Blog Tour: Review & Giveaway- After Tuesday by Renee Erickson

Today WinterHaven Books has the pleasure of participating in the blog tour for After Tuesday by Renee Ericson, hosted by Itching for Books.

After Tuesday by Renee Erickson

Publisher- Amazon Digital Services, Inc

Release- May 5th 2013

Purchase- Amazon/ B & N  

Family really is a pain…especially when your father is an addict.For the last two years, high school senior Ruby has been her own rock and solace. She has learned to depend only on herself and hides her family's issues by keeping herself somewhat unnoticeable. Despite her isolation, Ruby has intrigued the affections of someone unexpected. Finding herself loving life once again as his persistence sparks a romance awakening a well-protected heart.
While Ruby’s relationship with her father is constantly teetering, her new-found affection continues to blossom into something more than she ever thought possible. Soon, Ruby comes to realize that opening up your heart means being susceptible to love and disappointment.

My Thoughts:

After Tuesday is a story about a girl named Ruby Miller, who just moved to Illinois from Chicago so her dad can find work, but she's had to find her own way these days since her dad finds more comfort in a bottle then having a conversation with his daughter. But it's okay, Ruby's been surviving just fine without him for the last two years and only has one more year before she turns eighteen and she can start a real life. But things are looking up when the unexpected Brent Cromwell, one of the most popular guys at school notices her while picking up his brother at camp White Ash, where Ruby worked for the summer. A bright bubbling romance begins for these two hearts, but it's hard to let yourself feel happiness and fall in love when your father is an addict. Love is messy and complicated and Ruby will soon realize that it's okay to let someone in, even if it means getting hurt. 

Aww, I really enjoyed this book. If I could pick one word for this, it would be so so sweet. Renee Ericson's writing is wonderful. She realistically and beautifully captures that feeling of falling in love and all the intense emotions that comes with it, but at the same time showing us the shame and guilt of having someone you love be an addict, making this story both a heart lifting and heart breaking journey on the road to self-discovery, acceptance, trust and an ultimate love.

First, the love story. There is nothing more powerful then the first time you give your heart to someone else. Trusting that person enough to know that he wont hurt you. The feeling of new and being able to explore the simple sensation of being happy. To take each 'getting to know you' moment and holding on to each memory just a little bit longer each and everyday.  Ericson did such a sensational job conveying that feeling of being young and in love for the first time, taking me back to my own memories and experiences when I was young and love was just as crazy and intense and so very messy. 

But this story is also about the bitterness and loneliness of having a parent who is fighting an addiction. It can feel like an endless battle of sadness, resentment, embarrassment and even fear and guilt to have someone you love feel desperate and empty enough to resort to such extreme measures for escape and your powerless to stop it.

When one part of your life is all goofy grins, slow kisses and warm embraces, but another part of your life is filled with confusion, worry and anger, how do you find the in between? How do you let that person in? How do you let him see this part of your world? But soon enough Brent will show Ruby that with a little faith, hope, acceptance and trust, your heart will learn that it's bigger then you think.

I really loved all of these amazing characters. They are all wonderfully developed and easy to connect with from minute one.

Ruby doesn't have an easy home life, being the new kid is one thing, but having no mother and having to fend for yourself for the last two years while your father basically turns into a stranger is an entirely different story, and yet, Ruby remains positive, kind and good hearted instead of falling into bitter and despair. I could see why it was hard for her to let Brent into her hidden little world and how she wanted to live in this romantic bubble a little longer with him instead of coming clean about what she has to deal with.

Brent is one of those amazing guys who is popular and gorgeous and athletic and could have any girl he wants. I love the fact that he's willing to put himself out there and that he makes mistakes but makes up for them come the end, but most of all I love the way he loves.

Brent and Ruby have so many precious moments between them I could have practically highlighted the entire book. Those were my favorite parts, the falling part of being in love. Holding hands, first kiss, first 'I love you's' and then that first time. It really does take me back to the magic of it all and I loved experiencing it all over again with Brent and Ruby.

