Books INC. Has a great event set for tonight and we hope to see you there

The YOU ARE NEXT tour is coming to San Francisco and it is made of awesome.

Featuring Authors:

SEAN BEAUDOIN

MARTHA BROCKENBROUGH

KEVIN EMERSON

CAT PATRICK

Several events are set for the bay area, so if you cannot make one, hopefully you can make another and enjoy a great night with books, prizes, games and good times.

Jill over at Breaking the Spine started this and I believe that it's awesome" This blog post is to alert those that visit about "the" book that we cannot wait to get our hands on.

My WOW for today is JUST ONE YEAR by Gayle Forman. It is the companion novel to JUST ONE DAY and it is Williem's POV. Oh my! I cannot begin to tell you how happy I am for this book. SQUEE!! JUST ONE DAY ended on the mother of all cliff hangers so I will just be beside myself until JUST ONE YEAR is in my loving hands. 

What was your WOW? I am most curious to find out.

Can you fall in love in just one day? Can you become a new person? How about in just one year? In JUST ONE DAY and its companion novel JUST ONE YEAR, sheltered American good girl Allyson “LuLu” Healey and easygoing actor Willem De Ruiter are about to find out against a guidebook-worthy array of foreign backdrops. Equal parts romance, coming-of-age-tale, mystery and travel romp (with settings that span from England’s Stratford upon Avon to Paris to Amsterdam to India’s Bollywood) JUST ONE DAY and JUST ONE YEAR show how in looking for someone else, you just might wind up finding yourself.

DUALED
Dualed, Book One
by Elise Chapman 
02/26/13
ISBN-13: 978-0307931542
Publisher: Random House
Pages: 304
Amazon, B&N, Goodreads
Source: Publisher
Rating:  ♥♥♥

Would you live through the ultimate test of survival?

The city of Kersh is a safe haven, but the price of safety is high. Everyone has a genetic Alternate—a twin raised by another family—and citizens must prove their worth by eliminating their Alts before their twentieth birthday. Survival means advanced schooling, a good job, marriage—life.

Fifteen-year-old West Grayer has trained as a fighter, preparing for the day when her assignment arrives and she will have one month to hunt down and kill her Alt. But then a tragic misstep shakes West's confidence. Stricken with grief and guilt, she's no longer certain that she's the best version of herself, the version worthy of a future. If she is to have any chance of winning, she must stop running not only from her Alt, but also from love . . . though both have the power to destroy her.

Elsie Chapman's suspenseful debut weaves unexpected romance into a novel full of fast-paced action and thought-provoking philosophy. When the story ends, discussions will begin about this future society where every adult is a murderer and every child knows there is another out there who just might be better.

My Thoughts:

DUALED by Elise Chapman had been on my wish list for a long while and when I received a copy to read I was beside myself with joy because the concept of this story was unique and compelling.  The very idea that one would have to prove their worth and kill their laboratory created doppelganger or be killed before their twentieth birthday was too intriguingly wicked to pass up.

This first chapter in DUALED was absolutely riveting and I went through a myriad of emotions as I could not wait to further delve into this storyline that was original, action-packed and suspenseful in equal measure. West Grayer is this novel's heroine,  strong willed and devoted, then in one instant she makes a critical error that changes everything. It is at this point that I began to get a little lost within this story, because it veered in a direction that I did not see coming. Just when I was beginning to relate to West she then makes a startling choice that I cannot seem to understand. Yet, her journey kept me intrigued.

Elsie Chapman has created a thought provoking thriller that is unique, gritty and oh so terrifying. DUALED is a story that you will not soon forget for the concept of everyone in that society being forced to become a murderer is wicked insane. There is also a great amount of action and the right amount of romantic tension that will keep you wholly engaged. If you are looking for a read entertain and challenge you then you need not look any further. DUALED is your next read.

THIS IS WHAT HAPPY LOOKS LIKE
by Jennifer E. Smith

Hardcover, 416 pages

Expected publication: April 2nd 2013 by Poppy

ISBN: 0316212822

Source: Publisher

Rating: ♥♥♥♥

If fate sent you an email, would you answer?

When teenage movie star Graham Larkin accidentally sends small town girl Ellie O'Neill an email about his pet pig, the two seventeen-year-olds strike up a witty and unforgettable correspondence, discussing everything under the sun, except for their names or backgrounds.

Then Graham finds out that Ellie's Maine hometown is the perfect location for his latest film, and he decides to take their relationship from online to in-person. But can a star as famous as Graham really start a relationship with an ordinary girl like Ellie? And why does Ellie want to avoid the media's spotlight at all costs?

