Summer in Salem Blog tour stop ( Review )

Summer In Salem (Electi #1) 

by Brina Courtney

 Teagen’s summer has been turned upside down by a body, a pentagram necklace, and an old flame.

Nine months ago, Teagan Matthews' boyfriend disappeared and took her sense of stability with him. But when the opportunity to live with her aging grandmother in Salem arises, she decides it's time to get on with her life. A new home, new job and new friends are adding up to a beautiful summer...

...until a young girl's body shows up one night in town, wearing a necklace exactly like Teagan's.

Now a guy looking remarkably like her missing boyfriend has arrived in Salem along with a mysterious stranger who may have some answers that Teagan has desperately been searching for. Teagan must now decide who to trust. It's a matter of life... and her death.

Reading Summer in Salem was like drinking a cup of hot cocoa on a drizzley winter morning ; A bit sad, but comforting. 

I found myself relating well to the MC Teagan ( and also being completely envious of her name ;) , her artistic aspirations, and her near inability to move on from the past.. even when a gorgeous future is standing right in front of her. But also her abolity to realize that sometimes.. even if it's uncomfortable or scary, you need to stand up straight, and be responsible if it means making a difference. 

I enjoyed how the story was so firmly set in a non magical world, and then the magic slowly slithered its' way in at a comfortable pace. Letting readers learn about it right alongside Teagan. The side characters were likeable, even if they were few.. and I wish I had gotten to learn a little more about them! Lark was a favorite of mine and I can't wait to see how Author Brina Courtney grows her character more in book #2. 

There were a few moments where it felt like Teagan was a little too accepting of everything that was getting thrown at her. I think I would have questioned more. But at the same time I was reminded now and again how she was born into magic, and felt a natural connection to it, even if she wasn't entirely sure if she believed at all. That made it feel more believable for me. 

Brina Courtney has a way of creating characters and stories that I cannot help but latch on to. Simple, Elegant and intriguing. I think many readers will end up like me.. holding the book open in their hands, mouth agape.. wishing there was even .. just.. one more chapter to read...

Rating : 4/5

Can also be purchased form Barnes and Nobel HERE

Ashen Winter ( Ashfall #2 )

Hardcover, 576 pages

Expected publication: October 16th 2012
by Tanglewood Press

http://www.ashenwinter.com

Series : Ashfall #2

Setting: Illinois (United States) Iowa

 It’s been over six months since the eruption of the Yellowstone supervolcano. Alex and Darla have been staying with Alex’s relatives, trying to cope with the new reality of the primitive world so vividly portrayed in Ashfall, the first book in this series. It’s also been six months of waiting for Alex’s parents to return from Iowa. Alex and Darla decide they can wait no longer and must retrace their journey into Iowa to find and bring back Alex’s parents to the tenuous safety of Illinois. But the landscape they cross is even more perilous than before, with life-and-death battles for food and power between the remaining communities. When the unthinkable happens, Alex must find new reserves of strength and determination to survive...

 

Not for the faint of heart, but definitely for  readers who like an intense story. Book #2 has a bit less romance, more near death experiences and new characters that are seriously diverse and interesting.

The story continues and life gets more and more harsh. I love how Mike Mullen does not hold back! Dark, gritty, and heartbreaking. Ashen Winter made me...Uncomfortable. In an amazingly realistic way. 

I would definitely recommend this series for more Upper YA readers, not younger. Some of the content is VERY mature. ( Extreme violence, rape, and Cannibalism ) This is not me trying to tell younger readers " Don't read this!" I just know that if I myself get uncomfortable reading it, some younger readers and parents might be uncomfortable as well. 

One of the truly interesting things about the Ashfall series is it's possibility for reality, and not just in the distant future. All of the events that occur in this story could really happen in real life! The super volcano erupting, slave trades, cannibalism and so much more. But my FAVORITE thing about this story is one of the characters that Mike Mullen brought in for book #2. Ben. Ben and Alyssa are a brother and sister that Alex meets along his travels and they are a unique duo. Ben is a high functioning autistic teen. A character trait which I have yet to find in other YA books I have read. Ben is a wonderful character. Sharing not only his quirky and sometimes dangerous autistic traits, but also the amazing ones that help save not only his life, but the lives of many others in this extreme post-eruption world! 

