Below are the YA books coming out this week that I am spotlighting for my “Book Watch: Releasing This Week” post.

These are books for the week of May 1st-May 7th that I have pre-ordered.

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Black Dawn by Rachel Caine will be released in the U.S. on May 1, 2012 in hardcover and eBook formats. It is currently available to pre-order online in both formats at Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

Published by New American Library (NAL), the print edition is 384 pages.

Black Dawn is the twelfth book in author Rachel Caine’s Morganville Vampires series.

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I just keep falling farther and farther behind on this series! I think I have to have a Morganville Vampires readathon just to get caught up. I absolutely love this series and I keep buying all the books with the hope of reading them and yet I haven’t been able to. Must remedy that.

I miss Claire and Shane and Michael. And I want to head back to Morganville to find out what adventures they’ve been on, what enemies they’ve had to face and what has changed since I last visited.

Even though I’m not caught up on the series, I still can’t wait for Black Dawn to download to my Kindle on Monday Midnight. And yes, I did take a peek at the description. And yes, I think this one sounds amazing. It promises that “…intrigue, romance and nail-biting suspense” will be taken to new heights. I’m already intrigued and I love all of those things.

I really hope to catch up on the series through this latest installment before the next book in the series, Bitter Blood, is released later this year.

Shine by Jeri Smith-Ready will be released in the U.S. on May 1, 2012 in hardcover, paperback and eBook formats. It is currently available to pre-order online at Amazon and Barnes & Noble in all formats.

Published by Simon Pulse, the print edition is 416 pages.

Shine is the third and final book in the Shade trilogy by author Jeri Smith-Ready.

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I had the chance to read Shine just a little bit early and I tried. I really, really tried. But I’m absolutely terrified of how this series is going to end. Just having read the beginning had me all tied up in knots with worry.

I’m horrible at reading series ending books. I’m almost never ready to say goodbye to my favorite characters. And I really, really don’t want to say goodbye to Logan Keeley. Shine will be downloading to my Kindle and I hope to muster up the courage to read it shortly after release, but I may try to prolong the inevitable for just a bit longer.

Although I really want to find out about Aura’s past. I want to know more about the Shift. I want to see just what happens to Zach. And I want to find out just what the description means when it says that Aura will have to betray her own heart.

I have heard this book is absolutely amazing by everyone who’s read it. So, if I can prepare myself for heartbreak, tears and an exciting but incredibly nerve-wracking read, I will be adding Shine back onto the pile in May.

Sweet Evil by Wendy Higgins will be released in the U.S. on May 1, 2012 in paperback and eBook formats. It is currently available to pre-order online in both formats at Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

Published by HarperTeen, the print edition is 464 pages.

Sweet Evil is one of the books that can be chosen for the 2012 Debut Author Challenge hosted by Kristi at The Story Siren and is one of my original picks.

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I can’t believe it’s finally here! Sweet Evil will be releasing on Tuesday, which means I’ll have my eBook available to re-read on my Kindle on Monday Midnight. Though I really hope to receive my print copy on Tuesday, too.

Sweet Evil was my most anticipated 2012 debut and having read it (twice) and reviewed it, I already know just how awesome and well worth the wait it is. Anna Whitt and Kaidan Rowe are the characters to meet. She’s just so good and he’s just so very, very bad. And their story is wicked, addictive, exciting, nerve-wracking and riveting. All those things and so much more.

As I have already spotlighted Sweet Evil for my Book Watch post I won’t go on and on and on and on. Though I really, really want to. But I will just say that this story about children of the fallen is so very different and tantalizing and utterly fascinating. And I can’t wait to read it again.

Insurgent by Veronica Roth will be released in the U.S. on May 1, 2012 in hardcover and eBook formats. It is currently available to pre-order online in both formats at Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

Published by Katherine Tegen Books, an imprint of HarperCollins, the print edition is 544 pages.

Insurgent is the second book in the Divergent series by author Veronica Roth. The third book in the series, as yet untitled, is slated for release in 2013.

