Review: Destroy Me by Tahereh Mafi

Destroy Me (Shatter Me #1.5) by Tahereh Mafi
Release Date: October 2, 2012
Publisher: HarperTeen
Source: Personal Copy
Links: Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Goodreads

My Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Synopsis: Perfect for the fans of Shatter Me who are desperately awaiting the release of Unravel Me, this novella-length digital original will bridge the gap between these two novels from the perspective of the villain we all love to hate, Warner, the ruthless leader of Sector 45.

In Tahereh Mafi's Shatter Me, Juliette escaped from The Reestablishment by seducing Warner - and then putting a bullet in his shoulder. But as she'll learn in Destroy Me, Warner is not that easy to get rid of...

Back at the base and recovering from his near-fatal wound, Warner must do everything in his power to keep his soldiers in check and suppress any mention of a rebellion in the sector. Still as obsessed with Juliette as ever, his first priority is to find her, bring her back, and dispose of Adam and Kenji, the two traitors who helped her escape. But when Warner's father, The Supreme Commander of The Reestablishment, arrives to correct his son's mistakes, it's clear that he has much different plans for Juliette. Plans Warner simply cannot allow.

Set after Shatter Me and before its forthcoming sequel, Unravel Me, Destroy Me is a novella told from the ruthless leader of Sector 45.

This book, OH MY GOD this BOOK. I effing love Destroy Me. Getting inside Warner's head was everything and nothing like I expected it to be.

Getting to know Warner and understanding his motivations was completely exhilarating. He is methodical and sure and smart and very much human and flawed. I became enamored with him. We learn a lot about why Warner is the way he is and I found myself swooning over him a lot. The way he feels about Juliette and how he realizes how much he cares about her just about killed me. I'm a little bit jealous and I wish I had a guy that want to know me as much as Warner want to know Juliette.

Tahereh Mafi managed to blow me away with her writing style all over again. She has a unique way with words that just utterly captivates me. What I wouldn't give to be able to write like her.

There were so many passages throughout the novella that I just love and enjoyed and swooned over. Warner has quite the sense of humor, which I love. I decided to share some of my favorites parts:

"I've been Dalalieu," I manage to say. I open my eyes. Look into his watery ones. "I haven't gone deaf."

~B&S~

"They said that as long as I stay in bed this week, the new drugs they've given me should accelerate my healing process...I told them it was an interesting theory."

~B&S~

"If it were nothing but sexual attraction I'm sure I would not suffer such unbearable humiliation. But I wanted so much more than her body."

~B&S~

"And even though she hates me, I can't help but be fascinated by her. I'm enchanted by her pretend-innocence; jealous, even, of the power she wields so unwittingly. I want so much to be a part of her world. I want to know what it's like to be in her mind, to feel what she feels."

~B&S~

"But watching her talk to someone else made me crazy. I was jealous. Ridiculous. I wanted her to know me; I wanted her to talk to me. And I felt it then: this strange, inexplicable sense that she might be the only person in the world I could really care about."

~B&S~

"Most days I feel just as caged as these civilians; and that's likely why I always come here. It's like running from one prison to another; an existence wherein there is no relief, no refuge. Where even my own mind is a traitor"

~B&S~

"Every nerve ending in body is awake. I've never felt so alive or so desperate in my life, and I'm sure if she could hear what I'm thinking right now, she'd run out the door and never come back.

Because I want her. Now. Here. Everywhere.

I want nothing between us. I want her clothes off and the lights on and I want to study her. I want to unzip her out of this dress and take my time with every inch of her. I can't help but my need to just stare; to know her and her features: the slope of her nose, the curve of her lips, the line of her jaw. I want to run my fingertips across the soft skin of her neck and trace it all the way down. I want to feel the weight of her pressed against me, wrapped around me."

I am SOOO looking forward to Unravel Me, but now I don't know how I will survive until February after this glimpse into Warner's mind. I'm going to have to make time and reread Shatter Me so I can remember why I like Adam in the first place. Warner definitely has me on his team.

Mini Review: Hana by Lauren Oliver

Hana (Delirium #1.5) by Lauren Oliver

Release Date: February 28, 2012

Publisher: HarperTeen

Source: Borrowed from friend

Links: Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Goodreads

My Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Synopsis: Lauren Oliver's riveting, original digital story set in the world of her New York Times bestseller Delirium.

The summer before they're supposed to be cured of the ability to love, best friends Lena and Hana begin to drift apart. While Lena shies away from underground music and parties with boys, Hana jumps at her last chance to experience the forbidden. For her, the summer is full of wild music, dancing - and even her first kiss.

But on the surface, Hana must be a model of perfect behavior. She meets her approved match, Fred Hargrove, and glimpses the safe, comfortable life she'll have with him once they marry. As the date for her cure draws even closer, Hana desperately misses Lena, wonders hows it feels to truly be in love, and is simultaneously terrified of rebelling and of falling into line.

