Poison by Bridget Zinn

Author: Bridget Zinn
Title: Poison
Publication: March 12, 2013
Publisher: Disney Book Group
Source: Publisher via Netgalley
~Website

Synopsis
Sixteen-year-old Kyra, a highly-skilled potions master, is the only one who knows her kingdom is on the verge of destruction—which means she's the only one who can save it. Faced with no other choice, Kyra decides to do what she does best: poison the kingdom's future ruler, who also happens to be her former best friend.But, for the first time ever, her poisoned dart…misses.Now a fugitive instead of a hero, Kyra is caught in a game of hide-and-seek with the king's army and her potioner ex-boyfriend, Hal. At least she's not alone. She's armed with her vital potions, a too-cute pig, and Fred, the charming adventurer she can't stop thinking about. Kyra is determined to get herself a second chance (at murder), but will she be able to find and defeat the princess before Hal and the army find her?Kyra is not your typical murderer, and she's certainly no damsel-in-distress—she's the lovable and quick-witted hero of this romantic novel that has all the right ingredients to make teen girls swoon.

Thoughts: I'm in love with these characters that Zinn has created. This is one book that I could read over and over. Kyra has seen the end of her kingdom being swallowed by darkness and at the heart of the chaos is her best friend,the princess.  Feeling bound by duty to stop this destruction from taking place,she plots to assassinate the one she cares about most. Kyra has one shot to make it right but things go wrong and she finds herself on the run and out of underwear with a little pig as her guide. On her journey to find the hidden princess, she crosses paths with a wanderer,Fred, who she seems incapable of getting rid off. As Kyra gets closer to finding the princess many unexpected secrets are revealed.

This is a quickly paced, action-packed read loaded with fun and humor, seriously something is constantly going on. The characters are well developed, lovable and easy to relate. Kyra and Fred, the chemistry between them is so adorable and both characters are very clever. Zinn has crafted a beautiful world and setting.The writing flows well with the action and plot twists towards the end, which I didn't see coming. It's nice to have a light read that's not full of teen angst and love triangles. This was so fun to dive into and get lost inside the pages, that as the end drew near,I didn't want to come. It's sad to see such talent go so soon but Zinn has left behind humorous and witty characters in Poison that will make you smile and experience some joy.Overall, this a great read that made me giggle, and if you're looking for something fun...check it out.

About the Author
Bridget grew up in Wisconsin. She went to the county fair where she met the love of her life, Barrett Dowell. They got married right before she went in for exploratory surgery which revealed she had colon cancer. They christened that summer the "summer of love" and the two celebrated with several more weddings. Bridget continued to read and write until the day she died. 

Her last tweet was"Sunshine and a brand new book. Perfect."

Bridget wanted to make people laugh and hoped readers would enjoy spending time with the characters she created. As a librarian/writer she loved books with strong young women with aspirations. She also felt teens needed more humorous reads. She really wanted to write a book with pockets of warmth and happiness and hoped that her readers' copies would show the watermarks of many bath time reads.

"Waiting On" Wednesday #9: Through the Zombie Glass by Gena Showalter

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

Through the Zombie Glass by Gena Showalter
Expected Release: September 2013

Goodreads Synopsis
Inspired by the childhood classic Alice in Wonderland, this harrowing and romantic story features teen zombie slayer Alice Bell who has lost so much—family, friends, her home. After a strange new zombie attack, Alice fears she may be losing her mind as well. A terrible darkness blooms inside her, urging her to do wicked things. The whispers of the dead assault her ears and mirrors seem to come frighteningly to life. She’s never needed her team of zombie slayers more—including her boyfriend, Cole—than she does now. But as Cole strangely withdraws and the zombies gain new strength, Ali knows one false step may doom them all.

So, I liked the first one and can't wait to see what happens next. What do you think about the cover? 

