Showcase Sunday

 This is the week when it comes to my mailbox! I'm expecting three books today and 4 more books this week! I'll only be adding in the 3 that arrived today though since I did techincally get them last week. I can not wait to read all of these! Eeek! Since I got so many, I'm using pictures for the first time!

Props to Books, Biscuits, and Tea for coming up with this meme.

For Review

         

Bought

Won

Traded

              

I won't go into any details, but most of these are sequels as you can see and most of htem I have been absolutely DYING to read! For Lost Codes though, I'm curious to see my opinion since there have been a lot of mixed reviews...hmmm....

Remember when I won that writing contest on Elizabeth Richard's blog? I finally got it and it's so pretty and shiny! *squeal* I can't wiat to get started on this!

I got my copy of Breathe!!! *jazz hands* and I can't wait to read it! The little box of books I "lost" found it's way back! I don't have a picture so I just stole from Goodreads. But I can't wait to read all of them! *crosses them off wishlist*

What's in YOUR Mailbox?

Blog Tour: Knee Deep by Jolene Perry

Goodreads Blurb

Shawn is the guy Ronnie Bird promised her life to at the age of fourteen. He's her soul mate. He's more uptight every day, but it's not his fault. His family life is stressful, and she's adding to it. She just needs to be more understanding, and he'll start to be the boy she fell in love with. She won’t give up on someone she’s loved for so long.

Luke is her best friend, and the guy she hangs with to watch girlie movies in her large blanketopias. He's the guy she can confide in before she even goes to her girlfriends, and the guy who she's playing opposite in Romeo and Juliet. Now her chest flutters every time he gets too close. This is new. Is Ronnie falling for him? Or is Juliet? The lines are getting blurry, but leaving one guy for another is not something that a girl like Ronnie does.

Shawn’s outbursts are starting to give her bruises, and Luke’s heart breaks as Ronnie remains torn. While her thoughts and feelings swirl around the lines between friendship and forever, she’s about to lose them both.

Knee Deep has got to be one of the best contemporaries of the year. And I mean that this time. I know, I don’t usually read/review contemporary. But that’s only because they make me cry. As in, full out sobbing. And that was no exception for Knee Deep.

Ronnie loves Shawn. He’s her soulmateand it’s just that black and white. Or so she thinks. Suddenly, Shawn is getting a shorter and shorter fuse. He starts getting angry at the smallest things, starts hurting her in ways he never had. And jealous over her best friend, Luke, for no apparent reason. Or is there an actual excuse for his over protectiveness? Because Ronnie is starting to pull away from Shawn and ever closer to Luke, something she doesn’t understand. After all, Luke is just her friend. But something’s going on with Shawn’s family, something he’s hiding.

First off, let me say that I was so irritated by Ronnie’s character. No matter what Shawn did, she always forgave him, thinking that his sudden lash outs were because of his dad’s stress. Come on. But I guess when you’re in love you’re just blind to that. But it still annoyed me to no end, especially when Luke was right there and supporting, helping, her. ARGH. Luke was so sweet and had the perfect boy-next-door feel and I absolutely loved him! Shawn on the other hand was…no, just no. He always seemed truly sorry after each lash out, but the things he did…they were just unforgivable!

This story just broke my heart. It was beautiful and raw and…and…there are no words to describe how much I love Knee Deep.  It was so moving and it just tugged on my heart strings. I know this happens a lot, but 50% of the time I spent reading it, I was crying. That’s how much Knee Deep touched me. That’s how much I loved it. Lovers of contemporary should move Knee Deep up on the top of their TBR pile.

Pages: 176

Series: Stand-alone

Genre: Contemporary

Publisher: Tribute Books

Release Date: May 1

Rating: 5 stars

"He stops me, grabbing my arm—hard—just above my wrist.

'This is not okay.' His jaw is set.

'Hey.' My voice shakes. My body shakes. I’m actually scared of Shawn for the

first time ever. I jerk my hand once, but he tightens his grip…impossibly tight. My lungs

can’t pull in a breath; there’s just not enough air in the room anymore. 'Shawn, you’re hurting me.' He can’t mean to hurt me. He can’t."

Short Author Bio:

Jolene grew up in Wasilla, Alaska. She graduated from Southern Utah University with a degree in political science and French, which she used to teach math to middle schoolers.

