**REVIEW** Renegade by J.A. Souders

Since the age of three, sixteen-year-old Evelyn Winters has been trained to be Daughter of the People in the underwater utopia known as Elysium. Selected from hundreds of children for her ideal genes, all her life she’s thought that everything was perfect; her world. Her people. The Law.
But when Gavin Hunter, a Surface Dweller, accidentally stumbles into their secluded little world, she’s forced to come to a startling realization: everything she knows is a lie. 
Her memories have been altered. 
Her mind and body aren’t under her own control. 
And the person she knows as Mother is a monster.
Together with Gavin she plans her escape, only to learn that her own mind is a ticking time bomb... and Mother has one last secret that will destroy them all.

Release Date: November 13, 2012

Published By: Tor Teen 

Review Copy: Hardcover, 364

(copy provided by publisher)

Review

  This is one book that I have really looked forward to.  You know what I speak of, we all have the books that we pine for over the year.  Well upon seeing the cover for Renegade I was in need and upon reading the description I was completely enamored.  It grabbed my attention in so many ways that I just knew I had to have it!  Basically as soon as I started it I knew I was in for what I had hoped for and maybe even a little more.  This is mostly because you realize almost right away that the corruption and deceit runs deeper than you originally thought.  Well deeper than I thought.  Took me a moment to realize it but only by my own fault, though once the realization settled in the book settled into my hands and didn't leave.

  Evelyn has been raised a certain way, to act a certain way and to believe certain things.  She wakes up to the same routine every day and thinks the same things.  Though she has an unnatural interest in the surface that is frowned upon.  She is the Daughter of the People  and is expected to be perfect in every way.  This means she is also to couple (mate) with the perfect genetic match for her.  A series of events lead her to Gavin and an abrupt realization that not everything in her perfect life is as it seems.  Her life isn't the perfect dream that she wakes up to and maybe the surface isn't the dangerous place that she learned it to be.  It may be the only place that can save her in the end.

  Normally I either love, hate or feel indifferent to the main character within the first few chapters.  From the way it all started I thought Evelyn was going to be someone that I remained indifferent to.  Through no fault of her own really but I was finding it hard to click with her.  That all changed when a surface dweller finds his way into her gardens.  She then begins to change bit by bit and become her own person.  Old habits may be hard to break but her heart fights for what it wants and sometimes that is what really matters.  I found her inner struggle and strength to be admirable.  There is no way it was easy to break the rules you are raised with and the ideals that have been instilled in you since you were but a small child.  Doesn't help that she was "conditioned" into believing everything and forgetting the things that they wanted her to.  Eve really does some serious growing as the book progresses and I couldn't help but enjoy reading about her.

  Romance.  This one word can change everything in a book.  Sometimes it can make or break it as well.  Seeing the romance in this book involved the evr hot a hell Gavin I would say it is a total make it.  The book was so much more than a romance but I would never push the romance part of it into the background.  Especially when Gavin is one of the biggest reasons that Evelyn breaks through her conditioning.  Once he learns to trust her and her him there is nothing that boy wouldn't do for her.  Moments pass between the two of them that aren't supposed to by Elysium law but with attraction like theirs it's kind of hard not to.  Plus when you are on the run every moment is precious right?

  I feel that it is important to mention Mother.  She is the one that runs Elysium and essentially makes everything happen.  This includes that fact that EVERY person in the place has Blonde hair and Blue eyes.  At first this was a little disturbing as it kind of reminded me of the Nazi ideals.  But heck the lady herself is a little off her rocker.  She trains children (girls in particular) from a very young age to be assassins   They are called enforcers but basically are there to terminate anyone that threatens how Mother wants things to be.  This means defective people and anyone that steps out of line.  She doesn't care who she has to kill or wipe their memory as long as everything goes her way and no other way.  Violence is not an option but a mandatory for this woman. 

