New To My Book Closet

It's that time of the week again. Time to show you what bookish goodies made their way into my home and book closet (to be saved from the evil book eating cat monster named Aria). This is inspired by the various "mailbox" posts out there (eg. In My Mailbox by The Story Siren, and Stacking the Shelves by Tynga's Reviews).

Excited for everything that made it's way into my mailbox this week!

First up is a review book from Simon and Schuster Canada that sounds really fun.

Who Do You Love by Jennifer Weiner (goodreads)

A huge thank you to Simon and Schuster Canada for the chance to review it.

Second, I had the chance to attend Frenzy Presents at the Harper Collins Canada office. We were gifted an amazing swag bag as we were leaving!

The Unquiet by Mikaela Everett (goodreads)
The Rest Of Us Just Live Here by Patrick Ness (goodreads)
Every Last Promise by Kristin Halbrook (goodreads)

Thank you to all the ladies at Harper Collins Canada for the lovely event, and Suman for her general awesomeness. If you missed my recap, be sure to check it out.

What books made their way into your mailbox this week?

Happy Weekend and Happy Reading!

New To My Book Closet

It's that time of the week again. Time to show you what bookish goodies made their way into my home and book closet (to be saved from the evil book eating cat monster named Aria). This is inspired by the various "mailbox" posts out there (eg. In My Mailbox by The Story Siren, and Stacking the Shelves by Tynga's Reviews). 

No books this week, but I did get quite a bit of bookish goodies.

Kathleen Peacock, Kristin Halbrook, and Katherine Longshore all sent me some fantastic swag. There is a giveaway going on for Nobody But Us by Kristin Halbrook including some swag, and Tudor Tuesdays will feature some giveaways as well.

Thank you to the authors who sent these goodies my way. It's always nice to get them, and I can't wait to share in giveaways.

Happy Weekend and Happy Reading!

Kristin Halbrook Interview and Giveaway

You may remember I reviewed this awesome book Nobody But Us a little while back. I really liked it and felt it deserved some extra attention. Today I have the author, Kristin Halbrook, stopping by for an interview and a fun giveaway!

1 Describe Nobody But Us in three words

Hopeful, lovers, tragic

2 What three words would Zoe use to describe Will?

Desperate, hot-headed, caretaker

3 Did you research anything specific while writing Nobody But Us?

I did! I researched a lot of maps and also drove some of the path Will and Zoe drive to make the trip as authentic as possible. I also researched state-specific programs for foster care youth and the process of becoming a ward of the state for several states. I researched the current state of shop classed in high school curriculums for my German translator and even types of cars for Will to drive. I love research.

4 Now that your first book has been out for awhile, what would you say was the biggest surprise of release week for you?

That it was rather anticlimactic. And even more so, a relief to get past. There was so much to do beforehand that I felt like I was being twirled in a million directions. Once NOBODY BUT US released, I was able to let go, to let the book be out in the world, knowing there was nothing I could do to change it.

5 What is the last book you read that you'd recommend to others?

I recently finished Sarah Skilton's BRUISED, which I loved. Fantastic writing and raw characters with real hurts to overcome. It's a book about trusting yourself and trusting those who love you and want the best for you. The themes of gender equity particularly spoke to me.

6 Who is the first person that gets to read your writing?

My beta readers--all members of YA Highway. Sometimes it's just snippets of work that get posted in the group, while other times I'm sending partial or full manuscripts for critique. They're the most amazing group of readers!

7 What three items do you need while revising?

Great editorial notes, stretches of silence AND a playlist, and espresso.

8 If you could go back in time to any time period and any place, where and when would you travel to? 

Oooh, tough one. I like the modern era a whole lot. I like indoor plumbing and laptops and not being thrown into insane asylums because I'm a woman with an opinion. The sobering realities of living as a woman in the past overcome the romantic notions of pretty dresses and such, for me. Having said that, I'd fancy a trip to Minoan Crete, a society that appeared to be as egalitarian and fascinating as any in human history.

