Waiting on Wednesday (#6): Vicious by V.E. Schwab

Hey everyone. Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Breaking the Spine. Its purpose is to highlight upcoming releases we’re dying to get our hands on.

Title: Vicious
Author: V.E. Schwab
Release Date: September 2013

A masterful tale of ambition, jealousy, desire, and superpowers.

Victor and Eli started out as college roommates—brilliant, arrogant, lonely boys who recognized the same sharpness and ambition in each other. In their senior year, a shared research interest in adrenaline, near-death experiences, and seemingly supernatural events reveals an intriguing possibility: that under the right conditions, someone could develop extraordinary abilities. But when their thesis moves from the academic to the experimental, things go horribly wrong.

Ten years later, Victor breaks out of prison, determined to catch up to his old friend (now foe), aided by a young girl whose reserved nature obscures a stunning ability. Meanwhile, Eli is on a mission to eradicate every other super-powered person that he can find—aside from his sidekick, an enigmatic woman with an unbreakable will. Armed with terrible power on both sides, driven by the memory of betrayal and loss, the archnemeses have set a course for revenge—but who will be left alive at the end?

In Vicious, V. E. Schwab brings to life a gritty comic-book-style world in vivid prose: a world where gaining superpowers doesn’t automatically lead to heroism, and a time when allegiances are called into question.

Victoria Schwab is an AMAZING writer. I loved her YA novel, The Archived – which has a sequel coming in 2014. She does a great job of bringing her world and her characters to life, making the reader feel as though they are living the adventure with the characters rather than simply reading about it.

I’ve heard amazing things about Vicious. I’m dying to get my hands on it. For you bloggers and reviewers out there, there IS a short sampler on NetGalley, but I hear it cuts off just as the book gets AMAZING, and you should only check it out at your own risk – Reading this short sample may cause you to scream in frustration and demand that Vicious release NOW! I’m still considering checking it out…

We still have 7 weeks until this fabulous book releases. To pre-order it, click here.

Review: A Tale of Two Centuries by Rachel Harris

Aug6

I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

Review: A Tale of Two Centuries by Rachel Harris

A Tale of Two Centuries by Rachel Harris
Series: My Super Sweet Sixteenth Century #2
Published by Entangled Teen on August 6, 2013
Pages: 320
Format: eBook
Source: the publisher
Buy on Amazon
Goodreads
five-stars

Alessandra D’Angeli is in need of an adventure. Tired of her sixteenth-century life in Italy and homesick for her time-traveling cousin, Cat, who visited her for a magical week and dazzled her with tales of the future, Alessandra is lost. Until the stars hear her plea.

One mystical spell later, Alessandra appears on Cat’s Beverly Hills doorstep five hundred years in the future. Surrounded by confusing gadgets, scary transportation, and scandalous clothing, Less is hesitant to live the life of a twenty-first century teen…until she meets the infuriating—and infuriatingly handsome—surfer Austin Michaels. Austin challenges everything she believes in…and introduces her to a world filled with possibility.

With the clock ticking, Less knows she must live every moment of her modern life while she still can. But how will she return to the drab life of her past when the future is what holds everything she’s come to love?

Rachel Harris has written a touching and heartwarming love story with this sequel to My Super Sweet Sixteenth Century. It is beautifully written, both vivid and descriptive. Alessandra’s voice feels authentic, making the reader feel as if they truly have time-traveled to the sixteenth century.

Alessandra is everything you can possibly want in a main character. She is a proper young lady who yearns for more, but feels trapped in her own time. She wants “passion, equality and freedom,” all the things women in her time period cannot have. All she has to look forward to is a loveless marriage and a life of propriety and society rules. Until fate intervenes and sends her to the twenty-first century, where her distant cousin, Cat, lives.

There’s definitely an adjustment period for Alessandra. Her exploits in the twenty-first century were hilarious. My favorite moment was when she identified a Hooters as an owl shop. It’s amusing seeing how Alessandra’s sixteenth century mind views the twenty-first century technology, dress and ideals. She’s adorably clueless, and so fascinated by simple things – it makes her seem humble and lovable.

So… Austin. Ahhh, Austin. Normally, male characters as cocky as Austin would turn me off. He’s just so full of himself in the beginning, thinking he’s some kind of bad-boy rebel. But, he’s so adorable while teasing Alessandra and her absolute cluelessness makes it that much funnier. So, despite my reservations, Austin won my heart almost immediately. Alessandra’s outrage over Austin (she call’s him the “embodiment of evil” and likens time with him to the symptoms of an illness) only make you root for Austin even more. He takes the prim and proper lady and turns her into a typical outraged teenager.

