Blogoversary: The Second (and Giveaway!)

Long post ahead. Leave all precious items here because I'm about to cry over you and get sappy.

Well guys. It's come. I'm finally an old blogger.

WELL CRAP.

No no, I'm good.

Seriously. See?

Yeah. We're good.

...

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Guys. GUYS. GUYS. Two years since I started this thing and it's been filled with amazing.

And no I won't stop with the gifs.

The thing is, and I've said this a bajillion times, I never really expected much from blogging. I never knew how giant and big the blogosphere was. I didn't know how much I would love the blogosphere.

Some people agonize over the decision to blog--they knew about the blogosphere beforehand, they knew what blogging was. I just dived right in, not knowing what the HELL I was getting into.

I thought I would quit when I got 100 followers. I didn't even think I'd get 10.

I thought I would quit when I wrote 50 reviews. It seemed like so much to me.

I thought I would quit when I reached 1 year. I didn't know how quickly that year would pass.

Blogging has been absolutely amazing and honestly. What would I be doing without it?
Shoving my face with chocolate while I watched Spongebob and Doctor Who.

But instead I'm part of this absolutely amazing community that sticks with each other, doesn't prejudice, and loves books. And authors! Bloggers! I TALK TO THESE PEOPLE. 

And now it's been two years of books, wonder, authors, bloggers, and everything.

I have spent two years on this blog. 

I have spent two years in this community.

I have spent two years being surrounded by crazy book loving people.

I have spent two years...having fun. 

And to all you people who've stuck by me those two years. Or one year. Or even one month.

Yes. Yes here comes the people part. And basically the dedications if my blog were a book.

FIRST TO MY FOLLOWERS. Because lord knows I would've given it up if not for you folk. Twitter, GFC, Bloglovin, Tumblr, whatever. You guys make me smile and I love seeing your comments or tweets. I mean. Guys. People actually care about what I have to say. And you're awesome for not running away.

AND TO MY BLOGGY FRIENDS. 
Merp Squad, first of all. Because they've always been my number one go to and the group of friends I will never let go of. They're awesome, they get me (HAHAHA no. Kudos for trying to understand my 2 AM tweets though y'all!) and I love them! They've pretty much been my first blogger friends and deal with my pettiness and horrible sides with me. (I'm so sorry about that!) I love you all. And we can be fat merpy birds together now!
-I may not talk to most of y'all anymore but I WILL ALWAYS LOVE YOU for being my closest bloggy friends! <3 Miss talking to y'all but life is rather bossy, isn't it?

Hafsah, Jessica, and Alex because I HAVE TEXAN FRIENDS. You guys don't know how big that is for me.
-Hafsah, the awesome writer who sent me her manuscript of Unbreathable for me to devour and sending me swag and for being up at 1 AM so I can talk to someone. YES.
-Jessica for being so super sweet and amazing. Almost no one does sweet like her!
-Alex for being crazy. And sort of nice. What? She tortures me with all the books she gets! MEAN! But also for being someone fun to talk to!

Kaede for being super crazy and super fun and almost always being on twitter. Or used to. (She sort of disappeared. Hmm) We need to talk more.

And Lucy, Shreya, Christine, YA Reads, and Alyssa for being oh so epic and being there when I must talk and for somehow becoming a close friends in a matter of days. You guys are wiggly things that made me love you all. And thank you for ranting with me. I need that.
-On that note, ALYSSA FOLLOWED ME IN JUNE OF 2012. OMFG GUYS. SHE FOLLOWED ME BEFORE SHE STARTED BLOGGING. HOW CRAY CRAY IS THAT.

Danielle who's not a blogger (totally should be though. Just saying.) but is still SO FREAKING AWESOME and let's me bounce ideas off her!

AND LAST BUT NOT LEAST, Rachel for being my NaNo buddy and letting me read her AMAZING stuff and letting me rant to her. Also, for being up at all hours for no reason at all. Stay vampirish, my friend.

AUTHOR FRIENDS. 
You should all come to Houston. FYI. And please don't kill off any characters I'm/I'll get attached to.

Paula Stokes/Fiona Paul. Hey thanks a lot for confuzzling me with ALL YOUR PEN NAMES. But also for being so awesome when I randomly email you. Because I do that. And for making me less scared of authors almost two years ago and giving me that VENOM ARC that made my entire year. My first absolutely awesome author friend who I don't think I'll ever stop bothering. (So sorry about that!) I have a tag for Fiona Paul you know.

