Review: Control by Lydia Kang

Title: Control
Author: Lydia Kang
Publisher: Dial (Penguin)
Acquired Via: Around the World ARC Tours
Release Date: December 26, 2013
An un-putdownable thriller for fans of Uglies.

When a crash kills their father and leaves them orphaned, Zel knows she needs to protect her sister, Dyl. But before Zel has a plan, Dyl is taken by strangers using bizarre sensory weapons, and Zel finds herself in a safe house for teens who aren’t like any she’s ever seen before—teens who shouldn't even exist. Using broken-down technology, her new friends’ peculiar gifts, and her own grit, Zel must find a way to get her sister back from the kidnappers who think a powerful secret is encoded in Dyl’s DNA.

A spiraling, intense, romantic story set in 2150—in a world of automatic cars, nightclubs with auditory ecstasy drugs, and guys with four arms—this is about the human genetic “mistakes” that society wants to forget, and the way that outcasts can turn out to be heroes.

My Review

I recently marked a big fat "DNF" on a book that was similar to this one, but Control by Lydia Kang was a sci-fi YA debut that I surprised myself by enjoying. It wasn't a perfect book, but I still had a good time reading it.

Zelia and Dylia are two recently orphaned sisters who have no real ties to anyone except themselves. Their overprotective father kept them constantly on the move and controlled every aspect of their lives. "Zel" was just as protective of "Dyl" as her father, lamenting her little sister letting go of childish things and becoming a beauty-obsessed, boy-crazy teenager. When their father dies, leaving them in foster care, their lives are thrown for a loop. Zel and Dyl do not have much time to adjust because All The Things happen.

Review: The Bone Season by Samantha Shannon

Title: The Bone Season
Author: Samantha Shannon
Publisher: Bloomsbury
Acquired Via: Personal Collection
Release Date: August 6, 2013
It is the year 2059. Several major world cities are under the control of a security force called Scion. Paige Mahoney works in the criminal underworld of Scion London, part of a secret cell known as the Seven Seals. The work she does is unusual: scouting for information by breaking into others’ minds. Paige is a Dreamwalker, a rare kind of clairvoyant, and in this world, the voyants commit treason simply by breathing.

But when Paige is captured and arrested, she encounters a power more sinister even than Scion. The Voyant prison is a separate city—Oxford, erased from the map two centuries ago and now controlled by a powerful, otherworldly race. These creatures, the Rephaim, value the voyants highly—as soldiers in their army.

Paige is assigned to a Rephaite keeper, Warden, who will be in charge of her care and training. He is her master. Her natural enemy. But if she wants to regain her freedom, Paige will have to learn something of his mind and his own mysterious motives.

The Bone Season introduces a compelling heroine—a young woman learning to harness her powers in a world where everything has been taken from her. It also introduces an extraordinary young writer, with huge ambition and a teeming imagination. Samantha Shannon has created a bold new reality in this riveting debut.

My Review

I have no idea why, but one day I decided that I absolutely must read The Bone Season by Samantha Shannon. I don’t exactly recall reading the synopsis or paying much attention to the hype, but one day I couldn’t stand it anymore and preordered the audiobook. I downloaded it the morning it was available, but since I was listening to an audiobook for review, I had to wait to read it. It was brutal because all I could think about was the book that I had found myself obsessing over.

Blog Tour (Excerpt): DeMarco's Café by Julie Tetel Andresen

Tour Schedule
Julie has authored the exciting Timeslip series a bevy of titles in Historical Romance and Regency, 21st Century Fiction, and Non-Fiction. DeMarco's Café, one of her 21st Century Fiction novellas, is being featured on Bibliophilia, Please today.




Title: DeMarco's Café
Author: Julie Tetel Andresen
Publisher: Julie Tetel Andresen
Release Date: April 24, 2012
After her first year in law school, Dayna DeMarco returns to her family’s café in SoHo, suspecting financial problems. New to the neighborhood is Bo Grisham, a charming musician who makes a play for her. Dayna is pretty sure he spells trouble, and Bo is pretty sure he’ll soon be moving on. Neither can predict how events concerning the café’s future will change their hearts.

Excerpt

From force of habit Dayna began her shift by fussing with the plastic bins of lemon wedges, lime wedges, olives, and maraschino cherries. She squared off the small, warped cutting board and made sure the paring knife was placed precisely and diagonally across it. With a deft twist of her fist she fanned the stack of cocktail napkins so that they could be easily plucked one at a time. She idly stirred the glass bristling with the miniature red plastic cocktail straws and deemed it full enough to not need refilling. Ditto the shot glass with the toothpicks.

