Contest: Win a Signed Copy of Forgive My Fins by Tera Lynn Childs

Lily Sanderson has a secret, and it’s not that she has a huge crush on gorgeous swimming god Brody Bennett, who makes her heart beat flipper-fast. Unrequited love is hard enough when you’re a normal teenage girl, but when you’re half human, half mermaid like Lily, there’s no such thing as a simple crush.

Lily’s mermaid identity is a secret that can’t get out, since she’s not just any mermaid – she’s a Thalassinian princess. When Lily found out three years ago that her mother was actually a human, she finally realized why she didn’t feel quite at home in Thalassinia, and she’s been living on land and going to Seaview high school ever since, hoping to find where she truly belongs. Sure, land has its problems – like her obnoxious, biker boy neighbor Quince Fletcher – but it has that one major perk – Brody. The problem is, mermaids aren’t really the casual dating type – when they “bond,” it’s for life.

When Lily’s attempt to win Brody’s love leads to a tsunami-sized case of mistaken identity, she is in for a tidal wave of relationship drama, and she finds out, quick as a tailfin flick, that happily-ever-after never sails quite as smoothly as you planned.

Want to win a SIGNED copy of this Forgive My Fins?

Just leave a comment here. Bonus entries for posting/linking to this contest.

Ends 7/1 and is open to all US residents.

Good Luck!

Interview with Tera Lynn Childs, Author of Forgive My Fins

Today I'm thrilled to welcome Tera Lynn Childs. Tera Lynn Childs is a wannabe goddess and the award winning author of Oh. My. Gods. and Goddess Boot Camp and the upcoming mermaid tail, Forgive My Fins. Tera lives nowhere in particular, but has spent time fleeing hurricanes, blogging with the Buzz Girls and the Fivers, and writing wherever she can find a comfy chair and a steady stream of caffeinated beverages.

Your latest novel, Forgive My Fins is about a half-human mermaid princess who stirs up a world of trouble when she bestows a magical first kiss on the wrong boy. Can you share with us a favorite line from the novel?

"Bet Benson could never kiss you like that." (It's a little silly out of context, but anyone who's read the book will understand why that's my favorite line!)

What three words do you think best describe Lily, the half-human mermaid from Forgive My Fins trying to fit in on land and have a normal high school experience?

Awkward, loyal, and well-intentioned.

Being that Forgive My Fins is about mermaids, can you tell us about any particularly interesting tidbits of mermaid folklore you uncovered in your research?

Hmm, I'm not sure I did that much research into mermaid lore, because I mostly created my own. But I know they're supposed to swim around topless (not true!) and be obsessed with shiny objects (also false!) and totally vain (not--okay, sometimes true). In my mermaid world, they have eyes that glitter when they cry, can transfigure back and forth between mer and terraped (human) form at will, and have a mer mark on the back of their neck that matches the color of their tailfin. Making things up is half the fun!

You are the author of the novels “Oh. My. Gods” and “Goddess Boot Camp” which are based on Phoebe, a girl who moves to a new school in the Aegean Sea and finds out all her classmates are all descendants of Greek gods! So my question to you is this- would you rather be a mermaid like Lily or have superpowers like Phoebe?

Hands-down a mermaid. I'm a water baby. I was a competitive swimmer growing up and spent as much time in or around the water as possible. I dreamed of being able to stay under forever without, you know, drowning. Being a mermaid would be a dream come true.

If you had to pick an actress to play Lily in the movie version of your book, is there anyone that comes to mind? How about for the hunky Quinn?

The picture in my head for Lily is actually the singer Shakira, but with paler blonde hair. I love her wild, frizzy abandon and that is just like Lily. For Quince, I have a great picture of Eric Dane (McSteamy from Grey's Anatomy) riding a motorcycle. Quince has that same dirty blonde hair and that same cocky attitude.

Can you share with us any information on the sequel to Forgive My Fins? Are you working on any other projects?

The sequel, called Fins Are Forever, will be out in Summer 2011. Anyone who's read the epilogue of the first book knows that Lily's bratty cousin Dosinia is going to be a major player. And boy can that girl cause trouble, especially for Lily.