ANITA! (A.G. Howard)Who sent me awesome Splintered things and mailed me a birthday gift! How amazing is that? And for letting me facebook her pretty much every other day without being annoyed. Though come on. I am disappointed that you haven't killed of Jeb yet. *Tragic sigh* Also because I now have four Anita signed things. She also has pretty hair. PRETTY HAIR. 

Well hello Romily Bernard and Natalie Richards. Yes I must put you together in this post. Did you know these two both wrote thrillers? And both ripped my heart apart? They're nice like that. But in all seriousness they're amazingly nice people who I would love to squiggle (SQUISH+HUGGLE). Thank you for being so super sweet and letting me spam your twitter timelines. Yep.

Gina Rosati for talking to me about writing and putting me in touch with some professional people I needed answers from and for being so nice and generous about EVERYTHING.

Lili Peloquin! You have an adorable baby. Did you know that? I bet you did.
And for letting me email you randomly so much! I LOVES YOU. I met you! I MET YOU. Thank you for being super nice and not laughing as I fumbled with my books in that signing line.

And I actually didn't include all my author friends. Just the people I talked to recently. (So yes, I do still consider you a friend and I do love your face.)

MY 2014 AUTHOR FRIENDS.
Hello. I hope you consider me a friend and not just the random person who tweets you. Ahem.

(Off the bat, The YA Valentines are AMAZING and all so sweet! <3 Follow their blog here.

Well Paula. Fiona. You're already up there. HMPH.

Sara B. Larson FOR BEING SUPER SWEET on all matters and for using my idea of madlibs and for letting me fangirl over your hair, instead of your book (In my defense, I always wanted curly hair and I still haven't read Defy yet. MY EXCUSE.)

Bethany Hagen for being awesome when I randomly gchat her at 10 PM. And for having an awesome cover. And for letting Merp Squad run her blog tour. And for giving me a boy talk. And for letting me tell her about Cerritos Library 'cause God knows more people need to know about my hometown library. (The thing is massive.)

Lynne Matson because she gives me the blue M&Ms. *sniffles* Thank you for the sacrifice and putting up with my awkward tweetage that sometimes I don't even understand. And for tweets that totally make my day! AND THE SIGNED COPY OF NIL AND CANDY! Ah, one of the best packages ever! (Totally because of the candy. I kid I kid. Or do I.)

Sara Raasch who's last name I mispronounced on a monthly basis. Whoops! BUT NOW I KNOW RIGHT. Erm. ANYWAYS. The pictures of food that you continuously post that makes me hungry. Thanks for that. (I don't even know if that's sarcasm!) And for fighting off the birds. I depend on you to fight off the birds.

 Those birds. *Runs*

But yep! And if I left anyone out my excuse is that I wrote this at midnight a few days ago. 

So now all I have left to say is

Wait no! I have a giveaway too! You can win any of these following books. As long as they can fit in my box, feel free to choose as many as you like! This one is US only.
OR
If you're INT, you can pick any book from The Book Depository under $13 as long as it ships to your country and I've spotlighted, reviewed, or interviewed the author sometime on the blog.

The prize also includes a Catching Fire poster of Finnick (because I might've grabbed two) and an assortment of swag from the Fierce Reads authors and...any other good signed stuff I can dig up. And trust me, my piles are endless. You'll be good.

BOOKS
Auracle by Gina Rosati (signed hardback)
Chaos of Stars by Kiersten White (ARC)
Asylum by Madeleine Roux (ARC)
The Brokenhearted by Amelia Kahaney (ARC or hardback)
Afterparty by Ann Redisch Stampler (ARC)
Desert Tales by Melissa Marr (ARC)
Infinite Moment of Us by Lauren Myracle (ARC)
Twinmaker by Sean Williams (ARC)
Blackout by Robison Wells (ARC)
Send Me a Sign by Tiffany Schmidt (ARC)
Deception by CJ Redwine (ARC)
The Innocents by Lili Peloquin (SIGNED)
Crewel by Gennifer Albin (UK signed copy)
Wake by Amanda Hocking
Lullaby by Amanda Hocking
Tidal by Amanda Hocking
Elegy by Amanda Hocking


