Waiting on Wednesday (3)

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Breaking the Spine 

that showcases upcoming releases that people are very much anticipating.

This week I'm waiting on a book that I just recently discovered. I happened to stumble across this book when I was searching the upcoming releases on Barnes and Noble's Teen page. The cover immediately grabbed my attention--you'll see why--and the synopsis confirmed it: I must read this book!

Title: Endangered

Author: Eliot Schrefer

Publisher: Scholastic Press

Publishing Date: October 1, 2012

Pages: 272

The compelling tale of a girl who must save a group of bonobos--and herself--from a violent coup.
The Congo is a dangerous place, even for people who are trying to do good.
When one girl has to follow her mother to her sancuary for bonobos, she's not thrilled to be there. It's her mother's passion, and she'd rather have nothing to do with it. But when revolution breaks out and their sanctuary is attacked, she must rescue the bonobos and hide in the jungle. Together, they will fight to keep safe, to eat, and to survive.
Eliot Schrefer asks readers what safety means, how one sacrifices to help others, and what it means to be human in this new compelling adventure. (Via Goodreads)

I love chimpanzees, and bonobos are a type of a chimpanzee, so I'm extremely excited for this! I can't wait for it to release! The world needs more exotic animals in YA literature. And dinosaurs. We need more dinosaurs.

Fun Fact: Chimpanzees aren't monkeys. So, for the love of all that is my sanity, please don't call them that.

About the Author

Eliot Schrefer is the author of The Deadly Sister, The School for Dangerous Girls, Glamorous Disasters, and The New Kid. He lives in New York City, and has never discovered any bodies. Visit him online at www.eliotschrefer.com.

What are YOU waiting on this week? Tell me in the comments!

Top Ten Tuesday (3)

Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature meme created by The Broke and the Bookish.

This Tuesday's theme is...

Top Ten Bookish Confessions

I almost skipped this one because I had no idea what to say. I think of myself as a newish blogger still for a multitude of reasons: I don't blog enough, I didn't really get into it until recently, I don't have a lot of content, etc. But then I came up with some bookish confessions, and, well, here you go!

1. I haven't read and finished an entire book since the middle of July.

True story. The last book I read was The Selection. Sure, I've started a few, but I have yet to finish them. And I reread parts of the Morganville Vampires books, but I didn't read an entire one. I've been a very, very bad reader lately.

2. I neglect the books on my bookshelf.

And, more recently, my library stack. Because I've been such a horrible reader lately, books I have from the library are getting returned without getting read. As for books on my bookshelf--well, I have such a hard time getting to them because they don't have due dates. I know, I'm bad. 

3. I have started several books, but not finished them.

There are numerous books that are just waiting for me to finish them. This is usually because a book came along that I had to read first, I had a hard time getting into the book, or I just haven't finished it yet. This would be Pushing the Limits, Lost in Time, and Endure, among others. 

4. I've gotten out of series, or have yet to finish or continue them.

I loves series, I do. They're the best because I can see more and more of my favorite characters and stories. However, there are some that I have fallen out of or just haven't read all the books in yet. Shame on me! See: The Need series, the Fallen series, House of Night, the Shade series, and the Blue Bloods series, among others.

5. There are several big-time books that I haven't read.

The Mortal Instruments, Delirium, Nightshade, The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer, Cinder--you name, I probably haven't read it. (If there's a book you think I must read, let me know in the comments and I'll add it to my list!) 

6. I am a polygamist.

Not really. But I'm in love with so many fictional boys that I'm considering becoming one so that I can have them all.

7. There are books that people loved that I thought were just okay.

Beautiful Creatures, Fallen--they didn't do much for me. That's probably why I haven't read all the books.

8. I'm a book hoarder.

I guess you could call it that. I like to enter contests because, hey, who doesn't like free stuff? But I like to win books because I like to collect them. I love having books. The more, the merrier. My bookshelves are pretty much out of space but I don't care; I want more! You've seen Beauty and the Beast, right? That library? I WANT.