After living in Washington, Utah and Las Vegas, she now resides in Alaska with her husband, and two children. Aside from writing, Jolene sews, plays the guitar, sings when forced, and spends as much time outside as possible.

She is also the author of Night Sky and The Next Door Boys.

Contact Info:

Knee Deep web site:

Jolene Perry's Facebook:

Jolene Perry's Twitter:

Jolene Perry's Website:

Jolene Perry's Blog:

Jolene Perry's GoodReads:

Tribute Books website:

Tribute Books Facebook:

Tribute Books Twitter:

Author Interview: Kimberly Sabatini

I managed to interview the amazing Kimberly Sabatini who debuts this year with her YA novel, Touching the Surface! It definitely sounds amazing and has a BEAUTIFUL cover!

Fiction Freak: Let’s start with the classic: What inspired Touching the Surface?

Kimberly Sabatini: About seven and a half years ago my father passed away. After he died I started to write to make sense of the loss. I also decided that since he died young, this was my wake up call. I needed to crawl out of my own box of insecurity and fear and begin to chase down some of my dreams. I'm not sure I knew at the time that I was writing, that by puzzling through my thoughts on his death and the afterlife that I'd really written a very long love letter to my dad. It was a very proud moment to write the dedication to him. <3

FF: What's your funniest moment?

KS: In the book--I think the funniest moment for me involves a dinghy. That scene always makes me smile. You can let me know after you read it. :o)

FF: What made you decide to write about the afterlife?

KS: Aside from my dad...fear. I've always been the kind of kid and later adult that worked very hard to NEVER do anything wrong. Elliot does something very wrong in TOUCHING THE SURFACE and I wanted to explore one of my biggest fears. What would it be like to be a very good person, but make an epic, unforgivable mistake? Basically, I wanted to know if I was still capable of being loved if I ever screwed up really bad. I grew a lot from writing this book. I'm not sure I've completely conquered this fear, but I know that I've grown in a healthy direction.

FF: Some authors write while listening to music. Did you? And if so, what songs/type of music?

KS: I write to music when I draft, but not when I revise. In fact, sometimes I can't even write if I don't have the right song to set the mood for me and I may play that one song over and over again for hours. *head thunk* My only prerequisite on what I listen to is that it has to be meaningful to me and the story. So I never know what I'm going to end up with, it could be anything from Broadway to Rap. I'll give you one song that is on my playlist but also plays a big role in the book...Little Bird by Annie Lennox.

FF: Your cover is absolutely GORGEOUS, but I'm curious: do the birds represent anything or are they just there to add more prettiness?

KS: The origami birds are very relevant to the story. I LOVE that they were represented on the cover.

FF: Quick: first word that pops into your head when you think of first getting published.

KS: Jump (as in up and down for a long time in a lot of places.) My husband wanted to take me out but I told him that what I really wanted to do was jump up and down for a little while longer. LOL!

FF: Your book is at the top of many, MANY, wishlists (including mine). How does that make you feel?

KS: Humble and hopeful. It feels like such an honor. I know that not everyone will love my book--it's not possible for everyone to love any one thing. But the idea that there will be some people who connect with me and what I wrote--what I poured out on the page.  *sigh* That makes my heart want to burst through my chest just like it does for the Grinch as he's riding back into Whoville.

FF: What aware you currently reading? What are your thoughts so far?

KS: Right now I'm reading about 10 different books between my Kindle, audio books, what I read to my kids and what's on my night stand. I'll give you one...MY LIFE NEXT DOOR by Huntley Fitzpatrick...LOVING IT!!! I find myself staying up way too late reading every night.

FF: What is your most anticipated read of 2012 or 2013?

KS: Hmmmm There are sooo many but I'll pull from the Wolf Pack (My fellow pups represented by Michelle Wolfson) and say MIND GAMES by Kiersten White, PIVOT POINT by Kasie West and WHEN YOU WERE HERE by Daisy Whitney. They all sound incredible.

FF: Give us a teaser of Touching the Surface? Please?

KS: Here's the first paragraph...

My body smacked the water. Thoughts scattered like a handful of beads dropped on a bare wood floor. I gasped for air and the current rushed in. My throat burned. Panic, thrashing, spots of light exploding in my head. Surrender. I sank softly down...until...fingers wrapped around my wrist, yanking me out of the water. As my head broke the surface it all became clear. I had died...again.

