review - Siege and Storm

	Siege and Storm by: Leigh Bardugo | Website | Twitter Publication Date: June 4, 2013 Publisher: Henry Holt and Co. Series: The Grisha #2 Format: Hardback Page Count: 435 Genre: YA, Fantasy Get your copy: Amazon | B&N
Summary: Darkness never dies. Hunted across the True Sea, haunted by the lives she took on the Fold, Alina must try to make a life with Mal in an unfamiliar land. She finds starting new is not easy while keeping her identity as the Sun Summoner a secret. She can’t outrun her past or her destiny for long. The Darkling has emerged from the Shadow Fold with a terrifying new power and a dangerous plan that will test the very boundaries of the natural world. With the help of a notorious privateer, Alina returns to the country she abandoned, determined to fight the forces gathering against Ravka. But as her power grows, Alina slips deeper into the Darkling’s game of forbidden magic, and farther away from Mal. Somehow, she will have to choose between her country, her power, and the love she always thought would guide her--or risk losing everything to the oncoming storm. Summary and cover image from goodreads.
This was one my most wanted books of the summer, and it did not disappoint! Siege and Storm opens with Alina and Mal having sorted through their Shadow and Bone issues (per se) and being on the run from the Darkling. Thus begins the exciting sequel that packs in the action and romance. Siege and Storm also introduces the awesome privateer, Sturmhond. One moment while I restart my heart! He is beyond amazing. Alina's journey to control the power she wields becomes increasingly perilous for both her and Mal. She is definitely suffering from some identity issues and her growing hunger for power, a-la sun-summoning. All the while, she is navigating the political world, royal marriage proposals, and religious followings in her name. There are many great twists in Siege and Storm. Alina's final battle waits for readers in Ruin and Rising, and I can't help but think that there is a lot more to Mal and his "connection" to Alina.
Got an itch for some good fantasy? Give The Grisha series a try; you won't be disappointed!

waiting on wednesday | 12 - The Offering

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Breaking the Spine that spotlights upcoming releases that we can't wait to get in our hands.
	The Offering by: Kimberly Derting | Website | Twitter Publication Date: January 7, 2014 Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry (S&S) Series: The Pledge #3
Summary: True love—and world war—is at stake in the conclusion to The Pledge trilogy, a dark and romantic blend of dystopia and fantasy. Charlie, otherwise known as Queen Charlaina of Ludania, has become comfortable as a leader and a ruler. She’s done admirable work to restore Ludania’s broken communications systems with other Queendoms, and she’s mastered the art of ignoring Sabara, the evil former queen whose Essence is alive within Charlie. Or so she thinks. When the negotiation of a peace agreement with the Queendom of Astonia goes awry, Charlie receives a brutal message that threatens Ludania, and it seems her only option is to sacrifice herself in exchange for Ludanian freedom. But things aren’t always as they seem. Charlie is walking into a trap—one set by Sabara, who is determined to reclaim the Queendoms at any cost. Summary and cover image from goodreads.
Why the WOW: This is one series I think needs more attention. I fell in love with The Pledge, and the Essence was a solid sequel. Very excited to see how Charlie leads her kingdom in this final book. I just noticed the cover release this past week, could have happened sooner but saw it in my Goodreads list. The series looks good together, and the full reveal of Charlie's profile very symbolic I think!
What are you waiting for?

