Wednesday, June 17, 2015

Wishlist Wednesday #38


*Wishlist Wednesday is where you show a book that has been on your wishlist/TBR list for a while, the meme is hosted by Pen to Paper*


Killer Instinct by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

PublisherDisney-Hyperion
Release Date: November 4, 2014
Pages: 384

The Story:

Seventeen-year-old Cassie Hobbes has a gift for profiling people. Her talent has landed her a spot in an elite FBI program for teens with innate crime-solving abilities, and into some harrowing situations. After barely escaping a confrontation with an unbalanced killer obsessed with her mother's murder, Cassie hopes she and the rest of the team can stick to solving cold cases from a distance.

But when victims of a brutal new serial killer start turning up, the Naturals are pulled into an active case that strikes too close to home: the killer is a perfect copycat of Dean's incarcerated father-a man he'd do anything to forget. Forced deeper into a murderer's psyche than ever before, will the Naturals be able to outsmart the enigmatic killer's brutal mind games before this copycat twists them into his web for good?

With her trademark wit, brilliant plotting, and twists that no one will see coming, Jennifer Lynn Barnes will keep readers on the edge of their seats (and looking over their shoulders) as they race through the pages of this thrilling novel. 


-via Amazon

Meet the Author

I'm a Jennifer who goes mostly by Jen, an Oklahoma girl who's also lived in Connecticut and England, and a writer who has a not-so-secret double life as a cognitive scientist. I love pop culture, mythology, science, superheroes, Joss Whedon, guacamole, television targeted at teenagers, and any song that I know the lyrics to. I have no sense of direction, but can read a book and shower at the same time. As is probably obvious, I do not particularly excel at writing my own bios.

I started writing professionally when I was a teenager and completed my first four published novels while I was in college. Since then, I've split my time between various graduate programs and writing books. In May 2012, I graduated from Yale University with a PhD in Developmental Psychology, which basically means I spent a lot of time thinking about the way the mind works and designing and running experiments that probe the way that young children and non-human primates view the world. My background in the psychological sciences has a habit of working its way into the books I write, sometimes in unexpected ways. 

As a reader, I love strong female characters, books that blend emotional depth with sarcasm and humor, and supernatural stories that feel real. I'm a sucker for romance and search out authors who can write action sequences and violence without pulling their punches.



Want to see my entire Wishlist? Check it out on Amazon: Books I Dream About

Happy Reading!


Wednesday, June 10, 2015

Wishlist Wednesday #37


*Wishlist Wednesday is where you show a book that has been on your wishlist/TBR list for a while, the meme is hosted by Pen to Paper*


The Naturals by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

PublisherDisney-Hyperion; Reprint edition 
Release Date: October 7, 2014
Pages: 336

The Story:

Seventeen-year-old Cassie is a natural at reading people. Piecing together the tiniest details, she can tell you who you are and what you want. But, it's not a skill that she's ever taken seriously. That is, until the FBI come knocking: they've begun a classified program that uses exceptional teenagers to crack infamous cold cases, and they need Cassie. 

What Cassie doesn't realize is that there's more at risk than a few unsolved homicides-especially when she's sent to live with a group of teens whose gifts are as unusual as her own. Soon, it becomes clear that no one in the Naturals program is what they seem. And when a new killer strikes, danger looms close. Caught in a lethal game of cat and mouse with a killer, the Naturals are going to have to use all of their gifts just to survive. 

Think The Mentalist meets Pretty Little Liars-Jennifer Lynn Barnes's The Naturals is a gripping psychological thriller with killer appeal, a to-die-for romance, and the bones of a gritty and compelling new series.


-via Amazon


Meet the Author

I'm a Jennifer who goes mostly by Jen, an Oklahoma girl who's also lived in Connecticut and England, and a writer who has a not-so-secret double life as a cognitive scientist. I love pop culture, mythology, science, superheroes, Joss Whedon, guacamole, television targeted at teenagers, and any song that I know the lyrics to. I have no sense of direction, but can read a book and shower at the same time. As is probably obvious, I do not particularly excel at writing my own bios.

