Waiting On Wednesday

Hardcover, 304 pages

Expected publication: May 1st 2012 by Little, Brown Books for Young Readers 

ISBN: 0316185485 (ISBN13: 9780316185486)

A series of natural disasters has decimated the earth. Cut off from the rest of the world, England is a dark place. The sun rarely shines, food is scarce, and groups of criminals roam the woods, searching for prey. The people are growing restless.

When a ruthless revolutionary sets out to overthrow the crown, he makes the royal family his first target. Blood is shed in Buckingham Palace, and only sixteen-year-old Princess Eliza manages to escape.

Determined to kill the man who destroyed her family, Eliza joins the enemy forces in disguise. She has nothing left to live for but revenge, until she meets someone who helps her remember how to hope—and to love—once more. Now she must risk everything to ensure that she not become... The Last Princess.

Seriously!? How could I NOT want to read this one? Futuritic with a historical feel, and what seems to me a Kick Ass Female MC ! 

Are you pining for this one along with me?! 

Pre-Order it from Amazon or The Book Depository ( free international shipping )

The Girl In The Steel Corset

Hardcover, 473 pages
Published May 24th 2011 by Harlequin Teen

ISBN: 0373210337 (ISBN13: 9780373210336)
Series: Steampunk Chronicles #1
Setting: England, 1897 (United Kingdom)

She thought there was something wrong with her. She was right.

Finley Jayne has known for quite some time that she isn’t ‘normal,’ but when she beats up the son of her employer and is forced to flee, she stumbles into a world where there are bigger freaks than her. They take her in, treat her like family and demand her trust. How can Finley trust them when she can’t trust herself? And why is she drawn to the powerful Griffin as well as the dangerous Jack? She has to get herself under control before she gets into trouble she can’t get out of.
Griffin King is one of the most powerful men in Britain but he couldn’t save his best friend from almost dying. He is determined to save Finley and help her become the person he knows she can be, but there’s evil afoot in London. Machines have attacked humans under the orders of a nefarious criminal called The Machinist. He has sworn to protect his country against such a threat, but he’s never faced any foe like this. However, when he discovers The Machinist’s connection to his past, Griffin vows to end the villain once and for all — but he’ll need the help of all his friends, including the beautiful Finley Jayne – the girl in the steel corset.

Every time I see the cover of this amazing book I remember what one of my old Borders managers said when we first put it on the shelf. Along the lines of  "Damn, that sounds good." And *long pause* "Hott"  Lol.. He hit the nail on the head with this one!

Lately I have come across many books that after a few pages in I think " Why did I not read this sooner!" The Girl In The Steel Corset is one of those! My only saving grace is that since I took so long to read book #1, less of a wait for book#2!


This story pulled me in so many different directions, It had me loving a character one moment, hating them the next. Falling for the "criminal mastermind" as well as the devastatingly handsome duke. Feeling sorry for Finely one moment, and hoping she doesn't kill someone the next! I could go on. I loved ride I was taken on. 

Jack Dandy - Criminal Mastermind, and yet.. swoonworthy ;) Loved his accent and wiley ways! 

Finley - The Jekyl/Hyde Character ; I loved all her personalities! Shy and sweet one moment, Spunky and kick ass the next. 


Griffen - Oh Griffen. His abilities were intense, but it never seems to overpower the softspot he has for his family and friends.


Emily- A bit of an oddball character, while I know she was still a "younger" character. Her manner of speaking threw me off a bit. But that did not make me like her any less! Smart and sweet I fell for her just like a few other characters in the book ;) 


Sam- My feelings for him are all over! I never quite swooned.. definitely hated at times. A dynamic character that kept me guessing


And that's just a peek into the awesome characters that Kady Cross created!


Not to mention the style in this book! It blew me away. I have always had a "thing" for steampunk - though I never felt I could pull it off - But translating a style into a story.. I never thought it would have worked so perfectly. Mechanics meets art and style.. Gorgeous. 


