Waiting on Wednesday #1

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Breakingthe Spine and is a way to showcase upcoming released that you are excited for!

Title: Dorothy Must Die
Author: Danielle Page
Release Date: April 1, 2014
Find at: Amazon | B&N | Goodreads

I didn't ask for any of this. I didn't ask to be some kind of hero.

But when your whole life gets swept up by a tornado—taking you with it—you have no choice but to go along, you know?

Sure, I've read the books. I've seen the movies. I know the song about the rainbow and the happy little blue birds. But I never expected Oz to look like this. To be a place where Good Witches can't be trusted, Wicked Witches may just be the good guys, and winged monkeys can be executed for acts of rebellion. There's still the yellow brick road, though—but even that's crumbling.

What happened?

Dorothy. They say she found a way to come back to Oz. They say she seized power and the power went to her head. And now no one is safe.

My name is Amy Gumm—and I'm the other girl from Kansas.
I've been recruited by the Revolutionary Order of the Wicked.
I've been trained to fight.
And I have a mission:
Remove the Tin Woodman's heart.
Steal the Scarecrow's brain.
Take the Lion's courage.
Then and only then—Dorothy must die!

Why I am waiting:

This just sounds amazing! I love the thought that Dorothy went back to Oz and became dark and has her three trusted friends helping her control everyone. I really can’t wait to see how everything has changed and what impact Amy has on the people of Oz. 

Let me know what you think of my selection and leave a link to your post so I can check it out!

Stacking the Shelves #3

Stacking the Shelves is all about sharing the books you recently acquired, be it a physical or virtual copy, a book borrow from the library or purchased. This is a weekly meme that is hosted by Tynga's Reviews, so be sure to check there on Saturdays and see what everyone else has added to their shelves!

This is a continuation of my ALA midwinter haul from January 26th. Plus a few others I received in the mail.


Charm & Strange / Stephanie Kuehn / June 13, 2013

I don’t know much about this one, but I have been reading some great things about it. It centers on a boy, Andrew, who has been exiled to a boarding school in Vermont by his family. He seems to have a bit of a split personality which suggests some mental illness. There are horrors in his past that have come, as it seems, from the hands of his relatives. I am very excited to read this, it sounds pretty great. 

Cold Calls / Charles Benoit / April 1, 2014

This is a story about three teens who are blackmailed into bullying their classmates by and unknown voice on their phones. I am interested in finding out what secrets they have that are so terrible, they need to be covered up. 

The Collection / Shannon Stoker / February 4, 2014

AHHHH! I am sooooo excited for this. The Collection is the sequel to TheRegistry a book that I happened upon at a local used book stor last year. I was pleasantly surprised at how much I liked the first book and I really can’t wait to find out what is happening with Mia, Andrew, and Carter. The story is set in a the US, where at a certain age girls are placed in The Registry, an online catalogue (if I remember correctly) for men to choose them as wives. This follows the events of the first book and the repercussions that Mia now has to face. 

A Creature of Moonlight / Rebecca Hahn / April 6, 2014

While growing up, Marni has ignored the voices she has heard in the woods that seem to call to her from among the trees. These same voices stole her mother from her and never returned her. Hiding in plain sight is no longer working for Marni and she has been getting noticed as the rightful heir to the throne, not as the flower grower she was hoping to hide as. She now has a choice on whether or not to claim her birthright or to join a father she has never know, who happens to be a dragon. Magic forests, moving trees, evil kings, and dragon dads? Yes, please.

Cruel Beauty / Rosamund Hodge / January 28, 2014

I have been reading so much about this book recently, some good and some bad. But, with a premise like this I will definitely be checking it out for myself. A retelling of the fairy tale, Beauty and the Beast, this story centers on Nyx, a young girl who has been betrothed to the evil ruler of her kingdom for her whole life. She has also been training to kill him for the past seventeen years. She has been raised to despise him, but is that what is going to happen? Will she be able to complete her mission and if so, with her life intact? I am so ready to find out, I will definitely be reading this one soon!

