Entangled Teen Launch Party + Giveaway

I am absolutely, positively THRILLED to be taking part in the Entangled Teen August 6th launch party! Today is a day that is dedicated to the pure awesomeness of three books. The three books that are causing so much excitement out of yours truly would be Out of Play by Nyrae Dawn and Jolene Perry, A Tale of Two Centuries by Rachel Harris, and Hover by Melissa West (coming August 13th). Be sure to check out just what all three books are about below and enter the freaking awesometastic giveaway that Entangled has put together!

Title: Out of Play

Authors: Nyrae Dawn and Jolene Perry

Rock star drummer Bishop Riley doesn’t have a drug problem. Celebrities—especially ones suffering from anxiety—just need a little help taking the edge off sometimes. After downing a few too many pills, Bishop wakes up in the hospital facing an intervention. If he wants to stay in the band, he’ll have to detox while under house arrest in Seldon, Alaska.

Hockey player Penny Jones can’t imagine a life outside of Seldon. Though she has tons of scholarship offers to all the best schools, the last thing she wants is to leave. Who’ll take care of her absentminded gramps? Not her mother, who can’t even be bothered to come home from work, let alone deal with their new tenants next door.

Penny’s not interested in dealing with Bishop’s crappy attitude, and Bishop’s too busy sneaking pills to care. Until he starts hanging out with Gramps and begins to see what he’s been missing. If Bishop wants a chance with the fiery girl next door, he’ll have to admit he has a problem and kick it. Too bad addiction is hard to kick…and Bishop’s about to run out of time.

Amazon | B&N | Indiebound | Goodreads

Nyrae Dawn: website | Twitter | Facebook

Jolene Perry: website | Twitter | Facebook

Title: A Tale of Two Centuries

Author: Rachel Harris

Alessandra D’Angeli is in need of an adventure. Tired of her sixteenth-century life in Italy and homesick for her time-traveling cousin, Cat, who visited her for a magical week and dazzled her with tales of the future, Alessandra is lost. Until the stars hear her plea.

One mystical spell later, Alessandra appears on Cat’s Beverly Hills doorstep five hundred years in the future. Surrounded by confusing gadgets, scary transportation, and scandalous clothing, Less is hesitant to live the life of a twenty-first century teen…until she meets the infuriating—and infuriatingly handsome—surfer Austin Michaels. Austin challenges everything she believes in…and introduces her to a world filled with possibility.

With the clock ticking, Less knows she must live every moment of her modern life while she still can. But how will she return to the drab life of her past when the future is what holds everything she’s come to love?

Amazon | B&N | Indiebound | Goodreads

Rachel Harris: Website | Twitter | Facebook

Title: Hover

Author: Melissa West

On Earth, seventeen-year-old Ari Alexander was taught to never peek, but if she hopes to survive life on her new planet, Loge, her eyes must never shut.

Because in this world, pleasure is everything, held up by a ruling body that keeps their people in check by giving them what they want and closing their eyes to what’s really happening around them. The only hope Loge has is to move its people to Earth, and they have a plan.

Thousands of humans crossed over to Loge after a poisonous neurotoxin released into Earth’s atmosphere, nearly killing them. They sought refuge in hopes of finding a new life, but what they became were slaves, built to wage war against their home planet. That is, unless Ari and Jackson can stop them.

But on Loge, nothing is as it seems…and no one can be trusted.

Amazon | B&N | Indiebound | Goodreads

Melissa West: Website | Twitter | Facebook

GIVEAWAY:

To add to the excitement over the release of these three awesome books, Entangled is giving away a paperback of each one! Check out the Rafflecopter below to enter.

Link to the Rafflecopter

In My Mailbox (49)

IMM is a weekly meme hosted by The Story Siren. It is a way for book bloggers to post what they have received for review, borrowed from a friend, bought at the bookstore, or picked up at the library!

This week’s IMM is going to look a little on the large side because it’s been a good month since my last IMM post. With Christmas & super good book deals thrown in there, I am now rolling in the bookish goodness!

For Review:

In The Band by Jean Haus (e-book)

My Thoughts: I am so uber excited for this one! It just screams “READ ME MUSIC + BOOKISH NERDS!”

