July 30, 2014

Waiting on Wednesday

Sooooo....what book are we waiting on here at RFYF? A scary book (my favorite!!), of course!

Servants of the storm
......

by Delilah S. Dawson

Release Date: 5 August 2014

Publisher: Simon Pulse

A year ago Hurricane Josephine swept through Savannah, Georgia, leaving behind nothing but death and destruction — and taking the life of Dovey's best friend, Carly. Since that night, Dovey has been in a medicated haze, numb to everything around her.

But recently she's started to believe she's seeing things that can't be real ... including Carly at their favorite cafe. Determined to learn the truth, Dovey stops taking her pills. And the world that opens up to her is unlike anything she could have imagined.

As Dovey slips deeper into the shadowy corners of Savannah — where the dark and horrifying secrets lurk — she learns that the storm that destroyed her city and stole her friend was much more than a force of nature. And now the sinister beings truly responsible are out to finish what they started.

Dovey's running out of time and torn between two paths. Will she trust her childhood friend Baker, who can't see the threatening darkness but promises to never give up on Dovey and Carly? Or will she plot with the sexy stranger, Isaac, who offers all the answers — for a price? Soon Dovey realizes that the danger closing in has little to do with Carly ... and everything to do with Dovey herself.

(Goodreads Summary)

July 29, 2014

Teaser Tuesday

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along!

Just do the following:

Grab your current read.
Open to a random page.
Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page.
BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS!
Share the title and author so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

I believe that Margaret promised not to harm any of us on Earth, but she killed the initial surrogates, she killed a little boy, and now she is going to kill the remaining women after your embryos are removed.

p. 186

Broken Worlds

by Anitha Robinson

July 28, 2014

It's Monday! What Are YOU Reading?

This is a fun meme that allows bloggers to get an idea of what everyone else is reading and perhaps help to find our next must-read. So check out what WE are reading and tell us what YOU are reading!!

Lora is Reading:

City Of Heavenly Fire (Mortal Instruments, #6)

by Cassandra Claire

......

Cindi is Reading:

Broken Worlds

by Anitha Robinson

......

July 24, 2014

Adult ONLY: '50 Shades' Trailer Is Finally Here & It's Everything We Dreamed Of (VIDEO)

For more than two years, Fifty Shades of Grey fans have been waiting to see E.L. James' steamy trilogy translated to the silver screen. For more than two years, fan trailer after unofficial fan trailer has attempted to give us a taste of what we might expect. While those were all pretty good attempts, nothing beats the genuine article, right? And now, we have it. Yep, the official Fifty Shades trailer is FINALLY here!

Thus, without further ado, Mr. Grey will see you now.

Oh my, oh my my my! Excited shouldn't even begin to describe how fans should feel about this. It looks like director Sam Taylor-Johnson has covered all of the bases -- from their first meeting to the bicycle save to Charlie Tango to the glider, the Red Room of Pain, and everything in between -- and brought them to life in a way that at the very least will match up against what most fans visualized while reading the books. And that chemistry we were all so worried about Jamie and Dakota having? Oh, it's there. In spades. Holy cow.

One thing's for sure: We're gonna be white-knuckling it all the way to Valentine's Day 2015.

How do you feel about the trailer? Are you even more excited about the movie now?

July 21, 2014

It's Monday! What Are YOU Reading??

Lora is Reading:

City Of Heavenly Fire (Mortal Instruments, #6)

by Cassandra Claire

......

Cindi is Reading:

Claiming Callie

by Paige Rion

......

July 19, 2014

Christmas in July Giveaway Hop

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Summary-

Two girls from two different centuries and the horse that brings them together.
Teenage equestrian Samantha DeVries wants to be the first African American to ride in the Olympics. Her father, a successful trainer, pushes Sam to excel, while Sam’s academic mother tries to instill a sense of heritage in her headstrong daughter who’d rather be riding horses than studying history. But Sam’s beliefs and her carefully constructed world shatter like a jelly jar when she travels through a time portal and lands in the canopy bed of an 1860s Southern belle.
Even more surprised by Sam’s unexpected arrival is Caroline Chandler. She’s a tomboy who wears breeches beneath her crinoline and rides horses bareback, much to the dismay of her critical mother.
But neither girl has time to fret over petticoats and prejudice. The Civil War is raging, and soldiers from both sides are stealing horses. At risk is Pandora, Caroline’s beloved mare. Without her, Sam’s future Olympic horse, Nugget, might not exist in the present.
Neither will Sam if the slave catchers grab her.

