Twenty Boy Summer by Sarah Ockler

Twenty Boy Summer by Sarah Ockler
Series: N/A
Publisher: Little Brown Books for Young Readers
Format: Paperback
Pages: 290
Source: Won

"Don't worry, Anna. I'll tell her, okay? Just let me think about the best way to do it."
"Okay."
"Promise me? Promise you won't say anything?"
"Don't worry." I laughed. "It's our secret, right?"

According to her best friend Frankie, twenty days in ZanzibarBay is the perfect opportunity to have a summer fling, and if they meet one boy every day, there's a pretty good chance Anna will find her first summer romance. Anna lightheartedly agrees to the game, but there's something she hasn't told Frankie---she's already had that kind of romance, and it was with Frankie's older brother, Matt, just before his tragic death one year ago.

Beautifully written and emotionally honest, this is a debut novel that explores what it truly means to love someone and what it means to grieve, and ultimately, how to make the most of every single moment this world has to offer.

 

Going into this I was expecting something that was going to rip my heart out, I didn't get that. Sure the book was a sad one but I just didn't really get that into it. We start off with Frankie, Anna and Matt. They're all best friends and Matt and Frankie are brother and sister. Anna and Matt end up kissing and she thinks it's all going to be great until it isn't. Matt was going to tell his sister about their relationship but he didn't get a chance before he died. Anna not wanting to betray him doesn't say anything. You can see where the drama's going to start right?

 

The writing was fantastic, it really was. I just think it was me who wasn't a huge fan of this one. The choices that are made throughout this novel just really bothered me and I absolutely hated one of the characters.

 

Let's talk about Anna first though. She's a doormat. Honestly, she just lets Frankie push her around and tell her what to do because she's afraid of hurting her. I get it, Frankie's brother died, but she's really hurting as well and she doesn't say anything. And Frankie was the most vain, controlling, manipulative character. She really got on my nerves and I honestly thought Anna would have been better off without her.

 

I do however recommend this for a quick read. Sure it's got some touchy subjects but it's also got it's moments of pure fluff.

 

 



Battle Royale by Koushun Takami

Battle Royale by Koushun Takami
Series: N/A
Publisher: Viz Media, LLC
Format: Paperback
Pages: 608
Source: Purchased

Battle Royale, a high-octane thriller about senseless youth violence, is one of Japan's best-selling and most controversial novels. As part of a ruthless program by the totalitarian government, ninth-grade students are taken to a small isolated island with a map, food, and various weapons. Forced to wear special collars that explode when they break a rule, they must fight each other for three days until only one "winner" remains. The elimination contest becomes the ultimate in must-see reality television. A Japanese pulp classic available in English for the first time, Battle Royale is a potent allegory of what it means to be young and survive in today's dog-eat-dog world. The first novel by small-town journalist Koushun Takami, it went on to become an even more notorious film by 70-year-old gangster director Kinji Fukusaku.

As someone who has never read The Hunger Games I can't really compare the two. Which I guess is a good thing considering I didn't already have it in my mind that THG would be better. I'm really not sure what I can possibly say about this book without there being a wave of spoilers, but I'm going to try.

This book is gory. If this makes you squeamish I really suggest you not pick this one up. The deaths are described in vivid detail. I mean one kid getting a hatchet to the face, pretty gruesome right? But that being said, I think there's a lot you can take away from this book. You can see what happens when a government gains too much power and can pretty much force a group of junior high kids to kill each other. You also really get to delve into the friendships behind these characters and just how much it will take to really discover who your true friends are, considering they may snap and end up taking you out when put under the pressure of the "game".

I honestly thought I would have a hard time keeping track of 42 different characters (just the students, not to mention the numerous other characters that were behind the program) but I was surprised when I could actually tell them apart. Sure I had my couple favorites, namely Shuya and Shogo, but I could appreciate the view points of every single character.

I really do think this book deserves to be read at least once. It's gruesome and horrifying yet there are the few characters who manage to retain hope in their situation. Don't let the blood and violence scare you off, once you get to the end you will be extremely glad you decided to take the chance.

The Ugly Stepsister Strikes Back by Sariah Wilson

The Ugly Stepsister Strikes Back by Sariah Wilson
Series: N/A
Publisher: Fire & Ice Books
Format: Kindle
Pages: 194
Source: Kindle Freebie

Everyone knows how all those fairy tales go. The princess gets beautiful, nabs her prince, falls instantly in love, lives happily ever after and leaves her evil stepsisters in the dust.

But what happens when you’re the ugly stepsister and your obnoxiously perfect—read pretty, smart, and, worst of all, sickeningly nice—stepsister is dating the charming, tall, devastatingly handsome guy you’ve had a thing for since you were nine years old?

Quirky, artistic and snarky Mattie Lowe does not lead a charmed life. Her mother is constantly belittling her on Skype. Mercedes, the school mean girl, has made it her personal mission to torment Mattie. But worst of all? Her stepsister Ella is the most beautiful, popular girl in school and is dating Mattie’s secret longtime crush, Jake Kingston.


Tired of being left out and done with waiting for her own stupid fairy godmother to show up, Mattie decides to change her life. She’ll start by running for senior class president against wildly popular Jake.

