Wednesday, November 30, 2011

Vote TeamClary from Cassandra Clare's Mortal Instrucments & GIVEAWAY

Clary Fray/Morgenstern is the heroine from Cassandra Clare's Mortal Instruments Series, which includes City of Bones, City of Ashes, City of Glass, City of Fallen Angels, and coming City of Lost Souls, and City of Heavenly Fire.

*** Spoil Alert Quotes from 1st four books below ***

Fray's Fabulous Features

By Kara Lija

A petite 5 feet tall
Curly red hair
Green eyes
Freckles 
Survives the worst father ever, Valentine Morgenstern
Received Ithuriel's blood giving her special talents
Shadowhunter
Beautiful





Fiercely loyal & driven to help those she loves


From City of Bones - Clary felt suddenly annoyed. "When the self-congratulatory part of the evening is over, maybe we could get back to saving my best friend from being exsanguinated to death?"  

From City of Bones - "I don't want tea," said Clary, with muffled force. "I want to find my mother. And then I want to find out who took her in the first place, and I want to kill them.

Feisty & independent - she doesn't put up with anyone's um ... you know

From City of Bones - "I was ninety percent sure." "I see," Clary said.
There must have been something in her voice, because he turned to look at her. Her hand cracked across his face, a slap that rocked him back on his heels. He put a hand to his cheek, more in surprise than pain. "What the hell was that for?"
"The other ten percent," she said, and they rode the rest of the way down to the street in silence."

From City of Ashes - "Hey Baby." "Baby? You're kidding me, right?" "I was trying it out. No?" "No."

Funny & great to have around

From City of Bones - "Don't touch any of my weapons without my permission."
"Well, there goes my plan for selling them all on eBay," Clary muttered.
"Selling them on what?" Clary smiled blandly at him. "A mythical place of great magical power." 

From City of Bones - "I figured all your classes were stuff like Slaughter 101 and Beheading for Beginners."Jace flipped a page. "Very funny, Fray." 
Lily Collins

Figures it out when everyone else gives up 

From City of Glass - "No. I wanted to tell you that I was proud of you." Clary slewed around to look at her mother. "You were?" Jocelyn nodded. "Of course I was. The way you stood up in front of the Clave like that. The way you showed them what you could do. You made them look at you and see the person they loved most in the world, didn't you?" "Yeah," Clary said. "How did you know?"
"Because I heard them all calling out different names," Jocelyn said softly. "But I still saw you."
 
Forever drawn to the gorgeous Jace

From City of Glass - All that existed was Jace; all she felt, hoped, breathed, wanted, and saw was Jace. Nothing else mattered.

From City of Fallen Angels - Not to be outdone, Clary slid her hands under the hem of his soaked shirt, and let her fingers explore what was underneath: the tight, hot skin over his ribs, the ridges of his abdomen, the scars on his back. This was uncharted territory for her, but it seemed to be driving him crazy: he was moaning softly against her mouth, kissing her harder and harder, as if it would never be enough, not quite enough —.


Fierce & Fights for what she loves

 From City of Glass - "Is this the part where you say if I hurt her, you'll kill me?" "No" Simon said, "If you hurt Clary she's quite capable of killing you herself. Possibly with a variety of weapons." 

From City of Glass Jace - "And then I met you.  You were a mundane.  Weak.  Not a fighter.  Never trained.  And then I saw how much you loved your mother, loved Simon, and how you'd walk into hell to save them.  you did walk into a vampire hotel.  Shadowhunters with a decade of experience wouldn't have tried that.  Love didn't make your weak; it made you stronger than anyone I'd ever met." 

From City of Glass Jace - "You could have had anything else in the world, and you asked for me."  She smiled up at him.  Filthy as he was, covered in blood and dirt, he was the most beautiful thing she'd ever seen.  "But I don't want anything else in the world."

Firm hold on herself


From City of Glass, right after Jace yells at her - "When you told me the first time that Valentine was your father, I didn't believe it," she said.  "Not just because I didn't want it to be true, but because you weren't anything like him.  I've never thought you were anything like him.  But you are.  You are."
   

