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 June 18th-June 24th that I have pre-ordered.

STAR CURSED by Jessica Spotswood will be released in the U.S. on June 18, 2013 in hardcover and eBook formats. It is currently available to pre-order online in both formats at AMAZON and BARNES & NOBLE.

Published by Putnam Juvenile, the print edition is 384 pages.

STAR CURSED is the second book in author Jessica Spotswood’s Cahill Witch Chronicles. The third book in the series does not yet have a title or release date scheduled.

I am so excited that STAR CURSED is releasing this week and that it will be downloading to my Kindle on Monday Midnight. I absolutely loved this second book in the author’s Cahill Witch Chronicles and after that ending….

Oh. My. Gosh. The not knowing when the next book in the series will be releasing is going to kill me. And of course the not knowing what will happen next is already driving me out of my mind. That ending is killer.

And now that I’ve fallen madly in love with this series and its characters I want that next book now. Desperately.

STAR CURSED was such an amazing follow-up to BORN WICKED and reading both books back-to-back was absolutely divine. I have only positive things to say about this series, the writing, the story, the characters and both books’ endings. And this sequel was filled with all sorts amazing – suspense, action, romance, betrayal.

As I have already read STAR CURSED very recently I won’t be reading it again right when it releases, but I will be reading it again before the next book in the series comes out. And it’s most definitely a series worth reading again and again and again.

TARNISH by Katherine Longshore will be released in the U.S. on June 18, 2013 in hardcover and eBook formats. It is currently available to pre-order online in both formats at AMAZON and BARNES & NOBLE.

Published by Viking Juvenile, the print edition is 448 pages.

Anne Boleyn is quite a fascinating historical figure and I’m totally stoked that TARNISH is releasing this week so that I can check out how author Katherine Longshore tells her tale.

As I’ve only read paragraphs in my history books about her, and not a biography, I’m very curious to see her life as a story rather than a bunch of facts and dates on a page.

I love that this author combines history and fiction to create stories full of intrigue and heartbreak. She brings history to life and makes these people from the past far more three-dimensional than a simple history lesson could ever do.

As I have a few books I must read in the next few weeks, I won’t get to read TARNISH immediately. But I definitely plan on adding it to the pile some time in July. Because I really want to “meet” the young Anne Boleyn.

PROXY by Alex London will be released in the U.S. on June 18, 2013 in hardcover and eBook formats. It is currently available to pre-order online in both formats at AMAZON and BARNES & NOBLE.

Published by Philomel, the print edition is 384 pages.

PROXY is the first book in author Alex London’s series of the same name. The second book in the series, GUARDIAN, is slated for release in 2014.

Ever since I saw the cover for PROXY by Alex London I’ve been pining for this book. And I’m so thrilled that release day is just about here and that I’ll finally get the chance to read it.

I love the idea, horrifying as it is, that in this world there are Proxy’s who are there to take the punishments for the wealthy. It’s not a wholly unrealistic concept and I’m super curious to see what the author does with this. I’m also just so curious as to what Knox and Syd have in common that would make them try to “beat the system” and “save each other.”

From the description, this first book in the series sounds action-packed. And I cannot wait to find out just what “debts…cannot be paid.”

I really, really hope to be able to sneak this onto my reading pile next week. Because it sounds just so amazing. And I’ve been waiting for it for so very long.

SOLSTICE by P.J. Hoover will be released in the U.S. on June 18, 2013 in hardcover and eBook formats. It is currently available to pre-order online in both formats at AMAZON and BARNES & NOBLE.

Published by Tor Teen, the print edition is 384 pages.

This week makes me happy. SOLSTICE is releasing this week! This book sounds totally awesome and I cannot wait to sneak it onto the pile in the very, very near future so that I can take that journey to Piper’s world and see just how things spiral out of control for her.

As I very recently spotlighted this book for my Book Watch post, I won’t go on and on about just why I want to read it. But a story in which gods are battling for control of the Underworld is one that has awesome written all over it.

