Sunday, December 30, 2012

Fallen Too Far by Abbi Glines Review and Giveaway

Fallen Too Far (Fallen Too Far, #1)
Rating 5/5

To want what you’re not supposed to have…She is only nineteen.

She is his new stepfather’s daughter.

She is still naïve and innocent due to spending the last three years taking care of her sick mother.

But for twenty-four year old Rush Finlay, she is the only thing that has ever been off limits. His famous father’s guilt money, his mother’s desperation to win his love, and his charm are the three reasons he has never been told no.

Blaire Wynn left her small farmhouse in Alabama, after her mother passed away, to move in with her father and his new wife in their sprawling beach house along the Florida gulf coast. She isn’t prepared for the lifestyle change and she knows she’ll never fit into this world. Then there is her sexy stepbrother who her father leaves her with for the summer while he runs off to Paris with his wife. Rush is as spoiled as he is gorgeous. He is also getting under her skin. She knows he is anything but good for her and that he’ll never be faithful to anyone. He is jaded and has secrets Blaire knows she may never uncover but even knowing all of that…

Blaire just may have fallen too far.


YES!!! Yes yes! That's what I'm talking about! I few weeks ago I reviewed Just For Now by Abbi Glines and I said that I loved it but that I wanted something different from her. And Ladies and Gentlemen Abbi Glines did just that with Fallen Too Far. It was so different from her other books but it had the Abbi Touch. Let me explain what the Abbi Touch is: It's when you can't put a book down and it doesn't matter what time it is you won't stop reading. You know you won't function the next day. You will definitely be a zombie but it's ok because you finished the book and that's what matters. Fallen Too Far  won't let you do anything else until you finish reading it.

I thing the best part of the book were the characters. Blaire was strong and just different. She did things I wasn't expecting her to do or say and she was so humble and kick-ass at the same time. She made me cry a few times. The things she went through were heartbreaking but she just kept going. And then we have Rush. He was so... unpredictable and sizzling of course *wink wink*. The sexual tention between Blaire and Rush was to die for!! The secondary characters were a big part of the whole pictures and they were also amazing, except for 2 or 3 that I'm not going to mention grrrr.

There's a plot twist in the book and for the life of me I couldn't figure it out. The twist was one of the things that almost drove me nuts because I wanted to know what the big secret was but it was hard to tell. I kind of knew a little something but that didn't help. I suggest if you are going to read Fallen Too Far just read it, enjoy it and don't try to think too hard because it will drive you crazy!

Verdict: YOU WILL FREAKING LOVE THIS BOOK!

Amazon/Goodreads



GIVEAWAY

I will be giving away 2 kindle copies of Fallen Too Far. This giveaway is INT'l and ends 1/13/13. 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Friday, December 28, 2012

Ten Tiny Breaths by K.A. Tucker

Ten Tiny Breaths (Ten Tiny Breaths, #1)Rating 4/5
Kacey Cleary’s whole life imploded four years ago in a drunk-driving accident. Now she’s working hard to bury the pieces left behind—all but one. Her little sister, Livie. Kacey can swallow the constant disapproval from her born-again aunt Darla over her self-destructive lifestyle; she can stop herself from going kick-boxer crazy on Uncle Raymond when he loses the girls’ college funds at a blackjack table. She just needs to keep it together until Livie is no longer a minor, and then they can get the hell out of Grand Rapids, Michigan.


But when Uncle Raymond slides into bed next to Livie one night, Kacey decides it’s time to run. Armed with two bus tickets and dreams of living near the coast, Kacey and Livie start their new lives in a Miami apartment complex, complete with a grumpy landlord, a pervert upstairs, and a neighbor with a stage name perfectly matched to her chosen “profession.” But Kacey’s not worried. She can handle all of them. What she can’t handle is Trent Emerson in apartment 1D.

Kacey doesn’t want to feel. She doesn’t. It’s safer that way. For everyone. But sexy Trent finds a way into her numb heart, reigniting her ability to love again. She starts to believe that maybe she can leave the past where it belongs and start over. Maybe she’s not beyond repair.

But Kacey isn’t the only one who’s broken. Seemingly perfect Trent has an unforgiveable past of his own; one that, when discovered, will shatter Kacey’s newly constructed life and send her back into suffocating darkness.


