Out and About (1)

This cute little meme is the creation of the awesome Kimberly @ The Windy Pages!

Stacking the Shelves (30)

Hey there! Welcome to this week's Stacking the Shelves! This awesome meme is hosted by Tynga's Reviews and we get to show each other the books we acquired this week whether bought, from the library or for review!

Over the past couple of weeks I've been approved for a few e-galleys I've just been too lazy to list them. So this week, all e-galleys!

For Review:

School Spirits by Rachel Hawkins

Insomnia by J.R. Johansson

The Eternity Cure by Julie Kagawa

Stormbringers by Phillipa Gregory

Levitating Las Vegas by Jennifer Echols

Review: Scarlet

Title: Scarlet
Author: Marissa Meyer
Series: The Lunar Chronicles #2
Publisher: Feiwel and Friends
Source: Purchased

The fates of Cinder and Scarlet collide as a Lunar threat spreads across the Earth...
Cinder, the cyborg mechanic, returns in the second thrilling installment of the bestselling Lunar Chronicles. She's trying to break out of prison—even though if she succeeds, she'll be the Commonwealth's most wanted fugitive.

Halfway around the world, Scarlet Benoit's grandmother is missing. It turns out there are many things Scarlet doesn't know about her grandmother or the grave danger she has lived in her whole life. When Scarlet encounters Wolf, a street fighter who may have information as to her grandmother's whereabouts, she is loath to trust this stranger, but is inexplicably drawn to him, and he to her. As Scarlet and Wolf unravel one mystery, they encounter another when they meet Cinder. Now, all of them must stay one step ahead of the vicious Lunar Queen Levana, who will do anything for the handsome Prince Kai to become her husband, her king, her prisoner.

My thoughts:

The Lunar Chronicles is genius! Marissa Meyer is a fantastic writer who crafts together a very original world, science fiction, fairy tales, mystery, romance and fascinating characters. It's definitely one of my absolute favorite series that keeps me chomping at the bit for more!

I didn't even know this was possible but I liked Scarlet more than Cinder! I gave Cinder a 5 star raving review because it was awesome but there is something that can be said about an author who can build on the awesomeness of her first book, intertwine two separate stories and create an even bigger mystery that has me on the edge of my seat!

Scarlet is a great new addition to the mystery of the Lunars and the missing princess. The mystery of her family's involvement was very intriguing and what made it even better was the mystery of her origins which is revealed toward the end of the story. The bigger mystery surrounds Wolf and who he really is. Is he good or bad? We don't know and it's so infuriating! I also love that the story takes place in France. And I love that Iko is back! She is one of my favorite characters.

Another home-run for Marissa Meyer and I just can't wait to see what she has in store for the rest of the series!

Waiting on Wendesday (89)

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine that spotlights upcoming releases that we are eagerly anticipating. This is one of my favorite memes because not only is my TBR pile so much bigger at the end of the night but also the covers are always amazing!

Title: The Fiery Heart
Author: Richelle Mead
Series: Bloodlines #4
Hitting the Shelves: November 19, 2013

In The Indigo Spell, Sydney was torn between the Alchemist way of life and what her heart and gut were telling her to do. And in one breathtaking moment that Richelle Mead fans will never forget, she made a decision that shocked even her. . . .

But the struggle isn't over for Sydney. As she navigates the aftermath of her life-changing decision, she still finds herself pulled in too many directions at once. Her sister Zoe has arrived, and while Sydney longs to grow closer to her, there's still so much she must keep secret. Working with Marcus has changed the way she views the Alchemists, and Sydney must tread a careful path as she harnesses her profound magical ability to undermine the way of life she was raised to defend. Consumed by passion and vengeance, Sydney struggles to keep her secret life under wraps as the threat of exposure—and re-education—looms larger than ever.

Pulses will race throughout this thrilling fourth installment in the New York Times bestselling Bloodlines series, where no secret is safe.

What are you waiting for? 