9. I don't understand why book covers change.

I really don't, especially when I think the original cover was way, way better. And it bugs me. I'll see a cover I like, and I want it, but maybe I can't get it yet. (I ain't rich, ya'll.) Then I go back to get it, it's gone, and there's a not-as-cool cover in its place. I like the first cover, so why can't we keep it? The worst is when they change the cover mid-series so that my copies I do own won't match. That's not okay. Some examples of covers I liked better the first time around (no bashing or new cover hate intended): Shade/Shift, Nightshade, Across the Universe, Delirium.

10. I judge a book by its cover.

I do. I can't help it. I'm not going to go to a library or bookstore and read the synopsis of every single book there. That would take forever. The cover draws me in, so of course the ones that grab my attention are the ones I'm going to look into. I know I'm not the only person who does this; it's really hard not to. The eye sees what the eye sees! My most recent example: I just saw a book on Barnes and Noble's website with a chimpanzee on the cover in the upcoming releases section for teens. I love chimpanzees, and there aren't a lot of YA books with chimps in them, so of course I was interested! (The book was Endangered by Eliot Scherfer.) Covers: they sell a book.

I'm surprised I came up with 10 bookish confessions, but there you go! What are your bookish confessions? Share them in the comments!

Waiting on Wednesday (2)

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Breaking the Spine 

that showcases upcoming releases that people are very much anticipating.

The following book is one that I've been waiting on since I first heard about it forever ago. I'm mentioning it today because it comes out in two weeks (!!!) and because of the Origin Olympics, which are happening now and that you must compete in! If you didn't already guess it, I'm waiting on Origin by Jessica Khoury!

Title: Origin

Author: Jessica Khoury

Publisher: Razorbill

Publishing Date: September 4, 2012

Pages: 372

Pia has grown up in a secret laboratory hidden deep in the Amazon rain forest. She was raised by a team of scientists who have created her to be the start of a new immortal race. But on the night of her seventeenth birthday, Pia discovers a hole in the electric fence that surrounds her sterile home—and sneaks outside the compound for the first time in her life.
Free in the jungle, Pia meets Eio, a boy from a nearby village. Together, they embark on a race against time to discover the truth about Pia’s origin—a truth with deadly consequences that will change their lives forever.
Origin is a beautifully told, shocking new way to look at an age-old desire: to live forever, no matter the cost. This is a supremely compelling debut novel that blends the awakening romance of Matched with the mystery and jungle conspiracy of Lost. (Via Goodreads)

About the Author

Jessica Khoury is of Syrian and Scottish descent, and was born and raised in Toccoa, Georgia. She earned her bachelor’s degree in English from Toccoa Falls College. Origin is her first novel. She still lives in Toccoa with her husband Ben, where she writes and coaches youth soccer. 

What are YOU waiting on this week? Tell me in the comments!

The Army of Ten Wants YOU!

THE ARMY OF TEN WANTS YOU!

In preparation for the September 18, 2012 release of Gretchen McNeil's Ten, The Army of Ten was created.

Run by the Commander-In-Chief, The Army of Ten is a covert group on a mission: spreading the word about Ten.

And they want YOU.

Your first step is to go here and fill out the proper forms. You will then complete your tasks until you have obtained your desired position.

Before you head off to join the Army, take a look at Ten.

And their doom comes swiftly.
It was supposed to be the weekend of their lives—an exclusive house party on Henry Island. Best friends Meg and Minnie each have their reasons for being there (which involve T.J., the school’s most eligible bachelor) and look forward to three glorious days of boys, booze and fun-filled luxury.
But what they expect is definitely not what they get, and what starts out as fun turns dark and twisted after the discovery of a DVD with a sinister message: Vengeance is mine.
Suddenly people are dying, and with a storm raging, the teens are cut off from the outside world. No electricity, no phones, no internet, and a ferry that isn’t scheduled to return for two days. As the deaths become more violent and the teens turn on each other, can Meg find the killer before more people die? Or is the killer closer to her than she could ever imagine? (Via Goodreads)

Now, get to work, Soldier!

Rachel, over.

Join the Flirt Squad!

