Waiting on: Avoiding Responsibility

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Jill over at Breaking the Spine. It spotlights books that have not yet been released, but I am looking forward to.......

Expected publication: December 1st 2012

   Lexi has finally given up her once destructive relationship and moved onto bigger and better things, namely Ramsey Bridges. But things are amiss with her new beau and she discovers things about him and his past that would make any girl turn the other way. And she's not sure his past can coincide with hers. A year after his entrance into her life, he's trying to make amends and does the one thing she never expects: invites her to a wedding...Jack's wedding. Find out what happens to Lexi as she deals with all the twists and turns that proceed from that question, throw in a few new players to shake up the mix, and don't forget all her old partners in crime.

Teaser Tuesday: Collision Course

Teaser Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by MizB over at should be reading! To participate all you have to do is:

• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page

BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS!

(make sure you don’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)

Lucas had it all – popularity, a devoted girlfriend, a brotherly best friend, and a loving mother who would do anything for him. His life was right on course to be a successful and fulfilling one, until the crash changed everything. It happened late one night during a sudden downpour. That evening, three young lives were lost and one life was left irrevocably altered. As the lone survivor, Lucas finds himself surrounded by swirling gossip of reckless drunkenness from the small town he used to warmly call home. Amid his own guilt and self-hatred, Lucas struggles to find hope, find peace, and maybe, even find love again.

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   "Why can't I? It's my dream... my head." My tone was a little irritated, but I couldn't help it.

   Darren shook his head, holding my gaze. "Because it's stupid. You'll only hurt yourself. All of this is stupid. You should be letting us go, not pulling us tighter"

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"You can't accept forgiveness from others until you accept it from yourself, Lucas."

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Fall Guy by Liz Reinhardt

5+ Stars

(A Youngblood Book)

Evan Lennox is going nowhere fast.

She's living with her grandparents after her parents bailed on her, she got kicked out of her posh private school, her ex-boyfriend proved to be the biggest sleaze imaginable, her former best friend is a back-stabber, and her current best friend is stuck in backwoods NJ. To top it all off, one teeny, tiny fire she lit to burn some memories of her ex goes a little out of control and winds up igniting a good piece of a very powerful family's pecan orchard.

Evan lands her pampered behind in court and gets sentenced to community service. Which she knows she deserves. But the hard labor and humiliation may be her undoing.

Until she meets Winchester Youngblood on the site.

Everything about him is tricky, confusing, not at all what it seems, and so sexy, Evan can't resist pulling closer. But every step she takes to get to know him gives her more of a reason to back up and put him as far out of life as she possibly can. Because Winch is one hundred percent complicated, and Evan isn't looking for that. At all. She needs to meet a nice, responsible guy, not share searing kisses with the charming hustler she met after they both got sentenced in court.

But Winch is so much more than what he seems, and Evan finds out that she's falling hard for the guy everyone underestimates and writes off. And Winch realizes that Evan is the one person who's ever challenged him to ask for more out of his life, and her courage inspires him to try to be the person she sees when she looks at him. With every single odd stacked against them, Evan and Winch need to find out whether they have what it takes to fall for each other.

Amazon.com description


   My Thoughts; I have been mulling over how to write this review all day. My mind is off in all kinds of directions. I loved this book and I am having a hard time putting it into words.

   So any of you who have read the Brenna Blixen series by Liz Reinhardt should be familiar with Evan. We first meet her when Bren goes to Ireland. Evan is the girl with the giant personality that everyone loves. She seems fearless and reckless and you just wanna be her friend. Which is exactly what Brenna does, she becomes her best-friend. I was so excited when I found out that Evan's book was being written.

   When Winch enters the picture things get a little 'complicated'. Evan is drawn to him and he to her but he is fighting it tooth and nail. 

   I love that Evan decides what she wants and goes for it. She loves hard and with her whole heart. True love deserves nothing less! She is wise beyond her years. She has had a rough life having been blessed with, quite possibly, the worst parents ever. Watching her put her heart on the line over and over again just to prove that she doesn't give up was the greatest thing ever. This will go on my list of top reads of the year.

   *Note; If you have not read the Brenna Blixen series, please do not feel like you have to read it in order for this book to make sense. Not at all, this was a totally new book that just happen to have characters whom we have already met. If you would like to check out my review of the Brenna Blixen please see the following links;

Double Clutch book1
Junk Miles book 2
Slow Twitch book 3

Friday Favorites.....

