Thursday, November 29, 2012

Full Jacket Reveal, Blurb, and Release Date of HOPELESS by Colleen Hoover


"Hopeless" by Colleen Hoover
Release Date: New Years Eve, December 31st, 2012.

BLURB:

Sometimes discovering the truth can leave you more hopeless than believing the lies…

That’s what seventeen-year-old Sky realizes after she meets Dean Holder: A guy with a reputation that rivals her own and an uncanny ability to invoke feelings in her she’s never had before. He terrifies her and captivates her all in the span of just one encounter, and something about the way he makes her feel sparks buried memories from a past that she wishes could just stay buried.


Sky struggles to keep him at a distance knowing he’s nothing but trouble, but Holder insists on learning everything about her. After finally caving to his unwavering pursuit, Sky soon finds that Holder isn’t at all who he’s been claiming to be. When the secrets he’s been keeping are finally revealed, every single facet of Sky’s life will change forever.


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Colleen lives in Texas with her husband and their three boys. She released her debut novel, SLAMMED, in January 2012. The follow-up novel, POINT OF RETREAT, was released in February, 2012. She is currently working on a stand-alone titled FALL TOGETHER. 

If Colleen's life had a theme song, it would be Paranoia in B Flat Major by The Avett Brothers. (Smashwords)

To know more about her, check out her website: http://colleenhoover.com.

Wednesday, November 28, 2012

Waiting on Wednesday (#10)


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

This week's pre-publication “can’t-wait-to-read” selection is:

Title: Haze (The Rephaim #2)
Author: Paula Weston
Expected Publication: 2013
Synopsis:
Gaby Winters’ nightmares have stopped but she still can’t remember her old life. Still can’t quite believe she is one of the Rephaim—the wingless half-angels who can shift from place to place, country to country, in the blink of an eye. That she was once the Rephaim’s best fighter. That demons exist. That Rafa has stayed.
But most of all, she can’t quite believe that her twin brother, Jude, might be alive. 
And Gaby can’t explain the hesitancy that sidetracks the search for him, infuriates Rafa, and sends them, again, into the darkest danger.


Thoughts:
I'm fond of angel books and the prequel of this is one of my favorite angel books this year. I can't wait to know more about Gaby's past and what happened to her brother. 
If you want to know my thoughts of Shadows (Rephaim #1), here's a LINK for my review.

How about you? What's your Waiting on Wednesday? Link me.

Thursday, November 22, 2012

Waiting on Wednesday (#9)


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

This week's pre-publication “can’t-wait-to-read” selection is:

Title: Avow (The Archer's of Avalon #3)
Author: Chelsea Fine
Expected Publication: December 11,2012
Synopsis:
Scarlet remembers. Everything. Her past lives, Tristan, Gabriel, Nate: she remembers it all--including how to get to the Fountain of Youth. But time is running out. 

Heather and Gabriel have been kidnapped by Raven, while the curse that has plagued Scarlet and Tristan for centuries has shifted, putting the star-crossed lovers in more danger than ever before. Water from the Fountain of Youth is the only thing that can save Scarlet and her loved ones. But the water comes at a price.

With lives--and hearts--at stake, Scarlet leads her friends on a dangerous journey to the Fountain of Youth. Where eternal life is possible, but death is certain.



Thoughts:
I love the first two books of the series and I can't wait to read this! If you haven't started the series yet,give it a try!
It's a different kind of fantasy romance novel.

How about you? What's your Waiting on Wednesday? Link me.

Tuesday, November 20, 2012

If It Fits It Ships [10 books of choice GIVEAWAY] by Evie Seo

Evie Seo from evie-bookish.blogspot.com is hosting an awesome book giveaway! And it's INTERNATIONAL!

If It Fits It Ships!
a box of books (10 picks!)

You can pick from:

- White Lines
- League Of Strays
- Outpost
Surrender
- Of Poseidon
- Time Between Us
- Lies Beneath
- Cold Fury
- Janie Face To Face
- Every Day
- Sapphire Blue
- Touch of Death
- Amarok
- Black City
- Clockwork Prince
- The Unnaturalist
- Venom
Mystic City
- Earth Girl
- A Temptation of Angels
- Timepiece

Check out her video:

CLICK HERE for the LINK.

Saturday, November 17, 2012

BOOK REVIEW: Reflected in You by Sylvia Day (Crossfire #2)

Publication Date: October 2, 2012
Synopsis (Goodreads):
Gideon Cross. As beautiful and flawless on the outside as he was damaged and tormented on the inside. He was a bright, scorching flame that singed me with the darkest of pleasures. I couldn’t stay away. I didn’t want to. He was my addiction… my every desire… mine.


My past was as violent as his, and I was just as broken. We’d never work. It was too hard, too painful… except when it was perfect. Those moments when the driving hunger and desperate love were the most exquisite insanity.

