Mini Reviews: A New Graphic Novel Edition

The Earl and the Fairy, volume 1
by Ayuko

Lydia Carlton is a fairy doctor,one of the few people with the ability to see the magical creatures who share our world. During one of her rare trips to London to visit her father, Lydia’s quiet life is suddenly transformed when she is rescued from kidnappers by a mysterious young man!

Edgar Ashenbert claims to be descended from the human ruler of the fairy kingdom, and he urgently needs Lydia’s help to find and claim his birthright, the legendary sword of the Blue Knight Earl. Things will never be the same for Lydia as she is pulled into a dangerous quest against dark forces! (Description from Amazon.com)

Okay. I didn't love it, but I didn't hate it either. This one reads right to left which *always* throws me off, so I'm sure some of the problems I had were from that. I got a little confused about some of the male characters motivations, too, but reading book two might help clear some of that up...







Peanut 
by Ayun Halliday and Paul Hoppe

Before you write me off as a delusional psycho, think about what it's like to be thrown into a situation where everyone knows everyone... and no one knows you. Sadie has the perfect plan to snag some friends when she transfers to Plainfield High—pretend to have a peanut allergy. But what happens when you have to hand in that student health form your unsuspecting mom was supposed to fill out? And what if your new friends want to come over and your mom serves them snacks? (Peanut butter sandwich, anyone?) And then there's the bake sale, when your teacher thinks you ate a brownie with peanuts. (Description from Amazon.com)

I loved the way this was drawn and I thought the story line was easy to follow. I got really frustrated with Sadie, though. I hated her continuous lying and ended up really angry as I was reading. This one's also a book for high school and up due to some mature themes.








The Year of Beasts

by Cecil Castellucci and Nate Powell

Every summer the trucks roll in, bringing the carnival and its infinite possibilities to town. This year Tessa and her younger sister Lulu are un-chaperoned and want to be first in line to experience the rides, the food . . . and the boys. Except this summer, jealousy will invade their relationship for the first time, setting in motion a course of events that can only end in tragedy, putting everyone's love and friendship to the test. (Description from Amazon.com)

This book is half graphic novel, half regular prose. I found it confusing at first because the two parts seem to follow very different stories and it's not until much later in the book that you realize how they intertwine. Not my favorite book, but an interesting read.

Full disclosure: All books borrowed from my library

Relic: The Books of Eva

Relic
by Heather Terrrell
The Books of Eva, book one

When Eva’s twin brother, Eamon, falls to his death just a few months before he is due to participate in The Testing, no one expects Eva to take his place. She’s a Maiden, slated for embroidery classes, curtseys, and soon a prestigious marriage befitting the daughter of an Aerie ruler. But Eva insists on honoring her brother by becoming a Testor. After all, she wouldn’t be the first Maiden to Test, just the first in 150 years.

Eva knows the Testing is no dance class. Gallant Testors train for their entire lives to search icy wastelands for Relics: artifacts of the corrupt civilization that existed before The Healing drowned the world. Out in the Boundary Lands, Eva must rely on every moment of the lightning-quick training she received from Lukas—her servant, a Boundary native, and her closest friend now that Eamon is gone.

But there are threats in The Testing beyond what Lukas could have prepared her for. And no one could have imagined the danger Eva unleashes when she discovers a Relic that shakes the Aerie to its core. (Description from Goodreads.com) 

This post-apocalyptic dystopia opens a new series that is both an exciting tale of self-discovery and one of great societal commentary. In Eva’s world the polar ice caps have melted and modern civilization was destroyed. Survivors turned to a simpler lifestyle, one more easily controlled by those in power. It's a cold world, both climatically and in temperament. Eva feels stifled and longs to learn more about her world, an opportunity she can't turn down once she decides to undertake The Testing.

Slowly, you get to piece together New North’s history as Eva uncovers startling revelations about her own hidden background. Deft world-building creates a believable society in an icy clime with a strong and well-rounded main character. Eva’s choices for the future left me anxious to see her tale continue in the series’ next installment. I found this to be a refreshing new addition to the dystopian field. 

Full disclosure: Review copy received from VOYA 

Cover Reveal - Fragile Destiny!!

