Saturday, June 29, 2013

What's the Story McCoy?

Hello you fabulous book lovers!

I got some great books these past few weeks, can't wait to get on my Summer reading list!


That's my story this week! Huge thanks to Random House Canada, Penguin Canada, Scholastic Canada, Simon and Schuster Canada, Jennifer from YA Sisterhood, Samantha Durante and HarperCollins Canada/Frenzy, for making it so spectacular!
What's your story?

Happy Reading!

Thursday, June 27, 2013

Let's Get Fierce! Fierce Reads Tour Signing Re-Cap

A week ago I attended a pretty great signing- the last stop of the FIERCE READS TOUR. Authors in attendance included; Anna Banks, Leigh Bardugo, Emmy Laybourne, Gennifer Albin and Jessica Brody!

The signing took place at the Yorkdale Indigo, and since traffic was pretty light on the 401, I ended up arriving at the signing a whole two hours early. This left me with quite a bit of time on my hands, yes
that's right, I had to kill time in a BOOKSTORE, soooooooo I ended up buying more books than I had originally anticipated, instead of 1 I ended up purchasing 5 brand-spanking-new hardcovers. 
So I had some reading material while I waited in line, but I also had some awesome book bloggers in attendance to keep me company and offer up some great YA recommendations.

Once we were seated (on the most uncomfortable wooden chairs known to mankind), the Fierce Reads tour's PR lady introduced the five fabulous authors as they made their way on stage, and I must say, this lady was quite full of piss and vinegar (as my Nanny would always say) and she really got the crowd going. 


Once all five ladies rightly seated in their designated spots, we all sat down for an hour-long Q and A where each author answered questions, including where they each gain their inspiration for writing, key ingredients for a great trilogy and their dream movie cast. Although I must admit my favourite part of the evening was when Emmy asked if get The Good Wife in Canada and Jessica asked if we Canadians knew the show Scooby-Doo? Haha I'm still laughing and I would just like to go on record letting all Americans know that, yes, Canada does get both these shows.


They were all very lively and each author had a great repour with the other, and all fed off each others' energy which made for a truly entertaining hour of Q&A. Although, I'm not gonna lie, I stood up as soon as the signing hour began (not sure rear could have taken another minute of that uncomfortable chair!). It was a pleasure to meet and greet each author, they were all very down-to-earth and had me laughing all night. Unfortunately I couldn't get into any deep, philosophical convos with any of them (due to the long line of book lovers waiting for me to get out of the way ;)) but I did manage to discuss Dawson's Creek with Emmy, enjoy the dry and sarcastic wit of Anna and discuss the merits of School Teachers with Gennifer (we're all on a first name basis now haha!)

Overall, it was a great night and thanks so much to the Indigo Yorkdale staff, MacMillan, Emmy, Jessica, Gennifer, Anna and Leigh for making it a truly entertaining success!

Here's a snapshot of the Dear Johns I got from all the ladies (on a side note, I'd like to add that I did buy and get a finished copy of Unremembered signed, which I have appeared to left behind at Yorkdale. So if you look into your FC and see that it's signed to Hayley, well that's mine! Haha I hope whoever you are, you treasure it as I quietly sob in the corner):

Happy Reading!!!

Tuesday, June 25, 2013

It was a Frenzy, again!


Last Thursday night, I had the amazing opportunity to attend HarperCollins Canada's second Frenzy Presents event in Liberty Village, in which we chatted and gabbed about up-coming Teen titles from Harper's Fall catalogue.

This year's event was held in the gorgeous Vocado boutique located in Toronto's Liberty Village, and the fabulous Frenzy ladies set the evening up in a round-robin style, in which small groups of bloggers were able to move around the room discussing YA titles according to their category. 

New Voices
by: Mindy McGinnis
Release Date: September 24th/13.
Synopsis courtesy of Goodreads:
Lynn knows every threat to her pond: drought, a snowless winter, coyotes, and, most importantly, people looking for a drink. She makes sure anyone who comes near the pond leaves thirsty, or doesn't leave at all.

