Yes we’re back with this month’s “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.

I know I’m a little late this month, but better late than never. Especially for free stuff! And since I am a little late, I’ve included a peek at an October release I can’t wait for.

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Beautiful Chaos by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl will be released in the U.S. on October 18, 2011.

Beautiful Chaos is the third book in the Beautiful Creatures series. The title really says it all. According to the description, when Ethan Wate returns home, Gatlin has gone haywire and is in complete chaos. If that wasn’t enough, his dreams, which are haunted, don’t seem to be staying dreams anymore.

But the worst thing of all is that the description promises, “this time there won’t be a happy ending.”

Oh. No.

To get a look at the first thirteen pages, CLICK HERE.

The Girl of Fire and Thorns by Rae Carson will be released in the U.S. on September 20, 2011.

The Girl of Fire and Thorns is the first book in a new series of the same name. The second book, Crown of Embers is slated for publication in 2012 and the third book, The Bitter Kingdom in 2013.

This is the story of a girl who is meant to fulfill a prophecy, who is secretly married to a king and whose enemies hunt her. It’s a story of a princess who meets a man who sees her differently from everyone else and to whom she may just fall in love.

I’m intrigued.

To get a long look inside courtesy of the publisher, CLICK HERE.

Enthralled by Melissa Marr, Kelley Armstrong, Rachel Vincent and many, many more, will be released in the U.S. on September 20, 2011.

Enthralled is an awesome collection of paranormal stories written by some of the top authors in the genre, including Rachel Vincent, Claudia Gray, Melissa Marr, Rachel Caine, Kelley Armstrong, Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl, with the common thread of “journeying” to tie them together.

This has been a book I’ve been dying to get my hands on for months. I’m glad the wait is now less than two weeks.

To get a nice long look inside, courtesy of HarperTeen, CLICK HERE.

Cold Kiss by Amy Garvey will be released in the U.S. on September 20, 2011.

Cold Kiss is author Amy Garvey’s young adult debut and it sounds absolutely heartbreaking. Wren loses her boyfriend in a car accident. She brings him back from the dead, but it sounds as if Danny isn’t quite who he used to be and she begins to fall for someone else.

No matter what she chooses to do, I can’t imagine any of those choices being easy or being painless, and I do expect there might be some tears involved with this read.

Once again HarperTeen is giving readers a long look inside, HERE.

Beautiful Days by Anna Godbersen will be released in the U.S. on September 20, 2011.

Beautiful Days is the second book in the Bright Young Things series. If you haven’t yet read the first book in the series, Bright Young Things is currently being offered as a free eBook download at Amazon and Barnes & Noble. (See the very next Extra in this post.)

This series is set in 1929 during the Jazz Age in New York and follows Cordelia Grey, Letty Larkspur and Astrid Donal. This sequel continues their story during an age when the nights are filled with parties and excitement.

And with a description that hints at even more danger, heartbreak and romance, this is a new series I can’t wait to discover.

To get a sneak peek courtesy of the publisher, CLICK HERE.

Bright Young Things by Anna Godbersen was released in the U.S. on October 12, 2010.

This is the first book in a series set during the Jazz Age in 1929 New York. Two small town girls, Cordelia and Letty, head to the big city, one seeking stardom and the other trying to track down her father. And when they arrive, they discover a world that is opulent, exciting and dangerous.

The story also introduces Astrid, a beautiful and wealthy flapper, who comes from a family with much to hide. Bright Young Things is just the beginning of each of their stories.

Bright Young Things is currently being offered as a free eBook download at Amazon and Barnes & Noble and includes Bonus Material.

To download the eBook from Amazon, CLICK HERE.

To download the eBook from Barnes & Noble, CLICK HERE.

Fateful by Claudia Gray will be released in the U.S. on September 13, 2011.

This new book, with its beautiful cover, by author Claudia Gray is set aboard the Titanic where the passengers consist not only of humans, but of werewolves. While the future of the ship is certain, the fates of Tess, the main character, and Alec, the boy she falls in love with, are not.

Whether it’s Alec’s dark past or the ship’s tragic end, things do not look promising for the future of these two characters, who have the odds seriously stacked against them.

