Once Upon a Twilight!: November 2013

The Twelve Days of New Adult Giveaway Hop!

Today we begin celebrating THE TWELVE DAYS OF NEW ADULT GIVEAWAY HOP!

This hop will last 12 days and only feature New Adult book titles.

The Twelve Days of New Adult Giveaway Hop List

Here at OUaT we love NA books so much we couldn't pin point which ones we wanted to share with everyone so for our giveaway stop, we are letting YOU (the winner) choose which NA titles you want.

So that means you can choose any NA author or titles of your liking.

These are some of our faves that we have reviewed and gushed about on the site and Twitter/Facebook:

This is how it will work:

In total there will be 3 winners. 2 will be US/CA and 1 International. The International winner will get to choose any book as long as they can read Amazon eBooks (no physical copies for International). US/CA winners will get to choose 2 books each.

Just enter below and make sure to read the terms and conditions. Don't forget to visit all the other sites participating too.

Happy Hopping!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Happy Thanksgiving!

Here at Once Upon a Twilight we want to wish everyone and their loved ones a blessed Thanksgiving. We hope that you and your loved ones have a wonderful day full of joy and cheer.

We want to say we give THANKS to you for following along this crazy site. We wouldn't be here if it weren't for ALL of you. So THANKS!

OUaT will be taking time off until Monday, so will see you all back on Monday.

GOBBLE, GOBBLE!

Mini-Book Review: Scan by Walter Jury & S.E. Fine

Scan
Scan #1
Authors: Walter Jury, S. E. Fine
Reading Level: Young Adult
Genre: Science Fiction
Release Date: May 1st 2014
Review Source: Penguin/G. P. Putnam's Sons

MacGyver Meets War of the Worlds in this Exhilarating Adventure

Tate and his father don’t exactly get along. As Tate sees it, his father has unreasonably high expectations for Tate to be the best—at everything. Tate finally learns what he’s being prepared for when he steals one of his dad’s odd tech inventions and mercenaries ambush the school, killing his father in the process and sending Tate on the run from aliens who look just like humans.

Even with all he knows like how to defend himself with useful tools made out of bubblegum, Tate fears he’s still inadequate. With the help of his girlfriend and estranged mother, all Tate can really do is keep moving and ensure his father’s invention stays out of the hands of his pursuers and that his father didn’t die in vain. A riveting, fast-paced adventure, Scan is a clever alien thriller with muscle and heart.

At a Glance:
Non-stop thrills and chills while you are taken on this journey with the main character and his many discoveries (in a matter of 24 hours) that his way of life and intense training sessions had a purpose and now you must use everything your father had you do almost due 24-7 so that you could survive and live to see another day.

Cover:
Its very fitting with the book. When you deal with novel that is based in science fiction and THEM, that cover makes total sense. Love the use of the red tones. Great job from the design team.

Action:
I don't think there is a single page in the book where you are without action, from minimal to all out sweat coming down your forehead. I'm an action junkie, be it in books or movies, so the amount of action was just what I needed.

Romance:
If you looking for Romeo & Juliet romance then you probably don't want this book but if your looking to read about that fierce love that you would do anything to protect the ones you love, then Scan is your book.

Something I Loved:
Tate, he is the main character and I loved everything about his characters. His loyalty, heart and how he doesn't give up even when giving up seems so easy to agree to.

Cliffhanger:
Of course, when your dealing with an Alien species, how can there not be a cliffhanger. I need to know what HAPPEN!

Would I Recommend It?:
Heck yea! Its a solid book from start to finish. So mark your calendar for May when they bad boy comes out.

Look for my full review closer to release time.

Book Deal News:

G.P. Putnam’s Sons Books for Young Readers, a subsidiary of big five publisher Penguin Random House, signed DIVERGENT producer Pouya Shahbazian and co-author Sarah Fine to a two-book, six-figure deal for an upcoming young adult series, starting with debut novel SCAN. Set for publication in May of 2014, SCAN is a young adult sci-fi thriller series pitched as MACGYVER meets WAR OF THE WORLDS.

