Black Friday Giveaway!!

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We are giving away a US $15 shopping spree to The Book Depository!  All you have to do is fill out the Rafflecopter form below to enter.  

Giveaway open to anywhere TBD ships to!

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Review: These Broken Stars by Amie Kaufman & Meagan Spooner

These Broken Stars by Amie Kaufman & Meagan Spooner
Publisher- Disney Hyperion
Released- Dec 10th 2013
Pre-Order- Amazon / B & N

It's a night like any other on board the Icarus. Then, catastrophe strikes: the massive luxury spaceliner is yanked out of hyperspace and plummets into the nearest planet. Lilac LaRoux and Tarver Merendsen survive. And they seem to be alone.
Lilac is the daughter of the richest man in the universe. Tarver comes from nothing, a young war hero who learned long ago that girls like Lilac are more trouble than they’re worth. But with only each other to rely on, Lilac and Tarver must work together, making a tortuous journey across the eerie, deserted terrain to seek help.
Then, against all odds, Lilac and Tarver find a strange blessing in the tragedy that has thrown them into each other’s arms. Without the hope of a future together in their own world, they begin to wonder—would they be better off staying here forever?Everything changes when they uncover the truth behind the chilling whispers that haunt their every step. Lilac and Tarver may find a way off this planet. But they won’t be the same people who landed on it.

My Thoughts:
Wow, I wasn't sure what to expect going into this book, but I didn't think I'd come out of it loving it the way I did.  These Broken Stars is a fantasy sci-fi survival story that has just about everything I look for an escape. The story line is complex and compelling, the characters are genuinely heartfelt and intriguing and the writing is simply fantastic.

The story begins at a party on board the grandest starship in the galaxy, the Icarus, when three days later the unthinkable happens. The Icarus has been torn out of hyperspace and everyone is scrabbling to get into a escape pod. Only Major Tarver Merendsen, an honored war hero and Lilac LaRoux, the richest girl in the galaxy, make it out alive, but they aren't safe yet. The were pulled into an unknown planets gravity and crash land the pod on the earths forest floor. Shocked and shaken, Tarver and Lilac have to work together if they want to survive and find a way to signal a rescue ship and get off the planet, but they have to do it without killing each other first and try to keep from going crazy when the planet seems to be much more then it seems.

First off, the writing. I never realized this was written by two different authors till I finished this book and started to review it. Amie Kaufman and Meagan Spooner are a strong team. The flow of the book is pitch perfect and completely even. The pace was constantly moving at a steady stream of intrigue and anticipation. Form the first chapter till it's breathless conclusion, I couldn't wait to see what happened next. I loved the witty style and the setting and atmosphere was spectacularly rich and vivid. I also enjoyed the interrogation questions before every new chapter. It gave us something to speculate and gave us a hint of what to expect next in a round about way. 

The story starts out innocently enough. Boy and girl meet and have a general fondness for the other but are light-years away when it comes to being in the same social class. She drops her glove, he smiles, they flirt, she kindly but painfully dismisses him away and he sulks licking his wounds. A few days later the Icarus is going down and Tarver and Lilac unexpectedly find each other and escape and crash into a planet that seems to have sustainable life qualities. Our duo is faced with many difficult obstacles and challenges that comes with being stranded; looking for shelter, food, water and trying not to get killed, but as the story moves on it begins to turn in a new strange and unnerving direction. I loved the twist in the plot but it was a little mind boggling to wrap my head around certain aspects of the how's and why's, especially come the end. I'm still not entirely sure how I feel about it. The sci-fi part of the story is more of a futuristic feel overall, complete with high-tech gadgets and monstrous spaceships, but I think this book mostly focuses on the survival aspect, which was fine by me since I love nothing more then a really good survival story. This however was very different compared to other books I've read. It was more fresh, thought provoking and outstanding.

There aren't really any other characters here besides Tarver and Lilac, but their story was so interesting you really didn't need anyone else to feel the gaps. Tarver is your mans man. He's a war hero so he's been through this kind of terraform before. He's exactly the kind of guy I'd want if I was ever stranded on a unknown charted planet. He's brave, confident and resourceful.

I love that Lilac isn't portrayed as another mindless heiress. She's intelligent, capable and held up remarkable well given the circumstances. Together, Tarver and Lilac find themselves on unfamiliar ground. Tarver is from the wrong side of the planet and Lilac might as well be royalty. There is a lot of pride coming off in waves on both ends, neither wanting to give the other the satisfaction and admit they need each other. This isn't the kind of story that has instant love, but there is an instant connection, even if they're to stubborn and hide it throughout most of the novel. My favorite part of the story was watching these two try to get along while mucking through the forest, up hills and mountains and trying to find shelters for the nights. It's those little moments that I found myself holding on to a little longer. The snarks and remarks were also priceless and hilarious. It kept it light and entertainment when things became to serious. I didn't find the romance overly romantic, or at least not in the traditional ways. It was more touching, tender, meaningful and very sweet. It's the stuff that pulls on your heart strings and makes you smile one of those big stupid smiles. But one thing is for certain, they are a stunning pair and you will hope against hope that they find it to safety. 

