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Cover Reveal: Inbetween by Tara Fuller

20 Feb

I am super excited to be taking part in the reveal for Inbetween by Tara Fuller.

About the book:

Since the car crash that took her father’s life three years ago, Emma’s life has been a freaky-and unending-lesson in caution. Surviving “accidents” has taken priority over being a normal seventeen-year-old, so Emma spends her days taking pictures of life instead of living it. Falling in love with a boy was never part of the plan. Falling for a reaper who makes her chest ache and her head spin? Not an option.

It’s not easy being dead, especially for a reaper in love with a girl fate has put on his list not once, but twice. Finn’s fellow reapers give him hell about spending time with Emma, but Finn couldn’t let her die before, and he’s not about to let her die now. He will protect the girl he loves from the evil he accidentally unleashed, even if it means sacrificing the only thing he has left. his soul.

 

I think Inbetween sounds super cool, though I’m not quite sure what I think of the cover.

Preorder Inbetween

Completely Contemp Challenge

17 Feb

I am super excited to finally sign up for the Completely Contemp Challenge. All the information about it can be found here.

My goal is going to be reading 3 books from each year – though I know my 2012 releases are going to far outweigh the other years.

Here’s all the Contemps I’ve read this year so far:

2012 Releases:
Try Not to Breathe by Jennifer Hubbard
Don’t Breathe a Word by Holly Cupala
Getting Dumped by Tawna Fenske
Girl Meets Boy by Kelly Milner Halls
The International Kissing Club by Ivy Adams
In Too Deep by Amanda Grace
Someone Else’s Life by Katie Dale

2011 Releases:
Desert Angel by Charlie Price

2010 Releases:
A Blue So Dark by Holly Schindler

Try Not to Breathe by Jennifer Hubbard

17 Feb

Try Not to Breathe
Jennifer Hubbard
Publisher: Viking
Release Date: January 19, 2012
Pages: 272
Challenges: Sophomore Challenge, Completely Contemporary Challenge

Rating: 4 stars

Ryan spends most of his time alone at the local waterfall because it’s the only thing that makes him feel alive. He’s sixteen, post-suicidal, and trying to figure out what to do with himself after a stint in a mental hospital. Then Nicki barges into his world, brimming with life and energy, and asking questions about Ryan’s depression that no one else has ever been brave enough—or cared enough—to ask. Ryan isn’t sure why he trusts Nicki with his darkest secrets, but that trust turns out to be the catalyst that he desperately needs to start living again.

Try Not to Breathe by Jennifer Hubbard was a really great read. I was very interested in this one when I heard about it, since I had liked Jennifer Hubbard‘s debut, The Secret Year. Try Not to Breathe was a really touching read that was just a really great book and I am happy to have read it.

I really loved the characters. Val, Jake, Nikki, they were all just great. The relationships between all the characters were so complex, and I loved seeing how everything would pan out between them. I really liked Nikki – she was no nonsense when it came to Ryan; she wasn’t going to let him just hide within himself. I really admired her.

Jennifer Hubbard‘s prose is absolutely beautiful. She really has written just an enchanting story. It deals with such a raw, emotional topic, yet there was a very hopeful light about it. The characters all support each other and will not let anyone fall into darkness, and I loved that about this book.

I would quite recommend Try Not to Breathe by Jennifer Hubbard. I loved the characters and the story they had to tell. Jennifer Hubbard‘s writing really grew from her debut in this one, and I really am excited to see what is next from her.

Someone Else’s Life by Katie Dale

16 Feb

someone elses life by katie daleSomeone Else’s Life
Katie Dale
Publisher: Delacorte Press
Release Date: February 14, 2012
Pages: 512
Challenges: Debut Author Challenge

Rating: 4 stars

When 17-year-old Rosie’s mother, Trudie, dies from Huntington’s Disease, her pain is intensified by the knowledge that she has a fifty percent chance of inheriting the crippling disease herself. Only when Rosie tells her mother’s best friend, “Aunt Sarah,” that she is going to test for the disease does Sarah, a midwife, reveal that Trudie wasn’t her real mother after all. Rosie was swapped at birth with a sickly baby who was destined to die.

Devastated, Rosie decides to trace her real mother, joining her ex-boyfriend on his gap year travels, to find her birth mother in California. But all does not go as planned. As Rosie discovers yet more of her family’s deeply buried secrets and lies, she is left with an agonizing decision of her own, one which will be the most heart breaking and far-reaching of all.

