In My Mailbox - mobile edition

This is what I am reduced to... Blogging from an app. I have been working crazy hours but I still wanted to show what I got this week. So see the picture. Thank you to Nicole from word for teens and sourcefirebooks!

Waiting on Wednesday #23 {Deadly Cool}

WOW is hosted by Jill of Breaking the Spine.

From Goodreads:
Hartley Grace Featherstone is having a very bad day. First she finds out that her boyfriend is cheating on her with the president of the Herbert Hoover High School Chastity Club. Then he's pegged as the #1 suspect in a murder. And if that weren't enough, now he's depending on Hartley to clear his name. Seriously? Not cool. But as much as Hartley wouldn't mind seeing him squirm, she knows he's innocent, and she's the only one who can help him. Along with her best friend, Sam, and the school's resident Bad Boy, Chase, Hartley starts investigating on her own. But as the dead bodies begin to pile up, the mystery deepens, the suspects multiply, and Hartley begins to fear that she may be the killer's next victim.

Why Yani is Waiting on It: 
I'm not one for short stories, but how AWESOME does the list of authors sound?!?!?!

Can't wait for this book coming out: October 11, 2011

Add to Goodreads

Book Review: Love Story

By: Jennifer Echols

Publisher: MTV Books
Release Date:  July 19, 2011
Pages: 256
Source: GalleyGrab

She's writing about him. he's writing about her. And everybody is reading between the lines..

For Erin Blackwell, majoring in creative writing at the New York City college of her dreams is more than a chance to fulfill her ambitions--it's her ticket away from the tragic memories that shadow her family's racehorse farm in Kentucky. But when she refuses to major in business and take over the farm herself someday, her grandmother gives Erin's college tuition and promised inheritance to their maddeningly handsome stable boy, Hunter Allen. Now Erin has to win an internship and work late nights at a coffee shop to make her own dreams a reality. She should despise Hunter . . . so why does he sneak into her thoughts as the hero of her latest writing assignment?

Then, on the day she's sharing that assignment with her class, Hunter walks in. He's joining her class. And after he reads about himself in her story, her private fantasies about him must be painfully clear. She only hopes to persuade him not to reveal her secret to everyone else. But Hunter devises his own creative revenge, writing sexy stories that drive the whole class wild with curiosity and fill Erin's heart with longing. Now she's not just imagining what might have been. She's writing a whole new ending for her romance with Hunter . . . except this story could come true.

Summary Taken from Goodreads

Yani's Review:

I have said this before and I will say it again, I love Jennifer Echols! She is one of my favorite contemporary authors and after this book I am officially labeling her my favorite YA Steam Queen. She knows how to write those romance scenes. In fact, her book Going Too Far is my favorite YA contemp romance stand-alone book. Yes, it needs that many labels because I have many favorites in different categories. So that being said, Love Story was not my favorite of her works. Yes it was really good, but when you have AMAZING books to live up to its hard not to compare.

Many people who are reading JE for the first time, found this book to be amazing, spectacular, five stars. Me, well I had some issues. I didn't really connect to the characters the way I wanted to. I thought it was a little unfocused and I didn't understand their motives at first. Usually in a book written in first person you know what they are thinking, and if they are lying to themselves, but these characters really seemed to hate each other and I never picked up on what made them like each other, only that they did. This probably doesn't make sense, but I have no other way to describe what it was exactly that irked me about the book.

Still the romance scenes where awesome. I liked the format of the book with the stories written by the character egging the plot forward. And despite my qualms with the characters, I loved the ending. I will definitely continue to read JE and I did enjoy this book, I just enjoyed her others sooooooo much more!

Ratings:

Plot: 3/5
Writing Style: 4/5
Uniqueness: 4/5
Characters: 4/5

Other Reviews:

• The Perpetual Page-Turner
• The Bookish Type
• Emily's Reading Room

Buy the book here!
**commissions earned from sales are minimal and go towards giveaways!