In this digital story that will appeal to fan of Delirium and welcome new admirers to its world, readers will come to understand scenes from Delirium through Hana's perspective. Hana is a touching and revealing look at a life-changing and tumultuous summer.

           So I had just finished Pandemonium and I was (am) still reeling about its ending. My best friend had bought and read Hana (but she still haven't read Pandemonium yet. She doesn't do well with cliffhangers and the waiting it requires) and so she let me borrow her Nook. I needed some more of the Delirium world and HO-LY crap. Was Hana saying what I think she was saying? No, I mean seriously? What the hell?! I'm going to have to make time and reread Delirium all over again and pick up on some clues I might have missed.

Hana is a very short novella and it was only enough to satisfy me to some degree. Getting to know Hana was very fun, refreshing and saddening all at the same time. There is a lot more to her than meets the eye and I'm really looking forward to learning more about what happens to her in Requiem.

Stacking the Shelves (#17) and meeting Michelle Hodkin

Stacking the Shelves, which is hosted by Tynga's Reviews, is all about sharing the books you are adding to your shelves, may it be physical or virtual. This mean you can include books you buy in a physical store or online, books you borrow from friends or the library, review books, gifts and of course, ebooks.

Hi Swooners, 

I hope you're all having/will have a great day. Here's a look at my recent new pretties.

Rockoholic by C.J. Skuse

Stolen Nights (Vampire Queen #2) by Rebecca Maizel

The Raft by S.A. Bodeen

Fangirl by Ken Baker

The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin

The Evolution of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin

I got Rockoholic through NetGalley

I got Stolen Nights from NetGalley

I got The Raft and Fangirl through ARCycling

And I got The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer and The Evolution of Mara Dyer at a book reading/signing Michelle Hodkin did on Oct. 25 at Books and Books.

And here you can see them signed

I love the quotes she decided to use. Especially for The Unbecoming. Swoony Noah is swoony.

And here's some pictures from that night.

Chatting up her readers

Michelle and I

Michelle with one of the Bestie

Michelle with the other Bestie

They were both being very coy and talking about The Evolution in front of me. I haven't read it yet! No spoilers!

It was such an awesome night and even though the rain made the trip to the bookstore a mission and a half, it was very much worth it. Michelle was very cool and her family even more awesome. I can't wait to read The Evolution of Mara Dyer. 

But other than that, what did you stack in your shelves this week, swooners?

Cover Reveal - Sweet Peril by Wendy Higgins

Hello lovelies, today I have the cover for Wendy Higgins' Sweet Peril (The Sweet Trilogy #2). Look at Anna's face! Fierce, right? Sweet Peril is slated to be release on April 30, 2013 from Harper Teen.
Links: Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Book Depository

Book Blurb:
Anna Whitt, daughter of a guardian angel and a demon, promised herself she'd never do the work of her father - polluting souls. She'd been naive to make such a claim. She'd been naive about a lot of things. Haunted by demon whisperers, Anna does whatever she can to survive, even if it means embracing her dark side and earning an unwanted reputation as her school's party girl. Her life has never looked more bleak. And all the while there's Kaidan Rowe, son of the Duke of Lust, plaguing her heart and mind.
When an unexpected lost message from the angels surfaces, Anna finds herself traveling the globe with Kopano, son of Wrath, in an attempt to gain support of fellow Nephilim and give them hope for the first time. It soon becomes clear that whatever freedoms Anna and the rest of the Neph are hoping to win will not be gained without a fight. Until then, Anna and Kaidan must put aside the issues between them, overcome the steamiest of temptations yet, and face the ultimate questions: is loving someone worth risking their life?

Book 3 of the The Sweet Trilogy. Sweet Reckoning. is slated for spring/summer 2014.


About the Author: Wendy Higgins was born in Alaska, grew up an Army brat, and lived all over the United States before settling in the Washington, DC area. She attended George Mason University for her undergrad degree in creative writing, and Radford University for her masters in curriculum and instruction. Wendy taught 9th and 12th grade English in a rural school before becoming a mother and author. She now lives in Northern Virginia with her husband, daughter, and son. Sweet Peril is her second novel.
Contact: Website / Goodreads / Twitter / Facebook

Review: Finally Home by Helen Scott Taylor

Finally Home by Helen Scott Taylor
Release Date: September 24, 2012
Publisher: Carina Press
Source: Carina Press through NetGalley
Links: Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Goodreads

My Rating: 2.5 out of 5 stars (Goodreads rating: 3 out of 5 stars)

Synopsis: As manager of the charming Greyfriar House Hotel, Melanie Marshall loves her job and spending time with her young son. But she can never forget what she ran away from: her late husband's crimes and her own terrible guilt. Though lonely, Melanie can't afford to let another man into her life.

But when her boss, gorgeous hotel owner Jack Summers, returns from his supposed wedding without a ring or a wife, Melanie discovers there's more to him than she ever thought. For one, the ex-soccer star is son's idol. But the closer she gets to Jack, the more she pulls away. She can't share her past. Ever.

