Saturday 31 December 2011

My Most Anticipated Books for 2012!

Happy New Year's Eve! (Or New Years, for some of you!) Here are a couple of the books I've been excited for the most that are being released in the New Year! Feel free to comment below and let me know your top 2012 picks! :) xox


Hallowed by Cynthia Hand

Release Date: Jan 17th/2012
For months part-angel Clara Gardner trained to face the raging forest fire from her visions and rescue the alluring and mysterious Christian Prescott from the blaze. But nothing could prepare her for the fateful decisions she would be forced to make that day, or the startling revelation that her purpose—the task she was put on earth to accomplish—is not as straightforward as she thought. Now, torn between her increasingly complicated feelings for Christian and her love for her boyfriend, Tucker, Clara struggles to make sense of what she was supposed to do the day of the fire. And, as she is drawn further into the world of part angels and the growing conflict between White Wings and Black Wings, Clara learns of the terrifying new reality that she must face: Someone close to her will die in a matter of months. With her future uncertain, the only thing Clara knows for sure is that the fire was just the beginning.


Bloodrose by Andrea Cremer

Release Date: Jan 3rd/2012

The Ultimate Sacrifice.

Calla has always welcomed war. But now that the final battle is upon her, there’s more at stake than fighting. There’s saving Ren, even if it incurs Shay’s wrath. There’s keeping Ansel safe, even if he’s been branded a traitor. There’s proving herself as the pack’s alpha, facing unnamable horrors, and ridding the world of the Keepers’ magic once and for all. And then there’s deciding what to do when the war ends. If Calla makes it out alive, that is. 



The Calling by Kelley Armstrong

Release Date: April 10th/2012

Maya Delaney’s paw-print birthmark is the sign of what she truly is—a skin-walker. She can run faster, climb higher, and see better than nearly anyone else. Experiencing intense connections with the animals that roam the woods outside her home, Maya knows it’s only a matter of time before she’s able to Shift and become one of them. And she believes there may be others in her small town with surprising talents.

Now, Maya and her friends have been forced to flee from their homes during a forest fire they suspect was deliberately set. Then they’re kidnapped, and after a chilling helicopter crash, they find themselves in the Vancouver Island wilderness with nothing but their extraordinary abilities to help them get back home. Plentiful action and romance in this second installment in the Darkness Rising series will keep readers enthralled to the very last page!



  Dreaming Awake by Gwen Hayes

Release Date: Jan 3rd/2012

She fell for him in a nighttime world. But the time for dreaming is past—and the here-and-now can be just as fragile their love…

When Theia Alderson first encountered a mysterious, handsome boy in her dreams, she never imagined how finding Haden Black—and falling in love—could change her life. To save Haden, Theia sacrificed everything. And the dangerous bargain she made could have lasting repercussions.

Now Theia has returned to Serendipity Falls, and she finds herself struggling with the same deadly hungers that have tortured Haden. When students at their high school fall prey to a mysterious illness, Theia can’t help but wonder if Haden’s control is slipping—and how much longer she’ll have a grip on
her own. And still the nightmare realm of Under won’t let them go. Someone from Haden’s past is determined to destroy Theia from the inside out, starting with those closest to her, forcing Theia to choose between family and friends and a love that may have been doomed from the start…



Friday 30 December 2011

IMM♥



Got all of these in the mail today from author Karleen Bradford for review! :)

There Will Be Wolves
Angeline
Lionheart's Scribe
The Scarlett Cross
Shadows On a Sword
The Other Elizibeth
The Stone In The Meadow
The Haunting At Cliff House



Monday 26 December 2011

♥Cover Candie of the Week♥

Disenchanted by Sherry Soule

Release Date: Feb/2012
352 pages

What It's About!

Elizabeth Blackburn, an intelligent and sassy New Yorker, doesn’t believe in the supernatural until she moves into Summerwind Mansion and begins having nightmares about a young woman murdered in the house. She suspects there’s something strange about this place and it’s not just the bad dreams.