My Thoughts:

THIS IS WHAT HAPPY LOOKS LIKE by Jennifer E. Smith is perfect read for lovers of  great romantic comedies. Jennifer has proven with her previous novel THE STATISTICAL PROBABILITY of LOVE at FIRST SIGHT that she knows how to weave a story that is filled with romance, wit and chance encounters and now her current novel will make you "fall" in love all over again.

Practically everyone has an email account nowadays and we receive countless daily emails. Now imagine receiving an incorrect email and responding to it AND continuing with correspondence for months. Yet, that is precisely what happens between Graham Larkin and Ellie O'Neill and right from the start there is an instant connection. I adored how their emails displayed the witty banter between them and how their relationship slowly blossomed even though they never exchanged pertinent information about one another. It provided for some much anticipated reading especially knowing that Graham is a famous teen actor and Ellie has now clue that is whom she has been chatting with for months. Then things get kicked up a notch when Graham begins filming a new movie in Ellie's home town as he earnestly tries to pursue their relationship face to face. What happens next is in true romantic comedic style with mix ups and missed moments and then a reveal of sorts that will completely melt your heart.

THIS IS WHAT HAPPY LOOKS LIKE has a great romantic duo with Graham and Ellie that reminds me of of the movie Notting Hill. The movie star and the regular girl love story is the stuff that all romantic dreams are made of and I could not help but fall for Graham. Despite being famous he has a good head on his shoulders and is genuine.  He is a boy that misses how close his family used to be while being a teen heartthrob. Ellie and her mom have lead a quiet existence hidden away from someone that could cause them harm and she longs for is to stay hidden away. Yet, a public relationship with Graham could ruin everything she has tried to avoid while making her the happiest person alive, why does love have to be so hard? 

Jennifer E. Smith has done a fantastic job with THIS IS WHAT HAPPY LOOKS LIKE and it will make you smile from ear to ear because she knows how to create a story that is truly sweet while filled with the right amount of romantic tension and mystery. This book is a must read for those seeking a bit of romance and it is perfect for adults and teens alike.

OUT OF THE EASY
by Ruta Sepetys 02/12/13
ISBN-13: 978-0399256929
Publisher: Philomel Books
Pages: 288
Amazon, B&N, Goodreads
Source: Publisher
Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥

It's 1950 in the French Quarter of New Orleans, and 18‐year‐old Josie wants more out of life than the Big Easy has to offer. Having grown up in a brothel, the daughter of a prostitute, Josie’s prospects seem dim. But she dreams of a bright future, her goal being to leave New Orleans, leave all of Louisiana, and go to Smith College. But how is this possible for a girl with her background and practically no money? Josie is smart and resourceful. And she’s on a mission. Josie will go to great lengths to make this happen, and relying on her street smarts, she devises a plan. But her plan is dangerous, and she gets into some trouble along the way. Not only does she find herself wrapped up in a murder mystery, holding a dead man’s watch and mistakenly rips off a major mob boss. Josie’s in deep and she needs to find a way out. What lengths will she go to free herself—from her mother, from the mob, and from New Orleans.

My Thoughts: 

OUT of the EASY by Ruta Sepetys is a story about love, heartache and the decisions one makes that can forever alter the course of their lives. Set in 1950 New Orleans with Josie Moraine as the clever and enterprising heroine who wants nothing more than to escape the big easy and her shabby past. Yet, leaving her past behind is never as easy as she would hope.

As I began reading OUT of the EASY I was quickly swept into the current of it's compelling storyline and heroine. Witnessing Josie Moraine navigate through the dark underworld of New Orleans was mesmerizing, addicting and life affirming. I had never felt so attached to a character in a long time for she was written with such depth and emotion that I could clearly feel her pain, embarrassment and her desperate need to get way. She is resilient in the face of adversary and tries her best to make the right choices but at times falls short of her goals. I have to say that one of her decisions almost made me physically sick to my stomach and I was sad that I could barely contain my frustration. It is a moment that I will remember for a long time.

Besides Josie's impressive character, OUT of the EASY was filled with a memorable cast that made this story prevail and shine. One of my favorite characters was Willie Woodley, an outspoken and discriminating madame that I learned to fear and adore in equal measure. She was fiercely loyal to Josie and had some of the best lines in OUT of the EASY. This passage is one of my favorites because Willie always spoke the truth with no filter and while it was harsh, it spoke volumes.

