Review: Lying Out Loud by Kody Keplinger

Lying Out Loudby Kody Keplinger
Expected publication: April 28th 2015 by Scholastic

Kody Keplinger returns to the world of The DUFF in this brand-new companion novel! 

Sonny Ardmore is an excellent liar. She lies about her dad being in prison. She lies about her mom kicking her out. And she lies about sneaking into her best friend's house every night because she has nowhere else to go. Amy Rush might be the only person Sonny shares everything with -- secrets, clothes, even a nemesis named Ryder Cross. Ryder's the new kid at Hamilton High and everything Sonny and Amy can't stand -- a prep-school snob. But Ryder has a weakness: Amy. So when Ryder emails Amy asking her out, the friends see it as a prank opportunity not to be missed. But without meaning to, Sonny ends up talking to Ryder all night online. And to her horror, she realizes that she might actually like him. Only there's one small catch: he thinks he's been talking to Amy. So Sonny comes up with an elaborate scheme to help Ryder realize that she's the girl he's really wanted all along. Can Sonny lie her way to the truth, or will all her lies end up costing her both Ryder and Amy?

My Thoughts

I had just read book that had left & me reeling (An Ember in the Ashes) & was looking for something light, fluffy, & fun to clear my palate. This book was perfect for that!! This review may read as if I didn't enjoy Lying Out Loud and that's not the case....entirely anyway. There was some really strong character development throughout the book and the dynamics between them where pure perfection.  Keplinger certainly has hit her stride where that is concerned. That is what kept me reading since I adore character driven books. I might have DNF had the people not been the glue that held it all together. I think much of what I didn't like was simply due to personal preference. Allow me to elaborate.

This is one blurb that pretty much sums it's book up perfectly. So much so that I dont need to go into the plot at all. I hate liars. I'm sure most of you do as well. Well, I should have taken the word "LYING" in the title as a clear warning. This book will be centered around someone who lies. It didn't so much bother me that the M.C., Sonny, was lying but what bothered me was that she felt absolutely no remorse about it. She was clearly a selfish, inconsiderate person and that just rubbed me the wrong way. People do really odd things in order to comfort themselves when dealing with extreme duress, like accidentally catfishing you arch nemesis on purpose. Although I was not a fan of Sonny's behavior I had to admit, she was pretty witty. I'll give the girl that. Her narration thru the story did make me giggle quite a bit.

Sonny -  arc loc. 335
My arch nemesis? My Lex Luthor to my Superman? The Loki to my Thor? The peanut butter to my jelly? Okay, I know most of the world thinks those last two go together, but personally I find the combination rather abhorrent and just ew.

I just think the level of deception she built up with her supposive close as sisters best friend Amy and her supposive crush Ryder was completely out of control. That was the point of course but it didn't sit well with me. Funny how well I cant stomach mutiny and murder but this made me grit my teeth. I had a good friend do something not the same but equally as bad to me and i think it just struck that raw nerve. That should really be taken as a compliment since it was pretty damn close to reality. 

I really keep trying with this contemp genre but I keep striking out. Admittedly, I am sure I am not the target audience either. This had some brilliant characters though so I am mostly positive it will be enjoyed by the masses. Just prepare to deal with some serious scheming!!

3 Snowflakes

Every Last Breathe by Jennifer Armentrout - COVER REVEAL

We are so excited to bring you the Cover Reveal for EVERY LAST BREATH, the hotly anticipated conclusion to the Dark Elements trilogy from #1 New York Times bestselling author Jennifer L. Armentrout!! EVERY LAST BREATH is a Young Adult Paranormal being published by Harlequin Teen and is a part of Jennifer L. Armentrout’s The Dark Elements Series. It is being released on July 28^th, 2015. Pre-order EVERY LAST BREATH and then be sure to read the first books in this amazing series before its release!

You ready.....

~

~

~

~

~

~

~

~

~

~

~

~

~

~

~

~

~

~

~

~

~

~

~

~

~

~

~

~

Amazon ** Barnes and Noble ** iBooks ** IndieBound ** Kobo ** BAM

  EVERY LAST BREATH Synopsis: Some loves will last 'til your dying breath Every choice has consequences—but seventeen-year-old Layla faces tougher choices than most. Light or darkness. Wickedly sexy demon prince Roth, or Zayne, the gorgeous, protective Warden she never thought could be hers. Hardest of all, Layla has to decide which side of herself to trust. Layla has a new problem, too. A Lilin—the deadliest of demons—has been unleashed, wreaking havoc on those around her…including her best friend. To keep Sam from a fate much, much worse than death, Layla must strike a deal with the enemy while saving her city—and her race—from destruction. Torn between two worlds and two different boys, Layla has no certainties, least of all survival, especially when an old bargain comes back to haunt them all. But sometimes, when secrets are everywhere and the truth seems unknowable, you have to listen to your heart, pick a side—and then fight like hell… “Armentrout is a major talent…I just can’t stop reading!” --New York Times bestselling author Gena Showalter “Armentrout works her magic with swoon-worthy guys and a twist you never see coming.” --#1 New York Times bestselling author Abbi Glines on White Hot Kiss

And we have a surprise for you! The first books in the series have been given a new look too!!