Ella can keep her Prince Annoying. Mattie’s going to rule the school.

And no one, not even a cute and suddenly flirty Jake, is going to stop her.
  

 

I have mixed feelings about this book. On the one hand I found the main character to be extremely annoying but on the other, I actually kind of liked it. When I saw it was free on Amazon I checked the description and figured why not what could it hurt? I admit I didn't have high hopes going in but it was a lot better than I expected.

 

The plot was simple enough. Girl likes boy, boy is dating the girls perfect stepsister, girl decides to take boy down in the student election. Pretty much all of the problems that come up in the story are resolved a couple pages later. Also a lot of the trouble is pretty much in Mattie's head.

 

Mattie annoyed me. Plain and simple. She was too worried about herself and constantly put her stepsister down without knowing why her stepsister did the things she did. She did get a lot better by the end of the book though. I actually didn't like Jake. Sure he was a smooth talker and was supposed to be the popular jock that everybody loves, but I didn't. He was full of himself and kind of a jerk. I did like Ella though. I though she was nice and funny and I wish we got more of her in the book.

 

This book was a quick and easy read. The plot isn't anything dynamic or confusing but it's a fun read that had me laughing at some of the ridiculous antics that happened. I will definitely be looking out for more books by Sariah Wilson since her writing style is simple and fun.

 



Paper Valentine by Brenna Yovanoff

Paper Valentine by Brenna Yovanoff
Series: N/A
Publisher: Razorbill
Format: Hardcover
Pages: 304
Source: Borrowed from the library

The city of Ludlow is gripped by the hottest July on record. The asphalt is melting, the birds are dying, petty crime is on the rise, and someone in Hannah Wagnor’s peaceful suburban community is killing girls.

For Hannah, the summer is a complicated one. Her best friend Lillian died six months ago, and Hannah just wants her life to go back to normal. But how can things be normal when Lillian’s ghost is haunting her bedroom, pushing her to investigate the mysterious string of murders? Hannah’s just trying to understand why her friend self-destructed, and where she fits now that Lillian isn’t there to save her a place among the social elite. And she must stop thinking about Finny Boone, the big, enigmatic delinquent whose main hobbies seem to include petty larceny and surprising acts of kindness.

With the entire city in a panic, Hannah soon finds herself drawn into a world of ghost girls and horrifying secrets. She realizes that only by confronting the Valentine Killer will she be able move on with her life—and it’s up to her to put together the pieces before he strikes again.

 

 

This was an interesting book for me. Being my first Brenna Yovanoff book I can definitely say that I am impressed. The description is what really drew me in because to be honest I love murder mysteries. And add the fact that the girl is being haunted by her dead best friend really made the story even creepier.

The twists this book really had me on the edge of my seat. I really wanted to know who the killer was and why the ghosts were contacting Hannah. The mystery was definitely enough to keep me interested until the end and the author's writing style definitely made this a quick and easy read.

I loved Hannah. She was so naïve about what was going on. While others would be suspicious she was so trusting. Then there was Finny. Oh jeez, I admit I didn't like him in the beginning. He was a bad boy, I usually like the bad boys but for some reason he really bothered me to begin with. As the story progressed however, I actually began to like him.

I honestly had no idea who the murderer really was. I had my suspicions throughout the book but they were all completely wrong. In a way I'm glad that was the case because it would have been pretty boring if I knew everything that was going to happen.

If you're looking for a quick read that has mystery and supernatural elements then check this one out. The sweet romance that is also involved doesn't weigh the book down but adds another side to the story and makes it really interesting.

The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
Series: N/A
Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers
Format: Hardcover
Pages: 552
 Source: Borrowed from the library

The extraordinary #1 New York Times bestseller that will be in movie theaters on November 15, 2013, Markus Zusak's unforgettable story is about the ability of books to feed the soul.

It is 1939. Nazi Germany. The country is holding its breath. Death has never been busier, and will become busier still.

Liesel Meminger is a foster girl living outside of Munich, who scratches out a meager existence for herself by stealing when she encounters something she can’t resist–books. With the help of her accordion-playing foster father, she learns to read and shares her stolen books with her neighbors during bombing raids as well as with the Jewish man hidden in her basement.

In superbly crafted writing that burns with intensity, award-winning author Markus Zusak, author of I Am the Messenger, has given us one of the most enduring stories of our time.

 

***A NICE THOUGHT***

One was a book thief.

The other stole the sky.

-page 381

 



Let me start off by saying that this book made me cry. Where The Fault in Our Stars failed this one had me sobbing like a baby. From the very beginning this book gripped me and throughout the twists and turns this book took I went along for the ride. It was a sad experience but one that I am glad I had.

 

We follow Liesel throughout the story and watch as she grows up in Nazi Germany. We get to watch as she goes from a girl who cannot read or write to one who finds the beauty of words thanks to her foster father Hans Hubermann. There is thievery involved and lots of secrets she must keep but there is also joy and happiness and what it means to truly be alive.