"You're salted peanuts," said Willie.
"What? What's that supposed to mean?"
"You're salted peanuts, and those people out East are petits fours. Don't be cliche',thinking you're going to be Orphan Annie, who winds up in some kind of castle. you're salted peanuts, Jo, and there's nothing wrong with salted peanuts. But salted peanuts aren't served with petits fours." 

Not only did OUT of the EASY have a captivating storyline but it also showcased a moment in time of American prosperity when the concept of a picture perfect family was new, yet impossible to achieve and the lure of New Orleans proved to be the perfect backdrop for release. It is the seduction of this city along with Rutaut Sepetys attention to detail and skilled storytelling that makes OUT of the EASY a stellar read.

OUT of the EASY is an amazing novel and well worth the time spent reading it. I recommend it to teens and adults alike for it has a meaningful message that is truthful and relevent. Every day we put on our shoes and hope that our feet guide us in the right direction, but there are moments when we are taken down a road that can only lead to destruction...Yet, there is always hope that we can turn and walk the other way.
 

Sneak a Peek Saturday is a feature that I like to indulge in because I cannot wait to read the tasty excerpts that are available for us ravenous readers to enjoy. 

This week I am showcasing PANIC by Sharon M. Draper. The concept of this novel is highly intriguing to me. The idea that a wrong choice made can completely alter our existence is fascinating and equally frightening to me.  How many of us make a decision that seems ordinary but the outcome is anything but that? Our choices define us and I like reading a novel that reminds me of that.
   

03/12/13
PANIC
by Sharon M. Draper
ISBN-13: 978-1442408968
Publisher: Antheneum Books for Young Readers
Pages: 272
Amazon, B&N, Goodreads

Click on the book cover above for your excerpt of PANIC

Diamond knows not to get into a car with a stranger.

But what if the stranger is well-dressed and handsome? On his way to meet his wife and daughter? And casting a movie that very night—a movie in need of a star dancer? What then?

Then Diamond might make the wrong decision.

It’s a nightmare come true: Diamond Landers has been kidnapped. She was at the mall with a friend, alone for only a few brief minutes—and now she’s being held captive, forced to endure horrors beyond what she ever could have dreamed, while her family and friends experience their own torments and wait desperately for any bit of news.

From New York Times bestselling author Sharon Draper, this is a riveting exploration of power: how quickly we can lose it—and how we can take it back.

**Bay Area Event Sidenote**

Sharon M. Draper along with Mike Jung and Lisa Basso will be at Books Inc. In Berkeley on March 28th at 6:30 pm. Please come and join us BECAUSE RANDOM IS AWESOME.

THE ELITE 04/23/13
The Selection, Book Two
by Kiera Cass
ISBN-13: 978-0062059963
Publisher: Harper Teen
Pages: 352
Amazon, B&N, Goodreads
Source: Publisher
Rating: ♥♥♥♥

Thirty-five girls came to the palace to compete in the Selection. All but six have been sent home. And only one will get to marry Prince Maxon and be crowned princess of Illea.

America still isn’t sure where her heart lies. When she’s with Maxon, she’s swept up in their new and breathless romance, and can’t dream of being with anyone else. But whenever she sees Aspen standing guard around the palace, and is overcome with memories of the life they planned to share. With the group narrowed down to the Elite, the other girls are even more determined to win Maxon over—and time is running out for America to decide.

Just when America is sure she’s made her choice, a devastating loss makes her question everything again. And while she’s struggling to imagine her future, the violent rebels that are determined to overthrow the monarchy are growing stronger and their plans could destroy her chance at any kind of happy ending.

My Thoughts:

Last year, when I read THE SELECTION by Kiera Cass last I was completely surprised by how much I enjoyed it. The world that Kiera had created along with the it's plot that was unique and utterly captivating had me eagerly waiting for it's follow up novel, THE ELITE.  Once I received THE ELITE I quickly devoured it and was extremely pleased by the darker tone that this novel exhibited making it a more intriguing and satisfying read, not to mention an addicting complicated love triangle that continued to leave me undecided.


I quickly dove into this novel and I was impatient to find out what America would do? Which boy would she choose? Would she want to become the next princess? Or did she want to lead a simple life with her first love?  These questions weigh heavily up her until a shocking incident changes her, shakes her confidence and makes her question everything. I myself could not believe what was happening and I found myself not wanting to continue but my persistence paid off because I was swept up into the continuous flow of this storyline that had some wicked plot twists, and believe me I was floored up until the very last page. 

It was also pleasing to witness America evolve and navigate her way in the royal household with greater confidence. Initially she seemed incapable but as the war rages on around the castle and the quest for the new princess continues I find her steadfast in her resolve. Although she struggles with reaching a decision I cannot seem to fault her although it begins to wear on me and only wish her decision is soon reached.

