Monday, November 30, 2015

Stacking the Shelves


Stacking the Shelves allows us to share the books we have added to our collections - physical, virtual, borrowed, bought or received


Summary (by Goodreads)

High school can be hell.

Cam knows what it’s like to be haunted. He’s spent more time in Hell than any angel ever should. And his freshest Hell is high school, where Lilith, the girl he can’t stop loving, is serving out a punishment for his crimes.

Cam made a bet with Lucifer: he has fifteen days to convince the only girl who really matters to him to love him again. If he succeeds, Lilith will be allowed back into the world, and they can live their lives together. But if he fails…there’s a special place in Hell just for him.

Tick-tock.

Spread your wings and cry as bad boy dark angel Cam finally reveals his anguished heart in the epic new FALLEN novel, UNFORGIVEN.

It has been a long time since I visited the Fallen series but it is time to get back into it.  If you are looking for an intense romance...this is it!
- Christinabean

Wednesday, November 25, 2015

Waiting on Wednesday - For the Record by Charlotte Huang

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Breaking the Spine,  that spotlights upcoming releases that we’re eagerly anticipating or books that are in our TBR pile.  This week’s “can’t-wait-to-read” selection is


Summary (by Goodreads)

If Almost Famous were a YA novel... a raw, honest debut celebrating music, friendship, romance, and life on the road.
Chelsea thought she knew what being a rock star was like... until she became one. After losing a TV talent show, she slid back into small-town anonymity. But one phone call changed everything 
 
Now she’s the lead singer of the band Melbourne, performing in sold-out clubs every night and living on a bus with three gorgeous and talented guys. The bummer is that the band barely tolerates her. And when teen heartthrob Lucas Rivers take an interest in her, Chelsea is suddenly famous, bringing Melbourne to the next level—not that they’re happy about that. Her feelings for Beckett, Melbourne’s bassist, are making life even more complicated.
 
Chelsea only has the summer tour to make the band—and their fans—love her. If she doesn’t, she’ll be back in Michigan for senior year, dying a slow death. The paparazzi, the haters, the grueling schedule... Chelsea believed she could handle it. But what if she can’t?

OK, so I have to be honest here, what drew me to this book was the photo.  I love the person who is holding their fingers in a heart shape....so I took a look at the summary and it DOES sound like a fun read.  However, it was released at the beginning of the month (why are all of them like this??)  It is probably in your bookstore or library now.  What are you waiting for? 

- Christinabean

Wednesday, November 18, 2015

Waiting on Wednesday - Unforgiven by Lauren Kate

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Breaking the Spine,  that spotlights upcoming releases that we’re eagerly anticipating or books that are in our TBR pile.  This week’s “can’t-wait-to-read” selection is


Summary (Goodreads)

It’s the book FALLEN fans have been waiting for: Cam’s story, the brooding, bad-boy dark angel readers love.

High school can be hell.

Cam knows what it’s like to be haunted. He’s spent more time in Hell than any angel ever should. And his freshest Hell is high school, where Lilith, the girl he can’t stop loving, is serving out a punishment for his crimes.

Cam made a bet with Lucifer: he has fifteen days to convince the only girl who really matters to him to love him again. If he succeeds, Lilith will be allowed back into the world, and they can live their lives together. But if he fails…there’s a special place in Hell just for him.

Tick-tock.

Spread your wings and cry as bad boy dark angel Cam finally reveals his anguished heart in the epic new FALLEN novel, UNFORGIVEN.

Augh! There are so many great books that came out at the beginning of November that I decided to spread them out throughout the month of WOW posts.

A FIFTH book in the Fallen Series by Lauren Kate!!!
Remember Daniel? and Cam? Well, this is Cam's turn to tell his story.  I'm going to have to brush up on this series because it has been shelved for years but I'm looking forward to diving back in.  I loved the eternal romance of Fallen when it was first released and I've got to find my signed copy buried somewhere on my shelf...

