Review: Take Them By Storm by Marie Landry

*This book is New Adult

As with any review I do for Marie's books, I will start with the necessary disclaimer: Marie Landry is a long-time blogger friend whom I have known for several years. I do not say this to discredit the integrity of my review, but rather to ensure that all cards are laid on the table when you read it.

That said, what were my thoughts going into Take Them By Storm? First and foremost that I know I'm late to the party. This released a while ago and I was not actively blogging or reading much at that time. Second, that I was pretty sure going in that this book would be a safe bet for me. I've enjoyed everything Marie has written, so I was fairly certain Take Them By Storm would be the literary equivalent of catching up with old friends.

Was I right? Read on and find out...

(Summary from GoodReads)

This book is a standalone companion novel to Waiting for the Storm and After the Storm.

Sadie Fitzgerald has always been different, and not just because she makes her own clothes and would rather stay home watching Doctor Who than party with kids her age. When it’s time to leave Angel Island for college, Sadie is eager to put her old life behind her. Small-minded people and rumors have plagued her for years, but with the love of her adoptive family, the O’Dells, Sadie has learned to embrace who she is. Now she’s not afraid to admit the rumors about her are true: she’s gay.

For the first time in her life, Sadie feels free to be herself. She dives into college life and begins volunteering at the local LGBT center, where she discovers her small-town upbringing left holes in her education about life outside Angel Island.

The world is a bigger and more accepting place than Sadie ever imagined. She’s finally found where she belongs, but with the reappearance of someone from her past, an unexpected new friendship, and a chance at love, Sadie soon realizes she still has a lot to learn about life, friendship, and love.

The first thing I can say about Take Them By Storm is that it covered all the things I expect (at this point) from a Marie Landry novel. Relatable characters? Check. Beautiful writing with a natural flow? Absolutely. Gorgeous, descriptive prose complete with a setting so vibrantly realized that it seems like its own character? Without question. I had tried samples of three other books on my June reading list and failed to connect with them. I definitely did not have that problem here. 

It was beautiful going back to this story world. (I view all stories as their own worlds, even if they are set in ours.) It was great being reunited with Charlotte, Ella, River and Ezra. It was also wonderful getting to know Sadie better. I had hoped she would get her own story and now that I have read it I feel that hope was definitely justified. 

The shift from YA to NA was handled well and felt organic for the characters. The characters from previous books were also consistent with who I knew them to be, while still carrying enough growth and depth for me to believe that a year had passed and they were all headed to work / university / college. 

Just as vital as the growth I see in the characters is the growth I see in Marie's writing. She used a plot device that drove me slightly batty in one of her earlier books and then turned it completely on its head. She also managed to have me convinced that was not going to happen until the last minute, which made for some very tense, fidgety, nail-biting reading that I usually don't get from contemporary books. 

She also did something extremely clever with the romance here, which was definitely a bold move considering that she was already expanding her horizons by writing a romance with two ladies. I don't want to say much more about what goes on in the romance, as I feel that the way it turns out and is developed over the course of the book is one of Take Them By Storm's most intriguing and memorable aspects. Especially from a writing point of view. 

Last, I think it's clever how Marie is tying various places she has set up within her re-imagining of Ontario together. Getting to see Melody and Oliva from The Game Changer was a fun surprise. 

Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Do you even need to ask? Take Them By Storm is a great novel in its own right, as well as a continuation of the excellent storytelling and gorgeous writing I have come to expect and enjoy in every Marie Landry novel that I read. If you have not read any of Marie's books and you're a fan of contemporary fiction, do yourself a favor and try one. 

I Love Contemporary YA!

There are two genres that make up the largest bulk of what I read and I'll be covering both this month. Since Contemporary starts with a C, it gets to go first.

Why I Love Contemporary YA: 

What makes Contemporary novels so compelling to me is that sometimes, things that could happen in real life are even more fascinating to me than things that happen strictly in the realms of fantasy or paranormal. Further, as a writer who mostly focuses on speculative fiction, I feel that my own work is enriched by an enhanced awareness and sensitivity to the things people face every day. Hidden demons that might not get as much time as vampires and werewolves but which are much more frighteningly real.

Then, of course, there is the opportunity to, though a book, essentially borrow a character's life. To experience what it would have been like to have a date for prom. To see how someone else's pre-college preparations may have differed from my own. Through contemporary, I can insert myself into any social group, situation, etc. without the need for a time machine or even having to leave the comfort of my chair. Pretty powerful stuff, I'd say.

