Review: Ignite Me by Tahereh Mafi

Ignite Me (Shatter Me #3)
Author: Tahereh mafi
Release Date: February 4, 2014
Publisher: Harper Teen
Source: Personal Copy
Reviewed by: Jenn

Synopsis: With Omega Point destroyed, Juliette doesn’t know if the rebels, her friends, or even Adam are alive. But that won’t keep her from trying to take down The Reestablishment once and for all. Now she must rely on Warner, the handsome commander of Sector 45. The one person she never thought she could trust. The same person who saved her life. He promises to help Juliette master her powers and save their dying world . . . but that’s not all he wants with her.

5 stars out of 5 stars

        I've been anticipating Ignite Me's release since the second I finished Unravel Me. I've been worried and scared just wondering how one of my favorite series was going to end. So when it finally came out, I ran to the bookstore to get my copy.

From the start of the book, we are told of the aftermath of the surprising ending in Unravel Me. Juliette had to come to term with shocking news, all while dealing with a different side of who she thought was our villain, Warner.

I am in awe of how far Juliette has come from being the broken girl in Shatter Me. She has grown so much and become strong, both physically and mentally. Even after being shot, she did what needed to be done. I won’t say who Juliette ends up with because I feel like it would be a disservice to Juliette by focusing on that and how much she fought to get to the point where her ability didn’t hinder her and she was able to use it as an advantage.

“This isn't about Adam or Warner," I tell him, "This is about me and what I want. This is about me finally understanding where I want to be in ten years. Because I'm going to be alive, Kenji. I will be alive in ten years, and I'm going to be happy. I'm going to be strong. And I don't need anyone to tell me that anymore. I am enough, and I always will be.” - Tahereh Mafi, Ignite Me

“I've finally gotten to a point in my life where I'm not afraid to speak. Where my shadow no longer haunts me. And I don't want to lose that freedom--not again. I can't go backward. I'd rather be shot dead screaming for justice than die alone in a prison of my own making.” - Tahereh Mafi, Ignite Me

*fist pump* I was so proud of Juliette at that moment. She grew so much as a character and I love that line. I will say that chapter 55 about killed me. I knew that there was going to be a chapter that would render me useless but I wasn't as prepared as I should have been. I had to reread that chapter twice just to be able to move forward.

My favorite part of the book (aside from Warner) was Kenji. I love Kenji. His friendship with Juliette was one of my favorite part of the trilogy. He’s very honest and real and supportive of everyone he talks to. He becomes Juliette’s soundboard and provides her with the perspective that she needs. He eventually becomes Juliette’s best friend and even though he's Adam's best friend, he stands up for her to Adam. I found that part to be quite interesting because Adam and Kenji had each other before Juliette and now here he's defending her when Adam wants nothing to do with her. And my favorite part about Kenji? His sense of humor:

“Are you out of your goddamn mind? You think we can take on two hundred soldiers? I know I am an extremely attractive man, J, but I am not Bruce Lee."
"Who's Bruce Lee?"
"Who's Bruce Lee?" Kenji asks, horrified. "Oh my God. We can't even be friends anymore."
"Why? Was he a friend of yours?"
"You know what," he says, "just stop. Just - I can't even talk to you right now.” - Tahereh Mafi, Ignite Me

I'm so happy with the way Ignite Me ended the Shatter Me series. I'm very happy with where the characters are left in the story. I do wish that there had been a bit of an epilogue or that it had a ending where it wasn't so open.

I can't wait to see what Tahereh Mafi does next because I know I'll be buying whatever she writes. She's just that good.

Quotes (#52)

Morning Lovelies!

Sometimes, it just take way too much energy getting up to go to work on a Monday morning. Especially after a week of celebrating. I want to thank everyone who have been retweeting and entering the giveaways on Twitter. The giveaway will be until the end of April so you have time to keep entering.

Here are the giveaway links:

Day 1: Karen Marie Moning Giveaway here.

Day 2: Suzanne Young Giveaway here.

Day 3: Rainbow Rowell Giveaway here.

Day 4: Wendy Higgins Giveaway here.

Day 5: Christina Lauren Giveaway here.

Day 6: Cora Carmack Giveaway here.

Day 7: Elizabeth Eulberg Giveaway here

Off we go for some quotes!

"You couldn't relive your life, skipping the awful parts, without losing what made it worthwhile. You had to accept it as a whole--like the world, or the person you loved." - Stewart O'Nan, The Odds: A Love Story

"Say what you will, 'tis better to be left than never to have been loved." - William Congreve

"Nothing on earth can make up for the loss of one who has loved you." - Selma Lagerlof

"Books should go where they will be most appreciated, and not sit unread, gathering dust on a forgotten shelf, don't you agree?" - Christopher Paolini

"I am interested in language because it wounds or seduces me." - Roland Barthes, The Pleasures of the Text

"Somewhere, something incredible is waiting to be known." - Carl Sagan

"The present changes the past. Looking back you do not find what you left behind." - Kiran Desai, The Inheritance of Loss

I hope you all have a great Monday and week! Keep on entering for some awesome books!

