Upcoming Release & Review: Tell Me Three Things by Julie Buxbaum

Tell Me Three Things by Julie Buxbaum 

Expected publication: April 5, 2016 

Publisher:  Delacorte Press

Pre-order links:  Amazon  |  Barnes & Noble

What if the person you need the most is someone you’ve never met?

Everything about Jessie is wrong. At least, that’s what it feels like during her first week of junior year at her new ultra-intimidating prep school in Los Angeles. Just when she’s thinking about hightailing it back to Chicago, she gets an email from a person calling themselves Somebody/Nobody (SN for short), offering to help her navigate the wilds of Wood Valley High School. Is it an elaborate hoax? Or can she rely on SN for some much-needed help?

It’s been barely two years since her mother’s death, and because her father eloped with a woman he met online, Jessie has been forced to move across the country to live with her stepmonster and her pretentious teenage son.

In a leap of faith—or an act of complete desperation—Jessie begins to rely on SN, and SN quickly becomes her lifeline and closest ally. Jessie can’t help wanting to meet SN in person. But are some mysteries better left unsolved?

My Thoughts:

Let me tell you three things I liked about this book: (1) the characters were perfectly casted, (2) the plot was original, (3) the underlying message was topical and full of purpose. Great story by Julie Buxbaum that caught my attention and captured my heart.

Jessie Holmes is struggling through her Junior year at Wood Valley High School. It’s been 733 days since her mom died, and her father has added to the adjustment by carting her from Chicago to Los Angeles so they can live with his new wife. To say the transition has been tough is an absolute understatement. Her new step-brother doesn’t seem to be willing to help her acclimate to her new school and the girls at WVHS are just downright mean and callous. However, when Jessie gets an anonymous email from a fellow WVHS student who takes it upon himself to help her navigate the halls of their upscale school, Jessie doesn’t know whether to take this as another prank or well needed hand.

There were so many layers to the story that only added to the experience. I really came to like Jessie from the very beginning. She went through so much in such a short amount of time and managed without the help of her father. She was absolutely applause-worthy. She managed to make friends, get a job and figure out her place in her new environment all on her own. She did have moments of frustration, but Jessie never gave up. She definitely serves as a good role model to young adults.

I also appreciated the message that came along with social interactions on the internet. Talking about connections without context and how online relationships allow for good impressions because they can so easily be manipulated is so true. Julie Buxbaum tackles several online issues that are topical to today’s time, and I liked how she weaved it into her story.

In this book, you have a father that finds someone online and marries her rather quickly, as well as Jessie who is connecting with an anonymous person and begins to develop feelings without ever meeting them in person. All possible disasters, but Buxbaum isn’t here to preach or teach lessons, she simply uses these topics as a platform to a bigger part of her story, which is Jessie’s strength and courage to adjust and create her own path.

In addition to that, Julie Buxbaum also touches on death and grief. She pulled at my emotions when Jessie longed for her mother during her more difficult times. I loved to hear how Jessie felt about her mom, which made her loss so much more heartbreaking. Jessie acknowledged that losing her mother would never be okay, but she would power through the soul crushing grief. She talked about all of the milestones her mom would miss like her high school graduation, life lectures, college acceptance letters (or rejections) and most of all her mom would never see who Jessie would grow up to be. So emotional!

Overall, Tell Me Three Things had depth, heart and memorable characters that made for an enjoyable fictional journey. Loved this one. You should definitely check it out!

5 Snowflakes

Upcoming Release: TITANS by Victoria Scott

We are stoked about the upcoming release of TITANS by Victoria Scott! Hold your horses (pun intended) this book isn't unleashed into the wild until February 23, 2016. But let me assure you, it's one you want to add to your TBR list. If you're anything like me and can't stand waiting, I've added a pre-order link just for you!

TITANS by Victoria Scott

Publisher: Scholastic Press

Publication Date:February 23, 2016 

Pre-Order Link: B&N  Amazon  ibooks

From Victoria Scott, author of FIRE & FLOOD, comes a thrilling story of impossible odds.

