Waiting on Wednesday: The Glittering Court by Richelle Mead

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

Here's my selection for this week…

The Glittering Court (The Glittering Court #1) by Richelle Mead
Expected publication: April 12, 2016
Publisher: Razorbill

A dazzling new fantasy series set in a mix of Elizabethan and frontier worlds that’s dripping with romance from Richelle Mead, #1 internationally bestselling author of Vampire Academy.

Big and sweeping, spanning the refined palaces of Osfrid to the gold dust and untamed forests of Adoria, The Glittering Court tells the story of Adelaide, an Osfridian countess who poses as her servant to escape an arranged marriage and start a new life in Adoria, the New World. But to do that, she must join the Glittering Court.

Both a school and a business venture, the Glittering Court is designed to transform impoverished girls into upper-class ladies capable of arranging powerful and wealthy marriages in the New World. Adelaide naturally excels in her training and even makes a few friends: the fiery former laundress Tamsin and the beautiful Sirminican refugee Mira. She manages to keep her true identity hidden from all but one: the intriguing Cedric Thorn, son of the wealthy proprietor of the Glittering Court.

When Adelaide discovers that Cedric is hiding a dangerous secret of his own, together, they hatch a scheme to make the best of Adelaide’s deception. Complications soon arise—first, as they cross the treacherous seas from Osfrid to Adoria, and later, when Adelaide catches the attention of a powerful governor.

But no complication will prove quite as daunting as the potent attraction simmering between Adelaide and Cedric. An attraction that, if acted on, would scandalize the Glittering Court and make them both outcasts in wild, vastly uncharted lands. . . .

The Glittering Court is probably my most anticipated 2016 release. I love Richelle Mead's writing, and to see that she's beginning a new series is pure excitement.  In this series, it looks like she's blending some of my favorite elements of fiction… fantasy, Elizabethan flavor, frontier worlds, intrigue, and romance. Sign me up!

Pre-order Link

Amazon

Sooo, what book are you waiting on? Be sure to link me up! 

Spotlight & Giveaway: Morgan Rhodes

 I am probably one of the last people in the blogger universe who hasn't read the Falling Kingdom series by Morgan Rhodes.  I've wanted to for awhile and it has been on my tbr for well forever, but I kept pushing it aside for some reason.  When I was approached by Penguin to join in the promo for the upcoming fourth book in the series, I jumped at the chance because I knew it was time to start these bad boys!  The first book in the series is over 400 pages and I read 300 in one day!  Yes it is that amazing!  I can't believe I waited so long!  Thank you Penguin for giving me the push I needed!  My review will definitely be up soon because I know I will devour the rest of Falling Kingdoms tonight!

Okay on to the promo part of the spotlight! As part of the promo I was asked to describe what kingdom I would love to rule.  After much thought I ruled out Game of Thrones because everyone who rules dies and well I don't want to die and I ruled out Morgan Rhodes world because I need to know what happens in the first few books before I queen myself ruler.  I don't want to queen myself and then 3 books later find out my kingdom doesn't even exist anymore!  So, I decided I would love to rule the Dark Court in Melissa Marr's Wicked Lovely series.  

Yes I am bringing the old school back with this one!  I love Fae stories and Marr's series was so dark and I loved how evil her Dark Court Faeries were.  If you ask my blog roomies they will tell you I love all the dark things so this would totally suit my darker side!  Plus I could wear all kinds of fun costumes and would totally have wicked powers! 

What world would you love to rule???

If you haven't picked up Morgan Rhodes series then you are missing out!  

Here's what you need to know abut the series!

Series Page / Website / Facebook / Goodreads

 Pre-order Frozen Tides releases 12/15/2015

About the Author:

Website / Goodreads / Twitter / Facebook

Giveaway!  
3 winners will each receive the first 3 books in the Falling Kingdoms series.
Hosted by Penguin
Fill out the form below to enter.

Open to US residents only

Good luck!

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Top Ten Tuesday

Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created at The Broke and the Bookish.

This weeks topic is..

Top Ten Debut Authors Who Have Me Looking Forward To Their Sophomore Novel

Amber
Debut authors who have me looking forward to their sophomore novel would be Renee Ahdieh and Sabaa Tahir. I found myself fully engaged in their stories, not wanting to set the book down. They paint a new vivid world of intrigue and unique circumstances their characters navigate through until the very end. I have high hopes their sophomore novels will rival their debuts. Crossing my fingers!

