Infinityglass Giveaway Winner Announced!

 

For all of you readers and followers out there that entered for your chance to win a copy of Myra McEntire's third and final installment in her Hourglass series, Infinityglass and a poster as well, the wait is over....

 

Congrats go out to....

Julie R.

 Thank you so much again for everyone that participated and if you're the lucky winner, an email will be headed your way soon!

ARC Review & Giveaway: Infinityglass (Hourglass, #3) by Myra McEntire

About the Author:

 

Myra McEntire has had her nose in a book since she could hold one. She was once caught reading in the shower (true story) and only stopped when her father disconnected the hot water heater.  She lives in Nashville, Tennessee, with her husband and two boys. You can visit her online at www.myramcentire.com or follow her on twitter at @MyraMcEntire
 
 ** I could not be more excited to share this review and giveaway with all of you fabulous readers out there!  This is a series that quickly became one of my favorites, and one where I am always eagerly awaiting each and every new installment to hit the shelves.  Enjoy the early review and don't forget to enter the giveaway below for your chance to win your own copy of this latest installment in the Hourglass series as well as some pretty cool swag!


The stakes have risen even higher in this third book in the Hourglass series.

The Hourglass is a secret organization focused on the study of manipulating time, and its members — many of them teenagers -­have uncanny abilities to make time work for them in mysterious ways. Inherent in these powers is a responsibility to take great care, because altering one small moment can have devastating consequences for the past, present, and future. But some time trav­elers are not exactly honorable, and sometimes unsavory deals must be struck to maintain order.

With the Infinityglass (central to understanding and harnessing the time gene) at large, the hunt is on to find it before someone else does.But the Hourglass has an advantage. Lily, who has the ability to locate anything lost, has determined that the Infinityglass isn't an object. It's a person. And the Hourglass must find him or her first. But where do you start searching for the very key to time when every second could be the last?

I know this was a long time coming, but to actually realize that this would be McEntire's final installment in her Hourglass series, was a hard pill to swallow.  This has been, and still is one of my favorite series that I've been following for a while.  I love the way McEntire writes, the characters she's created and the whole premise behind the Hourglass society was nothing but non-stop fun and excitement.

With each new installment including the latest and final book readers won't find themselves bored, or wishing for more depth or characters additions, because McEntire doesn't let that happen.  Each book gives readers new POVs and voices to get acquainted with, and a new couple to focus on.  With each of the new voices, readers get a front row seat to all the action.  Every time I pick up a series and fall in love with the opener, I wonder and question whether or not the author will be able to keep up the level of excitement and adventure with each additional installment.  McEntire put my mind at ease each and every time, because somewhow she was able to keep things rolling, and introducing new obstacles, characters, and drama with ease.

So with all final installments in a series, this one was bittersweet.  I loved each turn of the page, but found myself sad to see the pages dwindling, knowing I was coming to the end and reluctant to cross that finish line.  I'd love to see more of these characters and this world in the future, but I'd also welcome checking out anything else McEntire puts out on the shelves.  She's got a knack for engaging her readers and keeping them wanting to come back for more and more each and every time.

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Top Ten Tuesday: Top Ten Favorite Characters In Fantasy

Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created over at The Broke and the Bookish.  This feature was crated because they're particularly fond of lists at The Broke and the Bookish (and who isn't?).  They're all about creating new lists including a little bit of everything and I've been meaning to participate for so long but always seemed to get behind.  I've decided that's going to chance in the new year.  So here we are and hopefully you'll head over to their page and check out what everyone else put up for this week's Top Ten.

There are too many characters out there to possibly include all my favorites in a list limited to ten but in nor particular order I've listed a few below with the disclaimer that many have been left out.  It was even difficult to stick to just one genre but I did my best, and here they are...

Favorite Character Pick #1:  James - Cassandra Clare's The Internal Devices series

He's kind, mysterious, beautiful, and welcoming.  When Tessa was thrust into this crazy new reality she wasn't prepared for, James was there as an understanding buffer.  With the love triangle forming I couldn't help but get on his team and cross my fingers that she would end up with him.