Ever since the Titans first appeared in her Detroit neighborhood, Astrid Sullivan’s world has revolved around the mechanical horses. She and her best friend have spent countless hours watching them and their jockeys practice on the track. It’s not just the thrill of the race. It’s the engineering of the horses and the way they’re programmed to seem so lifelike. The Titans are everything that fascinates Astrid, and nothing she’ll ever touch.

She hates them a little, too. Her dad lost everything betting on the Titans. And the races are a reminder of the gap between the rich jockeys who can afford the expensive machines to ride, and the working class friends and neighbors of Astrid’s who wager on them.

But when Astrid’s offered a chance to enter an early model Titan in this year’s derby, well, she decides to risk it all. Because for a girl from the wrong side of the tracks, it’s more than a chance at fame or money. Betting on herself is the only way she can see to hang on to everyone in the world she cares about.

Upcoming Release Review & Giveaway: Soundless by Richelle Mead

Soundless by Richelle Mead

Expected publication: November 10, 2015

Publisher:Razorbill

From Richelle Mead, the #1 internationally bestselling author of Vampire Academy and Bloodlines, comes a breathtaking new fantasy steeped in Chinese folklore.


For as long as Fei can remember, there has been no sound in her village, where rocky terrain and frequent avalanches prevent residents from self-sustaining. Fei and her people are at the mercy of a zipline that carries food up the treacherous cliffs from Beiguo, a mysterious faraway kingdom.


When villagers begin to lose their sight, deliveries from the zipline shrink and many go hungry. Fei’s home, the people she loves, and her entire existence is plunged into crisis, under threat of darkness and starvation.

But soon Fei is awoken in the night by a searing noise, and sound becomes her weapon.

Richelle Mead takes readers on a triumphant journey from the peak of Fei’s jagged mountain village to the valley of Beiugo, where a startling truth and an unlikely romance will change her life forever...

My Thoughts

Beautiful and enchanting!

Richelle Mead has proven once again that she can captivate her audience with powerful characters and an enchanting tale of love, hope and bit a magic!

Fei comes from a village that’s tucked away high up in the mountains where her people have been surrounded by silence for generations. Not only have they lost the ability to hear, but have also become dependent on the provisions provided by the township at the bottom of the mountain via a flimsy zip line after an avalanche blocked their path to climb down the dangerous terrain.

Fei and her sister Zhang Jing both hold prestigious positions as artists where they capture the daily occurrences of their village on canvas. There are others in her village that don’t have such coveted opportunities, including the miners that excavate metals used to barter for goods.

A shift begins to happen in her village, where people begin to lose their sight, including Fei’s sister Zhang Jing. Fei knows she must do something to help her people and save her sister from losing her position as an artist. Her opportunity arises when she mysteriously regains her hearing, and she along with her distanced friend Li Wei take a chance to climb down the mountain for help.

Mead did a masterful job of weaving an intricate tale that blended fantasy and folklore to create a story I won’t soon forget. I loved the main character Fei because she reminded me of Mead’s other heroines that possess strength, quiet determination and courage. Fei will definitely rank at the top of my list of favorite female characters!

I also enjoyed the narrative that allowed me to clearly depict the setting and steady events of the story. I could clearly picture the landscape, artwork and mythical creatures that were vital elements to this novel. Mead also did a stand-up job weaving a story where the characters didn’t rely on sound to communicate or survive. To communicate what a soundless society would look and feel like is a complicated task, and Mead achieved her goal beautifully.

The romance aspect of Soundless was perfectly crafted! It was never a primary focus of the novel, but Fei and Li Wei still captured my heart with their backstory and ultimate connection. I loved these two characters as individuals and a pair!

As a standalone, Soundless covers a lot of ground that leaves the reader feeling like they traveled back to an undetermined time and journeyed with worthy characters as they struggled and fought to save their people. Amazing story that should not be missed!

