Stacking The Shelves

 Meme hosted and created by Tynga's Reviews

Bought: The Vow DVD

Acsend by Amanda Hocking

Underworld by Meg Cabot

The Selection by Kiera Cass

For Review:  In Dreams by Robert Logan

♥Wishlist Wednesday♥

Unraveling by Elizabeth Norris has been on my wishlist ever since the cover was revealed across the blogsphere. I sooo cannot wait to get my hands on this one!

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What It's About!

Two days before the start of her junior year, seventeen-year-old Janelle Tenner is hit by a pickup truck and killed—as in blinding light, scenes of her life flashing before her, and then nothing. Except the next thing she knows, she's opening her eyes to find Ben Michaels, a loner from her high school whom Janelle has never talked to, leaning over her. And even though it isn't possible, she knows—with every fiber of her being—that Ben has somehow brought her back to life.

But her revival, and Ben's possible role in it, is only the first of the puzzles that Janelle must solve. While snooping in her FBI agent father's files for clues about her accident, she uncovers a clock that seems to be counting down to something—but to what? And when someone close to Janelle is killed, she can no longer deny what's right in front of her: Everything that's happened—the accident, the murder, the countdown clock, Ben's sudden appearance in her life—points to the end of life as she knows it. And as the clock ticks down, she realizes that if she wants to put a stop to the end of the world, she's going to need to uncover Ben's secrets—and keep from falling in love with him in the process.

From debut author Elizabeth Norris comes this shattering novel of one girl's fight to save herself, her world, and the boy she never saw coming.

Thoeba Review

Rating: ♥♥♥.5

*A copy was provided for review*

Thoeba's world fell to darkness forcing her to flee. She came to Earth to protect the Energy, losing everything in the process.

Darkness has found a way to follow her and threatens to take this world as well.

With only humans as allies, can she succeed?

Thoeba is Donna Milward's debut novel, the first book in her new anthology, and will be released June 26th/2012.

 Review

I had mixed feelings about this book, so that's why it ended up with a 3.5/5 hearts. I love pretty much all novels about angels, mythologies, that type of thing, so that's what I mostly liked about this book. However, I feel like the author could have given us more background and story build-up in the beginning of the book, instead of rushing in and leaving the reader to piece things together. It took away from some of the story, because instead of enjoying the story, half the time I felt like I was trying to figure things out. 

Another thing I didn't really care for was the switching of character POV's. I love it when an author has different character POV's and has a chapter for each character. With Thoeba, though, it feels like it randomly switches between characters, all we get is a little ~~~ to indicate the new POV. Sometimes I wasn't even completely sure which character's thoughts I was supposed to be reading about. 

The story itself was really good. It keeps a good pace, things continuously happen, and the main plot was pretty well done. Most of the story is very descriptive, very easily seen in the mind's eye (when your not going WTH? sometimes lol). As you get farther into the story, you get to know the characters a little better and don't feel so lost as to who they really are, but sometimes it still didn't quite click for me.

Overall, I kind of feel like the author rushed everything down on paper (or computer, whichever, whatever), and didn't take enough time to fully build her characters, and the background of the story and its characters. Some parts of the story felt like they got more time than others spent perfecting and tweaking, but maybe it's just me. I recommend it for mythology lovers, for sure.

 

The Fame Game Review

Rating: ♥♥♥
  

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In Hollywood, fame can be found on every corner and behind any door. You just have to know where to look for it. Nineteen-year-old Madison Parker made a name for herself as best frenemy of nice-girl-next-door Jane Roberts on the hot reality show L.A. Candy. Now Madison's ready for her turn in the spotlight and she'll stop at nothing to get it. Sure, she's the star of a new show, but with backstabbing friends and suspicious family members trying to bring her down, Madison has her work cut out for her. Plus, there's a new nice girl in "reality" town—aspiring actress Carmen Price, the daughter of Hollywood royalty—and she's a lot more experienced at playing the fame game... When the camera's start rolling, whose star will shine brighter?

Filled with characters both familiar and new, Lauren Conrad's series about the highs and lows of being famous delivers Hollywood gossip and drama at every turn.

