Blood Magic by Tessa Gratton & Interview w/Tessa!

Blood Magic (Blood Journals, #1)

By Tessa Gratton

Publisher: Random House Children's Books, 2011

405 pages, hardcover

Date Finished: 19/6/2011

Genres: Young Adult, Coming of Age, Fantasy, Romance, Action

Draw a circle ... place a dead leaf in the center ... sprinkle some salt ... recite a little Latin ... add a drop of blood ...


Maybe that last part isn't exactly simple. Yet somehow it feels right to Silla Kennicott. And nothing in her life has felt remotely right since her parents' horrific deaths. She's willing to do anything to uncover the truth about her family—even try a few spells from the mysterious book that arrived on her doorstep ... and spill some blood.

The book isn't the only recent arrival in Silla's life. There's Nick Pardee, the new guy next door who may have seen Silla casting a spell. She's not sure what he saw and is afraid to find out. But as they spend more time together, Silla realizes this may not be Nick's first encounter with Blood Magic. Brought together by a combination of fate and chemistry, Silla and Nick can't deny their attraction. And they can't ignore the dark presence lurking nearby—waiting to reclaim the book and all its power.

Tessa Gratton's intoxicating first novel will keep pulses racing, minds reeling, and pages turning right up to the very last drop of blood.
~from goodreads.com~

~First Line: "I am Josephine Darly, and I intend to live forever."
~Last Line: "Silla stared at the eyes of the first one and reached out her hand."

Review: Blood Magic was not what I thuoght it would be. It was even better!!

I was so instantaneously pulled in to the story as Silla received the book full of spells that was simply signed "The Deacon." He obviously knew her father if he was sending this to her, but her dad would never have believed in magic, right? Wll, it's wrong.

The characters in this novel were really awesome. They were thought out for sure. I would like to applaud Tessa (and every other author whose book I'm reviewing this week) for their amazing details! You could be probably be the character/s if they got any more descriptive. That's definitely a good thing, though!

The plot line of Blood Magic is  unquestionably original if you ask me. I've never read a book like this at all. Entirely intriguing and a completely new concept. I really loved it and can't wait until The Blood Keeper is released!! :)

 (10 out of 5)

Quotes from the book:

"And just like that she was crying. I felt a little like That Guy who holds a baby at arm's length because he's afraid it's going to pee on him.."

" 'Stars, hide your fires; let not light see my black and deep desires.'
Automatically, I replied, 'I'd like to see your deep--' but thank God I stopped before I said something unforgiveable in front of her grandma.
And her brother."

" 'It was Lilith, wasn't it? What did that b---h say now?'
'Nicholas Pardee, you will not, I repeat, not refer to MAry by that awful name.'
'Which one?' "

______________________________________________________________

And now, for the interview with Tessa Gratton herself!!!!!!!

1. Have you always wanted to be an author?
Since I was about 8! I wanted to be other things, too. A ballerina, a paleontologist, an actor, and a wizard. (I still want to be a wizard.)

2. What gave you the idea for Blood Magic?
I was walking my dog around the park, and I just thought of it! Originally, it was about a brother and sister dealing with magical powers, with an evil body-snatcher after them!

3. If you could go anywhere in the world for a week, where would you go?
Oh, everywhere! Someplace I know I love: either Sydney, Australia, or Budapest, Hungary. If it’s a place I haven’t been but want to go… Sweden.

4. Who are some of your favorite authors?
Robin McKinley, Patricia McKillip, Kristin Cashore, Anne Rice, Melina Marchetta, Tim O’Brien.

5. What can we expect from you within the next few years?
I have a companion novel to Blood Magic out in the next year, and after that, I can’t say! Hopefully a new series!

6. What do you l ike to do when you’re not writing?
I’m addicted to Netflix – especially crime dramas and comedy. I also love walking outside under the big Kansas sky and spending time grilling with friends.

7. Do you have a favorite movie?
Oooo. Um. “Spirited Away” probably, if I HAVE to pick one. It’s AMAZING.

8. Is there a specific day that you love to write on?
Any of them! All of them!

9. How can my followers and I keep up with you?
I’ve got a website: http://www.tessagratton.com/, with links to my blog, Twitter, FB page, GoodReads page, and YouTube page. I’m all over the place!