I can’t wait to meet Piper and find out what the answer to the secret is. And I can’t wait to dive into this story that is a “melding of mythology and dystopia.”

And I’m fairly certain the wait won’t be very long because I really want to read this book. Now.

DEFY THE DARK by Saundra Mitchell, Aprilynne Pike, Carrie Ryan, Rachel Hawkins, Sarah Rees Brennan, Tessa Gratton, Christine Johnson, Valerie Kemp and Malinda Lo will be released in the U.S. on June 18, 2013 in hardcover, paperback and eBook formats.

It is currently available to pre-order online in all formats at AMAZON and BARNES & NOBLE.

Published by HarperTeen, the print edition is 496 pages.

I am really curious about this new anthology, DEFY THE DARK. The description on Goodreads is rather cryptic, but when I saw the author line-up I just had to pre-order it for my Kindle.

It sounds like there will be a broad spectrum of stories from a multitude of genres, but I’m guessing they’ll all tie in to the anthology’s title. And I can’t wait to check a few – or all – of them out.

The description also hints at a mystery author. So, of course I’m dying to find out who that is. But I guess I’ll have to wait for Monday Midnight to find out. And you can bet I will be taking a peek the instant it downloads.

TRIANGLES by Kimberly Ann Miller

Pub. Date: June 18, 2013

Publisher: Spencer Hill Press

(AMAZON, BARNES & NOBLE)

***

A TRICK OF THE LIGHT by Lois Metzger

Pub. Date: June 18, 2013

Publisher: Balzer + Bray

(AMAZON, BARNES & NOBLE)

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INTUITION (Transcendence #2) by C.J. Omololu

Pub. Date: June 18, 2013

Publisher: Walker Childrens

(AMAZON, BARNES & NOBLE)

***

WITCH FIRE (Burn Mark #2) by Laura Powell

Pub. Date: June 18, 2013

Publisher: Bloomsbury USA Childrens

(AMAZON, BARNES & NOBLE)

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WINTER QUEEN (Fairy Queens #1)  by Amber Argyle

Pub. Date: June 19, 2013

Publisher: Starling Books

(AMAZON, BARNES & NOBLE)

***

PRAEFATIO (Praefatio #1) by Georgia McBride

Pub. Date: June 18, 2013 (paperback ed.)

Publisher: Month9Books

(AMAZON, BARNES & NOBLE)

***

MY SISTER’S REAPER by Dorothy Dreyer

Pub. Date: June 18, 2013 (paperback ed.)

Publisher: Month9Books

(AMAZON, BARNES & NOBLE)

***

First published in 1995

THE WATCHER IN THE SHADOWS (Niebla #3) by Carlos Ruiz Zafon

Pub. Date: June 18, 2013

Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers

(AMAZON, BARNES & NOBLE)

It’s a much quieter week for releases this week. Thankfully. I only have five books pre-ordered and there are quite a few less books of note to ponder adding to my collection. Though I’m pretty certain I will be adding Lois Metzger’s book to said collection.

But the books I am definitely adding are ones that I either know are amazing, imagine will be amazing or am so very hopeful will be amazing.

And while I wish I’d read more than just the one book releasing this week, I’m happy to have four new books to dive into this summer penned by a few new-to-me authors.

Anyway…

It’s very possible that I am missing quite a few new releases this week. It’s also very likely that there will be a few surprise downloads to my Kindle on Tuesday. But for now I’m happy with the fact that it isn’t a crazy week for new releases and my TBR pile and my wallet get a short reprieve.

Because I’m pretty sure that next week there are quite a few new releases. Many of which I have pre-ordered.

But if there are some awesome titles hitting shelves this week, please let me know. Because, as much as I complain about my TBR pile I’d rather it be filled with wonderful bookish possibilities than empty.

And as ever, I hope you have a few awesome titles being added to your collection this week. I also hope you have time to read one or two of them.

Happy reading!

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!