Fans of THE SELECTION may be surprised by the darker tone in this novel but rest assured, it will completely satisfy those cravings long denied since reading THE ELITE. I highly recommend this series to anyone in search of an entertaining read and if you have not read read the first novel then I suggest you remedy that and then continue on with THE ELITE.  

Before you read THE ELITE make sure to read the upcoming novella titled THE PRINCE. 

03/05/13
THE PRINCE
The Selection novella, 0.5
by Kiera Cass
ISBN-13: 978-0062248169
Publisher: Harper Teen Impulse
Pages: 128
Amazon Kindle, B&N Nook, Goodreads

 

Last year I read a few novels in the NEW ADULT genre and enjoyed them all, but one of my favorites was EASY by Tammara Webber.  Now, one of my favorite book stores (@Keplers) is hosting a book signing for Tammara at the end of next month. I just wanted to give everyone the heads up on this great opportunity and I hope to see you there.

Meet and Greet: Tammara Webber

February 23 at 5:00pm

Kepler's Books and Magazines in Menlo Park, California

Jill over at Breaking the Spine started this and I believe that it's awesome" This blog post is to alert those that visit about "the" book that we cannot wait to get our hands on.

OH ME, OH MY!! I am most excited about this book. I absolutely adored FALLING KINGDOMS and have been on tenderhooks waiting for this next novel, REBEL SPRING and now it's cover and synopsis have been released so I have to make it my WOW. This series is amazing and if you have not read it yet then you seriously need to. Full of action, mesmerizing characters and a plot that is wicked crazy. I cannot wait for more.

12/03/13
REBEL SPRING
Falling Kingdoms, Book Two
by Morgan Rhodes
ISBN-13: 978-1595145932
Publisher: Razorbill
Pages: 432
Amazon, B&N, Goodreads

Auranos has been conquered and the three kingdoms — Auranos, Limeros, and Paelsia — are now unwillingly united as one country called Mytica. But alluring, dangerous magic still beckons, and with it the chance to rule not just Mytica, but the world...

CLEO is now a prisoner in her own palace, forced to be an ambassador for Mytica as the evil King Gaius lies to her people

MAGNUS stands to eventually inherit the new kingdom but is still obsessed with his feelings for his adopted sister Lucia

LUCIA is haunted by the outcome of the breathtaking display of magic that allowed her father to capture the kingdoms

JONAS watches at the palace gates, a troop of rebels behind him, waiting for him to tell them how he plans to overtake King Gaius

When Gaius announces that a road is to be built into the Forbidden Mountains, formally linking all of Mytica together, he sets off a chain of events that will forever change the face of this land. Because Gaius is not just burrowing into a pile of rock. He’s tunneling directly into the Watchers’ Sanctuary. And his actions will have cosmic consequences.

The Statistical Probability of LOVE at First Sight
By Jennifer E. Smith

Hardcover, 236 pages

Published January 2nd 2012 by Poppy/Little Brown (first published 2012)

ISBN: 0316122386
Source: Audible
Rating:  ♥♥♥.5

Who would have guessed that four minutes could change everything?

Today should be one of the worst days of seventeen-year-old Hadley Sullivan's life. Having missed her flight, she's stuck at JFK airport and late to her father's second wedding, which is taking place in London and involves a soon-to-be stepmother Hadley's never even met. Then she meets the perfect boy in the airport's cramped waiting area. His name is Oliver, he's British, and he's sitting in her row.

A long night on the plane passes in the blink of an eye, and Hadley and Oliver lose track of each other in the airport chaos upon arrival. Can fate intervene to bring them together once more?

Quirks of timing play out in this romantic and cinematic novel about family connections, second chances, and first loves. Set over a twenty-four-hour-period, Hadley and Oliver's story will make you believe that true love finds you when you're least expecting it. 

My Thoughts:

I recently read THIS IS WHAT HAPPY LOOKS LIKE by Jennifer E. Smith and adored it to bits. So I decided to do some research and imagine my shame for failing to read her previous novel THE STATISTICAL PROBABILITY of LOVE at FIRST SIGHT . I proceeded to pick up this novel and blasted through it with the voracious appetite of a person long starved of a romance and had a good time.

THE STATISTICAL PROBABILITY of LOVE at FIRST SIGHT is a novel that is reminiscent of romantic adventure long gone by.  Four minutes and fate make a chance meeting between Hadley and Oliver. I enjoyed how their interactions seemed easy and natural and how a relationship blooms between them as they await their flight to London. Together they prove that a sudden connection can be made from a chance encounter and that it can be real and oh so romantic.