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I had the great fortune to read Insurgent just a bit early thanks to Jaime and Patricia of Two Chicks On Books, who loaned me their ARC. I’m still recovering. Still. And I will be for quite awhile.

I have the eBook pre-ordered to download from Amazon but I may have ordered a print copy to help free Four also. I guess I’ll find out on Tuesday.

This follow up is absolutely amazing. I don’t think the author could have done a better job building upon her characters and her world for this sequel. As I have already reviewed it, I won’t continue to ramble too much. But yes, war is looming as the description promises. Yes, it is a “thrill ride.” And yes, there are most definitely “heartbreaks” and “twists.” Oh those twists. They’re killer.

I can’t wait to re-read Insurgent when I get my finished copy. I’d love to sneak it in later this week if I can somehow find the time. Because I am not quite ready to say goodbye for another year until book three’s release.

Destined by Aprilynne Pike will be released in the U.S. on May 1, 2012 in hardcover and eBook formats. It is currently available to pre-order in both formats at Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

Published by HarperTeen, an imprint of HarperCollins, the print edition is 320 pages.

Destined is the fourth and final book in the Wings series by author Aprilynne Pike.

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I hated saying goodbye to the Wings series by Aprilynne Pike. I hadn’t known that Destined was the last book in the series when I first added it to my reading pile. But I am happy to have the finished copy scheduled to download to my Kindle to join the first three books in the series this week. I just wish there were a few more books as I’m sad to see this series end.

This has been such a magical series. And Destined is no exception, though it was much more action-packed than the earlier books. Which I loved. I was fortunate to get an ARC through a trade, which I just had to read and review early because I just couldn’t wait to find out how this series ended.

As I have read it and can’t guess as to what might happen with Tamani, David and Laurel and just what Avalon’s fate is, since I already know what happened, I will simply reveal what I can about Destined….

It’s bittersweet. Definitely bittersweet. There is loss. There is heartbreak. There is action, action and so much more action. And there’s an ending that wraps things up without any real loose ends. I thought it ended perfectly. But tormenting? Oh yes. The entire read puts your emotions on one huge roller coaster. And the ending, well… I’ll leave that a mystery.

I agree with the description that it’s a “stunning conclusion” and I can’t wait to re-read this entire series in the near future.

Deadlocked by Charlaine Harris will be released in the U.S. on May 1, 2012 in hardcover and eBook formats. It is currently available online to pre-order in both formats at Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

Published by Ace, the print edition is 336 pages.

Deadlocked is the twelfth book in the Southern Vampires series by author Charlaine Harris.

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I’m sneaking in a non-YA title into the post because I am such a fan of this series, though I don’t always list my non-YA book purchases on the blog. But I am so excited this next book in the Southern Vampires series is releasing this week I just couldn’t help myself.

I will be reading Deadlocked on release day when it downloads to my eReader because I have to find out just what happens next with… you guessed it… Eric Northman. Especially since he seems to be in some trouble in this next installment with a body turning up in his yard.

I’m even more worried that Sookie and Bill seem to be teaming up to solve the crime. Very, very worried, actually.

I can’t wait to find out who Sookie’s newest enemy is, or if it’s an old enemy that’s come back into the picture. I can’t wait to see where things go with Sookie and Eric and I hope, hope, hope that nothing rekindles between her and Bill.

This series has gotten a bit darker with each book, so I can’t wait to find out if this one is even more grim. And I will most definitely be devouring it this week.

Wanted by Heidi Ayarbe will be released in the U.S. on May 1, 2012 in hardcover and eBook formats. It is currently available to pre-order online in both formats at Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

Published by Balzer + Bray, an imprint of HarperCollins, the print edition is 400 pages.

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I am so curious about this book. I first heard about Wanted when I was offered a copy in a trade. And even though I haven’t yet read the ARC, I still decided to pre-order it for my Kindle. Because it sounds awesome.

I don’t believe I’ve ever read a story about a teenage bookie. And I most certainly have not read one that has elements of a Robin Hood story thrown into the mix. I can’t wait to meet Michal, the bookie who goes against her better judgment and places a bet. A losing bet which pushes her to crime in order to repay it.