If you've been on Twitter recently, you may have seen several tweets about something called the Flirt Squad. You probably wondered what in the Twitterverse that was. I'll tell you!

The Flirt Squad is the Street Team for Rachel Harris's upcoming novel, My Super Sweet Sixteenth Century. The Street Team completes several tasks that help promote the book (it works, because now I know about the book and want to read it) and in return they gather points that add up to super cool prizes!

I know what you're thinking: "How can I get on this train of coolness?!"

Here's how:

Go to Rachel's website and click on the Flirt Squad tab. Scroll all the way down and you'll learn how to be a part of the totally awesome, wickedly fabulous Flirt Squad.

From there, you should receive a very important message from the Squad Master, Rachel Harris.

Then, you go crazy and flirt everywhere and anywhere about My Super Sweet Sixteenth Century.

Because the books sounds awesome, right? 

Publisher: Entangled Teen

Publishing Date: September 11, 2012

On the precipice of her sixteenth birthday, the last thing lone wolf Cat Crawford wants is an extravagant gala thrown by her bubbly stepmother and well-meaning father. So even though Cat knows the family’s trip to Florence, Italy, is a peace offering, she embraces the magical city and all it offers. But when her curiosity leads her to an unusual gypsy tent, she exits . . . right into Renaissance Firenze. 

Thrust into the sixteenth century armed with only a backpack full of contraband future items, Cat joins up with her ancestors, the sweet Alessandra and protective Cipriano, and soon falls for the gorgeous aspiring artist Lorenzo. But when the much-older Niccolo starts sniffing around, Cat realizes that an unwanted birthday party is nothing compared to an unwanted suitor full of creeptastic amore. 

Can she find her way back to modern times before her Italian adventure turns into an Italian forever?     

And it looks good, too!

Now, go on and join the Street Team of epicness, The Flirt Squad! Oh, and when you do, please let Rachel Harris know I (Rachel Patrick) sent you! That's a way I can get points!

Carry on, my lovelies!

Top Ten Tuesday

Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature meme created by The Broke and the Bookish.

This Tuesday's theme is...

Top Ten Favorite Books You've Read During the Lifespan of Your Blog

I find this Top Ten to be a wee bit difficult, if only because I have to think really hard about what I've read since starting Beauty and the Bookshelf. So really, these are just the books that I can remember. But they're good, so you must check them out!

The Morganville Vampires by Rachel Caine

I'll probably mention this series in every post that I can because of how much I love these books. While I didn't read all the books during my blog's lifespan (although I am rereading parts of them right now), I have read the more recent ones. The books are what I would call an easy read, and they're full of everything: action, drama, blood, death, ghosts, fights, romance, vampires--everything. I never want this series to end, and I'll probably cry when it does.

The Selection by Kiera Cass

This book just makes me feel good. How many books can be classified as The Hunger Games meets The Bachelor? Not many, that's for sure. But this one just has something. Maybe it's because girls get an opportunity to be what most of wanted to be at some point in our lives: a princess. Maybe it's because there are two swoon-worthy men. (Team Maxon, cough cough.) Maybe it's because it draws you in and you want to know who will be selected. I don't know, but I do know this: I can't wait for The Elite.

Anna Dressed in Blood and Girl of Nightmares by Kendare Blake

I like these two books because they are so different from everything else I've read. There's ghosts, a guy--with a great voice--who hunts them, and a girl ghost who complicates everything. These books had romance that wasn't heavy or a majorly major part of the story, gave me chills up my spine, and were written in a believable point-of-view. Cas--that's how a lot of teens talk. If you like ghosts that aren't too frightening and want a good mystery, check these out!

The Flappers by Jillian Larkin

I love flappers and the 1920's, so this series is just perfect. Reminiscent of the Luxe books--another great series--these books make my heart want to time travel to the era. The characters are brilliant, the clubs swingin', and the boys--sa-woon! These books aren't just about flappers; there's so, so much more and they must be read because I love them. 

Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins

When I first saw the cover for this book, I thought it was kind of cheesy and that the book would just be okay. I was wrong. So, so wrong. This book is amazing, like the chocolatiest of chocolate cakes amazing. Anna is well-written, the story is cute and real and fantastic, and Etienne St. Clair is one of my favorite boys in fiction ever. If you haven't read this, what are you doing with your life?