Author Interview + Giveaway: Elizabeth Eulberg

Morning Swooners!

It's been a crazy week, with all the interviews and features and giveaways but it been fun brainstorming with Nahomi trying to decide what to feature, and what questions to ask you. Sometimes they were straight out silly and funny and were serious business. Like, favorite bad boys and favorite book boyfriends. SRS BNS HERE, YO.

So to help end our blogiversary week, we have the awesome Elizabeth Eulberg, author of one my favorite reads this year (so far) Better off Friends stopping by. 

Jenn: Elizabeth, thanks so much for taking the time to answer all my silly questions. Let's get started. Macallan and Levi have such a great friendship. I was cheering for them when they didn't succumb to the peer pressure that would destroy their friendship (although there were a few close calls). Did/do you have anyone like Levi in your life? Whether romantic or platonic?

Elizabeth: Thanks so much! In high school, I did have a really good guy friend, but we were platonic (I do like to tease him that Better Off Friends is based on us, but it isn't!). I do have a very close guy friend now (he's my concert bestie), but he's gay so there aren't any issues about us ever getting together - HA!

Jenn: From Better Off Friends, is there a character that enjoyed writing or that gave you the most difficulty?

Elizabeth: I spent a lot of time thinking about the characters before I started writing so I knew them all really well. I did have to take particular care when writing from Levi's point of view since he is a boy and I am not! I didn't want him to come across as anything but authentic.

Jenn: Oh, he came out sounding authentic, that's for sure. I love Levi. Do *you* believe that men and women can be friends?

Elizabeth: Yes, but it isn't easy. I do think the "will they or won't they" question will come up. But it is possible!

Jenn:  Do you have a writing ritual?

Elizabeth: I usually don't start writing until the afternoon. I get everything (workout, errands, e-mails, etc.) done in the morning. Then after lunch, I sit down and write. I also listen to music, but I'm not super strict with any rituals - except that I have to at least know what I'm supposed to write before I sit down!

Jenn:  Of the books you've written, do you have a favorite? Or one that is more special than the other?

Elizabeth: This is really hard! I can't pick a favorite since every book has a special place in my heart. I'm really proud of Better Off Friends, most people think it's my best book so far. I also have a soft spot for The Lonely Hearts Club since that book took me five years to write and it changed my life (I'm also working on the sequel right now so the characters are fresh in my mind).

Jenn: Which 2014 book release are you most excited about?

Elizabeth: What books aren't I excited about!?!? I'm really fortunate that I get to read a lot of books before they come out. One of my favorites is Only Everything by Kieran Scott (coming in May) - I pretty much harassed Kieran for the sequel the second I finished reading the book. It's SO GOOD! 

Jenn:  Is there an author whom you fangirl about?

Elizabeth: Of course! I used to work in publishing so I know and am friends with a lot of authors that people fangirl over, but I do have my moments. I got to meet Jennifer Weiner last year. I was shaking I was so excited!

Quick fire questions:
1. Coffee or tea?

Tea (unless I'm on deadline then it's a vanilla latte!)

2. Favorite book? Or if you can't pick, (I mean, who can?) favorite book in a specific genre?

Impossible, but Pride and Prejudice is a favorite.

3. Favorite swoony boy? Or book boyfriend?

Mr. Darcy forever!

Thanks so much for stopping by, Elizabeth. I think Nahomi will run to buy and read your books just because one of your favorite book is a Jane Austen's book. She's the biggest Austen fan I know.

About the author:

For Macallan and Levi, it was friends at first sight. Everyone says guys and girls can't be just friends, but these two are. They hang out after school, share tons of inside jokes, their families are super close, and Levi even starts dating one of Macallan's friends. They are platonic and happy that way.
Eventually they realize they're best friends - which wouldn't be so bad if they didn't keep getting in each other's way. Guys won't ask Macallan out because they think she's with Levi, and Levi spends too much time joking around with Macallan, and maybe not enough time with his date. They can't but wonder... are they more than friends or are they better off without making it even more complicated?
From romantic comedy superstar Elizabeth Eulberg comes a fresh, fun examination of a question for the ages: Can guys and girls ever really be just friends? Or are they always one fight away from not speaking again - and one kiss away from true love?
Author's links: Website / Facebook / Twitter / Instagram

So you know what you're gonna go, right? You're gonna go enter the requested information on the Rafflecopter and enter for a chance to win Better off Friends. Giveaway open internationally.

a Rafflecopter giveaway Don't forget to enter all the giveaway from the past week. Giveaway will be running throughout the whole month of April.

