Books and Swoons

Quotes (#99)

Morning Swooners,

Once again this weekend went by way to fast. I hope you had a great weekend and an even greater week ahead. On to our quotes.

“We dream in our waking moments, and walk in our sleep.”
~Nathaniel Hawthorne, The Scarlet Letter

“Happiness is like a butterfly which, when pursued, is always beyond our grasp, but, if you will sit down quietly, may alight upon you.”
~Nathaniel Hawthorne

“Love, whether newly born or aroused from a deathlike slumber, must always create sunshine, filling the heart so full of radiance, that it overflows upon the outward world.”
~Nathaniel Hawthorne, The Scarlet Letter

“Oh, for the years I have not lived, but only dreamed of living.”
~Nathaniel Hawthorne

“Every individual has a place to fill in the world and is important in some respect, whether he chooses to be so or not.”
~Nathaniel Hawthorne

“...happiness is not found in things you possess, but in what you have the courage to release...” ~Nathaniel Hawthorne

“A forced smile is uglier than a frown.”
~Nathaniel Hawthorne, The Marble Faun

DNF Review: How to Fall by Jane Casey

How to Fall
(Jess Tennant #1)
Author: Jane Casey
Release Date: August 26, 2014
Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin
Source: NetGalley
Review by: Jenn

Sixteen-year-old Jess Tennant has never met any of her relatives, until her mom suddenly drags her out of London to spend the summer in the tiny English town where her family’s from. Her mom’s decision is surprising, but even more surprising is the town’s reaction to Jess. Everywhere she goes, people look at her like they’ve seen a ghost. In a way, they have—she looks just like her cousin Freya, who died shortly before Jess came to town.

Jess immediately feels a strange connection to Freya, whom she never got to meet alive. But the more Jess learns about the secrets Freya was keeping while she was alive, the more suspicious Freya’s death starts to look. One thing is for sure: this will be anything but the safe, boring summer in the country Jess was expecting.

1 stars out of 5 stars

***This is a Did Not Finish review. These are my thoughts of up what I was able to read.***

I was really excited about starting this book. I read the synopsis and I was really happy when I was approved for this title on NetGalley but unfortunately, I just couldn't click with it.

I had a hard time clicking with the main character, Jess, and there were so many occasion where I found myself rolling my eyes at her internal thoughts. I also could not see her fascination with trying to find out whether her cousin's death was accidental or not. I just didn't feel that connection that Jess feels towards Freya and just had to stop. I found myself skimming a lot and I realized early on, that I just couldn't find myself to become invested in story. It was at that point that I decided to just give up on the story.

Maybe it was just me but I was disappointed that this book was a let down. Hopefully there are some other readers out there that enjoys it a lot more than I did.

Favorite Friday (#27) - Hex Hall by Rachel Hawkins

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: Hex Hall by Rachel Hawkins.

Three years ago, Sophie Mercer discovered that she was a witch. It's gotten her into a few scrapes. Her non-gifted mother has been as supportive as possible, consulting Sophie's estranged father—an elusive European warlock—only when necessary. But when Sophie attracts too much human attention for a prom-night spell gone horribly wrong, it's her dad who decides her punishment: exile to Hex Hall, an isolated reform school for wayward Prodigium, a.k.a. witches, faeries, and shapeshifters.

By the end of her first day among fellow freak-teens, Sophie has quite a scorecard: three powerful enemies who look like supermodels, a futile crush on a gorgeous warlock, a creepy tag-along ghost, and a new roommate who happens to be the most hated person and only vampire student on campus. Worse, Sophie soon learns that a mysterious predator has been attacking students, and her only friend is the number-one suspect.

As a series of blood-curdling mysteries starts to converge, Sophie prepares for the biggest threat of all: an ancient secret society determined to destroy all Prodigium, especially her.

This is one of Jenn's favorite books. She loves Sophie's snarky voice and was completely sucked into the story.

About the author:

Rachel Hawkins was born in Virginia and raised in Alabama. This means she uses words like "y'all" and "fixin'" a lot, and considers anything under 60 degrees to be borderline Arctic. Before deciding to write books about kissing and fire (and sometimes kissing while on fire), Rachel taught high school English for 3 years, and is still capable of teaching you The Canterbury Tales if you're into that kind of thing.

She is married to a geologist, which means that they have incredibly strange dinner conversations ("So today at work, I wrote a chapter where killer fog, like, ATE PEOPLE." "Huh. Well, I was chased by an angry reindeer while trying to map parts of Norway." "Um...okay.")

Rachel also has a little boy whose main hobbies are playing video games, running around in circles, and plotting his Future Intergalactic Take-Over.

When not writing books, Rachel enjoys reading, travelling, and knitting (very terribly.)

Author's links: Website / Goodreads / Twitter

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 (#99)

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:

Always Us by Allie Everhart

Expected Release Date: March 14, 2015

Links: Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Goodreads

Synopsis:

The countdown has begun. Garret’s running out of time and he’s losing patience as he waits for his father to take action. It’s getting harder to keep this a secret from Jade, and he may not be able to after an unexpected visitor stops by.