The Body Finder series by Kimberly Derting

I read the first book in this series right around the time I started this blog and was pleasantly surprised at how much I liked it, and, today, love the whole series. The fact that Violet can sense the dead and who killed them is compelling all on its own. Add to that the point of view from whoever the creepy killer is, and it's like a crime show in book form. Then there's her best-friend-turned-boyfriend Jay, who I want as my boyfriend. And don't get me started on Rafe. While these books have death and murder, they're not too dark and totally readable.

Don't Breathe A Word by Holly Cupala

Cupala writes books that are simply real. Her characters are never perfect and always improve throughout the book. She deals with serious issues, but it's never too serious that I have trouble reading it. In Don't Breathe A Word, the main character runs away from home and her abusive, controlling boyfriend to the streets of Seattle. There she meets Creed, who's protective and amazing and has his own problems. The ending is satisfactory and not too happily-ever-after, which is just what the characters need. I highly suggest you read this contemporary novel. 

Pushing the Limits by Katie McGarry

Long story short: I haven't finished this yet but I read ahead and have a general idea of what happens. This book is absolutely amazing; I had butterflies almost the whole time I read it. This book reminded me of the Perfect Chemistry books, which are some of my favorites. Echo and Noah are both characters that are broken and needed to be fixed, and I think they found that in each other. If you like romance, read this book. Just do it.

Chasing Brooklyn by Lisa Schroeder

I never thought I'd like a book written verse, but I love Schroeder's. While they're shorter reads, they're simply stunning. Chasing Brooklyn is one of my favorites. It's about a girl whose boyfriend died and she thinks she sees his ghost--and so does his brother. Of course, there's much more than that, but I don't to spoil it for you--I want you to read it.

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

Okay, so I technically didn't read this during the lifespan of my blog. But I did reread them during that time, and that counts, right? My second time reading the series gave me a Hunger Games high; I guess reading them back to back to back will do that you. And this time, they were even better. These books are just so good, I can't help mentioning them in this post. And if you haven't read them--well, I shouldn't even have to ask that question, should I?

There you have it, my (sorta) Top Ten Favorites That I've Read During the Lifespan of My Blog. But now, enough about me--I want to hear from you. What's your top ten? Tell me in the comments!

The Origin Olympics Have Begun!

As you can see, the Games are OPEN! But what does that mean? Aren't the Olympics over and all the hunks went home?

Not really, and NO.

Enter the host of these Games Jessica Khoury, author of the highly anticipated Origin, out September 4, 2012. Here's the synopsis (and gorgeous, rad cover):

Pia has grown up in a secret laboratory hidden deep in the Amazon rain forest. She was raised by a team of scientists who have created her to be the start of a new immortal race. But on the night of her seventeenth birthday, Pia discovers a hole in the electric fence that surrounds her sterile home—and sneaks outside the compound for the first time in her life.
Free in the jungle, Pia meets Eio, a boy from a nearby village. Together, they embark on a race against time to discover the truth about Pia’s origin—a truth with deadly consequences that will change their lives forever.
Origin is a beautifully told, shocking new way to look at an age-old desire: to live forever, no matter the cost. This is a supremely compelling debut novel that blends the awakening romance of Matched with the mystery and jungle conspiracy of Lost. (Via Goodreads)

Sounds AMAZING, right? (P.S. I want this book bad, like a cat wants a string bad.) To top of all the awesomeness, Jessica has put together one of the coolest contests ever:

THE ORIGIN OLYMPICS

See, the Olympics aren't over. And the hot Olympians? The synopsis mentions a boy named Eio, and you know he's going to be all sorts of delicious. 

To enter compete in the Origin Olympics, just click the yellow words above and you'll go straight to the post!

But wait--before you go off to the jungle, check out the trailer for Origin!

Please--try to contain yourself. Now, go try to win some awesome prizes and have fun in the Origin Olympics!

