March RAK Wrap Up

Hey,

This month is the first month that I have received a RAK! Well, many RAKs! And I am SO greatful. Thank you! Here are some of the awesome books I got:



Wither by Lauren DeStefano from Sullivan at Pearls Cast Before A McPig
Hunting Lila by Sarah Alderson from Beks at Just Another Teenage Bookworm
The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight by Jennifer E. Smith from Kat at The Aussie Zombie
Under The Never Sky by Veronica Rossi from Cassie at Vamps, Were and Cassay, OH my!

I sent a RAK, too!



Eve by Anna Carey to Beks at Just Another Teenage Bookworm

Thank you for a great month and I hope you all enjoyed the books that you received.
Sam :)

The Winner

Hey,

I'm here to annouce who won my 600 follower giveaway! There was over 2,500 entries! :O Thanks!

The winner is.............................Poppy F.

Congrats! Email me back ASAP!

Thank you so much guys! You don't know how amazing I think you all are for helping me celebrate. ;) And I am greatful to everyone who took the time to read my reviews!

Thank you for being awesome,
Sam :)

My review of Bloodrose

Bloodrose (Nightshade #3) by Andrea Cremer 
Release Date: January 3rd, 2012

Is true love worth the ultimate sacrifice?

Calla has always welcomed war. But now that the final battle is upon her, there’s more at stake than fighting. There’s saving Ren, even if it incurs Shay’s wrath. There’s keeping Ansel safe, even if he’s been branded a traitor. There’s proving herself as the pack’s alpha, facing unnameable horrors, and ridding the world of the Keepers’ magic once and for all. And then there’s deciding what to do when the war ends. If Calla makes it out alive, that is. 


Well, well, well. We've now reached the end of the rollercoaster. The Nightshade trilogy is now over, finished. And you know what Bloodrose left me thinking? It left me thinking, 'I've been waiting for this?!'

I fell in love with Nightshade, I liked Wolfsbane, but Bloodrose? I don't know what to think.

In this book, we find out some more juicy secrets of the keepers and Shay's parents. After Calla goes on a rescue mission with Adne to find her brother, Ren, who is also Calla's potential mate, Calla faces a problem. Ren, or Shay? Bloodrose finally determines who Calla will choose. Some will like the decision, some won't. For me, I don't really know. I'm sort of caught in the middle of regret and enjoying it.

I'm going to be honest, I didn't really like Ren in the previous two book. I thought of him as the big meanie wolf with controlling intentions, but in this book, I warmed up to him. I really did. I saw a side to him that I must have missed before; his ability of love deeply. I still can't believe that I spent my time hating him for trying to steal Calla away from Shay, when really he was just trying to show her how much he cared for her.

Calla, I don't know what to think of her. She's irritating and annoying, bossy and shouts a lot, I guess that comes from the whole Alpha role. One minute she was with Ren and the next she was with Shay, and then she uses the rest of her time trying to make her life perfect again. She was a hot and cold character for me. I liked her, then I didn't.

I don't want to give away the plot because I think that as this is the final instalment, you guys should all experience it without my input.

The ending. Oh my god. The ending that everyone has been talking about. Disappointed? Gutted? For those who have already read Bloodrose, will know that what happens near the end is both horrifying and tear-jerking.

Overall, Bloodrose was a slight disappointment but I still enjoyed the plot and a few of the characters. If you've read the previous two books that you must read this!

Rating

My review of The Pineville Heist

The Pineville Heist by Lee Chambers 
Release Date: July 20th, 2011
Amazon UK | Amazon | The Book Depository


A Chilling and Exciting Mystery That You Won't Forget.

Seventeen year old Aaron stumbles into the aftermath of a five million dollar bank heist gone wrong. Hiding under a canoe, Aaron partially catches the murder of one of the robbers. In the chaos he sneaks away with the money and heads straight for the closest place of safety, his high school. Terrified, Aaron tells his shocking tale to Amanda Becker, his drama teacher, but it doesn´t take long for one of the psychotic robbers to show up. In the locked down school the pair are relentlessly pursued in a quest to get the money back and wipe out the evidence.

The Pineville Heist is a short and shocking book. There's only about 200 pages, and in those pages contains kick-butt action and characters oozing with personality. It's a book that will make your heart literally stop beating.