This book was amazing but emotionally draining. Ten Tiny Breaths went places I wasn't expecting. I felt Kacey's pain every time she had to relive that horrible accident either by talking about it or by having nightmares about it. I sincerely thought she wasn't going to get her happy ending. I'm not saying she did or didn't get her happily ever after, I'm just expressing how I felt while reading the book. 

The secondary characters played a big role in this book. If it weren't for them I think TTB would have been too depressing. Kacey is a strong character to have in your head all by herself but when you add Livie, Storm, Mia, Ben, hell, Tanner and of course Trent the book ends up being an emotionally balanced read.

I can't say much about the twist. I kind of guessed it before it was revealed. That doesn't take away the surprise factor though. My heart broke, I cried and I got mad. That's it, I can't say much because I will definitely give everything away. The romance will also touch your heart and make you cry and laugh. Kacey and Trent were amazing together. 

Overall Ten Tiny Breaths was a fantastic read. 

Wednesday, December 5, 2012

Sanctum by Sarah Fine "Malachi's Journal": Day 6 and GIVEAWAY

This post is about Malachi, the guard and love interest from Sanctum by Sarah Fine. Here you'll get to read an entry from his Journal. If you scroll down a little bit you'll find Day 6 of his journal but before your read it you should read Days 1-5.  Here's where you can find them: 
  
Day 1  Lili                        
Day 2  Rachel                 
Day 3  Heidi                  
Day 4  Keertana            
Day 5  Maja                    
Day 6  Bethzaida           
Day 7  Nicole
Day 8  Alexa                 
Day 9  Christy               
Day 10 Ali   
                
*Note: Days 1-8 are available to read now. Day 9 will be available  on 12/7/12 and Day 10 on 12/14/12.


"Malachi’s quarters had no windows, no decorations. His room was just like everything else about him—nothing unnecessary, nothing wasted. His narrow cot rested in a corner, right next to something that looked like a hat rack. He walked straight to it and hung his bloody, stained armor over it. A small desk stood across from the rack, but the only things that sat upon it were a fountain pen and a single book, like some kind of journal. Neatly stacked in a corner rose a tower of identical books as tall as I was. A lot of journals."

If you want to get to know someone, reading his journal is the way to do it (though you should probably ask permission first). Malachi is no exception: his journals contain his thoughts, hopes, fears, plans, and adventures during his time in the dark city. Starting today, excerpts will post regularly throughout the publication of the Guards of the Shadowlands series at www.guardsoftheshadowlands.tumblr.com, but to get things started, you can read excerpts from Malachi's first ten days as a Guard NOW. And you can enter to win one of ten SANCTUM swag packs, which include an exclusive bonus scene from Malachi's point-of-view!


And here it is! Malachi's Journal: Day 6

Day 6: Philip returned today, this time without weapons. It barely matters because I am so weak with hunger and sleeplessness that I have no strength to attack him. He brought Raphael to translate, and they taught me a few words in English. I crouched here in my corner and listened. I accepted the soup. I ate the bread. I said 'hello' and 'thank you'. Philip is the one with the authority to let me out of this room, but he only said that he will make sure I get enough to eat, and then he and Raphael left. I think the only way to get out of here is to go along with them. For now.

Giveaway

Enter to win 1 of 10 Swag Packs (signed book, antique map, wristband, EXCLUSIVE bonus scene from Malachi's point-of-view). This contest is INTERNATIONAL and you must be 14 or older to participate. 



Sanctum (Guards of the Shadowlands, #1)“My plan: Get into the city. Get Nadia. Find a way out. Simple.”

A week ago, seventeen-year-old Lela Santos’s best friend, Nadia, killed herself. Today, thanks to a farewell ritual gone awry, Lela is standing in paradise, looking upon a vast gated city in the distance—hell. No one willingly walks through the Suicide Gates, into a place smothered in darkness and infested with depraved creatures. But Lela isn’t just anyone—she’s determined to save her best friend’s soul, even if it means sacrificing her eternal afterlife. 

As Lela struggles to find Nadia, she’s captured by the Guards, enormous, not-quite-human creatures that patrol the dark city’s endless streets. Their all-too-human leader, Malachi, is unlike them in every way except one: his deadly efficiency. When he meets Lela, Malachi forms his own plan: get her out of the city, even if it means she must leave Nadia behind. Malachi knows something Lela doesn’t—the dark city isn’t the worst place Lela could end up, and he will stop at nothing to keep her from that fate.

