I was so ecstatic when author Tessa Gratton accepted our invitation to be on the tour. I have been in awe of her ever since I read BLOOD MAGIC last year. It was one of my very first trades and I had the chance to devour it early.

Which was a relief. Because, ever since I first set eyes on the cover for BLOOD MAGIC and read its description I was obsessed. I wanted that book. I just knew I would love it. It sounded gorgeous. It sounded dark. It sounded amazing. It was my kind of book.

And oh, I was not wrong. The writing in that book was exquisite and beautiful and I was immediately taken to a place that was so very different from anywhere I’d gone in a book before… or since. And Silla and Nick are two characters that are so very memorable. Yes, even with the many books I’ve read between then and now they are unforgettable.

And after what seems a lifetime, finally this week, with the release of THE BLOOD KEEPER, there’s a new book to read, to fall in love with, and to remember for ever and ever.

So, why is Tessa Gratton a rockstar to me?

Do you mean aside from being such an amazing author? Yes, Blood Magic got my off-the-menu six star rating, was a book I thought was one-of-a-kind and mesmerizing, and even forced me to use a “big word” in my review.

Aside from writing the kinds of stories that cling to me? It’s dark. It’s haunting. It’s heartbreaking. It’s poetic. It’s gruesome. It’s beautiful. It’s everything I love.

Aside from being brilliant and quirky and an incredible performer? Have you seen her latest YouTube video Tessa Does Shakespeare: Hamlet’s Rant for the Internet? Or where she performs Chapter Five from BLOOD MAGIC?

Go ahead and watch. I have time. I’ll be here when you get back… maybe.

Well… aside from all of that, she’s traveled the world, she translated BEOWULF, she loves magic, and she has – and has worn – a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle bracelet. How awesome is that?

Yeah, she’s a total rockstar to me.

If you’re not yet convinced, just check her out online at the places she haunts, take a peek at the descriptions of her books, maybe add one or two of them to your collection, and then take a look below at the awesome guest post where she shares her Top Ten Wizard/Magical Movies.

You can even enter the giveaway if you’d like. And let me get back to reading THE BLOOD KEEPER.

About the Author

About Blood Magic

About The Blood Keeper

Tessa’s Top Ten Wizard/Magical Movies

When I was a kid I really wanted to find a wizard to take me as his apprentice so that I could spend fifteen years studying 17 hours a day and come out at the end as an uber-powerful, unstoppable magic machine. (I loved magic AND school.) Here are my top ten all-time favorite wizards and their magical systems from movies and television:

1) “Labyrinth” – The Goblin King set my basic lizard-brain desire for a white feather cloak when I become a super wizard. I will avoid the goblin minions, though, as they’re not too bright. Singing would be optional.

2) “Spirited Away” – I love magic that is based on names (a la A Wizard of Earthseaby Ursula K. LeGuin, one of the best systems of magic in books). And this one is a perfect fairy tale, to boot. It’s creepy and full of bravery. Plus, when I am a super wizard I will definitely have dragons.

3) “Howl’s Moving Castle” – Howl the Wizard might be the most entertaining of my favorite wizards! He not only has great powers, but he cares very, very deeply about his hair. When his dye is the wrong color, he melts into green slime, which is similar to what happens to me.

4) “Practical Magic” – Here is a fabulous introduction into folk magic, and the kind of every-day magic that families pass down. It’s also about the magic in love and in grief, so although there isn’t an uber-wizard here, the family of witches really knows what magic means.

5) “LadyHawke” – True loves kept apart by a single magical curse? Hawk by day, wolf by night? Ferris Bueller? Epic cathedral during a solar eclipse happily ever after ending? Super 1980s synthesizer soundtrack? What’s not to love?

6) “Legend of the Seeker” – This short lived TV show based on Terry Goodkind’s Sword of Truth books is so silly and fun, with great magic and a wizard named Zeddicus Zu’l Zorander, which is exactly the sort of name an uber-wizard needs.

7) “Willow” – Not only is Madmartigan hilarious (and sexy), but this movie is all about a man (Willow) learning to become a wizard. He’s doing it while on a crazy quest to save the kingdom, and this magic is hard. It requires focus, determination, and heart.

8) “Sleeping Beauty” One word: Maleficent. So she’s selfish and evil – she also turns into a dragon. A DRAGON. Did I mention how much I want one? But Maleficent doesn’t just have a dragon, she IS a dragon. And it takes other wizards, a magical sword, and a brave prince to defeat her.