a Rafflecopter giveaway

Now I can say goodbye with

Authors are Rockstars: Fiona Paul

Today, for the 2nd Annual Authors are Rockstars Tour, I'm hosting the ever wonderful Fiona Paul. Sooo...why is Fiona Paul a rockstar? OH I COULD GO ON AND ON. First, she wrote Falco Venom, Belladonna, Starling, she has two author names, and writes contemporaries under Paula Stokes. CONTEMPORARY. If you didn't know, that's my favorite genre. Absolutely favorite.
Annnnnd. She's nice enough to put up with my nagging and my awkward tweets (speaking of, we're both in the self proclaimed Awkward Faction.) And super sweet! I met her at the Teen Author Carnival of 2012 (First time in NY!) and she gave me her ARC of Venom. This was my first ARC guys. And the first author I ever talked to! She's also helped tweet about Merp Squad Blog Tours and is one of the most social authors I know! And she's one of the only people who's on at like, 3 AM, so. I HAVE SOMEONE TO TALK TO!
Also, I have three PERSONALIZED Venoms from Fiona in all it's stages: ARC, hardback, and paperback. SO THERE'S THAT. :D

Hi fiction freaks! I’m super-psyched to be chilling on my girl Nikki Wang’s blog for Authors are Rock Stars. Thanks to Jaime, Rachel, and Mindy for including me again. What I have for you today is a deleted scene from Belladonna. It originally took place in Chapter 24, after Cass leaves Belladonna’s creepy mansion, AKA Villa Briani, but before she returns home to Venice. Without being spoilery, I can tell you this scene occurs after Falco realizes that Belladonna’s house physician, Piero Basso, has been putting the moves on Cass, so to speak.

Setting: Florence. Cass’s room at Palazzo Alioni (Madalena’s aunt’s house)

There was a crash and a shout from the direction of the portego. Siena and Cass both looked toward the open door.

            “Stay here,” Siena hissed. She went running for the hallway.

            Cass was tired of blindly obeying orders and hiding away in her chambers. She felt steadier on her feet than she had in days, almost back to normal. She threw on a dressing gown and descended to the portego.

            Piero sat dazedly on the floor, in the middle of a pile of broken wood that had previously been the room’s only table. Falco stood over him, wincing, shaking out the fingers of his right hand. A pair of serving girls peeked around the doorframe of the dining room, curious about the noise but unwilling to intervene. They scurried off when they saw Cass.

            “Falco!” Cass cried out. She blinked hard. “What are you doing?”

            He didn’t answer. Instead, he gripped Piero by the fabric of his doublet and hauled him to his feet. He reared back to strike again, but Piero ducked low and then landed a quick punch to Falco’s midsection, sending him reeling toward the brick fireplace, which thankfully wasn’t lit.

            Cass gasped. She clutched at the belt of her dressing gown with her good hand. “Both of you, stop it this instant!”

            The men ignored her. They circled the room, both crouched low, their eyes filled with hate.

            Cass moved to grab Piero as he went after Falco again, but Siena restrained her. “I’ll get help,” she said breathlessly. She turned around and ran for the back of the house.

            “I warned you.” Falco danced sideways, out of Piero’s reach. “I told you to stay away from her.” He lunged forward, fists flying. There was a sickening crunch as his knuckles collided with Piero’s mouth. Cass recoiled as if she were the one who had been struck. She wanted to look away, but couldn’t.

            Piero staggered back a couple of paces. He lifted a hand to his lip. It came away red. “What makes you think you can speak for her?” he asked. “Is she not betrothed to another? Why should you have all the fun?” He coughed hard. Drops of blood spattered the portego floor, along with something sharp and white. Falco had knocked out one of Piero’s teeth!

            “That’s enough!” Cass yelled, her voice spiraling into hysteria. Tears were welling up in her eyes. “Please.”

            “Quiet, whore,” Piero said.

            “Don’t you dare speak to her that way.” Falco lunged for Piero again, who side-stepped just out of his reach. “I will shut you up for good, I swear it.” Falco’s eyes were wild. The veins on his forearms stood out like tree branches. Cass had never seen him look so ferocious.

            Piero spat. His teeth were bared; he looked almost like one of the dogs that had prowled the gravesite outside Florence. “I saw the two of you at Villa Briani. I saw you in her bed.”

            Falco leapt toward Piero and wrapped his hands around the physician’s neck. Piero gagged. Reaching up, he tried to break Falco’s hold but couldn’t. His face flushed bright red as he struggled to escape. Falco just squeezed harder. Flailing out desperately, Piero grabbed a vase off a nearby pedestal and slammed it over the top of Falco’s head.

            Cass swallowed back a scream. Falso didn’t even flinch. Shards of pottery rained down from his hair. “Swear you will never touch her again,” Falco said slowly. Piero’s face went from red to white to grayish. The physician sunk to his knees, mewling and choking.    