If this sounds like a book you'd enjoy, I am giving away an ARC edition of Soundless by Richelle Mead. Simply fill out the rafflecopter and share a thoughtful comment below.

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Upcoming Release & Review: The Boy Most Likely To by Huntley Fitzpatrick

The Boy Most Likely To by Huntley Fitzpatrick 

Expected publication: August 18, 2015

Publisher: Dial Books

A surprising, utterly romantic companion to My Life Next Door—great for fans of Sarah Dessen and Jenny Han


Tim Mason was The Boy Most Likely To find the liquor cabinet blindfolded, need a liver transplant, and drive his car into a house

Alice Garrett was The Girl Most Likely To . . . well, not date her little brother’s baggage-burdened best friend, for starters.

For Tim, it wouldn’t be smart to fall for Alice. For Alice, nothing could be scarier than falling for Tim. But Tim has never been known for making the smart choice, and Alice is starting to wonder if the “smart” choice is always the right one. When these two crash into each other, they crash hard.

Then the unexpected consequences of Tim’s wild days come back to shock him. He finds himself in a situation that isn’t all it appears to be, that he never could have predicted . . . but maybe should have.

And Alice is caught in the middle.

Told in Tim’s and Alice’s distinctive, disarming, entirely compelling voices, this novel is for readers of The Spectacular Now, Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist, and Paper Towns. 

My Thoughts

I was really excited about diving into the second installment of Huntley Fitzpatrick’s novel My Life Next Door. I remember that book being a perfect summer read that satisfied my YA contemporary craving that never ceases to wane. Unfortunately, The Boy Most Likely To didn’t quite hit the mark for me in so many subtle ways.

Having met Tim Mason and Alice Garrett in the first book, I was looking forward to seeing them get their own installment. I remember Jase’s best friend Tim being a hot mess that kept making mistake after mistake. Well, as the title indicates, he’s the boy most likely to not finish high school, get drunk night after night, and seriously disappoint his family because of his choices.

Alice is Jase’s older sister that seems to be struggling in a different sort of way. She's the backbone of her family that is keeping them afloat as their father recovers from an accident that left him badly injured. As she balances finishing nursing school, taking care of her siblings, running the household and helping with the family business, she knows that last thing she has time for is to fall for Tim that seems to be stumbling through life.

Together these two uncover an attraction and work toward finding a middle ground in the mess that is their life.

Well first off, let me share that it took me three LONG weeks to finish this book. It wasn’t quite what I had hoped for, and I had such a hard time connecting with these characters. I also had a difficult time picking up on the cadence of the dual narrative. I never seemed to find my stride and enjoy Alice and Tim’s journey. I didn’t have a difficult time with the age difference, but it would have been nice for Tim to at least be of legal age… that would have been an easier pill to swallow for some of the stuff that happened in this book.

If I had to pull anything positive from this book, I have to admit that I really liked the ending despite how long it took me to get there.

Overall, not quite what I was expecting for a summer, contemporary read. It seemed to have missed the mark for me in more ways than one.

3 Snowflakes

Upcoming Release & Review: Joyride by Anna Banks

Joyride by Anna Banks 

Expected publication: June 2, 2015

Publisher: Feiwel & Friends

A popular guy and a shy girl with a secret become unlikely accomplices for midnight pranking, and are soon in over their heads—with the law and with each other—in this sparkling standalone from NYT-bestselling author Anna Banks.

It’s been years since Carly Vega’s parents were deported. She lives with her brother, studies hard, and works at a convenience store to contribute to getting her parents back from Mexico.

Arden Moss used to be the star quarterback at school. He dated popular blondes and had fun with his older sister, Amber. But now Amber’s dead, and Arden blames his father, the town sheriff who wouldn’t acknowledge Amber's mental illness. Arden refuses to fulfill whatever his conservative father expects.