 

The characters were so realistic it was impossible not to love each and every one of them. From Liesel and Rudy to Rosa and Hans and even Max and Death himself they all come together in one way or another to weave a tale that will leave you thinking about it long after the book has been closed. Liesel is a girl who has strong beliefs and finds strength in the words she steals. She was very easy to relate to even though the circumstance she faces are much worse than the ones I find myself in. The love of books seems to be the one bridge that can tie Liesel to any book lover. Then there were Hans and Rosa, Liesel's  foster parents. I loved them both, while Rosa was hard and did what she had to do Hans was kind and gentle and I just loved everything about him. Rudy Steiner was a character that I really enjoyed. The scenes with him always had me laughing (or crying) and he always managed to find a way to do what he believed in. Then we come to Max, there really isn't much I can say about Max. He was a sweet man who despite his circumstances managed to inspire Liesel.

 

Finally we come to Death himself. This was definitely an interesting character. He knew everything that happened beforehand and dropped hints left and right yet still managed to give that final blow that had me reeling. The fact that Death is the one who narrates the story makes it so much more powerful.

 

 

***A LAST NOTE FROM YOUR NARRATOR***

I am haunted by humans.

-page 552

 

The ending of this book is what really got me. So much happens and in a way it would not be as powerful if it happened any other way, it still doesn't make it any less heartbreaking. If you're worried about the hype surrounding this one do not be afraid, it is worth all of the hype. Much like the last line from our narrator, I am haunted by this book.

 



 

A Great and Terrible Beauty by Libba Bray

A Great and Terrible Beauty by Libba Bray
Series: Gemma Doyle, #1
Publisher: Ember
Format: Paperback
Pages: 403
Source: Borrowed from my Sister

It’s 1895, and after the suicide of her mother, 16-year-old Gemma Doyle is shipped off from the life she knows in India to Spence, a proper boarding school in England. Lonely, guilt-ridden, and prone to visions of the future that have an uncomfortable habit of coming true, Gemma’s reception there is a chilly one. To make things worse, she’s been followed by a mysterious young Indian man, a man sent to watch her. But why? What is her destiny? And what will her entanglement with Spence’s most powerful girls—and their foray into the spiritual world—lead to?

 



 

The beginning of this book was a little slow for me. I kept wanting to put it down but by about a third of the way in the story really picked up and I was glad that I had stuck with it. I ended up being pleasantly surprised by everything that happened in this book. I had attempted this one a few years ago and barely made it eight chapters in.

Once the action and the story pick up this book really draws you in. The plot is full of twists and turns that I did not see coming. I'm not going to lie, I love books that take place in boarding schools. They are intriguing and there is always some sort of mystery involved, this one didn't disappoint at all.

The supernatural elements really added to the overall mystery of the book. Were they witches? Or did they just have some magical powers? I really hope that the next two books delve deeper into this topic and explain the other realm further.

I loved the characters, well most of them anyway. Gemma was so headstrong and didn't want to just be a pretty face who took care of her husband for the rest of her life. I really connected with her. She was extremely intelligent and didn't put up with anything. I really disliked Pippa and the rest of their little clique in the beginning. They were really stuck up and did everything they could to put the other girls down. However, by the end all of the girls really took a turn and started to change for the better. Then there's Kartik. That boy is still such a mystery but I hope that I get to see more of him in the rest of the series.

As my second Libba Bray book I can definitely say that I am a fan. If you enjoy historical stories with supernatural elements then I recommend that you check this one out. It's got mystery that will have you guessing until the very end.

The Princess in the Opal Mask Blog Tour [Guest Post]

The Princess in The Opal Mask by Jenny Lundquist
Release date: October 22, 2013
Publisher: Running Press Kids
Genre: Light Fantasy
ISBN: 0762451092
ASIN: 0762451092
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository | Indiebound

One Legend Determines the Fate of Two Lives.

In the faraway village of Tulan, sixteen-year-old Elara has spent her entire life as a servant, trying to track down her real name. The name she was given before being orphaned. Meanwhile, in the kingdom of Galandria, Princess Wilhamina does not know why her father, the king, makes her wear a mask. Or why she is forbidden to ever show her face.

When a new peace treaty between Galandria and Kyrenica is threatened, Elara and Wilha are brought face to face. Told in alternating perspectives, this intricate fairytale pulls both girls toward secrets that have been locked away behind castle doors, while the fate of two opposing kingdoms rests squarely on their untrained shoulders.

Guest Post:

The Inspiration Behind The Princess in the Opal Mask

 

The question I get the most often as a writer is, “Where do you get your ideas?” There’s really no one answer to that, because anything can spark an idea for me: something funny my son said to me, something I saw on my walk around my neighborhood, anything. For The Princess in the Opal Mask, my first YA novel, it came to me in bits and pieces over nearly ten years.

 

In January of 2004 I was sitting on a beach in Kauai thinking/praying about how much I liked to write and how I wished I had a good book idea. And lo and behold: A paragraph immediately began cycling through my brain! I picked up my pen and wrote as fast as I could, trying to keep up with the words I was hearing. I won’t repeat everything I heard that day, but essentially the idea was to write a story about “two girls…and the person you want to be, the person you think you ought to be, and the person you fear you might actually be.”