Read More

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 June 4th-June 10th that I have pre-ordered.

ELEGY by Tara Hudson releases in the U.S. today, June 4, 2013, in hardcover and eBook formats. It is currently available to order online in both formats at AMAZON and BARNES & NOBLE.

Published by HarperTeen, the print edition is 400 pages.

ELEGY is the third and final book in author Tara Hudson’s Hereafter trilogy.

I’m both happy and sad that ELEGY is releasing this week. I have been waiting for its release to get caught up on the series. But now that it has, I’m not sure I’m ready for it to end.

I did end up reading the description – I couldn’t help myself – and it makes me nervous that maybe Amelia and Joshua won’t get their happily ever afterlife after all. The description mentions “impossible choices” and fighting back, so I’m still going to hold out hope for them both.

I adored the first book in this series, I thought there was a sweetness to it, an innocence, and I cannot wait to find out how this series ends… well, just as soon as I’m able to make myself say goodbye, that is.

PHOENIX by Elizabeth Richards releases in the U.S. today, June 4, 2013, in hardcover and eBook formats. It is currently available to order online in both formats at AMAZON and BARNES & NOBLE.

Published by Putnam Juvenile, the print edition is 368 pages.

PHOENIX is the second book in author Elizabeth Richards’ Black City trilogy. The third and final book, currently untitled, is slated for release in 2014.

I only recently read BLACK CITY and I loved the world the author created with the Darklings and Purian Rose. And I loved that the story switched POVs between Ash and Natalie.

I’d hoped to read PHOENIX before its release, but wasn’t able to, but I will definitely be reading it this week. Because I really want to know what happens after that shocking finish to book one.

The description promises an even darker book than the first. And things in the United Sentry States definitely seem to have gotten more chaotic. But what makes me the most anxious is that it talks of a heartbreaking love story.

So, of course, I cannot wait to read this middle book in the trilogy.

THE ELEMENTALS by Saundra Mitchell releases in the U.S. today, June 4, 2013, in hardcover and eBook formats. It is currently available to order online in both formats at AMAZON and BARNES & NOBLE.

Published by Harcourt Children’s Books, the print edition is 304 pages.

THE ELEMENTALS is the third book in author Saundra Mitchell’s The Vespertine series.

I loved Saundra Mitchell’s THE VESPERTINE. And while I am not quite caught up on this series there is no way I wouldn’t add THE ELEMENTALS to my collection this week.

I love how each book in this series involves a new main character. And I cannot wait to meet Kate Witherspoon in this book… and Julian Birch.

I’m curious to see exactly what their powers entail and how they manage to “triumph over death, and over time.” And I’m even more curious to find out what price they’ll have to pay.

THE TESTING by Joelle Charbonneau releases in the U.S. today, June 4, 2013, in hardcover and eBook formats. It is currently available to order online in both formats at AMAZON and BARNES & NOBLE.

Published by Houghton Mifflin Books for Children, the print edition is 352 pages.

THE TESTING is the first book in author Joelle Charbonneau’s new series of the same name. The second book in the series, INDEPENDENT STUDY, is slated for release on January 7, 2014. A prequel novella, THE TESTING GUIDE, was released in April.

I hadn’t heard of THE TESTING until Jaime of Two Chicks on Books told me I had to read it and that it was a must read book. As I hadn’t had an early copy I took her advice and pre-ordered it without actually having read the description.

But now that I have I’m super excited to own it and even more excited to read it. I love the idea that in this future friends could just as easily be enemies and that the planet is a “charred wasteland.”

I love that there are a “chosen few” who must pass a test in order to have the chance at a promising future but that this test might have a darker side. And I can’t wait to meet Cia and Tomas and find out whether Cia chooses “love without truth or life without trust.”

I am now so intrigued by this description I might just have to try and sneak it in later this week.

SIEGE AND STORM by Leigh Bardugo releases in the U.S. today, June 4, 2013 in hardcover, audio and eBook formats. It is currently available to order online in all formats at AMAZON and in hardcover and eBook formats at BARNES & NOBLE.

