In My Mailbox (13)

Its time for another (late) IMM post. This meme hosted by Kristi from The Story Siren showcases the books us bloggers got throughout the week. I had a really quiet week since I'm still trying to catch up on my Christmas books but I did get one book in the mail from a giveaway I won from Just Your Typical Book Blog...

SHIFT by Jerri Smith-Ready

I was so excited seeing this in the mail and then noticing that its personalized to me! Plus I got some bonus bookmark swag that also signed. This is my first realy giveaway win and I can't think of a cooler prize. THANKS AMBER! YOU ROCK GIRL!

The Deepest Cut by J.A. Templeton

Sixteen-year-old Riley Williams has been able to see ghosts since the car crash that took her mother’s life and shattered her family. Guilt-ridden over the belief that she’s somehow responsible for her mom’s death, Riley is desperate to see her mother’s elusive spirit to gain her forgiveness.

When her father moves the family to Scotland so they can all start over, Riley believes her life couldn’t get worse––that is until the ghost of nineteen-year-old Ian MacKinnon catches her purposely cutting herself. An uneasy truce quickly turns into friendship, and soon Riley’s falling hard for Ian.

The Deepest Cut centers around Riley, a teenage girl with a very huge secret- she has the ability to see ghosts ever since her mother's horrific death. Now she lives in the middle of a dark and sinister ghost story, where the dead want to be heard. When guilt is constantly breathing down your neck, your life is completely upturned, and the ghost of your crush's jealous ex is out to kill you, a normal teenage life isn't always plausible.

This book had some great qualities. It's main character, Riley, was a tormented teen with a terrifying past, which made her a relatable person. Sometimes the same cookie-cutter teen girl with the same hormonal issues can be a bit irritating, which is why Riley was easy to empathize with. She's guilt ridden over her mother's death and family's international move and therfore releases the pain by cutting- a real issue teens can identify with. Her emotions are raw and true despite her deepest efforts in trying to hide them. My heart definitely ached for the poor girl. 

 Paranormally, the book focused on the relationship between Riley and her ghost crush Ian. I would have liked to see a bit more development between the two characters outside of their romantic feelings for each other. I understand its hard to actually date a ghost, but it felt like most of their time spent together was either them kissing or Ian saving Riley from his evil stalker Laria.

And oh, Laria, how I wanted to punch you in the face. She was PURE sadistic evil and oh how I enjoyed it. Her creepiness was fantastic and the way she tortured poor Riley was sick! I kept thinking that if it was me being dragged across a ceiling in the middle of the night by an evil ghost I'd be peeing my pants in fear. Those scenes were just crazy!

I did find the book to be fast paced at times (answers to hundred year old curses were found in dreams) but overall it worked for the story. The romance was sadly sweet and the fear was definitely captured in the pages. My favorite part of the book had to be the end--- it was just perfect how Kade is introduced =) I'm glad that this is made out to be a series because there is definitely more for Riley, Ian and Kade that hopefully will end happily.

In My Mailbox (12)

It's my first IMM of the new year! This meme is hosted by Kristi at The Story Siren and allows bloggers to showcase what books they received, won, or borrowed throughout the week.

It's seriously been forever since I've posted an IMM and the books for this week are actually the ones I received for Christmas (I just never got around to showing them). I went a little Amazon crazy, as you all know, and bought a bunch of used books super cheap. I've really been slacking with updating my posts, but better late than never!

Prized by Caragh O'Brien
Ashfall by Mike Mullin
Darkness Becomes Her by Kelly Keaton
Fighting to Survive by Rhiannon Frater
The First Days by Rhiannon Frater
Dead of Night by Jonathan Maberry
Beautiful Disaster by Jamie McGuire
Take me There by Carolee Dean
Falling Under by Gwen Hayes
Destined by Jesse Harrell
Overprotected by Jennifer Laurens
Married with Zombies by Jesse Petersen
Flip this Zombie by Jesse Petersen
Eat Slay Love by Jesse Petersen


Let me know what you guys got this week in your mailboxes and I'll be sure to check them out.

Also, I finally added the networkedBlogs widget to my blog since googleconnect will be gone come March. I'll be making my rounds later today to connect with you all who have this widget. If you already follow my blog I would greatly appreciate and love if you guys follow me with networkedBlogs too! It'll make the transition in March a little less painful =)

Happy Weekend!

Follow Friday (13)

It's my first Follow Friday of the New Year! The meme is hosted by Alison Can Read and Parajunkee and promotes blogging fellowship. This week's question...

Go and count the number of unread book's on your shelf.

Ughh so this is really bad. I have a ton of books that I haven't read yet sitting there waiting to be picked up and I'm not even sure the actual count. If I had to guess though, I would probably say its around 25 (and counting). What's worse is there are a ton more of new releases that I've been dying to pick up still. I'm trying to be good though and not buy anymore until I've gotten through a good portion on the shelf. 

