Lindsay Writes

Zombified Review- Sadie Walker is Stranded

2012-02-26T13:04:00.000-08:00

MONTHS AGO THE WORLD ENDED…
…when an unknown virus spread throughout North America and then the world, killing millions of people. However, that is where the horror only started. The dead began to rise and when they rose they had an insatiable appetite for the living. A new hell had been unleashed on earth and the fight for survival had just begun.
Sadie Walker is one of the survivors in this new world. Living in north Seattle behind barrier that keep the living in and the dead out, she trying to get back to a normal life, while raising her eight-year-old nephew, if anyone even knows what “normal” is anymore. Then everything goes sideways when Shane is kidnapped by a group of black market thieves and they bring down a crucial barrier in the city while trying to escape, and flood the city with the walking dead. After rescuing her nephew, Sadie and Shane escape Seattle on the last remaining boat, along with other survivors. However, now they must face the complete chaos of a world filled with flesh eating zombies and humans who are playing with a whole new rule book when it comes to survival in their journey to find a new place that they can call home.

Released Jan 31 from St. Martin's Griffin

Wow. What a fun book. I am such a fan of Madeleine Roux and this awesome zombie series. This is the sequel to ALISON HEWITT IS TRAPPED, and while it's in the same world, you can read them out of order!

The main character, Sadie, is an illustrator in a crumbling world that stays safe from the zombie outside of their walls. She works as an illustrator to scrape by, and lives with her boyfriend and nephew. Sadie is a great character. She's artistic, which every writer/reader should enjoy, and she's tough, even when things get really hard and the entire world seems to all apart around her.
I wont' say what happens. It's super spoilery! But Sadie has to learn to rely on her own strengths when betrayal pushes her down, and she becomes a kick-A heroine who does some serious zombie crushing when the barricades fall apart and her world is full of the undead again.
Sadie escapes the city with her friend and nephew, and together, they find themselves shipwrecked with other survivors...it would seem safe, being in the middle of an island where zombies can't reach. But things just go from bad to worse, when the zombies are getting smarter and learning to adapt.
This book is super fast-paced and fun. If you love a tough heroine who is only weakened when it comes to how much she cares about others (which only makes her stronger, in my opinion!), then you'll love SADIE WALKER IS STRANDED.

It's always hard to find original, unique zombie books when there are so many of them out there, but this one has a great twist on the typical undead tale. I loved it! Will definately be reading anything else this author comes out with. And how creepy is that cover?! :)

Interested in this title? Here's some helpful links!

Goodreads

Author Site

Buy a copy!

Waiting on Wednesday- NERVE

2012-02-21T17:09:00.000-08:00

When Vee is picked to be a player in NERVE, an anonymous game of dares broadcast live online, she discovers that the game knows her. They tempt her with prizes taken from her ThisIsMe page and team her up with the perfect boy, sizzling-hot Ian. At first it’s exhilarating–Vee and Ian’s fans cheer them on to riskier dares with higher stakes. But the game takes a twisted turn. Suddenly they’re playing all or nothing, and the prize may be their lives.

NERVE releases Fall 2012 from Dial (Penguin) Books

Author's Site

Goodreads

ARC Review- ABOVE by Leah Bobet

2012-02-19T20:56:00.000-08:00

Matthew has loved Ariel from the moment he found her in the tunnels, her bee's wings falling away. They live in Safe, an underground refuge for those fleeing the city Above—like Whisper, who speaks to ghosts, and Jack Flash, who can shoot lightning from his fingers.
But one terrifying night, an old enemy invades Safe with an army of shadows, and only Matthew, Ariel, and a few friends escape Above. As Matthew unravels the mystery of Safe's history and the shadows' attack, he realizes he must find a way to remake his home—not just for himself, but for Ariel, who needs him more than ever before.

April 1, 2012 from Arthur A. Levine Books

Every so often, a book comes around and just gets me. It completely blows my expectations out of the water, makes me cry, makes me laugh, makes me think of beautiful, wonderful things. ABOVE is the type of book that I will never forget reading for the first time....and I may never read again, for fear that the next book I pick up won't even hold a candle to it. Instead of writing a long, boring review about what I liked about it, I am pasting in the short paragraph I wrote on Goodreads RIGHT after finishing this book. Maybe it will show you how amazing it was, and just how hard it hit me.

Wow....one of the most amazing books I have EVER read, with gorgeous mystical, lyrical writing, where every single sentence is a secret dying to be unlocked, and every paragraph is a clue to help solve the overall heart-pounding mystery of Safe. It had me breathless, and teary-eyed, and in complete and total awe. Leah Bobet is a master storyteller, and I will never forget the first time reading this book. Dear sweet Jesus, I wish I had read it years ago. That, or written it myself :) 5 stars, 1000 if I could :)

Interested in this title? Here's some helpful links:

Add it to your TBR

Pre-Order ABOVE

Twitter

IMM (8) The Vlog from Hell

2012-02-17T15:54:00.000-08:00

In My Maibox is a meme created by Kristi at The Story Siren where bloggers like me get to look like rambling idiots while they flm videos of themselves holding books whilst having the stomach flu :) I love it!

What did YOU get in your mailbox this week? Leave links in the comments! :)

ARC Review- THE OTHER LIFE

2012-02-17T11:12:00.000-08:00

3 years, 1 month, 1 week and 6 days since I’d seen daylight. One-fifth of my life. 98,409,602 seconds since the heavy, steel door had fallen shut and sealed us off from the world.
Sherry has lived with her family in a sealed bunker since things went wrong up above. But when they run out of food, Sherry and her dad must venture outside. There they find a world of devastation, desolation...and the Weepers: savage, mutant killers.
When Sherry's dad is snatched, she joins forces with gorgeous but troubled Joshua - an Avenger, determined to destroy the Weepers.
But can Sherry keep her family and Joshua safe, when his desire for vengeance threatens them all?

This book is so much fun! :) I've always been a fan of zombie books, and the author did a great job of placing a fun twist on zombies by making them half animal half human, and I don't think there are a ton of books out there like that!

I loved the way this book started out. The writing really is beautiful, with some amazing descriptive writing that at times I was a little jealous I hadn't written myself. :) In the first few sentences, the desperation of Sherry's situation was so well done, and I was drawn in immediately.
There are so many zombie books that sort of seem to run along the same basic plot, (and I love all of them, I'm a zombie freak!) but I especially loved how Sherry had to face the challenge of not only surviving, but going behind enemy lines to save her father. She's a great, tough character, and Joshua, the boy who helps her, is pretty freakin' sexy. :) That's always a plus.
I really loved this book, and I loved the setting at Safe-Haven, in an old vineyard. It made for some gorgeous scenes, and I love the fact that though they think they are safe, there is always something super dark lurking on the outskirts.

This book is such a fast, exciting read. I finished it in under a day, and I am SO hoping there's a sequel to come! The ending is power-packed and unexpected, so strap in and get ready for a crazy exhilarating ride!

Interested in this title? Here's some helpful links!
UK Edition
US Edition
Author's Website
Twitter

Cover Reveal- SILVER by Talia Vance

2012-02-13T09:31:00.000-08:00

Beauty is pointless when no one's looking.

Brianna Paxton has been invisible to guys since the eighth grade. She’s pretty enough, it’s just that no one bothers to look. There’s almost nothing that can’t be explained with science, and Brianna has a theory: she’s missing the pheromone that attracts people to one another. Brianna’s theory is shot to hell in one frozen, silver moment, when time stops and Blake Williams not only sees her, he recognizes something inside her that she’s been hiding from even herself.

Before Brianna fully understands who and what she is, she accidentally binds her soul to Blake. Forced to find a way to reconcile forbidden love and her bloody heritage, Brianna discovers that there's nothing pointless about her, and Blake may be in the most danger of all.

2012, FLUX

Add it to your TBR list!

Isn't it GORGEOUS?! Congrats, Talia! Leave your thoughts below for the author! :)

Waiting on Wednesday-HARBINGER Art Reveal+Review

2012-01-31T18:54:00.000-08:00

When sixteen-year-old Faye arrives at Holbrook Academy, she doesn't expect to find herself exactly where she needs to be. After years of strange waking visions and nightmares, her only comfort the bones of dead animals, Faye is afraid she's going crazy. Fast.

But her first night at Holbrook, she feels strangely connected to the school and the island it sits on, like she's come home. She's even made her first real friends, but odd things keep happening to them. Every morning they wake on the floors of their dorm rooms with their hands stained red.

Faye knows she's the reason, but what does it all mean? The handsome Kel tries to help her unravel the mystery, but Faye is certain she can't trust him; in fact, he may be trying to kill her - and the rest of the world too.

HARBINGER releases February 2, 2012 from Putnam Books

Art by Mary Peterson. Check out the HARBINGER art gallery on Sara's website. Click on the image for more!

HARBINGER is unlike any other book I have ever read. I have no idea where to categorize it, because it really stands in its own awesome genre. I had the pleasure of reading this one back in 2011, and I flew through it! After reading the synopsis, I really had no idea what to expect from this one. And after reading the first few chapters, I STILL had no idea what to expect...in the best of ways. Seriously. I'm a fan of Sara Wilson Etienne, and I cannot wait to see what else she comes up with in the future. This chick has a wild, imaginative mind! She's a rock star!

HARBINGER is one of those books that pulls you in and takes you for a crazy, wild ride with a ton of twists and turns, and when you're done reading it, you sort of feel like you want to do it all over again.
I loved the mystery. I loved how creepy Holbrook was, and how weird Faye's visions were. When they first woke up with blood on their hands, I was totally creeped out--which says a lot, because I LOVE creepy books!
The author has an amazingly descriptive voice, and when Faye had her visions, I literally felt like I was drowning in the sea with her.
The cool thing about this book is that there are a ton of characters, but you feel like you've gotten a chance to know all of them pretty well by the last page. This is the type of book you do not want to rush. It's kind of like a Law & Order episode, where you have to pay attention to every little detail or you'll miss something in the end. And I promise, it's something good!

I don't know what else to say without giving things away. But if you like a book with mystery, sexy men, and a super cool setting, HARBINGER is for you. It's got great action scenes, a ton of artistic descriptions, and SUPER gorgeous cover. Seriously...have you seen that thing?

Interested in this title? Here's some helpful links:
Walk the Path! Explore the whole gallery of HARBINGER-inspired artwork here.
Follow Sara on Twitter @wilsonetienne
Visit Sara: www.sarawilsonetienne.com
Pre-order Harbinger

What are you waiting on this week?!

Harper Collins- February's Squee-Worthy Teen Releases!

2012-01-31T09:39:00.000-08:00

February is a month of AMAZING releases in the Teen book world! Today, I'm spotlighting Harper Collins, my favorite publishing house---they're pumping out some amazing books this month. Check out the gorgeous covers below, and be sure to click on each individual photo to add these books to your TBR list and pre-order ALL of them. (Okay, maybe not ALL. But at least one. Pretty please?)

Check out the HARPERTEEN site for more info!

Waiting on Wednesday + ALA Midwinter 2012

2012-01-18T21:13:00.000-08:00

Waiting on Wednesday is a fun meme created by wonderful book blogger Jill at Breaking the Spine. I love to see what upcoming books other bloggers are excited about. Tonight, it's all about Dark YA, my personal obsession. Check out the books below, and click on the individual book covers to get more info, including links and pre-order sites. Be sure to add them all to your Goodreads TBR lists!

Planning on going to ALA Midwinter this weekend? Be sure to let me know and connect with me during the exhibit hours!

If you are going to ALA Midwinter, be sure to stop by the TEEN SHIVER book signing Saturday. Some of the amazing authors from our group will be there signing...giveaways, swag, books, and fun! We'd love to have you come see us! More info can be found here.

What are YOU waiting on?

