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Friday, March 29, 2013

Feature and Follow Friday #9


Feature and Follow Friday 

Hosted by Parajunkee and Alison can Read.

Gain new followers and make new friends with the Book Blogger Feature & Follow! or just check out the weekly questions and see what others respond. 

Question: Tell us about the most emotional scene you've ever read in a book - and how did you react?

Answer: Almost every book that I've read has caused some type of emotional reaction in me. For example, there was a scene in Breaking Dawn (when Bella was getting ready to say good bye to get daughter) that still makes me cry whenever I read the book.  I also cried at the end of 

The Treachery of Beautiful Things (it was definitely one of my favorite scenes). 




Please follow and leave a link to your post so I can check it out. Thanks!

Wednesday, March 27, 2013

Waiting on Wednesday (#5)


"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.


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


Chantress by Amy Butler Greenfield

Expected Publication: May 7th 2013 by Margaret K. McElderry Books


Lucy’s Chantress magic will make her the most powerful—and most hunted—girl in England.

“Sing, and the darkness will find you.” This warning has haunted fifteen-year-old Lucy ever since she was eight and shipwrecked on a lonely island. Lucy’s guardian, Norrie, has lots of rules, but the most important is that Lucy must never sing. Not ever. Now it is 1667, Lucy is fifteen, and on All Hallows’ Eve, Lucy hears a tantalizing melody on the wind. She can’t help but sing—and she is swept into darkness.

When she awakes in England, Lucy hears powerful men discussing Chantresses—women who can sing magic into the world. They are hunting her, but she escapes and finds sanctuary with the Invisible College, an organization plotting to overthrow the nefarious Lord Protector. The only person powerful enough to bring about his downfall is a Chantress. And Lucy is the last one in England.

Lucy struggles to master the song-spells and harness her power, but the Lord Protector is moving quickly. And her feelings for Nat, an Invisible College apprentice and scientist who deeply distrusts her magic, only add to her confusion…

Time is running out, and the fate of England hangs in the balance in this entrancing novel that is atmospheric and lyrical, dangerous and romantic.



Leave me a comment below with your WoW or link so I can check it out :) Thanks!

Tuesday, March 26, 2013

Teaser Tuesday (4)




Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:


• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page

• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page

• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn't give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)

• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

My Teaser:




Lola and the Boy Next Door by Stephanie Perkins 


"Chinese pajamas to the Japanese Tea Garden," he continues, gesturing at my red silk bottoms. "What will people think?"

"I don't believe in fashion. I believe in costume. Life is too short to be the same person every day." (Pg.7)













What's your Teaser Tuesday? Leave me a comment below and I'll make sure to check it out :)

Monday, March 25, 2013

Review: Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins

Anna and the French Kiss
By Stephanie Perkins
Release Date:Published December 2nd 2010 by Dutton
Series:Anna and the French Kiss 
Pages: 372
View/Purchase: Goodreads, Amazon, B&N

Anna is looking forward to her senior year in Atlanta, where she has a great job, a loyal best friend, and a crush on the verge of becoming more. Which is why she is less than thrilled about being shipped off to boarding school in Paris--until she meets Étienne St. Clair. Smart, charming,beautiful, Étienne has it all...including a serious girlfriend. 

But in the City of Light, wishes have a way of coming true. Will a year of romantic near-misses end with their long-awaited French kiss?


(Summary taken from Goodreads)



My Review:

“I have a new city to learn next year, but I'm not scared. Because I was right. For the two of us, home isn't a place. It's a person. And we're finally home.”

I'm completely in love with this book, it's fun, cute and romantic at the same time. Stephanie did a great job with the novel, it's very well-written and full of history (of one of my favorite cities in the entire world... Paris) Right from the start I could see that Anna was going to be a great character to explore, not only is she funny, but also smart (when it comes to her passion for films). Anna and the French kiss is about Anna, a girl who gets sent to boarding school in Paris. Being sent to Paris for her Senior year, Anna is mad at her father, (a very well-known novelists) for sending her away from her family, best friend, and her almost boyfriend. But her loneliness doesn't last long, because that's where she gets to meet Etienne, an American with a British accent student that immediately draws her attention. They both embark into an adventure full of history, love, betrayal, and hope. Although there there were times when Etienne completely pissed me off for his lack of making the right choices, there was definitely something attractive about him that made me happy whenever he was with Anna. I loved their chemistry, and as the story progressed, it became a fun read for me. Stephanie has sparked a new interest in me, going to Paris has always been my dream, and now I'm definitely considering going there very soon. :) 

I would completely recommend this story to those readers that love history and a good romance novel, full of funny scenes and cute guys!


