Stacking the Shelves

Stacking the Shelves is a weekly meme hosted by Tynga's Reviews. With this amazing meme, you can check out which books I've gotten this past week.

From Netgalley

A Magic Dark and Bright
She meant to help a ghost...not unleash a curse.

Amelia Dupree hasn’t seen the Woman in White since the night her brother died.

The ghost seems to have disappeared from the woods surrounding Asylum, Pennsylvania—that is, until Charlie Blue moves into the creepy old MacAllister House next door. Amelia can’t help liking him, even though she spent her childhood thinking his grandmother was a witch. And she definitely can’t ignore the connection between his arrival and the Woman in White’s return.

Then Amelia learns that the Woman in White is a prisoner, trapped between the worlds of the living and the dead. Devastated by the idea that her brother could be suffering a similar fate, Amelia decides to do whatever it takes to help the Woman in White find peace--and Charlie agrees to help her.

But when Amelia’s classmates start to drown in the Susquehanna River, one right after another, rumors swirl as people begin to connect the timing of Charlie’s arrival with the unexplained deaths. As Charlie and Amelia uncover the dark history of Asylum, they realize they may have unleashed an unspeakable evil. One they have to stop before everything they love is destroyed. 

Bought

The Ruby Circle

The epic conclusion to Richelle Mead's New York Times bestselling Bloodlines series is finally here...

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. They protect vampire secrets—and human lives.

After their secret romance is exposed, Sydney and Adrian find themselves facing the wrath of both the Alchemists and the Moroi in this electrifying conclusion to Richelle Mead’s New York Times bestselling Bloodlines series. When the life of someone they both love is put on the line, Sydney risks everything to hunt down a deadly former nemesis. Meanwhile, Adrian becomes enmeshed in a puzzle that could hold the key to a shocking secret about spirit magic, a secret that could shake the entire Moroi world. 

Won

A Cold Legacy
After killing the men who tried to steal her father’s research, Juliet—along with Montgomery, Lucy, Balthazar, and a deathly ill Edward—has escaped to a remote estate on the Scottish moors. Owned by the enigmatic Elizabeth von Stein, the mansion is full of mysteries and unexplained oddities: dead bodies in the basement, secret passages, and fortune-tellers who seem to know Juliet’s secrets. Though it appears to be a safe haven, Juliet fears new dangers may be present within the manor’s own walls.

Then Juliet uncovers the truth about the manor’s long history of scientific experimentation—and her own intended role in it—forcing her to determine where the line falls between right and wrong, life and death, magic and science, and promises and secrets. And she must decide if she’ll follow her father’s dark footsteps or her mother’s tragic ones, or whether she’ll make her own.

With inspiration from Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, this breathless conclusion to the Madman’s Daughter trilogy is about the things we’ll sacrifice to save those we love—even our own humanity.

Huge thank you to Kathryn @TheBookDate for hosting an amazing giveaway! The UK cover of this book is absolutely beautiful and I'm so happy I have it in my hands. :)

From Publisher

The Girl at Midnight
For readers of Cassandra Clare's City of Bones and Leigh Bardugo's Shadow and Bone, The Girl at Midnight is the story of a modern girl caught in an ancient war.

Beneath the streets of New York City live the Avicen, an ancient race of people with feathers for hair and magic running through their veins. Age-old enchantments keep them hidden from humans. All but one. Echo is a runaway pickpocket who survives by selling stolen treasures on the black market, and the Avicen are the only family she's ever known.

Echo is clever and daring, and at times she can be brash, but above all else she's fiercely loyal. So when a centuries-old war crests on the borders of her home, she decides it's time to act.

Legend has it that there is a way to end the conflict once and for all: find the Firebird, a mythical entity believed to possess power the likes of which the world has never seen. It will be no easy task, but if life as a thief has taught Echo anything, it's how to hunt down what she wants . . . and how to take it.

But some jobs aren't as straightforward as they seem. And this one might just set the world on fire.

Thank you to Random House Canada for providing me with an ARC copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. 

What did you guys get this week? Let me know in the comments.

Book Blitz + Excerpt & Giveaway: Revelations by Jennifer Carole Lewis

Publication Date: January 30, 2015
Genre: NA, Romance, Paranormal
Amazon ~ Goodreads 

Synopsis: For millennia, the lalassu have existed at the fringes of society, hiding in the shadows. But someone is determined to drag them into the light.