Sarah Fine was born on the West Coast, raised in the Midwest, and is now firmly entrenched on the East Coast, where she lives with her husband and two children. When she's not writing, she's working as a child psychologist. No, she is not psychoanalyzing you right now.





Sunday, December 2, 2012

December Kindle Fire HD Giveaway



26 Blogs have come together to make this giveaway posible! One lucky person will win a Kindle Fire HD and a $50 Amazon.com giftcard AND a second winner will receive a $25 Amazon Gift Card!!! All you have to do is fill out the Rafflecopter form below! This giveaway will run from December 3rd-10th. 

Friday, November 30, 2012

Mini Reviews and Updates

Hey guys! I've been a lazy blogger lately. I think I'm just a little exhausted with all the holidays stuff going on. I'm hoping to post a Pic2Book post next week and a Christmas giveaway so be on the look out for those. Anyways, here are two mini reviews for Just for Now by Abbi Glines and The Sea of Tranquility by Katja Millay. Click the images to read summary on Goodreads. 

Just for Now by Abbi Glines

Just for Now (Sea Breeze #4)Rating: 3.5/5 

I'm a huge Abbi Glines fan and I love all her books. This one was no different. Maybe that's why the 3.5 rating. To me it feels like I  read it already or like I know what's going to happen next. This book is very similar to her previous books. Another think is that I felt that the ending was incomplete. For some reason I didn't get that "The End" feeling. But, I still liked it. In one hand the whole book feels like a déjà vu but in the other we have sexy, complex and amazing characters. I love her characters *sight*. This was a very fast and entertaining read. Hopefully, if there's another book in the series, we'll see something different. Maybe a bad girl and good boy match? How about Jess, Rock's cousin and Jason!? That right there my friends is a match made in drama heaven.

Amazon/Goodreads


The Sea of Tranquility by Katja Millay

The Sea of TranquilityRating: 5/5

You know, it's ok to once in a while read a book that will break your heart in tiny little pieces. This book made me cry and laugh and cry some more. It was beautifully written and amazing in so many ways and sad and... and... hold on I'm crying again. The Sea of Tranquility was very overwhelming to read at times. To enjoy this book you need patience. Sometimes I didn't understand why Nastya acted the way she did, hell, I don't think she knew why either. But that's where the patience comes in handy. The beginning is a bit slow and confusing but after the first few chapter the reader will begin to understand the story. I know I said that this book will break your heart but it will also restore your faith in humanity. If you are like me you will cry tears of joy when you read the last sentence. 
Photobucket
Amazon/Goodreads

Wednesday, November 14, 2012

Guest Post: It Happened in New Orleans… and Giveaway


It Happened in New Orleans…


Don’t those words instantly conjure images of mystery and intrigue?

Making New Orleans the setting for ROUGE came to me almost as fast as the idea of what I wanted to happen in the story.

Using Oliver Twist as a jumping-off point, main character Hale is a 17 year-old orphan protecting a younger orphan girl (a’la Oliver and the Artful Dodger).

The two are struggling to survive, to hide from prostitution, and to escape what ultimately becomes an abusive situation. Hale finds love, but she has to decide quick if he’s worth the price she’ll have to pay…

New Orleans was the perfect backdrop. It added the darkness, the damp, the possibility of hidden vices.

Maybe it was the history of Storyville or just the history period.

Or even the present—think about the little kids constantly tap-dancing for tips on the sidewalks of the French Quarter. 

Music is everywhere in New Orleans, which led me to make them performers in a cabaret. But all their earnings go to the cabaret owner, like those underage tap dancers.

From there, it was a matter of incorporating the heat, the humidity, the river, the sounds and the smells of that big, musty city.

I grew up in Baton Rouge, 60 miles north of NOLA, and the Big Easy was always a favorite setting of local authors and storytellers. It was always the place where dark and mysterious things occurred; where politicians were super-corrupt and everybody had some form of vice going.

At the same time, I love the Crescent City. Its residents are warm-hearted, the food can’t be beat, and nothing’s better than strolling through the Vieux Carre on a cool day.

