Favorites of 2014 - Part 3 (Contemporary)

Hello Everyone! Happy New Years Eve! In this post I will be sharing my favorite YA Contemporaries of 2014. I don't usually read too many contemporaries throughout the year but I found a ton of awesome ones this year. If you haven't read any of them yet, then I suggest you get on it! 

*Books are not in any particular order!

Crash Into You (Pushing The Limits #3)
By Katie McGarry
Published November 26th, 2013 by Harlequin Teen

*This book is part of the Pushing The Limits series but the books can be read in any particular order.*

Synopsis: 

From acclaimed author Katie McGarry comes an explosive new tale of a romance forged in the fast lane

The girl with straight A's and the perfect life—that's who people expect Rachel Young to be. So the private school junior keeps secrets from her wealthy family…and she's just added two more to the list. One involves racing strangers down dark country roads in her Mustang GT. The other? Seventeen-year-old Isaiah Walker—a guy she has no business even talking to. But after the foster kid with the tattoos and intense gray eyes comes to her rescue, she can't get him out of her mind.

The last thing Isaiah needs is to get tangled up with a rich girl who wants to slum it on the south side for kicks. But when their shared love of street racing puts their lives in jeopardy, Isaiah and Rachel will have six weeks to come up with a way out. Six weeks to discover just how far they'll go to save each other. 




Take Me On (Pushing The Limits #4)
By Katie McGarry 
Published May 27th, 2014 by Harlequin TEEN

Acclaimed author Katie McGarry returns with the knockout new story of two high school seniors who are about to learn what winning really means.

Champion kickboxer Haley swore she'd never set foot in the ring again after one tragic night. But then the guy she can't stop thinking about accepts a mixed martial arts fight in her honor. Suddenly, Haley has to train West Young. All attitude, West is everything Haley promised herself she'd stay away from. Yet he won't last five seconds in the ring without her help.

West is keeping a big secret from Haley. About who he really is. But helping her-fighting for her-is a shot at redemption. Especially since it's his fault his family is falling apart. He can't change the past, but maybe he can change Haley's future.

Hayley and West have agreed to keep their relationship strictly in the ring. But as an unexpected bond forms between them and attraction mocks their best intentions, they'll face their darkest fears and discover love is worth fighting for.


Breaking The Rules (Pushing The Limits #1.5)
By Katie McGarry
Published December 8th, 2014 by Harlequin Teen


A summer road trip changes everything in this unforgettable new tale from acclaimed author Katie McGarry

For new high school graduate Echo Emerson, a summer road trip out west with her boyfriend means getting away and forgetting what makes her so... different. It means seeing cool sights while selling her art at galleries along the way. And most of all, it means almost three months alone with Noah Hutchins, the hot, smart, soul-battered guy who’s never judged her. Echo and Noah share everything — except the one thing Echo’s just not ready for.

But when the source of Echo’s constant nightmares comes back into her life, she has to make some tough decisions about what she really wants — even as foster kid Noah’s search for his last remaining relatives forces them both to confront some serious truths about life, love, and themselves.

Now, with one week left before college orientation, jobs and real life, Echo must decide if Noah's more than the bad-boy fling everyone warned her he'd be. And the last leg of an amazing road trip will turn... seriously epic.


5 stars to all three of Katie McGarry's books! The Pushing The Limits books are incredible and I fall in love with each new character that Katie writes about. I was pretty lucky to be able to read 3 books by Katie this year! I suggest you pick them up if you haven't already!


Maybe Someday (Maybe #1)
By Colleen Hoover

From #1 New York Times bestselling author Colleen Hoover, a passionate tale of friendship, betrayal, and romance.

At twenty-two years old, Sydney has a great life: She's in college, working a steady job, in love with her wonderful boyfriend, Hunter, and rooming with her best friend, Tori. But everything changes when she discovers Hunter's cheating on her--and she is left trying to decide what to do next.

Sydney becomes captivated by Ridge, her mysterious neighbor. She can't take her eyes off him or stop listening to the passionate way he plays his guitar every evening out on his balcony. And there's something about Sydney that Ridge can't ignore, either. When their inevitable encounter happens, they soon find themselves needing each other in more ways than one...