This book sounds dark, it sounds exciting, it sounds thrilling. And I can’t wait to check it out this month.

Revived by Cat Patrick will be released in the U.S. on May 1, 2012 in hardcover, audio and eBook formats. It is currently available to pre-order online in all formats at Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

Published by Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, the print edition is 352 pages.

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I received an early copy of Revived as a gift from another blogger. I thought I had all the time in the world to read it, but apparently I didn’t. I haven’t yet read it and with release date right around the corner I may end up reading the Kindle version I have pre-ordered instead.

I think this story sounds absolutely creepy, though I have a feeling it will also be quite thought provoking. A government manufacturing a drug that will bring people back from the dead is totally creepy and it gives me the chills. And just knowing that the main character, Daisy Appleby, has been Revived several times in the past few years makes me a little bit horrified for her.

I can’t wait to find out what the bigger picture is and whether morality will win out in the end. I’m not too hopeful, but I am curious. And I’m dying to find out just what will happen to Daisy who’s had to reinvent herself time and time again.

I really hope to read this in the coming weeks, though I haven’t decided whether or not to read the ARC or the finished copy.

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Body & Soul (The Ghost and the Goth #3) by Stacey Kade

Pub. Date: May 1, 2012

Published by: Hyperion Books for Children

(Amazon, Barnes & Noble)

Bitterblue (Graceling Realm #3) by Kristin Cashore

Pub. Date: May 1, 2012

Published by: Dial

(Amazon, Barnes & Noble)

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This is the second of three huge release weeks in a row. I don’t know how I’m going to make a dent in my TBR pile if I continue adding this many books each week. While I only have eight books pre-ordered, the two books of note I’ve mentioned in this post are books that I will be buying, I just haven’t pre-ordered them.

Fortunately I have read a few of the books releasing this week. The only problem is that while they’re not technically TBR, a couple of them are books I want to re-read. So that means the pile is still pretty high.

Maybe I should take a short break from making any new bookish purchases. Though I don’t think it’s a very realistic goal for me. I suppose I’ll just have to read faster….

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As always, I would love to hear what you’re hoping to add to your collection this week!

And if you have any great suggestions of “must read” books to buy that are releasing this week, please let me know!

It was a nice quiet week at the mailbox, which is good, because it has given me a chance to pack up and send out a few more books and clear some space on my shelves. I am expecting quite a few books from a trade next week, so I need the room.

I am still trying really hard to go on a trading ban for just a bit. It’s just so tough to follow through. But for now….

As I am sharing what I received in my mailbox this week, I’m giving credit to Kristi at The Story Siren who came up with the idea of sharing what’s in her mailbox each week.

I received a copy of The Immortal Rules by Julie Kagawa from a trade with Alex of Electrifying Reviews. It was an awesome surprise as I hadn’t realized it was on its way. Yes, I had one in my mailbox last week. This is the second of three copies I traded for. Oops.

I also received a signed copy of Scorched Skies by Samantha Young along with two gorgeous signed bookmarks. I LOVE the cover for this book, which is designed by the amazing PhatPuppy Art. It is just as amazing as the Fire Spirits series by the author, and this sequel is one I’ve been anxiously awaiting and can’t wait to read.

I’m still hoping to be able to read The Immortal Rules before release day. But as this copy was already promised to someone else, I will hopefully have time to read the third copy I should be receiving next week. We shall see…

Here are the books I have in my reading pile this week.

(April 8 – April 14, 2012)

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First up on the pile is Shine by Jeri Smith-Ready. The lovely bloggers – Jaime and Patricia – of Two Chicks On Books sent me their ARC on loan so that I could read this before release.

I am definitely feeling the pressure about choosing to read this one because it’s a series ending book. And as many of you may know, I hate when a series ends. Further, I heard that I should expect to shed a few tears. Uh oh.

Also, I did read that sneak peek on the author’s website awhile back which made me extremely nervous. And according to the first line of the description on Goodreads - which I won’t reveal here for those who haven’t yet caught up on the series - I have even more reason to be nervous given whose “team” I’m on.

