Friday, September 12, 2014

Blog Tour: Clockwork Dagger by Beth Cato

Hello and welcome to THE CLOCKWORK DAGGER blog tour. I'm so thrilled to be on the tour. Check out today's post below and be sure to enter to win!


Published by: Harper Voyager
To Be Released on: September 16th, 2014
Add it to Goodreads
Get it From: Amazon | BandN


Book Blurb:
An extremely fun and very commercial fantasy debut, in the bestselling vein of Trudi Canavan and Gail Carriger. THE CLOCKWORK DAGGER is an enchanting fantasy debut about a young healer with incredible powers setting off on her first mission, when a series of strange occurrences (including murder) rock the airship she is traveling on. But the dashingly attractive steward may be one of the infamous Clockwork Dagger assassins, her cabin-mate hides secrets, and the conspiracy may reach the crown itself.

Praise for The Clockwork Dagger
“The Clockwork Dagger was just what I needed: A steampunk adventure with an uncommon heroine, a fascinating magic system, and a young gremlin! I’m hooked and can’t wait for more Octavia and Leaf!”
—New York Times bestselling author Kevin Hearne

About the Author:


Beth Cato resides in the outskirts of Phoenix, AZ. Her husband Jason, son Nicholas, and crazy cat keep her busy, but she still manages to squeeze in time for writing and other activities that help preserve her sanity. She is originally from Hanford, CA, a lovely city often pungent with cow manure.

Giveaway:


Enter to win a copy of THE CLOCKWORK DAGGER, complete with a gorgeous black-and-gold paper parasol, for your very own steampunk adventures and cosplays (seen above)!

a Rafflecopter giveaway


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Guest Post


Young and Tough

by Beth Cato

I want to read about more young heroines whose strength is a defining character trait, much more so than prettiness. The sort of women who are survivors and who enable other people to survive. That's what I had in mind as I created the protagonist of THE CLOCKWORK DAGGER, Octavia Leander.

Octavia is twenty-two years old. She's spent much of the past decade working in surgical tents at the frontline of a vicious, never-ending war. She's a medician, what I call my magic-wielding healers, but is also trained to doctor the old-fashioned way. I modeled her on World War I nurses--those brave, often-sleepless women who dealt with amputations and the horrors of gangrene with limited supplies or respect. 

Physical strength plays an important role, too. To be a doctor during a war means hauling around medical gear and unconscious bodies and doing whatever else needs to be done. When Octavia isn't at the front, she's on the working farm that's the academy for medicians in training. She can haul hay bales or suckling foals, or spend long hours planting tulips bulbs in a field.

However, when the book starts out, she's scared. Octavia knows battle--septic bowels, burns, and pneumonia--but she's on her own for the first time. She's in a strange city. Her attuned ears can hear injuries in the form of songs from people all around her. It's overwhelming and maddening, and she's keenly aware that she's young, female, and alone.

Octavia is strong, though. She has faith in the world tree she worships, the Lady, and she has a goal. She's set to journey by airship to a town where she'll establish her own medical practice, her own life. As the cruel author, I can't make things that easy or straightforward for her. The flight is quickly complicated by murder, poison, and increasing evidence that Octavia is the target--and she has no idea why. 

With her medicinal herbs and her wiles, Octavia needs to stay alive and help everyone around her survive, too. She might be young, but she's already been to war. She's a soldier in her own right and she won't go down without a fight.

Thursday, September 11, 2014

The Kiss of Deception by Mary E. Pearson

The Kiss of Deception by Mary E. Pearson
Published by Macmillan
Available Now
Reviewed by YA Sisterhood's Mom
The Sister's Say:  Wonderful and Exciting

A princess must find her place in a reborn world.

She flees on her wedding day.

She steals ancient documents from the Chancellor's secret collection.

She is pursued by bounty hunters sent by her own father.

She is Princess Lia, seventeen, First Daughter of the House of Morrighan.

