Broken at Love by Lyla Payne Published: Createspace (March 12th, 2013) Reading Level: New Adult Paperback: 338 pages Series: Whitman University, #1 Rating: 4 of 5 stars Summary: When a knee injury ends twenty-year-old Quinn Rowland’s pro tennis career, he’s not only dumped by his hot Russian girlfriend but ordered to attend college by his disinterested billionaire father. A rich kid who’s not used to being disappointed by life, Quinn and his sociopathic half-brother Sebastian create a frat house game intended to treat girls how they see them—as simple game pieces to be manipulated for their pleasure.
College sophomore Emilie Swanson knows Quinn’s reputation—after all, he did send one of her sorority sisters into therapy earlier in the semester—but the game and his charm bring them closer together and soon she starts to believe there’s more to Quinn than people think.
But what if the more is something darker than a game of toying with emotions and breaking hearts?
Quinn and Emilie might be falling for each other, but there are secrets he’s not ready to tell—and lifestyle changes he’s reluctant to make. She willingly stepped on the court, but if Emilie finds out she started out as nothing as a pawn in Quinn and Sebastian’s twisted game, she might never forgive him.
To his surprise, Quinn finds that he might finally care about someone more than he cares about himself… even if that means letting Emilie walk away for good.
Review:
I really enjoyed this book. At first I worried that I wouldn't be able to see any redeeming qualities in Quinn. He is a tough guy to like. Him and his friends treat girls horribly and have even made a game out of getting them in his bed. It's gross. But sadly, I'm sure a lot of college guys do similar things.
Emilie was a challenge for Quinn from the beginning. Not only does Emilie manage to turn Quinn down, but she gives him a big surprise right from the start. It's obvious to Quinn that she isn't like all the others. She's also passionate about art and wants to prove to her parents that she's good enough to have that as a career. Both Quinn and Emilie have issues with their parents and it's a big force that tries to drag them down. It's also something they can relate to each other on.
I enjoyed the way we are able to get to know the characters in this book, and although it's harsh the way Emilie is treated in some areas, she was strong and able to fight back against Quinn's attitude.
She was the perfect match for him and it really challenged his way of thinking. We get to read from both points-of-view in this book, which was much needed. Honestly, I felt that Quinn's POV was the most interesting because he had the most growth from start to finish. He seemed to be in a bubble at the start of this book. He had no positive thoughts about anything and didn't care how he treated people. By the end of the story we can see how many changes he has made.
Broken at Love is a fantastic story with 2 characters who deal with the troubles of live in different ways. Through their connection they are able to help each other and finally find someone who accepts them.
But I Love Him by Amanda Grace Publisher: Flux (May 8th, 2011) Reading Level: Young Adult Paperback: 264 pages Source: Publisher Rating: 5 of 5 stars
Tonight was so much worse than anything before it. Tonight he didn't stop after the first slap. At the beginning of senior year, Ann was a smiling, straight-A student and track star with friends and a future. Then she met a haunted young man named Connor. Only she can heal his emotional scars; only he could make her feel so loved — and needed. Ann can't recall the pivotal moment it all changed, when she surrendered everything to be with him, but by graduation, her life has become a dangerous high wire act. Just one mistake could trigger Connor's rage, a senseless storm of cruel words and violence damaging everything — and everyone — in its path. This evocative slideshow of flashbacks reveals a heartbreaking story of love gone terribly wrong. Review: But I Love Him tells a story from a very unique perspective. The story begins in current day, where Ann is at the breaking point of her relationship. It shows how broken she has become due to her relationship with her boyfriend Conner. As the chapters continue, it takes us backwards through their relationship over the past year. It is fascinating to watch Ann in this way because we can see what slowly broke her down. We get to see who she was, whole, at the beginning of her relationship, presented at the end of the book.
With any book that focuses on abuse it's easy to say"why didn't he/she just get out?" As we know, it's not that easy. Individuals who abuse their partners know how to manipulate. We get a good look at how that can happen in this book. Conner was a master at getting Ann to do what he wanted. But Conner wasn't all bad. People can look into a relationship and only see the downside but Ann saw the good in Conner. He was a victim of abuse himself and as much as he may have wanted to stop the cycle, he wasn't able to break away.
But I Love Him is very raw and intense. Mandy does not shy away from the reality of abuse. Ann simply wanted love and affection. Conner gave her that and a million promises of their future. After she gives up so much she wonders if any of those promises will ever come true. By the end of the book it was surprising to see who Ann was"before". Before Conner, before the abuse, before being broken. She was someone with a fun personality and great friends.
Mandy Hubbard did a fabulous job on this story. But I Love Him looks at teenage relationship abuse from a new angle, and it's impossible to not get pulled into this story.
Have you guys met the Vincent boys yet? If not, you gotta check them out! Today I am participating in A November to Remember celebrating The Vincent Boys by Abbi Glines. Be sure to check out the amazing giveaway below!
A NOVEMBER TO REMEMBERBrought to You By:THE VINCENT BOYS By Abbi Glines
If you haven't read The Vincent Boys yet, it is about two guys (Beau and Sawyer) in love with the same girl. I can't help it, I love love triangles! I mean c'mon, who wouldn't want two hot guys fighting over you?
Participants of this tour had to pick a guy who had stolen or broken their heart. I happened to pick the hottest guy of this year!
Channing Tatum! *swooooon*. How could you not love him? I know that our paths should have crossed at some point. I feel it!
He captured, and broke, my heart in Dear John. I had read the book before seeing the movie and Channing was the perfect John! The letters he wrote, how much he loved Savannah… ah, it was magical! But I wanted him to FIGHT more for her. Dang it! If the movie would have ended the same as the book, I would have shed many tears but I was glad to see that small glimmer of hope near the end.
We all have heartbreakers in our lives. Book lovers meet new ones with each turn of the page: ) But it's fun to picture someone like the hunk above and know that a happily ever after could be in the future.
Get seduced by a sizzling account of attraction and betrayal in this previously self-published phenomenon. Ashton is getting tired of being good, of impressing her parents and playing ideal girlfriend to Sawyer Vincent. Sawyer is perfect, a regular Prince Charming, but when he leaves town for the summer, it’s his cousin Beau who catches Ashton’s eye. Beau is the sexiest guy she’s ever seen, and even though he’s dangerous, Ashton is drawn to him. Beau loves his cousin like a brother, so the last thing he wants to do is make a move on Sawyer’s girl. Ashton is off-limits, absolutely. That’s why he does his best to keep his distance, even though he’s been in love with her forever. When Ashton wants to rekindle their childhood friendship in Sawyer’s absence, Beau knows he should say no. Ashton and Beau don’t want to hurt Sawyer. But the more they try to stay away from each other, the more intense their urges become. It’s getting way too hard to resist…
Getting a boy to fall head-over-heels in love with you isn’t easy. Especially when he’s been in love with your cousin for as long as you can remember.
Lana has lived her life in her cousin’s shadow. Ashton always made perfect grades, had tons of friends, and looks model-perfect. And she’s always had Sawyer Vincent—the only boy Lana’s ever wanted—wrapped around her finger. But now things are different. Lana has a chance to make Sawyer see her, and she’s taking it. If only he’d get over Ashton—because Lana is sick of second-best.
Sawyer’s heart is broken. He’s lost his best girl to his best friend. And then Lana comes to town. Ashton’s cousin has always been sweet and soft-spoken, but now she’s drop-dead gorgeous as well. Sawyer doesn’t know if Lana can heal his broken heart, but spending time with her might at least make Ashton jealous.
What starts as a carefree fling becomes a lusty game of seduction. Sawyer and Lana may have different motives, but their scintillating hookups are the same kind of steamy..
Prize:
One winner receives:The Vincent Boys Date Night Kit· Makeup bag· Mints· Lip gloss· $25 Fandango gift card for the date night flick
Rules:
You must be at least 13 to enter.
Name and email must be provided and counts as 1 entry.
Extra entries are possible and links must be provided.
Contest is US Only and ends December 8th.
Once contacted, the winner will have 48 hours to respond.
The form must be filled out to enter.
a Rafflecopter giveaway Visit Abbi Glines at www.abbiglines.com Like Abbi onFacebookFollow Abbi onTwitter
About the author Abbi Glines can be found hanging out with rockstars, taking out her yacht on weekends for a party cruise, sky diving, or surfing in Maui. Okay maybe she needs to keep her imagination focused on her writing only. In the real world, Abbi can be found hauling kids (several who seem to show up that don’t belong to her) to all their social events, hiding under the covers with her MacBook in hopes her husband won’t catch her watching Buffy on Netflix again, and sneaking off to Barnes and Noble to spend hours lost in the yummy goodness of books. Finished with The Vincent Brothers? Check out theSea Breeze eBooksfrom Abbi Glines!BECAUSE OF LOWWHILE IT LASTSJUST FOR NOW
A few weeks months ago I asked for your opinion: what books would you recommend to my students. I had a fantastic response. If my stats for that post are any indication, this question has been asked many times before and people, especially teachers, are still looking for those great recommendations. Well, after asking my mom (a school librarian) and the librarian at my school, I'm finally making public what we have put together. I'm pretty sure everybody can find something on this list; I know that nonfiction is an area I need to work on as well and as I'm expecting one nonfiction read from my students by the end of the semester I've set the same standard for myself.
If you'd like to look at these lists in a Google Doc format: Recs from Readers and Recs from Teachers
Here are the recommendations from other readers: Title of Book Diary of Anne Frank In the Garden of Beasts Manhunt Farewell to Manzanar Graphic Novels: Maus and Persepolis Half Broke Horses I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings The Meaning of Matthew: My Son's Murder in Laramie, and a World Transformed What is the What I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings Freakonomics Under the Black Flag Cleopatra: A Life All But My Life Freedom Riders Einstein's Refrigerator Brothers in Arms The Devil In The White City Little Princes 360 Degrees Longitude Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil
You Had Me at Woof Decoded Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us Night Eat, Pray, Love I am Scout: The Biography of Harper Lee I am Scout: The Biography of Harper Lee The Glass Castle The Children's Blizzard Rocket Boys Stitches: A Memoir
And here are the recommendations compiled by two fantastic school librarians:
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Debra Anastasia is here today to talk about her adult title, Poughkeepsie. I've read this book and I just gotta say… WOW! It's incredible!
Debra has been kind enough to offer up a great giveaway (sign up below) for US and International readers.
Poughkeepsiehas a very emotional plot. Can you tell us what inspired this story and the main characters? The plot was very organic. Actually, I originally thought the whole story would take place on the train station platform. So it would have been centered on only the two lead characters. But when Blake takes Livia into his world, I knew we would meet some interesting people. Beckett was a scariest to write, I never knew what he was going to say next. Interestingly, the thought of a homeless hero harkened back to a trip to New York City with friends when I was a teenager. A homeless man approached us and asked for money for lunch. We walked past ignoring the beggar, as we were taught to do by our parents. I put my hand in my pocket and realized I had five dollars. I turned around and ran back and handed him the money. He looked up and smiled so big, it put tears in my eyes. When I got back to my group of friends they teased me for the rest of the day, but there was a connection when he had smiled at me. That gentleman made me realize that he was not something to avoid, but a person. So when writing a story about an impossible love, I remembered him and thought about that connection. Did you have any images in mind when you were creating Blake and Livia or did you just start writing?
I’m very visual when I write, so when I began writing about the train station, I picked the pretty one that is close to my in-laws. It’s the Rhinecliff station near Rhinebeck, New York. But when I thought about Livia’s commute, the commuter train doesn’t come all the way to Rhinecliff from the city – its last stop is Poughkeepsie. I was very relived when we drove by the Poughkeepsie station and I remembered how gorgeous it was.
The tattoo the three main boys have became a real symbol for their brotherly connection. I have two designs, one by Steve Zap and the other by Shannon Lumetta. I loved the tattoo so I was thrilled when it was placed on the cover of Poughkeepsie. Four readers have actually gotten the tattoo on their real bodies! I’m going to have to do something really special for them. I guess I’ll have to get it too as soon as I find my courage. One of the things I did for fun was have the tattoos made into temporary tats. So I’ve worn both designs, technically. I toss a few in as swag for anyone that gets their book or bookplate signed. (There are a few tats in this giveaway!)
The other huge symbol for me is the Cardboard Piano that Blake carries with him. I loved how a simple piece of cardboard could mean so much. When I was preparing to make the trailer, (with tremendous help from my author friend Carol Oates) I looked for pictures of a keyboard drawn on cardboard everywhere on the Internet with no luck. Then I decided to stinking make it myself. My husband drew the keys on and we took it to the train station for some pictures. Now, the piano is on a world tour! Readers are sending it to one another and taking pictures. It’s adorable and really fun.