Review: Perfect Ruin by Lauren DeStefano

Title: Perfect Ruin (The Internment Chronicles #1)
Author: Lauren DeStefano
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
Acquired Via: Around the World ARC Tours
Release Date: October 1, 2013
From the New York Times bestselling author of The Chemical Garden trilogy: On the floating city of Internment, you can be anything you dream. Unless you approach the edge.

Morgan Stockhour knows getting too close to the edge of Internment, the floating city in the clouds where she lives, can lead to madness. Even though her older brother, Lex, was a Jumper, Morgan vows never to end up like him. If she ever wonders about the ground, and why it is forbidden, she takes solace in her best friend, Pen, and in Basil, the boy she’s engaged to marry.

Then a murder, the first in a generation, rocks the city. With whispers swirling and fear on the wind, Morgan can no longer stop herself from investigating, especially once she meets Judas. Betrothed to the victim, he is the boy being blamed for the murder, but Morgan is convinced of his innocence. Secrets lay at the heart of Internment, but nothing can prepare Morgan for what she will find—or whom she will lose.

My Review

This past summer, I have been approximately 0-4 in figuring out books from their synopsis. I think I may have a terrible habit of making assumptions. An intervention may be needed. Anywho, the main thing I was expecting was a love triangle, but no need to worry - there is not one here. *dances around madly*

Blog Tour (Review): Aunty Lee's Delights by Ovidia Yu

Title: Aunty Lee's Delights: A Singaporean Mystery
Author: Ovidia Yu
Publisher: William Morrow
Release Date: September 17, 2013
Acquired Via: TLC Book Tours
This delectable and witty mystery introduces Rosie "Aunty" Lee, feisty widow, amateur sleuth and proprietor of Singapore's best-loved home cooking restaurant.

After losing her husband, Rosie Lee could easily have become one of Singapore's "tai tai," an idle rich lady devoted to mah-jongg and luxury shopping. Instead she threw herself into building a culinary empire from her restaurant, Aunty Lee's Delights, where spicy Singaporean home cooking is graciously served to locals and tourists alike. But when a body is found in one of Singapore's beautiful tourist havens, and when one of her wealthy guests fails to show at a dinner party, Aunty Lee knows that the two are likely connected.

The murder and disappearance throws together Aunty Lee's henpecked stepson Mark, his social-climbing wife Selina, a gay couple whose love is still illegal in Singapore, and an elderly Australian tourist couple whose visit-billed at first as a pleasure cruise-may mask a deeper purpose. Investigating the murder is rookie Police Commissioner Raja, who quickly discovers that the savvy and well-connected Aunty Lee can track down clues even better than local law enforcement.

Wise, witty and unusually charming, Aunty Lee's Delights is a spicy mystery about love, friendship and home cooking in Singapore, where money flows freely and people of many religions and ethnicities co-exist peacefully, but where tensions lurk just below the surface, sometimes with deadly results.

My Review

Aunty Lee's Delights is a murder mystery by Ovidia Yu that is centered around Rosie "Aunty" Lee's food shop. Though murder is the main ingredient for the story, there is also a large portion of food, a dollop of Singaporean culture, a dash of familial relationships, a pinch of race relations in Singapore, and just a bit of moral questions about homosexuality stirred into the pot. The end result was delicious.

Blog Tour (Character Interview & Giveaway): Promise Me Light by Paige Weaver

Tour Schedule



Title: Promise Me Light (Promise Me #2)
Author: Paige Weaver
Genre: New Adult
Release Date: September 24, 2013
The epic conclusion of New York Times bestselling book, Promise Me Darkness.

"I'm darkness, Maddie. Stay away from men like me. You'll only get hurt."

At one time my life was simple. Easy. But that was before the war. Now I was no longer an average college student. I was a survivor. A woman living in a ravaged world. My future was not bright and my life was far from perfect. The war had taken so much from me… but it wasn’t finished yet. It wanted more.

It wanted my heart. My soul. The one person I couldn’t live without.

It wanted Ryder Delaney. My best friend. The bad boy. The one person who could fight like no other and love me like no one else. I watched him walk away one hot summer day and I prayed he would return. I needed him like I needed air to breathe and water to drink. Without him I was lost. A light without her darkness.

Until he returns, I’ll wait for him. And I believe he will return because love is powerful…

And so is the light calling him home.

Character Interview with Maddie & Ryder

Hi, Maddie and Ryder! Thank you so much for taking the time to answer a few questions for us here at Bibliophilia, Please. Do you mind telling us a little bit about yourselves?

Maddie takes a seat in front of me, crossing her legs gracefully before pushing back locks of her long, dark hair. She waits until Ryder takes a seat beside her to answer my question.