  This book is packed tight with action, romance and betrayal.  The thing that is hardest is that the betrayal is from the ones you trust the most.   Once I was into this one I couldn't stop and I wish I could explain more without ruining it for you but for now this will have to do.  Also I would like to point out that the ending left me needing more.  Not wanting but needing.  I will tell you right now that I will pre-order the next one as soon as I can.  Pick it up and prepare yourself for some seriously good reading!

Quotes

...Sweeter than the honey from a bee,Softer than the petals of a rose,Deeper than the bottom of the sea,Stronger than the mightiest of foes,Perfect is the love of Mother for me...-Founder's Day Childrens Song

It's supposed to be hell on Earth, with demons running around killing one another.  Huge animals that kill you in your sleep.  Insects that burrow into your skin and use you as a host until they control your mind.

"Singing?  Singing what?""A children's song.  Does it really matter?""That's a freakin' creepy children's song!  Why in the world would you teach that to children?"

Waiting on Wednesday: Crash (Visions #1) by Lisa McMann

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event that is hosted by Jill at 

Breaking the Spine and spotlights upcoming releases that we're 

eagerly anticipating.

Check this:

Jules lives with her family above their restaurant, which means she smells like pizza most of the time and drives their double-meatball-shaped food truck to school. It’s not a recipe for popularity, but she can handle that.

What she can’t handle is the recurring vision that haunts her. Over and over, Jules sees a careening truck hit a building and explode...and nine body bags in the snow.

The vision is everywhere—on billboards, television screens, windows—and she’s the only one who sees it. And the more she sees it, the more shesees. The vision is giving her clues, and soon Jules knows what she has to do. Because now she can see the face in one of the body bags, and it’s someone she knows. Someone she has been in love with for as long as she can remember.

In this riveting start to a gripping series from New York Times bestselling author Lisa McMann, Jules has to act—and act fast—to keep her vision from becoming reality.

Expected Release:  January 8, 2013

Published by: Simon Pulse

Hardcover: 233 pages

Why I am Waiting: 

1. Read the description........  Try and tell me you have NO interest in what is going on there.
2. I am not going to lie.  Like there frequently is, I have some cover love going on.  The flames in the eye just kind of hook you.
3. Though I have yet to read the Wake Trilogy (I know shame on me) I have heard wonderful things.
4. Visions.  Something I personally am starting to notice more of in YA novels.  I must say I love it!!!

Well that's what I am waiting on this week.  What do you think?

Like it? Loath it?  Let me know!  Oh and make sure you link

me up!! 

{Tour Stop} Summer in Salem by Brina Courtney

 

I am extremely excited to be a part of his tour!  Even more excited that you

have taken the time to stop by because there is some serious awesome going

on!  So read on and don't forget to click the banner and visit the other

tour stops!!

Teagen’s summer has been turned upside down by a body, a pentagram necklace, and an old flame.
Nine months ago, Teagan Matthews' boyfriend disappeared and took her sense of stability with him. But when the opportunity to live with her aging grandmother in Salem arises, she decides it's time to get on with her life. A new home, new job and new friends are adding up to a beautiful summer...
...until a young girl's body shows up one night in town, wearing a necklace exactly like Teagan's.
Now a guy looking remarkably like her missing boyfriend has arrived in Salem along with a mysterious stranger who may have some answers that Teagan has desperately been searching for. Teagan must now decide who to trust. It's a matter of life... and her death.

Release Date:  September, 2012

Published By:  Laurelis Press

Review Copy: Mobi. Provided by Author

Review

  Have you ever read any of my reviews on the books Brina writes?  If not you should and get right on top of reading them.  Summer in Salem was something new and really I didn't know what to expect.  Truth be told (I didn't even tell Brina) I'm not normally a huge fan of witches.  I mean it's Salem there had to be witches right?   It's not that I don't like them it's just that I always find that they fall short for me.  Summer in Salem was not what I expected but in a lot of really great ways!

