Friday, December 30, 2011

Review: Spellbound

Title: Spellbound
Author: Cara Lynn Shultz
Published: June 21, 2011
Source: Paperback gift

Synopsis:

What's a girl to do when meeting The One means she's cursed to die a horrible death?

Life hasn't been easy on sixteen-year-old Emma Connor, so a new start in New York may be just the change she needs. But the posh Upper East Side prep school she has to attend? Not so much. Friendly faces are few and far between, except for one that she's irresistibly drawn to—Brendan Salinger, the guy with the rock-star good looks and the richest kid in school, who might just be her very own white knight.

But even when Brendan inexplicably turns cold, Emma can't stop staring. Ever since she laid eyes on him, strange things have been happening. Streetlamps go out wherever she walks, and Emma's been having the oddest dreams: visions of herself in past lives—visions that warn her to stay away from Brendan. Or else.

Review: 
This book had things that I had been missing lately. I've been reading books that I normally wouldn't read and this book took me out of my funk. Well actually Half-Blood by Jennifer Armentrout did.. but lets not talk about that.

I loved the simplicity of this book. It was a simple romance, with a little paranormal thrown in. I loved the characters, the humor, the friendships, the classic mean girls, and of course, the romance! I'm a sucker for a good romance book and certain scenes had me readjusting my position to get more comfortable in anticipation and in just general excitement when Brendan would do little things. I want him. 

I really enjoyed the New York setting. Being the place I want to move to when I'm older, I love the city. The book just fit there. I could picture the streets she was walking down and hear the sounds that Emma was hearing. 

Emma.. was a different sort of girl. She had an abusive step-father, which was what lead her to New York in the first place. She knew how to take the things that were thrown her way, and throw them right back. She was strong, and brave in her own way. 

Then comes along Brendan... *swoons* He is the kind of boyfriend that any girl would want. He's sweet, caring, charming, funny, and protective. Heck, he even defends a girl that he barely knows honor the first day he even see's her. I repeat, I want him.

I loved this book! I give it 51 out of 51 tacos just for the ability to make me smile! I needed a feel good book at the moment, and this was perfect! Of course I hated the mean girls, especially Kristen, but I got over her! Go buy this book! You won't be disappointed!! :)
~~Sam :)




Thursday, December 29, 2011

Review: Broken

Title: Broken
Author: Dean Murray
Publish: Dec. 25, 2011
Source: eArc from Author
It's free on Amazon right now! Click the book title for more info!

Synopsis:
Adri Paige is too busy dealing with the emotional fallout from losing half of her family to deal with boys. At least she thought so until the two most intriguing guys in her new school take an interest in her.
Both boys are gorgeous and blessed with obscene amounts of money. They should have the emotional depth of note cards, but instead display undercurrents she doesn't fully understand. Rumors the pair destroys peoples' livelihoods seem ludicrous until she gets caught in the crossfire and her family almost loses their home. She's increasingly unsure either boy is really human, and their rivalry is rapidly turning deadly.
~ Since this isn't on Goodreads or any other site yet, I asked Jennifer from  Reading and Writing Urban Fantasy for the use of her synopsis! Thanks!

Review: 
I had read Torn first, and had enjoyed it. I was excited to read the book from Adri's POV. I loved Adri in Torn and wanted to know more about her. That is exactly what you get with this version of the story! You see the world from Adri's perspective, and all her motivations behind everything she does. 

I liked this book more than Torn. It had more detail than Torn and we had explanations for more things than in Torn. Adri was a very mysterious person in Torn and we didn't really get to know her all that much, only a little from Alec's creepy stalking. Hehe :). I think it has more detail because of it being from a girls POV, yeah yeah, boys can be descriptive, but not that descriptive. They just skim over things. 

Of course I was able to predict the book and it's happenings because of first reading Torn, but I think I would've enjoyed Torn a bit more if I had read Broken first. I finally understood some aspects of Torn than I had originally been confused about, and I fell even more in love with Alec! He was awesome, even as a jerk throughout the book. That was because I knew why he was doing that.