Favorite Character Pick #2:  Yelena - Maria V. Snyder's Study series

While I love each and every one of Snyder's characters I had no choice by to choose Yelena.  She's got everything a female lead should have in my opinion.  She's strong, tenacious, witty and sharp, kind and honorable.  The list goes on and on.  She found herself in a bad situation that was not her fault but she didn't give up; in fact she prospered.

Favorite Character Pick #3:  Kaleb - Myra McEntire's Hourglass series

Here we have a truly pure heart and soul.  He might not seem like the type at first, but this was a character dealing with more than anyone should ever have to, and yet still tried not to put those burdens he was carrying onto anyone else.  He did his best to keep it hidden for purely selfless reasons and make it appear as if everything was fine.  But sometimes too much is too much.  He eventually reached out (reluctantly) and leaned on his friends.  It was a journey I enjoyed as a reader and would love to see more of his character in the future.

Favorite Character Pick #4:  Stark - P.C Cast & Kristin Cast's House of Night series

Stark was a breath of fresh air in the guy department for this series.  The love triangle had lost me quite frankly.  I wasn't rooting for either of the guys that were currently vying for Zoe's attention and then in walks Stark and I was hooked on the series all over again!  With a huge heart and a real protective streak where Zoe is concerned it was hard not to take a serious liking to his character.  He could do no wrong in my opinion even when things went horribly wrong for him.

Favorite Character Pick #5:  Sykes - Ednah Walters' The Guardian Legacy series

He's the funny guy!  He adds humor whenever he can and loves riling everyone up.  He keeps the situations light whenever possible, but also has many layers to him beyond his sense of humor.  Basically he's the guy you want to have around.  He's fiercely loyal to his friends and family and equally protective of them as well.  He's hard not to like...end of story.

Favorite Character Pick #6:  Miranda - Shelley Workinger's Solid series

The "mean" girl you can't help but kind of like.  In the beginning she was firmly in the box of characters that I didn't like.  Slowly but surely she won me over just as she did with the rest of the group in the series.  You just had to let her in and take her for what she was.  She kept an interesting dynamic in the group and never let the dialogue get too stagnant.  Miranda was always sure to keep things real.

Favorite Character Pick #7:  The Erlking - Jenna Black's Faeriewalker series

I know he was the "bad" guy in the series but there was more to him than that.  He was without a doubt complicated and had a lot of secrets.  I wanted to get to know him as a reader and was hoping Black would give her readers that opportunity.  When all was said and done I couldn't help but sympathize with him.  He may not be a knight in shining armor but he became a favorite of mine regardless.

Favorite Character Pick #8:  Four - Veronica Roth's Divergent series

He might go by the name Four in the series but he was my number one!  I loved how Roth allowed her readers to get to know his character right along with Tris.  He was so mysterious and hard to read but at the same time interesting to watch as the story progressed and the two came together.

Favorite Character Pick #9:  Anna - Wendy Higgins' Sweet Trilogy

How she handled the drastic reality shift she was dealt is beyond me.  Higgins developed her character in a way that had me as a reader sympathizing with her from the very first chapter.  By the end of the first book my heart was pretty much breaking for her and yet Higgins kept her strong and optimistic.  How could readers not want to see and learn more about her?

Favorite Character Pick #10:  Zoe - Heather Anastasiu's Glitch series

Can you say fighter?  This was one smart and fiercely brave character who refused to take things lying down.  She stood up to the authorities, fought for what she believed to be right and just and did everything she could to help others as well.  She wasn't content to get just herself out to safety, but wanted to try and help as many others as possible.  How could you not respect and like a character like that?  I couldn't resist.

Top Ten Tuesday: Top Ten Settings I'd Like To See More Of

Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created over at The Broke and the Bookish.  This feature was created because they're particularly fond of lists at The Broke and the Bookish (and who isn't?). They're all about creating new lists including a little bit of everything and I've been meaning to participate for so long but always seemed to get behind.  So here we are and hopefully you'll head over to their page and check out what everyone else put up for this week's Top Ten.

