YALit Giveaway Event!

 

A bunch of authors who got together to bring you a YOUNG ADULT Big Box of Paperbacks Giveaway! One lucky winner is going to win FIFTY (50) Young Adult Paperback Books! How’s that for an epic Book-Lover’s Prize?!

 

THIS BOX OF BOOKS IS VALUED AT OVER $500! And this giveaway is open worldwide! Our first giveaway went to a winner in ROMANIA–and yes, we’re willing to pay the insane shipping on this oversized, overweight package to get the prize to WHOEVER wins!

—

Here's a sneak peek from a couple of the sponsors:

Adrenaline Rush by Cindy M. Hogan

 

 

As I hurtled toward my destination at 500 miles an hour, I pulled out a notebook, placed it on the shiny mahogany table in front of me, and scribbled a quick to-do list.

 

Pick out an outfit.

 

Get folders and notebooks.

 

Switch into fourth period drama.

 

I chewed on the end of my pen. Oh yeah—just one more thing.

 

Get kidnapped.

 

According to my pre-mission briefing, kidnappings were up in the States by five percent over the last five years. The significance of which didn’t hit me until I found that the statistics for kidnappings had remained static for a good thirty years. The spike caught the attention of the FBI, and they put their best men on it. The problem? Right when they thought they’d discovered the pattern of the kidnappers, it seemed to change.

 

We hit some turbulence, and the force of it pulled me out of my reverie. I sucked in a deep breath, my hands resting on the soft leather side arms of my big comfortable seat as the Gulfstream jet jumped. I let the rollercoaster feeling wash over me like a wave, forcing myself to enjoy every last tingle. I only had this flight and a few hours tonight to assume my new thrill-seeking alias—the one that would lure the kidnappers and save the day before the pattern changed again. I might as well make the most of it.

 

 

Chosen Wolf (Curse of the Moon #2) Excerpt

 

The full moon inched higher in the night sky, growing bigger and brighter by the moment. One by one, the members of the pack ran behind the Moonhaven mansion to remove their clothes before they tore to shreds as their bodies turned from men to wolves. Howls sounded in the distance.

 

Toby squeezed my hand, holding my gaze. “Maybe this will be the month you can finally shift again, Victoria.”

 

Sharp pains ran through my body. My right hip cracked. I bit my tongue, trying not to cry out in pain. My skin felt on fire as fur tried to poke through, but couldn’t.

 

His face tensed, a pained look in his eyes. “Are you shifting?”

 

I shook my head. There was nothing normal about this, and it was proving to be more difficult and painful than my other months of un-shifts. Each one grew worse than the last.

 

Toby scooped me up, carried me inside, and helped me onto my bed. “I can’t keep my wolf inside any longer. I’m sorry.”

 

“It’s okay.” I fought to keep my voice steady. Tears threatened.

 

He brushed hair from my face and kissed my forehead. “Ziamara’s upstairs sleeping. She said to wake her if you need anything.”

 

“I’ll be fine.” I grimaced, the pain nearly choking me.

 

Toby cried out and the sound of ripping fabric tore through the room. He spun around and dashed out the door. The back of his shirt had ripped, and fur poked through the split material.

 

I gripped a pillow, squeezing it as hard as I could to distract myself from the pain. It didn’t work, and the pillow exploded, filling the air with white feathers.

 

A loud pop sounded and then a horrific pain shot through my shoulders. I slumped down and screamed, unable to take the pain.

 

Very intense! Lots of action. These poor kids go through hell. I would have ended up in a mental institution if I were in their situation. This book has a lot going on; 1. A love triangle 2. A very scary situation for kids this young to deal with 3. A HUGE burden from the FBI to keep a secret, even from their parents 4. And they have to act like everything is normal. I couldn't do it, I would have called my mommy!

 I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.

Adrenaline Rush is an action-packed, mystery/suspense that lives up to the title. I've been looking forward to reading this novel since I read the blurb a couple months ago, and it was worth the wait. Imagine how happy I was to discover that main character Christy is in The Watched trilogy that details the events leading up to her role as an agent.

Eighteen year old Christy is an amazing person. I lament the fact that I haven't read The Watched trilogy because I'm sure it gives great insight into the formation of Christy's personality (though it's definitely not necessary to enjoy this book). To be a special agent sent on a dangerous assignment at such a young age is mind-blowing. Christy is strong, loyal, and extremely intelligent. I'm majorly jealous of her photographic memory. She has an amazing ability to don a persona like it's merely clothing. Not only that, but she forces herself into situations that make her uncomfortable for the sake of her mission.

Christy is charged with infiltrating a local group of adrenaline junkie teenagers. Someone has been kidnapping groups of teens, and they are never seen again. Before long Christy realizes there are actually two groups of adrenaline junkies in the town. When she shares her gut instinct, that the group she was sent to infiltrate may not be the right group, the senior agents tell her she's too young to follow her instincts. Fortunately, Christy has learned to trust her instincts, so she manages to infiltrate both groups.

I really enjoyed this novel. The action scenes are well-written, and the madman created by Ms. Hogan is as intriguing as he is repulsive. There were times that events made me a bit sick, but without spoilers, I really can't get into it. I just needed a short break to let the story sink in. I couldn't stay away for long, though, and I finished the book in just a few hours. There are graphic scenes of physical, as well as psychological torture that left my mind reeling. Once in a while the story lagged a bit, but it wasn't long before the action picked up again.

If you like a good suspense with an intriguing plot, a great female protagonist, and plenty of action, addAdrenaline Rush to your TBR list. I can't wait for some free time to read The Watched trilogy; I'm dying to learn all about Christy's adventures before Adrenaline Rush.

Another Indie Knockout victim! More cliches, stupid kids who just HAVE to see the decapitated body instead of being smart and running like fuck is what jumpstarts the plot, Christy's insecurities are a little annoying (I'm comfortable with my body and lack the patience for those insecurities despite knowing they're a very real problem), and she says she used to think girls who drooled over guys were weak/silly until she met Alex. Now she's one of those girls.Gave up at 11%.

Enter to win one of two author signed copies as part of the Watched blog tour http://fireandicephoto.blogspot.com/2011/07/watched-blog-tour-giveaway.html ends August 21, 2011

Watched is one part suspense, one part action and lots of building first time romance. Main protagonist Christy has never really considered herself a part of the "in " crowd at school. Back home she's young for her grade, overly intellectual and socially awkward. But on a summer trip to Washington DC as part of a scholarship for future politicians her life makes an unexpected U-turn. Witnesses to a violent crime she and her group are forced to stick together when they find they are being followed and their lives are in danger. There is a feeling of danger lurking at every corner for Christy. She's also bombarded with the new and conflicting emotions of being noticed by two guys at the same time...Alex, the cute popular rich boy she's been eyeing since day one, and Rick who is everything she could ever hope for with both manners and honesty. Sometimes it's hard to choose, and Christy needs to decide what she stands for.

It felt like there was a lot of self-doubt wrapped up in Christy's mind. In the wake of all that's going on, she doesn't always make the smartest moves. I would have liked the author to explore resolving conflict and taking personal responsibility instead of running away. The only other glitch I struggled with was that the book ending was abrupt-completely open ended, mid scene. I am very curious to see how book two takes shape and I will be picking it up! My recommendation would be a little more editing to smooth out the rough edges. Overall, I enjoyed Watched enough that I stayed up all night to finish it and I'm very glad Cindy asked Fire and Ice to be a part of her blog tour. She's done a great job getting her book out there.

Content: Recommended for older teen readers due to very graphic and traumatic violence, decisions which involve teen drinking, making out and one reference to the "b" word.