Thursday, December 6, 2012

Review & Giveaway: Reckoning by Molly M. Hall

Title: Reckoning
Author: Molly M. Hall
Publisher: CreateSpace
Age Group: Young Adult
Category: Paranormal
Release date: October 2nd, 2012
Pages: 276 (ebook)
Rating: 3.5 out of 5
Source: Blog Tour
Goodreads | Amazon | Author

Seventeen-year-old Kat Matheson has never revealed the dark secret that sets her apart from everyone else: She can see and hear the dead. Until now, she has been able to ignore the strange apparitions and whispering voices. But it may not be that simple anymore. Haunted by eerie visions and increasingly frightening nightmares, Kat begins to fear she may be the target of a dark and ominous force from beyond the grave. Complicating matters is the arrival of her new neighbor, a young man she instinctively distrusts but is inexplicably drawn to. Gorgeous and mysterious, he seems to hold a disturbing knowledge of her long-held secrets. 

As she desperately tries to maintain control, events take an unexpected and violent turn. Discovering that nothing is what it seems and that her psychic abilities may involve far more than just communing with the dead, Kat may be forced to confront her worst fears and the powerful curse that controls her destiny.

Kat has a secret--she sees dead people.  It's nothing new to her, but lately, even a glimpse of a spirit sends chills up her spine.  She's beginning to feel unsafe, but with the help of a mysterious new friend, she finds out the truth about her abilities.  As it turns out, this type of thing seems to run in the family.

Our protagonist is just a typical teenager.  The only difference between her and most others is that she's more sensitive to emotions, which is one of the reasons she can see  and hear the dead.  There's no one that she can turn to, so she just tries to live her life as normal as she possibly can.  When the hottie she's been ogling all year long shows an interest in her, things begin to look up.  Unfortunately, whatever force is behind the sudden nightmares and shocking visions won't stop until it has what it wants.

The first half of the story was a little slow for me, but it was still enjoyable getting to know Kat, her best friend Rachel and even her cute new neighbor, Lovell.  Though the plot was what caught my interest, I noticed that a majority of the story was devoted to the relationship being built between Kat and Rick.  The author knows how to make you suspicious of her characters throughout the story, but I felt as though there could have been more twists thrown in to make it a little more interesting.

The book wasn't completely what I was expecting, but it was good, nonetheless.  Reckoning was a fairly quick read, as I got it done in just a few hours, and the characters were mostly enjoyable.  My only real disappointment with this book is that there wasn't much ghost interaction involved, which is what I was looking forward to the most.

Giveaway
Win one of five signed copied of Reckoning (US only)

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Wednesday, December 5, 2012

Waiting on Wednesday #59

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: Emblaze
Author: Jessica Shirvington
Release Date: March 1st, 2013
Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire
Once again Violet Eden faces an impossible choice ... and the consequences are unimaginable. 

 Violet has come to terms with the fact that being part angel, part human, means her life will never be as it was. 

Now Violet has something Phoenix - the exiled angel who betrayed her - will do anything for, and she has no intention of letting it fall into his hands. The only problem is that he has something she needs too. 

Not afraid to raise the stakes, Phoenix seemingly holds all the power, always one step ahead. And when he puts the final pieces of the prophecy together, it doesn't take him long to realise exactly who he needs in order to open the gates of Hell. 

With the help of surprising new allies, ancient prophecies are deciphered, a destination set and, after a shattering confrontation with her father, Violet leaves for the islands of Greece without knowing if she will have a home to return to.

When I first began the series, I wasn't quite sure whether or not I would continue, but after reading Entice, I have to.  I've grown attached to these characters, and I'm excited to see where Violet is going to end up next and what issues she'll have to face!

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!

Sunday, December 2, 2012

In My Mailbox #57

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


Review
-The Rules by Stacey Kade
-Nantucket Blue by Leila Howland
-The Rules for Disappearing by Ashley Elston
(ARCs from Disney Hyperion)

ARCycling
-The Future of Us by Jay Asher and Carolyn Mackler
(ARC from Karen @ For What It's Worth)

-The Innocents by Lili Peloquin 
(ARC from Jen @ Jenuine Cupcakes)

Won
-Nevermore by Kelly Creagh
-Outpost by Ann Aguirre
(Finished copies from Nori @ Nori's Closet)


E-book
-Aurora Sky: Vampire Hunter by Nikki Jefford
(for review, from Nikki)


What a great week in books!  I've been waiting FOREVER to read The Future of Us and Nevermore.  I'm also unbelievably excited for Aurora Sky and the April/May 2013 releases I received for review from Disney Hyperion!  Speaking of Nikki Jefford, I shared a giveaway yesterday to win Aurora Sky and 3 other vampire e-books!  
Click here to enter!

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!

Saturday, December 1, 2012

November Wrap-Up and December TBR

At the moment, I'm on my 99th book of the year!  I think it's pretty safe to say I'll reach my goal of 100 this month.  :P  I won't add too many to my TBR, though, because the past few months have proven to be a lot shorter than I'd expected, and there are always a handful of books I never get to.

The books I managed to read:
-Days of Blood and Starlight by Laini Taylor
-Burn for Burn by Jenny Han and Siobhan Vivian
-Girl Meets Boy edited by Kelly Milner Halls
-The Evolution of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin
-Slide by Jill Hathaway
-Meant to Be by Lauren Morrill
-Team Human by Justine Larbalestier and Sarah Rees Brennan

Though two of these books were highly anticipated sequels, my favorite read of November might have to be Meant to Be.  It was just a perfect contemporary romance!

The books I will definitely read in December:
(books I've gotten for review)



The books I hope to get to (list may change depending on mood):




I know I listed Crewel in my November TBR, but I just began it yesterday.  Since I'll be reading a majority of it in December, I figured that it belongs on this TBR instead.

There are so many books I wish I could finish before this year ends, but I'm sure that won't happen, so once I finish the 6 I've listed, I'm just going to choose according to what I want to read next.  It's been so long since I've had the chance to do that!

Bloody Christmas e-book Giveaway!

As any true fanged fan knows, vampires are always in season. Enter to win four paranormal sensations and put a splash of red into your holidays. Action, adventure, romance, and entirely new twists on the vampire genre.


One winner will receive all four e-books pictured here. Winner may substitute any of these titles for another by the same author within the same series.

> Cheer on Team Misfits in ReVamped as they take on rogue vampires in the once peaceful little town of Angel Creek.

> Journey to hoodoo influenced Southern Louisiana – an exile for reformed vampires in Amaranth.

> Answer the call of the wild in Aurora Sky: Vampire Hunter where vampires are flocking towards the dark and cold.

> Take a trip into the future in Vaempires: Revolution where continents have collided and humans and vampires have learned to live in peace until vampires begin morphing into vaempires, superior beings whose mission is to dominate the planet.

Redefining what it means to be vampire - Stop by the authors’ sites and get to know them better - Ada, Rachael, Nikki, Tom
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Happy reading and 'Scary' Christmas!  :)