Top Ten Tuesday: Top 10 Books of 2013

The Broke and the Bookish hosts this fun meme. Stop by their site to participate.

It's been ages since I did this meme, but I figured it was the perfect chance for me to share my favorite reads this year. It was so hard to narrow it down to ten, but here it goes. I didn't put them in any particular order either =)

All Our Yesterdays by Cristin Terrill
I really loved the premise for this book as well as how it became so much more than a time travel novel. Characterizations were amazing and the ending left me heartbroken and sobbing.

Going Under by S. Walden
Another heartbreaking book with a realistic and horrifying premise revolving around serial rapists and the girl who tries to take them down. This one stayed with me long after I finished reading.

Archetype by M.D. Waters
This doesn't come out until January, but I'm certain it will be one of the most buzzed about books of the year. Amazing characters and a plot twist I'm still reeling from. Thank goodness the sequel is going to be released in the summer because I would die if I had to wait much longer.

No One Else Can Have You by Kathleen Hale
This is a book people either love or hate, but I absolutely adored it. I read it straight through during a road trip and I was snorting with laughter the entire time. The main character Kippy is one of my favorite narrators of all time.

Surviving Raine by Shay Savage
This book was a huge surprise because I usually hate main characters like Bastian. He's broody and violent, but I ended up really becoming invested in his survival story. He had major chemistry with the sweet and innocent Raine and I couldn't put this book down until I found out if they would make it or not.

Unravel Me by Tahereh Mafi
The final book comes out in a couple of months and I CAN NOT WAIT. This sequel to Shatter Me did not hit a sophomore slump at all and it made me fall in love all over again with the characters.

World After by Susan Ee
I read Angelfell and World After back to back and it quickly became one of my favorite paranormal series. The dystopian world the author created is frightening with the unique idea that angels are the bad guys.

The 5th Wave by Rick Yancey
Alien invasion stories are hit or miss for me and this was a big hit for me. I loved the survival story of Cassie and the twists and turns in the novel that I never saw coming.

Omens by Kelley Armstrong
I love Kelley Armstrong's books and Omens didn't disappoint. It was different than her other novels, but I loved it all the same.

Parallel by Lauren Miller

Although I like standalone books, I almost wish this was a series because of how much I loved the plot and the characters. It also had one of the most interesting love triangles I've ever read.

Review: Wild Cards by Simone Elkeles

Goodreads Summary:

After getting kicked out of boarding school, bad boy Derek Fitzpatrick has no choice but to live with his ditzy stepmother while his military dad is deployed. Things quickly go from bad to worse when he finds out she plans to move them back to her childhood home in Illinois. Derek’s counting the days before he can be on his own, and the last thing he needs is to get involved with someone else’s family drama.

Ashtyn Parker knows one thing for certain--people you care about leave without a backward glance. A football scholarship would finally give her the chance to leave. So she pours everything into winning a state championship, until her boyfriend and star quarterback betrays them all by joining their rival team. Ashtyn needs a new game plan, but it requires trusting Derek—someone she barely knows, someone born to break the rules. Is she willing to put her heart on the line to try and win it all?

Publication Date: October 1, 2013

This is the first Simone Elkeles book I’ve read and I have to say I really enjoyed it. I loved Ashtyn and Derek and although they faced a lot of hurdles in their relationship, I was really hoping they both would get their crap together and realize how right they were for one another.

I loved that Ashtyn was a kick butt football player. She’s not afraid to be tough and doesn’t allow herself to be intimidated despite being the only girl on the team. But she also has a very soft, feminine side and it was sweet when Derek was able to bring out her vulnerability. Ashtyn is afraid of being left abandoned while Derek is constantly running from place to place and it causes a lot of discord between the two.

Derek was a great male lead as well. I loved his swagger, but underneath his cockiness he really cared about Ashtyn. He had a lot of pain in his past and it was touching to see how Ashtyn helped him work though it. The secondary characters were well done with my favorites being Derek’s grandmother, Brandi and Julian.

The plot moved very quickly and I liked how the book never hit a lull. There are some interesting sub-plots too and I sympathized with the sexism Ashtyn had to deal with while attending football camp. Her ex-boyfriend was also reprehensible and I couldn’t wait for him to get his *ss kicked.

The ending felt a little rushed and there was a couple of unbelievable plot reveals. There’s a sequel in the works and I hope it features some of Ashtyn’s teammates and also find out how the football rivalry was resolved. I would definitely recommend this book to YA contemporary fans who enjoy sports-themed romances.

Rating: 4.5/5 Stars

Thanks to the publisher for a copy of this book for review!

