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March 30, 2011

Waiting on Wednesday # 44 - Stay


"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted at Breaking The Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

My pick:

Clara’s relationship with Christian is intense from the start, and like nothing she’s ever experienced before. But what starts as devotion quickly becomes obsession, and it’s almost too late before Clara realizes how far gone Christian is—and what he’s willing to do to make her stay. 

Now Clara has left the city—and Christian—behind. No one back home has any idea where she is, but she still struggles to shake off her fear. She knows Christian won’t let her go that easily, and that no matter how far she runs, it may not be far enough....


Deb Caletti
April 5th 2011 by Simon Pulse

March 28, 2011

Book Review: Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins

Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins
Author: Stephenie Perkins
Release Date: December 2nd, 2010
Publisher: Dutton Children's
Age: Young Adult
Anna was looking forward to her senior year in Atlanta, where she has a great job, a loyal best friend, and a crush on the verge of becoming more. So she's less than thrilled about being shipped off to boarding school in Paris—until she meets Étienne St. Clair. Smart, charming, beautiful, Étienne has it all . . . including a serious girlfriend.
But in the City of Light, wishes have a way of coming true. Will a year of romantic near-misses end with their long-awaited French kiss? Stephanie Perkins keeps the romantic tension crackling and the attraction high in a debut guaranteed to make toes tingle and hearts melt.

Anna and the French Kiss is one of those books you keep reading amazing reviews. It was on my TBR pile but I couldn't find the time to read it until a few days ago, when I was looking for a romantic story  with a HEA ending.

I really liked Anna. She was fun and light but also smart. I could easely relate to her, even when I haven't had the same experiences as her. If my parents sent me on my senior year to another country (even if it's Paris) I wouldn't be so happy. But even with that going on, she was always in a good mood and trying to have the best experience. She was a real girl, with doubts and scared, but also ready to take a chance.

At first I wasn't completely sure about St. Clair. He seemed insecure and giving hope to Anna while he was with his girlfriend was mean. But then I thought Who isn't insecure at that age? Specially about love. He was also smart and good looking, and Anna liked him since the beggining. But I was glad it wasn't another one of those instant-love relationships, and I think that's why I liked so much this book. Nobody is perfect.

Excellent characters, awesome writing, Anna and the French Kiss didn't let me sleep until I finished it. I loved, LOVED, that Anna and St. Clair were friends before being a couple. Usually it doesn't happen this way in young adult books, but I think it's more real.

Overall, I loved this book and I can't wait to read other books from this author, as Lola and the Boy Next Door.


March 23, 2011

Waiting on Wednesday # 43 - Sleeping Beauty: Vampire Slayer


"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted at Breaking The Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

My pick:

In this thrilling story full of adventure and romance, Sleeping Beauty is more than just a lonely princess waiting for her prince—she's a brave, tenacious girl who never backs down from a challenge. With vampire-slaying talents that she practices in secret, Sleeping Beauty puts her courage to the test in the dark of night, fighting evil as she searches for a way to break the spell that has cut her off from her family. In a special twist, readers have the opportunity to make key decisions for Sleeping Beauty and decide where she goes next—but no matter the choice; the result is a story unlike any fairy tale you've ever read! Sleeping Beauty: Vampire Slayer is an entirely new type of fairy tale–one that will keep today's kids guessing and offer them hours of magical fun.

Maureen McGowan
April 1st 2011 by Silver Dolphin Books

March 16, 2011

Waiting on Wednesday # 42 - The Goddess Test

 
"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted at Breaking The Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

It's always been just Kate and her mom--and now her mother is dying. Her last wish? To move back to her childhood home. So Kate's going to start at a new school with no friends, no other family and the fear her mother won't live past the fall. 
Then she meets Henry. Dark. Tortured. And mesmerizing. He claims to be Hades, god of the Underworld--and if she accepts his bargain, he'll keep her mother alive while Kate tries to pass seven tests. 
Kate is sure he's crazy--until she sees him bring a girl back from the dead. Now saving her mother seems crazily possible. If she succeeds, she'll become Henry's future bride, and a goddess.
If she fails...

The Goddess Test
Aimee Carter
April 19th, 2010 by Harlequin

Sounds amazing! I've always been interested in Greek mythology so I have to read this one!