For a young woman facing a horrible threat, determined to escape her wretched circumstances, yet surrounded by music and a “family” of street-smart grifters, it was the perfect place.

My early readers said they felt like they were there—just enough, not too much—like spice in the gumbo. 

Thanks again for having me, Bethzaida! I hope you and your readers enjoy my book! I hope you feel immersed a city that’s steeped in history… and secrecy.

-----------

Leigh Talbert Moore is a wife and mom by day, a writer by day, a reader by day, an editor when time permits, a chocoholic, a lover of YA and contemporary romance (really any great love story), and occasionally she sleeps.

-ROUGE is the first book in her mature-YA/new adult romance series (available in all major outlets).
-THE TRUTH ABOUT FAKING is her debut young adult romance (available in all major outlets).

Leigh loves hearing from readers; stop by and say hello:
*Blog: http://leightmoore.blogspot.com/
*Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/LeighTalbertMoore
*Amazon Author page: amazon.com/author/leightmoore
*Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/leightmoore
*Email: leightmoore(at)gmail(dot)com

Here are the places where you can buy Rouge: 
Amazon/BN/KoboSmashwords


Giveaway

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Monday, November 5, 2012

Ask the Passengers by A.S. King

Ask The PassengersRating: 5 out of 5 Stars

Astrid Jones desperately wants to confide in someone, but her mother's pushiness and her father's lack of interest tell her they're the last people she can trust. Instead, Astrid spends hours lying on the backyard picnic table watching airplanes fly overhead. She doesn't know the passengers inside, but they're the only people who won't judge her when she asks them her most personal questions . . . like what it means that she's falling in love with a girl.As her secret relationship becomes more intense and her friends demand answers, Astrid has nowhere left to turn. She can't share the truth with anyone except the people at thirty thousand feet, and they don't even know she's there. But little does Astrid know just how much even the tiniest connection will affect these strangers' lives--and her own--for the better.
In this truly original portrayal of a girl struggling to break free of society's definitions, Printz Honor author A.S. King asks readers to question everything--and offers hope to those who will never stop seeking real love.


I finished Ask the Passenger a few days ago and I can't seem to find the words to describe how much I loved it. A.S. King's writing does this to me. It leaves me speechless. This book was flawless and full of love and a little bit of hate, anger and so many more emotions that I just couldn't pick anything else to read after I finished it so I re-read Ask the Passengers. I was blown away once more.


Astrid was an amazing heroine. She was selfless but not in an annoying kind of way, maybe selfless is not the right word to describe her. She was loyal. Loyal to her friends, to her family and more importantly to herself. Even when they weren't so loyal or understanding towards her she still sends them her love. Here's one  of my favorite quotes in the book:


-"Every airplane, no matter how far it is up there, I send love to it... Because If I give it all away, then no one can control it. Because if I give it all away, I'll be free." - Astrid


I don't only admire Astrid for her loyalty I also love her for being strong. When people pressured Astrid to "come out of the closet" she refused to do it because she herself wasn't sure if she was gay. She only knew that she was in love with a girl. She stayed true to herself and I think that's when I realize that Astrid is pretty much the best character in the world. And she was funny too! That's another thing I loved about Ask the Passengers that even though it deals with serious themes A.S. King manages to incorporate humor into it. Here's a quote I thought was very funny:


-"Claire, I am not sending any love to you because you are a horrible person right now. Who made you eat bitch for lunch? Who poured you a tall bitch beer float? Who sprinkled bacon bitch on your salad?" - Astrid


I'm in love with this book. I recommend everybody and their mothers to read it. After you have a taste of A.S. King's beautiful and witty writing you will be hooked!


Amazon/Goodreads

Thursday, November 1, 2012

Quintana of Charyn Review and Giveaway


This review is part of the Quintana of Charyn Blog Tour hosted by 132 minutes. Don't forget to visit the other stops in the tour!!


Quintana of Charyn (Lumatere Chronicles, #3)
There's a babe in my belly that whispers the valley, Froi. I follow the whispers and come to the road . . .

Separated from the girl he loves and has sworn to protect, Froi must travel through Charyn to search for Quintana, the mother of Charyn's unborn king, and protect her against those who will do anything to gain power. But what happens when loyalty to family and country conflict? When the forces marshalled in Charyn's war gather and threaten to involve the whole of the land, including Lumatere, only Froi can set things right, with the help of those he loves.


