Thursday, May 30, 2013

{YA Mini Review} Divergent by Veronica Roth

 {YA Mini Review} Divergent by Veronica Roth


In Beatrice Prior's dystopian Chicago world, society is divided into five factions, each dedicated to the cultivation of a particular virtue--Candor (the honest), Abnegation (the selfless), Dauntless (the brave), Amity (the peaceful), and Erudite (the intelligent). On an appointed day of every year, all sixteen-year-olds must select the faction to which they will devote the rest of their lives. For Beatrice, the decision is between staying with her family and being who she really is--she can't have both. So she makes a choice that surprises everyone, including herself.

During the highly competitive initiation that follows, Beatrice renames herself Tris and struggles alongside her fellow initiates to live out the choice they have made. Together they must undergo extreme physical tests of endurance and intense psychological simulations, some with devastating consequences. As initiation transforms them all, Tris must determine who her friends really are--and where, exactly, a romance with a sometimes fascinating, sometimes exasperating boy fits into the life she's chosen. But Tris also has a secret, one she's kept hidden from everyone because she's been warned it can mean death. And as she discovers unrest and growing conflict that threaten to unravel her seemingly perfect society, she also learns that her secret might help her save those she loves . . . or it might destroy her. 

{Details} Paperback, 487 pages, Published February 28th 2012 by Katherine Tegen Books (first published May 3rd 2011). Source: library

{Rating} 4/5

{Review}
What to say about Divergent that hasn't already been said? Probably nothing but I'll still put my two cents in. There's so much to love about this story: Tris, Four, Roth's world, her writing, her willingness to push her characters to their limits.

Roth immerses us in her divided world. It's harsh and unforgiving, much like Tris's new faction. Tris. Loved Tris. When we first meet Tris she's the very last person I'd picture as a warrior. But she surprises us, over and over again as she shows us her strength, her bravery, how one person can change everything. Four was intriguing. We don't see nearly enough of him in my opinion, but he was a great hero and a match for Tris’s awesomeness in every way.

One thing I both loved and hated was Roth's ruthlessness. She doesn't screw around, she doesn't coddle her readers or shelter her characters from pain. There is loss and betrayal and grief.


Wednesday, May 29, 2013

|| Amazon Free E-Book Alert ||

Intrinsical (The Yara Silva Trilogy) by Lani Woodland 

 Sixteen-year-old Yara Silva has always known that ghosts walk alongside the living. Her grandma, like the other females in her family, is a Waker, someone who can see and communicate with ghosts. Yara grew up watching her grandmother taunted and scorned for this unusual ability and doesn't want that to be her future. She has been dreading the day when she too would see ghosts, and is relieved that the usually dominant Waker gene seems to have skipped her, letting her live a normal teenage life. However, all that changes for Yara on her first day at her elite boarding school when she discovers the gene was only lying dormant. She witnesses a dark mist attack Brent, a handsome fellow student, and rushes to his rescue. Her act of heroism draws the mist's attention, and the dark spirit begins stalking her. Yara finds herself entrenched in a sixty-year-old curse that haunts the school, threatening not only her life, but the lives of her closest friends as well. Yara soon realizes that the past she was trying to put behind her isn't going to go quietly. (Goodreads)

Loved this book. Go pick it up, it's free on Amazon


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Please, please check price before you push 'buy']

"Waiting On" Wednesday 5/29/13

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, created by Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

This week I'm waiting on: 

The Academy Game On by Monica Seles
Release date: June 4, 2013
GoodreadsAmazon
The Academy is an International Sports Mecca for teen athletes of all sports. There are only two ways in. Deep pockets or enough talent to score a scholarship.

