Quotes (#121)

Morning Swooners,
Here we are again... another Monday, another chance for a fresh start. I've been in kind of a reading funk lately, which really sucks. Today, I want to go back to my favorite books and quotes to help me get out of this reading funk.

"I love you. Remember. They cannot take it"
~Lauren Oliver, Delirium
"You want me as much as I want you. And all I want is you."
My tongue warred with my mind. "Today," I whispered.
Noah stood slowly, his body skimming mine as he rose. "Today. Tonight. Tomorrow. Forever."
~Michelle Hodkin, The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer
"This was the boy I loved. A little bit messy. A little bit ruined. A beautiful disaster. Just like me."
~Michelle Hodkin, The Evolution of Mara Dyer

"I hate mornings. They start so early."
~Janet Evanovich, Plum Spooky
“Do you think I'm pretty?
I think you're beautiful
Beautiful?
You are so beautiful, it hurts sometimes.”
~Richelle Mead, Vampire Academy

“He has no right to threaten my boyfriends. I'm eighteen. An adult. I don't need his help. I can threaten my boyfriends myself.”
~Richelle Mead, Spirit Bound

“You're distracting,' I said truthfully.
'I won't be. I promise,' Noah said. 'I'll get some crayons and draw quitely. Alone. In a corner.”
~Michelle Hodkin, The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer

Have a wonderful week! Make it count!

Mini Review: Frostbite by Richelle Mead

Frostbite
(Vampire Academy #2)
Author: Richelle Mead
Release Date: April 10, 2008
Publisher: Razorbill
Source: Personal Copy
Review by: Jenn

Rose Hathaway's got serious guy trouble. Her gorgeous tutor Dimitri has his eye on someone else, her friend Mason has a huge crush on her, and she keeps getting stuck in her best friend Lissa's head while she's making out with her boyfriend, Christian. (So not cool).

Then a massive Strigoi attack puts St. Vladimir's on high alert, and the Academy crawls with Guardians--including the legendary Janine Hathaway...Rose's formidable, long-absent mother. The Strigoi are closing in, and the Academy's not taking any risks. This year, St. Vlad's annual holiday ski trip is mandatory.

But the glittering winter landscape and the posh Idaho resort only provide the illusion of safety. When three students run away to strike back against the deadly Strigoi, Rose must join forces with Christian to rescue them. Only this time, Rose--and her heart--are in more danger than she ever could have imagined...

4 stars out of 5 stars

Frostbite is the Vampire Academy follow up and while it not my favorite book so far, I certainly enjoyed it. The story starts off pretty quickly but just as fast as it starts, it begins to slow down. However, after a certain point in the story, it picks up and I couldn't read fast enough. Rose is still charming as ever, Dimitri is still an untouchable God, and Lissa and Christian are sickeningly cute as expected. Even newcomer Adrian left an impression on me.

I wasn't expecting the ending and I found myself shedding some tears and worried about what it would mean for Rose. I can't wait to see what happens next. Onto Shadow Kiss!

Waiting on Wednesday (#123)

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

Morning swooners!

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

Dumplin' by Julie Murphy

Expected Release Date: September 15, 2015

Links: Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Goodreads

Synopsis:

Self-proclaimed fat girl Willowdean Dickson (dubbed “Dumplin’” by her former beauty queen mom) has always been at home in her own skin. Her thoughts on having the ultimate bikini body? Put a bikini on your body. With her all-American beauty best friend, Ellen, by her side, things have always worked . . . until Will takes a job at Harpy’s, the local fast-food joint. There she meets Private School Bo, a hot former jock. Will isn’t surprised to find herself attracted to Bo. But she is surprised when he seems to like her back.

Instead of finding new heights of self-assurance in her relationship with Bo, Will starts to doubt herself. So she sets out to take back her confidence by doing the most horrifying thing she can imagine: entering the Miss Clover City beauty pageant—along with several other unlikely candidates—to show the world that she deserves to be up there as much as any twiggy girl does. Along the way, she’ll shock the hell out of Clover City—and maybe herself most of all.

