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30 October 2013

Waiting on Wednesday: Three


Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine that spotlights upcoming releases.


Three (Article 5 #3)
by Kristen Simmons
Coming February 11, 2014
Tor Teen
Summary:
Ember Miller and Chase Jennings are ready to stop running. After weeks spent in hiding as two of the Bureau of Reformation’s most wanted criminals, they have finally arrived at the safe house, where they hope to live a peaceful and quiet existence—but all that’s left is smoking ruins.

Devastated by the demolition of their last hope, Ember and Chase follow the one thing left to them—tracks leading away from the wreckage. The only sign that there may have been survivors.

Because of their high profiles, they know they can’t stay out in the open for long. They take shelter in the wilderness and amid the ruins of abandoned cities as they follow the tracks down the coast, eventually finding refugees from the destroyed safe house. Among them is someone from Chase’s past—someone he thought he’d never see again.

Banding together, they search for a place to hide, aiming for a settlement a few of them have heard about… a settlement that is rumored to house the nebulous organization known as Three. The very group that has provided Ember with a tiny ray of hope ever since she was first forced on the run.

Three is responsible for the huge network of underground safe houses and resistance groups across the country. And they may offer Ember her only chance to tell the world her story—and to fight back.

Why I want it:
I have really enjoyed this series. For one thing, a good chunk of it is set in my hometown (What up, K-town!). For another, I've really enjoyed watching Ember and Chase learn how to trust one another again, even with all the damaging events in their individual and collective pasts. These two characters are legitimately broken, but they have worked so hard to keep one another safe. I like the near-future world they live in, but I absolutely love this romance. It's raw, it's real, it's completely captivating. I desperately need to read the conclusion of this story asap.

Why I think you should want it:
Dystopians are a dime a dozen these days, but the Article 5 series seems a bit more realistic than most, which is why it's so compelling. Although it's not a stretch to go from our time to the world described in Article 5 and Breaking Point, it's completely original. Also, Chase. If you read this book for no other reason, read it for Chase. Your inner fangirl will thank you.

29 October 2013

Top Ten Tuesday #21: Creeptastic Covers


 Happy Halloweek, everyone!

Top Ten Tuesday is a meme created by The Broke and The Bookish. Each week the girls at B&B think up a fun theme, and participating bloggers post their favorite 10 books in that category. This week's theme is

Top Ten Scariest Covers
Because I'm not one to really get scared by a book, it took a little research to find covers that I could actually consider creepy if not downright scary.


 
 

1. Asylum by Madeleine Roux. That cover is what horror movies are made of, truly.
2. Bad Girls Don't Die by Katie Alender. I get flashes of The Others with this one. Creeepy!
3. Rot & Ruin by Jonathan Maberry. That eye. *shudders*


   

4. Ten by Gretchen McNeil. Creepy, creepy island.
5. The Replacement by Brenna Yovanoff. Brenna's novels actually do scare the bejeezus out of me.
6. Ashes by Isla J. Bick. Nope, nope, nope. I'd turn this cover around on my bookshelf.


   

8. Gated by Amy Christine Parker. Again, creepy eye. Pretty, but creepy.
9. The Turning by Francine Prose. Again with the creepy house and an island...
9. The End Games by T. Michael Martin. The Wendigo episode of Supernatural, anyone?



10. Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children & Hollow City by Ransom Riggs. This whole retro-photograph thing really freaks me the crap out. Old photos give me the willies. Staaaahp!

But, let's get real here, guys. By far, the creepiest covers I've seen all year are these. Christie Sims has made quite the name for herself as of late, but honestly, I can't decide what's more horrifying: the premise or the photoshop. Because really. #Icanttakeyouseriously
*adult-ish content warning on these, just fyi

Are any of my picks likely to give you nightmares? Have some creeptastic covers of your own? Feel free to share thoughts and links!

28 October 2013

Reading challenge!

Every so often I get a little stuck in my reading. Sometimes it's because I'm sick (like now) and can't stay conscious long enough to get any reading done. Sometimes my childhood ADHD acts up and I can't concentrate. Sometimes I just don't want to read my review books, but I can't find a non-review book to spark my fancy either. There are times when I just get on a roll, and I can devour book after book. It would be nice if it could be like that all the time. One thing I've noticed is that sometimes, when I'm on said roll, I notice a lot of my books have things in common, which is a strange phenomenon I mentioned in a post earlier this year.