But I think my curiosity will win out and that I’ll be able to make it past the tears and heartache to find out just how this trilogy will end, to see just what happens with Aura, Logan and Zach and to get answers to all those burning questions I’ve had.

So, with nervous anticipation I can’t wait to read Shine this week.

Next up on the pile is The Girl Who Was on Fire, the movie tie-in edition. I received a copy for review from the publisher but as I hadn’t read the trilogy or seen the movie I wanted to wait until I had.

And while I haven’t read the entire trilogy just yet, I have seen the film and should be finished with the first book in the series tomorrow, so I thought I’d add this to the pile this week.

I am very curious to see what some of my favorite YA authors have to say about this series and about the world that author Suzanne Collins created. Though if I start to read it and it makes me even more curious about the two remaining books in the series, I may try to sneak those in and get back to this next weekend.

It will be so interesting to see just what the authors have to say about Katniss, Peeta, Gale, Haymitch and Panem. And I’m even more interested to find out just how they connect this fictional world to a real-world setting when comparing Panem to other societies from our history.

As I haven’t yet reviewed a non-fiction book or one that discusses authors’ thoughts and ideas, I’m also curious to see just how I’ll do that.

Wishful Thinking reads:

I am not allowing myself any wishful thinking reads this week. Though not listed in the official pile, I am re-reading My Soul to Keep by Rachel Vincent this week for the Soul Screamers Reading Challenge. So I have no time to wish for yet another book I could be reading.

Although… I would love to read Endlessly by Kiersten White, which should be arriving this week from a trade. Though I hope it doesn’t arrive until next week when I have just a bit more time.

Those left behind:

I’m actually catching up on my reading, but I’m incredibly behind on my reviews. Work has been a little crazy for the past few weeks, so I’ve only had the energy to dive into a book at the end of the night and not put my thoughts into a review. And I’ve tried. It just wasn’t happening.

So while I have read Spellcaster by Cara Lynn Shultz, Return to Eden by G.P. Ching and Forgiven by Jana Oliver, my reviews are still in the works. And I’m about three-fourths of the way done with The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins, which I’ll finish tomorrow, and halfway through Masque of the Red Death by Bethany Griffin, which I started yesterday and will definitely finish today. So, I’m not really behind on those either.

Hopefully I’ll get a burst of creativity and a bit of time to write at least four of the five reviews in the coming week. I am, as always, ever hopeful.

NetGalley Pile Adds:

I did not request any new books on NetGalley this week, though I was made aware of just a few new titles. But I am trying to be good and not over-committing myself as is my tendency.

Of course, I did request and was approved for just one title from Edelweiss – Something Strange and Deadly by Susan Dennard. But as it’s not due to be released until the end of July, I have just a little bit of time to read it.

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This has been an incredibly guilt-inducing week for me as a blogger. I didn’t post one review. I also couldn’t choose between two books to watch, so I didn’t post that this week either. While I had one tour stop and a few other posts aside from giveaways, I feel a bit like a slacker.

Next week I hope to be more on the ball with the rest of those missing reviews posted, along with some of the feature posts I love to put together, like The Crush List. As I have some interview questions to write and a few other things going this week, we shall see…

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Do you create a reading pile?

If so, what’s in your pile this week?

I happened to be lurking on Twitter one evening and heard author Jeri Smith-Ready mentioning that she would sign copies for anyone ordering Enthralled by the next day from Constellation books.

So, of course I didn’t just grab a copy for myself. I grabbed an extra one for giveaway.

And so, without any further rambling…

What’s Up for Grabs:

One paperback copy of Enthralled signed by Jeri Smith-Ready plus random swag

The deets:

1. One entry per person.

2. You must be 13 or older.

3. Giveaway is International.

4. Book will be shipped by U.S. mail.

5. Contest ends at 11:59 p.m. on September 26th. Winner will be chosen by Random.org and announced on September 27th. Winner will have 48 hours after notification to respond with their details.

There is no requirement to like or follow. But if you’d like to spread the word that would be awesome!