Twitter Chat & Giveaway: #AOYchat with Cristin Terrill on 9/25

Hello, fellow bibliophiles! I just wanted to give you guys a heads up about the upcoming Twitter chat with Cristin Terrill about all things All Our Yesterdays. Hyperion Teens is hosting, and there will be an interview, a discussion of our favorite All Our Yesterdays moments, and the opportunity to ask Cristin some questions. Oh, and there will be a giveaway! Who doesn't love those?!

On the technical end of participating in a Twitter chat, I like to use TweetChat. All you do is type in your hashtag - #AOYchat - at the top of the page, and you'll be ready to roll! (I recommend getting it set up 10-15 minutes before the chat.) I also recommend following Hyperion Teens (@HyperionTeens) and Cristin Terrill (@cristinterrill) on Twitter before the chat, if you're not already. If you have any questions, you can message me on Twitter.

If you're not familiar with the book, here is a little bit more about it:

Imprisoned in the heart of a secret military base, Em has nothing except the voice of the boy in the cell next door and the list of instructions she finds taped inside the drain.

Only Em can complete the final instruction. She’s tried everything to prevent the creation of a time machine that will tear the world apart. She holds the proof: a list she has never seen before, written in her own hand. Each failed attempt in the past has led her to the same terrible present–imprisoned and tortured by a sadistic man called the doctor while war rages outside.

Marina has loved her best friend, James, since they were children. A gorgeous, introverted science prodigy from one of America’s most famous families, James finally seems to be seeing Marina in a new way, too. But on one disastrous night, James’s life crumbles, and with it, Marina’s hopes for their future. Marina will protect James no matter what, even if it means opening her eyes to a truth so terrible that she may not survive it… at least, not as the girl she once was. Em and Marina are in a race against time and each other, and only one of them can win.

All Our Yesterdays is a wrenching, brilliantly plotted story of fierce love, unthinkable sacrifice, and the infinite implications of our every choice.


You can also check out my review of All Our Yesterdays HERE!
Giveaway

Blog Tour (Guest Post, Excerpt, & Giveaway): Tied by Laney McMann

Tour Schedule



Title: TIED (Fire Born #1)
Author: Laney McMann
Genre: YA Paranormal Romance/Urban Fantasy
Publisher: J. Taylor Publishing
Release Date: September 9, 2013
Normal people don't believe their nightmares stalk them. They don’t fall in love with boys who don’t exist, either.

Seventeen-year-old Layla Labelle, though, is far from normal. Her delusions walk the earth. Her hallucinations hunt her, and her skin heats to a burn every time her anger flares.

Or is that all in her head?

Layla doesn't know what to believe any more because if none of that’s true, Max MacLarnon must be an illusion, and her heart must still be broken.

No matter how much she wants to believe Max is real, doing so would mean everything else is, too. How, then, is that possible?

The answers lie in an age-old legend the supernatural aren’t prepared to reveal, and with a curse that could tear Layla and Max apart forever—if it doesn’t kill them both first.

In TIED, book one in the Fire Born trilogy, learning the truth will mean fighting an arsenal of demons, and being with Max will put Layla on a path toward her own destruction.

Just how far will Layla go to protect the one she loves?

The answer may never be far enough ... away.

Guest Post

My Strangest Nightmare
Laney McMann
The strangest nightmares I've ever experienced weren't nightmares at all, but dreams.

Blog Tour (This or That & Giveaway): Fool's Game by Heather Huffman

Tour Schedule



Title: Fool's Game
Author: Heather Huffman
Publisher: Booktrope
Blog Tour Organizer: Book Nerd Tours
Release Date: June 24, 2013
At the request of the U.S. Government, Caitlyn O’Rourke faked her death years ago, only to be reborn as the Cat—a deadly black-ops agent tasked with working for the shadowy organization Chameleon and doing the jobs that can’t be done in the light of day. Now, on the verge of taking down a notorious drug lord and rescuing a captured Chameleon agent, Cat is targeted for assassination…from within. But who’s making the call, and why? As she attempts to uncover answers and stay alive, Cat finds herself working alongside Cody Kingsley, the mysterious senator who broke her heart and betrayed her long ago. Along with an inner circle of fellow agents, Cat and Cody must untangle the web of lies that surrounds them before it’s too late. From the sultry streets of New Orleans to a secluded plantation in Ecuador to Washington, DC, Cat must elude an agent hell-bent on her destruction while figuring out how high up the ladder the conspiracy reaches. At the same time, she must work through her tumultuous and conflicting emotions where both Cody and fellow agent Galloway—who may or may not have her best interests at heart—are concerned. A thrill ride of emotions, suspense, and action, Fool’s Game intertwines matters of the heart and survival …and the only thing certain is that Cat will never be the same.

