Escaping... One Book @ a Time

Sunday, November 10, 2013

Weekly Report: Confessions

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 with a little extra ;) all book names take you to the Goodreads page.

So as it turns out that sale that I said I was going to... Well it did not happen. Go figure right? It is the one event that I look forward to yearly and honestly for the two months prior, I prep everything. However, it seems that the book gods felt bad for me and maybe it was a good thing that it didn't happen. The amount of books that I have gotten over the past few weeks kind of seems huge. Well huge to me. I have books that I pre-ordered, bought at a used book store, ones for review, ones I won and one from an author that I just adore! Anyway guys this is what is newly on my shelves!

Bought

From BMV in Toronto (used book store...an AMAZING one!)

Allegiant by Veronica Roth
Perfect Ruin by Lauren DeStefano
Charmed Vengeance by Suzanne Lazear
This Dark Endeavour by Kenneth Opal

Oh and This Dark Endeavour is SIGNED!!!! What a find right?! I was over the moon excited.

From Chapters Online

Waterfell by Amelie Howard
Countdown by Michelle Rowan

Resist by Sarah Crossan
Champion by Marie Lu
Endless Knight by Kresley Cole

Blood-Kissed Sky by J.A. London
After Daybreak by J.A. London
Godmother: The Secret Cinderella Story by Carolyn Turgeon

The Beautiful and the Damned by Jessica Verday
Sweet Legacy by Tera Lynn Childs
Bang by Lisa McMann

For Review

From Tor:

Copperhead by Tina Connley

A HUGE thank you!!! This was such an exciting surprise <3

From Random House Canada

Thank you guys!!! I have never picked up one of the titles that these guys put out that
I did not LOVE!!

Teardrop by Lauren Kate
Fates by Lanie Bross
Enders by Lissa Price
Far Far Away by Tom McNeal
Shadows by Paula Weston

Gifted

For all of you that do not know I LOVE this author. She is extremely talented and is super kind. Like
I can not imagine anyone not loving her and her books. Like seriously go look at the rating that it has on
GR!! If you are interested in it and blog CONTACT HER!!! You would not regret the read... or you could just go BUY IT!!!! Anyway thank you Julie for sending me book #3, I am trying to pound through the
few books I have obligations to read so I can get to this!!!!!

The Barren Way by Julie Anne Nelson

Won

These covers are GORGEOUS!! I was amazingly lucky to win this set of books from the Blog
Tour :) Thank you to Heidi from Bunbury in the Stacks for hosting the stop that I won on!!
You can find her and check out her awesome blog HERE

Crewel by Gennifer Albin
Altered by Gennifer Albin

I am SUPER SUPER excited about this one and thank you to Erleen from Books for YA!!
She held this awesome Author's Month and it was filled with great Authors. She ALWAYS
has amazing things going on and awesome giveaways follow & visit her HERE

The Murmurings by Carly Anne West

From the Authors Are Rockstars on Tour

I know that these are a little late but they did just arrive in the last few weeks :) Totally
Thank you to the authors and the bloggers that helped make there possible!!!

Chick Loves Lit hosted this stop and it had an amazing interview that gave some aweome
insight into Fracture and Hysteria. Thank you to Megan Miranda for the prize & Shanyn
for hosting the stop that you can find HERE (don't forget to check out her blog while you are there)

I Heart YA hosted the Cyn Balog stop and it was not only amazing but there was a 3 book
giveaway going on!! Debbie is super sweet and I love her interview <3 Go HERE to see
it and don't forget to follow and check out her blog as well!!

So Brenda Pandos has this AWESOME promotion that if you follow her by email you have a chance
to win a $25 Amazon GC... Well I won!!! YAY!!! These are the pretties that I bought with that!
Visit Brenda on her website HERE and sign up for your chance to win <3

Well because I was GC lucky over the past couple months, I was also lucky enough to win a $50 Amazon

GC from Chelsea Cameron's website!! So I had a mini shopping spree!! I got these plus one for Evie )who

is kind enough to let me ship stuff to her house) and one more that is a pre-order that has not shipped yet.

Visit Chelsea's website HERE because she is awesome and always has fun stuff going on. Also if you

haven't I HIGHLY suggest you pick up My Favorite Mistake, it is NA and rocked HARD!!

Friday, November 8, 2013

**Review* Earthfall by Mark Walden

Release Date: August 27, 2013
Published By: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
Length: 272 pages
Review Copy: ARC, Provided by Simon & Schuster Canada

Add to GOODREADS

Buy it:
Amazon~B&N~Book Depository

The battle for mankind is about to begin in this riveting story of Earth’s invasion from the author of the H.I.V.E. series.