The whole time I was reading, I pretty much alternated between laughing hysterically and crying (Sometimes just a few tears, and sometimes lip-trembling sniffles). Honestly, I wish I could go into greater detail here, but I don’t want to accidentally go into spoiler territory. Just trust me and make sure you have tissues by your side at all times!

The other couple to take note of in this book is Cat and Lucas. I know you Cat and Lorenzo fans are probably ready to egg my blog for this, but trust me, you’ll love how it all turns out for Cat!

The ending was absolutely perfect. My heart was in my throat for most of it, and I was pretty much close to tears the whole time, as well. But it was awesome, amazing, and perfect. Overall (if you couldn’t tell from my gushing review), I loved this book so much and I would highly recommend it.

Honestly, before I began reading Rachel Harris’ books, I wasn’t a huge romance fan. It kinda bugged me… It was too mushy and rainbows and kittens for me – I prefer science fiction, fantasy, paranormal, etc. I liked romance that had vampires in it… Does that count at all? Anyway, I won an advanced eBook of Taste the Heat, Harris’ adult romance (published July 8, 2013) from Foreward Lit. Not only is she an amazing and talented writer, but she really pulls you into a world with characters you care about, who feel real and relatable. The romances are always genuine, and the plots are well thought-out. For those reasons, among others, I would recommend Rachel Harris to anyone and everyone – especially to those who want to read romance, but aren’t sure where to start.

Waiting on Wednesday (#5): Teardrop by Lauren Kate

Jul31

Hey everyone. Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Breaking the Spine. Its purpose is to highlight upcoming releases we’re dying to get our hands on.

Title: Teardrop (Teardrop #1)
Author: Lauren Kate
Release Date: October 2013

The first in a new series by Lauren Kate, the #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Fallen series, TEARDROP is an epic saga of heart-stopping romance, devastating secrets, and dark magic . . . a world where everything you love can be washed away.

Never, ever cry. . . . Eureka Boudreaux’s mother drilled that rule into her daughter years ago. But now her mother is gone, and everywhere Eureka goes he is there: Ander, the tall, pale blond boy who seems to know things he shouldn’t, who tells Eureka she is in grave danger, who comes closer to making her cry than anyone has before.

But Ander doesn’t know Eureka’s darkest secret: ever since her mother drowned in a freak accident, Eureka wishes she were dead, too. She has little left that she cares about, just her oldest friend, Brooks, and a strange inheritance—a locket, a letter, a mysterious stone, and an ancient book no one understands. The book contains a haunting tale about a girl who got her heart broken and cried an entire continent into the sea. Eureka is about to discover that the ancient tale is more than a story, that Ander might be telling the truth . . . and that her life has far darker undercurrents than she ever imagined.

I really enjoyed Lauren Kate’s Fallen series. It was one of the first series’ I read with Fallen Angels, so I’m really excited to see how this new series is. Teardrop releases October 22, 2013. To pre-order your copy of Teardrop, click here.

Top Ten Tuesday (2): Ten Summer Books on my Summer TBR

Jul30

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish. This week, the theme is Top Ten Favorite Beginnings and Endings. However, I’m terrible at remembering such things (unless I’m taking notes while reading for a review), even when it should be memorable! So instead, I’m taking one of the TTT themes from June, and re-hashing it. So my Top Ten Tuesday this week is from June 18: Top Ten Books at the Top of My Summer TBR List.

I know it’s already almost August, but for some reason, I’ve been reading VERY slow lately (I’m normally a fast reader, and can read 7-15 books per month). I’m not sure why. Also, I’ve only been blogging two short months, but my TBR pile has EXPLODED under recommendations and review requests, so I haven’t gotten to read a lot of my top picks lately. Anyway, before I bore you guys to tears with my chit chatting, here’s the list:

Frozen copy For those of you who have been following my blog since the beginning, and who follow me on Twitter, you all know I’m obsessed with Melissa de La Cruz and I was desperate to get my hands on this book for the longest time. Pretty sure I entered roughly 10 contests before a miracle occurred: Stacee @ Adventures of a Book Junkee managed to get me not one but TWO copies (one of which I’ll be doing a giveaway for at some point). I screamed and fangirled and thanked her about twenty million times. Once I’m done doing some required blog reading, this is the first book up on my Summer TBR pile!

