Dare You To by Katie McGarry

Dare You To (Pushing The Limits companion) by Katie McGarry

Publisher: Harlequin Teen 
Release Date: May 28th/2013
Pages: 304
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What It's About!

"I dare you..."

If anyone knew the truth about Beth Risk's home life, they'd send her mother to jail and seventeen-year-old Beth who knows where. So she protects her mom at all costs. Until the day her uncle swoops in and forces Beth to choose between her mom's freedom and her own happiness. That's how Beth finds herself living with an aunt who doesn't want her and going to a school that doesn't understand her. At all. Except for the one guy who shouldn't get her, but does....

Ryan Stone is the town golden boy, a popular baseball star jock-with secrets he can't tell anyone. Not even the friends he shares everything with, including the constant dares to do crazy things. The craziest? Asking out the Skater girl who couldn't be less interested in him.

But what begins as a dare becomes an intense attraction neither Ryan nor Beth expected. Suddenly, the boy with the flawless image risks his dreams-and his life-for the girl he loves, and the girl who won't let anyone get too close is daring herself to want it all...

 

In My Dreams Re-Release

In My Dreams by Cameo Renae

Publisher: Crushing Hearts & Black Butterfly Publishing
Release Date: December 2012
Pages: N/A
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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?

 

Wolf Pact Review

Wolf Pact (Wolf Pact Part I - IV) by Melissa De La Cruz

Publisher: ATOM
Release Date: September 25th/2012
Pages: 304
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What It's About!

Lawson and his brothers escaped from the underworld and now lead desperate, dangerous lives. They’re pursued by the Hounds of Hell from one town to the next, never calling any place home. But when the hounds finally catch up with them and capture the girl Lawson loves, the hunters become the hunted. Lawson will stop at nothing to track down the hounds, even if the chances of saving Tala are slim...

The only hope he has lies in Bliss Llewellyn. Bliss, too, has lost someone to the beasts and will do anything to get them back—even if it means joining forces with the insolent, dangerously good-looking boy with a wolf’s soul.          

Review

Wolf Pact was a short, quick read that left me a little disappointed. I LOVE the author's Bluebloods series, but I just didn't love this book. I had high expectations before reading it, since Melissa De La Cruz is such a good author, I just couldn't get into it though.

The whole time I was reading it I couldn't help comparing it to Andrea Cremer's Nightshade series, and Wolf Pact wasn't as good. I liked Bliss in the Bluebloods series but unfortunately in this book, she wasn't that great. The only time she was actually of any use was at the very end of the book, otherwise she was pretty useless.

Right away, we were introduced to new characters, which were the wolves, and also lost one, though it wasn't for certain until the end. There was just enough interesting things happening throughout the book to keep my interest, but unfortunately, not enough for me to love it. Even though I was hoping for a lot better, it wasn't bad. Melissa De La Cruz fans should at least give it a try, I know a lot of people really like Wolf Pact. 

Rating:

 

Avow by Chelsea Fine

Avow (The Archers of Avalon #3) by Chelsea Fine

Publisher: Firefall Publishing 
Release Date: December 11th/2012
Pages: N/A
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What It's About!


Scarlet remembers. Everything. Her past lives, Tristan, Gabriel, Nate: she remembers it all--including how to get to the Fountain of Youth. But time is running out.

Heather and Gabriel have been kidnapped by Raven, while the curse that has plagued Scarlet and Tristan for centuries has shifted, putting the star-crossed lovers in more danger than ever before. Water from the Fountain of Youth is the only thing that can save Scarlet and her loved ones. But the water comes at a price.

With lives--and hearts--at stake, Scarlet leads her friends on a dangerous journey to the Fountain of Youth. Where eternal life is possible, but death is certain.

 

Book Reveal!

The Moon and More by Sarah Dessen

Publisher: Viking Juvenile
Release Date: June 4th/2013
Pages: 384
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What It's About!

Emaline works at her family's vacation rental company the summer before she leaves for college. She must confront her values, goals and choices as her relationship with city-boy Theo evolves and she's forced to say goodbye to the beach town where she grew up.

Destined Review

Destined by Jessie Harrel

Publisher: Mae Day Publishing
Release Date: November 17th/2011
Pages: 360
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A copy was provided for review from the author 

What It's About!

When Psyche receives a prophecy gone horribly wrong, she learns that even the most beautiful girl in Greece can have a hideous future. Her fate? Fall in love with the one creature even the gods fear.

As she feels herself slipping closer into the arms of the prophecy, Psyche must choose between the terrifyingly tender touch she feels almost powerless to resist and the one constant she's come to expect out of life: you cannot escape what is destined.

