WISHLIST: August Releases

So I just had to write this post today. I am impatiently waiting for August to come. With August comes some awesome books that I just have to get a copy of!!!! I thought I'd share them with you.

SO HERE THEY ARE

The Waiting Sky

by Lara Zielin (Goodreads Author)

 August 7th 2012 

GoodReads: 

One summer chasing tornadoes could finally change Jane's life for the better. 

Seventeen-year-old Jane McAllister can't quite admit her mother's alcoholism is spiraling dangerously out of control until she drives drunk, nearly killing them and Jane's best friend.

Jane has only one place to turn: her older brother Ethan, who left the problems at home years ago for college. A summer with him and his tornado-chasing buddies may just provide the time and space Jane needs to figure out her life and whether it still includes her mother. But she struggles with her anger at Ethan for leaving home and feels guilty--is she also abandoning her mom just when she needs Jane most? The carefree trip turned journey of self-discovery quickly becomes more than Jane bargained for, especially when the devilishly handsome Max steps into the picture.

The Treachery of Beautiful Things

by Ruth Frances Long

August 16th 2012

GOODREADS:

A darkly compelling mix of romance, fairy tale, and suspense from a new voice in teen fiction

The trees swallowed her brother whole, and Jenny was there to see it. Now seventeen, she revisits the woods where Tom was taken, resolving to say good-bye at last.

 Instead, she's lured into the trees, where she finds strange and dangerous creatures who seem to consider her the threat. 

Among them is Jack, mercurial and magnetic, with secrets of his own. Determined to find her brother, with or without Jack's help, Jenny struggles to navigate a faerie world where stunning beauty masks some of the most treacherous evils, and she's faced with a choice between salvation or sacrifice --and not just her own.

The Sweetest Spell

by Suzanne Selfors

August 21st 2012

Goodreads:

Emmeline Thistle has always had a mysterious bond with cows, beginning on the night of her birth, when the local bovines saved the infant cast aside to die in the forest. But Emmeline was unaware that this bond has also given her a magical ability to transform milk into chocolate, a very valuable gift in a kingdom where chocolate is more rare and more precious than gold or jewels. 

Then one day Owen Oak, a dairyman’s son, teaches Emmeline to churn milk into butter—and instead she creates a delicious chocolate confection that immediately makes her a target for every greedy, power-hungry person in the kingdom of Anglund. Only Owen loves Emmeline for who she truly is, not her magical skill. But is his love enough to save her from the danger all around her?

In a departure from her contemporary teen romances, Suzanne Selfors crafts an irresistible re-imagined fairy tale that will tempt readers with a delicious story of love that is sweeter than the richest chocolate.

Cover Reveal: Shift by Raine Thomas

Shift: Firstborn #2

By Raine Thomas

Release Date: August 24, 2012

e-book

Book Description from Goodreads:

Having the ability to shapeshift, Sophia is familiar with change. But even she feels the rising tension in her homeland.

A shadowy male and deadly beast reside in their midst. The births of the newest Kynzesti loom. Hostile Mercesti continue to hunt for the Elder Scroll, and a traumatized female is too afraid to use her abilities to stop them.

Topping off Sophia’s stress is Quincy, the male she’s convinced can’t stand her. She rues the loss of their friendship, but can’t figure out how to move past it. She’ll soon learn, however, that mending that rift bears more significance than she ever imagined.

The search for the Elder Scroll takes on unexpected urgency, and Sophia finds herself in a race across the mainland. To stop the Mercesti led by Eirik, she and her companions must get past their differences and unite against them. If they don’t, Eirik will acquire the immense power he seeks, and two of the beings Sophia loves most will die.

Other Cover in Series

SO HIT OR MISS

I must say I am intrigued by this cover. The wings are ingenious aren't they. Very intriguing. They engaged the eye immediately but don't take over the whole cover. The model looks a little lost. Is that on purpose? I'm not sure. The blue is very nice on the backdrop. In comparison to the first cover in the series this is a little dull but by it's self it is very nice.  The makeup on the model is stunning. I know personally how hard it is for designs like that to come out to perfection. Very well done makeup personnel. :-)   

A HIT

                             

Add to Goodreads:

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/15748241-shift

Raine Thomas

DEFY (Firstborn Trilogy, Book 1) - NOW AVAILABLE

Now Available: BECOMING | CENTRAL | FORETOLD

http://www.RaineThomas.com| http://twitter.com/Raine_Thomas

http://facebook.com/RaineThomas| http://pinterest.com/Raine_Thomas

Review: Goddess Interrupted

Goddess Interrupted 

(Goddess Test#2)

by Aimee Carter

Paperback, 296 pages

Published March 27th 2012 by HarlequinTeen

GOODREADS SUMMARY:

KATE WINTERS HAS WON IMMORTALITY.

BUT IF SHE WANTS A LIFE WITH HENRY IN THE UNDERWORLD, SHE'LL HAVE TO FIGHT FOR IT.