Dani has spent years fighting against her family’s urges to take on the mantle of High Priestess for the lalassu. Stronger and faster than any ordinary human, she has no interest in being a guide for her people. She likes being independent and enjoys her night-job as a burlesque dancer. But a darker secret lurks inside of her, one which threatens everyone around her.

Isolated and idealistic, Michael works as a developmental therapist for children, using his psychometric gifts to discover the secrets they can’t share with anyone else. When one of his clients is kidnapped, he will do almost anything to rescue her. The investigation leads him to a seedy little performance club where he is shocked and thrilled to discover a genuine live superhero.

Michael and Dani must join forces to save those they care about from becoming the latest victims of a decades-long hunt. But the fiery chemistry between them threatens to unlock a millennia-old secret which could devour them both.

The clock is ticking and they will be faced with the ultimate hero’s choice: save the world or save each other? 

Excerpt

Chapter One

Wherever there is prey, there are hunters. Jungle, ocean, city—the location doesn’t matter. A predator will always find the vulnerable.

People spilled across the Lost Eden’s dance floor, a constant tide of glittering men and women ebbing to and from the bar. Dim lights flattered the desperate and popular alike, hiding the first glimpses of age-drawn wrinkles.

Past experience had taught Dani Harris that she could choose whomever she wanted from the crowd to go home with. The small army of free drinks lining the bar behind her only reinforced the lesson. But she’d come here with a specific purpose in mind, dressed in her guaranteed-to-attract-attention, curve-hugging red silk dress, her black hair artfully tousled to evoke sweat-dampened pillows and her eyes painted with smoldering charcoal for a classic bedroom look. All she needed was a suitable candidate.

Toying with the straw in her drink and scanning the crowd, she made note of the few potential candidates. Her fingers clenched the straw, crushing it with her growing unease. Since she’d sat down, the sexual tension had ratcheted up, becoming as tangible as the dry ice fog. Guilt gnawed at her, but she’d already pushed her luck further than she should have. She didn’t have the time to indulge in her conscience. Time to choose and hope she didn’t end up too badly scarred.

The thickly muscled black man with the shaved head in the corner kept fondling the waitresses and the customers, using his size to intimidate any potential protests. The blond in the custom-tailored leather jacket up on the VIP platform, whose companions avoided eye contact as he carried on an energetic monologue, ignoring the buxom redhead cuddled up to his side. A pair of massive bodyguards stood guard at the entrance. And the guy with the purple hair, piercings in his nose, lip, and tongue was harassing the female DJ, trying to climb into the booth. They were the best she could hope for tonight.

Brilliant light strobed the crowd in time with frenetic bass and drums. Dani scanned the club again, shaking her head lightly. The crowd was beginning to turn ugly, shoving matches breaking out on the dance floor. The oaky taste of her whiskey went sour on her tongue. She should leave and try her luck elsewhere.

“You can’t leave just yet.” A deep male voice cut across the ambient noise.

Perhaps she had a winner after all. “Why the hell not?”

“Because then I wouldn’t get a chance to talk to you.” It was the blond from the platform. “And you should know that I personally find it inexcusable.”

“What would that be?” She didn’t offer him a seat but wasn’t surprised when he took it anyway. Up close, his looks were even better: easily over six feet with broad shoulders and a well-used gym membership.

“Whoever left you waiting. He should have his head examined. Let me buy you a drink.” He lifted his hand in the bartender’s direction. Immediately, the young Latino man behind the bar abandoned the thirsty crowd to bring Dani’s new acquaintance a glass of scotch. 

His glib smugness struck sparks of irritation in her, but long practice helped her to keep her feelings masked under a seductive smile. Time for a test. “You know what they say. No matter how hot you are, someone is tired of your shit.” Dani looked deliberately at the VIP platform. “For example, I think Miss Copper Top over there is getting tired of yours.”

The buxom redhead in question glared down at them with a ridiculously childish, sulky pout. The blond glanced over his shoulder and waved his hand in a universal gesture of dismissal. Immediately, one of the bulky bodyguards approached the redhead and said something to her. She shouted something inaudible through the music and actually stamped her foot. The gentleman insisted and began escorting her off the platform.

