Caraval (Caraval #1)

                Hello happy readers!  I hope you all had a great weekend.  I did some baking for a birthday party and made some colorful and sweet treats that were completely devoured!  I also did another escape room, one which I am sad to say broke my streak and we did not complete.  Guess we were just not at our best that day but I plan to go back and try that one again because I NEED to finish!  That said today I want to share my thoughts and feels about another mysterious game, Caraval (Caraval #1) by Stephanie Garber.  This was a debut book that came out at the start of 2017 and had me interested well before that with all the buzz.  Now having finished it I am excited to be able to discuss.  Also don’t forget to check out my giveaway here open until the 7^th. 

Rating:  5 Stars

 

                Caraval is a story of a game.  That is what young Scarlett is told, tales of the magical performance hosted each year hosted by Legend, the master of Caraval.  She has dreamed of leaving her tiny island with her sister Tella and their abusive and sick father in hopes of witnessing the magic herself.  After years of writing hoping for an exclusive invite the waiting is over.  With help from a mysterious sailor Tella and Scarlett are whisked away to the show but circumstances separate them and Tella is kidnapped by Legend himself.  As it turns out she is to be the center of his game this year, whoever finds her the winner.  Granted one wish.  Told over and over again that everything is a performance for the games, still all the feelings for her are real in this game.  There is always something around every corner and no way to know what is real or an act as the nights rage on and things turn dangerous.  Scarlett must find her sister before the end of the game or risk the consequences.  Welcome to Caraval…careful of getting swept too far away.

                I listened to this in audiobook format and it was amazing.  I really enjoyed the different accents that helped separate the characters and fit with what their personalities were.  As the story progressed and we got deeper and deeper inside Caraval I was totally immersed and I loved it. 

                The story is of sisters and magic.  You see from the start that they are very different but they still love one another and constantly want to protect the other.  They have different ideas of what that will look like.  Scarlett is set to marry a man she’s never met but has written and promises a safe life for her and her sister.  She doesn’t need love and she’s given up on the hope of magic she only wants to escape and survive.  Tella is more carefree and wants to escape into the wild unknown and figure it out along the way.  I love the dynamic between them.  As with most real relationships it seems one side might care/love/give more than the other. 

“No one is truly honest.  Even if we don’t lie to others, we often lie to ourselves.”

                As they are separated through most of the book Scarlett is left to depend on her own wits.  She does have Julian, the sailor who helped them arrive, though she isn’t sure if she should trust him.  He seems to know more about Caraval than her, but is that an asset or not?  With time working against her she only has a few short days to find her sister and win the game untangling the past and the mysteries.  There are clues to follow if you wish to win the game and plenty of other distractions to make the most of.    I really enjoyed the back and forth between Scarlett and Julian as things seemed genuine and legit how two people would act having only just met and put in this situation together.  I loved how some moments I was rooting for him and others, okay lets be honest I was rooting for him almost all the time, but there were times where I doubted myself and if I should be.  They are in Caraval after all and nothing is what it seems.

                Caraval, this whole world is beautiful and amazing.  I loved how everything came to life with such vivid descriptions that jumped off the page.  This world is really one of wonder.  There is always something to see and do as the pace kept you moving.  Always something to see or do, always a sense of urgency with Scarlett on her quest.  She has so much happening seeing this world through her eyes as she grows and learns as a person was beautiful.  I couldn’t stop listening!  At the end I felt satisfied but I still wanted more, some questions had come to mind and I was thrilled to hear at the end there will be a second book!  I was so happy for that.  And even more that by the time I finished they have come out with the cover and date for it so score one for procrastination!  I would highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a fun character driven story full of twists and turns!

                Until next time…

Reading Challenge Wrap-Up: September

                Hello happy readers!  Here is where I stand for my monthly challenge update and wrap-up.  Here is my standing but please don't forget to share your progress as well! 

Goodreads Challenge:

Goal: 125

At: 56

2017 Debut Authors (#2017DebAuthC):

Goal: 12

At: 7

What I've Read:

Caraval (Caraval #1) by Stephanie Garber

2017 Rock My TBR (#RockMyTBR):

Goal: As many as possible!

At: 22

What I've Read:

 Nothing.... :(

2017 Series Ender Challenge:

Goal: 15+

At: 7

What I’ve Read:

 Again nothing...

