Browse Inside Insurgent by Veronica Roth

Tomorrow will be the release of the much-awaited, much-anticipated sequel of DIVERGENT by Veronica Roth. I loved  loved loved this book so much, and I'm so excited for the release of book two. I can't wait to read it and I'm sure that lots of you are as excited as me!

For us who isn't as super lucky as those who got an ARC, HarperTeen is giving us an opportunity to read the first few chapters of INSURGENT!  Yay yay yay! You can see and browse inside Veronica Roth's Insurgent before it's release tomorrow, ENJOY!

>> Browse Inside Insurgent by Veronica Roth <<

I can't wait for Insurgent!

Happy Book Birthday: TASTE by Kate Evangelista

April is my favorite month! (Isn't that obvious?) And I am so thrilled that even on the last day of the month, something BIG and AWESOME is happening! I am so excited because the NEW YA Paranormal Romance Novel by Kate Evangelista will be released today! TODAY buddies! You can finally meet Phoenix, Demitri, and Luka!

Author: Kate Evangelista
Publication Date: April 30th 2012
Publisher: Crescent Moon Press
Genre: Young Adult, Paranormal Romance

Summary on Goodreads 
Purchase the book:  Amazon Kindle

I tell you, this book is one awesome-sauce kind of book! I devoured, loved and enjoyed it so much! I read it in the car (thank God, Hubbie drives the car), I read it in the mall whenever I got the chance (good thing people avoided bumping into me), and stayed up until past 3 am so I can finish the book! It was just hard to put down! Please wait for my 5 coffee cups review which will be up early this week! I can't wait to share my thoughts with you!

If you want a taste of this book, you can read some awesome EXCERPTS by checking out my earlier post here.

Happy Book Birthday TASTE! And Congratulations to Author Kate Evangelista!

Book Review: BONDS OF FENRIS by S.J. Bell

Bonds of Fenris

Author: S.J. Bell

Publication Date: May 7th 2012

Format: eBook

Genre: Urban Fantasy

Summary | Add to TBR

Talia Thornwood's life ended one year ago, when she became a werewolf. She survived the attack, and the horrifying transformation a month later, but the life she has now is barely worth living. She lurks about in a filthy, run-down house, with too many werewolves crammed into too small a space. Every day is a struggle against the stress of human contact, the romantic prodding of her obnoxious packmate Pierce, and the gnawing hunger for flesh in her soul. 

She's all but resigned herself to a dreary existence on the margins of society when she meets Corwin. Corwin is a werewolf like none other. He walks among humans as if it was nothing, and can keep his wolf under control even when the moon is full. Talia's mind is suddenly opened to the possibilities before her, and the realization of how little she really knows about lycanthropy. 

Corwin claims that he can teach her how to cope as he does, even how to transcend her affliction. But it will not be easy. It is a hard education that requires her to question everything her pack taught her, and confront exactly what she has become. And, more amazingly, what she never stopped being. 

My Thoughts:

Reading Bonds of Fenris is like reading a wolf book but not really a book just about wolves. It was so much more. Honestly, this book surpassed my expectation. It was original, it was captivating, and it made me realized truths that I haven't paid attention to before.

As a child, you can wish for anything. But as you grow up, one by one your wishes slip away from you, becoming unattainable. You pick and choose the most presious to hold on to... then you’re down to only the precious ones. And when life asks you to give up another, what do you do? How do you decide which of your precious wishes is the most important? –Talia, p81

When I started this book I didn't know what to expect except that it's about wolves... a pack of wolves... Probably an action-adventure-suspense kind of story with a bit of romance? I wonder why I thought of that in the first place? Maybe because I was so used with the stories of wolves and vampires and other-wordly creatures that is common in other fantasy and paranormal books I usually read. But then I was surprised that it was actually a story of self-discovery and finding meaning in life. I really liked the beautiful writing and the simple yet powerful story mixed with strong riveting characters.

Talia is a strong girl. Stubborn, maybe. Afraid, maybe. But if you're a wolf and a human at the same time, you'll understand how it is to live, or not to live. The first POV style of writing used in this book made me see clearly Talia's thoughts and understand her actions. It's like feeling her emotions, seeing the world through her eyes. Her relationship with Corwin wasn't like a love-at-first-sight kind of romance, which I really appreciated. It wasn't rushed. It wasn't forced at all. It just developed and blossomed subsequently that made the romance more enticing. The rest of the characters are well developed and likable. Each of them have their own set of personalities that blended well with the story. 

“You were told... Don’t give in... you wanted control more than anything in the world. But you gave in... What was so important that it made you give up a treasure that you thought was worth everything? What was so valuable that it eclipsed all other concerns? What was it that you were willing to forgo every other desire in the world for? When it really comes down to it... what do you want?” –Corwin, p93

The pacing of the story was good and there was no boring moments. I read and watched how the story unfolded... there were parts that made me sad, some made smile, but most parts made me think. It was surprising how this book made me realized that "to live" is actually the thing that man sometimes tend to forget until he face the possibility of "dying".

I really enjoyed reading this book. It's short, fun, easy to read and easy to understand. Don't worry about the action parts (if you're looking for some) because it has enough of that too. When I finished this book, I had a sweet smile on my face because it has a beautiful ending, a hopeful and a satisfying one. I'm glad that I read it and I hope you'll find time to read it too.

And my favorite line:

“Our lives are what we make them, Talia. We have the things that we do because we work for them, or because we fail to work for something better. I mean, take your own example. You want to be in love, so you’re kissing frogs like mad to find it.” – Corwin, p132

My Rating: 

TBR Intervention Challenge (29)

TBR Intervention is a weekly challenge hosted by 

Dani@RefractedLight , Ayanami@Whatever you Can Still Betray

and April@Books4Juliet

Everyone is WELCOME to JOIN this meme. Just click the image TBR Intervention Button above to see the rules and read more about this feature.

MY LAST WEEK'S TBRIC:

At last, I finished Bonds of Fenris by S.J. Bell. It was really good! It was meaningful and I didn't expect to like it that much. My review is scheduled on April 30th. I hope you can drop by to see it. I'm excited to post my review.

Unfortunately, Shadow Kiss and/or Daughter of Smoke and Bone didn't make it (AGAIN) on my "Read Books" last week. I'm getting tired of putting them on my TBRIC :( But then, there's a saying: Try and try until you die, err... I mean until you succeed ;P

Hehe... so okay, I'll give one of this book another try this week. But don't kick me out when I end up reading another book okay? Please? LOL. So...

