Wednesday, August 29, 2012

Waiting on Wednesday: Revel by Maurissa Guibord

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Jill over at Breaking the Spine. It spotlights books that have not yet been released, but ones that you should pre-order today! This week's book that we are anxiously awaiting is REVEL by Maurissa Guibord.  REVEL releases on February 12, 2013 from Delacorte Books for Young Readers.

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There’s an island off the coast of Maine that’s not on any modern map.

Shrouded in mist and protected by a deadly reef, Trespass Island is home to a community of people who guard the island and its secrets from outsiders. Seventeen-year-old Delia grew up in Kansas, but has come here in search of her family and answers to her questions: Why didn’t her mother ever talk about Trespass Island? Why did she fear the open water? But Delia’s not welcome and soon finds herself enmeshed in a frightening and supernatural world where ancient Greek symbols adorn the buildings and secret ceremonies take place on the beach at night.

Sean Gunn, a handsome young lobsterman, befriends Delia and seems willing to risk his life to protect her. But it’s Jax, the coldly elusive young man she meets at the water’s edge, who finally makes Delia understand the real dangers of life on the island. Delia is going to have to fight to survive. Because there are monsters here. And no one ever leaves Trespass alive.
 
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I know this one is a ways away, but I can't help but go and look at it on Goodreads at least once a week to see if anyone has gotten the chance to read it early!  I am intrigued by the mystery surrounding this island!  I love that its going to deal with Greek mythology because I'm a sucker for it!  And even though many people are put off by love triangles, I think if they are done well, they are great!  I'm sure Sean and Jax will both leave us reeling! 

What are you waiting on??

 
 
 

Tuesday, August 28, 2012

Silver by Talia Vance


Silver by Talia Vance
ARC received from Flux Books via Netgalley
Release Date:  9-8-2012
Reviewed by:  Middle Sis Jenn
The Sisters Say:  Sizzling, Surreptitious, and Spellbinding

 "As I step into the room, a silver flash blurs my vision. Before I can take a breath, the world falls away."

Brianna has always felt invisible. People stare right past her, including the one boy she can't resist, Blake Williams. But everything changes at a house party where Brianna's charm bracelet slips off and time stands still. In that one frozen, silver moment, Blake not only sees her, he recognizes something deep inside her she's been hiding even from herself.

Discovering she is descended from Danu, the legendary Bandia of Celtic myth, Brianna finds herself questioning the truth of who she is. And when she accidentally binds her soul to Blake, their mutual attraction becomes undeniable.

But Blake has his own secret, one that could prove deadly for them both.

Bound together by forbidden magic, Brianna and Blake find themselves at the heart of an ancient feud that threatens to destroy their lives and their love.

“My life is a series of cruel ironies.  The pretty girl no one sees.  The horse I have to sell.  The kiss I can’t keep.”  -ARC, Location 205-206

From the moment I read the blurb of Silver, I had been waiting (impatiently) to read it!  Then Talia told me it was on Netgalley and I have to admit…I did my happy dance—the dance that makes my toddler laugh, that makes my dogs start jumping up and down, and that makes my husband roll his eyes and mumble something about books being more important than oxygen for me.  And in that moment—I might have given up a few breaths to be one of the first to read this book!

The idea of Brianna binding her soul to her mortal enemy just mesmerized me, and I will say that Talia did not let me down!  One of the best things about this book is there isn’t chapter after chapter of set-up that you have to wade through to understand the world.  The action starts in Chapter 1, and I have to say one of the best scenes of the book occurs in this chapter—the scene where Blake discovers who Brianna truly is.  It’s sinister, but in a sexy way, and you can just feel the magic in the way Talia describes the scene.  I felt like time froze and I was swept into their world to watch as both of their destinies crossed.   AND I love the duplicitous dialogue here.  My fave you ask?  Said by Blake: “’Where have you been hiding?’  His smile is lethal.”  Ohhhh…goose bumps! 

