Fresh Face Friday - 9/16/11

Who: Ashley Blalock

What: An Immortal Legacy

When twenty-one-year-old Brooke Hansen receives a large inheritance from a great-grandfather she never knew, she thinks it’s just random good luck. But then a man shows up; he’s dark and mysterious, and Brooke can’t shake the feeling that he’s connected. She begins to wonder if her recent abilities of super-human power and speed are the keys to understanding of what’s happening to her, and she vows to find answers. But her life takes another surprising turn when the man reveals himself to be her guardian, placed as her protector from the outside world. As Brooke falls in love with Cameron, she learns another truth about him—one that will question her devotion and call her to become part of a world she’s only read about.

An Immortal Legacy is a story of true love battling evil. Can Brooke and Cameron’s love survive in the face of a darkness that threatens to invade everything she holds dear? And when she’s called to make the ultimate sacrifice, will she be able to stand firm?

My Thoughts: LUV-ED it! I was lucky enough to read and HERE'S exactly what I thought.

Cover: Typically it's not something that would scream at me, but the intense eyes totally draw me in!

Stalking Ground: Facebook, Website, Goodreads

Cover Whore Reveal - Image

WIN!!

Another Cover Whore reveal!

This reveal is unique, simply because author Jamie Magee is piecing the cover together with multiple bloggers. (It's actually pretty genius if you ask me)

So, without further pain-staking anticipation, here's my piece...

If you want to follow the cover around, and see what other pieces are being revealed, just check out Jamie's Facebook Page



Interview & Giveaway - Ashley Blalock

Everyone welcome Ashley Blalock, author of An Immortal Legacy

Do you have a writing routine?

Well, I don’t really plan it all out ahead of time or brainstorm. I just put the pen to paper and it flows. Yeah, a story starts in my head but when I start writing is when characters come in, their names, personalities, and the situations they face. I write it all out on paper and then I enter it in the computer, deleting and adding as I go. Then after that I go through the manuscript to add another scene or two and edit.

 In An Immortal Legacy, there are a few things that mimic your life. (i.e. Twins, softball) If you could mimic something from the book in your life what would it be?

I would love to be telekinetic. How cool would that be? I could do work around the house without having to do any physical labor. I could also play tricks on people. That would be crazy.

Cameron, the hero, is a completely hunk! Who do you see playing him?

That is a tough one. I don’t really know. I didn’t really picture someone I knew when I described him; handsome, muscular, dark brown hair and gorgeous green eyes. Someone told me that there is a guy on a TV show that fits his description perfectly but I can’t remember what name or what show. Right off the top of my head the hunk that plays on the TV show White Collar, Neal Caffrey is closest. If he would put some green contacts in, WOW. I haven’t seen him without that suit on either…maybe he has a little muscle going on underneath.

Favorite book out right now?

As much as I hate to admit it, I don’t get to read as much as I would like. Between having a real job (yes, by day I am an evil tax collector) and a 2 year old and 3 year old, I am just excited to actually have a chance to rest. Most of the free time I have goes to writing and sleeping. But, I have started reading A Game of Thrones, which has started off very well.

Quickies (food edition):

Chocolate Chip or Oatmeal Cookies?

Ugh, meat… I’m not much of a sweets person. But, if I was starving and had to pick one, I would have to pick oatmeal I guess. It would be more filling. I know, I’m not a chocolate lover, I’m weird. I eat it sometimes but I don’t just crave it.

(you are a freak of nature...but I still <3 you)

Soup or Stew?

Stew

Fruit Salad or Potato Salad?

Potato salad

Steak or Chicken?

Hmmm, depends on my mood. Right now, chicken.

