Waiting On Wednesday #41 - Find Me by Romily Bernard

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Breaking The Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

Expected publication: September 24th 2013 

Publisher: Harper Teen

"Find Me." These are the words written on Tessa Waye's diary. The diary that ends up with Wick Tate. But Tessa's just been found...dead.

Wick has the right computer-hacking skills for the job, but little interest in this perverse game of hide-and-seek. Until her sister Lily is the next target. Then Griff, trailer-park boy next door and fellow hacker, shows up, intent on helping Wick.

Is a happy ending possible with the threat of Wick's deadbeat dad returning, the detective hunting him sniffing around Wick instead, and a killer taunting her at every step?

Foster child. Daughter of a felon. Loner hacker girl. Wick has a bad attitude and sarcasm to spare.

But she's going to find this killer no matter what.

Because it just got personal.

I've seen a few really positive reviews about this already and it does sound different and interesting. 

What's your Waiting on Wednesday pick this week?

ARC Review: Flawed by Kate Avelynn

Title: Flawed

Author: Kate Avelynn

Series: Nil

Publication Date: 28th November 2012

Publisher: Entangled Publishing

Genre: Young Adult, Contempory

Source: eARC from Entangled Publishing via Netgalley

Description

Sarah O’Brien is alive because of the pact she and her brother made twelve years ago — James will protect her from their violent father if she promises to never leave him. For years, she’s watched James destroy his life to save hers. If all he asks for in return is her affection, she’ll give it freely.

Until, with a tiny kiss and a broken mind, he asks for more than she can give.

Sam Donavon has been James’ best friend — and the boy Sarah’s had a crush on — for as long as she can remember. As their forbidden relationship deepens, Sarah knows she’s in trouble. Quiet, serious Sam has decided he’s going to save her. Neither of them realizes James is far more unstable than her father ever was, or that he’s not about to let Sarah forget her half of the pact .

Review

This is hard for me to review, especially without giving anything away. This was an emotional read but due to the main topic of incest I don't think this will be for everyone. That said, this was well written and it was easy to empathise with Sarah. This was one of my favourite reads in 2012. It's one of those books that stay with you long after you finish reading it. 

Sarah is naive, and fairly submissive. Considering how she was raised, you can understand her naivety and the decisions she made. Later in the story she does start to see things that are wrong, but what got frustrating was the fact she still went along with things even though she knew she shouldn't. For added frustration - she thought she deserved it. *sigh* Despite this, in a way, you can still empathise with her and understand why she thinks that way. Sarah goes through a lot of character growth in this book, although the bulk of her growth is towards the end and with huge consequences. 

Sarah's brother, James, was a character that was hard to like, or dislike. In a way I felt sorry for him, but at the same time felt he should know better. Again, his upbringing would play a part in his actions. 

James' best friend  Sam, and Sarah's love interest, was everything you could ever want, especially someone in Sarah's situation. He is thoughtful, caring, understanding, and strong. I pretty much loved him, and his mum. 

This book took me on a roller-coaster ride of emotion. It is a beautifully constructed, well paced, heartbreaking story. If you like contemporary books with a realistic feel, give Flawed a read - I'm sure you'll love it. But be warned, this does not have the happy ever after ending you will be wishing for. 

★★★★★

It Was Amazing

Thank you to Entangled Publishing and Netgalley for the eARC!

  

Author Bio

Source

Kate Avelynn lives in Central Oregon with her husband, whom she fell in love with at eighteen after realizing he shared her obsession with music, sports, and psychoanalysis. When not devouring Stephanie Perkins and Jennifer Echols novels, holding down her editing gig, or attempting to coax life out of the weed patch she calls a “garden,” Kate writes dark, young adult romance that blends first love, betrayal, and danger. FLAWED is her debut novel.

 Author Links

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2012 End of Year Book Survey

The lovely Jamie at Perpetual Page Turner is hosting The Third Annual End of Year Book Survey and it looked like so much fun, I just had to partcipate!

Note: The survey is for books you read and is not limited to just books that came out in 2012!!

I started my blog in June thinking this would be an awesome idea but little did I know how big and awesome the book blogging community is. Before I started this blog I actually had no idea how many books were out there that I didn't know about. I only found Goodreads at the beginning of the year prior to that it was whatever caught my eye at the book store. Since I've started blogging I've read and found so many exciting books and series' that I absolutely love. 

