2014 Most Anticipated Novels Event Annoucement

As we near the end of the year my thoughts automatically start drifting to the amazing books the next year is going to bring. With that in mind I have decided to showcase the titles I am most eager to get my hands on. This was hard (VERY hard). Having to narrow it down was killing me. I've capped it off at 15 titles because I couldn't stop at 10 (though honestly, I could go higher). Each Thursday and Friday will shocase another title. The event will start November 1st and run until December 20th.

I've also asked two publishers to provide their list of titles to watch for in 2014 as well, and those will go up during the event.

I am also hosting a giveaway. One winner will get a pre-order of one of the titles I am excited about! The contest will go up with the first post and will end sometime in the new year (Christmas craziness will prevent me from dealing with it until after the holidays).

I am not going to give away the titles in advance, as I think the surprise is more fun. Any guesses as to which titles I will be showcasing? Leave them in the comments!

Altered by Gennifer Albin

Altered by Gennifer Albin
Release Date – October 29, 2013
Publisher Website – MacMillan/Raincoast Books
Publisher Social Media - Twitter
Pages - 400 pages
My Rating- 4/5
**received from publisher for review via BEA**

**SPOILERS FOR CREWEL**

Here is the Goodreads synopsis

Life. Possibility. Choice.

All taken from Adelice by the Guild—until she took them back.

But amid the splendid ruins of Earth, Adelice discovers how dangerous freedom can be. Hunted by soulless Remnants sent by Cormac Patton and the Guild, Adelice finds a world that’s far from deserted. Although allies are easy to find on Earth, knowing who to trust isn’t. Because everyone has secrets, especially those Adelice loves most. Secrets they would kill to protect. Secrets that will redefine each of them. Torn between two brothers and two worlds, Adelice must choose what to fight for.

In this thrilling sequel to Crewel, Adelice is about to learn how tangled up her past and future really are. Her parents ran to protect her, but nothing can save her from her destiny, and once she uncovers the truth, it will change everything.

Crewel was a surprise for me last year. A novel that I didn't have strong feelings for either way and ended up enjoying quite a bit. It was thrilling, different, and unique. After the shocking ending of Cewel, Altered was high on my list of books to get my hands on. Altered has taken the world we know in Crewel and expanded and changed it. Everything we learn in Altered impacts and changes the story in some way taking it into an unexpected direction.

Altered is going to be a hard book to review. So much of Altered is information based and therefore talking about anything will spoil the book. It's a fast paced, plot twisting ride that left me wishing I had the third book to read immediately. 

Adelice is now on Earth, and the story picks up right where Crewel left off. The time frame of these novels and when they take place was not apparent in Crewel. Altered clears that up and it's one of the many reveals in store. Prepare to have your mind messed with because things you thought were true may not be, and things you didn't expect all of a sudden come into play. I am not sure if Gennifer plotted this series in full before writing Crewel, but everything meshes together rather well in either case. 

There is a lot of scientific information is given in this novel. It does get a little heavy with the details, and at times it's given in a manner that is more telling than showing. Some of these reveals left me with an insane amount of questions, and others left tantalizing possibilities for plot points to come. I will admit that my head spun at some points as the pacing is rather quick in some parts and the amount of information can be overwhelming. This put me in Adelice's shoes as she is just as overwhelmed, and processing the information at the same time as the reader. It's a perfect case of the character being as informed as the reader.

New characters are plentiful in this installment. There are surprising connections that are revealed, and everything Adelice thought about herself gets turned upside down. I enjoy Adelice's determination, her unwillingness to stand back, and her honesty. She knows her limitations, and is equally aware of her strengths. She is someone who wants to help if her skills allow it and it is admirable. With all these new characters being introduced Adelice, Erik and Jost are forced to navigate the unfamiliar. The fact that nobody can be trusted is never far from their minds, and it's something Gennifer Albin makes sure that readers don't forget either. Crosses, double crosses, and lies are plentiful and knowing this doesn't make them any easier.

The romance, surprisingly, takes a backseat in this. I tend to not like triangles that involve brothers, but this one some how works for me. There are cute moments and that aspect of the story progresses, but Adelice has a lot going on besides Erik and Jost. I do believe that there is a decision of sorts made in terms of who holds Adelice's heart. Is it a permanent one? I hope so, but realistically there is one more book so it could always change. If Adelice's affections have be claimed I would applaud this development because it ties up that storyline before the finale, something no series has done yet (to my knowledge anyways). It would be welcome, and based on the events of this book, Adelice is going to have bigger things to worry about. 

I predict many people may be split on this one. There is a lot of new information, and crazy plot twists which will either thrill or put people off. It did the latter for me, and I devoured this. The plot is unexpected, and surprising. I appreciated the payoff from things set up in the first book, and delight in what has been set up for the finale. 