Becoming immortal wasn't supposed to be the easy part. Though Kate is about to be crowned Queen of the Underworld, she's as isolated as ever. And despite her growing love for Henry, ruler of the Underworld, he's becoming ever more distant and secretive. Then, in the midst of Kate's coronation, Henry is abducted by the only being powerful enough to kill him: the King of the Titans. 

As the other gods prepare for a war that could end them all, it is up to Kate to save Henry from the depths of Tartarus. But in order to navigate the endless caverns of the Underworld, Kate must enlist the help of the one person who is the greatest threat to her future. 

Henry's first wife, Persephone.

SO HIT OR MISS

The Goddess Test was the first novel I ever reviewed on this blog. I absolutely loved that novel and I was so excited to hear that this sequel would be releasing soon. I started seeing early reviews come up and here I became conflicted. Many of my favorite bloggers were not as inthralled with this installment because of how obsessively in love with Henry Kate seemed to be. I read all about how it was the main focus of this novel and overall it seemed like this book would not be good.

But I'm glad I went ahead and picked it up anyway.

Why?

Because I Loved THIS INSTALLMENT!

Yup you heard right. This was just as good if not better than it's predecessor.

Kate returns from her spring/summer in greece to a distant husband and more drama than she was probably expecting on her first day back.

In Kate's shoes I too would have been focused on Henry's love for me as much as she is. A new marriage, Titans and Ex wives drama. I mean really!

I honestly finished Goddess interrupted in 4 hours and 20 something minutes. No lie.

It was so good and right when I think the drama is over, the ending comes up and the last page kills me! 

Now I have to wait until 2013 for a conclusion to this major cliff hanger. I mean it is so unexpected that I never would have guessed. I actually re-read it! And then the little excerpt at the back featuring Henry!

I will be there opening day to get my copy. Matter fact I will be pre ordering my copy!

I'm so excited. But not just about the cliff hanger.

I'm excited to find out more about the titans and the battles and the gods! Totally Lost in the Goddess Test world!

Series Review: Raised by Wolves 1-3

by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

HIT OR MISS 

So if you don't know already, the Raised by wolves series is about a young girl, Bryn, who is rescued and raised by wolves. She is a human adopted by the Alpha of a pack and this series follows her journey through various trials and revelations.

I absolutely LOVE THIS SERIES!!!!

I was recommended this series by a good friend of mine. So off to the library I went to gain a hold of the first two novels. Two days later I just to had to get my hands on Taken by Storm! 

The characters were so engaging.  From the first page of Raised by Wolves I was trapped in a world.

Bryn is my favorite character. I love her fierceness and her curiosity. I love that even growing up surrounded by those who are stronger than her she still survives. I love how she follows through on what she decides. Generally just love love love her.

Ali is the perfect mix of everything I love in mother type characters. She is protective and moral. In Book 2, Trial by Fire you see another side to her. She's not just Bryn's mother or another human. She is pack! 

Besides for awesome characters, I just love the orginality of the plot. Not only did it remain interesting and connected through each book, it also never hit any snags. The books got better with each new installment and not worse! (Thank Heavens!)

Now I feel such impatient at having to wait for the fourth installment.

Not only is this series a HIT

ITS A MUST READ NOW!!!!!!!!!!

Review: If I stay

    

Title: If I Stay (If I Stay #1)

 Author: by Gayle Forman

Paperback, 234 pages
Published April 6th 2010 by Speak

Summary GR:

A critically acclaimed novel that will change the way you look at life, love, and family. 

In the blink of an eye everything changes. Seventeen ­year-old Mia has no memory of the accident; she can only recall what happened afterwards, watching her own damaged body being taken from the wreck. Little by little she struggles to put together the pieces- to figure out what she has lost, what she has left, and the very difficult choice she must make. Heartwrenchingly beautiful, Mia's story will stay with you for a long, long time.

SO HIT OR MISS

To start off I just have to say this is the most influential and powerful book I have read all year. As many of you know I am a emotional reader/person. I was so completely over come while reading this book. I never went more than 20 pages without shedding tears.

This book was so skillfully written. It follows the spirit of a girl named Mia who tragedy has struck. Mia slowly discovers where she is what happens and is faced with a choice.

While reading this book  I cried alot. I fell in love. I was wracked with unfathomable sadness and grief.

This story really is the most touching stories I have ever come across.

One of my favorite aspects of this story was the sheer complexity in all of the characters featured in this book. Everyone had a story to tell and each story was told well without over shadowing one over the other. I loved Mia's grandparents and the role they played through out the book. From Mia's bestfriend to Mia's Cello instructer, Everything written built more upon this classic story.

And even with all this tragedy and sadness the major theme I found was Life. Everyone's life. The art of living. Oh My GOSH! I can't even put into words how much this story means to me now. 

I am so thankful to have picked up this book and read it. The tears were worth it. 

HIT!

Update:

Hi Everyone!

I'd first like to welcome my new followers! I hope your enjoying my blog.

I also want to apologize for the lack of updates. I've been sick for a few weeks and am just getting better. Having a very sucky summer so far. No one wants to be sick in this type of heat.

Anyway I'm better now and will be back to blogging regularly!

Also, great news for you all! I am going to be having a few giveaways coming soon! So Look out for that.

Marnise