Young tennis star Maya's dreams have finally come true when she earns a scholarship to The Academy. Plucked from her small town, Maya moves to the sports training facility/boarding school to (hopefully) start the beginning of her pro career. But Maya's fantasy of The Academy doesn't quite match the reality. Because where there are hot, talented teens, there's a lot of drama. Meet the players:

Cleo: Maya's rebel/punk roommate who is nearing the top of the golf world.
Renee: The gorgeous swimmer with enough money to buy her way into The Academy.
Nicole: A tennis star who feels threatened by Maya (but she'd never admit it).
Travis: The son of The Academy owner--perfectly groomed to be the next NFL star.
Jake: Travis' younger brother--the bad boy to his brother's good.
What are you waiting on?

Tuesday, May 28, 2013

Teaser Tuesday

 



Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:
• Grab your current read(s)
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) -- or more -- “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)

My teasers:

"Wear the blue shirt and your Tommy Hilfiger's."
"Which blue one? I have two now, thanks to you."
"I was getting sick of the green. It was like your wardrobe was varying shades of a lawn. I was beginning to wonder if I should help you with your fashion or mow you."


"She'd tried to talk first, and so had he, their words tumbling into one another like bumper cars until she made him sit down across from her, and they each took a deep breath, laughing without any good reason except that there was a rare kind of joy in this, being here together again."
page 254, This Is What Happy Looks Like by Jennifer E Smith


"I'll have the steak, medium rare." He smiled softly at me. "What are you having?" He took a swig of water.
He thought he was so cool and funny. "Apparently sausage."

page 192, On Dublin Street by Samantha Young

{Historical Romance Novella Mini Review} A Delightful Arrangement by Cecilia Gray

{Historical Romance Novella Mini Review} A Delightful Arrangement by Cecilia Gray


Phillip has a duty to marry Francesca. He has always protected his former neighbor and childhood companion, and now that she is of marriageable age, he will give her what she needs most - a real home where she is welcome and wanted.

Unfortunately for him....she is done with being dutiful.

After years of being an obedient daughter to a hateful father, Francesca jumps into her first Season. Francesca is ready to dance every dance, flirt with every bachelor and snatch what she wants most - a man she loves who will make her swoon.

Unfortunately for her...he now sees making her swoon as his duty, too.

And Phillip takes his duties very seriously.
(Blurb from Goodreads)
{Details}: Published September 3rd 2011, The Alpha Division, LLC, 134 pages. Source: Amazon
{Stars} 4/5
{Review} A charming historical romance. I love friends into lovers stories. I like the idea of the history, the shared experiences, the story of them becoming more.

I couldn't help but adore Franny and Phillip. Franny wants more than an arranged marriage. Phillip is her friend, a protector, someone she feels safe with, but she wants to dance and dress up and fall in love. She wants to swoon. She wants a man who can make her swoon, never imagining that Phillip could be that man.

Though Phillip always knew that he was to marry Franny, to give her a home and a family, he also wants her to be happy and agrees to let her have her season, still determined that she'll be his.  And when Phillip realizes Franny is more than just a friend... well, go and read the first paragraph of chapter 5.

It's a novella so there isn't a lot of story development, for example we don't get to know more of Franny's past and her relationship with her father and there aren't really many interactions with secondary characters but overall I thought A Delightful Arrangement was a delightful read.

Sunday, May 26, 2013

Stacking The Shelves (2)

Stacking The Shelves, a weekly meme from Tynga's Reviews, where I write, and squee, about the books I've added to my physical and virtual shelves, what I've read, and what I'm planning to read

 :: Read This Week :: 

This Is What Happy Looks Like by Jennifer E Smith
Arclight by Josin L McQuein 
On Dublin Street by Samantha Young
It Happened One Bite by Lydia Dare
Bound by Blood (Cauld Ane Series) by Tracey Jane Jackson
Fastball by V.K. Sykes
Samson's Lovely Mortal by Tina Folsom
Wolf Creek Alpha by Jo Ellen
Silvers Alpha by Samantha Bates
For Their Happiness by Jayton Young
The Matchmaker's Mark by Regan Black
Offside by Juliana Stone
Blood Rush by Katie Lee O'Guinn