This book is based around a bag of money and an unknown killer. When Aaron and his friends go searching through the woods, they stumble across a problem. A man is being shot. Who was the killer? Aaron doesn't know. His friends have run off leaving him alone. He runs back to school to tell his teacher, Amanda. And that's where the nightmare starts.....

This is a gripping story that you won't be able to put down. You will get lost in the story line and pure determination of the characters. As many of you may know, I am a big fan of books with unique and realistic characters. The Pineville Heist is definitely one of those books. Lee Chambers has created believable characters that you will want to read more about.

Also, I've heard that this is going to be a movie with a guy from the Twilight Eclipse film in it! I am positive that you will all love the movie and you will probably think, 'I need to read the book'. Since this book contains some heart racing action scenes, plenty of blood, killing and creepy characters, I think that many people who read the book will want to watch the movie.

Overall, The Pineville Heist is a stunning novel that mystery and thriller lovers will devour.

Rating

- A special thanks to Lee Chambers for sending me a copy!

Radio Station!

Hey,

I know this has nothing to do with book but I just have to tell you guys about it! MY FRIEND HAS MADE A RADIO STATION AND IT IS AWESOME! Here's a link to a list of amazing episodes!

It would also be amazing if you followed @TREntertain_247 on twitter!

Thanks guys! And just to add a bit of book related info:
- THE SPRING YA SCAVENGER HUNT IS ON!
- Look forward to my review of Fated by Alyson Noel!

Check back soon!
Sam :)

Winner of my Kick-Butt Character Giveaway Hop

Hey!

I want to tell you how amazing you all are for participating in my last giveaway hop! The Kick-Butt Character giveaway blog hop. Now, most of you said that Katniss Everdeen from The Hunger Games and Rose from The Vampire Academy series!

So, the winner is.............Shannon P.

Congrats! Reply to my e-mail ASAP!
Sam :)

My review of Fracture

Fracture by Megan Miranda 
Release Date: January 17th, 2012

A wonderfully crafted story that will send chills down your spine.

Eleven minutes passed before Delaney Maxwell was pulled from the icy waters of a Maine lake by her best friend Decker Phillips. By then her heart had stopped beating. Her brain had stopped working. She was dead. And yet she somehow defied medical precedent to come back seemingly fine. Everyone wants Delaney to be all right, but she knows she's far from normal. Pulled by strange sensations she can't control or explain, Delaney finds herself drawn to the dying. Is her altered brain now predicting death, or causing it?

Then Delaney meets Troy Varga, who recently emerged from a coma with similar abilities. At first she's reassured to find someone who understands the strangeness of her new existence, but Delaney soon discovers that Troy's motives aren't quite what she thought. Is their gift a miracle, a freak of nature-or something much more frightening?

Fracture is a new take on the subject of death. With a touch of paranormal excitement, this book won't let you go until you've read the very last page.

This book had me fixed the whole way through. It has everything you want in a book; excitement, action, mysteries, romance, etc. There were many times when I felt that my heart would burst out of my chest! Yes! It was that exciting. The story is set in winter, and, by the way the scenes were described and used, it made me believe that I was out in the cold!

I don't think I enjoyed the main character, Delaney, as much as I could have done. For one, would you phone some random guy off a street if he claimed he knew what was wrong with you? Hmmmm? Second, she didn't make very sensible decisions. Most of the book was about her running off with some guy she barely knew. For those who don't like weak and helpless heroines, Fracture might not be your cup of tea.The character I loved most was definitely Decker. He is a fun and sweet boy who I just couldn't get enough of! 

Megan Miranda is so freaking awesome. I don't think a scene has ever impacted me as much as this one. I think it was the second to last chapter....All I could hear was my pulse roaring in my ears and my breath quickening. It's a great suspense/action bit in the book that I think you guys will enjoy.

Overall, Fracture is a fast paced and action packed book that you will not forget! I also recommend that you read this now!

Rating

In My Mailbox (4)

Hey,

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme post, hosted by The Story Siren.

I remembered to post an IMM post this week! YIPEE! Normally, I forget and post one every few weeks. ;) Anyway, here is some awesome stuff I got:

For Review:

Fated (Soul Seekers #1) by Alyson Noel

- Releasing 24th May 2012 (UK) / 22nd May 2012 (US) -

Thanks to Macmillan Children's Books!

I think many of you know that Alyson wrote the famous, Immortals series. It was marmite (Sorry for the english metaphor), some people liked it and some didn't. Personally, I thought they were okay and was hoping that Alyson would write another entertaining series. I have started Fated and to be honest, not much is happening!

