#BIR2011 Day 5: DIE FOR ME by Amy Plum

The Best I've Read 2011 feature continues with one of my all time favorites, Amy Plum's DIE FOR ME! Seriously, this book has it all, a historical setting, romance and an alluring paranormal twist. Not to mention Jules, one of my all time favorite supporting characters. Before we get to Jules, I want to share a little bit about the book:

By: Amy Plum

Published by: Harper Teen

Released on: May 10th, 2011

My life had always been blissfully, wonderfully normal. But it only took one moment to change everything.

Suddenly, my sister, Georgia, and I were orphans. We put our lives into storage and moved to Paris to live with my grandparents. And I knew my shattered heart, my shattered life, would never feel normal again. Then I met Vincent.

Mysterious, sexy, and unnervingly charming, Vincent Delacroix appeared out of nowhere and swept me off my feet. Just like that, I was in danger of losing my heart all over again. But I was ready to let it happen.

Of course, nothing is ever that easy. Because Vincent is no normal human. He has a terrifying destiny, one that puts his life at risk every day. He also has enemies . . . immortal, murderous enemies who are determined to destroy him and all of his kind.

While I'm fighting to piece together the remnants of my life, can I risk putting my heart—as well as my life and my family's—in jeopardy for a chance at love? (quoted fromGoodreads).

I'm so thrilled to have Amy on the blog today! She has stopped by to answer my burning question,

If Jules Was My Tour Guide Around Paris, What Three Places Would He Take Me To?

You can be sure that since it’s Jules showing you around, there will be a lot of flirting and show-off chivalry involved. So just prepare yourself for the fact that he’s going to want to treat you to everything. Don’t even try to get your wallet out. He’ll be offended.

First of all, he takes you to the Clignancourt flea market in the north of Paris. This is a huge indoor-outdoor flea market where you can find everything from leather jackets to vintage lava lamps to nineteenth-century sculpture. Jules shows you his favorite booths, introduces you to the antiques and art dealers that he knows, and looks very pleased with himself when they tease him about being tour guide for the pretty American. You pick up some little trinket and ask Jules what it is. He explains and asks if you like it. You say yes, but that you’re just looking and not buying, and you move on to the next booth.

After a couple of hours, Jules asks if you’re ready to see some real art and you say yes. You hop into his old beat-up Austin Mini and drive south through Paris to the Museum of Modern Art at the Centre Georges Pompidou. He takes you through the museum, stopping in front of paintings by his old friends—Picasso, Braque, Leger. He tells you anecdotes about each painting and the avant-garde art events that used to take place in Montmartre. He tells you who was in love with whom. That one painter stole the other’s mistress, and painted this nude portrait of her, flaunting it in the most frequented gallery. Jules’s stories bring the paintings to life for you. You are flattered and awed to be given a personal tour by an artist who had a personal history with the art he is showing you.

Jules asks you if you’re hungry, and when you respond that you’re ravenous, he says he knows the perfect place. He takes you to a friend’s restaurant called Chateaubriand, where they give you a little corner table. People stop by every few minutes to say hi to him, and he introduces you to all of them. As with the antique dealers, there are lots of winks and comments about the pretty American. You don’t choose your dinner – there is only the chef’s menu which comes out in seven small courses with a tiny glass of different wines served with each course.

While you’re finishing off your dessert, Jules reaches into his pocket and pulls out the trinket you had admired at the flea market. “It’s important to have a decent souvenir of Paris—and of me,” he says. And when you try to give him a thank you hug as he drops you off at your hotel, he shakes his head and says, “No. You’re in Paris. We give the bises.” He gives you a feather-soft kiss on each cheek and leaves you there, dizzy with the romance of Paris and of your revenant tour guide.

See why I adore Jules! How can you not fall in love with him.

Thank you Amy for stopping by today! I'm now going to day dream of Paris and Jules.

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You can follow Amy on her Website | Blog | Twitter | Facebook | GoodReads

You can purchase DIE FOR ME at Amazon | Barnes & Noble | IndieBound

You can read my 5 star review for DIE FOR ME here. Stay tuned after the first of the year for when we announce our upcoming UNTIL I DIE blog tour!!! I can not wait for this sequel!

UNTIL I DIE will be out in May 2012. You can pre-order it from Amazon | Barnes & Noble

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Thank you to Harper Teen, I have 1 copy of DIE FOR ME to giveaway to 1 lucky winner! To be entered for your chance to win, please fill out the form below.

- US Mailing Addresses only (no PO Boxes)

- 1 entry per person

- You must be 13 yrs & older (or have a parent/guardian's permission to enter if under 13)

- This giveaway ends on 12/17/11

Don't miss one of my other favorites from this year, Vanish by Sophie Jordan, which is being featured on the Best I've Read Blog today!