Contest Winners!

I have a couple contest winners to announce!  First off my Blogversary giveaway winners.

1st Prize and pick of any book from the Book Depository is 

Jenna

2nd Prize and pick from this list 

 Red-Head Stepchild by Jaye Wells

The Mage in Black by Jaye Wells

Inside Out by Maria V. Snyder

Shade by Jeri Smith-Ready

Once a Witch by Carolyn MacCullough

Two Moon Princess by Carmen Ferreiro-Esteban

Sugar and Spice by Lauren Conrad

Jennifer Mathis

I also had a giveaway for a signed copy of Settling by Shelley Workinger.  The winner is ...

LiLi at ChicaReader  

*All winners have been contacted and have 48 hours to get me there info!

Review: Winterborne (Universe Unbound) by Augusta Blythe

Title: Winterborne

Author: Augusta Blythe

Series: Hoping 1st in series (Universe Unbound?)

Pages: Not sure only ebook format

Published: Available now

ISBN: B004XW3FE4

Source: Author sent for honest review

 

Description: Sixteen-year old Mia Winterborne is destined to be special. Details are sketchy, though, as her dad disappeared with all the answers when she was five. Mia only knows that she will inherit her kickass superpowers on her seventeenth birthday. Helping Mia prepare for her anticipated ascendancy is Loie Bryce, her best friend and eternal sidekick extraordinaire. The girls' intense friendship has never wavered until now, when Andreas arrives in Salcey Ridge. They both fall hard for the British hottie, who quickly becomes a fixture in their lives. When they discover that Andreas is not who he appears to be, the frightening reality of Mia's powers finally hits home. The nearer Mia's birthday draws, the more the danger escalates and long-buried lies are exposed, putting the girls on a path that they never expected.

I Give This ...
  

I love being surprised by self published books.  Although, I wonder when I enjoy a book as much as I did this one, I wonder why it hasn't been picked up my a publishing company.

I do have to be honest that I wasn't drawn to the story at first.  The story is told from Loie's point of view, and she seems kind of boring at first.  Mia is the star of this story and Loie is content to live in her shadow.  But, the truth of their relationship was actually a lot more complicated than that.  It was more like Mia couldn't help it.  And while it does go to her head once in awhile, she's really just as devoted to Loie and Loie is to her.  I enjoyed the love triangle with Andreas.  I often wondered if he was really in as love with Mia as he appeared.  He really did have some touching moments with Loie that made me wonder.  And I don't think Loie ever fully gave up the idea that one day he might choose her.

I really enjoyed the range of supernatural characters in the story.  It actually reminded me a lot of Carrie Jones Need series.  Only, it's a lot better.  I liked how the story unfolds for us.  While we have the same back story that Mia and Loie do, we get the full facts while they are also learning the truth.  Mia's father didn't really just disappear and Loie's parents' death was more than what it seems.  While many people might be surprised by the twist in the story, I totally saw it coming.  But, it didn't ruin the story for me it all.  It just added to the appeal of it all.

I ended up really liking this story overall.  I'm hoping there will be a sequel because I feel like the characters have more tell.  I also hope that this will get the recognition it deserves, it's well worth the read!

 

It's Monday! What Are You Reading?

What Are You Reading, is where we gather to share what we have read this past week and what we plan to read this week. It is a great way to network with other bloggers, see some wonderful blogs, and put new titles on your reading list. Click on the picture to be taken to Sheila at One Person's Journey Through A World of Books!

 

I think we had to much fun this week.  It was my husband's birthday, my (future) sister-in-laws birthday, plus the town I live in kicked off its 4th of July celebration on the 30th.  Needless to say, not much reading got down it seems like.

Read Last Week: 

• A Beautiful Dark by Jocelyn Davies
• Blood Wounds by Susan Beth Pfeffer
• Forbidden by Tabitha Suzuma

Currently Reading: 

• Lost Voices by Sarah Porter

Up This Week:

• Love Story by Jennifer Echols
• Cryptic Cravings by Ellen Schreiber
• Map of Time by Felix J. Palma

Random Acts of Kindness

I've only participated in this once since I started.  I sent out one book and meant to send out more.  I didn't receive any though :)   Thought I would participate again this month!  This is a great idea and I'm so excited to look through the wishlists!

I keep track of all of my wishlist books on Goodreads and also have a list on Amazon.

I love anything you would like to send me including ebooks! Thanks for looking at my lists!

In My Mailbox!

In My Mailbox is hosted by Kristi from The Story Siren and she was inspired by Alea of Pop Culture Junkie!  I also want to mention that all my cover pictures link to Goodreads!

For Review: 

• Touch of Frost by Jennifer Estep
• Little Women and Me by Lauren Baratz-Logsted
• The Beginning of After by Jennifer Castle
• Tris & Izzie by Mette Ivie Harrison
• A Beautiful Dark by Jocelyn Davies
• Blood Wounds by Susan Beth Pfeffer

*Thanks to Kensington Publishing, Bloomsbury, Teen Book Scene, HarperTeen, Netgalley, and Around The World Tours

Purchased:

• The Valcourt Heiress by Catherine Coulter

It was our local library's book sale this weekend.  Sadly this was the only thing I found that looked remotely interesting (I saw LOTS of books I've already read).  I did get a few for the girls though!

