his character that made him even more likable.  Readers get to see this more sensitive side of John through how he has made changes in running the Underworld and how he behaves with his former crew who serve and assist him.  I do wish that John had been more honest and upfront about several big factors with Pierce, but if she's willing to overlook that, I suppose I can as well.

Let me just say that I enjoyed getting to meet John's crew members, Frank, Mr. Graves, Mr. Liu, and Henry.  They're the first "denizens" of the Underworld that Pierce meets, and while she doesn't feel as though she made the best of impressions, they do warm up to her throughout the time that all are on Isla Huesos.  It's amazing at how much occurs within the single day or rather night, and Cabot seems to be a master at making a short time feel much longer.  This is due to the major plot seeming rather simple, but when factoring in the obstacles placed in Pierce and John's path, it makes the simplest task much more difficult.  The Furies involved were no less fierce in their onslaught against Pierce, and I'm eager to see what the resolution will be for these angered spirits present on Isla Huesos.

Once again, Cabot has left this reader wanting more, and 2013 cannot get here soon enough when the final installment of the trilogy, Awaken, will be available.

Book 4

Top Ten Tuesday (46): Books That You Think Deserve Their Own TV Show

Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created at The Broke and the Bookish. Each week a new Top Ten list will be posted by one of the bloggers at The Broke and the Bookish. Everyone is welcome to join, just make sure to link back to The Broke and the Bookish on your own Top Ten Tuesday post AND add your name to the Linky widget so everyone can check out other blogger lists. Have fun!

Top Ten Books That You Think Deserve Their Own TV Show

(In no particular order)

1. Soulless by Gail Carriger
I can only judge by the manga since I haven't read the series yet, but a steampunk paranormal anime series would be most welcome on television.

2. Paranormalcy by Kiersten White
Supernatural dramedy, 'nuff said.

3. The List by Siobhan Vivian
One of my most-watched yet not well-known series was Popular, and I think The List as a television show could be the next generation.

4. Intertwined by Gena Showalter
With all that is going on in this series, I'm surprised it's not a television series already.

5. Enchanted Forest Chronicles by Patricia Wrede
This was a hilarious quartet, and I think we need more comedic fantasy television series.

6. Shadow Falls Series by C.C. Hunter
So many great television series took place at camp, so why not Shadow Falls Camp, too?

7. Obsidian by Jennifer L. Armentrout
While I haven't read this book yet (though I'm DYING to), I think we need more sci-fi television series, and I think Daimon would make a perfect addition to the hot alien list.

8. A Brush of Darkness by Allison Pang
I see this one as a cross between The Dresden Files, Supernatural. and Buffy: The Vampire Slayer.

9. Ruby Red by Kerstin Gier
Time-traveling isn't just for doctors these days, and time-hopping sounds like a great means of travel.

I was only able to think of 9 this time, but I'm sure everyone has some great ideas for books that deserve their own television shows. ^_^

Happy Mother's Day!

(Photo courtesy of woxys.deviantart.com)

To all wonderful moms out there, may you have a wonderful and restful day all to yourselves.  And if you share this day with your family, may your children not tire you out with too much fun.  Because you deserve it and more.

Happy Mother's Day!

Stacking the Shelves (2)

We are all book lovers and the need to share our enthusiasm is sometimes overwhelming. Stacking the Shelves, created and hosted at Tynga's Reviews, is all about sharing the books you are adding to your shelves, may it be physical or virtual. This means you can include books you buy in stores or online, books you borrow from friends or the library, review books, gifts, and of course ebooks!

Chained by Lynne Kelly (Bought and signed!)
The Light Keepers by Mande Matthews (Free ebook)
Secret of the Wolf ARC by Cynthia Garner (Given by Valerie of Blue Willow Books) 

What did you stack on your shelves last week? ^_^

TGIF (23): Supporting Characters

TGIF is a weekly meme created and hosted by Ginger of GReads! that recaps the week's posts and has a different question each week.

Question: We tend to to gush over those main characters the most, but what about those supporting roles?  Who are some of your favorites?

My Answer: Jeez, Ginger always thinks of the tough questions. ;) I'd have to say two of my most favorite side characters are Ari and Janco from Maria V. Snyder's Poison Study. Actually, Janco nearly stole the show with his antics, but he's just so adorable, you can't help but love him.  

Another set of side characters I really adore are Callum, Devon, and Lake from Jennifer Lynn Barnes' Raised by Wolves. These three are key elements in helping Bryn become the person she was meant to be within her pack. I'm really hoping to see a lot more of them in Trial by Fire and Taken by Storm.