In My Mailbox 8/21/11

In My Mailbox {aka IMMB} is hosted by The Story Siren.

Wasn't planning on doing an IMM this week, but with the Border's closing, I brought home sooo many books this week. So below are pictures taken with my iPhone :)

First off are the items I bought, YAY for Vera Bradley on sale!

I have an obsession with flamingos

Then here are the books:

Then I also got some books in the mail. I got back a book I lent (Glow) and was lent a book by Jacinda (Thanks!!)

Thanks to Scholastic for Underdogs, I should probably read the Book Thief as well, heard many great things.

So that is it! More books to add to my HUGE TBR PILE... oh and did you notice the super cool edition I got myself of Perks?? I'll leave you with a closer look

Book Review: Playing Dirty

Smutty Saturdays!

 Book Smut Level is: LOW;)

By: Susan Andersen

Publisher: HQN Books

Release Date:  July 26, 2011

Pages: 384
Source: Netgalley

When old enemies are thrown together, all bets are off…


Way back in high school, golden boy Cade Gallari publicly revealed he'd slept with "fat girl" Ava Spencer to win a bet. Now a decade older and a head turner with her own concierge business, Ava isn't the gullible dreamer she once was— and she plans to prove it when Cade, hotter than ever, breezes back into town with an offer she can't refuse.

A documentary film producer, Cade is shooting a movie about the mysterious mansion Ava inherited. And he wants her as his personal concierge. She's certainly professional enough to be at his beck and call without giving him everything he wants. Like another shot at having her in his bed. But Ava doesn't count on Cade's determination. Because he's never gotten over her— and he's not above playing dirty to score a second chance at a red–hot future…

Summary Taken from Goodreads

Yani's Review:

As soon as I saw the summary of the book I knew I wanted to read it. I had a similar (not really but sort of) experience in high school and funnily enough ran into the guy at a bar recently, so I really empathized with Ava's character. I thought that part of the story was really realistic, about how something like that stays with you, but eventually you really DO get over it. I really liked Cade as well, I really think he grew up and became something better than that high school jerk he once was.

This was definitely a romantic and sweet book, with some sexy mixed in. My only complaint was that the storyline felt steady, as in one level... what should have been a climax (no pun intended) fell flat. In story writing, there is the setup (executed perfectly), the confrontation (which started off well), and the resolution (which left me unsatisfied). And the sexy scenes where good, but nothing out for this world, in fact they ended rather quickly.

If you enjoy a good lighthearted, sweet, contemporary romance... this is the book for you!

My Review in a Tweet: 
Sometimes you just need to play a little dirty...The perfect revenge/love story for that 'fat' girl in all of us!

Ratings:

Plot: 3/5

Writing Style: 3/5

Uniqueness: 3/5

Characters: 5/5

Buy the book here!
**commissions earned from sales are minimal and go towards giveaways!

Waiting on Wednesday #22 {Carrier of the Mark}

WOW is hosted by Jill of Breaking the Spine.

From Goodreads:
A move to Ireland is about to introduce Megan to her destiny, her real destiny, can she embrace it and will she survive it?

A tragedy in Megan’s past set her on a predetermined course. A chain of events has been set in motion that brings Megan to Kinsale, a small town in the south of Ireland where her destiny awaits her. Her life starts to fall into place as she makes new friends and settles into her new school. However, the reclusive and distant Adam DeRís calls to her body and soul.

She finds herself increasingly drawn to Adam and his strange family. Adam knows a secret from her past and he and his family hold the key to her future. A future that binds her to Adam and his world, a world of power, mystery and ancient orders. A world that unbeknownst to her, she very much belongs in.

Why Yani is Waiting on It: 
Secrets and hot boys... what's there not to like? For some reason I am getting a Mara Dyer de ja vu (ish) vibe off this one, and I loved Mara so definitely want to check this out!