  The biggest let down for me with witch books is the magical elements and how the are presented. There is just no build up with them most of the time.  It's like one moment the person has no idea and the next they are like "Wow I always knew!"  No you didn't!!! Sorry got carried away.  With SIS the magic kind of creeps in bit by bit and is not automatically accepted.  There was this entire world hiding just behind everything we knew and though at times it was obvious it was never forced.  When Teagen herself makes the move to Salem to forget about a lost love she had no idea what she would find.  She is a part of this entire world she never dreamed of and never even thought possible.  Heck even when told she thinks everyone is messy with her.

  Teagen was such a realistic and believable character!   She was super easy to like and relate to at times.  She does a lot of growing throughout this book.  To start she was simply a grief stricken woman that didn't know what to do with herself.  Though she slowly turns into a confident and self assured woman that was enjoyable to read about.  There were moments that drove me crazy with her.  Like when she wanted proof of what she was being told, only to run for the hills when shown.  This is also as stated above part of the reason I enjoyed the book.  Her ability to not just automatically accept everything she is told makes her more human.

  Other seriously note worthy characters are Lark and Seth.  Frankly Seth had me from his first odd yet intriguing appearance.  That guy knows how to make an impression.  The most notable of his characteristics though was his persistence to tell Teagen the truth.  He didn't want there to be secrets and felt she deserved the whole truth, even if she didn't really want to hear it.  Lark was a perfect supporting character.  She brought something different to the table.  With her you got this fun and caring person that you could honestly say you would want as a friend in real life.

  As always Brina has me hooked.  This girl knows how to write!  It doesn't seem to matter what genre she steps into because the writing seems to come naturally.  This story did have its flaws but they were so minor that I didn't feel it necessary to mention it.  There was far too much to enjoy  and I am seriously looking forward to the next instalment, to find out what happens next.  This is definitely a book for lovers of  witches.  However even those like me that normally don't love witches may just enjoy this one!

Guest Post

My Top Five Reasons for why I'm still waiting for my Hogwarts letter:

1. Daniel Radcliffe is a dreamboat

2. Magic is real and I am no ordinary muggle

3. I own a legitimate certified rosewood wand

4. I think Quidditch uniforms are sexy

5. Harry Potter is probably one of the reasons I won't ever give up on writing. JK Rowling was looked over countless time for the novel she wrote on napkins in her friend's pub. Clearly they're all kicking themselves now, but she taught me that different is exactly what our world needs- even when EVERYONE tells you you're wrong.

**REVIEW** Cursed by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Dying sucks-- and high school senior Ember McWilliams knows firsthand. After a fatal car accident, her gifted little sister brought her back. Now anything Ember touches dies. And that, well, really blows.
Ember operates on a no-touch policy with all living things--including boys. When Hayden Cromwell shows up, quoting Oscar Wilde and claiming her curse is a gift, she thinks he's a crazed cutie. But when he tells her he can help control it, she's more than interested. There's just one catch: Ember has to trust Hayden's adopted father, a man she's sure has sinister reasons for collecting children whose abilities even weird her out. 
However, she's willing to do anything to hold her sister's hand again. And hell, she'd also like to be able to kiss Hayden. Who wouldn't? But when Ember learns the accident that turned her into a freak may not have been an accident at all, she's not sure who to trust. Someone wanted her dead, and the closer she gets to the truth, the closer she is to losing not only her heart, but her life. For real this time.

Release Date: September 18, 2012

Published By: Spencer Hill Press

Review Copy:  Hardcover, 288 pages

Trailer

Creepy little hamster! 

Review

  Okay guys, I think I have sat on this one long enough.  Though I am still not sure exactly how I feel.  I know most of you are rendered speechless but hear me out.  This is a JLA book, it was destined for greatness right?  Heck her books are basically a given and I will be the first to admit that I may have not been quite right when I read this one but still I have to tell ya it wasn't all I had expected.  It was still a great read but it played on so much I felt has already been done.  In fact it very closely reminded me of another book I loved.  Once again though when you get down to it this book was bound to be great because of the author.  Jennifer is such a natural when it comes to writing and I did enjoy the read I just found that it wasn't as mind blowing as I had hoped it would be.