The Pineville Heist by Lee Chambers

- Released 20th July 2011 -

Thanks Lee!

This is a mystery/thriller type of thing, it definitely sounds interesting! I've read the first few chapters, it has a great start. I believe that this is going to be a movie? With some guy from Twilight! Sounds pretty cool, once I finish the book I think I'll have to interview the author to get some more info.

Kevin's Point of View by Del Shannon

- Released 26th October 2011 -

Thanks Del!

Judging by the cover, this book looks like a funny one! I think it's one that all ages can enjoy. I've still got some books to read before I start this one but I CAN NOT wait to read what it's about.

Borrowed:

Pandemonium by Lauren Oliver -> I finished this one last night. I've already reviewed it and all I can say is: WOW.

Fracture by Megan Miranda -> I finished this a few hours ago. I'll review it later on. I can't get it out of my head! The story is definitely unforgettable; a girl dying and then coming back to life?

Thanks for reading this! And hopefully I won't forget to write an IMM post next week,

Sam :)

Author Spotlight #4

Hey,

This week I want to put Lauren Oliver, author of Before I Fall, Liesl and Po, Hana and the Delirium trilogy!

Yep, that's the amazing woman who has gifted us we've these books:

Lauren's debut story which will have you in tears!


Lauren's middle grade book, a great book for younger readers!

This is Lauren's first book in the Delirium trilogy! It's amazing, check it out.

Left: US Hardback cover. Middle: US Paperback cover. At the end: UK Paperback cover.

This is Delirium's sequel!

Left: US Hardback cover. Middle: UK Hardback cover. At the end: UK Paperback Cover.

This is a short story that fits between Delirium & Pandemonium.

I've only JUST seen the UK paperback cover for Pandemonium! It looks kinda creepy but I love the tag lines. On the the Delirium cover it says, "What if love were a disease?", and on the Pandemonium (I THINK) it says, "What if love were a disaster?" The picture is a bit blurry, I've tried to get a bigger picture but there is no other one available. SO anyone who wants to try read the writing, be my guest!

To celebrate the release of Pandemonium, which was released in the UK at the beginning of March, I will let one of you choose what book by Lauren Oliver you would like. If you want Hana it will have to be a Kindle edition. This giveaway is international as long as the book depository ships to you.

*******************GIVEAWAY CLOSED*************************
Winner: Aria I.
Congrats! Email me back!!Until next time,
Sam :)

My review of Pandemonium

Pandemonium (Delirium #2) by Lauren Oliver 
Release Date: March 1st, 2012

A stunning sequel that will leave you screaming for more.

I’m pushing aside
the memory of my nightmare,
pushing aside thoughts of Alex,
pushing aside thoughts of Hana
and my old school,
push,
push,
push,
like Raven taught me to do.
The old life is dead.
But the old Lena is dead too.
I buried her.
I left her beyond a fence,
behind a wall of smoke and flame.

Lauren Oliver ceases to amaze me with her skills to shock and draw a reader's attention. She can effortly weave a beautiful story time and time again. With Pandemonium, she has delivered. This book was definitely worth the 10 month wait!

In this book, Lena escapes to the Wilds. But, it's not as great as she thought. Because there's something missing. A big part of her that was left behind. Behind that gate. Alex. Her love. Her first love. Her only love. She thinks no one else can replace him. Until someone does.

I think everyone who's read Delirium can really see the obvious changes Lena. She's not the pathetic, weak girl, who obeyed all the rules. Instead, she's replaced with a kick-butt heroine! She grows into something beautiful. Did I feel sad that there was no Alex? Yes. Yes, I was very sad. Alex....he made quite an impression when he acted heroically at the end of Delirium. I think he made hearts across the world stop beating.

We also meet a lot of new characters; some good, some bad, some surprising, some not, etc. I even developed some feelings for a character who took Alex's place.....

I'm not quite sure if I liked this one as much as Delirium. I think it might have been how confused I got when I read the 'now' and 'then' chapters. It might have been the lack of romance at the beginning. Or, it might have been the knowledge of knowing that Alex wouldn't come back. Believe me, I enjoyed Pandemonium and I don't think I could have wished for a better sequel.