Bottom line, I really had a great time with this book. It's the kind of story that was extremely easy to loss myself within the pages. The sci-fi was brilliantly imaginative and the survive parts had me on the verge of my seat. But what impressed me the most was Tarver and Lilac. They completely owned this book. I was instantly invested with them from start to finish. There is nothing you want more then to see these two hearts safe and sound. I know that this is already set as a companion trilogy, but I love that the ending was well resolved and satisfying, so I'm mighty curious to see where Kaufman and Spooner take this adventure next. Extraordinary, gripping and entertaining! Loved!

Find the authors:
Goodreads / Website - Amie Kaufman
Goodreds / Website- Meagan Spooner                    
                                                                   
                                                                  4.5 Snowflakes

Teaser Tuesday, #52 These Broken Stars by Amie Kaufman and Meagan Spooner

Welcome to Teaser Tuesdays! Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following: Grab your current read Open to a random page Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!) Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

My Teaser Tuesday is for the following...


These Broken Stars (Starbound, #1) by Aimee Kaufman & Meagan Spooner
Publisher: Disney Hyperion
Expected Publication Date: December 10, 2013

*Teasers are from an Advanced Readers Copy.



Teasers from book page 255

"What happened with Simon wasn't your fault. Your father did that--not you. You're not to blame for someone loving you." 

"I was scared of having you, then losing you again. But it would be worth it a thousand times over. I was an idiot, I'm sorry."


PLEASE LEAVE A COMMENT with either the link to your own Teaser Tuesdays post, or share your ‘teasers’ in a comment here if you don’t have a blog Thanks!

Review: Another Little Piece of My Heart by Tracey Martin

Another Little Piece of my Heart
by Tracey Martin
Publisher- Harlequin Teen
Released- Dec 1st 2013
Pre-Order- Amazon / B & N

What if your devastating break-up became this summer’s hit single? In this rock-and-roll retelling of Jane Austen’s Persuasion, music can either bring you together or tear you apart.At her dying mother’s request, Claire dumps Jared, the only boy she’s ever loved. Left with a broken family and a broken heart, Claire is furious when she discovers that her biggest regret became Jared’s big break. While Jared is catapulted into rock-star status, another piece of Claire’s heart crumbles every time his song plays on the radio.The summer after her senior year, it’s been months since the big break-up, and Claire is just trying to keep her head down and make it through a tense trip to the beach with her family. But when Jared shows up, and old feelings reignite, can Claire and Jared let go of the past? Or will they be stuck singing the same old refrain?

My Thoughts:
Most guys who get dumped by their girlfriends usually retaliate by drinking, spreading rumors or hooking up with other girls. But Claire couldn't be so lucky. No, instead of the usual, I've-been-dumped behavior, her ex-boyfriend, Jared, decides to write a hit song (or three) about the girl who broke his heart, landing him Grammy’s and superstar status. But when your mother who is dying of cancer and request you to break-up with the only guy you've ever loved, you do it to make her happy no matter the position she puts your heart in. You don’t have a choice…right?

On top of the stinging hit single blaring from the radio, Claire just found out that her family is moving and that she suddenly doesn't have the funds for college. Can life get anymore unfair? Well, yes, yes it can. On a family trip to the beach in New Hampshire for a little family down time, Claire finds herself in an, alien-gods-are-cruel situation, when she comes face to face with the guy who broke a little more then a piece of her heart.

Now, this was exactly what I needed. I've been reading a lot of heavy hearted books lately and was craving something that didn't require tissues. Another Little Piece of My Heart delivered beautifully. This was a sweet and somewhat bitter book about love, mistakes and how not ever decision you make is the right one. Life is messy, flawed and it’s bound to get screwed up, but if you’re lucky, then fate or destiny or the alien-gods themselves will take pity and give you a second chance at happiness. Even if you didn't know you were looking for it.

First off, I’m totally siding with Claire on this one. Just saying.

I really enjoyed Claire’s character. She’s surprisingly upbeat and doesn't come off whinny or annoying. She may be a bit bitter, but given what she’s been through I can’t say I blame her. But what I love about her the most is that she handled herself with Jared quite nicely. She may have gotten in a few justified digs every now and then, but she wasn't overly immature or revengeful of the situation, which is pretty big of her since the guy did write a very unflattering hit song at her expense. I even get why she broke up with Jared in the first place. It may not have been fair, but when your mom is dying of cancer and she asks you to break-up with your boyfriend because she thinks it’s for the best, well, it sucks, but what else can you do but honor the request and hope your heart can deal with it. 
Too bad it wasn't the same way for Jared.

Jared on the other hand, didn't look very good there for awhile and after a few snide remarks to many I wasn't sure I found this guy even worth Claire’s time, but as the story starts to unfold a little more we see that Jared isn't a bad guy after all. I like the fact that he isn't blinded by fame and that he still remains Claire’s biggest fan and supporter when it comes to her music. Sure, he could have used his venting-tools a little more discretely and given Claire a chance to explain but when you’re young, upset and heartbroken we do things to lash out and hurt the one you care about the most.

