Read-a-Thon: CANCELLED!!!!!

Under much consideration, I have decided to cancel the Scaredy Books Read-a-Thon. Only ten people signed up total (including myself) and I don't think it would be worth it with just that amount of people.

I'm so sorry to everyone who was looking forward to it, and for telling you guys so late. I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend and if you want to join a read-a-thon, My Shelf Confessions is hosting the Wonderfully Wicked Read-a-Thon from October 21 to October 23. If you want more info go here.

Recreate A Cover Contest (Princess Bookie)

Right now I'm really busy with school and I just got a new job (my first job) so I'm pretty busy. But I took some time out of studying to recreate a cover for Princess Bookie's Contest Craze. I love doing these, and so I came up with a cover design for: Everneath by Brodi Ashton.

Here is the original cover:

And then here is the cover I created (I hope you like it!):

photo credit: http://browse.deviantart.com/?q=boy%20and%20girl&order=9&offset=48#/dzpjcl

I hope everyone is having fun with Contest Craze!

Prizes for Scaredy Books Read-a-Thon

Here are the prizes for the Scaredy Books Read-a-Thon (this list may change at any time):


1.) Pure by Julianna Baggott (ARC) + swag
2.) Fracture by Megan Mirandad (ARC) + swag
3.) Across the Universe by Beth Revis (ARC) + swag
4.) Crazy Beautiful by Lauren Baratz-Logsted (paperback) + swag
5.) Wondrous Strange by Lesley Livingston (paperback) + swag
6.) Never Bite a Boy on the First Date by Tamara Summers (paperback) + swag
7.) Dark Guardian #1: Moonlight by Rachel Hawthorne (paperback) + swag
8.) $10 Amazon.com e-gift card
9.) $10 Amazon.com e-gift card
10.) $10 Amazon.com e-gift card

Here are the blogs signed up to do mini challenges for the Scaredy Books Read-a-Thon (this list may change at any time):


1.) Memrie @ DarkAngel88
2.) Alexa @ Pages of Forbidden Love
3.) Jess @ From Me to You...Video, Photography, & Book Reviews
4.) Zoey @ Zoey's Uncreatively Titled Blog


The Scaredy Books Read-a-Thon starts on October 7th at 5pm (central time) and will end on October 9th at 11:59 pm (central time). This will be a 55 hour event with many giveaways and mini challenges. For more information and to sign up to participate go to this BLOG POST. To participate, all you have to do is add your blog link to the linkey on the BLOG POST. And if you want to host a mini challenge during this read-a-thon you can fill out the form on the BLOG POST.


Thank again everyone! I will be posting further information about the Scaredy Books Read-a-Thon when the date comes closer.

Scaredy Books Read-a-Thon Sign Ups

Halloween is one of my favorite holidays and Read-a-Thons are one of my favorite blog events. So, I am putting them together and hosting the...

 Scaredy Books Read-a-Thon

October 7th - October 9th

This read-a-thon will start on October 7th at 5pm (central time) and will end on October 9th at 11:59 pm (central time). This will be a 55 hour event! I hope everyone signs up and has a wonderful time.

There will be lots of giveaways and mini-challenges!

Rules:

1.) Sign up using the linkey below with your name and blog

ex: Morgan @ Smitten With Books

2.) You must create a starting post (on October 7th) before you start the read-a-thon stating which books you hope to get through.

3.) You must create an Update post after each day. There will be 3 total (one for Friday night, one for Saturday Night, and one for Sunday night). The one for Sunday night will also be the read-a-thon ending post where you can state which books you have read.

4.) You don't have to read Halloween influenced/scary books. You can read anything you want, but if you want to stick around the Halloween theme, go ahead!

You can also create a blog post right now, letting everyone know you will be apart of this read-a-thon! 

Just grab the button and post it in your blog post or on your sidebar. Here is the Scaredy Books Read-a-Thon button:

I will be hosting many mini challenges where you can win books and swag. I am also giving the opportunity for those interested to host mini challenges on their own blogs. I just ask that those of you who do sign up to host a mini challenge on your blog, to please supply the books, swag, or giftcards for the mini challenges.

SIGN UP HERE TO HOST MINI CHALLENGES ON YOUR OWN BLOG!!!

Sign up using the linkey below to participate in this read-a-thon! Thank you everyone who participates and/or hosts a mini challenge on their own blogs. I really appreciate it. I will be updating about the read-a-thon when the date becomes closer!

Contest Craze Mini Challenge: Top 5 Books

Contest Craze (Hosted by Princess Bookie) has finally started and today marks the day for the first mini challenge!

2012 Releases That I'm Most Looking Forward To

1. The Last Echo by Kimberly Derting 

This is the third novel in The Body Finder series. I can't wait to find out how Violet and Jay's relationship continues! 

2. Pandemonium by Lauren Oliver

This is the second novel in The Delirium series. The ending of Delirium had a super duper cliff hanger so can't wait to see how everything pans out.

