Waiting on Wednesday #WoW @jaimeleemoyer @torbooks

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine. It's to spotlight upcoming reads which I can't wait to get my hands on.

This week my book is: 

A Barricade In Hell (Delia Martin #2) by Jaime Lee Moyer

Release date: June 3rd 2014

Pre-order your copy today:
Amazon | TBD | B&N

Delia Martin has been gifted (or some would say cursed) with the ability to peer across to the other side. Since childhood, her constant companions have been ghosts. She used her powers and the help of those ghosts to defeat a twisted serial killer terrorizing her beloved San Francisco. Now it's 1917—the threshold of a modern age—and Delia lives a peaceful life with Police Captain Gabe Ryan.

That peace shatters when a strange young girl starts haunting their lives and threatens Gabe. Delia tries to discover what this ghost wants as she becomes entangled in the mystery surrounding a charismatic evangelist who preaches pacifism and an end to war. But as young people begin to disappear, and audiences display a loyalty and fervor not attributable to simple persuasion, that message of peace reveals a hidden dark side.

As Delia discovers the truth, she faces a choice—take a terrible risk to save her city, or chance losing everything?

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Stacking the Shelves December Edition

Welcome to Stacking the Shelves which is hosted by Tynga @ Tynga's Reviews

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Purchased:

Enchanted by Aletha Kontis

Grave Mercy by Robin LaFevers

The Iron Traitor by Julie Kagawa

Young Adult Book Exchange:

Born of Illusion by Teri Brown (via Vivien)

Wake by Amanda Hocking

Black City by Elizabeth Richards (via Christy @ Christy's Book Addiction)

Publisher/Author for Review:

The Twin's Daughter by Lauren Baratz-Logsted

Cruel Beauty by Rosamund Hodge

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The Winter 2014 Dark Days Tour

So, I'm sure most of you know by now that the 2014 Dark Days Winter Tour is coming up. But for those of you who don't know I thought that I would post about it here for you.

Pitch Dark has the Dark Days Winter Tour coming up with some amazing authors in attendance. Tahereh Mafi (Shatter Me), Kiersten White (Paranormalcy, Mind Games), Veronica Rossi (Under the Never Sky) and Sophie Jordan (Univited, Firelight).

So you want to know where? Just look below:

For more information visit the Pitch Dark website here. If you're going I hope you have loads of fun! Unfortunately I won't be able to make it this year due to the fact of being 5 hours from Brentwood and 4 hours from New Orleans and a broken down car. But let's keep our fingers crossed that my car is fixed in time to go this year! Yay! 

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Dystopia Reading Challenge 2014

This is my last and final challenge that I have joined this year for 2014. This one is hosted by Ula @ Blog of Erised. I don't normally read a lot of Dystopian books, but recently, I read a few and decided that I absolutely love them. And of course not all Dystopian, just certain ones. Now I'm kinda wishing that I didn't get rid of the majority of my books on this subject haha.

> The challenge will run from January 1, 2014 to December 31, 2014. Each month will have its own link form so you will be able to share your book reviews. You do not have to review the books you read to participate, but only those who read/reviewed at least one dystopian book will be able to participate in the giveaway (you can track your reading without the reviews with Goodreads, Shelfari etc.).

> Books that count in this challenge must include any form of post-apocalyptic theme (book sites like Goodreads are good sources of genre information). The books must be full-length.

> All formats allowed.

> Rereads allowed (but not the same book five times in a year!).

> It does not matter whether it's a series or a stand-alone book.

> If you are participating, grab the challenge button from below and post it on you blog. You can also make a post with the header (the code is also below). Please include the link back to this post so others will be able to participate as well.

> If you will participate, put the sign-up link to your blog post (about the challenge) or blog (for the button) directly into the linky below. Sign-ups will be open until December 15, 2014.

> You do not have to list your books in advance, go and do as you please. Read as many as you want and whenever you want, as long as you have fun!

> Info about the giveaway will be available in December 2014.
> Do not cheat with books of other themes/genres/topics because she will check!

Level 1: Recruit (1 to 6 books)

Level 2: Rebel (7 to 12 books)

Level 3: Revolutionist (13 to 18 books)

Level 4: Leader (19+ books)

Each time you reach a new level, you will receive a badge.