Original music created for Maybe Someday by musician Griffin Peterson can be accessed through the website listed in the ebook and paperback.

I haven't read too many of Colleen Hoover's books yet but this one was AMAZING! There were so many feels and I know that I cried a few times. The characters were great as well and I fell in love with Ridge! Check this one out soon!


To All the Boys I've Loved Before (To All the Boys I've Loved Before #1)
By Jenny Han

To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before is the story of Lara Jean, who has never openly admitted her crushes, but instead wrote each boy a letter about how she felt, sealed it, and hid it in a box under her bed. But one day Lara Jean discovers that somehow her secret box of letters has been mailed, causing all her crushes from her past to confront her about the letters: her first kiss, the boy from summer camp, even her sister's ex-boyfriend, Josh. As she learns to deal with her past loves face to face, Lara Jean discovers that something good may come out of these letters after all. 


This book was published this year and from the minute I saw it I wanted it! I fell in love with the characters right from the start. Lara Jean was someone I could relate to and the story was amazing! I cannot wait for the next one!

Favorites of 2014 - Part 2 (Sci-Fi)

Hello Everybody! It's almost the New Year and I realized that I still have 3 more parts of my Favorites of 2014 post to share with you. This 2nd part has to do with my favorites in the Science Fiction/Dystopian genres. I'm sure that some of the books don't fit perfectly into these categories but I had to put them somewhere :). So here are a few of my favorites in no particular order. Are any of them yours?


The Infinite Sea (The Fifth Wave #2)
By Rick Yancey 
Published September 16th, 2014 by Putnam Juvenile

How do you rid the Earth of seven billion humans? Rid the humans of their humanity.

Surviving the first four waves was nearly impossible. Now Cassie Sullivan finds herself in a new world, a world in which the fundamental trust that binds us together is gone. As the 5th Wave rolls across the landscape, Cassie, Ben, and Ringer are forced to confront the Others’ ultimate goal: the extermination of the human race.

Cassie and her friends haven’t seen the depths to which the Others will sink, nor have the Others seen the heights to which humanity will rise, in the ultimate battle between life and death, hope and despair, love and hate. 





I fell in love with the first book in this series when I first started it. I can definitely say that I loved this one as well! The characters are awesome and there is always suspense, action, or romance somewhere. A great sci-fi for anyone and a series that really makes you think! Check it out now!

My Review of The Infinite Sea



Unravel Me (Shatter Me #2) and Ignite Me (#3)
By Tahereh Mafi 
Published by HarperCollins

Unravel Me Synopsis:

tick
tick
tick
tick
tick
it's almost
time for war.

Juliette has escaped to Omega Point. It is a place for people like her—people with gifts—and it is also the headquarters of the rebel resistance.

She's finally free from The Reestablishment, free from their plan to use her as a weapon, and free to love Adam. But Juliette will never be free from her lethal touch.

Or from Warner, who wants Juliette more than she ever thought possible.

In this exhilarating sequel to Shatter Me, Juliette has to make life-changing decisions between what she wants and what she thinks is right. Decisions that might involve choosing between her heart—and Adam's life.

These two books were AMAZING! I cannot believe that I was lucky enough to be able to read both of them back to back. Ignite Me is a fantastic and thrilling conclusion to an uniquely written trilogy. I would describe this trilogy as a Sci-Fi/Dystopia. If you haven't picked up the first book, then you are seriously missing out! Check it out now!

My Review of Shatter Me (#1)
My Review of Unravel Me (#2)
My Review of Ignite Me (#3)






The Lunar Chronicles 
Cinder (#1), Scarlet (#2), Cress (#3), Winter (Coming Soon)
By Marissa Meyer 

Cinder Synopsis:

Humans and androids crowd the raucous streets of New Beijing. A deadly plague ravages the population. From space, a ruthless lunar people watch, waiting to make their move. No one knows that Earth’s fate hinges on one girl. 

Cinder, a gifted mechanic, is a cyborg. She’s a second-class citizen with a mysterious past, reviled by her stepmother and blamed for her stepsister’s illness. But when her life becomes intertwined with the handsome Prince Kai’s, she suddenly finds herself at the center of an intergalactic struggle, and a forbidden attraction. Caught between duty and freedom, loyalty and betrayal, she must uncover secrets about her past in order to protect her world’s future.