3. The Pledge by Kimberly Derting

I love Kimberly Derting (see number 1) and am excited to read a book that isn't in her Body Finder series.

4.) In Too Deep by Mandy Hubbard (written as Amanda Grace). I'm in love with Mandy's You Wish novel, and haven't gotten an opportunity to read any of her other published work. I think I'll kick it off with this one.

5.) Dangerous Boy by Mandy Hubbard. I love bad boys and this sounds like a bad-boyish novel, so what's not to love? Very excited for this release, out in the summer of 2012.

Squeaky Books Giveaway! Birthday Bash 2011!

I'm hosting a contest as part of

Enna Isilee's Birthday Bash 2011

Presented by Squeaky Books



From August 22nd until September 22nd Enna Isilee at Squeaky Books is having a HUGE bash to celebrate her birthday! There’s a giveaway nearly EVERY DAY, tons of author interviews, and guest posts from a bunch different YA book bloggers. And I get to host a contest!



I get to give away a copy of Plain Kate by Erin Bow! Entering is simple, just fill out the form (with optional bonus entries). You have until September 21st at 11:59 MST to enter. All winners will be announced on Enna Isilee's birthday (September 22nd) on Enna Isilee's blog (Squeaky Books). And today, Ennalee interviewed Erin at Squeaky Books. You should totally go check it out.



Want to know more about Plain Kate? Click here!



Without further ado, enter to win! Click below.






Open To US Only
Click here to enter

Snapped by Laura Griffin

Snapped by Laura Griffin
Publication Date: August 30, 2011
Publisher: Pocket Star
Versions: paperback kindle
Received from: publisher

Summary (from back of book):

Sophie Barrett thinks she's lucky to be alive. 

She may be dead wrong.

On a sweltering summer afternoon, Sophie Barrett walks into a nightmare. A sniper has opened fire on a college campus. When the carnage is over, three people-plus the shooter-are dead and dozens more are injured. Sophie escapes virtually unscathed. Yet as details emerge from the investigation, she becomes convinced that this wasn't the random, senseless act it appeared to be. No one wants to believe her-not the cops, not her colleagues at the Dephi Center crime lab, and definitely not Jonah Macon, the homicide detective who's already saved her life once.


Jonah has all kinds of reasons for hoping Sophie is mistaken. Involving himself with a key witness could derail an already messy investigation, not to mention jeopardize his career. But Sophie is as determined and fearless as she is sexy. If he can't resist her, he can at least swear to protect her. Because if Sophie is right, she's made herself the target of a killer without conscience. And the real terror is only just the beginning...

This was my first Laura Griffin book, and it won't be my last. Sophie works as a secretary at the Dephi Center crime lab. But she wants a more meaningful and important job, so she visits a college to take a few classes. While in the parking lot, a person shoots from the top of a tall building, killing people. They think the shooter is a man who has done crime before, but Sophie knows the truth. And they choose not to believe it, especially Jonah-who she has hot chemistry with. Will they be able to stop the person from killing more people...or will Sophie have to take things into her own hands?

Lauren Griffin writes well, and her stories are full of action packed scenes. I really enjoyed reading about Sophie's story. And Jonah is hot! I couldn't help smiling whenever he entered a scene, and Sophie felt the same way about him. They have a lot of chemistry that continues to build until it explodes.

Will I reread it?
Yes, I really enjoyed this novel. I will also watch out for other Laura Griffin novels so I can continue with this author's great sense of style and voice. I recommend to fans of Stephanie Plum.

UPDATES

I just wanted to take the time to let everyone know a few important things...

1.) Reviews will be a little slow for the next week or so-I started college three weeks ago and am still getting used to the change from highschool. I have a lot of studying to do and a lot of reading in textbook form (even though I'd rather read novels). So just keep that in mind.

2.) All prizes were shipped out today-whoever has won a recent contest/giveaway will soon receive their prizes. But, I won a giveaway three weeks ago. I know, I'm sorry-read 1.) again.

3.) I have recently joined Romancing The Book to be a reviewer. I love my blog, Smitten With Books, but I also love romance novels (for older audiences) so I decided to review for another wonderful blog so I can read and review them as well. You can go over there and see my reviewer page HERE

I hope everyone is having a wonderful start of the school year!

Bright, Young, & Luxe Giveaway Hop!

Today, September 10th, is the start of the Bright, Young, & Luxe Giveaway Hop! This event is hosted by Lea from (LCs Adventures in Libraryland) and Tiffany from (For Those About to Read...) There are 14 blogs participating in this wonderful event and each giveaway revolves around Bright Young Things and/or The Luxe (historical young adult romance novels).

The Bright, Young, & Luxe Giveaway Hop runs from September 10th to September 20th so make sure you visit all the blogs before then.