Firstborn / Lorie Ann Grover / January 28, 2014

Tiadone is a firstborn female in a world where firstborn babies who are not male get left outside the community to die. To save her life, her parents choose to raise her as a male and find a way to suppress her feminine traits. Feelings for her male best friend and signs of evil have her believing that maybe see his the one whose purpose in life is to stand up to the rulers that are controlling her community. I am interested in seeing how they are able to suppress her femininity and how aging and her hormones play into the story. There have been some mixed reviews and ratings, but I will be giving it a try for myself. 

The Girl in 6E / A.R. Torre / July 8, 2014

Marketed as “perfect for fans of Dexter” I am curious to see what becomes of this story. From what I gather, from the very brief description, is that it is about a young woman who has isolated herself for three years because she was constantly thinking of killing. In this day in age, internet and webcams keep her connected to society and what she sees on the cam one night, may make her venture back out into the world that she has hidden from, or a girl’s life may be in danger. 

The Good Luck of Right Now / Matthew Quick / February 1, 2014

This one was handed to me as I was walking through the Harper booth. I knew Matthew Quick’s new book was coming out soon, but I had thought that it wasn’t until later in the year. Each chapter is written as a (kind of) letter to Richard Gere, who the main characters mother loved. It is about a 38 year old man trying to find family and meaning in life after his mother dies. It sounds like it will be a quirky, meaningful read.

Graduation Day / Joelle Charbonneau / June 17, 2014

I was so excited when I snagged this. I was perusing the Houghton Mifflin booth and overheard a publicist talking to a few young ladies about the series. They had never read any of the books (I have read the first and have the second on my shelf, waiting to be read) but she whipped out a copy of this for each of them anyway. So, of course after they took their leave I went right up and started talking to her about the series and she was very happy to give me a copy. Day made. This is the third and final book in the Testing series. The series follows a girl, Cia, as she tries to pass the very selective and dangerous test that will allow her to attend University. This is set in a dystopian world and I really, really enjoyed the first book. 

Great / Sara Benincasa / April 8, 2014

This is a contemporary retelling of The Great Gatsby following main character Naomi as she spends the summer in the East Hamptons with her mother. She soon becomes entangled in a web of lies and deception brought on by her neighbor Jacinta and the senator’s daughter Delilah. Naomi must decide how far she is willing to go before breaking free of the downward spiral, if she can at all. 

These next three are just some that I have gotten in the mail recently. Thank you Macmillan, Farrar, Straus & Giroux, and Spiegel & Grau!

The Midnight Witch / Paula Brackston / March 25, 2014

A historical fiction novel that centers on Lilith, the daughter of the sixth Duke of Radnor. She is the most sought after woman in London and also happens to be a witch. After the death of her father she has obligations to become the Head Witch of the Lazarus Coven and marry fellow witch and fiancé Viscount Louis Harcourt. That is until she meets Bram, an artist and not a member of her class, who she cannot stay away from. 

Unforgotten / Jessica Brody / February 25, 2014

This is the sequel to Unremembered which I recently read and loved. I was such a fast paced story that it had me enthralled from the very beginning. When Sera is found floating among the wreckage of a plane crash in the middle of the ocean, she is thought to be the only survivor. Events unfold and tell a different story, one that had me guessing until the very end. I am very happy to have received the second book in this series. 

The Weight of Blood / Laura McHugh / March 11, 2014

This debut novel follows Lucy Dane as she investigates the disappearance of her friend. The young woman soon begins to suspect that it might be connected to the disappearance of her mother years earlier and that her own family may be involved. Set deep in the Ozark Mountain town of Henbane, this story reminds me of Winter’s Bone which I loved. I am excited to delve back into that world.  

Blog Tour - Full Steam Ahead by Valerie Chase Review and Giveaway

Title: Full Steam Ahead

Author: Valerie Chase

Published: January 14, 2014

Series: Sea Swept #1

Format Read/Pages: eBook/166

How I Acquired It: IFB Tours

Date Finished: February 2, 2014

Find at: Amazon | B&N | Goodreads

*This book was provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.

Seven days aboard a luxury cruise.
The perfect getaway from it all.
At least, that’s what Georgia Cantwell was hoping for.

Georgia wishes she could run away from the nightmare that has consumed her life, but she can’t. With her inbox filling with menacing emails, all she can do is try to get through her sorority’s winter break cruise without anyone realizing how wrecked she is. So she really doesn’t need Jace McLaren seeing through her tacked-on smile when no one else seems to notice.