“She won’t be a problem anymore.” The blond turned back to Dani, clearly pleased with himself. For the first time, his smile reached his eyes. He’d enjoyed the public spectacle and humiliation. “I’m Josh Hinton, and my family owns this club.”

Dani watched as the woman was summarily hustled out the front door. She forced herself to relax her grip on the smooth glass tumbler before she shattered it. 

“Break-up via bodyguard. A new low mark for the record books. Somewhere between text and post-it note.” Dani shook her head and started to get up again.

Josh immediately grabbed her arm and held her down in her seat, looming over her. “You didn’t tell me your name.”

Dani searched the room, considering her options. The bartenders were studiously ignoring her companion. The people who had been sitting beside her at the bar were long gone, pushed aside by Josh’s evident ego. A wild recklessness burned inside her, urging her to lash out and escape. But common sense warned her: no one wanted to get involved, and no one would stand up to help—and even if they did, she would still be trapped by her own demons.

Her mouth dried as a scrap of memory flickered briefly despite years of suppression. He must have seen the fear in her eyes. Predators always sensed fear no matter how deeply it was hidden. She’d learned that lesson the hard way.

“I think you’re starting to understand.” He let his hand trail up her arm, his thumb casually brushing against her breast on the way past. “I always get what I want.”

The bodyguards had descended and now stood on either side of Josh like unmovable monoliths, an unbreakable prison wall. Dani swallowed hard. It was as if the three men sucked up all the air around her. “You could have any other girl here. Why not pick someone more interested?”

“I like the challenge. Come with me to my apartment. You’d love the view.” He ran his hand freely up and down her side, a chill slither like the rasp of a reptile’s skin.

A human predator doesn’t take victims in public. A second location will be chosen in advance for the attack. Once a victim reaches the second location, chances of survival drop to nearly zero. Never go quietly to the second location. The words whispered inside her head, distantly remembered from the urgent plea of a police officer who’d spoken at her school.

“Don’t freeze up, and don’t pretend it isn’t what you came here for in your little red dress.” He slid his hand up her thigh, inching up the hemline. “Everyone comes here to have a good time.”

Dani studied the looming bodyguards. Not a blink or even a grimace of disapproval. The time for second thoughts was over. She wasn’t going to do better tonight. This was her punishment and the sooner she accepted it, the sooner it would be over. “Is that what you came for?”

“Business mostly. This tourist trap has a lot of things to recommend it.” He took a healthy swig from his drink.

It certainly had. The town of Perdition had a reputation as the “New York experience without the expense,” according to the tourist board. Between conventions and other events, the majority of the population changed on a weekly basis. It was one of the reasons her family had chosen to live here.

She put down her drink. No amount of whiskey would make this easier. She got to her feet but the bodyguards quickly blocked her exit. Adrenaline surged and her legs tensed to run but instead she forced herself to keep her wits. Blindly fleeing never helped. She couldn’t resist a flash of strength, glaring down at Josh, still perched on his stool. “Does this intimidation approach ever actually work for you?” 

He grinned. “I like you. You’re interesting. Most people don’t have the balls to call me on anything.” He stood up. “Let’s get out of here. Come on, I’ll show you I can be a nice guy with the right motivation.”

Dani kept her face impassive. Maybe this wouldn’t be as bad as she feared. Josh moved in for the kill. 

“Trust me. I’m worth it. I guarantee it’ll be a night you’ll always remember.”

Or one you’ll always pray to forget.

About the Author

Jennifer Carole Lewis is a full-time mom, a full-time administrator and a full-time writer, which means she is very much interested in speaking to anyone who comes up with any form of functional time-travel devices or practical cloning methods. Meanwhile, she spends her most of her time alternating between organizing and typing.

She is a devoted comic book geek and Marvel movie enthusiast. She spends far too much of her precious free time watching TV, especially police procedural dramas. Her enthusiasm outstrips her talent in karaoke, cross-stitch and jigsaw puzzles. She is a voracious reader of a wide variety of fiction and non-fiction and always enjoys seeking out new suggestions.

Twitter ~ Facebook ~ Website

Giveaway!!

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Waiting on Wednesday: The Shattered Court by M.J. Scott

Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we’re eagerly anticipating.