I am excited about this book! I love the concept, and the synopsis really captured my attention. I can't wait to get my hands on it!

What are you "Waiting on?"

Mini Review: Paradise City by C.J. Duggan

Paradise City
(Paradise #1)
Author: C.J. Duggan
Release Date: April 28, 2015
Publisher: Hatchette Australia
Source: Hatchette Australia
Review by: Nahomi

There's bound to be trouble in Paradise . . .

When her parents decide a change will be good for her, seventeen-year-old Lexie Atkinson never expected they'd send her all the way to Paradise City. Coming from a predictable life of home schooling on a rural Australian property, she's sure that Paradise will be amazing. But when she's thrust into a public school without a friendly face in sight, and forced to share a room with her insipid, hateful cousin Amanda, Lexie's not so sure.

Hanging out with the self-proclaimed beach bums of the city, sneaking out, late night parties and parking with boys are all things Lexie's never experienced, but all that's about to change. It's new, terrifying . . . and exciting. But when she meets Luke Ballantine, exciting doesn't even come close to describing her new life. Trouble with a capital T, Luke is impulsive, charming and answers to no one. The resident bad-boy leader of the group, he's sexier than any boy Lexie has ever known.

Amidst the stolen moments of knowing looks and heated touches, Lexie can't help but wonder if Luke is going to be good for her . . . or very, very bad?

3 stars out 5 stars

         I love C.J. Duggan's stories but I have mixed feelings about Paradise City. I like the premise of the story and it was a decent read; but I found it difficult to get through because of the main character's voice. Gosh it was just so annoying especially in the beginning! I will say that I get where Lexie is coming from and that as the story progressed her voice got less annoying. Although I still found it really difficult to get through because I couldn't relate to Lexie.

         The story was good. I liked the setting and the supporting characters.  But there weren't any characters that I got attached to. Luke, the love interest was nice but not my cup of tea. There was a lot of drama going on and there were points in the story where I physically had to put the book down because I was so embarrassed for Lexie. Some of the situations she got herself into holy hell... By the end of the story I was cheering for Lexie survive the year and get her happy ending.

          Although I couldn't relate with Lexie and I found her voice annoying; I still want to know what happens to her after the book ended. There is a bit of a cliffhanger at the end, nothing too terrible though. Lets see what C.J. Duggan has in store for Lexie next.

Quotes (#120)

I'm back!

Hi my Lovelies!

This is Jenn and it my first Quotes post in ages. Nahomi kindly took over for me for the past 8 months as I've been off getting a second degree, getting married, and moving away from home. I've been doing the minimum needed for the blog but I have missed having the time to just work on the blog and read. As I go through this new change in my life, being a wife, finding a new job, and being apart from my family and friends, I hope you guys will stick around with us. We'll still be reviewing books and swooning over all the sweet, sexy, and swoon-worthy book boyfriends we meet.

How about some quotes now?

“Woke up this morning with a terrific urge to lie in bed all day and read.” - Raymond Carver

“You cannot swim for new horizons until you have courage to lose sight of the shore.” - William Faulkner

“One day, in retrospect, the years of struggle will strike you as the most beautiful.” - Sigmund Freud

“Happiness is holding someone in your arms and knowing you hold the whole world.” - Orhan Pamuk, Snow

“This is what you must be like. Grow wherever life puts you down.” - Ben Okri, The Famished Road

“For me, literacy means freedom. For the individual and for society.” - LeVar Burton

“I knew when I met you an adventure was going to happen.” - A.A. Milne

Basically, I'm all about love, hope, freedom, excitement, and adventure lately and I think you can tell by my quotes. I like it. Now, that's it for me. I hope you all have a great week!

