Blog Tour and Giveaway: The Watcher by Lisa Voisin

The Watcher by Lisa Voisin

eARC received from Inkspell Publishing

Release Date:  March 4^th

Reviewed by:  Middle Sis Jenn

Millennia ago, he fell from heaven for her.

Can he face her without falling again?

Fascinated with ancient civilizations, seventeen-year-old Mia Crawford dreams of becoming an archaeologist. She also dreams of wings—soft and silent like snow—and somebody trying to steal them.

When a horrible creature appears out of thin air and attacks her, she knows Michael Fontaine is involved, though he claims to know nothing about it. Secretive and aloof, Michael evokes feelings in Mia that she doesn’t understand. Images of another time and place haunt her. She recognizes them—but not from any textbook.

In search of the truth, Mia discovers a past life of forbidden love, jealousy and revenge that tore an angel from Heaven and sent her to an early grave. Now that her soul has returned, does she have a chance at loving that angel again? Or will an age-old nemesis destroy them both?

Ancient history is only the beginning.

The Watcher follows Mia who finds herself inextricably drawn to Michael, new boy in town.  He’s mysterious and broody, but behind all that, is a guy trying to redeem himself.  Then enter Damiel, serious bad boy with one agenda:  Mia.  What follows is a series of dangerous encounters, stolen kisses, and heartbreaking revelations.

What did I like?

The romance in this book is one of those innocently sweet romances.  It’s one of those romances that makes you go, “Aw.”  Now, that doesn’t mean there aren’t some heated scenes tangled throughout the storyline.  On the contrary, there are a few scenes full of pent-up passion that seems to explode. 

I really liked the minor characters the most in this book, especially Mia’s best friends, Heather and Fiona.  They were fun and you can tell they really cared about Mia, even when they were going through their own problems/relationships.  Mia’s mom was also great.  I especially liked when she told Mia:  “’No, honey.  Men are never angels,” she said sagely.  ‘Besides, it’s the devil in them that we love.’”  Because isn’t that the truth?!?  There’s always something so alluring about the bad guy!

Damiel, the bad boy.  While I wish his character would have been developed more at the beginning, he was a great foil to Michael.  He was strong-willed and hypnotic, and Mia felt herself being drawn to him even though she tried to fight it.  We see straight into Damiel’s past and his desires in the end of the novel, but he was pretty empty at the beginning.  Either way, he was still a great “bad guy.”

What I didn’t like?

I felt like the plot was unoriginal.  It was just too similar to Lauren Kate’s Fallen for me.  There were differences, but there were some major parts of this story that were way too much like Daniel and Luce from Kate’s series. 

This story had potential, but the writing was bland at times.  I felt like there was just too much telling with hardly any showing.  I wanted her world to open up around me as I read, and instead of being pulled into another realm, I was completely aware at all times that I was just reading.  I didn’t get lost in the book like I love doing.  As a result, I had a hard time getting through some of the scenes.

Sadly, I wasn’t a fan of the main characters.  Their actions and words just didn’t seem true enough for me.  Not that it wasn’t the truth for them as characters, but I didn’t see the feelings and emotions that led them to those truths.  It was just like all of a sudden---Bam!---and they love each other, but they can’t be together, but they want to fight for each other, etcetera and so on.  I need to see deeper into their lives and personalities for them to be real for me.

From looking at the reviews, most people really enjoyed this book.  They loved the romance and the action, but for me, it was just okay.  I’m hoping that the next installment will have more showing, and the writing will bring me more into this world.  I’m also really hoping that the storyline will depart from the Fallen similarities into something original and new. 

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Be sure you enter the giveaway!  The paperback and ebook sleeve giveaway is open for US, UK, and Canada.  The ebook giveaway is worldwide.

The sleeve is customizable, and you will have your choice of designs.  You can also get your name sewn into it. 

Here is an example of one design for the ebook sleeve:

 

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Mini Review (by YA Sisterhood's Mom!): Wasteland by Susan Kim

Hey everyone!  Once again, YA Sisterhood's mom is helping out the blog!  She's given us a few words to share on Susan Kim's upcoming dystopian novel Wasteland.

Welcome to the Wasteland. Where all the adults are long gone, and now no one lives past the age of nineteen. Susan Kim and Laurence Klavan’s post-apocalyptic debut is the first of a trilogy in which everyone is forced to live under the looming threat of rampant disease and brutal attacks by the Variants —- hermaphroditic outcasts that live on the outskirts of Prin. Esther thinks there’s more to life than toiling at harvesting, gleaning, and excavating, day after day under the relentless sun, just hoping to make it to the next day. But then Caleb, a mysterious stranger, arrives in town, and Esther begins to question who she can trust. As shady pasts unravel into the present and new romances develop, Caleb and Esther realize that they must team together to fight for their lives and for the freedom of Prin.