All Carly wants is to stay under the radar and do what her family expects. All Arden wants is to NOT do what his family expects. When their paths cross, they each realize they’ve been living according to others. Carly and Arden’s journey toward their true hearts—and one another—is funny, romantic, and sometimes harsh.

My Thoughts

Joyride by Anna Banks is a great YA Contemporary that carries a worthy plot that is not commonly found in Young Adult. A story about the struggles of immigration, prejudice and finding love despite the challenges life brings you is always a story I’m ready to read.

Sixteen year old Carly Vega is no stranger to hard work and constant struggle. She and her brother Julio have not seen their parents since they were deported back to Mexico over three years ago. Since then, Carly and Julio have worked long and hard hours to earn money to bring them back to the states so they can be a family again. However, as important as this is to Carly, she know that the only way she can truly help her family is if she gets a good education to further her chances of a better future.

Arden Moss has lived a somewhat privileged life. Being the son of the local sheriff, he embraces the joys of breaking the rules and causing havoc during his midnight escapades. However, since his sister, who was also his partner-in-crime, died about a year ago, he hasn’t enjoyed his rule-breaking tendences... that is until he meets Carly, a gutsy girl who pulls a gun on him the night he decides to prank an old man with a drinking problem.

I fell for Carly immediately! There was no doubt I’d come to like this head-strong girl that was determined to make a better life for herself. I admired her efforts of trying to get a good education, but never losing sight of helping her family. However, there were moments when I felt she was being taken advantage of by her family, and I somewhat resented them. Expecting her to put her needs and education to the side for the sake of her mother, father and younger siblings seemed a bit unfair and an unrealistic expectation to put on a sixteen year old. I hate to admit, but I experienced small moments of joy when she saved some of her hard earned money and spent it on herself – buying a few pieces of extra clothes and a much needed computer to do her homework. I wanted so much more for this character than what her family felt she deserved.

Arden Moss was a great compliment to Carly. I liked him almost immediately... almost. I’ll admit it took me a chapter or two to warm up to him after he stole Carly’s bike, but he more than made up for it. His intentions were always good and when he made that one fatal mistake that cost Carly a ton, the remorse he felt permeated through the pages of the book. I felt it ten-fold! I only wish his perspective wasn't told in the third person. I'm sure the connection would have been even deeper if I would have heard his story from him directly.

I applaud Anna Banks for crafting a multilayered story about struggling with life, growing up with unrealistic expectations on your shoulders, falling in love with someone so different from yourself, learning to trust, and finding ways to fit in when your culture and inherent responsibilities make you feel like such an outsider. Banks has proven that she knows what it takes to pen a realistic novel that leaves you caring for the characters long after you’ve finished their story. Well done!!

4 Snowflakes

Upcoming Release: Saint Anything by Sarah Dessen

Saint Anything by Sarah Dessen

Expected Publication: May 5, 2015

Publisher: Viking Juvenile

Peyton, Sydney's charismatic older brother, has always been the star of the family, receiving the lion's share of their parents' attention and—lately—concern. When Peyton's increasingly reckless behavior culminates in an accident, a drunk driving conviction, and a jail sentence, Sydney is cast adrift, searching for her place in the family and the world. When everyone else is so worried about Peyton, is she the only one concerned about the victim of the accident?

Enter the Chathams, a warm, chaotic family who run a pizza parlor, play bluegrass on weekends, and pitch in to care for their mother, who has multiple sclerosis. Here Sydney experiences unquestioning acceptance. And here she meets Mac, gentle, watchful, and protective, who makes Sydney feel seen, really seen, for the first time.

The uber-popular Sarah Dessen explores her signature themes of family, self-discovery, and change in her twelfth novel, sure to delight her legions of fans.

My Thoughts

Saint Anything is a perfect example of Sarah Dessen’s ability to pen a worthy Young Adult contemporary that’s filled with a great cast and a story that allows for a sense of connection.