Growing up with a father in jail, Jace knows from experience that if you’re going through hell, there’s no way out but through. He has always steered away from girls like Georgia with her ice-queen attitude, but she’s in real trouble, and despite himself he pushes past her walls.

As much as Georgia tries to ignore it, Jace won’t let her pretend with him. But she can’t risk telling him the truth. Her past would ruin his trust, her family, her future—everything.

But out on the open ocean, there’s nowhere to hide. And when Georgia’s secrets come tumbling out, it might take more than Jace to save her. 

~

Going into this I really did not know what to expect. There were a multitude of ways that this could have turned out, but I was extremely happy with what was actually presented. Chase gives us a quick, sweet new adult read that is refreshing in a genre that can be a hit or a miss.

Full Steam Ahead starts with Georgia almost missing the cruise she is supposed to be on with a few of her sorority sisters over their winter break. We learn that she is reluctant to even go on the trip, as it will have her in close proximity with her ex-boyfriend, Hunter, that she recently split from. After a bit of a roommate shuffle she ends up rooming with mysterious and alluring Jace, who had a bit of a reputation. Georgia is also struggling with the fact that her family has lost their wealth and is pressuring her into thing that they think will make everything right again.

I found her hardship to be very realistic. Now, some people might condemn her and ask why she is going on such an extravagant vacation if she has no money, but in reality people will go to many lengths to hide the issues that they are dealing with. We later find out that a lack of money is not her only problem and that there are more serious problems that she has to deal with, so spending money on a cruise she can’t really afford is the least of her worries.

I really wish we could have explored Jace a little more. I really like him as a character and would have been interested in learning more about him. I do feel as though the issues he had with his father were a little too perfectly wrapped up, just because he had to get over the feelings of resentment to be able to accept Georgia for who she really is. Overall, I really liked both of the main characters and feel as though they complimented each other well. Not to mention the fact that they make one hell of a steamy pair.

Something that I really enjoyed was the setting. I thought that it was a great idea to have it be set on a cruise ship. It gave the characters plenty to do and see, while not getting in a routine of doing the same things over and over again. It also set a good timeframe for the story and a plausible reason for two people, who are not that good of friends, to be around each other so much.

The ending was wrapped up a bit to neatly for me, but it did not detract from my enjoyment of the story at all. Chase really provides all the makings of a great story and does not disappoint. I am looking forward to checking out more of her work in the future!

4 Stars

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Valerie Chase is an author of New Adult Romance. She currently lives in the Washington, DC area. Full Steam Ahead is her debut novel.

As for her writing style, Valerie loves sexy banter and guys whose hearts are in the right place, even if their heads sometimes aren't. She loves discovering strong, awesome characters, putting them in entertaining situations, and watching them argue their way to love.

valeriechase.blogspot.com | twitter.com/val_chase | facebook.com/pages/Valerie-Chase/324942107643538

Make sure to check out all the stops on the Full Steam Ahead tour!

The full schedule is available at Itching for Books.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Thank you to Shane at IFB and Valerie Chase for the chance to participate in this tour!!

The First True Lie by Marina Mander Review

Title: The First True Lie

Author: Marina Mander

Published: January 21, 2014

Format Read/Pages: eBook/102

How I Acquired It: NetGalley

Date Finished: January 16, 2014

Find at: Amazon | B&N | Goodreads

*This book was provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Meet Luca, a curious young boy living with his mother, a taciturn woman who every now and then tries out a new father. Luca keeps to himself, his cat, Blue, and his favorite toys—words. One February morning his mom doesn't wake up to bring him to school, so Luca—driven by a deep fear of being an orphan—decides to pretend to the world that his mom is still alive. At first it's easy. Luca dresses himself for school, makes sure Blue gets his dinner, and manages to avoid nosy neighbors. He and Blue camp out in the living room and embark on imaginary expeditions to outer space, and Luca dreams about marrying his school crush, Antonella. Soon, however, the laundry starts piling up, the fridge emptying—and the smell of Mama's decaying body begins to permeate the apartment.