Hadley proves to be a compelling character with a generous amount of anger towards her father and her memories are expertly interwoven into this story. I really appreciated how well Jennifer E. Smith was able to convey Hadley's emotions so that I could understand where she was coming from. Oliver's story is a little more mysterious and complex but just as powerful. As their stories converged I was gripping my book for dear life wanting things to progress but not wanting to see the story end. Yet, when the dust settled and my heart returned to it's normal pace, I was left with a big smile on my face.

I highly recommend THE STATISTICAL PROBABILITY of LOVE at FIRST SIGHT to everyone, teen and adult alike who crave a romantic read. Once you begin this book you will not regret it for this novel demonstrates the true power of family and love and I guarantee that you will be left wanting to miss your next flight.

SEVER by Lauren DeStefano

Hardcover, 384 pages 
Published February 12th 2013 by Simon & Schuster Books For Young Readers

ISBN: 1442409096

Source: Audiobook

Rating: ♥♥.5

With the clock ticking until the virus takes its toll, Rhine is desperate for answers. After enduring Vaughn’s worst, Rhine finds an unlikely ally in his brother, an eccentric inventor named Reed. She takes refuge in his dilapidated house, though the people she left behind refuse to stay in the past. While Gabriel haunts Rhine’s memories, Cecily is determined to be at Rhine’s side, even if Linden’s feelings are still caught between them.

Meanwhile, Rowan’s growing involvement in an underground resistance compels Rhine to reach him before he does something that cannot be undone. But what she discovers along the way has alarming implications for her future—and about the past her parents never had the chance to explain.

In this breathtaking conclusion to Lauren DeStefano’s Chemical Garden trilogy, everything Rhine knows to be true will be irrevocably shattered.

My Thoughts:

Initially I was not going to read SEVER because I was not pleased with it's predecessor FEVER, but I felt compelled to give it a chance. I should have listened to my instincts, because I am left perplexed, unsatisfied and disappointed. 

I waded into SEVER wanting to see how Rhine's storyline was going to progress. I wanted to know if she would be reunited with her brother, would she and Gabriel ever see each other again and would she find the truth to Vaughn's madness? It wasn't long before I became irritated with Rhine's procrastination and indecisiveness. I could not understand her lack of action even though she had reason, it just did not seem like enough. Honestly, if she wanted to see her brother she should have gone as soon as possible and not wait until a cataclysmic event drives her to finally seek him out. On her journey to locate him she encounters an a former nemesis and that's when the plot begins to get a bit muddled, viscous with lies and deceit and you are left despising and an old adversary even more then imagined possible. UNTIL, you encounter another plot twist and then yet another that completely floors you. I know I could not seem to take any more these revelations because began to feel a bit forced for shock value and by the end I could see it coming from a mile away. The element of surprise now gone. You cannot keep pointing the smoking gun in the same direction without someone eventually beating you to the punch.

I was completely perplexed by Rhine and her feelings for Gabriel. Did she or did she not love him? I really could not tell, she barely mentioned him in SEVER and when she did it was for a fleeting moment that was so quickly dissolved that I would forget about him. Then I could not fathom her feelings towards her husband, because...yes they were still married and she never took off her ring (another action I could not understand) but she claimed to not love him so what was the deal? And don't get me started on how that was resolved due to an action that was not of her own will. It was as if she wasn't in charge of her destiny although that is what she claimed to want.

Then as the I am near the end of this novel and hope for the light at the end of the tunnel, a plot twist that is so reminiscent of my katniss-primrose feelings leaves me fuming. Really? At that point I was no longer a willing passenger but I needed to know how things would end and as the last word was read I could only sit back and ponder over what I just read. I honestly felt that it was too rushed and would have liked a little bit more information of how things worked out in the longer haul, but it would not have made me like this book any more. 

Although SEVER was not my cup of tea I can say that I like Lauren Destefano's writing style and that is the main reason I stayed with this series. Her words are well crafted, drawing out a myriad of emotions while creating a well paced plot while constantly leave you on your toes. For fans of this series it is a conclusion, but is it the one your seeking? It is totally up to you.

Get More: Movie Trailers, Movies Blog

 

 On Saturday, February 16th at 4PM, bestselling author Gail Carriger will be at The Avid Reader in downtown Davis to discuss her new young adult novel Etiquette & Espionage.  Read more about the author and her books at her website.

