Thursday, April 12, 2012

Review: Channeler’s Choice by Heather McCorkle

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Channeler’s Choice
Heather McCorkle
Series: Channeler, #2
Release date: February 27th 2012
by Compass Press

Goodreads / Purchase

With her parents’ murderers dead, Eren can finally concentrate on fitting in at Spruce Knoll High, not to mention figuring out what it means to be a channeler. If only it were that easy. It turns out she isn’t normal even among channelers – she may be a legendary warrior meant to protect the earth in a last great battle.

But Mayan prophecies are the least of her worries as she involuntarily starts to gather her own Society, another girl moves in on Aiden, her powers rage out of control, and worst of all, someone is stalking her. To top it all off, Eren discovers she doesn’t have to be a channeler after all – she has a choice.

As an old threat closes in and she risks ending up like her parents, she is forced to decide. Be a normal teenager and leave the legendary warrior stuff to someone else, or embrace a dark destiny?

*A copy was provided by Heather McCorkle for review purposes*

The second book in the Channeler series continues to follow Erin and her discovery of her Channeler powers, and now, we’re introduced to the notion of a society – her society. Even though I wasn’t as immersed as in The Secret of Spruce Knoll, I certainly enjoyed finding out more about their powers, in addition to seeing her relationship with Aiden grow.

Passionate and sweet, the romance plays a big part in this sequel. Aiden and Erin are becoming accustomed to their connecting powers and I especially liked how that all works. As in the first book, I found their relationship very mature; it’s not only filled with lust and angst, you can see how they simply click together. I also loved the addition of Caitlin in the story. As Erin’s new best friend, it’s great to finally have someone she can trust and turn to other than her boyfriend. Plus, we’ve got a secondary love story brewing which I found completely endearing. All the characters are truly wonderful; well-rendered and charismatic, they’re easily my favorite part of this series.

We start to delve deeper into the paranormal elements of the story in Channeler’s Choice. We learn a lot about the society that’s quickly becoming a monumental part of the plot; I especially enjoyed the rules at the beginning of each chapter. I do find that Erin and Aidan’s powers are maybe a bit too perfect, but it’s interesting to learn the complexity behind it all. Along with the secluded town and detailed history, it’s an incredibly imaginative world that Heather has given us.

A new society is forming, Erin is learning to control and fight, her relationship with Aiden is blooming, this doesn’t leave a whole lot of time for actual plot development. We do have some action at times, but the pacing is a bit on the slower side. This is not necessarily bad since the time is spend reinforcing the world and setting up for this supposed upcoming epic battle, but I was craving for more details on this approaching war we keep hearing about. I’m definitely looking forward to seeing what happens with this society and how it will all play out.  

3 Hot Espressos
The Channeler series so far:
Want to see what I thought of The Secret of Spruce Knoll?

Interview & Giveaway with Brigid Kemmerer

Posted by on 04/11/2012 • 26 Comments

Today is full of hotness at Xpresso Reads; I’m sure you’ve all heard of STORM by Brigid Kemmerer and most of you are probably highly anticipating it – for good reason! So I’m excited to have Brigid over today for a great interview, and guess what? She’s giving away a signed copy!

StormBrigid KemmererSeries: Elementals, #1Release date: April 24th, 2012by Kensington

Goodreads / Purchase

Earth, Fire, Air, Water – they have more power than you dream.

Ever since her ex-boyfriend spread those lies about her, Becca Chandler is suddenly getting all the guys—all the ones she doesn’t want. Then she saves Chris Merrick from a beating in the school parking lot. Chris is different. Way different: he can control water—just like his brothers can control fire, wind, and earth….

Waiting on Wednesday (31)

Posted by on 04/11/2012 • 74 Comments

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event that is hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine and spotlights upcoming releases that we’re eagerly anticipating.  My pick this week:

Alice in Zombieland Gena Showalter Release date: September 25th, 2012 by Harlequin Teen Add it to your Goodreads

She won’t resist until she’s sent every walking corpse back to its grave. Forever.