The Kingdom of Morrighan is steeped in tradition and the stories of a bygone world, but some traditions Lia can't abide. Like having to marry someone she's never met to secure a political alliance.

Fed up and ready for a new life, Lia flees to a distant village on the morning of her wedding. She settles in among the common folk, intrigued when two mysterious and handsome strangers arrive—and unaware that one is the jilted prince and the other an assassin sent to kill her. Deceptions swirl and Lia finds herself on the brink of unlocking perilous secrets—secrets that may unravel her world—even as she feels herself falling in love.

Two young men—the Assassin and the Prince. Both are chasing Lia—the prince because she injured his pride by fleeing their arranged marriage and the assassin to make sure she doesn’t return. When Lia meets them in her new life, she is attracted to both. Of course, the exciting part is that she knows who neither is. The excitement is doubled when neither man can follow through with their vengeance against Lia, but instead finds himself falling in love.

What a wonderful search for what love is! I was a little leery of the comments I had read about the love triangle, but I think these readers totally missed the truth of the relationships in this book.  It is so much more than a love triangle, but more about the friendship of those who loved and were tossed aside and those who have never loved at all. The enlightenment is that love isn’t always perfect, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t real love.

Pearson describes this journey to discovery with beautiful language, and she has created a blend of the past and future into a fantasy world made up of three powerful nations: Venda, Dalbreck, and Morrighan. Among these nations she draws together a native of each, who share a cultural hatred of each other, yet they are drawn together as friends. The war between attraction and hatred makes for a wonderful page turner.

Amid these colorful characters and fantastic plot, Pearson shares some poignant truths about life: “It can take years to mold a dream.  It takes only a fraction of a second for it to be shattered.”
I am also stealing her beautiful bedtime prayer (altered it just a bit): “May God grant you a still heart, heavy eyes, and angels guarding your door.”

And if you aren’t hooked with all these things, the beautiful ending will blow you away. I don’t want to reveal any spoilers, but let me just say that I know the most perfect words to melt a woman’s heart are “In the farthest corner…I will find you.” (Swallow, swallow, tear, tear, heart thump)


Now I am sitting here waiting for the next book of their journey, and when it makes its way to the shelves, wherever it is…in the farthest corner…I will find it!

Wednesday, September 10, 2014

Waiting on Wednesday: Ensnared by A.G. Howard

There are quite a few books that I am looking forward to, but one of my most anticipated is ENSNARED by A.G. Howard.  I absolutely adore the Splintered series, and I can't wait to find out what happens with Alyssa, Morpheus (YAY!) and Jeb (meh).  I can't wait to see Alyssa grasp her true netherling gifts and fight back to restore Wonderland to its former glory.

Ensnared by A.G. Howard
Published by Amulet Books
Release Date:  January 6, 2015


After surviving a disastrous battle at prom, Alyssa has embraced her madness and gained perspective. She's determined to rescue her two worlds and the people and netherlings she loves. Even if it means challenging Queen Red to a final battle of wills and wiles . . . and even if the only way to Wonderland, now that the rabbit hole is closed, is through the looking-glass world--a parallel dimension filled with mutated and violent netherling outcasts. In the final installment of the wildly popular Splintered trilogy, Alyssa and her dad journey into the heart of magic and mayhem in search of her mom and to set right all that's gone wrong. Together with Jeb and Morpheus, they must salvage Wonderland from the decay and destruction that has ensnared it. But if they succeed and come out alive, can everyone truly have their happily ever after?



What book are you waiting for?




WoW is a weekly meme hosted by Breaking the Spine.


Monday, September 8, 2014

Mini Review: The One by Kiera Cass

The ONE by Kiera Cass
Published by Harper Teen
Available Now
Reviewed by YA Sisterhood's Mom
The Sister's Say:  An ending worth reading!

