Spectral Review and Blog Tour!

Welcome to the Spectral Blog Tour!!  Today, I bring you a review of Spectral by Shannon Duffy.  The cover art and banner for Spectral are stunning and spot on!  Shannon and the cover artist did an incredible job of depicting miss Jewel and what I envisioned her to look like.

(book description)
Convinced she’s a part of the witness protection program, sixteen-year-old Jewel Rose is shuffled around the globe with her family like a pack of traveling gypsies. After arriving at lucky home twenty-seven, she stumbles upon a mysterious boy with magical powers claiming to be her guardian . . . and warning of imminent danger. Despite the obvious sparks between them, Jewel discovers a relationship is forbidden, and the more she learns about dark, brooding Roman, she begins to question who she can even believe — the family who raised her, or the supposed sworn protector who claims they’ve been lying to her all along.

As she struggles to uncover who her family has really been running from, she is forced to hide her birthmark that reveals who she is. With new realities surfacing, unexplained powers appearing, and two tempting boys vying for her heart, Jewel battles to learn who she can trust in an ever growing sea of lies, hoping she’ll make it through her.

My Rating: 4 stars

The novel starts off as if it's just going to be about a family in the witness protection program, but being told from the point-of-view of a sixteen year-old girl.  Then, the first twist hits.  Jewel is born a Spectral, but doesn't know it.  Jewel is really the one all the terrible people are after, yet her parents won't tell her that.  When she moves to the newest city, she meets Roman and learns all about her real life, her heritage and what she is truly is meant to be.  When she turns seventeen, her entire life will change...

Spectral is a very well crafted and put together novel.  It flows easily, uses vivid imagery, and believable characters to hook you in.  The overall plot will keep you on your toes, with twists turning up every time you think you know what will happen next.  Shannon created a world that was realistic, yet made me question everything that has ever been said.  I loved the characters, especially Roman, Jewel and Taylor.  Each character was someone I wanted to know, but yet I feared them all at the same time.  This novel has just the right level of suspense, paranormal/witchcraft, and romance mixed together.  It is very well balanced and never feels too unrealistic.  The ending filled left me with mixed emotions, I didn't want the book to end yet I was glad it ended.  The only downfall of this novel is that it is a little bit slow and feels too long.

Shannon Duffy writes young adult and middle grade fiction. She grew up on the beautiful east coast of Canada and now lives in Ontario, Canada. She is the mom of one boy, Gabriel, her angel. She loves writing, reading, working out, soccer, and the sport of champions-shopping. She is the author of the young adult paranormal romance, SPECTRAL. Her upcoming middle grade fantasy novel, GABRIEL STONE AND THE DIVINITY OF VALTA is scheduled for a January 2013 release.

If you would like to purchase a copy of Spectral, you have several options:

• Amazon Kindle
• Barnes&Noble Nook
• Google
• Smashwords
• PDF

Click on any of the links above to be taken to the site to purchase the ebook.  Spectral is only available in ebook format.  Follow Shannon Duffy and Spectral on the Spectral Blog, Spectral on Goodreads, Facebook, Twitter, Shannon's website, Goodreads, and Shannon's blog.  Happy Blog Tour Day!

Authors Not-So-Anonymous Week #22

Welcome everyone to the twenty-second Authors Not-So-Anonymous weekly meeting!! This weekly series is about authors from Twitter and Facebook!  This week, I would like to introduce Deanna Julbe into Authors Not-So-Anonymous!

Deanna Julbe is a poetry and aspiring children's author.  She began writing at the young age of 13 by keeping a journal of poems.  Her book, Speak Your Heart, is a collection of the poems from her journal.  Deanna's favorite books include The Wager by Tony Forgione, A Death That Lingers by Kaylie Newell, and The Panama Girl (Novelette series) By Bonita Mariano.

"My sister would write these beautiful poems and I loved how I felt when I read them. I wanted to make other people feel this way. That same year I moved to Florida with my parents and younger brother. Moving to what seemed like the country compared to my hometown in Queens, NY. Poetry became my escape from reality and my only means of survival in my teenage eyes. Writing poetry then became more than just writing my emotions. I use my poetry to touch hearts, inspire emotions and to make people feel like they are not alone. My readers can connect with more than one of my poems in some way."

"I love writing and I enjoy bringing a personal touch to anything I can with my poetry. It’s easy to forget how much sentiment can change the duration of our relationships. I want to make an impression on your heart. So as always I say “Stay blessed and inspired” and never be afraid when you Speak Your Heart."

(description from Deanna's website)
Original poems comprise the heart of Speak Your Heart. This wonderful compilation includes poetry both happy and sad, but nonetheless, all the poems are inspiring.

Deanna M. Julbe speaks from her heart and hopes others will also be so inspired. She includes poems from her teen years, love poems and inspirational poems to name a few. “I hope they inspire you to speak your heart.”  She adds, “Poetry is raw emotion, words that you may never say out loud or share.” Be thankful she has chosen to share and advises everyone to Speak Your Heart.