It took me so long to start the first book in this series but once I started I was hooked! What amazes me is that I read all three of them this year. It feels like it was so long ago! I cannot wait for the next book to be released because this is such an awesome series. Marissa Meyer does a wonderful job at creating a Sci-fi/Fantasy retelling of favorite fairy tales! If you haven't checked them out yet, then get on it!

My Review of Cinder
My Review of Scarlet
My Review of Cress








So those AMAZINGLY AWESOME books are my Sci-Fi favorites of 2014! Check back for parts 3 and 4!

Vanessa

Book Blitz: Revelation by Jenna Newell Hiott

Hello Everyone! Thanks to Sage's Blog Tours I am hosting a book blitz for Revelation by Jenna Newell Hiott. The cover looks pretty awesome and the book sounds very interesting! Check out the info below. 

**We’re celebrating Revelation’s FREE kindle download TODAY!!

Revelation: The Todor Trilogy (Book One)

By Jenna Newell Hiott

Genre: Fantasy

Book Synopsis:

Do you love fantasy adventures? Let Revelation take you on a magical journey that will leave you questioning your own reality.

"Careful, this book is addictive."

In a land where magic was created through the spilling of blood, turmoil is looming. Grief and despair flood the land of Todor, and its creators--the omniscient Deis--consider destroying it altogether. That is, until a single spot of joy attracts their attention: the idyllic village of Aerie. Believing in the hope found there, the Deis give Todor one more chance. They place three infants within this village who are unknowingly tasked with ending Todor’s suffering and saving all creation.

˃˃˃ "You will fall in love with these characters!"

As the three chosen ones grow, they discover that their beloved village is a haven of secrets, and nothing is as they believe. Can Gemynd, Soman, and Numa move beyond the secrets of Aerie in order to learn the truth about themselves and the world they thought they knew? With impending war, passionate love, and the heartbreak of separation facing them at every turn, will they do what is required to save Creation?

˃˃˃ "Newell Hiott's gripping style of writing completely immerses the reader in the story."

An imaginative fantasy debut from Jenna Newell Hiott, Revelation combines intrigue, passion, and magic to create a mythic tale like no other. The first book in the epic Todor trilogy, Revelation introduces readers to a unique fantasy realm, intelligent and layered with hidden truths, it will stay with you long after you’ve read the last page.

Author Bio:

Author, healer, all-around kook, Jenna Newell Hiott boasts of having a limitless imagination, unless it’s nap time. While many of us had an imaginary friend as children, Jenna had an entire imaginary family—complete with a second set of parents and three siblings—all of whom lived in a make-believe world of Jenna’s own creation. One could say she’s been writing fantasy fiction since she was old enough to use words. And she never outgrew it. Out of this hyperactive imagination, Jenna created the land of Todor: a world of magic, intrigue, and power plays.

Links:

http://www.facebook.com/jennanewellhiottauthor

http://www.twitter.com/jennahiott

http://www.jennanewellhiott.com

http://www.amazon.com/Jenna-Newell-Hiott/e/B00J90PD9U/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_1

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7696427.Jenna_Newell_Hiott

Stone Cold Touch Review

Stone Cold Touch (The Dark Elements #2)

By Jennifer L. Armentrout

Published October 21st, 2014 by Harlequin Teen 

446 pages

5 stars - AMAZING!!!

Every touch has its price

Layla Shaw is trying to pick up the pieces of her shattered life—no easy task for a seventeen-year-old who’s pretty sure things can’t get worse. Her impossibly gorgeous best friend, Zayne, is forever off-limits thanks to the mysterious powers of her soul-stealing kiss. The Warden clan that has always protected her is suddenly keeping dangerous secrets. And she can barely think about Roth, the wickedly hot demon prince who understood her in ways no one else could.

But sometimes rock bottom is only the beginning. Because suddenly Layla’s powers begin to evolve, and she’s offered a tantalizing taste of what has always been forbidden. Then, when she least expects it, Roth returns, bringing news that could change her world forever. She’s finally getting what she always wanted, but with hell literally breaking loose and the body count adding up, the price may be higher than Layla is willing to pay…

Review:

I cannot tell you how long I have been waiting to read this book and now I am finished with it! Ahh! Jennifer L. Armentrout is definitely one of my all time favorite authors because I have been loving everything that she writes. This book is no exception and I am longing for the next book because I HAVE to know the outcome. 