A surprising sequel that stays away from the second book syndrome of having nothing happen that progresses the plot. Altered is filled with many shocks, thrills, and a story that is interwoven to unravel at just the right time. The third installment can not come fast enough as Adelice's story is far from it's conclusion.

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).

Another exciting mailbox. A huge release this past week, and I am sure everyone is going to have it in their mailboxes.

Allegiant by Veronica Roth (Goodreads)

Harper Collins Canada made these amazing newspaper ads for certain Canadian cities. I snagged myself two copies.

I also got a few other goodies in the mail

The Lonesome Young by Lucy Connors (Goodreads)
Wizarding World of Harry Potter Postcard from Kelly (KellyVision).

Huge thank you to Penguin Canada and Kelly for these goodies. They made my week! I am excited to starting reading The Lonesome Young, and I am so freaking jealous that Kelly got to see Hogwarts!

Happy Reading, and Happy Weekend!

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:

BOOK

Cover of Katherine Longshore's Brazen

I revealed this earlier in the week, and have a great contest going on. It reminds me of chocolate, and therefore I love it. The teaser excerpt also makes me want to READ IT IMMEDIATELY.

OTHER

Ontario Blogger Meet Up

This time next week I will be in Toronto taking part in a huge meet up that is sure to be filled with bookish fun. I am very excited about seeing everyone again, and getting to chat with fellow bloggers about all things bookish.

So what are you obsessed with this week?

Follow Friday

Follow Friday is a weekly meme hosted Parajunkee and Alison Can Read. It's a great way to meet new blogger friends.

This weeks question is:

Bookagram: Photograph your fave read in a funny place.

Um, I don't really have any funny place pictures so how about a picture of my cat with a book? Sure, why not. It's a funny place for a book to be. She loves books, so much so that she often tries to eat them.

I think she's pretty cute.

Happy Weekend!

Infinityglass by Myra McEntire

Infinityglass by Myra McEntire
Release Date – August 6, 2013
Publisher Website – Egmont/RandomHouse Canada
Publisher Social Media -  Twitter
Pages - 336 pages
My Rating- 3/5
**received from publisher for an honest review**

Here is the Goodreads synopsis

The stakes have risen even higher in this third book in the Hourglass series.

The Hourglass is a secret organization focused on the study of manipulating time, and its members — many of them teenagers -­have uncanny abilities to make time work for them in mysterious ways. Inherent in these powers is a responsibility to take great care, because altering one small moment can have devastating consequences for the past, present, and future. But some time trav­elers are not exactly honorable, and sometimes unsavory deals must be struck to maintain order.

With the Infinityglass (central to understanding and harnessing the time gene) at large, the hunt is on to find it before someone else does.

But the Hourglass has an advantage. Lily, who has the ability to locate anything lost, has determined that the Infinityglass isn't an object. It's a person. And the Hourglass must find him or her first. But where do you start searching for the very key to time when every second could be the last?

If I had to describe Myra McEntire's series one word, I would choose fun. They are enjoyable, and delectable. This installment is no exception. It provides a thrilling conclusion to the Hourglass series and fans of the previous books will not be disappointed.

One of my favourite elements of this series it the different narrators. These side characters are given the chance to step into the spotlight and some of them become personal favourites. This installment features Dune and Hallie. Dune, previously a side character, more than shows why he needs his own story. Hallie and he create a wonderful team, and the dual narration allows us to get to know each them. They compliment each other and I enjoyed their banter.

My only issues, with the series as a whole, is that is often lighter than I would like. It's the type of book I have to be in the mood for, kind of like candy. It's plot could have gone deeper, darker, and it could have added something to the series to take it that much further. The focus on romance and action will certainly appeal to some, but others may want something more from the series.

Romance is a huge focus of this entire series. It's often filled with tension and an excruciating build up. It's the tease before the kiss that makes these books so scorching, in my opnion. Myra McEntire makes the characters, and the reader, work for it. The anticipation only increasing the payoff when the characters finally do kiss. Myra certainly creates wonderful characters that are easy to root for so the romance element comes naturally.

Wrapping up any series is not an easy task. The world Myra's built is vast, and full of potential. The ending while resolving the major plot points, leaves a little wiggle room, not everything is wrapped in a bow. Things set in motion in the first come full circle, and are resolved making sure everything ties together that should. The characters, and their world go on however, and that is possibly the most fitting ending there can be.

A series that surprised me. If you are looking for something fun, action packed, and high in romance this will certainly hit all the right notes. It provides a fitting ending to the series that left the world Myra McEntire created open to explore if she wishes. 

**EXCLUSIVE** Brazen Cover Reveal

I am honoured to get to reveal the cover for Katherine Longshore's newest novel, Brazen, today. The new cover scheme that began with Tarnish is a much better fit for the series, and I think this one is just as pretty!

Here is a little about the book before I reveal the cover...