Review: Sweet Girl by Rachel Hollis

Sweet Girl
(The Girls #2)
Author: Rachel Hollis
Release Date: May 5, 2015
Publisher: Lake Union Press
Source: Personal Copy
Review by: Jenn & Nahomi

Max Jennings is in a bad mood. It’s not anything you did; it’s just that secrets from her past make it her natural state of being. But she’s not going to talk about it or share her feelings, so don’t bother asking.

Max’s bad mood means that very few people actually truly understand her or know that her secret dream is to be a pastry chef. When a rare opportunity to work for world-famous Avis Phillips presents itself, Max jumps at the chance. Avis and her staff aren’t stingy with the tough love, so Max spends every spare minute practicing her craft. As she bakes brownies and custards, cookies and galettes, she builds an unlikely friendship with a man she once loathed and finds herself falling into something she’s spent the last six years avoiding. Will she let her painful past stand in the way, or will she muster the strength to forgive herself and realize her full potential?

Jenn's rating: 5 stars out of 5 stars

Nahomi's rating: 5 stars out of 5 stars

Overall rating: 5 stars out of 5 stars

Jenn:
Rachel Hollis hooked me line for line with this book. I loved it from beginning to end and I can definitely say that I will read anything to writes because her storytelling is just so darned entertaining.

Sweet Girl follows Max Jennings as she stumbles upon an opportunity of a lifetime and what she is willing to do in order to follow her dreams in becoming a pastry chef. Max has this tough, sarcastic personality and I'll admit that at times, she was a lot to handle. However, Max is a character definitely worth getting to know. She has been through a lot and doesn't always say the right things but her character growth throughout Sweet Girl is something I completely enjoyed and even cried while reading.

Sweet Girl grabbed my attention from beginning to end and I couldn't get enough Max and the whole gang. Rachel Hollis has a way of capturing all the little details and making the story all the more real. The plot, the love interest, the characters, they are all what make this story a perfect light hearted read. I can't wait to see what Rachel has in store for Miko because Miko is definitely one of my favorite character in Party Girl and in Sweet Girl.

Nahomi:
I didn't think I could love Sweet Girl anymore than I did Party Girl, but it is true I love Sweet Girl tens times! For starters it's the same great characters that I adored from the first book, then we got Max's pov and she is ah-maaz-ing! But the what really got me was the plot. Truly, this book is like a perfect storm of wonderfulness.

From the beginning Max had me smiling with her snarky attitude! Getting to know Max is like peeling away the layers of an onion... ok so maybe not that's not the correct analogy but there are definitely layer when it comes to Max. I love that she works so hard at being independent and to achieve her dream. As the story develops she undergoes a great amount of character growth.

There is a love interest in this story and I absolutely adore him! I don't want to give away who it is because then it kinda spoils the story I think; but take my word for it he is amazing too! He is sweet, patient, kind, isn't afraid to tease and exchanges sarcastic comments with Max. He's perfect for her!!

The plot wants to make you believe it's predictable but in reality there is a major plot twist, that will leave you in shock! I love the friendships between Max, Landon, and Miko. It was great catching up with the characters from Party Girl.

Waiting on Wednesday (#122)

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

Morning swooners!

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

Vengeance Road by Erin Bowman

Expected Release Date: September 1, 2015

Links: Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Goodreads

Synopsis:

When Kate Thompson’s father is killed by the notorious Rose Riders for a mysterious journal that reveals the secret location of a gold mine, the eighteen-year-old disguises herself as a boy and takes to the gritty plains looking for answers and justice. What she finds are devious strangers, dust storms, and a pair of brothers who refuse to quit riding in her shadow. But as Kate gets closer to the secrets about her family, she gets closer to the truth about herself and must decide if there's room for love in a heart so full of hate.
In the spirit of True Grit, the cutthroat days of the Wild West come to life for a new generation.

When I first heard about this book, I was immediately intrigued. I can't wait for this to come out because it just sounds AMAZING.

What are you "Waiting on?"

