Cover Reveal: Absolute Zero (Touch of Frost #2) by Lynn Rush

COVER REVEAL

So I am SUPER STOKED to help reveal the cover for book two of Lynn Rush' Touch of Frost trilogy. I read the first book, Frostbite, this past summer and fell in love with the plot and the characters. I even wrote a review, which you can read here.

And now for what you all presumably clicked here to see:

THE REVEAL

Ta-daa!
Just take in all of that amazingness. When I saw the red I was so excited! Georgia!!!
And now the deets:

Title: Absolute Zero
Series: Touch of Frost
Author: Lynn Rush
Release Date: May 2014
Blurb:

Death may be the only way I can live…

The Center is destroyed. Mandy and Georgia have their own place near campus and are ready to start their new lives as college students. All that’s missing is Mandy’s steamy relationship with Zach. His sudden distance and irritability has Mandy wondering…and possibly wandering.

Nate Ashcroft, a beautiful, but mysterious, guy literally falls into Mandy’s life, shattering her already unstable relationship with Zach. When an unknown agency sets its targets on Mandy and Georgia, ugly truths of Mandy’s powers, her parents’ deaths and the people she’s chosen to trust send her life into a tailspin.

One only her death can stop.

I'm so glad May isn't too far away, because I need to get my hands on this beauty. I can't wait to see where this series goes. !!!

LINKS
Lynn Rush on Facebook
Follow Lynn Rush on Twitter
Absolute Zero on Goodreads
LynnRush.com

Top Ten Tuesday (8): Top Ten All Time Favourite Fantasy Books

(Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly book meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish. To join in on this weekly meme, visit the blog here)

This week on Top Ten Tuesday it's

Top Ten All Time Favourite Fantasy Books

I chose fantasy as my genre this week because it's my absolute favourite. It's the genre that I've been reading since I was reading picture books (and this TTT I will feature two of those books), and to this day has remained a go-to of mine. So without further ado...

The Paper Bag Princess by Robert Munsch

For some reason I only own one Munsch book, but I've read them all! This one has always been and will always be my favourite. It's classic Munsch, and features a very clever and out-spoken princess who has a run-in with a dragon. If you haven't read this yet, visit your local library and head to the kids' section and take two minutes to read this gem. It's superb.

The Balloon Tree by Phoebe Gilman

This one is another kid classic I adore. I think it was the pictures that really grabbed me as a youngster, but the story is cute as well. It teaches a few lessons as well and is a great introductory tale to the fantasy genre. The illustrations, too, are truly beautiful.





And for my non-little kid picks...

Song of the Lioness quartet by Tamora Pierce

Tamora Pierce is going to be featured a few times on this list, because she is my all-time favourite author. Alanna is the first book in this fantastic series, which features a girl who trades places with her twin brother so that she can be a knight (which women are not allowed to do) and her brother can learn magic (something women are expected to do instead of knighthood). A seriously wonderful quartet featuring one of YA's most insiring female characters.

The Immortals quartet by Tamora Pierce

Wild Magic, the first in this series, is the first book by Tamora Pierce that I read. It was bought for me or I picked it up because of the horse on the cover (my favourite animal, and I went through a very long phase where I only read Pony Pals and Saddle Club and Thoroughbred books, haha). SO glad I read this one, whatever the reason, because it made me seek out other books by this wonderful author. This one takes place in the same world as Alanna's series did, but features a different main female character and takes place after Alanna's story (but there is mention of Alanna).

Protector of the Small quartet by Tamora Pierce

She's really good for quartets, this author :) First Test is the first in a series featuring my favourite female main character ever, Keladry of Mindelan. This one takes place in the same land as the previous two series, and by Kel's time, knighthood had been open to women for the first time. And she is the first female to step up to the plate. But the males do not make it easy for her. This is my favourite Tamora Pierce series and the first series I read fully by this author (I read The Immortals after, and then Alanna. Oops!)

Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling

What's a fantasy list without Harry Potter? I don't think I need to say much on why this one is here. It's Harry freakin' Potter!

Falling Kingdoms by Morgan Rhodes

I'm so beyond proud that the author is from my city <3 But I fell in love this this book before I knew this fact. Falling Kingdoms is a genius high fantasy series by pseudonym author Morgan Rhodes (she also writes romance and other YA under Michelle Rowen and she is fantastic). Book 2 is recently out, Rebel Spring (which I've yet to read - ack! But I'll get there). Highly recommended if you like fantasy. The characters are so diverse and very interesting.

Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas

This series features a heroine who was locked up for being an assassin, and freed under the condition that she compete to be the king's champion - which means freedom after serving as the king's personal assassin for a few years. She'll die if she stays locked up, but she hates the king, so while the choice is easy, it's not at all simple. Seriously such a fantastic series. Books one and two are out and you should go read them both right now right now right now :)

The Bone Season by Samantha Shannon

You may have heard of this one already - the young author's writing has been compared to that of J.K. Rowling - and it is not undeserved. I was a little apprehensive going into this one, because I tend to stick to YA and this one is in the adult fantasy category, but it was fantastic. It's the first of a planned eight-book series, and I an eagerly anticipating the second. It's very different from any fantasy I've read. It's like an AU fantasy that takes in a world where the English monarchy no longer reigns, and clairvoyants are hunted. The protagonist is a clairvoyant herself, and joins a gang of clairvoyants before she's captured (not a spoiler - it's in the blurb), and then spoiler spoiler spoiler spoiler :)

Seraphina by Rachel Hartman

Dragons.
I feel like that's all I have to say, really. Hartman's dragons are quite unique, though. They have the ability to turn human, and I mean, who wouldn't want to be able to be a dragon? I go into this book in more detail in my review, which you can find here.

Top Ten Tuesday (7) Rewind: Books I Feel As Though Everyone Has Read But Me

(Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly book meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish. To join in on this weekly meme, visit the blog here)

This week on Top Ten Tuesday it's a REWIND. I've chosen to do a topic I missed out on. This TTT topic was originally done on September 20th, 2011.

Top Ten Books I Feel As Though Everyone Has Read But Me (that I hope to read)

The original meme is just 'top ten books I feel as though everyone has read but me', but I added the 'that I hope to read' because I figured that would be more fun than putting on books I don't want to read. In no particular order...

Under the Never Sky by Veronica Rossi

I own this series, at least, but I have yet to get around to reading it. One day I will, likely when I'm on my next post-apocalyptic/dystopian kick, which is bound to be soon.

The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin

One day I will read this series. I've heard of its amazingness, so I will be adding it to my collection.

Article 5 by Kristen Simmons

Another one I need to get on my bookshelf. I'll likely just wait until the entire series is out at this point. But I've heard good things!

Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor

I have seriously heard nothing but good things about this series. I own the first one, at least. Once the third is out I will likely pick these up finally.

The Lost Hero by Rick Riordan

Confession: I own all of the published books, but I have only read up to Percy Jackson and the Titan's Curse. I'll catch up, I swear! Trying to avoid spoilers for this series is the most difficult thing, so I need to get on it! Hopefully before Blood of Olympus is out, because I just don't think I'll be able to stay mostly spoiler-free after that one.

Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo

This might be another one I wait for the whole series to be out. Maybe. I'll see if I can hold out that long.

Eragon by Christopher Paolini

I haven't even seen the movie (although I've been told that's not a bad thing), but this series has been out for over ten years. I'm a tad behind with this one, so naturally most people I know have read this one. It's another series I have on my shelf, though, so I'll get there.

Frostbite by Richelle Mead

Hey - I've at least read Vampire Academy. And I own the set, so I'll be getting to this one soon.

Looking For Alaska by John Green

The only John Green novel (not counting his short story in Let It Snow) that I've yet to read. It's on my shelf. I'll get there one day.

Wither by Lauren DeStefano

Another I own but have yet to read.

Feature & Follow Friday (1): Last Book To Make You Cry

(The Feature & Follow is hosted by TWO hosts, Parajunkee of Parajunkee’s View and Alison of Alison Can Read. Each host will have their own Feature Blog and this way it’ll allow us to show off more new blogs!)

Last Book To Make You Cry

The last book to make me cry real sobby tears was Allegiant by Veronica Roth. If you've read it, you'll likely guess why. It had me crying at a few parts. If you haven't read it yet, I won't spoil.

The last book to make me cry even just a tad was David Levithan's Boy Meets Boy. It was too cute. I cried 'you are both way too cute and I can't handle it' tears.

Waiting On Wednesday #12

"Waiting on" Wednesday is a weekly blogger meme started by Breaking the Spine. If you want to check this meme out at its origin and particpate, just click here.

This week I am waiting on . . .

Nil by Lynne Matson

Goodreads Blurb:
On the mysterious island of Nil, the rules are set. You have one year. Exactly 365 days--to escape, or you die.

Seventeen-year-old Charley doesn’t know the rules. She doesn’t even know where she is. The last thing she remembers is blacking out, and when she wakes up, she’s lying naked in an empty rock field.

Lost and alone, Charley finds no sign of other people until she meets Thad, the gorgeous leader of a clan of teenage refugees. Soon Charley learns that leaving the island is harder than she thought . . . and so is falling in love. With Thad’s time running out, Charley realizes that to save their future, Charley must first save him. And on an island rife with dangers, their greatest threat is time.


---------


This book is right up my alley. A little dystopia, adventure, and suspense all mixed into one from the sound of it! I cannot wait to have this one on my shelf *grabby hands*

Nil is out March 4th, 2014, so not too long a wait! Just enough time to finish the February releases!
And if it interests you, you can join the #NilTribe on Lynne Matson's blog -click here-

Top Ten Tuesday (6): Books That Will Make You Swoon

(Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly book meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish. To join in on this weekly meme, visit the blog here)

Top Ten Books What Will Make You Swoon

I'm not really a swooner, but do internally squeal and wish very hard for some romantic book moments to happen irl. These are the top ten books with those moments.