 

When the words stopped coming I looked at what I’d written and thought, Well, that sounds great. But that’s not a plot, or a character. At that point in time I’d only written one (very bad) short story. And I was profoundly aware that writing a story about “the person you want to be, the person you think you ought to be, and the person you fear you might actually be,” was well beyond my current abilities. So guess what I did with that bright shiny sort of idea I’d been praying for:

 

Nothing.

 

I shelved it. I got pregnant; and life got hard. Shortly after my second son was born I felt like I needed a creative outlet, and decided that NOW was the time to start writing seriously. But it wasn’t a YA story I found myself drawn to, but a middle-grade one, and as soon as I finished it, I got right to work on another middle grade story, the one that would eventually become Seeing Cinderella, my first published novel.

 

Then in late 2008, as I was nearing completion of the first draft of SC, one night an image just “jumped” into my head: Of a dirty, mistreated teenage girl sitting on a wooden stool. A door opened in front of her and the expression on her face was shock and awe. The writer in me was curious: What could possibly be behind that door to cause such a reaction? So I swung my “mental POV camera” around to see what she was seeing—and what I saw surprised me. I immediately stopped what I was doing, and started writing.

 

I finished Seeing Cinderella in 2010, obtained an agent and a book deal, and began working on my second MG novel (Plastic Polly). But I never forgot about my YA story. I considered it “My Secret Project” and filled up journals with notes and snippets of scenes. I even went so far as to hang a huge cork board up in my office with scene cards.

 

In 2011 I decided the story definitely called for the princess to wear a jeweled mask on her face, and gave it the working title, The Princess in the Opal Mask. (And bonus: If she’s wearing a jeweled mask then a masquerade party most definitely needed to be a part of the plot!)As the story took shape, I began to see that—even though this was a fantasy with princesses, princes, assassination attempts, and mistaken identities—this was very much a book about “two girls…and the person you want to be, the person you think you ought to be, and the person you fear you might actually be.” And as the months passed I wondered, now that I was establishing myself as a middle grade writer, would the time ever be right for my YA project to move from being “My Secret Project” to my actual Work-in-Progress?

 

Then one day, after I had finished revising Plastic Polly, I was whining on the phone to my agent about being blocked in terms of a good middle grade idea, and she asked me if I’d given any thought to writing “that YA princess project you once told me about.”

 

I don’t know how to explain it except to say that something just…clicked. When she said those words, I realized she was right: now was the time to write that story. So I got out the journals I’d filled up (there were 2 or 3 of them by then) took my dusty scene cards down, and got to work. This time, the idea of writing this book didn’t completely terrify me. I was exhilarated, and couldn’t wait to begin. (Which isn’t to say I didn’t have days where I questioned if I could really do this, I did, but it was more the usual mix of emotions that I experience when starting a new writing project.)

 

So there you have it, a paragraph I heard on a Hawaiian beach almost ten years ago, an image in my head, and the idea of masks, and jewels and masquerade parties—all of it came together to form The Princess in the Opal Mask.

 

For those of you who have already read, or plan to read my book, I hope you like my two main characters, Elara and Wilha. Because it certainly took me a long time to figure out their story! 

About Jenny Lundquist:

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Jenny Lundquist was born and raised in Huntington Beach, CA. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Intercultural Studies with a minor in TESOL at Biola University. Lundquist has published two middle-grade books, Seeing Cinderella and Plastic Polly. She lives in Rancho Cordova, California with her husband and two sons. Visit her online at jennylundquist.com and Twitter @Jenny_Lundquist.

Giveaway time!

 

Jenny is giving away 15 copies of THE PRINCESS IN THE OPAL MASK! Enter to win by entering the Rafflecopter below.

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The Titan's Curse by Rick Riordan

The Titan's Curse by Rick Riordan
Series:  Percy Jackson and the Olympians, #3
Publisher: Disney-Hyperion
Format: Paperback
Pages: 312
Source: Purchased

When Percy Jackson receives an urgent distress call from his friend Grover, he immediately prepares for battle. He knows he'll need his powerful demigod allies at his side; his trusty bronze sword, Riptide; and . . . a ride from his mom.

The demigods reace to the rescue to find that Grover has made an important discovery: two new powerful half-bloods, whose parentage is unknown. But that's not all that awaits them. The Titan lord, Kronos, has set up a devious trap, and the young heroes have just fallen prey.

Hilarious and action-packed, this third adventure in the series finds Percy faced with his most dangerous challenge yet—the chilling prophecy of the Titan's curse.

 



I was so excited to start this book but for some reason I had a lot of trouble getting through the beginning of this book. I think my whole issue was one of the characters who was introduced at the end of the last book. I just did not like her that much and that really caused me to struggle with this book. Aside from that I did enjoy the story.

 

Like the two books before this one, the plot was exciting and full of action. There were awesome trials that the young heroes had to go through as well as action packed fight scenes. The beginning however seemed to be a little slower than the two previous books. Once the quest began I was hurrying through the book trying to find out just what was going on.

 

It was definitely interesting to see the group dynamic when it wasn't the same three characters going on the quest this time around. Grover and Percy were the two that I really enjoyed since their humor always manages to make me smile and their friendship is just so strong. However, I was not a fan of a certain other character (who will not be named due to spoilers). She really bothered me and I did not really become emotionally attached to her like I did Percy, Grover and Annabeth. This time we are also introduced to The Hunters. These are the young girls who follow Artemis on her hunts and swear off men forever and because of this they can live forever. I was not a fan of Zoe Nightshade at all. She was snotty and just seemed to not work well with the others. However, what happens later on with her story did really pull at my emotions.