Friday Favorites is an idea I had where I will be sharing with you, some of my favorite bookish things. 

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This week we are talking Book-to-Movie......

With the finale of the Twilight Saga, Breaking Dawn pt 2 coming up in a few weeks I thought it would be a great time to revisit a couple of my favorites and also a couple I can't wait for.

  Since I have already mention Twilight I will start with them. I was late to the Twilight party. I had actually never heard of the series until the first movie was release. I took my niece to see it for her birthday and completely swooned like the total fan-girl that I am. I immediately went to Amazon and ordered all the books (in Hardcover, of course) and waited patiently -NOT- for them to come in the mail. The day they arrived I started book one. 

  

   Having only watched the movie a few days before I thought to myself, "This is why I love books!!" The movie in no way compared to the feeling I got while reading the book. I promptly finished book one and then devoured the rest of the series. I was so excited for the rest of the movies and have since watched every single one on release day. *confession time* I have seen each one at least 3 times while still in theaters. 

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The next series which, in all honesty, will be my true favorite for the rest of eternity. Whether you are talking about the books or the movies, nothing can top Harry Potter.

   There is absolutely NO comparison between the Harry Potter series of books and the movie franchise. Yes I love both, but the books are on a level all there own.  JK Rowling created a world that is so awe inspiring that to try and capture the feeling you get while reading these books is truly impossible. This is also another series that I have to thank the movie for introducing me to the books. And for that alone these movies will always be close to my heart.

*****

Now for a few I am eagerly anticipating.....

    City of Bones (Mortal Instruments 1)

   

   I was introduced to this series by my sister. I fell in love right away and have been there ever since. I will not lie. I am so nervous. Some of the cast are just NOT what I pictured. But as Anna over at Anna Reads said.... We gotta have faith <---- Click it!!!

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And Last but not least........

   Since I am one of those women who went totally gaga for a certain silver tie wearing bad boy, I have to say I am both excited and nervous for this movie. It is going to either be the most AWESOME thing ever or it will totally blow and we will all be left feeling like we want to burn down the theater (figuratively speaking). 

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There are a couple more books that have been optioned for movies that I am super excited about so I will be revisiting this Friday Favorite in the future when a little more info is available.

Hidden by PC Cast and Kristin Cast

4 Stars

(House of night 10)

Neferet’s true nature has been revealed to the Vampyre High Council, so Zoey and the gang might finally get some help in defending themselves and their beloved school against a gathering evil that grows stronger every day. And they’ll need it, because Neferet’s not going down without a fight. Chaos reigns at the House of Night.

Amazon.com description

   My thoughts; The first thing I want to start with are my dislikes. First, I feel like the whole Neferet thing is being drawn out. I just want it to be over. If the series is going to continue lets get a new villain  Her story is, IMO, starting to seem repetitive. Second, I have been reading this series for (I think) five years and all the characters are basically the same age. I just wish time would move forward more. 

  After ten books I feel very vested in these characters. I have watched Zoey since the moment she was marked. I have seen her meet new friends I have cried with her when she has lost those she loved. I have also cried when a few of those were returned to her. But, I have not cried more than when Heath died. A part of me will always love him the most and I knew this book was going to be difficult.
   
   Aurox is struggling with the humanity that is inside. He knows he is more than darkness and he longs to be free of the beast. Zoey knows what she saw in the seer stone but she refuses to believe that it can be true. This circle of friends is once again in for the fight of their lives. Neferet is as vile as always, she blames Zoey for everything that has gone wrong in her life and she will stop at nothing to see Zoey destroyed. We see friendship lost and new friendships form. Darkness becomes light and light is lost to the darkness. 

   House of Night fans will not be disappointed. 

Happy Reading!! :-)



Selena
  

Waiting on: Reached

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Jill over at Breaking the Spine. It spotlights books that have not yet been released, but I am looking forward to.......

Teaser Tuesday; Fall Guy by Liz Reinhardt

Teaser Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by MizB over at should be reading! To participate all you have to do is:

• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page

BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS!