:: Reviewed ::

 

:: Acquired ::

:: Up Next ::

Cinder by Marissa Meyer
Cold Fury by T.M. Goeglein
Masque of the Red Death by Bethany Griffin
The Immortal Rules by Julie Kagawa
The Collector by Victoria Scott
Forged by Greed by Angela Orlowski-Peart

Friday, May 24, 2013

|| Amazon Free E-Books Alert ||



 Blue Violet & Hyacinth, Svatura Series books 1 & 2 by Abigail Owen


[Price subject to change without warning. 
Please, please check price before you push 'buy']

Thursday, May 23, 2013

{NA Review} Shifting Shadows (Sparks Collide #1) by Amanda Kelly

{NA Review} Shifting Shadows (Sparks Collide #1) by Amanda Kelly

Party boy and werewolf, Jay Dellarson is stunned when his uncle hires a human to be his newest assistant. Kira Franklin is a sheltered girl with a mysterious past who’s finally taking charge of her life. When Jay and his pack begin to spend more time with the new girl in town, things start to unravel. Kira fights to keep her secrets hidden but when she finds out the truth of the town’s inhabitants it puts her in greater danger than ever before. While discovery of the werewolves’ secrets is dangerous, it’s discovery of Kira’s secrets that could place everyone in the middle of a vicious war.
(Blurb from Goodreads)

{Details}: Published January 20, 2013, 217 pages. Source: Amazon

{Stars} 3/5, if I gave half points it would definitely be a 3.5/5

{Review}

Kira is a girl you'd want to be friends with. She's smart, she's loyal and protective. She's a fighter, she's not going to sit back and let anyone walk over her. And it turns out she's pretty kick ass.

Jay is likable despite his many faults. He's immature and self-destructive but Kelly gets us to understand why and even sympathize with him. I tend to like the screwed up characters, they've got the most opportunity for growth. Throughout the book Kelly sets up the circumstances for that growth, where he's faced with a real challenge and we get to see who he really is.

While there was a romantic element most of the story was about Jay and Kira finding their way through difficult times, become friends and facing challenges to their relationship.

While I did like the alternating POVs, I had trouble at times with the story. I felt like explanations are missing, like I should have known something I didn't. I also found that there was more telling than showing and a big ole information dump when Jay introduces us to his friends. There were quite a few grammatical and punctuation issues, e.g. you/you're, misplaced or missing punctuation. I'm pretty tolerant but if it irritates you, beware.

I'm definitely keeping an eye out for book #2, Forming Darkness and book #3, Shaping Illumination.  I'm excited to find out what happens next!

Wednesday, May 22, 2013

"Waiting On" Wednesday 5/22/13

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, created by Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

This week I'm waiting on: 



After Eden by Helen Douglas
Release date: July 4, 2013
GoodreadsAmazon
Eden Anfield loves puzzles, so when mysterious new boy Ryan Westland shows up at her school she's hooked. On the face of it, he's a typical American teenager. So why doesn't he recognise pizza? And how come he hasn't heard of Hitler? What puzzles Eden the most, however, is the interest he's taking in her.

As Eden starts to fall in love with Ryan, she begins to unravel his secret. Her breakthrough comes one rainy afternoon when she stumbles across a book in Ryan's bedroom - a biography of her best friend - written over fifty years in the future. Confronting Ryan, she discovers that he is there with one unbelievably important purpose ... and she might just have destroyed his only chance of success.
What are you waiting on?

Tuesday, May 21, 2013

Teaser Tuesday

 



Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:
• Grab your current read(s)
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) -- or more -- “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)

My teasers:

"I'm here because of her? That woman is..." Kylie leaned closer, almost as if whispering might make it less of an insult. "She's a few fries short of a Happy Meal."


"Honoria's arranged something special for you kids at first meal. You don't want to miss the surprise."
Yes I do.
Unexpected variables rarely prove to be good for me. They lead to running and screaming and things that can kill me, so talk of something mysterious waiting in the Common Hall isn't an incentive to get there any faster.