I really did enjoy this book. I was more into it because of all those things I mentioned above. I wasn't expecting anything to really change, but I liked the books much more now after reading Broken. I give this book 41 out of 51 tacos! The books should be released together, so people can get a feel for both characters and not hate one or the other!
~~ Sam :)

Thursday, December 22, 2011

Review: Untraceable


Title: Untraceable
Author: S.R Johannes
Published: November 29
Source: Review eCopy

Synopsis:
16 year old Grace has lived in the Smokies all her life, patrolling with her forest ranger father who taught her about wildlife, tracking, and wilderness survival.
When her dad goes missing on a routine patrol, Grace refuses to believe he’s dead and fights the town authorities, tribal officials, and nature to find him.
One day, while out tracking clues, Grace is rescued from danger by Mo, a hot guy with an intoxicating accent and a secret. As her feelings between him and her ex-boyfriend get muddled, Grace travels deep into the wilderness to escape and find her father.
Along the way, Grace learns terrible secrets that sever relationships and lives. Soon she’s enmeshed in a web of conspiracy, deception, and murder. And it’s going to take a lot more than a compass and a motorcycle (named Lucifer) for this kick-butting heroine to save everything she loves.

Review:
I enjoyed this book. It was very different than what has been out there lately, and it was nice to not have to read about some vampire falling in love with a human for once. Which is all I tend to read... :) I liked how it was about a relationship with ones father that is so strong that she didn't give up on looking for him, when everyone else did.

My first thoughts: Why is she running? Who is after her? Does she live in the woods? Why is she in the woods? Ohhh! Now I understand! Yeah, so I was a little confused at the beginning, but the author sorts it all out and explains everything. Which was a very big plus for me. I HATE it when nothing is explained! I like to know things and S.R did that really well in Untraceable.

I really liked Grace, she was determined and strong. If someone told me my dad was missing, I'd curl into a ball and cry for 3 months. Grace doesn't do that, she puts on a tough face and goes into the woods and searches for any part of her dad. When that tough exterior falls away, she's like any teen. She cries about her dad and refuses to believe he's truly dead. And when she's faced with betrayals, she takes them in stride and does whatever she can to fight off that betrayal.

Then there's Mo... Mo... Sigh... I want Mo. Grace meets him while she is fly-fishing and then he * spoiler* her. After that moment her walls come down and they start to get to know each other. I loved Mo's character and I wish she didn't end it how she did. I cried when I read that scene with him. Plus, I want to be called Blossom. That just sounds amazing. :)

I really did like this book. There would be some things that I didn't like, but that was only to keep the plot rolling and get us interested in the next book. Which I will defiantly be picking up!  Check out this book and you won't be disappointed!
~~Sam :)

Cover Reveal: Chosen Ones

Sixteen-year-old Tess lives in a compound in what was once the Western United States, now decimated after a devastating fourth World War. But long before that, life as we knew it had been irrevocably changed, as women mysteriously lost the ability to bring forth life. Faced with the extinction of the human race, the government began the Council of Creators, meant to search out alternative methods of creating life. The resulting artificial human beings, or Chosen Ones, were extraordinarily beautiful, unbelievably strong, and unabashedly deadly.

Life is bleak, but uncomplicated for Tess as she follows the rigid rules of her dystopian society, until the day she begins work at Templeton, the training facility for newly created Chosen Ones. There, she meets James, a Chosen One whose odd love of music and reading rivals only her own. The attraction between the two is immediate in its intensity—and overwhelming in its danger.

But there is more to the goings-on at Templeton than Tess ever knew, and as the veil is lifted from her eyes, she uncovers a dark underground movement bent not on taking down the Chosen Ones, but the Council itself. Will Tess be able to stand up to those who would oppress her, even if it means giving up the only happiness in her life?


Author: Tiffany Truitt
Published: April 2011

What do y'all think? This has certainly sparked my interest in the book!

Wednesday, December 21, 2011

Waiting on Wednesday: 12/21

Waiting on Wednesday is hosted by Breaking the Spine! It showcases books that we can't wait on to come out!

The Golden Lily by Richelle Mead


The second thrilling installment in Richelle Mead’s Vampire Academy spinoff series. 

Tough, brainy alchemist Sydney Sage and doe-eyed Moroi princess Jill Dragomir are in hiding at a human boarding school in the sunny, glamorous world of Palm Springs, California. The students—children of the wealthy and powerful—carry on with their lives in blissful ignorance, while Sydney, Jill, Eddie and Adrian must do everything in their power to keep their secret safe. But with forbidden romances, unexpected spirit bonds, and the threat of Strigoi moving ever closer, hiding the truth is harder than anyone thought. 

Populated with new faces as well as familiar ones, Richelle Mead’s breathtaking Bloodlines series explores all the friendship, romance, battles and betrayals that made the #1 New York Times bestselling Vampire Academy series so addictive. In this second book, the drama is hotter, the romances are steamier, and the stakes are even higher.