The ending? Well, let's just say that it'll make your heart stop beating AND have you banging yout head against the wall, screaming. Am I angry that Lauren has left us with such a dramatic and suggestive ending? No. Okay, a little bit. But, it does mean that we'll have a freaking fantastic last book!

Overall, Pandemonium is a book that forbidden romance lovers will eat all up! If you've read and loved Delirium, you should not miss this.

Rating

All About Slide

Hey,

As some of you may know, Slide by Jill Hathaway is releasing next week! :O I'm sure many of you are very, VERY excited about this. If you have never heard of Slide, then I must say one thing: Where the hell have you been?

 

Vee Bell is certain of one irrefutable truth—her sister’s friend Sophie didn’t kill herself. She was murdered.

Vee knows this because she was there. Everyone believes Vee is narcoleptic, but she doesn’t actually fall asleep during these episodes: When she passes out, she slides into somebody else’s mind and experiences the world through that person’s eyes. She’s slid into her sister as she cheated on a math test, into a teacher sneaking a drink before class. She learned the worst about a supposed “friend” when she slid into her during a school dance. But nothing could have prepared Vee for what happens one October night when she slides into the mind of someone holding a bloody knife, standing over Sophie’s slashed body.

Vee desperately wishes she could share her secret, but who would believe her? It sounds so crazy that she can’t bring herself to tell her best friend, Rollins, let alone the police. Even if she could confide in Rollins, he has been acting off lately, more distant, especially now that she’s been spending more time with Zane.

Enmeshed in a terrifying web of secrets, lies, and danger and with no one to turn to, Vee must find a way to unmask the killer before he or she strikes again.

OooooOOooo, dramatic, right? Which cover do you like best? The US one is the one on the left and the UK one is the one on the right. I personally prefer the US one!

I really want to read Slide! It sounds like my kind of book; full of mysteries and interesting characters....

Here is the awesome trailer!

Yes, yes. I know, I know, it's amazing, right?

You can read the first 50 pages of Slide HERE! Yes, HEEEEERRRREEE!

You know what would be so cool? If you guys helped spread the word about this awesome debut. TWEET! POST! BLOG! VLOG! TEXT! CALL! Whatever! Just SPREAD THE LUUUURRRVVVE, okay, I mean spread the.....Slide Fever!

While you tweet make sure you use the hash tag: #slideintothemystery

Anyway, I think we should thank this stunning lady for writing a great book, yes, that does mean you have to get on your hands and knees and start worshipping.

Her BLOG: http://jillscribbles.blogspot.com

Her GOODREADS: http://www.goodreads.com/jillscribbles

Her TWITTER: https://twitter.com/#!/jillscribbles (@Jillscribbles)

Her FACEBOOK: http://www.facebook.com/#!/profile.php?id=100001226256099

Stalk her, follow her, friend her, message her, anything! Jill is a very fun person to talk to, she definitely won't mind you talking to her about Slide (Her gorgeous debut novel that has received some outstanding reviews).

Well, I think that is all! Just get out there! Tweet, post and shout out to the world! Make sure everyone knows about Slide's release.

Oh, another thing. I'm sure if you spread the word (LOTS AND LOTS), Jill would be really cool with sending you a signed bookmark! (This is the part where you go off and spread the Slide Fever)

While your here you should check out the Slide blog tour! HERE!

Until next time!

Sam :)

New Covers

Hey!

I wanted to share with you some awesome covers!

HEAVEN (Halo #3) by Alexandra Adornetto

- 21st August 2012 - Feiwel & Friends -

Bethany, an angel sent to Earth, and her mortal boyfriend, Xavier, have been to Hell and back. But now their love will be put to its highest test yet, as they defy Heavenly law and marry. They don’t tell Beth’s archangel siblings, Gabriel and Ivy, but the angels know soon enough, and punishment comes in a terrifying form: the Sevens, who are rogue angels bent on keeping Beth and Xavier apart, destroying Gabriel and Ivy, and darkening angelic power in the heavens.

The only way Bethany and Xavier can elude the Sevens is to hide in the open, and blend in with other mortals their own age. Gabriel and Ivy set them up at college, where they can’t reveal their relationship, and where there is still danger around each corner. Will Bethany be called back to Heaven – forever – and face leaving the love of her life?

-----CLICK BELOW FOR THE FIRST TWO BOOKS------

 

Heaven's cover is really.....sweet! I love it. For those of you who have not read the previous two books then I recommend you do some catching up! I am a very big angel fan and I think that this is a thrilling story told from a different prospective. This might not be everyone's cup of tea but I think you should definitely try it.