Stacking the Shelves #71

Stacking the Shelves is a weekly meme hosted by Tynga's Reviews and features books you've added to your shelves, both physical and virtual.

Hope everyone is enjoying their holidays! I picked up a few historical romances this week. Not the normal genre I read, but I go through phases when I can't get enough of them.

For Review:

Captivate by Vanessa Garden

Plus One by Elizabeth Fama

We Were Liars by E. Lockhart

Precious Thing by Colette McBeth

The Here and Now by Ann Brashares

Salt by Danielle Ellison

Wallflower Gone Wild by Maya Rodale

Redemption of the Duke by Gayle Callen

Review: Come As You Are by Theresa Weir

Goodreads Summary:

Molly Young has a secret. To keep it she holds the world at a distance. Behind her lies a trail of dumped boyfriends who came too close to discovering what no one can know. When her estranged father dies of an unexpected heart attack he leaves an even deeper secret, one tied to Molly's.

At the funeral repast Molly is unable to tolerate the shoulder-to-shoulder mourners and runs out the door and down the street to the nearest bar. Come dawn, with no memory of the past ten hours, she finds herself in bed with a beautiful stranger. She slips away before he wakes up, unaware of the role he's about to play in her life. Is he the one guy who can convince Molly to face her painful secret and become the person she's meant to be?

Publication Date: September 20, 2013

This was such an angsty and dark read, much more so than I ever guessed. Molly is a tormented main character and the walls she had built up made it difficult to connect with her character. However, I liked Ian a lot and I felt like he was able to bring some light into Molly’s dark existence.

Molly is a complicated character and although many NA heroines are tortured—Molly is a NA heroine to the extreme. Thoughts of suicide are never far from her mind and some really awful crap has happened to her at the hands of her father. To make matters worst, her father dies and leaves her next to nothing in his will.

Ian was really a nice guy and I liked that he was always trying to do the right thing despite how difficult Molly could be. The beginning was really good and their chemistry was obvious despite the circumstances surrounding how they meet. Once the relationship happened between the two, it happened super fast and fizzled out just as quickly.

My main issue with the book was I felt like certain things were way too rushed. A few major reveals happen towards the end and they were never fully explored. The ending also felt like it came out of nowhere and too many things were unresolved.

I liked Come As You Are and I’d love to read another book by the author. I don’t believe there’s a sequel in the works but I believe there could be due to the abrupt ending.

Rating: 3.5/5 Stars

Thanks to the publisher for a copy of this novel for review!

Review: Cheating on Myself by Erin Downing

Goodreads Summary:

What happens when good enough just isn't enough anymore?

Stella Dahl assumed her life was as good as it was ever going to get. But after twelve years with a man who’s more a habit than husband material, she walks out on her bland existence, determined to start over. Goaded by her friends and a group of crass retirees she befriends at water aerobics, Stella plunges back into the dating pool. After a few false starts, she meets Joe, the sexy banjo player in a popular children’s band. He’s cocky, a smirking flirt, and a musician...everything she’s *not* looking for in a guy. Even still, she begins to fall — hard.

Just when Stella is beginning to think she could find true happiness, a family tragedy turns her world upside down. As she tries to hold together everything that’s crumbling around her, Stella starts slipping back into old habits — and away from Joe. Soon, she begins to wonder: Is she really destined for anything more than a life that’s good enough?

For fans of Jennifer Weiner and Kristan Higgins, CHEATING ON MYSELF is a touching, laugh-out-loud romantic comedy about starting over and finding your happily ever after

Publication Date: October 2, 2013

I really enjoyed Cheating on Myself more than I expected. The premise didn’t sound like something I would really be into, but I’ve read another book by the author so I decided to give it a shot. I’m glad I did because I found it to be a fun romantic comedy about discovering yourself for the first time in years.

The setup was simple enough. Stella finally decides she’s had enough of a dead-end relationship. She works for a marketing firm and she’s been in a relationship with a corporate guy. It was fun to see her step out of her comfort zone and go for a member of a children’s band. Her relationship with Joe leads to some funny laugh out loud moments.

The workplace drama and dynamics were a little dull for me, but that’s more of a personal preference. Otherwise, I liked how Stella grew as a character and decided to stop trying to mold herself into the perfect woman for a man who would never commit. Stella was exasperating at times, but her sense of humor and wit made me cheer for her over the course of the novel.

I would recommend this read for lovers of contemporary romances with humor. It was a quick read for me and I would definitely read another book by the author.

Rating: 4/5 Stars

I received a copy of this novel from the author for review.

