Vacation break + epic road trip

Hey, friends! Tomorrow morning my sister, my niece, and I are embarking on a 10 hour drive from Dallas to Nashville so I can attend the Dark Days Tour for the second year running.


Then we're swinging farther east to visit our parents for a couple days in Knoxville. Then I'm heading south to Atlanta to hit up the Lovestruck tour in Atlanta, where I'm SUPER EXCITED to meet some of my fellow bloggers like Aly of My Heart Hearts Books (one of my favorite online blogger friends!) and Amy of Lady Reader's Bookstuff (who I actually met during last year's Dark Days Tour, but I was still just a newbie then). 


From there, it's back to Nashville for Courtney C. Stevens' Faking Normal launch and then home to Dallas. After a very brief reprieve (as in one day), I'll go to Abbi Glines' Take a Chance launch here in Dallas and two days later, Victoria Scott's Fire & Flood launch, also here.


Now, I'm not going to complain about the traveling and how tired I'm sure to be at the end of this super epic journey because to me this is totally worth it, but the sheer amount of time I'm going to spend driving means I'm not going to have a lot of access to the internet during these days. Even when I get places, it'll be difficult to get online because I don't want to miss out on hanging out with my family or friends. I do have some posts scheduled, but that will just about be the extent of my blogginess over the next week or so. More than anything, this is an explanation why I'll be MIA from Twitter! The good news is that this many events equates to this many event recaps and also giveaways so definitely keep a look out for those!

*hugs*
Mary

Waiting on Wednesday: Wish You Were Italian



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


Wish You Were Italian
by Kristin Rae
Bloomsbury
Coming May 6, 2014


Summary:
Pippa is in Italy for the summer and, despite her parents’ wishes, she has no intention of just studying the local art! She has a list of things of her own to do: from swimming in the Mediterranean Sea to getting a makeover – and falling for an Italian boy! As Pippa explores the dramatic ruins of Rome and Pompeii, she is swept into her own drama with two guys: an irresistible local she knows is nothing but trouble and a cute American archaeology student . . . Will she find her true love?

The perfect reckless romance to enjoy whether you are home or abroad.

Why I want it:
When I heard of Wish You Were Italian, I ran off to add it to my TBR immediately. I took Italian in college and toured it the summer after my freshman year. The name Italy catches my attention every time. So for that reason only, I added WYWI to my Top 10 2014 debuts list for TTT a few weeks ago. That day, I struck up a conversation with Kristin that has led to a really good new friendship. I found out she lives here in Texas (although in a different city than me), and now, I can't wait to finally meet her face-to-face or to finally get my hands on this book!

Why I think you should want it:
That cover. That summary! You can't say this book doesn't look utterly endearing. This is bound to be a fantastic contemporary tale set against an amazing Italian backdrop.

Bonus:
I am so fortunate to have gotten the opportunity to befriend Kristin, who is a complete sweetheart, and she recently sent me some WYWI swag including several signed bookmarks to give away! This giveaway is open to the US only and ends at 12 AM February 26. 5 winners will be chosen. Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway


Cover Love 9: Let the cover reveals continue!

This is part 2 of the Fall title cover reveal extravaganza! Let's start with the elephant in the room. If you haven't seen this first title yet, it's very possible you might not be a living person.




Ruin & Rising
The Grisha #3
Leigh Bardugo
June 17, 2014
Henry Holt & Co


Summary:
The capital has fallen. The Darkling rules Ravka from his shadow throne.

Now the nation's fate rests with a broken Sun Summoner, a disgraced tracker, and the shattered remnants of a once-great magical army.

Deep in an ancient network of tunnels and caverns, a weakened Alina must submit to the dubious protection of the Apparat and the zealots who worship her as a Saint. Yet her plans lie elsewhere, with the hunt for the elusive firebird and the hope that an outlaw prince still survives.

Alina will have to forge new alliances and put aside old rivalries as she and Mal race to find the last of Morozova's amplifiers. But as she begins to unravel the Darkling's secrets, she reveals a past that will forever alter her understanding of the bond they share and the power she wields. The firebird is the one thing that stands between Ravka and destruction—and claiming it could cost Alina the very future she’s fighting for.

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I read Biggest Flirts several months ago (seriously, like 5) so I've been waiting for this one forever, it seems like. I thought it was going to come out in November or December 2014, but it looks like it's been pushed back. :(
Perfect Couple
Superlatives #2
Jennifer Echols
January 13, 2015
Simon Pulse


Summary:
Can your heart be put to a popular vote?