ARC Review- THE SELECTION

2012-01-16T17:16:00.000-08:00

For thirty-five girls, the Selection is the chance of a lifetime. The opportunity to escape the life laid out for them since birth. To be swept up in a world of glittering gowns and priceless jewels. To live in the palace and compete for the heart of the gorgeous Prince Maxon.

But for America Singer, being Selected is a nightmare. It means turning her back on her secret love with Aspen, who is a caste below her. Leaving her home to enter a fierce competition for a crown she doesn't want. Living in a palace that is constantly threatened by violent rebel attacks.

Then America meets Prince Maxon. Gradually, she starts to question all the plans she's made for herself- and realizes that the life she's always dreamed of may not compare to a future she never imagined.

Releases April 24th, 2012 from HarperTeen

The first thing I want to point out about this book is the cover. Holy WOW. It is beautiful, perfect for the story, which is very much like a futuristic Bachelor (Which airs tonight, and I WILL be watching, by the way. Yes. I know. Laugh at me.). In light of a few recent events on Goodreads, I know some people have had a change of thought about THE SELECTION. I won't get into that, but I should say this:

If you like Dystopians, and you want something not-so-dark but still somewhat twisted, THE SELECTION is a good way to go.

First, I'll say I liked this book a lot. It was super fun! My only problems was that it starts out a little bit slow. I think that I was SO eager to get this book that when I first started reading, my expectations were way high. The plot drags a little in the beginning, and you just want to get to The Selection...but stay with me, here. Because after the first 50 pages or so, (which are necessary to the later plot but not as fast-paced as they could have been), when the actual Selecting starts...I was totally drawn in. That's when I really became a fan of this book!
I loved the tension between America and Aspen, her boyfriend, when he basically forced her to enter the contest in hopes of her having a better life. I think it is something a good man would really have to consider. That being said, he was so hurtful to her. And it made for some great scenes!
THE SELECTION has a very dystopian vibe in the sense that the first setting is desperate and tense, whereas the second half of the book, at the royal palace, is actually very prim and proper and so far from what is really happening in the rest of the world.
One of my favorite parts of this book is the fashion, and the tension that happens when you throw 35 girls into a giant palace and say "GO! Fight for that sexy man!" It's all great. It really is, and I found myself thinking some girls deserved to have their faces smashed in, and others I just really wanted to WIN! I love when a book can make you hate some people and love others.
Which brings me to America...she is a wonderful character. She's tough, she doesn't take crap from anyone, and she's not easily wooed by the Prince. I think that says a lot about a character who comes from such a desperate place as she does. As the story goes on, America learns that even though she is strong and opinionated, she doesn't know exactly what she wants. Especially when it comes to her heart. I think that speaks so true to what the average teen girl goes through. It's so confusing to know what your heart wants, especially in today's world, and so the author did a great job of making her conflicting feelings feel very close to home.

All in all, this was a super fun read. It's quick and easy, and if you love a little drama, a little romance, and a lot of fashion, then pick up THE SELECTION this April when it hits stores!

Thanks to Harper Teen for proving me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Interest in this title? Check out these helpful links!

Goodreads Page

Author Site

Pre-Order this Title

IMM (7) + Good News To Come

2012-01-15T10:50:00.000-08:00

This has been a CRAZY week. Lots of cool things happening in the bookish world, which I will be able to announce next week! Be on the lookout for that, as well as a multiple ARC giveaway. For now, let's focus on thanking publishers for the books they sent me for review! In My Mailbox is one of my favorite Memes, started by Kristi at THE STORY SIREN.
This week, I got a few books for review! Check them out below, and be sure to stop by Goodreads to add them to your TBR list! :)

Interested in these titles?

Harper Titles
THE SELECTION- April 2012
MASQUE OF THE RED DEATH- April 2012
DARK EDEN 2- April 2012
A TOUCH MORBID- Feb 2012
A CONFUSION OF PRINCES- April 2012
Random House
PRINCE WHO FELL FROM THE SKY- March 2012
Little, Brown
172 HOURS ON THE MOON - April 2012
St. Martin's
TEMPEST
Clarion Books
MISTER DEATH'S BLUE-EYED GIRLS - April 2012
The cover for this one is not on the ARC, but it is posted above. Beautiful and simple and lovely!

Thanks for stopping by! What did you get this week?! Don't forget to enter my GIVEAWAY for a copy of Tooth and Nail, a book about a female boxer who discovers she is the Tooth Fairy! How awesome is that?!

Follow Friday and a cover craze!

2012-01-13T09:36:00.000-08:00

Hey Everyone! Welcome to my stop on the Follow Friday Hop! Today's topic on the hop is about music...but all I can think about is this AMAZING cover for Nina Berry's upcoming YA OTHERKIN. Check it out:

It is seriously SO gorgeous! What are your thoughts?

Are you new to my blog? Let me know! Follow me on Twitter and Facebook, and if you are going to ALA Midwinter next week, be sure to tell me :) Also be sure to enter my latest Giveaway for a copy of TOOTH AND NAIL by Jennifer Safrey.

GIVEAWAY- Tooth and Nail (W.O.W.)

2012-01-11T17:07:00.000-08:00

Gemma Fae Cross, a tough-girl amateur boxer whose fiance is running for congress, has just made a startling discovery about herself. She is half faerie - and not just any faerie, but a tooth faerie! A hybrid of fae and human, Gemma is destined to defend the Olde Way and protect the fae - who are incapable of committing violence - from threats to their peaceful and idyllic way of life, which must be maintained by distilling innocence collected from children''s baby teeth. But when a threat to the fae mission emerges, Gemma is called upon to protect her heritage, and become a legendary fae warrior... even if it means sacrificing everything she knows about being human!
Releases Feb 7th from Night Shade Books

How awesome does this book sound?! This was written by a fellow agency-sister of mine, so in order to show my support, I'm giving up a free copy!

Enter to Win: Leave a comment below with your contact info.
+1 for Tweeting
+1 for adding to Goodreads TBR
+1 for Liking my facebook page
+5 for blogging about it

Interested in this title?
Goodreads Page

Pre-Order

What are YOU waiting on?

IMM (6) Books Full of Awesome

2012-01-08T18:18:00.000-08:00

Hey guys! I'm back from the crazy holidays and ready to get bookish again :) In My Mailbox is one of my favorite memes, hosted by THE STORY SIREN. Check out the review books/purchased books I received over the past few weeks, and share what YOU got in the comments! :)

Interested in some of these titles? Check out these links below!
Under the Never Sky- 2012, Harper
The Girls of No Return- Feb 2012
Unraveling- 2012
Tiger Lily- 2012
Slated- 2012, UK
Harbinger- Feb 2012
The Storyteller- Jan 2012
Double- 2012
Warriors of the Black Shroud- 2012
Archon-2012
Winter's Kiss -2012
Pretty Little Secrets- 2012
Dogs of War - 2011
Hallowed-2012
Half-Blood - 2011
Pure- 2012
Stolen Away- 2012
Every Other Day- 2011
Shattered Dreams- 2011
Shattered Souls- 2011
The Secret Sisterhood of Heartbreakers- 2012
Diamond Eyes- 2010

Also, because this is a great bookish week, I have to share a super cute picture I found.

SO! What did YOU guys get?! Let me know in the comments, and leave links! :)

ARC Review- THE NIGHT SHE DISAPPEARED.

2012-01-01T16:24:00.000-08:00

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.
THE NIGHT SHE DISAPPEARED- April Henry- releases April 10, 2012 from Henry Holt Books for Young Readers

I was super excited about this book. I knew it would be good when I read the synopsis, and when I started reading it...I was totally blown away. THE NIGHT SHE DISAPPEARED is such a quick read, but it's one of the creepiest, most creatively written books I have read in a while!

I loved the alternating viewpoints in the chapters. I LOVED the different, unique things thrown in, like fortune cookie strips, police reports, evidence charts, interrogation transcripts, etc, that were placed throughout the story in perfect places to help it move along. It was really cool to see so many angles of the story, and it made the mystery even better.

The main characters, Gabby and Drew, were very well done. They were simple but well-developed, and the way their relationship grew over the process of them dealing with loss and fear was really realistic. It resonated with me in a big way. The idea that Gabby was supposed to be the REAL target is just so unsettling, and the entire way through, there's a ton of suspense that keeps the reader hooked. You know danger is coming. You just don't know how, from whom, or when it will strike.

If you like suspenseful books but don't want to be overly creeped out, then I would totally suggest this one. It's so well-done and moves so fluidly that most people will probably finish it pretty quick. I can't wait to see what else April Henry will release in the future...I'm totally a forever fan. :) Also...I will NEVER work at a pizza place. Ever.

Interested in this title? Here's some helpful links:
Goodreads Page
Pre-Order a Copy
Author's Twitter

IMM (5) The Candy Cane & Cat Tail Edition

2011-12-24T08:42:00.000-08:00

In My Mailbox is one of my favorite memes by Kristi at The Story Siren. This week there is no actual IMM, due to the Christmas holiday, but I decided to do one anyways! I got some awesome books in the mail this week, and wanted to share!!

So, I tried to go for an artistic shot. And then Crookshanks got in the way, and my phone camera wasn't exactly a big supporter either. So this is what I ended up with. All review copies were provided to me free by the author/publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Interested in any of these titles? Here's some more info!

Double- Jenny Valentine (2012)

Stolen Away- Alyxandra Harvey (2012)

Warriors of the Black Shroud- Peter Howe (2012)

Embrace- Jessica Shirvington (This is a UK paperback copy I found online. EMBRACE releases in the US in March 2012 by Sourcebooks Fire)

SLATED- Teri Terry (2012) - See my review of SLATED here. LOVED it.

The Space Between- Brenna Yovanoff (2011)

The Gathering Storm-Robin Bridges (2012)

Under the Never Sky- Veronica Rossi (2012)

Shattered Dreams- Ellie James (2011)

Shattered Souls- Mary Lindsey (2011)

So. What did you get in your mailbox this week?! What's on your Christmas wishlist? I hope everyone has an amazing holiday! Enjoy your time off, remember the real reason for the season, and read tons of amazing books!

Oh, and just because this picture of the puppy I babysit is super cute....

ARC Review- SLATED. A Thrilling 2012 Debut

2011-12-23T14:40:00.000-08:00

Sixteen-year-old Kyla has been 'slated': all of her past memories erased, her entire personality wiped blank. She has been assigned a new name, a new date of birth and even new parents. The government that did this to her claim she was a terrorist, and that she has been given a second chance. But Kyla knows that the government has been lying. Without her memories, how will Kyla ever find the truth? And if her old self is really and truly dead, then what are the terrifying images that still haunt her dreams?

SLATED, by Teri Terry, releases May 3rd 2012 from Orchard Books (UK)

Thanks to the publisher for allowing me to be one of the early reviewers of SLATED, and for providing me with a review copy in exchange for an honest review.

I didn't know what to expect when I picked up SLATED, other than the fact that the cover and synopsis sucked me right in. But I can say this, to those who just skim through reviews, or to those who just want proof that this is one of my favorite books I've read in a long while: I don't want to remember what reading was like before I read SLATED. It is everything I have been looking for in a book: suspense, mind-bending mystery, romance, and just the right amount of science fiction to appeal to those who aren't typical fans of the genre.

