Super Awesome Amazing Fantastic News! ~ ***The Starry-Eyed Revue***

So, I opened up my email as usual on Wednesday after a less-than-awesome day at work, expecting the usual SPAM and a few notifications of blog posts from my favorite blogs. You know...the usual.

Instead, what I found was an email informing me that I've been selected as a Preferred Blogger for Paper Lanter Lit! To be honest, after I applied, I promptly put it out of my mind. I knew there'd be a slew of awesome bloggers vying for the ten spots being offered, and I didn't want to get my hopes up. So, I was doubly shocked to open that email and find out I'd been chosen. But I am so honored and excited! I can't wait to start working with these awesome people and the books they're responsible for!

In case you're unfamiliar with Paper Lantern Lit and their work, here are a few books you might recognize:

Title: Meant to Be
Author: Lauren Morrill
Series: stand-alone
Publisher: Delacorte
Publication Date: November 13, 2012
Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Meant to be or not meant to be . . . that is the question.

It's one thing to fall head over heels into a puddle of hazelnut coffee, and quite another to fall for the—gasp—wrong guy. Straight-A junior Julia may be accident prone, but she's queen of following rules and being prepared. That's why she keeps a pencil sharpener in her purse and a pocket Shakespeare in her, well, pocket. And that's also why she's chosen Mark Bixford, her childhood crush, as her MTB ("meant to be").

But this spring break, Julia's rules are about to get defenestrated (SAT word: to be thrown from a window) when she's partnered with her personal nemesis, class-clown Jason, on a school trip to London. After one wild party, Julia starts receiving romantic texts . . . from an unknown number! Jason promises to help discover the identity of her mysterious new suitor if she agrees to break a few rules along the way. And thus begins a wild goose chase through London, leading Julia closer and closer to the biggest surprise of all: true love.

Because sometimes the things you least expect are the most meant to be.

My FIVE star, totally gushy review can be found here.

Title: Venom

Author: Fiona Paul

Series: Secrets of the Eternal Rose, book #1

Publisher: Philomel

Publication Date: October 30, 2012

Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble

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.

My review of Venom can be found here. I just adore the new covers, don't you!?! I'm currently reading the sequel, and it's totally even better! Check it out:

Title: Belladonna
Author: Fiona Paul
Series: Secrets of the Eternal Rose, book #2
Publisher: Philomel
Publication Date: July 16, 2013
Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble

In Renaissance Italy, love, lust, intrigue and secret societies converge to stunning results!

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.

Look for my review early next week...and I'll be giving away my ARC!!! :D

Paper Lantern Lit also has a couple of new titles I'm ruheally looking forward to:

I loveloveLOVE the cover for Being Sloane Jacobs!!! Don't those both just sound awesome?

PLL is also responsible for The Fury Series by Elizabeth Miles, though admittedly, I've only read the first book in that series:

(click on the images above to be taken to the Goodreads page)

So, have you read any of these yet? Do you plan to? 'Cause I totally recommend Meant to Be if you're a fan of contemporary! That book was just so stinkin' cute!!! Seriously, I gush to everyone about it. =)

Gah, I'm so glad I can finally tell you guys my fantastic news!!! Seriously, I am like perma-grin over here! No joke! :D I shall now go forth and spread rainbows and sparkles across the interwebz to celebrate!