Waiting on Wednesday - Of Breakable Things by A. Lynden Rolland

 

Hi everyone, thank-you so much for stopping by my WoW!

Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly meme, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine which spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

My WoW for this week is Of Breakable Things by A. Lynden Rolland, I love the cover and it sounds quite unique!

Author: A Lynden Rolland

Series: -

Genre: Young adult 

Publisher: Month9Books

Release date: April 2014

Synopsis. (Goodreads)

Alex Ash was born broken. Living with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome is like living on death row, but she is willing to fight for her fragile life as long as it includes the boy next door. Chase has always held the pieces of her together, but when he dies tragically, Alex’s unfavorable fate becomes a blessing in disguise. 

In a peculiar world where rooms can absorb emotions and secrets are buried six feet under, Alex discovers she is anything but frail. Even among limitless minds, envious spirits, and soulless banshees, the most difficult aspect of Alex’s afterlife is juggling between Chase and his reckless brother, neither of whom are willing to give up the girl they both love.

So much for resting in peace.

About the author A. Lynden Rolland was born and raised in Annapolis, Maryland, a picturesque town obsessed with boats and blue crabs. She has always been intrigued by the dramatic and the broken, compiling her eccentric tales of tragic characters in a weathered notebook she began to carry in grade school. She is a sports fanatic, a coffee addict, and a lover of Sauvignon Blanc, thunderstorms and autumn leaves. When she isn’t hunched behind a laptop at her local bookstore, she can be found chasing her two vivacious children. She now resides just outside Annapolis with her husband and young sons.

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

What are most anticipating this week?

ARC Review: Crash Into You (Pushing the Limits #3) by Katie McGarry

Crash Into You

Author: Katie McGarry

Series: Pushing the Limits

Pages: 464

Genre: New Adult

Publisher: Harlequin Teen Australia

Australian Release date: 1^st December 2013

Amazon – TBD

Synopsis

The girl with straight As, designer clothes and the perfect life-that's who people expect Rachel Young to be. So the private-school junior keeps secrets from her wealthy parents and overbearing brothers...and she's just added two more to the list. One involves racing strangers down dark country roads in her Mustang GT. The other? Seventeen-year-old Isaiah Walker-a guy she has no business even talking to. But when the foster kid with the tattoos and intense gray eyes comes to her rescue, she can't get him out of her mind. 

Isaiah has secrets, too. About where he lives, and how he really feels about Rachel. The last thing he needs is to get tangled up with a rich girl who wants to slum it on the south side for kicks-no matter how angelic she might look. 

But when their shared love of street racing puts both their lives in jeopardy, they have six weeks to come up with a way out. Six weeks to discover just how far they'll go to save each other.

Review: 4 ½  out of 5 stars

I have adored Isaiah since he first graced the pages in Pushing the Limits so I was more than excited when I received a copy for review from Harlequin Teen Australia.

Seventeen year-old Isaiah Walker has had a tough childhood, living in the foster system since the age of six when his mother was sent to jail, he has always had to fend for and look out for himself which has hardened him as a person. He has dreams of working with cars and wants something for himself but never sees himself as worthy; he looks badass with his tattoos and piercings but has a heart of gold and protects those closest to him.

Isaiah is such a complex, intriguing, smexy character; my heart ached for him in Dare You To and his past has always made me curious to learn more about him, he cares deeply for those in his inner circle and I was glad we get to read alternate chapters from his POV to see his thoughts, reactions and why he is the way he is.

Our heroine is naïve, innocent car loving Rachel Young who tries to live up to her families harsh expectations; when Rachel gets herself into a bit of trouble by getting involved in drag racing it is Isaiah who becomes her saviour. I liked Rachel from the onset, she wasn’t weak as it was presumed by those around her but resilient and determined, I really felt for what she was going through with her family and could relate to her fears and the hopes she personally had for herself, living in her deceased sisters shadows has caused her a lot of pain so I could sympathise with her predicament.