I was so excited for Someone Else’s Life by Katie Dale since I had heard about it. I started reading and there was something missing. I was so bummed. Then about a third of the way into it, something clicked and suddenly, I couldn’t put the book down and I started up til 2 AM just so I could finish and see how this amazing story would end.

Katie Dale is not afraid to pull at your heart strings with this one – this is SUCH an emotional read. I had some intense reactions towards so many things that happened. Someone Else’s Life is a really eye-opening book and I think makes you appreciate what you have in life.

The plot of Someone Else’s Story revolved so much around the characters developing and finding out who they were, which was something I really liked about it. The beginning was a bit confusing for me, but everything soon made sense. I loved all the scenes with Rosie and Andy – they were so fun.

I was not crazy about the two main characters, Rosie and Holly. They both bothered me, Holly more than Rosie. So for me, it was the other characters that really stole the show. I just loved Andy – he had his moments where I did question him, but overall I really just loved him. Ben was another character who had a very minor role, but every scene he was in was absolutely adorable.

Katie Dale is definitely an author to watch. While I had a few issues with Someone Else’s Life, overall, it was a good read. Someone Else’s Story was a story worth telling, and is really worth the read.

Tour: Princess of the Wild Swans by Diane Zahler

15 Feb

Princess of the Wild Swans by Diane ZahlerPrincess of the Wild Swans
Diane Zahler
Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers
Release Date: January 31, 2012
Pages: 224
Challenges: 2012 YA/MG Fantasy Challenge, 2012 YA Historical Fiction Challenge

Rating: 3.5 stars

Princess Meriel’s brothers have been cursed. A terrible enchantment–cast by their conniving new stepmother–has transformed the handsome princes into swans. They now swim forlornly on a beautiful heart-shaped lake that lies just beyond the castle walls.

Meriel will do whatever it takes to rescue her beloved brothers. But she must act quickly. If Heart Lake freezes, her brothers will be forced to fly south or perish.

With help from her newfound friends Riona and Liam–a pretty half-witch and her clever brother–Meriel vows to finish a seemingly impossible task. If she completes it, her brothers may be saved.

But if she fails . . . all will be lost.

Princess of the Wild Swans by Diane Zahler was a super cute, fast read. I had so much fun reading and am excited to check out Diane Zahler’s other books after this.

The beginning was a bit disjointed for me, and I didn’t really get into Princess of the Wild Swans until probably a third of the way in.  Then I was super invested in it, and didn’t want to put it down. I loved trying to figure out what would happen next. I wish this one had been a bit longer, as I would have loved to know what happened just a bit beyond the conclusion of the book.

The characters were a lot of fun. I just loved Liam and Riona – both were such good hearted people. Meriel was such a strong character and I loved seeing her grow over the course of the book.

I just love this cover of this one – it is such a image and it fits the book so well. I would recommend Princess of the Wild Swans to people who love fairy tales retellings, because this one had such charm.

Destiny and Deception by Shannon Delany

14 Feb

"Destiny and Deception by Shannon Delany"Destiny and Deception (13 to Life #4)
Shannon Delany
Publisher: St Martin’s Griffin
Release Date: January 31, 2012
Pages: 356

Rating: 5 stars

The sensational fourth novel in the 13 to Life series sees Jessica and the Rusakuvas fighting to overcome one of their biggest challenges yet–the possibility of a cure for lycanthropy.   With the threat of the mafia seemingly gone and the company’s headquarters in Junction destroyed, Pietr Rusakova is adjusting to being a normal teen and Jess is realizing normalcy may not be what she wanted after all. But both Jess and Cat know the truth–that normal can’t be taken for granted. Their precious cure isn’t permanent–and when a new danger stalks into their small town, Alexi decides he must overcome his issues with the mother who abandoned him to be raised by wolves and make a brand new deal to save his adopted family.

Destiny and Deception…how do I even begin to explain this one? The last book, Bargains and Betrayals, was pretty epic, but Destiny and Deception has upped the stakes and made for an absolutely mind blowing read.

After the thrilling end to Bargains and Betrayals, I was eager to dive into this one. The plot got more exciting with each chapter, and I was so into the storyline. Destiny and Deception introduces quite a few new characters, and I was intrigued by them and what they bring to the story. With the new characters, that also brought a new POV which was interesting to see.