DemLunet I’ve heard so many amazing things about In the After. Aliens seem to be the next big thing in YA. I’ve only read icons by Margaret Stohl so far, so I’m not sure how I feel about this new trend. We’ll see once I read a few more alien stories!

VRossi1 I know everyone is going to demand to know why I haven’t read Under the Never Sky already. I know, I’m terrible! But I finally own it and I seriously want to read it ASAP and see why everyone is swooning over Perry, and who Roar is.

VRossi2 Since I want to read book Under the Never Sky, my reasoning behind reading Through the Ever Night is kind of self-explanatory!

The only zombie books I’ve read and loved so far are Dearly, Departed and Dearly, Beloved by Lia Habel. I’ve heard amazing things about Something Strange and Deadly, and it looks like it sort of has a similar plot to Lia Habel’s series. So I definitely want to read this one ASAP.

Again, this one is obvious. If I’m going to read the first book, I’m definitely reading the sequel, too! And I’ve heard A Darkness Strange and Lovely is out of this world, as far as sequels go. So I’m excited to get to it!

As with others on my list, I’ve heard Masque of the Red Death is amazing! I actually saw it when it first came out in hardcover and didn’t buy it. It looked good, but I wasn’t sure and I also didn’t realize the author was Bethany Griffin at first – I have no idea why! I just didn’t pay enough attention. Then the ladies at Epic reads recommended it during Tea Time. When I looked at it in the store again and realized how amazing it was, and who its author was, I kicked myself for not buying it sooner! I’ve actually been eyeing it on my shelf for awhile now.. I really want to read it!

Another obvious one. I actually didn’t realize there were only two books in this series. I figured it was at least a trilogy, and I’m kind of really excited. I bought both books on the same day, and I can devour them back-to-back. It’s great!

Like with Under the Never Sky and Through the Ever Night, I’m sure I’m going to have people screaming at me, asking why I’ve waited so long to read these! Well.. I don’t know! But I’m reading them now! Errr.. I mean, I will be reading them when I get around to them! From the bit I skimmed, the writing style seems a bit different from what I’m used to, but the plot sounds terrific.

And last, but not least, of course I want to read Unravel Me, since I’m going to read Shatter Me! I’ve heard ominous things, though, about Chapter 62… I’m kind of scared. We’ll see how it goes.

Well, that’s my list! My overall TBR pile is about three times the size of this list, but it’s only supposed to be “Top Ten,” so I had to cut myself off, or I could have done a Top 50 post! What books are on your Summer TBR Pile? Share them with me in the comments below!

15 Day Book Blogger Challenge: Day 9

Jul29

The 15 Day Book Blogger Challenge is hosted by Good Books and Good Wine. The challenge for day 9: Why do you blog about books?

I started doing the 15 Day Book Blogger Challenge when April @ Good Books and Good Wine first posted about it, and I loved it. It’s such a great idea. But I only got to Day 3, and then I decided to switch to WordPress and I got a little bit side-tracked. I know I’m skipping a LOT of days, and I might go back and do the missed days at some point. But I really wanted to do this one. A lot has happened in the last few days, and I think this topic is incredibly time appropriate.

I’ve been on Twitter since 2009 or 2010, and I’ve been using it to discuss book-ish things since about 2011. I’ve been using Tumblr since 2011 to post slightly longer Twitter updates on the books I read (because, sometimes 140 characters just isn’t enough!). But it didn’t occur to me until a few months ago to try blogging. It seemed daunting and impossible, especially when I looked at some of the blogs that have been around for awhile and realized how amazingly well done they were. I figured, I could never do that. Where do I even start?

But then, in June of this year, I decided I wanted to become a blogger. Why? Simple: I love books. I love reading and I want to share that love with other people. I want to highlight authors who deserve to be recognized, and I want to spread the word about their amazing books.

Growing up, none of my friends were readers, and I was made fun of for what I liked to read. To this day, it’s hard for me to share what I enjoy reading with people, because that judgement from when I was a kid is always in the back of my mind. I’m trying to get over it, though, because I’m proud of what I read, despite those childhood memories.