Blogiversary Giveaway Day #5:Cora Carmack + Hot Guys with Cute Kittens

Good Morning!!! 

I am so excited that today is Saturday! Today's featured author is Cora Carmack!

In honor of this very awesome writer today's post will feature Hot Guys with cute kittens along with some of our favorite quotes from her Losing It series.

Here comes the HOTTNESS:

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"The best parts of life are the things we can't plan. And it's a lot harder to find happiness if you're only searching in one place. Sometimes, you just have to throw away the map. Admit that you don't know where you're going and stop pressuring yourself to figure it out. Besides...a map is a life someone else already lived. It's more fun to make your own."  ~Cora Carmack Finding It

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"No matter how close, you are always too far. My eyes are drawn everywhere you are..." ~Cora Carmack, Losing It    

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“Every day. I will prove every day how much you mean to me. How real this is.” ~Cora Carmack, Finding It

“I’ll remind you every day how amazing it feels when your body touches mine. I’ll remind you of the good times, and help you forget the bad. I’ll remind you who you are when life has beaten you down and made you doubt it. I’ll bust down your door in the middle of the night and kiss you until you remember that your fears are just that, and they can’t control you. I’ll take my chances against your fickle heart if it means it’s mine.” ~Cora Carmack, Faking It

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Ok...so just one more for good measure...

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About the Author

I'm Cora Carmack,  a twenty-something writer who likes to write about twenty-something characters. I've done a multitude of things in my life-- boring jobs (like working retail), Fun jobs (like working in a theatre), stressful jobs (like teaching), and dream jobs (like writing). I enjoy placing my characters in the most awkward situations possible, and then trying to help them get a boyfriend out of it. Awkward people need love, too.  I'm a New York Times and USA Today bestseller... and a nerd (mostly the nerd part).
Author Links: Website / Twitter / Facebook

We've had a busy week here at Books and Swoons, thank you for stopping by, and stay tuned because we have one more giveaway for tomorrow. Enjoy your weekend. XOXO

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The Men of the Beautiful Bastard series by Christina Lauren + Blogiversary Giveaway

Hi there lovelies! 

Today I'll be talking about Bennett, Max, and Will. Who are these men I just named, you ask? Well if you're a reader of this blog, you'll recognize them as the leading men of the Beautiful Bastards series. And if you haven't read them yet, well I hope after this post, you'll go and read allllll about them. You won't regret it.

Mr. Bennett Ryan in Beautiful Bastard:

An ambitious intern. A perfectionist executive. And a whole lot of name calling.
Whip-smart, hardworking, and on her way to an MBA, Chloe Mills has only one problem: her boss, Bennett Ryan. He's exacting, blunt, inconsiderate--and completely irresistible. A Beautiful Bastard.
Bennett has returned to Chicago from France to take a vital role in his family's massive media business. He never expected that the assistant who'd been helping him from abroad was the gorgeous, innocently provocative--completely infuriating--creature he now has to see every day. Despite the rumors, he's never been one for a workplace hookup. But Chloe's so tempting he's willing to bend the rules--or outright smash them--if it means he can have her. All over the office.
As their appetites for one another increase to a breaking point, Bennett and Chloe must decide exactly what they're willing to lose in order to win each other.

Bennett Ryan is, how do I put this...a little difficult to get along with. I mean, the man has really high standards and to be honest, I wouldn't last a day working for him. I think I would beo one those interns that would run away crying after being fired. Even Chloe doesn't find him to be the most easy going guy.

“I mean, I wanted to shove a pocket knife into each of his tires within the first fifteen minutes of meeting him.” - Christina Lauren, Beautiful Bastard

A little harsh but they learn to how work with each other while not killing the other. However, their attraction to each other leads them to this:

“I told you, I want more than this. I want to be with you. I want to be your lover." I swore, digging my hands into my hair. "I'm falling for you, Chloe.” - Christina Lauren, Beautiful Bastard

“I'd never wanted to consume another body as rabidly as I did when he was inside me, but even like this, I could never seem to get close enough to the parts of him I wanted to feel. And it was with that thought in my mind that the delicious ratcheting tension along my skin and in my belly crystallized into an ache so heavy I slipped my legs off his shoulders, pulling all of his weight on top of me and pleading, "Please, please, please," over and over.” - Christina Lauren, Beautiful Bastard

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Then in Beautiful Stranger we meet Max Stella (siiigghhh)

Escaping a cheating ex, finance whiz Sara Dillon’s moved to New York City and is looking for excitement and passion without a lot of strings attached. So meeting the irresistible, sexy Brit at a dance club should have meant nothing more than a night’s fun. But the manner—and speed—with which he melts her inhibitions turns him from a one-time hookup and into her Beautiful Stranger.
The whole city knows that Max Stella loves women, not that he’s ever found one he particularly wants to keep around. Despite pulling in plenty with his Wall Street bad boy charm, it’s not until Sara—and the wild photos she lets him take of her—that he starts wondering if there’s someone for him outside of the bedroom.
Hooking up in places where anybody could catch them, the only thing scarier for Sara than getting caught in public is having Max get too close in private.

Max is my favorite. He's British, tall, sweet, funny and did I mentioned British. Like, the man has that completely irresistible British accents that makes women weak in the knees. And Sara can't help agree but with me.

“Because the whole British thing you have going on makes me want to do very wicked things to your mouth.” - Christina Lauren, Beautiful Stranger

Preach, girlfriend. I was a goner meeting Max in that first scene. But I just couldn't help it. He piqued my interest.

“Why are you carrying all these sticky drinks out to the dance floor?"
"My friends just got engaged. We're doing the girls' night out thing."
"So then you're unlikely to leave here with me."
I blinked, and then blinked again, hard. With this frank suggestion, I was officially out of my depth. Way out of my depth. "I... what? No."
"Pity."
"You're serious? You just met me."
"And already I have a strong urge to devour you.” - Christina Lauren, Beautiful Stranger

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*cough* Yea... How could you not be interested in getting to know this man?

But Max Stella is the sweetest guy in the Beautiful Bastard series. And I think he's hilarious.

"What the... Max. there's a girl on your face."
Sara pulled back and her eyes widened in realization. "Oh, crap."
"Calm down," I told her quietly. "No one here gives a fuck who we are. They hardly remember my name every week."
"Patently untrue," Richie said. "Your name is Twat."
I tilted my head to him, smiling at Sara. "Like I said.” - Christina Lauren, Beautiful Stranger

 “I know you’re saying something profound, but it’s hard to focus when your tits are out.” - Christina Lauren, Beautiful Stranger

He's such a hornball, I love it. I loved how Max and Sara ended up working things out because I was their biggest supporters.

“I love you, too." Click. "But I'm terrified."
He lowered the camera, eyes on me.
"I didn't want to fall in love with you,' I said.
He took a step closer. "If it makes you feel any better, you put up a very impressive fight." He didn't put the camera down when he stepped forward again to kiss me. He just moved his hand to the side and cupped my face with the other, pressing his mouth to mine. "I'm scared, too, Sara. I'm scared I'm your rebound. I'm scared we'll cock it up somehow. I'm scared you'll tire of me. But the thing is," he said, smiling, "I don't want anyone else. You've rather ruined me for other women.” - Christina Lauren, Beautiful Stranger

And then there was Will in Beautiful Player.

A bombshell bookworm. A chronic Casanova. And a lesson in chemistry too scandalous for school.
When Hanna Bergstrom receives a lecture from her overprotective brother about neglecting her social life and burying herself in grad school, she’s determined to tackle his implied assignment: get out, make friends, start dating. And who better to turn her into the sultry siren every man wants than her brother’s gorgeous best friend, Will Sumner, venture capitalist and unapologetic playboy?
Will takes risks for a living, but he’s skeptical about this challenge of Hanna’s…until the wild night his innocently seductive pupil tempts him into bed- and teaches him a thing or two about being with a woman he can’t forget. Now that Hanna’s discovered the power of her own sex appeal, it’s up to Will to prove he’s the only man she’ll ever need.

Will is my naughty boy of the series. He may be the one I want around to, uh, teach me a few things. *cough* But don't tell Max, though. Wouldn't want him to get jealous.

One of the things that I love about Will's and Hanna's relationship is that there's no filter between them. They tell it as it is with no shame or fear of judgment of what the other may thing. And maybe that's because they've known each other since they kids/teens, but I love it.

“That's why I had a reduction when I was twenty-one," which is when his expression morphed into one of horror.
You'd have thought I told him I made an amazing stew from tiny babies and puppy tongues.
"Why on earth would you do that? That's like God giving you a beautiful gift and you kicking him in the nuts."
I laughed. "God? I thought you were agnostic, Professor."
"I am. But if I could motorboat perfect tits like yours I might be able to find Jesus."
I felt my blush warm my cheeks. "Because Jesus totally lives in my cleavage?"
"Not anymore he doesn't. Your boobs are now too small for him to be comfortable in there." He shook his head, and I couldn't stop laughing. "So selfish, Ziggs,” - Christina Lauren, Beautiful Player

“I like it when you ask me to come!” he called after me. “I can’t wait to come tonight, Ziggy! Should I come around eight? Or do you want me to come around ten? Maybe I’ll come both times?” - Christina Lauren, Beautiful Player

And of course, I just love when Will, Max, and Bennett all interact with each other.