Awesome interview, Tessa!

Night World: Volume 1 by L.J. Smith

Night World: Volume 1 (Night World, #1-3)
By L.J. Smith
Publisher: Simon Pulse, 2008
729 pages, paperback
Date Finished: 23/12/2010
Genres: Young Adult, Fantasy, Romance, Action

Synopsis: In Secret Vampire, Poppy thought the summer would last forever. Then she was diagnosed with terminal cancer. Now Poppy's only hope for survival is James, her friend and secret love. A vampire in the Night World, James can make Poppy immortal. But first they both must risk everything to go against the laws of the Night World.

Fugitives from Night World, three vampire sisters leave their isolated home to live among humans in Daughters of Darkness. Their brother, Ash, is sent to bring the girls back, but he falls in love with their beautiful friend.

Two witch cousins fight over their high school crush. It's a battle between black magic and white magic in Spellbinder.
~back of book~

~First Line: "It was on the first day of summer vacation that Poppy found out she was going to die."
~Last Line: "She held Eric and felt his breathing and was at peace with the night."

Review: This was my second time reading this omnibus, and I rediscovered why I love this series so much! There were magnificent characters, spectacular plots, and a good amount of action -- not too much, not too little. Since the book's covers contain three books, I will give a mini-review of each novel.

Secret Vampire: The first stories in omnibuses seem to always end up being my favorites; it was no different when I reread this series starter. The heroine, Poppy, finds out that she has cancer and there's no cure. The hero, James, has a startling secret -- he's a vampire. The only way Poppy will survive is if she's turned; will she give up her life, family, and friends? *My favorite character in SV: Phillip, because he's the kind of older brother I would have liked to have.*

Daughters of Darkness: The sequel novel revolves around "three renegade vampires and a secret vampire killer." When Rowan, Kestrel, and Jade move in with their aunt, they discover that someone has murdered her -- and knew she was a vampire. Mary-Lynnette, the heroine of DoD, gets caught in the midst of everything when her curiousity gets the better of her logic. Then there's Ash, the hero. How can he and Mary-Lynnette ever be soulmates when they basically can't even stand each other? *My favorite character in DoD: Ash, because he always has some sort of smart-allicky comment, and whenever he was alone with M-L, you could tell that he really did care; he just didn't show it in public.*

Spellbinder: Thea and Blaise, witches you've been raised together since early youth, have only one chance left. They've been expelled from their high school after being there for only one month -- again. Now they are living with Grandma Harman, and if they mess up again -- rather, if Blaise messes up again -- they will be shipped to the Convent, the dark and gloomy home of their Aunt Ursula (the name even creeps me out). Blaise is up to no good as usual with the human boys at their new school. Thea, our heroine, is trying to keep her in line. Then she meets Eric, our gorgeous, totally popular, every-girl-wants-to-be-with-him hero. Blaise wants him to be her new boytoy, and Thea must take a stad against her "sister." Who will win the guy in a fight between witches? *My favorite character in Spellbinder: Thea, because she's always trying to take care of other people and make others happy. She puts everyone before herself.*

Overall, this omnibus was absolutely fabulous, and I can't wait to reread the next three Night World books! :D



Quotes from the Book:

" 'Are you nuts? Look, Phil, I was born in San Francisco. I'm not some bug-eyed monster from Alpha Centauri. I eat Wheaties for breakfast.' " ~Secret Vampire

"Jade put down the suitcase and cat carrier and pulled at the gate. To her surprise, itmoved easily.
'See, it may not look good, but it still works--' She didn't get to finish the sentence properly. The gate fell on her." ~Daughters of Darkness

" 'I wash my hands of you two and I don't want to know what's going on. Besides, I've got worries of my own. I have to decide between a Maserati and a Karmann Ghia.' " ~Spellbinder

Fire Burn & Cauldron Bubble Review

 Funny Humorous Fantasy... Part 2

Wednesday is finally here!  Happy Hump Day!

