Win THE MORTAL INSTRUMENTS - The Complete Series!

Way back when I read and kept my thoughts to myself, I began The Mortal Instruments series by Cassandra Clare.  It was a series that I became wrapped up in and opened me up to several other books which eventually led to creating my book blog.  I am so thrilled to be hosting a giveaway for the complete series as the final book, City of Heavenly Fire, is to be published.  Check out the details below and enter the rafflecopter for a chance to win the complete series + a Mortal Instruments hoodie.  (Open to US addresses only)

The Mortal Instruments - The Complete Series!

One (1) winner receives a complete set of The Mortal Instruments series and a Mortal Instruments hoodie.
Prizing & samples courtesy of Simon & Schuster
Giveaway open to US addresses only

a Rafflecopter giveaway

About the book:
City of Heavenly Fire is the final book in the #1 Bestselling The Mortal Instruments series.

Shadowhunters and demons square off for the final showdown in the epic conclusion to the #1 New York Times bestselling Mortal Instruments series.

Darkness has descended on the Shadowhunter world. Chaos and destruction overwhelm the Nephilim as Clary, Jace, Simon, and their friends band together to fight the greatest evil they have ever faced: Clary’s own brother. Nothing in this world can defeat Sebastian—but if they journey to the realm of demons, they just might have a chance…

Lives will be lost, love sacrificed, and the whole world will change. Who will survive the explosive sixth and final installment of the Mortal Instruments series?

About the author:
Cassandra Clare is the author of the #1 New York Times, USA TODAY, Wall Street Journal, and Publishers Weekly bestselling Mortal Instruments series, the Infernal Devices trilogy, and the Bane Chronicles. Her books have more than 24 million copies in print worldwide and have been translated into more than thirty-five languages. Cassandra lives in western Massachusetts.

Visit all of THE MORTAL INSTRUMENTS websites - #COHF

Visit the official website
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The Infernal Devices: A Personal Note + A Giveaway!

When someone comes to my blog, they usually expect a review about a contemporary story -- either YA or adult.  Based on my reading tastes, that's a very typical thing to see here, right?  Well inside this reader are many layers of story-telling that I adore so much.  The genre does not always have to be contemporary for me to call it a favorite; sometimes it's the story that captures my heart regardless of the realm it's told in.

I was first introduced to Cassandra Clare's writing long before my days of book blogging.  It was her Mortal Instruments series that I quickly became addicted to and found myself wanting more.  This woman has a way with words that tell a story way beyond just a book of pages, separated by chapters.  She had the ability to engage me as a reader from her first series, but it's her second series, The Infernal Devices, that completely stole my heart and whisked me away to a book lover's dream!

After just finishing Clockwork Princess, the last installment in The Infernal Devices, I have a feeling of both happiness and sadness.  This story took my heart soaring, but it also slammed it down, bearing its vulnerability.  I was fearful of what's to come, but so very anxious to find out at the same time.  I love when stories give a finality that you can't predict, even though you think you can.  Her surprises left me very satisfied, but the ending is somewhat bittersweet.  I'm not quite ready to say goodbye to this world, to these characters.  The genius of it all is that you don't have to because Clare has intertwined both these series so beautifully that their stories never truly end.   There are connections and links all throughout, and she's continuing with a third series in this Shadowhunter world in 2015!

So this is me recommending an author to those who have yet to read her books, or persuade those who began her stories to continue on with them -- trust me, you won't regret it!  Reading is such a huge passion of mine and I love when books have the ability to cause me to stay up late, reading into the wee hours of the morning.  You tell yourself, just one more chapter and then bed.  Yet there you are, at midnight, staring at THE END and thinking - wow, just wow.

And what's better than recommending? How about offering a chance to discover The Infernal Devices by Cassandra Clare by entering my giveaway below. Up for grabs is the complete set of Clockwork Angel, Clockwork Prince, and Clockwork Princess.  I want to give someone else the opportunity to lose themselves in the world that Clare has created and to be able to fall in love with her characters that I hold so close to my literary heart.

(this giveaway is open to US residents only & ends on 4/8/13 at 12:00a.m.)

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Waiting On: Clockwork Princess

Clockwork Princess (The Infernal Devices, #3)
by Cassandra Clare
To be published: March 19, 2013 by Margaret K. McElderry Books

If the only way to save the world was to destroy what you loved most, would you do it?