I also really enjoyed what the secondary characters brought into this story. I loved the fact that we didn't have any mean girls in this one and that everyone seemed to accept Ruby into their group. Lexi was a great best friend, I loved her infectious playful personality.

And even though Ruby's dad is going through something complex, I liked the fact that he still loves his daughter and it didn't involve abuse or meanness that I usually find in most books with this particular topic.

All in all, I had a lot of fun with this book. Fans who want to smile and sink into the sensation of falling in love will want to read this warm, loving and touching summer escape filled with heartwarming characters, heartfelt issues and terrific writing. I can't wait to see where Renee Ericson takes Ruby and Brent next with the follow-up sequel, Forgotten Yesterday.

This one made my heart happy, and really, what more can I ask for. Well done!

                                                                    4 Snowflakes

                                                                About the Author

                                                              Goodreads /Website

Renee loves to wear hoodies, is fluent in Yoda speak, and likes to make videos with Lego figures. She is a long time insomniac, but doesn't have the energy to start an underground Fight Club so she settles for writing stories about the characters who plague her mind. She grew up in the Midwest and currently resides in the Boston area, but sounds nothing like Ben Affleck or Matt Damon.

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Blog Tour- Review & Giveaway: Motocross Me by Cheyanne Young

Today WinterHaven Books has the pleasure of participating in the blog tour for Motocross Me by Cheyanne Young, hosted by Itching for Books.

Motocross Me by Cheyanne Young
Publisher- 336 Love
Release- June 4th 2013
Purchase- Amazon / B & N

When Hana Fisher moves to the small town of Mixon, Texas to live with her dad, she dreads having to work at the boring pile of dirt he fondly calls a motocross track. But when she gets there, she finds the rinky-dink dirt bike track from her childhood has grown into the most respected racing track in the state.Now popular by association, Hana endures the pain and sweat of working in the summer heat in order to fit in with a sport she’s growing to love. She gets a real family, a best friend and not just one, but two of the fastest racers trying to win her heart.When Hana abuses her status as the track owner’s daughter to help the gorgeous Ryan Russo cheat in the biggest race of the year, she risks more than just losing her job. Every good thing in her life is at stake now- her friends, her dad’s trust, and Ash Carter- the kind-hearted racer who may not be as alluring as Ryan, but is proof that nice guys don’t always finish last.

My Thoughts:

Motocross Me, starts off with Hana on the road after a fight with her mom and not sure where to go next. She ends up in the town of Mixon at her dad's house hoping that she isn't intruding on his new family. But as it turns out they're thrilled to see her and invite her to spend the summer and even work with her dad at the Motocross Park- the dirt bike track. Not wanting to deal with her irresponsible mother and her new fiance, she accepts. 

Hana remembers the track from when she was younger but she had no clue of the booming success it's been since then. She's surrounded by hard work, hot days and even hotter guys, two who are veering for her attention. For the first time in a long time, Hana feels like she found a real family. The Motocross family, but when she accidentally helps one of the competitors cheat on the biggest race of the season, Hana fears that she may have lost everything that she never knew she cared about, till it was already to late. 

Wow, what a fun read! The minute I heard about this book I knew I wanted to read it. My hubby has always been into...well, anything with a motor in it, so I figured since I'm very familiar with racing and the mechanics of it all, what better way to spend a lazy afternoon then reading something I knew about with a promise of some romance thrown in. I couldn't have been more pleased. Motocross Me turned out to be a delightful summer escape.

I really fell in love with Cheyanne Young's writing. It's strong and confident and the flow and pace was perfect. I was instantly drawn into this book from the first sentence till the very last. This is the kind of story-line that is right up my alley. I've always enjoyed sport themes in my reads and dirt bike racing can get pretty extreme. I loved how Young goes into vivid details about the bikes and the races and rules of it all. Not only did I find myself understanding everything, I also found myself nodding along in agreement. But the sports is just one part of the story, we also have some family issues and some romance complications that made the plot sizzle with entertainment and excitement.