  Ember is such a string character.  I mean she takes care of both her sister and her mother.  It's not like she just started either, she has been doing this since the accident that claimed her fathers life.  This makes it incredibly easy to sympathize with her and her current situation.  That fact that her mother had not spoken a single word to her since the accident and seems to be in a constant state of depression was also heartbreaking at times.  Despite all this and the little "curse" she inherited when her sister brought her back, Ember pushed on.  Though sometimes I found her determination to be the only one taking care of everything a little repetitive.  I understood at first when things seemed a little shifty but even when her sister seemed happy and her mother responding a little (though not to her) she refused to believe they may be in a better place.

   Hayden was...  Looking for the right words...  Predictable and unreliable.  Though I will admit to start I really was all for him, we just didn't end up clicking.  I felt that his support for Ember wasn't unconditional and his actions spoke volumes when he seemed to turn his back on her because of certain circumstances.  I also felt it strange that he pried and pried getting her to open up about her gift just to shut her down and refuse to talk about himself.  I mean hypocrite much?  All of Embers mistakes and there were some bad ones he behaved as if they were  nothing but couldn't own up to his own past?  Despite all this I do think that he cared for Ember but not in a way I was blown away with.

  My other big up and down with this one was Olivia, Embers sister.  I thought she was adorable at first but that wore off.  Though she meant the world to Ember I found that she just seemed expendable to her.  Meaning as long as she got what she wanted she didn't seem too bothered what was going on with Ember.  I had really hoped that there would be more to their relationship.   Kind of like when Adam is wiped.  I had hoped that he would be so much more but he was removed before he had the chance.  Which is kind of sad because he honestly cared for Ember, despite all her changes.

  Though this book is easy to read because of Jennifer's defined and wonderful writing style it wasn't what I had hoped for.  If she wrote a book two I would still pick it up though.  Why?  Because her writing is just that good and now with a bit of backing and some feedback this standalone could really shine as a series I think.  Actually truth be told despite the fact that this was written as a standalone I felt that there is so much more to know.  I did enjoy this read but not as much as I had hoped to.  I do still recommend that you give it a try because lets face it I'm part of a very large minority when it comes to this book! 

Quotes

I guess it could be worse, I admitted.  If I was going to hallucinate, then at least it was some hot dude instead of something gross.

A plant holocaust later, Hayden called it quits.

"You're really here, right?  I'm not having a drug induced dream, am I?
His brows furrowed. "No I'm here."
"I... I didn't think you'd want to see me after everything."
Em, sometimes you think the weirdest crap."

Weekly Report: Awesome!

Weekly Report is my way of showing you from week to week (most of the time) what new books I received and what has gone on in the past week.  

So basically it's a report for all the awesome that I got and shared!

(Originally I posted IMM by Story Siren this is just my version)

Bought

Oaky I know I said buying BAN but to be fair I bought these ones back in October and had them sent to Evie's and I just got them when I went to visit her :D

Bought these awhile ago and had them sent to Evie so I could pick them 

up when I seen her :D

Promises by Amber Garr (Sorry about the glare :| )

Tempest Rising by Tracy Deebs

Despite my Book Buying BAN!

Hunted by Cheryl Rainfield

Bought for a book signing that I sadly didn't make it to :(

Snow caused craziness even tho there wasn't much and the highway

needed to get there was closed because of a pile up!!

Crewel by Gennifer Albin

Valkyrie Rising by Ingrid Paulson

For Review

Trapped by Michael Northdrop

This is for part of a blog tour that the wonderful Evie from Bookish

is organizing!! A BIG thanks to Scholastic for sending this to me! 

 Crash by Lisa McMann

THANK YOU Simon & Schuster for this one.  I really

look forward to getting into it! 

Won/Received

From the Spooktacular Giveaway Hop I won Desires of the Dead

from the wonderful Me, My Shelf and I!