Harper and Sean have their own dilemma, yet neither one of them understands what’s really going on. Jade and Garret don’t want to get involved, but it’s hard not to when they learn about the plan for Harper’s future. But Jade and Garret have to stay out of it. They have their own issues to deal with.

With the timer literally ticking away, Garret decides to take matters into his own hands. But does he have what it takes to end this? If he does this, he can’t go back. He’ll never be the same. But he has no choice. He’ll do whatever it takes to save Jade.

I can't wait to get my hands on this book! I need to know what happens next with Garret and Jade. Luckily I only have to wait three more days!

What are you "Waiting on?"

Quotes (#98)

Morning Swooners,
I love this pic... I really do love coffee. After a night like last night I will need plenty of it to get me though this day. Any ways in my fit of being unable to sleep I finally got to watch Mockingjay part 1, and in honor of this momentous occasion I decided that my quotes for today would be Hunger Games themed! May the odds be ever in you favor today.

“It takes ten times as long to put yourself back together as it does to fall apart.”
~Suzanne Collins, Mockingjay

“Fire is catching! And if we burn, you burn with us!”
~Suzanne Collins, Mockingjay

“You know, you could live a thousand lifetimes and not deserve him.”
~Suzanne Collins, Catching Fire

“At some point, you have to stop running and turn around and face whoever wants you dead.The hard thing is finding the courage to do it.”
~Suzanne Collins, Catching Fire

“You’re not leaving me here alone,” I say. Because if he dies, I’ll never go home, not really. I’ll spend the rest of my life in this arena, trying to think my way out.”
~Suzanne Collins, The Hunger Games

“Only I keep wishing I could think of a way...to show the Capitol they don't own me. That I'm more than just a piece in their Games.”
~Suzanne Collins, The Hunger Games

“My spirit. This is a new thought. I'm not sure exactly what it means, but it suggests I'm a fighter. In a sort of brave way. It's not as if I'm never friendly. Okay, maybe I don't go around loving everybody I meet, maybe my smiles are hard to come by, but i do care for some people.”
~Suzanne Collins, The Hunger Games

Have a wonderful week!

Favorite Friday (#26) - Delirium by Lauren Oliver

This week pick is: Delirium by Lauren Oliver.

Ninety-five days, and then I'll be safe. I wonder whether the procedure will hurt. I want to get it over with. It's hard to be patient. It's hard not to be afraid while I'm still uncured, though so far the deliria hasn't touched me yet. Still, I worry. They say that in the old days, love drove people to madness. The deadliest of all deadly things: It kills you both when you have it and when you don't.

Jenn actually recommended this book to me, and I am so glad I listened to her. It's such a great story! Delirium is full of forbidden love, action and rebellion. It's a must read.

About the author:

Lauren Oliver comes from a family of writers and so has always (mistakenly) believed that spending hours in front of the computer every day, mulling over the difference between “chortling” and “chuckling,” is normal. She has always been an avid reader.

She attended the University of Chicago, where she continued to be as impractical as possible by majoring in philosophy and literature. After college, she attended the MFA program at NYU and worked briefly as the world’s worst editorial assistant, and only marginally better assistant editor, at a major publishing house in New York. Her major career contributions during this time were flouting the corporate dress code at every possible turn and repeatedly breaking the printer. Before I Fall is her first published novel.

She is deeply grateful for the chance to continue writing, as she has never been particularly good at anything else.

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?

Book Blast + Giveaway: Liars, Inc. by Paula Stokes

Liars, Inc. By Paula Stokes

Expected Release Date: March 24, 2015

Publisher: HarperTeen

Amazon / Barnes & Nobles / Book Depository

Synopsis:

For fans of Gone Girl, I Hunt Killers, and TV's How to Get Away with Murder.

Max Cantrell has never been a big fan of the truth, so when the opportunity arises to sell forged permission slips and cover stories to his classmates, it sounds like a good way to make a little money and liven up a boring senior year. With the help of his friends Preston and Parvati, Max starts Liars, Inc. Suddenly everybody needs something and the cash starts pouring in. Who knew lying could be so lucrative?

When Preston wants his own cover story to go visit a girl he met online, Max doesn’t think twice about hooking him up. Until Preston never comes home. Then the evidence starts to pile up—terrifying clues that lead the cops to Preston’s body. Terrifying clues that point to Max as the murderer.

Can Max find the real killer before he goes to prison for a crime he didn’t commit? In a story that Kirkus Reviews called "Captivating to the very end," Paula Stokes starts with one single white lie and weaves a twisted tale that will have readers guessing until the explosive final chapters.

For more information, check out THE OFFICIAL LIARS, INC. WEBSITE.