I’ve only been blogging for a month. I don’t claim to be an expert, or to know how it all works. I’m still learning! But I feel like I’ve learned a lot in a short period of time, and I’ve met some amazing people so far. I know I need to establish myself, and I continue to strive for that. But I feel honored, gracious and humbled by all that I have done so far. I’ve had a lot of bloggers who have supported me. I’ve also been granted some amazing opportunities as a newbie blogger, opportunities I never thought I’d get to experience so early in my blogging career. And again, for that, I am grateful.

Blogging will always be about the books and the wonderful authors. When that ceases to be the case, or when it isn’t fun anymore, I’ll consider my next move. But for right now, I love sharing my love of books with fellow book nerds, and I’ll cherish that forever.

So, why do you blog about books? Share your reasons with me in the comments! And if you don’t blog, just tell me why you like sharing your love of books with others!

Review: 45 Pounds (More or Less) by K.A. Barson

Jul25

45 Pounds (More or Less) by K.A. Barson
Published by Viking Juvenile on July 11, 2013
Pages: 256
Format: eBook
Buy on Amazon
Goodreads
five-stars

Here are the numbers of Ann Galardi's life:

She is 16.
And a size 17.
Her perfect mother is a size 6.
Her Aunt Jackie is getting married in 2 months, and wants Ann to be a bridesmaid.
So Ann makes up her mind: Time to lose 45 pounds (more or less).

Welcome to the world of informercial diet plans, wedding dance lessons, endless run-ins with the cutest guy Ann's ever seen—and some surprises about her not-so-perfect mother.

And there's one more thing—it's all about feeling comfortable in your own skin—no matter how you add it up!

I was only on page two when I decided I liked Ann. Right off the bat, she was realistic and relatable. Pretty much the entire time I was reading, I was going “Yup!” “Yes!!” “Mmhmm!” “Been there, thought that.” I mean, I could go on and on. I literally took eight pages of notes, and over half of them are just me agreeing with things Ann thinks, says and does.

Buying incentive clothing. Finding something cute in your size, but walking away because you’re ashamed to try it on. Wanting to try on an item of clothing, despite knowing it won’t fit. Wondering, just for a second, if that infomercial is for real. Knowing you’re fat, hating it, but wanting to eat when stressed. Again, I could go on and on.

I absolutely hated Regina and Courtney, more so since there are really people in this world who act like them and think like them. This includes the guy in the pretzel line. And I instantly loved Aunt Jackie, Chris, Jon and Raynee. People like them make people like Regina and Courtney easier to tune out.

Throughout most of the story, I hated Ann’s mom. It was impossible not to. Her double standards were frustrating beyond words. She was like one big contradiction. Of course, we eventually get her side of the story, and the insight makes you reconsider everything you know about her and everything you thought about her.

The most heartbreaking part of 45 Pounds (More or Less) was the storyline involving Libby. I can’t say too much without going into spoiler territory, but it really makes you stop and consider the consequences of your actions in regards to the people around you.

The end was amazing and incredible. Overall, 45 Pounds (More or Less) is the kind of book I would recommend to anyone and everyone. It’s one giant life lesson, without being in your face. It’s not preachy or judgmental – It’s life, plain and simple. Ann was realistic and likable, from every single thought that goes through her head, to every triumph and stumble she experiences along the way.

Waiting on Wednesday (#4): These Broken Stars by Amie Kaufman and Meagan Spooner

Jul24

Hey everyone. Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Breaking the Spine. Its purpose is to highlight upcoming releases we’re dying to get our hands on.

Title: These Broken Stars (Starbound #1)
Author(s): Amie Kaufman and Meagan Spooner
Release Date: December 2013

It’s a night like any other on board the Icarus. Then, catastrophe strikes: the massive luxury spaceliner is yanked out of hyperspace and plummets into the nearest planet. Lilac LaRoux and Tarver Merendsen survive. And they seem to be alone.

Lilac is the daughter of the richest man in the universe. Tarver comes from nothing, a young war hero who learned long ago that girls like Lilac are more trouble than they’re worth. But with only each other to rely on, Lilac and Tarver must work together, making a tortuous journey across the eerie, deserted terrain to seek help.

Then, against all odds, Lilac and Tarver find a strange blessing in the tragedy that has thrown them into each other’s arms. Without the hope of a future together in their own world, they begin to wonder—would they be better off staying here forever?