THIS WEEK'S TBRIC:

I'll pick ONE from these two choices... I'm not sure which one yet...

The Daughter of Smoke and Bone: On my shelf since December 2011

Shadow Kiss: On my shelf since August 2011

Oh gosh. This is getting more and more embarrassing each week... (hiding my face now).

Anyway, I'm currently reading TASTE by Kate Evangelista and so far I'm really loving this book. I hope it stays this way until the end of book 1. I'm excited to share my thoughts with you! Please check out the book if you can... It will be available on April 30th! I'm so excited! Two swoon worthy guys to drool upon and a new kick ass heroine! And the story is interesting! What's not to love?! You can check this book here :)

Guest Post: IN PRAISE OF PAPER by S.J. Bell

On May 7th 2012, BONDS OF FENRIS will be released. Don't forget to stop by here on my blog on April 30th for my review. 

The author himself is here today to share with us a special guest post...
So without further ado, here's S.J. Bell:

IN PRAISE OF PAPER

Author S.J. Bell

With the rise of e-book, some have begun to question whether we'll have paper books for much longer. Certainly I respect the e-book and what it's done for independent publishing. It's allowed me to get Bonds of Fenris to its audience quickly, cheaply, and efficiently. And it's done wonders for more established authors as well, allowing them to get their backlists to the public and providing an outlet for work that is too esoteric or controversial for major publishers. But those preaching that the era of the paper book is at an end, and starting nerdy slap-fests on the internet over this possibility, are seriously underestimating the risks inherent in an all-electronic collection.

For one thing, this new structure enforces a concentration of content. Instead of choosing one paperback off your shelves to read on a long train ride, you can bring your entire collection. Convenient, but few take heed of the other side: that dropping your device into the troublesome crack between train and platform means you've lost your entire collection, at least until you pay the $80 or more to replace the broken device. 

I was a gamer before I was a writer, or at least before I was a professional writer, so I know a few things about purely digital content. When gamers moved from XP machines to Vista machines, and again when they moved to 64-bit OSes, many times a good portion of their games library wouldn't follow them. Not everything is always backwards-compatible. That may not seem significant now, but software is constantly changing. There's a good possibility that at some point in the future, you'll upgrade to a newer device and find that a chunk of your e-books now look horrible, or just plain don't work.

There's also the issue of ownership to consider. A few years back, Amazon got in legal hot water by offering the works of George Orwell in digital format without acquiring the rights properly. Their response? Delete the books from everyone's Kindle and issue a refund. As you can imagine, it brought down quite a bit of righteous fury. But this is the way digital content works. You're not buying an item or object. What you're buying is access. That's why you can re-download items from a lost or misplaced Kindle with no problems. But it also means you have little control of the state of things in your library. If, for whatever reasons, the distributor wants to remove a book from circulation, he can. Or if, for example, your favorite author decides that Greedo Shot First or some equivalent and updates his book to reflect that, you may be stuck with the new version.

Even the benefits of e-books come with caveats. Wi-Fi, for example, allows for fast downloading of content, but anything that's wired can potentially be hacked. Depending on what e-readers of the future are like, this could merely mean a hacker gets access to your library. Or it could mean he gets your Amazon account information and/or credit card info. Even if all he gets is your books, the way he gets them could be enough for the powers that be to flag you a pirate and shut down your account. Such things can be prevented with security updates. But while security updates are a good thing, they have problems of their own. Long-time IT pros could tell horror stories about Windows updates that have crashed systems and created more problems than they solved.

Paper has at least two advantages that e-books will never have: permanence and low maintenance. When you buy a book, all you have to do is keep it protected, and it will last you for the rest of your life. Or at least until it wears out from repeated reading. You don't have to worry about your battery dying on the penultimate page of a mystery novel, you don't have to worry about your library being deleted by misadventure or malice, and you don't have to worry about format obsolescence. You own a physical object which you can make full use of using nothing but your eyes and hands. There's a reason that, even in the age of document scanning and advanced data storage solutions, a lot of libraries and museums still keep archives on microfilm. You don't need a lot to read microfilm-- just a light source and sufficient magnification. If you really, really needed to, you could probably read microfilm with Stone Age technology. You can read a book with even less.

I am certainly no Luddite, and I agree that e-books are a boon to both authors and readers of tomorrow. Certainly, I personally have benefitted quite nicely from e-publishing. But I'm also looking forward to the day I'll have my books in print. Those who are tearing down their bookshelves in favor of their Kindles and iPads need to keep in mind that the humble board-and-paper codex is still worthwhile. It has served the majority of our information storage needs for well over a thousand years, and even thirty-some years into the information age there are good practical reasons for it to still be in use. A book is yours. You don't have to worry about losing your library to some random database snafu with a distributor, or some thuggish piece of DRM software getting uppity because you transferred a few things from an obsolete reader. The book is yours to own, and tangibility still has value.

I loved it when he said, "A book is yours." Isn't that true? I have a Kindle and an iPad but I still prefer the HARDBACKs and PAPERBACKs. It's so much nicer to see them on the shelves... And honestly, I like their smell too! *wink

If you haven't heard about S.J. Bell's upcoming Urban Fantasy Novel BONDS OF FENRIS, it's time to check it out. Here's the stunning cover and blurb. Don't forget to add it on your TBR! 

Summary | Add to TBR 

Talia Thornwood's life ended one year ago, when she became a werewolf. She survived the attack, and the horrifying transformation a month later, but the life she has now is barely worth living. She lurks about in a filthy, run-down house, with too many werewolves crammed into too small a space. Every day is a struggle against the stress of human contact, the romantic prodding of her obnoxious packmate Pierce, and the gnawing hunger for flesh in her soul. 

She's all but resigned herself to a dreary existence on the margins of society when she meets Corwin. Corwin is a werewolf like none other. He walks among humans as if it was nothing, and can keep his wolf under control even when the moon is full. Talia's mind is suddenly opened to the possibilities before her, and the realization of how little she really knows about lycanthropy. 

Corwin claims that he can teach her how to cope as he does, even how to transcend her affliction. But it will not be easy. It is a hard education that requires her to question everything her pack taught her, and confront exactly what she has become. And, more amazingly, what she never stopped being.