            “Falco, stop it! You’re going to kill him!” Suddenly, the stench of sweat and blood in the room was overpowering, and for the first time that day, Cass felt unsteady on her feet. “Please,” she begged. “For me.”

            At last, as though waking from a trance, Falco released Piero and turned toward Cass. “I—”

            Just then, Siena and Signora Alioni rushed into the room. The signora held a partially finished needlepoint in her hand.

            “What is the meaning of this?” she thundered. “I want both of you out, or I’ll call the guard.”

            “Dottor Basso was just leaving,” Falco said, wiping his brow.

            Piero staggered back to his feet and headed for the stairs. “Your days are numbered, artist,” he hissed. “You are finished in Florence.”

            “I’m not afraid of you, or your empty threats,” Falco said. “And if you ever come near Signorina Cassandra again, I will make sure there is not enough of you left for even the worms to take an interest in.”

            

Venom Blurb

Cassandra Caravello is one of Renaissance Venice’s lucky elite: with elegant gowns, sparkling jewels, her own lady’s maid, and a wealthy fiancé, she has everything a girl could desire. Yet ever since her parents’ death, Cassandra has felt trapped, alone in a city of water, where the dark and labyrinthine canals whisper of escape.

When Cass stumbles upon a murdered woman—practically in her own backyard—she’s drawn into a dangerous world of courtesans, killers, and secret societies. Soon, she finds herself falling for Falco, a mysterious artist with a mischievous grin... and a spectacular skill for trouble. Can Cassandra find the murderer, before he finds her? And will she stay true to her fiancé, or succumb to her uncontrollable feelings for Falco?

Author Bio

Fiona Paul lives in St. Louis, MO where she's managed to persuade prestigious universities to award her degrees in psychology and nursing. Between her studies, she traveled around five continents and spent time living in Thailand and South Korea (which is probably why she finds the idea of wearing shoes in the house a little weird.)

In addition to writing, Fiona is somewhat obsessive about coffee, music, and adventure sports. Her future goals include swimming with great white sharks and writing a whole truckload of novels, not necessarily in that order.She also writes contemporary YA under the name Paula Stokes.

Media

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Buy! 

Blog Tour: Belladonna by Fiona Paul

HELLO! If you all know, I'm a ginormous fan of Fiona Paul. As in, I feel like I force her to pick me for all her Venom Things. SO I AM HERE WITH THE BELLADONNA BLOG TOUR and an awesome annotated excerpt that'll make your toes tingle and your book buying side shiver.

Check out my review of BELLADONNA.

Excerpt

Cass couldn’t move. She stood there, transfixed, speechless, letting her eyes wander over his whole body. The moonlight outlined his broad shoulders and the dark brown hair that had grown even longer since she’d last seen him, the ends of it brushing against his cheekbones and dangling below his square jaw. He broke away from his friends with a wave and began to cross the piazza toward her, the collar of his shirt flopping open to expose a triangle of muscular chest. Warmth bloomed in Cass’s cheeks. Her hands had been all over those muscles just a few weeks earlier.

Falco’s jaw dropped slightly as he approached, his lips curving into the lopsided smile she had missed so much.

“Starling,” he said. “I cannot believe it. Are you the product of too much wine or too many wishes?” He reached out, taking one of her hands in his own. “You feel real enough.”

“Hello, Falco,” she managed to say. She felt as if she might explode. Only now did she let herself realize how she had missed every tiny detail of him. More than anything, she wanted to pull him into her arms, to press her lips to the tiny scar beneath his right eye, to bury her face in the warmth of his hair.

Falco lifted her hand to his mouth, brushing his lips gently across her soft skin. It was an innocent gesture, but Cass could sense the urgency beneath it. He felt exactly the same way she did. She knew it.

Pulling her close and cradling her face in his hands, he said, “I have visited Florence’s breathtaking cathedrals and reviewed the works of the masters, but you are the most beautiful thing I’ve seen since I left Venice.”

Heat coursed from his fingers into her skin and the blood and bones beneath it. Falco’s hands smelled faintly of paint. Cass smiled. She couldn’t help herself. For a second the two of them were back on San Domenico, kissing on a bench in her aunt’s garden. For a second, desire budded and bloomed inside of her, as scarlet and fragrant as Agnese’s roses. Intoxicating. For a second nothing had changed.

Only everything had changed.

Fiona’s thoughts: Erm, what? Oh sorry, I got distracted. So again, you all KNOW Falco is coming back in the picture from the flap copy, so I don’t consider this passage spoilery. I figured we couldn’t have a whole blog tour without at least a taste of Falco since the other tours are having Falco-related posts.

