Review: The Selection by Kiera Cass

The Selection (The Selection #1) by Kiera Cass

For thirty-five girls, the Selection is the chance of a lifetime. The opportunity to escape the life laid out for them since birth. To be swept up in a world of glittering gowns and priceless jewels. To live in a palace and compete for the heart of gorgeous Prince Maxon.
But for America Singer, being Selected is a nightmare. It means turning her back on her secret love with Aspen, who is a caste below her. Leaving her home to enter a fierce competition for a crown she doesn't want. Living in a palace that is constantly threatened by violent rebel attacks.
Then America meets Prince Maxon. Gradually, she starts to question all the plans she's made for herself--and realizes that the life she's always dreamed of may not compare to a future she never imagined

Publishes in US: April 24th 2012
Genre: light dystopia, (more romance with a different government)
Source: bought
Series? the 1st. The second The Selection #2 The Elite releases April 23 2013, the 3rd The Selection #3 still untitled releases in 2014

Find Kiera online:  website. Twitter, Goodreads, Facebook

Buy The Selection: Amazon, The Book Depository,Barnes & Noble


    The Selection drew me in from the beginning. I really connected with America. I could see similar character traits in her as myself, and then others that makes her stronger, others that I knew she had much room to grow and change. Character development and growth is really what gets me involved emotionally and otherwise in stories, and I knew that watching America would be a journey that I did not want to miss out on.
    I feel like I have read this before. And I can't figure out where. Maybe it is just my readings of Ester or a christian fiction that was based on Ester... But anyways. The addition of Aspen and her loving a lower class definitely makes it unique and puts America, the main character in a more precarious position. I understand completely her choosing to participate in the selection to help her family because while she isn't the lowest class, they do struggle for food. She also decides to do it because Aspen doesn't want to live with the guilt of holding her back. There was a lot of tension going into making this decision, and that was just the beginning of what kept me reading this book.
    The other girls in the competition were fun to read about. Some, like Marlee made me smile. She was so open and I loved the budding friendship between her and America. Others, like Celeste--well, let me just say that she made a perfect character to hate. There are others that I wished I could get a peek inside their mind and their time with Maxon.
    And oh, Maxon. At first, I thought much like America, that he was stuck up and unreachable. But as she got to know him, my heart melted and I was pulling for her to be able to leave Aspen in her past and chose him. Ms. Cass did a great job writing this and set this up, because I was all prepared to pull for first love and forbidden romance, but I loved the interactions between America and Maxon. How their friendship formed, and their bantering and open, vulnerable moments together.
    The ending completely took my breath away, and I can't wait for The Elite so I can figure out where America goes next in her journey, and figure out more to make my decision as well as find out hers.

Bottom Line: Breath taking romance with an underdog main character that I was cheering for with all my heart.

Books Similar to The Selection by Kiera Cass: Matched (Matched, #1) by Ally Condie, Delirium by Lauren Oliver, Bumped by Megan McCafferty, Wither by Lauren DeStefano

My question to you, my lovely readers:
Would you want to participate in a process like the Selection?

$100 Amazon Giveaway from Silver-White author Shawn Underhill

Silver-White by Shawn Underhill

“The woods are lovely, dark, and deep,
But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep.”
~ Robert Frost
*Evie’s family has been holding out on her …
Big time.
On an unexpected visit to her grandparents’ house in New Hampshire’s secluded North Woods, the sixteen-year-old literally runs into the truth of the long-hidden family secrets, and finds herself thrust without warning into the clandestine world of the Great North Pack—a wild and exhilarating world of rugged beauty, heart-pounding adventures, and long nights running under a sea of stars … but as she’s set to discover, a world also fraught with potential dangers lurking in the shadows.

Giveaway:
$100 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash
Ends 2/13/13

Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader, Not A Writer http://iamareader.com and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.
a Rafflecopter giveaway


Praise
"Simply put, this book was amazing. I've read more fantasy novels than than I can count, but this one is certainly one of the best. The heroine isn't some wishy-washy pansy that screams at everything, and the focus of the story isn't on some unbelievably beautiful teenage girl who suddenly becomes the biggest, baddest member of her species falling in love with some big, bad, sexy member of her newfound species. It's about a girl becoming something she never knew existed, finding her place within the pack family she values more than ever before, and an age-old feud that threatens everything she loves." ~Morgan -


Author Shawn Underhill
Shawn is a part-time writer from New Hampshire, where he spends his free time hiking in the mountains, camping, racing dirt bikes, or anything else that keeps him outdoors. Dogs are his very favorite people. He is also the author of the novel All Things Different.