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Thoughts:

 

In a Wasteland parallel to THE ROAD, Susan Kim and Laurence Klavan have created a dystopian society with one major conflict--survival.  It's a world where reading is almost extinct, where rain is a killer, and where material items such as a Lexus lie wasting in the street, but there is one major commodity--fresh water. And as in all time periods, greed seems to multiply. Into this chaos comes Esther, out casted because of her refusal to conform when it comes to rules and friends, and Caleb, searching for his kidnapped son and those who murdered his partner. The plot is as dark as the world the authors have created, yet Esther and Caleb find love (although the "I Love You's" occurred a little too quickly for reality). However, those who love apocalyptic nightmares will definitely be hooked on this one!

Blog Tour Review and Giveaway: Emblaze by Jessica Shirvington

Emblaze by Jessica Shirvington

eARC received from Sourcebooks via Netgalley

Release Date:  On Shelves NOW!

Reviewed by:  Middle Sis Jenn

The Sisters Say:  Exhilarating, Excruciating, and Exceptional

Let me just say, I love Jessica Shirvington.  This series is turning into one of my absolute favorites, and I am giddy with excitement for the new CW show based on this series!  After that ending from book 2, “Care for a trade, lover?,”  I was on edge because I just had to know what was going to happen next.  So, as often happens, I started building up these huge expectations for Emblaze.  And I’m happy to say, that it did not disappoint!  This is the best book so far!

One of the things I love about this series is it doesn’t waste any time jumping into the action.  So many books waste time reminding us of every little detail of the past book, and that really bugs me.  I like being reminded of some things, but the bigger stuff?  No need to remind us.  Jessica doesn’t waste your time with this, instead, she jumps straight into Exile vs. Grigori action.  There is never a dull moment, and so many of the scenes are filled to the brim with powerful emotion.  I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough!

So, if you’ve read my other reviews/teasers, then you know I’m a Team Phoenix fan.  Don’t judge me—I like the bad boys that are in dire need of redemption.  (I mean, come on, I’m Team Cole, Team Darkling, so it goes without saying, I’m Team Phoenix).  And we get SO MUCH Phoenix in this one that I felt like I was on Cloud 9.  I loved seeing inside his head, knowing the pain and loneliness that consumes him from the inside out.  It made him seem more human, even when his actions were cruel and demonic.  So many people might argue that he is truly evil, but I think, more than anything, he is suffering, and as a result, he lashes out at those he loves.  It happens.  How many of us have said something we regret to a loved one?  Now, Phoenix takes this much further than words, but I think everyone will understand him a bit more after seeing that he is truly broken.

Now even though I’m Team Phoenix, I still love Lincoln, and I won’t be disappointed when/if Violet ends up with him.  That’s another think I love about this book—both guys make me happy!  I usually have a strong negative reaction towards one of the guys when there is a love triangle involved, but here?  I like them both, and will be happy no matter what ending, unless somebody dies.  Then I’ll die of misery.  But if you’re a Lincoln fan, be ready for some angst.  Some heart-pounding, soul-ripping angst.  Violet and Lincoln’s love is epic, and this book really shows us the struggle they must undergo in deciding whether love is worth the risk.

Violet remains one of my favorite heroines.  She’s strong, but not the “I just woke up one day and was a bad ass” strong.  She still has to work on her powers, and there are definitely things about her powers and her past (not to mention her future) that are up in the air.  Still, she doesn’t let that bring her down.  She stands strong and fights the exiles head on without ever wavering.  She’s not whiney, even when she has every reason to be, and I really like this no pity side of her.  If she were to sit around moping, I would definitely get annoyed.

And

That

Ending!

Oh my gosh—I did not see it coming!  But don’t fret, it’s not one of those “Is he/she alive or dead” type of cliffhangers.  It’s more of a jaw dropping, “what the heck just happened?” cliffhanger.  It won’t let you upset or frustrated, only curious and thrilled for the next installment.

I highly recommend this series to paranormal romance lovers.  Jessica’s world is magical, where the characters are covered in either lies or love; and where the truth is the most heartbreaking thing of all.

 

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Neverfall by Brodi Ashton

Neverfall by Brodi Ashton

Novella published by Harper Collins (Harper Impulse)

Release Date:  Available Now

Reviewed by:  Middle Sis Jenn

The Sisters Say:  Gritty, Personal and Transcendent

A thrilling new novella from the author of the Everneath series!

Jack is trapped for eternity in the Tunnels while Nikki has managed to evade Cole's grasp . . . for now. But Cole is more desperate than ever to find answers about Nikki, his best chance for taking over the throne of the underworld. How did she survive the Feed? Can Cole find another Forfeit like her who can survive it too?

Cole's quest leads him to the other side of the world, to a mysterious, dangerous society known as the Delphinians, whose price for information might be higher than Cole can pay—a price that could destroy Nikki. But when Cole attempts to steal the answers instead, his mission ends in disaster. Faced with centuries in a Delphinian dungeon, Cole is confronted with questions he's been too scared to ask himself: Is he really obsessed with the throne—or is he obsessed with Nikki? And can she really give him a new beginning as the Everneath's king . . . or will she instead bring about his tragic end?

