Tuesday, July 31, 2012

Review: Beautiful Disaster by Jamie McGuire

Beautiful Disaster
(Beautiful #1)
by Jamie McGuire

Publication Date: August 14th, 2012
Publisher: Simon & Schuster, Inc.
Pages: 356
ISBN: 9781466401884
From publisher for review.

B&N | Amazon | The Book Depository | Goodreads

The new Abby Abernathy is a good girl. She doesn’t drink or swear, and she has the appropriate percentage of cardigans in her wardrobe. Abby believes she has enough distance between her and the darkness of her past, but when she arrives at college with her best friend, her path to a new beginning is quickly challenged by Eastern University's Walking One-Night Stand.

Travis Maddox, lean, cut, and covered in tattoos, is exactly what Abby needs—and wants—to avoid. He spends his nights winning money in a floating fight ring, and his days as the ultimate college campus charmer. Intrigued by Abby’s resistance to his appeal, Travis tricks her into his daily life with a simple bet. If he loses, he must remain abstinent for a month. If Abby loses, she must live in Travis’s apartment for the same amount of time. Either way, Travis has no idea that he has met his match. (Goodreads)

I was so excited to get my hands on an advanced reader of Beautiful Disaster, as I had heard so many different thoughts on the book. I wanted to read the book so that I could form my own opinion of the story. I have to say, this book is a roller-coaster ride, and will leave you with very mixed emotions.

Abby Abernathy has a secret past, one that she has run a long way from. A new school with new friends, a new beginning is exactly what she needs. All is well, until she catches the attention of the school bad boy, Travis Maddox, who is completely blown away by her resistance to him.  Never one to be rejected, Travis does whatever he can to get Abby into his life. But can Abby live with the dominating Travis in her life?

Abby, the main character, was both headstrong and also extremely frustrating. I love that she stood up to Travis’s crazy ways, for the most part, especially when there were red flags going up all over the place. However, it was insanely frustrating that she used other guys just to hurt Travis. It really made me want to shake her and tell her to quit playing games. But other than that, I found her to be a likeable character.

The thing I love most in male characters is the tortured hero. I don’t know what it is, but I can’t get enough of them. Travis is definitely a tortured soul.  My heart broke for him multiple times, but I also found him infuriating at times as well. He was such a completely complex character; I still haven’t completely figured him out. Yes, he was overbearing and quite dominant, but he also had a completely different side to him as well, and that’s the side that I fell in love with. He broke my heart more than a few times with his emotions. I love this man.  (On a side note; I totally picture Travis as Channing Tatum! Check out his movie Fighter, and you will see why.)

The secondary characters were interesting as well, with my favorites being Shepley, Travis’s cousin and America, who was Abby’s best friend. America was a really great friend to Abby. There was also Finch, who Abby and America met on their first day of school, who was a loner just like Abby. I love him!

If you love a good love story, full of emotional angst and drama, this is definitely the book for you. I loved the storyline as well. That kept me hooked, and flying through the pages faster than I expected to.

There were a few small issues that I had with the book, however. As an adult that knows the difference between right and wrong, I found this book to be a fascinating read. As a mom to a teenage girl, I have many issues with the book. I can’t imagine a teenager reading this and understanding how many things were wrong with relationship. For that one reason, I wouldn’t recommend this for the younger YA crowd. (I had this problem with Twilight as well. While the story is romantic and understandable by most, younger girls that are easily swayed may not see the problems with the relationship; the possessiveness, the codependency, etc.) This book also contains a great deal of violence, sex, underage drinking, and vulgar language.  As an adult, this doesn’t make me love the book any less, but as a parent, it makes me cautious with my extremely sheltered child. (That’s just me though!)

Overall, I really enjoyed this book, so much more than I expected to. This is a book that will stick with you long after you’ve read the last page. I can’t wait for my finished copy to arrive so that I can read it again!  Also, we will also be getting a book in 2013 that is Beautiful Disaster from Travis’s perspective; Walking Disaster. I SO can’t wait to get my hands on it!

Happy Reading!


***I've decided to give away a copy of this book later this week as part of my 1500 Follower Giveaway, so keep checking back for that giveaway!***

Monday, July 30, 2012

1500 Follower Giveaway #1

Hey guys!

So amazingly enough... I've reached 1500 followers here on the blog.

