Waiting on Wednesday (37) The Fine Art of Pretending

Hey y'all, thanks so much for stopping by my WoW!

Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly meme, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine which spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

According to the guys at Fairfield Academy, there are two types of girls: the kind you hook up with, and the kind you're friends with. Seventeen-year-old Alyssa Reed is the second type. And she hates it. With just one year left to change her rank, she devises a plan to become the first type by homecoming, and she sets her sights on the perfect date—Justin Carter, Fairfield Academy’s biggest hottie and most notorious player.

With 57 days until the dance, Aly launches Operation Sex Appeal and sheds her tomboy image. The only thing left is for Justin actually to notice her. Enter best friend Brandon Taylor, the school’s second biggest hottie, and now Aly’s pretend boyfriend. With his help, elevating from “funny friend” to “tempting vixen” is only a matter of time.

But when everything goes according to plan, the inevitable “break up” leaves their friendship in shambles, and Aly and Brandon with feelings they can’t explain. And the fake couple discovers pretending can sometimes cost you the one thing you never expected to want.

Why I am waiting?

Honestly, I think it is because of the all the teasers that Rachel Harris' is putting on social media sites. They have been great and really captured my interest. I don't usually read contemporary novels and am looking forward to this on.

Teaser Tuesday (37) Red Blooded

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! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)

• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

"Nothing is going to keep me from going after you. Nothing. I don't care if they send a thousand demons to hunt me down, I promise I will find you."

Red Blooded by Amanda Carlson Kindle Location 324

Rourke is the ultimate alpha male, and when separated from him mate he will do anything to get back to her. But will he get to her in time?

Book Boyfriend (35) Caspian

• Join the Book Boyfriend meme
• Pick your book boyfriend for the week
• Current read or not
• Tease us with something about your boy
• Don't spoil the book
• Link up with us

He knows the way to a gals heart is through a homemade gift.

“Anyway." I cleared my throat loudly. "Thank you again for the beautiful necklace. It's perfect, and I love it. Where did you find it? I've never seen anything like it before."

It was his turn to look embarrassed and he ducked his head. "That's because I made it." He peeked up at me, and my heart melted. Am I dreaming? This has to be a dream.

"You made it?" Something wet hit my cheek and I brushed it away, impatiently waiting for his answer.

"Yeah," he said shyly. "I did.”

A compliment from him guaranteed to make you smile.

“Do you know what the name Astrid means?" He switched gears again and I was helpless to follow.

"No."

It means 'star'. That's what I think of you as, Abbey. One day I looked up, and there you were. A fiery spot of light surrounded by darkness. You make me feel like anything is possible.” 

Oh how he feels!

“You want me to have feelings?" he said. "I already told you that I love you. What else should I say? That I long to be near you every second of every day? I see colors, only around you....I smell perfume, only around you. God, it's like...like I'm alive again. Sometimes I go crazy just wondering if I imagined it all, and I wait to see when it...you...will be taken away from me."

"I feel all these things, Abbey," he continued on. "Rage that I can't run my fingers through your hair. Sorrow that I can't lay my face next to yours. Agony that I can't steal the breath from your lips. I can't eat or breathe or sleep for wanting to touch you, and yet I don't eat or breathe or sleep. I'm just here. Stuck in between.”

Caspian is seriously dream-worthy.  HE watches over Abbey like well there is no tomorrow.  And for him there is none.

Swoon Thursday (36) A Cursed Bloodline

The fabulous girls over at YA Bound created this super HOT meme. Here's how it works.

From the book you’re currently reading, or one you just finished, tell us what made you SWOON. What got your heart pounding, your skin tingling, and your stomach fluttering. 

Shout it out on Twitter with the hashtag #YABound, post it here in the comments, or grab the adorable button above and share it on your blog! I want to know & so do the gals at YABound!

"You are my one and only mate. I'll never know love or happiness without you, and I'm nothing without your smile."

Kindle Location 3677

Celia and Aric have been kept apart for far too long. What happens to them in this book is heartbreaking~ and yet this moment sums up their devotion to each other.

Waiting on Wednesday (36) Eternal

Hey y'all, thanks so much for stopping by my WoW!

Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly meme, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine which spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

All her life, Della's secret powers have made her feel separated from her human family. Now, she's where she belongs, at Shadow Falls. With the help of her best friends Kylie and Miranda, she’ll try to prove herself in the paranormal world as an investigator—all the while trying to figure out her own heart. Should she chose Chase, a powerful vampire with whom she shares a special bond? Or Steve, the hot shapeshifter whose kisses make her weak in the knees? When a person with dark connection to her past shows up, it’ll help her decide which guy to choose–and make her question everything she knows about herself. 

From bestselling author C.C. Hunter comes Eternal—a must-read for fans of the Shadow Falls series—and the sequel to Reborn.

Why I am waiting?

Ummm hello the ending of Reborn rocked my world. I have to know what happens with Steve and Della. Plus, I want to know how badly Chase is going to screw up what is happening with Steve and Della.