For me this week's top ten basically boils down to what kinds of books do you like to read.  So I've listed ten and paired them up with some examples of previous books that fit the same mold.

Top Ten Settings Pick #1:  Dystopian - Divergent (Divergent, #1) by Veronica Roth 

In Beatrice Prior's dystopian Chicago world, society is divided into five factions, each dedicated to the cultivation of a particular virtue--Candor (the honest), Abnegation (the selfless), Dauntless (the brave), Amity (the peaceful), and Erudite (the intelligent). On an appointed day of every year, all sixteen-year-olds must select the faction to which they will devote the rest of their lives. For Beatrice, the decision is between staying with her family and being who she really is--she can't have both. So she makes a choice that surprises everyone, including herself.

During the highly competitive initiation that follows, Beatrice renames herself Tris and struggles alongside her fellow initiates to live out the choice they have made. Together they must undergo extreme physical tests of endurance and intense psychological simulations, some with devastating consequences. As initiation transforms them all, Tris must determine who her friends really are--and where, exactly, a romance with a sometimes fascinating, sometimes exasperating boy fits into the life she's chosen. But Tris also has a secret, one she's kept hidden from everyone because she's been warned it can mean death. And as she discovers unrest and growing conflict that threaten to unravel her seemingly perfect society, she also learns that her secret might help her save those she loves . . . or it might destroy her.

This title will forever be one of my favorites.  It has all of my favorite elements.  Forbidden romance, a big brother-type government like body that may not be looking out for everyone's best interest.  Add in a ton of action and a strong leading character and I'm excited for release day.

Top Ten Settings Pick #2:  Contemporary Romance - Beautiful Disaster (Beautiful, #1) by Jamie McGuire 

INTENSE. DANGEROUS. ADDICTIVE.

Abby Abernathy is a good girl. She doesn’t drink or swear, and she has the appropriate number of cardigans in her wardrobe. Abby believes she has enough distance from the darkness of her past, but when she arrives at college with her best friend, her path to a new beginning is quickly challenged by Eastern University’s Walking One-Night Stand.

Travis Maddox, lean, cut, and covered in tattoos, is exactly what Abby wants—and needs—to avoid. He spends his nights winning money in a floating fight ring, and his days as the ultimate college campus charmer. Intrigued by Abby’s resistance to his appeal, Travis tricks her into his daily life with a simple bet. If he loses, he must remain abstinent for a month. If Abby loses, she must live in Travis’s apartment for the same amount of time. Either way, Travis has no idea that he has met his match.

While I've always loved the imaginative and creative worlds that can be found in the fantasy genre, there will always be something equally special about a possible real life couple's story as well.  And if there are more out there like this favorite of mine by McGuire than you can sign me up!

Top Ten Settings Pick #3:  Fantasy - Glimmgerglass (Faeriewalker, #1) by Jenna Black

It's all she's ever wanted to be, but it couldn't be further from her grasp...

Dana Hathaway doesn't know it yet, but she's in big trouble. When her alcoholic mom shows up at her voice recital drunk, again, Dana decides shes had enough and runs away to find her mysterious father in Avalon: the only place on Earth where the regular, everyday world and the captivating, magical world of Faerie intersect. But from the moment Dana sets foot in Avalon, everything goes wrong, for it turns out she isn't just an ordinary teenage girl, she's a Faeriewalker, a rare individual who can travel between both worlds, and the only person who can bring magic into the human world and technology into Faerie.

Dana finds herself tangled up in a cutthroat game of Fae politics. Someone's trying to kill her, and everyone seems to want something from her, from her new found friends and family to Ethan, the hot Fae guy Dana figures she'll never have a chance with...until she does. Caught between two worlds, Dana isn't sure where she'll ever fit in and who can be trusted, not to mention if her world will ever be normal again.

