Relativity by Cristin Bishara

Release Date: September 10, 2013
Publisher: Walker Children's
Source: Publisher
Format: ARC
Pages: 272
Amazon  |  Goodreads

There are so many moments Ruby Wright wishes she could change. The moment her dad uprooted her from California to live in backwoods Ohio with their new stepfamily. The moment she moved away without telling her best friend George she loved him. The moment a car accident ended her mother's life.

But no one can rewrite time. At least, that's what physics-obsessed Ruby believes.

Then she stumbles upon a lightning-powered tree—a doorway to a series of parallel universes. How many possible worlds will Ruby have to explore to find the one with the perfect combination of people, relationships, and experiences? And is she willing to risk everything she has to get back what she has lost?

With a deft blend of science and heart, Cristin Bishara's thought-provoking debut novel explored the laws of time and space...and the even more mysterious nature of love and loss.

 

  

Ruby Wright's world has completely changed, and all she wants is her old life back. Her mother is dead, her father remarried and uprooted them from California to the cornfields of Ohio to be with his new family. She's had to leave behind her life, her friends, and everything she knew.

I felt so bad for Ruby's character. She was completely uprooted and moved across the country. She had to leave behind everything she knew and loved. She had to live with complete strangers, and a super creepy stepsister who has it out for Ruby!A new stepmom is not what Ruby wished for, and especially not a creepy stepsister.

I love books with paralell universes, and this one was quite different because it centered around a "wormhole". Ruby finds sanctuary in a huge old tree, in the middle of a large cornfield, and finds a wormhole. It transports her between 9 different paralel universes. Hopeing to find one that has everything she ever hoped for, Ruby goes on a journey. But she will soon discover that the grass is not always greener on the other side.

During Ruby's quest for the perfect universe, the perfect life, she learns about love, life and self discovery.

This was an enjoyable, and quick read. I really liked the paralel universes, which sometimes can be confusing, but the author did a great job with it.

 

Review: Asylum (Asylum #1)

Asylum (Asylum #1) by Madeleine Roux

Release Date: August 20, 2013
Publisher: HarperTeen
Source: Publisher
Format: ARC
Pages: 313
Amazon  |  Goodreads

For sixteen-year-old Dan Crawford, New Hampshire College Prep is more than a summer program—it's a lifeline. An outcast at his high school, Dan is excited to finally make some friends in his last summer before college. But when he arrives at the program, Dan learns that his dorm for the summer used to be a sanatorium, more commonly known as an asylum. And not just any asylum—a last resort for the criminally insane.

As Dan and his new friends, Abby and Jordan, explore the hidden recesses of their creepy summer home, they soon discover it's no coincidence that the three of them ended up here. Because the asylum holds the key to a terrifying past. And there are some secrets that refuse to stay buried.

Featuring found photos of unsettling history and real abandoned asylums and filled with chilling mystery and page-turning suspense, Madeleine Roux's teen debut, Asylum, is a horror story that treads the line between genius and insanity.

 

My world was rocked in the best way when I read Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children. I've read a few other stories told with words and pictures since then and have been very disappointed. That is until I read Asylum by Madeleine Roux!

Asylum was a thrilling tale of 3 teens attending a summer College Prep course. Unbeknownst to to them, their dorm was converted from an asylum for the criminally insane!

Some pretty creepy things start happening and they soon learn that they are each there for a reason. It was a brilliantly written thriller and I loved every bit of it!

It was well written and I love how the author used old photographs to help tell the story. It really added to the richness of the story and took the creep factor up to a whole new level! I highly recommend this one!

 

 

An Update on the Girl behind the Blog!

Hey Guys!!! *waves*

I feel like it's been aaaages since I've blogged! I've missed it so very much! I hope all is well with my blogger/reader friends. I can't wait to catch up with all of you and catch up an ALL the books I've missed. I know its been a LOT!

I still can't believe that when I started this blog I was a mere 25 year old book nerd who couldn't wait to share her love of books with the world! In a mere 7 days I turn 29, and well...not much has changed! I still adore books, crocheting, warm cups of tea, the color pink, shopping and BUNNIES!