9) “Avatar: The Last Airbender” – Elemental magic, for the win. I would like to be a Fire Bender, personally, and occasionally can be found practicing forms for channeling lightning in my office.

10) “FullMetal Alchemist” – This is my favorite anime (I love both versions, even) because of the relationship between the two brothers, and because of the amazingly complex and cool magical system. Alchemy in this world is almost exactly how I imagined wanting magic to be when I was 8 years old. Difficult, full of math and symbolism, and you could gain power just by studying and practicing! LOVE.

If, like me, you’re studying wizardry, any of these movies would be a great place to begin. Good luck!

[Note: This top ten list, excluding the introduction, was previously published at

I haven’t had the chance to see all of those films, but I have seen quite a few of them. And agree wholly with her number one choice. “Labyrinth” = best magical film ever!

Oh and “LadyHawke” breaks my heart for a moment every time I watch it. And yes, I happen to be a sucker for ’80s synthesizer soundtracks and scores. Especially The Alan Parsons Project score in this movie.

But I digress….

It was such an honor to be able to host an author that I think is one of the biggest rockstars ever! And while I’m sad today is the last official day of the Authors Are Rockstars Tour, I couldn’t be happier having author Tessa Gratton on the blog today to close things out.

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again….

The chance to choose which giveaway you’d like to be entered into is in the rafflecopter form and is the only mandatory entry in the giveaway. But if you’d like to spread the word that would be awesome!

To enter, fill out the Rafflecopter form:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Below are the YA books coming out this week that I am spotlighting for my “Book Watch: Releasing This Week” post.

These are books for the week of August 28th-September 3rd that I had and have pre-ordered.

Embers & Echoes by Karsten Knight was released in the U.S. on August 28, 2012 in hardcover and eBook formats. It is currently available to order online in both formats at Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

Published by Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, the print edition is 480 pages.

Embers & Echoes is the second book in the Wildefire series by the author. The third and final book in the trilogy, Afterglow, is slated for release in 2013.

***

I had Embers & Echoes pre-ordered from the second it was made available for eBook download. And I also pre-ordered a copy of the hardcover because I just had to see if it was every bit as gorgeous in real life as it seemed online.

While I had the chance to read it early. Twice. I know I’ll be reading this book again and again and it will be so much easier on my Kindle. And as I have read and reviewed it, I can’t speculate as to what might be happening with Ash as she leaves her life in California behind for an adventure in Miami, because I already know. But I can say that this Polynesian Volcano goddess does not have an easy road ahead.

There are battles. There is danger. There is heartbreak. And there is page after page of captivating story that makes me wish I could pick it right back up again.

Speechless by Hannah Harrington was released on August 28, 2012 in the U.S. in paperback and eBook formats. It is currently available to order online in both formats at Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

Published by Harlequin TEEN, the print edition is 288 pages.

***

Speechless is the second book of Hannah Harrington’s that I’ve pre-ordered. And while I still haven’t had a chance to read Saving June, I couldn’t resist putting her next book on my list of books to buy.

This book sounds incredible. I can’t wait to meet Chelsea Knot and find out if she’ll be able to stick with the vow of silence she’s taken. I am curious to learn just how tough it will be for her to keep silent in the face of the “ridicule” and attacks she has to endure. And I really want to know if she’ll be able to forgive herself for the part she played in almost getting someone killed.

I’m not sure when I’ll get to read this sequel, but I’m hoping to be able to add it to the pile this fall. Because I’ve been dying to read a book by this author as I’ve heard such amazing things about her writing. And because this story sounds fascinating and possibly heartbreaking.

Enshadowed by Kelly Creagh was released in the U.S. on August 28, 2012 in hardcover and eBook formats. It is currently available online to order in both formats at Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

Published by Atheneum Books for Young Readers the print edition is 448 pges.

Enshadowed is the sequel to author Kelly Creagh’s Nevermore.

***

I think I’ve talked about Enshadowed enough. I’ve had it pre-ordered since early 2011. It was my only remaining pre-order for 2011, in fact. And it’s finally been released. Which means I will be devouring it as soon as I finish my current read.

I have missed Varen and Isobel. I have been dying to find out what will happen to him. Things were left in a dark and haunting place. And I want to see if they’ll get even darker or if there is any possibility for a happy ending.