ENVY (The Fury Trilogy #2) by Elizabeth Miles

-  12th October 2012 - Simon & Schuster -

----CLICK BELOW FOR THE FIRST BOOK----

Wow. That cover is STUNNING! Wowowowowowwowow! I wish I could show you all a blurb but sorry, guys! There is no blurb available but when there is, I'll make sure you all get to read it. If you have never heard of this trilogy then you should check it out now! It's a really creepy story full of twists and shocks. I recommend it to everyone who loves a good scare.

As soon as I find some more covers I'll post 'em!

Sam :)

Kick-Butt Character Giveaway Hop - Int

Hey,

This giveaway is hosted by I Am A Reader and Good Choice Reading.

Just before I tell you about the giveaway, I want to show you some characters from books that I think are awesome.

ROSE HATHAWAY from The Vampire Academy series!

Rose is a strong character who most readers will envy. I recommend this series to everyone who loves a good heroine.

SOPHIE MERCER from the Hex Hall trilogy

I think these books are AMAZING! That's why I'm giving one lucky person a chance to win a book that they want from above. If you really hate vampires/witches then you can choose a book worth £10/$15. This giveaway is international as long as the book depository ships to you.



Until next time,
Sam :D

In My Mailbox (3)

Hey,

Wow, I'm so bad with these IMM posts! I think I posted my last one a month ago! But, I'm here now!

For Review:

Unspoken (The Lynburn Legacy #1) by Sarah Rees Brennan

- Releasing 11th September 2012 -

Thank you Netgalley and Random House Books.

Wasteland (Wasteland #1) by Lynn Rush

- Released 1st September 2011 -

Thank you Lynn and Diane Collins.

Awaited (Wasteland #2) by Lynn Rush

- Releasing May 2012 -

Thank you Lynn and Diane Collins.

I borrowed:

Supernaturally (Paranormalcy #2) by Kiersten White

- Released 3rd January 2012 (UK) -

I've already finished this and I loved it! Watch out for my review!

Blood Red Road (Dustlands #1) by Moira Young

- Released 7th June 2011 -

I've started this one. I'm not getting on with it very well, there is absolutely no speech marks what so ever and the word for is 'fer', and damn I don't know if I can stand this.

Gifted:

Wither (The Chemical Garden Trilogy #1) by Lauren DeStefano

- Released 22nd March 2011 -

Thank you Sallivan/Carien @ Pearls Cast Before A McPig

The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight by Jennifer E. Smith

- Released 2nd January 2012 -

Thank you Kat @ The Aussie Zombie!

Hunting Lila (Lila #1) by Sarah Alderson

- Released 2nd August 2011 -

Thank you Beks @ Just Another Teenage Bookworm



That's it for this week,

Sam :)

Author Spotlight #3

Hey,

This week I want to shine the spotlight on Katie Dale, author of Someone Else's Life!

Katie is from the UK (YAY!) and has recently released her YA debut novel:

When seventeen-year-old Rosie’s mother, Trudie, dies from Huntington’s Disease, her pain is intensified by the knowledge that she has a fifty-per-cent chance of inheriting the crippling disease herself. Only when she tells her mum’s best friend, ‘Aunt Sarah’ that she is going to test for the disease does Sarah, a midwife, reveal that Trudie was not her biological mother after all...

Devastated, Rosie decides to trace her real mother, hitching along on her ex-boyfriend’s GAP year to follow her to Los Angeles. But all does not go to plan, and as Rosie discovers yet more of her family's deeply-buried secrets and lies, she is left with an agonising decision of her own - one which will be the most heart-breaking and far-reaching of all...

Someone Else's Life is now released in the UK, US and other parts of the world. The UK cover is above and the US cover it below.

Which cover do you prefer?

Anyway, I have recently read and loved Someone Eles's Life, you can read my review HERE. This book is a MUST read. And to celebrate this brilliant book, I'm going to give one lucky person a copy of Someone Else's Life!

***************GIVEAWAY CLOSED***************
Winner: Lilian M. Congrats! Reply ASAP!

I was looking at Katie Dale's FB page and saw that she posted, 'Sent draft of book 2....', dare I hope that there will be a sequel? :O YES! Make sure you go and get this book so you can tell me how much you enjoyed it! ;D

Until next time,
Sam :)