As yearbook photographer, Harper is responsible for capturing those candid moments that make high school memorable. But her own life is anything but picture perfect. Her parents' bitter divorce has left her wondering what a loving relationship would look like. And ever since the senior class voted her and star quarterback Brody the “Perfect Couple That Never Was,” her friends have been on her case to ask Brody out.

Brody doesn’t lack in female admirers, but Harper can't see herself with him. He seems confused about why they were matched together, too. They’re total opposites—the last people in the world who would ever be compatible, let alone the “perfect couple.” Yet ever since the class paired the two of them, they've found themselves drawn together--first by curiosity, then by an undeniable bond.

The trouble is, though they're very attracted to each other and both of them admit this, they have a hard time getting along or even communicating clearly. If they’re the perfect couple, this shouldn’t be so difficult! Soon it becomes clear their class was wrong, and they throw in the towel. But after they walk away, both of them feel so changed from making the effort that they can’t forget each other. What if that means this match made in hell is the perfect couple after all? 

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Remember Me
Find Me #2
Romily Bernard
September 23, 2014
Harper Teen


Summary:
Remember Me does not yet have an available summary, but it is the sequel to Find Me.

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I love how bright this cover is. It contrasts very nicely with the darkness the summary and the model's body language suggests. I also think this is really unique compared to a lot of current YA covers, and it's sure to stand out.
Kiss Kill Vanish
Jessica Martinez
October 7, 2014
Katherine Tegen Books


Summary:
Valentina Cruz no longer exists.

One moment, she was wrapped in Emilio’s arms, melting into his kiss. The next, she was witnessing the unthinkable: a murder in cold blood, ordered by her father and carried out by her boyfriend. When Emilio pulled the trigger, Valentina disappeared. She made a split-second decision to shed her identity and flee her life of privilege, leaving the glittering parties and sultry nightlife of Miami far behind.

She doesn’t know how to explain to herself what she saw. All she knows now is that nothing she believed about her family, her heart, or Emilio’s love, was real.

She can change her name and deny her past, but Valentina can’t run from the truth. The lines between right and wrong, and trust and betrayal, will be blurred beyond recognition as she untangles the deceptions of the two men she once loved and races to find her own truth.
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I'm not wild about how photoshopped the girl looks, but I do love this cover. So many elements to it, and according to Kiersten, they're all pretty important.

Illusions of Fate
Kiersten White
September 9, 2014
Harper Teen


Summary:
So far, no summary is available for Illusions of Fate yet, but it is being called Pride & Prejudice plus Harry Potter, and was blurbed by Stephanie Perkins: “Illusions of Fate is an absolute delight—a magical, sparkling, dangerous world with witty repartee and a romance that will light your heart on fire. Kiersten White’s best yet.” 

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This cover was revealed at YA Book Central, and they're hosting a giveaway for a signed set of books!


Deliverance
Defiance Trilogy #3
C.J. Redwine
August 26, 2014
Balzer + Bray


Summary:
Everything hangs in the balance, and nothing is certain: Rachel has been kidnapped by enemy forces and is being taken to Rowansmark while Logan, imprisoned and awaiting trial, is unable to leave Lankenshire. Separated from each other and their Baalboden comrades, each must find a way to achieve what they desperately want: to rid their world once and for all of the Commander and the tech that controls the deadly Cursed One.

Fighting through her pain and embracing the warrior she’s become, Rachel will do whatever it takes to escape her enemies’ clutches and join Logan in his fight. But when she learns a secret that changes everything, she realizes that escaping Ian and his tracker friends is no longer an option if she wants to save the people she loves. Instead, she’ll have to destroy Rowansmark from the inside out—if she can survive the journey through the Wasteland.

Logan needs allies if he wants to thwart Rowansmark’s power grab and rescue Rachel. But securing allies will mean betraying his beliefs and enlisting the help of the man he hates more than anyone: Commander Jason Chase. Driven by his fierce love for Rachel and his determination to make their world safe, Logan may be just the weapon the city-states need to defeat the Cursed One.

But as Rowansmark bears down and uneasy alliances are tested, will Rachel and Logan’s love for each other be enough to surmount the unbelievable odds against them?

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Sanctum
Asylum #2
Madeline Roux
August 26, 2014
Harper Collins


Summary:
Sanctum is the sequel to Asylum, and the summary is not yet available.

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This cover was released on several blogs, and there are several giveaways going on for ARCs and other Forbidden swag!

Forbidden
Kimberly Griffiths Little
November 4, 2014
Harper Teen


Summary:
In the unforgiving Mesopotamian desert where Jayden’s tribe lives, betrothal celebrations abound, and tonight it is Jayden’s turn to be honored. But while this union with Horeb, the son of her tribe’s leader, will bring a life of riches and restore her family’s position within the tribe, it will come at the price of Jayden’s heart.

