ARC Review: My Contrary Mary (Mary #1) by Cynthia Hand, Brody Ashton, and Jodi Meadows

 

Welcome to Renaissance France, a place of poison and plots, of beauties and beasts, of mice and . . . queens?⠀
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Mary is the queen of Scotland and the jewel of the French court. Except when she's a mouse. Yes, reader, Mary is an Eðian (shapeshifter) in a kingdom where Verities rule. It's a secret that could cost her a head—or a tail.⠀
⠀
Luckily, Mary has a confidant in her betrothed, Francis. But after the king meets a suspicious end, things at the gilded court take a treacherous turn. Thrust onto the throne, Mary and Francis are forced to navigate a viper's nest of conspiracies, traps, and treason. And if Mary's secret is revealed, heads are bound to roll.

Expected Publication Date: June 22, 2021

Publisher: HarperTeen

My Review:

Thank you Net Galley for the opportunity to read and review this book.

I picked up this book because of the authors. I have read books by all three and was excited to jump into something they wrote together. I also love the story of Mary Queen of Scots (I mean, REIGN), so I figured this would be something I would enjoy.

First off I'd like to point out that I have not read any of the Lady Jane books. In my opinion while  most of the story in this book does stand alone, I saw many spots where having read the Lady Jane books would have given me more background and made it easier to understand some things that were happening in the book.

I loved the idea of many points of view. It was fun to the read the story from the three different characters (Mary, Francis, and Ari). Each character was unique in how they viewed the world around them. 

I will say this book comes off to me as much more upper middle grade than YA. The characters, while teenagers, are very simple in their views of the world around them. They do not appear mature as 17 year old teens might. Maybe I've read too much YA where the teens are more mature than they really should be. But having a 17 year old myself, I think I can with confidence say these characters acted more like my 14 year old.

I did find the pace a bit slow at times. The last 25% was fun and certainly picked up but that is kind of long to wait for things to really happen.

The romance in the book was cute. I liked that we got more than just Mary and Francis with the addition of Ari's perspective. And that the book addressed a relationship what wasn't just male/female in nature. 

Overall it was a fun read, though I didn't find myself running to pick it up and read it and it took a bit longer for me to finish than I anticipated. 

I definitely recommend this for middle school to young HS students as a fun read that will take you back to Renaissance France.

Authors:

I write books. I snuggle cats. I drink coffee.

Jodi Meadows wants to be a ferret when she grows up and she has no self-control when it comes to yarn, ink, or outer space. Still, she manages to write books. She is the author of the INCARNATE Trilogy, the ORPHAN QUEEN Duology, and the FALLEN ISLES Trilogy (HarperCollins/Katherine Tegen), and a coauthor of the New York Times bestsellers MY LADY JANE and MY PLAIN JANE (HarperTeen). She lives in rural Virginia. Visit her at www.jodimeadows.com

I write Young Adult novels. I eat cinnamon bears. I love me some Diet Coke.

My debut book EVERNEATH (the first in a trilogy) comes out Winter 2012 with Balzer and Bray (Harper Collins).
I'm represented by Michael Bourret at Dystel and Goderich Literary Management.

Because of two parents who were Greek myth geeks, I grew up thinking the latest fashion trends were inspired by Aphrodite, and a good conversational opener was, “So, which mythological character do you most resemble?” Despite these social shortcomings, I found a great husband who’s always my first reader. We live in Utah with our two young boys, who still have no idea why I'm at the computer all the time.

I received a Bachelor’s degree in Journalism from the University of Utah and a Master’s degree in International Relations from the London School of Economics.

Cynthia Hand is the New York Times bestselling author of several books for teens, including the UNEARTHLY trilogy, THE LAST TIME WE SAY GOODBYE, MY LADY JANE, MY PLAIN JANE, and MY CALAMITY JANE (with fellow authors Brodi Ashton and Jodi Meadows), THE AFTERLIFE OF HOLLY CHASE, THE HOW AND THE WHY and the upcoming novels WITH YOU ALL THE WAY and MY CONTRARY MARY (also with Ashton and Meadows). Before turning to writing for young adults, she studied literary fiction and earned both an M.F.A. and a Ph.D. in fiction writing. She currently resides in Boise, Idaho, with her husband, two cats, one crazy dog, two kids, and mountain of books.

