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

These are books for the week of February 26th-March 4th that I have pre-ordered.

THE GODDESS INHERITANCE by Aimee Carter will be released in the U.S. on February 26, 2013 in paperback and eBook formats. It is currently available to pre-order online in both formats at AMAZON and BARNES & NOBLE.

Published by Harlequin Teen, the print edition is 304 pages.

THE GODDESS INHERITANCE is the third (and final?) full-length novel in Aimee Carter’s The Goddess Test series.

I think that THE GODDESS INHERITANCE is the final book in the Goddess Test series. I’m not sure I want it to be, but I think it is. While I may be a little behind on the series, I love the characters – yes I love Henry – and I can’t wait to read this next installment.

I did end up taking just a small peek at the description and I cannot believe the choice that Kate must face in this book. For those who are behind on this series I will say no more, as that description is super revealing about what happened in book two, GODDESS INTERRUPTED.

But I cannot wait to read both of these books back-to-back this March. As soon as I clear a couple more books off the pile I am going to reboot the series and read all three books.

If this is the final book, I hope that Kate and Henry get their happy ending. And I hope that the choice Kate makes doesn’t cost her everything. Although, as this is based on mythology, I’m not entirely certain it is even possible for it to end happily. Those stories always seemed to end tragically.

And even though I won’t get the chance to read this for a few more weeks, I’m super stoked that my copy will be downloading to my Kindle on Tuesday.

DUALED by Elsie Chapman will be released in the U.S. on February 26, 2013 in hardcover, audio and eBook formats. It is currently available to pre-order online in all formats at AMAZON and BARNES & NOBLE.

Published by Random House Books for Young Readers, the print edition is 304 pages.

DUALED is the first book in author Elsie Chapman’s new series of the same name. The sequel, DIVIDED, is slated for release in February 2014.

I can’t believe DUALED is finally releasing this week. When I first noticed this book, which seemed like a lifetime ago, I thought release date was so incredibly far away. Well it’s here. And now I’ll finally be able to take a look at this book that caught my eye those many months ago.

As DUALED was the book I spotlighted for my Book Watch post a few weeks back, I won’t go on and on here. Because I’ve already let it be known that this was the book I was most excited for this week.

I’ll be hiding from all reviews until I’ve had the chance to read it. Because I don’t want my read of this story to be swayed by someone else’s opinion. But if the description holds true and DUALED is as suspenseful and fast-paced and thought-provoking as promised, then there is no way I won’t fall madly in love with this story of “Alternate’s” and the harsh future it imagines.

I am hopeful I’ll be able to sneak in a read of this book in early March.

THE TROUBLE WITH FLIRTING by Claire LaZebnik will be released in the U.S. on February 26, 2013 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 336 pages.

I loved reading EPIC FAIL by Claire LaZebnik and so I’m super excited for the release of THE TROUBLE WITH FLIRTING. Of course I’ve had this pre-ordered since the moment I heard about it and I’m hoping to take a peek when it downloads on Tuesday.

This sounds like such a fun and delightful story. The description promises “mixed messages and romantic near-misses” and I cannot wait to see which messages are mixed and just who is sending them. Franny? Alex? Or is it Henry?

I have a feeling that Franny will get herself into just a little bit of trouble in this story, as the title hints. But I’m curious to see if there is a happy ending to her summer romance.

If I don’t get to devour this book in the next couple of weeks, I may take it on vacation with me at the end of March/beginning of April. It sounds like the perfect vacation read.

PULSE by Patrick Carman will be released in the U.S. on February 26, 2013 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, the print edition is 384 pages.

PULSE is the first book in author Patrick Carman’s new trilogy of the same name.

I was immediately drawn in by the cover for PULSE and when I received an early copy for review my curiosity was definitely piqued by the description. While I didn’t get the chance to read it prior to its release, I knew I had to pre-order a copy so that I could have this book in my collection.

I love stories dubbed “fantasy-adventure” and ones that promise to be “of epic proportions” are ones that will always find their way onto my radar. I am also, and have been for as long as I can remember, fascinated by telekinesis. So this story sounds like my kind of book.