About the Author:

S.J. Bell, AKA LupLun, has a lifelong love of stories in all their myriad forms. In junior high, he used to stay up until 10 P.M. reading cheesey science-fiction novels. In high school, he was a Squaresoft fan and Babylon 5 junkie. In college, he studied English Literature and argued on the internet about the relative quality of anime dubs. Today, he lives on Long Island and attempts to write for a living. He spends his spare time reading and blogging about werewolves, watching movies with his girlfriend, and playing board games. He plays a poor game of Agricola, but a very good game of Innovation.

You can visit his blogs: Shooting for the Moon and Lupines and Lunatics

*Thank you for the great post Mr. S.J. Bell. I am honored to have you in my blog.*

Cover Reveal: Redheads Are Soulless by Heather M. White

Hello Juliets! I am so excited to be part of the Cover Reveal for the new YA Paranormal Romance novel by Author Heather M. White. Let me thank the author herself and Heather of SupaGurl Tours for including me in this event.

Now, for the cover...

Redheads Are Soulless

Author: Heather M White

Publication Date: May 25th 2012

Blurb:

High School senior, Sofia Black, has had a very hard life. Since her father's death 7 years ago, she has had to look after her drug addicted, alcoholic mother. School isn't any better for her either. The other kids constantly tease, and ridicule her. All she wants is to get out of her small hometown in Alabama.

When new student, Jason, shows up, Sofia's world is turned upside down. She doesn't understand why he wants to befriend her so badly... And, just when she thinks she can trust him, trouble appears.

Jason's twin brother, Robbie, moves into town, and things go haywire. Sofia is now running for her life - and Jason is forced to share hidden secrets with her. She learns the truth about her father's death, and finds out that she may not be as "human" as she once thought. She struggles to accept her fate, while fighting for her life. 

Let us know what you think...

Link to Heather M White Blog - http://heatherstiara.blogspot.com/

SupaGurl Books Blog - http://www.supagurlbooks.blogspot.com * Created Cover * 

Book Review: WHISPERING HILLS by Taryn Browning

Whispering Hills (Whispering Hills #1)

Author: Taryn Browning

Publication Date: March 19th 2012

Genre: Young Adult, Paranormal Romance

Summary | Add to TBR

Life and death, love and hate, friends and enemies...

For as long as she can remember, 17-year-old Alexis Forbes can hear the thoughts of others. Most recently, she is disturbed by the dark, unfamiliar voice of a frightening killer: callous, cunning, charismatic…and dead.

She hears his every sinister thought. But she can’t tell anyone. No one would believe her. Alexis is suddenly being haunted by a terrifying past she doesn’t remember, and a ghost with a serious score to settle. Even Chance, the gorgeous new guy she’s falling for, has his own ghostly secret. He’s definitely not like any guy she’s ever met. Alexis soon discovers she has a connection to the dead and it runs much deeper than she could ever imagine. And if the sociopathic entity has his way, she’ll finally be sentenced to the fate she escaped thirteen years ago.

My Thoughts:

When I started this book, I didn't quite know exactly what to expect. There's a girl who can hear people's thoughts, a mysterious boy who dress like he was from different generation, a gothic friend with unique abilities, and some mysterious ghost that gave me creeps. The characters are interesting enough that you would want to read more about them. There are also lots of mysteries to unravel and and you wouldn't truly understand unless you read the story up to the end. It will keep you guessing all through out the book and you can not just put it down without knowing what will happen next. It was suspenseful and thrilling and sometimes creepy. 

I guess the only problem I had is the relationship between Alexis and Chance. It felt a bit rushed to me and I just couldn't feel their connection. There were also times that I was bothered by Alexis' attitude toward Chance. I was looking for something deeper between the two main characters and I hope that the next book will deliver what I felt was lacking in the first book. The supporting characters however gave this book a little more spice with their snarky and badass personalities. Overall, this book is an enjoyable read--interesting and original.

My Rating:

Also by Taryn Browning: Seeker Series

Read Summary & Add to TBR

Read my review

Read the Summary & Add to TBR

Read the Summary & Add to TBR

TBR Intervention Challenge (28)

TBR Intervention is a weekly challenge hosted by 

Dani@RefractedLight , Ayanami@Whatever you Can Still Betray

and April@Books4Juliet

Everyone is WELCOME to JOIN this meme. Just click the image TBR Intervention Button above to see the rules and read more about this feature.

MY LAST WEEK'S TBRIC:

I'm still reading Bonds of Fenris and it's ok so far. The writing is good and a bit lyrical that's why I'm liking it. I hope to finish it soon.

I finished two books last week though: Kiss of Frost (Mythos Academy #2) by Jennifer Estep and Pure (Covenant #2) by Jennifer Armentrout. I enjoyed both books and even though it was a tiring week, I think it's still a good one for me.

THIS WEEK'S TBRIC:
Okay, this time I will try to read Shadow Kiss by Richelle Mead or Daughter of Smoke & Bone by Laini Taylor. I hope that my mood will cooperate with these books this time :)

The Daughter of Smoke and Bone: On my shelf since December 2011

Shadow Kiss: On my shelf since August 2011 

That's it. I hope I can do better this coming week.

Thursday Revisits (10): Obsidian by Jennifer Armentrout

Thursday Revisits is a new meme hosted by my friend Sam @ Books For All Seasons.

It's a weekly feature of book discussions about the characters, scenes, and plot of the book we read. It’s featured every Thursday.

It's been a month since I last posted my Thursday Revisits and I missed it so badly. As you all know, this is my most favorite meme and I wouldn't just give up on it. Besides, it's my favorite month of the year. It's April, what's not to like, right? :) Anyway, as a come back, I am featuring another favorite book of mine--OBSIDIAN by Jennifer Armentrout  which I've had discussion with my super crazy, super-sexy, super-lovely, super-kick-ass, and super-friend and my one and only parabatai in the world--Kelly McGeer!

Hey! It's Kelly :)

Fill in the blanks with Kelly & Me

The first thing I do the moment I wake up is____.  

Kelly: read all the post and comments from Starbooks hehe
April: check Tristan.
Kelly: Well yeah since you're a mommy!!
April: haha! I check the clock too then my cellphone to check for FB notifications and email! :P
Kelly: haha yay!!!

The best part of reading a book is ____. 

Kelly: escaping into a different world
April: experiencing the worlds that exists only in our imagination, meeting people (and not-so-human) characters that sometimes give us inspiration. There are amazing things that you can never do in real life but you can experience them all by reading a book. You have the world and the worlds beyond when you read a book :)
Kelly: wow aren't you deep! But what you said is very true! I feel the same way! :)
April: Lol.