The Shattered Court by M.J. Scott
Series: A Novel of the Four Arts #1
Publication Date: April 28, 2015
Publisher: Roc
Genre: YA, Fantasy
Amazon ~ Goodreads ~ B&N

Synopsis: First in a new fantasy series from the author of the Novels of the Half-Light City.

Entangled in a court ruled by tradition and intrigue, a young witch must come to terms with newfound power and desire—and a choice between loyalty and survival.…

The royal witches of Anglion have bowed to tradition for centuries. If a woman of royal blood manifests powers, she is immediately bound by rites of marriage. She will serve her lord by practicing the tamer magics of the earth—ensuring good harvests and predicting the weather. Any magic more dangerous is forbidden.

Lady Sophia Kendall, thirty-second in line to the throne, is only days away from finding out if she will be blessed—or perhaps cursed—with magic. When a vicious attack by Anglion’s ancient enemies leaves the kingdom in chaos, Sophia is forced to flee the court. Her protector by happenstance is Lieutenant Cameron Mackenzie, a member of the royal guard, raised all his life to be fiercely loyal to the Crown.

Then Sophia’s powers manifest stronger than she ever imagined they would, and Cameron and she are inextricably linked in the process. As a witch unbound by marriage rites, Sophia is not only a threat to the established order of her country, but is also a weapon for those who seek to destroy it. Faced with old secrets and new truths, she must decide if she will fight for her country or succumb to the delicious temptation of power.…

Book Blitz + Giveaway: Exaltation by Jamie Magee

Publication Date: February 10, 2015
Genre: YA, Fantasy, Paranormal
Amazon ~ Goodreads ~ B&N

Synopsis: Fate is a twisted b*$#@, at least his was.

Was one soul worth the lives of millions? The quandary was one that Rydell King had no choice but to face. No matter the answer, the truth remained—innocence was created to destroy him. She was beautiful…extinguishing her to save his people seemed impossible, and maybe it was. As an immortal, his focus was to destroy the curse upon his people, as he devoured the emotion that bore him—exaltation, no matter the cost. She made him question everything. 

Mercy had never been crueler.

About the Author

Jamie Magee has always believed that each of us have a defining gift that sets us apart from the rest of the world, she has always envied those who have known from their first breath what their gift was. Not knowing hers, she began a career in the fast paced world of business. Raising a young family, and competing to rise higher in that field would drive some to the point of insanity, but she always found a moment of escape in a passing daydream. Her imagination would take her to places she’d never been, introduce her to people she’s never known. Insight, her debuting novel, is a result of that powerful imagination. Today, she is grateful that not knowing what defined her, led her on a path of discovery that would always be a part of her.

Website ~ Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Goodreads

Giveaway!!

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Shattered Secrets by Krystal Wade

Series: Book of Red #1
Publication Date: March 2, 2014
Genre: YA, Fantasy, Romance
Amazon ~ Goodreads ~ B&N

Synopsis: After being kidnapped, hogtied, and stuffed in the trunk of a car, seventeen-year-old Abigail Nichols' boy problems seem unimportant. 
She couldn't be more wrong.

The boy who saves her holds her heart. 

But Derick Crawford also holds secrets. 

Magical beings who guide human emotions are fighting an invisible war dating back to the dawn of time, and Abigail's one of them. The more she learns of her heritage, the less she wants to know. Armed with a very old, very massive book to teach them about their history, Abigail and Derick run away to a place where they think they can be safe and happy, only to have their troubles secretly hitch a ride.

Her history book is in a sharing mood, and it tells her to keep a secret of her own.

But has she put her trust in the wrong place?

And will the world survive if she has?

My Rating: 3/5 stars

My Review: Abigail loves Derick. After sharing their first kiss Derick completely stopped talking to Abigail without a reason why. As Abigail comes back form her first date after suffering form the heartbreak, she is kidnapped and taken to a cabin in the woods. What Abigail is about to find out is that her life might not be as normal as she thought it was. With her family keeping secrets, a new threat and two boys fighting over her, Abigail is in a huge mess.

