Cover Reveal: Out of Play

About:

Title: Out of Play

Author: Nyrae Dawn and Jolene Perry

Publish: Entangled Teen

Blurb:Out of Play on Goodreads
Rock star drummer Bishop Riley doesn't have a problem. Celebrities—especially ones suffering from anxiety—deserve to party, right? Wrong. After taking a few too many pills, Bishop wakes up in the hospital facing an intervention. If he wants to stay in the band, he’ll have to detox while under house arrest in Seldon, Alaska.

Hockey player Penny Jones can't imagine a life outside of Seldon. Though she has tons of scholarship offers, the last thing she wants is to leave. Who'll take care of her absent-minded gramps? Not her mother, who can’t even be bothered with the new tenants next door.

Penny’s too hung up on another guy to deal with Bishop’s crappy attitude, and Bishop’s too busy
sneaking pills to care. Until he starts hanging out with Gramps. If Bishop wants a chance with the fiery girl next door, he’ll have to admit he has a problem and kick it. Too bad addiction is hard to kick…and Bishop’s about to run out of time.

 

 

Buy Links:

Barnes & Noble
Amazon

 

 

Waiting on Wednesday #1

 

 

 

 

Title: How My Summer Went Up in Flames
Author: Jennifer Salvato Doktorski
Series: Standalone
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Expected Publication: May 7, 2013

Description:

 

First she lost her heart. Then she lost her mind. And now she’s on a road trip to win back her ex. This debut novel’s packed with drama and romance!

Rosie’s always been impulsive. She didn’t intend to set her cheating ex-boyfriend’s car on fire. And she never thought her attempts to make amends could be considered stalking. So when she’s served with a temporary restraining order on the first day of summer vacation, she’s heartbroken—and furious.

To put distance between Rosie and her ex, Rosie’s parents send her on a cross-country road trip with responsible, reliable neighbor Matty and his two friends. Forget freedom of the road, Rosie wants to hitchhike home and win back her ex. But her determination starts to dwindle with each passing mile. Because Rosie’s spark of anger? It may have just ignited a romance with someone new…

 

 

Why I'm Waiting:

That cover is definitely one of the reasons, it is adorable. The book also sounds really cute, I love books about road trips and I'm curious to see where this one goes!

 

 

 

 

Unraveling Isobel (Review)

Book: Unraveling Isobel
Author: Eileen Cook
Format: Hardcover
Pages: 290
Source: Borrowed from the library

Blurb:

"Thrilling and creepy, super sexy, and so very hilarious." --Lisa McMann, bestselling author of the Wake trilogy

 

Isobel’s life is falling apart. Her mom just married some guy she met on the internet only three months before, and is moving them to his sprawling, gothic mansion off the coast of nowhere. Goodbye, best friend. Goodbye, social life. Hello, icky new stepfather, crunchy granola town, and unbelievably good-looking, officially off-limits stepbrother.
But on her first night in her new home, Isobel starts to fear that it isn’t only her life that’s unraveling—her sanity might be giving way too. Because either Isobel is losing her mind, just like her artist father did before her, or she’s seeing ghosts. Either way, Isobel’s fast on her way to being the talk of the town for all the wrong reasons.

My Rating:

 



The cover for this one is what drew me in right away. When I checked this one out of the library I hadn't even read what it was about. It turned out being a really great read. It was creepy, had some mystery and even a little romance. I just had to know what happened with this book so I finished it in under a day.

The story really draws you in. You are right alongside Isobel trying to solve the mystery of what is happening in the new house she is forced to move to. At times the story takes supernatural twists that are a little creepy and will leave you anticipating the next turn of events.

Isobel is a strong character. She's intelligent and not whiny. She is willing to embrace the supernatural and is even willing to put herself in danger just to bring justice to a pretty bad guy. Then we have Nate. He comes off as better than everyone else in the beginning but once he opens up it's clear he's a pretty sensitive and caring guy.

If you're a fan of creepy stories and like ghosts then this book is definitely for you. It's a quick read at only 290 pages and will have you flipping the pages to find out what happens to Isobel.



Know Me Better #3

 

This weekly meme is hosted by Kathy from I Am A Reader, Not A Writer. Each week she will pick 5 questions to answer and invites us to do the same.

This week's questions:

If you could live anywhere in the world where would it be?
Favorite Literary Characters?
In your wildest dreams, which author would you love to co-author a book with?
Things that bring a smile to your face?
Do you have a favorite saying?