Then a shadowy boy from the Southern Lands appears. Handsome and mysterious, Kadesh fills Jayden’s heart with a passion she never knew possible. But with Horeb’s increasingly violent threats haunting Jayden’s every move, she knows she must find a way to escape—or die trying.

With a forbidden romance blossoming in her heart and her family’s survival on the line, Jayden must embark on a deadly journey to save the ones she loves—and find a true love for herself.

Set against the brilliant backdrop of the sprawling desert, the story of Jayden and Kadesh will leave readers absolutely breathless as they defy the odds and risk it all to be together.

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The Dolls
Kiki Sullivan
September 2, 2014
Balzer + Bray


Summary:
Eveny Cheval just moved back to Louisiana after spending her childhood in New York with her aunt Bea. Eveny hasn’t seen her hometown since her mother’s suicide fourteen years ago, and her memories couldn’t have prepared her for what she encounters. Because pristine, perfectly manicured Carrefour has a dark side full of intrigue, betrayal, and lies—and Eveny quickly finds herself at the center of it all.

Enter Peregrine Marceau, Chloe St. Pierre, and their group of rich, sexy friends known as the Dolls. From sipping champagne at lunch to hooking up with the hottest boys, Peregrine and Chloe have everything—including an explanation for what’s going on in Carrefour. And Eveny doesn’t trust them one bit.

But after murder strikes and Eveny discovers that everything she believes about herself, her family, and her life is a lie, she must turn to the Dolls for answers. Something’s wrong in paradise, and it’s up to Eveny, Chloe, and Peregrine to save Carrefour and make it right.


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Kiss of Broken Glass
Madeleine Kuderick
September 9, 2014
HarperTeen


Summary:
After she’s caught in the school bathroom cutting herself with the blade from a pencil sharpener, fifteen-year-old Kenna is put under mandatory psychiatric watch. She has seventy-two hours to face her addiction, deal with rejection, and find a shred of hope.

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Even in Paradise
Chelsey Philpot
October 14, 2014
Harper Collins


Summary:
When Julia Buchanan enrolls at St. Anne’s at the beginning of junior year, Charlotte Ryder already knows all about the former senator’s daughter. Most people do . . . or think they do.

Charlotte certainly never expects she’ll be Julia’s friend. But almost immediately, she is drawn into the larger than-life-new girl’s world—a world of midnight rendezvous, dazzling parties, palatial vacation homes, and fizzy champagne cocktails. And then Charlotte meets, and begins falling for, Julia’s handsome older brother, Sebastian.


But behind her self-assured smiles and toasts to the future, Charlotte soon realizes that Julia is still suffering from a tragedy. A tragedy that the Buchanan family has kept hidden … until now


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The Jewel
Amy Ewing
September 2, 2013
Harper Teen


Summary:
The Jewel means wealth. The Jewel means beauty. The Jewel means royalty. But for girls like Violet, the Jewel means servitude. Not just any kind of servitude. Violet, born and raised in the Marsh, has been trained as a surrogate for the royalty––because in the Jewel the only thing more important than opulence is offspring.

Purchased at the surrogacy auction by the Duchess of the Lake and greeted with a slap to the face, Violet (now known only as #197) quickly learns of the brutal truths that lie beneath the Jewel’s glittering facade: the cruelty, backstabbing, and hidden violence that have become the royal way of life.

Violet must accept the ugly realities of her existence . . . and try to stay alive. But then a forbidden romance erupts between Violet and a handsome gentleman hired as a companion to the Duchess’s petulant niece. Though his presence makes life in the Jewel a bit brighter, the consequences of their illicit relationship will cost them both more than they bargained for.

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No Place to Fall
Jaye Robin Brown
December 14, 2014
Harper Teen


Summary:
Amber Vaughn is a good girl. She sings solos at church, babysits her nephew after school, and spends every Friday night hanging out at her best friend Devon’s house. It’s only when Amber goes exploring in the woods near her home, singing camp songs with the hikers she meets on the Appalachian Trail, that she feels free—and when the bigger world feels just a little bit more in reach.

When Amber learns about an audition at the North Carolina School of the Arts, she decides that her dream—to sing on bigger stages—could also be her ticket to a new life. Devon’s older (and unavailable) brother, Will, helps Amber prepare for her one chance to try out for the hypercompetitive arts school. But the more time Will and Amber spend together, the more complicated their relationship becomes . . . and Amber starts to wonder if she’s such a good girl, after all.