Characters:

SLATED is about Kyla, a sixteen-year-old girl who has been given a second chance at life once she has had her memory wiped by the government. Slateds must wear a device called a Levo, which helps monitor their moods. It keeps them from being able to feel things that every human has the right to feel, and that is a wonderful creepy twist.
I loved Kyla. The best kind of character is one that a person can relate to, and the author painted the perfect picture in my mind of who this girl was and grew to be. Kyla is thrown into the world as a child would be. She is unsure of her surroundings, completely new to everything around her. Without her memories, she has to discover everything again for the first time. She becomes strong in the silent, gradual sense. She is scared of standing out in a world where everything has to be "just so," yet somehow, she does it every day. It was so cool to see her slowly figuring out how things worked, in the same sense that a toddler would. But she is smarter. Stronger, and has strange breakthroughs that leave the reader begging for more pages. I was up late at night just to see how Kyla would take the things that happened to her.
The other characters, like her Mum and Dad and sister Amy (who was also Slated), were always changing sides on me, and for some reason, I loved that. I couldn't figure out who to trust. Who to believe. They kept me on my toes while reading, and I found myself flipping through the pages as fast as I could to get to the next chapter.
Which brings me to Ben. Oh, Ben, with your steamy eyes and your sexy runner's physique. What I would give to be with you. LOL. His character is the most wonderful compliment to Kyla's. Together, they are up against the world, and that makes the romance so much more desirable for the reader.

Plot:

SLATED is one of those books that takes you for a wild ride, then spits you out at the end and leaves you breathless, and few other books can compare.
There is so much mystery to this one. So much suspense and while readers may look at this book as purely Dystopian, it is so much more than that. It will appeal to readers of every genre, even those who like steamy romance.
SLATED is very big-brothery in the sense that the Slateds don't have the freedom to do as they please. It seems there are always eyes watching them.
There were so many moments where I found myself feeling like I was Kyla, desperate to understand the hold that the government had on the world. People are disappearing. People are scared of the authorities, and best of all, I think people in this book are scared of their own power to make a difference. It was scary, because it felt so real. And it very well could become real. That's the best kind of fiction.

Basically, I don't know how I'll last until book 2 comes out. I almost wish I could be Slated, just so I could read this book again and re-experience it all for the first time. That's how awesome it was. The mystery...the relationship between Kyla and Ben, the gorgeously descriptive writing, and the awesome ending. Oh, Lord, the ending...don't even get me started on that. This is quite a big book, and don't think that you'll discover what's really going to happen by the time the last few pages roll around. Because you won't. The ending has a heart-wrenching, amazingly shocking twist, and that's another reason I love it. I think SLATED is going to help pave the way for a new brand of YA Science Fiction, and I'm proud to be a fan of it from the start. You want to read this book. I'll say it again. YOU WANT TO READ THIS BOOK.

Interested in this title? Here's some more info:

Goodreads Page

Author's Twitter Page

Publisher's Website

ARC Review- The International Kissing Club

2011-12-20T12:38:00.000-08:00

Piper, Cassidy, Mei, and Izzy have been best friends their whole lives. And they've always agreed on one goal: to get out of tiny Paris, Texas, and see the world. The school's foreign exchange program seems like the perfect escape: Piper will go to the original Paris; Mei will go to China; Cassidy will go to Australia; and Izzy, unable to afford the program, will stay at home. To add spice to their semester away, and to stay connected to their best friends, the girls start The International Kissing Club, a Facebook page where they can anonymously update one another and brag about all the amazing guys they're meeting. After all, these girls are traveling abroad: amazing guys abound at every turn! But sometimes fun, flirty vacation flings turn into more serious romances, and sometimes you don't return from abroad the same person you were. Will the girls' relationships-and their friendships-be able to survive?

My Review:
This books is SO MUCH fun, you guys.
Seriously. I have the pleasure of being in TEEN SHIVER with the author, Ivy Adams (AKA Tracy Deebs) and she's just as awesome as the book!

First of all, the cover. It's really cute. It shows the whimsy of what's inside the actual pages.
I have to say that this concept is hilarious to me. Girls that go around the world and track how many boys they kiss. If i was a slut, I might do that. Lol. But seriously, the girls are all great characters. They're deep, unique, and all just trying to figure out what is best for them in life. I could really relate to Cassidy in particular, because she is sporty and fun and at times reminded me of myself.
This book has a Sister Hood of the Travelling Pants feel, but I think it's way more fun. It's got snark and a bit more of a punch. As someone who doesn't typically read light-hearted books like this, I was pleasantly surprised!
Each character has their own life, their own drama, and the author pulled that off very well. I love how when you start the story, everyone seems to be in the stage of discovering who they are, what they want in life, but towards the end, they've all got it figured out. (In the way that teens can, which is the best they can do for now.)
The Facebook club was funny, the different settings were awesome, and you get to actually feel like you're on a vacation. (especially if you're like me, and don't have the money to go on a 10-week vacation somewhere totally awesome).
If you want a FUN read that you can pick up and enjoy, without getting too deep into the drama, then I would definitely suggest this one! Every girl can find something they can relate to in this one, whether it is the wide range of characters, the settings, (I am from Texas, and the author did a rockin' job of making me feel at home while reading parts of it!), or the descriptive language. It's just a light, super enjoyable read that I think will go far in contemporary YA!

Have you read this book? What were your thoughts? Be sure to stop by the rest of the BLOG TOUR, with the Teen Book Scene.

Want more info?

Tour Link
Goodreads page
Pre-Order this title

Writing Inspiration- Quotes From Some of Today's Best Authors!

2011-12-19T13:17:00.000-08:00

Dear Writers:

Do you suffer from Manu-Suck Syndrome? Do you ever feel like giving up? Go through this daily checklist. See if this sounds like you... which it WILL for every writer at some point in time...then don't worry! Scroll further down for the best treatment I have to offer: Inspirational writing quotes from some of today's top authors!

A Day in the Life of a Writer Suffering From Manu-Suck Syndrome

You wake up after a sleepless night full of thoughts like "I suck at writing" and "I NEED A BETTER WORD FOR SAYS" and "This book will NEVER be as good as The Hunger Games. I should quit while I'm ahead, it's the best thing I could ever do for society."
You get your coffee. You spill it all over yourself, but that's okay, because the shirt you're wearing has a million and one coffee stains. And some chocolate from yesterday's dozen cupcakes you purchased to help stifle the pain of Manu-Suck Syndrome.
You sit down on the couch. You open up your MS, the one that sort of burns your eyes when you look at it, and start to work.
Five minutes later you're on twitter...talking about the new socks you just bought, or how you're thinking about eating pasta later, or checking out the twitpic of some dude in NYC wore a bikini down the street in -5 degree weather. Whatever it is, it's WAY more important than writing. It just IS, okay?!
You start writing again. Five minutes later you're starving. Seriously, you're going to DIE if you don't rush to that restaurant you love that's an hour and a half drive away, not including traffic. It's super important. You haven't been in 3 days! So you go. You binge. And then you order dessert. Cupcakes again.
You're finally back home. Time to write. But...but you're so tired. You take a short three-hour nap, and you DREAM about your MS. Because that's work too, isn't it? Of course it is. Who cares if it's on paper, the book is FINISHED in your head, so you don't need to worry about getting to work any time soon.
It's after 4PM now. Time to really get some work done. You start writing...
...and it's really hard. Your eyes are sort of melting off of your face, and Twitter is just a single click away and....
....you start banging your head on the keyboard and getting the END key stuck to your forehead. So then you have to rush your laptop to Best Buy to get it fixed. Because. DUH. You can't write without that single, off-to-the-side key that no one else sees the true value of besides you. It's super important.
Dinner time. You end up sobbing into your bowl of Spaghetti-O's because every time you take a bite, the little noodles in your spoon spell "WHY?!" and it's just so painfully poetic that you lose it and rush straight to bed, where your sultry Twilight poster on the ceiling just reminds you of how pathetic you are. You can't even get a freaking vampire to love you....what makes you think you would EVER be able to finish a 300 page novel?

Okay. So maybe that's a little bit melodramatic...but I know I've had days that definitely feel close to that. And I think it's safe to say that every writer in the world feels the exact same way. Well, I'm here to tell you that it's okay.
GREAT WRITERS HAVE A HARD TIME, TOO. Even the published ones!
In light of the upcoming holiday, I have decided to gather a big Christmas bundle of free inspiration from today's Writing Greats to help us all along the way...to keep every writer inspired and spread the hope that YOU WILL MAKE IT! Take a while to let these quotes settle in. Then get your butt in the chair and make magic with words. I promise the end result will be totally worth it. :) Thanks to all authors for taking the time to provide me with a quote! You are all awesome!

From Megan Crew, author of THE WAY WE FALL "Doing anything well enough that you can take pride in it is going to be hard. If you love it, it's always worthwhile."

From Gennifer Albin, author of CREWEL "Writing is pure creation. It's like pregnancy - hard, uncomfortable, ecstatic, fulfilling, but nothing compares to holding the end product."

From Lauren Oliver, author of DELIRIUM, PANDEMONIUM, LEISL & PO : "Writing is a socially acceptable from of schizophrenia!"

From John Corey Waley, author of WHERE THINGS COME BACK: "Being original, honest, and realistic can be tough to do simultaneously, but when a reader is moved, it's all worth it. Woot"

From Julianna Baggot, author of PURE "Writng is the daily practice of empathy"

From Leigh Bardugo, author of SHADOW & BONE: "Try to have a sense of humor about your mistakes and quirks. Laughing helps me face the page."

From Gina Damico, author of CROAK: "Because after working on a single page for hours and finally getting it right, it feels like you've WON AT LIFE."

From Wendy Higgins, author of SWEET EVIL. "Writing is a mix of imagination, determination, exhaustion, and most importantly love for your story, which makes it all worthwhile."

From Sharla Lovelace, author of THE REASON IS YOU: "Unplug! Unplug! Unplug! Stay away from shiny objects!"

From Leah Clifford, author of A TOUCH MORTAL: "Writing is like ballet. It takes years of practice to look effortless.Stretch your imagination the way you'd stretch your muscles, slowly pushing further. Do it everyday. Write down the good parts."

From Gina Rosati, author of AURACLE: "Get off Facebook and Twitter and WRITE!"

From Jill Hathaway, author of SLIDE: "Just keep writing, just keep writing! (to the tune of Little Nemo "Just keep swimming")"

From Jenn Reese, author of ABOVE WORLD: "Most of my fave quotes come from Bruce Lee: "Knowing is not enough; we must apply. Willing is not enough; we must do.”(Which I interpret as: Stop talking about writing, get your butt in the chair, and actually do it!)"

From Jo Treggiari, author of ASHES, ASHES : "Writing is pain? No seriously, Writing requires hard work, perseverance, a childlike sense of wonder & just a tiny pinch of luck."

From Brodi Ashton, author of EVERNEATH: "There's nothing to writing. All you do is sit at a typewriter and bleed." -- Hemingway

From Kendare Blake, author of ANNA DRESSED IN BLOOD: I am so bad with inspiring writing quotes. I just keep hearing Rob Schneider screaming YOU CAN DO EET!"

From Sarah Prineas, author of WINTERLING: "Never Surrender!!!"

From J.R. Angelella, author of ZOMBIE: "Fearlessness first, then patience. Be fearless in your writing, and be patient with the pursuit."

From Gretchen McNeil, author of POSSESS: "Talk hard. :) "

From Elana Johnson, author of POSSESSION: "Write more."

From Miranda Kenneally, author of CATCHING JORDAN: "Just because someone says you should change something in your writing doesn't mean you should. You're smart too. You wrote what you did for a reason. Try to remember why before making any big changes."

From Kevin Craig, author of SUMMER ON FIRE: "There is no RIGHT way. There is YOUR way. Try everything until you find the way that works for you."

From Jennifer Castle, author THE BEGINNING OF AFTER: (1) "Trust your voice." (2) "The only thing that will ever stop you from being a writer is yourself."

I hope you feel inspired. Have a wonderful Holiday, and in the words of one of my best friends, KEEP CALM AND WRITE ON.

IMM Vlog (3) Lots of Exciting 2012 Reads!

2011-12-17T21:49:00.000-08:00

IMM is one of my favorite memes, where bloggers get to share what they got over the week! This is hosted by THE STORY SIREN. Stop by her blog for the full linky list of blogs!