I'm STOKED to be part of the FRAGILE DESTINY cover reveal today!! The Aether Chronicles is one of my favorite YA series because it combines two awesome things that I love...steampunk and faeries...and has a GREAT main character!!

Here's the basics:
FRAGILE DESTINY
Release date: August 8, 2014

There's no description yet, but I'll be sharing as soon as I know!!

Drumroll please....
...and here's the cover!!!! 

Don't you love it?  They create the most beautiful covers for this series... 

For more info on FRAGILE DESTINY and Suzanne Lazear, you can check out these spots:

FRAGILE DESTINY on Goodreads

The Aether Chronicles website

Suzanne Lazear's blog

Suzanne Lazear on Facebook

Suzanne Lazear on Twitter

Cover Reveal - One and Only!!

I'm ABSOLUTELY THRILLED to be part of Viv Daniels' cover reveal today!! Viv Daniels is a great new author on the New Adult scene (and a pseudonym for one of my all-time favorite authors!!) and I'm so excited to read One and Only.

Here's the basics:

ONE AND ONLY 

Release date: November 2013 

Book Description: 

One night they can't forget...

Tess McMann lives her life according to the secrets she's sworn to keep: the father who won't acknowledge her, the sister who doesn't know she exists, and the mother who's content playing mistress to a prominent businessman. When she meets the distractingly cute Dylan Kingsley at a prestigious summer program and falls in love, Tess allows herself to imagine a life beyond these secrets. But when summer ends, so does their relationship -- Dylan heads off to Canton College while Tess enrolls at the state university.

One love they can't ignore... 

Two years later, a scholarship brings Tess to Canton and back into Dylan's life. Their attraction is as strong as ever, but Dylan has a girlfriend…who also happens to be Tess's legitimate half-sister. Tess refuses to follow in her mother's footsteps, which leaves her only one choice: break the rules she’s always followed, or allow Dylan to slip away for a second time.

...And only one chance to get things right.

Drumroll please....

...and here's the cover!!!! 

O.O 

Isn't it pretty?  What do y'all think?

I'm telling you, with as much YA as I've been reading lately...I'm more than ready to check this one out!! 

For more info on Viv Daniels and One and Only:

Website: http://vivdaniels.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/vivdaniels
Facebook: http://facebook.com/vivdanielsbooks
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18392843-one-only

Oh, and one more thing... here's a little giveaway that Viv Daniels is hosting to celebrate the cover reveal! Good Luck!!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Blog Tour - Little Fish

I am excited to be part of the LITTLE FISH blog tour today!  As some of you know, I've been trying to foray more into the world of graphic novels and this one sounded like one that I could get behind.  AND I WAS RIGHT! 

Ramsey Beyer was a teenager from a small town in Michigan, looking forward to her first year living in a city far away from home. She chronicled that year in a seres of zines featuring personalized lists (such as "things I can't wait for" and "top 10 worst sounds") alongside comic illustrations. Through her blog, Ramsey also reflected on her struggles with loneliness, friendship and potential romance. Her new book, Little Fish: A Memoir from A Different Kind of Year, weaves all of these materials into a poignant, beautifully illustrated, and deeply reflective graphic memory detailing her transformation to an eighteen-year-old city dwelling art student. Little Fish perfectly captures that time in a young person's life when the past feels abandoned, the future seems totally open, and every day is a revelation.

This book is perfect for whomever you may have in your life that is entering college for the first time or even just a going through a totally new phase in their life. It's easy to read, easy to relate to, and made me laugh out loud in spots.  Ramsey chronicles her first year in college through lists, journal entries, and zine articles.  Each page felt as new and different and exciting as Ramsey's foray into Baltimore...her very first city experience.  

As some one who occasionally has trouble following comics or graphic novels, I'm very pleased to report I had no trouble at all with this one.  Each character is distinguishable from the others and are introduced in ways that make them pretty easy to remember.  It's just like making new friends in real life. In fact, I found myself heartbroken to leave them all behind at the end of the year...and I'd actually love to read about Ramsey's sophomore year to catch up with them again!! 