Sam awakens to see strange vessels gathered in the skies around London. As he stares up, people stream past, walking silently toward the enormous ships, which emit a persistent noise. Only Sam seems immune to the signal. Six months later, he is absolutely alone.

Or so he thinks. Because after he emerges from his underground bunker and is wounded by a flying drone, a hail of machine-gun fire ultimately reveals two very important truths: One, Sam is not, in fact, alone. And two, the drone injury should have killed him—but it didn’t.

With his home planet feeling alien and the future unstable and unclear, Sam must navigate a new world in this gripping adventure.

So this book was not the book I thought it was when I requested it but you know what? I am glad because I ended up seriously enjoying this one. It kind of sits in the MG section and normally I don't venture there but once again I am glad that I ended up with this one. Walden's writing pulled me in and I was genuinely curious to see how everything played out. I can not honestly say I have read anything quite like it but I would gladly do it again

This read was creepy and is kind of how I imagine things could go down in the event of a hostile take over. However, it wasn't hostile but more like a quick silent "holy crap is this really happening?" type of take over. I imagine that Sam was scared as crap because how do you live when it is only you. The way in which this was plotted out was wonderful and keeps you interested. I would not say that this book is rainbows and butterflies because guys it's an alien takeover. Like full on 99.8% (if not more) of the population is now drones for something that we have no clue where it came from or what it is. Basically think War of the Worlds, minus the needless human slaughter. Really it shocked me at just how taken and involved I became with this sci-fi read. This just shows you what a well thought out plot can do for any book.

What was unique about Sam was how we are introduced to him. We don't meet him as Sam we meet him as "the boy." Why I liked this so much I really do not know. It was like being on the outside looking in and it made sense, he was alone why would he speak of himself in third person. The character was not perfect but this small detail kind of brought him to life for some reason. In his flashbacks and quick moments here and there of how he survived, we get to know Sam to an extent. He was really the most memorable character for me and his realism did the book a world of good.

Though Sam is the most memorable character, he is not the only good character. There is also Jay, that was all kinds of awesome. He was the one that had the snark but he was also funny. Like the character that you just wait to open their mouth because you know it will be good. Rachel was also seriously all kinds of awesome. However, he awesome came from being kick ass. The girl could seriously hold her own and hold it down for others too. I would also like to mention that she also saved a certain someone from certain death.

Alien takeovers aren't normally my thing but Walden makes me want it to be. The ending was kind of left open for another book that I hope will come soon because I'm curious to see how certain things will be solved or finished. I am also impressed with the fact that even though this was a MG book I was engaged, interested and didn't feel like I was reading something meant for younger people (I have had MG that annoy me to no end for the reason they make me feel like a child). I think if you want a book that is a quick and yet enjoyable read you should seriously consider this one.

Instead he just got smarter and faster, managed to stay one step ahead of the Drones. There was no alternative really; it was that or simply curl up and die.

"I understand," Sam said with a nod, "but I've not spoken to another human being for a year and a half. I thought that I was the last person on earth that hadn't been turned into a mindless zombie, so there's no way I'm just going to lie in bed. I want to go and meet the others."

Nobody had considered the possibility that the whole mechanism of government would be rendered irrelevant in the blank of an eye, that all these "powerful" men and woman could be reduced to mindless slaves in the space of a heartbeat, no different from anyone else.

With not a single human witness, the tower that had stood for one hundred and fifty years collapsed, and Big Ben fell, toppling into the very building that it had come to symbolize in a shower of shattered stone.

Wednesday, November 6, 2013

~Cover Reveal~ Stone of Destiny by Laura Howard

Stone of Destiny (The Danaan Trilogy #2)

by Laura Howard

Release Date: 12/31/13

Cover is designed by Najla Qamber Designs

Allison thought it was crazy enough when she found out her father, Liam, wasn't entirely human. But now she has to join his magical allies to unravel his former mistress's plans. Aoife wants to keep Allison's parents apart forever.

Despite Allison's efforts to keep Ethan, the only guy she's ever cared about, out of this supernatural mess, fate keeps throwing him back into the mix.

Will Allison be able to find the amulet that holds the enchantment Aoife placed on Liam and destroy it? Are Ethan' s feelings for Allison strong enough to endure the magic of the Tuatha De Danaan?