All in all. If you liked book # 1 Ashfall, you will LOVE Ashen Winter. And if you haven't read Ashfall I highly recommend it! 

Rating: 5/5

Here is a link to my review of Book #1 Ashfall! : Ashfall Review

Mailbox Monday

Ahhh the wonderful and terrifying feeling that comes with adding books to my TBR shelf :)

 Let's see what I have gathered shall we?

Purchased

I snagged up these lovelies from a trade with Braun Books ! Just in time for the Tiger's Destiny Release party! I have already read both and LOVED THEM! 

Borrowing

Shelly over at Tsk Tsk What to Read was super nice and lent me her ARC copy of Tiger's Destiny since I was unable to get a finished copy just yet. Too bad the ending is not included >.<

Traded/Borrowing

A couple of members of Novels, News and Notes from your Northwest Neighbors got together before the Tiger's Destiny Party and traded Books! I am super excited for these! Thanks a bunch to Sarah over at Novel Novice and Mel from Shot InThe Arm !

Gifted

HUGE thanks to Benji over at The Non Reluctant Reader !!! I have already finished this one and my rave review will be up in a day or so!! 

NetGalley 

  Oh my GOSH I am so excited!!!!!!

Nook Freebies

 They all looked interesting! ... And I horde free nook books >.< Lol

.. I think I may have overdone it .... wait.. No I didn't!! I LOVE BOOKS ! haha 

Feel free to leave comments! Have you read any these? Want to? 

Have a Mailbox post? Leave me a link to visit you back! :) 

- Happy Reading!

Their Promise - Novella Release

 

 *Novella*

 Their Promise

One moment can change your life forever.

One moment to find love.

One moment to lose it.

Author's Website







 I have been a Brina Courtney fan ever since I read the first Chapter of reveal ( #1 in the Crypid tales series ), and then wanted to bow at her feet when I finished Capture. So it's no surprise that I was jumping on the bandwagon to check out her first YA contemporary! 

Now.. I am not a contemporary fan to be honest. Mostly just because... well it's too.. real! I tend to be an emotional person and get really sucked into the stories and end up far too attached. 

BUT this was Brina's writing and I had to give it a shot. 

Cried, glared at the pages, shook my fists. And wished for more! 

I will always hesitate when opening a contemporary book. But I have faith now that if Brina Courtney is writing it, I won't be disappointed, and all the emotions will be well worth it. 

It is a heartbreaking story that will have you totally invested in the characters. The only downfall is that it is a novella! I want more Brina! MORE haha. I cannot wait to see what else this Author has in store for us readers. Whether it be paranormal or contemporary, I will be waiting in line.

Check out the trailer, Drop by the other tour stops and see if this Novella is right for you!

Scroll down to find a list of the other tour stops AND a giveaway!



Grab a copy for yourself from B&N or Amazon for only .99 cents!

Buy From B&N

August 27- Ren's Rambles: Playlist

A Mission To Read: Review

August 28-  Escaping One Book At A Time: Review

Book Loving Me: Cover Post

August 29- Written Rhapsody: Review

Could this be true? Tumblr: Review

August 30- Letters Inside Out: Review/ Interview

Delphina Reads Too Much: Excerpt

August 31- Ren's Rambles: Review

The Passionate Bookworm: Promo Post

September 1- Self Publish Or Die: Promo Post

September 2- Fire Star Books: Promo Post

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Glitch: Review

Glitch (Glitch #1) by Heather Anastasiu

Paperback, 371 pages
Published August 7th 2012 by St. Martin's Press
 

http://www.heatheranastasiu.com

**I was given a copy of this book in exchange for an honest reviews, all thoughts and opinions are my own! 
Big thanks to St.Martins Press and Netgalley!**

 In the Community, there is no more pain or war. Implanted computer chips have wiped humanity clean of destructive emotions, and thoughts are replaced by a feed from the Link network.

When Zoe starts to malfunction (or “glitch”), she suddenly begins having her own thoughts, feelings, and identity. Any anomalies must be immediately reported and repaired, but Zoe has a secret so dark it will mean certain deactivation if she is caught: her glitches have given her uncontrollable telekinetic powers.