Books are often my break from reality and the stress of every day life.  So I often enjoy reading titles that are fantastical enough that I'm not reminded that before long I'll be right back to the normal bump and grind.  I like their typical light hearted nature along with their occasional dark side.  It's a great recipe for a literature vacation.

Top Ten Settings Pick #4:  Angel and Above - Angel Star (Angel Star, #1) by Jennifer Murgia

Seventeen-year-old Teagan McNeel falls for captivating Garreth Adams and soon discovers that her crush has an eight-point star etched into the palm of his right hand; the mark of an angel. But where there is light, dark follows, and she and Garreth suddenly find themselves vulnerable to a dark angel's malicious plan that could threaten not only her life, but the lives of everyone she knows.

Divinely woven together, Angel Star takes readers on a reflective journey when one angel's sacrifice collides with another angel's vicious ambition in a way that is sure to have readers searching for their own willpower.

I have not gotten enough of these lately, but Murgia's work reminds me of everything great about this type of book.  Divine intervention, angelic beings, true and unconditional love, and usually a fight that comes down to good vs. evil.  I would really like some more of these in 2013.

Top Ten Settings Pick #5:  Reality Checks - Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher

Clay Jensen returns home from school to find a mysterious box with his name on it lying on his porch. Inside he discovers thirteen cassette tapes recorded by Hannah Baker, his classmate and crush who committed suicide two weeks earlier.

On tape, Hannah explains that there are thirteen reasons why she decided to end her life. Clay is one of them. If he listens, he'll find out how he made the list.

Through Hannah and Clay's dual narratives, debut author Jay Asher weaves an intricate and heartrending story of confusion and desperation that will deeply affect teen readers.

While the setting could be just about anywhere, I would like to see more books like Asher's previous and memorable release.  I call them reality checks because by the time you're finished reading, it's impossible not to reflect.  Asher's book had me doing some major thinking and proved to be incredibly eye opening for anyone who came across it.

Top Ten Settings Pick #6:  Paranormal Romance - My Blood Approves (My Blood Approves, #1) by Amanda Hocking

Teenager Alice Bonham's life feels crazy after she meets Jack. With his fondness for pink Chuck Taylors and New Wave, he's unlike anyone she knows. Then she meets his brother, Peter. Even though he can't stand the sight of her, she's drawn to him. Falling for two guys isn't even the worst of her problems. Jack and Peter are vampires, and Alice finds herself caught between love and her own blood.

With so many books falling into this category I don't think any of us will ever be out of options for our next read, but some of course are better than others.  Hocking's My Blood Approves series had an awesome combination of romance, family ties, intense action and suspense, and of course the right amount of paranormal activity.

Top Ten Settings Pick #7:  Romantic Comedy - The Lonely Hearts Club by Elizabeth Eulberg

Love is all you need... or is it? Penny's about to find out in this wonderful debut.

Penny is sick of boys and sick of dating. So she vows: no more. It's a personal choice. . .and, of course, soon everyone wants to know about it. And a few other girls are inspired. A movement is born: The Lonely Hearts Club (named after the band from Sgt. Pepper). Penny is suddenly known for her nondating ways . . . which is too bad, because there's this certain boy she can't help but like. . . .

I often find myself drawn to romances, but when I want to keep things light and upbeat I look to Eulberg and the like.  Give me light and flirty, fun and laugh out loud entertainment.  That's a winning combination.  Romance doesn't always have to be unrequited and full of angst, right?

Top Ten Settings Pick #8:  Time Travel - Hourglass (Hourglass, #1) by Myra McEntire

One hour to rewrite the past . . . 

For seventeen-year-old Emerson Cole, life is about seeing what isn't there: swooning Southern Belles; soldiers long forgotten; a haunting jazz trio that vanishes in an instant. Plagued by phantoms since her parents' death, she just wants the apparitions to stop so she can be normal. She's tried everything, but the visions keep coming back.

So when her well-meaning brother brings in a consultant from a secretive organization called the Hourglass, Emerson's willing to try one last cure. But meeting Michael Weaver may not only change her future, it may also change her past.