One person will win:

Hardcover Copy of The Vixen by Jillian Larkin

Rules: 

Must live in the US

Must be 13 years or older

Ends September 20th



To Enter: Leave a comment with your name and email address
If you are a follower of my blog place +2 in the comment as well

Here are the other blogs that are participating as well:

I hope everyone enjoys this giveaway hop!

The Predicteds Tour: Teenage Garage Sale

I am so excited to be apart of The Predicteds by Christine Seifert blog tour which is hosted by The Teen Book Scene 

Christine is here with us to do a Teenage Garage Sale post. For those of you who don't know, a Teenage Garage Sale is an author guest post about items you'd find at their garage sales/items from their teenage years. So take it away Christine...

If you happened upon a garage sale filled with memorabilia from my teen years, you'd find plenty to laugh at. Come on in and take a look around:

1. A Toni home perm
I was a teenager in the late 80s and spiral perms ruled the world. Salon perms were the best, but home perms were cheaper. The only problem was the horrible smell and the awful feeling you got when your scalp began to burn. Price: $8.99 (Warning! May cause your hair to fall out of your head.)

2. My awesome stretch pants and oversized shirts
Before leggings were called leggings, they were stretch pants (or stirrup pants if they had those weird foot stirrup thingies), and we wore them all the time in the 80s. Big, baggy shirts were the best, preferably in neon colors. When the early 90s hit, we swapped the neon cotton for worn-out flannel. Price: $25 (Hey, these are collector's items.)

3. My cassette collection
Before CDS, we had tapes, which we played on walkmans and ghetto blasters. I didn't have an extensive music collection, but the ones I had, I loved to death. Favorites included Whitney Houston, Madonna's True Blue album, El DeBarge (won it from a radio station), Bon Jovi, and Poison. I listened to all of them a million times. Price: FREE! (You'll never find a place to play these things.)

4. My Judy Blume book collection
I've always been an avid library patron, but I had a few books that I owned and cherished. Judy Blume was a childhood favorite. Blubber (I read it until the cover ripped off) and Superfudge were my absolute favorites. Even after I grew into a be-permed and neon-clad teen, I turned to these books often. They are still comforting to me. Price: On Display Only (I couldn't bear to part with those.)

5. My swimming suit
I've always loved to swim. Back in 1988, when I was in junior high, I spent every glorious summer day at the pool. My swimming suit was basically my uniform. I got a new one every year (a beginning-of-summer rite of passage), but I was in love with the one from 1988: It was a purple one-piece with black polka dots, but it had a section cut out of the middle. It was almost a bikini, which made me feel very sophisticated. How I loved that thing. Price: Seriously? You want to buy my old swimming suit? Gross.

6. My 80s-tastic hair assessories
I don't have long hair anymore, but when I did, I spent a lot of time selecting just the right hair accessories. Scrunchies were an absolute necessity; they were especially good for holding side pony tails. Primary-colored clips were really popular for a while (they basically looked like the clips you use to keep your potato chips fresh.) You wore them on one side of your head, so you looked like you had a giant plastic tumor. Banana clips were awesome because they showcased perms so well-it looked like a beautiful curly horse's mane down your back. All of this required loads of hair spray. Price: $1 (This stuff will come in hand for your next 80s-themed party).

7. My Cabbage Patch Kids
Okay, so I wasn't a teen when I got my first Cabbage Patch doll. I was probably six. It was the year that everybody was fighting for these ugly little dolls (which were later featured on stamps), and I didn't think I'd get one. And then there it was, under the Christmas tree, my very own baby from the cabbage patch, complete with a birth certificate. Her name was Inessa Bella. She had red hair and wore a beautiful yellow dress. I still have her. Price: $10 (Just give her a good home. She lives in a box in my basement now.)

8. My Kmart name badge
I got my first job when I was sixteen. I was a checker at Kmart. I was pretty impressed with myself. I mean, running the cash register felt so grown up! I saved my name badge because it was the beginning of my working life. Years later, I still credit that job with teaching me a lot about what it means to be a part of a team. Price: $2 (I won a customer service award, indicated by the name tag, so I have to up the price. This is valuable, people!)

9. My friend Camille
The primary staple of my teen years was my friend Camille. She's still my bff even though we live a thousand miles away from each other. I know you can't really sell a friend at a garage sale, but the garage sale wouldn't be complete if you didn't get a chance to see Camille, truly the most important force in shaping my teenage self. You should go up to Camille and ask her about the real dirt on me. Price: Priceless

Thank you so much Christine, you make the 80s sound like so much fun! I grew up in the 90s and am still living my teen years but I will always remember those snap bracelets and plastic chokers.

The Last Rising Release Day Blitz+Giveaway!

This summary is not available. Please click here to view the post.

Winners

I've had a few giveaways in the last few weeks that I haven't gotten a chance to announce the winners. So I'm going to do all the previous giveaways in this one post.