***

This week on Denim-Jacket Librarian Dishes:

Stacking the Shelves (1)

Ellie James Guest Post: Broken Illusions Blog Tour

Beaux Livres

Review: Dreaming Anastasia by Joy Preble

Review: Dreaming Anastasia by Joy Preble

Title:  Dreaming Anastasia
Author:  Joy Preble
Pages:  310
Genre:  Young Adult Fantasy, Russian Folklore
Publisher:  SourceBooks
Obtained:  Purchased
Summary:  Anastasia Romanov thought she would never feel more alone than when the gunfire started and her family began to fall around her. Surely the bullets would come for her next. But they didn't. Instead, two gnarled old hands reached for her. When she wakes up she discovers that she is in the ancient hut of the witch Baba Yaga, and that some things are worse than being dead.

In modern-day Chicago, Anne doesn't know much about Russian history. She is more concerned about getting into a good college--until the dreams start. She is somewhere else. She is someone else. And she is sharing a small room with a very old woman. The vivid dreams startle her, but not until a handsome stranger offers to explain them does she realize her life is going to change forever. She is the only one who can save Anastasia. But, Anastasia is having her own dreams...

The Dish:  What did happen to Anastasia Romanov, the youngest daughter of the Russian tsar?  That is a mystery that has plagued historians for years, but in Dreaming Anastasia, Joy Preble has managed to integrate the mystery into a fairytale that readers will feel is more real than originally thought.  While the focus is not on Anastasia (at least not entirely), she is the key at the heart of the quest that brings together Ethan, a man who has been searching for the one girl who will help him free Anastasia, and Anne, a modern girl just trying to make it through high school.

I adored both Anne and Ethan.  Both of them developed as characters quite well considering the short amount of time they spend with each other.  It was a great big plus in my book to be able to get inside both of their heads as well as Anastasia's in chapters of alternating points of view.  For Anastasia, I feel as though I knew her more through her letters to her family, and how hard it must have been for her to write each of them.  There were a few chapters where I forgot who was talking and became a little confused, having to go back to the beginning of the chapter and remember whose point of view I was reading from.  However, once I dove further into the book, Preble's transitions between our three main characters were seamless.

Seeing the villain of a fairytale like Baba Yaga being used as a force for good puts the entire "good vs. evil" arguement in perspective.  There are always areas of gray matter in which a hero might be forced to do something wicked and a villain might do something beneficial for someone beyond themselves.  Characters that break the molds of their stereotypes draw my interest and curiosity, so I'm eager to see how Preble will utilize Baba Yaga in the next books. 

While Russian folklore isn't studied or read as often as other fairytales, I'm glad to see an author like Joy Preble thinking outside of the box with her Anastasia trilogy.  I'm looking forward to reading the continuation of Anne and Ethan's story in Haunted and Anastasia Forever (which is due to be released in August). 

Book 4

Ellie James Guest Post: Broken Illusions Blog Tour

Hello and welcome, everyone!  I'm pleased to welcome YA author, Ellie James, during the launch of her blog tour for Broken Illusions, the sequel to Shattered Dreams.  Let's give a warm welcome to Ellie as she talks about extreme research! 

***

His bound wrists would prevent him from using his arms to swim, but with his hands holding onto the wood, at least he could keep himself afloat while he kicked. Fifty yards. He could do that.

He grabbed the branch, ran to the dock, and dove into the dark, brutal current.

            Hmmm.  Would that work? Is it possible to make your way across a swollen river wearing handcuffs? It sure seemed possible, especially for the resourceful, tough-as-nails Sandro, but I couldn’t let myself run with the scene, not until I knew. So I did what any dedicated writer would do: I brought rope to my husband and asked him to tie my wrists together. Yeah, I got a look at that, but he (quite happily I might add) obliged, and off I went to the backyard. My husband quietly followed. I found a 2x4 to play the role of the stick, then jumped into the deep end of the pool, fully clothed (couldn’t wear a swimsuit, since poor Sandro didn’t have that luxury.)  Then I swam. Kind of.  Holding the wood beneath my chest, I kept my head above water and kicked my way to safety, and voila! Presto! I had my answer: If I could do it, surely my fantasy guy Sandro could. Dilemma solved.

            Research. Sometimes there are no shortcuts.

The Internet is a writer’s best friend. While the thought of research can send you straight back to school and that term paper you didn’t want to write, the reality is getting the facts straight is critical. (Just be careful you don’t end up on the FBI watch list. That’s happened!) We all love making stuff up, but you can’t say a heroine can free herself from being duct-taped to a chair just because you want her to. You need to know if that’s possible. That’s the challenge bestselling author Virginia Kantra faced when she decided to duct-tape herself to her office chair to make sure she really could free herself. Um…she couldn’t. And it wasn’t even noon yet, DH was at work, the kids at school, the phone across the room. So there she sat, in her office, bound to her chair as minutes dragged into hours. Finally her teenage son came home, followed her voice to her office, and walked in on something he’d never imagined walking in on! I would have loved to have seen the look on his face!  Fortunately, being a writer’s son, he immediately deduced that he hadn’t walked in on a home invasion, but rather, his mom doing what all good writers do. Researching.