As Zoe struggles to control her abilities and stay hidden, she meets other glitchers including Max, who can disguise his appearance, and Adrien, who has visions of the future. Both boys introduce Zoe to feelings that are entirely new. Together, this growing band of glitchers must find a way to free themselves from the controlling hands of the Community before they’re caught and deactivated, or worse.

I had an immediate connection with this story. From the first chapter I just KNEW it was going to be awesome! Thankfully my gut feeling was right.

One of the ways I would describe this book is.. The Giver by Lois Lowry Meets Uglies by Scott Westerfield. I am not saying I feel like it was a complete mesh of the two stories. But it has moments that were reminiscent of each that really worked well combined!

Heather Anastasiu did a wonderful job creating a story where I could FEEL the emotions radiating off the pages. When Zoe glitches, it's like she is really living for the first time. Experiencing everything with a sense of wonder. Like, a blind person seeing a sunset, or def person hearing music for the first time. As Zoe felt these emotions I felt these emotions. And it made my feeling towards "The Community" even more intense everytime her glitches stopped and she went back to being a mindless drone like everyone else.

This story seriously has it all. Romance, Action, adventure, drama and so much more. The author created characters that were dynamic and not run of the mill, which I loved, even if it made me HATE one of them.

There was.. a few awkward parts. Where it was hard for me to get past the fact that, that probably was how a guy in this situation ( having sexual feelings for the first time ) would have acted and spoken, and the fact that the wording was just... so .... WEIRD. But I don't want to spoil it. Let's just say I had a grimace on my face.

I easily moved past this aspect as the author continued to weave a tale that had me biting my lip and turning the pages.

The world created in Glitch is one that was easy for me to imagine coming true. This could be because of how many NOVA shows my boyfriend has me sit through ( There is some CRAZY science out there guys ) As well as the perfect world building that had me sucked in!

The twists and turns will keep you on your toes. The Romance will have you swooning and outraged. And the Overall story will have you begging for more!

Rating : 4.5/5 !

Does this sound like something you are interested in? Why or why not?! I love hearing feedback in the comments!  

Have you already read Glitch and Loved it? You can PreOrder Override NOW ! It Releases in February 2012!

Noctalis Blog Tour

You know your already drooling just looking at the covers. 

No? Maybe it's just me.

 I love the purple against the block and the rich gothic feel! 

Let's just take a look at the descriptions then shall we?

( Keep an eye out through the post for a " hidden " word! It will be used in a scavenger hunt giveaway found on the last tour stop!)

Book #1 ( Noctalis Series )



Seventeen-year-old Ava-Claire Sullivan isn't one for doing the expected. Especially when she finds out her mother's cancer is terminal. After a crying session in the local cemetery where she's attacked by one strange guy and saved by another, she doesn't call the cops. Because those guys definitely weren't your average hooligans.

And the one who sort-of saved her? Well, he's odd. He doesn't seem to breathe or smile or have anything better to do than wait in the cemetery for Ava to come back. Which she does. Call it morbid curiosity. Even after he warns her that he's dangerous, she can't stop wanting to see him, talk to him, be with him.

There's something about Peter that provides a much-needed escape from her mother's diagnosis and her tenuous relationship with her father. Even her best friends Jamie and Texas don't know what it's like to face death. But Peter does. He already has. He also made a promise a long time ago that could destroy both of them.

When everything in your life is falling apart, what are you willing to give up to hold onto the one thing that could last forever?

I have a feeling I'm going to get teary eyed during this one o.O hopefully some swoonworthy guys can save the day!

Book #2 ( Noctalis Series )

SPOILERS FOR BOOK #1 !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Ava-Claire Sullivan still doesn't follow the rules. She shouldn't have let Peter Claim her, turning her into his own personal blood bank. She shouldn't have told Tex Peter was immortal because now her best friend won't shut up about hooking up with Peter's equally immortal brother, Viktor. And she shouldn't have fallen in love with Peter.

Too late.

Sometimes, love kills. One promise Peter made nearly a hundred years ago could do it. A kiss, a touch could be the end of him. So all she has to do is not let him fall in love with her. Easier said than done.

But Ava's going to find a way for him to be free, even if it kills her. Or makes her immortal. There's no way she's losing Peter in addition to her mother. No freaking way.