Review: Onxy

Title: Onyx
Author: Jennifer L. Armentrout
Series: Lux #2
Publisher: Entangled Publishing
Source: Purchased

Being connected to Daemon Black sucks…

Daemon’s determined to prove what he feels for me is more than a product of our bizarre connection. I’ve sworn him off even though he’s running more hot than cold these days. But against all common sense, I’m falling for him. Hard.

Our relationship issues aren’t out biggest problem…

The Department of Defense is here. If they ever find out what Daemon can do and that we’re linked, I’m a goner. So is he. And when a new boy shows up a school with a secret of his own, things get complicated fast. I need to choose between my own instincts and Daemon’s.

But then everything changes…

I’ve seen someone who shouldn’t be alive. Daemon’s never going to stop searching until gets the truth. What happened to his brother? Who betrayed him? And what does the DOD want from them—from me?

No one is who they seem. And not everyone will survive the lies.

My thoughts:

I love this series! Love, love, love this series! I was somewhat of a late comer to the Luxen because I can honestly say that their original covers turned me away. After multiple bloggers told me to get on it I felt like I had no choice but to finally pick it up. And I am so glad that I did! When I was around middle school/early high school I really loved that show called Roswell! Ever since then UFO's, Roswell, NM and stories about aliens have always intrigued me.  So for me, the Lux series is definitely great because it has that Roswell feel!

What really makes the Lux series exciting to read is that there is always something going on! Some kind of adventure, mysterious plot development and very suspicious behavior by some sketchy characters! I'm always on the edge of my seat! No doubt Onyx had all this and more! Since Katy has developed some of Daemon's alien power, her life is crazier than ever and now a new guy at entered the picture vying for her attention.  I would say it's a love triangle but, honestly, Daemon has no competition! I knew this new guy was sketchy all along and that it was just a matter of time before Katy admitted that she's in love with Daemon.

I don't know what it is about Daemon but he is one of the hottest guys I've ever read! Every time he calls Katy "kitten" I just MELT!!! I love every word he says and that he's not afraid to admit that he's in love with Katy! Even though his temper is a little off-putting, he is still in my top 10 book boyfriends!

I'm telling you, if you have not read this series yet, you need to get on it! It's one of my favorites right now and has also made Jennifer L. Armentrout one of my favorite authors!

Huge Spring Cleaning Giveaway! 5 Possible Winners!

I'm doing a huge, huge giveaway! I recently went through my bookshelves and took out all my read ARCs and the books I don't want anymore! And here's your chance to win them! Scroll down to see pictures of all the prize packs (6 books each) and make sure you read all the rules and directions very carefully.

Prize Pack #1:

Notes From Ghost Town by Kate Ellison

Boundless by Cynthia Hand

The Crown of Embers by Rae Carson

My Beautiful Failure by Janet Ruth Young

The Other Half of Me by Morgan McCarthy

Tempest Rising by Traci Deebs

Prize Pack #2:

God Save the Queen by Kate Lock

Everneath by Brodi Ashton (Signed)

Soulbound by Heather Brewer (Signed)

The Last Echo by Kimberly Derting

Want to go Private by Sara Darer Littman

The Turning by Francine Prose

Prize Pack #3:

A Long Way from You by Gwendolyn Heasley

Hidden by Sophie Jordan

Perfect Escape by Jennifer Brown

League of Strays by L.B. Schulman

Beautiful Lies by Jessica Warman

Prize Pack #4:

Girl of Nightmares by Kendare Blake

Once by Anna Carey (Signed)

I Hunt Killers by Barry Lyga

Dark Companion by Marta Acosta

Fracture by Megan Miranda 

Nobody by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

Prize Pack #5:

Masque of the Red Death by Bethany Griffin

Breaking Beautiful by Jennifer Wolf

Because it is My Blood by Gabrielle Zevin

All These Things I've Done by Gabrielle Zevin

The Little Woods by McCormick Templeman

The Raft by S.A. Bodeen

Rules:

• Must be 13 and older to enter
• US Residents ONLY!
• Any and all cheating will be disqualified
• Most of these books are ARC. If you don't want ARCs DON'T ENTER!
• Only one winner per prize pack
• Winners will be notified by email and give 48 hours to respond or another winner will be chosen
• The first winner will be given the option of prize pack, the second winner will chose their prize pack and so on and so forth until all prize packs have winners.
• Spread the news! Tell your friends and have fun! 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Stacking the Shelves (29)

Hey there! Welcome to this week's Stacking the Shelves! This awesome meme is hosted by Tynga's Reviews and we get to show each other the books we acquired this week whether bought, from the library or for review!