Quotes (#119)

Morning Swooners,

I am starting this week with swagger. I am going to kick this weeks behind! Here are some quotes to get this week started right.

“The only trap I must beware not to fall into, is to think that each day is the same as the next. In fact, each morning brings with it a hidden miracle, and we must pay attention to this miracle.”
~Paulo Coelho, Warrior of the Light

“Everyone thinks that courage is about facing death without flinching. But almost anyone can do that. Almost anyone can hold their breath and not scream for as long as it takes to die.
True courage is about facing life without flinching. I don't mean the times when the right path is hard, but glorious at the end. I'm talking about enduring the boredom, the messiness, and the inconvenience of doing what is right. ~Amber”
~Robin Hobb, The Mad Ship

“It’s the possibility of having a dream come true that makes life interesting,”
~Paulo Coelho, The Alchemist

“Sleep is good, he said, and books are better.”
~George R.R. Martin

“Many people will walk in and out of your life, but only true friends will leave footprints in your heart”
~Eleanor Roosevelt

“A flower is not better when it blooms than when it is merely a bud; at each stage it is the same thing — a flower in the process of expressing its potential.”
~Paulo Coelho, Warrior of the Light

“Life is spectacular. Forget the dark things. Take a drink and let time wash them away to where ever time washes away to.”
~Tim Tharp, The Spectacular Now

Hope you have a great week!

Waiting on Wednesday (#121)

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

Morning swooners!

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

Tonight the Streets Are Ours by Leila Sales

Expected Release Date: September 15, 2015

Links: Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Goodreads

Synopsis:

Seventeen-year-old Arden Huntley is recklessly loyal. Taking care of her loved ones is what gives Arden purpose in her life and makes her feel like she matters. But she's tired of being loyal to people who don't appreciate her—including her needy best friend and her absent mom.

Arden finds comfort in a blog she stumbles upon called "Tonight the Streets Are Ours," the musings of a young New York City writer named Peter. When Peter is dumped by the girlfriend he blogs about, Arden decides to take a road trip to see him.

During one crazy night out in NYC filled with parties, dancing, and music—the type of night when anything can happen, and nearly everything does—Arden discovers that Peter isn't exactly who she thought he was. And maybe she isn't exactly who she thought she was, either.

I am not even going to lie the first thing that caught my attention was this beautiful cover. After I got myself to stop staring at the cover and read the synopsis I am totally intrigued and looking forward to reading this story!

What are you "Waiting on?"

Quotes (#118)

Morning Swooners,
It's Monday again... I'm trying to stay optimistic about this week, but it's going to be really hard. I have been dreading it for a while, but alas it's finally here. I will try to make the best of it. Here's goes nothing.

“Life is like a prism. What you see depends on how you turn the glass.”
~Jonathan Kellerman

“A poet is a nightingale who sits in darkness and sings to cheer its own solitude with sweet sounds.”
~Percy Bysshe Shelley

“It's really a wonder that I haven't dropped all my ideals, because they seem so absurd and impossible to carry out. Yet I keep them, because in spite of everything, I still believe that people are really good at heart.”
~Anne Frank, The Diary of a Young Girl

“When it is dark enough, you can see the stars.”
~Ralph Waldo Emerson

“You may not control all the events that happen to you, but you can decide not to be reduced by them.”
~Maya Angelou, Letter to My Daughter

“I threw myself into that fire, threw myself into it, into him, and let myself burn.”
~Sarah J. Maas, A Court of Thorns and Roses

"Fear doesn't shut you down; it wakes you up. I've seen it. It's fascinating." He releases me but doesn't pull away, his hand grazing my jaw, my neck. "Sometimes I just want to see it again. Want to see you awake.”
~Veronica Roth, Divergent

I am wishing you a wonderful week.