I can’t wait to meet Dylan and Faith. I can’t wait to see how they both use their abilities. The description hints at action and a love story, but little else, so I’m dying to know just what happens in this first book in the series.

I am going to try and read this next week, especially as a reviewer I trust recommended it to me. Though, if not next week, then definitely the week after.

THE MADNESS UNDERNEATH by Maureen Johnson will be released in the U.S. on February 26, 2013 in hardcover, audio and eBook formats. It is currently available to pre-order in all formats at AMAZON and BARNES & NOBLE.

Published by Putnam Juvenile, the print edition is 304 pages.

THE MADNESS UNDERNEATH is the second book in author Maureen Johnson’s Shades of London series. The third book in the series is entitled THE SHADOW CABINET.

I have not yet read the first book in this series but I’ve had THE MADNESS UNDERNEATH pre-ordered for quite some time. I don’t know how many books are going to be a part of this series, but I wanted to have this sequel in my collection before I even considered beginning the Shades of London.

I loved getting the chance to read two of Maureen Johnson’s books back-to-back in 2011. And I wanted to be able to do the same with this series which sounds very different from that other one but equally as entertaining… if not more so.

I took a peek at the description – yeah, I can’t seem to help myself this week, can I? – and of course I’m fascinated by the fact that this sequel promises to be filled with “spectacularly gruesome details” and will “keep [me] on the edge of [my] seat until the very end.” I love books that make me cringe, shudder and want to race through them to see just what happens.

So, yeah… I am so unbelievably excited to finally get the chance to read THE NAME OF THE STAR and follow it up instantly with THE MADNESS UNDERNEATH. Even the title of this sequel is wicked, wicked awesome.

If I can’t squeeze these books onto my crowded reading pile in March, then they will definitely top the pile in early April. 

FRAGMENTS by Dan Wells will be released in the U.S. on February 26, 2013 in hardcover, audio and eBook formats. It is currently available to pre-order online in all formats at AMAZON and hardcover and eBook formats at BARNES & NOBLE.

Published by Balzer + Bray, the print edition is 576 pages.

FRAGMENTS is the second book in author Dan Wells’ Partials Sequence series.

I have not read PARTIALS by Dan Wells, but I have heard so many amazing things about it that I had to order the sequel, FRAGMENTS. Not only am I am majorly in love with both covers, but the story itself sounds incredible.

A society on the brink of extinction. A character, Kira, who must make a “desperate decision” to save her race. And not one but two books in this series the descriptions call “pulse-pounding.”

I cannot wait to meet Kira and find out what decision she made. And I cannot wait to see just what will happen to Kira, to the humans, to the Partials, in FRAGMENTS.

I am really, really hoping to be able to devour this series – including the novella, which I also own – this April, even though it sounds like there will be additional books in the series that will force me to wait as anxiously as others have had to wait for FRAGMENTS to be released.

THE WATCHER by Lisa Voisin officially releases in the U.S. on March 4, 2013 in paperback format. And it is currently available to order online at AMAZON and BARNES & NOBLE.

Published by Inkspell Publishing, the print edition is 508 pages.

I am so excited for the upcoming release of THE WATCHER by Lisa Voisin next Monday. While the paperback edition is already shipping, I’m hoping that it will be available electronically on March 4th so that I can read it on my Kindle.

If not, I suppose I’ll cave and buy the print edition because this book sounds seriously awesome. And with two of my favorite angel series having ended, I am desperate for a new story to fill the void.

I especially love stories about fallen angels. And a story where an angel fell because of someone sounds all sorts of amazing. If it was for love, that’s the ultimate in swoon-worthiness. If it was for revenge, that’s totally epic.

I cannot wait to meet Mia and Michael. I cannot wait to learn about this “past life of forbidden love, jealousy and revenge.” And I cannot wait to find out whether her story will end happily or end in destruction.

If it does release in eBook format I will definitely be reading this some time next week. If it is only releasing in print, then it’ll be the week thereafter. Either way I cannot wait.