There were a lot of secondary character’s mix into the drama surrounding our two protags, and while I liked the fun and entertainment they brought into the story, at times I felt they were a little to center stage and I found myself wishing they'd fade into the background a little more and wanting to get back to the heart of the story.

Funny enough there isn't any real romance in this book nor any really swoon-worthy moments since this was more about dealing with a messy break-up and the aftermath of their lives afterwards. But we did get some memories along the way that connected us to better days between Claire and Jared. We also have a lot of tension and chemistry that sizzles off the pages, even though it’s accompanied by hostility and confusion. I also really loved the ending and thought it was really sweet that music is what connected them together in the first place and after all this time it still has the power to connect them again.

All in all, I really enjoyed myself with this one. I think it could have used a couple more heart-happy scenes, but altogether I still think Tracy Martin really nailed that flavor of awkward moments, emotional stir and thick tension that you could cut with a knife.

A quick, clean, light and sweet read that put a smile on my face, tugged at my heart and makes me trust that once in awhile the alien-gods may know what they’re doing after all.

A really cute read!

Find the author:

Goodreads / Website                              4 Snowflakes 

Review: The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
Published: December 18, 2007

Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers

It is 1939. Nazi Germany. The country is holding its breath. Death has never been busier, and will become busier still.

By her brother's graveside, Liesel Meminger's life is changed when she picks up a single object, partially hidden in the snow. It is The Grave Digger's Handbook, left there by accident, and it is her first act of book thievery. So begins a love affair with books and words, as Liesel, with the help of her accordion-playing foster father, learns to read. Soon she is stealing books from Nazi book-burnings, the mayor's wife's library, wherever there are books to be found.

But these are dangerous times. When Liesel's foster family hides a Jew in their basement, Liesel's world is both opened up and closed down.

My Thoughts

This is probably one of the most unique books I've read in like...forever!

The story is narrated by Death and centers around the events of Nazi Germany in the 1940's.

I try to steer away from recommending books that have a morose tone, but this is a true exception. As much as you hope for, long for, and pray for a happy event to occur, you need to keep reminding yourself that the story is being told by Death, so chances of that happening are slim-to-none.

The main character of the story, Liesel Meminger, captured my heart. I loved the way the author, Markus Zusak, developed Liesel's character throughout the story and by a slight-of-hand, he added a side kick to the story, Rudy, who out of no where comes to be one of the favored characters of the story. Great technique Zusak!

The premise of the story is unique and captivating. The narrator, Death, is much like Liesel where he/she has a way with words. Both of them recognize words for what they really are¿they can be used to stimulate good or evil. Through the power of words, we see how Hitler was able to control a country and persecute people.

Great book, awesome character development, insightful recount of Nazi Germany, and a life-long lesson¿what else can you ask for in a book?

5 Snowflakes

FIRE & FLOOD- Exclusive Bonus Scene and Giveaway!

Winterhavenbooks is very excited to share an Exclusive Bonus Scene from FIRE & FLOOD by Victoria Scott! And that's not all! Enter for a chance to win an ARC of FIRE & Flood!



FIRE & FLOOD (Fire & Flood, #1) by Victoria Scott
February 25, 2014
Publisher: Scholastic Press





**A note from author Victoria Scott...

I hope you enjoy this sneak peak into the world of FIRE & FLOOD and like meeting Harper Shaw, a character that Tella and Guy spend a great deal of time with in the story.

FIRE & FLOOD Bonus Scene

Harper Shaw, Minor Character

 

 The Brimstone Bleed started four hours ago, give or take. I’ve traveled as far as necessary for now, put adequate distance between myself and the other Contenders. There will be plenty who travel without stopping, without making a plan.

Idiots.

Like the others, I don’t know anything about this race, only that I need the prize—the Cure—more than I need my own beating heart. I can still remember my mother’s words as I left our home.

“I don’t know where you think you’re going, Harper,” she said. “But you can’t just leave us like this. Not now.”

But I did leave. It’s not like I could tell her about the invitation. Or explain what would happen next. Because the truth was, I didn’t know. Two days ago, I was lounging on my bed, listening to Linkin Park and watching MTV on mute. Today, I’m here, in a jungle, fighting to save the most important person in my life.

A caw rips through the late afternoon, and the dense canopy overhead rustles. I breathe in the smell of rich, damp soil that is almost invigorating. The air is thick and damp and clings to my skin, and everywhere I look is a plant I’ve never seen before. The world is a canvas of purple vines and orange flowers and greenery that swallows the ground beneath my feet. It’s both horrific and captivating at once.

Every few seconds, I stop to swipe insects off my skin. It doesn’t bother me. I’m not the squeamish type. The only thing I’m worried about is the egg in my Brimstone Bleed issued bag. A Pandora, the device said. An animal that will help me win this competition. My heart roars in my chest when the bag against my hip stirs once again.

Now that we’re alone, I drop to my knees and remove the egg. When I see a prominent crack down the side, my entire body buzzes with anticipation. I’ve never had a pet before. Not a dog, not a cat…not even a goldfish. And now I’m supposed to travel with an animal that could potentially save my life and Lillian’s? It’s hard to absorb.