We were bound by our need. And our passion would take us beyond our limits to the sweetest, sharpest edge of obsession…

______________________________

Review:
Here's the thing. I really liked the first book of the series so I was so excited to read the sequel. And after reading it, I was speechless! Sorry to say, but I'm speechless in a not so good way. I'm one of the few who didn't like this book as much as the first one.

If you have read the first one already, you'll know that both Gideon and Eva have their own dark pasts. So their relationship- physical and emotional- is complicated. I was expecting that for this second book, I will be enlightened more on their past especially Gideon's. To tell you the truth, I expected A LOT from the book and it's my mistake for doing that.

I was totally disappointed. :( 

If it's about the sex and hot scenes, there's definitely a bunch of them. It's an erotica book so that's a given. But I would have appreciated it more if it was focused more on the storyline rather than the sex parts. It was a bit lacking for me. I don't know how to explain but I weren't satisfied with how it was written and on how the story flowed. The push and pull relationship they have is quite tiring. I really want to like the book but there's just too much was going on. 

Maybe the saving grace of the book was the last parts when I finally understood what was happening. Other positive side that I like is that both characters were able to grow a little bit although I won't even notice that, if it wasn't mentioned in the book.

If you ask me if I would read the third book,my answer is YES! I still want to know the real story behind Gideon's personality and I want to believe it'll get better. But this book definitely tuned down my excitement for the next one. 

Recommended? Not really. 
If you read the first book and liked it, maybe you should read this book and see it for yourself.


Rating:
SORRY. NO GOOD for me.


Memorable Quotes:

"Sometimes love isn't enough. And if it's not enough, what good is it?"

Gideon: "Where do we go from here?"
Eva: "Wherever this takes us. Together."

1,000 Followers Giveaway by The Hollow Cupboards!


Congratulations Chey on hitting 1000+ followers! 
Keep up the good work!

To celebrate this, she's hosting a giveaway for US/Canada and International followers! Isn't that great?
How to enter? Just click this.
Goodluck! :)


Thursday, November 15, 2012

From Books to Movies: The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones

The trailer for Mortal Instruments: City of Bones is out! 


Thoughts:
I can't wait to watch the movie! It'll be in August and that's 9 months from now. tsktsk! I like the casts except for Jace. I still need to watch the movie for me to be convinced. 

How about you? What are your thoughts?

If you haven't read the first book yet, here's the blurb:
When fifteen-year-old Clary Fray heads out to the Pandemonium Club in New York City, she hardly expects to witness a murder -- much less a murder committed by three teenagers covered with strange tattoos and brandishing bizarre weapons. Then the body disappears into thin air. It's hard to call the police when the murderers are invisible to everyone else and when there is nothing -- not even a smear of blood -- to show that a boy has died. Or was he a boy?

This is Clary's first meeting with the Shadowhunters, warriors dedicated to ridding the earth of demons. It's also her first encounter with Jace, a Shadowhunter who looks a little like an angel and acts a lot like a jerk. Within twenty-four hours Clary is pulled into Jace's world with a vengeance, when her mother disappears and Clary herself is attacked by a demon. But why would demons be interested in ordinary mundanes like Clary and her mother? And how did Clary suddenly get the Sight? The Shadowhunters would like to know. . . . 

Wednesday, November 14, 2012

Waiting on Wednesday (#8)

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

This week's pre-publication “can’t-wait-to-read” selection is:

Title: Just One Day
Author: Gayle Forman
Expected Publication: January 8, 2013
Synopsis:
A breathtaking journey toward self-discovery and true love, from the author of If I Stay
When sheltered American good girl Allyson "LuLu" Healey first meets laid-back Dutch actor Willem De Ruiter at an underground performance of Twelfth Night in England, there’s an undeniable spark. After just one day together, that spark bursts into a flame, or so it seems to Allyson, until the following morning, when she wakes up after a whirlwind day in Paris to discover that Willem has left. Over the next year, Allyson embarks on a journey to come to terms with the narrow confines of her life, and through Shakespeare, travel, and a quest for her almost-true-love, to break free of those confines.

Thoughts:
Gayle Forman's duet novel "If I Stay" and "Where She Went" were two of the best contemporary books I've read. I can't wait to read this! And it's another duet novel!

How about you? What's your Waiting on Wednesday? Link me.

Celebrating Debutantes 2012 by Michelle Shouts Random


What is Celebrating Debutantes?

It is all about debut authors of this year who successfully debuted their books after all the hard work. Celebrating Debutantes spotlights the awesome authors behind these successful books. They will talk about the best things that happened after their book was published. The best feelings, unforgettable moments, thoughts about their readers--us--and will share you the details about their upcoming project/s!

Michelle's having some exciting interviews, posts and giveaways!

If you want to know more about the blog event, check out: Michelle's Intro Post

And for her first featured author, it's Jodi Meadows! Check out the interview and giveaway here.