So as far as actors in my head, I pictured Jonas Armstrong as Blake Hartt (the music clef in the tattoo). I fell for him in the BBC version of Robin Hood. He’s got a great, deep smolder:
For Cole Bridge (the cross), my tortured, would-be priest, I found Jesse Williams was a perfect fit. His eyes look endless and deep, just like Cole.
And for Beckett Taylor (the knife), the big ol’ pimp, I’ve got Daniel Conn picked out. Actually, he’s not an actor but a rugby player. Half of the images on Google have him with a bloody face, so he’s even more perfect. I would have never found him if it wasn’t for my friend Jess at Book Passion for Life! She showed me a picture and I was sold. Bookaholic ETA:"HOLY CRAP. He's hot!" Can you share with us a few of your favorite lines from the book?
Sure! I’ll find some clean ones for you. “When you saw me? You saw me. And then you smiled at me like I was the same as everyone else on that platform.” (From Blake) “It was like he’d just discovered fire, and she was the main ingredient.” (From Cole)
“Blake took her face in his hands. “You let me touch you. Kiss you. Your skin? It feels like piano keys. My hands know just where to go.” (Blake again)
“You make the rest of the beautiful things in the world cry for even trying at all. You make it hard for me to breathe.” (awww, from Blake) Beckett’s quotes are too dirty for primetime, but he has some great one-liners. Are you currently working on any other books we can look forward to seeing? Yes! I’m currently writing my first book’s (Crushed Seraphim) sequel. Then I have a few I’d really love to get to. I have a superhero story and a hotel romance banging around in my head. I’ve had a few requests for a Poughkeepsie sequel, so I’m hashing out a plot for that one as well. Thank you so much Jessica for having Poughkeepsie and I on your blog!
Poughkeepsie by Debra Anastasia Publisher: Omnific Publishing (November 22nd, 2011) Adult: 17+ Paperback: 384 pages He counts her smiles every day and night at the train station. And morning and evening, the beautiful commuter acknowledges him—just like she does everyone else on the platform. But Blake Hartt is not like the others.. he’s homeless. Memories of a broken childhood have robbed him of peace and twisted delusions into his soul. He stays secluded from the sun, sure the world would run from him in the harsh light of day.
Each day, Livia McHugh smiles politely and acknowledges her fellow commuters as she waits for the train to the city. She dismisses this kindness as nothing special, just like her. She’s the same as a million other girls—certainly no one to be cherished. But special or not, she smiles every day, never imagining that someone would rely on the simple gesture as if it were air to breathe.
When the moment comes that Livia must do more than smile, without hesitation she steps into the fray to defend the homeless man. And she's surprised to discover an inexplicable connection with her new friend. After danger subsides, their smiles become conversation. Their words usher in a friendship, which awakens something in each of them. But it’s not long before their bond must prove its strength. Entanglements from the past challenge both their love and their lives.
Blake’s heart beats for Livia’s, even if her hands have to keep its rhythm. Love is patient. Love is kind. Love never fails. Love never fails, right?
Prize:
1 US winner will receivea copy of Poughkeepsie, 2 temp. tattoos, a train schedule, and a bracelet!
2 INTERNATIONAL winners will receive the ebook copy.
Rules:
You must be at least 17 to enter.
Name and email must be provided and counts as 1 entry.
Extra entries are possible and links must be provided.
Contest is US/International and ends March 5th.
Once contacted, the winner will have 48 hours to respond.
Amy Plum, author of the new book Die for Me, is here today to discuss the book and her writing. Die for Me will be released tomorrow!
Check out the bottom for a link to follow the rest of the tour stops.
1. From reading some of the background of Die For Me, it's easy to see how much thought you put into the story long before you began writing. Can you share with us 3 things that you were determined to achieve with this story?
1. I wanted to write a book that would be as much a love letter to Paris as a love story between a boy and girl. 2. I wanted to create a brand new paranormal mythology where I could let my imagination roam and have the freedom to form my own little universe.
3. And thirdly: redemption. Kate is strong and independent in a way that I wasn’t at her age. And I gave her a family I would have loved to have had.
So, although I hadn’t thought about it ahead of time, as I wrote the book (especially figuring out Kate’s past, although much of it isn’t spelled out) I was aware that I was rewriting my own past. In a small way, the book is a sort of redemption for a childhood and adolescence that included lots of not-very-nice things. And although Kate’s parents die when she is sixteen, up until then her life is what I wish mine had been.
2. Many of the locations in Die For Me were ones from your past. What made you decide to do that and is there any other place special to you that you wish you could include in a book? I am very visual, so places are important to me. And dropping my characters into locations I myself have known is—again—like recreating my past. I loved putting Jules’s art studio in my old apartment, placing a lot of the action in my old neighborhood, the Marais, and then there’s the Pont des Arts… *sigh*. So perhaps it’s a bit of a crutch. I know these places so well that I can easily go to them in my mind when I’m writing a scene. It might just facilitate the action to be able to close my eyes and be right back there.
Although… I made up the interior of Jean-Baptiste’s house from my imagination (dropping in a few elements that I knew: the staircase, Charlotte’s heart-shaped windows… ). BUT even though I’ve never been there, I know every room in that place like it was my own house. And yes – I would write a book that takes place, at least partly, in New York City, my other urban love besides Paris. It is just as magical as Paris, but in a completely different way.
3. What is the hardest part of juggling family time and writing? Do you have any tips for anyone who may be struggling with the same thing?
I can’t write if my children are in the house with me. (Unless they’re asleep, and by that time I’m usually too exhausted to write.) They’re only three and five, and if I am around they want to be rightnexttome. I’m lucky enough to have an office outside of my home. It’s a little building that’s just across the yard from our house. And when I go there I know that no one is going to bother me. I can immerse myself completely in my writing without my concentration being broken.
So my advice would be to find a place where you know you can let your mind reign supreme. Without listening for that next knock on the door or ringing phone. In Stephen King’s book ON WRITING, he spoke of writing his first two published novels “in the laundry room of a doublewide trailer, pounding away on my wife’s portable Olivetti typewriter and balancing a child’s desk on my thighs.” He says that John Cheever wrote in the basement of his Park Avenue apartment building, near the furnace. It doesn’t matter where it is or if it is even comfortable. If it is YOURS AND ONLY YOURS—for the time you are writing—that is what matters.
4. What has been the biggest adjustment for you since you started writing? What is your favorite thing to do that helps you relax after a long day of writing?
The biggest adjustment has been having a project that is long-term. When I was an art dealer or a professor or wrote articles for magazines, I had short-term projects that I could work hard on and then be done with in a relatively short amount of time. Now, writing the draft of a book usually takes me a few months. I’ve had to learn to chop that up into short-term goals. One day will be just for planning. The next I will write one chapter. I can’t stop until I finish it, but once I do I’m done for the day. Or if I’m editing, I have to finish two chapters per day. Whatever it is, I have to look at it as small tasks, because seeing it as a whole is too overwhelming for my impatient, impulsive personality.
And favorite thing to do at the end of a long day of writing? Usually after writing, I am busy splitting parenting activities with my husband: making dinner, getting the kids’ bath, pajamas, bedtime books, etc. So it’s not until the kids are in bed that I have time to relax. At that point, I’m usually so exhausted that I flop into bed with a book or my New Yorker magazine, or bring my laptop with me and read scandalous celebrity gossip! (Shhh… shameful confession!) When my husband offers to do all the kiddie stuff himself (when he sees that I’m falling over), I take a one-hour bath with a book and a glass of wine.
5. Can you tell us something that people would find surprising about you? I don’t have a television connection… by choice. My tv set is only used for DVDs! So when people talk about different television series or personalities, I don’t have a clue what they’re talking about. (Except for True Blood – my friend Kim sent me the series on DVD. Which I LOVE.)
6. What else can people expect from the Revenants series? Do you know how many books will be in the series?
DIE FOR ME is a trilogy. But I certainly have enough of a story to write another book or maybe spinoff books. I also have another series I’d like to write however, so who knows what will happen! So as far as the actual books go—your guess is as good as mine.
However, as for the story line, you can expect to discover more about the revenant mythology. You will learn more about the other characters. And you will see how Kate and Vincent respond to new challenges posed both by their relationship and by this dangerous supernatural world that Kate is just beginning to discover.
Die for Me by Amy Plum Publisher: HarperTeen (May 10th, 2011) Reading Level: Young Adult Hardback: 341 pages Series: Revenants, book #1 My life had always been blissfully, wonderfully normal. But it only took one moment to change everything. Suddenly, my sister, Georgia, and I were orphans. We put our lives into storage and moved to Paris to live with my grandparents. And I knew my shattered heart, my shattered life, would never feel normal again. Then I met Vincent. Mysterious, sexy, and unnervingly charming, Vincent Delacroix appeared out of nowhere and swept me off my feet. Just like that, I was in danger of losing my heart all over again. But I was ready to let it happen. Of course, nothing is ever that easy. Because Vincent is no normal human. He has a terrifying destiny, one that puts his life at risk every day. He also has enemies.. immortal, murderous enemies who are determined to destroy him and all of his kind. While I'm fighting to piece together the remnants of my life, can I risk putting my heart—as well as my life and my family's—in jeopardy for a chance at love?
I've started doing something new where I highlight all of the Indie/Small press books I've picked up to read on my Kindle. I will post mini-reviews of the titles each month. The top 2 books from this month were Bully by Penelope Douglas and Lick by Kylie Scott!
Bully by Penelope Douglas Add to Goodreads
Review: OMG, I need about 10 more books just like this one! Bully was one of those"enemy to lovers" stories and I devoured every single word! Tate and Jared were best friends and then he changed and started treating her like crap. Yes, this makes Jared a bit difficult to love but I just couldn't help myself!! Over time, I could see how he was hiding his feelings. I also loved the fact that Tate was a really strong character. She was tired of putting up with his crap so she made sure he knew it. I loved the ways she'd get back at him. They had a lot of great interactions. I'm just sad that it's over: ( I want to re-read this one very soon!!
Lick by Kylie Scott Add to Goodreads
Review: Ahhh, love! This book was a surprise for me. I'm not wild about the cover but I heard it was great so I picked it up. Plus, waking up not knowing you married a rock star? YES PLEASE! I ended up loving this story so much! Evelyn wakes up with a stranger next to her, David, and she has no earthly idea who he is. After dealing with a killer hangover, and going back home, the press soon figures out what happened and she has to run back to David to get the situation fixed. But things happen and they then start to get to know each other. Evelyn gets small pieces of the night back and.*happy sigh* it was just wonderful! This is another book I want to read again! Both characters were fantastic and had amazing personalities! I highly recommend it!
The Hazards of Skinny Dipping by Alyssa Rose Ivy Add to Goodreads
Review: This was a fun read. Pretty light and, while it does take a look at a controlling relationship, there's much more to the book. Juliet has had her eyes on Dylan for a while. They"hook up" and it turns out to be horrible but Juliet still dates him. At school she tries to have a good relationship with Dylan but he is really controlling. She finds a friendship with a guy named Reed and they were terrific together. I really wish I had a friend like Reed.: ) He was such a good guy and he really cared for Juliet. Their bond builds slowly, which was nice. As far as"first college experiences" go, this was a super fun book.
Dark Summer by Lizzy Ford Add to Goodreads Review: I picked up this book knowing nothing about it. It was free on amazon but I'm so glad I took a chance with it! Summer has been to a lot of boarding schools but they always fail. Now, she's trying a new place and it's finally somewhere that she fits in, sort of. There are many people who don't like Summer but she still builds some great friendships and connects with twins Beck and Decker. At age 18 each person is turned either Light or Dark, but that doesn't really mean they have to be evil. We learn this after hearing about Decker and his fate. The whole world behind this book was enjoyable and I can't wait to see what happens next!
Beautiful Broken Rules by Kimberly Lauren Add to Goodreads
Review: I actually wasn't sure if I would enjoy this one. The blurb didn't really grab me but I was happy to see that the book was better than I expected. Emerson is known as the slut in school and she's sort of okay with that. She wants nothing to do with relationships but she is surprised by her feelings with Jaxon, one of her best friend's new roommates, comes to town. She finds herself breaking a few of her strict rules about guys. She tries to hide away due to heartache but soon realizes what she is missing out on. I had fun with this one. It's nothing too deep or original but it was still a nice read.