Winner of Back to the Stacks Giveaway-a-Thon:

#11 Kapri (Book Fanatics)

Congratulations Kapri, you will receive an ARC of Glow by Amy Kathleen Ryan and Swag

Winner of Guess The Book Cover:

#181 Grace (Words Like Silver)

Congratulations Grace, you will receive an ARC of Between by Jessica Warman (if you live in the US)

or an Amazon.com $10 giftcard (if you're international)

Winner of 400 Followers Giveaway (US portion):

#17 Heather (Proud Book Nerd)

Congratulations Heather,  you will receive an ARC of As I Wake by Elizabeth Scott, ARC of The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater, an ARC of After Obsession by Carrie Jones and Steven E. Wedel, and an ARC of Fracture by Megan Miranda

Winner of 400 Followers Giveaway (International portion):

#31 Gwenyth (Rants N Scribbles)

Congratulations Gwenyth, you will receive a $20 Amazon.com gift card

I will be emailing the winners within the next 24 hours. You will have 48 hours to respond before I pick a new winner. Congratulations and thanks to everyone for entering!

In My Mailbox (Vlog)

In My Mailbox is hosted by Kristi at The Story Siren. Here is my In My Mailbox for the week (in vlog form). I hope you enjoy:





For Review:
Glow by Amy Kathleen Ryan
Bloodborn by Karen Kincy
The Death Catchers by Jennifer Anne Kogler
Snapped by Laura Griffin

Traded:
(Ruby from Ruby Reads)
Fallen by Lauren Kate
Torment by Lauren Kate
The Duff by Kody Keplinger
Entwined by Heather Dixon

(Lena from Addicted to Novels)
Wildefire by Karsten Knight

Bought:
According to Jane by Marilyn Brant
Wolfsbane by Andrea Cremer
A Need So Beautiful by Suzanne Young
Stork by Wendy Delsol
After Midnight by Lynn Viehl
Loser Queen by Jodi Lynn Anderson
Crazy Beautiful by Lauren Baratz-Logsted
Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins
Bright Young Things by Anna Godbersen
The Flappers Vixen by Jillian Larkin
Rot & Ruin by Jonathan Maberry
Tempestuous by Lesley Livingston
Perfect Fifths by Megan McCafferty
Second Helpings by Megan McCafferty
Vanished by Meg Cabot
Delirium by Lauren Oliver
Gravefinder by Melissa Marr
Friday Mornings at Nine by Marilyn Brant

Back to the Stacks Giveaway-a-thon

This lovely event is hosted by Andrea at Loud Words and Sounds and Kyleigh at Find a Bookmark. It's a giveaway-a-thon that celebrates the return to school. There will be a ton of prizes from 8am to 8pm that a few blogs are giving away-so stay tuned!

I am the last blog scheduled for the giveaways!

Here is what one person will win:

Glow by Amy Kathleen Ryan (ARC)

And some SWAG

To Enter:

You must live in the US

Leave a comment below with your name and email address (so I can contact you if you win)

+1 follower of my blog, Smitten With Books (put +1 follower in comment)

GIVEAWAY ENDS: SUNDAY, AUGUST 21ST AT NOON (CST)

If you didn't already go to the other blogs for the giveaway-a-thon here is the list

(They are giving away some awesome prizes)

Autumn & Kari @ From the TBR Pile

Danya @ A Tapestry of Words
Kyleigh @ Can't Find a Bookmark

Leilani @ Leilani Loves Books

Mike @ The Subtle Chronicler

Morgan @ Smitten With Books

Crazy Beautiful by Lauren Baratz-Logsted

Crazy Beautiful by Lauren Baratz-Logsted
Publication Date: September 7, 2009
Versions: hardcover, paperback, kindle

Summary (from goodreads):
In an explosion of his own making, Lucius blew his arms off. Now he has hooks. He chose hooks because they were cheaper. He chose hooks because he wouldn't outgrow them so quickly. He chose hooks so that everyone would know he was different, so he would scare even himself.


Then he meets Aurora. The hooks don't scare her. They don't keep her away. In fact, they don't make any difference at all to her.


But to Lucius, they mean everything. They remind him of the beast he is inside. Perhaps Aurora is his Beauty, destined to set his soul free from its suffering. Or maybe she's just a girl who needs love just like he does.

I really enjoyed this novel. The chapters switch between Aurora and Lucius's points of views which created a nice effect. Aurora has just lost her mother to cancer, and is starting at a new school. Lucius has just blown up his house along with his arms, and is starting new at the same school. While everyone treats Aurora with friendliness, Lucius is treated with contempt because of his hooks. Aurora is the only one who is nice to Lucius, who doesn't care about his appearance. Together they make a pair who understand each other and see the beauty that is hidden deep inside.

Crazy Beautiful by Lauren Baratz-Logsted is a modern retelling of Beauty and the Beast. I really enjoyed the story and the switching points of views, and I loved the character of Aurora. She's not one to judge on looks and she truly has a great personality and doesn't give into peer pressure.

