Waiting on Wednesday #67

Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by, Breaking the Spine, which spotlights upcoming releases we can't wait to get our hands on! 

Title: Another Little Piece

Author: Kate Karyus Quinn

Release Date: June 11th, 2013

Publisher: HarperTeen

The spine-tingling horror of Stephen King meets an eerie mystery worthy of Sara Shepard's Pretty Little Liars series in Kate Karyus Quinn's haunting debut. 

On a cool autumn night, Annaliese Rose Gordon stumbled out of the woods and into a high school party. She was screaming. Drenched in blood. Then she vanished. 

A year later, Annaliese is found wandering down a road hundreds of miles away. She doesn't know who she is. She doesn't know how she got there. She only knows one thing: She is not the real Annaliese Rose Gordon. 

Now Annaliese is haunted by strange visions and broken memories. Memories of a reckless, desperate wish . . . a bloody razor . . . and the faces of other girls who disappeared. Piece by piece, Annaliese's fractured memories come together to reveal a violent, endless cycle that she will never escape—unless she can unlock the twisted secrets of her past.

It's been a while since I've read a truly creepy book that has kept me awake at night.  I'm hoping that this one will live up to my expectations after reading a summary like that!

What awesome title are you waiting for this Wednesday? 

Cover Reveal and Guest Post: While He Was Away by Karen Schreck

I'm very pleased to join Sourcebooks in this special black and white edition cover reveal of While He Was Away by Karen Schreck!  The author has also written a guest post on writing for me to share with you all!

One year--he'll be gone for one year and then we'll be together again and everything will be back to the way it should be. 

The day David left, I felt like my heart was breaking. Sure, any long-distance relationship is tough, but David was going to war--to fight, to protect, to put his life in danger. We can get through this, though. We'll talk, we'll email, we won't let anything come between us. 

I can be an army girlfriend for one year. But will my sweet, soulful, funny David be the same person when he comes home? Will I? And what if he doesn't come home at all?

If you ask me, this cover definitely makes a difference!

Review: And By The Way... by Denise Deegan

Title: And By The Way...
Author: Denise Deegan
Publisher: Hachette Books Ireland
Age Group: Young Adult
Category: Contemporary, Romance
Release date: February 1st, 2011
Pages: 324 (Paperback)
Rating: 4 out of 5
Source: Publisher
Goodreads | Book Depository | Author

At Strandbrook College, we are Kids Of. Kids of diplomats, media stars, musicians, artists, actors, oh, and wealthy people who aspire to all of that. I'm the kid of a rock star. Means nothing to me. 

When Mum died, six months ago, I didn't just lose her, I lost my dad - to work. The only thing he does now is annoy me. He hires people like 'The Stylist' who wears bullets in her belt and makes him look like a hobo. Seriously. 

But 'The Rockstar' isn't the only person who drives me mad. There's David McFadden, a guy in my class who could have helped but didn't. Now, it's too late. I don't want his help. Because I'm not going to trust anyone, love anyone, rely on anyone. That way I'll never be hurt again. 

If only I could solve the problem of Rachel, my best friend, who won't let me pull back just like that. Even David McFadden won't stay out of my face. But I'm not going to fall for his blue eyes, his windswept hair or the plaited leather on his wrist. 

And when he says he wants to help, I'm sure as hell not going to listen....

Alex is just another sixteen year old living life the best way she knows how.  After the loss of her mother, she has issues connecting with others and she begins to pull away from her best friends, even when she needs them the most.  Her rock star dad is barely around and she feels like she's alone in the world, at least until things start heating up between her and hottie American, David McFadden.  Just when things are building back up, life seems to knock everything down again.  And By The Way is a story about learning how to make the best of every situation.

I connected really well with Alex, seeing as I lost my dad when I was just a year younger than her.  Though we live different lifestyles, I think many people will be able to find bits and pieces of them inside of her.  She's not always true to herself, but when she finds the confidence, you see how bright she can really shine.  That being said, she's not the only character I was fond of.  David is a fun-loving and caring guy, which is easy to see from the beginning, even when you're looking at him through Alex's slightly cynical eyes.  In fact, he lost his mom just before she did, and more than anything, that's what brought them together.

Another thing I loved, besides the story and romance, is that this book is based in Ireland.  I haven't any read stories set there, although I've always been fascinated by the country.  Readers will find this book to be perfectly paced, with just enough fluff to make it a cute contemporary, and just enough emotion to make you feel.  Seeing the characters blossom the way they did, especially Alex, is one of the many enjoyments you will get throughout out the book.