Shahbazian, who writes under the pen name Walter Jury, and Fine, who is writing under the pen name S.E. Fine, wrote SCAN and its 2015 sequel, BURN, after being introduced by agents Joanna Volpe & Kathleen Ortiz of New Leaf Literary & Media. Editor Stacey Barney is shepherding the novels for Putnam.

SCAN, also tonally reminiscent of I AM NUMBER FOUR, is a grounded, high-action YA thriller about a 16-year-old boy who has been prepared his whole life for “something important,” only to discover it means he’s one of the last humans left on Earth. After taking his father’s secret invention, a wand scanner, to school, all sorts of chaos breaks loose as numerous government agencies chase him and his girlfriend for what turns out to be the key to a potential interplanetary conflict. The novels have already been picked up for translation in Germany and Brazil.

New York-based manager/producer Shahbazian is the head of film & TV for New Leaf Literary & Media. Focused on book-to-film representation and adaptations, he produced, with Red Wagon Entertainment, DIVERGENT, set for release by Summit Entertainment on March 21, 2014. As a producer, he also has a number of projects in development at major studios including the upcoming Macmillan lead title, RUNNER, by New York Times-bestselling author Patrick Lee, which is set up at Warner Bros with Justin Lin attached to direct, Michael De Luca and Elaine Chin producing and Adam Cozad adapting; New York Times-bestseller SHADOW & BONE by Leigh Bardugo, at Dreamworks with Heyday Films producing and Chris Kyle adapting; and upcoming Harper Children’s anticipated title RED QUEEN by Victoria Aveyard, which is set up at Universal with Benderspink producing.

Fine is a clinical psychologist and the author of the dark urban fantasy YA series, GUARDS OF THE SHADOWLANDS, with book 2, FRACTURED, to publish on October 29th from Skyscape, as well as the upcoming haunting YA gothic, OF METAL AND WISHES, coming August 2014 from McElderry Books with Simon & Schuster.

Book Review: Never Say Never by Victoria Christopher Murray

Never Say Never
Author: Victoria Christopher Murray
Reading Level: Adult
Genre: Christian Fiction
Released: June 4th 2013
Review Source: Purchased

In this emotionally charged and inspiring novel, a passionate and dangerous love affair threatens to destroy both a marriage and a friendship.

When Miriam’s fireman husband, Chauncey, dies in a school fire, Miriam feels like her life is over. How is she going to raise her three children all by herself? How will she survive without the love of her life? Luckily, Miriam’s sister-friend Emily—and Emily’s husband, Jamal—are there to comfort her. As Chauncey’s best friend, Jamal is happy to step in and help Miriam with the funeral and her children, and he gives her hope that she has a future. But all the time that they spend together—grieving, sharing, and reminiscing—brings the two closer in ways they never planned, and they soon find themselves in the middle of a heated affair.

Lost in the fog of grief and lust, neither is even sure if their passionate affair is real. While Jamal is filled with guilt, sure that this new relationship is all about loss, Miriam believes that she is in love. But then, Emily finds out, and Emily and Jamal have to deal with this woman scorned—and her hunger for revenge. In this tangle of love, longing, and loyalty, can any of the relationships survive?

Victoria Christopher Murray, where have you been in my world of reading? How could I have possibly missed your awesome writing and real life characters? Never Say Never is literally like no book I've ever read. The genre is a first for me. When a friend stated that she was reading a book that was Christian Adult Fiction, with a little more, my interest was peaked immediately! Very seldom do I have time to read books that aren't on my review list, but I made space for this one and boy am I glad. Never Say Never received 5 trees from me, the best rating which I find very hard to give. This novel has everything. An amazing storyline, amazing characters, and amazing flow! It captured my heart and mind with every single page.

We all have those moments in life where we connect with people and build a lasting friendship and bond that is inseparable. That is the lives of Miriam, Emily, and Michelle. Brought together through college, as always, inseparable. Two married to their soul mate, one married to their career. When a disaster takes the life of a loved one, the healing process is a hard one. Surrounded by love ones is very encouraging, but in Never Say Never, the reader is taken to a place where the void of loosing a loved one could be filled with something that doesn't belong to them.

