Imposter Blog Tour: This or That by Susanne Winnacker

Susanne Winnacker

Susanne Winnacker studied law before she became a full-time writer. She lives with her husband, a dog that looks like a sheep and three bunnies that have destroyed every piece of furniture she's ever owned in Germany. She loves coffee (in every shape and form), traveling and animals. When she isn't writing, you can usually find her in the kitchen, experimenting with new vegan dishes.

She blogs for The League of Extraordinary Writers.

You can find her on Twitter and on facebook.

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This or That

by Susanne Winnacker

Standalone or Series?

There's no easy answer to that. I've read books that I loved and yet I didn't feel the need to read the other books in the series, simply because I was happy with the first book as it was (of course that doesn't work with cliffhangers). And then there are books that are standalones but I didn't want it to end. I wanted to read more. I guess it really depends on the book. But generally I prefer a series IF I loved a book.

Happy Endings or Cliffhangers?

I don't mind cliffhangers for a first or middle book of a series. They make me want to buy the next book faster. If a book has a happy ending, I often don't feel the need to keep reading. Of course a cliffhanger as the end of a series would make me livid, but I've never read a book that had one.

Coffee or Tea?

First thing in the morning: coffee. During the day: tea (Earl Grey or Matcha).

Early Bird or Night Owl?

Night owl. I never go to bed before midnight.

Time Machine: travel to the past or the future?

The future. I love adventures and travelling into the future would be the ultimate adventure.

Beaches or Mountains?

Beaches, no doubt. I love the ocean – its smell, its sound, everything. If I could choose, I'd have a house at the beach.

Bad Boys or Good Guys?

Well, I usually prefer the bad boys, but to be honest most bad boys in books or movies have so many redeeming qualities that you can't really call them bad. They aren't true villains. So I guess, I like characters who aren't perfect. A character that's too good is boring to me.

Team Edward or Team Jacob?

Team Jacob. I've only read the first two books and the end of book 2 convinced me that I wouldn't get what I wanted.

Typing or Handwriting?

Typing. I use my laptop for writing my books and pretty much everything else. The only thing I'm still writing per hand are to-do lists and sometimes ideas if I'm not at home and don't have my laptop with me.

Sweet or Sour?

I guess, sour. I like sweet things, but I don't like it too sweet. Especially drinks. And fruit.

Dramas or Comedies?

Comedies. I'm not a big fan of emotional movies or TV series. Life provides enough drama.

Movies or TV?

Movies. I don't watch TV. The husband and I have a huge collection of DVDs and we don't mind watching a movie many times. Most of the time it's much better than what's on TV.

Cats or Dogs?

Dogs. I LOVE dogs (and bunnies, and animals in general). I've had dogs pretty much all my life. I can't imagine living without a dog. Right now we have a Komondor (a Hungarian livestock guardian dog).

A life without writing or a life without reading?

I think you can't be a writer if you don't read. But if I had to choose, I'd probably choose a life without reading. That would be a sad life though.

(I agree!)

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Thank you so much to Susanne Winnacker for answering all those This or That questions with absolutely fabulous answers! I can't wait to get my paws, err, hands on her book, Imposter! Here's a little bit more about it:

Goodreads

Can Tessa pose as Madison . . . and stop a killer before it’s too late? 

Tessa is a Variant, able to absorb the DNA of anyone she touches and mimic their appearance. Shunned by her family, she’s spent the last two years training with the Forces with Extraordinary Abilities, a secret branch of the FBI. When a serial killer rocks a small town in Oregon, Tessa is given a mission: she must impersonate Madison, a local teen, to find the killer before he strikes again. 

Tessa hates everything about being an impostor—the stress, the danger, the deceit—but loves playing the role of a normal girl. As Madison, she finds friends, romance, and the kind of loving family she’d do anything to keep. Amid action, suspense, and a ticking clock, this super-human comes to a very human conclusion: even a girl who can look like anyone struggles the most with being herself.