The egg cracks again, and I freeze. My hands hover over the iridescent shell, unsure of what to do. But this Pandora doesn’t need my help. It’s eager to escape its prison, eager to fulfill its destiny. I admire its tenacity already, but my stomach churns wondering what my Pandora will be like. Will it be ruthless? Endearing? Will it make it so that I don’t feel utterly alone?

The egg burst open and I fall back, a gasp escaping my throat. I glance around to ensure we are alone. And when I look back, my hands shaking, my eyes widening, I see it—

A feather.

**Enter for a chance to win an ARC of FIRE & FLOOD by Victoria Scott**

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Pawn by Aimee Carter - Book Trailer and Release Celebrations

Winterhavenbooks is excited to share the trailer for Aimee Carter's upcoming release of Pawn! To celebrate the launch of the trailer, Harlequin Teen is also hosting a Giveaway! Prize pack includes: Copy of Pawn and The Goddess Test boxed set!

Author: Aimée Carter
Imprint: Harlequin TEEN

Release: December 2013

Price: $17.99 / $19.99

Format: Hard cover

ISBN: 978-0-373-21055-8

 

About: You can be a VII, if you give up everything. In a not so distant future, America has become a meritocracy. Upon your seventeenth birthday you take a test and are branded with a number signifying your status. For Kitty Doe, her dyslexia leaves her a “III”—part of the working class—and assigned far from her home and boyfriend. She’s ready to become an outlaw, until a chance encounter leads to an amazing opportunity. The niece of the prime minister—America’s leadership is now inherited and members of the ruling family are ranked “VII”—has been killed, and Kitty is asked to impersonate her. Now nestled in the ruling Harte family, Kitty begins to see the truth behind the pretense of equality and options for all.

PAWN TRAILER LINK:
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5UrHJEQNnbM

 

GIVEAWAY URL:

http://bit.ly/1auqi3b

Review: The Coldest Girl in Coldtown by Holly Black

The Coldest Girl on Coldtown by Holly Black
Published on September 3, 2013
Publisher: Little Brown Books for Young Readers

Tana lives in a world where walled cities called Coldtowns exist. In them, quarantined monsters and humans mingle in a decadently bloody mix of predator and prey. The only problem is, once you pass through Coldtown’s gates, you can never leave.

One morning, after a perfectly ordinary party, Tana wakes up surrounded by corpses. The only other survivors of this massacre are her exasperatingly endearing ex-boyfriend, infected and on the edge, and a mysterious boy burdened with a terrible secret. Shaken and determined, Tana enters a race against the clock to save the three of them the only way she knows how: by going straight to the wicked, opulent heart of Coldtown itself.

The Coldest Girl in Coldtown is a wholly original story of rage and revenge, of guilt and horror, and of love and loathing from bestselling and acclaimed author Holly Black.

My Thoughts:
Okay I am definitely in the minority here.  I really want to hide while I write this because I know I am probably going to catch hale here but I didn't love this.  I didn't even really like it to be honest.  Instead of writing a somewhat ranty review I am just going to list and explain the things I did not like that way hopefully no one gets offend or upset by my thoughts.  Here goes...

1. The Vampires:
Okay see I have read many vampire books and while yes they are usually always dangerous there is always that fine line that they will fall either one way or the other.  If they are bad then they are really bad and creepy and EVERYONE runs away screaming then they fall on one side.  If they are not bad meaning yes they drink blood but they are romanticized and don't the main ones in the book do everything in their power to not kill people then they fall on the other side.  Blacks vampires don't really fall into either category and it bugged me.  She created monsters that took no regard for human life but then let her main heroine fall for one...yep bugged person right here.  Why is she kissing a vampire, one that is supposed to be the worst one of them all??  And in this story some people wanted to be vampires and they would do just about anything to become one and then in the next paragraph we are told how vile these creatures are and how no one can go out after dark.  I still don't understand which side of the line these vampires were on and I need to know for my own personal preference.

2. Inconsistency
This story has a lot of loop holes in my opinion.  We are told once you are on Coldtown there is no getting out.  Okay got it, but then somethings happen and it comes out that a few vampires that are at a particular party were actually at the party that Tana escaped from in her hometown which is not a Coldtown.  How did the vampires get in and out??  We aren't even given an explanation!  Why make rules for your world if you are just going to disregard them??  I am also baffled by the whole new vampire, infection, old vampire system.  I never grasped the whole process of becoming a vampire and I blame this on inconsistency.  We are told so many different things and in my mind everything became jumbled.  Not to mention the whole new born vampire thing where they are supposedly crazy, but then when Tana's friend turns he is okay after ripping into only 2 people.  I thought newborns were crazy for awhile??

3. Too Much Description
I am a fan of world building.  If I read something then I want to know the ins and outs of everything but there has to be more than just that.  Black over describe everything.  I didn't need to know what everyone was wearing and how the sun looked in every chapter.  It just got to be too much.  I needed more story and development.

