Monday, December 29, 2014

Best of 2014

Happy Holidays, friends! I'm just popping in with my favorite reads of the year - and I've happily dragged Jackie along to chime in with her top reads of 2014 as well. This was a bit of a tough list to pick out because I honestly was a tough reader to please these last few months. But I came up with a few that were actually spectacular and Jackie had some fantastic reading this year as well.


Hannah's Best Of


Open Road Summer by Emery Lord
This book is a Taylor Swift song and I loved every minute of it. It was really easy to let Emery Lord onto my shelves and into my heart. Keep an eye out for The Start of Me and You coming this spring - it's another amazing, amazing contemporary from an author who's become an insta-read for me. 

My True Love Gave To Me edited by Stephanie Perkins
Reading MTLGTM has become a new (planned) tradition for me. I'm definitely going to return to this book in the holiday season to pull me into the excitement and magic that comes with this time of year. And you get a bundle of fabulous authors all in one go - Rainbow Rowell made me cry (yet again, because she's perfect), Myra McEntire made me laugh, and don't even get me started on how Laini Taylor proves again how she's one of the most skilled storytellers out there. 

Isla and the Happily Ever After by Stephanie Perkins
I didn't know if she could top Etienne St. Clair or Cricket Bell, but Josh certainly belongs in the wonderful pool of Perkins' boys who aren't perfect, but perfect for who they end up with. And of all the Perkins' girls, I think I'd most like to be Isla. This one was well worth the wait. 

Heir of Fire by Sarah J. Maas
Another fantastic addition to an epic, epic fantasy. I'm not a fan of faeries, honestly, but for Sarah Maas and Celaena, I'm all in. I so can't wait to see where this series leads. 

Jackie's Best Of


Scan by Walter Jury and Sarah Fine
This book blew me away. I was so surprised by how much I loved this one. The relationship in the story hooked me immediately, and the plot was so different from everything I've read. Loved it. 

Love and Other Theories by Alexis Bass
 
I cannot gush enough about this book. NO OTHER book has made me feel the emotions that this one has. Alexis Bass nails life as a girl in high school...or at least what mine felt like. Incredible. It's a must read. 

A Death-Struck Year by Makiia Lucier
I got my history on with this book and was absolutely blown away by the authenticity. The world is spot on incredible. 

The Treatment by Suzanne Young
This was an excellent sequel to a book I loved. Suzanne Young just gets me. The action and tension are awesome.

I'll Give You The Sun by Jandy Nelson
It's such a touching story and the writing is stand-out beautiful. This is such an important book
.
Hannah here: I had to throw in a few words on this one as well. It's a book I'm adding to my list of best of the year, too. Jackie and I so rarely like the same book - it's shocking really, considering how good of friends we are that we can never agree on things like best books (although she does have a fantastic list this year...) or even whether a book is good or not. But this one - we are totally on the same page. It's so, so beautiful, I'm highlighting practically every other sentence. If you haven't picked up this one yet, Jackie and I both recommend you do. 

Jackie and I would love to hear what your top reads were!

Friday, December 12, 2014

Why I Haven't Let Go

You've probably noticed it's been pretty quiet around these parts for a few months now. It's because really cool, exciting, and sometimes scary things are happening in my life. My job has changed, my time has changed and my reading has changed.

I've had to come to terms with the fact that my blog was the sacrifice. It was the piece I had to set to the side to let myself grow. And just last week, as Best of 2014 lists started showing up and I had the feeling that I didn't deserve to post my own since I've been silent on this front since March, I thought - It's time to write a farewell post and let the blog be a completed chapter of my life.

I've thought about writing this post - a goodbye post - for months now. Ever since I got my new job, which is so demanding but kind of awesome in a way that makes me feel like I've found my calling, there just hasn't been time for much personal reading, let alone blogging. But I haven't been able to pull this post together. I was serious last week - it's been long enough, and it's time. But today, I'm just not able to do it.

I just can't let go to this piece of my life, because it's a big, important part of why I am where I am today. I'm fairly confident in saying this blog changed my life and pushed me where I needed to go. I started in grad school, when I was unhappy and misplaced. YA was my comfort, my saving grace, my happy place. And I started the blog as a simple way of tracking what I was reading and just having a place to talk about the books I loved. And in 2 years, I grew a body of work that I'm really proud of.

I am so proud of this blog. And I'm not afraid to say that.

Because it became more than the books. It was a way of dedicating myself to something I was passionate about, a way of growing an expertise and indulging in a love. It showed me that I wanted to be working with books, it brought me back to an old dream and into publishing. And this blog was brought up in every interview I've been on since I set foot in the publishing world. I'm fairly certain the fact that I knew how to write about books, that I obviously loved reading, that I was dedicated to this world to the point that I posted nearly 5 times a week for 2 years - was a selling point to my interviewers. It gave me a portfolio, in a sense - and one that I created because of love and not obligation. I want to contribute a good deal of my career to this blogging foundation. 

The other reason I can't let go is because I still want to feel some kind of connection to the amazing book blogger community. I have blogger friends, who I haven't been so connected with since I've let the blog slip to the wayside. I miss them. I miss talking books - I miss having go-to people who's recommendations I trust implicitly. I know they're still there, and I do occasionally check in or run into them at book events, but I'm a faded part of this world and it's harder to connect. Twitter is a big part of this. In restructuring my tweets to be more personal and less about books, I fear I've lost that platform, and it feels a little like standing outside the circle. But with this blog, still somewhere in my periphery, there's a hint of that connection back into this group - this warm, loving, community that is something truly spectacular. 