Lily Sanderson has a secret, and it's not that she has a huge crush on gorgeous swimming god Brody Bennett, who makes her heart beat flipper-fast. Unrequited love is hard enough when you're a normal teenage girl, but when you're half human, half mermaid, like Lily, there's no such thing as a simple crush.

Lily's mermaid identity is a secret that can't get out, since she's not just any mermaid—she's a Thalassinian princess. When Lily found out three years ago that her mother was actually a human, she finally realized why she didn't feel quite at home in Thalassinia, and she's been living on land and going to Seaview High School ever since, hoping to find where she truly belongs. Sure, land has its problems—like her obnoxious biker-boy neighbor, Quince Fletcher—but it has that one major perk: Brody. The problem is, mermaids aren't really the casual dating type—the instant they "bond," it's for life.

When Lily's attempt to win Brody's love leads to a tsunami-sized case of mistaken identity, she is in for a tidal wave of relationship drama, and she finds out, quick as a tailfin flick, that happily ever after never sails quite as smoothly as you planned.

Read an excerpt of Forgive My Fins HERE.

Read my review of Forgive My Fins HERE.

To learn more about Tera and her books, visit the author's Official Website.

Book Review: The Demon's Covenant by Sarah Rees Brennan

THE DEMON'S COVENANT
BY SARAH REES BRENNAN

Reading level: Young Adult
Hardcover: 440 pages
Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry; 1 edition
(May 18, 2010/May 27, 2010)

The Demon's Covenant is the sequel to The Demon's Lexicon. Mae was always in control, but suddenly everyone she trusted is lying--and in danger

“The covenant is binding. There is no escape.”

Danger is closing in all around Mae. In one corner the magicians lie in wait, biding their time until Jamie is inducted into their circle-whether he wants to be or not. Alan, secretive as ever, considers a disastrous bargain with a demon, knowing full well the ramifications of his actions. Meanwhile, Mae can’t help but be lured in by the seductive pull of the Goblin Market, But Mae is not a magician. She's just an ordinary girl thrown into a maddening world of magicians and magic. And once again she must face some difficult decisions. Except this time the stakes are even higher. Can Mae stay alive long enough to save them all?

The Demon’s Covenant solidified Mae as one of my all time favorite literary heroines. Nick, being the main point of view character in The Demon’s Lexicon was unable to provide the type of introspection that Mae could easily bring to the table. While I identified with Nick, I tended to view the others as he did - with a detached annoyance. With Mae it was different. Through her eyes, I got a deeper understanding for not only her character, but for all of those surrounding her. It was a smart move on the part of Sarah Rees Brennan and in my opinion, brought the series to a whole new level.

Strong, feisty and loyal to the end, I respected the depths of Mae's courage. The choices she was faced with were not easy. But she handled them in a believable way. I sympathized with her and rooted her on the whole time. In fact, from page one I was on her side. When things got really dicey, I wanted to jump in and help her. I loved how there was nothing she wouldn’t do to save her brother, I admired that. Bonds of family love ran deep in this book. Which brings me to Alan and Nick. The diary allowed tremendous insight into Nick and Alan's relationship. Heart-breaking and illuminating, I walked away from this book with a renewed appreciation for just how much Alan sacrificed for his brother. It was the most compelling component of the novel for me.

Sarah Rees Brennan impressed me with her use of strong imagery and world building in The Demon’s Covenant. There were so many examples of vivid imagery in the book, it was hard to pick just one to illustrate. In this example below, I could actually feel the sensation of being under a magician’s spell; my arms and legs held frozen by the will of someone with dangerous power.

“The magician brushed by Mae and suddenly she could move, as if she was made of ice and his touch was hot enough to change her to water." - page 11

Humorous moments like this next example helped balance out the dark aspects of the story and give the reader a chance to catch their breath.

"The magic bounced off Jamie and earthed itself harmlessly in the ground at his feet.

Jamie jumped back all the same, and Mae found him catching her hands, grip desperate for a moment until he remembered himself. Then he stepped away.