Victoria Christopher Murray has developed characters that are extremely real, believable and yes, unforgettable. Told from the point of view of two best friends, your mind will never wonder while reading. I purchased this book for my kindle. When I noticed it one day on the book store shelf, I must admit, that it wouldn't have been a book that I would have quickly picked up and purchased. I like a natural and soft cover of features that leaves a lot of questions yet to be answered. However, it isn't the cover that draws excitement, it's the writing, the writing, the writing! I can't wait to grab anything from the many, many titles written by Ms. Murray as I'm sure they will not disappoint.

Waiting on Wednesday: Don't Look Back by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Waiting on Wednesday

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

Don't Look Back

Author: Jennifer L. Armentrout

Release Date: April 15th 2014

Publisher: Disney-Hyperion

Samantha is a stranger in her own life. Until the night she disappeared with her best friend, Cassie, everyone said Sam had it all-popularity, wealth, and a dream boyfriend.

Sam has resurfaced, but she has no recollection of who she was or what happened to her that night. As she tries to piece together her life from before, she realizes it's one she no longer wants any part of. The old Sam took "mean girl" to a whole new level, and it's clear she and Cassie were more like best enemies. Sam is pretty sure that losing her memories is like winning the lottery. She's getting a second chance at being a better daughter, sister, and friend, and she's falling hard for Carson Ortiz, a boy who has always looked out for her-even if the old Sam treated him like trash.

But Cassie is still missing, and the facts about what happened to her that night isn't just buried deep inside of Sam's memory-someone else knows, someone who wants to make sure Sam stays quiet. All Sam wants is the truth, and if she can unlock her clouded memories of that fateful night, she can finally move on. But what if not remembering is the only thing keeping Sam alive?

Its A JLA book, no need to tell you why you NEED this book.

New York Times Bestselling Author Nora Roberts Teams Up with Penguin Group to Tackle Hunger with "Be Thankful" Initiative

PENGUIN GROUP (USA) AND NORA ROBERTS

HELP TACKLE HUNGER IN MARYLAND

The “Be Thankful” initiative urges support of our less fortunate neighbors

Thanksgiving is a time to gather with family around an extravagant meal and be thankful for all the security and stability in our lives. But it’s also a reminder that a cold winter is ahead, and it is therefore important to acknowledge our less fortunate neighbors, which is why Penguin is proud to support The Maryland Food Bank, with Penguin’s first ever “Be Thankful” initiative.

#1 New York Times bestselling Penguin author, Nora Roberts was born in Silver Spring, Maryland and has a deep affinity for her home state, having set many of her more than 200 novels in Maryland. Her recent NY Times bestseller, “Thankless in Death” is a suspense thriller which centers around loved ones coming together for Thanksgiving. The brutal reality of hunger in Maryland sadly has its own frightening narrative. “I was shocked to discover that the Maryland Food Bank distributes more than 34.6 million pounds of food - the equivalent of almost 29 million meals each year - and despite that significant effort, families still go hungry in our region,” stated Nora Roberts. “I am proud to help raise awareness of this issue and to applaud the incredible work that local food banks do daily to eradicate hunger in Maryland. The holiday season is a great reminder to capture the spirit of giving thanks and helping those in need.”

Penguin would also like to acknowledge the efforts of Governor Martin O’Malley, who is committed to ending childhood hunger in Maryland by 2015. “One hungry child is one too many," said Governor O’Malley. “Because of its connection to student achievement, workforce strength, physical health, and behavioral health, we’ve made eradicating childhood hunger a priority in our State.”

“We are delighted to support The Maryland Food Bank for the first time. The negative cascading effect that food insecurity can have on a person, a child or a family, is devastating. Penguin is proud to recognize the tireless efforts of The Maryland Food Bank and its commitment to lead the fight against food insecurity and hunger,” said Leslie Gelbman, President of Mass Market Publishing, Penguin Group (USA). To mark the occasion, Penguin Group (USA) is making a $10,000 donation to The Maryland Food Bank. “There are more than 457,000 people in our service area who don’t know where their next meal is coming from, and more than a third are children,” says Maryland Food Bank President & CEO Deborah Flateman. “The emotional toll of hunger is especially high during the holidays. Families are struggling to put food on the table, heat their home, and at the same time keep traditions alive, so their children feel normal – at least for one day. This gift will go a long way, and help many, many families in need.” The donation ensures that over 20,000 meals will be made available to the citizens of Maryland who are in dire need of food assistance.