So today I'm going to post a few trios of books. I'll list my top three contemporary recommendations. I'll share three books by beloved authors that I can't wait to read. And I'll list three books by new-to-me authors that I'm totally dying to check out.

My Must Reads:

I've read tons of contemporary YA that I totally love, and if I tried to list all of it I'd be here all day. Since neither of us have time for that, I've narrowed it down to these three.

GoodReads

GoodReads

GoodReads

Rules of Attraction by Simone Elkeles -- While I love the entire Perfect Chemistry series, Carlos and Kiara's book was my favorite. Probably because Carlos is a bit of a rebel, and Kiara reminded me a bit of me.

Waiting For The Storm by Marie Landry -- A beautiful story of surviving the worst and learning to truly live again. Love, family, friendship... This book has many of the things that make contemporary such a compelling genre.

Faking Normal by Courtney C. Stevens -- This book is equal parts harrowing and hopeful. I absolutely loved the characters (and damn did I ache for them!). Despite all that happens in this book, it is one where I did not want the story to end.

My Most Wanted:

This is kinda unfair, since these are all from authors I've read and loved. I was going to do a category for authors I want to try, but I'm behind on this and I want to go to bed!

GoodReads

GoodReads

GoodReads

After The Storm by Marie Landry -- The next book in the Angel Island series. This one is from Ella's point of view. Considering how she was in Waiting For The Storm, I can't wait to see how she will be here and whether she will be able to win readers over.

Played by Liz Fichera -- Sequel to Hooked, which was one of my favorite contemporary novels last year. I've been waiting a LONG time for this one and I absolutely cannot wait to read it!

I'll Give You The Sun by Jandy Nelson -- Jandy's first book, The Sky Is Everywhere, isn't just one of my favorite contemporary novels. It's one of my favorite novels *ever*. So when I discovered that she has a new book coming out this year, there was no way it wasn't getting on this list.

So, what are your favorite contemporary YA novels? Which ones are you excited for this year? I'd love to know. :) 

Cover Reveal: The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year by Marie Landry

Today I'm thrilled to be part of the cover reveal for The Most Wonderful Time of the Year by Marie Landry. Anyone who's followed the blog for any length of time probably knows Marie and I have been friends a long time. And anyone who follows my reviews definitely knows that I think she's a fantastic writer--and I don't say that easily.

But you're not here for a history lesson, are ya? :D Scroll down and take a look at the cover and synopsis, then feel free to leave a comment about whether you'll be picking this up when it releases on November 5th, 2013!

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(Summary provided by the author)

Christmas is the most wonderful time of the year, right? At least that’s what twenty-year-old Ginny Bailey’s grandmother always told her, and Ginny believed it until Grama died. She even put on a brave face the following two Christmases, carrying on Grama’s traditions and decorating her house and café with Grama’s favorite decorations.

But Ginny can’t pretend any longer. When she finds out she’s going to be alone for the holidays this year, her Christmas spirit goes out the window, along with her luck. Everything that can go wrong does, and Ginny just wants to spend the holidays hiding under the covers...until Dean Riley comes back into her life. With a shared past, old feelings begin to resurface almost immediately, and Ginny thinks Dean might just be the Christmas miracle she’s been waiting for to help her remember why Christmas is the most wonderful time of the year.

Did that grab your interest? Add it on GoodReads! 

Marie Landry is the author of BLUE SKY DAYS (contemporary YA—January 2012), THE GAME CHANGER (women's fiction—November 2012), WAITING FOR THE STORM (contemporary YA—April 2013), and THE MOST WONDERFUL TIME OF THE YEAR (a new adult holiday novella-November 2013). Marie has always been a daydreamer; since early childhood, she's had a passion for words and a desire to create imaginary worlds, so it only seemed natural for her to become a writer. She resides in Ontario, Canada, and most days you can find her writing, reading, blogging about writing and reading, listening to U2, wandering around with a camera in her hand, watching copious amounts of TV on DVD, or having grand adventures with her nephews and niece. For more on Marie and her books, please visit sweetmarie-83.blogspot.ca

Blog | Facebook | Twitter | GoodReads 

So, what do you think of the cover and summary? Do you think you'll read The Most Wonderful Time of the Year? I'd love to know, so feel free to leave a comment. :) 

Review: Waiting For The Storm by Marie Landry

*I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.