So, today, I'm not saying goodbye. I'm saying, this blog isn't what it was, but it's still here and it's still a piece of me. I might post my Top Books of 2014 tomorrow, but I can't make promises. I might throw up a review now and then, but I have no idea when I'll have time. But I'm still around, and maybe no one else is. And that's okay. Maybe I just needed to write a little love letter to my blog for being so important. 

So this isn't goodbye, quite yet. 

Monday, June 23, 2014

Blog Tour: Breaking Fences by Juliana Haygert

I'm stoked to welcome you to my stop on the blog tour for Breaking Fences by Juliana Haygert hosted by YA Bound. 
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Review

Juliana Haygert is an auto-read author for me: if she writes it, I'm going to read it. And so far she hasn't failed to make me fall in love with her characters and pull me into their world. I loved Bia as a secondary character in Breaking the Reins, so I knew going in this would be good. But even Bia surprised me with her vulerability. And I don't know where Juliana pulls her heroes from, but they're always fantastic and this one was particularly lovable. The horses, too, make this series special, as they really do act as characters that play an important role in the story.

I knew I'd love Bia and I was eager for her story, but like I said, she still surprised me. She's such a firecracker, but circumstances mellow her. I really like the internal struggle she has between keeping her head down and letting her spirit get the best of her. Although her circumstances are bullies that seem rather out of place in a college setting - I'll admit it kept me on my toes. What I kind of love, though, is that Bia seems to have the personality of a horse. She's high-spirited, loveable to some and will get agitated around others, and she spooks easily.

So then there's Garrett, who's just completely wonderful. He has this complex family story that shapes who he is. I was completely intrigued by him and his history. Garrett is so wonderfully layered that I couldn't help but savor it as Bia managed to pull away his layers. And then there's this one scene - that just goes to show that Juliana writes kissing better than anyone - and I dare you not to completely fall for him.

Then there's Midnight and Tom. One a horse, the other the stable hand, that are some of the best secondary characters. These two, and Garrett and Bia of course, make me want to start hanging around horse stables. They make it seem like the best thing in life is caring for horses and hanging out with one another.

Juliana manages to stay true to the new adult genre while bringing something different to the table. Breaking Fences is an awesome follow up to Breaking the Reins - which, by the way, if you haven't read yet, you need to - and I'm really hoping we'll get more from this Breaking world. 
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About the Book


All Beatriz “Bia” Fernandes wants is to prove herself—to her family and friends—though it’s hard to prove anything with an overbearing father and three famous polo-playing older brothers. After her acceptance into college results in a heated family argument, the Brazilian girl leaves everything behind to find her own American dream.

College life away from home is perfect until the people she believes to be her friends turn on her. With lies and rumors threatening to suffocate her, Bia turns to her only freedom. Riding.

But one thing gets in the way of her escape. Garrett Blackwell and his bad cowboy attitude. Working at the ranch is his obligation, bugging Bia is his newfound hobby. His thick skin and easy grin don’t hide what Bia already knows—this misunderstood and lonely cowboy fights his own demons. Brushing horses’ coats and mucking out stalls shouldn’t be this sexy, and it isn’t long before he becomes a part of her distraction.


However, escaping won’t solve her problems, and it’s up to Bia to break down the fences around her and prove her strength—not to her family and friends, but to herself … and for Garrett. Because standing on her own doesn’t have to mean standing alone.

** Companion novel of Breaking the Reins. Can be read out of order **

Book Links: Amazon :: B&N :: Kobo :: iBooks :: Goodreads :: Book 1 Goodreads

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About the Author
While Juliana Haygert dreams of being Wonder Woman, Buffy, or a blood elf shadow priest, she settles for the less exciting—but equally gratifying—life of a wife, mother, and author. Thousands of miles away from her former home in Brazil, she now resides in Connecticut and spends her days writing about kick-ass heroines and the heroes who drive them crazy.

Find Juliana Online: Website :: Goodreads :: Facebook :: Twitter :: Pinterest
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Giveaway
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Tuesday, June 17, 2014

Find You in the Dark Paperback Release


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I'm so thrilled to help celebrate the paperback release of Find You in the Dark! A. Meredith Walters is absolutely one of my favorite New Adult authors and I've been following her career very closely. I read Find You in the Dark way back when NA was just emerging and I fell in love immediately. Maggie and Clayton are characters that will always have a place in my heart. I hope you'll all go out and get your copy today, whether you've read her or not! I can't recommend this amazing author enough and it's fantastic to see her flourishing. 
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About the Book

Maggie Young had the market on normal. Normal friends, normal parents, normal grades.. normal life. Until him. 

Clayton Reed was running from his past and an army of personal demons that threatened to take him down. He never thought he had a chance at happiness. Until her.

Maggie thought their love could overcome anything. Clay thought she was all he needed to fix his messy life. That together, they could face the world. But the darkness is always waiting.

Sometimes the greatest obstacle to true love is within yourself.


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About the Author

The New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of Contemporary and Paranormal romance including The Find You in the Dark and Bad Rep series as well as the upcoming stand alone romance, Reclaiming the Sand, and a dark new adult series for Gallery Books.

A. Meredith spent ten years as a counselor for at risk teens and children. First working at a Domestic Violence/Sexual Assault program and then later a program for children with severe emotional and mental health issues. Her former clients and their stories continue to influence every aspect of her writing.

When not writing (or being tortured with all manner of beauty products at the hand of her very imaginative and extremely girly daughter), she is eating chocolate, watching reality television that could rot your brain and reading a smutty novel or two.