Arlene

Okay, I’m going with a debut author that I can’t wait to read her Sophomore Series. Amy Engel recently published her debut, two book series The Book of Ivy and The Revolution of Ivy, which I read in 2015. I really enjoyed this YA Dystopia series, and it surprised me how she hasn’t gotten more attention! I’m eager to see what she launches next!

Nicola Yoon did an amazing job with her debut novel Everything, Everything. I love YA Contemporary, and she rocked it with her first story. Can’t wait to see what she writes next!

Crystal

I thought Moïra Fowley-Doyle's The Accident Season was so unique and weird and I loved it!  I can't wait to see what her brain spills out next!
I am also eagerly anticipating Debra Dockter's next novel.  I'm hoping it's a sequel to Deadly Design but I will honestly be excited for anything she releases!

Milka

Emma Mills (the author of First & Then) and Becky Albertalli (the author of Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda)

Tina

Cashmere (Velvet 2) by Temple West- I need more Vampire books in my life.

Lock & Mori #2 by Heather W. Petty- I love me some whodunit mystery and Petty knows how to bring in the chill factor.

Support Your Independent Bookstore - Featuring Vroman's in Pasadena, CA

WinterHaven Books is excited to feature a local independent bookstore I often frequent to attend author events and purchase many of my coveted novels that hold a special spot on my bookshelf.

With the holiday season right around the corner, let's remember to shop at our local bookstores to keep them in business. Shopping online for eBooks and physical copies is definitely convenient, but without our support, these brick and mortar stores will soon be a thing of the past.  I remember shopping at Waldons, B.Daltons and Borders, which are no longer in business, so I've made it a point to visit my local bookstores and pick up a book or gift to show my support.

Let me share a few features I enjoy when visiting Vroman's in Pasadena, CA.

First off, Vromans is one of the oldest bookstore in Southern California and has been in business for over 100 years!  The environment, employees and books galore have me visiting this store at least ten times a year even though it's a good 45 minutes to an hour drive from my house. In October alone, I visited the store three times!

With over two stories of books to choose from, I love browsing their special features, such as Employee Picks, Best Sellers, Bargain Books and Seasonal Catches. Their shelves are always so organized and easy to puruse.  Oh and did I mention they have over TWO stories of book displays to browse?! 

Most recently, they had an amazing display of chilling novels, zombie and apocalyptic picks, and wicked reads that will keep you up at night. These selections change throughout the year depending on the season and what's hot.




Even if you're busy tackling your mile high TBR pile and not planning to buy books (rarely happens with me), there are other great reasons to visit Vroman's. I love browsing through their gift sections that include totes, holiday and home decorations, and all sorts of trinkets that would make great additions to your bookshelf.  When I'm done browsing, I always make a quick trip to their cafe before checking out. Their Chai Latte is probably the best in the Southland, and believe me, I've taste-tested many of them!

Last, but definitely not least, Vroman's has the BEST Young Adult section that I have ever seen in any bookstore.  They have the newest and most noteworthy selections, where you can find recent releases and best sellers.  If you're looking for box sets of Mortal Instruments, Hunger Games, Maze Runner, and Divergent for holiday gifts, you can find it all there. Stacks of YA Contemporaries, Fantasies, Paranormals, Dystopias, and so much more can be found piled high!  There are standalone displays for the newest releases like Illuminae and The Rose Society to name a couple. In addition, they have amazing displays of trending authors such as John Green, Gayle Forman and Marie Lu. Speaking of Marie Lu, I recently attended her author signing at Vroman's, which I'll be sure to share with you soon. I love attending author events at Vroman's because they do a great job of hosting these events throughout the year.

So for my most recent visit at Vroman's I picked up the latest Stephenie Meyer 10 year edition novel that includes Life and Death, as well as Twilight. I'm excited to read it and see if it takes me back to when I was an avid Twilight fan.  

As you can see, a store as amazing and magical as Vroman's deserves the patronage of avid readers. I can't say enough how great the store and employees are, and how hard they work to connect with readers.  My hope is that stores such as Vroman's continue to have staying power within our community!

Be sure to visit Vroman's in Pasadena, CA
Website  |  Facebook  |  Twitter  |  Instagram

While I was at Vroman's, I also picked up a paperback copy of Let it Snow by John Green, Maureen Johnson and Lauren Myracle.  I thought this would be a nice giveaway to start off the holiday season for those starting to dive into their holiday reads. Simply fill out the Rafflecopter and share with us (1) a local bookstore (independent or otherwise) that you love to visit or (2) a thoughtful comment about Vromans! This giveaway is open to US Residents only. Goodluck!