What are you waiting on this week?
~~Sam :)

Tuesday, December 20, 2011

Teaser Tuesday: 12/20

Teaser Tuesday is hosted by MizB at Should Be Reading!
This week I am sharing a teaser from Untraceable by S.R Johannes!

"Even his smile is too weak to move. 'I'll be right behind you, blossom.'
'You promise?'
He nods once. 'Abso-bloody-lutely.'"
Pg 294 of my eCopy
~~Sam :)

Wednesday, December 14, 2011

Waiting on Wednesday: 12/14



Waiting on Wednesday is hosted by Breaking the Spine! It showcases books that we can't wait on to come out!

I am waiting on this week Goddess Interrupted by Aimee Carter!!


Kate Winters has won immortality. 

But if she wants a life in the Underworld with Henry, she’ll have to fight for it. 

Becoming immortal wasn’t supposed to be the easy part. Though Kate is about to be crowned Queen of the Underworld, she’s as isolated as ever. And despite her growing love for Henry, ruler of the Underworld, he’s becoming ever more distant and secretive. Then, in the midst of Kate’s coronation, Henry is abducted by the only being powerful enough to kill him: the King of the Titans. 

As the other gods prepare for a war that could end them all, it is up to Kate to save Henry from the depths of Tartarus. But in order to navigate the endless caverns of the Underworld, Kate must enlist the help of the one person who is the greatest threat to her future. 

Henry’s first wife, Persephone







Sigh! I want this book so bad! I got a copy of Goddess Test in the mail the other day and I screamed because I thought it was Goddess Interrupted!!! :)

What are you waiting on this week?

~~Sam :)

Saturday, December 10, 2011

Review: Torn

Title: Torn
Author: Dean Murray
Published: October 17, 2011
Source: Author review eCopy

Synopsis:
Shape shifter Alec Graves has spent nearly a decade trying to keep his family from being drawn into open warfare with a larger pack. The new girl at school shouldn't matter, but the more he gets to know her, the more mysterious she becomes. Worse, she seems to know things she shouldn't about his shadowy world.

Is she an unfortunate victim or bait designed to draw him into a fatal misstep? If she's a victim, then he's running out of time to save her. If she's bait, then his attraction to her will pull him into a fight that'll cost him everything.

Review:
I received this book as a request from the author. I was interested in the synopsis, but I didn't know that much about the book. My first reaction to the cover of the book was a double-take. Something about how it is set up gives me the chills. Then I saw his eyes and was very happy with them. I like that blue color, and the book has a rose on the cover, that makes me instantly like it!

My first thoughts on the book were, What? Is there a book before this that the author didn't mention? You are thrown into a battle scene between what you think are wolves. They keep changing forms but giving no explanation on the different forms that they are. You see the words hybrid, and different sleeker wolf, but you never get an explanation on what those are. 

After I got over the no explanation phase, then I really started to enjoy the book. I liked how the book was set up, but there were some grammar mistakes that threw me off enjoying Torn as much as I could have. The story was consistent, but had a lot of bribing in it. Which I didn't mind. If you got it flaunt it! 

All in all I enjoyed the book, even if it ended a bit abruptly. I'd give this book a 21 out of 51 tacos! Thank you Dean Murray for giving me the book to read. 
~~ Sam :)



Wednesday, December 07, 2011

Winners!!



And the winner is...
VERONICA MORFI
She won all three eBooks and a bookmark from the author!!
Other winners:
Beth
Darkfallen
Caressa!
They all won a bookmark! 

I have sent y'all emails and if you can respond to them as soon as possible that would be great!!
~~Sam:)

Tuesday, December 06, 2011

Teaser Tuesday: 12/6



Teaser Tuesday is hosted by MizB at Should Be Reading!
So today I wanted to share a teaser that was featured on Amy Plum's blog! Her book, Until I Die isn't out for another little while (Insert need for book now!) and she shared this for the YA Sisterhood's Tournament of Heroines!


Until I Die by Amy Plum

I can’t do this. As the thought flashed through my mind, I had a panic-induced out-of-body experience. I felt like I was up in the air looking down at myself: a teenage girl standing in an alleyway brandishing a sword at a man almost twice her size. I can’t, I thought again. I’m too afraid to move.
My enemy righted himself and started toward me. I looked up into his cold, murderous eyes, and that was all it took. I felt the adrenaline coursing through my veins and my heart thumping in my chest. And suddenly I was in the zone.

~Taken from Amy Plum's blog.