The other 3 pretties in this picture are ARCs from the ever 

wonderful Evie from Bookish :)

Desires of the Dead by Kimberly Derting

Beta by Rachel Cohn

Girl Out Loud by Emily Gale

The Unfailing Light by Robin Bridges

Thank you to my Girlfriend Kristie.  For this pretty :D  When she
picked up the last copy in one store I was all :( so when she was in
a different one she picked me up this! 

Dracula in Love by Karen Essex

What Went On
Reviews
Rouge by Leigh Talbert Moore HERE
Falling by Kailin Gow (link to Fade review) HERE
ReAwakened by Ada Adams HERE
Black City by Elizabeth Richards HERE

Giveaways
ReAwakened by Ada Adams HERE
Shift by M.R. Merrick HERE
Box-OBooks HERE
The Edge of Never by J.A. Redmerski  HERE

Others
Exiled & Shift Promo Post HERE
Waiting on Wednesday:  Dead River HERE
Trailer Reveal: Opal by J.L. Armentrout HERE


That is it for this week :D  What did you get?! What did you do?
LINK ME UP & let me know :D

**REVIEW** Rouge by Leigh Talbert Moore

Trapped in the underground theater world of 1890s New Orleans, Hale Ferrer has only one goal: escape. But not without Teeny, the orphan-girl she rescued from the streets and promised to protect.
Freddie Lovel, Hale's wealthy Parisian suitor, seems to be the easy solution. If only his touch could arouse her interest like Beau's, the penniless stagehand who captures her heart.
Denying her fears, Hale is poised to choose love until an evil lurking in their cabaret-home launches a chain of events that could cost her everything.

Published: November 11, 2012

Review Edition: Kindle 

Review

  Yet another fine example of why I love Indie writers SO much!  They are seriously underestimated so often that wonderful books like this often get overlooked.  Well let me tell you I stand up and say no more!  When I read The Truth About Faking by Leigh I couldn't believe that this wasn't a book that more people had raved about.  When I was asked if I was interested in reading Rouge a NA novel I was super excited.  I mean YAY!! NA (New Adult for those of you that haven't heard of this wonderful genre) is something I have really come to love and the description for this had me almost instantly in love!  1890's...  Yes please!

  I kind of picture Rouge like Moulin Rouge.  Well the theater part and Hale.  I mean she is the undeniable star and the truly desired one.  The biggest difference lies in the background of Hale and why she so badly wants to escape.  It's not for herself but a younger girl that she saved when she was young.  Where she lives shows a professional front but has a not so professional back.  Well I guess it's professional in its own way.  When you hit a certain age and have the looks you are expected to pull your own.  That means "working" in the back and not on the stage.  Hale has a free pass but Teeny doesn't, so Hale does what is best for not herself but the welfare of the girl she helped save and continues to care for.

  Hale is such a passionate and easy character to read.  She loves fiercely but mostly when it comes to Teeny.  She would sacrifice everything to keep her safe, even if that means giving up her own happiness.  It was almost like at times she wanted to deny herself the happiness but then she would open up and let it all in.  This did annoy me at times but for the most part I just found her dedication to the young girl endearing.  Hale had many traits like that, things that you could love about her.  Though some may not enjoy it I liked her virgin innocence.  She knew what she had and knew that just one wrong move could take that away at a time not of her choosing.  Hale was practical but almost unpractical at the same time.  She reasoned everything out in her life as to what she had to do but almost never what she wanted.

  The secondary characters were so unique and individual.  It was like even the smallest character in this novel had a face and a voice.  I really enjoyed this.  It's not like every writer can do this.  There are always secondary's and often we remember who they are but beyond that nothing.  Not going to lie sometimes I find that I have to go back a little and figure out who the heck a person is.  But Leigh did such a wonderful job that I didn't have to do that even once.  They ranged from friends to enemies, those that loved the life to those that dreamed of more and the ones that knew more.

