WoW Pick of the Week!

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine. It is a chance to share those new releases were are super anxious to get our hands on and read.


It has been way too long since I have read a book by Schroeder and I really like the way this one sounds, quite different from some of her others and I actually like how simple the cover is. 

Release Date: July 28, 2015 (Scholastic)

Book Description:

What do you do with your last day on earth?

Just over twenty-four hours are left until an asteroid strikes North America, and for Emerson and everyone else who didn't leave, the world will end. But Emerson's world already ended when she ran away from home. Since then, she has lived on the streets, relying on her wits and on her friend Vince to help her find places to sleep and food to eat.

The city's quieter now that most people are gone, and no one seems to know what to do as the end approaches. But then Emerson and Vince meet Carl, who tells them he has been granting people's wishes -- and gives them his wallet full of money. 


Suddenly, this last day seems full of possibility. Emerson and Vince can grant a lot of wishes in one last day -- maybe even their own.

Release Day Review: Pirate's Alley by Suzanne Johnson

Title: Pirate's Alley
Author: Suzanne Johnson
Series: Book Four in the Sentinels of New Orleans Series
Published By: Tor Books (April 21. 2015)
Source: ARC Copy Provided by the Author (in exchange for an honest review)
Genre: Urban Fantasy
My Rating: 5 Stars!


Book Description:
Wizard sentinel DJ Jaco thought she had gotten used to the chaos of her life in post-Katrina New Orleans, but a new threat is looming, one that will test every relationship she holds dear.

Caught in the middle of a rising struggle between the major powers in the supernatural world—the Wizards, Elves, Vampires and the Fae—DJ finds her loyalties torn and her mettle tested in matters both professional and personal.

Her relationship with enforcer Alex Warin is shaky, her non-husband, Quince Randolph, is growing more powerful, and her best friend, Eugenie, has a bombshell that could blow everything to Elfheim and back. And that's before the French pirate, Jean Lafitte, newly revived from his latest "death," returns to New Orleans with vengeance on his mind. DJ's assignment? Keep the sexy leader of the historical undead out of trouble. Good luck with that.

Duty clashes with love, loyalty with deception, and friendship with responsibility as DJ navigates passion and politics in the murky waters of a New Orleans caught in the grips of a brutal winter that might have nothing to do with Mother Nature.

War could be brewing, and DJ will be forced to take a stand. But choosing sides won't be that easy.

*Amazon*B&N*

Have I mentioned how much I adore this series? Because I do, I really really do.

Suzanne is such an amazing writer, no matter what it is that she writes, truly,  but this series, set in the heart of New Orleans, is just something special and by far my favorite of her's. And then there is Jean, really, if you have read this series before, you know exactly what I mean about “Jean”. The sexy as all get out undead pirate. Jean, 'nough said. Okay, maybe that isn't quite enough said, but close. 

Truly, this series is packed full of wonderful characters. Some I already loved, and others, after this book, I love even more.

This was not a disappointment, in fact, I am so in love with this series and I already loved it but there was just something about this that was...more. More action, more danger, more mystery, more romance, more magic, more deception, more adventure, more, more, more.

I am in awe with the fast moving plot line, the fun premises, even better setting, and characters that are hard not to root for and fall in love with.

D,J, has been through so much and even though she was already one tough, fierce chick, she grows even more. So much happened and so much left is still to happen. I can't even begin to tell you that this was a fabulous addition to the series and the ending left me almost in tears because I wasn't ready for it to be over and I simply wanted more. Johnson is a bit mean for leaving it the way she did but it also makes me that much more excited for what is to come. 

*All thoughts and opinions are my own and were not influenced by the author or publisher. I was not compensated for this review.*

Blog Tour Book Review and Giveaway: Paradise City by C.J. Duggan

Welcome to my tour stop for C.J. Duggan's new series, Paradise City! 

Release Date: April 28, 2015 by Hachette Australia

Series: Book One in the Paradise City Series

Genre: YA Contemporary 


Book Description:

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, excitingdoesn'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?

*Amazon*Barnes and Noble*iTunes*Kobo*GooglePlay*

About the Author:

C.J Duggan is an Internationally Number One Best Selling Author who lives with her husband in a rural border town of New South Wales, Australia. When she isn't writing books about swoony boys and 90's pop culture you will find her renovating her hundred-year-old Victorian homestead or annoying her local travel agent for a quote to escape the chaos. The Boys of Summer is Book One in her highly successful New Adult Romance Series.

The 'Summer Series'
The Boys of Summer (December 2012)
Stan (October 2014)
An Endless Summer (July 2013)
MAX (TBA 2015)
That One Summer (December 2013)
Ringer (March 2014)

Forever Summer (TBA 2015)


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For further information please contact Josephine Perry on (02) 8248 0849 or josephine.perry@hachette.com.au

Don't forget to check out all the other stops for the tour!