Everything changes when they uncover the truth behind the chilling whispers that haunt their every step. Lilac and Tarver may find a way off this planet. But they won’t be the same people who landed on it.

The first in a sweeping science fiction trilogy, These Broken Stars is a timeless love story about hope and survival in the face of unthinkable odds.

Everything about this book just looks amazing. The cover is gorgeous, first of all. And the plot sounds intriguing! A massive luxury spaceliner crashing on an unknown planet? I’m sold!

These Broken Stars releases in December of this year, and I can’t wait! To pre-order your copy of These Broken Stars, click here

Review: Splintered by A.G. Howard

Jul23

Splintered by A.G. Howard
Series: Splintered #1
Published by Amulet Books on January 1, 2013
Pages: 384
Format: Hardcover
Buy on Amazon
Goodreads
five-stars

(From Amazon) This stunning debut captures the grotesque madness of a mystical under-land, as well as a girl’s pangs of first love and independence. Alyssa Gardner hears the whispers of bugs and flowers—precisely the affliction that landed her mother in a mental hospital years before. This family curse stretches back to her ancestor Alice Liddell, the real-life inspiration for Lewis Carroll’s Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. Alyssa might be crazy, but she manages to keep it together. For now.
When her mother’s mental health takes a turn for the worse, Alyssa learns that what she thought was fiction is based in terrifying reality. The real Wonderland is a place far darker and more twisted than Lewis Carroll ever let on. There, Alyssa must pass a series of tests, including draining an ocean of Alice’s tears, waking the slumbering tea party, and subduing a vicious bandersnatch, to fix Alice’s mistakes and save her family. She must also decide whom to trust: Jeb, her gorgeous best friend and secret crush, or the sexy but suspicious Morpheus, her guide through Wonderland, who may have dark motives of his own.

This book was so amazing in so many ways, I don’t even know where to begin. The writing was beautiful, vivid and descriptive, the characters came alive, and the plot intrigued me from the very beginning. I’ve always loved Alice and Wonderland, and this was a captivating tale, set in the world of Wonderland, with a dark twist on the beloved children’s story. The references to The Crow and Labyrinth won my heart.

My favorite part of the story was Morpheus. I can’t help it – I’m totally fangirling over him! Basically, he’s Brandon Lee as The Crow + Jareth from Labyrinth + a Dark Angel + Captain Jack Sparrow + The Phantom of The Opera. So… any more questions? I pretty much swooned over him the entire book, so I’m not going to say anything else, or my review will be 100% Morpheus-focused.

While I’m sort of on the subject, I really loved the character names in this book. Persephone, Morpheus, Aphrodite, Adonis. I’m a big fan of Greek Mythology – well, mythology in general, to be honest – so I loved this. Howard did a great job twisting the names of the Wonderland characters, as well, to make them fit this darker, scarier version of a place only a child could have dreamed up. Rabid White? Herman Hattington? Chessie? All great twists on classic characters, and the logic behind the Lewis Carroll version vs what Alyssa sees (as explained on page 104) is great.

“What happens in Wonderland stays in Wonderland” = New Favorite saying. (Pg 140)
“Thirty sprites touched your naked body?” = Dying of laughter. (Pg 187)
“I am a man in every way that counts!” = Dying of laughter again. (Pg 250)

Other favorite quotes:
“…Tranquility amid the madness…” (Pg 211)
“I’m beginning to enjoy the Madness.” (Pg 212)

As for Jeb… I know a lot of people loved him, and don’t get me wrong, I do, too. But there were a few instances when he kind of annoyed me, like when he took Taelor’s word over Alyssa’s and when he demanded she not trust Morpheus, but he trusted Gossamer. These things just rubbed me the wrong way, and kind of reminded me of Jay from The Body Finder series, and I wasn’t his biggest fan. But Jeb had some redeeming qualities. First of all, he’s worthy of some swooning, too! And he really put his life on the line for Alyssa several times throughout the book. I nearly cried a few times.

This is a random thought, but did anyone else think the bickering between Jeb and Morpheus was reminiscent of Xander and Angel from Buffy the Vampire Slayer? Was it just me?

There were some great twists and revelations in the last 100 pages or so, some things I had started to figure out, and some that came as a complete shock. There was a lot of screaming and crying, to be honest… And the last paragraph was just.. sweet and romantic and tear-inducing.

Overall, if you couldn’t tell already, I adored this book so, so much. I have no clue how I’m going to make it January for the next book!