When I'm home alone, I ____. 
Kelly: carry on doing what I did before, reading the book I'm busy with hehe
April: read a book or watch a movie. (This rarely happens though!)

I think it's sexy when a guy
Kelly: looks at me like the only person in his world
April: smile and looks at me like I'm the most beautiful person in the world.
Kelly: Yay! We are the same! I knew there was more to why we are Parabatai! :)

April: I super agree with you Kelly! :)

My friends always make fun of me ____. 

Kelly: for how excited I get over books which I don't understand cause who doesn't get excited over them??? Imaginatively challenged individuals! I hope that's a word!
April: for being too "clueless" sometimes.
Kelly: how are you clueless???
April: I don't know! I don't have a clue!!! Lol
Kelly: I get it now. -rolls eyes-

I am absolutely terrified of ____. 

Kelly: the dark!!!!
April: snakes!
Kelly: Na uh! Snakes are cool!

April: NO WAY! I hate snakes and any kind of worms! I hate long and round and smooth and wiggling creatures. Eww.
Kelly: Snakes are not worms you noob! But yeah worms are so not cool! Yuck!
April: I didn't say that snakes are worms! I mean, they look almost the same, it's just that snakes looks like bigger worms. And don't laugh! silly :B
Kelly: I will laugh haha

The one thing I know that I wish I knew 10 years ago is ____. 
Kelly: well 10 years ago I was 11 so let's see. Never trust your guy cousins! They gave me a phobia for dolls! Nice huh?
April: (you were 11! I was 20! my gosh, I'm too old) anyway, 10 years ago I wish I knew that I could enjoy fictional books too. I used to hate novels especially long ones (*shakes head). I could've widen my horizons early.
Kelly: you are not old! You are only 9yrs older than me. Which is not a lot! Wow you hated novels???? I loved reading ever since I knew I could!
April: I only read non-fiction books when I was younger! I wish I read fictions before.
Kelly: seriously?? That wouldve bored me to tears. I have never read a non fiction book in my life
April: Hey, they're good, too you know. You should try them at least.
Kelly: I will not! You girls got me to read comtempory and that's as far as I'll go. I'm putting my foot down

If I could change one thing about myself ____. 
Kelly: it would be my stupid hair! I have so little it could pass for bum fluff!
April: it would be my skin! I want a flawless one :) Less expense on dermatologist, extra money for books! Bdw Kelly, I have a thin hair and I'm afraid I'll be a bald woman in the near future lol.
Kelly: your skin looks flawless to me! April, hun, you have more hair than me I can guarantee you that much!
April: wahaha! We're gonna be bald parabatai's!
Kelly: Oh God, we will look like the Silent Brothers! O_O
April: Oh no! oh no! Not the Silent Brothers!!!! my goodness!
Kelly: we just need to sow our mouths shut and gouge out our eyes. No problem haha

If I could trade lives with another woman for a day, it would be ____. 
Kelly: Angela Hedrick-Messer (Starbooks friend) just so I could be surrounded in all her books! That girl can make a living as a library
April: Haha! Angela will be thrilled! (Angela of Reading Angel. I featured her once on my Thursday Revisits: Lola and the Boy Next Door. Go meet her, check out my post..) Anyway, I wish I could be Miley Cyrus in one day! I want to be able to sing and dance like her (in a public or concert) or just spend a day with Liam Hemsworth (Wait, are they still together?!).
Kelly: of all the people in the world you choose Miley Cyrus???? -shakes head- the only good part of that is Liam Hemsworth O_O and yes they are still together
April: Why not Miley? I like her bf a lot! I mean I like "her" a lot ;)
Kelly: her music kind of sucks and she is annoying haha. But whatever floats your boat I guess :P
April: (GRINNING)

The words I live by are ____. 
Kelly: life is a cheese curl, eat it!
April: "There are two men behind prison bars. One saw mud and the other saw stars." I always liked this quote especially sometimes when it seems that the grass is greener on the other side (Thanks to my Starbooks friends for reminding me that life is great.) Actually, whatever situation you are in, it's just a matter of perspective--on how you look at things. And really???!!! Cheese Curl???!!! LOL.
Kelly: wow that is kind of true! My, don't you have a way with words :) YES!!!! A cheese curl!!!
April: Well, I like cheese curls... Hehe

I wish I could ____. 

Kelly: find my very own Jace Herondale or Daemon Black!!
April: Hey! I know we're both Herondale girls here, but can you just leave Jace to me? You can have Daemon Black. I won't argue! And bdw, I wish I could fly and travel wherever and whenever I want to (no need of visa, passport and plane ticket).
Kelly: haha I didn't mean them literally, just a guy LIKE them! And come on you can't keep Jace from me! Sharing is caring April!! Travelling whenever you want, whereever you want and with NO costs would be so awesome! I'd come visit you girls soooo much
April: There's no guy like Jace and Daemon. You'll grow old but will never find one. But you can always wish they come out of the book and find you. Then we share. Lol
Kelly: we seriously need to invent that machine to make them real, also a lil older so we don't look like perves hahahahaha
April: We can always borrow Mariam's MAN-MAKING MACHINE ;)
Kelly: We must!!!!!!
(P.S. Those of you who don't know Mariam yet, I featured her on one my Thursday Revisits: FORBIDDEN by Tabitha Suzuma. Go check it out! :)

Oh my, I know I know! That's a long one lol. Anyway, so much for the super-fun-but-not-so-serious-stuff... Here's the real deal! 

Thursday Revisits with Kelly

Obsidian (Lux #1)

Author: Jennifer Armentrout

Summary | Add to TBR | Read my Review

Starting over sucks.When we moved to West Virginia right before my senior year, I'd pretty much resigned myself to thick accents, dodgy internet access, and a whole lot of boring.... until I spotted my hot neighbor, with his looming height and eerie green eyes. Things were looking up. And then he opened his mouth. Daemon is infuriating. Arrogant. Stab-worthy. We do not get along. At all. But when a stranger attacks me and Daemon literally freezes time with a wave of his hand, well, something... unexpected happens. The hot alien living next door marks me. You heard me. Alien. Turns out Daemon and his sister have a galaxy of enemies wanting to steal their abilities, and Daemon's touch has me lit up like the Vegas Strip. The only way I'm getting out of this alive is by sticking close to Daemon until my alien mojo fades. If I don't kill him first, that is.