FF: Any last words to readers/bloggers/aspiring writers?

KS: First and foremost--thank you so much for all the support and early buzz you are creating for TOUCHING THE SURFACE. I am an absolutely believer that word of mouth is what really sells books. I cannot thank everyone enough for passing on their excitement. As for aspiring authors (because there are no aspiring writers) you either write or you don't. :o) I just want to remind you that while there are lots of things to learn and understand about the publishing business, in the end we are just like snowflakes--completely unique in how we craft a story. Don't chase down someone else's dream...chase your own. Celebrate what makes you...you. Leave yourself on the page because that is the one thing that no one else can do. (((hugs))) Thank you so much for having me over to your blog. I had a wonderful time. <3

Touching the Surface Blurb:

Experience the afterlife in this lyrical, paranormal debut novel that will send your heart soaring.When Elliot finds herself dead for the third time, she knows she must have messed up, big-time. She doesn't remember how she landed in the afterlife again, but she knows this is her last chance to get things right.
Elliot just wants to move on, but first she will be forced to face her past and delve into the painful memories she'd rather keep buried. Memories of people she's hurt, people she's betrayed...and people she's killed.
As she pieces together the secrets and mistakes of her past, Elliot must find a way to earn the forgiveness of the person she's hurt most, and reveal the truth about herself to the two boys she loves...even if it means losing them both forever.



Short Author Bio:

Kimberly Sabatini is a former Special Education Teacher who is now a stay-at-home mom and a part-time dance instructor for 3, 4 and 5 year olds. After her dad passed away in 2005, she used writing as a way to make sense of the experience and discovered that she’s full of questions that need to be answered. She lives in New York’s Hudson Valley with her husband and three boys. Kimberly writes Young Adult fiction and is represented by Michelle Wolfson of Wolfson Literary Agency. She is thrilled to be part of the "Wolf Pack." TOUCHING THE SURFACE is her debut novel. (Simon Pulse - Simon & Schuster, October 30, 2012)

Contact Info:

Kimberly Sabatini's Website

Kimberly Sabitini's Blog

Kimberly Sabatini's Goodreads

Kimberly Sabatini's Facebook

Kimberly Sabtini's Twitter

 

Shift by Em Bailey

Goodreads Blurb

Olive Corbett is not crazy. Not anymore.
She obediently takes her meds and stays under the radar at school. After "the incident," Olive just wants to avoid any more trouble, so she knows the smartest thing is to stay clear of the new girl who is rumored to have quite the creepy past.
But there’s no avoiding Miranda Vaile. As mousy Miranda edges her way into the popular group, right up to the side of queen bee Katie – and pushes the others right out – only Olive seems to notice that something strange is going on. Something almost . . . parasitic. Either Olive is losing her grip on reality, or Miranda Vaile is stealing Katie’s life.
But who would ever believe crazy Olive, the girl who has a habit of letting her imagination run away with her? And what if Olive is the next target?
A chilling psychological thriller that tears through themes of identity, loss, and toxic friendship, Shift will leave readers guessing until the final pages.

Wow. Let me just say I was not expecting this when I started Shift. Honestly I only read it because my reading pile was empty. But once I started it, I was hooked.

Olive was popular, beautiful, fun, and bubbly, but when her dad left because of her suicide attempt, it all spiraled downhill. Suddenly Olive has a new life and is shunned, teased, and bullied by everyone including her ex-best friend, popular girl Katie. Only Ami sticks with her...but htere's something about her that's different. Something Olive never expected...

Newbie Miranda Vaile comes to town, niece of crazy Loony Oona and she's fresh meat for the vultures of high school. Yet somehow, she pushes everyone away and becomes Katie's best friend and confidant...but something creepy is happening because just as Miranda's looking more and more like Katie every day, Katie's becoming paler, sicker, and tired by the minute. Everyone isn't noticing it though, and soon enough Olive starts to doubt just what is real. Becuase, when you're going crazy yourself, who's to know what's real and what's not? Even when you know what's going on.

Em Bailey masterfully blurs the line between reality and imagination. I swear, there was not one time I was sure if what Olive saw and discovered was real or not! Em wrote beautifully, the prose leaning into paranormal then falling back into reality. The creep factor is high and I think that if anyone read this entirely at night...you'd definitely dream about it. Maybe not bad enough for a nightmare, but it will definitely leave an impression on its reader.

