Mini Reviews: Heart With Joy, What We Keep is Not Always What Will Stay, & Insight

Summary/Cover Image from Author's Website:

In Heart With Joy, fifteen year old Julian Hale’s life is turned upside down when his mother suddenly moves from North Carolina to Florida under the pretense of running her parents’ motel and finishing the novel she has been working on for years. While Julian has always been closer to his mother and wants to go with her, she tells him he has to stay with his father until the end of the school year.

Six weeks after his mother leaves, Julian’s father decides to run a marathon. This surprises Julian because he has never seen his father exercise, but once he agrees to help him train the two develop the sort of close relationship they’ve never had before. Also, with the help of an elderly neighbor, Julian learns that the most important thing in life is to follow your heart. And Julian’s heart leads him to a passion for cooking and a young cashier at the local grocery store even as his parents drift apart. By the end of the novel, Julian is forced to choose between staying with his father and going to live with his mother.

Heart With Joy is an uplifting coming of age novel about cooking and bird watching, about writing and pottery, and about falling in love and the sacrifices we all make. But ultimately, it’s about following your heart and trusting that it will take you where you need to go.

Review:

Heart with Joy by Steve Cushman is the perfect example of why you should never judge a book by its cover. Prior to reading this one, it had been sitting in my TBR pile for a couple of months, because while it looked interesting enough, I wasn't sure if I would totally adore. However, just at it would happen, Heart with Joy ended up rocking my world. Not only was it a sweet and honest coming of age but it also contained some pretty amazing characters! Julian is a character any teen will be able to relate and any adult will be able to see parts of themselves in when they were Julian's age. What I loved most about Julian's character, though, was seeing the different relationships he began throughout this one. From the sweet and heartwarming friendship he shared with his old neighbor to the one with his dad that ended up surprising him the most to the one with Tia, a girl who ended up inspiring Julian in ways he could have never imagine...every one was nearly perfect. The writing in this one was also great, and while a certain part of the ending almost killed me, I loved this book to pieces. My advice to you? Pick up this book ASAP. It's a heartwarming and unique read!

Grade: A-

Heart with Joy (Goodreads/Amazon/Barnes and Noble) is now out!

Source: Author- thanks Steve!

Summary/Cover Image from Publisher's Website:

Angie never used to think much about God—until things started getting strange. Like the statue of St. Felix, her secret confidant, suddenly coming off his pedestal and talking to her. And Jesse Francis, sent home from Afghanistan at age nineteen with his leg blown off. Now he's expected to finish high school and fit right back in. Is God even paying attention to this?

Against the advice of St. Felix (who knows a thing or two about war), Angie falls for Jesse—who's a lot deeper than most high school guys. But Jesse is battling some major demons. As his behavior starts to become unpredictable, and even dangerous, Angie finds herself losing control of the situation. And she's starting to wonder . . . can one person ever make things right for someone else?

Review:

What We Keep Is Not Always What Will Stay is another unique and heartwarming as well as heartbreaking contemporary read. Amanda Cockrell constantly presented an interesting twist in this one through St. Felix. I was never really sure whether or not he was something science fiction like or maybe just a small miracle. Either way, I just loved his character, because not only was he sweet and serene, but he helped Angie grow in some major ways. Angie's overall story in this one was quite interesting as well. I found her friendship with Jesse to be something refreshingly new, and even though it didn't turn out how I expected it, it was still an high point to the novel. Cockrell's writing was also great, and given the exciting and one of kind twists and turns she puts in her books, I'm excited to see what's up next for her!

Grade: B+

What We Keep Is Not Always What Will Stay (Goodreads/Amazon/Barnes and Noble) is now out!

Source: Publicist at Flux

Summary/Cover Image from Publisher's Website:

Some secrets won’t let you go.

Elvira Witsil lives about as far away from civilization as you can get, in a remote corner of Wisconsin where nothing much ever happens. In a house crowded with her mother, her cantankerous grandmother, and her little sister, Jessie, Elvira feels forgotten and alone.

Their house also contains numerous secrets, and Elvira’s family holds their secrets closely. Secrets about the father that Jessie never knew, and that Elvira can’t forget. Secrets about that day five years ago. And the one secret that Elvira can’t quite understand: that Jessie sees things no one else can see.

These secrets will lead Elvira and her family on a journey far away from home—on a journey toward redemption and healing—if she can just bring herself to believe.

Review:

When I was first offered the chance to read and review Insight, I jumped at the chance. It looked like suspenseful and secret filed, and I just couldn't get over how enchanting the cover was. As it turns out, Insightful was well worth a read! First of all, the characters and plot events in this one were quiet interesting. They constantly kept me on my toes, dying to know what would happen next. I especially enjoyed the mystical aspect to this. And the ending was perfect... bittersweet as well as hopeful. I look forward to reading more by Diana Greenwood!

Grade: B+

Insight (Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Goodreads) is now out!

Source: Publicist at DJC Communications- thanks Candace!

Book Trailer: 

In My Mailbox (160 & 161)

In My Mailbox was started by Kristi at The Story Siren.

Finished Copies for Review:

   

Heft by Liz Moore- Different than my usual type of read but I'm still really excited about it! 

Second Skin by Judith Graves

From Netgalley:

 

A Temptation of Angels by Michelle Zink- Absolutely amazing! You all HAVE to read this book! 

Talisman Of El by Alecia Stone- Looks good!

 

Girl Unmoored by Jennifer Gooch Hummer- I've heard SO MANY good things about this one!

Monstrous Beauty by Elizabeth Fama- Love the cover!

Shadow and Bone (The Grisha, #1) by Leigh Bardugo- The fact that Veronica Roth blurbed this one is a good enough reason alone to read it. The fact that it's been getting great reviews just adds to the awesomeness. 

eBooks for Review:

 

Lightbringer by K.D. McEntire- Looks great!

