**REVIEWS + Scavenger Hunt Stop** Nocturnal & Nightmare by Chelsea Cameron

Thanks for stopping by today for my stop on the Noctalis Blog Tour! Today 

I have reviews of both of the wonderful Chelsea Cameron's books!

Seventeen-year-old Ava-Claire Sullivan isn't one for doing the expected. Especially when she finds out her mother's cancer is terminal. After a crying session in the local cemetery where she's attacked by one strange guy and saved by another, she doesn't call the cops. Because those guys definitely weren't your average hooligans. 
And the one who sort-of saved her? Well, he's odd. He doesn't seem to breathe or smile or have anything better to do than wait in the cemetery for Ava to come back. Which she does. Call it morbid curiosity. Even after he warns her that he's dangerous, she can't stop wanting to see him, talk to him, be with him.
There's something about Peter that provides a much-needed escape from her mother's diagnosis and her tenuous relationship with her father. Even her best friends Jamie and Texas don't know what it's like to face death. But Peter does. He already has. He also made a promise a long time ago that could destroy both of them.
When everything in your life is falling apart, what are you willing to give up to hold onto the one thing that could last forever?

Ava is living with a lot on her plate right now.  Dealing with her mothers sickness and the inability to share it with her two closest friends Tex and Jamie.  Not because they don't want to hear it but because she isn't ready to talk about everything that is going on at home.  Instead she takes to the cemetery.  The dead listen but don't ask her anything or anything of her.  What happens when she goes one night and it isn't only the dead there does she realize how dangerous the night can be.  Terrified or not she wants to see the guy that saved her from the one that was going to destroy her.

  I'm not telling you the twist here but lets just say that i was totally did not expect it.  I walked into this book expecting another vampire book(not that it is a bad thing).   However when it got to reveal time I had to read over the sentence a couple times just to make sure I caught it right.  I loved that it wasn't all a tortured secret and he just showed her.  It's just the couple little things that really set this book apart and I loved it.  I want to say so many of the little things that made this special to me but I don't want to ruin it for all of you.  

  Peter (our man in question) is kind of the typical mysterious guy.  There is differences but mysterious all the way.  He never talks too much, actually he doesn't really talk.  The questions that Ava showers him with are answered in the most simple way possible.  He doesn't over do it or try and make excuses for everything and anything.  His lack of answers does cause some irritation every here and there but I chalk it up to he is a guy!

  Tex (Texas Sarsaparilla Anne Hamilton <3 the name) is a very out going and loving.  Like all good friends though when something is being hidden she can sense it.  For the most part Tex just tries to support and be patient but that can only last so long...  The question is what do you tell your best friend when you aren't even sure what's going on yourself? 

  My biggest problem in the book is that she really lets Jamie down when he needs her the most and then he just seems to disappear for a good chunk of the book.  I really thought that he was going to be more and really felt that Ava let him down.  I totally get that there is a lot of stuff going with her but I hate that he just seems to drop off the face of the book.  I will admit though that I am super looking forward to the next book.  I am not saying that this book is slow but it picks up some major momentum at the end and then ends.  I feel the need for more and can't wait to see what Chelsea does with the next book!!

Now fast forward to when I have #2

Ava-Claire Sullivan still doesn't follow the rules. She shouldn't have let Peter Claim her, turning her into his own personal blood bank. She shouldn't have told Tex Peter was immortal because now her best friend won't shut up about hooking up with Peter's equally immortal brother, Viktor. And she shouldn't have fallen in love with Peter. 
Too late.
Sometimes, love kills. One promise Peter made nearly a hundred years ago could do it. A kiss, a touch could be the end of him. So all she has to do is not let him fall in love with her. Easier said than done. 
But Ava's going to find a way for him to be free, even if it kills her. Or makes her immortal. There's no way she's losing Peter in addition to her mother. No freaking way.
What would you do when the one you love would die if they loved you back?

  Sometimes life just wont give you a break and I am seriously feeling that Ava is not going to get one any time soon either.  The story continues to get better and Chelsea stayed consistent with the wonderful characters that she created in the prior book.  However she does do a little more POV swapping with Peter and Ava this time round but it works.  I personally love seeing things from Peter's POV and enjoyed seeing more of him.  He might not be the most outgoing character out there but he has many quirks that I have really grown to love.  

  Ava is just as stubborn and determined in this book as she was in the prior book.   She has fallen for Peter but struggles with the fact that he can never love her even though she does understand why he can't.  In fact she knows she can't let him love her because that would ultimately mean loosing him forever in the most final kind of way.  Scary as it is this really doesn't detour her just makes her determined to fins a way to "fix" it.  On top of it the claiming is bringing on some seriously different feelings.  Things that she shouldn't be feeling she is and she feels what Peter feels as well.  