This or That

Writer’s block or excess of ideas with no paper/computer handy?
I’ve had both happen, but I’ll take the excess of ideas any day!

Handwritten or typed?
I used to handwrite my books first, but I have an abnormality in my hands that makes handwriting kind of painful if it do it for very long, so I type now. Now I’m in the process of moving to voice recognition software to keep up with the typing!

The Brothers Grimm or Disney?
Disney with a splash of Brothers Grimm

Harry Potter or The Chronicles of Narnia?
Narnia all the way. It’s one of my favorite series of all time.

eBook or physical copy?

Avery's Designs: Grand Opening Giveaway

Avery's Designs, a design service run by fellow blogger Avery of Avery's Book Nook (and whose goal is to make blog design easy and affordable- with blog packages, including a header, button, and avatar, for $25), is having is having a grand opening celebration and you are invited! Enter to win one of two complete blog makeovers (including winner's choice of her premade designs and installation of said design- $35 in value)!

If you want to see an example of her work - take a long look at THIS blog! I think she did a fantastic job on redesigning Bibliophilia, Please.

This is the perfect opportunity for those who have always wanted to start a blog, but have yet to do so, or for those seasoned bloggers who feel like their blog could use a facelift! Make your blog stand out with her one-of-a-kind, professional designs!

Avery's Giveaway

Stuck In A Good Book Giveaway Hop #2 (US/Can)

Welcome to my stop on the Stuck in a Good Book Giveaway Hop hosted by the lovely Kathy at I Am a Reader, Not A Writer and Valerie at Stuck In Books. This hop is an opportunity for us to share books that we could not put down with you guys.

What You Can Win

I'm giving away my ARC of Gated by Amy Christine Parker to one lucky reader in the US or Canada. (I'm in the middle of moving and birthday season for my family, so I can't do the international shipping this time.) Find out more about the book below, and you'll find the Rafflecopter form at the end.

Do the gates keep the unchosen out or the chosen in?

In Mandrodage Meadows, life seems perfect. The members of this isolated suburban community have thrived under Pioneer, the charismatic leader who saved them from their sad, damaged lives. Lyla Hamilton and her parents are original members of the flock. They moved here following the 9/11 terrorist attacks, looking to escape the evil in the world. Now seventeen, Lyla knows certain facts are not to be questioned:

Pioneer is her leader.

Will is her Intended.

The end of the world is near.

Like Noah before him, Pioneer has been told of the imminent destruction of humanity. He says his chosen must arm themselves to fight off the unchosen people, who will surely seek refuge in the compound’s underground fortress–the Silo.

Lyla loves her family and friends, but given the choice, she prefers painting to target practice. And lately she’d rather think about a certain boy outside the compound than plan for married life in the Silo with Will. But with the end of days drawing near, she will have to pick up a gun, take a side, and let everyone know where she stands.

You can check out my review of Gated HERE!
Be sure to add it on Goodreads, too, with the button below:


Giveaway Requirements

Review: Shadows by Robin McKinley

Title: Shadows
Author: Robin McKinley
Publisher: Nancy Paulsen Books (Penguin)
Acquired Via: Around the World ARC Tours
Release Date: September 26, 2013
A compelling and inventive novel set in a world where science and magic are at odds, by Robin McKinley, the Newberry-winning author of The Hero and the Crown and The Blue Sword, as well as the classic titles Beauty, Chalice, Spindle’s End, Pegasus and Sunshine.

Maggie knows something’s off about Val, her mom’s new husband. Val is from Oldworld, where they still use magic, and he won’t have any tech in his office-shed behind the house. But—more importantly—what are the huge, horrible, jagged, jumpy shadows following him around? Magic is illegal in Newworld, which is all about science. The magic-carrying gene was disabled two generations ago, back when Maggie’s great-grandmother was a notable magician. But that was a long time ago.

Then Maggie meets Casimir, the most beautiful boy she has ever seen. He’s from Oldworld too—and he’s heard of Maggie’s stepfather, and has a guess about Val’s shadows. Maggie doesn’t want to know . . . until earth-shattering events force her to depend on Val and his shadows. And perhaps on her own heritage.

In this dangerously unstable world, neither science nor magic has the necessary answers, but a truce between them is impossible. And although the two are supposed to be incompatible, Maggie’s discovering the world will need both to survive.