“Thanks, Laura” he said unsteadily. “I always wondered what a tiny heart attack would feel like, and now I know. Very refreshing!” - page 56

What does it mean to be human? How far would you go to protect your family? The Demon’s Covenant is so much more than a fantasy novel about demons and magicians. It’s one with numerous layers to peel back, examine and reflect upon. Throughout its pages the bonds of friendship will be tested, family loyalties will be defined, and alliances formed.

What about the romance? Fans looking for romantic tension won't be disappointed. A strong undercurrent runs rampant throughout the entire novel, ratcheting up to a fever pitch in the final pages.

My understanding is that book three will be told from Sin’s point of view. Sarah Rees Brennan- I can’t wait!

SARAH REES BRENNAN was born and raised in Ireland by the sea, where her teachers valiantly tried to make her fluent in Irish (she wants you to know it's not called Gaelic), but she chose to read books under her desk in class instead. After living briefly in New York and doing a creative writing MA and library work in Surrey, England, she has returned to Dublin, Ireland, to write. Her Irish is still woeful, but she feels the books under the desk were worth it.

To learn more about Sarah Rees Brennan and her books, visit her Official Website and Blog.

Read an excerpt of The Demon's Covenant.

Purchase The Demon's Covenant at Amazon.com.

Guest Post with Phoebe Kitanidis, Author of Whisper

WHISPER
BY
PHOEBE KITANIDIS

• Reading level: Young Adult
  
• Hardcover: 288 pages
• Publisher: Balzer + Bray; 1 edition (April 27, 2010)

ABOUT THE BOOK: I'd love a cup of coffee. . . . I wish she didn't hide how pretty she is. . . . I hope she didn't find out what Ben said about her. . . . I wish I knew how many calories were in a bite of muffin. . . .

Joy is used to Hearing Whispers. She's used to walking down the street and instantly knowing people's deepest, darkest desires. She uses this talent for good—to make people happy and give them what they want. But for her older sister, Jessica, the family gift is a curse, and she uses it to make people's lives—especially Joy's—miserable. Still, when Joy Hears Jessica Whisper I want to kill my Hearing dead, and kill me too if that's what it takes, she knows she has to save her sister, even if it means deserting her friends, stealing a car, and running away with a boy she barely knows—a boy who may have a dark secret of his own.

My parents, scientific types, always used to say my brother Dean and I were living proof that astrology was bunk. Born seven years and seven days apart in July, we have drastically different personalities (neither of which fits the Cancerian mold, btw). You’d think that what with us sharing genes and the same upbringing and all, we’d practically be the same person… but it’s uncanny how many sets of siblings are total opposites. Jessica and Joy Stefani, the psychic sisters in Whisper, are no exception.

One reason siblings take different paths is not to step on each other’s toes. After all, if I love theatre and theatre guys, and my sister does too, we’re competing for the same roles… and the same dudes. (See My Invented Life by Lauren Bjorkman.) But occasionally one sib serves as a cautionary tale for the other. Joy knows if she follows her big sister Jessica, she could end up just like her: alone and bitter. That motivates her to branch out. (Same reasoning applies in Vegan Virgin Valentine by Carolyn Mackler.) Sadly, sometimes siblings can drift so far apart that they end up in different worlds, speaking different languages—unable to relate to each other all. But I believe that even then, there’s a strong connection between them… it’s just that they can’t see it.

I love to write about hidden connections. The way we all affect each other, bounce off each other, without realizing or acknowledging it. That’s what Whisper is really about. Joy’s built her life around Not Being Her Sister; she feels so separate from her she can’t even see how much Jessica’s choices have influenced her own. When I wrote their dialogue together, it flowed more easily for me than any other part of the draft—because to me they are parts of a whole, two voices that go together. They’re each lonely and isolated because they’ve shut each other out. It’s like they’re each playing a part in a play, but got so invested the roles themselves that they forgot they were in the same play.