Review: Until You're Mine by Samantha Hayes

Goodreads Summary:

You're alone. You're vulnerable. And you have something that someone else wants. At any cost...

Claudia seems to have the perfect life. She's heavily pregnant with a much-wanted baby, she has a loving husband, and a beautiful home. And then Zoe steps into her life. Zoe has come to help Claudia when her baby arrives. But there's something about Zoe that Claudia doesn't like. Or trust.

And when she finds Zoe in her bedroom, Claudia's anxiety turns to real fear...

Publication Date: June 20, 2013

This book was a huge surprise. I’ve never experienced such a change of heart in the course of reading any other novel. I was all set to give the novel three stars when the ending came along and completely blindsided me. It changed the entire book for me and I loved how the author tied everything together.

The subject matter definitely made me squeamish. Pregnant women having their bellies cut into aren’t something I normally want to read about. However, I thought it was interesting how the author focused on different women and their struggles with fertility. I thought the author did a good job of depicting an infertile woman on the outside looking in.

The story is told from three female points of view: Lorraine, Zoe and Claudia. I liked reading about each character and their struggles they faced. A few of the sub-plots were a little boring, but I understood their purpose a little more as the story unfolded.

I don’t want to post spoilers, so I’ll only say the ending will leave you breathless. I’m never usually surprised, but there were incredible twists to the story. I loved how I never saw it coming, but now when I look back at the novel, it makes perfect sense. The author didn’t leave plot holes for the sake of a shocking twist.

I would highly recommend this novel to suspense lovers. The crimes are horrifying and I was on the edge of my seat over if the right person would be brought to justice.

Rating: 5/5 Stars

Thanks to the publisher for a copy of this book for review!

Review: Uninvited by Sophie Jordan

Goodreads Summary:

When Davy Hamilton's tests come back positive for Homicidal Tendency Syndrome (HTS)-aka the kill gene-she loses everything. Her boyfriend ditches her, her parents are scared of her, and she can forget about her bright future at Juilliard. Davy doesn't feel any different, but genes don't lie. One day she will kill someone.

Only Sean, a fellow HTS carrier, can relate to her new life. Davy wants to trust him; maybe he's not as dangerous as he seems. Or maybe Davy is just as deadly.

The first in a two-book series, Uninvited tackles intriguing questions about free will, identity, and human nature. Steeped in New York Times bestselling author Sophie Jordan's trademark mix of gripping action and breathless romance, this suspenseful tale is perfect for fans of James Patterson, Michelle Hodkin, and Lisa McMann.

Publication Date: January 28, 2014

I absolutely loved the premise of Uninvited and found myself sucked into the plot early on. Often dystopian plots don’t seem plausible at all to me, but the scary thing about Uninvited is I could totally see this happening in the future. My only issue was I wished the book had a stronger female lead and that Davy didn’t constantly need saving by the love interest Sean.

The setup was wonderful—mandatory genetic testing has revealed charmed high school girl Davy is a carrier of a HTS, a homicidal tendency syndrome gene. I found the idea intriguing: should individuals be punished for being predisposed to violence? I actually wished the nature versus nurture debate could’ve been explored over the course of the novel fully.

Davy was empathetic and I did feel for her as her friends and boyfriend oust her. Her future is torn from her and she’s put in several dangerous situations as panic ensues over the possibility of killers living alongside the general populace. The secondary characters were all good and I especially liked Davy’s brother Mitchell and her newfound friends Gil and Sabine.

Sean was a bit of a confusing character for me and I think it was the author’s intention to make him this way. You never really know if he’s a good guy or not, especially since he’s also a carrier of HTS and has been branded because of violence. The thing annoying about the romance was every scene Sean was saving Davy. I understood Davy wasn’t exactly street smart, but by the end I felt like come on already. The way Sean looked out for Davy was irritating too because he was constantly inferring she was hopeless and needed a man to act as her protector.

The series has so much room for growth and I’ll definitely read the next installment.

Rating: 4/5 Stars

Thanks to the publisher for a copy of this book for review!    

Book Blitz and Kindle Giveaway: Insanity by Cameron Jace

Book & Author Details:

Insanity by Cameron Jace 

Publication date: December 20th 2013

Genres: Fantasy, New Adult, Paranormal

Synopsis:

After accidentally killing everyone in her class, Alice Wonder is now a patient in the Radcliffe Lunatic Asylum. No one doubts her insanity. Only a hookah-smoking professor believes otherwise; that he can prove her sanity by decoding Lewis Carroll’s paintings, photographs, and find Wonderland’s real whereabouts. Professor Caterpillar persuades the asylum that Alice can save lives and catch the wonderland monsters now reincarnated in modern day criminals. In order to do so, Alice leads a double life: an Oxford university student by day, a mad girl in an asylum by night. The line between sanity and insanity thins when she meets Jack Diamond, an arrogant college student who believes that nonsense is an actual science.

