WAITING ON WEDNESDAY: ALL THE BRIGHT PLACES by Jennifer Niven

"Waiting on Wednesday" is a weekly event hosted by Breaking the Spine that spotlights upcoming releases that I or us, readers are eagerly anticipating. Here's my pick this week ...

Title: ALL THE BRIGHT PLACES

Author: Jennifer Niven (Website | Twitter) 

Publisher: Knopf

Expected Publication: January 6, 2015

SYNOPSIS 

The Fault in Our Stars meets Eleanor and Park in this compelling, exhilarating, and beautiful story about a girl who learns to live from a boy who intends to die.

Theodore Finch is fascinated by death, and he constantly thinks of ways he might kill himself. But each time, something good, no matter how small, stops him.

Violet Markey lives for the future, counting the days until graduation, when she can escape her Indiana town and her aching grief in the wake of her sister's recent death.

When Finch and Violet meet on the ledge of the bell tower at school, it’s unclear who saves whom. And when they pair up on a project to discover the “natural wonders” of their state, both Finch and Violet make more important discoveries: It’s only with Violet that Finch can be himself—a weird, funny, live-out-loud guy who’s not such a freak after all. And it’s only with Finch that Violet can forget to count away the days and start living them. But as Violet’s world grows, Finch’s begins to shrink.

This is an intense, gripping novel perfect for fans of Jay Asher, Rainbow Rowell, John Green, Gayle Forman, and Jenny Downham from a talented new voice in YA, Jennifer Niven.

GOODREADS

Pre-order Links: Amazon | B&N | iBooks

I'm DYIIIIIING to read this book already! I love the ordeal of the story and it seems that I'm going to enjoy being around these two characters - Finch and Violet. They are quite an interesting pair based from the book's synopsis. I've read some reviews of this book over Goodreads and gahhhd it makes me want to dive in to their story ASAP!!! January 6th, please come faster! 

PH BLOG TOUR | THE LIGHT IN THE WOUND by Christine Brae

The Light in the Wound 
(The Light in the Wound #1)
by Christine Brae 
Published: July 23rd 2013
Genre: New Adult

SYNOPSIS

Affected by her parents’ highly publicized divorce, Isabel grows up isolated and alone, with a resolve to never fall in love and repeat their mistakes.

When Jesse Cain enters her life, she falls hopelessly in love with him, and every sadness she’s ever felt is washed away by his intensity and passion. But people change as they grow up. Things can never stay the same forever.

Jesse and Isabel fight to stay together, determined to hold on to what they once had. Isabel wonders if a second love can ever be enough to make her forget her first.

Goodreads 

Purchase links: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | iBooks | Fully Booked

The Light in the Wound by Christine Brae is an emotional book that perfectly captures the realities of life, in every aspect of it. It narrates the story of Isabel Amarra’s life from childhood till womanhood. It was very realistic because every joy, sadness, insecurity, fear, heartache, pain, regret and success of hers were bared in this story. It doesn't just focus on her romantic relationships but it also delved in into a picture of what some families go through.

This book is one of those books which have a prologue that will definitely astound your entire being, leave you hanging and definitely be begging to know more. Well, that's what I felt when I flipped and read that prologue! I was just eager to read more about this story. It's the type of prologue that'll immediately spur questions inside your head and you'll be wanting for it to be answered ASAP. Nicely done, Ms. Brae.

As a reader, it's a lovely and very inspiring experience to grow alongside a book character and that's what happens here in this book. As  I've already mentioned  earlier  this book spans out from the childhood days of Isabel Amarra's life till she reached her adulthood. There’s a very personal touch with Isabel’s voice all throughout the book because it feels like she’s personally speaking to you and telling you her story. But there were certain points in this book where I don’t feel that connected to her character. Maybe because of the actions and decisions she made won’t coincide with the way I was thinking and my way of making decisions in life.

