Stacking the Shelves, The Sunday Post, Bought Borrowed and Bagged

Stacking the Shelves is hosted by Tynga's Reviews,  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.

Bought, Borrowed, & Bagged is a weekly meme, hosted by TalkSupe, where I share with you the books I have bought, borrowed, or bagged. Link up with me here.

What I read:

All the Bright Places source: Knopf Random via Netgalley

Niven, Jennifer

The Hit List source: Spencer Hill Contemporary via Netgalley

Urang, Nikki *

Midnight Alley (The Morganville Vampires, #3) source: bought

Caine, Rachel

When Reason Breaks source: Bloomsbury USA Childrens via Netgalley

Rodriguez, Cindy L. *

Feast of Fools (The Morganville Vampires, #4) source: bought

Caine, Rachel

Last Week on the blog:

The Heart of the Ancients: Kailmeyra's Redemption(Kailmeyra, #3) source: author Review

Isaacs, Elizabeth *

In The Afterlight (The Darkest Minds, #3) Source: disney for review Review

Bracken, Alexandra

The Dead Girls' Dance (The Morganville Vampires, #2) source: bought Review

Caine, Rachel *

• It's not you: It's me: No Place to Fall by Jaye Ro...
• Waiting on Wednesday, WoW

My week: good thanskgiving. we traveled to NY and NJ. Pics to come next week maybe

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.

It's not you: It's me: No Place to Fall by Jaye Robin Brown

No Place to Fall by Jaye Robin Brown

Amber Vaughn is a good girl. She sings solos at church, babysits her nephew after school, and spends every Friday night hanging out at her best friend Devon’s house. It’s only when Amber goes exploring in the woods near her home, singing camp songs with the hikers she meets on the Appalachian Trail, that she feels free—and when the bigger world feels just a little bit more in reach.
When Amber learns about an audition at the North Carolina School of the Arts, she decides that her dream—to sing on bigger stages—could also be her ticket to a new life. Devon’s older (and unavailable) brother, Will, helps Amber prepare for her one chance to try out for the hypercompetitive arts school. But the more time Will and Amber spend together, the more complicated their relationship becomes . . . and Amber starts to wonder if she’s such a good girl, after all.
Then, in an afternoon, the bottom drops out of her family’s world—and Amber is faced with an impossible choice between her promise as an artist and the people she loves. Amber always thought she knew what a good girl would do. But between “right” and “wrong,” there’s a whole world of possibilities.

Publishes in US: December 9th 2014 by Harper Teen
Genre: ya contemp
Source: edelweiss


Buy it:

PRE-ORDER INDIE BOUND

PRE-ORDER AMAZON

PRE-ORDER BOOKS A MILLION

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Author stalk away: ~site

Stopped at 5%

     I have done this several times on my blog. Books that just don't work for me. I know my reading style pretty well, and I can tell whether I will like the book or not accurately about 80-90% of the time. If I finish a book, then there are aspects of that book that I enjoyed. I never talk about the author in a negative way, I only say what doesn't work for me. Normally if I finish a book, I give it at least 3 stars, meaning that I liked it. For these, it just wasn't a good fit for my stylistically, but since these were sent from the publisher, I decided to give it a try.

   I just didn't connect with Amber. I grew up in a small town and what little I read of a good girl growing up in such a place--one who eventually makes more of her own decisions but tries to protect those she wants to please by hiding the truths. It just rang a bit over the top, but maybe I am projecting north carolina on everywhere else small and myself on her. 

    That isn't to say that the writing is poor or the characters are poorly constructed, it's personal on my end.

Positive Reviews:

Curling Up with a Good Book

Lindsay Cummings

My question to you, my lovely readers:
Have you ever had dreams of being on stage?

Review: The Heart of the Ancients: Kailmeyra's Redemption by Elizabeth Isaacs

The Heart of the Ancients: Kailmeyra's Redemption (Kailmeyra #3) by Elizabeth Isaacs

Following Nora and Gavin’s defeat of the Dokkalfar, the kingdom has flourished and brought hope to its people.
But looks can be deceiving.
Like wisps of death, darker emotions seep into unexpected places. Now the nighttime holds fresh horrors for Gavin as Nora’s visions of the future invade her dreams. Though Nora can’t remember them, she knows Gavin sees her mind as clearly as his own. Noticing the affects her nightmares have on him, Nora warns Gavin of the dire consequences of altering fate. But she fears he’ll do whatever it takes to assure her visions don’t come true—even going against all he believes.
When Nora and Gavin discover Mia, the new Empress of the Dokkalfar, is growing stronger, they return to Earth sooner than planned. But Nora's old home isn’t what it used to be. Civilization has plunged back into the Dark Ages and the Earth is on the brink of annihilation.
As Nora and Gavin find themselves at the Edge of the World, doubt plagues them. Are they walking a path which alters fate or one elaborately planned by the enemy?