I really wanted to give up on it when I started reading it, but I was determined to stick with this one till the end and write a review for it. If it wasn't for that I would have stopped reading. I kept putting the book down because it was really boring and I found the characters action to be silly and not a lot of action going on. 
A little after half way, the action pick up really well so the book got way more exciting, except the characters were still a little iffy to me. It wasn't until the last few chapters where the characters travel to a different place where I finally said "Oh wow, this is actually kind of cool." If the book was like that from the start I would have loved it, but sadly it wasn't.

The main character Abigail was nothing special, there wasn't anything about her that made me fall in love with her as a character. There were moments where I could somewhat relate to her or sympathize her emotions but that still wasn't enough to make me like her.
The swoon in this story wasn't that great either. I found him to be really annoying and childish at some moments, I was not impressed.

Honestly, if it wasn't for the ending of this book, I probably would have rated it one star, but the end was so fantastic that it makes me want to read more of this story.

I have no idea if I will continue on with the series, and I do recommend this book to people who don't really care for much action. Hopefully you like the characters and plot more than I did.

Happy reading,
-Aneta

Seeker by Arwen Elys Dayton

Series: Seeker #1
Publication Date: February 10, 2015
Publisher: Delacorte 
Genre: YA, Fantasy
Amazon ~ Goodreads ~ B&N

Synopsis: Quin Kincaid has been put through years of brutal training for what she thinks is the noble purpose of becoming a revered ‘Seeker’.

Only when it’s too late does she discover she will be using her new-found knowledge and training to become an assassin. Quin's new role will take her around the globe, from a remote estate in Scotland to a bustling, futuristic Hong Kong where the past she thought she had escaped will finally catch up with her.

My Rating: 3/5 stars

My Review: "She was a Seeker now, marked for life." 

Seeker is a epic fantasy story revolving around Quin, Shinobu and John. This book had amazing writing and world building, but sadly it fell short in plot and character development. While I did like the book in the end, it took a lot of will power for me to finish this book.

After years of training, Quin and Shinobu finally become Seekers, what they didn't expect was both their fathers being bribed by money to kill innocent people. With a knife at her throat, Quin is forced to become a Seeker and follow her fathers orders. As opportunities rise, Quin escapes with an ancient object used by the Seekers, in order to stop her father and the evil he has done.

I found this book to have so much potential, yet the book never really did anything with it. I love the idea of the Seekers and fantasy behind this whole book. The characters live in such a cool place and they travel to other places that honestly make me jealous and want to travel all over the world. But even though the world-building was fantastic, they never really went deeper into the history and duties of a Seeker which left me kind of puzzled.

The characters in this book were alright, there were some moments where I loved them, but most of the time I was frustrated with them.
Quin was one of the frustrating ones. While I loved how caring she was and how she felt so bad for doing all the things her father asked her to, I found her to be quite stupid. I do realize that she went through a lot, I mean I would be in rough shape too if I found out my father murdered children, but she just ends up running away from her problems rather than facing them, and she hopes that would make things better, which is obviously a bad mistake.
Shinobu was by far my favourite character of the book. I found his side of the story to be hilarious and adventurous. He does some crazy stuff in the middle of the book, but his intentions are always right, especially when it comes to Quin and his family.
I hate John. There I said it. He's a liar, he's crazy and I don't like him.

The plot of the story is what really made me dislike this book. While the story itself was good, the plot dragged on what felt like forever. There were definitely parts that could have been cut or shortened down to make the book go by faster, otherwise I feel like the reader is going to want to put the book down. The plot line didn't really get interesting till about 85% in, and for a 400+ page book thats a long time to wait.

Overall, this book really good and I enjoyed it, but the boring plot and some characters really dragged it down for me. I would still recommend this book to all Fantasy fans, as long as you don't need to much action to keep you interested. I'm looking forward to book 2, hoping that its much more interesting.

Happy Reading,
-Aneta

Waiting on Wednesday: Empire of Night by Kelley Armstrong

Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we’re eagerly anticipating.

Empire of Night by Kelley Armstrong
Series: Age of Legends #2
Publication Date: April 7, 2015
Publisher: HarperCollins
Genre:YA, Fantasy
Amazon ~ Goodreads ~ B&N

Synopsis: Sisters Moria and Ashyn are the Keeper and Seeker of Edgewood. Or at least, they were.

