#FF - Feature and Follow #26

Feature and Follow is hosted by Alison Can Read and Parajunkee's View.
Beautiful button by Reading Into Hiding.

Q: Birthday Wishes — Blow out the candles and imagine what character could pop out of your cake…who is it and what book are they from??

Oh, my, oh, my, oh, MY!!! *-*

ACHERON, of course!! From the delightful Dark-Hunter series by Kenyon!

And/or, maybe, Khal Drogo/Conan if they look like Jason Momoa. :P

I'm not really that picky, you see. 

If you're a new follower on GFC or Networked Blogs, please let me know and I will be ecstatic to return the favor. :)

Teen Adventure

"Cool new series...Anyone who is a fan of ‘Heroes’ will definitely enjoy Genesis."

– Tim Kring, creator of the TV series "Heroes" and "Touch"

When the creator of awesome TV series praises a book, you know it's time for you to check it out:

The Journeys of John and Julia in Chapter One: Genesis

by Aurelia

The Journeys of John and Julia begin.

The Twenty-Two are watching. 

Reality is about to change. 

It all starts when Julia’s parents totally mess with her summer. First Julia’s dad takes off to start a whole new family. Then Julia’s mom yanks Julia from cheerleader camp to spend the summer with her grandmother in the land of no signal, no mall, no best friend Kellie. Julia’s only hope for human contact is geeky John Freeman, who is six months younger than she and about a million years behind her idea of cool. 

If only Julia knew that her mom plans to dump her at Grandma’s not just for the summer, but for a whole year. If only Julia knew that a collective of wondrous beings called The Twenty- Two are watching over her and trying to make contact. If only Julia knew that they could tell Julia every thought she never knew she had and bend her reality in any way they choose. And that she’d be with John Freeman when it happened. He’d think that was way cool. 

And that is just the beginning. For this seemingly mismatched pair have cracked open the door to another reality. And their enemy-to-be, the beyond evil Niem Vidalgo Oten, is about to enter the picture.

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This book is perfect for children ages 10 and up, for teens, and for adults of all ages. There is no violence in this book, and there are many profound life lessons for kids, adults, and parents.

Sounds interesting? Here's an excerpt.

You can buy it here and request it for review here.

"Waiting On" Wednesday #26

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly meme, hosted at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we are eagerly anticipating.


Right now what I really want to read is:




Dualed (Dualed #1)
by Elsie Chapman


Expected publication: February 26th 2013 by Random House




You or your Alt? Only one will survive. 
"Dualed" is a thrilling high-concept YA where citizens must prove their worth by killing their Alts--twins raised by other families. 
The city of Kersh is a safe haven, but the price of safety is high. West Grayer has trained as a fighter, preparing for the day when her assignment arrives and she will have one month to hunt down and kill her Alt. Survival means advanced schooling, a good job, marriage--life. But then a tragic misstep shakes West's confidence. Stricken with grief and guilt, she's no longer certain that she's the best version of herself, the version worthy of a future. If she is to have any chance of winning, she must stop running not only from her Alt, but also from love . . . though both have the power to destroy her. 
Elsie Chapman's suspenseful debut weaves unexpected romance into a novel full of fast-paced action and thought-provoking philosophy. When the story ends, discussions will begin about this future society where every adult is a murderer and every child knows there is another out there who just might be better.


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Having to kill your evil twin before they kill you? 
That sounds like so much fun!! *-*


What are you waiting on this week?

Teaser Tuesday #28

Teaser Tuesday is a weekly bookish meme hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along, just do as following:

• Grab your current read

       • Open to a random page
      • Share two (2) "teaser" sentences from somewhere on that page
      • Be careful not to include any spoilers so as not to ruin the book for others.

Make sure to share the title and the author so other TT participants can add the book to their TBR piles.

"Do you really think I'd even bother speaking to you two unless everyone else was dead?"

I raise an eyebrow. "She has a point."

Undead by Kirsty McKay, location 151 on my Kindle.

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I'm really having a ball with this one. Sure, once you've read one book on zombies or watched one movie, you've pretty much seen it all, BUT, some authors just manage ot make it so fun and intriguing, you can't help but just want to read on, cliches or not. :)

What's your teaser this week?

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? #27

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? is a weekly meme hosted by Book Journey. 

Welcome to It’s Monday!  What Are You Reading?  This is a great way to plan out your reading week and see what others are currently reading as well… you never know where that next “must read” book will come from!


I'm Currently Reading:


Finished:

 

Review posted:

Review: Scars by Cheryl Rainfield

Next Reads:


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What are you reading this monday? Anything good? :)

Stacking The Shelves #9

Stacking The Shelves is all about the books we are adding to our shelves each week, sharing with you our excitement for our newest titles and maybe have you discover a new book in the process!