  The romance was oh so wonderful.  It was true and passionate.  Though things happened a little fast it's understandable.  When you have a plan and that plan involves marrying a rich man to help the young girl you have sworn to protect, falling in love with a stage hand isn't exactly smart.  But the heart wants what the heart wants right?  It's really hard to say who I liked more between Beau and Freddie.  Everything with Beau seemed like passion, a fire burning deep within but I think at times I found him shallow.  He was all "love above everyone" but with that being said Hale loved Teeny and wouldn't put herself before her.  With Freddy it was gentle, caring and slow.  However the problem here remains to be the lies and the fact that Hale doesn't seem to love him back.  See my problem?

  I can not wait for the next book in this series.  Yes it is a series and I am ever so grateful for that.  The ending of this one pulled at my heart and had me begging that this not be the end.  I was then informed that it is a series, thank goodness.  Leigh Talbert Moore is a wonderful and talented new writer that completely captivated me with this one.  If you like New Adult give this one a shot and find out for yourself why this book is so amazing.  I mean I told you why I loved it but there is so much more that I can't put in words.

Quotes

{TOUR STOP} Fade & Falling (Fade #2) by Kailin Gow

Hi!! I am so excited to be a part of another Kailin Gow Tour & 

that you have stopped by.  Kailin Gow is one of my favourite

authors for so many reasons and this series just adds

to the reasons why!

 What if you found out you never existed?"My name is Celestra Caine. I am seventeen years old, which makes me a senior at Richmond High. I never thought this would happen to me, but it has... I'm one of those people you see every day, go to school with, remember seeing at the supermarket or the mall, and then one day you don't hear about them any longer. They're gone, and eventually, you forget them."

Release Date: August 15, 2011

Published by: The Edge Books

Review Copy: Paperback

Find my Review of Fade HERE

What is Celestra Caine? Who is she and did she ever existed? The Faders and the Others clash at the Underground, sending everything into a tailspin. Celestra is pulled into more intrigue, more danger, and more romance, as she discovers who she is and why everyone wants to get her in Book 2 of the FADE series.

Release Date: November 16, 2011

Published by: The Edge Books

Review Copy: Paperback, 230 pages

Review

  This series just got better.  This first book skimmed the surface and hooked you but this one pulls you in and holds you.  The previous book ended with a cliff hanger but this one started with a bang.  You start right where we ended with Celes and her racing thoughts.  Celes has come a long way but still is unsure of who she really is, what she really is.

  The basics are still all in this book.  Celes is still running with the Faders and their word against the others.  With a war going on between the Faders and he Others really Celes has no choice but to fight for he Faders.  I can't disagree, seeing one side is trying to just kill her.  Though things have become slightly more complicated with Grayson being the son of a leader and Jack one of the other.  Though Grayson has had some Fader alterations not all went as it should.  This kind of leaves room for a lot of possibilities for all people involved and some that I really didn't see coming or think possible.

  Celes is growing so much as a character.  Though she still has a hard time accepting some things, she is learning to cope much better.  I think that the amount of loss she has suffered is enough to drive any one person mad and yet she always pushes on.  I will admit though that she also has her share of luck when it comes to the people around her.  She always manages to get what she wants but there is a price and it is becoming deeper by  the page.  Sad thing is she doesn't really see it coming, heck I didn't see it coming.

  The romance once again is not the main focus of this book but it is still there.  Truth be told I think that it is quickly becoming one of my more liked romances at the moment.  Celes has made a choice between the two guys that want her and it's difficult I get that but she stands by her choice.  I had to smile at the fact that it may have been made easier due to some memory loss/removal but hey take what you can get!  The guys for the most part are still who they were.  Jack is hot as hell with an accent but Grayson is still the sweetheart that she always loved.  My problem is that I want to love Grayson but I don't trust him...

  This was an excellent second novel in a series.  Kailin dove a little deeper with this one and it shows.  I wont complain about the first one as it caught my attention and drew me in with it's basic information.  I look forward to getting book three in this series as once again there was a killer cliff hanger at the end!  The mystery that is Celes just keeps getting bigger and so does the mystery of those around her.

