Thursday, July 26, 2012

COVER REVEAL: Beyond (Crossroads Saga Book 3) by Mary Ting

Torn between the past she can't remember and a future she isn’t ready for, Claudia feels at a loss. With unanswered questions, she is certain there is more to her past than just being a venator. 


Finding the missing pieces in her life won’t be easy because duty calls. When mysterious dark shadows get released, an apocalypse sets in motion. The venators and the alkins must work together once again. 


Knowing Claudia would be the key to destroying the demons that were released, a familiar stranger appears to protect her. Drawn to the beautiful angel, Claudia finds she must unravel the mysteries of her past in order to help save the world. 


Who is the angel assisting her and why does she feel a strong connection to him? Time is running outWill she discover all the secrets before it’s too late?



Teaser from Beyond

“Don’t move. I’m here to save you,” his tone was low, sounding nervous. During the last encounter, she was unaware of him, but this time the situation was different. Michael’s heart was pounding out of his chest, matching the rhythmic pattern of Claudia’s. He fought back the urge to hold all of her tenderly in his arms. This was the second time he came to her rescue. It was just as difficult, if not even more and heart breaking to touch her. Her proximity was overwhelming. His heart felt light with happiness, yet the pain of leaving her and her not knowing him was tormenting, ripping through his heart.
“Then why are you holding me hostage?” Her tone was tolerant, though she should be angered at the person holding her. There was something about the sound of his voice that gave her comfort. She heard his voice before, but when and where?
“I’m not holding you hostage.”
“Hmmm…let’s see. You have your arms around me and won’t let me move…so I guess you have another definition of what a hostage is then?” she answered back with a sassy tone.
Michael smiled and laughed inwardly. He loved her spunky side. “I guess you’re right.”
“Let me go. I can take care of myself.”
“Just stay still. It’s dark. You never know what can appear.”
“Hmmm…so I’m your shield? What kind of hero are you?”
Michael lit a grin, trying not to laugh. “No. You are not my shield. And you’re right. I’m no hero.” But I used to be. Open up your heart, let me in and remember me. I want to be your hero again.
Claudia felt a sudden sadness in his tone so she decided to ease up. “Do I know you? Have we met?”

Beyond Will Be Released September 12, 2012

Wednesday, July 25, 2012

Waiting On Wednesday (7/25/2012) Defiance

Author: C.J. Redwine
Expected Release Date: September 6, 2012
Publisher: Atom

Summary from Goodreads:
Rachel’s world is confined to the protective walls around her city. Beyond them are violent wanderers, extreme terrain, and a danger straight out of legend: a beast called the Cursed One that devastates everything in its path.

When Rachel’s father goes missing, she is desperate to search for him. But her attempts to flee the city bring her to the attention of its overbearing ruler. His efforts to control her make the world within the walls seem as dangerous as that outside.

Her only chance at escape is Logan. Once her father’s apprentice, and now her only protector, he feels that helping her might mean losing her completely. But if he can put his feelings aside, they might be able to save more than Rachel’s father. They might be able to break down the walls, and set their people free.



I feel like if this book could be amazingly kick-ass!



Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we (bloggers) are anxiously awaiting. So what book are you excited about right now?

Tuesday, July 24, 2012

Teaser Tuesday (7/24/2012) Flirting In Italian by Lauren Henderson

Our hands are still clasped together, and that's weakening my awareness that I should stop the kiss, because the handclasp feels magically romantic, a knot held tightly against our hearts. Luca is the opposite of boys I've kissed before. 


Page 275  of the e-arc given to me by the publisher via NetGalley






Summary from Goodreads:
Four girls. One magical, and possibly dangerous Italian summer. Family mysteries, ancient castles, long hot nights of dancing under the stars . . . and, of course, plenty of gorgeous Italian boys!


Release Date: June 12, 2012



Miz B hosts Teaser Tuesday every week, check her out for the official rules.  I never seem to be able to stick to the rule about only 2 sentences.
I love reading teasers so let me know where I can view yours in the comments. Have a great day!

