Chosen at Nightfall is HERE!!!

It's here!  It's here!  Chosen at Nightfall is finally here, everyone!  And to celebrate, here's some information to get everyone geared up for the final volume in Kylie Galen's story.  

When Kylie Galen entered Shadow Falls Camp, she left her old life behind forever and discovered a world more magical than she ever imagined. A place where you’re two best friends can be a witch and a vampire…and where love doesn’t happen the way you’d expect.

When Kylie’s most powerful enemy returns to destroy her once and for all, there’s only one way to stop him—to step into her full powers and make a stunning transformation that will amaze everyone around her.  But her journey won’t be complete until she makes one final choice…which guy to love.  Should she choose to the werewolf who broke her heart but will give anything to win her back, or the half-fae who ran from their attraction before they had a chance?  Everything she’s learned at Shadow Falls has been preparing her for this moment—when her fate will be revealed and her heart claimed forever.

And next, here are 13 things that happen in Chosen at Nightfall!

In Chosen at Nightfall Kylie. . .

1. …nearly kills Lucas twice.

2. …has another boy become interested in her.

3. …acquires another stalker.

4. …is accused of having an affair with an older man.

5. …has an unwanted guest crawl over a bathroom stall when she’s trying to pee.

6. …gets kissed by two guys.

7. …finally makes a choice of which boy she loves.

8. …is forced to kill someone to save someone she loves

9. …tells a human that she’s a supernatural.

10.         Discovers someone isn’t who they say they are.

11.         …gets caught buying pregnancy tests for someone.

12.         …Has another guy paying a pint of blood to spend an hour with her.

13.         …gets read the riot act by Burnett. 

And that's not all, everyone. The amazing CC Hunter is holding a HUUUUUUGE giveaway on her blog and I kid you not, y'all won't believe what all she's giving away.  So be sure to check it out HERE!

Last but not least, definitely check out the book trailer for Chosen at Nightfall. 

Top Ten Tuesday: Books I Recommend The Most

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 I Recommend The Most

(Best part about being a librarian!)

1) The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater

2) The Girl of Fire and Thorns by Rae Carson

3) Shadow Falls Series by C.C. Hunter

4) Dust City by Robert Paul Weston

5) The Monstrumologist by Rick Yancey

6) Carnival of Souls by Melissa Marr

7) Dash & Lily's Book of Dares by David Levithan & Rachel Cohn

8) Poison Study by Maria V. Snyder

9) Dork Diaries by Rachel Renee Russell

10) The Color Trilogy by Kim Dong Hwa

Shadow Falls: The Beginning

Have you heard about Kylie Galen?  How about Shadow Falls, the camp for supernaturals and paranormals of all types?  If you haven't, then here's your chance to get into the story from the very beginning. 

You'll get...

..and...

...in this neat little package!

While I love and adore the splendid natural beauty of the first two books, this is a great opportunity to take advantage of and get two books for the price of one!  Pretty sweet deal, right? 

So if you know someone who loves supernaturals or if you've been dying to get into the Shadow Falls series, now's your chance to get the first two books! 

Shadow Falls by C.C. Hunter

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository

Stacking the Shelves (14)

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!

Gifted:

The Dark Unwinding by Sharon Cameron (Signed)

Rock On ARC by Denise Vega

Monument 14 ARC by Emmy Laybourne

Beneath a Meth Moon ARC by Jacqueline Woodson

Whispers at Moonrise ARC by C.C. Hunter 

All of these and an awesome wolf bookmark came from 
Marla at Starting the Next Chapter. Thanks, Marla!

Won:

Seraphina ARC by Rachel Hartman (From Marla)

Scarlet by Marissa Meyer (From Courtney at Fuzzy. Coffee. Books. and signed!)

Bought:

Cinder by Marissa Meyer (Signed!)
The Arcived by Victoria Schwab


Big stack but I received all of these over quite a few weeks. ^_^

Thought for Thursday: Dear Author

Do you remember your first letter/email that you wrote to an author?  Remember that feeling of nervousness you got when trying to formulate just how much you enjoyed said author's book(s) into either an understandable letter or email?  I know I definitely do. 

Of course, this was when I felt authors were these awesome beings that were cloistered away from the masses of readers out in the world.  Yes, when I believed that publishing houses spirited away their authors, and letters were rarely to be replied to since authors were so busy writing their next book.  Honestly, you can't say that you didn't think that once upon a time, too, right? 

Now in the digital age, readers are so very fortunate to be able to interact with authors not online via email, twitter, and blogs, but also in person with all of the amazing tours set in motion by *cues dramatic music* the same publishing houses I thought were keeping the authors busy at their computers.  How silly I was back then! 

But I'm getting away from my point.  The first author I ever wrote an email to (yes, I was too scared to send fanmail only to receive a carbon-copied response in return) was Carol Berg, author of Transformation. 