I started writing professionally when I was a teenager and completed my first four published novels while I was in college. Since then, I've split my time between various graduate programs and writing books. In May 2012, I graduated from Yale University with a PhD in Developmental Psychology, which basically means I spent a lot of time thinking about the way the mind works and designing and running experiments that probe the way that young children and non-human primates view the world. My background in the psychological sciences has a habit of working its way into the books I write, sometimes in unexpected ways. 

As a reader, I love strong female characters, books that blend emotional depth with sarcasm and humor, and supernatural stories that feel real. I'm a sucker for romance and search out authors who can write action sequences and violence without pulling their punches.



Want to see my entire Wishlist? Check it out on Amazon: Books I Dream About

Happy Reading!

Tuesday, June 9, 2015

Review : The Heir by Kiera Cass

*Warning: This review may contain spoilers. Read at your own risk.

Publisher: Harper Teen 

Release DateMay 5, 2015
Pages: 368
Source: Own

The Story:

Kiera Cass's #1 New York Times bestselling Selection series has enchanted readers from the very first page. In this fourth romantic novel, follow IllĂ©a's royal family into a whole new Selection—and find out what happens after happily ever after.
Twenty years ago, America Singer entered the Selection and won Prince Maxon's heart. Now the time has come for Princess Eadlyn to hold a Selection of her own. Eadlyn doesn't expect her Selection to be anything like her parents' fairy-tale love story...but as the competition begins, she may discover that finding her own happily ever after isn't as impossible as she's always thought.
A new generation of swoonworthy characters and captivating romance awaits in the fourth book of the Selection series!
via Amazon

Rating
THREE Gold Stars!!!



My Review

I am not going to lie, I was so stoked about reading 
The Heir. I loved The Selection trilogy and when I find out Kiera Cass was given the green-light to continue the series -- from the point of view of Maxon and America's daughter -- I almost cried. So . . . I may have set my expectations a bit too high going in. Do not get me wrong, I enjoyed reading the start of Eadlyn's -- you don't know this, but I didn't even remember her name -- story, it wasn't as grasping as her mother's.

Tag Line:

35 suitors. 1 princess. A new selection has begun.

Opening Line:

I could not hold my breath for seven minutes.

Plot:

T
here wasn't as much romantic sparks as I was hoping for-- you know, the swoony moments to die for. But the plot as a whole had promise. The plot was basically the same as for The Selection. Reluctant girl navigates through The Selection and finds a spouse. However, I enjoy Eadlyn as a character so she keeps me in the story. 

As for the sidebar: King Maxon changed the game, as he had dreamed, and rid the country of the caste system. America is gracefully and strong as ever. *And they are both still deeply in love* Eadlyn has adorable brothers with personality and one with his own subplot drama.

All in all, I enjoyed reading The HeirI do hope the next book in the series has a bit more drama to spice the plot up. Although it is not one of my favorites it is a decent read, worth the time if you are willing.  

Character Breakdown:

Eadlyn - I can say, without a doubt, I relate to Eadlyn. We have such similarities in beliefs and characteristics it was the books saving grace. Because the main character reminded me of me -- how vain that sounds -- I felt as if I were a part of the story. 

Meet the Author:


Kiera Cass graduated from Radford University with a degree in History. She grew up in South Carolina and currently lives in Blacksburg, Virginia with her family. In her spare time, Kiera enjoys reading, dancing, making videos, and eating unhealthy amounts of cake. You can learn more about Kiera at kieracass.com, follow her on twitter via @kieracass, and see her silly videos at YouTube.com/user/kieracass.


***Check out Kiera Cass' website for more information about her and The HeirHERE




Happy Reading!


Friday, June 5, 2015

Book Expo America 2015!


Everyone who knows me knows the most anticipated event I look forward to is BookExpo America. Already can't wait for BEA 2016, too bad it's in Chicago next year.

