Waiting on Wednesday

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine that spotlights upcoming releases we can't wait to get our hands on.

My Pick This Week:


Title: Ripple
Author: Mandy Hubbard
Release Date: July 21st 2011

Lexi is cursed with a dark secret. Each day she goes to school like a normal teenager, and each night she must swim, or the pain will be unbearable. She is a siren - a deadly mermaid destined to lure men to their watery deaths. After a terrible tragedy, Lexi shut herself off from the world, vowing to protect the ones she loves. But she soon finds herself caught between a new boy at school who may have the power to melt her icy exterior, and a handsome water spirit who says he can break Lexi's curse if she gives up everything else. Lexi is faced with the hardest decision she’s ever had to make: the life she's always longed for - or the love she can't live without?

~ I was browsing through Goodreads and came across this awhile back.  I saw the cover and said "Oooh, what is this?"  I went to the description and after reading it, I knew it was something I would be anticipating cause it just sounds Yummy! Don't ya think?  I can't wait to get my hands on a copy of this!!  Unfortunately, its gonna be a long wait:(

Review: Overprotected by Jennifer Laurens

Title:  Overprotected

Author:  Jennifer Laurens

Release Date: February 9th 2011 

Publisher:  Grove Creek Publishing

Source:  Bought

Description from Goodreads:

Ashlyn:A lonely society princess living in NewYork City.

Daddy hired you to be my bodyguard.


Colin: Childhood enemy, now her protector.


Daddy thought I’d be safe. He thought I’d never fall in love. He thought he could keep me forever.


Charles: obsessed with keeping her safe, keeping her his, he hires the one person he knows she could never fall in love with: Colin.


Daddy was wrong

My Thoughts:


I loved it!  Everytime I read one of Jennifer's works, I am hooked from the start.  She is one of my favorite authors.


Ashlyn Adair was kidnapped by her nanny when she was 5 years old because the nanny wanted to be with Ash's father.  She never hurt her but only threatened to if he didn't leave his wife for her.  Ashlyn's father decided that she needed protection from then on.


Ashlyn hasn't seen Colin in 5 years since she moved from California to New York.  She never liked him cause he use to torment and pick on her.  Now, he's in New York and has been hired by Ashlyn's dad to be her new bodyguard.  Her old bodyguard, Stuart, fell in love with her and had to be fired since Ash was uncomfortable around him.  At first, she doesn't like him and gives him a hard time.  Later she realizes that he has grown up and changed alot (emotionally an physically.)


Ashlyn soon starts developing feelings for Colin.  He's able to see her life from the inside and they are able to bond when she is in need of a friend.  With Ashlyn being a job, will he be able to resist her advances and protect her when she really needs it?


Overprotected took being a protective father to a whole new level.  He goes to great lengths to keep his "princess" safe, but what he doesn't realize is that its pushing her away and even putting her in more danger.


I love forbidden romance and I felt that is what this was, in a way.  Colin is supposed to be Ashlyn's protector, but through her eyes we are able to see little signs here and there that he is starting to like her more than a bodyguard should.  The only problem is that Ashlyn's father might fire him if anything is acted upon.  Daddy doesn't want her to fall in love and leave.  He wants to keep an eye on her always to keep her safe from being kidnapped again.


So, overall, this is a book I really recommend reading.  Danger, a HOT guy in shades with you 24/7 -yummy!,  romance, family drama, and oh- did I mention a HOT guy in shades yet?  This story has it all so you won't be bored.  What more could a reader ask for?  So go grab a copy.  I bet you'll love it too.

5 Stars

Review: Thank You, God For Mommy by Amy Parker

Title: Thank You, God, For Mommy

Author: Amy Parker

Release Date: April 5th 2011

Publisher: Thomas Nelson

Source: NetGalley

Description from Goodreads:

Mommies do so much for us!

It's time to thank God for the blessing they are.
In this adorable board book,
a little panda thanks God for his wonderful mommy-a mommy who gives hugs and cuddles,
who takes great care of him, and most importantly, who offers love and guidance for her precious panda cub.
Thank You, God, for Mommy,
And lullabies so sweet-
The beating of her great,
big heart
Sings me right to sleep.
The love and sacrifices of mothers everywhere will be celebrated by mother and child as they snuggle up together and say Thank You, God, for Mommy.

My Thoughts:

What a sweet story!  It tells of the special little thing that mothers can do to mean so much to their children.
We learn through the prayers of the young that actions can really show a child how we feel about them.  Things such as caring, being patient, fixing boo boos, simple interactions and playing together can show them how much they're loved.  I think the purpose of this story is to show parents that simple little gestures can make a true difference in a child's life.  If you are a mommy, you should really take the time to read this to your little one.  It just might change your relationship with your child and bring y'all a little closer to each other. 


