Touch of Power Giveaway ( International)

Badass Bookie has teamed up with Harlequin Teen to giveaway (2) Copies of Touch of Power by Maria V. Synder.

This giveaway is open INTERNATIONALLY. Yours truly is pitching some money for shipping so that my lovely international followers can enter as well!

To enter just fill out the form below - NO HOOPS! We just want to spread the bookish love :)

Ends 5th of March :)

*EDIT - Just to clear things up (1) ONE copy of Touch of Power will be won by an international follower ( sent by me!) and (1) ONE copy will be won by a AUS/NZ resident (sent by Harlequin Teen!)

(Goodreads) Laying hands upon the injured and dying, Avry of Kazan absorbs their wounds and diseases into herself. But rather than being honored for her skills, she is hunted. Healers like Avry are accused of spreading the plague that has decimated the Fifteen Realms, leaving the survivors in a state of chaos.

Stressed and tired from hiding, Avry is abducted by a band of rogues who, shockingly, value her gift above the golden bounty offered for her capture. Their leader, an enigmatic captor-protector with powers of his own, is unequivocal in his demands: Avry must heal a plague-stricken prince—leader of a campaign against her people. As they traverse the daunting Nine Mountains, beset by mercenaries and magical dangers, Avry must decide who is worth healing and what is worth dying for. Because the price of peace may well be her life...

Read My Review - HERE

Debut of the Month - All About the Catastrophic of You and Me

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Book Profile

Name - The Catastrophic History of You and Me (Goodreads)

Author - Jess Rothenberg

Genre - Contemporary

Release Date - 21st of February 2012

Available - The Book Depository

Brie's life ends at sixteen: Her boyfriend tells her he doesn't love her, and the news breaks her heart - "literally." But now that she's in heaven, Brie is about to discover that love is way more complicated than she ever imagined. Back in Half Moon Bay, her family has begun to unravel. Her best friend knows a secret about Jacob, the boy she loved and lost - and the truth behind his shattering betrayal. And then there's Patrick, Brie's mysterious new guide and resident Lost Soul who's been D&G (dead and gone) much longer than she? and who just might hold the key to her forever after. With Patrick's help, Brie will have to pass through the five stages of grief before she's ready to move on? but how do you begin again, when your heart is still in pieces?

The Insider's Scoop

Insider’s Scoop:  The idea for Catastrophic History came to me during a time when I was dealing with a pretty bad broken heart of my own.  (That whole can’t eat, can’t sleep, can’t get out of bed, can’t stop playing sappy love songs on repeat, that kind of thing.)  Writing made me feel better, especially as I was going through all the classic stages of grief (denial, anger, bargaining, sadness, and acceptance), and I couldn’t help thinking there might be a good story in there somewhere.  Around the same time, I read an article in the Wall Street Journal all about “Broken Heart Syndrome,” and learned it really is possible to die from the cardiac stress brought about by an intense emotional loss.  And since first love tends to be all the more emotional and intense, I couldn’t help but wonder:  what if a teenage girl died of a broken heart?  What if she had to figure out love from the Great Beyond, while the rest of the world went on without her?  And voila, Catastrophic History was born! 

A funny secret about the book:  People often ask me if I borrow anything from real life for my stories, and the answer is sometimes!  There’s actually scene in Catastrophic History where Brie washes up naked on a beach that is taken straight from my high school days.  My best friends Jesse, Leah, and Chesnee convinced me to go skinny-dipping at a crowded beach the summer before senior year and a giant wave came out of nowhere and crashed me to the shore completely naked.  It was such a funny and embarrassing teenage moment I couldn’t resist putting it in the book!  ; ) 

~Giveaway~

Jess is giving away a Signed ARC + Poster of The Catastrophic History of You and Me.

Rule of Entry -

- US ONLY ( sorry!)

- Ends 16th of March

- Must be 13 or older

- Optional Entries :

   * Leaving comment on either of Jess's posts +1 each

   * Follower Me on Twitter 

   * Tweeting Giveaway +1

   * Follow Badass Bookie +2

Debut of the Month - All About Jess Rothenberg ( The Catastrophic History of You and Me)

That's right my lovelies! This monthly feature on Badass Bookie is back again this year and kicking off the year we have out February Debutante - Jess Rothenberg!