Monday, July 23, 2012

Review: Dante's Girl

Author: Courtney Cole
Publisher: Lakehouse Press
Release Date: June 22, 2012
Genre: YA Contemporary Romance
Pages: 356
Source: Publisher and Kismet Book Tours
Summary from publisher:

I have spent every summer since I was ten years old with my father in London.  Every summer, since I was ten years old, has been uneventful and boring.
Until this year.
And this year, after a freak volcanic eruption strands me far from home, I have learned these things:
1.  I can make do with one outfit for three days before I buy new clothes.
2.  If I hear the phrase, “You’re not in Kansas anymore, Toto,” even one more time, I might become a homicidal maniac.
3.  I am horribly and embarrassingly allergic to jellyfish.
4. I am in love with Dante Giliberti, who just happens to be the beautiful, sophisticated son of the Prime Minister of a Mediterranean paradise.
5.  See number four above.  Because it brings with it a whole slew  of problems and I’ve learned something from every one of them.
Let’s start with the fact that Dante’s world is five light-years away from mine.  He goes to black-tie functions and knows the Prime Minister of England on a first name basis.  I was born and raised on a farm in Kansas and wear cut-off jeans paired with cowboy boots.  See the difference?
But hearts don’t care about differences.  Hearts want what they want.  And mine just wants to be Dante’s girl.
My heart just might be crazy.



goodreads | amazon | B&N
My Thoughts:
I don't think I've ever read a more perfect summer romance than Dante's Girl. Courtney Cole did an amazing job of capturing teens at their best and worst in this novel. She hit on the perfect mixture of teen angst without over doing it and making the characters annoying or overly mature for kids about to be high school seniors.


The Characters:
The characters made this book for me. I loved how Courtney Cole wrote each and every one of them. Reece our main character had so many layers and like a real person I didn't love every layer. She had some great qualities and some that drove me crazy but that's why I loved her so much. Dante's major flaw was that he wanted to make everyone happy. If you've ever tried to do that then you know it's impossible. I was rooting for him to grow a pair and make himself happy for a change. Reece and Dante have such wonderful chemistry, they played off of each other so well throughout the entire book.

The Setting:
Cole did a great job painting a picture of Dante's beautiful homes and the island of Caberra where he lives. She really made me want to get up and travel except maybe not on a plane. That whole thing with the plane really freaked me out.

The Plot:
Parts of this book are your typical girl and boy meet, they fall in love, ect. However, there were definitely some twists that I never expected and never once did I think hey, this book reminds me of...

The Writing:
Cole's writing is easy to read and very engaging.

The Ending:
I knew how I wanted this book to end and I was pretty sure it was heading in that direction but then the direction changed. I think I was even happier with Cole's ending than I would have been with my own.

The Cover:
While the cover is cute and it really does capture the theme of the book it's just a little busy for me.

Mature Situations:
There is some teen drinking, though technically the legal age is lower in Caberra. Some mentions of sex and some making out, but nothing over the top.

Overall:
I think it's pretty obvious that I really enjoyed this book. I'm happy to recommend this book, especially to those who enjoy a good young adult romance.
&



Saturday, July 21, 2012

Stacking The Shelves (7/21/2012)



Stacking The Shelves is hosted weekly by Tynga's Reviews. Share all the books you've bought and borrowed every week. 

It's been a good week around here. My kids finally got their end of the year tests done and I've mailed them in to be graded. I've done really well this week exercising everyday and sticking to my diet changes. Nothing extraordinary happened, everything just went smoothly. I love weeks like these. 

For Review

C I N by Christina Leigh Pritchard (tour)

What I Didn't Say by Keary Taylor


All You Never Wanted by Adele Griffin

Bought

Preservation by Rachael Wade (free on Kindle)

Callum & Harper by Fisher Amelie

I'm so excited to start these, they all look amazing. Happy Reading!