I always enjoy seeing different mythology in a book, too.  I absolutely love when mythology interwoven into the plot, but usually, all we see is Greek mythology.  Every once in a while you see Norse mythology, but I have never read a YA book that has Celtic mythology in it; and it was intriguing to see something new and different.  You don’t need to know much about the culture either because what you need to know is explained briefly without dragging down the action or dialogue.

One of the great things about this book is it keeps you guessing—which is something I really like.  It may drive some people crazy that they are never able to tell who they can trust, but I think it adds to the suspense.  I will say that I am still a little on edge because I don’t know who to trust!!!  I mean, they’re mortal enemies; so who you can trust and who is good and who is bad is always going to be muddled in the shadows!  I bet Talia is smiling mischievously knowing the torment she is putting us through…shame on you Talia!  Keep it up!

The best character in this book is Jonah—a Son of Killian who has his death grip aiming for Brianna.  He was such a jerk that I wanted to find someone that looks like him and give them a good old-fashioned you’re-an-a** rant.   I have a feelings we’ll be seeing more of his jerkiness in the next book.  Yay!

Brianna is your typical heroine who is struggling with the realization that she is something more than human.  I liked her, although I will admit that I was not blown away by her.  I wanted her to have more of a memorable personality—an aura that would strike you as someone with a great destiny awaiting.  But, really, she just felt like a normal girl—which many people will like because they can relate to her.  I, on the other hand, tend to like my heroines with a little more flare and a little more self-esteem (even if it only comes after gaining their powers).  I’m hoping we will see her character develop into a don’t-mess-with-me-unless-you-want- to-be-called-“Eyepatch”-for-the-rest-of-your-life type of heroine.  But, that’s just me—I tend to like the overbearing, kick your butt gals.

Now for Blake—the eye candy (or is it mind candy since it’s a book?).  He’s the mortal enemy of Brianna, a Son of Killian who has pledged to do away with any daughter of Danu; yet, when their souls are bound together, it awakens something within him that makes him see Brianna as something other than a threat.  I really liked Blake’s passion, but at times it felt unrealistic.  I mean, he’s been trained his entire life to hate anyone like Brianna, yet his feelings for her change so quickly.  I totally believe this is possible, but I wish we would have seen more scenes with him so we could see him struggle with his decision and then eventually fold.  Plus—we would have gotten more scenes with him which I’m sure all the girls would love!  Blake is mysterious and stealthy and protective of Brianna.  He is definitely swoon-worthy.  I’m hoping we will see A LOT more of him in Gold (the sequel)—and hopefully we can see a deeper, more personal side to him.

I enjoyed the romance in the novel, but I wish there was more!  I definitely still wanted to trade places with Brianna at times, but I’d categorize the romance as a spark.  I want to see a full out blaze!  And the scene where their souls are bound—I wanted more!  There was already one mature conversation in the book, so it would have been great for her to keep with the mature theme and given us a few more details!

What a debut for Talia Vance!  Full of mystery and intrigue, betrayal and romance; Silver is a definite Must Read for lovers of paranormal romance!  

Content Warning:  I would rate this Mature YA for one scene near the beginning.  I was kind of surprised by this scene because to me, the only reason it was there was to show how much of a jerk Jonah is, but I would have rather seen another way to show that he’s jerk and kept that scene out so more teenagers could read it.

I’ll leave you with one more of my favorite quotes from the book!

“The truth has never seemed clearer to me than it does right now.  We cannot change the past.  We cannot change our future.  The ending was written the moment Blake kissed me on the beach.” ARC, location 2652-2653
 
**I had the pleasure of beta-reading Gold, the sequel to Silver--and let me tell you, WOW! 

Monday, August 27, 2012

NATURALS by Tiffany Truitt Cover Reveal

Hello everyone!  Today we have the pleasure of participating in the cover reveal for Naturals by Tiffany Truitt.  Naturals is the 2nd book in The Lost Souls series, with Chosen Ones being Book 1.

You can read my review of Chosen Ones here

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Tiffany Truitt was born in Peoria, Illinois. A self-proclaimed Navy brat, Tiffany spent most of her childhood living in Virginia, but don’t call her a Southerner. She also spent a few years living in Cuba. Since her time on the island of one McDonald's and Banana Rats (don't ask) she has been obsessed with traveling. Tiffany recently added China to her list of travels (hello inspiration for a new book).
 