As a book set in college, this is not a book for younger readers (there is some foul language and discussion about sexual activity) but I think that older high school readers, those already in college, and even full-blown adults will relate to and thoroughly enjoy this one! 

photo credit: Michael Cantor

Want to learn more about Ramsey Beyer and LITTLE FISH?

You can visit the following places:

Little Fish on Goodreads
Ramsey Beyer's blog: http://news.everydaypants.com
Ramsey Beyer's photoblog: http://www.everydaypants.com/photoblog/
Ramsey Beyer on Tumblr: http://everydaypants.tumblr.com/
Ramsey Beyer on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ramsey.beyer
Ramsey Beyer on Twitter: https://twitter.com/everydaypants
Zest Books website or facebook page

Lastly, don't forget to check out all the other stops on the LITTLE FISH blog tour and if you think you might be interested in purchasing LITTLE FISH you can get it from Amazon, Barnes and Noble, The Book Despository or IndieBound. 

Full disclosure: Book received from publisher for blog tour

Top Ten Tuesday: Top Ten Best Sequels Ever

Top Ten Tuesday is a meme created and hosted by The Broke and The Bookish

Today's Topic: The Top Ten (or in my case...Eleven) Best Sequels Ever

(in alphabetical order by title)

1. A Beautiful Evil by Kelly Keaton

2. Ascendant by Diana Peterfreund 

3. Bad Hair Day by Carrie Harris 

4. Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins 

5. The Dark and Hollow Places by Carrie Ryan 

6. The Elite by Kiera Cass 

7. The Essence by Kimberly Derting 

8. Everfound by Neal Shusterman 

9. Fox Forever by Mary E. Pearson 

10. Lola and the Boy Next Door by Stephanie Perkins (*actually a companion book) 

There you have it.  These are my favorite YA sequels that I've read in the last five years or so... 

What are yours?

The Voyage of Lucy P. Simmons

The Voyage of Lucy P. Simmons
by Barbara Mariconda

Ever since her parents died, Lucy's house has magically awakened. An enchanted flute plays when danger is near. A sparkling mist unlocks drawers of family secrets. A mysterious woman named Marni arrives.

The magic helps Lucy keep her house out of the hands of her greedy Uncle Victor. As Lucy and Marni fight to stop Victor, Lucy makes unexpected friends and discovers the power of courage. But will it be enough to prevail in the face of her evil uncle? (description from Amazon.com)

I liked this one a lot. It has a great atmosphere to it. You could feel the magic in the air as the house responds to Lucy's wishes. I felt really bad for Lucy as she lost her parents and had to deal with her greedy uncle. I was extremely happy when she found Marni and her new friends. Watching Lucy transform into a stronger, more confident girl was great and I can't wait to see where her adventures take her in following books.

Full disclosure: Borrowed from my library 

Never Say Die

Never Say Die 
by Will Hobbs

When the motto of your village is "never say die," you have a lot to live up to. . . .

At home in Canada's Arctic, Nick Thrasher is an accomplished Inuit hunter at fifteen. About to bring home a caribou for his ailing grandfather, Nick loses the meat to a fearsome creature never before seen in the wild. It's half grizzly, half polar bear. Experts will soon be calling it a "grolar bear."

Returning to his village, Nick receives a letter from the half brother he's never met. A former Grand Canyon river guide, Ryan Powers is now a famous wildlife photographer. He'll soon be coming to Nick's part of the world to raft the remote Firth River in search of huge herds of migrating caribou. Ryan also wants to learn what Inuit hunters are saying about climate change in the Arctic. He invites Nick to come along and help him find the caribou.

Barely down the river, disaster strikes. Nick and Ryan are both thrown into the freezing river and find themselves under a ceiling of solid ice. With nothing but the clothes on his back and the knife on his hip, Nick is up against it in a world of wolves, caribou, and grizzlies. All the while, the monstrous grolar bear stalks the land. (description from Amazon.com)

I actually enjoyed this book a lot. It was full of action and danger.  It was a book that made me look things up, but not like I was learning stuff in school, more like I was just so curious to see if the nature-related stuff was real or not.  This book made me think about how we're affecting the environment and how that will reflect back and affect us later on.  I liked how Nick stays true to his heritage, even as he thinks about the larger world.  This book was very different from what I normally read, but it was a good one! 

