November Wrap-Up

1:35 PM Serena 0 Comments

November is over, so I guess it's time for another monthly wrap-up! I read tons of stuff this month because of Thanksgiving break, and I managed to meet my Goodreads goal of 80 books! Yay! I also went a *little* crazy with Christmas novellas. Ooops!

What did I read this month?

The Scorch Trials by James Dashner

Another Cup of Christmas by Jenny Kane

Candy Cane Kisses by Elle Rush

Sweet Memories by Steena Holmes

Elevated by Elana Johnson

Just One Day by Gayle Forman

Sweet Contradiction by Peggy Martinez

Get Even by Gretchen McNeil

Behind the Scenes by Dahlia Adler

Dare You To by Katie McGarry

The Perfect Gift by Dan-Lyn Alexander

The Darkest Minds by Alexandra Bracken

Make It Count by Megan Erickson

Crossing the Ice by Jennifer Comeaux

Last Will and Testament by Dahlia Adler (You can read my review here.)

Reese's Cowboy Kiss by Kimberly Krey

Reluctant Prince by Dani-Lyn Alexander

The Truth About Forever by Sarah Dessen

That Holiday Feeling by Debbie Macomber, Sherryl Woods, and Robyn Carr

The Sky is Everywhere by Jandy Nelson

"Real" books I read this month.

New/upcoming releases I added to my TBR this month:

Yes Please by Amy Poehler

The Girl at Midnight by Melissa Grey

The Squickerwonkers by Evangeline Lilly

All We Have Is Now by Lisa Schroeder

Wicked by Jennifer L. Armentrout

What am I reading right now?
My True Love Gave to Me by Various Authors

Runes by Ednah Walters

All Quiet on the Western Front by Erich Marie Remarque

Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe

The last two are for school, and I'm not sure how I feel about them.

Cover Love!
Lola Carlyle's 12-Step Romance by Danielle Younge Ullman

The Game of Love and Death by Martha Brockenbrough

Love Hurts by Malorie Blackman

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Waiting on Wednesday: Things We Know by Heart

7:00 AM Serena 0 Comments

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly feature, hosted by Breaking the Spine, where bloggers can share upcoming releases they're looking forward to.

My pick for this week is:
Things We Know by Heart by Jessi Kirby
Expected Publication Date: April 21st, 2015

When Quinn Sullivan meets the recipient of her boyfriend’s donated heart, the two form an unexpected connection.

After Quinn loses her boyfriend, Trent, in an accident their junior year, she reaches out to the recipients of his donated organs in hopes of picking up the pieces of her now-unrecognizable life. She hears back from some of them, but the person who received Trent’s heart has remained silent. The essence of a person, she has always believed, is in the heart. If she finds Trent’s, then maybe she can have peace once and for all.

Risking everything in order to finally lay her memories to rest, Quinn goes outside the system to track down nineteen-year-old Colton Thomas—a guy whose life has been forever changed by this priceless gift. But what starts as an accidental run-in quickly develops into more, sparking an undeniable attraction. She doesn't want to give in to it—especially since he has no idea how they're connected—but their time together has made Quinn feel alive again. No matter how hard she’s falling for Colton, each beat of his heart reminds her of all she’s lost…and all that remains at stake.

Let me start out by saying Jessi Kirby is awesome. She was actually the very first YA author I ever met. She came and talked to my seventh grade English class about her writing process and getting published and all that fun stuff when her debut, Moonglass, came out. This was more than three years ago, but a lot of what she said has stuck with me since then because she was that wonderful. So anyway, this book. The cover is SO cute. I've just noticed that there are actual hearts in the background, and I love it. Just by reading the synopsis, I can tell Things We Know by Heart will give me all the feelings. I can't wait!

What are you waiting on this Wednesday? Are you as excited for this release as I am? :)

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Cover Reveal: Atlantis Rising!

7:00 AM Serena 0 Comments

We will be kicking January 2015 off with a bang. Check out the cover for one of Entangled Teen’s January 2015 releases, Atlantis Rising by Gloria Craw, and let us know what you think.

On sale January 6, 2015.