HarperTeen is giving readers a long look inside, HERE.

Drink Slay Love by Sarah Beth Durst will be released in the U.S. on September 13, 2011.

Drink Slay Love sounds like it will be a whole lot of fun and a story filled with all sorts of sarcastic goodness. The main character is a teenage vampire who happens to develop a conscience after being stabbed by a unicorn. A unicorn! And since she is able to see her reflection and walk around during the day, she may just be becoming human.

As someone who is now straddling both worlds, she’ll eventually have to make a choice who to side with.

And according to the description there will also be a few “gorgeous vampires,” and “handsome were-unicorns.” Yum?

To take a peek inside on the author’s website, CLICK HERE.

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And for another chance to take a peek at some of the books that are available now, check them out, below.

Witch Eyes by Scott Tracey was released in the U.S. today, September 8, 2011.

This story had me hooked from its opening lines, which coincidentally can be found in the long look inside provided by the publisher. Braden Michaels leaves for Belle Dam in an attempt to protect his Uncle. What he finds there, aside from the utterly gorgeous Trey, is a town that is in the middle of a feud.

The line has been drawn between two families of powerful witches. Jason Thorpe on the one side and Catherine Lansing on the other.

And caught somewhere in the middle of it all is Braden, with an incredible power that is important that he hide. Witch eyes. Which give him ability to see the world as it actually exists and to unravel any magic spell he encounters.

To get a look at the first five chapters of Witch Eyes, which released today, CLICK HERE.

Vanish by Sophie Jordan was released in the U.S. on September 6, 2011.

This is the second book in the Firelight series by author Sophie Jordan. As I haven’t yet read the first book, I’ve been hiding from all conversation about this sequel and have refused to look at the description for fear of spoilers.

But if this sequel is anything like Firelight is described, then this story will be just as magical and heartbreaking as the first and will continue the story for Jacinda, a girl descended from dragons, and Will, a hunter and enemy of her kind.

The publisher, HarperTeen, is giving readers a long look inside, HERE.

Pitch Dark’s Dark Days Sampler features excerpts from Supernaturally, Fateful, Cold Kiss, A Beautiful Dark and Eve. It was released on September 6, 2011.

When I noticed this on Amazon last week I had to pre-order it. Although I have all the upcoming books pre-ordered, own a few of the ARCs, and have already read one of them, I just couldn’t pass up this free eBook sampler.

While I have links in this post to excerpts of a couple of the books in the sampler, those links are to online reads, and by downloading the sampler you can take it with you almost anywhere.

It is currently available as a free Kindle eBook download at Amazon, HERE.

The Beginning of After by Jennifer Castle was released in the U.S. on September 6, 2011.

This book’s description tells a rather heartbreaking tale. It is the story of a teenage girl who loses her parents and her brother in a car accident. Her life in turmoil, she develops a connection with the boy whose mother also died in the accident and whose father is in a coma.

While this book sounds like it will be so terribly, terribly sad, I am hopeful that the connection these two characters make will bring a spark of joy to this tragic story.

The publisher, HarperTeen, is giving readers a long look inside, HERE.

Blood Bound by Rachel Vincent was released in the U.S. on August 23, 2011.

Blood Bound is an utterly addicting new series by author Rachel Vincent, aimed at an adult audience. This new world she created in the Unbound series is dark, gritty and electrifying.

In this world, filled with the Skilled who have the ability to track you down with something as simple as a name, the danger of being found and bound to one of the two crime families that control the city is always present.

This first book is Liv and Cam’s story and is definitely one not to be missed.

To take a peek at the first chapter of this book on the author’s website, CLICK HERE.

The Power of Six by Pittacus Lore was released in the U.S. on August 23, 2011.

This sequel to I Am Number Four in the Lorien Legacies is Seven’s story. The six that remain of the original nine who escaped from the Mogadorians are still in hiding. But Seven is ready to fight and has just been waiting for a sign.

And John Smith’s escape may be just that.

To check out the first five chapters on the book’s Facebook page, CLICK HERE.

Dream Dark by Karmi Garci and Margaret Stohl was released in the U.S. on August 2, 2011.