Can't wait for this book coming out: October 4, 2011

Add to Goodreads

Mini-Reviews: Contemporary Edition #1

Contemporary YA Edition #1: Moonglass and Ten Things We Did

 _____________________________________________

Author: Sarah Mlynowski
Publisher: HarperTeen

Released: 6/7/2011
Pages: 368
Rating: 5 Stars!

2 girls + 3 guys + 1 house – parents = 10 things April and her friends did that they (definitely, maybe, probably) shouldn't have.

If given the opportunity, what sixteen-year-old wouldn't jump at the chance to move in with a friend and live parent-free? Although maybe "opportunity" isn't the right word, since April had to tell her dad a tiny little untruth to make it happen (see #1: "Lied to Our Parents"). But she and her housemate Vi are totally responsible and able to take care of themselves. How they ended up "Skipping School" (#3), "Throwing a Crazy Party" (#8), "Buying a Hot Tub" (#4), and, um, "Harboring a Fugitive" (#7) at all is kind of a mystery to them.

In this hilarious and bittersweet tale, Sarah Mlynowski mines the heart and mind of a girl on her own for the first time. To get through the year, April will have to juggle a love triangle, learn to do her own laundry, and accept that her carefully constructed world just might be falling apart . . . one thing-she-shouldn't-have-done at a time.

 Summary Taken from Goodreads

My Mini-Review:
I have so much love for this book. I would go as far as to say that this has been one of the funniest and sweetest reads of the year. Once I started reading it, it was really hard to put down and I am not usually a fan of such unrealistic shennanigan type books, but April is a character I think everyone will fall in love with. Even in the OH MY GOSH that did not happen moments, I couldn't help but laugh out loud at her sarcasm. It is definitely an adventure, one I recommend you take with you to beach to enjoy a day of sun and laughter! To read a more in depth and awesome review, see Ginger from GReads review here.

____________________________________________________

Author:  Jessi Kirby

Publisher: Simon & Schuster

Released: 5/3/2011

Pages: 224

Rating: 3 Stars!

From Jessi Kirby, a debut novel about confronting the past in order to move ahead.

I read once that water is a symbol for emotions. And for a while now, I've thought maybe my mother drowned in both.

Anna's life is upended when her father accepts a job transfer the summer before her junior year. It's bad enough that she has to leave her friends and her life behind, but her dad is moving them to the beach where her parents first met and fell in love- a place awash in memories that Anna would just as soon leave under the surface.

While life on the beach is pretty great, with ocean views and one adorable lifeguard in particular, there are also family secrets that were buried along the shore years ago. And the ebb and flow of the ocean's tide means that nothing- not the sea glass that she collects on the sand and not the truths behind Anna's mother's death- stays buried forever.

 Summary Taken from Goodreads

My Mini-Review:
I liked this book, plain and simple. However, I wanted to LOVE it! It has all those elements that lead for a great book: the beach, a cute boy, single dad, loss of a family member... but for some reason I just didn't connect like I wanted to. Don't take it the wrong way, it was still a tragic and beautiful story - definitely al la Sarah Dessen style - but I can't profess my love and favoritism over it. I think if you are looking for something that touches your heart and has a little romance, you might enjoy this book.

Series Review: Vampire Academy Books 1-3

Book 1 Synopsis:
St. Vladimir's Academy isn't just any boarding school it's a hidden place where vampires are educated in the ways of magic and half-human teens train to protect them. Rose Hathaway is a Dhampir, a bodyguard for her best friend Lissa, a Moroi Vampire Princess. They've been on the run, but now they're being dragged back to St. Vladimir's the very place where they're most in danger. . . .

Rose and Lissa become enmeshed in forbidden romance, the Academy's ruthless social scene, and unspeakable nighttime rituals. But they must be careful lest the Strigoi the world's fiercest and most dangerous vampires make Lissa one of them forever.