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18910286-insanity?ac=1

Purchase:

Will be found here come release day:

--Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=cameron+jace+insanity&rh=n%3A283155%2Ck%3Acameron+jace+insanity

----

AUTHOR BIO

Wonderlander, Neverlander, Unicorn-chaser, enchanter, musician, survived a coma, & totally awesome. Sometimes I tell stories. Always luv the little monsters      I write young adult paranormal romance, urban fantasy, and science fiction mostly. The Grimm Diaries series is a seven book saga that deals with retellings of fairy tales from a young adult POV - it connects most of the fairy tales together and claims to be the truth about fairy tales.      I live in San Fransisco and seriously think circles are way cooler than triangles.

Author Links:

Website: http://cameronjace.blogspot.ca/

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/995289.Cameron_Jace

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/camjace

Twitter: https://twitter.com/cameronjace

Q & A with Cameron Jace

Q: Is insanity an Alice in Wonderland retelling where fact and fiction intermingle like in your previous series the Grimm Diaries?

A: It’s not quite a retelling of Alice in Wonderland as much as inspired by it. It has all the whimsical and nonsensical wonderland fantasy parts, but it’s more grounded to reality because it happens in our time. Fact and fiction do walk side by side in this book. For instance, Lewis Carroll is present as character himself.

Q: Why did you call it Insanity?

 A: Well, insanity is the main theme of the book. All what Alice has seen could be interpreted as madness in many ways. Also, when you read the book, it’s insane. I mean like really insane. You will either love or hate it. I don’t think there is a middle zone.

Q: Is the story told from many point of views like the Grimm Diaries?

A: Just a few, but most of the story is Alice’s personal journey.

Q: The Grimm Diaries was filled with research, how much did you put in Insanity?

A: I think the research in Insanity is even greater than the Grimm Diaries. The book is also more action oriented. Alice travels from Oxford, London, Vatican City then Belgium in a couple of days. Each city had to be researches and connected with Lewis Carroll and his books.

Q: The blurb says Alice’s sanity can only be proved through Lewis Carroll’s photography and writing. We thought this is about Wonderland.

A: It’s about Wonderland. The idea is that all puzzles, action scenes, and even romance have a Lewis Carroll background to them. The main reason why this book came to my mind is my fascination with both Alice in Wonderland and Lewis Carroll himself. If you learn the reasons behind each character and location in his book, you will love Alice in Wonderland even more. It’s no coincidence that we all relate to the book. It’s a masterpiece.

Q: You said Insanity is more of a TV pilot. How so?

A: I did write it as a novel but also as TV pilot. The reason is that once you get the idea of the book, the possibilities are infinite, and incredibly amusing. When outlining my plot, I found out it would take books and books to write it. So I wrote one story with a beginning, middle, and end. It’s satisfying on its own, but if I succeeded in peaking your interest you should like to read the next books. The beauty of it is that once you read one book, each other book will be a story of its own. It’s very much like a TV series.

Q: Anything you want to add?
A: I wish everyone and awesome Christmas and a Fantabulous new yearJ And if I messed with you childhood memories of Alice in Wonderland a bit, don’t hate me. Lol.

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Stacking the Shelves # 70

Stacking the Shelves is a weekly meme hosted by Tynga's Reviews and features books you've added to your shelves, both physical and virtual.

Have you stopped by to check out my new release from Crescent Moon Press? You can click here to enter for a chance to win a paperback or eBook version of The Memory Witch. I'm featuring several Crescent Moon Press titles this week that I plan to review in the upcoming weeks.

For Review:

Sorrow's Point by Danielle DeVor

Death Lies Between Us by Jody A. Kessler

Phantom Touch by Jessica Hawke

Son of a Mermaid by Katie O'Sullivan

Blitzing Emily by Julie Brannagh

Dead Beautiful by Yvonne Wood

The Unseemly Education of Anne Merchant by Joanna Wiebe

In the Blood by Lisa Unger

Review: Speak of the Devil by Shawna Romkey

Goodreads Summary:

What happens when falling in love and falling from grace collide?

After dying in a car accident with her two best friends, Lily miraculously awakens to grief and guilt. She escapes to her dad’s to come to terms with the event and meets some people at her new school who seem all too eager to help her heal. Sliding deeper into sorrow and trying to fight her feelings for two of them, she finds out who…what they really are and that they are falling too.

