Swoon Thursday (#19): Golden by Jessi Kirby

Swoon Thursday is a hot meme hosted by the fabulous ladies at YA Bound!

- From the book you’re currently reading, or one you just finished, tell us what made you SWOON. What got your heart pounding, your skin tingling, and your stomach fluttering

- Try to make the swoon excerpt 140 characters (or less), if you are going to tweet about it. Use the hashtag #YABOUND when tweeting

This week, my swoon is from Golden by Jessi Kirby!

"His eyes run over mine, and for the second time tonight, everything speeds up and slows down in the space of a few second. He steps closer. Brings both his hands to my cheeks. Pulls my into him gently. Speaks words I barely hear.

'That it's taken me so long to - '

His lips on mine finish the rest with a kiss that's light and soft, almost a question. Warmth spreads out in me, and I want to answer him and sink into this kiss, and this feeling. I want to forget about everything that Julianna said and lose myself in this moment, with the rain falling soft and the smell of the wet pavement rising all around us, and his hands on my face like it's where they belong. I want to believe in this moment so much."

- eARC, 87%

Oh, what the heck. How about another?

"And then the door opens, and Trevor's right there looking surprised and confused, and I feel the same way, but I step into him before he can say anything

I bring my lips to his fully, intentionally, their cold meeting his heat, in a kiss meant to tell him all the things I've been too afraid to say until right now. It takes him a second to catch up, but when he does his hands come to my face, then slide back to my hair, pulling me closer as he kisses me deeper, and all the times I've imagined this happening never came close to what I feel right now. I sink into it fully, completely, letting everything fall away so all that's left is this. A moment like a poem. 

- eARC, 98%

Author Website | Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes and Noble

I think these two are the only swoons of the entire book - which is why I put both of them in there. They come late, but I love them both. The last especially, though.

I love this book! I highly encourage everyone who reads this post to grab this book from a bookstore or online or a library or SOMETHING. My review will be up sometime in the next two weeks!

Excerpt and Giveaway: The Liberator by Victoria Scott

Hey there! I've got an awesome and EXCLUSIVE excerpt from The Liberator by Victoria Scott, and a giveaway! Check it out!

The Book:

The Liberator by Victoria Scott

Book Two of the Dante Walker series

Publisher: Entangled Teen

Publication Date: August 27, 2013

The Excerpt:

When I open my eyes, the sun is trying to murder me. It’s shining on my face and making my head pound. Or maybe it’s my hangover that’s giving me the headache, but nonetheless—me and the sun?—we’re not on friendly terms. 

Charlie murmurs beside me. My arms are still wrapped around her waist, and I suddenly realize I must have crashed out in her bed last night. If Grams wakes up and finds me here, she’ll run me a bath…and toss in the toaster. 

“Morning, babe,” I whisper. 

“Morning, hot stuff,” a distinctly male voice responds. 

I whip around, my heart racing, and find Max sitting in a chair across the room. “You look so hot when you first wake up,” he says. He raises a hand to his hair. “Got that whole sexy bed head thing going on.” 

Charlie doesn’t even move from her place, but I feel her laughing against me. “Your friend is kind of creepy, Dante,” she manages. 

“Max, what the hell are you doing in here?” I ask, pulling the covers farther up even though I’m (regretfully) fully-clothed. 

“Real question is, why did I wait so long to join you guys?” Max stands from his chair and cocks his head. A mischievous smile crawls across his face. 

“No,” I say, trying to appear serious. “Don’t even think about it, dude.” 

Max starts running in place, his smile widening farther until he looks deranged. “Ready or not!” Before I can stop him, Max races toward the bed and dives on top of us. “Oh! Oh it feels even better than I imagined.” He rolls back and forth across our bodies as Charlie laughs and I wonder why I’m friends with such a raging idiot. 

With all my strength, I grab Max’s shirt and rotate him toward the edge. He falls off the side, his arms pin-wheeling. There’s a loud thud, and then nothing. 

I wait for several seconds before leaning over to search for him. Max is lying face down on the floor, his arms and legs curled like a dead spider. “You’re not really hurt,” I say. 

“I think you gave me spinal bifida. You need to call someone.” 