I have no idea what I was thinking waiting so long to read this series!!!!!!!!!! Seriously! I can't even give you a comprehensive review of it because I just loved it so much I didn't even take one single note down. Books 1-3 were amazing. I read VA and the second book Frostbite between two days and I only stopped because I was like I have reviews to work on. Then I started reading book 3 when I saw that Lynn from Bring the Epic was reading the series and I have to say that Shadow Kiss if my favorite of the first three! I thought the other two where made of awesome, but Shadow Kiss is made of heaven.

This is definitely a fan girl geek out review and I wish I could give you specific of what I did like, but let's just say this book has everything you could like in a book: FIERCE KICK ASS GIRL LEAD, HOT UNATTAINABLE GUYS, COOL BEST FRIENDS, FRIENDS THAT BECOME VILLAINS AND VILLAINS THAT BECOME FRIENDS.

Also, this review by Liz pretty much says everything I was thinking while reading the book!

PS: I have the rest of the series waiting to be read, and I will try to take notes this time hehe

Book Review: Spellbound

By: Cara Lynn Shultz

Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Release Date:  June 24, 2011
Pages: 324
Source: NetGalley

What's a girl to do when meeting The One means she's cursed to die a horrible death?

Life hasn't been easy on sixteen-year-old Emma Connor, so a new start in New York may be just the change she needs. But the posh Upper East Side prep school she has to attend? Not so much. Friendly faces are few and far between, except for one that she's irresistibly drawn to—Brendan Salinger, the guy with the rock-star good looks and the richest kid in school, who might just be her very own white knight.

But even when Brendan inexplicably turns cold, Emma can't stop staring. Ever since she laid eyes on him, strange things have been happening. Streetlamps go out wherever she walks, and Emma's been having the oddest dreams: visions of herself in past lives—visions that warn her to stay away from Brendan. Or else.

Summary Taken from Goodreads

Yani's Review:

If you read the blurb about this book, you would think that this is a dark brooding book. It's not at all, despite how tragic Emma's life has been, its actually really funny and cute. Unrealistic, but in the best way possible! The best word I can use to describe it is lighthearted, not something to take serious, just something to sit back, relax, and enjoy.... And enjoy it, I did!

Be warned, it does take a while to get into, it wasn't until around 100 pages that I really became invested. But it was almost like it did a reverse, in the beginning I had to force myself a bit to continue, in the end I couldn't put it down. Next thing you know I look at the clock and its way late for me to even be awake, but I just wanted to keep reading about Emma and Brendan.

You are probably wondering what could have caused such a switch in attitude, why did I have trouble getting into it? I think in the beginning the characters where very one dimensional. Queen Bee is a bitch, jock is a jerk, weird girl is a witch, CLICHES GALORE. Once the romance between Emma and Brendan (REALLY LIKED THEM 2GETHER) began, and I got into how funny the book was I was able to let it go, this was not meant to be a serious or deep book. And while the characters may not be DEEP, Cara does an awesome job with being true to how teenagers really are. The slang, the sarcasm, the rivalries it was all spot on!

My Review in a Tweet: 

I REALLY liked the book, and I believe its a stand alone which is definitely great if your looking for one book to just cast a spell on you for a night or two ;)

Ratings:

Plot: 4/5
Writing Style: 5/5
Uniqueness: 3/5
Characters: 4/5

Similar Titles:

similar feeling type romances

Other Reviews:

• Hobbitsies
• Smexy Books
• Bookish Delights 

Buy the book here!
**commissions earned from sales are minimal and go towards giveaways!

This or That with Angela Carlie

Today we have Angela Carlie author of Dream Smashers. We sent her a couple of pairings and asked which she preferred, here is what she said! You can see my additions in this color :)

Sweet or Salty – Sweet. I mean salty. I mean sweet. I like to eat my potato chips covered in chocolate. ME TOO

Hardcover or Ebook – Both!  I usually buy the eBook first. If I really love the story, I’ll purchase the print version, too. I own my favorites in both formats as well!

PC or Mac -- I own a PC, but with all the problems I’ve had lately, I’m considering a switch. I love my Mac, though PCs have their use.

Action Movie or Comedy – Comedy. I love to laugh.