This couple were chalk and cheese and couldn’t be more different but they complimented each other well with their mutual love of cars and the way they looked out for one another. Their relationship wasn’t without drama and misunderstandings but they worked well together. I have always from book one wanted to see a Beth/Isaiah hook-up but after reading this book there is no way I could now see them together. My only minor gripe is it would have been nice to see a few more smexy moments, what we get is sweet and written well but I wanted more {greedy much – but it is Isaiah here ; ) }.

I adored the secondary characters; despite Rachel’s brothers driving me bonkers so many times I appreciated the way they looked out for her even if it was at times for their own personal gain, Ethan has me intrigued and I can’t wait to learn more about West in the next installment. I absolutely loved Abby! I adored her friendship with both Isaiah and Rachel and I’m so eager to learn more about her. Eric I didn’t feel was worthy of the fear he placed in everyone and it was nice to see Echo and Noah play a role and also a few appearances from Beth.

You can’t fault Katie McGarry’s effortless, engaging writing which captured my attention and held it from the very first page with the amazing characters and gripping storyline. Katie certainly knew her cars and details of drag racing which made the little tidbits all that more exciting.

Overall, a fast-paced, romantic, emotionally intense read that kept me riveted and wanting more. Katie McGarry is a fabulous writer who continually creates characters who are true to life and stories that touch your heart and make you yearn for more.

I’m definitely eager to read West’s story in Take You On which has an anticipated May 2014 release date.

Thank-you kindly to Harlequin Teen Australia for the opportunity to read and review Crash Into You.

About the author: KATIE MCGARRY was a teenager during the age of grunge and boy bands and remembers those years as the best and worst of her life. She is a lover of music, happy endings, and reality television, and is a secret University of Kentucky basketball fan.

Katie would love to hear from her readers. Contact her via her website, katielmcgarry.com, follow her on Twitter @KatieMcGarry, or become a fan on Facebook and Goodreads.

ARC Review: Before We Fall (Beautifully Broken #3) by Courtney Cole

Before We Fall

Author: Courtney Cole

Series: Beautifully Broken

Pages: 336

Publisher: Forever (Grand Central Publishing)

Amazon

Release date: 3^rd December 2013

Synopsis. (Goodreads)

Sometimes, one dark moment is all it takes to turn your world black...

For 24-year old Dominic Kinkaide, that moment took place on the night of his high school graduation. One dark incident changed him forever. He's a hardened actor now, famous in the eyes of the world, but tortured in his own. He doesn't care about much of anything, except for losing himself in the roles that he plays.

23-year old Jacey Vincent doesn't realize how much her father's indifference has affected her. She is proof that sometimes it isn't one specific moment that wrecks a person, but rather it's an absence of moments. She's like a bird with a broken wing-strong yet fragile, as she tries to float through life, finding acceptance in the arms of random guys, one after the other... to fill the void that her father left in her.

Until she meets Dominic.

After jaded Dominic and strong-willed Jacey are thrown together, his secret and her issues create a dark and damaged energy that will soon turn their attraction to each other into an explosive storm.

Even though when the clouds have cleared and the dust has settled, both of them are almost obliterated... they've learned a priceless lesson.

Sometimes, before we fall... we fly.

Review: 3 out of 5 stars

Before We Fall is the third book in the Beautifully Broken series by Courtney Cole but I definitely feel this can be read as a stand-alone.

23-year old Jacey Vincent is moving on from a broken relationship and trying to put her life together when she is arrested for drug possession whilst waitressing at a party and blaming famous actor Dominic Kinkaide, her ride for the night for her predicament.

Jacey was strong and determined, she was trying to change her ways but it wasn’t always easy for her; she was a character I did like but didn’t fully connect with, there was a lot of healing she needed to get through.

Due to circumstances surrounding the drugs found, Jacey and Dominic were forced to spend time together and it’s during these moments they get to know one another a little more intimately but there is still a major secret Dominic is hiding from her, he won’t give himself fully to her physically or emotionally which caused some angst and drama-ridden moments.

