Waiting on Wednesday- The Selection by Kiera Cass

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 awaiting The Selection by Kiera Cass:

For thirty-five girls, the Selection is the chance of a lifetime. The opportunity to escape the life laid out for them since birth. To be swept up in a world of glittering gowns and priceless jewels. To live in the palace and compete for the heart of the gorgeous Prince Maxon.

But for America Singer, being Selected is a nightmare. It means turning her back on her secret love with Aspen, who is a caste below her. Leaving her home to enter a fierce competition for a crown she doesn't want. Living in a palace that is constantly threatened by violent rebel attacks.

Then America meets Prince Maxon. Gradually, she starts to question all the plans she's made for herself- and realizes that the life she's always dreamed of may not compare to a future she never imagined.

Hardcover, 327 pages

Expected publication: April 24th 2012 by HarperTeen

I am really looking forward to this book.  I haven't seen very much on it yet but that

is kind of why I like it.  Also the cover is just flat out BEAUTIFUL!!

What are you waiting on this week?  Let me know or leave a link :)

Kindles for Kids

Thanks so much for hosting me, Tiffany! Right now I'm working on something I'm calling Kindles for Kids.


What exactly is Kindles for Kids?

Kindles for Kids is my way of paying it forward. My goal is to raise enough funds to purchase 10 Kindle Fires for the pediatric unit of a local hospital in UT.

How does Kindles for Kids work?

From March 12th-31st of 2012, I will be donating the *royalties I make on THE FAIRY GODMOTHER DILEMMA: CATSPELL--both in paper and e-book form--toward the purchase of the Kindle Fires.

Royalties are paid a month to two months after the fact. Factoring in that as well as putting in the order, receiving them, and getting them ready, I will be delivering the Kindle Fires to the hospital in June of 2012.

How can you participate?

If you are an author (published) or a writer (unpublished), this link will explain it more. A more detailed link can be found here. In short, I'm hosting an open call for donating **books you have the rights to for the hospital. One book per Kindle Fire. You can also participate by writing a ***short story for a fairy tale anthology I'm putting together for the hospital. If you're a reader, this link will give you a few ideas on how to help spread the word. (The PDF for the flier and the post that goes into greater detail on the contest will be live Wednesday and Tuesday, respectively.)

How can you help?

The greatest help of all is to help me get the word out. You can do this by talking to people--online and in real life, posting about Kindles for Kids on forums, groups, on your blog, and by printing out and posting fliers.

I can't do this without you, so thank you to all who participate in any way they can!


*Royalties up to 249,000 copies. After that, I have to buy an extended license for the photographs I use for the cover.


**All books will be vetted by me personally for both formatting and content. Since the Kindle Fires are going to the pediatric unit, I would ask that any donations are formatted and edited well, and that they go no higher than a PG rating.


***As with the books, please keep the short stories at a PG or G rating. Again, all stories that are chosen for inclusion in the anthology will be vetted by me personally. Also, because digital copies of the anthology will be donated to the hospitals, and there will be no money made off of them, neither the editor (me) nor the authors will receive payment or money for them. However, everyone who is included will receive a digital copy as either a PDF, a kindle file, or epub.

Review: Consumed by Julia Crane

Keegan has dealt with a lot over the last two years: Death, black magic and the loss of her bond to her chosen mate. But on her eighteenth birthday, the bond with Rourk returns.
Rourk longs to be by her side. Though he knows the distance between them causes Keegan physical pain, he wants to give her the time she needs.
Now, Keegan faces her hardest decision. Tradition requires elves marry at eighteen. If she accepts the path laid out for her, she will be spared a lifetime of physical and emotional pain. But will that life ever really be her own?

 

  Consumed picks up exactly where Conflicted left off.  Keegan`s birthday and an entire whirl wind of emotion.  She was happy with the way things were going, her bond gone and her relationship with Donald. Rourk comes back for her birthday and with a ring brings their bond back.  In the process this breaks Donalds heart and infurates Keegan.  She can`t deny her bond with Rourk and the feeling of being complete but she never wanted to hurt Donald like that.  However like the Keegan I have grown to know she accepts what is going on and keeps moving. 
 
  What she didn`t realize was that the dark magic that was running through her would complicate things in the bond.  What should be a little pain when she is apart from her chosen is a killer can`t survive type pain.   Keegan wants to finish her schooling in Alaska but is that close enough to Rourk?  Will she stand her ground about no marrage until after school of will all that's happening make her take a step off her own beaten path.  This is the question that we all want to know when it comes to her and Rourke.
  Keegan for the most part is a really loving and loyal girl that has a bit of a temper.  She hasn't changed at all in this book.  Her bond is back and although it doesn't seem like that's what she wants she falls right back into an easy and loving relationship with Rourk.  I  hadn't expected it to be quite as easy as it was.  Knowing how she had felt about Donald I was upset to see that she could just let everyone off the hook so easy.  Understandably an Elf's bond with their chosen is something that they can't really fight but I expected some sort of rebellious act from her.
  This book really gave us what we wanted I think.  If you read the first two you know that there is so much love between Elves that itès bound to be the kind of romance that makes us all swoon a little over Rourke.  I do however wish there had been a little more action.  I kept waiting for that dramatic hold and it never came.  Don't get me wrong I loved this book and all of the characters in it but from the other two books I expected something more. I for the most part enjoyed the ending but still want to know a little more about other characters!!