If you could live anywhere in the world where would it be?
I would love to live in Russia. It's a beautiful country and the language is amazing.

Favorite Literary Characters?
Peregrine from Under the Never Sky, Dimitri Belikov and Rose Hathaway from Vampire Academy.

In your wildest dreams, which author would you love to co-author a book with?
I don't really want to be an author but in my wildest dreams I would have to go with Richelle Mead. She writes such amazing books and to be able to work with her would be awesome.

Things that bring a smile to your face?
My Yorkshire Terrier: Oliver, birds, being surrounded by books, and random hugs.

Do you have a favorite saying?
I don't really have a favorite saying.


It's your turn now! Share one or more answers to these questions in the comments or post on your own blog and link them up here!

Blog Tour: Review of Terra by Gretchen Powell + Giveaway!

 

 

 

 



Book: Terra
Author: Gretchen Powell
Format: E-Book
Pages: 236
Source: Provided for Review for the tour.
Terra on Goodreads

Blurb:

A broken and desolate Earth. A young girl struggling to survive. A lost boy with a powerful secret.

A discovery that will change everything.

In the distant wake of a plague that has decimated the Earth's population, humanity is split in two: The rich and powerful live in skycities that float overhead, while those who remain on the ground have gathered in settlements strewn across a dying planet. Eighteen-year-old Terra Rhodon is a terrestrial--a denizen of the barren groundworld--who makes her living as a scav. Long abandoned by her father, her caregivers gone, Terra supports herself and her younger brother, Mica, by scouring the earth for discarded scraps and metals to recycle for profit. One day, while on a routine scavenging run, she discovers something that shocks her home settlement of Genesis X-16. When the value of her discovery is revealed, Terra's world is turned upside down.

Terra suddenly finds herself asking questions no one will answer. Her search for the truth leads her to Adam--a beguiling skydweller unlike any she has ever met. But Adam has secrets and a quest of his own, and with him by her side, the world Terra thought she knew begins to unravel. Soon her discoveries unearth a terrifying conspiracy that has the potential to shatter everything--a revelation that will test the bonds of loyalty, family, and love.

The first book in debut author Gretchen Powell's anticipated Terrestrials series, Terra catapults you through a story filled with blood-pumping action, intrigue, and surprising twists that will both wrench and warm your heart. As the hidden truths of this world unfold, new dangers that loom on the horizon are sure to leave you waiting breathlessly for the sequel.

 

 

My Rating:

 

When I read the description of this book I knew I had to join the tour for this book. A destroyed Earth? Yes! I love any kind of dystopian where the Earth has been severely compromised or destroyed and this book ended up blowing me away.

 

The whole storyline just drew me in. I was never bored and constantly wondering what would happen next. There were a couple surprises that I did not see coming, and I loved every minute of it. The characters who live on the ground and not in the skycities are stuggling day by day just to survive and something about that just made them seem more real. The things they deal with make you feel exactly how they do while they fight just to live another day.

 

The setting was another great element of the story. Instead of living in regular cities the people who live on the ground live in little settlements that were set up after a plague wiped out the world and after a sky city fell to Earth. You are really shown the hardships these people face from having to scavenge for materials to recycle just to earn enough credits to feed their families to having to get rations to last for a set amount of time all while dealing with elements that could kill them at any moment.

 

I loved the characters in this story. Terra was strong and knew how to take care of herself. She did what she had to just to keep herself and the little brother she was taking care of alive. She puts off her own needs to make sure her brother has what he needs for school so he may have a better life than she did. Her brother Mica was humorous and a regular teenager despite living the way they did. He loved his sister and was quite intelligent. Then there was Adam. The happy guy who was really mysterious and aloof but all around nice to everyone he met. He put everyone at ease and was really swoon worthy.

 

All in all I really enjoyed this book, it had the right amounts of mystery and romance but didn't take away from the dystopian feel of the book. If you have a chance to read this go for it, you won't regret it. I can't wait for the next book in this series!

 

 

Author Bio:

 

Gretchen Powell grew up in far-off places. She is 24 years old, half-Chinese, and the owner of two adorable miniature schnauzers. They wear many sweaters.

By day, she types and types (and types and types) for personal, professional, and cathartic purposes.

By night, she binges on episodes of Doctor Who and sleeps fitfully.

Sometime in the mid-afternoon, she writes a blog, called "Honey, I Shrunk the Gretchen!" about food, fitness, and her life.