“That’s a genetic disorder,” I respond with a sigh, collapsing back onto my pillow. A second later, he raises his head very, very slowly up from the side of the bed. It’s one of the more unsettling things he’s ever done. “Max, is there a purpose to this visit?” I ask. I want so badly to act like he’s annoying me. But he knows, and I know, that we both love this game: the one where I pretend he’s a pain in my ass, and he acts like a damn circus clown. 

He stands up, crosses the room, and plops back down in the chair. “Valery sent me.” 

I throw an arm across my eyes. “Of course she did.” Beside me, Charlie moves to get up and I immediately reach for her. She squeals and wiggles out of my grasp. 

I watch as she walks around the bed and ruffles Max’s hair. The twenty-eight year old pants like a dog. It’s a bit disturbing considering Charlie’s seventeen. She eyes me with a grin. “I’ll make waffles.” 

My face lights up. 

“Yes,” she continues. “And bacon.” 

I glance at Max and nod toward Charlie. “That’s my girl.” 

“Damn straight,” he says. 

“I’m still making breakfast for your birthday,” I call after Charlie. Then, looking at Max, I add, “My girl’s going to be legal soon.” 

Max says, “Boom.”

Author Website | Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes and Noble

The Giveaway:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Waiting on Wednesday (#20): All Our Yesterdays by Cristin Terrill

"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, I'm featuring:

All Our Yesterdays by Cristin Terrill

Publisher: Disney Hyperion

Publication Date: September 3, 2013

Summary (from Goodreads):

"You have to kill him." Imprisoned in the heart of a secret military base, Em has nothing except the voice of the boy in the cell next door and the list of instructions she finds taped inside the drain.

Only Em can complete the final instruction. She’s tried everything to prevent the creation of a time machine that will tear the world apart. She holds the proof: a list she has never seen before, written in her own hand. Each failed attempt in the past has led her to the same terrible present—imprisoned and tortured by a sadistic man called the doctor while war rages outside. 

Marina has loved her best friend James since the day he moved next door when they were children. A gorgeous, introverted science prodigy from one of America’s most famous families, James finally seems to be seeing Marina in a new way, too. But on one disastrous night, James’s life crumbles apart, and with it, Marina’s hopes for their future. Now someone is trying to kill him. Marina will protect James, no matter what. Even if it means opening her eyes to a truth so terrible that she may not survive it. At least not as the girl she once was. 

All Our Yesterdays is a wrenching, brilliantly plotted story of fierce love, unthinkable sacrifice, and the infinite implications of our every choice.

Author Website | Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes and Noble

YAY for Disney Hyperion title! I love the sound of this one - even though I usually shy away from time-travel books. I'm so excited to read it! :D

Also, I am super thrilled to finally see the cover - whenever that is. Disney Hyperion has beautiful covers!

Review: Sweet Revenge by Zoe Archer

Sweet Revenge by Zoe Archer

Book One of the Nemesis Unlimited series

Publisher: St. Martin's Press

Publication Date: June 4, 2013

Rating: 4 stars

Source: eARC from NetGalley

***Warning: this is an adult book, and for the eyes of mature readers***

Summary (from Goodreads):

When Jack Dalton escapes from Dunmoor Prison, he has only one thing in mind—finding the nobleman who murdered his sister and making him pay. But when he reaches the inn where the Lord Rockley is rumored to be staying, three well-dressed strangers are there to meet him instead. And the pretty blonde is aiming a pistol right at his head …

Joining Nemesis, Unlimited has made Eva Warrick much more than the well-mannered lady she appears to be—one who can shoot, fight, and outsmart any man in the quest to right the injustices so often suffered by the innocent. She’s not afraid of the burly escaped convict, but she is startled by their shared attraction. She and her partners need Jack’s help to get to Rockley, but Eva finds she wants Jack for scandalous reasons all her own…

What I Liked:

When I finished reading this book, I could not help but thinking, wow, this book was not too bad! I am not sure what I was expecting before I read the book, but I did not think that I would like this book as much as I did!

This book is not typical of what I usually read when choosing historical romance novels. Usually, I end up with the fluffy and stuffy English society ones, with lords and dukes and earls and ladies and so on. Rather than being centered around the richer class of historical English society, this book is focused on the opposite end. Neither Jack nor Eva nor the majority of Nemesis Unlimited are high-ranked nobility (one person is). I can safely say that I liked the exploration of the lower-ranked members of society!