Paranormal or Sci-Fi – Paranormal.


Fate or Freewill – Freewill is much more romantic and sexy. Definitely. Agreed

Dresses or Jeans – Jeans all the way! I can’t remember the last time I wore a dress. I actually prefer to wear yoga pants or something less constrictive. PJs as often as I can for me.

Dark Colors or Bright Colors – It really depends on my mood. I love all color.

Beach or Mountains – You’re asking someone who lives near both and frequents both the mountains and the coast often. I’d have to toss a coin on this one. Living the dream...

Small Town or Big City – I love to explore it all. When it comes to living, however, I’m a bit of a loner and not a fan of closed-in areas. I’d have to say: small town near a big city.

Video Games or Board Games – I am the least coordinated person on the face of the planet when it comes to video games. I’m always dying in the first second, unless it’s Ms. Pacman. Then I can only get to like the third level. I’m not very good at board games, either. My attention span isn’t all that great when it comes to games.

Movie Theatre or Living Room – Theatre

Kindle or Nook – I own a Kindle YAY for kindle owners!

Young Adult or Middle Grade – Young Adult <3

This was fun! Thank you Yani for having me on your blog today! No, Thank YOU Angela for participating :)

Book Review: Dream Smashers

By: Angela Carlie

Publisher: Darkside Publishing
Release Date:  March 25, 2011
Source: TeenBookScene Tour

Sixteen-year-old Autumn has spent her entire life worrying about others. Her ailing grandma, meth-addicted mom, and a best friend who is always in trouble. She's spent the last few years attempting to worry less, to be carefree, without success.

Enter Evan, whose radiant attitude is an Autumn magnet. With Evan at her side, Autumn's able to let some of her worries go as they trudge through life's difficulties and fall for each other in the process.

A girl who no longer wants to care and a boy who cares enough for the both of them, Dream Smashers is a love story, but most of all, it's about letting go.

Summary Taken from Goodreads

Yani's Review:

Dream Smashers is a realistic, heart wrenching story about a girl named Autumn Spring Winters and the people in her life that "kill" her dreams. More like they make her feel her dreams aren't possible. She lives with her grandmother, has a homeless/alcoholic/druggie mother and her best friend is currently not make great life choices. I thought the story was powerful and emotional. Angela is a great writer, but for some reason I couldn't connect with the characters.

The format of the book is that it changes character POV every so often, which is something I like because I love being inside the heads of these very real and deep characters. At times I was really sucked in to the story and other times I was just reading. My biggest issue though, was with Evan. I totally believe that there are guys out there like him. His faith doesn't make him unbelievable, but it does make him hard to relate to. He's the type to say something like leave it in God's hand and really mean it, as much as I have faith (not that I am religious) I found him somewhat corny. He did grow on me though, and I think this book is worth taking a look at.

Ratings: 

Plot Development: 7/10
Writing Style: 7/10
Characters: 6/10 
Pace: 7/10
Uniqueness: 8/10
Ease of Reading: 9/10

Buy the book here!
**commissions earned from sales are minimal and go towards giveaways!

Book Review: Should've Been a Cowyboy

Smutty Saturdays!

 Book Smut Level is: MEDIUM ;)

By: Vicki Lewis Thompson

Series: Sons of Chance #4
Publisher: Harlequin

Release Date:  May 24, 2011
Pages: 224
Source: Netgalley

Party organizer Tyler O'Connelli is on the fast track to her dream career. She's so close she can almost taste it. But when she returns to her family and sees her one-night stand, Alex Keller, all done up in his cowboy gear, her self-control is stretched to the breaking point….

They're worlds apart. She's a busy career girl, and Alex is a cowboy. But while getting together might not bode well for anything long-term, it more than makes up for it in sheer hot chemistry! Problem is, this is one wrangler she might want to get tied down—and tied up—to…indefinitely!