“It had shaped my soul to fit with hers and only hers.  It had graced me to see the truth but simultaneously prevented me from doing anything about it.  In the moment I faced dying, I finally knew my reason for living.”  Loc 1255-1257

For the most part, I am a fan of novellas, the growing trend in YA literature.  I love getting to see through another character’s eyes, and I especially love getting to delve deeper into a book’s world.  However, with every novella I’ve read, there seems to be something missing, and I can’t quite put my finger on what it is.  All I know is I’m not fully satisfied at the end.  And this happens with my favorite characters—Warner’s Destory Me, Aiden’s Elixir.  I don’t know what it is, but I just want something more.

This novella is written from Cole’s point of view, and if you follow my reviews, then you know I am a HUGE fan of Cole.  I like the broody, rebellious guys; and I even have a soft spot for the bad guys—hoping that maybe they aren’t beyond redemption.  So, of course, the best part of this, for me, was getting to see inside Cole’s head—see how he thinks, what his motivations are, how far he is really willing to go—and who he is willing to lose.  I definitely saw a new side of Cole in this one, and I’m not sure how I feel about that. 

From the first book, I have heard that Cole gained a huge following, which I think was quite a surprise.  I’m thinking that this book was part of Brodi’s way of showing us who he truly is so we won’t be so enamored by him.  We see how truly obsessed Cole is with ruling the Everneath, and even more so, with Nikki.  But, it’s not the Romeo and Juliet, Catherine and Heathcliff kind of tragic love obsessed; instead, it almost seems more dangerous and sinister.  Cole is more dangerous that I would have imagined, being that I believed (and still do somewhat) that he is going to take a turn to the side of good.  Seeing this side of him was definitely enlightening.

What bugged me about the novella, though, is that if felt rushed and slightly unfinished.  Cole is searching to find how Nikki survived the feed, and this action fell flat for me.  I was intrigued by the Delphinians because this was a new aspect to the history of the world; however, Cole’s search for them and eventual meeting just didn’t have the flare I wanted.  It did open my eyes to the cruelty of the Everneath and everything surrounding it, but I expected fireworks, and instead got a bit of playing with matches.

Still, I liked the revelation that Cole had at the end.  It fit more with what I imagine Cole to be, as opposed to what his actions say about him.  I still don’t think he can be trusted, but I think that he still has a heart, and as long as he has a heart, he can be saved—or better yet, do the saving.

I’ll leave you with a quote that made me laugh at loud.  (I will say, I liked Cole’s humorous inner monologues).

“I considered for a moment grabbing Jack, squishing him into the shape of a giant football, and spiking him into the bus; but I refrained.  Jack may have had a small brain, but the rest of him was quite large.” Location 572-572

Waiting on Wednesday: All Our Yesterdays by Cristin Terrill

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Jill over at Breaking the Spine. It spotlights books that have not yet been released, but ones that you should pre-order today! This week's book that we are anxiously awaiting is ALL OUR YESTERDAYS by Cristin Terrill.   ALL OUR YESTERDAYS releases on September 3, 2013 from Disney Hyperion.

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Marina has everything. She’s got money, popularity, and a bright future. Plus, she’s best friends with the boy next door, who happens to be a gorgeous prodigy from one of America’s most famous families.

Em has nothing. Imprisoned in a small white cell in the heart of a secret military base, all she has is the voice of the boy in the cell next door and the list of instructions she finds taped inside the drain.

But Marina and Em have one big thing in common: they’re the same person.

Now Em must travel back four years in time in order to avert the terrible future from which she’s fled, and there’s only one way to do it. She must kill the person who invented the time machine in the first place: someone from her past. A person she loved.

But Marina won’t let them go without a fight.

 

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I really love the sound of this one!  I've not read many time travel books, but this one looks like its going to have it all:  action, romance, and danger!  Plus, she has to kill the person she loves?  I'm betting there will be some seriously great drama here!

 

Top Ten Tuesday

Top Ten Tuesday is an original meme hosted and created by The Broke and the Bookish

This Week:  The Top 10 Books on the TOP of your Spring 2013 TBR List!  These are in no particular order because I want them all!!!!

1.) Goddess by Josephine Angelini (May)

I am dying to get my hands on this one!!!!  I need to know what happens next with Lucas and Helen!

2.) Ashes on the Waves by Mary Lindsey (June...technically summer, but still)

A retelling of Edgar Allan Poe's poem, Annabel Lee.  Sign me up please.  I have read Chapter 1 of this one (it's posted on goodreads), and the writing is so beautiful.  I can't wait to get my hands on it.

3.) Dance of the Red Death by Bethany Griffin (Another June release)

I loved Masque of the Red Death, so I am definitely looking forward to seeing what is next for Araby.

4.) Sweet Peril by Wendy Higgins (April)

I just got my ARC in about a week ago, and I cannot wait to dive into it!  I need me some more Kaidan!

5.) The Oathbreaker's Shadow by Amy McCulloch (June)

This one sounds so intriguing.  An oath taken that cannot be remembered--eeek!  Dying to figure out the mysteries in this one!