She loves words. And Harry Potter. And especially the words IN Harry Potter.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Author Links:

Gretchen Powell's Blog

Enter This Giveaway Gretchen Powell's Website

Gretchen Powell's Facebook

Gretchen Powell's Twitter

Gretchen Powell's Goodreads Author Page



 

 

 

 

 



Elsie Chapman Virtual Visit to Random Buzzers(Feb. 25-March 1)

 

 Hi guys! February 25th-March 1st Elsie Chapman the author of the soon to be released novel Dualed will be visiting Random Buzzers and will be answering questions asked by you! Not only is this a great opportunity to ask her questions but there is also a chance that you can win an ARC of Dualed just by asking a question. You can go to the board to ask your questions here.

 

 

Dualed (Ambuzzador Review)

Book: Dualed
Author: Elsie Chapman
Format: ARC
Pages: 291
Source: Received from Random House through the Random Buzzers Ambuzzador Program.

Blurb:

You or your Alt? Only one will survive.

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 YA 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 Rating:

When I saw that there was a chance to join the Ambuzzador program at RandomBuzzers I had to jump on the opportunity right away seeing as I had been wanting to read this one for a while, I hurried up and filled out my application and then kept wondering if I would get selected. Well, I did and I am so happy that I got a chance to read this book because I absolutely loved it.

 

The description of this book is what drew me to it in the first place. The whole idea of having someone out there who looks just like you and shares the same DNA but grows up under a different set of parents was intriguing. Then you throw in the fact that they get assignments to kill their alternates and whoever is the winner gets to become a useful part of society, this just brings the book to a whole other level.

 

I loved West. She was intelligent and strong even though she didn't see it in the beginning. When it came down to the one person she wanted to protect she would risk everything. I admit I was unhappy with a lot of West's decisions early on in the novel, I just wanted her to finish off her Alternate and be happy. Of course that wouldn't have made a very good story so looking back now I am pleased that she went through all of the issues and trials that she did. Then we have Chord, the boy that West has known for a long time due to the fact that he's best friends with her brother. When it came time for West to complete her assignment, Chord was there every step of the way trying to help her in any way that he could even though West was not very kind about it.

 

The action in this novel is intense. I found myself on the edge of my seat as I was reading, eager to see how things would turn out. There were moments where things were extremely emotional and then there were moments when you couldn't help but be angry. Though the romance doesn't take a major role in this novel, it is still there and it is extremely sweet.

 

I received this ARC through the Random Buzzers Ambuzzador program, this did not effect my thoughts or opinions in anyway.

 

 

 







Something Like Fate (Review)

Book: Something Like Fate
Author: Susane Colasanti
Format: Paperback
Pages: 268
Source: Borrowed from the library.

Blurb:

Lani and Erin are bonded for life. One thing that connects them is their fascination of fate. Lani wonders how much of our lives has already been decided and how much we can actually influence. Since the Unknown can unexpectedly change our lives forever, how much can we really control?

From the minute Lani meets Jason, she can't deny the intense connection they share. It feels like she's known him forever. She's not sure if he feels it, too. But it doesn't matter. Because Jason is Erin's boyfriend. Lani is determined to ignore her feelings for Jason, no matter how powerful they are, rather than risk hurting her best friend.

How long can Lani keep running from the boy who might be her destiny?

 

 

My Rating:

 

 

Orange Rhombus.

Sky blue Triangle.

Red Circle.

 

No clue what I'm talking about? Well the characters, Lani and Jason, think different kinds of water taste like this. Evian tastes like sky blue triangles and Poland Spring tastes like red circles. Don't believe me, check pages 98 and 99 in the paperback.

 

If that wasn't ridiculous enough, half of the dialogue between Jason and Lani sounds like it belongs in the seventies. Who says "Far Out" anymore? Oh and Lani talks to her shopping cart. Just saying. That's kind of weird.

 

The talk of Fate throughout this book really got on my nerves. They live in a small town, where as children they would probably run into each other and just because that happened, they were "meant to be together" or because they like the same thing it's "Fate". It got to the point, where I didn't want to even finish the book. If I never hear the word Fate again in my entire life it will be too soon.

 

The characters were just so unlikeable. Erin was vain and self centered, everything in the entire world revolved around her. Lani had too much of an obsession with Fate and took everything to extremes. And Jason, he was just plain annoying. The conversations the characters had throughout the novel were unrealistic and extremely weird.

 

The only two characters who had potential were Connor and Blake and there just wasn't enough of them in the story, if there had been maybe it wouldn't have been so bad. They seemed like they were only there to move the main character along and when they weren't needed they disappeared.