As Luca grapples with what to do, we ultimately witness something much more poignant than the morbid circumstance—a young boy's journey to the point at which he can say: “I am no longer an orphan. I am a single human being. It's a matter of words.”

~

I really don’t know how to feel about this book. Mander provides a very well written story, but I found myself just skimming the pages at times trying to find the next important detail. One thing that I think really dissuaded me from being able to get into the story was the fact that Luca’s voice was written in such an adult way and he made references that I really don’t think a boy  that young would know. But then in the next sentence we have the thoughts and actions that remind us that he is still very young. I believe the contradictory nature of the writing is really what threw me off. 

I also found myself worrying more about the cat than Luca. I am a sucker for animals and to think that Blue was not going to be getting something to eat was really sad for me, most people would help a child when they need it, but they wouldn’t care about a cat. The story really was very beautiful, I just could not get into it. 

3 Stars

Stacking the Shelves #2

Stacking the Shelves is all about sharing the books you recently acquired, be it a physical or virtual copy, a book borrow from the library or purchased. This is a weekly meme that is hosted by Tynga's Reviews, so be sure to check there on Saturdays and see what everyone else has added to their shelves!

~

Here is the rest of my Saturday, January 25th haul and the start of my verrrry big Sunday, January 26th finds. 

The Other Typist / Suzanne Rindell / May 7, 2013

I am super excited about this book! It has been on my to-read list since I first heard about it and I was lucky enough to get a really nice signed hardcover copy. It sound like a really interesting story, set in 1923, of a one woman’s decent into obsession of another woman and the lifestyle that she has been shown.

Outcasts / Jill Williamson / January 7, 2014

When I picked this book up I didn’t realize that it was part two in a three book series. I am still intrigued by the story that follows three brothers and will definitely be on the lookout for the first book so I can get reading!

Savage Girl / Jean Zimmerman / March 6, 2014

This story sounds amazing. A young woman who was, reportedly, raised by wolves is adopted by a wealthy New York family in 1875. Her immersion into high society is plagued by secrets and murder. What I find most interesting is that the story is narrated by the son of the family that adopted the woman, who also happens to be in love with her. Oh, and he is telling the story from jail where he is taking the fall for “his Savage Girl.”

The Scar Boys / Len Vlahos / January 21, 2014

A young man gives us an account of his life as he writes his admissions essay for the colleges that he is trying to get into. He has gone through some hard times, being disfigured at a young age due to bullying and made friends and started a band to get through the struggles that came after. 

Tremor / Patrick Carman / February 25, 2014

I have been meaning to read Pulse for a while now and I am hoping that having the sequel will push me to grab it from the library soon!

White Space / Isla Bick / February 11, 2014

The blurb from the back of the ARC reads, “…the first in a new YA series in the mind-bending tradition of The Matrix and Inception: where realities are fluid and nightmares live in a lost world between the lines.” Now, I don’t really know how to explain the rest of it, but it sounds very interesting from what I have been reading. 

This marks the beginning of my Sunday, January 26th haul!

The Angel of Losses / Stephanie Feldman / July 29, 2014

The death of her grandfather sends Marjorie on an adventure to uncover the secrets hidden in his past and the dangers that lurk there with them. I am looking forward to exploring the Jewish folktales that are interwoven in this story.

Ask Me / Kimberly Pauley / April 8, 2014

The premise of this book sounds very interesting, but I am worried that it will not live up to its potential. As an oracle, Aria Moore has the power to gain answers to any question a person asks of her. When a classmate goes missing she may be the only one who has the ability to find out what happened, even if the truth puts her in danger of becoming the next victim. 

Bittersweet / Miranda Beverly-Whittemore / May 13, 2014

I don’t really know what to make of this one, I just read the first chapter and I think I will enjoy it, but who knows. It is about a scholarship student at a prestigious East Coast college who gets enmeshed in the life of her roommate’s family, who happen to be very wealthy. Upon learning some damning secrets about the family she must choose whether or not to hold in what she knows and continue living a lavish life or to tell and lose everything.

The Body in the Woods / April Henry / June 17, 2014

Three teens become friends after joining a Search and Rescue team. Their relationship strengths when in the course of looking for an autistic man lost in the woods they uncover a dead girl’s body. This takes them on an adventure to figure out what happened and who the killer is, hopefully before one of them gets hurt.