Will I reread it?
I bet I'll come back to this book in time. It was cute and a nice fast read which I always like when looking for a pick-me-up. I recommend to fans of Beauty and the Beast.

Eve by Anna Carey

Eve by Anna Carey (ARC)
Publication Date: October 4, 2011
Versions: hardcover, kindle

Summary (from goodreads):
The year is 2032, sixteen years after the deadly virus-and the vaccine intended to protect against it-wiped out most of the earth's population. The night before eighteen-year-old Eve's graduation from her all-girls school she discovers what really happens to new graduates, and the horrifying fate that awaits her.


Fleeing the only home she's ever known, Eve sets off on a long, treacherous journey, searching for a place she can survive. Along the way she encounters Caleb, a rough, rebellious boy living in the wild. Seperated from men her whole life, Eve has been taught to fear them, but Caleb slowly wins her trust...and her heart. He promises to protect her, but when soldiers begin hunting them, Eve must choose between true love and her life.

Eve by Anna Carey is a brilliantly written novel that sticks with you after hours of reading. Eve is happy at school with her two best friends especially now that she's graduating from her all-girls school. She even receives the award for being one of the best students. But one night a rebellious girl that Eve's never really liked tells her the truth about the graduates. At first she doesn't believe that her whole life's been a lie, but when she see's for herself what they do to the graduates, she knows she needs to leave. So she sets off on a long journey to Califia, where she'll be safe from the hunters and police. On the way she meets Caleb who shows her what life and love truly is.

I've read numerous dystopian novels, so much that now I'm kind of sick of them. They all have the same formula and morals to the stories. The formula includes: a female character who has been lied to her whole life, then she usually escapes, meets a boy who teaches her what life is really about, usually they fall in love...etc. I'm not saying every dystopian novel has this formula but many do, including Eve. So I guess I was a little disappointed once I finished the novel-which ends the same as every other dystopian novel does.

Will I reread it?
Yes, when the sequel (yes, there will most likely be a sequel) comes out I'll reread Eve. I'm not saying I didn't enjoy Eve because I did, I just felt a sense of Deja Vu while reading the novel.Caleb is also a great character-very strong and exactly what Eve needs.

Crush Control by Jennifer Jabaley

Crush Control by Jennifer Jabaley
Publication Date: June 9, 2011
Versions: paperback, kindle

Summary (from goodreads):
Willow has spent most of her life as her mother's sidekick in a popular Las Vegas hypnotism show. So when she and her mom move back to their sleepy southern hometown to start over, she thinks she's in for a life of quiet normalcy. Except that her new life turns out to be anything but, when she kinda sorta hypnotizes Quinton, the hottest guy on the football team, to fall madly, deeply, head over heels in love with her. But what started as an innocent way to make her best friend, Max, jealous soon gets way out of hand, and Willow begins to wonder if the mind-and more importantly, the heart-is something you can really control.

I really enjoyed Crush Control by Jennifer Jabaley. It starts out with Willow and her mom moving back to their hometown after nine years of living in Las Vegas. She finally gets to see Max again. Even though they kept in touch, it's not as good as seeing him in person. But what she does see is how much he's changed and her growing feelings for her best friend. But as a ploy to impress people turns into a huge mess when Willow hypnotizes a few people who need her help. She has to figure out a way to fix her hypnotizing problems and still find a way to get Max to look at her in a new light.

This was a really cute read. Willow's a great character. She has flaws, is somewhat insecure and is portrayed as being very real. Even though Willow rang true through out the story, I would have to say Max was my favorite character. He was so caring and considerate.

Will I reread it?
I bought this one on my kindle and am sure I'll be returning to it in the near future. I really enjoyed the idea of hypnosis as the major theme in the novel-which is very unique. The characters were also great and the writing was outstanding.

Princess Bookie Contest Craze Buttons

Princess Bookie is at it again. Contest Crave this year is going to be held in October and I can't wait. I created two buttons for the contest she is hosting over at her blog. You can find more information HERE

So what do you think?

R.A.K

After much thought, I have decided to participate in Random Acts of Kindness hosted by Book Soulmates for the month of August.

And to those who participate, Isalys and Vanessa, are graciously giving away a $20 Amazon.com gift card. You can go HERE for more information about the giveaway.

HERE IS MY R.A.K. WISHLIST (in case you're curious). I hope everyone has a wonderful August and keep in mind that every random act of kindness changes some persons world.

Saturday Swap (8/6)

Saturday Swap is hosted by Ruby at Ruby's Reads. It's a new meme to connect book swappers with other book swappers. This meme is posted on the first saturday of each month.