This will be a long review. This book deserves it!! Quintana is the ending of a series that's been part of my life for a few years now. A big chunk of my heart belongs to this series and its characters.

Something happened to me while reading Quintana. Something I never thought would happen, but it did. I got angry at Finnikin and Isaboe.

Though it was only for a little bit, it still hurt me.

I've known them for three years of my life. I love these characters with a passion. I feel like they are real and they could do no wrong in my eyes. So for me all of a sudden to dislike them, even if it was for a few chapters, was too much for my heart to handle.

This also made me realize, though, that they are not the same characters from Finnikin of the Rock. Isaboe is Queen and Finnikin her consort, (although he will alway be a king in my heart) and because of who they are and what their queendom has been through, they will always put Lumatere and their people first.

Sometimes I wanted them to forget about duty and follow their hearts, and follow their hearts they did, but even as they did so, they never forgot about their duty to their people. For this I will always love them. They will always be the love of my literature life.

But amidst the short lived anger, uncertainty and desperation to see the end of my favorite characters' suffering, I'd have to say that hope was the feeling that accompanied me throughout this novel. Quintana and Froi to me were the hope in this book.

Froi never gave up, and Quintana... Wow. There's a reason why this book was tittle Quintana of Charyn. I've never read about a character quite like her. So much passion, so much hate and wildness encased in her. Sometimes I thought she'd explode from so heavy a load on her shoulders.

The secondary characters were also a very important part of QoC. Without them this book would not be a complete book, really. They are as important to the whole plot as the main characters are. It's very hard to choose but I think Perry's and Tesadora's and Phaedra's and Lucian's sub stories were my favorite.

Since Finnikin of the Rock I've had a thing for Perry and Lucian. Tesadora is just amazing and powerful. And Phaedra's transformation from shy and sad, to strong and happy warmed my heart. Oh, and Arjuro is one of my favorite characters. I love every single character in this book!!


It sounds insane to feel this way about fictional characters, I know. Trust me. But that's the way it is. Melina Marchetta writes believable characters. They are so alive that sometimes I forget that I'm not going to see them across the street and say "Good morning my beloved Queen" or "Hey Finn how is it going?"

I can't really talk about the plot without giving something away. All I can say is that the plot has Marchetta's signature all over it! It's so her and so amazing. I can't say anymore. You guys have to read Quintana of Charyn to experience the beauty of it.

I really don't know how to end this review. My heart is broken because this series is over. I know I can reread it but it's hard to let go of the characters. I want more. I want them to be real.


Goodreads

Giveaway
Fill out the Rafflecopter form below for the chance to win The Lumatere Chronicles series.
Here are the rules for the giveaway:
INTERNATIONAL.
Entrants must be 13 years old to enter.
Hosts will not be responsible for lost or damage of goods while in shipment.
Winner will be notified via email and will have 24 hours to reply or another will be drawn. 




a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tuesday, October 30, 2012

Pic2Book Wednesday Challenge #70


Guess the Book Title





This is a daily challenge where you guess the book title just by looking at the pictures. This game is inspired by the game Scene it? and it's one of my favorite challenges in it! If you want to participate and don't want any spoilers don't read the comments. I'll post the answer of this challenge in tomorrow's post.

What's this book's title?






Last Week's Challenge answer: 

City of a Thousand Dolls by Miriam Forster

City of a Thousand Dolls


Thanks to:  



For participating in last week's challenge!!! 

Thursday, October 18, 2012

Down to You by M. Leighton

Down to YouRating: 3.5/5 Stars

The scorching tale of one girl, two brothers and a love triangle…that’s not.
Olivia Townsend is nothing special. She’s just a girl working her way through college so she can return home to help her father run his business. She’s determined not to be the second woman in his life to abandon him, even if it means putting her own life on hold. To Olivia, it’s clear what she must do. Plain and simple. Black and white.

But clear becomes complicated when she meets Cash and Nash Davenport. They’re brothers. Twins.
Cash is everything she’s always wanted in a guy. He’s a dangerous, sexy bad boy who wants her in his bed at any cost. He turns her insides to mush and, with just one kiss, makes her forget why he’s no good for her.