I was amazed how fast I felt connected to all these characters. They were all well developed and I enjoyed the parts they played. Hana's dad, Jim, her step-mom, Molly and her step-brother, Teig are all solid to the ground good people. They believe in their dreams, hard work and are a fair family who support each other.

~Hana is a wonderfully flawed character who makes real mistakes. There were a few times I wanted to shake her straight, but for the most part I liked her honest voice and the fact that she at least tries. She's had a hard go of it since her parents divorce and her mother hasn't been the best role model, but with her dad and Molly and Teig and her new friends, she finally feels like she belongs. Positive energy truly goes a long way. Then we have the guys, Ryan and Ash. Hana may not be very smart when it comes to relationships but these boys even had me spinning a few times.

~Ryan Russo is the best dirt bike racer and his cool blue eyes, washboard-abs and killer smile makes him an easy can't-breath-gorgeous catch that all the girls fall far. Hana included.

~Then we have Ash Carter. Ash sports long dread-locked hair and makes grunge look sexy. He's Ryan's only competition and an old history between them makes them natural enemies. 

Both guys may be gorgeous, but it's not very hard to figure out which is the better man. One is a total jerk and uses Hana while the other is a real sweetheart. I'm not gonna say which is which or who Hana ends up with, but I will say that the ending made me smile that stupid happy grin.

All in all, this book really impressed me. The writing is great, the characters are heart felt and real and the story line is exciting and fun. This has a great lesson when it comes to the heart and also has a wonderful sense of family unity, new found friendships, acceptance and self discovery. A great summer escape and a fabulous debut! Young has a new fan!

                                                                    4.5 Snowflakes

                                                                About the Author

                              Cheyanne is a native Texan with a fear of cold weather and a coffee addiction that probably needs an intervention. She loves books, sarcasm, Xbox and paid holidays. She lives near the beach with her daughter, one spoiled rotten puppy and a cat who is most likely plotting to take over the world.

Goodreads / Website

One lucky follower will have a chance to win this wonderful debut. Good luck!

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Blog Tour Review: Shutdown by Heather Anastaisu

Today WinterHaven Books is participating in the blog tour for Shutdown by Heather Anastasiu hosted by Itching for Books. We have a very special giveaway to share with you as well so don't forget to check that out!

Shutdown (Glitch #3) by Heather Anastaisu

Publisher: St. Martins Griffin

Release Date: July 2, 2013

Purchase: Amazon / Barnes and Noble

The battle is all but over, and hope seems to be lost. Zoe and her fellow Resistance fighters are on the run, having lost their home, their protection, and their leader. They are outnumbered and outmatched by the powerful corporation that controls the world, and the cruel Chancellor is inches away from completing a scheme that would kill most of humanity. Zoe's only remaining option is to chase the impossible dream of upending the Link system, freeing the world from the hardware that controls their thoughts and emotions, and hope it will trigger a revolution.

The plot requires a nearly impossible mission to infiltrate the dangerous Community, and it is a task that Zoe must unfortunately complete alone. With challenges and surprises at every turn, nothing goes according to plan. Adrien's visions of the future now show two possible outcomes: one in which they succeed, and one in which humanity falls. It all lies in Zoe's hands.

Full of romance, high-adrenaline action and shocking twists, Shutdown is a heart-pounding conclusion to an exciting sci-fi adventure trilogy for young adults.

The thrilling conclusion to an action-packed sci-fi trilogy

My Thoughts:
This was a great conclusion to what has become one of my favorite series of all time.  Heather Anastasiu delivers a stunning ending that leaves her readers filled with hope for her characters and the world that she created.