 Burn Out / Kristi Helvig / April 8, 2014

I think I am going to like this one. It is about a girl who has been living in an underground shelter by herself after losing her family when the sun turns “red giant” and damages the earth. Her one purpose in life now is to protect the bio-energetic weapons her father created. Her will is tested when old friends and the government show up to take the weapons she must make a choice on who she can trust, not only with her life but a with her father’s weapons as well.

~

Feel free to leave some comments and let me know if any sound interesting to you or  if you have any questions about any of the books. I can't wait to see some of your shelves!!

Blog Tour - A Boat Made of Bone by Nicole Grotepas Review & Giveaway

Title: A Boat Made of Bone

Author: Nicole Grotepas

Published: January 13, 2014

Format Read/Pages: eBook/387

How I Acquired It: AToMR Tours

Date Finished: January 31, 2014

Find at: Amazon | B&N | Goodreads 

Kate Miller has been having recurring dreams about the same man . . . a dead man. Will Hawke, to be exact, a celebrity who died long before Kate had any reason to pay attention to celebrities.

While the night-world she enjoys with Will beckons, her waking world has suddenly gotten intriguing. Ty Watts--a guy with looks that could set a thousand housewives free--just walked into her life. He's got a smile and a secret that begs to be found out.

But is Ty a distraction or a savior?

Kate's dreams threaten to take over. She must negotiate the edge of reality, solve the mystery of her nightly rendezvous with Will and either set him free or lose herself forever in the seductively dangerous world he inhabits.

A Boat Made of Bone is a love story that spans worlds, generations, and reaches beyond death into the realm of fantasy. 

~

The cover was what captures my attention, but the description was what held it. This was a great start to a series that has a lot of potential to gain momentum as it continues. Grotepas introduces us to a very interesting concept and follows through with an enjoyable story.

I really liked the dynamic between all the characters. They fit well and complimented each other. Audra was a great companion for Kate to have and was one of my favorites. I must say that I would have liked to see more Ty, there is just something about him that I can’t get over. The beginning was a bit slow, but the second half of the story really picked up and held my attention.

Overall, the reading experience was enjoyable and I look forward to the continuation of this saga. 

3 Stars

About the Author

Nicole wrote her first fantasy novel in 7th grade on her mother's old Brother typewriter. It was never finished but it strongly resembled a Dragonlance plot and she's forever wondered what happened to the manuscript and Tonathan--the handsome elven protagonist. After living in Nashville where she worked as an editor, she returned to the Utah desert where she was raised. Nicole now lives near the Wasatch mountains with her husband. She writes and raises her son and three cats full time.

Find her on: Facebook / Goodreads / Pinterest / Google+ / Website 

Make Sure to check out all the stops on the A Boat Made of Bone tour!

Find the tour schedule at AMoTR tours.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Thank you to AToMR tours and Nicole Grotepas for the chance to read and review A Boat made of Bone!

Elevator Heat by B.D. Rowe Review

Title: Elevator Heat

Author: B.D. Rowe

Published: December 17, 2013

Format Read/Pages: eBook/128

How I Acquired It: NetGalley

Date Finished: January 16, 2014

Find at: Amazon | Goodreads

*This book was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Twenty-year-old Maddie has had a crush on Colin, her studly internship supervisor, for three long months. She struggles focusing on her work, and always finds herself gazing at his wavy brown hair, his chiseled cheekbones, his kissable lips. 

Little does she know, however, that he has feelings for her, too.

The problem is no matter how much time they spend together in the office, neither one can ever make the first move.

That is, until they both step into the old, rickety elevator late one Friday night. And things start to get a little steamy...

~

If you have read any of my previous reviews, you may have come across one that I did for Rowe’s Crashing Into You. I will admit it was not a glowing review in the slightest, but it is truly how I felt about that story. I requested this via NetGalley without realizing that it was the same author and I am glad I was unaware, as I probably would have skipped over this title had I known. My second venture into Rowe’s writing was much more pleasant than the first and I am glad I got to give it another chance.