Level 1: Recruit (1 to 6 books)

(Click here to see my books)

Head on over to Blog of Erised and sign up, they would love to have you!

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[Chapter Sampler] Alliance by Mark Frost

Alliance by Mark Frost is the second book in The Paladin Prophecy series. It's due to hit shelves January 7th. To learn more about the book head on over to Goodreads and read it's synopsis.

Alliance by Mark Frost by Random Buzzers

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2014 Review Pile Reading Challenge

My third challenge for 2014! This one is hosted by Rachel @ Fiktshun and Reanna @ Phantasmic Reads. This is a challenge where we play catch up with all the books that we receive for review and just never got around to reading them, whether it was due to other books getting in the way or just life. So I'm hoping to tackle what I have left in ARCs and finished copies that I have received from publishers and authors for review.

§                  The 2014 Review Pile Reading Challenge runs from January 1st until December 31st, 2014

§                  Sign-ups will remain open until December 31st, 2014 at 11:59 p.m. Pacific

§                  Grab one of the buttons to show off your participation! Parajunkee did a great job with them!

§                  You DO NOT have to have a blog to join this challenge. You just need to have some books received for review and a place online to review them

§                  Create a sign-up post announcing your intention to participate and link up below. If you do not have a blog, you can link up to your Goodreads profile that shows your 2014 Review Pile Reading Challenge shelf

§                  Please link back to the hosts in your sign-up posts

§                  This challenge is to help clear up books you’ve received for review. Any format, or any length, as long as you received the book specifically for review, is allowed

§                  There will be a kick-off post on January 1, 2014 at both Fiktshun and Phantasmic Reads where you’ll be able to leave your links for any January reviews. (No 2013 reviews.) At the beginning of every month, starting in February, these posts will alternate between both blogs. (See schedule below)

§                  If you forgot to leave your review link in the challenge month in which you reviewed the book or the linky list closed before you had a chance to leave it, you can leave it in a future month. (No duplicates.)

§                  There will also be monthly giveaways – make sure you check in each month!

§                  Use the hashtag #RPRC2014 to share your progress and connect with other participants on Twitter

1-10 – Apprentice

11-20 – Journeyman

21-30 – Master

31-40 – Grand Master

40+ – Adept

1-10 – Apprentice

(view my books here)

Head on over to either Fikshun or Phantasmic Reads to join in.

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Waiting on Wednesday #WoW @acgaughen

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine. It's to spotlight upcoming reads which I can't wait to get my hands on.

This week my book is: 

Lady Thief (Scarlet #2) by A.C. Gaughen

Release date: February 11th 2014

Pre-order your copy today:
Amazon | TBD | B&N | Kobo

Scarlet’s true identity has been revealed, but her future is uncertain. Her forced marriage to Lord Gisbourne threatens Robin and Scarlet’s love, and as the royal court descends upon Nottingham for the appointment of a new Sheriff, the people of Nottingham hope that Prince John will appoint their beloved Robin Hood. But Prince John has different plans for Nottingham that revolve around a fateful secret from Scarlet’s past even she isn’t yet aware of. Forced to participate at court alongside her ruthless husband, Scarlet must bide her time and act the part of a noblewoman—a worthy sacrifice if it means helping Robin’s cause and a chance at a future with the man she loves. With a fresh line of intrigue and as much passion as ever, the next chapter in Scarlet’s tale will have readers talking once again.

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2014 Series Challenge

This is the second challenge that I'm going to take part in in 2014. This one will really help me finish up some of the series that I've been putting off finishing, mainly because I don't want to face the facts that the series is finished. I get really bummed out when a series that I absolutely love is over with, it makes it that much harder to finish it. But with this challenge, I'm hoping that will be a thing of the past and I can face the ever looming ends to the series.

• You have to FINISH the series
• If the series isn’t complete yet, or will not be completed before December 1st, 2014 read up to the most recent book in said series.
• Novellas count, but are optional.
• HAVE fun
• If you decide to break up with a series after book one, it does not count!
• You do not have to START the series in 2014, you just have to FINISH it in 2014
• Series that you started prior to 2014 are fine as long as you FINISH the series in 2014
• The series has to have at least 2 books out prior to December 1st, 2014
• Proof that you finished the book is required. It could be a full review, a mini review, or a rating with a few lines.
• DNF’s do not count. PERIOD.

