Waiting on Wednesday - The Dark Calling by Kresley Cole

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)

New intrigues, adventures, and stunning revelations fill the penultimate installment of #1 New York Times best-selling author Kresley Cole’s electrifying Arcana Chronicles.

In a world teetering on the edge . . .
When Evie receives life-changing—and possibly game-changing—news, she has trouble believing it. Why doesn’t she feel any different? Is it possible someone she trusts might be lying?


With enemies at every turn . . .
Tensions seethe inside the castle of lost time as Evie starts to doubt her own sanity. Answers can be found outside their stronghold, but will Death help her find them—or prevent her from learning the truth about her future and Jack’s possible survival?


Darkness beckons. 
A mysterious, sinister power begins to affect the Arcana in its path. Forced out into the wasteland alone, Evie must depend on unexpected allies. But as a battle with Richter looms, can her new alliance defeat the Dark Calling before hell reigns on earth?

Have you ever been in anticipation of a book and missed it's release date?? Well, that's what happened to me with The Arcana Chronicles.  Book #5 was released last month.  LAST MONTH!!  What the heck was I doing last month??  I was given a copy of one of the first in this series and I was instantly hooked! I don't know what drew me into the series but I really enjoyed the premise of the novel.  Here, take a look. 

Summary (by Goodreads)

She could save the world--or destroy it.

Sixteen year old Evangeline"Evie" Greene leads a charmed life--until she begins experiencing horrifying hallucinations. When an apocalyptic event decimates her Louisiana hometown, killing everyone she loves, Evie realizes her hallucinations were actually visions of the future--and they're still happening. Fighting for her life and desperate for answers, she must turn to her wrong-side-of-the-bayou classmate: Jack Deveaux.

But she can't do either alone.
With his mile-long rap sheet, wicked grin, and bad attitude, Jack is like no boy Evie has ever known. Even though he once scorned her and everything she represented, he agrees to protect Evie on her quest. She knows she can't totally trust Jack. If he ever cast that wicked grin her way, could she possibly resist him?

Who can Evie trust?
As Jack and Evie race to find the source of her visions, they meet others who have gotten the same call. An ancient prophesy is being played out, and Evie is not the only one with special powers. A group of teens has been chosen to reenact the ultimate battle between good and evil. But it's not always clear who is on which side...

Sounds good, right? Well it gets better.  Much better.   The battle between good and evil becomes somewhat of a game in the world of reincarnation.  Think Endgame by James Frey meets Tarot Cards that have come to life.  Well, after I finished Poison Princess, I went on to buy the next book and then the next and then the next and so on until I had read all 4 books in about 2 weeks.  Now that is a lot for me.  Normally I read one title in about 2 weeks during my commute.  I didn't get a lot of sleep in those two weeks....

So I can't believe I missed the release of book #5.  I'm sorry Kresley. Can you forgive me?  I need to buy this title now and make amends...I guess I won't be sleeping much in the next few days as I read....

- Christinabean

Stacking the Shelves - Hunting Prince Dracula by Kerri Maniscalco

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

Summary (by Goodreads)

Following the grief and horror of her discovery of Jack the Ripper's true identity, Audrey Rose Wadsworth has no choice but to flee London and its memories. Together with the arrogant yet charming Thomas Cresswell, she journeys to the dark heart of Romania, home to one of Europe's best schools of forensic medicine...and to another notorious killer, Vlad the Impaler, whose thirst for blood became legend.

But her life's dream is soon tainted by blood-soaked discoveries in the halls of the school's forbidding castle, and Audrey Rose is compelled to investigate the strangely familiar murders. What she finds brings all her terrifying fears to life once again.

I know that this is book #2 of the Stalking Jack the Ripper series but I figured that the two titles couldn't possibly be that related seeing they are completely different plots.  Sure both villains murdered and maimed their victims but it's not like Jack flew to Europe to continue or compete in his killing spree, right? 

This is my first time reading a book by Kerri Maniscalco.  Actually, I didn't even read it.  I had it read TO me on Audible this time. I'll let you know how ends...I've got a few chapters left...

Waiting on Wednesday - Losing Leah by Tiffany King

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)

Some bonds can’t be broken.

Ten years after the tragic disappearance of her twin sister Leah, sixteen-year-old Mia Klein still struggles to exist within a family that has never fully recovered. Deep in the dark recesses of her mind lies an overwhelming shadow, taunting Mia with mind-splitting headaches that she tries to hide in an effort to appear okay.

