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Showing posts with label featured. Show all posts
Showing posts with label featured. Show all posts

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!

Hotly Gratifying: 5/28 - 6/3

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

Colored with a Highlighter

Mackenzie and Amy were best friends. Until Amy was brutally murdered.

Since then, Mac’s life has been turned upside down. She is being haunted by Amy in her dreams, and an extremist group called the Trackers has come to Mac’s hometown of Hemlock to hunt down Amy’s killer: A white werewolf.

Lupine syndrome—also known as the werewolf virus—is on the rise across the country. Many of the infected try to hide their symptoms, but bloodlust is not easy to control.

Wanting desperately to put an end to her nightmares, Mac decides to investigate Amy’s murder herself. She discovers secrets lurking in the shadows of Hemlock, secrets about Amy’s boyfriend, Jason, her good pal Kyle, and especially her late best friend. Mac is thrown into a maelstrom of violence and betrayal that puts her life at risk.

Kathleen Peacock’s thrilling novel is the first in the Hemlock trilogy, a spellbinding urban fantasy series filled with provocative questions about prejudice, trust, lies, and love.
Moment in the Sun: After Jason Kisses Mac
Oh, God.
I wrenched myself free and stumbled away. This wasn't happening. My life was not becoming one of those torried teen-angst shows on cable.
But then a handful of pebbles and dirt slid down the hill and I turned toward the noise. Kyle stood at the top, staring down at us, his face a blank mask.
Something inside my chest splintered.
Without a word, he turned and strode away.
It was official: my belonged on the CW. (80%)
Future Indulgences

Doing a Dance with Ants in My Pants for:

Goodreads | Order Now for $14.30
Italy, 1453. Seventeen-year-old Luca Vero is brilliant, gorgeous—and accused of heresy. Cast out of his religious order for using the new science to question old superstitious beliefs, Luca is recruited into a secret sect: The Order of the Dragon, commissioned by Pope Nicholas V to investigate evil and danger in its many forms, and strange occurrences across Europe, in this year—the end of days.

Isolde is a seventeen-year-old girl shut up in a nunnery so she can’t inherit any of her father’s estate. As the nuns walk in their sleep and see strange visions, Isolde is accused of witchcraft—and Luca is sent to investigate her, but finds himself plotting her escape.

Despite their vows, despite themselves, love grows between Luca and Isolde as they travel across Europe with their faithful companions, Freize and Ishraq. The four young people encounter werewolves, alchemists, witches, and death-dancers as they head toward a real-life historical figure who holds the boundaries of Christendom and the secrets of the Order of the Dragon.

The first in a series, this epic and richly detailed drama is grounded in historical communities and their mythic beliefs. It includes a medieval map of Europe that will track their journey; and the interior will include relevant decorative elements as well as an interior line illustration. And look for a QR code that links to a note from the author with additional, detailed information about the setting and the history that informed the writing. With Philippa Gregory’s trademark touch, this novel deftly brings the past—and its salacious scandals—vividly and disturbingly to life.
Why? I already explained this in My Big, Fat TBR Pile (19), but I'll say it again. It's mother fryin' HISTORICAL FANTASY. Gosh, it's been SO long since I've read a really fabulous HF novel. And I'm CRAVING SOME. Not to mention the universal sign that it's meant with a boy named LUCA in ITALY (River of Time, anyone?).

Goodreads | Order Now for $13.37
There is a great legend of the guardian angel who traveled across time and space for the human girl he loved, slaying those who would threaten her with a gleaming sword made of heavenly light.

This is not that story.

Jerome Hancock is Heidi Devine's guardian angel. Sort of. He's more of an angel trainee, in heaven's soul-rehabilitation program for wayward teens. And he's just about to get kicked out for having too many absences and for violating too many of the Ten Commandments for the Dead.

Heidi, meanwhile, is a high school junior who dreams of being an artist, but has been drafted onto her basketball team because she's taller than many a grown man. For as long as she can remember, she's heard a voice in her head - one that sings Lynyrd Skynyrd, offers up bad advice, and yet is company during those hours she feels most alone.

When the unthinkable happens, these two lost souls must figure out where they went wrong and whether they can make things right before Heidi's time is up and her soul is lost forever.

Martha Brockenbrough's debut novel is hilarious, heartbreaking, and hopeful, with a sense of humor that's wicked as hell, and writing that's just heavenly.
Why? HILARIOUS doesn't even BEGIN to cover what I think this book will be. Come on, a wayward teen angel in rehabilitation who botches up the guardian angel business? Let's get real - you know you want to read this bad boy as much as I do.

Genre Mood of the Moment: Fantasy
Recommended Treatment:

"Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo is pretty much my dream book. Cultivated from the richness of the Russian language, and perhaps customs—though I’m not certain, this fantasy brings me joy beyond imagining. Leigh Bardugo is the map that leads us to the treasure trove, as each word is spun gold, each place are brilliant gems, but king among them is the diamond and perfect, dazzling shards are scattered to live in each character."

Looking to Try:

To be released June 26...

Or more specifically, the first in the series, which is called Shadowcry, then Blackwatch. First, I LOVE THE COVERS. Like, you don't understand - I LOOOOVE these covers. I think the cover gods sprinkled a little more magic dust than usual. I'm sensing special shelf here, peeps, and so I can't wait to get my hands on both!

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

Singles:
Plus 1s and Up:


Trailer Discoveries Funtage



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!