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GIVEAWAY!

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The Sweet Dead Life Blog Tour: Guest Post by Joy Preble + Giveaway

Joy Preble

Joy Preble is the author of the popular and highly acclaimed Dreaming Anastasia series. A former English teacher, Joy grew up in Chicago and is a graduate of Northwestern University. She is now a full time writer and lives with her family in Texas, where she has learned to say "y'all" without any hint of irony. A tireless advocate for literacy and great books, she is at the center of the all-important Texas YA scene.

Find Joy: Website ● Blog ● Twitter ● Goodreads 

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Who would Joy cast for Casey?

For Casey Samuels, stoner guy turned guardian angel/unlikely hero with a heart of gold and some stubborn bad habits, my current choice is Logan Lerman, who was Charlie in Perks of Being a Wallflower and also starred in the Percy Jackson film, among many other roles. He physically looks like the Casey in my head – at least enough – and I think he has the emotional range to play someone who is very much the reluctant hero. Because Casey has been plodding through life since his dad disappeared five years ago and his mom has progressively become almost comatose. He takes care of Jenna, works two jobs, and has a little recreational drug habit that gets him through the long nights. Hardly angelic, Casey Samuels. And then there's the care accident and everything changes. Casey has to step it up. He looks hot now. He has angel mojo. And a mystery to solve. I think Logan Lerman could totally play all that.

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SWOON. I would definitely want to see Logan play Casey! Thank you so much to Joy Preble for stopping by and telling us who she would cast. Here's a little bit about The Sweet Dead Life:

Goodreads ● Amazon ● The Book Depository

“I found out two things today. One, I think I’m dying. And two, my brother is a perv.”

So begins the diary of 14-year-old Jenna Samuels, who is having a very bad eighth-grade year. Her single mother spends all day in bed. Dad vanished when she was eight. Her 16-year-old brother, Casey, tries to hold together what’s left of the family by working two after-school jobs— difficult, as he’s stoned all the time. To make matters worse, Jenna is sick. When she collapses one day, Casey tries to race her to the hospital in their beat-up Prius and crashes instead.

Jenna wakes up in the ER to find Casey beside her. Beatified. Literally. The flab and zits? Gone. Before long, Jenna figures out that Casey didn’t survive the accident at all. He’s an “A-word.” (She can’t bring herself to utter the truth.) Soon they discover that Jenna isn’t just dying: she’s being poisoned. And Casey has been sent back to help solve the mystery that not only holds the key to her survival, but also to their mother’s mysterious depression and father’s disappearance.

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GIVEAWAY TIME!

Thanks to Soho Teen, you can win a finished copy of The Sweet Dead Life!

The Rules:

• Open to US ONLY.
• The winner has 48 hours to respond to the email or another winner shall be chosen.
• The book will be sent out by the publisher.
• This giveaway will run until the 27th of May.

Enter in the rafflecopter below!

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Nantucket Blue by Leila Howland

Nantucket Blue by Leila Howland

Release Date: May 7, 2013
Publisher: Disney Hyperion
Rated: YA 14+
Format: eGalley
Source: For Blog Tour
Buy: Amazon ● The Book Depository
Goodreads ● Website

For Cricket Thompson, a summer like this one will change everything. A summer spent on Nantucket with her best friend, Jules Clayton, and the indomitable Clayton family. A summer when she’ll make the almost unattainable Jay Logan hers. A summer to surpass all dreams.

Some of this turns out to be true. Some of it doesn’t. 

When Jules and her family suffer a devastating tragedy that forces the girls apart, Jules becomes a stranger whom Cricket wonders whether she ever really knew. And instead of lying on the beach working on her caramel-colored tan, Cricket is making beds and cleaning bathrooms to support herself in paradise for the summer.

But it’s the things Cricket hadn’t counted on--most of all, falling hard for someone who should be completely off-limits--that turn her dreams into an exhilarating, bittersweet reality.
A beautiful future is within her grasp, and Cricket must find the grace to embrace it. If she does, her life could be the perfect shade of Nantucket blue.