Mini Review: Saint Anything by Sarah Dessen

Saint Anything
Author: Sarah Dessen
Release Date: May 5, 2015
Publisher: Penguin Books
Source: Personal Copy
Review by: Nahomi

Peyton, Sydney's charismatic older brother, has always been the star of the family, receiving the lion's share of their parents' attention and—lately—concern. When Peyton's increasingly reckless behavior culminates in an accident, a drunk driving conviction, and a jail sentence, Sydney is cast adrift, searching for her place in the family and the world. When everyone else is so worried about Peyton, is she the only one concerned about the victim of the accident?

Enter the Chathams, a warm, chaotic family who run a pizza parlor, play bluegrass on weekends, and pitch in to care for their mother, who has multiple sclerosis. Here Sydney experiences unquestioning acceptance. And here she meets Mac, gentle, watchful, and protective, who makes Sydney feel seen, really seen, for the first time.

3.5 stars out of 5 stars

      Saint Anything is beautifully written coming of age story; that focuses on Sydney and her family trying to cope after a devastating accident changes their lives forever. I love reading stories by Sarah Dessen; she has a way of writing that just sucks me in to the story. However for me Saint Anything was just ok.

     Don't get my wrong it still has Sarah Dessen's wonderful writing and there are definitely swoons involved, but I felt the pace was a little slow and overall I was frustrated with Sydney's situation (mainly her mom). Sydney is a great character although I felt very frustrated throughout the story because she really didn't stick up for herself, especially in the beginning. However, Sydney shows tremendous character growth by the end of the story. Saint Anything has a lot of good themes and is well written, but it isn't one of my favorite Sarah Dessen stories.

Favorite Friday (#44) - The Indigo Spell by Richelle Mead

Have a favorite book? Series? One that you've just read or are currently reading? Favorite Friday is a weekly meme hosted by Books and Swoons where we spotlight some of our Favorite Reads. Everyone is welcome to join. Just enter your information on the linky or leave us a comment!

This week pick is: The Indigo Spell by Richelle Mead.

Sydney Sage is an Alchemist, one of a group of humans who dabble in magic and serve to bridge the worlds of humans and vampires. Alchemists protect vampire secrets - and human lives.

In the aftermath of a forbidden moment that rocked Sydney to her core, she struggles to draw the line between her Alchemist teachings and what her heart is urging her to do.

Then she finally tracks down the elusive, enigmatic Marcus Finch - a former Alchemist who the organization denies exists, and who lives in shadows, on the run. With Marcus's help, Sydney realizes that the group she's been loyal to her whole life has been hiding the truth from her. Is it possible that her golden lily tattoo might have more power over her than she thinks?

As she struggles to come to terms with what that might mean, Sydney is compelled to use her magical powers to track down an evil magic user who is targeting powerful young witches. Using magic goes against everything she always thought she believed, but she realizes that her only hope is to embrace her special blood - or else she might be next.

Forging her own way is harder than Sydney ever dreamed. Maybe by turning off her brain - and following her heart - she'll be able to finally figure out where she belongs.

So far this out of the Bloodline series The Indigo Spell is one of my favorite books! It's full of action and intrigue and it's just so great!

About the author:

Scorpio Richelle Mead is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of urban fantasy books for both adults and teens. Before becoming a writer, she considered a few different career paths. She has a bachelor's degree in liberal arts, an MA in Comparative Religion, and a Master in Teaching degree for secondary education. In the end, she decided writing was the way for her but believes all of her education prepared her for it.

A life-long reader, Richelle has always had a particular fascination with mythology and folklore. When not writing, she enjoys bad reality TV, traveling, trying interesting cocktails, and shopping for dresses. Lots of dresses. She is a self-professed coffee addict, fights a constant (and losing) battle with procrastination, and has a passion for all things wacky and humorous.