Waiting on Wednesday #84: My Lady Jane by Cynthia Hand, Brodi Ashton and Jodi Meadows @jodimeadows @Brodiashton @CynthiaHand

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Jill from Breaking the Spine that spotlights upcoming releases we are eagerly awaiting!



Title: My Lady Jane
Author(s): Cynthia Hand, Brodi Ashton and Jodi Meadows
Publisher: Harper Teen
Expected Publication Date: June 7, 2016 

Blurb:
For fans of The Princess Bride comes the comical, fantastical, romantical, (not) entirely true story of Lady Jane Grey.

Lady Jane Grey, sixteen, is about to be married to a total stranger—and caught up in an insidious plot to rob her cousin, King Edward, of his throne. But that’s the least of Jane’s problems. She’s about to become Queen of England. Like that could go wrong.

Cynthia Hand:

Cynthia Hand is the New York Times bestselling author of the Unearthly series with HarperTeen: UNEARTHLY, HALLOWED, RADIANT (an enovella) and BOUNDLESS. Currently she lives in southern California with her husband and two small children. She teaches courses in creative writing at Pepperdine University. Her next book, THE LAST TIME WE SAY GOODBYE, will be released in February 2015.

Brodi Ashton:

I write Young Adult novels. I eat cinnamon bears. I love me some Diet Coke. 

My debut book EVERNEATH (the first in a trilogy) comes out Winter 2012 with Balzer and Bray (Harper Collins).

I'm represented by Michael Bourret at Dystel and Goderich Literary Management.

Jodi Meadows:

Jodi Meadows lives and writes in the Shenandoah Valley, Virginia, with her husband, a Kippy*, and an alarming number of ferrets. She is a confessed book addict, and has wanted to be a writer ever since she decided against becoming an astronaut. She is the author of the INCARNATE Trilogy and the ORPHAN QUEEN Duology (HarperCollins/Katherine Tegen), and a coauthor of the forthcoming MY LADY JANE (HarperTeen). Visit her at www.jodimeadows.com

*A Kippy is a cat.

The unofficial stuff:

Like many writers, I’ve always wanted to do this professionally. You know, after I decided against being an astronaut.

Unlike many writers, I didn’t skip straight from picture books to adult novels. I have fond memories of going to Bookstop every month for the latest Baby-Sitters Club (which I kept reading, even after I realized they were never going to let the paranormal elements be real), and even fonder memories of hanging out in my middle school library. The librarians probably knew exactly what they were doing when they suggested book after book and discussed them with me at length. I, of course, had no clue they were turning me into a book addict, but it worked out for the best. Once I found the books where magic and other fantastic elements were real, I was hooked.

When I was twenty, I met a boy, moved 1,500 miles, and married him all within six months. I now realize that was crazy and dangerous, but it seemed natural at the time and, again, worked out for the best. Not only did we stay madly in love, he worked full time at a hard job so I could stay home to write books and, hopefully, one day get published.

The other crazy thing we did was fall in love with ferrets. They have their own bedroom.

My hobbies, aside from spending all my money on books and Kippy/ferret treats, revolve around yarn. I love crocheting, knitting, and spinning. In addition to several handspindles, I share my living room with a spinning wheel named Bob.

ARC Review: The Last Time We Say Goodbye by Cynthia Hand @harperteen @CynthiaHand

There's death all around us.
We just don't pay attention.
Until we do.

The last time Lex was happy, it was before. When she had a family that was whole. A boyfriend she loved. Friends who didn't look at her like she might break down at any moment.

Now she's just the girl whose brother killed himself. And it feels like that's all she'll ever be.

As Lex starts to put her life back together, she tries to block out what happened the night Tyler died. But there's a secret she hasn't told anyone-a text Tyler sent, that could have changed everything.

Lex's brother is gone. But Lex is about to discover that a ghost doesn't have to be real to keep you from moving on.

