Stacking the Shleves

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

I snagged a copy of this over the weekend because I have been hearing so much buzz about it. How about you? Is it on your reading radar?  I just finished reading Me Before You and I'll be posting a review shortly. Yes, yes...I seem to say that a lot about reviews but I am working on them now...to try and get them posted over the next couple weeks. 

- Chrisitnabean

Waiting on Wednesday

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)

WEATHER ALERT: SEVERE STORMS AHEAD

Gemma and Hallie's world has come to a screeching halt. Their parents are engaged, which makes them step-sisters. Nothing in the world could possibly be worse for Gemma and Hallie--they won't let it happen. Even if it means putting their own feud aside to separate their parents.

Events quickly escalate as a hurricane rips through the Hamptons leaving everyone (including Gemma's two exes, her current crush, best friend, and her nemesis) bottled up in one house. One big, miserable group of exes and enemies together allow secrets to unfold and plans to be plotted. The calm before this storm definitely doesn't exist.

This book was released back on May 10th but I have been waiting for a it since book #2. The series - Broken Hearts and Revenge is the PERFECT summer read as you are outside lying on the beach. Gemma and Hallie used to be best friends when they were children but then after a series of misunderstandings, and years of plotting, revenge takes over and a major feud ensues.  This series is a little short on reality but is so much fun to watch unfold!  I encourage you to pick up Broken Hearts, Fences and other things to Mend (if you haven't already tried it) for a fun summer read and a break from the seriousness of whatever you have been reading lately.

- Christinabean

Waiting on Wednesday

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)

A revenge that will consume her. A love that will ruin her.

Emelina Flores has nothing. Her home in Ruina has been ravaged by war. She lacks the powers of her fellow Ruined. Worst of all, she witnessed her parents’ brutal murders and watched helplessly as her sister, Olivia, was kidnapped.

But because Em has nothing, she has nothing to lose. Driven by a blind desire for revenge, Em sets off on a dangerous journey to the enemy kingdom of Lera. Somewhere within Lera’s borders, Em hopes to find Olivia. But in order to find her, Em must infiltrate the royal family.

In a brilliant, elaborate plan of deception and murder, Em marries Prince Casimir, next in line to take Lera’s throne. If anyone in Lera discovers Em is not Casimir’s true betrothed, Em will be executed on the spot. But it’s the only way to salvage Em’s kingdom and what is left of her family.

Em is determined to succeed, but the closer she gets to the prince, the more she questions her mission. Em’s rage-filled heart begins to soften. But with her life—and her family—on the line, love could be Em’s deadliest mistake.

Ruined was released at the beginning of this month but it has been on my radar for a bit longer than that. Revenge...why doesn't anyone learn that revenge just leads to bad things? Still, I can't help but want to read this title.  :)

- Christinabean

Waiting on Wednesday

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)

Vika Andreyeva can summon the snow and turn ash into gold. Nikolai Karimov can see through walls and conjure bridges out of thin air. They are enchanters—the only two in Russia—and with the Ottoman Empire and the Kazakhs threatening, the Tsar needs a powerful enchanter by his side.

And so he initiates the Crown’s Game, an ancient duel of magical skill—the greatest test an enchanter will ever know. The victor becomes the Imperial Enchanter and the Tsar’s most respected adviser. The defeated is sentenced to death.

Raised on tiny Ovchinin Island her whole life, Vika is eager for the chance to show off her talent in the grand capital of Saint Petersburg. But can she kill another enchanter—even when his magic calls to her like nothing else ever has?

For Nikolai, an orphan, the Crown’s Game is the chance of a lifetime. But his deadly opponent is a force to be reckoned with—beautiful, whip smart, imaginative—and he can’t stop thinking about her.

And when Pasha, Nikolai’s best friend and heir to the throne, also starts to fall for the mysterious enchantress, Nikolai must defeat the girl they both love... or be killed himself.

As long-buried secrets emerge, threatening the future of the empire, it becomes dangerously clear... the Crown’s Game is not one to lose. 

Two enchanters? Can't everyone just get along and learn to share power?  Sounds like a great start to a new series to me!