How many times have you read Obsidian?
Kelly: 3 times haha
April: Just once. I'm too busy to re-read a book lately, but I really want to.
Kelly: I was busy also but I didn't care!
April: Golly. Lol

Let's say you're on Twitter and you have to describe the book in 140-character words, how will you do it? 
Kelly: OOOOOOOOOOOOOOHHHHH MYYYY GOD!!!!!!! So freaking amazing I could just die! Daemon <3
April: Isn't that cheating?! You filled it with lots of OOOOOOOOOOOOOOHHHHH MYYYY?!?!?!?! Hahaha! Silly. Okay, so mine would be: AMAZINGLY and DELICIOUSLY GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOD. I have to admit, Jace has some competition! <3
Kelly: haha cheat when you can, you can never do it when it matters! He does, doesn't he? He needs to up his game haha

Who is your most favorite character in the story?
Kelly: Daemon Black duh hehe
April: Daemon Black. But I like Dee too.
Kelly: Dee is cool too, I would like to know about her and Adam though

What is your most favorite part of the book?
Kelly: All the parts where Daemon saves Katy. I'm a sucker for a hero.
April: I think mine is the laptop scene... hehe :P
Kelly: haha extra steamy! I loved that part! Especially when I read it from Daemons POV on JL Armentrouts blog
April: Shhh... But I do agree. I actually like Daemon's POV than Katy's. It's more fun to read!
Kelly: it is and you understand him better!

If there's one thing you want to change in the story, what would it be? 
Kelly: Nothing, the story was magnificent!! Everything was great! And I am NOT just saying that!
April: Nothing.

If you could spend a day with one character from the book, who do you want to spend your day with?
Kelly: Daemon hehe. Who wouldn't want to spend a day with that fine piece of alien ass ;)
April: I agree. Daemon for me, too. I just hope that he'll leave his jerky side for a while or I'll kick him in his "alien ass".
Kelly: HAHA!!! I can just imagine you being violent its quite a funny sight!
April: hahaha! Hey, I'm a kick-ass remember?! :)
Kelly: Haha I remember! I can't even remember what my Alias was
April: You don't have an alias yet!
Kelly: Excuse you but I SO do! Lis gave us all aliases! -folds arms over chest-

If you were a Luxen, what sort of power do you want to possess? 
Kelly: I would want to have everything like Daemon does! I'm a more is more kind of girl haha
April: Hmm... I want Daemon's healing power and the Luxen's ability to move fast. I want to be some kind of protector.
Kelly: so Noble! :P
April: Hehe.. I'll be your protector Kelly. I'll kick the butts of those men who will hurt you. I promise!
Kelly: AWWW! That made me smile! HUGS

There are lots of amazing and funny lines in the story, but I want to ask you a particular line that you remember the most?
Kelly: "I never knew washing a car could be so difficult. But watching you for the past 15mins I am convinced it must be an Olympic Sport" I love this line by Daemon. I cracked up!
April: Oh my gosh! I love that one! He is way so funny! But what I always remember the most is this: "I knew you would be trouble from the start, from the moment you knocked on my door." - Daemon
Kelly: I liked that line also coz it is soooooo true haha

Are you satisfied with the ending? 
Kelly: Yes!!!! Not too big of a cliffhanger!!
April: Yes. I agree with Kelly. No biggie cliffhanger but the ending is amazing enough to anticipate the next book.

Do you recommend the book?
Kelly: I would be crazy not to! Every woman or man(assuming your into guys ;)) seriously needs to experience them some Daemon!
April: Haha! Yes I definitely recommend it. A character like Daemon Black is enough to make the reader fall in-lurve with this book.
Kelly: haha did you seriously just say in-lurve????
April: Yes! What? Oh my gosh, does the word have a double meaning?!?! Wait... (checking the dictionary now...)
Kelly: HAHAHA!! No! It was just lame! But we can be lame together since we are already nerds haha

One last word before we end the discussion: 
Kelly: Chumbawumba! (Meaning awesomeness)
April: Are you referring to the book or me? :P
Kelly: Both haha!!
April: Just what I thought lol! Chumbawamba Kelly! <3

Thank you so much Kelly for doing this super fun discussion for Obsidian :) I know you love love love this book and I'm glad that I've finally read it and do this post! Thanks to all my friends, readers and followers for joining me in this revisit too! Til next time! 

Blog Tour (Interview, Review, Giveaway): Meeting Destiny by Nancy Straight

Welcome to Meeting Destiny Blog Tour!

Today you'll have the opportunity to win a Signed Copy of Meeting Destiny! But before that, let me introduce to you the lovely author herself--Nancy Straight. I had the privilege to ask her some fun questions which I am excited to share with you! Here is Ms. Nancy Straight...

Author's Bio:

Nancy was born in Sioux City Iowa, left the cold of the Midwest in 1991 and only returns to see family in the summer time. She spent ten years traveling the world as a US Marine and settled in rural SC with her husband, two children and three dogs. She enjoys RVing with her family, writing Paranormal Romance / Urban Fantasy and reading all types of Paranormal and Young Adult literature.

Facebook | Twitter | Blog | Goodreads 

Tell us a bit about yourself. 

Let me see if I can give you something more than the standard answer that will give you some real insight into me.

I LOVE Starbucks’ White Mocha Latte and Mountain Dew, (but not together). I have a lead foot so I set cruise control when I drive, even in 25 MPH zones. I almost never win when I play Angry Birds, but have my 7 year old close, so he can clear the hard levels for me. I grew up on a farm and am opposed to eating fresh chicken. I am a huge fan of the show, Big Bang Theory, on CBS. I have a stray cat that I feed every night and morning but she’s never let me get closer than within 3 feet of her – I keep thinking eventually I’ll wear her down. I share my life with two fantastic sons, three rotten dogs and a husband that I adore.

Have you always wanted to be a writer? 

I’ve always been an avid reader, and I thought writing would be fun, but until recently I never pictured myself as an actual writer.

 

What's the best part of being a writer? 

The best part is by far the people that read my novels and contact me afterwards. I can’t tell you how excited I get when I read a great review, receive a message on Goodreads or a tweet from someone that just finished one of my books! It’s a real adrenaline rush to know that a story I made up moved someone to tears, made them laugh out loud after their husband was already sleeping or kept them guessing on what would happen next into the wee hours of the morning. 