What is up with the Part 2?

 Well, the Fairy will tell you!

You missed Part 1?

You crazy reader you.

It was a Book Review on a great book 

that has worked its way around the blog-o-sphere.  

To Kill A Warlock!

Visit to see the awesome review by Black Disaster Fairy!

Part 2 is TODAY, silly.

A Book Review of H.P. Mallory's second e-book is smashing

up this blog by yours truly, Black Disaster Fairy!

Fire Burn & Cauldron Bubble!

Also, for those of those of you who would love to have a chance to be in a book.

HP Mallory is going to make that happen for one lucky winner.

If you are amazingly lucky you as a character will be in her next book, Toil & Trouble.

Release date in Jan. 2011.  

Not only will you be apart of this coming book but character will continue through the series!

Yes, the Fairy said that right!

The winner will be found in several books!  Fun!!!

More Perks!!

Yes, HP Mallory is that awesome!

You will also get the book before everyone else! 

PLUS

Her other two books, in PAPERBACK! 

Click Here to Enter!

Part 3 is Oct 27th.

Yes, three parts and we are saving the best for last.

We will post a few answers by H.P. Mallory

about random awesomeness and her path as a

Indie Author.
*Shoot us a separate comment if you have a question for Mallory!*

PLUS, there will be a giveaway of the fabulous books that are going under

amazing review, by me!
Otherwise you can visit Smashwords and pick up these
awesome e-books!
*We know how I love to save a few trees!*

Wednesday is a great day!

!

Fire Burn & 

Cauldron Bubble

By: H.P. Mallory

Series:  Jolie Wilkins Series

Publisher:  Smashwords

E-Book!!

Rating: 4.5

Book Art: Cute... 4

Genre:  Paranormal Romance, Urban Fantasy, Adult

First Line:  It's not every day you see a ghost.

Review:

Jolie finds out that she simply is not what she thought she was.  How do you go from being a fortune teller to a person with the ability to see ghosts?  Ok, perhaps that would be fun for a little while.  I mean so many of us HUMANS want to be something other then what we are now.  Crazy.  But for Jolie things get a bit crazier, not only does she see ghosts but she is able to make the dead come back to life!  Wow!  Now those are some crazy super powers.  Someone needs to call Batman and tell him to hang up his cape.  Seriously, I love Batman!  Don't really do that.

Soon a tall dark handsome man comes to her psychic shop to sweep her off her feet hire her to help find out who killed the ghost.  Rand is a warlock who helps show Jolie that she is truly a witch, and boy, a powerful grandmommy of them to boot!  He also shows her that she can never go back to being a plain ol' human.  I mean who would want to?  Not I, said the Fairy!  However, Rand has this one rule that makes you grin because you know there will be some rule breaking somewhere, it is a paranormal romance after all!  Rand does not think that a boss should not mix business with pleasure with his employee.

Well, I'll be darn... let the rule breaking begin!  Ok, I will spare you from all of the lusting yummy hotness because I know you want to read that for yourself.  (Which I recommend you do!)  Another witch tries to claim Jolie for herself.  Which I did not see coming but was a great plot twist because our handsome stud, Rand, battle for his right to keep Jolie as an employee.  Wait!  He just wants to keep his employee?  There must be some magical labor laws.  Hmm... There is more!  He is also battling his growing feelings for Jolie.  *Ahh*  I told you there would be some rule breaking!

I did not have a problem getting into the book.  Although, I must admit that I was hoping for a bit more of a clean ending.  Perhaps, just more BANG!  Fear not! This is just the first in the series, we will learn more later on.  Even with the wanting more at the end, I was never bored throughout the book.  It was highly addictive.  Like the Dark Chocolate the Fairy Loves so much!  I hope HP Mallory keeps the wit and interesting characters coming.  This story was just as fun to read as her other book and would be just too hard to pick out which one I liked the most.  


I am now a fan!

4 - Smooches.  

If it was a actual book you would see kiss marks all over for originality!  

I do not think you will be disappointed.