Flair for making new or stronger runes  

From City of Ashes - "The completed Fearless rune was a matrix of strongly swirling lines: a rune as bold and aerodynamic as an eagle.  She tore the page free and held it up so the others could see it."

From City of Glass - "She squeezed her eyelids shut and, against the darkness behind the them, began to draw with her mine in curving lines of light.  Lines that spoke to her of doorways, of being carried on whirling air, of travel and faraway places.  The lines came together in a rune as grateful as a bird in flight.  She didn't know if it was a rune that had existed before or one she had invented, but it existed now as if it always had."


What makes Clary better than Kate

So I enjoyed Die for Me by Amy Plum but Kate was not the reason why.  Vincent was my favorite character in that book.  Kate was a puzzle to me.  She's withdrawn, even sullen and not pro-active.  It's been seven months since her parents death and while I understand it's hard for her, she is still hiding away not dealingClary would never do that!


Last point - Clary gets Jace's vote! Nough said.

From City of Glass - "There is no pretending," Jace said with absolute clarity. "I love you, and I will love you until I die, and if there is life after that, I'll love you then."




StuckInBooks has teamed with Cassandra Clare to inspire a #TeamClary victory!

This inspiration has two parts.  First, there is a GIVEAWAY.  Everyday you can tweet, blog, FB, or whatever about voting #TeamClary, and be entered to win SIGNED copies of ALL of Cassies books.  Just use the Rafflecopter below to record your efforts at getting the word out.  The contest will remain open as long as #TeamClary is competing.  After the final victor is declared, the books will be awarded.

AND if that victor is Clary, then Cassandra Clare will write the Greenhouse scene from City of Bones from Jace's POV for all to enjoy!


Seriously, how good is that! Vote #TeamClary!

Support #TeamCassie HERE!



#TeamCassie for the #HeronineTourney GIVEAWAY

TeamClary, TeamIzzy & TeamTessa are teaming up to make sure a TeamCassie girl wins the YA Sisterhood Heroine Tourney!


So here's how it works.  Whenever you tweet, blog, FB, or whatever to promote voting for one of our girls, you can enter to win Clockwork Prince, a Nephilim - Facilis Descensus Averno bookmark from Hebel Design, or choice of CofB, CofA, CofG or CA.  First place chooses first and so forth.  We hope to add to the pile of prizes as we go along.  ANYONE WHO WOULD LIKE TO CONTRIBUTE TO THE PRIZE PILE, let one of the teams know.

You can also get entries for adding team buttons to your blog.  Check out StuckInBooks for Team Clary buttons.  Check out Letters Inside Out for Team Izzy buttons.  Check out Avery's Book Nook for Team Tessa buttons. (Special thanks to Avery's Book Nook for making the buttons)

Contact StuckInBooks at valerie(at)stuckinbooks.com or @StuckInBooks on twitter


Contact Letters Inside Out at amanda(at)lettersinsideout.com or @lostalice7 on twitter



Contact Avery's Book Nook at mailto:averys.book.nook(at)hotmail.ca or @AverysBookNook on twitter



Support TeamCassie heroines!


Tuesday, November 29, 2011

Brightest Kind of Darkness by P.T. Michelle + GIVEAWAY

Source: Received eBook copy from the author in exchange for a fair and honest review.

My Summary:

Nara knows what will happen today.  She dreamed her day the night before.  It helps knowing what the questions on the test in trig will be.  It helps knowing where the shots on goal will be especially when you're the goalie.  It helps to know to avoid certain streets on the way to school so you won't be late.  What doesn't help is knowing that someone is going to set off a bomb at school the next day.  Nara normally tries to avoid acting on the bad things.  She tried once and well that didn't go so well but this time she has to try.  Her actions set loose a chain of events she could never have counted on.  For one she looses her gift, what's up with that?  How can she survive not knowing what's going to happen.  For another, she meets this loaner guy that captures her heart.  His smile melts her heart and it's only for her.  Oh and then there's the little matter of ticking fate off.  Yeah, that can't be good.