SO. I have decided to do something new. Every couple weeks or so, I am going to do a themed reading challenge. It's nothing official or binding, but sometimes it's nice to read books that have a certain theme or setting or genre are written by the same author. A couple weeks ago, I took a break from ya, and I read four adult novels in a row. Granted, they were written by Meg Cabot, Jennifer Echols, and Rachel Harris, who are known for their YA novels, but it was nice to read novels with characters roughly my age and with similar Adult Problems I have.

For months and months, I have been getting recommendations to read books by Jennifer L. Armentrout, and a couple weeks ago, I bit the bullet and read my first JLA novel (actually, it was a J. Lynn novel, but same diff). I flew through Frigid and enjoyed it. I also just finished up Wait for You, and now I'm on to Trust in Me so you could say I'm having a JLA-themed week. And it's all thanks to those of you who have been pushing me to read her work and those of you who have been picking her novels for your WoW book each 
week.

This is where you guys come in. I've been brainstorming some ideas, but I'd like your input as well. Help me pick some themes for my weekly challenges. Have a favorite author whose work I Must Read? What's your favorite series? What genre or sub-genre should I focus on for a few days? Let me know! To help you help me, some of my ideas include: genre-hopping authors (ya-to-adult, ya-to-mg, adult-to-ya, etc), middle grade week, romance week, new adult week, new-to-me authors (obviously, you guys won't know who is new-to-me, but give me author suggestions, and I'll be able to find them), debut week (focusing on debut books by year), etc.

Some caveats: I'm not into really religious stories. Characters who think about religon and whatnot is fine (I mention this a lot, but books like Miranda Kenneally's Things I Can't Forget are totally great to recommend because it's not about the religion), but I never read books that are shelved in sections like "Christian Fiction" or whatever. Just not my thing. Erotica is also off the table. Romance is fine, even if it doesn't entiresly fade to black, but if it is comparable to that trilogy we all know of and that I'm sick of hearing about or that inexplicable series of dinosaur novels now available on Amazon (if you haven't heard of these, don't worry; I'll fill you in tomorrow with my TTT list), consider me entirely Not Interested.

I've enjoyed many of your recommendations so far, and I hope you guys will share some good picks for me this time around too!

 Funny enough, my name totally rhymes with Barney Stinson.

26 October 2013

Weekly wrap-up: October 20-26

Tuesday was my best day this week. I finished THREE books (granted one was an audiobook that was 90% completed by then, but still) within a 12-hour span. This is what happens when my hours at work get cut. Dang, I'm a nerd. The rest of the week was pretty quiet, though, particularly Thursday, when I got a cold and slept for nearly sixteen straight hours, only waking up to reply to annoying texts and emails and, strangely enough, put in my contacts, even though good vision was one of the last things on my mind. Feeling much better now, thank goodness! How has your week been? Any particularly awesome reads? Let me know!

Completed:
The Program (The Program #1) - Suzanne Young: 4 1/2 stars. Really interesting novel. I can't wait to read The Treatment. Full review here.
Into the Still Blue (Under the Never Sky #3) - Veronica Rossi: 4 stars. I can't believe this was the end! I really enjoyed #1 and flat-out adored #2, but I will admit this one left me wanting more in a not-great kind of way. I felt like it was a bit anti-climactic. Things are tied up, but I am left with one big question that I know will never be fully answered, which is a disappointment. Good book, but not quite the finale I think this series needed and deserved. Full review closer to pub time.
One & Only - Viv Daniels: 5 stars. New adult romances are flooding the industry and very few are any good. This one was great. Then again, with a writer like Diana Peterfreund, what do you expect? Full review soon.
Pawn (Blackcoat Rebellion #1) - Aimée Carter: 4 1/2 stars. Really good. I have to wait a full year for the sequel?! Bummer! Review coming in a couple weeks

Reread:
Clockwork Princess (Infernal Devices #3) audiobook - Cassandra Clare & Daniel Sharman: 5 stars. Really enjoyed this one. Daniel's voice was perfect. I cried freely for the last two discs.

Currently Reading:
Wait for You (Wait for You #1) - J. Lynn. Safe to say I'm hooked on JLA. I love Cam & his cookies!