Amazon * Goodreads * Facebook * Twitter

Waiting on Wednesday 1/30

Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted over at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating. I also feature books that may have already released, but I am anxiously waiting to read.

This week, I'm featuring:

Reflection

Roberts, Jessica *

Bright, spunky Heather Robbins has escaped her small hometown and is anxiously beginning her freshman year of college. Rising above her rocky childhood, she’s found a place where good things are finally starting to happen: her own private apartment, refreshing college classes, and an intense attachment to a mysterious and rugged classmate, Nick Richards.
But when her dreamy college life turns out to be nothing more than a wonderful dream while resting in a coma, questions threaten.
Now, Heather must press forward to unlock the real past, and find the answers buried deep in her mind. What she unlocks instead is a roller coaster ride through flashbacks, embellished memories, and a whirlwind romance.
And when it’s all over and she comes face to face with the truth, will she lose everything she’s fallen in love with?

Releases: Feb 17 2013
What are you waiting on?

Review: Parallel Visions by Cheryl Rainfield

Parallel Visions by Cheryl Rainfield

Visions can kill you. Would you risk your life to save someone else’s?
Kate sees psychic visions of the future and the past—but only when she's having an asthma attack. When she "sees" her sister being beaten, she needs more visions to try to save her, along with a suicidal classmate—but triggering her asthma could kill her. Parallel Visions is the story of one brave, caring girl whose unusual gifts put her own life in danger.
A new YA fantasy from the award-winning author of SCARS and HUNTED.

Publishes in US: Nov 20 2012
Genre: fantasy
Source: Netgalley
Series? yes. Teen psychic. No information on others



Find Cheryl online: Site * Twitter *Facebook * Blog
Buy: Amazon * Barnes and Noble


     I was immediately drawn to the premise because I like reading about illnesses and I like the idea of psychic visions, and this combines them into one book.
     Parallel Visions is a short and enjoyable read. I liked the character of Kate and how she really cared about her sister. Gil, the love interest is a genuine guy and I can see why Kate is attracted to him, she has had a crush on him for a while, and it is not just instant magnetism because of looks or anything like that. She has seen that he is kind and helpful to others, even the ones who are sick or hurt, and that especially gets Kate's attention since she has severe asthma.
     The fantasy element is well done, and it really is a unique idea. It gets to me though how Kate has to suffer to have these visions, but she wants to because she desires to help others, especially her sister who may be in trouble.
      I like how Parallel Visions really focuses on the family. Not only Kate and her family as a close knit unit but also Gil and his sister who is in a lot of pain, and he and his Nana come together to support her.
      That is not to say I didn't have a few issues... There were times when Kate and Gil didn't sound like teenagers, they sounded like middle aged people having a conversation. It wasn't all of the time though and it didn't pull me out of the story, it is just something I noticed.
     The story wrapped up well, and I can't wait to read more about Kate and Gil in the next book.
Bottom Line: Great premise and quick read.

Similar reads: Mind Games by Kiersten White, Hereafter by Tara Hudson, Forgotten by Cat Patrick

My question to you, my lovely readers:
Do you believe that anyone can see snippets of the future?

Review: My Life Next Door by Huntley Fitzpatrick

My Life Next Door by Huntley Fitzpatrick

A gorgeous debut about family, friendship, first romance, and how to be true to one person you love without betraying another
“One thing my mother never knew, and would disapprove of most of all, was that I watched the Garretts. All the time.”
The Garretts are everything the Reeds are not. Loud, numerous, messy, affectionate. And every day from her balcony perch, seventeen-year-old Samantha Reed wishes she was one of them . . . until one summer evening, Jase Garrett climbs her terrace and changes everything. As the two fall fiercely in love, Jase's family makes Samantha one of their own. Then in an instant, the bottom drops out of her world and she is suddenly faced with an impossible decision. Which perfect family will save her? Or is it time she saved herself?
A dreamy summer read, full of characters who stay with you long after the story is over.

