YA Book Review: Welcome, Caller, This is Chloe

Release Date: 1 May 2012

Publisher: Amulet Books
Format: eARC
Source: Publisher via NetGalley

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Goodreads description:

Big-hearted Chloe Camden is the queen of her universe until her best friend shreds her reputation and her school counselor axes her junior independent study project. Chloe is forced to take on a meaningful project in order to pass, and so she joins her school’s struggling radio station, where the other students don’t find her too queenly. Ostracized by her former BFs and struggling with her beloved Grams’s mental deterioration, lonely Chloe ends up hosting a call-in show that gets the station much-needed publicity and, in the end, trouble. She also befriends radio techie and loner Duncan Moore, a quiet soul with a romantic heart. On and off the air, Chloe faces her loneliness and helps others find the fun and joy in everyday life. Readers will fall in love with Chloe as she falls in love with the radio station and the misfits who call it home.

My Thoughts...

@EntangledPub Cover Update! My Super Sweet Sixteenth Century by @RachelHarrisYA

Hey! Guess what? Do you remember awhile back when I took part in revealing the cover for Rachel Harris' upcoming YA novel, My Super Sweet Sixteenth Century, set to be released by Entangled Publishing this fall? Yes? No? (Why not?? Here's the original post.) Anyway, as I'm sure many of you have seen by now, Rachel's cover got a bit of an update/upgrade and I have to say that I personally LOVE the new cover. I liked the original just fine, but this one strikes me as more...perfect. :) Check it out! (And be sure to scroll down for a great excerpt!!)  

Publisher: Entangled Publishing
Release Date: November 2012

On the precipice of her sixteenth birthday, the last thing lone wolf Cat Crawford wants is an extravagant gala thrown by her bubbly stepmother and well-meaning father. So even though Cat knows the family’s trip to Florence, Italy, is a peace offering, she embraces the magical city and all it offers. But when her curiosity leads her to an unusual gypsy tent, she exits . . . right into Renaissance Firenze.

Thrust into the sixteenth century armed with only a backpack full of contraband future items, Cat joins up with her ancestors, the sweet Alessandra and protective Cipriano, and soon falls for the gorgeous aspiring artist Lorenzo. But when the much-older Niccolo starts sniffing around, Cat realizes that an unwanted birthday party is nothing compared to an unwanted suitor full of creeptastic amore.

Can she find her way back to modern times before her Italian adventure turns into an Italian forever?

Add it to your "To Read" List on Goodreads!
Pre-order the paperback from Amazon

Check out this excerpt that I've been lucky enough to get to share with you!!!

Excerpt from My Super Sweet 16th Century:

“I thought I'd teach you a dance from where I come from,” I tell him. “One that's much easier than that multi-step mess inside.” 

I place my left hand on Lorenzo's shoulder and slip my right one into his. I pause to listen to the music floating over the tinkling voices and bubbling fountain, and begin counting the three-beat tempo. “One, two, three. One, two, three.” 

I stand still, only my head moving, slowly nodding with my words so he can hear the rhythm. 

When his head begins subtly bobbing with mine, I show him how to add his feet. He takes a tentative step forward with his left while I step back with my right, then we side step, close, and repeat the steps with our other feet, all while I lightly whisper the beat count. 

The breeze picks up, blowing my skirt and skimming my veil across the back of my neck. Chills run down my spine, but the warmth coursing through my veins from being in his arms provides a delicious contradiction. 

Lorenzo continues nervously darting his eyes to our feet, but he is dancing. As he relaxes into the movement, his shoulders rising and falling with the steps, the confidence he always seems to exude creeps back on his face, and he tightens the hold around me. Our faces are kissably close, our lips a hairs breadth away from touching. I stare into the chocolate depths of his eyes and the rest of the ball fades away. The only music guiding our steps is my light whisper and the erratic rhythm of our breathing. Time slows. Lorenzo grins. 

“I think you got it,” I say breathlessly, running my hand along the soft fabric of his shoulder, feeling the rock-hard muscles underneath. 