(sorry, I need to eat, lol)---Me too!

~~~~~~~~~~~

GIVEAWAY:

Ashley is kind enough to offer up 4 prize packages!

#1: 2 winners - each will get 1 copy of An Immortal Legacy, 1 bookmark and 1 pushcard

#2: 2 winners - the winners will get An Immortal Legacy Poster, 1 bookmark, 1 pushcard

Just leave a comment with the following:

• Your favorite cookie
• E-mail
• Name

Contest is U.S. only, and will run until Wednesday, the 21st!

Giveaway Winner: T.S. Worley

As usual, thanks to EVERYONE who entered!

And a very special thanks to T.S. for supplying the great prize!

Congrats to - Margaret Whelehan!!

 

**the winner has 48 hours to respond or another winner will be chosen**



The Iron Knight (Iron Fey Series - Book #4) - By Julie Kagawa

Author: Julie Kagawa

Website

Release Date: 10/25/11

Purchase Info: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Book Depo

Ash, former prince of the Winter Court, gave up everything. His title, his home, even his vow of loyalty. All for a girl… and all for nothing.

Unless he can earn a soul.


To cold, emotionless faery prince Ash, love was a weakness for mortals and fools. His own love had died a horrible death, killing any gentler feelings the Winter prince might have had. Or so he thought.

Then Meghan Chase—a half human, half fey slip of a girl— smashed through his barricades, binding him to her irrevocably with his oath to be her knight. And when all of Faery nearly fell to the Iron fey, she severed their bond to save his life. Meghan is now the Iron Queen, ruler of a realm where no Winter or Summer fey can survive.

With the (unwelcome) company of his archrival, Summer Court prankster Puck, and the infuriating cait sith Grimalkin, Ash begins a journey he is bound to see through to its end— a quest to find a way to honor his solemn vow to stand by Meghan’s side.

To survive in the Iron realm, Ash must have a soul and a mortal body. But the tests he must face to earn these things are impossible. At least, no one has ever passed to tell the tale.

And then Ash learns something that changes everything. A truth that turns reality upside down, challenges his darkest beliefs and shows him that, sometimes, it takes more than courage to make the ultimate sacrifice.

I want an Ash, end of story!

For a man to travel to the ends of the world just to be with someone and fulfill a promise, that is true love. Possibly a tad crazy, but love nonetheless.

When starting The Iron Knight, I was still in the process of picking my jaw up off the floor from the ending of The Iron Queen. Millions of thoughts were running thru my head, along with a few tears running down my cheeks.  
"How is Ash ever going to end up back with Meghan?"
 "What else could he possibly run into that would make things worse?"

Well, weren't these questions answered pretty darn quick?!

Puck and Ash's journey to find Ash a soul starts out just as any other would with these 2, fighting for their life, Puck running his mouth, you know, the usual. That is until something is revealed to them that shatters every they thought.

(oh man, I wish I could tell you! It's absolutely, BEYOND epic!)

With Puck & Ash both in shock, Grim is now trying to lead them without leading. Wandering their way thru a part of the Nevernever that no one has ever seen before, and encountering creatures they've never faced, it might seem that this band of merry men could quiet possibly fail.

Enter stage left, the Big Bad Wolf. Literally. Made up of rumors, bed time nightmares and fables, he has now chosen to accompany Ash on his quest for a soul. Sounds slightly fishy huh? Yeah, well...not everything is as it seems in the Fae world. (we know this)
Struggling with himself, his company and haunting memories, Ash is realizing what it might actually take to join Meghan in her Iron Realm....and now asking himself if he truly wants to.

From the very beginning there were more twists in this book then in a Chubby Checker song They all intertwined, and fit together perfectly! Never crowding or tangling within each other, the balance of the book was fantastic. Though there were times when I wanted to tell Puck to shut the hell up, and grab Grim by the tail to force answers out of him, but who doesn't? I will admit that it's was slightly hard for me to get into The Iron Knight at first. Possibly is has to due to the fact that I am use to hearing the story strictly from Meghan's P.O.V. and now I am inside the former Ice Prince's head?
(It would probably throw any girl off a tad.)
But being in there gives you an insight into Ash that I personally didn't know was possible, the feelings that he bares in this book are truly amazing.

I look forward to the next The Iron Fey book! More like I'll be stalking Julie until she let's us all know when it'll be!


5/5

Everyone one LOVES a make-over!!

OMG I am speechless!!!!!

(and that RARELY happens)

Isn't it purdy?! Don't you just wanna sit and look at it all-day-long?

Charlie, you're awesome, fantastic and I owe you 50 million gummies for this work!

So take your time...drool...

Fresh Face Friday 9-9-11

Who: Kiki Hamilton

What: The Faerie Ring

The year is 1871, and Tiki has been making a home for herself and her family of orphans in a deserted hideaway adjoining Charing Cross Station in central London. Their only means of survival is by picking pockets. One December night, Tiki steals a ring, and sets off a chain of events that could lead to all-out war with the Fey. For the ring belongs to Queen Victoria, and it binds the rulers of England and the realm of Faerie to peace. With the ring missing, a rebel group of faeries hopes to break the treaty with dark magic and blood—Tiki’s blood.

Unbeknownst to Tiki, she is being watched—and protected—by Rieker, a fellow thief who suspects she is involved in the disappearance of the ring. Rieker has secrets of his own, and Tiki is not all that she appears to be. Her very existence haunts Prince Leopold, the Queen’s son, who is driven to know more about the mysterious mark that encircles her wrist.
Prince, pauper, and thief—all must work together to secure the treaty…

My Thoughts: LOVES! I am a Faery freak, and have an automatic drooling spot for anything Fey. When I found this book, it was the cover (of course) that caught my attention, but now I am on a mission to read this book.

Cover: GAW-GEOUS! The little details make it, like how you can see Tiki's wrist marks in the background.

Buzz: "Kiki Hamilton has crafted a magical and exciting debut with a rich narrative." - Dark Faerie Tales

"Stories filled with a great plot, amazing characters and best all, great fantasy." - Books with Bite

Stalking Grounds: Facebook, Twitter, Website, Goodreads