Reveal: Surrender & Justice by Rhiannon Paille

SURRENDER (The Ferryman + The Flame #1)

Author: Rhiannon Paille

Cover Design: Regina Wamba of Mae I Design

Exclusively on Amazon |Kindle (don't forget to get your copy!)

How far would you go to save everything you ever loved?

Kaliel was warned about her love for the Ferryman. One day he will marry the land and leave Avristar forever. She doesn't listen, and because of what she is-- a Flame-- one of nine apocalyptic weapons, she sparks a war. In a desperate attempt to save her home and her love, Kaliel tries to awaken Avred, not knowing she may have to make the ultimate sacrifice.

JUSTICE (The Ferryman + The Flame #2)
Author: Rhiannon Paille
Cover Design: Regina Wamba of Mae I Design
Exclusively available at Amazon |Kindle

How far would you go to destroy yourself?

Krishani always knew he would have to go to the Lands of Men, but he never thought it would be like this. Enemies everywhere, an ancestor he can't respect, elders he can't trust, a curse he can't stop and friends he can't help but hate. Desperate to end the pain, he sets out on a quest to find the other Flames and face the enemy that took everything from him.

What do you think about the covers?

Promo: Circle of Lies by Sara Dailey & Staci Weber

Circle of Lies

by SARA DAILEY & STACI WEBER

Aiden Wright is trying to figure out who he really is, but the truth could cost him his true mate—or his life.

Life has always been easy for Aiden Wright. He’s smart, athletic, funny, and the ladies adore him. But when tragedy strikes, Aiden discovers the truth about who he really is, and his whole world comes crashing down around him. Aiden thought that being a teenage werewolf was going to be awesome, but it might just cost him the one girl who could make him whole.

Since her mother’s disappearance, Teagan Rhodes’s life has been littered with her father’s empty beer cans and his hollow promises to change. Convinced that others would only let her down, she keeps everyone at arm’s length—but resisting Aiden’s charm is proving to be more difficult than she thought. Throw in a psychotic werewolf hunter out to terminate the species, and one wrong move, one wrong decision could destroy everything.

CHAPTER 1

Teagan 

“I’m taking off, guys. Have a great Thanksgiving,” I yelled to my coworkers as I pulled off my Sephora apron and slid into my winter coat. 

     “See you later, Teagan. Happy Thanksgiving!” Janie replied as she finished up restocking the lip gloss. 

     I’d been kind of hoping that we would be busy, that the store managers would be forced to ask me to stay and work a double, but no such luck. Guess all the shoppers were waiting for Black Friday. I really could have used the extra money, but more importantly, the work would have kept me out of the house a little longer. Holidays are not so fun around there these days. It’s safe to say this is my least favorite time of year. 

     New Mexico. I don’t know if I’ll ever get used to the weather here. And I used to think it got cold in San Antonio! I guess when you grow up in Texas, you don’t really know the true meaning of winter. As I stepped outside the mall, a rush of cold November air hit me so hard it forced my teeth to chatter uncontrollably. Zipping up my coat, I ran as fast as my frozen legs would carry me to my beat-up Toyota Corolla, circa sometime before I could walk. I always hear kids talk about how much they love their junked out “classic” cars, how those cars have character. Well, my car doesn't have character. It’s a piece of shit. The damned thing’s heater doesn't even work. But, at least I have something, and when you have to buy it for yourself at seventeen you can’t afford to be picky. I could only imagine what it would be like to depend on dear ol’ Dad for transportation. 

     By the time I got home little icicles were forming on my eyelashes, and as I walked up the front steps to our house I saw that evidence of my father’s ever-growing habit littered the porch. By the look of things, he should be fairly close to passing out if not already face-down on the couch. A girl could hope. An entire case of empty beer cans and countless cigarette butts surrounded the wooden rocking chair that my mother bought just before she disappeared. 

