REVIEW: Falling Under by Gwen Hayes

Description

Theia Alderson has always led a sheltered life in the small California town of Serendipity Falls. But when a devastatingly handsome boy appears in the halls of her school, Theia knows she's seen Haden before- not around town, but in her dreams.

As the Haden of both the night and the day beckons her closer one moment and pushes her away the next, the only thing Theia knows for sure is that the incredible pull she feels towards him is stronger than her fear.

And when she discovers what Haden truly is, Theia's not sure if she wants to resist him, even if the cost is her soul.

About the Author

Gwen Hayes lives in the Pacific Northwest with her real life hero and a pack of wild beasts (two of whom she gave birth to). She is a reader, writer, and lover of pop culture (which, other than yogurt, is the only culture she gets).

Details

• Paperback: 336 pages
• Publisher: NAL Trade (March 1, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0451232682
• ISBN-13: 978-0451232687

SOURCE:  AROUND THE WORLD ARC TOURS

MY THOUGHTS
LOVED IT

**slight spoilers**

I totally got wrapped up in this one.  The story about Theia and Haden is a new take on the paranormal romances that are directed at teens these days.  I am sure you can tell be the description that Theia is human and Haden is something else.  There are no faeries, werewolves or vampires to be found which is a nice change of pace.  The writing is very lyrical and captivating.  It has a slow beginning but quickly picks up after 50 pages.  I think part of the problem was with Theia and how she wasn't acting like a normal almost 16 year old girl would act.  This issue resolved itself nicely.

As Theia nears her birthday, she dreams about a boy and when she sees the boy in school she has an immediate connection to him.  Things develop and become more dreamlike even while she is awake.  Her father is pretty much absent and like a Disney story, good and evil come out to play.  There is even the wicked mother of her beloved to contend with as well!  The ending did leave me wondering if there will be another book to follow up some unanswered questions.  There are some scenes of heavy petting, mild language and alcohol use-- well, I think it was alcohol, do they have alcohol in hell?

Waiting on Wednesday: Shadowspell by Jenna Black

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

This week's pre-publication "can't-wait-to-read" selection is:

Description

On top of spending most of her time in a bunkerlike safe house and having her dates hijacked by a formidable Fae bodyguard, Faeriewalker Dana Hathaway is in for some more bad news: the Erlking and his pack of murderous minions known as the Wild Hunt have descended upon Avalon. With his homicidal appetite and immortal powers, the Erlking has long been the nightmare of the Fae realm. A fragile treaty with the Faerie Queen, sealed with a mysterious spell, is the one thing that keeps him from hunting unchecked in Avalon, the only place on Earth where humans and Fae live together. Which means Dana’s in trouble, since it’s common knowledge that the Faerie Queen wants her – and her rare Faeriewalker powers – dead. The smoldering, sexy Erlking’s got his sights set on Dana, but does he only seek to kill her, or does he have something much darker in mind?

About the Author

Jenna Black graduated from Duke University with degrees in anthropology and French.  A full time writer of paranormal romance and urban fantasy, she lives in Pittsboro, North Carolina.  Visit her online at www.jennablack.com.

Details

• Reading level: Young Adult
• Paperback: 304 pages
• Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin; Original edition (January 4, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0312575947
• ISBN-13: 978-0312575946

Yeah, I know this came out Tuesday, but I completely missed it.  I may have to resort to a gift card purchase ASAP --

BOOK TRAILER TUESDAY: Snooki's A SHORE THING

Product Description

It’s a summer to remember . . . at the Jersey Shore. Giovanna “Gia” Spumanti and her cousin Isabella “Bella” Rizzoli are going to have the sexiest summer ever. While they couldn’t be more different—pint-size Gia is a carefree, outspoken party girl and Bella is a tall, slender athlete who always holds her tongue—for the next month they’re ready to pouf up their hair, put on their stilettos, and soak up all that Seaside Heights, New Jersey, has to offer: hot guidos, cool clubs, fried Oreos, and lots of tequila.
So far, Gia’s summer is on fire. Between nearly burning down their rented bungalow, inventing the popular “tan-tags” at the Tantastic Salon where she works, and rescuing a shark on the beach, she becomes a local celebrity overnight. Luckily, she meets the perfect guy to help her keep the flames under control. Firefighter Frank Rossi is exactly her type: big, tan, and Italian. But is he tough enough to handle Gia when things really heat up?
Bella is more than ready for some fun in the sun. Finally free of her bonehead ex-boyfriend, she left home in Brooklyn with one goal in mind: hooking up with a sexy gorilla for a no-strings-attached summer fling. In no time, she lands a job leading “Beat Up the Beat” dance classes at a local gym, and is scooped up by Beemer-driving, preppy Bender Newberry. Only problem: Bella can’t get her romantic and ripped boss Tony “Trouble” Troublino out of her head. He’s relationship material. Suddenly, Bella’s not sure what she wants.
The cousins soon realize that for every friend they make on the boardwalk, there are also rivals, slummers, and frenemies who will do anything to ruin their summer—and try their relationship. Before July ends, the bonds of family and friendship will be stretched to the breaking point. Will the haters prevail, or will Gia and Bella find love at the Shore?
For everyone who loves MTV’s hit reality show, Nicole “Snooki” Polizzi’s sweet, funny, and sexy novel perfectly captures the heat, the energy, the fun, and the drama of Jersey Shore.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 304 pages
• Publisher: Gallery (January 4, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1451623747
• ISBN-13: 978-1451623741

You know you want to read this -- if only for the novelty of it all.  I don't think this one is for younger teens though. 