(make sure you don’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)

White Trash Beautiful by Teresa Mummert

5+ Stars

(Beautiful Series book 1)


"I'm not naive. I know I don't get the happily ever after. My knight in shining armor took the highway detour around this god forsaken shit hole. I've made peace with that. That doesn't mean I'm going to lay down like a doormat and let every cocky prick in the trailer park have his way with me. "

Cass lives a depressing life in a small trailer park in Eddington, Ga with her mother and abusive boyfriend Jackson. She works hard to barely make ends meet. One day Tucker White, the lead singer in the band Damaged, walks into her diner. He tries to show her that there is more to life than the hand she has been dealt but being with Tucker will come at a high price.

Amazon.com description


   My thoughts after reading; This is one of those books that will stay with you. The characters are so real that they set up residence in your heart and they will live there for the rest of your life.

   When I met Cass my first thought was, this girl is going to get to me. I am gonna fall in love with her and when she hurts I am gonna feel it. When she cries, I will too. When she is smiling, I will smile along with her. A part of her is dying inside. Her life is breaking her spirit and all I wanted to do was be her best friend and tell her everything would be ok.

  Then I met Tucker and I just knew that he is the key to her survival. This is the man who is gonna swoop in and take her away from all the bad. But what happens when the bad isn't so easy to walk away from. What do you do when part of the bad is your Mom? Your Mom, who you love and can not bear leaving alone because you are afraid she will not make it without you.

   I watched as it seemed Cass would have all her dreams come true. Only to have it ripped away by all of her insecurities. The closer I came to the end of this book the more my heart ached for more. I will be waiting on pins and needles for the second and third installments of this series.


Happy Reading!! :-)


Selena

Friday Favorites.....

Touch by Jus Accardo

5 Stars

(A Denazen Novel book 1)


When a strange boy tumbles down a river embankment and lands at her feet, seventeen-year-old adrenaline junkie Deznee Cross snatches the opportunity to piss off her father by bringing the mysterious hottie with ice blue eyes home.

Except there’s something off with Kale. He wears her shoes in the shower, is overly fascinated with things like DVDs and vases, and acts like she’ll turn to dust if he touches her. It’s not until Dez’s father shows up, wielding a gun and knowing more about Kale than he should, that Dez realizes there’s more to this boy—and her father’s “law firm”—than she realized.

Kale has been a prisoner of Denazen Corporation—an organization devoted to collecting “special” kids known as Sixes and using them as weapons—his entire life. And, oh yeah, his touch? It kills. The two team up with a group of rogue Sixes hellbent on taking down Denazen before they’re caught and her father discovers the biggest secret of all. A secret Dez has spent her life keeping safe.

A secret Kale will kill to protect.

Amazon.com description




   My thoughts after reading; Books like this are why I will always come back to paranormal YA. It makes me remember everything I fell in love with about the genre.

   Whenever I find myself at a loss on what to read I always scan my TBR on goodreads, pick out a YA that I have been meaning to read, and get totally lost in the feeling of being a teenager again. That feeling of first love and every so often that feeling of a lost love and what might have been, the complete and total naivety that the characters sometimes have. It makes you remember a time when homework was your biggest responsibility and summer vacation was the light at the end of the tunnel.

   If you are a fan of this genre, Touch is a must-read. Once I started I couldn't stop, it took over my whole day and I was more than happy to allow it. Kale is a big ball of innocent wrapped up in HOTNESS. Dez is a total smart-ass, which I totally relate to. The parents (as per the norm for YA) are a hot mess and in some cases, a narcissitic tyrant!! You never know who you can trust, your enemies could be you friend and your friend could be your worst enemy. I will definitely be checking out the next book in this series.

Happy Reading!! :-)

Waiting on: Finale

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Jill over at Breaking the Spine. It spotlights books that have not yet been released, but I am looking forward to.......

Teaser Tuesday: Hidden PC Cast and Kristin Cast

Teaser Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by MizB over at Should be Reading! To participate all you have to do is:

• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share your “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS!

(make sure you don’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)

Avoiding Commitment by K.A. Linde

5 Stars

(Avoiding Series 1)

    Jack and Lexi never had a typical relationship. After 2 years without speaking, she receives a phone call that changes everything. He unexpectedly asks her to convince the new girl, Bekah, that he's ready to commit. Jack is calling now after everything they had been through because there is another woman. She can't believe it. Follow Lexi in this heart wrenching drama as she relives her past relationship, or lack thereof, with Jack, and not just in her own mind, but to his fiance-to-be. Throw in Bekah's hot brother who always seems to be in the right place at the right time, a past with more secrets to unravel than you can even imagine, and you get a recipe for disaster. Find out what happens to Lexi as she travels to Atlanta to get the closure she so desperately desires from Jack, and how the bumps of life seem to keep getting in the way.


