The Cadet of Tildor Scavenger Hunt - Guest Review and Interview! (Oh, and a giveaway, LOL!)

Welcome to this stop on THE CADET OF TILDOR online scavenger hunt. If this is your first stop in the scavenger hunt, please go here (http://cadet.alexlidell.com/scavenger-hunt/) to learn how to collect all of the online clues that will lead to fun, prizes, and more! Don't forget, you have until midnight (eastern standard time) on Mon. Nov. 12, 2012 to enter the grand prize drawing. Good luck!
Today, I am really pleased to welcome Jessica Noreault to the blog.  :)

As you can see, Jessica was lucky enough to snag an early copy of THE CADET OF TILDOR!!! *turns green with envy* Anyway...she was kind enough to not only let me post her early, and non-spoilery, I promise!, review, but to also let me badger her with ask her a few questions. 


So, without further ado, here is Jessica's review:

Amazing, kick ass scenes, that leave you craving more!
All I can say about this book, is that it was better than I had hoped. It left you guessing the whole time, and came together at the end very nicely. You never get bored with it, and the second you think you have something figured out BAM Lidell hits you with a new twist to it!

Overall summary of the book
De Winters is a young girl who just wants to protect her people from the vicious deeds of a group called 'the family'. To do this she is working to become a cadet and serve the crown. Unfortunately, she is the only girl left among several powerful guys, and this is her last chance to prove that she can be just as good as them. Along the way she learns so much about herself, her family, and her friends. Her beliefs are put to the test, her true strength is forced to show, and she has many difficult choices to make.

Renee De Winters is a girl that many females will be able to relate to. I recommend this book to anyone who loves Tamora Pierce, Maria V Snyder, Kristin Cashore, and so on. Lidell weaves a beautiful story with many wonderful characters that you find it easy to fall in love with - or hate, depending on the scene. I went back and forth many times with a lot of the characters. They all have very distinct personalities, innocence, loyalty, strength, and honor. It is all slammed into this wonderful story. I honestly cannot wait for book 2, and Lidell has someone hounding her for any little tid bits she would give. Unfortunately D: she's not giving me anything! Haha, but seriously people. Keep an eye out for this book!

Okay, now I am just a little insanely jealous that she's already read this and I CANNOT wait to get my hands on it!! So, let's talk a little more about it, shall we? LOL.

You mention that Renee is the only girl training amongst the guys. Did she have to pass a special trial to gain acceptance? Was there a lot of hostility that she was training with them?

She's actually the only girl LEFT training among them. There were others, but they did not have what it takes to continue. As far as a trial thing goes, well you'll just have to read the book to find out, won'tcha. ;D Finally, there really isn't a massive amount of hostility towards her, it's more typical, 'we are guys, thus we can do better' sort of thing, but that's all. Each boy handles things differently when it comes down to having a girl in their ranks.

You mention how all of the characters are fully faceted. Do you have a favorite?

My favorite is a toss up between three. Obviously, De Winters, but everyone should love her. Savoy is another wonderful character, but once more he is just someone that everyone will love.  My final favorite is Diam who is just and wonderful. I cannot tell you anything about him, just that he is probably one of my MOST favorite characters in existence. Or non-existence. Ha ha.

Can you describe the world that Renee lives in using 10 words or less?

Unique and well thought out. 'Bout all I can say about that. :P

Once again, I want to thank Jessica for stopping by and giving us a little more insight into the book!

Don't forget to check out all the other stops in our Scavenger Hunt to get more info, win prizes, and collect your letters for the secret password that unlocks the grand prize giveaway here (http://cadet.alexlidell.com/novels/hunt/ )!!

Speaking of letters...today's password letter is N!

Scavenger Hunt Schedule:

Monday 11/5 - Marieke @ www.mariekenijkamp.com
Monday 11/5 - Jessica @ http://ireadtorelax.blogspot.com
Tuesday 11/6 - Yiota @ http://splashofourworlds.blogspot.com
Tuesday 11/6 - Ashley @ http://firestarbooks.blogspot.com
Wednesday 11/7 - Candace @ www.loveydoveybooks.blogspot.com
Wednesday 11/7 - Lena @ http://ilovebooksclub101.blogspot.com/
Thursday 11/8 - Frankie @ http://frankieblooding.wordpress.com
Thursday 11/8 - Ntzee @ http://maybethisbook.blogspot.com
Friday 11/9 - Frankie @ http://frankieblooding.wordpress.com/
Saturday 11/10 - Jessica @ http://ireadtorelax.blogspot.com/
Sunday 11/11 - Ashley @ http://firestarbooks.blogspot.com/


Oh, and last but not least... we all love to win prizes, right? Well, in honor of the Scavenger Hunt and THE CADET OF TILDOR, I am hosting a giveaway here on my blog.  You can enter to win a pre-ordered copy of THE CADET OF TILDOR by Alex Lidell and a sweet leather bracelet anytime between now and the end of the day on Sat. Nov. 17th, 2012. 


a Rafflecopter giveaway

GOOD LUCK!!!!