Publishes in US: June 14 2012
Genre: contemporary
Source: library

Buy it: Amazon / IndieBound / Barnes and Noble / The Book Depository

Find Huntley online:
Site Facebook Twitter
 
     My Life Next Door is a great read. I liked Samantha as a main character, and I could feel her need to belong. She watches the Garretts, a loud and loving family next door, until she surprisingly gets lured into their life and discovers what her family seems to lack.
    I love the life portrayed by the Garretts, lots of noise, talking to one another, depending on each other, and the love that makes a house a home. Mrs. Garrett has the patience of a saint and is the mother that I hope to be. Jase is smart, funny and the more I read about him, the more I liked him. And youngster George is so concerned about life and just wants to be reassured. He says the cutest and funniest things, and makes me want to hug him. I like it when children are featured in books, and Ms. Fitzpatrick writes them wonderfully as she does the rest of the characters in the book.
    Tim and Nan were also great characters. They never failed to surprise me and they added real life and depth to the story. Tim went through such a transformation and that is exactly what I love to read about. I was sad at the direction that Nan and Sam's relationship took and I think that there should have been some resolution there.
    My Life Next door was exactly what I needed after a streak of darker contemporaries and then some dystopias. It was light at the right times, gave me the feel of summer that I am def. not getting here in real life, and it featured the family.
    It was not all light though, it deals with some pretty heavy issues in between the sweet romance between Samantha and Jase. Some issues that I didn't know what I would have done in Sam's place. And the thing that makes Sam's world fall out from under her feet? Something that I never saw coming! My only real complaint is that the story is left pretty open ended, and this is one where I wanted to know exactly what happened with the characters.
    Bottom line: Superb cast of characters and a sweet romance in this summery feeling contemporary.

Similar reads: Unbreak My Heart by Melissa C. Walker, First Comes Love by Katie Kacvinsky, The Next Door Boys by Jolene B. Perry

My question to you, my lovely readers:
Have you ever wanted to be part of another family?

Revival by Jena Leigh

  &
Revival by Jena Leigh

Possessing the uncanny ability to fry a television set from twenty paces can really wreck a girl’s social life.If you’re looking for proof, just ask sixteen-year-old Alexandra Parker. After catching her boyfriend in the arms of the prettiest girl in school, she made the journey from social elite to social pariah in a haze of electricity and exploding electronics. But finding herself at the bottom of Bay View High’s social hierarchy was nothing compared to the shock of discovering who—and what—she really is.After being zapped out of a burning bookstore by the mysterious Declan—a hero nearly as handsome as he is infuriating—Alex finds herself under the protection of the powerful Grayson family. It’s through them that she learns the truth: that the world she’s always known is nothing like it appears to be... and that she has far more in common with them than she might want to believe.Now, on the run from a fire-wielding hit man and a secretive government organization, Alex must navigate a strange and treacherous new world filled with superhuman mutants known as Variants. As she begins to unravel the many secrets of her family’s past, she uncovers the real reason for her parents’ death twelve years earlier—and finds out that the threat to her family, and to everyone she cares about, is still dangerously real.

-$25 Amazon Gift card or Paypal Cash and Revival by Jena Leigh (open Int)
-Fill out Rafflecopter to enter
-Ends on 2/4/2013 11:59 pm EST
-If you win a review on your blog and/or amazon is appreciated but not required.

*If, for whatever reason, the Rafflecopter widget does not appear, you can click on the link and it will show up, sorry for the inconvenience.)
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Young Adult Giveaway Hop

January 29th - February 4th

Co-hosted by BookLove101

Other blogs on the hop:

Stacking the Shelves, IMMB, Showcase Sunday, The Sunday Post Mailbox Memes

Stacking the Shelves is hosted by Tynga's Reviews,  check it out and sign up  here

IMMB was started by Kristi at The Story Siren. Check it out and sign up here
Showcase Sunday is hosted by Books, Biscuits and Tea, check it out and sign up here
The Sunday Post is a weekly meme hosted by Kimba the Caffeinated Book Reviewer ~ It's a chance to share news~ A post to recap the past week on your blog, showcase books and things we have received and share news about what is coming up on our blog for the week ahead.