Elite by Rachel Van Dyken Add to Goodreads Review: Wow, what a book. I had no earthly idea what to expect with this book. I wasn't sure if it was dystopian or just a whole different world, or if it was something paranormal. I was a bit surprised by the"surprise" of it all. Trace wins a scholarship to an elite school and she is immediately faced with the complexity of the school structure. She's shocked to find out that a student, Nixon, is in charge and that he seems to completely hate her. There are some things Nixon does that are just so unforgivable but then I ended up liking him anyway? GRR! Trace was great and I enjoyed finding out more about her. The friends (semi-friends) she makes along the way range from nice to deadly and the twists and turns are unimaginable! It's really hard to even describe this book so I'll just say, if you are looking for something completely different, with a big twist, get this one!
A Matter of Fate by Heather Lyons Add to Goodreads
Review: I was reluctant to pick up this book because I'm not a huge fan of Magicals. In the end, I was happy I had read it and I do plan to read the second book soon. Chloe is a Magical but she knows very little about herself. From the start we learn that she's had dreams about a guy since she was young and then he is suddenly there in her school. This leads to a crazy love triangle though but it was pretty well done. I was a bit confused at times by all the Magical knowledge we get at once, but it was pretty unique. If you are a fan of paranormal books that have a very unique world, get this one!
Let Love In by Melissa Collins Add to Goodreads This is another brand-new-to-college book with a character who has a tragic background. Not a new idea for a book but still well-written. Maddy lost her parents when she was young and it has made her fight against falling in love. She meets bad-boy Reid at school and their relationship begins. They both have went through a lot so this made for two stubborn, slightly frustrating characters. A lot happens in this book between the two and some decisions I didn't quite understand. It's still a pretty enjoyable read. Nothing too surprising inside but nice.
Delayed Penalty by Shey Stahl Add to Goodreads
Review: This story has a very emotional start. A young girl is found by a hockey player in an alley after a brutal attack. It's obvious she would have died there if he hadn't brought her to the hospital. The book started out a bit stronger than it ended for me. For some reason, even though I should have felt terrible for Ami, I just never really connected with her. On the other hand, Mase was fantastic. I loved his character and POV. He had a wonderful family and great teammates. I just felt that if Ami would have been a slightly better character, and not so dry, I would have enjoyed it more.
Trying Not to Love You by Megan Smith Add to Goodreads Review: This is hard for me to review. The actual story idea is amazing. I loved that Kenzie and Hunter had a relationship going back to childhood. I loved the family dynamics and the role of her best friend. But the writing brought it down, IMO. I don't think teens speak to each other like"I do not know why he was not there." (this isn't an actual sentence from the story but it shows what I'm referring to). It just messed with the flow of the story and the actual dialogue itself. It's robotic and caused me to pause quite a few times. I've seen another reviewer get comments because she said it bothered her while reading and yeah, it totally bothered me too. Big time. It took something away from the characters and made it more difficult for me to connect with them and believe them as being young adults. I really wanted to feel bad for Kenzie during parts of the story but I didn't feel a lot for her. Maybe it was mostly due to the language or feeling like I was just being told what was happening instead of really feeling the emotions behind it. This book ends on a huge cliffhanger, which I'm not a big fan of honestly. I do think I'll read the next one when it comes out. I know this story has a ton of fans already and everyone is entitled to their opinions on it.
Title: Insurgent Author: Veronica Roth Publisher: HarperTeen Add to Goodreads One choice can transform you--or it can destroy you. But every choice has consequences, and as unrest surges in the factions all around her, Tris Prior must continue trying to save those she loves--and herself--while grappling with haunting questions of grief and forgiveness, identity and loyalty, politics and love.
Tris's initiation day should have been marked by celebration and victory with her chosen faction; instead, the day ended with unspeakable horrors. War now looms as conflict between the factions and their ideologies grows. And in times of war, sides must be chosen, secrets will emerge, and choices will become even more irrevocable--and even more powerful. Transformed by her own decisions but also by haunting grief and guilt, radical new discoveries, and shifting relationships, Tris must fully embrace her Divergence, even if she does not know what she may lose by doing so.
"New York Times" bestselling author Veronica Roth's much-anticipated second book of the dystopian"Divergent" series is another intoxicating thrill ride of a story, rich with hallmark twists, heartbreaks, romance, and powerful insights about human nature.
Title: Dreamless Author: Josephine Angelini Publisher: HarperTeen Add to Goodreads Can true love be forgotten?
As the only scion who can descend into the Underworld, Helen Hamilton has been given a nearly impossible task. By night she wanders through Hades, trying to stop the endless cycle of revenge that has cursed her family. By day she struggles to overcome the fatigue that is rapidly eroding her sanity. Without Lucas by her side, Helen is not sure she has the strength to go on.
Just as Helen is pushed to her breaking point, a mysterious new Scion comes to her rescue. Funny and brave, Orion shields her from the dangers of the Underworld. But time is running out--a ruthless foe plots against them, and the Furies' cry for blood is growing louder.
As the ancient Greek world collides with the mortal one, Helen's sheltered life on Nantucket descends into chaos. But the hardest task of all will be forgetting Lucas Delos.
Josephine Angelini's compelling saga becomes ever more intricate and spellbinding as an unforgettable love triangle emerges and the eternal cycle of revenge intensifies. Eagerly awaited, this sequel to the internationally bestselling Starcrossed delivers a gritty, action-packed love story that exceeds all expectations.
Title: Under the Never Sky Author: Veronica Rossi Publisher: HarperCollins Add to Goodreads Since she'd been on the outside, she'd survived an Aether storm, she'd had a knife held to her throat, and she'd seen men murdered. This was worse.
Exiled from her home, the enclosed city of Reverie, Aria knows her chances of surviving in the outer wasteland — known as The Death Shop — are slim. If the cannibals don't get her, the violent, electrified energy storms will. She's been taught that the very air she breathes can kill her. Then Aria meets an Outsider named Perry. He's wild — a savage — and her only hope of staying alive.
A hunter for his tribe in a merciless landscape, Perry views Aria as sheltered and fragile — everything he would expect from a Dweller. But he needs Aria's help too; she alone holds the key to his redemption. Opposites in nearly every way, Aria and Perry must accept each other to survive. Their unlikely alliance forges a bond that will determine the fate of all who live under the never sky.
Title: Easy Author: Tammara Webber Add to Goodreads A girl who believes trust can be misplaced, promises are made to be broken, and loyalty is an illusion. A boy who believes truth is relative, lies can mask unbearable pain, and guilt is eternal. Will what they find in each other validate their conclusions, or disprove them all?
When Jacqueline follows her longtime boyfriend to the college of his choice, the last thing she expects is a breakup two months into sophomore year. After two weeks in shock, she wakes up to her new reality: she's single, attending a state university instead of a music conservatory, ignored by her former circle of friends, and failing a class for the first time in her life.
Leaving a party alone, Jacqueline is assaulted by her ex's frat brother. Rescued by a stranger who seems to be in the right place at the right time, she wants nothing more than to forget the attack and that night--but her savior, Lucas, sits on the back row of her econ class, sketching in a notebook and staring at her. Her friends nominate him to be the perfect rebound.
When her attacker turns stalker, Jacqueline has a choice: crumple in defeat or learn to fight back. Lucas remains protective, but he's hiding secrets of his own. Suddenly appearances are everything, and knowing who to trust is anything but easy.
Title: The Coincidence of Callie & Kayden Author: Jessica Sorensen Add to Goodreads There are those who don’t get luck handed to them on a shiny platter, who end up in the wrong place at the wrong time, who don’t get saved.
Luck was not on Callie’s side the day of her twelfth birthday when everything was stolen from her. After it’s all over, she locks up her feelings and vows never to tell anyone what happened. Six years later her painful past consumes her life and most days it’s a struggle just to breathe.
For as long as Kayden can remember, suffering in silence was the only way to survive life. As long as he did what he was told, everything was okay. One night, after making a terrible mistake, it seems like his life might be over. Luck was on his side, though, when Callie coincidentally is in the right place at the right time and saves him.
Now he can’t stop thinking about the girl he saw at school, but never really knew. When he ends up at the same college as Callie, he does everything he can to try to get to know her. But Callie is reserved and closed off. The more he tries to be part of her life, the more he realizes Callie might need to be saved.
Title: Sweet Evil Author: Wendy Higgins Publisher: HarperTeen Add to Goodreads Embrace the Forbidden
What if there were teens whose lives literally depended on being bad influences?
This is the reality for sons and daughters of fallen angels.
Tenderhearted Southern girl Anna Whitt was born with the sixth sense to see and feel emotions of other people. She's aware of a struggle within herself, an inexplicable pull toward danger, but Anna, the ultimate good girl, has always had the advantage of her angel side to balance the darkness within. It isn't until she turns sixteen and meets the alluring Kaidan Rowe that she discovers her terrifying heritage and her willpower is put to the test. He's the boy your daddy warned you about. If only someone had warned Anna.
Forced to face her destiny, will Anna embrace her halo or her horns?
Title: Pushing the Limits Author: Katie McGarry Publisher: Harlequin Teen Add to Goodreads No one knows what happened the night Echo Emerson went from popular girl with jock boyfriend to gossiped-about outsider with"freaky" scars on her arms. Even Echo can't remember the whole truth of that horrible night. All she knows is that she wants everything to go back to normal.But when Noah Hutchins, the smoking-hot, girl-using loner in the black leather jacket, explodes into her life with his tough attitude and surprising understanding, Echo's world shifts in ways she could never have imagined. They should have nothing in common. And with the secrets they both keep, being together is pretty much impossible.
Yet the crazy attraction between them refuses to go away. And Echo has to ask herself just how far they can push the limits and what she'll risk for the one guy who might teach her how to love again.
Title: Stealing Parker Author: Miranda Kenneally Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire Add to Goodreads Red-hot author Miranda Kenneally hits one out of the park in this return to Catching Jordan's Hundred Oaks High.
Parker Shelton pretty much has the perfect life. She’s on her way to becoming valedictorian at Hundred Oaks High, she’s made the all-star softball team, and she has plenty of friends. Then her mother’s scandal rocks their small town and suddenly no one will talk to her.
Now Parker wants a new life.
So she quits softball. Drops twenty pounds. And she figures why kiss one guy when she can kiss three? Or four. Why limit herself to high school boys when the majorly cute new baseball coach seems especially flirty?
But how far is too far before she loses herself completely?
Title: Everneath Author: Brodi Ashton Publisher: HarperCollins Add to Goodreads Last spring, Nikki Beckett vanished, sucked into an underworld known as the Everneath. Now she's returned--to her old life, her family, her boyfriend--before she's banished back to the underworld.. this time forever. She has six months before the Everneath comes to claim her, six months for good-byes she can't find the words for, six months to find redemption, if it exists.
Nikki longs to spend these precious months forgetting the Everneath and trying to reconnect with her boyfriend, Jack, the person most devastated by her disappearance--and the one person she loves more than anything. But there's just one problem: Cole, the smoldering immortal who enticed her to the Everneath in the first place, has followed Nikki home. Cole wants to take over the throne in the underworld and is convinced Nikki is the key to making it happen. And he'll do whatever it takes to bring her back, this time as his queen.
As Nikki's time on the Surface draws to a close and her relationships begin slipping from her grasp, she is forced to make the hardest decision of her life: find a way to cheat fate and remain on the Surface with Jack or return to the Everneath and become Cole's queen.
Everneath is a captivating story of love, loss, and immortality from debut author Brodi Ashton.
Title: The Edge of Never Author: J.A. Redmerski Add to Goodreads Twenty-year-old Camryn Bennett had always been one to think out-of-the-box, who knew she wanted something more in life than following the same repetitive patterns and growing old with the same repetitive life story. And she thought that her life was going in the right direction until everything fell apart.
Determined not to dwell on the negative and push forward, Camryn is set to move in with her best friend and plans to start a new job. But after an unexpected night at the hottest club in downtown Raleigh, North Carolina, she makes the ultimate decision to leave the only life she’s ever known, far behind.
With a purse, a cell phone and a small bag with a few necessities, Camryn, with absolutely no direction or purpose boards a Greyhound bus alone and sets out to find herself. What she finds is a guy named Andrew Parrish, someone not so very different from her and who harbors his own dark secrets. But Camryn swore never to let down her walls again. And she vowed never to fall in love.
But with Andrew, Camryn finds herself doing a lot of things she never thought she’d do. He shows her what it’s really like to live out-of-the-box and to give in to her deepest, darkest desires. On their sporadic road-trip he becomes the center of her exciting and daring new life, pulling love and lust and emotion out of her in ways she never imagined possible. But will Andrew’s dark secret push them inseparably together, or tear them completely apart? Don't forget to share YOUR list on the Linky Below! Today's Top 10 of 2012 Giveaway is being hosted by — Jaime from Two Chicks on Books! Note: This is the SAME Linky on all Co-Hosts Blogs.
Top Ten Books that Inspire Me 1) The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien This book made me fall in love with the idea of storytelling. The first time I read it, I discovered that many of the bedtime stories my father told me were actually inspired by the world that J.R.R. Tolkien created. I thought it was so cool, and I decided I wanted to write stories that could inspire people the same way. It was also where my love of fantasy started, a love that inspired me to write and publish my first book, Beckoning Light.
2) Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen I'm a huge Jane Austen fan, and I've read Pride and Prejudice countless times. It inspired my love of romance and flawed characters. If I could travel back in time, I'd love to meet Jane Austen.
3) Portal by Imogen Rose This YA Time Travel Romance inspired me to self- publish. I loved the story and knew it was something that probably wouldn’t have been traditionally published originally because it was so unique, and it didn’t fit within the traditional categories. I was so impressed, that it gave me that final push to take the indie plunge.
4) Flat-out love by Jessica Park This is my favorite NA book. It inspired me to try writing in the NA category, and it reminded me of how great books with a twist are. I'd been reading almost exclusively paranormal and fantasy, and Flat-Out Love rekindled my love of contemporary.
5) Moby Dick by Herman Melville This is my favorite book. Melville captures obsession like no one else. You feel the emotion even though it's a book that takes place almost entirely on a whaling ship. Moby Dick inspires me to challenge myself to play with genres and to experiment with my writing.
6) Murder on the Orient Express by Agatha Christie I love Agatha Christie, and this is my favorite mystery of hers. She instilled in me a love of mystery and intrigue. I especially love how timeless it is, it’s still so great after all these years.
7) Harry Potter by J. K. Rowling I read the first five books on my honeymoon. Reading the series was the first time I discovered Internet fandom. I used to read Muggle net with my friends when we were supposed to be listening to law school lectures. It’s such a fantastic world that never leaves you.
8) Twilight by Stephenie Meyer. Twilight reintroduced me to YA, and paranormal. I Loved Bella and the voice. It made me feel confident about writing first person even if it isn't what you were"supposed to do."
9) Fablehaven by Brandon Mull Mull is the king of writing a series where all of the books tie together perfectly. Hints he drops in book one, tie together in the final book. I strive to do the same in my series, and I aim to make every detail count. Chances are if it’s in my book, it's there for a reason even if it takes a few books to see it. The same goes with my characters. 10) Let Me Call You Sweetheart by Mary Higgins Clark I picked up one of her books at the library in sixth grade, and read every book of hers within a few months. This was the one that stuck with me longest. Mary Higgins Clark was one of my early transitions into adult fiction, and I still have so many fond memories of curling up with one her books.
Wrecked by Alyssa Rose Ivy Published: April 30th, 2013 Reading Level: New Adult ebook edition: 285 pages Series: Clayton Falls, #3 Summary: When your past catches up, it's time to stop running.
Jake Mathews messed up yet again— but this time his misstep lands him in the hospital. He wakes up to find the girl of his dreams and the memory of having his deepest secret revealed.
Emily Taylor needs a break. She's been working double shifts as a nurse just to pay the bills while trying to heal a broken heart. The last thing she needs is to fall for a patient.
Strapped with community service and the knowledge that he's disappointed everyone in his life, Jake is determined not to let Emily slip through his fingers. Emily wants Jake, but can she really open herself up to heartache again?
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Author Bio: Alyssa Rose Ivy is a Young Adult and New Adult author who loves to weave stories with romance
and a southern setting. Although raised in the New York area, she fell in love with the South after moving to New Orleans for college. After years as a perpetual student, she turned back to her creative side and decided to write. She lives in North Carolina with her husband and two young children, and she can usually be found with a cup of coffee in her hand.
As part of Wedding Week (I'M MARRIED), today we are featuring Lorren from The Story Girl! ************************** Hello everyone! I am so grateful to Miss Remmers' Review for the chance to revisit my own little fairy tale. Our story began very simply. I was locked out of my apartment, and when I went to visit my friend, I found out she was hanging out with some guys at their apartment. They invited me to come over and I spent the evening playing Scattergories with my friend and the two men that we would each end up marrying. For the rest of the summer I hung out with them, although I was dating someone else at the time. As I got to know "The Husband" better, I learned more and more things that I liked about him. While he is a goofy and fun-loving guy, he had a very deep and empathetic part of his personality that intrigued me and I found myself growing interested. He and I were each in relationships with other people, but those relationships ended at roughly the same time and in a similar way. We ended up spending more and more time together, at first discussing our broken hearts but later switching to getting to know each other better. After months of hanging out, texting songs to each other, and tentative dates, we finally became official and had our first kiss under mistletoe that he slyly hung above my door (of course, when he called me to come out I was in sweats and make-up-less, but we'll just focus on the romance part).
After an amazing five months (yes, I know) of dating, we both decided it was time to make a further commitment and get married. While I was terrified at the thought of choosing someone to be with for the rest of my life, I knew that his personality, values, and sense of humor were exactly what I wanted and needed. He popped the question on May 29, 2010 at Municipal Pier in San Francisco. I basically giggled through the proposal — I was so excited and I couldn't believe that I was actually getting married. I loved that he proposed in San Francisco because now it will be our special romantic spot for the rest of our lives.
After some deliberation, we decided to get married on August 17, 2010. Because we were each in school and didn't want to deal with moving in the middle of the semester or trying to hurriedly get married over Christmas break, we decided a short engagement was the best route to take. The date also had sentimental value for us — August 17 is "The Husband's" parents' wedding anniversary, and we were married in the same place my parents were married. Despite high amounts of stress before the wedding, August 17 was as perfect as I could have hoped for. My dress was a gown I'd seen in a catalogue before my wedding, and jokingly told my friends I would buy if I ever got married. I was so excited that I was actually wearing it! I had The Husband's niece and my sister as bridesmaids and The Husband's younger nieces as flower girls. We were married at 10:30 am in the Boise, Idaho Temple (I grew up in Boise and my family still lives there). We believe the marriage ceremony in the temple links us together as a family for life and after death, so it was a very special and spiritual experience. We were lucky to have our families there with us (The Husband's family kindly traveled all the way from California to be there) and several of our close friends from Utah also made the trip. Almost everyone we loved was there, and we couldn't have been happier!
That evening, we had our reception at a golf course near my parents' house. My mom and her best friend had set up everything just how I imagined it, with chinese lanterns and white flowers everywhere. The food was also exactly what I'd always wanted to have at my wedding — a chocolate fountain and amazing chocolate truffles that my grandma and aunt had spent the weekend crafting by hand. The best part by far, though, was the dancing! The Husband and I had been to so many receptions where the bride and groom just waited in a line and greeted all their guests. We did this for the first hour of the reception, but after that everyone got out and danced. I was almost sorry when the DJ called out that it was time to go and I had to hurry and change into my get-away dress... until I realized that now I could leave on my honeymoon with my handsome prince.
In my mind, everything was perfect, not because every aspect of the wedding pulled together flawlessly, but because I was surrounded by people I loved and was so happy with the person I was marrying. Our cake did turn out kind of ugly, my shoes did get ruined when the heel sunk into the mud, and my mother and I were nervous wrecks up until the day before the wedding. However, on the day of the wedding, I decided to just let things fall and enjoy the day as much as possible. In 20 years, I probably won't remember the ugly cake or the dirt that crept up onto the hem of my dress, but I will remember how it felt to dance with my friends and family surrounding me, completely in love with the man across from me.
Congratulations again to Miss Remmers (soon to be a Mrs.)! I hope your day is absolutely perfect! ************************** Lorren thank you so much for sharing! I love these beautiful pictures! I especially love the picture of you in front of the Temple! What a great story too! I hope your first year of marriage has been wonderful and I'll definitely be thinking of you on the 17th of August! Congratulations!
Sometimes It Happens by Lauren Barnholdt Publisher: Simon Pulse (July 12th, 2011) Reading Level: Young Adult Hardcover: 320 pages Source: Publisher Rating: 5 of 5 stars On the last day of her junior year, Hannah's boyfriend Sebastian dumped her. Facing a summer of loneliness, Hannah turns to her best friend Ava for comfort. Ava does what BFFs do: she stays by Hannah's side… until it's time for Ava to head up to Maine for the summer. Also left behind is Ava's boyfriend, Noah, who's such a great guy he gets Hannah a job at the diner he waits tables at. Slowly, Hannah comes out of her funk thanks to Noah's good conversation and their fun times at the diner. But things get complicated when their friendship turns into attraction--and one night, into a passionate kiss.
The novel opens on the first day of senior year; the day Hannah is going to see Ava, Sebastian, and Noah all in one place. Over the course of the day secrets and betrayals are revealed, and alliances are broken and reformed. In the end, everyone is paired up once again, but not the way you might think… Review: This book is exactly what I was looking for! Sometimes I"crave" different types of books and this past week it was summer books! This was the story that put me on that path. Sometimes It Happens was a fast read that was packed with sensational characters and full of witty dialogue.
Hannah does not have a great start to her summer. She finds her boyfriend Sabastian cheating on her and finds out that her best friend Ava is leaving for the summer. She just knows that she will be spending most of her time sitting in her room eating junk food during her vacation. Then, her best friend Ava's boyfriend Noah saves the day. He gets Hannah a job at the diner where he works and tries every way possible to help Hannah get out of her slump.
First, I have to talk about these characters. I loved how real and multi-dimensional they felt. No, they were not perfect but that is part of being a teenager and making mistakes. Hannah was hilarious and in many ways, acted exactly how teens do when they suffer a break-up. Noah was the"good guy" who just wanted Hannah to see that she deserved better than a crappy, cheating boyfriend. But along the way he gets more than he expected.
Then we have the quirky Lacey, a new character we meet when Hannah starts her job at the diner. I loved her! She was exactly what was needed for this story. She was a loyal new friend for Hannah, and had a sometimes crazy, unique personality that helped bring the story together. Ava, on the other hand, was not my favorite character at all. She was snotty, bossy, and not a great friend for Hannah. But, I loved how Hannah was able to find new friends and open herself up to new possibilities once Ava was out of town. I think that is something many teens can relate to.
Sometimes It Happens is told in a very interesting way. The chapters go back and forth between the last day of junior year, to the first day of senior year. At first I was worried I would hate this format, but it worked perfectly! We could see how drastically things had changed in a short amount of time, and as we saw the drama of Hannah's first day of senior year, we could go back to see what created all the worry and tension.
Along with Hannah's new-found freedom and summer job, her and Noah get closer. This was not a"love at first sight" tale, which made it much more interesting to follow. I could easily see these 2 characters falling in love and simply enjoying eachother's company. Their relationship really made sense, even if it happened at the wrong time.
Sometimes It Happens made me a fan of Lauren Barnholdt's. After I read this book I immediately looked to see if I had another title written by her (which I did, and that review is coming soon). If you are a fan of summer-themed, hilarious reads that help bring back memories of high school (or current drama from high school), pick up this book!
Today readers could pick their own top 10. I have read a ton (A TON!) of New Adult books this year. I wanted to highlight som e of the best ones I've found so far.
Title: The Coincidence of Callie & Kayden Author: Jessica Sorensen Add to Goodreads There are those who don’t get luck handed to them on a shiny platter, who end up in the wrong place at the wrong time, who don’t get saved.
Luck was not on Callie’s side the day of her twelfth birthday when everything was stolen from her. After it’s all over, she locks up her feelings and vows never to tell anyone what happened. Six years later her painful past consumes her life and most days it’s a struggle just to breathe.
For as long as Kayden can remember, suffering in silence was the only way to survive life. As long as he did what he was told, everything was okay. One night, after making a terrible mistake, it seems like his life might be over. Luck was on his side, though, when Callie coincidentally is in the right place at the right time and saves him.
Now he can’t stop thinking about the girl he saw at school, but never really knew. When he ends up at the same college as Callie, he does everything he can to try to get to know her. But Callie is reserved and closed off. The more he tries to be part of her life, the more he realizes Callie might need to be saved.
Title: Easy Author: Tammara Webber Add to Goodreads A girl who believes trust can be misplaced, promises are made to be broken, and loyalty is an illusion. A boy who believes truth is relative, lies can mask unbearable pain, and guilt is eternal. Will what they find in each other validate their conclusions, or disprove them all?
