Waiting on Wednesday: Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea by April Genevieve Tucholke

Waiting on Wednesday is a meme hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, which spotlights upcoming releases we are eagerly anticipating.

 

 (Coming August 2013)

You stop fearing the devil when you’re holding his hand…

Nothing much exciting rolls through Violet White’s sleepy, seaside town…until River West comes along. River rents the guesthouse behind Violet’s crumbling estate, and as eerie, grim things start to happen, Violet begins to wonder about the boy living in her backyard. Is River just a crooked-smiling liar with pretty eyes and a mysterious past? Or could he be something more? Violet’s grandmother always warned her about the Devil, but she never said he could be a dark-haired boy who takes naps in the sun, who likes coffee, who kisses you in a cemetery...who makes you want to kiss back. Violet’s already so knee-deep in love, she can’t see straight. And that’s just how River likes it.

Blending faded decadence and the thrilling dread of gothic horror, April Genevieve Tucholke weaves a dreamy, twisting contemporary romance, as gorgeously told as it is terrifying—a debut to watch.

 

 

I wanted to read this one from the moment I discovered the description and and now the cover has me even more anxious to read it! Isn't it gorgeous with the crashing waves, high cliff, and swirling letters? Oh, and the couple on the cliff add such mystery to it.

 

What are you waiting on? 

My Top Reads of 2012

I thought I'd post some of my favorites read over this year, and some that I'm anticipating for next year!

Top 10 Favorites Read in 2012:

10. Skylark by Meagan Spooner

9. Sweet Evil by Wendy Higgins

8. Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo

7. Keeper of the Lost Cities by Shannon Messenger

6. The Golden Lily Richelle Mead

5. Entice by Jessica Shirvington

4. Clockwork Prince by Cassandra Clare

3. The Crown of Embers by Rae Carson

2. Insurgent by Veronica Roth

1. Cinder by Marissa Meyer

Top 10 Favorite Debuts of 2012:

10. The Gathering Storm by Robin Bridges

9. Insignia by S.J. Kincaid

8. Keeper of the Lost Cities by Shannon Messenger

7. Skylark by Meagan Spooner

6. Incarnate by Jodi Meadows

5. Shadow and Bone by Leight Bardugo

4. Everneath by Brodi Ashton

3.Under the Never Sky by Veronica Rossi

2. Cinder by Marissa Meyer

1. Embrace by Jessica Shirvington

Top 10 Published in 2012 to-read list for 2013:

10. The Dark Light by Sara Walsh

9. Falling Kingdoms by Morgan Rhodes

8. Venom by Fiona Paul

7. Rift by Andrea Cremer

6. Seraphina by Rachel Hartman

5. The Evolution of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin

4. Beautiful Redemption by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl

3. Finale by Becca Fitzpatrick

2. Reached by Ally Condie

1. Days of Blood and Starlight by Laini Taylor

Top Anticipated 2013 Releases:

10. If I Should Die by Amy Plum

9. Goddess by Josephine Angelini

8. Boundless by Cynthia Hand

7. Everbound by Brodi Ashton

6. Through the Ever Night by Veronica Rossi

5. Asunder by Jodi Meadows

4. The Madman's Daughter by Megan Shepard

3. Unravel Me by Tahereh Mafi

2. Shadows in the Silence by Courtney Allison Moulton

1. Scarlet by Marissa Meyer

What are your favorites?

Waiting on Wednesday: Sweet Peril by Wendy Higgins

Waiting on Wednesday is a meme hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, which spotlights upcoming releases we are eagerly anticipating.

 

(Coming April 2013) (Sweet Trilogy #2)

  

Anna Whitt, the daughter of a guardian angel and a demon, promised herself she’d never do the work of her father—polluting souls. She’d been naive to make such a vow. She’d been naive about a lot of things.

Haunted by demon whisperers, Anna does whatever she can to survive, even if it means embracing her dark side and earning an unwanted reputation as her school’s party girl. Her life has never looked more bleak. And all the while there’s Kaidan Rowe, son of the Duke of Lust, plaguing her heart and mind.

When an unexpected lost message from the angels surfaces, Anna finds herself traveling the globe with Kopano, son of Wrath, in an attempt to gain support of fellow Nephilim and give them hope for the first time. It soon becomes clear that whatever freedoms Anna and the rest of the Neph are hoping to win will not be gained without a fight. Until then, Anna and Kaidan must put aside the issues between them, overcome the steamiest of temptations yet, and face the ultimate question: is loving someone worth risking their life?

 

I fell in love with the first book when we didn't know for sure if the series would continue. And now, I can't wait for this second one! I love Anna and the great emotions that Wendy had in Sweet Evil and am so excited to see what's going to happen in Sweet Peril *squee*

Merry Christmas!