3.5/4

Cover Reveal: Pretty Amy by Lisa Burstein

Today i get to be a part of an awesome cover reveal!

Without further delay here is Pretty Amy by Lisa Burstein

Amy is fine living in the shadows of beautiful Lila and uber-cool Cassie, because at least she’s somewhat beautiful and uber-cool by association. But when their dates stand them up for prom, and the girls take matters into their ownhands—earning them a night in jail outfitted in satin, stilettos, and Spanx—Amydiscovers even a prom spent in handcuffs might be better than the humiliating“rehabilitation techniques” now filling up her summer. Worse, with Lila and Cassie prenatally banned, Amy feels like she has nothing—like she is nothing.

Navigating unlikely alliances with her new coworker, two very different boys, and possibly even her parents, Amy struggles to decide if it’s worth being a best friend when it makes you a public enemy. Bringing readers along on an often hilarious and heart warming journey, Amy finds that maybe getting a life only happens once you think your life is over.

About the Author Lisa Burstein

Lisa Burstein is a tea seller by day and a writer by night. She wrote her first story when she was in second grade. It was a Thanksgiving tale from the point of view of the turkey from freezer to oven to plate. It was scandalous. 

 She was a lot like Amy when she was in high school.

  She is still a lot like Amy.

Between the cover and the description I am hooked it sounds like such and fun and light

read to me! Also, just in case there was not already enough awesome in this post for you

in addition to the PRETTY AMY cover reveal, there will be a Worst PromPhoto contest in the weeks leading up to AMY's release on May 15. So make sure to dust off your old prom photos—the more tulle, bows, and big hair the better!—and watch Lisa's site, http://www.lisaburstein.com, for details on how to submit/enter to win a beauty package.

Lisa sent out her picture to get us all started and the ball rolling!

You Can Find PRETTY AMY:

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13375237-pretty-amy

Amazon pre-order: http://www.amazon.com/Pretty-Amy-Lisa-Burstein/dp/1620611198/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1330534300&sr=8-1

Barnes and Noble pre-order: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/pretty-amy-lisa-burstein/1108930786?ean=9781620611197&itm=1&usri=pretty+amy

Additional links to Lisa’s pages:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/#%21/LisaBurstein

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

Website: http://www.lisaburstein.com 

IMM #5: February 26- March 4

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by Kristi over at The Story Siren. If you

are interested in doing your own IMM or just looking to hop around all the

different IMM's head on over there!

This week was a super good week for me! I got some stuff that I won awhile back and

some stuff I found at a 2nd hand book store.  Normally I don't have good luck with

them but I found some books in super good condition.

So The books and swag i received that I won: 

This I won from Wendy @ A Cupcake and a Latte.  Thanks Wendy!! Also thank you to MACMILLANS Children's Publishing for sending it to me!!

 This lovely prize pack contained: 1 signed hardcover of Witchlanders by Lena Coakley
Plus:
Lauren Oliver - signed bookplate
Veronica Roth - signed bookplate
Leah Cypess - signed bookplate
Mistwood by Leah Cypess - signed bookmark
Nighspell by Leah Cypess - signed bookmark
Flame of Surrender by Rhiannon Paille - signed bookmark
Witchlanders - signed bookmark
Losing Faith by Denise Jaden - unsigned bookmark
Tagged by Mara Purnhagen - unsigned bookmark
Dreamland Social Club by Tara Altebrando - button
This was from Erika @ One a Day YA

Horrible picture I know sorry.  There at the top is a book plate from Amy Plum :)
Underneath are the bookmarks I won on facebook from
There for You Book Editing and Review.

I received for Review (My first actually for reviewing YAY)

Thank you to Robyn from Razorbill for asking if I would review these books!

And lastly what I bought:

This was a preorder from The Book Depository

and my 2nd hand purchases:

The Replacement I had seen around and to be honest thought it looked interesting.  The Devouring Had an interesting cover and it caught my eye and who could pass that up.

Now I have both of these books but bought them because they were in excellent condition and am thinking follower giveaway books?! As soon as I reach 50 these two books and a choice book up to $10 will be up for grabs :) So spread the word!

Well this is what was in my mailbox this week what was in yours?!