Shutdown takes off almost right where Override left off.  Zoe is now the head of the Rez and nothing is as it was before.  Everything is slowly falling apart and her attempt at a mission that would free the drones fails.  She isn't sure how she will end the war and save the millions of people that need her help.  To go along with this pressure Adrien, her love, has just come back after being rescued from the Chancellor only he isn't who he once was.  After enduring endless torture Adrien has no feelings anymore, he remembers the past but he just has no emotions toward these memories.  That is tough for Zoe since he was the one that taught her how to love. Zoe has to find a way to save her people and make Adrien love her again, not so simple.

I love this authors writing.  With just a few simple words I was completely sucked into the story again and I didn't stop reading until I read the very last word.  This never happens to me.  Typically I put a book down to think, but I just couldn't with this one.  I had to know what was going to happen it was all too important.

Even though I truly did love this book I did feel there were a few storyline points that I wished had been different.  One was the resolution between Zoe and Adrien.  I really wanted more from that conclusion and in the end it all felt a bit rushed. I understand what the point was, but I really wanted more discussion between the two.  Adrien was different and that needed to be addressed more.

Another small point that bothered me was Max and his conclusion.  Now I know these all have to do with the main characters, but in the overall story these things really did seem minor to me.  For Max I really wanted something different for him. I really can't go into what happens to him or really anything about his scenes, but if you read this you will understand.  I think this book felt a little rushed and that is why they endings weren't what I had expected.  Well let me clarify, the endings I guess don't really bother me its just the lead up to those endings.  I wanted more explanations and more interaction that dealt with the relationship problems.  I think if there had been more of those scenes I would have understood the conclusions a little better.

With all of that being said I really did enjoy the story and the writing.  It was a great ending to the overall story and like I said it leaves me with hope and a feeling of closure with the characters.  What they all went through was not easy and what they have to look forward to next won't be easy, but in the end I really couldn't have asked for a better ending.

4 snowflakes

About the Author:

  Heather Anastasiu grew up in Texas and recently moved to Minneapolis with her family. When she's not busy getting lost exploring the new city, she spends most days writing at a café or daydreaming about getting a new tattoo.

Website / Twitter

Other books in the Glitch series:

For this blog tour we are excited to share an amazing tour wide giveaway!  One lucky reader will win all three books in the Glitch series!  Just fill out the rafflecopter form below!
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Blog Tour, Giveaway, Interview, & Review: Our Song by Jordana Fraiberg

Today WinterHaven Books is participating in the blog tour for Our Song by Jordana Fraiberg hosted by Itching for Books.  Our stop includes and interview with the wonderful Jordana and a giveaway!

Welcome Jordana!

Describe your book in 5 words or less.
There's life after heartbreak.

Olive really felt like the typical teenage girl trying to find herself, how did you come up with her character?
While my life growing up was quite different from Olive's, I've definitely found myself feeling lost and unhinged after a painful breakup. And I've definitely made the mistake of choosing the seemingly right guy on paper, who was definitely the wrong fit on a soulful level, so I wanted to explore that with Olive. I wanted to track the evolution, and in a sense, the awakening, of a girl who starts to not only become aware of the fact that she has an internal life, but also starts to listen to it, to trust it as her guide.

I have to admit Nicks story completely broke my heart! Did you know from the beginning what his story would be or did it become clear after you started writing?

I knew that there was going to be a boy after Derek who would really show Olive what it means to authentically connect to another person, and I knew that he too had experienced loss and grief, but the exact circumstances of Nick's tragedy started to really unfold as I started writing. I wanted to explore the idea of guilt and how paralyzing it can be, and through Olive's impact on Nick, she starts to regain her own power and her own sense of self.

What do you hope your readers take from reading Our Song?
That second chances exist, even if they don't appear neatly wrapped with a bow exactly when we want them to. That second chances are often hard and painful and seemingly the exact opposite of what we want, but once we get to the other side, once we evolve, we have better perspective and can understand that it's exactly what we need.