6.) Of Triton by Anna Banks (May)

I loved Of Poseidon, and I just can't wait to find out what's next!

7.) Between the Lives by Jessica Shirvington (May)

This one sounds a little bit like Sliding Doors, only where your family and friends change, too.  Plus, its by Jessica Shirvington, and I love her Embrace series!

8.) Clockwork Princess by Cassandra Clare (March)

Um...duh?

9.) Another Little Piece by Kate Karyus Quinn (June)

YA horror!  This one sounds creepy and fantastic, and I LOVE the cover!  Love it!  I'm really looking forward to being creeped out!

10.) Faking It by Cora Carmack (June)

We love Cora (another duh!)!  This one is about Max and Cade, and we know there will be tons of humor and romance!

The Nightmare Affair by Mindee Arnett

The Nightmare Affair by Mindee Arnett

eARC received from Tor Teen via Netgalley

Release Date: 3-5-2013

Reviewed by:  Middle Sis Jenn

The Sisters Say:  Ethereal, Gripping, and Dazzling

Sixteen-year-old Dusty Everhart breaks into houses late at night, but not because she’s a criminal. No, she’s a Nightmare.

Literally.

Being the only Nightmare at Arkwell Academy, a boarding school for magickind, and living in the shadow of her mother’s infamy, is hard enough. But when Dusty sneaks into Eli Booker’s house, things get a whole lot more complicated. He’s hot, which means sitting on his chest and invading his dreams couldn’t get much more embarrassing. But it does. Eli is dreaming of a murder.

Then Eli's dream comes true.

Now Dusty has to follow the clues—both within Eli’s dreams and out of them—to stop the killer before more people turn up dead. And before the killer learns what she’s up to and marks her as the next target.

I have been looking forward to reading The Nightmare Affair ever since I read the blurb (months and months ago).  It was one of the coolest ideas I have ever heard—Dusty’s a nightmare!  A nightmare!  How cool is that?  I love the idea of taking something so abstract and turning it into embodiment of a person!  Mindee’s world is utterly hypnotic—filled with duplicitous magickind and twisted into the stuff of…forgive me, nightmares.  So, fantasy and magic fans, dive straight into this world!  But be careful, here there be monsters.

Mindee’s story jumps straight into the action from Chapter 1, which, if you know me, is exactly how I like them.  I understand that first books in a series need the world building, but at times it can get dense and boring.  But not with this one.  Each chapter brings a new mystery or a new revelation, and I couldn’t make my eyes read fast enough.  The action kept me intrigued while the characters captured my imagination.  I loved that Mindee was able to weave her world building into the action—and what a world it is.  There are all sorts of magical creatures living in one place, and I just love how this book portrays them.  You have sirens, vampires, demons, witches, mermaids—you name the paranormal creature, and it’s probably in this book.  It was neat seeing a book where you get to see multiple creatures, instead of just focusing on a few.

Dusty was such a great main character—feisty and fun, but at times, immature in her thinking and actions.  Normally, this would but me, but it just seems natural with Dusty.  I didn’t get annoyed with her rash decisions, and believe me, she did make quite a few.  It felt more like a rite of passage than just dumb mistakes.  I think some people might get annoyed with her jump-straight-in attitude, but it didn’t really bug me.  Now, I did think she was a little dense in the romance department, but that’s just me being biased because I like Eli.  Paul is sweet and he seems like a great guy for her, but I just didn’t like him.  Add that to the fact that the dream sessions with Eli are something that could definitely end in some great romancy scenes, and I just have high hopes that she’ll choose him.

So, obviously you know I’m a fan of Eli.  Now, don’t get me wrong, he is definitely not perfect.  He can be a big jerk at times, and like Dusty, he’s also dense at times when it comes to romance.   But he just seems so sincere, and again, I like the connection that Dusty has with him.  I would have liked to see a bit more alpha male in him, especially because he’s this big athlete and Mr. Popular from his last school.  But, I really didn’t see that.  We saw brief glimpses of jealousy and antagonism, but it wasn’t full blown.  I would like to see some possessiveness show out in him in the next book.

I really liked the minor characters, too.  You have Lance, who is this big jack***, but there is something about him that seems friendly, like if you manage to get past the goofy and jerky barrier, he could be an amazing friend.  I might be wrong about him, but I still like his character, and I look forward to seeing more of him in the future.  Then you have Selene, Dusty’s best friend.  She’s the “give me no excuses and I won’t kick you in the butt” type of girl, and I really like her sincerity and her protective side. 

The only complaint I really have is that some parts were predictable.  Not all of them were, there was a big twist at the end that I didn’t see coming; however, I did see a few of the other big twists.  This predictability didn’t keep me from enjoying the book, though.  I still enjoyed every aspect of it, and I can’t wait until the sequel.

Horned Demons

Contraband Magic

Smexy Dream Scenes

Duplicitous People

Dark Secrets

Add those all together and what do you have?  A nightmare worth dreaming.

Blogoversary Giveaway #2: "Life of Crime" ARCS

Hey Everyone!  The YA Sisterhood 2nd Blogoversary Celebration continues with another giveaway!

One winner will win the following 3 ARCS:

 

All 3 of these ARCS revolve around experiencing or committing a crime.  Nobody, follows a teenage assassin who, in essence, is invisible to the world around him and the girl that he falls for.  How To Live a Life of Crime follows students at a school for criminals. Crash and Burn is the story of Steven who saves his fellow students from a classmate bent on destroying their lives.

To win, enter the Rafflecopter below!!!

 

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Triple Threat Blog Tour: Interview with Megan Miranda, Author of Hysteria

Today we are hosting the Triple Threat Blog Tour with Megan Miranda, author of Hysteria!  She dropped by to answer a few questions for us!

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1.) Where did the idea for Hysteria come from?

I got a sense of character first, and the idea that she would have killed her boyfriend at the start of the book. But the idea that became the story started after I had been researching for a bit. I was looking into stories about memories and hauntings, and I got carried away thinking about all the things that can haunt, and in all the ways those things can haunt.

 

2.) The cover is so cool!  Did you have any say in how it progressed? (If not, what was it like seeing it for the first time?)

I didn't come up with the concept, but when they sent me the image they were hoping to use for my feedback, I did a double-take. Then I got a chill. And then I thought… perfect. It captures the mood and the tone, and the "is this really real, or is this all in my head?" element perfectly.

 

3.) What’s it like to right about the blurred edges of madness?

It's like walking a very fine line. I want to make sure *I* keep a very firm grasp on what's happening to keep the story grounded, but to allow that fear and confusion to translate without becoming confusing (wait, is that confusing?)

Honestly, it took me a while to get there. I’d get notes back that marked large passages that said “too confusing” or “unclear” in draft after draft from both my critique partners and my editor. So a lot of the process was finding that line, walking across it, and learning how to balance.

 

4.) What projects are you working on right now?

I'm working on revisions for my 2014 book, which is a sequel/companion to Fracture. It's told from Decker's point of view and takes place about 8 months after the events in Fracture. It's about the idea of a curse, and how people can believe, and also how it can take people over….

I'm also working on a few different projects for what comes next. All have a bit of a thriller element to them, in very different forms.

 

5.) Just for fun, what’s your favorite:

Drink: Diet Coke

Food: Mac & cheese

Animal: It’s not that I don’t like animals. It’s just that they don’t seem to like me so much…

Song: Changes by the moment, depending on my mood. And also on what I’m writing J

Book: Impossible question! I always default to the best most-recent book I’ve read. Which, at the moment, is Gone Girl.

Vacation Spot: The beach

Blog Tour: Wait For You by J. Lynn

WAIT FOR YOU
by J Lynn (aka Jennifer L. Armentrout)
Received from: The Author
Reviewed by: Baby Sister Brittany
The Sisters Say: Witty, Wonderful and we're 100% Wooed!

NOTE: This book is NOT YA. It is considered "New Adult" and is appropriate for readers over the age of 18.

From Goodreads:

Some things are worth waiting for…

Traveling thousands of miles from home to enter college is the only way nineteen-year-old Avery Morgansten can escape what happened at the Halloween party five years ago—an event that forever changed her life. All she needs to do is make it to her classes on time, make sure the bracelet on her left wrist stays in place, not draw any attention to herself, and maybe—please God—make a few friends, because surely that would be a nice change of pace. The one thing she didn’t need and never planned on was capturing the attention of the one guy who could shatter the precarious future she’s building for herself.

Some things are worth experiencing…

Cameron Hamilton is six feet and three inches of swoon-worthy hotness, complete with a pair of striking blue eyes and a remarkable ability to make her want things she believed were irrevocably stolen from her. She knows she needs to stay away from him, but Cam is freaking everywhere, with his charm, his witty banter, and that damn dimple that’s just so… so lickable. Getting involved with him is dangerous, but when ignoring the simmering tension that sparks whenever they are around each other becomes impossible, he brings out a side of her she never knew existed.

Some things should never be kept quiet…

But when Avery starts receiving threatening emails and phone calls forcing her to face a past she wants silenced, she has no other choice but to acknowledge that someone is refusing to allow her to let go of that night when everything changed. When the devastating truth comes out, will she resurface this time with one less scar? And can Cam be there to help her or will he be dragged down with her?

And some things are worth fighting for…


We sisters pledged our love and allegiance to JLA long ago. She is the master of writing swoon-worthy boys, and she's done it again with Cam in WAIT FOR YOU.

I think I like other romances and couples, and then I read a JLA-romance, and am like "Holy Crazypants Batman! What was I thinking? THIS is a romance!" WAIT FOR YOU made me flail and giggle like a schoolgirl in love.

And let's be honest.... I don't even flail and giggle over romance in real life... only for swoon-worthy fictional guys like Cam. :)The romance in this book is realistic. It moves at a believable pace, and will draw you in completely.

But this book has depth beyond the romance. First, there are the secondary characters. Avery's friends are hilarious and likable. They remind me of my own friends, which went a long way to helping me connect to Avery and her world. They also made the overall collegiate feeling very genuine.

And lastly, there is Avery. Her story is so tragic, and I applaud JLA for not shying away from difficult issues in this book. While this book does follow a rather cliche New Adult structure about a heroine with a broken past who needs to be "healed" through love, it feels fresh because JLA makes some bold choices, including a really interesting twist.

If you are a fan of New Adult books and want something with both angst and humor, you should definitely give this a shot! It hit both the New York Times and USA Today Bestseller Lists on its first week! We hope you enjoy it as much as we did!

Buy it at Amazon. 
Buy it at Barnes and Noble. 

And because we're part of the blog tour, we have an extra special giveaway for you! Sexypants Cam has an awesome pet in this book, and we've got a bracelet to giveaway in its honor. :)

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Don't forget to check out the rest of the Blog Tour! Each blog has it's own unique giveaway! 

Paper Valentine by Brenna Yovanoff

Paper Valentine by Brenna Yovanoff

Published by Razorbill (Penguin)

On Shelves Now

Reviewed by Middle Sis Jenn

The Sisters Say:  Creepy and Thrilling with a touch of sweet romance

The city of Ludlow is gripped by the hottest July on record. The asphalt is melting, the birds are dying, petty crime is on the rise, and someone in Hannah Wagnor’s peaceful suburban community is killing girls.

For Hannah, the summer is a complicated one. Her best friend Lillian died six months ago, and Hannah just wants her life to go back to normal. But how can things be normal when Lillian’s ghost is haunting her bedroom, pushing her to investigate the mysterious string of murders? Hannah’s just trying to understand why her friend self-destructed, and where she fits now that Lillian isn’t there to save her a place among the social elite. And she must stop thinking about Finny Boone, the big, enigmatic delinquent whose main hobbies seem to include petty larceny and surprising acts of kindness.

With the entire city in a panic, Hannah soon finds herself drawn into a world of ghost girls and horrifying secrets. She realizes that only by confronting the Valentine Killer will she be able move on with her life—and it’s up to her to put together the pieces before he strikes again.

Paper Valentine is a hauntingly poetic tale of love and death by the New York Times bestselling author of The Replacement and The Space Between.

This is one of those books where you read it and then wonder, “Why did I wait so long to read this?”  I’ve had an eARC of this book since at least November, but I kept putting it off because I just didn’t know how much I would enjoy it.  Now that I have read it, I can say without a doubt that Brenna Yovanoff knows how to give you that fearful tingle that travels slowly up your spine until you want to run through your house and turn on every light!

The whole serial killer aspect of the story was slow starting—I think it was only mentioned once in the first 30% of the book, but after the murders start escalating, then the book really takes off.  Now that doesn’t mean that the first part of the book is boring—I actually really enjoyed it.  You get to see inside Hannah’s mind and into her life, and its heartbreaking watching her deal with the ghost of her dead best friend, Lillian.   She’s angry at Lillian because she doesn’t understand how Lillian let herself waste away, never fighting the ugly thoughts in her head; and that anger defines Hannah’s current personality.  I related to Hannah even though I had never been in that situation because Brenna’s writing just made the strained relationship come to life (in the face of death).

I really enjoyed the thriller aspect of this story, and no matter how hard I tried, I could not figure out the identity of the killer.  I think I went through 5 different suspects before the truth was revealed!  I never saw that ending coming, and that was what made this so great!  I love books where I can’t predict what is going to happen, and unfortunately, predictability seems to be a common problem in the YA genre.  I also loved the psychological side of this book.  You get Lillian’s inferiority complex and low self-esteem and Hannah’s brokenness and add that to Finny’s (the love interest) danger-seeking, destroy me attitude and there are certain to be fireworks.  Plus, you have a serial killer who stages his scenes like something out of a deranged toy store and the creep factor just zooms to new levels.

Perhaps my favorite part of the story was watching Hannah and Finny fall for each other.  They are both so broken in their own way, so it’s heart-wrenching to see them cling to each other for support and trust.  However, the waves of doubt that seem to ripple through their relationship make them all the more relatable and tender to read about.  I loved that Brenna gave us a sweet romance to offset the brutality of the murders and the creepiness of the hauntings.

The only issue I had with it (and this is what makes me go with 4 stars instead of 5) is that there are some plot holes that are left unexplained.  For example, Hannah is being haunted by Lillian, the ghost of her best friend.  Is this the only paranormal element that exists in her world?  Or could there be something else?  How the ghosts appear is never explained, and Hannah never even questions the how or why of it.  I just find that a bit strange.  Furthermore, it never explains why Hannah is the only one who can see the ghosts.  I would really have liked to know if it is a power she has or if ghosts can reveal themselves to chosen people or what not.  That was never explained and it still leaves me wondering about it now.

Overall, this was a great read and it was definitely something different in the YA genre (at least for me).  I have not read many ya thrillers, so the psychological warfare and the murders were new to me.  I really did enjoy it, though, and I look forward to more from Brenna and this particular sub-genre in ya.