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Debutante Profile

Name - Jess Rothenberg

Debut - The Catastrophic History of You and Me

Genre - Contemporary

Website - HERE

Facebook - HERE

Twitter - HERE

JESS ROTHENBERG grew up in Charleston, South Carolina, graduated from Vassar College, and spent most of her twenties editing books for teens and middle grade readers.  She lives in Brooklyn where she writes full-time, dances interpretively, and dreams of one day owning a sheepdog named Leo.  The Catastrophic History of You and Me is her first novel.  Visit www.jessrothenberg.com to find out more!

Dream Debutante Dress -  Love this dress, completely gorgeous and very pretty :) 

Notes from a YA Debutante

Interesting facts about me:  Well for one thing, I’m really good at ping-pong.  (Like, really good.)  I’m also the queen of bad puns, I love to belt out Disney/Broadway show tunes when nobody’s home, and have been weirdly obsessed with Shark Week on the Discovery Channel since I was a little kid.  Yup, I’m kind of a dork.  But a loveable dork, I like to think.   

Another interesting fact:  I was born a minute before midnight and still have a sneaking suspicion the hospital clock was off and my actual birthday is 10/11, not 10/10.  So I like to celebrate both just to make sure. 

What I do when I’m not writing:  Oh, things like visiting family and friends, brunching it up in Brooklyn, last minute trips to exciting places… the usual stuff!

My inspirations:  Movies I’ve seen, books I’ve read, dreams I’ve had—even the way the light hits the pavement on a lazy afternoon can spark an idea worth exploring.  Inspiration is all around us all the time; you just have to be paying attention!

My journey to publication:  I was a YA editor for a number of years before jumping ship to write full-time.  (Some of the books I edited include Richelle Mead’s Vampire Academy series, Kathy Reich’s Virals, Josh Lieb’s I am a Genius of Unspeakable Evil & I Want to be Your Class President, to name a few.)  Then I started a wonderful MFA program geared toward writing for Children and Young Adults at the Vermont College of Fine Arts, where I began working on Catastrophic History.  The book sold to Dial not too long after, and the rights have sold in something like 14 countries.  I couldn’t be happier!  In fact, when finished copies arrived a few weeks ago, I literally had no choice but to dance.  Just see for yourself!  http://bit.ly/yYc4bT

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Bookie's Note:  Meet Jess - the new girl on the block! Okay, I'm like obsessed with New Girl right now and when Jess comes along with her name - I had to make a reference. *imaginary cap locks* I can't believe you edited Vampire Academy! The series is one of my favourite all time! And Jess, I'm a Disney enthusiast as well! Just ask my classmates - I sing everything from Little Mermaid to Lion King - ALL DAY LONG! Come back tomorrow for the second half of Jess's feature + EPIC giveaway!

Badass Bookie xx

Au Revoir, Crazy European Chick

Review Time! My blog has been a complete mess lately! I’ve been so busy and in a huge state of a reading slump, my blog has been neglected. Hopefully I can get back on track this week! Last week I read Au Revoir, Crazy European Chick by Joe Schreiber! Thanks to Hardie Grant Egmont for the review copy!

(Goodreads) Perry Stormaire is a normal high school senior– he is busy applying to college and rehearsing with his band –until he agrees to go to the prom with the Lithuanian exchange student who is staying with his family. It turns out that Gobi Zaksauskas is not the mousy teenager that she seems but rather an attractive, confident trained assassin. Instead of going to the prom, Perry finds himself on a wild ride through the streets of New York City as Gobi commandeers the Jaguar his father lent him for the prom in order to take out her targets. Perry learns a lot about himself – and ends up with some amazing material for his college application essays.

The Short Story? – There is something about this book that gives off the “wow factor”.  Whether it was the female assassin or the epic prom night out in New York City, Au Revoir, Crazy European Chick was brilliant. The novel really came together nicely with great characters and a spectacular plot. If you love car chases, female assassins, revenge and action as much as I do – this is your next read!

The Long Story? – I have read many books that I love but not all of them have the “wow-factor” – in fact very few of them do. What is the “wow-factor”? Something about the novel that makes it stand out from the rest – distinctively. In this case, Au Revoir, Crazy European Chick has a one of a kind plot. Honestly, what is not to love about a well-written novel with car chases, bullets flying, female assassin and prom nights gone wrong? I LOVED the plot – it was different, exciting, action-packed and one big breathless adventure. Perfect for boys and girls, this ain’t no sappy love story – this is a story of a girl and a boy and what happens on prom night!