 - Christinabean

Stacking the Shelves

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

I had quite the haul this week.  Thanks to a giftcard earned from Swagbucks, I had money to spend at Chapters (burning a hole in my online account)...I'll tell you about how to earn points and free giftcards to Amazon and Chapters after I show you what I received in my goody box - 

OK, so a bit of a mix...Court of Thorns and Roses is in my top 10 series right now. We shall see how it all pans out but if it is like Sarah J Mass' Throne of Glass series, then it is a keeper. Court of Mist and Fury was just released last week.  Glass Sword was one that I really wanted to snag from Chapters because it is a SIGNED copy. I found a few different titles that could be ordered that were signed by the author and this is one of them. Awesome if they are by an author you are really enjoying and Chapters doesn't bump up the price of the book either. Lastly, I picked up The Walking Dead Compendium. This is most recent one from what I can acertain.  Since Season 6 has ended, I need something else to fuel my obsession.  :)  I haven't actually read the rest of the series, just watched the show!

I was so excited to get Court of Mist and Fury that I started reading it over the weekend and I have NO IDEA what happened in book #1. I'm afraid in my old age my memory is starting to fade so it is lucky that I also bought the first title so I have been frantically trying to re-read it. I think I'm only about 20% of the way through right now.

I had wanted to talk to our followers about Swagbucks. This is a site that I got hooked on from another blogger.  She kept mentioned how she would get $5 amazon gift cards every week just from visiting a website and doing some surveys. Well, I don't always have time to do the surveys on this website but I do use it to get free points and snag giftcards whenever I can.  If you have the time, you might want to try it. Basically, Swagbucks can act as a search engine and then there are a variety of other things you can do to earn points. These points accumulate to cash in for giftcards.  There are often bonus points that can be found on their Facebook site, twitter and their blog. Most of it is free but you can increase your points exponentially if you do online shopping and link through them first. I use their search engine instead of Google and I get rewarded every 8-12 times I search.   I also have their app on my phone and will watch movie previews for additional points. These little changes have actually gotten me hundreds of dollars in gift certificates.  

You can check it out here - 

When you first start, make sure you take advantage of the free things such as the daily poll, and daily offers on the to do list on the left hand side of your screen.  Also, click on Answer and fill out the survey profile. These are quick and easy ways to earn points quickly.  You only need 500 points for most $5 gift cards. Oh, and if you are Canadian, be sure to search for giftcards using CAD in the search box to find only those giftcards you can use in our country!  Leave a message and let me know what you think!

- Christinabean

Waiting on Wednesday - The Last Boy and Girl in the World by Siobhan Vivian

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)

What if your town was sliding underwater and everyone was ordered to pack up and leave? How would you and your friends spend your last days together?

While the adults plan for the future, box up their possessions, and find new places to live, Keeley Hewitt and her friends decide to go out with a bang. There are parties in abandoned houses. Canoe races down Main Street. The goal is to make the most of every minute they still have together.

And for Keeley, that means taking one last shot at the boy she’s loved forever.

There’s a weird sort of bravery that comes from knowing there’s nothing left to lose. You might do things you normally wouldn’t. Or say things you shouldn’t. The reward almost always outweighs the risk.

Almost.

It’s the end of Aberdeen, but the beginning of Keeley’s first love story. It just might not turn out the way she thought. Because it’s not always clear what’s worth fighting for and what you should let become a memory. 

This title was released last week but I really enjoy Siobhan's writing. She partnered with Jenny Han to write the Burn for Burn trilogy.  You can find my reviews for this series using our search box on the right hand side. 

- Christinabean

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)

HER PERFECT LIFE IS A PERFECT LIE.

As a teenager at the prestigious Bradley School, Ani FaNelli endured a shocking, public humiliation that left her desperate to reinvent herself. Now, with a glamorous job, expensive wardrobe, and handsome blue blood fiancé, she’s this close to living the perfect life she’s worked so hard to achieve.

But Ani has a secret.

There’s something else buried in her past that still haunts her, something private and painful that threatens to bubble to the surface and destroy everything.

With a singular voice and twists you won’t see coming, Luckiest Girl Alive explores the unbearable pressure that so many women feel to “have it all” and introduces a heroine whose sharp edges and cutthroat ambition have been protecting a scandalous truth, and a heart that's bigger than it first appears.

The question remains: will breaking her silence destroy all that she has worked for—or, will it at long last, set Ani free? 

I keep seeing this title all over the place so I thought I would give it a try. From the reviews, it sounds pretty intense.  Heard it has been optioned for a movie with Reese Witherspoon and can be compared to Gone Girl.  Perhaps our next best book to movie? 

- Christinabean