In this novel, we meet Sydney who has always been overshadowed by her bigger-than-life older brother Peyton. Having the spotlight on him was the norm to her existence and that included her parents doting constant attention on him despite his transgressions. So when Peyton is charged with a drunk driving conviction that leaves a fifteen year old boy paralyzed, Sydney finds herself lost and not quite sure how to adjust to the new family dynamics. She ultimately makes a drastic decision to switch from her small private school to Jackson High School to alleviate some financial pressure on her parents, and this is where she meets the Chatham family.

Making new friends and redefining what’s important to her, Sydney finally gets a chance to feel a part of something and for once be noticed. The bond she creates with Mac and Layla opens Sydney’s eyes to true friendship and familial connection, which is always a good feeling to experience when reading one of Dessen’s novels.

As with most of her other books, I absolutely love how Dessen doesn’t feel the need to make a romance the center of her books. She places more of an emphasis on friendships, family dynamics and character self-development, which was clearly evident in this book.

The light romance between Mac and Sydney was fun to witness because it was so subtle, yet meaningful. I enjoyed their scenes together, but most of all I appreciated what they came to mean to each other. The saint charm he gave her was a nice gesture because I know how much something like that means to those that believe in protectors. Very heartwarming.

Overall Saint Anything was signature of Dessen’s ability create a meaningful story about family and friends. I enjoyed this book from beginning to end.

4 Snowflakes

Upcoming Release: My True Love Gave to Me: Twelve Holiday Stories (Anthology)

How did I not know this book would be coming out?? It has some of my favorite authors!! Well be sure to add this to your TBR so you don't miss out on what I'm sure will be some Holiday fun!!

My True Love Gave to Me: Twelve Holiday Stories

Authors:  Stephanie Perkins (editor), Holly Black, Ally Carter, Gayle Forman, Jenny Han, David Levithan, Kelly Link, Myra McEntire, Matt de la Pena, Rainbow Rowell, Laini Taylor, Kiersten White
Expected Publication: October 14, 2014

Publisher: St. Martin’s Press

Preorder: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | iBooks

If you love holiday stories, holiday movies, made-for-TV-holiday specials, holiday episodes of your favorite sitcoms and, especially, if you love holiday anthologies, you’re going to fall in love with MY TRUE LOVE GAVE TO ME: TWELVE HOLIDAY STORIES by twelve bestselling young adult writers, edited by international bestselling author Stephanie Perkins.

Upcoming Release: Wildflower by Alecia Whitaker

Wildflower by Alecia Whitaker

Expected publication: July 1, 2014

Publisher: Poppy

The best songs come from broken hearts.

Sixteen-year-old Bird Barrett has grown up on the road, singing backup in her family's bluegrass band, and playing everywhere from Nashville, Tennesee to Nowhere, Oklahoma. One fateful night, Bird fills in for her dad by singing lead, and a scout in the audience offers her a spotlight all her own.

Soon Bird is caught up in a whirlwind of songwriting meetings, recording sessions, and music video shoots. Her first single hits the top twenty, and suddenly fans and paparazzi are around every corner. She's even caught the eye of her longtime crush, fellow roving musician Adam Dean. With Bird's star on the rise, though, tradition and ambition collide. Can Bird break out while staying true to her roots?

In a world of glamour and gold records, a young country music star finds her voice.

My Thoughts
Wildflower by Alecia Whitaker was a perfect addition to my summer reading line-up. I enjoyed Bird’s story from the very beginning and journeying with her during her rise to fame was both rewarding and memorable. Definitely a great contemporary Young Adult novel that shouldn’t be missed by fans of authors such as Sarah Dessen, Jennifer Echols and Leila Howland.

At the age of sixteen, Bird Barrett has enjoyed traveling with her family singing bluegrass at small honky-tonks all over Nashville. Her instrument of choice is her trusted Maybelle fiddle, and her position in the family line-up is back-up vocals to her dad. During a fateful night at the Station Inn, her father falls ill and Bird is asked to take lead vocals for their scheduled performance. That night, she’s spotted by a talent agent and shortly thereafter signs a record contract with a newer music label. Life begins to take some sharp, drastic turns for this teen as she learns to manage a grueling schedule and demanding expectations from everyone around her. At a time when simply singing for a live audience is her passion and the boy that captured her heart is pulling away, Bird begins to wonder how much she has to sacrifice for this new life of hers.