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 I just want another book of all three of them together. The little that we did get of them had me laughing my ass off.

Are you interested yet? Want more of them?

About the authors:

Lauren (on the left) and Christina (on the right) have been writing all kinds of stories together since 2009. Separated by the pesky state of Nevada, these co-author besties talk several times a day, agree that Ruby Pumps is the best nail polish color ever, and would, if given the choice, spend all day staring at the ocean from the San Clemente pier.
Lauren Billings (but everyone calls her Lo) has a Ph.D. in neuroscience and before she made writing her full-time job, would spend her days doing nerdy research-type things wearing a lab coat and goggles. She is silly Mommy to two littles, wife to one mountain biking homebrewing scientist, bestie to a shoe-stealer, and an unabashed lover of YA and romance.
Christina Hobbs (but you’ll always hear Lo call her PQ) used to spend her days in a junior high counseling office surrounded by teenagers. Married to the cutest boy in school, she has a thirteen year old daughter, is an unapologetic lover of boy bands and glitter, and also likes to steal Lo’s shoes.
You can follow their shenanigans at:
@lolashoes (Lauren) & @seeCwrite (Christina) on Twitter. On Tumblr! where we post kissing gifs and writerly stuff and Wattpad for short stories and sneak peeks!
For official information about their books, events, interviews, movie news and more, follow @beautifulbastrd.

Now come the fun for you, Swooners! One lucky winner will get their choice of any book in the Beautiful Bastard world and hopefully will fall head over heels for one of those swoony men I mentioned above. All you have to do is enter down below on the Rafflecopter. Giveaway open internationally. Good luck!
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Also, be sure to enter the giveaways we currently have open. Lots and lots of books are being given away!

*If you see your picture up here and don't want it up, just contact me and I'll quickly take it down.

Author Interview + Day 4 of Blogiversary Giveaways: Sweet Reckoning by Wendy Higgins

 

Sweet Reckoning (The Sweet Trilogy #3) by Wendy Higgins

Expected Release Date: April 29, 2014

Links: Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Goodreads

Synopsis:

It's time.

Evil is running rampant and sweet Anna Whitt is its target. Nobody knows when or how the Dukes will strike, but Anna and her Nephilim allies will do anything necessary to rid the earth of the demons and their oppressive ways. 

The stakes are higher than ever, and Anna is determined that the love she feels will be her strength, not a liability. But trying to protect the ones she loves while running for her life and battling demonic forces proves to be perilous-especially as faces are changing and trust is fleeting. When the Duke of Lust sends Anna's great love, Kaidan Rowe, to work against her, Anna must decide how much she's prepared to risk. 

Author Interview

Morning Swooners!

I am sooo excited, because Wendy Higgins is here to talk about Sweet Reckoning and See Me today! Thank you so much for taking the time to be here with us.

1.) What is your favorite part of being a writer?

~Besides the actual writing, which is always such a neat feeling to let the imagination flow, my favorite part is interacting with other readers and writers. The book community is so positive and so fun. Geeking out over books is the best!

2.) Was there a character that was more difficult to write in your Sweet Trilogy and why?

~Oh, yes, Kaidan Rowe has always been my difficult character, but also my favorite. He challenges me as a writer. I tweak his scenes more than any others. He's a bit of a dichotomy - torn between his true nature and his trained nature.  He's a hardened character who shows just enough moments of softness for us to not hate him. A lot of people ask for me to write the whole book from his point of view, but I could never do that. It would be too hard. And I think some things about Kaidan should remain a mystery. Readers have a pretty good imagination. They know what he's been up to!

3.) What is the most difficult part of being a writer?

~The pressure of wanting to make everyone happy, when that's not realistic. 

4.) I am really excited about Sweet Reckoning, what can you tell us about it?

~Yay! I'm excited too! Well, it picks up right where book two leaves off, and it spans a two-week timeframe. It's fast paced. We see more of all our Neph allies and more Jay too. It's a stressful ride, and was very emotional for me.

5.) Do you have a favorite scene or quote in Sweet Reckoning?

~My favorite lines are the very last ones, but I can't share them! Rats. ;)  Some of my other favorite lines are too spoilery. I've tried to be really cautious what I give away because I HATE spoilers, and I wouldn't want to ruin the fun of discovery for anyone.

6.) I read the deleted scene you posted on your blog from See Me! Can you tell us more about this story?

~SEE ME is a self-publication that just came out on St. Patrick's Day.  It's a fun, cute, and swoony fantasy set in Ireland. If you're looking for a light read with a sweet romance and lots of laughs, you might like this one!  

7.) Are you working on anything new at the moment?

~I have two other books in the works. Both YA. One is fantasy and one is contemporary. I hope to get more finished on them soon! Neither story has been picked up by a publisher yet.