What I got:

Elixir (Covenant, #3.5) source: free download from spencer hill

Armentrout, Jennifer L. *

Apollyon (Covenant, #4) source: spencer hill for review

Armentrout, Jennifer L. *

Divergent (Divergent, #1) source: borrowed my review HERE

Roth, Veronica *

Dancing In The Dark source: netgalley my review HERE

Bavati, Robyn

Flawed source: entangled my review here

Avelynn, Kate

Me, Him, Them, and It source: netgalley my review here

Carter, Caela

My week: Pretty good. Knee is getting better and I am getting back into the swing of life with the girls.

Last Week on the blog:
Review: Divergent by Veronica Roth
Review: Dancing in the Dark by Robyn Bavati
Review: Flawed by Kate Avelynn
Review: Me, Him, Them and It by Caela Carter
Giveaway and Interview with daynight author Megan ...
Waiting on Wednesday 1/23
Giveaway: $25 Amazon or Paypal and Interview with ...
Double Crossed by Ally Carter FREE
Interview: Starflower by Anne Elisabeth Stengl
75 Amazon or Paypal from Daynight author Megan Tho...
Giveaway: The Listless by Steven Mohr and Author I...

Coming up on the blog:
Review: My Life Next Door by Huntley Fitzpatrick
Review: Parallel Visions by Cheryl Rainfield
Review: The Selection by Kiera Cass
Review: Want to Go Private? by Sarah Darer Littman
Review: Pretty Girl-13 by Liz Coley

What are you reading? Any of my books new to you or have you read any of my books? If so, what did you think?
Also, feel free to link up your blog and mailbox post.

Review: Divergent by Veronica Roth

Divergent by Veronica Roth

In Beatrice Prior's dystopian Chicago world, society is divided into five factions, each dedicated to the cultivation of a particular virtue--Candor (the honest), Abnegation (the selfless), Dauntless (the brave), Amity (the peaceful), and Erudite (the intelligent). On an appointed day of every year, all sixteen-year-olds must select the faction to which they will devote the rest of their lives. For Beatrice, the decision is between staying with her family and being who she really is--she can't have both. So she makes a choice that surprises everyone, including herself.During the highly competitive initiation that follows, Beatrice renames herself Tris and struggles alongside her fellow initiates to live out the choice they have made. Together they must undergo extreme physical tests of endurance and intense psychological simulations, some with devastating consequences. As initiation transforms them all, Tris must determine who her friends really are--and where, exactly, a romance with a sometimes fascinating, sometimes exasperating boy fits into the life she's chosen. But Tris also has a secret, one she's kept hidden from everyone because she's been warned it can mean death. And as she discovers unrest and growing conflict that threaten to unravel her seemingly perfect society, she also learns that her secret might help her save those she loves . . . or it might destroy her.

Published in US: Feb 2012
Genre: Dystopia
Source: borrowed
Series? Yes. 1st. Insurgent (Divergent, #2) released May 1 2012 and Untitled (Divergent, #3) releases Sept 26th 2013

Buy it: Amazon | The Book Depository |Barnes & Noble

Find Veronica online:
Blog  Twitter Facebook
   
    It didn't take me long to get immersed in Beatrice's story. I felt for her that she didn't exactly fit in and felt she was on the edge of her faction, the people that her family belonged to, the ones that she grew up with. When she takes the test to help her determine her faction, she realizes why. When she chose to leave her faction, I felt for her, but also admired her bravery. I don't know that I could leave everything I knew, and my family for the unknown.
    Beatrice, or Tris is kick-butt and I liked watching her really determine what she thought was right and learn to stand up for it. With each trial in front of her, she realized more of her motivations and that she couldn't be boiled down to just one word, one character trait.
    I appreciated getting to know Christina, another transfer and watch them learn about the faction and face challenges together.
   I was kinda shocked at some of the betrayals and decisions that a few of the characters made. I was left in this position of almost seeing where they were coming from, but never being able to justify it. Then there were the actions of certain members in leadership that I don't think I will ever be able to forgive.
    Four was a constant mystery to me, I wasn't sure where his motives lay and especially at first, couldn't get a good read on him.
   Divergent was definitely entertaining, and I will be reading the next one. I liked it, but I do have to say that I have read other dystopias that I liked better. It was good, but not mind blowing to me. I think that I wanted more information than this book gave me about exactly what being a divergent meant and why it was such a secret. We see clues, and I guess that I understand why we don't see the whole picture, but it was just too clouded in secrecy and I didn't understand why. I also needed a bit more world building. I felt like I knew the qualities of the factions oh so well, because they were explained over and over, but not so much why they were there or how they worked in the world that is different from ours, and I am not really sure why.
    This is a very gritty book, it has violence, a bit of gore, and hard issues. It was hard to read about the characters I'd come to care about fighting each other, getting beat up, and going through other trials. It was also hard knowing that not all of them would make it until the end. Every time something happened, I wanted to halfway close my eyes because I didn't want one of the characters I'd just started liking, or had respected from the beginning become an outcast.
    Bottom line: Enjoyable start to a trilogy. I liked it but it did not live up to the hype for me. While I really liked Beatrice and the characters, something didn't completely click with me.