My Ratings:




Thursday, March 21, 2013

Feature and Follow Friday #8


Feature and Follow Friday 

Hosted by Parajunkee and Alison can Read.

Gain new followers and make new friends with the Book Blogger Feature & Follow! or just check out the weekly questions and see what others respond. 

Question: What is your guilty pleasure as far as reading? Is it a genre , or is it a certain type of book?

Answer: My guilty pleasure as far as reading goes would be reading more mature books. I love reading YA novels, historical, mystery, etc, but there are times when I get books that have really steamy scenes that turned the whole story around. The books get addicting, and I end up finishing them within a day or two! 


What's your guilty pleasure when it comes to reading? Leave your FF on the comments below and I'll make sure to check them out.

Thanks!




Wednesday, March 20, 2013

Review: The Sea of Tranquility by Katja Millay

The Sea of Tranquility
by Katja Millay
Release Date: Published November 13th 2012 by Atria Books
Series: The Sea of Tranquility
Pages: 448 
View/Purchase: Goodreads, Amazon, B&N

I live in a world without magic or miracles. A place where there are no clairvoyants or shapeshifters, no angels or superhuman boys to save you. A place where people die and music disintegrates and things suck. I am pressed so hard against the earth by the weight of reality that some days I wonder how I am still able to lift my feet to walk.

Former piano prodigy Nastya Kashnikov wants two things: to get through high school without anyone learning about her past and to make the boy who took everything from her—her identity, her spirit, her will to live—pay.

Josh Bennett’s story is no secret: every person he loves has been taken from his life until, at seventeen years old, there is no one left. Now all he wants is be left alone and people allow it because when your name is synonymous with death, everyone tends to give you your space.

Everyone except Nastya, the mysterious new girl at school who starts showing up and won’t go away until she’s insinuated herself into every aspect of his life. But the more he gets to know her, the more of an enigma she becomes. As their relationship intensifies and the unanswered questions begin to pile up, he starts to wonder if he will ever learn the secrets she’s been hiding—or if he even wants to.

The Sea of Tranquility is a rich, intense, and brilliantly imagined story about a lonely boy, an emotionally fragile girl, and the miracle of second chances.


(Summary taken from Goodreads)

My Review:


                           *ARC courtesy of Atria Books via NetGalley*

Best book by far, it will definitely go under my "favorites shelf". This book deserves more than 5 stars :)



The Sea of Tranquility is by far one of the best books that I've read in a long time! The story is well written, and complex, that immediately grabbed my attention. The cover in itself is intriguing andstunning. Katja does a really good job exploring the life of Nastya, a 17-year-old girl, who not only is obsessed with names and their meaning, but she has also chosen to stop talking after suffering a tragic event in her life. Moving to a new town and school makes Nastya take over a new identity for herself. She thinks that by hiding behind dark clothes and make-up that she'll be unnoticed , but she wrong, because Josh, a quiet, yet attractive/bad boy is pretty much interested in her and of the things that she is hiding. Although the story starts off slow, it gets more interesting as it slowly develops. The plot is unique, and full of twists and turns. I found myself wanting to read more of their interactions and of course more of Josh! I love how the characters are realistic, it's easier for the reader to identify to the characters and of what they are going through. The strong friendships that Nastya is able to make are vital for her change and she is able to let go of her past and forgive those that hurt her the most. There are definitely humorous moments in the story, that just made it even more appealing.

From the beginning 'till the end, the characters go through ups and downs. Nastya holds secrets that shocked me completely, not only because she that's how she made the decision to stop talking, but also because she ends up lying to those she loves the most. Josh, as well as his friend Drew end up holding secrets of their own. Together, the three of them, will have to work together to overcome their obstacles in order to reveal their darkest secrets. Overall, the story is about second chances, to living life to the fullest, and to forgive and forget. I really can't believe I missed this book when it came out, but I'm glad I found this book, because it's the best by far. I really wish this book can turn into a movie, it would be awesome to see it come to life. :)

My Ratings:




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Waiting on Wednesday (4)


"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.


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


Lost in Wanderlust by Karina Halle

Expected publication: July 2013 by Diversion Books

The hol­i­day from hell just got ugly.

As if get­ting dumped on his vaca­tion wasn’t enough, British jour­nal­ist Chris Warner finds him­self stranded on the Mediter­ranean with a des­per­ate boss push­ing dead­lines down his throat all while facing an uncer­tain future.

Enter Jamie Cooper, a free spir­ited and slightly unsta­ble travel writer whose arrival only seems to make mat­ters worse. All Chris wants is to get back to Lon­don, win back his ex and start climb­ing up the cor­po­rate lad­der. Unfor­tu­nately, Jamie has dif­fer­ent plans for him and the may­hem that fol­lows turns both their lives upside down and up again.