The Selection changed America Singer's life in ways she never could have imagined. Since she entered the competition to become the next princess of IllĂ©a, America has struggled with her feelings for her first love, Aspen—and her growing attraction to Prince Maxon. Now she's made her choice . . . and she's prepared to fight for the future she wants.

Find out who America will choose in The One, the enchanting, beautifully romantic third book in the Selection series!

If you have been disappointed by the third book in most trilogies, then you will be delighted to read THE ONE. America is now determined to win The Selection, a contest to choose the Prince’s bride. In a crazy mix of Cinderella, The Hunger Games, and The Bachelor, Cass has blended the perfect ingredients to keep you turning those pages to see the result of the “season finale”!

When I read the first book, I loved it.  Then the second became my favorite. But now the final book has stepped up to epitomize its title.  I thought America was daring in the first two, but Cass constantly surprised me with each rebellious act America committed. I loved being surprised, and while I was cheering her on, at the same time my mind was screaming, “Oh no, don’t do that!”
But my absolute favorite part was the letters from Maxom to America—his insecurities about love were both humorous and poignant and the perfect romantic touch to an awesome ending. I can’t tell you more for fear of spoilage, but the end was definitely worth the wait.


America and Maxom definitely won my heart! And, Kiera Cass, you definitely won this reader’s following!

Wednesday, September 3, 2014

Waiting on Wednesday: The Return (Titan #1) by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Ever since I finished Sentinel I have been having serious Covenant withdrawals! I miss the characters. I miss the world. I just miss it all!  So that's why this week I'm very impatiently waiting for The Return!


The Return by Jennifer L. Armentrout
Spencer Hill Press
February 17th, 2015
Add to Goodreads.
Pre-order here.

18809475

It’s been a year since Seth made the deal with the gods that pledged his life to them. And so far, the jobs they’ve given him have been violent and bloody – which is kind of all right with him. But now Apollo has something else in mind for Seth. He’s got to play protector while keeping his hands and fingers off, and for someone who really has a problem with restraint, this new assignment might be the most challenging yet.

Josie has no idea what this crazy hot guy’s deal might be, but it’s a good bet that his arrival means the new life she started after leaving home is about to be thrown into an Olympian-sized blender turned up to “puree”. Either Josie is going insane or a nightmare straight out of an ancient myth is gunning for her.

But it might be the unlikely attraction simmering between her and the golden-eyed, secret-keeping Seth that may prove to be the most dangerous thing of all.

Book 1 in the new adult paranormal TITAN series, spin-off to the best selling COVENANT series.
Seth's Story.

WoW is a weekly meme hosted by Breaking the Spine.

Buy Links:


Monday, September 1, 2014

Reviews: Crescendo & Silence by Becca Fitzpatrick

Many of you know that YA-Sisterhood is actually 3 real sisters.  We've all at points run the blog depending on what is going on in the lives of the other 2.  You know that pesky thing called life that seems to always get in the way!:) That's okay though because I wouldn't change it for anything.  HOWEVER, I'm not sure if you know that we all owe our love of books to our mother!  She was our English teacher all throughout high school!  And, she also contributes to our blog! Not sure that YA Motherhood has the same flare though!  Today is a review from our mom.  It's 2 reviews from an older book series, but I know you guys will recognize it!  Plus, Patch is always a huge contender in our Crush Tourneys!  So let's show Patch and our mom a little love!!!

Crescendo (Hush Hush #2) and
Silence (Hush Hush #3) by Becca Fitzpatrick
Simon and Schuster
Reviewed by: YA Sisterhood's Sweet Mom

7791997Nora Grey's life is still far from perfect. Surviving an attempt on her life wasn't pleasant, but at least she got a guardian angel out of it. A mysterious, magnetic, gorgeous guardian angel. But despite his role in her life, Patch has been acting anything but angelic. He's more elusive than ever (if that's possible) and what's worse, he seems to be spending time with Nora's archenemy, Marcie Millar.