This imbalance of power in society has a great deal to do with the plot. Jack is furious and out for revenge, because of what a certain Lord Rockley did to his sister. I definitely liked the plot of this novel, because it was so lively and action-packed. I was very impressed at how the author keeps the reader's interest on the central plot of the novel, and THEN the romance.

The romance is a significant, but not overwhelming, part of the novel. Jack and Eva are sweet and fiery at the same time. I enjoyed watching the sparks fly between them, and I loved how each character encouraged the other to embrace at part of them that makes them a better individual. And no love triangle! Yay!

The ending is PERFECT - well, I think it is. I love the ending. It fits Eva very well, and it fits Jack very well, and it fits Nemesis Unlimited very well. Wink wink.

What I Did Not Like:

I had the problem of wanting more from this book. Don't get me wrong - I love the plot of this book. But I feel like there could have been more to it, that would make it even more dimensional, even more complex, even more intricate. I really did like what the author constructed, but I felt like their could have been more to the journey. The plot was pretty straightforward, and that is not a bad thing! But there could have been more. You know what I mean?

I kind of wanted more background on most of the characters. Jack is the most fleshed out, which is fantastic, but many of the other characters, especially the secondary characters, are not as explored. This is a small thing, but I still would have liked to see more about most of the characters!

Would I Recommend It:

This one is pretty good, so I think if you want a different sort of historical romance novel, then this one is a good one to look up! I enjoyed it while reading it, but it probably is not the best historical romance novel for everyone.

Rating:

3.5 stars -> rounded up to 4 stars. This book was different from the historical romance books I am used to reading, and not too bad!

Author Website | Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes and Noble

Was this review helpful? Please let me know in the comments section!

Review: Any Duchess Will Do by Tessa Dare

Any Duchess Will Do by Tessa Dare

Book Four of the Spindle Cove series

Publisher: Avon

Publication Date: May 28, 2013

Rating: 4 stars

Source: eARC from Edelweiss

***Warning: this is an adult book, and for the eyes of mature readers***

Summary (from Goodreads):

What’s a duke to do, when the girl who’s perfectly wrong becomes the woman he can’t live without?

Griffin York, the Duke of Halford, has no desire to wed this season—or any season—but his diabolical mother abducts him to “Spinster Cove” and insists he select a bride from the ladies in residence. Griff decides to teach her a lesson that will end the marriage debate forever. He chooses the serving girl.

Overworked and struggling, Pauline Simms doesn't dream about dukes. All she wants is to hang up her barmaid apron and open a bookshop. That dream becomes a possibility when an arrogant, sinfully attractive duke offers her a small fortune for a week’s employment. Her duties are simple: submit to his mother’s “duchess training”… and fail miserably.

But in London, Pauline isn't a miserable failure. She’s a brave, quick-witted, beguiling failure—a woman who ignites Griff’s desire and soothes the darkness in his soul. Keeping Pauline by his side won’t be easy. Even if Society could accept a serving girl duchess—can a roguish duke convince a serving girl to trust him with her heart?

What I Liked:

Before I start, let me just say that I have not read the previous Spindle Cove novels or novellas, except Beauty and the Blacksmith (Book 3.5).

I liked this historical romance novel! I tend to like most of the ones I read, because I am extremely selective with these. Eventually, they can just start to sound the same. So I try to limit the ones that I read, and only read the ones that sound somewhat unique, or the ones that are by authors with which I am familiar.

Griffin is not your typical duke, or high-ranked member of society. He suffered a great deal about a year before our story starts, and this plagues him throughout the story. As readers, we don't see understand what it is until very late in the story, which is fantastic, because usually I can figure things out pretty quickly. Not so with Griffin.

It's always good to like your alpha males, right? Griffin is an awesome hero of the story, and I really liked following his train of thought. He was a lot more interesting than Pauline (sorry, Pauline!). And he is definitely a charmer, when he wants to be.

Pauline is a heroine with a good deal of depth. I liked this about her, because it really straightened out Griffin's mother at times. Pauline did her best to understand Griffin, and empathize, and work with him and for him. She has a kind heart, but she is a also a strong woman.

I love that Ms. Dare included Daniella, a "simple" (autism-like condition). It made the women of Spindle Cove seem awful, compared to Pauline (not that Pauline is anything like them), and it made Pauline all the more likable.