I have no idea if this is the final book in the series or if there is more to come. And I don’t want to know. Because I have got to read this book right now. Even if it means after this long, long wait that I will have to say goodbye to the characters and story forever.

I loved the connection the author made with Poe in her first book and I can’t wait to see just how much Poe and his stories play a role in this sequel. I probably will miss many of the more subtle connections, but I am looking forward to trying to discover them all. Which will hopefully be in a day or two.

The Blood Keeper by Tessa Gratton was released in the U.S. on August 28, 2012 in hardcover and eBook formats. It is currently available to order online in both formats at Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

Published by Random House Books for Young Readers, the print edition is 432 pages.

The Blood Keeper is the second book in author Tessa Gratton’s The Blood Journals series.

***

The Blood Keeper is another book I’ve had pre-ordered for the longest time. I fell head over heels in love with Blood Magic last year and was dying to get to read more from author Tessa Gratton. She is a gorgeous writer and has such a beautiful, poetic way with words that make her stories just cling to me.

I love the dark aspect to her stories and can’t wait to see how the darkness blends with the beauty in this one. I’m excited to meet Mab and to see just how blood magic affects her life. And I really excited to find out whether any of the characters from that first book make an appearance in this one.

The Blood Keeper is another book that I hope to read this week. I don’t think I can wait any longer than that to find out what happens with Mab and Will and the “dangerous force” that is seeking “its own dark power.”

Isolation by Dan Wells was released in the U.S. on August 28, 2012 in eBook format only. It is currently available to order online at Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

Published by Balzer + Bray, an imprint of HarperCollins, the print length is 75 pages.

Isolation is a prequel novella in the author’s Partials series.

***

While I have not yet read Partials, I just had to pre-order Dan Wells’ novella Isolation. I’ve been in love with the covers for these books and I’ve been dying to dive into Partials for awhile now. Especially as I’ve heard such amazing things about it from a few bloggers I know.

I can’t wait to see what life is like in this novella set long before the events in Partials, when the world was in a war of isolation and energy was at a premium. I’m super curious to find out how the author handles the power struggle of the various nations and where “ambition far outstrip[s] its foresight.”

And I am excited to meet Heron and see just what she discovers on her mission into enemy territory. I’m still debating whether to read this prior to reading Partials or if I should just wait and read the books in the order the author intended.

Starling by Lesley Livingston was released in the U.S. on August 28, 2012 in hardcover and eBook formats. It is currently available to order online in both formats at Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

Published by HarperTeen, the print edition is 352 pages.

Starling is the first book in a new series of the same name by author Lesley Livingston.

***

I have been a huge fan of author Lesley Livingston for the longest time. I feel in love with her Wondrous Strange series long before I started blogging and I’ve been desperately waiting for Once Every Never to be available for the Kindle.

So when I heard that she had a book called Starling coming out I instantly added it to my list of books to buy. And while I did get an early copy through a trade, I didn’t get a chance to read it. But I will be reading my eBook copy very, very soon. Possibly as soon as I finish this post….

I was tormented by the quote in the description - ”Love is just the beginning… of the end.” Absolutely, maddeningly cruel. In the best possible way.

I can’t wait to meet Mason Starling. and I can’t wait to see Fenn again, as I am dying to find out why he’s lost his memory and whether he’ll get it back. I am so intrigued by the promise of Norse mythology and I am excited about the fact that this book has both “sweeping romance and pulse-pounding action.”

Waiting any longer to read this book is just not an option.

Defiance by C.J. Redwine was released in the U.S. on August 28, 2012 in hardcover and eBook formats. It is currently available online to order in both formats at Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

Published by Balzer + Bray, an imprint of HarperCollins, the print edition is 416 pages.

Defiance is the first book in a new series of the same name by the author.

***

I have been fascinated by this book ever since I saw its cover and title. I added Defiance to my list of pre-orders in part because of cover love, in part from the promise of what the story would hold based upon its title and in part because the main character can “deftly wield a sword.”

I hope to be able to read this book very, very soon. I want to see what’s going on in Baalboden. I want to meet Rachel Adams. And I definitely want to meet Logan McEntire. But most of all I can’t wait to see what happens as they “battle their way through the Wasteland.”

This story sounds epic. The main character sounds fiery. The protagonist sounds swoon-worthy. And any book with monsters, assassins, romance and heartbreak is one I am sure to enjoy.