Quick Fire:

Beverage of Choice?

Dark roast coffee with vanilla syrup and cream

Favorite book?

Currently Poison Princess series and White Hot Kiss series

What is your Ideal day?

Kids go to school & husband goes to work, I write at home, Kids come home, husband comes home, homework/practices/dinner/bedtime, I go upstairs and have my "social media" time - woot!

Every person needs?

Love! Of course <3

Who is your favorite swoony book boy?

Too hard too choose just one!!!  Jackson and Death (Poison Princess), Roth and Zayne (White Hot Kiss), Cole (Alice in Zombieland)

About the Author:

      After earning a bachelors in Creative Writing from George Mason University and a masters in Curriculum and Instruction from Radford, Wendy taught high school English until becoming a mommy. Writing Young Adult (YA) stories gives her the opportunity to delve into the ambiguities of those pivotal, daunting, and exciting years before adulthood. She lives in Northern Virginia with her husband, daughter, and son. Sweet Evil is her debut novel.           Author Links: Website / Facebook / Twitter  

The Giveaway 
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An Ode to Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell: 3rd Day of Blogiversary Week

Hi Swooners,

Today's featured author is the lovely Rainbow Rowell. I've had the pleasure of meeting Rainbow at BEA 2013 and at YALLFest 2013 and both times she's been an absolute sweetheart. Today I'll be showing pictures and quotes from one of my favorite books from last year, Fangirl. 

For those that don't know about Fangirl (seriously, go out and read it) here's the synopsis:

Cath is a Simon Snow fan.
Okay, the whole world is a Simon Snow fan . . .
But for Cath, being a fan is her life — and she’s really good at it. She and her twin sister, Wren, ensconced themselves in the Simon Snow series when they were just kids; it’s what got them through their mother leaving.
Reading. Rereading. Hanging out in Simon Snow forums, writing Simon Snow fanfiction, dressing up like the characters for every movie premiere.
Cath’s sister has mostly grown away from fandom, but Cath can’t let go. She doesn’t want to.
Now that they’re going to college, Wren has told Cath she doesn’t want to be roommates. Cath is on her own, completely outside of her comfort zone. She’s got a surly roommate with a charming, always-around boyfriend, a fiction-writing professor who thinks fanfiction is the end of the civilized world, a handsome classmate who only wants to talk about words . . . And she can’t stop worrying about her dad, who’s loving and fragile and has never really been alone.
For Cath, the question is: Can she do this?
Can she make it without Wren holding her hand? Is she ready to start living her own life? Writing her own stories?
And does she even want to move on if it means leaving Simon Snow behind?

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The best way to explain Cath in her new surroundings:

“In new situations, all the trickiest rules are the ones nobody bothers to explain to you. (And the ones you can't Google.)” - Rainbow Rowell, Fangirl

She's one of us! She's a reader!

“To really be a nerd, she'd decided, you had to prefer fictional worlds to the real one.” - Rainbow Rowell, Fangirl

She might be slightly neurotic:

"Like maybe you think I’m a little crazy, but I only ever let people see the tip of my crazy iceberg. Underneath this veneer of slightly crazy and socially inept, I’m a complete disaster.” - Rainbow Rowell, Fangirl

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That up there, is one of the many reasons why Cath's roommate, Reagan, is one of my favorite character in the book. And her sarcasm and sense of humor definitely helped:

“I feel sorry for you, and I'm going to be your friend."
"I don't want to be your friend," Cath said as sternly as she could. "I like that we're not friends."
"Me, too. I'm sorry you ruined it by being so pathetic.” - Rainbow Rowell, Fangirl

Cath's dad is a riot but honest:

“Honey, I've watched a lot of 90210. The parents weren't even on the show once Brandon and Brenda went to college. This is your time - you're supposed to going to frat parties and getting back together with Dylan."
"Why does everybody want me to go to frat parties?"
"Who wants you to go to frat parties? I was just kidding. Don't hang out with frat guys, Cath, they're terrible. All they do is get drunk and watch 90210.” - Rainbow Rowell, Fangirl

I can't help but agree with Wren, Cath's twin sister:

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And Levi. I can't about forget Levi. The nicest book boyfriend you'll ever meet and who'll bring you Starbucks and likes when you read him the fanfiction you wrote.

“That moment," she told Cath, "when you realize that a guy's looking at you differently - that you're taking up more space in his field of vision. That moment when you know he can't see past you anymore.” - Rainbow Rowell, Fangirl

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Of course, one of my favorite thing about this book is how Rainbow managed to describe how much a fandom can take over a person's life. And willingly. I can't describe it as well as Rainbow did or as many other authors and fans can but I agree how much fandom and everything that is associated with a fandom allows you live in that world a little longer and make new friends and experiences.