 Review

I didn't have really any expectation going into The Fame Game, but it was better than I thought. I still haven't read Lauren's first trilogy, L.A. Candy, so I wasn't familiar with Madison Parker's character, or any other of the characters from the first trilogy, that I've seen other reviewers talk about. That aside, the characters, old and new, were not that hard to get to know. They're a bit flat, especially Madison and Gaby, they don't seem much more than a pretty face. The other characters had more depth to them, but not by much.

I was somewhat surprised how well Lauren's writing was, I guess I expected it to be a little sloppy, since she's a celebrity author, and most of them can't write worth a crap. The writing is simple, to the point, and easy to read. I think this is one of the fastest books I've ever read, I read it in almost a day.

I love the story line. I loved watching Mtv's The Hills when it was on, so it was kind of cool reading this and seeing what really probably happens behind the camera and "reality" tv. The Fame Game is a fun read. It's a good book to read on a rainy day when you just want something normal to read, and get a break from the paranormal, dystopian, other genres that everyone's been reading lately. I am going to definitely be getting the second book when it comes out.

Cover/Book Reveal!

The Torn Wing (The Faerie Ring #2) by Kiki Hamilton

Release Date: Oct. 2nd/2012

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What It's About!

Tiki’s greatest fear suddenly becomes all too real: the fey have returned to London seeking revenge. As war escalates in the Otherworld, Queen Victoria’s youngest son, Prince Leopold, is attacked. In order to protect her family and the ones she loves, she needs to know the meaning of an fáinne sí, the birthmark that winds around her wrist. But will Tiki be brave enough to face the truth?

A bloody escape, a deadly threat, a shocking revelation…

The Gates Review

Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥ 

*A copy was provided for review*

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Paranormal Fantasy Romance

Getting There is Half the Battle...

Armed with more unsettling knowledge about Gavin Devereaux and her circle of friends, Camille Hart is faced with new adversities and lethal propositions when she returns to the Amaranth exile to carry out Gavin’s risky crusade.

Realizing her journey through the bayou was only the beginning of her struggle to stay with Gavin, she finds that leaving her Louisiana home is the least of her worries. New evils await her on the other side, and as she and her friends press on with their mission, they are confronted with the reality that everything doesn't always go according to plan.

As secrets unfold and alliances are formed and broken, only the strongest will survive and the power of love will be tested when a war between witches, humans, and vampires erupts into an all-out power struggle and all is on the verge of being lost.

Review

I had also read & reviewed Amaranth, the first book in this trilogy, and I had loved it but The Gates definitely feels like a step-up! I had been DYING to know what happened next with Gavin and Camille, since they're my favorite characters. Camille is such a kick-ass female character that you don't usually see too often (but I'm noticing more in the YA genre now, thank god), and Gavin is the hot and steamy guy character that everyone loves to read about. ;)

Once again, Rachael did an amazing job with the world and character building that started in the first book. Where Amaranth left off with a cliffhanger, The Gates picks up where the story left off and we find out what happens next, and there are again a lot of things that happen that I can't say without giving away spoilers!

I enjoyed reading this one more than the first book, probably because as with every 2nd book in a series, you already have the backgrounds/info on the characters, so you can just jump right into the story. I highly recommend this book, especially if your craving for action and romance.

Cover Reveal!

Scent of Magic (Healer #2) by Maria V. Snyder

Expected publication: Early 2013 (??!!)
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My Thoughts: I am seriously DROOLING over this book!! This is the sequel to Touch of Power. I don't like the cover as much as the last book, but it's still epically amazing! I loved loved LOVED Touch of Power, so I predict I will die from excitement overload when I finally get my hands on this book!!

What It's About!

Hunted, Killed - Survived?

As the last Healer in the Fifteen Realms, Avery of Kazan is in a unique position: in the minds of her friends and foes alike, she no longer exists. Despite her need to prevent the megalomanical King Tohon from winner control of the Realms, Avery is also determined to find her sister and repair their estrangement. And she must do it alone, as Kerrick, her partner and sole confident, returns to Alga to summon his country into battle.

Though she should be in hiding, Avery will do whatever she can to support Tohon's opponents. Including infiltrating a holy army, evading magic sniffers, teaching forest skills to soldiers and figuring out how to stop Tohon's most horrible creations yet; an army of the walking dead - human and animal alike and nearly impossible to defeat.

