Debut Bash: Erin Summerill

I was thrilled when the lovely bloggers of YA Reads asked me to join their 2016 Debut Bash and host the inimitable and glorious Erin Summerill, author of Ever the Hunted. Check out the full schedule here.

I love both Erin and her debut novel. To pull from my review: "Ever the Hunted is a gorgeous, sweeping fantasy novel that I quickly sped through. Erin weaves a story rife with intrigue and magical components that draw readers in from the start." - Rachel

Today Erin shares a beautiful and imaginative Pinterest board with photos inspired by Ever the Hunted. 

Blog Tour: Thank God It's Monday!

Jessica Brody's latest book, A Week of Mondays, is about a girl who keeps repeating Monday until she gets it right. In preparation for the release of her book, for the next few Mondays I'll be posting about this book and some fun shenanigans! 

ARC Review: And I Darken

Author: Kiersten White
Series: The Conquerors Saga #1
Genre: YA Historical/Fantasy
Page Length: 496 Pages
Publication Date: June 28th, 2016
Publisher: Delacorte Press
Source: ARC 
Goodreads | Amazon

NO ONE EXPECTS A PRINCESS TO BE BRUTAL.

And Lada Dragwlya likes it that way. Ever since she and her gentle younger brother, Radu, were wrenched from their homeland of Wallachia and abandoned by their father to be raised in the Ottoman courts, Lada has known that being ruthless is the key to survival. She and Radu are doomed to act as pawns in a vicious game, an unseen sword hovering over their every move. For the lineage that makes them special also makes them targets.

Lada despises the Ottomans and bides her time, planning her vengeance for the day when she can return to Wallachia and claim her birthright. Radu longs only for a place where he feels safe. And when they meet Mehmed, the defiant and lonely son of the sultan, who’s expected to rule a nation, Radu feels that he’s made a true friend—and Lada wonders if she’s finally found someone worthy of her passion.

But Mehmed is heir to the very empire that Lada has sworn to fight against—and that Radu now considers home. Together, Lada, Radu, and Mehmed form a toxic triangle that strains the bonds of love and loyalty to the breaking point.

Meet the Newbies: Janet McNally

Meet the Newbies is a blog event dedicated to introducing you to the “newbie” published debut authors. In this event, expect to learn more about the authors, their books, and silly fun facts! Check out the full Meet the Newbies lineup here.

Whenever I find a book that incorporates music, I instantly add it to my TBR. Janet's debut, Girls in the Moon, has that and more to attract readers. And look at the beautiful cover of her book (pictured below). Here is Janet McNally!

Author Most Likely To Make You a Playlist (and Then Make You Listen to it Three Times in a Row!)

Nickname: Birdie

First Day of School: November 29, 2016

Homeroom: HarpenTeen

Grade: Contemporary

Extracurricular Activities: Ballet/jazz/tap, running track until my dance teacher makes me quit, avoiding practicing the flute

Favorite Class: English, for sure, and maybe one where we just sit around listening to records

Favorite Quote/Motto: "Secrets are just stories turned inside out." (From Girls in the Moon)

Helene Aquilla Appreciation Week

Today Bustle revealed an exclusive excerpt of A Torch Against the Night from Helene's point of view. 

You should go check it out! 

I started reading Torch last weekend, and I'm really enjoying it so far. It's bloody and vicious to the core, and there are still so many complications and problems as Laia attempts to complete her mission. Some of the scenes that Sabaa writers are simply incredible! We meet some new characters, and the plot thickens exponentially. 

Meet the Newbies: Aditi Khorana

Meet the Newbies is a blog event dedicated to introducing you to the “newbie” published debut authors. In this event, expect to learn more about the authors, their books, and silly fun facts! Check out the full Meet the Newbies lineup here.

Aditi's book is another debut I am highly excited to read this year. I heard about it right after the PW book deal announcement, and I was hooked from the very first pitch. Add a thought-provoking detailed synopsis and a beautiful cover, and we have a winner! Introducing... Aditi Khorana! :)

Author Most Likely To Be Reading Novels Under Her Desk in Class

Nickname: Brooder

First Day of School: June 21st, 2016

Homeroom: Razorbill/Penguin

Grade: Speculative/Contemporary Fiction

Extracurricular Activities: Swim Team, Astronomy Club, Amnesty International, Debate Team

Favorite Class: Philosophy

Favorite Quote/Motto: "We shall not cease from exploration, and the end of all our exploring will be to arrive where we started and know the place for the first time." --T.S. Eliot