Thursday, July 19, 2012

Dante's Girl by Courtney Cole Coming June 22nd

About Dante's Girl
Release: June 22nd by Lakehouse Press

goodreads | amazon | B&N

I have spent every summer since I was ten years old with my father in London.  Every summer, since I was ten years old, has been uneventful and boring.
Until this year.
And this year, after a freak volcanic eruption strands me far from home, I have learned these things:
1.  I can make do with one outfit for three days before I buy new clothes.
2.  If I hear the phrase, “You’re not in Kansas anymore, Toto,” even one more time, I might become a homicidal maniac.
3.  I am horribly and embarrassingly allergic to jellyfish.
4. I am in love with Dante Giliberti, who just happens to be the beautiful, sophisticated son of the Prime Minister of a Mediterranean paradise.
5.  See number four above.  Because it brings with it a whole slew  of problems and I’ve learned something from every one of them.
Let’s start with the fact that Dante’s world is five light-years away from mine.  He goes to black-tie functions and knows the Prime Minister of England on a first name basis.  I was born and raised on a farm in Kansas and wear cut-off jeans paired with cowboy boots.  See the difference?
But hearts don’t care about differences.  Hearts want what they want.  And mine just wants to be Dante’s girl.
My heart just might be crazy.




About Courtney Cole

website | twitter |  facebook | facebook fan page

Courtney Cole is a novelist who would eat mythology for breakfast if she could.
She has a degree in Business, but has since discovered that corporate America is not nearly as fun to live in as fictional worlds.
Every Last Kiss is her debut novel and she followed it with the rest of The Bloodstone Saga (Every Last Kiss, Fated, With My Last Breath and My Tattered Bonds).
Courtney lives in quiet suburbia, close to Lake Michigan, with her real-life Prince Charming, her ornery kids (there is a small chance that they get their orneriness from their mother) and a small domestic zoo.
Learn more about Courtney and her books at www.courtneycolewrites.com


