"You Can Never Have Too Many Books"

Tuesday, November 26, 2013

Book Review: Crash Into You

CRASH INTO YOU BY KATIE MCGARRY


Crash into You (Pushing the Limits, #3) From acclaimed author Katie McGarry comes an explosive new tale of a good girl with a reckless streak, a street-smart guy with nothing to lose, and a romance forged in the fast lane

The girl with straight As, designer clothes and the perfect life-that's who people expect Rachel Young to be. So the private-school junior keeps secrets from her wealthy parents and overbearing brothers...and she's just added two more to the list. One involves racing strangers down dark country roads in her Mustang GT. The other? Seventeen-year-old Isaiah Walker-a guy she has no business even talking to. But when the foster kid with the tattoos and intense gray eyes comes to her rescue, she can't get him out of her mind.

Isaiah has secrets, too. About where he lives, and how he really feels about Rachel. The last thing he needs is to get tangled up with a rich girl who wants to slum it on the south side for kicks-no matter how angelic she might look.

But when their shared love of street racing puts both their lives in jeopardy, they have six weeks to come up with a way out. Six weeks to discover just how far they'll go to save each other.

Hardcover, 474 pages

Expected publication: November 26th 2013 by Harlequin Teen 
I've been dying for the book! But of course I never expected so many declines, as usual I go on Netgallery and I find books to read just a wee bit early before its release however for Crash Into You it didn't come easy. 
I was declined through numerous publishers from different country, now what was odd was being decline for this particular book because I've read Dare You To from one of the publishers on Netgallery. 
But I'll went on Edelweiss, a newbie on this site I found the book and submitted my request and gritted my teeth and nerves for weeks waiting on a response. When I got the email as usual, I was half thinking "I'm not going to get it" but that email on that day light me up, I was approved to read Crash Into You!!!!! 
Okay time for the review and my Meow . . . Meow . . . Meow talk,

Review
From the start we knew Isiaiah just barely expect we knew two things, one he was Noah's best friend and two he was undeniably in love with Beth. But after Beth found her happy ending, Isaiah thought he was meant to be alone and no one would ever be good for him or the other way around until . . . Rachel came along. 
Rachel is idolize by her parents, living in a constant spotlight and someone's shadow Rachel just wanted to be herself. Rachel's most favorite thing to do was drive endlessly and be around cars, but a little thrill of danger she is lead to the middle of an drag race and gambling she is out of her league. 
The only person that is on her side is Isaiah who clearly see her being a person in the wrong place and the time . . . Rachel might as well be the deer in the headlights. 
What will this bring for Isaiah and Rachel, when they own money?
This is a bundle of Kittens for this one! I've been dying to know if Isaiah would ever find someone or was Katie going to leave him behind but Isaiah is too well known so there's has to be a story. It's a story that we see the softer side of Isaiah and a deeper side of him along with learning about Rachel just as he's learning about her. 

Meow . . . Meow . . . Meow
Sighs and swoon! We finally really meet Isaiah for the first time, behind the earrings and tattoos he's kind and deep. After the poor heartbreak he gets from Beth although Beth knew that they weren't right for each other but Isaiah had hoped. But now there's a new girl coming into his life and her name is Rachel.

We never met Rachel before and I think we never expected what her story is, living by someone's shadow and being in the spotlight. However Rachel is no ordinary girl, she loves CARS! How many girls actually like Cars? Well she does and beside living under a shadow and spotlight, being around Cars is hers and hers only. 

Drag racing and gambling never mixed, but that was the life out on the street with cars. However sweet Rachel got herself in a deep pile of litter that Isaiah had the means to drag her out of it but that was the easy part, the hard part was obtaining money Rachel under no means wants to pay back her loss from the race because she never really bet. Isaiah has the urge to help her out and begun to care for her. 

However Isaiah was still battling his own problems, being under 18 and under the system the one thing he never wanted to deal with was his mom. Being left behind as a child and beaten up by fosters, Isaiah believes that he couldn't trust anyone. 

Rachel for sure led two different lives, one being the girl that is clearly being shadowed by someone who isn't here and chasing the endless highways. But will she be able to keep both lives apart or will someone let the cat out of the bag? 

Isaiah and Rachel are having to rely on each other and work together to pay off the debt thus cutting off all ties with drag racing. But still have each other in the end, and I'm not going to say what happens in the end but its a real shocker! 