Review

I just love books that are about or have greek mythology in them, I just find them so interesting, especially the ones in the YA genre. Destined is about Eros "accidentally" falling in love with Psyche, a normal mortal girl who's a princess, but also turns out to be more than they both knew.

I just thought this book was so cute and romantic, some parts got me bored a little bit, but it was pretty good most of the time. One of the things I didn't feel like was touched on was where Alexa, a servant nypmh from Pshyche's new palace went. One moment she's there, then she's not, then it's the end of the book and I'm like, ok, what ever happened to her?? I really liked her character so I was disappointed when I didn't get a conclusion as to where she ended up by the end of the book.

The book is based heavily around Eros, Psyche and Eros's mother, Aphrodite, but there were other characters too, like Psyche's annoying, mean sister. I'm glad she wasn't in the book very much. I really liked how Aphrodite started out as one thing, then by the end was completely different even though she hadn't technically changed. It was a very good twist to the story I hadn't seen coming at all. I finished this book in 2 sittings, I just couldn't put it down, it was so good! I couldn't wait to find out if Eros and Psyche actually ended up together in the end with everything they had to go through, it was just so romantic and got me so emotionally evolved.

I for sure think anyone who likes greek mythology would probably like Destined, it's such a nice new story on something as old as the greek mythology. 

Rating:

Author Interview & Giveaway

Q: What first got you into writing? Did you always know you wanted to be an author?

A: Boredom! My first job after college was as a Meteorologist for an environmental consulting firm. The amount of work came in waves, and we were either extremely busy or bored. During the slow times, I started writing a short story. Ideas were always floating around in my mind, but that was when I began using them.
I had thought I wanted to be a storm chaser and if you had told me I'd end up an author I'd probably would have laughed long and hard :)

Q: For those who might not know, how many books do you currently have out right now?

A: I've 9 published novels and 13 short stories in various anthologies. Book #10 is coming out in December.

Q: What were/are some of your favorite books that you've wrote so far?

A: They're all my favorites :) But I will admit to having a certain fondness to POISON STUDY because it is my first book. Second is INSIDE OUT (love Sheepy) and third is TOUCH OF POWER.
 
Q: Since I'm such a huge fan of the Touch of Power series, I have to know; What idea or ideas inspired the story for these books?

A: In the Study books, Yelena has the power to heal, but it’s but one of her many skills. So after writing the Study books, I wanted to explore healing powers more in depth. I had this vague idea about a healer or an apprentice healer during an epidemic. She was either going to be sought after for her powers – like everyone wanting her, or be hunted. I wasn’t sure. Then one night my daughter couldn’t sleep and she wanted me to tell her a story. She knew all my other books, so I started telling her about this healer. And every night, she’d ask, “What’s next?” That’s why TOUCH OF POWER is dedicated to my daughter.

Q: Are any of the main characters in any of the books based on people you know?

A: Not really. I have aspects of people I know in certain characters but haven't lifted them whole. Well, I'm lying. I do have two characters than are almost lifted whole in the Glass books. Opal's parents are my parents - they even have the same names :) The only thing different is my dad doesn't make glass and my mother isn't that great of a cook (shhh...don't tell her!).

Q: Are there plans for any more books in the touch of power series?

A: Yes, I'm working on book 3, TASTE OF DEATH right now and it should be out next December.

So that's it for the questions, do you have any advice for aspiring authors/writers out there?

A: Persistence is my biggest advice. I’d been writing for ten years and submitting for eight before I sold anything. Learn the craft of writing as well as the business of writing and attend writer’s conferences and classes if you can. Consider that time an apprenticeship. Be wary of predators, if someone is asking you for money proceed with the utmost caution. Get feedback on your stories from fellow writers before submitting. Joining a critique group is very helpful. I also find that if I let a story sit on my desk for a few weeks I can pick out all the problems, typos and inconsistencies easier. And I agree whole heartily with Stephen King’s advice in his book, On Writing. He wrote, “If you want to be a writer, you must do two things above all others: read a lot and write a lot.” And don’t give up! Ever!

Thanks so much for hosting me on your blog! If your readers would like more info about me and my books, I have the first chapter of all my books on my website as well as a number of free short stories they can read. Here’s the link: http://www.mariavsnyder.com And my blog is: http://officialmariavsnyder.blogspot.com

Enter to win a SIGNED paperback copy of Touch of Power! Please note it's only US and Canada.

*Rules*
Must be a member of the blog to enter and any other pages it asks you to follow. I WILL be checking! Thx! 