2017 New Releases Challenge:

Goal: 31-60

At: 31 (YAY!!!!)

What I've Read:

Jane, Unlimited by Kristin Cashore
Caraval (Caraval #1) by Stephanie Garber
Tower of Dawn (Throne of Glass #6) by Sarah J. Maas
Thrax (Angelbound Origins #4) by Christina Bauer (review)

2017 Audiobook Challenge: (my best one)

Goal: 5-10

At: 24

What I've Listened:

Caraval (Caraval #1) by Stephanie Garber
Tower of Dawn (Throne of Glass #6) by Sarah J. Maas

                I completed another challenge which is exciting having reached the minimum set of my goal for the New Releases Challenge but I’m still pretty far off on some of the others sadly.    I am keeping positive though and hoping to finish more challenges!  Wish me luck!  I'd love to hear how you're doing so link back to your wrap up!

Author Interview: Hannah Bucchin

                Hello happy readers!  Getting back into the grove from my family reunion / vacation I have an author interview that I was lucky enough to be able to participate in with Hannah Bucchin.  She is a debut YA author with her new release title Paintbrush which I reviewed last month here.  I really enjoyed the book and was thrilled to get to ask the author some questions.  I hope you enjoy!

How would you describe your book to someone who had never heard of it?

                I could probably go on and on about it, but if it had to be short and sweet:  Paintbrush is the story of Josie and Mitchell, two kids growing up in a hippie commune, and the choices they have to make as they face their impending high school graduation.

One thing I really enjoyed was the whole Paintbrush community setting.  How did you come up with the idea to use this as the setting?

                I don’t remember how or when I first learned about communal living, but I do remember thinking, “Wow, what an interesting place to grow up.”  I love stories about characters who live unusual lives, so this worked perfectly for me.

Speaking of the setting the scenery sounded so attractive and beautiful it made this strictly inside girl want to go out into nature, preferably with a hot guy to a swimming hole.  You seem like an adventurous spirit, what is your favorite place you’ve visited thus far?  Favorite activity?

                Adventuring is my favorite thing to do, whether that means taking a three month long backpacking trip or a quick one hour hike!  My favorite place I’ve ever visited is probably Abel Tasman National Park in New Zealand – it’s miles and miles of pristine, deserted beaches and blue water.  My favorite activity is definitely swimming in nature.  It doesn’t matter if it’s the ocean, a lake, a river, etc. – I love it all.

Do you see part of yourself in Josie or Mitchell (or any of the others)?  If so what parts?

                I saw parts of myself in both Josie and Mitchell.  For Josie, I identified with her love of home and her protectiveness of her family.  For Mitchell, I identified with his love of adventure.  I’m probably more like Josie, but there are definitely parts of me in both characters.

With the dual POV how do you balance getting each voice to sound different and distinctive?  Do you like writing for one over the other?  If so who?

                It was more comfortable to write from Josie’s POV, which made it a little easier, but I also liked the challenge of writing in Mitchell’s voice and from his perspective.  I relate to different aspects of them both as characters, so I can’t really pick one over the other. 

Paintbrush has lots of real issues that people struggle with daily be it family or even not knowing what you want to do after school.  Did you set out to write about these meaningful issues?

                There were definitely certain themes that I set out to explore when writing Paintbrush.  Struggling with deciding your future was one of them – I feel like kids are being pressured younger and younger to decide who and what they want to be when they grow up, which is hard.  Most of the themes and issues I explored are issues I struggled with myself during high school, and/or continue to struggle with today.

What is one of your favorite lines/scenes that you wrote?

                One of my favorite scenes in Paintbrush is the cave scene between Mitchell and Josie.  I’m a sucker for romantic moments, but I wanted to create a moment that was realistic and original without being too cheesy or cliché, which I hope came through in the writing.

I think you pulled that one off!  If you could put together a soundtrack for the book what are a couple songs you think would need to be on it?

                I love this question!  I actually plan on one day soon making a Paintbrush playlist on Spotify.  For now, a couple songs that inspired me and/or relate to Paintbrush would be:  Alaska by Maggie Rogers, Flowers in Your Hair by the Lumineers, and Home by Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros.  These are three of my favorites that I feel really capture the spirit of Paintbrush.

This is your debut book, congrats by the way!  How has having your book published changed or effected your life?

