Waiting on Wednesday

Waiting on Wednesday is hosted by Breaking The Spine. Visit my Upcoming page to see more books I'm looking forward to.  

Elegy by Amanda Hocking (August 2013)

Goodreads Description:
"Readers won't want to miss the explosive final book in the Watersong series by New York Times bestselling author Amanda Hocking

Now that Gemma holds the key to breaking the siren curse, the stakes have never been higher. At last, a future with those she loves—and a romance with Alex—is close enough to touch...but not if Penn has anything to say about it. Penn is more determined than ever to have Daniel for her own and to destroy Gemma and Harper along the way, and Penn always gets what she wants. Now a final explosive battle is about to begin, and the winner will take everything Gemma holds dear."

Top Ten Books at the Top of My Summer TBR List

Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by The Broke and The Bookish.



Earthbound by Aprilynne Pike (July 2013)

Goodreads Description:
"Tavia, the "Earthbound" heroine, is the sole survivor of a plane crash that killed her parents and left her in the keeping of an aunt and uncle. She's safe, she's happy, she should be able to move on with her life. 

But... she can't shake the feeling that something's not right- not when she keeps having visions of a beautiful, alluring stranger who wants her to leave her family and flee to Maine, and not when it starts to look like the accident that orphaned her was part of a plot to end her life. 

Soon, she's on the run with no one to trust...except the childhood friend she's sworn to love forever, and whose heart she'd have to break to learn

Crown of Midnight by Sarah J. Maas (August 2013)

Goodreads Description:

"An assassin’s loyalties are always in doubt.
But her heart never wavers.


After a year of hard labor in the Salt Mines of Endovier, eighteen-year-old assassin Celaena Sardothien has won the king's contest to become the new royal assassin. Yet Celaena is far from loyal to the crown – a secret she hides from even her most intimate confidantes.

Keeping up the deadly charade—while pretending to do the king's bidding—will test her in frightening new ways, especially when she's given a task that could jeopardize everything she's come to care for. And there are far more dangerous forces gathering on the horizon -- forces that threaten to destroy her entire world, and will surely force Celaena to make a choice. 

Where do the assassin’s loyalties lie, and who is she most willing to fight for?"

Deception by C.J. Redwine (August 2013)

Goodreads Description:

"Baalboden has been ravaged. The brutal Commander's whereabouts are unknown. And Rachel, grief stricken over her father's death, needs Logan more than ever. With their ragged group of survivors struggling to forge a future, it's up to Logan to become the leader they need—with Rachel by his side. Under constant threat from rival Carrington's army, who is after the device that controls the Cursed One, the group decides to abandon the ruins of their home and take their chances in the Wasteland.



But soon their problems intensify tenfold: someone—possibly inside their ranks—is sabotaging the survivors, picking them off one by one. The chaos and uncertainty of each day puts unbearable strain on Rachel and Logan, and it isn't long before they feel their love splintering. Even worse, as it becomes clear that the Commander will stop at nothing to destroy them, the band of survivors begins to question whether the price of freedom may be too great—and whether, hunted by their enemies and the murderous traitor in their midst, they can make it out of the Wasteland alive. 

In this daring sequel to Defiance, with the world they once loved forever destroyed, Rachel and Logan must decide between a life on the run and standing their ground to fight."

This is What Happy Looks Like by Jennifer Echols (Aptil 2013)

Goodreads Description:
"If fate sent you an email, would you answer?

When teenage movie star Graham Larkin accidentally sends small town girl Ellie O'Neill an email about his pet pig, the two seventeen-year-olds strike up a witty and unforgettable correspondence, discussing everything under the sun, except for their names or backgrounds. 

Then Graham finds out that Ellie's Maine hometown is the perfect location for his latest film, and he decides to take their relationship from online to in-person. But can a star as famous as Graham really start a relationship with an ordinary girl like Ellie? And why does Ellie want to avoid the media's spotlight at all costs? "

Elegy by Amanda Hocking (August 2013)

Goodreads Description:
"Readers won't want to miss the explosive final book in the Watersong series by New York Times bestselling author Amanda Hocking

Now that Gemma holds the key to breaking the siren curse, the stakes have never been higher. At last, a future with those she loves—and a romance with Alex—is close enough to touch...but not if Penn has anything to say about it. Penn is more determined than ever to have Daniel for her own and to destroy Gemma and Harper along the way, and Penn always gets what she wants. Now a final explosive battle is about to begin, and the winner will take everything Gemma holds dear."

Summerset Abbey by T.J. Brown (January 2013)

Goodreads Description:
"1913: In a sprawling manor on the outskirts of London, three young women seek to fulfill their destinies and desires amidst the unspoken rules of society in this stunning series starter that fans of Downton Abbey will love.

Rowena Buxton

Sir Philip Buxton raised three girls into beautiful and capable young women in a bohemian household that defied Edwardian tradition. Eldest sister Rowena was taught to value people, not wealth or status. But everything she believes will be tested when Sir Philip dies, and the girls must live under their uncle’s guardianship at the vast family estate, Summerset Abbey. Standing up for a beloved family member sequestered to the “underclass” in this privileged new world, and drawn into the Cunning Coterie, an exclusive social circle of aristocratic “rebels,” Rowena must decide where her true passions—and loyalties—lie.