- Christinabean

Monday, November 16, 2015

Stacking the Shelves


Stacking the Shelves allows us to share the books we have added to our collections - physical, virtual, borrowed, bought or received


Summary (by Goodreads)

In this heart-stopping suspense thriller, #1 New York Times bestselling author Kelley Armstrong proves herself to be a master of terror and suspense.

Riley Vasquez is haunted by the brutal murder of the couple she was babysitting for.

Max Cross is suffering under the shadow of a life-altering diagnosis he doesn’t dare reveal.

The last thing either of them wants is to spend a weekend away at a therapy camp alongside five other teens with “issues.” But that’s exactly where they are when three masked men burst in to take the group hostage.

The building has no windows. The exits are sealed shut. Their phones are gone. And their captors are on a killing spree.

Riley and Max know that if they can’t get out, they’ll be next—but they’re about to discover that even escape doesn’t equal freedom.
 

Last week I picked up this title and put it back because I was already buying two titles. Then I came back to it and got a preview off of Amazon kindle.  AND I COULDN'T STOP READING. So I bought it.  Look for a review shortly...darn kindle and their sneak a peeks......
- Christinabean

Saturday, November 14, 2015

The Immortal Heights by Sherry Thomas


The Immortal Heights (The Elemental Trilogy, #3)

Published: October 15th, 2016
Publisher: Balzer + Bray
Pages: 432
Copy: Edelweiss
Summary: Goodreads

In a pursuit that has spanned continents, Iolanthe, Titus, and their friends have always managed to remain one step ahead of the forces of Atlantis. But now the Bane, the monstrous tyrant who bestrides the entire mage world, has issued his ultimatum: Titus must hand over Iolanthe, or watch as his entire realm is destroyed in a deadly rampage. Running out of time and options, Iolanthe and Titus must act decisively to deliver a final blow to the Bane, ending his reign of terror for good.

However, getting to the Bane means accomplishing the impossible—finding a way to infiltrate his crypt in the deepest recesses of the most ferociously guarded fortress in Atlantis. And everything is only made more difficult when new prophecies come to light, foretelling a doomed effort....

Iolanthe and Titus will put their love and their lives on the line. But will it be enough?

With The Immortal Heights, Sherry Thomas brings the acclaimed Elemental Trilogy to its breathtaking conclusion.

Short Review:

First thing to say here is that if you haven't been reading this trilogy - WHY NOT!  It's exciting, adventurous, full of action and sooo romantic.  If you haven't started it yet you are in luck.  You can read all three of them one after the other, and since each book follows directly on from the last (only a few hours difference) this is the best way to read them.

The characters feel real and it's so easy to become invested in what happens to them.  I almost found myself getting mad at Iolanthe and Titus because they are so determined to save each other at their own expense.
The story is full of excitement, magic carpets, Atlantean evil-doers, suspense, mystery and romance and is really very cleverly written.  I completely fell in love with the series and was very happy with the way everything was tied up in this last installment.  It's actually really hard to review without giving away major plot twists, so I'll just finish by saying READ IT.

Friday, November 13, 2015

Follow Friday


Friday Follow is a blog hop that was started by Parajunkee and Alison Can Read.  Each week a different question is posted by our hosts and we will answer!  This is a great opportunity for bloggers to network and interact. 
This week’s question –
What are the funniest books you’ve ever read?
A few of the funniest books I've read in the past 10 years include Size 12 is not Fat by Meg Cabot, The Undomestic Goddess by Sophie Kinsella, The Karma Club by Jessica Brody and Broken Hearts, Fences and other things to Mend by Katie Finn.  I would LOVE to hear about another fun book title though!
- Christinabean
Welcome to the Paperback Princesses! Make yourself at home, take a look around our blog and let us know what you think in the comments section. We would love to hear what you have to say about our posts. We often try to comment on your comments as well so feel free to start a conversation! Since there are two of us running the show, we always have a variety of titles and event postings. Be sure to check out our own personal meme page. Check out Fantastic Fairytales, Let's Hear it for the Boys, In Case you Missed it and a few others. We try to not only focus on new YA books but also great titles from the past.