Don’t Tun Around by Michelle Gagnon was released in the U.S. on August 28, 2012 in hardcover and eBook formats. It is currently available to order online in both formats at Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

Published by HarperCollins, the print edition is 320 pages.

Don’t Turn Around is the first book in author Michelle Gagnon’s PERSEFoNE Trilogy.

***

I first learned about Don’t Turn Around just before the Authors Are Rockstars Tour and instantly added it to my pre-orders. I loved the sound of this world from the moment I read the description.

Intrigue. Hackers. Mystery. Amnesia. Danger. And romance.

Yes, this book has just about everything I love. And as I haven’t read anything quite like it in YA before, I’m excited to meet the characters and see just how the author presents the story. I’m very curious to see just what secrets they hold and whether they’ll be able to find the answers they need before it’s too late.

While I know I won’t get the chance to read it this week, I am really hoping to read it mid-September.

The Iron Legends by Julie Kagawa was released in the U.S. on August 28, 2012 in paperback and ebook formats. It is currently available online to order in both formats at Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

Published by Harlequin Teen, the print edition is 304 pages.

The Iron Legends is the bind-up of three former eBook only novellas, Winter’s Passage, Summer’s Crossing, and Iron’s Prophecy.

***

I love that all three short eBook novellas are contained in a bind-up. I pre-ordered The Iron Legends in ebook format although I have the first two…possibly all three… stories already as eBooks. But I love that I’ll be able to read all three without having to search for them on my Kindle.

And I love that this has a little something extra something called the “Guide to the Iron Fey.”

I’ve read Winter’s Passage and Summer’s Crossing but I still have to read Iron’s Prophecy. So I will be reading it from this eBook bind-up versus trying to track it down wherever it lives on my eReader.

Julie Kagawa wrote such a delightful series with her Iron Fey books. And while I still haven’t been able to say goodbye to the series, I am glad that I have yet another peek into the world with the Guide, which I will be checking out next weekend.

Erasing Time by C.J. Hill was released in the U.S. on August 28, 2012 in hardcover and eBook formats. It is currently available to order online in both formats at Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

Published by Katherine Tegen Books, an imprint of HarperCollins, the print edition is 368 pages.

***

Erasing Time is yet another book I pre-ordered based on cover and title before even checking out the description. I was fascinated with the idea of erasing time and so curious to see what that meant in context with the story that I just had to buy it no matter what the description might say.

And then I checked that out too and was even more curious to read this book. The idea of waking up four hundred years in the future is terrifying. And to a world that exists under domes, where the language spoken is hardly recognizable, is even more frightening.

I can’t wait to meet Taylor and Sheridan and find out how they manage to survive in this futuristic world. And I’m very interested to learn more about Echo and find out just what secrets he holds.

This story promises heartbreak and “adrenaline-injected chases” and I can’t wait to read all about it.

The Lost Girl by Sangu Mandanna was released in the U.S. on August 28, 2012 in hardcover and eBook formats. It is currently available to order online in both formats at Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

Published by Balzer + Bray, an imprint of HarperCollins, the print edition is 432 pages.

***

The Lost Girl sounded so unbelievably heartbreaking I just had to add it to my list of pre-orders. The idea of the story – a girl created to replace someone else in the event of their death – is both chilling and just so very sad.

Just reading the description and I already feel my heart aching for Eva and for Amarra’s family. I can’t imagine what Eva’s life must have been like just knowing she could be ripped from her home at any moment and be forced to step into someone else’s life and play the part of them for the rest of her life.

I am so curious to see what choice Eva will make – stay an echo or become an original. And I’m so interested in finding out more about Eva, what it was like to have to study Amarra and then have to become her, and just how this story will end.

This sounds like an incredible debut novel and one I cannot wait to get the chance to read. Hopefully I’ll have the time to sneak it in early this fall.

Inbetween by Tara Fuller was released in the U.S. on August 28, 2012 in paperback and eBook formats. It is currently available to order online in both formats at Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

Published by Entangled Teen, the print edition is 400 pages.

Inbetween is the first book in a new series entitled Kissed by Death by author Tara Fuller.

***

I had the chance to read Inbetween just a little bit early, but I did not get the chance to finish it. I’m so glad that I pre-ordered the eBook as it will be much easier to read the finished eBook version.

This story has romance and reapers, a good boy, a bad boy, a good girl and an evil one. It’s sweet and fun and I am very curious to find out what I missed between where I left off and where the story ended. Yes, I took a peek.