Dante’s Girl by Courtney Cole
Excerpt From Chapter One

It is impossible to look hot in the dingy fluorescent light of an airport bathroom. Or as my best friend Becca would say, hawt.
At this particular moment, I’m not hot or hawt.  I make this revelation as I vigorously scrub at my arms and face and then use a wet paper towel under my pits.  
And what is it about peeing in an airport toilet ten times in a day that makes you feel so completely scummy?  I glance around at the crumpled tissues strewn about on the scuffed floor and the dirty toilets peeking from behind half-closed doors and cringe.  That answer is clearly ‘because of the germs’. Ack.  
Trying not to think about it, I clean up the best I can.  After running a brush through my hair, I stick a piece of gum in my mouth, apply a thin layer of lip gloss and call it good.  I glance into the mirror and cringe.  It isn’t good enough, but it will have to do.  Very soon, I’ll put this dreadful four hour layover in Amsterdam behind me and before I even know it, I’ll be in London.
With my father.
For the summer.
It would be torture.
Just shoot me now.
And it’s not because I don’t love him, because I do.  My reluctance doesn’t stem from lack of love.  It comes from the deep-seeded fact that Alexander Ellis doesn’t understand me.  He never has and he never will. It’s something that I’ve made my peace with and I’m not angry about it.
I’m his only child and he works his life away as some top-secret agent for the NSA.  His job is so secret that I don’t even know what he does. In my head, I imagine him jumping from helicopters and saving starving children in war torn areas.  But in reality, I know he probably sits behind a desk and analyzes information from a satellite stream or a taped telephone conversation. I’m pretty sure that’s what the NSA does, anyway.  They aren’t the cool kind of spies.
Also, he isn’t exactly sure what to do with a daughter.  I was supposed to have been a boy. Seventeen years ago, sonograms apparently weren’t as absolute as they are today, because the technician told my parents that she was 99.9% sure that I was a boy.  They painted my nursery blue and picked out my name and everything.  I can only imagine the shocked horror on my father’s face when I was born with lady parts.
Regardless, I know he loves me.  Even though he had willingly given my mother full custody when they divorced years ago, I know he only did it because he works overseas so much and he isn’t exactly sure how to raise a girl.  He does okay.  But then again, I do have some reason to believe that he still pretends that I’m a boy, just to make it easier on himself.  It’s fairly easy to do since I still have the boy name that they originally picked out.  
With my head down, I trudge back out into the congested halls of Schiphol airport.  Weary travelers bustle around me and I shift my bags so that I can pull the stubborn strap of my tank top back over my shoulder where it belongs.  As I do, I crash into someone with enough force that my bags go flying out of my hands and scatter onto the ground under people’s feet.
“Son of a –“ I blurt before I even think.
“Buck?” a male voice offers helpfully.  
Looking up, I stare into the most unique and beautiful shade of blue that a pair of eyes has ever possessed. Of that I am certain.  Blue just shouldn’t be that multi-faceted and twinkling.  There should be a law or something.  
Or at least a warning label:  
Caution, these eyes may cause female knees to tremble.
Before I can help it, I scan the rest of him.  Sweet Mary.  This guy had lucked out in the gene department.  Tall, slender, beautiful.  Honey colored hair that had natural highlights that could even catch the crappy airport light, broad shoulders, slim hips, long legs.  He is tan and golden with a bright, white smile.  
I am surely staring at Apollo, the god of the sun.  Probably with my mouth hanging open, which makes me realize that I must look like an idiot- the personification of what foreigners think Americans to be.  I snap my mouth closed.
“I’m sorry,” I say quickly, trying to still my racing heart.  “Did I run into you?”
“Only a bit,” Apollo says gentlemanly, with a shrug of his strong shoulders.  I can tell he is strong even through his shirt sleeves, which are snug across his toned biceps.  Sweet baby monkeys.  
“How can someone run into someone else only by a bit?” I ask with a nervous smile as I kneel to retrieve my stuff.  
Please don’t let him smell me right now, I silently pray to any god who cares to listen. I am sure that at this point in my travels, I probably smell like soiled hamster bedding.  
He bends next to me and picks up the contents of my spilled purse. He smells like sunshine.  And rain.  And everything beautiful that I can think of.  I try not to cringe as his fingers grasp a tampon and slide it back inside my bag.  He doesn’t even flinch, he just casually continues to pick up my things like he’s used to handling feminine hygiene products.
“Oh, it’s fairly easy, really,” he answers.  He has an exotic sounding accent that I can’t place.  “At least, when you’re not looking where you’re going.”  My head snaps up and he laughs.  
“I’m kidding,” he assures me as he extends an arm to me. Even his hand is graceful.  I gulp as his fingers curl around mine.  “You can bump into me any time you’d like.”
“Thanks,” I mumble.  “I think.”
“I’m Dante,” he tells me, his impossibly blue eyes still twinkling.  
“I’m Reece,” I answer with a sigh, already anticipating his reaction. “Yes, I know it’s a boy’s name.”
“You’re not a boy,” Dante observes.  “Most definitely not a boy.”
Is that a note of appreciation in his voice?  Surely not. I look like a bedraggled Shih Tzu.  
“No, I’m not,” I agree.  “I just don’t know that my dad ever got that memo.”  
I look past Dante and find that he is alone.  He seems to be about my age so that’s a little unusual in these circumstances.  My parents had flown me as an ‘unaccompanied minor’ across the ocean for years, but other people’s parents are usually a little squeamish about that.  
“I’m sure that fact hasn’t escaped him,” Dante tells me in amusement.  Why do his eyes have to sparkle so much?   I usually go for brown-eyed guys.  But this boy is most certainly making me re-think that stance.
“That’s debatable,” I sigh.  Realizing that we are impeding the busy pedestrian traffic like a dam in a rushing river, I smile.
“Thank you very much for helping me pick up my things.  Safe travels!”
I turn on my heel and pivot, walking quickly and what I hope is confidently in the other direction.  Hitching my heavy purse up on my shoulder, I fight the urge to turn and look at him.  Something about him is practically mesmerizing.
But I don’t look.  I keep walking, one foot in front of the other.  When I reach the moving walkway, I hop on and focus ahead of me, eyes straight forward.
Don’t look back.
Don’t look back.
Don’t look back.
Regardless of my silent chanting, when I step from the walkway I discreetly check behind me.  Apollo is nowhere to be seen.  With a sigh, I continue on to the British Airways terminal.  Only three short hours left until take-off.  Plugging my earbuds into my ears, I settle into a seat and close my eyes.


Wednesday, July 18, 2012

Waiting on Wednesday (7/18/2012) Dangerous Boy

Author: Mandy Hubbard
Expected Release Date: August 30, 2012
Publisher: Razorbill


Summary from Goodreads:


A modern-day retelling of The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde with a chilling twist.

Harper has never been worried about falling in love, something she is skeptical even exists. But everything changes when Logan moves to town, and to Harper's shock, the two tumble into an intense romance. It's everything she never thought she wanted.