With summer coming up soon, reading Nantucket Blue just made me want the days to go by more quickly! With beaches and boys, you're clearly headed for a fantastic summer read.
I read this one non-stop because I thought that the plot was just fantastic. I love the multiple stories and the characters involved, and how they're all connected because of Cricket. There's of course the romance, the problems with Jules, problems with her mom and dad, working at the hotel, working as an intern– brilliant bits and pieces that come together that make it one delicious summer journey.

First off, I think the name Cricket is becoming PRETTY popular in the world of YA. I mean, I believe I've heard it a couple times before, so I think this is a trend that's going to be big (or at least, girls with insect's names).
To be honest, I didn't like her character very much. She seemed to make very rash and terrible mistakes, and then doesn't want to own up for it. She puts herself first every time and doesn't seem to think about other's feelings. It really put me on edge whenever that particular trait of hers came up.

Even though Cricket's mother isn't a prominent character in the book, her teenage version is! A lot of diary entries by Cricket's mom pops up in this book, and it's quite hilarious to see Cricket reading about her mom's romance, especially when things spice up a little. Definitely contributes to a tiny twist in this novel.
All the other characters were great: Jules I loved to hate (and then love and hate some more), Zack was just absolutely swoon-worthy, and Liz was hilarious the max with her Irish accent and relationship advice. They really helped to build up the story, especially Zack, for I'm sure whom without this story would have been pretty dry.

Nantucket Blue portrays the ups and downs of life, love and friendship. Leila Howland has written a gorgeous novel which will have you aching for summer the whole way long. Loved this book and no doubt about it, she's amazingly talented. Can't wait for what she writes next!

▪ ▪ ▪ Thank you to Shane at Itching for Books for allowing me to be apart of the Nantucket Blue blog tour, and to Jamie Baker at Disney Publishing Worldwide for providing an eGalley for review! ▪ ▪ ▪

If you like this, try...

• The Story of Us by Deb Caletti ● Goodreads
• The Summer I Turned Pretty by Jenny Han ● Goodreads
• The Summer My Life Began by Shannon Greenland ● Goodreads

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LEILA HOWLAND loves to read, explore L.A., and engage in funny and meaningful conversations with her friends and family, especially her brother who calls from Washington D.C. whenever he’s waiting for the bus. A lot gets discussed in those phone calls, but they tend to end abruptly when the bus shows up. She can really cut the rug, but wishes she could sing without people covering their ears. A graduate of Georgetown University, Leila spent five years acting in New York where she was a company member of the award-winning Flea Theater in Tribeca. It was a lot of fun and she often talks about “getting back into it.” The closest she has come was a stint as an extra on The Young and the Restless in 2010. Leila now lives in Los Angeles with her husband and two dogs. She teaches high school English and blogs for HelloGiggles. NANTUCKET BLUE is her first novel.

leilahowland.tumblr.com | twitter.com/leilahowland

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Maid of Secrets by Jennifer McGowan

Maid of Secrets by Jennifer McGowan

Release Date: May 7, 2013
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
Series: Maids of Honor, Book 1
Rated: YA 14+
Format: eGalley
Source: For Blog Tour
Buy: Amazon ● The Book Depository
Goodreads ● Website

Seventeen-year-old Meg Fellowes is a wry, resourceful thief forced to join an elite group of female spies in Queen Elizabeth’s Court. There she must solve a murder, save the Crown, and resist the one thing that will become her greatest freedom–and her deadliest peril. 

For Meg and her fellow spies are not alone in their pursuit of the murderer who stalks Windsor Castle.

A young, mysterious Spanish courtier, Count Rafe de Martine, appears at every turn in the dark and scandal-filled corridors of the Queen’s summer palace. And though secrets and danger are Meg’s stock-in-trade, she’s never bargained on falling in love…

Spies in the court of Queen Elizabeth? I'm so in!
I loved this book from start to finish. It was very easy for me to get transported into this gorgeous yet deadly world of espionage, murder and secrets. The romance had me swooning, the language had me sparked. I seriously could not find ANYTHING wrong with this book...just that I want more! 400 pages is really not enough to satisfy this girl.