Do you have any other projects in the works?
I do! I'm working on another contemporary romance that contemplates questions of faith and fate, but that's all I can say about it right now!

Speed round!
Pizza or Gourmet Meal?
Pizza
DVD or Movie Theater?
DVD
Sports Car or SUV?
neither! Prius!
Paperback or eBook?
paperback
Candy or Cake?
um...both! but ok, if I *had* to choose, I'm a sucker for candy

Thanks so much for stopping by!  I can't wait to hear more about your new project!

Our Song by Jordana Fraiberg
Publisher: Razorbill
Release Date: May 2, 2013
Purchase: Amazon / Barnes & Noble

Olive Bell has spent her entire life in the beautiful suburb of Vista Valley, with a picture-perfect home, a loving family, and a seemingly perfect boyfriend. But after a near-fatal car accident, she’s haunted by a broken heart and a melody that she cannot place.

Then Olive meets Nick. He’s dark, handsome, mysterious . . . and Olive feels connected to him in a way she can’t explain. Is there such a thing as fate? The two embark on a whirlwind romance—until Nick makes a troubling confession.

Heartbroken, Olive pieces together what really happened the night of her accident and arrives at a startling revelation. Only by facing the truth can she uncover the mystery behind the song and the power of what it means to love someone.

 
My Thoughts:
Our Song is a very real look at a teenage girl whose life gets turned upside down after an accident.

Olive having just come home from the hospital starts questioning everything she knows after realizing that what she thought she wanted is no longer within her reach.  Before her accident she was in a relationship with Derek, her high school sweetheart, but right before she crashed his car something happened and while we don't know what that was we know that they aren't together anymore.  All Olive wants is for things to go back to the way they were, that is before she goes to a meeting for people who have had near death experiences and she meets Nick.  Once she meets Nick everything starts to change and Olive realizes that there is more to herself that just being a model student with Derek by her side.

This was filled with all kinds of hormones, but when you think about it that's what High School is one big hormone infested building.  Olive let so much get in her way and I wanted to scream at her at times, but her character was very true to the story so I can't complain.  She was just trying to find herself which is what I think every high school student is trying to do.  Nick was the star for me in this book.  When he confessed to his past my heart stopped and I mean I actually stopped reading and gasped.  His confession is huge and and very intense, I have to say that the author wrote that scene beautifully.  I hated that Olive chose to do what she did following his confession, but I think she needed to do it.  Nick said some pretty awful things to her and well the new Olive showed she wasn't going to take crap from other people anymore.  I loved what came after she left prom and the letter that she wrote.  That was all very moving and at that moment I fell in love with this story.

I don't read a lot of contemporaries, but after reading this one I think I need to read more.  This was might hearted at times, frustrating at others, and just beyond sweet throughout.  I grew to love Olive as much I as I loved Nick and Annie, Olives BF, was another great addition. If you are looking for a fun summer read then you won't want to miss this one.

3 Snowflakes

About the Author:

Jordanna Fraiberg was born in Montreal, Quebec, and currently lives in L.A., where she settled after receiving degrees from Harvard and Oxford. A former national squash champion and Hollywood film executive, she now divides her time between dreaming up stories and chasing her toddler. She is the author of Our Song and In Your Room. Check out her website at www.jordannafraiberg.com

Itching for Books is hosting an amazing giveaway that we are very happy to share with our readers!  One lucky reader will win a finished copy of Our Song!  Open to US residents only.  Fill out the Rafflecopter form below to enter.
Good luck!

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Giveaway Policy: No purchase necessary. Open to US residents. The finished copy was provided by the publisher and not available for resale. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Winners will be selected after June 18, 2013 randomly by Rafflecopter. Entries will be reviewed for accuracy. WinterHaven Books is not responsible for lost or damaged items received through mail. This giveaway is sponsored by Itching for Books and shipping will be arranged through them.  WinterHaven Books has the right to obtain and publicize the winner's name and likeness. Void where prohibited by law.