War is coming and Avery is alone. Unless she figures out how to do the impossible ... again.

♥Wishlist Wednesday♥

♥Wishlist Wednesday♥ is every Wednesday, I will post a book or two that I have on my wishlist. This week it's Immortal City by Scott Speer, which was released April 3rd/2012. I've been seeing this book around on the blogspere and now I really wanna read it! I hope it's as good as it looks.

Add It To Goodreads

What It's About!

Jackson Godspeed is the hottest young Angel in a city filled with them. He's days away from becoming a full Guardian, and people around the world are already competing for the chance to be watched over by him. Everyone's obsessed with the Angels and the lucky people they protect - everyone except for Madison Montgomery.

Divergent Review

Rating: ♥♥♥♥




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In a future Chicago, 16-year-old Beatrice Prior must choose among five predetermined factions to define her identity for the rest of her life, a decision made more difficult when she discovers that she is an anomaly who does not fit into any one group, and that the society she lives in is not perfect after all.

 Review

Divergent falls in the middle between Matched (by Ally Condie) and The Hunger Games, only it ventures out into it's own story. I'm comparing it to these books because in Divergent, they have factions and different rules just like the districts in the hunger games, and all three books have some sort of higher power tying to control everyone else. That's pretty much where the similarities end.

I actually didn't end up really liking it until about the middle of the book, when things really start picking up and Beatrice/Tris starts turning things around and learns to stick up for herself. One of the main things that kept me reading was the relationship between Tris and Four, just something about it made me want more. I didnt mind most of the characters, but I think some of hem could have had a little more depth to them. I was sad when we lost a few characters, not so sad about others and some I wish hadn't made it but did.

There's a lot of heart-thumping, page turning action, especially nearing the end of the novel. I wasn't sure if I was going to end up reading the 2nd book, Insurent, but after reading the last few pages, I HAVE to know what happens next! Glad I don't have to wait long, since it's out next month. And just to be clear, it's maybe only half as good as the hunger games, but still a pretty good read. 

The Gates by Rachael Wade Tour Stop!

The Gates On Tour!

Book 2 of The Resistance Trilogy, a paranormal fantasy romance series. Available 4/25 from Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and Smashwords.

•    Song: Blinding
•    Artist: Florence and the Machine
•    Tour Date: 4/23/12
•    Venue: Samira’s Throne Room
•    Scene Snapshot: Samira reflects on her past, present, and future as queen of the Amaranthian exile.
•    Anthem:  

Seems that I have been held, in some dreaming state
A tourist in the waking world, never quite awake
No kiss, no gentle word could wake me from this slumber
Until I realise that it was you who held me under
No more dreaming of the dead as if death itself was undone
No more calling like a crow for a boy, for a body in the garden
No more dreaming like a girl so in love, so in love
No more dreaming like a girl so in love with the wrong world

Getting There is Half the Battle...

Armed with more unsettling knowledge about Gavin Devereaux and her circle of friends, Camille Hart is faced with new adversities and lethal propositions when she returns to the Amaranth exile to carry out Gavin’s risky crusade.

Realizing her journey through the bayou was only the beginning of her struggle to stay with Gavin, she finds that leaving her Louisiana home is the least of her worries. New evils await her on the other side, and as she and her friends press on with their mission, they are confronted with the reality that everything doesn't always go according to plan.

As secrets unfold and alliances are formed and broken, only the strongest will survive and the power of love will be tested when a war between witches, humans, and vampires erupts into an all-out power struggle and all is on the verge of being lost.

**Make sure you check back soon for my review of The Gates!**

Be sure to read book one before you read The Gates. Enter the world of Amaranth by picking up a copy at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, or Smashwords. Visit www.RachaelWade.com on Wednesday, April 25^th for The Gates launch party!

Book Reveal!

The Evolution of Mara Dyer (Mara Dyer #2) by Michelle Hodkin

Release Date: Oct. 23rd/2012

272 pages
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What It's About!