I got a nice little package from Harper this week with a few books that I'm super excited about!! A huge thank you for all of Harper's kindness and awesome surprises! Here's what I got:

For Review:

Transparent by Natalie Whipple

Rise by Anna Carey

If I Should Die by Amy Plum

Dead Silence by Kimberly Derting

The Elite by Kiera Cass

September Girls by Bennett Madison

Parallel by Lauren Miller

What new books are stacking your shelves?

Waiting on Wednesday (88)

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine that spotlights upcoming releases that we are eagerly anticipating. This is one of my favorite memes because not only is my TBR pile so much bigger at the end of the night but also the covers are always amazing!

Title: Levitating Las Vegas
Author: Jennifer Echols
Hitting the Shelves: May 07, 2013

Nothing up her sleeves...or so she’s been led to believe.
Showgirl Holly Starr is sick and tired of assisting her dad, a celebrity magician, in his Las Vegas casino magic show. As soon as he keeps his promise to her and shares the secrets to his tricks, she can break out on her own. But can she really make it? For years Holly has taken medication to stave off crazy hallucinations that she can levitate objects. Just when she thinks she’s ready to make a career and a life for herself, her medicine—and her luck—run out.

Elijah Brown suffers from a similar delusion—that he can read minds—and he’s out of medicine too. Determined to save himself and his old flame Holly, he kidnaps her and takes her straight to the source, a town high in the Rockies where their medicine is made. What they discover there leads them to suspect their powers are not imaginary after all...and neither is the intense attraction they feel for each other.

They make a pact to stick together as they return to Vegas to confront the people who kept them in the dark so long. But soon they’re pitting their powers against each other in a dangerous world where the nightlife is seductive, domination is addictive, the sex is beyond belief...and falling in love is murder.

Why I want this: Jennifer Echols is pretty much on my auto buy list and I will read everything she writes! She is fantastic!!

What are you waiting for?

Emblaze Blog Tour: Interview with Jessica Shivington

Title: Emblaze

Author: Jessica Shirvington

Series: The Embrace Series #3

ON SALE NOW!!!

Once again Violet Eden faces an impossible choice ... and the consequences are unimaginable.

Violet has come to terms with the fact that being part angel, part human, means her life will never be as it was.

Now Violet has something Phoenix - the exiled angel who betrayed her - will do anything for, and she has no intention of letting it fall into his hands. The only problem is that he has something she needs too.

Not afraid to raise the stakes, Phoenix seemingly holds all the power, always one step ahead. And when he puts the final pieces of the prophecy together, it doesn't take him long to realise exactly who he needs in order to open the gates of Hell.

With the help of surprising new allies, ancient prophecies are deciphered, a destination set and, after a shattering confrontation with her father, Violet leaves for the islands of Greece without knowing if she will have a home to return to...

I'm so excited to have you on the blog for the Emblaze blog tour! The Embrace Series is one of my most favorite angel series right now!

Thanks so much for having me as a guest. And, yay! I'm so excited to hear you are enjoying the books!

How much research of angels and demons went into starting Embrace?

The research was extensive. Once it starts it kind of just escalates. I find that I stockpile a lot of different stories and take my times to become familiar with them and then, at the least expected times, I find an interesting way to weave them into Violet's world. Sometimes it is obvious to the reader and other times it is more subtle.

When featuring scripture through out the novels, do you find verses that fit the story or do you mold the story to fit a particular verse?

I find verses that fit my story - though that isn't to say that biblical stories and verses don't influence me along the way.

Who is your favorite character to write?

I write in Violet's point of view so I naturally feel closest to her. That said, I love them all. It is like asking a mother to choose between children. Very hard! And I really shouldn't! ;-)

Were you a big reader while growing up?