That's AMAZING!

As a way to say THANK YOU, SO MUCH to all of you that have stuck with me, 
(even when I've been such a slacker this summer!)
I wanted to give away some awesome upcoming releases that I'm SO excited about.

Today's giveaway is for Girl of Nightmares by Kendare Blake!

So...

THANK YOU GUYS!
And good luck!
Giveaway Rules:
  • Open US and INTERNATIONAL!
    (Please check that TheBookDepository.com ships to your area!)
  • You must be 13 years or older to enter
  • ONE winner will be chosen via Rafflecopter for the above book
  • Winners will be contacted via email, and have 24 hours to respond
  • Contest ends 8/20/12
  • By entering this giveaway, you agree to the terms listed above.


    That's it guys! And keep checking back this week for more awesome prizes.
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Noteworthy New Releases * 7/30 - 8/5 *



New in Hardback:

Hide and Seek - Sara Shepard   (  B&N | Amazon | Goodreads  )
Pushing the Limits - Katie McGarry   (  B&N | Amazon | Goodreads  )
Destiny - Gillian Shields   (  B&N | Amazon | Goodreads  )




New in Paperback:

Never Have I Ever - Sara Shepard   (  B&N | Amazon | Goodreads  )
Beautiful Days - Anna Godbersen   (  B&N | Amazon | Goodreads  )
Putting Makeup on Dead People - Jen Violi   (  B&N | Amazon | Goodreads  )


Saturday, July 28, 2012

Weekly Book Haul #12


Review Galley's:
The Evolution of Mara Dyer - Michelle Hodkin
Beautiful Disaster - Jamie McGuire

Purchased:
Shatter Me - Tahereh Mafi (My Review)


Hey guys!
Three amazing books for me this week!

I've already read, and LOVED, Shatter Me. Now I finally have my own copy. :)

I am soooooo very excited to start The Evolution of Mara Dyer. I love Noah!

I've read some really interesting things about Beautiful Disaster, and I can't wait to check it out so I can form my own opinion of the book. :)

What new books did you get this week?

**This post was inspired by In My Mailbox by TheStorySiren, in order to share books received each week.**



Thursday, July 26, 2012

Review: The Sweetest Dark by Shana Abé

The Sweetest Dark
by Shana Abé

Publication Date: April 2nd, 2013
Publisher: Random House
Pages: 352
ISBN: 9780345531704
*From Publisher for Review

Amazon | The Book Depository | Goodreads

“With every fiber of my being, I yearned to be normal. To glide through my days at Iverson without incident. But I’d have to face the fact that my life was about to unfold in a very, very different way than I’d ever envisioned. Normal would become forever out of reach.”

Lora Jones has always known that she’s different. On the outside, she appears to be an ordinary sixteen-year-old girl. Yet Lora’s been keeping a heartful of secrets: She hears songs that no one else can hear, dreams vividly of smoke and flight, and lives with a mysterious voice inside her that insists she’s far more than what she seems.

England, 1915. Raised in an orphanage in a rough corner of London, Lora quickly learns to hide her unique abilities and avoid attention. Then, much to her surprise, she is selected as the new charity student at Iverson, an elite boarding school on England’s southern coast. Iverson’s eerie, gothic castle is like nothing Lora has ever seen. And the two boys she meets there will open her eyes and forever change her destiny.

Jesse is the school’s groundskeeper—a beautiful boy who recognizes Lora for who and what she truly is. Armand is a darkly handsome and arrogant aristocrat who harbors a few closely guarded secrets of his own. Both hold the answers to her past. One is the key to her future. And both will aim to win her heart. As danger descends upon Iverson, Lora must harness the powers she’s only just begun to understand, or else lose everything she dearly loves.

Filled with lush atmosphere, thrilling romance, and ancient magic, The Sweetest Dark brilliantly captures a rich historical era while unfolding an enchanting love story that defies time. (Goodreads)
The Sweetest Dark is a novel about sixteen year old Lora Jones. Lora is different than other girls. She can hear songs that no one else can hear, and she dreams of drifting through the air like smoke and vapor. Oh, Lora is definitely different alright. When the orphanage that she lives is destroyed in the war, Lora is sent to a prestigious boarding school as a charity student. Here she meets two boys, Jesse and Armand. With the help of these boys, she will discover the truth about her past history, and discover another secret about herself.

