Sunday, December 30, 2012

Best Books of 2012!

Hey guys!

2012 is almost over, but I’m ready for the awesomeness that is to come with 2013! I am looking forward to all the wonderful new books that will be released in the New Year.  While I didn’t get to read as much in 2012, I wanted to share the books that I did read and enjoyed this year. Here’s my list!





1. Easy by Tammara Webber  - Easy has been out for a while now, but it's a book I didn't hear about until recently. I decided to read it right away, and I am SO glad that I did. I loved the story, and the characters, especially Lucas. He has earned a top stop on my most swoon-worthy guys list. Hmmmmm.  This is a book that I will definitely re-read over and over again.

2. Beautiful Disaster by Jamie McGuire  - While I had some issues with Beautiful Disaster, I still adored the book. It's a book that stuck with me long after I read it, and that doesn't happen very often. Travis was such an interesting character, and I can't wait to read his story in Walking Disaster, out in 2013.

3. Pushing the Limits by Katie McGary  -  I read Pushing the Limits because I had heard that it was similar to Beautiful Disaster.  While it was similar in some aspects, it was unique enough to to be different. This was a very enjoyable read for me.

4. The Evolution of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin  -  Michelle Hodkin never ceases to amaze me with her writing, and I can't get enough of the Mara Dyer series. The ending of this book left me speechless, and dying to get my hands on the next book. Not too much longer now!

5. Pandemonium by Lauren Oliver - Lauren Oliver is one of my most favorite writers of all time. Her writing is absolutely amazing. She definitely left me hanging at the end of Pandemonium, and I can't wait to get my hands on Requiem!

6. Masque of the Red Death by Bethany Griffin  - This book was recommended to me by Kathy at A Glass of Wine, and I am SO glad that I read it!  It was definitely unique, and so different than any book I had read up to that point. The characters we all flawed and fascinating. I'm eagerly awaiting the next book in this series.

7. Spell Bound by Rachel Hawkins  -  I really love the Hex Hall series, and was so sad to see it come to an end. (Thank goodness for the spin-off series!) I have laughed so much while reading this series, and I love when that happens. I can't wait to read more by Ms. Hawkins.

8. Article 5 by Kristen Simmons  -  This book was one of the more realistic dystopian books that I have read so far.  It really made me stop and think, I could definitely see this happening in real life. I'm dying to get my hands on Breaking Point to see what's going to happen next.

9. Dreamless by Josephine Angelini  -  Ms. Angelini is another of my most favorite authors ever. In Dreamless, she once again drew me into the world she created and left me completely speechless. Poor Helen, the girl went through so much in this book. I can't wait to find out what happens in Goddess!

10. Born Wicked by Jessica Spotswood  -  This is another book that was introduced to me by Kathy at A Glass of Wine.  It is another book that was unique enough to really stand out for me as well.  The storyline was great, and I'm practically in love with Finn.

Now that I've shared my favorite books of 2012...
Bring on the books of 2013!!!

Please leave a link to your favorite list if you have one as well!

Wednesday, December 26, 2012

Waiting on Wednesday #94 - Dare You To by Katie McGarry

Dare You To
(Pushing the Limits #2)
by Katie McGarry

Publication Date: May 28th, 2013
Publisher: Harlequin Teen



"I dare you..."

If anyone knew the truth about Beth Risk's home life, they'd send her mother to jail and seventeen-year-old Beth who knows where. So she protects her mom at all costs. Until the day her uncle swoops in and forces Beth to choose between her mom's freedom and her own happiness. That's how Beth finds herself living with an aunt who doesn't want her and going to a school that doesn't understand her. At all. Except for the one guy who shouldn't get her, but does....

Ryan Stone is the town golden boy, a popular baseball star jock-with secrets he can't tell anyone. Not even the friends he shares everything with, including the constant dares to do crazy things. The craziest? Asking out the Skater girl who couldn't be less interested in him.

But what begins as a dare becomes an intense attraction neither Ryan nor Beth expected. Suddenly, the boy with the flawless image risks his dreams-and his life-for the girl he loves, and the girl who won't let anyone get too close is daring herself to want it all....

Ohhhhhhh! I am SO excited to get my hands on this book! I really enjoyed reading Pushing the Limits earlier this year.I can't wait to dive back into the series and see how Beth's story is going to go. If you haven't checked out this series yet, I definitely recommend it!

What are you Waiting on 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.**

Wednesday, December 19, 2012

Waiting on Wednesday #93 - The Girl with the Iron Touch by Kady Cross

The Girl With the Iron Touch
(Steampunk Chronicles #3)
by Kady Cross

Publication Date: May 21st 2013
Publisher: Harlequin Teen



Finley Jayne, Griffin and their crew are stunned when one of their own is kidnapped. Emily has a way with machines—she can literally talk to them. But the automatons who abducted her aren’t ordinary machines. They’re almost human—and they want Emily to do something as horrifying as it seems possible.