This short eBook novella, which also includes a peek at the first five chapters of Beautiful Chaos, is the story of Link’s transformation and is set before the events in the upcoming third book in the series.

So as not to spoil anything for those who haven’t met Link, I have been purposely vague about just what kind of transformation Link’s going through.

But for those who want to know more, a quick peek at this novella is available, HERE.

Haunting the Night by Mara Purnhagen was released in the U.S. on August 1, 2011.

This novella in the Past Midnight series is set before Beyond the Grave, the third full-length book. According to the description, instead of going to Prom and spending time with her boyfriend Noah, Charlotte Silver is looking for answers about everything that happened to her and her family.

And it seems she may just get some.

It is currently available as a free eBook download from Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

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

Really, what more can I say. Anyone who’s stopped by the blog knows just how much I love this book about these incredibly unique gods and goddesses and especially Ashline Wilde, a Polynesian volcano goddess with a serious kick-butt attitude.

And for anyone looking for an ending that will absolutely rock your world, Wildefire is a book not to be missed.

In case you haven’t yet decided to grab a copy, the publisher, Simon & Schuster, is still offering a nice peek inside, HERE.

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I have read a few, but not all of the books in the above list. And I have grabbed all the free eBooks for both my nook and my Kindle – which at the moment is DOA – but that’s what the Kindle App is for.

I am super excited about these upcoming releases, and for those that have already released, well, they are some of my favorites. Most of these books I either own or I have pre-ordered, but for the ones I haven’t yet have a chance to discover, getting a free download or being able to take a long look inside is such a great thing.

So, for your reading pleasure, I’ve included them here. Happy reading!

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

Here are the books for the week of March 1st-7th that I have ordered or am purchasing on release date.

Demonglass is the second book in the Hex Hall series by author Rachel Hawkins. It will be released on March 1, 2011 in the U.S. in hardcover and eBook formats.

It is available for pre-order from Amazon and Barnes & Noble in both formats.

Published by Hyperion Books, the print edition is 368 pages.

UPDATE: Click here to read the excerpt.

I only recently read Hex Hall and I’ve heard nothing but amazing things about this sequel. This is one of the first books that I’ve actually read reviews for – non spoiler-y ones anyway – as I couldn’t wait to get some insight into the sequel.

The first book was immensely entertaining and I’ve heard there is much more action in this one. Author Rachel Hawkins is a fantastic writer and I love the world that was created for Sophie.

If you haven’t read Hex Hall you’ll only need the one day as it is such a quick read and one you won’t be able to put down. Plenty of time for you to catch up before the Tuesday release of Demonglass.

If you’d like to read my review of Hex Hall click here.

If you want to learn more about Demonglass from my “Book Watch” post click here.

Clarity is the debut young adult novel for author Kim Harrington. It will be released in the U.S. on March 1, 2011 in hardcover and eBook formats. It is available for pre-order in both formats at Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

Published by Point (Scholastic) the print edition is 256 pages.

Clarity is one of the books that can be chosen for the 2011 Debut Author Challenge hosted by Kristi at TheStorySiren.com. It is one of my original twelve picks.

I don’t know too much about the book, except that it’s gotten positive feedback from those who’ve read it. It’s dubbed a “paranormal murder mystery” and I love mysteries.

The main character, Clarity, has the ability to see things through visions she gets from touch, and it’s her abilities that will help her in solving a murder.

I have not read any excerpts, just the book description, but I will definitely read this one soon – can’t wait- and as it’s a short book, it can easily be read in one sitting.

Falling Under is the debut young adult novel for author Gwen Hayes. It will also be releasing on March 1, 2011 in paperback and eBook formats in the U.S. It is currently available for pre-order in both formats at Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

Published by NAL Trade the print edition is 336 pages.

Falling Under is also one of the books that can be chosen for the 2011 Debut Author Challenge hosted by Kristi at TheStorySiren.com. Although not one of my original twelve choices this was a book I’ve had on pre-order for awhile and was definitely planning on reading in 2011.

I chose to buy this book simply because of the cover, and then because of its description. I have been anticipating this book’s release for quite some time now and am so glad it’s finally here.

I hope to read this book this week, although due to the overwhelming number of February TBRs I might not get to read this until next week. But I will NOT let this one move down the list as it looks amazing.

If you’d like to read the Goodreads description or watch the trailer, check out my Book Watch post here.

The Liar Society is the debut novel for authors Lisa and Laura Roecker. It will be released in the U.S. on March 1, 2011 in paperback and eBook formats. It is now available for pre-order from Amazon in both formats and Barnes & Noble in paperback only.

Published by Sourcebooks Fire, the paperback is 368 pages.

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

If you haven’t been on Twitter you may not have seen any of the authors or bloggers who have “pinked” their avatars/profile images. And if you had seen it, but had no idea why, this book and these authors are why.

It was the pink that first drew me to this book. I had been following the authors on Twitter and had the book on my TBR on Goodreads but only really took note of their book after all the pinked hairdos started cropping up. Everywhere.

I did not have this on my list of DAC picks, but it is one I will definitely be reading. And it just recently became available for the Kindle so of course I ordered it.

The premise is fun – how many characters get email messages from the deceased – and mysterious. This is another great release to start off March the right way!

If you’d like to watch the trailer for this book, check out my post for March trailers here, which includes the trailers for some other March releases.

The Vespertine by author Saundra Mitchell will be released in the U.S. on March 7, 2011 in hardcover and eBook formats. (Although Amazon has been shipping out the print versions for over a week now, at least. I got mine last Monday.)

It is available for pre-order from Amazon and Barnes & Noble in both formats.

Published by Harcourt Children’s Books the hardcover is 304 pages.

I was drawn to The Vespertine for its beautiful cover. Not typically the type of book I would read – historical fiction – there was something about the plot that made me want to read this. Secrets, prophecies and forbidden romance all make for a very intriguing tale.

I received an eARC for this book which I’ll be reviewing this week, and also have the hardcover which I bought from Amazon simply to see if they’d really send it pre-release. I am also pre-ordered for the Kindle version. So, yes. I do want to read this book.

One Hundred Candles by Mara Purnhagen came out on February 15, 2011 in paperback in the U.S. I’m including it here this week as the eBook, which is available for pre-order from Amazon and Barnes & Noble, is releasing on March 1st and that’s the version I’ve opted to purchase.

Published by Harlequin TEEN, the paperback edition is 240 pages.

This book came out in paperback on February 15th, but not in eBook format. And, as I’ve only purchased the electronic version I’ve included it this week instead. If you are an eReader junkie like I am perhaps you’ve also waited until now to buy.

I have read this book as I had an eARC for review and it was my favorite of the series. While I completely enjoyed all the books, this one had just something extra and a dark ending that left me surprised, shocked and wanting more.

The link to the free eBook for the novella Raising the Dead which takes place just prior to this second book in the series can be found in my sidebar on the right.

If you’d like to read my review of One Hundred Candles or read the Goodreads description, click here.

Outside In is the second book in the series by Maria V. Snyder. It was released in paperback format on February 15, 2011 in the U.S., but the eBook format is releasing this week on March 1, 2011. It is now available for pre-order from both Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

Published by Harlequin TEEN, the paperback is 336 pages.

Outside In is another book that released earlier in paperback format than in electronic format. But as I have only purchased the eBook version it is included in this week’s Book Watch: Releasing This Week post.

I was fortunate to have received an eARC of the book prior to its release, and have already read and reviewed this book. But I am still adding the finished copy to my collection as I thoroughly enjoyed this series.

This is the second book in the series and it has a lot more action than the first book, although that one is still my favorite of the two.

If you have read the first book you will definitely want to read this, and if you haven’t read Inside Out then you should. It is part dystopian novel, part mystery and part sci-fi. And if you’re not a fan of science fiction, don’t worry, there is only a hint of it in the story.

If you would like to read my review, get links to an excerpt or read the Goodreads description, click here.

One Hundred Candles is the second full-length book in the Past Midnight series by author Mara Purnhagen. It was released in the U.S. in paperback format on February 15, 2011 and is available online at Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

The eBook format will available on March 1, 2011 and is currently available for pre-order at Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

Published by Harlequin TEEN, the paperback edition is 240 pages.

