In My Mailbox #59

** In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by Kristi at The Story Siren. It's a great way to showcase the books you've gotten over the week, whether they are bought, borrowed or free. **

For Review:

Fated - Alyson Noël

Once (Eve #2) - Anna Carey
Hemlock - Kathleen Peacock
Velveteen - Daniel Marks

Tocuhed - Cyn Balog
Bad Hair Day (Katie Crable #2) - Carrie Harris
Kill Me Softly - Sarah Cross
Unspoken - Sarah Rees Brennan

Thank you HarperCollins, Random House, Egmont and St. Martins Press!


The past two weeks have been amazing weeks for books! My Nook and iPad are full of new galleys to read. I love it! And with Spring Break starting for the kids this week, I'm hoping to get lots of reading in!
All of the books this week look awesome! I can't wait to get started on them all!

What's in your Mailbox this week???

Friday Hops 3/30

Follow Friday! #51

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

Q: Do you read one book at a time or do you switch back and forth between two or more?

A. Lately, I've been really good at reading only one book at a time. Sometimes I will add in a second one if I'm on a time crunch, or if I'm bored with the first book. It gets confusing if I add more than that. :)

TGIF at GReads #18

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

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.

Hmmmm.... If I got to pick the place, I would say any BEACH!  OK, I'm just saying that because I'm dying to get to the beach, and what better place to relax and talk about books than at the beach??

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

Review: On the Fringe by Courtney King Walker

On the Fringe
by Courtney King Walker

Publication Date: October 1, 2011
Publisher: Lands Atlantic Publishing
Pages: 272
IBSN: 9780982500552

Where to Buy:
B&N | Amazon | The Book Depository
Until the end of March, only 0.99 for Nook and Kindle!!

Find on Goodreads

Claire is struggling to overcome the murder of her childhood friend and secret crush, Daniel. Everyone else seems to be moving on with their lives, but she's still trying to cope. The fact that she finds herself alone and drowning on her 16th birthday isn't helping.

Neither is thinking she sees Daniel's face in murky water as she mysteriously resurfaces. But something happened during those four and a half minutes that will make her realize it was not just her imagination.

As Claire and Daniel try to grasp a possible reconnection, other grudge-holding beings have plans of their own. Now, the two of them have to decide if their fleeting relationship is worth the possibility of Claire being trapped on the fringe forever.

Beautifully told, On the Fringe intertwines fresh ideas about devotion, revenge, and the consequences that come with life and death. (Goodreads)

I decided to read On the Fringe on a whim. I was looking for a short book that I could pass the time with. I went into the book not really knowing what to expect, and what I got was a great story in return.

After the death of Daniel, a childhood friend and newfound crush, Claire is struggling to find a way to cope and to move on with her life. On her 16th birthday, Claire falls into the lake and while drowning, see’s the face of her beloved Daniel. Now they are connected, and she is able to see him anytime. But what does this mean for Claire? Is she crazy, or is she on the fringe?
The characters in the story were all really likeable. Actually, likeable is probably not the word I’m looking for. I liked them, but I felt so many different emotions for them as well. Everything that Claire and Daniel went through left me with a mix of emotions. I was feeling happy and sad, breathless and shocked, and so much more. I really love having that happen when I’m reading a good story. I found myself to be fascinated by these characters, and the secondary characters as well; I just couldn’t get enough of them.

This book has it all, including action and suspense, romance and drama. The storyline was well done, in my opinion, and definitely kept me guessing as to what would happen next. The pacing was excellent as well. I was so hooked; I finished this book in just a few hours time. I also loved that the author wrote the book in different points of view between Daniel and Claire, it was great seeing both of their points of view.

Overall, I really, really enjoyed this book. I’m not much one that rereads books often, but I already want to read this again. I read it on my Nook, but I am definitely going to be adding a finished copy to my collection, and soon!

Happy Reading!

Waiting on Wednesday #60 * Starling by Lesley Livingston

Starling
(Starling #1)
by Lesley Livingston

Publication Date: August 15th, 2012
Publisher: HarperCollins

Add to Goodreads

"Love is just the beginning... of the end."

Mason Starling is a champion fencer for Gosforth Academy, but she’s never had to fight for her life. Until now. When a ferocious storm rips through Manhattan and unleashes terrifying creatures onto Gosforth’s campus, Mason barely escapes alive. Without help from the mysterious stranger who appeared in the midst of the storm, she might not have made it at all. But now, in the aftermath, Mason’s life begins to spin dramatically, mystically out of control, and the only one who seems able to help her is the stranger who can remember nothing but his name: Fennrys Wolf.