Confident in her own abilities, Lynn has no use for the world beyond the nearby fields and forest. Having a life means dedicating it to survival, and the constant work of gathering wood and water. Having a pond requires the fortitude to protect it, something Mother taught her well during their quiet hours on the rooftop, rifles in hand.

But wisps of smoke on the horizon mean one thing: strangers. The mysterious footprints by the pond, nighttime threats, and gunshots make it all too clear Lynn has exactly what they want, and they won’t stop until they get it….

With evocative, spare language and incredible drama, danger, and romance, debut author Mindy McGinnis depicts one girl’s journey in a barren world not so different than our own.


Mad Men meets YA!!!!         Gloss
by Marilyn Kaye
Now Available!!!
Synopsis courtesy of Goodreads:

New York, 1963. 

Fashion, music and attitudes are changing, and there's nowhere in in the world more exciting. Sherry, Donna, Allison and Pamela have each landed a dream internship at Gloss; America's number-one fashion magazine. 


Each girl is trying to make her mark on New York and each finds herself thrown head-first into the buzzing world of celebrity, high-end fashion and gossip. But everything isn't as glamorous as it seems - secrets from the past threaten to shatter their dreams. They're finding out that romance in New York is as unpredictable and thrilling as the city itself.


by Sara Farizan
Release Date: August 20th/13.
Synopsis courtesy of Goodreads:
In this stunning debut, a young Iranian American writer pulls back the curtain on one of the most hidden corners of a much-talked-about culture.


Seventeen-year-old Sahar has been in love with her best friend, Nasrin, since they were six. They’ve shared stolen kisses and romantic promises. But Iran is a dangerous place for two girls in love—Sahar and Nasrin could be beaten, imprisoned, even executed if their relationship came to light.So they carry on in secret—until Nasrin’s parents announce that they’ve arranged for her marriage. Nasrin tries to persuade Sahar that they can go on as they have been, only now with new comforts provided by the decent, well-to-do doctor Nasrin will marry. But Sahar dreams of loving Nasrin exclusively—and openly.Then Sahar discovers what seems like the perfect solution. In Iran, homosexuality may be a crime, but to be a man trapped in a woman’s body is seen as nature’s mistake, and sex reassignment is legal and accessible. As a man, Sahar could be the one to marry Nasrin. Sahar will never be able to love the one she wants, in the body she wants to be loved in, without risking her life. Is saving her love worth sacrificing her true self?

Contemporary


This is going to be a great contemporary pick for John Green fans!!! How to Love
by:  Katie Cotugno
Release Date: October 1st/13.
Synopsis courtesy of Goodreads:
Before: Reena Montero has loved Sawyer LeGrande for as long as she can remember: as natural as breathing, as endless as time. But he’s never seemed to notice that Reena even exists…until one day, impossibly, he does. Reena and Sawyer fall in messy, complicated love. But then Sawyer disappears from their humid Florida town without a word, leaving a devastated—and pregnant—Reena behind.

After: Almost three years have passed, and there’s a new love in Reena’s life: her daughter, Hannah. Reena’s gotten used to being without Sawyer, and she’s finally getting the hang of this strange, unexpected life. But just as swiftly and suddenly as he disappeared, Sawyer turns up again. Reena doesn’t want anything to do with him, though she’d be lying if she said Sawyer’s being back wasn’t stirring something in her. After everything that’s happened, can Reena really let herself love Sawyer LeGrande again?

The Beginning of Everything (formally known as Severed Heads, Broken Hearts)
by: Robyn Schneider
Release Date: August 27th/13.
Synopsis courtesy of Goodreads:
Golden boy Ezra Faulkner believes everyone has a tragedy waiting for them—a single encounter after which everything that really matters will happen. His particular tragedy waited until he was primed to lose it all: in one spectacular night, a reckless driver shatters Ezra’s knee, his athletic career, and his social life.

No longer a front-runner for Homecoming King, Ezra finds himself at the table of misfits, where he encounters new girl Cassidy Thorpe. Cassidy is unlike anyone Ezra’s ever met, achingly effortless, fiercely intelligent, and determined to bring Ezra along on her endless adventures.