Don't miss the previous titles in The Dark Elements Series-now with new covers! Readers interested in downloading the new cover jackets for their previously purchased Dark Elements Series titles, can download them HERE!

For best results when downloading the new cover jackets:

• Print on 8.5x14" (Legal paper)
• Use landscape or horizontal setting = 8.5" tall x 14" wide
• Print at 100% scale or "actual size"
• Print with the image centered on page
• Fold and trim to fit

Amazon ** Barnes and Noble ** BAM ** iBooks ** IndieBound ** Kobo ** Walmart

  WHITE HOT KISS synopsis: One kiss could be the last. Seventeen-year-old Layla just wants to be normal. But with a kiss that kills anything with a soul, she's anything but normal. Half demon, half gargoyle, Layla has abilities no one else possesses. Raised among the Wardens—a race of gargoyles tasked with hunting demons and keeping humanity safe—Layla tries to fit in, but that means hiding her own dark side from those she loves the most. Especially Zayne, the swoon-worthy, incredibly gorgeous and completely off-limits Warden she's crushed on since forever. Then she meets Roth—a tattooed, sinfully hot demon who claims to know all her secrets. Layla knows she should stay away, but she's not sure she wants to—especially when that whole no-kissing thing isn't an issue, considering Roth has no soul. But when Layla discovers she's the reason for the violent demon uprising, trusting Roth could not only ruin her chances with Zayne…it could brand her a traitor to her family. Worse yet, it could become a one-way ticket to the end of the world.

Amazon ** Barnes and Noble ** iBooks ** IndieBound ** Kobo ** BAM

  STONE COLD TOUCH Synopsis: Every touch has its price Layla Shaw is trying to pick up the pieces of her shattered life—no easy task for a seventeen-year-old who’s pretty sure things can’t get worse. Her impossibly gorgeous best friend, Zayne, is forever off-limits thanks to the mysterious powers of her soul-stealing kiss. The Warden clan that has always protected her is suddenly keeping dangerous secrets. And she can barely think about Roth, the wickedly hot demon prince who understood her in ways no one else could. But sometimes rock bottom is only the beginning. Because suddenly Layla’s powers begin to evolve, and she’s offered a tantalizing taste of what has always been forbidden. Then, when she least expects it, Roth returns, bringing news that could change her world forever. She’s finally getting what she always wanted, but with hell literally breaking loose and the body count adding up, the price may be higher than Layla is willing to pay… "Constantly entertaining...the narrative sizzles with as much tension as romance." —Kirkus Reviews on White Hot Kiss

And the Prequel Novella, BITTER SWEET LOVE...

 

Amazon ** Barnes and Noble ** iBooks ** BAM ** Kobo

  BITTER SWEET LOVE Synopsis: In a sizzling prequel novella to her new series The Dark Elements, #1 New York Times bestselling author Jennifer L. Armentrout draws readers into the extraordinary, irresistible world of Wardens and demons. Dez wasn't just Jasmine's crush. A gargoyle Warden like Jas, he helped her come to terms with her destiny—fending off demons and maintaining the balance between good and evil. He was her everything…right until the moment he disappeared without a trace. It didn't help that Jas's father had just announced that she and Dez would one day be mated. Hard not to take that personally. And now he's back, three years older, ten times hotter, ready to pick up exactly where they left off. But Jas isn't taking that risk again. Dez has seven days to meet all her conditions and earn back her trust. Seven days filled with terrifying danger and sweet temptation. Seven days to win her heart—or shatter it all over again… "With her signature flare for combining humor, romance and action, Armentrout weaves a fast-paced read that will have readers' hearts racing in more ways than one. Like Armentrout's previous heroines, Jasmine is fun and full of attitude, while Dez is as snarky as he is sexy. This is a must read for new and old fans alike!" -RT Book Reviews 

  

Jennifer L. Armentrout/J.Lynn Bio: # 1 NEW YORK TIMES and USA TODAY Bestselling author Jennifer lives in Martinsburg, West Virginia. All the rumors you’ve heard about her state aren’t true. When she’s not hard at work writing. she spends her time reading, working out, watching really bad zombie movies, pretending to write, and hanging out with her husband and her Jack Russell Loki. Her dreams of becoming an author started in algebra class, where she spent most of her time writing short stories….which explains her dismal grades in math. Jennifer writes young adult paranormal, science fiction, fantasy, and contemporary romance. She is published with Spencer Hill Press, Entangled Teen and Brazen, Disney/Hyperion and Harlequin Teen. Her book Obsidian has been optioned for a major motion picture and her Covenant Series has been optioned for TV. She also writes adult and New Adult romance under the name J. Lynn. She is published by Entangled Brazen and HarperCollins.

