Misguided Angel

The synopsis of Melissa De La Cruz' latest edition to the Blue Bloods series; Misguided Angel has just recently been released.

After inheriting the dark Van Alen Legacy, Schuyler fled to Florence with her forbidden love, Jack. Now the two of them must embark on the mission Schuyler was destined to complete: to find and protect the five remaining gates that guard the earth from Lucifer, lord of the Silver Bloods.

Back in New York, Mimi has been elected Regent of a crumbling coven. Struggling with her heartache over the loss of Kingsley and with her overwhelming desire to destroy Jack, she must focus all of her energy on a perilous new threat. Vampires are being abducted and their captors are planning to burn them alive online...for all the world to see. Help arrives in the form of Deming Chen, a Venator from Shanghai, who must untangle the web of deceptions before the killers strike again.

"The Infernal Devices: Clockwork Angel" out today in the US!

Clockwork Angel was released in the United States today. Written by Cassandra Clare, a past fan fiction extraordinaire, Clockwork Angel is the first book in the new prequel series to The Mortal Instruments called The Infernal Devices.

A story that takes place in Victorian London, it sheds some light on the Lightwoods, the Herondales, and I'm sure a few other Shadowhunter families that are the main focus of The Mortal Instruments. And I have personally be told by Cassie Clare herself on twitter, that we will get to see everyone's favorite warlock, Magnus Bane, and some of his previous relationships that he mentions now and again throughout the first series. Here's the synopsis from the front flap:

"When sixteen-year-old Tessa Gray crosses the ocean to find her brother, her destination is England, the time is the reign of Queen Victoria, and something terrifying is waiting for her in London's Downworld, where vampires, warlocks and other supernatural folk stalk the gaslit streets. Only the Shadowhunters, warriors dedicated to ridding the world of demons, keep order amidst the chaos.

Kidnapped by the mysterious Dark Sisters, members of a secret organization called The Pandemonium Club, Tessa soon learns that she herself is a Downworlder with a rare ability: the power to transform, at will, into another person. What's more, the Magister, the shadowy figure who runs the Club, will stop at nothing to claim Tessa's power for his own.

Friendless and hunted, Tessa takes refuge with the Shadowhunters of the London Institute, who swear to find her brother if she will use her power to help them. She soon finds herself fascinated by—and torn between—two best friends: Jem, whose fragile beauty hides a deadly secret, and blue-eyed Will, whose caustic wit and volatile moods keep everyone in his life at arm's length...everyone, that is, but Tessa.

As their search draws them deep into the heart of an arcane plot that threatens to destroy the Shadowhunters, Tessa realizes that she may need to choose between saving her brother and helping her new friends save the world...and that love may be the most dangerous magic of all."

Now, before I go off and begin reading, just let me tell you the absolute chaos I went through to get this book today. First, I wasn't going to buy it today, because I only had a little money right now, however, because my check is in the mail, I decided "What the hell!" and raced off to Walmart. Unfortunately, thinking it would be cheaper, I didn't have enough money with me. So I drove to Target, when my gas light comes on in my truck. But I was nearly to Target, so I kept going, only to find that it was even more at Target. Depressed, I drove home, thinking I might have to wait for my mother to come home so we can go to Cosco to buy it.

Luckily, I decided to check my email, when I found I had a 30% off coupon for Clockwork Angel at Barnes and Noble. But wait, I still needed gas. So I dug into my piggy bank for a few extra dollars and went to the gas station. Then, I was so excited, I nearly drove away from the gas station without pumping the gas I just paid for! I finally got to Barnes and Noble, bought it, raced home, made myself some Kool-Aid, and am now ready to bury myself completely into Victorian London.

And I am almost positive that I will be up all night finishing it. I wouldn't be a Night Owl otherwise!

Safe Haven

The Latest novel By Nicholas Sparks, Safe Haven is said to be released September 14th 2010.

When a mysterious young woman named Katie appears in the small North Carolina town of Southport, her sudden arrival raises questions about her past. Beautiful yet self-effacing, Katie seems determined to avoid forming personal ties until a series of events draws her into two reluctant relationships: one with Alex, a widowed store owner with a kind heart and two young children; and another with her plainspoken single neighbor, Jo. Despite her reservations, Katie slowly begins to let down her guard, putting down roots in the close-knit community and becoming increasingly attached to Alex and his family.

But even as Katie begins to fall in love, she struggles with the dark secret that still haunts and terrifies her . . . a past that set her on a fearful, shattering journey across the country, to the sheltered oasis of Southport. With Jo’s empathic and stubborn support, Katie eventually realizes that she must choose between a life of transient safety and one of riskier rewards . . . and that in the darkest hour, love is the only true safe haven.

Sounds like another amazing book by Nicholas Sparks.  Of course it's a well known fact that every single one of his books has made me cry. So I'm 100% positive this one will make the tears fall down my face. 