As Mason and Fenn uncover more about Fenn’s past and the strange events that surround them, they realize that Mason’s family — and its dark allegiance to the ancient Norse gods — is at the center of everything. A predetermined fate seems to be closing in on Mason, but is it possible to change one’s destiny?

Readers who fell in love with Lesley Livingston’s Wondrous Strange trilogy and those who love Cassandra Clare’s Mortal Instruments series will be captivated by the sweeping romance and pulse-pounding action of Starling. (Goodreads)

I have never read anything by Lesley Livingston, but I've always wanted to. This book sounds amazing, and the cover is GORGEOUS! I can't wait to check it out!

What are you Waiting for this week???

Review: The Calling by Kelley Armstrong

The Calling
(Darkness Rising #2)
by Kelley Armstrong

Publication Date: April 10th, 2012
Publisher: HarperCollins
Pages: 326
ISBN: 9780061797057

Where to Buy:
B&N | Amazon | The Book Depository

Maya Delaney's paw-print birthmark is the mark of what she truly is—a skin-walker. She can run faster, climb higher, and see better than nearly everyone else. Experiencing intense connections with the animals that roam the woods outside her home, Maya knows it's only a matter of time before she's able to Shift and become one of them. And she believes there may be others in her small town with surprising talents.

Now Maya and her friends have been forced to flee from their homes during a forest fire they suspect was deliberately set. Then they're kidnapped, and after a chilling helicopter crash, they find themselves in the Vancouver Island wilderness with nothing but their extraordinary abilities to help them get back home.

In The Calling, the sizzling second book in the Darkness Rising trilogy, New York Times bestselling author Kelley Armstrong pumps up the romance, danger, and suspense that left readers of The Gathering clamoring for more. (BN.com)

The Calling, book #2 in the Darkness Rising trilogy by Kelley Armstrong, is a thrilling mixture of action and suspense. This series, as well as the Darkest Powers series, are amazing books. If you haven’t checked them out yet, you totally should!

The book picks up right after the ending of the previous book. Without going into much details and spoiling the book, let’s just say that Maya and crew are on the run, trying to keep from being capture by the evil group that is tracking them. After the helicopter they were evacuating on crashes on the shores of a small island, it’s up to the teens to survive, and to escape the group that is chasing them, no matter what.

Maya is a great character. She can definitely kick butt when she needs to, and can take care of herself and others if needed. She definitely grows dramatically in this book, and it was enjoyable to see she was capable of. She cares deeply for her friends and family, especially Daniel. I love the friendship between them. I do feel that he cares for her a bit differently than she cares for him, and I am thinking we might get to explore this more in the next book. Rafe, the love interest in the story, is interesting in his own way as well, and I really love them together. I found all of Maya’s friends to be likeable, especially Corey. He was quite a funny guy.

The main theme in the book is basically the continuance from the previous book. The book definitely starts of strong, and keeps going up until the end. I had more than a few “OMG” moments while reading this book, Mrs. Armstrong definitely kept me on my toes. The ending is a bit of a cliffhanger, and will definitely keep you wondering what is going to happen in the final installment of the series.

Overall, I must reiterate; I adore Kelley Armstrong. She is such a talented writer, and never fails to draw me into her stories. The Calling is no exception, it’s a great read. I really can’t wait to get my hands on the next book as well, especially if we are going to get to see Chloe, Derek and all the crew from the previous series!

Darkness Rising Trilogy:

The Gathering | The Calling

Darkest Powers Trilogy:

The Summoning | The Awakening | The Reckoning

Noteworthy New Releases * 3/26-4/1 *

After the Snow -S. D. Crockett
( B&N | Amazon )
Life is But a Dream -Brian James
( B&N | Amazon )
Invisible Sun - David Macinnis Gill
( B&N | Amazon )

Goddess Interrupted - Aimee Carter
( B&N | Amazon )
Forgiven - Jana Oliver
( B&N | Amazon )
Night Star - Alyson Noel
( B&N | Amazon )


Entwined - Heather Dixson
( B&N | Amazon )
Eona - Alison Goodman
( B&N | Amazon )
Stolen -Lucy Christopher
( B&N | Amazon )


Two Truths and a Lie - Sara Shepard
( B&N | Amazon )
The Chaos - Rachel Ward
( B&N | Amazon )

In My Mailbox #58

** In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by Kristi at The Story Siren. It's a great way to showcase the books you've gotten over the week, whether they are bought, borrowed or free. **

Gifted:

The Fault in Our Stars - John Green
THANK YOU Petra @ Safari Poet
You are beyond awesomesauce. :)

Review:

Dark Kiss - Michelle Rowen
The Immortal Rules - Julie Kagawa
Courtesy Harlequin Teen!


