Sunday, September 7, 2014

Stacking the Shelves (64) + July/August Month in Review


 Stacking The Shelves, a weekly meme from Tynga's Reviews
where I list what I've read, what I've reviewed, what I've acquired
and anything else worth mentioning
A note from Clever Girl: postings may be sparse or erratic for the next few weeks, I have a huge project that is taking up all of my free time and then some.

  • Waterfall by Lisa Tawn Bergren
  • Cascade by Lisa Tawn Bergren
  • Rival Love by Natalie Decker
    Athena's Ashes (Star Thief Chronicles #2) by Jamie Grey
    Country Love by Chelsea Dorsette
    Storm Siren (Storm Siren #1) by Mary Weber
    Revelation + Restraint by Randi Cooley Wilson
 
*Book image property of Microsoft  

Friday, September 5, 2014

First Line Friday (44) Trial by Fire (The Worldwalker Trilogy #1) by Josephine Angelini



First Line Friday is a meme hosted on Rampant Readers, where we share the first line of the novel we a currently reading in order to pique the interest of other readers like you. So basically, we just share the first sentence or two of the novel you are currently reading, and tell us whether or not it hooked you in!

The book:


This world is trying to kill Lily Proctor. Her life-threatening allergies keep her from enjoying experiences that others in her hometown of Salem take for granted, which is why she is determined to enjoy her first high school party with her best friend and longtime crush, Tristan. But after a humiliating incident in front of half her graduating class, Lily wishes she could just disappear.

Suddenly, Lily is in a different Salem—one overrun with horrifying creatures and ruled by powerful women called Crucibles. Strongest and cruelest of them all is Lillian . . . Lily's other self in this alternate universe.

What makes Lily weak at home is what makes her extraordinary in New Salem. In this confusing world, Lily is torn between responsibilities she can't hope to shoulder alone and a love she never expected. (Blurb via Goodreads)
 The first line(s): 

"Lily Proctor ducked into the girls' room, already yanking back her rebellious hair."

Hooked?
Interested.
Join the fun, link up at Rampant Readers

{Romance Minute Review} Bound to Danger (Deadly Ops #2) by Katie Reus


Bound to Danger (Deadly Ops, #2)

At a benefit dinner, community activist Maria Cervantes overhears two men plotting a terrorist attack that could rock Miami to its core. But before she can alert authorities, she’s almost killed in a massive explosion—and wakes up in a hospital with no memory of what happened. As the sole survivor of the attack, she is now a person of interest to the NSA—and especially to Agent Cade O’Reilly. Because Maria is the one woman Cade has never been able to forget.

Years ago, they were closer than either was willing to admit—until Cade disappeared when Maria needed him most. Now he’s sticking by her, whether she likes it or not. Because the memories locked inside her mind could hold vital clues to the next attack. Because terrorists want her dead—and because he never wants to let her go again. (Blurb via Goodreads)
{Details} ebook, 352 pages. Published August 5th 2014 by Signet. Source: Netgalley. Ebook provided in exchange for an honest review

{Rating} 3/5 - I liked it!

{Review}
"Cade O'Reilly ran full force through the triple-canopy jungle, the unbearable summer heat and giant mosquitoes barely a blip on his radar as he dodged lowhanging vines and branches." (page 1, line 1)
A fast-paced romantic suspense novel that had a little bit more suspense than romance for my liking. I did the like storyline and the pacing, the way we find out what's going on along with Cade and Maria - excellent use of amnesia by the way - as well as seeing things from the 'bad guy's' POV.

Cade and Maria have history, which we see from the e-mails they exchanged years before, but Cade broke off all contact without explanation - and when he gets around to explaining it felt like a bit of a letdown. Despite that I liked Cade and Maria together, liked that they trusted, respected and listened to each other.

Through Bound to Danger is the second book in the Deadly Ops series, it can be read as a standalone.

Thursday, September 4, 2014

{Blog Tour + Review + Giveaway} Rival Love by Natalie Decker @nataliedecker07 @swoonromance





Rival Love
Release Date: 08/26/14
Swoon Romance

Summary from Goodreads:
Skylar Fletcher is a proud Harris Academy Bulldog! She has everything she’s ever wanted: a perfect boyfriend, great friends, and her dream college waiting for her in the fall. But nothing lasts forever. Skylar's world shatters when her mom decides it is time to move and drags Skylar, kicking and screaming, into Bobcat territory.

At Delmont High School, home of the Bobcats, Skylar has no friends and is often bullied. To make matters worse, her home life sucks thanks to all-star quarterback Caleb Morgan, nephew of her mom's live-in boyfriend.

At first Skylar and Caleb want nothing to do with one another. But they soon discover they're not that different after all--and each is harboring a secret attraction to the other. But can a Bulldog and a Bobcat ever really be more than friends? And are Skylar and Caleb willing to risk everything to find out? Rival Love is a debut young adult contemporary romance from Natalie Decker.