Lora is such a great character. The poor girl, she has been through so very much in her young life. Thrown into an orphanage at age 10, with no recollection of her history, then put into an asylum not long after, and finally she ends up at the boarding school for girls. It is at this boarding school that Lora learns the reason why she is different from other girls. All with the help of Jesse, who is the groundskeeper at the boarding school, and Armand, who is the son of the Duke that funds the school.

Lora is such an amazingly strong character. When I first started reading the book, I kind of expected her to be a meek little creature that would complain about every single thing. But she didn’t. She held her own, especially against some of the rich girls at the boarding school. I love the relationship between Lora and Jesse. He is so incredibly sweet, and really cares for her. Armand, who completes the love triangle, is a mysterious young man, who has a secret of his own.

The writing style for this novel was absolutely wonderful. The sentences flowed together so perfectly. I found the love triangle to be very well written as well, even though I chose my side early on. The world-building was excellent as well, as I really enjoyed the descriptions of the time period.  The storyline was very engrossing, and I found myself flying through the pages faster than I expected to. I felt that the book closed very nicely as well, which is always good.

Overall, this book has it all! It has a beautiful cover, great characters, and an engrossing storyline. It’s definitely worth the read. Check it out!

Happy Reading!

Wednesday, July 25, 2012

Waiting on Wednesday #77 - Clockwork Princess by Cassandra Clare

Clockwork Princess
(The Infernal Devices #3)
by Cassandra Clare

Publication Date: March 19, 2013
Publisher: Simon & Schuster

In Clockwork Princess, Tessa and her companions travel all over the world as they race to stop the clockwork army before it’s too late. As Jem’s health worsens alarmingly and his friends search desperately for a cure, can Tessa choose between the two boys she loves—even if it means never seeing the other one again? (Goodreads)


I LOVE this series! After that cliffhanger ending in Clockwork Prince, I'm DYING to get back into this story! And this cover has to be my favorite, by far. It's gorgeous!



Soooo... What are you Waiting for this week???

Tuesday, July 24, 2012

Review: A Treachery of Beautiful Things by Ruth Frances Long

The Treachery of Beautiful Things
by Ruth Frances Long

Publication Date: August 12, 2012
Publisher: Penguin Group
Pages: 384
ISBN: 9780803735804

B&N | Amazon | The Book Depository | Goodreads

A darkly compelling mix of romance, fairy tale, and suspense from a new voice in teen fiction

The trees swallowed her brother whole, and Jenny was there to see it. Now seventeen, she revisits the woods where Tom was taken, resolving to say good-bye at last. Instead, she's lured into the trees, where she finds strange and dangerous creatures who seem to consider her the threat. Among them is Jack, mercurial and magnetic, with secrets of his own. Determined to find her brother, with or without Jack's help, Jenny struggles to navigate a faerie world where stunning beauty masks some of the most treacherous evils, and she's faced with a choice between salvation or sacrifice--and not just her own. (Goodreads)

The Treachery of Beautiful Things is a fascinating fairy tale novel by author Ruth Frances Long. I was drawn to this book by its gorgeous cover, but the novel itself is what completely blew me away!

Seventeen year old Jenny visits the woods where her brother, Tom, disappeared 7 years before, in hopes of finally coming to terms with his disappearance. While in the woods, Jenny is lured into the trees by the sound if familiar music. She quickly discovers that the world in the trees is completely different than her own. With the help of Jack o’ the Forest, she must find a way to save herself, and her long lost brother as well.

The characters in the book were all interesting. Jenny, the main character, was head-strong and brave.  I love that she never gave up on finding her brother. Even through all the weirdness, she never gave up. I really enjoyed her character.  Jack, who is a guardian in the forest, has to be my favorite character of the book. He was so mysterious and was so torn between what he should do for himself, and what he has to do for Jenny. I really enjoyed the relationship between these two characters. Especially the ending, it was so very sweet.

The storyline for this book was really interesting. It reminded me a lot of the Iron Fey series by Julie Kagawa, but only because it had similar characters; Robin Goodfellow, Oberon, Mab, etc. But that is where the similarities end for me. The story was unique enough that it kept me guessing throughout the whole book. Things I should have caught on to pretty quickly completely passed me by because I was so engrossed in the book. It was that good!  This is also a stand-alone novel, and the end of the book left me with the perfect amount of closure. I loved it!