Pieces Of Lies by Angela Richardson (e-book)

My Thoughts: Secret societies, college, romance, and lots more. I had no other choice but to accept this review request!

Liberty by Annie Laurie Cechini (e-book)

My Thoughts: Thanks Rhemalda for a review copy! I cannot wait to get started on this one!

Bought:

Fallen Too Far by Abbi Glines (e-book)

My Thoughts: I am quickly becoming an Abbi Glines fanatic. I loved this one!

Someone To Love by Addison Moore (e-book)

My Thoughts: This one sounds super awesome!

Derailed by Alyssa Rose Ivy (e-book)

My Thoughts: I enjoyed this one a lot! Molly and Ben were awesome together!

Veer by Alyssa Rose Ivy (e-book)

My Thoughts: I only made it about halfway through this one before I lost interest. I just wasn’t connecting to the characters like I was in Derailed.

This Beautiful Thing by Amanda Heath (e-book)

My Thoughts: I can’t wait to read this one! I can understand where the main character is coming from (my younger brother sometimes acts like an over-protective older brother ESPECIALLY when it comes to guys)

Planning On Forever by Ashely Wilcox (e-book)

My Thoughts: Ohh, those pesky love triangles! I can’t wait to see who Alexa ends up with!

My Misery Muse by Brei Betzold (e-book)

My Thoughts: Tattoo artist & band member??? Uhh, yes please!

Need by Carrie Jones (e-book)

My Thoughts: I have heard so much about this series. I am so happy to finally have the first book so I can get started!

Just Remember To Breathe by Charles Sheehan-Miles (e-book)

My Thoughts: Oh my word, you guys this book was so beautiful and made of awesome!

Tempting The Best Man by J. Lynn (e-book)

My Thoughts: I ended up really enjoying this one! I loved the tension between Madison & Chase!

Chance Encounters by J. Sterling (e-book)

My Thoughts: I am a little iffy on the whole “love at first sight” thing but I am willing to give this one a try. It has some pretty positive reviews!

The Sweetest Thing by Jill Shalvis

My Thoughts: You guys, I now adore Jill Shalvis with all of my heart! This book follows the oldest sister a.k.a. the one most like me and I LOVED her story!

Head Over Heels by Jill Shalvis

My Thoughts: Chloe and Sawyer….be still my beating heart! Even though the first three books in this series all received 5 stars from me, this one was still my favorite!

That Boy by Jillian Dodd (e-book)

My Thoughts: Jillian helped to create the super awesome event that took place last month, “99 authors, 99 books, 99 cents”. There were so many awesome books for under a dollar. I just HAD to pick up a copy of her book!

Avoiding Commitment by K. A. Linde (e-book)

My Thoughts: Holy wow, that is the craziest premise ever (okay, so not exactly the craziest but still pretty freaking crazy and totally interesting!)

Down To You by M. Leighton (e-book)

My Thoughts: HOLY CRAZY TWIST BATMAN! This book was so good and there was a twist near the middle-ish/end that made my jaw drop!

Bouquet Toss by Melissa Brown (e-book)

My Thoughts: It was .99 and it sounds cute. I say that’s a win/win

Bad Rep by Meredith A. Walters (e-book)

My Thoughts: Another NA title! I am determined to read some awesome NA books this year!

Up In Flames by Nicole Williams (e-book)

My Thoughts: Wow, this book blew me away! It was an impulse buy but totally worth it!

The Mighty Storm by Samantha Towle (e-book)

My Thoughts: That cover along with the fact that one of the main characters in a band, has me beyond pumped to read this!

Exclusively Yours by Shannon Stacey

My Thoughts: I’m bouncing around with this series. I started off with book #3 then went to book #1! I felt that this one wasn’t as good as #3 but it was still full of such awesome characters and lots of good laughs (oh, and some sexy times too!!)

Yours To Keep by Shannon Stacey

My Thoughts: I loved this book so very much! It was the perfect amount of comedy and romance. Sean & Emma were perfect together!

Slow Summer Kisses by Shannon Stacey (e-book)

My Thoughts: This book was short and sweet but it was so well-rounded. I really enjoyed it!