Full disclosure: Borrowed through interlibrary loan

I Represent Sean Rosen

I Represent Sean Rosen
by Jeff Baron

Sean Rosen knows what he wants. A ten-million-dollar deal with a big Hollywood studio. The only problem is, he's a kid. And he's busy with school. And he lives far from Los Angeles or New York City. But Sean does have a laptop and a phone, and he's smart. He's about to have the ride of a lifetime as he discovers the ins and outs—and dos and don'ts—of becoming one of the youngest movie moguls the world's ever known. (description from Amazon.com)

Funny at times, but ultimately not as good as I'd expected. This book was a fairly quick read, but I didn't really feel enthusiastic at all once I'd read it. Sean never really learns not to lie and doesn't have to face any real consequences for all of his deceptions... I kind of found that disappointing and unrealistic. If you love books where you really see inside the character's head, you might like this one, but I don't think it'll be a hit with everyone.

Full disclosure: Borrowed from my library

Red

Red
by Alison Cherry

Felicity St. John has it all: loyal best friends, a hot guy, and artistic talent. And she’s right on track to win the Miss Scarlet pageant. Her perfect life is possible because of just one thing: her long, wavy, coppery red hair.

Having red hair is all that matters in Scarletville. Redheads hold all the power—and everybody knows it. That’s why Felicity is scared down to her roots when she receives an anonymous note:
I know your secret.

Because Felicity is a big fake. Her hair color comes straight out of a bottle. And if anyone discovered the truth, she’d be a social outcast faster than she could say strawberry blond. Her mother would disown her, her friends would shun her, and her boyfriend would dump her. And forget about winning that pageant crown and the prize money that comes with it—money that would allow her to fulfill her dream of going to art school.

Felicity isn’t about to let someone blackmail her life away. But just how far is she willing to go to protect her red cred? (description from Amazon.com)

Cherry’s first novel may overtly seem to have a somewhat silly premise, but underneath the “ginger” focus, there is a really strong commentary on superficiality and social standing. I found myself questioning the distribution of power based on appearance and the lengths that desperate people will go to in order to protect their deepest secrets. Inner strength and self-acceptance are also strong themes that run throughout the book. While you might giggle your way through this fast-paced tale, you'll also find you've thought while reading it.

Full disclosure: Review copy received from SLJ

Waiting on Wednesday: To All the Boys I've Loved Before

Waiting on Wednesday is a meme created and hosted by Breaking the Spine and highlights books that bloggers are all itching to get in their greedy little hands. LOL.

My choice for this week is:

To All the Boys I've Loved Before 

by Jenny Han 

Publication date: April 22, 2014

Description (from Goodreads):

To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before is the story of Lara Jean, who has never openly admitted her crushes, but instead wrote each boy a letter about how she felt, sealed it, and hid it in a box under her bed. But one day Lara Jean discovers that somehow her secret box of letters has been mailed, causing all her crushes from her past to confront her about the letters: her first kiss, the boy from summer camp, even her sister's ex-boyfriend, Josh. As she learns to deal with her past loves face to face, Lara Jean discovers that something good may come out of these letters after all.

Insignia

Insignia
by S. J. Kincaid

The earth is in the middle of WWIII. The planet’s natural resources are almost gone, and the war is being fought to control the assets of the solar system. The enemy is winning.

The salvation may be Tom Raines. Tom doesn’t seem like a hero. He’s a short fourteen-year-old with bad skin. But he has the virtual-reality gaming skills that make him a phenom behind the controls of the battle drones.

As a new member of the Intrasolar Forces, Tom’s life completely changes. Suddenly, he’s someone important. He has new opportunities, friends, and a shot at having a girlfriend. But there’s a price to pay... (description from Amazon.com)

Have you enjoyed books like Ender's Game, Epic, Feed, or Ready Player One? Did you love the movie "Starship Troopers?" Are you excited to see "Ender's Game" on the big screen this November? Then this is another GREAT book choice for you!

This book may be on the longer side, but you would never know it once you start reading. It is fast-paced and will totally suck you in. I couldn't stop reading once I started! The characters are interesting, the world is startling familiar, yet believably futuristic, and as soon as I finished I requested the second book.

