"Waiting On" Wednesday: Chosen at Nightfall & Whispers at Moonrise

"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 book that I am eagerly anticipating is...

Chosen at Nightfall

(Shadow Falls, #5)

by C.C. Hunter
Expected Publication Date: April 2013
Published by St. Martin's Griffin

This is the fifth book in the Shadow Falls series. Book four, Whispers at Moonrise hasn't even been released yet, but I had to share the awesome cover that C.C. Hunter revealed this week on her blog. I have my ARC of Whispers at Moonrise and can't wait to share my review with all of you!

Whispers at Moonrise

(Shadow Falls, #4)

by C.C. Hunter
Expected Publication Date: October 2, 2012
Published by St. Martin's Griffin

A breathtaking new installment of the bestselling Shadow Falls series for young adults by rising star C. C. Hunter!

At a camp filled with vampires, werewolves, and fairies, Kylie Galen has always struggled to figure out what she is. Now she finally knows the truth—but she's left with more questions than answers. She doesn’t have a clue what her heritage means or how to harness her newfound powers. All she knows is that she needs to sort out her feelings for Derek, the sexy half-Fae who just confessed his love, and Lucas, her werewolf boyfriend who seems more committed to his pack than to their relationship. All the while, Kylie's dealing with a group of underground rogues who want her dead and a mysterious grandfather who makes it clear he doesn’t trust the FRU . . . or Shadow Falls. Soon Kylie will have to choose: Will she stay with the new family she’s formed at Shadow Falls, or will she leave with her grandfather and embrace her destiny?

What are you waiting on this week? Have you read any of the Shadow Falls series?

I am a proud Shadow Falls Street Team Member! 

Tell Me Something Tuesday #36

It is that time of week again! You guessed it -Tell Me Something Tuesday; a weekly meme hosted by the fabulous author of the Heven and Hell series, Cambria Hebert. If you would like to participate, visit her blog and grab next week's question and add your link. This week's question:

Is your TBR pile out of control? How do you plan to reign it in?

Dude - I cannot tell you how OTC my TBR pile is! Not only do I have books from authors who have requested an honest review, I also have ARCs from NetGalley and from Firstreads to get through and actually post them before the release date! I am booked out to the first week in November. I was sick recently and haven't been able to read as quickly as I would regularly, but I am doing much better and am back on full speed ahead, lol!

I have a strategy to get it all under control though. For the personally requested reviews I have a list of every book in order of date requested. I am just going to go down the line and get my reviews out as efficiently as I can. For my ARCs I have the release date down and I plan on getting the reviews for those out no later than two weeks before that date. I like lists. I just check off each book as I am done and go to the next.

I have tour stops that I am scheduled for, too. Those books get smooshed into the pile and I read those in the same week of the tour stop. I always have my Google calender remind me when those stops are coming up so I don't have to cram. 

And lastly, my library books. The new releases that have come out in hardcover are usually going to be loaned from the library. I want to see if I like the book before I pay full price. I love the library, but the only problem is I only have 3 weeks with each book, which would be fine under normal circumstances because I ready really fast, but when I have others to read, those go to the wayside and currently are being returned because I can't renew them and put back on my order list. 

Coffee is my BFF and I am reading every chance I get. This is a crazy time, but I love every minute of blogging/reading/reviewing. I very grateful that authors have contacted me for reviews and I can't wait to get to the next book!

How about you? Is your TBR pile out of control?

"Waiting On" Wednesday: The Gathering Dark

"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 book that I am eagerly anticipating is...

The Gathering Dark

by Christine Johnson

Expected publication Date: February 12th 2013
Published by Simon Pulse

A mysterious teen boy knows the secrets of Keira’s dangerous hallucinations in this gripping romantic fantasy from the author of Claire de Lune.

Keira’s hallucinating. First it’s a door hovering above the road; then it’s a tree in her living room. But with her parents fighting and her best friend not speaking to her, Keira can’t tell anyone about her breakdown.

Until she meets Walker. They have an electric connection, and somehow he can see the same shadowy images plaguing Keira.

But trusting Walker may be more dangerous than Keira could have ever imagined. The more she confides in him, the more intense—and frightening—her visions become. Because Walker is not what he appears to be. And neither are her visions.

******

The Gathering Dark sounds so spooky. I love the cover and am intrigued at what the story will really be about. What do the hallucinations mean? Who is Walker? I have questions and I haven't even read it yet. 

What are you waiting on this week? Does The Gathering Dark look like something you would want to read?