                Having a book published hasn’t changed too much of my life (though my friends and family are VERY excited for me, which is fun).  The biggest change is the amount of pressure I now feel (from myself, mostly) to finish up my next project.  It’s good pressure, though!

I’m sure they are and rightly so!  Any tips for aspiring authors?

                Start writing now!  Don’t wait for the “perfect” time of place or moment, because that might never come.  Just sit down and start.

What are you currently reading?

                I just finished The Serpent King by Jeff Zenter, which was amazing.  Next up is The Underground Railroad by Colson Whitehead, and then If Birds Fly Back by Carly Sorosiak.

What about TV?  Any shows you’re obsessed with?

                I mostly watch comedy (though I do love Game of Thrones and Westworld).  Crazy Ex-Girlfriend, Broad City, Silicon Valley, and Veep are some of my current favorites.  However, The Office will always be my number one—I’m pretty sure I’ve seen every episode at least twice, and some of them three or four times.

I love my Game of Thrones!  I know Paintbrush just came out but…what’s next?  Any projects on the horizon?

                I’m currently working on my second YA contemporary!  This one takes place in Maine and revolves around the lives of two sisters.

Great I look forward to learning more.  Now how can your fans reach you?

                I have my contact info listed on my website!  Instagram is my most-used/favorite form of social media.  My email is hannahbucchinwrites@gmail.com. Feel free to send me a message!

                Well there you go!  I hope you all enjoyed all of these answers as much as I did. I’ve added some new books and shows to my “check out list” and heard some new tunes that helped me feel even more about this book while adding a new place to my “want to visit” list.  Share any thoughts and opinions below in the comments!

The Wood

                Hello happy readers!  Internet issues aside, seriously I’m about ready to just cancel my service since I spend more time on hold with customer service and trying to fix it than I do being able to use it, I had a great weekend.  While I didn’t get to post my Friday review as planned or share my one new book I did a pirate themed escape room with some friends and we rocked it and escaped with time to spare!  Plus I can do my review today so it works out.  But before I get to my review I have a small bit of news.  I am going out of town for a family reunion and won’t have my computer since I’ll be spending 36 hours in a vehicle and the rest with family who don’t believe in having wifi. So I will be taking off tomorrow until next Wednesday.  Bright side is car time should be read/listen time!  Now for todays review I received a copy of The Wood by Chelsea Bobulski in exchange for an honest review via NetGalley.

Rating: 4.5 Stars

                The Wood is a suspenseful supernatural debut book.  Winter is a guardian redirecting any travelers back to their portal when they accidentally step from their time and place into the wood.  She is the only one after her father went missing.  He stepped off the path.  That is impossible for a guardian leading Winter to suspect there is something off about his disappearance than she is told.  One day she comes across a boy in the wood who is not there by accident and is determined to pass through.  It’s her job to keep him in his time.  But when he believes his mission may be connected to her father’s disappearance and why the wood has started to change, Winter determines it may be worth the risk to work with him.

                Going into this book I was intrigued by the cover and the summary but I didn’t know fully what to expect.  It had so many elements woven together into this story with the Old Ones, guardians, the wood and all that fill it, time travel, and more.  The wood managed to play both an eerie and dangerous backdrop to the story but also a character itself.  Always changing and evolving almost as if it has its own personality.  I enjoyed the way we learned about the wood and this world.  Everything seems normal on the outside but inside the wood things are very different.  I understood it and it made perfect sense to me.

                Winter is easy to relate with.  She has this huge responsibility on her shoulders.  She didn’t choose this life but was born into it.  She is just trying to make the most of her life as she tries to balance normal things like school and friends with running off to take care of travelers.  She has a complicated relationship with her mother that has ups and downs.  Henry is likable from the start.  He’s cute and sweet trying to find those he loves.  He is a man out of time (and I admit to having some Kate & Leopold flash backs) and has the childlike amazement of seeing the world and things we take for granted as the miracles they are (showers and electricity).  He was determined on his journey but he is also very protective. 

“What is this infernal contraption?”

“It’s an alarm clock,” I say, my voice deep and sleep-scratchy.  “It wakes you up.”

“Evidently not.”

                This is one complete story that manages to bring an entire little world to life and wrap things up in the end.  It was a neat standalone that I could easily see having more books with different parts of the world. While most things did wrap up nicely there was one specific part I had been hoping for a bit more on, though I have since come up with my own little epilogue in my head to resolve that.  Aside from that little thing, that may be in part to my selfishness I loved this book.  I loved all the different layers wrapped inside this one story of the wood. 