Monday, May 20, 2013

{YA Review} Alice in Zombieland by Gena Showalter

{YA Review} Alice in Zombieland by Gena Showalter


She won’t rest until she’s sent every walking corpse back to its grave. Forever.

Had anyone told Alice Bell that her entire life would change course between one heartbeat and the next, she would have laughed. From blissful to tragic, innocent to ruined? Please. But that’s all it took. One heartbeat. A blink, a breath, a second, and everything she knew and loved was gone.

Her father was right. The monsters are real….

To avenge her family, Ali must learn to fight the undead. To survive, she must learn to trust the baddest of the bad boys, Cole Holland. But Cole has secrets of his own, and if Ali isn’t careful, those secrets might just prove to be more dangerous than the zombies….

I wish I could go back and do a thousand things differently.
I'd tell my sister no.
I'd never beg my mother to talk to my dad.
I'd zip my lips and swallow those hateful words.
Or, barring all of that, I'd hug my sister, my mom and my dad one last time.
I'd tell them I love them.
I wish... Yeah, I wish.
(Blurb from Goodreads)

{Details}: Harlequin Teen, Released September 25, 2012, 404 pages. Source: Library

{Stars} 4/5

{Review} Alice in Zombieland started slow. Sad. I could see where it was going, I could see the train wreck at the end of the tunnel. So I put the book down and moved onto something less ... sad. But I picked it up again the next day and I'm so glad I did, by the time I was 10% in, I was hooked.

Poor lost Alice. She leaves everything behind, even her name. She can't be Alice, can't be anything she was before. Though Ali has lost everything she's brave. She's afraid but chooses to fight anyway, to confront the monsters in the dark. And she refuses to back down for anyone, which made me cheer her on. I'm glad that Showalter gave Ali Kat, a supportive and caring friend. Kat is awesome in her own right and an awesome friend for Ali, she brings levity to an otherwise dark story.

Cole. Loved Cole. Really loved Cole. Hot, skilled, complex. He's got depth, we see it in the way he cares for his friends, in the way he cares for Ali.

Showalter is a skilled storyteller. Her writing was snappy, descriptive and the story never lagged. She also isn't afraid of causing trauma, emotional and physical, to her characters. There was a large supporting cast but they are memorable. They retained their distinct personalities instead of becoming that girl who ... or that guy who ... Each character had a distinct voice.

At the end of the book we're left with questions. There was a definite ending, no cliffhangers in sight, thank goodness because I hate those, but there were unanswered questions. Questions about Ali's abilities, about Emma, about the journal, the visions. I can't wait until the next book, Through The Zombie Glass, comes out in September.

Sunday, May 19, 2013

Stacking The Shelves


Stacking The Shelves, a weekly meme from Tynga's Reviews, where I write, and squee, about the books I've added to my physical and virtual shelves, what I've read, and what I'm planning to read

 :: Read This Week This Week and Last Week ::


  • Flame Moon by K.J. Jackson (Paranormal romance)
  • Graceling by Kristin Cashore (YA)
  • Essence of the Heart (The Royal Tutor) by Daris Howard (Romance)
  • Leather, Lace and Rock-n-Roll by Mia Dymond (Romantic thriller)
  • Jaguar Sun (the Jaguar Sun Series) by Martha Bourke (YA paranormal)
  • Shadow of the Wolf (Darkness Unleashed) by RG Porter (Paranormal/Fantasy)
  • The Duke's Undoing (Three Rogues and Their Ladies) G.G. Vandagriff (Historical romance)
  • The Two Pound Chick Magnet by Kathryn Ardell (Contemporary romance)
  • Bound by Night by Amanda Ashley (Paranormal romance)
  • The Care and taming of a Rogue (The Adventurers' Club) by Suzanne Enoch (Historical Romance)
  • Shadow's Edge (A Night Prowler Novel) by J.T. Geissinger (Paranormal romance)
  • Bite Me Your Grace by Brooklyn Ann (Paranormal historical romance)
  • Living with the Bad Boy by Sharlay (YA contemporary romance)
  • Shield of the Gods (Aigis Trilogy) by S.M. Welles (YA/NA fantasy)
  • The Reluctant Bachelorette by Rachael Anderson (Contemporary romance)
  • Born at Midnight by C.C. Hunter (YA paranormal)
  • Alice in Zombieland (The White Rabbit Chronicles) by Gena Showalter (YA paranormal)