Spending her Christmas break at an insane asylum was unusual, even for Charlotte Silver, daughter of two famous paranormal investigators. Wandering the cold and empty halls of an abandoned mental facility just didn’t scream “happy holidays.”

Lately it seemed that no matter where she went, paranormal entities seemed to follow. And a sanitarium in Ohio was no exception.

But this time there was no mystery about what what it wanted. Someone had to be punished. Someone crossed the line. And that someone was Charlotte.

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One Hundred Candles is the second full-length book in the Past Midnight Series. A couple of uneventful months have passed and Charlotte is still trying to figure out exactly what happened in Charleston.

When her family goes to Ohio to investigate paranormal activity at an abandoned insane asylum, she is targeted by an angry entity that wants her to pay for what she’d seen. Fortunately, whatever this thing is doesn’t seem to follow her back home.

Everything was going fine until the night she took part in the one hundred candles game, which, if done right, was to open the door for one hundred spirits. And when what seem to be the very same spirits talked about in the game begin to appear at the school, Charlotte wonders whether it is really those summoned spirits, a hoax or the malevolent entity from Ohio coming for her.

One Hundred Candles is an absolutely riveting story with a mystery that deepens and a pace that continues to escalate. It is much darker, and more tension-filled and action-packed, than the first book in the series, with an exciting and astonishing end.

Once again there are two very harmonious storylines, but this time both include a paranormal element. This story has all the good stuff that the first book has, but on steroids.

From the drama at home, to the mystery at school, to the underlying threat of repercussions from the encounter in Ohio, Author Mara Purnhagen has significantly increased the suspense levels in this book, all leading up to the explosive conclusion.

This story is perfect for readers who love a mystery with a paranormal twist and the torment that is the norm for teenage girls.

Reviewer gives this book ★★★★★

On a personal note:

I was all set to like this book just as much as the first, but somewhere in the middle of the story I started thinking it was pretty freaking fantastic. And I was completely unprepared for just how good it got in the last twenty percent of the book.

I cannot wait for the next book to come out to find out what happens next with Charlotte and if she does manage to graduate without any more supernatural beings getting in her way. (I’m thinking probably not.)

I hope that we get to see more Avery and Jared in the next book. Even though Avery was in the picture she just wasn’t as connected to the story as she was in the first book. And I hope we have a lot more Noah.

The only things I would say pulled me out of the story were the flashbacks. I like the use of flashbacks – and they existed in Past Midnight but fairly infrequently – but they were used in this book much more often. And when I’d turn a page expecting to see what happened next, it was actually much later, and it sometimes took a second to figure that out. Then Charlotte would flashback to tell what was missed.

I liked Charlotte and her family a lot in the first book and the novella, but now I love them. I am so glad I had a chance to meet them all.

***

The third book in the series, Beyond the Grave, will be released in September 2011.

Thank you Harlequin TEEN and NetGalley for the review copy.

Raising the Dead by Mara Purnhagen is a novella in the Past Midnight series. It was released in eBook format in the U.S. on February 1, 2011. It is currently available as an eBook download from Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

Published by Harlequin TEEN, the eBook is currently being offered for free.

Raising the Dead is a novella of thirteen chapters that is set between the first book, Past Midnight, and the second book in the series, One Hundred Candles. It is great bonus adventure involving Charlotte Silver and her friends and family that takes place shortly after the first book ends, just before Halloween.

Due to severe rain storms in South Carolina a small cemetery is flooded and a number of coffins are disinterred. While her parents aid in helping with the identification of these remains from the Civil War era, Charlotte helps William, the owner of the land, set the cemetery to rights.

But when she notices on more than one occasion an elusive man in a black trench coat lurking around, Charlotte must figure out if he means no harm or if his intentions are more sinister.

Raising the Dead is a highly entertaining story and a perfect transitional novella between the two full-length books. The story gives further background on events that took place in Past Midnight and provides much more insight into and detail about Charlotte’s relationship with Noah.