WHAT WE BECOME (Those That Wake #2) by Jesse Karp

Pub. Date: February 26, 2013

Publisher: Harcourt Children’s Books

(AMAZON, BARNES & NOBLE)

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SCANDAL (The Ivy #4) by Lauren Kunze and Rina Onur

Pub. Date: February 26, 2013

Publisher: Dutton Juvenile

(AMAZON, BARNES & NOBLE)

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ME, HIM, THEM, AND IT by Caela Carter

Pub. Date: February 26, 2013

Publisher: Bloomsbury USA Childrens

(AMAZON, BARNES & NOBLE)

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REVENGE OF THE GIRL WITH THE GREAT PERSONALITY by Elizabeth Eulberg

Pub. Date: March 1, 2013

Publisher: Point

(AMAZON, BARNES & NOBLE)

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THE LOOK by Sophia Bennett

Pub. Date: March 1, 2013

Publisher: Chicken House

(AMAZON, BARNES & NOBLE)

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Some editions of EMBLAZE are being made available on March 1.

I’ll include it again next week as that’s when my pre-order will be available!

EMBLAZE (The Violet Eden Chapters #3) by Jessica Shirvington

Pub. Date: March 1 and March 5, 2013

Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire

(AMAZON, BARNES & NOBLE)

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ALSO KNOWN AS by Robin Benway

Pub. Date: February 26, 2013

Publisher: Walker Childrens

(AMAZON, BARNES & NOBLE)

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[Update]

I had one other book pre-ordered that I can’t believe I forgot to mention above!

WICKED KISS (Nightwatchers #2) by Michelle Rowen

Pub. Date: February 26, 2013

Publisher: Harlequin Teen

(AMAZON, BARNES & NOBLE)

[End of Update]

And so begins the storm. The calm is over. I have six books pre-ordered, one book I’m definitely ordering on release date, one book I’m waiting for the eBook release of and two other books I just know I’m going to end up buying – SCANDAL, as I own the other books in the series, and ALSO KNOWN AS, because that book looks like a lot of fun.

The fact that I got not one bit of reading done this past weekend has made me very, very, very nervous about the toppling pile of books I already have. With a potential ten… or more… new adds this week alone and I’m freaking out. BIG TIME!

Well, I suppose I’ll just have to keep taking it one book at a time and hope that some day I’ll have all the time in the world to just keep reading. Something I want to do right now. Instead of rambling any further on this post.

So….

I hope a few of those titles above are ones you have been waiting on and now have less than a day to wait for their release. And I hope that if they are books in a series the wait for the very next installment isn’t too torturous.

And… if you are heading to the bookstore to buy those lovely tomes in print, I wish you luck in finding the reads you want and not getting too carried away with those “impulse buys.”

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!

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 March 6th-March 12th that I have pre-ordered.

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Embrace by Jessica Shirvington will be released in the U.S. on March 6, 2012 in hardcover and eBook formats. It is currently available to pre-order online in both formats at Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

Published by Sourcebooks Fire, the print edition is 4oo pages.

Embrace is the first book in The Violet Eden Chapters by author Jessica Shirvington.

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I actually discovered Embrace during a cover reveal that many of the blogs I stalk were hosting. I thought the cover was beautiful so I decided to add it to my pre-orders for this week.

I may have fallen for the cover, but this book sounds so awesome. Haunting dreams. Fallen angels seeking vengeance. Protectors of humanity. And a boy with a secret identity who knows the truth about the main character, Violet Eden. Yep, awesome.

And I love that this book is the first in a new series that seems to have sequels releasing every six months. Enticed will be available in September 2012 and Emblaze will be released in March of 2013.

Balthazar by Claudia Gray will be released in the U.S. on March 6, 2012 in hardcover 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 384 pages.

Balthazar is a spin-off book in author Claudia Gray’s Evernight series.

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I can’t believe I haven’t read Balthazar yet and my pre-order will be downloading to my Kindle in just a few hours. Of course I still have to catch up on Afterlife, but I thought I’d have done that by now.

I love this author’s series. It was one of the series that surprised me so totally when I first discovered it and I was devastated when I caught up on the series and had to wait for each book’s release. And Balthazar is one of my favorite characters in the series.

