Dec 31, 2013

Review: No One Else Can Have You by Kathleen Hale

Title: No One Else Can Have You
Author: Kathleen Hale
Publisher: Harper Teen
Publishing Date: January 7, 2014
Pages/Format: 384, ARC

Small towns are nothing if not friendly. Friendship, Wisconsin (population: 688) is no different. Around here, everyone wears a smile. And no one ever locks their doors. Until, that is, high school sweetheart Ruth Fried is found murdered. Strung up like a scarecrow in the middle of a cornfield.

Unfortunately, Friendship’s police are more adept at looking for lost pets than catching killers. So Ruth’s best friend, Kippy Bushman, armed with only her tenacious Midwestern spirit and Ruth’s secret diary (which Ruth’s mother had asked her to read in order to redact any, you know, sex parts), sets out to find the murderer. But in a quiet town like Friendship—where no one is a suspect—anyone could be the killer.


Initial Reaction of Book in One Word: Weird...

Top Ten Tuesday (65)

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

This Tuesday's theme is...

Top Ten Books I Read In 2013

Dec 24, 2013

Top Ten Tuesday (64)

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

This Tuesday's theme is...

Top Ten books I Wouldnt Mind Santa Bringing Me

Dec 22, 2013

Review: Being Sloane Jacobs by Lauren Morrill

Title: Being Sloane Jacobs
Author: Lauren Morrill
Publisher: Delacorte
Publishing Date: January 7, 2014
Pages/Format: 352, eARC

Meet Sloane Emily Jacobs: a seriously stressed-out figure-skater from Washington, D.C., who choked during junior nationals and isn’t sure she’s ready for a comeback. What she does know is that she’d give anything to escape the mass of misery that is her life.

Now meet Sloane Devon Jacobs, a spunky ice hockey player from Philly who’s been suspended from her team for too many aggressive hip checks. Her punishment? Hockey camp, now, when she’s playing the worst she’s ever played. If she messes up? Her life will be over.

When the two Sloanes meet by chance in Montreal and decide to trade places for the summer, each girl thinks she’s the lucky one: no strangers to judge or laugh at Sloane Emily, no scouts expecting Sloane Devon to be a hero. But it didn’t occur to Sloane E. that while avoiding sequins and axels she might meet a hockey hottie—and Sloane D. never expected to run into a familiar (and very good-looking) face from home. It’s not long before the Sloanes discover that convincing people you’re someone else might be more difficult than being yourself.


Initial Reaction of Book in One Word: Huh.

Dec 19, 2013

YA Superlative Blogfest: Day 4

It's that time of year...when the year is almost over. And when the year starts wrapping up, people typically share their favorite whatevers of the year. For us bookish folk, the Class of 2013 YA Superlative Blogfest is one way to do that. The Fest takes place over four days, with four themes and over forty categories. And of course it's all bookish! Sit back, relax, and enjoy the show, or participate yourself! We first shared what books we thought were at the Head of the Class, then there was a Popularity Contest, and after that we discussed some of our favorites Elements of Fiction. But now it's the last day! So of course it's time to share the...

Review: The Promise of Amazing by Robin Constantine

Title: The Promise of Amazing
Author: Robin Constantine
Publisher: Balzer + Bray
Publishing Date: December 31, 2013
Pages/Format: 384, eARC

Wren Caswell is average. Ranked in the middle of her class at Sacred Heart, she’s not popular, but not a social misfit. Wren is the quiet, “good” girl who's always done what she's supposed to—only now in her junior year, this passive strategy is backfiring. She wants to change, but doesn’t know how.

Grayson Barrett was the king of St. Gabe’s. Star of the lacrosse team, top of his class, on a fast track to a brilliant future—until he was expelled for being a “term paper pimp.” Now Gray is in a downward spiral and needs to change, but doesn’t know how. 

One fateful night their paths cross when Wren, working at her family’s Arthurian-themed catering hall, performs the Heimlich on Gray as he chokes on a cocktail weenie, saving his life literally and figuratively. What follows is the complicated, awkward, hilarious, and tender tale of two teens shedding their pasts, figuring out who they are—and falling in love.