Review-

This is one of the best historic books that I've read in a long time! At first, I was apprehensive because the story was about two young horse-crazy girls and I felt the connection wasn't there. However, after the first chapter, I was completely hooked. Author Maggie Dana wrote a book about time travel, horses, young girls, iPods, a magic dime, the Civil War, and slavery and she made it the most enjoyable and exciting read that a bibliophile could hope for. Samantha (Sam) and Caroline are two young women trying to make sense of the evils of slavery and the importance of freedom while dodging peril along the way. The action was fast-paced so the book literally sped by for me. Also, Dana doesn't hold back on the harsh realities of how life was for slaves and women in the 1800's which made me appreciate the author and the book even more. Young readers will find education and entertainment merging into a heroic tale of spirit and courage.

Publisher- Pageworks Press

Reviewer Rating: 4.5 stars

Reviewed by~Cindi Clubbs

Thank you to the author for the donation of this book to the Read for your Future book program in exchange for a honest review!

Summary-

Star reporter Sloane Masterson knows she has one helluva story when she witnesses hottie Hayden Lancaster bending forks with his mind.
Like any good journalist, Sloane sets out to uncover the truth, even if it includes a little stalking. When the superhuman feats start to pile up and the undeniable heat rises between them, Hayden has no choice but to reveal his secret: he’s an alien hybrid.
They’re as different as night and day—she’s a curvy, purple-haired, horror junkie and he’s a smoking hot, antisocial, brainiac—yet the intense fascination between them refuses to go away. Even at Hayden’s insistence that dating each other is “off limits” and dangerous, their fiery attraction threatens to go supernova.
Now Sloane’s dealing with creepy government agents, über snobby extraterrestrials, and a psycho alien ex-girlfriend out for revenge. After a crash course on the rules of interstellar dating, Sloane must decide if their star-crossed romance is worth risking her own life....

Review-

I absolutely loved this book for oh so many reasons. The main character, Sloane, has purple hair, rocks the Hot Topic look, and loves the same music and movies that I do. Imagine Dragon? Paramore? Christine Perry? Sloane is amazing! Plus, she has curves and an embarrassingly large chest which she doesn't let bother her. She loves zombies, horror flicks, and The Walking Dead and keeps a survival pack in her garage in case of an apocalypse or at least a zombie outbreak. Witty and tough, she's a character that readers will definitely enjoy and relate to. The bad boy and Sloane's major crush, Hayden, is another cool character in the long list of author Sherry Soule's cast of awesome teens. Hot, brooding, wearing combat boots, Hayden hides some wild secrets----like why he is super fast, can bend forks with his mind, and is a super genius. Readers will love the fast-paced and adventurous plot and the love triangles that get seriously dangerous. Add in some heartbreak and some hot kisses to make this book a five star read. Where's the next book in the series???

Publisher-Disenchanted Publishing

Reviewer Rating: 5 STARS!!!

Reviewed by~Cindi Clubbs

Thank you to the author for the donation of this book to the Read for your Future book program in exchange for a honest review!

Summary-

Bringing the mythological world into a modern setting and introducing young adult readers to a variety of strange monsters, this fantasy novel follows 12-year-old Joe Copper, as he travels along in his quest to save humankind. When Joe is hired by the eccentric Mrs. Merrynether as an errand boy at her remarkable veterinary practice—a hidden refuge for a menagerie of creatures that should only exist in dreams and legend—he soon learns that she has a startling plan for his future: he is destined to command an army of beasts to protect humanity from the Conclave—a brutal council of dragons hiding on a distant island. But Joe is plunged into his new role prematurely when the callous tycoon Argoyle Redwar, who has a secret menagerie of his own, tricks Mrs. Merrynether into revealing the location of the island. Overcoming his fears, the school bully, and an escaped creature on the loose in his own village, Joe races to the island to stop Redwar from provoking the dragons to war. He takes the most bizarre team imaginable: Lilly, the surly alcoholic cluricaun; Danariel, the seraph who lives in a lightbulb; Flarp, the giant flying eyeball who can’t control his excitement; Kiyoshi, the narcoleptic kappa with an extraordinary vocabulary; Snappel, the fiery wyvern plagued by hiccups; and Cornelius, the poisoned manticore. Together with newfound allies on the island, the champions are forced into an epic battle against fantastic odds, facing not only the Conclave but Redwar as he seeks total control.