As I’ve already spotlighted Balthazar for my Book Watch post and I just recently rambled on about it in this month’s Extras post, I won’t blather for a third time. But I can’t wait to find out just what happens to Balthazar and whether or not he gets his very own happily ever after.

Rivals by Lauren Kunz and Rina Onur will be released in the U.S. on March 6, 2012 in hardcover and eBook formats. It is currently available online to pre-order in both formats at Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

Published by Greenwillow Books, an imprint of HarperCollins, the print edition is 384 pages.

Rivals is the third book in The Ivy series by the authors.

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I have the first two books in The Ivy series on my Kindle although they are still on my TBR pile. This third book, Rivals, sounds like it will be just as exciting as the first two sound and so I decided to pre-order it.

I love the tagline tucked away at the top – Choose him or lose him. Of course I wonder who Callie will choose and just who she’ll lose… and I’m super curious to find out if she’ll have made the right choice.

The idea of rivalries sounds like it can make for one incredibly wicked read. I can’t wait to finally get a few days downtime so I can devour this series.

Where it Began by Ann Redisch Stampler will be released in the U.S. on March 6, 2012 in hardcover and eBook formats. It is currently available to pre-order online in both formats at Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

Published by Simon Pulse, an imprint of Simon & Schuster, the print edition is 384 pages.

Where it Began is one of the books that can be chosen for the 2012 Debut Author Challenge hosted by Kristi at TheStorySiren.com.

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I am so incredibly thrilled that Where it Began is releasing this week and I’ll have this book back in my hands. I had an ARC but knew I couldn’t read it before release so I pre-ordered it for my Kindle. Well, release date is just about here.

I can’t wait to meet Gabby and find out what really happened before and after the accident in which Billy went missing. I don’t know if I’ll be heartbroken or surprised or shocked to my very core, but I can’t wait to find out.

I love books that give me that feeling of nervous anticipation, and Where it Began is definitely one of those.

Vampire’s Kiss by Veronica Wolff will be released in the U.S. on March 6, 2012 in paperback and eBook formats. It is currently available to pre-order online in both formats at Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

Published by NAL Trade, the print edition is 304 pages.

Vampire’s Kiss is the second book in The Watchers series by author Veronica Wolff.

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While I’d heard about this series around the time the first book was releasing, I only really checked it out in detail with the upcoming release of Vamire’s Kiss. I do own the first book in the series, but hadn’t taken a long look at it when I bought it and it’s still on my TBR pile. I just knew it looked interesting and that it was about vampires and that I had to have it.

But now that this second book in the series is due for release and will be downloading to my Kindle, I am just dying to read both books. Especially before the third book comes out this summer. As I mentioned in my Extra’s post there are bad boys. And they are vampires. And there is an undercover mission by the main character, Drew, to save one of them.

I seriously hope that I can catch up on this series in the next few weeks, because I really, really want to meet these characters.

Soul Bound by Mari Mancusi will be released in the U.S. on March 6, 2012 in paperback and eBook formats. It is currently available online to pre-order in both formats at Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

Published by Berkley Trade, the print edition is 272 pages.

Soul Bound is the seventh book in the Blood Coven series by the author.

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I adore this series. I love both characters – Sunny and Rayne – and with each book in the series their situation seems to get darker. I have been keeping an eye on this next book’s release and I can’t believe it’s releasing this week. Finally.

I have to read the previous book in the series, but I sort of held off on purpose. They’re super quick reads and I like reading both Sunny and Rayne’s stories back-to-back without a long gap between reads. So, now that Rayne’s story is out, I can read both.

I thought I’d only love Rayne’s story, who I met first. But Sunny grew on me pretty quickly and now I love reading each of their stories. I did peek at the description, but did not peek at the super spoiler-y excerpt which I linked in my Extra’s post a few days ago. Although I’m so tempted.

I hope Rayne isn’t forced to choose between her own safety and her sister’s. I hope she finds a loophole so that Sunny and Magnus can remain free. And I hope the cliff that this book leaves me on – because there has got to be a cliff – isn’t too torturous.

Illuminate by Aimee Agresti will be released in the U.S. on March 6, 2012 in hardcover and eBook formats. It is currently available to pre-order online in both formats at Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

Published by Harcourt Children’s Books, the print edition is 528 pages.