Wildflower did an exceptional job of pulling in worthy themes into the novel to add depth and realism to the story. I appreciated learning about the physical, emotional and family strain fame brings to such a young star. Exhaustion from tabloid lies, long hours of songwriting, the stress of social media attention, and falling short of your family and friends’ expectations can be tough for anyone, especially someone as young as Bird. Wow! What a huge burden to place on such young shoulders.

I appreciated how throughout the entire novel Bird just wanted to do what was right for everyone involved in her life. She consistently showed that she wanted to help everyone she cared about and not let them down. As quickly as she realized fame, I liked the fact that Bird remained somewhat grounded. She was an easy character to care for, and she won my heart immediately. I loved the family dynamics that played out in the novel as well as the meaningful friendships that were fostered. Truly a story full of honest emotion and depth.

Wildflower is a great novel that explores fame, growing up, and the heartache of first love. Great story, fantastic narration and heartfelt plot that pulled me in and kept me vested. Well done!

4 Snowflakes

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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Upcoming Release & Giveaway: Shudder by Samantha Durante

Shudder (Stitch Trilogy, Book 2) by Samantha Durante
Expected publication: June 15th 2013 by Samantha Durante

-- Book 2 in the Stitch Trilogy --

It's only been three days, and already everything is different.

Paragon is behind her, but somehow Alessa's life may actually have gotten worse. In a wrenching twist of fate, she traded the safety and companionship of her sister for that of her true love, losing a vital partner she'd counted on for the ordeal ahead. Her comfortable university life is but a distant memory, as she faces the prospect of surviving a bleak winter on the meager remains of a ravaged world. And if she'd thought she'd tasted fear upon seeing a ghost, she was wrong; now she's discovering new depths of terror while being hunted by a deadly virus and a terrifying pack of superhuman creatures thirsting for blood.

And then there are the visions.

The memory-altering "stitch" unlocked something in Alessa's mind, and now she can't shake the constant flood of alien feelings ransacking her emotions. Haunting memories of an old flame are driving a deep and painful rift into her once-secure relationship. And a series of staggering revelations about the treacherous Engineers - and the bone-chilling deceit shrouding her world's sorry history - will soon leave Alessa reeling...

The second installment in the electrifying Stitch Trilogy, Shudder follows Samantha Durante's shocking and innovative debut with a heart-pounding, paranormal-dusted dystopian adventure sure to keep the pages turning.

For fans of Samantha Durante's Stitch series, be sure to enter the giveaway for a chance to win a printed ARC of Shudder the second installment. This giveaway is graciously being offered by the author, so thank you Ms. Durante! Good luck!!

Enter the Giveaway HERE!!!

Upcoming Release Review: Dirty Little Secret by Jennifer Echols

Dirty Little Secret by Jennifer Echols

Expected Publication: July 16, 2013
Publisher: MTV Books

Bailey wasn’t always a wild child and the black sheep of her family. She used to play fiddle and tour the music circuit with her sister, Julie, who sang and played guitar. That ended when country music execs swooped in and signed Julie to a solo deal. Never mind that Julie and Bailey were a duet, or that Bailey was their songwriter. The music scouts wanted only Julie, and their parents were content to sit by and let her fulfill her dreams while Bailey’s were hushed away.