Tuesday, November 19, 2013

Share Your Christmas Traditions Update

Hey bloggers!

I'm planning to do an two week blogging event where we can share Christmas Traditions, and other fun stuff! I'm in the process of creating the sign up form, I've never used Google Docs before and didn't know that there was ways to create forms. Which makes it a whole lot easier for me :-)

The events will start December 9th-20th Excluding the weekend, but feel free to do anything over the weekend, as far for me I will be decorating Christmas in my house and tree. 

I'm entirely new to giveaways, I really have no clue what to do or what to give! So if you guys could please comment some suggestions or email me at Katnequette1(at)gmail(dot)com. 

The giveaway would end that Friday December 20th Midnight, I'll use Rafflecopter for the winner and send the prizes out that Saturday December 21st . . . there is no guarantee that it will make it in time for Christmas since everyone sends gifts out, so I'm hoping that the post office or the UPs store isn't in an never ending line.

The sign up form will be up sometimes this weekend and it will close on November 30th, I know it a short time frame but I'm still in school and I'll be spending a lot of my time studying for finals. So I hope you can understand that.

Let me think . . . is there anything else I should add? Well if I can't think of anything everything will be on the docs that I'll send to the bloggers with type of posts they are doing and the date they are hosting.

So let's get on with the Christmas Spirits :-)

Here's the LINK!
 https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1TzkWxcEo1iHhCnRAbyhVqvnLGcuFdkqBoL6ZMtQJKSc/viewform

Kitty Blitz: The Curse Keepers



About the Curse Keepers
The wall between our world and that of vengeful spirits has protected humanity for more than 400 years. It’s about to come crashing down.
Ellie Lancaster has lived her whole life by the site of the mysterious Lost Colony of Roanoke, the Virginia settlement that vanished without a trace around 1590. Only the descendants of the two men who banished the spirits of an enemy tribe from the material realm know what really happened to the colony. Ellie is one of those descendants—a Curse Keeper. Her father took pains to teach her what he knew of the curse and the responsibilities of its guardians. He taught her that if the two Curse Keepers ever meet, the curse will be lifted, the gate will open, and the raging Native American spirits will be unleashed to seek their revenge.

Despite her father’s seriousness, Ellie has always taken the legend for a harmless fairy tale. Until she meets the darkly handsome, but downright infuriating, Collin Dailey and realizes everything she was told is true. For when they meet, it’s like the air is sucked from the room. Collin’s presence is electrifying… and it’s not just attraction Ellie feels, but the inexorable pull toward her destiny. The prophecy is real, and now Ellie and Collin must battle supernatural forces and their loathing—and passion—for each other to set things right.

The Curse Keepers are all that stand between the world and its destruction.

Today we have a interview with Denise on how Curse Keepers was brought to life


1) Is everything entirely fiction or is it actual myths/legends/or story-based
The beauty of THE CURSE KEEPERS it that it's a mix of fact and fiction. The Lost Colony is real. Everything I've written about Manteo, the Croatan Indian who befriended the colonist, is true to the best of my knowledge. (Although, I speculate much more about Manteo in my short story THIS PLACE IS DEATH that tells how the curse was created. It will be released in February 11, 2014) When possible, I've used actual Algonquian Indian gods and spirits, but so few are known, I've had to create names for some (like the wind gods--they are recorded but without names.)  But the creation story that Ellie experiences is part recorded beliefs mixed with my own imagination. 
2) Then following the first question, why did you pick this certain myth/legend. or story-based?
I was planning the last book of my popular urban fantasy series, Chosen, and I knew I wanted to write another UF series when it was done. The problem is that while I like reading about vampires and shifters, I don't want to write about them. So a my crit partner suggested I base it on the disappearance of the Lost Colony of Roanoke. Why did it disappear? Why DID it disappear? I wanted something completely unique so I decided to focus on the Algonquian Indians that were in the area when the colonists landed. When I read that the Algonquian's believed they got their strength for war from their gods and spirits and knowing the Native American tribes were hostile, I knew I had a motive to make the colony disappear.

3) How long does it take to research on the Curse Keepers?
Hours and hours and hours and hours. I'm serious. I started researching for the series months before I wrote THE CURSE KEEPERS and a ton while I was writing it. The biggest problem is that there's so little information about the Algonquian Indians I'd read pages of text to find a sentence that helped me. If I had to take a stab at how many hours I've spent researching, I'd guess a minimum of fifty hours. And I'm sure that's on the low side and doesn't count the two trips I've made to Roanoke Island and the town of Manteo. 