And By The Way is about love, loss and forgiveness.  It will open up your eyes and show you not to take the people you care about for granted.  I would love to see these books published in the United States, and I can only hope to read the next installments in the series.  The author truly knows how to write a contemporary that will remain close to your heart.

*If And By The Way... by Denise Deegan sounds like a book you'd enjoy reading, but you live in the US, the ebook is available on Amazon for just $2.99*

In My Mailbox #65

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by Kristi from The Story Siren

Review
-Revenge of the Girl with the Great Personality by Elizabeth Eulberg
(ARC from Scholastic Point)

-Ink by Amanda Sun
-The Eternity Cure by Julie Kagawa
(ARCs from Harlequin Teen)

Won
-Splintered by A.G. Howard
(ARC from Marie @ Marie Loves Books)

-Jekel Loves Hyde by Beth Fantaskey

(Finished copy and bookmark from Lili @ Lost in a Book)

Netgalley

-Override by Heather Anastasiu

-Deep Betrayal by Anne Greenwood Brown

Some of you may notice that I chose Ink as my Waiting on Wednesday this week!  That means that I definitely happy-danced my butt off when I got an ARC of it in the mail.  I read a few pages of that and a few pages of Splintered and I can tell you that both are hard to put down!  Unfortunately I can't squeeze them into the schedule just yet, so I'll have to wait a little longer to devour them.

I've also noticed a drop in readers on the blog and I wanted to let you know that although the blog has been a little quiet this month, I'm not going anywhere!  Everything will be back on track in the beginning February, I just needed to take a little personal time off!  

Lastly, I've been wanting to follow more bloggers on Instagram, so if you have one, leave your username or follow me at http://instagram.com/ohaiitschey !

Thanks for stopping by!  What have you received in your mailbox?

Review: Through the Ever Night by Veronica Rossi

Title: Through the Ever Night 
Author: Veronica Rossi
Publisher: HarperCollins
Age Group: Young Adult
Category: Dystopian, Romance
Release date: January 8th, 2013
Pages: 352 (Hardcover)
Rating: 5 out of 5
Source: Gifted
Goodreads | Amazon | Author

It's been months since Aria last saw Perry. Months since Perry was named Blood Lord of the Tides, and Aria was charged with an impossible mission. Now, finally, they are about to be reunited. But their reunion is far from perfect. The Tides don't take kindly to Aria, a former Dweller. And with the worsening Aether storms threatening the tribe's precarious existence, Aria begins to fear that leaving Perry behind might be the only way to save them both. 

Threatened by false friends, hidden enemies, and powerful temptations, Aria and Perry wonder, Can their love survive through the ever night?

What happens when the distance threatens to tear your love apart?  Aria and Perry have been through a lot together in the little time they've known each other.  In Through the Ever Night, the difficulty continues as they're split up in order to save everyone else.  Perry's main concern is his tribe and Aria will do anything to help him.  In this sequel, readers will find out how strong their feelings truly are.

All of the things that I loved about Under the Never Sky were present in Through the Ever Night, such as the incredible plot, gorgeous writing, strong characters and showing two sides of the story.  I've been waiting for this book from the moment I put down the first, and I'm happy to say that I was not left disappointed.  The author knows exactly how to make the feel the same emotion that her characters are feeling, and that is probably my favorite part about this series.  I found it easy to dive back into the story, as if I never left it in the first place.  I suppose in my heart, I never really did.

You will see a difference in the characters, but those differences don't take anything away from who they were in the first book.  Both Aria and Perry have grown, as if being apart from each other has made them stronger.  They both have this incredible determination now, and although everything seems tough to deal with in their world, they never give up.  There are also familiar faces throughout the story, which I found comforting.  Though they have more responsibilities, Aria and Perry have always remained in each other's hearts, and that's what seems to keep them going whenever they're apart.

Though there was less romance than there was in Under the Never Sky, the characters were still able to warm your heart, which I admired.  Through the Ever Night is a book that you won't regret reading.  It's filled with just as much action and suspense as the first, and somehow takes everything you felt in Under the Never Sky and doubles it.  I can definitely call this one a favorite.

Waiting on Wednesday #66

Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by, Breaking the Spine, which spotlights upcoming releases we can't wait to get our hands on! 