  The connection that her and Peter have is actually quite enduring.  I would like to call it a romance but certain circumstances really prevent it from being so.  Although it started kind of quickly in book one there is a lot of progress between the two of them in this one.  My favourite being that Ava can determine what his blinks mean.  I know this sounds odd but it was the cause of frequent giggles and smiles.  They work well in a strange and almost awkward way.  With Ava loving Peter and Peter adoring Ava the connection is unique and I really love it.

  There was a little less focus on the fact that Ava's mother had cancer in this book as well.  That being said it wasn't ignored but she was brought out more as a person.  Ava finally had to tell her what was going on.  Not because she has to but because her relationship with her mom has always been strong and lying to her is just about tearing her apart.  I think this released a lot of tension and actually allowed Ava and Peter to become closer.  

  I just can't get over how far everyone has come in this series in just two books!!  The growth of the characters and their relationships in this novel is huge.  Chelsea Cameron is a talented and wonderful author!   I had expected something to leave me wanting, waiting but what she threw left me in much more than that.  I was left trying to turn the page on my kindle and it just wouldn't go any further.   I highly suggest that you pick up these books but prepare yourself for for one heck of a cliffhanger!  

*****

So I have a word for you!  A word that can help you win prizes and I'm sure

you want it!! Here it is:

MY WORD IS:

OTHER

Now take you word HERE!  There is links to get all the other words and where 

you have to go next!

Waiting on Wednesday: Lullaby by Amanda Hocking

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. 

This week I am eagerly waiting on:

Harper only wanted a safe, normal life. But when her younger sister Gemma runs off with a dangerous clique of beautiful girls, Penn, Thea, and Lexi, everything changes. Vowing to get her sister back no matter what the cost, Harper must face dangers unlike any she's ever experienced. Fortunately, she has Daniel by her side, a gorgeous guy who's devoted to helping her find her sister—and who's immune to the girls' dark powers. 
While Harper searches for her sister, Gemma struggles to adjust to her new life. Gemma's powers are growing by the day, and the longer she lives with her new "sisters," the harder it is to resist entering their magical world. It's a realm both dark and beautiful, and where she's plagued by strange hungers and unspeakable needs. Just as she's drifting far away from her old life, Harper and Daniel find her...but no one can deny how much she's changed. All she wants is to return to her family and the mortal world, but how can she do that when she's become something else entirely—and will they still love her once they learn the truth?
Prepare to fall under the spell of Lullaby, the second book in the Watersong series from New York Times bestselling author Amanda Hocking.

Expected Release Date: November 27, 2012

Hardcover: 290 pages

Published by: St. Martin's Griffin

Why am I waiting on this one:

1.  Once again the cover snob in me shines.  Take a look at this cover and tell me that you could deny it!! 

2.  Mermaid.  Yup that is also a seller for me!  I have Wake on my TBR list and it was moved up to the top once I purchased it just because it had mermaids.

3.  I love Amanda Hocking's writing.  She is a talented and wonderful author and I seriously just can not resist.

Well that is what I am waiting on!  Barely patiently at that!!! What are you waiting 

on this week?  Leave a comment let me know!  Leave a link if you have a blog

so that I can stop by and see!!! 

{{SIGN-UPS}} NAME THE BOOK EXTRAVAGANZA!!!

So let the awesome begin!  We are currently looking for people to sign up and  

help choose the name for Ali Cross's 3rd book in the Desolation series!!

So here are the first two AWESOME COVERS + NAMES!

The 3rd book will be 100% original designed for Ali's book specifically!!  The one's that you recieve with the optional titles will be mock ups of the final.

 We are looking for 20 bloggers to be a part of this NAME EXTRAVAGANZA .  Now why the cut off number you may ask...  Well that is because the 20 lucky bloggers that sign up will receive an ARC copy of the 3rd book a month before it releases!! No contest, no names to be drawn just everyone that signs up (and gets a spot) will get a copy!! So to make it fair to all that want a chance to enter I am going to do a rafflecopter form so that the people are randomly chosen.  There is also a form so that I can get the basic info of those who enter.

The EXTRAVAGANZA will run from Oct. 15 when everyone will post their stop until Oct. 26.  We are still working on what everyone will get for their stop but everyone will get something unique to their site.   Like Character bio's, excerpts ect...  This is why we are doing sign ups now, so that we can ensure everyone gets something just for them!!  If there is a type of post that you would prefer comment and we will try and get you that type! There will be a scavenger hunt where people (including bloggers that sign up) can win great prizes.  Including a book charm bracelet that has all 3 of Ali's books on it!  As you can see from the first 2 this bracelet is going to be beautiful!  

a Rafflecopter giveaway

*REVIEW* Juliet Immortal by Stacey Jay

The most tragic love story in history . . . Juliet Capulet didn't take her own life. She was murdered by the person she trusted most, her new husband, Romeo Montague, a sacrifice made to ensure his own immortality. But what Romeo didn't anticipate was that Juliet would be granted eternity, as well, and would become an agent for the Ambassadors of Light. For 700 years, she's fought Romeo for the souls of true lovers, struggling to preserve romantic love and the lives of the innocent. Until the day she meets someone she's forbidden to love, and Romeo, oh Romeo, will do everything in his power to destroy that love. 