Fair Coin by E.C. Myers- As does this one!

 

Thief's Covenant by Ari Marmell- Seen some fabulous reviews for this one!

Eden's Root by Rachel Fisher- Haven't heard much about this one but I'm still looking forward to giving it a try. 

Much thanks goes to Rachel Fisher, the people at Pyr books, Netgalley, Macmillan, Book Sparks PR, Centrinian Publishing, Penguin Young Readers, Judith Graves, and W. W. Norton & Company! 

Have a great week everyone! 

Review: The Way We Fall by Megan Crewe

Summary/Cover Image from Barnes and Noble:

When a deadly virus begins to sweep through sixteen-year-old Kaelyn’s community, the government quarantines her island—no one can leave, and no one can come back.

Those still healthy must fight for dwindling supplies, or lose all chance of survival. As everything familiar comes crashing down, Kaelyn joins forces with a former rival and discovers a new love in the midst of heartbreak. When the virus starts to rob her of friends and family, she clings to the belief that there must be a way to save the people she holds dearest.

Because how will she go on if there isn't?

Megan Crewe crafts a powerful and gripping exploration of self-preservation, first love, and hope. Poignant and dizzying, this heart-wrenching story of one girl’s bravery and unbeatable spirit will leave readers fervently awaiting the next book in this standout new series.

Review:

After reading Megan Crewe's amazing '09 debut Give Up the Ghost, I couldn't wait to read more by her, so when I heard about The Way We Fall, I knew I had to read it, even though I barley knew a thing about it at the time. As it turns out, I'm glad I felt that way, because The Way We Fall is a crazy, suspenseful read perfect for fans of Dystopian lit...trust me!

One of my favorite aspect about this book was the way it was told! When I first heard that The Way We Fall would be told through Kaelyn's letters to her (former) best friend, I was weary and even a bit hesitant to read it. I worried that it wouldn't fully capture the story, or provide enough development. However, from the first entry, my worries were thrown right out the door, because not only did it provide an even deeper look into Kaelyn's feelings and thoughts as the virus began its descent, but it also managed to give this book a fast paced feeling as while being well developed. Basically, it was the perfect way in which to tell the story, in my opinion.

Moving on, I really enjoyed the characters in this one as well. In the beginning of the book (before the virus begins), Kaelyn remarks that she would like nothing more than to be a more social and outgoing person due to her past mistakes that came from her being the opposite of just that, and as the book continued, just that occurred, even though it probably wasn't the way in which she would have liked it to occur. What I liked most about Kaelyn's character, though, was how dedicated and driven she was to her family to helping find a cure to the viruses to her friends and even to the letters she wrote. It made her a well rounded as well as likable person, that's for sure. I also enjoyed the variety of secondary characters that were introduced in this. Meredith, Gav, Tessa would probably have to be my favorites based on their actions alone, but I also really enjoyed reading about Kaelyn's parents as well as her brother. I'm also very curious to find out more about Leo, the person whose Kaelyn's letters are addressed to, in the sequel.

The plot in this one was heartbreaking, suspenseful, and just outright amazing to say the least. The development of the viruses as well as the action and developments that came with it were hauntingly realistic, in my opinion. In all sincerity, I could see something like this occurring in the near future, and that's part of what made this book so griping, in my opinion. What I also enjoyed about the plot in this one was the various relationships as well as friendships that developed because of it. Each managed to add an interesting addition to the novel, ones that The Way We Fall would be incomplete without. Lastly, the ending of this one was superb! It contained just the perfect amount of closure as well as openness to have me clamoring for a copy of the sequel.

Bittersweet as well as suspenseful, The Way We Fall by Megan Crewe is nearly perfect!

Grade: A+

The Way We Fall (Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Goodreads) is now out!

Source: Publicity Firm/Publisher- Thanks Big Honcho Media and Hyperion! 

Review: My Favorite Mistake (An A Circuit Novel, #2) by Catherine Hapka & Georgina Bloomberg

Summary/Cover Image from Publisher's Website:

Get your A-list fix with the series Vanity Fair calls "blue-ribbon worthy."

Tommi, Zara, and Kate are all elite riders on the A Circuit. Tommi, the billionaire heiress, is training a young horse to prove she can make horses a real career. But when her new beau, Alex, convinces her to skip a horse show to party in the Hamptons, the results could be disastrous. Zara, the celebutante wild child, is finally taking her riding seriously. Until the new "nanny" her dad hires threatens to upstage Zara's party girl status. Then there's Kate. She doesn't have money to burn like the others, but she does have Fitz, the barn's resident hot guy. But when the pressure of being a working student builds, Kate's perfectionist tendencies threaten to get in the way of her relationship and her riding.

Readers who are growing out of the Canterwood Crest series or searching for an A-list fix have found just what they're looking for in the A Circuit series.

Review:

After reading the fun and frothy The A Circuit, the prequel to My Favorite Mistake, I couldn't wait to see what was up next for Tommi, Zara, Fitz, and Kate, especially given where the last book left off! Thankfully, My Favorite Mistake was even better than The A Circuit. It provided even more drama as well as intrigue and even some real live situations were thrown in. Basically, it was the perfect read for a quiet afternoon or evening!