For too long, Jack protected his scarred heart by letting gold-digging women make him think love didn't matter. But a sweet single mother and a soccer-crazy little boy change everything. He knows Melanie has secrets. Secrets she'll have to share if he's to help her realize she's finally home.

           After reading so many Young Adult books in a row, I was in the mood for a little bit of romance. As I started Finally Home, I was intrigued especially after reading the synopsis. I thought it would be entertaining and while it was, I found it to be rather bland. The main characters weren't exactly memorable and while it has a good premise, I just wasn't excited with the end result.

After dealing with a horrible past few years, Melanie Marshall is finally moving on and after we learn of her secrets, I thought that her hesitance to trust another person is justified. However, I found her indecisiveness when it came to trusting Jack a little maddening. I just wanted her to make up her mind.

I also found it a little bizarre that after spending some time with Jack and after one night, she would agree to marry him. When Imelda, Jack's mother, mentions something about his past and she doesn't know anything about it, only then does she realizes she doesn't really know him. At first, she wouldn't even entertain the idea of going on a date with him because of her secret and she didn't want her son to have any attachments in case they had to leave town. But then she agreed to marry him after such a short period of time, I found that to be a little out of character.

The same goes for Jack. At the beginning of the story he's getting ready to marry someone else but then he changes his mind. He start spending time with Melanie and he becomes smitten with her and her son. As he spends time her and her son, suddenly he can see himself spending the rest of his life with then. I know books are make believe, but I find myself unable to enjoy a book where there isn't some sort of realism to them. I definitely don't buy into those insta-love romance novels.

When Melanie is trying to run away from her problems, I found Jack's tough love just right (I totally saw that coming, too). He knows he love her but that he can't spend the rest of his life with someone that doesn't trust him. I did not, however, like how he invited her parents to the the surprise in the end. I thought that it was wrong and not in his place. Melanie was finally coming around and trusting him and reuniting with her parents should have been private affair. So, I did not agree with how he handled himself when she fled to her flat while in a panic attack. So while he had me cheering him on the whole time, he definitely lost some brownie points from me because of that.

Besides my issues with Melanie and Jack, I found this to be a quick read. I wasn't overly impressed with it but it was something to read in between all the teenage angst.

Book Promo, Giveaway & Excerpt - Matt Archer: Monster Hunter by Kendra C. Highley

Matt Archer: Monster Hunter (Matt Archer #1) by Kendra C. Highley

Release Date: Aug. 18, 2012

Links: Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Goodreads

Synopsis:
Fourteen-year-old Matt Archer spends his days studying Algebra, hanging out with his best friend and crushing on the Goddess of Greenhill High, Ella Mitchell. To be honest, he thinks his life is pretty lame until he discovers something terrifying on a weekend camping trip at the local state park.

Monsters are real. And living in his backyard.

But that's not half of it. After Matt is forced to kill a strange creature to save his uncle, he finds out that the weird knife he took from his uncle's bag has a secret, one that will change Matt's life. The knife was designed with one purpose: to hunt monsters. And it's chosen Matt as its wielder.

Now Matt's part of a world he didn't know existed, working with a covert military unit dedicated to eliminating walking nightmares. Faced with a prophecy about a looming dark war, Matt soon realizes his upcoming Algebra test is the least of his worries. 

His new double life leaves Matt wondering which is tougher: hunting monsters  or asking Ella Mitchell for a date?

Here's an  excerpt

First Monster Attack, Longer Excerpt:

I watched the creature’s shadow get bigger and bigger as it headed my way. It didn’t creep. It didn’t barrel toward me. It strolled, like it wasn’t the least bit worried about what it would find inside the tent. Terrified or not, something about its arrogance filled me with cold fury. My muscles burned and my heart beat double-time; I probably didn't have a prayer, but I wasn't going down without a fight. I sure as hell wasn’t going to sit by and let this thing kill my uncle.

Uncle Mike usually brought a rifle with him, just in case we met a bear, and he’d made sure I could use it. I dug around in our bags, throwing clothes everywhere, but the rifle wasn’t in the tent. The only thing I came up with was a wicked-looking knife with a smooth bone handle. I pulled it out of the leather sheath, shocked by its weight. It was much heavier than it looked and my fingers buzzed, like the knife was vibrating in my hand. I must’ve been shaking really hard.

I gripped the handle of the knife, hoping I didn’t end up stabbing myself by accident. The blade was longer than most hunting-knives I’d ever used—maybe eight or nine inches—and honed to a sharp edge. I had no idea where Mike would buy something like this, but one thing was for sure: no one would want to be on the receiving end of this weapon. It looked like it could gut a buffalo.

The creature walked the perimeter of the tent, brushing up against the nylon, and a rancid scent wafted through the walls. I gagged and threw up a little in my mouth. The stench reminded me of how the vent in my room smelled after my guinea pig got loose and bought the farm in the air duct. Seriously freaked out, I held still, clutching the knife so hard my knuckles ached. I was planning to let the beast stalk around outside as long as it wanted. One thing Mike taught me during paintball was to make your target do the work. If you could be patient, you’d get the better strike, and I’d only have one shot.