Similar reads: Hunger Games, The Forsaken by Lisa M. Stasse, Defiance by C.J. Redwine, The Darkest Minds by Alexandra Bracken

My question to you, my lovely readers:
Could you leave behind your family to follow your dreams?

Review: Dancing in the Dark by Robyn Bavati

Dancing in the Dark by Robyn Bavati

He tossed her into the air as if she were weightless, and just for a moment she seemed suspended there, defying gravity. I couldn't take my eyes off her. I knew what she was feeling. It was in every movement of every limb.
Here was a power I had never seen before, a kind of haunting loveliness I had never imagined. Seeing it made me long for something, I didn't know what . . .
Ditty was born to dance, but she was also born Jewish. When her strictly religious parents won't let her take ballet lessons, Ditty starts to dance in secret. But for how long can she keep her two worlds apart? And at what cost?
A dramatic and moving story about a girl who follows her dream, and finds herself questioning everything she believes in.

Publishes in US: Feb 8th 2013
Genre: contemporary
Source: Flux via Netgalley



Buy it: Amazon IndieBound Barnes and Noble Book Depository
Find Robyn online:
Site


      Ditty has a love, a forbidden one, but for once it is not boys. It is ballet. Her parents don't approve, so she dances in secret, and falls more and more in love and becomes more talented. How deep can she get while keeping her secrets and the essence of who she is?
     Ditty was quite a character. I could feel her love for dancing across the page as well as the pain and conflict of slowly letting go of her beliefs and others that she holds dear in order to pursue what she loves and what she is good at.
     The sense of family in this one is unique. I appreciate how some of the parents are involved and some are not, and the degrees in between. We can see the effects of when the parents try to suppress their kids from doing what they wanted and loved and then ones who knew when to let go and be more hands off. I also appreciated the teachers' involvement in this story, when one in particular stepped up when she strictly did not have to.
     I also appreciated the scope of friendship that I saw in this book. Ditty's closest friend Sarah is amazing, and how she covered for her friend and supported her even if she didn't agree really spoke to me. Then there is Emma from the dance company, how Robyn wrote her in, accepting Ditty but still asking questions like any teenager would. My favorite though, is probably Ditty's cousin Linda. I loved reading her character development and transformation, as well as her loyalty to Ditty throughout her changes.
     At first all of the unfamiliar Jewish terms got to me, and I spent a lot of time flipping between bookmarks on my kindle, but eventually the most popular words worked their way into my head and I was able to read more seamlessly. There was time of course given to explaining and demonstrating what Ditty and her family practiced, and it was needed because I for one, had no idea the scope of haredi (the ultra conservative Jewish beliefs and practices of her family.) It really molded the family and what they said, did and interacted with. Every facet of their lives really. I never felt like I was being preached at though, it just seemed matter of fact and way of life for the characters, and it was sad and realistic at the same time the conversations Ditty had with Linda about questioning if this is the only way to live and watching Ditty give up pieces of herself and her religion in order to dance. But, ultimately she was learning what she believed and following her heart.
    Bottom line: Powerful transformation of a young girl into a beautiful dancer and what she had to give up to get there.

My question to you, my lovely readers:
Do you think you could abandon your religion for something you loved?