You too can become involved in the “Be Thankful” initiative by donating food or volunteering; to view a complete list of the affiliated food banks and or participate in a Virtual Food Drive, please visit Feeding America’s national Food Bank Locator at http://bit.ly/9ociO.

About the Maryland Food Bank

The Maryland Food Bank is a nonprofit hunger-relief organization, leading the movement to end hunger throughout Maryland. For more than thirty years, the Maryland Food Bank has partnered with communities across the state to distribute food to individuals and families in need. Through carefully-crafted programs, the food bank aims to meet the immediate needs of Marylanders while simultaneously working to find long term ways to reduce hunger statewide. Currently distributing 79,000 meals per day – nearly 29 million meals annually – the Maryland Food Bank will continue to expand its efforts until hunger ends.

The Maryland Food Bank www.mdfoodbank.org operates from three facilities: one in Baltimore, one in Salisbury, and one in Hagerstown. Through an extensive network of soup kitchens, pantries, schools and other community-based organizations, food is distributed throughout 22 counties, including Baltimore City, and Somerset, Wicomico, and Washington counties – some of the most food-insecure regions in Maryland.

Book Review: Crash Into You by Katie McGarry

Crash Into You
Pushing the Limits #3
Author: Katie McGarry
Reading Level: Young Adult
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Released: November 26th 2013
Review Source: NetGalley

From acclaimed author Katie McGarry comes an explosive new tale of a good girl with a reckless streak, a street-smart guy with nothing to lose, and a romance forged in the fast lane

The girl with straight As, designer clothes and the perfect life—that's who people expect Rachel Young to be. So the private-school junior keeps secrets from her wealthy parents and overbearing brothers…and she's just added two more to the list. One involves racing strangers down dark country roads in her Mustang GT. The other? Seventeen-year-old Isaiah Walker—a guy she has no business even talking to. But when the foster kid with the tattoos and intense gray eyes comes to her rescue, she can't get him out of her mind.

Isaiah has secrets, too. About where he lives, and how he really feels about Rachel. The last thing he needs is to get tangled up with a rich girl who wants to slum it on the south side for kicks—no matter how angelic she might look.

But when their shared love of street racing puts both their lives in jeopardy, they have six weeks to come up with a way out. Six weeks to discover just how far they'll go to save each other.

Crash into You is part of Pushing the Limit series. Although the first book is still my favorite because it has the most angst, I have to say reading this third book was fairly enjoyable. I do have to mention that I did find it a bit predictable.

In Crash into You, we get our story of our hardcore Isaiah. He is hard on the edge but a sweetheart from the inside, my type of guy J He is daring and caring. We learn that not only is he street smart but he is truthfully a loyal friend. Seeing that his friends are moving on in life, he is trying to make it on his own. On the path of finding his way, Isaiah finds getting himself drag into an illegal car racing. There he meets a girl that may just make his life a bit more complicated. But not everything in life is easy, right?

Rachel is the girl Isaiah meets at one of the car racing event. There he learns that her family is just awful which made her into this insecure little thing. The only thing that she is able to enjoy is racing her car. For the most part of the book, I felt sad for her. Rachel used to have an older sister who died from Leukemia. And now, Rachel is pretty much her replacement. Her “job” is to try to live up to her sister’s standard to make her mother happy. Unfortunately, she suffers from anxiety and she is completely different from her sister. The poor thing has to suffer hearing it from everyone of her family. I just love how she finally learns to stand up on her own with Isaiah’s help. I love how these two are able to share the love of cars and yet learn from each other.

One of the reasons why I love McGarry’s characters is because we can always learn from them. They always grow into wonderful people. As a fan of the series, I am glad we finally are able to learn more of Isaiah and his journey to become this man he always thought out to be. Although this is part of a series, this can be read as a standalone. So if you are looking for some car actions and romance, this is the book for you!