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The Catastrophic History Of You & Me Review

The Catastrophic History Of You & Me by Jess Rothenberg

Publisher: Penguin Young Readers Group
Release Date: February 21rst/2012
Pages: 375
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What It's About! 

Dying of a broken heart is just the beginning.... Welcome to forever.

BRIE'S LIFE ENDS AT SIXTEEN: Her boyfriend tells her he doesn't love her, and the news breaks her heart—literally.

But now that she's D&G (dead and gone), Brie is about to discover that love is way more complicated than she ever imagined. Back in Half Moon Bay, her family has begun to unravel. Her best friend has been keeping a secret about Jacob, the boy she loved and lost—and the truth behind his shattering betrayal. And then there's Patrick, Brie's mysterious new guide and resident Lost Soul . . . who just might hold the key to her forever after.

With Patrick's help, Brie will have to pass through the five stages of grief before she's ready to move on. But how do you begin again, when your heart is still in pieces?

Review

The Catastrophic History Of You & Me is about a girl who literally dies from a broken heart, and ends up in Heaven, where she meets Patrick. Little does she know, she already knows who he is, but it takes her the whole book to finally remember and come to the realization of who he is.

This book took me through about 4 stages of emotion. I started off laughing and really enjoying it because Brie's character was just so witty and funny and in a lot of ways I could relate to her. Then once I got further into the book, I started to get annoyed/bored. Her personality started to get old, and her dumbness was just getting to me. So many things were so obvious I just wanted to jump into the pages and strangle her. Brie was so self-centered and never listened to what Patrick was trying to tell her. Then close to the end I was a happy-sad because of the little bit of romance story that was near the end but actually started at the very beginning of the book, it just wasn't totally obvious until I got near the end of the book. Then by the very end I was practically in tears it was just so beautiful.

Brie started out as a really annoying, typical teenager (even though I thought she was funny at the same time in the beginning), but throughout the book she really grew as a person. She slowly started to understand things and people in a new way that she never had before. By the end she was the total opposite of the annoying, full of attitude teenager and finally accepted and understood the world and stopped putting herself first. That was one of the things I really liked about this book. The other thing was the love story between Brie and Patrick, how he had always been there for her even when she didn't know it and had given her a second chance even though it meant he was never going to be able to move on for all eternity.

By the time I finished the last page, it really tugged at my heart strings, so I decided to give it a 4/5 stars instead of the 3 I was originally going to give it.

Rating:

Rememberence Day Special Post

Remembrance Day is a day each year that we Canadians take to just stop and remember those who fought for our freedom. Lest We Forget, though I am sad to say, I think many of us are forgetting. 

In the last week or so, I have heard things that make me wanna take some of these people, stick them in the past and fight that war themselves. People these days are so spoiled and take our freedom for granted. It wouldn't even surprise me anymore if even one person doesn't know the real reason for Remembrance Day isn't really just a paid day off. 

A few of the things I've heard are these, and they make me really disgusted at anyone who came up with this crap:

Cosco stores in a few places in Canada have shortened the 16 days of selling poppies outside their doors, to 3 days! The place I live tried to do it too, but apparently they got boycotted, so they kept it to the 16 days that it should be.

Second one, I'm not 100% if it's true or not, but Edmonton has decided that kids can "opt out" of Remembrance Day ceremonies, because their parents don't want them to participate. Like it's an effing religion. ARE YOU KIDDING ME? Remembrance day isn't optional and it's NOT a religion. It's a day to remember all the soldiers that lost their lives fighting for our freedom so that you CAN freely practice whatever religion you decide. Without them, we wouldn't have freedom, so I guess some people truly are forgetting and think their kids are too good to attend these ceremonies. THOSE are the people who should be thrown into another country that doesn't have HALF the freedom we do so they can actually understand what freedom is and get their heads of their asses. (Read more here)

No matter how long ago it was, which, if you think about it, wasn't very long at all, if your a real Canadian, you'll take a moment on November 11th to thank the soldiers who lost their lives for us, not take our freedom for granted. 

 

Guest Review by Ellen Wookey

Deck of Lies by Jade Varden 

Published for Kindle
Release Date: December 24th/2011
Pages: N/A
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What It's About! 

A House of Cards...

When you build an entire life on a foundation of lies, it only takes one truth for the whole thing to come crashing down. I never invited the truth in. I never went searching for it. I never had any reason to suspect that the two people I loved most were dishonest with me every second of every day.

I made one bad decision, and in a single day my entire world changed. If I'm ever going to discover the truth about myself and my parents, I have to trace all the lies back to their source. I have to try to find the truth that they're hiding.