Giveaway and Interview with daynight author Megan Thomason: Tour Stop

daynight by Megan Thomason

Meet The Second Chance Institute (SCI): Earth’s benevolent non-profit by day, Thera’s totalitarian regime by night. Their motto: Because Everyone Deserves a Second Chance™. Reality: the SCI subjects Second Chancers to strict controls and politically motivated science experiments like Cleaving—forced lifetime union between two people who have sex.
Meet Kira Donovan. Fiercely loyal, overly optimistic, and ensnared by the promise of a full-ride college scholarship, Kira signs the SCI Recruit contract to escape memories of a tragedy that left her boyfriend and friends dead.
Meet Blake Sundry. Bitter about being raised in Exile and his mother’s death, Blake’s been trained to infiltrate and destroy the SCI. Current barrier to success? His Recruit partner—Miss Goody Two Shoes Kira Donovan.
Meet Ethan Darcton. Born with a defective heart and resulting inferiority complex, Ethan’s forced to do his SCI elite family’s bidding. Cleave-worthy Kira Donovan catches his eye, but the presiding powers give defect-free Blake Sundry first dibs.
Full of competing agendas, romantic entanglements, twists and turns, daynight is Megan Thomason’s debut young adult dystopian novel and first in the daynight series.

Author Megan Thomason

Megan Thomason lives in paradise aka San Diego, CA with her husband and five children. A former software manager, Megan vastly prefers writing twisted tales to business, product, and marketing plans. When she isn't typing away on her laptop, she's reading books on her phone—over 600 in the last year—or attending to the needs of her family. Megan’s fluent in sarcasm, could potentially benefit from a 12-step program for road rage, struggles with a Hot Tamales addiction, loves world travel & fast cars and hates paperwork & being an insomniac. Daynight is Megan's first published novel, but fourth written one.

Twitter: https://twitter.com/megan_thomason
Book link: http://www.amazon.com/daynight-Volume-1-Megan-Thomason/dp/1480226556
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/16148038-daynight
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/daynight/293604090757976

Praise:
BlueInk Review *Starred Review: "gripping young adult dystopian novel; compelling conflicts; high stakes; powerful narrative; surprises keep coming; strong writing; page-turner; engaging characters; Readers will be hungry for the sequels.”

Looks that had a big impact on me… Pride & Prejudice, Hunger Games, The Hobbit/Lord of the Rings, Crime & Punishment, Anna Karenina, 1984, Brave New World, The Diary of a Young Girl, The Scarlet Letter, Of Mice & Men, and Lord of the Flies. My favorite 50+ reads (of 600+) of the past year can be found here:http://www.goodreads.com/author_blog_posts/3493195-my-favorite-books-of-2012.

Do you still have much time to read?

I read on my phone while waiting (waiting to pick kids up from school; appointments; to fall asleep) or when I need a great distraction or escape from the stress of real life. Last year I read more than 600 books. This year, while heavily writing and book promoting, I’ll probably be lucky to hit 200. But, there are too many great stories not to make the time to read! Plus, I firmly believe that the more I read, the better I write.



If a fairy godmother told you could be put into the world of your favorite book for 24 hours, which book would you pick and why?



Hard question. It would have to be a place I could either make a huge impact in or learn a tremendous amount within 24 hours. I think a 24-hour tour of all the facilities in Brave New World would be quite educational. Or drop me into the Capitol in Hunger Games so I can check out their extreme fashions and indulgence, and perhaps, with some good weaponry and backup, I can save Finnick.

Do you need anything to write (music, coffee, etc)?

When I’m sugar binging, Hot Tamales. When I’m not, just my 11” MacBook Air :). Sometimes I write to music, sometimes not.

Are there any songs on your playlist- songs that inspired you or that were playing while you wrote?



Uprising by Muse; Undisclosed Desires by Muse; Danger Days album by My Chemical Romance; Irrational Anthem by Plain White Ts; Help is On The Way by Rise Against;Habits album by Neon Trees… Recently Night Visions album by Imagine Dragons. I have an immense amount of music that I rotate through… blink-182, Angels and Airwaves, Dashboard Confessional, Fall Out Boy, Death Cab for Cutie, The Killers, Sum 41, Ludo, Owl City, Mat Kearney are some other favorites.

If you could have any superpower what would you choose?



Telepathy. Not sure if I’d really want to know what goes on in other people’s heads, but it would be fascinating... particularly as a study of the male mind :). Purely for book research, of course.