I don’t read many YA novels with male protagonists and when I do I usually find that there is always a barrier between us and therefore I can’t enjoy the book as much as I would have liked. Not the case with Au Revoir, Crazy European Chick. I loved Perry – what a charming and completely adorkable boy! Great personality and totally relatable on some level (I mean, I’m a girl!) + he’s a great guitar player. Our crazy, European chick was so badass I want to be a female assassin too! Gobi is the very definition of badass! Great girl, I think we have a future of being best friends :P Maybe she’ll teach me some tips of the trade… Fantastic characterization!

Au Revoir, Crazy European Chick would make a fabulous addition to your shelves! If there is anything I know about a “wow-factor” it’s that they are not to be missed! Joe Schreiber has written a winner of a novel and the only thing that would make it even better would be a sequel! Unputdownable and filled to the brim with adventure. Two thumbs up!

What’s it Worth? – Hand Over the Paycheck/ Break Out the Piggy Bank

Badass Bookie xx

City of Fallen Angels

Review Time! So I’m a “little” late on the program but I’ve finally finished City of Fallen Angels by Cassandra Clare, as many of you already know COFA is the fourth installment in the phenomenal YA Fantasy series – Mortal Instruments. The first book is getting turned into a movie so it must be pretty good! Thanks to Walker Books for the review copy!

(Goodreads) The Mortal War is over, and Clary Fray is back home in New York, excited about all the possibilities before her. She's training to become a Shadowhunter and to use her unique power. Her mother is getting married to the love of her life. Downworlders and Shadowhunters are at peace at last. And—most important of all—Clary can finally call Jace her boyfriend. 

But nothing comes without a price. 

Someone is murdering the Shadowhunters who used to be in Valentine’s Circle, provoking tensions between Downworlders and Shadowhunters that could lead to a second bloody war. Clary’s best friend, Simon, can’t help her. His mother just found out he’s a vampire and now he’s homeless. Everywhere he turns, someone wants him on their side—along with the power of the curse wrecking his life. And they’re willing to do anything to get what they want. At the same time he’s dating two beautiful, dangerous girls—neither of whom knows about the other. 

When Jace begins to pull away from Clary without explaining why, she is forced to delve into the heart of a mystery whose solution reveals her worst nightmare: She herself has set in motion a terrible chain of events that could lead to her losing everything she loves. Even Jace. 

The Short Story? – More or less what I expected which means it’s totally awesome! Clare has written another fantastic novel that has left me begging for more – Queen of Cliffhangers! As always, brilliantly witty, filled with humor, one heck of a twisted plot and characters that will stay with you forever along with Harry Potter and for the better or worse – Edward Cullen. Bravo Clare – you’ve done it again!

The Long Story? – I’m thrilled that Clare decided not to finish the series after book 3 and signed up for another 3 books because I LOVE this series! COFA is a little different to the first three books and it almost feels like reading an entirely different series in the fact that the same characters have started a new chapter of their lives – a new adventure. The characters are faced with a new threat and the ending suggests that an epic showdown will be necessary. There are more references to the Infernal Devices in COFA and some new characters have been introduced. Clare has the skill to switch from humor to serious in a blink of an eye and I found my elf at odds constantly laughing and then gripping the edge of my seat with a pounding hart! Beautifully written, COFA is a must-read for fans of YA fiction (in general!)

As far as characterization goes, aside from new minor characters and further development in earlier introduced characters. I found it really weird reading COFA at first because it wasn’t focused on Clary and Jace. The novel told from the perspectives of a variety of different characters and each of their individual stories build up to be become the bigger picture. I feel like after reading COFA, I understand more about Simon (who is kind of the “main” character) and while I’m still completely Jace and Clary 4EVA – Simon deserves his shot at happiness. He’s a pretty decent guy aside from the wee mistake he made! I starting to *really* like Kyle (aka Jordan) and a teaser for those like me – Jace and Clary 4EVA is really heating up! Fabulous!

In the end it all comes down to – to read or not to read. Two thumbs up for me, Clare is a highly talented writer and her novels can be enjoyed by readers of all ages and genres. I enjoyed COFA and many of you will too! Beautifully written, great characterization and a fantastic plot. Another fantastic novel in a unputdownable series!