Feel free to leave a comment with your IMM link!

Review: POSSESION by: Elana Johnson

Vi knows the Rule: Girls don't walk with boys, and they never even "think" about kissing them. But no one makes Vi want to break the Rules more than Zenn...and since the Thinkers have chosen him as Vi's future match, how much trouble can one kiss cause? The Thinkers may have brainwashed the rest of the population, but Vi is determined to think for herself.

But the Thinkers are unusually persuasive, and they're set on convincing Vi to become one of them....starting by brainwashed Zenn. Vi can't leave Zenn in the Thinkers' hands, but she's wary of joining the rebellion, especially since that means teaming up with Jag. Jag is egotistical, charismatic, and dangerous: everything Zenn's not. Vi can't quite trust Jag and can't quite resist him, but she also can't give up on Zenn.

This is a game of control or be controlled. And Vi has no choice but to play.

Hardcover, 416 pages

Published June 7th 2011 by Simon Pulse

 
 
   As long as you plug in your fine. You can be a Goodie but what happens when you stop. Vi may know the rules but that doesn't mean that she likes them or follows them and living in a world where the thinkers control it all and control is power, is not easy. This is double true for Vi who wants to believe she is good but tends to do bad things. The question is, is there only black and white, good and bad or is there an area inbetween that she belongs to? 
  
  I really enjoyed this book. Dystopian is something I only recently learned about and have really come to love. Elana did an amazing job with writing this new world. Every step of the book the picture is so clear you believe you are there.  You will be really captivated with the story and all its characters.  This is also a very technalogically advanced future that will appeal to people that science fiction.  It's not the main part of the book but plays a very large part.

  Violet (aka Vi) is really a strong and emotional charater.  Elana does a wonderful job at helping you feel what she is.  Though it doesn't always make sense right at the moment she will work right through the feeling.  At times I am a little bothered by the amount she talks to herself and about the same thing almost every time but I also think that is part of who she is.  I think the time she is at her best is when she is with Jag.  Stubborn and hard headed as they can both be, they work.  Both of them can see that, not right away but they can.  I guess I should also mention Zenn who has been Vi's best friend forever and was hand picked to be her partner.  Now I guess you could call this a love triangle but I don't really see it that way.  To me Elana created more of a dilemma with the two boys.  Like a choice between the easy and familar and the hard and exciting.  I personally was rooting for Jag but I know that there are Zenn fans out there somewhere.  The end of the book wasn't what I expected but maybe that's because it was not what I wanted and had high hopes that something big was going to happen.
  I would recomend this book to anyone that has a love for dystopian books and can handle a little science fiction being thrown into it.  This book will pull you from start to finish and leave you wanting more.  I think that if you loved the books Open Minds by Susan Kaye Quinn and Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi you will really enjoy this book!!

4/5

Review: Sophie and Carter by Chelsea Fine

While other high school seniors are dreaming about their futures, Sophie and Carter are just trying to make it through each day. Carter is overwhelmed by issues at home as he struggles to support his mother. Meanwhile, next door neighbor Sophie is left to care for her three younger siblings in place of their absent and troubled mother. All that holds these two best friends together is each other, and knowing that each night they'll sit together on Sophie's front porch swing and escape from reality, if just for awhile. But as their relationship reaches a turning point and high school graduation nears, will their friendship become something more?

Paperback, 128 pages

Published June 20th 2011 by Acacia Publishing, Inc.

 

 

  This was a beautifully written and at times heart wrenching story!  It was not what I expected when I picked it up at all!!  Seeing the book around I thought I would pick it up and to be honest I didn't even read the description or any reviews, just ratings.  Horrible I know but when I started reading it I don't regret my decision. 

 

  Sophie has been through a lot in her 18 years.  Yet she comes off as the sweet, optimist and you love her guts (you will get that if you read the book).  She cares for her younger siblings and has no normal teenage life but she doesn't resent them for that and it breaks your heart to know what she not only is going through but what she would do for them.   There is no words to describe the inner strength that she has.  It is made very clear the feelings she has for Carter but she doesn't say anything.  She is content just to have him.

 

  Carter has been through hell and back.  He cares for his mother before and after school.  He doesn't get to be a regular teenage boy because he loves his mom more than anything and doesn't want her to get taken away.  I LOVE Carter.  In some ways he may be a little broken but with what has dealt with can you blame him.  His light at the end of the tunnel is Sophie but he wont tell her.  He tries to help her but he has a lot of his own things to deal with.

 

  You will be drawn into this book from the first chapter!  It is a short 128 pages and trust me there is so much emotion and heart ache in those pages you wont even notice that you have read them.  This is overall an amazing read and you will be holding tears back happy or sad at many spots in the book. If you are looking for a quick but emotion packed read this is your book!!!

 

4/5