When Jacqueline follows her longtime boyfriend to the college of his choice, the last thing she expects is a breakup two months into sophomore year. After two weeks in shock, she wakes up to her new reality: she's single, attending a state university instead of a music conservatory, ignored by her former circle of friends, and failing a class for the first time in her life.
Leaving a party alone, Jacqueline is assaulted by her ex's frat brother. Rescued by a stranger who seems to be in the right place at the right time, she wants nothing more than to forget the attack and that night--but her savior, Lucas, sits on the back row of her econ class, sketching in a notebook and staring at her. Her friends nominate him to be the perfect rebound.
When her attacker turns stalker, Jacqueline has a choice: crumple in defeat or learn to fight back. Lucas remains protective, but he's hiding secrets of his own. Suddenly appearances are everything, and knowing who to trust is anything but easy.
Title: In the Band Author: Jean Haus Add to Goodreads When family problems push Riley Middleton into giving up a percussion scholarship in another state and attending college from home, her friends push her to try out for a local rock band. Of course, Riley makes the band. She rules at the drums.
Riley soon finds out rock bands have a different dynamic than marching bands, especially when each of her male band mates has a major ego and is a major player. Two of them relentlessly flirt with her. The other—a dark, sexy rock god she can’t help being attracted to— is a total jerk and pushes her to quit. She becomes determined to ignore his rudeness and his hotness. Even if she was interested in jerks, a hook up would probably get her booted out of the ego-ridden band, and playing keeps her sane. Behind the drums, the world and its troubles evaporate.
If she wants to stay in the band, Riley needs to ignore the growing sparks between her and her band enemy. But as she gets to know the man behind the stage persona, ignoring him proves to be more difficult than flowing through a time sig shift.
Title: The Edge of Never Author: J.A. Redmerski Add to Goodreads Twenty-year-old Camryn Bennett had always been one to think out-of-the-box, who knew she wanted something more in life than following the same repetitive patterns and growing old with the same repetitive life story. And she thought that her life was going in the right direction until everything fell apart.
Determined not to dwell on the negative and push forward, Camryn is set to move in with her best friend and plans to start a new job. But after an unexpected night at the hottest club in downtown Raleigh, North Carolina, she makes the ultimate decision to leave the only life she’s ever known, far behind.
With a purse, a cell phone and a small bag with a few necessities, Camryn, with absolutely no direction or purpose boards a Greyhound bus alone and sets out to find herself. What she finds is a guy named Andrew Parrish, someone not so very different from her and who harbors his own dark secrets. But Camryn swore never to let down her walls again. And she vowed never to fall in love.
But with Andrew, Camryn finds herself doing a lot of things she never thought she’d do. He shows her what it’s really like to live out-of-the-box and to give in to her deepest, darkest desires. On their sporadic road-trip he becomes the center of her exciting and daring new life, pulling love and lust and emotion out of her in ways she never imagined possible. But will Andrew’s dark secret push them inseparably together, or tear them completely apart?
Title: Unlikely Allies Author: Tiffany King Add to Goo drea ds Eighteen-year-old Kimberly gets the shock of her life when she learns the father she thought was dead is not only very much alive, but never even knew she existed. Angry with her mother for lying all these years, Kimberly flies to Colorado to meet the father she knows nothing about before heading off to college in the fall.
Her father’s world turns out to be nothing like she expected. Rather than the typical nine to five lifestyle, Kimberly’s father runs a summer foster camp that teaches young children skills to build their confidence and self-esteem. The Colorado Rocky Mountains are a different world than the sunny shores of California, taking Kimberly completely out of her element, and causing her to second-guess her spur of the moment decision.
Never being one to quit anything, Kimberly is determined to show her father that a surfer girl can fit into this rugged mountain wilderness. That is if she can deal with Mason, an arrogant nineteen-year-old guy who has made it his mission to point out every mistake she has made since her arrival. While she would love nothing more than to rub it in his know-it-all face, Kimberly can’t deny the feelings he stirs up inside her, or the chemistry between them, even during their verbal assaults.
When a tragic accident leaves them stranded in the mountains, Kimberly must use her shaky skills to save Mason and survive the elements. Suddenly, fighting is the last thing on their minds as they must rely on each other if they want to live. In their struggle for survival, they realize what they thought they knew about each other isn’t true after all.
Title: Taking Chances Author: Molly McAdams Add to Goodreads Eighteen year old Harper has grown up under her career Marine of a father's thumb. Ready to live life her own way and experience things she's only ever heard of from the jarheads in her father's unit; she's on her way to college at San Diego State University.
Thanks to her new roommate, Harper is introduced to a world of parties, gorgeous guys, family and emotions. Some she wasn't expecting yet, and others she never knew she was missing.
She finds herself being torn in two as she quickly falls in love with her boyfriend Brandon, and her roommate's brother Chase. Covered in tattoos, known for fighting in the Underground and ridiculously muscled… they're exactly what she was always warned to stay away from, but just what she needs. Despite their dangerous looks and histories, both adore and would do anything for Harper, including stepping back if it means she's happy.
Her first year away is turning out to be near perfect, but one weekend of giving in to heated passion will change everything.
Title: The Secret of Ella & Micha Author: Jessica Sorensen Add to Goodreads
Ella and Micha have been best friends since they were kids. But one tragic night shatters their friendship and their lives forever.
Ella used to be a rule-breaker with fiery attitude who wore her heart on her sleeve. But she left everything behind when she went to college and transformed into someone that follows the rules, keeps everything together, and hides all her problems. But now it's summer break and she has nowhere else to go but home.
Ella fears everything she worked so hard to bury might resurface, especially with Micha living right next door. If Micha tries to tempt the old her back, she knows that it will be hard to resist.
Micha is sexy, smart, confident, and can get under Ella’s skin like no one else can. He knows everything about her, including her darkest secrets. And he’s determined to bring his best friend, and the girl he loves back, no matter what it takes.
Title: Crush Author: Lacey Weatherford Add to Goodreads Cami Wimberley has a plan, and that plan includes no room for boys—especially the big time party animal, Hunter Wilder, no matter how handsome and charismatic he is. She’s beautiful, a senior, extremely talented, gets good grades, and is working her way toward her dream college to be a musical theater major. Everything is perfect.
Hunter Wilder does not want a girlfriend—that would complicate his life way too much right now. He especially doesn’t want this girl, Miss-Goody-Two-Shoes, so how come he can’t keep his eyes off her? He tries to keep her at arms length, but fate seems to keep pushing them together. Before long, it’s obvious to everyone they’re crushing on each other.
As sparks begin to fly, Hunter finds himself sinking deeper and deeper into hot water. Soon he’s scrambling to keep Cami from discovering his dark secret—one that can destroy their entire relationship.
Title: The Truths About Dating and Mating Author: Jaycee DeLorenzo Add to Goodreads Spunky Italian coed Ivy Rossini likes to talk and push the boundaries. She gets to do both as she co-hosts Riordan College’s radio program, The Truths about Dating and Mating, alongside her lifelong best friend, Ian Hollister.
Being the only girl who cares to see beyond Ian’s bad boy reputation has its advantages, especially when he’s scaring off the jerks who just want to nail the campus sex-guru. It’s when he’s “protecting” her from the advances she welcomes that she wants to lob him over the head and tell him to butt out. But Ivy feels like she’s the one who’s taken a hit when Ian almost kisses her at a party. She knows she should feel relieved when he pulls away, so why is she disappointed instead?
What’s worse, Ivy’s now getting aroused by Ian’s slightest touch and can’t stop entertaining thoughts of a romantic future. But Ian doesn’t do relationships, and she’s not interested in anything casual. In the end, Ivy decides it’s best to keep her growing feelings a secret and hope they’ll pass. However, when Ian begins hinting at wanting to take things to the next level, she’s forced to decide if a chance at something more is worth risking everything they’ve built.
With their friendship and her heart hanging in the balance, can Ivy follow the advice she and Ian give their listeners — to communicate, be honest, and trust in themselves — or will insecurity, stubbornness, and pride ruin any chance of their relationship getting off the ground?
Title: Tear Autho r: Rachel Van Dyken Add to Goodreads Life as a teenager is never easy. But for Natalee Murray, things have just gotten way more difficult. Bored with life, she can't wait to graduate high school and get out of town, especially considering the famous band members from AD2 suddenly start attending her school, making her once boring life, absolutely insane.
It starts with a pen. A single brush of fingers, and she is captivated.
But Alec and Demetri have a dark secret, one that could shatter their reputations and Natalee's heart. What do you do when one guy paints your life with color while the other infuses your soul with passion? How do you choose when your heart is divided?
Don't forget to share YOUR list in the Linky below!Today's giveaway is hosted by — Rachel from Fiktshun NOTE: This is the same Linky on ALL Co-Hosts Blogs.
This is a super hard list for me. I've read a huge number of books this year. 154 books as of today! Picking 10 of my favorites makes me break out in a sweat! But I will try my best.
Title: Deity Author: Janenifer L. Armentrout Publisher: Spencer Hill Press Add to Goodreads "History is on repeat, and things didn't go so well the last time."
Alexandria isn't sure she's going to make it to her eighteenth birthday--to her Awakening. A long-forgotten, fanatical order is out to kill her, and if the Council ever discovers what she did in the Catskills, she's a goner… and so is Aiden.
If that's not freaky enough, whenever Alex and Seth spend time"training"--which really is just Seth's code word for some up-close and personal one-on-one time--she ends up with another mark of the Apollyon, which brings her one step closer to Awakening ahead of schedule. Awesome.
But as her birthday draws near, her entire world shatters with a startling revelation and she's caught between love and Fate. One will do anything to protect her. One has been lying to her since the beginning. Once the gods have revealed themselves, unleashing their wrath, lives will be irrevocably changed… and destroyed.
Those left standing will discover if love is truly greater than Fate.
Title: Easy Author: Tammara Webber Add to Goodreads A girl who believes trust can be misplaced, promises are made to be broken, and loyalty is an illusion. A boy who believes truth is relative, lies can mask unbearable pain, and guilt is eternal. Will what they find in each other validate their conclusions, or disprove them all?
When Jacqueline follows her longtime boyfriend to the college of his choice, the last thing she expects is a breakup two months into sophomore year. After two weeks in shock, she wakes up to her new reality: she's single, attending a state university instead of a music conservatory, ignored by her former circle of friends, and failing a class for the first time in her life.
Leaving a party alone, Jacqueline is assaulted by her ex's frat brother. Rescued by a stranger who seems to be in the right place at the right time, she wants nothing more than to forget the attack and that night--but her savior, Lucas, sits on the back row of her econ class, sketching in a notebook and staring at her. Her friends nominate him to be the perfect rebound.
When her attacker turns stalker, Jacqueline has a choice: crumple in defeat or learn to fight back. Lucas remains protective, but he's hiding secrets of his own. Suddenly appearances are everything, and knowing who to trust is anything but easy.
Title: Onyx Author: Janenifer L. Arme ntrout Publisher: Entangled Publishing Add to Goodreads Being connected to Daemon Black sucks…
Thanks to his alien mojo, Daemon’s determined to prove what he feels for me is more than a product of our bizarro connection. So I’ve sworn him off, even though he’s running more hot than cold these days. But we’ve got bigger problems.
Something worse than the Arum has come to town…
The Department of Defense are here. If they ever find out what Daemon can do and that we're linked, I’m a goner. So is he. And there's this new boy in school who’s got a secret of his own. He knows what’s happened to me and he can help, but to do so, I have to lie to Daemon and stay away from him. Like that's possible. Against all common sense, I'm falling for Daemon. Hard.
But then everything changes…
I’ve seen someone who shouldn’t be alive. And I have to tell Daemon, even though I know he’s never going to stop searching until he gets the truth. What happened to his brother? Who betrayed him? And what does the DOD want from them—from me?
No one is who they seem. And not everyone will survive the lies…
Title: Partials Author: Dan Wells Publisher: Balzer + Bray Add to Goodreads The human race is all but extinct after a war with Partials--engineered organic beings identical to humans--has decimated the population. Reduced to only tens of thousands by RM, a weaponized virus to which only a fraction of humanity is immune, the survivors in North America have huddled together on Long Island while the Partials have mysteriously retreated. The threat of the Partials is still imminent, but, worse, no baby has been born immune to RM in more than a decade. Our time is running out.
Kira, a sixteen-year-old medic-in-training, is on the front lines of this battle, seeing RM ravage the community while mandatory pregnancy laws have pushed what's left of humanity to the brink of civil war, and she's not content to stand by and watch. But as she makes a desperate decision to save the last of her race, she will find that the survival of humans and Partials alike rests in her attempts to uncover the connections between them--connections that humanity has forgotten, or perhaps never even knew were there.