Determined to unlock secrets that have remained hidden for centuries, Elizabeth is plunged into an otherworldly mystery that not even she can explain away. Not to mention, her uncontrollable attraction to the former owner, Dorian Knight. But soon after meeting Dorian, all of her beliefs are tested. He seems so familiar, and as close to Mr. Darcy as she’ll ever get—but Jane Austen never wrote a hero like him--someone who both excites and frightens her.

As the dark history of the Knight family begins to unravel, tensions heighten and old resentments turn deadly. Even though Dorian warns her about a terrible curse–she doesn’t know what to believe anymore.

And Elizabeth starts to wonder which she would rather hold onto—her sanity…or her life…



Shattered Souls Review

Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥



A thrilling debut story of death, love, destiny and danger

Lenzi hears voices and has visions - gravestones, floods, a boy with steel gray eyes. Her boyfriend, Zak, can't help, and everything keeps getting louder and more intense. Then Lenzi meets Alden, the boy from her dreams, who reveals that she's a reincarnated Speaker - someone who can talk to and help lost souls - and that he has been her Protector for centuries.

Now Lenzi must choose between her life with Zak and the life she is destined to lead with Alden. But time is running out: a malevolent spirit is out to destroy Lenzi, and he will kill her if she doesn't make a decision soon.

I loved this book so so SO much! I really hope Mary Lindsey and her publisher DO decide to write a sequel. I don't think Alden and Lenzi's story is quite done yet! :) I can honestly say, I loved this book from the very first page to the last. Right away I was so drawn into the story and it's characters. Really though, there's only a few characters throughout the whole book, a lot of books feel like they have more than a few. This was what helped make the story SO good! That, and the simple, descriptive writing that gives you just enough detail to understand what's going on, but doesn't drag it out.

This book had such a nice pace to it, I never found myself trying to get through a sticky part or nothing. Lenzi is such a likeable character, especially towards the end, when she starts to really embrace herself and know who she is. Alden is probably the best dreamiest guy book character I've ever read about. Zak was just a pain in my ass most of the time, but at the end, when he shows up, I was a bit surprised, especially when he seems to grow up a little bit, moments before he moves on. 

I know a lot of people would probably read the blurb about this book and think it's just another ghost novel, but it's sssooo not. It's so much better! It's got your tragedy, romance, ghostly encounters and so much more. I would definitely say it's one of THE BEST books I've EVER read. If you pick up Shattered Souls, you won't be disappointed!



Boxing Day Haul!

 This is just part of my boxing day haul I bought today! I also bought a video game, some DVDs and some other stuff :) I am sssooo loving my kobo touch right now! Maybe I'll be able to catch up on reading my e-ARCs now! :D


Sunday 25 December 2011

Thank You Santa!

TAYLOR SWIFT


I seriously freaked out when I unwrapped this, OMG! I've looked at this several times in the book stores but never bought it, but somehow mom/Santa must have heard me wishing for it ;) This was the only book I got for Christmas, but it has the same worth of about 5 books :) I already flipped through the whole book, I can't wait to actually sit down and read it! Taylor Swift is amazing :) xox

A beautiful, in-depth tribute to America's country and pop sweetheart.
 With its wealth of photographs, album artwork, and archive memorabilia, Taylor Swift is the ultimate celebration of the young singer-songwriter whose personal, from-the-heart songs have touched millions around the world. Andrew Vaughan--author of the bestselling Shania: Feel Like a Woman and The Eagles: An American Band--traces Swift's achievements, music, incredible philanthropy (she's donated millions to charities), family roots, and rumors about her love life.
Her multitudes of fans will snap this up!

Merry Christmas!!!



Friday 23 December 2011

A 2012 Release

The Temptation (Kindred Novel #1) by Alisa Valdes

Release Date: April 24th/2012
Pages Currently Unknown

What It's About!

His touch was electric.
His eyes were magnetic.
His lips were a temptation....
But was he real?