Published by Henry Holt and Co. Books for Young Readers, the print edition is 448 pages.

SIEGE AND STORM is the second full-length book in author Leigh Bardugo’s The Grisha series. The third book, RUIN AND RISING, is slated for release in 2014. There are currently three novellas in this series: THE WITCH OF DUVA, THE TAILOR and THE TOO-CLEVER FOX.

I have heard nothing but amazing things about this series. I even had my hands on an early copy of SIEGE AND STORM due to a trade but passed it on when I knew I wouldn’t get to read the first book in the series before its release.

But I definitely plan on reading this series – I own book one already – so I just had to purchase this second book in the series for when I do get the chance to dive in.

This series sounds epic and a bit different from many of the books I typically read. But I am so very curious to meet Alina and Mal and see what being a Sun Summoner means and just what Alina’s destiny is.

The description mentions a choice between country, power and love and I can’t wait to find out which one Alina chooses in this second book.

TIDAL by Amanda Hocking releases in the U.S. today, June 4, 2013, in hardcover, audio and eBook formats. It is currently available to order online in all formats at AMAZON and BARNES & NOBLE.

Published by St. Martin’s Griffin, the print edition is 352 pages.

TIDAL is the third book in author Amanda Hocking’s Watersong series. The fourth and final full-length book, ELEGY, is slated for release on August 6, 2013.

I am super stoked that TIDAL releases today. I had it pre-ordered for my Kindle but I can’t wait for the print edition to be delivered so that it can join the first two books on my book towers.

I already rambled on quite a bit in my Book Watch post the other week, so I won’t go on and on here. This post is long enough already. But I will just say it sounds like things for Gemma are getting even more dangerous and dire so I can’t wait to find out what happens.

Though I may read it closer to the release of ELEGY this August, so I won’t have to suffer from a potential cliffhanger ending.

And I just have to add that this is my favorite cover of the series so far. It seems so much darker than its predecessors, which makes me just a little bit nervous about the direction of this third book.

THE KEEP by Veronica Wolff releases in the U.S. today, June 4, 2013 in paperback and eBook formats. It is currently available to order online in both formats at AMAZON and BARNES & NOBLE.

Published by NAL Trade, the print edition is 336 pages.

THE KEEP is the fourth book in author Veronica Wolff’s The Watchers series.

I only recently learned that THE KEEP was releasing this week so I ran to Amazon to pre-order it for my Kindle. I am majorly behind on this series but I own every single book and definitely plan on reading them all in a marathon read one of these days.

While I’m not caught up on this series I have read each and every one of the descriptions – I just couldn’t help myself – and I can’t wait to read this installment. It talks of vengeance, deceits and a castle from which the living don’t return.

It also mentions that there may be someone else out for revenge other than Drew. Someone after her.

ABANDON by Elana Johnson releases in the U.S. today, June 4, 2013, in hardcover, paperback and eBook formats. It is currently available to order online in all formats at AMAZON and BARNES & NOBLE.

Published by Simon Pulse, the print edition is 464 pages.

ABANDON is the third book in author Elana Johnson’s Possession series.

I have not yet met Vi, Jag and Zenn but I own all the books in this series and I’m so excited to meet them all now that ABANDON has released. And having read the description for this third book in the series, I think it may be the most exciting one yet.

I’m so very curious who the traitor is and if his choices bring about the “total destruction” of what Vi has fought for. And I’m super curious to see if Vi, Jag and Zenn are able to work together to help the Resistance.

I seriously love the first three lines of the description. If I hadn’t been sold on this series already, they would have won me over. And they make me even more anxious to read each book and find out whether Vi, Jag and Zenn are successful or if their efforts end in failure.

SOUL TAKEN by Katlyn Duncan releases in the U.S. today, June 4, 2013, in eBook format only. It is currently available to order online in eBook format at AMAZON.

The eBook is published by Carina.