New to my bookshelf this week:
Library:
Nothing new, but I picked up some books I've already read to help refresh my memory for reviews. And my totally awesome literary Halloween costume!

Bought:
Allegiant (Divergent #3) - Veronica Roth: Because DUH. (B&N)
Trust In Me (Wait for You #1.5) - J. Lynn: Told you. (Kindle)

Giveaways & Contests:
Nantucket Blue - Leila Howland, SIGNED. Thanks to Jasmine & Marissa of Beneath the Moon & Stars for this lovely treat!

DRCs:
Being Sloane Jacobs - Lauren Morill: SO excited about this one! Thanks, RH/Delacorte! (NG)

Events attended:
Allegiant signing with Veronica Roth. I met Veronica Roth, guys. VERONICA FREAKING ROTH! It was epic. :) And for all those of you who are not fortunate to travel to New York, Dallas, San Francisco, or Chicago, I have a special little something for you. I had Veronica sign an extra copy of Allegiant for one lucky Initiate. Enter my giveaway here (only 2+ days left!) & best of luck!

Mary Gray's launch party for The Dollhouse Asylum at the Irving Public Library. I can't wait to read this book! Recap coming soon!

25 October 2013

Cover Love 3

Every so often, I'm going to do a large picture post with shiny new covers. They won't be every cover recently revealed, just some of my favorites or particularly "big" books. Let me know which you like or are particularly excited about!

I feel it my duty as an official member of the Rock Stars to share this with you, but I honestly just adore this cover! Camp Boyfriend was a fantastic summer read for me this year, and I can't wait to read what comes next for these crazy campers!

Camp Payback
J.K. Rock
April 29, 2014
Spencer Hill Press


Summary:
Alex has big plans for camp this year, starting with making it the best summer ever. Having fun and breaking some rules will get her the payback she wants against her parents and her ex-boyfriend. Because of his disgusting texts, she's headed to a super strict all-girls school in the fall. Then she meets Javier and revenge doesn't seem nearly as important as getting to know the troubled loner determined to keep a low profile at camp. But Alex's trouble-magnet personality and Javier's need to stay in the background don't mix nearly as well as their irresistible chemistry. With her home life eroding under her feet and her last year of summer camp speeding to a close, Alex wants to make her mark on the world and squeeze every bit of fun out of her time with Javier. Too bad her old plans for revenge turn back on her just in time to ruin everything. Will she lose Javier too?
----------

And one of the other series for which I'm a street team member released its cover this week too! *drools*


The Warrior
Victoria Scott
May 6, 2014
Entangled Teen


Summary:
War between heaven and hell is coming, but Dante Walker makes it look damn good.

Dante’s girlfriend, Charlie, is fated to save the world. And Aspen, the girl who feels like a sister, is an ordained soldier. In order to help both fulfill their destiny and win the war, Dante must complete liberator training at the Hive, rescue Aspen from hell, and uncover a message hidden on an ancient scroll.

Dante is built for battle, but even he can’t handle the nightmares where spiders crawl from Aspen’s eyes, or the look on Charlie’s face that foretells of devastation. To make matters worse, the enemy seizes every opportunity to break inside the Hive and cripple the liberators. But the day of reckoning is fast approaching, and to stand victorious, Dante will have to embrace something inside himself he never has before—faith.

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I just read The Program, and it was crazy good. I can't wait to get my hands on The Treatment, which, by the way, is up on Edelweiss if you're interested.

The Treatment
Suzanne Young
April 29, 2014
Simon Pulse


Summary:
How do you stop an epidemic?

Sloane and James are on the run after barely surviving the suicide epidemic and The Program. But they’re not out of danger. Huge pieces of their memories are still missing, and although Sloane and James have found their way back to each other, The Program isn’t ready to let them go.

Escaping with a group of troubled rebels, Sloane and James will have to figure out who they can trust, and how to take down The Program. But for as far as they’ve come, there’s still a lot Sloane and James can’t remember. The key to unlocking their past lies with the Treatment—a pill that can bring back forgotten memories, but at a high cost. And there’s only one dose.

Ultimately when the stakes are at their highest, can Sloane and James survive the many lies and secrets surrounding them, or will The Program claim them in the end?