The Cadet of Tildor Scavenger Hunt - Book Trailer and Link to Giveaways!!

Welcome to this stop on THE CADET OF TILDOR online scavenger hunt. If this is your first stop in the scavenger hunt, please go here (http://cadet.alexlidell.com/scavenger-hunt/) to learn how to collect all of the online clues that will lead to fun, prizes, and more! Don't forget, you have until midnight (eastern standard time) on Mon. Nov. 12, 2012 to enter the grand prize drawing. Good luck!

Today, I am super excited to present The Cadet of Tildor book trailer:

 

Doesn't this book look great?

A. They did a great job filming the trailer. The actors are Italian and they shot in Italy (gorgeous scenery!!) and it really gives the right feel for the book!

B. I love books with strong heroines. Renee looks like a girl who can definitely stand on her own...and to find out that she'll help to change the future of their kingdom... this book souNds like it has it all... intrigue, battles, friendships, girl power...

I can't wait for it to come out on Jan. 10th!!

 
There is a new king on the throne of Tildor. Currents of political unrest sweep the country as two warring crime families seek power, angling to exploit the young Crown's inexperience. At the Academy of Tildor, the training ground for elite soldiers, Cadet Renee de Winter struggles to keep up with her male peers. But when her mentor, a notorious commander recalled from active duty to teach at the Academy, is kidnapped to fight in illegal gladiator games, Renee and her best friend Alec find themselves thrust into a world rife with crime, sorting through a maze of political intrigue, and struggling to resolve what they want, what is legal, and what is right.



Don't forget to check out the other stops in the Scavenger Hunt for your chances to get more info, win prizes, and collect your letters for the secret password that unlocks the grand prize giveaway here (http://cadet.alexlidell.com/novels/hunt/)!!!

Scavenger Hunt Schedule:
Monday 11/5 - Marieke @ www.mariekenijkamp.com
Monday 11/5 - Jessica @ http://ireadtorelax.blogspot.com
Tuesday 11/6 - Yiota @ http://splashofourworlds.blogspot.com
Tuesday 11/6 - Ashley @ http://firestarbooks.blogspot.com
Wednesday 11/7 - Candace @ www.loveydoveybooks.blogspot.com
Wednesday 11/7 - Lena @ http://ilovebooksclub101.blogspot.com/
Thursday 11/8 - Frankie @ http://frankieblooding.wordpress.com
Thursday 11/8 - Ntzee @ http://maybethisbook.blogspot.com
Friday 11/9 - Frankie @ http://frankieblooding.wordpress.com/
Saturday 11/10 - Jessica @ http://ireadtorelax.blogspot.com/
Sunday 11/11 - Ashley @ http://firestarbooks.blogspot.com/
Monday 11/12 - JoAnne @ www.thefairytalenerd.com

GOOD LUCK!!!

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Hades - Book Trailer and Giveaway!

Guess what came out today? The second book in Alexandra Adornetto's sweeping angel trilogy, Hades. The first book, Halo, began Bethany's journey on Earth...and now to fight the forces of evil, she'll have to travel into Hell...



Zieghost Media has graciously allowed me to host a giveaway! One lucky winner will receive a finished copy of Hades. To enter, all you need to do is leave me a comment before Monday, Sept. 5th with your name, email address, and the name of your favorite angel from books, TV, movies - whatever! On Tues., Sept. 6th, I will randomly draw the winner and they will have until Sat., Sept. 10th to get me their mailing address (US/Canada only per publisher - sorry!). GOOD LUCK!!

The Mischief of the Mistletoe - Giveaway!

Happy Holidays Everyone!

The lovely people at Dutton have given me not only my own copy of The Mischief of the Mistletoe by Lauren Willig to review, but have also gifted me a lovely second copy, plus a beautiful, matching custom ornament, to giveaway to one of you!!



The Mischief of the Mistletoe: A Pink Carnation Christmas by Lauren Willig

'Tis the season to get Pink! Lauren Willig's beloved Pink Carnation series gets into the holiday spirit with this irresistible Regency Christmas caper.

Arabella Dempsey's dear friend Jane Austen warned her against teaching. But Miss Climpson's Select Seminary for Young Ladies seems the perfect place for Arabella to claim her independence while keeping an eye on her younger sisters nearby. Just before Christmas, she accepts a position at the quiet girls' school in Bath, expecting to face nothing more exciting than conducting the annual Christmas recital. She hardly imagines coming face to face with French aristocrats and international spies...

Reginald "Turnip"Fitzhugh-often mistaken for the elusive spy known as the Pink Carnation- has blundered into danger before. But when he blunders into Miss Arabella Dempsey, it never occurs to him that she might be trouble. When Turnip and Arabella stumble upon a beautifully wrapped Christmas pudding with a cryptic message written in French, "Meet me at Farley Castle," the unlikely vehicle for intrigue launches the pair on a Yuletide adventure that ranges from the Austens'modest drawing room to the awe-inspiring estate of the Dukes of Dovedale, where the Dowager Duchess is hosting the most anticipated event of the year: an elaborate twelve-day Christmas celebration. Will they find poinsettias or peril, dancing or danger? Is it possible that the fate of the British Empire rests in Arabella's and Turnip's hands, in the form of a festive Christmas pudding?
(description taken from Amazon.com)

I am currently reading my own copy and it is so good!! My review can be found here. I absolutely adore this series. If you are a historical fiction fan, if you love light romances, if you love spy stories, if you love funny, if you love...well, I could just go on forever. Basically, if you haven't yet read The Secret History of the Pink Carnation, I highly recommend you go out, get it, and READ it!