Here are the books I have to swap:


paperback:

• The Boyfriend List by E. Lockhart

arcs:

• Nocturne by Christine Johnson
• Cold Kiss by Amy Garvey 
• Eve by Anna Carey
• Demon Princess Reign or Shine by Michelle Rowen
• The Sigh of Haruhi Suzumiya by Nagaru Tanigawa
• Real Live Boyfriends by E. Lockhart
• Across the Universe by Beth Revis
• Little Black Lies by Tish Cohen
• Hourglass by Claudia Gray
• Not That Kind of Girl by Siobhan Vivian
• Shadow Hills by Anastasia Hopcus

Please note: All these books were stored in a non-smoking house, but I do have pets (dogs and cats)

By trading, we are both in charge of our own shipping costs for sending the books to each other-we can talk about this more when you email me

HERE IS MY WISH LIST

If you're interested please email me here: smittenwithbooks (at) hotmail (dot) com

If you have a book that you think I might enjoy but isn't on my wish list-feel free to email me no matter what. I will accept anything (arcs, hardcover, paperback)

smittenwithbooks (at) hotmail (dot) com

Last Day for Giveaway Entries

Today is the last day to enter my 400 followers giveaway. So make sure you enter by midnight tonight. Enter HERE

And tomorrow is the last day to enter my Guess The Book Cover giveaway! So make sure you enter by midnight tomorrow. Enter HERE

I hope everyone has a wonderful rest of the week.

Waiting on Wednesday

This is a weekly meme to show upcoming books you're pining for. It's hosted by Breaking The Spine. For more information or to link to your waiting on wednesday, go here.


This one Time with Julia by David Lampson
Publication Date: February 2, 2012
Publisher: Razorbill


Summary (from goodreads):
The story of Joe, a boy who can fall in love but can't grow up.


After Joe's parents died, he stopped growing up. He doesn't know where his money comes from. His diet consists primarily of cheeseburgers from McDonald's. He plays basketball on the level of a pro, but he has only ever played on the streets.


Then his brother disappears, and Julia shows up. Joe falls in love with Julia as quickly as his twin brother, Alvin, did. And like Alvin did before him, he runs away with Julia to her parents' hotel. There he's so blinded by her seductive, dysfunctional family that he can't see the truth of his brother's disappearance...until he accidentally stumbles upon Alvin's killer.


This story sounds so haunting and when I read the summary, it sent chills down my spine. What are you waiting for?

Little Women and Me by Lauren Baratz-Logsted

Little Women and Me by Lauren Baratz-Logsted (ARC)
Publication Date: November 8, 2011
Versions: hardcover

Summary (from goodreads):
Emily is sick and tired of being a middle sister. So when she gets an assignment to describe what she's change about a classic novel, Emily pounces on Little Women. After all, if she can't change things in her own family, maybe she can bring a little justice to the March sisters. (Kill off Beth? Have cute Laurie wind up with Amy instead of Jo? What was Louisa May Alcott thinking?!) But when Emily gets mysteriously transported into the world of the book, she discovers that righting fictional wrongs won't be easy. And after being immersed in a time and place so different from her own, it may be Emily-not the four March sisters-who undergoes the most surprising change of all. Lauren Baratz-Logsted's winning confection will appeal to fans of Little Women as well as anyone who enjoys a modern twist on an old favorite.

I'm sad to say that this wasn't my favorite novel. I was hoping that I would love it, but Emily, the main character, irritated and frustrated me. Emily is the middle sister, and she always gets left out and always gets the worst things. So when she is assigned to change one event in a novel, she chooses Little Women by Louisa May Alcott. She picks up the book and starts to re-read it but suddenly gets sucked in to the past. Emily is now the middle child of the March family and gets treated with indifference which irritates her. To get back to her life she has to save Beth from dying. But will she end up saving herself along the way, as well?

Like I stated, Emily wasn't my favorite character. She is supposedly supposed to be a freshman in high school but acted like a 6th grader with her attitude. The story didn't ring true to me in a way, which I hoped it would. But it was really cute, and half way through I started to enjoy it more.

Will I reread it?
Probably not but I don't want to discourage anyone else from taking a chance on Little Women and Me. I would recommend to fans of Little Women and classic novel retellings.

Love Story by Jennifer Echols

Love Story by Jennifer Echols
Publication Date: July 19, 2011
Version: paperback, kindle

Summary (from goodreads):
She's writing about him. He's writing about her. And everybody is reading between the lines...


For Erin Blackwell, majoring in creative writing at the New York City college of her dreams is more than a chance to fulfill her ambitions--it's her ticket away from the tragic memories that shadow her family's racehorse farm in Kentucky. But when she refuses to major in business and take over the farm herself someday, her grandmother gives Erin's college tuition and promised inheritance to their maddeningly handsome stable boy, Hunter Allen. Now Erin has to win an internship and work late nights at a coffee shop to make her own dreams a reality. She should despise Hunter...so why does he sneak into her thoughts as the hero of her latest writing assignment?