From New York Times bestselling author Cynthia Hand, The Last Time We Say Goodbye is a gorgeous and heart-wrenching story of love, loss, and letting go.

Title: The Last Time We Say Goodbye

Author: Cynthia Hand

Publisher: HarperTeen

Expected Publication Date: February 10, 2015

Brooke's Review:

I want to thank Harper Teen for providing me with an early copy of this book to read and give an honest review. Receiving this book for free has in no way altered my opinion or review.

I only know Cynthia Hand from her angel trilogy, which I really enjoyed. So when I heard she was writing something contemporary, I was a bit skeptical. I know it can sometimes be really hard for authors to change genres. But there was absolutely nothing disappointing in this book at all and my doubt was quickly laid to rest.

Lex is mourning the loss of her brother Tyler. He chose to commit suicide just seven months ago. During her process of grief, she has pulled away from her friends, choosing to hide her heartache from the world. She attends counseling and school, but has given up on her activities, her social life, and just living how she did in general. Now in the midst of her darkness, she feels and sees her brother more than ever before. And she holds a deep secret, one that she believes could have saved Tyler from what he chose to do.

I really enjoyed Lex's character so much in this book. At times she was frustrating and pig headed, at other times she opened up on the page and you could see straight through to her soul. She's very analytical, a math genius who thinks of things as very concrete. I loved her process of healing. How she learned that things were not quite how she saw them and that her brother was not quite who she thought he was. And we watch as Lex goes through the stages of mourning and how she comes to accept that while her life may never be the same because her brother is gone, that doesn't mean that her connection with him is lost.

One of my favorite parts of this book was the dream sequences where Lex and Tyler interact. Because we never get to actually meet Tyler, we rely heavily on Lex's flashbacks of who he was. But the dreams really give a deeper meaning to Lex's loss and show the reader the bond that existed between these siblings.

I will say it was hard for me to read a lot of this. Knowing the pain Lex must have been feeling and watching as she wrestled with a guilt that ate away at her daily. Even when her friends try to get her to open up, she turns away and has excuses.

There is a bit of romance in this book, but it certainly is not the center of what's going on. It did, however, show us how important friendship and forgiveness is. And how important it is not to bottle all those feelings up inside, but to let them out.

Many of the chapters begin with what is Lex's journal. Her therapist has asked her to keep it so that she can explore her feelings about her life and where it might be headed. And while she doesn't want to make the journal solely about Tyler, he plays a huge part in her flashbacks because she comes to terms with a lot of the lasts they had together or that she remembers of him.

There's so much to say about this book and I could go on and on and bore you to tears, but I won't. For anyone who has ever been exposed to what suicide does to those who knew the victim, I implore you to jump into Hand's book and experience the power people have to touch our lives.

Hand has written a story about how we really need to cherish every moment with our loved ones because we never know when we might not have them anymore. It's about remembering the good times, the bad times, and the last times. But most of all, it's about finding a way to forgive yourself and move on without having to totally let go. Don't go into this story lightly, it will wrench at your heart. And the sadness can be a bit overpowering. But the experience is well worth the hurt.

Cynthia Hand is the New York Times bestselling author of the Unearthly series with HarperTeen: UNEARTHLY, HALLOWED, RADIANT (an enovella) and BOUNDLESS. Currently she lives in southern California with her husband and two small children. She teaches courses in creative writing at Pepperdine University.

Review: Boundless (Unearthly #3) by Cynthia Hand

Blurb from Goodreads:
The past few years have held more surprises than part-angel Clara Gardner could ever have anticipated. Yet from the dizzying highs of first love, to the agonizing low of losing someone close to her, the one thing she can no longer deny is that she was never meant to live a normal life.
Since discovering the special role she plays among the other angel-bloods, Clara has been determined to protect Tucker Avery from the evil that follows her . . . even if it means breaking both their hearts. Leaving town seems like the best option, so she’s headed back to California - and so is Christian Prescott, the irresistible boy from the vision that started her on this journey in the first place.
As Clara makes her way in a world that is frighteningly new, she discovers that the fallen angel who attacked her is watching her every move. And he’s not the only one. . . . With the battle against the Black Wings looming, Clara knows she must finally fulfill her destiny. But it won’t come without sacrifices and betrayal.