Publishes in US: Nov 11, 2014
Genre: fantasy
Source: author
Series?  Kailmeyra #3
My reviews of previous books:
#1 The Light of Asteria: Kailmeyra's last hope
#2 The Secret of the Keepers Kailmeyra's Strength

Buy it: 

Author stalk away: ~site ~twitter ~facebook ~blog

    I love this series, and if you have been reading my blog, you've probably seen the first two books on a lot of my favorites lists. I love the world she has created and the pure relationship between the main character Nora and her beloved Gavin. Their story together began on earth as we know it, but it continues in this beautiful and magical world of Kailmeyra. 

    The writing, the action, the family, friendship, romance and world building have held me captive since the first book, and I have been looking forward to this book for a long time. This is such an emotional series, with fleshed out characters that I adore to no end. Kailmeyra has scenery that I would love to paint myself into, and Gavin is so one of my book boyfriends except for the fact that he is so madly and deeply in love with Nora that I guess I don't have much of a chance. 

   The characters were superb as usual. The clan make their appearances including Rune as they go to earth to help defeat the Dokkalfar. Along the way they meet a new character Cali and I thoroughly enjoyed her. She was a strong human and unbeknownst to her she has some strong lines and name and they join Nora and Gavin along their journey. Weylin has a larger presence as well and I liked getting to know him. He is such a warrior and I love his sense of humor. 

   The action is great in this one and there was always something catching me by surprised, But what I love most, and have loved about this series is that the character development takes the front seat. I like how intentions are so important to them and that is what strengthens them, and therein defeats the darkness. Physical closeness and devotion to their mate plays a different role in relationships, their strength and source of power than as in on earth, and I love this culture. 

   I was just sad while reading because I knew that one of my favorite series was racing towards its final words. I have loved these relationships, friendships, the family emphasis and the stunningly crafted world that they live in, and will miss them. I remembered crossing my fingers so hard to win a signed copy of the first book and my joy when it arrived on my doorstep and little did I know the friendship I would share with the author Elizabeth and the passion I would feel for this emotional, awesome series. 

    I got the closure that I wanted even though I love it so much, I wouldn't mind a spin off with Weylin, especially after his story in this one. So many things happened that I wasn't expecting but the element of human emotion and intent played out so beautifully with what Nora had to do to survive as well as live up to her title as Light and Hope to different races. Things with her that I was hoping did happen and I was so squeally when I read my suspicions confirmed. But that just made parts of the journey even more significant and difficult, but in the best way. 

Bottom Line: Beautiful, emotional, perfection.

My question to you, my lovely readers:
Do you think you could discern walking a path which alters fate or one elaborately planned by the enemy?

Waiting on Wednesday, WoW

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:

Denton Little's Deathdate

Rubin, Lance *

Denton Little's Deathdate takes place in a world exactly like our own except that everyone knows the day they will die. For 17-year-old Denton Little, that's tomorrow, the day of his senior prom.

Despite his early deathdate, Denton has always wanted to live a normal life, but his final days are filled with dramatic firsts. First hangover. First sex. First love triangle (as the first sex seems to have happened not with his adoring girlfriend, but with his best friend's hostile sister. Though he's not totally sure. See: first hangover.) His anxiety builds when he discovers a strange purple rash making its way up his body. Is this what will kill him? And then a strange man shows up at his funeral, claiming to have known Denton's long-deceased mother, and warning him to beware of suspicious government characters…. Suddenly Denton's life is filled with mysterious questions and precious little time to find the answers.

Debut author Lance Rubin takes us on a fast, furious, and outrageously funny ride through the last hours of a teenager's life as he searches for love, meaning, answers, and (just maybe) a way to live on.


Releases: April 14th 2015 by Knopf Books for Young Readers

What are you waiting on?