What would you do when the one you love would die if they loved you back?

ooooh the drama! Could it be any more intriguing !?

Want to know more? Want a chance at some fun giveaways?! Of course you do ! So Just follow the links below and check out some awesome reviews and extras!  

 Tour Schedule


August 1 - A Soul Unsung *Review, Ava & Peter relationship playlist*
- Bengal Reads - Interview
August 2 - Beth Art from the Heart *Character Interview - Texas*
August 3 - What's Beyond Forks? *Reviews, Deleted Scene, Giveaway
August 4 -The Book Lover's Report *Review & Giveaway
August 5 - megan talks books *Playlist for Ava
- Jenn Renee Read *Review Nocturnal *Promo Nightmare
August 6- Love of Books *Playlist Peter & Giveaway*
August 7 - FireStarBook *Character Profile Peter*
- Turning the Pages *Review
August 8 - Howling Books and Design *Reviews
- whoopeeyoo :D Review
August 9 - Lovey Dovey Books *Deleted Scene*
- Chapter by Chapter *Character Profile Ava & Giveaway
August 10 - Starry Night Book Review *Reviews*
- Swoon Worthy Books *Review
August 11 - The Pararomance Club *Review & Character Interview Ava*
August 12 - Beth Art from the Heart *Reviews
- *Sucked into Books* Review
- Bookishly Devoted *Reviews & Interview
August 13 - Paperback Princess *Review
- Kissed by Ink *Review
August 14 - Waiting on Sunday to Drown *Review, Character Profile Texas
- Reviews by Molly* Review & POV-Chpt frm Peter book 1
August 15 - booksbooks&morebooks *Character Interview with peter and ava, Review, Giveaway
August 16 -
August 17 - Sweet Southern Home *Lay of the Land
August 18 - In Which Ems Reviews Books *Reviews
- The Cover (and Everything in Between) *Review
August 19 - For The Love Of Film And Novels *Deleted Scene & Reviews*
August 20 - Always YA at Heart *Lay of the Land
August 21 - Doctor's Notes *Review
- Sarah Elizabeth's bookshelf *Review & Interview
August 22 - Book Breifs *Review & Deleted Scene
- Escaping One Book @ a Time *Review
August 23 - A Bibliophiles Thoughts on Books*Review
- Readers Eden *Interivew
August 24 - My Pathway to Books *POV book 2
August 25 - Little Read Ridinghood *Review & Interview
August 26 - Book Breifs *Review
August 27 - Always YA at Heart *Review
August 28 - BeLoved Books *Review & Giveaway
- Intriguing Reads *Review
August 29 - Paperbook Princess *Character Interview Viktor
August 30 - The Passionate Bookworm
August 31 SupaGurl Books *Reviews & Tour Wide Scavenger Hunt Giveaway*

Waiting On Wednesday: My Name is Rapunzel

 

Expected publication: 2013

 Fairy tales are for children. My name is Rapunzel and I will tell you my story. I will tell you the truth.

YA - Full description to come.

Do I care that there is no set release date? Or that the Synopsis is only 3 sentences long and full description " to come". NOPE! I'm dying already! I love fairy tale retelling like a mad woman.. and this little blurb already has me begging for more!

Mailbox Monday ( Extremely belated edition )

It's been quite awhile since I have done a mailbox post ! So here is what I have gotten in the course of the last 2 months- Not counting my random Nook book buys!

 ( Click the Small images below to be taken to the Books Goodreads page! ) 

For Review from Publishers / Review sites/ Authors

I always feel honored when an author sends me their book directly from them, and The Forsaken by Lisa M. Stasse is no exception! My review is already up on the blog and you DEFINITELY need to go check it out!
Read my Review of the Forsaken !

A HUGE thank you to St.Martins Press :) Not only did I receive Wake by Amanda Hocking from them, but ALSO Time Untime by Sherrilyn Kenyon! She is my FAVORITE Paranormal Romance author. This will be my first non-YA Review book and I am so excited! At the last minute I also received Glitch by Heather Anastasiu ! Already started and finished this one, and guys? I can't wait to write my review!

An Ear splitting THANK YOU to Spencer Hill Press for sending me Deity and Cursed By Jennifer L. Armentrout! Prepare for some epic reviews ;)

Also a big thank you to Random Buzzers! I am an Ambuzzador this summer and received this wonderful package with The Book Of Blood and Shadow by Robin Wasserman.