Besides traveling, Tiffany has always been an avid reader. The earliest books she remembers reading belong to The Little House on the Prairie Series. First book she read in one day? Little Woman(5th grade). First author she fell in love with? Jane Austen in middle school. Tiffany spent most of her high school and college career as a literary snob. She refused to read anything considered “low brow” or outside the “classics.”
 
Tiffany began teaching middle school in 2006. Her students introduced her to the wide, wonderful world of Young Adult literature. Today, Tiffany embraces popular Young Adult literature and uses it in her classroom. She currently teaches the following novels: The Outsiders, Speak, Night, Dystopian Literature Circles: The Hunger Games, The Giver, The Uglies, and Matched.
And now for the REVEAL!!!!!!
 
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Tess is finally safe from the reach of the Council, now that she is living in the Middlelands with the rebel Isolationists. With James having returned to Templeton, she easily falls back into her friendship with Henry, though her newfound knowledge of Robert’s chosen one status still stings. Even surrounded by people, Tess has never felt more alone. So she’s thrilled when James returns to the settlement, demanding to see Tess — until she finds out that it’s because her sister, Louisa, has been recruited into Tess’s old position at Templeton, and that the dangerously sadistic chosen one George has taken an interest in her.
 
NATURALS is the second book in The Lost Souls trilogy, and follows the dystopian hit CHOSEN ONES.
 
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I absolutely love this cover!  And I love the background--it looks like dead ground which just shows the death and destruction in this dystopian society.  I loved Chosen Ones, and I can't wait for this next book!!!
 
Want to pre-order Naturals?  Do it here:

 

 

Sunday, August 26, 2012

Redemption by Veronique Launier


Redemption by Veronique Launier
ARC received by Flux Books via Netgalley
Release Date:  9-8-2012
Reviewed by:  Middle Sis Jenn
The Sisters Say:  An twisted tale with a new paranormal creature
Guillaume: For five hundred years I've existed as a gargoyle. Perched atop an old Montreal church, I've watched idly as humanity wanders by. With the witch Marguerite gone, there is no one left to protect, nothing to care about. I never planned to feel again. But then a girl released me from my stone restraints, allowing me to return as a seventeen-year-old human boy. I must find out all I can about this girl's power . . .

Aude: Getting attacked twice in as many days is strange in itself, but even stranger is the intriguing guy I keep running into. There's something so familiar about him, like a primal drum rhythm from my dreams. But spending time together only raises more questions--about my heritage, a native Mohawk prophecy . . . and an unearthly magic threatening our city..

Redemption started off with a bang, capturing my attention right away.  In the first few pages, Aude is attacked and somehow manages to awaken Guillaume and his family from the form they have been stuck in for 70 years.  From this part I was intrigued and couldn’t wait to read more, however, from this first bang, things began to slow down.

 I had to push myself through the middle of the book in order to finish.  It was slow going, and there were many parts that needed to more action.  There were small bits of action  (mainly more attacks) throughout the middle of the novel, but they started and were over very quickly, and they didn’t seem to add the spice the novel needed.  Perhaps if there had been more romance, it wouldn’t have been so slow.

It did pick up again near the end and I found myself, once again, interested to see how the story was going to unfold.  The end was fun and interesting, and it set things up for the next installment in the series.  Had the rest of the story had the same bang as the beginning and end, it would have been a great book.

I did like the idea that Guillaume was a gargoyle.  It was completely unique, and I really enjoyed the parts that dug into his history and the history of the witches that created him.  I wish there had been more because these parts were the only things that kept me going through the middle of the book.  Guillaume is broken and he feels like he can’t love someone.  Watching him grow and discover himself was one of the better parts of this book.

I liked Aude—she’s spunky and self-aware, but I found it difficult to read about her when she was letting her mom get into her head.  Her mother is, in my opinion, broken beyond repair and her views about men and life are rubbing off on Aude.  Her mother really frustrated me, and I wanted Aude to stand up for herself and let her mother know that life isn’t that bad.