Book Review: Pawn by Aimée Carter

Pawn
The Blackcoat Rebellion #1
Author: Aimée Carter
Reading Level: Young Adult
Genre: Dystopian | Romance
Release Date: November 26th 2013
Review Source: Harlequin TEEN

YOU CAN BE A VII IF YOU GIVE EVERYTHING.

For Kitty Doe, it seems like an easy choice. She can either spend her life as a III in misery, looked down upon by the higher ranks and forced to leave the people she loves, or she can become a VII and join the most powerful family in the country.

If she says yes, Kitty will be Masked—surgically transformed into Lila Hart, the Prime Minister's niece, who died under mysterious circumstances. As a member of the Hart family, she will be famous. She will be adored. And for the first time, she will matter.

There's only one catch. She must also stop the rebellion that Lila secretly fostered, the same one that got her killed…and one Kitty believes in. Faced with threats, conspiracies and a life that's not her own, she must decide which path to choose—and learn how to become more than a pawn in a twisted game she's only beginning to understand.

We didn't see the last of Aimée Carter when the final novel in the Goddess Test series released back in February this year, which of course made me very happy. I loved Carter's Goddess Test series and knew anything else written by Carter was a must read. So when it was announce she would be publishing this new book called Pawn and that it was dystopian, I honestly think I saw a Rainbow pop up in the sky that day.

Pawn as I mention is a dystopian novel where the future of your life from age 17 and on depends on the number you are given after you are tested at that age. These numbers range from I - VII, so like any other number system you want to score the higher number in this society. You do not want to get stuck with a I - III, this would royally suck for you. If you get a IV or V then your OK and you'll do ok in life with those. Now if you are one of the lucky few that actually scores a VI or VII then you are made for life. Now VII is pretty hard to obtain if you are not part of the Prime Minister's family. So now you have an understanding of the system in place in this novel. So when Kitty Doe gets a III, her life turns upside down and she never in a million years expected it to be that low. She had a feeling it would be lower than her boyfriend's because she knew she never learned to read but she was smart. So at that point the only thing to do in life is survive and leave everyone you love behind so they can live a better life with their higher numbers.

So when Kitty decides to join her friend in a underground sex trade club, she never expects who will be the first person to buy her. Little does she know they didn't buy her for sex, so her virginity is saved. But when Kitty wakes up after remembering she had been drugged and put to sleep, she finds herself with the opportunity of a lifetime, forced but opportunity nonetheless. She has been offered a VII. This would mean everything including being able to be with Benyi. Ha! Did I tell you what that big catch is though? To get that VII, Kitty will give up being herself, she has been Masked. Meaning she now looks like someone else completely from head to toe. That VII belongs really to who Kitty is now impersonating and that would be the Prime Minister's niece Lila. See Lila has been killed by her own family and they needed her replacement so the society doesn't figure out she has been murdered. Kitty now will have to learn to be Lila, and Lila comes with two faces and I'm not taking about Killy's masked one.

Kitty will be tested and will have to decided for herself as Kitty if she will do what is expected from her as Lila on both sides, or will she risk it and lose the VII she has been given and die then rather live with what she was forced to become. Pawn will have you turning the pages to see how far this family will go and will trusting the III work out for them to be the VII everyone knows.

Pawn gave me thrills, chills and many surprises. The romance was just enough to get my heart racing. You will be hooked with this new take in Dystopian YA. Can't wait to find out what happens next in the Blackcoat Rebellion series.

And don't forget to add to Goodreads the next book in The Blackcoat Rebellion:

Book Blast: Sweet Revenge | Forgotten Sins | Rebecca Zanetti | Giveaway

We are excited to be a part of Rebecca Zanetti's book blast for the eBook release of Sweet Revenge.

Sweet Revenge

Sins Brothers #2

Author: Rebecca Zanetti

Release Date: December 3rd 2013

Publisher: Grand Central Publishing

The One Man She Can't Have

Matt Dean was born to fight . . . and kill. A member of a secret black-ops military unit, he and his brothers were genetically engineered by the government to be the perfect soldiers with an expiration date. Now, with time running out, he's gone rogue in a relentless quest for the one person who can save them. His mission leads him to Charmed, Idaho . . . and to a beautiful woman with eyes like emeralds and a body made for pleasure.