I'm going to start this with the same statement I make every time I start a review for one of Marie's books. Marie is one of my oldest blogging friends, so if that makes my opinion a little less viable to you--and I totally understand if it does--there it is for you up front.

That said, Waiting For The Storm is not just good. It's very possibly the best thing that Marie has written yet. There are some really heavy issues going on here, but the characters handle these with style and grace, while still being human enough to warrant having their story told.

But there I go putting the horse before the cart. Let's actually go through this the way I would any other book, and I'll do my best to tell you why Waiting For The Storm should be at the top of any contemporary fan's must read list.

(Summary from GoodReads)

Charlotte O’Dell knows this summer is going to suck. Her beloved mother just died, her sister hates her, and her dad has completely checked out. Fulfilling her mother’s final wish, the family heads to Angel Island for the summer to stay in a beach house her mother once loved.

After a year of being shut away taking care of her mother, Charlotte is numb and practically afraid of her own shadow; she hopes going to the island will give her the time and space she needs to begin healing, and an opportunity to bring her family back together. When she meets her mysterious neighbor, Ezra, it doesn’t take long for Charlotte to confess the issues she’s developed. Ezra begins giving Charlotte assignments to get over her fears, and although she accepts his tasks, all she really wants is to be with him. When she’s with Ezra, she’s able to forget the hollow ache in her heart and the fact that her family is falling apart. But Ezra has secrets…

Can Charlotte pull what’s left of her family together, mend her broken heart, and allow herself to fall for Ezra? Or is it all just a storm waiting to happen?

Plot and character are generally a tightly woven net in contemporary fiction, and that is definitely the case with Waiting For The Storm. However, Marie's newest novel ads a hint of mystery as the reader--and Charlotte--get to know the book's hero, Ezra. I really liked this aspect of the story. It made an already excellent read really stand out in a way that I don't know if I've actually seen a contemporary do in quite this way before. 

Returning from her previous work, and this is a great thing, is her talent for taking a general area that is (to me, since I live half an hour from Kingston) that is very familiar and seamlessly integrating something that is totally fictional. As with Riverview and Bellevue from her previous novels, Angel Island is a great setting which is a character in its own right. It plays just the right level of importance in the book--believable and memorable without taking the whole thing over. 

I also think that a tasteful and insightful job was done in the way that Marie handled the key issue troubling Charlotte (the death of her mother). I felt Charlotte's shifting emotions throughout the entire book, but while I felt for her, what I felt never weighed me down and made me unable to read. It can be very hard to juggle something as heavy as this and not have it bog down the entire story, but that is just what happens here. Waiting For The Storm is a tale of healing every bit as much (and in my opinion moreso) then it is one of loss. 

There is part of me that wants to say: "It's hard not to like the heroine in a novel by Marie Landry." But this does a disservice to both those fabulous heroines and to Marie's talent as an author, as it risks creating the assumption that her heroines are all 'the same'. If we are saying they are 'likable', or that 'I would like to be friends with them', that is true. But what makes these characters exceptional is that I can say all of this and yet need to make it clear: each of these ladies is very distinct. 

Charlotte showed a great deal of depth throughout the novel, and grew (or regained) a great deal during her time on Angel Island. Marie did a great job at balancing a lot of aspects within one personality--making her likable, making her grief-driven emotions believable, making her progress as the story did in a way that made sense--and all of this really paid off, because Waiting For The Storm truly is Charlotte's story. 

Likewise, Ezra is a memorable hero, both because of his charming personality--very earthy and real, yet definitely the kind of guy worth falling for--and the intriguing sense of mystery that surrounds his character. I think that was built up well and, like Charlotte, I constantly wanted to know more about him. This made for very compelling reading and a real 'can't put it down' factor that caused me to read the book in one sitting. 

The rest of the cast was equally interesting without taking away from the couple. The depth and growth of Charlotte's sister, Ella, was especially well done. The situation with the girls' father was also very moving. 

First, let me put your fears to rest: there's no insta-love here. I really liked how the relationship between Charlotte and Ezra progressed. It felt very natural and suited their personalities and the situations they found themselves in. I thought they had terrific chemistry together; a natural easy closeness that drew them together, with just enough spark to make it interesting. 