Title: Ink

Author: Amanda Sun

Release Date: June 25th, 2013

Publisher: Harlequin Teen

I looked down at the paper, still touching the tip of my shoe. I reached for it, flipping the page over to look. 

Scrawls of ink outlined a drawing of a girl lying on a bench. 

A sick feeling started to twist in my stomach, like motion sickness. 

And then the girl in the drawing turned her head, and her inky eyes glared straight into mine. 

On the heels of a family tragedy, the last thing Katie Greene wants to do is move halfway across the world. Stuck with her aunt in Shizuoka, Japan, Katie feels lost. Alone. She doesn’t know the language, she can barely hold a pair of chopsticks, and she can’t seem to get the hang of taking her shoes off whenever she enters a building. 

Then there’s gorgeous but aloof Tomohiro, star of the school’s kendo team. How did he really get the scar on his arm? Katie isn’t prepared for the answer. But when she sees the things he draws start moving, there’s no denying the truth: Tomo has a connection to the ancient gods of Japan, and being near Katie is causing his abilities to spiral out of control. If the wrong people notice, they'll both be targets. 

Katie never wanted to move to Japan—now she may not make it out of the country alive.

Everything about this book caught my interest, but what I'm most excited for is the fact that it's set in Japan. I haven't read any books based there yet, so I'm ready to dive in and experience the culture with the main character!

What awesome title are you waiting for this Wednesday? 

In My Mailbox #64

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by Kristi from The Story Siren

This week was a tough one for me, but this lovely stack of books helped make it better.

RAK

-Level 2 by Lenore Appelhans

(Finished copy from Carien @ Pearls Cast Before a McPig)

Won

-One Day by David Nichols

(Finished copy from Mandy @ The Romance Bookie)

-Insurgent by Veronica Roth

(Finished copy from Cleo @ Booklopedia)

-The Diviners by Libba Bray

(Finished copy from Kimberly @ The Windy Pages)

I've been waiting to read The Diviners for MONTHS.  Now that I finally have my hands on a copy, I'm a little intimidated by its size!  Hopefully I'll be able to make time for it soon!  :)

Remember when I got Through the Ever Night from my boyfriend?  Veronica Rossi sent me a signed bookplate to stick inside of it!  I'm a very, very happy girl!

Thanks for stopping by!  What have you received in your mailbox?

Review: Then You Were Gone by Lauren Strasnick

Title: Then You Were Gone
Author: Lauren Strasnick
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Age Group: Young Adult
Category: Contemporary, Mystery
Release date: January 8th, 2013
Pages: 224 (ebook)
Rating: 3 out of 5
Source: Pulse It
Goodreads | Amazon | Author

Two years ago, Adrienne’s best friend walked out of her life. One week ago, she left Adrienne a desperate, muffled voicemail. Adrienne never called back. 

Now Dakota is missing. She left behind a string of broken hearts, a flurry of rumors, and a suicide note. 

Adrienne can’t stop obsessing over what might have happened if she’d answered Dakota’s call. And she’s increasingly convinced that Dakota must still be alive. 

Maybe finding and saving Dakota is the only way Adrienne can save herself. 

Or maybe it’s too late for them both.

Sometimes when you grow apart from your best friend, you never really lose them. When Dakota goes missing, Adrienne takes her disappearance into her own hands.  She can't stop obsessing, and she feels as though it is partially her fault.  Maybe if she answered her last call.  Maybe if she'd been a better friend.  Maybe.  During this search for the truth behind it all, she begins to lose her friends, her boyfriend and herself.  Teaming up with Dakota's unofficial boy toy proves to be te type of change she needs, and suddenly, it's not all about finding Dakota anymore.

The story was enjoyable, but what I liked the most about it was the mystery.  Was Dakota dead or alive?  Was it suicide or homicide?  Did she just runaway or is she tied up in someone's basement?  With everything that was going on in our main character's life, it was difficult to predict what the outcome would be.  I didn't connect with any of the characters, but I didn't dislike the fact that they were completely different from me.  Adrienne was caught between two worlds and there seemed to be a lot of confusion on her part.  Julian stood out more to me, because he was a sensitive and caring punk-rocker who wanted nothing more than to have his old life back, even if Dakota was unworthy of his love.