There were times when the prose was tight and poetic, but at other times it seemed forced and bland.  One of my favorite quotes in the book echoed the shattered lives of Guillaume and Aude:  “Because things fall apart, that’s what they do.  There’s no such thing as happily ever after.”  I really loved this line because it was heartfelt, and for the characters, it held so much truth.  I wanted more of this type of prose and revelation.  Again, hopefully the next book will be written more fluently.

The romance was sweet near the end, but there was so much lost in the middle because each of them were denying their feelings.  It wasn’t angsty, either.  It was just flat—I wanted to see more spark.  I wanted to see a moment where Guillaume grabs Aude and presses her against the wall with a breath-taking kiss.  But, that moment never came.  If this romance is going to help the story, it must be more pronounced and steamy in the next book.

Overall, I found the idea of gargoyles to be unique and interesting, and I truly did want to know more about them.  However, the slow-paced action really made it difficult for me to want to move forward.  The characters were different and at times, fun.  I am curious about what the future holds for them, but am I curious enough to read the sequel?  Right now, I just don’t know.

Thursday, August 23, 2012

The Treachery of Beautiful Things by Ruth Frances Long


The Treachery of Beautiful Things by Ruth Frances Long
Release Date:  8-16-2012, On Shelves Now
Published by:  Dial Books
Thank you Jen Fisher for letting me borrow it!
The Sisters Say:  A darkly tragic tale of love and betrayal

A darkly compelling mix of romance, fairy tale, and suspense from a new voice in teen fiction

The trees swallowed her brother whole, and Jenny was there to see it. Now seventeen, she revisits the woods where Tom was taken, resolving to say good-bye at last. Instead, she's lured into the trees, where she finds strange and dangerous creatures who seem to consider her the threat. Among them is Jack, mercurial and magnetic, with secrets of his own. Determined to find her brother, with or without Jack's help, Jenny struggles to navigate a faerie world where stunning beauty masks some of the most treacherous evils, and she's faced with a choice between salvation or sacrifice--and not just her own.

When I first read the synopsis of this book, I didn’t know if I would enjoy it or not.  I found the idea of getting swallowed by a tree a bit weird.  However, after reading the rest of the blurb, I became intrigued by the idea of a world beyond our own, a world full of beauty and magic but laced with poison.  As the weeks went by, I sort of became obsessed with wanting to read it; so I was super duper excited when Jen Fisher told me she had a copy I could borrow!  YAY!   

I’m so glad that I jumped on that opportunity.  The Treachery of Beautiful Things is a bit Labyrinth,  a bit Alice in Wonderland, but wholly and uniquely its own.  I was drawn straight into Ruth’s world, from the moment the trees attacked.  I loved watching this dark fairy tale unfold, full of frighteningly beautiful creatures, as deadly as they are enchanting.  You will never see fairy princesses and knights in shining armor the same again!

While I enjoyed many of the characters in this book, my favorite part was still the world.  Ruth wrote it out perfectly—every frightful and mesmerizing detail.  I felt like I was watching a movie in my head.  I could see the graceful and child-like Folletti flying around with their bow and arrows—their faces twisting with their trickery.  I could see the peaceful river that would seduce you to enter, only to pull you to its depths and claim you as its own.  I could see the watchful eye of the sun slowly sinking from the sky to surrender you to the darkness.  Chilling and addictive, her world is like a drug!

Jenny is the heroine of the story—stuck inside this fantasy world full of temptation and riddles.  She wants nothing more than to find Tom and bring him home—or so she thinks.  But as she pushes through the forest with the aid of Jack and Puck, she starts to discover that Tom is not the only one who needs saving from this world.  There were times I really liked Jenny, but other times that I thought she was childish.  She could stand up and be firm and strong, but then she would give in to a temper tantrum.  I wanted to see more of the adult Jenny—the one driven by desire and passion and a need to do the right thing.  Unfortunately, we tended to see the Jenny that needs protection and sheltering than the girl that won the heart of the forest.