A. Meredith is represented by Michelle Johnson with the Inklings Literary Agency.


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Monday, June 16, 2014

Blog Tour: I Become Shadow by Joe Shine


Hi all! Welcome to my stop on the blog tour for I Become Shadow by Joe Shine, out from Soho Teen! 

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Review
I love the concept for this novel. I wouldn't necessarily call it new adult, it's rather on the YA side, but it's still cool to see college-aged characters branching beyond the contemporary genre. Even better, Ren is the kind of heroine you can really get behind and root for. This book is doing something a little different and that's really all I needed to hear to jump on board. 

One of my favorite things about this book is the way the love interest is handled. I feel a little like this bypasses a lot of other great things about this book, but I just have to say that I love that it's not a focus and it's still unexpected. There is the hint of a triangle happening, but it's different than any triangle I've read before. I'm at a bit of a loss how to explain this without spoiling, but there's the guy you swoon over and then the one who is endearing and it seems to me that Ren doesn't make the obvious choice, ever, and I enjoyed being kept on my toes. 

I had a little bit of an issue with the structure. I'm not entirely sure a linear narrative best served the story, but it did create an opportunity to get Ren's voice out there. She's snarky and tough in the best way possible and it's great the way that personality shines through in her narration. 

This is a great thriller that brings out a new voice and a different twist on your typical YA elements. The pages kept turning in anticipation of what Ren would do next. There's a lot of fun and adventure in this book.  
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About the Book

This debut thriller combines a pulse-pounding thriller (like False Memory or Starters) with a new adult coming-of-age story set at Texas A&M University.

When Ren Sharpe was fourteen, she was kidnapped by a shadowy organization called FATE and trained to be a human weapon.

Now, four years later, she receives her assignment: protect Gareth Young at all costs. Currently a student at Texas A&M, Gareth will someday change the world. FATE calls people like Gareth FIPs -future important people - and they're everywhere, each with a FATE-trained shadow.

But when disaster strikes, Ren will have to turn on her maker. Together with Junie, a fellow abductee and the one person she trusts, Ren takes Gareth on the run.

Because whatever else happens, failure is not an option. 


Book Links: IndieBound :: B&N :: Amazon :: Goodreads
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About the Author
Joe Shine grew up in Austin, TX (the greatest city ever), and is a graduate of Texas A&M University. He has an MFA from the Peter Stark Producing Program at the University of Southern California, and after brief stints in Los Angeles and Washington, DC, Joe returned home to Austin (repeat: the greatest city ever). Joe has a normal human job like most everyone else but hopes to become a full-time writer one day, and this is where you, the reader, must do him a really big solid and love I Become Shadow, his first novel. 

Find Joe Online: Goodreads :: Twitter

Friday, May 9, 2014

Royally Lost Blog Tour: Review + Excerpt



Welcome to my stop on the blog tour for Royally Lost by Angie Stanton. After you check out my review and an excerpt, you should check out some of the other awesome blogs taking part in this tour. The full schedule is here
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Review
This book has all things I love: traveling, royalty and well...does there need to be more? I love this cover, I love the concept and was so excited for a fun jaunt around Europe with a beautiful prince in tow. As a fan of movies like The Prince and Me and more recently, books like Suddenly Royal, this was right up my alley.

This is a great, light book that would be great company on a trip to the beach or as you travel across Europe. I can't help but enjoy myself when books take me to different places. And there's always something I completely connect with when a main character is traveling for the first time. It's always an adjustment and a little scary - but you have to go through that before it gets good. And with this book - it does just that. The prince stuff is all great - he's adorable and wonderful and all things you want your prince to be. But it's really when Becca has to stand on her own and how she grows into who she is because of her travels that I really came to adore this book.

That said, I also have to throw in a word about Becca's brother Dylan. I had to include the excerpt with him, because he's just the best. He may be the brightest character in this book. I love his balance of annoying brother and really great ally. He was always helping Becca in ways that were really adorable I kind of want to read his story.

If you're looking for a read to get you in the mood for summer, this is a great place to start. Becca starts out a little whiny and some of the dialog is a little too unnatural, but it grows out of that as Becca comes into herself. I love where she ends up by the end. 
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Excerpt
"So how was your date with Nikolai?"
Becca glared at her brother, Dylan.
"Uh-oh. Did he stand you up?" Dylan held a rolled-up magazine. 
She frowned, frustrated that she'd been so easily played. "Yeah, you could say that."
"This might explain why." Dylan held the magazine under her face, forcing her to look at the glossy picture of a guy who looked exactly like Nikolai. 
She took the magazine and examined it closer. Her breath caught in her throat. "That's Nickolai!"
She'd recognize him anywhere. She couldn't read the foreign headline, but it ended with an exclamation point. "Dylan where did you find this?"
He grimaced and shrugged. "It was at every newspaper stand I saw today."
"Why is he on the cover? Did he do something wrong?" She paged through the magazine, holding her breath. Confusion turned to shock when she saw a two-page spread filled with pictures of Nikolai. Nikolai at the beach; a picture of him playing polo; a picture of him in a tuxedo with a girl wearing a glittering gown. Then Becca's eyes landed on a formal picture of Nikolai in uniform, with a sword at his belt, standing next to a young girl. A stern man and austere woman sat in gilded chairs; both adults wore crowns. 
Her jaw dropped open. 
"Why is Nikolai in that picture with people wearing crowns? Who is he?" she asked. Her heart pumped so fast she could feel the blood pulse through her temples. "And why did he lie about his identity?"
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About the Book
Author: Angie Stanton
Publisher: Harper Collins
Publication Date: May 6, 2014

Summary: Dragged on a family trip to Europe’s ancient cities, Becca wants nothing more than to go home. Trapped with her emotionally distant father, over-eager stepmother, and a brother who only wants to hook up with European hotties, Becca is miserable. That is until she meets Nikolai, a guy as mysterious as he is handsome. And she unknowingly finds herself with a runaway prince.