Nash is everything she’s ever needed in a guy. He’s successful, responsible and intensely passionate. But he’s taken. Very taken, by none other than Marissa, Liv’s rich, beautiful cousin. That doesn’t stop Olivia from melting every time he looks at her, though. With just one touch, he makes her forget why they can never be together.

Black and white turns to shades of gray when Olivia discovers the boys are hiding something, something that should make her run as far and as fast as she can. But it’s too late to run. Olivia’s already involved. And in love. With both of them.

Both brothers make her heart tremble. Both brothers set her body on fire.

She wants them both.

And they want her.

How will she ever choose between them?


I read Down to You just because of the summary. I think it was a well written summary and it screams READ ME! If you read it you’ll know there’s a plot twist and that there’s hot twins in the book. I have to let you know that I’m bad with books/movies that have big twists or secrets. I get desperate and I have to know like NOW how it will end. I couldn't just go with the flow and enjoy the book like a normal person would. Nope, by the end of chapter 5 I found out what the big secret was. I mean, it was kind of obvious if you know what you are looking for. But I kept reading because I wanted to know the why of the secret and maybe because Nash and Cash were indeed pretty interesting.

Despite of me finding out the secret, Down to You was a good read. It was an original fast read. There were little things here and there that I didn't like too much, like the use of the word “effin”. Olivia is a grown woman and she is saying things like: “Ohmigod, he was so effin’ hot!” and “Sweet hell, he’s effin’ gorgeous!” If you don’t want to say the “F” word then don’t use a silly substitute like “effin’ for it. To me it felt out of place. Olivia also had her moments were I wanted to… not kill her because she was ok but, maybe slap here a little bit? For example Nash is in  a relationship and she wants him BUT, she says she’s not that kind of woman but still, she is. There were more than one occasion were she basically throws herself at him. If there something I hate more than anything is double standards.

Cash and Nash were perfect! They made this book for me. If you like fast paced writing and twists and turns in a book then this is for you. And oh yes, this is definitely NOT a Young Adult book.

Amazon/Goodreads

Tuesday, October 16, 2012

Pic2Book Wednesday Challenge #69


Guess the Book Title





This is a daily challenge where you guess the book title just by looking at the pictures. This game is inspired by the game Scene it? and it's one of my favorite challenges in it! If you want to participate and don't want any spoilers don't read the comments. I'll post the answer of this challenge in tomorrow's post.

What's this book's title?



NOTE: I'm very excited for this book to come out! Hint: It comes out in between January and April of 2013.   





Last Week's Challenge answer: 

The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger
The Catcher in the Rye



Thanks to:  


For participating in last week's challenge!!! 

Sunday, October 14, 2012

Legend by Marie Lu

Legend (Legend, #1)
Rating: 5/5 stars

What was once the western United States is now home to the Republic, a nation perpetually at war with its neighbors. Born into an elite family in one of the Republic’s wealthiest districts, fifteen-year-old June is a prodigy being groomed for success in the Republic’s highest military circles. Born into the slums, fifteen-year-old Day is the country’s most wanted criminal. But his motives may not be as malicious as they seem.

From very different worlds, June and Day have no reason to cross paths—until the day June’s brother, Metias, is murdered and Day becomes the prime suspect. Caught in the ultimate game of cat and mouse, Day is in a race for his family’s survival, while June seeks to avenge Metias’s death. But in a shocking turn of events, the two uncover the truth of what has really brought them together, and the sinister lengths their country will go to keep its secrets.


Review

Why did I wait so long to read this book?! In part I’m glad because that means I have to wait less for the next book in the series but oh my God, now I know why everyone was raving about it! Legend was amazing and unique. I’m surprised I loved it so much because dystopian books are not that original anymore. BUT Legend was definitely one of a kind.

Legend is told from Day and June’s POV and I loved it. They are so different from each other but still so perfect. For part of the book we see how June and Day live separate lives. Each have their own agendas. But when these two collide the pages explode from chemistry overload. Priorities change and what used to be important is not anymore. June and Day are in my top ten Best Couples EVER list. Is not only the two main characters that makes Legend a remarkable read, the secondary characters and the plot were also incredible and unforgettable.

I wholeheartedly recommend this book! Sorry that this review is more of a gush-fest than a review. If you have read Legend you’ll understand why I loved it so much!