The characters of this series are so fun. I love Cat and Max and all the crew. Alexi was a character who really grew on me in this one. I am very curious to see how the new characters, like Marlaena, will bring to the concluding book in the series.

The ending made me literally sick there with my mouth hanging wide open. I was completely dumbstruck – I had NO idea it was coming, and it has set up the insurance that the last book, Rivals and Retribution is going to be absolutely brilliant. I want it to be August right now, because I cannot stand to wait a moment longer to see what is going to happen after the ending of Destiny and Deception.

This series is so great, and Destiny and Deception by Shannon Delany is sure a must read. I loved this installment in the series, and am counting down the days til the next one is released. It has a ton of action and a really unique looks at werewolves.

This review is cross-posted from YA Books Central, where it was originally posted.

Tour: The International Kissing Club by Ivy Adams

12 Feb

The International Kissing Club
Ivy Adams
Publisher: Walker & Company
Release Date: January 3, 2012
Pages:  400
Challenges: Debut Author Challenge

Rating: 3.5 stars

Piper, Cassidy, Mei, and Izzy have been best friends their whole lives. And they’ve always agreed on one goal: to get out of tiny Paris, Texas, and see the world. The school’s foreign exchange program seems like the perfect escape: Piper will go to the original Paris; Mei will go to China; Cassidy will go to Australia; and Izzy, unable to afford the program, will stay at home. To add spice to their semester away, and to stay connected to their best friends, the girls start The International Kissing Club, a Facebook page where they can anonymously update one another and brag about all the amazing guys they’re meeting. After all, these girls are traveling abroad: amazing guys abound at every turn! But sometimes fun, flirty vacation flings turn into more serious romances, and sometimes you don’t return from abroad the same person you were. Will the girls’ relationships-and their friendships-be able to survive?

The International Kissing Club by Ivy Adams was an interesting read. It turned out to be a very different book from the one I was expecting. Once I got well into the book, I found the story to be very cute and I didn’t want to put it down.

The International Kissing Club had a very slow beginning. Nothing much happened until well over 100 pages into the book. Then I found that things picked up. Even then I definitely favored Cassidy and Izzy’s storylines, they were my favorite. Mei also had a ton of great moments. I just wasn’t as crazy about Piper’s storyline, I am not really sure what that was about. I did have a bit of a hard time believing some of the reactions towards the girls facebook page for The International Kissing Club – I just thought some instances where it was addressed would not go so smoothly.

I was so mad at the end – I had gotten so invested in the storylines, and then it ended! I wanted to know more and find out what happens for each of them. I felt like each of the girls had hit a high point, then it just ended.

The characters were a lot of fun. All the guys the girls found in their travels were great. I particularly loved Lucas, and that was the storyline I wanted to see more of the most I think. I really loved the development of the characters over the time-span of the book.

This is definitely the read for someone looking for a light, fluffier read, and doesn’t mind a slow start. Once the book picks up, it’s one of those addicting reads. Overall, The International Kissing Club was a cute read.

February Fantasy Releases

11 Feb

Sorry this post is a little late – I have had a crazy few weeks with school. But with out further ado, here are all the February fantasy books coming out this month :)

February 2012 Fantasy Releases

Pendragon Legacy: Sword of Light by Katherine Roberts – February 1
Once by Cameron Dokey – February 7
Born Wicked by Jessica Spotswood
The Wood Queen by Karen Mahoney – February 8

February 2012 Fantasy Releases

Bewitching by Alex Flinn – February 14
Thief’s Covenant by Ari Marmell – February 14
Arcadia Awakens by Kai Meyer – February 14

February 2012 Fantasy Releases 3

Above World by Jenn Reese – February 14
Scarlet by A.C. Gaughen – February 14
Faery Tales and Nightmares by Melissa Marr – February 21

February 2012 Fantasy Releases 4
When the Sea is Rising Red by Cat Hellisen – February 28
A Touch Morbid by Leah Clifford – February 28
Allegiance by Cayla Kluver – February 28

In Too Deep by Amanda Grace

11 Feb

In Too Deep by Amanda GraceIn Too Deep
Amanda Grace
Publisher: Flux
Release Date: February 8, 2012
Pages: 228

Rating: 3 stars 

I never meant for anyone to get hurt. All I wanted to do that night was make a play for Carter Wellesley. His heartless rejection was mortifying, but people got the wrong idea when they saw me leaving his bedroom, crying. That’s how rumors of rape started.