To save Emily, Finley must contact the highly unsettling Jack Dandy and face her feelings for two vastly different men, even as Griffin’s nightmares threaten to turn into a reality that might just end them all. (Goodreads)

Yay! Another cover that I missed during my absence. Isn't it gorgeous?

This is another series that I really just love. I love the steampunk genre, it is so fascinating! And I love Finley Jayne, and especially Griffin! I can't wait to read this book. :)

What are you Waiting on 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.**

Friday, December 14, 2012

Review: The Goddess Inheritance by Aimee Carter

The Goddess Inheritance
(Goddess Test #3)
by Aimee Carter

Publication Date: February 26th, 2013
Publisher: Harlequin Teen \ Twitter
Pages: 384
IBSN: 9780373210671

B&N | Amazon | Goodreads

Love or life.
Henry or their child.
The end of her family or the end of the world.
Kate must choose.


During nine months of captivity, Kate Winters has survived a jealous goddess, a vengeful Titan and a pregnancy she never asked for. Now the Queen of the Gods wants her unborn child, and Kate can't stop her--until Cronus offers a deal.

In exchange for her loyalty and devotion, the King of the Titans will spare humanity and let Kate keep her child. Yet even if Kate agrees, he'll destroy Henry, her mother and the rest of the council. And if she refuses, Cronus will tear the world apart until every last god and mortal is dead.

With the fate of everyone she loves resting on her shoulders, Kate must do the impossible: find a way to defeat the most powerful being in existence, even if it costs her everything.

Even if it costs her eternity. (Goodreads)
I knew I had to read The Goddess Inheritance as soon as I got my hands on it, especially after that killer cliffhanger ending in The Goddess Interrupted.  I found the book to be a great ending to a wonderful series!

Kate is a character that I will never get tired of reading about. She has such a great head on her shoulders. While she does have a bit of a martyr complex, she does genuinely care about the people around her, especially her little family.  She is willing to do anything to protect them.  There were some times in the book when I was beginning to wonder if she was going to give up, but thankfully she pulled it back together and returned to the normal headstrong Kate that I know and love.

I have loved Henry every since I first started this series. The more I read of him, the more I love him. He grows from such a lonely man, to a loving, caring husband to Kate. Henry is definitely on the list of my favorite guys of all time.

We see quite a good bit of the secondary characters as well in this novel, though not really in the same aspect that we have seen them in the previous books.  They all have a very serious demeanor that goes along with the feeling of impending doom that they face. It was really interesting seeing this different side of them.

The ending of the book was very bittersweet for me. Something major happens to one of my favorite characters. While I hate to see this happen, I believe it also set up a spot for another book in the series, or even a spin-off series. I, for one, would love to see either of those options happen. (Especially if we get to see more of Henry, he is beyond awesome.)

Overall, I love this series.  If, by chance, you haven’t read this series yet, I definitely recommend that you do.  It is so great, and definitely worth the read.

Thank you Harlequin Teen for allowing me to read and review this advance copy! My life is now complete.

Happy Reading!

Wednesday, December 12, 2012

Waiting on Wednesday #92 - Elegy by Tara Hudson

Elegy
(Hereafter #3)
by Tara Hudson

Publication Date: June 4th 2013
Publisher: HarperCollins



A stalker ghost, misguided Seers, and spellbinding wraiths—Amelia Ashley has faced them all. Now her greatest hope is to spend the rest of her afterlife with her living boyfriend, Joshua. But the demonic forces return to give her an ultimatum: turn herself over to the darkness or watch them murder one living person per week until she does.

Amelia fears she might really be doomed, until the forces of light give her another option. She can join them in their quest to gather souls, with a catch: Once she joins them, she can never see Joshua again.

Faced with impossible choices, Amelia decides to take her afterlife into her own hands—and fight back.

Bear with me friends, I am a little out of the loop lately. :)

YAY! This is the first that I've seen of the cover for Elegy! I love it, of course. This is such a good series, and I really enjoy Ms. Hudson's writing. I can't wait to dive back into the series, especially after the cliffhanger ending in Arise! GAH! 

Hurry June!!!

What are you Waiting on 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, December 11, 2012

Hello there!


Hey guys!

As you may have noticed, I haven't been able to be around much lately. Due to some unexpected circumstances, I have had to put the blogging/reading on hold for a while.  :(
(It's been torture to stay away!)

But things are starting to look up!
(Or in this case, slow down, which is exactly what I need.) 


So I now I get to play the catch up game, and I'm really looking forward to it. :)
I can't wait to get back into reading and blogging, my most favorite things EVER!

So I will 'see' you guys around!