 

So overall, this book was a bust for me. The premise of the book sounded like it could be interesting, but it just never delivered.

 

 

 



2013 Random Buzzers Ambuzzador: Referal Codes!.

Hi guys!

So I am an Ambuzzador for Spring 2013 on the awesome site Random Buzzers. This means I'll be promoting the totally amazing book Dualed by Elsie Chapman. (Which I already finished so keep a look out for my review)

In my Ambuzzador kit I received 5 referal cards that have a special code on the back, these can be used to sign up on Random Buzzers and when you use this code you will automatically receive 20,000 buzz bucks, which are points you earn on the site to purchase books, this is enough to get you a free book and who doesn't enjoy a free book? The totally awesome thing is, the site will be putting books aside at some point for the new users who sign up with these cards so they can have first choice, you will need to be logged in to see them.

Not only are there free books you can "purchase" but there are also author chats, quizzes and different activities for you to complete. You can even win Advanced Reader Copies of books written by visiting authors! Almost everything you do on there from commenting to quizzes/activities earns you buzz bucks to put towards books in the buzz store!

These codes are only available for those of you who are not already on the site since they have to be used when you sign up.

The first 5 (FIVE) people to comment with your email addresses in the comments below will receive an email from me with a special code to join with.

The Boy Recession (Review)

Book: The Boy Recession
Author: Flynn Meaney
Format: Hardcover
Pages: 246
Source: Borrowed from the Library

Blurb:

The population of Whitefish Bay, Wisconsin, is shrinking as families move to cities and towns with greener pastures, and the local high school is hurting: nearly all of the area's most eligible guys have moved or transferred schools.

With little competition, the remaining boys find their stocks on the rise, and even the most unlikely candidates have a good chance at making the team and getting the girl. Guitar-strumming slacker HUNTER FAHRENBACH has made an art of blending into the background, but now desperate coaches are recruiting him and popular girls are noticing his scruffy good looks. With a little help, Hunter might even by boyfriend material...

Down-to-earth KELLY ROBBINS has a simple wish for her junior year: "one normal, nice boy to crush on." Kelly and Hunter have always been friends, but is there something more to their platonic relationship? And can Kelly overcome the odds? After all, dating is hard enough without a four-to-one ratio.

 

My Rating:

 

 

**I've gone back and forth between 3 and 4 stars and I really don't know which to choose. I liked the story I just had some issues with it.** 

 

This book was pretty cute and I found it to be a quick read. I did like the book. It was pretty short and at times was pretty funny. I found myself laughing at times because of some of the things the characters said. I just wish the characters and the romance could have been a little more developed.

 

A lot of the characters were either annoying, just plain nasty or completely clueless. I think the only one I really liked was Hunter. He was funny and did his own thing without caring what anybody thought. When he wanted to do something he did it and when he didn't want to do something he wouldn't. I wish the other characters could have been more like that instead. I found Kelly to be a little too whiny and she tended to get on my nerves. She was always unhappy about something, whether it was not having a boyfriend or even when she did have a boyfriend, who was totally sweet and polite, she wasn't happy because it wasn't Hunter, who already had a girlfriend!

 

The romance in this novel seemed a little forced as well. The characters go from only being friends and talking occasionally to full on crushing on each other in a few days. That really bothered me. It's like nobody put any thought into romance but then just decided to put two characters together just for the fun of it.

 

All in all it was a cute book. I liked it for the most part once I could get past the issues that I had with the story, characters etc. I really wish that I could have enjoyed it a little more.

 

 

 

Racing California (ARC Review)

Book: Racing California
Author: Janet Nichols Lynch
Format: ARC
Pages: 182
Source: Received through ARCycling

Blurb:

Evan is shocked when the famous Tour de France winner Dash Shipley asks him to join his team for the Amgen Tour of California. It changes all his priorities. Instead of focusing on finishing high school and moving on to college, Evan is caught up in an amazing cycling race filled with spectacular triumphs, bitter disappointments, and allegations that Dash is using performance-enhancing drugs. There is no shortage of thrilling sports action in this YA novel about a gifted athlete who surprises everyone, especially himself, in his first pro event.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

My Rating:

 

I really am not a big fan of sports novels, nor do I follow pro cycling, but that didn't stop me from enjoying this novel. It's about a regular highschool kid who gets the chance of a lifetime to take part in a cycling race around California on his hero's team. If you're like me and don't know anything about cycling or the terms used in the sport, you don't have to worry about becoming lost because the book makes it easy to understand.