My Review

I am a long-time fan of Robin McKinley's work, ever since I was in middle school, and I've read quite a few of her novels. (Most of them multiple times, and we're not going to talk about The Hero and the Crown.) When I started Shadows, I had my heart set on the world-building or characters to rival those beloved reads. Instead, I got a story which, if I had to wrap it up with ony one word, is "meh".

Blog Tour (Guest Post & Giveaway): I.T. Confidential by C.D. Rahm

Tour Schedule



Title: I.T. Confidential
Author: C.D. Rahm
Publisher: Boondoggle Press
Release Date: August 29, 2013
If you could be a fly on the cubicle wall of an I.T. Professional someone would probably throw a stale bagel at you. But before they did, you would see what C.D. Rahm reveals in this tell-all book.

At great personal risk to career and plastic pocket protector, Rahm takes us on a tour of corporate malaise, rampant confusion, dinner-plate-sized chocolate chip cookies, and lousy box lunches.

Pulling no punches (except possibly the spiked punch from the disastrous office holiday party) he reveals everything: managers behaving badly, professional time-wasters, fast-food junkies, and the hygienically challenged.

An I.T. insider, his is a world of technology for all, productivity for none. It is a place where the confused and frightened lead the overworked and clueless. This is where polyester slacks meet PowerPoint presentations, and budgets meet their doom.

When network systems come down, I.T. professionals get up. And march straight to the vending machine. C.D. Rahm has been there, done that, and soiled the t-shirt.

Now you can know what I.T. geeks know: That if you have a chip on your shoulder you have probably stuck your head into the wrong port.

Whether you’re a tech expert or you don’t know your app from a hole in the ground, you will be astounded or at least mildly surprised by what you discover in I.T. Confidential.

Guest Post

Out Of Control Dress Codes
C.D. Rahm

Blog Tour (Spotlight & Giveaway): I.T. Confidential by C.D. Rahm

Tour Schedule

Book Blast (Giveaway): Sisters in Love by Melissa Foster

Title: Sisters In Love (Love in Bloom: Snow Sisters #1)
Author: Melissa Foster
Publisher: World Literary Press
Book Blast Organizer: Book Nerd Tours
Release Date: September 1, 2013
Danica Snow has always been the smart, practical, and appropriate sister. As a therapist, she prides herself on making reasonable, conservative choices, even if a bit boring, and as part of the Big Sister Program, she has little time for anything more in her life.

Blake Carter is a player. He never gets bored of conquering women, and with his sexy good looks and successful lifestyle, he has no trouble finding willing participants. When his friend and business partner dies in a tragic accident, he suddenly, desperately, wants to change his ways. The problem is, he doesn’t know how to stop doing what he does best.

When Blake walks into Danica’s office, the attraction between them is white hot, but Danica isn’t the type to give into the heat and risk her career. Danica’s desire sets her on a path of self-discovery, where she begins to question every decision she’s ever made. Just this once, Danica wants to indulge in the pleasures of life she’s been so willingly ignoring, but with her Little Sister in turmoil and her biological sister’s promiscuousness weighing heavily on her heart, she isn’t sure it’s the right time to set her desires free.

Sisters in Love is a light, uplifting work of women’s fiction and will resonate with readers who enjoy emotional journeys of the heart with strong heroines and sexy, lovable heroes. Readers of books by Jane Porter and Beth Kendrick will enjoy Danica and Blake’s story.

Buy Links
Amazon | Barnes & Noble


About the Author

September New Release Giveaway Hop

Welcome to my stop on the September New Release Giveaway Hop! As always, it is being hosted by the magnificent O'Dell at Book Twirps and the glorious Dani at Refracted Light Reviews.

What You Can Win

This month I am featuring some September new releases that I have already reviewed here on Bibliophilia, Please. You will be able to choose one of the six books, if you are the winner. Here are the books, and the links to my reviews are below them:

Debut Authors Bash 2013 (Interview): After Eden by Helen Douglas

Hello, bashers and readers, alike! I'm so happy that you stopped by to visit my blog today to read my interview with debut author, Helen Douglas. After Eden is her debut novel that will be released in November. I read and enjoyed it several months ago, and you can find my review HERE. I hope you enjoy finding out a little bit more about Helen as much as I did!



Title: After Eden
Author: Helen Douglas
Publisher: Bloomsbury USA Childrens
Release Date: November 5, 2013
The day Eden met Ryan changed her world forever. Actually, not just her world. Ryan has time traveled from the future to save the world. In a few weeks, Eden’s best friend Connor will discover a new planet—one where human life is possible. The discovery will make him famous. It will also ruin the world as we know it. When Ryan asks Eden for help, she must choose between saving the world and saving her best friend’s greatest achievement. And a crush on Ryan complicates things more than she could have imagined. Because Connor is due to make the discovery after the girl he loves breaks his heart. That girl is Eden.