Nikolai has everything a guy could ask for-he's crown prince, heir to the throne, and girls adore him. But the one thing he doesn't have...is freedom. Staging a coup, he flees his kingdom and goes undercover on his own European tour.

When Nikolai and Becca meet, it’s their differences that draw them together. Sparks fly as they share a whirlwind of adventures, all the while dodging his royal guard. But Becca's family vacation ends in a matter of days. Will Nikolai and Becca be forced to say goodbye forever, will his destiny catch up to him, or will they change history forever?

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About the Author
Angie Stanton never planned on writing books; she wanted to be a Rockette. However, growing up in rural Wisconsin, with her brothers' 4-H pigs as pets, dance didn't work out. Instead she became an avid daydreamer. After years of perfecting stories in her head, she began to write them down, and the rest is history.

Angie is the author of six books including Royally LostRock and a Hard Place, and Snapshot. She graduated with a Journalism degree from the University of Wisconsin, and is a proud double finalist of the National Readers Choice Awards for Love 'em or Leave 'em.

Find Angie Online: Website :: Twitter :: Facebook
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Giveaway

Friday, April 11, 2014

Ask Me Blog Tour: Guest Post

 
Welcome to my stop on the blog tour for Ask Me by Kimberly Pauley. I'm excited to have Kimberly on the blog today with a guest post!

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Guest Post

ASK ME is not a funny book. That might seem like an obvious thing, as it’s billed as a “dark, paranormal mystery” and even “Paranormal gets a Stephen King makeover” (which, let me just say right now that I never ever dreamed one of my books would be mentioned in the same paragraph as Stephen King), but it kind of freaks me out a bit. All of my other books have been funny. I mean, I’ve written about a girl who talks to cats…in particular, a pink cat named Rufus Brutus the Third. Sure, there’s danger in Cat Girl’s Day Off, but a literal horde of cats come to the rescue.
There are no cats in ASK ME and no overt jokes. Of course, it wouldn’t be me if there weren’t some funny bits, but in this case, it all takes the form of cringe worthy embarrassment for the main character, Aria. After all, when you’re an Oracle that has to answer every question you hear with the truth (or some cryptic variation thereof), you’re bound to say some pretty embarrassing things. If Aria were to come to life, I’m pretty sure she’d want to slap me for all the things I put her through.
So, why does this make me nervous? People write non-funny books all the time, right? You know, like every Nicholas Sparks book ever.
Well, I can’t help but wonder how my current fans will react to something so entirely different. And, when you’re known for one thing (wacky, quirky, fairly silly books), people often want to pigeonhole you and keep you in that box. On the other hand, people who don’t read funny stuff and have never read my other books might take a chance on me now. That’s great, but still slightly terrifying. All these NEW people are going to read MY book and compare me to, oh, I don’t know, STEPHEN KING.
Talk about terrifying.
The thing is, I had a lot of fun writing ASK ME. Not the same kind of fun I had writing my other books (yes, I do make myself laugh out loud sometimes while writing…there are probably a few baristas that think I’m pretty strange…), but fun nonetheless. It’s a different experience writing dark, trying to make the pulse pound, rather than the giggles fly. Humor, in some ways, is a more cerebral thing to write, whereas writing ASK ME was more visceral.
I let myself delve into deeper, more emotional places while writing. And, since the book is set in a fictional small town in Florida much like the one I grew up in, I was able to draw on my own sense memory and really, truly try to connect Aria to where she was. The setting really resonated for me…and I hope it resonates for readers as well.
So, even though ASK ME isn’t funny and probably won’t make you laugh out loud, I hope it hits a chord deep inside you instead. I hope you feel the book like I did writing it.
After all, you can always have a good laugh later when you need to shake off the cobwebs and climb back into the real world, right?
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About the Book

Ask Aria Morse anything, and she must answer with the truth. Yet she rarely understands the cryptic words she‘s compelled to utter. Blessed—or cursed—with the power of an Oracle who cannot decipher her own predictions, she does her best to avoid anyone and everyone.

But Aria can no longer hide when Jade, one of the few girls at school who ever showed her any kindness, disappears. Any time Aria overhears a question about Jade, she inadvertently reveals something new, a clue or hint as to why Jade vanished. But like stray pieces from different puzzles, her words never present a clear picture.

Then there’s Alex, damaged and dangerous, but the first person other than Jade to stand up for her. And Will, who offers a bond that seems impossible for a girl who’s always been alone. Both were involved with Jade. Aria may be the only one who can find out what happened, but the closer she gets to solving the crime, the more she becomes a target. Not everyone wants the truth to come out.
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About the Author

Kimberly Pauley is the award-winning author of Sucks to Be Me, which was honored on the YALSA Quick Picks for Reluctant Readers list, and a paranormal mystery starring an oracle, called Ask Me. Born in California, she has lived everywhere from Florida to Chicago and has now gone international to live in London with her husband and son. She is also the founder of YA Books Central, one of the first and largest teen book websites in the world. Visit her online at www.kimberlypauley.com
Find Kimberly Online: Website :: Twitter :: Facebook :: Soho Teen

Monday, December 29, 2014

Best of 2014

Happy Holidays, friends! I'm just popping in with my favorite reads of the year - and I've happily dragged Jackie along to chime in with her top reads of 2014 as well. This was a bit of a tough list to pick out because I honestly was a tough reader to please these last few months. But I came up with a few that were actually spectacular and Jackie had some fantastic reading this year as well.