And last but in NO WAY least. A big thank you to Epic reads for sending me Tiger Lily by Jodi Lynn Anderson! I have already started this one and am LOVING it.

Gifted/ Won 

I was lucky enough to Win Endlessly by Kiersten White through an Epic Reads giveaway! 
I can't wait to dive in!

I also Won a copy of Reveal from the amazing author herself- Brina Courtney ! I was also given a copy of Reveal and Capture for review, and you should really go check out my thoughts! 

Read my review of Reveal!
Read my review of Capture!


Dark Eden by Patrick Carmen was Gifted to me by the amazing Jessirae over at Words, Pages and Books .. Seriously. She is awesome. Check out her blog!
And finally,


I was gifted a copy of ReVamped by Ada Adams straight from her lovely self! I am so happy to have this on my shelf! I was also gifted an e-copy earlier on and my review can be found below!

Read my review of ReVamped!


What have you guys received lately that you are excited about? Did I receive anything that you Loved? Hated? 
Or Can't wait for!?
Feel free to leave links in the comments and I will visit you back! 

In related bookish news : 
I received my blank t-shirt order!! 

Why does this matter you ask? 
Because it means I can make things like This! 

These shirts can now be found on my etsy shop!
Bookish Designs 
If you want to order a shirt feel free to use the code OPENINGWEEK to get 20% till the 7th! 
( will ship internationally! )

Cover Reveal : Summer In Salem

Teagen’s summer has been turned upside down by a body, a pentagram necklace, and an old flame.

Nine months ago, Teagan Matthews' boyfriend disappeared and took her sense of stability with him. But when the opportunity to live with her aging grandmother in Salem arises, she decides it's time to get on with her life. A new home, new job and new friends are adding up to a beautiful summer...

...until a young girl's body shows up one night in town, wearing a necklace exactly like Teagan's.

Now a guy looking remarkably like her missing boyfriend has shown up in town along with a mysterious stranger who may have some answers that Teagan has desperately been searching for. Teagan must now decide who to trust because it could be matter of life and her death.

 Expected publication: September 2012
Goodreads link: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/15779561-summer-in-salem

 www.brinacourtney.com 

 http://www.amazon.com/Brina-Courtney/e/B0073X9KRQ/ref=sr_tc_2_0?qid=1343760711&sr=1-2-ent

My Thoughts: 

WOW! I love this cover. For many reasons;  There is no pretty girl on the cover! Kudos for stepping outside of the box! I Love the gorgeous sunflower and starry background. It adds a wonderful vibe that is simply.. magical. I also really enjoy how the colors in the Title match the colors in the flower and background! A simple white would have been... well.. just that. Simple, and boring. This cover has a sense of.. dark beauty. We know from the description that this is a story about Magic. A pentagram necklace and a mysterious stranger? I predict "something wicked this way comes." ;) I also find it really wonderful that the colors in the cover art reference colors displayed on a .. particularly witchy holiday. All Hallows Eve! Basically, I love this cover from start to finish. and CANNOT wait to read the story!

Brina Courtney Won me over with her first YA paranormal series. Cryptid Tales... And I can't wait to see what she has in store for her readers next! 

Haven't read Reveal or Capture yet!? Well.. GET ON IT! 

The Selection

 Hardcover, 327 pages
Published April 24th 2012 by HarperTeen
 
ISBN:0062059939 (ISBN13: 9780062059932)

Edition language: English
Series:The Selection #1
 

For thirty-five girls, the Selection is the chance of a lifetime. The opportunity to escape the life laid out for them since birth. To be swept up in a world of glittering gowns and priceless jewels. To live in the palace and compete for the heart of the gorgeous Prince Maxon.

But for America Singer, being Selected is a nightmare. It means turning her back on her secret love with Aspen, who is a caste below her. Leaving her home to enter a fierce competition for a crown she doesn't want. Living in a palace that is constantly threatened by violent rebel attacks.

Then America meets Prince Maxon. Gradually, she starts to question all the plans she's made for herself- and realizes that the life she's always dreamed of may not compare to a future she never imagined.