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Jennifer L. Armentrout Goodreads | EVERY LAST BREATH Goodreads | STONE COLD TOUCH Goodreads | WHITE HOT KISS Goodreads | BITTER SWEET LOVE Goodreads

 

Waiting on Wednesday - Illuminae by Amie Kaufman & Jay Kristoff

Welcome to Waiting On Wednesday here at

 Winterhaven Books!

This is a feature created by Jill at Breaking The Spine where we share some books we are anxiously awaiting.

This week's pick...

Illuminae (The Illuminae Files #1) 
by Amie Kaufman, Jay Kristoff
Expected publication: October 20th 2015 by Knopf Books for Young Readers

This morning, Kady thought breaking up with Ezra was the hardest thing she’d have to do. This afternoon, her planet was invaded. The year is 2575, and two rival megacorporations are at war over a planet that’s little more than an ice-covered speck at the edge of the universe. Too bad nobody thought to warn the people living on it. With enemy fire raining down on them, Kady and Ezra—who are barely even talking to each other—are forced to fight their way onto an evacuating fleet, with an enemy warship in hot pursuit. But their problems are just getting started. A deadly plague has broken out and is mutating, with terrifying results; the fleet's AI, which should be protecting them, may actually be their enemy; and nobody in charge will say what’s really going on. As Kady hacks into a tangled web of data to find the truth, it's clear only one person can help her bring it all to light: the ex-boyfriend she swore she'd never speak to again. Told through a fascinating dossier of hacked documents—including emails, schematics, military files, IMs, medical reports, interviews, and more—Illuminae is the first book in a heart-stopping, high-octane trilogy about lives interrupted, the price of truth, and the courage of everyday heroes.

First of all, can we just appreciate the awesomeness that is this cover for a minute. It was revealed today at Cuddlebuggery and it has this awesome overlay part. I am not a huge fan of thrillers like this but I will read a shopping list that Amie or Jay had written. They are like my chocolate and peanut butter, awesome seperate but AMAZING together. I have very high hopes for this one.

Review: Still Water by Ash Parsons

Sill Waters by Ash Parsons
Publisher: Philomel Books
Release Date: April 21, 2015
Purchase: Amazon

A gritty, powerful debut that evokes The Outsiders. You won't be able to look away.

High school senior Jason knows how to take a punch. Living with an abusive father will teach a kid that. But he’s also learned how to hit back, earning a reputation at school that ensures no one will mess with him. Even so, all Jason truly wants is to survive his father long enough to turn eighteen, take his younger sister, Janie, and run away.

Then one day, the leader of the in crowd at school, Michael, offers to pay Jason to hang out with him. Jason figures Michael simply wants to be seen with someone with a tough rep and that the money will add up fast, making Jason’s escape plan a reality. Plus, there’s Michael’s girl, Cyndra, who looks at Jason as if she sees something behind his false smile. As Jason gets drawn deeper into Michael’s game, the money keeps flowing, but the stakes grow ever more dangerous. Soon, even Jason’s fists and his ability to think on his feet aren’t enough to keep his head above water.

Still Waters is an intense, gritty thriller that pulls no punches—yet leaves you rooting for the tough guy. A powerful, dynamic debut.

My Thoughts:
This book by 90% was a solid 3 star for me because it really felt like an after school special. A good after school special but one nonetheless.  That last 10% blew me away!  That ending deserved a star all itself so I have to go with 4!

Jason and his sister Janie have The Plan.  All they both want is to escape the hell they live in with their abusive father.  When Micheal the resident popular guy at Jason's high school offers Jason the chance to make money Jason thinks he can handle the situation.  Only thing is Jason doesn't know all the rules for his new job and things spiral out of control.

Like I said this felt like an after school special, but a good one.  I felt for Jason and his situation and I crossed my fingers and toes hoping that things wouldn't end bad for him.  I hated the right people and felt compassion for the right ones.  It doesn't get more cut and dry than this, but underlying all that is a great book that will grab your emotions.  At one point my heart was pounding so hard that I had to skip a few pages ahead just to see what happened.  Some times I can't take suspense and this was one of those times.  I have to give the author a lot of credit for making heart beat so fast.

I will say that I didn't like Jason's decision with Cyndra.  I can't say much because I don't want to spoil anything, but I wish he would have chosen a different path with her.  He was stronger then he thought and I think he could have known what was good for him and what wasn't by the end of the book.