Hannah's Best Of


Open Road Summer by Emery Lord
This book is a Taylor Swift song and I loved every minute of it. It was really easy to let Emery Lord onto my shelves and into my heart. Keep an eye out for The Start of Me and You coming this spring - it's another amazing, amazing contemporary from an author who's become an insta-read for me. 

My True Love Gave To Me edited by Stephanie Perkins
Reading MTLGTM has become a new (planned) tradition for me. I'm definitely going to return to this book in the holiday season to pull me into the excitement and magic that comes with this time of year. And you get a bundle of fabulous authors all in one go - Rainbow Rowell made me cry (yet again, because she's perfect), Myra McEntire made me laugh, and don't even get me started on how Laini Taylor proves again how she's one of the most skilled storytellers out there. 

Isla and the Happily Ever After by Stephanie Perkins
I didn't know if she could top Etienne St. Clair or Cricket Bell, but Josh certainly belongs in the wonderful pool of Perkins' boys who aren't perfect, but perfect for who they end up with. And of all the Perkins' girls, I think I'd most like to be Isla. This one was well worth the wait. 

Heir of Fire by Sarah J. Maas
Another fantastic addition to an epic, epic fantasy. I'm not a fan of faeries, honestly, but for Sarah Maas and Celaena, I'm all in. I so can't wait to see where this series leads. 

Jackie's Best Of


Scan by Walter Jury and Sarah Fine
This book blew me away. I was so surprised by how much I loved this one. The relationship in the story hooked me immediately, and the plot was so different from everything I've read. Loved it. 

Love and Other Theories by Alexis Bass
 
I cannot gush enough about this book. NO OTHER book has made me feel the emotions that this one has. Alexis Bass nails life as a girl in high school...or at least what mine felt like. Incredible. It's a must read. 

A Death-Struck Year by Makiia Lucier
I got my history on with this book and was absolutely blown away by the authenticity. The world is spot on incredible. 

The Treatment by Suzanne Young
This was an excellent sequel to a book I loved. Suzanne Young just gets me. The action and tension are awesome.

I'll Give You The Sun by Jandy Nelson
It's such a touching story and the writing is stand-out beautiful. This is such an important book
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Hannah here: I had to throw in a few words on this one as well. It's a book I'm adding to my list of best of the year, too. Jackie and I so rarely like the same book - it's shocking really, considering how good of friends we are that we can never agree on things like best books (although she does have a fantastic list this year...) or even whether a book is good or not. But this one - we are totally on the same page. It's so, so beautiful, I'm highlighting practically every other sentence. If you haven't picked up this one yet, Jackie and I both recommend you do. 

Jackie and I would love to hear what your top reads were!

Friday, December 12, 2014

Why I Haven't Let Go

You've probably noticed it's been pretty quiet around these parts for a few months now. It's because really cool, exciting, and sometimes scary things are happening in my life. My job has changed, my time has changed and my reading has changed.

I've had to come to terms with the fact that my blog was the sacrifice. It was the piece I had to set to the side to let myself grow. And just last week, as Best of 2014 lists started showing up and I had the feeling that I didn't deserve to post my own since I've been silent on this front since March, I thought - It's time to write a farewell post and let the blog be a completed chapter of my life.

I've thought about writing this post - a goodbye post - for months now. Ever since I got my new job, which is so demanding but kind of awesome in a way that makes me feel like I've found my calling, there just hasn't been time for much personal reading, let alone blogging. But I haven't been able to pull this post together. I was serious last week - it's been long enough, and it's time. But today, I'm just not able to do it.

I just can't let go to this piece of my life, because it's a big, important part of why I am where I am today. I'm fairly confident in saying this blog changed my life and pushed me where I needed to go. I started in grad school, when I was unhappy and misplaced. YA was my comfort, my saving grace, my happy place. And I started the blog as a simple way of tracking what I was reading and just having a place to talk about the books I loved. And in 2 years, I grew a body of work that I'm really proud of.

I am so proud of this blog. And I'm not afraid to say that.

Because it became more than the books. It was a way of dedicating myself to something I was passionate about, a way of growing an expertise and indulging in a love. It showed me that I wanted to be working with books, it brought me back to an old dream and into publishing. And this blog was brought up in every interview I've been on since I set foot in the publishing world. I'm fairly certain the fact that I knew how to write about books, that I obviously loved reading, that I was dedicated to this world to the point that I posted nearly 5 times a week for 2 years - was a selling point to my interviewers. It gave me a portfolio, in a sense - and one that I created because of love and not obligation. I want to contribute a good deal of my career to this blogging foundation. 

The other reason I can't let go is because I still want to feel some kind of connection to the amazing book blogger community. I have blogger friends, who I haven't been so connected with since I've let the blog slip to the wayside. I miss them. I miss talking books - I miss having go-to people who's recommendations I trust implicitly. I know they're still there, and I do occasionally check in or run into them at book events, but I'm a faded part of this world and it's harder to connect. Twitter is a big part of this. In restructuring my tweets to be more personal and less about books, I fear I've lost that platform, and it feels a little like standing outside the circle. But with this blog, still somewhere in my periphery, there's a hint of that connection back into this group - this warm, loving, community that is something truly spectacular. 