March 13, 2011

Book Review: How to Flirt with a Naked Werewolf by Molly Harper

How to Flirt with a Naked Werewolf by Molly Harper
Author: Molly Harper
Series: Naked Werewolf #1
Release Date: February, 2011
Publisher: Pocket
Age: Adult
Northern Exposure
Even in Grundy, Alaska, it’s unusual to find a naked guy with a bear trap clamped to his ankle on your porch. But when said guy turns into a wolf, recent southern transplant Mo Wenstein has no difficulty identifying the problem. Her surly neighbor Cooper Graham—who has been openly critical of Mo’s ability to adapt to life in Alaska—has trouble of his own. Werewolf trouble.
For Cooper, an Alpha in self-imposed exile from his dysfunctional pack, it’s love at first sniff when it comes to Mo. But Cooper has an even more pressing concern on his mind. Several people around Grundy have been the victims of wolf attacks, and since Cooper has no memory of what he gets up to while in werewolf form, he’s worried that he might be the violent canine in question. 
If a wolf cries wolf, it makes sense to listen, yet Mo is convinced that Cooper is not the culprit. Except if he’s not responsible, then who is? And when a werewolf falls head over haunches in love with you, what are you supposed to do anyway? The rules of dating just got a whole lot more complicated. . . .
I love the cover of How to Flirt with a Naked Werewolf, so when I first saw it and then read the synopsis I was sure I was going to like it.

Mo is a young women who can't stand being close to her hippie parents anymore. So she decides to move to a place they couldn't find her, Alaska.

Mo is so funny. I liked her instantly because she's very independent. Even when the people in Alaska wasn't  happy about her moving in, she was strong. Every thought she had was funny, I was laughing from the start. Everybody in town fell in love with her except Cooper, her sexy but surly neighbor.

I liked Cooper from the start. It was obvious he liked Mo, he is sexy and protective (and a great lover!). As a couple, Mo and Cooper are awesome. I liked their relationship but I wish I could have know more about Cooper, not only his issues with his pack.

The story was fine. At first it was the same story of a women in danger, a protective male...but then it changes. There are several murders in town, and people is beginning to suspect of a wolf. As we met Cooper's pack/family, it was pretty obvious who may be responsible of these murders. The mystery was interesting and I always like something else in romance books, but I thought is was too long to resolve, and there was moments that what I really wanted was more of Cooper and Mo.

It's the first time I read this author, but I really liked her fast writing and funny lines. I wasn't completely happy with the story, but I'm sure I'll keep reading more of her books.

Overall, it was a good light reading. If you are looking for a funny romance novel you should read this one! I will probably read the next one in the series, The Art of Seducing a Naked Werewolf, which is going to be released March 29th, 2011.


March 12, 2011

Cover Reveal: Crossed


I totally loved MATCHED, and I can't wait to read CROSSED (Nov, 1). I love the cover, totally awesome!
In search of a future that may not exist and faced with the decision of who to share it with, Cassia journeys to the Outer Provinces in pursuit of Ky — taken by the Society to his certain death — only to find that he has escaped, leaving a series of clues in his wake. 
Cassia’s quest leads her to question much of what she holds dear, even as she finds glimmers of a different life across the border. But as Cassia nears resolve and certainty about her future with Ky, an invitation for rebellion, an unexpected betrayal, and a surprise visit from Xander — who may hold the key to the uprising and, still, to Cassia’s heart — change the game once again. Nothing is as expected on the edge of Society, where crosses and double crosses make the path more twisted than ever.
Look what Ally Condie said about the color of the covers at her blog:
(And yes, for those of you who asked, the green cover of MATCHED and the blue cover of CROSSED do represent the tablets, as well as other thematic elements in the books.)
So, what do you think about the cover?