REVIEW: Hexbound by Chloe Neill

Description

Lily Parker is new to St Sophia's School for Girls, but she's already learned that magic can be your best friend ...or your worst enemy. So they say absolute power corrupts absolutely. But it turns out even a little bit of magic can turn you to the dark side. That's why Lily has to learn how to control her newly discovered abilities and quickly, on top of avoiding the snobs who think they run her school, nursing a crush on a cute sophomore with a big, werewolfy secret, and fighting the good fight with her best friend Scout as they take on Chicago's nastiest nightlife - including the tainted magic users known as the Reapers. All that's even before Lily's invited to a private meeting with Sebastian. He's hot, he's powerful, and he's offering to help her harness the magic flowing through her veins in a way that no one else can. He's also a Reaper. Lily can't help but be suspicious of his offer. But she also needs his help. It seems that the line between good and evil isn't quite so clear as she thought ...

About the Author

Chloe Neill was born in the south of the USA and currently resides in the US Midwest. FIRESPELL was her debut YA novel and the first in the Dark Elite series, and HEXBOUND continues the adventure!

Product Details

• Hardcover: 256 pages
• Publisher: Gollancz (January 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0575095431
• ISBN-13: 978-0575095434

SOURCE:  AROUND THE WORLD ARC TOURS

MY THOUGHTS
LOVED IT

**slight spoilers**

So, at the end of Firespell, we learn that Lily does indeed have magical powers and they are above and beyond what even she could have imagined.  She quickly learns that there are risks to having powers.  Those stakes are raised when she has a meet up with the local vampire gangs and becomes the center of what may become all out war.  The Reapers are now after her as well.

There is wonderful and witty dialogue that will have you rereading parts just to make sure you don't miss any snappy comebacks that are being flung about between Lily and Scout.  How I wish my high school was that cool.  Lily also discovers that her parents may be hiding more than they are telling her and the school administration may be in on it as well.  I can't wait for the next one!  This is pretty clean fun.  Some inter-species kissing, a few choice words and I don't remember if there is any drug or alcohol issues, so it must not be that prevalent.

Now how long before I can read the next one?

AND THE WINNER IS: A Great and Terrible Beauty by Libba Bray

JULIA -- JHolden955

An email has been sent to the lucky person named above (first part of their email address in case my note ends up in spam).  The winner  has 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen.
Thanks to all who entered.

Didn't win?  Order your copy from my Amazon link:

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year Everyone!

I didn't get much done today except watch the Rose Parade and veg.  The winner for the Libba Bray book will be posted in the morning!
Ha

REVIEW: Secrets and Shadows (13 to Life #2) by Shannon Delaney

Description

Nothing's simple when you run with werewolves. Jess Gillmansen thinks she's seen it all but her eyes are about to be opened to even more danger and a reality far more paranormal than she's suspected. With Jess' realization that the Rusakovas' mother is still alive and imprisoned, the group's choices become harder and trust more important. Lines are drawn and relationships change as the broken Rusakova family struggles to reunite to free their mother - and those who Jess thought to be normal people show themselves to be much, much more...

About the Author

Since she was a child Shannon Delany has written stories, beginning writing in earnest when her grandmother fell unexpectedly ill. In 2008 her greatly abbreviated version of 13 to Life (written in just five weeks) won the grand prize in the first-ever cell phone novel contest in the western world through Textnovel.com. Previously a teacher and now a farmer raising heritage livestock, Shannon lives and writes in Upstate New York and enjoys traveling to talk to people about most anything.

Product Details

• Reading level: Young Adult
• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin (February 15, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0312609159
• ISBN-13: 978-0312609153

SOURCE:  AROUND THE WORLD ARC TOURS

 MY THOUGHTS
LOVED IT

**slight spoilers**

The story picks right up after 13 to Life ends and answers a few questions about the cliffhanger ending.  It took me about 100 pages to really become interested in the story in this one as well since I had the same issues with the first book.  The last two-thirds of the book was a page turner.  Of course this one ends with a cliffhanger as well, so be prepared to wait another a year (fingers crossed, maybe later this year?) to read the next installment. 

Jess, Cat and Pietr are trying to work together now that they have located the Rusakova's mother.  As Jess acts as an intermediary between the CIA and the family, they find themselves still being trailed by the Mafia.  A little more light is shed on the gang's interest in the family.  Pietr and Jess are no closer to becoming attached, although Derek shows his true colors and now we are left wondering what his real story is as well.  There are lots of twists and turns in the plot.  Oh, and Sarah is getting her memory back!  There is some sexual tension, alcohol use and of course, bad words, even though Jess struggles valiantly against them.