4) In the Curse Keepers you mention gods, which one do you find the most scariest? 
Okeus. And you'll find out why in the second book, THE CURSE BREAKERS. In the short story, THIS PLACE IS DEATH, Ananias Dare (also a real historical character--the son-in-law of Virginia governor John White) struggled to accept believing the Algonquaian gods existed since it went against his devout Christian beliefs. Manteo likens the gods to Christian beliefs, calling Okeus Satan. 


5) What's next for the Curse Keepers Series?
47North has contracted three books and three short stories for the series, although I have at least two more books planned. THIS PLACE IS DEATH, the short story showing the creation of the curse comes out February 11, 2014. THE CURSE BREAKERS, the second book releases on May 20, 2014. I'm about to begin writing the second short story-- which will be told entirely from Collin's point of view. 


Random questions
6) If you could have a power, what would it be?
I think I'd like to fly. Not very original, but I could get places faster. It's all about time management. ;)

7) Coffee or Soda?
Are you serious??? You're making me choose??? Okay, coffee. But you'll have to pry my Diet Coke from my aspartame preserved hands. 

8) Print or Ebooks?
I used to grudgingly read eBooks. Now I read them almost exclusively. I love being able to always have my book on my phone if I don't have my Kindle or my iPad.

9) Favorite Chocolate?
Anything dark chocolate. ... Now I craving chocolate.

Thanks Denise for stopping by and answering my questions, and don't worry I'm exactly the same way with my Diet Coke but I don't drink coffee. However I make my diet coke by sodastream, its been a very efficient move on my part :-)

As far a Ebooks, I much rather have the printed version it something you can touch and feel the paper and binding.  

Now time for a Giveaway!


About Denise Grover Swank


New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Denise Grover Swank was born in Kansas City, Missouri and lived in the area until she was nineteen. Then she became a nomadic gypsy, living in five cities, four states and ten houses over the course of ten years before she moved back to her roots. She speaks English and smattering of Spanish and Chinese which she learned through an intensive Nick Jr. immersion period.  Her hobbies include witty Facebook comments (in own her mind) and dancing in her kitchen with her children. (Quite badly if you believe her offspring.)  Hidden talents include the gift of justification and the ability to drink massive amounts of caffeine and still fall asleep within two minutes. Her lack of the sense of smell allows her to perform many unspeakable tasks.  She has six children and hasn’t lost her sanity. Or so she leads you to believe.

You can find out more about Denise and her other books at: www.denisegroverswank.com.

Buy Links:

LINKS:  


Monday, November 18, 2013

Book Releases: Pre-Thanksgiving/Turkey Day!

So since I'm going to be very busy and Thanksgiving is coming up quick! So here's some book releases to look out for! And Don't forget to eat that turkey! Gobble, Gobble, Gobble

The Fiery Heart: (Bloodlines #4) by Richelle Mead


The Fiery Heart (Bloodlines, #4) In The Indigo Spell, Sydney was torn between the Alchemist way of life and what her heart and gut were telling her to do. And in one breathtaking moment that Richelle Mead fans will never forget, she made a decision that shocked even her. . . .

But the struggle isn't over for Sydney. As she navigates the aftermath of her life-changing decision, she still finds herself pulled in too many directions at once. Her sister Zoe has arrived, and while Sydney longs to grow closer to her, there's still so much she must keep secret. Working with Marcus has changed the way she views the Alchemists, and Sydney must tread a careful path as she harnesses her profound magical ability to undermine the way of life she was raised to defend. Consumed by passion and vengeance, Sydney struggles to keep her secret life under wraps as the threat of exposure—and re-education—looms larger than ever.

Pulses will race throughout this thrilling fourth installment in the New York Times bestselling Bloodlines series, where no secret is safe.

Hardcover, 438 pages

Expected publication: November 19th 2013 by Razorbill



Horizon (Soul Seekers) by Alyson Noël 

Horizon (Soul Seekers, #4)Fate has bound them together—and torn them apart. Now Daire and Dace face one final fight that will seal their destiny forever.