My Favorite Mistake starts up shortly after the last book left up. The girls as well as their horses are training for even more horse shows while dealing with the many problems as well as fun that comes their way. In this addition, I really feel like the girl's grew as a characters. Zara became more than just a "party girl" when faced with the dilemma of what to do when her babysitter turns out to be even more wilder than she is. Headstrong Tommi, on the other hand, deals with a new love, one that may provide a risk to her horse ridding career. Lastly, Kate is dealing with her own problems, which include her Mom's OCD ways, her developing relationship with Fitz, and much more. I came to like the girl's even more in this one, especially Zara, because not only were they fun, but they really managed to come off in a realistic way in this one. They made mistakes, they risked there futures for silly things, and they loved and learned... basically even with their amazing lives they still managed to just be regular teens, trying to find their place. The only aspect, I wasn't too big on in this one, was the lack of development into their friendship. The girls didn't really spend too much time together in this one. Hopefully that will change in the next one!

The plot in this one as much fun as the last one! It was interesting to find out more about the world of horse showing as well as the many preparations the girls have to do for it. I also enjoyed seeing the girl's everyday adventures as well as Kate's developing relationship with Fitz. The ending of this one also provided me with enough juice and intrigue to be saying, "Where's the next one?!"

The writing in this one was also decent! Georgina as well as Catherine did a fabulous job of blending the girl's POVs together as well as making sure they didn't overlap.

In all, My Favorite Mistake is yet another fun addition to the A Circuit series...here's to hoping the next one is even better!

Grade: B

My Favorite Mistake (Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Goodreads) is now out!

Source: Publisher via Netgalley- thanks!

Review: Legend by Marie Lu

Summary/Cover Image from Publisher's Website:

What was once the western United States is now home to the Republic, a nation perpetually at war with its neighbors. Born into an elite family in one of the Republic's wealthiest districts, fifteen-year-old June is a prodigy being groomed for success in the Republic's highest military circles. Born into the slums, fifteen-year-old Day is the country's most wanted criminal. But his motives may not be as malicious as they seem.

From very different worlds, June and Day have no reason to cross paths - until the day June's brother, Metias, is murdered and Day becomes the prime suspect. Caught in the ultimate game of cat and mouse, Day is in a race for his family's survival, while June seeks to avenge Metias's death. But in a shocking turn of events, the two uncover the truth of what has really brought them together, and the sinister lengths their country will go to keep its secrets.

Full of nonstop action, suspense, and romance, this novel is sure to move readers as much as it thrills.

Review:

Ever since I first heard about this book, I've been dying to read it. It sounded amazing...just my kind of book and much, much more, and just as it turns out, Legend by Marie Lu was just the book for me! Addicting, interesting, and suspenseful, there wasn't a moment where this book didn't have me on the edge of my seat, dying to know what would happen next to June, Day, and all their friends and foes.

Everything begins the day June's brother Metias leaves one night to go on a mission for the government of the Republic, and doesn't return alive. Metias, the government says, has been killed by Day, the most elusive and mysterious criminal in country. No one knows what Day looks like or how old he is. They don't even know what drives him to commit these crimes. However, June is determined to find out. With the help of the government, June sets out to find Day once and for all. What happens, though, when Day isn't what she expected? More importantly, what happens when June finds out the people she trusted the most may be the ones lying to her? Only time and more pages can tell in this one of a kind read!

Legend tells the story of June and Day in alternating perspectives. With this, I was truly able to get right into their minds from the start. I saw that while June was a bit hotheaded and quick to act, there was an amazing girl below her tough exterior, one that would go to the end of the world to take care of the people she loves the most. Much of the same went for Day, as I as to learn as well. What I liked most about their characters, though, was seeing them come together as one. At first, they didn't like or trust each other all that well, but as the tables kept turning back and forth and the secrets came pouring out, they became as thick of thieves, and I couldn't imagine it any other way. With their characters also came some great side characters. Some of the ones I loved the most came from Day's family, and even though I never really got to see a lot of them on the pages, they were still my favorites. I also enjoyed the addition of Tess, Day's sidekick throughout the book. 

The plot in this also played a big part in making this read something special, in my opinion. I really enjoyed how thoroughly Marie Lu created the world in this one, because not only did it make it easy to imagine from the start, but it also added some a great edge to the book overall. Another aspect I enjoyed was the wide variety of twist and turns that constantly appeared throughout. I never was really sure what to expect next, but I knew one thing sure: whatever did occur next would probably change everything once again and rock my world.

In all, Legend by Marie Lu is yet another fabulous addition to the YA Dystopian trend...I can only hope the sequel is just as good, if not better!

Grade: A-

Legend (Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Goodreads) is now out!

Source: Publisher- thanks Penguin!

Review: Trafficked by Kim Purcell

Summary/Cover Image from Publisher's Website:

A gripping thriller, ripped from the headlines!

Hannah believes she's being brought from Moldova to Los Angeles to become a nanny for a Russian family. But her American dream quickly spirals into a nightmare. The Platonovs force Hannah to work sixteen-hour days, won't let her leave the house, and seem to have a lot of secrets - from Hannah and from each other. Stranded in a foreign land with false documents, no money, and nobody who can help her, Hannah must find a way to save herself from her new status as a modern-day slave or risk losing the one thing she has left: her life.

Review:

Just from the catch line as well as the summary, I could tell Trafficked was going to be an emotional and intense read, and as it turns out it was just that as well as much, much more. Trafficked divulges into the testy waters of Human Trafficking, and not only delivers the facts about Human Trafficking but a realistic and heartbreaking story of one girl's life who has hit rock bottom.

Prior to the bomb that killed her parents as well as any hope she had in continuing her education, Hannah was living a pretty decent life in Moldova. Her parents had their own problems, but they loved her very much. She had friends she could count on, and with her grades as good as they were, there was no doubt about her becoming a doctor someday. However, before she knows it, everything changes. Left with little money to her name, she goes to live with her grandmother, who is barley able to support herself let alone Hannah, so when Hannah's offered the chance to nanny for a family in Los Angels, California, she jumps at the chance, thinking that this will finally be her chance to turn her life around for good. What happens, though, when everything isn't as it seems? What happens when Hannah's thrown in a life or death situation with no escape? Will she find a way out, or die trying? Only time and more pages can tell in this emotional roller coaster of read that's sure to have any reader rooting for Hannah every step of the way! 

