Cover Reveal - Nomad by J.L Byran Presented by BB Book Tours

NOMAD by JL Bryan
Expected publication: July 26th 2013

They took everything: her family, her home, her childhood.

By the age of nineteen, Raven has spent most of her life in the sprawling slums of America, fighting as a rebel against the dictatorship. When the rebellion steals an experimental time-travel device, she travels back five decades to the year 2013. Her plan: assassinate the future dictator when he is still young and vulnerable, long before he comes to power. She must move fast to reshape history, because agents from her own time are on her trail, ready to execute her on sight.

Goodreads Link:

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17982144-nomad

Author Bio:

J.L. Bryan studied English literature at the University of Georgia and at Oxford, with a focus on English Renaissance and Romantic literature. He also studied screenwriting at UCLA. He lives in Atlanta with his wife Christina, dogs Violet and Tiger Lily, and cats Shadow and Sue. 

Author Links:

• Website: www.jlbryanbooks.com
• Twitter: www.twitter.com/jlbryanbooks
• Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/2917423.J_L_Bryan
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/J-L-Bryans-Books/123417766958
• Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/JL-Bryan/e/B003DWKFHK/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_1

Stacking the Shelves # 61

Stacking The Shelves is all about sharing the books we received over the course of the past week. As always, this is a fun way to share what books are coming out, and in no way should be considered bragging in any shape or form. The books we receive are from publishers and authors (either directly or through intermediaries like NetGalley and Edelweiss). We also may purchase books from bookstores, or Amazon, and B&N, or borrow them directly from our local library which we should all support!

Thank you SO much for visiting my blog and checking out the books I received over the past week! I hope you find something to add to your ever growing TBR Pile!

This week's STS is a combination of books from Amazon, the Library, & NetGalley/Edelweiss along with a surprise from Eileen @ http://eileenlisblog.blogspot.com and Spencer Hill Press! 

NetGalley/Edelweiss (3)

ArmChair Bea Winner!

ARCycling (Yes, this is the original copy in MINT condition!)

ARCycling VIA Eileen @ http://eileenlisblog.blogspot.com/

Spencer Hill Press

*Pre-Release Review* Weather Witch (Weather Witch #1) by Shannon Delany

The Weather Witch is a story that had lots of potential, but seemed to wonder aimlessly through the wilderness until it finally found a compass to lead it out of the confusion and into the light. 

The Weather Witch suffers from a first novel syndrome in that there is a TON of information dumping and a plot that meanders through a myriad of situations and possibilities and leaves readers scratching their heads with a typically stunning cliffhanger to keep readers interested in the sequel Stormbringer (January 14, 2014).

In cases of ARC's I normally keep my thoughts to myself about the editing, but, in this case, there were tons of editing and proofreading mistakes that I'm hoping will be caught by the publisher before the actual book is released on June 25, 2013. 

The Weather Witch is set in 19th century Philadelphia which apparently makes this a historical fantasy novel with steampunk aspects like Airships, Automations, and Carriages. The story is told by four uniquely different voices in Bran Marshall, Rowen Burchette, Jordan Astraea, and Marion Kruse. But, they are not the only characters we get to hear from. There are other secondary and tertiary characters like Chloe Erendall that we don't get a good read on until certain aspects make themselves known to the reader and one or two of the characters finds themselves in hot water with no lifelines. 

For Jordan Astraea, things completely implode on her Seventeenth birthday and there is absolutely nothing she can say or do to stop the villainous machinations that were put in place by someone that truly wants to see her family destroyed. Imagine the Salem Witch trials if you will, and suddenly being accused of being a Witch and taken away from your family who is left in ruins. Now, let's reveal the fact that Weather Witches are ostracized by this society but they continue to control the weather, conduct weather to control airships, and they also power the lights. 

Jordan is an interesting character who is put through absolute hell without a get out of jail card. She is pushed beyond what a normal person is expected to deal with unless that person loves to be tortured and treated like donkey poo. One can only put themselves in her situation and walk with her into the darkness that is now her existence and hope that someone shines a spotlight on her situation and that she will eventually walk away with her sanity in place.

Rowen Burchette is probably the second most interesting character in the Weather Witch outside of Jordan with Bran & Marion a close second. He and Jordan have always been close even though they are separated in the hierarchy of the society they live in. Rowen considers himself to be her protector and would be suitor and tries to rescue her from her situation by any means necessary. He also comes from an awful family who would do anything to gain favor and rise in society no matter who they have to use. Rowen's journey is a bit like Jordan's in that he is tried, tested, and pushed to the brink of his limits.

In the end, Weather Witch is one of those story's that you need a lot of patience with and some handy dandy paper and pen in order to keep notes on what characters are doing what, and who is the actual villains and who are the good guys. There is a lot of tension, innocent characters find themselves in deep water with no way out, villains are all right in front of you laughing all the way to the bank, and there are plenty of questions remaining especially in regards to Jordan's family.

Recvd 01/25/2013 via Netgalley. Expected publication: June 25th 2013 by St. Martin's Griffin

Author - Shannon Delany
Title - Weather Witch
Publisher - St. Martin's Griffin
Release Date - June 25, 2013
Genre - Historical Fantasy
Received from Publisher via NetGalley

Review: Confessions of an Almost-Girlfriend (Confessions #2) by Louise Rozett

After reading Confessions of an Angry Girl last year, I knew that I was going to read the sequel Confessions of an Almost-Girlfriend when it came out. 16-year old Rose Zarelli has a unique voice and one that I can totally follow and understand without rolling my eyes from all the angst, and ugly moments that she experiences over the course of the story.

Rose has definitely come a long way from the first book but her life hasn't exactly been a box of chocolates. She's been forced into therapy by her mother Kathleen because of her web page dedicated to her deceased father. Her brother Peter is a hot mess and needs some real help quickly. Her best friend Tracy has completely engrossed herself in the fashions of her fellow students. Her supposed boyfriend Jamie Forta is keeping a distance which frustrated Rose to no end until he shows up and teases her to the point of losing control. 

Rose once again finds herself in a difficult situation when she has to make yet another snap decision about staying out of someone's life, or speaking up and hoping it doesn't cause her to be completely ostracized by her school mates including mean girl Regina Deladdo. Naturally, everyone blames Rose for their own problems including the person that Rose tries to help.

It's interesting how Rozett captures the essence of what it means to be mourning the loss of someone she was close to. Although time has continued to roll onward, Rose is still grieving over the loss of her father in Iraq. Now that her only outlet to connect to others who may have lost someone has been deemed inappropriate by her mother, she tries her hand at singing instead.

I found the story actually more interesting than the first book in that Rose actually finds an outlet, besides sitting in her room and closing herself off from everyone, in wanting to be a singer. I actually didn't scream and run in the other direction when Rozett stayed on the subject of bullying and in this case whether or not a student has the right to participate in sports if he/she is gay. They absolutely do! I also found the inclusion of the story about Matthew Sheppard an American student at the University of Wyoming who was tortured and murdered to be poignant and not in your face. 

I am one of those reviewers who will get kicked and screamed at because of my absolute desire to kick Jamie in the balls and watch him run away screaming like a girl especially with the books ending and other annoying things he does without telling Rose. He sends so many different signals to Rose that I didn't bother to scream in frustration, I just continued reading hoping that Rose's inner voices would finally guide her on the right path.

You should know that I now have a mad crush on Angelo Martinez who helps Rose in the end. He's one of those characters you just want to grab a hold of and hug until you can't breath any longer.  

In conclusion, Confessions of an Almost-Girlfriend is definitely worth the time and effort it takes to read this book. Will be looking forward to Confessions #3 soon! 

*Recvd via Netgalley 04/19/2013* Expected publication: June 18th 2013 by Harlequin

Author - Louise Rozett
Title - Confessions of an Almost-Girlfriend
Publisher - Harlequin
Released: June 18, 2013
Genre: Contemporary
Received from publisher via NetGalley

Cover Loves Wednesday # 11

Welcome to yet another edition of Cover Loves!

This week because of my Anniversary Shin Dig, I've moved this to Wednesday so that I don't have too many things happening at the same time!

As always, these covers have been gathered from various sources including

the author's web pages, & Goodreads.com.

Annie and Fia are ready to fight back.

The sisters have been manipulated and controlled by the Keane Foundation for years, trapped in a never ending battle for survival. Now they have found allies who can help them truly escape. After faking her own death, Annie has joined a group that is plotting to destroy the Foundation. And Fia is working with James Keane to bring his father down from the inside.

But Annie's visions of the future can't show her who to trust in the present. And though James is Fia's first love, Fia knows he's hiding something. The sisters can rely only on each other - but that may not be enough to save them.

http://kierstenwrites.blogspot.com/

Releases February 18, 2014

Jane Yellowrock is a shape-shifting skinwalker who always takes care of her own—no matter the cost....

When Evan Trueblood blows into town looking for his wife, Molly, he’s convinced that she came to see her best friend, Jane. But it seems like the witch made it to New Orleans and then disappeared without a trace.

Jane is ready to do whatever it takes to find her friend. Her desperate search leads her deep into a web of black magic and betrayal and into the dark history between vampires and witches. But the closer she draws to Molly, the closer she draws to a new enemy—one who is stranger and more powerful than any she has ever faced.

Expected publication: January 7, 2014

No Synopsis yet!

Expected publication: January 21, 2014

Celia Wird and her three sisters are just like other 20-something girls—with one tiny exception: they're products of a backfired curse that has given each of them unique powers that make them, well, weird…

Celia’s a girl in trouble.  Her heart is bound to Aric, but he is a pureblood were who must deny her or risk condemning his species to extinction.  And that’s just her love life. She’s also been called to take down a group of demon terrorists looking to overthrow the paranormal world. (No pressure.)

In order to bring them down, Celia must ally herself to Misha, the master vampire who has made no secret of his desire for her.

And if that weren’t enough misfortune for one girl, a clairvoyant’s prediction could destroy Celia and Aric’s love for good. The only way to protect the world from unbridled supernatural terrorism is for Celia to bind herself to her destined mate. And that doesn’t appear to be Aric….

Expected publication: January 7, 2014 by Signet

VENGEANCE BORNE

A Sentry of Evil Novel (#1)

Fated to Hunt…

As the local hunter, and a ward of the Sentry, a secret organization dedicated to eradicating the forces of evil, Jacquelyn has been protecting the small town of McCall, Idaho for the past five years. The hours are horrible, the pay is nonexistent, she has to work with her jealous ex-boyfriend – and forget about quitting.  She’s in for life.

Destined to See…

When a rugged drifter comes through town, Jacquelyn immediately knows what he is – an Empath who can read emotions and sense what others are thinking – even though it’s clear the handsome stranger has no idea what, or how powerful, he is…

A Town in Peril…

When people in McCall start turning up dead, viscously ripped to shreds as if by a wild animal, Jacquelyn knows better. Furies are loose in Idaho and hell-bent on exacting revenge.  But against whom?  And for what purpose?  Jacquelyn has until the full moon to stop the Furies’ killing spree and save the people of McCall, figure out how to work with her ex – oh, and there’s a handsome stranger in town who’s in desperate need of some schooling…

Expected Publication: September 3, 2013

Mac Thorne’s time as a Changeling is coming to an end.

It may have taken eighteen years, but Mac did finally manage to do what the Council wanted: she chose a teacher and renounced the in-between.

There’s just one last step. She must say goodbye to her human. Forever.

After being challenged in every way possible, Mac leaves what she thought would be the easiest task for the last possible moment. As midnight on July fourth draws near, though, she hasn’t found a way to give up Winn Thomas.

Nor does she want to.

With time running out, Mac stands at a literal crossroads.

Choose Winn, and she’ll be stripped of the only family she’s ever known—vampires, dragons, and her favorite demon. Even her own mother. Accept her position on the Council and rule as an equal to her twelve peers, and she’ll forget Winn ever existed.

Independence and freedom have never before been so limiting.

In this final chapter of the 19th Year Trilogy, it’s time for Mac to decide.

Responsibility? Or Love?