After crashing her car on an empty highway, Shane is miraculously saved by Travis, a mysterious cowboy who walks out of nowhere. She is instantly attracted to him, and for the first time, she believes in “soul mates.” But Shane soon discovers that Travis is dead and that strict rules from the Underworld govern kindred spirits of different dimensions. Breaking these rules could destroy both their souls. And while Travis is almost impossible to resist, temptation proves to be the kindest enemy they encounter. Can true love surpass the power of pure evil? Part love story, part supernatural thriller, this first book in the Kindred trilogy will leave readers lusting for more!


Thursday 22 December 2011

Devoted Review

Rating: ♥♥



Since Sage was kidnapped, Clea has no way of knowing if he is alive or dead. And even though she has only just discovered they were soulmates, she feels like a part of her is lost forever. What’s worse, she can’t even turn to her best friend Ben—because every time she looks at him, all she sees is his betrayal.
But waiting for something to happen is not an option, so Clea is ready for action. Suffering through dreams of seeing Sage with another woman, she makes an uneasy alliance with Sage’s enemies and sets out to be reunited with Sage...in this life or the next.

First thing I have to say; Tired. Of. Freaking. SAGE. Really, Hilary, did you have NOTHING better to write about, that you had to tell us in 10 million ways, how much Clea missed Sage and just couldn't live without him in a few CHAPTERS? The first probably 4 or 5 chapters is Sage Sage SAGE, I thought Clea was searching for her father who mysteriously disappeared???

I thought this was supposed to be a continuation of Elixir, ya, it's the 2nd book in the series but in Devoted, it's all about finding Sage, it would have been so much better if Hilary had kept more with the original story of finding Clea's dad, and search for Sage on the side, not make it ALL ABOUT SAGE. Clea annoyed me so much a lot in this book. I'm amazed Ben was even willing to help her at all.

I think my favourite thing about this book was Amelia's side of the story. It was different and done better than Clea's story. Overall, Devoted was good, but could have been way better. The story line was good, but a lot of it was detailed to death to fill a blank page. The only reason Hilary Duff got a publishing deal is because she's already famous, otherwise she'd have to get a lot more writing experience before she ever made it as an author.



Wednesday 21 December 2011

Beautiful Disaster

Beautiful Disaster by Jamie McGuire

Released: May 26th/2011
454 pages

What It's About!

The new Abby Abernathy is a good girl. She doesn’t drink or swear, and she has the appropriate percentage of cardigans in her wardrobe. Abby believes she has enough distance between her and the darkness of her past, but when she arrives at college with her best friend America, her path to a new beginning is quickly challenged by Eastern University’s Walking One-Night Stand.

Travis Maddox, lean, cut, and covered in tattoos, is exactly what Abby needs—and wants—to avoid. He spends his nights winning money in a floating fight ring, and his days as the charming college co-ed. Intrigued by Abby’s resistance to his charms, Travis tricks her into his daily life with a simple bet. If he loses, he must remain abstinent for a month. If Abby loses, she must live in Travis’ apartment for the same amount of time. Either way, Travis has no idea that he has met his match.



Cover Reveal!

Cover Reveal: Chosen Ones by Tiffany Truitt

Release Date: April 2012
Pages unknown

What It's About!

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

The resulting artificial human beings, or Chosen Ones, were extraordinarily beautiful, unbelievably strong, and unabashedly deadly. Life is bleak, but uncomplicated for Tess as she follows the rigid rules of her dystopian society, until the day she begins work at Templeton, the training facility for newly created Chosen Ones. There, she meets James, a Chosen One whose odd love of music and reading rivals only her own. 
The attraction between the two is immediate in its intensity—and overwhelming in its danger. But there is more to the goings-on at Templeton than Tess ever knew, and as the veil is lifted from her eyes, she uncovers a dark underground movement bent not on taking down the Chosen Ones, but the Council itself. Will Tess be able to stand up to those who would oppress her, even if it means giving up the only happiness in her life?