To enter, fill out the form below:

The giveaway is now closed. Thanks so much to everyone who entered. I’ll be throwing the names into Random shortly and announcing the winner soon. Stay tuned…

Okay, and the random-less Random has spoken….

Congratulations Avery! You’re the winner for the signed copy of Enthralled, plus a signed If I Die bookmark and other random swag. I’ll be contacting you by email for your details and you will have 48 hours to respond or I will be forced to choose another winner.

Thanks so much to everyone who stopped by, left a comment and entered the giveaway. I tend to love signed books and to give them away, so feel free to check back later.

Happy reading!

Well, today is the final match in the YA Crush Tourney and it’s Zach vs. Jace. This will be a real David and Goliath match-up, so be sure to support the underdog, Zachary Moore. You can show your support by voting, tweeting, blogging or posting on Facebook. Anything you can do to get those votes coming in for Zachary Moore and Team Kilt will be an enormous help!

Voting starts at 8 a.m. Central time U.S. and runs for 24 hours. But you begin your campaign any time.

If you haven’t heard of Zachary Moore, he’s the delectable Scottish pre-Shift boy from Jeri Smith-Ready’s Shade series. Be sure to check out her blog for details about this crush-worthy boy and the series.

But voting won’t come without incentives. If you decide to join Team Kilt for this final battle, the author has offered quite a few goodies, which I’ve listed below and which you can find out even more about on her blog, HERE.

Here are a few perks for voting Zachary in this final battle: (All items in parentheses are my comments!)

–If Zachary gets 5,000 votes, Jeri Smith-Ready will write lyrics to “Forever,” the song Logan sings to Aura in her sleep the night before his testimony near the end of Shade. (As a Team Logan fan through and through, I am dying to hear this. Absolutely DYING!)

–If Zachary gets 10,000 votes, Jeri Smith-Ready will list every Team Kilt member’s name in the acknowledgments of Shine. To be a member of Team Kilt, you just have to vote for him and let me know, the same way as last time–send me an e-mail with the subject line #TeamKilt. (Who doesn’t want to be listed 0n the acknowledgement page? So completely awesome! I want! I want!)

–By popular demand, if Zachary wins, you will all get to see what’s under the kilt. But not until he’s 18, when Shine comes out. ;-P (Okay, that’s just mean. What a tease )

–If Zachary wins, Jeri Smith-Ready will fly to Minneapolis for a book signing and get-together with Amy, Jen, and any Team Kilt member who can join them. (How cool is that?)

Zach is being represented by the amazing team at Fictitious Delicious. Be sure to check out their Team Kilt Hub, HERE for links and information on all things Zachary Moore.

Here’s what I’m offering:

If Zachary Moore wins this match, I will give away, to two winners, each of the two books in the Shade series. And if they are still available from Constellation Books, the independent bookstore that carries the author’s books, I will try to get signed copies. If there aren’t any available then I will order them from Amazon.

To be entered, simply leave a comment below and let me know you’ve voted. And for an extra entry let me know if you’ve tweeted or posted on Facebook about the event. Make sure to leave a way to get in touch with you. And if you tweet, be sure to add the hashtag #TeamKilt so that the Team Kilt advocates know you’re supporting their boy.

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While I have always been a Team Logan member through and through, I am here to support the underdog in this amazing tournament dreamed up by the bloggers at The YA Sisterhood blog. And while I’ve always thought Logan was the best boy for Aura, I’ve also thought that Zach was so incredibly crush-worthy. And today he deserves the win.

We all know that Jace is super-sexy and a total stone-cold fox, but so does he. Let’s see if we can bring down that ego just a little bit by helping a sexy Scottish boy get the crush-worthy title he deserves.

So, be sure to cast your votes, spread the word and help out an underdog. He beat out my favorite Reaper in the last match and so I’m here to support him in the finals.

VOTE ZACH

(Reminder, voting will open at 8 a.m. Central time in the U.S.)

UPDATE: Although Zach did not win, I promised to give away a set of the books if he reached 10,000 votes. Well, he did! AND, I’ve confirmed that I will be able to get a SIGNED set of the books from the bookstore on Friday.