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Of Neptune
Anna Banks
May 14, 2014
Feiwel & Friends


Summary:
So far, no summary is available for Of Neptune, but it is the third book of the Syrena Legacy trilogy, the sequel to Of Triton and Of Poseidon. I have not read this series yet, but I am assured by several friends and bookstore employees that it's incredible. Sold!

----------

This next one sounds super original and awesome, and I'm really excited to read it!



The Break-Up Artist
Philip Siegel
February 4, 2014
Harlequin Teen


Summary:
Some sixteen-year-olds babysit for extra cash. Some work at the Gap. Becca Williamson breaks up couples. 



After watching her sister get left at the altar, Becca knows the true damage that comes when people utter the dreaded L-word. For just $100 via paypal, she can trick and manipulate any couple into smithereens. With relationship zombies overrunning her school, and treating single girls like second class citizens, business is unfortunately booming. Even her best friend Val has resorted to outright lies to snag a boyfriend.

One night, she receives a mysterious offer to break up the homecoming king and queen, the one zombie couple to rule them all: Steve and Huxley. They are a JFK and Jackie O in training, masters of sweeping faux-mantic gestures, but if Becca can split them up, then school will be safe again for singletons. To succeed, she'll have to plan her most elaborate scheme to date and wiggle her way back into her former BFF Huxley’s life – not to mention start a few rumors, sabotage some cell phones, break into a car, and fend off the inappropriate feelings she’s having about Val’s new boyfriend. All while avoiding a past victim out to expose her true identity.

No one said being the Break-Up Artist was easy.

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Finally, the rest of this edition of Cover Love goes to some new Harper Collins titles. Last week's Epic Reads Tea Time was all about covers, and I wanted to share some of my favorites from that with you.

I haven't read Arclight yet, even though I've had it checked out from the library for AGES, but I love how this cover looks like the negative to a photograph. Also, it somehow manages to be white and colorful all at the same time, and I like that. Lovely!


Meridian
Josin L. McQuein
April 22, 2014
Greenwillow Books


Summary:
Marina thought that she had solved all of the Arclight’s mysteries. She had found her own history—that she was one of the Fade, that she never should have been human. She knows that the Fade who surround the Arclight don’t want to be the humans' enemies at all. She knows that the leader of those inside the Arc, Honoria Whit, never told the whole truth. But there is so much more that Marina is just discovering. There are more survivors out there. Only Marina—and her friends, all of whom have connections to the Fade they'd never known about—can lead her people to them. But there are also darker dangers, things that even the Fade fear. And Marina slowly realizes she may never have been “cured,” after all. The sequel to Arclight, Meridian is an intense, action-packed page-turner about the lines we draw between right and wrong, light and dark . . . and the way nothing is ever that black and white.

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This book only has a one-sentence summary, but it's a good one. When combined with a cover as adorable as this, you can be sure it's one I will love.


Guy in Real Life
Steve Brezenoff
May 27, 2014
Balzer + Bray


Summary:
An achingly real and profoundly moving love story about two Minnesota teens whose lives become intertwined through role playing games.

----------

Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes! WANT.


On the Fence
Kasie West
July 1, 2014
HarperTeen


Summary:
For sixteen-year-old Charlotte Reynolds, aka Charlie, being raised by a single dad and three older brothers has its perks. She can out-run, out-score, and outwit every boy she knows--including her long-time neighbor, and honorary fourth brother, Braden.

But when it comes to being a girl, Charlie doesn't know the first thing about anything. So when she starts working at a chi-chi boutique to pay off a speeding ticket, she finds herself in a strange new world of makeup, lacy skirts, and bedazzlers. Even stranger, she's spending time with a boy who has never seen her tear it up in a pick-up game.

To cope with the stress of faking her way through this new reality, Charlie seeks late night refuge in her backyard, talking out her problems with Braden by the fence that separates them. But their Fence Chats can't solve Charlie's biggest problem: she's falling for Braden. Hard. She knows what it means to go for the win, but if spilling her secret means losing him for good, the stakes just got too high.


----------

First, this cover just pulled me in. I instantly wanted to know what it was about. Now that I know, I think this is going to be an important book, just really huge and socially impactful. Really excited to read it!


Say What You Will
Cammie McGovern
June 1, 2014
HarperTeen


Summary:
I want someone who will talk to me honestly about things. You're the only person who ever has. Maybe you don't know this, but when you're disabled almost no one tells you the truth. They feel too awkward because the truth seems too sad, I guess. You were very brave to walk up to the crippled girl and say, essentially, wipe that sunny expression off your face and look at reality. That's what I want you to do next year. Tell me the truth. That's all.