So, today, I'm not saying goodbye. I'm saying, this blog isn't what it was, but it's still here and it's still a piece of me. I might post my Top Books of 2014 tomorrow, but I can't make promises. I might throw up a review now and then, but I have no idea when I'll have time. But I'm still around, and maybe no one else is. And that's okay. Maybe I just needed to write a little love letter to my blog for being so important. 

So this isn't goodbye, quite yet. 

Monday, June 23, 2014

Blog Tour: Breaking Fences by Juliana Haygert

I'm stoked to welcome you to my stop on the blog tour for Breaking Fences by Juliana Haygert hosted by YA Bound. 
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Review

Juliana Haygert is an auto-read author for me: if she writes it, I'm going to read it. And so far she hasn't failed to make me fall in love with her characters and pull me into their world. I loved Bia as a secondary character in Breaking the Reins, so I knew going in this would be good. But even Bia surprised me with her vulerability. And I don't know where Juliana pulls her heroes from, but they're always fantastic and this one was particularly lovable. The horses, too, make this series special, as they really do act as characters that play an important role in the story.

I knew I'd love Bia and I was eager for her story, but like I said, she still surprised me. She's such a firecracker, but circumstances mellow her. I really like the internal struggle she has between keeping her head down and letting her spirit get the best of her. Although her circumstances are bullies that seem rather out of place in a college setting - I'll admit it kept me on my toes. What I kind of love, though, is that Bia seems to have the personality of a horse. She's high-spirited, loveable to some and will get agitated around others, and she spooks easily.

So then there's Garrett, who's just completely wonderful. He has this complex family story that shapes who he is. I was completely intrigued by him and his history. Garrett is so wonderfully layered that I couldn't help but savor it as Bia managed to pull away his layers. And then there's this one scene - that just goes to show that Juliana writes kissing better than anyone - and I dare you not to completely fall for him.

Then there's Midnight and Tom. One a horse, the other the stable hand, that are some of the best secondary characters. These two, and Garrett and Bia of course, make me want to start hanging around horse stables. They make it seem like the best thing in life is caring for horses and hanging out with one another.

Juliana manages to stay true to the new adult genre while bringing something different to the table. Breaking Fences is an awesome follow up to Breaking the Reins - which, by the way, if you haven't read yet, you need to - and I'm really hoping we'll get more from this Breaking world. 
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About the Book


All Beatriz “Bia” Fernandes wants is to prove herself—to her family and friends—though it’s hard to prove anything with an overbearing father and three famous polo-playing older brothers. After her acceptance into college results in a heated family argument, the Brazilian girl leaves everything behind to find her own American dream.

College life away from home is perfect until the people she believes to be her friends turn on her. With lies and rumors threatening to suffocate her, Bia turns to her only freedom. Riding.

But one thing gets in the way of her escape. Garrett Blackwell and his bad cowboy attitude. Working at the ranch is his obligation, bugging Bia is his newfound hobby. His thick skin and easy grin don’t hide what Bia already knows—this misunderstood and lonely cowboy fights his own demons. Brushing horses’ coats and mucking out stalls shouldn’t be this sexy, and it isn’t long before he becomes a part of her distraction.


However, escaping won’t solve her problems, and it’s up to Bia to break down the fences around her and prove her strength—not to her family and friends, but to herself … and for Garrett. Because standing on her own doesn’t have to mean standing alone.

** Companion novel of Breaking the Reins. Can be read out of order **

Book Links: Amazon :: B&N :: Kobo :: iBooks :: Goodreads :: Book 1 Goodreads

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About the Author
While Juliana Haygert dreams of being Wonder Woman, Buffy, or a blood elf shadow priest, she settles for the less exciting—but equally gratifying—life of a wife, mother, and author. Thousands of miles away from her former home in Brazil, she now resides in Connecticut and spends her days writing about kick-ass heroines and the heroes who drive them crazy.

Find Juliana Online: Website :: Goodreads :: Facebook :: Twitter :: Pinterest
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Giveaway
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Tuesday, June 17, 2014

Find You in the Dark Paperback Release


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I'm so thrilled to help celebrate the paperback release of Find You in the Dark! A. Meredith Walters is absolutely one of my favorite New Adult authors and I've been following her career very closely. I read Find You in the Dark way back when NA was just emerging and I fell in love immediately. Maggie and Clayton are characters that will always have a place in my heart. I hope you'll all go out and get your copy today, whether you've read her or not! I can't recommend this amazing author enough and it's fantastic to see her flourishing. 
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About the Book

Maggie Young had the market on normal. Normal friends, normal parents, normal grades.. normal life. Until him. 

Clayton Reed was running from his past and an army of personal demons that threatened to take him down. He never thought he had a chance at happiness. Until her.

Maggie thought their love could overcome anything. Clay thought she was all he needed to fix his messy life. That together, they could face the world. But the darkness is always waiting.

Sometimes the greatest obstacle to true love is within yourself.


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About the Author

The New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of Contemporary and Paranormal romance including The Find You in the Dark and Bad Rep series as well as the upcoming stand alone romance, Reclaiming the Sand, and a dark new adult series for Gallery Books.

A. Meredith spent ten years as a counselor for at risk teens and children. First working at a Domestic Violence/Sexual Assault program and then later a program for children with severe emotional and mental health issues. Her former clients and their stories continue to influence every aspect of her writing.

When not writing (or being tortured with all manner of beauty products at the hand of her very imaginative and extremely girly daughter), she is eating chocolate, watching reality television that could rot your brain and reading a smutty novel or two.