I've gotten glasses since then, and I feel like they are pretty EPIC! hehe Plus, they make me look smarter (at least in my eyes they do!) and I'm totally for that! :) Also, I may have ditched my naturally black hair for an ombre look that I adore! And I am currently thinking of something to spice up my hair this fall. Oooo...

Do ya'll remember my sweet and adorable bunny Toby? Love of my life and bunny extraordinaire? Well... Mr. Tobes was getting quite lonely when I returned to work full time. It broke my heart and I took him courting. He fell in love at first sight with this cutie-pa-tootie.

Just look at that irrisistable face!!! It's of no wonder he was so smitten. I named her Clementine and she is the sweetest little girl I could have ever hoped for! They are total best friends! They do everything together. And I mean EVERYTHING! They use the litter box at the same time, share the same salad bowl even though they each get their own, and are never more than a few inches apart from each other at any given moment! Aren't they precious!?!?!

So what's new with me? Last year I got a second job, working at a pharmacy, which is what I went to school for. I loved it but...a lot of changes came and I decided eventually that it was best to go back home to retail. Scaling back to just the one job was great. I went back and stepped into a role as a supervisor full time,  and I can honestly say I've had a super hard time juggling it and fitting in my passion for reading and blogging. I have so much admiration for all of you out there who manage to juggle life, and a full time job as well as your passion for reading and blogging.

On the health front, I was diagnosed with 3 more auto immune disease. One of them has done a real number on me and it definitely takes its toll. I was put on chemotherapy drugs and another additional biologic drug that I take weekly. The side effects...well they are pretty crap and I struggle daily. BUT I try my best to stay upbeat and positive. Life isn't always ideal but you can always strive to make each day the best that it can be! :)

That being said, going through everything I've been through in this past year, has been rough at times. It's definitely had its ups and downs, and I struggle with depression that kind of comes with the territory. Finding joy in the things that used to ALWAYS make me happy, isn't always something that comes naturally anymore.

The thing is, books, and reading are such a huge part of my life and always have been. I miss the smell of a brand new book, cracking it open and being transported to a whole new world that I can loose myself in for hours. Staying up way too late because I just can't put my book down. I miss all of those things. And I just didn't feel like myself with out them. I hadn't picked up a book in nearly a year, but slowly I'm inching my way back in, and realizing how much I've missed it in the process!

So for those of you who have stuck around with me and my blog, thank you! From the bottom of my heart, I appreciate you and your support. So look for some new reviews, features, tours and giveaways coming in the next few weeks!

See you soon! :)

XOXO

2nd Annual: Authors are Rock Stars Tour

Hi Everyone!

Welcome to my stop on the 2nd Annual- Authors are Rock Stars Tour! I am so excited to be a part of the tour this year, featuring one of my all time favorite YA Authors, Michelle Gagnon! Eeeek!!! You guys may remember that last year I read Don't Look Now and couldn't stop gushing about it. It turned out to be one of my favorite books of 2012 and I've been obsessed with Michelle's work ever since! I am so addicted to the Persefone series, it's unreal! Michelle has a brilliant way of writing epic stories full of heart racing action, adventure, heart stopping romance, and chilling suspense, which is why she is a ROCK STAR in my book!

Today Michelle has graciously answered a few questions so let's get right to it!

The Princess of Storyland: I was absolutely blown away by Don't Turn Around. Computer hackers in a YA suspense/thriller. Heck yes! It was amaze-balls! How did you come up with such a unique idea for this series?

Michelle Gagnon: Oh, yay!!! Thanks so much, I’m beyond thrilled to hear that you enjoyed it! An editor and I actually brainstormed the initial idea together. At the outset, we knew that Noa would wake up on an operating table with no memory of how she got there, and that Peter would have his house broken into after hacking a website. But from there, it really progressed in fits and starts. I’m not an outliner, so one idea just led to the next. When I sat down to write every day, I rarely knew how Noa was going to get out of her latest predicament unscathed—for me, that’s always the fun part (and also the most terrifying!) 

The Princess of Storyland: You are quite an accomplished author in adult fiction. Were you nervous about crossing over into the YA world?