RELEASE DAY LAUNCH | ENFORCE by Rachel Van Dyken

Title: ENFORCE (Eagle Elite #1.5) 

Author: Rachel Van Dyken (Website | Twitter)

Publication Date: December 18, 2014

SYNOPSIS

There’s two sides to every story...

And ours? Isn't pretty...

Then again, what's pretty about the mafia?

Trace Rooks, that’s what.

But she only wants one of us, and I'll kill him before I let him have her.

The only problem?

We're cousins.

And she may just be our long lost enemy.

Whoever said college was hard, clearly didn't attend Eagle Elite University.

Welcome to hell also known as the Mafia where blood is thicker than life, and to keep yours? Well, keep your friends close, and your enemies?

Even closer...

Purchase links: iTunes | Barnes & Noble | KOBO | Smashwords

WAITING ON WEDNESDAY | IN THIS LIFE by Christine Brae

"Waiting on Wednesday" is a weekly event hosted by Breaking the Spine that spotlights upcoming releases that I or us, readers are eagerly anticipating. Here's my pick this week ...

I wasn't able to sign up for the cover reveal of this book because PFFT I missed the chance to do so. Then due to me being really busy with real life and the Philippine Blog Tour for THE LIGHT IN THE WOUND by Christine Brae that I've organized (along side The Bookwhore Diares), I somewhat forgot to share the COVER for Christine's upcoming book. Anyways, I'll still be able to share it here in my blog this Wednesday because IN THIS LIFE belongs to my list of Most Anticipated releases in 2015! It's the perfect book to feature for this week's Waiting on Wednesday post! 

Why am I eager to read In This Life? I love the premise of the book and I'm sure Christine Brae will take me into another roller coaster ride with this one. And now that the cover's been finally revealed, I'm lusting over this simple yet uber pretty cover of it! 

Scroll along now, book nerds!

Title: IN THIS LIFE 

Author: Christine Brae (Website|Twitter)

Publication Date: February 1, 2015

SYNOPSIS

"Lovers don’t finally meet somewhere,

They’re in each other all along."

Rumi

They say that life is full of choices. When you’re young and idealistic, you believe that the path you choose is the road that will lead you to your destiny. 

But what if, along the way, fate decides to step in, and no amount of logic or rationality or even prayers can save you from your fortune? When the sacrifices you make, the love that you find, and the bright promise of the future are all snatched away from you, you’re left alone to pick up the pieces of your life.

This is a story about love, found in a faraway place by two very unlikely people. It is also a story about friendship and loyalty and fighting for what you have despite the illogical mystery of fate. It is a story of faith and acceptance, and learning that even the best-laid plans are powerless against the alignment of the universe.

From the beaches of Thailand to the streets of New York, three friends, Anna, Dante, and Jude will learn the hard way that once providence steps in, there is nothing in the world that can change what is truly meant to be.

GOODREADS

COVER REVEAL | ASA by Jay Crownover

I am so excited about the cover reveal for Jay Crownover's ASA! ASA is the sixth and final book in Jay's Marked Men Series, published by HarperCollins. Check out the hot cover and don't forget to pre-order your copy today!

   

About ASA:

Starting over in Denver with a whole new circle of friends and family, Asa Cross struggles with being the man he knows everyone wants him to be and the man he knows he really is. A leopard doesn’t it change its spots and Asa has always been a predator. He doesn’t want to hurt those who love and rely on him, especially one stunning arresting cop who suddenly seems to be interested in him for far more than his penchant for breaking the law. But letting go of old habits is hard, and it’s easy to hit bottom when it’s the place you know best. 

Royal Hastings is quickly learning what the bottom looks like after a tragic situation at work threatens not only her career but her partner’s life. As a woman who has only ever had a few real friends she’s trying to muddle through her confusion and devastation all alone. Except she can’t stop thinking about the sexy southern bartender she locked up. Crushing on Asa is the last thing she needs but his allure is too strong to resist. His long criminal record can only hurt her already shaky career and chasing after a guy who has no respect for the law or himself can only end in heartbreak.