Hannah was a character who caught my attention from the start. It was hard not to like a girl who was so serene and honest. Her descriptions of her home country as well as her family and friends played on my heartstrings continuously, and with that, I wished her the best of luck in America, even though I knew that was going to happen, which made the fall she faced even more emotional, in my opinion. Seeing Hannah fall into the Platonovs' greedy hands was scary and something that no one should face, and throughout the novel, I was constantly wishing she find a way out from under them and their conniving ways. With Hannah, however, came some other characters that I did enjoy reading about. The boy next door, for one, played an important part in Hannah's story by the end, and while their interactions were brief and terse, they always managed to bring more development and understanding to Hannah's characters. I also enjoyed the addition of the Platonovs' daughter Maggie. She was truly the only one in that house who truly seemed to somewhat like Hannah, and seeing her try to stand up for Hannah at times, even at her own expense, broke my heart. 

The plot in Trafficked was gritty as well as intense based on the topics discussed alone. I give Kim Purcell props for delivering such an honest look into the topic of Human Trafficking- she showed the bad sides as well as the very, very bad sides. While at times the scenes caused me to put the book down for a few minutes, it gave more understanding into this situation as well as Hannah's character, in my opinion. The ending was probably my favorite part, though, because while it wasn't the perfect happily ever after (what came be in this type of situation?) it gave good closure for Hannah as well as hope for her future.

Gritty as well as suspenseful, Trafficked by Kim Purcell is a hard read, but one that's worth a read based on the subject alone.

Grade: A-

Trafficked (Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Gooodreads) is now out! 

Source: Deb/Penguin- thanks! 

Don't forget to enter the giveaway for a copy below!! 

Giveaway: Trafficked by Kim Purcell (5 Copies!)

Thanks to Deb and the people at Penguin, I have FIVE copies of Trafficked by Kim Purcell to giveaway today!

Here's some info about the book:

A gripping thriller, ripped from the headlines!

Hannah believes she's being brought from Moldova to Los Angeles to become a nanny for a Russian family. But her American dream quickly spirals into a nightmare. The Platonovs force Hannah to work sixteen-hour days, won't let her leave the house, and seem to have a lot of secrets - from Hannah and from each other. Stranded in a foreign land with false documents, no money, and nobody who can help her, Hannah must find a way to save herself from her new status as a modern-day slave or risk losing the one thing she has left: her life.

Find out more about the author/book: website/goodreads/twitter

To enter, just fill out the Rafflecopter form below!

Official Giveaway Rules:

~ Must be 13 years or older (Be aware that this book does contain mature themes though!)
~ Must have a US mailing address
~ This giveaway will close on March 2, 2011!


a Rafflecopter giveaway

Check back later today for my review! 

Waiting on Wednesday (128)

Waiting on Wednesday is hosted by Jill at Breaking at the Spine.

Breathless by Cole Gibson

Obituary-reading emo girl Edith Small is broken - the end result of forcing herself inside a mold that doesn't fit. All she wants is to conform to her strict sergeant stepfather's rules long enough to make it to graduation day.

But a boat accident threatens to unravel the life Edith has worked so hard to keep. After waking up in a hospital with a lacerated shoulder, Edith fakes amnesia. Because admitting she received her injuries from a blue-haired girl who breathes underwater is all the reason Sir needs to send Edith on the first bus to military school.

Safe at home, Edith struggles to put the nightmare behind her. But the mysterious creatures that live in the ocean aren't about to let her forget.

After meeting Bastin - a strange boy with silver hair and black eyes - on a secluded dock, Edith learns about the war raging undersea to end human existence. A war that Edith, unwittingly, has become the key to winning.

In a world where death is an ever-present shadow and motives are as dark as the bottom of the ocean, Edith must decide if her life is worth risking for a love that can't survive past the shore.

Ooh, this one sounds unique as well as really interesting! I can't wait to find out more about Edith and Bastin. Also, don't you just love the cover?! The dress is gorgeous!

I've Got Your Number by Sophie Kinsella

I've lost it. The only thing in the world I wasn't supposed to lose. My engagement ring. It's been in Magnus's family for three generations. And now, the very same day his parents are coming, I've lost it. The very same day. Do not hyperventilate Poppy. Stay positive!!

Poppy Wyatt has never felt luckier. She is about to marry the ideal man, Magnus Tavish, but in one afternoon her 'happy ever after' begins to fall apart. Not only has she lost her engagement ring but in the panic that followed, she has now lost her phone. As she paces shakily round the hotel foyer she spots an abandoned phone in a bin. Finders keepers! Now she can leave a number for the hotel to contact her when they find her ring. Perfect!

Well, perfect except the phone's owner, businessman Sam Roxton doesn't agree. He wants his phone back and doesn't appreciate Poppy reading all his messages and wading into his personal life.

What ensues is a hilarious and unpredictable turn of events as Poppy and Sam increasingly upend each other's lives through emails and text messages. As Poppy juggles wedding preparations, mysterious phone calls and hiding her left hand from Magnus and his parents... she soon realises that she is in for the biggest surprise of her life.

Sophie's books are always witty as well as just all around contemporary goodness so I can't wait to get my hands on a copy of this one! It doesn't hurt, either, that I read an excerpt of it here, and loved what I saw!

Top Ten Books That Broke My Heart A Little

Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by The Broke and The Bookish.

1) The Book of Blood and Shadow by Robin Wasserman: There's one scene at the end that seriously broke my heart. You know those type of books that you keep waiting and waiting for the main character to realize something HUGE, but when they do, it's too late? That's exactly what happened in this!