This new feature is hosted by Tynga from Tynga's Reviews.

This week I got:

From an online swap:

 Dark Parties
(My dystopian fever is back!)
Generation Dead
(I -not so- secretly love 'romantic' books written by male authors. They just feel more real.)
The Duff
(The Designated Ugly Fat Friend? Wow, gotta read that.)

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What did you get this week?

Update on 2012 Reading Challenges

Hello, there!!

Just an update on all my Reading Challenges so far. 

Until this very moment I have read 134 books in 2012, so that means I'm already done with the 100 Books In A Year Reading Challenge 2012:

...and almost done with my Goodreads 2012 Reading Challenge:

Concerning the 2012 NetGalley Reading Challenge, I am already done. I have read over 30 Netgalley books in 2012. :)

The same goes for the Dystopian Reading Challenge 2012 . I have already read over 18 dystopian novels in 2012.

As for the Reading Romances 2012 Challenge, you may check my progress by clicking here.

Well, that's it. Now I'm off to enjoy a little bit of time away from classes, which means my reading count will probably increase. :)

You can check the books I have reviewed in 2012 here and can see the complete list of titles I have read here.

Are you part of any reading challenges? If so, how are you doing with your schedule? Are you keeping up with it or are you falling behind? 

#FF - Feature and Follow #25

Feature and Follow is hosted by Alison Can Read and Parajunkee's View.
Beautiful button by Reading Into Hiding.


Q: If you could “unread” a book, which one would it be? Is it because you want to start over and experience it again for the first time? Or because it was THAT bad?


BITCH ALERT


As I am a frequent visitor of used book stores, I sometimes happen upon wonderful jewels. 
But I most likely find terrible things. Things I still can't believe got published.
What I mean is: I have read a lot of bad books. A LOT. 
So I 'll just name a few. 
(I should have known the minute I saw most of these covers, but still I tried... so it was my fault)




These are here because I coudn't keep going after the first few 5 or 10 pages. Most likely because I thought the writing was THAT bad/boring, the heroine was THAT bland/stupid, the plot was almost NONEXISTANT/UNBELIEVABLE or it sounded like a very bad fanfic.


But this just proves again how we all have very different opinions, right? Tons of people enjoyed these books. (and most of them will probably crucify me for listing Steel here, along with Halflings and Deadly Little Secret, which, to me, is a version of Twilight I hated even more than I did the original. -Please note that even Twilight didn't make this list.-).


Fans, I beg of you. Don't kill me/hate me. Just tell me, what was your answer?


And if you still want to follow me, please feel free to do it through GFC or Networked Blogs.
Let me know and I will be ecstatic to return the favor. :)

Reading Romances 2012 Challenge Update

Here is the update on my Reading Romances 2012 Challenge so far:

- Read a book that is first of a series, by an author that is “new” to you or a debut novel by an author.

Heavenly by Jennifer Laurens

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-Read a book that has a predominantly color “red” cover, that has a kissing/embracing couple on its cover, or whose title has either the following words: kiss, heart or love.

and 

-Read a Historical Fiction (not limited to Historical Romance) – read a book that takes place in some notable period of history.

Twice Tempted by a Rogue by Tessa Dare

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TOPICS:
- read a book whose author either has a three-word name or carries an official middle initial.
-  read a book that you have previously started and meant to continue, but keep failing to do so.

THEMES:
- read a book that is set in Scotland or has a Highlander as a character.
- read a book with a medical theme, plot, cover, or setting.

Amongst the Ruins by Saewod Tice

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(No more badges made available)

Reading Romances April Challenge

TOPICS: 

Alternate Realities Month!

1) Read a contemporary book where something is different in the world than what reality reflects. (vampires, magic etc)

2) Read a book set in the future or a historical with an alternative reality (i.e. steampunk).

The Immortal Rules by Julie Kagawa

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(No more badges made available)


Reading Romances May Challenge

2) Read a book by a favorite author or from a favorite genre.


Lethal Rider by Larissa Ione
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(No more badges made available)


Reading Romances June Challenge


3) Read a stand-alone book.
5) Read an m/m romance book or a book that has at least one prominent gay or lesbian character.


Scars by Cheryl Rainfield

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Review: Scars by Cheryl Rainfield/Reading Romances June Challenge

Reading Romances June Challenge

3) Read a stand-alone book.

5) Read an m/m romance book or a book that has at least one prominent gay or lesbian character.