The clock is ticking. Everyone must choose.

Passion. Power. Secrets. Enchantment.

Danger closes in around the Shadowhunters in the final installment of the bestselling Infernal Devices trilogy. [goodreads]

This book is probably THE MOST anticipated ending to a series of novels being published in 2013. I first fell in love with Cassandra Clare's world of Shadowhunters in the Mortal Instruments series, and my love continued through with this series, The Infernal Devices. As much as I love Jace, Will may be giving him a challenge, in which I'll never be able to choose a winner! The intensity and passion in this story keeps me coming back for more and more. I am so anxious to find out how it all ends.

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

When some books leave you seeking a support group...

You know when you find a book that completely consumes your life & leaves you unable to put it down... so much that the dirty dishes remain piled high in the sink, the laundry lay scattered about on the floor, and your dog looks at you with her leash hanging from her mouth.  Yeah.. it's THOSE kind of books that remind me why I love to read so much.

I recently devoured Cassandra Clare's latest novel, Clockwork Prince - the second in her Infernal Devices series, and OMG has it wrecked me.  First of all, the book is about a million pages long and a few feet deep.  Ok not really, but it IS a lengthy story.  The fact that I tore through those pages like nobody's business should tell you something.  From the moment these characters presented themselves in this second installment, I was lost... in the best way possible.  For those who don't know, this story is set in Victorian London.  We're talking corsets, proper courtship, and high tea at noon.  The few moments I had to put the book down, I'm pretty sure I was speaking in some old English verb-age with a terrible accent.  I may or may not have been seeking runes & trying to look pasts glamours.  Yes, I am aware of how much I lost it by then.

THEN there came the gasping, OMG WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!, oh dear god, yes yes yes, no no no moments.  They were intense, to say the least.  Thank the heavens for my bookish friends (Anna & Molly) who were there to support me and hold my hand as I went through this experience.  I was even given proper page numbers to look out for (thank you Jess!).  I was informed that the ending would be emotional, and to try and not finish it in public.  I am happy to say I took their advice & ever so thankful that I did.  The UGLY TEARS came and they came hard.  It felt like my heart was ripped out of me and stomped on, but then placed back inside ever so gently.  This book. THIS BOOK.

As I closed that final chapter, I just sat there... staring... the words, "why? why? WHY?" flowing out of my mouth.  Oh Cassie Clare you devilish woman, you.  How I adore your literary soul!  THIS is why I have fallen in love with books so much, because they make me feel like nothing else can.  It's art that's come to life.  I am now in need of therapy, though.  For those that have read this book, can we please form a support group?  I feel as though I need to talk out my emotions.  We can hold hands and guide each other through this process, together.  Hopefully by next year, when the third book comes out, we'll be prepared.  Something tells me my heart will go through the ringer a few thousand times more, though.  And you know what?  That's OK by me.  Bring it!

P.S. TEAM WILL ALL THE FREAKING WAY. And if you disagree with this, I may question our blogger relationship. hahaha just kidding. kind of.

City of... SERIOUS LOVE!

So I realize that I do not have one single review up for any of Cassandra Clare's books.  If you know me, then you know how much I ADORE these books.  But I've never once sat down & put my thoughts on the computer screen explaining WHY I love these stories so much.  Yes, I have this blog to share with you all my love/hate relationship with my books, but sometimes I like to keep my thoughts MY thoughts.  The Mortal Instruments series is one set of books that I will probably keep private, my reviews on them anyway.  They hold a special place in my heart & I don't know if I am quite ready to unleash all those emotions out in to the blogosphere.  So instead, I thought I'd share with you all my love FOR the books & not necessarily ABOUT the books.

Are you still with me?

I first picked up City of Bones in 2008.  I had just devoured the Twilight series for the 6th or 7th time (seriously), and I was needing something to settle my stomach & feed that craving in which Twilight so graciously stuffed down my throat.  The order was tall, but I was up for the challenge.  In walks Cassandra Clare (not literally) with these amazing characters named Jace, Clary, Simon, Magnus, Alec, Izzy (& the list could go on...) that consumed a world I had no idea even existed!  We're talking about Shadowhunters people!  Totally bad-ass, demon-slaying, jaw-dropping, risk-taking individuals who just blew me away.  Throw in a crazy awesome warlock, a sarcastic vampire, & loads of family history and we have the makings of the perfect cast for the ultimate paranormal book. 