Griffin and Pauline together. BOOM. Their relationship is so sweet, and yet, they can make it rain. I love the scene in the library, but not just for naughty reasons. Same with the one at the orphanage. There is where we get a peak at Griffin's past. And it's there that we see Griffin and Pauline hold up each other.

The plot was very Cinderella-esque. I know you might think, oh, then I know exactly what will happen! Well, not really. Because what you think will happen did not happen.

The ending was good. Ish. Keep reading below - you will see why I am "eh" about the ending. But, there was no love triangle, no major plot holes, nothing that made me mad. This book was truly a good one!

What I Did Not Like:

Like I said before, I thought the ending was good. Ish. It wasn't your traditional, perfect ending, but I am glad everything still went well for Griffin and Pauline. I just cannot understand Pauline sometimes.

Would I Recommend It:

Despite the slight discomfort with the ending, I enjoyed this book! It's definitely a fantastic historical romance book, and I think most historical romance fans will love this book. DEFINITELY read this one if you love the Spindle Cove series and Tessa Dare!

Rating:

4 stars. Go read it! You will enjoy this cute and humorous historical romance novel.

Author Website | Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes and Noble

Was this review helpful? Please let me know in the comments section!

Cover Reveal: Romancing the Bookworm by Kate Evangelista

Hi everyone! Happy Monday! Who's ready for an awesome cover reveal! Formerly known as Maverick, Romancing the Bookworm is Kate Evangelista's upcoming contemporary romance novel, and I am EXCITED for this one! 

So! Here is the cover!

Drumroll, please...

POOF!

Romancing the Bookworm by Kate Evangelista

Publisher: Omnific Publishing

Publication Date: July 9, 2013

Official Summary:

Sometimes, even the best-laid plans can unravel.

It's spring break, and Tamara Winters would rather stay on campus and read romance novels than flaunt her size-fourteen body on a beach. But her best friend, Ronni, has other ideas. Against her wishes, Tamara is whisked away to picturesque Maverick Bay, where she's wrangled into waiting tables with Ronni at the Shore Shack for its busy week leading to Maverick's Surf Invitational. There she meets fellow schoolmate Xavier Solomon, the Invitational's organizer and campus womanizer by reputation. From the moment Tamara sees him emerging from the waves like a hero in of one of her romance novels, all she wants to do is run away from the feelings he inspires in her.

Little does she know Xavier has been watching her for weeks now. In fact, after failed attempts at asking her out on campus, he's concocted a crazy plan: fabricating romantic situations straight out of her favorite books. Xavier quickly realizes that if Tamara gets a whiff of his designs, he might as well spell CREEPER across his forehead. Yet as they grow closer, he's convinced it's a risk worth taking. What he hasn't planned on, of course, is his drug-addicted, alcoholic stepbrother, who decides to join the fun and put a wrench in Xavier’s scheme. 

Spring break is proving hotter than Tamara expected. Will her romance novels be able to compete?

Add Romancing the Bookworm to your Goodreads shelf!

About the Author:

When Kate Evangelista was told she had a knack for writing stories, she did the next best thing: entered medical school. After realizing she wasn't going to be the next Doogie Howser, M.D., Kate wandered into the Literature department of her university and never looked back. Today, she is in possession of a piece of paper that says to the world she owns a Literature degree. To make matters worse, she took Master's courses in creative writing. In the end, she realized to be a writer, none of what she had mattered. What really mattered? Writing. Plain and simple, honest to God, sitting in front of her computer, writing. Today, she has four completed Young Adult novels. 

Blog | Goodreads | Twitter

What do you think of the cover?Are you excited to read this book? Does this sound like something you would read?

Review: Of Silver and Beasts by Trisha Wolfe

Of Silver and Beasts by Trisha Wolfe

Book One of the Goddess Wars series

Publication Date: April 19, 2013

Rating: 4 stars

Source: eARC provided by the author

**Due to mature content, this book is intended for ages 17+**

Summary (from Goodreads):

In the sand-covered queendom of Cavan, the goddess once saved a young Kaliope’s life, preventing the mercury her father attempted to hide in her blood from reaching her heart. Now, a cybernetic clamp filters it, but the silver streaks swirling faintly beneath her skin are a constant reminder that she’s different.