  So I walked into this one from looking at the good and the not so good but to be honest from the first time I  happened upon this one I was confident I would enjoy it.  Turns out I did and there is really so much to love about this book.  The romance is mind blowing and the conflict will just have you stuck to the pages.  I expected it to be interesting but the twists and turns that are thrown out will blow you away every page of the way.  Stacey Jay does not miss a beat and throws you right into the heat of Juliet and Romeo's heated relationship.

  Despite how it may seem Juliet is not really immortal, nor is Romeo.  They just kind of assume identities.  However creep level kind of grows there as Romeo can only assume a dead body and Juliet assumes the body of someone that needs her and is close to the soul mates.  I know confusing right?!  It's not really once you get used to it.  Juliet seems to actually resent the situation she is in but endures it because she wants her revenge.  Revenge for a wrong death and for all of the time she has spent living within the nothing just thinking about how she is going to right the wrong done to her.

  The world that Romeo and Juliet now live in does not allow for revenge on Juliet's side however.  Ambassadors (the side Juliet resides on) are all about good and finding true love.  Finding your soul mate, your other half and staying with them.  Choosing them over whatever temptations the Mercenaries may offer in trade for your eternal love.  The Mercenaries are the ones trying to destroy true love and are the counter parts of Ambassadors, nature is all about balance right and the lovers are playing for the opposite teams.  This is probably where I felt the most lost, getting used to this and the vague story you have to go on.  You don't get to know very much about the world until later on in the novel.

  Juliet who is Ariel for this trip back to reality has some issues.  Ariel has a difficult life that when Juliet steps into is hitting a point of not wanting to continue, this is because of Dylan.  When Juliet takes over Dylan continues to be a pain when he turns out to be Romeo now.  Ya, a lot to take in right but it means so much more than to the two of them.  Their is a difference this time and they both seem to feel it.  Not to mention that Ariel/Juliet seems to be falling for another guy.  Like head over heals uncontrollably in love but that's not how it's supposed to be.

  The ending is what really blew me away.  To be honest it is what made the entire book for me and kind of finalized everything that you wanted to believe.  I can't say that I seen it coming but I totally was happy that it did.  Juliet was wonderful and deserved what she got.  She remained strong but human throughout her journey.  At first I didn't see it but if she hadn't retained a certain amount of humanity how could she have felt everything she did and made it through everything to find what she was supposed to.

  Stacey Jay showed some serious bravery when playing with such a classic love story that is well known and loved.  It really worked for her though.  Honestly I think that this really could have gone really wrong but she totally pulled it off!  This book wont be for everyone but there will be many that totally enjoy it.  Romance, truth and second chances really rule this one and I can't wait to get my hands on Romeo Redeemed.

Weekly Report: WIN Edition!

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!

This week was a super win kind of week for me!!  I received 3 books that I have won

over the past couple months and bought some super awesome stuff!!

BOUGHT

Sophomore Switch by Abby McDonald

The Goddess Legacy by Aimee Carter

Wake by Amanda Hocking

Enclave by Ann Aguire *NOTE*  Hubby bought this one for me!! <3

WON:

Onyx by Jennifer L. Amentrout from: Shannon Duffy.  She is a fellow 

Canadian and an Author!! Her book Spectral has a beautiful cover and I 

hope to get my hands on it soon!!!!!  Make sure you take a few moments to

go see what I am talking about.

Breathless by Cole Gibsen from: Susan over at The Book Bag!  I have been 

wanting this book for SO LONG so when given the pick your own book option 

I was all over this one!  Thank you so much Susan and you should all make sure

to stop by her blog because she always has some sort of fun giveaway going on!!!

Losing Lila by Sarah Alderson from: Kayla from Bibliophilia Please. LOVE this 

blog <3  There is always something fun and/or exciting going on!  This is one of my 

regular stops during the week!  Make sure that you don't deprive yourself of this

one!!! 

What went down on the blog this week:

REVIEWS

No Escape: A Don't Turn Around Story by Michelle Gagnon HERE

For Ever by C.J. Valles HERE

Never Say Never by Kailin Gow HERE

Melody Burning by Whitley Strieber HERE

GIVEAWAYS

For Ever by C.J. Valles HERE

Falling for Hamlet HERE

OTHERS

Waiting on Wednesday HERE

Back to School Read-A-Thon TBR Piile HERE

Spread the TRANSCEND Love HERE

{COVER REVEAL} Beyond the Veil by Quinn Loftis HERE

BACK TO SCHOOL READ-A-THON UPDATE!!!