What's the worst part? 

I don’t believe I’ve run across a part that I don’t like.  There is a stigma attached to being a self-published author, that the work isn’t good enough for traditional publishing.  I find this a little offensive, but I think self-publishing is such a new phenomena that this stigma will dissolve in the not too distant future.  Although I don’t begrudge any author that chooses to publish the traditional way, there are things that make self-publishing much more attractive, for me.  I don’t have an agent or a publicist representing me, absolutely every reader that contacts me, gets a response - from me.  I feel connected to the friends I’ve made that enjoy my books and they are an exceptional source of motivation on the days when I’d rather park myself in front of the television and goof off.  I have full control over my books, I can change covers, I can change text, I can even give a whole bunch of them away and no one can stop me (Meeting Destiny’s e-book is FREE right now).    

How did you come up with the story of Meeting Destiny? 

I’m a hopeless romantic, believing that there really is someone out there for everyone.  If by some chance you don’t connect with them the first time, fate will find a way to reintroduce you until you click.  I liked this idea and took it a step further, that a couple truly devoted to one another could share multiple lifetimes together.

What was the hardest part of writing the book? 

Editing is a labor of love.  The story itself was written in three months, but the editing took an additional six.  I can’t tell you how many times I said out loud, “this is really the last edit,” only to have the story edited several more times after.  

What was the easiest?

The whole Destiny Series was a story in my head that was screaming to get out.  The very first chapter in the book was by far the easiest to write, when I decided to write the book I knew exactly how I wanted it to begin.

Do you see yourself in any of your characters?

If so, who's character you can totally relate with? One of the small characters in the story is a mouthy physical therapist, Gretchen.  Although I’ve never done anything remotely medically related, her personality and some of the comments she says to motivate Lauren are things I could see myself saying in the same situation.  

Where do you get your inspiration? 

Readers, reviews posted by readers, other authors, bloggers and other books that have captured my heart.  I don’t know if people realize how much of an impact their kind words have on authors.  But a note from someone that says, “I read until 2 am.” or “I couldn’t put it down.” are really an adrenaline rush and inspire me more than any other factor.    

What kind of music do you listen to when you write?

It depends on what I’m writing.  Anyone that has read the Destiny Series will tell you there is a good bit of action, suspense and some swoony romance.  The music tends to mimic the emotion of the scenes I’m writing.  My iPod has around 500 songs so I just keep hitting “next” until I find one I like, then sometimes I loop it while I’m writing.  I have a diverse pallet for music: Adelle, Norah Jones, Keesha, and old EMINEM songs as well as much of the popular country songs are all favorites. 

Aside from being a writer, is there anything else you wanted to be? 

I’ve been fortunate to realize many dreams.  I wanted to travel the world, so I joined and spent ten years doing just that in the US Marine Corps.  I wanted to improve some of the technology available to war-fighters so I worked as a Civil Servant managing some pretty cool programs for the Department of Defense.  When I was younger I would have liked to work for the CIA – but I’m sure that was a result of watching the “Bourne” movies too many times.  LOL!  At this stage in my life (early 40s) I’m able to draw from so many experiences that writing is both a joy and a passion.   

Do you have a favorite or inspirational quote that you want to share with us?

The idea of soul-mates have been around for a VERY long time.  “Love is composed of a single soul inhabiting two bodies.” - Aristotle

MORE FUN STUFF:

What's your biggest dream?  

For my boys to think I’m cool, even when they’re teenagers.

What's the thing that scares you the most? 

It’s a toss-up between spiders and snakes – I’m not fond of either.  I had a close encounter with a Cobra in Thailand and there are Brown Recluses throughout the area I live in South Carolina.  Choosing which one I fear more is like being given the option of a punch in the head or a kick in the belly.  

What are the top five things you can never live without? 

Family, friends, books, DirecTV and Mountain Dew.

What is your favorite book?

I just finished Rachel Higginson’s Star-crossed Series – I’m DEEPLY in love with it and will probably read it a second time very soon.  Shelly Crane’s Significance Series, Charlotte Abel’s Channie Series and Shannon Dermott’s Beg for Mercy are all big favorites as well.

How about your favorite food?  

Anything that I don’t have to cook! (That’s my family’s favorite food, too!)

Are you a science geek or a math geek?

I’m a nerd, or at least my son tells me I am, but I struggle helping him with his Algebra homework, so I think that means: no.

Any talent? (Aside from writing of course). 

I am an exceptional shot with a rifle, I can shoot a target from 500 yards without aid of a scope.  I can usually find a funny story to make others laugh.  I’m a good listener.  Not sure if any of the three qualify as talents, but I’m proud of all three!

Meeting Destiny (Destiny #1)

Author: Nancy Straight

Publication Date: June 26th 2012

Genre: Young Adult, Paranormal Romance

Buy Links:

Amazon (Paperback | E-book)
Barnes & Noble

Summary | Add to TBR

Lauren is visited in her dreams for years by a stranger claiming to be her destiny. Destiny becomes reality when paths cross during a failed robbery attempt. Lauren and the stranger experience chemistry like no other and now her doubt over her long time relationship with her high school sweetheart is not her only secret…someone else knows about her keen intuition and sixth sense. A mysterious clairvoyant seeks Lauren out and tells her not only of her life now but what the future may hold. Soon Lauren is in the middle of a murder investigation and a questionable friendship with the key suspect. Law enforcement, friends and family are concerned for Lauren but unfortunately they are unaware of the true danger… Sinister forces are at work and will stop at nothing to destroy Lauren’s abilities.

My Thoughts:

Even before I learned about the blog tour, I already picked up this book for my Kindle. So when I was invited to join the tour, I was beyond thrilled. I think Meeting Destiny is one of those books that will always remind me of the word "soulmates" and of course the word "destiny".

Lauren and Max are destined to be together. Lauren had always dreamed of him for years and when she finally meet him, she's certain that he's the only one for her. She broke up with her bestfriend and sort-of-boyfriend Seth to pursue Max and make him remember everything he said in her dreams. But meeting Max didn't make her life less complicated since Lauren isn't just an ordinary girl. She has the ability to sense danger around her and other people.

Max is a dreamy kind of guy--gorgeous, strong, dependable and a gentleman. There seems to be more about him to discover in the next installment. I want to know everything about Max and how he and Lauren will fulfill their purpose and their destinies together. Lauren is independent and strong-willed, though I think she should be more open with Max about things and her decisions. But then, that made her who she is. 

