It's Monday, What Are You Reading? (177)

Books I read week:
Annie’s Song by Catherine Anderson

The book I’m reading now:
Torment:
Hell on earth.

That's what it's like for Luce to be apart from her fallen angel boyfriend, Daniel.

It took them an eternity to find one another, but now he has told her he must go away. Just long enough to hunt down the Outcasts - immortals who want to kill Luce. Daniel hides Luce at Shoreline, a school on the rocky California coast with unusually gifted students: Nephilim, the offspring of fallen angels and humans.

At Shoreline, Luce learns what the Shadows are, and how she can use them as windows to her previous lives. Yet the more Luce learns, the more she suspects that Daniel hasn't told her everything. He's hiding something - something dangerous.

What if Daniel's version of the past isn't actually true? What if Luce is really meant to be with someone else?


Books that spark my interest this week:
My Life Next Door by Huntley Fitzpatrick
The Taking by Kimberly Derting

My Bookish Wants & Gots (87)

My Bookish Wants & Gots is a feature over at The Book Vixen. I list the books I want - which can be old, new, or upcoming releases - and the books I recently got.

My Life Next Door by Huntley Fitzpatrick

The Garretts are everything the Reeds are not. Loud, messy, affectionate. And every day from her rooftop perch, Samantha Reed wishes she was one of them . . . until one summer evening, Jase Garrett climbs up next to her and changes everything.

As the two fall fiercely for each other, stumbling through the awkwardness and awesomeness of first love, Jase's family embraces Samantha - even as she keeps him a secret from her own. Then something unthinkable happens, and the bottom drops out of Samantha's world. She's suddenly faced with an impossible decision. Which perfect family will save her? Or is it time she saved herself?

A transporting debut about family, friendship, first romance, and how to be true to one person you love without betraying another.

Grave Mercy by Robin LaFevers

Why be the sheep, when you can be the wolf?

Seventeen-year-old Ismae escapes from the brutality of an arranged marriage into the sanctuary of the convent of St. Mortain, where the sisters still serve the gods of old. Here she learns that the god of Death Himself has blessed her with dangerous gifts—and a violent destiny. If she chooses to stay at the convent, she will be trained as an assassin and serve as a handmaiden to Death. To claim her new life, she must destroy the lives of others.

Ismae’s most important assignment takes her straight into the high court of Brittany—where she finds herself woefully under prepared—not only for the deadly games of intrigue and treason, but for the impossible choices she must make. For how can she deliver Death’s vengeance upon a target who, against her will, has stolen her heart?

To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before by Jenny Han
To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before is the story of Lara Jean, who has never openly admitted her crushes, but instead wrote each boy a letter about how she felt, sealed it, and hid it in a box under her bed. But one day Lara Jean discovers that somehow her secret box of letters has been mailed, causing all her crushes from her past to confront her about the letters: her first kiss, the boy from summer camp, even her sister's ex-boyfriend, Josh. As she learns to deal with her past loves face to face, Lara Jean discovers that something good may come out of these letters after all.

The One by Kass Morgan
The Selection changed the lives of thirty-five girls forever. And now, the time has come for one winner to be chosen.

America never dreamed she would find herself anywhere close to the crown—or to Prince Maxon's heart. But as the competition approaches its end and the threats outside the palace walls grow more vicious, America realizes just how much she stands to lose—and how hard she'll have to fight for the future she wants.

Thursday Thirteen (41)

Thursday Thirteen is a weekly meme with a simple theme: each Thursday you blog a list of 13 things. What kind of things? Any kind! Just come up with a list theme and run with it.
*All of my lists are in no particular order.*
 

Swoon-Worthy Historical Romance Couples

1. Hunter of the Wolf and Loretta – Comanche Moon by Catherine Anderson

2. Gabriel and Katherine – A Kiss at Midnight by Eloisa James

3. Sin and Caledonia – Born in Sin by Kinley MacGregor

4. Lionello and Sanchia – The Wind Dancer by Iris Johansen

5. Ty and Janna – Reckless Love by Elizabeth Lowell

6. Giovanni and Nicoletta – The Scarletti Curse by Christine Feehan

7. Ian and Ann – Branded Hearts by Shannon Drake

8. Chad and Marian – A Man to Call My Own by Johanna Lindsey

9. Anthony and Cassie – Devil’s Embrace by Catherine Coulter

10. King and Amelia – Amelia by Diana Palmer

11. Kelan and Kiera – Impostress by Lisa Jackson

12. Tom and Deborah – The Hostage by Susan Wiggs

13. Justin and Elizabeth – Beauty For Ashes by Dorothy Clark

Why Haven't I Read You? (51)

Every Wednesday I’ll choose a book off one of my (many, many) shelves that I haven’t read for some reason or another, and include the first few lines from the first page.

Feel free to join in, and comment about the books I feature if you have read them!