Title: Boundelss (Unearthly #3)

Author: Cynthia Hand

Publisher: Harper Teen

Publication Date: January 22, 2013

Brooke's Review:

In the riveting finale of the Unearthly series, Clara must decide her fate once and for all.

So I had great expectations of this book. I really loved the first and second book. When I picked this one up, I was ready to dive back into the world that was Clara and Christian, Angela and Tucker. But I wasn't expecting to be a bit disappointed with how things panned out.

This cover is just gorgeous. As a matter of fact, I love all the covers for this series. They are simple, which really draws my eye to them. And I absolutely love the color of this one, I'm such a pink loving girl.

In this book, we are once again thrust into Clara's world. A world where she is surrounded by the uncertainty that is her visions. Her visions keep us guessing, keep us wondering where the story is going. They keep us on edge and plowing through the book so we can learn what it is Clara is slated to do. I don't see much growth from Clara in this book, tho. I am not sure I was expecting it, to be honest. And her acceptance of who she is kind of peaked in the second book. She knows that she is on earth for a purpose greater than anything she could possibly imagine. And that purpose will be revealed to her slowly. She's still pining over Tucker. And their interactions in this book tore at my heart, just as they did in the first and second book. But I was mostly annoyed with Clara through this entire book. Her indecisiveness was driving me batty. She was completely and totally annoying to me in this book. I wanted to smack her much of the time; take her by her shoulders and shake some sense into that angel brain of hers!
Christian, well, he's so patient and honest. He truly loves Clara and wants to be with her. He sees it as more than his purpose, even tho that is what he originally set out to strive for. He has fallen hard for her but she still has her heart tied to Tucker. But Christian is so pure, so sweet and so downright loyal, it gets in the way of his happiness. And I totally and completely hated it. He's blinded by his undying love for her, a girl who, all in all has told him or shown him that she's not sure she wants to be with him. How can he allow that to happen? Clara becomes the center of his universe and, while it's great to see a character who would do anything for the one they loved, it's heart breaking to watch Christian suffer so much.
Angela's situation was not something I was expecting for sure. And it was interesting to watch how it tied in to her purpose. And it was nice to see that her character was more than just Clara's best friend. She took more of a forefront in this book. But I thought the way her situation was introduced was so sudden, so out of character for the book. It totally shocked me.
Finally, Jeffrey, what is his point in this series. At the end we're just left with not even knowing. He really just remains more of a mystery than anything else. I'm conflicted with how I feel about him and I'm annoyed that my questions about him were never really answered. He just kind of faded into the background at the end.

As always, Hand knows how to write. As with the other two books, this one is beautifully written, almost poetic. The book has humor and emotion throughout In all honesty, I wasn't completely drawn into the book at first. I was kind of blase about reading it and this was making me really unhappy. The pacing of the first half of the book seemed off to me. Unlike the first two books, I didn't mind putting this one day and having to pick it back up. But once Hand reintroduced the heart wrenching scenes I know her so well for, I was sucked in. I have to say that she truly knows how to take your heart, twist it up, scrunch it into a little ball and bat it across the room. That's how I felt when reading many of the scenes in this book. 

Yet in the end, I was totally disappointed with the choices that were made and how things turned out. It was just "eh." I wasn't shocked, I wasn't awed, I didn't close the book and say, "now that is totally and completely satisfying." It was just an ending. And I didn't like how the relationships were ultimately treated. How it seems like there is a happily ever after, but really, for me, there was not. After waiting so long to see what happened to end this series, I can't say that it was worth the wait. I'm sad to say goodbye to this series and really wish there was more coming, because I just do not feel satisfied with what I've been left with. There was no blow me away moment. I closed the book and just said, well, that was a nice story. I so didn't want that from this series. 

So, while I wanted to give this one 5 stars with all my heart, I just can't bring myself to do it. As a matter of fact, I had originally rated it 4 stars, but the more I thought about it, I had to drop it down. I just am not satisfied with it as a final book for this series which started out and continued in the second book to just amaze me.