Two days after Mara walks into a police station in Miami at the close of The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer, she is committed for psychiatric treatment for what her parents believe is a mental breakdown. But what seems like a hallucination to everyone else is a chilling reality for Mara. Someone from her past has discovered her strange, disturbing secret and that someone wants her to pay. But she's about to discover that the price is more than she can bear.

Dark and thrilling, suspenseful and passionate, The Evolution of Mara Dyer will have readers breathlessly turning pages to find out what will become of Mara Dyer next...

IMM ♥

These are the books I have bought and received in the past few weeks.

For Review:

Keep Holding On ARC (BIG thanks to Penguin Canada for sending me this copy!!)

The Gates by Rachael Wade

Bought:

Divergent

Embrace

The Calling 

Boyfriend bought me Lauren Conrad's new book, The Fame Game :) 

What books have YOU gotten lately?

The Calling Review

Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥ 

Maya and her friends--all of whom have supernatural powers--have been kidnapped after fleeing from a forest fire they suspect was deliberately set, and after a terrifying helicopter crash they find themselves pursued by evildoers in the Vancouver Island wilderness.
Surprisingly, I loved every minute of this book from beginning to end. It's surprising because after read the first book, The Gathering, I was a little disappointed. This book though, had a lot going on. 




                                                                        Review                              


The first chapter dives right back into where the first book left off, and just kept on rolling. A few unexpected things happen, some were very predictable, but that's what makes a good book, the balance of having both. I have to say, I was kinda glad with what happened with a certain character, she was annoying and useless. We will probably be seeing her and a few other "lost" characters in the third book though.

My favourite characters are Maya and Daniel. I like Rafe too, but not the way I like Daniel, he's a lot better for Maya. We got to know some of the other characters better, like Corey, Nicole, and a couple others that weren't really around in the first book much. 

The way The Calling ended, was perfect as a 2nd book. It's not a total cliffhanger, but it does leave you wanting/needing to know what happens next. I think if the author had gone any further with it, it would have ruined a lot for the 3rd book in this series. I'm almost sad I read this book right away, since I have to probably wait another year (give or take) for the next book. I thoroughly enjoyed reading it and didn't want it to end! 

If you loved the Darkest Powers Trilogy by Kelley Armstrong, you will definitely love this series, even if the The Gathering is a bit slow, but it gives you a lot of good back info leading to this 2nd book.

♥Wishlist Wednesday♥

♥Wishlist Wednesday♥ is every Wednesday, I will post a book or two that I have on my wishlist. This week it's Lauren Conrad's new novel, The Fame Game, 1rst book in her spin-off series of the L.A. Candy trilogy. 


Although I haven't read the L.A. Candy novels (I've been really wanting to, but didn't know if they were worth the time), I HAVE to read this one! I've seen better reviews on this new novel, than her other ones. Plus I love the cover :) I always loved watching Lauren on The Hills and Laguna Beach but never really thought she'd be a very good author, so I guess I will have to buy this book and see!

What It's About!


In Hollywood, fame can be found on every corner and behind any door. You just have to know where to look for it. Nineteen-year-old Madison Parker made a name for herself as best frenemy of nice-girl-next-door Jane Roberts on the hot reality show L.A. Candy. 


Now Madison's ready for her turn in the spotlight and she'll stop at nothing to get it. Sure, she's the star of a new show, but with backstabbing friends and suspicious family members trying to bring her down, Madison has her work cut out for her. Plus, there's a new nice girl in "reality" town—aspiring actress Carmen Price, the daughter of Hollywood royalty—and she's a lot more experienced at playing the fame game... When the camera's start rolling, whose star will shine brighter?

Filled with characters both familiar and new, Lauren Conrad's series about the highs and lows of being famous delivers Hollywood gossip and drama at every turn.

♥Cover Candie of the Week♥

Cover Candie: Dark Heart Surrender (Dark Heart #3) by Lee Monroe


Released Aprirl 5th/2012
384 pages
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What It's About! 


ONE GIRL. TWO WORLDS. SHATTERED. Jane's world has changed now that Luca, love of her live, inhabits it, and she's happier than she ever thought she could be. But how can a werewolf survive in the real world? When an immortal lives in the mortal world, the natural order of things must change. And what seems perfect, becomes destructive. They've overcome different worlds. But nothing could prepare Jane for this...