As a whole, Then You Were Gone kept me entertained for a few hours, but I didn't take much from it.  It won't be one of the more memorable contemporaries for me, and I surely don't think it's reminiscent of 13 Reasons Why, as that comparison was one of the reasons I wanted to read it most.  I love heart-wrenching reads, but this one didn't make me emotional at all, which was ultimately a disappointment.  Beside the mystery being decent, the romance was just okay.  If I don't care for much in a story, there's almost always a romance for me to look forward to, but this one didn't satisfy.

Overall, the story is worth a read.  It was short, quick and entertaining with an end that doesn't leave you wanting more...in a good way.  Every question you have about Dakota's disappearance is answered in time, and for that, I'm thankful.

Waiting on Wednesday #65

Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by, Breaking the Spine, which spotlights upcoming releases we can't wait to get our hands on! 

Title: The Distance Between Us

Author: Kasie West

Release Date: July 2nd, 2013

Publisher: HarperTeen

Seventeen-year-old Caymen Meyers studies the rich like her own personal science experiment, and after years of observation she’s pretty sure they’re only good for one thing—spending money on useless stuff, like the porcelain dolls in her mother’s shop. 

So when Xander Spence walks into the store to pick up a doll for his grandmother, it only takes one glance for Caymen to figure out he’s oozing rich. Despite his charming ways and that he’s one of the first people who actually gets her, she’s smart enough to know his interest won’t last. Because if there’s one thing she’s learned from her mother’s warnings, it’s that the rich have a short attention span. But Xander keeps coming around, despite her best efforts to scare him off. And much to her dismay, she's beginning to enjoy his company. 

She knows her mom can’t find out—she wouldn’t approve. She’d much rather Caymen hang out with the local rocker who hasn’t been raised by money. But just when Xander’s attention and loyalty are about to convince Caymen that being rich isn’t a character flaw, she finds out that money is a much bigger part of their relationship than she’d ever realized. And that Xander’s not the only one she should’ve been worried about.

Yes! Give me more contemporary romance! I had to add this one to my wishlist, especially because I'll be reading Kasie's debut, Pivot Point, soon.  Both books sound SO good, so I'll definitely be picking this one up when it comes out!

What awesome title are you waiting for this Wednesday? 

In My Mailbox #63

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by Kristi from The Story Siren

Gifted

-Through the Ever Night by Veronica Rossi
(Finished copy from my boyfriend)

Won

-Love & Leftovers by Sarah Tregay

(Finished copy from Emily @ Doodle's Book Blog)

-Time Between Us by Tamara Ireland Stone

(ARC from Stephanie @ Cover2Cover Blog)

-Memoirs of a Teenage Amnesiac by Gabrielle Zevin
(Finished copy from Amanda @ Born Bookish)

-The Faerie Ring by Kiki Hamilton

-Possessions by Nancy Holder

-Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead

-Frostbite by Richelle Mead

-Blood Promise by Richelle Mead

-Spirit Bound by Richelle Mead

(Box of books from Kat @ Cuddlebuggery)

Review 

-The Vanished by Sarah Dalton

(ebook from the author)

Thanks for stopping by!  What have you received in your mailbox?

While you're here, enter my 1,000 follower giveaway to win a huge box of books or two 2013 pre-orders!   There are just a couple more days to enter!

Review: The Archived by Victoria Schwab

Title: The Archived
Author: Victoria Schwab
Publisher: Hyperion
Age Group: Young Adult
Category: Fantasy, Paranormal
Release date: January 22nd, 2013
Pages: 336 (ARC)
Rating: 5 out of 5
Source: Publisher
Goodreads | Amazon | Author

Imagine a place where the dead rest on shelves like books. 

Each body has a story to tell, a life seen in pictures that only Librarians can read. The dead are called Histories, and the vast realm in which they rest is the Archive. 

Da first brought Mackenzie Bishop here four years ago, when she was twelve years old, frightened but determined to prove herself. Now Da is dead, and Mac has grown into what he once was, a ruthless Keeper, tasked with stopping often-violent Histories from waking up and getting out. Because of her job, she lies to the people she loves, and she knows fear for what it is: a useful tool for staying alive. 

Being a Keeper isn't just dangerous-it's a constant reminder of those Mac has lost. Da's death was hard enough, but now her little brother is gone too. Mac starts to wonder about the boundary between living and dying, sleeping and waking. In the Archive, the dead must never be disturbed. And yet, someone is deliberately altering Histories, erasing essential chapters. Unless Mac can piece together what remains, the Archive itself might crumble and fall.