Blog Tour & Review: Charm and Strange by Stephanie Kuehn

Today WinterHaven Books is participating in the blog tour for Charm & Strange by Stephanie Kuehn hosted by Itching For Books.

Charm & Strange by Stephanie Kuehn
Publisher: St. Martins Griffin
Release Date: June 11, 2014
Purchase: Amazon / Barnes and Noble

When you’ve been kept caged in the dark, it’s impossible to see the forest for the trees. It’s impossible to see anything, really. Not without bars . . .

Andrew Winston Winters is at war with himself.

He’s part Win, the lonely teenager exiled to a remote Vermont boarding school in the wake of a family tragedy. The guy who shuts all his classmates out, no matter the cost.

He’s part Drew, the angry young boy with violent impulses that control him. The boy who spent a fateful, long-ago summer with his brother and teenage cousins, only to endure a secret so monstrous it led three children to do the unthinkable.

Over the course of one night, while stuck at a party deep in the New England woods, Andrew battles both the pain of his past and the isolation of his present.

Before the sun rises, he’ll either surrender his sanity to the wild darkness inside his mind or make peace with the most elemental of truths—that choosing to live can mean so much more than not dying.

My Thoughts:
Here are the things you should know about this book...
1. I am now in a ball crying my eyes out and I never cry when I read.  I make it a rule not to and only a few select books have made me forget that rule.  Charm & Strange just blew that rule right out the window.

2.My mind has officially been blown.  I know at one point I had to have read the synopsis for this book, but somewhere along the way I forgot what this was about.  So I went in with a preconceived notion of what to expect and boy was I wrong!  This was about something completely different and I have to think that my brain knew to forget what this was about because there is no way I could have handled it if I would have known before hand what I was getting myself into.  There are a lot of scenes that didn't make sense and I am glad now that they didn't.  I most definitely would have started crying from the very beginning instead of at the end. *grab another tissue*

3. Stephanie Kuehn is brilliant.  Her writing is like nothing I have ever read before and I just want more.  I have a list of authors that I will read no matter what the book is about and Ms.Kuehn is at the top of that list.  And I now know to always go into her books blindly because not doing so will surely leave me a tear streaked mess from the start. At least if I wait for the big reveal I can read her books in public for the most part.

4. Win and his friends will hold a place in your heart forever.  I will never forget this cast of characters and I can only hope that Win learned to fight his inner wolf.

Okay so that's all you need to know.  I cannot go any further into what this story is about because well it will ruin it and I can't do that to you.  This book needs to be read, just remember to have a box of tissues and your favorite blanket to hide under because I promise you will need them!

4.5 Snowflakes

About the Author

Stephanie Kuehn is a YA writer who grew up in Berkeley, California, which is a quirky sort of a place with a ton of wonderful bookstores. Her very first job was working in one of those bookstores, and she's been a freakishly avid reader for as long as she can remember.
Stephanie's other passions include mental health advocacy, social justice, and sports of all kinds. She's currently living in Northern California with her family and their wild menagerie of pets.
 Website / Twitter

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Blog Tour: Review & Giveaway- Chantress by Amy Butler Greenfield

Today WinterHaven Books has the wonderful opportunity to review, Chantress by Amy Butler Greenfield. Special thanks to Itching for Books for hosting this blog tour as well as allowing us to participate.

