March's #ReaderInterview: Melissa Robles (@MeliRobles)

Hi, guys! Welcome back to a monthly meme here at Let Me Tell You A Story called Reader Interview! :0) This month's reader is Melissa Robles. Melissa and I first met at Kate Tilton's #K8chat on Twitter. We've been book buddies ever since. :D

Hi, Melissa, thanks so much for being here! :)

Hi Jessica, I'm thrilled to be here on your blog today!

First off, what book got you into reading YA? What was so special about it?

I'm part of the bunch that got into reading YA because of Twilight (please don't hate me!). The series thrilled me, and after finishing it, I just had to read more and more. But before reading Twilight, I was already in love with books. Harry Potter was my #1 favorite, but since I lived in a part of Mexico where people hardly read, I had no idea that there were more books out there. So Twilight came, it swooped me off my feet, and then I discovered more incredible books.

Definitely not going to hate, because that's what started me back into YA, too! *fist bump*

Regarding paper books, do you read the back cover before reading the book?

Yes! I love reading the back blurbs. I even read them out loud making this serious voice, kind of like if I were recording an Audiobook LOL. 

How about jackets? Do you keep the jackets on when you read?

I keep them on most of the times (sometimes I even use the flap as a bookmark), but it really depends on where I am. If I'm at home, it stays on all the time. However, when I'm traveling, I always end up taking it off sooner or later in fear of getting it damaged.

What's your favorite hardcover design *beneath* the jacket? (For instance, mine is Better of Friends. It's gorgeous!)

From the ones I own? *Rushes to check all hardcovers*  Insurgent by Veronica Roth. I love the simple Amity tree design, it's so pretty and shiny! Plus, I'm very fond of its gray-greenish color.

Have you ever dropped any food on a book while reading? How'd that turn out?

Ugh, yes. I dropped chocolate ice cream in my copy of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. I screamed my head off because the corner of one of its pages got ruined. :( Now I can't stand the thought of eating ice cream while reading books.

Oh no! Poor book. Sad story!

Do you dog-ear your pages?

Not anymore! I used to secretly do it behind my sister's back when I was like 12 years old, but after she found out I was "ruining" her precious books, I concluded it was not worth hearing her rant about it. I swear she would go on and on about it for HOURS. Now I stick with bookmarks or any other piece of paper I can find.

What's the most unique cover you've seen?

A Thousand Nights by E. K. Johnston. It's so beautiful my heart aches to have it in my hands. I love that what appears to be just doodles around the main title, are in fact key words about the story. Isn't it a magical and graceful cover?

Go to page 39 of your current read. What's the first sentence say? 

A little more magic and a whole lot more skill was involved to keep out of the way of a sword's edge for any length of time, especially if the person wielding the weapon knew what she was doing. - Cold Burn of Magic by Jennifer Estep

Ooh! Intriguing! 

Do you have a favorite place to read? Tell us about it. 

I love to read besides my sitting room's window  when the sun is beginning to set. The light turns so soft and magical, so incredibly perfect to lose myself inside a good book. And when it rains? I think those moments are the happiest times of my reading life.

Current book you're desperate to get your hands on:

Snow Like Ashes by Sara Raasch . I've been trying to persuade my parents to get me that book since everyone started raving about it, but they just tease me with pictures of Barnes & Noble or bookstores, telling me they are so very close to buying it. My parents sure know how to torture me. :)

I am also DESPERATE to get my hands on a print ARC or finished copy of Hidden Huntress by Danielle L. Jensen. It's my favorite fantasy series at the moment.

What book would you say you've read the fastest, and what made you want to finish it?

Oh, definitely Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins. A book set in Paris + kissing + cute boy? It was an instant page-turner for me! I remember that I read it in 4 hours, then after finishing it, I re-read it immediately in about the same time too.

Favorite indie book:

Lichgates by S.M. Boyce! It was the first indie book I reviewed and it was amazing. Everyone should go explore the magical world of Ourea!

Favorite title:

The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight by Jennifer E. Smith. It's a mouthful, but I love saying that title out loud.

What is your all-time favorite quote?

"Sometimes, one must do the unthinkable, for it is the only way to accomplish the impossible."  Hidden Huntress by Danielle L. Jensen 

This quote is my new favorite. Can't get it out of my mind!

Well, that concludes this month's Reader Interview. Thank you so, so much for being here, Melissa, and sharing your booklove! :D

Thanks to you for having me, Jessica! It's always a pleasure to talk about books :D


About Melissa: 

Melissa is a book blogger and reviewer, currently studying International Trade and Customs in Mexico. Her favorite genres are fantasy, paranormal, and all things young adult with a hint of romance. She also enjoys new adult books and classic literature.  When she’s not reading, Melissa loves to sing out loud, eat sweets, and stare at her collection of books. You can find her at The Reader and the Chef (her blog), Cuzinlogic, and at Kate Tilton, Connecting Authors & Readers.