2) Invincible Summer by Hannah Moskowitz: I have a love-hate relationship with this book. Love because this book is amazingly written and developed, but hate because Hannah just had to go and kill of one of my favorite characters...I'm still a little heartbroken about this one!

3) Shadow Kiss by Richelle Mead: If you're a reader of the Vampire Academy series (If not, what are you waiting for?! This series is amazing!), then you'll know exactly why this one is on my list. Moving on!

4) Skipping a Beat by Sarah Pekkanen: The ending of this one killed me! It was the exact definition of bittersweet. It still kills me a little inside to think about this one, but it's still one of my favorite adult contemp reads out there! 

5) Forever by Maggie Stiefvater: A lot of people had mixed feelings about the ending of this one, and while I can understand why that is, I still think it ended perfectly, even though the fact that it didn't exactly end happily ever ever did break my heart a little. 

6) Mercy Lily by Lisa Albert: This one is such an EMOTIONAL read, and even though I saw the ending of it coming from a mile of away, it still broke my heart into a million little pieces when it was all said and done...

7) We'll Always Have Summer by Jenny Han: This one simply broke my heart because it was the last one in the series! It was one of those "NOOOOO!!!" kind of moments even though the ending rocked my world! 

8) Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver: Without a doubt, one of my favorite books ever, but that ending and everything leading up to it KILLED me a little inside, especially when everything was finally going PERFECTLY! 

9) Looking for Alaska by John Green: This is one of the only books I've ever cried my eyes out over, but it's a YA masterpiece in my idea. Seriously, John Green is ah-mazing! 

10) Before I Die by Jenny Downham: When a book involves cancer, you know it's going to be sad, but I still never could have predicted just how sad this one would be...still this book was spectacular-one everyone needs to read!

What books broke your hear a little? Any of the ones I listed above? Let me know below! :)

Review: The Night She Disappeared by April Henry

Summary/Cover Image from Publisher's Website:

Gabie drives a Mini Cooper. She also works part time as a delivery girl at Pete’s Pizza. One night, Kayla—another delivery girl—goes missing. To her horror, Gabie learns that the supposed kidnapper had asked if the girl in the Mini Cooper was working that night. Gabie can’t move beyond the fact that Kayla’s fate was really meant for her, and she becomes obsessed with finding Kayla. She teams up with Drew, who also works at Pete’s. Together, they set out to prove that Kayla isn’t dead—and to find her before she is.

Review:

Lately, I've been on the lookout for more YA mysteries, and just my luck, The Night She Disappeared by April Henry fit the bill perfectly! Creepy, thrilling, and well written, The Night She Disappeared had me hooked from the very first page.

It's was a quiet, normal Wednesday night. Business was slow at Pete's Pizza, and Kayla and Drew were counting down the minutes until they could leave. Then a pizza delivery call came in for one Meat Monsters pizza. Kayla left to deliver it, but she never came back...Gabie, another delivery girl at Pete's Pizza, is shocked to hear about the disappearance, and even more startled to hear that that night the guy asked for the "girl in the Mini Cooper" as she's the one who drives that car. Knowing for sure that the man intended to capture her, Gabie begins the hunt to find out who took Kayla, and even gets Drew to join the team. However, will they be able to save Kayla before it's too late? More importantly, will the kidnapper strick again? Only time and more pages can tell!

One of the aspects I loved most about this book was the plot. It was thrilling and exciting! April Henry perfectly put together all the clues and events to the point where there wasn't a time when I wasn't on the edge of my seat dying to know what would happen next. I especially enjoyed how realistic she made this book, because not only did it increase the scare factor, but it made everything just a bit more dire and drastic as well. I also enjoyed how April Henry told the story from various POVs. Drew, Kayla, Gabie, and even the kidnapper got their own voice in this one, and it truly made for one well developed read.

Talking about the characters, I liked seeing from all their perspectives as well. Gabie was the typical "girl next door" but throughout the book she truly bloomed into a smart and daring girl, one who would go to the uttermost extreme to save someone else. Drew, on the other hand, was much the same at first. He didn't say much, nor did he really make a spectacle out of himself, but by the end of the book he grew into someone fierce yet kind and amazing. I also just loved seeing Drew's and Gabie's relationship bloom too! The most disturbing part of the book would probably have had to be Kayla's scenes. They added an extra bonus to the novel, and really put the reader in her shoes.

Lastly, April Henry's writing and world building in this one was great! I loved how well she developed the characters and plot lines as well as how she truly had me feel like I was right there with the characters, solving the mystery right along with them. My only complaint would be how I felt the ending was a little rushed, but other than this book was pure goodness.

The Night She Disappeared is the perfect read for fans of YA mysterious and thrillers! But word of warning: don't start this one too late or you'll be up all night like I was!

Grade: A+

The Night She Disappeared (Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Goodreads) will be released March 13, 2012!

Source: Publisher via Netgalley (Thanks Macmillan!)

More about the author/book: website/1st chapter/blog/twitter

In My Mailbox (159)

In My Mailbox is hosted by Kristi at The Story Siren.

Physical Copies for Review:

The Onyx Talisman by Brenda Pandos: So excited about this one! I can't wait to see how everything ends.

Daughters for a Time by Jennifer Handford (unsolicited review copy): Not too sure if I'll give this one a try or not...

Collision by Stefne Miller- Stefne Miller is a FANTASTIC author so I can't wait to see what story she tell in this one!

Wildflowers from Winter by Katie Ganshert: I was a little hesitant to accept this one for review because it's Christian Fiction, but the story seemed way too good to pass up. 