Overall, I really enjoyed this book! With its unique storyline and awesome characters, it makes for a really engrossing read! I am really looking forward to reading more books in the future by this wonderful new author.

Happy reading!

Monday, July 23, 2012

Giveaway: Mothership by Martin Leicht & Isla Neal

Mothership
(Ever-Expanding Universe #1)
by Martin Leicht, Isla Neal

Publication Date: July 10th, 2012
Publisher: Simon & Schuster

About the Book:
Pregnant. In space. Yeah, things are really looking up. 

It’s 2074 and Elvie’s unplanned pregnancy (with Cole Archer, who bolted out of town half a millisecond after hearing the news, not that Elvie’s bitter about it or anything) forces her to leave her best bud back on Earth and spend her junior year aboard a corny old space cruiser with forty-five other hormonal teen girls (one of whom just happens to be her arch-nemesis).  Getting shipped off to the Hanover School for Expecting Teen Mothers was not how Elvie imagined spending her junior year, but she can go with the flow. That is, until a team of hot commandos hijacks the ship—and one of them turns out to be Cole.

Mothership is the first installment in a new trilogy from Martin Leicht and Isla Neal that has been described as Juno meets Pretty In Pink…but in space. 



‘Like’ Mothership on Facebook



Hey guys!

Today I'm giving away TWO copies of Mothership by Martin Leicht & Isla Neal!

All prizing & samples provided by Simon & Schuster
Giveaway open to US addresses only


Giveaway Rules:
*Two (2) Winners will receive a copy of Mothership!
*You must be 13 or older to enter.
* Open to US Residents only
*Contest ends Friday, 7-27-12
*Winners will be contacted via email, and must reply back within 24 hours
*By entering this Giveaway, you are agreeing to the terms listed above.

Now, on to the giveaway!
Good Luck!


Noteworthy New Releases * 7/23 - 7/29 *


New in Hardback:

Something Strange and Deadly - Susan Dennard   ( B&N | Amazon | Goodreads )
Endlessly - Keirsten White   ( B&N | Amazon | Goodreads )
Cold Fury - T.M. Goeglien   ( B&N | Amazon | Goodreads )




New in Paperback:

Supernaturally - Kiersten White   ( B&N | Amazon | Goodreads )
The Power of Six - Pittacus Lore   ( B&N | Amazon | Goodreads )
I am Number Four: The Lost Files: The Legacies - Pittacus Lore   ( B&N | Amazon | Goodreads )
Reaching Through Time : Lurlene McDaniel   ( B&N | Amazon | Goodreads )
Where Things Come Back - John Corey Whaley   ( B&N | Amazon | Goodreads )
Twilight: The Graphic Novel - Volume 2 - Stephanie Meyer   ( B&N | Amazon | Goodreads )

Sunday, July 22, 2012

Weekly Book Haul #11



Netgalley:

The Raven Boys - Maggie Stiefvater
Covet - Melissa Darnell

Hey guys!

Two new books for me this week!
I've have The Raven Boys on request at Netgalley since it was added onto the site,
and I was so excited that it was finally approved. I'm looking forward to seeing
what Mrs. Stiefvater has in store for us.
And I've heard good things about the Clann series. I can't wait to get started on it.

:)

That's all for me this week. What new books did you get???




Thursday, July 19, 2012

Friday Hops 7/20

Follow Friday! #58

Follow Friday is a weekly meme hosted by Parajunkee & Alison Can Read. It's a great way to meet new blogger friends!

Q:  Christmas in July! Someone gives you a gift card for two books (whatever that costs). What two books will you buy?

A. Easy!! That would probably be The Evolution of Mara Dyer and The Girl of Nightmares!



TGIF at GReads #25

TGIF at GReads is a Friday Feature hosted by Ginger at GReadsBooks.com!

Throwback TGIF: Pick a previous question you posted on your blog in the past & revisit your answer. Has it changed since then?

My revisited question is:

Book Blogger Retreat: If you could gather up a handful of book blogger friends to spend a weekend away talking books, where would you go? Tell us about it.

My answer was: The Beach.  That answer definitely has not changed. I'm still dying to get to the beach! LOL!


Thanks for stopping by everyone! Please leave a comment with your link so I can follow you back!