The story is full of suspense and never-ending mystery. It will keep you guessing up to the last page. And the ending? What a cliffhanger! Does it have to end like that? Oh my Max. This will certainly make you anxious to read the next book.

Overall, the story is good, entertaining and gripping. The mysteries that surrounds Lauren and her abilities, Max and his purpose, and their stories together that are waiting to be told makes this book a very good start for a compelling saga that you might not want to miss.

My Rating:

P.S. One reader told me via Amazon that my review somehow confused her. I gave this book a rating of 3/5 but when you read my review, it seems like I really liked it. Maybe, I didn't explained it much in my review, but I think I owe it to my readers and followers. I don't want to change my original stand/thoughts once I already posted. I only give my honest opinion because I believe in integrity. So, I've decided to just further explain my thoughts on why I give it a 3/5 instead of a higher one. 

I honestly liked Meeting Destiny and I'm still looking forward to read the next books in the series. A rating of 3 out of 5 doesn't mean a "negative" review for me. It was actually ok. In Goodreads, it means "I liked it", and in Amazon it means "It's OK." Here in my blog, I mean it as "A Good Read". The only thing that I've forgotten to mentioned (which probably caused the confusion) is the reason why 3? I've been too busy babbling on the good stuffs that I forgot to mention what I didn't like. Well, honestly, there's nothing hated about the book. It's just that the relationship of Max and Lauren didn't do it for me that much... I'm still waiting for something deeper... something strong that will make my heart tingles, and my body tense when I read about them. Something that is more than what they have in the book. Nevertheless, this book is good. I meant it and I still do. :)

And now, for the GIVEAWAY, you can win One (1) Signed Copy of Meeting Destiny. This is open for U.S. Residents only (sorry to my international readers/followers, but don't worry 'cos you can still own an E-BOOK of Meeting Destiny at Amazon Kindle cos it's still FREE! 

To enter in the giveaway, simply fill up the Rafflecopter below. It ends on April 30th 2012.

GOOD LUCK!

Book Review: KISS OF FROST by Jennifer Estep

Kiss of Frost (Mythos Academy #2)

Author: Jennifer Estep

Publication Date: Kensington

Publisher: November 29th 2011

Genre: Young Adult, Urban Fantasy

Summary | Add to TBR

I’m Gwen Frost, a second-year warrior-in-training at Mythos Acad­emy, and I have no idea how I’m going to sur­vive the rest of the semes­ter. One day, I’m get­ting schooled in sword­play by the guy who broke my heart—the drop-dead gor­geous Logan who slays me every time. Then, an invis­i­ble archer in the Library of Antiq­ui­ties decides to use me for tar­get prac­tice. And now, I find out that some­one at the acad­emy is really a Reaper bad guy who wants me dead. I’m afraid if I don’t learn how to live by the sword—with Logan’s help—I just might die by the sword...

My Thoughts:

In Kiss of Frost, a Reaper is trying to kill Gwen, and a beautiful, hot guy is showing interest in her. There's a red diary that she wants to unravel, and a Winter Carnival she's trying to enjoy while trying to forget her feelings for the drop-dead gorgeous spartan--Logan. 

I loved Kiss of Frost. This book is much better than the first book and I'm so glad that I finally read it. There are still the same issues from the first book like being too repetitive sometimes, but it didn't bother me that much. What I appreciate the most is how Gwen's character developed and how she finally learn how to grasp her powers as it began to awaken. I'm thrilled to see the progress of Logan and Gwen's relationship and I'd say that it didn't disappoint. In the first book, we only get a glimpse of something romantic between the two, something that tells us there is a romance that will soon to blossom. And yes, Kiss of Frost gave me that tingling sensation I was looking for. It was so good to see that Logan is finally showing what's beyond his mysterious personality and it's a very nice start for the readers to know the real Logan and understand why he's trying to control his feelings. He's even hotter in this book too! You sure don't want to miss Logan Quinn.

From the time I started this book, I couldn't put it down. There's so much mysteries and I just wanted to know what will happen next. I wanted to unravel the secrets that surrounds Oliver's red notebook, I wanted to know who the reaper was, and I wanted to know if Logan and Gwen will finally be together. I read it in less than a day and I want more. I want more of Gwen as her powers began to awaken, I want more of Logan, I want more of Oliver, I want more of Daphne and Carlson.  Beyond the mysteries and the exciting events that surrounds the characters in Kiss of Frost, there are a lot more to be told, a lot more to discover and it makes the story so gripping that you wouldn't want to put it down until you know the ending.

I have to stop babbling before I give away too much, so let me just say this: I really enjoyed Kiss of Frost that I want the next book NOW. I love Logan and I love Logan. Oops, I said that already. Anyway, if you've read and enjoyed Touch of Frost, I'm sure you'll gonna love this book. I didn't expect to really liked it this much but I did. I just want the next one and I want it now. The story is getting even more exciting. The book is getting better and better. It's very entertaining, you should read this one!

My Rating:

Book 1 in Mythos Academy Series 

by Jennifer Estep

My Review: Touch of Frost (Mythos Academy #1)

Read Summary/Add on Goodreads

Book Trailer Reveal & Book Excerpt: TASTE by Kate Evangelista

I am so excited to be a part of the Book Trailer Reveal and Book Excerpt of the upcoming YA Paranormal Romance TASTE by Author Kate Evangelista. I once posted a Cover Reveal of the book and if you haven't seen it or heard about it, please take a look at the gorgeous cover and read the blurb below. Along with this post, you can also find a super-exclusive excerpt of Taste. But you have to find the link in order to see it. Look around... it's not so hidden :)

Taste by Kate Evangelista

Publication Date: TBA
Publisher: Crescent Moon Press
Genre: Young Adult, Paranormal Romance

Summary | Add to TBR

At Barinkoff Academy, there's only one rule: no students on campus after curfew. Phoenix McKay soon finds out why when she is left behind at sunset. A group calling themselves night students threaten to taste her flesh until she is saved by a mysterious, alluring boy. With his pale skin, dark eyes, and mesmerizing voice, Demitri is both irresistible and impenetrable. He warns her to stay away from his dangerous world of flesh eaters. Unfortunately, the gorgeous and playful Luka has other plans.