Chantress by Amy Butler Greenfield
Release date: May 7th 2013
Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books
Purchase: Amazon / B & N

Lucy’s Chantress magic will make her the most powerful — and most hunted — girl in England.“Sing, and the darkness will find you.” This warning has haunted fifteen-year-old Lucy ever since she was eight and shipwrecked on a lonely island. Lucy’s guardian, Norrie, has lots of rules, but the most important is that Lucy must never sing. Not ever. Now it is 1667, Lucy is fifteen, and on All Hallows’ Eve, Lucy hears a tantalizing melody on the wind. She can’t help but sing — and she is swept into darkness.When she awakes in England, Lucy hears powerful men discussing Chantresses — women who can sing magic into the world. They are hunting her, but she escapes and finds sanctuary with the Invisible College, an organization plotting to overthrow the nefarious Lord Protector. The only person powerful enough to bring about his downfall is a Chantress. And Lucy is the last one in England.Lucy struggles to master the song-spells and harness her power, but the Lord Protector is moving quickly. And her feelings for Nat, an Invisible College apprentice and scientist who deeply distrusts her magic, only add to her confusion…Time is running out, and the fate of England hangs in the balance in this entrancing novel that is atmospheric and lyrical, dangerous and romantic.

My Thoughts:

Amy Butler Greenfield unleashes a unique and fresh tale of a supernatural element sure to mesmerize many readers. 

Lucy lives on an island with her guardian Norrie, whom survived a ship wreak. Norrie had that was set above all others: There must be no singing. Ever. The next rule was to wear her necklace and to not take it off.
Pretty simple, right? Not for Lucie. Once she pulls the pendant over her head, music floats in the air, calling her to sing. Against her guardians warning and wishes, Lucie and Norrie were swept away back to London and seperated from one another.

Lucie escapes a mysterious Ravendon House. Creepy things fly in the air, and Watchers guard the city. Lucy learns what she is and that her kind is hunted and almost extinct. She meets a group of scholarly types who need her help to overthrow the evil Scaregrave. and end the power he has over the nasty Shadowgrims. Not only does he hold a sort of power over them, he does over the young King as well. In doing so, she must learn to work pure magic and not the dark magic that calls to her. 

I loved the premise of this book and was fascinated with the Chantress theme. The story started off a bit slow in my opinion, but I was intrigued enough to see where the story was going.  There was a particular area in the story that slowed the pace down, which was where she was learning magic. I liked Lucie enough. She was a curious teen who had a rebelious streak. She proved to be a strong character and dedicated to the cause. She meets Nat and Penebrygg, who she trusted and who introduced her to their secret group. I really liked Penebrygg. He wasn't quick to judge and was open minded. He really reminded me of a sweet ol' grandpa. Nat...he came off a bit cantankerous. I thought he had a chip on his shoulder and wasn't quite fair to Lucie, therefore, I wasn't a fan. But....there's a but. By the end of the story my feeling changed and we got to see a little more of who he truly was and why. I would have liked to learn more about him though.

I do wish that there had been more chemistry and a stronger connection between Lucie and Nat. I was a little disappointed that there wasn't more. I felt there were many opportunities to amp up the chemistry. and earlier on. I was satisfied with the way things ended though. 

This wasn't a fast paced story, but provided enough to keep those pages turning. There is one piece to this story that really touched me. There is a note Lucie finds from her mother. Let me just say that the ending was my favorite part. Not because it was at an end, but because of what transpires. I admit, I got a little emotional. It was a beautiful and perfect way to end the story.
 
 

About the Author

Amy Butler Greenfield was a grad student in history when she gave into temptation and became a writer. Since then, she has become an award-winning author.
Born in Philadelphia, Amy grew up in the Adirondack Mountains and later studied history at Williams College, the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and Oxford. She now lives with her family in England, where she writes, bakes double-dark-chocolate cake, and plots mischief.

Official links: www.amybutlergreenfield.com | twitter.com/ab_greenfield

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Blog Tour: Review & Giveaway- The Last Academy by Anne Applegate

Today WinterHaven Books has the wonderful opportunity to review, The Last Academy by Anne Applegate. Special thanks to Itching for Books  for hosting this blog tour as well as allowing us to participate. 