Review-

This story reminded me in a vague way of Alice in Wonderland. Based in England, the story is full of mystical and dangerous creatures who put young Joe Copper in harm's way again and again. But only until he becomes the only human standing between ages old dragons and the extinction of the human race. Although some of the animals that author Simon West-Bulford has created seem almost silly, his writing is so spectacular that these animals come across as noble, or tragic, or wise. The plot is believable and exciting. The danger will keep you up at night looking under the bed for monsters. Great story for anyone who wants a thrill.

Publisher-Medallion Press

Reviewer Rating: 4.5 Stars

Reviewed by~Cindi Clubbs

Thank you to the author for the donation of this book to the Read for your Future book program in exchange for a honest review!

Summary-

Perfect for readers who love books and series such as Vampire Academy, Spellbound, and Sweet Peril, Lost in Thought is a sure winner for young adult readers interested in the paranormal, romance, and action-packed twists
Lainey Young has a secret: she’s going crazy. Everyone else thinks she has severe migraines from stress and exhaustion. What she really has are visions of how people died—or are going to die. Not that she tells anyone that. At age 16, she prefers keeping her crazy to herself. When doctors insist she needs a new and stable environment to recover, Lainey’s game to spend two years at a private New England boarding school. She doesn’t really think it will cure her problem, and she’s half right. There is no cure, but as she discovers, she’s not actually crazy. Almost everyone at Northbrook Academy has a secret too. Half the students and nearly all the staff are members of the Sententia, a hidden society of the psychically gifted. A vision of another student’s impending death confirms Lainey is one of them. She’d like to return the crappy gift of divining deaths with only a touch, but enjoys spending time with Carter Penrose—recent Academy graduate and resident school crush—while learning to control it. Lainey’s finally getting comfortable with her ability, and with Carter, when they uncover her true Sententia heritage. Now she has a real secret. Once it’s spilled, she’ll be forced to forget protecting secrets and start protecting herself.

Review-

This book was absolutely terrific and I want to read Book Two RIGHT NOW!!! lol. Lainey and Carter are great characters who eschew most of the teen drama in favor of slightly more mature attitudes towards life. They are both orphans but don't dwell on their circumstances. They are both popular and attractive but also have everyday issues that make them easy to relate to. When Lainey suddenly decides to go to boarding school, the plot takes off with Winter balls, stolen boyfriends, new best friends and enemies, and teenagers with fantastic and dangerous powers. Lainey, of course, has STARS!!!

Thank you to the author for the donation of this book to the Read for your future book program in exchange for a honest review!

Summary-

John Green's The Fault in Our Stars meets Rainbow Rowell's Eleanor & Park in this beautifully written, incredibly honest, and emotionally poignant novel. Cammie McGovern's insightful young adult debut is a heartfelt and heartbreaking story about how we can all feel lost until we find someone who loves us because of our faults, not in spite of them.
Born with cerebral palsy, Amy can't walk without a walker, talk without a voice box, or even fully control her facial expressions. Plagued by obsessive-compulsive disorder, Matthew is consumed with repeated thoughts, neurotic rituals, and crippling fear. Both in desperate need of someone to help them reach out to the world, Amy and Matthew are more alike than either ever realized.
When Amy decides to hire student aides to help her in her senior year at Coral Hills High School, these two teens are thrust into each other's lives. As they begin to spend time with each other, what started as a blossoming friendship eventually grows into something neither expected.

Review-

When I first started this book, my immediate thought was that it was very similar to Fault in Our Stars. Two kids with special needs meet and fall in love in a sweet story. Unfortunately, about half-way through, protagonist Amy, who suffers from cerebral palsy, starts making the WORST decisions ever and the story quickly goes downhill. I was terribly disappointed in the direction the plot took. It wasn't a noble story but rather a messy series of incredibly stupid and dangerous mistakes. However, I'm a 45-year-old woman, and looking back on my own youth, I remember getting myself into some predicaments that could have ended tragically if not for God watching over me. So, I can't and won't tell readers not to pick this book up. It might help prevent someone from leaping without looking. I can say that the writing throughout the whole book was absolutely beautiful. Therefore, I will give this 3 stars.

Publisher-HarperTeen

Reviewer Rating: 3 Stars

Reviewed by~Cindi Clubbs