Initial Reaction of Book in One Word: Cute!

Dec 18, 2013

Waiting on Wednesday (63)

Waiting on Wednesday
is a weekly meme hosted by Breaking the Spine
 that showcases upcoming releases 
that people are very much anticipating.

I'm waiting on the following book (and just requested it on NetGalley (update: I got approved!)) simply because I want to know why the hell so many people are talking--and raving--about it. Maybe they're lying. But I highly doubt that.

YA Superlative Blogfest: Day 3

It's that time of year...when the year is almost over. And when the year starts wrapping up, people typically share their favorite whatevers of the year. For us bookish folk, the Class of 2013 YA Superlative Blogfest is one way to do that. The Fest takes place over four days, with four themes and over forty categories. And of course it's all bookish! Sit back, relax, and enjoy the show, or participate yourself! We first shared what books we thought were at the Head of the Class, yesterday was a Popularity Contest, and today's discussion centers around...

Dec 17, 2013

Top Ten Tuesday (63)

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

This Tuesday's theme is...

Top Ten New-To-Me 
Authors I Read In 2013

YA Superlative Blogfest: Day 2

It's that time of year...when the year is almost over. And when the year starts wrapping up, people typically share their favorite whatevers of the year. For us bookish folk, the Class of 2013 YA Superlative Blogfest is one way to do that. The Fest takes place over four days, with four themes and over forty categories. And of course it's all bookish! Sit back, relax, and enjoy the show, or participate yourself! Yesterday we shared what books we thought were at the Head of the Class, and today it's all just a...

Dec 16, 2013

Check it Out: Heartbeat by Elizabeth Scott

Hello, lovers of books! Today I'm going to tell you all about a book you'll want to save the date for, courtesy of Kismet Book TouringHeartbeat by Elizabeth Scott! I've got all the info on the book and author, plus a super awesome giveaway, so be sure to check it out!

YA Superlative Blogfest: Day 1

It's that time of year...when the year is almost over. And when the year starts wrapping up, people typically share their favorite whatevers of the year. For us bookish folk, the Class of 2013 YA Superlative Blogfest is one way to do that. The Fest takes place over four days, with four themes and over forty categories. And of course it's all bookish! Sit back, relax, and enjoy the show, or participate yourself! Today's Day One, and it's going to be good with the topic of...

Dec 15, 2013

Check it Out: Twisted by Holly Hook

Hello, world! Today's the release day for the first book in the Deathwind Trilogy by Holly Hook, Twisted! Be sure to check it out, for I have all the info on the book and author, plus an excerpt!

Dec 11, 2013

Waiting on Wednesday (62)

Waiting on Wednesday
is a weekly meme hosted by Breaking the Spine
 that showcases upcoming releases 
that people are very much anticipating.

I didn't love the second book in this trilogy, though I really liked the first, but I don't care. I JUST NEED THIS BOOK. AND MAY IT PLEASE BE NICE TO ME.

Dec 10, 2013

Top Ten Tuesday (62)

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

This Tuesday's theme is...

Top Ten Books On My Winter TBR

Dec 9, 2013

Blog Tour: Lovely Vicious by Sara Wolf

Hello, bookish people! Welcome to my stop on the blog tour for Lovely Vicious by Sara Wolf, hosted by Romance Addict Blog Tours! I've got all kinds of goodies for you today, like an excerpt, interview, and giveaway. And of course I'll have all the info on the book and author. So be sure to check it out, because it's going to be awesome!

Dec 8, 2013

Review: The Coldest Girl in Coldtown by Holly Black

Title: The Coldest Girl in Coldtown
Author: Holly Black
Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Publishing Date: September 3, 2013
Pages/Format: 419, ARC

Tana lives in a world where walled cities called Coldtowns exist. In them, quarantined monsters and humans mingle in a decadently bloody mix of predator and prey. The only problem is, once you pass through Coldtown’s gates, you can never leave.

One morning, after a perfectly ordinary party, Tana wakes up surrounded by corpses. The only other survivors of this massacre are her exasperatingly endearing ex-boyfriend, infected and on the edge, and a mysterious boy burdened with a terrible secret. Shaken and determined, Tana enters a race against the clock to save the three of them the only way she knows how: by going straight to the wicked, opulent heart of Coldtown itself.