The Last Academy by Anne Applegate

Publisher-Point

Release-April 30th 2013

Purchase- Amazon / B & N / Chapters

Camden Fisher arrives at boarding school haunted by a falling-out with her best friend back home. But the manicured grounds of Lethe Academy are like nothing Cam has ever known. There are gorgeous, preppy boys wielding tennis rackets, and circles of girls with secrets to spare. Only . . . something is not quite right. One of Cam's new friends mysteriously disappears, but the teachers don't seem too concerned. Cam wakes up to strangers in her room, who then melt into the night. She is suddenly plagued by odd memories, and senses there might be something dark and terrible brewing. But what? The answer will leave Cam--and readers--stunned and breathless, in this thrilling debut novel.

My Thoughts:
Camden Fisher was at a last-hurrah party at her best friend Lia's house before they set off to high school, but Camden and Lia had a falling out and five days later Camden was leaving Minneapolis to go to a boarding school in California called Lethe Academy. 

Despite a frightful and creepy encounter on the plane with a unusual man, Camden's new school looked beautiful, sunny and inviting. Everyone smiling, playing Frisbee surrounded by tennis courts and swimming pools. Camden thought that she may fit in here after all. 

But soon enough strange events started to unfold around her. One of her friends is missing, dark shadows are in her room and the creepy guy from the plane is even at her school and yet no one seems to do anything about it. Camden doesn't know what to think or even do. Just what kind of place is Lethe Academy?

Wow, okay, I'm not even sure where to begin. The Last Academy wasn't exactly what I had in mind and apart of me kinda can't help but be disappointed since it was one of my most anticipated, but then another part of me is so taken over with that ending I'm not even sure what to think. 

The story line, the writing and it's characters seem to all blend together during this reading experience. 

I'm not even sure how to describe this, my only comparison would be like being in the middle of one of those crazy horror/thriller type movies and I'm watching this girl at a new school and at first everyone she meets seems to be okay, friendly, normal, with the occasional mean girl or guy here and there. But then slowly the story line and it's characters seem to get strange, withdrawn, spooky and dealing with their own personal...issues. 

As we get in further into the story it starts to jump from strange to down right bizarre with random events starting to take shape around Camden with no really rhyme or reason to it.  

...Now at this point I'm not sure if this book is even for me. I'm confused, I'm frustrated and apart of me kinda wants to just walk away, but I'm oddly compelled to figure out what's going on, with absolutely zero clues as to what it could be. 

So anyways, I'm a little more then half way in and still in the middle of strange and crazy land and then we get to the point where the big reveal happens. Everything starts to click in place like a slap in the face and I'm left sitting there, stunned and utterly floored, asking if all that just really happened?!? I don't think I could have possible ever have guessed that particular twist. It was actually remarkably well done, even brilliant, if I go back and think about everything before that moment, actually changing how I feel about it overall. It made the process of trying to figure out what the hell was going on worth the frustration and exasperation. And while this may not be a favorite and may not even be for everyone, I have to give kudos to Anne Applegate  for writing such a gusty debut, sparking genuine madness, curiosity and in the end, heartfelt emotion. I'm really glad that I had the chance to experience this peculiar little story and would have to agree completely with that blurb. The Last Academy really will leave readers shocked and breathless once it's all said and done. I'm looking forward to seeing what Applegate has in store for us next!

3.5 Snowflakes

About the author 

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Anne Applegate was born in Chico, California. Most of her childhood was spent moving across America with her family, nomad style.When Anne was fourteen, her parents sent her to boarding school so she could spend four years in a single educational system. As it turned out, her family then promptly settled into a small mid-western town and lived there for the next sixteen years. Anne still hasn’t figured out if this means something.After graduation, she went on to Tufts University in Medford, MA, where she had a wicked good time. Eventually, she wound up back on the west coast, where she married a fantastic Californian guy. Together, they have three children.For the last twelve years, Anne has lived in San Luis Obispo County. This is by far the longest time she has stayed in any one place her whole life. She immensely enjoys living where 1) the sun always shines and 2) she isn’t the weirdest person in town.

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