Blog Tour: I Become Shadow

Ren Sharpe was having an average day until she was kidnapped from her room at night and taken to the facility. Her family and friends thought she was dead, but she was held captive for four years.

She trained with weapons, survival tactics, and more to  be good enough. Finally she passed the training session and got her first assignment.

Ren must protect a college student, so she finds herself attending classes that don't matter just to be close to him. Then something happens. He's attacked and the no contact rule flies out the window as Ren moves to protect him. Did she act accordingly or did she just blow the entire missions?

My Thoughts: A fantastic debut novel from Joe Shine that kept me quickly turning the pages while on the edge of my seat. I loved the action and the danger. I loved Ren - she kicked major butt, had a loyal streak a mile wide, and a snarky attitude. A fantastic thriller that pulled me in and hooked me as a reader. I hope this is the start of a series, because I don't want to say goodbye.

Cover Thoughts: Different
Source: Sent for review

Relic from SohoTeen

CHRONICLE: Before the Books of Eva tells the story of Madeline, the very first female to participate in the Testing for New North, after the Healing drowned the world...
 

Each year, the finest Gallants in New North embark on the Testing, a harrowing rite of passage through the frozen wastelands to recover Relics, artifacts from the evil time before the Healing. About these Relics the Testors construct their Chronicles, illustrating mankind’s depravity, his Vanity, his love of Tech, his sins too numerous to count. All true Chronicles are collected and made part of the Lex’s Holy Truths, year by year.

The Chronicle.  Nothing is more vital to the resolve of the inhabitants of the New North, the last inhabitants of an Earth flooded by the Healing. But not all Chronicles are deemed True. And not all Testors are Gallants. One year there was a Maiden, Madeline, the first but not the last. Braving the perils of the Testing, she discovered a Relic that, if Chronicled, would be the New North’s downfall...

Go here for more details: RelicTheBook.com.

Blog Tour: This is W.A.R.

Willa Ames-Rowan and James Gregory went out on a boat on July 4th during a party. James came back alone. Later, the police uncovered Willa's body. Her lips were blue. She was a champion swimmer, but died drowning. Everyone knows what happened, but no one is saying a word. With a name like Gregory, no one goes against your word.


Three friends know something went down that night. Rose overhears them talking about it. She wants in on their plans. She wasn't close with Willa, but Willa was always nice to her. Willa talked to her when most people wouldn't. Now these four girls are doing everything in their power to take down the Gregory family. They demand justice - but will their plots destroy themselves in the process?

My Thoughts: I couldn't put this book down - it was so compelling. I had to figure out what happened that night at the party. I loved the friendship the four girls formed - and how they were there for each other. I liked the Pemberly Brown reference. I love how the book opened with Willa's point of view. Even though Rose seemed like the main character, I enjoyed the perspectives of each of the four girls. I liked their home base - the attic. It seemed like a great meeting place or place to read. I liked the moments in public at the club - they were full of tension.  I liked how each of the plots turned out differently than what they expected and how the Gregory family cleverly spun them.  I loved the plans to take down the family and how each girl had something invested in taking them down. An all around engrossing novel full of plot twists that make it hard to put down. 

Cover Thoughts: Great - I love it

Source: ARC from BEA

The Authors:

Lisa and Laura Roecker are sisters-turned-writing-partners with a love of all things Young Adult. Some call it arrested development, but the sisters claim it keeps them young. Plus, its cheaper than Botox. Lisa and Laura live in Cleveland, Ohio in separate residences. Their husbands wouldn't agree to a duplex. THE LIAR SOCIETY and THE LIES THAT BIND are the result of too much Christopher Pike and Lois Duncan in their formative years. 

Review: Deviant

 * this book comes out in June*

Abigail's life hasn't been easy since her foster mother died when she was nine. She's been in and out of homes in Glasgow since then. One night, a worker tells her, her birth mother died leaving her a letter and personal effects.

The letter reveals the name and location of her father and sister. He's expecting her on a plane; Abigail jumps at the chance to leave Scotland and escape her life.

She arrives in California and meets her family. Abigail wants to blend into her family, but she soon realizes that something's not right at the Johnstone house. The more time Abigail spends with Becky, the more she begins to wonder what's really going on. Could there be something sinister underneath everyone's perfect smiles?

My Thoughts: Even though it took me a little while to get into this book and it's something I probably wouldn't have picked up on my own, I ended up really liking it. It appears to be the first book in a series as the ending left me hanging. I felt horrible for Abigail - she grew up fast in Scotland and had a horrible life. When some answers finally come her way, she can't enjoy the moment. I liked uncovering the family history and what happened to her parents. I liked the interaction between her and Becky; it was strange and yet emotional. The horrors of family and people run deep in this book, but I like Abigail's courage to fight. She's a strong character with steady morals. I look forward to reading the next book.

Cover Thoughts: Good
Source: Reviewed for VOYA

BEA Wrap Up: Part 1 - Monday

I'm still trying to remember everyone I met and everything I saw that looked awesome - it's pretty hard. BEA is my favorite book moments of the year. I look forward to it each yet. I love meeting people who love books as much as I do! 

Monday I went to the Book Blogger Con for the first time. It was interesting and I loved meeting so many bloggers!

I got eat breakfast with Jenny Han (I really need to her books! I keep hearing awesome things about them and they're perfect for summer.), Tricia Rayburn (who has an awesome sounding middle grade novel coming out under T.R. Burns and I loved her Maggie Bean books), and Sonja Manzano (who plays Maria on Sesame Street and has a YA book coming out with a GREAT cover story.)

I adored Jennifer Weiner! As the keynote speaker, she made great points about the lack of respect for women's fiction and those who blog about women's fiction. She was really sweet and very funny.

During Lunch, I got to chat with Julie Kagawa (who is so super nice), Jordan Matter (who's book of photographing dancers looks amazing) and Heather Ross (who makes her own fabrics and has a craft book coming out. She also has a picture book out in the fall).

One of the dancers from Jordan Matter

After panels on Blogging Today, Critical Reviews, and Demystifying the Book Blogger & Publisher Relationship where I jotted down notes for future reference, Jenny Lawson from the Bloggess ended the day. She was amusing and very honest. 

After the day, I went to a dinner party for Soho Teen, in the cutest restaurant.

We talked about books, authors, and book cover over food. Soho is just starting a teen imprint. Keep your eyes out for great books coming soon!