Living Violet (The Cambion Chronicles, #1) by Jaime

He's persuasive, charming, and way too mysterious. And for Samara Marshall, her co-worker is everything she wants most--and everything she most fears. . .

Samara Marshall is determined to make the summer before her senior year the best ever. Her plan: enjoy downtime with friends and work to save up cash for her dream car. Summer romance is not on her to-do list, but uncovering the truth about her flirtatious co-worker, Caleb Baker, is. From the peculiar glow to his eyes to the unfortunate events that befall the girls who pine after him, Samara is the only one to sense danger behind his smile.

But Caleb's secrets are drawing Samara into a world where the laws of attraction are a means of survival. And as a sinister power closes in on those she loves, Samara must take a risk that will change her life forever. . .or consume it.

     Living Violet was an unexpected read that blew me out of the water. It was nowhere on my to-read list, but when I saw it in the bookstore, I was in no way hesitant. I had to have it. It was the first book in a long time that I read in only one day. There are a lot of unique things that made me like Living Violet. First, the main female character, Samara, is biracial. Then, it was the first book I’ve read that had an incubus in it. It opened up some new doors for me and I was very eager to gobble up the new experience. Samara is bold and beautiful. She has a smart mouth, loyal friends, and a willing heart. She definitely needs it to deal with hot, delicious Caleb. He is the incubus and he attracts women like flies to honey. He is sweet and persistent, but Samara knows something is up. He has a “demon” living inside him that Samara calls Capone that feeds off women. Samara understands, but even she gets jealous of all the women hanging unto him. Their relationship is deep and funny, at times, I love watching them interact. Of course with perfection comes trouble, Caleb’s dad is heartbroken at the death of Caleb’s mother and his demon is going on a rage. It wants its joy back and it is only found in the similar face of Samara’s lonely mother. Imagine the problems this cause and they haven’t even been able to kiss properly yet! Really, guys, this book is awesome and you really need to get, right now. It’s new, it’s exciting, and it’s definitely hot!!!

Love Notes (1)

Love Notes is a new meme here on the blog that features sweet, cute, and sexy quotes from YA books.

"He caught my arm before I could get down. His hand rested warmly against my skin, not passing through or sinking in. He pulled me toward him, his pale blue eyes bright with emotion, and I let him. His mouth, so warm and soft, brushed over mine, once, twice...and lingered. I snuggled closer to his heat, bracing my free hand against the pillow. He let go of my wrist to thread his fingers through my hair and tilt my head. Suddenly, I was being kissed, really kissed, and I leaned into him, tasting him as he tasted me."

"Brendan kept playing with my hair, and finally said, "I'd like to know what you're doing tomorrow," "Oh, I'm busy," I said flippantly, trying to calm my own nerves with stupid jokes. Brendan just gave me a squeeze around my waist and raised on dark eyebrow. "I mean, I'm busy...with you," I said softly, feeling a little shy all of a sudden. "See, Emma," Brendan whispered, "I told you I could be a good boy." He ran his hand through my hair, drawing me in more tightly as he lowered his face."

"You wanna dance?" he asked flatly. "Are you asking me to dance with you?" "Yeah." Finn shrugged. "Yeah?"I shrugged sarcastically. "You really know how to sweet-talk a girl." His mouth crept up in a hint of a smile, and that officially won me over. I hated myself for it."



"Caleb was kind enough to distract me with his fingers. I sat in the backseat with my legs on his lap. He massaged my calves, enthralled by the texture and earthly material from which they were made. "You've got the softest skin, " He said with visible awe. "That's gonna be a serious problem." "It already is, " I replied, in light of the shiver that attacked my remaining limbs."

Review: The Ghost and the Goth (The Ghost and the Goth, #1) by Stacey Kade

Alona Dare–Senior in high school, co-captain of the cheerleading squad, Homecoming Queen three years in a row, voted most likely to marry a movie star… and newly dead.