Summary Taken from Goodreads

Yani's Review:

I have been wanting to read a good cowboy book for a while now, and unfortunately this book did not do it for me. I loved the setting and the family life style of the ranch in the book, and maybe if I had read the other books in the series I would have enjoyed it more, but as is I I wanted MORE!

I thought it was a little too fast paced, very little romance, and awkwardly realistic? What do I mean by that? The sex scenes, while steamy and hot, where at first a little awkward in that there was fumbling and movement to get into the right place... I don't know how to describe, but it just didn't do it for me.

There where some hot points and the family was a huge plus, which I was I kept reading, but I am not sure I would read the other books in the series. Also, wanted more cowboy sexiness if possible!

My Review in a Tweet: 
For fans of quick, realistic, sexy reads I would recommend this book, however it fell flat to me in the sexy cowboy department.

Ratings:

Plot: 2/5
Writing Style: 3/5
Uniqueness: 3/5
Characters: 3/5

Buy the book here!
**commissions earned from sales are minimal and go towards giveaways!

Book Review: Glow

By: Amy Kathleen Ryan

Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin

Release Date:  September 27, 2011
Pages: 320
Source: ARC 
Thank you St. Martin's!

What if you were bound for a new world, about to pledge your life to someone you'd been promised to since birth, and one unexpected violent attack made survival—not love—the issue?

Out in the murky nebula lurks an unseen enemy: the New Horizon. On its way to populate a distant planet in the wake of Earth's collapse, the ship's crew has been unable to conceive a generation to continue its mission. They need young girls desperately, or their zealous leader's efforts will fail. Onboard their sister ship, the Empyrean, the unsuspecting families don't know an attack is being mounted that could claim the most important among them...

Fifteen-year-old Waverly is part of the first generation to be successfully conceived in deep space; she was born on the Empyrean, and the large farming vessel is all she knows. Her concerns are those of any teenager—until Kieran Alden proposes to her. The handsome captain-to-be has everything Waverly could ever want in a husband, and with the pressure to start having children, everyone is sure he's the best choice. Except for Waverly, who wants more from life than marriage—and is secretly intrigued by the shy, darkly brilliant Seth.

But when the Empyrean faces sudden attack by their assumed allies, they quickly find out that the enemies aren't all from the outside.

Glow is the most riveting series debut since The Hunger Games, and promises to thrill and challenge readers of all ages.

Summary Taken from Goodreads

Yani's Review:

Glow left me outside in and inside out. They aren't kidding in the book description when they compare the book to Hunger Games. I am a big YA reader, but I will not lie, most of the time the thing that draws me to the books is the romance. Rhe romance here is a side story, like in the Hunger Games, and the real story is survival. And like the Hunger Games, I REALLY enjoyed this book.

In the beginning we meet the two main characters, from whose view the story is told, Kieran and Waverly. They are cute couple, but are obsessed with labeling who the "best" person to be in a relationship with is. At first this threw me off, but then I realized life in space with such few peers must be difficult, and its the survival instinct to find and "mate" with "the best." You can tell there are some strong feelings between these two, but before we see too much of them together, their ship is attacked and they are separated. Both must do all they can to survive.

I didn't read the summary before starting the book and I was surprised by how deep this book is. You don't know who is good or evil, who to trust and who to love, and when you finally think the right person is the "right" person, you are thrown for a loop once again. Labels mean nothing. Good intentions don't lead to good actions, and vice-versa.

I read this book fairly quickly and I enjoyed every second of it. Excited to see what Amy will bring with the next book.

My Review in a Tweet: 

A tale about survival, deceit, and humanity, told from deep space. It's an adventure comparable to Across the Universe and Hunger Games. I couldn't help but write a GLOWing review of how much I liked it!

Ratings:

Plot: 4/5
Writing Style: 5/5
Uniqueness: 3/5
Characters: 4/5

Similar Titles:

Other Reviews:

• WhatchYAreading
• Saltz Man

Can't find many reviews on this book, maybe more closer to release date...

Buy the book here!
**commissions earned from sales are minimal and go towards giveaways!