I was in awe of this book mostly because it took me two times to read it, not because of disinterest.  No, during college, I accidentally dropped it and lost my place in the book when my bookmark went flying out of the pages.  D'oh!  So I had to start over and I was glad I did because I saw certain aspects of protagonist Seyonne's life in slavery that I had missed during the first read.  When I wrote my email to Carol Berg, I wasn't really expect a response, so when I got one, I was flabbergasted.  And also very happy.  Below is my email to Carol.

"Dear Ms. Berg,
I am sure you receive mail from many readers, but I still wanted to send this letter regarding Transformation in the hopes that you would have time to read it.  After starting the book my freshman year of college, I clumsily dropped the book, sending my bookmark flying and losing my page.  Although I wanted to read Transformation again, I was unable to begin it because my English classes (my major) consumed all my reading time.  It was two years after that I was able to pick up Transformation and begin reading it.  When I reached the part where I stopped, I set the book aside but not just due to more readings.  I wanted to be able to enjoy Transformation to the fullest extent, and to do so, I needed to have the anticipation of finishing it.  Although I have not finished the book, Transformation does consume part of my mind as I ponder the remarkable manner in which you developed both Seyonne and Prince Aleksander.  The setting is amazing, and the trials Seyonne undertakes in the Derzhi world and within the Ezzarian world are so realistic and vivid, it makes me want to cry for him.  I am nearing the end of Transformation, and I look forward to continuing the story with both Revelation and Restoration (already in my possession).  Transformation has been an inspiration to me and my own writing, and I must offer my gratitude to you for creating this world.  Thank you for taking the time to read my letter. 

Sincerely,
Amy"

And her response:

"Dear Amy,

What a lovely letter.  I am always thrilled to hear from happy readers, especially when they say they have found themselves immersed in the world and feeling things along with the characters.  No higher praise, as far as I'm concerned.  And it is such a pleasure to hear that my work has inspired you to move ahead with your own writing. Thanks for taking time from your busy schedule to let me know.

Best of luck with your studies and your writing.
Carol"

Needless to say, I was thrilled to hear from her.  And that is what got me thinking about how fortunate we readers are in this digital age to be able to communicate with authors we adore and admire so... well, easily.  Still, I admit to being nervous each time I do take the time to write an email to authors for the first time or even Tweet to them.  Even with that nervousness, I know that they appreciate their readers.  And so, dear Authors I have met or hopefully will meet, thank you.  Thank you for all you do and thank you for giving your time to your readers.  ^_^

P.S. To Mary Lindsey, Joy Preble, Lynne Kelly, C.C. Hunter, Christina Mandelski, and any other local authors I have missed, keep doing our city proud!

P.P.S. To the staff at Blue Willow Books, Murder by the Book, and Katy Budget Books, thank you!

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? ^_^

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. ^_^

Texas YA Author Love Giveaway Winner Announced!

Since the annual Texas Library Association conference is just around the corner, I'm hosting a giveaway to show all of our Texas YA authors just how much their readers love them.  You can win TWO paranormal books of your choice from the list of titles below. 

Congratulations to Natasha! 

She has chosen Taken at Dusk by C.C. Hunter and Shattered Souls by Mary Lindsey as her prizes.

Top Ten Tuesday (41): Books to Read in a Day

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 to Read in A Day

(In no particular order, but I chose books I've read and want to read)

1. Poison Study by Maria V. Snyder

2. Blood and Chocolate by Annette Curtis Klause

3. Dash & Lily's Book of Dares by Rachel Cohn & David Levithan

4. Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater

5. The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater

6. Awake at Dawn by C.C. Hunter

7. Dragonswood by Janet Lee Carey

8. Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare

9. Wonderstruck by Brian Selznick

10. Fated by Alyson Noel

Top Ten Tuesday (40): Books on My Spring TBR List

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 on My Spring TBR List

(In no particular order)

1. Dragonswood by Janet Lee Carey

This one is perfect for spring, especially looking at the cover!

2. Touch of Frost by Jennifer Estep

It's high-time I started on my other mythology-related school series.

3. Across the Universe by Beth Revis

I feel like... exploring new horizons. Space, here I come!

4. Fated by Alyson Noel

The cover has more of an autumn feel to it, but I still want to read it.

5. The International Kissing Club by Ivy Adams

What happens in Spring? Spring fever and romance!

6. The List by Siobhan Vivian

I'm just eager to read this one since Siobhan Vivian is coming to Teen Book Con.

7. Awake at Dawn by C.C. Hunter

Another beautiful springtime cover just puts me in the mood to read.

8. Goddess Boot Camp by Tera Lynn Childs

While I hesitate to read this one (because I'm sure it'll be just as funny and light as Oh. My. Gods. and I love to savor my funny reads), I simply must know how Phoebe gets herself out of this pickle.

9. Trial by Fire by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

Sequels, sequels, I'm surrounded by sequels that I must read!

10. Supernaturally by Kiersten White

Just proving my reason for #9 is true.