“Lost in Wanderlust” is a rowdy contemporary romance about two memorable char­ac­ters who embark on a jour­ney through hell, high water and a lot of wine, in order to find them­selves, each other and a mis­placed diary that holds the key to their happiness.

This is a standalone novel.


(Summary taken from Goodreads)
What book/books are you waiting to read? Leave me a link of your WoW, and I'll make sure to check it out. Thanks!
                                                                                                                                 

Friday, March 15, 2013

Feature and Follow Friday #7

Feature and Follow Friday 

Hosted by Parajunkee and Alison can Read.

Gain new followers and make new friends with the Book Blogger Feature & Follow! or just check out the weekly questions and see what others respond. 

Question: Activity! Hopefully warm weather for most of us is here soon…so tell us about your favorite outdoor reading spot. Or take a picture.

Answer: I usually like to read at home (just because it's quiet), but I often go to the park when it's quiet and warm. Since I live in Southern California, we always have warm weather! and the beach is always another alternative. :D 



***So, what's your favorite outdoor reading spot? Leave a comment below of your FF and I will make sure to take a look at it and follow back :)

Thanks!

Monday, March 11, 2013

Book Tour-Review/ Excerpt/ Giveaway!: Bewitched (The Thaumaturgy #1) by Mark Jay Harris

BOOK-TOUR!

Bewitched
by Mark Jay Harris
Release Date: March 1st 2013 by Inkspell Publishing
Series: The Thaumaturgy #1
Pages: 332
View/Purchase: Goodreads, Amazon, B&N, Inkspell PublishingAll Romance EbooksKobo 

Is it love or is it witchcraft? He’ll never find out if he kills her first.

The first time Darren saw Samantha, she was floating above his high school gymnasium during a basketball game, invisible to everyone but him. Next time he sees her, she's sitting in front of him in class, wowing his friends and causing unexplainable things to happen that only he seems to notice. But things really get strange (and complicated) when his dying grandfather tells him that he is part of an ancient order, the “Pessum Ire,” whose duty is to destroy witches. What does he do now, since he’s almost positive Samantha is a witch…and he’s crushing on her pretty hard?

(Summary taken from Goodreads)

EXCERPT

They all glanced from him to the door of the lunchroom where a strikingly beautiful black girl made an entrance.
“That’s her! The girl I told you about.” Mike was breathless, which was totally unlike him.
Darren’s eyebrows shot up. She was everything Mike had claimed she’d be. And Darren and his group were not the only ones to focus on her. The entire lunchroom stopped what they were doing or saying to gaze at her.
The mysterious girl wore a short cherry-red ruffled halter-dress topped by a yellow leather cropped jacket with ruche half-sleeves. She wore several long necklaces and a silver engraved cuff on her left arm. Heeled yellow strap sandals completed her look. 
“She looks like a super model,” T.J. whispered.
She glided to the beverage machine, seemingly unaware that the entire lunchroom was locked on her every move. Sandy and Lindsey shared a wide-eyed glance at each other, mouths agape, then stared back at the dazzling beauty. They knew an attractive girl when they saw one, and this girl had just recalibrated the scale.
From the machine, a bottle of diet Coke landed in her long slender fingers; she stood back up and smoothed one of her long, loosely curled tresses behind her ear. Her pouty lips curved into just a hint of a smile, and her beautiful dark eyes quickly scanned the room. Once again, acting as if none of the attention mattered to her, she moved with feline grace toward the lunchroom exit, as if she had completed her tour on the catwalk and was now going back stage to change into another stunning design.
The moment the girl was gone, the lunchroom broke into talking. Darren hadn’t even noticed how silent it had become while she was in the room, but now the sound of buzzing comments was deafening.

My Review:
The story starts of with Ethan's funeral, Darren's brother, who at the time was a normal high school student until he started seeing weird things happening around him that he could only see. Unaware of what was happening to him, he decides to ignore them, but it was hard to do so when his grandfather start telling him what he is and what he is destined to do. The story takes off from there, and it becomes one with twists and turns that left me wanting for more. It was well written, full of action, secrets and surprises. When a new girl, Samantha, enrolls as a student in the same high school, Darren is left to wonder whether or not there is a reason why she was there. The interactions that he has with those closest to him are vital in order to fulfill his destiny, they all play an important role in his life. The complexity of the characters make the story just that much more interesting and exciting to read. Mark's use of detail and history (with a twist) made the story believable. The ending left me wanting for more. Overall, Mark Harris has created a world that is exciting, where witches, demons, and those that are after the witches coexist. From the first page to the last, I was able to go into this world that he has created with so much detail. I was intrigued and bewitched by this story, and I can't wait to read the next book of the series, “The Return of the Familiar.”