 

By the time that the race took place I found myself excited to find out what happened next and how it would all end. The race itself in this novel was exciting and I was on the edge of my seat rooting for Evan and the pro athlete's that had him on their team. The novel does have some twists that I didn't see coming and they really added to the overall story.

 

I had a few issues with the beginning of this book. It starts out pretty slowly and I found myself trying to push my way through it. I didn't want to continue through the first half and I came pretty close to putting the book down and not finishing. I am pretty glad I stuck with it though. Another thing that I didn't like was the fact that Evan was pretty dramatic. It's like when something bad would happen to him, everyone was trying to crush his dreams and that really bothered me. He also put racing ahead of everything else, like his girlfriend, school and even his parents and that seemed kind of immature.

 

Overall, this book was quick read. Cycling and Non-cycling fans alike will find themselves understanding the story and enjoying the action that the Tour of California brings.

 

 

 



 



The Summer I Turned Pretty (Review)

Book: The Summer I Turned Pretty
Author: Jenny Han
Format: Paperback
Pages: 276
Source: Purchased

Blurb:

Belly measures her life in summers. Everything good, everything magical happens between the months of June and August. Winters are simply a time to count the weeks until the next summer, a place away from the beach house, away from Susannah, and most importantly, away from Jeremiah and Conrad. They are the boys that Belly has known since her very first summer--they have been her brother figures, her crushes, and everything in between. But one summer, one terrible and wonderful summer, the more everything changes, the more it all ends up just the way it should have been all along.

 

 

 

 

My Rating:

This book is another one that sat on my shelf ever since July 2012 and I wish I read it right away. This would have been a great book to read on vacation since it's a quick light read. This is the perfect summer book.

The story revolves around Belly and her life once she's at the beach house she goes to every summer with her mom, brother, her mothers best friend and her mothers friend's two sons. She has had a crush on the one brother, Conrad for as long as she can remember but she finally decides that this summer will be different and she will move on from him. For a while she does a really good job even meeting a nice guy who is on vacation as well. Of course it can't be that simple. It's not summer without at least a little drama.

For the most part I really liked Belly. She was a nice girl who just wanted her summer to be great. She did get on my nerves sometimes with all of the switching back and forth between guys and the complaining, but it was manageable. The two brothers, Jeremiah and Conrad are completely different from one another. Where Jeremiah is funny and open, Conrad is serious and aloof. Jeremiah is always there trying to make Belly laugh and likes to be goofing off and Conrad prefers to spend time alone and hide in the background.

The romance in this book was sweet and not over the top. It didn't really take away the fact that other things were happening in this story. There are parts that are serious and heartbreaking and it is portrayed in that way and not lightened just for the sake of it being a summer book. The guys are swoon worthy and no matter which one you decide you like better they are both great picks!

 



The Voice Book Blitz

Title:The Voice
Author:
 Jennifer Anne Davi
Genre: YA Contemporary
Publication date: January 29th, 2013
Add The Voice on Goodreads

Synopsis:

During her abduction and assault, Audrey begins to hear a voice. She hopes she’s not going crazy, because after what she’s experienced, that’s the most logical explanation. However, as she begins to listen to the voice, Audrey realizes that someone may be telepathically trying to help her.

Unfortunately, rescue isn’t all she needs. In order to leave behind the constant reminders, she flees to her Aunt Kate’s house in San Diego, and assumes a new identity. It works—until the eighteen-year-old twin boys who live next door threaten to break through the protective walls she’s worked so hard to build.

Between Caleb going out of his way to befriend her and Justin avoiding her at all costs, Audrey doesn’t know if normalcy will ever find her again. But one thing is certain: When a familiar danger resurfaces, it’s the same voice that she turns to—a voice that is not only real, but a lot closer than she realizes.

Gripping and tastefully told, The Voice is a story of healing, trust, and courage.

 

 

AUTHOR BIO

 

Jennifer Anne Davis

Jennifer graduated from the University of San Diego with a degree in English and a teaching credential. Afterwards, she married her high school sweetheart, worked as a legal assistant, and taught high school English. Jennifer is currently a full-time writer and mother of three young children. Her days are spent living in imaginary worlds and fueling her own kids’ creativity.
The Voice is her first novel.
Visit Jennifer online at her website

Author Links:

Jennifer Anne Davis' Website

Jennifer Anne Davis' Goodreads Page

Jennifer Anne Davis' Facebook Page

Jennifer Anne Davis' Twitter