Back to the Books Giveaway Hop

This giveaway is co-hosted by I Am A Reader, Not A Writer & Buried In Books  

Yay!! Another Giveaway!

I've been back in school for 2 weeks now and it's been crazy. 

Granted all I have is two internships, a business class, and thesis, but still.

So, to help find things to do besides study, i.e. procrastinate, 

I'm giving you the choice of any YA book up to $12.

Must be currently available...no pre-orders!

This giveaway is international!!

I will be ordering from Books-A-Million, Fishpond or The Book Depository.

So find a book and enter!

Giveaway Policy Applies!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Labor Day Weekend Read-A-Thons

Hey guys!! So I decided to participate in both of the read-a-thons taking place this weekend! I'm not sure how much I will be able to read, but I'm hoping to get through a few book! I have internship all day today and a football game to attend tomorrow, so I will get as much read as possible. I will try to post daily reading updates.

The Books:


Are you participating?? If so, leave a link below for me so I can stop by! If not, what are you doing this weekend?

Feature & Follow #14

Feature & Follow is a blog hop hosted by Parajunkee and Alison Can Read.  It is a great way to make new friends and gain followers.  

You can follow me via any of the following:

GFC, Linky, Networked Blogs

RSS or Email

Facebook, Twitter, Goodreads 
(all are located on the right sidebar)

This Weeks Question:

Best Cover? What is the best cover of a book 
that you've read and didn't like?

 I absolutely fell in love with this cover when I first saw it. After reading the summary it sounded like something I would enjoy. Sadly, the story didn't live up to my expectations. My review will be posted sometime next month.

What book had an amazing cover but just didn't do it for you?

{Review} The Dark Light by Sara Walsh

The Dark Light
by Sara Walsh
Publisher:  Simon Pulse
Pages:  496
Source:  Won
Available as of August 28, 2012
Barnes & Noble | Amazon | Books-A-Million
The Book Depository | Fishpond

Mia is torn between two guys—and two worlds—in this epic, romantic fantasy.Mysterious lights have flickered above Crownsville for as long as Mia can remember. And as far as she’s concerned, that’s about the only interesting thing to happen in her small town.

That is, until Sol arrives. Mia’s not one to fall for just any guy, but she can’t get Sol—or the brilliant tattoo on his back—out of her mind.

Then Mia’s brother goes missing, and Mia’s convinced that Sol knows more than he’s sharing. But getting closer to Sol means reevaluating everything Mia once believed to be true. Because Sol’s not who Mia thought he was—and neither is she.

Rating:

My Review:

Oh my! How to describe such an amazing story? Sara Walsh took me on a wild ride between our world and the unknown. My attention was never broken by the uncertainty and mystery of what lay ahead.

What do you do when boys go missing in your home town? What do you do when one of those boys is your younger brother? Mia Stone finds out who she really is and where her family comes from while trying to rescue the only person who has ever meant anything to her. Will she pull off the unthinkable, or will she be too late?

I'm not even sure where to begin. Mia and Jay live with their Uncle Pete in Crownsville, a small town where young boys go missing. Although suspicious, Mia never questions the activities until she sees the lights and one day finds her brother running towards them. The mysterious new guy, Sol, finds her following Jay and pulls her back. Being the best big sister ever, Mia refuses to give up on finding him. Her persistence lands her in a world she never could have imagined.

To say I loved this book would be an understatement. I was so pulled into the story line that I would read and lose myself, never realizing how much time had passed. Mia was strong and refused to give up. She was stubborn and had to be a part of the action or it wouldn't happen. The Dark Light was filled with action, adventure and just a pinch of a love story. I was on the edge of my seat hoping it would never end. When it did, I didn't want to let it go. 

Overall, The Dark Light was wonderfully written and I had no clue how it would end. It was perfect and I would love more. Crossing my fingers for another story of Mia, Jay, or Sol's life. I highly recommend this one if you want more on the edge of your seat action and less romance.

Waiting on Wednesday #21

Waiting on Wednesday is hosted by Jill @ Breaking the Spine

This week I'm waiting for.....

34 Pieces of You
by Carmen Rodrigues


To Be Released on September 4, 2012

Summary:
A dark and moving novel—reminiscent of Thirteen Reasons Why—about the mystery surrounding a teenage girl’s fatal overdose.

There was something about Ellie... Something dangerous. Charismatic. Broken. Jake looked out for her. Sarah followed her lead. And Jess kept her distance, and kept watch.

Now Ellie’s dead, and Jake, Sarah, and Jess are left to pick up the pieces. All they have are 34 clues she left behind. 34 strips of paper hidden in a box beneath her bed. 34 secrets of a brief and painful life.