Lone Wolf by Jodi Picoult: I've read one other book by Jodi (The Pact) and loved it so I can't wait to see what this one is like.  

Netgalley:

 

The Savage Grace by Bree Despain: !!!!!!!!!!!

The Last Condo Board of the Apocalypse by Nina Post: Looks really interesting! 

eBooks for Review:

 

Wander Dust by Michelle Warren: I seriously just love the cover for this one! The premise sounds pretty awesome as well.

Lily by LM DeWalt 

Much thanks goes to Michelle at  Central Avenue Publishing, Michelle Warren, Nina Post/Curiosity Quills Press/Netgalley, Egmont/Netgalley, Stefne Miller, Brenda Pandos, Kathleen at Goldberg McDuffie Communications,  Lynette at WaterBrook Multnomah, and Little Bird Publicity/Amazon! 

Review: Scarlet by A.C. Gaughen

Summary/Cover Image from Publisher's Website:

Robin Hood is given a fresh, feminine twist in this romantic retelling from the point of view of "Will Scarlet"

Many readers know the tale of Robin Hood, but they will be swept away by this new version full of action, secrets, and romance, from debut author A. C. Gaughen. Posing as one of Robin Hood's thieves to avoid the wrath of the evil Thief Taker Lord Gisbourne, Scarlet has kept her identity secret from all of Nottinghamshire. Only the Hood and his band know the truth: the agile thief posing as a whip of a boy is actually a fearless young woman with a secret past. When the heat turns on up the band of thieves as the Sheriff of Nottingham seeks revenge, the romance burns strong between Scarlet and her flirtatious fellow outlaws. Helping the people of Nottingham could cost Scarlet her life as Gisbourne closes in. It's only her fierce loyalty to Robin-whose quick smiles and sharp temper have the rare power to unsettle her-that keeps Scarlet going and makes this fight worth dying for.

Review:

I have to be honest: I had been holding off reading Scarlet by A.C. Gaughen for quite a while now. It's not that I didn't want to read it, because I did. I mean, the cover and summary make it look fantastic! However, I was worried that it wouldn't be as good as I hoped, or that I wouldn't like it nearly as much as I wanted to. I recently decided to dive in, though, and my worries were thrown right to the wayside, because I LOVED this book! Scarlet was an incredibly fierce main character, and the plot and writing were excellent. Truly, I don't think this book could get much better..

One of the biggest reasons why this book rocked my role was because of no one other than Will Scarlet! Fierce, independent main characters are one of my favorite types, and that was just the case with Scarlet. From the first page, it was easy to see she was someone you didn't mess with, especially if you were the "bad" one in the situation. I just loved how she told everyone how it was, especially the boys, and how dedicated she was to the townspeople, even when her heroic actions put her own life on the line. What I especially loved about Scarlet, though, was how she wasn't perfect. She was impatient, reluctant to trust, and a bit irrational, but it truly added more greatness to her character, especially when she worked on those characteristics throughout the book. I also just loved the character of Robin Hood. He was just as well developed as Scarlet, and seeing how giving and genuine of a guy he was made me love him all the more. I especially loved seeing him interact with Scarlet, because not only did they have great chemistry but also they constant batter was hilarious as well as well done to say the least. The other two boys in their pack were just as amazing and devious as Scarlet and Robin Hood and characters I adored seeing evolve as time went on. 

The plot in this was also nothing but suspenseful, twisty, and well crafted. What I liked most about it, though, was Scarlet's voice. It was a little hard to get into at first because of how she spoke, but the end, it truly added a great edge to her character and made her all the more relatable. I especially enjoyed seeing her tell of the different events occurring in her village as well as her reoccurring acts to save the people of the town- it added lots of little twists and turns to keep me glued to the pages! The romance was equally awesome, because not only did it surprise me in more ways than one, but it also add me guessing to the end who (if any) Scarlet would end up with. 

The only aspect of this book I wasn't too pleased with was the ending. It was a bit more open than I would've liked it, and I don't know if this is just my thirst for more story talking or an actual concern, but either way, I would openly welcome a sequel or two. 

Lastly, A.C. Gauhen proved to be an amazing writer within this one, as mentioned before. She perfectly nailed Scarlet's voice, and I adored how authentic and creative she made everything...from the setting, to the characters, to the plot events, everything was nearly perfect. 

Addicting as well as fierce, Scarlet by A.C. Gaughen is one debut I couldn't get enough of to tell the truth, so my advice for you: get your hands on a copy of this one ASAP. It's worth the money, no doubt about it!

Grade: A

Scarlet (Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Goodreads) will be released February 14, 2012!

To find out more about the author and her books: website/twitter/scarlet fan page

Source: Publisher via Netgalley (Thanks, Walker Books!)

Review: The Sweetest Thing by Christina Mandelski

Summary/Cover Image from Publisher's Website:

In the world of Sheridan Wells, life is perfect when she’s decorating a cake. Unfortunately, everything else is a complete mess: her mom ran off years ago, her dad is more interested in his restaurant, and the idea of a boyfriend is laughable.

But Sheridan is convinced finding her mom will solve all her problems—only her dad’s about to get a cooking show in New York, which means her dream of a perfect family will be dashed.

Using just the right amount of romance, family drama, and cute boys,The Sweetest Thing will entice fans with its perfect mixture of girl-friendly ingredients.

Review:

The Sweetest Thing by Cristina Mandelski has been on my to be read list for a while now, because not only was the cover and title simply adorable, but the premise sounded amazing as well as Sarah Dessen like- which is ALWAYS a big win in my book. Luckily, I recently had the chance to read it, and even though it contained a few slight flaws, I found it to be just as sweet and endearing as it appeared!