About the book:

I am different. I have always been different, but no one can know or my life will be in danger. So I hide in plain sight, wearing drab clothes and thick glasses and trying to be invisible. I’m so good at hiding, no one has ever noticed me. Until Ian…the mysterious and oh-so-cute boy I know I need to avoid. Now I have been seen. And more terrifying still, I am wanted—by those who would protect me and those who would destroy everything and everyone I love. But if they’re all terrified about who I am, wait until they see what I can do…

Amazon | B&N | Goodreads

About Gloria Craw:

Gloria Craw grew up in the desert southwest, inspired every day by the wide skies and rich colors around her. After high school, she attended the University of Utah where she majored and got a degree in anthropology. These days, she lives in the ‘burbs’ just outside of Seattle, Washington where she is the shepherd of a husband, four daughters and a very hairy dog. www.gloriacraw.com

Find Gloria Online:

Website | Twitter

Okay, so there may have been minor squealing on my part when I saw this in my inbox. Look at that cover! I haven't read a book from Entangled that I didn't like, so I can't wait for Atlantis Rising!

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ARC Review: Last Will and Testament

6:30 AM Serena 0 Comments

Last Will and Testament by Dahlia Adler

Format: eARC courtesy of the author. Thank you!

Rating: 5/5 stars

Part of a series: Yes! It's the first book in the Radleigh University series.

Lizzie Brandt was valedictorian of her high school class, but at Radleigh University, all she's acing are partying and hooking up with the wrong guys. But all that changes when her parents are killed in a tragic accident, making her guardian to her two younger brothers. To keep them out of foster care, she'll have to fix up her image, her life, and her GPA—fast. Too bad the only person on campus she can go to for help is her humorless, pedantic Byzantine History TA, Connor Lawson, who isn't exactly Lizzie's biggest fan.

But Connor surprises her. Not only is he a great tutor, but he’s also a pretty great babysitter. And chauffeur. And listener. And he understands exactly what it’s like to be on your own before you're ready. Before long, Lizzie realizes having a responsible-adult type around has its perks... and that she'd like to do some rather irresponsible (but considerably adult) things with him as well. Good thing he's not the kind of guy who'd ever reciprocate.

Until he does.

Until they turn into far more than teacher and student.

Until the relationship that helped put their lives back together threatens everything they both have left.

This review is really hard to write, but not because I didn't like the book. Oh, no. Definitely not. It's hard to write because I'm having trouble forming coherent sentences when all I want to do is squeal about Connor. Okay. *takes deep breath* Let's do this.

First off, not only is this book well-written, it's well written in a way that felt real. Lizzie and her brothers have all this grief built up inside of them since their parents died, and they didn't just avoid it and everything magically worked out in the end. They figured it out and dealt with it together, though it took some time.

And then I thought the student-TA thing would be weird but it wasn't. Lizzie and Connor didn't just dive head first into a relationship; they built up a friendship first, instead of just deciding to get together on physical attraction and that made a difference for me. Their relationship made sense. Add in some witty banter and, ahem, fun times, and the two of them were amazing together.

I really liked both Lizzie and Connor. Lizzie really stepped up for her brothers after her parents died. She worked hard to get her life back together, not just for them but for herself, too, which was really admirable. And Connor. *sighs* Connor is wonderful. He's sweet, smart, and the ultimate history nerd, but he's also incredibly hot and squeal worthy. He's great with Lizzie's brothers and so good with helping Lizzie figure herself out. He speaks Canadian French, too. He's a little bit perfect. I think you'll like him.

If Lizzie and Connor's story interests you, preorder it on Amazon. It's a good one. You don't want to miss it. :)

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Waiting on Wednesday: Joyride

6:30 AM Serena 0 Comments

"Waiting on" Wednesday is a weekly feature, hosted by Breaking the Spine, where bloggers can share upcoming releases they're looking forward to.

My pick this week is:
Joyride by Anna Banks
Expected Publication Date: June 2nd, 2015

A popular guy and a shy girl with a secret become unlikely accomplices for midnight pranking, and are soon in over their heads—with the law and with each other—in this sparkling standalone from NYT-bestselling author Anna Banks.

It’s been years since Carly Vega’s parents were deported. She lives with her brother, studies hard, and works at a convenience store to contribute to getting her parents back from Mexico.

Arden Moss used to be the star quarterback at school. He dated popular blondes and had fun with his older sister, Amber. But now Amber’s dead, and Arden blames his father, the town sheriff who wouldn’t acknowledge Amber's mental illness. Arden refuses to fulfill whatever his conservative father expects.

All Carly wants is to stay under the radar and do what her family expects. All Arden wants is to NOT do what his family expects. When their paths cross, they each realize they’ve been living according to others. Carly and Arden’s journey toward their true hearts—and one another—is funny, romantic, and sometimes harsh.