Wednesday, November 11, 2015

Waiting on Wednesday - Soundless by Richelle Mead

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Breaking the Spine,  that spotlights upcoming releases that we’re eagerly anticipating or books that are in our TBR pile.  This week’s “can’t-wait-to-read” selection is


Summary (by Goodreads)

From Richelle Mead, the #1 internationally bestselling author of Vampire Academy and Bloodlines, comes a breathtaking new fantasy steeped in Chinese folklore. 

For as long as Fei can remember, there has been no sound in her village, where rocky terrain and frequent avalanches prevent residents from self-sustaining. Fei and her people are at the mercy of a zipline that carries food up the treacherous cliffs from Beiguo, a mysterious faraway kingdom. 

When villagers begin to lose their sight, deliveries from the zipline shrink and many go hungry. Fei’s home, the people she loves, and her entire existence is plunged into crisis, under threat of darkness and starvation.

But soon Fei is awoken in the night by a searing noise, and sound becomes her weapon.

Richelle Mead takes readers on a triumphant journey from the peak of Fei’s jagged mountain village to the valley of Beiugo, where a startling truth and an unlikely romance will change her life forever...

I focused on East Asian studies in school and I remember reading tons of Asian folklore.  I am really looking forward to seeing what Richelle Mead has to bring to the table with this series.  It is such a departure from her Vampire Academy series and the Bloodlines spin-off series.  There won't be any blood suckers here but I'm sure there will be some supernatural aspect to this series!

- Christinabean

Thursday, November 5, 2015

Get Dirty by Gretchen McNeil


Published: June 2015
Publisher: Baltzer & Bray
Pages: 384
Copy Provided by: Library
Summary: Goodreads

Summary:
The members of Don’t Get Mad aren’t just mad anymore…they’re afraid. And with Margot in a coma and Bree stuck in juvie, it’s up to Olivia and Kitty to try to catch their deadly tormentor. But just as the girls are about to go on the offensive, Ed the Head reveals a shocking secret that turns all their theories upside down. The killer could be anyone, and this time he—or she—is out for more than just revenge.

The girls desperately try to discover the killer’s identity as their personal lives are falling apart: Donté is pulling away from Kitty and seems to be hiding a secret of his own, Bree is sequestered under the watchful eye of her mom’s bodyguard, and Olivia’s mother is on an emotional downward spiral. The killer is closing in, the threats are becoming more personal, and when the police refuse to listen, the girls have no choice but to confront their anonymous “friend”…or die trying.

Review:
I am a big fan of Gretchen McNeil.  She has interesting novels, all with some kind of suspenseful plot or thrilling outcome.  Get Dirty is a continuation of the Don't Get Mad series.  I love the premise where a group of unexpected teens who don't have any connection get together to extract revenge on the bullies in their school and community.  If you enjoyed The Mockingbirds by Daisy Whitney, you would like this one.  

Unfortunately, Book #2 didn't pull out the punches for me and I did find that it was a little bit lacking in the suspense.  Gretchen does a good job of keeping the real killer secretive and mis-directing the reader in all different directions but I didn't feel the same kind of intensity as I did in the first title.  If you have already read Book #1, I do recommend finishing the series up as it is a quick read and it is nice to confirm any suspicions you may have concluded about the killer.  Overall, I was happy that I read the title but I probably wouldn't read it a second time.

I was also surprised to see this as a two book series. I have become so used to the stand-alone or three book series that I wasn't expecting it to come to an end right away.  Good that it worked out that way as it was pleasant to have a shorter reading commitment.  Even though I am not singing Gretchen's praises for this title, she is still one of my favorite authors and I'm keen to see what is next on her publishing list.  