My Thoughts:




4 stars - a great read

Questions.  Lots and lots of questions.  That's the theme of this book for me.  It had me asking lots and lots of questions.  Why?  Well, it's because I didn't have a clue where this book was going!  I read so much that I frequently can anticipate from every little clue that gets left among the pages.   Not this time and WOW was that a NICE experience.  It hasn't happened for a very long time.  Now there were lots of clues and I kept trying to piece them together but it was a not go.  LOVED that about this book.

So the world that P.T. creates is unique in the paranormal world.  There were no vampires or werewolves.  No witches or reapers.  What there was was fate.  I've never read a book like this.  Since I had no other experience to base it off of, I was able to enjoy the creation of very interesting lure.  Ravens and feathers.  The color black.  Darkness in varying degrees.  Loved the image from the title and how it's woven into the book.  Nicely done.

I liked how Nara and Ethan's gifts were different yet related and how they weren't sure about them so they were guessing all the time.  Anyone who could have explained wasn't around to help them.  This drew the two together in a way that created a binding relationship even when they weren't together.  I loved how they eased the stress of their gifts for each other.  Truly a partnership where both contribute and need each other.  It is the best kind of relationship.

My favorite character is Ethan.  I loved how Ethan's story was shrouded in mystery.  He isn't sure where or how his gift (or he would say curse) came about.  He has a painful past where those that loved him have repeatedly let him down.  He is tortured with this gift and he has persevered.  He hasn't lost his humanity.  He cares deeply for Nara.  He's so cute about it.  I just want to hug him.

Nara is great too.  She's strong and determined.  Her life has been painful with her father leaving when she was eight.  That event left some lasting scares.  She's broken when it comes to trust and love.  Totally understandable.  So she holds back some.  Very real.

Now the plot.  Well as I said, I was reading blind here.  I enjoyed that.  There were lots of little events that the characters went through leading up to the end.  It's very much like a roller coaster ride.  There are still a lot of questions about this story.  The ending was a bit quick but I still liked it.  Lots of loose ends that still need to be wrapped up which I'm hoping for answers in book 2 or 3.   And for sure I want to read the next one.

Looking for something different?  Like paranormal romance?  Then this is a great choice.  Check it out.

P.T. Michelle | Goodreads | Amazon | B&N | Smashwords

I am not compensated for any of the links in this post.


*** GIVEAWAY ***

P.T. has graciously offered to give a StuckInBooks followers an eBook copy of BRIGHTEST KIND OF DARKNESS.  Nice, huh?   Just fill out the rafflecopter below.  International if you can accept an eBook copy. Ends 12/14/11.

Watch for a FABULOUS Character interview with Ethan coming very soon!



Teaser Tuesday 11/29/11

This is a weekly bookish meme is hosted by MizB at Should Be Reading.
To participate you:
* Grab your current read
* Open to a random page
* Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
* BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS!
(Make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
* Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can     add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!




This weeks teaser comes from

by P.T. Michelle

Ethan's lips met mine in the barest of kisses, tentative, but full of intense promise.  I pressed my lips to his, hoping to show him how much I wanted this.  He unclasped my fingers from his jacket, then lowered my hands to his waist.  When I leaned against him, his arm folded tight around me and a shudder rippled through him. 
kindle location 1961

Yeah, so you just wanted me to go on didn't you! Well I was very tempted to add a few more sentences but no... you're gonna have to grab this one for yourself.  I've finished this one and oh is it good.  Review, character interview and giveaway coming soon.

Tell me what you think and leave a link to your teaser in the comments. 


P.T. Michelle | Goodreads | Amazon | B&N | Smashwords

I am not compensated for any of the links in this post.

Monday, November 28, 2011

Gratitude Giveway Winner

The winner of my Gratitude Giveaway is reading mind
 
She choose Touch by Jus Accardo.
 
Great choice!
This winner is confirmed.
Thanks to everyone who entered. 

Talking to Kale from Touch by Jus Accardo & Giveaway


Official Tour Stop

StuckInBooks is VERY excited to bring you Kale from Touch.

Hey Kale.  I'm so glad you agreed to talk to me.  It's a beautiful day to be sitting outside at the The Blueberry Bean with you.  I guess you like to be outside as much as you can, huh?

It's pleasant being outdoors. I wasn't allowed out often at Denazen.