Who is this dark, mysterious, sympathetic guy, barely older than Emerson herself, who seems to believe every crazy word she says? Why does an electric charge seem to run through the room whenever he's around? And why is he so insistent that he needs her help to prevent a death that never should have happened?

I'm not a huge fan of historical fiction/non-fiction reads.  Terrible I know, but its just not my go-to.  However, time travel tales give me the chance to see an author's view of the past, present and future of any given place.  It's always an adventure and like with McEntire's series, there's a good bit of intrigue and action as well.

Top Ten Settings Pick #9:  University Life - The Ivy (The Ivy, #1) by Lauren Kunze and Rina Onur

Congratulations! You have been admitted to the most prestigious university in the world. Now what are you going to do?

Callie Andrews may not have money or connections or the right clothes, and she may have way too many complications in her love life, what with

Gregory
the guy she loves to hate ...

Evan
the guy she'd love to forget ...

Clint
the guy she'd love to love ...

and Matt
the guy she really should love ...

all vying for her attention.

But she has three fantastic roommates (best friends or her worst nightmare?) and a wholesome California-girl reputation (oops) and brains and beauty and big, big dreams.

Will it be enough to help her survive freshman year at Harvard?

Give me a background of a college university or a boarding school of some type and it's half the battle.  There's just something about it...no idea what exactly but the "it" factor is there.  It could be a lot of things but for whatever reason I'm a fan and would always enjoy seeing more books use the setting.

Top Ten Settings Pick #10:  Super Powers - Minder (Ganzfield, #1) by Kate Kaynak

Sixteen-year-old Maddie Dunn is special, but she needs to figure out how to use her new abilities before somebody else gets hurt. Ganzfield is a secret training facility full of people like her, but it's not exactly a nurturing place. 

Every social interaction carries the threat of mind-control. 

A stray thought can burn a building to the ground. 

And people's nightmares don't always stay in their own heads. But it's still better than New Jersey. Especially once she meets the man of her dreams...

A long time X-Men and superhero fan what's not to love about books where powers are used for both good and evil, where the good must use these special gifts to defeat the bad, etc...  I think I just love a good hero and characters with super powers often fit that mold.

ARC Review: Timepiece (Hourglass, #2) by Myra McEntire

A threat from the past could destroy the future. And the clock is ticking...

Kaleb Ballard's relentless flirting is interrupted when Jack Landers, the man who tried to murder his father, timeslips in and attacks before disappearing just as quickly. But Kaleb has never before been able to see time travelers, unlike many of his friends associated with the mysterious Hourglass organization. Are Kaleb's powers expanding, or is something very wrong?

Then the Hourglass is issued an ultimatum. Either they find Jack and the research he's stolen on the time gene, or time will be altered with devastating results.

Now Kaleb, Emerson, Michael, and the other Hourglass recruits have no choice but to use their unusual powers to find Jack. But where do they even start? And when? And even if they succeed, it may not be enough...

The follow-up to Hourglass, Timepiece blends the paranormal, science fiction, mystery, and suspense genres into a nonstop thrill ride where every second counts.

What a fabulous follow up to a stellar series opener! McEntire didn't slow her pace down and most definitely did not give her readers a chance to get compliant and think that all would end well just because we wanted it to. Her characters were once again put to test after test and more often than not had to figure things out for themselves without much assistance to be had from those around them with more experience. It was every man for himself so to speak, and the newest recruits of the Hourglass had a lot of ground to cover and were left with no other choice but to recruit some help of their own...outside of the Hourglass society.

After making my way through the series opener, Hourglass, I have to admit that while I loved Michael and Emerson, there was something about Michael's friend Kaleb that just hooked me. His sense of humor, fierce loyalty, and all around lack of worry (or at least it appeared that way) just lured me in and didn't let up. So when I realized that he would play more of a central and key part in this series follow up I was beyond thrilled. And I have to say, I wasn't disappointed in the slightest. Kaleb added some much needed humor to any type of stressful situation, but at the same time, readers get a much deeper look into what has made Kaleb the guy he is in McEntire's story and how there's much more than meets they eye with this ladies' man.