I'm pretty sure that I'm just going to start rambling and not making sense because I have so much to say about this book. But at the same time I don't want to spoil anything for anyone. I will tell you that I had so many feels throughout this book and especially near the end. Layla is always an awesome character to read things through. We get to learn a little more about Zayne and we get to see the relationship between him and Layla progress. At the same time we get to see Roth again! I was very excited about this. :) But Layla is torn between Zayne and Roth and I have to say that I was too for a little. I think I know who I'm rooting for now though...;) 

There is a ton going on in this book. There are revelations that are made and secrets that are shared. There were also some situations that made me pretty upset for Layla but I won't go into detail. ;). The end is a definite cliff hanger for a few reasons and I'll let you know that I also cried a few times throughout the book. There are moments that touch your heart and then there are humorous moments as well. Stone Cold Touch is a great sequel and I cannot wait for the next book because I need more Layla, Roth, and Zayne! I know that I really didn't say too much but I think you'll want to find out all the juicy details on your own. If you haven't read this one yet, then go and pick it up! 

Vanessa

Favorites of 2014 - Part 1 (Books for Review)

Hello Everyone! It is getting closer to Christmas and I'm super excited. I know that I'll be getting a few books for Christmas! :) I had been thinking about doing a top ten of the year type post but I have way too many favorite books this year. 2014 was definitely a great year for reading so I decided to split up my favorites of the year. This first part has to do with my favorite books that were sent to me for review this year. Have you read any of them? Check them out if you haven't!

John Dreamer (John Dreamer #1)

By Elise Celine

Published February 12th, 2014 by AuthorBuzz

203 pages

Kindle Edition 

Andy wasn’t usually sure about much, but she was absolutely certain this was the weirdest day of her life as she stood stranded in the middle of a great white room with six strangers. Well, they were mostly strangers. She could have sworn she’d seen the guy with the green eyes before, and maybe that was why he kept staring at her. 

When a man calling himself the Guardian appeared and said they had come to make their deepest dreams come true, they embark on an adventure none of them ever imagined, and the consequences of their actions would change them forever.

"John Dreamer" is the first in a series of books set in the confines of the Great White Room.

Here is my 5 star review - John Dreamer Review



Kitty Hawk Flying Detective Agency Series (1-4)
By Iain Reading 




Kitty Hawk and The Curse of the Yukon Gold Synopsis:

Kitty Hawk and the Curse of the Yukon Gold is the thrilling first installment in a new series of adventure mystery stories that are one part travel, one part history and five parts adventure. This first book of the Kitty Hawk Flying Detective Agency Series introduces Kitty Hawk, an intrepid teenage pilot with her own De Havilland Beaver seaplane and a nose for mystery and intrigue. A cross between Amelia Earhart, Nancy Drew and Pippi Longstocking, Kitty is a quirky young heroine with boundless curiosity and a knack for getting herself into all kinds of precarious situations.

After leaving her home in the western Canadian fishing village of Tofino to spend the summer in Alaska studying humpback whales Kitty finds herself caught up in an unforgettable adventure involving stolen gold, devious criminals, ghostly shipwrecks, and bone-chilling curses. Kitty's adventure begins with the lingering mystery of a sunken ship called the Clara Nevada and as the plot continues to unfold this spirited story will have armchair explorers and amateur detectives alike anxiously following every twist and turn as they are swept along through the history of the Klondike Gold Rush to a suspenseful final climatic chase across the rugged terrain of Canada's Yukon, the harsh land made famous in the stories and poems of such writers as Jack London, Robert Service and Pierre Berton. It is a riveting tale that brings to glorious life the landscape and history of Alaska's inside passage and Canada's Yukon, as Kitty is caught up in an epic mystery set against the backdrop of the scenery of the Klondike Gold Rush.

Kitty Hawk and the Curse of the Yukon Gold is a perfect book to fire the imagination of readers of all ages. Filled with fascinating and highly Google-able locations and history this book will inspire anyone to learn and experience more for themselves as Kitty prepares for her next adventure - flying around the world!