Olive was a great protagonist. Because of her problems, you, like I said, could never tell what was reality and what was her mind. I mean, Miranda would mouth words that Katie had said mere seconds later, act like Katie, dress like Katie, and slowly start to look like her. And even htough Olive suspected Miranda to be a shapeshifter, I couldn't be sure. Especially with what Miranda makes Olive realise. What was mind-blowing, though, was the fact that the most obvious things were the things that surprised me the most. When there was a twist, I would think "what? That's not possible!" But the more I thought about it, the more I realised how many hints were pointing at it.

There was romance! I know! I wasn't expecting it, but when the romance came I was pleasantly surprised! THe love interest was sweet and understanding and this was one romance where I loved the guy being kind and not mischevious and bad. The apocalypse is coming, isn't it? But yeah. Lachlan was just ADORABLE and I loved him!

Pages: 320

Series: Stand-alone

Genre: Contemporary

Publisher: EgmontUSA

Release Date: May 22

Rating: 5 stars

"Now everyone was looking at Miranda, who was standing up. 'Katie wasn't talking,' she said, her voice clear and confident. 'I was.'

Rift by Andrea Cremer

Goodreads Blurb

Chronicling the rise of the Keepers, this is the stunning prequel to Andrea Cremer's internationally bestselling Nightshade trilogy!

Sixteen-year-old Ember Morrow is promised to a group called Conatus after one of their healers saves her mother's life. Once she arrives, Ember finds joy in wielding swords, learning magic, and fighting the encroaching darkness loose in the world. She also finds herself falling in love with her mentor, the dashing, brooding, and powerful Barrow Hess. When the knights realize Eira, one of their leaders, is dabbling in dark magic, Ember and Barrow must choose whether to follow Eira into the nether realm or to pledge their lives to destroying her and her kind.

With action, adventure, magic, and tantalizing sensuality, this book is as fast-paced and breathtaking as the Nightshade novels.

The Main Characters

 Ember was a strong heroine who was stubborn and independent and she always stood by her decisions no matter what. But something that annoyed me was that she always seemed as if she thought herself high above others, a bit snobby, maybe. She got offended a lot and was too hardheaded (which can sometimes be a good thing) to listen to others even when it may have risked a friend's life. Her attitude made me frustrated a lot of times and I often found myself wanting to strangle her. But Ember did have her strong points so...eh.

Eira, our antagonsit, was a perfect villain. She never meant to be evil per say, she was just swayed by her desire to do what she thought was better for her friends and family. But in the process, she lost what she thought were her goals and wanted to become more powerful than anyone. And that just makes the perfect antagonist. She didn't mean to become the villain it just happened, and the way Andrea Cremer shows the transit form good to bad was amazing, the way she blurred the lines between the two!

The Plot

The plot was awesome! I found myself on the edge of my seat waiting to see what happened and tearing at my hair when something unexpected happened. Which was a lot. The plot twists were those that you think are going to happen, but doubt it. Which, of course, makes everything moree surprising. Am I right? The plot was action-packed and full of secrets! But at times, I sometimes felt as if it was a bit too...redundant at times. But that might've been just me!

The Romance

You could kind of see how the romance was steadily growing, but I still think that when the big kiss scene came, it was still sudden, still too fast. Especially when it almsot hit the next level. It honeslty surprised me when they did kiss, but I guess it was to be expected.



Pages: 448
Series: Nightshade Prequel #1
Genre: Paranormal/Romance
Publisher: Philomel
Release Date: August 7
Rating: 4 stars

"Ember brought her sword down without warning and her aim was true. Her blade whistled through the air, hitting its mark and smoothly halving her adversary."

Book Paparazzi News!!!

So...remember my Random Musings post about Book Paparazzi and how it would make an awesome blog name? Well I came up with an idea where all bookish news will be posted on that site! That means cover reveals, links to author interviews, author tour stops, blog tour stops etc. My blogger buddy, Lisseth from Read-a-holicz will also be helping out and we decided to do a launch giveaway which will be live tomorrow! The prize? 5 mystery books. Don't worry, they're all YA fiction. But click on over here to go to The Book Paparazzi! (And give a round of applause to Lisseth for helping me with this little blog!)