Quotes

... Celestra Caine, who had normal friend, and a normal family.  A Normal life.  I'm her.  The trouble is, I'm so much more than that as well.

The trouble is, while Grayson might not have his memories, I still have mine.  I can still remember all the times we spent together.

"I will always be there for you." he promises, "no matter where you are.  No matter what happens.  I love you, Celes.  I know you don't want to hear that, but I love you.  I always will.  Even when everyone else turns on you."

Author Bio

Kailin Gow uses her author platform to bring awareness to issues affecting young adult and women. She has appeared on national radio as a regular guest on topics such as body image, self-esteem, dating and sexual relationships, bullying, and more; often brought up in her fiction books for young adults and women. She has won multiple awards from the International Book Awards and the Green Book Festival. Selling over half a million books, Kailin Gow has been a bestselling author of over 100 distinct books which includes the Desire Series, PULSE, Wicked Woods, and the Frost Series. She has been professionally published since 2001. She was one of the first authors for young readers to write books for girls with supernatural elements. Her first book series about extraordinary girls guided by an angel in 2001, was a success, selling thousands of print copies in days, and inspiring girl book clubs around the U.S. In 2003, she came out with more series, including The Fairy Rose Chronicles, about fairies in Feyland. Her books have been recommended by PBS Kids, US Mental Health Association, the PTA, and homeschooling associations in the United States.

Find Her:

Website | 

Blog | 

Twitter | 

Facebook | 

 Goodreads

Find the rest of the tour

HERE

**REVIEW** Black City by Elizabeth Richards

In a city where humans and Darklings are now separated by a high wall and tensions between the two races still simmer after a terrible war, sixteen-year-olds Ash Fisher, a half-blood Darkling, and Natalie Buchanan, a human and the daughter of the Emissary, meet and do the unthinkable—they fall in love. Bonded by a mysterious connection that causes Ash’s long-dormant heart to beat, Ash and Natalie first deny and then struggle to fight their forbidden feelings for each other, knowing if they’re caught, they’ll be executed—but their feelings are too strong.
When Ash and Natalie then find themselves at the center of a deadly conspiracy that threatens to pull the humans and Darklings back into war, they must make hard choices that could result in both their deaths.

Expected Release: Nov. 13, 2012

Published by: G.P. Putnam's Sons BYR

Review Copy: ARC, 384 pages
*received from publisher*

Trailer

Okay so this isn't just a Black City trailer but the Breathless Reads

one.  I know *sigh* but the 2 seconds of Ash & Natalie made me 

smile! 

Review

  Guys I loved this book!  Despite a few minor frustrations I am completely and utterly in love.  How do you love something that frustrated you?  Read this book and find out seriously.  I will do my best to do it justice in the review to follow but just remember: I LOVED IT!

  This one was so much more than I could have hoped for.  I was drawn in by the riveting description and attractive cover but what was between the cover is what not only kept my interest but had me obsessing over what was going on.  Every time I put the book down I found my mind wondering back to what I had last read.  If I didn't have to put it down I wouldn't have, not even for a minute.   The world was vivid and dark, while the characters stood out and became more than a character on a page!  There are Darklings and humans but they are kept apart by a wall.  Being with the opposite race gets you labeled a race traitor and means death.  This leads to some serious intensity and emotional scenes.

  Natalie is basically a spoiled upper class girl when you meet her but there is so much more to her than that.  She has felt loss due to the ongoing fight to keep the Darklings apart from the humans.  Not only loss but betrayal, this is something I simply observed.  More than all of that I enjoyed Natalie because she was emotionally strong.  Once she said she would do something she would and he cared bout those that she was around.  When her eyes are opened to something she never believed to be possible or true her life is turned upside down.  This only strengthens her in my eyes as she truly becomes what I had hoped.  Basically Natalie ended up being a YA chick that I seriously loved and appreciated her flaws.