                That’s all for me for the next week.  I’m going home after work to pack (yes I waited until less than 12 hours) and have some wine because packing deserves it and get ready to head out.  When I come back I have an author interview with Hannah Bucchin and more.  Wish me luck. 

               

                Until next time…

Paintbrush

                Hello happy readers!  So on a Tuesday normally I participate in the weekly Top Ten Tuesday posts, however, they are taking a break for a few weeks so but I will resume when they do.  Today though it worked out beautifully because with my internet at the house acting up last week I had to push my Friday review to Monday and so on.  So that means instead of posting my review Friday I can post it today, on release day!  The book in question is Paintbrush by debut author Hannah Bucchin.  I received a copy from NetGalley for an honest review.

Rating:  4 Stars

                We follow Josie and Mitchell seniors a few weeks from graduating.  They have spent their whole lives together and used to be the best of friends which is easy to see being the only kids at the time at Indian Paintbrush Community Village-AKA Paintbrush.  Josie loves Paintbrush and is content to spend her time there while Mitchell is ready to get as far away as possible.  The live separate lives in school but as Mitchell’s mother makes a huge announcement it rocks everything he knows while Josie’s younger sister is acting out in dangerous ways.  Both of them need support and find it in one another, having shared so much.  They see one another in a new light and something more than old friendship starts up, just as they are about to go down separate paths for the future. 

                I read through this in one day.  It was such a quick and sweet read.  I was so caught up in the story and the idea of this community.  I like how they both saw different sides of Paintbrush.  I’m not even an outdoorsy type of person, okay honestly I avoid it like the plague, but this made me wish I was.  It made me want to go out and just enjoy nature.  I loved the whole concept of the place as a whole and how it played its own character in the story.  The concept and idea of the place was explained simply as it was and that was that. A place that takes in all sorts and creates a diverse and colorful community that works together.  I could see the positives that Josie loved and the negatives that Mitchell was ready to escape. 

                Paintbrush is all about the characters and relationships.  Between Josie and Mitchell.  Between families. Between friends.  Between the community.  I like that while Mitchell and Josie had been best friends for most of their life and were still friendly as they grew apart they found their own grove and new friends.  Mostly because I loved Leah and Cord.  Leah though, she had some of the best moments for sure.  She is a great friend and so many of the things I love about her are things I see in my own friend!  Cord and Mitchell, they are so different but they just have this type of acceptance that is so nice.

                This story takes place in such a short time frame when compared to many other books but it manages to pack so much feeling into that time.  It tackles so many issues that I think anyone can relate to and this makes the story that much more real.  I am so pleased by this debut book!

                Until next time…

Frostblood (Frostblood Saga #1)

                Hello happy readers!  First don’t forget to head over and check out my GIVEAWAY for a SIGNED copy of Blacksouls (Blackhearts #2) by Nicole Castroman here.  It’s open for a few more days!  This weekend was super busy and only mildly productive.  Spent Friday doing yard work on my new place, and I reminded again how much I hate yard work.  So after taking down two huge overgrown bushes each about 12ft tall and some other trimmings I was rather sore which gave me a perfect excuse to chill the rest of the weekend and marathon the new season of Orange is the New Black on Netflix and finish finally catching up on The 100.  Now I’m waiting for more on both with everyone else! 

                Today though, I’m so excited to share with you a review of a book I read a little while back but have been eagerly anticipating the sequel, Frostblood (Frostblood Saga #1) by Elly Blake.  Now I received a copy for review from No BS Reviews and the original review/post can be found over at No BS along with tons of other reviews.  But as I have been mentioning the sequel in my anticipated releases I wanted to share my review on here as well. 

Rating:  4 Stars

               

                I was excited to get my hands on this one.  It was a new series with a cool concept.  Yes, pun intended.  I also love the fantasy aspect of this where the MC is forced to hide themselves and what they are.  Some aspects reminded me of different parts of other series I enjoyed and while some may see this as a negative I didn’t.  I mean I clearly liked the other series and as long as it has it’s own story and isn’t completely like another and keeps me entertained I’m good.  I mean if you read enough of a specific genre you’re going to see something that reminds you of another book somewhere.  So I was ready to dive into it. 