I will say, however, that Charlotte's behavior at the story's climax did make me a little mad. The situation was very complex and interesting, and to be fair it says something when a reader's opinion of it could go either way. But really, Charlotte, I wanted to shake you! I'm not taking hearts away for this, just to be clear. It didn't take away from my enjoyment of the book and it wasn't a lack of talent on the part of the author. It was just a very interesting circumstance where the heroine and I parted ways for a little while and I kinda wanted to hug Ezra and go "There, there." *laughs* 

And no, I'm not telling you what it is. Curious? Read the book. Trust me, it's fabulous. 

Beautiful writing, memorable characters, and a well told story blend together to create something truly special. Waiting For The Storm has everything I love most about contemporary YA and more. I can't recommend this highly enough. 

Cover Reveal: Waiting For The Storm by Marie Landry

Today I'm thrilled to be part of the cover reveal for Marie Landry's upcoming novel Waiting For The Storm. Marie is one of my oldest blogging friends and I've loved her last two books Blue Sky Days and The Game Changer, so of course I'm anxious to read this one as well. But enough rambling from me. Let's take a look at the cover...

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Summary:

Charlotte O’Dell knows this summer is going to suck. Her beloved mother just died, her sister hates her, and her dad has completely checked out. Fulfilling her mother’s final wish, the family heads to Angel Island for the summer to stay in a beach house her mother once loved.

After a year of being shut away taking care of her mother, Charlotte is numb and practically afraid of her own shadow; she hopes going to the island will give her the time and space she needs to begin healing, and an opportunity to bring her family back together. When she meets her mysterious neighbor, Ezra, it doesn’t take long for Charlotte to confess the issues she’s developed. Ezra begins giving Charlotte assignments to get over her fears, and although she accepts his tasks, all she really wants is to be with him. When she’s with Ezra, she’s able to forget the hollow ache in her heart and the fact that her family is falling apart. But Ezra has secrets…

Can Charlotte pull what’s left of her family together, mend her broken heart, and allow herself to fall for Ezra? Or is it all just a storm waiting to happen?

Has this grabbed your interest? Add it to your GoodReads! 

Thanks so much for having me along as part of the cover reveal, Marie! 

Review: The Game Changer by Marie Landry

*This book is NOT YA.

As always, full disclosure: Marie Landry is one of my oldest blogging friends. Regardless of anything else I might say, I feel that I owe my readers that fact right off the bat. Some of you won't feel that matters--either I'm going to like a book or not. And some of you will find that vital, and that's fine too. I feel it should be your choice, though, so there's the info to make it.

I was pretty sure that I would enjoy The Game Changer. I loved Marie's debut, Blue Sky Days, and the premise for her first adult novel sounded just as great, so I dove in ready to fall head over heels in love.

And I did.

But simply saying that isn't enough to help you base a purchasing decision, so lets see if I can put into words the many ways that The Game Change is just plain awesome.

The Plot: (Summary from GoodReads)

Melody Cartwright has never had a problem with change, but for the first time in her life the changes are beyond her control—she suddenly has a niece she never knew, but has to prove herself to; her best friend is making huge life changes of her own; and she has to deal with her ex and his crazy new girlfriend who has stalker tendencies.

When Melody meets confident, sexy Julian, she’s not interested in a relationship. He tells her it’s possible for a man and a woman to just be friends, and despite his ultra-charming ways there’s something about him that makes Melody believe he could be right.

During a time of change and turmoil, it doesn’t take long for Julian to become everything Melody never knew she needed in her life. But is it possible for them to remain ‘just friends’ or will Melody be a game changer for Julian the playboy?

What girl hasn't experienced the uniquely exquisite pain of being dumped? It always sucks, it always hurts and if you've been with the guy for a long time--as our heroine Melody has been with her now-ex, Rick, it can be very disorienting. This is the first of many big changes faced in The Game Changer. 

As with all good contemporary, the story really pulls us into the life of the main character and balances moving the story forward with letting us get a real feel for who Melody--and the people in her 'world'--are. The good, the bad and the ugly. 

Although this is not YA, one of the things that I liked about it was that it still carried the same sense of exploration, discovery and self-growth that I would want from a contemporary YA novel (and which was abundantly present in Blue Sky Days.) I feel that we started the book with Melody at a turning point in her life, which is always a great place to meet a character, and that Marie put this to good use.

