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

Just a little TEASE!

This is so great, but a little torture knowing how long we have to wait to see this.. UGH!


PURE TORTURE!!!

Cassandra Clare's big announcement

Million-selling author Cassandra Clare signs up for new fantasy series set in Los Angeles!! 

"Clare, 38, is known for the series “The Mortal Instruments” and “The Infernal Devices.” The first of “The Dark Artifices” books, currently untitled, will come out in 2015. According to a statement from the publisher, Clare, who placed her previous work in contemporary New York and Victorian England, will continue her tales of the Shadowhunters, a hybrid race “unseen but ever-present, our invisible protectors.”
“The series follows Emma Carstairs, the fiercest warrior and most skilled young Shadowhunter since Jace Wayland, and Emma’s sworn partner in arms, Julian Blackthorn,” the statement reads. “Despite Emma’s complicated feelings for Julian, the two must band together to investigate a demonic plot that stretches from the warlock-run nightclubs of the Sunset Strip to the enchanted sea that pounds the beaches of Santa Monica.”
Clare said in a statement that she was sure readers would love both her new and her established characters.
“I know readers will come to love Emma, Mark, Cristina and Julian just as they have loved Jace, Clary, Will, Tessa and Jem,” she said. “Readers have often asked what will happen in the Shadowhunter world after the events of the ‘Mortal Instruments’ and this series will give them a chance to find out.”" Washington Post

"What's the inspiration for the series title?
The inspiration for the title! Okay, this is so dorky. The main family, the Blackthorns, of "The Dark Artifices," have a father who is a classicist. He is obsessed with Greek and Roman mythology and history. So "The Dark Artifices" comes from "The Annals of Imperial Rome" by Tacitus. "It would have been less ignominious to die by the dark artifices of Tiberius or the fury of Caligula." I just liked the phrase. And all the kids in the family have Greek or Roman names—Helen, Julian, Marcus, Olivia and even Tiberius. (Poor Tiberius.) As for the individual books, the working title for the first book is "Lady Midnight.""  Interview with Clare with Mtv's Hollywood Crush

Being a huge fan of Clare's books The Mortal Insturments and The Infernal Devices, I can't wait to hear more details of Emma and Julian!!  2015 seems so far away, but I have to remind myself that there are 2 more books in TMI series and one more in TID to be released before then, not to mention the film of TMI.  So much excitement going on with Cassandra Clare's writing!  I don't know how she does it!

What do you think of all the hype of the movie, the upcoming releases and the announcement of Clare's new series?  Comment on it, I would love to hear what you other fans have to say!!

Legacy

Legacy by Cayla Kluver
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Summary:  I noticed his eyes. They were blue, sharp and intense. Despite the youthful glows of his suntanned face, his eyes were cold and unfriendly, suggesting he had great experience in the world and was now expecting the worst.
In her seventeenth year, Princess Alera of Hytanica faces one duty: to marry the man who will be king. But her father's choice of suitor fills her with despair.
When the palace guard captures and intruder—a boy her age with steel-blue eyes, hailing from her kingdom's greatest enemy—Alera is alarmed…and intrigued. But she could not have guessed that their clandestine meetings would unveil the dark legacy shadowing both their lands.
In this mystical world of court conspiracies and blood magic, loyalties will be tested. Courage won't be enough. And as the battle begins for everything Alera holds dear, love may be the downfall of a kingdom. ~

Alera who was quite stubborn, full of wit and spunk, fought against authority and her duty, like most 17-yr-olds. Once she decided she didn't like Steldor, that was it... nothing was going to change her mind. The only problem I had with the whole thing, was the lack of Narian's personality. Most of the time Alera spent with him he was vague, quiet, and not enough focus was on him long enough to establish a true bond... In my opinion. Even though Steldor really was an egotistical, selfish brute, I liked him. The way he and Alera bantered back and forth was fantastic! They were perfect for each other! Narian?... hmmmm, not so sure.

All the secondary characters had such detailed pasts. Every one of them had some kind of influence in the direction of the tale. The politics, war strategies, traditions, dress styles, social and economical details were not lacking. Brought all together it was formed into a wonderful tale which could almost be believable.