Illuminate is one of the books that can be chosen for the 2012 Debut Author Challenge hosted by Kristi at TheStorySiren.com.

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The cover for Illuminate is beautiful, but even more, the book sounds amazing. I traded for an ARC without knowing anything about this debut novel, but it wasn’t until I took a look at the description that I was totally sold. And so I just had to pre-order it for my Kindle.

While I haven’t yet had the chance to read it, this book will definitely be read soon. I’m hoping I can devour it in early May at the very latest because I really want to meet Haven Terra. I absolutely love her name. Totally unforgettable.

If I had known that this wasn’t a YA historical fiction – I think I judged it so based on the cover – this would totally have made my original 2012 DAC list. I love books set in hotels. Yes, this one may not be as creepy as my favorite hotel or the one with a room that has absorbed all sorts of evil, but with the hoteliers being buyers of souls, I’d say this one sounds like my kind of book.

Katana by Cole Gibsen will be released in the U.S. on March 8, 2012 in paperback and eBook formats. It is currently available to pre-order online in both formats at Amazon and in paperback format at Barnes & Noble.

Published by Flux, the print edition is 384 pages.

Katana is one of the books that can be chosen for the 2012 Debut Author Challenge hosted by Kristi at TheStorySiren.com.

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I can’t wait to finally get the finished copy of Katana when it releases later this week. I love books where the heroines are fierce and know how to wield a sword. And based upon the cover, the heroine might be able to wield two at a time. Wicked.

I have not yet read a YA book where a character was channeling a Japanese warrior spirit. Nor have I read any YA book in which there were ninjas. But I have seen Kill Bill and if Rileigh is as fierce as the heroine in that film, then I think I’ll definitely love this book.

While I may not get to read it immediately, it is one of my 2012 DAC books and one I might just have to take a peek at when it downloads this week.

Masters of the Veil by Daniel A. Cohen

Pub. Date: March 1, 2012

Published by: Spencer Hill Press

(Amazon, Barnes & Noble)

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{Note: All covers link to the books on Goodreads}

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March is starting off perfectly. There are some seriously awesome new books releasing this week. And I think I’ve got all the YA titles ordered as I haven’t found any other books of note that are coming out this week.

However, I did include one book of note, Masters of the Veil by Daniel A. Cohen, that came out on March 1st. I didn’t include in it last week’s new releases post as it wasn’t available to pre-order in eBook format. But as I downloaded it this weekend, I thought I’d include it with this week’s post.

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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!

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.

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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!

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 31st-June 6th that I have pre-ordered.

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Nightspell by Leah Cypess will be released in the U.S. on Tuesday, May 31, 2011 in hardcover and eBook formats. It is currently available online to pre-order at Amazon and Barnes & Noble in both formats.

Published by Greenwillow Books, a division of HarperCollins, the print edition is 336 pages.

I have had Nightspell on pre-order for ages. I bought the eBook for Mistwood right before I started blogging, but it’s currently in my TBR pile. It’s one of the books I am dying to read, but since I started blogging I just haven’t had the time to move it to the top of the pile.

I am debating whether or not to read Nightspell before I read Mistwood as it mentions that it is a standalone companion novel in the series, but I’m somewhat wary. I tend to like to read books in the order they’re released, so I haven’t made up my mind just yet.

I really want to find out more about Ghostland and this book has sorcerers, spells, warriors and…you guessed it – ghosts! (And handsome ones at that.) So, I am going to make it my mission to read Mistwood just so that I can unlock the mysteries of Nightspell.

HarperTeen is giving readers a look inside Nightspell, HERE.

As I haven’t yet found a trailer for Nightspell, here is the trailer for Mistwood:

The Eternal Sea by Angie Frazier, the second book in the Everlasting series, will be released in the U.S. on June 1, 2011. It is currently available to pre-order online at Amazon and Barnes & Noble in hardcover format only.

Published by Scholastic Press, the print edition is 368 pages.

The Eternal Sea is a book that I bid on and won an ARC of in a charity auction. I’ve also owned Everlasting in eBook format for quite some time and had wanted to read both books before release date, but June has come up too quickly.