The only plotline that I feel could have been used to better extent was Sydney, Rick's new crazy-stalker girlfriend. I wish we'd seen a bit more action on Melody's part about this. But then, if we had the plot may have ended very different then what it did, so this is likely a personal quirk. To be clear: this did not detract from the story. It's likely just a difference in how two writers would have handled something.

The Characters: 

From start to finish, The Game Changer immerses the reader in the life of its main character, Melody Cartwright. As with Blue Sky Days' Emma, Melody straddles being a strong and balanced character with being vulnerable and having her share of issues she needs to overcome in order to get this way. I like that. If you start with your lead already totally together, where is there for them to go? I'm noticing, as I read Marie's books, that I find her female characters refreshingly relatable. They're the kind of people I wish were real, because I would love to have them as friends. 

I really loved Melody's best friend, Olivia. The two had very different personalities and watching them interact and grow was very interesting. One of the things I think Marie did very well in this book is giving each character their own life and having those lives interconnect. One of the dangers of fiction is that every other character's life only goes so far as how it effects the main character. That was not the case here.

'Rick the dick' was aptly named. What I will say, though, is that I think Marie did a terrific job of showing us a different perspective of him as Melody's perspective shifted. I really really hated him in the beginning, but as the book went on my attitude toward him (and hers, I felt) moved more toward neutrality or indifference. That's a mark of a good writer. Once you get a reader to really dislike someone it can be very hard to shift that attitude. 

And then, of course, there is Julian. I'm normally not big on guys who are players (either past or present) but I actually really liked him, and I think the whole 'can girls and guys be friends?' was a great way to build up the tension between the two of them. There were moments I wanted to kiss this guy and, admittedly some where I wanted to kick him somewhere painful, but all in all he was a great love interest and I enjoyed seeing him and Melody together. 

The Romance: 

Melody and Julian have chemistry that absolutely sizzles. They are probably one of my favorite romantic pairings this year. There was a certain level of instant awareness, or possibly attraction, here. But there was no insta-love, which is a good thing since this is contemporary.). I liked seeing them get to know each other, and found watching their views of one another change as the novel moved forward.

The tension of the will they or won't they between this pair was borderline torturous, in the absolute best way possible. I wanted them to get together so bad, but Marie really made me work (wait) for this as a reader, and actually succeeded in making me wonder whether they would. (In part because of good writing and in part because I was under the impression that this was chick lit, and the rules for that are a little different then standard romance.)

I think the best thing about Melody and Julian was that I slowly got to see how it would be for them to have one another in their lives. By showing their friendship and attraction grow side-by-side, they had a lot more to lose then a couple who is purely focused on physical attraction. I cheered for them and feared for them and it made this book impossible to turn down.

In General: 

If you are looking for a beautifully written, extremely compelling contemporary romance, The Game Changer comes highly recommended. I can be a fussy reader and I was in a 'mood' when I got this, yet I zipped through it in two days. If it affects me like that under those circumstances, it has to have something pretty awesome going for it.

Cover Reveal: The Game Changer by Marie Landry

Click here to buy Blue Sky Days!

Today I'm pleased to be part of the cover reveal for Marie Landry's newest novel, The Game Changer. Marie was one of the first friends I made when I started I Write, I Read, I Review. I'm sure this post makes it obvious we are still friends now. :)

The first thing that I will say to all of you is this: If you have not read Marie's debut, Blue Sky Days, make sure that you take adventage of the SALE she is hosting. Blue Sky Days is a wonderful book filled with great romance, wonderful characters and writing that is both crystal clear and utterly gorgeous. I reviewed it here and cannot recommend it to you highly enough.

But as much as I love Blue Sky Days, that's not the main reason we are here today.

Today, Marie is revealing the cover of her new book. Scroll down and have look. The cover is lovely and the blurb has my attention, I can tell you that much!

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The Plot: (Summary provided by the author)

Melody Cartwright has never had a problem with change, but for the first time in her life the changes are beyond her control—she suddenly has a niece she never knew, but has to prove herself to; her best friend is making huge life changes of her own; and she has to deal with her ex and his crazy new girlfriend who has stalker tendencies.

When Melody meets confident, sexy Julian, she’s not interested in a relationship. He tells her it’s possible for a man and a woman to just be friends, and despite his ultra-charming ways there’s something about him that makes Melody believe he could be right.

During a time of change and turmoil, it doesn’t take long for Julian to become everything Melody never knew she needed in her life. But is it possible for them to remain ‘just friends’ or will Melody be a game changer for Julian the playboy?