Now girls at school are pouring out their sympathy to me. Guys too. But not everyone’s on my side. The school has become a war zone and the threats are getting scary. What began as poetic justice has morphed into something bigger–forcing me to make a terrible choice.

In Too Deep by Amanda Grace was a pretty decent read. The story just flew by, and I loved the message it sent, about telling the truth. Amanda Grace is a pen name for Mandy Hubbard, so while this was my first “Amanda Grace” novel, I have enjoyed Mandy Hubbard‘s work before. It was fun to see the contrast between the bubbly, fun Mandy Hubbard books and the more serious, rawer Amanda Gracebooks.
I wasn’t crazy about the main character, Sam, and her decisions. So many things could have been avoided if she wasn’t so passive and meek. I LOVED NICK. He was my favorite character of the book. A lot of the other characters played a more minor role, but I really thought they were great when they were in the forefront.In Too Deepwas a super fast read – I read it in just over an hour. Though I wasn’t crazy about the Sam’s decisions at several points throughout the book, I still enjoyed the plot overall. I especially loved any sort of scene between Sam and Nick. Nick just brought this wonderful quality with him in every scene he was in, and I loved it. Still, I was hoping for a little more from the plot.

I want to applaud Amanda Grace on the ending of this one – now, I don’t want to say too much as it would give things away, but the ending was really one of those emotional moments. I also just love this cover. Some of Sam’s decisions stopped me from absolutely loving this one, but I still thought it was a decent read. I am really eager to pick up Amanda Grace‘s other novel, But I Love Him as well now. This is definitely a read for anyone who loves contemporary.

Fantasy Five Friday: Interview with Maureen Lipinski

10 Feb

I am very excited to have Maureen Lipinski here for another Fantasy Five Friday interview :)

Maureen LipinskiMaureen Lipinski is the author of Shadow’s Edge, which is her debut young adult novel, as well as A Bump in the Road and Not Ready for Mom Jeans. She graduated from Miami University and lives in the Chicago suburbs with her husband and two kids. You can visit her on the web at her website.

Here’s a bit about Shadow’s Edge:

My magical life is dead to me now . . . This is my last chance at freedom. Once, Leah Spencer didn’t mind being a natural-born Shaman to the Creatuir, a human helper to faeries, shapeshifters, and other magical beings. But that was before she listened to her friend Fiona and broke Rule #1, traveling unprepared to the Other Realm where she quickly lost a whole year of time. She missed out on everything–holidays, school, her sixteenth birthday, the boyfriend who ditched her. After that, Leah swore to leave all things magical behind and lead the life of a normal high school girl.

Now Fiona is missing, and something is killing off the Creatuir, both Light and Dark. As the Creatuir prepare to go to war, Leah is torn between her safe new life and solving the Other Realm murder spree. With the help of her three sisters (each with her own magical gift), and three gorgeous guys–who may or may not be part of the evil magic–Leah must vanquish an ancient dark force. Unless an unimaginable secret about her family destroys her first.

Could you give us the one sentence pitch of  your book?

SHADOW’S EDGE is about sixteen year old Leah Spencer, a natural born Shaman to the Other Realm, who has  to choose between attending regular high school and “getting all CSI” on a mystical murder spree.

Since you have a fantasy novel coming out, the next question I obviously have to ask is: If you were a fantastical creature, which would you be?

Ooh, fun question! I would love to be a creature with the ability to stop time. I always seem to have a mile-long To Do list and too few hours in the day to accomplish everything. I would love to be able to stop time and catch up on all my projects…or maybe I would just take a nap!

Do you have a favorite fantasy read?

My favorite fantasy book will always be Madeleine L’Engle’s A WRINKLE IN TIME. I still remember being a kid and tearing through those pages while sitting on my pink Laura Ashley bedspread.

Generally speaking, which comes first: the world, the characters, or the plot?

Usually, the characters come first. Often times, I have an idea of where I want the book to go, I’m just not sure how the characters are going to get there. Of course, there are also many times when the characters have other ideas in mind and I have to go with it!

They are always coming out with new editions of board games. If your book could be a special edition of any board game, which would you choose?

The Game of Life! I LOVED that board game growing up. Still do, actually. I remember my little brother would always lose the pink and blue pegs representing kids and husbands so we’d have to use push pins. It wasn’t nearly as fun.

Thanks so much Maureen for stopping by!

Buy Shadow’s Edge: Amazon | B&N | Book Depository 

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