My body curls inward, pressing against his. The proper form for the waltz is a straight spine and shoulders back, but if there was ever a time to break the rules, this is it.

YA Book Review: Shadows on the Moon by Zoe Marriott

Release Date: 24 April 2012

Publisher: Candlewick Press
Format: eARC
Source: Publisher via NetGalley

Get a copy! Amazon | B&N

Goodreads description:

Trained in the magical art of shadow-weaving, sixteen-year-old Suzume is able to re-create herself in any form - a fabulous gift for a girl desperate to escape her past. But who is she really? Is she a girl of noble birth living under the tyranny of her mother's new husband, Lord Terayama? Or a lowly drudge scraping a living in the ashes of Terayama's kitchens? Or is she Yue, the most beautiful courtesan in the Moonlit Lands? Whatever her true identity, Suzume is destined to use her skills to steal the heart of a prince in a revenge plot to destroy Terayama. And nothing will stop her, not even the one true aspect of her life- her love for a fellow shadow-weaver

My Thoughts...

Saturday Morning Shorts (1)

Reading books is and should be just for fun sometimes! We can't always write out detailed reviews that pick apart or break-down the books we've read and enjoyed, so I've decided to throw a few mini-reviews up on books that I've flown through recently.

There will probably be minor spoilers in most of these since they're parts of series, so read on with caution, especially if you haven't started a series!!

Series: Shade #3
Release Date: 1 May 2012
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Add it on Goodreads

Shine was an absolutely stunning conclusion to a trilogy that many, many readers have/can/should fall in love with.  Jeri Smith-Ready really delivers a perfect ending to her trilogy. PERFECT.  This book opens with a bang--almost literally--with a disaster that will have you on the edge of your seat. That tension is maintained throughout the book and you'll keep turning the pages (well into the late-night hours, if you're like me). The relationship between Aura and Zachary really develops as Aura moves on (now that Logan has moved on) and the two are finally able to more deeply explore their feelings for each other. They are both put through the ringer emotionally (and physically) and it causes little rough spots in their relationship--but those things happen in real life when we go through devastating things so they really make the relationship more real! If you haven't picked up this conclusion (or the first two), you're really missing out and I suggest you do so ASAP.

Series: Bumped #2

Release Date: 24 April 2012

Publisher: Balzery + Bray

Add it on Goodreads

In the sequel to last year's Bumped, Megan McCafferty has crafted an awesome conclusion to the story of Melody and Harmony, twins separated at birth and now the most famous pair of girls in the country.  Their "Double Double Due Date" is national news and their adoring fans follow their every move--even though the pair is keeping a whopper of a secret! I, personally, think I enjoyed this sequel even more than its predecessor! The lingo is familiar now and really seemed less prominent this time around.  We get a lot more insight into the girls and their personal feelings and struggles than we did in the first book and I liked the action and suspense that was built right into the story.  Minor characters like Johndoe and Ram really shine in this book as well as they take on larger roles in the overall story. The conclusion seems fitting and pulls things together rather neatly.  This two-book satirical dystopia is a fun set to read and I highly suggest that if you're looking for something that falls on the "lighter" side of dystopian reads, pick these up!

Series: Goddess Test #1.5
Release Date: 1 March 2012
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
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In this in-between novella, we get a bit of a glimpse of Kate's time between 6-month periods in the Underworld.  She's been traveling in Greece with James when they seemingly get lost and have a chance encounter Castor and Pollux. (Hmm...did you really get lost James? I do not think so...)  The pair have been on the run from the gods for centuries and Kate, the new soon-to-be-Queen of the Underworld, is practically the last person they want to see.  However, Kate is determined to help them.  We get fresh insight into her fierce and loyal personality.  We also get moments from Henry's POV in this one that I really liked. This novella is really a great bridge between The Goddess Test and Goddess Interrupted and it's definitely one not to miss if you enjoyed the first book. You'll want this glimpse into both Kate and Henry before you dive into book 2 and really, for less than $2, how can you refuse?