Elevator Heat was a lighthearted, less steamy than I would have liked but fun all the same, read. I enjoyed both of the main characters; they had some pretty good chemistry and were not annoying in the slightest. Some of the scenes were funny and I found myself laughing, but in the best way. One thing I have some to realize is that the Rowe uses car accidents quite a lot in both the works already published. I don’t know why this is, but I can see it getting a bit old if it continues.

Overall, reading Elevator Heat was enjoyable. I sort of with that this was the full length novel and not Crashing Into You. I would have loved to see this story fleshed out a bit and I think it had some great potential to go somewhere.

3 Stars

Becoming Alpha by Aileen Erin

Title: Becoming Alpha

Author: Aileen Erin

Published: December 17, 2013

Series?: Alpha Girl #1

Format Read/Pages: eBook/267

How I Acquired It: NetGalley
Date Finished: December 23, 2013

Find at: Amazon | B&N | Goodreads

*This book was provided for free in exchange for an honest review.

Tessa McCaide has a unique talent for getting into trouble. Then again, it isn’t easy for a girl with visions to ignore what she sees. Luckily Tessa and her family are leaving California and moving halfway across the country, giving her the perfect opportunity to leave her reputation as “Freaky Tessa” behind.

But Tessa doesn’t realize that kissing the wrong guy in her new Texas town could land her in far more trouble than she ever imagined. Like being forced to attend St. Ailbe’s Academy, a secret boarding school for werewolves.

Even if the wrong guy did accidentally turn her into one of “them” and doom her to attending the weirdest high school ever, Tessa can’t help her growing attraction to the mysterious Dastien Laurent.

When vampires attack St. Alibe’s and her visions pinpoint an enemy in their midst, Tessa realizes that boy drama and her newfound canine tendencies might just be the least of her problems.

~

This review was hard to start. It wasn’t because I did not like the book, I did enjoy it, but there was no wow factor to it. For me, this story was something that I have read in many different forms, but all have the main aspects in common. Becoming Alpha introduces us to a young girl that has problems before meeting a boy that changes her life in a drastic way.

Erin created interesting characters, I actually enjoyed Tessa and the relationship she had with her family. The close bond she has with her brother makes sense in the way that he is always trying to look out for her and shield her from things that will set off her ability. I am pretty sure this is one of the first characters that I have read about that has the ability to see memories through touch, or at least the first in a long while.

Tessa’s interactions with Dastien annoyed me at times. They just felt really generic and clichéd. His actions after infecting her also really made me mad. He knew what he had done, so why didn’t he take her to Dawson right away instead of letting her deal with all the people that will shun her for associating with him.

As the rest of the story unfolds it adds some elements that could have been interesting if they were expanded upon more. I am curious to see how her heritage plays a part in the next book in the series, so I might tune in for that. Overall, it wasn’t a bad read; it had a lot of potential that I think needed to be a bit more developed to make it a great story. 

3 Stars

Books in this series:

1. Becoming Alpha
2. Avoiding Alpha (expected pub. May 2014)

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Stacking the Shelves #1

Stacking the Shelves is all about sharing the books you recently acquired, be it a physical or virtual copy, a book borrow from the library or purchased. This is a weekly meme that is hosted by Tynga's Reviews, so be sure to check there on Saturdays and see what everyone else has added to their shelves!

~

So, this is the first of, about, ten Stacking the Shelves posts that will showcase all the wonderful books I got at ALA Midwinter!! I am doing them in groups of ten, probably in alphabetical order and by day that I got them, just so I can make sure I don't miss any! I will post a little about the book, either a description or why I picked it up (besides the fact that it was free!) and the release date.

On to the books! These are some of the ones that I picked up on Saturday, January 25th.

Complicit / Stephanie Kuehn / June 24, 2014

Complicit intrigued me because it was about a brother and sister who clearly have problems, with the town they live in and each other. It centers on Jamie Henry, who has for the past two years, been living a better life with his sister locked up in a juvenile detention center. Now Crazy Cate Henry is back and is definitely planning on shaking things up and possibly brings to light truths that have been hidden for years and making people see she is not the crazy person people think she is. But is Jamie? This story is by author Stephanie Kuehn who also wrote Charm & Strange, another book that I picked up and will be shelving at a later date, it seemed to be well liked and written, so hopefully this new novel lives up to the first. 

