Wednesday, October 30, 2013

Waiting on Wednesday (7): Dorothy Must Die by Danielle Paige

Waiting on Wednesday (WoW) is a weekly meme hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine that spotlights future releases we are eagerly anticipating! Here it is...
I didn't ask for any of this. I didn't ask to be some kind of hero.
But when your whole life gets swept up by a tornado—taking you with it—you have no choice but to go along, you know?
Sure, I've read the books. I've seen the movies. I know the song about the rainbow and the happy little blue birds. But I never expected Oz to look like this. To be a place where Good Witches can't be trusted, Wicked Witches may just be the good guys, and winged monkeys can be executed for acts of rebellion. There's still the yellow brick road, though—but even that's crumbling.
What happened?
Dorothy. They say she found a way to come back to Oz. They say she seized power and the power went to her head. And now no one is safe.
My name is Amy Gumm—and I'm the other girl from Kansas.
I've been recruited by the Revolutionary Order of the Wicked.
I've been trained to fight.
And I have a mission:
Remove the Tin Woodman's heart.
Steal the Scarecrow's brain.
Take the Lion's courage.
Then and only then—Dorothy must die!


     I love classic retellings especially when they are morbid and twisted as this. Doesn't the premise sound so awesome?! I loved the story of Wicked by Gregory McGuire because it told a different side of the Wizard of Oz story and this book looks like it is doing the same. I will be eagerly anticipating this book! I'm just sad it doesn't come out until April. *Cue sad face*

Dorothy Must Die will be released on April 1, 2014 by Harper Teen.
What book are you waiting for?

Sunday, October 27, 2013

Super Six Sunday (1)

Super Six Sunday is an original bookish meme hosted at Bewitched Bookworms and inspired by “Top Ten Tuesday” from The Broke and The Bookish . You can see the weekly schedule of themes here.

This weeks topic looked fun and interesting so I decided to do one too! Today's Super Six Sunday is...
SUPER SIX FAVORITE SUPERNATURAL CREATURES
 
 
 
FAERIES
I have always loved faeries since I was a little girl. This has been my favorite Faerie series ever!
 
 
VAMPIRES
Vampires are scary but there are some sexy ones too!
 
 
WEREWOLVES
I used to be scared of werewolf movies, but when I read this series it changed my mind.
 
 
GRISHA
They are not much paranormal, but it's so cool that they are magical and have different ties with the elements.
 
 
WITCHES
I have loved witches ever since I watched The Wizard of Oz! Give me any kind of book with witches in it and I will read it!
 
 
TIME TRAVELERS
It's so mystical that there are stories where people can time travel to different eras. I would love to go to a different year just to experience what it was like back then. 

So that's my list! What are some of your favorite paranormal creatures/beings?

Saturday, October 26, 2013

Stacking the Shelves (2)

Stacking the Shelves is a weekly meme hosted Tynga's Reviews. Stacking The Shelves is all about sharing the books you are adding to your shelves, may it be physical or virtual. This means you can include books you buy in physical store or online, books you borrow from friends or the library, review books, gifts and of course ebooks!

Woohoo! It's been another awesome month of buying all the books I want. While I should stop buying so many books, as I am becoming a book hoarder, I can't help myself! I love books hehe! Here is the awesome haul I got for the month of October.

BOOKS I BOUGHT!

THE WARRIOR HEIR by Cinda Williams Chima
THE DARKEST MINDS by Alexandra Bracken
RENEGADE by J.A. Souders
CREWEL by Gennifer Albin
ETIQUETTE & ESPIONAGE by Gail Carriger 
VENOM by Fiona Paul
EVE & ADAM by Michael Grant and Katherine Applegate
GATED by Amy Christine Parker
FIND ME by Romily Bernard
I got these mainly for pleasure reading because they all look so great! I bought a whole bunch of other books for the Vegas Valley Book Festival next month, but that will be a separate STS all on its own. Oh and I also got the new Halloween Hello Kitty as you can see!
 
BOOKS I WON!