When Phoenix is caught between her physical and her emotional attraction, she becomes the keeper of a deadly secret that will rock the foundations of an ancient civilization living beneath Barinkoff Academy. Phoenix doesn’t realize until it is too late that the closer she gets to both Demitri and Luka the more she is plunging them all into a centuries old feud.

Now, for an even exciting part, here's the book trailer and book excerpt of TASTE. Enjoy!

Song Credits: "Hunger" © Noelle Pico. 

Full Download available at http://sheisnoelle.bandcamp.com

Excerpt: Taste

I sat up and followed Calixta’s gaze upward. I rubbed my eyes. I didn’t know what I was seeing at first. A statue? ­My brain refused to snap together coherent thoughts. I didn’t realize I’d fallen so close to one of the garden benches until I stared up at the boy that sat on one. He was strikingly beautiful. His tumble of blonde hair curled just above his sculpted cheekbones. He wore a silk shirt and a loosened cravat, like he’d become bored while dressing and decided to leave himself in disarray. His ivory skin and frozen position was what had me mistaking him for something carved from marble by Michelangelo. Then he sighed—a lonely, breathy proof of life. If I had to imagine what Lucifer looked like before he fell from heaven, the boy on the bench would certainly fulfill that image. My brain told me I had to look away, but I couldn’t. 

“Luka,” Calixta said again, her voice unsure, almost nervous. It no longer contained the steel and bite she had threatened me with, which made me wonder who the boy was. 

He leaned on his hands and crossed his legs, all the while keeping his eyes fixed on the night sky. His movements spoke of elegance and control. I’d encountered many people with breeding before, but his took on the air of arrogance and self-assuredness of someone used to getting what he wanted when he wanted it. 

I only realized I’d been holding my breath when my lungs protested. I exhaled. My heart sputtered and restarted with a vengeance. Luka tore his gaze away from the stars and settled it on me. I’d expected pitch-black irises, like the other Night Students, but blue ice stared back at me. 

“Human,” he whispered. 

He reached out, and with a finger, followed an invisible trail down my cheek. I stiffened. His touch, cooler than Demitri’s, caused warm sparks to blossom on my face. He lifted his finger to his lips and licked its tip. He might as well have licked me from the way my body shivered. 

Luka’s curious gaze held mine. “Leave us,” he said, but not to me. 

“But—” Calixta protested like a spoiled child. 

He spoke in a language I hadn’t heard before, remaining calm yet firm. The words had a rolling cadence I couldn’t quite follow, like rumbling thunder in the distance. They contained a harsh sensuality. The consonants were hard and the vowels were long and lilting. 

Footsteps retreated behind me. 

Luka reached out again. 

It took me a minute to realize he wanted to help me up. I hesitated. He smiled. I smiled back timidly and took his hand, completely dazzled. Even with my uniform soaked from melted snow, I didn’t feel cold—all my attention was on him and the way his callused hand felt on mine. Without moving much from his seated position, he helped me stand. 

“What’s your name?” he asked. He had a voice like a familiar lullaby. It filled my heart to the brim with comfort. 

I swallowed and tried to stop gawking. “Phoenix.” 

“The bird that rose from the ashes.” Luka bent his head and kissed the back of my hand. “It’s a pleasure meeting you.” 

My cheeks warmed. My head reeled, not knowing what to think. I couldn’t understand why I felt drawn to him. And the strange connection frightened me. 

From behind, someone gripped my arms and yanked me away before I could sort out the feelings Luka inspired in me. I found myself behind a towering figure yet again. Recognizing the blue-black silk for hair tied at the nape, relief washed over me. Calixta hadn’t come back to finish me off. 

Demitri’s large hand wrapped around my wrist. Unlike the night before, no calm existed in his demeanor. He trembled like a junky in need of a fix. The coiled power in his tense muscles vibrated into me. 

“What are you doing here?” Demitri asked. 

I didn’t know he’d spoken to me until I saw his expressionless profile. I sighed. 

“Phoenix.” 

I flinched. The ruthless way he said my name punched all the air out of me. “You owe me answers,” I said with as much bravado as I could muster. 

“I owe you nothing.” He glared. “In fact, you owe me your life.” 

“I don’t think so.” 

Ignoring my indignation, he faced Luka, who’d remained seated on the bench during my exchange with Demitri. “Why is she with you, Luka?” 

“I wasn’t going to taste her, if that’s what you’re implying,” Luka said. “Although, she is simply delicious. I wouldn’t mind if you left us alone.” 

There it was again. Taste. The word that kept coming up between these Night Students and I was connected to it in an increasingly uncomfortable way. To taste meant to sample, but what? My flesh? They had to be joking because the alternative wasn’t funny. 

“The sins of the father …” Demitri left his sentence unfinished. 

Luka’s smile shifted into a snarl. “Obey my command.” His chin lifted. “Kneel.” 

Demitri’s stance went rigid. His grip tightened around my wrist. 

Okay, weird just got weirder. Why would Luka want Demitri to kneel before him? I thought back to Eli and the others bowing to Demitri when he questioned them, but they didn’t kneel. Seriously? Were they all living on a different planet or something? 

“Kneel.” Luka’s detestable smirk made his features sinister rather than angelic. The real Lucifer: a fallen angel. 

Without letting go of my wrist, Demitri knelt down on one knee and bowed his head, his free hand flat at the center of his chest. “Your command has been obeyed,” he said formally. 

Luka nodded once. 

Demitri stood up and pulled me toward the school without telling me where we were going. Not having the time to thank Luka for saving me from Calixta, I risked a glance back. Luka smiled at me. His smile spoke of whispers, secrets, and promises to be shared on a later date.

. . . . .

About the Author:

When Kate Evangelista was told she had a knack for writing stories, she did the next best thing: entered medical school. After realizing she wasn't going to be the next Doogie Howser, M.D., Kate wandered into the Literature department of her university and never looked back. Today, she is in possession of a piece of paper that says to the world she owns a Literature degree. To make matters worse, she took Master's courses in creative writing. In the end, she realized to be a writer, none of what she had mattered. What really mattered? Writing. Plain and simple, honest to God, sitting in front of her computer, writing. Today, she has four completed Young Adult novels.

Author Website | Twitter | Facebook 
Find Taste on Goodreads | Crescent Moon Press page for Taste

What do you think? I can't wait to know what will happen next.  Did you find the not-so-hidden link for the super exclusive content of Taste? Oh, and don't forget to add this book to your TBR :) I'm super excited for this one!