The time period is another thing that made this story rock. The lifestyle in this time period is one that, basically makes Teenagers Adults. They work, they get married, their dukes and criminals, they drink ect.. If Finely's age was not given, I would have thought she was more in her 20's. This time period and steampunk style makes the story one that can cross the lines between what some readers deem YA and Adult. 


An array of characters that were vibrant and entertaining and A world that was just the same. The Girl In The Steel Corset blew me away. Kady Cross blends sci fy and fantasy together in a wonderful way, with characters that seem to have "magic" or special abilities, and automatons - Robots - that appear to be growing a mind of their own. I never knew what to expect next!


Steampunk literature in all it's glory! The Girl In the Steel Corset has convinced me that steampunk is a Genre on the rise!

Rating: Are you kidding me?! 5/5 !
 Do yourself a favor ( And myself ! I need more people to talk to about this book! ) If this review, or even someone else's review, peaked your interest in this book. Go pick it up now!!



You can Also order it from The Book Depository with FREE international shipping! 

Hardcover : $13.95  HERE
OR Pre-Order the Paperback copy ( 1/2 a month to go! ) for only $7.49 HERE

April TBR

April TBR Pile ! 

Working through some Netgalley books This month :) hopefully mixing in some others as well

Will I actually get through 7 books in April ? I sure am hoping so!  

Have you read or are you looking forward to any of the books on my TBR pile? Share in the comments

A look back at March

Reviewed: 

Whipering Hills by Taryn Browning - Read my review HERE

White Witch by Trish Milburn - Read my review HERE

Incarnate by Jodi Meadows - Read my review HERE

Ashfall by Mike Mullen - Read my review HERE

I did read more books in March, their reviews are just forming themselves in my mind >.< March was a bit odd for me. I'm going to work hard to get my blog on track ! 

Please don't forget, if you found a book from my blog and are interested in buying it, consider going through one of the Affiliates! Links for Amazon and The Book Depository can be found on the left side of the blog :) A small percentage comes back to the blog with no extra cost to you when you use the affiliate links! ANY earnings will go right back to the blog for Giveaways :D

Whispering Hills Tour stop

For as long as she can remember, 17-year-old Alexis Forbes can hear the thoughts of others. Most recently, she is disturbed by the dark, unfamiliar voice of a frightening killer: callous, cunning, charismatic…and dead.

She hears his every sinister thought. But she can’t tell anyone. No one would believe her. Alexis is suddenly being haunted by a terrifying past she doesn’t remember, and a ghost with a serious score to settle. Even Chance, the gorgeous new guy she’s falling for, has his own ghostly secret. He’s definitely not like any guy she’s ever met. Alexis soon discovers she has a connection to the dead and it runs much deeper than she could ever imagine. And if the sociopathic entity has his way, she’ll finally be sentenced to the fate she escaped thirteen years ago.

Cover Love

Let's talk about the cover a bit shall we? Cause I kinda love it. I enjoy the simplicity and the "soft" feel of it. How it slowly changes from a more sharp image down to a softer/fuzzier one if that makes sense. I also love that the model on the image is not , BAM in your face with her beauty. It feels more realistic to me. My only real negative is that her outfit doesn't seem to match with the story for me... but that's just me being picky. I also love the quote at the top of the cover! It ties in really well with the huge theme of opposites in the book! Many smaller titles/ indie books have covers that feel "blah" to me. To unoriginal or simple. This one feels like more effort was put into it! Just because we maybe shouldn't "Judge a book by it's cover" , that doesn't mean it shouldn't have a rockin one!

What do you think? Does this cover help draw you into the story? What do you like or dislike about it? Share in the comments below!

Review


Whispering Hills was definitely not what I expected. I started in thinking I was going to get a romance with a little bit of a ghostly back story and ended up reading a haunting mystery that that had me wondering which way was up! What guy was good, what move was right!?


While I am still not a huge fan of mysteries, this story had just enough paranormal aspects and romance to it to hold my attention. It took me a little while to connect with Alexis, and even longer to connect with Chance. But they grew on me and I began to root and fear for them. However in this story it was definitely the antagonist and the side character/ friend that kept me moving forward. Gabriel was creepy and terrifying and intense and .. hmm what other words to describe and evil guy can I use! I love me a good bad guy lol. Summer was quirky and fun though a bit sterotypical when it came down to "I'm a teenage witch so I am going to wear goth clothes and appear all broody." She breaks out of it and becomes an awesome character! 