But as Ezra dives into his new studies, new friendships, and new love, he learns that some people, like books, are easy to misread. And now he must consider: if one’s singular tragedy has already hit and everything after it has mattered quite a bit, what happens when more misfortune strikes? 

Creeptastic


Can't wait for this thriller!!!     3:59
by: Gretchen McNeil
Release date: September 16th/13.
Synopsis courtesy of Goodreads:
Josie Byrne's life is spiraling out of control. Her parents are divorcing, her boyfriend Nick has grown distant, and her physics teacher has it in for her. When she's betrayed by the two people she trusts most, Josie thinks things can't get worse.

Until she starts having dreams about a girl named Jo. Every night at the same time—3:59 a.m.

Jo's life is everything Josie wants: she's popular, her parents are happily married, and Nick adores her. It all seems real, but they're just dreams, right? Josie thinks so, until she wakes one night to a shadowy image of herself in the bedroom mirror – Jo.

Josie and Jo realize that they are doppelgängers living in parallel universes that overlap every twelve hours at exactly 3:59. Fascinated by Jo's perfect world, Josie jumps at the chance to jump through the portal and switch places for a day.

But Jo’s world is far from perfect. Not only is Nick not Jo's boyfriend, he hates her. Jo's mom is missing, possibly insane. And at night, shadowy creatures feed on human flesh.

By the end of the day, Josie is desperate to return to her own life. But there’s a problem: Jo has sealed the portal, trapping Josie in this dangerous world. Can she figure out a way home before it’s too late?

Asylum
by: Madeleine Roux
Release Date: August 20th/13.
Synopsis courtesy of Goodreads:
For sixteen-year-old Dan Crawford, New Hampshire College Prep is more than a summer program—it's a lifeline. An outcast at his high school, Dan is excited to finally make some friends in his last summer before college. But when he arrives at the program, Dan learns that his dorm for the summer used to be a sanatorium, more commonly known as an asylum. And not just any asylum—a last resort for the criminally insane.

As Dan and his new friends, Abby and Jordan, explore the hidden recesses of their creepy summer home, they soon discover it's no coincidence that the three of them ended up here. Because the asylum holds the key to a terrifying past. And there are some secrets that refuse to stay buried.

by: Amelia Kahaney
Release Date: October 8th/13.
Synopsis courtesy of Goodreads:
Prima ballerina Anthem Fleet is closely guarded by her parents in their penthouse apartment. But when she meets the handsome Gavin at a party on the wrong side of town, she is immediately drawn into his dangerous world. Then, in a tragic accident, Anthem falls to her death. She awakes in an underground lab, with a bionic heart ticking in her chest. As she navigates her new life, she uncovers the sinister truth behind those she trusted the most, and the chilling secret of her family lineage…and her duty to uphold it.

The Dark Knight meets Cinder in this gripping and cinematic story of heartbreak and revenge. From Alloy Entertainment, this inventive new superhero story is sure to captivate any reader.

The New Mythology



by: Lesley Livingston
Release Date: August 27th/13.
Synopsis courtesy of Goodreads:
The last thing Mason Starling remembers is the train crossing a bridge. An explosion . . . a blinding light . . . then darkness. Now she is alone, stranded in Asgard—the realm of Norse legend—and the only way for her to get home is to find the Spear of Odin, a powerful relic left behind by vanished gods.

The Fennrys Wolf knows all about Asgard. He was once trapped there. And he’ll do whatever it takes to find the girl who’s stolen his heart and bring her back—even if it means a treacherous descent into the Underworld. But time is running out, and Fenn knows something Mason doesn’t: If she takes up the Spear, she’ll set in motion a terrible prophecy. And she won’t just return to her world . . . she’ll destroy it.

YA Egyptian Mythology, yes please!!! The Chaos in the Stars
By: Kiersten White
Release Date: September 10th/13.
Synopsis courtesy of Goodreads:
Isadora’s family is seriously screwed up.

Of course, as the human daughter of Egyptian gods, that pretty much comes with the territory. She’s also stuck with parents who barely notice her, and a house full of relatives who can’t be bothered to remember her name. After all, they are going to be around forever—and she’s a mere mortal.