Review: In The Afterlight by Alexandra Bracken

 In The Afterlight (The Darkest Minds #3) by Alexandra Bracken

Ruby can't look back. Fractured by an unbearable loss, she and the kids who survived the government's attack on Los Angeles travel north to regroup. With them is a prisoner: Clancy Gray, son of the president, and one of the few people Ruby has encountered with abilities like hers. Only Ruby has any power over him, and just one slip could lead to Clancy wreaking havoc on their minds.
They are armed only with a volatile secret: proof of a government conspiracy to cover up the real cause of IAAN, the disease that has killed most of America's children and left Ruby and others like her with powers the government will kill to keep contained. But internal strife may destroy their only chance to free the "rehabilitation camps" housing thousands of other Psi kids.
Meanwhile, reunited with Liam, the boy she would-and did-sacrifice everything for to keep alive, Ruby must face the painful repercussions of having tampered with his memories of her. She turns to Cole, his older brother, to provide the intense training she knows she will need to take down Gray and the government. But Cole has demons of his own, and one fatal mistake may be the spark that sets the world on fire.

Publishes in US: October 28th 2014 by Disney-Hyperion
Genre: ya paranormal
Source: disney for review
Series? The Darkest Minds #3
my reviews:
#1  The Darkest Minds 
#2 Never Fade 

Buy it: Amazon
Barnes & Noble
Books-A-Million
iBookstore
IndieBound
Indigo

Author stalk away: Site blog, or Tumblr.

    I wanted to read this one because i adored the first one and Liam was pretty amazing. It took me a bit to get back into the story since it has been awhile. I read the notes on recaptains which helped.

    It starts off with the action level pretty high and already new betrayals for characters I came to care about and have already been through so much. I remember the characters pretty quickly and got into their adventures. I knew that it was going to be more challenges for them because it is a fairly long book, so prepared my heart. I was glad at the reappearance of some characters and a little frustrated at others because they weren't taking things seriously and felt like they were getting into more danger.

    The romance between Ruby and Liam is still a little rocky from where she erased his memories, and they have to face it. But there are other times they are so close you wouldn't remember. They are there for each other in the hard times when it comes down to it, they are fighting against so many other things they don't have the time they need and want. But I did love their scenes together and working towards what they had before and to a future full of possibilities together.

    The suspense built a lot but there were times when I was a little frustrated at the back and forth with the planning. I understand they were being thorough and had to be in order for any operation to have a chance at success.

    Once the second half of the book got going though after the planning and reminders section was over, I didn't want to put it down. Because I knew it was racing to a conclusion and I hoped I would like where the characters end up.

      I did like the ending and thought that it was good for the series and characters.

Bottom Line: Long but worthwhile.

My question to you, my lovely readers:
Could you forgive someone who erased their memory of them?

Review: The Dead Girls' Dance by Rachel Caine

The Dead Girls' Dance (The Morganville Vampires #2) by Rachel Caine

Claire Danvers has her share of challenges---like being a genius in a school that favors beauty over brains, dealing with the homicidal girls in her dorm, and above all, finding out that her college town is overrun with vampires. On the up side, she has a great roommate (who tends to disappear at sunup) and a new boyfriend named Shane, whose vampire-hunting dad has called in backup: cycle punks who like the idea of killing just about anything.
Now a fraternity is throwing its annual Dead Girls' Dance and---surprise!---Claire and her equally outcast best friend, Eve, have been invited. When they find out why, all hell is going to break loose. Because this time both the living and the dead are coming out---and everybody's hungry for blood

Publishes in US: April 3rd 2007 by NAL Jam 
Genre: ya paranormal
Source: bought
Series? The Morganville Vampires

Buy it: Barnes & Noble | Books-A-Million | Indiebound |Amazon

Author stalk away: ~site  series

    I wanted to read this one because I really enjoyed the characters in the first one and just had to know what would happen with that ending. 

    This one gives more on the romantic front for the girls and it was nice to get some real clarity there because I was going back and forth, But I really enjoyed it and the romance went into some steamy territory that I really liked. 

   Claire continues to be a character I admire for her strength as a person, her determination for her education, as well as loyalty to the others in the house. She goes through great lengths in order for their safety and she ends up in some pretty dark places because of it. 

   We find out a lot more about the founders and their motivations. There are also mixed alliances and people that they thought they could trust that amounts in a lot of action as well as everyone to think a third time about what they are doing and who they are trusting, because in a town where vampires rule, they are already thinking twice of they wouldn't be alive. 

   This one has a lot of action as well, and it all builds to an ending that left me ready to read the next one right away. No second book syndrome here, it kept me glued by continuing character growth, new twists, the romance, and shocking choices that I've yet to fully grasp the implications of. 

Bottom Line: Great second book, dials up the romance.

My question to you, my lovely readers:
Would you rather be a ghost who can't leave the house, or to have died and gone to after life?