Reading The Selection by Kiera Cass was like... Falling onto a giant bed with a feather comforter.. covered in far too many feather pillows. It felt wonderfully indulgent, comforting. Like I was being papered.. Does that make sense? I felt like.. such a girl! That statement is in no way meant to be a complaint. I loved every moment of it. 


I sank into the story and sighed. Indulging my girly side by imagining each and every beautifully detailed gown. Smiling over America and Mason's witty banter. Holding my breath as Mason made his decisions, shaking my finger at him *in my head of course* as he made wrong ones. And anxiously awaiting how it all played out. 


Kiera Cass created a story that allowed my to not only give in to my girly side, but also fed my need for intrigue and action. Before reading The Selection, I had heard the phrase " The Hunger Games meets The Bachlor. " and I have to admit.. it deterred me... a lot. But having now read the story, I understand the comparison.. and while I am not a fan of the TV show The Bachelor. I understand, and it is actually part of the story that I really enjoyed. 

In the midst of the "game" a war is going on.. and every once in a while. The fighting slips through the castle walls. At times like this I enjoyed seeing which of the "contestants" held their own. Who stood up strong and held their head up as a future queen should, and who crumbled. I also liked that this aspect of the story shows us more of Mason the future King, instead of just, Mason the guy who could have any girl he chooses.

I wouldn't say that the " Hunger Games " feel is super strong in this story.. but a slight vibe is there. In The world of The Selection, the people are broken up into classes, not just the rich and the poor, but they are actually numbered! 1 being the highest and consisting of the Royal family. 8 being the lowest and consisting of the cleaning people and servants. Each level has their part to play. America is a 5, an Artist. But in The Selection changes all of that. Any Caste can participate and have a chance to, not only win the Princes heart, but take her and her family to the top, and become a 1. 

My one real negative.. or more just... what I wanted more of. Was the world building. I was really interested in the castes, and wanted to learn more about them and what each caste's role was. I feel that that part was left mostly untouched, and I hope Kiera Cass visits it more in the next books. 


America never forgets who, or what caste she is, throughout the selection. And it begins to work into her favor... but then.. if I told you how.. I would be giving away too much of the story ;) 

I feel like I could keep typing. I want to spend hours telling you all that I loved about this story.. But basically I just need to tell you - GO READ IT FOR YOURSELF ! 

The Selection is full of romance and drama, if that's not what you like in a book, it may not be for you. But at the same time, it's not what I went in craving, and at the end of the book I was smiling and satisfied. Indulge a little, let yourself sink into The Selection, swoon, laugh, cry.... and watch as it all unfolds. 




Rating 5/5

The Dream Slayer ( Review and Giveaway )

 ( Review AND Giveaway )

Paperback, 312 pages
Published June 25th 2012 (first published May 1st 2012)
ISBN : 1470112299 (ISBN13: 9781470112295)
Edition language: English
Series: The Dreamer Slayer Series #1

When your dreams come true, sometimes you get more than you bargained for...

Natalie Johnson has always dreamed she’s someone else; calm, beautiful, in control. A chosen warrior with a maniacal arch nemesis and a dreamy boyfriend, the type that can make your knees melt and your heart quiver.

Real life is much different. She’s tormented by a bully and endures the sharp tongue of her father, but finds solace in her dreams.

When her bully ends up dead, de ja vu from a dream hits her hard as everything around her begins to fall apart.

Whatever killed Sarah in her dreams is now in reality, hunting her from the shadows. And it wants her dead.

Somehow as the lines between reality and nightmare blur, Natalie must discover hidden strength to pull her friends and family back from the brink of madness.

 Ok.. I know many readers do not care hugely about this aspect, but non-the-less ... COVER LOVE COVER LOVE COVER LOVE!!! Jill Cooper ... Who ever did this cover for you is a genius. I mean seriously. This cover will draw people in and leave then dying to figure out just what magic this story contains. 

Natalie finds solace in her dreams, like I find solace in my books.. then again I find that how I feel when I'm reading, can easily mirror my feelings in a dream.. Sometimes I never want to wake up/ stop reading. 

Dream slayer was an interesting blend of paranormal action blended with a story that was contemporary and full of heartache. It was easy for me to empathize with  real life Natalie and root for her Dream Slayer alter ego. 