Then, on the day she's sharing that assignment with her class, Hunter walks in. He's joining her class. And after he reads about himself in her story, her private fantasies about him must be painfully clear. She only hopes to persuade him not to reveal her secret to everyone else. But Hunter devises his own creative revenge, writing sexy stories that drive the whole class wild with curiosity and fill Erin's heart with longing. Now she's not just imagining what might have been. She's writing a whole new ending for her romance with Hunter...except this story could come true.

This is my favorite Jennifer Echols book so far--it seems that whenever she comes out with a new novel, it ends up on the top of my "favorite" list. Love Story starts out with Erin in a creative writing class in college. She has written a romance short story about "Hunter", a stable boy, who she knew when she was younger. But when the class is switching stories, Hunter walks in and he ends up reading Erin's story. He knows it's about him. And then Hunter's stories start to revolve around Erin. Together they drive each other crazy with their seductive words. But Can Erin ever forgive Hunter for taking away her inheritance?

I really enjoyed this book. It had a love/hate relationship as well as a "friends starting to fall for each other" theme. And since those are two of my favorite relationship statuses-it was a definite favorite. Hunter is a great character. He's cute and treats Erin so well, even though she doesn't notice it. But, when I first picked up this novel and Hunter walks into class and reads Erin's story which he's in--I almost died. I was so embarrassed for Erin.

Will I reread it?
Absolutely. I recommend this to anyone who has enjoyed Jennifer Echol's previous novels.

Shut Out by Kody Keplinger

Shut Out by Kody Keplinger (ARC)
Publication Date: September 5, 2011
Versions: hardcover, kindle

Summary (from goodreads):
Most high school sports teams have rivalries with other schools. At Hamilton High, it's a civil war: the football team versus the soccer team. And for her part, Lissa is sick of it. Her quarterback boyfriend, Randy, is always ditching her to go pick a fight with the soccer team or to prank their locker room. And on three separate occasions Randy's car has been their locker room. And on three separate occasions Randy's car has been egged while he and Lissa were inside, making out. She is done competing with a bunch of sweaty boys for her own boyfriend's attention.


Lissa decides to end the rivalry once and for all: she and the other players' girlfriends go on a hookup strike. The boys won't get any action from them until the football and soccer teams make peace. What they don't count on is a new sort of rivalry: an impossible girls-against-boys showdown that hinges on who will cave to their libidos first. And Lissa never sees her own sexual tension with the leader of the boys, Cash Sterling, coming.

Let me just say that Shut Out is even better than The Duff. For 1.) this was such a surprise because I love The Duff by Kody Keplinger and didn't think anything could top it and 2.) it was such a joy to read. Lissa and Randy have been going out for a year and he still puts the school's rivalry before her. Lissa has had enough, so she gets all the athlete's girlfriends together to make a pact to not have sex until the rivalry ends. Eventually it actually works, and Lissa discovers something about Randy that she never would have if not for the pact. But then there's Cash, who works at the library with Lissa. There's so much sexual tension between them that Lissa starts getting a little unsure about being able to keep her promise.

Lissa is a great character and had many similarities with Bianca, from The Duff. But I'de have to say that Cash is my favorite character in Shut Out. He's so caring and understands Lissa more than she knows. They had a little "past" together which left  Lissa very confused. But together they are perfect and it was so fun reading about them progressing. Randy, on the other hand, is a jerk.

Will I reread it?
Yes, I definitely will. Just like The Duff, this one will stay on my shelf for some time!

Tempest on ARC Tour

Hello, everyone. I just wanted to let you know that an ARC of Tempest by Julie Cross is available through Smitten With Books ARC Tours.

So if you want to join the tour, go HERE

And if you would like to donate an ARC to the tours, please email me here: smittenwithbooksarctours (at) hotmail (dot) com

Border's Closing Sale Haul (Vlog)

Border's is closing soon so starting today (Friday, July 22nd) Border's is having a closing sale. Everything in their store is 10%-40% off the list price. So today I picked up a few books and wanted to share them with you.

Here is my vlog (I hope you enjoy it):

Smitten With Books ARC Tours

Smitten With Books ARC Tours has re-opened! I retired the ARC tour site last year (when I was having some family issues and otherwise very busy). But now that it is re-open, it will stay that way.

Here are the books that are on tour right now:

1. Darker Still by Leanna Renee Hieber
2. Shut Out by Kody Keplinger
3. Little Women and Me by Lauren Baratz-Logsted
4. Catching Jordan by Miranda Kenneally

If you want to join any of the tours, go to the tour site HERE

And if you would like to donate and ARC to Smitten With Books ARC Tours, email me here: smittenwithbooksarctours (at) hotmail (dot) com

Thank you!

Giveaway!

I have made a beautiful collage of eight different Young Adult novels that will be coming out soon. I have taken a bit of each book cover and numbered them below. I got this idea from Enna Isilee at Squeaky Books. All you have to do is fill out the form with your guesses to which book is featured. This one is going to be pretty easy! 