Without further ado ~ 

Best In Books 2012

1. Best Book You Read In 2012? (You can break it down by genre if you want)

Adult fiction: I've Got Your Number by Sophie Kinsella

Contemporary YA: Flawed by Kate Avelynn 

Dystopian YA: The Darkest Minds by Alexandra Bracken
Sci-fi: Partials by Dan Wells
Fantasy: Storm by Brigid Kemmerer

2. Book You Were Excited About & Thought You Were Going To Love More But Didn’t?

Crewel by Gennifer Albin and Insurgent by Veronica Roth

 3. Most surprising (in a good way!) book of 2012? 

The Darkest Minds by Alexandra Bracken and Flawed by Kate Avelynn

 4. Book you recommended to people most in 2012?

For Fantasy/Sci Fi/Dystopian fans - The Darkest Minds by Alexandra Bracken
For Contempory/Realistic type fans - Flawed by Kate Avelynn

 5. Best series you discovered in 2012?

I hate to sounds like a broken record but The Darkest Minds by Alexandra Bracken would by my first pick. 

Then Elementals by Brigid Kemmerer, Legend by Marie Lu, Partials by Dan Wells, Luna Chronicles by Marissa Meyer, Blood of Eden by Julie Kagawa. Oh there were so many great series that I started, I could keep going!

 6. Favorite new authors you discovered in 2012?

Again, there are so many great authors I discovered in 2012. Nearly every author listed above was new to me. 

7. Best book that was out of your comfort zone or was a new genre for you?

I've always read a wide variety so this is harder to answer. I recently read Little Red Riding Wolf by Jessica Aspen for an up coming blog tour which is a genre I normally don't read, which I actually did enjoy. 

 8. Most thrilling, unputdownable book in 2012?

There were 3 stand outs for me: The Darkest Minds by Alexandra Bracken, Flawed by Kate Avelynn, and Storm by Brigid Kemmerer. 

 9. Book You Read In 2012 That You Are Most Likely To Re-Read Next Year:

I don't think I'll get a chance to re-read any books this year. If I do, I'd love to re-read Flawed by Kate Avelynn or Twenties Girl by Sophie Kinsella

10. Favorite cover of a book you read in 2012?

There were so many beautiful covers in 2012, but if I have to pick up I'd choose Stormdancer by Jay Kristoff, though I can't decide which cover I love more. 

11. Most memorable character in 2012? 

Poppy from I've Got Your Number by Sophie Kinsella, and Celaena Sardothien from Throne of Glass by Sarah J Maas.

 12. Most beautifully written book read in 2012?

Gennifer Albin's writing in Crewel was delightful and creative. 

13. Book that had the greatest impact on you in 2012? 

I'd have to say Flawed by Kate Avelynn is one that has stuck with me more then any of the others I've read. 

 14. Book you can’t believe you waited UNTIL 2012 to finally read? 

Mercy by Rebecca Lim and Legend by Marie Lu

 15. Favorite Passage/Quote From A Book You Read In 2012? 

"Ah. I've found rumours have much in common with feathers. It's rare that either holds much weight." Loc 441, Falling Kingdoms by Morgan Rhodes.

"Well, thanks for not shooting anyone, I guess," said Marcus. "My contribution was to somehow refrain from peeing myself. You can thank me later." pg. 344, Partials by Dan Well.


 16.Shortest & Longest Book You Read In 2012? 

Not including prequels -
Shortest: Little Red Riding Wolf by Jessica Aspen @ 111 pages.
Longest: Breaking Dawn by Stephaine Meyer @ 754 pages.

 17. Book That Had A Scene In It That Had You Reeling And Dying To Talk To Somebody About It? (a WTF moment, an epic revelation, a steamy kiss, etc. etc.) Be careful of spoilers!

The entire Twilight series by Stephaine Meyer and Beautiful Disaster by Jamie McGuire. They all had a pile of WTF moments. 

18. Favorite Relationship From A Book You Read In 2012 (be it romantic, friendship, etc).

You can probably guess the answer to this: The Darkest Minds by Alexandra Bracken and Flawed by Kate Avelynn. I loved Ruby and Liam, and Sarah and Sam. 

19. Favorite Book You Read in 2012 From An Author You Read Previously

I've Got Your Number by Sophie Kinsella

20. Best Book You Read That You Read Based SOLELY On A Recommendation From Somebody Else:

Speechless by Hannah Harrington

 Book Blogging/Reading Life in 2012 (optional)

1. New favorite book blog you discovered in 2012? 

I only discovered book blogging this year, so they are all new! However I only recently discovered a BookTuber padfootandprongs07. She's awesome.  