SOUL TAKEN is the first book in author Katlyn Duncan’s The Life After trilogy.

I very recently learned of SOUL TAKEN by Katlyn Duncan. But with its amazing cover and interesting premise I just had to pre-order it for my Kindle. And I’m super excited to read it.

Even though it’s the first book in the series, because it’s releasing in eBook format only, I won’t have to wait ages for the next installment. Which makes me very, very happy. Because I do not love waiting.

However, I do love the idea that Maggie is a Soul Collector who gets caught in the body of a “mean girl.” I am super curious to see just what life will be like for her in the human world, whether she’ll be able to save the girl’s soul and whether she’ll be able to free her own.

Not a YA title (I pre-ordered)

GAMEBOARD OF THE GODS (Age of X #1) by Richelle Mead

Pub. Date: June 4, 2013

Publisher: Dutton Adult

(AMAZON, BARNES & NOBLE)

***

An eNovella (I pre-ordered)

A DAWN MOST WICKED (Something Strange and Deadly #0.5) by Susan Dennard

Pub. Date: June 4, 2013

Publisher: HarperTeen

(AMAZON, BARNES & NOBLE)

***

PODs by Michelle Pickett

Pub. Date: June 4, 2013

Publisher: Spencer Hill Press

(AMAZON, BARNES & NOBLE)

***

THE MOON AND MORE by Sarah Dessen

Pub. Date: June 4, 2013

Publisher: Viking Juvenile

(AMAZON, BARNES & NOBLE)

***

THE IMPOSSIBILITY OF TOMORROW (Incarnation #2) by Avery Williams

Pub. Date: June 4, 2013

Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers

(AMAZON, BARNES & NOBLE)

***

YOU LOOK DIFFERENT IN REAL LIFE by Jennifer Castle

Pub. Date: June 4, 2013

Publisher: HarperTeen

(AMAZON, BARNES & NOBLE)

***

WHEN YOU WERE HERE by Daisy Whitney

Pub. Date: June 4, 2013

Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers

(AMAZON, BARNES & NOBLE)

***

THE WALL by William Sutcliffe

Pub. Date: June 4, 2013

Publisher: Walker Childrens

(AMAZON, BARNES & NOBLE)

***

CONFEDERATES DON’T WEAR COUTURE (Pilgrims #2) by Stephanie Kate Strohm

Pub. Date: June 4, 2013

Publisher: Graphia

(AMAZON, BARNES & NOBLE)

***

OVER YOU by Amy Reed

Pub. Date: June 4, 2013

Publisher: Simon Pulse

(AMAZON, BARNES & NOBLE)

***

STORMBRINGERS (Order of Darkness #2) by Philippa Gregory

Pub. Date: June 4, 2013

Publisher: Simon Pulse

(AMAZON, BARNES & NOBLE)

***

COMPLIANCE (Dust Chronicles #2) by Maureen McGowan

Pub. Date: June 4, 2013

Publisher: Skyscape

(AMAZON, BARNES & NOBLE)

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TIDES by Betsy Cornwell

Pub. Date: June 4, 2013

Publisher: Clarion Books

(AMAZON, BARNES & NOBLE)

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THE ACADEMY: GAME ON by Monica Seles and James LaRosa

Pub. Date: June 4, 2013

Publisher: Bloomsbury USA Children’s Books

(AMAZON, BARNES & NOBLE)

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DUSK by Eve Edwards

Pub. Date: June 6, 2013

Publisher: Penguin Books Ltd.