Then, in an afternoon, the bottom drops out of her family’s world—and Amber is faced with an impossible choice between her promise as an artist and the people she loves. Amber always thought she knew what a good girl would do. But between “right” and “wrong,” there’s a whole world of possibilities.

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Undead with Benefits
Eat Brains Love #2
Jeff Hart
August 26, 2014
Harper Teen


Summary:
Undead with Benefits is the sequel to Eat, Brains, Love, and the summary is not yet available.
  
What do you think about this latest batch of covers? Share in the comments!

Weekly wrap-up: February 9-15

This week, I made a decision to change the way I do these weekly wrap-ups. It's not a big change; I just decided I will no longer share arcs and digital review copies that I receive. As of late, there has been a lot of blogger drama, and I think much of that stems from jealousy and some bad feelings. I am endlessly grateful to every publisher and author who sends me a book of any format for review, and I want to thank them for that. I just feel like I will do a better job of that by reading and reviewing those books instead of just posting them as a list for people to marvel at/be jealous over.

When I started my wrap-up posts, I was ignorant of the Stacking the Shelves/In My Mailbox meme (let's face it: when I started blogging, I was absurdly ignorant of a LOT of things) so I didn't realize for a while that it was A Thing to publicly share books received. My WWU posts eventually evolved to posting my review copies, but now, I think it's time for me to bow out. Book blogging isn't about getting tons of books for free, and many of these posts, including my own, have become increasingly braggy, which isn't flattering for anyone. Publishers see their books splashed across blogs as a matter of pride for bloggers, but I'm not sure that's what they're aiming for when they send them or grant access digitally. Anyway, I didn't intend for this to become a mini-rant. I just wanted to explain why those sections will no longer be featured in my posts. I have no problem, however, featuring books I purchase or borrow from the library. :)

So, what have you been reading this week?

Completed:
Perfect Lies (Mind Games #2) - Kiersten White: 3.5 stars. An improvement over Mind Games, but this series is not for me overall. Cole was a surprisingly awesome character; I wish he had been in MG a bit more, but I understand why he wasn't. Annie was amazing; she really seemed to shine in this one. In contrast, Fia, who is not a character I will ever fully understand, was so fractured and...messy.
Uninvited (Uninvited #1) - Sophie Jordan: 5 stars. WOW. This book was SO GOOD! Full review coming.
Shadow Kiss graphic novel - Richelle Mead & Emma Vieceli: 3 stars. Apologies to Emma, but I just don't really like her style. The characters' faces are inconsistent from frame to frame, which means sometimes the art is amazing and sometimes it's pretty terrible. There are two absolutely breathtaking frames of Dimitri during the card reading scene. Dimitri, Adrian, and Eddie have the best art, Rose is middling, and Lissa and Christian are pretty terrible. I love VA to be successful in all aspects, but these graphic novels are just not where I'd like them to be. I will never buy one, but I'll always request my library get copies for me to borrow.

Reread:
Will Grayson, Will Grayson - John Green, David Levithan, MacLeod Andrews & Nick Podehl: 4 stars. So very many lolz were had; however, just like with the book, I often had difficulty getting into Will Grayson #2's voice. I'm also not a fan of the musical fade-out/fade-in at the end of one disc and beginning of the next. Nor am I a fan of the random woman saying, "THIS IS THE END OF DISC X. PLEASE CONTINUE WITH DISC X." Uh, I can read the disc numbers, thanks. Still, I really enjoyed this audiobook overall. Tiny especially was magnificent with both narrators. Listening to their vocal inflections with each line made the writing come to life.You see a line like, "baste me like a Thanksgiving turkey," and you're like, "wtf?!" But then you hear MacLeod SAY it, and you suddenly understand how ridiculous and hilarious it is. Also, the music was BRILLIANT.

Currently Reading:
Eleanor & Park audiobook - Rainbow Rowell. I loved the book, but I have a feeling this audiobook won't be anything close to being my favorite. The male narrator has a delicious Park voice (sooooo good), but he lacks distinct inflections for all the other characters. Rebecca Lowman is a spectacular narrator, but because she was the narrator for Fangirl as well, to me she will always be Cath, not Eleanor.
Synchrony (Destiny #2) - Cindy Ray Hale

Tiger Lily - Jodi Lynn Anderson. There's not a lot of doing right now, just a whole lotta telling, and that annoys me.

New to my bookshelf this week:
Library:
Nothing yet, but I think my sister picked up a couple of audiobooks for me.

Bought:
Vampire Academy series - Richelle Mead. Yes. I bought all 6. They were on sale for Kindle!
The Archived - Victoria Schwab. Also on sale for Kindle.