What’s it Worth? – Hand Over the Paycheck

Badass Bookie xx

In My Mailbox #41

Morning Lovelies! I'm sick :( Therefore I'm staying home today and well I'm going to be doing some blog work! Starting with my IMM :)  In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by Kristi @ The Story Siren. Basically we share the bookish contents that we received during the week. I have come to only participate every fortnight! :)


My Hurl -

For Review - 

ARC Out of Sight, Out of Time by Ally Carter

ARC Au Revoir,  Crazy European Chick

ARC Goddess Interrupted by Aimee Carter

ARC The Way We Fall by Megan Crewe ( Swap?)

The Way We Fall by Megan Crewe ( Finished Copy)

Night School by C. J. Daugherty

Lenobia's Vow by P.C. and Kristin Cast

Why We Broke Up by Daniel Handler and Moira Kalman ( Second Copy - Swap?) 

In Darkness by Nick Lake

Pure by Julianna Baggott

( Thanks to Hachette Childrens, Hachette, Hardi Grant, Harlequin, Murdoch Books and Bloomsbury!)

NOTE: Some duplicates this week but some totally awesome books too! Can't wait to read Out of Sight, Out of Time and Goddess Interrupted! Mixed reviews on Pure but honestly it sounds totally awesome! The Way We Fall sounds awesome as well! AND Night School <--- after Brodie's review totally looking forward to it!

Happy Reading Guys!

Badass Bookie xx

Breakfast with the Bookie - Let's Talk Blogger Manners, Attitude and Etiquette

Breakfast with the Bookie is a semi-weekly feature here @ Badass Bookie which is making a reappearance in 2012. Every other Wednesday morning ( read - when I'm not drawing a blank), let's all grab our teas and coffees to gather and discuss and share our opinions! Everyone is welcome to join and make sure you leave a comment to state your opinion. Don't be shy!


This Week's Topic - Let's Talk Blogger Manners, Attitude and Etiquette


Okay I'll start off by saying - I hate the fact that I have to revisit this topic every year - EVERY YEAR. If you scroll through my blog archive you will see that I have posted something along the same lines in 2010 AND 2011. BUT this controversy just keeps reappearing in the blogosphere. 


Book bloggers are very nice people, extremely friendly and generous! Meeting new bloggers is like reuniting with old friends - there is no such thing as an awkward moment when it comes to book bloggers. However, there are just those "few" bloggers who ruin it for everyone else. I'm not having a go at anyone - in fact while I know there are nasty bloggers out there, I'm not aware who they are. BUT people, you got to stop this BITCHING! 


I said this on Twitter and I'm going to say it again - Bitching about other bloggers only reflects on yourself, please adopt a more professional, more mature and friendlier attitude.


That's all it comes down to you need to 1) Remember your manners, 2) Adopt a Friendlier Attitude and 3) Learn the Proper Book Blogger Etiquette. 


Things to Remember - 


1) Twitter is NOT your Personal Diary - Do not use Twitter a ranting source, do not write mean tweets to other bloggers and definitely do not tweet about bloggers behind their back on twitter. WHY? Because someone is going to read that tweet and word will travel and before you know it, a bunch of bloggers will have the wrong image of you. And then that image will be passed onto publishers, authors and professionals and THEN you've screwed it up for yourself. It's pretty much "Book Blogger Suicide"


2) Keep Your Bitch on a Leash - If you have nothing nice to say - don't say it! Stop the bitching, whinging about other bloggers isn't going to solve anything. Really, the name-calling is really just not on. AND you know what else is not on? Ganging up. Do not recruit other people to fight your battles for you. 


3) Image is Everything - Ask yourself this: do you want to be known as "that bitchy blogger" or "that blogger with no manners" or "that blogger who is totally unprofessional". People might not say it to your face but that's what they're thinking. Book bloggers are pretty tight and if you attack one of us, you attack us all. In other words, the chances of you being shunned are very high. Be the better person and keep your mouth shut, go punch a cushion but do not verbally slam other people. NOT ON. 


Conclusion - Every time, an episode explodes on Blogosphere ( mainly on Twitter), it doesn't only give yourself a bad name but the whole blogging community. We are not the only ones with social networking, the chances that a publisher, agent or author picks up on an episode is really high. Obviously, if you feel the need to bitch someone has obviously done something to piss you off. Be the better person and walk away. Don't be the person who ruins it for everyone. 


What's your opinion? Do you think lashing out at other people is right? Do you think it's right to fight back? And what are others things to be remembers?


Badass Bookie xx