I came across this book when the adorable cover kept showing up in my Twitter feed. I of course had to look it up on Goodreads, and when I read the synopsis I knew I had to add it to my TBR. It's written by Anna Banks, whose Syrena Legacy series has been on my TBR forever and is apparently amazing. Also, unlike much of today's YA fiction, it doesn't star Your Average White Hero and Heroine. It sounds different but real, and I'm so excited to read it.

What are you waiting on this Wednesday?

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Blog Tour! ARC Review: Reluctant Prince

6:30 AM Serena 0 Comments

Hi, all! Today I'll be reviewing Reluctant Prince by Dani Lyn Alexander as part of the Reluctant Prince blog tour! Huge thanks to the author and to the team at InkSlinger PR for having me on the tour. :)

OTHER BLOGS ON THE TOUR:

November 3

El Rincón de Becks Review

Coffee Books & Art Excerpt

November 4

One Guy's Guide to Good Reads Review

November 5

Typical Distractions Review

November 6

The Golden Mantle Review

Indy Book Fairy Excerpt

The Rest Is Still Unwritten Dreamcast

November 7

Diane’s Book Blog Excerpt

November 8

In A Bookish World Review

People Like Books Review

November 9

Let Books Bee Review

Got Books? Review

November 10

Collector of book boyfriends Playlist

My fictional escape Excerpt

Vera is Reading Excerpt

November 11

Hooked On Books Forever Review

November 12

Wonderful Monster Review

Fangirling Misses Review

November 13

Nocturnal Predators Reviews Excerpt

LuLo Fangirl Excerpt

November 14

Book It Book Blog Review

Bri Review

November 15

Reading Over Sleeping Review

Can't Talk, I'm Reading Review

November 16

undercover book reviews Review

November 17

Ramblings on Readings Review

Reading Away The Days Dreamcast

ABOUT RELUCTANT PRINCE:

Betrayal lies cloaked in shadow.

Seventeen year old Ryleigh Donnovan is certain her life is cursed. Nothing ever goes smoothly, and her first job interview is no exception. An earthquake rocks the building, sending Ryleigh on a frantic search for her younger sister, a search which lands her in the hospital. Terrified they’ll push her for answers she can’t afford to give, Ryleigh flees with a mysterious stranger.

Jackson Maynard is about to be ordained as a Death Dealer, a warrior for the Kingdom of Cymmera, but first he must pass one more test. When he fails to acquire the human girl the prophet has chosen, he’s forced to stand trial for treason. Banished from his realm, he seeks out the girl from the vision, Ryleigh Donnovan, and together they embark on a journey to save his dying kingdom.

Advance Praise for Reluctant Prince

"A gorgeously wrought fantasy realm with a heroine who will make you cheer!"

~Wendy Higgins, NYT and USA Today bestselling author of the Sweet Evil trilogy.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Dani-Lyn Alexander lives on Long Island with her husband, three kids and three dogs. She loves spending time with her family, at the beach, the playground, or just about anywhere. In her spare time, which is rare, she enjoys reading and shopping—especially in book stores. Some of her favorite things include; Bernese Mountain Dogs, musicals, bubble baths and soft blankets. She’s an incurable insomniac and has an addiction to chocolate. You can find her on her website, Goodreads, Twitter, and Facebook.

Now on to the review portion of the post!

Reluctant Prince by Dani Lyn Alexander

Format: eARC

Rating: 4/5 stars

Part of a series: Yup! This is the first book in the Kingdom of Cymmera series.

When I saw the cover, I knew this would be a book I could get into. It's mysterious and alluring, just like the kingdom of Cymmera itself is. My favorite aspect of this book is probably the story of Cymmera and its traditions. Alexander did a great job of both creating this kingdom with a fascinating beginning and writing about it in a way that made me want to read more. Setting is especially important in fantasy novels, and while present-day Cymmera isn't a place I'd like to live, it's still the kind of place I'd keep a picture of pinned to my wall. Even though it's dark and dangerous, it still sounds beautiful.

It's hard to talk about exactly why I feel this way without getting too spoilery, but I will say that I liked most of the characters enough, but they annoyed me too. Mia acted a lot younger than a fourteen-year-old should, so she was coddled throughout the novel. Jackson was also a bit naive, but again, I can't get into that without getting spoilery. There are also these characters called Death Dealers that I loved. You'll have to read the book to find out what exactly it is they do because it's really interesting.

Bottom line is, if you're looking for a short (about 200 pages) YA fantasy with an original storyline, you might want to check out Reluctant Prince. You can grab it on Amazon and Barnes and Noble.