I have enjoyed Duggan's other series and was intrigued when I saw that she had a new one coming out.
It is always fun to see how an author will shake it up when the genre is slightly different (or very different in some cases) and if truth be told, I was hoping this one might be sightly edgier, grittier than her other.

I liked Lexie immediately. There was just something charming about her small town girl with big dreams attitude.

Her and Luke together were a lot of fun. Their banter and funny moments probably made this book along with some fun and engaging secondary characters that I wish were just a bit more fleshed out, but make it exciting to see what the next book will have in store for them.

I am still somewhat shocked that this ended the way it did however. I wasn't expecting it to be left so much in the air. I knew this was a series but I was seriously hoping each book would end with some kind of conclusion instead of leaving us hanging like this did. Nothing was actually left done. It was all undone, up in the air, and on the edge of a precept. 

However, with an ending like that one, the author is pretty much guaranteed her readers will come back for more.

*All thoughts and opinions are my own and were not influenced by the author or publisher. I was not compensated for this review.*

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Review: The Fearless by Emma Pass

Title: The Fearless
Author: Emma Pass
Series: Book One
Published By: Delacorte Books For Young Readers (April 14, 2015)
Source: ARC Copy Provided by the Publisher (in exchange for an honest review)
Genre: YA Dystopian
My Rating: 3 Stars


Book Description:
The Fearless. An army, powered by an incredible new serum that makes each soldier stronger, sharper, faster than their enemies. Intended as a force for good, the serum has a terrible side-effect - anyone who takes it is stripped of all humanity, empathy, love. And as the Fearless sweep through the country, forcing the serum on anyone in their path, society becomes a living nightmare.

Cass remembers the night they passed through her village. Her father was Altered. Her mother died soon after. All Cass has left is her little brother - and when Jori is snatched by the Fearless and taken to their hellish lair, Cass must risk everything to get him back. 

*Amazon*B&N*

I am always up for a good dystopian and the more real feeling and believable the better. For some unknown reason, I like to be frightened with the what ifs of a good story that I can totally see happening  in the future and the virus that is created and later altered, was just such an experience.

The Fearless are a frightening bunch. Soldiers that have no fear, no emotions, feel no pain, and will stop at nothing to get what they want. Super fast and super strong, with heightened senses and you truly have something that screams terrifying zombie! 

With a strong start that is action packed and a world that you can truly imagine, this was a fun and unique read. A slower middle and an ending that will leave you with tons of questions, this was a good start to what promises to be an interesting series with a lot of potential.

*All thoughts and opinions are my own and were not influenced by the author or publisher. I was not compensated for this review.*

Blog Tour Guest Post: Aimee and the Heartthrob by Ophelia London

I am so excited to be a part of this blog tour because as most of you may have saw (review here), I really had fun reading this one and I just love this author. All her stories and retellings are just brilliant.

In case you missed my review for Aimee, please check it out HERE!


Thank you so much Ophelia for being here today!!

Published By: Entangled Crush (April 14, 2015)

 Book Description:

He never noticed her before, but now she’s all he can see…

Miles Carlisle is every teen girl’s fantasy. His rugged good looks and exotic British accent have helped catapult his boy band, Seconds to Juliet, to super-stardom. But after two disastrous and very public breakups, Miles isn’t interested in dating just any girl; he wants The One. And the only girl he’s interested in is not only his best friend’s little sister―and off-limits―but won’t even give him the time of day…

As a kid, Aimee Bingham had a huge thing for Miles…until he made fun of her for always tagging along. Now that she’s outgrown both him and her pigtails. the prospect of spending two weeks on tour with the childhood crush who broke her heart isn’t exactly enticing. Except now Miles seems interested. Very interested. And no matter how hard Aimee tries to resist him, her crush is definitely making a comeback.


But everyone knows that falling for a heartthrob is a backstage pass to heartbreak… 

*Amazon*B&N*Kobo*


About the Author:

USA Today bestselling author Ophelia London was born and raised among the redwood trees in beautiful northern California. Once she was fully educated, she decided to settle in Florida, but her car broke down in Texas and she’s lived in Dallas ever since. A cupcake and treadmill aficionado (obviously those things are connected), she spends her time watching arthouse movies and impossibly trashy TV, while living vicariously through the characters in the books she writes. Ophelia is the author of SOMEDAY MAYBE; DEFINITELY, MAYBE IN LOVE; ABBY ROAD and CROSSING ABBY ROAD; the Perfect Kisses series including: FALLING FOR HER SOLDIER, PLAYING AT LOVE, SPEAKING OF LOVE, and MAKING WAVES; the upcoming AIMEE AND THE HEARTTHROB for Entangled’s Teen Crush line, and the upcoming Sugar City series for Entangled’s Bliss line. Visit her at ophelialondon.com. But don’t call when The Vampire Diaries (or Dawson's Creek) is on.