Can she find the strength to move on from the past, reconcile her feelings for Luc, find a way to stop a divine war with fallen angels, and still pass the eleventh grade?

Publication Date: March 15, 2013

Speak of the Devil was a fun and exciting read. I liked the main character Lily’s spunk and I wasn’t expecting the twists and turns the story would take after Lily meets a mysterious group of friends at her new school.

The book starts out exciting and I liked the author’s writing style. She has a talent for building up the suspense of a scene and it kept me reading. I really felt like she did a good job at describing the state of mind and emotions of a teen girl who has gone through a tragedy like Lily.

I avoided reading reviews before diving into the book and it was fun not knowing where exactly the story was going. When all was revealed, my jaw dropped. I definitely didn’t expect the story to go in the direction Romkey took it and I was completely wrong in guessing the good and bad guys of the story.

The plot moved at a quick pace and had plenty of action.  I also enjoyed the metaphysical aspects and found the book well researched. It was wonderful how Lily threw herself into battle and didn’t back down. I’m a huge fan of strong female characters in YA literature and Lily took the cake.

The romance was sweet and I loved the hot and cold between Luc and Lily. There was also some unexpected moments of levity which nicely broke up the high drama parts. I’d recommend the book highly to YA paranormal romance fans who want a refreshing take on angels and demons.

Rating: 5/5 Stars

Review: Pawn by Aimee Carter

Goodreads Summary:

For Kitty Doe, it seems like an easy choice. She can either spend her life as a III in misery, looked down upon by the higher ranks and forced to leave the people she loves, or she can become a VII and join the most powerful family in the country.

If she says yes, Kitty will be Masked—surgically transformed into Lila Hart, the Prime Minister's niece, who died under mysterious circumstances. As a member of the Hart family, she will be famous. She will be adored. And for the first time, she will matter.

There's only one catch. She must also stop the rebellion that Lila secretly fostered, the same one that got her killed …and one Kitty believes in. Faced with threats, conspiracies and a life that's not her own, she must decide which path to choose—and learn how to become more than a pawn in a twisted game she's only beginning to understand.

Publication Date: November 26, 2013

I was hoping to love this as much as The Goddess Test, but I think I should’ve went into reading without comparing the two books. I did like Pawn, but I didn’t love the characters as much as I loved Henry and Kate from the Goddess series.

The setup for the plot was interesting. Society has been separated into caste systems based on the results of a test given when a person turns seventeen. When Kitty takes her test, she scores a III which guarantees a future working in the sewers. However, the ruling family wants her to take over the life of their departed niece Lila and become a part of the rich and powerful VIIs.

Kitty was all over the place for most of the novel and it made me question whether she had a manic disorder. One minute she’s sobbing hysterically, the next minute she’s stoically accepting her fate. I did like Carter’s choice to feature a dyslexic heroine and I empathized with Kitty’s learning disability. Her boyfriend Benjy was a little boring and he didn’t sound very physically appealing. If I were going to have to pick a team, it would be Team Knox all the way.

The plot isn’t for the faint of heart, a twist about where people go when they end up “elsewhere” was particularly horrifying. I did like the brewing rebellion and the political intrigue plots. Since this is the first in the series, I’d expect the story to come together more in future books.

Rating: 3/5 Stars

Thanks to the publisher for a copy of this novel for review!

Review: A Terrible Love by Marata Eros

Goodreads Summary:

Jess Mackey is living a meticulously fabricated lie of necessity. She's left the secret tragedy of her past behind along with who she was and is forging ahead with a clean slate. But Jess soon discovers that passion can't be left behind—neither her own, nor that of the one man who sees who she really is…and whose unexpected presence may breach the peaceful life Jess has painstakingly created for herself.

Devin Castile didn’t expect to meet a young woman who may be the missing puzzle piece to his existence…and who is also the victim of a heinous crime. Devin convinces himself that he can remain emotionally distant even while indulging his physical desire for her. But when Jess’s lies begin to crumble in the face of their undeniable attraction and the truth is revealed, one of them might pay with their life.

Publication Date: April 26, 2013

I really liked the start of this book, but along the way it lost some of its luster. I couldn’t connect with the main characters at all and I felt like the murder mystery plot became too over the top. It’s not a bad read, but just not really my cup of tea.

Jess was likable in the beginning and I really loved how the author started off the story. I was drawn into the plot of Jess trying to hide in plain sight and her terror over the murderous intentions of her stepbrother. I liked the ballet angle as well and I really found myself learning about what it takes to be a dancer.