Interview & Playlist with Heather Anastasiu

Hello, and welcome to Beauty and the Bookshelf!

I'm ecstatic to be a part of the Glitch blog tour, hosted by Itching for Books. Here you'll find some cool facts about Glitch's author Heather Anastasiu, as well as see her playlist for the book! If the text is yellow, it's probably a link, so click it; it may take you somewhere interesting! 

And now, without further ado, it is my pleasure to present Heather Anastasiu. 

Using the letters of your name, please describe yourself.

Heather writes books, and

Earns lots of strange looks,

Applies blue to her hair, gets

Tattoos on her arms, but then

Happily charms, with her

Ear or her arm, and oh yeah, she

Rhymes badly.

How would you describe Glitch in the form of a haiku?

Zoe is a girl

In a dystopian world.

Moves things with her mind.

Where did you get the idea for Glitch?

My husband mentioned a Popular Science article about research being done to implant the equivalent of memory chips into Alzheimer’s patient’s brains. This both made my skin crawl and intrigued me. What other devices might we start implanting in our bodies in the future? Maybe it would all start out for good medical reasons, but what if it all went horribly awry and was used instead as a means of control! And thus the seed for Glitch was born.

As the synopsis says, "Zoe lives in a world free of pain and war." If Zoe were to be here, in the present, what would she be like?

Hopefully at her core, she’d be the same person she develops into in her dystopian world: strong, confident, and compassionate.

You're a Tribute in the Reader Games! Three fictional characters are your allies, and three are your enemies. Who are they?
Allies                                                   
Rose from Vampire Academy                
Katsa from Graceling                              
Harry Potter                                          

Enemies
The White Witch
Professor Moriarty
King Leck

I hear you have some tattoos. Care to tell us about them?
I have two smaller ones on my wrist and ankle, then half-sleeves on both arms. I always loved the idea of tattoos that were more like art (instead of, you know, the traditional skull and crossbones kind of thing). So one of the half-sleeves is inspired by art nouveau painter Alphonse Mucha, and the other arms is just an explosion of purple, blue and pink flowers.

If you were going to ask random people the same question for one day, what would you ask them?

What do you like to read? 

Now that Glitch has been published, what do you see in your future?

Hopefully continuing able to be a writer full time. I’m in edits for the last two books of the Glitch trilogy, and am daydreaming about what my next project will be.

Somebody asks you why they should read Glitch. What do you tell them?

Superpowers! Dystopia! Romance!

Who would you want to play your characters if Glitch became a movie?

Zoe: Vanessa Marano (from Switched at Birth)

Adrien: a younger Gael García Bernal
Max: Alexander Ludwig (most recently seen as Cato in The Hunger Games)

If you could collaborate with any writer to ever exist, who would it be?

Margaret Atwood.

What's your writing process? (How do you start, what do you do when you get stuck, etc.)

I get up in the morning, check email and Twitter, then try to start writing as quickly as I can so I don’t get stuck wasting time. It feels good to get several pages written and meet my daily word count early, then anything else I write throughout the day feels like gravy, and there’s no stress. I got into this habit partially because I know how easy it is to get stuck, so I try to head it off before I get to that point of feeling a lot of resistance. When I really feel stuck after sitting there and trying for awhile, then I’ll sometimes skip ahead to a scene I’m more excited about. Other times I might pause to try to get inspired by reading a good book about writing, or by listening to music, or by looking out the window and just letting myself daydream for awhile. But I try not to get up before I’ve hit that word count, one way or another.

Anything else?

Nope, just hope you all grab up a copy of Glitch and enjoy the ride!

But wait--there's more! Heather is also sharing her playlist for Glitch! There is some very good music, and you should totally check it out! (If you like what you hear, please purchase the song legally. Like authors who get supported by their books, artists get supported by their music.)