 

The story seems to be picking up in intensity and I have a feeling that things are going to be getting a lot worse for the young heroes. I hope to continue on with the series soon and find out just what will happen to Percy and his friends next.

 

 

 



City of Ashes by Cassandra Clare

City of Ashes by Cassandra Clare
Series: The Mortal Instruments, #2
Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books
Format: Paperback
Pages: 453
Source: Borrowed from my Sister

Clary Fray just wishes that her life would go back to normal. But what's normal when you're a demon-slaying Shadowhunter, your mother is in a magically induced coma, and you can suddenly see Downworlders like werewolves, vampires, and faeries? Clary would love to spend more time with her best friend, Simon. But the Shadowhunters won't let her go--especially her handsome, infuriating newfound brother, Jace. And Clary's only chance to help her mother is to track down rogue Shadowhunter Valentine, who is probably insane, certainly evil--and also her father. When the second of the Mortal Instruments os stolen, the terrifying Inquisitor suspects Jace. Could Jace really be willing to betray everything he believes in to help their father?

 

 

This was a fantastic sequel to a wonderful first book. Everything about this book drew me in and had me absorbed in the story. I love how Clary really seems to be growing as a character and standing up for herself as well as setting out to try and save the world. There's just something about Cassandra Clare's writing style that has me hooked.

 

One of the greatest things about this book is the plot. There is no shortage of action and suspense in this installment and things seem to only be getting crazier. I absolutely loved how we get more Alec and Magnus. Those two didn't get much attention in the first book and we're finally starting to see more of them and I am definitely liking what I'm seeing.

 

I was really surprised by a lot that happens in this book. I didn't see a lot of the events coming and I found myself shocked many times. This story is one of my favorites due to the fact that it is so engaging and leaves you wanting even more.

 

If you haven't started this series yet you should really get on that. It's full of action and romance and will have you on the edge of your seat. The relationships and interactions between the characters are so real and their troubles really drag you into the story. I can't wait to continue on with this series.

 

 

 

Destiny Book Blitz + Giveaway

 

 

Destiny by P.T. Michelle
(Brightest Kind of Darkness #3)
Publication date: October, 2013
Genres: Paranormal, Romance, Young Adult
Amazon | B&N | Apple | Kobo

 

When destiny is on the line, will love be enough to light the way?

In order to save Ethan, Nara gets pulled deeper into his dark world, where everything she thought she knew about Ethan and herself turns on its head. Ethan and Nara turn up the heat with bone-melting seduction and heart-rending moments, but surprising revelations, lies, treachery, betrayal, and unimaginable evil will challenge their relationship and their future together. As the stakes rise, encompassing more than just her relationship with Ethan, will Nara make the ultimate sacrifice?

 

AUTHOR BIO:

Website | Blog | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads | Pinterest | Newsletter

 

P.T. Michelle is the author of the young adult series BRIGHTEST KIND OF DARKNESS. She keeps a spiral notepad with her at all times, even on her nightstand. When P.T. isn’t writing, she can usually be found reading or taking pictures of landscapes, sunsets and anything beautiful or odd in nature. 

Giveaway Time!

 

The prize is one e-book copy of Destiny.

I will send you an email announcing that you have won and asking what format you would like and when you should expect your prize.

 

Rules:

-No cheating. All entries will be checked. If you are caught cheating, your entries will be removed.

-Must be 13 years or older or have parents permission.

-Winner must respond to my email, asking which format you would like, within 48 hours or a new winner will be chosen. Check your spam folders.

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You can purchase the first book in the series: Brightest Kind of Darkness from any of the following links.

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Apple | Kobo

 



Brightest Kind of Darkness by P.T. Michelle

Brightest Kind of Darkness by P.T. Michelle
Series:  Brightest Kind of Darkness, #1
Publisher: Patrice Michelle
Format: Kindle Edition
Pages: 357
Source: Free on Amazon

Nara Collins is an average sixteen-year-old, with one exception: every night she dreams the events of the following day. Due to an incident in her past, Nara avoids using her special gift to change fate…until she dreams a future she can’t ignore.

After Nara prevents a bombing at Blue Ridge High, her ability to see the future starts to fade, while people at school are suddenly being injured at an unusually high rate.

Grappling with her diminishing powers and the need to prevent another disaster, Nara meets Ethan Harris, a mysterious loner who seems to understand her better than anyone. Ethan and Nara forge an irresistible connection, but as their relationship heats up, so do her questions about his dark past.

When I saw this as a Kindle freebie and read the description I knew I had to get it. The plot sounded absolutely amazing and that something I would really enjoy. I'm really happy to say that this one did not let me down at all. The fact that the main character dreams her entire day the night before is just really cool and not something I have seen done in YA before.

The thin that really stuck out about Nara is that she really tried not to interfere with her powers except when confronted with the knowledge of a bombing at her school. The way she stood up and took action really set the tone for the way the book was going to go. It was also really interesting that Nara didn't know much about her powers at all even though she had been living with them for a long time.