This is a mix of Half Price Books, Book Outlet, and Barnes & Noble, and I'm going to have some Amazon books come in this next week. My poor, poor wallet! ;)

Giveaways & Contests:
I was one of the winner's for Fierce Reads's #ReadScarlet campaign. I knew I'd get a copy of the book, but I was super surprised and excited opening the package because I got a special edition Scarlet hoodie too! Thanks, Fierce Reads!

Events Attended:
2/13: Neal Shusterman & Eric Elfman, Tesla's Attic signing @ Frisco, TX.
2/14: Marissa Meyer's Cress tour @ Lewisville, TX.

Review: Infinite by Jodi Meadows


Rating: 5 stars
Pub Date: January 28, 2014
Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books
Genre: young adult fantasy, adventure, romance, EPIC
Format/Source: ARC, provided by the author for fangirling and review
Status: Final book in Newsoul trilogy


Summary:
DESTRUCTION
The Year of Souls begins with an earthquake—an alarming rumble from deep within the earth—and it’s only the first of greater dangers to come. The Range caldera is preparing to erupt. Ana knows that as Soul Night approaches, everything near Heart will be at risk.

FLIGHT
Ana’s exile is frightening, but it may also be fortuitous, especially if she can convince her friends to flee Heart and Range with her. They’ll go north, seeking answers and allies to stop Janan’s ascension. And with any luck, the newsouls will be safe from harm’s reach.

CHOICE
The oldsouls might have forgotten the choice they made to give themselves limitless lifetimes, but Ana knows the true cost of reincarnation. What she doesn’t know is whether she’ll have the chance to finish this one sweet life with Sam, especially if she returns to Heart to stop Janan once and for all.

With gorgeous romance and thrilling action, the final book in the
Incarnate trilogy offers a brilliant conclusion to the compelling questions of this fascinating world, where one new girl is the key to the lives of millions.

Cover Reveal: The Queen of Zombie Hearts

http://wrchronicles.com/


Thanks to Harlequin Teen and Rockstar Book Tours, today I get to help reveal the cover of Gena Showalter's The Queen of Zombie Hearts, the final book in The White Rabbit Chronicles. It's a GORGEOUS cover and joins two equally beautiful covers in the series. Are you ready to see the new cover? Well, hold those white rabbits. Let's take a look at the covers for books one and two.

First there was Alice in Zombieland.


https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/11300302-alice-in-zombieland

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Then came Through the Zombie Glass.


https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/15755296-through-the-zombie-glass

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Now get ready to EAT YOUR HEARTS OUT!



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The Queen of Zombie Hearts
Gena Showalter
September 30, 2014
Harlequin Teen
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/20579287-the-queen-of-zombie-hearts

Summary: 
I have a plan.
We'll either destroy them for good, or they'll destroy us.
Either way, only one of us is walking away.

In the stunning conclusion to the wildly popular White Rabbit Chronicles, Alice "Ali" Bell thinks the worst is behind her. She's ready to take the next step with boyfriend Cole Holland, the leader of the zombie slayers...until Anima Industries, the agency controlling the zombies, launches a sneak attack, killing four of her friends. It's then she realizes that humans can be more dangerous than monsters&amp...and the worst has only begun.

As the surviving slayers prepare for war, Ali discovers she, too, can control the zombies...and she isn't the girl she thought she was. She's connected to the woman responsible for killing—and turning—Cole's mother. How can their relationship endure? As secrets come to light, and more slayers are taken or killed, Ali will fight harder than ever to bring down Anima—even sacrificing her own life for those she loves.

Pre-Order Links:
 photo B6096376-6C81-4465-8935-CE890C777EB9-1855-000001A1E900B890_zps5affbed6.jpg  photo 111AD205-AA04-4F9E-A0F4-C1264C4E9F30-1855-000001A1E8CEB6D7_zps9b730b94.jpg   photo B1426D4C-9EEC-4C0B-A1FB-90524B03C0CA-1855-000001A1E82B3B3E_zps17d98f4d.jpg

About the Author:
Gena Showalter is the New York Times and USA Today best-selling author of the wildly popular White Rabbit Chronicles, the Angels of the Dark, the Lords of the Underworld, and the Otherworld  Assassins series. In addition to being a National Reader's Choice and RITA nominee, her romance novels have appeared in Cosmopolitan and Seventeen magazine, and have been translated in multiple languages. She lives in Oklahoma with her family and menagerie of dogs, and truly believes love conquers all.

Author Links:
  

Giveaway:
1 complete set of The White Rabbit Chronicles (first 2 sent as soon as the giveaway is over and the winner will get the first hardcover of book 3 when it's available!) US/Canada Only

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Cover reveal hosted by:
http://www.rockstarbooktours.com/