Dear Nobody: The True Diary of Mary Rose / Edited by Gillian McCain and Legs McNeil / April 1, 2014

This is going to be a tough read, not in the sense that it is poorly written, but an emotionally draining read. Dear Nobody is about a young girl, Mary Rose, who is going through high school in the late ‘90s. Now dealing with high school isn't enough, Mary Rose is also battling cystic fibrosis, addiction, and victimization. This is her diary that was passed on to the editor through a friend of Mary Rose and I can’t wait to read all about her experiences and how she overcomes the challenges that she faced at that age.

 Destination Unknown / Amy Clipston / February 4, 2014

I tend to shy away from books that have underlying faith based themes, but this seems to be more about a young girl seeking to live her own life, rather than the one she is expected to. It seems like a bit of fluff, but I am willing to give it a try and see where Clipston takes me. 

Don't Look Back / Jennifer L. Armentrout / April 15, 2014 

This will be my first book by Jennifer and I could not be more excited. I really have been meaning to pick up some of her work, but never have. I am really looking forward to this story about a girl that goes missing with her best friend and then reappears, alone and without her memory. I have read a memory loss story before, Sia, but I really hope that this one is better than that. From all the good things I have been hearing about Ms. Armentrout’s stories I doubt I will be disappointed.

Expiration Day / William Campbell Powell / April 22, 2014

Robot children? Count me in! In the year 2049 fertility has declined and families are given robot children to raise until the reach the age of eighteen and that is when they have to be returned to the factory. I am interested in seeing why society put their resources into creating robot children that need to be returned instead of searching for a solution to the fertility problem. This is the first novel from WCP and I am looking forward to discovering this new writer. 

Fire & Flood / Victoria Scott / March 25, 2014

Fire and Flood will be interesting. It is about a young girl that is invited to take part in a challenge called the Brimstone Bleed. It is three month ordeal that pits her against other people fighting for the same thing she is, a cure for her sick brothers baffling illness. This will either go one of two ways, an enjoyable read or just another author jumping on the dystopian extreme survival bandwagon. I hope it is the former as this is the first in a series of books that I would be happy to get into, if this proves to be a good read. 

The Hidden Child / Camilla Lackberg / May 15, 2014*

New mother, writer Erica Falck, makes a shocking discovery among her own late mother’s possessions, a Nazi medal. This mystery unfolds as Erica tries to uncover the details surrounding her families past. I love a good mystery and this sound like it is going to be a page turner. 

*This has been previously published, reissue is scheduled for this date. 

High & Dry / Sarah Skilton / April 15, 2014

This story seems all over the place, in a good way. Main character, Charlie Dixon, is having the week from hell. From being framed for a near-fatal overdose to being pressured into throwing an upcoming soccer match he is dealing with a lot of drama from all angles. Every once in a while I like to delve into the unlikely and read something that seems so out there that I would never happen to a real person. This seems to be right up that alley and I can’t wait to explore it. 

The Hit / Melvin Burgess / April 4, 2013

This is going to be a doozy, my roommate just read it and when asked how she liked it I got this response, “at first it was just alright, nothing special, but then it got serious when I couldn’t fall asleep without my hair covering my neck because of something that happened in the book, and that let me know that I actually liked it.” Take from that what you will, but for me, it is just creating anticipation for what is to come when I read The Hit. It also doesn’t help that the description reminded me of Dredd for some reason, so we will see. 

Otherbound / Corinne Duyvis / June 17, 2014

The premise for this book is so intriguing. It centers on a young man who, in his sleep is transported into the head of a young servant girl, not of his own world. At first he is only an observer, but soon learns he can control the girl whose mind he invades. They must work together to protect the princess the young girl is tasked to serve as well as discover what it is that connects them. I am so excited to see how this all turns out, the characters all seem very interesting and it should be a good read. 

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So, that concludes my first Stacking the Shelves post, sorry if it seemed long winded, I am just very excited for all the new books that I got at ALA last weekend and want to spread the word about the ARCs that I picked up. Hope you have a great weekend and I can't wait to see some other shelves!