Guess who's back?

Yes... along with Han Solo, I am back and I am on track!!  After a mess of being on wordpress (cringe) I am back at what I know as blogspot.  Unless I take on classes of somekind, I will NOT go back there again! I just couldn't get my blog looking or acting like I wanted it too and therefore ended up not wanting to blog so much. NOT what I was trying to accomplish... sooooooo

Here we are back to ground zero.  Please bear with me while I get things going again. I am trying to find the new comfort zone of my blogging and where I want it to go.  If you have any ideas or things you would like to see, throw them my way!!  I have felt a little lost without my blog so here I go again to try and get it up to something fun!
Like this vine!  I. Loved. It!  I have found vines and enjoy the fun 7 seconds of entertainment they bring to my crazy brain.  What do you think?    Please comment or send me a message on your thoughts and ideas!

Thanks!

The Testing by Joelle Charbonneau

The Testing by Joelle Charbonneau
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Release date:  June 4th, 2013

Summary:   Keep your friends close and your enemies closer. Isn’t that what they say? But how close is too close when they may be one in the same?

The Seven Stages War left much of the planet a charred wasteland. The future belongs to the next generation’s chosen few who must rebuild it. But to enter this elite group, candidates must first pass The Testing—their one chance at a college education and a rewarding career.

Cia Vale is honored to be chosen as a Testing candidate; eager to prove her worthiness as a University student and future leader of the United Commonwealth. But on the eve of her departure, her father’s advice hints at a darker side to her upcoming studies--trust no one.

But surely she can trust Tomas, her handsome childhood friend who offers an alliance? Tomas, who seems to care more about her with the passing of every grueling (and deadly) day of the Testing. To survive, Cia must choose: love without truth or life without trust.


I was just blown away by this great read! The dystopian explosion has caught my attention, but there are only a few I have given this high of a review, this one is up there!

Cia is honored she has been chosen for the testing which determines who is able to attend University. Those who attend, go on to work and help recreate their world after the apocalypse. No one from their colony has been chosen in 10 years. Her older brother resents her because he was not chosen and her father went through the testing but doesn't remember what happened during that time.

As the testing begins she befriends a boy from her colony Thomas and joins forces with him to survive the testing. Cia is far from prepared for what is placed before her during the trials. A love triangle seems to begin, but is not resolved in this book.

Riveted by the fast paced world building, it was difficult to put down. Cia's character comes out strong and instantly likeable. After her fathers warning to trust no one, she can't help but trust certain people, but the doubts come. The pressures to succeed and pass the testing are undoubtedly high, because those who have failed disappear. This book brings to front what young teens/adults would do to achieve social standings and goals. By the end of the book, there are many questions left unanswered which hopefully will be answered in the next installment.

I would suggest this book to all the Hunger Games fans. Like it, there is violence between teens. Other than that, it's a pretty clean read. Some romance, kissing, and no bad language that I can remember. I will definitely be looking forward to the next installment!!!

Thanks to Netgalley and Publisher for the ARC and the opportunity to review this book. 

View all my reviews

Exciting News!!

There are only a few things in life that get me so excited, where I have fight the urge to to jump up and down, giggling, yelling, and doing a little jig. THAT is how I feel right now.  Why, you ask?  Well, I am a little obsessive about books, Young Adult books to be exact... but when one of my all-time-favorite-authors comes out with a new book, that little jig breaks free.  Which author is it?........

LISA MANGUM!!! She has released the beautiful cover of her new book called "After Hello"

 

Isn't it beautiful?  I love it!!  The book release date is September 12, 2012!  Mark your calendars! 

Here is the Description:  " What if the first day of your relationship was the only day you had?

Seventeen-year-old Sara is a seeker. She’s always on the lookout for the perfect moment to capture with her ever-present, point-and-shoot camera, especially on her first trip to New York City.

Sam is a finder. He has a knack for finding what other people can’t—a first-edition book or the last two tickets to a sold-out Broadway show. In New York, there is always something interesting to find.