After Jess meets bad boy Cas, I started to dislike the book. It was the start of an annoying love triangle with Mitch being the “safe” choice and Cas being the “obvious” choice. I just didn’t understand her reasoning for dating both and her wishy washy behavior. Cas and Jess had strong sexual chemistry, but I just didn’t feel the love aspect. Also, he talked about f*cking her way too soon. It’s a bit of a pet peeve when male characters start talking dirty with the heroine after they barely know each other.

There were some twists, but I figured them out very early. The final scenes are ripe with tension and the book ended strongly. A Terrible Love is filled with drama and readers will definitely be biting their nails as Jess’s past threatens to catch up with her.

Rating: 3/5 Stars

Thanks to the publisher for a copy of this novel for review!

Review: Switched by Cassie Mae

Goodreads Summary:

Ever since high school, Kayla has been crazy for gorgeous football player Talon. But before she could muster the courage to tell him, he became a hot item with her beautiful BFF, Reagan. The only person who knows Kayla’s secret is Wesley, Talon’s best bud—and he’s got it bad for Reagan. Now they’re all in college together, hanging out 24/7. For Kayla, seeing the two lovebirds together is absolutely unbearable. So Kayla and Wesley hatch a plot to drive them apart before Talon has a chance to give Reagan the Christmas gift she’s been waiting for.Soon enough, the once happy couple is fighting. Reagan suddenly can’t get enough of Wesley’s goofy sense of humor, and Talon seems to be paying more attention to Kayla than a guy who’s “only a friend” ever should. But just when everything seems to be falling into place, Kayla and Wesley accidentally spend a night together and discover a hitch in their plan they never considered: that switching partners may not lead to a perfect ending after all.

Publication Date: December 2, 2013

I hadn’t planned to read Switched so quickly, but after reading the premise, it sounded like the perfect guilty pleasure book. I have such a thing for books about characters who don’t like each other at first but end up falling for one another. Switched didn’t disappoint and I absolutely LOVED it.

At first, I wasn’t sure how I would feel about Kayla and Wesley trying to break up their friends. But their efforts were mostly innocent and it seemed clear that neither would make a move unless they had blessings from both Talon and Reagan. Although the friends don’t like each other at first, feelings start to develop after they plot together to switch romantic partners.

Kayla was lovable and earnest and I really loved the story from her POV. I loved the funny/awkward moments between her and the guys. I adored Wesley, like so much that he’s my new book boyfriend. I love romantic interests like him. He’s not a billionaire CEO or a NFL quarterback, but he’s sweet and funny. Before this book, I never thought a guy smelling like gummy bears could be so freaking cute.

The pacing was good and I stayed up late to finish it. I had to know what guy Kayla was going to end up with! Characterization was well done and despite the first person POV, all of the characters came to life for me.

If you’re in the mood for a sweet and fun read, I’d highly recommend Switched. It’s a standalone and although there are a few sexy scenes (nothing graphic), it would still be a good pick for older teens along with adults. 

Rating: 5/5 Stars

Thanks to the publisher for a copy of this novel for review!

New Release and Giveaway: The Memory Witch

Today I'm celebrating my new YA release from Crescent Moon Press. It's called The Memory Witch and it's the first book in a planned trilogy. It's full of magic, romance and angst. I have the Amazon Buy Links and will be sharing the other purchase links as they go live. Enter below for chance to win an autographed paperback copy or eBook version. 

Book Summary:

Ten years ago, Quinn Jacobs’ mother made a bargain with a local witch—steal away Quinn’s memories from the first eight years of her life and in return, Quinn would spend a year in servitude to the witch.

On Quinn’s eighteenth birthday, she’s forced to leave her home and friends behind. For the next year, she’ll live at the Chadwick House, learning everything she needs to know about being a spellcaster. As her powers grow, Quinn begins to unravel the secrets of the past and the reason her mother was so desperate to conceal the horrifying truth.

Kindle Version: http://www.amazon.com/Memory-Witch-Heather-Topham-Wood-ebook/dp/B00HB67IWY

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18248374-the-memory-witch

Excerpt:

After about an hour of swimming, I climbed back onto the pier. Throwing on my tunic, I laid back onto my towel. Drowsiness set in as I sunbathed and before long, I felt myself drifting...

I was in the woods again. This time I wasn’t running. Instead I sat sobbing as I held a piece of torn cloth in my hands. I had no idea the significance of the scarlet fabric, but it filled me with sorrow looking at it. The fabric was roughly torn and the glossy surface made me guess it had come from a jacket.

Dark shadows were creeping towards me as I sat crying with my back against a white birch tree. I gripped the fabric in my fist as I became aware of the presence of the darkness. I stopped my tears and looked at the swirling forms moving steadfastly in my direction. Wiping off the residual moisture on my cheeks, I stood and stared down the ghastly shapes.

