Sunday, January 31, 2016

Book Blitz: Marked



Marked
Amy Saunders
(The Birthright, #2)
Publication date: January 31st 2016
Genres: Science Fiction, Young Adult

Starting over for Rosamund Brandt is more complicated thanit sounds. Especially when the past keeps coming back to haunt her. As she and her mom and brother try to pick up the pieces in a new home, the universe seems determined to tear them apart even more as secrets multiply, and distrust grows.
While new threats and unknowns emerge, Rosamund struggles with her own inner battle. Her new powers are growing whether she wants them or not, and their origins and nature are sketchy at best. The more that’s revealed to her, the more uncertain she feels.
Choosing allies and facing new and old enemies alike may not be their biggest problems. Not if Rosamund’s worst fears come true. Could she be the one they should fear the most?


Sequel to:
25799251

EXCERPT:
Xavier turned his back to me, disappearing among the students walking in all directions. I gulped down the lump in my throat, and headed toward my locker on autopilot. I walked straight down the middle of the hallway, students veering around me one way or the other. Each step was like the last, until gravel crunched beneath my boot.
I stopped walking and glanced down. Instead of tile, I saw charred black gravel. When I looked back up, I was standing in a virtual field of the stuff. There was nothing else around me except some hills the same color. The sky was gray and wind blew strands of my hair across my face. When I brushed the hair away, I saw something glint among the rocks near my feet.
I bent down, brushing the blackened dirt away, revealing something silver. I grazed the edge of it with my fingertips, then plunged my fingers into the gravel, pulling out the object. I stood again, my hand wrapped around it. When I glanced up, I was back in the hallway, students parting around me.
Another memory. Each one seemed to get more vivid and real.
But then I felt something cold in my hand.
I slowly unwrapped my fingers, and charcoaled dirt sifted between them onto the floor, leaving behind a 3-D silver serpentine object the size of my palm. My hand shook. That wasn’t just a memory. I’d physically done something. Or, more to the point, I’d gone somewhere. And I was pretty sure it wasn’t on Earth.
I covered the object in my hand again. I took a step forward, totally ready to skip class to go have a meltdown in the bathroom, when someone grabbed my arm, dragging me across the hall into an empty classroom. I wrenched away, facing the guy from detention–who didn’t exist in school records.
“What are you doing?” he hissed. “Didn’t you grow up like this? I thought you’d knowbetter.”


Author Bio:
Amy is a sci-fi/mystery addict with a soft spot for humor and romance. She lives in Massachusetts, and loves to bake and watch movies. Learn more about Amy and her books at http://amysaundersauthor.com.




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Saturday, January 30, 2016

Most Anticipated Young Adult Books of February 2016

February 2014 LSAT Discussion Post
I cannot believe the first month of 2016 is already coming to an end. We are now into February and I'm very excited because some books I have been anticipating for a long time are coming out this month! This month is full of a lot of fantasy and also multiple retellings. I am already dropping hints to my boyfriend that he should give me books for valentines day. These are my top ten books I am looking forward to this coming month and at the bottom you will also find some honorable mentions. 

#10
Salt to the Sea
Ruta Sepetys
Philomel Books
Young Adult Historical Fiction
February 2nd

#9
Riders (Riders, #1)
Veronica Rossi
Tor Teen 
Young Adult Fantasy 
February 16th

#8
Reign of Shadows (Reign of Shadows, #1)
Sophie Jordan 
HarperTeen
Young Adult Fantasy
February 9th 

#7
The Forbidden Wish
Jessica Khoury 
Razorbill
Young Adult Retelling
February 23rd 

#6
The Shadow Queen (Ravenspire, #1) 
C.J. Redwine 
Balzer & Bray
Young Adult Retelling
February 16th

#5
Revenge and the Wild
Michelle Modesto
Balzer & Bray
Young Adult Fantasy 
February 2nd

#4
Assassin's Heart (Assassin's Heart, #1)
Sarah Ahiers
HarperTeen
Young Adult Fantasy
February 2nd

#3
Unhooked
Lisa Maxwell
Simon Pulse
Young Adult Retelling 
February 2nd

#2
After the Woods
Kim Savage
Farrar, Straus, and Giroux
Young Adult Mystery
February 23rd

#1!
Blackhearts
Nicole Castroman 
Simon Pulse
Young Adult Retelling
February 9th

What books are you most excited for in February?
Tell me in the comments below! 