But sometimes research means leaving the house. How else do you find out if its possible to escape while handcuffed to a police cruiser?  When romance author Diana Duncan found herself in line at Starbucks behind a uniformed cop, she immediately seized the opportunity to solve a key plot problem. Thrilled, Diana struck up a dialog with the cop and soon found herself out in the parking lot being handcuffed to his car, while her horrified teenage daughter looked on.

For my current YA series, the Midnight Dragonfly books, there’s not one New Orleans locale that I haven’t explored myself, including a late night sprint from Bourbon Street to the levee, to see how fast you could feasibly get from one place to the others. I’ve sat with the psychics and had my palm read, and I’ve climbed the fences and hidden behind trees and…um….sorta gone somewhere no one wasn’t supposed to go.  I can’t say where, but the second I learned about This Certain Place, abandoned since Hurricane Katrina, I knew it was perfect for a crucial dramatic sequence. And despite the abundance of YouTube videos about This Certain Place, I knew I had to make a visit myself. I needed to see the swamp encroaching upon the parking lot and the chain link fence, the abandoned buildings and…well, I can’t say what else I needed to see, except whether it was true that certain objects were still there after over five years of abandonment. I needed to breathe the air and smell the decay. I needed to see the graffiti and feel the despair.

And I did.

And it was amazing.

I was scared to death, but that’s okay. Knowing that, how frightening it was to be there, how many places there were to hide, the realization that there were probably others there, hiding--watching--only enabled me to add that much more authenticity to the scenes.

And that’s what it’s all about. Authenticity.

I do have to add that not all research involves risking your life (or breaking the law). When I first started writing Shattered Dreams, I researched the most popular brands of jeans among teenage girls, and found myself in a Buckle store to see for myself. The next thing you know, I’ve been fitted for my own awesome pair!! 

Research definitely has its perks, the more extreme the better.

About the Midnight Dragonfly Series

Glimpses. That’s all they are. Shadowy premonitions flickering through sixteen year old psychic Trinity Monsour’s dreams. Some terrify: a girl screaming, a knife lifting, a body in the grass. But others--the dark, tortured eyes and the shattering kiss, the promise of forever--whisper to her soul.

They come without warning. They come without detail.

But they always mean the same thing: The clock is ticking, and only Trinity can stop it.

Find out how in Broken Illusions (St. Martin’s Press), available May 8, 2012.

About Ellie James

Most people who know Ellie think she’s your nice, ordinary average wife and mom of two little kids. They see someone who does all that normal stuff, like grocery shopping, walking the dogs, going to baseball games, and somehow always forgetting to get the house cleaned and laundry done.

 What they don't know is that more often than, this LSU J-School alum is somewhere far, far away, in an extraordinary world, deeply embroiled in solving a riddle or puzzle or crime, testing the limits of possibility, exploring the unexplained, and holding her breath while two people fall in love.

Regardless of which world Ellie’s in, she loves rain and wind and thunder and lightning; the first warm kiss of spring and the first cool whisper of fall; family, friends, and animals; dreams and happy endings; Lost and Fringe; Arcade Fire and Dave Matthews, and last but not least…warm gooey chocolate chip cookies.

 You can follow Ellie on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Midnight-Dragonfly-Books-by-Ellie-James/154988421236309

Her next book, BROKEN ILLUSIONS, will be available from Griffin Teen May 8, 2012.  

Stacking the Shelves (1)

We are all book lovers and the need to share our enthusiasm is sometimes overwhelming. Stacking the Shelves, created and hosted at Tynga's Reviews, is all about sharing the books you are adding to your shelves, may it be physical or virtual. This means you can include books you buy in stores or online, books you borrow from friends or the library, review books, gifts, and of course ebooks!

Pegasus: The Flame of Olympus by Kate O'Hearn (From Simon & Schuster)

(Special thanks to Fiona Simpson of Simon & Schuster for talking about Pegasus and for this finished copy!)

Shattered Dreams by Ellie James (Trade with Kristin of Kristin Creative)
Broken Illusions by Ellie James (Also part of the trade with Kristin, thank you so much!)

What did you stack your shelves with this past week? ^_^

TGIF (22): Literary Vacations

TGIF is a weekly meme created and hosted by Ginger of GReads! that recaps the week's posts and has a different question each week.

This week on Denim-Jacket Librarian Dishes:

Beaux Livres

Top Ten Tuesday (45): Books I'd Like to See Made into a Movie

Waiting on Wednesday: Of Poseidon by Anna Banks
DJL Dishes Dessert: Tiramisu

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If you could take a trip this summer to any place within a fictional book, where would you go? Tell us about your summer dream vacation!

My Answer:  I'm not sure about where I would go within a fictional book, but I would love to be in Colorado when the real summer weather hits here.  It would be nice to be in a place that you can breathe without feeling you've lost your breath.  ^_^