Then she meets Logan's twin brother, Daemon, who was expelled from his last school. True, he's a bad boy, but Harper can't shake the feeling that there's something deeply sinister about him--something dangerous. When Logan starts pulling away, Harper is convinced that Daemon's shadowy past is the wedge being driven between them. But by the time she uncovers the truth, it may be too late.



I enjoyed Mandy's book Ripple (my daughter loved it and nagged me until I read it) and now we are both looking forward to this one. 



Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we (bloggers) are anxiously awaiting. So what book are you excited about right now?

Tuesday, July 17, 2012

Teaser Tuesday (7/17/2012) Rape Girl by Alina Klein

In the halls afterward, it felt like everyone who knew me ignored me while those who didn't surrounded me. They wanted a piece of the scandal, though none of them seemed brave enough to talk to me directly. I saw cell phones lifted, probably snapping pictures. The sympathetic looks and smiles I got seemed blurred somehow. 




Page 55 of the e-ARC


Summary from Goodreads:


Valerie always wanted to be the smart girl. The pretty girl. The popular girl.

But not the rape girl.

That’s who she is now. Rape Girl. Because everyone seems to think they know the truth about what happened with Adam that day, and they don’t think Valerie’s telling it.

Before, she had a best friend, a crush, and a close-knit family. After, she has a court case, a support group, and a house full of strangers.

The real truth is, nothing will ever be the same.

Rape Girl is the compelling story of a survivor who does the right thing and suffers for it. It is also the story of a young woman’s struggle to find the strength to fight back.



Release Date June 5, 2012



Miz B hosts Teaser Tuesday every week, check her out for the official rules.  I never seem to be able to stick to the rule about only 2 sentences.
I love reading teasers so let me know where I can view yours in the comments. Have a great day!

Thursday, July 12, 2012

Review: The Future of Us

The Future Of Us
Author: Jay Asher & Carolyn Mackler
Publisher: Razorbill
Release Date: November 21, 2011
Genre: YA Fiction
Pages: 356 (hardcover edition)
Source: Local Public Library
Summary from Goodreads:


It's 1996, and Josh and Emma have been neighbors their whole lives. They've been best friends almost as long - at least, up until last November, when Josh did something that changed everything. Things have been weird between them ever since, but when Josh's family gets a free AOL CD in the mail,his mom makes him bring it over so that Emma can install it on her new computer. When they sign on, they're automatically logged onto their Facebook pages. But Facebook hasn't been invented yet. And they're looking at themselves fifteen years in the future.

By refreshing their pages, they learn that making different decisions now will affect the outcome of their lives later. And as they grapple with the ups and downs of what their futures hold, they're forced to confront what they're doing right - and wrong - in the present.

My Thoughts:
This was a great trip in the way back machine for me. I graduated high school in 1992 so this novel really brought back some great memories, it was so easy to relate to these characters. 


I really enjoyed how the point of view switched back and forth between Emma and Josh. This really enabled the reader to get to know both characters and what they thought and how they felt and reacted to the situations. I was very impressed that this books was written by two separate authors it flows seamlessly from one chapter to the next.

I was really drawn into the how Emma kept changing her future with just a thought. Just knowing what was going to happen she was able to change things by vowing not to marry someone or knowing to refuse a job down the road. My favorite part of the book though has to be the lesson that that this book left me with. You'll have to read it for yourself to find out exactly what I'm talking about here. 


Plot: Original, Interesting, and Adorable at times
Characters: So realistic and fun. I even fell in love with the main character's best friends Kellan and Tyson
Writing: East to read and flowed perfectly
Ending: Just what I was hoping for
Kid Friendly: Yes
Overall: A fun book especially if you were a teen in the 90's with the added benefit that it makes you think
Recommend: Definitely

Wednesday, July 11, 2012

Once Upon A Read- a-Thon Update and Mini Challenge


So I didn't get nearly as much read as I was hoping, but I had fun trying to get a lot read.
I was able to finish Grave Mercy, The Statistical Probability of Love at First Site, and Dante's Girl. 

For the mini challenge

What is your most anticipated book for 2012?
My most anticipated book of this year was Pandemonium by Lauren Oliver, and I for one was not disappointed it was amazing.