Isadora’s sick of living a life where she’s only worthy of a passing glance, and when she has the chance to move to San Diego with her brother, she jumps on it. But Isadora’s quickly finding that a “normal” life comes with plenty of its own epic complications—and that there’s no such thing as a clean break when it comes to family. Much as she wants to leave her past behind, she can’t shake the ominous dreams that foretell destruction for her entire family. When it turns out there may be truth in her nightmares, Isadora has to decide whether she can abandon her divine heritage after all.


There was tons of goodies and sparkling water to be had while all us bloggers and book lovers enjoyed the festivities.

Oh, I almost forgot there was a surprise guest in attendance, signing copies of her debut new adult novel, Losing It, CORA CARMACK!!!


I'm in love with New Adult, so I was so excited to get the chance to meet and greet Cora and discuss college romance novels and her upcoming projects! And I got a signed copy of Faking It!!!

Finally, here are the goods that I got to take home with me:


Thanks so much to the Frenzy ladies from HarperCollins Canada, the staff of Vocado and Cora Carmack, for making the second Frenzy Presents Event a truly epic one!

So what titles are you most excited for?

Happy Reading!!!

Saturday, June 15, 2013

Dancers and Divas Blog Tour: Review & Giveaway

Today, I'm happy to be one of the blog stops to kick-off the Dancer and Divas Blog Tour!!!

Passion and Pain (#1 Dancers and Divas)
by: Kathy Petrakis
Now Available!!!
YA/New Adult Genre
Passion and Pain on Goodreads here.
Synopsis courtesy of Goodreads:
Contains mature content - reccommended for ages 15+ 

Does passion and desire guarantee success? Can friends really be trusted? Can true love be found beneath lust and deceit? 

These are questions tenacious street dancer Elena Martinez faces as she struggles to compete against the most talented students at New York’s top Performing Arts High School. Along with her best friend, the carefree and mischievous Sebastien Duval, they are determined to make center stage. 

But the singing diva Letitia has other plans. Beautiful, talented and popular, her desire for revenge could ruin everything for Elena and Sebastien. Now, they must fight against prejudice, treachery and deceit as Letitia sets out to destroy Elena’s friendships, her romance, her dignity and her dreams. Can Elena win the battle for true love, happiness and success?


Purchase Links: Amazon (Special Price $0.99) | B&N

Bittersweet (#2 Dancers and Divas)

By: Kathy Petrakis
Now Available!!!
Bittersweet on Goodreads here.
Synopsis courtesy of Goodreads:
Can secrets stay hidden forever? Can people really change? Are some mistakes unforgivable?

As Elena and Sebastian embark on a fresh start, will Letitia keep his secret, or will she use it to destroy them?
As Veronika falls in love, Frankie is out of rehab and trying to make amends, but will it last for either of them?
Meanwhile, as Anya is torn between loyalty to her Nana and love for Darius, could Darius fall for the new temptress, Rosa? With her stunning looks, her powerful, sensual dancing and her desire to seduce, she has everyone nervous but what secret is she hiding?
Continue the roller-coaster journey with your favorite characters as they try to survive junior year at the country’s top performing arts school. 


Purchase Links: Amazon | B&N

My Thoughts:
A fun blend of the theatrics of Fame with the modern dramatic/comedic angst of Glee!

Narrated from multiple perspectives, the Dancers and Divas series reads much like a high school soap opera- so much drama and back-stabbing, it's important to keep your friends close and your enemies closer! 

But of course my favourite element, as always, was the romance this series offers, and trust me there's tons of varying degrees of romance in these books. We have your platonic friends-with-benifits, first loves, best friends turned BF and GF, one-night-stand/mistake - the list could truly go on. 

I have two couples that I'm routing for in this series, one of them continues to frustrate me (i.e. Elena and Seb) because I just want them to get their act together because their timing never seems to be right (grrr), and the other (Anya and Darius) I just absolutely love and after the ending of Bittersweet, I was left in despair for these two, because they are so perfect for each other and I firmly believe that no distance should be able to keep them apart. And I know you must be confused by this last statement, but it will all make sense if you read this series, trust me! :)

One element that  truly distinguishes Dancers and Divas from other contemporary high-school dramas, is the fact that all the characters are performers, whether it be; dancing, acting or singing. Oddly enough, none of the characters in this series are triple threats (I guess those students go to a different school funded by Disney haha!) but they're all starting their careers early in their young adult lives, and I found that this aspect really made many of these characters seem much more mature (I actually had to keep reminding myself that they were in high school and not College). 