Mackenzie can't tell anyone who she is, but she has more connections to the dead than most people can imagine. She is what they call a Keeper and she works for the Archive.  Her grandfather is the person who introduced her to this life, and now that he's gone, she's trying to fill his shoes the best way she can.

When Mac moves into an old hotel-turned-apartment building, she finds that there are more Histories to return than expected.  These Histories are the dead, but not quite ghosts.  They're just the shells of what they once were, and yes, some of them can be dangerous.  When she meets a History who is completely different than the others, she's thrown for a loop.  Now she gets tangled into the mystery of her new home, and why three years of its history seems to have gone missing.

The story itself is very unique and intriguing.  I was hooked by the very first line in the summary, "Imagine a place where the dead rest on shelves like books".  The Archived wasn't as creepy as I expected it to be, but it was definitely worth the wait.  Mackenzie is an awesome heroine and the person that comes to be her sidekick will make you smile.  I can't imagine being a Keeper, especially when that means that you're so close, yet so far away from the loved ones you've already lost.

Victoria Schwab is an amazing storyteller.  The writing is beautiful and descriptive, while the mystery keeps you on the edge.  The story, the writing and the characters stayed on my mind for hours after putting the book down.  The Archived is imaginative, thrilling and a series I will definitely be continuing.

Blaze (or Love in the Time of Supervillains) Blog Tour: Guest Post

Blaze (or Love in the Time of Supervillains) is an exciting new debut from Laurie Boyle Crompton and Sourcebooks Fire.  It releases on February 1st, which is when you'll be able to pick up your own copy.  Why would you want to?  It's about a girl who draws comics, so of course there's going to be a few pieces of art within the pages.  Today I'll be showing you a glimpse of what to expect as well as a few words from the author herself.

Blaze is tired of spending her life on the sidelines, drawing comics and feeling invisible. She's desperate for soccer star Mark to notice her. And when her BFF texts Mark a photo of Blaze in sexy lingerie, it definitely gets his attention. After a hot date in the back of her minivan, Blaze is flying high, but suddenly Mark's feelings seem to have been blasted by a freeze-ray gun, and he dumps her. Blaze gets her revenge by posting a comic strip featuring uber-villain Mark the Shark. Mark then retaliates by posting her "sext" photo, and, overnight, Blaze goes from Super Virgin Girl to Super Slut. That life on the sidelines is looking pretty good right about now...

Guest Post

Why My Character is “Comic Book Cool” 

 Blaze’s character showed up in my mind like Blam! Pow! “Tell my story!” She’s really into comics and is sort of stuck in her life as an outsider, but she isn't ashamed of being a geek. She displays her superhero buttons proudly and is constantly drawing and reading comics. I couldn't wait to write about her. Of course, working on a project where studying comic books counted as research was a bonus!

My step-father has this Ah-mazing! collection much like the one Blaze’s dad has in the book and I remember staying up late at night reading through stacks of them as a kid. I would try to tell my friends about these awesome characters like the Silver Surfer and Iron Man, and I’d even try to imitate Thor’s Norse God way of speaking. This was before the movies made these guys more mainstream and I was definitely on the fringe with my obsession, but when I’d find another comic book nerd we had an instant bond.

As I was writing, Blaze surprised me when she fought back against Mark the way she did and I knew at that point I could just allow her character to take over. Of course things don’t go as she plans, but no matter what tight spots she finds herself in, she uses comic books to guide and empower her. Readers who aren't into comic books will definitely still enjoy Blaze, but my hope is that she will inspire them to check out comics for themselves, too!

Connect with the author: Blog | Website | Goodreads | Twitter
Buy the book: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository

© 2012 Anne Cain

© 2012 Anne Cain

You can check out more of Anne Cain's work on her website.

Waiting on Wednesday #64

Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by, Breaking the Spine, which spotlights upcoming releases we can't wait to get our hands on! 

Title: Invisibility

Author: Andrea Cremer and David Levithan

Release Date: May 7th, 2013

Publisher: Philomel

Stephen has been invisible for practically his whole life — because of a curse his grandfather, a powerful cursecaster, bestowed on Stephen’s mother before Stephen was born. So when Elizabeth moves to Stephen’s NYC apartment building from Minnesota, no one is more surprised than he is that she can see him. A budding romance ensues, and when Stephen confides in Elizabeth about his predicament, the two of them decide to dive headfirst into the secret world of cursecasters and spellseekers to figure out a way to break the curse. But things don’t go as planned, especially when Stephen’s grandfather arrives in town, taking his anger out on everyone he sees. In the end, Elizabeth and Stephen must decide how big of a sacrifice they’re willing to make for Stephen to become visible — because the answer could mean the difference between life and death. At least for Elizabeth.