The Dead Girls Detective Agency by Suzy Cox

My Thoughts: Kati and I were at Barnes & Noble last week just browsing around when we came across this book. I haven’t heard of it before but it reminds me somewhat of Stacey Kade’s series so I am all sorts of excited to read it!

Sweet Venom by Tera Lynn Childs (e-book)

My Thoughts: I have heard so many awesome, awesome things about this series! I want to see what the fuss is about.

Cowboy Dark by Tess Oliver (e-book)

My Thoughts: I really enjoyed this one! I feel like it ended way to abruptly and a little “off” compared to the rest of the story but it was still a fun read.

Fallen Crest High by Tijan (e-book)

My Thoughts: I have been seeing this book around some so I figured I would give it a try!

Something Like Normal by Trish Doller

My Thoughts: Touching, beautiful, heartbreaking, and lovely. This book was beyond awesome!

Gifted/Won:

From C.A. Kunz:

The Modified by C.A. Kunz (signed) + The Childe/The Modified Snow Globe + awesome swag!

My Thoughts: A HUGE thank you to Carol and Adam! This was such an awesome Christmas surprise!

From Jolene Perry:

Dizzy by Nyrae Dawn & Jolene Perry (signed)

My Thoughts: Nyrae & Jolene (aka Dylan & Ziah) had a super fun Twitter chat about 2 months ago! Jolene was sweet enough to send me a signed copy after the chat!

p.s. Thanks Jolene!!!

Christmas Gifts:

Warm Bodies by Isaac Marion

My Thoughts: HOLY ZOMBIES!!! I cannot wait to see this movie February 1st, but before thin I will be reading this book!

The Friday Society by Adrienne Kress

My Thoughts: This book sounds like it is full of awesomesauce. I cannot wait to read about these three kick-butt girls!

From Cyndi:

Such A Rush by Jennifer Echols

My Thoughts: I am such a fan-girl of Jennifer it’s actually kind of creepy. But creepy tendencies aside, this is one book of hers that I haven’t read yet so I am super happy I now have it. Thank you so much Cyndi <3

From Justin:

Zack (my little brother) and I would love to say a giant THANK YOU to Justin for such awesome gifts. WE LOVE THEM!

Bot Wars by J.V. Kade

My Thoughts: Justin sent this one for my brother Zack and I to read together. We both love robots so we can’t wait to read it!

Ungifted by Gordon Korman

My Thoughts: Another Zack & Katelyn book. We love the cover of this one!

Graceling by Kristin Cashore

My Thoughts: This series has been on my ‘to-read” list for FOREVER! When I opened the box and saw this & Fire in there, I just about died!

Fire by Kristin Cashore

My Thoughts: See above!

The Girl In The Steel Corset by Kady Cross

My Thoughts: This is another book that I have been eyeing since before it came out. I knew from just reading the summary that I would love it so now I can’t wait to read it and find out if that’s true!

Hopeless by Colleen Hoover (e-book)

My Thoughts: Oh how this book broke my heart and then put it together again. I didn’t think I could love Colleen’s writing any more than what I did but then I read this and that all changed.

The Vincent Brothers by Abbi Glines (e-book)

My Thoughts: I LOVED The Vincent Boys so I can’t wait to see where this story leads

From Mandie:

Music note necklace + Degrees of Wrong by Anna Scarlett swag

My Thoughts: I love me some Mandie <3 <3 <3 She is the absolute BEST!

From Alexa:

An Easy bookmark!

My Thoughts: Alexa sent me a lovely bookmark with a quote from Easy by Tammara Webber! Thanks Alexa, I love it so much!

The Best of 2012!

2012 was an absolutely AWESOME year of books for me! I had such good look with many of the books I read. This past year I really branched out of my comfort zone as far as my reading taste goes. I slowly started to get more into the mature YA and NA books that were popping up like crazy. After having awesome luck with a few, I read as many as I could fit in. I also began seeing some of my blogging friends dipping their toes into the world of adult books and since I trust their opinions with my bookish life, I decided to give it a try. Some positive reviews led me to purchase a few and falling in love with those few led me to purchasing a whole lot more and boy am I glad that I did! Out of the 85 books I was able to squeeze into 2012, I gave 5 stars to nearly 40 of those books, crazy I know!!!! Below are all the books that I loved & adored with all of my heart in 2012. Clicking the picture will lead you to the Goodreads page of that particular book unless I had the chance to review it on the blog, if so, the picture will lead you to the review!