No. Not at all. In fact, I'd probably go out of my way to avoid reading books that I was told I should - even now I find it hard to be told what I am supposed to read. Although I am getting better!

It wasn't until I was in my twenties that I really discovered my love of reading. It is strange sometimes to think about what I missed out on now that I know what a huge part of my life reading and writing are. I really feel a bit cross with myself over it to be honest.

Who are your inspirations as a writer?

To tell a good story. That's it. Then once I do that, I'd really like to do that again.

If you had to recommend one book (or series) that you believe is a must read, what would it be?

Any book that grabs your attention. I don't know. Like I said above, I don't love being told what to read - it's personal, so I don't want to do it to other people. I love authors like C.S Lewis and I think there are some amazing authors like Neil Gaiman out there who should not be missed, but that's just me. Everyone is different.

Sum up The Embrace Series in 140 characters or less.

Angels are not always good. Consequence chases every choice. And love will kill them all.

Can you give us any spoilers or hints at what the future holds for Violet and Lincoln?

At the moment I'll give everyone a chance to enjoy EMBLAZE since it has just come out. ENDLESS will be out soon in October this year and then the final book will follow shortly after that. I'm very excited to share ENDLESS in October and I can let you know this much - I cried when I wrote it. A lot.

Thank you so much for stopping by today! The Embrace Series is fantastic and I'm eagerly anticipating the rest of the novels!

Thanks Crystal!! xx

Stacking the Shelves (28)

Hey there! Welcome to this week's Stacking the Shelves! This awesome meme is hosted by Tynga's Reviews and we get to show each other the books we acquired this week whether bought, from the library or for review!

It's been a crazy week at my house. The kitchen remodel is still going and I haven't had internet all week!!! So frustrating. But I got some great books at the library this week :)

Library:

Sins of a Wicked Duke by Sophie Jordan

The Host by Stephanie Meyer

Black City by Elizabeth Richards

Cold Fury by T.M. Goeglein

Gilt by Katherine Longshore

The Dead and Buried by Kim Harrington

What new books are stacking your shelves?

Waiting on Wednesday (87)

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine that spotlights upcoming releases that we are eagerly anticipating. This is one of my favorite memes because not only is my TBR pile so much bigger at the end of the night but also the covers are always amazing!

Title: Where the Stars Still Shine
Author: Trish Doller
Hitting the Shelves: September 24, 2013

Stolen as a child from her large and loving family, and on the run with her mom for more than ten years, Callie has only the barest idea of what normal life might be like. She's never had a home, never gone to school, and has gotten most of her meals from laundromat vending machines. Her dreams are haunted by memories she’d like to forget completely. But when Callie’s mom is finally arrested for kidnapping her, and Callie’s real dad whisks her back to what would have been her life, in a small town in Florida, Callie must find a way to leave the past behind. She must learn to be part of a family. And she must believe that love--even with someone who seems an improbable choice--is more than just a possibility.

What are you waiting for? 

Review: Defiance

Title: Defiance
Author: CJ Redwine
Series: Defiance #1
Publisher: Balzer & Bray
Source: ARC from Publisher

Within the walls of Baalboden, beneath the shadow of the city's brutal leader, Rachel Adams has a secret. While other girls sew dresses and obey their male Protectors, Rachel knows how to survive in the wilderness and deftly wield a sword. When her father, Jared, fails to return from a courier mission and is declared dead, the Commander assigns Rachel a new Protector, her father's apprentice, Logan--the same boy Rachel declared her love for two years ago, and the same one who handed her heart right back to her. Left with nothing but a fierce belief in her father's survival, Rachel decides to escape and find him herself. But treason against the Commander carries a heavy price, and what awaits her in the Wasteland could destroy her.

At nineteen, Logan McEntire is many things. Orphan. Outcast. Inventor. As apprentice to the city's top courier, Logan is focused on learning his trade so he can escape the tyranny of Baalboden. But his plan never included being responsible for his mentor's impulsive daughter. Logan is determined to protect her, but when his escape plan goes wrong and Rachel pays the price, he realizes he has more at stake than disappointing Jared.