I am hoping to read both this month as this series looks amazing and the description of Eternal Sea (which I shouldn’t have read before reading Everlasting) completely got me hooked.

I love books involving immortality and true love. And according to the description this story has both, but a curse threatens everything and puts the main character, Camille, and her love in danger. While I always secretly hope for happily ever after, without a fight to keep it, it isn’t nearly as exciting.

As The Eternal Sea is not yet available as an eBook, I will be buying the finished copy in hardcover on release date if the eBook isn’t released on that date.

Book trailer for Everlasting, the first book in the series:

Starcrossed by Josephine Angelini will be released in the U.S. on May 31, 2011 in hardcover and eBook formats. It is available online to pre-order at Amazon and Barnes & Noble in both formats.

Published by HarperTeen, a division of HarperCollins, the print edition is 496 pages.

Starcrossed is one of the books that can be chosen for the 2011 Debut Author Challenge hosted by Kristi at TheStorySiren.com.

I have already spotlighted Starcrossed in my “Book Watch” post, so I promise to keep this super short. Destiny, demigods, myths and legends, beautiful cover. Amazing writing. What more could I want in a book? Nothing.

This book (which I’ve already started reading) is amazing. I can’t wait for the eBook to download, but I also managed to snag a hard copy at the bookstore today. It’s even more beautiful than the very flat jpg image that I’d been staring at for months.

To read an excerpt of Starcrossed, courtesy of the publisher, HarperTeen, CLICK HERE.

Book trailer for Starcrossed:

The Ivy: Secrets by Lauren Kunze and Rina Onur will be released in the U.S. on May 31, 2011 in hardcover and eBook formats. It is currently available to pre-order online at Amazon and Barnes & Noble in both formats.

Published by Greenwillow Books, a division of HarperCollins, the print edition is 320 pages.

I had a chance to get an ARC through a trade, but hadn’t realized it was a sequel at the time. I still have to read the first book, and this one, but I had flipped through the ARC and also listened to the authors discuss the book on YouTube.

This series sounded so amazing that I bought the first book for my Kindle and pre-ordered Secrets. I just have to get the time to read both. I’m so curious to find out what happened to Callie her first semester at Harvard and then to find out what happens in this installment with this group of back-stabbing, power-hungry Ivy Leaguers.

It sounds as if surviving Harvard’s courses are the least of Callie’s problems and I can’t even imagine what she might have done that’s making her keep so many secrets.

To read an excerpt of The Ivy: Secrets, courtesy of HarperTeen, CLICK HERE.

Forgiven by Janet Fox will be released in the U.S. on June 2, 2011 in paperback and eBook formats. It is currently available to pre-order online in both formats at Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

Published by Speak, the print edition is 288 pages.

I have an ARC of Forgiven which is on my reading pile this week. But I had this book on pre-order in eBook format for awhile. I’m definitely a historical young adult fiction newbie, but this book sounded intriguing and based on the author’s writing style it looks like one I think I’ll really enjoy.

I definitely have cover love for this book, and the character’s name, Kula, is very memorable and different. I can’t wait to see what life in San Francisco is like through Kula’s eyes and to find out whether she gets accepted into society and finds true love.

Queen of the Dead by Stacey Kade, the second book in The Ghost and the Goth series, will be released in the U.S. on May 31, 2011. It is available to pre-order online in hardcover format only at Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

Published by Hyperion Books for Children, a division of Disney Book Group, the print edition is 272 pages.

I had this book on pre-order ever since I heard the author speak at the RT Convention in Los Angeles, but spotted a copy in the bookstore early, so I bought it. (It’s always better to have it now, rather than having to wait.) When I heard her talking about her first book in the series,  The Ghost and the Goth, it sounded so awesome and the type of book I would totally enjoy.

I have the eARC of Queen of the Dead through NetGalley, and have both books on my reading pile this week, but I knew I’d want to have this one for my collection. Just hearing the author speak about her writing process and a little bit about what went into creating this book made this one a definite must read for me. And yes, I am glad this series will continue beyond the two books.

