Blogging Hiatus (sort of)

Alright.


I hate to do this, but I'm going to have to take a break for a week or two in order to catch up with school. This is a huge disappointment to me because I've had 5 new features bouncing around my head for like a month and haven't introduced them yet. However, I'm in college and school work is just piling up now. Pray for me guys. 

Do you guys sometimes have trouble balancing school work with everything else you want to do? 

By the way, here's a bit of advice: NEVER take Calculus II, Physics II, and Chem II in the same semester. Just don't do it. For those of you in the same boat as me right now, you're not alone. I feel your pain.  

In the mean time, 
The Miranda Contract Giveaway is still open

And Feature a Blogger Sign-Ups are still open

So go check those out while I'm gone! :)

Happy Browsing! 

Cover Reveal: Ex-Factor by Elisa Dane

Ex Factor
by Elisa Dane
Release Date: 04/22/14

Summary from Goodreads:

Nevaeh Evan’s life is uprooted after her father’s death, when she moves in with her aunt and cousin, Livvie. Her plan to lay low at her new high school isn’t working. Her friend’s jerky boyfriend keeps asking her out, the guy she likes treats her like garbage, and the thought of tumbling again makes her want to hurl.

So when her aunt pushes her into joining the elite X-FACTOR cheer leading squad, Navaeh goes along with it.

But Nev feels she doesn’t deserve to be happy. Not after what happened the night her father died. 

Top Ten Tuesday: Top Ten Most Unique Books I've Read

Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created by The Broke and the Bookish. You can find out more about it here.

Yay! I'm finally doing this meme again! I've missed it so much! Let's begin:

Top Ten Most Unique Books I've Read
                      

1. Cinder by Marissa Meyer
Cinderella is a cyborg? People living on the moon? Yes, give me more, please!

2. Bruiser by Neal Shusterman
A boy who can take on your pain if he loves you too much? Bittersweet story, but I was moved by the Bruiser's unselfishness.

3. Unwind by Neal Shusterman
A future where parents can "unwind" their children (basically donate their body to science, brain included....while they are still alive) NOBODY show this book to my mom! Ok?!
                    
4. You by Charles Benoit 
Somehow the main character never uses the word 'I'. It's just you.

Introducing: Feature A Blogger

Hello! :D

I enjoyed doing the Blog Liebster post so much that I started a whole new feature! Woohoo!

I told you guys how much self-promotion gives me anxiety, and I thought that maybe some other people felt that way too! I don't have any problem promoting anybody else, but when it comes to promoting myself.....*hides in corner*

 So, today is the birth of Feature A blogger. Every month, I plan to feature a new blogger for all of you guys to check out. If you're not a blogger, but you have something epic on the internet that you want everyone to see, you are also welcome to participate. Basically this is me saying, let me promote you for FREE! 

Sign-up in the form below! :)

Review: How To Be A Perfect Girl by Mary Williams

Title: How To Be A Perfect Girl
Author: Mary Williams
Link: Goodreads 

Valentina Hunter's parents think they've just hit the jackpot; when her mother invents a product that makes her family millionaires overnight, they buy a new house and new cars, and enroll their daughter in the ultra-exclusive Palm Lake private school. The school comes with an excellent resume; more Palm Lake graduates go on to the Ivy League than any other private school in the area, ninety percent of them start college with at least a year’s worth of Advanced Placement credits, and they earn more perfect ACT scores per capita than the students at any other high school. Valentina’s mother and father are ecstatic, but Val doesn’t share the sentiment; she would rather go to the local public school with all her middle school friends. Events only increase her desire, as Valentina quickly finds herself embroiled in bitter social battles and hostile vendettas, leaving her to question whether she’ll even be able to survive the first month.

I got a copy from the author for an honest review.

1/5 stars! 
*sigh* Ok. It's time to finally review this book.

Let me start by saying I thought this was going to be a fun, light-hearted read, and I had no idea that I was going to read such a roller-coaster type of book. I know, I know, I should've guessed from the blurb, but come on! "Bitter social battles?" I thought it would be a funny clique thing. After all, she's only a high school freshman.

I have no complaints against the author's story-telling ability. It was really easy to read and understand everything that was going on. However, the story she chose to tell is beyond me.

The set up was good, but then things started taking a turn for the worse.

Warning: The Love Triangle is strong with this one.

I hated the main character. She was unbelievably rude and her "best friend" was a jerk. All the "love interests" were jerks as well. I was unimpressed with all of them.