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Now that you've checked out Kristin's interview, be sure to enter the giveway by using the Rafflecopter form below.

There are 3 winners in total

1 prize - a copy of Nobody But Us and a swag pack
2 prize - Nobody But Us swag pack
3 prize - Nobody But Us swag pack

Good luck to everyone. It is open to international entries as long as Book Depository ships to you.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Nobody But Us by Kristin Halbrook

Nobody But Us by Kristin Halbrook
Release Date – January 29, 2013
Publisher Website - Harper Collins
Publisher Social Media -  Twitter/Facebook/SavvyReader
Pages -   272 pages
My Rating- 4/5
**Received from publisher for review**

Here is the Goodreads synopsis

Bonnie and Clyde meets IF I STAY in this addictively heart-wrenching story of two desperate teenagers on the run from their pasts. 

They’re young. They’re in love. They’re on the run. 

Zoe wants to save Will as much as Will wants to save Zoe. When Will turns eighteen, they decide to run away together. But they never expected their escape to be so fraught with danger.... 

When the whole world is after you, sometimes it seems like you can’t run fast enough.
Nobody But Us, told in alternating perspectives from Will and Zoe, is an unflinching novel, in turns heartbreaking and hopeful, about survival, choices, and love...and how having love doesn’t always mean that you get a happy ending.

Romantic, sensual, dangerous, and raw. Nobody But Us introduces two characters who make mistakes, fall in love, and spiral out of control. At once a look at a young love that is passionate, consuming and intense, and a tale of two desperate people trying to outrun something they can never leave behind.

Zoe and Will are both damaged. Real, broken and honest. They are written, flaws and all, with such realism that you can’t help but become invested in their story.  Kristin Halbrook writes both of them unflinchingly, and doesn’t trivialize their actions. Consequences matter in this heart crushing debut.

Consequences for actions happen in this novel. I’ve seen this compared to Beautiful Disaster. My biggest issues with Beautiful Disaster was that Travis and his behaviour seemed to be showcased as appealing. Will is a loose cannon, and has issues. I never found it showcased in any manner other than realistic. Zoe’s background and circumstances lend themselves to her being involved with Will. Will, underneath it all, is a troubled young man who is trying desperately to find something to cling to. Zoe is a lost girl who lives in a state of constant fear. It's touching and bittersweet that they both are just looking for the place they can be happy.

The events in the novel quickly snowball going from bad to worse. As the novel rushed towards it’s ending I felt battered, bruised, and also protective of Will and Zoe. I wanted to make sure they’d be okay, even though okay stopped being an option a long time ago. Part of me held out hope that it wasn’t heading in the direction the characters seemed determined to bulldoze towards.

A heart wrenching, beautifully tragic story that really does show that not every love story ends with “and they lived happily ever after”. Sometimes the spark of attraction and love ignites rapidly and consumes the couple as it burns.

New To My Book Closet

It's that time of the week again. Time to show you what bookish goodies made their way into my home and book closet (to be saved from the evil book eating cat monster named Aria). This is inspired by the various "mailbox" posts out there (eg. In My Mailbox by The Story Siren, and Stacking the Shelves by Tynga's Reviews).

A quiet, but AMAZING mailbox week this time around. I was sort of freaking out at my apartment mailboxes when I opened this package!

Nobody But Us by Kristin Halbrook (goodreads)
Mind Games by Kiersten White (goodreads)

A huge thank you to Harper Collins Canada for sending me these. Nobody But Us has been one of the titles I have been majorly pining for. I can't wait start both of these. *Shannon, you are amazing*

Also, a huge thank you to Nova Ren Suma for the amazing 17 & Gone bookmarks. I am pining for this book so bad right now!

Happy Sunday and Happy Reading!

Waiting on Wednesday...Nobody But Us

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

My pick this week is Nobody But Us by Kristin Halbrook

Here is the Goodreads synopsis

Bonnie and Clyde meets Simone Elkeles in this addictively heart-wrenching story of two desperate teenagers on the run from their pasts. 