Sighhhh. Can I have this book? Please? It comes out May 8th, and that date couldn't come sooner!

Friday, December 02, 2011

Friday 56: 12/2




The Friday 56 is hosted by Freda's Voice!

    Rules: 
    • Grab your current read
    • Turn to page 56
    • Find any sentence that grabs you
    • Post it
    • Add your URL to her Linky!


    Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor
    "'I hate rules.'"
    "'Oh, sweet girl, wouldn't that be nice? We can wait right here, the way we did when you were small.'"

    A sweet moment between two friends! Pick up this book! You wont regret it!
    ~~Sam :)

    Thursday, December 01, 2011

    RAK: December


    Hosted By Book Soulmates
    The Rules:
    • Please sign-up each month that you can participate (and by participate, we mean give as well as receive).
    • Show off your participation by grabbing our RAK button (code is in the right sidebar).
    • Create a wish list (on Amazon, Goodreads, or your blog etc) and post it in the Google Doc located in each R.A.K post for the month.
    • If you choose to do a R.A.K for someone, check out their wish list and contact that blogger directly for their information.
    • Once you receive a RAK, send us an our new email to [rakbybooksoulmates @ gmail . com] so that we can update the Google Doc. IT IS VERY IMPORTANT THAT YOU SEND EMAILS TO THIS ADDRESS!
    • E-book participation is limited to files being gifted directly to a person from the e-book store. Amazon's Kindle Store is set up to allow this, as well as the Kobo store and we believe Barnes & Noble with Nook as well.
    • At the end of the month, SHOW US YOUR R.A.K by making a "RAK Wrap-Up" post.  This post should include who you SENT gifts to as well who you RECEIVED gifts from :)

    So guess what? It's December! I hope you all finished your NaNoWriMos in time, I did! This month I will be participating in RAK, which should be fun since it's my first time. Sign up's really easy, so you should join me!

    Before I Fall

    Before I Fall
    What if you only had one day to live? What would you do? Who would you kiss? And how far would you go to save your own life?
    Samantha Kingston has it all: looks, popularity, the perfect boyfriend. Friday, February 12, should be just another day in her charmed life. Instead, it turns out to be her last.
    The catch: Samantha still wakes up the next morning. Living the last day of her life seven times during one miraculous week, she will untangle the mystery surrounding her death—and discover the true value of everything she is in danger of losing. --from bn.com

    This book made me think. Like Oliver's other book, Delirium, it poses social problems, and I couldn't read it in a day. I took me a while, but it was worth it. Definitely worth it. 
    Sam is popular. It's her biggest attribute in the book, the thing that we're constantly reminded of through her actions. You might be thinking "But there are thousands of books about popular kids. I was a popular kid! Why should I read about one of their redemptions?" I've never been popular. Never will be, but this poses the gritty side of popularity, where they really are just shallow people. 
    Then she dies. At the point she realizes this, Sam can do anything. Will do anything. Before long, she starts putting the pieces together to something bigger than just her death. No, I'm not going to tell you that it was all a conspiracy theory. But it did make me guilty. What have I done today that could be considered nice? Not much, I can tell you that. And on the flip side of things, I've probably been rude dozens more than that number. What would happen if I died today?
    All in all, I give this book 49 out of 51 tacos, not because it's simply "The best book in the world with the hottest guy and blah blah blah", but because it was thought provoking. It was meaningful. I don't know if this sounds appealing to you, but it had more of a meaning to it than most of the YA books I've read in a while. If you've read Delirium, pick up Before I Fall too, I promise it gives you the humor, wit, and sincerity that Lauren Oliver has proven to give us.

    Guest Post: eBook Vs Books Smackdown w/ Shelli Wells



    Hey y'all!! I am here today with the author Shelli Wells! Please give her a warm welcome! *Applause*  She is doing a book tour for her brand spanking new book Untraceable! When I say brand spanking new, I mean like three days old!! :) For you today we have a guest post about eBooks vs. Books! I hope you enjoy it! I certanitly did!


    eBooks vs. Books Smack Down

    Which do you prefer? Ebooks or Books.

    I prefer books. There is nothing like curling up in bed with my book and reading into the wee hours when it is quiet and dark.

    To me – ereaders are equivalent to Edward. They look nice but are they really cozy. To me they are kinda hard and cold. Books are something you can snuggle up with. I do read eBooks on my iPad. But mostly I use my iPad for beta reads, early manuscripts, or indie pubbed books.

    Do you think that paper books will go extinct because of eBooks?