24-year old Dominic is probably one of the most broken characters I have read about more recently; an event the night of his high school graduation tore him to pieces and hardened him as a person. To be honest, I’m not Dominic’s biggest fan; I didn’t see his appeal whatsoever and didn’t find his broodiness and arrogance attractive.

Before We Fall is a fast-paced, emotional roller-coaster of a read; I enjoyed it all a lot more when the big secret was revealed, it made Dominic’s actions and reactions all that more understandable but until this point I wasn’t fully engaged or feeling their connection.

There were some interesting secondary characters, Dominic's brother Sin has me curious despite not being a fan of his lifestyle and Brand was amazing and so sweet with Jacey; I really felt for him – hopefully these two characters will have their own books.

Overall, I enjoyed Courtney Cole’s writing but unfortunately I didn’t connect fully to the story or the characters.

I received an advance copy of Before We Fall through NetGalley/Forever. 

About the author: Courtney Cole is a novelist who would eat mythology for breakfast if she could. 

She has a degree in Business, but has since discovered that corporate America is not nearly as fun to live in as fictional worlds. 

Every Last Kiss is her debut novel and she followed it with the rest of The Bloodstone Saga (Every Last Kiss, Fated, With My Last Breath and My Tattered Bonds). 

Courtney lives in quiet suburbia, close to Lake Michigan, with her real-life Prince Charming, her ornery kids (there is a small chance that they get their orneriness from their mother) and a small domestic zoo. 

Learn more about Courtney and her books atwww.courtneycolewrites.com 

Review: World After (Penryn & the End of Days #2) by Susan Ee

World After

Author: Susan Ee

Series: Penryn and the End of Days #2)

Pages: 314

Amazon

Release date: 19^th November 2013

Synopsis. (Goodreads)

In this sequel to the bestselling fantasy thriller, Angelfall, the survivors of the angel apocalypse begin to scrape back together what's left of the modern world.

When a group of people capture Penryn's sister Paige, thinking she's a monster, the situation ends in a massacre. Paige disappears. Humans are terrified. Mom is heartbroken.

Penryn drives through the streets of San Francisco looking for Paige. Why are the streets so empty? Where is everybody? Her search leads her into the heart of the angels' secret plans where she catches a glimpse of their motivations, and learns the horrifying extent to which the angels are willing to go.

Meanwhile, Raffe hunts for his wings. Without them, he can't rejoin the angels, can't take his rightful place as one of their leaders. When faced with recapturing his wings or helping Penryn survive, which will he choose?

Review: 4 ½  out of 5 stars

Contains possible spoilers from the first book

World After would have to be one of my most anticipated reads for this year. Angel books are definitely hit or miss but I was absolutely captivated by the first book in this series, Angelfall with its wonderful characters and fabulous world-building so I dove straight into this as soon as it was downloaded.

World After picks up right where Angelfall left off, Penryn is left temporarily paralysed after being stung by a scorpion-angel monster and believed dead, Paige her sister has been mutilated, mum is still a tad crazy and they have been left by Raffe with a Resistance group, other humans that have survived the angel apocalypse.

Seventeen year-old Penryn is snarky, witty and one of my fave heroines with her kick-butt awesomeness and her dedication and protectiveness of those she loves, in particular her sister Paige who has endured so much; the characters in this series are truly amazing and beautifully developed but there was a certain swoon worthy angel noticeably missing physically for the most part of this book which was a big letdown for me, in saying this when he did make an appearance it was definitely worth it, the banter between Penryn and Raffe and their chemistry was wonderful and I can’t help but hope for more for them.

(Quote 77%) He puts his fingers to my lips and whispers, “Don’t talk. You’ll just spoil my fantasy of rescuing an innocent damsel in distress as soon as you open your mouth.”

Speaking of Raffe, his sarcasm, strength and surprising devotion to Penryn left me swooning, he is a fierce warrior now sporting a pair of demon wings, and his main focus is to retrieve his own wings to reclaim his place amongst his kind. I enjoyed this aspect and I’m curious to see what is to come of him.