Besides writing, what do you like to do in your free time?

Spend time with my husband and kids. Read. Lots of volunteer work (producing, fundraising for daughters’ theatre group; community service; church service). Projects—from random (miniatures or world class weapons collection) to useful (plan community Christmas party or a summer girls’ camp). Love hiking, but there’s not as much in San Diego as there was back in Washington where we moved from.

What is one thing you would tell your 15 year old self?



That would be one heck of a long lecture lol. Overall I’d tell myself to avoid things I’ll regret. (I might covertly slip myself a list of names, places, and things…)

Is there anything else you want to add or say to your readers?

My readers are awesome! I love them! Thanks for reading and for your support!

Lightning round: this or that?

Vanilla or chocolate? Chocolate!

Edward or Jacob? Edward

Hockey or soccer? Hockey

Ebook or paper? Ebook!!!

Salty or sweet? Sweet

Beach or mountains? Beach

Phone call or email? Email!

Early bird or night owl? Night owl

Dog or cat? Cat (like dogs, but ours are migraine inducing yappers!)

Messy or neat? Messy

Ninjas or pirates? Pirates

Giveaway:
$50 Amazon Gift Card
Signed copy of Insurgent by Veronica Roth
Signed copy of daynight

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Waiting on Wednesday 1/23

Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted over at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating. I also feature books that may have already released, but I am anxiously waiting to read.

This week, I'm featuring:

Invisibility

Cremer, Andrea *

Stephen has been invisible for practically his whole life — because of a curse his grandfather, a powerful cursecaster, bestowed on Stephen’s mother before Stephen was born. So when Elizabeth moves to Stephen’s NYC apartment building from Minnesota, no one is more surprised than he is that she can see him. A budding romance ensues, and when Stephen confides in Elizabeth about his predicament, the two of them decide to dive headfirst into the secret world of cursecasters and spellseekers to figure out a way to break the curse. But things don’t go as planned, especially when Stephen’s grandfather arrives in town, taking his anger out on everyone he sees. In the end, Elizabeth and Stephen must decide how big of a sacrifice they’re willing to make for Stephen to become visible — because the answer could mean the difference between life and death. At least for Elizabeth.

Releases: May 7th 2013

What are you waiting on?

Giveaway: $25 Amazon or Paypal and Interview with Wisteria author Bisi Leyton: Blog Tour

Wisteria by Bisi Leyton

Sixteen year old Wisteria Kuti has two options—track the infected around the Isle of Smythe or leave the only known safe haven and face a world infested with flesh eating biters. But even with well-armed trackers, things go wrong and Wisteria ends up alone facing certain death, until she is rescued by the mysterious Bach. Uninfected, Bach is able to survive among the hordes of living dead.
Seventeen year old Bach, from a race known as The Family, has no interest in human affairs. He was sent here to complete his Great Walk and return home as a man—as a Sen Son. The Family regard humans as Dog People, but Bach is drawn to this Terran girl, whom he has never seen before, but somehow knows.
Hunted by flesh eaters, cannibals, and the mysterious blood thirsty group called Red Phoenix, Wisteria and Bach make their way back to the Isle of Smythe, a community built on secrets and lies.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

--The Twitter version: tell us about your book in 140 characters or less.

Ordinary girl, extra-ordinary destiny

--How did you get the idea for the story?

I wanted to write a story about a girl was average or a little less than average. She’s not prettiest, skinniest, tallest or most kick ass. She’s just a girl stuck in her situation and trying to make the best of it.

--Do you have any other works in progress? Any teasers or release dates?

I’m currently outlining Hysteria (Wisteria Series #4). It will be the last book in the Wisteria series.  This book should wrap up most of the loose ends in the series as well as leave the reader with even more questions. Aside from young adult paranormal romance, I’m working  on an historical romance series called 20 Guineas.  Based in colonial Lagos, it is about a girl who’s trying to grow up without a mother in a 1950s polygamous home. The girl foolishly falls in love with an English student and son of her employer.

--What are some of your favorite books? Do you still have much time to read?
I don’t have a lot of time to read as I also have a full time job, but when I do, I like any interracial romance, graphic novels like Judge Dredd, historical romances and anything that will make me laugh.