                Ruby is a Fireblood and can control heat/flame.  Control might be a bit of a leap as she hasn’t learned control and mostly just has accidents.  When the king and people are hunting down all the Firebloods to be killed this is a very dangerous thing to not be able to control.  After being imprisoned and tortured, which made me cringe despite not being as brutal as other items I’ve read but the way it was written hit me.  Also being a fireblood, cold is not her friend and I may have been a bit cold while reading and agreeing with her here.  Ruby is offered a chance of escape, from frostbloods, Arcus and Brother Thistle, with the catch of helping them.  Their plans to take down the king are in line with her own goals of revenge and it is a chance of escape and thus she agrees.  Ruby is always thinking her options through, she doesn’t always make the best choice but she does put some thought into many of them which I liked.  So of her arguments with herself are ones I could see myself having. 

                She was a great vessel to tell the story from with all her swirling and conflicting emotions throughout.  From prisoner to alley to prisoner.  When trying to do the right thing means doing something wrong.  When fighting to survive means giving up a piece of your soul.  Finding reasons to keep moving forward when one thing after another is taken away from you.  What truly makes you a monster so many believe you to be?  I really liked Ruby.

                The abbey where she is taken and the brothers and sisters she meets while there show a full assortment of perspectives.  Being a fireblood she is feared by many but seeing some accept her for whom she is not what she is while showing contrast between those who dislike or fear her for what she was born versus those who fear what having an enemy of the king near them could bring down on them, I liked the variations.  Favorites were of course Brother Thistle and his kick ass self and healing Brother Gamut.  I would have liked to get to know more of the brothers and sisters and hope to go back over time.

Sequel cover is out!

                Then you have Arcus.  He is rude, abrupt, and threatening but still gentle.  He’s secretive and moody for sure but he also has this quality of something more.  I grew to like him and enjoyed getting to know more and more of him.  I wanted him to thaw to Ruby.  He also has a bit of a funny side.

                The world has lots of stories, tales of how people came into their powers gifts of the Gods.  I like the balance aspect of it as the tales were revealed.  Fire and Ice being the main focus but then discovering more about Eurus and the Minax, which were creepy as can be.  I can’t wait to see how we dive more into that in the sequel.  You have enough here for a complete story, one journey ends but there is clearly more story to tell.  This did more than bring you into the world it told a story.  I enjoyed this story and look forward to reading more.  Would recommend for fans of fantasy and good vs. evil stories.

                Again don’t forget to head over and enter the giveaway!

                Until next time…

The Love Interest

                Hello happy readers!  I hope you all have a good weekend planned.  I hope to finish Everything, Everything today and hopefully see the movie this week so I can share all my thought about it with you.  So far I'm loving the book.  But today I'm going to discuss my thoughts and feels on a new release, The LoveInterest by Cale Dietrich, a new kind of story that I had been anticipating.  The Love Interest came out this week May 16th.  I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley for my honest review. 

Rating: 4 Stars

                There is a secret organization that creates spies, Love Interests, that get close to people who are important or have power so they can get all their secrets.  They typically come in two forms:  Nice, boy next door type, or Bad, dark and brooding, giving the target options to ensure they pick one.  Nice Caden and Bad Dylan are picked for Juliet and after some modifications are ready to try and win her heart and their lives.  Because this is the first time they get to go out into the world but though they are well trained and motivated, the one not chosen dies, being in the world they find unexpected complications, feelings that could jeopardize their lives. 

                So this book was really interesting.  It takes some of the things in other books or even shows that make us swoon over the romance/characters and turns them around.  Lots of cultural references and the like as well as fun times about set pieces and scripted lines and the like.  It had a really great story happening through it.  I liked the idea of seeing a romance, one I admit I would have been rooting for had the story been from say Juliet's POV, and seeing the base logistics of it as a job rather than a romance.  Seriously this is interesting and something I've never read before so high cheers for that.  We follow Caden who has been raised in this life, training for this chance to make his chosen fall for him and live his life as a spy.  He doesn't really consider himself Nice, he just knew that was what he'd be picked as and learned to play into it and struggles with how he has “not nice” thoughts and reactions at times.  He also realizes he is gay.  Not super ideal when you’re trying to win the girl.