Daire Santos is the last of the Soul Seekers, and the only thing standing between the Richters and the destruction of everyone she loves. With her grandmother gone and Cade back in Enchantment, Daire must finally step into her destiny and lead the fight against the Richters. But what if that means sacrificing the person she loves most?

Bound to the Richters by blood, Dace struggles against the darkness growing inside him that threatens to claim Daire too. Though Daire refuses to give up on him, the choice may not be hers. An epic battle is on the horizon and the end of the world looms near. With such insurmountable odds stacked against them, is their love really enough to conquer all?

Hardcover, 352 pages

Expected publication: November 19th 2013 by St. Martin's Griffin

The Last Stand of the New York Institute by Cassandra Clare, Maureen Johnson, Sarah Rees Brennan

The Last Stand of the New York Institute (The Bane Chronicles, #8)Magnus meets Valentine in battle as the Circle attacks the Downworlders of New York City.

In the time of the Uprising, Valentine’s Circle goes after Downworlders in New York...and the Shadowhunters of the Institute must decide whether to join him, or fight with Magnus and his kind. This is the first time Magnus sees Jocelyn, Luke, and Stephen—but not the last. It is not long before Jocelyn seeks him out...

ebook, 40 pages

Expected publication: November 19th 2013 by Margaret K. McElderry Books



Happy Thanksgiving! 

Crash Into You (Pushing the Limits #3) by Katie McGarry

Crash into You (Pushing the Limits, #3) From acclaimed author Katie McGarry comes an explosive new tale of a good girl with a reckless streak, a street-smart guy with nothing to lose, and a romance forged in the fast lane

The girl with straight As, designer clothes and the perfect life-that's who people expect Rachel Young to be. So the private-school junior keeps secrets from her wealthy parents and overbearing brothers...and she's just added two more to the list. One involves racing strangers down dark country roads in her Mustang GT. The other? Seventeen-year-old Isaiah Walker-a guy she has no business even talking to. But when the foster kid with the tattoos and intense gray eyes comes to her rescue, she can't get him out of her mind.

Isaiah has secrets, too. About where he lives, and how he really feels about Rachel. The last thing he needs is to get tangled up with a rich girl who wants to slum it on the south side for kicks-no matter how angelic she might look.

But when their shared love of street racing puts both their lives in jeopardy, they have six weeks to come up with a way out. Six weeks to discover just how far they'll go to save each other.
Hardcover, 474 pages
Expected publication: November 26th 2013 by Harlequin Teen 
Pawn (The Blackcoat Rebellion) by Aimee Carter

Pawn (The Blackcoat Rebellion, #1) YOU CAN BE A VII. IF YOU GIVE UP EVERYTHING.

For Kitty Doe, it seems like an easy choice. She can either spend her life as a III in misery, looked down upon by the higher ranks and forced to leave the people she loves, or she can become a VII and join the most powerful family in the country.

If she says yes, Kitty will be Masked—surgically transformed into Lila Hart, the Prime Minister's niece, who died under mysterious circumstances. As a member of the Hart family, she will be famous. She will be adored. And for the first time, she will matter.

There's only one catch. She must also stop the rebellion that Lila secretly fostered, the same one that got her killed …and one Kitty believes in. Faced with threats, conspiracies and a life that's not her own, she must decide which path to choose—and learn how to become more than a pawn in a twisted game she's only beginning to understand.

Previously titled Masked.

Hardcover, 352 pages

Expected publication: November 26th 2013 by Harlequin Teen 
Crystal Fire (The Hunted #2) by Jordan Dane
Crystal FireBecause of what you are, the Believers will hunt you down.

A storm is brewing on the streets of LA, one that has intensified since a tragic and deadly confrontation claimed an innocent life.

While Gabriel Stewart trains his army of teen psychics to stop Alexander Reese--the obsessed leader of the Believers--the fanatical church becomes more bent on the annihilation of all Indigo and Crystal children. They're silencing the voices of the telepathic hive, one soul at a time, with frightening experiments cruelly executed on vulnerable minds.

When the Believers torture a mysterious homeless boy, Oliver Blue, they brainwash him into betraying his own. The boy becomes a deadly pawn to take Gabriel down. As the fires of chaos burn around him, Gabe is running out of time. He'll need to confront his past--and the man who made him--before the hope of peace for the future is silenced forever.
Paperback, 336 pages
Expected publication: November 26th 2013 by Harlequin Teen