Jake, Sarah, and Jess all feel responsible for what happened to Ellie, and all three have secrets of their own. As they begin to confront the darkest truths about themselves, they will also find out what Ellie herself had been hiding all along....

Why I'm waiting:  
Based off of the summary, I am so totally dying to read this one!! I loved Thirteen Reasons Why and if this is like it at all, I will be hugging the book when I'm done. I so can't wait! This is another one of my pre-orders!! It's almost here!!

What are you waiting for?

Wishlist Wednesday #21

Wishlist Wednesday is hosted by Pen to Paper

Never Enough by Denise Jaden

Summary:

From the author of Losing Faith, a novel about two sisters and the eating disorder that threatens to destroy their family.

Loann’s always wanted to be popular and pretty like her sister, Claire. So when Claire’s ex-boyfriend starts flirting with her, Loann is willing to do whatever it takes to feel special… even if that means betraying her sister.

But as Loann slips inside Claire’s world, she discovers that everything is not as it seems. Claire’s quest for perfection is all-consuming, and comes at a dangerous price. As Claire increasingly withdraws from friends and family, Loann struggles to understand her and make amends. Can she heal their relationship —and her sister—before it’s too late?

Why it's on my wishlist...

I never really knew about this book until I saw it reviewed on a few of blogs. After reading the summary, I was reminded of Identical by Ellen Hopkins. Therefore, a must read!

What's on your wishlist?

Teaser Tuesday # 20

Hosted by Should Be Reading

I'm just finished
Want
by Stephanie Lawton

     Arms crossed, eyes narrowed, he looks like he wants to kill someone. Slow as molasses, he draws up his mouth on one side into a sexy smile.
    - pg. 21

Leave your Teaser Tuesday link for me!

This or That with Amanda Burke

Hi everyone! I'm here today with the Amanda Burke, the author of Ruby.
I asked her a few "This or That" questions and here is what she said....

Coffee or Tea:  Tea
Print or E-Book:  Print
Pirates or Ninjas:  Pirates
Vampires or Werewovles:  Werewolves
Talk or Text:  Talk


Me...
Coffee, Print, Pirates, Werewolves, Text

What about you?
Let me know in the comments!

About Ruby: 

When Ruby is sent to live in a huge manor with her distant grandmother, she has no idea what the future holds. It’s hard enough to deal with a new town and a mysterious boy. Little does she know that she’s part of a prophecy that dates back to the Salem Witch Hunts.

Years ago, a witch cast a spell on the one child who could save the world from darkness – and it’s Ruby’s job to protect it.

If you haven't read my review you can check it out here.

Have you entered the grand prize giveaway yet?

If not you could win...

plus a $10 Amazon Gift Card

a Rafflecopter giveaway

In My Mailbox #23

In My Mailbox is hosted by Kristi at The Story Siren.  It is a weekly blog that allows the blogger to showcase what they received in the mail, got for review, won in contest, purchased, ect.

Books Mentioned:

Blood Bond by Heather Hildenbrand

Love & Leftovers by Sarah Tregay
Send by Patty Blount
Dark Companion by Marta Acosta
The Goddess Test by Aimee Carter
What She Left Behind by Tracy Bilen
Beautiful Disaster by Jamie McGuire
The Beginning of After by Jennifer Castle
The Treachery of Beautiful Things by Ruth Frances Long

Blogs Mentioned:

Heather Hildenbrand
Brittnay @ Reading Nook
Cathy @ The Crazy Bookworm
Aanchal @ Book Flame

What's in your mailbox?

{Winners} Jersey Angel & Losing Elizabeth

The winner of a copy of Jersey and and a tank top is...

Angela L.

The winner of Losing Elizabeth is...

Natasha D.

 Congratulations!

Winners have been confirmed!

And be sure to check back for other giveaways coming up soon...

{Cover Reveal} Blood Doll by Georgia Cates

Hey everyone!!
Georgia Cates has just released the cover for the next 
book in The Vampire Agápe Series.

You ready?

Isn't that so pretty!!
I love the white butterfly

Solomon Alexander has faced huge obstacles during his existence, but they’re nothing in comparison to the one he’s about to hit head on. As leader of The Savannah Compound, part of Sol’s new position in the Coven of Landra is to guide the transition of fledgelings, newly turned vampires. It’s his job to save the unsavable. Being a Landra is what he’s done for over a century and he’s damn good at it, but everything he knows, practices and teaches is threatened when he is forced to drink from Avery Ferrand, a Blood Jewel.