Grounded in a realistic teen world with fascinating sci-fi elements, After Eden is a heart-pounding love triangle that’s perfect for dystopian fans looking for something new to devour.

Helen Douglas Interview

Please tell us a little bit about After Eden in your own words but with a Twitter twist – 140 characters or less.

A boy from the future. A girl from right now. And a secret that’s out of this world. (Love story with a sci-fi twist.)

Who was your favorite character to write in the novel?

Blog Tour (Audiobook Review & Giveaway): Zoe & Zak and the Ghost Leopard by Lars Guignard

Zoe & Zak and the Ghost Leopard Tour Schedule



Title: Zoe & Zak and the Ghost Leopard (Zoe & Zak Adventures #1)
Author: Lars Guignard
Publisher: Fantastic Press
Acquired Via: CBB Book Promotions
Release Date: February 26, 2013
Zoe and Zak are lost in exotic India, where gods and magic still exist. Before they can find their way home, they just have to do one little thing...

...Save a mythical creature from an ancient evil that wants to rule the world.

When Zoe Guire goes along on her mom's business trip to India, things get very weird, very quickly. An elephant god speaks to her from the bottom of a swimming pool... She and her classmate Zak get locked in a trunk and shipped off to a strange city near the foothills of the Himalayas... and a crazy snake charmer tells them they've been chosen to protect a mythical creature called the Ghost Leopard from an ancient evil that wants to take over the world.

As they travel deeper into the majestic mountains known as the Realm of the Gods, things get even weirder. If she and Zak want to make it back to their parents, they're going to have to tap into powers they never knew existed.

Because if they don't, things will never be the same for any of us ever again.

My Review
Zoe & Zak and the Ghost Leopard by Lars Guignard is a super fun audiobook that I listened to over the course of about two weeks. It is about two kids who go to school together who happen to run into each other in India while traveling with their parents. They weren't really friends at the start of the novel, but we see the progression of their relationship. (Not THAT kind of relationship - they're eleven.) It reminds me of The 39 Clues series mixed with magical realism.

Review: The Dollhouse Asylum by Mary Gray

Title: The Dollhouse Asylum
Author: Mary Gray
Publisher: Spencer Hill Press
Acquired Via: Around the World ARC Tours
Release Date: October 22, 2013
A virus that had once been contained has returned, and soon no place will be left untouched by its destruction. But when Cheyenne wakes up in Elysian Fields--a subdivision cut off from the world and its monster-creating virus--she is thrilled to have a chance at survival.

At first, Elysian Fields,with its beautiful houses and manicured lawns, is perfect. Teo Richardson, the older man who stole Cheyenne's heart, built it so they could be together. But when Teo tells Cheyenne there are tests that she and seven other couples must pass to be worthy of salvation, Cheyenne begins to question the perfection of his world.

The people they were before are gone. Cheyenne is now "Persephone," and each couple has been re-named to reflect the most tragic romances ever told. Everyone is fighting to pass the test, to remain in Elysian Fields. Teo dresses them up, tells them when to move and how to act, and in order to pass the test, they must play along.

If they play it right, then they'll be safe.
But if they play it wrong, they'll die.

My Review

Oh man, I feel really bad about writing this review, but obligations. I wanted The Dollhouse Asylum so badly that I begged my way onto the tour. I mean, look at that synopsis! Have you read it yet? I thought I would be getting a book about a weird oldish guy (probably 30s to a teenager - it says "man") being creeptastic with the young girl. I guess it was a little bit like that, but the "older man" is in his early 20s, and Cheyenne is 18. Not what I had in mind. That is only the most minor of issues that I had with The Dollhouse Asylum.

Blog Tour (Review & Giveaway): The Hero of Legend by Demethius Jackson

Tour Schedule



Title: The Realmsic Conquest: The Hero of Legend
Author: Demethius Jackson
Publisher: Createspace
Release Date: August 23, 2013
From its establishment, the Realm, has remained the only magical kingdom in existence. As a result, it has never known peace. Although the kingdom has never fallen, it must now defend against the Warlord Damian – a brilliantly merciless conqueror who uses history as a weapon. Rallying those resentful of the Realm’s magic, Damian has amassed a Legion of Warriors – the largest military force ever assembled.

The Kingdom’s defeat is imminent!

Maebus, the Realm’s newest King, has only ruled for six days. Yet he must now lead the magical Realmsic Kingdom through its most perilous conflict ever.