A longtime criminal and a cop together just seems so wrong . . . but for Asa and Royal, being wrong together is the only right choice to make.

Amazon US ** iBooks ** Barnes & Noble ** Kobo

RELEASE DAY LAUNCH | WITH LOVE by Bethany Lopez

It's Finally Here!

With Love, book 5 in the Stories about Melissa Series by Bethany Lopez, is LIVE!

SYNOPSIS 

Melissa is turning sixteen and beginning her junior year. With a new job, and a new boyfriend, things are pretty hectic, but when things start becoming more difficult at home, Melissa soon becomes overwhelmed with responsibilities. Can she juggle her friends, family, a budding romance, as well as school and work? Getting older sure doesn't make things any easier!

Purchase Links:

Amazon | B & N | iBooks | Kobo

Amazon UK | Smashwords

If you haven't read books 1 - 4 in the series, you can get them all in the Stories about Melissa Omnibus!

BLOG TOUR | REASON AND ROMANCE by Jenn Young

Reason and Romance

by Jenn Young

Release Date: 12/09/14

Book Summary:

Being stuck in the godforsaken desert is Adrian Blake’s worst nightmare come true. Senior year is all about making fun memories. It’s not about starting over at a new school and navigating a new Brady Bunch family. It’s really not about living with a sexy, arrogant would-be stepbrother who knows how to push her buttons.

Alex Montgomery is the very definition of a player. The only thing he commits to is a one night stand. He’s exactly the kind of guy she hates­. When she sleeps with him, it’s the biggest mistake of her life. Now she can’t stop thinking about him. Not at school. Not at home.

Sometimes the best mistakes are the ones that you make over and over again…

Add to Goodreads

Buy Links:

Amazon│Barnes & Noble│Kobo Books

RELEASE DAY LAUNCH | INSPIRE by Cora Carmack

 

I'm incredibly excited to be able to bring you the Release Day Launch for Cora Carmack's INSPIRE! INSPIRE is a New Adult Paranormal Romance novel and the first book in her new Muse Series!! Holy canoli, y'all. Go out and get this today!

About INSPIRE:

Kalliope lives with one purpose.

To inspire.

As an immortal muse, she doesn’t have any other choice. It’s part of how she was made. Musicians, artists, actors—they use her to advance their art, and she uses them to survive. She moves from one artist to the next, never staying long enough to get attached. But all she wants is a different life— a normal one. She’s spent thousands of years living lie after lie, and now she’s ready for something real.

Sweet, sexy, and steady, Wilder Bell feels more real than anything else in her long existence. And most importantly… he’s not an artist. He doesn’t want her for her ability. But she can’t turn off the way she influences people, not even to save a man she might love. Because in small doses, she can help make something beautiful, but her ability has just as much capacity to destroy as it does to create. The longer she stays, the more obsessed Wilder will become. It’s happened before, and it never turns out well for the mortal.

Her presence may inspire genius.

But it breeds madness, too.

  

Goodreads iTunes | Kobo

EXCERPT

I can feel Wilder’s breath against my lips. More than that, I can see it. The sun has set and the temperature has dropped, and air fogs between us. There’s something about actually seeing it, like our lips are touching, we are touching, despite the distance between. And as we sway from side to side, my heart gradually begins to pick up speed.

The strains of guitar music flowing out from the restaurant are nearly indecipherable over the heavy heartbeat in my ears. But Wilder must hear it. His hands are strong on my body, guiding my movements, and I’m practically clay in his palms.

WAITING ON WEDNESDAY: JOYRIDE by Anna Banks

"Waiting on Wednesday" is a weekly event hosted by Breaking the Spine that spotlights upcoming releases that I or us, readers are eagerly anticipating. Here's my pick this week ...

Title: JOYRIDE 

Author: Anna Banks (Website | Twitter) 

Publisher: Feiwel & Friends

Publication Date: June 2, 2015

SYNOPSIS

A popular guy and a shy girl with a secret become unlikely accomplices for midnight pranking, and are soon in over their heads—with the law and with each other—in this sparkling standalone from NYT-bestselling author Anna Banks.