Kisses From Hell

Just Released On August 24th, 2010, This irresistible collection features stories of love amid vampires by five of today's hottest authors—Kristin Cast (Tempted), Richelle Mead(Vampire Academy), Alyson Noël (Evermore), Kelley Armstrong (The Summoning), and Francesca Lia Block (Pretty Dead). 

Truly, Madly, Undead-ly. 

From a fugitive vampire forced to trust a boy who might work for the group bent on destroying her to the legendary romance of two immortals whose love compels them to risk everything, this heart-pounding collection brings new meaning to the words "love you forever." Whether you're into romances that are dark and moody or light and fun, these stories will quench that insatiable thirst for enchanting tales of the beautiful undead.

Would you like to receive a copy signed by Richelle Mead? Here's how to do so:

1. Go to  University Book Store and search for "Kisses From Hell". Order how many copy's you want, then stick them in your shopping cart and start the checking out process.

2. On the payment page, there's a comment field. Enter the Following: " Please send me a personalized signed copy (or copies)." Then write in who you would like the book or books made out to. Be VERY specific about the name. Some People say "Make it out to me, Joe Smith" when they really just want it made out to "Joe," not Joe Smith.  So tell them exactly which name should be in the book! You must tell them you want the book(s) signed. Books do not come automatically signed.

3. Pay for the item and complete your order.

4. The store will then get in touch with Richelle to stop by and sign the order, then the books will be mailed to you. Just be advised that something like this might not get shipped out the very next day. There may be a delay before Richelle can stop by. Don't worry though, she'll try to be fast when there's a new order.

*University Book store does accept international orders.

P.s University Book Store in Seattle is the only way to order a signed copy of any of Richelle Mead's books, unless of course you attend a book signing. 

Source: RichelleMead.com

Rick Riordan Comic Con Part 5

Rick Riordan Comic Con Part 4

Rick Riordan Comic Con Part 3

Rick Riordan Comic Con Part 2

Rick Riordan at Comic Con 2010 Part 1

This was by far one of my favorite panels of the whole weekend at Comic Con this year. He is one of my favorite authors and I have been dying to meet him ever since I picked up Book 1 of "Percy Jackson and the Olympians" last year.

I also just finished reading Book 1 of the new companion series to this series, "The Kane Chronicles". Everyone go pick up Book 1 "The Red Pyramid". I don't think I have ever had so much fun reading a book before! You won't regret it!

Ray Bradbury turns 90!!

Acclaimed science fiction author Ray Bradbury turned 90 yesterday. Author of books "Something Wicked this Way Comes" and "Fahrenheit 451" still going on as strong as ever. I actually had an opportunity when I was a kid to go see him speak at the college in my hometown in Southern California, and it was fantastic. Even way back then, I knew I wanted to be an author, and my mother made sure I got to see one of the best science fiction novelist of all time, speak about his craft.

Maybe for his birthday I will finally read one of his books. Any suggestions?

"Clockwork Angel" trailer

The trailer for Book 1 "The Infernal Devices", Cassandra Clare's prequel trilogy to "The Mortal Instruments", "Clockwork Angel".

When 16-year-old Tessa Gray crosses the ocean to find her brother, her destination is England, the time is the reign of Queen Victoria, and something terrifying is waiting for her in London's Downworld, where vampires, warlocks, and other supernatural beings stalk the gaslit streets.

From what I have managed to get from Cassie's twitter updates, Tessa is going to be in the middle of a love triangle with 2 young men, Will and Jem. In this series, we will see back story of the Lightwood family, more of Magnus Bane (YAY, my favorite character in the series) and another young girl getting sucked into a world of Shadowhunters, warlocks, vampires and werewolves. I couldn't be more excited for this series, and the continuation of "The Mortal Instruments" series with three more books! Book 4, "City of Fallen Angels" will be released in April of 2011.

But first, we have "Clockwork Angel". What I am looking forward to most: more Magnus Bane and some of his past relationships, of which Cassie told me will appear somewhere in the series over twitter!

Make sure you follow Cassie on twitter (look on our sidebar), and pick up "Clockwork Angel" in stores in the US on Tuesday, already released in the UK and many other countries worldwide.

Welcome to Books by Flashlight!!

This originally just started out as a small group of some fellow book worms and night owls on twitter that wanted to read the same books and discuss them together over skype, but now we want to spread the word. So if you are one of those thousands and love to stay up to the wee hours of the morning, reading, writing and obsessing over your favorite novels, well, you're in luck!!

Trust me, you're not as alone as you think!! So bundle up with your slippers, a cup of hot chocolate with a few marshmallows, and a flashlight, because we are going to be up 'til sunrise!!

Now, currently, the Night Owls in our group so far are catching up on "The Hunger Games" trilogy by Suzanne Collins. In the coming weeks fellow creator Tiffany and I will be working on this website, starting some discussions and gearing up for our final discussion on the series on our Blog Talk Radio show we have yet to create! So bare with us, and get reading!

Our current guess is we will be reading one book/series a month, depending on how long it is. However, we will also keep you updated on release dates, author interviews, film rights, and other book news, including reviews of our own!