I got a few great books this week for review. Watch the video and if you see any books you're interested in, I'll leave links at the bottom of the post so you can add them to your TBR list! Thanks to the publishers and authors who continue to support my blog. All ARCs were received in exchange for an honest review.

Books mentioned in this video:
Winterling ARC- Sarah Prineas
The Lost Code ARC- Kevin Emerson
Destiny ARC- Gillian Shields
Switched ARC- Amanda Hocking
The Book of Blood and Shadow ARC- Robin Wasserman
Harbinger ARC- Sara Wilson Etienne
Thief's Covenant ARC- Ari Marmell
Springsweet ARC- Saundra Mitchell
Zombie ARC- J.R. Angelella
Shaedes of Gray- Amanda Bonilla

What did you get in your mailbox? Let me know, and leave links so I can stop by!

ARC Review- FEVER--So good I might Die

2011-12-17T08:25:00.000-08:00

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

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

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

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

This is a spoiler-free review!

Holy CRAP. That's what I'm going to start off with. Holy...freaking....crap, you guys. This book. I do not even know what to say about this book. So let's break it down.

Look at it! YOU MUST BUY IT!!

I am in love with this cover- It's gorgeous. It fits so well with Wither's cover...and the strange, carnival, trippy aspect that is MOST of this book. Rhine looks so much more broken down, and it is perfect for what is inside this book!
Fever is so Amazing I can't even fathom it- I don't even know how to begin. So much happens in this one. The relationship between Gabriel and Rhine blooms. There are so many struggles, and so much confusion. Destefano allows the reader to go on this horrifying journey with them, from the prostitution carnival that they get trapped in, to the fear that Vaughn is always on their trail, to the growth of their relationship, the search for Rowan...everything. The ending is terrifying, and beautiful, and everything it should be.
New Characters- I had no idea what to expect with this book. One of my favorite characters from Wither, and I will not say who, for those of you who have yet to read book one, is no longer in the picture. But there are so many new faces. New villians, like Madame, who is creepy in a Professor Trelawney-ish (Harry Potter) sense, but with the black heart of Housemaster Vaughn. There is Maddie, a malformed little girl who Rhine takes under her wing. Even though she doesn't speak, she is fantastic. Unbelievably Smart. The descriptions about her are wonderful, and I found myself flipping through the pages to get back to Maddie. I don't know why. I just connected with her. I wanted her to be okay.

This will be me fangirling for the next few sentences- OH MY GOSH. This book. This beautiful, twisted book. The writing, you guys...it is amazing. So many gorgeous descriptions. Haunting ones. Beautiful ones. Ones you wish you could see with your own eyes, but if you close them and let Destefano's words settle in, you feel yourself right there with Rhine and Gabriel. And dear God, don't even let me get started on how wonderful Gabriel is. So sweet. Handsome. Caring, and honest, and worth every bit of their escape from the mansion.

I thought Wither was amazing. I thought it couldn't be beat. But then I got Fever. And my expectations for this book were blown out of the water. This is one of those books I will be shoving into people's hands for months. Because it changes you. It drops you into a world where the impossible is possible, and fear is very, very real. But something capable of overcoming. Bravo, Lauren Destefano. You are a gifted writer, and the team at Simon&Schuster is truly blessed to have you!

Interested in this title? Here's some helpful links!

Goodreads Page

Website

Pre-Order FEVER

Have you read this book? What did you think?

W.O.W. Pick of the Week + review

2011-12-13T14:57:00.000-08:00

Hey guys! Welcome to my Waiting On Wednesday post! It's been a crazy week around here, getting ready for Christmas. I'm trying to keep up with my reviewing list, get all my presents wrapped, and stay healthy for the upcoming holidays! Today's WOW pick is one I just finished reading. So I'm not waiting on it anymore, but I know tons of you are! So here's INCARNATE, by Jodi Meadows, and if you scroll down, there's a review of it for you! :)

NEWSOUL
Ana is new. For thousands of years in Range, a million souls have been reincarnated over and over, keeping their memories and experiences from previous lifetimes. When Ana was born, another soul vanished, and no one knows why.
NOSOUL
Even Ana’s own mother thinks she’s a nosoul, an omen of worse things to come, and has kept her away from society. To escape her seclusion and learn whether she’ll be reincarnated, Ana travels to the city of Heart, but its citizens are suspicious and afraid of what her presence means. When dragons and sylph attack the city, is Ana to blame?
HEART
Sam believes Ana’s new soul is good and worthwhile. When he stands up for her, their relationship blooms. But can he love someone who may live only once, and will Ana’s enemies—human and creature alike—let them be together? Ana needs to uncover the mistake that gave her someone else’s life, but will her quest threaten the peace of Heart and destroy the promise of reincarnation for all?

My Thoughts:

I don't like to give away a lot of what happens in a book before it releases, and this one is hard to review in terms of not giving things away. The plot is thick, and there's a lot of fun things that happen. So I'll go ahead and list some of the main thoughts I had while reading this novel. I didn't quite know what to expect when I started reading this one! The concept really drew me in, and I have to say, that COVER?! Good Lord. It is one of the most gorgeous covers out there.

The book was different than I expected, but not in a bad way. Jodi Meadows has a unique writing style, which at first made it harder for me to connect with the characters, and at times, it was a bit confusing. But this book is a good read! Especially for those who enjoy fantasy!
I liked Ana's character. She's tough and super stubborn, and I really think it's because she's hurting. She doesn't fit in with the world around her, and she's confused about who she is. When you live in a world full of people that have known each other for thousands of years...it's easy to feel like you don't belong. The author does a wonderful job of alienating Ana.
Sam. What can I say about Sam. He's Ana's age , but at the same time, he's thousands of years old. Some people are fans of the romance, and I was at times! But at other points in the story, like when Ana wore some of Sam's girl clothing from years and years ago...I was a little bit creeped out! I had to tell myself to think of him NOW as just a boy, one who was soft and gentle and great at getting past Ana's stubbornness. Once I got past a few things about Sam, I really really enjoyed his character and the relationship they built.
The world building in this story is great. There are so many different aspects to it, and if you like fantastical creatures, this is totally something you will want to pick up. There are some power-packed sentences in this book that I actually highlighted for future reference. I only do that when I see writing that pulls something deep out of my inner writer.

Overall, I think I'd give this one a 3/5. It didn't really resonate with me as much as I hoped, but it was still a fun read! I know that there are going to be some major fans of INCARNATE, and there were definitely some moments where I was excited and very intrigued by the world that Jodi Meadows created. I will make sure to read the next installments, because I want to know what happens to Ana. I want to see more of how she handles her strange world.

Interested in this book? Here's a few helpful links:
Author Site
Goodreads Page
Pre-Order Incarnate

Have you read this one? What are you waiting on this week?

IMM Vlog- (2) In Which You Meet My Dog, See How Exhausted I Look, & My Sarcasm Steals the Show

2011-12-10T17:10:00.000-08:00

Welcome to my second ever In My Mailbox Vlog! This is one of my favorite memes, hosted by The Story Siren, where bloggers get to share their latest bookish goodies from the past week!
I'm super excited about my mailbox this week. I wasn't expecting anything, and I got some AWESOME books! Watch the video, laugh at how weird I am in this one, and then be sure to add the upcoming books to your TBR list on Goodreads!

Books mentioned in this video: Click on the specific title to be rerouted to the Goodreads page.
Tempest- Julie Cross (ARC) 2012 release
Kindred- Tammar Stein (Hardcover)
Irises- Francisco X Stork (ARC) 2012 release
The Boy on Cinnamon Street- Phoebe Stone (ARC) 2012 release
Girl in the Park- Mariah Fredericks (ARC) 2012 release
Ruthless- Sara Shepard (Hardcover)
Between- Jessica Warman (ARC)
Insignia- SJ Kincaid (ARC) 2012 release
Under the Never Sky- Veronica Rossi (ARC) 2012 release
Dark Inside- Jeyn Roberts (ARC)

Special thanks to HAYLEY!

Ditched- Robin Mellom (ARC) 2012 release
Fated- Sarah Alderson (ARC) 2012 release, UK
Fever- Lauren Destefano (ARC) 2012 release
Save the Pearls, Revealing Eden- Victoria Foyt (Hardcover) 2012, release
On the Fringe- Courtney King Walker (Paperback)
Thanks to all of the publishers and authors for sending me these books! I am super honored that you continue to support my blog/reviewing site.

What did you get in your mailbox this week?! Are you excited for any of these? Let me know!

Follow Friday + a Great YA read!

2011-12-09T09:16:00.000-08:00

Welcome to my stop on the Follow Friday hop! Today's question is this: What is ONE book you think everyone needs to read?!

My thoughts: Oh lord. There is NO way I can pick just one book. That's sort of a sad joke :( So here's a collage of books that I have recently read and thought were super amazing. All of these have stuck with me for some specific reason, whether it is gorgeous writing (Near witch, cough, cough!) An awesome storyline, great characters, or something that was just beautiful. Click on the link below to be taken to my goodreads page, where you can find all of these! :) My page

If you are a new follower here, introduce yourself! What books do you love? Leave a link... and if you get a chance, stop by my GIVEAWAY for a signed copy of SHATTERED DREAMS. You can also Follow me on twitter and Like my facebook page while you're at it, if you want! :)

My Story is on DEAR TEEN ME.

2011-12-08T09:24:00.000-08:00

Have you heard of DEAR TEEN ME? It's website full of amazing authors who post their stories and letters of what they wish they could tell their teen selves if they were able to go back in time.
I've read and been really touched by some of these amazing stories. And I was super thrilled when I got invited to write a letter for the website. So, here's the link. If you could stop by, leave a comment, or just help spread the word about it, that would be great! You should also keep up with the site. There's some wonderful things on there, and in 2012, an anthology will be published!
Go here for my post!

W.O.W. The "Want so Badly I Might Die" Edition

2011-12-07T20:36:00.000-08:00

Seventeen-year-old Gene struggles to survive in a society where humans have been eaten to near extinction by the general population. When Gene is chosen to participate in the government-sponsored hunt for the remaining humans, he must learn the art of the hunt but also elude his fellow hunters whose suspicions about his true human nature are growing.

Fourteen kids. One superstore. A million things that go wrong.

A huge store isn’t the worst place to be stranded. There’s food and water, bedding and books. But what if it’s not safe to leave? Emmy Laybourne had us from the get-go with her utterly fresh and fast-paced debut.

Six high school kids (some popular, some not), two eighth graders (one a tech genius), and six little kids are trapped together in a chain superstore. Together they build a refuge for themselves inside, while outside, a series of escalating disasters, beginning with a monster hailstorm and ending with a chemical weapon spill, seems to be tearing the world—as they know it—apart.

Robie, 16, lives with her family on the Midway atoll, a group of islands in the middle of the Pacific. Her parents are scientists; it’s an isolated life. Robie enjoys visiting her aunt in Hawaii – she gets back and forth on a cargo plane that brings supplies to Midway.

During a visit, her aunt is called to the mainland for a work emergency, leaving Robie to get home on her own. On her flight back to Midway the cargo plane hits nasty weather, and goes down. It’s just Robie, the pilot, and Max, a co-pilot she’s never met till this flight, on board. Robie is pulled aboard a raft by Max, who is injured and slipping in and out of consciousness. They have a bag of candy and very little water between them. When they finally reach an island that seems abandoned, Robie hopes they’ll be found quickly. But she’s not sure she was even on the flight manifest. Her parents must be looking for her…aren’t they?

In THE RAFT, S.A. Bodeen creates a hair-raising suspense story that will have readers agonizing over the same question as Robie -- how long can they survive?

Okay. I feel like I'm going to die. Because of the AWESOMENESS of all these titles!! What are you waiting on?! Let me know in the comments!

ARC Review- DEAD TO YOU.