Her adult series include The Georgina Kincaid Series, which tells the humorous and heart-breaking story of a reluctant succubus who can't touch the man she loves without dire side effects. On top of that, she must deal with Hell's middle management team and the many supernatural threats that come her way. Richelle's Dark Swan Series follows Eugenie Markham, a free-lance shaman who battles ghosts and fey that sneak into our world from the Otherworld. When an alarming prophecy suddenly makes her every Otherworldly creature's object of desire, Eugenie must dodge their advances while also fighting a dark power rising within her. Richelle's third adult series, The Age of X, takes place in a futuristic world where religion has been banned--but in which the supernatural is finding a way to come back.

Richelle's internationally acclaimed YA series, Vampire Academy, is published by Razorbill Books (Penguin). This New York Times and USA Today bestselling series has won honors from the American Library Association, made into a movie, and been translated into 30 languages. It follows the war between two races of vampires, living and undead. Rose Hathaway, a 17-year old half-vampire, is training to be a bodyguard for the living vampires and finds her life complicated by the dangers that involves, as well as an illicit romance with one of her teachers. Vampire Academy was followed by a bestselling spin-off series, Bloodlines, which follows both old and new characters from the VA world.

Author's links: Website / Goodreads / Twitter / Facebook

I hope you can join us in sharing and talking about some of your favorite reads. Book talk always make me happy. 

What are one of your favorite reads?

Waiting on Wednesday (#120)

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

Morning swooners!

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

Bounce (Boomerang #3) by Noelle August

Expected Release Date: August 25, 2015

Links: Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Goodreads

Synopsis:

Playing the occasional club gig just isn’t cutting it for twenty-two-year-old cellist Skyler Canby, who’s trying to support herself and her mother back home in Kentucky. Persuaded by her best friend Beth to accompany her on an audition for the first feature film launched by Blackwood Entertainment, she figures why not? Beth’s a shoe-in for the lead, but maybe Skyler’s newly dyed pink hair will help her stand out enough to score a small speaking part.
Never in her wildest dreams does Skyler imagine she’ll land the lead role or that she’ll have her shoes knocked off her feet by the kiss her audition partner, Grey Blackwood, plants on her—a kiss that feels very real and not at all “acted. ”
After throwing a party that causes thousands of dollars of damage to his older brother’s home, reckless musician Grey Blackwood gets roped into working off his debt on the set of his CEO brother’s newest project. Grey spends his days fetching coffee and doing odd jobs around the studio, but he lives for nights when he performs with his band. He knows if he can stay focused, success as a singer is just around the corner. But that’s tough with a distracting pink-haired girl occupying his every waking thought.
Skyler and Grey have every reason to resist each other. But, like a song neither of them can get out of their minds, they have no choice but to go where the music takes them.

I LOVED Rebound and I'm looking forward to seeing how the series continues with Grey.

What are you "Waiting on?"

Quotes (#117)

Morning Swooners,

We had a very busy but successful weekend. I love this gif of Mer and Christina it reminds me of Jenn and I. We're still recovering from all of the activities, but it's Monday and time to start the week again. Wishing all of you a wonderful week!

“To say goodbye is to die a little.” 
~Raymond Chandler, The Long Goodbye

“I am not proud, but I am happy; and happiness blinds, I think, more than pride.”
 ~Alexandre Dumas, The Count of Monte Cristo 

“Life is a storm, my young friend. You will bask in the sunlight one moment, be shattered on the rocks the next. What makes you a man is what you do when that storm comes.”
 ~Alexandre Dumas, The Count of Monte Cristo 

“It’s probably my job to tell you life isn’t fair, but I figure you already know that. So instead, I’ll tell you that hope is precious, and you’re right not to give up.” 
 ~C.J. Redwine, Defiance

“Perfect is overrated. Perfect is boring." I smile. "You don't think I'm perfect?" "No. You're delightfully screwy, and I wouldn't have you any other way.”
 ~Stephanie Perkins, Lola and the Boy Next Door

“Love is an irresistible desire to be irresistibly desired.”
~Robert Frost

“There is nothing better than a friend, unless it is a friend with chocolate.”
~Linda Grayson