Review: Saving You Saving Me by Kailin Gow
Title: Saving You Saving Me (You & Me Trilogy)
Author: Kailin Gow
Publisher: EDGEbooks.com
Release: April 16, 2012
Length: 290 pages
Recommend: Jennifer says, “I was smitten with this story after reading it all the way through and was compelled to read it a second time.”
ARC (Advanced Reader’s Copy) was provided by the author for an honest review.
18 year old high school senior and aspiring psychologist Samantha Sullivan (Sam) never thought she would fall for the one mysterious guy she has been speaking to over the phone for months, the boy the counselors called Daggers. She wasn’t supposed to talk to him outside of their sessions. But as she began to peel the layers of Daggers and learn who he is, the one boy she is supposed to be saving, might just be the one who is saving her.
Review by Jennifer
Let me start off by saying that I am a Kailin Gow fan girl. I have read her Frost series, Wolf Fey series, and Desire series. All of them were YA fantasy which brings me to this offering. In Saving You Saving Me Kailin has veered from YA fantasy and has written a fictional book with some very realistic issues. I was smitten with this story after reading it all the way through and was compelled to read it a second time.
The characters that Kailin wrote were perfect in the sense that through their interactions I was mesmerized with the story. It is through Sam that we learn about Collins and the relationship they have. Both characters are flawed. Although Sam hides behind a self made perfect life Collins is hiding behind his self made persona. One of the things that went through my mind as I was reading this story was that the characters were somewhat reminiscent of Fifty and Ana from Fifty Shades of Gray. I found myself comparing the characters. There was the flawed but loveable male character and the female character that falls for him and wants to save him. There were the inner personas of the female lead character. The inner goddess or in this case the id and ego Lola/Susan. The lead male characters were both insanely rich and liked to deal with relationships with contracts. However, that is where the similarities stopped.
One of the things I always like about Kailin Gow is her story telling. She has a way of writing that captivates me and time ceases to exist. I get so caught up in her stories. This book was no exception. I read through it quickly the first time but didn’t want it to end so I read it again. I liked the fact that the characters were flawed because that is what drew me in. Sam volunteers at a Crisis Call Center where people can call in to talk about their issues. I like the way different issues from teen pregnancy to peer pressure, bullying to abuse, self image to drinking were all interspersed within the confines of Sam’s job. This story has Sam and Collins trying to build a relationship but there are things that each of them are hiding. As those hidden things start to come into the light the story becomes more real. Is love enough? Are the issues too big to overcome? I was left with these questions burning in my mind. I cared about the characters and what was going to happen next for them. Kailin did a wonderful job of making it all seem real.
There are so many layers to this story. It is not a simple boy meets girl, boy and girl fall in love type story. The two main characters deal with some real issues. Even the characters that seem to have it all together have something that they have dealt with. This book puts it all into perspective. You really can’t judge others based on what you see. To really know someone you have to peel away the layers just like Sam tries to do. I was impressed with Saving You Saving Me. I don’t know if I could be more of a fan girl but I just might be.
Tour: When I’m Not Writing with Shannon Greenland, Author of The Summer My Life Began
We would like to thank Shannon Greenland for stopping by the blog today. Julie loved The Summer My Life Began
When I’m Not Writing
When I’m not writing I’m either working out, teaching math, trying to get caught up on all the latest shows sitting in my DVR, or planning my next adventure. Oh, yeah, I can’t forget playing with my dog!
So what am I writing right now? Another YA (but top secret or my agent will kill me). As far as working out I’m training for a team event running from Gettysburg to D.C. I signed up with a friend and the event benefits charity.
In math I’m teaching probability to my 7th graders and 3 dimensional objects to my 8th graders. Today I had my 8th graders put together prisms and I have them hanging all over my classroom. Let’s hope they don’t set off the motion detector tonight!
On my DVR I’ll watch Mad Men and Dancing With The Stars. Can anyone say crush on Max? In my dreams I’ll dance with him some day <sigh>.
I’m about to embark on a 10 day trip to Florida. I can’t wait! I’ll see family, do Animal Kingdom in Orlando, and see a Cirque de Soleil show.
And my dog? I love him to death. He just turned 12 and lost 5 of his teeth over the past year. Guess that means he can’t bite anybody now!