So for those of you readers who enjoyed Hourglass, this series will continue to excite you and may even have you debating which book you liked better....I'm still trying to decide. With new characters, side characters from the opener that play a larger part, and the obstacles and stressful situations abounding will leave you on the edge of your seat, holding your breath until you find out what happens next!

I gave Timepiece (Hourglass, #2) 4 shamrocks!!!!

Review: Hourglass (Hourglass, #1) by Myra McEntire

One hour to rewrite the past . . .

For seventeen-year-old Emerson Cole, life is about seeing what isn’t there: swooning Southern Belles; soldiers long forgotten; a haunting jazz trio that vanishes in an instant. Plagued by phantoms since her parents’ death, she just wants the apparitions to stop so she can be normal. She’s tried everything, but the visions keep coming back.

So when her well-meaning brother brings in a consultant from a secretive organization called the Hourglass, Emerson’s willing to try one last cure. But meeting Michael Weaver may not only change her future, it may change her past.
Who is this dark, mysterious, sympathetic guy, barely older than Emerson herself, who seems to believe every crazy word she says? Why does an electric charge seem to run through the room whenever he’s around? And why is he so insistent that he needs her help to prevent a death that never should have happened?

Full of atmosphere, mystery, and romance, Hourglass merges the very best of the paranormal and science-fiction genres in a seductive, remarkable young adult debut.

I can't believe I waited so long to read this one! Hopefully I won't let another gem like this one fall through the cracks again in the future. I've had this title since it was released and somehow I overlooked it until now. While I'm regretting waiting so long, I'm thrilled that I corrected my mistake and finally gave myself the chance to read this fabulous title! I simply enjoyed every single turn of the page on this one. McEntire created a scenario that fascinated me. Time travel has always been one of those phenomena that I couldn't help but be intrigued by. And when you take that and add in all the other remarkable details and twists that McEntire did in her novel, it became a combination that is utterly impossible to turn away from.

I stayed up late into a few nights reading, so that I could try and race through this title and was simply sad when I would have to close it for the night. If that isn't a clear mark of a great read, I'm not sure what is. Emerson is one of those characters that shows a great combination of bravery and spunk, while remaining humble and somewhat vulnerable at all the right times that makes it impossible to not adore her. The other characters like Michael, Lily and Emerson's brother, Thomas and his wife, Dru, are each endearing in their own ways. It's a great cast of characters and the situations they find themselves in will leave readers rooting for them to come out on top. But when so much is at stake it's hard to predict what will happen, and where McEntire will leave her characters in the end. After finishing up this series opener, I'm extremely anxious for the chance to read, the second installment, Timepiece, when it releases in June 2012.

I gave Hourglass (Hourglass, #1) 4 shamrocks!!!!

Great Finds!!

It might just be me, but more often than not, I find myself reading a book and researching people mentioned, artwork, poetry, etc... I recently read Myra McEntire's Hourglass, and found myself doing this once again. Lucky I did as it turns out. I'm a huge art buff (or at least I try to be) and in the beginning of Hourglass, the main character, Emerson describes her room for readers. I was curious when she mentioned that her bedroom walls were lined with prints by John Williams Waterhouse. I'd never heard of him (shame I know) but I wanted to fix that error immediately. When I did a basic search I found that the paintings that came up were beautiful. One of them I am familiar with and was sad that I hadn't remembered the artist attached to this work of art.

Here are some of my favorites of his work.

The Lady of Shalott

Miranda the Tempest

Ophelia

Ophelia (not sure if this is the official title of the painting)

Circe the Sorceress

After seeing all of these great pieces I'm thinking that I might need to buy myself a print to display in my apartment. Which one is your favorite? I'm still trying to decide.

Happy Reading!!!