Waiting on Wednesday: Replica by Jenna Black

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Jill over at Breaking the Spine. It spotlights books that have not yet been released, but ones that you should pre-order today! This week's book that we are anxiously awaiting is REPLICA by Jenna Black.  REPLICA releases on July 16, 2013 from Tor Teen.

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Breathtaking new YA SF from the author of the Faeriewalker series

Sixteen-year-old Nadia Lake comes from a high-class Executive family in the Corporate States. Her marriage has been arranged with the most powerful family in her state, which means she lives a life of privilege but also of public scrutiny, followed everywhere by photographers, every detail of her private life tabloid fodder. But her future is assured, as long as she can maintain her flawless public image — no easy feat when your betrothed is a notorious playboy.

Nathan Hayes is the heir of Paxco — controller of the former state of New York, and creator of human replication technology, science that every state and every country in the world would kill to have. Though Nadia and Nate aren’t in love, they’ve grown up close, and they (and the world) are happy enough with their match.

Until Nate turns up dead, and as far as everyone knows, Nadia was the last person to see him alive.

When the new Nate wakes up in the replication tanks, he knows he must have died, but with a memory that only reaches to his last memory backup, he doesn’t know what killed him. Together, Nadia and Nate must discover what really happened without revealing the secrets that those who run their world would kill to protect.

 

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I've not read too many young adult sci-fi books, but this one just sounds completely intriguing to me.  The idea that they have clones that can take up their lives when they die is kind of creepy, but in a fascinating sort of way.  Plus, this Nate guy sounds naughty and nice!  I'm definitely thinking I should give sci-fi a try!

 

Teaser Tuesday: Emblaze by Jessica Shirvington

Teaser Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by MizB over at Should Be Reading!

To participate all you have to do is:

•Grab your current read

•Open to a random page

•Share "teaser" sentences from somewhere on that page

•BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS!

(make sure what you share doesn't give too much away! You don't want to ruin the book for others!)

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Emblaze by Jessica Shirvington
Published by Sourcebooks Fire
Release Date:  TODAY!

"I wasn't me; it wasn't some stupid crush.  I wasn't even love.  It was more--much, much more.  It transcended anything he and I could ever be individually and was all about what we were together.  My soul was screaming for him, demanding that it have his." 
eARC, Location 2116-2117

(Phoenix to Violet) "'Love will kill us all,' he said sadly 'First, it makes us lie furiously so we can be what we must in order to appear deserving.  Then, it tears us apart with raw truth.  Whether we are man, exile, or angel--it doesn't matter.  For us all, the nature of truth is unforgiving.'" eARC, Location 3455-3457

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This book is amazing.  I was drawn into the pain and drama of Violet and Lincoln's relationship, and let me say, love is pain.  It might be beautiful and unrelenting and passionate and perfect, but above all those things, love is pain.  Emblaze was the best yet in this series, and Jessica has a forever fan in me.  Plus, we get quite a bit of Phoenix in this one, and I still can't help it; the guy could hold a gun to my head and I'd still want him to kiss me.  He's undeniably sexy--evil and all.  Emblaze....it was just awesome, and if the CW doesn't give this series the green light for next season, then I'm going to throw the hissy fit of all hissy fits.
 

Cover Reveal: Descendant by Nichole Giles

Descendant by Nichole Giles

Coming May 1st, 2013 from Rhemalda Publishing

Seventeen-year-old Abigail Johnson is Gifted. Blessed—or cursed—with Sight and Healing, Abby lives an unsettled life, moving from place to place and staying one step ahead of the darkness that hunts her. When she arrives in Jackson, Wyoming, she is desperate to maintain the illusion of normalcy, but she is plagued with visions of past lives mixed with frightening glimpses of her future. 

Then she meets Kye, a mysterious boy who seems so achingly familiar that Abby is drawn to him like he’s a missing piece of her own soul. Before Abby can discover the reason for her feelings toward Kye, the darkness catches up to her and she is forced to flee again. But this time she’s not just running. She is fighting back with Kye at her side, and it’s not just Abby’s life at stake.

I love this cover! I think it's pretty gorgeous. 

And here's a little bit about the author, Nichole, who is a SWEETHEART!

Nichole Giles had early career plans of becoming an actress or a rockstar, but she decided instead to have a family and then become a writer. Writing is her passion, but she also loves to spend time with her husband and children, travel to tropical and exotic destinations, drive in the rain with the convertible top down, and play music at full volume so she can sing along. 

Find her on: 

Facebook

Twitter

Goodreads

Triple Threat Blog Tour: Also Known As by Robin Benway Review and Interview

 

 

1.) Where did the idea for Also Known As come from?

 

It all started when I couldn't get into the storage unit in my apartment building. It had a Master Lock on it, but i had forgotten the combination, so I went to the source of all information: Google. 15 minutes later, I learned how to crack the lock and I started thinking how awesome it would be to do that for a living. And lo, Maggie was born.