I usually enjoy David Levithan's work, but I always love his collaborations.  This story sounds very different from what I'm used to reading from him, which is why I'm so excited to read it!  I have yet to read anything by Andrea Cremer, but if I enjoy it, I'll definitely be starting her series.

What awesome title are you waiting for this Wednesday? 

While you're here, enter my 1,000 follower giveaway to win a huge box of books or two 2013 pre-orders.  It ends in a week!

Review: Shadowlands by Kate Brian

Title: Shadowlands
Author: Kate Brian
Publisher: Hyperion
Age Group: Young Adult
Category: Contemporary, Mystery
Release date: January 8th, 2013
Pages: 336 (ARC)
Rating: 5 out of 5
Source: Publisher
Goodreads | Amazon | Author

Rory Miller had one chance to fight back and she took it. Rory survived… and the serial killer who attacked her escaped. Now that the infamous Steven Nell is on the loose, Rory must enter the witness protection with her father and sister, Darcy, leaving their friends and family without so much as a goodbye. 

Starting over in a new town with only each other is unimaginable for Rory and Darcy. They were inseparable as children, but now they can barely stand each other. As the sisters settle in to Juniper Landing, a picturesque vacation island, it seems like their new home may be just the fresh start they need. They fall in with a group of beautiful, carefree teens and spend their days surfing, partying on the beach, and hiking into endless sunsets. But just as they’re starting to feel safe again, one of their new friends goes missing. Is it a coincidence? Or is the nightmare beginning all over again?

When Rory escapes a dangerous situation, she finds out that the man who attacked her has never failed to kill anyone before.  Her family is forced to move to a new destination, at least until Steven Nell is caught, and the worst thing is that Rory will never know if he's just around the corner or not.  Shadowlands is filled with heart-pounding suspense that will keep you on your toes the entire way through.

The author definitely knows how to create a story that will leave you turning the pages for more.  The writing kept you hanging on and the situation that the characters were put in was so interesting, you couldn't help but want to read the book in one sitting.  When Rory moves to her new home, she can't help but notice that a few things are off.  She can't connect to the internet, there's no cellphone signal, and no one seems to have heard of Steven Nell on this island, even though everyone's eyes seem to be on her.  It's a fresh new start, at least until the disappearances begin.

Nothing in this story is predictable in the least.  I'd make predictions depending on what happened, but every time I couldn't be more wrong.  If you enjoy stories that will keep you guessing until the very last page (literally), this is the book for you.  The best part about all of the twists and turns is that everything became clear by the end.  Nothing was left unexplained, and that is why Shadowlands is at the top of my favorite mysteries list.

The characters are realistic, suspicious and absolutely perfect for this story.  It's been a few days since completing the book and I still can't stop thinking about the surprises that the author revealed along the way. Shadowlands will give you chills and leave you speechless.  It's the perfect start to a series, and I can't wait to find out what Kate Brian will come up with next!

In My Mailbox #62

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by Kristi from The Story Siren

I only got one book in the mail this week, so my boyfriend was sweet enough to take me to the book store to pick out a few more because he knows how happy they make me!

Review
-Blaze (or Love in the Time of Supervillains) by Laurie Boyle Crompton  

(ARC from Sourcebooks Fire)

Gifted
-Amy & Roger's Epic Detour by Morgan Matson

-The Iron Thorn by Caitlin Kittredge

-Goliath by Scott Westerfeld

(Finished copies from my boyfriend)

I chose The Iron Thorn because I won the second book near the end of last year and I've been eager to get started on the series.  Then Amy & Roger jumped out at me because I REALLY enjoyed Morgan Matson's latest release, Second Chance Summer.  Goliath is technically my boyfriend's book, but since Leviathan and Behemoth both live on my bookshelf, I'm claiming it at my own.  :P

Netgalley
-The S-Word by Chelsea Pitcher

I also got this from Netgalley!  Sounds like a pretty good contemporary to me!

Thanks for stopping by!  What have you received in your mailbox?