A. Meredith is represented by Michelle Johnson with the Inklings Literary Agency.


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Monday, June 16, 2014

Blog Tour: I Become Shadow by Joe Shine


Hi all! Welcome to my stop on the blog tour for I Become Shadow by Joe Shine, out from Soho Teen! 

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Review
I love the concept for this novel. I wouldn't necessarily call it new adult, it's rather on the YA side, but it's still cool to see college-aged characters branching beyond the contemporary genre. Even better, Ren is the kind of heroine you can really get behind and root for. This book is doing something a little different and that's really all I needed to hear to jump on board. 

One of my favorite things about this book is the way the love interest is handled. I feel a little like this bypasses a lot of other great things about this book, but I just have to say that I love that it's not a focus and it's still unexpected. There is the hint of a triangle happening, but it's different than any triangle I've read before. I'm at a bit of a loss how to explain this without spoiling, but there's the guy you swoon over and then the one who is endearing and it seems to me that Ren doesn't make the obvious choice, ever, and I enjoyed being kept on my toes. 

I had a little bit of an issue with the structure. I'm not entirely sure a linear narrative best served the story, but it did create an opportunity to get Ren's voice out there. She's snarky and tough in the best way possible and it's great the way that personality shines through in her narration. 

This is a great thriller that brings out a new voice and a different twist on your typical YA elements. The pages kept turning in anticipation of what Ren would do next. There's a lot of fun and adventure in this book.  
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About the Book

This debut thriller combines a pulse-pounding thriller (like False Memory or Starters) with a new adult coming-of-age story set at Texas A&M University.

When Ren Sharpe was fourteen, she was kidnapped by a shadowy organization called FATE and trained to be a human weapon.

Now, four years later, she receives her assignment: protect Gareth Young at all costs. Currently a student at Texas A&M, Gareth will someday change the world. FATE calls people like Gareth FIPs -future important people - and they're everywhere, each with a FATE-trained shadow.

But when disaster strikes, Ren will have to turn on her maker. Together with Junie, a fellow abductee and the one person she trusts, Ren takes Gareth on the run.

Because whatever else happens, failure is not an option. 


Book Links: IndieBound :: B&N :: Amazon :: Goodreads
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About the Author
Joe Shine grew up in Austin, TX (the greatest city ever), and is a graduate of Texas A&M University. He has an MFA from the Peter Stark Producing Program at the University of Southern California, and after brief stints in Los Angeles and Washington, DC, Joe returned home to Austin (repeat: the greatest city ever). Joe has a normal human job like most everyone else but hopes to become a full-time writer one day, and this is where you, the reader, must do him a really big solid and love I Become Shadow, his first novel. 

Find Joe Online: Goodreads :: Twitter

Friday, May 9, 2014

Royally Lost Blog Tour: Review + Excerpt



Welcome to my stop on the blog tour for Royally Lost by Angie Stanton. After you check out my review and an excerpt, you should check out some of the other awesome blogs taking part in this tour. The full schedule is here
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Review
This book has all things I love: traveling, royalty and well...does there need to be more? I love this cover, I love the concept and was so excited for a fun jaunt around Europe with a beautiful prince in tow. As a fan of movies like The Prince and Me and more recently, books like Suddenly Royal, this was right up my alley.

This is a great, light book that would be great company on a trip to the beach or as you travel across Europe. I can't help but enjoy myself when books take me to different places. And there's always something I completely connect with when a main character is traveling for the first time. It's always an adjustment and a little scary - but you have to go through that before it gets good. And with this book - it does just that. The prince stuff is all great - he's adorable and wonderful and all things you want your prince to be. But it's really when Becca has to stand on her own and how she grows into who she is because of her travels that I really came to adore this book.

That said, I also have to throw in a word about Becca's brother Dylan. I had to include the excerpt with him, because he's just the best. He may be the brightest character in this book. I love his balance of annoying brother and really great ally. He was always helping Becca in ways that were really adorable I kind of want to read his story.

If you're looking for a read to get you in the mood for summer, this is a great place to start. Becca starts out a little whiny and some of the dialog is a little too unnatural, but it grows out of that as Becca comes into herself. I love where she ends up by the end. 
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Excerpt
"So how was your date with Nikolai?"
Becca glared at her brother, Dylan.
"Uh-oh. Did he stand you up?" Dylan held a rolled-up magazine. 
She frowned, frustrated that she'd been so easily played. "Yeah, you could say that."
"This might explain why." Dylan held the magazine under her face, forcing her to look at the glossy picture of a guy who looked exactly like Nikolai. 
She took the magazine and examined it closer. Her breath caught in her throat. "That's Nickolai!"
She'd recognize him anywhere. She couldn't read the foreign headline, but it ended with an exclamation point. "Dylan where did you find this?"
He grimaced and shrugged. "It was at every newspaper stand I saw today."
"Why is he on the cover? Did he do something wrong?" She paged through the magazine, holding her breath. Confusion turned to shock when she saw a two-page spread filled with pictures of Nikolai. Nikolai at the beach; a picture of him playing polo; a picture of him in a tuxedo with a girl wearing a glittering gown. Then Becca's eyes landed on a formal picture of Nikolai in uniform, with a sword at his belt, standing next to a young girl. A stern man and austere woman sat in gilded chairs; both adults wore crowns. 
Her jaw dropped open. 
"Why is Nikolai in that picture with people wearing crowns? Who is he?" she asked. Her heart pumped so fast she could feel the blood pulse through her temples. "And why did he lie about his identity?"
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About the Book
Author: Angie Stanton
Publisher: Harper Collins
Publication Date: May 6, 2014

Summary: Dragged on a family trip to Europe’s ancient cities, Becca wants nothing more than to go home. Trapped with her emotionally distant father, over-eager stepmother, and a brother who only wants to hook up with European hotties, Becca is miserable. That is until she meets Nikolai, a guy as mysterious as he is handsome. And she unknowingly finds herself with a runaway prince.

