Dark Days Tour Signing Recap

Today on the blog, Emily is bringing a recap of the book signing she went to last night aka the best freaking night of her life. 

As you might have seen, I went to see Veronica Roth last month for her Insurgent Release Tour. It was wonderful. She's seriously sweet. I love her. A lot. My friend Brian and I have declared ourselves Veronica Roth groupies. It's great to not be in denial.

Moving on - Veronica was a featured author for the Dark Days Tour hosted by Pitch Dark Books. She was joined by authors: Bethany Griffin, Aprilynne Pike and Elizabeth Norris. So when I said that meeting Veronica last month was the best day ever, I kinda lied. BECAUSE I GOT TO MEET HER AGAIN, AND SHE SAID SHE KNEW MY BLOG. I haven't been a blogger very long, but to hear that one of my favorite authors knows my blog was probably the coolest thing that I've ever heard. There is another bonus to last night: RAE CARSON WAS THERE. Holy wonderousness, Batman! She wasn't a scheduled appearence, but since she's a local author, she came to see Bethany Griffin, with whom she shares an editor. I know this because I talked to her and told her she has to do a signing soon because my book for her was at home. So she signed some paper for me... Because I love her. I'm fangirling really hard just thinking about last night... Sorry!

Onward to pictures!

The stage for the signing. My mom, Brian and I got pretty good seats!

Liz was talking about Unraveling.

This is just in there because Veronica is looking at my camera... When I saw that after going through my pictures, I was freaking fangirling.

I don't remember why they are laughing... but Aprilynne's face... Hahahaha!

Liz chatting about my blog and Goodreads.

Cover-To-Cover has their featured authors sign the walls! How neat is that?

The other part of the wall.

Aprilynne signing the wall!

Veronica signing above the panel. She jokingly claimed to be egotistical after I told her she was the only author with a spotlight on their name. She's so funny! :)

Bethany signing the wall!

Liz signing the wall!

Group photo!

Now for the pictures of my books and swag!

Okay, enough of my bragging. Hope you all have wonderful weekend! TGIF!

Book Review: Masque of the Red Death (Masque of the Red Death #1) by Bethany Griffin

The blurb as seen on Goodreads:

Release Date: April 24, 2012
Publisher: Harper Collins
320 Pages

Everything is in ruins.

A devastating plague has decimated the population. And those who are left live in fear of catching it as the city crumbles to pieces around them.

So what does Araby Worth have to live for?

Nights in the Debauchery Club, beautiful dresses, glittery make-up . . . and tantalizing ways to forget it all.

But in the depths of the club—in the depths of her own despair—Araby will find more than oblivion. She will find Will, the terribly handsome proprietor of the club. And Elliott, the wickedly smart aristocrat. Neither boy is what he seems. Both have secrets. Everyone does.

And Araby may find something not just to live for, but to fight for—no matter what it costs her.

VISIT THE AUTHOR:

Goodreads.Twitter.Website.Facebook

FIND THE BOOK:

Goodreads.Amazon.Barnes & Noble

Review:

Masque of the Red Death had probably the most interesting, amazing, intriguing cover that I've seen so far in 2012. I was captivated by how creepy it was. I wanted to get my hands on it before I even read the summary. And then I read the summary and needed it even more! My mother, being the generous woman she is, bought it for me during a quick Barnes & Noble trip. Even she thought the cover was awesome!

The book is based off of a story written by Edgar Allen Poe. The original is scary just as most of Mr. Poe's stories are. The author of Masque of the Red Death, Bethany Griffin, plays off the already horrifying idea that he created and turns into a full-fledged novel. Before starting this new spin-off, I definitely recommend reading Mr. Poe's version. It really builds up the book that Ms. Griffin writes.

The writing is haunting. I could feel the character's unhappiness and desperation as I read. Araby's desolate feelings radiated off the page and really stuck with me. This book grabbed at me and held me captive for the beginning. The phrasing was wonderful. It read at a fast pace and the books moved through time steadily. It was great to read a book that didn't dawdle with the plot. Masque of the Red Death dove right into story.

I did run into some trouble though. I found myself falling for the guy that I'm pretty sure Araby won't end up with. I always do that, but since this is a series, I have hope (some) that Araby will come to her senses. Even though both guys are pretty awesome, in totally different ways, I sided with one immediately and stuck with that side through the entire book. I won't tell you who, because I don't want to give away what happens - but know that I LOVE HIM.

I got nervous as I was reading this so it took me a while. When something happens that I don't like happens in a book, I start to stray and bide my time while reading. That happened with this one. While the plot and the characters are most intriguing, I just started to… not really "lose interest," but I found myself worried that I wasn't going to like the book or that it would turn into a story that was more about which guy she was going to pick than the amazing plot that the author set up.