Tall, Dark, and Dead by Tate Hallaway

Tall, Dark, and Dead by Tate Hallaway
Publisher: Berkly Books, 2006
Pages: 295
Genres: Action, Adult, Halloween, Romance, Paranormal

A delightful new comedy about witches, vampires, and the search for the perfect man. Recovering witch Garnet Lacey manages Wisconsin's premier occult bookstore. And a fringe benefit of the job is getting customers like Sebastian Von Traum-piercing brown eyes, a sexy accent, and a killer body. The only thing missing is an aura. Which means he's dead. And that means trouble. So what's a girl to do if she's hot for a dead man walking? Run like hell-and take full advantage of the nights.

Super cute book! I think the cover's really cute too, now that I think about it. I really enjoyed reading this. It was so original! It's one of those books that you curl up with on the couch next to the fire on a colder night. Ah, if only that could have happened with this book but unfortunately living with other people makes it hard to happen. The characters were really cute and the plot kept me reading, not always through the night but when it dropped off a bit it got right back on with a new twist or plot. This is a good book to read when you just want to relax and have a good funny read. Hallaway has a good way of making things that are normally heavy light, which is great attribute to have in writing!

As I said before about sitting with this book on a nice fall/winter night this book can be categorized as a Halloween book but definitely not limited to the season. As for it being an adult book beware, this is a book for adults or mature teens as it does have some kind of explicit sex. Not to explicit but if sex in books bother you in any way this is not a book for you. That said, I didn't think it was all that bad. Oh and as for the Garnet, our main character, I was reading some other reviews before I read the book and some of them did not like Garnet because she was a little...well, slutty, and sometimes could be annoying. While I did find her very much into guys, well a certain guy I suppose, I liked her a lot but I can see where some people may not like her. But as said before, I liked her.

If you're looking for a funny Halloween story this is for you! It was very original and I can't wait to read the next book in the series!

4 Kisses!




Qoutes: I was keeping track of the qoutes that I really liked on a postcard that also served as my bookmark, but I read the book a while ago and now I can't find where I put it. But know that this book is really funny and will have you laughing lots!

Almost to Die For by Tate Hallaway

Almost to Die For by Tate Hallaway
Publisher: New American Library 2010
Pages: 241 pages
Genres: Action, Coming of age, Romance, Young adult

Anastasija Parker only has to worry about all the normal worries of a teen and then some. Ana's father, whom she's never known, comes to her on her sixteenth birthday. It all should be great right? Wrong. Ana's mother who's raised her as a single mother, is a witch. And Ana's father is a vampire, and a king no less. Things should seem great except for the fact that vampires and witches are mortal enemies.

Ana's father wants her to join him and become the rightful princess she is while her mother wants her to become a True Witch. Her parents battle it out for Ana's destiny. If that isn't bad enough Ana meets a vampire gentlemen and bad-boy vampire who is vying for her affections as well as a male witch she's known for some time. Ana needs to figure out what destiny she'll choose and who will be by her side along the way.

This book was a long anticipated wait for me ever since I found out about it many months ago. So, thank you to Tate Hallaway for sending me a copy. I was thrilled to get the book and very anxious to start reading it. I have to say that it was different from what I expected but not in a bad way at all. I finished this book in two days, it was a really good fast pace read that you needed to keep reading on to find out what happened. I really liked it and think it was a great start to a new series! I now am anxiously anticipating the second one!

This book is great that it deals with witches, I've been trying to find some books with both witches and vampires in them and this was the perfect mix. Along with the humor that had me laughing and Ana's strong personality this book was a perfect summer read. Ana has a strong and independent personality that was refreshing. Of course a very strong point in this book is our two guys, both vampire and witch. This book has a little bit of everything in it.


4.5 Kisses!

Hex Hall by Rachel Hawkins

Hex Hall by Rachel Hawkins
Publisher: Disney Hyperion Books, 2010
Pages: 323 pages
Genres: Action, Chick Lit, Paranormal, Young Adult, and Romance

Sophie Mercer has had a hard time after finding out she's a witch. And it doesn't help that her single mother isn't a witch and her estranged father is well...estranged. So of course , being a witch with no help things are bound to go wrong and of course, they do. After a spell goes horribly wrong at Sophie's normal no-witch-but-her high school she is sent to the reform school Hex Hall.