Glitch Playlist:
"The Drumming Song" (Florence + the Machine)
"Breathe" (Sia)
"24" (Jem)
"Awake My Soul" (Mumford & Sons)
"Come What May" (The lover’s secret song in Moulin Rouge)
"Hazards of Love" (The Decemberists)
"Set Fire to the Rain" (Adele)
"I Follow Rivers" (Lykke Li)
"Heavy In Your Arms" ( Florence + the Machine)

There you have it, the beautiful "malfunction" that is Glitch. Before you go, be sure to leave a comment telling something you think about Glitch. For more information about Heather Anastasiu, click her name! And don't forget to check out Glitch (see below)! Thanks for stopping by!

Publisher: St. Martin's Press
Publication Date: August 7, 2012
Pages: 371

In the Community, there is no more pain or war. Implanted computer chips have wiped humanity clean of destructive emotions, and thoughts are replaced by a feed from the Link network.
When Zoe starts to malfunction (or “glitch”), she suddenly begins having her own thoughts, feelings, and identity. Any anomalies must be immediately reported and repaired, but Zoe has a secret so dark it will mean certain deactivation if she is caught: her glitches have given her uncontrollable telekinetic powers.
As Zoe struggles to control her abilities and stay hidden, she meets other glitchers including Max, who can disguise his appearance, and Adrien, who has visions of the future. Both boys introduce Zoe to feelings that are entirely new. Together, this growing band of glitchers must find a way to free themselves from the controlling hands of the Community before they’re caught and deactivated, or worse.
In this action-packed debut, Glitch begins an exciting new young adult trilogy.

Waiting on Wednesday

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Breaking the Spine 

that showcases upcoming releases that people are very much anticipating. 

For the past several days, I've been rereading one of my absolute favorite series, The Morganville Vampires by Rachel Caine. So, it's only fitting that I'm waiting (impatiently) on the next installment in the series.

Title: Bitter Blood (The Morganville Vampires #13)

Author: Rachel Caine

Publisher: Penguin Group (USA)

Publishing Date: November 6, 2012

Pages: 352

For years, the human and vampire residents of Morganville, Texas, have managed to co-exist in peace. But now that the threat to the vampires has been defeated, the human residents are learning that the gravest danger they face is the enemy within…

Thanks to the eradication of the parasitic creatures known as the draug, the vampires of Morganville have been freed of their usual constraints. With the vampires indulging their every whim, the town’s human population is determined to hold on to their lives by taking up arms. But college student Claire Danvers isn’t about to take sides, considering she has ties to both the humans and the vampires. 

To make matters worse, a television show comes to Morganville looking for ghosts, just as vampire and human politics collide. Now, Claire and her friends have to figure out how to keep the peace without ending up on the nightly news… or worse. (Via Goodreads)

About the Author

Rachel Caine is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of more than thirty novels, including the Weather Warden series, the Outcast Season series, the Revivalist series, and the Morganville Vampires series. She was born at White Sands Missile Range, which people who know her say explains a lot. She has been an accountant, a professional musician, an insurance investigator, and, until recently, carried on a secret identity in the corporate world as a communications executive. She and her husband, fantasy artist R. Cat Conrad, live in Texas with their iguana, Popeye.

What are YOU waiting on this week? Tell me in the comments!

Cover Reveal: Taken and Altered Souls by Karice Bolton

Hello, readers!

I have yet another cover reveal for you, and the covers are gorgeous! Yes, that's "covers"--plural! I have TWO covers to share with you, and BOTH are from Karice Bolton!

Before I talk about the books and their covers, I'm going to tell you about the person beyond the covers, the one who wrote the words that made the covers come to life: Karice Bolton.

Karice Bolton is a paranormal romance/urban fantasy author living in the Pacific Northwest. All three books in The Watchers Trilogy are available now, Awakening, Legions, and Cataclysm. Lonely Souls, which is the first book in her new series Witch Avenue, was released in June 2012!

Karice married the love of her life who she met in high school, and she still can't get over how cute and funny he is. They have two English Bulldogs that are the cutest bullies in the world, and they use their cuteness to get what they want. Karice loves the snow and gravitates towards the stuff as often as possible! She enjoys skiing and tries really hard to snowboard, but often makes a nice little area to sit while everyone zips by on their board. She enjoys writing, and she also loves to read just about anything with print.

She gets brownie points for living in the Pacific Northwest, the place of awesomeness.