Bailey has tried to numb the pain and disappointment over what could have been. And as Julie’s debut album is set to hit the charts, her parents get fed up with Bailey’s antics and ship her off to granddad’s house in Nashville. Playing fiddle in washed-up tribute groups at the mall, Bailey meets Sam, a handsome and oh-so-persuasive guitarist with his own band. He knows Bailey’s fiddle playing is just the thing his band needs to break into the industry. But this life has broken Bailey’s heart once before. She isn’t sure she’s ready to let Sam take her there again…

My Thoughts

I’ve been waiting for years to come across something close to Jennifer Echols’s book Going Too Far. That story was filled with a perfect balance of chemistry and magic, and it remains to date one of my all-time favorite YA Contemporary books. Well, in Dirty Little Secret, Jennifer manages to remind me why I have her on my list of favorite authors. So, put on your cowboy boots and get ready to tip your hats because Jennifer Echols has a treat ready for you when you meet Bailey and Sam.

In this story, we get to learn how Bailey Mayfield has spent the last year of her life after her younger sister Julie, and one-time singing partner, landed a music contract without her. Witnessing her family take off to build Julie’s career as a country singer and host concerts and recording engagements has left Bailey trying to overcome the bitterness, hurt and sense of abandonment of being left in the shadows. See, Bailey is from Nashville, Tennessee which apparently is the country music capital of the world where the Grand Ole Opry stage is where country and bluegrass hopefuls such as Bailey hope to one day find themselves. (~whispers... I didn't know that~)

When she finally lands a mall gig, allowing her to play her fiddle with other country singers, she’s forced to keep her identity somewhat hidden. That becomes more difficult when Sam, Charlotte and Ace have her join their band and they begin to pack clubs and higher profile gigs. Bailey knows she’s going against her family’s demands of hiding in the shadows, and possibly risks the college funding they threaten to revoke, but she can’t seem to stop herself from doing what she loves.

Despite not being a fan of country music, that didn’t stop me from falling into the beat of this story and enjoying the journey. I did manage to learn a few things about this genre of music. For example, when these characters were talking about bluegrass, I quickly learned it wasn’t something you can add to your Jamba Juice. Overall, I enjoyed jams and fiddle show-downs that Bailey and her band entertained their audience with.

The secondary characters were a perfect blend to Bailey’s story. Despite being a bit skeptical of Sam, I couldn’t fault him for his actions. He was a great guy that was unabashedly flawed but honest about his intentions. He never fooled Bailey about what he hoped to accomplish and what he was willing to sacrifice to get there. He was comfortable in his own skin and always taking chances in the hopes of getting discovered.

“I like doing things that make me uncomfortable. I try not to have a comfort zone.”
Two of my favorite scenes were (1) the forehead slam and (2) Sam’s donation from his basking gig. Great moments that proved Echols casted the perfect characters for this book.

In addition, Bailey was such an easy character to fall for. Despite spending about a year or so upset that her sister got the opportunity that she hoped for herself, she was honest about her bitterness and jealousy. However, that didn’t stop her from still playing her fiddle and working the music circuit despite her family’s demand that she stay out of the limelight. She had some hard choices to make and some opportunities to rise to the occasion; and at the end of it all, I was a huge fan of hers.

Bailey Mayfield’s journey was a tough one filled with hurt and resentment. However, she proved to herself and others that all of the work to become a star, the frayed hopes, heartbreak and disappointments, she eventually found a way to write the lyrics to her own song and play according to her rules. Well done Echols! Pure bliss!

4 Snowflakes

Upcoming Release & Giveaway: The Program by Suzanne Young

The Program by Suzanne Young

Expected Publication: April 30, 2013

Publisher: Simon Pulse

In Sloane’s world, true feelings are forbidden, teen suicide is an epidemic, and the only solution is The Program.

Sloane knows better than to cry in front of anyone. With suicide now an international epidemic, one outburst could land her in The Program, the only proven course of treatment. Sloane’s parents have already lost one child; Sloane knows they’ll do anything to keep her alive. She also knows that everyone who’s been through The Program returns as a blank slate. Because their depression is gone—but so are their memories.