Thank you Shannon! Looking forward to everyone being able to pick up a copy of The Summer My Life Began
Waiting On Wednesday ~ Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Mass
This is a weekly meme hosted by Breaking the Spine highlighting books we are waiting to release/read.
Title: Throne of Glass
Author: Sarah J. Maas
Release: August 7, 2012
Publisher: Bloomsbury USA Children’s
After serving out a year of hard labor in the salt mines of Endovier for her crimes, 18-year-old assassin Celaena Sardothien is dragged before the Crown Prince. Prince Dorian offers her her freedom on one condition: she must act as his champion in a competition to find a new royal assassin.
Her opponents are men—thieves and assassins and warriors from across the empire, each sponsored by a member of the kings council. If she beats her opponents in a series of eliminations, she’ll serve the kingdom for three years and then be granted her freedom.
Celaena finds her training sessions with the captain of the guard, Westfall, challenging and exhilirating. But she’s bored stiff by court life. Things get a little more interesting when the prince starts to show interest in her… but it’s the gruff Captain Westfall who seems to understand her best.
Then one of the other contestants turns up dead… quickly followed by another. Can Celaena figure out who the killer is before she becomes a victim? As the young assassin investigates, her search leads her to discover a greater destiny than she could possibly have imagined.
What book are you waiting on?
Cover Reveal: The Jelly Bean Crisis by Jolene Stockman
We are excited to show you the cover for the debut YA contemporary/fiction, The Jelly Bean Crisis, by Jolene Stockman. The book is set to release August 1, 2012. The cover was designed by Phatpuppy Art (LOVE their covers!)
When Poppy Johnson throws away a full scholarship to Columbia, she can only blame the jelly beans. The yucky green ones? Midnight cram sessions and Saturday’s spent studying. The delicious red? The family legacy: Columbia, and a future in finance. Except now it’s starting to look like Poppy’s jelly bean theory is wrong. School has been her life until, but maybe it’s time to start living now.
Poppy has thirty days to try a new life. No school, no studying. Just jumping into every possible world. Thirty days to find her passion, her path, and maybe even love. The Jelly Bean Crisis is officially on.
What do YOU think?
**AToMR Tours is organizing a book blog tour for this title that will run August 6-11. Review blogs that fit the age group and genre interested in participating in the tour may sign-up here.
Where to find the author:
Website: www.jolenestockman.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/JoleneStockmanAuthor
Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/JoleneStockman
Tour: Excerpt from Clockwise by Elle Strauss and Grand Prize Giveaway
We are excited to bring this excerpt from Clockwise
*CLOCKWISE (book one in the Clockwise series)
To see the whole tour schedule with reviews, posts, and other giveaways, click here.
Casey Donovan has issues: hair, height and uncontrollable trips to the 19th century! And now this –she’s accidentally taken Nate Mackenzie, the cutest boy in the school, back in time. Awkward.
Protocol pressures her to tell their 1860 hosts that he is her brother and when Casey finds she has a handsome, wealthy (and unwanted) suitor, something changes in Nate. Are those romantic sparks or is it just “brotherly” protectiveness?
When they return to the present, things go back to the way they were before: Casey parked on the bottom of the rung of the social ladder and Nate perched high on the very the top. Except this time her heart is broken. Plus, her best friend is mad, her parents are split up, and her younger brother gets escorted home by the police. The only thing that could make life worse is if, by some strange twist of fate, she took Nate back to the past again.
Which of course, she does. ~ Goodreads
Excerpt: Casey and Nate dancing in the 19th Century
Yikes! Just then Nate cut in. “Do you mind if I take a turn with my sister?”
Take a turn? He was picking up nineteenth century lingo.
“Certainly.” Robert barely concealed his annoyance, but graciously offered to partner with Sara.
“Thank you,” I said, once I was in Nate’s arms.
“You looked uncomfortable.”
“Indeed.” I smiled up at him.
“Indeed.” He smiled back. “You know, you surprise me, Casey.”
“What do you mean?”
“You’re nothing like I thought you were, back at school.”
“Which was?”
“I don’t know, quiet, boring, uninspired.”
Quiet, I could deal with. Boring? Uninspired? That stung.
“And now?” I said, very interested in his answer.