The secondary characters each played a pivotal part in this book, especially Penryn’s mother despite her craziness; my heart broke for Paige and what she has been through which was pretty horrific, Uriel and Beliel are unbelievably cruel and power hungry and I have to mention Pooky Bear the sentient sword, some parts had me giggling.

(Quote 91%) Do you realize that when she fights battles, she's going to have to announce herself to the opposing sword?  She'll be forced to say something ridiculous like, 'I am Pooky Bear, from an ancient line of archangel swords.'

There were some intense moments with brutal action sequences, they were written very well and Ms. Ee certainly didn’t hold back on the details; the world is a lot darker and bleak. The plot was engaging and filled with revelations I didn’t see coming, the angels are fierce with their plans to take over the world; the element of surprise is one of the things I have appreciated, you never quite knew in which direction the author would take things which I liked but in the end it all came together nicely.

Susan Ee’s story-telling is mesmerising, I was captivated by the events which took place, her dialogue is witty and the characters loveable. This is most definitely one of my favourite angel series.

Overall, World After is an impressive sequel, filled with angel politics, unnatural abominations, violence and some wonderful action-scenes, I’m more than eager to get hold of the next book in this amazing series but have my fingers crossed our wait won’t be as lengthy.

(Quote 37%) “You broke me out of the grasp of a living horror when I thought all hope was gone. You gave me the opportunity to crawl back to life when no one else could."
She glances over at me, her eyes shining in the dark. "You're a hero, Penryn, whether you like it or not.”

About the author: (Taken from http://www.susanee.com)  Susan Ee has eaten mezze in the old city of Jerusalem, surfed the warm waters of Costa Rica, and played her short film at a major festival. She used to be a lawyer but loves being a writer because it allows her imagination to bust out and go feral.

Her debut novel was the bestselling fantasy thriller, Angelfall (Penryn & the End of Days series). Angelfall Has been translated in 19 languages and the film rights have been optioned by Sam Raimi, Rob Tapert and Good Universe.

You are invited to become her friend on Facebook, Twitter, or Goodreads.

Waiting on Wednesday - Hexed (The Witch Hunter #1) by Michelle Krys

 

Hi everyone, thank-you so much for stopping by my WoW!

Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly meme, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine which spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

My WoW for this week is Hexed by Michelle Krys, another witchy book I am eager to get hold of.

Author: Michelle Krys

Series: The Witch Hunter

Genre: Young adult

Amazon pre-order

Publisher: Delacorte Press/Random House

Release date: 10^th June 2014

Synopsis. (Goodreads)

If high school is all about social status, Indigo Blackwood has it made. Sure, her quirky mom owns an occult shop, and a nerd just won’t stop trying to be her friend, but Indie is a popular cheerleader with a football-star boyfriend and a social circle powerful enough to ruin everyone at school. Who wouldn’t want to be her?

Then a guy dies right before her eyes. And the dusty old family Bible her mom is freakishly possessive of is stolen. But it’s when a frustratingly sexy stranger named Bishop enters Indie’s world that she learns her destiny involves a lot more than pom-poms and parties. If she doesn’t get the Bible back, every witch on the planet will die. And that’s seriously bad news for Indie, because according to Bishop, she’s a witch too.

Suddenly forced into a centuries-old war between witches and sorcerers, Indie’s about to uncover the many dark truths about her life—and a future unlike any she ever imagined on top of the cheer pyramid

About the author I'm the author of the YA novel HEXED, slated for publication with Delacorte Press/Random House Children's Books Spring 2014. I'm repped by Adriann Ranta of Wolf Literary Services. 

Other random, possibly fun facts about me: I'm a mom to a 3-year-old son, an NICU nurse, an addict of salsa, and an abuser of exclamation marks!!!

Blog | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

What are most anticipating this week?

ARC Review: Pawn (The Blackcoat Rebellion #1) by Aimee Carter

Pawn 

Author: Aimee Carter

Series: The Blackcoat Rebellion

Pages: 346

Publisher: Harlequin Teen

Genre: Young Adult – Dystopian

Release date: 26th November 2013

Amazon

Synopsis. (Goodreads)

For Kitty Doe, it seems like an easy choice. She can either spend her life as a III in misery, looked down upon by the higher ranks and forced to leave the people she loves, or she can become a VII and join the most powerful family in the country. 