2. Favorite review that you wrote in 2012? 

I had fun writing my Speechless review as its pretty much the only one I've used gifs on, but I loved writing The Darkest Minds review because it was such a great book. 

3. Best discussion you had on your blog?

I don't have discussion posts.... maybe I should!

4. Most thought-provoking review or discussion you read on somebody else’s blog?

A recent post that Krista posted Giveaway Etiquette 101?

5. Best event that you participated in (author signings, festivals, virtual events, memes, etc.)?

Unfortunately there are limited (I'm yet to find one) events where I live, but the best meme would have to be Stacking The Shelves. I love looking at what everyone gets. =)

6. Best moment of book blogging in 2012?

Starting in the first place! lol. Being approved for my first ARC and when I reached 50 followers. 

7. Most Popular Post This Year On Your Blog (whether it be by comments or views)?

Over all, my Stacking The Shelves posts get the most attention. Next to that my The Darkest Minds review. 

8. Post You Wished Got A Little More Love?

My review of A Need So Beautiful by Suzanne Young

9. Best bookish discover (book related sites, book stores, etc.)?

Would you believe I didn't really know about The Book Depository. That is definitely a awesome discovery and I have bought so many books from there this year. 

10.  Did you complete any reading challenges or goals that you had set for yourself at the beginning of this year?

I entered a few different challenges throughout the year, but the overall challenge was through Goodreads.

2012 Reading Challenge

Sabina has read 50 books toward her goal of 50 books.

hide

50 of 50 (100%)

view books

Looking Ahead…

1. One Book You Didn’t Get To In 2012 But Will Be Your Number 1 Priority in 2013?

I have several books I definitely read this year. I did a Top Ten post on it.

2. Book You Are Most Anticipating For 2013?

I'm looking forward to a few books this year. 

The Ward by Jordana Frankel
Mind Games by Kiersten White
Velvet by Em Garner
PODs by Michelle K. Pickett 
The Archived by Victoria Schwab

3. One Thing You Hope To Accomplish Or Do In Your Reading/Blogging In 2013?

Get through the books I own rather then review books or purchase more books. 

Stacking The Shelves #23

Stacking The Shelves is all about sharing the books you are adding to your shelves, may it be physical or virtual. This means you can include books you buy in physical store or online, books you borrow from friends or the library, review books, gifts and of course ebooks!

Thanks to the host Tynga's Reviews.

This is a rather large haul as I got gifted quiet a few books for Christmas, plus a couple of purchases (three in last photo). 

I received the series of A Song of Fire and Ice by George R R Martin which includes:
A Game of Thrones
A Clash of Kings
A Storm of Swords 1. Steel and Snow
A Storm of Swords 2. Blood and Gold
A Feast for Crows
A Dance with Dragons 1. Dreams and Dust
A Dance with Dragons 2. After the Feast

Feed by Mira Grant

Delirium by Lauren Oliver

The Unbecoming Of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkins

Ten by Gretchen McNeil

Nerve by Jeanne Ryan

I've Got Your Number by Sophie Kinsella

Enclave by Ann Aguire

The Farm by Emily McKay

Touch of Power by Maria V Snyder

The Grimm Diaries Prequels by Cameron Jace

I got the 6 prequels to Snow White Sorrow off Amazon for $0.99. 

That's it for me but I'd love to know what you got this week so don't forget to leave me your link so I can visit. =)

Top 10 Books I'm looking forward to in 2013

I'm happy to be participating in this one week feature, hosted by Jessica @ Confessions of a Bookaholic, Mindy @ Magical Urban Fantasy Reads, Rachel @ Fiktshun & Jaime @ Two Chicks on Books. 

Top 10 Books I'm looking forward to in 2013. (This list should be comprised of books released ONLY in 2013)

In no particular order: 

Expected publication: March 12th 2013 by Katherine Tegen Books

Mila 2.0 is the first book in an electrifying sci-fi thriller series about a teenage girl who discovers that she is an experiment in artificial intelligence.

Mila was never meant to learn the truth about her identity. She was a girl living with her mother in a small Minnesota town. She was supposed to forget her past —that she was built in a secret computer science lab and programmed to do things real people would never do.

Now she has no choice but to run.

Expected publication: January 22nd 2013 by Hyperion

Imagine a place where the dead rest on shelves like books.

Each body has a story to tell, a life seen in pictures that only Librarians can read. The dead are called Histories, and the vast realm in which they rest is the Archive.