PERFECT RUIN by Lauren DeStefano
Won from Lauren herself in a Twitter giveaway! It's signed with a picture she drew of a penguin!
 
ORIGIN by Jessica Khoury
Won from Jessica's Facebook giveaway. She signed that one too! Since I already have a personalized copy from her when I saw her earlier this year, I will be giving this one away in a future giveaway.
 
IMPOSTER by Susanne Winnacker
It has been so long since I have won this giveaway, I honestly can't remember which blog I won this from. Sorry blogger person!
 
BOOKS I GOT SIGNED!
 
UNBREAKABLE by Kami Garcia
THE BEGINNING OF EVERYTHING by Robyn Schneider
 
BOOKS I GOT GIFTED!
 
SCARLET by Marissa Meyer
Since the Fierce Reads tour was not touring near me, the amazing Meredith offered to get me the books I really wanted signed! That was so kind of her and I am loving This Song. Meredith I can't thank you enough!!! You rock!
 
E-BOOKS I BOUGHT!
NOT A DROP TO DRINK by Mindy McGinnis
TIME BETWEEN US by Tamara Ireland Stone
ALL OUR YESTERDAYS by Cristin Terrill
THE PROGRAM by Suzanne Young
A LITTLE TOO FAR by Lisa Desrochers
 
 




Monday, October 21, 2013

Review: Pushing The Limits by Katie McGarry


Published: July 31, 2012
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Pages: 392
Genre: Contemporary
Rating: 5 out of 5






No one knows what happened the night Echo Emerson went from popular girl with jock boyfriend to gossiped-about outsider with freaky scars on her arms. Even Echo can't remember the whole truth of that horrible night. All she knows is that she wants everything to go back to normal.
But when Noah Hutchins, the smoking-hot, girl-using loner in the black leather jacket, explodes into her life with his tough attitude and surprising understanding, Echo's world shifts in ways she could never have imagined. They should have nothing in common. And with the secrets they both keep, being together is pretty much impossible.
Yet the crazy attraction between them refuses to go away. And Echo has to ask herself just how far they can push the limits and what she'll risk for the one guy who might teach her how to love again.


     Wow this book absolutely blew me away!!! I rarely read contemporary books because I am not that interested in them, but this has inexplicably changed my mind for life! The story is written in dual points of view between the main characters, Noah and Echo. Echo is trying to find herself again after suffering through a traumatic experience with her bi-polar mother. Noah is the typical bad boy, stoner dude who lives in the foster care system after his parents die in a horrible fire. They cross paths as they both have to attend counseling, and they do not get along one bit. They absolutely despise each other. Echo thinks Noah is a low life, where as Noah thinks Echo is a popular goody goody girl. To make matters worse, Echo takes on tutoring Noah to raise some money so that she may repair her dead brother's car. It is through their tutoring sessions and unexpected run-ins with each other that they develop an intense, raw and most beautiful relationship. I know Noah is the typical bad boy turned good when he meets a girl, but let me just tell you that it totally clicked for these characters. Through their horrible pasts they turn to each other, over coming the obstacles that have haunted them. I believe that they made a really special couple. They had their flaws of course such as not communicating well at points, but they balanced each other well. When one was down and lost, the other helped console them. And boy did they have their steamy moments! That is how Noah and Echo develop a new normal.
     Echo's character was the most delicate of the two. She blocked out the memory of how she got burned and why her mother got sent to a mental institution. On one hand she wants to remember her past so that she can move on and go back to a normal life. I felt so horrible for her when she found out what happened to her the night of the accident. I wanted to cry with her as she found out the truth. While on the other, she is too scared to move on and is petrified to show her scarred arms. Her relationship with Noah helps her see that she is not the same person she was two years ago when she was a popular girl. With that, she matures having come to the realization that it's okay to be different, and she finds new passions in her life.
     I loved Noah's character the most. Oh Noah he is one swoon worthy guy alright! He was cocky, arrogant, hot with a very devilish smile. He put on that tough exterior like nothing bothered him, but deep down he was scared to trust anyone. I thought it was horrifically sad that his parents died and was separated from his two brothers in foster care. (I just wanted to hug him lol). Then the chemistry between he and Echo was electrifying. He had a bad reputation with the girls, but for Echo he did not pressure her to sleep with him. Although they did not have sex, their passion was undeniably hot. I would say the only thing that irked me was when called Echo BABY. Ugh, I don't know why but when he called her that I wanted to gag lol. Noah also struggled to gain custody for his brothers as soon as he graduated from high school. I was so torn and conflicted with him as he weighed the pros and cons to let his brothers be adopted by other people. He loved his brothers with all his heart because they were his flesh and blood. But if he adopted them, Noah would not be able to give them the life they deserve. 
     The last hundred pages of the book really killed me. Literally, I was balling with joy and sadness because the story was just that good. I wish I could go into details what happened, but I don't want to ruin it for you. I will just tell you to get your box of tissues ready because of all the angsty feels!!! Those last pages of the book is what made this story a five stars. I loved Katie McGarry's descriptions. She really knows how to reel you in with such raw emotions. If you enjoy reading contemporary romances, then I would highly recommend this book! I can't wait to continue the series with Dare You To and Crash Into You!
Favorite Quote:
"If you're scared, tell me. If you need to cry and scream, then do it. And you sure as hell don't walk away from us because you think it would be better for me. Here's the reality, Echo: I want to be by your side. If you want to go to the mall stark naked so you can show the world your scars, then let me hold your hand. If you want to see your mom, then tell me that, too. I may not always understand, but damn, baby, I'll try."
Noah talking to Echo
        