4-6 series

To sign up for this awesome challenge, visit Read.Sleep.Repeat and sign up!

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Top Ten Tuesday #TTT

Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created at The Broke and the Bookish. Each week they will post a new Top Ten list that one of their bloggers at The Broke and the Bookish will answer. Everyone is welcome to join.

This week they ask:

Top Ten Books I Wouldn't Mind Santa Bringing Me:

1. Girl of Nightmares by Kendare Blake

2. Precious Blood by Tonya Hurley

3. Pivot Point by Kasie West

4. Witchstruck by Victoria Lamb

5. Such Wicked Intent by Kenneth Oppel

6. Etiquette & Espionage by Gail Carriger

7. Tandem by Anna Jarzab

8. The Elite by Kiera Cass

9. Perfect Ruin by Lauren DeStefano

10. Hourglass by Myra McEntire

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[Review] Alice in Zombieland by Gena Showalter

Title: Alice in Zombieland (White Rabbit Chronicles #1)
Author: Gena Showalter
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Genre: Zombies, Paranormal
Release Date: August 27, 2013
Source: Purchased
Purchase: Amazon | TBD | B&N | Kobo

She won’t rest until she’s sent every walking corpse back to its grave. Forever.

Had anyone told Alice Bell that her entire life would change course between one heartbeat and the next, she would have laughed. From blissful to tragic, innocent to ruined? Please. But that’s all it took. One heartbeat. A blink, a breath, a second, and everything she knew and loved was gone.

Her father was right. The monsters are real….

To avenge her family, Ali must learn to fight the undead. To survive, she must learn to trust the baddest of the bad boys, Cole Holland. But Cole has secrets of his own, and if Ali isn’t careful, those secrets might just prove to be more dangerous than the zombies….

I wish I could go back and do a thousand things differently.
I'd tell my sister no.
I'd never beg my mother to talk to my dad.
I'd zip my lips and swallow those hateful words.
Or, barring all of that, I'd hug my sister, my mom and my dad one last time.
I'd tell them I love them.
I wish... Yeah, I wish.

Alice in Zombieland was my first Gena Showalter book and I absolutely loved it! At first, I fell in love with the cover. I thought that it was different and that intrigued me. I thought this was going to be more of a play on Alice in Wonderland, but it wasn't. (I think the only thing that really referenced the Wonderland version was the White Rabbit cloud.) Then, I started to read people's reviews on it and that's when I decided to buy the book. It had been sitting up on my shelf for a couple of months now and a few times I went to grab it to read and I had doubts. I was hoping that it wasn't going to be like every single zombie flick and story out there where all they wanted to do was feast on your brains while they walked around brain-dead. But this was anything but.

Alice Bell (or Ali she prefers) was not like normal kids. She had a father whom she thought was a raving drunk lunatic, a mother who constantly forgot things like her kids birthdays, and a little sister who just wanted to be normal just as badly as Ali.  Then one night, Ali had managed to talk her parents into leaving the confines of their safe house at night to watch Emma perform in her ballet recital. That's when things went horribly wrong and she lost the ones she loved.

Ali is a very strong willed and determined teenager. After the death of her family she kept herself bottled up from her grandparents and tried to live a normal every day life. She made friends pretty easily and enemies. I really enjoyed Ali's stubbornness, mainly because I saw a lot of myself in her. But at the same time, I just wished that she wouldn't have kept the people that cared for her at arms length and that part was kinda irritating.

Kat and Frosty were a very interesting couple with their on again and off again relationship. Kat was the life of the party and very comical while Frosty was very possessive and jealous. There was never a dull moments between the two of them.

Cole was just, what can I say, gorgeous! When I read about him I instantly thought of a younger Vin Diesel with black hair and violet eyes (maybe something similar to his eyes from Pitch Black?). I could also easily picture Vin Diesel because of his hardcore attitude that he portrays in almost everyone of his movies. I really enjoyed how he was very protective over Ali even though they had just met and he stayed that way throughout the whole book. There was nothing wishy-washy about him.

As for the story as a whole, it was definitely different then any zombie book I have read. (Which I don't read many.) I liked the fact that the zombies weren't just dead, but they were like spirits that only certain "special" people could see. To me it was like Resident Evil (because of the hazmet people) meets The Matrix (because of the special moves) meets Buffy (because of the gang of friends). That would be the best way I could put it.