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Guest Post:

Topic: where your inspiration comes from. Are any of your characters in your stories from real life people?

Hey guys! I’m so happy to be here. I’ve been asked to share with you about where my inspiration comes from, and if any of my characters come from my real life. Great topic! My newest book, Aimee and the Heartthrob, is about Miles Carlisle, a hottie in a boyband. Although I’ve never met a member of a boyband, I have yeeeeeeears of experience loving boybands. So maybe I’m more like Aimee in the story, who falls in love with Miles. Yeah, I have plenty of that kind of experience! 

I love writing romance, about first kisses and last kisses and all the kisses in between. And I’ve been dating for a long time, so, as far as wondering if any of the characters I write are based on real people…the answer is definitely yes. Though I try to be sensitive and at least change the names and parts of the details. But sometimes, I don’t change a single thing. For example…

In Aimee and the Heartthrob, to help Miles break his writers block, Aimee challenges him to write her a song on the piano (because he really wants to branch out and learn more instruments). Miles struggles with the challenge for a while, until he comes up with a creative and romantic way to satisfy Aimee’s challenge. I never give spoilers, so you’ll have to read the book to find out what Miles does. But I will tell you this: When I was in college, I dated a guy in a band who was having the same creativity struggle as Miles. I issued him the same challenge as in the book, and what Miles does is the same thing that my guy did. Yeah, so I pretty much stole that entire experience, but I checked with my ex first, making sure it would be okay if I shared with the world exactly how he wrote “On the Piano.”  And the rest, as they say, is history!


So there you have it. Yes, I’m inspired from past experiences, and double yes, I definitely write about people in my real life. As I’ve told my friends for years, “be careful what you say, you might end up in my novel.” Hee-hee 

Blog Tour Book Review and Giveaway: Seduced by Sunday by Catherine Bybee

Once again I'm so excited to be a part of this tour because Catherine has really come to be one of those authors that I just know I can depend on when I want a good steamy, smile inducing romance and her latest installment is no different.

SEDUCED BY SUNDAY

The Weekday Bride Series, Book SIX

Montlake Romance, Contemporary

April 14, 2015, First Edition

Paperback & Kindle

Meg Rosenthal: Matchmaker by day, realist by night, Meg is not about to get swept away by a charming, darkly handsome businessman in a designer suit. 

She’s come to a beautiful secluded resort to evaluate the private island’s potential for her agency, not to ogle its owner. But there’s something about the magnetic man that’s hard to resist, even for a woman who refuses to fall in love. 

Valentino Masini: A successful and drop-dead sexy businessman, Valentino is used to having the finer things in life. Yet he’s never wanted someone the way he wants Meg, who’s stirring up a hurricane of trouble in his heart. But just as he decides to convince her to stay, someone else decides it might be time to get Meg off the island...permanently. 

Praise for Catherine Bybee

“Suspense, survival, and chemistry mix in this scintillating read in the style of Julie Garwood and Suzanne Brockmann.” —Booklist on Fiancé by Friday

"This is a book nobody should miss, because the magic it contains is awesome." —Booked Up Reviews on Married by Monday

"[A] wonderfully exciting plot, lots of desire, and some sassy attitude thrown in for good measure!" —Harlequin Junkie on Single by Saturday

Author Bio:

New York Times & USA Today bestselling author Catherine Bybee was raised in Washington State, but after graduating high school, she moved to Southern California in hopes of becoming a movie star. After growing bored with waiting tables, she returned to school and became a registered nurse, spending most of her career in urban emergency rooms. She now writes full-time and has penned the Weekday Brides Series and the Not Quite Series. Bybee lives with her husband and two teenage sons in Southern California.  

CONTACT LINKS:

www.catherinebybe.com

catherinebybee@yahoo.com

catherinebybee.blogspot.com

twitter.com/catherinebybee

BUY LINKS:

Amazon:  http://www.amazon.com/Seduced-Sunday-Weekday-Brides-Book-ebook/dp/B00NWS4AIK/ref=sr_1_1_twi_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1426138407&sr=8-1&keywords=seduced+by+sunday

B&N:  http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/seduced-by-sunday-catherine-bybee/1120641952?ean=9781477827772

BAM:  http://www.booksamillion.com/p/Seduced-Sunday/Catherine-Bybee/9781477827772?id=6165479539816

BOOK DEPOSITORY:  http://www.bookdepository.com/Seduced-by-Sunday-Catherine-Bybee/9781477827772

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I have had so much fun reading this series, it is just one of those series that as soon as you pick up the book, you just know you are in for a good time. Great characters, great setting, and a feel good slow burn romance that is always full of tension is all the right ways.