                The whole concept of a basically raising spies is always appealing but to raise them to be turned into the perfect match for someone is just insane. Pitting a Nice and a Bad against one another gives new depth to a “love triangle” for sure.  I really liked the double life he was living and how it had different concepts of things and the book really intrigued me and flew by as I read it.  It was so different but at the same time familiar and I loved how it balanced those lines and made me think about so many other books all at once.

                Overall I really liked this book and would highly recommend it and the only drawback for me was the ending.  It wasn’t a bad ending by any means I enjoyed how things happened and the like it was more that the first part of the book was a quick read but it wasn’t rushed and the end felt a bit rushed.  Like once you hit around 80% it just hits warp speed.  Again it’s not bad just I kind of wish things had been taken a bit slower and given the same care and depth as the rest of the book.  Like there is a lot of action happening and part of me appreciates the book keeping up the adrenaline and it matching the mood of the scene I also want more.  It’s the end and I don’t want it to feel rushed, especially with some of the revelations that happen.  I’m just needy like that.

                I enjoyed the book and I’m glad I read it.  It is a stand-alone which is also nice.  I would recommend it to anyone as there is something that pretty much anyone can get behind and enjoy. 

                Until next time…

~Waiting on Wednesday~ The Traitor's Kiss (Traitor's Trilogy #1)

                “Waiting On” Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we’re eagerly anticipating.  Basically books that are not yet out that we are dying to get our hands on.  This week’s pick is:

The Traitor’s Kiss (Traitor’s Trilogy #1) by Erin Beaty

Out:  5/9

From Goodreads:

                An obstinate girl who will not be married.

                A soldier desperate to prove himself.

                A kingdom on the brink of war.

                With a sharp tongue and an unruly temper, Sage Fowler is not what they’d call a lady—which is perfectly fine with her.  Deemed unfit for marriage, Sage is apprenticed to a matchmaker and tasked with wrangling other young ladies to be married off for political alliances.  She spies on the girls—and on the soldiers escorting them.

                As the girls’ military escort senses a political uprising, Sage is recruited by a handsome soldier to infiltrate the enemy ranks.  The more she discovers as a spy, the less certain she becomes about whom to trust—and Sage becomes caught in a dangerous balancing act that will determine the fate of her kingdom.

Why I’m Waiting:

                I discovered this book during a past WoW and I was drawn in by the cover and the description.  I’m ready to give this one a go and it looks like this is also a debut book so I’d love to see this authors work!

                What are you waiting on?  Tell me below what you think of this title and leave a link to your WoW as well so I can check it out.  Also don't forget about my giveaway here, it has a few days left, for a SIGNED copy of A Crown of Wishes.

~Waiting on Wednesday~ Wicked Like a Wildfire (Hibiscus Daughter #1)

                “Waiting On” Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we’re eagerly anticipating.  Basically books that are not yet out that we are dying to get our hands on.  This week’s pick is:

Wicked Like a Wildfire (Hibiscus Daughter #1) by Lana Popovic

Out:  8/15

From Goodreads:

                All the women in Iris and Malina's family are born with a gleam—a unique way of manipulating beauty through magic.  Seventeen-year-old Iris sees flowers as fractals and turns her kaleidoscope visions into glasswork, her twin sister Malina interprets moods as music, and their cold, distant mother Jasmina bakes scenery into decadent treats at her confectionery in Old Town Cattaro, Montenegro.

                Jasmina forbids Iris and Malina to share their gleams with anyone, and above all, she forbids them to fall in love—being discovered could shatter the quiet lives they've built in their tucked-away, seaside town.  But Iris and Malina are tired of abiding by their mother's rules and rebel in secret whenever they can.

                Yet when a mysterious, white-haired women attacks their mother and leaves her hovering between life and death, the sisters unearth an ancient curse that haunts their line—a wicked bargain that masquerades as a blessing, and binds the twin's fates—and hearts—to a force larger than life.  To save each other, they must untangle a thousand years of lies and reveal their own hurtful secrets.  But even the deepest sacrifice might not be enough.

                Wicked Like a Wildfire is the first book in a sumptuous, bewitching duology about the power of love, death, magic, and the many faces of beauty.

Why I’m Waiting:

                 First that cover.  It is so pretty.  Reading what it is about really has me excited for this debut.  I love that while it sounds like romance may play a part the story sounds to be focused more on the bond of sisters which is really sweet.