Arise - Tara Hudson
Something Strange and Deadly - Susan Dennard
Unraveling - Elizabeth Norris


Masque of the Red Death - Bethany Griffin
The Selection - Kiera Cass
(Courtesy HarperCollins!)
My camera is on the fritz, and I'm too lazy to fix it. :) So covers only this week!

Lots of great books In My Mailbox this week! I am going to have to learn how to read faster.... Speed reading! Soooooooo very excited for ALL of these awesome books!!

What's in your mailbox this week??

Friday Hops 3/23

Follow Friday! #50

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

Q: What is the longest book you’ve read? What are your favorite 600+ page reads?



A. To be honest, I have only read a few really, really long books. The two that stuck with me the most were Outlander, and The Woman in White. Both books are over 600 pages, and I hope to re-read them in the future!

TGIF at GReads #18

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

Bookish Trends: What are some bookish trends you are noticing in the literature world today? Is there a particular trend you'd like to see more of?

Funny you should ask that! Kathy @AGlassOfWine and I were recently talking about how Fairy Tale Retellings seem to be the new trends lately. That works for me, because I am really enjoying all the retells of my favorite fairy tales. :)

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

Review: Endure by Carrie Jones

Endure
(Need #4)
by Carrie Jones

Publication Date: May 8th, 2012
Publisher: Bloomsbury USA Children's Books
Pages: 288
ISBN: 0978159990554

Available for Pre-Order:
B&N | Amazon | The Book Depository

It’s all-out war (and no-holds-barred romance) in the climactic conclusion to Carrie Jones’s bestselling series.

Zara is at the center of an impending apocalypse. True, she’s successfully rescued Nick from Valhalla, but it simply isn’t enough. Evil pixies are ravaging Bedford, and they need much more than one great warrior; they need an army. Zara isn’t sure what her role is anymore. She’s not just fighting for her friends; she’s also a pixie queen. And to align her team of pixies with the humans she loves will be one of her greatest battles yet. Especially since she can’t even reconcile her growing feelings for her pixie king . . .

Unexpected turns, surprising revelations, and one utterly satisfying romantic finale make Endure a thrilling end to this series of bestsellers. (Goodreads)

Endure is the highly anticipated conclusion to the Need series by Carrie Jones.

**Spoilers from the previous books are possible!

Zara, who is now a pixie queen to Astley and his pixie followers, goes to Valhalla and manages to save Nick, her boyfriend. Instead of things getting back to normal for the small town, they are steadily getting worse. People are disappearing left and right, and people are clueless as of what to do to stop it from happening. It’s up to Zara and her small crew to save the town, and the world, from an impending apocalypse that threatens everything she holds dear.

Poor Zara just can’t seem to catch a break. Evil pixies are killing people in her town, her love life is a state of confusion, and her grandmother is nowhere to be found. This is enough to make a normal person crazy. But Zara is far from being the timid girl we met in Need, the first book in this series. She has grown into an amazingly strong young lady who can kick butt and save the world, all before breakfast.

The romantic aspect in the book definitely took a different turn than in the rest of the series. Nick just isn’t the same after Zara saved him from Valhalla. He is having a hard time with Zara being a pixie, and it affects their relationship greatly. Astley, on the other hand, I have become fonder of the more I read about him. I was pleasantly surprised with the choice that Zara made between these two young men.

A lot of the secondary characters we have already met from the previous books, but we get to meet a few new ones in Endure as well. I have to say that Hel, a giant being in Norse mythology, who oversees a realm of the deal, also called Hel, was quite an interesting character. She is so interesting, in fact, that I feel the need to research more about her.

The plot in the story blends well with the rest of the books in the series. It was also well paced, which made for a quick, interesting read. The ending of the book was wrapped up very nicely, and I was definitely satisfied with the way the series ended.

Overall, I thought this was a really good conclusion to the Need series. I’m sad to see the series end, as I will totally miss some of my favorite characters. (Astley!) If you haven’t checked out this series yet, I definitely recommend it!

Happy Reading!

Previous books in this series:

Need | Captivate | Entice

**Thanks to Bloomsbury Children's Books and Netgalley for the review copy**