ETIQUETTE & ESPIONAGE
The Finishing School, Book One
02/05/13
by Gail Carriger
ISBN-13: 978-1907411588 
Publisher: Little, Brown BYR
Pages: 320
Amazon, B&N, Goodreads
Source: Audible
Rating:  ♥♥♥♥

It's one thing to learn to curtsy properly. It's quite another to learn to curtsy and throw a knife at the same time. Welcome to Finishing School.

Fourteen-year-old Sophronia is a great trial to her poor mother. Sophronia is more interested in dismantling clocks and climbing trees than proper manners--and the family can only hope that company never sees her atrocious curtsy. Mrs. Temminnick is desperate for her daughter to become a proper lady. So she enrolls Sophronia in Mademoiselle Geraldine's Finishing Academy for Young Ladies of Quality.

But Sophronia soon realizes the school is not quite what her mother might have hoped. At Mademoiselle Geraldine's, young ladies learn to finish...everything. Certainly, they learn the fine arts of dance, dress, and etiquette, but the also learn to deal out death, diversion, and espionage--in the politest possible ways, of course. Sophronia and her friends are in for a rousing first year's education. 

My Thoughts:

Reading ETIQUETTE and ESPIONAGE by Gail Carriger is an adventure unlike any other. It is abundant with engaging characters, subtle intrigue and a winning plot all while cradled in a steam punk realm that is well visualized.

Oh, how I wished I could be Sophronia Temminnick. The very idea of being a student in a finishing school that would not only school me on how to dress, entertain and drink tea like a proper lady, would also be the same establishment that would educate me on how to deceive, distract and kill while keeping my gloves on and hat in place. Brilliant! I would say sign me up now.  Sophronia was such a pleasure to read as she maneuvered her way around the academy; making friends, handling modern weaponry and knowing how to properly curtsey. It all brings me a good chuckle and It left me wanting more.

Gail Carriger did a fantastic job of bringing this story to life with her descriptive talents that just left me in straight up awe. I could easily distinguish that she had a excellent anchor on her historic detail while having a colorful imagination that was fun and intoxicating. Fans of the Steam Punk genre will surely enjoy this new series and I would highly recommend it to them and anyone else in search of an adventuresome read

This novel was entertaining and forward while maintaining a whimsical charm that was quite endearing and I cannot wait for the next novel. I will definitely keep Sophronia and her clique of friends and eccentric teachers on my radar and it should be on yours too.

SCARLET by Marissa Meyer
Lunar Chronicles, Book Two
02/05/13
ISBN-13: 978-0312642969
Publisher: Feiwel & Friends
Pages: 464 
Amazon, B&N, Goodreads
Source: Publisher
Rating:  ♥♥♥♥♥

This time, it’s Little Red Riding Hood set in the distant future. And yes, there is a big, bad Wolf. 

Cinder, the cyborg mechanic, returns in the second thrilling installment of the New York Times-bestselling Lunar Chronicles. She’s trying to break out of prison -- even though she’ll be the Commonwealth’s most wanted fugitive if she does.

In another part of the commonwealth, Scarlet Benoit’s grandmother is missing. Although Scarlet has lived on her grandmother’s farm for years, it turns out there are many dangerous secrets there that she never knew. While Scarlet struggles to make ends meet, she encounters Wolf, a city street fighter with information that could help. Though Scarlet is loath to trust this stranger, she is also inexplicably drawn to him, and he to her.

The fates of Cinder and Scarlet collide as the threat of the vicious Lunar Queen Levana spreads across the earth…" Scarlet is the second book in Meyer's The Lunar Chronicles young-adult series.Cinder reappears in the next futuristic tweaking of a familiar fairy tale — as does Prince Kai, the evil lunar ruler Queen Levana, and a heap of intergalactic intrigue.

My Thoughts:

Marissa Meyer has enthralled me with SCARLET. I was initially hesitant, filled with trepidatious anxiety at the thought of leaving the endearing and unique world that was so convincingly delivered on the pages before my very eyes.   Yet, I am more than happy to admit that I need not have worried myself, because her newest endeavor has more than surpassed any expectations I could have ever dreamed up.

SCARLET is told from a dual point of view; SCARLET, the fiery and headstrong entrepreneur and the runaway lunar princess CINDER. I knew I had adored Cinder but it was nothing compared to SCARLET and her "yeah im in charge of my destiny and don't you stand in my way as I get my grandmother" attitude. She was vivacious and totally kick ass while captivating an alpha wolf that was a serious hottie (score!). I am more than pleased with the romantic bits that those two had going on during this novel along with the wicked cool plot line that cleverly entertwines Scarlet and Cinder together.