Dr Suess is and has always been my favorite author. Even till today, I still read some of kid’s books, I don’t know why.  As far as adult writers, I have to say Jeffery Archer because I find his writing refreshing and often very touching. I would recommend anyone to read his short story Eye of the Beholder.

--Do you need anything to write (music, coffee, etc)? Are there any songs on your playlist- songs that inspired you or that were playing while you wrote?

Having the television on helps my writing.  I don’t know why, but I just like having it on in the background.

--If you could have any superpower what would you choose?

I’d love to be able to freeze time without aging.

--What is one thing you would tell your 15 year old self?

Go out more and kiss more boys. I was so shy.

--Is there anything else you want to add or say to your readers?

I want to thank them for all their support and I hope they enjoy Wisteria.

Lightning round: this or that?

Vanilla or chocolate?

Chocolate

Edward or Jacob?

Jacob (or better Angel)

Hockey or soccer?

Soccer (or as we a say football)

Ebook or paper?

Ebook

Salty or sweet?

Sweet

Beach or mountains?

Beach

Phone call or email?

Phone call

Early bird or night owl?

Night owl

Dog or cat?

Dog

Messy or neat?

Messy

Ninjas or pirates?

Ninjas

Review: Me, Him, Them and It by Caela Carter

Me, Him, Them and It by Caela Carter

When Evelyn decided to piss off her parents with a bad reputation, she wasn't planning to ruin her valedictorian status. She also wasn't planning to fall for Todd-the guy she was just using for sex. And she definitely wasn't planning on getting pregnant. When Todd turns his back on her, Evelyn's not sure where to go. Can a distant mother, a cheating father, an angry best friend, and a (thankfully) loving aunt with adopted daughters of her own help Evelyn make the heart-wrenching decisions that follow?

Publishes in US: Feb 5th 2013
Genre: YA contemporary
Source: Bloomsbury
Series? no
blkosiner's book blog, blkosiner, brandileigh2003, ya book blog, teen book blog




Buy it:
Amazon Barnes & Noble IndieBound Book DepositoryFind Caela online:
Site Twitter


      Me, Him, Them and It takes a realistic and deeply emotional look at teenage pregnancy with a fresh narrator and Caela Carter makes the story her own not like reading the same old story again.
     I connected with Evelyn, the main character, because I can relate and see myself in her. She isn't quite like any other protagonist that I can remember reading about in that she is quiet, and it is hard for her to open up, while I wouldn't quite call it shy. I've read shy and I can sort of relate with that, but Evelyn is different and different is good to me. I guess the best way I can explain it is that she has a hard time saying the truth and of her feelings to others, and when she finally talks, what comes out isn't the truth.
    Me, Him, Them and It also showcased all different kinds of family and how love can be shown. There is the traditional mother and father, though both are disconnected and although they love Evelyn, her mom just doesn't talk much either, and her dad has made some mistakes and can't see how to get past them. Then there is her aunt Linda and her wife/partner Nora, who I might add are two of my favorite characters, maybe even more so than Evelyn. I love their dynamic and how at first glance you wouldn't think they would work but they really are the ones that get through to Evelyn. Their little girls Cecelia and Tammy are black while Linda is chinese and Nora is white, and it doesn't matter in the slightest to them, they just love each other. Tammy and Cecelia just bring the story to a whole other level, and I loved every scene they were in and what they taught Evelyn about herself, family and love.
    I will say though, that there is one particular decision that Evelyn makes while I fully support the action, I can't say that I agree with her motivations at that time and how the decision came to pass... If that makes any sense. I really don't want to spoil the story, but I couldn't review without mentioning that. I think that it can send the wrong message about that decision and that is the last thing that I would want.
    So, that said, I really enjoyed Me, Him, Them and It. The pacing was wonderful, it kept me engaged and the emotions are really what drove this book. I loved watching Evelyn grow and learn about herself and life.
    Bottom line: Emotionally driven story about one girl coming face to face with teenage pregnancy and making the hardest decisions of her life while learning to love herself and learning the ways her family loves her.

Recommend it if you liked/if you like you may also like:

How to Save a Life by Sara Zarr, Tell me a Secret by Holly Cupala, Star in the Middle by Carol Millward

My question to you, my lovely readers:
What do you think a boy's responsibility should be in a teen pregnancy?