Wednesday, October 3, 2012

Quintana of Charyn US Cover Reveal

I'm very excited to reveal the Quintana of Charyn US cover! I think it's brilliant and beautiful but more importantly Quintana matches Finnikin and Froi's cover. 


Synopsis:

"The climactic conclusion of Printz Award winner Melina Marchetta’s epic fantasy trilogy!

Separated from the girl he loves and has sworn to protect, Froi and his companions travel through Charyn searching for Quintana and building an army that will secure her unborn child’s right to rule. While in the valley between two kingdoms, Quintana of Charyn and Isaboe of Lumatere come face-to-face in a showdown that will result in heartbreak for one and power for the other. The complex tangle of bloodlines, politics, and love introduced in Finnikin of the Rock and Froi of the Exiles coalesce into an engrossing climax in this final volume."

Quintana of Charyn by Melina Marchetta
Release Date: March 12, 2013
Publisher: Candlewick
Pre-order: Amazon - Barnes & Noble - Book Depository 







      Finnikin of the Rock (Lumatere Chronicles, #1)Froi of the Exiles (Lumatere Chronicles, #2)


Tuesday, October 2, 2012

Pic2Book Wednesday Challenge #68


Guess the Book Title





This is a daily challenge where you guess the book title just by looking at the pictures. This game is inspired by the game Scene it? and it's one of my favorite challenges in it! If you want to participate and don't want any spoilers don't read the comments. I'll post the answer of this challenge in tomorrow's post.

What's this book's title?





Last Week's Challenge answer: 

Eighth Grade Bites by Heather Brewer

Eighth Grade Bites (The Chronicles of Vladimir Tod, #1)



Thanks to:  


For participating in last week's challenge!!! 

Monday, October 1, 2012

Something Like Normal by Trish Doller

Something Like Normal
4/5 Stars

When Travis returns home from a stint in Afghanistan, his parents are splitting up, his brother’s stolen his girlfriend and his car, and he’s haunted by nightmares of his best friend’s death. It’s not until Travis runs into Harper, a girl he’s had a rocky relationship with since middle school, that life actually starts looking up. And as he and Harper see more of each other, he begins to pick his way through the minefield of family problems and post-traumatic stress to the possibility of a life that might resemble normal again. Travis’s dry sense of humor, and incredible sense of honor, make him an irresistible and eminently lovable hero.


When I read the summary for “Something Like Normal” I thought it was going to be a bit of a depressing read because of the post-traumatic stress theme. But it wasn’t. I loved the writing and the plot was well paced. I think what made the book so good is that the story is told from Travis’ POV. This made it more intense to read because of what he is going through. I have to admit that I shed quite a few tears at times.


Not everything is sad or all about Travis. Every single character had their moment to shine and I was surprised how much depth some of them showed in just a few pages. There were parts were I wanted to slap a few of them and parts were I wanted to hug them. This book made me understand that there’s more to a person. Not everyone is completely good or bad. Let’s not forget about the romance. One word: HOT.

This book has drama, romance and Travis is a swoon worthy hero! This was a quick and very entertaining read. I definitely recommend it!

Wednesday, September 26, 2012

Storm by Brigid Kemmerer Review and Dream Cast

Storm (Elemental, #1)
Rating: 4/5

Becca Chandler is suddenly getting all the guys - all the ones she doesn't want. Ever since her ex-boyfriend spread those lies about her. Then she saves Chris Merrick from a beating in the school parking lot. Chris is different. Way different: he can control water just like his brothers can control fire, wind, and earth. They're powerful. Dangerous. Marked for death.
And now that she knows the truth, so is Becca.

Secrets are hard to keep when your life's at stake. When Hunter, the mysterious new kid around school, turns up with a talent for being in the wrong place at the right time, Becca thinks she can trust him. But then Hunter goes head-to-head with Chris, and Becca wonders who's hiding the most dangerous truth of all.

The storm is coming.

I definitely loved Storm but I did have some tiny issues with it. 

What I loved:

The plot was amazing. It flowed nicely and it kept me interested. The whole elemental thing was fascinating. The author made sure to explain everything in detail but didn't make it too exhausting for me to read. Sometimes authors explain things with too much details and it just gets boring. This was not the case with Storm. 

Becca was amazing. She was kick-ass, honest and funny. She went through a lot in this book but she never acted like the victim when she was entitle to act like one. I loved, LOVED Hunter and Gabriel. They are my type of guy in YA books. 