Video games. Giant fighting robots. Evil corporations.
Mind control. Devoted friends.

A winning combination.

Full disclosure: Purchased on my Nook

The Testing

The Testing
by Joelle Charbonneau

It’s graduation day for sixteen-year-old Malencia Vale, and the entire Five Lakes Colony (the former Great Lakes) is celebrating. All Cia can think about—hope for—is whether she’ll be chosen for The Testing, a United Commonwealth program that selects the best and brightest new graduates to become possible leaders of the slowly revitalizing post-war civilization. When Cia is chosen, her father finally tells her about his own nightmarish half-memories of The Testing. Armed with his dire warnings (”Cia, trust no one”), she bravely heads off to Tosu City, far away from friends and family, perhaps forever. Danger, romance—and sheer terror—await. (description from Amazon.com)

If you devoured The Hunger Games and having been struggling to find something with just the same bite to it, look no further. This is the book you've been waiting for... it is the closest I've come yet to the experience I had reading The Hunger Games. 

This book has the same danger, excitement, self-sacrifice, a hint of romance...and left me DESPERATE to get my hands on the second book. I highly recommend this one.

My Birthday = Your Present!

Hello All! So, today is my birthday... Whoo hoo! I love to celebrate my birthday every year, BIG TIME, so in the spirit of bookish birthday fun, I planned a little giveaway FOR YOU!! 

My Birthday = Your Presents!!

This year, thanks to AO.com, a UK based appliance company, I have a $50 Amazon gift voucher for someone to help them purchase a few good books.  This contest is limited to the US and UK only.  

Good luck!!  

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Zebra Forest

Zebra Forest
by Adina Rishe Gewirtz

When eleven-year-old Annie first started lying to her social worker, she had been taught by an expert: Gran. “If you’re going to do something, make sure you do it with excellence,” Gran would say. That was when Gran was feeling talkative, and not brooding for days in her room — as she did after telling Annie and her little brother, Rew, the one thing they know about their father: that he was killed in a fight with an angry man who was sent away. Annie and Rew spend their days under the birches and oaks of the Zebra Forest, telling stories about their father the pirate, or pilot, or secret agent. But then something shocking happens to unravel all their stories: a rattling at the back door, an escapee from the prison holding them hostage in their own home, four lives that will never be the same. (description from Amazon.com)

I had no idea originally if I was going to like this book or not. I was very surprised that not only was it a super quick read... but, I also found myself unable to stop reading. The story was a little far-fetched at first (though it tapped into my childhood fears that some random prisoner from a local jail would break into our house *exactly* like this one does...), but the way that Gewirtz writes is so emotionally compelling that I didn't care any more if the story seemed entirely plausible. 

Both Annie and Rew's reactions to their father's sudden reappearance in their lives felt absolutely real. The intense resentment at having thought their father was dead, only to learn he'd been alive all that time and that they could have visited him. The hope that maybe he'd been falsely imprisoned, though they really knew he was guilty. Their anger at their grandmother for lying to them, even as she was having trouble coping with reality.

I really liked how the book ended, too. Things were emotionally satisfying, but also realistic. Well done.

Full disclosure: Borrowed from my Library

Books I Can't Wait to Get My Hands On...

Here are some books being released in October that I can't wait to eventually read!! They look so good, I'm going to have to try to squeeze them in somewhere...

Emerald Green by Kerstin Gier
The end to the thrilling time travel trilogy... 

In the Age of Love and Chocolate by Gabrielle Zevin
Anya must decide where she stands in the illegal chocolate market...

The Iron Traitor by Julie Kagawa
Will Kieran lead to Ethan's demise?

Perfect Ruin by Lauren DeStefano
Murder rocks a dystopian city floating high in the sky.

Teardrop by Lauren Kate
Tears that could wash away the world... 

This post was inspired by my librarian friend Jen's 

"Books I'm Dying to Read" posts at YABookNerd.

Blog Tour - Blackmoore

I am extremely excited to be participating in the blog tour for Julianne Donaldson's newest book, Blackmoore.  I loved her first novel, Edenbrooke (in fact, I gave it a starred review here!) so much that I VOWED to be part of the blog tour for her next "Proper Romance" if it was humanly possible...and here we are, LOL. 