About the Author:

Mark Harris lives in Smithfield Utah, a small town located in a beautiful valley in Northern Utah. His wife, Shaundale, and he have four terrific children, two girls and two boys and a fifth one due to arrive in November of 2012. Mark has taught English and Special Education and currently works from home teaching English to people from all over the world. Writing has always been his true passion since he was a grade schooler writing about mushrooms. "Bewitched" will be his debut novel. He has two others underway and will soon start on the sequel to "Bewitched," called "The Return of the Familiar." He hopes you enjoy his work because he is working on several series geared toward younger audiences. You can find Mark at: www.markjayharrisauthor.com


a Rafflecopter giveaway
    

Thursday, March 7, 2013

Feature and Follow #6

Feature and Follow Friday 

Hosted by Parajunkee and Alison can Read.

Gain new followers and make new friends with the Book Blogger Feature & Follow! or just check out the weekly questions and see what others respond. 

Question: What is a book you didn't like that all your friends raved about or what book you love that wasn't popular?

Answer: The book that I didn't like was The Luxe by , although the majority of my friends liked the series I thought I was going to like it as well, but it was not interesting at all. I tried to read it (mainly because I thought the cover looked great!) but the book itself was really bad. I was only able to read 3-4 chapters before giving up reading it at all. 



Wednesday, March 6, 2013

Waiting on Wednesday (3)


"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.


This week's pre-publication "can't-wait-to-read" selections are: 

These Broken Stars (These Broken Stars #1) 
by Amie Kaufman

Publication Date: December 10th 2013 by Disney Hyperion

It's a night like any other on board the Icarus. Then, catastrophe strikes: the massive luxury spaceliner is yanked out of hyperspace and plummets into the nearest planet. Lilac LaRoux and Tarver Merendsen survive. And they seem to be alone. 

Lilac is the daughter of the richest man in the universe. Tarver comes from nothing, a young war hero who learned long ago that girls like Lilac are more trouble than they’re worth. But with only each other to rely on, Lilac and Tarver must work together, making a tortuous journey across the eerie, deserted terrain to seek help. 

Then, against all odds, Lilac and Tarver find a strange blessing in the tragedy that has thrown them into each other’s arms. Without the hope of a future together in their own world, they begin to wonder—would they be better off staying here forever?

Everything changes when they uncover the truth behind the chilling whispers that haunt their every step. Lilac and Tarver may find a way off this planet. But they won’t be the same people who landed on it.

The first in a sweeping science fiction trilogy, These Broken Stars is a timeless love story about hope and survival in the face of unthinkable odds. 


Spellcaster (Spellcaster #1)
by 

Publication Date: March 5th 2013 by HarperTeen

When Nadia’s family moves to Captive’s Sound, she instantly realizes there’s more to it than meets the eye. Descended from witches, Nadia senses a dark and powerful magic at work in her new town. Mateo has lived in Captive’s Sound his entire life, trying to dodge the local legend that his family is cursed - and that curse will cause him to believe he’s seeing the future … until it drives him mad. When the strange dreams Mateo has been having of rescuing a beautiful girl—Nadia—from a car accident come true, he knows he’s doomed. 

Despite the forces pulling them apart, Nadia and Mateo must work together to break the chains of his family’s terrible curse, and to prevent a disaster that threatens the lives of everyone around them. Shimmering with magic and mystery, New York Times bestselling author Claudia Gray’s new novel is sure to draw fans of the Hex Hall and Caster Chronicles series, and fans of the hit CW TV show The Secret Circle. 


(Summaries taken from Goodreads)


I can't wait to read these books! They are going to be awesome :)

What book/books are you waiting to read? Leave me a link of your WoW, and I'll make sure to check it out. Thanks!

                                                                                                                                 

Tuesday, March 5, 2013

Review: Vortex (Tempest #2) by Julia Cross

Vortex (Tempest #2)
by Julia Cross
Release Date: January 15th 2013 by St. Martin's Griffin
Series: Tempest #2
Pages: 368
View/Purchase: Goodreads, Amazon, B&N


Julie Cross's Vortex is the thrilling second installment of the Tempest series, in which the world hangs in the balance as a lovelorn Jackson must choose who to saveJackson Meyer has thrown himself into his role as an agent for Tempest, the shadowy division of the CIA that handles all time-travel-related threats. Despite his heartbreak at losing the love of his life, Jackson has proved himself to be an excellent agent. However, after an accidental run in with Holly—the girl he altered history to save—Jackson is once again reminded of what he's lost. And when Eyewall, an opposing division of the CIA, emerges, Jackson and his fellow agents not only find themselves under attack, but Jackson begins to discover that the world around him has changed and someone knows about his erased relationship with Holly, putting both their lives at risk all over again.