“Obviously, the opposite.” The corners of his mouth lifted slightly. My belly filled with happiness.
“You’re not a bad dancer,” I said after a comfortable pause.
“Isn’t this how it all started?”
“What do you mean?”
“With a dance. How we ended up here. Together.”
Oh. “We will get back, Nate. I don’t know why it’s taking so long, but we will get back.”
Confession: Nate was intoxicating. Being this close to him, his hand in mine, well, my knees quivered. And the way he looked at me?
“Robert and Sara are watching us.” I pointed out. “Remember, we’re brother and sister.”
Something had changed between us. Our chemistry was sparking, and I could tell he felt it too. I should have been ecstatic but I knew that nothing could ever happen between us here, because, for one, if word got out that we weren’t siblings we’d be in big trouble (we’re sharing a cabin!). Also, I was certain that when we got home everything would return to the way it was before. I’d go back to hanging out with Lucinda, and he’d go back to his football buddies and Jessica. And I couldn’t forget the reason Nate was here with me in the first place.
GIVEAWAY
One winner will get ebook copies of CLOCKWISE (book one in the Clockwise series)
You can see a Goodreads description of each book on the tour schedule here.
To Enter:
(Open Internationally)
1) Fill out the form
Ends May 4, 2012
Tour: The Other Life by Susanne Winnacker ~ Character Book Picks
We are pleased to have Susanne Winnacker on the blog today! Just a heads up the new release date for The Weepers: The Other Life
Today I’m going to post about the books my characters would love if they had the time for reading!
In The Weepers: The Other Life
I think Joshua would prefer non-fiction books if he had time to read and could choose from today’s books. Maybe Steve Jobs’ biography. Or books about sports and their stars. If he had to pick a novel, I think it wouldn’t be fantasy or science-fiction. Thrillers probably. Something with lots of action. Stieg Larsson’s trilogy might keep his interest.
Sherry on the other hand would love to be swept away by a book. I don’t think she’d pick up something very dark. Something with humor like Hex Hall or The Liar Society or Paranormalcy. And maybe a book with a strong focus on romance like Unearthly or Perfect Chemisty.
Thanks for having me on your blog, Julie!
Cover Reveal: Alpha Moon (novella to Caged Moon) by Rachel Deagan
YA novella from the male character’s POV in Caged Moon
Release: June 17, 2012
Tormented by a repressed past, Liam is faced with the responsibility of raising, and taking care of a pack of younger, obnoxious ‘pups’. He’d do anything for them; guilt from prior mistakes, driving him to protect them at any cost. Until a strange human girl, bearing the scent of a wolf, throws his world into chaos. Instinct says she’s his mate. Logic says she’s a danger to the pack. Curiosity can’t keep him away.
Revisit the YA Paranormal Romance, Caged Moon, through an all new perspective.
Julie: I like the cover for a novella. I seem to be into the black and white thing lately. Wearing the tank top makes him look all bad and rebel-ish.
What do YOU think?
Review: Griffin’s Fire (Book 2: Fire) by Darby Karchute
Title: Griffin’s Fire
Author: Darby Karchut
Publisher: Twilight Times Books
Release: April 15, 2012
Length: 200 pages
Recommend: Leisha says, “Griffin’s Fire is an exciting and somewhat tragic read that I absolutely could NOT put down.”
For centuries, there have been rumors about a lowly caste of supernatural beings known as the Terrae Angeli. Armed with the power to control Earth, Fire, Wind and Water, these warriors and their apprentices clandestinely serve as guardians for humans in danger.
Forced to become mortal, ex-teen angel Griffin has been banished from the Terrae Angeli. Struggling to adjust, he enrolls in the heaven-and-hell known as high school. In spite of his friends’ support, Centennial High proves to be a battleground, complete with a malicious math teacher.
And to make matters worse, his Mentor, Basil, has been ordered to take on a new apprentice, the gifted and egotistical seventeen-year-old Sergei, whose covert attacks make Griffin’s home life as bleak as a Siberian winter.
Caught between school, Sergei, and a desperate secret, Griffin is certain of one thing: the only way to fight a Cold War is with Fire.