The thing that I loved most about the book was that it kept me guessing. Whenever I thought I had figured everything out something else developed and I was back at the beginning. I never once had everything all figured out and I love books that take me on a thrill ride like that.

The characters definitely made the book for me. The fact that Nara was a regular girl who wasn't exactly popular really helped me to connect with her. The only difference is she had the power to see the events of the following day the night before. She's a really likeable character who really stands up when she knows someone is going to be injured. When we really got introduced to Ethan I absolutely loved him. For a while I thought something dark was going on with him, with Nara losing her powers and everything, but he really turned out to be a sweetheart. He was caring and sweet and oh so adorable.

If you're looking for a book that will keep you guessing this one is definitely for you. Don't let the fact that it's free stop you from giving it a shot. It is really worth it and the storyline and the characters will have you eagerly moving on to book two.

 

 

Book Blitz: No Angel by Helen Keeble

 

 

No Angel by Helen Keeble
Published by: HarperTeen
Publication date: October 8th 2013
Genres: Paranormal, Young Adult

Amazon | Barnes & Noble

 

Rafael Angelos just got handed the greatest gift any teenage boy could ever dream of. Upon arriving at his new boarding school for senior year, he discovered that he is the ONLY male student. But what should have been a godsend isn’t exactly heaven on Earth.

Raffi’s about to learn that St. Mary’s is actually a hub for demons-and that he was summoned to the school by someone expecting him to save the day. Raffi knows he’s no angel-but it’s pretty hard to deny that there’s some higher plan at work when he wakes up one morning to discover a glowing circle around his head.

Helen Keeble’s debut novel, Fang Girl, has been praised for its pitch-perfect teen voice, and VOYA called it “refreshing and reminiscent of Louise Rennison’s Confessions of Georgia Nicolson series.” No Angel brings you angels and demons like you’ve never seen them-complete with the wry humor of Vladimir Tod, sinfully irreverent romance, and some hilariously demonic teenage dilemmas.

 

AUTHOR BIO:

Website | Goodreads | Twitter | Facebook

Helen Keeble is not, and never has been, a vampire. She has however been a teenager. She grew up partly in America and partly in England, which has left her with an unidentifiable accent and a fondness for peanut butter crackers washed down with a nice cup of tea. She now lives in West Sussex, England, with her husband, daughter, two cats, and a variable number of fish. To the best of her knowledge, none of the fish are undead.

Her first novel, a YA vampire comedy called FANG GIRL, is out 11th Sept 2012, from HarperTeen. She also has another YA paranormal comedy novel (provisionally titled NO ANGEL) scheduled for Sept 2013.

 

Excerpt:

In which Rafael Angelos -- high school student, would-be  Casanova, and unexpected angel – attempts to get to grips with his awesome new powers

 

     So I was, for want of a better word, an angel, possibly with a holy mission to protect the world from the forces of evil. Obviously there was one thing I had to do as soon as possible.

     The next morning I got up at the crack of dawn, liberated a helmet from the communal bike shed, and set off to learn how to fly.

     A half-hour hike found me a nice wide clearing in the woods, well away from the school buildings. With a last glance around to check for onlookers, I shrugged my wings out. Early morning mist scurried along the ground as I lofted them to full vertical extension, the glowing pinions reaching for the sky like outstretched hands. I crouched, looked up, and took a deep breath.

     “Okay,” I said softly, and swept my wings down.

     It was a good thing I’d worn a helmet.

     “Right,” I muttered to myself, spitting out dirt. “Less sideways, more up.”

     After another ten minutes of running, leaping, and rather un angelic swearing, I was still resolutely earthbound. I brushed the mud off my knees, scowling. Maybe what I needed was motivation. I’d certainly had plenty last night. Unfortunately, I didn’t think Faith would appreciate her own guardian angel pushing her out a window, not even in the interests of science. And I wasn’t quite confident enough in my wings to want to throw myself out of a window, either.

     I crouched down in a sprinter’s stance and squeezed my eyes. Just think of all the things I’d be able to do once I mastered flight. I’d be able to confirm my suspicions about the true threat to the school. I’d be able to save Faith if she fell again. I’d be able to sneak out in the evening and find the nearest pub-

     “Oh my God,” said a voice behind me.

     I leapt into the air in alarm — literally. A short mid-teens girl in a baggy cardigan and unflattering glasses stood frozen in the bracken, staring at up me with her mouth hanging open. “You’re…you’re an angel,” she said.

      As I was hovering six feet above her on glowing, slowly-beating wings, this did not seem like something I could deny. The rising sun highlighted the girl’s tear-tracked face and red eyes. She took a hesitant step forward, holding up a hand to shield herself from my light. “Who are you?” she breathed.

     With my head backlit by my incandescent feathers, she must not have been able to make out my features. If only I could get away quickly, she need never know my identity. “Yes, I am an angel,” I said in the deepest voice I could manage, while frantically trying to work out how to go up. I wobbled dangerously in the air. “Sent from Heaven to, uh…”

      “Smite the wicked?” the girl suggested hopefully. She sniffed, swiping her sleeve across her nose. “Because I can totally give you a list. Starting with that bitch Joanne.”

