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.
Let the book fall 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 Teaser Tuesday participants can add the book to their TBR lists if they like the teaser!

This is my first time participating in Teaser Tuesday but it sounds like a really fun meme to do. This week my teaser comes from Illuminate by Aimee Agresti. It's been sitting on my shelf ever since I got back from ALA and I finally couldn't take staring at the gorgeous cover any longer!

I hoisted myself through the opening with arms that suddenly felt capable of lifting boulders. I landed with a thump inside, smacking against the hard ground. But the adrenaline coursing through me kept me from feeling the least bit of pain. Instead it bounced me back up to my feet and infused me with enough force to yank that panel back into place just Aurelia's office door burst open. 

200 Follower Giveaway

Hello Lovelies~

This has been long overdue, but I finally reached the 200 mark. Squee! *cheers and throws confetti* I honestly thought when I started blogging that it would be just me, talking to myself. haha I appreciate each and every one of my followers!  You guys are amazing!

I love our twitter chats, your amazing comments and all of your incredible support. You guys totally rock! So to show my appreciation I am giving away a box of arcs! Yay!!! (insert applause here) Some are arcs that aren't out yet, others have already been released. 

There will be 1 winner and the contest is only open to US residents. Sorry guys I know I have international followers, but I can't afford to ship this many books out of the country. The winner will recieve the following books ( all arcs)

There is a freebie entry for everyone. You don't have to be a blog follower to enter the giveaway although I would love it if you were a follower. :) There are also extra ways to get additional entries, so if you'd like to take advantage of those. 

Goodluck to you all! And if you don't win, don't worry. I will be giving away another box of arcs when I hit the 300 follower mark!

Happy Reading!

XOXO

Still Waters

Still Waters by Emma Carlson Berne
Release Date: December 20, 2011
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Age Group: Young Adult
Pages: 212
Format: ARC
Interest: YA
Challenge: 2012 Goodreads Reading Challenge, 2012 TBR Pile Challenge
Buy the Book: Amazon

Hannah can't wait to sneak off for a romantic weekend with her boyfriend, Colin. He's leaving for college soon, and Hannah wants their trip to the lake house to be one they'll never forget.

But once Hannah and Colin get there, things start to seem a bit...off. They can't find the town on any map. The house they are staying in looks as if someone's been living there, even though it's been deserted for years. And Colin doesn't seem quite himself. As he grows more unstable, Hannah worries about Colin's dark side, and her own safety.

Nothing is as perfect as it seems, and what lies beneath may haunt her forever.
                          

I've had this book sitting on my shelf for quite a while, and I am kicking myself for not reading it sooner. I found the story to be completely engrossing and so hard to put down! It was a wonderful thriller that had me glued to the pages and looking behind my back constantly.

Still Waters is the story of Hannah, who is always the perfect and dutiful daughter. Unable to return her boyfriend, Colin's declaration of "love" Hannah decides to do something exciting and reckless together before Colin heads off to college. Hannah packs their bags and surprises Colin with a weekend getaway for just the two of them. As they head off to Colin's family's cabin, Hannah pictures the incredible weekend they will have. But when they arrive the cabin turns out to be less than Hannah expected, with no electricity and buried in the woods. As strange things start to happen Hannah begins to realize this may have been a huge mistake!

It was a quick and fast paced read. The story moved and flowed in exactly the right way. My heart was racing throughout the story, and I found myself rushing to finish sentences so I could turn the page and find out what happened next! I was constantly looking over my shoulder and eyeing people.

This book was definitely not the romantic weekend that Hannah envisioned. It was thrilling, creepy, and disturbing and I loved every second of it! I am a huge suspense/mystery/thriller fan and this book hit the spot!

February 2012 Wrap-Up

Hello Lovelies~

2012 came in like a lightning flash! I can't believe how quickly this year is flying by! And there have been so many amazing books coming out since the new year rang in. And there are sooo many more amazing books I am looking forward to. I can't believe we are already into March and spring titles. My how time flies!

My goals for 2012 were to find the time to read/blog more, hit the 200 follower mark (hopefully) and spend more visiting other blogger's sites and comment back!

I FINALLY hit the 200 follower mark. *cheers and throws confetti* Which means there will be a giveaway coming pretty soon. I'm hoping to give away a box FULL of arc's! Now I just need to pick up my reading pace so I can make that happen soon-ish.

I was ill for most all of February which made reading a challenge for me. Definitely not as successful a month as January was, but I'm picking up my pace, finding my groove, and I have high hopes that March will be epic!