My favorite character (of course) is Jack.  Just like every creature in the Realm, he has both a light and a dark side.  He struggles against his vows to the King and Queen, wanting to help Jenny as much as he can; but he, like all the creatures, must bow to his oaths.  I really enjoyed seeing his struggle between light and dark, good and evil.  You could see the struggle in his face, the hard lines on his forehead, in the way he walked and in the way he talked.  Ruth did a great job of building up his character, making him more than believable.  I wanted to save him—to reach straight into the book and scoop him out.  Of course, I always like the troubled characters—the broken boys that struggle to find the good in a sea of evil.

I really wish we could have seen more of the King and Queen.  They were great characters—full of evil, and I think they could have made the story so much more suspenseful.  However, they weren’t in the book very much until the very end.  I would have loved to see more of them throughout the story.  I kept picturing Oberon like the Goblin King in Labyrinth—one that tricks and deceives using mind control and dreams.  There is even a scene in the book that is reminiscent of the masquerade ball in the movie.  These are the scenes where I would have loved to see more of the treachery that was deeply rooted in these two characters.

While it did have its flaws, I found myself enjoying the storyline and rushing through to see how it ended.  There were times when the story dragged with Jenny’s naïveté and childish demeanor, but not enough of them to really frustrate me. 

Overall, this story was darkly entertaining.  Ruth creates a world where beauty is danger, where a kiss can destroy you, and a heart can be your undoing.  Open this book and let the trees swallow you whole—you might just not want to find your way back out.

Wednesday, August 22, 2012

Authors are Rockstars Blog Tour: Ingrid Paulson, Character Interview: Ellie and Tucker


Hey everyone! Welcome to the YA Sisterhood and our stop on the Authors are Rockstars Blog Tour! We are excited to celebrate Ingrid Paulson's awesomeness today! Ingrid is the author of the upcoming, Valkyrie Rising, published by HarperTeen and hitting stores October 9th. There is so much buzz around this book--everyone is ready to get their hands on it! (Seriously...twitter is all abuzz about it).



So, why do we think Ingrid Paulson is a rockstar?

*She wrote about valkyries--and lets face it, there aren't enough books about Norse mythology out there!

*She has an oh-so-swoon-worthy romance sprinkled throughout the book! And we at the YA Sisterhood LOVE LOVE LOVE paranormal romance!!!!

*Her grandmother might actually be a valkyrie (per her website)--which we think is awesome! Who doesn't have a crazy family member that just might be a mythological creature? In fact..my 2 sisters and I might be the Greek Furies. (Maybe...watch your back)

*And finally, she wrote and kick butt interview between her leading lady, Ellie, and her resident hottie, Tucker, for us all to read!

Check out the cover and blurb for Valkyrie Rising from Goodreads.



Nothing ever happens in Norway. But at least Ellie knows what to expect when she visits her grandmother: a tranquil fishing village and long, slow summer days. And maybe she’ll finally get out from under the shadow of her way-too-perfect big brother, Graham, while she’s there.

What Ellie doesn’t anticipate is Graham’s infuriating best friend, Tuck, tagging along for the trip. Nor did she imagine boys going missing amid rumors of impossible kidnappings. Least of all does she expect something powerful and ancient to awaken in her and that strange whispers would urge Ellie to claim her place among mythological warriors. Instead of peace and quiet, there’s suddenly a lot for a girl from L.A. to handle on a summer sojourn in Norway! And when Graham vanishes, it’s up to Ellie—and the ever-sarcastic, if undeniably alluring Tuck—to uncover the truth about all the disappearances and thwart the nefarious plan behind them.

Deadly legends, hidden identities, and tentative romance swirl together in one girl’s unexpectedly-epic coming of age.


And now...without further ado...check out this amazing interview! Also...don't forget to fill out the Rafflecopter at the end of this post to win a pre-order of Valkyrie Rising.

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ELLIE: Iguess we should introduce ourselves first. Although if you’ve read the book, you probably know more about me thanI’d usually share.

TUCK: You’re blushing.

ELLIE: Thank you for pointing that out.