                What are you waiting on?  Tell me below what you think of this title and leave a link to your WoW as well so I can check it out.

~Waiting on Wednesday~ The Love Interest

                “Waiting On” Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we’re eagerly anticipating.  Basically books that are not yet out that we are dying to get our hands on.  This week’s pick is:

The Love Interest by Cale Dietrich

Out:  5/16

From Goodreads:

                There is a secret organization that cultivates teenage spies.  The agents are called Love Interests because getting close to people destined for great power means getting valuable secrets.

                Caden is a Nice:  The boy next door, sculpted to physical perfection.  Dylan is a Bad:  The brooding, dark-souled guy, and dangerously handsome.  The girl they are competing for is important to the organization, and each boy will pursue her.  Will she choose a Nice or a Bad?

                Both Caden and Dylan are living in the outside world for the first time.  They are well-trained and at the top of their games.  They have to be—whoever the girl doesn't choose will die.

                What the boys don't expect are feelings that are outside of their training.  Feelings that could kill them both.

Why I’m Waiting:

                This title caught my attention first as I didn't know what to expect.  I then read the summary and I was intrigued.  I feel it will be very different and play on different troupes.  It also kind of reminded me in parts to Firstlife which I really loved.  But my understanding of this one is that the girl isn't the main point of the story which given the premise just seems like it has such promise.  I'm curious.      

                What are you waiting on?  Tell me below what you think of this title and leave a link to your WoW as well so I can check it out.

~Waiting on Wednesday~ Wintersong

                “Waiting On” Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we’re eagerly anticipating.  Basically books that are not yet out that we are dying to get our hands on.  This week’s pick is:

Wintersong by S. Jae-Jones

Out: 2/7

From Goodreads:

                Beware the goblin men and the wares they sell.

                All her life, nineteen-year-old Liesl has heard tales of the beautiful, mysterious Goblin King.  He is the Lord of Mischief, the Ruler Underground, and the muse around which her music is composed.  Yet, as Liesl helps shoulder the burden of running her family's inn, her dreams of composition and childish fancies about the Goblin King must be set aside in favor of more practical concerns.

                But when her sister Kathe is taken by the goblins, Liesl journeys to their realm to rescue her sister and return her to the world above.  The Goblin King agrees to let Kathe go—for a price.  The life of a maiden must be given to the land, in accordance with the old laws.  A life for a life, he says.  Without sacrifice, nothing good can grow.  Without death, there can be no rebirth.  In exchange for her sister's freedom, Liesl offers her hand in marriage to the Goblin King.  He accepts.

                Down in the Underground, Liesl discovers that the Goblin King still inspires her—musically, physically, emotionally.  Yet even as her talent blossoms, Liesl's life is slowly fading away, the price she paid for becoming the Goblin King's bride.  As the two of them grow closer, they must learn just what it is they are each willing to sacrifice:  her life, her music, or the end of the world.

Why I’m Waiting:

                 This was on my anticipated 2017 debut books.  I love the cover and the story remind me a bit of Beauty & the Beast and Hades & Persephone which are both tales I really love.  So this had be drawn in.  I can't wait to get my hands on it. 

                What are you waiting on?  Tell me below what you think of this title and leave a link to your WoW as well so I can check it out.

Top Ten Tuesday: 2017 Debut Authors

                Hello everyone!  Top Ten Tuesday is just how it sounds, a topic is picked and we put our Top Ten for that in a post and share and check out everyone’s answers.  Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by The Broke and the Bookish.

The top ten today is:  2017 Debuts I’m excited for

Frostblood (Frostblood Saga #1) by Elly Blake

Wintersong by S.Jae-Jones

To Catch a Killer by Sheryl Scarborough

Shimmer and Burn by Mary Taranta

The Edge of Everything by Jeff Giles

The Love Interest by Cale Dietrich

Poison’s Kiss (Poison’s Kiss #1) by Breeana Shields

A Psalm for Lost Girls by Katie Bayerl

Wicked Like a Wildfire (Hibiscus Daughter #1) by Lana Popovic

Caraval (Caraval #1) by Stephanie Garber

                 These are some of the ones I’m looking at to help me with my 2017 Debut Author Challenge but I still need some more so feel free to share your picks!  Tell me what you think of my list in the comments below.  Also please link back to your Top Ten as well so I can check out your list and see what I missed!