2011-12-06T16:04:00.000-08:00

Releases Feb 7th, 2012 from Simon Pulse. Thanks to the publisher for providing me with a physical ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Ethan was abducted from his front yard when he was just seven years old. Now, at sixteen, he has returned to his family. It's a miracle... at first. Then the tensions start to build. His reintroduction to his old life isn't going smoothly, and his family is tearing apart all over again. If only Ethan could remember something, anything, about his life before, he'd be able to put the pieces back together. But there's something that's keeping his memory blocked. Something unspeakable...

My Thoughts:
I have always been a fan of Lisa McMann's work. She's one of those authors that, no matter how different her novel concepts are, I can always tell when it's got her flair. The simple but effective writing style is one that I don't typically get into, but somehow, when it's one of Lisa's books I always get sucked right in!

I've read all of this author's other YA books, (Wake series, Cryer's Cross) and you guys...she's got a deliciously twisted mind. In DEAD TO YOU, there is some seriously chilling stuff going on beneath the surface. With simple narrative and quick wit as always, (the characters in her books always crack me up) McMann did a rockin' job of pulling me into the main character Ethan's head.

After returning home years later from being abducted from him front lawn as a child, Ethan has a hard time settling back in, just as anyone would. The other characters in his family, especially the younger sister Gracie, are all done super well. Gracie is super adorable and she is the glue that holds this book together, if you ask me. She is the sweet relief in all of the drama!
I can't review this one like I would others, for super secret plot reasons, so I will just gush over my love for how Lisa McMann writes, because its just so simple and quick. You can read through this book in a few hours if you're fast, I did, but you don't feel like you've missed anything the entire way through. You feel like you've been emerged into an emotional world that pulls you through the ringer and spits you right back out in just a short time, and when you're done reading, you lay in bed thinking about it all night. (I have circles under my eyes right now. Really, I do!!!)
I wish I could give away what happens in this book. There are things that make Ethan feel super off. His younger brother, Blake, doesn't get along with him at all. There's a girl named Cami across the street, one whose character is sweet and caring and done very well, who helps Ethan settle back into his life with his family, but as the book goes on, things just get increasingly unsettling.
If you like creepy without being entirely creeped out, or if you want to like creepy books, but are too scared to pick one up, this book is perfect for you. It's chilling in a psychological way, but one that I think tons of people can handle. As all of the authors' other YA books, DEAD TO YOU is what I like to think of as a slow burn of events leading up to a super explosive ending...one that leaves you breathless and makes you think "holy balls I wish this wasn't a single-title book!"

So! Bravo, Lisa McMann. I'm totally honored to have a few signed copies of your books on my shelves, and I cannot wait to see what else comes out from you in the future! You pack a punch with every book...and also, you bring chocolate to your book signings. How could I not be a fan??

Interested in this title? Here's some helpful links to find out more!

The author's twitter

The author's website

Pre-Order this title

Have you read this book? What were your thoughts!

ARC Review- SLIDE by Jill Hathaway

2011-12-04T20:00:00.000-08:00

Slide releases on March 27, 2012 by Balzer+Bray for Harper Collins. Thanks to the marketing team at Harper for sending me a copy in exchange for an honest review.
Vee Bell is certain of one irrefutable truth—her sister’s friend Sophie didn’t kill herself. She was murdered.

Vee knows this because she was there. Everyone believes Vee is narcoleptic, but she doesn’t actually fall asleep during these episodes: When she passes out, she slides into somebody else’s mind and experiences the world through that person’s eyes. She’s slid into her sister as she cheated on a math test, into a teacher sneaking a drink before class. She learned the worst about a supposed “friend” when she slid into her during a school dance. But nothing could have prepared Vee for what happens one October night when she slides into the mind of someone holding a bloody knife, standing over Sophie’s slashed body.

Vee desperately wishes she could share her secret, but who would believe her? It sounds so crazy that she can’t bring herself to tell her best friend, Rollins, let alone the police. Even if she could confide in Rollins, he has been acting off lately, more distant, especially now that she’s been spending more time with Zane.

Enmeshed in a terrifying web of secrets, lies, and danger and with no one to turn to, Vee must find a way to unmask the killer before he or she strikes again.

My Thoughts-

WOW. I loved this book. Love, love, loooooved this book. Do you hear me, Jill Hathaway? I freakin loved your book, woman! :) Here's why:

UK cover of SLIDE

Which leads me to the writing. The writing....is lovely. It's done in a way that its easy on the eyes, and the reader is drawn in right from the start. The use of descriptive language is something that I always look for when reading a book, and this one....yes. Just....YES.
I'll start with the cover. It's trippy, is it not? Just like the main character, Vee's "slides".
There is so much I wish I could say about this book, about the plot, the characters, and everything in between. But I can't. Why? Because I could give EVERYTHING away. And the whole awesomeness of this book is not knowing what's next. It's the mystery.
Vee rocks. She's tough, she has pink hair (duh..that's cool!) and she's the only person that has an inside eye to what's going on. She's the fly on the wall that isn't really there at all, and she's hurting since the loss of her mother. The way this book is written makes Vee's loneliness so tangible. You can literally feel it as if it's your own.
I want to say more. I do. I want to spill everything about the relationships between Vee, Rollins, and Zane, and the secrets that her father has, and the mystery behind who the killer is. And who is next. But...I can't. I just...can't. Maybe if you can slide into my mind, you'll know. I promise if you do, you'll go pick up this book.
It's just that good.

Thanks to Harper for allowing me to read this shiny little diamond. I always love the titles you guys put out on the shelves, and thanks to Jill Hathaway for writing it and bringing the story to life. You, my little writer pal, rock. Keep it up :)

Interested in this title? Here's a few helpful links!

Pre-order your copy of SLIDE here!

Stop by the author's blog!

Follow the author on twitter!

In My Mailbox (5) The Dark YA Edition

2011-12-03T20:37:00.000-08:00

In My Mailbox is a meme hosted by THE STORY SIREN, and it's one of my favs! Bloggers get to share what bookish goodies they got over the week! First off, a huge thanks to Simon and Schuster, Pyr, Houghton Mifflin, Candlewick, Delcacorte, Little, Brown, Mira Books, Schwartz/Wade, Feiwel and Friends, and the two bloggers who were so kind to trade me my copies of Cinder and Forgotten! You guys rock!

Here's what I found in my mailbox this week, all of which were awesome surprises!

My books, and a REALLY tacky couch! :0If you click on the below cover images, you can check out release dates, author info, and where to pre-order books! Add these to your TBR list if you haven't yet! There's some amazing books coming out in 2012! :)

So...that's what I got this week in the mail, and I want to say a HUGE thanks to all the awesome publishers and marketing teams that continue to allow me to help support their amazingly talented authors!!

What did YOU get?! Let me know, and don't forget to enter my giveaway! Signed copy of Shattered Dreams by Ellie James! :)

Giveaway! SHATTERED DREAMS by Ellie James!

2011-12-02T20:11:00.000-08:00

Hey blogging/reading friends! I am super excited to announce that my dear friend and fellow member of TEEN SHIVER, Ellie James, is about to experience the release of her YA novel, Shattered Dreams!
Giant Squeeeee!! :) In honor of Ellie, I'm going to spread my enthusiasm for her book, along with a few awesome blogger friends!

Synopsis:
Sixteen-year-old Trinity Monsour wants nothing more than to live a normal life. But that isn’t as easy as it seems. Trinity is different. She isspecial. She sees visions, and for those she’s seen, it’s already too late.

Trinity arrives on her aunt's doorstep in New Orleans with virtually no knowledge of her mysterious heritage. She begins settling into life at a new school and even starts making friends. But all too quickly her dreams accelerate; twisted, terrifying visions of a girl locked in a dark room. And when the head cheerleader, Jessica, goes missing, Trinity knows she has no choice but to step forward with what she's seen.

But people believe that Trinity has information about Jessica's disappearance not because of a dream, but because she is involved. She is kind-of dating Jessica's ex-boyfriend, Chase, and Jessica did pull a nasty prank on Trinity. Revenge seems like the likeliest scenario.

Nothing prepares Trinity for the dark odyssey that ensues while searching for Jessica, including the surprising romance she finds with Chase, or the shocking truths she learns, not just about the girl who has gone missing, but the past that has been hidden from her.

SHATTERED DREAMS releases in just a few days! December 6th, 2011, from St. Martin's Griffin! :) Get ready to read the awesomeness!

Here's a few of Ellie's hangouts online!

Author Site

Twitter

Shattered Dreams fbook page

Want to win a copy?! Then go ahead, leave me your email addy in the comments section! I'll pick a winner on the 10th!
Extra points, 1 point for each! Add them up in the comments!
Follow the author on twitter
Add the book to your goodreads TBR list!
Spread the word on twitter/blog/facebook!!

W.O.W. EXCLUSIVE COVER REVEAL! Touching the Surface

2011-11-29T22:00:00.000-08:00

Earlier this year, I got in touch with author Kimberly Sabatini. Her YA novel, TOUCHING THE SURFACE, will release in the Fall of 2012 by Simon Pulse.

Today....I GET TO REVEAL THE COVER!!!
But first, here's the synopsis. Yes, I'm going to make you wait. Because you have to read what it's about first! It only makes the cover that much MORE amazing!

Life altering mistakes are meant to alter lives…

When Elliot dies for the third time, she knows this is her last shot. There are no fourth-timers in this afterlife, so one more chance is all she has to get things right. But before she can move on to her next life, Elliot will be forced to face her past and delve into the painful memories she’d rather keep buried. Memories of people she’s hurt, people she’s betrayed…and people she’s killed.

As she pieces together the mistakes of her past, Elliot must earn the forgiveness of her best friend and reveal the truth about herself to the two boys she loves…even if it means losing them both forever.

Are you amazed yet? It sounds AWESOME!! Okay, now for the cover...OMG THE COVER!!!

Drumroll, please, everyone....

....I can't hear you....DRUMROLL!!!

......

.....Come on, you can do better than that!!

......

.....Just a littttttle bit louder, you guys!

......

......

HERE IT IS!!!

....

IS IT NOT THE MOST GORGEOUS THING YOU HAVE EVER SEEN?!?! The colors!! The paper birds!!! The dark hair contrasting with the white outfit, the bleakness of the sky, the fact that you can't tell if it's winter or summer or spring or fall and..... and.... oh my word. I'm dying of the shiny! THE SHINY!

Please give TOUCHING THE SURFACE some cover love in the comments! What do you think?! Are you as crazy excited for this book as I am?!

Author Kimberly Sabatini

Be sure to stop by Kim's internet hangouts to tell her how much you love it!
Twitter
Blog
Fan her on Goodreads
Add TOUCHING THE SURFACE to your TBR list

Thanks to Kim and Anica Rissi at SimonPulse for allowing me to be the one to share this cover! I feel incredibly honored and lucky! I'm so happy the world gets to see it now! :) It is every bit as beautiful and amazing as Kimberly, and I cannot WAIT to read it! Please spread the word as much as you can!

ARC Review- The Alchemy of Forever

2011-11-28T09:27:00.000-08:00

Seraphina’s first love made her immortal…her second might get her killed.
After spending six hundred years on earth, Seraphina Ames has seen it all. Eternal life provides her with the world’s riches, but at a very high price: innocent lives. Centuries ago, her boyfriend, Cyrus, discovered a method of alchemy that allows them to swap bodies with other humans, jumping from one vessel to the next, taking the human’s life in the process. No longer able to bear the guilt of what she’s done, Sera escapes from Cyrus and vows to never kill again.
Then sixteen-year-old Kailey Morgan gets into a horrific car accident right in front of her, and Sera accidentally takes over her body. For the first time, Sera finds herself enjoying the life of the person she’s inhabiting—and falls for the human boy who lives next door. But Cyrus will stop at nothing until she’s his again, and every moment she stays, she’s putting herself and the people she’s grown to care for in great danger. Will Sera have to give up the one thing that’s eluded her for centuries: true love?