Teaser Tuesday (36) Broken and Screwed 2

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! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

"You were my guilty indulgence. I should’ve stayed away from you, but I couldn’t. I still can’t. Jeezus. Look at me. I’m damn near on my knees here.”

Broken and Screwed 2 by Tijan Kindle Location 4057

There is something about Jesse that just makes you root for him. You know he loves Alex he just doesn't know how to show it.

Book Boyfriend (34) Gideon

Join the Book Boyfriend meme

Pick your book boyfriend for the week

Current read or not

Tease us with something about your boy

Don't spoil the book

Link up with us

He is a closet romantic.

This time the kiss lingered, drawing out this precious moment that was long overdue.  her lips were as warm and alluring as I's remembered all these years, parting in the same sweet invitation, drawing me toward a divine bliss where I could lose myself for hours.

He is the forgiving type.

I owed it to what we'd once shared to at least try to accept that whatever had happened to her, whatever mysterious force had kept her from coming to me, she was here now.  And she needed my help.

He looks out for his loved ones.

"I appreciate all your help, but I can't ask you all to ally yourselves with me,"  I told them sincerely.  "It's too dangerous.  I'd never be able to live with myself if anything happened to any of you because you were trying to help me."

Gideon with his hot accent makes the perfect book boyfriend- he is fierce, loyal and down right deadly.

Swoon Thursday (35) Mystery Rises

The fabulous girls over at YA Bound created this super HOT meme. Here's how it works.

From the book you’re currently reading, or one you just finished, tell us what made you SWOON. What got your heart pounding, your skin tingling, and your stomach fluttering. 

Shout it out on Twitter with the hashtag #YABound, post it here in the comments, or grab the adorable button above and share it on your blog! I want to know & so do the gals at YABound!

"Angel, I belong to you. Nothing and nobody, will ever change that. You

have my word." Closing the distance between us, he sealed his pledge with a kiss.

Shadow knows just what to say. Here is another swoon worthy moment.

“A smug smile crept onto my lips, I said, "Is that jealousy I detect?"

"No. Not jealousy. Possessiveness. You're mine. You will always be mine. Just like I'm yours, and will always remain yours.”

You gotta admit the angel has major swag!

Waiting on Wednesday (35) The Bane Chronicles

Hey y'all, thanks so much for stopping by my WoW!

Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly meme, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine which spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

A Collection of Ten Short Stories centred around Magnus Bane. Each short story is going to be published as an ebook followed by a Full Single Print Coming 2014

Ever wondered about the enigmatic, mysterious warlock Magnus Bane? The only character to appear in every Shadowhunter book, Magnus has a past even more shrouded in mystery than his present. I’ve teamed up with acclaimed YA writers Maureen Johnson and Sarah Rees Brennan to create the Bane Chronicles, the back (and front) story of Magnus told in ten linked tales.

Look for short stories like Vampires, Scones and Edmund Herondale; The Rise and Fall of the Hotel Dumort; Saving Raphael Santiago and What To Buy The Shadowhunter Who Has Everything (And Who You’re Not Officially Dating Anyway). Each story will be available as an ebook on a monthly basis starting April 16 with the tale of What Happened In Peru. 

Each story will be released monthly online for the next ten months — and then for those who don’t read e-books, the full print collection will be available in bookstores and wherever else books are sold after the Chronicles have been finished.

Why I am waiting?

Yes, I know I could buy these individually when they are released- but I prefer a whole book. One where I can sit and read all about my favorite warlock without having to open different books. One where I can finish a short story, put the book down for a few hours and then pick it back up again. I think it would fun to escape inside Magnus’ life for a bit and see what happened.

Teaser Tuesday (35) Ante Up

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! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)

• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

Diesel had gotten his nickname because he was built like a Mack truck. He barely fit in the booth. He stood six feet, six inches tall and his muscles had muscles.

Ante Up by Amanda Carlson 

“I have trouble controlling my base emotions when the moon is full, but anger is the hardest for me. If I'm mad, I turn into the Hulk. Except I'm not green.”

Ante Up by Amanda Carlson 

There is something about Diesel that makes a gal swoon, and a guy fear him.

Cover Reveal: FRAGILE REIGN (Mortal Enchantment #2)

We're thrilled to help reveal the cover for FRAGILE REIGN (Mortal Enchantment #2) by Stacey O'Neale! Check out the cover below, and let us know what you think in the comments. Then be sure to enter the giveaway for a chance to win a $100 Amazon or B&N gift card!

Details about the cover, from author Stacey O'Neale:

In case you're curious about the cover, the model represents Marcus. The background represents the woodland court and the caves at the bottom are where the members of the royal family live. I chose caves because the woodland court protects the forests of the world. I didn't think they would choose to cut down trees to make a castle, so the massive caves worked out nicely. If you zoom in, you can see where the doors and windows are cut out. The inside is very lavish. If you read FRAGILE REIGN, you'll learn all about it.