:: Reviewed ::


:: Acquired ::

Inescapable The Premonition Series #1 by Amy A. Bartol (Amazon) (Goodreads)

 Storm by Brigid Kemmerer (Amazon) (Goodreads)

:: Up Next ::


This Is What Happy Looks Like by Jennifer E Smith
The Rules by Stacey Kade
Arclight by Josin L McQuein
Cinder by Marissa Meyer
Cold Fury by T.M. Goeglein

Thursday, May 16, 2013

{YA Review} Taming of the Drew by Jan Gurley

{YA Review} Taming of the Drew by Jan Gurley


 “Do NOT buy this book. Stop it. Stop it right now.” --Dean Padua, Legacy High Lemurs

Are you looking for a wild, gender-bending romp of a good time? Taming of the Drew, a full-length novel, is a hilarious update of the Shakespearean classic. Drew is a hotly-recruited high school football jock, nationally known for his prep prowess. But his bad behavior is moving him fast along the path to self-destruction. Enter Kate, a band-geek fellow student who’s clueless about Drew, but is willing to do anything to save the school’s last six redwoods. Including making a hopeless deal to get football-star Drew to behave. Taming of the Drew is for any person who’s ever tried to manage someone they had no hope of controlling!
(Blurb from Goodreads)

{Details}: Press for Change Publishing, Released November 27, 2012, ebook, 420 pages (includes the full text of Shakespeare's Taming of the Shrew), Source: Amazon

{Stars} 4/5

{Review}

Kate doesn't do naked.
Pictures that is. Kate and her friends are raising money to save Redwood trees near her school, part of that effort is selling one of a kind pictures to fellow students. Kate is hired to take a picture, naked from the waist up, of 'The Dog', the captain of the football team, most popular guy in school, etc. Of course it's a disaster but that's when things start getting really interesting.

Artsy Kate and jock Drew 'The Dog' or Pitbull, a nickname that comes from his last names, Petruchio-Bullard, couldn't be further apart. Their first few interactions are awkward and cringe inducing, in other words it's all the best, or worst, of high school. At first we see little of Drew as he's taken out of his 'uni' world (filled with all the cool kids) and into 'Academy' with Kate and her friends where he has to take pilates and pottery, talk in front of the class as master the triangle in band. Slowly we get to know Drew but it's worth the wait, he's absolutely lovable despite his dogness. He actually turns out to be pretty awesome. He's a staunch defender of those around him, he's clever and kind and respectful and after that moment at his birthday party? He's perfect.

The last thing Kate expected was to care about Drew.  He was a job to her and then a way to salvation and then he was more. Kate is so torn, wanting so desperately to save her redwoods but coming to care for Drew, knowing that the deal she's made would always come between them. Kate's a less complex character, her goals and motivations are clear, but she's got a lot of learning to do as she ventures outside of her comfortable world and deals with the challenge of Drew and everything that comes with him.

The supporting cast of characters are interesting if a bit over the top. There's tiny Tio, brilliant and scatty Viola, Alex and Robin who keep us guessing, prone to blow-ups Phoebe, quiet gourmet Gonzo, crazy determined Celia and Gremio who also 'doesn't do naked'. 

There are laugh out loud moments, oh my God moments, and heart wrenching moments. Taming of the Drew is well written, clever and beautiful, filled with characters I cared about.