Amazon.com description


   My thoughts after reading; Wow, I have never been so torn while reading a book. Seriously, one minute I am in love and the next I have a deep seated loathing. One minute 'someone' is this swoon worthy guy and the next he is a total douche bag. And then there comes another 'someone' and I really was crushing super hard on him only to have mega winch come in and totally crush me all over again!!!

   I spent the majority of this book wishing that Lexi would stand up for herself, stop letting Jack treat her like a doormat. And the other parts saying, 'Oh it's, ok.... he really does love her and it will all be ok.' 

*pausing to grumble incoherently*

   As you all know, because I have stated it on numerous occasions, I am an angst loving girl. This book was in my opinion the perfect proportions of angst, love, heartbreak, and self discovery. If you are like me and you love a good angsty story this is perfect. But be warned if you want hearts and flowers........ you are SOL!!!

Happy Reading!! :-)

Taking a Breather

I am taking a few weeks to kinda get my head and thoughts together. I've had a small (HUGE) change in my life and it has kinda got me off track.

I decided after some discussion with my husband to leave my job after almost 7 years. It is going to be an adjustment but it has also opened up the ability to put a lot more time and effort into things I want to do. I am thinking of revamping my Blog and doing some cool things to liven it up. I just need a little time to put my ideas in motion.

I hope to be back soon and as always I wish you all....

Happy Reading!! :-)

Reflected in you by Sylvia Day

Stars

(Crossfire 2)

     Gideon Cross. As beautiful and flawless on the outside as he was damaged and tormented on the inside. He was a bright, scorching flame that singed me with the darkest of pleasures. I couldn't stay away. I didn't want to. He was my addiction... my every desire... mine.

     My past was as violent as his, and I was just as broken. We’d never work. It was too hard, too painful... except when it was perfect. Those moments when the driving hunger and desperate love were the most exquisite insanity.

    We were bound by our need. And our passion would take us beyond our limits to the sweetest, sharpest edge of obsession...

Amazon.com description

10/2/12

My thoughts before reading; Happy Birthday to me...... Soooo, Selena?? What did you get for your birthday you ask?? GIDEON!! Now I must go and enjoy my pressie..........

****

10/5/12

My after thoughts; WOW.... just WOW! I fell in love with Gideon in Bared to You and I was completely overcome by him in Reflected. I absolutely can not wait til December for the next installment in this series.

Gideon and Eva are a total train wreck. Everything about their relationship should make them both run in the other direction. Except they are totally and inexplicably in love. I was tied in knots while reading and loved every single second!! This series is a must read.......

Happy Reading!! :-)

Rapture by JR Ward

3 Stars

(A fallen Angels Novel book 4)


Mels Carmichael, reporter for the Caldwell Courier Journal, gets the shock of her life when a man stumbles in front of her car outside the local cemetery. After the accident, his amnesia is just the kind of mystery she likes to solve, but she soon discovers they’re in over their heads with his past. Over their heads with passion, too...

As shadows walk the line between reality and another realm, and her lover’s memory begins to come back, the two of them learn that nothing is truly dead and buried. Especially when you’re trapped in a no holds barred war between angels and demons. With a soul on the line, and Mels’s heart at risk, what in Heaven—or in Hell—will it take to save them both?


Amazon.com description




9/25/12
My thoughts before reading; YAY the wait is finally over.....

****

9/28/12
My after thoughts; I have to say that even though this was not my favorite of the series so far (Envy), I really enjoyed it.


    It took me a little bit to get into but once I did it was a pretty good read. I was really curious to see how Ward would get me to like Matthias. I've disliked him from the start so I could not see my mind changing. Wrong! As only a truly gifted author can do, she had me pulling for him in the end. 

    If I could change anything about this series, I would want to see more of the angels themselves. I am very intrigued by Adrian so anytime I get to see what is going on with him I am super excited.

    All in all I think fans of this series will be happy. Questions were answered. Things were revealed. More questions are now being asked. And that is truly what I love about JR Ward. Her writing leaves you wanting more, needing to know, speculating about what happens next, GASPing when something happens that you have been waiting for, crying when something happens that you weren't expecting. You you have not had the pleasure of reading any of JR Ward's books, please give the a try. Even when you hate something you still love it!!!


Happy Reading!! :-)