The reason I picked this passage is to show Cass’s character development. Clearly, she still has the hots for Falco, but instead of being the wild impulsive girl from Venom who would have run and thrown herself into Falco’s arms, she’s holding back. Inside she’s budding and blooming and freaking out, but outside she’s more like “’Sup?”

This is for two reasons. First of all, she doesn’t blindly trust Falco like she did back when he first ignited all of her hormones. Reviewers like to write about characters acting irrational and how Instalove is so bogus, but dude, I still remember those first couple of guys who set me ablaze when I was a teen and I probably would have followed them off the edge of a cliff. Maybe it isn’t love, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t FEEL like it. Anyway, Cass is a little wary. Falco lied to her. Then he essentially left her to pursue his art after she refused to run away with him.

The second thing going on here is that between Venom and Belladonna, Cass spends a few weeks with Luca, trying to be the fiancée she is expected to be. Even if she doesn’t have feelings for her fiancé at this moment (open for debate) he’s a decent guy who saved her life. It’s a lot easier for her to cheat on a person who she hasn’t seen in years than it is to cheat on a person who just saved her. Especially when that guy is currently in prison and Cass feels indebted to him.

Belladonna Blurb

In the second in the stunning Secrets of the Eternal Rose series, Cassandra Caravello is trying to forget Falco, the wild artist who ran off with her heart, as she grows closer to her strong, steady fiancé, Luca. But Luca seems to have his own secrets. When he’s arrested by soldiers in the middle of the night, Cass’s life is once again thrown into chaos. She must save Luca, and that means finding the Book of the Eternal Rose—the only evidence that will prove he’s innocent.
So begins her journey to Florence, a city haunted by whispers of vampirism, secret soirees and clandestine meetings of the Order of the Eternal Rose. And home to Falco, who is working for the Order’s eerily stunning leader, the Belladonna herself.
Can Cass trust her heart to lead her to the truth this time?
Nothing is as it seems in this seductive thriller, where the truth may be the deadliest poison of all.

Short Author Bio

Fiona Paul lives in St. Louis, MO where she's managed to persuade prestigious universities to award her degrees in psychology and nursing. Between her studies, she traveled around five continents and spent time living in Thailand and South Korea (which is probably why she finds the idea of wearing shoes in the house a little weird.)

In addition to writing, Fiona is somewhat obsessive about coffee, music, and adventure sports. Her future goals include swimming with great white sharks and writing a whole truckload of novels, not necessarily in that order.She also writes contemporary YA under the name Paula Stokes.

Media
Website
Blog
Twitter
Facebook

Belladonna by Fiona Paul

Goodreads Blurb

Cassandra follows a trail of clues about the mysterious Order of the Eternal Rose to Florence. There she runs into a few familiar faces, including Falco, who is now working for a nine-fingered woman known as Belladonna. When Cass discovers Belladonna is involved in the Order, she won’t rest until she discovers the shadowy society’s true purpose, knowledge that will put her—and everyone she loves—in terrible danger.

Wow. Oh wow oh wow oh wow. I can not describe how much I love Belladonna, but I promise to do my best. Let me just say though, that I finished this in the morning at school, then put it in my locker (after squealing so much!) so that it wouldn't be harmed, right? During my entire first period, I couldn't stop thinking about the going  ons of Belladonna and went to my locker ASAP to read it again! I never reread books right after finishing. Moral of the story? Belladonna is a must-read, Venom is a must read, you all MUST READ THEM. They're seriously heartbreaking sometimes, and I wanted to cry. A lot. 

Cass definitely sounds like a noble woman dead-set on her goal. She had all the makings and morals of a noble woman, except she had some definite spunk in her that makes you love her instantly! Honestly, she hasn't changed a bit since Venom, though she's definitely wiser and less naive than before. She's still a strong character, in my opinion, but there's definitely a lot of vulnerability on her side in Belladonna. And the things that brought her down? Oh, I wanted to cry. 

Falco. There was a LOT of Falco in Belladonna, thank God. I just...the extent of my love for him is immeasurable. Even with what's happened in this book. He was just as heartbreaking as before, just as swoon worthy as before, and just as sweet as before. But there's an edge to it, now that she's on a mission to save Luca. But, you guys, he still helps her, and they made me feel a heart tug. Falco still helped her because it's what she wanted and I...I...so, if Cass goes with Luca, can I have Falco? Just asking, of course.

But, just in case you wanted to be sure, Falco is all he was in Venom and so much more!