This second installment in the series does not sound like much fun for Alona. A homecoming queen turned ghost who has to work and then has to worry about her family moving on and her only connection to the living world, Will, not paying her quite enough attention, is surely not an ideal afterlife. Oh, and according to this description there’s a huge cliffhanger.

Cascade by Lisa T. Bergren, the second book in the River of Time series, will be released in the U.S. on June 1, 2011. It is currently available to pre-order online at Amazon and Barnes & Noble in paperback and eBook formats.

Published by David C. Cook, the print edition is 416 pages.

Cascade is another book I have on my reading pile for this week, as I received an eARC for review from the author. But I have this book on pre-order in eBook format, as I know I’ll want it for my collection. I recently read Waterfall and I can’t wait to start reading Cascade.

I just love the world that the author has created and can’t wait to head back to the fourteenth century to see what happens next. I have loved stories about traveling through time since forever and this series is no exception.

I don’t know much about what’s in store for this installment, but I can’t wait to find out, and I’m glad I get to read it a few days before its release.

To read an excerpt of Cascade, courtesy of Scribd, CLICK HERE.

Torrent, the third book in the series releases in September.

Book trailer for Waterfall, the first book in the series:

The Vampire Stalker by Allison Van Diepen will be released in the U.S. on June 1, 2011 in hardcover format. It is currently available to pre-order online at Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

Published by Point, a division of Scholastic, the print edition is 272 pages.

The Vampire Stalker is another one on my pile this week. I have a printed ARC but will be ordering the finished copy on release date in eBook format if it’s available or in print format if it’s not. This is one I’ll definitely want for my collection as I love the author’s writing and own a few of her books already.

I absolutely love that this story is about a girl who falls for the main character in a story she’s reading who manages to escape the pages of the book and become a reality in order to track down a vampire.

I really hope their love story works out, as it would be totally devastating if he had to return to the story and leave her heartbroken. I think I will be keeping my fingers crossed while I read this one.

To read an excerpt of chapter one from the author’s website, CLICK HERE.

Book trailer for The Vampire Stalker:

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For those eBook fans, The Girl in the Steel Corset comes out in eBook format on June 1, just over a week after the hardcover edition was released.

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I cannot believe how many new releases there are this week, especially since Simon & Schuster doesn’t seem to have any books coming out this week. I have all of these either pre-ordered or already purchased and I can’t wait to start reading them all.

Next week is another huge week and so is June 14th. I’m stuck somewhere between being ecstatic and slightly frantic. And my wallet is completely giving me the evil eye. So, I’m just ignoring it.

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, let me know!

They’re back! For those times when you just need a short break from reading. Here, for your viewing pleasure, are a few amazing book trailers for just some of the upcoming books releasing this June.

I included a couple trailers from May 31st as the May trailers came out so late and I just wanted to make sure that they weren’t missed.

I hope that trailers will be made for some amazing June releases, just a few of which are – Hourglass, The Revenant, and Trial by Fire.

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Starcrossed by Josephine Angelini

Release date: May 31, 2011

(HarperTeen)

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The Ivy: Secrets by Lauren Kunze and Rina Onur

Release date: May 31, 2011

(HarperTeen) – Not a trailer. The authors talk about the series

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The Vampire Stalker by Allison Van Diepen

Release date: June 1, 2011

(Scholastic Teens)

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Hereafter by Tara Hudson

Release date: June 7, 2011

(HarperTeen)

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Passion by Lauren Kate

Release date: June 14, 2011

(Kids at Randomhouse) – I had this in May, but it’s here for comparison with the Australian version

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Passion by Lauren Kate

Release date: June 14, 2011

(Randomhouse Australia) – The official trailer for the Australian release of Passion

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A Need So Beautiful by Suzanne Young

Release date: June 21, 2011

(HarperTeen)

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Haunting Violet by Alyxandra Harvey

Release date: June 21, 2011

(Bloomsbury Kids)

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Luminous by Dawn Metcalf

Release date: June 30, 2011

(Dawn Metcalf)

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We hope you enjoyed the lovely distractions. Stay tuned…we’ll be back with our regularly scheduled programming later today.