I don’t want to say too much more as I might completely, and very unintentionally, spoil the ending. But I will definitely be picking this book back up to catch up with all that stuff inbetween.

Silver by Talia Vance will be released in the U.S. on September 1, 2012 (thought it’s official release date is September 8, 2012) in paperback and eBook formats. It is currently available to pre-order online in both formats at Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

Published by Flux, the print edition is 386 pages.

Silver is the first book in author Talia Vance’s Bandia series. The second book in the series, Gold, is slated for release in 2013.

***

Oh my gosh I can’t wait until Silver downloads to my Kindle this weekend. I absolutely loved this book from the moment I met it. I had no idea I would. It took me completely by surprise. And it was an absolutely awesome one at that.

I didn’t discover this book because of its cover – but it’s a gorgeous cover. I’d heard of the author for quite awhile on Twitter, but I hadn’t realized that Silver was her book and that it was coming out in September. Not until I was invited on the tour.

So, yes, I decided to read it early. Yes, I’ve written my review. Yes, I completely and totally loved it and am now suffering the long wait until Gold is released next fall…2013 that is.

I cannot pretend to guess what might happen in this book because I know exactly what happens. And I didn’t forget one single moment of action, romance, nail-biting suspense or heartbreak.

And I could never forget how easily I connected with the story and the beautiful and enchanting writing that was used to deliver it. Writing such as this, from a quote included in the description - ”As I step into the room, a silver flash blurs my vision. Before I can take a breath, the world falls away.”

Oh I may have just sighed again. And I may just have to re-read this book the moment it downloads next weekend. Because I still haven’t lost that connection with Brianna, Blake or Austin and I’m not sure I’m ready to let go just yet.

***

UPDATE: I apparently have yet another book pre-ordered this week that hadn’t been included on my post earlier today….

Iron’s Prophecy (The Iron Fey #4.5) by Julie Kagawa

Pub. Date: September 1, 2012

Published by: Harlequin TEEN

(Amazon, Barnes & Noble)

I KNEW I couldn’t possibly have missed Iron Prophecy’s release! I knew I owned, and read, the first two novellas in the bind-up, but I wasn’t sure about this one. Well, clearly, since it hadn’t been previously released, it couldn’t possibly live anywhere on my Kindle.

And while I already have this eBook included as part of the bind-up, I still plan on purchasing this short novella separately. Why not, right?

END OF UPDATE

***

I had thirteen fourteen books pre-ordered – not nine or ten as I’d thought! Twelve of which have already downloaded and which are vying for my attention on my Kindle. Fortunately I’ve already read a couple of them, though I want to read both of those again. But not counting those potential re-reads, that still means books in the double digits are being added to my TBR pile. And I don’t even want to think about what this quantity of books is doing to my wallet.

Especially since next week there are a ton of new releases, too.

I have been waiting a very long time to read quite a few of these books, some of which I’m sad that I didn’t get the chance to read early like I’d wanted to. And others I didn’t have the opportunity to read in advance, but am dying to read this week. I really hope I’ll have that chance. But that remains TBD.

As always, I would love to hear what you’re hoping to add to your collection this week!

And if you have any great suggestions of “must read” books to buy that are releasing this week, please let me know!

This week not only did I get no books in the mail, but for five of the six mail delivery days I actually got no mail. So, I’m not sure what’s happening with the mailman. Especially as I was expecting one book in the mail this week.

Hopefully it will show up on Monday, because I think I’ll cry just a little bit if it’s lost.

Anyway, while I didn’t receive anything new to read in the mail, I am expecting quite a few books to land on my Kindle on Monday night. Two of which I just can’t wait to read. And so….

Here are the books I have in my reading pile this week.

(August 26 – September 1, 2012)

First up on the pile is Enshadowed by Kelly Creagh. I’ve been waiting years for this book’s release and I don’t want to have to wait any longer than this week to read it. I almost cried when the release date was moved from January to August of this year.

I won’t talk too much more about this book since I very recently posted about it for my Book Watch post. But I want to find out just what’s going to happen with Isobel and Varen. I want to find out who this “Poe Toaster” is.

And I want to know more about this “ancient evil” who is “challenging [Isobel] for Varen’s affections.”

I can’t wait to finally pick this book up and get those long awaited answers. I can’t wait to dive back into this fascinating world within a world that the author created. And I can’t wait to see whether this ends happily, tragically or on a cliff.