Wednesday, November 4, 2015

Waiting on Wednesday - Winter by Marissa Meyer

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Breaking the Spine,  that spotlights upcoming releases that we’re eagerly anticipating or books that are in our TBR pile.  This week’s “can’t-wait-to-read” selection is


Summary (by Goodreads)

Princess Winter is admired by the Lunar people for her grace and kindness, and despite the scars that mar her face, her beauty is said to be even more breathtaking than that of her stepmother, Queen Levana.

Winter despises her stepmother, and knows Levana won’t approve of her feelings for her childhood friend–the handsome palace guard, Jacin. But Winter isn’t as weak as Levana believes her to be and she’s been undermining her stepmother’s wishes for years. Together with the cyborg mechanic, Cinder, and her allies, Winter might even have the power to launch a revolution and win a war that’s been raging for far too long.

Can Cinder, Scarlet, Cress, and Winter defeat Levana and find their happily ever afters?

The sci-fi fairytale mash-up continues as we explore Princess Winter's story.  I can't wait to see what happens next....I have been anticipating this novel for the past 10 months. Have you pre-ordered your copy yet?

- Christinabean


Tuesday, November 3, 2015

The Fiery Trial


Published: Sept 2015
Publisher: Margaret K McElderry
Pages: 40
Copy Provided by: Borrowed
Summary: Goodreads

Summary:

Simon and Clary reunite as they witness a Parabatai ceremony…and discuss their own plans to be bonded. One of ten adventures in Tales from the Shadowhunter Academy.

Simon and Clary act as witnesses to the parabatai ceremony of Emma Carstairs and Julian Blackthorn…and discuss their own parabatai plans in this precursor to The Dark Artifices.

This standalone e-only short story follows the adventures of Simon Lewis, star of the #1 New York Times bestselling series, The Mortal Instruments, as he trains to become a Shadowhunter. Tales from the Shadowhunter Academy features characters from Cassandra Clare’s Mortal Instruments, Infernal Devices, and the upcoming Dark Artifices and Last Hours series. The Fiery Trial is written by Cassandra Clare and Maureen Johnson.

Review:
The Fiery Trial is #8 in the Shadowhunter Academy series.  It is a nice segway into incorporating readers into the lives of Emma and Julian, main characters in the upcoming Dark Artifices series.  Here, Simon is asked to witness the parabatai ceremony of Emma and Julian yet also discovers whether he and Clary are bound to be parabatai as well.  I love how we see the ceremony of this special relationship and learn how parallel Simon and Clary's lives have been.  I had not considered that they both had blocks on their minds.  The entire novel was highly insightful after they drank water from Lake Lynn.  Although Simon RAVED about the tea when he first sipped it, I'm sure he would never want to have it again.  Miss Clare is doing a wonderful job of prepping her readers for the next series.  I feel like I'm in a Shadowhunter review lecture series and there will be a final test on runes later this month.  Great for those of us who are bit obsessive about this series....

Monday, November 2, 2015

Stacking the Shelves


Stacking the Shelves allows us to share the books we have added to our collections - physical, virtual, borrowed, bought or received


This week I got: 



I was at Chapters this weekend and picked up these two. They have been on my TBR list for awhile.  I did want to mention that Kelley Armstrong came out with another title that I'm eager to read as well.  I didn't even realize that it had been released last week and I had a tough time putting it back on the shelf...however, my pocketbook wouldn't allow me to purchase any more 


Summary (by Goodreads)

Riley Vasquez is haunted by the brutal murder of the couple she was babysitting for.

Max Cross is suffering under the shadow of a life-altering diagnosis he doesn’t dare reveal.

The last thing either of them wants is to spend a weekend away at a therapy camp alongside five other teens with “issues.” But that’s exactly where they are when three masked men burst in to take the group hostage.

The building has no windows. The exits are sealed shut. Their phones are gone. And their captors are on a killing spree.

Riley and Max know that if they can’t get out, they’ll be next—but they’re about to discover that even escape doesn’t equal freedom.
 

Sounds thrilling, doesn't it?? I might have to make another trip to Chapters this weekend....maybe I can pawn my dog.....

 - Christinabean