Their village is gone. Their friends have betrayed them. And now, the emperor has sent them on a mission to rescue the children of Edgewood—accompanied by Prince Tyrus and a small band of imperial warriors. But the journey proves more perilous than they could have imagined. With treachery and unrest mounting in the empire, Moria and Ashyn will have to draw on all their influence and power to overcome deadly enemies—not all of them human—and even avert an all-out war.

Book Blitz + Giveaway: Invaded by Melissa Landers

Happy Release Day to Invaded by Melissa Landers. I am so happy to be a part of this launch party. The first book in the series was absolutely amazing so I can't wait to see what Melissa has in store for us with the sequel. Don't forget to enter the giveaway at the bottom.

Note from Melissa Landers

Hey, fiction lovers. I’m Melissa Landers, author of the Alienated series (YA sci-fi from Disney-Hyperion), and today I’m bouncing with excitement because THE SEQUEL IS FINALLY HERE!

It’s been a year since we left Aelyx and Cara onboard the intergalactic transport, and INVADED begins with an emotional goodbye as they part ways—Aelyx returning to Earth to salvage the alliance, and Cara continuing to L’eihr to serve out her part of the student exchange. While they’re apart, our star-crossed lovers will face assassination attempts, betrayal, crippling self-doubt, and a sadistic alien Phys Ed class. (Because there’s no escaping PE, even in another galaxy.) When Aelyx and Cara finally reunite…well, let’s just say it’s combustive. ;-)

Invaded by Melissa Landers
Series: Alienated #1
Publication Date: February 3, 2015
Publisher: Disney-Hyperion
Genre: YA, Fantasy, Romance

Synopsis: The romantic sequel to Alienated takes long-distance relationships to a new level as Cara and Aelyx long for each other from opposite ends of the universe...until a threat to both their worlds reunites them. 

Cara always knew life on planet L’eihr would be an adjustment. With Aelyx, her L’eihr boyfriend, back on Earth, working to mend the broken alliance between their two planets, Cara is left to fend for herself at a new school, surrounded by hostile alien clones. Even the weird dorm pet hates her.

Things look up when Cara is appointed as human representative to a panel preparing for a human colony on L’eihr. A society melding their two cultures is a place where Cara and Aelyx could one day make a life together. But with L’eihr leaders balking at granting even the most basic freedoms, Cara begins to wonder if she could ever be happy on this planet, even with Aelyx by her side.

Meanwhile, on Earth, Aelyx, finds himself thrown into a full-scale PR campaign to improve human-L’eihr relations. Humans don’t know that their very survival depends on this alliance: only Aelyx’s people have the technology to fix the deadly contamination in the global water supply that human governments are hiding. Yet despite their upper hand, the leaders of his world suddenly seem desperate to get humans on their side, and hardly bat an eye at extremists’ multiple attempts on Aelyx’s life.

The Way clearly needs humans’ help . . . but with what? And what will they ask for in return?

What do reviewers think? I’m glad you asked!

“Readers will love the seamless blend of suspense, humor, and romance set against an interstellar landscape. Dual narratives and a tightly plotted mystery keep the suspense running high, and the chemistry between Aelyx and Cara smolders.” –Booklist

“Excellent character development and integration between modern reality and science fiction. Teens will be rooting for the galactic couple while enjoying the action and suspense that runs through the two volumes.” –School Library Journal

“The protagonists' forced separation gives greater depth to their romance. Each learns to turn a critical eye upon the flaws of their native societies while confronting genuine obstacles to a future together. These complications only underscore the growing sense of menace that propels the narrative to an action-packed climax.” –Kirkus

I hope you’ll make tracks to the nearest bookstore and pick up a copy of INVADED! If you’re snowed in, here are some easy links to bring the sequel right to you:

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

iBooks

Book Depository (free worldwide shipping)

Indie Bound

Indigo

Books-A-Million

About the Author

Bio: Melissa Landers is a former teacher who left the classroom to pursue other worlds. A proud sci-fi geek, she isn’t afraid to wear her Princess Leia costume in public—just ask her husband and three kids. She lives outside Cincinnati in the small town of Loveland, “Sweetheart of Ohio.” For more information, or just to say hello, visit www.melissa-landers.com.

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads | Pinterest | Tumblr | Instagram

Giveaway!