Blackmoore is the newest book in Shadow Mountain Publishing's A Proper Romance brand. 

A Proper Romance indicates a clean, smart, engaging, romantic story that will never embarass the reader. Now, I am not one to pass up any type of romance when I'm in the right mood, but I love the elegance and timelessness of the Proper Romance books.  They feel like absolutely anyone could read and enjoy them and I personally will recommend anything that Julianne Donaldson writes!

So, let's talk more about Blackmoore! 

Kate Worthington knows she can never have her heart’s desire and so believes she will never marry. But Kate’s meddlesome mother has other plans. Kate journeys to the stately manor of Blackmoore on the cliffs above the seashore, where she must face the truth and the man that has kept her heart captive.

Set in northern England, Blackmoore is a Regency romance that tells the story of a young woman struggling to learn to follow her heart. With hints of Jane Austen and the Bronte sisters, Blackmoore is a page-turning tale of romance, intrigue and devotion.

Once again, Donaldson won my heart.  I thoroughly enjoyed this romance.  Told through a series of flashbacks, readers get to see Kate's history unfold.  Learning the sordid truth about her older sister and her mother's scheming, scandalous ways... learning about how she lost her heart to the one man she can't have... 

This book actually reminded me a little of Austen's Pride and Prejudice. The intelligent, talented daughter with bigger dreams than just following her mother's wishes of a "good" marriage. As Kate must deal with laughable suitors, an embarassing family, and having to see the man that she doesn't want to admit she loves, she also fights to break free of the life she sees herself imprisoned within.  Her pluck and determination are admirable.  Kate's story grabbed my heartstrings and simply wouldn't let go.  

When I finished the book, I found myself sighing aloud and already mentally counting down until another is announced.  To me, that is the ultimate test...and Blackmoore passed with flying colors! 

Want to learn more about Julianne Donaldson and Blackmoore?

You can visit the following places: 

Julianne's Blog

Julianne's facebook page

Julianne's twitter (@AuthorJulianne)

Amazon

Barnes and Noble

Goodreads

Blackmoore Blog Tour page


Full disclosure: Review copy received from publisher for blog tour 

My (newly found, I can't believe I hadn't seen this when it was happening!!!) love for The Lizzie Bennet Diaries...

I have discovered a new and most wonderous thing.

Have you heard of the Lizzie Bennet Diaries?? If not, I suggest you go check it out immediately.  

No, really. I meant like RIGHT NOW.  Click the link above.  I'll wait. 

You see, The Lizzie Bennet Diaries is an EMMY award winning online, social-media based interactive (well, it mostly was when it was happening live) modern interpretation of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice. Brilliant Masterminds Hank Green and Bernie Su took Austen's amazingly resonant story of a snarky girl who doesn't want to just get married and turned her into a modern snarky grad student who refuses to bow to her mother's pressures to get married.  AND.IT.IS.AMAZING!  









Originally, "Lizzie" posted two youtube videos a week chronicling her life and thoughts as part of her "grad-school thesis."  Most of the characters also had twitter accounts and interacted online with not only each other, but also with the public who were watching "The Lizzie Diaries."  Lizzie's older sister, Jane, also had a fashion tumblr and her younger sister, Lydia, even did some of her own diary videos.  The whole concept for the series was amazing to see... 

There are even moments of interpretive costume theater...and let me tell you, Lizzie's impersonations of her mother... I laughed so hard I wanted to cry sometimes. 

If, like me, you missed being part of this amazing phenomenon at its inception, don't worry.  You can catch up on EVERYTHING from the beginning by going here. The story page will take you through Lizzie's journey from start to finish across all platforms...and I bet like me, you'll be watching videos on your breaks and staying up late to watch just one more wayyy past your normal bedtime.  

*Believe me by the time you hit episode 84... you'll be experiencing ALL THE FEELS.  I cried, I cried HARD through a bunch of stuff at the end... *

This is something YOU ALL NEED TO CHECK OUT if you haven't already seen it.  I'm almost tempted to go back and start watching from the beginning...but, there's also a newer story done almost the same way by the same genius team starring Miss Gigi Darcy called "Welcome to Sanditon," (based on Austen's unfinished novel, Sanditon) that I am now happily working my way through... though a rewatch of The Lizzie Bennet Diaries will definitely be in order when the DVD finally comes out. You can bet your tushies I'll own it! 

