Review of Stolen Away by Alyxandra Harvey

 Book Title - Stolen Away
Author - Alyxandra Harvey
Publisher - Walker Childrens
Release date - January 17th, 2012


Synopsis from Goodreads - For seventeen years, Eloise Hart had no idea the world of Faery even existed. Now she has been abducted and trapped in the Rath of Lord Strahan, King of Faery. Strahan was only meant to rule for seven years, as Faery tradition dictates, and then give up his crown to another. But he won't comply, and now chaos threatens both worlds.

The only one who can break his stranglehold on the Faery court is his wife. . . Eloise's aunt Antonia. Using Eloise to lure Antonia, Strahan captures his wife, desperate to end the only threat to his reign. Now Eloise must become the rescuer. Together with her best friends Jo and Devin, she must forge alliances with other Fae, including a gorgeous protector named Lucas, and Strahan's mysterious son, Eldric—who may or may not betray them.



My Review - I just finished this book and I really liked it a lot. Eloise is kidnapped by Strahan, the Fae king because he wants to use her as leverage to get his estranged wife – Eloise’s Aunt – to come to Eloise’s rescue. His plan is to use Eloise to entrap her into giving him complete power over the Unseelie court once again after he was forced to share power.

Eloise is helped by her best friends Jo and Devin, both of which I really loved. Eloise meets the handsome Lucas, and the boy whom becomes Jo’s love interest Eldric. Eldric is Strahan’s son, and although his interest in Jo seems genuine, Eloise isn’t sure if he should be trusted.

Stolen Away was a quick read, I finished it in a few hours, and it kept me interested in the story throughout the book. Full of excitement, action and romance, it was perfect. My only complaint is that the book seemed to focus a lot about the relationship between Jo and Eldric, and I really wanted more of Eloise and Lucas. Where Jo and Eldric get their fill of stolen kisses, I wanted the same for Eloise and Lucas too. I really liked their characters and just plain wanted more.

Bottom line Stolen Away is a fairy tale that stole my complete attention for a few hours, and I was completely mesmerized by the faerie world Harvey created. I really like Alyxandra’s writing style, and although this was the first novel of hers I’ve read, it will not be the last.

*Thank you NetGalley and Bloomsbury for the ARC to review!

Best I've Read Blog Tour Day 7

Welcome to the last day of the Best I've Read blog tour for 2011.  I hope you have enjoyed the tour.  Today I am featuring Author Myra McEntire and her amazing book HOURGLASS.  This book deserves every one of its 5 shining stars, as I've never read a story about time travel that was as captivating as the one Myra writes.  With a kick ass heroine, two hot boys vying for her attention, drama, mystery, mayhem, a villain and a bit of tragedy, and you get a book that is kick ass in every way.  You should definitely add this one to your to be read list if you haven't read it yet. 

Synopsis from Goodreads - One hour to rewrite the past . . 
 
For seventeen-year-old Emerson Cole, life is about seeing what isn’t there: swooning Southern Belles; soldiers long forgotten; a haunting jazz trio that vanishes in an instant. Plagued by phantoms since her parents’ death, she just wants the apparitions to stop so she can be normal. She’s tried everything, but the visions keep coming back.

So when her well-meaning brother brings in a consultant from a secretive organization called the Hourglass, Emerson’s willing to try one last cure. But meeting Michael Weaver may not only change her future, it may change her past.
Who is this dark, mysterious, sympathetic guy, barely older than Emerson herself, who seems to believe every crazy word she says? Why does an electric charge seem to run through the room whenever he’s around? And why is he so insistent that he needs her help to prevent a death that never should have happened?

Full of atmosphere, mystery, and romance, Hourglass merges the very best of the paranormal and science-fiction genres in a seductive, remarkable young adult debut.

Interview with Myra...

1.       How excited were you about the cover of Timepiece?  It is as amazing as Hourglass! 

I WAS SOOOOO EXCITED. I was so sad when it leaked, I had some fun plans for the reveal!

2.       Do you know if you will be releasing excerpts from Timepiece leading up to the release? 

I will. Not sure where or when or how, but definitely, yes.