I think in real life too, it can be hard to see the connections between family members that lead to patterns of thoughts and behavior—like: B never talks back to Mom because she sees how upset Mom gets when her brother A does it… and that affects B down the line when she avoids arguing with her best friend because she’s “not that kind of person.” We’re more likely to just assume that B happens to be the quiet, super-achiever type, while A’s a natural-born rebel. Maybe it’s because we’re all supposed to see ourselves and each other as purely individuals. It weirds us out to think our personalities might only be pieces of some larger puzzle. That other people’s wishes might shape our own. Or that a brother or sister, in addition to hogging the bathroom or pinching us in the backseat of the family station wagon, might have shaped who we are.

If you have a brother or sister, do you feel like you’re mostly similar or different? How do you feel you’ve influenced each other?

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Phoebe Kitanidis is a Greek-American writer, author of the YA novel Whisper. She is currently at work on a second teen novel titled Summer Falls. Phoebe grew up in a variety of places, including Athens, Greece; the American Midwest; and the San Francisco Bay Area. She attended five elementary schools and has moved more than twenty times. After her graduation from U.C. Berkeley, she taught Language Arts, then worked in a few high-tech corporate offices. In 2004, she earned her M.A. in Communication from San Jose State University. That year, she also traded the Bay Area’s sunshine for cloudy Seattle, where she began her writing career.

A six-year contributor to Discovery Girls magazine, Phoebe Kitanidis wrote Fab Girls Guide to Friendship Hardship as well as dozens of articles for tween girls. Now a full-time novelist and settled Seattle transplant, she lives with her partner, Robert, and their grey cat, Myst.

Purchase Whisper on Amazon.com
To learn more, visit the Official Blog of Phoebe Kitanidis.

Tantalizing Tuesday is a weekly feature showcasing exciting novels and the inspiring authors behind them.

UK Bookcovers- Better?

I always love it when Presenting Lenore does her "German Translations In The Wild" so today when I went to the bookstore here in the Birmingham, I snapped a few covers that stood out to me. I have to say, I prefer the UK covers so far! It's a little blurry - but I really liked the covers for Rachel Caine's Morganville Vampire series . They made me want to snatch up the whole series. I also love the black cover for Maggie Stiefvater's Shiver and the alternate cover for Burned by P.C. and Kristin Cast.

What do you guys think?

Blue Moon by Alyson Noel

Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater

Glass Houses by Rachel Caine (US VERSION)

Glass Houses by Rachel Caine (UK VERSION)

Burned by P.C. and Kristin Cast (UK version) vs (US version)

Hunted, Tempted and Burned by P.C. and Kristin Cast

Angel Star Extravaganza!

Just wanted to tell you guys about a great contest. Fantastic Book Review is giving away an amazing Angel Star gift package--It includes a SIGNED ARC of the book, bookmarks, signed bookplates, octagram pendant,and a silver prayer box.
Good luck!

Win a Bookcase from CSN Furniture!

Are you running out of room for all your books?

CSN Furniture sells everything from bathroom vanities to home office furniture. They have been kind enough to once again let me host a bookcase contest! If you are the winner, you will have your choice of one of the below bookcases. That's it--it's so easy! Just leave a comment telling me which one you'd want if you win. If you post or link up to this contest on any social networking site, I'll give you an extra entry too!

The contest ends June 12 2010 and is open to all US residents. Good Luck!

Bookcase #1 -Four Shelf Bookcase in Oak



Bookcase #2- Two-Shelf Bookcase in Oak

Bookcase #3 - 3 Tier Bookcase in Wicker and Metal

Bookcase #4- Hanging Corner Storage in Cherry

Waiting on Wednesday: Jealousy (Strange Angels #3) by Lili St. Crow

JEALOUSY BY LILI ST. CROW

July 29th 2010 by Sleuth RazorBill

Dru Anderson might finally be safe. She’s at the largest Schola on the continent, and beginning to learn what it means to be svetocha–half vampire, half human, and all deadly. If she survives her training, she will be able to take her place in the Order, holding back the vampires and protecting the oblivious normal people.

But a web of lies and betrayals is still closing around her, just when she thinks she can relax a little. Her mentor Christophe is missing, her almost-boyfriend is acting weird, and the bodyguards she’s been assigned seem to know much more than they should. And then there’s the vampire attacks, the strange nightly visits, and the looks everyone keeps giving her. As if she should know something.