RULES

1.) Each guess that is correct equals one entry so if you get all of them right, you will receive eight entries total

2.) This giveaway is open international 

3.) The last day to enter is August 15th

Good Luck!

What you can win:

There will be (1) winner for this giveaway

If the winner lives in the USA, they will win: Between by Jessica Warman (ARC)

If the winner is INTERNATIONAL, they will win: $10 Amazon Gift Card

LAST DAY TO ENTER: AUGUST 5TH

Author Post: Lauren Baratz-Logsted

Today we have a very special guest. Lauren Baratz-Logsted has generously agreed to create a guest post for my blog, Smitten With Books. I hope you enjoy it:

MY UNLIKELY CAREER AS A YA AUTHOR

by Lauren Baratz-Logsted

I never set out to be a YA author – not that there’s anything wrong with that! It’s just that when I initially left my day job of 11 years back in 1994 to start writing seriously, the YA market was nowhere near the vibrant field we have today, plus I’d set my sights on writing the Great American Novel. Well, that didn’t work out so good, since my first efforts were all comedies and if the Great American Novel is anything, it’s never a comedy. But eventually I did start selling some books. In 2002, I sold the sixth of seven novels I’d written, a dark comedy called The Thin Pink Line, about a woman who fakes an entire pregnancy. Before long, I’d sold a total of five adult comedies.

Then in 2005, I got an idea for a new book. It was a serious book about a teen on the fast track for Yale who, on the eve of her senior year in high school and in an act she doesn’t even clearly remember afterward, loses her virginity and winds up pregnant all in one go. The book would be in diary format, mirroring the 40 weeks of a pregnancy, and would be about the character coming to terms with what has happened and trying to make the choice that is right for her. I was sure that it was another novel for the adult market, those being the only kinds of books I’d ever written, perhaps a coming-of-age story this time. But by the time I reached the 100-page mark, I realized something strange was going on. Previously, I’d always written in past tense but without even thinking about it, I was writing this book in present tense. The story, as a result, was so immediate. This wasn’t an adult reflecting back on something that had happened to her in the past. This was an authentic teen voice telling her story in real time. It was a YA novel, it was called Angel’s Choice, and it was published as a YA novel by Simon & Schuster in 2006.

There’s some current publishing wisdom that goes along the lines of that you shouldn’t try to sell meat in your fish market. The idea is that everyone should establish a brand and that you should give readers a steady diet of more of the same so they know what to expect. If I’d followed that wisdom, then if I wanted to firmly establish myself in the YA market, I should have followed Angel’s Choice with another earnest novel, right? There’s just one problem: I seem to be genetically incapable of writing books just because it’s the career-expedient thing to do. Rather, ideas come to me that excite me and I follow those ideas. So the next YA novel I wrote after Angel’s Choice was not a logical follow-up. Instead, it was a serio-comedic sort-of mystery called Secrets of My Suburban Life about a teen who, after her novelist mother is crushed to death by a stack of Harry Potter books, becomes involved in catching an online sexual predator. Did I follow that with another serio-comedic sort-of mystery? I did not.

In fact, no two of my YA novels are alike. I’ve done a contemporary re-visioning of the fairy-tale classic Beauty & the Beast called Crazy Beautiful, told in he-said/she-said fashion about a boy with hooks for hands and a gorgeous girl who meet on their first day at a new school; a serio-comedic novel, The Education of Bet, about a 16-year-old orphan girl in Victorian England who decides to impersonate a boy in order to get the exclusive education she desperately desires; and a dark suspense novel, The Twin’s Daughter, also set in Victorian England, about a teen who discovers that her gorgeous society mother has an identical twin who was raised in the poorhouse – murder and romance ensue.

Oh, and for my next meat-in-my-fish-market feat?

On November 8, Little Women and Me will be published. It’s about a contemporary teen, Emily March, who time travels into the 1860s opening of the classic Louisa May Alcott novel Little Women. Once there she discovers herself to be the fifth March sister, her age placing her right at the center of the other four March sisters in terms of birth order. Before long, Emily realizes that her purpose there is to do one of two things: keep Beth from dying or change the romantic outcome of the story so that the boy next door finally ends up with the right March sister.

I originally got the idea for Little Women and Me about a year and a half ago when my then 10-year-old daughter and her best friend were reading the original Alcott book for the first time. We were all talking about how sad it is when Beth dies and how crazy-making it is that Laurie winds up with Amy instead of Jo. That’s when the thought occurred to me: Hmm…what would happen if…? And that’s how Little Women and Me was born. I’m very excited about this book and I hope you will be too.

And now I’m off to work on another book that probably doesn’t make sense career-wise but that I will love writing and hopefully at least a few of you will love reading.

Thanks for having me, Morgan!      

Thank you so much Lauren for the wonderful guest post. 

You can view and buy Lauren Baratz-Logsted's books on Amazon.com HERE