     “Disappeared.” That’s the belief my father holds on to—or at least he pretends to hold on to it. Me, I know the truth. Only a fool wouldn't see what really happened. She was miserable at home, hated my father, and had clearly found someone new. Her sudden interest in late-night drives were enough proof for me, but I’d followed her anyway one night just to be sure and ended up at a Motel 6 near the highway. No, she just up and left one day. We moved to Red Ridge, New Mexico, and in just over a month Mom went MIA. No goodbyes, no see-ya-laters; she was just suddenly gone. Life isn't a soap opera where beautiful, mysterious captors abduct women with miserable lives and carry them off to happier ones, though. No, women have to choose to leave. They pack a bag, snag your favorite family portrait from the mantel and just walk out of your life. Out of their children’s lives. Out of everyone’s life. 

     So, that’s what really happened. Only an idiot like my father would believe anything else. Hell, he likely believed that Paris kidnapped Helen of Troy. No way. Helen just took off with that hot younger guy, leaving her sorry-ass husband Menelaus alone. Life would be so much easier if my father would just accept that Mom chose to leave. Then maybe, just maybe, he could move on. 

     I have. I sometimes wonder, though, if the face that launched a thousand ships left a daughter alone with a drunken father. Who knows? Maybe she did. My Greek mythology is a bit rusty, as Mrs. Shultz wasn't the most fascinating teacher ever when we studied it in class last year. 

     The inside of our house wasn't much better than the porch. More empty beer cans, full ashtrays, and the dishes from the night’s dinner welcomed me back, which meant Dad was really messed up. Being a retired Army captain, he’s anything but messy. The house was always clean and orderly, sir! Unless he was drunk. And he never, ever smoked in the house. Something must have really set him off. 

     I put my bag down and hung my coat in the hall closet. The sooner I picked this place up, the sooner I could lock myself in my room and just crash. 

     “Oh…hey…when did you get in?” Dad asked as he stumbled inside from the backyard. 

     “Just now, actually,” I replied as I grabbed a trash can. Trying to avoid confrontation, I walked around the kitchen and living room picking up the mess. Unfortunately, this only seemed to irritate my father. 

     “Don’t do that. I’ll do it tomorrow,” he slurred. 

     “Dad, tomorrow is Thanksgiving. I need to clean up so I can attempt to cook this year. I told you that, remember?” 

     “I know damn well what tomorrow is,” he grumbled. “You think I can’t remember what tomorrow is?” 

     There was no use trying to talk to him like this. Instead, I handed him the trashcan and said, “Fine. Have it your way. I was just trying to help.” 

     He didn't reach for the trash can, so I let it drop to the floor and spill out even more evidence of his drinking binge. At first he looked shocked, but that shock soon turned to rage. Maybe I shouldn't have done it, but come on, who was the parent? I was sick and tired of trying to make things better all the time when all he did was screw things up. 

     He just stood there, anger boiling inside him. I saw it in his eyes just before he snapped. He kicked the trash aside and tried to grab my arm, but I stepped out of the way just in time and Dad lost his balance and fell to the ground. He wasn't hurt, though, just defeated. The look of failure on his face as he lay there was almost worse than the anger. I reached out to help him up, but he wouldn't let me.   

     “Don’t touch me! Just leave. Leave like your goddamn mother did,” he yelled. 

     “Come on, Dad. Let me help you,” I said. 

     “Get out! Get the hell out of my house!” 

      So I did. I grabbed my bag and coat and left. 

      Leaving the house like this wasn't new to me. It’s not like it happened every day, but I’d walked out quite a few times over the past couple of months so I knew where to go and how long to stay away. The 24-hour diner on the other side of town was always open, so I figured I’d go there and order myself a nice, greasy burger and a few sodas. I was hungry, and in a few hours my father would be good and passed out. Then I would drive home and pretend that nothing ever happened. Just like I did every other time Dad kicked me out.

BUY HERE  AMAZON   B&N

Both Sara Dailey and Staci Weber are avid readers, English teachers, friends, wives and soccer moms. 

They have been teaching together for the past ten years and writing together for six.