I'm really looking forward to reading this. The genre is a departure, but I have great faith that regardless of what genre Marie tackles, the story and writing will be excellent. :) Congrats on having the courage to put another book out there for the world to see. That takes more courage than some might imagine.

Why not add The Game Changer to you to-read list on GoodReads?

So, what do you think of the cover for The Game Changer? Do you want to read it? I'd love to hear your thoughts so feel free to leave a comment. :) 

Leap Into Indie Giveaway!

Ah, indie books. They come in several flavors. At times they are what keeps me blogging. And at times they make me want to tear my hair out. Some people love them. Some people don't.

Well, today I'm here to spread the love. As a book blogger, some of the most interesting books I have had the opportunity to read are what I would classify as "indie". Now, before we get going with a list of the goodies, what do I classify as "indie"? Indie is what you aren't going to easily find at your local bookstore or library. Just like with indie music, you sort of have to be in the know to get into something indie bookwise. Until, of course, it catches on. (Which is great for the author. I'm not going to get into whether they are still indie or not -- that's not the point here.)

Some of you may know that I am hoping to release my own book, Moon Dance, later this year. It was actually while I was finishing up my first draft that I got into blogging. Which in turn is how I discovered al the awesome books here. Strange how that works, huh? Anyway, the following list of things you will win if you're the one picked from my giveaway is basically a "who's who" of authors I have read since I started I Write, I Read, I Review. There are SIX books here, and yes, someone is going have a very happy e-Reader, very very soon. So, lets get this show on the road! Let me show you what you'll be receiving if you win!

What's Up For Grabs?: 

I love all of these books. They are listed in no particular order of favoritism. I have included links to my reviews where possible, as well as to the books GoodReads pages. ONE (1) lucky winner is going to win e-Book versions of all of these. I did my research for them on Amazon.com, but if you need a different format I will do my best to work with you on that.

Blue Sky Days
by Marie Landry
GoodReads | My Review

C'mon, guys. You knew this was going to be here. Blue Sky Days is actually the book I initially signed up for this giveaway to promote. Is it true that I'm friends with Marie Landry? Yes. Is it true that her debut is absolutely awesome? Once again, yes. Blue Sky Days is a beautiful love story that will stick with you long after you turn the last page. This is the sort of book that you need to read if you like romance.

Destined
by Jessie Harrell
GoodReads | My Review

I said this at the start of my review, and I'll say it here: when it comes to Greek Mythology I am a total, utter and complete snob. I am obnoxiously picky, the characters are my babies and it's easy to rub me the wrong way. With that out of the way: Destined is quite likely the best retelling of a Greek Myth that I have ever read. It's romantic, it's brilliant and it is one of those books that absolutely must be read. 

Miss World
by Randi Black
GoodReads | My Review

There is a lot of sweet love involved in my giveaway package. I figured that it could use something with a little more bite, and I just finished reviewing the perfect thing to fill that void. Miss World is an absolutely fabulous novel. It's always fiercely honest, at times really funny and really captures aspects of the teen experience that most books just won't touch. Get ready to meet Kimmy, because whether you love her or hate her, I'm confident you *will* feel *something*. 

Remembrance
by Michelle Madow
GoodReads | My Review

Another sweet romantic tale, this one with some very interesting reincarnation themes. Michelle Madow's debut is an interesting tale of a love that has carried through time, and how far two people are willing to go in order to be together. Is love worth risking your life for? And even if you get that love, will you get to keep it? I found Remembrance to be a fairly original take on the idea of reincarnation, I liked Lizzy and Drew and I was very drawn to their story. 

The Scarlet Dagger
by Krystle Jones
GoodReads | My Review

Last but definitely not least. If you have not read The Scarlet Dagger yet, and you like vampires *or* dystopian, you are seriously missing out. The characters are strong, the plot twists and turns, the dialogue is both touching and funny, the world is well built, the mythology original and interesting... I could go on and on praising this. (It *did* receive my Kat's Meow Award...) Quite frankly, for me this giveaway wouldn't be complete without it. 

Ryder
by Greta Maloney
GoodReads | My Review

The moment that I heard about this I absolutely had to read it. I love fairy tale retellings, and Little Red Riding Hood isn't a story that gets too much attention. Ryder pays homage to the original tale while not being afraid to add its own twists and turns. A unique and original take on a classic tale, Ryder is many things: a love story, a quest to claim mastery of oneself, a struggle for redemption. Above all, it is absolutely not to be missed. 