In no certain order, the best books of 2012:

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

 

Did you get a chance to read any of these titles in 2012? Did you love them as much as I did? Are there any books you would recommend to me for 2013?

Holiday Reads!

In just a few short days, Christmas will be upon us! I am ready to sit back & relax with the family, eat my weight and Christmas cookies, and curl up with a good book. Over the past year or so, I’ve read a few holiday/winter-inspired books that I’ve really liked and I have come across even more that I want to read! I thought I’d put together a fun little post showcasing those very books. Please feel to join in on the holiday festivities by sharing your favorite holiday reads in the comment box below!

Have Read:

Decked With Holly by Marni Bates (Amazon/Barnes & Noble)

My Thoughts: Marni has created yet another laugh-out-loud funny book! I adored her first book Awkward and I equally adored this one because let’s be honest, it’s centered around Christmas!

Snowed Over by Angie Stanton (Amazon/Barnes & Noble)

My Thoughts: This was a sweet Christmas tale! Two college students stranded in an old cabin over Christmas — what could possibly go wrong (or right!)?

Falling by Jolene Perry (Amazon/Barnes & Noble)

My Thoughts: This isn’t exactly a Christmas story but with the snow (and there are LOTS of it) and the cozy lodge, this is the PERFECT curl-up-on-the-couch-with-fuzzy-socks-and-a-cute-story type of book!

Ex-mas by Kate Brian (Amazon/Barnes & Noble)

My Thoughts: I read this book last year and I thought it was a really cute, Christmas-themed love story!

Want To Read:

Tempestuous by Kim Askew and Amy Helmes (Amazon/Barnes & Noble)

My Thoughts: I recently received this book and I must say, it sounds like the perfect winter break book although I may not want to be at the mall or any other public venue while reading it!

Clara Claus by Alexandra Lanc (Amazon/Barnes & Noble)

My Thoughts: Jack Frost and Santa’s granddaughter!?! As cheesy as this may or may not be, I must say I am oddly fascinated by the whole premise!

Santa, Baby by Jennifer Crusie, Carly Phillips, and Lori Foster (Amazon/Barnes & Noble)

My Thoughts: All three stories included in this book sounds so good! I am always game for some Christmas romance!

Mistletoe: Four Holiday Stories by Hailey Abbott, Melissa De La Cruz, Aimee Friedman, and Nina Malkin (Amazon/Barnes & Noble)

My Thoughts: An awesome set of authors putting together what seems to be an awesome set of holiday stories!

All I Want by Rachael Renee Anderson, Kaylee Baldwin, and Jolene Perry (Amazon/Barnes & Noble)

My Thoughts: All three stories in this book sound adorable! Jolene has made this list already with Falling so I’m excited to see what other holiday romance she’s put together!

Let It Snow by John Green, Maureen Johnson, and Lauren Myracle (Amazon/Barnes & Noble)

My Thoughts: Take a look at the authors behind this holiday book. That is all.

In My Mailbox (48)

IMM is a weekly meme hosted by The Story Siren. It is a way for book bloggers to post what they have received for review, borrowed from a friend, bought at the bookstore, or picked up at the library!

This week I got some awesome books due to a failed book buying ban (it lasted all of 2 hours) but that’s okay because I’m really excited about what I got!

Bought:

The Vincent Boys by Abbi Glines

My Thoughts: Good lord people. Why have I not been introduced to the awesomeness that is Abbi Glines before? My heart still pitter-patters every time I think of this little book!

Wallbanger by Alice Clayton

My Thoughts: Just a for-warning this is an adult novel. So yes there are sexy times. But even if that is not quite your thing, this book was so sweet & hilarious. Plus the last chapter of the book is from a cats point of view, seriously!!! I just about peed my dang pants I was laughing so hard!