Nora would have hardly noticed Scott Parnell, an old family friend who has moved back to town, if Patch hadn't been acting so distant. Even with Scott's totally infuriating attitude, Nora finds herself drawn to him - despite her lingering feelings that he is hiding something.

If that weren't enough, Nora is haunted by images of her murdered father, and comes to question whether her Nephilim bloodline has anything to do with his death. Desperate to figure out what happened, she puts herself in increasingly dangerous situations to get the answer. But maybe some things are better left buried, because the truth could destroy everything - and everyone - she trusts.

If a crescendo is a steady increase in intensity, then BeccaFitzpatrick aptly named her second book in the HUSH, HUSHSeries. Each page seems to be filled with scenes of Nora pushing Patch away or discovering secrets of her past—each a closer step to increased disaster.
The second book begins where the first ends. Patch has given up his chance to be human in exchange for Nora’s life. Now he has been assigned as her Guardian Angel. Perfect! He protects her,which means he has to stay by her side, and we can never have too much Patch! But showing romantic feelings for her is a big no no. In fact, being caught by the Archangels could result in a trip to hell for Patch. So masking those feelings with attentions toward Marcie, Nora’s archenemy, causes the green-eyed monster to roar inside Nora, so much so that she denounces Patch as her Guardian Angel.  Well, Fitzpatrick did call it CRESCENDO, so what do you expect?
But the ultimate intensity is in never knowing who to believe. Is Nora’s father really dead? Who really killed him? Why is Scotty the Hottie back in Nora’s life? What secrets are being hidden by her mom? Ho is trying to kill Nora now? AND the ultimate question: Does Nora lose Patch if she tells him she loves him?Fitzpatrick definitely follows the old adage: And the plot thickens!
But sprinkled in this suspenseful plot is Fitzpatrick’s unique creativity when it comes to teen angst and life in general.  I particularly loved her marble analogy to determining your social status in the town.  A marble would have a difficult time rolling uphill to the high class, yet it steadies at middle class, and downhill, well, there is no problem rolling down to the bottom.
So what complaints did I have? Only one. Yeah, it adds to the crescendo when Nora keeps pushing Patch away, but, DANG IT! Does she have to make us suffer from the loss of his presence, too? I need more Patch! So that’s why I’m quickly moving on to Book Three: SILENCE. Need my Patch fix!

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Silence (Hush, Hush, #3)Nora Grey can't remember the past five months of her life. After the initial shock of waking up in a cemetery and being told that she has been missing for weeks - with no one knowing where she was or who she was with - she tried to get her life back on track. Go to school, hang out with her best friend, Vee, and dodge mom's creepy new boyfriend.

But there is this voice in the back of her head, an idea that she can almost reach out and touch. Visions of angel wings and unearthly creatures that have nothing to do with the life she knows.

And this unshakable feeling that a part of her is missing.

Then Nora crosses paths with a sexy stranger, whom she feels a mesmerizing connection to. He seems to hold all the answers...and her heart. Every minute she spends with him grows more and more intense until she realizes she could be falling in love. Again.



Best one yet! How could you forget a guy like Patch?  But that is just what Nora Grey has done. Of course, it’s not her fault that she experienced a harrowing kidnapping by Hank and his minions. That’s how the last book ended, but Nora has no recollection of any of it since her mind has been wiped of the past five months—that memory loss includes not only what happened in book two, but also book one. So Nora is Patch clueless….completely!


If that doesn’t keep you turning pages to rectify that horror, Fitzpatrick has a few more shockers waiting to spring on you. Everyone is covering the memory loss, even her best friend Vee.  You want to scream, “JUST TELL HER!” But Fitzpatrick drags us through the anguish….but I’m not mad….because when Patch really does re-enter Nora’s life, it is AMAZING!
Wow! What an ending, but guess what? IT’S NOT THE END! Now I’m quickly grabbing FINALE off the shelf!

Buy Links: (Just click on the picture)