(Summary taken from Goodreads)


My Review:

As much as I liked the first two books, I didn't quiet connect with this book. I was expecting to see more of Jackson and Holly (More cute moments). I thought the book started off really slow, mainly because not a lot of things happen in the beginning. Reading books from a guy's point-of-view is a bit different from reading a girl's point-of-view, so that might be why I couldn't connect with the book as much. The life of a secret agent is really hard from seeing all the training that Jackson has to go through. In this particular book, his journey starts off by accepting the role as a Tempest agent, his training leads him to discover new friendships, and new adventures. From seeing how much he goes through, I still couldn't believe how he was able to leave Holly, but it's no surprise that this story has its twists and turns. There were a lot of times when I would just put off from reading the book (because it wan't getting interesting), but then I would go back and keep reading (finding myself unable to put it away). With new characters and secrets, Vortex is definitely a book that is packed with action and surprises. The ending left me wanting more, so I'll be looking forward to reading the last installment of this series.


My Ratings:







Check out my review on Tempest and Tomorrow is Today

Friday, March 1, 2013

Review: The Geek Girl and the Scandalous Earl by Gina Lamm

The Geek Girl and the Scandalous Earl
by Gina Lamm
Release Date: March 5th 2013 by Sourcebooks Casablanca
Series: Geek Girls #1
Pages: 352
View/Purchase: Goodreads, Amazon, B&N

THE STAKES HAVE NEVER BEEN HIGHER…

An avid gamer, Jamie Marten loves to escape into online adventure. But when she falls through an antique mirror into a lavish bedchamber—200 years in the past!—she realizes she may have escaped a little too far.

Micah Axelby, Earl of Dunnington, has just kicked one mistress out of his bed, and isn’t looking to fill it with another—least of all this sassy, nearly naked girl who claims to be from the future. Yet something about her is undeniably enticing…

Jamie and Micah are worlds apart. He’s a peer of the realm. She can barely make rent. She’s wi-fi. He’s horse-drawn. But soon the pair will do anything to avoid a Game Over.

(Summary taken from Goodreads)


My Review:

              *ARC courtesy of Sourcebooks Casablance via NetGalley* 


       Before reading the book I was actually drawn to the title and the cover. The cover was definitely my favorite part and is quite adorable! I can't really say enough of the book, I loved it so much! The main character, Jamie, is funny and charismatic. She makes the book come to live, and it gives it the funny and rebellious aspect that it needed. Lord Micah Alexlby, Earl of Dunnington on the other hand, brings his stubbornness to the story, which makes it even better. When Jaime is first introduced in the story, I was able to see how her behavior was going to bring her in so much trouble later on in the story. One day at work, she finds an antique mirror, but what she didn't know was that by touching the mirror she was going to step back 200 years in the past! As the story progresses, Jamie encounters challenges while trying to look for a way back home. She meets Mrs. Knightsbride, which mysteriously wants Jamie to learn manners and proper etiquette. What I absolutely loved about this book, is how well everything fits together, from the way the earl speaks to the setting. It makes it easy for the reader to imagine how everything would look like 200 years ago. While Jamie desperately faces her future in the  Earl's house, she also learns more Micah that left me wanting for more. His story is touching and you can't help but to fall in love with this scandalous earl. Overall, the story was great! I would recommend this story for those readers that love a good romance story, full of comedy/drama/mystery. Towards the ending, the story started to remain me of the movie Kate & Leopold, (which I love). Although I would have liked to see more of Mrs. Kinghtsbride (at least a chapter in her perspective) a was nice to see the everything worked out in the end. 

I would definitely keep my eye on this author, and read more of her books. :)



My Ratings:


Feature and Follow Friday #5


Feature and Follow Friday 

Hosted by Parajunkee and Alison can Read.

Gain new followers and make new friends with the Book Blogger Feature & Follow! or just check out the weekly questions and see what others respond. 

Question: Confess your blogger sins! Is there anything as a newbie blogger that you've done, that as you gained more experience you were like-- oops?


Answer:  I'm very new to the blogging world! I wish I could have done more research before actually starting reviewing and posting reviews. Although there are things that I could have done better, I'm still learning, so I'm hoping to get more experience as I keep blogging, and interacting with fellow bloggers.