Waiting On Wednesday - November 9, 2011

This weekly event is hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

Black Heart (Curse Workers #3) by Holly Black

Hardcover, 320 pages

Expected publication: April 3, 2012

Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry

Cassel Sharpe knows he’s been used as an assassin, but he’s trying to put all that behind him. He’s trying to be good, even though he grew up in a family of con artists and cheating comes as easily as breathing to him. He’s trying to do the right thing, even though the girl he loves is inextricably connected with crime. And he’s trying to convince himself that working for the Feds is smart, even though he’s been raised to believe the government is the enemy.

But with a mother on the lam, the girl he loves about to take her place in the Mob, and new secrets coming to light, the line between what’s right and what’s wrong becomes increasingly blurred. When the Feds ask Cassel to do the one thing he said he would never do again, he needs to sort out what’s a con and what’s truth. In a dangerous game and with his life on the line, Cassel may have to make his biggest gamble yet—this time on love.

White Cat ended so strong and Red Glove blew me away. Oh Cassel, will Lila break you? Who knew I could feel sorry for a con man!

Review: Deadly Cool by Gemma Halliday

Paperback, 320 pages

Released: October 11, 2011

Publisher: HarperTeen

Places to find the book:
Goodreads.com
Amazon.com
Chapters.ca

First I find out that my boyfriend is cheating on me. Then he’s pegged as the #1 suspect in a murder. And now he’s depending on me to clear his name. Seriously?

As much as I wouldn’t mind watching him squirm, I know that he’s innocent. So I’m brushing off my previously untapped detective skills and getting down to business. But I keep tripping over dead bodies and I’m still no closer to figuring out who did it. And what’s worse: all signs seem to point to me as the killer’s next victim.

I really need to pick a better boyfriend next time.

My Rating: 4.5 / 5

My Thoughts:
Hartley hasn't had a good day. She just found out her long time boyfriend, Josh, was cheating on her and with the president of the Chastity Club of all people! She decides to call him on it but when he isn't at practise after school, she grabs her best friend and heads over to his place. With his Jeep out front but no answer at the door, that doesn't stop her. She is on a mission so climbs into his bedroom window, searches for him, only to discover he wasn't home after all and there's a dead body in is room! Josh goes into hiding, more bodies are found but Hartley trusts her gut that Josh isn't the perpetrator. Playing detective with the help of her best friend and the guy next door, she wants to solve this crime  ...at the risk of becoming the next victim.

After reading a few pages of Deadly Cool, my first thought was "I need to check out all of Gemma Halliday's books". Just like Bumped by Megan McCafferty, her witty writing style has me smiling and giggling even though this premise of the book is not a laughing matter. Some of the time Hartley's actions are frustrating, but that is what makes this serious situation fun. Hartley is a character you wish you could hang out with, someone you feel comfortable wanting to smack upside the head :D Part mystery, part high school drama, Deadly Cool was a hilarious read.

On a side note: This was not what I was expecting, it was even better. For me, the shocking blue eyes on the cover lead me to believe there was some paranormal element when there was none! The fonts used in the title are perfect, the use of iPod headphones ingenious really, but alas, read the synopsis and don't look at this cover to get the feel for this book. This is the start of a series and there is not a year long wait for book two! Here's the Goodreads.com link for Social Suicide.

Review: Carrier of the Mark by Leigh Fallon

Paperback, 342 pages

Released: October 4, 2011

Publisher: HarperTeen

Other places to find the book:
Goodreads.com
Amazon.com
Chapters.ca

Their love was meant to be.

When Megan Rosenberg moves to Ireland, everything in her life seems to fall into place. After growing up in America, she's surprised to find herself feeling at home in her new school. She connects with a group of friends, and she is instantly drawn to darkly handsome Adam DeRís.

But Megan is about to discover that her feelings for Adam are tied to a fate that was sealed long ago—and that the passion and power that brought them together could be their ultimate destruction.

My Rating: 4 / 5

My Thoughts:


Megan's latest move is  from Boston to Ireland for her Dad's new job. On her first day of school she notices a boy watching her and finds herself instantly captivated by the mysterious Adam DeRis. After all the moving around she had never gotten close to people, until now.

If you enjoy stories about mythology, the lore behind the story was fabulous. We learn about Druids, a secret world full of history and power and how when the the four elements (air, earth, fire, water) are together they have the power to transform the world! At times it was a lot to take in so pay attention.

I adore the idea of people being brought together by fate but lately I haven't found one that really worked. It's hard to make people instantly fall in love and for it to be believable. I think Leigh Fallon did a good job making this one work. What for me was lacking was a bit more romance/connection without being cheesey, and to be honest, I didn't get enough of the Irish setting, I wanted more! Megan's acceptance of her new found role was too sudden. She did not fear or question it as I think most would have. After finishing the book, I wonder why the school friends were even there, for me their presence didn't really add anything extra to the Mark storyline. That being said, I see book two as the opportunity to really develop all the characters, now that the world building has taken place. Maybe one of them may surprise me?!

Carrier of the Mark was great debut, I can't wait to see where Meagn and Adam go from here! Did you know Leigh Fallon was discovered on Inkpop?

Waiting On Wednesday - November 2, 2011

This weekly event is hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

Expected publication: March 6, 2012

Publisher: Simon Pulse

from Goodreads:
Gabby Gardiner wakes up in a hospital bed looking like a cautionary ad for drunk driving and lacking a single memory of the accident that landed her there. What she can remember, in frank and sardonic detail, is the year leading up to the accident.
As she takes us through her transformation from invisible girl to on-trend Girl Who Dates Billy Nash (aka Most Desirable Boy Ever), she is left wondering: Why is Billy suddenly distancing himself from her? What do her classmates know that Gabby herself does not? Who exactly was in the car that night? And why is Gabby left alone to take the fall?

Putting the pieces together will take every ounce of Gabby's strength. As she peels back the layers of her life, she begins to realize that her climb up the status ladder has been as intoxicating as it has been morally complex...and that nothing about her life is what she has imagined it to be.

Books about memory always fascinate me and it's truly amazing how life can change dramatically in an instant! I also have to admit that this cover is eye catching, I love it!


What are you waiting on?

In My Mailbox - October 16, 2011

In My Mailbox is a meme hosted by The Story Siren where we show what books have found a new home with us!

Illuminate by Aimee Agresti - this line of the synopsis sold me "With the help of a mysterious book, she uncovers a network of secret passageways from the hotel’s". I love secrets and stories centered around mystery...and books about books!

The Dovekeepers by Alice Hoffman - an adult book that caught my eye, more secrets! "Hoffman delivers her most masterful work yet—one that draws on her passion for mythology, magic, and archaeology and her inimitable understanding of women. " What a combo, I can't wait to get started!

What goodies did you get this week?

In case you missed it, last Thursday was the 125th anniversary of The Night Circus! To celebrate I interviewed the author, Erin Morgenstern and have a copy to giveaway. Click here to check it out.