When nineteen-year-old Kaliope is chosen as head of the Nactue Guard, she becomes the sworn protector to her empress. In the midst of an invasion on a neighboring land, Kaliope is placed in charge of guarding Prince Caben, the last heir to his kingdom. But when they’re attacked by the feared Otherworlders, Caben and Kaliope are abducted and taken below to a realm where they must fight for their life in a caged arena. 

Kaliope struggles to protect her princely charge, keeping him and herself alive while battling inhumanly opponents, and trying to save the stolen, sacred relic that will restore her empress’s life force and all of Cavan. And if she can somehow awaken the goddess within her, she may save what’s most important.

What I Liked:

I really liked this book! I expected it to be excellent, because it came highly anticipated and promoted by the book blogging community. This book is the first book written by Trisha Wolfe that I have read (shh, don't tell her!), even though I have been a huge fan of hers for quite some time. It is mostly because of her upcoming novel Fireblood. Oh my GOSH, how I want that book.

Anyway. This book was awesome! The world-building, the plot, the characters, the romance... wow! I was very surprised by how well this book was written. Not that I did not expect it to be well-written, but I was gob-smacked by the superb quality! (no offense, Ms.Wolfe!)

The world-building was so, SO good. This book is a fantasy novel, and therefore, readers must get a feel for the world and the setting and the customs from the beginning. It is not always easy for the author to do this, with dumping a ton of information on the reader all at once. Ms. Wolfe did not have this problem. I got a fantastic understanding of the world of Cavan in the beginning and throughout the novel. This is an amazing fantasy world that Ms. Wolfe has created! 

The mythology in this book is also excellent. I was never really confused about the goddesses and rituals and powers and whatnot. It was very obvious that Ms. Wolfe put a great deal of thought into the mythology of this book (not that she wouldn't put a great deal of thought into ANY part of the book).

 The plot was all-around pretty good. Once we get to the cage fighting, not much happens, until the next big scenery jump. I liked the progression of Caben and Kaliope's relationship. That seemed to take over as the primary plot, when we as readers got to the cage fighting. 

The romance was by no means overwhelming. This book was fantasy, and mythology, and then romance. I loved the romance in this book. I previously mentioned how the cage fighting part of the book is eclipsed by the romance, but it's more like they are dual plot-lines, but the romance is more prominent. I focused more on the romance than the cage fighting, because the romance was so sweet! No insta-love whatsoever. You can trust Ms. Wolfe to have her characters have a gradual progression of feelings! And yay for no love triangle! Always a plus with me.

Kaliope is an awesome protagonist. We know she will be tough and and kick-butt and loyal to the bone, but she is also sweet and caring and not always sure of herself. Her weaknesses make her strong, especially her mercury. I admire her, and I think that despite her tenacity, she is a lovely example of what I like see in Young Adult and/or New Adult fantasy books.

Caben is basically a perfect counterpart for Kaliope (if it's okay if I use the word "counterpart" without offending anyone). He is headstrong and courageous and slightly domineering but not in the overly alpha way where you just want to punch them in the face! Nah, he is great. I really, really like him. The scenes with him are my favorite - which is awesome, because he is in so many of them!

What I Did Not Like:

There was not too much that I did not like! A few minor things, really. I thought the pacing at the end was a bit rushed. Throughout the book, there was a slow pace, even with the action scenes. Not necessarily slow, but not quite fast either. But then the last 20% (ish) were really fast. But this was not too much of a hindrance! I just feel like while I savored the first 80%, I did not grasp the last 20% as well.

The plot is sort of slow, once we get to cage fighting. I expected this, because the majority of the book is at the cage fighting prison, but not much happens. Kaliope and Caben's relationship really develops, which is great! There are fights, some theories, but not too much. I don't know, maybe I just expected more.

The ending. Brace yourself. All does NOT end well. But there are more books in this series!

Would I Recommend It:

YES, totally! I absolutely LOVE fantasy (it's my favorite genre!), but I feel like I haven;t read a lot of good ones recently. This one is definitely an EXCELLENT fantasy novel. And it's a New Adult age level novel! So, you New Adult fans will love this book! It's also got a steampunk feel to it. Definitely heavy on mythology. This book is so diverse! Everyone could read it (and hopefully like it!).

Rating:

4 stars. I anxiously await Of Darkness and Crowns!

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