That makes it hard.  But things changed when you met Dez.  That first meeting Dez was a little stressful.  But what was your first impression of her?

I wasn't sure what to think. She helped me hide from the agents and that
confused me at first. I did get a funny tickle in my belly when I first
saw her. At first I thought it was caution, now I believe it was something
else. Something amazing started that moment.

What about now that you've gotten to know her, can you describe Dez?

Dez is...a miracle. There's not one thing I don't love about her. She's a
lot like me. Strong and not easily broken. She stands for what she
believes in and doesn't worry about what it will cost her. More
people--Sixes and Nixes--need to be like Dez...

I think I'd have to agree with you there.  Life hasn't been kind to you, but you had a special person helping you.  Tell us how you feel about Sue? What is she like?

Sue is strong and brave. She's tough. She made life at Denazen less
painful. Until Dez, she was the only light in a dark existence. Sometimes
when I think back, I wonder if the reason I went with Dez was because she reminded me a bit of Sue...

It's nice that you had someone to help you like that at Denazen.  But now you have the whole outside world to learn about.  As you have learned and experienced the outside world, what has been your favorite first?

*Kale hesitates, then leans forward* Kissing Dez...

*I laugh* I think that is exactly what I expected you to say.  What you and Dez have is special.  If you could spend a day with Dez, do anything, go anywhere, what would you do?

It wouldn't matter what we did, as long as we were together...

Nice!  I know you've got to taste a lot of new foods, what's your favorite food now?

Out of everything I've eaten, I think cheese sticks are my favorite.
Watermelon Jell-O is very nice, too.

I'll admit to being a big fan of cheese sticks myself.  If you could have one wish, no questions asked, what would it be?

I would take down Denazen and ensure Sixes safety.

Denazen is certainly something to be feared, but what is your greatest fear?
Losing Dez.

I hope that never happens.

Either/Or

Mountains or ocean? I've never seen either so I'm not sure.

Steak or burger? I had a burger a few weeks ago. It was very enjoyable.

Coke or Pepsi? Is that food? A drink actually.  Lots of bubbles, you should try it.

M&M's or skittles? *Kale frowns* Are you making these words up? No I didn’t make those up.  They are candy.  Ask Dez about them.

Blond or brunette? Whatever color Dez's hair happens to be. Which makes perfect sense.

Blue or brown eyes? Brown Awe, Dez’s eye color, seeing a pattern here.

Day or night? Either...


Thanks Kale for talking to me.  I've certainly enjoyed the cute coffee shop
with you. Is there anything else you would like to tell my readers?

You're welcome. This was interesting. Dez likes this place. She says it
has kick ass lattes...whatever that is.




Don't ya just love that boy? I did! Check out my 5 star review of Touch.
 

Author Bio:

Jus Accardo is the author of YA paranormal romance and urban fantasy
fiction. A native New Yorker, she lives in the middle of nowhere with her
husband, three dogs, and sometimes guard bear, Oswald. Her first book,
Touch, is due out in November 2011 from Entangled Publishing. She is
represented by Kevan Lyon of Marsal Lyon Literary Agency.

Touch Blurb:

"When a strange boy tumbles down a river embankment and lands at her feet,
seventeen-year-old adrenaline junkie Deznee Cross snatches the opportunity
to piss off her father by bringing the mysterious hottie with ice blue
eyes home.

Except there's something off with Kale. He wears her shoes in the shower,
is overly fascinated with things like DVDs and vases, and acts like she'll
turn to dust if he touches her. It's not until Dez's father shows up,
wielding a gun and knowing more about Kale than he should, that Dez
realizes there's more to this boy - and her father's "law firm" - than she
realized.

Kale has been a prisoner of Denazen Corporation - an organization devoted
to collecting "special" kids known as Sixes and using them as weapons -
his entire life. And, oh yeah, his touch? It kills. Dez and Kale team up
with a group of rogue Sixes hellbent on taking down Denazen before they're
caught and her father discovers the biggest secret of all. A secret Dez
has spent her life keeping safe.

A secret Kale will kill to protect."