Series: The Mortal Instruments #1

Release Date:  27 March 2007

Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books

Add it on Goodreads 

The Mortal Instruments is one of those series that has been on most peoples' radars for quite some time (well, since it came out in 2007).  While it's been on my to-read list for awhile, I have to admit that it was a class assignment to read a bestseller that finally gave me that little push to actually read this one.  There's so much hype surrounding this series that I don't feel like I really need to go into detail on the story so we'll stick with my minimalistic thoughts.  I enjoyed this book--but it wasn't my favorite novel by any means.  Clary and Jace are perhaps a wee-bit stereotypical YA characters in that they are seemingly normal, but wait, they aren't actually and they're really super special. That aside, I enjoyed the fast-paced action that this story had and honestly, I felt like Cassandra Clare really did craft a good story. There were enough twists that the story kept you on your toes and the right mix of action, suspense, and a sprinkling to romance.  It's definitely worth reading if you're interested and want to know what all the hype is about and I'll more than likely pick up at least the next book or two to see where the story goes.

Friday Fling! The Sexy Side of Jennifer Armentrout aka J. Lynn

 

During Friday Fling , I share with you a "just for fun" romance book or novella that I read and really enjoyed.  It will generally be a "mini review" instead of a full review and I'll often stray from my YA focus into the realm of adult romance (which, in case you're curious, is my not-so-guilty pleasure).  These are books that I think are fun, quick reads that are definitely worth checking out!

This week's romance feature is really a MUST READ! If you're a fan of Jennifer Armentrout's YA novels and you're mildly a romance reader, then trust me when I was you want to pick up a copy of this ebook! It's only $2.99--so really, you have nothing to lose!!

Publisher: Indulgence (Entangled Publishing)
Release Date: 23 April 2012
Get it! Amazon | B&N

Madison Daniels is not at all excited for her brother's upcoming wedding.  Not because she's unhappy with her brother's choice of significant other--because she absolutely, positively does NOT want to be reunited with Chase Gamble--bad boy extraordinaire who stole her heart at age 10. Fate, however, has different ideas when a hotel mix-up leaves Madison and Chase sharing the outdated honeymoon suite.  Passions ignite and emotions run high--but can they overcome a difficult past?

J. Lynn (aka Jennifer Armentrout) stole my heart with this story of friendship, family, and second chances.  Madison is the type of female character we can all relate to. She fell hard for a boy she grew up with but believes she has no chance after a failed encounter years ago. Her clear turmoil over what to do about her feelings toward chase make her a relateable, three-dimensional character who pulls you into the story from the very beginning. Chase is the ever-loveable not-really-bad "bad boy" who has to learn that he's not destined to be just like his father.  Jennifer has an amazing skill for crafting wonderful stories with just the right amount of humor, snark, and sexy romance. I hope that J. Lynn sticks around the adult romance world because this is the kind of story that I could read over and over again.  I'll continue to hold out hope that maybe we'll get to know the other Gamble brothers...

YA Book Review: Surrender by Elana Johnson

**If you haven't read POSSESSION, might I suggest checking out that review instead? I've tried to keep this one as spoiler free as possible but it's difficult with sequels!** 

Release Date: 5 June 2012

Publisher: Simon Pulse
Format: ARC
Source: Publisher

Get a copy! Amazon | B&N
(I pre-ordered my copy & you should too!)

Goodreads description:

Forbidden love, intoxicating power, and the terror of control…

Raine has always been a good girl. She lives by the rules in Freedom. After all, they are her father’s rules: He’s the Director. It’s because of him that Raine is willing to use her talent—a power so dangerous, no one else is allowed to know about it. Not even her roommate, Vi.

All of that changes when Raine falls for Gunner. Raine’s got every reason in the world to stay away from Gunn, but she just can’t. Especially when she discovers his connection to Vi’s boyfriend, Zenn. Raine has never known anyone as heavily brainwashed as Vi. Raine’s father expects her to spy on Vi and report back to him. But Raine is beginning to wonder what Vi knows that her father is so anxious to keep hidden, and what might happen if she helps Vi remember it. She’s even starting to suspect Vi’s secrets might involve Freedom’s newest prisoner, the rebel Jag Barque....

My Thoughts...