I am so excited for this book-- So much going on! I can't wait to see what happens with Graves, the vampires and of course--Mr. Apple Pie himself, Christophe! :)

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event spotlighting upcoming releases we are highly anticipating. It is hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine.

Guest Post with Jennifer Murgia, Author of Angel Star

Today I'd like to welcome Jennifer Murgia, author of Angel Star. In Angel Star, a young girl named Teagan meets a boy with the mark of an angel. From that point on she embarks on a fast-paced journey of danger and adventure. Jennifer stopped by to give us insight into dating angels and how to tell if your crush is a little otherworldly himself! Without further ado, take it away Jennifer...

10 Reasons to Believe Your Boyfriend Is an Angel

*1. A star-shaped mark in concealed in his right palm.

*2. He happens to be present during all matters of danger or accident.

*3. His skin is incredibly warm and comforting.

*4. When asked about his family or where he lives, he replies very vaguely.

*5. An electrical current runs through the air when your eyes meet.

*6. He is perfect in every way.

*7. Hidden messages are sent to you during your dreams.

*8. He knows your every thought and emotion.

*9. He can sweep you off your feet (literally) with a single kiss.

*10. He loves you unconditionally and eternally.

Seventeen-year-old Teagan McNeel falls for captivating Garreth Adams and soon discovers that her crush has an eight-point star etched into the palm of his right hand-the mark of an angel.

But where there is light, dark follows, and she and Garreth suddenly find themselves vulnerable to a dark angel's malicious plan that could threaten not only her life, but the lives of everyone she knows.

Divinely woven together, Angel Star takes readers on a reflective journey when one angel's sacrifice collides with another angel's vicious ambition in a way that is sure to have readers searching for their own willpower.

Jennifer Murgia has been writing ever since she was nine years old. After receiving recognition for her poetry, she went on to use her talents to bring characters to life in fiction novels that are authentic, intriguing, and personal. She currently resides in Pennsylvania with her husband and two children.

For more information about Jennifer Murgia and her books, visit her Official Website here.
Check out Angel Star at Amazon.com

Want more? Head on over to Fantastic Book Review where Jennifer Murgia answered
Seven Sensational Questions!

Contest: Win an ARC of Faithful by Janet Fox

Sixteen-year-old Maggie Bennet’s life is in tatters. Her mother has disappeared, and is presumed dead. The next thing she knows, her father has dragged Maggie away from their elegant Newport home, off on some mad excursion to Yellowstone in Montana. Torn from the only life she’s ever known, away from her friends, from society, and verging on no prospects, Maggie is furious and devastated by her father’s betrayal. But when she arrives, she finds herself drawn to the frustratingly stubborn, handsome Tom Rowland, the son of a park geologist, and to the wild romantic beauty of Yellowstone itself. And as Tom and the promise of freedom capture Maggie’s heart, Maggie is forced to choose between who she is and who she wants to be.

I have two ARC's up for grabs of Faithful!
Leave a comment attached to this post with your email address (or you can email me at bookbutterfly9(at)gmail(dot)com if you would prefer to keep your email private.
Bonus entries for linking/posting about this contest anywhere you like!

Contest ends 6/5 and is open to all U.S. residents

Good luck!

Guest Post with Janet Fox, Author of Faithful

“Love, Victorian Style”
by Janet Fox

When I began writing Faithful, believe it or not, it was not about the romance. Maggie started out as a slightly younger character whose main concern was her mother’s mysterious disappearance. I was responding to my own mother’s passing, and placing Maggie in Yellowstone seemed right since Yellowstone is a gorgeous place to stage a story.

But very early in writing I realized that Maggie’s voice is closer to 16 than 14, and like any teen, she’d be preoccupied with things that impact her directly. In 1904 in her position in society the importance of potential suitors and her social standing would be paramount. The tension in the story, then, became largely romantic. And what better way to create romantic tension than to pit two potential love interests against one another?