I'm pretty sure I read City of Bones in one day & immediately got my hands on City of Ashes (the 2nd book in the series).  As I recall, I spent Christmas of 2008 at my dad's house reading CoA while my family engaged in festive holiday traditions.  I was too busy losing myself to runes, battles, & swoonage - OH THE SWOONAGE!  Cassandra Clare definitely knows how to set the scene when it comes to swooning.  Jace Wayland anyone???  As I finished CoA I realized that it would be 3 months until City of Glass came out.  What the what?!  How on earth could I possibly wait that long???  Well let me just tell you, the wait was SO worth it!  City of Glass gave us such a sense of closure with that crazy wicked world, that I felt satisfied closing that last chapter.  But then Cassandra threw a curve ball at us.. THERE WOULD BE MORE!!!  Oh yes.  More Jace. More Clary. More Magnus. MORE JACE. And more adventures to be swept away in.

I write this little blog post on the day City of Fallen Angels has been released.  It's the fourth installment in the series, in which I have waited two years (TWO YEARS!) to continue my love for Cassandra Clare in all her epic glory.  Yes, I pre-ordered my beautiful copy from Barnes & Noble months ago, so that I could get the signed edition with Jace's letter to Clary inside (see City of Glass to know what I am talking about).  But silly me I could not wait the 2 days of shipping to get my hands on it, so this fangirl here downloaded the e-book to her nook at 5am this morning! Ha!  Now THAT is true love :-)

So that is my quest with The Mortal Instruments series thus far (in a nut shell).  They are special books to me because they made me realize that I really DO love to read.  That Twilight (being the books that started this craziness for me) wasn't just a fluke.  Reading really was my thing.  When books can open up your imagination & fill you with so much emotion that you never knew existed, it's an enlightening yet humble experience.  Oh and you may ask, have I finished City of Fallen Angels yet? Nope. But I'm about to...

...To Be Continued (sequels of 2011)

There are quite a few books coming out this year with book 2, book 3, & so on in their series... that I thought I'd create a post to highlight some of these eagerly anticipated sequels!  I know of a few off the top of my head right now.. but if there are more, please feel free to list them in the comments below!

Desires of the Dead (The Body Finder #2) by Kimberly Derting - February 15, 2011

The missing dead call to Violet. They want to be found.
Violet can sense the echoes of those who've been murdered—and the matching imprint that clings to their killers. Only those closest to her know what she is capable of, but when she discovers the body of a young boy she also draws the attention of the FBI, threatening her entire way of life.
As Violet works to keep her morbid ability a secret, she unwittingly becomes the object of a dangerous obsession. Normally she'd turn to her best friend, Jay, except now that they are officially a couple, the rules of their relationship seem to have changed. And with Jay spending more and more time with his new friend Mike, Violet is left with too much time on her hands as she wonders where things went wrong. But when she fills the void by digging into Mike's tragic family history, she stumbles upon a dark truth that could put everyone in danger.

Darkest Mercy (Wicked Lovely #5) by Melissa Marr - February 22, 2011

The Summer King is missing; the Dark Court is bleeding; and a stranger walks the streets of Huntsdale, his presence signifying the deaths of powerful fey.
Aislinn tends to the Summer Court, searching for her absent king and yearning for Seth. Torn between his new queen and his old love, Keenan works from afar to strengthen his court against the coming war. Donia longs for fiery passion even as she coolly readies the Winter Court for battle. And Seth, sworn brother of the Dark King and heir to the High Queen, is about to make a mistake that could cost his life.
Love, despair, and betrayal ignite the Faery Courts, and in the final conflict, some will win . . . and some will lose everything.

Where She Went (If I Stay #2) by Gayle Forman - April 5, 2011

It's been three years since the devastating accident ... three years since Mia walked out of Adam's life forever.
Now living on opposite coasts, Mia is Julliard's rising star and Adam is LA tabloid fodder, thanks to his new rock star status and celebrity girlfriend. When Adam gets stuck in New York by himself, chance brings the couple together again, for one last night. As they explore the city that has become Mia's home, Adam and Mia revisit the past and open their hearts to the future - and each other.
Told from Adam's point of view in the spare, lyrical prose that defined If I Stay, Where She Went explores the devastation of grief, the promise of new hope, and the flame of rekindled romance.