5 Stars

Review: Thank You, God, For Daddy by Amy Parker

Title: Thank You, God, for Daddy
Author: Amy Parker
Release Date: May 10th 2011
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Source: NetGalley

Description From Goodreads:

Daddies do so much for us! It’s time to thank God for the blessing they are.
In this adorable board book, a little lion cub thanks God for his wonderful daddy—a daddy who gives big hugs and piggy back rides, who takes great care of him, and most importantly, who offers love, guidance, and encouragement.
Thank You, God, for Daddy;

He scares monsters away.
When Daddy says, “Don’t be afraid,”
I know that it’s okay.
The love and sacrifices of fathers will be celebrated by children everywhere each time they snuggle up to read Thank You, God, for Daddy. 

My Thoughts:

This is a super cute story that shows what a dad can do to show he cares.  He can encourage a child to be the best he can.  He can teach them to work hard and play with them to show he cares.  He can be a hero just by doing little things such as playing together, fixing things that are broken, or a simple good night hug.  This story tells us that the simplest little things a dad can do is what will impact the children the most growing up.  I personally think that all dads out there should read this.  It's a great example of how fathers should interact with their kids and show them that they don't have to be a real superhero to be a hero in their child's eyes.

5 Stars






 

25 Follower GIVEAWAY!! ARC of Chime by Franny Billingsley

Win an ARC of Chime by Franny Billingsley

  I received an ARC copy of Chime by Franny Billingsley to review.  Since it comes out today, I bought my own copy and will  give this one to ONE Lucky Winner.  I would also like to reach 25 Followers at the same time so it is a win-win for everyone!  Once I reach 25 followers, by the end of the next day, I will pick a winner and contact them via email.


I have started reading this already and the pages take you to another world entirely filled with monsters and something that you would read out of a Grimm's fairy tale.  It is surprisingly different than what I was expecting it to be. 

I will finish reading and then review this book later on the blog.
Giveaway is open to US residents only please. 
Winner must respond back to me via email within 48 hours of being contacted


Enter by filling out the form   Here
Requirement:  You must be a follower to enter



Release Date: March 17th 2011


Goodreads Description:


Before Briony's stepmother died, she made sure Briony blamed herself for all the family's hardships. Now Briony has worn her guilt for so long it's become a second skin. She often escapes to the swamp, where she tells stories to the Old Ones, the spirits who haunt the marshes. But only witches can see the Old Ones, and in her village, witches are sentenced to death. Briony lives in fear her secret will be found out, even as she believes she deserves the worst kind of punishment.


Then Eldric comes along with his golden lion eyes and mane of tawny hair. He's as natural as the sun, and treats her as if she's extraordinary. And everything starts to change. As many secrets as Briony has been holding, there are secrets even she doesn't know.


A Special Thanks goes to Penguin Young Readers Group

Review: Falling Under by Gwen Hayes

Title: Falling Under

Author: Gwen Hayes

Release Date: March 1st 2011

Publisher: New American Library

Source: Bought

Description from Goodreads:

Theia Alderson has always led a sheltered life in the small California town of Serendipity Falls. But when a devastatingly handsome boy appears in the halls of her school, Theia knows she's seen Haden before- not around town, but in her dreams.

As the Haden of both the night and the day beckons her closer one moment and pushes her away the next, the only thing Theia knows for sure is that the incredible pull she feels towards him is stronger than her fear.


And when she discovers what Haden truly is, Theia's not sure if she wants to resist him, even if the cost is her soul.

My Thoughts:

Theia awakes to a burning man falling from the sky.  She doesn't realize that from this moment on, her life will never be the same.

Theia lives with her father- a strong businessman who believes in raising his daughter in the most stern and strict way so she acts like a real lady.  She basically never gets to let loose and have any fun.

She dreams of a boy and later sees him ,in the flesh, in her school as the new kid.  All the girls want him, including Theia.  He seems to know her from the dreams too, but still tries to make her jealous.  Could he possibly be the same boy that she keeps meeting in her dreams or is it just a coincidence that he looks the same?

Haden, the new boy at school, is unlike any guy that Theia has ever met.  He makes her want to forget all her father's rules and go have fun.  He is sometimes nice to her, but also times he is short coming, mean and angry with her.  When he is in a good mood around her, she'll receive the sweetest comments from him.  When he is angry...watch out cause he could be sending people to the hospital if he can't control his temper.

Theia feels this connection to Haden and finds out that it is no dream and they really are meeting at night.  She'll go to great lengths to learn more about who he is and to be with him.  Once she discovers who Haden is, will she be willing to risk her own soul to be with him?

I think the plot of this story is really interesting.  It does have a bit of Twilight feel to it and even goes as far as talking about a sparkling vampire. 

The writing is what threw me off a bit.  I felt dumb as I was reading the book.  I kept getting stumped.  Gwen kept using big words that I had no idea what they meant.  I'm not the sharpest tool in the shed, but I'm not the dumbest either.  I'm glad I was reading on my Kindle because the built in dictionary sure got some use during this book.