Honorable Mentions: 
A Criminal MagicGlass Sword (Red Queen, #2)These Vicious Masks (These Vicious Masks, #1)Take The FallThe Word for YesKingdom of Ashes (A Wicked Thing, #2)

Friday, January 29, 2016

Review: The Anatomical Shape of a Heart

The Anatomical Shape of a Heart
Author: Jenn Bennett
Pages: 304
Genre: Young Adult Contemporary
Publisher: Feiwel & Friends
Publication Date: November 3rd 2015

Synopsis via Goodreads: 
Beatrix Adams knows exactly how she’s spending the summer before her senior year. Determined to follow in Da Vinci’s footsteps, she’s ready to tackle the one thing that will give her an advantage in a museum-sponsored scholarship contest: drawing actual cadavers. But when she tries to sneak her way into the hospital’s Willed Body program and misses the last metro train home, she meets a boy who turns her summer plans upside down.

Jack is charming, wildly attractive, and possibly one of San Francisco’s most notorious graffiti artists. On midnight buses and city rooftops, Beatrix begins to see who Jack really is—and tries to uncover what he’s hiding that leaves him so wounded. But will these secrets come back to haunt him? Or will the skeletons in her family’s closet tear them apart?

Review: 
The Anatomical Shape of a Heart is a much needed addition to the young adult contemporary romance genre!
I can honestly say I loved everything about this book. It was an adorable and meaningful romantic read. The characters and relationships in the book were phenomenal. A standout for me in the book was the family dynamic. I loved the relationship between Bex and her brother and mother. They were a fun and quirky group who always had each others backs and made it out of tough times together. Bex and her moms relationship was refreshing because her mom was a parental figure but she was also Bex's friend.
I very much enjoyed how the world of art was brought into the story. Bex draws anatomical drawings and Jack is a graffiti artist. They both enjoyed art but it meant so much more to them. I loved getting to explore the art world but I also loved getting to see how these two characters were able to express themselves through their art. 
I do not want to give too much a way but you find this out earlier on so I think it is safe to mention it. A secondary character in the book deals with mental illness and it has a big impact on the other characters lives. I mention this because it means a lot to me when authors correctly depict mental illness and I think Jenn Bennett did a really good job of this. 
I saved the best part of the story for last, the romance. The romance in this book is what made this  an outstanding read. The chemistry between Bex and Jack is instantaneous. They are great together. I loved their witty banter and jokes but they also were able to understand each others struggles and help one another through them. The relationship between them was also very realistic. The best word I can use to describe their romance is beyond adorable. They will have you smiling, cheering them on and making your heart beat faster. By the end of the book you will wish you had a Jack in your life (serious book boyfriend potential here!).
This is a book I just cannot do justice in a review. You really have to read it to understand how phenomenal it really is. I highly recommend it to anybody who enjoys young adult contemporary. 

Thursday, January 28, 2016

The Prophecy of Shadows Book Blitz


The Prophecy of Shadows
Michelle Madow
(Elementals #1)
Published by: Dreamscape Publishing
Publication date: January 26th 2016
Genres: Urban Fantasy, Young Adult
Filled with magic, thrilling adventure, and sweet romance, Elementals is the first in a new series that fans of Percy Jackson and The Secret Circle will love!
When Nicole Cassidy moves from sunny Georgia to gloomy New England, the last thing she expects is to learn that her homeroom is a cover for a secret coven of witches.Even more surprisingly … she’s apparently a witch herself. Despite doubts about her newfound abilities, Nicole is welcomed into this ancient circle of witches and is bedazzled by their powers–and, to her dismay, by Blake–the school’s notorious bad-boy.
Girls who get close to Blake wind up hurt. His girlfriend Danielle will do anything to keep them away, even if she must resort to using dark magic. But the chemistry between Blake and Nicole is undeniable, and despite wanting to protect Nicole from Danielle’s wrath, he finds it impossible to keep his distance.
When the Olympian Comet shoots through the sky for the first time in three thousand years, Nicole, Blake, Danielle, and two others in their homeroom are gifted with mysterious powers. But the comet has another effect–it opens the portal to the prison world that has contained the Titans for centuries. After an ancient monster escapes and attacks Nicole and Blake, it’s up to them and the others to follow the clues from a cryptic prophecy so that they can save their town … and possibly the world.
“Elementals is going to blow your mind!”
-Crossroad Reviews,
★★★★★
“Five glittery stars for being such a compelling read!”
-Andrea Heltsley, Goodreads Reviewer
★★★★★
“A perfect mixture of magic and mythology. An entrancing story of trust, friendship and well naughty boys. WITCHES are not the only thing walking the earth!”
– BenjaminOfTomes, BookTuber
★★★★★
EXCERPT:
Everyone stared at me, and I looked to the front of the room, where a tall, lanky man in a tweed suit stood next to a blackboard covered with the morning announcements. His gray hair shined under the light, and his wrinkled skin andwarm smile reminded me more of a grandfather than a teacher.
He cleared his throat and rolled a piece of chalk in his palm. “You must be Nicole Cassidy,” he said.
“Yeah.” I nodded and looked around at the other students. There were about thirty of them, and there seemed to be an invisible line going down the middle of the room, dividing them in half. The students near the door wore jeans and sweatshirts, but the ones closer to the wall looked like they were dressed for a fashion show instead of school.
“It’s nice to meet you Nicole.” The teacher sounded sincere, like he was meeting a new friend instead of a student. “Welcome to our homeroom. I’m Mr. Faulkner, but please call me Darius.” He turned to the chalkboard, lifted his hand, and waved it from one side to the other. “You probably weren’t expecting everything to look so normal, but we have to be careful. As I’m sure you know, we can’t risk letting anyone else know what goes on in here.”
Then the board shimmered—like sunlight glimmering off the ocean—and the morning announcements changed into different letters right in front of my eyes.