Expected publication: April 16th 2013 by HarperTeen

There are no men in Claysoot. There are boys—but every one of them vanishes at midnight on his eighteenth birthday. The ground shakes, the wind howls, a blinding light descends…and he’s gone.

They call it the Heist.

Expected publication: February 19th 2013 by HarperTeen

Fia was born with flawless instincts. Her first impulse, her gut feeling, is always exactly right. Her sister, Annie, is blind to the world around her—except when her mind is gripped by strange visions of the future. 

Trapped in a school that uses girls with extraordinary powers as tools for corporate espionage, Annie and Fia are forced to choose over and over between using their abilities in twisted, unthinkable ways… or risking each other’s lives by refusing to obey.

Expected publication: February 5th 2013 by Feiwel and Friends

Cinder returns in the second thrilling installment of the New York Times-bestselling Lunar Chronicles. She’s trying to break out of prison—even though if she succeeds, she’ll be the Commonwealth’s most wanted fugitive.

Halfway around the world, Scarlet Benoit’s grandmother is missing. It turns out there are many things Scarlet doesn’t know about her grandmother and the grave danger she has lived in her whole life. When Scarlet encounters Wolf, a street fighter who may have information as to her grandmother’s whereabouts, she has no choice but to trust him, though he clearly has a few dark secrets of his own.

Expected publication: February 26th 2013 by Random House Books for Young Readers

You or your Alt? Only one will survive.

The city of Kersh is a safe haven, but the price of safety is high. Everyone has a genetic Alternate—a twin raised by another family—and citizens must prove their worth by eliminating their Alts before their twentieth birthday. Survival means advanced schooling, a good job, marriage—life. 

Expected publication: January 29th 2013 by Putnam Juvenile

June and Day arrive in Vegas just as the unthinkable happens: the Elector Primo dies, and his son Anden takes his place. With the Republic edging closer to chaos, the two join a group of Patriot rebels eager to help Day rescue his brother and offer passage to the Colonies. They have only one request—June and Day must assassinate the new Elector.

Expected publication: June 4th 2013 by Spencer Hill Press

Seventeen-year-old Eva is a chosen one. Chosen to live, while others meet a swift and painful death from an incurable virus so lethal, a person is dead within days of symptoms emerging. In the POD system, a series of underground habitats built by the government, she waits with the other chosen for the deadly virus to claim those above. Separated from family and friends, it's in the PODs she meets David. And while true love might not conquer all, it's a balm for the broken soul. After a year, scientists believe the population has died, and without living hosts, so has the virus. That's the theory, anyway. But when the PODs are opened, survivors find the surface holds a vicious secret. The virus mutated, infecting those left top-side and creating... monsters. 

Expected publication: May 7th 2013 by Margaret K. McElderry Books

Lucy’s Chantress magic will make her the most powerful—and most hunted—girl in England.“Sing, and the darkness will find you.” This warning has haunted fifteen-year-old Lucy ever since she was eight and shipwrecked on a lonely island. Lucy’s guardian, Norrie, has lots of rules, but the most important is that Lucy must never sing. Not ever. Now it is 1667, Lucy is fifteen, and on All Hallows’ Eve, Lucy hears a tantalizing melody on the wind. She can’t help but sing—and she is swept into darkness.

Expected publication: May 7th 2013 by HarperCollins

It happened on Halloween.

The world ended.

And a dangerous Game brought it back to life.
Seventeen-year-old Michael and his five-year-old brother, Patrick, have been battling monsters in The Game for weeks. 

Expected publication: February 26th 2013 by Balzer + Bray

Kira has left East Meadow in a desperate search for clues to who she is. Her companions are Afa Demoux, an unhinged drifter and former employee of ParaGen, and Samm and Heron, the Partials who betrayed her and saved her life, the only ones who know her secret. But can she trust them?
Meanwhile, back on Long Island, what's left of humanity is gearing up for war with the Partials, and Marcus knows his only hope is to delay them until Kira returns.

Expected publication: April 23rd 2013 by Harlequin Teen

Allison Sekemoto has vowed to rescue her creator, Kanin, who is being held hostage and tortured by the psychotic vampire Sarren. The call of blood leads her back to the beginning—New Covington and the Fringe, and a vampire prince who wants her dead yet may become her wary ally.

Even as Allie faces shocking revelations and heartbreak like she’s never known, a new strain of the Red Lung virus that decimated humanity is rising to threaten human and vampire alike.



** All book covers link to their goodreads page if you would like more information on them**