Miss Alexia Tarabotti was not enjoying her evening. Private balls were never more than middling amusements for spinsters, and Miss Tarabotti was not the kind of spinster who could garner even that much pleasure from the event. to the pudding in the puff: she had retreated to the library, her favorite sanctuary in any house, onlt to happen upon an unexpected vampire. She glared at the vampire.

Soulless by Gail Carriger

Goodreads 

Future Favorites (166)

Future Favorites is an awesome blog feature created by Alex over at Electrifying Reviews. I post about a book that is yet-to-be-released that I can't wait to read!

Otherworld Nights by Kelley Armstrong

Release Date: October 7th 2014 by Random House Canada

This short story collection will include many brand-new tales and others only previously available on Kelley Armstrong's website. Most of the stories will feature the werewolves of the Otherworld, Elena and Clay, Jeremy, Karl and other members of the American Pack. These are some of Kelley Armstrong's best-loved and most enduring characters, from bestselling books such as Bitten, Stolen and Frostbitten.

1) Demonology - Adam's mother discovers what he is

2) Stalked - Clay/Elena honeymoon story from "My Big Fat Supernatural Honeymoon"

3) Hidden - SubPress 2012 Elena/Clay novella

4) Twilight - a Cass story from "Many Bloody Returns"

5) Chivalrous - Reese's backstory from SubPress's long sold-out "Tales of Dark Fantasy 2" (the Dec'14 SubPress graphic novella picks up this storyline)

6) Lucifer's Daughter - Hope/Karl story from "Blood Lite II: Overbite"

7) From Russia with Love - Elena bonus story included with hardcover of "Thirteen"

8) Vanishing Act - brand-new Savannah/Adam novella set after "Thirteen"

It's Monday, What Are You Reading? (176)

Books I read week:
Darker After Midnight by Lara Adrain
If You Find Me by Emily Murdoch

The book I’m reading now:
Annie’s Song:
Annie Trimble lives in a solitary world that no one enters or understands. As delicate and beautiful as the tender blossoms of the Oregon spring, she is shunned by a town that misinterprets her affliction. But cruelty cannot destroy the love Annie holds in her heart.

Alex Montgomery is horrified to learn his wild younger brother forced himself on a helpless "idiot girl." Tormented by guilt, Alex agrees to marry her and raise the babe she carries as his own. But he never dreams he will grow to cherish his lovely, mute, misjudged Annie, her childlike innocence, her womanly charms and the wondrous way she views her world. And he becomes determined to break through the wall of silence surrounding her; to heal...and to be healed by Annie's sweet song of love.


Books that spark my interest this week:
Dark Predator by Christine Feehan
Retribution by Sherrilyn Kenyon

If You Find Me by Emily Murdoch

If You Find Me:
There are some things you can’t leave behind…

A broken-down camper hidden deep in a national forest is the only home fifteen year-old Carey can remember. The trees keep guard over her threadbare existence, with the one bright spot being Carey’s younger sister, Jenessa, who depends on Carey for her very survival. All they have is each other, as their mentally ill mother comes and goes with greater frequency. Until that one fateful day their mother disappears for good, and two strangers arrive. Suddenly, the girls are taken from the woods and thrust into a bright and perplexing new world of high school, clothes and boys.

Now, Carey must face the truth of why her mother abducted her ten years ago, while haunted by a past that won’t let her go… a dark past that hides many a secret, including the reason Jenessa hasn’t spoken a word in over a year. Carey knows she must keep her sister close, and her secrets even closer, or risk watching her new life come crashing down.

Oh. My. Freaking. Goodness. What can I say about If You Find Me by Emily Murdoch? ...Other than it broke my heart that is? At the very heart of this book is the unimaginable strength of a terrified young girl and her unwavering devotion to her little sister. I devoured this book in one sitting and dare anyone to be able to put it down once they’ve started. Powerful and touching, Emily’s beautifully crafted story came right off the pages for me, and the main character, Carey, simply broke me. Underneath the rough backwoods dialect was an incredibly tragic, honest and gritty story; detailing the harsh (and sometimes despicable) way of life for Carey and Janessa before they were rescued from the woods. There are some vividly violent scenes in If You Find Me and throughout this book I constantly had a lump in my throat and tears in my eyes. I believe it’s going to be one of those books that will haunt me long after I turned the last page. 

My Bookish Wants & Gots (86)

My Bookish Wants & Gots is a feature over at The Book Vixen. I list the books I want - which can be old, new, or upcoming releases - and the books I recently got.

Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell

Set over the course of one school year in 1986, this is the story of two star-crossed misfits-smart enough to know that first love almost never lasts, but brave and desperate enough to try. When Eleanor meets Park, you'll remember your own first love-and just how hard it pulled you under.