Dan Wells, acclaimed author of I Am Not a Serial Killer, takes readers on a pulsepounding journey into a world where the very concept of what it means to be human is in question--one where our humanity is both our greatest liability and our only hope for survival.
Title: In Honor Author: Jessi Kirby Publisher: Simon & Schuster Add to Goodreads Honor receives her brother’s last letter from Iraq three days after learning that he died, and opens it the day his fellow Marines lay the flag over his casket. Its contents are a complete shock: concert tickets to see Kyra Kelly, her favorite pop star and Finn’s celebrity crush. In his letter, he jokingly charged Honor with the task of telling Kyra Kelly that he was in love with her.
Grief-stricken and determined to grant Finn’s last request, she rushes to leave immediately. But she only gets as far as the driveway before running into Rusty, Finn’s best friend since third grade and his polar opposite. She hasn’t seen him in ages, thanks to a falling out between the two guys, but Rusty is much the same as Honor remembers him: arrogant, stubborn.. and ruggedly good-looking. Neither one is what the other would ever look for in a road trip partner, but the two of them set off together, on a voyage that makes sense only because it doesn’t. Along the way, they find small and sometimes surprising ways to ease their shared loss and honor Finn--but when shocking truths are revealed at the end of the road, will either of them be able to cope with the consequences?
Title: Taking Chances Author: Molly McAdams Add to Goodreads Eighteen year old Harper has grown up under her career Marine of a father's thumb. Ready to live life her own way and experience things she's only ever heard of from the jarheads in her father's unit; she's on her way to college at San Diego State University.
Thanks to her new roommate, Harper is introduced to a world of parties, gorgeous guys, family and emotions. Some she wasn't expecting yet, and others she never knew she was missing.
She finds herself being torn in two as she quickly falls in love with her boyfriend Brandon, and her roommate's brother Chase. Covered in tattoos, known for fighting in the Underground and ridiculously muscled… they're exactly what she was always warned to stay away from, but just what she needs. Despite their dangerous looks and histories, both adore and would do anything for Harper, including stepping back if it means she's happy.
Her first year away is turning out to be near perfect, but one weekend of giving in to heated passion will change everything.
Title: The Secret of Ella & Micha Author: Jessica Sorensen Add to Goodreads Ella and Micha have been best friends since they were kids. But one tragic night shatters their friendship and their lives forever.
Ella used to be a rule-breaker with fiery attitude who wore her heart on her sleeve. But she left everything behind when she went to college and transformed into someone that follows the rules, keeps everything together, and hides all her problems. But now it's summer break and she has nowhere else to go but home.
Ella fears everything she worked so hard to bury might resurface, especially with Micha living right next door. If Micha tries to tempt the old her back, she knows that it will be hard to resist.
Micha is sexy, smart, confident, and can get under Ella’s skin like no one else can. He knows everything about her, including her darkest secrets. And he’s determined to bring his best friend, and the girl he loves back, no matter what it takes.
Title: Born at Midnight Author: C.C. Hunter Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin Add to Goodreads Don’t miss this spectacular new series that will steal your heart and haunt your dreams, Welcome to Shadow Falls camp, nestled deep in the woods of a town called Fallen…
One night Kylie Galen finds herself at the wrong party, with the wrong people, and it changes her life forever. Her mother ships her off to Shadow Falls—a camp for troubled teens, and within hours of arriving, it becomes painfully clear that her fellow campers aren’t just “troubled.” Here at Shadow Falls, vampires, werewolves, shapshifters, witches and fairies train side by side—learning to harness their powers, control their magic and live in the normal world.
Kylie’s never felt normal, but surely she doesn’t belong here with a bunch of paranormal freaks either. Or does she? They insist Kylie is one of them, and that she was brought here for a reason. As if life wasn’t complicated enough, enter Derek and Lucas. Derek’s a half-fae who’s determined to be her boyfriend, and Lucas is a smokin’ hot werewolf with whom Kylie shares a secret past. Both Derek and Lucas couldn’t be more different, but they both have a powerful hold on her heart.
Even though Kylie feels deeply uncertain about everything, one thing is becoming painfully clear—Shadow Falls is exactly where she belongs…
Title: The Edge of Never Author: J.A. Redmerski Add to Goodreads Twenty-year-old Camryn Bennett had always been one to think out-of-the-box, who knew she wanted something more in life than following the same repetitive patterns and growing old with the same repetitive life story. And she thought that her life was going in the right direction until everything fell apart.
Determined not to dwell on the negative and push forward, Camryn is set to move in with her best friend and plans to start a new job. But after an unexpected night at the hottest club in downtown Raleigh, North Carolina, she makes the ultimate decision to leave the only life she’s ever known, far behind.
With a purse, a cell phone and a small bag with a few necessities, Camryn, with absolutely no direction or purpose boards a Greyhound bus alone and sets out to find herself. What she finds is a guy named Andrew Parrish, someone not so very different from her and who harbors his own dark secrets. But Camryn swore never to let down her walls again. And she vowed never to fall in love.
But with Andrew, Camryn finds herself doing a lot of things she never thought she’d do. He shows her what it’s really like to live out-of-the-box and to give in to her deepest, darkest desires. On their sporadic road-trip he becomes the center of her exciting and daring new life, pulling love and lust and emotion out of her in ways she never imagined possible. But will Andrew’s dark secret push them inseparably together, or tear them completely apart?
Title: Anew Author: Ch elsea Fine Publisher: Firefall P ublishing Add to Goodreads Two years ago, Scarlet awoke in the forest alone, afraid, and unable to remember anything. Lost and confused, her life was a mystery… until she met a boy with a familiar voice.
Gabriel Archer has a voice from her past, and Scarlet's determined to remember why. She immerses herself in his life only to discover he has a brother he's kept hidden from her: Tristan Archer.
Upon meeting Tristan, Scarlet's world becomes even more muddled. While she's instinctively drawn to Gabriel, she's impossibly drawn to Tristan--and confused out of her mind. As she tries to piece together her history Scarlet realizes her past… might just be the death of her.
Now it's YOUR turn! Link up your list using the Linky below! Lisa from A Life Bound By Books is hosting the giveaway for today!! Note: This is the SAME Linky on all FIVE Co-hosting blogs.
Today I am featuring the top 10 book boyfriends of 2012. You may notice that I haven't posted anything yet for this event yet but I've had a really sick child since Christmas: ( I will be catching up on the posts though so stay tuned for that. Top 10 Book Boyfriends
Title: Deity Author: Janenifer L. Armentrout Publisher: Spencer Hill Press Add to Goodreads "History is on repeat, and things didn't go so well the last time."
Alexandria isn't sure she's going to make it to her eighteenth birthday--to her Awakening. A long-forgotten, fanatical order is out to kill her, and if the Council ever discovers what she did in the Catskills, she's a goner… and so is Aiden.
If that's not freaky enough, whenever Alex and Seth spend time"training"--which really is just Seth's code word for some up-close and personal one-on-one time--she ends up with another mark of the Apollyon, which brings her one step closer to Awakening ahead of schedule. Awesome.
But as her birthday draws near, her entire world shatters with a startling revelation and she's caught between love and Fate. One will do anything to protect her. One has been lying to her since the beginning. Once the gods have revealed themselves, unleashing their wrath, lives will be irrevocably changed… and destroyed.
Those left standing will discover if love is truly greater than Fate.
Title: In Honor Author: Jessi Kirby Publisher: Simon & Schuster Add to Goodreads Honor receives her brother’s last letter from Iraq three days after learning that he died, and opens it the day his fellow Marines lay the flag over his casket. Its contents are a complete shock: concert tickets to see Kyra Kelly, her favorite pop star and Finn’s celebrity crush. In his letter, he jokingly charged Honor with the task of telling Kyra Kelly that he was in love with her.
Grief-stricken and determined to grant Finn’s last request, she rushes to leave immediately. But she only gets as far as the driveway before running into Rusty, Finn’s best friend since third grade and his polar opposite. She hasn’t seen him in ages, thanks to a falling out between the two guys, but Rusty is much the same as Honor remembers him: arrogant, stubborn.. and ruggedly good-looking. Neither one is what the other would ever look for in a road trip partner, but the two of them set off together, on a voyage that makes sense only because it doesn’t. Along the way, they find small and sometimes surprising ways to ease their shared loss and honor Finn--but when shocking truths are revealed at the end of the road, will either of them be able to cope with the consequences?
Title: Pushing the Limits Author: Katie McGarry Publisher: Harlequin Teen Add to Goodreads No one knows what happened the night Echo Emerson went from popular girl with jock boyfriend to gossiped-about outsider with"freaky" scars on her arms. Even Echo can't remember the whole truth of that horrible night. All she knows is that she wants everything to go back to normal.But when Noah Hutchins, the smoking-hot, girl-using loner in the black leather jacket, explodes into her life with his tough attitude and surprising understanding, Echo's world shifts in ways she could never have imagined. They should have nothing in common. And with the secrets they both keep, being together is pretty much impossible.
Yet the crazy attraction between them refuses to go away. And Echo has to ask herself just how far they can push the limits and what she'll risk for the one guy who might teach her how to love again.
Title: Easy Author: Tammara Webber Add to Goodreads A girl who believes trust can be misplaced, promises are made to be broken, and loyalty is an illusion. A boy who believes truth is relative, lies can mask unbearable pain, and guilt is eternal. Will what they find in each other validate their conclusions, or disprove them all?
When Jacqueline follows her longtime boyfriend to the college of his choice, the last thing she expects is a breakup two months into sophomore year. After two weeks in shock, she wakes up to her new reality: she's single, attending a state university instead of a music conservatory, ignored by her former circle of friends, and failing a class for the first time in her life.
Leaving a party alone, Jacqueline is assaulted by her ex's frat brother. Rescued by a stranger who seems to be in the right place at the right time, she wants nothing more than to forget the attack and that night--but her savior, Lucas, sits on the back row of her econ class, sketching in a notebook and staring at her. Her friends nominate him to be the perfect rebound.
When her attacker turns stalker, Jacqueline has a choice: crumple in defeat or learn to fight back. Lucas remains protective, but he's hiding secrets of his own. Suddenly appearances are everything, and knowing who to trust is anything but easy.
Title: Unlikely Allies Author: Tiffany King Add to Goo drea ds Eighteen-year-old Kimberly gets the shock of her life when she learns the father she thought was dead is not only very much alive, but never even knew she existed. Angry with her mother for lying all these years, Kimberly flies to Colorado to meet the father she knows nothing about before heading off to college in the fall.
Her father’s world turns out to be nothing like she expected. Rather than the typical nine to five lifestyle, Kimberly’s father runs a summer foster camp that teaches young children skills to build their confidence and self-esteem. The Colorado Rocky Mountains are a different world than the sunny shores of California, taking Kimberly completely out of her element, and causing her to second-guess her spur of the moment decision.
Never being one to quit anything, Kimberly is determined to show her father that a surfer girl can fit into this rugged mountain wilderness. That is if she can deal with Mason, an arrogant nineteen-year-old guy who has made it his mission to point out every mistake she has made since her arrival. While she would love nothing more than to rub it in his know-it-all face, Kimberly can’t deny the feelings he stirs up inside her, or the chemistry between them, even during their verbal assaults.
When a tragic accident leaves them stranded in the mountains, Kimberly must use her shaky skills to save Mason and survive the elements. Suddenly, fighting is the last thing on their minds as they must rely on each other if they want to live. In their struggle for survival, they realize what they thought they knew about each other isn’t true after all.
Title: The Edge of Never Author: J.A. Redmerski Add to Goodreads Twenty-year-old Camryn Bennett had always been one to think out-of-the-box, who knew she wanted something more in life than following the same repetitive patterns and growing old with the same repetitive life story. And she thought that her life was going in the right direction until everything fell apart.
Determined not to dwell on the negative and push forward, Camryn is set to move in with her best friend and plans to start a new job. But after an unexpected night at the hottest club in downtown Raleigh, North Carolina, she makes the ultimate decision to leave the only life she’s ever known, far behind.
With a purse, a cell phone and a small bag with a few necessities, Camryn, with absolutely no direction or purpose boards a Greyhound bus alone and sets out to find herself. What she finds is a guy named Andrew Parrish, someone not so very different from her and who harbors his own dark secrets. But Camryn swore never to let down her walls again. And she vowed never to fall in love.