My Review for Kitty Hawk #1 
My Review for Kitty Hawk #2  
My Review for Kitty Hawk #3 -
My Review for Kitty Hawk #4 

This is a series that is great for readers of all ages! I was asked to read the first book at the beginning of this year and not too long ago I finished the fourth book. I have definitely enjoyed reading these books and have learned quite a bit while doing so. The great this is that I have enjoyed learning a ton of facts! Iain Reading does a wonderful job at creating interesting and exciting stories that teach at the same time. And Kitty Hawk is an awesome female lead that has quite a few awesome adventures. If you haven't heard about these books yet, then check them out soon!


That wraps up my favorite books for review of 2014! Check them out soon!

Vanessa

Maybe Someday Review

Maybe Someday (Maybe #1)

By Colleen Hoover

Published March 18th, 2014 by Atria Books

367 pages

5 stars - AMAZING!! 

From #1 New York Times bestselling author Colleen Hoover, a passionate tale of friendship, betrayal, and romance.

At twenty-two years old, Sydney has a great life: She's in college, working a steady job, in love with her wonderful boyfriend, Hunter, and rooming with her best friend, Tori. But everything changes when she discovers Hunter's cheating on her--and she is left trying to decide what to do next.

Sydney becomes captivated by Ridge, her mysterious neighbor. She can't take her eyes off him or stop listening to the passionate way he plays his guitar every evening out on his balcony. And there's something about Sydney that Ridge can't ignore, either. When their inevitable encounter happens, they soon find themselves needing each other in more ways than one...

Original music created for Maybe Someday by musician Griffin Peterson can be accessed through the website listed in the ebook and paperback.

Review:

I'm slowly making my way through Colleen Hoover's books and I'm absolutely enjoying them! I definitely think that this is one of my favorites though. There were so many emotions that I felt throughout this book and there were quite a few times that I cried like a baby (which is a good thing). 

I really enjoyed Sydney's character and reading through her perspective. She's a talented song writer and a good person. She makes some mistakes but she's a realistic character and a great friend. I felt for her during most of the book and I loved that the reader gets to see her grow. Ridge was an awesome guy and I fell in love with him almost immediately! He makes a few mistakes as well and while he is awesome, he isn't perfect. And the fact that both Sydney and Ridge were realistic was great. Ridge is also an extremely talented musician and I wish I could tell you more about it but I don't think it is something that one should know before going into the book. And since I don't want to spoil anything I can't go into much detail about the whole relationship between Ridge and Sydney.I can tell you that it is completely amazing and unique though. I loved watching them interact and seeing their relationship grow. There is a love triangle but it is not an ordinary one at all. I won't say who is in the triangle but it definitely plays a major part in the book. It wasn't annoying either. It added to the emotions that the characters felt and that I felt with them. And that's another thing! There were quite a few characters in this book that I really loved. They each had something good about them and I'd love to know more.

All I can say is that Maybe Someday is a must read! If you have read Colleen Hoover's other books, then you HAVE to read this one. If you haven't read anything by her, then definitely start with this one. There is so much that goes on this book and the characters grow so much by the end. I was completely enthralled by this book and I could not put it down! Plus it is dual perspective so you can read through Sydney's eyes and through Ridge's! I highly recommend this book and I cannot wait to be able to read more of Colleen's work. Check it out now!

 Vanessa

My Christmas Wishlist #1

2014 Christmas Wishlist 

Happy Holidays Everybody! I hope everyone has been having a great month. Today I have a few books that I am hoping to receive under the tree! This is a part of my Christmas Wishlist in no particular order. What books are you wishing for this month? 




The Retribution of Mara Dyer (Mara Dyer #3)
By Michelle Hodkin 
Published November 4th, 2014 
Published by Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers

Mara Dyer wants to believe there's more to the lies she’s been told.

There is.

She doesn’t stop to think about where her quest for the truth might lead.
She should.

She never had to imagine how far she would go for vengeance.
She will now.

Loyalties are betrayed, guilt and innocence tangle, and fate and chance collide in this shocking conclusion to Mara Dyer’s story.

Retribution has arrived.