Review: Touched by Cyn Balog

Touched
by Cyn Balog

Publication Date: August 14th, 2012
Publisher: Delacorte Press
Pages: 320
ISBN: 9780385740326

B&N | Amazon | The Book Depository | Goodreads

Nick Cross always listens to the voice in his head. Because if he doesn't? Things can go really, really wrong. Like the day he decided to go off script and saved a girl from being run over . . . and let another one drown. Trying to change the future doesn't work.

But this summer at the Jersey Shore, something's about to happen that Nick never could have predicted. He meets a girl named Taryn and finds out about the Book of Touch. Now the path that he thought he was on begins to shift . . . and there's no way to stop things from happening. Or is there?

In a life where there are no surprises, nothing has prepared Nick for what he's about to discover--or the choice he will be forced to make. . . (Goodreads)
Touched is the first book that I have read from author Cyn Balog, and I found the book to be a very quick, enjoyable read! I am really looking forward to reading more books by this author.

The main character in the story is Nick Cross. Nick has a rare ability that allows him to see his future. His life plays out as a script that he must follow, or else the path for his future will change forever.  One slip up in the script, like saving one girl instead of another, will change Nick’s life in more ways than he expected.

The story is told from Nick’s point of view, which I enjoyed because I really haven’t read a lot of books from a guy’s perspective. Also, with Nick, he’s far from perfect. He’s clumsy and quite introverted, which I think is why I connected with him so well.  The people in his town called him a freak, and he thought he was a freak as well because of his ability. You have to feel sorry for the poor guy.  I was so glad to see Taryn come into his life. She was definitely good for him.

The secondary characters we well written as well, and I would have to say one of my favorites was his Nan. She was a remarkable character that loved Nick more than anything. She made me think of my grandfather in that aspect. 

The storyline for the book is very addictive and mysterious as well. I had no idea what was going to happen as I moved along in the story, but I just HAD to keep reading to see what would happen. The book has tons of twist and turns right up until the end that will keep you flying through the pages.  I love that this book is a stand-alone novel, there’s definitely lots of closure at the end.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book, so much more than I expected to. It was just the read I needed to read at the moment. I can’t wait to read more from this author!

Happy Reading!

Wednesday, July 18, 2012

Waiting on Wednesday #76 - Unravel Me by Tahereh Mafi

Unravel Me
(Shatter Me #2)
by Tahereh Mafi

Publication Date: February 5th, 2013
Publisher: HarperCollins

Add to Goodreads

Juliette has escaped to Omega Point—the headquarters of the rebel resistance. There she discovers other people with abilities. Abilities they have learned to control. And for the first time in her life, Juliette has hope. Hope that she can have a life with Adam. Hope that her touch can be used to save instead of destroy.

But Juliette is only just beginning to understand the depth of her power, and she’s struggling to fight the desire to use it. She’s still haunted by her past, terrified by her future, and tormented by Warner, who still wants Juliette more than she ever thought possible.

Juliette has to make life-changing decisions between what she wants and what she thinks is right. Decisions that might involve choosing between her heart—and Adam’s life.

With Shatter Me, Tahereh Mafi introduced readers to a world as engrossing as The Hunger Games and a superhero story as thrilling as The X-Men. In this captivating sequel, Mafi once again presents a story packed with tantalizing romance, heart-racing action, and shocking twists and turns in a world falling apart. (HarperCollins)


I absolutely adored reading Shatter Me last year. It was one of my most favorite books of the year! I can't wait to get my hands on Unravel Me. I love Juliette and Adam!

What are you Waiting for this week??

**"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking The Spine,
that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.**

Monday, July 16, 2012

Noteworthy New Releases * 7/16 - 7/22



New in Hardback:

Spark - Amy Kathleen Ryan   (  B&N | Amazon | Goodreads  )
House of Night: Legacy - P.C. Cast, Kristin Cast (& more)   (  B&N | Amazon | Goodreads  )




New in Paperback:

Glow - Amy Kathleen Ryan   (  B&N | Amazon | Goodreads  )
All You Desire - Kirsten Miller   (  B&N | Amazon | Goodreads  )


Saturday, July 14, 2012

Weekly Book Haul #10 & Read-a-thon Giveaway Winner

Review:
Blood Fever - Veronica Wolff
(Courtesy Penguin)

Purchased:
Anna Dressed in Blood - Kendare Blake (My Review)


Two new books for me this week!
I am so excited to finally have a finished copy of Anna Dressed in Blood.
That book is insanely awesome.
I haven't read the series by Veronica Wolff, but I'm looking forward to checking it out!