Buy Links:

About the Author
Natalie Decker is the Author of Rival Love. She loves oceans, sunsets, sand between her toes, and carefree days. Her imagination is always going, which some find odd. But she believes in seeing the world in a different light at all times. Her first passion for writing started at age twelve when she had to write a poem for English class. However, seventh grade wasn’t her favorite time and books were her source of comfort. She took all college prep classes in High school, and attended the University of Akron. Although she studied Mathematics she never lost her passion for writing or her comfort in books. She’s a mean cook in the kitchen, loves her family and friends and her awesome dog infinity times infinity. If she’s not writing, reading, traveling, hanging out with her family and friends, then she’s off having an adventure. Because Natalie believes in a saying: Your life is your own journey, so make it amazing!

Author Links:

{Details} ebook. Published August 26th 2014 by Swoon Romance. Source: ebook provided in exchange for an honest review

{Rating} 4/5 - I really liked it!

{Review}
"God, I hope no one sees me." (page 1, line 1)
Rival love had me mad and sad, angry and excited. I liked the banter/battle between Sky and Caleb, the drama of the school rivalry, a strong, imperfect heroine, a hero who does a lot of growing up, a lot of other characters that you either love or hate and a storyline that will keep you turning the pages.

Sky. She has an acid tongue, she's smart, loyal, vindictive, kind, and a good person. She is not a person that deserves the hatred she finds at her new school. It's sad that no one - not her parents, not the guy she's falling for - really see the person she is.

Caleb. He had moments of sheer idiocy but he's young, he's making mistakes. He's far from perfect, he's cocky and arrogant but we also see him vulnerable, unsure and completely over his head. And when he starts to have feelings other than loathing for the enemy? He's totally and completely freaked out. He's a fun character to watch.

While I liked Sky and Caleb even when they're at their worst, Sky's mom Erin - I couldn't decide whether she's a horrible mom, if she's oblivious or just selfish. Why does she move her daughter to just live with a guy thirty minutes away - they're not married and it's not that far, she makes her daughter commute that far to get to her job.  And if the school rivalry is serious enough for bloodshed, wouldn't she want to look out for her daughter instead of throwing her to the enemy? I'm definitely leaning towards horrible and selfish. And don't even get me started with her dad, otherwise I'll rant some more.

I did find the school rivalry a little over the top and the Bobcat's reaction to having a former Bulldog in their midst a bit much but I do love some drama. I was also not a fan of the ending. It could be considered poetic, inevitable or fitting but I wanted more. I so hope that there is a sequel.


GIVEAWAY:
$10 Amazon gift card + ebook of Rival Love (INT)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Blog Tour Organized by:

Wednesday, September 3, 2014

Waiting on Wednesday (64) Talon (Talon #1) by Julie Kagawa



"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, created by Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.
This week I'm waiting on: 

Talon (Talon, #1)

Talon (Talon #1) by

Long ago, dragons were hunted to near extinction by the Order of St. George, a legendary society of dragon slayers. Hiding in human form and growing their numbers in secret, the dragons of Talon have become strong and cunning, and they're positioned to take over the world with humans none the wiser.

Ember and Dante Hill are the only sister and brother known to dragonkind. Trained to infiltrate society, Ember wants to live the teen experience and enjoy a summer of freedom before taking her destined place in Talon. But destiny is a matter of perspective, and a rogue dragon will soon challenge everything Ember has been taught. As Ember struggles to accept her future, she and her brother are hunted by the Order of St. George.

Soldier Garret Xavier Sebastian has a mission to seek and destroy all dragons, and Talon's newest recruits in particular. But he cannot kill unless he is certain he has found his prey: and nothing is certain about Ember Hill. Faced with Ember's bravery, confidence and all-too-human desires, Garret begins to question everything that the Order has ingrained in him: and what he might be willing to give up to find the truth about dragons. (Blub via Goodreads)
Expected publication: October 28, 2014
What are you waiting on?

Tuesday, September 2, 2014

Teaser Tuesday (64) Text



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(s)
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) -- or less or more -- “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
"She placed her palm over the center of my chest, right above my heart. All sense of joking totally left my body. I swallowed.
"It's why you need all those muscles, isn't it? To protect what's in here."
And those were the words the wrapped me right around her little finger."

location 1730, Text by Cambria Hebert

Monday, September 1, 2014

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? (45)

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? is a meme from Book Journey where we spotlight what we finished reading, are currently reading and plan to read next.
{Finished Reading}

Waterfall (River of Time, #1)

A Kiss at Midnight (Fairy Tales, #1)

{Currently Reading}

Cascade (River of Time, #2)

   {What I'm Going to Read Next} 

Take Me On (Pushing the Limits, #4)

What about you? What have you read lately? What's next on your list?