"Waiting On" Wednesday: Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea & Born of Illusion

"Waiting On" Wednesday (WoW) 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...

I have two books this week. I can't get either one out of my head and I want to read both of them so bad! I even have some cool ideas of what to do when I review them for giveaways or just for fun! Plus both covers are gorgeous. I am on a kick of black and white and red. So here they are:

Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea

(Between, #1)

by April Genevieve Tucholke

Expected Publication Date: August 15, 2013
Published by Dial

You stop fearing the devil when you’re holding his hand…

Nothing much exciting rolls through Violet White’s sleepy, seaside town…until River West comes along. River rents the guesthouse behind Violet’s crumbling estate, and as eerie, grim things start to happen, Violet begins to wonder about the boy living in her backyard. Is River just a crooked-smiling liar with pretty eyes and a mysterious past? Or could he be something more? Violet’s grandmother always warned her about the Devil, but she never said he could be a dark-haired boy who takes naps in the sun, who likes coffee, who kisses you in a cemetery...who makes you want to kiss back. Violet’s already so knee-deep in love, she can’t see straight. And that’s just how River likes it.

Blending faded decadence and the thrilling dread of gothic horror, April Genevieve Tucholke weaves a dreamy, twisting contemporary romance, as gorgeously told as it is terrifying—a debut to watch.

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Born of Illusion

by Teri Brown

Expected Publication Date: June 11, 2013
Published by Balzer & Bray

Anna Van Housen is thirteen the first time she breaks her mother out of jail. By sixteen she’s street smart and savvy, assisting her mother, the renowned medium Marguerite Van Housen, in her stage show and séances, and easily navigating the underground world of magicians, mediums and mentalists in 1920’s New York City. Handcuffs and sleight of hand illusions have never been much of a challenge for Anna. The real trick is keeping her true gifts secret from her opportunistic mother, who will stop at nothing to gain her ambition of becoming the most famous medium who ever lived.

But when a strange, serious young man moves into the flat downstairs, introducing her to a secret society that studies people with gifts like hers, he threatens to reveal the secrets Anna has fought so hard to keep, forcing her to face the truth about her past. Could the stories her mother has told her really be true? Could she really be the illegitimate daughter of the greatest magician of all?

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I think that both of these books look amazing! The covers are striking and mysterious and their descriptions leave me wanting more.

Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea sounds like the perfect blend of horror and romance with a twist. I love Gothic horror; they bring a feeling that other books can't quite touch. Throw in a supernatural element - such as the Devil - and you have something truly terrifying and enticing.

Born of Illusion has some of my most favorite elements: magic, the age of spiritualism, the roaring 20s, secret societies, and a mystery. What is there not to like? Although very different, just reading the synopsis for Born of Illusion evokes the feelings I had while reading The Night Circus, which is one of my favorite books of all time.

I could go on and on as to why I want to read these books, but I will leave my read thoughts for my reviews when I get my hands on them.

What to you think? Do either of these books sound good to you? Will you be adding them to your TBR list?

Focus by Alyssa Rose Ivy Blog Tour: Review & Giveaway!

Focus
(The Crescent Chronicles, #2)
by Alyssa Rose Ivy
Release Date: January 23, 2013
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Age Range: New Adult - Mature YA

Book Blurb:Freshman year of college is hard even when you're not tied to the future king of a supernatural society.
Allie dives into college head first with Hailey as her roommate and the city of New Orleans as her backyard. As things within The Society heat up, Allie realizes that whether she’s with Levi or not, she's in far too deep to turn back.

***Warning - If you have not read the first book in the series, Flight, then you should not read this review as it has some major spoilers from book one!!***

Find my review of the first book Flight here.

After reading Flight and being completely stunned by the ending I could not wait to read Focus. Once again, I was thrust into the world that Ms. Ivy has woven with Levi and Allie at the center of it. Last we heard, Allie said something to Levi that was simply outrageous and untrue. I was really angry with her for acting like a brat. Yes, I know she was tricked into being Levi's mate, but he loves her and though that doesn't make up for what he did, she needs to get over it! Levi is arrogant, infuriating, and extremely sexy. Allie is independent and stubborn and tries to push down her feelings to make Levi pay for the deception.

Now it is a new day in Focus and Allie and Hailey are at college trying to have a normal life. Well, as normal as a Pteron princess and a small entourage could muster. All she wants is a fresh start and some space from all of the drama surrounding Levi, but Levi being who he is, just can't stay away. Actually, most of the time it is Levi doing something to try and win her back and Allie being stubborn and refusing to budge. Like I said, I get that she should be mad, but it is almost too much with her. I found myself getting really annoyed with her at times. (They reminded me of Rory and Logan in Gilmore Girls - how he would do these elaborate gestures and she would just ignore them.) But despite Levi and Allie's constant bickering, they have a chemistry between them that oozes sexuality. Especially since they kiss so much! And she does give finally let him in a little.

Since Levi couldn't actually let Allie go to school alone, he along with Owen and Jared have tagged along. I like that we get to see more of the guys and see a progression of character, especially in Jared who I disliked in Flight. Along with the Pteron males and Hailey, Allie makes some new normal friends in Tiffany and Anne. One of whom may be a love interest of Jared?? Ms. Ivy has really created dynamic characters that evolve and grow. Even her secondary characters are well written. In addition, Ms. Ivy's creativity in building the paranormal underground and secret society is fantastic. We get to learn more about Levi's role in the society and his duties as prince.

Allie whose ice is finally melting towards Levi finds out that he has been keeping another something from her - a Big something. I am not quite sure what to think about it: is he trying to ease her into things so she won't run again - or something else? From what Levi knows about Allie I think he should just be up front with her. Then we get to the ending! Total and complete twist that I never saw coming - and I usually have at least an inkling of an idea of what is to come - nope not this time! And really? Another freaking cliffhanger?? Alyssa Rose Ivy has written a sequel that is just as exciting, sensual, and action packed as the the first book Flight. Focus is amazing and I am dying to read Found!!

Scorching Hot Read! Left me completely breathless!

FTC Advisory: I was given a copy of this book from the author for an honest review as part of a blog tour. No backroom deals or whispered promises were made.

Alyssa Rose Ivy is a Young Adult and New Adult author who loves to weave stories with romance and a southern setting. Although raised in the New York area, she fell in love with the South after moving to New Orleans for college. After years as a perpetual student, she turned back to her creative side and decided to write. She lives in North Carolina with her husband and two young children, and she can usually be found with a cup of coffee in her hand.
Find her on:
Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads
Find Focus on:
Amazon - Barnes and Noble - Goodreads

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