When Sam and Sara’s paths cross, neither one of them is prepared for what they will find out about each other—and about themselves when they form an unlikely partnership in search of a seemingly elusive work of art. They have one day to find the impossible. Fate brought their talents together, but what happens when time runs out? Will love be able to overcome fate? This new novel from award-winning author Lisa Mangum explores what happens after hello."

Sounds great, right?  I am thrilled to death!  

For those of you who haven't experienced Lisa Mangum's writing, I would suggest reading  The Hourglass Door Trilogy

The closer we get to September, check back here and I am hoping to get a great Interview with Lisa Mangum!!  So keep coming back!! 

Poll: Tiger's Curse vs. Divergent

 Tiger's Curse or Divergent??   Can you guess which one I voted for?  Which one did you vote for?

Vote here:
Poll: Tiger's Curse vs. Divergent

Obsidian (Lux #1)

Obsidian by Jennifer L. Armentrout
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Summary:
Starting over sucks.
When we moved to West Virginia right before my senior year, I’d pretty much resigned myself to thick accents, dodgy internet access, and a whole lot of boring…. until I spotted my hot neighbor, with his looming height and eerie green eyes. Things were looking up.   And then he opened his mouth.  Daemon is infuriating. Arrogant. Stab-worthy. We do not get along. At all. But when a stranger attacks me and Daemon literally freezes time with a wave of his hand, well, something…unexpected happens.  The hot alien living next door marks me.  You heard me. Alien. Turns out Daemon and his sister have a galaxy of enemies wanting to steal their abilities, and Daemon’s touch has me lit up like the Vegas Strip. The only way I’m getting out of this alive is by sticking close to Daemon until my alien mojo fades.  If I don’t kill him first, that is.

This was a book that my kindle suggested, I can't remember if it was free or a really good price, but I definitely got a great deal!
At first, the word "alien" threw me off. YUCK-O! My first thought of an alien was a sticky, fat-round-headed, E.T.-looking thing! Then I thought.. What the heck, might as well dive into new territory and WOW! Was I wrong!


I have to admit that I am usually immediately turned off by guys who are crude and arrogant. But somehow, the author seems to get Daemon into my heart. Daemon is so frustrating! So unpredictable! But then there is a side to him that shows his true feelings. The bad boy image does crack here and there.


Katy, such a sweet girl and a complete book-blog nerd, moves with her Mother after her father dies. Deciding that she is going to make the most of their move, finds out pretty quickly that people in the area are not normal. Especially after meeting Daemon, her neighbor, she never knew that anyone could be so cruel. Daemon sister, blackmails him into making peace with Katy, completely baffling Katy he seems kind and sincere, but then switches in to jerk-mode again.


By accident, Katy learns their true identity which puts her into danger and the only way to keep safe is by staying close to the unpredictable Daemon. Then the heat turns on! WOW...(ok, I said that already) but there is a definite heat and connection. May need to get a fan out while reading this book! But of course Daemon seems to say something ignorant to cool things down real fast. UGH!


Even though I really enjoyed this book, not sure I would approve of my kids under the age of 18 read this. There is some language and the "heat" I was referring to, gets pretty steamy as well as the sexual innuendo.


View all my reviews

I WON my first giveaway!

I am so excited to announce that I have won my first blog giveaway! It is the YA book "Supernaturally by Kiersten White".  Yes, I am a newbie with all this blog stuff, but I am getting quite addicted to it besides reading all these great books.  

I have not read this book yet, so I am really looking forward to getting it in the mail.  As my blog gets up in number of followers, I hope I can get to the point where I can start some giveaways myself!  Heaven knows I buy enough books that I can start "SHARING THE LOVE" of these wonderful books!  So if you haven't joined by GFC... on the left side where it says "follow", or by "networkedblogs" just under that, please do!  That way YOU can help me start up my own fun!!!  THANKS!!

Thanks to Mary, from the BookHounds YA Blog for this fun giveaway! Check out her blog, it is completely awesome!!  She has some other super giveaways going on.