Leah Klein's life as she knew it ended the day she was taken, thrust into a world of abuse and fear by a disturbed captor―"Mother," as she insists on being called. Ten years later, any recollections of her former life are nothing more than fleeting memories, except for those about her twin sister, Mia.

As Leah tries to gain the courage to escape, Mia's headaches grow worse. Soon, both sisters will discover that their fates are linked in ways they never realized.

I know, I know. I normally have a lot of fantasy type titles listed but this time I decided to go with something contemporary.  Sounded interesting! Twins who are separated but yet connected in some way...

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)

Summer in Sand Lake isn’t complete without a trip to Meade Creamery—the local ice cream stand founded in 1944 by Molly Meade who started making ice cream to cheer up her lovesick girlfriends while all the boys were away at war. Since then, the stand has been owned and managed exclusively by local girls, who inevitably become the best of friends. Seventeen-year-old Amelia and her best friend Cate have worked at the stand every summer for the past three years, and Amelia is “Head Girl” at the stand this summer. When Molly passes away before Amelia even has her first day in charge, Amelia isn’t sure that the stand can go on. That is, until Molly’s grandnephew Grady arrives and asks Amelia to stay on to help continue the business…but Grady’s got some changes in mind… 

Whew! I have had a couple of pretty heavy weeks when it comes to reading.  By heavy I don't mean huge books either. I mean intense and dark titles.  I just finished reading the Stillhouse Lake series by Rachel Caine and I'm still reeling from some of the events of the story.  Not sure if I'll be posting a review.  It's not exactly YA material but I do love her writing...Anywho...I thought I'd go for something a little lighter on the contemporary side this time around.  I received this title from NetGalley a little while ago and it will be released in April.  Ice cream anyone? 

- Christinabean

Game of Thrones Book 1 by George RR Martin

Summary (by Goodreads)

Long ago, in a time forgotten, a preternatural event threw the seasons out of balance. In a land where summers can last decades and winters a lifetime, trouble is brewing. The cold is returning, and in the frozen wastes to the north of Winterfell, sinister and supernatural forces are massing beyond the kingdom’s protective Wall. At the center of the conflict lie the Starks of Winterfell, a family as harsh and unyielding as the land they were born to. Sweeping from a land of brutal cold to a distant summertime kingdom of epicurean plenty, here is a tale of lords and ladies, soldiers and sorcerers, assassins and bastards, who come together in a time of grim omens.

Here an enigmatic band of warriors bear swords of no human metal; a tribe of fierce wildlings carry men off into madness; a cruel young dragon prince barters his sister to win back his throne; and a determined woman undertakes the most treacherous of journeys. Amid plots and counterplots, tragedy and betrayal, victory and terror, the fate of the Starks, their allies, and their enemies hangs perilously in the balance, as each endeavors to win that deadliest of conflicts: the game of thrones.

Review:

I chose to "re-read" this title to prepare for the the Game of Thrones final season.  I have all of the books however I find it difficult to read them and keep track of all of the characters. By listening to it on audio, I find that I can identify better with the different voices and I have time to look up the characters I can't remember online.  I have found that The Game of Thrones wiki is incredibly helpful in helping me remember characters and understanding how they fit into the entire series.  This series is so well-crafted.  I LOVE it!!  I will not go into the story in detail but we certainly get a close look into the Starks and the Lannisters in book #1.  There is lots of underhandedness as families compete for control of the throne and exert their power.

This week it was announced that the cast gave a 15 minute long standing ovation after that final season was read.  It sounds like it will be going down in history as a truly prolific series.  For those of you unfortunately souls who have not yet seen the show or read the books, you really should invest the time.  The world building and character development of this series is honestly out of this world.  Think Tolkien level.  George R.R. Martin is coming out with two more books to wrap up the Game of Throne collection - The Winds of Winter and a Dream of Spring.  Even after the last Game of Thrones episode airs, we can still call for celebration because there is said to be another 3-4 spinoffs from this series.  Yay!!!

Kiss Cam by Kiara London

Published: Oct 2016

Publisher: Swoon Reads

Pages: 272

Copy Provided by: Netgalley

Summary: Goodreads

Summary:

In Kiss Cam, teen author Kiara London asks, what's a little harmless kissing between friends?

Juniper, Jasper, and Lenny have been friends forever and co-own a vlog channel called WereVloggingHere. Their fans are huge "shippers" who believe that Juniper and Jasper are perfect for each other, and, despite warnings from friends and family, a simple Truth-or-Dare inspired kiss soon spirals out of control into a whole new world of making out and surprise kisses.