The beast paused and I took a gulp of cold air, knowing I wouldn’t have to wait much longer.With a blur of claws, dark fur and sharp teeth, the thing crashed into the tent, ripping the nylon with one slash. I didn’t have time to think or even get a good look at it. When it pounced on top of me, I thrust the blade into its stomach and twisted. The handle burned in my hand, glowing a faint green.

The beast howled and struggled against me, until I thought I’d drown in the reek of its fur. Somehow, I squirmed out from underneath it just before it collapsed on the floor of the tent. Once it was down, I stabbed it in the back, over and over, swearing at the top of my lungs. Some kind of red-rage took control, and I didn’t stop slashing until the thing shuddered and was still.

In the quiet, I fell to my knees, shaking all over.

When I could finally breathe without wheezing, I gathered up the last shreds of my courage and found our lantern in the wreckage. Scared pissless or not, I wanted to see what attacked me. Squaring my shoulders, I turned on the light.

Then bit my own tongue trying to hold back a scream.

The creature was misshapen, with a huge head, pointy ears and narrow snout, and it had to be at least eight feet tall. Teeth like tusks protruded from its lower jaw. It had brown fur like a grizzly’s and its paws looked like a bear’s too, except bigger, with those brutal, velociraptor claws. If that wasn’t weird enough, the thing’s arms and legs were long, like a man’s. It was like some mad scientist threw a bunch of DNA into a blender and this is what came out.

What the heck could it be? Was it some kind of alien? A scientific experiment gone horribly wrong? Did we have a Dr. Frankenstein living in Billings? Seriously, the creature looked like a resurrected Wookiee made from spare parts.

Utterly creeped out, I pulled the knife out of the beast’s back and dropped it on the ground. My hands had blood on them, dark stains glistening in the moonlight, and now that I wasn’t fighting for my life, I shivered, half-freezing and clueless about what to do next.

About the Author:
Kendra C. Highley lives in north Texas with her husband and two children. She also serves as a staff to two self-important and high-powered cats. This, according to the cats, is her most important job. She believes chocolate is a basic human right, running a 10k is harder than it sounds, and that everyone should learn to drive a stick-shift. She loves monsters, vacation, baking and listening to bad electronica.
Contact: Website / Twitter

Time for a GIVEAWAY!

Giveaway Details:

Grand prize is a Nook Simple Touch and a $25 B&N card plus a paperback copy of Matt Archer: Monster Hunter. (US only)

(3) 1st place winners get a $10 Amazon Card plus a paperback copy of Matt Archer: Monster Hunter. (Open Internationally)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Book Promo and Excerpt - Dead Heat by Lisa Nowak

Dead Heat by Lisa Nowak
Release Date: October 2012
Link: Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Goodreads

Synopsis: Alex is a machine whisperer. He can tell what's wrong with a broken-down car with a touch. But his gift can't save him from the brutality of his meth-addict father. For two years, Alex experienced kindness through Cole, his mentor. Now Cole's dead, and the violence in Alex's life is escalating. 

When Cole reappears as a ghost, Alex clings to the tenuous link. The he learns Cole might've sacrificed his chance to cross over. Jade, the first girl to look beyond Alex's past, assures him Cole can reach the Other Side - if Alex escapes from his dad. But a previous terrifying attempt has convinced Alex it's impossible. Unless he can find the courage to try, his friend may be earthbound forever.

Here's an excerpt from Dead Heat:

After Alex’s mentor Cole dies in a wreck at the speedway, Alex takes his truck and trailer to his wife, then goes back to the track, where his grief overcomes him and he collapses.

Chapter 2

For a long time, I lay on that wet asphalt, wishing I was dead. It’s like I’m not even here, like the hurt’s so big I disappear in it. Something soft brushes my shoulder, near the base of my neck. Pain knifes through me, and I choke on a sob. Then I feel that touch again. I lurch up off the track to look around. Nothing.

I’m soaked, numb clear through, but the chill don’t do a thing to dull the fire of losing Cole. That wells up so big and powerful, I can’t hold it back. I scream as loud as I can, till I’m still yelling, but no sound comes out.

I can’t do this. No way can I go back to how things were. Didn’t I do all I could to make sure nothing like this would happen? All them lies I told, why couldn’t they keep him safe?

I shove the wet hair from my eyes and go get my bike. I rip out of the parking lot hard and fast, daring the cops to come after me, hoping I skid under the wheels of some car.

I got no idea where I’m going, but I wind up at Ivan’s Automotive, the shop where I work. Soon as I pull into the lot, the answer comes. My bike might not’ve done me in, but I know something that will.

I find a piston in the scrap bin outside and use it to bust the glass in the back door. When I get in, I turn on the office light, but leave the rest of the place dark. Don’t want nobody calling the cops before I finish this.