Friday, October 4, 2013

Kami Garcia Event Recap plus Giveaway

     On Tuesday, October 1st I went to Kami Garcia's launch event to kick off her tour. I originally wasn't planning on going to this event either, but I enjoyed her book so I decided to go. Boy am I glad I went. This was the event of the year!!! I thought we were going to be late because L.A. traffic is horrendous. Well we got to The Grove at 7:10 and I was bummed because I knew we were late. Luckily, by the time we got there it didn't start yet! We quickly grabbed a seat in the back as there were no more seats up front. As soon as the hubs and I sat down, low and behold Robyn Schneider was sitting right in front of me!!! I was like OMG, OMG Robyn freaking Schneider is only one foot away from me! Squeeee! I was trying to calm myself down but then here came Tahereh Mafi, Ransom Riggs, Leigh Bardugo, and Amber Benson!!! I was like holy freaking crow, this is author central here! Of all things they sat right behind me, so I was sandwiched between Robyn and Leigh...more squeeing!!!!!


     The next part where I talk about Kami Garcia and the panel may seem incoherent as I was fangirling and flailing like crazy, so bare with me on the details. I apologize lol. At about 7:30, in came Kami Garcia, Alyson Noel, Marie Lu, and Katie Alender. They introduced themselves and right away they went into Lightening Round. Sorry, I only remember the first question :0/

What is your favorite topping on pizza?
Alyson Noel: Umm cheese
Kami Garcia: Sausage
Marie Lu: Jalapenos
Katie Alender: Pepperoni

Second question: What is your favorite song to sing out loud to?
I just remember Alyson or Kami said Stairway To Heaven (sorry!)

Then it opened up to audience questions.
First question: Do you believe in ghosts?
KG: Yes and she's seen one. It was nice to her, not like the book.
ML: Yes but she hasn't seen one. She thinks her fiancé has a water spirit who follows him. One time when she was in bed, her fiancé was in the bathroom. When he went to turn on the light, the water in the faucet turned on full blast and he wasn't near the sink! That happens to him a lot.
KA: I didn't quite catch the whole story. Katie thought her husband was home because she heard steps, but it he wasn't home at all. It led to her saying they bought a dead writer's chair set before that. Kami told her to get rid of it since it's probably an evil spirit. It freaked her out a bit, in the end saying they moved so they're ok lol.

Ransom said her book has good music mentioned in the book, do they listen to a sound track when they are writing?
KG: No she can't concentrate with music on. She will make a play list before and after she writes the book to have the music go along with the themes.
AN: She makes sound tracks according to how the main character likes their music.