I’m the girl you hated in high school. Is it my fault I was born with it all-good looks, silky blond hair, a hot bod, and a keen sense of what everyone else should not be wearing? But my life isn’t perfect, especially since I died. Run over by a bus of band geeks—is there anything more humiliating? As it turns out, yes—watching your boyfriend and friends move on with life, only days after your funeral. And you wouldn’t believe what they’re saying about me now that they think I can’t hear them. To top it off, I’m starting to disappear, flickering in and out of existence. I don’t know where I go when I’m gone, but it’s not good. Where is that freaking white light already?

Will Killian–Senior in high school, outcast, dubbed “Will Kill” by the popular crowd for the unearthly aura around him, voted most likely to rob a bank…and a ghost-talker.

I can see, hear, and touch the dead. Unfortunately, they can also see, hear and touch me. Yeah, because surviving high school isn’t hard enough already. I’ve done my best to hide my “gift.” After all, my dad, who shared my ability, killed himself because of it when I was fifteen. But lately, pretending to be normal has gotten a lot harder. A new ghost—an anonymous, seething cloud of negative energy with the capacity to throw me around—is pursuing me with a vengeance. My mom, who knows nothing about what I can do, is worrying about the increase in odd incidents, my shrink is tossing around terms like “temporary confinement for psychiatric evaluation,” and my principal, who thinks I’m a disruption and a faker, is searching for every way possible to get rid of me. How many weeks until graduation?

I have been wanting to read The Ghost and the Goth for FOREVER! I loved the concept and the cover so one day I just bit the bullet and bought it! I thought it was so cute and a wonderful start to what I think will be a great series. I will admit that at the beginning I really didn't like Alona, but I think I wasn't supposed to like her so that I could see her growth throughout the book. She was so sarcastic about her death and sarcastic and prissy, period. It made for a great unique personality as the story went on. Will was so fun. I felt so sorry for him, hearing all the ghosts and being trapped because people thought he was crazy. He was a sweet person and a great match for Alona. He was serene and kinda quiet even with his thoughts, which contrasted awesomely with Alona. She had a lot to say. Their relationship grew at a perfect pace and it was so cute reading each of them battle with their feelings. The romance and plot of the book are equal and don't crowd each other out making for a dynamic read.

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 Q: What is the best book you’ve read in the last month? What is the worst book you’ve read in the last month?

 

Answer: The best book I've read this month was Spellbound by Cara Lynn Schultz. The worst would have to be.....nothing. All the books I read this month were awesome! I love when that happens!

Happy Follow Friday!!!

Switched (Tryelle Trilogy, #1) by Amanda Hocking

When Wendy Everly was six years old, her mother was convinced she was a monster and tried to kill her. Eleven years later, Wendy discovers her mother might have been right. She’s not the person she’s always believed herself to be, and her whole life begins to unravel—all because of Finn Holmes.

Finn is a mysterious guy who always seems to be watching her. Every encounter leaves her deeply shaken…though it has more to do with her fierce attraction to him than she’d ever admit. But it isn’t long before he reveals the truth: Wendy is a changeling who was switched at birth—and he’s come to take her home.

Now Wendy’s about to journey to a magical world she never knew existed, one that’s both beautiful and frightening. And where she must leave her old life behind to discover who she’s meant to become…

 

I started reading this book after I was already reading another awesome one whose review will be coming soon. Unknown to me, I had been in a reading slump. Exams and studying and average books had clouded my enthusiasm. Switched was a split second choice to read and was the best thing I've decided in a long time. Wendy is so awesome and kick butt. She speaks her mind and never holds her tongue. Her personality was conflicting. The sassy part and the insecure part that needed reassurance. Her relationship with her brother was so sweet and added something to the book. Finn definitely pops up unexpectedly. He looks at her a lot. She doesn't hesitate to confront him about it and his smirk hints that she amuses him. I think that he and Wendy were the PERFECT pair. Their personalities were so different, but the same. They each had their vulnerable sides that could only be strengthened by each other. Wendy, Finn, and Switched were all the most wonderful things that happened to me. Reading slump is no more!

Review: Darker Still (Magic Most Foul, #1) by Leanna Renee Hieber

I was obsessed.

It was as if he called to me, demanding I reach out and touch the brushstrokes of color swirled onto the canvas. It was the most exquisite portrait I'd ever seen--everything about Lord Denbury was unbelievable...utterly breathtaking and eerily lifelike.