Because I have no idea if there’s another book in the series. And I don’t want to find out until after I’ve read it.

Next up on the pile is The Blood Keeper by Tessa Gratton. This is another book I’ve been just dying to read. I fell in love with the simply gorgeous way the author writes when I read Blood Magic just a bit early last year.

And I was reminded, more recently, of just how stunning and enchanting and magical that writing is.

I cannot wait to get pulled back in by the author’s words. I cannot wait to meet new characters and perhaps get to see one or two that I already know. And I absolutely cannot wait to read this book that is described as being “[a] stunning blend of romance, horror and magic.”

From reading the description I just know that I’ll fall in love with this book and her characters, Mab and Will. I am anxious to see just why Mab’s practice of blood magic affects Will’s mind in the way it does. And I’m curious to find out what those secrets are that were kept from her.

But most of all I’m dying to find out if this “dark power” does manage to “break free from the earth” and if it does, what does that mean for the two of them.

I am definitely nervous….

***

Wishful Thinking reads:

I wish I could read Catching Jordan by Miranda Kenneally. I took a look at the author’s favorite passages and quotes from this book on her stop today for the Authors ARE Rockstars Tour and I immediately and completely fell in love with that book.

Which of course means that I wish I could read it right now. Because I really, really want to. I love her main character’s voice. I love the brief peek I got of the author’s writing and I think it would absolutely be the perfect read for me right about now.

If only I had just a few hours to dive into this book… and if only wishes could come true.

***

Those left behind:

I just started reading OVER YOU, which I should definitely finish before I start this week’s reads because I won’t be getting them until late Monday. So, I’m not technically behind on last week’s reading pile. Of course, if this review I need to write takes longer than expected then I might fall just a little bit behind schedule.

But I did not quite get the chance to finish the other book I’d been reading last week, which was INBETWEEN. Though I did take a peek at the end….

Things have been just so hectic in real life and with my mind racing a mile a minute I just wasn’t able to sink into this book and connect with it in the way I’d wanted to. I found myself getting too easily distracted with the long list of “to do’s” I have in front of me instead of being able to escape in the book.

I have it pre-ordered, so I will give it another try when things are a little less crazy for me. But for right now I will be setting it aside and tackling – hopefully – one or two of those other review books I’m a bit behind on.

Though, chances are, that won’t happen. I have a feeling I will end up reading the books on the pile this week, because they’re both so highly anticipated for me that I don’t even think real life stress will cause me to lose focus. At least that’s what I’m hoping.

***

NetGalley Pile Adds:

I did not head over to NetGalley this week. Even I am not crazy enough to have added more required reads to the pile when I have so much going on in my life outside of blogging. Okay, maybe I am that crazy. But I wasn’t that crazy this week.

My attempts at becoming a more focused blogger are failing epically. I am barely able to focus long enough to put this post together as I’m thinking about those upcoming releases on Tuesday that I’m dying to read, the stack of books I’m sitting next to that I’ve paused to peruse more than once and the other random blog posts I’d like to be writing.

Yeah. Epic failure.

I did not start and finish one single book this week. No, starting doesn’t count. And I didn’t end up writing a review, either, for my tour stop on the Throne of Glass tour.

While I did manage to find a few more books to clear off the shelf, I wasn’t clearing them off because I’d read them. Which makes me just a wee bit sad. And even more envious of those who can read a bit faster or those who can’t but have a little more time to read than I do right now.

And instead of putting my blog My Reading Pile on hiatus for the month of September while I deal with some real-life issues, I came up with a new feature. Yep, totally brill.

Not. Even. Close.

Well… anyway….

I do have two wicked awesome books on the pile this week. And even though I didn’t receive the book I was hoping to receive in the mail, I think I’m actually a little bit happy as I wouldn’t have been able to read it this week even if it had arrived.

But although my mailman brought me no goodies, I hope you got some exciting books in the mail. Ones you’ve been dying to read. Ones that are a bit unexpected. Or ones you think of as old favorites.

And I hope, as always, that you have the happiest of reading weeks this week!

***

Do you create a reading pile?
If so, what’s in your pile this week?

Below are the YA books coming out this week that I am spotlighting for my “Book Watch: Releasing This Week” post.

These are books for the week of May 24th-May 30th that I have pre-ordered.