“The whole point of fanfiction is that you get to play inside somebody else's universe. Rewrite the rules. Or bend them. The story doesn't have to end. You can stay in this world, this world you love, as long as you want, as long as you keep thinking of new stories.” - Rainbow Rowell, Fangirl

On a different note, for those that have read Fangirl, how cute is this? I want one:

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About the author:

Rainbow Rowell writes books.

Sometimes she writes about adults (Attachments and Landline).

Sometimes she writes about teenagers (Eleanor & Park and Fangirl).

But she always writes about people who talk a lot. And people who feel like they’re screwing up. And people who fall in love.

When she’s not writing, Rainbow is reading comic books, planning Disney World trips and arguing about things that don’t really matter in the big scheme of things.

She lives in Nebraska with her husband and two sons.

Author's links: Website / Twitter / Facebook / Tumblr

So now you guys can go ahead and play on the Rafflecopter and do your thing. The winner will get a chance to win a copy of Fangirl. Giveaway is open internationally.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

And be sure to enter the rest of the giveaway that is open and be sure to stop by the rest of this week and see what we have in store for you guys.

*If you see your picture up here and don't want it up, just contact me and I'll quickly take it down.

Waiting on Wednesday (#51)

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

Morning swooners!

This week pre-publication "can't wait to read" selection is:

Take Me On (Pushing the Limits #4) by Katie McGarry

Expected Release Date: May 27, 2014

Links: Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Goodreads

Synopsis:

Champion kickboxer Haley swore she'd never set foot in the ring again after one tragic night.  But then the guy she can't stop thinking about accepts a mixed martial arts fight in her honor.  Suddenly, Haley has to train West Young.  All attitude, West is everything Haley promised herself she'd stay away from.  Yet he won't last five seconds in the ring without her help.

West is keeping a big secret from Haley.  About who he really is.  But helping her - fighting for her - is a shot at redemption.  Especially since it's his fault his family is falling apart.  He can't change the past, but maybe he can change Haley's future.

Haley and West have agreed to keep their relationship strictly in the ring.  But as an unexpected bond forms between them and attraction mocks their best intentions, they'll face their darkest fears and discover love is worth fighting for.

I have really enjoyed the Pushing the Limit series, and can't wait to read Take Me On! 

What are you waiting on, Swooners?

Author Interview + Giveaway: Suzanne Young

Hiya Lovelies!

As part of our Blogiversary week, we are showcasing some of our favorite authors. And so today we have the awesome Suzanne Young, author of one of my favorite duology, The Program and The Treatment, stopping by Books and Swoons.

Jenn: Suzanne, thanks so much for stopping by. I loved The Program and I'm super excited about The Treatment being released next month.

1. You have the hat of mom, teacher, and author, how do you balance all those titles and have time for yourself?

Suzanne: I haven’t had time for myself since 2001. At this point writing has become my personal time.  I’ll occasionally go to a hotel to write, and ordering room service and watching Harry Potter marathons in-between writing sessions feels pretty indulgent. Teaching actually takes up most of my life, but in the summer I’m all author. And I’m Mom 24-7. Pretty sure my kids think it’s cooler for me to be a teacher (at their school) than an author.

2. Between all the books you've written, which was the hardest/easiest to write?

The books with the toughest subject matters are usually the easiest for me to write, mostly because they are my passion projects. I need to FEEL in order to write, and those dark, emotional stories are the ones I love to tell. I have a few lighter stories that I've struggled with, but I definitely had the hardest time writing the novella A Desire so Deadly. I've learned that shorter stories are not for me because once I get going, I have too much to say.

3. Do you have a favorite character that you enjoyed writing? Although I realize this may be like asking which is your favorite kid so I apologize for asking you to choose.

I enjoy writing my main characters: Sloane, Charlotte, Tessa—but I have more fun writing side characters. I really had a great time writing James from The Program—his reactions were always hilarious to me, and I loved Onika from A Need so Beautiful because writing evil is always a blast.

4. The subject matter of The Program and The Treatment is really dark and, as a reader, I went through Sloane's slow descent into the darkness and despair, especially in The Treatment (thanks to my friend for loaning me her ARC!) If it hard enough to read, I can't even imagine how it must have been writing it. While writing The Program and The Treatment, did you slip into that kind of mentality? Did you have a hard time writing certain scenes? And how did you bounce back from it?

Some of the emotions in The Program were based on my own, so writing it was difficult at times. I cried a lot, wrote and rewrote painful scenes. But like all of my books, I put myself in a bit a trance during the process—thinking about the book all day, even when I’m not writing. When I finished the story, the first emotion I felt was loneliness. I missed the characters, and almost immediately, I started writing scenes for the next book. Spending time with my family outside of the house helped me deal, and I also watched mindless television at night to distract me.