Book One:
(linked to Goodreads)

About Laura Howard

Laura Howard lives in New Hampshire with her husband and four children. Her obsession with books began at the age of 6 when she got her first library card. Nancy Drew, Sweet Valley High and other girly novels were routinely devoured in single sittings. Books took a backseat to diapers when she had her first child. It wasn’t until the release of a little novel called Twilight, 8 years later, that she rediscovered her love of fiction. Soon after, her own characters began to make themselves known. The Forgotten Ones is her first published novel.

Author Links:

Cover Reveal Hosted by:

Monday, November 4, 2013

REVIEW My Favorite Mistake by Chelsea M. Cameron

Release Date: August 27, 2013
Published By: Harlequin HQN
Length: 400 pages
Review Copy: Purchased, Paperback

Add it to GOODREADS

Buy It:Amazon~B&N~Book Depository

Taylor Caldwell can't decide if she wants to kiss her new college roommate or punch him.

On the one hand, Hunter Zaccadelli is a handsome blue-eyed bundle of charm. On the other, he's a tattooed, guitar-playing bad boy. Maybe that's why Taylor's afraid of falling in love with him, or anyone else. She doesn't want to get burned, so she needs him gone before it's too late.

Hunter himself has been burned before, but Taylor's sexy laugh and refusal to let him get away with anything make her irresistible. Determined not to be kicked out of her life without a fight, Hunter proposes a bet: if she can convince him she either truly loves or hates him, he'll leave the apartment;and leave her alone.

But when the man behind Taylor's fear of giving up her heart resurfaces, she has to decide: trust Hunter with her greatest secret, or do everything in her power to win that bet and drive him away forever.

Reading this book was basically more fun than breathing. I mean, I guess some people would not consider breathing fun but honestly without it you just could not survive. Chelsea Cameron had captured my attention a little over a year ago (I do believe) with her YA novel Nocturnal but My Favorite Mistake has blown me away. This is no exaggeration, I literally had a hard time putting this one down and finished it in basically one sitting, I only stopped to attend class and do some necessary things. When you start this seriously do not have any plans because they will come second to every page that is in this nearly 400 page novel!

When it comes to NA we all have a general idea of what to expect and it is all up to the author to dazzle us with something new. Some can do this and some just take what is already out there and add their own twist. Cameron has taken something new and made a completely captivating, original plot. Yes there is a bad boy and the characters both have their own issues but it is the way in which they deal with everything and the why they are stuck with each other that I loved. They are thrown in a room together... as roommates in a co-ed dorm (where was your mind?). They do have the undeniable attraction and I may have been slightly jealous that Taylor got to sleep in the same room as Hunter but the tension between them kept me amused. There is never a dull moment with these two and I found my heart almost constantly going out to one or the other and high hopes that they would make the struggle and become something great.

I really liked Taylor and her persistence. She can be a fun person but an event when she was younger changed her life forever and boys are not the most important thing on her list of things to do. That being said she takes no crap from no person, including Hunter. He may get her excited in many different ways but she tries her best to keep herself in check and maintain her stand on him leaving the dorm room and her life. The thing about that though, is that it is hard to know what you really want when every part of you screams something new every minute. The anger she held so close for so long may be the thing to make her live without happiness but with Hunter's help she will learn to let it go and live. That is if she doesn't knock him out cold...

I have no idea where to start with Hunter. He is the complete bad boy package and yet there was something completely different about him. Moody and normally the player, I was easily won over with his mocking and sexual innuendos when he was around Taylor. There was just something about him that I believe will pull every reader into his orbit because the guy is just charismatic. He is far from perfect though and has seen some seriously horrible things and lived through a major tragedy, that would break even some of the strongest people out there. Admittedly I thought at first his intentions for Taylor were nothing more than to have a little fun but then he didn't give up and it became clear he wanted more. There is no way I could do this guy justice in a review and honestly I could go on and on but you need to pick this one up and discover all the reason you will love him.

The best part about this was that there was no insta-love. There is no denying that there was some serious attraction going on but if you are a female that has any hormones at all, there would be attraction. The pull between these two is undeniable but apparently Taylor can fight it. The thing with fighting is that it can only last so long and eventually something has to give and when it does with these two, it is amazing. I adored every minute of their climb to the finish and had many moments that my heart went out to one or the other. Yes, there was that many feel moments that I completely lost track and did nothing but hope for the best with these two.

Chelsea Cameron's My Favorite Mistake has quickly taken a place in my favourite NA novels but that is no surprise as I had loved her YA series as well. It seems that her spark for writing transcends across genres and her ability to grab your interest only intensifies. Honestly I can not think of one downside to this book, not even one moment that drove me nuts. With a great pace, developed characters and an addictive plot I would highly recommend this to anyone that is a fan of NA. If you haven't jumped onto the NA wagon yet, pick this one up and you will never want to get off!!