There is quite a bit of mature content (sexual, language and substance abuse) in this read and as such I would recommend it to readers 16+.

Very addictive series that will leave you wanting more! I can't wait to get my hands on book #3!

Happy Reading!!!

About the Author:
Kathy Petrakis was born and raised in Sydney Australia by Greek immigrant parents. She always had a passion for the performing arts - dancing, acting and singing but they were hobbies giving way to a traditional professional career in banking. Before this book, her writing was used to entertain friends with her unusual, and often disastrous travel adventures from around the world.

By the hand of fate, Passion and Pain and Bittersweet were born while living in London, heaven for lovers of the performing arts. After launching Passion and Pain, she returned to Sydney for the launch of the sequel, Bittersweet.


Connect with Kathy:
Author website | Goodreads | Facebook | Twitter


Giveaway Time!!! Enter the Rafflecopter below to be entered to win some amazing prizes, courtesy of Kathy! :) Good luck to you all!
Go here for full contest terms and conditions.




a Rafflecopter giveaway
FANS Giveaway!!!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Special thanks to Kathy for allowing me to participate in this blog tour!

Wednesday, June 12, 2013

ARC Review: White Trash Beautiful by Teresa Mummert

White Trash Beautiful
by: Teresa Mummert
Release date: July 9th/13.
Publisher: Gallery Books 
Pre-order here.
Source: E-galley courtesy of Edelweiss
Genre: New Adult
White Trash Beautiful on Goodreads here.
Synopsis courtesy of Goodreads:
A word-of-mouth bestseller that’s captivating readers with its honesty, grit, and headstrong heroine, White Trash Beautiful is a story for anyone who has ever felt trapped in life, cheated by love—and longed for something more . . .

Cass Daniels isn’t waiting for her knight in shining armor. She knows that girls like her don’t get a happily ever after. Not if you live in a trailer with your mom, work at a greasy spoon diner, and get leered at by old men. Maybe that’s why she puts up with Jackson—her poor excuse for a boyfriend, who treats her like dirt. Cass has learned to accept her lot in life. That is, until he walks into her diner. . . .

His name is Tucker White, and he’s different from any man Cass has ever known. Tall, tattooed, and bad-ass gorgeous, he’s the lead singer of the rock band Damaged. From the moment they meet, Tucker sees something in Cass he just can’t shake. Something beautiful. Something haunted. Something special. And he’s determined to find out what it is—if only he can get her to open up and let him in. . . .


My Thoughts:
A Cinderella story, with a modern, angsty twist.

There's no glass shoes in this New Adult release, but there are plenty of run-down trailers. Cass definitely hasn't had easy growing up. She was forced to assume the parental role over her Mom, at a very young age. I found Cass a very relatable heroine, I understood her insecurities and her wants for a better life for her and her Mom. I even understood why she continued to stay with Jackson for so long (he wasn't always the jerk he's become), however I do think she should have left this guy in the dust a while back (but I won't say anymore for fear of becoming to spoilery).

Enter Prince Charming, a.k.a. sexy Rock God, Tucker White. I feel like sighing just thinking about Tucker, I loved everything about him and really wish I could keep him for myself, but I don't think Cass would appreciate that to much, haha. You never doubt Tucker's true intentions towards Cass while reading White Trash Beautiful (even when she's doubting them).  And while the instant love and attraction between these two does border on cliche and a bit cheesy, Mummert has done such a great job creating believable and enviable sexual chemistry, that you'll love each and every Romantic cliche.

Be prepared, this book isn't all sunshine and roses, there's a lot of heartache and loss, with little resolution. I may have cried a bit at one particular scene towards the end.

