Hotly Gratifying: 6/4 - 6/17

In which I feature some really cool book releases and categorize them in good fun.

Colored with a Highlighter

The year is 1876, and there’s something strange and deadly loose in Philadelphia…

Eleanor Fitt has a lot to worry about. Her brother has gone missing, her family has fallen on hard times, and her mother is determined to marry her off to any rich young man who walks by. But this is nothing compared to what she’s just read in the newspaper—

The Dead are rising in Philadelphia.

And then, in a frightening attack, a zombie delivers a letter to Eleanor…from her brother.

Whoever is controlling the Dead army has taken her brother as well. If Eleanor is going to find him, she’ll have to venture into the lab of the notorious Spirit-Hunters, who protect the city from supernatural forces. But as Eleanor spends more time with the Spirit-Hunters, including their maddeningly stubborn yet handsome inventor, Daniel, the situation becomes dire. And now, not only is her reputation on the line, but her very life may hang in the balance.

Moment in the Sun: When Daniel and Eleanor First Meet

I pressed at the handle to check if the door was locked. It flew open and promptly hit something—presumably glass, judging by its spectacular crash.
This was followed by a furious bellowing, sounding much like I imagined an enraged bull would.
“Didn’t you see the sign?” shouted a lanky man with tousled, corn-blond hair.
“P-pardon me?” I asked.
“Didn’t you see the sign?” he snapped.
“I knocked,” I said sheepishly, “but no one answered.”
“Because I’m busy.” He stomped toward me, and I shrank back , ready to retreat through the open door should his expression turn any more menacing.
“S-sorry,” I stammered.
“You should be,” he said. “You’ve contaminated my grave dirt—look!”
He folded his arms over his chest. “You’ve ruined my experiment.”
I took a weary breath, lifted my hands, and purred, “I’m truly sorry, sir.”
He wrinkled his nose. “Why are you talking like that?”
“Like what?”
“Like you’re a kitten.”
“I thought it to calm you.”
“I don’t need calming,” he snapped. (14%-15%)

Future Indulgences

Doing a Dance with Ants in My Pants for:

Goodreads | Order Now for $14.33

A gorgeous debut about family, friendship, first romance, and how to be true to one person you love without betraying another.

“One thing my mother never knew, and would disapprove of most of all, was that I watched the Garretts. All the time.”

The Garretts are everything the Reeds are not. Loud, numerous, messy, affectionate. And every day from her balcony perch, seventeen-year-old Samantha Reed wishes she was one of them . . . until one summer evening, Jase Garrett climbs her terrace and changes everything. As the two fall fiercely in love, Jase's family makes Samantha one of their own. Then in an instant, the bottom drops out of her world and she is suddenly faced with an impossible decision. Which perfect family will save her? Or is it time she saved herself?

A dreamy summer read, full of characters who stay with you long after the story is over.

Why? I totally featured My Life Next Door by Huntley Fitzpatrick in My Big, Fat TBR Pile (19) not ONLY because this is a book EVERYBODY is talking about - because they are but it isn't - but also because THERE'S A REALLY HOT BOY. In a BIG, CRAZY FAMILY. I love big, crazy families - just ask mine! And the main character seems to be this adorably shy and repressed girl who would love to be part of said big family. I just love those story lines, when the girl's life finally turns colorful after meeting a few awesome crayolas.

Goodreads | Order Now for $13.37

Whitley Johnson's dream summer with her divorcé dad has turned into a nightmare. She's just met his new fiancée and her kids. The fiancée's son? Whitley's one-night stand from graduation night. Just freakin' great.

Worse, she totally doesn't fit in with her dad's perfect new country-club family. So Whitley acts out. She parties. Hard. So hard she doesn't even notice the good things right under her nose: a sweet little future stepsister who is just about the only person she's ever liked, a best friend (even though Whitley swears she doesn't "do" friends), and a smoking-hot guy who isn't her stepbrother...at least, not yet. It will take all three of them to help Whitley get through her anger and begin to put the pieces of her family together.

Filled with authenticity and raw emotion, Whitley is Kody Keplinger's most compelling character to date: a cynical Holden Caulfield-esque girl you will wholly care about.

Why? Since I won't be partying HARD this summer - unless you know something I don't? - I figure it's safe to live that life vicariously through Whitley because that's what she does. And there's ANOTHER HOT BOY who has already been tagged as SEXIER AND BETTER THAN WESLEY RUSH. Holy WHAT? That's INSANITY IN A CUP. Which can only mean one thing: I've got to check this guy's goods out! ;P

Genre Mood of the Moment: Paranormal
Recommended Treatment:

"Richelle Mead NEVER does unbelievable chemistry, poor romantic sparks. Her romances so far are ALL ABOUT the chemistry. She builds up the sexual tension and the friendship and we’re leaning closer and closer as we wait for the explosion bound to happen."

You can never be too careful, though, so make sure to read Bloodlines first.

Goodreads | Order Now for $14.83

The first book in Richelle Mead's brand-new teen fiction series - set in the same world as Vampire Academy.

When alchemist Sydney is ordered into hiding to protect the life of Moroi princess Jill Dragomir, the last place she expects to be sent is a human private school in Palm Springs, California. But at their new school, the drama is only just beginning.

Populated with new faces as well as familiar ones, Bloodlines explores all the friendship, romance, battles and betrayals that made the #1 New York Times bestselling Vampire Academy series so addictive - this time in a part-vampire, part-human setting where the stakes are even higher and everyone's out for blood.

Looking to Try:

Released June 12...

KILLA MERMAIDS! Despite my deep-rooted issues with the FAIL of a cover (because does that or doesn't that look like a FEMALE on the cover... when the narrator is a MALE o_O), and for once not caring about the romance, I want to see how these mermaids EAT PEOPLE. It's just something I've always wanted to know - do they go all in and start chewing on the body or do they slow cook it over a fire, which would be totally CRAY if they did because they can magically light a fire UNDER WATER :O

Next to Make Your TBR Want to Scream:
Click the images to go to the Book Depository

Singles:

Plus 1s and Up:

Paperback Pleasure:

Got something specific in mind? Let me know down in the comments section. Don't be shy about letting me know what releases have you foaming at the mouth, trembling in the hands!