Question 3: Do you guys think you are better writers than Jessica Lange?
They all said NOOO!

Question 4: What's the difference between writing a YA book and an Adult book? (something like that)
KG: She can't answer that because she doesn't write adult books.
AN: Said it all depends on the mind set. However old the main character is, that's the mentality you have to think for the story.
ML: One thing she noticed is that adult authors hate each other, while YA authors are close friends. They are jealous that they get a long with each other, where as they fight all the time haha.
KG: People don't understand that we are not amateurs. It takes guts and dedication just to write a book. Back then, they didn't have a Young Adult section so when she's browses the adult section and sees Catcher In The Rye or other books such as that, she says "Nope that's a YA book!" The people who criticize us should write a book themselves and then tell us we can't write!

Question 5 went along the lines of: If you could be a super hero what would you be and why?
AN: She said something about having money so that way she can feed and clothe all the homeless in the world. Kami told her, well why don't you give them money? She said, the people will be happy enough with food and clothes lol.
ML: She wants to fly. Kami told her, "Oh no I hate flying!"
KA: I think she said she wished to be super strong or fast. Oh...and feed the hungry!

Question 6: What is the craziest fan moment that has happened to you?
AN: She went touring in Brazil once, and this very handsome man she quite adds, asked her to marry him! She said he was very young and handsome, and if she weren't married already she would be quite tempted hehehe.
KG: One time when she went on tour with Alyson, Melissa De La Cruz, and Margaret Stohl, this boy asked them to sign his chest. At first she was hesitant because she didn't want to get in trouble for looking like a pedophile, but his mom gave them permission! She signed it only because everyone else did and he was 17 and a half. Alyson claims he was 16, but Kami was in denial lol!
ML: Said she didn't have any crazy signings like that, though she will admit she got an email from a woman asking her to buy her a house! She was like, "I'm sorry you need help, but I'm trying to buy myself my own house too!"
KA: Katie said she's not popular enough for crazy book events either. She said one time she got invited to Melissa De La Cruz's party and Melissa is a very fashionable person. Right away she tried looking for the trendiest outfit and decided to wear boots. Well, when she got to the party, she only realized there that she had on two different boots! She was mortified and made her husband go home to get the same ones.

Question 7: Do you put people you know as characters in your book?
KG: Said no because she likes to kill off her characters. She would feel bad or worried if her friends got mad she killed them off. A long time ago, when she was fangirling over Ransom Riggs she had written a character about him. Well, they started to get know each other so she had to change the characters name. That got Ransom wondering who??? Oh, her mom thinks the character Ridley is about her when she was a hot young lady.
ML: Marie said the only character with the same name is her fiancé, Primo. It was only fitting to have an evil dictator with the name Primo because he's number 1. Her fiancé said, "Why couldn't he be Day Primo, like a middle name?" She just said no.
AN: Alyson said she did it once and it came back to bite her. 19 years ago she had a boyfriend from Greece. She said he was a wonderful boyfriend, but his mother was a nightmare from hell. To get her revenge, she put the mother in the book, Evermore with the same name and description. Fast forward a few years later, she visited Greece again and met up with her ex-boyfriend to see how he was doing. While she visited, the mother came up to her and apologized for being a mean person to her. They hugged and Alyson felt so guilty after because the ex's mother said she ordered Evermore and couldn't wait to read it! Alyson said she won't be visiting Greece again hahaha!

Question 8: How has it been writing by yourself?
KG: Said its different, boring and quiet! She enjoyed writing her own story and it felt like she was starting all over again. It was very hard for her though because she was used to the instant feedback with Margie. Since she didn't have that, she at one point got stuck and couldn't move on until someone read her book to give her input. Luckily Holly Black offered to help so she was able to move forward. The only thing Kami doesn't miss is that when she and Margie wrote Beautiful Creatures, she kids us not, every chapter Margie had one sentence that she always stuck with. While some sentences were fine, others did not fit the story. She always had to bargain with her on that part.