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Between Here and Forever by Elizabeth Scott will be released in the U.S. on May 24, 2011 in hardcover and eBook formats. It is currently available to pre-order online in both formats at Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

Published by Simon Pulse, a division of Simon & Schuster, the print edition is 256 pages.

Between Here and Forever is a book that I spotlighted for my Book Watch post and one that I can’t wait to read. I love Elizabeth Scott’s writing and the cover of this new book is so pretty.

The description sounds different from some of the other books of the author’s that I’ve read, but has me intrigued. I can’t wait to find out what Abby’s plans are to bring Tess back, and just how Eli fits into the picture.

I’ve had this on my list of pre-orders for a couple of months and I’m so glad it will finally be released this week.

The Girl in the Steel Corset is the debut young adult novel by Kady Cross. It will be released in the U.S. on May 24, 2011 in hardcover format and on June 1, 2011 in eBook formats. It is currently available online to pre-order in both formats at Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

Published by Harlequin TEEN the print edition is 480 pages.

I can’t wait to see what the cover looks like on the finished copy. The ARC I have doesn’t do justice to its beauty. This is one of the few books that I have decided to purchase in print versus eBook format because of its cover. I did swing by my local bookstore, but sadly they didn’t have copies of this book in early.

Finley Jayne is a great new character – I had a chance to first meet her in the free eBook prequel novella being offered by the publisher. And The Girl in the Steel Corset is an amazing read for someone new to the world of steampunk. For some reason I expected steampunk to read like a science fiction novel – very technical and somewhat difficult to follow for someone who wasn’t in the know.

But the author’s writing style really gives newbie readers a good look at a completely foreign world in a way that is exciting and easy to follow. I cannot wait to get my print copy this week.

To read an excerpt from the author’s website, CLICK HERE.

Book trailer for The Girl in the Steel Corset:

Angel Burn by L.A. Weatherly will be released in the U.S. on May 24, 2011 in hardcover, eBook and audio formats. It is currently available to pre-order in all formats from Amazon and in hardcover and eBook formats at Barnes & Noble.

Angel Burn was released as Angel on October 1, 2010 in the U.K. in paperback and eBook formats.

Published by Candlewick, the print edition is 464 pages.

I am so excited that Angel Burn will finally be released. I read this over a month ago and I can’t wait to get my finished copy. I absolutely loved this book and its completely different take on angels.

Vampiric, soul sucking, life stealing angels are definitely not the angels I’ve grown to know and love in all the young adult books I’ve read. And Alex and Willow make such great main characters.

This is quite a thrilling story and I just wish the second book in this series were out already so I can find out what happens next.

If you would like to check out my review, click here.

Book trailer for Angel Burn:

Alex teaser trailer for Angel Burn:

Blood Magic by Tessa Gratton will be released in the U.S. on May 24, 2011 in hardcover, library binding and eBook formats. It is currently available online to pre-order in all formats from Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

Published by Random House Books for Young Readers, the print edition is 416 pages.

Blood Magic is one of the books that can be chosen for the 2011 Debut Author Challenge hosted by Kristi at TheStorySiren.com.

I’ve talked way too much about this book, so I will try not to be repetitive. Blood Magic has been on my list of pre-orders since long before the release date was bumped from April to May. I had added it to my list as soon as I saw the amazing cover. It is absolutely dark and gorgeous. And the birds will completely make sense as soon as you read the book.

This was another book I tried tracking at the bookstore early, but was unsuccessful. I’ll have to check back on Tuesday to see if the print edition is even more amazing than the ARC, but I’m betting it will be.

If you would like to check out my review, click here.

Book trailer for Blood Magic:

Something Deadly This Way Comes by Kim Harrison is the third book in the Avery trilogy. It will be released in the U.S. on May 24, 2011 in hardcover and eBook formats and is currently available for pre-order in both formats at Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

Published by HarperTeen, a division of HarperCollins, the print edition is 256 pages.

I haven’t yet read any of the books in this series but just recently purchased the first two. This looks like such a great series and one that I’m glad to get all at once with no wait in between books.

The heroine, Avery, sounds like she is pretty fierce. And a series filled with reapers, dark angels and time travel sounds like it could be pretty wild.

This trilogy will be the first books I’ve read by the author, but the descriptions of these books sounded so amazing that I just had to grab the first two and added this upcoming release to my pre-orders.

I hope to be able to read this entire trilogy soon, as I don’t want them falling to the bottom of the pile.