Photobucket

Monday 19 December 2011

♥Cover Candie of the Week♥

This week's Cover Candie is Rippler by Cidney Swanson

Released: June 15th/2011
288 pages

What It's About!

Samantha Ruiz has a freak gene that makes her turn invisible, or ripple. She can’t control it, and it’s getting worse. Afraid of becoming a lab-rat, Sam keeps her ability secret, until fellow runner Will Baker sees her vanish into thin air. Will promises secrecy and help, and Sam begins to fall in love. Together, the two discover there are worse things than being a scientific curiosity. Someone’s been killing people who possess Sam's gene. A mysterious man from France sends letters that offer hope for safety, but also reveal a sinister connection with Nazi experiments. The more time Sam spends with Will, the less she can imagine life without him. When Sam uncovers secrets from her past, she must choose between keeping Will in her life or keeping Will safe.


 

Saturday 17 December 2011

Unleashed Review

Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥


Katelyn McBride’s life changed in an instant when her mother died. Uprooted from her California home, Katelyn was shipped to the middle of nowhere, Arkansas, to her only living relative, her grandfather. And now she has to start over in Wolf Springs, a tiny village in the Ozark Mountains. Like any small town, Wolf Springs has secrets. But the secrets hidden here are more sinister than Katelyn could ever imagine. It’s a town with a history that reaches back centuries, spans continents, and conceals terrifying truths. And Katelyn McBride is about to change everything.

Broken families, ageless grudges, forced alliances, and love that blooms in the darkest night—welcome to Wolf Springs.

I waited forever for this book to come out!!! As soon as I seen it, I HAD to read it, and I have to say, it met my expectations!! I fell in love with Andrea Cremer's Nightshade series, as many of you probably know by now, and I was hoping this would be just as good, and it is! I was hoping for some werewolf stuff right away, but it doesn't really come until later in the book, which was actually, probably better. 
  
I love how they ended each chapter, each one had a cliffhanger that make me want to turn the page even when I had to put the book down. So many things were constantly going on throughout the whole book, I wanted to read it all.the.time.! At first I didn't really care for Katelyn's grandpa, but I totally warmed up to him by the end of the book. I loved Trick right away, he's got that nice-guy, cowboy, but sexy thing going on, I kind of wish there was more of him. And Cordelia's father, I wanted to punch him in the face! What a jerk! I think all the characters are very well written, and planned out.

I loved every minute of this book, from beginning to end. I was so sad when I finished it, I can't wait for the 2nd book already! It's such a page-turner, I constantly wanted more. If you like the Nightshade series, I highly recommend picking up this book :)






Worth a Look!

Just spotted this on goodreads and decided I had to post it!! This book looks freaking amazing, the cover is beautiful and the description makes me wanna read it even more!

In My Dreams by Cameo Renae

Released: April 30th/2011
242 pages

What It's About!

It was happening again. The dreams. The nightmares. It was something seventeen year-old Elizabeth "Lizzy" Hayes thought she'd outgrown; dreams that would come true; detailed premonitions of how people would die. This time she dreams about her boyfriend, Michael Young, and soon discovers that he's been found... dead.
Michael hasn't crossed over because he was murdered, and now his murderer is coming for Lizzy. His spirit won't rest until she is safe, and as a newbie spirit, the easiest way for him to make contact is through Lizzy's dreams. When she dreams, it's as if he hasn't died.
Lizzy must learn to pull on her inner strength to survive horrifying events. Meanwhile, in the spirit world, Michael learns everything he can about his supernatural gifts to help. But will it be enough to save her?



 

IMM♥



Bought:
Wither by Lauren DeStefano
Shattered Souls by Mary Lindey
Unleashed by Nancy Holder and Debbie Viguie (Forgot to include it in the pic lol)

As an early Christmas present, I got Devoted by Hilary Duff from my man :) ♥


Upcoming 2011 Release

This looks like it could be a nice little winter read! I'll be keeping my eyes open for this one! :)

One Moment, One Morning by Sarah Rayner

Release Date: Dec 20th/2011
416 pages

What It's About!