Releases in January 2012 by Simon and Schuster books for Young Readers.

My Review-

This book is AWESOME. That's really all I want to say, short and sweet. But because this is a review, and I want the world to read this book, I guess I will go into a bit more detail. :)

The book starts out with a rockin' setting, way back in the 1300's, where we first meet Sera. I love seeing that touch of otherworldly-ness. It's so different from what we know today.
Chapter two fast-forwards several hundred years later, to current day. It's great to see how much Sera has evolved. She's a wonderfully done character, who has no idea what life is going to hold for her still, even though she's lived for so long. In many ways, she's still just a young girl trying to figure everything out for the first time.
I really enjoyed the way the author did Cyrus' character. He was creepy and possessive, and everything a killer should be. He believed that everything could be explained by science, and that what matters most in the world, like love and living an honsest life, were things that could fall by the wayside as long as he could control it.
I loved the plot. It was always giving me different twists, and was not predictable in any way. Especially the ending! I was a bit confused by it, but not in a bad way. It left me feeling like...what? Wait...what??? I'm super excited for book two. Can it please come out? Now?
I loved the creepy aspect of the fact that Kailey's family has NO idea that there's a stranger living inside of their daughter's body. How cool is that?! Poor family...they are so lovable, I just want to go into the book and let them know what's really going on.
The cover is awesome. When you turn it different angles, you see multiple faces. It's cool, because it fits the story so well!

Overall, if you love stories with a little creepy, a little funny, a little drama, and a lot of awesome, then I would totally recommend this one! It's a fast read, and different from what I've read before, so if you want something fast and fun, definitely go pick up a copy when it releases!

Follow the author on Twitter!

Stop by the author's Goodreads page!

Have you read this book? Are you excited for it?! Let me know!

In My Mailbox! (3) Thanksgiving Week Edition

2011-11-26T16:57:00.000-08:00

Welcome to my stop!
In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by THE STORY SIREN where bloggers get to share what books they got over the week!

This week, I just got a few books! Here's a photo of them, and I am super super excited about the two signed copies I received! :)

Check out these links to find out more about the books I received this week!
Cold Fury (ARC) releases in July of 2012, by Putnam
Matched
Incarnate (ARC) releases in January of 2012 by Harper Collins
City of Ember
Crossed
Unearthly

I was super excited to see that two of them were signed! Thanks to Ally Condie and TM Goeglin for this!

What books did you get this week?! Let me know in the comments, and leave links!

Waiting On Wednesday!!

2011-11-23T17:10:00.000-08:00

Kicking off a riveting sci-fi trilogy, National Book Award winner Pete Hautman plunges us into a world where time is a tool - and the question is, who will control it?

The first time his father disappeared, Tucker Feye had just turned thirteen. The Reverend Feye simply climbed on the roof to fix a shingle, let out a scream, and vanished — only to walk up the driveway an hour later, looking older and worn, with a strange girl named Lahlia in tow. In the months that followed, Tucker watched his father grow distant and his once loving mother slide into madness. But then both of his parents disappear. Now in the care of his wild Uncle Kosh, Tucker begins to suspect that the disks of shimmering air he keeps seeing — one right on top of the roof—hold the answer to restoring his family. And when he dares to step into one, he's launched on a time-twisting journey — from a small Midwestern town to a futuristic hospital run by digitally augmented healers, from the death of an ancient prophet to a forest at the end of time. Inevitably, Tucker's actions inevitably alter the past and future, changing his world forever.

Sara Jane Rispoli is just a normal sixteen-year-old girl coping with school and a developing crush— until her parents and younger brother are kidnapped, and she discovers her family has been a key figure of Chicago’s Outfit (aka the mob) for decades. Her father, grandfather and great grandfather all used their special ability, cold fury, to settle disputes between the two mob factions—the muscle and the money. And unless Sara wants the mob to think her now missing family has turned state’s evidence, she will have to fill her father’s shoes as the mob’s peacemaker, using her own cold fury.

What are YOU waiting on?

ARC Review- Everneath (Brodi Ashton)

2011-11-21T10:30:00.000-08:00

EVERNEATH- Brodi Ashton
Releases in January 2012 by Balzer+Bray (Harper) Click on the cover image to learn more.
I'll start out saying that the book was different than I thought it would be. The cover is amazing...the concept is amazing...But I felt like I just wanted a little teensy bit more out of it! There were some things done very well, though. The characters, for one, I really enjoyed.

I felt like the author did a really good job of showing the desperation in Nikki's situation. She was emotionless, and that was how it was supposed to be, and I felt like that was done super well. I like that gradually, Nikki came back to who she was always meant to be. And I love that she can taste emotions in the air because she has none. That was a great addition.
Jack was also wonderful. I felt for him so much...it would suck to be in his situation, in love with a girl who disappeared and just comes back acting like nothing really happened. The pain that would cause...I can't even imagine! He was tender and sweet and allowed himself to love, even through all of the hurt.

Cole, the Everliving, was creepy and possessive. Every time he came into a scene, I just wanted to steal Katniss Everdeen's bow and shoot an arrow through his eye :) That was done very well, too, and I love when a character can get some emotion out of me.

Everneath had a great concept, characters that were likable, and the fear that there is dark and terrifying world that lies just beneath us. I just wanted a little more to the story. I wanted to see Nikki's relationship with her family blossom. I wanted more of a connection, so that it would be heartbreaking for them to have to lose her again, and vise-versa! I liked this book. There was a darkness to it that appealed to me, and though it wasn't my favorite read of the year, I would recommend it to people who enjoy mythology and love triangles.

Overall, the author is a good writer. She has beautiful language, and a rockin' concept. It's her first novel and compared to what is out there these days, it's got a good chance of selling very well. The author is really sweet (I met her for a few seconds at SCBWI this summer in LA, what a lovely smile!) The story is a bit predictable, but if you want a quick read that shows you just how precious our time on earth is, then I'd go pick this one up. I think there are lots of readers out there that will enjoy it, and I am interested to see how book two ends up.
Have you read this one? What were your thoughts?

a massive IMM = FIRST Vlog ever! (3)

2011-11-19T11:09:00.000-08:00

In My Mailbox is a super fun meme hosted by The Story Siren, where bloggers get to share what books they got for review/borrowed/bought over the course of the week! Click the IMM icon to be taken to the site! :)

This is my FIRST video blog ever...so please excuse the awful quality! I got 23 books in the mail this week...a BIG surprise, and it was super fun! Can't wait for everyone to tell me what they got, and to see if you are looking forward to the books I got as well!

Books mentioned in this video:
Harper: Partials (ARC) Balthazar (ARC) Slide (ARC) Forbidden (ARC)
Putnam: Born Wicked (ARC)
Little, Brown: Wintertown (ARC) Why We Broke Up (ARC)
St. Martin's: Dead of Night and Sadie Walker is Stranded (both ARCs)
Razorbill: Strange Angels, A Million Suns,Across the Universe (all ARCs)
Pyr Books: Lightbringer, Vampire Empire books 1/2, The Falling Machine (Finished copies)
Tor Teen: Article 5 (ARC)
Simon&Schuster: The Alchemy of Forever, Death Watch (both ARCs)
Hyperion: The Way We Fall (ARC)
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt: Never 18, First Comes Love,Wherever You Go (all ARCs)

And from my friend Ivy Adams (Tracy Deebs, a member of Teen Shiver!) I got The International Kissing Club, which releases in January, and looks super fun! :)

What did YOU get?! Tell me in the comments, and if you haven't watched my video...watch it! :)

Follow Friday and a cover craze! (3)

2011-11-18T08:28:00.000-08:00

Welcome to my Follow Friday post! If you're new here, tell me a little bit about yourself in the comments!
I always like to help support my author friends, so today, here's a few upcoming YA releases that I'm pining for! Click on the cover image to go to its Goodreads page!

What books are you looking forward to reading? Leave me your link in the comments, and I'll stop by your blog!

Waiting On Wednesday!!

2011-11-15T18:57:00.000-08:00

WHAT IS OLDEST WILL BE NEW, WHAT IS LOST SHALL BE FOUND.

The ozone is ravaged, ocean levels have risen, and the sun is a daily enemy. But global climate change is not something new in the Earth’s history.

No one will know this better than less-than-ordinary Owen Parker, who is about to discover that he is the descendant of a highly advanced ancient race—a race that took their technology too far and almost destroyed the Earth in the process.

Now it is Owen’s turn to make right in his world what went wrong thousands of years ago. If Owen can unlock the lost code in his very genes, he may rediscover the forgotten knowledge of his ancestry…and that less-than-ordinary can evolve into extraordinary. Releases in May 2012 from Harper Collins Children's

“Don’t even think of leaving…I will find you,” he whispered. “Guaranteed.”

Sara and her mom have a plan to finally escape Sara’s abusive father. But when her mom doesn’t show up as expected, Sara’s terrified. Her father says that she’s on a business trip, but Sara knows he’s lying. Her mom is missing—and her dad had something to do with it. Each day that passes, Sara’s more on edge. Her friends know that something’s wrong, but she won’t endanger anyone else with her secret. And with her dad growing increasingly violent, Sara must figure out what happened to her mom before it’s too late…for them both. Releases in May 2012 from Simon Pulse

What are YOU waiting on?!

ARC Review- Catching Jordan. A fun read!

2011-11-15T15:35:00.000-08:00

My Review- I think the concept of this book is amazing! A girl that plays on the boy’s football team? Yes. And why is that a YES from me? Well…in High school I was on the all-boy’s Ice Hockey team, and so I knew that this book would be one I would instantly be able to connect with.

There are some things about this book, from the way the boys react to Jordan by standing up for her, to the way she sometimes gets lost staring at the guys’ ripped bodies…that made me crack up, because it reminded me SO much of being on my team. I was a little worried about the football lingo, and not being able to understand it at first…but the way Kenneally describes these scenes makes it easy to follow along! I loved how despite the fact that Jordan fit in so well on her team, she had the hardest time with other girls. The tough relationship to her father was well written, and I felt for her so much. This book has a lot of snarky lines. Jordan definitely is a tough chick! It also has sweet things, too, and for girls that aren’t tomboys, don’t worry. There’s romance! J It was great to see that Jordan could understand the reality of needing her own kind (girls) in her life, and that there were some out there worth spending time with! Overall, this is just a fun read! If you don’t like football (I hate it) and if you don’t like fun contemporary novels (usually like me) then so what? Give this one a try. It’s sort of in a genre of its own! I think you will be pleasantly surprised.

Catching Jordan releases December 1st of this year from Sourcebooks Fire

ARC review- A MILLION SUNS

2011-11-14T06:28:00.000-08:00

OH...MY...GOSH. This book...you guys... I am over the top excited to be able to review this book. I had no idea it would be heading to me in the mail, and when I got a package from Razorbill, I made myself SWEAR not to get too excited as I opened up the envelope. But there it was. A shiny, brand new copy of Across the Universe's sequel, for me, who probably tormented Beth Revis by sending her so many pictures and "holy crap Beth you're amazing" tweets. This was absolutely one of my most anticipated reads in a loooong time, and I have nothing but praise for it :)

I'll start with the Cover. I love it. So, SO much. It is perfect for this book, and I can't say why exactly, but this cover just fits so well.

When I first started reading, I had to go slow, because so much happened in ATU, and that was so long ago, that it was a little hard to remember every little detail. But Revis does a good job of recapping everythinga nd reeling you back in lightning fast. The book starts out instantly...withing the first few pages, by dealing the characters a HUGE game-changer (which of course, I cannot reveal!! The mystery is so good in this one! Who is doing everything?! Who is the bad guy?! Are they really bad, or are they good?! OH MY STARS, the frexing drama! Oh, the frexing amazing plotting skills, Beth! Oh, the ability to curse in Godspeed lingo without really cursing on Sol-Earth. FREX!) and you are instantly flipping pages to figure out what happens next. I'll just go through a few bullet points, because SO much happens in this book, and I can't reveal a single thing without giving it all away!!