After her first day Sophie has quite a score-card for her first official day as a witch among other witches and Prodigium, aka witches, faeries, shapeshifters, werewolves, vampires, ghost, etc... It doesn't help that there are three witches that hate her, a warlock who she's cruching on, a ghost who's stalking her, and a new roommate who happens to be the most hated person on campus, as well as the only vampire student on campus. Okay so that's not the worst that could happen right?...Wrong! Sophie soon learns that students on campus are being attacked mysteriously, and the only suspect is her only friend at Hex Hall. Sophie needs to discover who, or which ancient society that is determined to destroy all Prodigium, especially her.

Okay so long summery right? There is a lot to this book though, well it all seems complicated from the summery but it's really not. This book was awesome and refreshing. It was a great book to read before school starts as Sophie is also starting and getting back into school. If you can pick this book up before you start school, college, or even if you just go to work everyday get this book. But especially if you have to start that inevitable first day of school that leads to one long year. This was a super cute book that contained the perfect amount of humor you need before school starts. It can kind of get you back into the school spirit in a good way. Like I said this book was refreshing and I really liked that it focused on witches. In fact werewolves and vampires take a bit of a back seat to witches, faeries, and shapeshifters. Mainly there aren't as many. Oh, and it's a really good-paced book. It keeps you reading and makes you not want to put it down.

I loved the characters and plot and can not wait until book two! It's going to be a long wait and I'm not happy about that since it kind of leaves you, not really on a cliff-hanger, but more of a the-first-story-is-done-but-there-are-still-loose-ends-that-need-to-be-tied-up-and-there-are-still-many-questions-to-be-answered. Okay so I guess it is a bit of a cliff-hanger, meaning you want to read the next book right afterward but unfortunately have to wait.

5 Kisses! I know I've been giving a lot of fives but I can't help it! These books are good.





Quotes

"Or maybe they were staring at me as I tried to discreetly wipe sweat from between my brests without appearing to get to second base with myself. Hard to say."

"I heard a man and woman cry out a warning as I frantically racked my brain for some sort of throat-repairing spell, which I was clearly about need. Of course the only words I actually managed to yell at the werewolf as he ran at me were, "BAD DOG!"

"After the Great War between God and Lucifer, those angels who refused to take sides were casted out f heaven. One group-" she pointed to the tall angel in the middle-"chose to hide itself away under hills and deep in the forests. They became faeries. Another group chose to live among animals and became shapeshifters. And the last chose to intermingle with humans and became witches."
"Wow," I heard Mom say, and I turned to her with a smile.
"Good luck explaining to God that you used to spank one of his heavenly beings."

"There were only six adults in the oldest picture, and all of them looked really serious, like they'd probably kicked kittens for fun."

"She plunged her snout into my hair and took a deep shuddering breath.
I forced myself to stay very calm, and after a moment, she released me.
Giving a bashful shrug, she said, "Sorry. Werewolf thing."
"Hey, no problem," I said, even though all I could think was, Slobber! Werewolf slobber! On my skin!

"I turned around to see the groundskeeper, Cal, standing behind me. As usual he was rocking his lumberjack look-all flannel and denim. And this time he even has a prop: a giant ax, which he held in his left hand, the lethal head gleaming dully against his boot.
I don't know what the expression on my face was as I stared at the ax, but I imagined I must have looked like Elmer Fudd when Bugs Bunny had dressed up as a girl-popping eyes, jaw dropped to the ground.
Apprenetly that wasn't to far off, because Cal seemed to stifle a laugh as he lifted his ax and rested it on his shoulder.
"Relax. I'm not a psycho."
"I know that," I snapped. "You're the healing janitor dude."
"Groundskeeper."
"Isn't that like the janitor?"
"No it's like the groundskeeper."

"You are more prepared than the Girl Scouts." I'd muttered. Then I'd fainted."