I pick the ’89 Taurus ’cause emission standards aren’t so strict for a car that old. Once I got the keys, I grab one of the hoses we use to vent exhaust from the shop. I stick one end on the tail pipe and put the key in the ignition so I can roll the window down a little. I snake the other end through till it’s resting on the passenger side floorboards. There’s a big gap, so I find some towels and cram ’em in to stop it up.

When I crank the engine, I have one thought of Momma, but the pain’s so big and deep it chases even that away. I close my eyes. For a second, I wonder if I’ll see Cole, or if it’ll just be over, but either way it don’t matter.

There’s this whir, and all four windows start going down. What the hell? I jab the master control to raise ’em. The second I take my finger off, they head south again. Are you kidding me? Real quick, I roll ’em up, kill the engine, and get out of the car to pull the fuse. Whatever’s going on, them windows can’t work if they don’t have no juice.

I get back in and crank the starter. The engine revs for just a second before it dies. I try again. The car sputters and stalls. One more shot, and this time it won’t run for nothing. Pissed, I twist the key and don’t let go until the starter sucks every bit of life out of the battery.

“Son of a bitch!” I slam my fist against the wheel, beating it again and again. Finally, I got nothing left. A sob grabs my throat and I slump forward, pain crashing down in waves that want to drown me.

Then something touches my shoulder. I jump and swing around. This time I see him, right beside me.

Cole. Only not Cole—he’s sorta sunk down into the seat a little, and the fabric shows right through him.

The shock stops my breath. I stare at him and he stares back, sadder than I ever seen him. That look is so damn Cole it rips a hole in me. I got no doubt that if he could, he’d take every bit of my pain and carry it himself.

When he puts his hand out, I feel that feather touch again.

“I’m sorry, Ace,” he says, “but I can’t let you do this."

About the author: In addition to being a YA author, Lisa Nowak is a retired amateur stock car racer, an accomplished cat whisperer, and a professional smartass. She writes coming-of-age books about kids in hard luck situations who learns to appreciate their own values after finding mentors who love them for who they are. She enjoys dark chocolate and stout beer and constantly works toward employing wei wu wei in her life, all while realizing that the struggle itself is an oxymoron.
Lisa has no spare time, but if she did she'd use it to tend to her expansive perennial garden, watch medical drama, take long walks after dark, and teach her cats to play poker. For those of you who might be wondering, she is not, and has never been, a diaper-wearing astronaut. She live in Milwaukie, Oregon, with her husband, four feline companions, and two giant sequoias.

Contact: Blog / Twitter / Facebook

Review: Covet by Melissa Darnell

Covet (The Clann #2) by Melissa Darnell
Release Date: September 25, 2012
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Source: Harlequin Teen through NetGalley
Link: Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Goodreads

My Rating: 3 out of 5 stars

Summary: Dangerous to be together. Painful to be apart. Savannah Colbert knows she broke up with Tristan Coleman for the right reasons. Most of all, to keep from killing him with her new vampire abilities. But try telling her heart. Now, lost in a sea of hostile Clann faces, Sav tries to come to terms with what that means for her future. And that someone is doing their best to bully her into making a terrible mistake.

Tristan can't believe Sav won't even talk to him. If being apart is her decision, fine. Just don't expect him to honor it. But even as he prepares to fight for the girl her loves, forces beyond their control take them both in directions neither could have foreseen or prepared for.

A reckoning is coming and not everyone will survive.

         Covet is the second book of The Clann series and Savannah and Tristan are just returning home from an impromptu trip abroad. We start off in a quick pace, we learn about what happened during Savannah and Tristan absence and the consequences because of it. After a heartbreaking event occurs, the story start winding down. It slows down and the plot begins to lag. When it pick up again, I was so surprised and I had to sprint to catch up with the characters.

What I did enjoy about this story is that Savannah wasn't as helpless as she was in Crave, she had some backbone. She wanted to learn how to use magic and so she dedicated herself to learning how to use it. She kept her promise to The Council and broke up with Tristan even though he fought against it. She also stood up to him when he refused to see that what she doing was for his own good.

Although, I did felt like some of the "secrets" that Savannah found out were fairly obvious. Like with Anne's ex-boyfriend's, Ron, secret. She didn't get what Anne and Ron were showing her, even though they had just explained it and so, Anne had to tell her. It feels like either Savannah is very much obtuse or that the author expects her readers to be unable to figure things out for themselves even though it had already been foreshadowed.

And just like with Crave, Ms. Darnell decided to leave her readers with yet another cliffhanger. I know a lot of series depend on cliffhangers but what bothers me about this is that the author is finally picking up the pace of the story and then she cut it short and end the book right when we're getting somewhere good. It like stop and go with this series. It doesn't have a good flow of introduction to climax to resolution.

I found Covet to be an alright read. I enjoyed it more than Crave and I think it had more to do with Savannah's dad and Ron, both of whom were very funny and diffused any awkward tensions. Other than that, I'll be waiting for book 3 and I hope that it'll have a much better flow.