Tom Rowland is the kind of guy I was drawn to as a teen (hey! He’s a lot like my hubby!): he’s kind, quiet, thoughtful, and a bit dorky. Edward Tyson does exactly what’s expected: he’s proper, stiff, concerned with status and how things “look”. My challenge was to increase the tension and make Maggie choose between them. I had to make Tom a bit inaccessible, and Edward just likeable enough, so that Maggie would be drawn to each of them for different reasons and be forced to face who she is, as reflected in her choice.

I brought in Kula to increase the tension with Tom and make him less available to Maggie. I made Edward rise to the occasion and play the hero and attempt to rescue Maggie from the awful Graybull (who deserves his own blog post, perhaps). Then I let Maggie examine Edward and Tom and make a choice, and through Maggie let the reader choose, too.

Ultimately, I wanted Maggie to make a choice because girls her age in 1904 had so few choices. Romance Victorian style in the upper classes was usually not about choice.

What do you think of Maggie’s situation? Do you feel lucky to be alive today?

Order Faithful from Amazon.com

Want to hear more? Janet Fox will be on Blog Talk Radio on Saturday, May 15 and at The Story Siren on Monday, May 17. Be sure to stop by!

About the Book:

Sixteen-year-old Maggie Bennet’s life is in tatters. Her mother has disappeared, and is presumed dead. The next thing she knows, her father has dragged Maggie away from their elegant Newport home, off on some mad excursion to Yellowstone in Montana. Torn from the only life she’s ever known, away from her friends, from society, and verging on no prospects, Maggie is furious and devastated by her father’s betrayal. But when she arrives, she finds herself drawn to the frustratingly stubborn, handsome Tom Rowland, the son of a park geologist, and to the wild romantic beauty of Yellowstone itself. And as Tom and the promise of freedom capture Maggie’s heart, Maggie is forced to choose between who she is and who she wants to be.

About the Author:

Janet Fox is a full-time resident of College Station, Texas, and a part-time resident of Montana (just outside of Yellowstone National Park). Visit Janet at her Official Website & Blog

Winner of Kelley Armstrong Contest!

CONGRATULATIONS Cinnamon @ Journey of Books!! You won your choice of book from Kelley Armstrong's Darkest Powers series. Enjoy The Reckoning!
Thanks to everyone who entered and I hope to have more contests soon!

Book Review: Jekel Loves Hyde by Beth Fantaskey

JEKEL LOVES HYDE BY BETH FANTASKEY

Reading level: Young Adult
Hardcover: 288 Pages
Publisher: Harcourt Children's Books (May 3, 2010)

Jill Jekel has always obeyed her parents’ rules – especially the one about never opening the mysterious, old box in her father’s office. But when her dad is murdered, and her college savings disappear, she's tempted to peek inside, as the contents might be key to a lucrative chemistry scholarship.

To better her odds, Jill enlists the help of gorgeous, brooding Tristen Hyde, who has his own dark secrets locked away. As the team of Jekel and Hyde, they recreate experiments based on the classic novel, hoping not only to win a prize, but to save Tristen’s sanity. Maybe his life. But Jill’s accidental taste of a formula unleashes her darkest nature and compels her to risk everything – even Tristen’s love – just for the thrill of being… bad.

********************************************************

Two teens as the descendants of the original characters from Robert Louis Stevenson’s classic novel? Monsters morphing from one sip of an odd concoction of chemicals? Sign me up! The premise of Jekel Loves Hyde intrigued me right from the start. The fact that these two individuals would cross paths so many years later, and under such crucial circumstances, had me anxious to dive into the book. The prologue available on Beth Fantaskey's website was dark and fascinating as well.

Jill went through the most growth in the book, but it was Tristan‘s character that I sympathized with and cared for most. There were so many layers to his personality. Not only did he have to struggle with his family’s gruesome legacy, but he had to contend with a complicated and dangerous relationship with his own father. The way he tried to balance conflicting family loyalties with his romantic feeling for Jill intrigued me. Jill, however, was a little harder for me to connect with. I wondered whether I would’ve appreciated her more had the novel been written entirely from Tristan’s perspective. Keeping Jill a little more under wraps might have lured me in, especially when her own dark impulses came bubbling to the surface.