The Blood Jewel is enshrouded with mystery, but one fact is known. There’s never been blood more desirable or addicting than Avery’s and there are consequences for any vampire that drinks it...including Solomon Alexander. Although he adamantly denies his need to feed from her, Avery suspects he’s lying but she has secrets of her own about the night he drank from her. She wanted him to and now she finds herself being drawn to Solomon in a way she shouldn't. As Avery’s desire to be closer to Solomon grows, she finds herself considering something more dangerous than being found by the dangerous covens hunting her...asking Solomon if she can become his Blood Doll.

About the Author:

Georgia resides in rural Mississippi with her wonderful husband, Jeff, and their two beautiful daughters. She spent thirteen years as a labor and delivery nurse before she decided to pursue her dream of becoming an author.

Blood of Anteros, Book One in The Vampire Agápe Series, was her first novel and it was released in September 2011. She decided to briefly step away from the paranormal genre to try her hand at a young adult contemporary romance when she wrote Going Under, but returned to the paranormal romance platform to complete the second
book in The Vampire Agápe Series, Blood Jewel.

Her current works in progress are Shallow (A Going Under Novel) which will release on September 27th and Blood Doll (The Vampire Agápe Series #3), to be released in January 2013.

Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

{Review & Giveaway} Ruby by Amanda Burke

Ruby

by Amanda Burke
Series: Ruby (#1)

Pages: 174

Source: TBG Tours

Available as of June 29, 2012

Amazon | Barnes & Noble 

During the Salem witch hunts, an evil witch named Natasha Sullivan tricks a demon into confining himself inside an enchanted music box. She casts a spell that foretells that the demon will emerge in an unknown time in future after the birth of a child known as the Lumen Child. This child’s destiny is to bring light to the planet and Natasha knows that if he is killed then darkness will prevail. Natasha’s identical twin Sarah, discovers what her sister has done. Although she cannot break the spell she casts her own prophecy. It states that three witches known as the Triple Enchantresses will be born in the same time as the Lumen Child and they will be his supernatural protectors. The girls are not sisters, yet they will share a common destiny. Ruby is the story of the first witch and how she very nearly dies before discovering her true identity. Having grown up unaware of her powers, she is rescued by her loving grandmother who is also a white witch and taken back to the family estate where she learns everything she can about what her future holds. Ruby is the first in a four book series.

Rating:

My Review:

I was swept away by the first sentence and didn't want to put Ruby down. Amanda Burke held my attention with her captivating first book in the Ruby Series.

Ruby has grown up without a mother and no knowledge of extended family. The only person she knows is her father. Until one day he is murdered and an attorney hands a letter to Ruby telling her about her grandmother. If she wants to survive, she better find her quick. 

I fell in love with the story from page one. It was fast paced when necessary but slowed down when things needed more time to develop or explain. I loved that Ruby had a gracious, loving demeanor. The only negative thing I have to say about this wonderful story is the ending left me feeling like something was missing or rushed. It ended abruptly with little explanation of how it came to be. 

Overall, Ruby was an awesome novel that left me dying know what happens next. I can't wait for book two! I highly recommend Ruby if you love witches. Fun read! 

Giveaway

PLUS a $10 Amazon GC!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

FTC Disclosure:  I received a copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.  I was not monetarily compensated for my opinion.  

Waiting on Wednesday #20

Waiting on Wednesday is hosted by Jill @ Breaking the Spine

This week I'm waiting for.....

Uses for Boys
by Erica Lorraine Scheidt


To Be Released on January 15, 2013

Summary:
From an extraordinary new YA talent comes a debut novel about a girl who turns to boys—until she finally learns to lean on herself.

Anna remembers a time before boys, when she was little and everything made sense. When she and her mom were a family, just the two of them against the world. But now her mom is gone most of the time, chasing the next marriage, bringing home the next stepfather. Anna is left on her own—until she discovers that she can make boys her family. From Desmond to Joey, Todd to Sam, Anna learns that if you give boys what they want, you can get what you need. But the price is high—the other kids make fun of her; the girls call her a slut. Anna's new friend, Toy, seems to have found a way around the loneliness, but Toy has her own secrets that even Anna can't know.

Then comes Sam. When Anna actually meets a boy who is more than just useful, whose family eats dinner together, laughs, and tells stories, the truth about love becomes clear. And she finally learns how it feels to have something to lose—and something to offer. Real, shocking, uplifting, and stunningly lyrical, Uses for Boys is a story of breaking down and growing up.

Why I'm waiting:  
The summary kind of reminds me of something along the lines of Ellen Hopkins. A teenager turning to a substance, in this case a boy, for an escape and to get what she needs to be "happy." Then coming to a realization of whats at stake. Can't wait!! My copy is already pre-ordered!

What are you waiting for?