Had anyone told Alice Bell that her entire life would change course between one heartbeat and the next, she would have laughed. From blissful to tragic, innocent to ruined? Please. But that’s all it took. One heartbeat. A blink, a breath, a second, and everything she knew and loved was gone.

Her father was right. The monsters are real….

To avenge her family, Ali must learn to fight the…

Here Tour Stop

Posted by on 04/10/2012 • 21 Comments

Today is my stop on the Here Blog Tour, hosted by A Tale of Many Reviews, and I’ve got my review for you as well as a fun This ‘N That interview with Denise. You also have a chance to win a copy! How’s that for a great day!? 🙂

HereDenise Grover SwankSeries: On the Otherside, #1Release date: November 11th 2011

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Sixteen year old Julia Phillips buries herself in guilt after killing her best friend Monica in a car accident. Julia awoke in the hospital with a broken leg, a new talent for drawing and false memories of the accident, in which she dies and Monica lives. The doctors attribute this to her head injury, but no one can explain how a bracelet engraved with her name…

Review: The Calling by Kelley Armstrong

Posted by on 04/09/2012 • 31 Comments

The CallingKelley ArmstrongSeries: Darkness Rising, #2Release date: April 10th, 2012by Doubleday Canada (US: HarperCollins)

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Maya Delaney’s paw-print birthmark is the mark of what she truly is–a skin-walker. She can run faster, climb higher, and see better than nearly everyone else. Experiencing intense connections with the animals that roam the woods outside her home, Maya knows it’s only a matter of time before she’s able to Shift and become one of them. And she believes there may be others in her small town with surprising talents.

Now, Maya and her friends have been forced to flee from their homes during a forest fire they suspect was deliberately set. Then they’re kidnapped, and after a chilling helicopter crash, they find themselves in the Vancouver Island wilderness with nothing but…

In My Mailbox (29)

Posted by on 04/08/2012 • 78 Comments

“In My Mailbox” is a meme, created by Kristi at The Story Siren, that features books I have received/ purchased/ borrowed during the week. 

How is everyone this Easter weekend? I hope you’re having a great long weekend. I had a fantastic week, and even though we’re supposed to have a snow storm tonight, I’m definitely feeling the spring season! I love it! So this week on the blog I had a cover reveal on Monday with two fabulous new covers – here – you must check it out if you missed it! I also had the Pure Blog Tour drop by for a short excerpt here. And you can still enter my 2000 Followers Giveaway here for those who may have missed it.

I am really excited for…

Review: The Book of Blood and Shadow

Posted by on 04/07/2012 • 33 Comments

The Book of Blood and ShadowRobin Wasserman Release date: April 10th, 2012by Random House Children’s Books

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It was like a nightmare, but there was no waking up.  When the night began, Nora had two best friends and an embarrassingly storybook one true love.  When it ended, she had nothing but blood on her hands and an echoing scream that stopped only when the tranquilizers pierced her veins and left her in the merciful dark.

But the next morning, it was all still true: Chris was dead.  His girlfriend Adriane, Nora’s best friend, was catatonic. And Max, Nora’s sweet, smart, soft-spoken Prince Charming, was gone. He was also—according to the police, according to her parents, according to everyone—a murderer.

Desperate to prove his innocence, Nora follows the…

Fresh Batch (April 8th – 14th)

Posted by on 04/07/2012 • 16 Comments

Exclusively titled for Xpresso Reads, Fresh Batch features the hottest releases of this upcoming week. Flavor of the week:

The Calling

Kelley Armstrong Series: Darkness Rising, #2 Release date: April 10th, 2012by HarperCollins

Goodreads / Purchase 

Maya Delaney’s paw-print birthmark is the mark of what she truly is–a skin-walker. She can run faster, climb higher, and see better than nearly everyone else. Experiencing intense connections with the animals that roam the woods outside her home, Maya knows it’s only a matter of time before she’s able to Shift and become one of them. And she believes there may be others in her small town with surprising talents.

Now, Maya and her friends have been forced to flee from their homes during a forest fire they suspect was…