Michelle Gagnon: I was a little nervous, but one day when I was having lunch with a friend of mine (who also happens to be a book editor), she pointed out that nearly all of my adult novels feature a teenager who has a POV and a major role to play in the story (in fact, THE GATEKEEPER kicks off with the kidnapping of a fifteen year-old girl who ended up becoming one of my all-time favorite characters). She urged me to go for it, and I’m so glad I did; I swear, DON’T TURN AROUND practically wrote itself, I finished the rough draft in less than eight weeks.

The Princess of Storyland: In the series, Noa and Peter are very talented hackers! Are you a bit of a hacker yourself or has that always been a fantasy of yours?

Michelle Gagnon: I wish! I’m actually pretty computer illiterate (I’m still trying to figure out tumblr!) It’s such a fantasy of mine, though: I want to be a hacker AND a pool shark, that would be super cool. The irony is that I suffered a total computer meltdown during the writing of EACH book in the trilogy. I’m calling it the PERSEF0NE curse!

The Princess of Storyland:  Are there any future projects in the works?

Yes! First of all, the next book in the trilogy comes out on August 28th (next week!) DON’T LOOK NOW picks up a couple of months after the end of DTA, and shows how Noa and Peter have taken their fight against Project Persephone to the next level.
And I’m just finishing up the final book in the trilogy (DON’T LET GO); it’ll be released next summer.

Plus, I’m about to pitch another YA book idea, but at the moment we’re keeping that hush-hush (so shhh!)

The Princess of Storyland:  Don't Turn Around is one of my all time favorite books!!! What are some of your favorites?

Michelle Gagnon: Let’s see…definitely THE BOOK THIEF and EVERY DAY. But I’m such a huge YA fan, I just devour series: Divergent, Under the Never Sky, the Knife of Never Letting Go, anything by Cassandra Clare, Dust Lands, Shadow and Bone, Delirium, Maze Runner…I really could go on and on. I’m always interested in series recommendations, so if you have any let me know!

A huge thank you to Michelle for stopping by and answering our questions! 

Michelle has generously offered a paperback copy of Don't Turn Around for one lucky winner! Eeek! I hope you will love this book as much as I did!

One lucky winner will be chosen at random. The winner has 48 hours to respond or another winner will be selected. Prizes can only be shipped to a US address.

Comment below with your email address or twitter handle (this is how I will contact you about the prize) for one entry. Follow Michelle on twitter @Michelle_Gagnon for an additional entry. 

For more information about Michelle Gagnon, as well as her current books and upcoming projects, check out her website HERE

Review: Unbreakable (Legion #1)

Unbreakable (Legion #1) by Kami Garcia

Release Date: October 1, 2013
Publisher: Little Brown Books for Young Readers
Source: Arc Tour
Format: ARC
Pages: 320
Amazon  |  Goodreads

Supernatural meets The Da Vinci Code in this action-packed paranormal thriller, the first book in a new series from New York Times bestselling author Kami Garcia.

I never believed in ghosts. Until one tried to kill me.

When Kennedy Waters finds her mother dead, her world begins to unravel. She doesn’t know that paranormal forces in a much darker world are the ones pulling the strings. Not until identical twins Jared and Lukas Lockhart break into Kennedy’s room and destroy a dangerous spirit sent to kill her. The brothers reveal that her mother was part of an ancient secret society responsible for protecting the world from a vengeful demon — a society whose five members were all murdered on the same night.

Now Kennedy has to take her mother’s place in the Legion if she wants to uncover the truth and stay alive. Along with new Legion members Priest and Alara, the teens race to find the only weapon that might be able to destroy the demon — battling the deadly spirits he controls every step of the way.

Suspense, romance, and the paranormal meet in this chilling urban fantasy, the first book in a new series from Kami Garcia, bestselling coauthor of the Beautiful Creatures novels.

Trust me when I say, I am really not into ghost/paranormal stories, so I was pretty hesitant about this book. I finally decided to give it a shot because it sounded interesting and very different from a lot of the YA books that are out right now. I was wildly surprised by Unbreakable. It was such a thrilling ride!!!