My Review

The Hero of Legend is an epic fantasy by Demethius Jackson that is done on a grand scale. By that I mean it reads like many of the translations of historical literary texts. The story about Maebus, the newly appointed king from humble roots who must save the Realm from the evil Damian, is told in a manner that reminds me a lot of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight. The structure was slightly different than the poem, but The Hero of Legend was definitely not written in a way that I expected from a novel. It was a bit jarring to read at first (I'm on hiatus with school, so I'm rusty with non-traditional writing), but I eventually got back into the swing of things. I think this is the first thing that needs to be addressed in the review because The Hero of Legend won't be for everything because of its format, though it was a good book.

Trailer Reveal (Giveaway): Dead Girls Don't Lie by Jennifer Shaw Wolf

About the Book

Review: Marie Antoinette, Serial Killer by Katie Alender

Title: Marie Antoinette, Serial Killer
Author: Katie Alender
Publisher: Scholastic Press
Acquired Via: Around the World ARC Tours
Release Date: September 24, 2013
Colette Iselin is excited to go to Paris on a class trip. She’ll get to soak up the beauty and culture, and maybe even learn something about her family’s French roots.

But a series of gruesome murders are taking place across the city, putting everyone on edge. And as she tours museums and palaces, Colette keeps seeing a strange vision: a pale woman in a ball gown and powdered wig, who looks suspiciously like Marie Antoinette.

Colette knows her popular, status-obsessed friends won’t believe her, so she seeks out the help of a charming French boy. Together, they uncover a shocking secret involving a dark, hidden history. When Colette realizes she herself may hold the key to the mystery, her own life is suddenly in danger . . .

Acclaimed author Katie Alender brings heart-stopping suspense to this story of revenge, betrayal, intrigue — and one killer queen.

My Review

You would think that with a name like Marie Antoinette, Serial Killer, there would be an overabundance of glitz, glamour, and camp. However, Marie Antoinette, Serial Killer is a novel that is an excellent progression of the main character, Colette, from a shallow, selfish teenage bitch into a respectable human being with a Parisian backdrop while a string of murders is occurring.

Cover Reveal: The Wicked We Have Done by Sarah Harian

Title: The Wicked We Have Done
Author: Sarah Harian
Cover Design: Penguin/InterMix Books
Genre: Romance
Age Group: New Adult
Cover Reveal Organizer: Xpresso Book Tours
Evalyn Ibarra never expected to be an accused killer and experimental prison test subject. A year ago, she was a normal college student. Now she’s been sentenced to a month in the compass room—an advanced prison obstacle course designed by the government to execute justice.

If she survives, the world will know she’s innocent.

Locked up with nine notorious and potentially psychotic criminals, Evalyn must fight the prison and dismantle her past to stay alive. But the system prized for accuracy appears to be killing at random.

She doesn’t plan on making friends.

She doesn’t plan on falling in love, either.


About the Author





Sarah Harian grew up in the foothills of Yosemite and received her B.A. and M.F.A. from Fresno State University. When not writing, she is usually hiking some mountain or another in the Sierras, playing video games with her fiancé, or rough-housing with her dog.






Links
Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads


Cover Thoughts

You know what? I like the blue with the blood spatter. There are some really fantastic mystery covers that this reminds me of.

Would I buy it?

Hmm... Since it's an ebook, I probably will. I'm intrigued by the description, though I do not appreciate any comparisons to That One Book. You know which one I mean.

What do you think of the cover? Would you read the book?

Blog Tour (Guest Post & Giveaway): Tumble & Fall by Alexandra Coutts

Tour Schedule
Today I am lucky enough to be hosting Alexandra Coutts here on Bibliophilia, Please. Her debut novel, Tumble & Fall will be released next week, and it takes on the looming apocalypse unlike any other YA novel that I've read. I read and reviewed it back in July, and I enjoyed it very much. And I cried. A lot. (You can read my review here.)

Anywho, Alexandra was kind enough to share with us why she chose her manner of handling the end of the world in Tumble & Fall in her guest post. The wonderfully lovely people at Macmillan have also provided a copy of Tumble & Fall for a giveaway below. Enjoy!



Title: Tumble & Fall
Author: Alexandra Coutts
Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux (Macmillan)
Release Date: September 17, 2013
A novel about the end of days full of surprising beginnings.

The world is living in the shadow of oncoming disaster. An asteroid is set to strike the earth in just one week’s time; catastrophe is unavoidable. The question isn’t how to save the world—the question is, what to do with the time that's left? Against this stark backdrop, three island teens wrestle with intertwining stories of love, friendship and family—all with the ultimate stakes at hand.

