New Finds (6)

Yep I'm back with another round of new finds. I couldn't possibly have kept it at one post this week. There were just too many that I've come across lately that I'm still shocked to have missed right when they first hit the shelves. There are always going to be fabulous books that are slated to come out in the future, but as I'm sure I'm not alone, readers are also always going to miss books as they come out because they're either too overloaded with other books on their TBR lists, or just overloaded with life in general.

So regardless of the reason, you're not alone and I'm going ot do my part to make sure these great reads aren't missed just because life keeps readers too busy to catch every detail. So whenever I come across titles that I've somehow missed the release date of, I make a note and get excited about them all over again. Sometimes it's even better than counting down to a title that will be released in the next year or so because when I get worked up over these titles I can go right to the store to pick up my own copy or download one to my kindle. No waiting or pining for the book to hit the shelves.

New Find #1: Settling (Solid, #2) by Shelley Workinger (07/04/2011)

At the beginning of the summer, Clio Kaid was one of a hundred teens brought to a secret Army installation. But it was no ordinary camp and they weren't ordinary kids...

Picking up where "Solid" left off, Clio and her friends realize that they aren't ready to go home; they're determined to stay on campus and continue their journey of self-discovery. But someone doesn't feel the same way and will do anything to drive them away - even kill.

Friendships will be tested, abilities will evolve, and more secrets will come out as the teens race to stop the killer before he sets his sights on one of them...

Solid was a great start to what I think has the potential to be a really interesting series. Workinger was an unknown when I was approached to read and review her series opener and I'm so glad I had the opportunity. It was a neat idea, and one that kept me turning the pages to find out what exactly was going on and what was to be the end result for this cast of characters. This one had already been released before I started in on the series, but I haven't yet been able to go out and pick myself up a copy so that I can find out what happens next. If you're looking for a series to get into, and one that might stear a little off course from the mainstream paranormal titles that are being picked up left and right, I'd recomend giving this one a chance. Workinger managed to turn me into a cheerleader; her characters are instantly ones that you'll want to make it out of any situation on top of, and will be crossing your fingers without even realizing you're doing it.

New Find #2: Between (Between, #1) by Cyndi Tefft (04/21/2011)

It just figures that the love of Lindsey Water's life isn't alive at all, but the grim reaper, complete with a dimpled smile and Scottish accent. After transporting souls to heaven for the last 300 years, Aiden MacRae has all but given up on finding the one whose love will redeem him and allow him entry through the pearly gates. Torn between her growing attraction to Aiden and heaven's siren song, Lindsey must learn the hard way whether love really can transcend all boundaries.

I can't say I've heard of any other book quite like this one, have you? I mean sure, you get the unrequited love stories, or even the love stories involving characters so out of each other's leagues but a grim reaper with dimples would be a first for me. I'm not sure I've even ever come across a love story of any kind involving the grim reaper, so already I'm liking the unique and new sound that Tefft has going on here. I will say that after reading this synopsis, as nice as this all sounds, I can already see myself rooting for these two to be together and I've yet to read even one page of this book. I hate that I get this way, but I'm a sucker for almost any kind of romance, and sadly the harder it is for two characters to be together, the more elated I am when they finally do get together...but they have to actually end that way or I'm devestated. So by the sounds of this one, who's to say that Aidan finds the one in Lindsey, only to have the two of them be pulled apart for some other reason, right? I'm on the edge of my seat and want to see what this book's all about!

New Find #3: First Date by Krista McGee (01/10/2012)

The last thing Addy Davidson wants is to be on a reality TV show where the prize is a prom date with the President's son.

She's focused on her schoolwork so she can get a scholarship to an Ivy League college, uncomfortable in the spotlight, never been on a date, and didn't even audition for it.

But she got selected anyway.

So she does her best to get eliminated on the very first show. Right before she realizes that the President's son is possibly the most attractive guy she has ever seen in person, surprisingly nice, and seemingly unimpressed by the 99 other girls who are throwing themselves at him.

Addy's totally out of her comfort zone but that may be right where God can show her al that she was meant to be.

This one just struck me as a such a sweet story line. Who doesn't love a little bit of good old reality TV, right? I'm a big fan, even of the bad stuff, I just seem to get stuck watching it and have to be peeled away from the couch, or have the TV shut off for me in order for me to be able to walk away. I have no idea why, and I realize that makes me a crazy person, but it is what it is I suppose. But I guess that after I read the short snippets the book provides, I tried to picture this happening in real life...didn't quite get there. I think it's a neat idea and sounds to me like the makings of a very cute and possibly romantic and heartfelt story....we shall see. And if you're interested, there are currently ten copies being given away in a contest over at Goodreads, check it out for yourselves and enter soon, because it's ends on February 6th.

New Find #4: Blood Will Tell (Warriors of Ankh, #1) by Samantha Young (07/11/2011)

Eden is a Soul Eater. While that doesn't mean much to her right now, she's pretty sure that any minute now, she's going to go all Carrie on her eleventh grade class.

Noah is an Ankh. As an immortal Warrior, his purpose in life is to hunt down and kill Soul Eaters.

Eden is Noah's next assignment. Problem is...this is an assignment with a difference. Eden's not your average run of the mill, Soul Eater. Noah's job? To test Eden for possible redemption.

It's a risky business.

Especially if Noah awakens Eden's inner monster.

It would be kind of hard for Eden to list to the angel on her shoulder when the devil's telling her, her new best friend is a lying, scheming, immortal enemy...

...betrayal is such a bitch.

So is Eden when you get on her bad side.

I think this one would be a good addition to my list in order to mix things up. While it's still got the paranormal edge that I normally tend to sway towards, I've never come across a book about Soul Eaters and Ankh warriors before. Have I missed that section at the book store? I didn't think so. This one sounds trick, but yet also maybe a nice change of pace. I normally have to force myself to go completely out of my reading comfort zone, but with something like this title, a kind of middle ground title so to speak, maybe I can ease into trying some more new genres and titles in the future. And Goodreads is also having a contest for this title, and is offering the chance to win two signed copies for two very lucky readers...I signed up, how about you?

New Finds #5: Dark Seeker (Seeker, #1) by Taryn Browning (10/04/2011)

She's the Seeker. He's the hunted. What's at stake could kill them both...

For 17-year-old Seeker, Janie Grey, ridding the Baltimore streets of the undead is an inherited duty passed down from her Cherokee ancestors. Seeker Training Lesson #1: Never trust the undead. After her father’s tragic death, Janie creates her own life lesson: Love isn’t worth the risk. Both lessons are easy to follow until she encounters the flawed Kai Sterdam. At first, she believes he is the hybrid she is trained to hunt. But, when he has human traits, she determines she doesn’t know what he is. As Janie’s intrigue over who Kai is pushes her deeper into his mysterious past, she discovers a shocking truth that is even more harrowing than the evil they are up against. It’s a secret Kai wants to keep hidden, especially from Janie.

Yet another great sounding read that's got a contest/giveaway to go with it. Goodreads has a giveaway for a reader's chance to win a copy of this recently released title for their very own. It's like extra incentive to check this book out, don't you think? I'm always up for another paranormal title and this one comes with it's very own spin on what sounds like a warrior fighting for the good side. Not sure what types of secrets will be revealed, but they don't sound like small white lies, these have the makings to be catastrophic and total game changers. I can't even believe when I've missed a title like this one that sounds like it's right up my alley, but that's why I love these posts. It really gives me the excuse to go back and look through some sites to see what I've missed out on, and quickly rectify thost mistakes.