Cynthia Hand grew up in southeast Idaho (very near the Wyoming border). Currently she lives in southern California with her husband and two small children. She teaches courses in creative writing at Pepperdine University. She is the New York Times bestselling author of the Unearthly series with HarperTeen: UNEARTHLY, published in 2011, HALLOWED published January 17, 2012, and BOUNDLESS, due out in January 2013.

Cynthia's Website: http://www.cynthiahandbooks.com

Cynthia's Twitter: https://twitter.com/CynthiaHand

Cynthia's Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Cynthia-Hand-Author-of-Unearthly/146043542087551

Waiting on Wednesday!

Well, this week is a bit slow with the holiday, so I thought I would post about some of the books that I am chomping at the bit to get this month! I am sure you have a few of these on your list, right?

It's been months since Aria last saw Perry. Months since Perry was named Blood Lord of the Tides, and Aria was charged with an impossible mission. Now, finally, they are about to be reunited. But their reunion is far from perfect. The Tides don't take kindly to Aria, a former Dweller. And with the worsening Aether storms threatening the tribe's precarious existence, Aria begins to fear that leaving Perry behind might be the only way to save them both.
Threatened by false friends, hidden enemies, and powerful temptations, Aria and Perry wonder, Can their love survive through the ever night?
In this second book in her spellbinding Under the Never Sky trilogy, Veronica Rossi combines fantasy and dystopian elements to create a captivating love story as perilous as it is unforgettable

Just a few more days until this one is released. I have been chomping at the bit, trying my hardest to win or get an ARC but to no avail! Now it's on pre-order!

DARKSOULS
Ana has always been the only one. Asunder. Apart. But after Templedark, when many residents of Heart were lost forever, some hold Ana responsible for the darksouls–and the newsouls who may be born in their place.
SHADOWS
Many are afraid of Ana’s presence, a constant reminder of unstoppable changes and the unknown. When sylph begin behaving differently toward her and people turn violent, Ana must learn to stand up not only for herself but for those who cannot stand up for themselves.
LOVE
Ana was told that nosouls can’t love. But newsouls? More than anything, she wants to live and love as an equal among the citizens of Heart, but even when Sam professes his deepest feelings, it seems impossible to overcome a lifetime of rejection.
In this second book in the Incarnate trilogy, Ana discovers the truth about reincarnation and will have to find a way to embrace love and make her young life meaningful. Once again, Jodi Meadows explores the extraordinary beauty and shadowed depths of the soul in a story equal parts epic romance and captivating fantasy.

This one comes out January 29, 2013. I am super excited about it. And guess who was lucky enough to win an ARC of this lovely? That's right, yours truly. Just waiting on it to be delivered and I'll drop everything to read and review it!

tick, tick, tick, tick, tick
it's almost
time for war.
Juliette has escaped to Omega Point. It is a place for people like her—people with gifts—and it is also the headquarters of the rebel resistance.
She's finally free from The Reestablishment, free from their plan to use her as a weapon, and free to love Adam. But Juliette will never be free from her lethal touch.
Or from Warner, who wants Juliette more than she ever thought possible.
In this exhilarating sequel to Shatter Me, Juliette has to make life-changing decisions between what she wants and what she thinks is right. Decisions that might involve choosing between her heart—and Adam's life

Destroy Me totally wet my appetite for more of this! I can't wait for this one to come out. It's been too long without my Alex and Juliette, even my Kenji! Still trying to win an ARC of this from SOMEWHERE! Come on February 5, 2013!

June and Day arrive in Vegas just as the unthinkable happens: the Elector Primo dies, and his son Anden takes his place. With the Republic edging closer to chaos, the two join a group of Patriot rebels eager to help Day rescue his brother and offer passage to the Colonies. They have only one request—June and Day must assassinate the new Elector.
It’s their chance to change the nation, to give voice to a people silenced for too long. 
But as June realizes this Elector is nothing like his father, she’s haunted by the choice ahead. What if Anden is a new beginning? What if revolution must be more than loss and vengeance, anger and blood—what if the Patriots are wrong?
In this highly-anticipated sequel, Lu delivers a breathtaking thriller with high stakes and cinematic action

I just barely remember the ending to this one! UGH! I have no time to reread so hopefully it will come back to me when this one is released January 29th. I haven't seen places to win an ARC ANYWHERE! Grrr....

The past few years have held more surprises than part-angel Clara Gardner could ever have anticipated. Yet from the dizzying highs of first love, to the agonizing low of losing someone close to her, the one thing she can no longer deny is that she was never meant to live a normal life.
Since discovering the special role she plays among the other angel-bloods, Clara has been determined to protect Tucker Avery from the evil that follows her . . . even if it means breaking both their hearts. Leaving town seems like the best option, so she’s headed back to California - and so is Christian Prescott, the irresistible boy from the vision that started her on this journey in the first place.
As Clara makes her way in a world that is frighteningly new, she discovers that the fallen angel who attacked her is watching her every move. And he’s not the only one. . . . With the battle against the Black Wings looming, Clara knows she must finally fulfil her destiny. But it won’t come without sacrifices and betrayal.
In the riveting finale of the Unearthly series, Clara must decide her fate once and for all

This one I'm pretty excited about since I get to meet the author in February. So I'm scooping it up on January 22, 2013 when it comes out for sure! I can't wait to have her sign it!

And that's it for today. These are my top picks for this month. I know there are probably others, but these top my list for sure!

Top 10 2012: Top 10 Books I'm Looking Forward to in 2013

Welcome to day #5 of the Top 10 of 2012 hosted by:  Lisa from A Life Bound By Books, Jessica from Confessions of a Bookaholic, Jaime from Two Chicks on Books Mindy from Magical Urban Fantasy Reads 
Today I bring to you the top 10 books I am looking forward to in 2013. So sit back and enjoy my choices (click on the book covers to take you to the blurb on Goodreads)!

Unravel Me (Shatter Me #2) by Tahereh Mafi. I feel like I've been waiting for this FOREVER! I cannot wait to read it and find out what happens. I really enjoyed Mafi's debut book, and Destroy Me, the novella she put out in between the first and this one. So I can't wait to see what she does with the characters in this book!

Asunder (Newsoul #2) by Jodi Meadows. I absolutely adored Meadow's first book, Incarnate. It was a great mix of paranormal, sci fi, and a bit of fantasy. I cannot wait to see where she goes with this book!

Through the Ever Night (Under the Never Sky #2) by Veronica Rossi. I had the honor of meeting Rossi in the Spring of this year. She was totally awesome and gave some great insight into her characters in her book. I absolutely ADORED Perry and Roar in Under The Never Sky and I loved reading Roar's POV in Roar and Liv. So I'm chomping at the bit to get my hands on this beauty!

Requiem (Delirium #3) by Lauren Oliver. I am a HUGE HUGE HUGE fan of ANYTHING Oliver writes. So her Delirium series has been no exception. I have loved the story of Lena. And with the gigantic cliffhanger ending of Pandemonium (which I got the day before it was released and read by the time it was released!) I NEED to see what happens!

Scarlet (The Lunar Chronicles #2) by Marissa Meyer. I was really intrigued by Meyer's take on Cinderella in her book Cinder. And since I'm a huge Little Red Riding Hood fan, I KNOW I will just love this book. I mean, how can you go wrong with LRRH set in the future with robots, cyborgs and aliens?

Apollyon (Covenant #4) by Jennifer L. Armentrout. Another author that I love to death and will read anything that she writes. But The Covenant Series is by far one of my all time reads. I just love the story of Alex and Aiden and I NEED to find out what happens. Luckily, I am on the list to receive an ARC of this beautiful book. So I will get to read it sooner, rather than later!

The Extracted (The Lost Imperials #1) by Sherry D. Ficklin and Tyler Jolly. This is one I am really looking forward to. Who could not like steampunk based on Tesla? And time traveling to boot? This book just looks spectacular. Luckily, I'm on the list for an ARC of this baby, so I'll be able to read it sooner than November 2013!