5. Is there an author whom you fangirl over?

I’m always fangirling over Trish Doller. I adore her writing style—it’s smart and real and some of the best contemporary writing out there.

6. Which 2014 book release are you most excited about?

The first book I’m going to read on spring break from school is Lauren Oliver’s PANIC.

7. You've done the solo author and the co-author thing, which works best for you?

I loved co-writing with Cat Patrick. It was fun, and it was nice to write a book so quickly because I had a friend writing half. I think the stories I want to tell are dark, though, and extremely personal—so I like writing for myself most of the time.

Quick fire questions:
1. Coffee or tea?

Coffee

2. Favorite book? Or favorite in genre?

One of my favorite books in college was The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison 

3. Favorite book boyfriend?

Dexter from This Lullaby by Sarah Dessen

Suzanne, thanks so much for stopping by! I can't wait until The Treatment comes out on April 29th so I can get my own copy. Go out and buy, Swooners!

About the author:

Originally from New York, Suzanne Young moved to Arizona to pursue her dream of not freezing to death. She currently resides in Tempe, where she teaches high school English. When not writing obsessively, Suzanne can be found searching her own tragic memories for inspiration.
Suzanne is the author of several books for teens, including THE PROGRAM, A NEED SO BEAUTIFUL, and A WANT SO WICKED. Friend her on Facebook or follow her on Twitter @suzanne_young.  

Alright Swooners, now you get a chance to win either The Program or The Treatment. The giveaway is open internationally and all you have to do is enter down below.

Be sure to stop by this week and check out the other authors and giveaways we're hosting!
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Quotes (#51) + 1st Day of Blogiversary Week

Good Morning Swooners!
       This is a special week for Jenn and I, it's our blogiversary! *does happy dance* So, this week we wanted to do something special to celebrate with you guys. Everyday this week we will be giving away books from some of our favorite authors!!! Today's featured author is Karen Marie Moning. Here are some of our favorite quotes from her Fever Series.

"Some people bring out the worst in you, others bring out the best, and then there are those remarkable rare, addictive ones who just bring out the most. Of everything. They make you feel so alive that you'd follow them straight into hell, just to keep getting your fix."~Karen Marie Moning, Shadowfever

"The most confused we ever get is when we're trying to convince our heads of something our heart knows is a lie."~Karen Marie Moning

"He pulls me around and kisses me. "Your're Mac," hes says. "And I'm Jericho. And nothing else matters. Never will. You exist in a place that is beyond all rules for me. Do you understand that?" "I do. Jericho Barrons just told me he loves me."~Karen Marie Moning, Shadowfever

"Nobody looks good in their darkest hours. But it's those hours that make us what we are."~Karen Marie Moning, Faefever 

"Its our actions that define us. What we choose. What we resist. What we're willing to die for."~Karen Marie Moning

"Every time I think I'm getting smarter I realize that I've just done something stupid. Dad says there are three kinds of people in the world: those who don't know, and don't know they don't know; those who don't know and do know they don't know; and those who know and know how much they still don't know,Heavy stuff, I know. I think I've finally graduated from the don't knows that don't know to the don't-knows that do." ~ Karen Marie Moning, Bloodfever

"I'm not the hero, Mac. Never have been. Never will be. Let us be perfectly clear: I'm not the antihero, either, so quit waiting to discover my hidden potential. There's nothing to redeem me." ~Karen Marie Moning, Shadowfever 

About the author:  

       Karen Marie Moning (rhymes with 'awning') is a # 1 New York Times bestselling author of 15 novels, including the RITA award-winning Highlander novels and the internationally bestselling urban fantasy "Fever" series. Her books have been published in nearly 40 languages, and her events draw fans from all over the world.
       Moning graduated from Purdue University with a Bachelor's degree in Society and Law. Before becoming a full-time writer, she worked as a bartender, a computer consultant, and an insurance specialist.
      Moning began her career writing paranormal romance set in Scotland but as she became increasingly fascinated with Celtic mythology, she switched genres to Urban Fantasy and location to Dublin, Ireland, so she could focus on the Tuatha de Danann, or Fae--an ancient race of immortal beings who have lived secretly among humans for millennia.
      Moning recently completed a graphic novel for Del Rey, featuring an original story about MacKayla Lane and Jericho Barrons, and the first installment in a new Fever World trilogy, ICED. She is under contract with Random House Publishing for two additional books set in the Fever universe.
Author Links: Website / Facebook / Goodreads / Blog / Twitter

Now, for my favorite part of today, the Giveaway!!! Enter for a chance to win your choice of any book in the Fever Series by Karen Marie Moning! This giveaway is open internationally! Good luck ;)
  a Rafflecopter giveaway P.S. Remember to stop by every day this week for a chance to win more books!