FRAGILE REIGN (Mortal Enchantment #2) by Stacey O'Neale | November 18, 2014

It’s been a week since all hell broke loose… Rumors of King Taron’s weakened powers have left the air court vulnerable. Kalin is desperate to awaken her akasha powers, except she doesn’t know how. Tension within the court is at an all-time high. Pressure is mounting for her to ascend to the throne, but a halfling has never ruled over any court. To solidify her position, the council has advised her to marry Sebastian—a high ranking air elemental she’s never met and her betrothed. Will Kalin sacrifice her relationship with Rowan to strengthen her court? Rowan and Marcus return to a fire court in turmoil. Liana’s death has fueled the fire elementals’ distrust against the air and woodland courts. The unbalanced elements have set off natural disasters all over the mortal world. Rowan takes the throne to restore balance, promising to unite the fire court. But not all elementals are happy with his leadership. Many are secretly loyal to Valac, which means Rowan needs to find allies for his cause. Can Rowan unify the court of fire before the elements destroy the world?

Pre-Order on Amazon

Be sure to add FRAGILE REIGN to your TBR on Goodreads, or pre-order on Amazon! The prequel novella, THE SHADOW PRINCE, is currently free on Amazon, and you can also read MORTAL ENCHANTMENT for free if you have Kindle Unlimited.

About the Author

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Pinterest

Stacey O’Neale lives in Annapolis, Maryland. When she’s not writing, she spends her time fangirling over books, blogging, watching fantasy television shows, cheering for the Baltimore Ravens, and hanging out with her husband and daughter.

Her career in publishing started as a blogger-turned-publicist for two successful small publishers. Stacey writes young adult paranormal romance and adult science fiction romance. Her books always include swoon-worthy heroes, snarky heroines, and lots of kissing.

Stacey loves hearing from readers. Follow her on Twitter @StaceyONeale, look for her on Facebook, Pinterest, and GoodReads. You can also visit her blog at http://staceyoneale.com/.

Giveaway

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Review: Between

Author Megan Whitmer
Format e-ARC
Print Length 384 pages
Publisher Spencer Hill Press
Published July 29, 2014

When a supernatural freak of nature forces her family to separate, seventeen-year-old Charlie Page must turn to her frustrating (yet gorgeous) neighbor, Seth, to help reunite them. Seth whisks Charlie to Ellauria—a magical world filled with the creatures of myths and legends—and tells her of the Fellowship, the group charged with protecting mystical beings from human discovery. (All except Bigfoot: that attention whore is a total lost cause.) But when Charlie learns that she's under the Fellowship's protection herself, well, "stressed" is an understatement.

Ellauria should be the safest place for Charlie while the Fellowship works to find her family, but things in the mystical realm aren’t what they seem.

Magic is failing, creatures are dying, and the Fellowship insists Charlie holds the key to saving everyone. With her family still missing and the danger in Ellauria growing, Charlie doesn't know who she can trust. She's dealing with a power she never asked for, falling for a guy she can't have, and being forced to choose between her destiny and her heart. And if she chooses wrong, she could destroy magic forever.

Charlie may be in over her head.

My Opinion

Between is a charming book that will jumpstart your imagination. At the beginning of the book, Charlie is with her very normal family- her momma and her twin brother Sam. They are celebrating the twin’s birthday. The birthday is interrupted in a thrilling way when a mothman attacks the twins. Sam and their momma go one way, Charlie and a family friend Seth go another. They have plans to meet back up in some place called Ellauria. All Charlie is armed with is her momma’s last words to her “Listen to Seth…. trust in him”. She has to remind herself of this mantra a lot during the next several chapters.

Charlie soon realizes that life is not as she thought. There is another realm or two, Ellauria and the Between, that she did not know existed. The Between is like a buffer zone that magical beings may enter before getting to Ellauria. Charlie being human should not be able to enter the Between or Ellauria- that is when she finds out the truth.

Charlie is Seth’s apprentice, and he is her Aegis. He main job is be her mentor and guardian. Charlie is the last of the muralets- a direct descendant from Mother Nature. Because of this Seth and her momma, Adele have kept her hidden.

Charlie is a likeable character who questions everything- so basically a typical teenager. Not only does she question everything, she is woman enough to do so out loud. She handles everything that Seth and Alexander throw her way. She is determined to find her mom and brother, even if no one else is. Seth as her Aegis is pretty darn hot. Not only that be he knows his stuff, and his mentee. He knows and respects that Charlie will question him. He continues to play guardian and mentor to him, even with the budding feelings that are occurring between them.

Questions raced through my head- will they get to her mom and brother in time? Will Seth be able to save her? Will Keiran just go away? (I was fearing a love triangle.) Why did no one else want to protect Charlie? She is magic, after all.

Between is a fascinating read that ultimately creates an enchanting new world for the reader. As this is the author’s debut novel, I am looking forward to reading more from her in the future.

My Rating 4 out of 5 stars

Favorite Quote I think “duck” works pretty well. Duck. Ducking. Ducker.

Other People

Clary- mean gal empress of fairies
Keiran- elven flamethrower
Alexander- leader of the Fellowship