Despite all the challenges I faced during February I was still able to read 6 books. Not nearly as bad as I thought. I also had a total of 16 blog posts. Only 10 down from last month. So not too bad at all! I thought when I did my wrap-up post I'd realize how miserably I failed this month, but I'm finding out I didn't do as bad as I thought! I am very pleased with what I was able to accomplish this month while being sick, and hope to make even more progress this month!

The Books

Fever (The Chemical Garden #2) by Lauren DeStefano

Fracture by Megan Miranda

Lover's Dictionary by David Levithan

The List by Siobhan Vivian (review to come closer to release date)

The Catastrophic History Of You and Me by Jess Rothenberg

The Stalker Chronicles by Carley Moore

The Challenges

• I read 6 books towards my goal of 100 for the 2012 Goodreads Reading Challenge. Bringing me to a total of 14 books for the year.
• I also read 4 books towards my goal for the 2012 YA Contemporary Challenge. Bringing my total to 8 books towards my goal of 15.
• I read 0 books towards my TBR Pile Challenge. Booo! haha Bad Crissy! In my defense there were so many amazing upcoming books that I just couldn't help but dig into. My goal is to read 2 books from my TBR each month for a total of 24 for the year. So I failed this month but year to date I have read 3 books towards my goal of 24. Only leaving me behind by 1! Not too shabby!
• And last but not least I read 3 books towards the 2012 Debut Author Challenge bringing me to a total of 7 for the year

Random Act's of Kindness

My good friend Amy and tv buddy sent me an audio book of Laini Taylor's of Lips Touch. Amy also sent me some awesome Incarnate swag as well as an awesome signed bookplate from Leigh Fallon for my fave book of all time, Carrier of the Mark! Squee!

My friend Mindy from Magical Urban Fantasy Reads sent me Hallowed, Unearthly, and Everneath for a book signing I was going to. She was so sweet and I can't wait to read all 3 of them!

And last but not least Holly Cupala sent a signed copy of Don't Breathe A Word as well as some really awesome swag, which I will treasure always!

Despite being sick, February turned out to be a really great month for me! I have a feeling March will be even more amazing and I can't wait for all of the amazing books that will be releasing this month. I hope you had an equally, if not better, month then I did!

Leave me a comment and let me know what goals you were able to accomplish this month. Until next month...

Happy Reading!

XOXO

The Stalker Chronicles

The Stalker Chronicles by Carley Moore 

Release Date: March 27,2012
Publisher: Farrar, Straus, and Giroux
Age Group: YA
Pages: 400
Format: ARC
Source: Own
Interest: YA, Debut Author
Challenge: 2012 Reading Challenge, 2012 Debut Author Challenge, 2012 YA Contemporary Challenge
Buy the Book: Amazon

Sophomore Cammie Bliss has long been labeled a stalker by her peers, but when a cute new boy named Toby arrives at her small town high school, Cammie has a chance to be "normal." Trouble is, she can't really help herself and she's up to her old tricks of "intense observation and following" pretty quick. Making things worse, her younger brother is dating one of the most popular girls in the school, her parents have separated, and her dad has begun to watch their house most nights. Cammie has simply got to figure out why she behaves the way she does, and end it once and for all.

The Stalker Chronicles was a cute, contemporary novel that instantly propelled me into my teenage memories. I think we can all admit, we've acted a bit stalker-ish from time to time. At one point in our lives, we've called a boy one too many times. Or maybe you've met a cute guy and then immediately started envisioning a future with him. Or maybe you meet a cutie, and before you know it you find yourself daydreaming about him and doodling his name all of your notebook and thinking of ways to "accidently" bump into him. Whatever the case may be, at some point in our lives. we've all done it!

Cammie Bliss was a totally endearing character. She means well, she really does! But, she just sort of has this habit of going about things in the worst way possible! She knows it, but it's like there's this inner demon within her and she can't stop. Reading about Cammie's boy trouble and social akwardness had me smiling and remembering my teenage years. I think we have all been in her shoes before. While most of us grew out of it, Cammie just can't seem to break the pattern. When Toby, movies to town, Cammie finds herself instantly attracted to him and vows to start over, and break her Stalker reputation.

She's doing pretty well, but then everything starts to fall apart. Her younger brother is dating the most popular girl at school, who just so happens to hate Cam. Her parents are getting a divorce and her father has moved out. Her mother has started to date other men, and her father has started watching their house at night. Maybe the stalker gene runs in the Bliss family? Will Cammie be able to shake her bad reputation and change before she messes up her chances with Toby permanantly?

This was such a cute read from beginning to end. I really enjoyed reading about Cammie and all of her wild antics. At times I laughed out loud, especially when she got caught red handed going through Toby's trash so in an effort to  learn more about him. All in all it was a really enjoyable and quick read!