I have been wanting Meg's story for awhile now and was so very excited to find out that her's would finally be told and what a story!

I loved this. I loved the instant sparks (not insta-love) and Val and Meg were just..magical together. 

Like most of Bybee's stories, nothing ever comes easy to her characters but all the struggle and sometimes heartache,are worth it when you finally get to the end. To the happily ever after that leaves you with a silly goofy grin on your face. 

I love that this took place somewhere different. The island setting was amazing and many times I imagined and wished I could be there with them experiencing it all. Most importantly, I love that while this can be a stand alone, it has many of the characters from the previous books. Ones we already love and care about. It is so much fun when that happens. I was so excited for some many of them and love that we always get that little bit more when it comes to them.

Once again this was an amazing love story that kept me turning the pages and wanting more.

*All thoughts and opinions are my own and were not influenced by the author or publisher. I was not compensated for this review.*

Blog Tour Book Review: Zombie-Saurus Rex by Mark Souza

Welcome to my tour stop for Zombie-Saurus Rex! This was such a fun and different read that I really hope you will check it out and consider reading it, especially if you are a fan of zombies!!

Tour Page & Schedule

About Zombie-saurus Rex:

Rex Morton, a seventeen year-old zombie, has arrived in the small farming town of Plain View, Nebraska; just another stop in a long string of small towns left behind in their rear view mirror. Unlike the zombie stereotype, Rex is bright and friendly - as long as he doesn't get hungry. He hopes this time he can manage to stick around long enough to get his diploma.

Rex’s fiercely protective mother has strong armed yet another school district into accepting her son by threatening a discrimination lawsuit. At Plain View High, a dismal pattern of fear, prejudice, and bullying steers Rex down a familiar path toward expulsion. The difference this time is that Rex has fallen for fiery Goth girl, Ariella Klopenstein, the daughter of the Police Chief, and decided he will make his stand in Plain View.

As the Z-virus spreads west and the country panics, Rex and Ariella must find a way to overcome Rex’s mother who wants to break them apart and flee town, a school principal who wants Rex expelled, Ariella’s father, the Police Chief, who thinks Rex is dangerous, and a government zombie round-up aimed at solving the zombie problem once and for all.

Zombie-saurus Rex is a story about perseverance, overcoming prejudice, stereotypes and adversity. What it isn’t is a story about dinosaurs. The title is inspired by a nickname a school bully hangs on Rex due to his size, posture, and slow plodding gate.

Goodreads | Amazon

About the Author:

Author Mark Souza has always been a storyteller, whether explaining who filched the ice cream, or what happened to the cat’s tail. He learned most of life’s lessons from the business end of a wooden spoon, and the rest from public schools spanning the breadth of North America, all of which were overjoyed to be rid of him. He became an author of short stories and novels in the horror, mystery, thriller, and young adult genres later in life, after time and a desk job had softened his edges, transforming him into the round, doughy shape Big-&-Not-So-Tall shops crave.

Mark was the proud recipient of the 2013 Indie Reader Award for Best Science Fiction for his debut novel Robyn’s Egg.

He now resides in Western Washington with his wife (also an author), two daughters, and their dog of questionable heritage, Tater. Visit his website; http://www.marksouza,com. There you’ll find a multitude of ways to make contact. Mark enjoys cordial correspondence and will write back. He’s always on the lookout for that next victim reader.

Website | Twitter @souzawrites | Facebook

Giveaway:

$50 Amazon Gift Card (INT)

Ends 5/21

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This event was organized by CBB Book Promotions.

I have a confession to make, zombie books just usually aren't my thing. I rarely read them, although I have a nasty habit of buying them because I always think they look good but when it comes to actually picking them up and trying them? Nope, it just doesn't happen.

But I wanted something different, something fun and this looked like just the read for that and plus, hello, zombies! Something I always tell myself I will try and read but rarely do, so win win right?

This was a fun read, it was fast, it had action, it had romance, and it was completely different. Everything I pretty much asked for. Rex was lovable in all his sluggish zombie ways and his best friend, Howie added an extra comic relief that made this truly different.

This wasn't a totally perfect read however, with being such a short novel, the explanation to the Z-virus was sparse and the insta love was at times, almost sickly sweet and bothersome but the fast paced plot kept me interested and turning the pages. 

Overall this was a delightful and fun read that I think anyone wanting some different and who loves zombies, will enjoy. 

*All thoughts and opinions are my own and were not influenced by an outside source. I was not compensated for this review.*