The Sweetest Thing introduces the character of Sheridan Wells aka "Cake Girl." Sheridan has always taken great pride her in cakes because (a) she enjoys creating them and (b) it brings her closer to her MIA mother. Recently, though, the cakes have been the only constant good thing in her life, as not only did her father just spring a huge surprise on her-one that may change her life forever- but she's also dealing with friend as well as boy problems. However, Sheridan knows how she will fix this all: she will find her mother and ask for her to come back home. A win-win for all, right? Well, as Sheridan is soon to learn you can't have always have your cake and eat it too...

The Sweetest Thing has a lot of good things going for it, and one of them was definitely the plot. It wasn't the most original and suspenseful one out there, but I still enjoyed it nonetheless. First, I liked seeing Sheridan's cake hobby. I don't thing I've ever read a YA book where the main character loved making cakes, so it was fun to see why Sheridan enjoyed making her cakes as well as the yummy descriptions of them. The mother-daughter drama in this one, though, got on my nerves from time to time. It was just a bit too cliched and compliant-filled for me to really get invested in it, and to be honest, I never really saw what Sheridan saw in her mother, because in all truth, her mother was a grade-a jerk for most of the book, especially towards the end. However, as they say, you live and you learn and that was without a doubt the case for Sheridan in this. The boy drama was also a little overdone, especially since it was easy to predict who Sheridan would end up with in the end, but I did enjoy seeing the different problems and twists that appeared up throughout Sheridan's path to her future boyfriend.

Sheridan herself was a character I had love-hate feelings toward, because while I did find her to be a funny and sweet girl for the most part, her constant whining as well as dependency on her mother got the best of me sometimes. I still enjoyed seeing her journey develop on the page, because she did evolve greatly as a character by the end. I really enjoyed the side characters in this one, though. I loved Lori's wisdom as well as her hilarious little one-lines, and Jack, Sheridan's other BFF, was just as great and lovebable! I also enjoyed seeing Sheridan's grandma.

Lastly, I really enjoyed the writing in this one. Christina created a very readable and addicting plot, even though I wasn't also the biggest fan of all the characters and plot lines. I also really enjoyed the titles for each chapter- they really managed to grab my attention.

Sweet as well as sugary, The Sweetest Thing by Christina Mandelski is a decent debut. Not a "MUST-read" but certainly a great pick for a lazy day. I looked forward to reading more by Ms. Mandelski.

Grade: B

The Sweetest Thing (Amazon/Barnes and Noble/Goodreads) is now out!

Find out more about Christina and her books: website/twitter

Source: Publisher via Netgalley (Thanks Egmont!)

Waiting on Wednesday (127)

Waiting on Wednesday is hosted by Jill at Breaking at the Spine.

Dark Kiss by Michelle Rowen

I don’t do dangerous.

Smart, uber-careful, ordinary Samantha – that’s me. But I just couldn’t pass up a surprise kiss from my number-one unattainable crush. A kiss that did something to me – something strange. Now I feel hungry all the time, but not for food. It’s like part of me is missing – and I don’t know if I can get it back.

Then there’s Bishop. At first I thought he was just a street kid, but the secrets he’s keeping are as intense as his unearthly blue eyes. If he’s what I think he is, he may be the only one who can help me. But something terrifying is closing in, and the one chance Bishop and I have to stop it means losing everything I ever wanted and embracing the darkness inside me.

I read Michelle Rowen's other book (Demon Princess: Reign or Shine) a couple of years ago, and really enjoyed it, so when I heard she had a new YA book coming out with Harlequin Teen, I was BEYOND ecstatic. Luckily, the premise sounds fabulous, and even though it is ANOTHER series, I'll forgive it if it's as good as it looks. :)

Dark Kiss will be released May 22, 2012!

Cross my Heart by Katie Klein

True love can blossom in unexpected places. This is Jaden pretending not to notice. . . . 

Jaden McEntyre and Parker Whalen are a wrong fit from the start. Jaden is driven and focused, Harvard Med School within reach. Parker has a past-a reputation-and the rumors about his mysterious habits abound. So there's no reason why, when they're assigned to work together on a project in English, they should discover they have anything in common, or even like each other, and they definitely shouldn't be falling in love.

As they bond over Edith Wharton's tragic novella, Ethan Frome, the "bad boy" vibe Parker plays begins to dissipate. Soon, Jaden finds herself shedding her own "good girl" image: sneaking around to be with him, confiding in him, and ultimately falling hard for this leather-wearing, motorcycle-driving loner who plays into the rebel stereotype.

Still, Jaden can't shake the feeling that there's more to Parker than he's letting on. He's hiding something from her, and discovering the truth means reconciling the Parker she's grown to love with the person he really is. Because it's possible that his life inside the classroom-everything Jaden knows-is one, massive lie.

I was reading an interview Mandy Hubbard did on In the Next Room the other day where she mentioned she read this book, and since she described it as "freaking amazing" I immediately checked it. As it turns out, this looks like just my kind of book. It's sounds Simone Elkels-esque, which is win #1. Win #2 is that the overall premise sounds absolutely spectacular, and Win #3 is that it's been getting FAB reviews. In short, I NEED this book ASAP, if not sooner!

Cross my Heart is now out!

In My Mailbox (158)

In My Mailbox is hosted by Kristi at The Story Siren.

Physical Copies for Review:

The Hunger Pains: a Parody by The Harvard Lampoon- This one looked too hilarious to pass up! 

White Horse by Alex Adams- This one looks absolutely amazing! Plus it's a post-apocalyptic thriller!

The Summer Garden by Sherryl Woods- I'm starting to become a huge fan of the adult contemporary romance genre so I'm really looking forward to giving this one a try! 