But with Andrew, Camryn finds herself doing a lot of things she never thought she’d do. He shows her what it’s really like to live out-of-the-box and to give in to her deepest, darkest desires. On their sporadic road-trip he becomes the center of her exciting and daring new life, pulling love and lust and emotion out of her in ways she never imagined possible. But will Andrew’s dark secret push them inseparably together, or tear them completely apart?
Title: Destiny's Fire Author: Trisha Wolfe Publisher: Omnific Publishing Add to Goodreads It's the year 2040, and sixteen-year-old Dez Harkly is one of the last of her kind-part of a nearly extinct race of shape-shifters descended from guardians to the Egyptian pharaohs. Her home and her secret are threatened when the Council lowers the barrier, allowing the enemy race to enter the Shythe haven.As the Narcolym airships approach, Dez and her friends rebel against their Council and secretly train for battle. Not only is Dez wary of war and her growing affection for her best friend Jace, she fears the change her birthday will bring. When Dez's newfound power rockets out of control, it's a Narcolym who could change her fate… if she can trust him.Dez's guarded world crumbles when she discovers why the Narcos have really come to Haven Falls, and she's forced to choose between the race who raised her and the enemy she's feared her whole life.
Title: Sweet Evil Author: Wendy Higgins Publisher: HarperTeen Add to Goodreads Embrace the Forbidden
What if there were teens whose lives literally depended on being bad influences?
This is the reality for sons and daughters of fallen angels.
Tenderhearted Southern girl Anna Whitt was born with the sixth sense to see and feel emotions of other people. She's aware of a struggle within herself, an inexplicable pull toward danger, but Anna, the ultimate good girl, has always had the advantage of her angel side to balance the darkness within. It isn't until she turns sixteen and meets the alluring Kaidan Rowe that she discovers her terrifying heritage and her willpower is put to the test. He's the boy your daddy warned you about. If only someone had warned Anna.
Forced to face her destiny, will Anna embrace her halo or her horns?
Title: Lucid Author: P.T. Michelle Add to Goodreads Once Nara combines her prophetic ability with Ethan’s power to outsmart Fate at his own deadly cat-and-mouse game, she’s more determined than ever to help Ethan learn the meaning behind the raven sword tattoo that suddenly appeared on his back after their confrontation with Fate.
During her quest to uncover the tattoo’s secrets, Nara enlists the help of some new friends and discovers her own surprising connection to Ethan.
While Nara digs deeper into the mystery, her desire for answers leads her down a dangerous path full of powerful and ruthless enemies. Swept into an age-old battle, Nara quickly learns that keeping one’s enemies close can be a necessary evil, making an intangible enemy she can control far more preferable to the human enemies she can’t.
Title: A Girl Named Digit Author: Annabel Monaghan Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Add to Goodreads Farrah"Digit" Higgins may be going to MIT in the fall, but this L.A. high school genius has left her geek self behind in another school district so she can blend in with the popular crowd at Santa Monica High and actually enjoy her senior year. But when Farrah, the daughter of a UCLA math professor, unknowingly cracks a terrorist group's number sequence, her laid-back senior year gets a lot more interesting. Soon she is personally investigating the case, on the run from terrorists, and faking her own kidnapping-- all while trying to convince a young, hot FBI agent to take her seriously. So much for blending in.
Now it's YOUR turn! Link up your list using the Linky below! I am hosting the giveaway for today!!Enter below for a chance to win $15 to The Book Depository. Rules:
You must be at least 13 to enter.
Name and email must be provided and counts as 1 entry.
Extra entries are possible and links must be provided.
Contest is International and ends January 10th.
Once contacted, the winner will have 48 hours to respond.
The form must be filled out to enter.
a Rafflecopter giveaway Note: This is the SAME Linky on all FIVE Co-hosting blogs.
The Avery Shaw Experiment by Kelly Oram Published: Bluefields (May 4th, 2013) Reading Level: Young Adult ebook: 278 pages Rating: 5 of 5 stars Summary: When Avery Shaw’s heart is shattered by her life-long best friend, she chooses to deal with it the only way she knows how—scientifically.
The state science fair is coming up and Avery decides to use her broken heart as the topic of her experiment. She’s going to find the cure. By forcing herself to experience the seven stages of grief through a series of social tests, she believes she will be able to get over Aiden Kennedy and make herself ready to love again. But she can’t do this experiment alone, and her partner (ex partner!) is the one who broke her heart.
Avery finds the solution to her troubles in the form of Aiden’s older brother Grayson. The gorgeous womanizer is about to be kicked off the school basketball team for failing physics. He’s in need of a good tutor and some serious extra credit. But when Avery recruits the lovable Grayson to be her “objective outside observer,” she gets a whole lot more than she bargained for, because Grayson has a theory of his own: Avery doesn’t need to grieve. She needs to live. And if there’s one thing Grayson Kennedy is good at, it’s living life to the fullest.
Review:
When this book came along I was looking for a cute, funny story to make me smile. This was exactly what I needed. The entire story is so adorable! The Avery Shaw Experiment takes first love, first heartbreak, and puts a scientific spin on it, which equals the perfect combination for this book!
Avery has been friends with Aiden and Grayson forever. They all grew up together and recently Avery has felt her feelings for Aiden are more in the"love" category. Well, unfortunately, Aiden doesn't feel the same way. He breaks her heart by turning her down and, low and behold, Grayson (the older brother) is there to catch Avery.
From page 1 I loved Grayson. He's cute, funny, a jock, and hot. What's not to love about that? He's also a complete sweetheart. Even when he's being a bit flirtatious and getting on Avery's nerves, I couldn't help but swoon a little at his actions.
Poor Avery went through a lot in this story but I loved how Grayson really introduced her to a whole new world. While Avery was hoping to make her heartbreak into a scientific experiment, all Grayson wanted to do was make her feel better and realize she didn't need Aiden.
Aiden was a jerk. I had a hard time liking any part of him after what he did to Avery. I'm not sure I could have forgiven him. Boo, Aiden!
However, one of the first scenes with Grayson had me wishing I had a friend in high school just like him. He wasn't afraid to tell people off. There were times I just wanted to shake Avery and say"Get over it!!". But, at the same time, I realize what young love and heartbreak can be like and I understood why she wasn't able to let go of those feelings so easily.
If you are looking for a cute story with a fantastic male swoon-worthy character, pick this one up! I hope Kelly writes more of these stories because it was one of my favorite books from this year!
This week I've been giving you some mini-reviews from Indie/New Adult books that have been released over the past year or so. I'd read a ton of them so it's easier to review a few at once. Monday had the books that got a 5 star review from me and yesterday featured the 4 star books. Today is another batch of 4 star books. Hopefully you will find a few you'd like to add to your list.
Fallen Crest High by Tijan Add to Goodreads
As far as new adult authors go, Tijan is not one that pops up often. I happened to find this book while browsing one day and was so glad that I did. This is really one of those books where the characters stay with you. You may not love every aspect of the story, but you can't help but keep reading till it's finished. Mason and Logan (the bothers) were great in their own ways and Sam has the misfortune of living with them after her mom decided to marry their dad. This book is pretty complicated with all the plots, sub-plots, and characters but I definitely want to see what happens in the new book.
Hopeless by Colleen Hoover Add to Goodreads This one is easy to spoil because there is a lot going on. Tons of tragedy! When Sky meets Dean she has no idea of their past. Sky has been through more than many people could imagine. It was sad to see how broken she was but I was glad that Dean could be there for her. At times the drama seemed a bit too much but it was still a well written story with a lot of great moments between the characters. Dean was my favorite. You can't help but love him and hope that these characters can somehow find happiness through all the heartbreak. Not sure when/if I'll read the next one but so many people loved this one.
Play With Me by Piper Shelly Add to Goodreads You know how sometimes you just want a light, sweet book to read? This one is perfect for those times! This was one of the cutest romances ever. Liza is a cutie! Poor girl has been in love with her best friend Tony forever and he comes back from soccer camp in love with another *sigh*. So, she has a plan to become sporty herself in hopes he will notice her. What she doesn't plan for is the soccer captain, Ryan, to start paying attention to her. They have so many of those cute moments that have you saying"awww." The ONLY complaint I had about this story was that it was just too short! I wanted more! Of course, there is now a version in Ryan's POV but still… I wish this one would have been a bit longer. But, I totally recommend it.
If You Stay by Courtney Cole Add to Goodreads Some books say they have bad boys but this one is really bad. Pax is a jerk, 100%! He has money to burn but is rude, disrespectful, and has a whole slew of drug issues. Not the easiest character to like but I liked that there was no doubting his personality. Everyone knew immediately what type of guy he was. Mila is a sweetheart who can't help but try to help Pax. Even though she is told to forget about ever changing him, she can't help but have hope that he will get better. It took a while for their sparks to really heat up but I liked seeing Pax change. Much is the story is from his POV and it was easy to see how Mila got under his skin. Courtney Cole is a great author and I look forward to reading more from her.
Someone to Love by Addison Moore Add to Goodreads This is a light story and a nice college-age romance but there was something lacking. Maybe it was depth for the character? Not sure. But, in this book, Kendall wants to be a player and she goes to the king of all players, Cruise, for help. She says she's determined to learn how to play guys. The overall story was fun to read but I'm not sure I fully bought the whole"wanting to be a player" thing. I think that with more work this book could have hit it out of the park but for something light and fluffy, it's a pretty good read. I've seen other people with some mixed feelings about this title.
Ten Tiny Breaths by K.A Tucker Add to Goodreads This is a very intense story. Kacey has had a really hard life and all she wants to do is find safety and take care of her little sister. They move into a rundown apartment and she starts working to try to take care of the bills. Then Trent moves next door. Kacey tries to brush off her feelings for him but they are drawn to each other. I really enjoyed this book and all the side characters/plots too. It's depressing at times but I couldn't stop reading. The overall idea is a bit predictable but I still found myself rooting for the characters and wanting to find out what will happen next. I will probably check out the next book in the series because it focuses on Kacey's sister.
After Tuesday by Renee Ericson Add to Goodreads This book is about Ruby, a young girl dealing with an alcoholic father. I liked this book for a lot of reasons. One big reason is that her dad, although sick, wasn't a complete jerk. He seemed like he wanted to be a good dad and that's something rarely seen in YA books. Then Ruby gets to know Brent, a guy from school, and she's forced to balance her real life with that of a normal teenager. She tries to hide her issues at home but that isn't easy. Soon both collide and she has to rely on someone else. Sometimes I just wished she would have been honest with Brent early on instead of hiding things. But I did like the way the author portrayed the relationship and the issues Ruby had with her dad. He wasn't just thrown to the side like some novels do.
Breathe Into Me by Amanda Stone Add to Goodreads This was another complex story and in the end I was scratching my head a bit. Kelsey had some really craptastic luck. She had a horrible tragedy 6 years before she heads to college and all she wants is to escape it. She has her best friend Jessi, who I loved, and soon she meets bad-boy Kane. But Kane isn't really bad. He was actually much nicer than I expected. Sometimes I wanted to shake Kelsey for being so darn trusting of guys-who-shall-remain-nameless, especially after what she had been through. Plus, I wasn't happy with the fact she judged Kane so quickly when something happened with him. I don't want to spoil anything but I do think this is definitely worth the read. I'm looking forward to reading more from this author.
Picture Perfect by Alessandra Thomas Add to Goodreads It's pretty hard to find a good story that doesn't involve a girl who is a perfect size 4. Cat used to be a model but now she can't fit into anything in her closet. She had an accident and, after sitting for nearly a year, she's going back to school as a size 12. One thing I really liked about this story is that all of Cat's friends didn't shun her because of her size. It's not like it's the worst thing in the world so it sucks when books act like the character can't have friends if she's beyond a size 10. Cat did have friends and, really, she is the biggest issue blocking her own happiness. When Nate steps in Cat finally starts to see herself as more than a size. He helps her break down her walls and be happy again. Sometimes I just wanted her to get over things but I tried to understand where she was coming from. This book was really enjoyable and had a very unique plot (and twist).