Luca wasn't really in Belladonna as much as I'd expected (sort of hoped? Sorry guys, I was thinking about Falco here!), but from what we do see from him, I think he's shaping up to be a guy who can almost, not quite, rival Falco in my eyes. He was just so incredibly sweet, willing to let Cass go if it meant she'd be happy. I honestly want my own Luca mixed with Falco. Yeesh, Fiona Paul definitely knows how to make guys we swoon about!

The writing? Do you even have to ask? the writing was just gorgeous! It never gave too much detail, but gave you enough so that you could clearly picture the scene in your head. And I'm no expert on Venice or the Renaissance (no matter what my parents want to believe), but everything felt historically correct at least, and that's pretty much what matters! 

Compared to Venom, Belladonna was a very quick read. It went by and I had no idea how I was already halfway into the book! There was a giant twist to the usual historical--vampires. But, you guys, without fully spoiling anything, I'm pretty sure there was a stage during the Renaissance where people did believe in vampires. And don't worry, Belladonna stays purely historical, thank goodness! But it was a fast plot that was quickly delivered that I thoroughly enjoyed!

Belladonna is definitely one of my favorite sequels, ever! Engaging characters, a quick plot, and amazing writing, Secrets of the Eternal Rose is definitely going to be your next favorite series!

Pages: 339

Series: Secrets of the Eternal Rose #2

Genre: Historical Fiction/Romance

Publisher: Philomel

Release Date: July, 2013

Rating: 5

Venom Readalong Week 4: 25-34

ITS THE LAST WEEK! Sadness. But winners will be posted tomorrow over here so check your inboxes SOON! 

I'm so sad this is ending, but it's been fun! 

Did you trust Falco the whole time?

DEFINITELY NOT. I mean...hello? You met him in a GRAVEYARD. But then again, I couldn't really blame Cass for falling for him...

As a whole, did you feel this book was sufficiently creepy and mysterious?

YES. YESYESYES. 

Were you surprised by the ending?

WHAT THE HECK. YES. I was *not* expecting that AT ALL

Do you think Cass made the right decision concerning the boys in the end? Would you do what she did (answer without spoiling!)

I loved it! I mean, she made the decision best for her and it was completely unexpected! Different from most love triangles, I'll say! Seriously. *SURPRISE*

Were you right about the murderer? If not were you surprised?

Ummm, I was dead wrong. Seriously. I had no idea whatsoever. But then, I'm completely dumb when it comes to this. So, YEAH I was surprised!

Now that you've met both, what Team are you? 

Falco. Always and FOREVER. 

What were your immediate thoughts after finishing? 

OMG. WHERE'S BELLADONNA?

So glad you've been with us so far! :D

Check out Fiona Paul's blog here!

Venom Readalong (9-16)

WEEK 2 OF THE VENOM READALONG!!! Made by MOI and Annabelle (Sparkles and Lightning!) Yes, this is late, but I just wanted to do Friday. You know, for no particular reason...

I will be answering this and pretending like I haven't read this awesome book already.
(Here are some other posts for this week! Just click here)

Rereading this has been a blast and having read the ARC first, I see some changes being made! Awesome changes, of course!

Do you think Cristian rescuing Cass was a coincidence?

Well, I've learned that, in books, nothing's ever a coincidence. ;) 

Do you think the tossing of her stays symbolizes anything? Or is it just a fun scene (that totally made me grin!)?

I think it symbolizes the way she thinks--that she doesn't want to be caged in and sheltered anymore.

Who do you think was behind the falcon mask?

Well, I've read this so I honestly can't say, but definitely the murderer!

What do you think of the whispered conversation between Falco and his friends?

Well, there are some people up to no good! Definitely suspicious here...Please don't be the murderer.

In this chapter, Cass comes across prostitutes up close for the first time and finds herself enthrall we by the strangeness of it. How would you, as a sheltered high-class girl, have reacted?

I'd, personally, be revolted. I'd have run away as fast as I could lol! I don't do well out of my areas of comfort!

It's obvious Falco is keeping secrets. What do you think they are? Why do you think he's hiding the truth from Cass?

Well...here's another question I can't answer. But he's definitely hiding the fact that he knows that person from the cut up body parts...I forgot his name. And I think he's trying to be the person Cass THINKS him to be, which is why he's not telling her the truth. 

When Cass asks Falco, "Why should I trust you?" he responds, "Because you want to." Is that a good reason for trust? Why or why not?

Yes! You have to trust your gut, right? And so far, he hasn't given much reason why not to. If he was (or was aquainted to) the murderer, wouldn't Cass be dead?