Marrisa Meyer has done a fantastic job at expanding on this clever and unique world and SCARLET only makes this series better. This novel was such a quick read for me despite it's impressive size for I could not stop reading until I reached the very end. My hands were sore from the impressive grip that I had on my book especially as I reached the tumultuous end. WOW!!! CRESS cannot get here soon enough. 

If you have read CINDER than you have to read SCARLET immediately. It's a no brainer, you will be left grinning from ear to ear and wishing that a certain alpha wolf boy would want to be your mate.


 
 

It isn't often that I post things that aren't book related, but this deliciously romantic animated short film was just too cute to resist. Sit back and prepare to get romanced with PAPERMAN.

 

Jill over at Breaking the Spine started this and I believe that it's awesome" This blog post is to alert those that visit about "the" book that we cannot wait to get our hands on.

Holy Smokes!!! The cover to DECEPTION, C.J. Redwine's next novel in the DEFIANCE series is unbelievably beautiful. I simply adored DEFIANCE because it was so well written and the villian in that story was so easy to HATE!!!  besides having a smoking romance that was Amazing. Easily one of my top favorites for 2012. Now that the cover has been revealed I now want DECEPTION even more and I know I am not the only one.

 DECEPTION
Defiance, Book Two
by C. J. Redwine
  08/27/13
ISBN-13: 978-0062117205
Publisher: Balzer + Brey
Pages: 400
Find it on Amazon, B&N, Goodreads

Baalboden has been ravaged. The brutal Commander's whereabouts are unknown. And Rachel, grief stricken over her father's death, needs Logan more than ever. With their ragged group of survivors struggling to forge a future, it's up to Logan to become the leader they need—with Rachel by his side. Under constant threat from rival Carrington's army, who is after the device that controls the Cursed One, the group decides to abandon the ruins of their home and take their chances in the Wasteland.



But soon their problems intensify tenfold: someone—possibly inside their ranks—is sabotaging the survivors, picking them off one by one. The chaos and uncertainty of each day puts unbearable strain on Rachel and Logan, and it isn't long before they feel their love splintering. Even worse, as it becomes clear that the Commander will stop at nothing to destroy them, the band of survivors begins to question whether the price of freedom may be too great—and whether, hunted by their enemies and the murderous traitor in their midst, they can make it out of the Wasteland alive.


In this daring sequel to Defiance, with the world they once loved forever destroyed, Rachel and Logan must decide between a life on the run and standing their ground to fight.

 

Today there is a great event featuring some Bay Area authors.

Tamara Ireland Stone, Time Between Us; Corrine Jackson, Touched; Robin Mellom, Ditched: A Love Story; Veronica Rossi, Under the Never Sky; Cynthia Omololu, Transcendence.

Wednesday February 13, 2013 7:00 PM

Walnut Creek1149 S. Main St., Walnut Creek, CA 94596, 925-947-0373

17 and GONE by Nova Ren Suma

Hardcover, 354 pages

Expected publication: March 21st 2013 by Dutton Juvenile

ISBN: 0525423400

Source: Publisher

Source:  ♥♥♥♥

 

Seventeen-year-old Lauren is having visions of girls who have gone missing. And all these girls have just one thing in common—they are 17 and gone without a trace. As Lauren struggles to shake these waking nightmares, impossible questions demand urgent answers: Why are the girls speaking to Lauren? How can she help them? And… is she next? As Lauren searches for clues, everything begins to unravel, and when a brush with death lands her in the hospital, a shocking truth emerges, changing everything.

Hayley's Thoughts:

 

17 and Gone is a captivating thriller that will give you the chills. It's one of those stories that make you look over your shoulder because you feel like someones watching you. This book takes you on a journey to uncovering what really happened to all the 17 year old girls who have gone missing.

 

 It all starts when Lauren is late for school and sees Abby Sinclair's missing poster. Abby is 17 just like Lauren. Lauren doesn't think anything of it at first, but then she begins to see Abby everywhere. The only thing is, Lauren is the only one who can see her. Soon Lauren is convinced that she can find Abby. That she can save her. Then she starts dreaming about a mysterious house house were she meets more girls that are 17 and missing.

 

 Lauren discovers that she knows one of the girls in the house. She had repressed the memory of the night Fiona went missing because at the time she was too young to understand. Now, with Fiona's help Lauren Becomes even more determined to find Abby. Soon though, Layne's determination becomes a deadly obsession. This obsession has taken complete control over her life creating a distance between herself and everyone she loves. Her obsession with saving Abby and the other girl puts her life in danger and ends up landing in the hospital.