What new books did you get this week?


And now, here is the winner for the Once Upon a Read-a-Thon Giveaway that I held earlier this week.

Congratulations Ash @ Typing Tiara!

Check your email, and please send back your contact info!

I hope that everyone had an awesome time doing the read-a-thon!

: )

Friday, July 13, 2012

Review: Something Strange and Deadly by Susan Dennard

Something Strange and Deadly
(Something Strange and Deadly #1)
by Susan Dennard

Publication Date: July 24th, 2012
Publisher: HarperCollins
Pages: 400
ISBN: 9780062083265

B&N | Amazon | The Book Depository | Goodreads

The year is 1876, and there’s something strange and deadly loose in Philadelphia…

Eleanor Fitt has a lot to worry about. Her brother has gone missing, her family has fallen on hard times, and her mother is determined to marry her off to any rich young man who walks by. But this is nothing compared to what she’s just read in the newspaper—

The Dead are rising in Philadelphia.

And then, in a frightening attack, a zombie delivers a letter to Eleanor…from her brother.

Whoever is controlling the Dead army has taken her brother as well. If Eleanor is going to find him, she’ll have to venture into the lab of the notorious Spirit-Hunters, who protect the city from supernatural forces. But as Eleanor spends more time with the Spirit-Hunters, including their maddeningly stubborn yet handsome inventor, Daniel, the situation becomes dire. And now, not only is her reputation on the line, but her very life may hang in the balance. (Goodreads)
Something Strange and Deadly is an action packed zombie novel by debut author Susan Dennard. The book definitely holds true to its title, it’s full of lots of strange and deadly things that will keep you hooked to the pages and wanting more!

Sixteen year old Eleanor Fitt is on a mission to find her brother that has mysteriously gone missing. Along with her search, she’s also dealing with her mother who is trying to marry her off to any rich man that she can find, and also with the zombies that are rising in her town. With the help of a couple of new friends, they must find the person who is responsible for raising the dead, the same person that may also have kidnapped her brother as well.

Eleanor was a very interesting character. She was not one to sit around and doing nothing, but she took action in her own hands and did what she had to do. She did not let her fear hold her back while she searched for her brother.  She is such a great heroine; these kinds are my absolute favorite. The few times we see her rattled is when Daniel, one of the Spirit-Hunters helping her in her search, left her in mess of confusion. The relationship between Eleanor and Daniel was adorable, and I love that it grew over time, and didn’t happen right away. They make a great team!

The secondary characters in the book were engrossing as well. Joseph and Jie, who were also Spirit-Hunters, were each interesting in their own unique ways. The one character that constantly left me in a state of confusion was Clarence Wilcox, would be suitor to Eleanor. I just couldn’t figure him out, and while I didn’t want to like him, I ended up loving him a bit in the end.

The thing I liked most about this book is that there is always something going on in it. I read this in one day, which doesn’t happen for me often. I just HAD to know what was going to happen! The world-building was so creative; I loved reading the descriptions of the time period. There was no cliffhanger ending for this book. While there is a build-up for the next novel, the novel was wrapped up nicely, and I definitely had closure at the end.

Overall, if you love a good zombie novel, you should definitely check out Something Strange and Deadly. It will not disappoint! I’m itching to get my hands on the next book in this awesome series.

Happy Reading!



Wednesday, July 11, 2012

Once Upon a Read-a-Thon * Mini Challenge


Hey guys!
Today I am hosting a Mini Challenge for the Once Upon a Read-a-Thon!
I hope you are all having a fabulous time reading!

Now, onto the challenge...

I have one simple question for you to answer.

What is your most anticipated book for 2012?
(It can be an upcoming release, or one that's already been released.)

Post your answer on your blog, Twitter or Facebook,
and then come back and post your link in the comment section.




One (1) winner will receive a copy of Sweet Evil from The Book Depository!
Winner will be randomly chosen, and must respond within 24 hours.
Giveaway for US and International
Must be 13 or older to enter.


Good luck guys, and Happy Reading!