Author Bio:
Michelle Madow grew up in Baltimore, graduated Rollins College in Orlando, and now lives in Boca Raton, Florida. She wrote her first book in her junior year of college, and has been writing novels since. Some of her favorite things are: reading, pizza, traveling, shopping, time travel, Broadway musicals, and spending time with friends andfamily. Michelle has toured across America to promote her books and to encourage highschool students to embrace reading and writing. Someday, she hopes to travel the world for a year on a cruise ship.
Visit Michelle online at www.michellemadow.com, and be sure to sign up for her newsletter and follow her on Amazon to get instant updates on her books!

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Tuesday, January 26, 2016

Top Ten Books I Wish I Read in 2015!

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly feature, hosted by The Broke and the Bookish, where each week we create top ten lists on different bookish topics! This week was a freebie and I decided to share with you the top ten books I wish I had read last year. These books are definitely at the top of my list for 2016.

Persuasion (The Heirs of Watson Island, #2)
Martina Boone
Compulsion was one of my favorite books of 2014. I cannot believe I have not read the sequel yet! 
Ice Like Fire (Snow Like Ashes, #2)
Sara Raasch
This is another case where I read the first book and LOVED it. Now I need to get into the second book.
I Crawl Through It 
A.S. King
A.S. King is an all time favorite author of mine. I will read anything she writes. 
The Heart of Betrayal (The Remnant Chronicles, #2)
Mary E. Pearson
Once again I loved the first book and I need to get into the second book. I really need to catch up on these sequels! 
The Girl at Midnight (The Girl at Midnight, #1)
Melissa Grey
This was one of my most anticipated books of 2015. The synopsis sounds amazing and look at that cover! 
Blood and Salt (Blood and Salt, #1)
Kim Liggett
This books sounds creepy good! I also met the author and she was such an awesome person. 
Everything, Everything
Nicola Yoon
This was a contemporary book everybody was highly anticipating.
Walk on Earth a Stranger  (The Gold Seer Trilogy, #1)
Rae Carson
I finally read The Girl of Fire and Thorns trilogy this past year and loved it. I am dying to start Carson's next series! 
These Shallow Graves
These Shallow Graves
Jennifer Donnelly
Jennifer Donnelly is another favorite author of mine. Her latest book is a historical mystery which are two of my favorite genres!
An Ember in the Ashes (An Ember in the Ashes, #1)
An Ember in the Ashes
Sabaa Tahir
This fantasy has a huge fan base surrounding it and I think it is about time I joined it.


What books do you wish you had read in 2015?
Tell me in the comments below! 

Cover Reveal: Death to the Undead


Death to the Undead
Pembroke Sinclair
(Life After the Undead, #2)
Publication date: February 16th 2016
Genres: Post-Apocalyptic, Young Adult, Zombies
The battle that began in Life After the Undead continues.
Zombies changed her life completely…
Tough teenager Krista escaped to the safety of Florida after her parents were killed by the zombie horde. She united with General Liet, a distant cousin, and moved with him to North Platte to help build a wall to keep the zombies in the West. Krista fell in love with Quinn, a survivor and fighter from the zombie-infested wildlands of the West, and together they freed the garrison at North Platte from the power-hungry Liet.
But zombies aren’t the only enemy they have to face…
Now, North Platte is free, but Liet was not the only one using the zombie apocalypse to control their people. Florida is ruled by five ruthless Families, who use intimidation and the threat of the zombie horde to coerce their populace. Krista and Quinn hatch a desperate plan to run guns into the state and help the people revolt. Krista and Quinn, labeled as rebels run for their lives when the Families attack North Platte. The Families want them captured, the zombies want to eat them, and other survivors want them dead. Caught in between powerful forces, they must survive long enough to devise a new plan and put it into action, all while trying to solidify their new relationship and trying not to self-destruct in the meantime.
Sequel to:
13008385