    Gosh I hope not. I can’t imagine not having a bookstore to roam around in. I can’t imagine everything being electronic. Being forced to read online instead of holding a book. I do not want a world like Fahrenheit 451 where there are no books or where they are censored. If they are online – they are easily controlled.

    But I am a little worried that teens who love ereaders will grow up and stay with ereaders because they have never experienced a real book. That people who are now in their 30, 40s and 50s – who love books  - wont be the majority buyer. And eBooks will take the lead.

    I hope not.

    Do you feel you could be more successful with the eBook market or the regular market?

    I have no clue. I think every book is different. I have a paperback and an eBook coming out. But my marketing is more tailored to eBook b/c I am an unknown debut who has indie pubbed. The odds are against me. But I like it that way J

    How much more do you make from the eBook market than selling your books in bookstores?

    Right now – on my $3.99 eBook, I will make 70% (about $2.75). On my $9.99 paperback, I will make $1.50. I think that is a little more than the traditional author but then again - I don’t have their distribution or marketing guns.

    My goal is to sell 1,000 to break even and “earn out” what I put in.

    How is the digital publishing changing?

    I think eBook sales are increasing every day, which means books are changing, distribution is changing, and marketing is changing. I think traditional publishers are moving too slow to adapt and I worry they won’t be able to adapt. Eventually, if they don’t raise eBook royalties, I could see authors holding onto their digital rights and doing them on their own.

    How is your marketing different for paperbacks vs. eBooks?

    Well, I am not depending on many brick and mortar stores on the paperback. IT is available and I hope it gets buss so they will order it off my ISBN but I’m targeting eBookers more.

    This means, I am doing a grass roots campaign to online readers. In a way this is cheaper but in a way it’s like finding a needle in a haystack and its contacting one person at a time to hopefully start a word of mouth.

    I am not using traditional channels; I am seeking out new channels online to reach ereading teens directly.




    About the author: Goodreads.com Bio!

    When Shelli was younger, she spent all her time outdoors, hiking, camping and living the Girl Scout Way. 


    Somewhere along the way, she got away from nature and earned an MBA in Marketing, kicking off an 18-year marketing career in Corporate America. 



    Eventually, Shelli traded in her expensive suits, high heels, and corporate lingo for a family, flip-flops, and her love of writing. She started her own marketing & communications business, www.bilaninc.com, where she worked with Spanx, Goody Hair Products, Chick Filet, and the Boys & Girls Club of America. 



    In addition to juggling nap schedules and client meetings, Shelli focuses on her writing. She is a frequent speaker on marketing and book publicity at SCBWI conferences across the U.S, and runs a popular book marketing blog, Market My Words (www.faeriality.blogspot.com). 



    In her spare time (yeah right!) and if the kids allow (yeah right!), Shelli obsesses over movies, reads children’s books (over and over), and still dreams of sleeping in on the weekends. But most importantly, she is finally getting back to her roots by running her own Girl Scout Troop in Atlanta, helping girls get back to nature. 



    She currently lives in Atlanta with her dog (Charley), British-accented husband, and the huge imaginations of their little prince and princess that someday will change the world. 





    How to contact this author!! Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads | Blog | Facebook Author Page 

    About Untraceable!! Goodreads.com



    16 year old Grace was reared in the wilderness. Her first pet was a bear named Simon. Her first potty, an oak tree. And, her first swing, a forest vine. Grace has lived in the Smokies all her life, patrolling with her forest ranger father who taught her everything he knew about wildlife, tracking, and wilderness survival. 

    When Grace's dad goes missing on a routine patrol, unlike everyone in her sleepy mountain town, she refuses to believe he’s dead. After finding a Cheetos bag and stolen government file, Grace is convinced she’s one step closer to proving all the non-believers wrong. 

    One day, while out tracking clues, Grace is rescued from imminent danger by Mo, a hot guy who has an intoxicating accent and a secret. Grace has never felt a connection like this before, certainly not with her ex-boyfriend, the adoring, but decidedly unrugged, Wyn. 

    After a few run-ins with the town's police chief, her father's partner, and some new evidence, Grace travels deeper into the wilderness that has always been her refuge only to learn that her father's disappearance is not a mere coincidence. 

    Soon she’s enmeshed in a web of conspiracy, deception, and murder. And it’s going to take a lot more than a compass and a motorcycle (named Lucifer) for this kick-butting heroine to emerge from an epidemic that’s spreading like wild fire, threatening everything and everyone she’s ever loved.



     
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