The idea of the "Red Death" is terrifying. I'm literally haunted by the idea, but I can't help but fall in love with the creepy way that the author writes it. I am not horror fan by any means, but this deadly and dangerous disease really took me captive. The idea of this actually occurring would be no means be as entertaining, but I couldn't help but to put myself in Araby's shoes. I was curious about everything that had led up to this and how people were able to live through it. The plot idea was just perfect.

I really enjoyed this book. It wasn't perfect, but it was pretty darn close. And what's even better? By the end, I didn't hate the love triangle! Woo-hoo! Ms. Griffin writes an amazing tale, full of love, betrayal, twists, turns, horror and adventure! I recommend this to anyone who's not afraid of the dark.

Teaser Tuesday: Masque of the Red Death (Masque of the Red Death #1) by Bethany Griffin

Teaser Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by MizB over at Should Be Reading!

To participate all you have to do is:

•Grab your current read

•Open to a random page

•Share two (2) "teaser" sentences from somewhere on that page

•BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure what you share doesn't give too much away! You don't want to ruin the book for others!) 

 Share the title and author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

-----------------------------

"I rest my cheek against the coolness of the glass window. I have been here so long that my cheek is frigid, even when I touch it with my already cold fingers."
Chapter 2, Page 17
Masque of the Red Death (Masque of the Red Death #1) by Bethany Griffin

-----------------------------

Top Ten Tuesday (3)

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly Tuesday mene hosted by The Broke and the Bookish.

This week's top ten list is of books being released between March 20, 2012 and June 21, 2012. In honor of the start of spring!

The order of this Top Ten List is publication date!


1. Goddess Interrupted by Aimee Carter
Release Date: March 27, 2012
2. Slide by Jill Hathaway
Release Date: March 27, 2012


3. The Immortal Rules by Julie Kagawa
Release Date: April 24, 2012

4. Masque of the Red Death by Bethany Griffin
Release Date: April 24, 2012

5. The Selection by Kiera Cass
Release Date: April 24, 2012


6. Insurgent by Veronica Roth
Release Date: May 1, 2012

7. Sweet Evil by Wendy Higgins
Release Date: May 1, 2012


8. City of Lost Souls by Cassandra Clare
Release Date: May 8, 2012

9. A Midsummer's Nightmare by Kody Keplinger
Release Date: June 5, 2012

10. Surrender by Elana Johnson
Release Date: June 5, 2012

Because of technological problems, this was posted on 3/23/2012.

I'm really looking forward to buying all of these books. And it looks like on a few of these days, I'll be going hardcore broke because I must own them all! Hahahaha!

On My Wishlist (2)

On My Wishlist is hosted by Book Chick City

This week, Emily's wishlist is going dystopian!

#1 The Way We Fall by Megan Crewe

The blurb as seen on Goodreads:
It starts with an itch you just can't shake. Then comes a fever and a tickle in your throat. A few days later, you'll be blabbing your secrets and chatting with strangers like they’re old friends. Three more, and the paranoid hallucinations kick in. 

And then you're dead. 

When a deadly virus begins to sweep through sixteen-year-old Kaelyn’s community, the government quarantines her island—no one can leave, and no one can come back. Those still healthy must fight for dwindling supplies, or lose all chance of survival. 

As everything familiar comes crashing down, Kaelyn joins forces with a former rival and discovers a new love in the midst of heartbreak. When the virus starts to rob her of friends and family, she clings to the belief that there must be a way to save the people she holds dearest. Because how will she go on if there isn't? 

Megan Crewe crafts a powerful and gripping exploration of self-preservation, first love, and hope. Poignant and dizzying, this heart-wrenching story of one girl’s bravery and unbeatable spirit will leave readers fervently awaiting the next book in this standout new series.

Doesn't that sound awesome? I am dying to read it... (Did you catch that pun?)

#2 Masque of the Red Death by Bethany Griffin

The blurb as seen on Goodreads:

Everything is in ruins. 

A devastating plague has decimated the population. And those who are left live in fear of catching it as the city crumbles to pieces around them. 

So what does Araby Worth have to live for? 

Nights in the Debauchery Club, beautiful dresses, glittery make-up . . . and tantalizing ways to forget it all. 

But in the depths of the club—in the depths of her own despair—Araby will find more than oblivion. She will find Will, the terribly handsome proprietor of the club. And Elliott, the wickedly smart aristocrat. Neither boy is what he seems. Both have secrets. Everyone does. 

And Araby may find something not just to live for, but to fight for—no matter what it costs her.

Again, amazing! It sounds great and the cover? Beautiful!

#3 Rebel Heart by Moira Young

The blurb as seen on Goodreads:

The Tonton have been defeated. Lugh has been rescued. 
The heartstone has brought Saba and Jack together. 
Now, Saba and her family head west to meet him and start a new life. All should be well. 
But shadows of the dead are stalking Saba. 
And another kind of shadow is creeping over the dustlands. 
Then a messenger shows up. 
With news of Jack.

The first book of this series was amazing. This one looks like it will be just as good, if not better! I can't wait for its release in October.

What's on your wishlist this week?