I threw the fabric on the moist ground. An army of spiders, beetles, and worms emerged from the ground and began to devour the material. Once it disappeared into their greedy little mouths, they returned to ground. I was heartbroken with their hungry destruction of something that was so precious to me, but I had to find the strength to confront and embrace the darkness.

“I welcome you.” The voice wasn’t my own. It was full of malice and power. My hands shot out before me and the dark mist came to them. They disappeared inside of my fingers and I could see the energy pulse through my body. I shut my eyes and reopened them. They were no longer my own. Blackened irises with a red rim now stood in place of my soft brown eyes... 

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Stacking the Shelves #69

Stacking the Shelves is a weekly meme hosted by Tynga's Reviews and features books you've added to your shelves, both physical and virtual.


Purchased:

Leo by Mia Sheridan

For Review:

Sleep No More by Aprilynne Pike

Wicked Games by Sean Olin

After the End by Amy Plum

The Murder Complex by Lindsay Cummings

Running on Empty by Colette Ballard

Blog Tour Stop and Review: Path Unchosen by Kim Cleary (Daughter of Ravenswood #1)

Book & Author details:

Path Unchosen by Kim Cleary 

(Daughter of Ravenswood #1) 

Publication date: September 7th 2013

Genres: Dark Fantasy, New Adult, Paranormal, Urban Fantasy

Synopsis:

When eighteen-year-old Judy Hudson discovers she’s a necromancer and sees first-hand the pain her powers can cause the dead, she just wants to deny who she is. The zombie plague is long over. She wants to find a more normal life, but that’s a challenge when a beautiful otherworldly man, who claims to be her guardian, saves her life.

Judy tries to set right the harm she inflicted on a spirit she raised, but new zombies attack—zombies raised from among the long-time dead. Someone else just like her is out there, and he’s not trying to set anything right. To save her own life, and protect the innocent inhabitants of the nearby town who’ve become her friends, Judy has to figure out who’s raising the dead and why. She must also learn to control the darkness inside her—a seductive darkness that promises her power beyond her wildest dreams.

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18518528-path-unchosen?ac=1

Purchase:

--Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00F1X36SE

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AUTHOR BIO

Kim writes urban fantasy for anyone who longs to discover they are extraordinary. She writes about hopefulness and determination, and about heroes who push through extraordinary situations and obstacles, one step at a time. Magical friends and gorgeous guys help, or hinder, in one adventure after another.

When not writing, revising, or thinking about writing, Kim gardens, plays with her dog, chats on social media, catches up with friends or cooks an Indian feast. She is a member of Writers Victoria, Romance Writers of Australia, The Alliance of Independent Authors, and a certified chocoholic.

Kim grew up in Birmingham, UK, studied medieval history and psychology at Adelaide University in South Australia and has worked all over Australia and in London. She now lives with her husband and an adorable Cocker Spaniel in Melbourne, Australia.

Links:

Website: http://kimcleary.com/

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7276994.Kim_Cleary

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KimClearyWriter

Twitter: https://twitter.com/kimclearywriter

My Review:

I liked the mysteries of the Path Unchosen, but I feel like if the author would’ve focused the plot and setting more, it would be a must read for paranormal lovers. Along with Judy, I was trying to figure out the story of her birth and I liked that there were a lot of surprises in store for the reader as we followed along on her journey.

I’m a sucker for zombie and necromancer novels, so I liked that aspect of the novel a lot. The book starts out with Judy living in an orphanage and being forced out because of her ability to revive the dead. Judy was somewhat likable, but a little immature once I realized she was 18 and not younger. But in a way her lack of worldliness fits well with the fact she was sheltered inside the walls of the abbey.

The setting was a little hard to get a handle on. I was certain it was historical fiction, but then there would be references to inventions that made me guess it took place in the future. There needed to be more consistency too as readers move from scene to scene.

The pace was quick which worked well for me because it was able to hold my interest. A few of the plots needed to be fleshed out more or eliminated altogether, but it is a series so that could be improved upon in future outings. I also really loved the cover and felt it worked well for the book.

Rating: 3/5 Stars

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At Any Price by Brenna Aubrey Book Blitz and Giveaway

Book & Author Details:

At Any Price by Brenna Aubrey 

(Gaming the System #1) 

Publication date: December 9th 2013 

Genres: Contemporary, New Adult, Romance

Synopsis:

Achievement Unlocked: Geek Virgin

When Mia Strong, proud geek-girl and popular gaming blogger, auctions off her virginity online, she knows she’ll make waves. But what she will not be making is a love connection. Her rules are set in stone: One night. No further contact.