  Ash...  Well he totally does the dark and brooding thing well.  Though I get his issue.  Picked apart and picked on because he is a halfling.  To make a long story short he is different therefor he has no rights.   Well I guess that's harsh he has rights just not like everyone else and when it comes to how people treat him, well it's not great.  He does have a very different side from what I expected though.  I would be lying if I told you that I didn't figure it would be Natalie to change his attitude but he was a sweet and caring person all on his own.  He just hides it super well I think because it can be seen as a weakness.  His snark is awesome but when it came down to it he gave me more than enough "aww" moments.

  Well lets just take those two and throw them together shall we?   What you get is an overly awkward and snark filled encounters.  Though neither one could deny that there was attraction when you belong to two separate worlds it's not as easy as saying "I love you".   This factor also led to a more developed and easy to  appreciate relationship.  Well for the most part, there is a little secret that I can't share with you that these two share that kind of pulls them closer all of a sudden.  So ya...  I really wish I could share because it is totally sweet but in the end it would spoil a lot of stuff for you.  Not to mention it is also the very thing that could tear them apart and trust me it threatened to and I thought it might.  Truth be told it still could! However all of that aside I loved this relationship and the romance that was a result.

  There were a few twists that I didn't expect but there was also two larger ones that had me yelling at the book.  I practically was in tears with the one.  Not because it was sad but because the characters themselves didn't see it coming.  Despite this the book was filled with moments and characters that I loved.  There was action, romance and twists that give every chapter a little something and make you want to turn the pages that much faster.  I will without a doubt be one of the first people picking the next one up when it releases!! 

 Quotes

I thought her type were all home schooled, forbidden to mingle with us common people.  So what is she doing here?  And what's she doing with my coat, the thieving bitch?

My breath catches in my throat at her forbidden touch.  What's she doing?  If they catch her doing this to me...

I know we're playing a dangerous game.  If we're caught, we'll be executed just like Tom and Jana.  Is it worth the risk?  Ash strokes my cheek, and my whole body tingles, awakened, alive.Yes.

****TRAILER REVEAL**** OPAL by Jennifer L. Armentrout

So ask me how excited I was when I got an email that read:
Opal Trailer Reveal
I am not sure any amount of words would accurately describe my
inner feelings at that moment.  What I do know is my heart sped up a 
little and I got a big grin on my face!!  So here I am writing and getting
ready to share this awesome with you!  So enjoy the cover and details
then just go ahead and press PLAY because you know you are dying to!

No one is like Daemon Black.
When he set out to prove his feelings for me, he wasn’t fooling around. Doubting him isn’t something I’ll do again, and now that we’ve made it through the rough patches, well... There’s a lot of spontaneous combustion going on.
But even he can’t protect his family from the danger of trying to free those they love.  After everything, I’m no longer the same Katy. I’m different... And I’m not sure what that will mean in the end. When each step we take in discovering the truth puts us in the path of the secret organization responsible for torturing and testing hybrids, the more I realize there is noend to what I’m capable of. The death of someone close still lingers, help comes from the most unlikely source, and friends will become the deadliest of enemies, but we won’t turn back. Even if the outcome will shatter our worlds forever.
Together we’re stronger... and they know it.

Expected Release: December 11, 2012
Published by:  Entangled Publishing
Paperback: 452 pages 

Amazon, Barnes & Noble

And now what you have all been dying for!

OMG!!! Did you get goosebumps? I know I sure did!! If you have a copy of this already will you marry me?  Or share you know whatever :D

USA TODAY Bestselling author, Jennifer L. Armentrout, lives in 

Martinsburg, West Virginia. All the rumors you’ve heard about her state aren’t true. When she’s 

not hard at work writing, she spends her time reading, working out, watching really bad zombie 

movies, pretending to write, and hanging out with her husband and her Jack Russell, Loki. 

Her dreams of becoming an author started in algebra class where she spent most of her time 

writing short stories….which explains her dismal grades in math. Jennifer writes young adult 

paranormal, science fiction, fantasy, and contemporary romance. She also writes adult romance 

under the name J. Lynn.

Find Jennifer

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