The Coldest Girl in Coldtown is a wholly original story of rage and revenge, of guilt and horror, and of love and loathing from bestselling and acclaimed author Holly Black.


Initial Reaction of Book in One Word: Good!

Dec 5, 2013

Cover Reveal: Salt by Danielle Ellison

Hello, readers and readettes! Cover reveals are always fun, but they're even more fun when the cover belongs to a book by someone you know. And today, that is the case. Not only will I be revealing the cover, but I also have an excerpt and a giveaway! I hope you like your books--and food--with an extra bit of flavoring (I know I do), for I'm presenting to you the cover of Salt by Danielle Ellison!

Check it Out: Isaura by Ruth Silver

Hello, readers! I've got the third and final book in a series for you to check out today, Isaura (Aberrant #3) by Ruth Silver! I have a guest post, excerpt, and giveaway, plus all the info on the book and author, so enjoy!

Dec 4, 2013

Waiting on Wednesday (61)

Waiting on Wednesday
is a weekly meme hosted by Breaking the Spine
 that showcases upcoming releases 
that people are very much anticipating.

I love contemporaries. The gritty, the cute, and everything in-between. So when I heard about the following book, I was immediately intrigued, because it sounds SUPER CUTE AND FLUFFY and I love that. The idea is original, and it just looks great. Dun dun dun dun duuuuun.

Dec 3, 2013

Top Ten Tuesday (61)

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

This Tuesday's theme is...

Top Ten 2014 Releases 
I'm Dying To Read

Check it Out: Proxy by Mindee Arnett

Hello, bookish cadets! You all know Mindee Arnett, right? She's the author of The Nightmare Affair and its upcoming sequel The Nightmare Dilemma. Oh, and she also has this new series that's out at the beginning of 2014, starting with Avalon. But before there was Avalon, there was Proxy. So today I'm going to tell you all about Mindee's new series, share an excerpt from the prequel novella, and I may even have a giveaway. Check it out!

Dec 2, 2013

Blog Tour: 25 Days of Book Boyfriends

Hello, lovelies! I am very excited about today's post. Three lovely blogs--Readers Live A Thousand Lives, Lovin' Los Libros, and Starbucks & Book Obsession--put together something exciting for the holiday month: 25 Days of Book Boyfriends! It's just as it sounds: 25 days, 25 blogs, and 25 book boyfriends! So today I am going to tell you all about one of my most favorite book boyfriends (but he's mine, so back off): the one, the only, there will never be another...Shane Collins!


Before I really get into this post, here's the deal: I'm kind of writing this on a whim. I'm not really sure what I'm going to write or how I'm going to do this post. I'm just going to do it. It will most likely feature quotes and words, but not many (if any) pictures. Here's why: I have an image of Shane Collins in my head. Fancasting doesn't do much for me, and I don't find much (if any) that scream Shane Collins. So I'm just going to use good ol' fashioned words and your imagination to paint a picture of Shane Collins. And hopefully, you'll decide to meet him and create a picture yourself.

So there's this guy.

He's one of the main characters in one of my most favorite series ever ever ever, The Morganville Vampires by Rachel Caine.


And his name is Shane Collins.

(Don't get too attached, because he is mine mine mine.)

Shane is not your average book boyfriend or person. (Really, how average can you be when you live in a town run by vampires, your dad's a badass--emphasis on ass--vampire hunter, and your mother and little sister both died in tragic ways?) He's a bad boy. He makes a lot of mistakes and does stupid stuff and may have had handcuffs on his hands once or twice (or more). He can be crude and he swears. He can have a temper and be violent.

But that's just part of him.

Shane Collins is one of my number one, absolute top book (and in real life) boyfriends/husbands. Sure, he has his issues, and he's a far cry from perfect, but for me (and the people who love him) he is perfect. He's an amazing friend. He will protect you and fight for you and try his hardest to keep you safe. He has wit and charm and can be sarcastic. He has a great sense of humor and a fantastic personality. He is easy on the eyes and super sexy. He's a wonderful, loving, caring boyfriend.