     “Er, no.” What the hell did angels talk about? Half-remembered bits of the few Christmas services my dad had forced me to attend drifted up out of my memory. “I come bearing Good News! For unto you a child shall be born!”

     The girl stared at me. She did not look like she considered this to be Glad Tidings.

 

Giveaway!

Grand prize giveaway

Prize (open internationally):

-A

 signed copy of No Angel

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Cover Reveal: Don't Look Back

Don't Look Back by Jennifer L. Armentrout
Release date: 04/15/2014
Publisher: Disney-Hyperion
Amazon | Barnes & Noble


Samantha is a stranger in her own life. Until the night she disappeared with her best friend, Cassie, everyone said Sam had it all-popularity, wealth, and a dream boyfriend.
Sam has resurfaced, but she has no recollection of who she was or what happened to her that night. As she tries to piece together her life from before, she realizes it’s one she no longer wants any part of. The old Sam took “mean girl” to a whole new level, and it’s clear she and Cassie were more like best enemies. Sam is pretty sure that losing her memories is like winning the lottery. She’s getting a second chance at being a better daughter, sister, and friend, and she’s falling hard for Carson Ortiz, a boy who has always looked out for her-even if the old Sam treated him like trash.
But Cassie is still missing, and the facts about what happened to her that night isn’t just buried deep inside of Sam’s memory-someone else knows, someone who wants to make sure Sam stays quiet. All Sam wants is the truth, and if she can unlock her clouded memories of that fateful night, she can finally move on. But what if not remembering is the only thing keeping Sam alive?

Author Bio:

Website | Twitter | Facebook

 

# 1 NEW YORK TIMES Bestselling author Jennifer lives in Martinsburg, West Virginia. All the rumors you’ve heard about her state aren’t true. When she’s not hard at work writing. she spends her time reading, working out, watching really bad zombie movies, pretending to write, and hanging out with her husband and her Jack Russell Loki.
Her dreams of becoming an author started in algebra class, where she spent most of her time writing short stories….which explains her dismal grades in math. Jennifer writes young adult paranormal, science fiction, fantasy, and contemporary romance. She is published with Spencer Hill Press,
Entangled Teen and Brazen, Disney/Hyperion and Harlequin Teen. Her book Obsidian has been optioned for a major motion picture.
She also writes adult and New Adult romance under the name J. Lynn. She is published by Entangled Brazen and HarperCollins.

Book Blitz: Leap of Faith by Jamie Blair

 

 

Leap of Faith by Jamie Blair
Published by: Simon & Schuster BfYR
Publication date: September 3rd 2013
Genres: Contemporary, Young Adult
Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble

 

Can true love be built on lies? A teen on the run seeks relief and redemption in this gripping, romantic read.

Leah Kurtz has finally found a place to call home, a town where she and baby Addy can live in peace, far from the drug-infested place she grew up. Chris is one of the best parts of her new life, the only person who’s ever made her feel safe. And now that she’s found him, there’s no way she can tell the truth:

Her real name is Faith, not Leah. She’s seventeen, not nineteen. And the baby isn’t hers—Faith kidnapped her.

Faith’s history catches up with her when a cop starts asking questions and Chris’s aunt spots her picture in the newspaper. She knows it’s time to run again, but if Faith leaves, she’ll lose Chris. If Chris is in love with a lie, though, did Faith ever really have him in the first place?

 

AUTHOR BIO:

Webstie | Twitter | Goodreads | Facebook

Jamie Blair spent most of her teen years choreographing moves for her dance team routines, kissing boys on the couch after her mom went to bed, and pondering the mood enhancement qualities of
Lemon Heads when consumed with Diet Coke. Writing under Kelli Maine, she’s the USA Today bestselling author of Taken. Leap of Faith is her debut New Adult novel.

Playlist for the book:

 

 

Giveaway Time!

 

US ONLY!

10 winners:

--5 prize packages of a signed hardback, a t-shirt and a guitar pick, 

--5 e-books with an autographed Leap of Faith notecard, a guitar pick and stickers

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

 

 

 

Book Blitz: Kinetic by S.K. Anthony + Giveaway!

 

 

Kinetic by S.K. Anthony
Series: The Luminaries, #1
Publication date:  September 2013
Genre: New Adult Urban Fantasy

 

Being strong is one thing. Being an unlimited source of power is quite another.

Genetically altered by the Organization, Annie Fox takes down criminals CIA-style with her luminary strength. With nothing to mend but her broken heart, she is relentlessly pursued by her boss Derek Lake. Just when Annie is about to give him a chance, her ex-husband unexpectedly comes out of hiding.

A wanted man, Nick Logan is a cold-hearted murderer who is considered enemy number one, and orders are clear: kill on contact. He is more powerful than ever and threatens the lives of those she holds most dear. His plan? Get his hands on Annie and use her Kinetic energy to destroy them all. When Annie finds herself with an opportunity to end him, she pauses, horrified by the scars covering the face she once loved. A split second that will cost her everything…

 

 

AUTHOR BIO

Website | Goodreads | Facebook | Twitter

S. K. Anthony is a writer, a reader and a make-stuff-up-er who lives in New York with her husband and toddler twins. She is a wine connoisseur, which just really means she knows she loves it, and a caffeine addict. When she isn’t busy with her family she finds herself being transported into the world of imagination. Well, either that or running away from spiders…she is convinced they are out
to get her! 