Title: Touch by Jus Accardo
Genre: YA Paranormal Romance
ePub ISBN: 978-1-937044-44-2
Print ISBN: 978-1-937044-45-9
Release Date: November 1, 2011


***GIVEAWAY***


Entangled Publishing has furnished an eBook copy of Touch to followers of StuckInBooks.  Just leave a comment with your email to enter to win it.  International as long as you can accept an eBook.  Must be 13 years or older to enter.  Ends December 2nd 12PM MST.


Jus Accardo | Blog | Goodreads | Amazon | B&N
Book Depository

This giveaway is closed.

Saturday, November 26, 2011

2012 TBR Pile Reading Challenge

  
I keep finding great reading challenges for next year that I really want to do.  I've resisted most of them but this one I couldn't pass up.  You see I have so many books that I really want to read and they just sit on my shelf because I get caught up in other things.  So, I went through the pile finding the ones that I REALLY want to read and soon.  This challenge gives me focus to do just that. 




Here's the list I came up with:


Yeah, that's a long list but I don't think I even came close to getting them all.  Oh well, I'm sure I'll add to it later.  BUT I am going to get some of these read this year!  Wish me luck!

Eve Bookish is sponsoring this challenge.  If you're interesting in joining, check it out here.

Calling all Shadowhunters

YAY!
StuckInBooks, oh that's me Valerie, 
is advocating
for Clary Frey 
from the Mortal Instruments 
in the YA Sisterhood Heroine Tourney!

SQUEE!


So that was my first reaction.  Now, I may be stressing a little.  It's such a BIG responsibility.

But then I thought, I just need to ask for suggestions on how to advocate for the BEST heroine ever.  If you have a suggestion on what makes Clary a great heroine, please leave a comment.  

What does it mean to be a great heroine?

What is it about her that draws you to her?

I do have one really good, well I think so anyway, idea but I'm so open to others.

Let me know what you think.

Friday, November 25, 2011

Spirit of the Holiday Season GIVEAWAY

I am pleased to announce that StuckInBooks will be joining Lauren Oliver in her massive SPIRIT OF THE HOLIDAY SEASON GIVEAWAY!

The holidays, as we all know, are a time of sharing--and frantic, last-minute gift-buying. Lauren is doing her part to celebrate, and I will be helping her.  She is giving one lucky reader one SIGNED and gift-wrapped copy of Liesl & Po, perfect as a present for under the tree (or beneath the Menorah!).

Lauren will be co-hosting this contest along with ten other fabulous bloggers and avid fans of L & P (oh, that includes StuckInBooks), so be sure to enter early and enter often! A winner will be selected from EACH blog, meaning that ten copies of Liesl & Po will land in the hands of a lucky child this holiday season.

 

 
The contest opens TODAY and winners will be selected on 12/12!

 

I'm so sorry to all my international friends, but this is US and Canada-only.


Fill-out the rafflecopter below and then help spread the word.



Here are the other blogs participating.  Enter at every blog to increase your chances to win.








Thursday, November 24, 2011

It's aThanksgiving Giveaway

So I had the best thing happen this week. Check it out!



With this happening so close to Thanksgiving, I just want to tell my followers how very thankful I am for YOU!  I started my blog January 9, 2011.  It has been my baby and my stress relieve.  I can't believe the amount of support and friendship I have received from the blogging community, followers and authors.  I can't imagine my life without my blog or without you guys.  And I want to say thanks and of course this calls for a celebration!  So let the party start....



It's a CELEBRATION giveaway!
 I tried to figure out what to give away for this one and it has to be FABULOUS!  So here it is folks.  The winner can choose one of these fabulous new releases.


Summary from goodreads:
Starting over sucks.

When we moved to West Virginia right before my senior year, I’d pretty much resigned myself to thick accents, dodgy internet access, and a whole lot of boring…. until I spotted my hot neighbor, with his looming height and eerie green eyes. Things were looking up.

And then he opened his mouth.

Daemon is infuriating. Arrogant. Stab-worthy. We do not get along. At all. But when a stranger attacks me and Daemon literally freezes time with a wave of his hand, well, something…unexpected happens.

The hot alien living next door marks me.

You heard me. Alien. Turns out Daemon and his sister have a galaxy of enemies wanting to steal their abilities, and Daemon’s touch has me lit up like the Vegas Strip. The only way I’m getting out of this alive is by sticking close to Daemon until my alien mojo fades.