Born and raised in Houston, TX, Staci Weber is a graduate of the University of North Texas. Staci is a junior high school teacher with an addiction to reading romance novels. She considers herself incredibly lucky to have a close family, some good friends, a fabulous husband and two beautiful little girls.

Sara Dailey co-authored the Red Ridge Pack Novels with her good friend and co-worker Staci Weber. She has a degree in literature from U of H Clear Lake and is a graduate of The Institute of Children’s Literature. Sara is a native Texan and lives with her wonderful husband and son in League City, TX.

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The Secret World of Alaina Downs by Rebecca Rynecki

Title: The Secret World Of Alaina Downs
Author: Rebecca Rynecki
Genre: New Adult/Fantasy 
Pages: 252
Amazon | BN 

When Alaina stumbles into a world that she only thought existed in her mind, she is understandably a little bit freaked out. Who wouldn't be? Characters that she had written down years ago are walking, and talking, and telling her that she is the only one who can save the princess and the kingdom of Isleen. Um...okay. As she travels down to the southern kingdom with Sir Gabriel, a really hot knight, she falls off horses, has an interaction with an evil witch, gets attacked by a sea creature, and even falls from lust into love. 

Excerpt
“Can you stay next to me tonight?” she almost pleaded. “If I have that nightmare again-”
“I'm not leaving.”
Alaina nodded. “You promise?”
“I would promise...” Gabriel shut his eyes. “Yes.” He lay her down by her side, and kept a hand on her hip as he settled next to her. “Are you warm enough?”
“Mmmmm.”  She glanced at him. “A little too warm.”
“Yeah.” He slowly rubbed at her thigh. “The fire isn't helping, is it?”
“No,” Alaina whispered. She leaned forward, and kissed him. He let out a moan. Tentatively, she let her hands roam down his chest and stomach before lingering at the front of his trousers. “I forgot. There's no zipper,” she mumbled, breaking away.
“No...what? What are you doing?” he asked.
“I...I, um, heh.” Alaina looked at him uncertainly. “Don't you want me?”
Gabriel exhaled. “I think I must be sleeping.”
“I'm too scared to go back to sleep,” she said tersely.
“We can talk.”
“I don't want to talk,” she cut him off. “Okay?”
He nodded, watching silently as she slowly stood in front of him. Alaina shimmied out of the ripped bloodied tunic; her bare figure illuminated by the fire.
Gabriel scrambled to get up.  He unlaced his trousers, and paused as they stopped at his knee. He held his breath as she stilled. Darkness concealed half her body; the rest heightened by the flames. He inadvertently licked his lips as he flashed back to watching her bathe. She was the same. Still long and lean all over with the slightest curve at her hips.
Alaina bit her lower lip. “What are you doing?”
“I...” Gabriel choked on the word, and swallowed. He shut his eyes. He could feel all the blood in his body rushing south. “I'm trying to act with honorable intentions.”
She chuckled wryly as she glanced down at his now obvious erection. “Honorable? You decide to act honorably now?”
“I-”
Alaina walked over, eliciting a whimper from him as she wrapped her hand around his shaft. “But, what if I don't want your honorable intentions now?” she whispered.

Author Bio: 
A graduate of Hollins University in southwestern Virginia, Rebecca now lives in the hills of Connecticut with her husband and young son. When she's not working as a librarian or plotting out the sequel, she bakes, dances around the house...and sings...really badly. The Secret World of Alaina Downs is her first book.
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Sunday Post #8

The Sunday Post is a weekly meme hosted by Kimba the Caffeinated Book Reviewer. 
~this meme was inspired in part by ~ In My Mailbox~

Last Week on the Blog

Sunday Post #7
Deadly to Love by Mia Hoddell ~Spotlight & Giveaway
When We Wake by Karen Healy~Review
Waiting on Wednesday #8 
Spellcaster by Claudia Gray ~Review
Morrigan by Laura DeLuca
Shadow Moon by Marilee Brothers ~Guest Post

Tenative Schedule for this week 

Sunday Post #8
The Secret World of Alaina Downs~Excerpt
Circle of Lies by Sara Dailey & Staci Weber ~Promo
Reveal: Surrender & Justice by Rhiannon Paille
Waiting on Wednesday # 9
Posion by Bridget Zinn ~Review

Giveaways

Unbidden Magic Series Giveaway
Ashes Blog Tour 

For Review 

Received from the publisher via Netgalley
Thanks to Putnam Juvenile

Received from the publisher via Netgalley
Thanks to Scholastic Inc.