"Aw, come on Missy, you don't want to live with me?" Who did this guy think he was? I'd known him all of ten minutes and he had given me a nickname and propositioned me.

"You're not a nice person," I said. He laughed. "You're right I'm not." He shook his head as if it was the funniest thing ever. It wasn't, really. Most people wanted other people to like them so they tried and were overly nice. Hunter wasn't like that. He was what he was and didn't give a shit if people liked it or not.

Sweet Christ it was like I died and gone to breakfast heaven. I really hoped he wouldn't use his cooking skills as leverage for sexual favors. For this, I might have to give in.

"Good night, Hunter.""Love me?""Nope.""Hate me?""More than the DMV.""Oh, burn."

Hunter was different. He'd seen through my exterior, seen through the wall of tangled thorns that guarded me. And here he was, asking me if I wanted to let him try and break through. The answer was yes. And no. I was going to hell.

"Why are you so good at everything?" I mumbled. "Not everything. I'm terrible at crossword puzzles. And I have never been able to keep a goldfish alive to save my life. And...um...Oh! I had a speech problem until I was seven. I couldn't say the letter L." "I don't think we can be together anymore. You're a loser."

If you get the book page 110-11 made me laugh SO HARD but I wont quote it because it would basically be an excerpt and I want you all to enjoy it first hand!!

Sunday, November 3, 2013

November Kindle Fire HDX (US) or Amazon GC/Paypal Cash(INT) GIVEAWAY!!

This is a joint AUTHOR & BLOGGER GIVEAWAY EVENT! Bloggers & Authors have joined together and each chipped in a little money towards a Kindle Fire HDX 7".

All New Kindle Fire HDX 7" Giveaway

The winner will have the option of receiving a 7" Kindle Fire HDX (US Only - $229 Value)

Or $229 Amazon.com Gift Card (International)

Or $229 in Paypal Cash (International)

NOVEMBER SPONSORS

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Giveaway Details 1 winner will receive their choice of an all new Kindle Fire 7" HDX (US Only - $229 value), $229 Amazon Gift Card or $229 in Paypal Cash (International). There is a second separate giveaway for bloggers who post this giveaway on their blog. See details in the rafflecopter on how to enter to win the 2nd Kindle Fire HDX 7". Ends 11/30/13 Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader, Not A Writer http://iamareader.com and sponsored by the participating authors & bloggers. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.

Sign up to Sponsor the December Giveaway (starting around December 2nd) http://www.iamareader.com/2013/10/december-kindle-fire.html

Friday, November 1, 2013

~Cover Reveal & Giveaway~ Pretty Little Dreams by Jennifer Miller

Title: Pretty Little Dreams (Pretty Little Lies, #2)

Author: Jennifer Miller

Release Date: January 13, 2014

Genres: Contemporary Romance

Photographer: Stephanie from This Modern Romance

Cover Designer: Laura from Bookfabulous Designs

There is a place in all of us where our deepest secrets lie in wait for their moment to surface, and surface they will.

After living through a real live nightmare, Olivia wants nothing but to forget. Forget and move on. But how do you forget something that has stained your soul and forces you to lie to your loved ones? Even if your intentions are to spare them the horrors of the truth?

Luke knows Olivia is not as recovered as she would have him believe. He can see the pain she tries to keep hidden behind her eyes, and knows she has not told him everything. But how do you save someone who won’t let you in? Where shame holds Olivia captive, Luke suffers through the guilt of not protecting the one person he loves more than anything.

Can two people who have suffered so dearly find a way to come together or will they risk the dreams they have placed in each other’s hearts? Can love find a way where forgiveness cannot?

TEASER:

AUTHOR BIO:

Author Jennifer Miller was born and raised in Chicago, Illinois, but now calls Arizona home. Jennifer’s love of reading began when she was a small child, and only continued to grow as she entered adulthood. Ever since winning a writing contest at the young age of nine, when she wrote a book about a girl with a pet unicorn, she’s dreamed of writing a book of her own.

Quickly learning that dreams don’t just fall into your lap, she knew she had to chase them herself and not be afraid to dream a little bigger. Most importantly, she is a wife and mother, and is very lucky to have a family that loves and supports her in all things. She also has an unhealthy addiction to handbags and chocolate covered strawberries, neither of which she cares to change.

AUTHOR LINKS:

Email: AuthorJenniferMiller@gmail.com

Website~Facebook~Twitter~Goodreads

GIVEAWAY:

a Rafflecopter giveaway