Amy and Matthew didn't know each other, really. They weren't friends. Matthew remembered her, sure, but he remembered a lot of people from elementary school that he wasn't friends with now.

Matthew never planned to tell Amy what he thought of her cheerful facade, but after he does, Amy realizes she needs someone like him in her life.

As they begin to spend more time with each other, Amy learns that Matthew has his own secrets and she decides to try to help him in the same way he's helped her. And when what started out as a friendship turns into something neither of them expected, they realize that they tell each other everything—except the one thing that matters most.

 ----------
  
Aprilynne Pike is a trooper. I have absolutely no idea how she finds the time to be a wife, a mom, and a writer who manages to publish several books a year covering vastly different stories and characters across the spectrum of fiction. I am in awe.

Sleep No More
Aprilynne Pike
April 29, 2014
HarperTeen


Summary:
Charlotte Westing is an Oracle. For all the good that does her. These days, instead of using their powers, the Oracles fight them. And Charlotte knows the price of breaking the rules: she sees it every day in her mother's wheelchair and the absence of her father. But when a vision of a classmate's death overcomes her defenses, Charlotte is torn. Follow the rules? Or risk everything--even her sanity--to fight the serial killer who has set up residence in her town.

24 October 2013

Allegiant signing with Veronica Roth

Last night I got to meet the incredible Veronica Roth, which was truly mind-blowing. It seems like all of Dallas was out for it too because lines were crazypants. Mad props to the Lincoln Park Barnes & Noble employees, though, because they had great attitudes and kept things moving without being jerks. I was there for a few hours so I had lots of time to hang out with friends, meet some new ones, and check out new reading material.

So Veronica showed up right after 7 PM, at which time the crowd let out a huge cheer, and then she read a deleted scene from one of the novellas. I got video, but that's going to take a bit of time to switch to a viewable format. I promise to post when I get that done. I was really lucky in that I was really, really close to her when she was reading. Some people might have been closer to the front of the line, but they were shoved back in the stacks. I was toward the back of the groups that were upstairs, but I had a great line of vision (except for when this one B&N employee walked across during the reading. Oh, well. Can't really complain). Then, I got some really great shots of Veronica during the signing. No posed pictures were allowed so I didn't get one with her, but I got some really cute pictures of her, and I got to talk to her, which was good enough for me.

OHMYGOSH SHE'S LOOKING RIGHT AT ME!
Did you know Veronica Roth is adorable? YOU DO NOW.
I have no idea what they were talking about here, but I love this picture.
I went through the line twice. Since I showed up way early Tuesday to get my ticket, I didn't have a very long wait and was relatively close to the front of the line for my own books. Then, I skpped back a couple hundred people to hang out with my friend Alex from Peace, Love & Fangirl while she got hers signed, and I was able to capture this momentous occasion on film.

LOLZ at Veronica's expression.
Dawww, Alex is way excited, and look at Veronica's really sweet smile!
Special, special thanks to my sister Emily who lent me her camera. Em's usually my partner in crime when I go to a big signing like this; she and I went to see Stephenie Meyer together back in March. This time, tiny extenuating circumstances required her to stay home tonight, but when I went to her house begging use of her superior camera (mine is lost somewhere in my moving boxes, and my tablet just doesn't cut it), she begrudgingly but kindly allowed me to take it. Hence the pretty decent pictures. Also, special thanks to the mom standing behind me in line. See, Veronica and her people put a one-book-per-person rule in place. I bought two copies of Allegiant and had two wristbands for the event, but I would only be allowed to have one book signed. Emily's presence was double extra sorely missed! But THEN I wound up in line with a mom who was chaperoning her daughter and her daughter's friend. I asked her if she would mind getting a book signed for me. She said that she didn't have a wristband. I told her, "Well, I do!" and pulled my extra one out of my purse. She gladly took it and thus I managed to prettily skip my way around that rule! I didn't catch your name, mom, but thank you so, so much!

All for me! This is definitely going a special shelf!