If I don’t kill him first, that is.




Summary from Goodreads.
In the magical underworld of Victorian London, Tessa Gray has at last found safety with the Shadowhunters. But that safety proves fleeting when rogue forces in the Clave plot to see her protector, Charlotte, replaced as head of the Institute. If Charlotte loses her position, Tessa will be out on the street and easy prey for the mysterious Magister, who wants to use Tessa's powers for his own dark ends.
With the help of the handsome, self-destructive Will and the fiercely devoted Jem, Tessa discovers that the Magister's war on the Shadowhunters is deeply personal. He blames them for a long-ago tragedy that shattered his life. To unravel the secrets of the past, the trio journeys from mist-shrouded Yorkshire to a manor house that holds untold horrors, from the slums of London to an enchanted ballroom where Tessa discovers that the truth of her parentage is more sinister than she had imagined. When they encounter a clockwork demon bearing a warning for Will, they realize that the Magister himself knows their every move and that one of their own has betrayed them.
Tessa finds her heart drawn more and more to Jem, though her longing for Will, despite his dark moods, continues to unsettle her. But something is changing in Will; the wall he has built around himself is crumbling. Could finding the Magister free Will from his secrets and give Tessa the answers about who she is and what she was born to do?
As their dangerous search for the Magister and the truth leads the friends into peril, Tessa learns that when love and lies are mixed, they can corrupt even the purest heart.

Or finally, I'm adding a your choice option.  You can choose any book up to $15 from the book depository.  

Of course this giveaway is INTERNATIONAL.  So many of my fabulous followers are international and I try and make my giveaways international as often as I can.

Follow StuckInBooks and fill out the rafflecopter below.  Ends December 6th.


HAPPY THANKSGIVING!









Wednesday, November 23, 2011

Where You Are by Tammara Webber

Source: Purchased Kindle copy

Author recommendation: Mature teens+ (language/drinking/sexual situations)

My Summary:

Emma has made it to star status.  Co-starring with the teen idol, Reid Alexander, she is preparing for publicity shoots and interviews.  Production want the rumors of their relationship to stay flying around.  But there is no relationship between Emma and Reid.  There was last fall when they filmed the movie but it ended and Emma wants to keep it that way.  She discovered that Graham, the actor who played the nerd in the movie, isn't attached like she thought he was.  AND he is as interested in her as she is in him.  Forced to keep their blossoming relationship quiet, they try to build it long distance.  But Reid joins forces with Brooke to try and break them up. Brooke schemes to get Graham into her bed throwing Emma back into Reid's.  There seems no limit to the lies they will tell to get who they want.

My Thoughts:




5 stars - a must read

I loved BETWEEN THE LINES.  My favorite character was Graham.  I literally went from reading that book to this one without so much as getting up from my snuggle chair.  And when I saw that I got to read from Graham's POV, I was thrilled.  In the first book, it rotated from Emma to Reid's POV.  But in this book there were four characters who's thoughts we got to share.  Emma and Reid as last time and adding Graham and Brooke.  I loved how the different POV added to the .... okay I'll just admit it... the stress of the book.  I frequently get VERY attached to certain characters.  As you can probably guess, I am very attached to Graham.  I love his character.  A teenage father with the maturity to insist on keeping his daughter and then following that up with actually raising her well.  I just love him.  He is such a great guy, always concerned and helping others but ALL male.  So when the conniving Brooke set her sights on him, I wanted to gouge her eyes out.  And it may have stressed me a little, or maybe you could call it passion.  But you know I love that cause that means I love the characters. Emma is adorable.  She falls so easily for Brooke's plans and I wanted to shake her a few times.  What I really wasn't prepared for was Reid.  While I thought he was irritating in the first book, I discovered that there is more to Reid Alexander than he wants to admit to his loyal fans or anyone else.  Can't wait to see what happens with that boy in the next book.  As for Brooke, well I can't stand the girl.  Course that's the point, I think.

The plot is fast paced and passionate.  I couldn't put it down and I read it in about a day.  If you like YA contemporary then this is a must read.