Last question I swear! Do you get any people who are not fans of your books?
KG: Oh yes! The one she can remember clearly was when Beautiful Creatures first came out. They were on their first tour and they asked this one girl in line if she liked their book? She said NO. They were stunned and asked her why? The girl said it is a copy cat of Cinda Williams Chima's books. Margie said how so? She said they're both about the MC finding out there is a world of magic and there are swords. (The whole crowd murmured NOOOO! Leigh said Hell NO!) Kami told her, HA there aren't any swords in our books, but the girl continued arguing with them. Margie got so mad and didn't want to sign the girl's book, but their publicist said they had to. Kami told us if that girl is listening she wants to tell her, HA Cinda is on tour with me and she likes my books!
KA: Katie mentioned that when she gave out the ARC's for Marie Antoinette, she got a letter in the mail from someone that read the ARC. The letter said that she enjoyed her book and while she read it she took the liberty of editing her book for her. The book had red markings everywhere! The real kicker was on the front, the person wrote Marie Antoinette should have a semi colon instead of a colon. (Leigh said, What?! That doesn't make sense!) Katie was mad and wrote a five page letter explaining all the details of the book and why a colon is correct. She did not mail the letter, she chose to move on from it.

The questions ended and it was time for a special musical guest to sing. Dom Liberati performed You Still Haunt Me that he wrote for the Unbreakable book trailer. His performance was awesome! It was pretty cool to see someone sing at a book event. After he sang it was time for the signing. As soon as everyone was in line I ran to the YA section, got Robyn Schneider's book, The Beginning of Everything and asked her to sign it for me! She was shocked that someone recognized her book! I told her I saw her on the Epic Reads interview and she was happy about that. She was really kind and sweet to me. I was screaming and flailing like a little girl. This truly was an epic event. I am so happy I went and everyone was hilarious!!!




     But WAIT! I have a surprise for you! I am also giving away a signed ARC of Unbreakable with a bookmark and book plate. To enter just fill out the rafflecopter below. Remember the rules! Must be 13 years old, no cheating, winner must reply within 48 hours, and this is a US giveaway only.



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Tuesday, October 1, 2013

3 Month Blogoversary plus a Giveaway!

     Today I celebrate my 3 month blogoversary! Yes I know that is no big deal, but it is a huge accomplishment for me. Working on my blog has been an up hill battle, as previously stated from another post. Although I've had my struggles, I love blogging and making the wonderful friendships that have come with it. I never thought in my wildest dreams that I would be developing friendships with those that love books just as much as I do. I did not even know anyone when I started this and had no idea how to start "talking" to people since I am such a shy person. Luckily, by chance a sweet blogger named Meredith, struck up a conversation with me about my blog and has been a great friend ever since! From there, it opened up a whole new world of possibilities for me. I'm becoming more comfortable in my own skin, allowing myself to be more open with people. I am interacting more with some authors, not huge but it's a work in progress. (What can I say? Famous people intimidate me lol). Plus, I'm learning more how to make my blog my own.
     In the coming months, I hope to become more active in the blogging community as well as make more friends. If you happen to see me on twitter you are more than welcomed to say hi. I'm a nice person once you get to know me. I want to give a humongous shout out to those people that helped me with my blog, or those that befriended me with open arms:

Meredith at Pandora's Books
Charlene at Bookish Whimsy
Paola at A Novel Idea
Jessica at Reviews Abound
Klaudia at The Observant Girl
 
With out them, I probably would have quit already. Thank you so much ladies for being so awesome!

 To spread my love and gratitude I am giving away a signed copy of 3:59 by Gretchen McNeil. I don't have a review on 3:59 yet, so here is a recap of Gretchen and what her book is about. Just click here. Now on to the rules.

This is a US giveaway only. Sorry, I cannot afford to ship out of the country.

You must be 13 years of age or older.

Winner has 48 hours to respond to me. If no one replies, I will pick another winner.

I am not responsible for lost, stolen, or damaged items. Once it is in the mail, I sadly cannot replace it.

I reserve the right to change any rules as I see fit for each giveaway. Just so you know I check the entries, and I if I see any cheating I will erase your entry.
Good luck!
 
 



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