Unbroken by Melody Grace Add to Goodreads This book has one of my all-time favorite lines ever… "Mom always told me there are two kinds of love in this world: the steady breeze, and the hurricane. Emerson Ray was my hurricane… " Love it! This book is great for a summer read. Juliet is forced to go back to her summer beach home for a while and she runs into her old flame Emerson. I enjoyed this story but nothing really stood out to me as memorable. There is some cheating, which I hate, but it didn't ruin the book for me. The characters definitely have chemistry and there are several hot moments to enjoy. ALL OF THESE BOOKS WERE RATED
"But it's kind of like those TV episodes where the MC relives the same day over and over. You get to a point where you're like... 'Okay. What's next?' I will say that the 'what's next' part at the end — is totally worth it." — Miss Remmers
Release Date: June 14th, 2011 Publisher: Random House Challenges: Audiobook Challenge, 75+ Challenge
"Luce would die for Daniel. And she has. Over and over again. Throughout time, Luce and Daniel have found each other, only to be painfully torn apart: Luce dead, Daniel left broken and alone. But perhaps it doesn’t need to be that way... . Luce is certain that something—or someone—in a past life can help her in her present one. So she begins the most important journey of this lifetime... going back eternities to witness firsthand her romances with Daniel... and finally unlock the key to making their love last. Cam and the legions of angels and Outcasts are desperate to catch Luce, but none are as frantic as Daniel. He chases Luce through their shared pasts, terrified of what might happen if she rewrites history. Because their romance for the ages could go up in flames... forever."
After the excitement and addiction that was "Torment, " I feel like any book would have a hard time following. I enjoyed the premise of "Passion" and was still rooting for the characters, but the entirety of the book was Luce jumping through time I couldn't help but compare it to the endless camping scenes from "The Deathly Hallows."* While I understand that Luce learned something each time, I was just a little... bored, I guess, until she started to piece the past together.
Also, the big twist at the end, totally saw that coming.
Regardless of the plot, I still yearned for Daniel to keep up with Luce even though (at the same time) I wanted Miles and Shelby to find her first. I went between audiobook and hard copy (both Library) to complete this book as parts of the audio were so slow — do to the recurring plot — that I figured I could just skim over bits (I know, I know, naughty blogger). But it's kind of like those Buffy and Supernatural (and that ABC Family Christmas movie starring the guy from Saved by the Bell) episodes where the MC relives the same day over and over. You get to a point where you're like... "Okay. What's next? "
I will say that the "what's next" part at the end — is totally worth it. Overall, I'm a little disappointed in this installment of the series but it hasn't slowed down my hunger for "Fallen in Love" or "Rapture."
*So this really isn't a negative comment because who doesn't like to be compared to J.K. Rowling.
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Poughkeepsie by Debra Anastasia Publisher: Omnific Publishing (November 22nd, 2011) Adult: 17+ Paperback: 384 pages Source: Author/Publisher Rating: 4 of 5 stars He counts her smiles every day and night at the train station. And morning and evening, the beautiful commuter acknowledges him—just like she does everyone else on the platform. But Blake Hartt is not like the others.. he’s homeless. Memories of a broken childhood have robbed him of peace and twisted delusions into his soul. He stays secluded from the sun, sure the world would run from him in the harsh light of day.
Each day, Livia McHugh smiles politely and acknowledges her fellow commuters as she waits for the train to the city. She dismisses this kindness as nothing special, just like her. She’s the same as a million other girls—certainly no one to be cherished. But special or not, she smiles every day, never imagining that someone would rely on the simple gesture as if it were air to breathe.
When the moment comes that Livia must do more than smile, without hesitation she steps into the fray to defend the homeless man. And she's surprised to discover an inexplicable connection with her new friend. After danger subsides, their smiles become conversation. Their words usher in a friendship, which awakens something in each of them. But it’s not long before their bond must prove its strength. Entanglements from the past challenge both their love and their lives.
Blake’s heart beats for Livia’s, even if her hands have to keep its rhythm. Love is patient. Love is kind. Love never fails. Love never fails, right? Review: First, I'll say that this is, for sure, an adult novel! It is very raw, emotional, and heartbreaking in so many ways. I wasn't sure what to expect with this book but wow, I was blown away. Honestly, I think it could have easily been 3 different books. It was very complex with a ton of amazing characters and plot-lines going on at once.
I assumed from the summary that this book was mostly about Blake and Livia — I was wrong. It was so much more than that. Blake and Livia are only 1/10th of what's in this story. Poughkeepsie does start with the focus on Blake and Livia. Livia is so kind-hearted and she tries to care for Blake (who is homeless) in any way that he will let her. Their connection was simple but deep.
Through their relationship, we are introduced to several other main characters and that is when the story goes in a bunch of different directions. My favorite character was Beckett. Beckett is Blake's brother (through adoption) and he is incredibly protective. He is not the most moral person in the world but he does what he feels necessary in order to protect the people around him. He is dangerous, intimidating, and hot!
Although we meet a ton of characters in this story, I was easily able to keep up. Each character and POV held my attention. They were not"throw away" people that you forget about after the book is finished. I still remember each one and loved what they brought to the story.
My only tiny complaint with this book was just that I think it may have been better as a series. I wanted MORE. Maybe each brother should have had their own book? Mostly just so it could have been more drawn out and developed. Poughkeepsie is non-stop action and drama but maybe having a few books could have let each relationship shine a little more on their own.
Poughkeepsie is emotional and realistic. Each character has had their own struggles and they turned into their own version of a family. I highly enjoyed reading this story and I can't wait to read more from Debra Anastasia!
Recommended: ADULTS looking for a fabulous contemporary novel with a lot of grit and honesty.
Halflings by Heather Burch Publisher: Zonderkidz (January 10, 2012) Paperback: 288 pages Reading Level: Young Adult Source: NetGalley Series: Halflings #1 Rating: 5 of 5 stars After being inexplicably targeted by an evil intent on harming her at any cost, seventeen-year-old Nikki finds herself under the watchful guardianship of three mysterious young men who call themselves halflings. Sworn to defend her, misfits Mace, Raven, and Vine battle to keep Nikki safe while hiding their deepest secret—and the wings that come with.
A growing attraction between Nikki and two of her protectors presents a whole other danger. While she risks a broken heart, Mace and Raven could lose everything, including their souls. As the mysteries behind the boys’ powers, as well as her role in a scientist’s dark plan, unfold, Nikki is faced with choices that will affect the future of an entire race of heavenly beings, as well as the precarious equilibrium of the earthly world. Review: I admit, it's hard for me to love angel books, typically. I'm not sure why but only rarely do they grab my attention. But, Halflings was incredible! Definitely in the top 3 angel books I've ever read and I can't wait to get the 2nd book in the series.
First, Nikki was an amazing female character. I love to see someone who can run with the boys and kick some butt. Nikki is smart, determined, and fierce! She does well tackling the things that come her way, until it's more than teenage drama she is forced to deal with. For reasons unknown to her, evil creatures want her dead. But she isn't alone in the fight. She has 3 fabulous halflings helping her with the battle. 3 fabulous … hot, male… halflings! I mean really, who wouldn't want them as bodyguards??
Mace, Raven, and Vine have missions to protect people and now that person is Nikki. She is thrown into their world and she immediately knows they are not normal guys. Mace saves her from an accident on her motorcycle, and while he tries to convince her that nothing strange happens, Nikki isn't buying it. After a while she learns what the guys really are.
Mace is the good-guy. He is strong but he follows along with the rules and tries to do what is right. He is the first to share a deep connection with Nikki. But something, or someone, throws a wrench into his plans. Raven is pretty much the total opposite of Mace. He is stubborn and has a bad attitude. He never wants to do what he is told and for some reason, Nikki loves that. But then again, he's totally hot, so I understand: ) But now Nikki has a nice love triangle on her hands.
I know some people hate love triangles but I am not one of them. It's difficult to make a love triangle realistic and genuine but Heather Burch did a fantastic job at this! I really believed the connections Nikki had with Mace and Raven. Nothing seemed forced and the chemistry was there. Loved it!
I don't want to forget mentioning Vine too because he was just adorable. He's the newbie, and usually the one who tries to keep the peace between Mace and Raven. I really liked his character a lot.
The plot of Halflings was incredibly gripping. It was unique and full of action, twists, and turns that I never expected. There were so many pulse-pounding moments that had me on the edge of my seat.
Heather Burch beautifully crafted this story and everything about it drew me in. I couldn't stop reading and I'm anxiously awaiting book 2!
It's official. I've caught the bug. Only took me a day to finish this (started around 6pm and stayed up all night then read the final four chapters in the morning — always a sign of a good book). Beware of mild spoilers.
From Amazon.com...
"Recovered from the vampire attack that hospitalized her in the conclusion of Twilight (Little, Brown, 2005), Bella celebrates her birthday with her boyfriend Edward and his family, a unique clan of vampires that has sworn off human blood. But the celebration abruptly ends when the teen accidentally cuts her arm on broken glass. The sight and smell of her blood trickling away forces the Cullen family to retreat lest they be tempted to make a meal of her. After all is mended, Edward, realizing the danger that he and his family create for Bella, sees no option for her safety but to leave. Mourning his departure, she slips into a downward spiral of depression that penetrates and lingers over her every step. Vampire fans will appreciate the subsequently dour mood that permeates the novel, and it's not until Bella befriends Jacob, a sophomore from her school with a penchant for motorcycles, that both the pace and her disposition begin to take off. Their adventures are wild, dare-devilish, and teeter on the brink of romance, but memories of Edward pervade Bella's emotions, and soon their fun quickly morphs into danger, especially when she uncovers the true identities of Jacob and his pack of friends."
I know I kind of threw a Twilight fit a week ago — but here I am the prodigal reader. I read and liked Twilight when it first came out. Then I tried to read New Moon, but for some reason (that I can't think of now), I just hated it. I was mad at Bella and I was furious with Edward — so I abandoned it... only for it to become a phenomena years later. In 96 hours I picked up Twilight and finished it, then I watched the movie, and finally I read New Moon. I think it's safe to say I caught the bug.
I don't quite now how to compare Twilight to New Moon — probably because I read them so close together that they kind of bleed together (haha — pun). New Moon was... oh wow, I can already tell this isn't going to be a very good review!
What I didn't like was that I felt like Bella was purely using Jacob and then all of a sudden he's her best friend? I feel like that relationship wasn't built strong enough for me to believe. He was her crutch — we've all had one. I felt bad for Jacob — because Bella was so clearly not over Edward. Maybe I'm missing something, or maybe it's in the next two books, because from what other readers have told me — Bella and Jacob are a big deal. And I just didn't get that from New Moon. I think it would have made a difference if Bella could have stopped pitying herself all the time and would have been more attracted to Jacob right away rather than RIGHT before all heck broke loose.
Again, wow I seem to be a Bella hater, it bothered me how Meyer constantly had to remind us that Bella is a klutz. I gotta ask, why is this so important? Her character is built on her 'attracting trouble' and being uncoordinated. In my opinion, that's all her character is good for — getting into trouble and then being saved by Jacob or Edward. This damsel is getting on my nerves. Also, now I can't say I've ever been in love — but people move on from loss everyday. I think about the little old man who sits in the second pew at church who lost his wife fifteen years ago (made up story, but still — you get my point). Life goes on. Is Bella's love for Edward more than the love he had for his wife? I just can't fathom living in a shell and ignoring everyone for that long! Yes, a couple weeks, maybe a month, for the sake of argument let's say two months — but really four months and you're still catatonic? I just... I can't imagine.
But really, that's all I disliked — well and the whole Edward bit. I loved how Alice played such a pivotal role. Like I mentioned before, I love the Cullens. While I love that Alice has a bigger role — I am sad that the other Cullens are almost nonexistent. Sad day. This will depress me when I go to the movie — I've already mentioned my slight crush on Jasper.
I absolutely loved the Romeo and Juliet analogy — I mean, wow! Stephenie Meyer definitely thought that one out — perfect!
And while I didn't totally buy into the relationship between Bella and Jacob — I really liked Jacob (and think he could do SO much better than Bella). Even when he's tortured, he's a great guy. Edward's attitude, behavior, and down right demeanor gets kind of 'glum' after while — reminds me of Eeyore. So Jacob brought a great fun and lightheartedness to Bella's life (and in case she didn't notice, to my reading experience). It's hard to constantly be reading about how depressed and angry Edward is. But anyway — Jacob was just a fun character to read. Bella was kind of... coquettish with Jacob — holding his hand etc. And the boy didn't even get a kiss!
I liked how it expanded on the Vampiric history and what not. Although, those last four chapters (I'll admit) I did a lot of skimming to find out what happened. I also liked how it ended — with the vote. And Bella's epiphany — that was a very honest part of the book. Despite how I feel about Bella — I know what it's like to know that you don't deserve someone and then have him leave you. A guy can tell you he loves you a million times, but it takes just one sentence for you to see that it was a lie. Wow — I'm getting depressed.
Again, just for good measure — I loved the Romeo and Juliet analogy! Just loved it!
I've got to read a couple ARC books and slim my library pile down a bite... I mean bit... before I pick up Eclipse. But hopefully by Monday I can start back in with my 'recreational' reading!
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