Countdown: New Author Edition

My TBR pile is always on the rise and I never seem to be able to catch up, but yet I can't help constantly adding new titles to my list. For now I'm trying to shift my order around and try out some authors I've never read before. I've heard of great authors from friends and fellow bloggers/readers that have enjoyed them before. Some are just books I found randomly by authors I either hadn't heard of before or hadn't had the chance to read before now.

So I'm determined to check them out and possibly add some new faves to my list, not to mention maybe add a series or two to start following. Here are a few titles I'm looking forward to checking out!

Countdown Pick #1: Everneath (Everneath, #1) by Brodi Ashton (1/3/2011)

Last spring, Nikki Beckett vanished, sucked into an underworld known as the Everneath, where immortals Feed on the emotions of despairing humans. Now she's returned- to her old life, her family, her friends- before being banished back to the underworld... this time forever.

She has six months before the Everneath comes to claim her, six months for good-byes she can't find the words for, six months to find redemption, if it exists.

Nikki longs to spend these months reconnecting with her boyfriend, Jack, the one person she loves more than anything. But there's a problem: Cole, the smoldering immortal who first enticed her to the Everneath, has followed Nikki to the mortal world. And he'll do whatever it takes to bring her back- this time as his queen.

As Nikki's time grows short and her relationships begin slipping from her grasp, she's forced to make the hardest decision of her life: find a way to cheat fate and remain on the Surface with Jack or return to the Everneath and become Cole's...

Can I just say....love triangle? Ashton's new trilogy seems to revolve around good vs. evil, doing what's right even if it's not easy, and painful goodbyes. Why I want to put myself through a story that looks to have the makings of a tear fest I'm not sure. But honestly it just sounds too good to pass up.

Countdown Pick #2: Shatter Me (Shatter Me, #1) by Tahereh Mafi (11/15/2011)

Juliette hasn't touched anyone in exactly 264 days. The last time she did, it was an accident, but The Reestablishment locked her up for murder. No one knows why Juliette's touch is fatal. As long as she doesn't hurt anyone else, no one really cares. The world is too busy crumbling to pieces to pay attention to a 17-year-old-girl. Diseases are destroying the population, food is hard to find, birds don't fly anymore, and the clouds are the wrong color.

The Reestablishment said their way was the only way to fix things, so they threw Juliette in a cell. Now so many people are dead that the survivors are whispering war- and The Reestablishment has changed its mind. Maybe Juliette is more than a tortured soul stuffed into a poisonous body. Maybe she's exactly what they need right now.

Juliette has to make a choice: Be a weapon. Or be a warrior.

When I read this book's description I was curious. Dystopian novels are a new interest of mine, but it still has to have the right combination of elements for it to turn me into a fan. But if they're comparing it to The Hunger Games, and X-Men, I'm down to give it a chance. The main character, Juliette sounds like a heroine I could root for and the "evil" government-like agency in control definitely has the potential for me to despise. It all sounds like a series that could have me hooked for a while.

Countdown Pick #3: Hourglass (Hourglass, #1) by Myra McEntire
One hour to rewrite the past . . .

For seventeen-year-old Emerson Cole, life is about seeing what isn’t there: swooning Southern Belles; soldiers long forgotten; a haunting jazz trio that vanishes in an instant. Plagued by phantoms since her parents’ death, she just wants the apparitions to stop so she can be normal. She’s tried everything, but the visions keep coming back.

So when her well-meaning brother brings in a consultant from a secretive organization called the Hourglass, Emerson’s willing to try one last cure. But meeting Michael Weaver may not only change her future, it may change her past.

Who is this dark, mysterious, sympathetic guy, barely older than Emerson herself, who seems to believe every crazy word she says? Why does an electric charge seem to run through the room whenever he’s around? And why is he so insistent that he needs her help to prevent a death that never should have happened?

I haven't read a good mystery in a while and if you can throw in a little romance there's a good chance my interest will be piqued. With a main character who can see ghosts and a mysterious guy who believes in her abilities, McEntire sets an atmosphere for her novel that I find hard to resist. I'm not sure if mysteries will make a comeback and headline my bookshelf, but this one's got potential.