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October Monthly Wrap Up!

This month was INSANE for us!  We had so many amazing authors dropping by for interviews and some of our favorite guest posts ever!  We are truly exhausted, but wouldn't have traded this past month for anything in the world!  Not even books!  Yes we love our authors that much!  Even with all the Haunting Month excitement we still managed to squeeze in a few good reads this month so here's how October shaked down for us...

Highest Rated Book: 
There’s a tie for this one so I’m listing both.
Nameless by Jennifer Jenkins and The Book of Ivy by Amy Engel
Lowest Rated Book:
I’ve been lucky this month. They’ve all been good.
Special Feature: 
Movie: Love the Coopers (November 2015) I’m ready for some good family comedy. Something light and fun.
Youtube Official Trailer #1:
When four generations of the Cooper clan come together for their annual Christmas Eve celebration, a series of unexpected visitors and unlikely events turn the night upside down, leading them all toward a surprising rediscovery of family bonds and the spirit of the holiday.
My November TBR:
Unforgiven (Fallen #5) by Lauren Kate
The Revolution of Ivy (The Book of Ivy #2) by Amy Engel
Fearless (Avena #3) by Marianne Curley

October was a pretty average month. I didn’t have any standout books that rocked my shelf or any major disappointments. I’ll be finishing the month with about 12 read books, so here’s my recap.
Highest rated book:
From a pool of 4 star books, I’d say Ana of California by Andi Teran was closest to the top. I really enjoyed that one.
Lowest rated book:
My lowest rating was a few 3 star books, but since they weren’t major disappointments, I won’t call out any of them out.
Special feature:
I doubt I’m the only one anticipating the final movie installment for Mockingjay in November. I can’t wait to see it. I wonder what next YA series will capture the attention of the movie industry now that Hunger Games and Divergent are coming to a close.
My November TBR:
For November, I plan to dive into some early holiday reads. Nothing in particular just anything festive and fun.

Highest Rated:
I had a couple of 4 stars this month, but the two that stand out the most are A Madness so Discreet by Mindy McGinnis and Slasher Girls & Monster Boys by April Genevieve Tucholke & authors
Lowest Rated:
My lowest was Calling Maggie May by Anonymous.  I ended up giving this one 0 stars unfortunately. If anyone has read this and wants to explain it please help!
Special Feature:
I am most excited for The Last Witch Hunter with Vin Diesel!  Yes I am a Diesel fan and this movie looks all kinds of spectacular!
My November TBR: 
I hope to read Falling Kingdoms & Rebel Spring by Morgan Rhodes.  I've already started Falling Kingdoms and it is amazing!  I also want to read Wolf by Wolf by Ryan Graudin.

Highest rated book: 
I gave 5 stars to both UNDERWATER by Marisa Reichardt and BLACKHEARTS by Nicole Castroman
Lowest rated book:
Catching Jordan by Miranda Kenneally
Special feature:
I am obviously very excited about the Star Wars trailer that was released a while ago! I am also dying to see the last Hunger Games film. I have actually been saving Mockingjay part 1 so I can watch them close to each other (yes, I still haven't seen Mockingjay pt.1). I am not a huge fan of this trend of dividing adapted books into two different movies and always when possible I save the first film to be watched close to the release of the second film.
My November TBR:
Winter by Marissa Meyer (OBVIOUSLY!) and Carry On by Rainbow Rowell

Highest rated book:
5 stars for The Iron Warrior by Julie Kagawa! This was an exciting and amazing finale to a much loved series. It will be missed.
Lowest rated book:
3 stars for Life and Death-Twilight Reimagined. This was an entertaining version, but I still think Bella and Edward had the better story.
Special feature:
I can't wait for The Hunger Games- Mockingjay part 2 to hit theatres next month. It's gonna be epic!
My November TBR:
Up next I'm excited to get my grabby hand on: November 9 by Colleen Hoover and Soundless by Richelle Mead

One more thing before we go.  We want to thank all the amazing authors and publicist that made our Haunting Month a HUGE success.  Our month was totally made and I can't express how thankful we are to each and every one of you.  You are why we blog and why we spend countless hours on our computers reviewing, creating, drafting, begging, pleading, and book chatting for hours with other bloggers, publicists, and friends.  I don't think we could ever truly show how thankful we are so please know that you rocked our October and we are forever grateful to each and every one of you.  

That's a wrap for us! What were your highest rated or lowest rated books? What's on your tbr for next month?? Leave a comment and let us know!