:)

This is an amazing series! Though you should start with the first book, you do not absolutely have to, and if for instance you wanted to try and start with this Christmas book... you could! Plus you'd have an adorable matching ornament to go on your tree this year!

If you would like to enter the giveaway (US only. Sorry!), please leave me a comment with your favorite type of holiday decoration and your email address. The giveaway will be open until Midnight on Monday, December 13th, and I will contact the winner on Tuesday, December 14th. Hopefully, I can then get your book and ornament out to you before Christmas!!

In My Mailbox - November 7, 2010

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme, hosted by Kristi at the Story Siren, inspired by Alea of Pop Culture Junkie. Every week bloggers can share what they received in the mail or at the bookstore or at the library. The goal is that everyone can be exposed to more books this way!

For Review:

The Mermaid's Mirror by L.K. Madigan


Museum of Thieves by Lian Tanner


Hollywood Ending by Lucie Simone
(I will be part of her blog tour in December!)

Mischief of the Mistletoe by Lauren Willig

*I got two beautiful hardcover copies of this, PLUS two awesome custom Mischief ornaments for a December giveaway, so keep your eyes peeled!

Halo by Alexandra Adornetto

From the Library:

The Scorch Trials by James Dashner

Borrowed:

Indulgence in Death by J. D. Robb

*Thanks, Sharon!!

"Girls Who Could Definitely Kick My Butt" ARC Giveaway

I love books with strong female protagonists. My reviews will prove that over and over...and over. Yet, what's even better is a girl who's tough and flawed. Someone real. No cyborgs, please!

So in honor of my love for kick-butt heroines, I've decided to do a "Girls Who Could Definitely Kick My Butt" ARC Giveaway. I have three awesome books to make up this package deal.


Paranormalcy by Kiersten White
Evie's always thought of herself as a normal teenager, even though she works for the International Paranormal Containment Agency, her ex-boyfriend is a faerie, she's falling for a shape-shifter, and she's the only person who can see through paranormals' glamours.
But Evie's about to realize that she may very well be at the center of a dark faerie prophecy promising destruction to all paranormal creatures. So much for normal.
(see my review here)


Sisters Red by Jackson Pearce
Scarlett March lives to hunt the Fenris- the werewolves that took her eye when she was defending her sister Rosie from a brutal attack. Armed with a razor-sharp hatchet and blood-red cloak, Scarlett is an expert at luring and slaying the wolves. She's determined to protect other young girls from a grisly death, and her raging heart will not rest until every single wolf is dead.
Rosie March once felt her bond with her sister was unbreakable. Owing Scarlett her life, Rosie hunts ferociously alongside her. But even as more girls' bodies pile up in the city and the Fenris seem to be gaining power, Rosie dreams of a life beyond the wolves. She finds herself drawn to Silas, a young woodsman who is deadly with an ax and Scarlett's only friend - but does loving him mean betraying her sister and all that they've worked for?
(see my review here)


Devil's Kiss by Sarwat Chadda
There is nothing to fear but fear itself...and Billi SanGreal.
As the youngest and only female member of the Knights Templar, Bilquis SanGreal grew up knowing she wasn't normal. Instead of hanging out at the mall or going on dates, she spends her free time training as a soldier in her order's ancient battle agianst the Unholy.
Billi's cloistered life is blasted apart when her childhood friend, Kay, returns from Jerusalem, gorgeous and with a dangerous chip on his shoulder. He's ready to reclaim his place in Billi's life, but she's met someone new: amber-eyed Michael, who seems to understand her like no one else, effortlessly claiming a stake in her heart.
But the Templars are called to duty before Billi can enjoy the pleasant new twist to her life. One of the order's ancient enemies has resurfaced, searching for a treasure that the Templars have protected for hundreds of years - a cursed mirror powerful enough to kill all London's firstborn. To save her city from catastrophe, Billi will have to put her heart aside and make sacrifices greater than any of the Templars could have imagined.
(see my review here)

The women that lead the stories in each of these books are brave, strong, self-confident...well, mostly, and in general just kick butt!! In the spirit of rockin' sisterhood, I want to pass these along to inspire other readers.

To enter the ARC giveaway, just leave a comment on this post stating which of the three you want to read the most (though the lucky winner will get all three!) with your email address by Thursday, August 5th. You must live in the United States so that I can ship the books to you. You will get one extra entry if you are a follower of my blog. I will randomly draw one winner on Friday, August 6th and email you directly to get your address for shipping. Good Luck!!