I really like to get the first book signed in a series if I can't get all of them. I feel like it's the really special one, particularly if it's a debut, which Divergent is. And finally, on to what you guys are all waiting for:

I'm pretty sure if we were friends IRL, I'd call her VRoth.
That's actually two books. The one on the left is mine; I just needed to hold down the cover of the copy I'm giving away to ONE LUCKY WINNER THAT COULD BE YOU. There's a little less than 5 days left so make sure you get those entries in. Daily entries in particular could really make a difference on this one. Just sayin'. Anyway, if you're looking to make this beauty yours, details & rafflecopter are here. Best of luck!

Finally, because this cracks me up, I just thought I'd share the silly picture I put up on Twitter the other night. It's ridiculous, and I hope it makes you laugh, but seriously, don't spoil me. Don't spoil others. Accidents happen (I may have unknowingly told someone one of the twists in Unravel Me, and I felt terrible, but it really was an accident), this is true. But don't go out of your way to ruin someone else's experience. Please remember to tag those #Allegiantspoilers. I'm not saying this will happen to you, but I'm not saying it won't, either.

Liam Neeson takes his YA reading VERY seriously!

23 October 2013

Waiting on Wednesday: Champion


Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine that spotlights upcoming releases.


Champion (Legend #3)
by Marie Lu
Coming November 5, 2013
Putnam Juvenile

Summary:
The explosive finale to Marie Lu’s New York Times bestselling LEGEND trilogy—perfect for fans of THE HUNGER GAMES and DIVERGENT!

He is a Legend.
She is a Prodigy.
Who will be Champion?

June and Day have sacrificed so much for the people of the Republic—and each other—and now their country is on the brink of a new existence. June is back in the good graces of the Republic, working within the government’s elite circles as Princeps Elect while Day has been assigned a high level military position. But neither could have predicted the circumstances that will reunite them once again. Just when a peace treaty is imminent, a plague outbreak causes panic in the Colonies, and war threatens the Republic’s border cities. This new strain of plague is deadlier than ever, and June is the only one who knows the key to her country’s defense. But saving the lives of thousands will mean asking the one she loves to give up everything he has. With heart-pounding action and suspense, Marie Lu’s bestselling trilogy draws to a stunning conclusion.

Why I want it:
I've really enjoyed this series so far, and for me, I think it gets better with every installment. Her twists are so twisty that I never quite know what to expect. The end of Prodigy took my breath away. CLIFFIE! I need resolution, dangit!

Why I think you should want it:
Marie Lu is a spectacular writer. She has captured so much in only two books: action, romance, friendship, family, loss, betrayal... And it's all set in a crazy world that is falling apart in so many ways. For a series that came out at the height of the dystopian wave, Legend has done really well to set itself apart. I definitely recommend it!

22 October 2013

Top Ten Tuesday #20: Favorite Character Names

Top Ten Tuesday is a meme created by The Broke and The Bookish. Each week the girls at B&B think up a fun theme, and participating bloggers post their favorite 10 books in that category. This week's theme is

Top Ten Favorite & Unique Character Names
This was a tough week for me. I've been thinking for months, and I just have had the hardest time thinking of characters whose names really stood out to me. I think it's hard because so many names are reused. That's not a bad thing, and it doesn't mean that the characters themselves don't stand out, but it does mean that it's hard to be unique without being weird. Because, for me, spelling a name differently from its traditional does not make it unique. It makes you kinda desperate to be unique without having the imagination to do so. Just sayin'. If you don't agree with me, watch this video, and then tell me you didn't roll your eyes from that nonsense. Anywho, onto my abbreviated picks this week (I told you I had a hard time!).

8. Johnafter from Going Too Far by Jennifer Echols. No, that is not a typo. One of the jokes from the novel is that John's nickname in high school was Johnafter. I am so in love with him it isn't funny.

7. Jack Dandy from Steampunk Chronicles by Kady Cross. The name totally fits this crime lord of Whitechapel. He's a gentleman by birth, but he's a naughty boy indeed, and that's fine and dandy with me! :P

6. Miss Texas Taylor Renee Crystal Hawkins from Beauty Queens by Libba Bray. Oh, heavens. I just can't even with this book and this name and Libba's accent while saying this name in the audiobook.

5. Ryan Dean West from Winger by Andrew Smith. Not Ryan. Not Dean. It's Ryan Dean. This name is normal but ridiculous, and I love it.