This new mini-mystery is wrapped up by the end of the novella, but as with Past Midnight it comes to an end rather suddenly. Although not a cliffhanger, readers will be left wanting more.

Reviewer gives this novella ★★★★★

On a personal note:

I was immensely entertained by this story. In many ways even more so than the first book. I loved that there was much more Noah in this story and the short mystery was such fun to piece together.

After reading this novella I am much more excited about reading the next book in the series, One Hundred Candles.

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PLEASE NOTE: This novella contains major spoilers for those who haven’t read the first book in the series.

If you do not plan on reading Past Midnight, this novella will give you enough background to read the next book One Hundred Candles without getting lost.

If you do plan on reading the first book, wait to read this novella until after you’ve finished.

Past Midnight by Mara Purnhagen is the first book in a series by the same name. It was released in the U.S. on September 1, 2010 and is available online at Amazon and Barnes & Noble in paperbook and eBook formats.

Published by Harlequin TEEN the print edition is 224 pages.

For the first time ever Charlotte Silver is getting what she wants – to live in a brand new house. Instead of one of those dark, old Victorians, she will finally get to have a room with new carpet, lots of light and the absence of ghosts. Or what her parents call “energies.”

She finally has the chance to start her senior year as a normal girl and not the “paranormal princess” she had been called in the past. Starting over with a clean slate is a dream come true.

But when she starts dreaming about a girl who went missing in the 1800’s and feels the temperature in her room drop – a sure sign that ghosts are present – she knows that any chance of being ordinary is over.

Until she can figure out what these ghosts want and how to get rid of them, she will be forced to sleep on the couch and spend her days being sleep deprived. And when that’s not enough to keep them away, she and her family will learn just what happens when they get angry.

***

Past Midnight is a delightful, fun and uncomplicated story, and the first book in a series about Charlotte Silver, a high school senior and daughter of two famous paranormal investigators.

After having spent most of her life on the road with her family, never getting a chance to settle down in one place for too long, she is finally happy her parents have agreed to stay put in South Carolina until she finishes high school.

Moving from place to place has not been easy, especially once the novelty of being in a family of ghost hunters has worn off. She is hoping that this time will be different. But when a couple of ghosts follow her from Charleston where her family did their last readings, she will not be able to keep her secret for long.

At just a few more than two hundred pages, Past Midnight is a very quick, but entertaining read. Although a story about the supernatural, there is a second storyline about Charlotte, her new friend Avery and an “accident” that occurred prior to Charlotte’s arrival.

Even with two very different elements in such a short story, the book does not become confusing. Both work harmoniously with one another and everything comes together at the end.

This story does not have a cliffhanger ending, nor does it have a love triangle, but for readers looking for a lighter fare, this new series with a touch of the paranormal is off to a great start.

Reviewer gives this book ★★★★★

On a personal note:

I really enjoyed this book. It wasn’t at all what I expected, but I was entertained from beginning to end. For some reason I thought it was about a girl who was a ghost hunter or had some special connection with the spirits, but I was not at all disappointed that this differed from what I had thought.

I would have liked to know a little bit more about the past adventures of Charlotte and her family, but perhaps I’ll get to see more in the upcoming books. It’s not every girl that is the daughter of famous paranormal investigators. I haven’t read a story about one until now, so it seems like a pretty neat idea and I’d love to hear more about their past endeavors.

I am planning on reading the next two stories back-to-back, so it will be interesting to see how this progresses.

***

The second book in the series, One Hundred Candles, is out in paperback today. A novella set between books one and two, Raising the Dead, is currently available as a free download from Amazon and Barnes & Noble, and the third book in the series, Beyond the Grave will be released later this year.

How I “discovered” this book:

Past Midnight is a “Just Discovered” just learned about book.

When I first became a member of NetGalley I got approved for an eARC of One Hundred Candles. And I soon discovered it was the second book in a series. I hadn’t read the first book and was seriously considering reading the series without having read the first book, then decided I just couldn’t do it.

So, I bought Past Midnight back in December with the hopes of reading it earlier, but only had a chance to start reading it now and so opted to read it back-to-back with One Hundred Candles in anticipation of book two’s February 15th release date.