I gotta say I hope that Taryn Browning brings more Witchcraft into future books, I loved the "witchy" scenes in Whispering Hills and really feel that it is something she could focus on and write a kick ass story!


This story had alot of twists and turns that kept me guessing, always wondering what was around the corner for the characters and if what they were doing was really in their best interest. I look forward to seeing what else Taryn Browing has to offer and will be checking out her other books for sure! 


Don't forget to check out the list below and drop by the other stops! 
Tons of giveaways and some great reviews !


gTour Dates -

MARCH

March 12 - Love of Books *Excerpt & Giveaway*Tour Kick-Off*
March 13 - Flipping Through the Pages - *Review & Giveaway*
March 14 - Book Briefs *Review & Giveaway*
March 15th - The Reading Geek *Review & Guest Post*
Creative Reads - *Review & This or That Interview & Giveaway*
March 16 - The I Love Books Club *Review & This or That Interview*
March 18 - Girls on YA Books - *Review & Giveaway*
March 19 - Nata ArtistaDonna *Review & Interview & Giveaway*
A Life Pixelated *Review*
March 20 - Sweet Southern Home *Promo Stop & Guest Post*
A Life Pixelated *Guest Post & Giveaway*
March 21 - Synchronized Reading *Guest Post and Excerpt*
March 22 - This is From My Heart *Interview & Giveaway*
March 23 - Book Loving Mom - *Review & Guest Post*
March 24 - Books to the Sky *Review & Excerpt*
Following the Reader *Review
March 25 - The Autumn Review *Excerpt Promo Stop
March 26 - Doodle's Book Blog *Review & Giveaway*
Waiting on Sunday to Drown *Review & Giveaway*
March 27 - Unabridged Bookshelf *Review & Giveaway*
March 28 - Teen Librarian's Toolbox *Review & Giveaway*
Books 4 Juliet *Guest Post & Giveaway*
March 29 - The Passionate Bookworm *Review & Cover Post*
March 30 - An Avid Readers Musings *Review & Guest Post*
March 31 - Once Upon A Twilight *

APRIL

April 1 - MajiBookshelf *Review & Giveaway
April 2 - YA-Aholic *Review & Interview*
Addicted to Books *Review & Guest Post & Giveaway*
April 3 - Sim-Sational Books *Review*
April 4 - Lovey Dovey Books *Review & Giveaway*
Better Read Than Dead *Review & Guest Post & Giveaway*
April 5 - Chapter x Chapter *Review & Excerpt & Giveaway*
Shirleyy's Bookshelf *Review & Giveaway*
April 6 - The Life of Fiction *Review & Giveaway*
April 7 - Shadow Kisses Book Reviews *mini review & Giveaway
April 8 - Escaping... One Book @ a Time *Review & Giveaway
April 9 - The Bookish Babes *Guest Post
Letters Inside Out *Review & Giveaway*
Kindling the Fire *Review & Giveaway
April 10 - Bookish Brunette *Guest Post & Promo Post*
Novels On The Run *Review
April 11 - My Cute Bookshelf *Promo Post & Giveaway*
Obsession with Books *Review & Guest Post*
April 12 - Good Choice Reading *Promo Post*
April 12 - SupaGurl Books *Tour Wrap-Up* Review & BIG GIVEAWAY

Trendsetters: Headless/Nearly Headless

Trendsetters is a meme inspired by a couple different blogs, but most dominantly YA Bookie Monster ! Where I point out Cover trends I have noticed in YA Books ! 

Up this week: Headless/ Nearly Headless

You may be thinking:

Check out the cover I found below and share your thoughts! 

 

All the covers above were found on a 2012 YA releases list on Goodreads :) if you can think of more ( 2012 releases ) that I have missed please let me know! Have you spotted other trends? Share in the comments!