Valentina, is a perfect example of  "Little Miss Perfect" in my Why I Hate Love Triangles blog post. You  can go read it if you want to understand a bit more of what I mean.

Ofcourse, the cursing didn't help raise my opinion of this book. The only good character was Carrie. This book would've been much better if she had been the main character. She is practically the only character that was likeable. She isn't as pretty or popular as the main character, but she's nice, smart, and sweet! :) Heck, even Avery, (the antagonist) would've made a better main character.

Review: Cress by Marissa Meyer

Title: Cress
Author: Marissa Meyer
Publisher: Feiwel & Friends
Series: The Lunar Chronicles #3
Link: Goodreads

In this third book in the Lunar Chronicles, Cinder and Captain Thorne are fugitives on the run, now with Scarlet and Wolf in tow. Together, they’re plotting to overthrow Queen Levana and her army.
Their best hope lies with Cress, a girl imprisoned on a satellite since childhood who's only ever had her netscreens as company. All that screen time has made Cress an excellent hacker. Unfortunately, she’s just received orders from Levana to track down Cinder and her handsome accomplice.

When a daring rescue of Cress goes awry, the group is separated. Cress finally has her freedom, but it comes at a high price. Meanwhile, Queen Levana will let nothing prevent her marriage to Emperor Kai. Cress, Scarlet, and Cinder may not have signed up to save the world, but they may be the only hope the world has.

My Review

Marissa Meyer strikes again!

If you thought the first two books were great, just wait till you read Cress. Cinder and Scarlet was just the warm-up.

In order for this to be a non-spoilery review, I can't tell you in specific details why I love this book so much, but you'll find out when you read it! :D

Let's explore the characters!

Cress: I loved her! I don't see her as a damsel in distress. She's just a tiny bit loopy from being locked up in a satellite for so long. Who wouldn't be? I think one of the reasons I felt so connected to her was because we share the same coping techniques. I think Marissa Meyer has been spying on me. Whenever Cress is in a difficult situation, she pretends that she's someone else....usually an actress or a celebrity. She uses her imagination to help her in the real world. I'm sure a lot of people can relate to that.

Kai: *swoons* My Emperor! I cannot stand the thought of my emperor being engaged that wicked villain. It makes me so sad! :( Kai was just so adorable in this book...more so than usual. He's still struggling to determine which side Cinder is on. Poor Kai! I must admit that he has pretty dense moments, where you just wanted to shake his handsome body and scream WHY CAN'T YOU UNDERSTAND?! By the end of the book, he's back to being Prince Charming :)

Thorne: If you haven't fallen in love with Thorne yet, this is the time to do it. Our hero gets a major setback, but it doesn't stop him from being his swoony self. I can't really say anything else without spoiling it, so read the book!

Wolf: *tears* It's too painful to talk about. :(

Scarlet: I'll always love Scarlet's fierce spirit. She makes a very bold move in this book, and I'm inspired by her bravery.

Dr. Erland: We had the privilege of understanding more about Dr. Erland and his daughter. In the end, things worked out for the best.

Jacin: Do you guys remember who this is? This is the guard that "manhandled" (for lack of a better word) Cinder at the ball. He also had a little part to play in Scarlet (the second book). Trust me. He's in there. I checked! I know many people had mixed opinions on Jacin, but I don't feel conflicted at all. I absolutely love him! I think when Winter comes around, everyone will feel the same way I do. Don't say I didn't warn you! :P

Cinder: Absolutely amazing! I'm proud of her character growth and I love how brilliant she is at coming up with plans.

Winter: OMG! Just wait...just you wait and see. She is absolutely adorable! I can't wait to read more about her in 2015.

Cress was filled with action, and wonderful storytelling. I loved how Marissa Meyer tied everything together so neatly. One problem I always have with dystopia is that sometimes the characters don't feel different at all. Can you relate? This book didn't have that problem. The characters are conveyed differently and their interactions with each other are top-notch. This is an example of a well thought out series. You know how everybody says that sequels aren't as good as the first book? I feel like Marissa Meyer's writing says: Ain't nobody got time for that! It's that good. Read it! Honestly, the only disadvantage to reading Cress is that you have to wait till 2015 to get the next book. *sigh*

I will allow myself to say one thing:
Cinder and Kai will interact in this book. I repeat, Cinder and Kai interact in this book!

Favorite Quote:
Knees suddenly weak, she reached for his forearms to stabilize herself. "You came for me." He beamed, looking for all the world like a selfless, daring hero.

Happy Reading!

Liebster Award!