Author Bio:
Pembroke Sinclair is a literary jack of all trades, playing her hand at multiple genres.She has written an eclectic mix of fiction ranging from horror to sci-fi and even some westerns. Born in Rock Springs, Wyoming--the home of 56 nationalities--it is no wonder Pembroke ended up so creatively diverse. Her fascination with the notions of good and evil, demons and angels, and how the lines blur have inspired her writing. Pembroke lives in Laramie, Wyoming, with her husband, two spirited boys, a black lab named Ryder, and a rescue kitty named Alia, who happens to be the sweetest, most adorable kitty in the world! She cannot say no to dessert, orange soda, or cinnamon. She loves rats and tatts and rock and roll and wants to be an alien queen when she grows up.

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Cover Reveal: Bryce


Bryce
Natalie Decker
(Scandalous Boys #1)
Published by: Swoon Romance
Publication date: February 23rd 2016
Genres: Romance, Young Adult
Bryce Matthews doesn’tdo the whole nice boyfriend thing. Chocolates and flowers—girls can forget all that. And he certainly doesn’t care about the gossip and rumors that follow him at school and around town. If anything, the talk amuses him. Bryce isn’t lacking in confidence. He knows himself and he knows his limits.
One of those hard limits is Madison Issac. Bryce can never have her, and he’s perfectly fine with that. Sometimes the fantasy is better than the reality anyway.
Madison Issac thought she was a pretty good judge of character. But she’s surprised at how gentle and comforting resident bad-boy and next-door neighbor Bryce Matthews is when we finds her crying in the park.
Maybe there’s more to Bryce than people think? So Madison begins to wonder.
Can a guy like Bryce ever change his ways?
Can a girl like Madison really be into a guy like Bryce?
With hearts and reputations on the line, this kind of love can be scandalous.
Are you a blogger? You can sign-up for the release day blitz here!


Author Bio:
Natalie Decker is the author of RIVAL LOVE series. She loves oceans, sunsets, sand between her toes, and carefree days. Her imagination is always going, which some find odd. But she believes in seeing the world in a different light at all times. Her first passion for writing started at age twelve when she had to write a poem for English class. However, seventh grade wasn't her favorite time and books were her source of comfort. She took all college prep classes in High school, and attended the University ofAkron. Although she studied Mathematics she never lost her passion for writing or her comfort in books. She's a mean cook in the kitchen, loves her family and friends and herawesome dog infinity times infinity. If she's not writing, reading, traveling, hanging out with her family and friends, then she's off having an adventure. Because Natalie believes in a saying: Your life is your own journey, so make it amazing!

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Thursday, January 21, 2016

Cover Reveal: The Beltane Escape


The Beltane Escape
Ariella Moon
(The Two Realms Trilogy, #1)
Publication date: February 2nd 2016
Genres: Fantasy, Young Adult
Lady Fenella, ever surrounded by guards, knows only responsibility and duty. She believes Merlin and the Lady of the Lake are myths, Gran’s warnings about Fairy are superstition, and Fairy was invented to make children behave.
But then Gran brands her, Lord Argonshire kidnaps her, and the Lady of the Lake makes her a pawn. The Highland heiress must betray her newly betrothed and fend for herself when she dives into a wormhole to save her cousin. She lands in a part of Fairy even fairies avoid, and joins forces with Talfryn, a half-Viking/half-Fairy.
Fenella must use her wits to find her cousin, free the Lady of the Lake, and reach the wormhole in Glastonbury by Beltane. Nine days to unshackle herself from a sorceress, prevent a war between rival clans, and decide in which realm—and with which lad—she truly belongs. Oh, and The Most Powerful Wizard stands in her way.


Author Bio:
Ariella Moon draws upon her experiences as a shaman to create magical Young Adult fiction. Her Two Realms Trilogy is a medieval fantasy adventure series with romantic elements. The Teen Wytche Saga is a series of sweet contemporary paranormal romances.
Ariella spent her childhood searching for a magical wardrobe that would transport her to Narnia. Extreme math anxiety and taller students who mistook her for a leaning post, marred her youth. Despite these horrors, she graduated summa cum laude from the University of California at Davis. Ariella lives a nearly normal life doting on her extraordinary daughter, two shamelessly spoiled dogs, and an enormous dragon.
Ariella loves to hear from her readers. You can reach her at http://www.AriellaMoon.com or visit her on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/ariellamoon.author

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