(AMAZON)

***

LETTING ANA GO by Anonymous

Pub. Date: June 4, 2013

Publisher: Simon Pulse

(AMAZON, BARNES & NOBLE)

***

INSOMNIA (The Night Walkers #1) by J.R. Johansson

Pub. Date: June 8, 2013

Publisher: Flux

(AMAZON, BARNES & NOBLE)

***

GLOSS by Marilyn Kaye

Pub. Date: June 6, 2013

Publisher: Macmillan Children’s Books

(AMAZON)

***

UNDERNEATH by Sarah Jamila Stevenson

Pub. Date: June 8, 2013

Publisher: Flux

(AMAZON, BARNES & NOBLE)

***

Previously self-published

BREATHE (Sea Breeze #1) by Abbi Glines

Pub. Date: June 4, 2013

Publisher: Simon Pulse

(AMAZON, BARNES & NOBLE)

***

Reprint Edition

SUN-KISSED (Beach Lane #3) by Melissa de la Cruz

Pub. Date: June 4, 2013

Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers

(AMAZON, BARNES & NOBLE)

***

Reprint Edition

CRAZY-HOT (Beach Lane #4) by Melissa de la Cruz

Pub. Date: June 4, 2013

Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers

(AMAZON, BARNES & NOBLE)

***

This week is more than insane with the number of books releasing. I am not going to say much here as I think I’ve already said more than enough already. But I’m super excited to read Richelle Mead’s new novel and check out Susan Dennard’s eNovella, both of which I pre-ordered.

And I’m likely going to end up purchasing Sarah Dessen’s THE MOON AND MORE, Avery Williams’ THE IMPOSSIBILITY OF TOMORROW and Jennifer Castle’s YOU LOOK DIFFERENT IN REAL LIFE.

Though I’m glad I didn’t pre-order them or I would never have finished putting together this post. And I’m not sure my Kindle could have handled all the downloads if I had. It was struggling enough when my books started downloading last night. But I’m one second away from clicking the links to buy those titles right now.

I am hopeful I didn’t miss anything releasing this week. Amazon has been a little sketchy lately and I’m not sure I caught every title. But I didn’t forget any of the ones I had pre-ordered… at least I think I didn’t.

But if there are a few awesome books releasing this week that I missed or ones that I did find that you can’t wait to read, I’d love know.

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!

Read More

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 April 17th-April 23rd that I have pre-ordered.

***

Glimmer by Phoebe Kitanidis was released in the U.S. today, April 17, 2012, in hardcover and eBook formats. It is currently available to order online in both formats at Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

Published by Balzer + Bray, an imprint of Harper Collins, the print edition is 352 pages.

***

I can’t believe Glimmer released today. I’ve been dying to read this book for months and now my pre-order has downloaded to my Kindle. This book sounds so creepy and awesome. Definitely my kind of read.

As I spotlighted it a few weeks ago for my Book Watch post, I will refrain from rambling endlessly, but I can’t wait to find out just what Marshall and Elyse discover in the town of Summer Falls.

Between their missing memories, the “intense relationship” they form, the zombie-like residents of the town and the darkness lurking beneath the surface, this book sounds insanely good. And definitely chilling.

I can’t wait for May, because I will be reading this one just as soon as my schedule frees up.

The Springsweet by Saundra Mitchell was released in the U.S. today, April 17, 2012, in hardcover and eBook formats. It is currently available to order online at Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

Published by Harcourt Children’s Books, the print edition is 288 pages.

The Springsweet is the companion novel to author Saundra Mitchell’s The Vespertine.

***

I absolutely adored The Vespertine. I wasn’t sure there was a sequel planned, but I was hoping. And while not a sequel, I was just as thrilled when I heard about this companion novel. So much so that I bid on an early copy of The Springsweet in a charitable auction and won it. I wasn’t able to read it early and now my pre-order has downloaded to my Kindle, so I will likely be reading the finished copy.

I thought The Vespertine was beautifully written. I am not typically a fan of historical fiction, but I was absolutely captivated by the way the story was presented and I loved the paranormal elements the author included.

I am super excited to read this next book about Zora Stewart. Life in Oklahoma is bound to be vastly different from life in Baltimore and I can’t wait to see how the author approaches this new frontier setting. Zora’s ability to sense water is one that is incredibly important to survival and one that I hope doesn’t become a danger to her.

And I can’t wait to find out if she finds love and has a happily ever after ending to her story. I am keeping my fingers crossed.