The Absolutely True Diary of A Part-time Indian by Sherman Alexie

In his first book for young adults, bestselling author Sherman Alexie tells the story of Junior, a budding cartoonist growing up on the Spokane Indian Reservation. Determined to take his future into his own hands, Junior leaves his troubled school on the rez to attend an all-white farm town high school where the only other Indian is the school mascot. Heartbreaking, funny, and beautifully written, The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian, which is based on the author's own experiences, coupled with poignant drawings by acclaimed artist Ellen Forney, that reflect the character's art, chronicles the contemporary adolescence of one Native American boy as he attempts to break away from the life he was destined to live.

Annie’s Song by Catherine Anderson
Annie Trimble lives in a solitary world that on one enters or understands. As delicate and beautiful as the tender blossoms of the Oregon spring, she is shunned by a town that misinterprets her affliction. But cruelty cannot destroy the love Annie holds in her heart.
Alex Montgomery is horrified to learn his wild younger brother forced himself on a helpless "idiot girl." Tormented by guilt, Alex agrees to marry her and raise the babe she carries as his own. But he never dreams he will grow to cherish his lovely, mute, misjudged Annie—her childlike innocence, her womanly charms and the wondrous way she views her world. And he becomes determined to break through the wall of silence surrounding her—to heal—and to be healed by Annie's sweet song of love.

If You Find Me by Emily Murdoch
There are some things you can't leave behind…

A broken-down camper hidden deep in a national forest is the only home fifteen year-old Carey can remember. The trees keep guard over her threadbare existence, with the one bright spot being Carey's younger sister, Jenessa, who depends on Carey for her very survival. All they have is each other, as their mentally ill mother comes and goes with greater frequency. Until that one fateful day their mother disappears for good, and two strangers arrive. Suddenly, the girls are taken from the woods and thrust into a bright and perplexing new world of high school, clothes and boys.

Now, Carey must face the truth of why her mother abducted her ten years ago, while haunted by a past that won't let her go… a dark past that hides many a secret, including the reason Jenessa hasn't spoken a word in over a year. Carey knows she must keep her sister close, and her secrets even closer, or risk watching her new life come crashing down.

Forgotten Fridays (90)

I invite and welcome anyone interested to post their own Forgotten Friday and join in the fun! I feature a book that I have read and have forgotten how much I enjoyed it. Some books might recent reads and some might be older reads, but I hope this helps these (sometimes forgotten) books earn a spot on your own TBR pile!

The Forest of Hands and Teeth by Carrie Ryan
First Published: March 2009
Goodreads
My Review

In Mary's world there are simple truths.
The Sisterhood always knows best.
The Guardians will protect and serve.
The Unconsecrated will never relent.
And you must always mind the fence that surrounds the village; the fence that protects the village from the Forest of Hands and Teeth.
But, slowly, Mary's truths are failing her. She's learning things she never wanted to know about the Sisterhood and its secrets, and the Guardians and their power. And, when the fence is breached and her world is thrown into chaos, about the Unconsecrated and their relentlessness.
Now, she must choose between her village and her future, between the one she loves and the one who loves her. And she must face the truth about the Forest of Hands and Teeth. Could there be life outside a world surrounded in so much death?

Thursday Thirteen (40)

Thursday Thirteen is a weekly meme with a simple theme: each Thursday you blog a list of 13 things. What kind of things? Any kind! Just come up with a list theme and run with it.
*All of my lists are in no particular order.*
 

YA Opening Lines

1. I read somewhere that human beings are genetically predisposed to record history. – Grasshopper Jungle by Andrew Smith

2. “Once upon a time, the North Wind said to the Polar Bear King, ‘Steal me a daughter, and when she grows, she will be your bride.’” – Ice by Sarah Beth Durst

3. Today is the day I’ve been waiting for my entire life—the beginning of normal. – Stained by Cheryl Rainfield

4. My last supply duty before Sanctuary Night, I get home and Atticus is waiting. – Above by Leah Bobet

5. The day the rains finally came was like any other, with blistering air coating the canyon in a heavy stillness. – Brightly Woven by Alexandra Bracken

6. Laurel’s shoes flipped a cheerful rhythm that defied her dark mood. – Wings by Aprilynne Pike

7. It starts with a crack, a sputter, and a spark. – The Near Witch by Victoria Schwab

8. St. Juno’s wide granite steps could crack your head like an egg. – Nameless by Lili St. Crow

9. Everything changes when Tiffany Quinn disappears. Cryer’s Cross by Lisa McMann

10. “Come on!” Emma whispered from my right, her words floating from her mouth in a thin white cloud. – My Soul to Take by Rachel Vincent

11. Mommy forgot to warn the new babysitter about the basement. – The Summoning by Kelley Armstrong

12. The goat was in the tree again. – Texas Gothic by Rosemary Clement-Moore

13. I remember lying in the snow, a small red spot of warm going cold, surrounded by wolves. – Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater