Continuing On

Sometimes I find myself getting so caught up counting down to new releases that I forget about some of the books and series that I'm looking forward to continuing on.  So recently I went back through and checked in with some of my favorites to see what was going on.  I'll admit I was surprised (in a good way) to find that new installments had come out within a series I'd enjoyed.  So rather than counting down in these posts, I decided to list some titles that have come out that I need to back track and read in order to catch up.  Here are just a few...

Catch Up #1:  A Fractured Light (A Beautiful Dark, #2) by Jocelyn Davies

When she wakes up in unfamiliar surroundings, Skye knows something terrible has happened to her. It's not until she hears Asher, the dark, rebellious angel she fell in love with, that the memories come flooding back. She tries to put the past behind her, but she knows she'll be forever haunted by the ruthless betrayal that almost took her life.

Skye returns home, but with the knowledge of who she really is, nothing can ever be the same. As she tests the limits of her new found powers, Skye discovers that she's capable of far more than anyone could have imagined. Both the Order and the Rebellion want her for their side as war between the factions looms. She can't forget the terrifying truth she now knows about the Order, but something holds her back from embracing the Rebellion.

A Fractured Light picks up right after A Beautiful Dark's shocking cliffhanger ending and is perfect for fans of Lauren Kate's Fallen and Becca Fitzpatrick's Hush, Hush saga.

So I went back and refreshed my memory on the series opener.  Since it came out in 2011 my brain needed jogging.  I remembered trying to decide whether I was on Team Asher or Team Devin.  Then I remembered that while I had picked one side for the majority of the read, after the final page had been turned I had changed my mind.  It doesn't usually work that way with me but there it was all the same.  I definitely need to get myself a copy of this sequel to see if I flip flop again and to get ready for the final installment in the trilogy, A Radiant Sky.

Catch Up #2:  Independence (Significance, #4) by Shelly Crane

In the fourth and final installment, Maggie and Caleb must tie up all the loose ends of their lives and make a way to be together completely on their own. With everything that happened with Bish and Maggie's father, she's almost reluctant to move on and move out. And now she must figure out all of this...stuff...with Haddock. But of course, nothing can stay simple for the Jacobsons. Enemies who were thought to be dissolved have decided to not go down so easily. And old flames come calling for more than just Maggie. Caleb is torn between leading his family and personal wants. Maggie is torn between Caleb and being the leader of their people. But neither will let what they need most to be pushed to the wayside. They are determined to make it all work, design a plan toward destiny, and make everything right again for themselves and their family.

And then there's a wedding...

So before diving back into the fourth and final (crying here) installment of Crane's fabulous series I know I had to read the novella, Reverence, which serves s a companion story.  And the fact that it's told from Caleb's point of view is a majorly awesome selling point.  To be honest I'm not sure how I missed either of these releases because this was a series where once I got through the third installment I couldn't believe I'd have to wait to see what would happen next...I was crushed.  Now to find out that I've wasted precious time when I could have been checking it all out is unacceptable!

Catch Up #3:  Book Of Life (Knight Angels, #3) by Abra Ebner

Emotional baggage, begrudged enemies, and bitterness come when the honeymoon of Emily, Max, Wes, Greg, and Jane's friendships fade. Will the love survive, or is it all just a game?

I have only myself to blame for this one.  I've got book two, Book of Revenge sitting on my shelf unread.  So obviously before I can read this third installment I've got some big time catching up and I want to do this sooner rather than later.  Ebner's characters are hard not to become entranced with and I'm ready to fall under her spell all over again.

Catch Up #4:  The Marked (Delcroix Academy, #2) by Inara Scott

All of her life, Dancia Lewis has wanted to use her powers for good. And now that she's learned the truth about Delcroix Academy—and herself—she may just get the chance. But being part of Delcroix's top secret Program isn't anything like Dancia expected. 

She has to ask herself: what happens to the Talented kids who refuse to pledge their loyalty to the Program? And why did her friend Jack run away rather than join? Dancia's adorable boyfriend Cam insists they need the help of every Talented student to defend Delcroix from dangerous enemies outside their gates. 

But Dancia has to wonder: what if Delcroix's most frightening enemies come from within?

Is this the final installment in the series?  It's been a while (at least 2 years) since I read the series opener, The Candidates, but I know I need a refresher before cracking this one open.  What I do remember when finishing the series opener is that I thought I'd found a series I would want to follow and continue reading for a very long time.  So I guess I'm surprised to not hear anything about future installments outside the two already on the shelves.  Have any of you readers out there read the second installment?  Is everything wrapped up in book two?  I'm eager to hear if anyone knows if this is it or if more books will follow.

Catch Up #5:  City of Lost Souls (Mortal Instruments, #5) by Cassandra Clare

The New York Times bestselling Mortal Instruments continues—and so do the thrills and danger for Jace, Clary, and Simon.

What price is too high to pay, even for love? When Jace and Clary meet again, Clary is horrified to discover that the demon Lilith’s magic has bound her beloved Jace together with her evil brother Sebastian, and that Jace has become a servant of evil. The Clave is out to destroy Sebastian, but there is no way to harm one boy without destroying the other. As Alec, Magnus, Simon, and Isabelle wheedle and bargain with Seelies, demons, and the merciless Iron Sisters to try to save Jace, Clary plays a dangerous game of her own. The price of losing is not just her own life, but Jace’s soul. She’s willing to do anything for Jace, but can she still trust him? Or is he truly lost?

Love. Blood. Betrayal. Revenge. Darkness threatens to claim the Shadowhunters in the harrowing fifth book of the Mortal Instruments series.

For this one I know the reason why it fell through the cracks.  It was book four, City of Fallen Angels.  Simon's a great character, but when I started reading these books it was Jace and Clary that kept me coming back for more time and time again.  So while it was nice to hear more about Simon it was not my favorite installment in the series.  So I took a little bit of a break.  Now I'm ready to get back into it and root for Jace and Clary all over again.

Countdown: 2012 Releases (13)

I still can't get over how quickly this month seems to have flown by. So much has happened that I'm having a hard time realizing that Spring is pretty much here, which means Summer is right around the corner. My Summer is already looking jam packed with friends getting married and all the festivities that go along with that. But also exciting is all the great books that are scheduled to hit the shelves this Summer.

I can't believe how many great titles are coming out and how badly I want to read them all. I'm not sure how I'm going to manage to fit everything in, but I'm crossing my fingers I'll find a way and at least if I have some traveling to do for these weddings I'll be sure to have plenty of great reads to take a long with me to pass the time, right?

That's the plan anyways and hopefully I'll have some down time as well in between all the fun festivities lined up to squeeze in a book or two on a night in curled up on my couch unwinding from all the craziness!

Countdown Pick #1: A Fractured Light (A Beautiful Dark, #2) by Jocelyn Davies (09/25/2012)

When she wakes up in unfamiliar surroundings, Skye knows something terrible has happened to her. But it’s not until she hears Asher, the dark, rebellious angel she fell in love with, that the memories of Devin and his shocking betrayal come flooding back.

Skye returns home, but with the knowledge of who she really is, nothing can ever be the same. As she tests the limits of her new found powers, Skye discovers that she’s capable of far more than anyone could have imagined. Both the Order and the Rebellion want her for their side as war between the factions looms. She can’t forgive the Order for nearly killing her, but something holds her back from embracing the Rebellion.

A Fractured Light picks up right after A Beautiful Dark‘s shocking cliffhanger ending and is perfect for fans of Lauren Kate’s Fallen and Becca Fitzpatrick’s Hush, Hush saga.

I'm always excited when I find new authors and new reads to check out but there's something about a series continuation that ratchets up my excitement that can't be denied. I don't know why, but when I come across a series that I love, it helps when the book ends that I know I don't have to really say goodbye to the characters I fell in love with, or the worlds that blew my mind. I know that I'll get the chance to see what else is in store for them later on as the series continues. That's how I felt when it came to Davies' A Beautiful Dark series. I'm anxious to see what decisions Skye makes and what kind of trouble lies in store for her and the two sides that want her for their own.

Countdown Pick #2: Bitterblue (The Seven Kingdoms, #3) by Kristin Cashore (05/01/2012)

Eight years after Graceling, Bitterblue is now queen of Monsea. But the influence of her father, a violent psychopath with mind-altering abilities, lives on. Her advisers, who have run things since Leck died, believe in a forward-thinking plan: Pardon all who committed terrible acts under Leck’s reign, and forget anything bad ever happened. But when Bitterblue begins sneaking outside the castle—disguised and alone—to walk the streets of her own city, she starts realizing that the kingdom has been under the thirty-five-year spell of a madman, and the only way to move forward is to revisit the past.

Two thieves, who only steal what has already been stolen, change her life forever. They hold a key to the truth of Leck’s reign. And one of them, with an extreme skill called a Grace that he hasn’t yet identified, holds a key to her heart.

I cannot even begin to express how excited I am about this release! It feels like it has taken forever to get here. I first came across Cashore's Graceling and fell in love with her writing, her world, her plots and characters...just about everything about her books! So I read Fire when it came out and then discovered that Bitterblue was on what seemed like a permanent hold. But regardless, the release date has been set. Goodreads has a contest for a chance to win an ARC, so head over there to sign up if you haven't already.

Countdown Pick #3: Blazing the Trail (The Dragon Diaries, #3) by Deborah Cooke (06/05/2012)

It’s almost Valentine’s Day, and Zoë Sorensson’s love life is heating up. Cute, loyal, and understanding, wolf shifter Derek is pretty much the perfect guy. He likes Zoë, and he knows what it’s like to have to keep a secret. Yet, Zoë can’t help but wish it was rebel rocker Jared asking her to the Valentine’s dance instead. But Jared’s too busy playing hot and cold with her heart, calling Zoë his dragon girl one minute and then taking special interest in her best friend the next.

Zoë is just about ready to breathe fire, especially once she uncovers a new threat that targets her friends. Although Zoë thought the Mages were defeated, they’re back and have invoked an old spell to give them new power – they plan to eliminate all shape shifters on the night of the big dance. Now, Zoë must lead an alliance of young shifters to battle the Mages and figure out exactly what – and who – she wants, before it all goes up in smoke…

Cooke brought back dragons into the paranormal genre and made them fun again. Reading and experiencing things right along with her main character Zoe as she discovers this world of dragons and mages was a log of fun from her very first installment in the series. I haven't had the chance to read her sequel yet but when I came across this title and realized how far behind I had gotten I decided to order my copy of Winging It right away. I want to be all caught up and ready to go when this third installment hits the shelves. Be sure to check out Cooke's website for the chance to read an excerpt from this release...hopefully it'll help you wait out the countdown for when it actually hits the shelves.

Countdown Pick #4: Just For Fins (Fins, #3) by Tera Lynn Childs (07/03/2012)

When Lily Sanderson decided to remain Crown Princess Waterlily of the mermaid kingdom Thalassinia, she knew she couldn’t just coast along in the current. But since she’s spent the last couple of years on land—with gorgeous human Quince by her side—Lily’s not sure she has the fins to lead a kingdom. Even her maddeningly pretentious cousin Dosinia seems to know more about ruling than she does.

But Lily has to dive in deep to keep her promise to Tellin, her mer bond in name only, whose kingdom is suffering in the changing ocean climate. Lily knows this is a seven seas–sized problem: from sea animals dying to oil spills and threats to humans. They’ll need to create some serious waves to make the mer community aware and get it to join together to make things right. Even if that means facing one of the iciest queens in the mer kingdoms.

Just when Lily thinks her double life on land and sea can’t get any more complicated, an ancient mer law might separate Lily and Quince after all. It feels as if the pair is up against a solid tsunami wave!

In this third installment in the series that began with Forgive My Fins and Fins Are Forever, Lily will have to find a way to balance safety and justice for the mer people as well as for the humans she loves.

What a fun series! Tera Lynn Childs really knows how to entertain her readers. Her books are always light hearted, filled with twists and turns readers never saw coming and the easy going and fun qualities her characters and worlds possess are infectious. I've never put one of her books down feeling anything but happy. She sometimes makes me nervous when he plots seems to be heading down certain paths, but she's always got a good reason behind her choices, and as a readers I realize she usually manages to keep me on my toes. So since she's not planning (that I know of) anymore installments in her Oh.My.Gods series (which I loved), I will take what I can get. And this series is definitely a close second to my favorites she's constantly churning out.

Countdown Pick #5: Blood of a Red Rose (The Rose Trilogy, #2) by Tish Thawer (05/08/2012)

Doubt blooms...

Someone bleeds...

Change is coming... time to take heed.

Book 2 in The Rose Trilogy. A paranormal romance that continues to surprise with a heroine that’s embracing her darker side, a vampire whose love starts to waver, and a vampire clan whose new Sire is filled with doubt.

~ ROSE ~

I'm Rose Reynolds. I’ve shared my secret and ruined lives. I’m no longer welcome in my childhood home. And, I’ve recently threatened to kill my best friend. I warned you - I'm not as innocent as everyone thinks…

~ CHRISTIAN ~

I'm Christian and I’m worried about Rose. She’s changed and I’m not sure that’s a good thing. She knows my secret and loves me still. This I know, because I’m starting to hear whispers wherever I go…

After Thawer approached me to read and review her first installment in the Rose trilogy I was extremely grateful and so excited to have been introduced to this series. I was instantly drawn in by the characters, the tweaks Thawer made in her world running with vampires and demons. It was refreshing, original and totally addicting. After the cliffhanger from the series opener, I think it's safe to say that Thawer's got her readers craving this release in a very bad way.

Review: A Beautiful Dark (A Beautiful Dark, #1) by Jocelyn Davies

On the night of Skye's seventeenth birthday, she meets two enigmatic strangers. Complete opposites; like fire and ice; Asher is dark and wild, while Devin is fair and aloof. Their sudden appearance sends Skye's life into a tailspin. She has no idea what they want, or why they seem to follow her every move only that their presence coincides with a flurry of strange events. Soon she begins to doubt not just the identity of the two boys, but also the truth about her own past.

In the dead of a bitingly cold Colorado winter, Skye finds herself coming to terms with the impossible secret that threatens to shatter her world. Torn between Asher, who she can't help falling for, and Devin, who she can't stay away from, the consequences of Skye's choice will reach further than the three of them could ever imagine.

Davies you are killing me! To be honest I sat on this review for a while after I read the final pages of the novel because I didn't want to rush into things and write a review that I would later look at and wonder what I was talking about. But this book took me for a ride and the ending did not leave me a happy camper. I'm not saying I want my money back, but I'd love it if there was an option for an alternative ending. How Davies managed to sneak this spin in on me I'm still at a loss.

The premise of this book is sure to be one that readers will enjoy. There's mystery and magic, twists and turns that will leave you surprised and refreshed that you didn't see them coming. Davies is most certainly unpredictable. I truly thought I had this one worked out and I won't make that mistake with the second installment. Add to that the love triangle of sorts and I'm flabbergasted. That's right I said I'm flabbergasted. I'm sure I'm not alone when I say that most readers when given a love triangle in a book will inevitably choose sides. Are you on Team Devin or Team Asher, is the question presented to you in this series. I chose my side and was behind it all the way...that is until the end. I'm not sure how I missed the clues or maybe I misread the signs, but I was a little crushed to find out that I wanted to switch teams after the final page. Not cool Davies, not cool.

So if you're looking for a book that you can't predict from beginning to end, surprises are definitely in store for readers this go around. Book two, A Fractured Light is scheduled to come out in 2012 but no definitive date has been given yet. My countdown has already started and I'm hoping Davies keeps the twists and turns coming, even if the outcomes leave me a little confused and disappointed in my choices.

I gave A Beautiful Dark (A Beautiful Dark, #1) 3 shamrocks!!!