The Giveaway:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

About The Author

Paula Stokes writes stories about flawed characters with good hearts who sometimes make bad decisions. She’s the author of several YA novels, most recently Liars, Inc. and The Art of Lainey. Her writing has been translated into nine foreign languages. Paula loves kayaking, hiking, reading, and seeking out new adventures in faraway lands She also loves interacting with readers. Find her online at authorpaulastokes.com or on twitter as @pstokesbooks.

Author Links: Website / Twitter / Facebook / Instagram / Goodreads

This book blast is hosted by:

Review: Blushing by Katie Delahanty

Blushing
(The Brightside #2)
Author: Katie Delahanty
Release Date: February 23, 2015
Publisher: Entangled Embrace
Source: Entangled Publishing
Review by: Nahomi

My name is Olivia Bloom and I. Am. Engaged.

When Berkeley proposed I thought we’d live happily ever after—we’d plan our wedding and he’d tour with the Brightside while I continued designing lingerie. But instead he dropped a bombshell that turned my life upside down: he’s set to star in a movie with, who else, his gorgeous ex, Christina Carlton. And what’s more? I’ve been erased from the public eye. All anyone can talk about is #Berkstina.

Berkeley wants me to work on set as a costume designer—a dream come true—but there’s a catch; we have to keep our relationship secret. I’m okay with not being photographed, but the sneaking around, the lies, the love scenes; it’s not how I imagined our engagement. I know Berkeley is passionate and driven, but he has so much going on—I don’t know if we can take it. I’m starting to wonder how well I know him.

I love him, but am I ready to drop everything and decide the rest of my life? To become Olivia Dalton?

4.5 stars out of 5 stars
*I received an eARC of this title from the publisher but it did not influenced this review in any way.*

I was so excited to get to read Blushing! I absolutely loved catching up with all of my favorite characters! I was starting to have Berkley and Liv withdrawls like seriously.

The Story:
I love the concept of this novel. The plot is a little predictable but there are definitely some plot twists that left me in shock. I like the mystery component of the story. I didn't really know who is causing all the trouble on set, which made me suspicious of everyone. There were times I really felt bad for Liv because man it just seemed like everyone was against her, like she didn't have anyone on her side. I am glad she was able to over come those obstacles. What really has me hooked on this story is the wonderful characters. I love to read about their lives and Ms. Delahanty does a great job of making the reader feel like a part of their story.

The Characters:
I am really happy with Liv's character growth, although there were times I just wanted to slap her because I swear she's used the same tactic before and it didn't go so well the first time either. I forgave her because she grew a pair of balls by the end of the story and when after what she wanted. I was really annoyed with Berkley for a lot of the story and we don't get to see him as much as I would have liked but he was acting like a douche canoe for most of the story but I forgave him by the end too. Really, both Berkley and Liv were at fault for their communication issues.

I enjoyed getting lost between the pages of Blushing. It is a great story that will leave you feeling good.

Waiting on Wednesday (#98)

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:

Captive by Brighton Walsh

Expected Release Date: March 24, 2015

Links: Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Goodreads

Synopsis:

He’s the most dangerous man she’s ever met…and she’s falling in love with him.

Madison Frost is desperate to escape her life. Daughter of a prominent businessman, she has everything a girl could ask for. Except for a family who’s present in her life, and anyone to talk to outside the four walls of the prison she calls home. Madison dreams of one day leaving her life behind. She never thought being kidnapped is how it would happen.

Now she’s being held captive by a man who’s as frightening as he is sinfully gorgeous. Enormous, muscular, and filled with secrets, the man they call Ghost is an enigmatic mercenary, and Madison is trapped with him. She doesn’t know who hired him or why, but the more time she spends at his mercy, the more she realizes he’s not what he seems. Beneath his rough exterior lies an unexpected gentleness and a heart as broken and battered as her own.

But as Madison lets down her walls, Ghost holds tight to his, hiding secrets that could destroy everything.

Brighton Walsh has a new novel coming out and like always, I'll always be reading and buying her books. This one sounds so interesting so I'm definitely buying this on release day.

What are you "Waiting on?"

Quotes (#97)

Morning Swooners,

I'm so dreading this week... there is so much to get done and the time is passing so quickly! Well, on to our quotes maybe that will make me feel better.

“When I discover who I am, I’ll be free.”
~Ralph Ellison, Invisible Man

“What and how much had I lost by trying to do only what was expected of me instead of what I myself had wished to do?”
~Ralph Ellison, Invisible Man

“Life is to be lived, not controlled; and humanity is won by continuing to play in face of certain defeat.”
~Ralph Ellison, Invisible Man

“The bird that would soar above the level plain of tradition and prejudice must have strong wings.” ~Kate Chopin, The Awakening

“Your thorns are the best part of you.”
~ Marianne Moore

“The deepest feeling always shows itself in silence.”
~ Marianne Moore

“May your trails be crooked, winding, lonesome, dangerous, leading to the most amazing view.” ~Edward Abbey

Have a great week!

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