The twist and turns this book took had me biting my nails. I could not put it down. And oh God the secrets. I never saw them coming. 

What I didn't love so much:

Chris. He was an ok character. He was supposed to be the main love interest in Storm but to me he was more like a secondary character. He didn't get as much time with Becca as Hunter did. It would've been totally understandable if their story was to continue. Which I don't think it will because the next book is about Gabriel. 

Another character I wanted to see more of was Becca's dad. Whenever Becca and her dad were together, it made for an interesting scene but unfortunately there wasn't enough interaction between the two of them. Hopefully we'll see more of him in the next book.

Even though there were thing I didn't love, Storm still is an excellent read. I can't wait for book 2 where I'll read more about sexy Gabriel. 

Amazon/Goodreads


Dream Cast











Tuesday, September 25, 2012

Pic2Book Wednesday Challenge #67


Guess the Book Title





This is a daily challenge where you guess the book title just by looking at the pictures. This game is inspired by the game Scene it? and it's one of my favorite challenges in it! If you want to participate and don't want any spoilers don't read the comments. I'll post the answer of this challenge in tomorrow's post.

What's this book's title?








Shooting Stars by Allison Rushby
Shooting Stars


Thanks to:  

For participating in last week's challenge!!! 

Monday, September 24, 2012

Alice in Zombieland by Gena Showalter Review and Giveaway!

Alice in Zombieland (White Rabbit Chronicles, #1)Had anyone told Alice Bell that her entire life would change course between one heartbeat and the next, she would have laughed. From blissful to tragic, innocent to ruined? Please. But that’s all it took. One heartbeat. A blink, a breath, a second, and everything she knew and loved was gone.

Her father was right. The monsters are real….


To avenge her family, Ali must learn to fight the undead. To survive, she must learn to trust the baddest of the bad boys, Cole Holland. But Cole has secrets of his own, and if Ali isn’t careful, those secrets might just prove to be more dangerous than the zombies….

I wish I could go back and do a thousand things differently.
I'd tell my sister no.
I'd never beg my mother to talk to my dad.
I'd zip my lips and swallow those hateful words.
Or, barring all of that, I'd hug my sister, my mom and my dad one last time.
I'd tell them I love them.

I wish... Yeah, I wish.

Why did I have to finish this book so quickly? WHY? Now I'm here thinking I have to wait for the sequel, which comes out in the fall of 2013 *shudders* and I just want to punch something. The sequel should come out like, tomorrow!

Now with the actual review.

I thought Alice in Zombieland was some kind of retelling of Alice in Wonderland. I imagined the characters from Alice in Wonderland in blood covered clothes and wanting to eat Alice's brain. Even though I have only watch the movies I was kind of  excited to read it but felt a little hesitant because I thought I was going to be lost. Oh, how wrong I was! Alice in Zombieland is its own world. Yeah, for what I could tell there were some details similar to the original book/movies (remember I haven't read Alice in Wonderland so, sorry) but other than that I thought it was very authentic.

I just want to say kudos to Showalter for writing such amazing characters. Even the secondary characters had their moment to shine, which to me is rare to find nowadays. I fell in love with every  single one of them. Alice was an amazing heroine and I couldn't help but loving her. She was smart, strong and of course really funny and sarcastic! Her ability to be funny and witty in stressful moments amazed me. And what is an awesome heroine without a kick ass BFF? Kat was a hilarious character to read and I can't wait to read more of her! Last but definitely not least we have Cole AKA Sexy-new-fictional-boyfriend. OMG, this guys was just, WOW. 

The plot moved quickly. From the get-go we know Alice's life is shaken by a tragic event. From then on, the reader goes with Alice on a journey to discover what these "monsters" her dad always talked about are. Because this book is so awesome I couldn't put it down meaning I found myself reading at wee hours of the morning. I was terrified. I didn't go to the bathroom without turning all the lights on and looking everywhere to see if the Zombies had finally come to get me. There's nothing I found wrong with this book. Alice in Zombieland is one of my favorite reads of 2012! 

Amazon/Goodreads


GIVEAWAY

To enter the giveaway just fill out the Rafflecopter form below. Sorry, this giveaway is US only and ends 10/8/12. 
Good Luck!! 



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