-The Mystery-
the cool thing about this book is that the mystery is even bigger- the stakes are WAY higher than what happened in book one, with the frozens. This time, it's everyone's life on the ship that's in danger... including Godspeed itself.
-The Characters-
I feel for Amy so much in this one. She's struggling to fit into a world where she completely stands out, and now that everyone on the ship is off of Phydus, it is even more dangerous for her. Including her problems with Luthor, one of the most hate-worthy characters in all of YA lit for the way he treats women! So awesome job on making his character super believable, Beth! Beth throws in another Harley-type character named Victria, and it allows the reader to see that these people on the ship have real problems, the same kind that we wish we could run away from. Even in space, they are there.
-Godspeed is seriously in distress, and it really gives the reader a chance to see just how hard it is for Elder to lead. He has to make a ton of hard decisions, and the way his chapters are written leave you feeling just as anxious and distressed as he is.
-The romance between Amy and Elder. It is so perfectly written, the struggles, the confusion between them, the moments where you are just screaming "COME ON ALREADY!" in their scenes.
-The Plot-
Overall, it's hard sometimes for a book to capture me from beginning to end. But this one did exactly that, and I actually ended up staying up until 3am last night so that I could finish the mystery. And I'm up just a few hours later to review it. THAT'S HOW AMAZING IT WAS!! I needed to know what the end would be, because the mystery..oh, the mystery. You guys, it is so SO good, all of the clues, the confusion, the fact that you get to see Amy being so strong despite her situation...The stakes were so high that I was afraid if I left the book and came back...everything would change, and I'd miss out on something huge! It felt so realistic, from the scientific explanations, to all of the new technology you see, to the feeling of being trapped, and the crazy distress that comes from thousands of people finally realizing the danger of their situation and questioning their leader. It's scary. It's real. It's everything I ever hoped book 2 would be.

I don't give starred reviews for my books. But for this one....I'm going to have to give it A MILLION SUNS. That's just how good it was, and I am beyond excited for the rest of the world to read it! :)

:::Faces Camera::: Beth, if you're out there....if you can see this, Beth. You are amazing. :::Looks over shoulder. Lights flicker::: You have a choice to make, Beth. And it's that you have to write book three. Can you do it? You have to. Because if you dont... :::Eyes go wide:::: ....If you don't, Beth...I will probably die. ---End of Video---

Puppy Style- IMM + ARC review of Prized

2011-11-12T20:22:00.000-08:00

World, meet Hurley. She is my personal bodyguard against solicitors selling cheap magazines, my vicious writing assistant, and a super loyal best friend. Also, she likes books, and she was super excited about what we got in our mailbox this week.To find out more about the books, including release dates and links to author/publisher sites, click on the individual book cover image below! :)

And now, for a quick ARC review of by Caragh M. O'Brien. I read book one a long while back, so it took me awhile to get into this one! When you get into this one, don't expect the same kind of book as the first one. It is VERY different! However, I love this new world so much. I love what the author has painted, that is so different from book one. I loved the main character Gaia, as I did in book one. She's strong, she's willing, and she's smart, which is my absolute fav type of character, but as the book goes on, she has a hard time staying true to herself. I think that's what would happen in real life, were someone to encounter the things that she does, and I love how there is redemption in the end, bringing her back to her true self. There's a twist, which made me keep flipping pages until the end. Click on the book cover image to be taken to its goodreads page.

Thanks for stopping by my blog! I just got a super new design! What do you think?! I am totally in love with it! What did you get this week?! Have you read any of these books? Let me know in the comments!

BLOG MAKEOVER!! :)

2011-11-11T17:39:00.000-08:00

Hey there! Welcome to my shiny new blog!
It has a new futuristic look in honor of my book, THE MURDER COMPLEX, which is on submission with publishers now! What do you think of it?! Like?! Let me know in the comments!

To kick off this special occasion, I thought I'd go ahead and share the love with author Michele Vail, who has a gorgeous book cover!
If you LOVE this, stop by the goodreads page by clicking on the image, and add it to your TBR list!

Releases in Feb 2012 by Harlequin Teen.

Also, I want to give a special thanks to all of the veterans who have served our country so bravely and willingly. My grandfather flew spy planes in Vietnam, and I will forever be grateful to him for that, and to all the others who fight for our freedom!

And a thanks to Hafsah, at IceyDesigns, for all the beautiful work she did! :)

Waiting On Wednesday!!

2011-11-08T16:56:00.000-08:00

Waiting On Wednesday is an awesome meme created by Jill at Breaking the Spine , where bloggers get to rave over what books they cannot WAIT to read! :) Here are my picks, which are both dark and thrilling. Both are released in 2012...too long of a wait!

REVIVED- Releases in May 2012 by Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
As a little girl, Daisy Appleby was killed in a school bus crash. Moments after the accident, she was brought back to life.

A secret government agency has developed a drug called Revive that can bring people back from the dead, and Daisy Appleby, a test subject, has been Revived five times in fifteen years. Daisy takes extraordinary risks, knowing that she can beat death, but each new death also means a new name, a new city, and a new life. When she meets Matt McKean, Daisy begins to question the moral implications of Revive, and as she discovers the agency’s true goals, she realizes she’s at the center of something much larger — and more sinister — than she ever imagined.

DARK EYES- Releases in March 2012 by Razorbill.

Get ready for the vigilante girl detective of the next generation.
Wally was adopted from a Russian orphanage as a child and grew up in a wealthy New York City family. At fifteen, her obsessive need to rebel led her to life on the streets.

Now the sixteen-year-old is beautiful and hardened, and she's just stumbled across the possibility of discovering who she really is. She'll stop at nothing to find her birth mother before Klesko—her darkeyed father—finds her. Because Klesko will stop at nothing to reclaim the fortune Wally's mother stole from him long ago. Even if that means murdering his own blood. But Wally's had her own killer training, and she's hungry for justice.

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo for teens, this debut thriller introduces our next big series heroine!

Love these covers as much as I do? Then click on each image to and add them to your TBR list! :)

What are YOU waiting on?!

Did you see the new RAPTURE cover!?!

2011-11-07T14:32:00.001-08:00

My FIRST IMM ever!! :)

2011-11-06T07:30:00.000-08:00

This is my first time joining the IMM meme, hosted by The Story Siren!

So, I'll start with thanking HarperTeen for an amazing package on my doorstep this week!

Then, a big thanks to Razorbill, Sourcebooks, and my friend CC Hunter for these little shiny things I received!

I also found ARCs of these at my used bookstore, which always annoys me a little! ARCs are NOT for sale! I buy them because I feel like they need good homes, not just discarded and gathering dust on some shelf somewhere. Still...people should not be selling them!!

Fury by Elizabeth Miles
The Way We Fall by Megan Crewe (releases in January by Disney Hyperion)
Tomorrow Girls

What did you get this week?!

ARC review- Kiss of Frost

2011-11-04T14:58:00.000-07:00

I’m Gwen Frost, a second-year warrior-in-training at Mythos Academy, and I have no idea how I’m going to survive the rest of the semester. One day, I’m getting schooled in swordplay by the guy who broke my heart—the drop-dead gorgeous Logan who slays me every time. Then, an invisible archer in the Library of Antiquities decides to use me for target practice. And now, I find out that someone at the academy is really a Reaper bad guy who wants me dead. I’m afraid if I don’t learn how to live by the sword—with Logan’s help—I just might die by the sword...

Releases November 29, 2011 by KTeen

My Review-

Once again, I was pleasantly surprised by this series! I read and loved book one, Touch of Frost, and had high hopes for this sequel. One thing I love the most about this book is that it is NOT my typical read. I'm not a big fan of urban fantasy usually, but again, I was able to get through the book not just because I had to for review, but because I WANTED to!

As usual, the main character Gwen makes me crack up. She's so snarky and so "new" to the world of Mythos that she just never quite fits in, but when things go wrong, she doesn't want help from anyone. That's super typical for a real teen in today's world, which makes her a really easy character to connect with. My favorite scene, and again, it's the intro as in most books, is where she's learning to shoot a bow and arrow, and royally sucks. :) It just makes her a more real character to me, versus other fantasy books, where everyone is just amazing at this type of thing. Another thing I love about this series is that it's not super super dark...it's just a lot of FUN! That can be a very refreshing type of read when done correctly. You get to see a lot more of Logan in this book, and while he's sort of hate-worthy, he's also not many times, which gives you reason to keep on reading. (Just make a decision already on who you're going to be, Logan!) Plus, there is way more action in this one, and while I don't like to give spoilers, Gwen does some seriously awesome stuff with her gift (In book one the reader learns she can see the history of things by touching them). Basically, if you read the first book and enjoyed it, read this one too, because I sort of think it was a little bit better. :) Plus... Logan. Logan, Logan, Logan.

I just got sent a final copy of this book, and whereas the photo above doesn't show it, the actual title is in a super shiny aqua color! Love that little change :) The next book, Dark Frost, will release in May of 2012 from Kensington Teen, and I am eagerly awaiting that one!

Follow the author on twitter!

Stop by her website!

Go to the Kensington Teen website!

Have you read this series? What were your thoughts?

DREAMLESS Cover reveal! SO GORGEOUS!!!

2011-11-01T15:32:00.001-07:00

BEAUTIFUL! Thoughts?!

Ashfall Review

2011-10-31T19:05:00.000-07:00

My Review:
I usually don't do this...but for this review, all I'm going to say is YES.

I loved the world Mike Mullin painted in this story. I loved the equality shown in this book with the range of characters. It has the ability to reach so many people in that way. I loved the main character Alex's voice. His confusion about the world he was in, from the very first scene, was so realistic and authentic. I really believed that my world was about to collapse as well. The book is action-packed, and it keeps things moving, and Darla, the female lead, was totally my type of girl. I would SO be friends with her in the real world, and I'd want her on my side during an apocalypse. Mullin will hit every emotion in you with this book, and that's always a great sign that something was written the way it should have been! Overall, I'm a dystopian freak, but this was more than that. It was just a well told story that needed to be told to the world, and it showed through in the pages.

This is a long book, but it reads quickly, so pick up a copy and settle in for a violent and cruel, yet totally enjoyable ride.

Stop by the author's website!
Follow the author on twitter!
Follow the author on facebook!

Have YOU read Ashfall? What did you think?!

Awesome Cover Reveals- SURVIVE.

2011-10-27T23:38:00.000-07:00

Jane runs away from Life House, a facility for kids with mental health disorders and addictions. She boards a plane to Montclair, New Jersey, though her destination does not matter—she doesn’t plan to be alive when the plane lands. Jane has planned the perfect suicide: she’ll fall asleep on the plane and never wake up. As she’s reaching for her pills in the cabin’s bathroom, the plane hits turbulence. Another jolt, and the engine’s down. The plane crashes into the mountains of Montana, and Jane and a boy named Paul are the only two survivors.

What starts out as a death mission quickly becomes a fight for life.

This one releases in 2012 from Razorbill!

What do you think of these? I love them all! Especially the Timepiece cover, so twisty! And if I don't get my hands on SURVIVE like...stat...I might die! :0

TORN Review!

2011-10-27T10:30:00.000-07:00

Everyone has secrets.

Even best friends.

Swirling black descends like ravens, large enough to block the glow of the streetlights. A dull roar starts like a train on the 'L', a far-away rumbling that grows louder as it pulls closer, until it's directly overhead and you feel it in your chest, except this doesn't pass you by. Verity, white-faced and eyes blazing, shouts through the din, "Run, Mo!"