While you're here, enter my 1,000 follower giveaway to win a huge box of books or two 2013 pre-orders!  My New Year giveaway ends soon, so if you want to win 4 awesome YA ARCs, hurry and enter!

Review: The Dead and Buried by Kim Harrington

Title: The Dead and Buried
Author: Kim Harrington
Publisher: Scholastic Point
Age Group: Young Adult
Category: Paranormal, Mystery
Release date: January 1st, 2013
Pages: 304 (ARC)
Rating: 4 out of 5
Source: Publisher
Goodreads | Amazon | Author

Jade loves the house she's just moved into with her family. She doesn't even mind being the new girl at the high school: It's a fresh start, and there's that one guy with the dreamy blue eyes. . . . But then things begin happening. Strange, otherworldly things. Jade's little brother claims to see a glimmering girl in his room. Jade's jewelry gets moved around, as if by an invisible hand. Kids at school whisper behind her back like they know something she doesn't. 

Soon, Jade must face an impossible fact: that her perfect house is haunted. Haunted by a ghost who's seeking not just vengeance, but the truth. The ghost of a girl who ruled Jade's school — until her untimely death last year. It's up to Jade to put the pieces together before her own life is at stake. As Jade investigates the mystery, she discovers that her new friends in town have more than a few deep, dark secrets. But is one of them a murderer?

When Jade hears the rumors at her new school, she can only hope that they aren't true.  Did the most popular girl really die in her new home, and if so, is her spirit still there?  Unnatural events occur, confirming that they're not alone in the house, and Jade will do anything to keep her little brother safe.  Teaming up with the dead girl's boyfriend, she decides to get to the bottom of it.

I always enjoy a good murder mystery, especially one involving ghosts.  When I first read the description, I knew I had to get my hands on this book.  Poor Jade just wants to live a normal life.  It's hard enough to be the new girl, especially near the end of her high school career, but the shocking news of a young girl's death will just be the cherry on top.  At first she's eager to get out, but when she confides in her family, she realizes that the truth sounds insane and there are very few people she can trust with it.  So she's on her own for now, and because of that, I definitely feel sorry for her.

This book isn't only a murder mystery.  There's romance thrown in too, which was expected, but still enjoyable.  The mixture between that and the horror makes this book worthwhile.  The characters are all believable, especially Jade and the love interest, Donovan.  They seemed to be the most true to themselves, which is probably why they were my favorites.  I love when characters are passionate about something, and Jade shares her knowledge of gemstones throughout the entire story.  Donovan was just a sweetheart.  What else can you ask for?

Overall, the story was a fun and easy read.  The author showed you each side of her characters, and while the mystery wasn't that difficult to solve about half way through, I kept reading for the twists and turns.  I wanted to help Jade solve the mystery, in order to finally put Kayla to rest.  The Dead and Buried is a book you should pick up if you're looking for a quick read involving ghosts, mystery, a bit of horror and a lot of love.

Most anticipated of 2013

Now that it's January, I've decided to share some of the books I've been aching to read for weeks, months and even over a year!  I might forget a few, since there are so many, but here are my most anticipated books of 2013!

Sequels/End of a series:

Start of a series/Standalones:

Of course, these aren't ALL the releases I'm excited for.  My wishlist will be piling up throughout the year.

Waiting on Wednesday #63

Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by, Breaking the Spine, which spotlights upcoming releases we can't wait to get our hands on! 

Title: Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea

Author: April Genevieve Tucholke

Release Date: August 20th, 2013

Publisher: Dial

You stop fearing the devil when you’re holding his hand…

Nothing much exciting rolls through Violet White’s sleepy, seaside town…until River West comes along. River rents the guesthouse behind Violet’s crumbling estate, and as eerie, grim things start to happen, Violet begins to wonder about the boy living in her backyard. Is River just a crooked-smiling liar with pretty eyes and a mysterious past? Or could he be something more? Violet’s grandmother always warned her about the Devil, but she never said he could be a dark-haired boy who takes naps in the sun, who likes coffee, who kisses you in a cemetery...who makes you want to kiss back. Violet’s already so knee-deep in love, she can’t see straight. And that’s just how River likes it.

All I have to say is that everything about this book sounds AMAZING!

What awesome title are you waiting for this Wednesday? 

While you're here, enter my 1,000 follower giveaway to win a huge box of books or two 2013 pre-orders and enter my New Year giveaway to win 4 ARCs!