An end to a trilogy Mortal Heart

* 3rd companion book in the Gave Mercy Trilogy *

Annith watched her two friends and sisters go off on missions while she patiently awaits her turn. Annith's now tired of waiting and wondering when her turn will arrive. When another sister leaves the covenant, who isn't trained as much as herself, Annith's had enough.

She's not an obedient person - someone who can be molded into the perfect person. Her determination won't let this matter lie. Upon learning her fate in the covenant, she strikes out on her own hoping to expose the truth her home and to finally learn some answers.  Does Annith find what she's been seeking all these years?

My Thoughts: I loved this trilogy. It's the perfect blend of historical fiction with romance, friendship, politics, and religion. I can't praise these books enough. For the past three years, they have been in my top picks for the year. Given I read more than 300 books a year, that's huge. Plus all three books are fantastic and each build upon the previous book. I hand these book out whenever I can at the library. I'm sorry to see this trilogy end!

Cover Thoughts Perfect
Source: BEA 2014

Book Bags (BEA recap 4)

One of the best parts at BEA besides books, authors, and book people are the bags. They're so clever and so many great bags. Here are a few that I grabbed - summer of them will be prizes for summer reading this year.

 What Bags would you carry?

BEA Recap (2)

BEA is about chatting with everyone about books - the people you're waiting with in line, the publicists and editors, and the authors. I love learning about books to read and books to pick up for my collection. I love meeting authors and telling them that I love their work or that the teens in my library adore their books.

But BEA is also about the books. Most of the books I pick up are used as prizes for the library's Teen Summer Reading Program (along with several ARCs that I reviewed previously during the year on this blog). Many of the ARCs I see at BEA, I purchase for the library's collection.

I saw some great middle grade books. My YA section goes from 6th grade to 12th grade, so I buy middle grade, wanting the younger middle schoolers to feel comfortable in the YA section. I'm always looking for more middle grade, so I was really happy to discover some new upcoming reads.

Some of the books I picked up can go right into the library collection - which is nice. I love putting books in the hands of readers and love hearing what they think about them. 

For my summer reading program, teens are require to write a short review of books they read.

Here are the great looking books I grabbed this year- some for the library, some for prizes, and several I can't wait to read!

 

 My two most anticipated reads this year! 

What books were you happy to learn about?

Harlequin Teen Breakfast: BEA Recap 1

I attended the second annual blogger breakfast and it was just as great as last year. Here are the authors (unfortunately, Dawn Metcalf was stuck with a train problem and didn't make it to the breakfast, but I did catch up with her right after her book signing.)

And their books:

Here's a horrible picture of them on stage as they were introduced and then they came around to each table and chatted for 5 fives (along with the great team from Harlequin Teen)

In Acquiring Books: The editors talked about what they look for in a book - something has to hook them on an emotional level. 

Cover Secrets: At Harlequin Teen, each author fills out a fact sheet that helps get the cover design started. Many factors/divisions of the staff have to come together on the cover. The Cover Designers might have nailed it, but if the Marketing Department doesn't like it, things could get changed or if the Sales Department shops it around and a major bookseller doesn't like the cover, it will also need to be redone.

They also asked what helps bloggers out and were very sweet in offering guest posts and getting us in the touch with the authors. 

The Authors:

Robin: Lies We Tell Ourselves
Talked about the research she did - checking out memoirs and interviews. Such a different story than what I was expecting when the book was first described - a great idea. 
Fun Fact: Lisa W (part of the fab Harlequin Teen Team) is on the cover of the book.

Adi: Let Get Lost

Wrote the book from perspectives the main character meets along the way and then at the end, we hear from the MC. He learned about the character as he wrote the perspectives. Did some road trips, but not this exact one. He coaches basketball. Speaks three languages. Likes multiple perspectives. Next book (out next summer) is about a boy girl friendship turned romance. 

Jennifer: Stone Cold Touch
Gargoyles and romance. The gargoyles are safe when in stone form, but they're Guardian angels. People at my table gushed over her books. I'm adding these to my TBR pile. 

Alexandra: Ghost Houses

Alex was lucky enough to do some research in England - in old houses. We talked about our love for England, British accents on guys *swoon*, and ghost stories.

Julie: Talon
Dragons and more. We talked about the dragon BEA hunt

Here is the awesome promo car in the Harlequin Booth

Here are the goodies in our swag bag (and I seriously Love that bag)

A fun notebook and pen, Lies We Tell Ourselves, a chapter sampler of Let's Get Lost, Ghost House, and Talon.

BEA tips (5)

Last year I ran a series of advice on things I learned from attending Book Expo America and this year I'll add to it. I'm officially going and I'm super excited about it!

It's a week away! Get your face out there

A lot of peoples' names I might not recognize, but I know your blog name. Add your blog name to your name tag. Or your twitter handle.  I spend a lot of time reading people's name tags. 

Add a photo of yourself to your blog. 

Confession: Online, I'm much more out-going, but in person I'm pretty shy. There are times that I feel silly going up tom someone and starting a conversation because I know them online. 

I'm trying my best to get over that. I know that it's a book expo and everyone there loves books just as much as I do, so it shouldn't be hard...but it is. 

This is me (my hair is a little shorter now), say Hi if you see me, and I'll promise to do the same!

BEA Advice (2)

Last year I ran a series of advice on things I learned from attending Book Expo America and this year I'll add to it. I"m still waiting to hear if I can go from my boss. But I'm hoping to go. 

While the PW BEA 14: Galleys to Grab came out, it looks like you have to be a subscriber now to read it online (which doesn't help you unless you library subscribes - luckily mine does.) So, I'll tell you what. I'll read it and report back! 

While you're thinking about books, also think about the people in the booths 

Do you know them?

Have they sent your books?

Do you follow them on twitter?

Say hello and ask them about their favorite upcoming books. Get the conversation started, you never know where it's going to lead.