He is Shane Collins.

If you know me (and even if you don't), then you know that I am a mega-fan of The Morganville Vampires. To me, the characters and story and place and everything are just real. The characters can do something and I can nod and think, "Yep, that's totally something [character] would do or say." I know them and I love them and they are real.

And the same goes for Shane Collins.

He's sweet.
"I think I'd fall for you no matter what, Claire. You're kind of awesome."
Hot.
"He had brown hair, cut in uneven layers that didn't quite manage to look punk. He was an older boy, older than her, anyway. Eighteen? A big guy, and tall to match it. Big enough to make her feel more miniature than usual. She thought his eyes looked brown, but she didn't dare meet them for more than a flicker at a time."
A bit of an ass.
"Your father's an asshole [Shane]. It's not a disease. You don't have to catch it." 
There's no one like him.
"Silver nitrate and water in a super soaker," he told her. "My own invention. Ought to be good at twenty feet, kind of like wasp spray."Oh. "You get me the nicest things.""Anybody can get jewelry. Posers."
And he is quite entertaining.
"Oh, he is cute!” Shane said in a fake girly voice. “Gee, maybe we can ask him out!"
He's cool.
"If you love me, you'll give me a taco.""Seriously? That's all you got? What about you'll do sexy, illegal things to me for a taco?""Not for a taco," she said. "I'm not cheap.""They're brisket tacos.""Now you're talking."
Original.
"Jackass!" Eve yelled."You know, when people say that, I just hear the word awesome," Shane said.
A lover.
"In this whole screwed-up town, you're the only thing that's always been right to me," he whispered. "I love you, Claire." She saw something that might have been just a flash of panic go across his expression, but then he steadied again. "I can't believe I'm saying this, but I do. I love you." 
Full of laughs.
"Right. I’ve been missing Nutty McFang anyway."
"Stop making up names for him."
"What about Count Crackula?"
"Just stop."
He's got some intelligence.
"You're still here. No beer. I'm not corrupting a minor.""But you're a minor," she pointed out. "At least for beer.""Yeah, and by the way, how much does it suck that I'm an adult if I kill somebody, and I'm not if I want a beer?” 
Naughty and nice can both describe him.
"What's this?" Shane asked, and traced the line of her new bra with his fingertip. "Sexy. What else you got?"
"I'll give you a hint. It matches."
"Let's take a look..."
And he's just...Shane.
“Is it him?” Dad asked. “Did he get you into trouble?”“Not me,” Shane said. “I’ve just got that kind of face.” 
I don't know if I've convinced you of anything in this post. If anything, I hope that you'll at least give this series a try and meet Shane Collins for yourself. You'll see him grow and develop as a character, and you'll get to really know him. (Also, he will make you SWOON.)

My name's Rachel (Collins).

And I hope you enjoyed meeting my boyfriend Shane Collins.

(Now get your eyes and hands off of him.)

To learn more about Shane Collins and The Morganville Vampires series, please go here (or ask me, I will tell you all you need to know!).

The 25 Days of Book Boyfriends Tour has only just begun! It started yesterday on Lovin' Los Libros with Jonah from the Fate series and continues tomorrow with Four/Tobias from the Divergent trilogy on Between the Lines! Be sure to check it all out!

Dec 1, 2013

Review: Pushing the Limits by Katie McGarry

Title: Pushing the Limits
Author: Katie McGarry
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Publishing Date: July 31, 2012
Pages/Format: 392, ARC

No one knows what happened the night Echo Emerson went from popular girl with jock boyfriend to gossiped-about outsider with freaky scars on her arms. Even Echo can't remember the whole truth of that horrible night. All she knows is that she wants everything to go back to normal.

But when Noah Hutchins, the smoking-hot, girl-using loner in the black leather jacket, explodes into her life with his tough attitude and surprising understanding, Echo's world shifts in ways she could never have imagined. They should have nothing in common. And with the secrets they both keep, being together is pretty much impossible.

Yet the crazy attraction between them refuses to go away. And Echo has to ask herself just how far they can push the limits and what she'll risk for the one guy who might teach her how to love again.


Initial Reaction of Book in One Word: GOOD.