Waiting On Wednesday (11)

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

Defiance (Defiance #1) by C.J. Redwine

Within the walls of Baalboden, beneath the shadow of the city’s brutal leader, Rachel Adams has a secret. While other girls sew dresses, host dinner parties, and obey their male Protectors, Rachel knows how to survive in the wilderness and deftly wield a sword. When her father, Jared, fails to return from a courier mission and is declared dead, the Commander assigns Rachel a new Protector, her father’s apprentice, Logan—the same boy Rachel declared her love for two years ago, and the same boy who handed her heart right back to her. Left with nothing but fierce belief in her father’s survival, Rachel decides to escape and find him herself. But treason against the Commander carries a heavy price, and what awaits her in the Wasteland could destroy her.

At nineteen, Logan McEntire is many things. Orphan. Outcast. Inventor. As apprentice to the city’s top courier, Logan is focused on learning his trade so he can escape the tyranny of Baalboden. But his plan never included being responsible for his mentor’s impulsive daughter. Logan is determined to protect her, but when his escape plan goes wrong and Rachel pays the price, he realizes he has more at stake than disappointing Jared.

As Rachel and Logan battle their way through the Wasteland, stalked by a monster that can’t be killed and an army of assassins out for blood, they discover romance, heartbreak, and a truth that will incite a war decades in the making.

I am in LOVE with the cover. It is absolutely gorgeous! And the story sounds blow your mind amazing! I can't wait for this one to come out! Look for it to hit bookshelves on August 28th!

What books are you waiting for?

The Catastrophic History Of You and Me

The Catastrophic History Of  You and Me by Jess Rothenberg
Release Date: February 21,2012
Publisher:  Dial
Age Group: YA
Pages: 400
Format: ARC
Source: Own
Interest: YA, Debut Author
Challenge:  2012 Reading Challenge, 2012 Debut Author Challenge
Buy the Book: Amazon

 
BRIE'S LIFE ENDS AT SIXTEEN: Her boyfriend tells her he doesn't love her, and the news breaks her heart—literally.

But now that she's D&G (dead and gone), Brie is about to discover that love is way more complicated than she ever imagined. Back in Half Moon Bay, her family has begun to unravel. Her best friend has been keeping a secret about Jacob, the boy she loved and lost—and the truth behind his shattering betrayal. And then there's Patrick, Brie's mysterious new guide and resident Lost Soul . . . who just might hold the key to her forever after.

With Patrick's help, Brie will have to pass through the five stages of grief before she's ready to move on. But how do you begin again, when your heart is still in pieces?

The Catastrophic History of You and Me is the story of Brie ( not the cheese!) who dies of a broken heart. Literally! Brie's boyfriend tell's her over dinner, that he doesn't love her anymore. In that moment, her heart, breaks. Literally severs in half! Brie struggles with the effects her death has had on her family, her friends, and even herself. She will learn more about herself, and everyone she loved then she ever knew, as she comes to terms with what happened to her.

I loved this book from the very first page. The chapter titles were so cute, and incredible! I loved the sarcastic, witty writing and the banter between the character's. I knew from the very first paragraph that this was going to be insata-love!

The story was amazing and captured so many emotions and issues. I loved Brie's family dynamic, her close relationship with her brother, and that crazy goofball dog Hamloaf! I loved her friends B.E.S.T ( Brie, Emma, Sadie, Tess) who reminded me of my own group of close knit friends growing up. Jacob, who seemed like the perfect boyfriend, up until the very second where he broke her heart.

I felt like the author sucked me into a beautiful, fun, and witty world that I never wanted to leave. I laughed out loud, and cried, smiled, and sang along ridiculously to 80's classics. I loved how the story wasn't just a typical contemporary, it had so much depth and raw emotion that truly set it apart.

After Brie's death she discovers so much more about her friends and even her own family that she never knew.  My heart broke right along with Brie's when Patrick, the love of her life, told her he didn't love her anymore. When she discover's that her father is having an affair, I literally screamed Noooo and then wept. I felt as helpless as Brie did, an outsider looking in, not able to do a thing. I wanted to hug her mother and warn her, I wanted to yell at her father. I wanted to hug the whole family and keep them from falling apart.

This book was everything I wanted it to be. It was laugh out loud funny. It sucked me in and I fell in love with the character's instantly. It touched on so many real issues that brought such strong and raw emotions. It had me laughing, crying and thinking about it long after it was over. I think Lauren Oliver summed it up perfectly when she said "Gorgeous, funny, and heartbreaking".