Well, that's "it", guys. :D What do you think? Did I make good choices? If you have already read some of these, or if the books I have chosen are not your cup of tea, fear not. You also have the option to choose to receive a $10 gift card from Amazon.com.

How To Enter:

To actually enter the giveaway, it's super easy. Just leave a name for me to announce if you win, and an e-mail address for me to contact you at. (+1 entries)

Bonus Entries:

1. Tell me an indie book you have been dying to read. Who knows? If it's not too expensive I may be super nice and surprise you. (+1 entries)

2. Tell me an indie book that I might want to check out / read. I have a huge TBR pile but I'm always looking for more books that I should be keeping an eye on. (+1 entries)

3. See all the reviews up there? Click on one and comment. I love comments. They totally make my day. :D (+1 entries)

4. Follow me on twitter. (@Katallina) (+1 entries)

5. Tweet the following: I want to win 6 awesome eBooks from @Katallina as part of the Leap Into Indie Giveaway Hop! http://www.katreads.com/2012/02/leap-into-indie-giveaway.html (+1 entries)

6. Follow me via FeedBurner / GFC (+1 entries)

Thanks so much for dropping by and checking out my giveaway! I wish everyone who decides to enter the absolute best of luck!

Guest Post with Marie Landry: Do It Yourself Cover Design

Today it is my pleasure to by joined by my friend Marie Landry, author of the absolutely fantastic Blue Sky Days, to talk about the challenge of being an indie author and deciding to design your own cover. I must admit, as a fellow author who is likely going the indie route I was extremely curious about this. And since so many of us, as readers, love to "Oh!" and "Ah!" over the covers of our favorite books, I thought it might be interesting to see how one -- or at least *this* one -- was made.

Do It Yourself Cover Design
A guest post by Marie Landry

Before and After

First, I'd like to thank Kathy for having me here today and for being part of the Blue Sky Days blog tour. She’s been a great friend and supporter during my journey.

When Kathy discovered that I designed the cover of Blue Sky Days myself, she thought her blog readers might be interested in learning the process.

Let me start with my beginnings in graphic design. When I first got the internet, I was looking for a hobby I could do online. I had just graduated from high school and had the summer off before college, so I had a lot of time on my hands. I quickly discovered Paint Shop Pro and the world of PSP groups. A friend gave me the program and I started looking for tutorials. I had some help along the way, but a lot of what I learned was just by playing around with the program.

My first designs were terrible. I look at them now and alternate between cringing and laughing. But over the years, I learned a lot, practiced a lot, got feedback from other PSPers, and I began to like my own designs.

When it came time to design the cover for Blue Sky Days, I knew I wouldn't be able to afford to have someone do it for me. I had a very specific idea in mind, but I couldn't find models that fit my idea, and I don't have a good quality camera (yet!). I spent hours searching online, and found quite a few possibilities, but nothing screamed 'perfect'. Finally, I found the picture that ended up being the cover art—a close-up of a couple holding hands with a blue sky and water in the background.

I bought the rights to the photo and took it to PSP. I adjusted the lighting and colouring, added some texture, and played around with the title and my name. That was the hardest part. I knew I wanted something eye-catching and different, but many independently published books have incredibly cheesy covers, and I wanted to avoid that. I created several mock-ups and posted them on my Facebook fan page and my blog, asking readers for feedback. It took several weeks, but I finally came up with the finished product you see today.

Is it the most amazing cover ever? No. But I'm proud of it, and I've had a lot of very positive feedback. And, like the book itself, designing the cover was a labour of love. Also, by doing it myself, the total cost was only about $10 for the rights to the photo, compared to the hundreds of dollars I’ve heard of other people spending. Can't beat that! Plus, the other pictures I found that didn't end up as the cover, I worked into my book trailer—which I also made myself—and I've used them in artwork I've created for the book.

I'd like to thank Marie for taking the time to drop by and share her experience. I know that cover design is one of the things I am most excited and nervous about with regard to my own work. As for the cover of Blue Sky Days, I think Marie did a fantastic job and I feel that it definitely suits the book perfectly. 

If you haven't heard about Blue Sky Days, or are just curious to know my thoughts about it, please click here for my review. 

If you want to know more about Marie and Blue Sky Days outside of my site, visit her at her blog Ramblings of a Daydreamer or at her author site.