4. The Story
Okay this is my biggest complaint.  I felt like the author focused more on describing things than actually writing a story.  I didn't feel anything when the main character went through the big climax of the story.  It was like oh okay that happened big whoppee.  There wasn't enough character development for me to really feel for her and sympathize.  You know the whole story felt like a dangling carrot.  I could almost grab it and then something would happen and it would be stolen from me yet again.  There were a lot of storylines and side characters that jumbled everything else up too.  I still don't honestly know what this story was supposed to be about, I get what I read but if that was the story then I was really deceived.  Nothing really happened except for a crazy vampires revenge and a strange turn of events for the main character.  No big scenes except for maybe 2 if you really want to call them big and nothing is really resolved.  I was bored and not invested which does not ever make for a good read in my opinion.  And you know I remember reading a short story written by this author about this world and I loved it so I am really disappointed that this full length novel didn't work out for me.

Okay that's it, my complaints.  I got a little ranty and I am sorry for that.  I hope you don't take my word for it I know lots of people who loved this book so please give it a shot.  As for me I am going to stick with a different set of vampires.

2 Snowflakes

Review: The Promise of Amazing by Robin Constantine

The Promise of Amazing

by Robin Constantine

Publisher- Balzer + Bray

Released- Dec 31st 2013

Pre-Order- Amazon / B & N

Wren Caswell is average. Ranked in the middle of her class at Sacred Heart, she’s not popular, but not a social misfit. Wren is the quiet, “good” girl who's always done what she's supposed to—only now in her junior year, this passive strategy is backfiring. She wants to change, but doesn’t know how.Grayson Barrett was the king of St. Gabe’s. Star of the lacrosse team, top of his class, on a fast track to a brilliant future—until he was expelled for being a “term paper pimp.” Now Gray is in a downward spiral and needs to change, but doesn’t know how.
One fateful night their paths cross when Wren, working at her family’s Arthurian-themed catering hall, performs the Heimlich on Gray as he chokes on a cocktail weenie, saving his life literally and figuratively. What follows is the complicated, awkward, hilarious, and tender tale of two teens shedding their pasts, figuring out who they are—and falling in love.

My Thoughts:

The Promise of Amazing was one of my most anticipated books. That cover alone screams; Adorable, read me! But at last, I just couldn't love this one.

Our story begins with Wren Caswell who is an average shy girl that wants a bigger life, but doesn't think that she can actually have one. Her family owns a reception hall called the Camelot and it's there that she unexpectedly saved the life of a boy who was chocking. Grayson Barrett. Thus begins a very rushed and somewhat confusing relationship between the two.

First off, I want to make it clear that I didn't hate this book, the story has a lot of promise, but it just didn't quite deliver the qualities I like in my contemporary escape. The writing however, is something I did really enjoy. Robin Constantine has a fun, fresh and natural style that sparks up the dialog in ways that gives these characters a clear tone in both personality and attitude. 

Now plot wise, the beginning of the story was strong, but then it went into a different direction giving it that feeling of going everywhere and nowhere at once. Wren is worried about college life and overwhelmed about her future. She has a good family, good friends who are all understanding and supportive. Her heart has been broken once before and while she's over it, it still hurts. But then everything about Wren kinda stopped when she met Grayson and then everything just became all about him.

Personally, I don't see the attraction. Yes, Grayson can be charming, but he's also kinda an ass. He has a lot of issues that would normally make any girl think twice about getting involved. I'm all for renewing your life, learning from your mistakes and wanting a second chance, but I had a hard time believing that Grayson suddenly wanted to change his wicked ways cause a girl that he doesn't even know, saved him from chocking. I get that he's grateful, but it felt like he was using this life changing experience as a wake-up call and decided to fall in love with the person who did the waking. At this point I was all for giving him a chance to prove himself worthy, and yet, he ends up playing the same games. He could have walked away from that whole 'Operation Amsterdam', but instead he became this spineless cowardly guy who got pushed by his so called friend. Then he made a rather ugly move by giving Wren a gift that wasn't actually his to give away. Not cool peeps. Basically, besides his looks, he doesn't have very much going for him and his long string of mistakes made him very hard to like.

The relationship was rushed into an insta-love and while I normally don't mind stories like that, this one didn't have those ground breaking moments that made it believable or swoon-worthy. The ending also felt way to convenient. Wren just up and decides that Grayson's past doesn't matter and all is forgiven and for kicks comes up with a plan to help Grayson get even, which quite frankly doesn't really add up with Wren's personality and made her feel out of character. The nail on the coffin was that we even have Grayson and Luke make amends and go their separate ways, which, I'm sorry, I thought was total bullshit for all the crap Luke put them through.

Bottom line, sadly I couldn't love this one the way I wanted to, but it may be just me. The writing is smart and terrific and I liked the other characters in this book, but unfortunately our main male lead is a little to flawed for my taste and I didn't understand the connection between him and Wren. Still, I really enjoyed Constantine's style and look forward to reading more of her books in the future.

Find the author:

Goodreads / Website                                2.5 Snowflakes 

Cover Reveal & Giveaway: A Little to Hot by Lisa Desrochers

Today, we're excited to share a Cover Reveal that will be sure to melt your snowflakes. Oh and don't forget to enter the awesome giveaway too!

A Little Too Hot by Lisa Desrochers
Expected Publication: January 21, 2014
Publisher: William Morrow Impulse
Purchase Links: iTunes | Barnes & Noble | Amazon | Google

From USA Today bestselling author Lisa Desrochers, comes the third book in her sizzling New Adult series.