Thursday, November 8, 2012

One Year Blogoversary Celebration of The Sparkles and Lightning!

Congratulations Annabelle on your One Year Blogoversary! (Clap!Clap!Clap!)

In celebration of her Blogoversary, Annabelle will be giving away ten books to five winners. So each winner gets two books, with the first winner choosing first and the last winner hopefully happy with the two left at the end.

How to enter? Here's the LINK.


Button: 
<a href="hhttp://sparkles-and-lightning.blogspot.com/2012/11/blogoversary-day-3.html"><img src="http://i1270.photobucket.com/albums/jj610/annabellelovell/Sparkles%20and%20Lightning/blogoversarycelebration_zpse76ad49f.jpg" width="300" alt="Sparkles and Lightning Blogoversary Celebration" /></a> 

Wednesday, November 7, 2012

Waiting on Wednesday (#7)


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

This week's pre-publication “can’t-wait-to-read” selection is:

Title: Covet
Author: Tracey Garvis Graves
Expected Publication: May 9, 2013
Synopsis:
What if the life you wanted, and the woman you fell in love with, belonged to someone else? 

Chris and Claire Canton’s marriage is on life support. Downsized during the recession, Chris copes by retreating to a dark place where no one can reach him, not even Claire. 

Daniel Rush had it all, until a tragic accident took away everything he cherished. A chance meeting with Claire sets in motion a chain of events that will leave three people questioning their choices and dealing with the aftermath of their decisions.



Thoughts:
I read Tracey's On the Island and I loved it! If you haven't read it yet, you should go and pick it up!
Can't wait to see if this one will live up to my expectations. 

How about you? What's your Waiting on Wednesday? Link me.

Monday, November 5, 2012

BOOK REVIEW:Between the Lines by Tammara Webber (Between the Lines #1)

Publication Date: April 29, 2011
Synopsis (Goodreads):

When Hollywood It Boy, Reid Alexander, arrives on location to shoot his next movie, his goals are the same as always—film another blockbuster hit and enjoy his celebrity status to the fullest while doing so. His costar is a virtual unknown with whom he had blazing hot chemistry during her auditions. The universe is lining up nicely to grant whatever he wants, as usual, until he’s confronted with unexpected obstacles on location like a bitter ex-girlfriend and a rival for the first girl to spark his genuine interest in years.


Emma Pierce just got her big break after more than a decade of filming commercials for grape juice, department stores and tampons, and more recently, bit parts in made-for-TV movies. Nailing the lead role in a wide-release film sent her agent, father and stepmother into raptures, and should have done the same for her. The Problem? Emma is experiencing a building desire to be normal, and starring in a silly, modernized adaptation of one of her favorite novels—opposite the very hot Reid Alexander—isn’t going to advance that aspiration.

Graham Douglas doesn’t fear playing the part of a nerdy dimwit; when it comes to choosing film roles, if it pays, he’ll do it. Besides, his friend Brooke Cameron snatched up the role of the bitchy hot girl and could use his help as a buffer, because her ex is the star. Graham has no problem keeping a handle on the situation, until he finds himself attracted to Reid’s costar, Emma, the girl Reid is pursuing full-throttle with his standard arsenal of charm, good looks and arrogance.

______________________________


Review:

I luckily won in an ebook giveaway and I chose the book from the choices. I've been looking for a copy of the book for a long time now so I was so happy when I finally have a copy!

The blurb is a bit long and descriptive so most probably, you know what to expect from the book other than how the story flows.

It was narrated in two POVs- Reid and Emma. Reid is the typical bad boy who likes girls, good-looking and with great acting career. He's also somewhat a jerk and he's made some bad decisions throughout the book. On the other hand, Emma is a small town girl who likes to act on stage compared in front of the camera. She's the perfect kind of girl,but shy, who wants to please people. She also made a fair share of some good and bad decisions but she matured and became likable. The other guy in the triangle is Graham. He's kind,good-looking and mysterious. He's a bit reserved which I understood when I read the last parts of the book. Out of the three, he's the best character for me. I wished he I can read some of his thoughts to figure him out. All of them have their own personal issues so just be open-minded when you read the book.

NOT SO GOOD:I'm a bit disappointed on how the story flowed. There were a lot of issues concerned in the story- career,family,friendship and love. I just think that there's a better way of putting those together and most of it were predictable. Nonetheless, I still enjoyed reading the book! 

GOOD: A great thing about it is that I'm not expecting the twist from the book. Before I even read the book, I convinced myself who two of those three will end up together or if there will be a one. And I'm so glad how the first book ended!


VERDICT:If you're into Contemporary YA/Teen Romances, I'd recommend this book to you. Although I have a low rating on the book,I'd still read the sequel! 

Rating:


Memorable Quotes:

“That's how they say it: He loves you in his own way. Well, what about my way? What if I need for him to love me in my way?” 

“What do you say when the feelings don't fit into words?”