It’s been years since Carly Vega’s parents were deported. She lives with her brother, studies hard, and works at a convenience store to contribute to getting her parents back from Mexico.

Arden Moss used to be the star quarterback at school. He dated popular blondes and had fun with his older sister, Amber. But now Amber’s dead, and Arden blames his father, the town sheriff who wouldn’t acknowledge Amber's mental illness. Arden refuses to fulfill whatever his conservative father expects.

All Carly wants is to stay under the radar and do what her family expects. All Arden wants is to NOT do what his family expects. When their paths cross, they each realize they’ve been living according to others. Carly and Arden’s journey toward their true hearts—and one another—is funny, romantic, and sometimes harsh. 

GOODREADS 

Pre-order links: Amazon | Barnes & Noble

I've been lusting over this book cover ever since I first saw it on Twitter a couple of weeks ago. Gahhh just look at that. I don't know if you won't end up drooling over it! Then you carry on reading the synopsis of this book ... MY GOODNESS! I want to read this book NOW! ASAP! But then <///3 Joyride is slated for a June 2015 release. Sad. I know. But I'm really really excited about it and can't wait to read about Carly and Arden's journey!

PS: How do I secure an ARC of this book? Help me! Hahaha :D

BOOK REVIEW | BETWEEN THE LINES by Jodi Picoult and Samantha van Leer

Title: BETWEEN THE LINES

Authors: Jodi Picoult and Samantha van Leer

Publisher: Simon Pulse 

Publication Date: June 26, 2012

SYNOPSIS

Delilah, a loner hates school as much as she loves books— one book in particular. In fact if anyone knew how many times she has read and reread the sweet little fairy tale she found in the library, especially her cooler than cool classmates, she’d be sent to social Siberia forever.To Delilah, though, this fairy tale is more than just words on the page. Sure, there’s a handsome (well, okay, incredibly handsome) prince, and a castle, and an evil villain, but it feels as if there’s something deeper going on. And one day, Delilah finds out there is. Turns out, this Prince Charming is not just a one-dimensional character in a book. He’s real, and a certain fifteen-year-old loner has caught his eye. But they’re from two different worlds, and how can it ever possibly work?

GOODREADS 

Purchase links: Amazon | B&N | iBooks

Jodi Picoult’s books are basically everywhere, right? But believe it or not, after all these years of me being a book nerd I have never ever picked up a copy of any book written by her. I don’t know, maybe it’s because of the titles of her books doesn’t appeal to me that much. Weyhey, look at me now! I actually stumbled across Between the Lines when I was randomly scrolling post after post on a certain Facebook group that I’m a part of. There was a post where a member was asking if they know of a book that has a premise wherein a reader falls in love with the main character of the story and vice versa. It was then that I spotted Between the Lines in the comment section. Others were even launching off onto discussions about it.

I was, “Oh okay. I like the sound of the premise. It’s unique, very intriguing and I should definitely check it out.”  I was truly in haste to have a copy of this book because I can’t get the premise of it out of my head. I was already picturing out how the story will flow and thinking that the ending will bring tears to my eyes. ‘Cause come on, how will a story like this end?  So yeah, I was really giddy to start reading it. I like the premise. Plus, it’s going to be another new author experience, for me. It seems that Between the Lines is going to be the first book that I will read written by Jodi Picoult. Cherry popper book, right here. Surprise, surprise Jodi co-wrote it with her daughter, Samantha Van Leer, which just made me more excited about it.

RELEASE DAY LAUNCH | WICKED by Jennifer L. Armentrout

 

I am over the moon excited to bring you the Release Day Launch for Jennifer L. Armentrout's WICKED! WICKED is a New Adult Paranormal Romance and the first book in Jennifer’s Wicked Trilogy!

WICKED SYNOPSIS: 

Things are about to get Wicked in New Orleans.