That being said I also found my self confused. The dream world and real world would come together at times that threw me. Then again this may just be a personal experience that other readers did not/ will not have. I cannot deny being easily distracted. Though at the same time I wish that the story had held me enough, so that I was unable to get distracted. 


But the characters were so intriguing.. and REAL. By no means perfect.. and that worked for me. That made the story. I really felt like parts of this story read like non fiction.. I mean.. I was in highschool.. and I was .. well.. near the bottom of the totem pole. Natalie and I probably could have been best buds.. though I'd have to get her a good reality check when it comes to not noticing things that are totally obvious >.< 

Overall I enjoyed Dream Slayer. Though I think I will let it settle, and give it a second run through when my mind is feeling less distracted. 


( I feel I should mention, as it may have effected how I felt as I read this story, that I was on new medication that made me groggy. Hence me wanting to re read it. I do not want my opinion of this book to be based on how I felt when I was not entirely myself.  I will most likely re-review it after it's second run ) 


As of right now I will not give a firm rating, because I do not feel it would be fair. However I encourage you to read other reviews on it and see if it strikes you as something you would be interested in. It is a unique story that I honestly feel will resonate with many readers! 

GIVEAWAY ::::::


Jill Cooper has had many items donated to her, and by her for this tour, and I was lucky enough to be able to offer up this lovely necklace and bracelet combo! This is really unique book swag, and I love how it matches up with the feel of the story!

To see more work by Double Designs visit them on their facebook page!

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Double-L-Designs/212935028775224

 I'm going to make this super easy. Just comment on this post and you will be entered to Win! Tell me if you've read the book and liked it, if you want to read the book and why. If you love or hate the cover. If the idea of YOUR dream world blending with your reality seems fun, or terrifying! Possibilities are endless. 


Ends 7/24 at 11:59 pm ;)  


Happy reading all !!

This Is Not a Test

Paperback, 336 pages
Published June 19th 2012 by St. Martin's Griffin

 It’s the end of the world. Six students have taken cover in Cortege High but shelter is little comfort when the dead outside won’t stop pounding on the doors. One bite is all it takes to kill a person and bring them back as a monstrous version of their former self.

To Sloane Price, that doesn’t sound so bad. Six months ago, her world collapsed and since then, she’s failed to find a reason to keep going. Now seems like the perfect time to give up. As Sloane eagerly waits for the barricades to fall, she’s forced to witness the apocalypse through the eyes of five people who actually want to live.

But as the days crawl by, the motivations for survival change in startling ways and soon the group’s fate is determined less and less by what’s happening outside and more and more by the unpredictable and violent bids for life—and death—inside.

When everything is gone, what do you hold on to?

I am in the minority when it comes to my feelings about this book. There was so much hype that I jumped at the chance to review it. Ready to dive in to another apocalyptic world where zombies runeth over. Maybe I just latched on to the fact that there was supposed to be zombies in the story. Maybe I didn't pay enough attention to the description of this book. But I was let down. 

There are zombies, and they are terrifying for sure. But they were not really a focal point of the story, in fact, the zombies scenes are few and far between. 

90% of the story is located inside the school. With the strange mishmash of students just trying to survive. And while the situation itself would be intense, I felt like the intensity wasn't played up enough. While the story did pull me along, while I was intrigued and wanted to know how it all worked out... when I turned that last page I felt... disappointed. 

I disliked the characters. All of them. Maybe that's how the readers are meant to feel. I mean, you can't always take a group of people and have at least one likeable one. Sometimes they all are jerks... But when reading a book I have a hard time connecting with the story when I want to smack ALL the characters upside the head. Sloane? I wanted to smack her constantly! That, and give her some happy pills. 
 
Keep in mind that I am not really a fan of contemporary stories, or just basic thrillers. With the lack of zombie action in this story.. that's how it really felt to me. A near future thriller with hints of horror. And it just wasn't my style. 

I'm sure that this story will resonate with many readers. Favorites for some and one that will be recommended all over. But I personally did not love it. The story intrigued me. Kept me moving forward. But overall did not win me over. 

I suggest browsing more reviews. Check out the ones by other reviewers and friends who's opinion you trust ! My opinion is just one of many :) And please don't hold it against me that if it turns out to be a story you love! 

Rating 2.5/5