Because of some very mild sexual conduct (mainly because of the descriptive kissing scenes) I would recommend this to anyone 15 and older.

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What I'm Reading #3

So initially I fell completely in love with this book when I saw the absolutely gorgeous cover. I really didn't think about reading about it until months later after it hit my TBR list. One day I decided to read the synopsis and was hooked all over again.

What I'm reading this week:

(click photo to take you to goodreads to view synopsis)

Purchase the book:

Amazon | TBD | B&N | Kobo

A.G. Howard was inspired to write SPLINTERED while working at a school library. Her pastimes are reading, rollerblading, gardening, and family vacations which often include impromptu side trips to 18th century graveyards or condemned schoolhouses to appease her overactive muse.

Her debut YA fantasy, SPLINTERED, a dark Alice in Wonderland spin-off, is now available from Amulet Books. The sequel, UNHINGED, is due to launch January 2014. 

Website | Goodreads | Twitter | Facebook

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2014 TBR Pile Reading Challenge

So I have decided to join a reading challenge this coming year, I haven't participated in a challenge since 2012. This challenge will help me clear out my shelves of books that I have had sitting on them for a while now. I can't wait to get started! Below is a rundown of the Challenge Guidelines:

1. This challenge will run from Jan 1, 2014 - Dec 31, 2014.
2. Anyone can enter! You don't have to be a blogger, as long as you review the book you've read! (On your blog, Amazon, Random Buzzers or Goodreads/Shelfari!)
3. Any genre, length or format of book counts, as long as it is a book that's been sitting on your shelf for some time now. Short stories and novellas are OK, too! Only books released in 2013 and earlier! NO  2014 ARCs and 2014 fresh-off-the-press releases allowed!
4. You can list your books in advance or just put them in a wrap-up post. If you list them, feel free to change them as the mood takes you.
5. When you sign up in the linky, put the direct link to your post about joining the 2013 TBRPILE Reading Challenge. (If you don't have a blog, post about it on Facebook or Tweet!)
6. You can move up levels, but no moving down.
7. Sign-ups will be open until Dec 15, 2014, so feel free to join at any time throughout the year.
8. On the 20th of each month we will post a wrap-up post, here, on BOOKISH. Every wrap-up will have it's unique theme, a mini-challenge, a giveaway and place for you to link up your reviews from this month. For each review you link up, you will get one entry in a drawing of one book of choice from Book Depository. It's open to INTERNATIONALS. The giveaway will be open until the next wrap up post goes up! (i.e. the entire month)
9. If you miss a wrap-up post + giveaway, you can link up your reviews next month. Do not, however, try to link up one review twice - we will be checking ;) 
10. December is a wrap-up for the whole year. All the book reviews you linked up January-November + the ones you'll link up in December will be entered into a GRAND PRIZE giveaway. 
11. You don't have to follow Bookish Blog to join the challenge, but you do have to follow us to be entered in giveaways!

21-30 - First Kiss

Head on over to the Bookish Book Blog and submit your link

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2013 Year End Giveaway

So it's once again that time of year. Time to celebrate Christmas (or your holiday tradition) with family, open presents, eat until your stuffed, try and try to find places to put all your new goodies and also time to celebrate a new year. Can you believe it's already 2014! To celebrate the end of 2013 and the beginning of 2014 I am hosting a year end giveaway. This is open to US residents only (Sorry International peeps, I will get you in the next giveaway, I promise!). One lucky winner can have their pick of two, that's right, TWO books from my trade list. I'm updating it frequently, so you have plenty of time to decide which two you want. Giveaway is open for 3 weeks!

And wait, there's more! If I get over 300 entries, I will add a second winner! Yep, you heard right. So tell your friends and family!

So start browsing what I have to offer this year. You can find my list HERE.

Happy Holidays!!!

* Winner has 48 hours to respond before another winner is chosen

* Entries will be verified

* Entrants must be 13 years of age or older

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Best and Worst of 2013

You know, I can't believe it's the end of 2013 already. My year has been filled with ups and downs but I did manage to get in more reading this year then I did last year. So this year I decided to share with you the best and worst of what I have read for the year. Enjoy! (If you click on the pictures it takes you to my reviews)

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