The Liebster Award is rewarded to up and coming blogs that currently have less than 200 followers. It's all about getting to know different bloggers.The German word Liebster, translates into English: Sweetest. I didn't know what this was up to a week ago, but I think it's pretty interesting. It's kind of like we're giving each other blogger  interviews, and that's pretty awesome! Thank you so much to Olivia over at Fictionally Obsessed for nominating me! Yay!!! :D

The Rules

1. Link back to the person who nominated you

2.  Answer the 10 Liebster questions given to you by the nominee    before you.

3. List 11 facts about yourself.

4. Pick 10 bloggers to be nominated for the award with fewer than 200 followers.

5. Create 10 questions for your nominees to answer.

6. Go notify your nominees on their blogs.

11 Facts about Me

1. I was born in Jamaica

2. The only food item I love more than potatoes is chocolate. I LOVE chocolate!

3. My favorite color is purple

4. Sometimes I get really weird amnesia

5. I am a total nerd

6. I'm extremely introverted

7. I get anxious about EVERYTHING

8. I rather text someone than call them

9. I DESPISE love triangles

10. I'm vegetarian! :)

11. I read really fast, so sometimes when my teachers in middle school gave us a packet to read for the whole class period (because they were too lazy to plan anything fun or stimulating), I would make them angry by finishing extra early and then they had to rattle their brains to find something for me to do. Haha! 

My Answers

1. Who's your favourite fictional character? 

This is a totally unfair question :P There are so many! If I had to choose just one I would say Emperor Kai from Marissa Meyer's series, The Lunar Chronicles. He's the best! :D

2. If you won $1000 but had to spend it all in one day, what would you spend it on and why?

In a bookstore. I promise you that the money would disappear in a few seconds. 

Trailer Reveal: How To Get Ainsley Bishop To Fall In Love With You + Giveaway

How to Get Ainsley Bishop to Fall in Love with You

by T.M. Franklin

Release Date: 06/12/14
Goodreads
              

1. Join the Drama Club
2. Do Your Research
3. Provide Something She Needs
4. Make Her Feel Secure and Important
5. Pay Attention!
6. Be a Good Friend
7. Be More Attractive
8. Be Complimentary, But Not Obsequious
9. Establish Rapport
10. Be Encouraging and Supportive
11. Give Her Space 12. Admit When You’re Wrong and Apologize
13. Find the Perfect Birthday Gift
14. Tell Her How You Feel

 Seventeen-year old Oliver Wendell Holmes (Yes, his parents are just that peculiar, but his brother’s name is Sherlock, so it could have been worse) knows that he’s different. He’s quirky, awkward, and he’s okay with that. Oliver also likes making lists—meticulous procedures for achieving his goals, step-by-step. Whether it’s “How to Get an A in Chemistry” or “How to Get Accepted to MIT,” he has a process, and it’s worked for him so far. He doesn’t even care that the popular kids mock him. Oliver’s got his eye on the prize.

So when he decides it’s time to declare his feelings for Ainsley Bishop, the girl of his dreams, it’s only natural for him to make a list—a point-by-point strategy to win her heart. He knows it will take a grand gesture for her to see all he has to offer, and her approaching birthday provides the ideal opportunity for Oliver to put his plan into action.

Finding the perfect gift is a challenge Oliver meets with his usual dogged determination. He’ll need to watch her carefully for clues to pinpoint exactly what he should give her. And along the way, he might just learn that what Ainsley really needs is not quite what he expected.

Trailer

About the Author

T.M. Franklin started out her career writing nonfiction in a television newsroom. Graduating with a B.A. in Communications specializing in broadcast journalism and production, she worked for nine years as a major market television news producer, and garnered two regional Emmy Awards, before she resigned to be a full-time mom and part-time freelance writer. After writing and unsuccessfully querying a novel that she now admits, “is not that great,” she decided to follow the advice of one of the agents who turned her down—write some more and get better at it. Her first published novel, MORE, was born during National Novel Writing month, a challenge to write a novel in thirty days.

She lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband, Mike, is mom to two boys, Justin and Ryan, and has an enormous black dog named Rocky who’s always lying nearby while she’s writing. Whether he’s soothed by the clicking of the computer keys or just waiting for someone to rub his belly is up for debate.

In addition to MORE, Franklin penned the Amazon best-selling short story, Window, as well as another short story, A Piece of Cake, which appears in the Romantic Interludes anthology. The sequel to MORE, The Guardians, will be released November 7, 2013.

Connect with T.M. Franklin

Website | Facebook | Twitter  | Goodreads

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Trailer Reveal Organized by:

YA Bound Book Tours