To celebrate my book birthday, I’m offering one lucky winner a $25 gift card to Barnes & Noble and an autographed swag pack, complete with mini posters of BOTH books! This giveaway is open internationally, and due to sweepstakes laws, entrants must be 18 years or older to participate.

Best of luck, and happy reading!

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Ticker by Lisa Mantchev

Publication Date: December 1, 2014
Publisher: Skyscape
Genre: YA, Fantasy, Steampunk
Amazon ~ Goodreads ~B&N

Synopsis: A girl with a clockwork heart must make every second count.

When Penny Farthing nearly dies, brilliant surgeon Calvin Warwick manages to implant a brass “Ticker” in her chest, transforming her into the first of the Augmented. But soon it’s discovered that Warwick killed dozens of people as he strove to perfect another improved Ticker for Penny, and he’s put on trial for mass murder.

On the last day of Warwick’s trial, the Farthings’ factory is bombed, Penny’s parents disappear, and Penny and her brother, Nic, receive a ransom note demanding all of their Augmentation research if they want to see their parents again. Is someone trying to destroy the Farthings...or is the motive more sinister?

Desperate to reunite their family and rescue their research, Penny and her brother recruit fiery baker Violet Nesselrode, gentleman-about-town Sebastian Stirling, and Marcus Kingsley, a young army general who has his own reasons for wanting to lift the veil between this world and the next. Wagers are placed, friends are lost, romance stages an ambush, and time is running out for the girl with the clockwork heart. 

My Rating: 4/5 stars

My Review: “I am more than a pretty little windup doll.” 

Penny is the first person with a clockwork heart. Due to a hereditary heart condition and a fatal accident, Penny's heart stopped working. Doctor Warwick managed to install a brass ticker that works as a windup heart. But when her doctor is locked away after being accused of murder, her family's factory blows up, and her parents get kidnapped, Penny makes it her mission to find her parents and uncover the truth.

Ticker is such a creative and hilarious novel. There were many parts that made me laugh and fall in love with the characters, but I also found some parts to be a little confusing and rushed, especially near the end.

Penny is a fantastic character. Even with a heart condition, she isn't afraid to go out and live life the way that she wants to, not how people tell her to. She is witty and adventurous. You can't help but fall in love with her, and some of the things she says. 

This book was a fairly short read, but there was tons of action that kept you on your toes. I would have loved to see the author slow down a little in the action heavy parts of the story and add more detail but other than that, I found the book to be almost flawless, and very entertaining.

I definitely recommend this book, especially to people who love Steampunk and kick ass characters. Even thought this is a fantastic stand alone novel, I wish that it was a series so that I could read more about Penny's adventures.

Happy Reading,
-Aneta

2015 Reading Challenge Progress: January

Hi everyone, this year I'm taking part in three separate year long challenges. Here's my progress for the month of January.

Goodreads

This year in the Goodreads Challenge my goal is to read 60 books. In the month of January I read 10 books. Putting me at 17% finished the challenge and 6 books ahead of schedule.

Books read:

Talon by Julie Kagawa

The Moth in the Mirror by A.G. Howard

Ticker by Lisa Mantchev

Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard

Second Star by Alyssa B. Sheinmel 

Dead of Winter by Kresley Cole

Mortal Heart by Robin LaFevers

The Madman's Daughter by Megan Shepherd
Seeker by Arwen Elys Dayton
Buzz Books 2015: Young Adult Spring

Netgalley & Edelweiss Challenge

This challenge is hosted by Emily from Falling For Ya, my goad is to read 10 books. You can always check my progress over on my sidebar.

This month I read three books towards this challenge.

Books Read:

Ticker by Lisa Mantchev

Second Star by Alyssa B. Sheinmel
Seeker by Arwen Elys Dayton

Real Book Challenge

This challenge is for reading physical copies of books. My goal for the year is to read at least 31 physical books. In the month of January I read four books towards this goal

Books Read:

Talon by Julie Kagawa

Dead of Winter by Kresley Cole

Mortal Heart by Robin LaFevers

The Madman's Daughter by Megan Shepherd 

Book Blitz + Giveaway: Courtlight & Crown Service

Hello everyone, welcome to the Courtlight and Crown Service Blitz. Check out these wonderful series by Terah Edun, and don't forget to enter the giveaway at the end!

