Cover Reveals

There have been a lot of really amazing cover reveals lately and I just wanted to take the time to share some of my favorites to get you guys excited for what's coming:

Through the Ever Night:

Asunder:

Everbound:

City of a Thousand Dolls:

The Nightmare Affair Giveaway

If anyone is interested J.A. Souders, the author of debut novel Renegade, is hosting a jacket reveal and giveaway of Mindee Arnett's The Nightmare Affair.

Here is the link if you want to check it out: http://jasouders.blogspot.com/2012/06/nightmare-affair-by-mindee-arnett.html

Oh and here's the cover and the link to the reveal that Tor did for it here:

Timepiece by Myra McEntire

Timepiece
Hourglass 2

Author: Myra McEntire 
Pages: 336 pgs
Genre: YA, Paranormal, Science Fiction
Release Date: June 12th 2012
Review Source: NetGalley

It took me quite a while to finally be able to read the first book in this series, and I fell in love with it. Well, when I found out that book 2 was coming out I was beyond excited to get my hands on it. Myra has completely won me over!

Things for those in the Hourglass organization are starting to change. Especially for Kaleb Ballard when he starts seeing time-travelers. He doesn't know what to do.

In one fell swoop everything goes haywire. Jack Landers, the man who tried to kill Kaleb's father, shows back up. Then the Hourglass receives an ultimatum from a dangerous group. If they can't stop Jack it could have devastating consequences for everyone.

Okay, I'll admit that at first I was a little skeptical that Timepiece was going to be in a different point of view. BUT, my mind was changed the second I started reading it. I absolutely loved Kaleb's character and wanted to keep reading him. We only get a little bit of him in Hourglass, but he comes back with a vengeance in the sequel. There's so much more to Kaleb then we originally get to see and I only wish we got more!

Things are starting to heat up in this interesting world that Myra's created. We are introduced to some of it in Hourglass and finally learn some of Jack's motives in this sequel. It's only bound to get crazier from here and I can't wait. Each power or gift is time related and I love how it's weaved into the storyline and the time continuum.

Kaleb's piece of the story in this series was just perfect and made me love him just a little bit more. He was strong to start out with, but had to find his motivation to really see beyond himself. I'm so glad that I finally got the chance to read this and am excited to see what else Myra has in store of us and her characters!    

Friday Finds and New Reads

Friday Finds and New Reads

This is where I talk about new books that really stand out to me or sound unique, and what new books I have to read or will be getting soon.

 I hope that everyone is enjoying their summer so far! It always seems to be a crazy time of the year with so much activity and fun things to do. And reading has become one of those things for me. So let's get to it.

First up today we have The Summer Prince by Alaya Dawn Johnson:

Summary: Four hundred years ago, the world ended. And now, on the coast of what was once called Brazil, women rule in the legendary pyramid city of Palmares Três. The city's Queen only cedes her power to a man once every five years -- to a Summer King, whose story will grip the city like a fever.

For June Costa, art is everything. Her brilliant creations -- from murals and holograms to a delicate pattern of lights in her skin -- have impressed (and irritated) her classmates and teachers alike. Her dream is to win the prestigious Queen's Award, and the instant fame and success that come with it. It's a dream she never questions -- until she meets Enki. Enki, the newly-elected Summer King, is the hottest thing in Palmares Três. But when June sees Enki, she sees more than piercing amber eyes and a lethal samba: She sees a fellow artist.

Together, June and Enki will create art that Palmares Três will never forget. They will add fuel to a growing rebellion against the government's strict limits on new tech. And June will fall deeply, tragically in love with Enki.

Because like all Summer Kings before him, Enki is destined to die.

I definitely wanted to read this the moment I read the description. It sounds so unique and fast paced and fun. A high fantasy world with intrigue and so much more. Oh, and isn't this cover gorgeous! I also hope that there will be more and won't just be a stand-alone *crosses fingers*

And next we have Dualed by Elsie Chapman:

Summary: Would you live through the ultimate test of survival?

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.

Not only does this have an amazing cover, but it also has a pretty fantastic premise. I'm more than a little excited about this one and can't wait to get my hands on it!

And now for some new reads:

  

 

What I am and will be reading:

Arise by Tara Hudson

Prophecy of the Sisters by Michelle Zink

Tiger Lily by Jodi Lynn Anderson

Once by Anna Carey

Storm by Brigid Kemmerer

A Breath of Eyre by Eve Marie Mont

Up for review:

Timepiece by Myra McEntire

Struck by Jennifer Bosworth

Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo  

Angel Eyes by Shannon Dittemore

Angel Eyes
Angel Eyes Trilogy 1

Author: Shannon Dittemore
Pages: 320 pgs
Genre: YA, Fantasy, Christian Fiction
Release Date: May 29th 2012
Review Source: NetGalley

I first discovered this little gem on Goodreads before there was a cover or anything. The blurb that was written sounded so cool, I knew that I had to read it. And I'm so glad that I did!

Brielle's just moved back to her hometown in Oregon. Her dream was to be a ballerina, but after witnessing a tragedy, just wants to forget.