I really can't recommend this book enough to New Adult and Romance fans, I loved everything about it- literally one of my favourite reads of this year! Cass is a very relatable character- she's stronger than she gives herself credit for and has built so many emotional walls around herself, she's become numb from all the physical and emotional pain she's endured in her young life. But Tucker is the rock she wants and needs- a swoon-worthy hero, set on rescuing his damsel in distress (and yes I'm well aware of the infinite number of cliche's used in this review- o wait, that just might be another one :)). 

I was rooting for these two throughout all of White Trash Beautiful, and I'm so relieved that their journey isn't over. I need White Trash Damaged in my hands right now, right now! I just want to take a moment to thank Simon and Schuster for pushing up the release date to this Fall, because I'm really not sure I would've made it to 2014! Haha!

Romance/NA junkies will devour this delicious summer title!

Happy Reading!!!

Tuesday, June 11, 2013

BEA Re-cap/What's the Story McCoy?


It happened! It finally happened, I went to Book Expo of America, this is an event I've been dying to attend for the past THREE YEARS. No joke, for the last three years I've planned out my entire trip and than something would come up and I'd have to post-pone til the following year. I couldn't attend BEA11 because I was offered a Summer internship at HarlequinTEEN (and I'm sure you all can understand how I just COULDN'T pass up that amazing opportunity.

Than I was unable to attend BEA12 due to a death in the family, and it really wasn't the right time to go away, and to be honest, I was almost unable to attend BEA this year, it came so close but I said "Hayley, NO! You've postponed this dream for far to long."

And so I went, and...

Both BEA and New York kicked my ass! But in the best possible way (if that makes sense). People warn you about being exhausted at the end of the day and they're not lying. I basically passed out as
Divergent Nations preparing to hand-out awesome
Allegiance swag bags!
soon as I got back to my hotel (which I had to walk back to because I couldn't get a freakin Taxi to stop for me, to save my life!) My suitcase was completely full when I got back each day, and I'd empty it out only to fill it back up all over again the following day.

SO MANY BOOKS! This trip definitely didn't help with my Book Hoarding habit (watch out for a new Book Hoarding Post next week! :))

The best part of BEA, other than ALL THE BOOKS, was meeting so many fabulous people, not even just book bloggers, authors and publishers, but fellow book lovers.

A "quieter" moment in the autographing area
I met two awesome ladies while waiting in line to be let in to be let in to the Expo floor, each morning. We didn't plan it, we just always ended up arriving at the same time. And these ladies were amazing, seriously, it was fabulous meeting you guys (if you're reading this post). One offered to send me ARCs from ComicCon (amazing!) and the other gave me her finished copy of The Moon and More by Sarah Dessen, after waiting in line (one of the longest lines might I add). While waiting in line to have False Sight signed by the gorgeous Dan Kroskos, I hear "Hey Hayley! Do you want a copy of this?" and she just hands me her copy of Dessen's latest release, after waiting in line for a good hour- how awesome is that, people?
Alethea Kontis signing ARCs of Hero, she wore
a crown! :)

I met SO MANY amazing bloggers, and have a ton of new business cards to add to my list! It was great to chat with fellow bloggers while waiting in line to get a book signed, because there seems to be this camaraderie between us all, if one needed to go catch a galley drop, we would hold there place in line and than they would come back with a copy for each of us. It was just so great and
humbling to meet such great people. Book people really rock, seriously! I'm not going to mention specific blogger names because I met so many and I would feel awful if I missed any specific names, but it was wonderful to meet you all and I hope you all had a fabulous time as well.

And my suggestion to those who really want to attend- just do it! Start saving now for next year, because it is an experience that you won't want to miss, trust me!

Happy Reading!!!


Here's a couple vlogs of my favourite books I picked up at BEA, I don't want to showboat, but I've had some people asking for pics, so here they are!

Adult/New Adult ARCs/Finished Copies

And here are the YA ARCs!!!



Happy Reading to you all!!!

Tuesday, June 4, 2013

Cover Reveal: Laced in Deceit by Riley Gray





OMG IT'S HERE, IT'S FINALLY HERE! The cover to the second novel in Riley Gray's Laced series (which is basically my latest obsession) has been revealed and I love it!


                          
Laced in Deceit (Laced #2)
By: Riley Gray
Release date: July 1st/13 (I can't wait that long!)
Synopsis courtesy of Goodreads:
Destroy Lizzie Nixon.