I am not compensated for the links in this post.

Tuesday, November 22, 2011

Teaser Tuseday 11-22-11 Everneath by Brodi Ashton


This is a weekly bookish meme is hosted by MizB at Should Be Reading.
To participate you:
* Grab your current read
* Open to a random page
* Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
* BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS!
(Make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
* Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!




This weeks teaser comes from



I wasn't sure I believed him.  Without his embrace, my body felt empty and hollow, as though we were one person, divided.  Except it wasn't an even division.  He had taken away everything that made me...me.  And I would only be me again when I was next to him.  I wasn't sure my body would survive on its own anymore.  I was no longer whole. page 3 ARC copy

So as you can see from the page number, I just started this one.  This book plunges right in there and I still don't know what's up but I'm certainly interested.

What do you think?  Leave me a comment and a link to your teaser.



Brodi Ashton | Goodreads | Amazon | B&N | Book Depository
I am not compensated for the links in the post.

Monday, November 21, 2011

And the winner is...




Caitlin

This winner is confirmed.  Congrats!


Didn't win?

You need to check this book out..

 Abbi Glines | Goodreads | Amazon 
I am not compensated for any of the links in this post.

Between the Lines by tammara webber

Source:purchased kindle version

Author recommendation: Mature teens+ (language/drinking/sexual situations)

My Summary:

Emma is not your average high school senior.  She doesn't attend classes at a high school but on the set of her latest job.  Nothing exciting, commercials and TV movies.  But all of that changes when she lands the role opposite the teen idol Reid Alexander.  Their chemistry cannot be denied and it earns her the role but it also has Reid after her off camera as well.  And what could possible be wrong with the gorgeous Reid pursuing her?  Nothing right.  But when she makes friends with Graham, the hotty playing the nerd, she starts to doubt a relationship with Reid is wise.  And there is this desire to be normal that Emma can't get past.  What about college?  What about theater acting?  When Graham seems unavailable and Reid is to hard to resist, Emma finds her choices between the lines may be being made for her.

My Thoughts:




5 stars - a must read

This book is a fast fun read.  It grabs you quickly and requires that you keep turning the pages.  I loved the way the POV went back and forth between Emma and Reid.  Tammara does a fabulous job capturing Reid's thoughts.  I loved reading his POV.  He is such a teenage guy!  Add to that his star status and he is downright dangerous.  Yet there is something there with Reid.  Unlike most teenage boys with dysfunctional families, Reid has a whole lot more available to him to help him escape.  For sure he is hiding too and in complete denial.  But he also loves his mother even if he can't say the words.  He also had some history that might explain his instability to say the L word even to his mom.  I think there may be some hope for the boy even if he doesn't want to change anything about himself.

Emma is an interesting soul.  Her mother died when she was young and her father checked out on her.  He married again and is totally devoted to his new wife and making Emma a star.  It doesn't seem to matter what she wants.  Despite all of this, Emma is a great girl.  I love her relationship with her best friend Emily.  They make the Em and Em team.  Emma certainly deserves more than she gets from her family and her life.

Graham is my favorite in this book.  He is mysterious and adorable.  He makes friends with Emma.  As they spend time together, it seems like there is something there.  But there are so many unanswered questions about what's up with Graham.  I started guessing what it could be.  I came close but was surprised with his secrets.  It made me love him more.  I am so team Graham!

So I literally went from reading this book to book 2, Where You Are without even moving from my snuggle chair.  Loving that one too but not excited that I'm going to have to wait for book 3.

If you're a contemporary YA reader, then you should so pick this one up!

I am not compensated for any of the links in this post.

Sunday, November 20, 2011

I love this song...




Yes, I am a Twilight fan. 

I love this song, A Thousand Years by Christina Perri.  As I listen to the lyrics, I can hear so many book romances in it.  My current read is Tiger's Voyage by Colleen Houck.  I am about 2/3 of the way through it and this song came at just the right time to really fit the story.  I bought the song and wish I could find the music video because I would buy it too.  

Now I haven't seen Breaking Dawn yet.  It's on the agenda for tomorrow, so my opinion will probably change but right now this song is all Ren and Kelsey.  I am Team Ren by the way.