To learn more about Karice, click one of the links below:

Website   Goodreads   Twitter   Facebook

Now, it's time for what you've been waiting for, what your eyes desire: the covers, designed by PhatPuppy Art.

First up is the cover for Taken, which is a prequel for The Watchers Trilogy.

A Watchers Novella

Ana and Athen are enjoying the quiet life as a couple with only the minor dark demon infraction to rectify. Cyril and Arie are enjoying the newfound simplicity too. Things are perfect – too perfect.

They soon realize that something far more sinister is taking place in their world, and they must do their best to stop the evil from spreading. Determined to figure out who is tampering with the mortals’ fate they are unable to recognize that it’s a trap, and one of their own is the target.

This is where it all begins.

I'd like to take a moment to appreciate the beauty that is this cover. The imagery is stunning, from the smoke lingering in the background to the focus of the angel crouched on a stone, entwined by a vine, awaiting her fate.

Taken is expected to be published in December 2012. A Watchers novella, it accompanies Awakening, Legions, and Cataclysm.

Next up is the equally breathtaking cover for Altered Souls, the second book in The Witch Avenue series.

The realm of Altered Souls brings nothing but unrest, deceit, and pain forcing Triss to come face to face with heartbreak from her past. 

Facing a betrayal like never before, Triss questions everything she thought she knew about her family, coven, and abilities. 

With the help of Logan, she embarks on a journey enabling her to confront the dark side of magic and the person who controls it. Realizing Triss’s ancestors have been seduced for centuries by the dark side, Triss and Logan must ensure no more in their world fall victim to the realm of Altered Souls, even if that means ending the ones they love.   

Again, look at how eye-catching the cover is! I love the feel of it, and the eeriness of the castle in the background, shrouded in gray.

Altered Souls follows Lonely Souls and is expected to be released in October 2012.

There you have it--the stunning, gorgeous, visually breathtaking covers for Karice Bolton's upcoming novels, Taken and Altered Souls.

Keep a look out for these books' release dates: you'll want to devour the words after eating up the images.

What do YOU think of the covers? Tell me in the comments!

I would like to thank Karice Bolton  and Ashley from The Bookish Brunette for letting me take part in this wonderful cover real--THANK YOU!

Top Ten Tuesday

Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature meme created by The Broke and the Bookish.

This Tuesday's theme is...

Top Ten Book Romances That You Think Would Make it in the Real World

This is my first time participating in Top Ten Tuesday, and while this topic is a thinker, I thought I'd give it a try! I know I'm probably forgetting a couple, and these are not in any particular order, but this is what I came up with off the top of my head.

Shane Collins and Claire Danvers, The Morganville Vampires series by Rachel Caine

I love these two hardcore. Their relationship is sweet and normal and just plain awesome. The Morganville Vampires is one of my absolute favorite series (it could go on forever and I'd never tire of it), so it's fitting that I mention the relationship of Claire and Shane. While what they have is fantastic in the books, it'd be even better in real life because they wouldn't have to deal with the vampires--or would they? They could just live a normal, happy life together. But normal isn't fun, is it?

You Might Also Like: Michael Glass and Eve Rosser from the same series.

Sam Roth and Grace Brisbane, The Wolves of Mercy Falls trilogy by Maggie Stiefvater

Minus the wolves, Sam and Grace have a pretty normal relationship--except it's ten times cuter. They have one of the sweetest, most romantic, loving relationships I've ever read. In the books they go through so many struggles--turning into wolves, people dying, Grace's idiot parents--but yet they still prevail. Their relationship is as delicate as Sam's paper cranes, and as beautiful as his music. I dare you not to like these two.

You Might Also Like: Cole St. Clair and Isabel Culpepper of the same trilogy.

Etienne St. Clair and Anna Oliphant, Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins

This is one of my absolute favorite contemporary and romance novels, and Etienne is 100% swoon-worthy. Seeing as how the book already takes place in the modern world, it makes perfect sense that the two would survive in the real world. Their relationship is cute and sweet and funny and, at first, frustrating. But then when these two become official, it's like a nice, hot piece of apple pie.