TUCK: You’ve got nothing to be ashamed of, Ells. You were amazing last summer.

ELLIE: I’m not ashamed—maybe a littleembarrassed. There were a few moments Imight have kept to myself.

TUCK: Hegrins. Whatever. Let them be jealous of that too.

ELLIE: Sherolls her eyes. Anyways, for thoseof you waiting until October 9 to pick up your copy of Valkyrie Rising, I’mEllie Overholt. I grew up in LA with mybrother Graham. Last summer I took atrip to Norway that changed my life.

TUCK: In more ways than one. Ellienudges him across the table. Oh, isit my turn now? Or are you going toelaborate on this amazing life transformation?

ELLIE:Maybe you’re not the only one who likes to keep people guessing.

TUCK: I prefer to think of it is as making lifemore interesting for everyone involved. I’m Tucker. Leans back in his chair with a half wave. I grew up down the street from Ellie andGraham. Until last summer, I thought Iknew everything about both of them. Likehow Graham acts all perfect then turns around and gets away with murder. And how Ellie acts gets shy around mostpeople, yet is anything but. There’salways been more to Ells than met the eye. I just didn’t know exactly how much.

ELLIE: Clears her throat. This is supposed to be about you.

TUCK: I’m here because people want to hear aboutyou. The big hero. Believe me, they don’t want to dive into mypsyche. They’d probably break theirnecks if they tried.

ELLIE: Fine. I’ll introduce you. This isTucker Halloway, who also had a transformative experience in Norway.

Tucker laughs.

ELLIE: He’san incredible soccer player—colleges are already recruiting him. He’s also smart—maybe his grades don’t alwaysreflect it, but he really brought those up last year. Which is what counts. Plus he’s an incredibly loyal friend. He might not be as witty as he thinks, butTuck is an optimist.

TUCK: I’m touched, Ells. Putshis hand to his heart. By all means,continue. Since you’re in the mood tosing my praises, I’ve got some college essays you can tackle next.

ELLIE: Also, he’s also always up to something. Looking for shortcuts.

TUCK: Not always.

ELLIE: She arches one eyebrow. What have you ever worked hard for?

TUCK: Ifthere were PhDs in understanding you, I’d have six or seven by now.

ELLIE: Sheblushes and fidgets with her bracelet. We’re supposed to talk about the book. I jotted down a few questions. Whatwas your favorite part of our trip to Norway last summer?

TUCK: His lips quirk into a dry smile. Let’s see, I’m torn between the time we werealmost killed in a bar brawl and the time we nearly drove off a cliff. I mean, the latter had such a gorgeous viewof the fjords. But it’s also not everyday you see the shy girl from next door let loose on a bunch of homicidalsupermodels.

ELLIE: Come on, the trip wasn’t all bad.

TUCK: No, it wasn’t. Hepauses thoughtfully. I remember somesemi-decent conversations on your grandmother’s grass-covered roof. Under the stars.

ELLIE: Yes, that was semi-decent. You do haveyour moments, Tucker Halloway. We’ll pretend you said rooftop chats from theget-go and ignore your sarcasm. Which isan excellent segue into my next question: if you could change one thing aboutyourself, what would it be?

TUCK: He smilestriumphantly. Nothing. Why mess with perfection?

ELLIE: She sighs. We were on such a good streak with therooftop memory. I should have known itwouldn’t last.

TUCK: Heholds up both hands, placating. I’mserious. If there were something Iwanted to change, I’d just do it.

ELLIE:Everything about that answer is arrogant.

TUCK: There’s a fine line between arrogance andconfidence, Ells. So fine it might noteven exist. Act like you can do something,and people believe you. Fake it till youmake it, Ells. That’s the secret of mysuccess.

ELLIE: Yoursuccess at what, exactly? Evadingreality? Glances down at the page in front of her. What a tragedy—only two more questions. And here I could have sat here all daylistening to your nonsense. Please tryto answer this one seriously. What isyour deepest secret?

TUCK: His eyebrows draw together as he pondersthis. Not everything comes as easilyto me as it seems.