Promo and Giveaway - Elemental Series by Shauna Granger

Earth (Elemental #1) by Shauna Granger
Release Date: May 1, 2011
Links: Amazon / Goodreads

Summary from Goodreads: Shayna and her two best friends have the abilities to manipulate and control the four elements, earth, air, water and fire. While learning to hone their growing powers, they discover a new and malicious presence in their sleepy beach town. Someone is performing blood magic and threatens to expose their magical community. So far only small animals have been slaughtered, but then the nightmares start.
Shayna suffers nightmares of being chased and sacrificed only to wake up bloodied and bruised. She thinks her magical blood is the ultimate target for the final blood rite. When an innocent girl, Tracy, is kidnapped Shayna knows it's only a ploy to draw her out; she can't let someone die because of her. 

Air (Elemental #2) by Shauna Granger
Release Date: October 31, 2011
Links: Amazon / Goodreads

Summary from Goodreads: It was a rough start to the school year for Shayna and her friends, Jodi and Steven, but thankfully summer break is near. Trying to sort out her feelings for the new guy in town, Shayna agrees to let Jensen join her on a group date with her friends. While out, they end up at a local coffee house where their classmate, social outcast Jeremy McCormick, is humiliated by his baseball star brother. When Jeremy runs away from the jeering crowd, Shayna and Jodi hear unmistakable sound of a thousand wings chasing after him, but no one else seems to hear them. These are not like any air elementals that Shayna or Jodi have ever encountered before and they fear Jeremy has gotten himself tangled up in something too dangerous for him to handle. But when Shayna tries to help Jeremy control his magical abilities, she realizes it might be the biggest mistake of her life.

Water (Elemental #3) by Shauna Granger
Release Date: June 19, 2012
Links: Amazon / Goodreads

Summary from Goodreads: Shayna's first surfing session of the summer is interrupted by the screams of a mother who has lost her little boy in the water. Without regards to her own safety, Shayna swims out, rescues the boy, but must escape the clutches of something far worse than she could have ever imagined - mermaids.
Compelled to answer the sirens' call, the boys of Shayna's town are drawn to sea, but when they return, they are afflicted by an unknown illness, a sickness which is draining them of their life force. Unable to tell anyone about the mermaids, Shayna and her friends are forced to solve the mystery before it's too late, and in doing so, Shayna will finally have to face the full force of her powers. Whether she's ready or not, she will have to face her true nature. 

Fire, book #4 in the Elemental series is coming soon!

Giveaway!

A Rafflecopter giveaway

Grand Prize: There is a signed copy of each paperback, Earth, Air, and Water and matching bookmark for each. There is a mini Jack-o-lantern (that I carved) and an awesome, sparkly candle (electric) and some fun Halloween treats that include candy, stickers and copy of one of my favorite Halloween movies, Monster House. (US only)

3 other winners will also receive an ebook from the series, winner's choice from Earth, Air or Water. (Open Internationally)

About the author: I don't do well talking about myself. So as basics go, I have recently self-published the first two books in my Elemental Series, Earth and Air, Young Adult Urban Fantasy novels. Look for the third installment, Water, coming in 2012!

I have been working on the Elemental Series for the last four years and plan for it to be a 5 books series. It was a hard decision to self-publish but it's been an exciting and terrifying ride.

You can find me on Facebook

And to my readers (or fans of my covers), I have beautiful bookmarks that I would love to share with you. If you'd like one, drop me a note with your contact info and I'd be happy to send you one!

Contact: Goodreads / Blog / Twitter / Facebook

Waiting on Wednesday (#13)

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

Morning swooners!

This week pre-publication "can't wait to read" selection is:

Paper Valentine by Brenna Yovanoff

Expected Release Date: January 8, 2013

Amazon / Barnes & Noble

Synopsis: The city of Ludlow is gripped by the hottest July on record. The asphalt is melting, the birds are dying, petty crime is on the rise, and someone in Hannah Wagnor's peaceful suburban community is killing girls.

For Hannah, the summer is a complicated one. Her best friend Lillian died six months ago, and Hannah just wants her life to go back to normal. But how can things be normal when Lillian's ghost is haunting her bedroom, pushing her to investigate the mysterious string of murders? Hannah's just trying to understand  why her friend self-destructed, and where she fits now that Lillian isn't there to save her a place among the social elite. And she must stop thinking about Finny Boone, the big, enigmatic delinquent whose main hobbies seem to include petty larceny and surprising acts of kindness.

With the entire city in a panic, Hannah soon find herself drawn into a world of ghost girls and horrifying secrets. She realizes that only by confronting the Valentine Killer will she be able to move on with her life - and it's up to her to put together the pieces before he strikes again.

Paper Valentine is a hauntingly poetic tale of love and death by the New York Times bestselling author of The Replacement and The Space Between.