If you play with fire…
Tossed out of college and cut off by her parents, Samantha West is in pretty dire straits. So when her rocker best friend hooks her up with a job dancing at a gentlemen’s club, who is she to turn it down? Plus, there are rules to dancing at Benny’s: No touching, keep your clothes on at all times, and never get closer than three feet. Unfortunately for Sam, her first private client makes her want to break every single one of them.
Harrison Yates is scorching hot, but he’s got a past that involves being left at the altar not too long ago. Sam is determined to make him forget about his ex, but when she makes her move, it flings her life into a spiral of chaos she never saw coming.
Because Harrison Yates isn’t who he seems to be. And his secret will probably get her killed.

Be sure to enter this amazing giveaway hosted by the publisher! Good luck!

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Upcoming Release & Giveaway: Afterparty by Ann Stampler

Afterparty by Ann Redisch Stampler
Expected Publication: January 7, 2014
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Purchase Links: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository

Emma is tired of being good. Always the dutiful daughter to an overprotective father, she is the antithesis of her mother -- whose name her dad won't even say out loud. That's why meeting Siobhan is the best thing that ever happened to her...and the most dangerous. Because Siobhan is fun and alluring and experienced and lives on the edge. In other words, she's everything Emma is not.

And it may be more than Emma can handle.


Because as intoxicating as her secret life may be, when Emma begins to make her own decisions, Siobhan starts to unravel. It's more than just Dylan, the boy who comes between them. Their high-stakes pacts are spinning out of control. Elaborate lies become second nature. Loyalties and boundaries are blurred. And it all comes to a head at the infamous Afterparty, where debauchery rages and an intense, inescapable confrontation ends in a plummet from the rooftop...

This explosive, sexy, and harrowing follow-up to Ann Redisch Stampler's spectacular teen debut, Where It Began, reveals how those who know us best can hurt us most.

About the Author

Ann Stampler was the mild mannered author of literary picture books when she broke out, tore off her tasteful string of pearls, and started writing edgy, contemporary young adult novels set in Los Angeles, where she lives with her husband and writer’s-helper rescue dog – without whose compelling distraction she would have no doubt penned dozens of novels by now.

Social media links:

Twitter | Facebook | Website | Blog | Goodreads | Tumblr

Read the first three chapters of AFTERPARTY by Ann Stampler

HERE

The following giveaway is hosted by the publisher. Enter to win a SIGNED ARC of Afterparty by Ann Stampler. Good luck!

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Waiting on Wednesday, #54

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine that spotlights upcoming releases we can't wait to get our hands on.

Here's my selection for this week...

Ignite Me (Shatter Me #3) by Tahereh Mafi

Expected Publication: February 4, 2013

Publisher: HarperCollins

The heart-stopping conclusion to the New York Times bestselling Shatter Me series, which Ransom Riggs, bestselling author of Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children, called "a thrilling, high-stakes saga of self-discovery and forbidden love"

Juliette now knows she may be the only one who can stop the Reestablishment. But to take them down, she'll need the help of the one person she never thought she could trust: Warner. And as they work together, Juliette will discover that everything she thought she knew-about Warner, her abilities, and even Adam-was wrong.

In Shatter Me, Tahereh Mafi created a captivating and original story that combined the best of dystopian and paranormal and was praised by Publishers Weekly as "a gripping read from an author who's not afraid to take risks." The sequel, Unravel Me, blew readers away with heart-racing twists and turns, and New York Times bestselling author Kami Garcia said it was "dangerous, sexy, romantic, and intense." Now this final book brings the series to a shocking and climactic end.

Considering my track record lately of abandoning series, there's much to be said when I'm all caught up and anxiously awaiting the final installment. I've been a fan of the Shatter Me series since the very beginning, and I can't wait to see how this one ends!! This dystopic novel is filled with intense action and dangerously attractive characters. Bring it on!

Sooo what book are you waiting on???

Teaser Tuesday, #51 Erased by Jennifer Rush

Welcome to Teaser Tuesdays! Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following: Grab your current read Open to a random page Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!) Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

My Teaser Tuesday is for the following...



Erased (Altered, #2) by Jennifer Rush
Publisher: Little Brown Books for Young Readers
Publication Date: January 7, 2014

*Teasers are from an Advanced Readers Copy.




Teasers from ebook page: 9

"He lay on his stomach, hands tucked beneath the pillow. In the murky darkness, I could just make out the black lines of his birch tree tattoo spreading across his back, the branches twining down his arms."

"With my eyes, I traced the dimples made by bones and muscle in his shoulders. Imagined what pencil I would use to sketch him on paper."



PLEASE LEAVE A COMMENT with either the link to your own Teaser Tuesdays post, or share your ‘teasers’ in a comment here if you don’t have a blog Thanks!