Tell Me Something Tuesday #35

It is that time of week again! You guessed it -Tell Me Something Tuesday; a weekly meme hosted by the fabulous author of the Heven and Hell series, Cambria Hebert. If you would like to participate, visit her blog and grab next week's question and add your link. This week's question:

Were you bullied in school? How do you think bullying has charged over the years – do you think it’s worse now than it was a few years ago?

Yes, I was bullied in school. It is not a thing I like to talk about because it is just a sucky thing, but it happened and still happens as an adult. I was called names, pointed at, been part of the rumor mill...you name it, it happened. I don't know if I was a kid now if I could hack it. The internet and social media has created a whole new medium for bullying. I had a few incidents with my eighth graders when I was teaching that had to do with bullying on MySpace.

Now pictures and evil words can be sent within seconds. I mean, look at the mom who got on her daughter's account and harassed a girl to the brink. Look at the student at Rutgers that committed suicide because he was videotaped without consent or knowledge.

I also think that the tolerance level is come to a point where people are so apathetic to it unless it either one: happens to them, or two: is posted all over the news. Which brings me to the incident with the boys on the bus and the elderly lady. Those kids were bullying her for a while and not until it got on TV did anyone do anything. I think that people need to take a stand and stop giving excuses for why they didn't step in or give the old "it is a part of growing up" spiel, because it is not.


So that is what I have to say for now on bullying. What do you think? Were you bullied?

Tell Me Something Tuesday #34

It is that time of week again! You guessed it -Tell Me Something Tuesday; a weekly meme hosted by the fabulous author of the Heven and Hell series, Cambria Hebert. If you would like to participate, visit her blog and grab next week's question and add your link. This week's question:

Do you like social media? Why or why not? What is your favorite social media to use (FB, twitter, GR, etc.)?

I didn't even know what social media was until my middle school students told me I needed to get a MySpace page. My friends has them, but I had no desire to have something else to do. Then I realized how addicting it could be. Not only could I connect to family I hadn't seen in years, I could play games! I loved Sorority Wars.

Actually, the only reason I got my Facebook page in the first place was so I could be my mom's neighbor on Farmville, lol! The gaming has fallen to the wayside and I now use FB for networking. 

Currently, I have a personal Facebook page and am working on a page for this blog. I think my MySpace page is still up, but I haven't touched it in years. I finally have a Twitter account and use it to promote my blog, authors, books, contests, etc... But I don't really keep up with Twitter like I do Facebook - it moves to quickly.

Goodreads is an interesting one. I only made an account because I could semi-organize what I have and have not read and get new ideas of what to read next. I had no idea what kind of drama that could ensue. I stay away from all of it! I am a member of a few groups, but they are uplifting, promotional groups and the second I see anything otherwise I am out. 

The Breakdown: I like the idea of social media and have benefited from the opportunities it has given me. I don't like drama in any form and try to stay away from it at all possible. 

What do you think about social media?

"Waiting On" Wednesday: The Sweetest Dark

"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 book that I am eagerly anticipating is...

The Sweetest Dark

by Shana Abé

Expected Publication Date: April 2, 2013
Published by Bantam

For fans of Lauren Kate and Libba Bray, The Sweetest Dark is filled with thrilling romance, exciting adventure, and ancient magic. Shana Abé brilliantly captures the drama of post-Victorian England, while unfolding a passionate love story that defies time.

“With every fiber of my being, I yearned to be normal. To glide through my days at Iverson without incident. But I’d have to face the fact that my life was about to unfold in a very, very different way than I’d ever envisioned. Normal would become forever out of reach.”

Lora Jones has always known that she’s different. On the outside, she appears to be an ordinary sixteen-year-old girl. Yet Lora’s been keeping a heartful of secrets: She hears songs that no one else can hear, dreams vividly of smoke and flight, and lives with a mysterious voice inside her that insists she’s far more than what she seems.

England, 1915. Raised in an orphanage in a rough corner of London, Lora quickly learns to hide her unique abilities and avoid attention. Then, much to her surprise, she is selected as the new charity student at Iverson, an elite boarding school on England’s southern coast. Iverson’s eerie, gothic castle is like nothing Lora has ever seen. And the two boys she meets there will open her eyes and forever change her destiny.

Jesse is the school’s groundskeeper—a beautiful boy who recognizes Lora for who and what she truly is. Armand is a darkly handsome and arrogant aristocrat who harbors a few closely guarded secrets of his own. Both hold the answers to her past. One is the key to her future. And both will aim to win her heart. As danger descends upon Iverson, Lora must harness the powers she’s only just begun to understand, or else lose everything she dearly loves.