Gone, Gone, Gone by Hannah Moskowitz was released in the U.S. today, April 17, 2012, in hardcover, paperback and eBook formats. It is currently available to order online in all formats at Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

Published by Simon Pulse, an imprint of Simon & Schuster, the print edition is 288 pages.

***

I heard about Gone, Gone, Gone ages ago and have been dying to read it ever since the publisher offered it up through their Galley Grab newsletter. Of course when I switched computers and eReaders I couldn’t get the file to transfer. So, I am super glad it’s finally out and that I’ll be able to read it on my Kindle.

I have only read one book by author Hannah Moskowitz, Invincible Summer, but I found that the story just stuck with me. Long after I’d read it. There was this feeling of melancholy to the characters’ lives that wasn’t readily apparent at the beginning but by the story’s end it was there, draped over everything. And those kind of stories are ones that I love because they just cling to me.

Which makes me slightly hesitant to read Gone, Gone, Gone even though at the same time I just can’t wait to read it. I haven’t been able to read any stories involving anything about 9/11 but as this one promises an intense romance and a “poignant look at what it is to feel needed, connected, and alive,” I find myself drawn to it.

I can’t wait to meet Craig and Lio and find out if their connection truly helps Lio recover from all he’s lost. I hope that Lio thinks that love is worth the risk and that they find some kind of happiness together. And while I don’t expect a sappy happy ending, I am hopeful that there will be enough sweet to balance out the sorrow. The author is a brilliant writer and I am looking forward to seeing how she approaches this story.

The Last Echo by Kimberly Derting was released in the U.S. today, April 17, 2012, in hardcover and eBook formats. It is currently available to order online in both formats at Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

Published by HarperCollins, the print edition is 368 pages.

The Last Echo is the third book in author Kimberly Derting’s Body Finder series. The fourth book, as yet untitled, is slated for release in 2013.

***

I have got to catch up on this series. I own all three books now that The Last Echo has downloaded to my Kindle so I have no excuse not to read them back-to-back-to-back. And although I am not caught up, I have taken a peek at each book’s description. Especially since I thought this was the final book in the series and I was just so curious.

According to the description, in this installment of the series Violet is trying to track down a serial killer called “the girlfriend collector.”  And instead of just being a part of the team investigating the crime, this time Violet may be the criminal’s next victim.

I love all things paranormal and I am a huge fan of murder mysteries and the author’s The Body Finder series sounds so incredibly fascinating. I love the idea of Violet’s ability and I can’t wait to see how it helps… or hurts her… in The Last Echo.

I hope to be able to catch up on the series in May and add this one to the top of my reading pile in June.

***

It wasn’t too crazy of a release week. I have added only four new books to the pile. Of course I haven’t yet read any of them, so they’re all going on the TBR pile. And with the next two weeks being as insane as they are for new releases, I hope to be able to read at least a few of them in May so they don’t get buried.

And although it’s not releasing until the 24th, I already have my copy of The Wind Through the Keyhole by Stephen King and have been fighting the urge to read my special order Grant edition. It has not been easy. At all.

I’m sure I’m missing some amazing book that released this week. But maybe that’s a good thing. The balance of read versus unread books on my Kindle is shifting in favor of those unread….

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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!

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There are so many amazing books out there – released or soon-to-be-released – that have certain passages that just captivate.

Here are just a few of those that caught my attention in the past month.

 

I can’t put my favorite passage here or I’d be giving away a spoiler but if you read the book you’ll find it at the very end.

 

 

I do have a favorite passage close to the end, but it is a spoiler. Here are just a few of the overwhelmingly many beautiful passages in this book.

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The Vespertine by Saundra Mitchell was released yesterday, March 7, 2011, in the U.S. in hardcover and eBook formats. It is currently available from Amazon and Barnes & Noble in both formats. (Although Amazon has been shipping the hardcover for over a week now.)