Cover Reveal - Reactions by Jessica Roberts

Morning Swooners. Today I have the cover of Reaction by Jessica Roberts. Reaction is expected to be release on November 5, 2012. It is the sequel to Reflection.

Book Synopsis:
Harmony...
I've previously had that in my life, but only once, briefly, a while ago. It was during the time I'd started my first year of college. My own apartment, a new old car, and a life free of deadbeat stepfathers, all of which was fulfilling enough. But if it wasn't, I also had a best friend, soul mate, and a boyfriend all in one. Yes, life was near perfect. 
But one stormy night can change everything...
For many months I rested in a prolonged sleep, fighting for my life. Well, more than fighting for it, also dreaming of it. Dreaming of him. Thank goodness, the dream is over and I'm back in the real world now. And all I want is for everything to return to the way it was. But nothing's the same; most of all, us.
Once again, I find myself at the crossroads of a ruthless battle, this time not for life, but love. Do I fight for the guy I twice fell for, or do I let her take him away?

About the author, Jessica Roberts:
Jessica Roberts grew up in San Francisco, California Bay Area where she spent most of her time playing sports alongside her six siblings. She was crowned Miss Teen California her senior year of high school, and went on to Brigham Young University where she graduated in Human Development. Her love of family, church, writing, athletics, and singing, and dancing keeps her life busy and fulfilled. She currently resides in Utah with her husband and three children.
Contact: Website / Twitter

Waiting on Wednesday (#12)

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

Morning swooners!

This week pre-publication "can't wait to read" selection is:

Just One Day (Just One Day #1) by Gayle Forman

Expected Release Date: January 8, 2013

Amazon / Barnes & Noble

Synopsis: A breathtaking journey toward self-discovery and true love, from the author of If I Stay.

When sheltered American good girl Allyson "LuLu" Healey first meet laid-back actor Willem De Ruiter at an underground performance of Twelfth Night in England  there's an undeniable spark. After just one day together, that spark burst into a flame, or so it seems to Allyson, until the following morning, when she wakes up after a whirlwind day in Paris to discover that Willem has left. Over the next year, Allyson embarks on a journey to come to terms with the narrow confines of her life, and  through Shakespeare, travel, and a quest for her almost-true-love, to break free of those confines.

Just One Day is the first in a sweepingly romantic duet of novels. Willem's story - Just One Year - is coming soon!

The cover was just revealed a few ago but I have known about this book for almost a year. I just loved If I Stay and Where She Went so I'm looking forward to reading just about anything from Gayle Forman.

Review: Inbetween by Tara A. Fuller

(source)

Inbetween (Kissed by Death #1) by Tara A. Fuller
Release date: August 28, 2012
Publisher: Entangled Teen
Source: Personal Copy
Link: Goodreads / Amazon

My rating: 3 out of 5 stars

Synopsis: 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 thought the concept of Inbetween was very unique and I was so excited when it came out. However, once I started reading I just couldn't relate to or sympathize with the main characters. I found them a little too naive, selfish, and irritating to like. I also found myself having to put the book away because I would either be bored or I wouldn't be paying attention to what I was reading.

I never connected with Emma. She was rather bland, and an unmemorable character. I couldn't find anything special about her. Finn told us of all her goodness and how much of a better person Emma is than Maeve but I just didn't see it. In fact, I felt sort of bad for Maeve instead. She may have been very angry and dangerous but I think she was justified in her anger. Emma whined a lot about not being able to have a normal life and about not being able to to defend herself but I just did not have it in me to feel sorry for her. So, when she started looking for ways to defend herself, I finally started to respect her.

Finn annoyed me the most. There were so many times I wanted to slap some sense into him because he would only have a one-track mind and forget all of his responsibilities. He is also very selfish. He wanted his friends to help out but when he was denied, he would get angry. What also bothered me about Finn was that he reminded me too much of Edward Cullen in New Moon. There was a conversation that Emma and Finn had that I thought was very much like the conversation between Edward and Bella after Edward came back. Here's what Finn said:

"Before you, there was only dark. You lit up my whole world,  like the sun bursting through the clouds on a stormy day. You made me remember what it was like to be alive. You made me believe I was something that I didn't think existed anymore." pg. 189 of 260

Edward in New Moon:

"Before you, Bella, my life was like a moonless night. Very dark, but there were stars - points of light and reason...And then you shot across my sky like a meteor. Suddenly everything was on fire; there was brilliancy, there was beauty. When you were gone, when the meteor had fallen over the horizon, everything went black." pg. 514 of 563

It was a big turnoff for me. It took me out of Finn and Emma's world and into Stephenie Meyer's Twilight world.

The only saving grace for me were Easton and Cash. They brought the snark and comedic relief into an otherwise very dramatic storyline. Book 2 of the series is supposed be on Cash and book 3 is on Easton. I can't wait to read about these two. In fact, it was because of them that I managed to finish reading Inbetween.

This book had a lot potential but it just didn't do it for me. I think that if Emma was a little bit stronger and had some sass to her, it would have made the story a lot more enjoyable for me. I am willing to look into more of Tara's work and hopefully I will enjoy it a lot more than I did with this one.