Scars
by Cheryl Rainfield


Published April 9th 2012 by WestSide Books

Kendra, fifteen, hasn't felt safe since she began to recall devastating memories of childhood sexual abuse, especially because she still can't remember the most important detail-- her abuser's identity. Frightened, Kendra believes someone is always watching and following her, leaving menacing messages only she understands. If she lets her guard down even for a minute, it could cost Kendra her life. To relieve the pressure, Kendra cuts; aside from her brilliantly expressive artwork, it's her only way of coping. Since her own mother is too self-absorbed to hear her cries for help, Kendra finds support in others instead: from her therapist and her art teacher, from Sandy, the close family friend who encourages her artwork, and from Meghan, the classmate who's becoming a friend and maybe more. But the truth about Kendra's abuse is just waiting to explode, with startling unforeseen consequences. Scars is the unforgettable story of one girl's frightening path to the truth.

Genre: Young Adult, Realistic Fiction

Publication Date: April 9th 2012

Publisher: Amulet Books

Format: eARC, 248 pages 

Series: no

Source: Netgalley


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My Review

Fifteen year old Kendra is starting to remember. She's starting to remember things she's been forced to forget for years. Things she know she should remember, but at the same time, is afraid to. She's been abused, ever since she was a toddler. And now her abuser is back, stalking her, threatening her to make sure  she tells no one about him. Or he'll kill her.

Kendra is lost and confused, feeling alone in the world. Her mother doesn't seem to care about her, always ignoring her and pretending everything is fine. Her father is stressed because he's lost his job. And as Kendra starts to recall fragments of her childhood, she sees him in every male around her. In her mother's friends. In her teachers. And everytime she starts to remember his face, everytime she comes very close to really seeing him... she freaks out with the strength of the trauma, of the horrible memories, og the need to NOT KNOW, that she needs release. She needs to somehow distract hersefl, to get this thing out of her. That's why she cuts herself.

But when the memories start to become too much... to show things she's not ready to admit, she knows she needs help. More help than her sweet therapist, lovable art teacher or super nice gay friend can give her. She needs to be loved. To feel something good and pure and bright, to chase away the pain and darkness that fills her. And she's finding that in Meghan, the pretty, messed-up girl at school. 

Kendra is about to find out that her agressor might be closer than she thinks... and that he might be even more dangerous than she ever expected.

I have been meaning to read this books for YEARS now. But, somehow, never got to it. Thankfully, now I had the chance to read this fantastic tale of facing and overcoming your fears, of accepting yourself, of loving and being loved. Kendra touched my heart very deeply. In all her painful and humiliating memories as a child, I felt like I was right there with her, going throught it, too. Every time she cut herself, I wish I could reach in and try to sooth her nerves. I just wanted her to finally accept her memories and try to overcome her fears. I knew, from the start, who the abuser was. It was just very clear, from all the clues, but sometimes I did doubt myself. LOL. And, I guess, so did Kendra. The poor girl.

The book was so heavy and sad from the start that when it ended in such a nice way, with that glowing/ healing/growing up sensation, I felt thoroughly satisfied. And light. I loved it. It was very alarming, touching, and, more importantly, believable.

* I received an eARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.* 

Teaser Tuesday #28

Teaser Tuesday is a weekly bookish meme hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along, just do as following:

• Grab your current read

       • Open to a random page
      • Share two (2) "teaser" sentences from somewhere on that page
      • Be careful not to include any spoilers so as not to ruin the book for others.

Make sure to share the title and the author so other TT participants can add the book to their TBR piles.

Slightly Scandalous

by Mary Balogh

"Now that is a threat to put the fear of God into me," Joshua said. "I have been at the receiving end of one of those fists - at least my nose has - on two separate occasions."

Mass Paperback, 2003, page 220.




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Slightly Scandalous is one of the most surprising historicals I have ever read. I am having so much fun with it I'm surprised. :) The heroine is not perfect, not even pretty. She's strong and daring and stubborn, but not to point of stupidity. And the hero is a complete delight! Nothing like those silly, stuck-up aristocrats we're used to seeing in these books. And it's actually believable in this case!! :)


What's your teaser this week?

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? #26

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? is a weekly meme hosted by Book Journey. 

Welcome to It’s Monday!  What Are You Reading?  This is a great way to plan out your reading week and see what others are currently reading as well… you never know where that next “must read” book will come from!


I'm Currently Reading:



Finished:

Review posted:

Review: The Art of Seducing a Naked Werewolf by Molly Harper

Next Reads:

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Most of these books I have been reading for a while, so I forced myself to finish them. LOL. Scars was fantastic. Deadlocked was pretty good, too. :)
How was your reading week?