review - Redesigned

	Redesigned by: Denise Grover Swank | Website | Twitter Publication Date: June 10, 2013 Publisher: Createspace Series: Off the Subject #2 Format: eBook Page Count: 294 Genre: NA, Contemporary, Romance Get your copy: Amazon | B&N
Summary: While fashion design major Caroline Hunter may have been born economically unlucky, in college, she’s been lucky in love. Until her senior year at Southern University. She’s gone from a serious long term boyfriend to a string of crappy dates. Then she meets mathematics grad student Reed Pendergraft. Reed is everything she’s not looking for. Serious. Headed for a low paying university job. Boring. Caroline spent the first eighteen years of her life wondering where her next meal was coming from. She sure wasn’t getting trapped in that life again with a man living on a professor’s salary. An encounter with Reed in a club proves she might have pegged him wrong. He brings out a lusty side she never knew she had. But just when she’s about to give in to her hormones, Reed makes a fool out of her. When she shows up for the first committee meeting for Southern University’s Fall fashion show, a fundraiser for underprivileged kids, Caroline’s horrified to discover the insufferable Reed is the committee chairman. While she refuses to tolerate his totalitarian rule of the committee, she’s not sure she’ll survive the month with her heart—and her pride—intact. Just when she thinks she has everything figured out, she finds that her entire life has been redesigned, thanks to Reed Pendergraft. Summary and cover image from goodreads.
Redesigned is the second book in the Off the Subject series and follows Caroline, Scarlet's friend and former roommate from Aftermath (my review). Caroline grew up with Scarlet in their small, impoverished Tennessee town; their move to college provided them both with the opportunity to recast themselves without the stigma of their pasts. Caroline's backstory is fully fleshed out in Redesigned; there is so much more depth to her, including her motivations and insecurities. But I just did not connect with her as much as I did with Scarlet. It might be that her story revolved around more social issues (versus Scarlet's socially awkward personality), giving Redesigned a bit of a preachy feel (Change a life today, Volunteer! The more you know! and all that). I can see how Caroline was affected by the fundraiser, I just wasn't expecting the poverty message. Reed was hard to wrap my head around. He had all the required traits for a swoon-worthy hero, but just fell a little flat. I really liked that he was the socially awkward one of the relationship, but not having his POV it just came across as jerky (unlike with Scarlet). He was lacking in the grand-gestures and apparent adoration of Caroline. I wanted to like him more but couldn't. Lexi is one secondary character with a little umph! I wanted to read more of her story. How she brought out Reed's protective-brother side, which was one of the few dimensions we did see of Reed. Scarlet and Tucker return and have some great scenes. Tucker was completely swoony in his protection of Caroline. He treats her like a sister and is there when she needed a little back-up. While Redesigned didn't completely own me like Aftermath, I am still very into this series and Denise Swank's writing. Interested in how the series began, my review of After Math. Looking forward to book #3, Business as Usual, out later this year.
Have you read any of the Off the Subject series? What did you think?

update | new adult overload

My brain is in the gutter! Is it just me or does that line from David Guetta song "Play Hard" have a New Adult vibe? I hear it and automatically hear it being said by a NA guy. And I love it all that much more! I have been on a new adult kick, no thanks to Amazon, their $0.99 - $2.99 prices, and my Kindle app that is with me everywhere. I always get Amazon gift cards from my credit card reward points, and having a continuous balance on my Amazon account is turning out to be dangerous! Trying to throw my YA books back into the tbr pile. Very excited about Deception (Defiance #2) and Crown of Midnight (Throne of Glass #2) that came out this week.

So, I've been a little absent lately from the blog. I recently bought an old house (circa 1950). My spare time has been filled with (major) demolition and renovation. I'm really looking forward to the finished project, hopefully moving in around November. I do keep my Instagram updated with all the latest renovation photos, if interested. Secondly, at work I'm coming off a brand-new/relauched webstore. So, while I was reading in this little hiatus, the thought of sitting down in front of a computer for another second had me fit to be tied. But the site is pretty much up and running smoothly, and I'm back to blogging!

Stay tuned for some great upcoming YA and NA book reviews!

review - Quintana of Charyn

	Quintana of Charyn by: Melina Marchetta | Website | Twitter Publication Date: April 23, 2013 Publisher: Candlewick Press Series: The Lumatere Chronicles #3 Format: Hardback Page Count: 516 Genre: YA, High Fantasy Get your copy: Amazon | B&N
Summary: There's a babe in my belly that whispers the valley, Froi. I follow the whispers and come to the road . . . Separated from the girl he loves and has sworn to protect, Froi must travel through Charyn to search for Quintana, the mother of Charyn's unborn king, and protect her against those who will do anything to gain power. But what happens when loyalty to family and country conflict? When the forces marshalled in Charyn's war gather and threaten to involve the whole of the land, including Lumatere, only Froi can set things right, with the help of those he loves. Summary and cover image from goodreads.
The bittersweet finality of a series-ending book. Melina Marchetta blew this one out of the water. There were so many characters and plot points to cover but none were neglected. Finishing the last page, I was definitely satisfied and fully content with where the characters were and their hopeful futures. Melina wrote a full-fledged epilogue; other authors take note! Lucian and Phaedra became one of my favorite story lines; their struggle to honor their respective kingdoms but stay true to the path their hearts were leading them. Ugh, the feelings! Quintana's journey and growth was amazing, considering her start in Froi of the Exiles. While there was hope in the end, Melina does not spare readers of heartbreak and lose. Series-wise, I was surprised by how much Froi's story became integral to the land of Skuldenore. Seems like Isoboe and Finnikin were just a device to introduce Froi. I wouldn't have complained if there had been more of their story in the final book, but this did not affect my love for this series. This sweeping and detailed fantasy series has permanently left its mark on my heart!
Have you read any of The Lumatere Chronicles? Fantasy at its highest? Yes, I believe so!