ELLIE: She crumples the paper into a ball andthrows it him. He catches it.

TUCK: What? Don’tscowl at me. It’s true. It actually takes effort to look effortless. It’s a crazy contradiction, I know. And that a huge confession. My heart laid bare.

ELLIE: Last question, Mr. Modesty. What’syour favorite quote?

TUCK: No. You’re mad at me. Hisvoice drops until it’s barely above a whisper. You want to know my deepest secret? Think about everything you learned about melast summer. Do you really want me tosay it here--in public?


ELLIE: No…I suppose I don’t. Shakes her head. Favorite quote, please. Then it’s a wrap. And you totally owe me lunch after this.

TUCK: “Dream as if you'll liveforever. Live as if you'll die today.”
James Dean said that. Have fun today, but also, but make sureyou’re lined up to have fun for the foreseeable future.


ELLIE: I think thatmeans make sure you plan for the future while you have fun today. You know, short and long-term goals.


TUCK: Oh, I’ve got myfuture dreams, Ells. No reason to worryabout me.


ELLIE. Regards him skeptically. Okay, I’ll bite. What future do you dream about, TuckerHalloway?


TUCK: This. Sittinghere arguing with you.


ELLIE: That’sshort-term, not long-term.


TUCK: Maybe it’sboth?

Ellie blushes.

Plus, there’s college next fall, D1 soccer, and maybe travela little next summer with Graham if he can manage to keep himself out oftrouble. He shrugs. Then again, if hecan’t, we’ll just call you.



a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tuesday, August 21, 2012

Teaser Tuesday: Unravel Me by Tahereh Mafi

Teaser Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by MizB over at Should Be Reading!
To participate all you have to do is:

•Grab your current read
•Open to a random page
•Share "teaser" sentences from somewhere on that page
•BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure what you share doesn't give too much away! You don't want to ruin the book for others!)

Unravel Me by Tahereh Mafi
HarperTeen
February 5, 2013

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"It's just a whisper of a kiss but something collapses in my skull.  It's a feather-light brush of his mouth against my skin in a place I can't quite see.  It's my mind speaking in a thousand different languages I don't understand."  ARC, pg. 403
"Maybe I'm just supposed to die."  ARC, pg. 199

"Sticks and stones keep breaking my bones but these words, these words will kill me."  ARC, pg. 279

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I feel like Tahereh Mafi knew exactly what to say in that last quote.  I mean, seriously, her words are so great they kill me!  After reading Unravel Me, I find myself so awed that I can't even begin to describe what this book will do to you.  If you were able to stand on a star and look around at the wonder that is our galaxy, it still wouldn't compare to Unravel Me!  Mafi's words are chilling, and they will cut you straight to  your heart.  Don't miss out on this one guys!

Monday, August 20, 2012

Inbetween by Tara Fuller Blog Tour: Review and Giveaway!



Hey everyone!  The YA Sisterhood is SOOOOO excited to be able to kick of the Inbetween Blog Tour with a review and giveaway!  A big thank you to Entangled Publishing for giving us an ARC to read and review!!  Make sure to enter the Rafflecopter at the end of this post to win your own ecopy!

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Inbetween by Tara Fuller
Arc received  by:  Entangled Teen via Netgalley
Release Date: 8-28-2012
Reviewed by: Middle Sis Jenn
The Sisters Say: Romantic and Resplendent

Since the car crash that took her father’s life three years ago, Emma’s life has been a freaky — and unending — lesson in caution. Surviving “accidents” has taken priority over being a normal seventeen-year-old, so Emma spends her days taking pictures of life instead of living it. Falling in love with a boy was never part of the plan. Falling for a reaper who makes her chest ache and her head spin? Not an option.

It’s not easy being dead, especially for a reaper in love with a girl fate has put on his list not once, but twice. Finn’s fellow reapers give him hell about spending time with Emma, but Finn couldn’t let her die before, and he’s not about to let her die now. He will protect the girl he loves from the evil he accidentally unleashed, even if it means sacrificing the only thing he has left…his soul
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If you were to ask most people where they want to go when they die, their answer would, I assume, be Heaven.  However, if that someone has read about Tara Fuller’s oh so yummy reaper, then they might just answer, the Inbetween!  Inbetween is charming and fun-- a love story that shows you just might be life after death.