The more I discover about myself, and my past, the more I realize that lies really are better than the truth. But now that I know the lies are all around me, I can't stop until I've discovered them all. I'll pull each lie away, one by one, and examine it to see what's underneath…until this house of cards crumbles into dust at my feet.

I just hope I can survive the crash.

Ellen's Review

WOW, this is not some paranormal book. This is a suspenseful, mystery book that has you gripping every lie as they multiply in the palm of your hands.

One prank changed two families in a matter of minutes. Entangled in a web of lies, the justice card has played its part well. Rain, or should I say Chloe…well you will find it hard giving this character a name as she struggles with what to call herself when asked the simple question “Who are you?”. The new mission is to start digging for answers.

I was unable to place this book down. I read the description of the book and did not see what was coming. Lies unfolded more lies and the answers created heartache. This book felt real and I will recommend it to everyone I come across. It touched my heart and I am ready to start the second.

Bring on the lies. 

Her Rating:

 

Tour Stop Cover Reveal

Pieces (The Breakaway #2) by Michelle Davidson Argyle

Publisher: Rhemalda Publishing

Release Date: February 14th/2013

Pages: N/A

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What It's About!

Two years after watching her kidnappers go to prison, Naomi Jensen is still in love with one of them. Jesse will be released in a few years, and Naomi knows college is the perfect distraction while she waits. But when her new friend Finn makes her question what is right and what is wrong, she begins to wonder if Jesse is the one for her … until she discovers he's out on parole. Naomi must sort through her confusion to figure out where love and freedom truly lie—in Finn, who has no connections to her past, or Jesse, who has just asked her to run away with him.

Pieces Excerpt

(From Chapter 6)

She almost didn’t recognize him behind the wheel of his father’s green pickup truck. His hair was longer than she remembered. For a moment, her mind spun. She dropped the box in her hands and it fell to the floor, spilling the pink and white candies everywhere. He was parking almost directly across the street from her now. As stupid as it was, she hadn’t planned this far. Now he was getting out of the truck.

She had long since rolled up her window and turned on the air conditioning, so it wasn’t as if she could yell to him. Instead, she opened her door as fast as she could and tripped over her feet as she stumbled out onto the road. She shut the door and the sound made Jesse stop and look up before he could shut the truck’s door. His mouth dropped open.

“Naomi?”

“I heard you were on parole.” She brushed a sweaty hand across her forehead. “I … I—”

“I’m not allowed to see you,” he interrupted, taking a step back. But he had nowhere to go except the truck. His hand lingered on the open door. “I’ll be sent back to prison if I attempt to contact or see you. I’m not even sure I can see you after my parole is over. It might be long time.” He looked at his hands. “I have a hearing next week. I’ll find out more then.”

Even from across the street, Naomi could see the muscles in his jaw tightening with anger. She knew it wasn’t aimed at her. “But you aren’t attempting,” she said. “I’ve taken that initiative, so it’s not your fault.”

“Yes, but if my parole officer finds out about this, he won’t be happy. I was lucky enough to be released to my father. If you’re found here, I’ll be in more trouble than you can imagine.” His face was stiff, his body tense. Naomi realized what a mistake she had made, but there he was, right in front of her. It was too much. She took a step forward, relieved the road was quiet with no traffic at the moment. Jesse glanced down the street, then back to her. His expression softened as she walked toward him. Each of her steps were heavy, as if she didn’t believe she would ever reach him.

    Michelle's Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Twitter

Michelle lives and writes in Utah, surrounded by the Rocky Mountains. She loves the seasons, but late summer and early fall are her favorites. She adores chocolate, sushi, and lots of ethnic food, and loves to read and write books in whatever time she can grab between her sword-wielding husband and energetic daughter. She believes a simple life is the best life.    

♥Cover Candie of the Month♥

A Darkness Strange & Lovely (Something Strange & Deadly #2) by Susan Dennard

Publisher: HarperTeen
Release Date: July 23rd/2013 
Pages: 416 pages 
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What It's About!

Following an all-out battle with the walking Dead, the Spirit Hunters have fled Philadelphia, leaving Eleanor alone to cope with the devastating aftermath. But there’s more trouble ahead—the evil necromancer Marcus has returned, and his diabolical advances have Eleanor escaping to Paris to seek the help of Joseph, Jie, and the infuriatingly handsome Daniel once again. When she arrives, however, she finds a whole new darkness lurking in this City of Light. As harrowing events unfold, Eleanor is forced to make a deadly decision that will mean life or death for everyone.