Review by Leisha
At the end of 2011, my bloggy boss (Julie inserts self and busts out laughing) asked me to put together a list of the best reads of the year. On that list was Darby Karchut’s Griffin Rising, and this year, book two in the on-going series will make the list! Griffin’s Fire is an exciting and somewhat tragic read that I absolutely could NOT put down.
Griffin’s Fire opens with a very angry and depressed Griffin, who has had his angelic powers stripped and is now facing life as a mere mortal. Sadly enough, this is not the only trial Griffin is facing. He’s also challenged with high school and algebra, a new Tiro Sergei moving into the house, and a girlfriend who is absolutely stoked about Griffin’s new mortal status. Too bad Griffin isn’t as stoked. (HA – stoked, fire!)
A delightful and extremely patient Basil tries his hardest to help Griffin adjust to his new reality, but the road is long and arduous, and Griffin is quite resistant to change. Griffin does his best to fit in at school, but trouble seems to follow the poor kid, and incident after incident (and detentions) piles up. The hits just keep on coming at home, too: Sergei is an arrogant butthole, and Griffin is forced to sit on the side lines while Basil and the butthole go out on mission after mission. For Griffin, the future is little more than a bleak existence, with his only hope coming from his intense desire to somehow, someway, and despite all the odds, earn back his angelic abilities.
The greatest strength of this book is its characters! Karchut literally had me sighing at each of the incidents in which Griffin found himself involved, hating the new Tiro and Nicopolis (oh yes, he’s back!), wanting to thump Basil on the head for not paying enough attention to Griffin, and wanting to slap Katie for being selfish, even if it is only in her diary. Additionally, the key moment in the book when everything changes for everyone had me obnoxiously cheering out loud, and I’m not ashamed to admit it. Karchut has a knack for creating substantial characters in whom the reader can become absolutely invested. When you place these kinds of characters into a roller coaster plot, everything just gets better. Karchut has done just that. The plot line for this book is a fast-paced roller coaster ride and believe me, you will gladly strap yourself in and hold on for the ride. It’s OK if you squeal a little as well; roller coasters have been known to cause such behavior.
The bottom line: book one of this series was so good that I was afraid book two would not be able to live up to the high standards set by book one. (Do I really need to make an Alanis Morissette “Jagged Little Pill” reference here?) I needn’t have worried, as I am beyond impressed with book two! Karchut delivers once again with a smooth, exhilarating, and wild ride that has the reader hooked from the beginning. The plot, the characters, the writing, the pace, everything about this book is top notch. Overall, the series is perfectly appropriate for young adult readers, but I would encourage adult readers not to overlook this series because of its young adult classification. I highly recommend this book and its predecessor to anyone looking for, quite simply, a fantastic read.
Next up in the series is Griffin’s Storm: Book 3: Water. Can’t. Wait.
Review: Silence by Michelle Sagara & Giveaway
Title: Silence
Author: Michelle Sagara (West)
Publisher: DAW Books, Inc (distributed by Penguin)
Release: May 1, 2012
Length: 256 pages
Review copy received by publisher for an honest review.
Recommend: Julie says, “ The plot has great potential and I can honestly say this is a new take on Necromancers than I’ve not encountered before.”
“It began in the graveyard. Ever since her boyfriend Nathan died in a tragic accident Emma had been coming to the graveyard at night. During the day she went through the motions at her prep school, in class, with her friends, but that’s all it was. But tonight was different. Tonight Emma and her dog were not alone in the cemetery. There were two others there—Eric, who had just started at her school, and an ancient woman who looked as though she were made of rags. And when they saw Emma there, the old woman reached out to her with a grip as chilling as death….” ~ Goodreads
Review by Julie
*Love the cover! All the elements on it actually have a place in the book. Well, except the dress. No idea where that came from but it sure is pretty.
I enjoyed this book. I really did. The plot has great potential and I can honestly say this is a new take on Necromancers that I’ve not encountered before. I was hooked all the way until a little over half way through.
The beginning chapters are just enough creepy and intriguing to make you want to keep reading. Emma is a great leading lady even though she bull dozes ahead when caution really is prudent. I personally think she was way too calm about some things and seem to take some pretty big revelations about herself in stride. She would push for understanding, when no one would provide it, she seemed to accept that without much of an argument. I thought that odd. As a character as a whole, I liked Emma and her heart. Eric is a great leading guy. He’s mysterious yet kind and gives Emma the benefit of the doubt where others wouldn’t see past what she is. I’m not sure if there are makings for a budding romance between these two in the future, but there is heavy alluding to significant others of the past still holding too much of their attention and emotions for now.