Nikolai has everything a guy could ask for-he's crown prince, heir to the throne, and girls adore him. But the one thing he doesn't have...is freedom. Staging a coup, he flees his kingdom and goes undercover on his own European tour.

When Nikolai and Becca meet, it’s their differences that draw them together. Sparks fly as they share a whirlwind of adventures, all the while dodging his royal guard. But Becca's family vacation ends in a matter of days. Will Nikolai and Becca be forced to say goodbye forever, will his destiny catch up to him, or will they change history forever?

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About the Author
Angie Stanton never planned on writing books; she wanted to be a Rockette. However, growing up in rural Wisconsin, with her brothers' 4-H pigs as pets, dance didn't work out. Instead she became an avid daydreamer. After years of perfecting stories in her head, she began to write them down, and the rest is history.

Angie is the author of six books including Royally LostRock and a Hard Place, and Snapshot. She graduated with a Journalism degree from the University of Wisconsin, and is a proud double finalist of the National Readers Choice Awards for Love 'em or Leave 'em.

Find Angie Online: Website :: Twitter :: Facebook
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Giveaway

Friday, April 11, 2014

Ask Me Blog Tour: Guest Post

 
Welcome to my stop on the blog tour for Ask Me by Kimberly Pauley. I'm excited to have Kimberly on the blog today with a guest post!

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Guest Post

ASK ME is not a funny book. That might seem like an obvious thing, as it’s billed as a “dark, paranormal mystery” and even “Paranormal gets a Stephen King makeover” (which, let me just say right now that I never ever dreamed one of my books would be mentioned in the same paragraph as Stephen King), but it kind of freaks me out a bit. All of my other books have been funny. I mean, I’ve written about a girl who talks to cats…in particular, a pink cat named Rufus Brutus the Third. Sure, there’s danger in Cat Girl’s Day Off, but a literal horde of cats come to the rescue.
There are no cats in ASK ME and no overt jokes. Of course, it wouldn’t be me if there weren’t some funny bits, but in this case, it all takes the form of cringe worthy embarrassment for the main character, Aria. After all, when you’re an Oracle that has to answer every question you hear with the truth (or some cryptic variation thereof), you’re bound to say some pretty embarrassing things. If Aria were to come to life, I’m pretty sure she’d want to slap me for all the things I put her through.
So, why does this make me nervous? People write non-funny books all the time, right? You know, like every Nicholas Sparks book ever.
Well, I can’t help but wonder how my current fans will react to something so entirely different. And, when you’re known for one thing (wacky, quirky, fairly silly books), people often want to pigeonhole you and keep you in that box. On the other hand, people who don’t read funny stuff and have never read my other books might take a chance on me now. That’s great, but still slightly terrifying. All these NEW people are going to read MY book and compare me to, oh, I don’t know, STEPHEN KING.
Talk about terrifying.
The thing is, I had a lot of fun writing ASK ME. Not the same kind of fun I had writing my other books (yes, I do make myself laugh out loud sometimes while writing…there are probably a few baristas that think I’m pretty strange…), but fun nonetheless. It’s a different experience writing dark, trying to make the pulse pound, rather than the giggles fly. Humor, in some ways, is a more cerebral thing to write, whereas writing ASK ME was more visceral.
I let myself delve into deeper, more emotional places while writing. And, since the book is set in a fictional small town in Florida much like the one I grew up in, I was able to draw on my own sense memory and really, truly try to connect Aria to where she was. The setting really resonated for me…and I hope it resonates for readers as well.
So, even though ASK ME isn’t funny and probably won’t make you laugh out loud, I hope it hits a chord deep inside you instead. I hope you feel the book like I did writing it.
After all, you can always have a good laugh later when you need to shake off the cobwebs and climb back into the real world, right?
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About the Book

Ask Aria Morse anything, and she must answer with the truth. Yet she rarely understands the cryptic words she‘s compelled to utter. Blessed—or cursed—with the power of an Oracle who cannot decipher her own predictions, she does her best to avoid anyone and everyone.

But Aria can no longer hide when Jade, one of the few girls at school who ever showed her any kindness, disappears. Any time Aria overhears a question about Jade, she inadvertently reveals something new, a clue or hint as to why Jade vanished. But like stray pieces from different puzzles, her words never present a clear picture.

Then there’s Alex, damaged and dangerous, but the first person other than Jade to stand up for her. And Will, who offers a bond that seems impossible for a girl who’s always been alone. Both were involved with Jade. Aria may be the only one who can find out what happened, but the closer she gets to solving the crime, the more she becomes a target. Not everyone wants the truth to come out.
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About the Author

Kimberly Pauley is the award-winning author of Sucks to Be Me, which was honored on the YALSA Quick Picks for Reluctant Readers list, and a paranormal mystery starring an oracle, called Ask Me. Born in California, she has lived everywhere from Florida to Chicago and has now gone international to live in London with her husband and son. She is also the founder of YA Books Central, one of the first and largest teen book websites in the world. Visit her online at www.kimberlypauley.com
Find Kimberly Online: Website :: Twitter :: Facebook :: Soho Teen