Wednesday, May 15, 2013

"Waiting On" Wednesday 5/15/13

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, created by Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

This week I'm waiting on: 



Spies and Prejuice by Talia Vance
Release date: June 11, 2013
GoodreadsAmazon
Fields’ Rule #1: Don’t fall for the enemy.

Berry Fields is not looking for a boyfriend. She’s busy trailing cheaters and liars in her job as a private investigator, collecting evidence of the affairs she’s sure all men commit. And thanks to a pepper spray incident during an eighth grade game of spin the bottle, the guys at her school are not exactly lining up to date her, either.

So when arrogant—and gorgeous—Tanner Halston rolls into town and calls her “nothing amazing,” it’s no loss for Berry. She’ll forget him in no time. She’s more concerned with the questions surfacing about her mother’s death.

But why does Tanner seem to pop up everywhere in her investigation, always getting in her way? Is he trying to stop her from discovering the truth, or protecting her from an unknown threat? And why can’t Berry remember to hate him when he looks into her eyes?

With a playful nod to Jane Austen, Spies and Prejudice will captivate readers as love and espionage collide.
What are you waiting on?

Monday, May 13, 2013

{YA Review} Graceling by Kristin Cashore

{YA Review} Graceling by Kristin Cashore

His eyes, Katsa had never seen such eyes. One was silver, and the other, gold. They glowed in his sun-darkened face, uneven, and strange. She was surprised that they hadn't shone in the darkness of their first meeting. They didn't seem human....

Then he raised his eyebrows a hair, and his mouth shifted into the hint of a smirk. He nodded at her, just barely, and it released her from her spell.

Cocky, she thought. Cocky and arrogant, this one, and that was all there was to make of him. Whatever game he was playing, if he expected her to join him he would be disappointed.


In a world where people born with an extreme skill—called a Grace—are feared and exploited, Katsa carries the burden of the skill even she despises: the Grace of killing. She lives under the command of her uncle Randa, King of the Middluns, and is expected to execute his dirty work, punishing and torturing anyone who displeases him.

When she first meets Prince Po, who is Graced with combat skills, Katsa has no hint of how her life is about to change.

She never expects to become Po's friend.

She never expects to learn a new truth about her own Grace—or about a terrible secret that lies hidden far away...a secret that could destroy all seven kingdoms with words alone. (Blurb via Goodreads)
{Details} Ebook (via library), 471 pages, published October 1st 2008 by Harcourt

{Rating} 4/5

{Review} A lovely book with a strong, flawed heroine, a quest and a deep and true love. Graceling is about choices. About freedom. About who we are, who we choose to be. About how other people shape us, define us. About the lengths people will go to protect themselves, to protect the people they love.

Katsa is awesome in every meaning of the word. I pitied her, cheered for her, condemned her and sympathized with her. Cashore does a good job of putting us in Katsa's head. She makes sure that we feel how Katsa's Grace isolates her and how very difficult it is for her to be close to anyone else. I thought Katsa was strong and brave and went through an incredible journey as she struggles to redefine, or define herself, and deal with falling in love and losing control and building a life.

Po is exactly what Katsa needs and exactly what the reader needs for us to see Katsa be more than the King's enforcer. He challenges her, makes her think, makes her want more. He's a complex character and we have to wait while his motivations and secrets are slowly revealed.

I loved the way Cashore developed their relationship both as friends and romantically. It's not a romance that's typical for the YA genre. It's hard and real and requires effort, sacrifice and hard earned trust. The way they love each other is a good model, they have respect and trust and understanding that's built over time and through strife and challenge. It's a real love without losing their individuality when they become 'them'.

Though there is also an epic quest I thought it took a backseat to Katsa's journey and I found myself hurrying through those pages. On the downside, I did feel that the book went slowly at times and was a bit too long. I also would have appreciated more dialog and less description but those are all minor issues.