You Might Also Like: Lola Nolan and Cricket Bell from Lola and the Boy Next Door by Stephanie Perkins.

Creed and Joy Delamere, Don't Breathe A Word by Holly Cupala

Relationships aren't perfect; they'd be too easy if they were. Creed and Joy are a perfect representation of this when Joy--going by Triste--leaves her home and a horrible relationship to live on the streets of Seattle. There she meets Creed, and survival morphs into something else, and it's wonderful. Creed and Joy have already been through hell, and they'd do something magical in the real world.

You Might Also Like: Guy and Willow from Willow by Julia Hoban.

Violet and Jay, The Body Finder series by Kimberly Derting

I like this series because it's different than most series; how many books have a main character who can basically find dead people and recognize their killers? Not many. Add to that the relationship of Violet and her best-friend-turned-boyfriend Jay, and these books are amazing. The two would be even better together in real life because, chances are, Violet wouldn't have her special sense. So there's no damper on the their love and the possibility of a love triangle is demolished. It's perfect.

You Might Also Like: Josh and Madison Avery from the Madison Avery series by Kim Harrison.

America Singer and Prince Maxon, The Selection by Kiera Cass

In the non-fiction world, America and Maxon (yes, I prefer Maxon over Aspen) would be able to be together with only the hardships of everyday life looming over their relationship. Instead, America has to compete with thirty-five girls, the community, royalty, and her feelings over Aspen to get all of Maxon's affections. Fortunately, this doesn't happen in the present, unless you're on The Bachelor. America and Maxon could be together in the real world, and I would be a very, very happy reader.

You Might Also Like: Peeta Mellark and Katniss Everdeen from The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins.

Will Kellar and Elizabeth Holland, The Luxe series by Anna Godbersen
I hated this series because of how relationships played out--but that doesn't mean you shouldn't read it, because you totally should. Will and Elizabeth had a secret relationship; she was of the social elite and he was her coachman. Their relationship was forbidden, so they took drastic measures to keep it going. While their relationship didn't go where I wanted it to go, it ended up somewhat satisfactory for Elizabeth. In today's world, they'd be perfect for each other: those kinds of restrictions are nothing now.

You Might Also Like: Henry Schoonmaker and Diana Holland from the same series.

Jerome Johnson and Gloria Carmody, The Flappers series by Jillian Larkin

Unfortunately for Jerome and Gloria, they live in a time where it is wrong and scandalous for a black person and white person to be together. Not that they care. They get themselves in trouble, but they fight hard to be with each other because for them, color doesn't matter. Their relationship would excel in the present day because it is extremely common, normal, and accepted for blacks and whites to be couples. It's a classic example of forbidden love, and it's a fantastic read.

You Might Also Like: Clara Knowles and Marcus Eastman from the same series.

Patch Cipriano and Nora Grey, The Hush, Hush saga by Becca Fitzpatrick

I love this relationship mainly because I love the books and because I am in love with Patch (true story). What they have makes the knees weak and the hearts beat; yeah, it's that good. The only problem is all the fallen angel, Nora's dad is evil stuff--which kind of gets in the way. Those problems would be erased if they weren't fictional, and they'd make it in the real world. And Patch would be real. Which is all that matters.

You Might Also Like: Daniel Grigori and Luce Price from the Fallen series by Lauren Kate.

Johannes Vermeer and Griet, Girl with a Pearl Earring by Tracy Chevalier

If you haven't read this book, get on it right now. I'm serious. I love this book so much. Johannes (the painter) and Griet's relationship never really goes anywhere, or very far, because of their age difference and because he's married. But that doesn't stop me from wanting it to happen. I wanted them to be together so bad, and they should be. Today, the two could totally be together: unfortunately (or fortunately), it's kind of common for their kind of relationship to happen. Plus, every painter must love their subject.

You Might Also Like: Hamlet and Ophelia from Hamlet by William Shakespeare.

Well, there you have it: ten romances from books that I think could make it in the real world. Now that you've heard what I have to say, I want to hear what YOU have to say! So, tell me in the comments: who do you see making it in real life?