The Back to School Read-A-Thon is being hosted by Katie over at 

Katie's Book Blog.  Despite the fact that I am much further behind than I would 

like I feel that I should do a quick update because of a few changes.

You can see the Read-A-Thon Updates for everyone HERE

So here is what I picked out to start:

Plus Arson by Estevan Vega

So since Thursday Morning I have read & Finished:

Pregnant Pause by Han Nolan 340 pages

Arson by Estevan Vega 318 pages

Selkie Girl by Laurie Knopf 262 pages

Total- 920 pages

So I am behind by about 1.5 books!! I will have to do some super reading to 

catch up and get closer to my goal!!!!

*REVIEW* Melody Burning by Whitley Strieber

Beresford doesn’t remember much about his past or how he came to live in the chutes and crawl spaces of the posh high-rise that shares his name. But when rock star and teen sensation Melody McGrath moves to an apartment on the fiftieth floor, he knows he has to be near her. Although she doesn’t realize it, Melody is threatened by more dangerous forces than her manipulative stage mom and the pressures of life in the spotlight. The owner of the glamorous building has been hiding a fatal secret within its walls, and Beresford puts all his plans at risk. Will Beresford and Melody be able to escape with their lives (and love) intact?

  With this one I was surprised.  Very surprised to say the least!  I picked this one up thinking I was getting myself into a paranormal type of read and yet it wasn't.  However I ended up really enjoying this dark and at times tragic read.  There was a very quick start that kind of pulled you in and got you interested.  Murder can do that though and the fact that it left a little boy so very alone kept me glued because lets face it you need to know what happens to him.  This doesn't happen right away but gives way into another story completely and then manages to intertwine the two.

  The main character Melody was confusing at times and to be honest I didn't really ever connect with her but that isn't to say I didn't like her.  I did because much of her still felt real and believable and even the bits that had me questioning her still weren't that outrageous.  Melody is a rising start and has a mother that pushes her beyond the limit and seems to only care about the money.  Maybe this is where Melody's sadness comes from, I really don't know.  She seems to have a grip on things and then **BAM** we have lost our grip.  I had this feeling like I missed something and maybe I did but once I seen how tortured she really felt a lot of things became much more clear to me.

  Beresford is a lost soul it seems.  Remembering nothing of who he was or where he came from.  Although it is painfully clear who he really is no one else knows.  This poor boy knows nothing of friends or family yet still manages to have a gentle and beautiful soul that you can see ever so clearly through his amazing eyes.  He fell for Melody watching her on t.v. and I know that sounds cheesy but his affections seem genuine.  The problem is he is not only people shy but crawls around in the shafts, crawl spaces and chutes.  The time he spends listening to Melody though her wall... Well lets just say as endearing as he feels it is it kind of has a creepy feel to it, even knowing his sweet reasons.

  Once Melody gets over how creepy the entire behind your walls thing she is comforted by Beresford.  I mean when she first sees him she freaks, looses it but when confronted with him in her room she is oddly intrigued by him. Ya, you heard me she finds him in her room uninvited and instead of screaming she gives him a chance.  This is the start of something and not just something small.  She falls for him and I mean really falls but their dream seems to be ripped away from them before they really have a chance.  So basically I am saying the love is instant but in another way it isn't.  Hard to explain but their attraction and feelings really pulled at me.  Parts of this book with their romance just pulled me right apart and at one point my eyes even watered!! Ya, I was that worked up over what they were going through.

  Now to be honest I finished this book really fast.  I didn't want to put it down because I was so involved in finding out how things worked out.  Problem is I felt that this novel could have been a little bit longer than what it was.  With a little more depth this book could have gone from good to amazing!  The action came later in the book but that left the start open for character development but looking back there really wasn't much depth to the characters.  It feels like I know them but I don't.  This wasn't something I noticed right away but more upon reflection of the novel.

  Overall this was a quick and easy read.  I found myself pulled right in and reading from start to finish faster than I expected!!  Despite the lack of depth this book kicks it with emotion and intrigue.  I just can't focus on anything horribly negative when overall I felt that this was a worthy read.  Pick this up if you are in the mood for something that is an easy yet interesting read.

Quotes & Bits that I Loved

As time passed, he forgot where he came from, how old he was, Mom and Dad'snames, even his own name.

She smiled at him, which caused him to think again of the meaning of the wordlove.  This was love.  That was what he felt.

His face is an open window.  His eyes are wide and blue-grey.  He looks like everythingsurprises him.

He didn't have it thought out, he just wanted it to happen. It has to happen. Love deserves to live- it's good and it's right.  He needed her with him always, and she needed him.