That was really my only hiccup.  I thought the author did a tremendous job with each and every character and wow that ending.  I thought I knew what was going to happen but I was so wrong and what happened made so much more sense.  If I had really looked I might have been able to pick out clues throughout the story and others might be able to see the ending coming, but I loved that I didn't figure it out.  My husband came downstairs right when I hit the OMG moment and he said my face was priceless.  When reading if you have the OMG face it really doesn't get any better than that.

I have to give Clay an honorable mention.  He played the best friend very well and when Jason has to hang out with another crowd that he isn't invited to Clay doesn't get upset and start drama.  He is there for Jason when he needs them and is a strong force behind him.  I loved him to pieces.

Great story that will definitely pull readers in and pull for Jason and Janie to escape!

4 snowflakes

Spotlight: The Truth About Us by Janet Gurtler

The Truth About Us by Janey Gurtler
Published on April 7th, 2015 by Sourcebooks Fire

Flynn’s from the wrong side of the tracks, but he may be just right for Jess…

The truth is that Jess knows she’s screwed up. She’s made mistakes, even betrayed her best friend, and now she’s paying for it. Her dad is making her spend the whole summer volunteering at the local soup kitchen.

The truth is that she wishes she was the carefree party girl everyone thinks she is. She pretends it’s all fine. That her “perfect” family is fine. But it’s not. And no one notices the lie…until she meets Flynn. He’s the only one who really sees her. The only one who really listens.

The truth is that Jess is falling apart, and no one seems to care. But Flynn is the definition of “the wrong side of the tracks.” When Jess’s parents look at him, they only see their differences, not how much she and Flynn need each other. They don’t get that the person who shouldn’t fit into your world might just be the one who makes you feel like you belong.

Amazon | Apple | B&N | BAM |!ndigo| IndieBound | Kindle

JANET GURTLER:

RITA Award finalist Janet Gurtler’s young adult books have been chosen for the Junior Library Guild Selection and as Best Books For Teens from the Canadian Children’s Book Center. She has had her writing compared to Judy Blume and Jodi Picoult and that makes her happy. She has volunteered at a few soup kitchens and hopes to do more. Giving back is so important. Janet lives in Okotoks, Alberta, Canada, with her husband, son, and a chubby black Chihuahua named Bruce.

Website | Facebook | Twitter

Praise for Janet Gurtler:

“Just right for fans of Sarah Dessen and Jodi Picoult.” –Booklist

“Powerful…a gripping read.” VOYA

Excerpt:

The greenhouse is sort of shaped like an old barn. It’s opaque with plastic and steel siding. The door is open, and I follow Wilf inside and pause and then breathe it in. The smell nourishes me. Moist air fills my lungs. I’ve forgotten how much the scents of greenery soothe me. It reminds me of different times. Simpler times.

“Nice,” I tell him, looking around at rows of plants on tabletops and plants stacked on the floor. I realize I’ve missed the satisfaction of nurturing plants.

There’s a man on a ladder in the middle of the greenhouse, fixing a shelf, with his back to us. A little boy stands at the bottom of the ladder, watching. Wilf walks over and pats his head and kneels down to his level. “How are ya, big guy?”

The little boy stands taller and giggles and holds out his hand. He’s got it wrapped tightly around a plastic blue train.

The man on the ladder turns and looks down at me. My heart stops.

It’s not a man at all. It’s him.

Flynn.

My face burns.

“What are you doing here?” he asks.

Wilf frowns and then looks at me. “What’s up with you kids these days? In my time, we treated nice--looking young ladies with respect,” he says to Flynn gruffly. “Flynn, this is Jess. She volunteers here.”

I say a silent thank--you to him for calling me nice--looking and glance back at Flynn.

“Since when?” he asks.

“Since now. How about, ‘hello, nice to meet you’?” Wilf says to prompt both of us. “Is that so hard?”

“We’ve already met,” Flynn says.

My cheeks stay on fire as he climbs down the ladder.

“The shelf is fixed,” he says to Wilf. “Slumming?” he adds to me as he jumps to the floor. He folds up the ladder and then leans it against a counter lined with plants.

The little boy stares back and forth.

I try to think of something light and witty to save the moment, but my mind is blank. Instead, I panic. “What’d you do to get stuck working at this place?” I say, channeling my inner Nance.

“What’d I do?” He stares at me and then his lips turn up. “I didn’t have the right daddy, I guess. I’m here to have lunch. With my little brother. I’m not a volunteer.”

My stomach drops. Fail. Epic fail.

Giveaway!  The amazing people at Sourcebooks are giving away FOUR copies of The Truth About You!  To enter just fill out the form below!

 Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway