Last Days of Freedom Giveaway Hop!

This hop is hosted by Kathy @ I Am A Reader, Not A Writer and The Elliott Review.

Hello lovelies!  Well, it's getting to be that time.  The time when you have to go back to school.  I'm extremely nervous because I'm taking my first ever college class, so I don't know what to expect.
But, on the bright side, one of you will win an awesome book.  So, let's get to it!!! :)




The Prize:
Today I am giving away an ARC edition of Over You, by Emma McLaughlin and Nicola Kraus for one lucky person to win!





The Rules:

~There will be one winner.

~Giveaway ends on August 22, 2012 @ 12:01 AM

~This giveaway is US/CAN
~Must be a GFC follower

~Must be 13 years or older.

~Fill out the Rafflecopter

a Rafflecopter giveaway

THANKS FOR ENTERING AND MAY THE ODDS BE EVER IN YOUR FAVOR!!!

P.S. For a list of all the awesome blogs participating in this hop click HERE.

Review: Pure by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Pure
by Jennifer L. Armentrout
Covenant #2
Release Date: April 3, 2012
Publisher: Spencer Hill Press

Purchase / Goodreads

There is need. And then there is Fate...

Being destined to become some kind of supernatural electrical outlet isn't exactly awesome--especially when Alexandria's "other half" is everywhere she goes. Seth's in her training room, outside her classes, and keeps showing up in her bedroom--so not cool. Their connection does have some benefits, like staving off her nightmares of the tragic showdown with her mother, but it has no effect on what Alex feels for the forbidden, pure-blooded Aiden. Or what he will do--and sacrifice--for her.

When daimons infiltrate the Covenants and attack students, the gods send furies--lesser gods determined to eradicate any threat to the Covenants and to the gods, and that includes the Apollyon... and Alex. And if that and hordes of aether-sucking monsters didn't blow bad enough, a mysterious threat seems willing to do anything to neutralize Seth, even if that means forcing Alex into servitude... or killing her.

When the gods are involved, some decisions can never, ever be undone.

 *A copy was provided by Spencer Hill Press for review purposes*

This whole series is set in a world that was taken from Vampire Academy, but I’ve been able to look past that now and accept it for what it is. There are still some things you could compare to Vampire Academy, but, on the whole, this book was much better than the first.

First up, the similarities:

Pure: The daimons attacking the Covenent
Vampire Academy: The Strigoi attacking Vampire Academy

Pure: The daimons are working together, getting smarter.
Vampire Academy: The Strigoi are working together, getting smarter.

But, that’s about it for the similarities. Half-Blood had many more.

This book was also a lot more exciting than Half-Blood. There was more action, more excitement, and more romance. The writing was really good, as was the story line and staging. And, the ending was superb, so I have to give Armentrout points for that. Plus, this book was down-right hysterical. Alex and Seth are so funny together. Below are a few funny moments (trust me, there are a lot more):

Alex: “I loath you.”
Seth: “You reluctantly like me”

~Page 64

Seth: “Aw, did you just fall?”
Alex: “No, I attacked the floor.”

~Page 64

It was like that the entire book, Alex and Seth, going back and forth.

One thing that this book had and Half-Blood lacked was more romance. I loved the romance in this book. It was so hot and sexy and really, really fun to read about. If only it could happen in real life to me ;) I probably fainted and drooled like a million times :P

I like Alex more in this book than I did in the first. She was still really feisty, just not as violent. She was kick-ass, funny and totally a problem child, but I love that, because I am too :P
Unlike in the first book, I don’t really liked Aiden. This could be because Armentrout didn’t talk as much about him, but he just kind of lost all attraction to me. Don’t get me wrong, he’s still smokin’, I just prefer Seth to him.
And, unlike in the first book, I love Seth. He was so funny, I couldn’t stop laughing. I think Seth is a better fit for Alex because they have the same personality. They’re both goof-balls, compulsive, and, at times, not too bright. Aiden is kind of like a board—no personality whatsoever. So, I’M ROOTING FOR YOU, SETH!!

This book was soooo much better than Half-Blood, plus the cover is better as well. I am resigned to the fact that this whole series is going to have similarities to Vampire Academy, so I’m just going to look past that fact so I can really enjoy it.

4 1/2 pink flowers

The Covenant series so far:

Click here to check out my review of Daimon!

Click here to check out my review of Half-Blood!

Waiting on Wednesday (#39): Unremembered

This is a weekly event hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine that spotlites upcoming new releases that we're highly anticipating.

This week's pre-publication "can't-wait-to-read" selection is:

Unremembered, by Jessica Brody



Pre-Order | Goodreads

Release Date: March 5, 2013

Publisher: Farrar, Straus, & Giroux

The only thing worse than forgetting her past... is remembering it.

When Freedom Airlines flight 121 went down over the Pacific Ocean, no one ever expected to find survivors. Which is why the sixteen-year-old girl discovered floating among the wreckage—alive—is making headlines across the globe.

Even more strange is that her body is miraculously unharmed and she has no memories of boarding the plane. She has no memories of her life before the crash. She has no memories period. No one knows how she survived. No one knows why she wasn’t on the passenger manifest. And no one can explain why her DNA and fingerprints can’t be found in a single database in the world.

Crippled by a world she doesn’t know, plagued by abilities she doesn’t understand, and haunted by a looming threat she can’t remember, Seraphina struggles to piece together her forgotten past and discover who she really is. But with every clue only comes more questions. And she’s running out of time to answer them.

Her only hope is a strangely alluring boy who claims to know her from before the crash. Who claims they were in love. But can she really trust him? And will he be able to protect her from the people who have been making her forget?

From popular young adult author, Jessica Brody comes a mesmerizing and suspenseful new series, set in a world where science knows no boundaries, memories are manipulated, and true love can never be forgotten.

What are you waiting on?

Link me up!!! :)

Cover Reveals x 4

What We Saw At Night
by Jacquelyn Mitchard
Release Date: January 8, 2013
by Soho Teen
Number of pages: TBD
Format: Hardcover

Like the yearning, doomed young clones in Ishiguro's Never Let Me Go, three teenagers with XP (a life-threatening allergy to sunlight) are a species unto themselves. As seen through the eyes of 16-year-old Allie Kim, they roam the silent streets, looking for adventure, while others sleep. When Allie's best friend introduces the trio to Parkour, the stunt-sport of running and climbing off forest cliffs and tall buildings (risky in daylight and potentially deadly by darkness), they feel truly alive, equal to the "daytimers."

On a random summer night, while scaling a building like any other, the three happen to peer into an empty apartment and glimpse an older man with what looks like a dead girl. A game of cat-and-mouse ensues that escalates through the underground world of hospital confinement, off-the-grid sports, and forbidden love. Allie, who can never see the light of day, discovers she's the lone key to stopping a human monster.

Starstruck

by Rachel Shukert

Release Date: March 2013

by Delacorte Press

Number of pages: 352

Format: Hardcover



A golden age of glam . . .

Every week they arrive in Los Angeles--beautiful and talented young hopefuls who dream of becoming stars. It's all Margaret Frobisher has ever wanted—and when she's discovered by a powerful agent, she can barely believe her luck. She's more than ready to escape her snobby private school and conservative Pasadena family for a chance to light up the silver screen.

The competition is fierce at Olympus Studios and Margaret—now Margo—is chasing her Hollywood dreams alongside girls like Gabby Preston, who at 16 is already a grizzled show-biz veteran caught between the studio and the ravenous ambition of her ruthless mother, and sultry Amanda Farraday, who seems to have it all--ambition, glamour . . . and dirty secrets. Missing from the pack is Diana Chesterfield, the beautiful actress who mysteriously disappeared, and there are whispers that Diana's boyfriend—Margo's new co-star—may have had something to do with it. Margo quickly learns that fame comes with a price, and that nothing is what it seems.

Set in Old Hollywood, Starstruck follows the lives of three teen girls as they live, love, and claw their way to the top in a world where being a star is all that matters.

  

The Impossibility of Tomorrow
by Avery Williams
#2 in Incarnation
Release Date: January 2, 2013
by Simon & Schuster
Number of pages: 320
Format: Hardcover

Sequel to Alchemy of Forever

The Incarnation series:

 

The Alchemy of Forever | The Impossibility of Tomorrow

Premeditated

by Josin Mcquein

Release Date: October 2013

by Delacorte Press

Number of pages: TBD

Format: Hardcover

A week ago, Dinah’s cousin Claire cut her wrists.

Five days ago, Dinah found Claire’s diary and discovered why.

Three days ago, Dinah stopped crying and came up with a plan.

Two days ago, she ditched her piercings and bleached the black dye from her hair.

Yesterday, knee socks and uniform plaid became a predator’s camouflage.

Today, she’ll find the boy who broke Claire.

By tomorrow, he’ll wish he were dead.

 

 

Review: Kissing Shakespeare by Pamela Mingle

Kissing Shakespeare
by Pamela Mingle
Release Date: August 14, 2012
by Delacorte Press

Purchase / Goodreads

A romantic time travel story that's ideal for fans of novels by Meg Cabot and Donna Jo Napoli--and, of course, Shakespeare.Miranda has Shakespeare in her blood: she hopes one day to become a Shakespearean actor like her famous parents. At least, she does until her disastrous performance in her school's staging of The Taming of the Shrew. Humiliated, Miranda skips the opening-night party. All she wants to do is hide.

Fellow cast member, Stephen Langford, has other plans for Miranda. When he steps out of the backstage shadows and asks if she'd like to meet Shakespeare, Miranda thinks he's a total nutcase. But before she can object, Stephen whisks her back to 16th century England—the world Stephen's really from. He wants Miranda to use her acting talents and modern-day charms on the young Will Shakespeare. Without her help, Stephen claims, the world will lost its greatest playwright.

Miranda isn't convinced she's the girl for the job. Why would Shakespeare care about her? And just who is this infuriating time traveler, Stephen Langford? Reluctantly, she agrees to help, knowing that it's her only chance of getting back to the present and her "real" life. What Miranda doesn't bargain for is finding true love . . . with no acting required.

*A copy was provided by Delacorte Press for review purposes*

This book was a huge surprise for me. I’m not a huge fan of time travel or historical fiction, and having the two combined had me a little nervous. But I could tell from page on that I was going to enjoy this book. First off, Mingle got right into the story, not messing around at all. From then on, it was amazing. I loved that it was different. It was exciting throughout and funny at times. Mingle did a great job of staging the events throughout the book, and it was fun to read because I was able to figure out who the bad guy was. I loved the ending, although it was really sad. The speech was really eloquent and the writing was superb. Also, I really want a second book, because I seriously need to find out what happens with Stephen and Miranda.

Spoiler [After reading the summery, I thought that Miranda was going to fall in love with Shakespeare. However, I’m glad it was Stephen instead]. Stephen was so nice and caring and cute and just perfect. I hated how he kept on pushing Miranda away though. I can kind of understand why he would, but it still kind of irritated me.
And, to complete it, I really liked Miranda. She was funny, spunky, annoying at times (in a good way) and just a perfect main character. I loved how she stood up for herself and it was really funny to see her talking in the modern way compared to how Stephen talked in the old-fashioned way.

If all books from this genre are like this one, I will love all of them. This book was a breath of fresh air for me, seeing as how I usually read paranormal books. But this one will stand out more for its uniqueness and amazingness. :P

4 pink flowers

In My Mailbox: (#29)

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by The Story Siren, where we spotlight the books that we've received for review, swapped, or purchased that week.

FOR REVIEW:

The Gathering Storm, by Robin Bridges

Flirting in Italian, by Lauren Henderson

Rapture, by Lauren Kate

(from Delacorte Press)

Amarok, by Angela J. Townsend + Swag

(from Spencer Hill Press)

The Unquiet, by Jeannine Garsee

(from Bloomsbury)



WON:



The Luxe, by Anna Godbersen

(won from Peppermint Ph.D)

I AM GIVING AWAY THIS BOOK IN MY COVER FEATURES POST.  CLICK HERE TO ENTER!

What did you guys get this week?!

Link me up!!!!

Last Summer Blog Tour Stop

Hello lovelies!  I am overjoyed to have Rebecca A. Rogers stop by the blog today.  I have a simple review for you today, but I hope you'll still stick around and read it.  Also, at the bottom of the page, is the tour schedule so make sure you go check out the other blogs participating!!!!! :)

Last Summer
by Rebecca A. Rogers
Release Date: July 18, 2012
by Rebecca A. Rogers

Purchase / Goodreads

All Chloe Sullivan wants to do is get through the summer. Her life has been in disarray for more than six months, and she knows the only reason her parents made one final trip to Sandy Shores is because of her. They are, after all, two seconds away from filing for divorce. When Chloe stumbles upon a boy in one of her childhood hangouts, she’s in for more than just a relaxing summer vacation.

Logan Andrews is exhausted, famished and, quite frankly, kaput. His parents kicked him out when he refused to attend a rehabilitation program for his drug addiction. Now, he wishes he would’ve listened; he’d be receiving appropriate medical care rather than living in a dingy, godforsaken shack, holing up from money-hungry drug dealers.

Logan’s godsend arrives in the form of Chloe, who can’t hold her tongue when it comes to matters of the heart. They’re both in for a rude awakening when Logan’s past catches up to them, though. Can they escape the drug dealers showing up at every twist and turn, or will things end much worse than they ever imagined?

*A copy was provided by Rebecca A. Rogers for review purposes*

I can safely say that I have never read a book like this before. What with the main characters’ issues and the story line and the setting, it’s in a class of its own.

From page one, I couldn’t put down this book. It was exciting, fast-paced, and interesting, and the writing was bordering on really good. It’s kind of an inspirational story, what with Chloe helping Taylor deal with his addiction. I loved how the point-of-view kept switching between Chloe and Taylor; it helped complete the story. And I loved the ending too. It was really exciting, and I just love happy endings :p

Even though he was a drug addict, I still really liked Taylor. He was funny, cute, sexy, and totally swoon-worthy. I’m just trying to ignore the whole drug part, but, to be fair, he did fix it.
I also really liked Chloe. I liked how she was nice, smart, and didn’t give up on Taylor. They make a perfect couple.

This book is definitely for older young adults (very descriptive adult content) but I thoroughly enjoyed it! :)

4 pink flowers

 About Rebecca A. Rogers ------->   Goodreads | Website | Twitter | Facebook

Growing up, I pretended to be characters from books, movies, and TV shows (especially Xena). Now, though I don’t run around my backyard and freak out the neighbors with Xena calls and invisible weapons, I still live inside my imagination, and it’s better than reality.

Me in a nutshell: I'm an avid gamer, daydreamer, chocoholic, coffee addict, animal lover, and own way too many books and shoes.

FOLLOW THE TOUR!!

Check out the home page for this tour, hosted by Rebecca A. Rogers herself, here.

WEEK ONE

Monday, August 6

  Amber @ Amber’s Supernatural & YA Reviews

Tuesday, August 7

  Kelsey @ Enchanted Books

Wednesday, August 8

  Riya @ The Teen Book Guru

Thursday, August 9

  Candace @ Woven Myst (YA Magazine)

Friday, August 10

  Trini @ A Book Lover’s Review

  WEEK TWO

Monday, August 13

  Ellen @ Always YA at Heart

Tuesday, August 14

  Faye @ A Daydreamer’s Thoughts

Wednesday, August 15

  Melissa @ Harley Bear Book Blog

Thursday, August 16

  Maghon @ Happy Tails and Tales Blog

Friday, August 17

  Donna @ Book Passion for Life

Saturday, August 18

  Brianne @ Memories Overtaking Me

WEEK THREE

Monday, August 20

  Lyn @ Writing on the Sunny Side of the Street

Tuesday, August 21

  Hannah @ The Girl in a Café

Wednesday, August 22

  Ginger @ GReads

Thursday, August 23

  Sana @ Artsy Musings of a Bibliophile

Friday, August 24

Emma @ Belle Books

Saturday, August 25

  Kelly and Lisa @ Book Mark Belles

WEEK FOUR

Monday, August 27

  Kara @ Kara Loves Reading

Tuesday, August 28

  Samantha @ Book Crazed Reviews

Wednesday, August 29

  Lori @ Writing My Own Fairytale

Friday, August 31

Laura @ What’s Hot

Cover Features (#4): Beautiful Dresses + Giveaway

Cover Features is a meme hosted her at Emily's Crammed Bookshelf where we feature books that have the same theme in their covers.

Cover feature this week:

Beautiful Dresses

The Luxe

by Anna Godbersen

Series: Luxe #1

Release Date: November 20, 2007

by HarperCollins

Purchase / Goodreads

Pretty girls in pretty dresses, partying until dawn.
Irresistible boys with sly smiles and dangerous intentions.
White lies, dark secrets, and scandalous hookups.
This is Manhattan, 1899.

Beautiful sisters Elizabeth and Diana Holland rule Manhattan's social scene. Or so it appears. When the girls discover their status among New York City's elite is far from secure, suddenly everyone - from the backstabbing socialite Penelope Hayes, to the debonair bachelor Henry Schoonmaker, to the spiteful maid Lina Broud - threatens Elizabeth's and Diana's golden future.

With the fate of the Hollands resting on her shoulders, Elizabeth must choose between family duty and true love. But when her carriage overturns near the East River, the girl whose glittering life lit up the city's gossip pages is swallowed by the rough current. As all of New York grieves, some begin to wonder whether life at the top proved too much for this ethereal beauty, or if, perhaps, someone wanted to see Manhattan's most celebrated daughter disappear....

In a world of luxury and deception, where appearance matters above everything and breaking the social code means running the risk of being ostracized forever, five teenagers lead dangerously scandalous lives. This thrilling trip to the age of innocence is anything but innocent.

The Selection

by Kiera Cass

Series: The Selection #1

Release Date: April 24, 2012

by HarperTeen

Amazon / Goodreads / My Review

For thirty-five girls, the Selection is the chance of a lifetime. The opportunity to escape the life laid out for them since birth. To be swept up in a world of glittering gowns and priceless jewels. To live in the palace and compete for the heart of the gorgeous Prince Maxon.

But for America Singer, being Selected is a nightmare. It means turning her back on her secret love with Aspen, who is a caste below her. Leaving her home to enter a fierce competition for a crown she doesn't want. Living in a palace that is constantly threatened by violent rebel attacks.

Then America meets Prince Maxon. Gradually, she starts to question all the plans she's made for herself- and realizes that the life she's always dreamed of may not compare to a future she never imagined.

Rapture

by Lauren Kate

Series: Fallen #4

Release Date: June 12, 2012

Publisher: Delacorte Press

Purchase / Goodreads

The sky is dark with wings....

Like sand through an hourglass, time is running out for Luce and Daniel. To stop Lucifer from erasing the past, they must find the place where the angels fell to earth.

Dark forces are after them, and Daniel doesn’t know if he can do this — live only to lose Luce again and again. Yet together they face an epic battle that will end with lifeless bodies...and angel dust. Great sacrifices are made. Hearts are destroyed.

And suddenly Luce knows what must happen. For she was meant to be with someone other than Daniel. The curse they’ve borne has always and only been about her — and the love she cast aside. The choice she makes now is the only one that truly matters.

In the fight for Luce, who will win?

Rapture is the astonishing conclusion to the FALLEN series. Heaven can’t wait any longer.

GIVEAWAY

Hello lovelies!  Today I have decided to host a giveaway along with this meme.  Since this particular post is featuring beatiful dresses, I decided to have a beautiful dresses giveaway.  Today I will be giving away a paperback copy of The Luxe, by Anna Godbersen



The Rules:

~There will be one winner.

~Giveaway ends on August 30, 2012 @ 12:01 AM

~This giveaway is US/CAN
~Must be a GFC follower

~Must be 13 years or older.

~Fill out the Rafflecopter

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Please help fund future giveaways by using the affiliated links below!

                                   

Review: Daimon and Half-Blood by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Daimon
by Jennifer L. Armentrout
A Covenent Prequel
Release Date: May 10, 2011
by Spencer Hill Press

Amazon / Goodreads

For three years, Alexandria has lived among mortals—pretending to be like them and trying to forget the duty she'd been trained to fulfill as a child of a mortal and a demigod. At seventeen, she's pretty much accepted that she's a freak by mortal standards... and that she'll never be prepared for that duty.

According to her mother, that’s a good thing.

But as every descendant of the gods knows, Fate has a way of rearing her ugly head. A horrifying attack forces Alex to flee Miami and try to find her way back to the very place her mother had warned her she should never return—the Covenant. Every step that brings her closer to safety is one more step toward death… because she's being hunted by the very creatures she'd once trained to kill.

The daimons have found her.

Even though this book is the prequel to Half-Blood , I read Half-Blood first, and I think it was a good choice. The prequel made more sense because I had already read the real story and knew what would happen. It was an action-packed 60 pages, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. The writing was good, and I loved how it led right up to when Half-Blood began. Alex was as kick-ass as in Half-Blood, so I really enjoyed that. And, the funny thing is, I enjoyed the prequel more than I enjoyed the first book :P

4 pink flowers

Half-Blood

by Jennifer L. Armentrout
Covenent #1

Release Date: October 18, 2011

by Spencer Hill Press

Amazon / Goodreads

The Hematoi descend from the unions of gods and mortals, and the children of two Hematoi-pure-bloods-have godlike powers. Children of Hematoi and mortals-well, not so much. Half-bloods only have two options: become trained Sentinels who hunt and kill daimons or become servants in the homes of the pures. Seventeen-year-old Alexandria would rather risk her life fighting than waste it scrubbing toilets, but she may end up slumming it anyway. There are several rules that students at the Covenant must follow. Alex has problems with them all, but especially rule #1:Relationships between pures and halfs are forbidden. Unfortunately, she's crushing hard on the totally hot pure-blood Aiden. But falling for Aiden isn't her biggest problem--staying alive long enough to graduate the Covenant and become a Sentinel is. If she fails in her duty, she faces a future worse than death or slavery: being turned into a daimon, and being hunted by Aiden. And that would kind of suck.

*A copy was provided by Spencer Hill Press for review purposes*

This book had been on my TBR for forever.  I’d heard nothing but rave reviews about it, and I had a copy lying around, so I picked it up.  From page one, I loved it.  It went right into the action and really explained things well.  The writing was good, and I was all geared up for a fast-paced, kick-ass thriller.  But, once Aiden was introduced and started to train Alex, I noticed some parallels with another novel, namely, Vampire Academy.  And, as I read on, they just kept on growing, until it looked like Armentrout had taken Vampire Academy’s entire plot and changed a few names and premises.  Here are the similarities:

Half-Blood: Aiden is the super-hot trainer of Alex, but he’s off-limits because he’s a Pure.

Vampire Academy: Dimitri is the super-hot trainer of Rose, but he’s off-limits because he’s also guarding Lissa and it would distract him and Rose.

Half-Blood: The story is set in a world where everyone is scared of Daimons, zombie-like beings who will feed off of humans, halfs, and pures, but mostly Pures because their aether gives them more energy.

Vampire Academy: The story is set in a world where everyone is scared of Strigoi, zombie-like beings who will feed off humans, Dhampirs, and Moroi, but Moroi mostly because their blood gives them more energy.

(MAJOR SPOILER ALERT FOR BOTH BOOKS!!)

Half-Blood: Alex’s mom is turned into a Daimon.

Vampire Academy: Dimitri is turned into a Strigoi

At first I thought it was just a coincidence that the two books were pretty much the same, but then I realized, it wasn’t.  Armentrout basically copies Vampire Academy.

The story started off fast-paced and thrilling, but after that it just kind of died down and was medium/slow paced.  The writing was good throughout the book, but the plot was see-through most of the time, especially when we find out what Alex is.  The climax was really good, but I could have done without the boring ten pages after that.  I still think this is an okay book because I loved Vampire Academy, and Armentrout was smart enough to copy a book everyone loves.

Like in Vampire Academy, this is a super kick-ass cast.  The romance is AMAZING (the more forbidden, the better it is, I always say).  Aiden was so freaking hot.  He’s not as good as Dimitri but pretty darn close.  And Alex is super kick-butt too.  But I do think she was kind of stupid and violent, so I don’t like her as much as Rose.

This book had so much potential, but I think it would have been a lot better if it was more thrilling, and wasn’t a rip-off of Vampire Academy.

2 1/2 pink flowers