I just wanted to wish everyone a Merry Christmas! This is a time to cherish your family and loved one's, so even if you don't celebrate I hope that you take the time to hold your loved one's close.

Merry Christmas!

Princess of the Silver Woods by Jessica Day George

Princess of the Silver Woods

Princess 3

Author: Jessica Day George  
Pages: 336 pgs
Genre: YA, Fantasy
Release Date: December 11th 2012
Review Source: Bloomsbury

When I first started reading this, I didn't realize that it was a part of a trilogy, or the last one, but that was okay. I could still keep up and things were explained enough that I knew what was going on.

Princess Petunia is the youngest of King Gregor's twelve daughters and she finds herself on a trip to visit a friend, welcoming the change.

But her journey doesn't go as expected when her carriage is stopped by some wolves. Wolves who just so happen to have two legs and open her eyes to an injustice she'd never known. As her journey continues, Petunia discovers things she thought that she and her sisters had laid to rest.

Though I came in a little late, I found that for the most part I could figure out what was going on. Petunia's story for the most part was linked with one of the wolves, a handsome boy named Oliver, who robbed royal carriages, including hers.

But the big part was what's happened in the previous two books. The girls, forced to dance each night for years in a magical kingdom, were being forced to marry the princes and king of Under Stone. Promises had been made and magic was being expended to get them there.

With the help of Oliver, the princess husbands, and the princesses themselves, they have to figure out a way to stop their captors. And it's a nonstop adventure to figure out if they'll be able to do it in time. This was a fun, sweet story that I really enjoyed and I think others will too (especially if they read the rest of the series...)

Jessica Day George
Website | Facebook | Goodreads

The Crown of Embers by Rae Carson

The Crown of Embers

Fire and Thorns 2

Author: Rae Carson  
Pages: 410 pgs
Genre: YA, Fantasy, 
Release Date: September 18th 2012
Review Source: Harper Collins

I read the first book in this series last year and was definitely intrigued, but after hearing my sisters take and reading this one for myself, I completely fell in love with this series!

Now the Elisa is Queen, she is under even more scrutiny to get things just right. Especially since she is only seventeen. There are also very few she feel she can trust: Hector, her royal guard, and her companions from her adventures previously.

On a new adventure, Elisa has to discover some of the secrets of her Godstone and figure out a way to defeat her enemy as Queen. Danger, romance, and new powers await Elisa on her quest for answers.

Some people have said that they usually find sequels to be a little disappointing, but I can say that wasn't the case with this one! Rae Carson did a phenomenal job of bringing this world to life and showing Elisa growth. There was just something more to it that drew me in and I hated to put it down, or to even reach the end.

Elisa not only had to begin seeing herself in a different light after losing all of the wait that she did in The Girl of Fire and Thorns, but she also had to begin seeing herself as Queen. She wanted to do right by her people, but not let those in her council try to steal the crown from. Her journey to discover who she was just as Queen was wonderful to see.

But the best part was her discovery of the power her Godstone could hold and want it meant for her to defeat her enemies. She'd only had a vague idea of the potential and now there's a fabulous setup for the last book, The Bitter Kingdom. Her Godstone is a big part of who she is and why she's chosen to do the things that she is, but it's also only part of who she is and the growth she has yet to make.

My sister and I spent quite a bit of time talking about this particular book and it was fun to get her take on it. But now we have to wait for the last book, which is exciting and sad. I will hate to see this series come to an end, but am excited to find out just what Rae has in store for us!

Rae Carson
Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

Waiting on Wednesday: Emblaze by Jessica Shirvington

Waiting on Wednesday is a meme hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, which spotlights upcoming releases we are eagerly anticipating.

 

(The Violet Eden Chapters #3) (Coming March 2013)

Once again Violet Eden faces an impossible choice ... and the consequences are unimaginable.

Violet has come to terms with the fact that being part angel, part human, means her life will never be as it was.

Now Violet has something Phoenix - the exiled angel who betrayed her - will do anything for, and she has no intention of letting it fall into his hands. The only problem is that he has something she needs too.

Not afraid to raise the stakes, Phoenix seemingly holds all the power, always one step ahead. And when he puts the final pieces of the prophecy together, it doesn't take him long to realise exactly who he needs in order to open the gates of Hell.

With the help of surprising new allies, ancient prophecies are deciphered, a destination set and, after a shattering confrontation with her father, Violet leaves for the islands of Greece without knowing if she will have a home to return to...

Not only is this cover gorgeous (like all of the U.S. covers so far), but I also can't wait to find out what happens next! Jessica does a fabulous job of hooking her readers and I have been on the edge of my seat since September waiting for more.

What are you waiting on?