Check out Fiona Paul's blog here!

Venom Readalong (1-8)

WEEK 1 OF THE VENOM READALONG!!! Made by MOI and Annabelle (Sparkles and Lightning!) Yes, this is late, but I just wanted to do Friday. You know, for no particular reason...

I will be answering this and pretending like I haven't read this awesome book already.
(Here are some other posts for this week! Just click here)

What do you think of Falco so far? Do you trust him?
So far? Absolutely NOT. I mean, he suddenly leaves before dawn for "work", he pops out of nowhere, and HE'S IN THE GRAVEYARD AT MIDNIGHT. I don't buy that story of reading...he's up to something.

Thoughts on Siena?
She seems very timid and super shy...that's about it!

If you were in Cass's place, would you sneak out and try to solve it or try your best to shake it off?
Probably shake it off. Actually, I wouldn't be IN a graveyard in the first place. Those things freak me out.

Is it stupid of Cass to trust Falco so much? Would you, in her place?

YES. I mean, hello random guy who lazes around in graveyards at night. Creepy, no? But I probably would. I mean, FALCO.

Do you think Cass' Aunt Agnese is smothering her?

Without a doubt! Stuffy lady...but I'm guessing not all the high society women were exactly like Cass, then. 

Did anything seem off about the funeral to you?

Nothing, unless you count the fact that the preacher's eyes seemed to dark to Cass at that one moment...

Short answers, but trust me, the next questions are going to definitely have more in depth answers!

NEXT UP:

Chapters 9-17!

Check out Fiona Paul's blog here!

Venom Readalong Sign-ups!

Hey guys! MERRY CHRISTMAS EVE!!! I've got a treat for you today! :) So, if you've been following me on Twitter, then you know I've been planning for something. And if you've seen my rants, then you know I'm a HUMONGOUS fan of Venom by Fiona Paul! So, I teamed up with Annabelle from Sparkles and Lightning to bring you...
Links to my sign ups

<center> <a href="http://fiction-freak.blogspot.com/2012/12/venom-readalong-sign-ups.html" target="_blank"><img alt="Venom Readalong" src="http://i1270.photobucket.com/albums/jj610/annabellelovell/VENOMreadalonggraphic.jpg" /></a> <div align="center"> </div> </center>

Links to Annabelle's sign ups!

<center> <a href="http://sparkles-and-lightning.blogspot.com/2012/12/venom-readalong-signups.html" target="_blank"><img alt="Venom Readalong" src="http://i1270.photobucket.com/albums/jj610/annabellelovell/VENOMreadalonggraphic.jpg" /></a> <div align="center"> </div> </center>

THE VENOM READALONG!!! Sign ups are up for one week, starting today, so be sure to sign up by the 31! I love it--Christmas Eve to New Year's Eve? 

The readalong can finally give you the chance to read Venom if it's been stuck in your TBR or if you want to just read it again! And if that's not enough for you, we do have a few incentives...(US only! Sorry folks! But join in for the fun!)

4 Swag packs 

(including a Venom button, Venom bookmarks, a magnet, and possibly Belladonna bookmarks.)

1 signed copy of Venom + a swag pack

1 ARC of Belladonna.

And trust me, people, you want those prizes! I've had the pleasure of reading Belladonna early and...WOW.

Here's how it's going to work:

Starting from January, we'll email you about 6-9 questions and you MUST answer at least 3-6 of them. Then, every Monday or Tuesday visit Sparkles and Lightning who'll have a linky posted on her site. It may  not be the first one though, so be sure to enter your link for that week there! We'll be randomly choosing the winners for the swag packs from those lists and the winners for the Venom and Belladonna copies from the sign up list here! We WILL be checking to make sure you've posted though, and all prizes will be sent out at the end of everything! All questions can be sent to my email: piscesgirl1688@gmail.com! 

Rules and Guidelines

You MUST have a blog or tumblr. 

You must answer at least once a week, the appropriate amount of questions.

NO SPOILERS ALLOWED

Please start reading now! 

Week 1: Chapters 1-8

Week 2: Chapters 9-17

Week 3: Chapters 18-26

Week 4: Chapters 27-34

Sign Up for the Venom Readalong!

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Name *

Blog Tour: Venom by Fiona Paul

Y'all know I'm such a giant fan of VENOM (Check out my review here) and I've asked Fiona Paul to do a lot of Promo stuff (check out the guest post here and my interview here!) and VENOM totally deserves it! So I'm absolutely THRILLED to be on the Venom Blog Tour and even more excited to be kicking it off! EEP! And during the blog tour, you can collect snippets of the novella VENOMOUS! (I had to cut out a lot of squealing in this intro. Just thought I'd say that.) Here's the first snippet!