Victoria Buxton

Frail in body but filled with an audacious spirit, Victoria secretly dreams of attending university to become a botanist like her father. But this most unladylike wish is not her only secret—Victoria has stumbled upon a family scandal that, if revealed, has the potential to change lives forever...

Prudence Tate

Prudence was lovingly brought up alongside Victoria and Rowena, and their bond is as strong as blood. But by birth she is a governess’s daughter, and to the lord of Summerset Abbey, that makes her a commoner who must take her true place in society—as lady’s maid to her beloved “sisters.” But Pru doesn’t belong in the downstairs world of the household staff any more than she belongs upstairs with the Buxton girls. And when a young lord catches her eye, she begins to wonder if she’ll ever truly carve out a place for herself at Summerset Abbey."

FML by Shaun Hutchinson (June 2013)

Goodreads Description:
"Tonight’s the night: Simon’s big chance to finally get with Cassie. Cassie, who he’s loved for ages. Cassie, who is newly boyfriend-free. Cassie, who just happens to be throwing the biggest party of the year. Simon’s plan is simple: he’ll go to the party, she’ll fall in love with him, they’ll make out like crazy, and the night will be a complete success.

But things don’t ever go as planned.

In two alternating plotlines, Simon goes after the girl of his dreams and stumbles toward his destiny. It’s one night, one party, and a thousand ways for things to go wrong . . . but a million ways for them to go right."

Belladonna by Fiona Paul (July 2013)


Goodreads Description:
"In Renaissance Italy, love, lust, intrigue and secret societies converge to stunning results!In the second in the stunning Secrets of the Eternal Rose series, Cassandra Caravello is trying to forget Falco, the wild artist who ran off with her heart, as she grows closer to her strong, steady fiancé, Luca. But Luca seems to have his own secrets. When he’s arrested by soldiers in the middle of the night, Cass’s life is once again thrown into chaos. She must save Luca, and that means finding the Book of the Eternal Rose—the only evidence that will prove he’s innocent.


So begins her journey to Florence, a city haunted by whispers of vampirism, secret soirees and clandestine meetings of the Order of the Eternal Rose. And home to Falco, who is working for the Order’s eerily stunning leader, the Belladonna herself.


Can Cass trust her heart to lead her to the truth this time?
Nothing is as it seems in this seductive thriller, where the truth may be the deadliest poison of all.

Another sensual edge-of-your-seat romance thriller that's just as alluringVenom. This historical romantic mystery is perfect for fans of Philippa Gregory's The Other Boleyn Girl, Anna Godbersen's The Luxe, Libba Bray's A Great and Terrible Beauty and Cecily Von Ziegesar's Gossip Girl."

Where Beauty Lies by Elle & Blair Fowler (July 2013)

Description:

Sequel to Beneath the Glitter      

Infamous by Lauren Conrad (June 2013)

Description:

In the exciting conclusion to #1 New York Times bestselling author Lauren Conrad’s Fame Game series, Madison, Kate, and Carmen will do whatever it takes to make it in Hollywood. In this game, losing isn't an option.  

Gates of Paradise

Author: Melissa de la Cruz

Publisher: Disney Hyperion

Release Date: January 15, 2013

Format: Hardcover

Source: Purchased

Goodreads Description:

"Schuyler Van Alen is running out of time. The Dark Prince of Hell is storming the Gates of Paradise, intent on winning the heavenly throne for good. This time he has his greatest angels by his side, Abbadon and Azrael—Jack and Mimi Force, as they are known in the Coven.

Or so he thinks. Even as Lucifer assigns Jack and Mimi the tasks of killing their true loves, the Force twins secretly vow to defeat the Dark Prince once and for all. But how far will Mimi and Jack go to conceal their real loyalties?

Meanwhile, former vampire Bliss Llewellyn has joined forces with Lawson, the greatest wolf of the underworld, to free his people from their imprisonment in Hell. As they struggle against impossible odds, an ancient message, woven into the very fabric of time, reveals just how much depends on the success of their mission.

Lucifer seeks the key to the Gate of Promise, and when Schuyler is taken captive and delivered straight to Hell, she must make an unthinkable choice—the same one the archangel Michael was forced to make during the Crisis in Rome. Will Schuyler find the strength to do what he could not?

The epic, heartbreaking Blue Bloods series comes to a close with this final novel about staggering courage, unbearable sacrifice, and the immortality of true love."

***

Gates of Paradise was the final installment of Melissa de la Cruz’s Blueblood series. I have had so many ups and downs with this story, and while the ending wasn't as good as I would have expected it to be from the first three novels, it was a lot better than I thought it would be after books 5 and 6. Gates of Paradise had a rocky start, but by the end Melissa de la Cruz was able to remind me what I loved about her stories when I first read them.