Emma’s friends are fiercely protective (great quality) but I have the same issue with them of just taking things in stride. I really wanted to see some freaking out and denial going on by someone. I guess I fit that bill. Eric’s friend Chase is a nice comedic addition that gives him and Emma someone to verbally spar with. I liked that aspect and got a few chuckles from these guys. I also liked Michael, a high functioning autistic friend of Emma’s that added a nice element of truth to the situation.
I do have some concerns. Emma’s mom is not that present. This story does take place within one week, but still. Something pretty big happens in the presence of Emma’s mom and although she freaks out appropriately at the time, the complete non discussion or her mom trying to find out the whys behind it are blaringly missing for me. Half way through the book I started to feel like scenes would disjoint out of nowhere. I had a hard time following what the author was trying to make me visualize or follow. Sometimes I wasn’t sure who was saying what and pieced it together by context even though I may have been wrong. The end is rushed for me compared to the nice casual and natural flow of the first half. The ending comes across a bit cliche but again, I was already a bit out of sorts about final scenes. Others may be just fine with it. I personally am in love with the first half of the book though.
My overall impression is this is a good book for those who like necromancy, a new twist to it, and good vs evil. Even with my issues, I’d still say give this one a try. Even though the last half of the book falls flat for me, I have hopes for the story line as a whole and will be reading book 2.
GIVEAWAY
I’m giving away my hardback copy of Silence to one of my blog followers!
(US/Canada Only)
To Enter
1) Fill out the form
Review & Giveaway: The Immortal Rules by Julie Kagawa
Title:The Immortal Rules (Blood of Eden)
Author: Julie Kagawa
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Release: April 24, 2012
Length: 504 pages
Recommend: Julie says, “I predict this will be a best-selling series!”
In a future world, Vampires reign. Humans are blood cattle. And one girl will search for the key to save humanity.
Allison Sekemoto survives in the Fringe, the outermost circle of a vampire city. By day, she and her crew scavenge for food. By night, any one of them could be eaten.
Some days, all that drives Allie is her hatred of them. The vampires who keep humans as blood cattle. Until the night Allie herself is attacked—and given the ultimate choice. Die or become one of the monsters.
Faced with her own mortality, Allie becomes what she despises most. To survive, she must learn the rules of being immortal, including the most important: go long enough without human blood, and you will go mad.
Then Allie is forced to flee into the unknown, outside her city walls. There she joins a ragged band of humans who are seeking a legend—a possible cure to the disease that killed off most of humankind and created the rabids, the mindless creatures who threaten humans and vampires alike.
But it isn’t easy to pass for human. Especially not around Zeke, who might see past the monster inside her. And Allie soon must decide what—and who—is worth dying for.
Review by Julie
I absolutely fell into this book of scary things that are Kagawas’s take on vampires and how these creatures came to be. Not only are there ‘regular’ vampires but a hybrid that preys on the innocent with an intriguing twist of conception. The world for humans she has created is dominated by blood suckers.
Allison is a wonderful female champion. She has spunk, smarts, ethics, and just enough rashness in her youth to keep you rooting for her while at the same time wanting to shake her and say, “STOP!” Her mentor is a mysterious vampire that seems to be the opposite of everything Allison knows about vampires. Through him, she is introduced into a world she never saw coming.
Allison’s road is quite different than I originally expected. Her romance is YA worthy, the tension palpable, the new threat to her friends the catalyst for driving her into a place where they find out her true nature. Lots of ups and downs to keep you guessing and turning the pages. Yes, this is a page turner.
It has been quite awhile since I’ve been this excited to recommend a vampire series to readers. I quickly read this book as a fan of not only paranormal but romance, strong plots, strong characters, and an ending that doesn’t leave you screaming “What happens now!” but rather satisfied for the time being and making quite certain book two’s release is on my radar.
GIVEAWAY
Harlequin Teen is giving away a print copy of The Immortal Rules.
(Open US/Canada Only)
To Enter
1) Fill out the form
Ends May 1, 2012
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