Connect with Melissa: blog | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

Coming up this April... in bullet points

April is full of bookish stuff, so I'm starting a new meme here at Let Me Tell You A Story where I get lazy and do a post that breaks down the upcoming month in bullet points. 

Grab your mug o' whatever makes you happy, and here we go...

1) The title of Cozenage #2 will be announced here, April 1st. If you want to know sooner, subscribe to the newsletter over there on the sidebar, because my newsletter peeps find stuff out first (I'm sweet like that).

2) The Spring #YASH (YA Scavenger Hunt) will be April 2nd through April 5th. Make sure to come here on the 2nd to check out the author I'm hosting and read their bonus content (and find your way to MY bonus content, too!) 

I talked to my local library and they're letting me bring flyers to tell allllll the YA readers about it and I am so excited! I just *might* be having an audiobook giveaway, too! (Maybe.) Find out more about YASH, HERE. (You can also search for them on Twitter and Facebook.)

3) The announcement of April's #JLBgivesawayanINDIE photo-a-day challenge + giveaway will be April 6th. I had a totally different book planned for this month, but we're switching it up because because because because becauseeeeeee.... because of the wonderful things she does... (Did you get my movie reference here? Also, yes that was a small clue... but I'm not telling you more until the 6th, so oh wellsies.)

4) #RocktheDrop is April 19th. I know you're thinking... But Jessica.... do you have to be an author to participate? Heck no ya don't! Just love books. Long to share books. That's all.

Find out more about Rock the Drop and download bookmarks encouraging passersby to TAKE the books (this really is a problem when I do it... it's like people think they're on Candid Camera and are afraid to take them), HERE.  

5) My author pal Cheyanne Young will be revealing the cover for the third book in her POWERED trilogy (EMPOWERED) later this month. Keep your eyes peeled for the cover on a future Waiting on Wednesday. WOOHOO!

Welp, that's it. Have a blessed weekend, peeps! 

Waiting on Wednesday {77}: Conviction

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Breaking the Spine. This week's can't-wait-to-read pre-publication book is: Conviction.

Conviction

by Kelly Loy Gilbert

Publication date: May 19th, 2015



From Goodreads:

Ten years ago, God gave Braden a sign, a promise that his family wouldn’t fall apart the way he feared.

But Braden got it wrong: his older brother, Trey, has been estranged from the family for almost as long, and his father, the only parent Braden has ever known, has been accused of murder. The arrest of Braden’s father, a well-known Christian radio host, has sparked national media attention. His fate lies in his son’s hands; Braden is the key witness in the upcoming trial.

Braden has always measured himself through baseball. He is the star pitcher in his small town of Ornette, and his ninety-four-mile-per-hour pitch al- ready has minor league scouts buzzing in his junior year. Now the rules of the sport that has always been Braden’s saving grace are blurred in ways he never realized, and the prospect of playing against Alex Reyes, the nephew of the police officer his father is accused of killing, is haunting his every pitch.

Braden faces an impossible choice, one that will define him for the rest of his life, in this brutally honest debut novel about family, faith, and the ultimate test of conviction.

So much writerly news this week, just come on over for coffee.

I'm alive! (Okay, I'm sure you already knew that, but I've refrained from doing the past few Friday writerly news posts because a) it's been crazy around here and b) honestly, I felt like I was bugging people with them!) 

I have lotssss to say, so grab something sweet and a mug, and get comfy! 

*pours you coffee* 

First off, Tiny and I are celebrating!

Please ignore Tiny's wig. We've been dancin' it up to
Meghan Trainor's Dear Future Husband all morning.

WHY are we celebrating, you ask? Well...

Writerly News: If I happened to be doing this post in proper, I'll-get-you-to-read-the-entire-post-first-before-giving-you-the-news social media fashion, I wouldn't share this until the very end of the post. But I know ya'll are busy and, if you're like me, skim because there's so much to read on the interwebs and (so little time to do it), so here it is....

I have a title for Cozenage #2. 




There are six words in the title, (yes, the title comes straight from a line in the book, as usual) and they totally encompass the storyline and I just can't explain how excited I am. *almost spills coffee* 

FYI, those of you who've subscribed to my e-newsletter (the subscribe link is over there to the right on the sidebar), you will find out a few days sooner. (I'll also be doing something different in regard to ARCs for book two via my newsletter: sending out actual advanced readers copies to about 30 people. ARCs won't be coming out for months from now, mind you, I'm just trying to plan ahead--so if you might be interested in reading/reviewing an ARC, I suggest subscribing, too.) The announcement will go up on April 1st, but do know that it is the real deal and I'm not pranking anyone (Tiny tried to talk me into it, but I gave him some peanut butter and told him to shut it). Normally, I'd put it up on Friday the 3rd, but the blog will be taken over for a couple of days. Which brings me to my next announcement... 