❝ "All men are a threat to women, Meg, no matter if she is a maid or monarch," she said. "Especially those men we want most to trust. Don't ever forget that." ❞

p. 51 

(ARC – subject to change)

I've not felt this enraptured by a historical-fiction novel since Grave Mercy, which this book did have some similar undertones to. I mean: girls who can kill, trained in ways that are, err, not normal, and try to undercover some deadly plot with a huge twist? No wonder I was enraptured once more! Despite the similarities between the two books, this one does have it's own unique elements and aspects which made it a page-turning read.
I love the time period. Wonderfully portrayed and the detail was amazing. I found myself longing for balls and gowns (although through Meg's eyes, no way), and courtiers and royalty. I found myself getting used to the way they spoke, as after all, studying Shakespeare certainly does pay off! I recognized a few of the historical figures as well, which was a nice surprise, considering I haven't even taken history in a while. Just these little alluding details helped to create a brilliant experience when reading this book.

The characters were fabulous as well– we have the five maids: Meg, Jane, Beatrice, Anna and Sophia. The sharp contrast in personalities really made each one of them memorable. Studious Anna, sweet Sophie, flirtatious Beatrice and wise Jane, and of course Meg.
Meg was a great character. As one who takes theatre, I was really in awe of her character's ability to adapt and act accordingly. She really does bring the Elizabethan era to life through her perspective, and it was a great journey to watch her go through, with both coming to terms with her service to the queen and finding out about her past.
Of course, with every novel there's that one guy. This one had me from the beginning till the end– Rafe was stunning. I fell for him hook, line and sinker... it certainly helps he's Spanish. Swoon-worthy to the max, no doubt about it.

Complete with a jaw-dropping climax and high-action (and romance!), there's a little something for everyone with this novel. Jennifer McGowan has swept me away into fantasies of courtiers and palaces, as well as spies and combat. An astounding debut– beautiful writing and characters that you want to be. Definitely can't wait for the sequel!

▪ ▪ ▪ Thank you so much to Sel at Bookcase to Heaven and Jennifer McGowan for having me apart of this blog tour, and for providing an eGalley for review! ▪ ▪ ▪

If you like this, try...

• Grave Mercy by R.L. LaFevers ● Goodreads
• A Great and Terrible Beauty by Libba Bray ● Goodreads

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Jennifer McGowan

Jennifer McGowan writes Young Adult romance full of swash and buckle. Her first novel, MAID OF SECRETS, debuts in Spring, 2013 from Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers.

Age: Royal Secret

Came From: A small town in northern Ohio

Became a Maid of Honor: After bringing her tale of spygirls to the noble city, and winning the favor of the great house of Simon (& Schuster).

Special Skill: Matrix-like reflexes, superior strength, fabulous wit… okay, ah – we’ll get back to you on that.

Follow her on twitter!

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City of a Thousand Dolls by Miriam Forster

City of a Thousand Dolls by Miriam Forster

Release Date: February 5, 2013
Publisher: HarperTeen
Series: Bhinian Empire, Book 1
Rated: YA 14+
Format: Hardcover
Source: Author
Buy: Amazon ● The Book Depository
Goodreads ● Website

An exotic treat set in an entirely original, fantastical world brimming with deadly mystery, forbidden romance, and heart-stopping adventure.

Nisha was abandoned at the gates of the City of a Thousand Dolls when she was just a child. Now sixteen, she lives on the grounds of the isolated estate, where orphan girls apprentice as musicians, healers, courtesans, and, if the rumors are true, assassins. Nisha makes her way as Matron’s assistant, her closest companions the mysterious cats that trail her shadow. Only when she begins a forbidden flirtation with the city’s handsome young courier does she let herself imagine a life outside the walls. Until one by one, girls around her start to die.