While this is not the first story I’ve read about reapers, I still say we need more!  I really enjoy these paranormal characters—I love that they can be good or evil, or toe the line between both.  I love that each story can invent a new aspect of them, so it’s never old.  And I fall head over heels for the ones that just won’t give up on the idea of love—even when they’re dead.

This story follows Emma as Finn, a reaper who loves her, tries to protect her from the evil soul, Maeve.  I will admit, at first I was frustrated because Finn can’t touch Emma!  I was sure the romance was going to be lacking and I was going to want to put it aside for something with a little more….corporealness?  Is that a word?  Um…I’m going to declare that the International Council for Words just said that “corporealness” is a word.  Anywho, I was pleasantly surprised.  While I still wish there could have been more steam, I found the romance to be sweet and intoxicating. 

Emma is an interesting main character, and while I was not blown away by her, I still felt a small connection to her.  She has been plagued by “accidents” all her life, not knowing these accidents were caused by Maeve.  However, she doesn’t let the constant threat of death hang over her like a dark, ominous cloud.  Instead, she decides that she is going to try and take charge.  I liked that confidence while it lasted.  Unfortunately it fizzled out, and she became the innocent victim once again.  While I like the fact that Finn or her best friend Cash has to play knight in shining armor, I still wish she would have had a bit more attitude and strength as a main character.

One of my favorite characters is Cash, Emma’s best friend.  He is portrayed as both a good and a bad guy.  What do I mean?  He’s the boy your mother warned you about—you know the one.  The player.  The partyer.  But, with Emma, he’s caring and different.  He doesn’t treat her as some girl to kiss and toss.  His relationship with her is lasting, and it really gives insight into his brokenness.  I won’t say anything else because I don’t want to spoil it, but I can assure you we will see much more of him in the next book.

And finally…we have Finn.  I like Finn, but again, I was not blown away by him.  He’s charming and head over heels for Emma, but at times, he seems a bit whiny.  He wants to take charge, but as a reaper, there are rules that keep him in the shadows.  I loved with Finn was willing to break those rules, but then it seemed like he began to cower.  I wanted to see a strong, confident, in your face guy willing to fight back—even if the odds were completely stacked against him.  But, I understand why he couldn’t be like this.  I mean, he’s a reaper, not an angel—so it’s not like he has all these powers at his disposal.  I think he will be a definite new book boyfriend for many girls, but I tend to lack my guys a little on the bad side J Like Easton…but we won’t go there, you have to read it!

My favorite part of the story (of course) was the evil Maeve.  I can’t help it, I’m a villains girl.  She’s dark and twisted, and she is set on revenge.  I loved waiting to see what she was going to do next!  And let me tell you, she does not disappoint.  I will say, that I wish there would have been more of her—to show how much she has disrupted Emma’s life.

The only warning on content I have is the teenage drinking.

Overall, Inbetween was a flirty and fun read, and I will definitely be checking out book 2 in the future.  The romance was sweet and the story was well written.  Tara brings the Inbetween to life in the few snippets we get of the past, and she definitely brings hell to life with the quick looks of torture that realm can bring!  Tara Fuller brings new meaning to the term star-crossed lovers.  Thrust apart by death, separated by life and death, will Emma and Finn ever get the happily ever after they deserve?  Read and find out!  You won’t be disappointed.

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About Tara Fuller:

Tara Fuller writes novels. Some about grim reapers​. Some about witches. All of course are delightfully full of teen angst and kissing. Tara grew up in a one stop light town in Oklahoma where once upon a time she stayed up with a flash light reading RL Stine novels and only dreamed of becoming a writer. She has a slight obsession with music and a shameless addiction for zombie fiction, Mystery Science Theater, and black and white mochas. Tara no longer lives in a one stop light town. Now she lives with her family in a slightly larger town in North Carolina where they have at least three stoplights.





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