So…. I’m leaving this giveaway open until Friday. All you have to do to enter is leave a comment below saying you voted during the tournament and that will be your entry. When I’ve confirmed that the books are signed and ready to go, I’ll close the giveaway and choose a winner via Random.org from anyone who left a comment.

Congratulations to Amy O’Neil you have won signed copies of Shade and Shift. The rest of the entrants will be automatically entered into the next giveaway once I receive the signed books some time in the next week.

Amy, I will be contacting you by email for your address details. As soon as I receive the books from Constellation books I will send those out to you. If I do not hear back from you by the time I receive the books I will have to reach out to the runner-up.

Thanks everyone for helping to vote for Zach in this tournament. I know I was Tod’s representative, but since he didn’t make it I was still all about supporting the underdog. Even though Zach lost, it wasn’t a landslide and was a very exciting match thanks to fans and voters like you all!

Back with another “Extras” post. As some of you may already know…

Whenever I find either a legal free download, an excerpt or sneak peek of a book online, I try to link to it in a related post or include the link in my sidebar (to your right).

But once a month I’ll pop them into a post for a “one-stop shop” with a brief description. You may have previously seen some of these in my sidebar and one or two may still be lingering, well here they are once more in case you missed them. (My sidebar tends to have a LOT of info.)

We have a few peeks at upcoming releases, just released books and some of them are just items that have been offered for free for awhile but you might have missed.

And yes, I know it’s not July yet, but it’s a monthly post that I do around this time each month in anticipation.

Sirensong by Jenna Black will be released in the U.S. on July 5, 2011.

This is a fun and completely delightful series to read. Sirensong is the third book in the series and it continues Dana Hathaway’s adventures and this time she’s headed into Faerie.

The author is giving readers a look at Chapter One on her website, HERE

Even if you haven’t read the other books in the series the first chapter isn’t super spoiler-y.

Original Sin by Lisa Desrochers will be released in the U.S. on July 5, 2011.

This is the second book in the Personal Demons series. This is a book and series not to be missed. I have read both books in the series so I will give nothing away, but these books are definitely smoking hot.

Tor.com is giving registered readers a peek inside, HERE.

Texas Gothic by Rosemary Clement-Moore will be released in the U.S. on July 12, 2011.

I think this cover and the font and the title are so amazing. I love this author’s writing style and I’m dying to read this book.

The main character, Amy Goodnight, comes from a family of witches. She has to spend her summer on the Goodnight Ranch where there are apparently ghosts, a “hot neighbor cowboy” and a bunch of bodies turning up. Definitely not an idea summer vacation.

The publisher, Random House,  is offering a short excerpt on their website, HERE.

Forever by Maggie Stiefvater will be released in the U.S. on July 12, 2011.

It is the third book in the Wolves of Mercy Falls series. There is just something so addictive about this series and so amazing about the author’s writing style.

For each of the past two books I was completely entranced by the writing and the story. I suspect there was magic involved.

Maggie Stiefvater reads an excerpt from Forever:

Wildcat Fireflies is the second book in the Meridian series by author Amber Kizer. It will be released in the U.S. on July 12, 2011.

It’s been awhile but the sequel is finally coming out! I loved the idea of beings called Fenestras and I was completely hooked when I first read the book. Then I found out it would be ages before the sequel. I think I cried a little bit.

Wildcat Fireflies continues the story as Meridian and Tens search the country for other Fenestras. And there may be trouble in paradise for the two of them. But with less than a month until release the wait is almost over.

And an excerpt is available on the book’s website, HERE.

Wildefire by Karsten Knight will be released in the U.S. on July 26, 2011.

Anyone who has ever stopped by the blog knows what a huge fan I am of this book and the author. It is an amazing debut and I don’t think you’ll find one quite like it.

If you have any doubts just check out the super long look inside the publisher is offering.

Check out Wildefire courtesy of Simon & Schuster, HERE.

Wolfsbane by Andrea Cremer will be released in the U.S. on July 26, 2011.

If you haven’t read Nightshade by now, what are you waiting for? Wolfsbane is almost here. And if you haven’t yet, it’s time to choose sides – Team Ren or Team Shay?