Stacking the Shelves (#16)

Stacking the Shelves, which is hosted by Tynga's Reviews, is all about sharing the books you are adding to your shelves, may it be physical or virtual. This mean you can include books you buy in a physical store or online, books you borrow from friends or the library, review books, gifts and of course, ebooks.

Morning lovelies,

It been a few weeks but I have a some new pretties to share with you. Here they are:

Crash Into Me by Albert Borris

The Dead Girls Detective Agency by Suzy Cox

Human.4 (Point 4 #1) by Mike Lancaster

Confessions of an Angry Girl (Confessions #1) by Louise Rozett

Ten Girls to Watch by Charity Shumway

Beautiful Lies by Jessica Warman

I got Human.4 from my local Library                                                                     

I received The Dead Girl Detective Agency as a Twitter giveaway from Epic Reads

I received Ten Girls to Watch and  Confessions of an Angry Girl as birthday gifts from the bestie

I got Beautiful Lies and Crash Into Me from ARCycling

I also bought and read Destroy Me (Shatter Me #1.5) by Tahereh Mafi

And lastly, I got Simply Irresistible (Lucky Harbor #1) by Jill Shalvis as an ebook deal for $1.99

That's it for me. Link me in the comments so I can go and visit you!

Waiting on Wednesday (#11)

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

Morning swooners!

This week pre-publication "can't wait to read" selection is:

Roar and Liv (Under the Never Sky #1.5) by Veronica Rossi

Expected Release Date: October 30, 2012

Barnes and Noble / Amazon

Synopsis: 

Before Perry and Aria, there was Roar and Liv.

After a childhood spent wandering the borderlands, Roar finally feels like he has a home with the Tides. His best friend Perry is like a brother to him, and Perry's sister, Liv, is the love of his life. But Perry and Liv's unpredictable older brother, Vale, is the Blood Lord of the Tides, and he has never looked kindly on Roar and Liv's union. Normally, Roar couldn't care less about Vale's opinion. But with food running low and conditions worsening every day, Vale's leadership is more vital - and more brutal - than ever. Desperate to protect his tribe, Vale makes a decision that will shatter the life Roar knew and change the fate of the Tides forever.

At least it only less than a month wait for this one! What are you currently "Waiting on?"

Review: Pandemonium by Lauren Oliver

Pandemonium (Delirium #2) by Lauren Oliver
Release date: February 28, 2012
Publisher: Harper Teen
Source: Personal Copy
Links: Goodreads / Barnes & Noble / Amazon

My rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Synopsis:
I'm pushing aside the memory of my nightmare,
pushing aside thoughts of Alex,
pushing aside thoughts of Hana and my old school,
push,
push,
push,
push,
like Raven taught me to do.
The old life is dead.
But the old Lena is dead too.
I buried her.
I left her beyond a fence,
behind a wall of smoke and flame.

Lauren Oliver delivers an electrifying follow-up to her acclaimed New York Times bestseller, Delirium. This riveting, brilliant novel crackles with the fire of fierce defiance, forbidden romance, and the sparks of revolution about to ignite.

          I've put off reading this book ever since it came out. Once I heard that it had a crazy cliffhanger, I decided I could wait a bit to read it. Until this past Friday, when the itch to learn what happened to Lena came and wouldn't leave me alone.

Right away, I was sucked into the story. I was experiencing everything Lena was: every emotion, every trip and stumble, every time she wanted to give up and die, I felt it. Every time she feared or doubted herself or came in contact with something dangerous, I was living it right alongside with her.

As I read, I was wondering about someone's fate and I felt myself freaking out even more and I may or may not have peeked at the last sentence of the book (I so did). However, that backfired because my heart stopped with the shock and I had to read the last paragraph as well. I shouldn't have done that. I hate that I peeked and spoiled the ending to myself. Although, I had no idea what would happened for it to get there.

So as I read on, I started to get anxious, snapping at anyone who dared disturbed me while reading. I soon started hyperventilating and telling Lena, " No, no, no! Don't do it. Don't say it. Don't do what I think you're going to to. You'll regret it." But no! Lena didn't listen to me and as I continued on, I had half of my face covered by my hands. As if that would stop whatever was coming next.

And Oh. My. God. I still can't believe it. I read it and spoiled myself, but I still can't believe what happened. How could Lauren Oliver do this to us?! How could she end it there?! I mean... I... I have no words! I had to go back and reread the last few pages because I couldn't believe it. And now, days later and I still find myself groaning and facepalming myself because how?! How could this have happened? How could it end like that?

I knew I should have waited until it was closer to Requiem's release date to read Pandemonium. However, my stubbornness knows no bounds. Ahhh!!! Lauren Oliver, you got me. You gave me more than I expected and I'll be anxiously awaiting for March 5th, 2013 to get here.

Anyone have any hugs to spare? I'm in need of one.