Anne Boleyn’s younger cousin Mary Howard has always lived in the shadow of her powerful family. But when she’s married off to Henry FitzRoy, King Henry VIII’s illegitimate son, she and “Fitz” join a tight clique of bright young things who test the boundaries of court’s strict rules with their games, dares, and dalliances. The more Mary gets to know Fitz, the harder she falls for him- but to consummate their marriage would mean breaking the law. Soon, Mary and her friends find themselves at the center of the king’s case against Queen Anne. And Mary is forced to choose between betraying her beloved cousin and losing her beloved Fitz.

I also get to share an excerpt as well! It's a rather fun one....

The door flies open and the glaze of candlelight inside the crowded bedchamber blinds me.

“Like a startled deer!” a voice shouts.

“Like a lamb to slaughter,” says another.

“Be gentle with her, FitzRoy.” I recognize Wyatt’s voice.

Madge pushes me into the chamber. “Go make him love you.”

Even completely dressed, I feel naked beneath their stares. My skirts are huge. The pink brocade bodice binds me so tightly I can feel the pounding of my heart against it.

The men bow. All of them.

A giant tester bed piled with damask and fur dominates the room. Gorgeous and barren.

Fitz is pummeled forward from the crowd. He, too, is still dressed, but they’ve removed his boots and stockings, his bare feet vulnerable on the wooden floor.

“Enter and enjoy!” George Boleyn calls, and bows to the howl of laughter that follows.

His wife, Jane, brings a stool and places it at my feet. When she straightens, she whispers in my ear.

“Tonight is just for show,” she tells me. “You have time to fall in love.”

I think of how she told the queen that love tastes of strawberries and try to smile before taking her hand to climb into the bed, Fitz beside me.

We don’t touch.

The priest flicks his holy water and bows his head. He mutters his Latin and gives us his blessing.

Then comes the moment when everyone should leave the room. When we should be left alone to do what married couples do. Fitz starts to climb back out of the bed.

“Give her a kiss, Your Grace!” Wyatt says. Ever the tempter and purveyor of young love.

Fitz turns to me, eyebrows raised in question. Not a challenge—a request for permission.

I nod. Just a tiny bit. Thinking of the suggestions the men made that I never heard. Thinking of his body so close to mine, both of us burdened with layers of velvet and damask and heavy gold braid. Both of us watched so closely—our audience half hoping to see us fall into each other’s arms, while half afraid that we will.

And I am excruciatingly aware of my lips. Are they too dry? I daren’t lick them. What do I do with my nose? How do I turn my head?

My husband leans into me, the mattress tipping us toward each other like the concave mouth of a vault. Our shoulders touch and we both startle back, laughing nervously. The crowd roars.

Fitz leans forward again and raises his left hand to my face, partially sheltering us from the gaze of the spectators. I close my eyes.

“You’re beautiful.”

My eyes fly open. He smiles and leans ever so slightly closer. His words taste like bridecake and hippocras fruit and cinnamon and sweet wine.

I wonder if his mouth tastes of the same.

I am dying to find out if Fitz and Mary get that kiss! I am already counting down the days until I have this in my hands, and one of you lucky people will have the chance to be one of the first to read it in the giveaway below!

Now for the pretty......

Pretty right? Anyone else think it sort of looks like chocolate?! Let me know in the comments what you think and be sure to enter the giveaway. It's international, and there are TWO prizes up for grabs! Huge thank you to Katherine for the prizes, and allowing me to reveal this today. You can visit her website for more about any of her book.

The two prizes up for grabs are

PRIZE # 1 - An ARC of Brazen! Be one of the first to get your hand on it.
PRIZE # 2 - Signed copies of Gilt, and Tarnish. Get caught up before Brazen is released.

The two prizes are on the same rafflecopter. I've included a few pre-fabricated tweets and a Facebook post too. Please use whichever one you like to spread the word about Katherine's cover reveal for your Rafflecopter entry. You, of course, can also make up your own if you prefer.

TWEETS

Duty. Loss. Rebellion. Go see the cover of @KALongshore's BRAZEN and enter for a chance to win! http://bit.ly/H9styf @PenguinTeen #yalit

Exclusive excerpt and cover reveal for @KALongshore's BRAZEN on @kathycoe's blog! Plus a chance to win! http://bit.ly/H9styf @PenguinTeen

Want to be one of the first to read @KALongshore's BRAZEN? Cover reveal and a chance to win! http://bit.ly/H9styf @PenguinTeen

FACEBOOK POST

See the gorgeous cover of BRAZEN, the final book in Katherine Longshore's Tudor series, and read an exclusive excerpt on A Glass of Wine! http://glass-of-wine.blogspot.com/2013/10/exclusive-brazen-cover-reveal.html Plus, you can enter for a chance to win signed books or an ARC!

a Rafflecopter giveaway