I switched to WordPress! (And it wasn’t that scary)

Jul23

Hey everyone!

For those of you who don’t know, I started out on Blogger by Google. I was only on Blogger for about three weeks when I decided to make the switch to WordPress. Why? Well, if you haven’t heard, Blogger has not been kind to blogs lately. They have marked as spam, and removed, several blogs, most (or all) of which have done nothing wrong, are not spam, and did not violate the Terms of Service.

As soon as this began, there was a mad dash among many bloggers to quickly make the switch, before their blogs were lost. Supposedly, it IS possible to request Google remove the ban from your blog – but who wants to take the risk of losing all that hard work? Whether you’ve been blogging three weeks (like me) or three years… Is it worth the risk?

So why did I switch? I decided I didn’t want to continue blogging with that constant, niggling worry in the back of my mind: Would today be the day blogger decided to axe my blog? I started having trouble keeping up with blog maintenance, and I wasn’t writing as many posts. I became hesitant to put the time and effort into something I had just started, had already fallen in love with, and might potentially lose. Okay, maybe I was being a bit dramatic. I mean, so many people had been using Blogger forever, with no problem. So why was I worried? I don’t know, to be honest. I just was.

Finally, I decided to at least check into making the switch. I didn’t know anything about it, and I had so many questions. I didn’t even know where to begin. So, I went through my Twitter feed and found a bunch of people who, when I tweeted about moving to WordPress, offered to help if I made the decision. I contacted them all for more information. In the end, Shannon @ Twilight Sleep offered to help me with hosting and the transfer, and my mind was made up.

The switch itself was pretty painless, thanks to Shannon, as well as Ashley @ Nose Graze. Without them, I would not have switched when I did, if at all. A lot of bloggers say they don’t want to make the switch because they’re scared and don’t know how to do it or where to start (How does the transfer work? Will they lose their followers? Which host is the best?) But with the right people by your side, it’s not scary at all. I promise. (Okay.. maybe a little, still, but it’s less scary, at the very least.)

I want to thank everyone for being patient during my move. I know it was a little chaotic, and I haven’t posted new content in a long time. But I will definitely be getting back into the swing of things this week. There might be a little bit of an adjustment period, so I thank you for your continued support and understanding during the next few weeks. I have some great things coming, including new reviews, a great giveaway (or two) and a Roswell Read-a-Long and guest review on Mel, Erin + Regina Read A Lot, which you can read more about here.

In addition, if anyone has any questions regarding the Blogger to WordPress switch, I’m happy to answer those questions to the best of my ability.

So again, special thanks to Shannon and Ashley for all their help, and special thanks to everyone reading this blog – your patience and support are much appreciated!

Expect new content soon!
Meredith

Want to Win An ARC of Frozen by Melissa de La Cruz?

Jul14

There are so many books coming out this year that I can’t wait to get my hands on! I’m excitedly adding them all to my TBR list! I’d like to bring your attention to one book in particular:

Title: Frozen (Heart of Dread #1)
Author: Melissa de la Cruz and Michael Johnston
Release Date: September 2013

Welcome to New Vegas, a city once covered in bling, now blanketed in ice. Like much of the destroyed planet, the place knows only one temperature—freezing. But some things never change. The diamond in the ice desert is still a 24-hour hedonistic playground and nothing keeps the crowds away from the casino floors, never mind the rumors about sinister sorcery in its shadows.

At the heart of this city is Natasha Kestal, a young blackjack dealer looking for a way out. Like many, she’s heard of a mythical land simply called “the Blue.” They say it’s a paradise, where the sun still shines and the waters are turquoise. More importantly, it’s a place where Nat won’t be persecuted, even if her darkest secret comes to light.

But passage to the Blue is treacherous, if not impossible, and her only shot is to bet on a ragtag crew of mercenaries led by a cocky runner named Ryan Wesson to take her there. Danger and deceit await on every corner, even as Nat and Wes find themselves inexorably drawn to each other. But can true love survive the lies? Fiery hearts collide in this fantastic tale of the evil men do and the awesome power within us all.

This book looks so amazing for so many reasons. For more details, check out the Waiting on Wednesday I did for Frozen here!

UPDATE: This contest is now over. I hope everyone enjoyed, and congrats to the winner! If you didn’t win, then head on over to Amazon and go pre-order it! Like, right now! Click here to pre-order Frozen!