They’re young. They’re in love. They’re on the run. 

Zoe wants to save Will as much as Will wants to save Zoe. When Will turns eighteen, they decide to run away together. But they never expected their escape to be so fraught with danger.... 

When the whole world is after you, sometimes it seems like you can’t run fast enough. 

Nobody But Us, told in alternating perspectives from Will and Zoe, is an unflinching novel, in turns heartbreaking and hopeful, about survival, choices, and love...and how having love doesn’t always mean that you get a happy ending. Described as “beautiful, heartbreaking, and exhilarating” by Kody Keplinger, author of The DUFF, Nobody But Us will prove irresistible to fans of Nina Lacour, Jenny Han, and Sara Zarr

I have been pining for this book since I first read the synopsis. I think it's going to be beautiful, heartbreaking and romantic. I can't wait.

Expected release date - January 29, 2012

My Weekly Obsessions

The awesome Kelly at KellyVision started posting a weekly post highlighting whatever she happened to be obsessed with that week. I LOVE this idea, so much in fact that I will be doing it myself every Saturday.

Here are my obsessions this week:

BOOKS

cover for Nobody But Us by Kristin Halbrook

A sweet tag line, a romantic cover that fits with the Goodreads description and my need for this book has totally increased to insane levels. This sounds like a heart wrenching, romantic contemporary that I wish I had in my hands RIGHT NOW!

Title for the third 'Starcrossed' book by Josephine Angelini

So I am sure everyone already knows this. I have no clue how I missed this information. The third book in the Starcrossed series is going to be called - GODDESS. I think it fits, and compliments the other titles really well.

Bloodlines Book Three Title

The title for Richelle Mead's third book in the Bloodlines series has been released. The Indigo Spell will release in Feb 2013. Very excited to continue this series.

MOVIE

Magic Mike "Red Band" (AKA X rated) Trailer

If you are a young blog follower, please avert your eyes! There is a spicy Magic Mike trailer that was just released. It's cheesy, but looks like SO much fun.

I was going to embed the video, but as I may have young followers, you can find the trailer on Youtube! :)

OTHER

Jimmy Fallon and Carly Rae Jepsen and the Roots sing Call Me Maybe



Cute song, and a totally cute video. Jimmy Fallon is awesome, and this song is so catchy. You'll be singing it forever afterwards. Impressive that it was done with only elementary school instruments.

So what you are obsessed with this week?

What I Love This Week...

The awesome Kelly at KellyVision started posting a weekly post highlighting whatever she happened to be obsessed with that week. I LOVE this idea, so much in fact that I will be doing it myself every Saturday.

Here are my obsessions this week:

BOOK

cover of Velveteen by Daniel Marks

GASP! Have you seen this yet? I love this cover. It's gothic, creepy and it fits the synopsis perfectly. Seriously LOVE it. It's one of my DYING to get my hands on books and this cover has made me want to have it even more. I love that splash of pink against the dark image. It makes it stand out and will certainly be eye catching on shelves at book stores.

2013 Books That I am excited for

There are two titles that keep catching my eye.

Nobody But Us by Kristin Halbrook

This is being described as a Bonnie and Clyde type story. The Goodreads synopsis mentions Las Vegas and two desperate teenagers. Love the sound of this and I expect it'll be a little heartbreaking as well have some great action.

Two teenagers who, in search of a better life, run away to Vegas, but realize they can't run fast enough when they end up wanted by the police, out of money, and out of options, pitched as a YA Bonnie and Clyde

Sweet Nothings by Sarah Beth Durst

Just read this Goodreads synopsis

About a teen in the paranormal witness protection program, who, haunted by dreams of carnival tents and tarot cards, must remember her past and why she has strange abilities before a magic-wielding serial killer hunts her down.

Paranormal witness protection? Carnival tents? Magic wielding serial killer? AWESOME! It sound like it could be creepy and I am so curious about this carnival she keeps dreaming about.

What are you obsessed with this week?