All I Want by Jolene Perry, Kaylee Baldwin, & Rachael Anderson

My Thoughts: I have been looking for a few good Christmas books so when this one came to my attention, three Christmas stories rolled into one book, I just couldn’t resist!

Try Me by Diane Alberts

My Thoughts: Ignoring the fact that this cover has some SERIOUS eye-candy going on, the story behind it is actually quite awesome. It was a really quick read but that didn’t stop me from falling in love with the characters!

Waking Up Married by Mira Lyn Kelly

My Thoughts: I received a new Barnes & Noble coupon recently and have been eying this book, waiting for it to be released. Finally the time had come so I went to go buy it with my coupon and noticed it was FOR FREE! I couldn’t help the giggles & squeals that followed. I gobbled the story up in one day. It was pretty darn adorable!

Beautiful Disaster by Jamie McGuire

My Thoughts: I have heard far too many wonderful, amazing things about this book to NOT own it! I cannot wait to read this bad boy on vacation in a couple of weeks!

Gifted/Won:

The Lumineers CD, Of Monsters & Men CD, Breaking Dawn Part 2 Soundtrack, Rosi Golan CD!

My Thoughts: So I have this pretty awesome, spectacular friend named Cyndi. She sometimes likes to spoil me with awesome music and I love her for it!

Well that’s it for my books this week! I hope you all had a lovely book week as well & please be sure to leave your IMM/Stacking The Shelves links below so I can check them out!

In My Mailbox (46)

IMM is a weekly meme hosted by The Story Siren. It is a way for book bloggers to post what they have received for review, borrowed from a friend, bought at the bookstore, or picked up at the library!

I picked up a few more e-books for my Nook this week one of which I have been insanely excited about ever since I first read the summary of it!

Bought:

10 Weeks by Jolene Perry & Janna Watts

My Thoughts: This pretty little book right here was only $.99!!! I couldn’t pass up a deal like that and since I read and enjoyed one of Jolene’s other books, I thought I’d give it a shot!

Simply Irresistible by Jill Shalvis

My Thoughts: Ever since I read Ginger’s review of this book (and the whole rest of the series!) I have been dying to read it.

Dizzy by Nyrae Dawn and Jolene Perry

My Thoughts: I CANNOT WAIT TO READ THIS BOOK!!!! I fell in love with Nyrae’s writing when I read Charade and as I said above, I really enjoyed Falling by Jolene. So you can probably guess how incredibly excited I was when I found out these two awesome authors were writing a book together!

Well that’s it for my books this week! I hope you all had a lovely book week as well & please be sure to leave your IMM/Stacking The Shelves links below so I can check them out!

In My Mailbox (44)

IMM is a weekly meme hosted by The Story Siren. It is a way for book bloggers to post what they have received for review, borrowed from a friend, bought at the bookstore, or picked up at the library!

I had so much fun with Nook purchases this week! I am fully aware that I do not need to add anymore books to my “Own-but-haven’t-read” shelf but I had a few days off of work and a little extra spending money so I figured, why not! I am so happy I followed through with my impulsive shopping because I was in serious need of some me readingas opposed to review reading. I’ve been in a really rough reading slump lately (pretty much all of 2012) so I’d say the fact that I was able to read through 4 of my new books as well as finishing up 2 review books in just a few days is a good sign! Here’s what I got:

Bought:

Crush by Lacey Weatherford

My Thoughts: Bad boys with secrets? I LOVE books like this!

Charade by Nyrae Dawn

My Thoughts: OH MY WORD! I loved this book SO much. Chey & Colt were a fantastic fictional couple. Definitely for fans of Easy by Tammara Webber.

Falling by Jolene Perry

My Thoughts: A cute cover for a cute story! It wasn’t like HOLY AMAZEBALLS but it was certainly enjoyable & sweet!

Snowed Over by Angie Stanton

My Thoughts: This was a super cute story and PERFECT for Christmas time!

Losing It by Cora Carmack

My Thoughts: Gosh another freaking awesome book! I absolutely adored the main character and the love interest had a British accent. What’s not to love about a British accent!?!?

Lengths by Steph Campbell and Liz Reinhardt

My Thoughts: LOVE the cover and LOVE the summary. Me thinks I am going to have to move this one up my TBR list!