The One Woman He Can't Resist

Laney Jacobs knows the mysterious, handsome stranger is trouble from the moment he walks into her bar, looking for a job. She's spent years running from her own past-the last thing she needs is a romantic entanglement. But Matt's strong arms offer her protection and his gentle touch promises passion unlike anything she's ever known. As lethal forces surround them, revealing explosive secrets about Matt's past and putting everything-and everyone-he holds dear in danger, can he save them all before time runs out?

Forgotten Sins

Sins Brothers #1

Released: July 2nd 2013

His Secrets Can Destroy Her

From the moment Josie laid eyes on sexy, mysterious Shane Dean, she was in love. Their desire ignited a passionate affair, and within weeks, Shane had slipped a ring on her finger. It seemed her every fantasy was coming true . . . until her new husband disappeared without a trace. Now, two years and one broken heart later, Josie is shocked when the hospital calls: Shane has been found . . . at a crime scene with no memory of how he got there.

Her Love Can Save Him

Shane can’t remember the blue-eyed angel at his bedside-or who he even is-but he knows something isn’t right. His hearing is razor sharp, his physical strength incredible, and the urge to protect Josie overwhelming. For powerful enemies are hunting him, and Josie is the key to discovering why. As Shane struggles to unravel his past, dangerous new truths come to light. Can he protect the only woman he’s ever loved? And can Josie trust a man she thought she knew-one who carries such a deadly secret?

Grand Central Publishing is providing 20 prize packs of a paperback copy of Forgotten Sins and a eBook copy of Sweet Revenge.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Book Review: Beautiful Beginning by Christina Lauren

Beautiful Beginning
Beautiful Bastard #3.5
Authors: Christina Lauren
Reading Level: Adult
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Released: November 19th 2013
Review Source: Gallery Books

Back when not being able to stand each other also meant not being able to keep their hands of each other in Beautiful Bastard, neither Bennett nor Chloe could have seen this day coming.

An exasperated bride who just wants to elope. A determined groom whose only focus is getting to the wedding night. And—of course—a whole lot of name calling.

Okay this one is hard to write, the Beautiful series by Christina Lauren has been one of my favorites. I’ve had so much fun reading this series, and Beginning is just as fun as the others.

Beautiful Beginning is a wild ride of wedding shenanigans with our favorite panty ripping couple. Beginning starts with Chloe and Bennett getting small stuff together for their wedding in San Diego, where Bennett proposes that he will not sleep with Chloe until their wedding night. Naturally Chloe disagrees and spends her time throughout the novella trying to seduce her Beautiful Bastard. This novella is full of love, pranks, disaster, meltdowns, and hot scenes. Christina Hobb and Lauren Billings do not disappoint in their concluding story, Beautiful Beginning.

We get to see our favorite bickering couple together again planning the entire future together, while planning their best games. The story also gives you a look into Chloe and Bennett’s hilarious crazy family. But what’s a wedding without crazy family drama, and sexual tension? Fans will love the final novella in the ever loved Beautiful Bastard series. I’m sad to be saying goodbye to some of my favorite characters, but I am thrilled to see what Christina Lauren have in store for us in the future.

Read reviews for Beautiful Bastard (Book 1), Beautiful Stranger (Book 2), Beautiful Player (Book 3) and Beautiful Bombshell (Book 2.5) & Beautiful Bitch (Book 1.5)

Cover Reveal: Sublime by Christina Lauren

If you follow this site then you know we are HUGE fans of Christina Lauren so when we saw the new cover to their next novel we were ecstatic.

SUBLIME

Want to know what else was exciting to discover, the new book will be YA!

SUBLIME

Authors: Christina Lauren (Christina Hobbs & Lauren Billings)

Reading Level: Young Adult

Publisher: Simon & Schuster for Young Readers

Expected Release Date: Fall 2014

Sublime is the story of two teens, Lucy and Colin, who fall in love, but the the problem is … Lucy’s a ghost.
Slowly, she begins to remember more about her life and death as daredevil Colin take himself to the edge of death, where their realities overlap, so he can be physically closer to Lucy.

Lucy starts to wonder if she’s Colin’s salvation or the means of his demise.