 

 Nova Ren Suma weaves an intricate story full of danger, mystery, and thrills. She has done an incredible job at writing a book that is a nail bitter and spectacularly dangerous! It's defiantly one of those books you can't bare to put down.

The IRON CODEX series is one of my absolute favorite reads and while I am sorry to see it end yet, at the same time I am excited to see what Caitlin Kittredge has in store for us next. Please stay a bit and get to know this author better as you read our interview. Then when your finished please enter my contest for a finished copy of THE MIRRORED SHARD.

THE MIRRORED SHARD Blog Tour

An interview with Caitlin Kittredge

Now that this series has come to an end, what will you miss most?

I'll definitely miss spending time with Aoife, Dean and the rest of the cast. They were a lot of fun to write. And I'll miss the world of the Iron Codex. I had such a wonderful time inventing it and I've spent days thinking about the creatures, the magic, the geography and every little detail, even things that never made it into the books. I think I will miss the richness of playing in the Iron Codex universe, but I look forward to creating something totally new, too.
If you had the sole power of selecting the dream cast for this series whom would you cast? and why?

This is a hard question! I always have many choices for Aoife and Dean. My original choice for Aoife was Emily Browning, who was in Sucker Punch and A Series of Unfortunate Events, but that was back in 2009 when I concieved the series. Now, I think Willa Holland, who plays Thea Queen on the CW show Arrow, would be a good choice, or Christa B. Allen, who's Charlotte Grayson on Revenge (also one of my favorite shows—so good!) Dean is harder—there's really nobody in Hollywood who embodies him just the way I pictured his character. I'd love to hear fan suggestions! For Tremaine, I'd want somebody spooky and inhuman...maybe someone like Hugo Weaving or even Tilda Swinton—I love the way she embodies monstrous creatures. For Draven, I decided Ian Somerhalder from Vampire Diaries would be a great pick—he's great at playing that handsome-but-untrustworthy type, which is totally Draven. And for Cal, I picked Kyle Gallner, who's been in a lot of stuff, most recently Beautiful Creatures.
Caitlin, your Steampunk/adventure YA Iron Codex series is a highly original and addictive read what inspired you to write this series?

Lots of stuff! I wanted to write steampunk, but there was so much set in Victorian England that I wanted to divorce it from all that. I knew I wanted a heavy magic component, too, since a lot of steampunk technically falls under the heading of science fiction and while I love the genre, I'm no good at writing it. Once I'd made those decisions, and decided to crib from the Lovecraft mythos a bit, everything else pretty much fell into place.
For readers that enjoy this series what other books would you recommend within the same genre?

I'd hightly recommend Cherie Priest's Clockwork Century novels, starting with Boneshaker, Scott Westerfeld's Leviathan and its sequels, and I think Gail Carriger has a steampunk series that's YA starting very soon, set in the same world as her Parasol Protectorate books.

Can you tell fans what you are working on next?

I'm working on a very exciting YA project, but I currently can't say anything except it's a modern-day set novel that's pretty different from Iron Codex, but still definitely fantasy. Hopefully I'll be able to reveal more soon!

 Please make sure to stop by and visit all of the blogs on this tour.

The Mirrored Shard – Blog Tour

February 5^th: All Things Urban Fantasy
February 6^th: Hopelessly Devoted Bibliophile
February 7^th: Emily’s Crammed Bookshelf
February 8^th: Imaginary Reads
February 11^th: Tales of a Ravenous Reader
February 12^th: Bitten by Books

After reading about these amazing series and getting a peek into the life of this fascinating author how could you not want to win a HARD COVER copy of THE MIRRORED SHARD by Caitlin Kittredge. Just fill out the form below and GOOD LUCK! 

The giveaway is open to US residents only (sorry) and you but be over the age of 13
 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Bloodlines Website: http://www.bloodlinesseries.com/
Bloodlines Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/BloodlinesBooks
Bloodlines trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4bMJEaT41b4
Bloodlines excerpt: http://www.scribd.com/doc/102759112/THE-INDIGO-SPELL-by-Richelle-Mead-Bloodlines-3-First-Chapter

Just WHO is Marcus Finch?

Purchase the INDIGO SPELL by Richelle Mead tomorrow and all will be revealed.

In honor of these mysterious clues being sent your way I will also have a giveaway for the Hardcover copy of THE INDIGO SPELL by Richelle Mead. Just fill out the rafflecopter form below and GOOD LUCK!