There was a reason for that. Because despite what everyone said, Denbury never had committed suicide. He was alive. Trapped within his golden frame.

I've crossed over into his world within the painting, and I've seen what dreams haunt him. They haunt me too. He and I are inextricably linked--bound together to watch the darkness seeping through the gas-lit cobblestone streets of Manhattan. Unless I can free him soon, things will only get Darker Still.



Darker Still was a fairly short book in a appearance, but it took me so long to read. Natalie is mute and that a new thing for me with heroines or any main character. She was easy to relate to and headstrong. I liked her from the start. She and Mrs. Northe are the only characters that are very developed. This is where the problems begin. Denbury, Natalie's beau, is described as very beautiful and that is all. His "voice" is very rarely heard in Natalie's recollections and the dialogue is kinda empty. The plot was slow to develop and mostly spent talking about action instead of actual action. The book finally starts getting good at the end and is the only redeeming quality that makes me have faith in the second book. The cover is gorgeous cover doesn't hurt either!!

Awesome Author Signings and Blurbs from Strange Chemistry!

Strange Chemistry is on a roll! They just recently signed another fabulous author for a two book deal! The author is A. E. Rought  and she just signed on for a two book deal. The first book will be called Broken and released in early 2013. Here is the blurb of the book:

     Imagine a modern spin on Mary Shelley's Frankenstein where a young couple's undying love and the grief of a father pushed beyond sanity could spell the destruction of them all.

A string of suspicious deaths near a small Michigan town ends with a fall that claims the life of Emma Gentry's boyfriend, Daniel. Emma is broken, a hollow shell mechanically moving through her days. She and Daniel had been made for each other, complete only when they were together. Now she restlessly wanders the town in the late Fall gloom, haunting the cemetery and its white-marbled tombs, feeling Daniel everywhere, his spectre in the moonlight and the fog.

When she encounters newcomer Alex Franks, only son of a renowned widowed surgeon, she's intrigued despite herself. He's an enigma, melting into shadows, preferring to keep to himself. But he is as drawn to her as she is to him. He is strangely...familiar. From the way he knows how to open her locker when it sticks, to the nickname she shared only with Daniel, even his hazel eyes with brown flecks are just like Daniel's. The closer they become, though, the more something inside her screams there's something very wrong with Alex Franks. And when Emma stumbles across a grotesque and terrifying menagerie of mangled but living animals within the walls of the Franks' estate, creatures she surely knows must have died from their injuries, she knows.

  

Oooh, Frankenstein. Sounds good, huh?  

In other book news, another strange chemistry novel will be out soon, in October, called The Assassin's Curse by Cassandra Rose Clark. Here is the blurb for that, too!

  Ananna of the Tanarau abandons ship when her parents try to marry her off to an allying pirate clan. But that only prompts the scorned clan to send an assassin after her. And when Ananna faces him down one night, armed with magic she doesn’t really know how to use, she accidentally activates a curse binding them together. To break the curse, Ananna and the assassin must complete three impossible tasks—all while grappling with evil wizards, floating islands, haughty manticores, runaway nobility, strange magic, and the growing romantic tension between them.

 I personally love the sound of them both and I can't wait for the covers to be released!

Review: The Predicteds by Christine Seifert

Daphne is the new girl in town and is having trouble fitting in. At least she has Jesse--sort of. He wants to be more than "just friends," but there's something he's not telling her about his past. Something dangerous.











The Predicteds has a beautiful cover and this made me hold a lot of expectations for it. I guess I can say that it was alright. I couldn't find anything special about it that made it awesome. The concept is awesome and someone could really do it justice, but this book was not it. None of the characters were very deep and the story just didn't seem well thought out. I thought the whole point of the book was tell you how you shouldn't let labels predict your life. Predicted, in the book, is a bad thing and means that you are predicted to commit a crime in your life. When the results get out, everyone avoids the Predicteds. Sure Daphne loves Jesse despite his title, but the way she makes a big deal out it makes it seem like she thinks she is doing him a favor.

Cover Reveal: The Essence by Kimbery Derting

Kimberly just posted the cover for The Essence, the second book in the Pledge series. Goodreads

Isn't it gorgeous? View the original post HERE!