Review: Daylighters by Rachel Caine

Daylighters by Rachel Caine
Publisher-Penguin Group (NAL)
Released- Nov 5th 203
Purchase- Amazon / B & N

While Morganville, Texas, is often a troubled town, Claire Danvers and her friends are looking forward to coming home. But the Morganville they return to isn’t the one they know; it’s become a different place—a deadly one…Something drastic has happened in Morganville while Claire and her friends were away. The town looks cleaner and happier than they’ve ever seen it before, but when their incoming group is arrested and separated—vampires from humans—they realize that the changes definitely aren’t for the better.It seems that an organization called the Daylight Foundation has offered the population of Morganville something they’ve never had: hope of a vampire-free future. And while it sounds like salvation—even for the vampires themselves—the truth is far more sinister and deadly.Now, Claire, Shane and Eve need to find a way to break their friends out of Daylighter custody, before the vampires of Morganville meet their untimely end

My Thoughts:

I was late to the party when the first Morganville book came out back in 2006. I ended up reading the first book, Glass House, four years later, in 2010, quickly fell in love with it and proceeded to read the next eight books in the series. With ever addition I became head-over-heals addicted and couldn't wait to dive back into my beloved town filled with the most witty characters, bone-chilling vampires and crazy action. So, I write this review with a heavy heart. Fifteen books later and my beloved Morganville is over. Even though I was ready to let them go, I will never forget the amazing experience I had with this escape. It was a place, I indeed, never wanted to leave.

Daylighters starts off minutes after Fall of Night ends. There is a new boss in town and he’s cleaning up all the imperfections by repairing old buildings and houses and taking out any trash he finds along the way. Which are namely, Vampires. It’s up to Claire, Shane and Eve to find a way to stop Fallon and the Daylighters foundation and get back their friends in a heart-pumping, pulse-pounding and action-packed finale that screams Morganville style!!

Since this is the last book, I don’t like to give out any spoils, so all I’m gonna say is that I love that this book delivered all kinds of awesome. Caine gave us one last explosive hurrah in this fast-paced, twisty and intriguing conclusion in the Morganville series. I love the hellhound’s idea and how it affected a couple of these characters. I though I saw it all in these books, but leave it to Caine to give us one more paranormal goodie one last time. I also love that Caine gave us a little surprise in this book. I never thought it could happen, or well, be possible and I kept thinking how brilliant of a move it was and very well played for the final book. I feel so blue. There are just so many of my favorite series ending and it feels like I have nothing to look forward to anymore. I know it’s not true and it’s just the sadness talkin’, but it’s just so odd to imagine that I won’t be picking up another Morganville book next year. Claire, Shane, Michael, Eve and Myrnin were some of my all time favorite characters ever written. I can’t even express how much I will truly miss them.

There is a something Oliver said to Claire in this book that stayed with me;

“You know, you are not the mousy little thing I met that morning in Common Grounds,” he said. “You've become something else entirely. It’s to your credit, but it’s also extremely inconvenient.”
Now, this quote is really saying something when you have someone like Oliver who actually recognizes how much Claire has grown in this book. She has become a very strong, independent and fierce friend and ally. Be gone is the girl who let Monica Morrell push her around and is replaced by a character that has faced endless maddening challenges, and comes out of each experience with her head a little higher and her skills-both in mind and body- a little more kickass. I've never been prouder.
Shane has had many bumps along the road in this series, but one thing that’s never truly wavered was his loyalty to his friends and his love for Claire. He may have acted like an asshat on occasion and may still be a punk, but he’s my punk and he will always own a piece of my heart.
Eve and Michael deserve all kinds of happiness and I’m glad that they got to do it right in the end. And last but not least, my beloved crazy-ass bipolar Vampire, Myrnin. I've always adored Myrnin’s eccentric behavior and will miss his flip-flops, vampire bunny slippers and his pet Bob-the-spider. He’s been one of the most entertaining and corky character that I've ever read and as crazy as it sounds, I think I’ll miss him the most.

I really don’t know what else to say, expect that these books will be forever loved and missed. I will always treasure the friendship between Claire, Shane, Eve and Michael. They have some of the best chemistry, banter and wit that never failed to put a smile on my face or dip my stomach in butterflies. I can’t even count how many times I've reached for these books when ever I have readers-block and I’m sure I’ll still visit these old friends the next time that happens.
I hate to say good-bye to Morgaville, but I’m happy with the way it ends. With hope and happiness and Tacos;) Congrats and thanks to Rachel Caine for bringing us thrills, chills, laughter, friends and romance in the world of Vampires. They will never be forgotten.

Find the author:
Goodreads / Website                                4.5 Snowflakes

Review: Crash into You by Katie McGarry

Crash into You by Katie McGarry
Publisher- Harlequin Teen
Released- Nov 26th 2013
Pre-Order- Amazon / B & N

The girl with straight As, designer clothes and the perfect life-that's who people expect Rachel Young to be. So the private-school junior keeps secrets from her wealthy parents and overbearing brothers...and she's just added two more to the list. One involves racing strangers down dark country roads in her Mustang GT. The other? Seventeen-year-old Isaiah Walker-a guy she has no business even talking to. But when the foster kid with the tattoos and intense gray eyes comes to her rescue, she can't get him out of her mind.
Isaiah has secrets, too. About where he lives, and how he really feels about Rachel. The last thing he needs is to get tangled up with a rich girl who wants to slum it on the south side for kicks-no matter how angelic she might look.
But when their shared love of street racing puts both their lives in jeopardy, they have six weeks to come up with a way out. Six weeks to discover just how far they'll go to save each other.