As Rachel and Logan battle their way through the Wasteland, stalked by a monster that can't be killed and an army of assassins out for blood, they discover romance, heartbreak, and a truth that will incite a war decades in the making.

My thoughts:

I have only just discovered that I really love fantasy about last year when I read The Girl of Fire and Thorns and it literally blew my mind. I've been on the hunt for other fantastic fantasy novels ever since because I seem to have this thirst that only really great fantasy novels can quench! The cover of Defiance just screams epic adventure and I knew it was going to be a must read for me!

Defiance is not really the typical fantasy novel in the fact that it takes place many, many years in the future when the world has become a barren wasteland instead of taking place in an alternate world. But it almost seems like it takes place in a completely different world because of how much the world has changed. Instead of towns and cities, there are only these little settlements that have rulers who don't really like each other very much.  People who live there have reverted back to a very old fashioned way of living. And in the miles between these settlements there are a lot of barren wastelands that are plagued by some very vicious creatures called the dark ones.

There is just something so appealing about the male hero and protector in fantasy novels! Maybe because they're almost like a throwback to Arthurian times and they're these iconic knights in shining armor characters. They just twist my heart and make me fall hard! Logan is definitely worthy of being one of the Knights of the Round Table! He is protective, fiercely loyal, strong and compassionate all while being hot and irresistible! And then Rachel is a rare female character who doesn't annoy me. I see her as this woman with two sides. She plays the good little girl while she's in public but while she's at home her father has taught her to be a fierce warrior and how to take care of herself! And she's not a whiner! She rises up to become Logan's equal instead of someone she has to depend on.

Defiance was definitely one of my favorite reads of 2012. It's an adventure with twists and turns around every corner. And that passionate love story had me on the edge of my seat just waiting for them to take their relationship to the next level! If you love fantasy and you have not read Defiance yet, DO IT!!!! So good!

Waiting on Wendesday (86)

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine that spotlights upcoming releases that we are eagerly anticipating. This is one of my favorite memes because not only is my TBR pile so much bigger at the end of the night but also the covers are always amazing!

Title: The Unbound
Author: Victoria Schwab
Series: The Archived #2
Hitting the Shelves: January 28, 2014

Imagine a place where the dead rest on shelves like books. Each body has a story to tell, a life seen in pictures that only Librarians can read. The dead are called Histories, and the vast realm in which they rest is the Archive.

Last summer, Mackenzie Bishop, a Keeper tasked with stopping violent Histories from escaping the Archive, almost lost her life to one. Now, as she starts her junior year at Hyde School, she's struggling to get her life back. But moving on isn't easy -- not when her dreams are haunted by what happened. She knows the past is past, knows it cannot hurt her, but it feels so real, and when her nightmares begin to creep into her waking hours, she starts to wonder if she's really safe.

Meanwhile, people are vanishing without a trace, and the only thing they seem to have in common is Mackenzie. She's sure the Archive knows more than they are letting on, but before she can prove it, she becomes the prime suspect. And unless Mac can track down the real culprit, she'll lose everything, not only her role as Keeper, but her memories, and even her life. Can Mackenzie untangle the mystery before she herself unravels?

With stunning prose and a captivating mixture of action, romance, and horror, The Unbound delves into a richly imagined world where no choice is easy and love and loss feel like two sides of the same coin.

What are you waiting for? 

Top Ten Tuesday: Series I'd Like to Start but Haven't Yet!

Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by The Broke and the Bookish and it's a meme of lists.

As I'm sitting here thinking about my list, I've realized that a lot of them are werewolf books! I haven't been feeling werewolf books for a really long time which is probably why I haven't started some of these series yet.

Raised by Wolves by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

Nightshade by Andrea Cremer

Hemlock by Kathleen Peacock

The Blood Journals by Tessa Gratton

Sweep by Cate Tiernan

Angelfire by Courtney Allison Moulton

Medusa Girls by Tera Lynn Childs

Hourglass by Myra McEntire

The Marbury Lens by Andrew Smith

The Monstrumologist by Rick Yancey