The Brighton to London line. The 7:44 am train. Cars packed with commuters. One woman occupies her time observing the people around her. Opposite, a girl puts on her make-up. Across the aisle, a husband strokes his wife’s hand. Further along, another woman flicks through a glossy magazine. Then, abruptly, everything changes: a man collapses, the train is stopped, and an ambulance is called.
For at least three passengers on the 7:44 on that particular morning, life will never be the same again. There’s Lou, in an adjacent seat, who witnesses events first hand. Anna, who’s sitting further up the train, impatient to get to work. And Karen, the man’s wife.

Telling the story of the week following that fateful train journey, One Moment, One Morning is a stunning novel about love and loss, about family and – above all– friendship. A stark reminder that, sometimes, one moment is all it takes to shatter everything. Yet it also reminds us that somehow, despite it all, life can and does go on.



A 2012 Release

A Girl Of Nightmares (Anna #2) by Kendare Blake

Release Date: Aug. 7th/2012
304 pages

What It's About!


In this follow-up to Anna Dressed in Blood, Cas begins seeing Anna everywhere: sometimes when he’s asleep, and sometimes in waking nightmares. But something is very wrong. These aren’t just daydreams. Anna seems tortured, torn apart in new and ever more gruesome ways every time she appears.

Cas doesn’t know what happened to Anna when she disappeared into Hell, but he knows she doesn’t deserve whatever is happening to her now. Anna saved Cas more than once, and it’s time for him to return the favor.


 

Tuesday 13 December 2011

♥Cover Candie of the Week!♥

Unleashed by Nancy Holder and Debbie Viguie

This is the Cover Candie of the week because I'm IN LOVE with this cover and I'm a sucker for werewolf novels :) Has anyone read this book yet?
 
Katelyn McBride’s life changed in an instant when her mother died. Uprooted from her California home, Katelyn was shipped to the middle of nowhere, Arkansas, to her only living relative, her grandfather. And now she has to start over in Wolf Springs, a tiny village in the Ozark Mountains. Like any small town, Wolf Springs has secrets. But the secrets hidden here are more sinister than Katelyn could ever imagine. It’s a town with a history that reaches back centuries, spans continents, and conceals terrifying truths. And Katelyn McBride is about to change everything.

Broken families, ageless grudges, forced alliances, and love that blooms in the darkest night—welcome to Wolf Springs.



Monday 12 December 2011

Mercy Review

Rating: ♥♥♥♥

An electric combination of angels, mystery and romance, MERCY is the first book in a major new paranormal series.

There's something very wrong with me. I can't remember who I am or how old I am, or even how I got here. All I know is that when I wake up, I could be any one. It is always this way. There's nothing I can keep with me that will stay. It's made me adaptable. I must always re-establish ties. I must tread carefully or give myself away. I must survive.

Mercy doesn't realise it yet, but as she journeys into the darkest places of the human soul, she discovers that she is one of the celestial host exiled with fallen angel, Lucifer. Now she must atone for taking his side. To find her own way back to heaven, Mercy must help a series of humans in crisis and keep the unwary from getting caught up in the games that angels play. Ultimately she must choose between her immortal companion, Lucifer, and a human boy who risks everything for her love.

It took me a few chapters to get into this book, and get used to Rebecca's writing style, since it's a bit different than the other novels I've been reading. After I got into it though, it was pretty good. A lot of the story seemed to revolve around Carmen/Mercy singing in rehearsal, but it seemed to work for the story, since it helped piece the mystery together. I love love lllooovveed the mystery that was in this book! With the missing girl that's been gone for 2 yrs, yet her twin brother still feels like she's alive and Mercy can feel it too, there's just such a sense of hope when your reading it. Then the other girl goes missing, and there seems to be some romance budding between Mercy and Ryan, and finding out who the creep that kidnapped the girls were. 