Upon meeting the new boy in town, Jake, Brielle learns to open her mind to remarkable possibilities. With an incredible gift that makes him a target, Jake's appearance in Oregon and Brielle's life is more than happenstance. Danger looms and hope is on the horizon in a realm that only angels and demons can see... and now Brielle.

Not only is Shannon possibly one of the sweetest ladies I've met, but she also has a wonderful way of telling a story that just draws readers in. Nothing was too overwhelming or skimmed over. We got a beautiful story with flawed but strong characters and a message of hope. It's very easy to put in so much information that you can lose the flow of the story and your characters, but I didn't get that feeling with Angel Eye's and I loved it.

Shannon's world in Angel Eyes is one of fantasy, but uses Christian beliefs. Again it wasn't too overwhelming for the reader and I believed was a wonderful way to draw people in. I loved the take on angels and demons that was given and definitely can't wait for more. We get a small taste of them and I know there will be more in the rest of the trilogy.

It was refreshing to read a story about a girl struggling with feelings of guilt that wasn't dealing with it in a destructive manner. We all deal with tragedy in our own way, and Shannon showed us a girl who just wanted to forget and figure out who she was. Brielle wasn't perfect, but we got to see her grow and discover a strength in herself that she didn't know she had.

This debut was one of my favorites this year and I definitely can't wait to read the rest of the trilogy from Shannon! Her writing is beautiful and real and left me wanting more. Now I'll be sitting back and patiently, or not so patiently, waiting for book 2 (Broken Wings) to come out.

Sweet Evil by Wendy Higgins

Sweet Evil
The Sweet Trilogy 1

Author: Wendy Higgins
Pages: 454 pgs
Genre: YA, Fantasy
Release Date: May 1st 2012
Review Source: HarperTeen

Sweet Evil was an absolutely amazing debut that I could not wait to get my hands on. Not only did the premise sound interesting, but it also has an amazing cover!

Anna Whit has always been gentle and soft spoken, a good girl to the core. She can also sense to see and feel peoples emotions around her. Something she doesn't question, especially as she struggles with her own pulls.

When Kaidan Rowe comes into her life everything she thought she knew about herself is turned upside down. Anna is introduced to a world she never knew, her very nature put to the test. Anna knows what she wants, but at what cost to herself?

From the very beginning I fell in love with this story. The world that Wendy created was absolutely wonderful. Everything from the character's and story background to the history was interesting and only added to the story. It was clear that so much work was put into it. Yes there is romance and sexy scenes, but there is also a story and world that I want to learn about.

Most of the time, when I read a story, there is generally that moment when I fell like my heart leaps into my throat or I get an ache in my chest. Well, I can honestly say that as I read this particular story, I felt like I spent nearly the entire time that way. Anna and Kaidan were the perfect starcrossed lovers and my heart broke for them quite a few times. This is a testament to Wendy's fabulous writing. I have found myself so invested in these two and I want to see them happy.

I don't want to spoil anything but suffice it to say Kaidan is one sexy, swoony guy. Now, there were quite a few moments when I wanted to smack him, but he doesn't really have much of a choice. I can only hope that there will be a continuation of this amazing story (it hasn't been officially confirmed so cross your fingers) so we can find out more. Who wouldn't want more Kaidan?

Beautiful "Entice" Cover

Can I just say that I absolutely adore the U.S. cover for the second book in The Violet Eden Chapters (or The Embrace Series). It's gorgeous and makes me even more anxious to read it!

Dreamless by Josephine Angelini

Dreamless
Starcrossed 2

Author: Josephine Angelini
Pages: 487 pgs
Genre: YA, Fantasy
Release Date: May 29th 2012
Review Source: HarperTeen

Josie won me over with Starcrossed and has made an even bigger fan out of me with Dreamless. Greek mythology is possibly my favorite to read about, and the world she's created with it is just phenomenal.

As the Descender, Helen spends night after trudging through the Underworld, trying to find answers. Each day is a struggle when she returns, and with Lucas no longer in her life, making it through is even more difficult.

With the help of a new Scion, Orion, Helen finds her treks through the Underworld a little easier. Only, chaos is slowly taking over Nantucket, and the Furies cries are only adding to it. As time begins to run out, Helen, Orion, and the Delos' endeavor to stop the ancient battle. Will they be too late?

One of my favorite things about the world in this series is the beautiful character building and relationships. Not only does Josie weave an incredible story, but she also pulls you in to her characters lives. I felt like I was really able to connect with them throughout the story. I cried when they cried and I hurt when they hurt.

As you guys know, I absolutely love Greek mythology. It's just so fascinating to learn about new legends and players from that world. And the fact that Josie introduced even more gods and characters from those famous legends made this book even more wonderful for me. I even discovered a few that I wanted to do some more research on.

I don't want to give anything away, but so much happened in this book, especially in regards to Helen and Lucas, and I can't wait to find out what happens next. The build up of character interactions and introductions of new characters have only added to the intensity of the story. What Josie has in store for everybody in Goddess, book 3, is sure to be amazing and heart wrenching. Things have been set up to lead into the conclusion and I have a feeling I'll be on pins and needles until then!