Wednesday, May 8, 2013

"Waiting On" Wednesday 5/8/13

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, created by Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

This week I'm waiting on:  








Any Duchess Will Do (Spindle Cove) by Tessa Dare
Release date: May 28, 2013
GoodreadsAmazon
What’s a duke to do, when the girl who’s perfectly wrong becomes the woman he can’t live without?

Griffin York, the Duke of Halford, has no desire to wed this season—or any season—but his diabolical mother abducts him to “Spinster Cove” and insists he select a bride from the ladies in residence. Griff decides to teach her a lesson that will end the marriage debate forever. He chooses the serving girl.

Overworked and struggling, Pauline Simms doesn’t dream about dukes. All she wants is to hang up her barmaid apron and open a bookshop. That dream becomes a possibility when an arrogant, sinfully attractive duke offers her a small fortune for a week’s employment. Her duties are simple: submit to his mother’s “duchess training”… and fail miserably.

But in London, Pauline isn’t a miserable failure. She’s a brave, quick-witted, beguiling failure—a woman who ignites Griff’s desire and soothes the darkness in his soul. Keeping Pauline by his side won’t be easy. Even if Society could accept a serving girl duchess—can a roguish duke convince a serving girl to trust him with her heart?
What are you waiting on?

Tuesday, May 7, 2013

The Best Books Ever Box of ARCs Giveaway

The Best Books Ever 

<Giveaway Found Around The Blogosphere> 
The Best Books Ever Box of ARCs giveaway

The Best Books Ever Blog is doing a 2nd anniversary giveaway visit this post to learn about blogger Alex and enter to win a box of ARCs.

Go. Go now!

Giveaway ends 5/10/13

Monday, May 6, 2013

The Best Books Ever 'The Elite' Giveaway

The Best Books Ever 'The Elite' Giveaway

<Giveaway Found Around The Blogosphere> 
The Best Books Ever 'The Elite' Giveaway

The Best Books Ever Blog is doing a 2nd anniversary giveaway visit this post to learn about blogger Sarah and enter to win a copy of The Elite. And there are cat pictures. Who doesn't love cat pictures?

Go. Go now!

Giveaway ends 5/10/13

The Best Books Ever Box of Books

<Giveaway Found Around The Blogosphere> 
The Best Books Ever Box of Books


The Best Books Ever Blog is doing a 2nd anniversary giveaway visit this post to learn about blogger Erika and enter to win a box of books.

Go. Go now!

Giveaway ends 5/10/13

Sunday, May 5, 2013

{YA Mini Review} Rival Love by Mary Gehling

{YA Mini Review} Rival Love by Mary Gehling
Circumstances have messed up Ashlee Stones life. She didn't want to start her senior year at her towns rival school, Westview High, but she did. She didn't want to be elected co-president of Westview High but it happened. She didn't want Tanner Ryan, the rudest guy she'd ever met to be her co-president, but he was. She hated to think he was the cutest guy she'd ever seen but she did. And she certainly didn't think she'd want to go to the Fall Frolic with Tanner but she did. Ashlee is stronger than she thinks and maybe, just maybe, she can turn things around so the circumstances are in her favor.
{Details}
Kindle Edition, 1st, 147 pages, published July 10th 2012 by Mary Ann Gehling 

{Rating}
3/5  - A short, sweet story about falling in love with the enemy.

{Review}
Westview High and Carlton High have consolidated but the 'Carlies' and 'Westies' are determined not to integrate. As co-presidents 'Carlie' Ashlee and 'Westie' Tanner are supposed to work together to smooth the transition. That mission, and their relationship is challenged by misconceptions, misinterpretations, missed messages, and Tanner's perfectly horrible girlfriend.

Rival Love is well written, well edited (for a self-published work) and filled with teenage angst. Ashlee is likable and relateable as she navigates her way through the Westview halls and tries to deal with an increasingly appealing Tanner. Tanner is multi-faceted. We're never quite sure who he is, is he the jerk or is he the dream guy, something that makes him all the more interesting.