Venomous

A Secrets of the Eternal Rose short story

By Fiona Paul

The year is 1600 and the streets of Venice, Italy are ripe with intrigue and danger. In this introduction to the world of Venom, eighteen-year-old Mariabella has recently elevated herself from the rank of common prostitute to the status of courtesan, a respected high-class escort for those men in Venetian society who can afford them. Mariabella steps out to attend a party on the arm of her powerful new patron, certain that the night will be filled with glamour, secrets, and adventure.

--

As the gondola slows to a stop, I adjust the neckline of my dress and emerge from behind the leather curtains of the felze. Arabella, my friend and roommate, laced my stays extra tightly and the stiff framework presses against my rib cage as I stand. The private dock of Palazzo Domacetti is crowded with other guests. All of Venice seems to be watching me as I take the gondolier’s hand and alight from the boat.

 Slowly, I step onto the dock, reveling in the stares of desire and jealousy. For the first time in my life, I am the girl that the other girls wish they could be. It’s not because I’m the prettiest or the youngest, or even the most talented. It’s because one of the richest and most powerful men in Venice went looking for a new companion, and he chose me.

            Someone tugs sharply at my dress and I wobble in my chopines, stepping sideways to regain my balance. I turn around. A toothless woman with a stooped back is gripping the emerald-green satin of my top skirt in her gnarled hand. Her other hand clutches a leather canteen. She’s not wearing a hat, and snarls of gray hair hang like storm clouds around her pale face.

            “The mark,” she rasps. She is rank with the stench of ale and worse things. Filth. Death. I grew up around these smells and I will never forget them.

            Tugging the fabric free of her bony fingers, I glance down at my bodice and skirts, at my sleeves and lace gloves, looking for a spot or stain. I’m clean, but I pull my cloak tight around me anyway, attempting to cover my entire body with the soft suede garment.

 “What mark?” I ask, even though she’s clearly drunk or mad. Perhaps both.           

“The Devil’s mark,” she hisses. One crooked finger lifts toward my face. “You are chosen.” She throws back her head and cackles.

            Around me, nobles and other courtesans watch the exchange with curiosity, but no one steps in to help. My new patron, Joseph Dubois, is just now alighting from the gondola, having stopped to pay the gondolier. He moves immediately to my side and gestures quickly at a pair of men clad in the red and black livery of Palazzo Domacetti. They step forward to seize the woman.

            “Off with you now,” one says. A heavy club hangs from his belt. “You’ve no business in this district.”

            The old woman allows the men to lead her away from the palazzo, but she continues to cackle, a sound that makes my skin twitch and crawl as if I am covered with cockroaches. “Chosen,” she shrills once more. And then she disappears around a corner, safely out of sight.

--

Isn't that AMAZING! I can't wait for the next posts to find out what happens next! The next part will be on The Compulsive Reader on Oct 3! 

Venom Blurb

Cassandra Caravello is one of Renaissance Venice’s lucky elite: with elegant gowns, sparkling jewels, her own lady’s maid, and a wealthy fiancé, she has everything a girl could desire. Yet ever since her parents’ death, Cassandra has felt trapped, alone in a city of water, where the dark and labyrinthine canals whisper of escape.

When Cass stumbles upon a murdered woman—practically in her own backyard—she’s drawn into a dangerous world of courtesans, killers, and secret societies. Soon, she finds herself falling for Falco, a mysterious artist with a mischievous grin... and a spectacular skill for trouble. Can Cassandra find the murderer, before he finds her? And will she stay true to her fiancé, or succumb to her uncontrollable feelings for Falco?

Beauty, love, romance, and mystery weave together in a stunning novel that’s as seductive and surprising as the city of Venice itself.

Short Author Bio

Fiona Paul lives in St. Louis, MO where she's managed to persuade prestigious universities to award her degrees in psychology and nursing. Between her studies, she traveled around five continents and spent time living in Thailand and South Korea (which is probably why she finds the idea of wearing shoes in the house a little weird.)

In addition to writing, Fiona is somewhat obsessive about coffee, music, and adventure sports. Her future goals include swimming with great white sharks and writing a whole truckload of novels, not necessarily in that order.She also writes contemporary YA under the name Paula Stokes.

Contact Info
Fiona Paul's Website
Fiona Paul's Blog
Fiona Paul's Twitter
Fiona Paul's Facebook

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