Once again, huge thanks to my Aides *job description: snagging ARCs and heavy lifting; a.k.a book slaves*, who are also my big little brother, my mother and my guy I was able to snag nearly all of the books on my most wanted list plus awesome books I didn't even know I wanted. Not to mention, I was able to share my favorite event of the year with my favorite people =)


May 27th: Day 1 Highlights






Autographing Area

Amy Ewing signing THE WHITE ROSE



Lines near Penguin/Random House booth






In-Booth Signing

Jennifer Donnelly signing THESE SHALLOW GRAVES at the Random House booth!









Before the madness began in the Autographing Area!





Prepping for Day 2

Day 1 Loot:

Can't wait to crack open the covers of THE WHITE ROSE written byAmy Ewing and WALK ON EARTH A STRANGER by Rae Carson and THESE SHALLOW GRAVES by Jennifer Donnelly.


***
May 28th: Day 2 Highlights







This year was lucky enough to be invited to Harlequin Teen Blogger Breakfast again. It was fantastic. We had speed dating with authors as well as Harlequin Teen personnel. AND we received a goodie bag with swag and ARCs (Advance Reader Copies).







*I received the ARCs of the following books:


Here is a closeup of the author panel from the breakfast:

Jennifer Amentrout, Katie McGarry, Eleanor Herman
& Adi Alsaid

 









Color-coded plan of attack for Day 2

















Autograph Area

Blurry but that's Josephine Angelini signing FIREWALKER










In-Booth Signing


Marissa Meyer signing FAIREST


In-Booth Signing

Libba Bray signing LAIR OF DREAMS










Autograph Area

My guy waiting on a long line



Day 2 Loot:

Favorites some this epic pile include: LOIS LANE FALLOUT by Gwenda Bond, THE CAGE by Megan Shepherd, HUNTER by Mercedes Lackey.





***

May 30th: Day 3 Highlights


The final day of BEA is always sad but, alas, still wonderful as ever.








 Oh, that's just James Patterson I spotted while waiting to check in my bag at the luggage claim









Autograph Area

The wait.


 
Autograph Area

Carrie Ryan signing DAUGHTER OF DEEP SILENCE








Autograph Area


Scott Westerfeld signing ZEROES







 









Autograph Area

Leigh Bardugo signing SIX OF CROWS

 
Autograph Area

Alexandra Bracken signing IN THE AFTERLIGHT







Autograph Area

Aaron Hartzler signing WHAT WE SAW






Autographing Area

Julie Murphy signing DUMPLIN'

Final Day Loot:

Usually, the last day of BEA usually accounts for the smallest book loot but not this year :)


The Tattered Page giveaway piles . . .


*Check out my posts for previous BEAs: BEA 2011 (Day 1Day 2 & Day 3), BEA 2012BEA 2013 & BEA 2014.

Happy Reading!
Wednesday, June 3, 2015

Wishlist Wednesday #36


*Wishlist Wednesday is where you show a book that has been on your wishlist/TBR list for a while, the meme is hosted by Pen to Paper*


Killer Within by S.E. Green

PublisherSimon Pulse 
Release Date: May 19, 2015
Pages: 304

The Story:

In the heart-pounding sequel to the “zippy, gripping psychological drama” (Kirkus ReviewsKiller Instinct, teen vigilante Lane must face the secrets and unexpected consequences that arise in the wake of her first kill.

It’s been three months since Lane made her first kill—the sadistic Decapitator—and now she feels both closer and more alienated than ever from her united, grieving family. Haunted by conflicting memories of her mother, Lane resumes her role as the vigilante Masked Savior out of a feeling of obligation—but her heart just isn’t in it anymore. Now that Lane has felt the rush of deeper, darker thrills, a growing part of her wants to revisit its seductive power, and she’s not sure how long she can resist.

Meanwhile, the Masked Savior has inspired its own fan site, where groupies gather online to praise, document, and debate each delivered act of justice. But one of Lane’s secret admirers is becoming a cunning copycat, exacting “justice” on defenseless innocents, increasing the violence with each attack.

Someone is watching Lane, edging closer to making contact. Someone who knows her darkest secrets. Will Lane be able to stop the copycat and keep her identity protected? Or will she give in to the thrills that tempt her?


-via Amazon

Want to see my entire Wishlist? Check it out on Amazon: Books I Dream About

Happy Reading!

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