Clockwork Princess (The Infernal Devices #3) by Cassandra Clare. Gosh, there is nothing Clare would write that I would not read! I truly love all her series. But this one is near and dear to my heart. I have a thing for Will, he's definitely my ultimate book boyfriend. And I want to see how things end between him, Tessa and Jem. I hope I'm not disappointed. And I hope they don't push the publication date back again, or I'm gonna go nuts!

Dominus (Requiem #3) by Christine Fonseca. This series has seriously stolen my heart. It runs me through so many emotions, I don't know if I'm coming or going. But boy oh boy is that a good feeling, I cannot begin to tell you. And the characters, they are complex and real and just so engrossing. I can't wait to read this one, for sure!

Bondless (Unearthly #3) by Cynthia Hand. Now this series is just total awesomeness. I really love the good and bad angels. And I really need to see where the characters end up because they have totally captured me in their web.
Now, I can't just end it there because I have a bunch of books that deserve honorable mention for sure. So here they are: 1. Sentinal (Covenant #5) by Jennifer L. Armentrout. There is no cover for this book yet, but since JLA is pretty much my all time favorite writer right now, I need this book!
2. Tempting the Bodyguard (Gamble Brothers #3) by J. Lynn. Jennifer L. Armentrout's pen name, so you can imagine that what applies above applies here. No cover for this one, yet, either.
3. (Untitled) Divergent #3 by Veronica Roth, the third book of her Divergent trilogy. There is no title for this book yet. BUT Four is second to my Will addiction, so I really need to see how this one ends for sure!

4. Sever (The Chemical Garden #3) by Lauren Destefano. While I have not been thrilled with this series in general, I just can't stop reading it. It's like some strange pull. So I will definitely be getting my hands on this one!

5. Prodigy (Legend #2) by Marie Lu. I really enjoyed Legend. I truly love my dystopian novels. So this will be a fast read for me once it's released!

6. Pods by Michelle K. Pickett. I will read anything Spencer Hill Press or their imprints put out. So this will be no exception. Another one I'm on the ARC list for!

7. Perfection by JL Spelbring. Another Spencer Hill Press book. This one looks FANTASTIC!

8. Vortex (Tempest #2) by Julie Cross. Another time travel book. Oh how I love them!










9. School Spirits (Hex Hall Spin-off #1) by RAchel Hawkins. I just loved Hex Hall, so how could I not like this one? I'm hoping to get my hands on an ARC of this for sure!






And finally, although I could just keep going on and on and on...
10. Copper Girl (Copper Legacy #1) by Jennier Allis Provost. Yup, yet another Spencer Hill release, this one through Spence City. I can't wait to read this one for sure!






That's just a taste of what I am hoping to read. There are really so many more, but I can't keep listing them because this post would be SOOOOO long! So, what books are you looking forward to in 2013?

Top 10 of 2012: Best Book Cover of 2012

Welcome to day 2 of The Top 10 of 2012 hosted by the following blogs: Lisa from A Life Bound By Books, Jessica from Confessions of a Bookaholic, Jaime from Two Chicks on Books Mindy from Magical Urban Fantasy Reads  Today I am going to show you my Top Ten Best Book Covers of 2012. These are books published in 2012 that I have read. There are SO many beautiful covers out there, and I did not have to only choose books I've read. But I wanted to see what I thought of the covers I have read, since it is usually the cover that draws me into picking up a book and reading it. So here are my picks!

1. Transcend by Christine Fonseca

2. Grasping at Eternity (The Kindrily Series #1) by Karen Amanda Hooper

3. Cursed  by Jennifer L. Armentrout

4. Pure (Covenant #2) by Jennifer L. Armentrout

5. Resistance (Saga of the Setti #2) by Stephanie Judice

6. Under the Never Sky (Under the Never Sky #1) by Veronica Rossi

7. Tempest (tempest #1) by Julie Cross

8. Hallowed (Unearthly #2) by Cynthia Hand

9. Incarnate (Newsoul #1) by Jodi Meadows

10. Amaroki by Angela J. Townsend
What do you think? What are your most favorite covers of 2012? Have you read the books?
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