Giveaway!

• Giveaway is International
• Hosted by the author.

 

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Chaos by Christine O'Neil

Chaos by Christine O'Neil
Publisher: Entangled Teen Ember
Release Date: August 19, 2013

My name is Maggie Raynard. After sixteen years being just plain me, suddenly, when I lose my temper, my fingers become weapons of mass destruction. Turns out I'm a semi-god, descended from Aphrodite. Sounds cool in theory, but when I accidentally put my ex-boyfriend in a coma, things go downhill pretty fast.

Now some new guy named Mac Finnegan has made it his mission in life to continually piss me off. I'm stuck learning how to use my new powers while also dealing with regular high school problems, and with this annoying—and super-hot—guy all up in my business, I'm about to flip out.

But it gets worse. I just learned there's this watchdog council of semis who keeps an eye out for any bad apples. They think I'm the baddest of the bunch and want to take me out before I do any more damage. My nemesis Mac might turn out to be my salvation, only he's got secrets of his own...and they may just kill us both.

Buy Links:

Amazon | Barnes & Noble

 

Guys doesn't his just sound amazing? I need to own this like right now :) And that cover..I love it!

 

There's also a really cool contest going on over at Entangled in Romance 

 

I'll see you guys in October, I really only came back to post this :D Hope you're all doing well and if you've read this let me know how it is!

Blogging Break

I know, I know. I just took a week long break back at the end of August but I really need to take some more time off. I'm so far behind with my reading that I have absolutely no reviews set up and I hate letting my blog just sit here without anybody knowing why.

Blogging has become a full time thing for me and I just need some time to step away and just read. It's gotten to the point where I'm just trying to get through the books to have a review up and ready but I want to take time to actually enjoy them.

The blog will be pretty quiet for about a month, I figured that should give me more than enough time to get ahead and schedule some great reviews for you guys.

Any tours/book blitzes/spotlights and cover reveals I have signed up to do will still be posted on the assigned date that way I'm not letting anybody down.

I hope you guys will stick with me through this and maybe I'll come back early if I get back into my reading groove :)

See you soon!

~Sarah

Cover Reveal: Lost Eden

Lost Eden by G.P. Ching
(The Soulkeepers #5)
Publication date: November 18th 2013
Genres: Fantasy, Paranormal, Young Adult

Rules. Balance. Consequences. War.

When Fate gave Dane the water from Eden to drink, she did more than save his life. She changed his destiny.

Since the beginning, a compact between God and Lucifer has maintained a tenuous peace, balancing Soulkeepers and Watchers and the natural order of things. Dane upset that balance the day he became a Soulkeeper. Fate broke the rules.

Now, Lucifer is demanding a consequence, requiring Fate to pay the ultimate price for her involvement. God intervenes on the immortal’s behalf but in order to save her soul must dissolve the compact and with it the rules, order, and balance that have kept the peace. A challenge is issued. A contest for human souls begins. And the stakes? Earth. Winner take all.

The Soulkeepers are at the center of a war between Heaven and Hell, and this time, nobody, anywhere, is safe from Lucifer’s reach.

AUTHOR BIO

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

G.P Ching is the author of The Soulkeepers Series and variety of short fiction. She specializes in cross-genre paranormal stories, loves old cemeteries, and enjoys a good ghost tour. She lives in central Illinois with her husband, two children, and one very demanding guinea pig.

 

 

Waiting on Wednesday #20

Sarah's Pick:

 

Title: Into the Still Blue
Author: Veronica Rossi
Series: Under the Never Sky, #3
Publisher: HarperCollins
Expected Publication: January 28, 2014

The earth-shattering conclusion to Veronica Rossi's "masterpiece" Under the Never Sky trilogy and sequel to the New York Times bestselling Through the Ever Night (Examiner.com).

Their love and their leadership have been tested. Now it's time for Perry and Aria to unite the Dwellers and the Outsiders in one last desperate attempt to bring balance to their world.

The race to the Still Blue has reached a stalemate. Aria and Perry are determined to find this last safe-haven from the Aether storms before Sable and Hess do-and they are just as determined to stay together.

Meanwhile, time is running out to rescue Cinder, who was abducted by Hess and Sable for his unique abilities. And when Roar returns to camp, he is so furious with Perry that he won't even look at him, and Perry begins to feel like they have already lost.

Out of options, Perry and Aria assemble a team to mount an impossible rescue mission-because Cinder isn't just the key to unlocking the Still Blue and their only hope for survival, he's also their friend. And in a dying world, the bonds between people are what matter most.

In this final book in her stunning Under the Never Sky trilogy, Veronica Rossi raises the stakes to their absolute limit and brings her epic love story to an unforgettable close.

Why I'm Waiting:

 

I absolutely love this series. After the ending in Through the Ever Night I have been anxiously waiting for news on the final book and I cannot wait until January to have it in my hands so I can find out how Perry and Aria's story comes to an end.

 

 

What are you guys waiting on this week? Leave us a link below and we'll check it out!