March 9, 2011

Waiting on Wednesday # 41 - Epic Fail by Claire LaZebnik

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted at Breaking The Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

My pick:

At Coral Tree Prep in Los Angeles, who your parents are can make or break you.
Case in point:
• As the son of Hollywood royalty, Derek Edwards is pretty much prince of the school—not that he deigns to acknowledge many of his loyal subjects.
• As the daughter of the new principal, new-girl-on-campus Elise Benton isn’t exactly on everyone’s must-sit-next-to-at-lunch list.
When Elise’s beautiful sister catches the eye of the prince’s best friend, Elise gets to spend a lot of time with Derek, making her the envy of every girl. Except she refuses to fall for any of his rare smiles and instead warms up to his enemy, the surprisingly charming social outcast Webster Grant. But in this hilarious tale of fitting in and flirting, not all snubs are undeserved, not all celebrity brats are bratty, and pride and prejudice can get in the way of true love for only so long. Fans of Susane Colasanti (When It Happens), Polly Shulman (Enthusiasm), and, of course, Jane Austen will love finding out if Elise’s love life will be an epic win or an epic fail.
Claire La Zebnik
August 2nd 2011 by HarperTeen

March 6, 2011

Book Review: Suite Scarlett by Maureen Johnson

Suite Scarlett by Maureen Johnson
Author: Maureen Johnson
Series: Scarlett #1
Published: December 29th, 2009
Publisher: Scholastic Press
Age: Young Adult
Her new summer job comes with baggage.
Scarlett Martin has grown up in a most unusual way. Her family owns the Hopewell, a small hotel in the heart of New York City, and Scarlett lives there with her four siblings - Spencer, Lola, and Marlene.
When each of the Martins turns fifteen, they are expected to take over the care of a suite in the once elegant, now shabby Art Deco hotel. For Scarlett's fifteenth birthday, she gets both a room called the Empire Suite, and a permanent guest called Mrs. Amberson.
Scarlett doesn't quite know what to make of this C-list starlet, world traveler, and aspiring autobiographer who wants to take over her life. And when she meets Eric, an astonishingly gorgeous actor who has just moved to the city, her summer takes a second unexpected turn.
Before the summer is over, Scarlett will have to survive a whirlwind of thievery, Broadway glamour, romantic missteps, and theatrical deceptions. But in the city where anything can happen, she just might be able to pull it off.
Scarlett's a young girl whose family runs a hotel. Her life sounds so interesting, but it isn't. Their hotel is almost closing and she isn't the favorite daughter. Her older sister is beautiful, her brother is fun, and her youngest sister was sick and now her family gives everything to her. Scarlett is shy and silent, and not at all fun or interesting or beautiful.

In her birthday, she's expecting to receive at least a delicious breakfast but instead receives more responsibilities; a room for her to take care of. This is how she met Mrs. Amberson, a beautiful actress, and her summer plans fall apart.

Scarlett's life wasn't good. Running a hotel isn't easy or fun, but with Mrs. Amberson she gets to do a lot of things she didn't even thought about doing. While her friends are having a great summer, she has to help her new guest with everything she wants, including writing her autobiography.

At first I didn't like Scarlett because she wasn't interesting. I don't think she had a personality of her own. But it was great to see her growing up and feeling secure. I also liked the relationship between Spencer, Lola and Scarlet. They all helped each other in everything they could.

I loved the idea of her family running the hotel. They are having a bad time, but still it was pretty amazing how they manage. Everyone had other responsibilities besides working at the hotel, but they still did it.

Overall, Suite Scarlett is a book about growing up. It's a cute story, sometimes slow, but with a lovely happy ending. I'll probably read the next book of the series, Scarlett Fever.


March 2, 2011

Waiting on Wednesday # 40 - What We Keep Is Not Always What Will Stay

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted at Breaking The Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

My pick:

Summary from Goodreads
Fifteen-year-old Angie never used to think much about God—until things started getting weird. Like the statue of St. Felix, her secret confidante, suddenly coming off his pedestal and talking to her. And Angie's mother, who's busting up her third marriage for no apparent reason. Then there's Jesse Francis, sent home from Afghanistan at age nineteen with his leg blown off. Now he's expected to finish high school and fit right back in. Is God even paying attention to any of this?
Against the advice of an increasingly vocal St. Felix (who knows a thing or two about war), Angie falls for Jesse—who's a lot deeper than most high school guys. But Jesse is battling some major demons. As his rages start to become more frequent and unpredictable, Angie finds herself losing control of the situation. And she's starting to wonder: can one person ever make things right for someone else?
Amanda Cockrell
June 8th 2011 by Flux
Paperback, 264 pages
Amazon / The Book Depository