If she says yes, Kitty will be Masked—surgically transformed into Lila Hart, the Prime Minister's niece, who died under mysterious circumstances. As a member of the Hart family, she will be famous. She will be adored. And for the first time, she will matter. 

There's only one catch. She must also stop the rebellion that Lila secretly fostered, the same one that got her killed …and one Kitty believes in. Faced with threats, conspiracies and a life that's not her own, she must decide which path to choose—and learn how to become more than a pawn in a twisted game she's only beginning to understand.

Review: 3 ½ out of 5 stars

Pawn is a book I have been anxious to read since I first glimpsed the interesting cover, which I love! And it was a nice start to Aimee Carter’s newest series, The Blackcoat Rebellion.

Aimee Carter’s formulaic society is one where couples can have no more than one child, if they do they are sent to group homes until they are tested for societal rank and placed in a suitable job. Rankings range from I through to VII, I’s and II’s are generally unheard of and sent to Elsewhere, III’s generally end up in a menial service role and V’s and up in office and government jobs.

Kitty Doe has taken the test and rated a low level III so she is to be sent off to work in the sewers but has a plan to make enough money to eventually escape with her boyfriend Benjy – but she ends up confronted by the most powerful man in the country with an offer to become someone else which turned her whole life upside down but she was also given the chance to leave her old life behind and live the life of luxury as a VII which is the most elite ranking available but it came with a cost – she was masked, surgically altered into Lila Hart, the Prime Minister's niece, who died under questionable circumstances.

I came to like Kitty despite a few minor irritations; she was strong and knew what she wanted even if at times I didn’t agree with her actions you could understand why. Her devotion to Benjy was wonderful and even though I expected a love triangle with Knox, Lila’s fiancé I was relieved nothing eventuated.

The romance was definitely not at the forefront of the story and I would have liked to have learnt more about Benjy to see his appeal, what we do know is he is extremely self-sacrificing but I think I actually preferred Knox and with the ending we are given, I am keen to see how the romance plays out.

The premise is unique and the multi-layered plot was fast-paced and exciting as we see Kitty learning more about the rebellion that Lila had secretly promoted. The title is perfect and Kitty is definitely a pawn in a game between right and wrong; it is filled with power struggles, threats, conspiracies and a really messed up family which all made for an interesting read.

I enjoyed the secondary characters and the villains were perfectly evil – Daxon and Augusta were frightening and at times I didn’t know who could be trusted, everyone seemed to have their own agenda and I could never really get a feel for who was playing for good or bad.

There were a few minor things which grated on my nerves, (Possible spoilers - highlight to show) the beginning frustrated me with Kitty so will nilly giving away her virginity and not seeming to show any emotion with it, this was also the case when she woke after being surgically enhanced; I expected screaming, demands etc. but it didn’t come – she also came across as being naïve in certain situations when truths were sitting right in front of her, it caused unnecessary complications. Although it does have a similar feel to other dystopian novels, the concept is creative but I would have liked more background information on why things became the way they now were; I found this aspect to be lacking as well as more details about the Blackcoats and the rebellion.

Aimee Carter’s writing is engaging and despite having a few issues with Pawn, it was enjoyable none the less and I am eager to learn more about this dystopian world.

Overall, Pawn was an entertaining read but wasn’t flawless with its execution; there are many questions left unanswered so I hope we get follow-up in the sequel. Fast-paced and filled with political intrigue and conspiracies, this book will appeal to fans of captivating yet brutal dystopian worlds.

Thank-you kindly to Harlequin Teen for the opportunity to read and review Pawn.

 

About the author: Aimée Carter was born and raised in Michigan, where she currently resides. Her first novel for young adults, THE GODDESS TEST, will be published by Harlequin Teen on April 19th, 2011. The sequel, GODDESS INTERRUPTED, will follow in January 2012.

Find her on Twitter at @aimee_carter.