In My Mailbox (66)

This is a meme that I first heard about from Kristi over at The Story Siren and immediately wanted to jump on board. I'm always picking up new books, because I
never tire of reading, but the other thing I like about this meme is that it gives everyone an opportunity to check out what other book fanatics, bloggers, etc... got for themselves. I've gotten great recommendations from this meme and hope that keeps up in the future.

Here's what I got, what did you guys get this week? 

For Review:

Touching the Surface by Kimberly Sabatini (Thanks to Simon Pulse)

Experience the afterlife in this lyrical, paranormal debut novel that will send your heart soaring.When Elliot finds herself dead for the third time, she knows she must have messed up, big-time. She doesn’t remember how she landed in the afterlife again, but she knows this is her last chance to get things right.

     Elliot just wants to move on, but first she will be forced to face her past and delve into the painful memories she’d rather keep buried. Memories of people she’s hurt, people she’s betrayed…and people she’s killed.

     As she pieces together the secrets and mistakes of her past, Elliot must find a way to earn the forgiveness of the person she’s hurt most, and reveal the truth about herself to the two boys she loves…even if it means losing them both forever.

The Selection (The Selection, #1) by Kiera Cass

For thirty-five girls, the Selection is the chance of a lifetime. The opportunity to escape the life laid out for them since birth. To be swept up in a world of glittering gowns and priceless jewels. To live in a palace and compete for the heart of gorgeous Prince Maxon.

But for America Singer, being Selected is a nightmare. It means turning her back on her secret love with Aspen, who is a caste below her. Leaving her home to enter a fierce competition for a crown she doesn't want. Living in a palace that is constantly threatened by violent rebel attacks.

Then America meets Prince Maxon. Gradually, she starts to question all the plans she's made for herself--and realizes that the life she's always dreamed of may not compare to a future she never imagined.

Uses for Boys by Erica Lorraine Scheidt (Thanks to St. Martin's Press)

Anna remembers a time before boys, when she was little and everything made sense. When she and her mom were a family, just the two of them against the world. But now her mom is gone most of the time, chasing the next marriage, brining home the next stepfather. Anna is left on her own—until she discovers that she can make boys her family. From Desmond to Joey, Todd to Sam, Anna learns that if you give boys what they want, you can get what you need. But the price is high—the other kids make fun of her; the girls call her a slut. Anna's new friend, Toy, seems to have found a way around the loneliness, but Toy has her own secrets that even Anna can't know.

Then comes Sam. When Anna actually meets a boy who is more than just useful, whose family eats dinner together, laughs, and tells stories, the truth about love becomes clear. And she finally learns how it feels to have something to lose—and something to offer. Real, shocking, uplifting, and stunningly lyrical, Uses for Boys is a story of breaking down and growing up.

Stolen Nights (Vampire Queen, #2) by Rebecca Maizel (Thanks to St. Martin's Griffin)

Lenah Beaudonte should be dead. But having sacrificed herself to save another, she finds herself awakening with strange powers that are neither vampire nor human—and a new enemy on her trail. In her vampire life, Lenah had thought that being human was all she ever wanted; but the human heart suffers pain, heartbreak and loss. 

With her new powers growing and the dark force of the Nex after her soul, Lenah faces a choice: between the mortal love of gorgeous Justin, whose passion fed her human soul, and taking a different path to become the mistress of her own destiny, wherever that may lead...

Review: Infinite Days (Vampire Queen, #1) by Rebecca Maizel

"Throughout all my histories, I found no one I loved more than you...no one."

Those were some of Rhode's last words to me. The last time he would pronounce his love. The last time I would see his face.

It was the first time in 592 years I could take a breath. Lay in the sun. Taste.

Rhode sacrificed himself so I, Lenah Beaudonte, could be human again. So I could stop the blood lust.

I never expected to fall in love with someone else that wasn't Rhode.


But Justin was...daring. Exciting. More beautiful than I could dream.


I never expected to be sixteen again...then again, I never expected my past to come back and haunt me...

What a great start to what looks to be a very exciting series! Maizel had me from the very start. I couldn't believe I was only a few pages in and already completely invested in her characters. It rarely happens, but when the writing is this good, and the emotions are front and center on the page, it's hard to avoid being swept up in everything that's going on. And there was a lot going on from the very beginning. Each and every one of Maizel's characters brought something unique and wonderful to the table. Added that extra spark or much needed element of intrigue to the storyline.

Rhode....wow! This is a character that stays with you. Despite his dark past he had a way with words that can be described as nothing but lyrical. He swept me up right along with Lenah, and I was a goner. I thought Maizel's way of having Lenah wake up in a new world and a new time period was perfect for her readers. As Lenah was busy trying to find her way around in order to survive and adapt, readers were able to stay right there with her while having the chance to work on our predictions on what would come next. While Lenah was constantly watching the clocking and counting down her days, I couldn't help but notice my anxiety rose right along with hers.

It was a fun read, and one that I think sets the stage for an exciting series. I'm relieved that I waited a bit before picking this title up, because now I won't have to countdown for the second installment in the series, Stolen Nights to be released, because it'll be on the shelves as of June 12...I definitely think I'll be able to hold out a few more weeks.

I gave Infinite Days (Vampire Queen, #1) 4 shamrocks!!!!