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Shade Blog Tour - Interview with Cody Stewart

12:00 AM Serena 2 Comments

Hello and welcome to my stop on the Shade blog tour! I'll be interviewing the author, Cody Stewart, today. If you'd like to check out the other blogs on this tour, you can do that here! Also, check out the wonderful YA Reads for more fun tours and bookish happenings!

ABOUT SHADE BY CODY STEWART:

Genre: Paranormal YA

Clendon Kiernan has always preferred the shadows. A place where he was free from the hate and fear, from the stares and ridicule of others. One night Clen discovers the shocking truth of why. He is a Shade. A thing of darkness. A creature with the ability to shred souls. When a vile whisper tells him to destroy everything around him Clen does the only thing he can.

But he cannot run from himself. The darkness growing inside Clen will soon consume him if he does not learn to control it. In his quest to do so, Clen learns that there is an entire world that exists in the shadows of Ellis, a world that has been hidden from him – secret clans with extraordinary abilities, the ghosts of a hidden past, and a war that’s been brewing for millennia. Clen must uncover the true history of Ellis, see through the generations of lies and deceit, and suffer betrayal and heartbreak if he is to save all those who hate and fear him. But when he learns the truth, will he want to?

The darkness in him could save Ellis. Or it could be what destroys it.

You can purchase Shade on Amazon, Midnight Frost Books, Smashwords, and Bookstrand!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Cody was born in Upstate New York. Eventually setting off to seek his fortune, he worked in a paper mill, a whipped cream factory, cleaned apartments, and administratively assisted several organizations before returning to the Adirondacks with a wife and child that he picked up along the way.

He approaches life as though it were a page – frequently rearranging paragraphs to make it more interesting if not wholly true, fudging with the margins to fit more in, and, sometimes, erasing entire sections altogether.

When not altering reality, he is scouring comic book shops, lying on the ground, or floor (whichever he happens to be standing on when he feels the need to go horizontal), trying to convince his wife to make french toast (she makes amazing french toast), and searching for the darkest cup of coffee in existence.

You can find Cody on his website, on Twitter, and on Facebook.

AN INTERVIEW WITH CODY STEWART:

How would you describe Shade in seven words or less?

Soul destroying tale of self-discovery. Awesome!

Where did you get the inspiration for Shade?

I started writing it after moving away from my hometown. I grew up in the Adirondacks and moved to Hartford, CT. There are no trees, it’s flat, and it smells like wet underpants after it rains. I started writing Shade in a fit of homesickness. The setting draws a great deal of inspiration from the area where I grew up. Many of the characters are partly based on friends and family.

Shade actually began as a retelling of a local ghost story - the story of Abigail West. She supposedly died in a house fire on the mountain where I grew up, so they named it West Mountain.

Have you always wanted to be a writer? If you have, have you always wanted to write YA?

I can’t not be a writer. I don’t think people choose to be writers, it’s just who they are. Whether they choose to pursue writing as a profession is a different story. I always knew I was a writer. I spent more time scribbling stories in the margins of my notebooks from elementary school to college than I did paying attention to teachers. I started pursuing writing as a career a few years ago. I was drawn to YA because I feel like young adults are more enthusiastically and rampantly imaginative than old adults. I like telling stories to them

Ellis is an extraordinary, creepy world. Could you see yourself living there?

I recently moved back to the town where I grew up, which is partly where Ellis drew its inspiration. So, yeah, I think I could definitely live there. I mean, I could do without the feuding clans of supernaturally powered people. Those kinds of things drive property values way down.

Do you think you and Clen would get along if you were to meet?

Clen is a lot like me. I consciously based him, in part, on myself, but, subconsciously, probably put more of myself in the character than I realized. For that reason, I think we probably wouldn’t get along. I don’t think we’d necessarily clash either though. We would silently pass each other by while staring at the tips of our shoes.

A GIVEAWAY:

Click on the Rafflecopter link below to enter to win a $25 Amazon giftcard and a Shade swag pack!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Top Ten Characters I Wish Would Get Their OWN Books

7:30 AM Serena 0 Comments

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly feature hosted by The Broke and the Bookish.

This week's theme is Top Ten Characters You Wish Would Get Their OWN Book (minor or just maybe a semi main character you wish a book was from their POV). Disclaimer: This post is mainly me wanting books written from the POV of various book boyfriends for reasons.

1 and 2.) Eleanor and Finn from Illusions of Fate by Kiersten White