Purchase a copy of Speak Your Heart on Amazon, Barnes&Noble or ,to get a signed copy, on Deanna's website.  Have an author to nominate?  Send me a message via Twitter or leave a comment with the author(s) name and Twitter name.  I'd love to add new members!  Happy Reading!

It's here!!!!!!!!!

It's FINALLY time to pre-order!!! oh, I guess I should tell you what I'm so excited about...heh.

Photo from Amazon.com

Well....If you've been keeping up with the book-news with Dean Koontz (or if you read my Something Odd post), you know that books 5 and 6 plus three novellas are due out this year in the Odd Thomas series.  YAY!!!!!  And if you know anything about me, then you might know this is one of my favorite series.

Guess what!?  Pre-orders for Odd Apocalypse: book 6 have begun AND the release date is July 31, 2012 on Amazon for hardcover, large print paperback, and ebook.  I can't wait!!  I've pre-ordered my hardcover (yes, I want this one in print) copy and already started counting down the days until it will arrive.

I have a countdown going on the very bottom of the page for the release of Odd Apocalypse! (yes, I'm that excited!)

Photo from Amazon.com

To hold us over, Koontz will also release three novellas that will begin on June 11!!!!  Odd Interlude part 1, part 2 and part 3 are only sold as ebooks on Amazon!  They are priced at $1.99, super cheap for a best seller's novella!!  I highly recommend picking them up.

Here's a trailer for the books!

What are you waiting for?!  Go pre-order your copies of Odd Interlude parts 1-3 AND Odd Apocalypse right now!  Happy Oddie Day!

Top 10 FAQs: Kindle and Nook

I get asked quite frequently a ton of questions, from normal to obscure, about Nook and Kindle.  I want to answer your questions the best I can so I read all the time about new technology, new devices, etc.  So...here are the top ten most asked questions for Kindle and Nook.

1.  I bought a Nook, and my friends thought I bought a Kindle so they got me an Amazon gift card (or bought me a Kindle ebook) can I still use it on my Nook?

• For the average user, no.  If you are tech savvy, or feel very very comfortable with conversion software you can change any ebook from one type to another, BUT I do not recommend it if you are not familiar with the software already.  I also do not recommend hacking your device to get the Kindle or Nook app on there unless you are willing to void the warranty.

2.  I have a Kindle, and my friend has a Nook... can we share ebooks?

• Yes and No. No - The devices require two different file formats for the ebooks and will not allow you to read the ebooks on either device.  BUT you can get the free app versions of either Nook or Kindle and borrow the ebooks that way, the apps just won't be on your spiffy little eReader.

3.  Are Kindle and Nook really that different?

• Yes. In so many ways.

4.   Can I use a Nook case (or Kindle case) for me Kindle (or Nook)?

• Yes, BUT they aren't the same shape or size so it will not completely fit.  I only recommend doing this if you are purchasing the sleeves/roos that you just slide the device into it and then take it out to read.  If you buy a fitted case, the device will not fit properly and can be damaged.

5.  Who really has a larger ebook library, Amazon or B&N?

• Amazon. By over a million ebooks.

6.  Are the e-ink pearl screens actually anti-glare or is that just another marketing lie?  I have very sensitive eyes...Will it hurt my eyes?

• They really are anti-glare!  These screens will not hurt your eyes or put strain on your eyes at all.  These screens are specifically designed to look like a book so you can read for hours without feeling any eye strain.

7.  These devices sound amazing, but don't you miss holding a *real* book?

•  Not at all.  It's actually less comfortable to hold a print book.

8.   Ebooks are the same price...so why should I pay for a device then pay for all the books when I could just buy the print versions for cheaper?

• Ebooks, except some bestsellers, are cheaper than your average paper/hardback book.  The average ebook is $5, the average print book is $10+ brand new.  You can borrow ebooks just like you would a print book too!  If you read all the time, you know how heavy books can be.  The device never changes weight even when you add over 100 books to.  If you finish a book, you can start another one immediately without all that extra weight of carrying around more than one.

9.   I have a smart-phone, tablet, laptop, desktop, handheld gaming device, iPod/MP3 player, etc.  I like devices... Should I get an eReader too?

• Not necessarily.  If you use your laptop, tablet, smart-phone or desktop all the time just get one of the free reading apps instead.  The apps have most (not all) of the benefits of an eReader without adding another expensive device to carry around.

10.   Which device is really better? Kindle or Nook?

• Ahh...the ultimate question.  That is a personal preference.  I prefer Kindle over Nook (except in the Tablet world so far).

These are just the top 10 FAQs...There are soooo many more!  Have a Kindle or Nook question?  Leave a comment, tweet me, or ask on Facebook!  Happy FAQ day!