Under constant surveillance at home and at school, Sloane puts on a brave face and keeps her feelings buried as deep as she can. The only person Sloane can be herself with is James. He’s promised to keep them both safe and out of treatment, and Sloane knows their love is strong enough to withstand anything. But despite the promises they made to each other, it’s getting harder to hide the truth. They are both growing weaker. Depression is setting in. And The Program is coming for them.

My Thoughts

Okay, I’ve put this off long enough, so I’m just going to power through this… See, I’ve struggled for over a couple of weeks putting into words what The Program is truly about. My hesitation lies with the possibility that when I say, …This book is about suicide, but it’s really not about suicide... someone will take that one statement and not only get irritated with my lacking analogy but also not give The Program a chance.

So allow me a few moments while I try to convince you not to make the same mistake I did. I put this book off for so long because of the subject matter. I mean, who gets excited about reading something so dismal when you can pick up a love story? That was my first error in judgment. This book is really good and it’s truly not just about depression and suicide, but more about hope.

The Program is quite unique in its own right. In the book, we learn about a society that faces a teen pandemic, where suicide rates are out of control and society has responded with an aggressive treatment strategy with The Program. There are handlers that keep their eye out for at-risk teenagers between the ages of 13 – 17, and at the first signs of depression, they enroll them in The Program that erases their memories and emotions. After the six weeks of treatment, they are carefully immersed back into society with a fresh start and a clean slate.

Brilliant right?!?! Not so much... Teenagers fear losing their memories and the emotions tied to friendships that are meaningful to them.

Sloane’s brother and best friend have both committed suicide and her friend Lucy is taken into The Program after attempting the QuickDeath. When her boyfriend James, who promised to never let them fall victim to The Program, is taken by the handlers, Sloane is left to fight, scheme and sacrifice to hold on to what’s hers.

Overall, The Program is about fighting society in an attempt to hold on to what’s yours… your memories, your emotions, and your feelings that make you - you. The writing is flawless, and the message is clear. If I had to sum up in one short statement what Suzanne Young is trying to convey, I’d have to say she was clear about sharing how important it is to not lose sight of who you are and what you cherish.

The concept is pretty severe; and like I said, it took me a while to get into the right frame of mind to jump into the book. But, once I read a few short chapters, I quickly experienced that “tell me more!” feeling. My only regret is that I feel this book would have made a magnificent stand-alone, but I understand that it’s part of a series. As much as I was awed by Young’s writing and impressed with her plot, I can’t see myself buying into the propaganda of “the story continues…” I appreciated my time with Young’s characters and I applaud her writing skills, but I can pretty much figure out the rest from here.

Overall, though, The Program is truly a story not to be missed. It may seem daunting, but not without a good serving of hope. Color me impressed!

4 Snowflakes

If this sounds like a book you would enjoy, WinterHaven Books is giving away a copy of their ARC edition of The Program by Suzanne Young. Simply fill out the rafflecopter and share a thoughtful comment about the book, review or anything bookish you'd like to share. :)

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Upcoming Release & Giveaway: The Caged Graves by Dianne Salernei

The Caged Graves by Dianne Salerni
Expected Publication: May 14, 2013
Publisher: Clarion Books

17-year-old Verity Boone expects a warm homecoming when she returns to Catawissa, Pennsylvania, in 1867, pledged to marry a man she has never met. Instead, she finds a father she barely knows and a future husband with whom she apparently has nothing in common. One truly horrifying surprise awaits her: the graves of her mother and aunt are enclosed in iron cages outside the local cemetery. Nobody in town will explain why, but Verity hears rumors of buried treasure and witchcraft. Perhaps the cages were built to keep grave robbers out . . . or to keep the women in. Determined to understand, Verity finds herself in a life-and-death struggle with people she trusted.

Inspired by a pair of real caged graves in present-day Catawissa, this historical YA novel weaves mystery, romance, and action into a suspenseful drama with human greed and passion at its core.

If this sounds like a book you'd enjoy reading, be sure to fill out the rafflecopter for a chance to win The Caged Graves by Dianne Salerni.

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