3.       If you could go back in time and change something, what would it be?  One of mine would be the HORRIBLE glasses I wore in 7^th grade! 

I would speak my mind a little more often, and I wouldn't be afraid of my own shadow.

4.       What is one of your favorite holiday traditions? 

Coca-Cola in a glass bottle. Thanks, Granny Doris!

5.       What is your favorite kind of Christmas cookie?  Or sweet? 

ALL OF THEM? Fudge. The kind with chocolate chips and marshmallow creme.  

6.       I know you are SUPER excited for Hunger Games the movie too… what are you most excited to see? 

The Capitol! The way it looked in the trailer totally blew my mind!

Thanks Myra for taking time for an interview!  You can enter to win an HOURGLASS poster by leaving a comment on this post.  One winner will be chosen.  Please leave your full name, and email address.  Good luck!  And don't forget to head on over to the Best I've Read Blog for today's featured authors, Lauren Oliver for DELIRIUM and Michelle Hodkin for THE UNBECOMING OF MARA DYER.  

COVER REVEAL - BETWEEN BY MARY TING

I am SO SO SO SO excited to bring you the cover reveal for MARY TING'S book BETWEEN!  Mary has become a wonderful friend of mine, and I couldn't be more excited and honored to share this with you.  BETWEEN is the second book in Mary's CROSSROADS series.  In fact, CROSSROADS was one of my favorite books of 2011 and was featured this week on my blog as one of the Best I've Read 2011 reads.  Be sure to take a look at that!

If you haven't read CROSSROADS, I suggest you rectify that immediately :)  Here is the synopsis - Claudia Emerson has a good friend who shares the same first name and last name. That friend unfortunately dies in a tragic accident during homecoming dance. Claudia is distraught at the loss of her friend, but is even more disturbed by her dreams, which seem to take her to another place called Crossroads. Unknown to her, Crossroads is like a second heaven, a place between heaven and earth. It is where the souls of humans in comas or near death experiences may wander. Where, Claudia meets Michael, a nephilim, a half angel, half human, whom she often meets in her dreams. It turns out that this isn’t her first visit to Crossroads, which is an enigma for no human can ever travel there until Claudia.

Now the fallen and demons are after her, suspecting she must be special and it is up to Michael and the other nephilims to protect her. Her dream becomes a nightmare as more secrets are revealed, about who she really is, and the true identities of the people she loves most. Can Michael fight his growing feelings for Claudia and protect her as a guardian angel should?

Mary wrote CROSSROADS as a way for her to heal from the loss of her Grandmother.  She wrote it for her, but BETWEEN, book 2, was written for her fans.  Mary says, "My fans have been so dedicated and their encouragement and enthusiasm has inspired me.  So, for all my CROSSROADS fans out there, BETWEEN is for you!!!  Thank you so much for  your love and support!!!"

Mary was also inspired to write CROSSROADS from a dream she had in high school.  Chapter one and two are based on her dream.  For Between, chapter 20, the part of Austin, is based on her dream too.  Mary said she should say it was actually more of a nightmare, but when she woke up she thought it would be so cool to write about.   


I am so excited!  Here is the synopsis for BETWEEN -

As the alkins head back to Crossroads, Claudia leads her normal life; but not for long. Having a special soul, Claudia attracts danger, and she soon finds out who Gamma asked to watch over her. The Twelve, known as Divine Elders on Earth, are very much involved when they find out that Aliah, one of the God’s first angels, escaped from the Abyss when the gates were opened by Aden. Needing Claudia’s soul to escape the only place Aliah can reside–a place         
between Heaven and Earth–he sends his demons in search of all Claudia Emersons on Earth. Taking her soul will enable him to be released from Between and cross over to Crossroads, which would give him immense power. Meanwhile, as more secrets are revealed, Claudia learns about other nephilim that exist on Earth called venators, who are demon hunters. The alkins and venators must work together to protect not just Claudia, but humanity as well. But along the way, trust becomes a big issue. Will love be enough to keep Claudia and Michael together? Who will make the ultimate sacrifice? Who will betray them all?

And without further adieu....  here is the cover of BETWEEN!