Countdown Pick #4: Lost Voices (Lost Voices, #1) by Sarah Porter

When fourteen-year-old Luce is assaulted on the cliffs near an Alaskan village, she expects to die when she tumbles into the icy water below. Instead, she transforms into a mermaid. Luce is thrilled with her new life—until she discovers the catch.

So glad I didn't know about this one before it came out because I think the wait and countdown may have been the death of me. Mermaids are one of the few paranormal creatures that I don't think have gotten shelf time. I love the idea of this spin, the way young girls are turned into mermaids, their dark side and desires, the whole deal.

Luce sounds like a promising lead and I'm anxious to see if she can hang onto her humanity, or if she'll fade into her new life and role and use her voice to draw in her prey. It's all very hair raising and gives me nothing but goose bumps, but hopefully I'll overcome the trepidation and pick this one up soon so I can find out for myself how things turn out for Luce and the rest of the mermaids.

Countdown Pick #5: Wildefire (Wildefire, #1) by Karsten Knight

Every flame begins with a spark.

Ashline Wilde is having a rough sophomore year. She’s struggling to find her place as the only Polynesian girl in school, her boyfriend just cheated on her, and now her runaway sister, Eve, has decided to barge back into her life. When Eve’s violent behavior escalates and she does the unthinkable, Ash transfers to a remote private school nestled in California’s redwoods, hoping to put the tragedy behind her. But her fresh start at Blackwood Academy doesn’t go as planned.

Just as Ash is beginning to enjoy the perks of her new school—being captain of the tennis team, a steamy romance with a hot, local park ranger—Ash discovers that a group of gods and goddesses have mysteriously enrolled at Blackwood…and she’s one of them. To make matters worse, Eve has resurfaced to haunt Ash, and she’s got some strange abilities of her own. With a war between the gods looming over campus, Ash must master the new fire smoldering within before she clashes with her sister one more time… And when warm and cold fronts collide, there’s guaranteed to be a storm.

Gods and goddesses, a private school backdrop, and hot romances brewing, what is not to love? While I'm unfamiliar with Knight's work, if this turns out to be half as good as it sounds, I'm thinking that will change. Ashline has a lot of obstacles to overcome but it all sounds like the makings of a crazy ride. This one definitely got moved up on the TBR pile. And a series opener on top of that. I love to find new series that I can follow as a lot of my current series favorites are drawing to a close.

Countdown Pick #6: Epic Fail by Claire Lazebnik

Will Elise’s love life be an epic win or an epic fail?


At Coral Tree Prep in Los Angeles, who your parents are can make or break you. Case in point:


As the son of Hollywood royalty, Derek Edwards is pretty much prince of the school—not that he deigns to acknowledge many of his loyal subjects.


As the daughter of the new principal, Elise Benton isn’t exactly on everyone’s must-sit-next-to-at-lunch list.


When Elise’s beautiful sister catches the eye of the prince’s best friend, Elise gets to spend a lot of time with Derek, making her the envy of every girl on campus. Except she refuses to fall for any of his rare smiles and instead warms up to his enemy, the surprisingly charming social outcast Webster Grant. But in this hilarious tale of fitting in and flirting, not all snubs are undeserved, not all celebrity brats are bratty, and pride and prejudice can get in the way of true love for only so long.


Most know that Jane Austen is my all time favorite author and Pride and Prejudice is beyond reproach in my book. None of that will be changing anytime soon. With that being said I know that some fans say leave well enough alone, but I'm just not one of them. Any spin off or retelling of Pride and Prejudice and I jump at the chance to read it. What better form of flattery to the late Ms. Austen and her devoted fans just get another taste of their beloved characters.

No it's not the original classic itself but a fun twist on the classic stories. Lazebnik's version of events sounds fun, racy, entertaining as all get out and one I can't imagine being anything but fabulous. A Hollywood version of Elizabeth and Darcy....yes please!