It’s Zara’s only resolution for the new year. After all, Lizzie ruined not only Zara’s relationship with her principal father, but her wholesome reputation too. And if there’s one thing Zara is certain of, it’s that Lizzie will pay.

So, with the help of a group of misfit students, she comes up with a plan. It’ll mean getting back in with Lizzie’s crowd. Pretending to have forgiven and forgotten. While secretly planting the bomb that’ll detonate Lizzie from the inside out. Take away Lizzie’s friends, her popularity, her grades, her looks and then hit her where it most hurts: her twin brother.

Zara has it all planned out. Until what starts as an act begins to turn real. It’s not long until Zara loses who she was in her determination to reach her goal. When her real friends can no longer recognise her and The Voice is out for Zara’s blood like never before, it’ll take a serious intervention to end the game before someone gets seriously hurt…again.

It’s a game of cat and mouse, but who’s the cat and who’s the mouse?


So what do you guys think? 

Happy Reading!!!

Monday, June 3, 2013

Spirit Blog Tour: Review Stop

Today, I'm happy to be one of the review stops on The Spirit Blog Tour, to promote Brigid Kemmerer's latest release in her Elemental series, Spirit!

Spirit (Elemental #3)
by: Brigid Kemmerer
Now Available!!!
Order your copy here.
Publisher: Kensington Teen
Source: e-ARC via Netgalley
Synopsis courtesy of Goodreads:
With power comes enemies. Lots of them.

Hunter Garrity just wants to be left alone. He’s learned the hard way that his unusual abilities come at a price. And he can’t seem to afford any allies.

He’s up to his neck in hostiles. His grandfather, spoiling for a fight. The Merrick brothers, who think he ratted them out. Calla, the scheming psycho who wants to use him as bait.

Then there’s Kate Sullivan, the new girl at school. She’s not hostile. She’s bold. Funny. Hot. But she’s got an agenda, too.

With supposedly secret powers rippling to the surface everywhere around him, Hunter knows something ugly is about to go down. But finding out what means he’ll have to find someone he can trust…

My Thoughts:
Fun and sexy!

I went into this series as an "Elemental Virgin" so I really wasn't sure what to expect from Spirit, but let me assure you, it is action-packed and filled with plenty of sexy men to go around!

Fair warning, this is the third book in Kemmerer's Elemental series and I strongly recommend you read her first two books, Storm and Spark, before diving into her latest release. 

Hunter is a complicated character- the flawed hero, if you will. He has attitude and has put up many walls to protect himself. He seems to be confident and collected, but internally he's conflicted as he struggles to grasp what's wrong and right. He's not sure if he can really trust anyone and my heart went to him in his loneliness. 

Enter Kate, she's also got some baggage of her own and challenges Hunter in her own feisty ways. I really enjoyed the chemistry between these two characters and look forward to seeing where Brigid plans to take Hunter and the Merrick brothers in the next instalment.

My only complaint about this series would be that each book is told from His perspective, as I've stated many times on this blog, my personal preference of narrative is first person, Her perspective. With that said, Brigid has done an amazing job of writing a male's perspective in such a natural and believable way.

Fans of Kemmerer's series won't be disappointed with her latest release, and if you're still waiting to lose your Elemental V-card, well get on it, you're missing out on an action-packed series, filled with sexy Elemental men, romance and a dash of the supernatural.

Happy Reading!!!

About Brigid:

Brigid Kemmerer started writing in high school, and her first real “novel” was about four vampire brothers causing a ruckus in the suburbs. Those four brothers are the same boys living in the pages of The Elemental Series, so Brigid likes to say she’s had four teenage boys taking up space in her head for the last seventeen years!
Spirit, the latest book in the series, will be released in stores and online on May 28, 2013. 

Connect with Brigid:
website | Twitter | Facebook | GoodReads.



Make sure to stop by the Spirit Blog Tour page, here, for tons of Elementals goodies, including a giveaway for multiple copies of Spirit and the Elemental series!!!




Thanks so much to Brigid and The Midnight Garden for the e-ARC and opportunity to participate in this tour!!!