Before she becomes the next victim, Nisha decides to uncover the secrets that surround the girls’ deaths. But by getting involved, Nisha jeopardizes not only her own future in the City of a Thousand Dolls—but her own life.

I love how fantasy novels have the power to transport us to worlds beyond our imaginations. City of a Thousand Dolls was not only captivating, but absolutely breathtaking. When it comes to fantasy, I'm always looking for that gorgeous world building, and Miriam Forster certainly does not disappoint.

One aspect that I found particularly interesting in this novel was the mix of other cultures. The fact that some of the characters had a name of Indian origin, for example, such as the main character Nisha and the villain Akash, or the clothes worn by the many characters, like asars. Just the mix of traditions really helped to create a unique reading experience, one very different and that stands out in the world of YA.

The characters were absolutely intriguing– such an array of personalities, and the different ways they interact with one another. I found it a great balance between the characters and the plot, so neither were driving the story one more than the other, but I found myself interested in learning more about the people in the City of a Thousand Dolls.

Nisha was a great character! I truly enjoyed reading about the murders and the mystery in this strange city through her eyes. I enjoyed reading about her emotions, and completely empathized with her. I enjoyed reading about her forbidden romance with a very attractive Devan. Most of all: I enjoyed reading about her own journey, to finding out about her past and what happened to her parents.

❝His eyes lingered on Nisha for a heartbeat, a glance she felt like a physical touch on her skin.❞

p. 94

Speaking of Devan, I was quite taken with him for the majority of the book. Of course reading through Nisha's eyes, we can see how much she feels for him, and how dangerous it would be if someone found out about their relationship. However, my feelings for him don't stay as constant... especially when Tac comes around.

What I also found really interesting was the addition of cats to this story. Nisha has this ability to talk to the cats and understand them. I thought it was quite adorable with some of the cat motions, and how touching it is that they're always looking out for her. Jerrit and Esmer are so sweet, for guarding over her at night, and when the murders happen more and more. I'm a dog person, but the cats definitely won me over in this novel!

❝Nisha sat up. Her skin was damp with sweat, and her hair stuck to the back of her neck. Her tiny, windowless room was hot and suffocating. Trapped.❞

p. 127

This was a delicious murder mystery. I seriously gobbled it up– I had no idea it would turn out to be the person it was in the end! My guesses landed completely off, and I found that I couldn't actually guess after some point. Forster undoubtedly will have you wondering like crazy about who's behind the murders, and she creates this brilliant plot which will have you gaping at the end, wonder how in heck you missed it.

One word to sum up City of a Thousand Dolls? Spectacular. I was awed from start to finish, and definitely will be first in line to get my hands on the sequel. Miriam Forster has crafted a remarkable debut, one which will have readers of all ages hungry for more.

▪ ▪ ▪ Thank you so much to Miriam Forster for sending a copy of City of a Thousand Dolls for review and BTG2013! ▪ ▪ ▪

If you like this, try...

• Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo ● Goodreads
• The Pledge by Kimberly Derting ● Goodreads
• Enchanted by Alethea Kontis ● Goodreads

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Also Known As by Robin Benway

Also Known As by Robin Benway

Release Date: February 26, 2013
Publisher: Bloomsbury Juvenile US
Rated: YA 14+
Format: eGalley
Source: NetGalley (from Publisher)
Buy: Amazon ● The Book Depository
Goodreads ● Website

Being a 16-year-old safecracker and active-duty daughter of international spies has its moments, good and bad. Pros: Seeing the world one crime-solving adventure at a time. Having parents with super cool jobs. Cons: Never staying in one place long enough to have friends or a boyfriend. But for Maggie Silver, the biggest perk of all has been avoiding high school and the accompanying cliques, bad lunches, and frustratingly simple locker combinations.