YA Scavenger Hunt: I'm happy to report that I'll be participating in the Spring 2015 YA Scavenger Hunt! There are a TON of authors participating (8 teams with 20 authors on each team) which = a TON of books up for grabs! I'm on Team Pink:

Yes, that's Cozenage, #1, Pity Isn't An Option, right there! Seeing it makes me even more excited about book two! 

I'll be sharing the other seven teams with you next week! :)

SCAVENGER DEETS: 2015's Spring YA Scavenger hunt is Thursday, April 2nd through Sunday, April 5th. To learn about how the hunt works, GO HERE. To find out the latest info as stuff is updated, follow YA Scavenger Hunt on Twitter HERE or Facebook HERE.

ICYMI:

In celebration of IceyDesigns settling on a business brand and starting up a blog, Hafsah, the creator of IceyDesigns (and co-blogger at IceyBooks) is throwing a pretty cool giveaway. This lady is mad-talented (she's designed all of my Flora and Cozenage series covers, and my entire blog, as well) and I send everyone looking for design her way, because she rocks! Read about how she created her brand and enter the giveaway to win either a $100 credit toward design or $50 Barnes and Noble gift card, HERE. 

I was going to tell you guys about the lack of a #JLBGivesawayanINDIE for March and what's coming up for April, but I think that's more than enough to read this week, so look for it next Friday. WHEW!

Have a blessed weekend!

Waiting on Wednesday {76}: An Ember in the Ashes

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Breaking the Spine. This week's can't-wait-to-read pre-publication book is: An Ember in the Ashes.

An Ember in the Ashes

by Sabaa Tahir

Publication date: April 28th, 2015



From Goodreads:

Set in a terrifyingly brutal Rome-like world, An Ember in the Ashes is an epic fantasy debut about an orphan fighting for her family and a soldier fighting for his freedom. It’s a story that’s literally burning to be told.

LAIA is a Scholar living under the iron-fisted rule of the Martial Empire. When her brother is arrested for treason, Laia goes undercover as a slave at the empire’s greatest military academy in exchange for assistance from rebel Scholars who claim that they will help to save her brother from execution. 

 ELIAS is the academy’s finest soldier—and secretly, its most unwilling. Elias is considering deserting the military, but before he can, he’s ordered to participate in a ruthless contest to choose the next Martial emperor. 

 When Laia and Elias’s paths cross at the academy, they find that their destinies are more intertwined than either could have imagined and that their choices will change the future of the empire itself.

Waiting on Wednesday {75}: The Summer of Chasing Mermaids

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Breaking the Spine. This week's can't-wait-to-read pre-publication book is: The Summer of Chasing Mermaids.

The Summer of Chasing Mermaids

by Sarah Ockler

Publication date: June 2, 2015



From Goodreads:

The youngest of six talented sisters, Elyse d’Abreau was destined for stardom—until a boating accident took everything from her. Now, the most beautiful singer in Tobago can’t sing. She can’t even speak.

Seeking quiet solitude, Elyse accepts a friend’s invitation to Atargatis Cove. Named for the mythical first mermaid, the Oregon seaside town is everything Elyse’s home in the Caribbean isn’t: An ocean too cold for swimming, parties too tame for singing, and people too polite to pry—except for one.

Christian Kane is a notorious playboy—insolent, arrogant, and completely charming. He’s also the only person in Atargatis Cove who doesn’t treat Elyse like a glass statue. He challenges her to express herself, and he admires the way she treats his younger brother Sebastian, who believes Elyse is the legendary mermaid come to life.

When Christian needs a first mate for the Cove’s high-stakes Pirate Regatta, Elyse reluctantly stows her fear of the sea and climbs aboard. The ocean isn’t the only thing making waves, though—swept up in Christian’s seductive tide and entranced by the Cove’s charms, Elyse begins to wonder if a life of solitude isn’t what she needs. But changing course again means facing her past. It means finding her inner voice. And scariest of all, it means opening her heart to a boy who’s best known for breaking them . . .

Waiting on Wednesday {74}: The Prom Goer's Interstellar Excursion

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Breaking the Spine. This week's can't-wait-to-read pre-publication book is: The Prom Goer's Interstellar Excursion.

The Prom Goer's Interstellar Excurion

by Chris McCoy

Publication date: April 14th, 2015



From Goodreads:

It's Superbad meets Spaceballs in this hilarious extraterrestrial road trip!

Just a few days before prom, Bennett pulls off something he never imagined possible: his dream girl, Sophie, agrees to be his date. Moments afterward, however, he watches Sophie get abducted by aliens in the middle of the New Mexico desert.

Faced with a dateless prom (and likely kidnapping charges), Bennett does the only thing he can think of: he catches a ride into outer space with a band of extraterrestrial musicians to bring her back.

Can he navigate alien concert venues, an extraterrestrial reality show, and the band's outlandish egos to rescue his date in time for the big dance?

Today's the last day to enter to win #Elsker + Amazon gift card + swag! Info below! #JLBgivesawayanINDIE

CLICK HERE for Rafflecopter & giveaway deets! :)