Sworn to Raise by Terah Edun

Series: Courtlight #1

Publication Date: April 10th 2013

Genre: YA, Fantasy

Amazon ~ Goodreads ~ B&N

Synopsis: Seventeen-year-old Ciardis has grown up in poverty, a cleaner in a small vale on the outskirts of the empire. But beneath her empire’s seemingly idyllic surface lies a hidden secret. Whispers of an inept crown Prince are growing ever louder—intensified by the five year anniversary of the soulbond initiations.

Amidst scandalous whispers, Ciardis finds herself chosen to train for the Companion’s Guild. She leaves her home and sets off on a personal journey to become a Court Companion. A position she’d never thought possible for a lowly servant to obtain, she must prove that she has the skills to attract a Patron.

But she must master those skills quickly. If the legends are true, only Ciardis can harness the power to raise a Prince in an Imperial Court sworn to bring him down.

This sensational series debut melds intricate storylines with remarkable characters and unforgettable magic. Sworn To Raise is ideal for fans of Kristin Cashore, Michelle Sagara, and Maria Snyder. 

Sworn to Transfer by Terah Edun

Series: Courtlight #2

Publication Date: September 17th 2013

Genre: YA, Fantasy 

Amazon ~ Goodreads ~ B&N

Synopsis: Eighteen-year-old companion trainee Ciardis Weathervane has won the friendship of the royal heir and saved his claim to the throne. Yet her interference in the inheritance rights leaves more harm done than good. The Ameles Forest lies unprotected and its inhabitants are dying.

As humans begin to die in gruesome deaths, the Emperor dispatches the royal heir to the forests with the solution to the kith concerns. 

With enemies closing ranks in Sandrin, Ciardis can little afford to leave the city’s nest of vipers to take on a new task. But she’s given no choice when her loyalty to the crown and courts are called into question. 

To keep the Companions’ Guild happy and the favor of the Imperial Court, Ciardis will be tested in frightening new ways, especially when she’s faced with an obstacle that could risk the lives of her friends and the family she never thought she had.

This second novel continues the story of Ciardis Weathervane from Sworn To Raise.

Blades of Magic by Terah Edun

Series: Crown Service #1

Publication Date: March 31st 2014

Genre: YA, Fantasy

Amazon ~ Goodreads ~ B&N

Synopsis: It is not a peaceful time in the Algardis Empire. War is raging between the mages and seventeen-year-old Sara Fairchild will be right in the middle of it.

She just doesn't know it yet.

Sara is the daughter of a disgraced imperial commander, executed for desertion. Sara is also the best duelist and hand-to-hand combatant in Sandrin. She lives quietly with her family’s shame but when challenged about her family’s honor, her opponent inevitably loses.

On the night she finds out her father’s true last actions, she takes the Mercenary Guilds’ vows to serve in the emperor’s army. Using her quick wits and fierce fighting skills, she earns a spot in the first division.

There she discovers secrets the mages on both sides would prefer stay hidden. Dark enemies hunt her and soon it's not just Sara questioning the motivation behind this war.

While fighting mages, blackmailing merchants and discovering new friends, Sara comes across something she’s never had before - passion. The question is - can she fight for her empress against a mage who might unwittingly claim her heart?

This is year one of the Initiate Wars. Sara is hoping it doesn't become the year she dies.

Blades of Illusion by Terah Edun

Series: Crown Service #2

Publication Date: October 18th 2014

Genre: YA, Fantasy

~ Goodreads ~

Synopsis: Sara Fairchild, duelist and combatant, is out for vengeance. Her father was betrayed. Her mother is dead. All she has left is her desire for revenge and a quest for answers.

Now a member of the Mercenary Guilds' elite guard, she fights on the front lines of her empire's first civil war. But Sara's priority isn't winning the war for the crown or empire. It's finding out the true circumstances of her family's downfall while keeping one mild-mannered curator alive.

As emotionally detached as she is from everyone around her, Sara can't seem to shake the stubborn affection of her one friend. When she stumbles upon the secrets of not one but two Kade mages, she soon finds out that neither of their lives is worth anything to either side.

As she fights to outmaneuver a group of fiendish imperial assassins and win a war that grows more complicated by the day, Sara Fairchild knows that no matter what, the empire will never be the same.

Giveaway!

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