Beth Fantaskey garnered a large fan base with her debut novel Jessica’s Guide to Dating on the Dark Side. Many authors would’ve followed up with a sophomoric release written in the same tone. It would’ve been a safe bet; one more likely to appeal to the widest spectrum of readers. But Fantaskey took a chance and tried something different. It was a gutsy thing to do and I admire that.

While I enjoyed Jekel Loves Hyde, it wasn’t a novel I would necessarily read again like I would with Jessica’s Guide to Dating on the Dark Side. I fell hook, line and sinker for that book. I loved the mix of dynamic characters, witty banter and steamy romance- all neatly tied up with an entertaining vampiric twist. Jekel Loves Hyde is a novel that will not appeal to all readers. Yet it’s a book that can still be enjoyed for its unique premise and intriguing plot line. I loved the idea of a handsome foreigner with a “dark side” entering Jill's life and changing her future. The atmosphere of barely restrained violence was well written and the deeper issues of dual personalities and familial obligations worth exploring. Would Tristan give in to the Hyde curse and allow himself to be consumed by murderous rage? I had to know- so much was at stake and so many lives in danger.

I look forward to seeing what Beth Fantaskey comes up with next!

Purchase Jekel Loves Hyde at Amazon.com
Read the prologue to Jekel Loves Hyde.

BETH FANTASKEY lives in rural Pennslyvania with her husband and two daughters. She is the author of Jessica's Guide to Dating on the Dark Side.
Visit Beth Fantaskey's Official Website.

Waiting on Wednesday: Elixir by Hilary Duff

ELIXIR BY HILARY DUFF

October 12th 2010 by Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing

As the daughter of a renowned surgeon and a prominent Washington D.C. politician, Clea Raymond has felt the glare of the spotlight her entire life. And though she dreads the paparazzi who track her every move, she herself is a talented photojournalist who takes refuge in a career that allows her to travel to the most exotic parts of the world.

But after Clea’s father disappears while on a humanitarian mission, eerie, shadowy images of a strange and beautiful young man begin to appear in Clea’s photos—a man she has never seen in her life.

When Clea suddenly encounters this man in person she is stunned—and feels an immediate and powerful connection. As they grow closer, they are drawn deep into the mystery behind her father’s disappearance and discover the centuries-old truth behind their intense bond.

Torn by a dangerous love triangle and haunted by a powerful secret that holds their fate, together they race against time to unravel their past in order to save their future—and their lives.

I saw this on Eleni's blog at La Femme Readers. I was a little skeptical being that it was written by Hilary Duff, but she already acts and sings, why not writes too?! What do you guys think?

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event spotlighting upcoming releases we are highly anticipating. It is hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine.

Win a SIGNED copy of Jekel Loves Hyde by Beth Fantaskey

JEKEL LOVES HYDE BY BETH FANTASKEY

Reading level: Young Adult
Hardcover: 288 pages
Publisher: Harcourt Children's Books; 1 edition (May 3, 2010)

Jill Jekel has always obeyed her parents’ rules – especially the one about never opening the mysterious, old box in her father’s office. But when her dad is murdered, and her college savings disappear, this good girl is tempted to peek inside, because the contents just might be key to winning a lucrative chemistry scholarship.

To better her odds, Jill enlists the help of gorgeous, brooding Tristen Hyde, who has his own dark secrets locked away. As the team of Jekel and Hyde, they recreate experiments based on the classic novel, hoping not only to win a prize, but to save Tristen’s sanity. Maybe his life. As things heat up in the lab though, Jill’s accidental taste of a formula unleashes her darkest nature and will compel her to risk everything – even Tristen’s love – just for the thrill of being… bad.

Want to win a SIGNED copy of Jekel Loves Hyde?

Well you came to the right place!
Just leave a comment attached to this post. Bonus entry for linking/posting about the contest on any social network of your choice.

Contest ends 6/10/2010 and is open to all U.S. Residents.
Good luck!