I braced myself for the utterly creepy, prepared for the grotesque. But honestly, I had nothing to be worried about! I think this book is the perfect amount of creepy, and suspenseful without being too over the top and alienating the more squeamish readers.

It felt like a ghastly treasure hunt with huge odds at stake! It was such a well written book and I loved it immensely! The pacing was fast and kept my attention the whole time. It is a fantastic start to a series and I look forward to many more!

Waiting on Wednesday (31)

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

Hello and Happy Wednesday everyone!!! :)

Waiting on Wednesday is one of my favorite meme's where you can showcase upcoming releases that you are most excited about! I can't believe I haven't posted a WoW pick in 10 months. ACK! Bad Crissy! 

I am so excited about my pick this week. I am a HUGE fan of historical fiction and recently finished Tarnish by Katherine Longshore and I was completely and utterly captivated by it! So this week my pick is. . .

Manor of Secrets by Katherine Longshore

Lady Charlotte Edmonds: Beautiful, wealthy and sheltered, Charlotte feels suffocated by the strictures of upper-crust society. She longs to see the world beyond The Manor, to seek out high adventure—and most of all, romance.

Janie Seward: Fiery, hardworking, and clever, Janie knows she can be more than just a kitchen maid. But she isn’t sure she possesses the courage—or the means—to break free and follow her passions.

Both Charlotte and Janie are ready for change. As their paths overlap in the gilded hallways and dark corridors of The Manor, rules are broken and secrets are revealed. Secrets that will alter the course of their lives…forever.

Squeee!!! I can't wait to read Manor of Secrets which will be released January 28, 2014 by Scholastic.  

Thanks for stopping by my blog today and if you have a WoW pick this week make sure to leave me a link so I can stop by and check your pick!

Happy Reading!

XOXO

Review: Tarnish

Review: Tarnish by Katherine Longshore

Release Date: June 18, 2013
Publisher: Viking Juvenile
Source: ARC from publisher
Format: eARC
Pages: 448
Amazon  |  Goodreads

Anne Boleyn is the odd girl out. Newly arrived to the court of King Henry VIII, everything about her seems wrong, from her clothes to her manners to her witty but sharp tongue. So when the dashing poet Thomas Wyatt offers to coach her on how to shine at court—and to convince the whole court they’re lovers—she accepts. Before long, Anne’s popularity has soared, and even the charismatic and irresistible king takes notice. More than popularity, Anne wants a voice—but she also wants love. What began as a game becomes high stakes as Anne finds herself forced to make an impossible choice between her heart’s desire and the chance to make history.

I am a HUGE fan of historical fiction, and I'm always looking for a new book to devour in this genre. I have to be honest, and admit I was super hesitant when I picked up Tarnish by Katherine Longshore. I read the first book in this young adult series, Gilt, ready to fall in love and was very disappointed. Many, many people loved and adored Gilt, unfortunately I was not one of them. For some reason, maybe I was just in the mood for historical fiction, I picked up Tarnish. I am so glad I gave this book a shot because it was rock my socks incredible!!!

I think my dislike for Gilt had absolutely nothing to do with the author or her writing, but simply amounted to the fact that I apparently dislike Kitty aka Catherine Howard. Thankfully for me, Tarnish is all about the young Anne Boleyn as she arrives at the royal court. Everything about her from her clothes, her speech, and her looks stands out like a sore thumb, ( and not in a good way!) when all she wants to do is have these people like her.

I adored how the author wrote this story, and the characters, it was absolutely phenomenal! I could not put this down and read it like a desperate fiend! The writing and plot was clever and witty. Everything I look for in a historical fiction tale. The characters were rich and full of their own individual character and charm. Anne is the girl you love to hate. You admire her strong will and determination, and her penchant for speaking her mind, but hate her for just that! Her inability to bite her tongue, which you fear will get her in trouble in a big way. Then there is the clever poet, Thomas Wyatt, who my heart ached for, and the King himself!

This was a brilliantly written piece of young adult historical fiction, with all the classic elements that will hook you to your very core! I fell in love with Tarnish and am looking forward to more incredible books by Katherine Longshore!