1. Clockwork Angel (or rather, the entire Infernal Devices trilogy) by Cassandra Clare

Between Jem's musical talent and sweetness and Will's passion for books and Tessa, this series certainly had me 'swooning'. Of course, there is a whole lot more to the steampunk fantasy series than the romance, these two Shadowhunters are at the top of my list of swoon-worthy guys in YA.


2. Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell

Levi Levi Levi. That's all I have to say.


3. Unravel Me by Tahereh Mafi

I've yet to read Ignite Me, so it's going to have to be Unravel Me that is the most swoon-worthy of the series (or should I pick Destroy Me?). Nah. Unravel Me. Chapter 62.


4. Boy Meets Moy by David Levithan

If you haven't read it yet, I'll try not to spoil, but the lengths Paul goes to to get Noah back are just adorable and completely swoon-worthy, in my honest opinion. It had me giddily grinning nearly the entire way through.


5. The Collector by Victoria Scott

Can bad boys make you swoon? Um, yes. Dante Walker proves this (but maybe don't tell him that - his ego is inflated enough).


6. Unearthly by Cynthia Hand

This series about angels and part-angels really got to me. And I'd say even quarter angels are swoon-worthy, wouldn't you?


7. Pandemonium by Lauren Oliver

I mean, Julian, man. He and Lena are just too adorable to not deem swoon-worthy. Sorry (not sorry), Alex.


8. Tight Knit by Allie Brennan

Just... Lachlan. All right, maybe he wouldn't appreciate being called swoon-worthy, but we don't have to tell him.

9. Switched/Torn/Ascend (Trylle trilogy) by Amanda Hocking

It's a series, so it counts as one. I mean... Loki.

10. Iron Knight by Julie Kagawa

I'm more of a Puck fan myself, but I can't deny a more swoon-worthy performance than Ash's declaration to Meghan, and everything he goes through to be with her.

Cover Characteristic (1): Storms

Cover Characteristic is a book blog meme created by Sugar & Snark. Each week they will post a characteristic, and you pick your five favourites.

Covers with Storms

          

          

And my favourite...

Because dragons + fire = BA

Monthly Wrap Up: January & February Reads

Hey all!

I'm going to try to do a new thing on here. It's similar to a weekly roundup, except it will take place at the beginning and end of each month. At the beginning, I will plan out my reads, and at the end I'll check back in and see how I did, as well as remind you all (and myself) which reviews I've done the past month.
It should hopefully get me back on track to blogging as regularly as possible (I'd like to two at least two posts a week). These will likely come as two separate posts in the future, but since it's no longer January, I merged the two months.
And for the books I didn't get a chance to review each month, I'll write a short review of my thoughts so no book is left in the shadows.
Let's get started!

Books I Read in January:

Independent Study (The Testing #2) by Joelle Charbonneau

To date still one of my favourite futuristic series! You can read my review on the first book in the series, The Testing, by clicking -here-. IS was just as good as The Testing, if not better, and I cannot WAIT for the final book in the trilogy. Graduation Day is out in June 2014. The conclusion should be an expected epic one.




And then I went on a contemporary kick with the following four:

Two Boys Kissing by David Levithan

An interesting POV. I admit it took me a while to get used to the story being told by the all-seeing generation of men lost to AIDS, but the characters and their stories were too intriguing for me to want to put the down. This book was fantastically written and a great LGBT read I highly recommend you add to your shelves.

How to Love by Katie Cotugno

I loved this book a lot more than I thought I would! For someone who gets bored with contemporary, I couldn't really put this one down. I liked that it was honest, and a more mature YA. The plot didn't feel cheap or cheesy, and the characters were well developed. I'd read more contemporary like this one.

The Promise of Amazing by Robin Constantine

This one I summed up on my Goodreads review as 'cute'. It did not blow me away, but the writing was superb - it switched chapter by chapter to the two main characters' point of views, and their voices were distinct, which is very difficult to do. Kudos to the author for a great debut novel. If any of you are looking for a Valentine's Read (because why not?), I recommend this.

Boy Meets Boy by David Levithan

This is an older book, but still a fabulous read by the amazing David Levithan. I'd love to see this turned into a film (isn't it about time?). Anyone else? Comment with your fancasts if you've got 'em. If you haven't read Boy Meets Boy yet, I highly recommend that you do. It's another great LGBT and Valentine's read that will leave you smiling and maybe even shedding a tear or two.





My February Reading Plan

I'm currently reading three books (I know Goodreads says four, but one's on hold until I feel like picking it back up again). I'd like to get through them by the end of this month, as well as read another one or two. So here's the plan: