Friday, April 17, 2015

Downcast by Cait Reynolds Cover Reveal

Title: Downcast
Author: Cait Reynolds
Publisher: Booktrope
Publication Date: May 28th, 2015
About the Book:
 
It’s the start of Stephanie Starr’s senior year of high school, but sadly, this is no life of the prom queen. Stuck at the bottom of the high school social totem pole, Stephanie is forced by her domineering mother to wear lumpy linen dresses and eat organic tofu for lunch in a world of mini-skirts and pizza. 

What Stephanie doesn’t anticipate is gorgeous and cocky Haley Smith who breaks social convention and pursues her with a determination that is both terrifying and flattering. Afraid that Haley is simply trying to set her up for massive humiliation, Stephanie does her best to push him away. But the more attention he pays to her, the more she runs, and the more everyone else begins to notice.

Instead of a loving family to support her as the mean girls make their play, Stephanie’s mother begins to unravel mentally, her possessiveness of Stephanie spiraling to new and frightening extremes. Stephanie is forced to grow up, find herself, and learn the truth about her past in order to save her mother, her friends, and her town. When the truth is revealed, nothing can prepare her for the outrageous reality of her existence…and nothing can save her from her fate.

Except Haley.
 
 
About Cait Reynolds: Cait Reynolds hails from the Boston area where she lives with her husband and 4-legged fur child. She discovered her passion for writing and has already published four novels under various pen names. Downcast is her first foray into the world of paranormal young adult. When she isn’t cooking delicious meals, running around the city, rock climbing like a boss, or enjoying the rooftop deck that brings her closer to the stars, she writes. Downcast is book one in a three book series coming from Booktrope Editions. Reynolds is able to pull from real life experiences such as her kidney transplant and a bout with cancer and her writing reflects her passion for life from having to stare the dark places in the face. Please visit her at: www.caitreynolds.com

Sunday, April 5, 2015

Book Review - Lola and the Boy Next Door

Title: Lola and the Boy Next Door
Author: Stephanie Perkins
Format: Hardcover
Publisher: Dutton
Release Date: September 29, 2011
Rating 5/5 Stars



Synopsis:In this companion novel to Anna and the French Kiss, two teens discover that true love may be closer than they think

Budding designer Lola Nolan doesn't believe in fashion . . . she believes in costume. The more expressive the outfit - more sparkly, more fun, more wild - the better. But even though Lola's style is outrageous, she's a devoted daughter and friend with some big plans for the future. And everything is pretty perfect (right down to her hot rocker boyfriend) until the dreaded Bell twins, Calliope and Cricket, return to the neighborhood.

When Cricket - a gifted inventor - steps out from his twin sister's shadow and back into Lola's life, she must finally reconcile a lifetime of feelings for the boy next door.
 Ok so I wasn't expecting Lola to be as good as Anna but boy oh boy did Stephanie Perkins prove me wrong! I loved Lola just as much as I had loved Anna. I picked Lola up as soon as I had finished Anna. So glad I had it on standby. With a whole new city, a whole new cast of characters and a whole new situation of falling in love made it another 5 star read. 

This time instead of being set in Paris, I found myself in a city a lot closer to home. San Francisco was a wonderful place for this story to be told. Lola and Cricket's relationship I loved probably more than I loved Anna and Etienne's relationship. The characters were different from those in the first book and they made them so easy to fall in love with and watch them go through the ups and downs of their lives and how they want to be together but the past is making things difficult. What really made me fall in love with the book was the reappearance of Anna and Etienne. That's right, they came back! It was a nice touch to see how things were going with them but it didn't distract that it was  Lola and Cricket's story to be told. 