It is absolutely killing me that I don't have this beautiful book in my hands right now! These books are amazing because there is suspense, mystery, romance, and much more! (By much more I mean Noah Shaw ;)) If you have not read the first two books in this trilogy, then you have not lived! Pick up all 3 for Christmas or just because!

Stone Cold Touch (The Dark Elements #2)
By Jennifer L. Armentrout 
Published October 21st, 2014 by Harlequin Teen


Every touch has its price

Layla Shaw is trying to pick up the pieces of her shattered life—no easy task for a seventeen-year-old who’s pretty sure things can’t get worse. Her impossibly gorgeous best friend, Zayne, is forever off-limits thanks to the mysterious powers of her soul-stealing kiss. The Warden clan that has always protected her is suddenly keeping dangerous secrets. And she can barely think about Roth, the wickedly hot demon prince who understood her in ways no one else could.

But sometimes rock bottom is only the beginning. Because suddenly Layla’s powers begin to evolve, and she’s offered a tantalizing taste of what has always been forbidden. Then, when she least expects it, Roth returns, bringing news that could change her world forever. She’s finally getting what she always wanted, but with hell literally breaking loose and the body count adding up, the price may be higher than Layla is willing to pay…

I cannot wait to get this book! I loved White Hot Kiss and fell is love with Layla and Roth. If you haven't read the first book yet, then I recommend picking it up. Jennifer L. Armentrout is an awesome-sauce author and I always enjoy her books so check out the rest of them as well! 


The Iron Trial (Magisterium #1)
By Holly Black and Cassandra Clare
Published September 9th, 2014 by Scholastic Press

Most kids would do anything to pass the Iron Trial.

Not Callum Hunt. He wants to fail.

All his life, Call has been warned by his father to stay away from magic. If he succeeds at the Iron Trial and is admitted into the Magisterium, he is sure it can only mean bad things for him.

So he tries his best to do his worst - and fails at failing.

Now the Magisterium awaits him. It's a place that's both sensational and sinister, with dark ties to his past and a twisty path to his future.

The Iron Trial is just the beginning, for the biggest test is still to come . . .



I have always enjoyed reading books by Holly Black and Cassandra Clare so I definitely need this book soon! I don't really read middle grade but it is Holly Black and Cassandra Clare so why not? Plus it sounds pretty interesting. :) 


So these are a few books that are on my Christmas List. What are you wanting for Christmas?

Vanessa

Book Spotlight: The Paragraph Ranch

Hello Everyone! Today's book spotlight is The Paragraph Ranch by Kay Ellington and Barbara Brannon and is hosted by Sage's Blog Tours. Sounds pretty interesting so be sure to check it out!

The Paragraph Ranch
By Kay Ellington and Barbara Brannon

Genre: Contemporary fiction

Description 

Every writer knows you can’t go home again. But that’s just what is required of West Texas expatriate Dee Bennett-Kaufmann when her mother is badly injured in a mysterious car accident.

Single-again “Dr. Dee” has never been on the "A-team" in her trendy East Coast MFA program. When a prestigious summer fellowship gives her the chance to finally finish her book, salvage her career, and spend some quality time with her college-age daughter, Dee’s certain her luck is about to change. Returning to care for her irascible, widowed mother threatens all of that.

With so much at stake, Dee engineers a series of unorthodox strategies and creative tradeoffs to keep her options in play—and despite herself finds friendship, love, and the power of words in the unlikeliest of places.

Author Bios

Kay Ellington, a native West Texan, has worked in newspapers from New York to California to the Carolinas—and back again to Texas.

Barbara Brannon formerly led the Publishing Laboratory at the University of North Carolina Wilmington, but got to Texas as soon as she could.

Website - www.ParagraphRanch.com

Facebook -  www.facebook.com/TheParagraphRanch

                     www.facebook.com/ParagraphRanch refers to the writers’ retreat

  Twitter - @ParagraphRanch    

www.twitter.com/ParagraphRanch

Amazon -  www.amazon.com/Paragraph-Ranch-Book-ebook/dp/B00N6UFXR6/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1410882991&sr=8-1&keywords=paragraph+ranch

Goodreads - www.goodreads.com/book/show/23198108-the-paragraph-ranch