Juniper and Jasper's relationship begins to shift. But as fan requests for different "Kiss Cam" segments keep pouring in, Juniper puts her worries aside and convinces herself that it doesn't mean anything. After all, it's just kissing… right? 

Review:

This was a bit of a fun read since I have been reading some pretty heavy books lately.  Lots of violence and killing, murder and some fantasy.  Nice to take a bit of a break once in awhile.  Kind of like a mini-vacay!

Kiss Cam was fun at first because it was kind of refreshing.  Juniper and Jasper are friends who begin to kiss innocently enough but despite the whole world seeing them AS a couple, a highly publicized couple, they still claim they are not.  Obviously the relationship changes and they eventually need to come to the realization that their perspective of one another has as well. 

This is not a particularly complicated book but it did leave me with good feelings after reading.  You need something light and happy? Hit this one up!

Waiting on Wednesday - Time Bomb by Joelle Charbonneau

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 congressman's daughter who has to be perfect. A star quarterback with a secret. A guy who's tired of being ignored. A clarinet player who's done trying to fit in. An orphaned rebel who wants to teach someone a lesson. A guy who wants people to see him, not his religion.

They couldn't be more different, but before the morning's over, they'll all be trapped in a school that's been rocked by a bombing. When they hear that someone inside is the bomber, they'll also be looking to one another for answers. 

What makes me the most sad about this book is that this is something that we need to consider in this day and age.  With all the violence in the world now targeting young people, schools becoming hostage environments by people trying to gain media attention is a thing now.  Thank God it doesn't happen often but even my daughter's elementary school has a procedure for lockdowns in case of emergency.  I would be interested to read how this title plays out. 

The 100 TV Series

So today I want to talk to you about Netflix.  I love Netflix.  So much in fact that we stopped our regular TV service about 3 years ago and all we watch are DVDs and Netflix.  One thing that I love about Netflix is that I can catch up on some of the book series that I have been meaning to read by watching the TV version. True, it often is only BASED on the book but still, it gives me additional incentive to READ the series when I get the opportunity.  

The 100 has been on my TBR list for years.  The premise is that after Armageddon, earth's only survivors were sent up into space.  And they cannot inhabit the earth again for centuries because of toxic radiation levels.  However, the space station that these people are on is running out of steam and they need to find a solution.  

In order to see if earth is habitable, the station sends down 100 teens who are all criminals.  I guess they felt that they were disposable?  Each teen has a tracking device to relay valuable information back to the space station in order to assess the environment and see if it is viable for living  Of course chaos ensues.  Let's send a bunch of jailed kids to an environment that they have never explored without any guidance or rules or system in place and see how it goes.  Are you picturing an updated, modernized Lord of the Flies? Yep.  Now besides environmental factors, food, shelter, safety  and adequate co-operation, add in territorial issues by people who may already live there.

I have spent the past couple weeks marathoning this series and I'm HOOKED!!  So much so that I went to check on Season 5, episode 1 this weekend and I'm so bummed that it doesn't release until the END of April!!

Besides The 100, I have also been checking out the Outlander series.  Have you been watching any series that are based on books?

- Christinabean 

Stacking the Shelves - S.T.A.G.S. by M.A. Bennett

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

Summary (by Goodreads)

There's no point hunting if there's no kill.

At St. Aidan the Great School, or S.T.A.G.S., new things--and new people--are to be avoided. Unfortunately, Greer MacDonald, token scholarship student, is very much a new person. She has just transferred to S.T.A.G.S., and finds herself ignored at best and mocked at worst by the school's most admired circle of friends, the Medievals.

So imagine Greer's surprise when this very group invites her to an exclusive weekend retreat at the private estate of the parents of their unofficial leader, Henry de Warlencourt. It's billed as a weekend of "huntin' shootin' fishin'," and rumor has it that the invitee who most impresses the group will be given the privilege of becoming a Medieval themselves.

As the weekend begins to take shape, however, it becomes apparent that beyond the luxurious trappings--the fancy clothes the maid lays out on Greer's bed, the elaborate multicourse dinners held in the Great Hall--there are predators lurking, and they're out for blood. . . .

I picked up S.T.A.G.S. on Audible to listen on my way to and from work.  It reminded me of similar titles such as the Don't Get Mad series by Gretchen McNeil.  School bullying taken to the extreme...except in this case, the bullies aren't retaliating.....