 

2.) (Just for giggles) What are the 5 best benefits to being a teenage safe cracker?

 

1. Being able to get into your locker with no problem.

2. Being able to get into someone else's locker with no problem.*

3. Always having a good excuse to skip class. ("Sorry, I have to go save the world. Get the homework for me, okay?")

4. Your extracurricular activities will be quite impressive on your college applications.

5. No one can keep secrets from you.

*Very unethical, but still.

 

3.) Would you be a spy if you could?

 

I think, ideally, I would love to be a spy, but I would be the WORST spy in the world! I get too nervous and I blush easily, and I don't have Maggie's steady nerves when it comes to cracking safes under pressure. Our national security would be compromised in five minutes. I'll stick to writing novels.

 

 

4.) What projects are you working on right now?

 

The sequel to "Also Known As", which is so much fun! I love finding out what's happening with my characters and watching them grow. They're like my little fictional children, so I like checking in on them from time to time.

 

5.) Just for fun, what’s your favorite:

 

Drink: Espresso or prosecco (depends if it's morning or night)

Song: "Deep Red Bells" by Neko Case

Movie: "Singin' in the Rain"

Book:Franny & Zooey by JD Salinger

Superhero: Violet inThe Incredibles

Disney character: Gus Gus the Mouse inCinderella (love him!)



 

Also Known As by Robin Benway

eARC received from Bloomsbury

Release Date:  2-26-2013

Reviewed by:  Middle Sis Jenn

The Sisters Say:  Witty and Hysterical

Being a 16-year-old safecracker and active-duty daughter of international spies has its moments, good and bad. Pros: Seeing the world one crime-solving adventure at a time. Having parents with super cool jobs. Cons: Never staying in one place long enough to have friends or a boyfriend. But for Maggie Silver, the biggest perk of all has been avoiding high school and the accompanying cliques, bad lunches, and frustratingly simple locker combinations.

Then Maggie and her parents are sent to New York for her first solo assignment, and all of that changes. She'll need to attend a private school, avoid the temptation to hack the school's security system, and befriend one aggravatingly cute Jesse Oliver to gain the essential information she needs to crack the case . . . all while trying not to blow her cover.

Spies.  That’s all I needed to read before I was sold on this one.  Plus, I’m always looking for new contemporary because I love them—even though they are really hit and miss with me.  Also Known As was definitely a fun read albeit it, the story is completely unrealistic.  (At least I think it is, but who knows, I’m not a spy.)  Getting over the fact that the story seem sensationalized to me, I still found myself laughing at loud at the random humor that Robin so brilliantly added.

Robin’s writing definitely stole the show with this spy thriller.  Maggie is a teenage safecracker who has always been a part of the spy world—a girl on the outside looking in at what the normal world does every day.  And right away, she is intimidated, but that doesn’t bog her down.  Instead, she straps on her trusty sarcasm and heads straight for the lion’s den.  “Right off, I noticed that no one else was alone:  students traveled in packs of two, three, or four through the halls, not moving out of the way for anyone else…Wild animals also traveled in packs, I realized.  That was usually how they surrounded and devoured their prey.”  ARC, Location 381-383  I love her sense of humor here, and Maggie’s blunt and clever thoughts just keep getting better and better.

I loved Maggie, but my favorite character, by far, was Roux.  She’s this punk girl with a “stick it to the man” chip on her shoulder, and I loved every single, trashy word that leaped from her mouth.  She was hilarious, and she had a way of turning the simplest of scenarios into something that will cause you to fall off the couch and roll around on the floor laughing.  (Seriously).  Need an example?  “’Well, I think we can all agree bidets are weird,’ Roux announced as she strolled back into the room.’” ARC, Location 2433-2434  I mean, girls don’t talk about going to the toilet!  So, when this came popping out of her mouth (in front of the cute guy nonetheless), I found myself laughing hysterically.  Because, let’s face it, bidets are weird!

Despite the hilarious writing and great female characters, there were still times when the plot dragged.  I found myself skipping over entire paragraphs to get to the good parts.  In a spy thriller like this, I don’t need all the extra, gritty details.  I need the bang of guns, the hiding in plain sight, and the occasional passion-filled kiss!  I really didn’t get much of this, though, which is upsetting.  The whole “spy” part of the story seemed to fall into the background as the relationship part of the story took center stage.  I don’t have a problem with this really, but it would have been nice to hear a few guns J

One other thing that threw me off (it didn’t bug me, it was just different) was how middle grade the romance and action were while the language was definitely YA to Mature YA.  I mean, there were a whole lot of s-words, and a-words and what not, but very little of anything else that would show their age level.  Take away the language, and you would have a middle grade book.  I would have preferred a steamier romance to accompany the rest of the story.

Overall, this was definitely a fun read, and I am still reeling from the great humor that Robin put into her story.  I will definitely be reading more by her in the future!  If you are a fan of spy stories or fun, light-hearted contemporaries, then this is a book you definitely need to check out.  Push through the slower parts and the unrealistic story and get to know the amazing and witty characters.