Review: Bright Young Things (Bright Young Things, #1) by Anna Godbersen

Title: Bright Young Things

Author: Anna Godbersen

Series: 1st in Bright Young Things

Pages: 389

Published: Available now from HarperCollins

ISBN: 9780061962660

Source: Personal Copy

Description: The year is 1929. New York is ruled by the Bright Young Things: flappers and socialites seeking thrills and chasing dreams in the anything-goes era of the Roaring Twenties. Letty Larkspur and Cordelia Grey escaped their small Midwestern town for New York's glittering metropolis. All Letty wants is to see her name in lights, but she quickly discovers Manhattan is filled with pretty girls who will do anything to be a star… Cordelia is searching for the father she's never known, a man as infamous for his wild parties as he is for his shadowy schemes. Overnight, she enters a world more thrilling and glamorous than she ever could have imagined—and more dangerous. It's a life anyone would kill for . . . and someone will. The only person Cordelia can trust is Astrid Donal, a flapper who seems to have it all: money, looks, and the love of Cordelia's brother, Charlie. But Astrid's perfect veneer hides a score of family secrets. 

I Give This ...

 

I was super excited for this one.  I really liked The Luxe series, so was hoping this would have the same appeal.  While, there are some similarities with the stories, I felt this one didn't have quite the same draw to it.

Oddly I had a harder time getting to know the characters.  I liked Cordelia in the beginning, although I think that she should have left before and not after the wedding.  But once they reached the NYC, it seemed her whole personality changed.  I was shocked that she could drop Letty just like that.  For a small town girl, she adopted the big city rich girl attitude way to easily.  I don't blame her for falling for the son of the enemy, but her actions after learning who he really was once again showed complete disregard for those around her.  Since the story seems to be told from her point of view the most, I struggled with it.

I enjoyed Letty the most.  While she had big dreams of being a star, she was really naive.  I think Cordelia really took advantage of that.  I admired her determination to not go home though.  She got a job, found roommates, etc.  She was really holding her own.  But, she's way to trusting.  Which is her one downfall and ended up costing her everything.  I'm sure in the big city at that time period, many young women were looking out for themselves.  I'm hoping the series will have a positive outcome for her.

I didn't think we got to know Astrid very well at all.  She seems more like a secondary character that has some time in the spotlight.  I thought she was going to be the spoiled little rich girl, but I gather that she's so much more than that.  She seems like she has some serious baggage and insecurities.  I curious were the story will take her.

Overall, it was a promising start to the series.  There's some interesting events that really help drive the story forward.  I just wasn't as enthralled with it as her previous books.  I also wasn't won over by the romance in the book.  I'm hoping for all aspects to pick up in the following books.  And hopefully the characters will become more well rounded.

Review: The Day Before by Lisa Schroeder

Title: The Day Before

Author: Lisa Schroeder

Series: Stand Alone

Pages: 320

Published:  Available now from Simon

ISBN: 9781442417434

Source: Galley Grab

 

 

 

 

 

 

Description: Amber’s life is spinning out of control. All she wants is to turn up the volume on her iPod until all of the demands of family and friends fade away. So she sneaks off to the beach to spend a day by herself. Then Amber meets Cade. Their attraction is instant, and Amber can tell he’s also looking for an escape. Together they decide to share a perfect day: no pasts, no fears, no regrets. The more time that Amber spends with Cade, the more she’s drawn to him. And the more she’s troubled by his darkness. Because Cade’s not just living in the now—he’s living each moment like it’s his last.

 

I Give This ...

 

 

I've only read one book by Lisa Schroeder, but I thoroughly enjoyed the style of writing she uses.  She managed to capture emotions so beautifully.  This is no exception.

 

I wasn't sure on Amber at first.  She seemed to be really angry about something.  Since it's obviously young adult, I wasn't sure if it was justifiable (I was thinking something trivial).  I should have known better.  I was absolutely shocked at what Amber was doing and why.  I really felt for her the moment I figured out the truth.  Mainly because I identified with her.  No, I don't exactly have the same circumstances.  But, I'm adopted.  Growing up that same possibility was always there.  Actually what amazed me most was that the other people put there needs so far above Amber's own and that a judge actually granted their request.  

 

I admired Amber for the way she handles it all.  She may not like, but she's trying to make the best of the situation.  I also don't blame her for wanting to spend that last day by herself.  I think she was trying to ground herself in what she knew and was familiar with because everything was going to change the next day.  I liked how she met Cade.  I also had the same thoughs about him that Amber did at first.  I was just as happy as she was about what was really going on in his life.  His day before was just as emotional as hers was.  I was happy that they went through it together.

 

 Another hit from Lisa Schroeder.  I love the roller coaster of emotions she takes you on and the beautiful and unique way she managed to do it.  I can't wait for her next one!