Thursday, April 2, 2015

Book Review - Catching Jordan by Miranda Kenneally

Title: Catching Jordan (Hundred Oaks Series #1)
Author: Miranda Kenneally
Publisher: SourceBooks Fire
Release Date: December 1, 2011
Format: Paperback 
Rating 4/5 Stars


ONE OF THE BOYS

What girl doesn't want to be surrounded by gorgeous jocks day in and day out? Jordan Woods isn't just surrounded by hot guys, though-she leads them as the captain and quarterback of her high school football team. They all see her as one of the guys and that's just fine. As long as she gets her athletic scholarship to a powerhouse university.

But everything she's ever worked for is threatened when Ty Green moves to her school. Not only is he an amazing QB, but he's also amazingly hot. And for the first time, Jordan's feeling vulnerable. Can she keep her head in the game while her heart's on the line?

High school football, high school seniors, some amazing universities, a quirky cast of characters, romance, comedy, and some heartfelt moments made Catching Jordan a quick read that I enjoyed.

Starting off with that cast of characters who kept me turning the pages. Jordan Woods is unlike any MC I've read about before. Over 6 feet tall and the star quarterback of her high school football team, right there I knew this would be different. Enter her best friend; Sam Henry; who is also on the football team and is funny and downright charming. Ty Green is something else entirely with his looks and being QB as well. These 3 right here were totally fun to follow and I learned so much and could relive some memories of high school through them. The whole of the supporting characters and even minor characters were great additions and their roles were interesting.

I loved being able to watch Jordan go from just being of the boys and discovering that not all girls are entirely like the cheerleaders that she doesn't like. *cough Marie and Carrie cough* Those two supporting girls were probably some of my favorite characters because Marie knows about football and I call that a bonus for me and Carrie is just so sweet and both were there for Jordan. You go girls!

Ah the romance combined with the comedy kept me laughing and smiling throughout the course of the book. Managing to combine both is something I didn't know was possible. I have a habit of talking out loud while I'm reading if there's something that I find great happening and I did a lot of talking. So kudos for making me do that. The romance was nicely worked into the book and I didn't know how the book was going to end for a while, it kept me guessing. Didn't end like I thought it would have either. Little confusing right there I know but to figure out what I'm talking about you need to get this book right now. I even made it easy for you, I left links to purchase it ;).

Wednesday, April 1, 2015

Have You Seen This?

As the book nut that I am there are some ARCs that I'm in search of and thanks to Andi at Andi ABCs and Brittany at Book Addicts Guide for creating have you seen this to help collectors find those hard to get books to finish their collections.

So what I'm looking for are ARCs of:

Splintered by A.G. Howard
Unhinged by A.G. Howard
Ensnared by A.G. Howard


Something Strange and Deadly by Susan Dennard
A Darkness Strange and Lovely by Susan Dennard
Strange and Ever After by Susan Dennard


The Wicked Will Rise by Danielle Paige (does this even exist?)

If you have any of these or know anybody who does tell them to look me up and I'll see what I can do in return! Thank you!!

Waiting on Wednesday


Crimson Bound by Rosamund Hodge
Release Date: May 5th, 2015

Synopsis: 
An exhilarating tale of darkness, love, and redemption inspired by the classic fairy tale Little Red Riding Hood, from the author of Cruel Beauty.

When Rachelle was fifteen she was good—apprenticed to her aunt and in training to protect her village from dark magic. But she was also reckless—straying from the forest path in search of a way to free her world from the threat of eternal darkness. After an illicit meeting goes dreadfully wrong, Rachelle is forced to make a terrible choice that binds her to the very evil she had hoped to defeat.
Three years later, Rachelle has given her life to serving the realm, fighting deadly creatures in a vain effort to atone. When the king orders her to guard his son Armand—the man she hates most—Rachelle forces Armand to help her hunt for the legendary sword that might save their world. Together, they navigate the opulent world of the courtly elite, where beauty and power reign and no one can be trusted. And as the two become unexpected allies, they discover far-reaching conspiracies, hidden magic . . . and a love that may be their undoing. Within a palace built on unbelievable wealth and dangerous secrets, can Rachelle discover the truth and stop the fall of endless night?

*As always Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Breaking the Spine*