review - After Math

	After Math by: Denise Grover Swank | Website | Twitter Publication Date: March 12, 2013 Publisher: Createspace Series: Off the Subject #1 Format: eBook Page Count: 246 Genre: NA, Contemporary Romance Get your copy: Amazon | B&N
Summary: Scarlett Goodwin’s world is divided into Before and After. Before she agreed to tutor Tucker price, college junior Scarlett was introvert, struggling with her social anxiety and determined to not end up living in a trailer park like her mother and her younger sister. A mathematics major, she goes to her classes, to her job in the tutoring lab, and then hides in the apartment she shares with her friend, Caroline. After junior Tucker Price, Southern University’s star soccer player enters the equation, her carefully plotted life is thrown off its axis. Tucker’s failing his required College Algebra class. With his eligibility is at risk, the university chancellor dangles an expensive piece of computer software for the math department if Scarlett agrees to privately tutor him. Tucker’s bad boy, womanizer reputation makes Scarlett wary of any contact, let alone spending several hours a week in close proximity. But from her first encounter, she realizes Tucker isn’t the person everyone else sees. He carries a mountain of secrets which she suspects hold the reason to his self-destructive behavior. But the deeper she delves into the cause of his pain, the deeper she gets sucked into his chaos. Will Scarlett find the happiness she’s looking for, or will she be caught in Tucker’s aftermath? Summary and cover image from goodreads.
Never have I read a book that I so connected with, as much as Aftermath. And to think it was a whim purchase after seeing a quick blog post with the words "math nerd." I started Aftermath that night and stayed up way too late finishing it. RELATABLE HEROINE Scarlet is the closest book version of me I've ever found, aside from her background. The studious, 4.0 GPA introvert, who's wary of crowds and prefers her comfortable sanctuary that is her room/apartment. She spoke to me from page one; I understood how she felt and all of her motives. Some would ask why read about what you already know, instead of the adventurous heroine who's afraid of nothing? While those can provide some escape, it was nice to read something relatable. COLLEGE All the New Adult books are taking place in college, and Denise Swank writes one of the most realistic, true-to-life college settings, everything from classes, university funding, study labs, student fitness centers, and NCAA athletes (having been one myself). Aftermath was kind of surreal, like my college years had been brought to life on the page. And for me it was these little details that really pushed Aftermath to the next level in New Adult. College wasn't presented in this Baz Luhrmann's The Great Gatsby way with all the parties and days were students don't study. The characters actually went to a college sporting event; hello real college experience! TUCKER Be still my heart! The understanding of this man is mind-blowingly sweet. He senses Scarlet's apprehension and works so hard to make her comfortable, building their relationship from the very smallest nugget of friendship. I love that the infernal friend-zone wall was smashed in this book. In fact, Scarlet almost required the friendship prior to her heart even thinking about any more. No insta-love here, which is much appreciated. Sometimes people need to know a person's character before they surrender their heart. Very glad Tucker stuck with Scarlet and let her warm-up to him and the idea of them. Just another shoutout for how much I loved that Tucker was a college athlete. Him running to Scarlet's apartment made my heart pitter-patter. I highly recommend Aftermath to anyone interested in a slow-burning romance and a realistic New Adult novel, where partying is not the entire college experience!
Have you read After Math? What did you think?

swoon thursday | 5 - Escaping Reality

Swoon Thursday is a weekly meme hosted by YA Bound to share your swoon-inducing bookish moments. Also, shout it out on Twitter with the hashtag #YABound.
	Escaping Reality by: Lisa Renee Jones | Website | Twitter Series: The Secret Life of Amy Bensen #1 Page: 160 What I like is him bare-chested and relaxed in his pajama bottoms, with sexy, mussed-up morning hair. And me, in his shirt, with his scent teasing my nostrils. I have never worn a man's shirt and that somehow makes wearing his shirt all the more intimate.
My heart kind of melted when I read that passage. So domestic and normally sweet, but sexy at the same time.
Have you read a great swoony scene lately? Let me know below!