Book trailer for Something Deadly This Way Comes:

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This is a great week for new releases. I have all five of these on pre-order and can’t wait to get the finished copies for both the new books and those I’ve already read.

There are a couple books I’m currently reading for review that I will be ordering shortly after release date, but aren’t on my list of pre-orders – Awaken and Putting Makeup on Dead People. So this will most likely be a seven book buy week.

As always, I would love to hear what you’re hoping to add to your collection this week!

Please let me know if there is a “must read” that I’ve missed. I do not like to miss out on owning great books, even if I can’t read them right away.

There are books that you fall in love with, that leave you breathless and sobbing your eyes out. Books that take your heart and stomp on it, leaving you completely destroyed.

Then there are books that steal your heart. These bookish thieves take but do not destroy, leaving you forever captivated by their charms and always begging for more.

These are the books that are the source of our undying crushes. The ones that leave us sighing, with a small smile that is just for them. We give our hearts to these books and would follow them to the very ends of the earth. Some of them make us do just that, and we follow, oh so willingly.

A crush may be a fragile thing, but we certainly have room for many. I know I’ve crushed on hundreds of books in my lifetime and I’ll crush on many, many more. They say crushes are harmless, after all, so what’s wrong with having just a few…or a few more?

Here are a few books that I’m crushing on big time

Die for Me by Amy Plum is a new crush. I’ve just met this book and already I’m infatuated. Sure, I was little bit infatuated before I actually read it, but now “I Heart Revenants” too!

Why I’m crushing: Paris, love before all, mad swordfighting skills, and one hot revenant…maybe two.

Wildefire by Karsten Knight is a fairly long-standing crush for me. I crushed on it when I saw the cover and I became slightly obsessed after it arrived in my mailbox. I devoured this book and went back for seconds.

Why I’m crushing: Kick a** heroine, to-die-for writing, wicked cool gods and goddesses, one killer ending, and just a dash mountain of sarcasm thrown in to keep things interesting.

Blood Magic by Tessa Gratton became a crush the second I saw the cover. It became a mad crush the moment I started reading. Just so freaking awesome. Definitely appeals to my darker nature.

Why I’m crushing: Dark and disturbing, mesmerizing, macabre, poetic, do I really need to say more? Okay, how about dark magic performed in a cemetery.

Daimon by Jennifer L. Armentrout is a new crush, but it really is just an extension of my existing crush. You see, I have been crushing on Half-Blood since I read its description ages ago, but once I got my hot little hands on this bad boy, I was all over it… And it was all over for me.

Why I’m crushing: Action, action, action. A chase, daimons, demi-gods, oh yeah, and did I say action? And one heroine with some pretty bad taste in music. What’s not to love?

Red Glove by Holly Black is an ongoing crush. It came into being when I read White Cat a few months ago. It continued right on through this second book in the series. And I am so hoping for a gloveless society. Curse Workers rule!

Why I’m crushing: Con artists, curse workers, mystery, and the only gloved hero I will ever love – Cassel Sharpe.

Illusions by Aprilynne Pike is an old crush that started with Wings. A three book crush is a pretty fierce thing and is now walking that fine line between crush and stalking. If this series lasts too much longer I’ll have to find some new crazed fan-dom category for this.

Why I’m crushing: Super sweet, one swoonworthy faery, one insanely cruel love triangle, and a slew of evil trolls. All ingredients that make up the perfect fairytale.

Shift by Jeri Smith-Ready is a year-long crush that started with Shade. I still consider this crushworthy although it borders on those “tear your heart out” books I mentioned earlier. We’ll see where things go with Shine to see if this falls off the Crush List and onto Heartbreak Row.

Why I’m crushing: Undying love, a naughty heroine, a mystery, the river scene, and a love triangle verging on a square. And who could forget those Keeley’s – no wonder Aura is having such a tough time.

Sirensong by Jenna Black is another three book crush. This series just gave me the warm and fuzzies right from the start. I couldn’t help but fall in love. And my cover love is almost as intense as my book crush.

Why I’m crushing: Danger, thrills, an adventure through Faerie, and more than one hottie to choose from. And, oooh, the return of the Erlking makes my heart go pitter-patter.

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So, these are just a few books from my slightly eclectic crush list. Who says I have to only be obsessed with just one type of book? This is only the tip of a very large iceberg and by next month I’m sure I’ll have quite a few more to add.

Do you crush on books?

What makes a book crushworthy for you?

I would love to know!