City of Fallen Angels (The Mortal Instruments #4) by Cassandra Clare - April 5, 2011

City of Fallen Angels takes place two months after the events of City of Glass. In it, a mysterious someone’s killing the Shadowhunters who used to be in Valentine’s Circle and displaying their bodies around New York City in a manner designed to provoke hostility between Downworlders and Shadowhunters, leaving tensions running high in the city and disrupting Clary’s plan to lead as normal a life as she can — training to be a Shadowhunter, and pursuing her relationship with Jace. As Jace and Clary delve into the issue of the murdered Shadowhunters, they discover a mystery that has deeply personal consequences for them — consequences that may strengthen their relationship, or rip it apart forever. Meanwhile, internecine warfare among vampires is tearing the Downworld community apart, and only Simon — the Daylighter who everyone wants on their side — can decide the outcome; too bad he wants nothing to do with Downworld politics. Love, blood, betrayal and revenge: the stakes are higher than ever in City of Fallen Angels.

The Dark and Hollow Places (The Forest of Hands and Teeth #3) by Carrie Ryan - April 7, 2011

There are many things that Annah would like to forget: the look on her sister's face when she and Elias left her behind in the Forest of Hands and Teeth, her first glimpse of the horde as they found their way to the Dark City, the sear of the barbed wire that would scar her for life. But most of all, Annah would like to forget the morning Elias left her for the Recruiters.
Annah's world stopped that day and she's been waiting for him to come home ever since. Without him, her life doesn't feel much different from that of the dead that roam the wasted city around her. Then she meets Catcher and everything feels alive again.
Except, Catcher has his own secrets—dark, terrifying truths that link him to a past Annah's longed to forget, and to a future too deadly to consider. And now it's up to Annah—can she continue to live in a world drenched in the blood of the living? Or is death the only escape from the Return's destruction?

Chain Reaction (Perfect Chemistry #3) by Simone Elkeles - May 24, 2011

Luis Fuentes is a good boy who doesn't live with the angst that his big brothers, Alex and Carlos, have always lived with. Luis is smart, funny, and has big dreams of becoming an astronaut. But when he falls for the wrong girl, Luis enters a dark world he's never known, and just when he thinks he's got life all figured out, learns some disturbing news about his family that destroys his positive outlook on life. Will that Fuentes bad boy streak come out with a vengeance and lure Luis to live on the edge like his new girlfriend and his own father?
Continuing all the steamy romance of the first two books, New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Simone Elkeles gives fans one more satisfying taste of the irresistible Fuentes boys.

Forever (The Wolves of Mercy Falls #3) by Maggie Stiefvater - July 12, 2011

In Maggie Stiefvater's SHIVER, Grace and Sam found each other. In LINGER, they fought to be together. Now, in FOREVER, the stakes are even higher than before. Wolves are being hunted. Lives are being threatened. And love is harder and harder to hold on to as death comes closing in.

Wolfsbane (Nightshade #2) by Andrea Cremer - July 12, 2011

Betrayal, loss, pain, fear. How many trials can love endure and still survive?

 

The Clockwork Prince (The Infernal Devices #2) by Cassandra Clare - August 30, 2011

The Infernal Devices is a series of prequels to The Mortal Instruments series, set in 19’th century London. The story concerns 16-year-old orphan Tessa Gray, whose quiet life is thrown into turmoil when her older brother Nathaniel suddenly vanishes, leaving her alone. Her search for him leads her into Victorian-era London’s dangerous supernatural underworld, where warlocks throw masked balls for half-demon Downworlders. When Tessa discovers that she herself is a Downworlder, she must come to trust her natural enemies, the demon-killing Shadowhunters, if she ever wants to learn to control her powers and find her brother. Torn between the beautiful Will, a Shadowhunter who isn’t what he seems, and the devoted Jem, whose own deadly secret is slowly destroying him, Tessa must draw on all her strength to save her brother and keep herself alive in this deadly new world.

Silence (Hush, Hush #3) by Becca Fitzpatrick - October 18, 2011

The Hush, Hush series has captivated readers with the story of Nora Grey, her friend Vee, and a mysterious fallen archangel named Patch. In the gripping conclusion of the trilogy, Nora finds that as things start to unravel around her, she is more drawn to the enigmatic Patch. She soon discovers that the answers lie closer to home than she realized, and it is time for her to take control of her destiny once and for all.