swoon thursday | 4 - Dark Triumph

Swoon Thursday is a weekly meme hosted by YA Bound to share your swoon-inducing bookish moments. Also, shout it out on Twitter with the hashtag #YABound.
	Dark Triumph by: R. L. LaFevers | Website | Twitter Series: His Fair Assassin #2 Page: 164 Then d'Albret's men are hard upon us. Resigned, Beast draws the sword from his back with his right hand while his left closes around the handle of the ax. "I will not let them take you alive." Of all the things he could have said, that is the one thing that comforts me the most. "Nor I you," I say around a strange lump that has formed in my throat.
Kind of a non-traditional swoon.One of those that needs the story leading up to it, but I immediately noted the page number when I read Beast's line. Nothing quite like a protective knight!
For those wanting a little more... Page: 318 He places me on the ground but does not remove his arms. Instead, he leans in and sets his mouth to mine. It is a lusty kiss, full of joy and triumph and victory. But after a moment, triumph gives way to something else. Something wonderous and fragile. Beast's hands slide up my waist, firm and solid at my back, a buttress that will not give way, no matter what comes.
Have you read a great swoony scene lately? Let me know below!

waiting on wednesday | 11 - The Transfer

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Breaking the Spine that spotlights upcoming releases that we can't wait to get in our hands.
Image from EW Image Credit: Jaap Buitendijk	The Transfer: A Divergent Story by: Veronica Roth | Website | Twitter Publication Date: September 24, 2013 Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books Series: Divergent #0.1
Summary: More Four! Fans of the Divergent series by #1 New York Times bestselling author Veronica Roth will be thrilled by "The Transfer," the first of four new short stories told from Four’s perspective. Each brief story explores the world of the Divergent series through the eyes of the mysterious but charismatic Tobias Eaton, revealing previously unknown facets of his personality, backstory, and relationships. Summary from goodreads.
Why the WOW: When I first read about these e-novellas on Veronica Roth's blog, I think there might have been a fist pump, followed by goofy smiling. I am beyond excited to read about Four! Last year's Free Four was a little nugget of Four, and I can't wait for more of his voice, history, and thoughts. There will be four e-novellas after its all said and done. The Transfer, The Initiate, The Son, and The Traitor. Each are listed as 30 pages each, but what I'm assuming is a paperback onmibus of all four (Four: A Divergent Story Collection, Feb. 11, 2014) is listed as having 208 pages? I don't know if my math skills are working properly. (30 x 4 = 208 ???) More bonus material? Yes, please! In other Divergent news…Have you guys seen the stills from the movie? And the first footage will be shown at Comic Con. Can't wait for this movie!
What are you waiting for?

books signings - fierce reads recap | 2

Fierce Reads Spring Book Tour Featuring: Leigh Bardugo | Anna Banks | Emmy Laybourne | Jessica Brody Date: Tuesday, June 11, 2013 @ 6pm | Memphis, TN | The Booksellers at Laurelwood

This is a little late, but I still wanted to share the awesome road trip to the Fierce Reads event in Memphis, TN back in June. Side note: The blog has been a little neglected due to real life getting a little hectic. New website launch at work, and getting on the computer at home just didn't sound fun. And, I'm in the process of buying a house, a fixer-upper at that. I lovingly refer to it as my HGTV house. So, a lot of work ahead of me. Back to the event, it was held by The Booksellers at Laurelwood. This was the second time I've gone to an event there, and the staff always does a great job with the moderators and refreshments. Books, authors, and cupcakes! Great bookstore to visit if you ever find yourself in Memphis. Leigh Bardugo, Anna Banks, Emmy Laybourne, and Jessica Brody were all there promoting their latest books. While I had only read the Grisha books and Of Poseidon, all the authors were interesting to listen to. Emmy revealed that she has some bizarre first date questions that deal with survival scenarios. Imagine a first date asking you, if a major disaster happens how would you survive? That is beyond hilarious, but I bet it shed some light on the date's personality. Also according to Jessica, if you read her book, you'll apparently never be able to passively walk through a Target, Sam's, or Costco. Unremembered sounds intriguing, reminded me slightly of Lost, one of my all time favorite TV shows, with the twists of memory loss and supernatural powers. But couldn't you possibly see the Lost writers eventually adding these elements if the seasons went any further? Yes. Picked up the first chapters in printed form, which was the first time I had ever seen this promo tool. Ingenious! Now for my true drawl to the event, Leigh Bardugo and the Grisha Trilogy. For a week, I was fingerling about Siege and Storm and getting to hear Leigh speak. She did not disappoint, there was great insight to the characters and story. One question and answer that nearly had me rolling on the floor, Anything funny surrounding your book or tour? Leigh stated that she had been on Tumbler a lot lately and had come across some smutty fanfic, eliciting the response of "Uoh, my babies!" The event was well-organized and definitely worth the drive over. Great questions by the audience (the linchpin to any event, in my opinion). All the authors were having fun and enjoying the tour, very visible from the audience. Thanks to MacMillian and Fierce Reads (who by the way has the best sway ever! Posters, bookmarks, a Shadow and Bone button "Whatever. Summon This.", and a bag!)