Then Maggie and her parents are sent to New York for her first solo assignment, and all of that changes. She'll need to attend a private school, avoid the temptation to hack the school's security system, and befriend one aggravatingly cute Jesse Oliver to gain the essential information she needs to crack the case . . . all while trying not to blow her cover.

After reading Benway’s Audrey, Wait! and The Extraordinary Secrets of April, May, & June, there was no arguing the fact that I HAD to read this one. I mean: spies, undercover at a school, trying to seduce a cute guy? This was a recipe for my happiness (and I’m sure yours as well), and I was so into it. I couldn’t stop reading– the humor, the cuteness of it, and plus the cool spy background... just so much that couldn’t hold me back for too long!

Seriously, IN LOVE with Maggie. She’s flipping’ hilarious! I love her sarcasm, her sometimes over-the-top excuses and just... EVERYTHING. She really reminds me of Audrey from Benway’s other novel, and both these characters make me want to BE them. Not because they have super cute boyfriends, or their lives are more exciting than mine (okay, slightly because of that), but mainly because of their personalities. I’d kill for a sense of humor like that, because they both definitely have it!
And of course, with all Benway and generally contemporary YA books there has to be a boy. Jesse made me swoon, made me giggly, and made me smile when reading this book. Honestly, I know I say this about the trillion other boys in YA, but seriously– if you hate spy novels or if you end up not really liking the main character (which I would find kind of impossible to...), then read this book for HIM.

The supporting characters were also absolutely fabulous to read about: Roux’s character (as in Kanga, but just don’t say that... if you want to live) was so funny. I mean, seriously: over-the-top, drama-queen, total-rebel HILARIOUS. Loved her. Maggie's parents were also great minor characters. I love how they were such great spies, but went it came to parenting, they were a little clueless. And of course, there's Anthony who was a wonderful addition as well. I thought in terms of characters, all of them worked very well together. There was that sense of imperfect characteristics becoming "perfect" ones, and that contributed to an amazing plot line.

I loved the climax of the story– I really couldn't guess who it was until that point, and by then I'd tried blaming it on others, but then found my predictions completely off! It was a person I really didn't suspect, so I guess it was quite a good mystery as well. Nothing that will completely blow your minds, but still a good peak to the story.

Originality within the world of contemporary YA is difficult to achieve, without reaching towards many clichés or slightly overdone qualities that many of them do possess, but with each novel, this brilliant author manages to surpass my expectations every time. I know that with every Robin Benway book, I’ll come away feeling happy, wholesome, and that was a good couple of hours spent. This one is definitely not to miss!

▪ ▪ ▪ Thank you so much to Bridget Hartzler at Bloomsbury for providing me with an eGalley for review! ▪ ▪ ▪

If you like this, try...

• I'd Tell You I Love You, But Then I'd Have to Kill You by Ally Carter ● Goodreads
• Audrey, Wait! by Robin Benway ● Goodreads
• The Girl in the Wall by Daphne Benedis-Grab ● Goodreads

Waiting on Wednesday – Week 80

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine. It's to spotlight upcoming reads which I'm DYING to get my hands on!

This week's WoW is:

Maid of Secrets by Jennifer McGowan

Seventeen-year-old Meg Fellowes is a wry, resourceful thief forced to join an elite group of female spies in Queen Elizabeth’s Court. There she must solve a murder, save the Crown, and resist the one thing that will become her greatest freedom–and her deadliest peril. 

For Meg and her fellow spies are not alone in their pursuit of the murderer who stalks Windsor Castle.

A young, mysterious Spanish courtier, Count Rafe de Martine, appears at every turn in the dark and scandal-filled corridors of the Queen’s summer palace. And though secrets and danger are Meg’s stock-in-trade, she’s never bargained on falling in love…

Goodreads ● May 7, 2013

This WoW today was apart of the Maid of Secrets Blog Tour which kicks off today! YAY! You should totally check out all the posts and enter in the giveaways :) My post goes up on the 7th of May (Woot! Day of publishing!) and so come back here to check out my review.

What are you waiting on?