My favorite part was when Haden showed up in a big pickup truck.  He took Theia stumping which consists of " muddy logging roads, 4 wheel drive, and holding on to the 'oh shit handle' above the door."  It reminds me of when we use to go mud boggin' aka Muddin'.  We used to ride around in lifted trucks with huge tires and go splashin' mud all over the trucks.  I was always holding on to the "oh shit grip"  and can picture the adventure that Haden and Theia had from my own personal experiences.  What a great scene to imagine while reading!

The cover is what drew me to this story first and then I read the description and knew that it was something that I would enjoy.  Overall, I loved the chemistry between Theia and Haden and envy the feelings that they have toward one another.  The story was romantic, humerous, mysterious, and at times, just plain fun.  I was pulled in from the first page and wanted to read at any free time I found.  I can't wait for the sequel to see if they are together or not.

4 Stars

Review: Wither (Chemical Garden Book 1) by Lauren DeStefano

Title: Wither (Chemical Garden Book 1) 

Author: Lauren DeStefano
Release Date: March 22nd 2011
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing
Source:  Simon & Schuster (Thank you!)


Description from Goodreads:


Thanks to modern science, every human being has become a ticking genetic time bomb—males only live to age twenty-five, and females only live to age twenty. In this bleak landscape, young girls are kidnapped and forced into polygamous marriages to keep the population from dying out.

When sixteen-year-old Rhine Ellery is taken by the Gatherers to become a bride, she enters a world of wealth and privilege. Despite her husband Linden's genuine love for her, and a tenuous trust among her sister wives, Rhine has one purpose: to escape—to find her twin brother and go home.

But Rhine has more to contend with than losing her freedom. Linden's eccentric father is bent on finding an antidote to the genetic virus that is getting closer to taking his son, even if it means collecting corpses in order to test his experiments. With the help of Gabriel, a servant Rhine is growing dangerously attracted to, Rhine attempts to break free, in the limited time she has left.


My Thoughts:


What an amazing book!  This book takes you into a world where there is a time limit on how long a person lives.  The girls live to 20 and the boys live till the age of 25.  This is all because of a virus that was created when the first generations tried to cure things like cancer.  The first generations are the ones that were born before the virus was created, therefore they live as long as they can, which means they live to become elders.


Rhine Ellery is 16 years old and she has 4 years left to live.  Her and her twin brother, Rowan, lost their parents in a lab explosion and are left to fend for themselves and keep an eye out for any Gatherers that try to take Rhine or orphans who are desperate for food and shelter and will do anything to get it.

Rhine is kidnapped and later sold to a wealthy man that is getting his son, Linden, some wives.  Rhine is not the only girl to be married to Linden.  She now has 2 sister wives- Cecily and Jenna.  Cecily is 13 and Jenna is 18.  Rhine marries Linden against her will and decides the only way to escape is to earn his trust and become a first wife and earn all the extra privileges like parties and social gatherings. 


What can be so bad about living in a mansion anyway?  Rhine has her own domestics, servants, and attendants that will do whatever she needs them to do.  She even starts to fall for her own personal attendant, Gabriel.  This leads her to want to escape even more back to her brother and take Gabriel along on her so they can both live the rest of their short lives in freedom.  Rhine does get to know Linden and sees that he really has no idea that his father, Housemaster Vaughn, is the reason she is there and that it's against her will.  They grow closer and she starts to care for him as he cares for her, but she realizes that she wants freedom more.  Instead of all the fancy dresses, meals, parties, and riches- Rhine wants freedom.


Her older sister wife, Jenna, tries to cause distractions and help Rhine through her journey to escape.  She even steals a lighter from a servant and sets the curtains on fire, just so Rhine can see Gabriel and make sure he's ok. What a brave girl!  Cecily on the other hand, wants to be there.  She is young and doesn't really know what real freedom is and wants to please her new husband in every way possible.


This truly makes you stop and think while reading this. What if the world really did become like this? It would be a scary place to be, I know that. To have to watch your back all the time and try not to get kidnapped and sold would be horrible and terrifying. Not to mention losing your freedom and having to "please" a man you don't want to "please" but have to if you want to survive.


Rhine is such a sweet and polite character that is full of determination.  She is always friendly to the staff and never complains about anything, unlike Cecily.  She is always willing to help out her sister wives when they need her.  Rhine finds out a lot of hidden secrets in the mansion and what she finds out only makes her want to leave more.  She realizes that it isn't as safe and honest as Linden believes.  He truly is clueless in this book.  He doesn't know as much of what goes on around the mansion as what he thinks.  His father is dishonest to him and tells him lies or does something because its more convenient than for Linden to know the truth.  Basically, (and I apologize for saying this) his father is an ASS!


I really love the storyline, but was kinda hoping that it would have a different ending. I'm not gonna tell you what I was hoping for cause I don't want to give anything away.  Lauren really created a masterpiece with this book.  I was really drawn into the cast of characters and their situations they were put in.  I can't wait to see what happens next in Rhine's journey!

5 Stars