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

It was a time of corsets and bustles and petticoats. Where people who came to call left a calling card and where young ladies only danced with those socially acceptable gentlemen who signed their dance cards.

But the freedoms and charms that the city of Baltimore held were thrilling and exciting to a young girl from Broken Tooth, Maine, making it near impossible for Amelia van den Broek to stay within the constraints of what was deemed appropriate.

Sent to stay with her cousins, the Stewarts, for the summer, Amelia was meant to make the proper acquaintances, elevate her social standing and possibly find an acceptable match for marriage. Her brother August’s hopes were high that she would no longer be his burden, but Amelia was drawn to a young man who was most definitely not her social equal, let alone just slightly above.

Nathaniel Witherspoon was an artist. Someone acceptable enough to be a “fourteenth” to round out the group at a party or to accept a dance with, but not someone with which to begin a courtship and certainly not of proper marriage material. But whether due to the vibrancy of the city or to her newly found freedom, Amelia finds his flirtatious ways and the unpredictability of his nature very appealing.

When she begins having premonitions of the future as she gazes into the sunset, her talents quickly become in high demand, giving her a greater sense of pride, power and wantonness. But when her portents of the future turn dark, suspicion is immediately cast her way.

What at first was a promising trip filled with possibility for her future turns into Amelia’s worst nightmare where she is seen as cause for everything bad that she has predicted.

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The Vespertine is an elegant and beautiful novel which transports you to another era. It is also joyous and uplifting while at the same time tragic and heartbreaking. The writing is fluid and eloquent and is so well suited to the time period that you are immediately drawn into the world of 1889 Baltimore.

The exuberance of Amelia and Zora is endearing and it is refreshing to meet these two characters at this particular time in their lives, just before the responsibilities of womanhood are placed on their shoulders. Both girls were raised properly but still have that spark which fills their experiences with gaiety and the innocence of their youth.

As the story progresses the joy and lightness begins to darken, which you see glimpses of as the story moves back and forth between the fall in Maine and the spring and summer in Baltimore, until the story reaches its surprising end.

The paranormal elements, such as Amelia’s predictions, were essential features and added a layer of depth to this story that it might not otherwise have had. Author Saundra Mitchell managed to tie this aspect in to the story and make it not only fit in well, but a very real and believable part of pre-1900s Baltimore life – people were accepting of Amelia’s talents, even intrigued, but they were quick to lay blame when things went awry.

While it may take a paragraph or two to become familiar with the style of dialogue of the period, it will flow easily very quickly and the author’s writing will captivate.

This book is a must read. And, if you are not a fan of historical fiction, don’t immediately turn away from this book. It is not your typical weighty novel filled with page after page of period detail. The story is very much character driven, with just the right amount of description given to get a feel for what is going on in the city and with the remainder filled in by dialog.

Reviewer gives this book ★★★★★

On a personal note:

I was initially intrigued by the book’s cover. It was romantic and so pretty and with a title like The Vespertine, I thought I had to at least give it a look. And with the added paranormal aspect I figured there must be something I’d like.

I’ll admit, I did put off reading this for a short while. Historical romantic fiction is not typically a genre I read. The last book may have been Gone With the Wind. (And no, I didn’t read it in 1936. I’m not THAT old.)

But just one paragraph in I was lost. This story grabbed me and turned me into a fan. I just love Amelia. She has all the angst of a modern day girl but the propriety of someone from her time. She is only slightly impetuous, but enough so that she’s not the least bit boring. And I loved the fact that Zora gave her mother such a hard time, but you could clearly see that she adored her.

The ending may come as a shock, or a surprise, but I just had a feeling…(and I’ll say no more!)

This is absolutely worth giving a read and I’m so glad that I didn’t let the genre put me off giving it a shot. I liked it so much that I pre-ordered it even though my review is based on the eARC.

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To learn more about the world of The Vespertine check out the book’s website here.

Book trailer for The Vespertine:

Thank you Houghton Mifflin Harcourt and NetGalley for the review copy.

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