Alexandra Coutts' Tumble & Fall is a powerful story of courage, love, and hope at the end of the world.

Guest Post

The Littlest, Last Hurrah
Alexandra Coutts
The idea for Tumble & Fall came to me after thinking long and hard about what kind of a book I wanted to write next. I had just finished writing two books about magical dresses (Wish and Wishful Thinking, under my maiden name Alexandra Bullen) and, as much as I loved the fantasy elements and characters in those novels, I was eager to try out something a bit more grounded in reality.

That said, I also knew that I wanted my very realistic characters to be dealing with something BIG, and what’s bigger than the end of the world? Not much.

Promo (Giveaway): Avery's Designs

I think you may have noticed something a little bit different about Bibliophilia, Please over the weekend. Other than me being mostly nonexistent around here (minor car accident), the look of things have changed up around here. I finally splurged on a new layout!

I've been wanting to get a new design for a while, and our dear Will has been swamped with work and married life. Luckily for me, I happened upon Avery's Book Nook's new design site. I saw one of Avery's premade templates, and I had to have it! She is hosting a giveaway for the winner's choice of premade design and its installation, but I couldn't wait to see if I would win. That being said, you should totally check out the site and enter the giveaway.

Blog Tour (Spotlight): The Hero of Legend by Demethius Jackson

Title: The Realmsic Conquest: The Hero of Legend
Author: Demethius Jackson
Publisher: Createspace
Release Date: August 23, 2013
From its establishment, the Realm, has remained the only magical kingdom in existence. As a result, it has never known peace. Although the kingdom has never fallen, it must now defend against the Warlord Damian – a brilliantly merciless conqueror who uses history as a weapon. Rallying those resentful of the Realm’s magic, Damian has amassed a Legion of Warriors – the largest military force ever assembled.

The Kingdom’s defeat is imminent!

Maebus, the Realm’s newest King, has only ruled for six days. Yet he must now lead the magical Realmsic Kingdom through its most perilous conflict ever.

Buy Links
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Createspace


About the Author

Born into adversity, Demethius Jackson coped with and found inspiration in the extreme hardships he faced to later write stories of empowerment showcasing how a life journey, no matter how difficult, is necessary to discover one’s purpose and peace. Jackson is an alumnus of American University’s School of Communications. Through his ten-year career, his written works have spanned numerous forms of media such as music and television. He has also held positions at global media and cinema companies.

Find Demethius Online
Website | Book Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

Be sure to stop by Bibliophilia, Please this week for my review and giveaway of The Hero of Legend!

Cover Reveal (Giveaway): Romancing the Million $$$ Ghost by Heide AW Kaminski, Pam Ryan, & Dorothy Thompson

Reveal Schedule



Title: Romancing the Million $$$ Ghost (Spirit Seekers #1)
Author: Heide AW Kaminski, Pam Ryan, & Dorothy Thompson
Reveal Organizer: Pump Up Your Book
Release Date: October 2013
Eccentric tobacco tycoon Rodger Hawthorne III can have anything his heart desires except his dead wife, Sarah. Feeling responsible for the car crash that killed her twenty years earlier, he offers one million dollars to anyone who can find her spirit and bring it to him within one week or the money is forfeited. Six spiritually-challenged—but highly intuitive—women find his ad over the Internet and accept his challenge only to embark on a journey they didn’t quite expect that covers astral traveling, past life regressions and spiritual encounters of the unworldly kind.

While this book is lightly based on a true story of a real man who is offering one million dollars to anyone who can prove that spirits exist, this story is purely fictional.

Or is it?

About the Authors

Cover Reveal (Giveaway): Sidelined by Kendra C. Highley

Today Kendra Highley and Entangled Teen Ember are revealing the cover for Sidelined. Coming out this September!



Title: Sidelined
Author: Kendra C. Highley
Publisher: Entangled Teen
Cover Reveal Organizer: Rockstar Book Tours
Release Date: September 23, 2013
After being pushed to excel her entire life, high school basketball star Genna Pierce is finally where she wants to be. University scouts are taking notice, her team is on its way to the state tourney, and Jake Butler, the hot boy she's daydreamed about since ninth grade, is showing somedefinite interest. When he asks her out and their relationship takes off, Genna believes things can't get better.

Then, it's over.

A freak accident ends her career before it's even begun. Her parents are fighting more than ever, her friends don't understand what she's going through, and she's not sure who she is without basketball. And while he tries to be there for her, Genna doesn't understand how Jake could ever want the broken version of the girl he fell for.

Her life in a tailspin, Genna turns to the only solace that eases her pain: Vicodin.

Buy Links
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | iBooks


About the Author