Twenty-two year old Ivy Morgan isn’t your average college student. She, and others like her, know humans aren’t the only thing trolling the French Quarter for fun… and for food. Her duty to the Order is her life. After all, four years ago, she lost everything at the hands of the creatures she’d sworn to hunt, tearing her world and her heart apart.

Ren Owens is the last person Ivy expected to enter her rigidly controlled life. He’s six feet and three inches of temptation and swoon-inducing charm. With forest-green eyes and a smile that’s surely left a stream of broken hearts in its wake, he has an uncanny, almost unnatural ability to make her yearn for everything he has to offer. But letting him in is as dangerous as hunting the cold-blooded killers stalking the streets. Losing the boy she loved once before had nearly destroyed her, but the sparking tension that grows between them becomes impossible for Ivy to deny. Deep down, she wants… she needs more than what her duty demands of her, what her past has shaped for her.

But as Ivy grows closer to Ren, she realizes she’s not the only one carrying secrets that could shatter the frail bond between them. There’s something he’s not telling her, and one thing is for certain. She’s no longer sure what is more dangerous to her—the ancient beings threatening to take over the town or the man demanding to lay claim to her heart and her soul.

Purchase links: Amazon | iBooks

EXCERPT

It was him. Green Eyes. Ren. That was his name. Now I remembered. I started to step forward, but he beat me to it. Moving as quickly as a damn snake striking, he caught my wrists. He didn’t yank my arms to my sides. All he did was hold my fists away from his face.

A lopsided grin appeared on those full lips. “Can’t say I’m entirely surprised you took a swing at me.”

“Then I guess this won’t surprise you either.” Leaning back, I shifted my weight onto my left leg, but again, Ren outmaneuvered me with a quickness that was sort of embarrassing.

He stepped into what would’ve been a fantastic kick and forced me back against the wall. Then there was nowhere to go, no space whatsoever. My back was against the building, and the entire length of his hard body was pressed against mine.

Son of a bitch.

As if he could read my mind, that grin spread and the dimples played peekaboo. “Now I think we can have a conversation without me ending up bloody.”

I blew out an aggravated breath. “I wouldn’t bet on that not happening.”

RELEASE DAY LAUNCH | THE SHAPE OF MY HEART by Ann Aguirre

  

I'm so excited to bring you the Release Day Launch for Ann Aguirre's incredible THE SHAPE OF MY HEART! THE SHAPE OF MY HEART is a New Adult contemporary romance, published by Harlequin HQN, and is the third book in the 2B Trilogy Series. Don't forget to grab your copy of the first two books and fall in love with her characters all over again!

 Some people wait decades to meet their soul mate. Courtney Kaufman suspects she met hers in high school—only to lose him at seventeen. Since then, Courtney’s social life has been a series of meaningless encounters, though she’s made a few close friends along the way. Especially her roommate, Max Cooper, who oozes damaged bad-boy vibes from every pore.

Max knows about feeling lost and trying to move beyond the pain—he’s been on his own since he was sixteen. Now it’s time to find out if he can ever go home again, and Courtney’s the only one he trusts to go with him. But the trip to Providence could change everything…because the more time he spends with Courtney, the harder it is to reconcile what he wants and what he thinks he deserves.

It started out so simple. One misfit helping another. Now Max will do anything to show Courtney that for every heart that’s ever been broken, there’s another that can make it complete.

THE SHAPE OF MY HEART on Goodreads

Amazon | B&N | BAM | Indiebound | Vroman’s | Book Depository | Powell’s | iBooks

   So many questions ricocheted around my brainpan, but Max’s shoulders were pulled up almost to his ears, his chin nearly on the table. Without looking at me, he shredded the napkin in his hands into four pieces and then in half again. The waning sunshine streaming in the smeared window behind him haloed his hair, so that the highlights shone blue instead of tawny or copper.

            “You don’t have to tell me a bedtime story,” I said gently.

            “No, you need to know. So you understand what’s going on and why it’s so tense when we get there.”

            “Okay. If you’re sure.”