I was so sure on who the kidnapper was, then I wasn't, and then I was kind of shocked at who it turned out to be, but at the same time it was like, of course that's who they'd make the kidnapper be! By the end of the novel I actually really enjoyed it, though I wasn't sure at first. Doesn't really feel like it's as much about angels as they try to make it seem in the description, but it's still really good, and I will definitely be getting the 2nd book in the series!





Saturday 10 December 2011

Guest Post by Ellen Wookey


Fever review written by Ellen Wookey


Rating: 4.5/5 Stars (or 4/4)
‘Trust is the strongest weapon.’ a phrase that was used early in the book. It stuck with me for the length of the story. I was instantly drawn back into Rhine’s world. It’s a fast pace novel that doesn’t lack detail. 
I fell in love with little Maddie right away. It was heartbreaking that she had to separate from her mother. But she has a book that offers her comfort and answers for her new journey in life. 
Gabriel and Rhine’s romance was confusing yet compelling. Just when you start thinking if the love was moving forward, it took two steps back. 
Just when you think Rhine is getting closer to finding her brother and about to start living a free life, everything takes a turn for the worst. It seems that death might take her early. 
Sometimes people find the second book before they can find the first book in a series. I can say that if that is the case for you, FEVER will explain throughout the book of what happened in Wither, leaving you with knowledge you would have gotten from reading the first book in the series. Now I don’t want to give out to much spoilers but FEVER is a fast pace rollercoaster with a new twist at every turn. 







Upcoming 2012 Release

Fever (Chemical Garden #2) by Lauren DeStafano

Release Date: Feb 21rst/2012
368 pages
What It's About!

Rhine and Gabriel have escaped the mansion, but danger is never far behind.

Running away brings Rhine and Gabriel right into a trap, in the form of a twisted carnival whose ringmistress keeps watch over a menagerie of girls. Just as Rhine uncovers what plans await her, her fortune turns again. With Gabriel at her side, Rhine travels through an environment as grim as the one she left a year ago - surroundings that mirror her own feelings of fear and hopelessness.

The two are determined to get to Manhattan, to relative safety with Rhine’s twin brother, Rowan. But the road there is long and perilous - and in a world where young women only live to age twenty and young men die at twenty-five, time is precious. Worse still, they can’t seem to elude Rhine’s father-in-law, Vaughn, who is determined to bring Rhine back to the mansion...by any means necessary.

In the sequel to Lauren DeStefano’s harrowing Wither, Rhine must decide if freedom is worth the price - now that she has more to lose than ever.


Friday 9 December 2011

Amaranth Review

Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥

A copy was provided for review


Knowledge changes everything…

Hoodoo-influenced Southern Louisiana seems like the perfect place for Camille to escape her abusive past and dysfunctional family. She doesn’t expect to fall in love with the handsome Gavin Devereaux and plummet into the world of Amaranth, a place of exile for reformed vampires.

Wrestling to escape a deadly ex-boyfriend while giving Gavin a chance, Camille is confronted with decisions that threaten not only her life, but the lives of her inhuman friends she has come to love. Entangled in her friends’ quest for freedom, she dives into their realm and faces the threats of Amaranth’s ruler—the mother of all vampires—and her own inner demons.

Now Camille must decide whether she will derail her life and make the ultimate sacrifice for the monsters that interrupted her bumpy path back to sanity—what she still wants so desperately—or escape with Gavin before it’s too late for both of them.


I liked this book right away,  and I instantly liked Camille. One of my favourite things about this whole book was the Camille and Gavin relationship, they barely knew each other but there was instant chemistry that made me wanna read it even more. I really like the world-building Rachael has done, with the whole vampire secret society and the city Amaranth. There were also a few twists and turns that are totally unexpected and you don't know what's going to happen next, I totally loved it. Seems like most vampire books are all about blood-sucking and blah blah blah, but Amaranth isn't really about that, which is one of the things that makes it so good. Most of the story is told from Camille's point of view, but there's a part in the book where we get to see a little from Gavin's, which is nice. For a first book in a series, it's really good, builds up a lot of background and story, so hopefully the 2nd book is even better! :)



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