My Thoughts:
Katie McGarry books just keep getting better and better! Every time I pick up one of her books it feels like I’m running reds. Once I start, I just can’t stop.

Crash into You is yet another must read for McGarry fans. This is the much anticipated story that a lot of us have been waiting for. Isaiah’s book, and I gotta tell ya, it doesn't disappoint! McGarry has gotz some mad skills when writing realistic contemporary. Her stories are filled with gritty raw emotions that are pushed to the ultimate limits. Her writing always seems to have this edge to it that skims the lines of dangerous, adventurous and the feeling of falling. Her characters aren't all sunshine and daisies, they’re real and flawed and I can’t seem to ever get enough.

Rachel Young has a good life. She’s beautiful, wealthy and sweet but lives a very sheltered life. Having a twin brother and three older brothers who are crazy over protected is one thing, but she also has the added responsibility of competing with a ghost,  her deceased sister who her mom can’t seem to stop mourning and compares Rachel to at every turn of her life. It’s no wonder Rachel feels like the weak link in her family and why she feels the need to keep secrets to protect them. But there is one place that feels like home. Her Mustang. There is nothing quite like the rumble, speed and power that her car can give her, it’s the only place she goes for escape, the one place she feels like she belong. But her passion has led her down the wrong road and soon Rachel is in more trouble then she knows what to do with.

Isaiah has never had an easy life. He’s had to struggle since the day his mom left him when he was a little boy. Shuffling through the system and trying to escape his past, the only place he calls home is with his best friend Noah and the girl that makes him smile, Echo. They’re the only family he has. But something changed one faithful night looking for some cash in the last place Isaiah wanted to go. He saved an angel that night…or maybe it was the other way around.

The Pushing the Limits series is by far one of my favorite all time contemps, there is just so much heart and soul in these books with flesh and blood characters that have me completely absorbed in all their angst and drama from minute one.

I have a confession. After reading the second book, I was sort of bent that Isaiah wasn't the one for Beth and as much as I enjoyed that book, apart of me still wished it went a different way. But after reading this book, I totally take that back. I see now that McGarry knows exactly what she’s doing with her fictional children and like a good mom knows exactly what they need. Looking at Noah and Echo, Beth and Ryan and Isaiah and Rachel, everything is right with the world again.

With an already stunningly realistic cast of characters from the previous books, I found myself wonderfully surprised that McGarry can still bring in more to this party and make it even better, adding to my growing list of favorites.   

Rachel is a very likable character with a lot of different layers that makes her complicated.

On the outside Rachel can play the ever perfect daughter and sister quite well. She’s shy, awkward and very naive when it comes to the real world. She’s lost and angry and hurt that her family doesn't really see her. But inside she has a roaring passion when it comes to cars. She has this need to be wild and free and I love that she isn't intimated by Isaiah and is oddly brave with him, like a kitten who thinks it can bark.

Isaiah has always been one of my favorite characters since the first book. He’s one of those guys who looks all wrong but underneath you just can’t get any better. He may be a badass and may have the tats and attitude to prove it, but Isaiah is all heart and a bleeding one at that. He’s had a hard go of it for so long now that my heart was breaking for him after Beth. So it was really great to see a completely different side to him. I’ve always known that he’s protective and loyal, but seeing the gentler and kinder Isaiah did stupid things to my heart.

I've always been a sucker for brother/sister relationships in books, and this one has four overly protective ones that I kinda wanted to smack around a few times, but they do what brothers are suppose to do, which is nice to see. Ethan and West were my favorites. Loved the twin thing, Ethan is loyal and he always has Rachel’s back. West is the kind of  trouble that I love in my fictional boys. I can tell already that we’re going to have a lot of fun with him in the next book.

Abby was a surprise I never saw coming, I didn't expect to like her, but she really made a difference in this book and I like what she brought to the story.

Pushing the Limit fans will also be happy to know that we see a lot more of Noah and Echo then we did in the last book and we even have a bit of Beth and Ryan as well, which I thought was great since it reminded me of why I fell in love with these books in the first place…not that I needed the reminder;)

The romance in this book is the kind that I want to bear-hug. It’s wasn't all insta’-love but it was insta’-attraction, which isn't the same thing. They have such an adorable way with each other. It feels all shinny and bubbly and gives you that grin from ear to ear feeling. And if you remember Isaiah from previous books, you know that’s saying a lot. Isaiah and Rachel are total opposites and twins in the same breath. She’s rich and lives in a mansion while he lives in a shoe-box and has to scrap money off the streets to survive. But they do have a love for cars and speed in common and understand each other in ways others don’t. They may be like night and day but when ever they’re together, they light up the whole dame room and make you believe that anything is possible.

All in all, I couldn't have loved this book more. The writing is as always pitch perfect. The story line eats at your emotions and demands you to feel and these characters will jump straight to your heart leaving a lasting impression. I can’t wait to see what happens next in Take Me on. I swear, I never want these books to end. A brilliant read!

Find the author:

Goodreads / Website                                 5 Snowflakes