Tours

Stop: March 18, 2013

Guest Post& Giveaway: Shadow Moon by Marilee Brotheres

Author Bio:
A former teacher, coach and school counselor, Marilee lives in Washington State and writes full time. Her books include Castle Ladyslipper, a medieval romance, The Rock and Roll Queen of Bedlam, winner of the 2010 Booksellers Best award for romantic suspense, Moonstone, Moon Rise, Moon Spun, Shadow Moon, and Midnight Moon. Marilee is a member of the Romance Writers of America, Pacific Northwest Writers Association and the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators. 
Website | Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

Keeping it Real

One of my greatest challenges as a writer of a fantasy series was how to portray my protagonist, Allie Emerson, as a typical teenage girl who is accidentally thrust into a strange, new world without a roadmap. In the first book, Moonstone, she receives a magic moonstone. Although its functions are a mystery to her, she finds she’s able to perform telekinesis and, if the circumstances are right, hear people’s thoughts. In subsequent books, her powers grow and expand. But, bottom line, Allie is still just an adolescent girl, attempting to deal with typical adolescent problems like homework, her dysfunctional mother and boyfriends.

In order to emphasize the contrast between the normal and the paranormal, I chose to begin each book by firmly grounding Allie in the tiny town of Peacock Flats, Washington. Peacock Flats is a very real place although I’ve changed the name. I drove by it every day on my way to work as a counselor in an alternative school located on the Yakima Indian reservation. It has a post office, a diner and a hardware store, all of which are surrounded by acres and acres of apple orchards, fruit warehouses along with an occasional cow pasture. Tractors chug slowly along dirt roads. Allie describes it as “fruit intensive.”

In Moonstone, the story begins with Allie falling off a ladder face first into a cow pie. Moon Rise finds Allie, dressed as a gypsy, at the annual Halloween party in the gymnasium of her high school. She bends over to pick up a quarter and ouch, she becomes the next victim of a “serial ass pincher.” Moon Spun begins with Allie dressing for her appearance as Fruit Bowl queen, only to find she’s neglected to do laundry. Her only option is to borrow a pair of her mother’s too small panties, an act that results in disaster. Think: Allie riding on the Fruit Bowl float. Big puffy skirt. Windstorm. In Shadow Moon, Allie is at the winter formal with her former archenemy, the newly reformed Cory Philpott. The last book, Midnight Moon, finds Allie once again at school, decorating the gym for graduation along with her misfit lunch buddies. A bit of magic ensues.

In telling Allie’s story, I’ve drawn on many experiences from my former life as a teacher, coach and school counselor. I hope my effort to depict Allie as a typical teenage girl faced with unusual challenges resonates with readers. Even though I’ve completed the series, Allie Emerson remains real to me and will always live in my heart as one of my favorite characters.

BLURB:
Allie Emerson is hoping for a few quiet months to catch her breath after a summer that included the discovery she is not only a twin and of faery blood, but also destined to play a pivotal role in the faery world. School has barely begun when Allie must kiss her hope of a normal year goodbye.

She can’t escape her unfinished business with the fae, the Trimarks, or Junior Martinez whois making it clear he plans to win her back. Signs, portents and whispers are pushing Allie to “find the girl” before it’s too late. Hoping her twin can help her solve the riddle of their destiny, Allie uncovers old secrets and begins a cross-country journey that puts her in more danger than ever before. If she succeeds, she may just find the answers that can save everyone she loves.
Amazon | BN

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