4. The Darkling from The Grisha trilogy by Leigh Bardugo. It drives me a little mad that the Darkling doesn't have a "real" name yet, but at the same time, it fits the man who is a complete mystery.

3. W. W. Hale the fifth from the Heist Society series by Ally Carter. I know Ally's busy with Embassy Row right now, but I need her to hurry up and work on Heist 4 so that I can get closer to discover Hale's full name!

2. Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore from Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling. Because somehow the world most normal-seeming name turned this whole thing from eccentric to fits-o-giggle silly when thrown in as a third middle name. Especially when he emphasized it so much in the movies.

Award for craziest, most convoluted, most memorable and yet confusing-to-the-point-of-forgetting-what-it-really-is name goes to: Jonathan Christopher Jace Wayland Morgenstern Herondale Lightwood from The Mortal Instruments by Cassandra Clare. I like Cassie and TMI and Jace, but at this point, I think she adds the names just to f--- with us.

9 Killer Thrillers Book Blitz


Today I'm bringing you news of nine awesome, available together for the first time as a thrilling ebook collection.

9 thrillers. 9 authors. Some of the top names in the genre. An unprecedented value for a limited time. These are not samples – they are complete bestselling thriller novels from reader favorites at an incredible holiday price of ONLY $.99!
 photo B6096376-6C81-4465-8935-CE890C777EB9-1855-000001A1E900B890_zps5affbed6.jpg
Check out all 9 Books you will get for one LESS THAN ONE DOLLAR!
King of Swords by Russell Blake
A breakneck-paced adrenaline rush that pits the head of the anti-cartel task force against a Mexican super-assassin nicknamed the King of Swords, in a race to stop him from killing the president.
Big Lake by Nick Russell
When an armored car hijacking leaves two men dead, Arizona Sheriff Jim Weber takes the crime personally, because one of the dead men is his brother-in-law. His hunt for the killers leads him into a world of sordid sex, deceit, and violence, with a suspect list that includes jilted women, a family of anti-government survivalists, and the beautiful wife of the richest man in town.
Corpus Christi by Luke Romyn
Jacob Hope unwittingly reveals that the gates of Hell have been unlocked and something long imprisoned has broken loose from its shackles to roam free upon the Earth. It cannot be bargained with, it cannot be defeated, it exists with only desolation in its heart... and it's coming for him.

Traces of Kara by Melissa Foster
TRACES OF KARA is an action packed, pulse pounding psychological thriller/suspense novel that features a determined killer who slowly loses his grip on reality as his carefully detailed plan starts to fall apart and a heroine determined to move forward with her life who now must reconcile everything she believed to be true about her family with the reality of their tragic past.
Snake Skin by CJ Lyons
A loving mom and wife, dutiful daughter, consummate professional, and kick-ass federal agent, Lucy Guardino is living the perfect life.Until the day she comes up against a predator more vicious and cunning than any she's ever tackled before, one who forces Lucy to choose between the life of the young victim she is fighting to save and her own daughter's....and Lucy's dream life is shattered. A Lucy Guardino FBI Thriller.

The Devil's Deep by Michael Wallace
A heart-pounding thriller that will stay with the reader long after the last page is turned, the Devil's Deep is a top rated suspense that travels from the hell of a long-term care facility to the rain forest of Costa Rica. And a crime committed under tropical waters, the dive known as El Bajo del Diablo--the Devil's Deep.

The 19th Element
by John L. Betcher
Retired military intelligence operative James "Beck" Becker and his American Indian cohort "Bull" confront a homegrown terror cell bent on causing nuclear disaster in America's Heartland. The threat is real; the hour is coming; and despite Beck's warning, no one is ready to defend.

Vigilante by Claude Bouchard
A vigilante prowls the shadowy streets of Montreal, ridding it of its predators while the harried police race the clock to stop the remorseless killer before he strikes again. But whose justice will ultimately prevail: theirs, or the vigilante's?

The Halo Effect by MJ Rose
The first book in the Butterfield Institute series featuring sex therapist, Dr. Morgan Snow who  struggles with the conflict of preserving her patient's privacy and the dangerous and sometimes criminal things she hears. She sees everything from the abused to the depraved, from the couples grappling with sexual boredom to twisted sociopaths with dark, erotic fetishes and the Butterfield institute is the sanctuary where she helps soothe and heal these battered souls.

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