Mo Fitzgerald knows about secrets. But when she witnesses her best friend's murder, she discovers Verity was hiding things she never could have guessed. To find the answers she needs and the vengeance she craves, Mo—quiet, ordinary, unmagical Mo—will have to enter a world of raw magic and shifting alliances. And she'll have to choose between two very different, equally dangerous guys—protective, duty-bound Colin and brash, mysterious Luc. One wants to save her, one wants to claim her. Which would you choose?

"Who doesn't love a character torn between two dangerous worlds and two risky guys? The only thing safe about this book is how good it is." —Lee Nichols, author of Deception, A Haunting Emma Novel

"Dark, exciting and totally addictive! Just. . .wow!" -Kristi Cook, author of Haven

My Thoughts:

Cover- Looks a bit like Lady Gaga, lol. I love the whimsy of it, and the beautiful colors!

Overall- After reading a lot of books with love triangles, and being sort of sick of them, I have to admit I was a little nervous about this one! But I think the author did an AWESOME job of sucking me in and making me just as confused at the main character, Mo. The first chapter did its job well...giving me a twisty plot, making me ask questions, and making me wonder what was going to happen next. I loved the desperation in the voice, and I loved the unique twist to this story. I felt for Mo because she wanted to be someone, yet she wasn't insanely jealous of Verity, like most girls would be today. That made me like her character more, and feel for her as a real person. She wanted to be special, and she loved her best friend, enough to set out to avenge her death. If you love paranormal romance, definately go and pick this one up. I don't like to give pieces of the plot away, but this one will keep you guessing for most of the book. The sequel comes out in February 2012 from Kensington Teen, and I will totally be going to pick it up. The cover and synopsis are below! :)

Constance started to keen as the air around us began to thrash and twist, the caustic scent of ozone burning my nose. As I watched, her dark gold hair began to lift and kink into knots.

“I’m here. It’ll be okay.” It was the last thing I said before my best friend’s little sister went supernova in the second-floor girls’ bathroom, taking me with her.

A month ago, Mo Fitzgerald risked her life to stop an ancient prophecy and avenge her best friend's murder. Now, she only wants to keep her loved ones safe. But the magic—and the Chicago Mob—have other plans.

Mysterious, green-eyed Luc is back, asking for help—and a second chance. Colin, her strongest protector, is hiding a shocking secret. And inside Constance, the magic is about to go terribly wrong. Tangled in a web of love and betrayal, Mo must choose between the life she's dreamed of and the one she's destined for.

Stop by Erica's Website, Twitter, or Facebook page to learn more!

Did you read Torn? What were your thoughts? Leave some love for Erica O'Rourke below!

WOW. Masque of the Red Death

2011-10-26T11:16:00.000-07:00

Everything is in ruins.

A devastating plague has decimated the population. And those who are left live in fear of catching it as the city crumbles to pieces around them.

So what does Araby Worth have to live for?

Nights in the Debauchery Club, beautiful dresses, glittery make-up . . . and tantalizing ways to forget it all.

But in the depths of the club—in the depths of her own despair—Araby will find more than oblivion. She will find Will, the terribly handsome proprietor of the club. And Elliott, the wickedly smart aristocrat. Neither boy is what he seems. Both have secrets. Everyone does.

And Araby may find something not just to live for, but to fight for—no matter what it costs her.

Hardcover, 400 pages

Expected publication: April 24th 2012 by HarperCollins Children's Books

I am SO excited for this book!!! It looks so creepy, and I love lots of

Poe's stories!

I am currently reading...A Million Suns.

What are YOU waiting on? What are you reading? Let me know! :)

Waiting On Wednesday!!

2011-10-19T16:20:00.000-07:00

Today, I am going to do my best to spread the word on my awesome and talented friend Patrick Carman's (author of 13 Days to Midnight, Skeleton Creek, the 39 Clues, Atherton, The Land of Elyon, and Trackers) upcoming YA novel DARK EDEN. I was lucky enough to find an ARC of this one at Powell's in Portland, OR, and had the blessing of meeting Patrick in person at Wordstock a few weeks ago. He is awesome, and as I have jumped into the first chapters of his book, (and I'm not just saying this because Patrick rocks, but because I know a good goosebumpy book when I see one) I'm finding that it, too, is seriously awesome. It's creepy and dark, hence the title...and books that are dark, in my little world, are seriously awesome. :)

DARK EDEN releases Nov 1 by Harper Collin's Childrens! Add it to your TBR list on Goodreads by clicking on the book cover above, and be sure to follow Patrick on twitter for the latest info on all things Dark Eden!

Summary:
Fifteen-year-old Will Besting is sent by his doctor to Fort Eden, an institution meant to help patients suffering from crippling phobias. Once there, Will and six other teenagers take turns in mysterious fear chambers and confront their worst nightmares—with the help of the group facilitator, Rainsford, an enigmatic guide. When the patients emerge from the chamber, they feel emboldened by the previous night's experiences. But each person soon discovers strange, unexplained aches and pains. . . . What is really happening to the seven teens trapped in this dark Eden?

Patrick Carman's Dark Eden is a provocative exploration of fear, betrayal, memory, and— ultimately—immortality.

So...it's Wednesday...what are YOU waiting on?!

Don't forget to stop by my author group, TEEN SHIVER, where my friend Joy Preble is giving away signed copies of her upcoming release!

Been MIA for a few weeks! Wordstockfest

2011-10-14T08:48:00.001-07:00

Just a quick note that I have been on a writer's exTRAVELganza for awhile, so blogging will resume next week! I had the Austin Teen Book Fest, then took a plane to Portland, OR for Wordstock Festival and met some amazing authors! I then hopped a train to northern Washington, where I am on a research trip for my novel.

Enjoy your weekend, and I will be back to blogging soon enough! For now, I have to go enjoy the massive fir trees and awesome cold weather. Sigh...love it here. :)

Waiting On Wednesday!! + Review of The Pledge!

2011-10-05T09:28:00.000-07:00

I was lucky enough to get an ARC of The Pledge...and it is AMAZING. My review is below! Check it out, and add this book to your TBR list on goodreads! I promise you will not be disappointed!!

Releases Nov 15, 2011 by Margaret K. McElderry

In the violent country of Ludania, the language you speak determines what class you are, and there are harsh punishments if you forget your place—looking a member of a higher class in the eye can result in immediate execution. Seventeen-year-old Charlaina (Charlie for short) can understand all languages, a dangerous ability she’s been hiding her whole life. Her only place of release is the drug-filled underground club scene, where people go to shake off the oppressive rules of the world they live in. There, she meets a beautiful and mysterious boy who speaks a language she’s never heard, and her secret is almost exposed. Through a series of violent upheavals, it becomes clear that Charlie herself is the key to forcing out the oppressive power structure of

her kingdom….

My Review

This book was AMAZING. Kim Derting is a favorite author of mine, and she only upped herself in my list after this read.

It starts out like any normal dystopian, but after you get a few chapters in, you start to see just how different it is from the genre. I only WISH I could give away the secrets and all the different levels of this book, but I can't give anything else away without ruining the joy that a reader will get from folding back the pieces of this book.

There's fantasy, scifi, thriller...so many awesome elements in this one. I adore the main characters, Max and Charlaina, and their love story completely rocks my world. There is so much tension in this book, so many secrets, and it is just so AWESOME for fans of dystopia/fantasy. The book is told in several points of view, and it gives the reader a chance to see into different parts of the world.

Charlie's 'gift' is just so cool, and her little sister's character is awesome to see grow over the course of the novel.
Seriously, I cannot say enough good things about this one, and I am SO EXCITED for the rest of this trilogy to be released. I'll be shoving this book into everyone's face for the next several months. I read this one in a day. It was impossible to put down.

So...what's YOUR Waiting on Wednesday?!

GIVEAWAY! Banned Books Week HOP!

2011-09-24T07:50:00.000-07:00

CONTEST CLOSED! WINNER HAS BEEN CHOSEN AND NOTIFIED! I'm super excited about this giveaway today. Why? Because i'm giving away something by one of the greats of YA science fiction, and one of the pioneers of Dystopia! What is it?!

A SIGNED copy of one of SCOTT WESTERFELD's books!!!

I'll be picking a winner the day BEFORE I go to see him at ATBF...and I will ask you which book you'd like signed by him. I will then try my BEST to get him to sign that one. But if not, you'll just be getting any Westerfeld book in the mail. Which is still totally awesome! :)

Okay. So here's the details for how to enter:

you must be a follower of my blog!
You must leave a comment with your name/email address, and if you'd like, tell me your fav banned book!
extra points each for:

Following my group author blog TEEN SHIVER +2
Tweeting about this giveaway! Leave me the link OR just mention me in your tweet! :)
Following me on twitter @lindsaycwrites
Liking my author page on Facebook

Thanks for stopping by!!! Check out the other blogs on this hop and good luck!

CONTEST CLOSED. WINNER HAS BEEN CHOSEN AND NOTIFIED.

Follow Friday! And a Cover Craze - THE REASON IS YOU

2011-09-23T11:40:00.000-07:00

Welcome to my stop on the Follow Friday hop! Please take a second to follow me, and leave a comment and let me know you've stopped by!! :)
A little bit about me? I'm a YA author repped by Louise Fury, with a scifi manuscript currently on submission. I'm a part of TEEN SHIVER, a group of YA authors that live and tour in texas! Take a second to stop by our blog there as well and follow us!

Today, I'm going to introduce you to a new 2012 debut novel called THE REASON IS YOU!

My wonderful friend, Sharla Lovelace, has released the cover to her debut paranormal romance! isn't it LOVELY?! Add it to your TBR on goodreads! :)

In the small river town of Bethany, Dani Shane never fit in. Being different pushed her to the fringes of society, and even leaving town for two decades didn’t stop the talk. Now, with her sixteen year-old daughter Riley in tow, Dani is back in Bethany looking for a fresh start. Too bad her plans for staying under the radar are about to be thrown out the window.

Mischievous and sexy, Dani’s former friend Alex still has the power to rock her world, but there’s a big obstacle standing in their way—-Alex has been dead for forty years. With a ghost popping up at inopportune moments and sparking conversations with her teenage daughter, Dani scrambles to find solid ground and get a grip—-both on her sanity and her heart...

The Reason is You will released in April of 2012 from Berkley Trade!

What do you think of the cover? I think it is gorgeous!

Stop by Sharla's website or follow her on twitter!

Waiting On Wednesday!!

2011-09-20T20:48:00.000-07:00

Sixteen-year-old Trinity Monsour wants nothing more than to live a normal life. But that isn’t as easy as it seems. Trinity is different. She isspecial. She sees visions, and for those she’s seen, it’s already too late.

Trinity arrives on her aunt’s doorstep in New Orleans with virtually no knowledge of her mysterious heritage. She begins settling into life at a new school and even starts making friends. But all too quickly her dreams accelerate; twisted, terrifying visions of a girl locked in a dark room. And when the head cheerleader, Jessica, goes missing, Trinity knows she has no choice but to step forward with what she’s seen.

But people believe that Trinity has information about Jessica’s disappearance not because of a dream, but because she is involved. She iskind-of dating Jessica’s ex-boyfriend, Chase, and Jessica did pull a nasty prank on Trinity. Revenge seems like the likeliest scenario.

Nothing prepares Trinity for the dark odyssey that ensues while searching for Jessica, including the surprising romance she finds with Chase, or the shocking truths she learns, not just about the girl who has gone missing, but the past that has been hidden from her.

My amazingly sweet friend, Ellie James, is the author of this book, and also a fellow member in Teen Shiver! Please stop by Goodreads and add it to your TBR list!! Shattered Dreams releases December 6 of this year by St. Martin's Griffin!

What are you waiting on?

Found--original YA book cover shots!

2011-09-18T17:05:00.000-07:00

See if you recognize these awesome shots. Below is what they all look like now, as YA book covers! :)

Top 5 Books I can't wait for in 2012

2011-09-17T07:38:00.000-07:00

CONTEST CRAZE

@ Princess Bookie

What are YOU looking forward to the most?!