Waiting on Wednesday

Enshadowed (Nevermore #2) by Kelly Creagh
Release Date: August 8th 2012

While Varen remains a prisoner in the dream-world, Isobel is haunted by his memory. He appears to her in her dreams and soon, even in her waking life. But is she just imagining it? Isobel knows she must find a way back to Varen. She makes plans to go to Baltimore. There, she confronts the figure known throughout the world as the Poe Toaster—the same dark man who once appeared to Isobel in her dreams, calling himself “Reynolds.”
Isobel succeeds in interrupting the Toaster’s ritual and, in doing so, discovers a way to return to the dream-world. Soon, she finds herself swept up in a realm which not only holds remnants of Poe’s presence, but has also now taken on the characteristics of Varen’s innermost self. It is a dark world comprised of fear, terror, and anger.
When Isobel once more encounters Varen, she finds him changed. With his mind poisoned by the dream world, he becomes a malevolent force, bent on destroying all—even himself. Now Isobel must face a new adversary, one who also happens to be her greatest love.


It's been forever since I've read Nevermore and I'm still completely OBSESSED with that book. The creepiness and romance was addicting and don't get me started on Varen. It was so easy to fall for his dark and mysteriousness and the incorporation of Edgar Allen Poe was genius. If you haven't read Nevermore by Kelly Creagh yet, then you need to pick it up and you'll be just as desperate for the sequel, Enshadowed, as I am.

Top Ten Tuesday

I haven't had a Top Ten Tuesday in a long time so I'm excited to participate again this week! This meme is hosted by the lovely The Broke and the Bookish and its theme this week is...Top Ten Books I'm Excited to Read in 2012


1. Insurgent by Veronica Roth- YES! I can't wait for this sequel and more importantly for some more Four. Bring on the dystopians.


2. Girl of Nightmares by Kendare Blake-  Another sequel that I've got to have. Love the creeptastic factor of Anna Dressed in Blood and this book had an insane cliff hanger so I need more Anna.


3. Flirting in Italian by Lauren Henderson- This book sounds totally adorable and like the perfect summer read. And you really can't go wrong with Italian guys- aren't they supposed to be experts in romance?


4. Vampire's Kiss by Veronica Wolff- I fell in LOVE with Isle of Night and am dying to read more of this series. I need to know what's going to happen between Annalise and Ronan.


5. In Honor by Jessi Kirby- The cover of this book is gorgeous and the concept sounds so sadly sweet. I know this book will be a heartbreaker but I'm so excited to get my hands on it.


6. The Fine Art of Truth of Dare by Melissa Jensen- First off, love the title of this book and the concept sounds just as amazing. AND its being compared to Anna and the French Kiss so bonus points!


7.  When the Red Sea is Rising by Cat Hellisen- Of course I have to have another dystopian on this list. This book really sounds horrifically awesome.


8. Goddess Interrupted by Aimee Carter- I am DYING to read this sequel. I fell in love with the Greek mythology from The Goddess Test and this book sounds like the story is going to be even more intense than the first.


9. Slide by Jill Hathaway- This book sounds thrilling- a narcoleptic who slides into other people's minds- definitely an original and new read.


10. City of Lost Souls by Cassandra Clare- Last but seriously not least is the fourth installment in the Mortal Instruments series! I'm so in love with this series and am so invested in Jace Wayland. I seriously need more of that boy.

Dark Inside by Jeyn Roberts

Since mankind began, civilizations have always fallen: the Romans, the Greeks, the Aztecs…Now it’s our turn. Huge earthquakes rock the world. Cities are destroyed. But something even more awful is happening. An ancient evil has been unleashed, turning everday people into hunters, killers, crazies.

I was initially drawn to this book because of its post apocalyptic premise and the similarities with the movie 28 Days Later. I'm obsessed with a great chaotic book with an end-of-the-world feel. This book had a lot of great action sequences which fit that bill perfectly. With people turning evil and crazies on the rise, the world has turned into a vicious and terrifying place. Roberts has thrown together this fantastically crazy world that feels insanely real. There was plenty of gory details and thrilling scenes including devastating car crashes, adrenaline fueled chases, and anxiety filled fights between the sane and the insane. 

The world building was the greatest aspect of this novel. Everything felt very real and horrifying. However, the character building was lacking. The four alternating perspectives made it difficult to become involved in the character's lives. Just as you begin to connect with one character, the chapter ends and your thrown into a completely different story. I had a hard time keeping people and stories separated- after awhile things started blending together. It might have been a better if the book was limited to two perspectives (such as one guy and one girl). That would allowed for more developed characters and a stronger relationship between character and reader. 

Overall, this book is definitely satisfying for any adrenaline or apocalyptic junky. The plot is fast and constantly on a high which keeps you turning pages and biting your nails. The characters were definitely lacking in my opinion, but that was made up with the chaos and crazies invasion. There is apparently a sequel to this book, and I'm interested in seeing where the band of survivors are headed to next.