Stacking the Shelves, The Sunday Post, Bought Borrowed and Bagged

Stacking the Shelves is hosted by Tynga's Reviews,  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.

Bought, Borrowed, & Bagged is a weekly meme, hosted by TalkSupe, where I share with you the books I have bought, borrowed, or bagged. Link up with me here.

What I read:

The Heart of the Ancients: Kailmeyra's Redemption(Kailmeyra, #3)

Sent:

 Thanks Penguin

 Thanks: Disney-Hyperion

 Thank you: Greenwillow and HarperTeen

Bought:


Last Week on the blog:

The Book of Ivy (The Book of Ivy, #1) source:  Entangled: Teen Review

Engel, Amy *

Paranormalcy (Paranormalcy, #1)

source: library

Review

The New Normal source: library Review

Little, Ashley

• Waiting on Wednesday, WoW
• It's not you: It's me: Did not finish pile
• Interview me! Submit your questions

New giveaways exclusive to my blog:

 The Demon Catchers of Milan Book Two: The Halcyon Bird by Kay Beyer (us/can) ends 12/2

what I watched:
 It was amazing, loved every second up until the part where I have to wait until next year to see the rest...

My week: Busy, started shopping for christmas.

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: The Book of Ivy by Amy Engel

The Book of Ivy (The Book of Ivy #1) by Amy Engel

After a brutal nuclear war, the United States was left decimated. A small group of survivors eventually banded together, but only after more conflict over which family would govern the new nation. The Westfalls lost. Fifty years later, peace and control are maintained by marrying the daughters of the losing side to the sons of the winning group in a yearly ritual.
This year, it is my turn.
My name is Ivy Westfall, and my mission is simple: to kill the president’s son—my soon-to-be husband—and restore the Westfall family to power.
But Bishop Lattimer is either a very skilled actor or he’s not the cruel, heartless boy my family warned me to expect. He might even be the one person in this world who truly understands me. But there is no escape from my fate. I am the only one who can restore the Westfall legacy.
Because Bishop must die. And I must be the one to kill him…

Publishes in US: November 11th 2014 by Entangled: Teen
Genre: YA dystopia
Source: Entangled: Teen via Netgalley
Series? Yes The Book of Ivy #1
The Revolution of Ivy (The Book of Ivy, #2) Expected publication: November 2015 by Entangled Teen

Buy it: Amazon Barnes & Noble IndieBound Book Depository

Author stalk away: ~site ~twitter ~facebook ~blog

 

    I wanted to read Book of Ivy because Ivy sounded like the strong and take charge character that I would like, and the type of post-apocalyptic type setting with the devastation to the nation and how things have changed for teens and everyone for a matter of fact in this town. The two ruling families and the arranged marriage, plus our insight going in that Ivy was to kill Bishop and tip the scales of power. 

   Ivy actually was a little less decisive than I would have thought, but it just made her a more real and believable character, She is still strong and loyal, she just had extensive plans with her sister and dad on how she was to act and how to try and pull of the murder. But then Bishop isn't what Ivy expected and that enough would have been enough to make her question but then plans start to go astray from what they'd devised and Ivy isn't as good at planning ahead and thinking how these changes should in turn change her actions. 

    Bishop surprised me in so many ways. From his gentle nature with ivy to his deep desire to know who she is. His beliefs are more similar with hers than I ever why'd have thought and I enjoyed their conversations and debates so much. I liked that he didn't have expectations of her and how hard he tried to get to know her and supported her. His Sternberg is so covenant than his dad's and all his own matching with the bishop that ivy slowly let's on and instead of pretending feelings they turn deeper and real. Things she sees as well as what she sees from bishop and what could happen if his ideals and ideas for their society if they could come to pass. Out really confused ivy and the plans that she took on her shoulders of her dad and sister and she behind to wonder how much she blindly followed his ideals and how much of her passion is her own.

    The family aspect is present and we find ought there are more lies and manipulations than I could have beloved but I also got to see that there is more behind the two leaders and the kind of society they want. Both have so many wrong beliefs as well as wrong ways to carry out  their good intentions.

     The way the book ended broke my heart. I know that she was so torn and that she had no good choices, but I just wish that the romance between her and Bishop didn't have to encounter this roadblock. I was so high on them and it was a delicious burn as they got to know one another. But I am so eager for the next book because reading the synopsis tells me one important thing that I can look forward to. 

Bottom Line: Slow burn romance with a plot I enjoyed a lot.

My question to you, my lovely readers:
Do you believe in arranged marriages under any circumstances?