The plot is really where I have problems with the Bluebloods series and Gates of Paradise. As amazing as the Bluebloods series was at first, the plot started diverging in a pretty random direction—almost like there just wasn’t enough content for 7 books. It also felt like the worlds of Melissa de la Cruz’s series started overlapping in an entirely unnecessary and illogical manner. With Gates of Paradise we still have the annoying inter-play between series, but we started to move away from some of the random demon-human babies and that was a welcome relief. They were still there, but their role was mercifully de-emphasized.

As much as I’ve struggled with the end of the Bluebloods series, Melissa de la Cruz has been able to maintain an awesome cast of characters. Her characters have certainly evolved since the beginning of the series, but they haven’t become completely different people. More importantly, I like the characters—especially Mimi and Kingsley—and I truly wanted them all to have happy endings.

Gates of Paradise was a better than expected ending to a great series that started to go downhill. I am defiantly ready to close the door on this series, but it was a satisfactory conclusion. While I won’t be reading any of the other series that involve this world, I am looking forward to reading different things from Melissa de la Cruz.

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BEA 2013: In My Mailbox/Stacking the Shelves

In My Mailbox is hosted by The Mod Podge Bookshelf. Stacking the Shelves is hosted by Tynga's Reviews.

The Diviners

Author: Libba Bray

Publisher: Little Brown

Release Date: September 18, 2012

Format: ARC

Source: For Review

Goodreads Description:

"Evie O'Neill has been exiled from her boring old hometown and shipped off to the bustling streets of New York City--and she is pos-i-toot-ly thrilled. New York is the city of speakeasies, shopping, and movie palaces! Soon enough, Evie is running with glamorous Ziegfield girls and rakish pickpockets. The only catch is Evie has to live with her Uncle Will, curator of The Museum of American Folklore, Superstition, and the Occult--also known as "The Museum of the Creepy Crawlies."

When a rash of occult-based murders comes to light, Evie and her uncle are right in the thick of the investigation. And through it all, Evie has a secret: a mysterious power that could help catch the killer--if he doesn't catch her first."

***

The Diviners is the perfect read if you’re in the mood for Jazz-age New York, or a murder mystery, or both. Libba Bray picks you up and drops you into the 1920s. Everything from the vernacular to the descriptions are magical and pulls you into the story.

Evie was a fantastic main character—reckless enough to be fun, but responsible enough not to be annoying. The other characters in the novel were also very well done. They were all so intriguing because there was clearly a lot of secrets surrounding everyone’s past and they were also very dynamic.

One of my favorite parts to the story was the paranormal element. While it scared the bejeezus out of me, and I adamantly refused to read it if I was alone at night, it was just incredibly well done. I was intrigued by the murders, I wanted to know what gave people powers—there are just so many paranormal questions! And we still don’t have answers to them all, so we’ll have to stay tuned for the next one.

Libba Bray’s writing is also utterly fantastic.  There were times when I felt like I was watching a movie (particularly with that last scene)! Her language and descriptions take you to a whole new world, and that is one of the reasons I fell in love with her Gemma Doyle trilogy. 

The Diviners is a perfect read for fans of historical fiction, paranormal, and mystery. It has something for everyone and will leave you instantly wanting more. This is also a fantastic read for Halloween time, but I do not recommend reading it alone at night if you’re a scaredy-cat like me.

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September Girls

Author: Bennet Madison

Publisher: HarperTeen

Release Date: May 21, 2013

Format: ARC

Source: For Review

Goodreads Description:

"When Sam's dad whisks him and his brother off to a remote beach town for the summer, he's all for it-- at first. Sam soon realizes, though, that this place is anything but ordinary. Time seems to slow down around here, and everywhere he looks, there are beautiful blond girls. Girls who seem inexplicably drawn to him. 

Then Sam meets DeeDee, one of the Girls, and she's different from the others. Just as he starts to fall for her, she pulls away, leaving him more confused than ever. He knows that if he's going to get her back, he'll have to uncover the secret of this beach and the girls who live here."

***

September Girls was one of those novels that I really wanted to love, but didn’t. The concept sounded amazing, and I love mermaid stories, so I thought this book would be everything I wanted and more. While I didn’t dislike the book either, there was just nothing that made me love it.

Sam was really off-putting to me and I was actually a bit shocked by some of the things he said and thought. I couldn’t help but think, is this what guys actually sound like when girls aren’t around? I seriously hope not. As a person, he was actually pretty sweet, but the way he would express himself was just crasser than it needed to be. The supporting characters are all middle of the road. Some are weird, some are likable and dislikable at the same time, and others are just forgettable. 

The plot was another aspect of the novel that I could really take or leave. On the one hand it was an intriguing concept, on the other hand I was bored most of the time. I did like the ending though and the way Madison tied up all of the pieces.

While I did not love or hate this book, I think that die-hard fans of Jackson Pierce’s Fathomless will enjoy it. The books are similar with regard to the plot, although Fathomless is more focused on memory and is a bit of a psychological thriller, while September Girls is more of a light mystery and a bit more character driven.

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