Filled with lush atmosphere, thrilling romance, and ancient magic, The Sweetest Dark brilliantly captures a rich historical era while unfolding an enchanting love story that defies time.

**************

There are so many reasons that this book made it on my TBR list. I love everything about the cover - gorgeous! Magic, Boarding schools, Gothic castles, Victorian era, and romance? I am swooning now and I haven't even read the book yet!

What is your pick this week? Does The Sweetest Dark spark your interest?

Tell Me Something Tuesday #33

It is that time of week again! You guessed it -Tell Me Something Tuesday; a weekly meme hosted by the fabulous author of the Heven and Hell series, Cambria Hebert. If you would like to participate, visit her blog and grab next week's question and add your link. This week's question:

Would you rather be a giant hamster or a tiny rhino?

Would you rather always wear earmuffs or a nose plug?

Would you rather always win pie-eating contests or always win wheelbarrow races?

Sorry I am late with this post everyone. I have been crazy busy the last two days and have barely had a chance to sit down at my computer for more than five minutes. Ughh! Okay, so on the the crazy questions, lol!

Giant Hamster or Tiny Rhino? 

This is a no-brainer for me. Definitely a tiny rhino. First, they are adorable, I would save a fortune in skin care products, and I could poke anyone who I didn't like with my horn! Second, technically rhinos are bi-corns, but if I could be a mini rhino with one horn I could be a Unicorn who only have one horn as opposed to other animals who have bi-corns or more etc... And how cool would it to be a Unicorn?! Furthermore, I kinda accidentally killed my hamster when I was in grade school. I don't think I would have many other hamster friends seeing as I offed one of their own and I would always have those beady little accusatory eyes following me everywhere. Ew. No thanks.

Always wear Earmuffs or a Nose Plug? 

Earmuffs. Or if I could choose, I would want the noise cancelling Bose earphones. I would rather not hear anything seeing as I like silence anyway. Having quiet was a big reason I moved to where I live now and an even bigger reason as to why I don't have kids. I like the house quiet. It helps me think so I can write and read. I can't have too many external voices because the ones in my head are already clamoring for my attention :) Also, nose plugs would be a detriment when drinking wine. You need to smell the bouquet to get the whole experience. And I have a love affair with perfume and I couldn't go without smelling coffee, that would be horrible!

Always win Pie-Eating Contests or Always win Wheelbarrow Races? 

Okay Cambria, where in the world did this question come from? Wow, okay, I would say wheelbarrow races and this is why. One, the more I can practice moving stuff quickly will give me mad shopping skills - Black Friday shoppers beware! Two, I will gain good upper body strength and could challenge anyone to an arm wrestling contest and make grown men cry. And three, I like pie and wouldn't want to get sick of eating it, Thanksgiving would suck.

So those are my crazy answers! Tell me what would your choices be?

"Waiting On" Wednesday: Etiquette & Espionage

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Breaking the Spine that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating. This week's book that I am eagerly anticipating is...

Etiquette & Espionage

(Finishing School #1)

By Gail Carriger
Expected Publication Date: February 5, 2013
Published by Little Brown and Company

It's one thing to learn to curtsy properly. It's quite another to learn to curtsy and throw a knife at the same time. Welcome to finishing school.

Fourteen-year-old Sophronia is the bane of her mother's existence. Sophronia is more interested in dismantling clocks and climbing trees than proper etiquette at tea--and god forbid anyone see her atrocious curtsy. Mrs. Temminnick is desperate for her daughter to become a proper lady. She enrolls Sophronia in Mademoiselle Geraldine's Finishing Academy for Young Ladies of Quality.

But little do Sophronia or her mother know that this is a school where ingenious young girls learn to finish, all right--but it's a different kind of finishing. Mademoiselle Geraldine's certainly trains young ladies in the finer arts of dance, dress, and etiquette, but also in the other kinds of finishing: the fine arts of death, diversion, deceit, espionage, and the modern weaponries. Sophronia and her friends are going to have a rousing first year at school.

First in a four book YA series set 25 years before the Parasol Protectorate but in the same universe.


I have yet to read the Parasol-Protectorate books, but I have the first one. Since this isn't coming out until next winter I will probably be able to read all of them and be ready to read this series. I am getting more and more into the Steampunk genre and this book is YA and Steampunk. Plus, I love the Victorian era - tea parties and parasols and girls going against the grain. I can't wait!


What are you waiting on this week?