Gotta go, there's more Sanditon waiting to be watched!! 

Waiting on Wednesday: Rebel Belle

Waiting on Wednesday is a meme created and hosted by Breaking the Spine and highlights books that bloggers are all itching to get in their greedy little hands. LOL. 

My choice for this week is:

Rebel Belle 
by Rachel Hawkins

Publication date: April 8, 2014 

Description (from Goodreads):
Harper Price, peerless Southern belle, was born ready for a Homecoming tiara. But after a strange run-in at the dance imbues her with incredible abilities, Harper's destiny takes a turn for the seriously weird. She becomes a Paladin, one of an ancient line of guardians with agility, super strength and lethal fighting instincts.

Just when life can't get any more disastrously crazy, Harper finds out who she's charged to protect: David Stark, school reporter, subject of a mysterious prophecy and possibly Harper's least favorite person. But things get complicated when Harper starts falling for him--and discovers that David's own fate could very well be to destroy Earth.

With snappy banter, cotillion dresses, non-stop action and a touch of magic, this new young adult series from bestseller Rachel Hawkins is going to make y'all beg for more.

Sweet Legacy Blog Blitz - Exclusive Excerpt!!

If you follow my blog, you probably know that one of my favorite authors is Tera Lynn Childs. She writes fabulous, fun YA books about mermaids, demi-gods, and each of her books feature strong female main characters learning their place in the world. They are great books for weekend reading, on the beach, in a hammock, or well...anywhere!

So, why am I reminding you of all this? Today is the book birthday for TLC's newest book, SWEET LEGACY, the last book in the Sweet Venom trilogy.

Greer has always known she was privileged, though she had no idea how special her second sight made her, even among her triplet monster-fighting sisters. But when a god starts playing with her mind, can Greer step up in her pretty high heels to prevent anything from stopping her sisters’ mission?

Grace loves her adopted brother, Thane, but now that he’s back and has joined her sisters’ team, it’s clear his past is full of dark mysteries. She wants to trust him, but will Thane’s secret put the girls in even more danger?

Gretchen knows she can rely on her sisters to help her stop the monsters. But after getting to know some of the beasties in the abyss, she finds her role as a huntress comes with more responsibility than she ever imagined. How can she know what her birthright demands of her now?

The girls cannot hesitate as they seek the location of the lost door between the realms, even as monsters and gods descend on San Francisco in battle-ready droves. In this exciting conclusion to the Sweet Venom trilogy, these teenage heirs of Medusa must seek the truth, answer the ancient riddles, and claim their immortal legacy.

Today, I'm super excited to share an exclusive excerpt from SWEET LEGACY. *squee!!* Tera gave me an awesome little section from Grace's perspective... hope you enjoy!

My hands shake a little as I fumble with the backpack zipper.

“I’m perfectly all right, Grace,“ she insists. “Truly.“

I watch her, study her, checking for—I don’t know—signs of pain or a bad
reaction to the poison or something. She pats me on the arm before grabbing
one of the reorganized backpacks and carrying it over to where Gretchen has
piled the ones staying here. Except for the disheveled hair and slightly
pale skin, she looks fine, though. I hope that means she really *is* fine.

“She’s stronger than she looks,“ Thane says.

He’s watching her intently, just like I was doing a second ago.

He’s right. She may not have Gretchen’s physical strength, but inside she’s
tough. Bugging her and making her reassure me over and over isn’t very
helpful or healing.

“I know,“ I reply, turning to lean back against the table.

Thane doesn’t move. He just stands there, staring blankly across the cave.
He’s not quite looking at her anymore. Like he’s trying to act casual.

After more than half a lifetime together, I can read him too well. I can
see beneath the surface. She drops a bottle of water and his eyes are
immediately on her as she bends to pick it up. Though he’s trying to hide
it, his attention is fully focused on Greer. Something more is going on
here than he wants me to know, and considering everything that’s happening it’s past time he told me. Secrets lead to problems.

Doesn't that sound amazing?  Want to get you own copy?

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