If you’re still undecided you should definitely check out the book’s website. There is an excerpt for Nightshade there too.

An excerpt from Chapter One of Wolfsbane is available from the book’s website, HERE.

***

And for one more chance to take a peek, here are a few books that are available now.

Illusions by Aprilynne Pike, Divergent by Veronica Roth, Die for Me by Amy Plum, Hereafter by Tara Hudson, Starcrossed by Josephine Angelini, Vampire Kisses 8: Cryptic Cravings by Ellen Schreiber and Something Deadly This Way Comes by Kim Harrison

Discovering this link was like a gold mine. I wish I had discovered it before I read most of the above books. But I own them all now, so I don’t need the look inside, but if you haven’t read them, be sure to check it out.

The Dark Days of the Supernatural and HarperTeen are offering chapter excerpts for their seven books, HERE.

Summer’s Crossing by Julie Kagawa is a free eBook novella in the Iron Fey series. It was released on June 1, 2011 in the U.S.

The Iron Fey series is absolutely charming and delightful. I cannot wait for The Iron Knight to be released and I’m so glad that the author has released another novella in the series to help bridge the gap between her next book’s release date.

I haven’t yet read it, but I believe Summer’s Crossing is told from Puck’s point of view. I did grab it before it was a freebie on Amazon, but also managed to snag the free version for my nook. I plan on reading it in the next couple of weeks as I just love the easy flow of the author’s writing.

It’s actually available for download from three sites – Harlequin, CLICK HERE, Barnes & Noble, CLICK HERE and Amazon, CLICK HERE.

Ten Things We Did (and Probably Shouldn’t Have) by Sarah Mlynowski was released on June 7, 2011.

This contemporary novel by author Sarah Mlynowski sounds like it will be a really fun read. I own a copy but haven’t yet read it. I’m just hoping it’s more sweet than bittersweet. And I haven’t checked out the sneak peek, but the publisher is giving readers another long look.

HarperTeen is giving readers a long look inside, HERE.

The Ivy: Secrets by Lauren Kunze and Rina Onur was released on May 31, 2011.

I have been trying to find the time to read the first book in the series so I can read this one immediately afterward. The Ivy sounds like a great series to read, and if you have read the first book but not the second, this sneak peek should give you a good look at what you can expect from this book.

I have not taken a look as I don’t want to risk any spoilers for book one.

HarperTeen is giving readers another long look inside, HERE.

The Vampire Diaries: Stefan’s Diaries Vol. 3 – The Craving was released in the U.S. on May 3, 2011.

I love L.J. Smith’s Vampire Diaries series. I haven’t yet read Midnight, but I did buy all of the books in this off-shoot series that ties in with the television show, because I love that too. This is the third book in the Stefan’s Diaries series of books so if you haven’t had a chance to read the first one, you may want to skip the peek.

However, if you check out HarperTeen’s “browse inside” feature, they do offer a number of peeks at various different Vampire Diaries books.

A look inside of The Craving is available from the publisher, HarperCollins, HERE.

Virtue by Amanda Hocking was released on May 27, 2011 in the U.S.

I downloaded the book the moment it was released but have not had a chance to read it. This story is a young adult fairytale and it promises a battle between good and evil.

I love the author’s writing and can’t wait to read her latest book which includes goblins, demon dogs and sea dragons. Sounds pretty epic to me.

You can check it out on Virtue’s blog, HERE.

Shade by Jeri Smith-Ready was released in the U.S. on May 4, 2010.

Shade is the first book in the series and the sequel, Shift, was released in May of this year. Both books are amazing, but Shade is still my favorite of the two. That ending is killer.

It is set in a world where a shift has taken place and those born after the shift have the ability to see shades. But there is an amazing love story, a bit of a love triangle, and a whole lot of heartbreak.

If you haven’t had a chance to read this series, check out the long look at the first 99 pages of Shade that Simon & Schuster is offering HERE.

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These are all great books and I hope you get a chance to read them. But it’s even nicer to get a long look inside before making the commitment. Happy reading!