It’s a desperate step, but it’s the only way she can go to medical school and pay her mother’s mounting hospital bills.

Difficulty Level: Millionaire CEO

Adam Drake, the enigmatic auction winner, is a software prodigy who made his first million at seventeen. Now, in his mid-twenties, he’s sexy, driven and–as CEO of his own gaming company–he’s used to making the rules. Before Mia knows what’s happening, he’s found the loophole in the rules of her auction. Every stipulation she’s made to protect her heart gets tossed by the wayside.

She can’t tell if he’s playing her…or if he’s playing for keeps.

This New Adult book is intended for audiences over the age of 18 due to adult language, sexual content and adult situations.

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18716577-at-any-price?ac=1

Purchase:

--Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Any-Price-Gaming-The-System-ebook/dp/B00H3I2OQU/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1386184928&sr=8-1&keywords=at+any+price+aubrey

--B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/at-any-price-brenna-aubrey/1117555261?ean=2940149024902

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AUTHOR BIO

Brenna Aubrey is an author of New Adult contemporary romance stories that center on geek culture. Her debut novel, AT ANY PRICE, releases in December, 2013.

She has always sought comfort in good books and the long, involved stories she weaves in her head. Brenna's favorite author is Jane Austen and favorite novel is PERSUASION.

Brenna is a city girl with a nature-lover's heart. She therefore finds herself out in green open spaces any chance she can get. A mommy to two little kids and teacher to many more older kids, she juggles schedules to find time to pursue her love of storycrafting.

She currently resides on the west coast with her husband, two children, two adorable golden retriever pups, two birds and some fish.

LINKS:

http://brennaaubrey.net/

https://www.facebook.com/BrennaAubreyAuthor

https://twitter.com/brennaaubrey

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5824327.Brenna_Aubrey

Excerpt:

“I’m quite capable of understanding sexual attraction, Mr. Drake.”

“Adam,” he said quietly, his eyes lowering to focus on my mouth. My heart skipped a beat in its frenetic pace.

“Adam.”

“Why does it make you uncomfortable to call me by my first name?”

I locked gazes with him, suddenly intensely aware of how close we were standing. I could smell him—a subtle scent, masculine, clean, like the ocean and the hint of peppermint candy on his breath. I could almost feel the heat and power oozing off of him in waves. I swallowed in a suddenly dry throat.

“I don’t know.”

“I want to give you one more thing to think about.”

“And what is that?”

He leaned closer, his head approaching mine. I didn’t have the time to step back nor, I think, the willpower to do it even if it had occurred to me. His mouth met mine in a firm, sure kiss.

It wasn’t overpowering. That was the first thing that surprised me. It was a subtle give and take—gentle, at first, a warm pressure of his lips on mine. Then he took a step closer and slid a hand around my waist, the other going to my back.

He retreated, just slightly, just enough to allow me to pursue him. His mouth moved against mine, teasing, pressing it open. Now his body pressed against mine, his head angled down to reach me, for I was at least five inches shorter than him.

I opened my mouth to him then and his tongue slid in easily. Nothing tentative in this kiss. He knew exactly what he was doing. He was telling me I had the control, declaring the decision mine and then swooping in and taking no prisoners.

His hands stayed put. I was glad of that though I wanted his touch everywhere—my aching breasts, the throbbing between my legs. Goose bumps prickled up and down my arms. His tongue explored my mouth with surety, easy possession. And—to my utter humiliation—I let loose a small whimper at the back of my throat.

The arm around my waist tightened when he heard it, responding immediately, almost instinctively. He pulled his tongue back, as if inviting me to follow him with my tongue. And tentatively, I did.

I’d been kissed before—back in high school when I was normal and I actually dated. But it had been years, now, and I’d never, ever been kissed like this. My tongue entered his mouth and he made a noise at the back of his throat, not quite a growl, kind of more like a huff. It emboldened me. Empowered me. I thrust my tongue, lacing my hands around the back of his neck. Our heads moved together for long minutes and I felt like I hadn’t breathed in a lifetime.

Everything was spinning around me and I—I was spinning too, delirious with want. Like a woman drowning in the middle of stormy sea, in desperate need of a life raft. That sea was Adam Drake and he was pulling me adrift, stranding me in some strange and forgotten land.

When finally he ended it, he pulled away so slowly that I could hardly tell our lips had parted until cool air passed between us. It was then that I saw that he was as affected as I was—flushed cheeks, his breath coming fast, his eyes dark and drunk with desire.

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