Waiting on Wednesday #75 - The Rising by Kelley Armstrong

The Rising
(Darkness Rising #3)
by Kelley Armstrong

Publication Date: April 9th, 2013
Publisher: HarperCollins

Add to Goodreads

Things are getting desperate for Maya and her friends. Hunted by the powerful St. Cloud Cabal and now the Nast Cabal as well, they’re quickly running out of places to hide. And with the whole world thinking they died in a helicopter crash, it’s not like they can just go to the authorities for help.

All they have is the name and number of someone who might be able to give them a few answers. Answers to why they’re so valuable, and why their supernatural powers are getting more and more out of control. Maya is unprepared for the truths that await her, but she’ll have to face them if she ever hopes to move on with her life. Because Maya can’t keep running forever.

With all the twists, thrills, and romance that have made Kelley Armstrong an international bestseller, plus the surprising return of some fan-favorite characters, The Rising will hold you under its spell long after the breathtaking end. (HarperCollins)

I loooooooove Kelley Armstrong! This series is one of my favorite series of all time. I can't wait to meet some of my favorite characters again. :)

What are you Waiting for this week???
**"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking The Spine,
that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.**

Tuesday, July 10, 2012

Review: Dark Companion by Marta Costa

Dark Companion
by Marta Costa

Publication Date: July 3rd, 2012
Publisher: Tor/Macmillan
Pages: 368
ISBN: 9780765329646

B&N | Amazon | The Book Depository | Goodreads

When foster teen Jane Williams is invited to attend elite Birch Grove Academy for Girls and escape her violent urban neighborhood, she thinks the offer is too good to be true. She's even offered her own living quarters, the groundskeeper's cottage in the center of the birch grove.

Something's not quite right about the school -- or is it Jane? She thinks she sees things in the birch grove at night. She's also beginning to suspect that the elegant headmistress and her sons are hiding secrets. Lucky is the gorgeous, golden son who is especially attentive to Jane, and Jack is the sardonic puzzling brother.

The school with its talented teachers and bright students is a dream for a science and math geek like Jane. She also loves her new friends, including hilarious poetry-spouting rich girl, Mary Violet. But the longer Jane stays at Birch Grove, the more questions she has about the disappearance of another scholarship girl and a missing faculty member.

Jane discovers one secret about Birch Grove, which only leads to more mysteries. What is she willing to sacrifice in order to stay at this school...and be bound to Birch Grove forever? (Goodreads)
I will admit it; I was drawn Dark Companion by its gorgeous, creepy cover. It’s so very pretty! After finally reading the synopsis, this book sounded like something I definitely wanted to read. Here are my thoughts on the book!

Jane Williams has had a hard life in her few short years. Pulled out of poverty thanks to a scholarship to the Birch Grove Academy for Girls, things finally seem to be looking up for Jane. But things, and people, aren’t what they seem at Birch Grove, and Jane must decide if she wants to stay, or if she’s willing to give up everything to have what she wants.

Jane was a bit of a difficult character for me to like, mostly because she so very indecisive about everything. Ok, not really about everything, just about Lucky, the headmistress’ son.  She knew that she wanted to get out of the hood and make something of herself, but when it came to Lucky, she was a complete, blubbering mess. One minute she wanted him, and the next she didn’t. I didn’t like Lucky at all, so it was super easy for me to make the decision for her. I really had my ups and downs with both Jane and Lucky. These are the two characters I had the most problems with.

There were a few characters in the book that I really loved. Mary Violet, who is Jane’s friend and schoolmate, has to be my favorite character in the book. She is always spouting poems about anything and everything, and she also saying crazy things in French. She was a hoot! There’s also Jack, who is the headmistresses other son, was a complete riot. He was mysterious, snarky and a wee bit sexy as well. I loved the parts of the books that we got to share with Jack; I just wish he was in more of the book!

The storyline was really unique, and not what I expected. The pacing was well done, although I did seem to have a hard time keeping focused on the book. (Not the books fault, that’s all me.)  There were a couple of parts in the book that involved blood and blood-letting, and that kind of grossed me out. (Again, that’s all me!) Kudos to the author for such a unique read!

Overall, I did have a few issues with this book, but it was a good read. I see a lot of good reviews for the book, but I don’t think I was exactly in the right frame of mind to read it at the moment. I am definitely going to give it another shot in the future.

Happy Reading!