I was awed that someone so young could write something with this kind of vocabulary and style. Even though I read book #2 first, I fell right back into the characters. Hats off to Cayla Kluver, her beautiful writing and creating a world that any teen would love to live in.... Yes, even adults! I know I would!

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My Blood Approves

My Blood Approves by Amanda Hocking
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Summary:  Seventeen-year-old Alice Bonham's life feels out of control after she meets Jack. With his fondness for pink Chuck Taylors and New Wave hits aside, Jack's unlike anyone she's ever met.

Then she meets his brother, Peter. His eyes pierce through her, and she can barely breathe when he's around. Even though he can't stand the sight of her, she's drawn to him.

But falling for two very different guys isn't even the worst of her problems. Jack and Peter are vampires, and Alice finds herself caught between love and her own blood....


I kept seeing this series on my audible "recommended" page, so I took a stab at it. I had already read Switched a while ago, also from Amanda Hocking, and enjoyed it, so figured this one should be good. I have to admit, I love a series.

I just finished listening to this, and my heart is still pounding from it. At first I thought it was too much like the book "T" and even rolled my eyes a few times, but once I got into it,my feelings changed. I am still not sure if I would put it as one of my favorites, but it's up there. Of course I am a HUGE "T"fan so it would make sense that I would fall for this series as well.

The name Alice, also a T-book name, made me want to scrunch up my nose because she wasn't a character I liked.... So, I tried not to bring any prejudices into this book in spite of the similarities, which helped me out a lot. This Alice's personality was great. Loved her. As well as Jack's. He reminded me of my youngest brother, always a kid at heart, which was refreshing.

Not sure what my feelings for Peter were or even are now. There was a part of me that wanted things with Peter to work out and a part that hated him.

This book does contain a couple of F-words, which I don't like. That might be what keeps me from adding it to my favorites. There is some sexual content... Kissing plus a little more.

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Kindle Freebie

Reason to Breathe by Rebecca Donovan
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Summary:

"No one tried to get involved with me, and I kept to myself. This was the place where everything was supposed to be safe and easy. How could Evan Mathews unravel my constant universe in just one day?"

He knows there’s something more to the girl sitting in the back of the class the moment he sees her. She’s beautiful, intelligent, and athletic – but she slips quietly through the crowded halls, trying not to exist. Determined to get to know the elusive girl, Evan soon discovers…

Emma Thomas is hiding a terrible secret.

Reason to Breathe is an electrifying page turner from start to finish, a unique tale of life-changing love, unspeakable cruelty, and one girl’s fragile grasp of hope.

I found this book free on Kindle, but had no idea what I was getting into. I had a love/hate relationship with this book. Once I started it, I was torn between putting it down or wanting to see what happens. Just when I thought I couldn't take the abuse, and horrible language, it would stop giving it a new turn.
I fell for Emma, with her brash attitude, her social inabilities, but mostly, I am all about athletic girls. As her heart was opened up, her eyes were also opened to a whole world she was missing out on by being closed off to everyone. Once she see's what she has been missing, she is not wiling to give it up. Her heartbreaking home-life brought me chills and made me sick thinking how someone could be so cruel.
Evan, the knight in shining armor, chiseled his way into Emma's heart, breaking her tightly closed-off, mysterious shell only to find the secrets she desperately tries to hide.
It's a good love-story, but full of anxiety not knowing when the terror would begin again.

I gave it 3 stars because I wasn't completely in love with all of it. I am not one for the F bomb, but I realize in some of the scenes the words were important. I also don't do well with a lot of detailed violence, especially when dealing with real life issues. I also may be naive thinking teenagers are allowed this much freedom, with all the drinking, sex, and drugs right under parents noses.

Am I going to read #2? That I cannot answer yet, leaving the story hanging at such a vital point, it annoyed me, but I cannot lie... I still want to know what happens.



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March Releases!

I found this from a fellow blogger and thought I would share the fun new releases for YA book coming this month!!  

March is going to be fun!

ENJOY!