Where It Began by Ann Redisch Stampler (unsolicited review copy)- This was SUCH a great surprise! 

eBooks for Review:

 

Under my Skin by Judith Graves- Really looking forward to this one! Look for an upcoming review/interview feature!   

Scary School by Derek The Ghost- Not my typical kind of read, but it's supposed to be funny, so I decided  to give it a try.

Much thanks goes to Judith Graves, Derek the Ghost aka Derek Kent, Kaitlyn at Simon and Schuster, Mellony at Simon and Schuster, Simon Pulse, and Eric at Planned Television Arts!

Cover Reveal for Evergreen by Brenda Pandos & Lucid by P.T. Michelle

Two incredible new YA covers were recently sent my way, and I thought I would take the time to share them with you all today. So without a further ado...

Evergreen by Brenda Pandos

A kingdom on the brink of war.

A king on the fringes of insanity.

A family running for their lives.

Ash and Fin’s only desire is to be together and dive into their happily ever after, though their conflicting worlds work to pull them apart. Neither is ready to convert to the other’s life: become a human or a mer. Little do they know that somewhere in Natatoria a secret holds the fine fabric of everyone’s lives together. If the truth is discovered, Ash and Fin will no longer have the luxury of waiting. They’ll be forced to choose. But will it be for loyalty or love? Or will someone else make the choice for them if they can’t decide?

Enter the watery world of treachery, greed, and the binding mer kiss as the story continues with Evergreen, book two of Mer Tales.

I read Everblue, the first book in the Mer Tales series, this past summer and loved it! It was so much fun, because not only did it contain a suspenseful and unique plot, but some incredible main characters. Therefore, I can't wait to read Evergreen. Don't you just love the cover for it? I know I do!

More about the book/author: goodreads/website/blog/twitter/facebook

Brenda is also having a name Tatchi's Novella Contest for a $50 Amazon giftcard. All can enter! Details can be found here.

Lucid by P.T. Michelle

There's no summary for Lucid yet, so instead I've included the summary for the Brightest Kind of Darkness, the prequel to this, below:

Nara Collins is an average sixteen-year-old, with one exception: every night she dreams the events of the following day. Due to an incident in her past, Nara avoids using her special gift to change fate…until she dreams a future she can’t ignore.

After Nara prevents a bombing at Blue Ridge High, her ability to see the future starts to fade, while people at school are suddenly being injured at an unusually high rate.

Grappling with her diminishing powers and the need to prevent another disaster, Nara meets Ethan Harris, a mysterious loner who seems to understand her better than anyone. Ethan and Nara forge an irresistible connection, but as their relationship heats up, so do her questions about his dark past. 

I'm really, really loving the cover of this one! The background in gorgeous and makes me crave fall. I'm actually in the middle of reading Brightest Kind of Darkness (review forthcoming!) right now and I'm really enjoying it so far! :)

More about P.T. and her books: Lucid goodreads/ Brightest Kind of Darkness goodreads /Twitter/ Facebook/ Website

Did you like one for both of the covers? Let me know below! :)

The International Kissing Club Blog Tour (Guest Post & Giveaway!)

As part of the Teen Book Scene blog tour for The International Kissing Club, a book that I loved and reviewed here, Shellee Roberts, one of the three coauthors of book, is here today to take about her top ten guilty pleasures as well as offer a chance to win some great prizes (look towards the end for that part!)

Shellee’s Top Ten Guilty Pleasures

1) The Vampire Diaries – I was a late comer to this show, but I am obsessed. Looking forward to Thursday nights with the (preferably shirtless) Salvatore brothers can get me through the week’s rough spots.
2) White Chocolate Mochas – this beverage has more calories and fat than most meals, but when I really need a treat this is what I want.
3) Twilight Saga – I read all four books in a week and have seen all four movies to date on opening day. Shhh…tell no one.
4) Bacon – I know it’s weird, but if I could eat bacon everyday and not have it kill me I would.
5) Where’s My Water? – have you seen this app with the little alligator who wants a shower? This is where a lot of my time goes.
6) 80s hair bands – Bon Jovi, Warrant, Skid Row, Great White, Nelson (god, remember Nelson?); when it’s just me in the car and the windows are completely rolled up, this is my go to music.
7) Shipper videos on YouTube – I cannot believe I’m actually putting this out on the internet for the world to know, but I have seriously lost too many hours of my life watching fan vids of my favorite TV couples.
8) Fake-cheese nachos – like the kind you get at football games and the movie theater. I know it is probably the worst thing a human can put in their body but I love it. With extra jalapenos.
9) Spa facials and massage – When I hit the NYT Bestseller list I will do these every week. Until then I will do them more often than I can afford but not tell my hubby.
10) Lainey Gossip – First things I do when I turn on my computer in the morning is check email, review my calendar, groan, the hop to Lainey Gossip for a salacious dose of celebrity gossip.

What’s your guiltiest pleasure? Tell us in the comments (leave your email so we can contact you) to be entered to win the Around the World In 80 Kisses daily and weekly prize and also become eligible to win the Grand Prize, a Kindle Fire. For a list of all our Smooch Posts you can visit and earn more entries to win, visit us here.

The International Kissing Club by Ivy Adams is the story of four best friends: Piper, Cassidy, Mei, and Izzy--the misfits of Paris, Texas. Their whole lives, they’ve dreamed of escaping small-town life and seeing the world. So when Piper is the victim of an embarrassing prank that goes viral online, she gets the idea that the girls should escape via the school’s international exchange program, in search of fun, love and internet redemption.

Emily McKay, Shellee Roberts and Tracy Deebs write under the pseudonym Ivy Adams. They shop, gossip and watch movies in Austin, Texas.

~~

Thanks for stopping by, Shellee!

To find out more about the book and Ivy Adams, check out the official International Kissing Club website,  Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and/or Goodreads!