Waiting On Wednesday....... The Start of Me and You

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 The Start Of Me and You by Emery Lord

Here is the Goodreads synopsis

It’s been a year since it happened—when Paige Hancock’s first boyfriend died in an accident. After shutting out the world for a year, Paige is finally ready for a second chance at high school . . . and she has a plan. First: Get her old crush, Ryan Chase, to date her—the perfect way to convince everyone she’s back to normal. Next: Join a club—simple, it’s high school after all. But when Ryan’s sweet, nerdy cousin, Max, moves to town and recruits Paige for the Quiz Bowl team (of all things!) her perfect plan is thrown for a serious loop. Will Paige be able to face her fears and finally open herself up to the life she was meant to live?

Brimming with heartfelt relationships and authentic high-school dynamics The Start of Me and You proves that it’s never too late for second chances.

I really enjoyed Emery's first novel, Open Road Summer, and have high hopes for this one. It sounds just as cute, moving, and amazing as her first one.

Expected release date - March 31, 2015

Even In Paradise by Chelsey Philpot

Even In Paradise b Chelsey Philpot

Release Date - October 14, 2014
Publisher Website - Harper Collins
Publisher Social Media - Twitter/Facebook/SavvyReader/Frenzy
Pages -  368 pages
My Rating - 4/5
**received in exchange for an honest review from the publisher**

Here is the Goodreads synopsis

When Julia Buchanan enrolls at St. Anne’s at the beginning of junior year, Charlotte Ryder already knows all about the former senator’s daughter. Most people do... or think they do.

Charlotte certainly never expects she’ll be Julia’s friend. But almost immediately, she is drawn into the larger than-life-new girl’s world—a world of midnight rendezvous, dazzling parties, palatial vacation homes, and fizzy champagne cocktails. And then Charlotte meets, and begins falling for, Julia’s handsome older brother, Sebastian.

But behind her self-assured smiles and toasts to the future, Charlotte soon realizes that Julia is still suffering from a tragedy. A tragedy that the Buchanan family has kept hidden … until now

The cover of Even In Paradise reminds me of summer. A summer that you never want to end. Just like those summers Charlotte's time with the Buchanan's feels dizzying, exciting, and, sadly, like all summers, must come to an end. A novel that brings to mind both The Great Gatsby, and The Kennedys there was something magical about both the Buchanan's and the novel itself.

The Buchanan family shines the brightest in this novel. I wish I could say the same of Charlotte, but she is eclipsed by this larger than life family. It's easy to see how she'd be drawn to all of them. How easy it would be to fall into their orbit and never want to leave. They are the sun and their pull is just as strong. However, as everyone knows, the sun can burn you if you stay in it's presence too long.

Nostalgia fills this book. It reads like a fond memory that is tinged with bittersweetness. It's message is one of seizing the moments when they are there, even if you know that they are fleeting. Charlotte's journey, while life changing for her, is a quieter one. One tinged with growing up, and stumbling along the way.

This novel, of course, will be compared to The Great Gatsby. It's influence is certainly felt. Charlotte is an 'every girl' who finds herself swept up into a world of excess, extravagance and parties. Like in Gatsby, you'll find yourself wishing for a happy ending instead of the inevitability to an unhappy one. One cannot help but also be reminded of The Kennedys when reading of the Buchanans. This family has a similar, untouchable feel to them. A little cursed, a little blessed, a little dazzling, a little broken, and, above all else, alluring.

The friendship between Charlotte and Julia is the prominent relationship in the novel. It is more important than the romance. A strong female friendship that lacks any elements of competition, and backstabbing was a refreshing change. Charlotte and Julia are there for each other, as much as they can be.

The twists and turns of the story were unexpected. I thought I knew what was going to happen, and how it would end. I was delighted to find out that it ended up not being what I expected at all. It was heartbreaking, yes, but in an unexpected way. I think the ending was stronger for the fact that it wasn't quite what I anticipated and welcomed the element of surprise.

Filled with wistfulness, longing, and a lot of heartache, Even In Paradise chases off the bitter chill of fall, and makes you long to cling to those last moments of summer warmth. It makes you nostalgic for beginnings where everything and anything is possible, but also reminds of the brutal, aching sadness of endings.

Even In Paradise Blog Tour Kick Off

Today is the start of the Canadian blog tour for Even In Paradise by Chelsey Philpot. To kick it off, I have an interview with Chelsey.

Here is a little about the book in case haven't heard of it already

When Julia Buchanan enrolls at St. Anne’s at the beginning of junior year, Charlotte Ryder already knows all about the former senator’s daughter. Most people do... or think they do.

Charlotte certainly never expects she’ll be Julia’s friend. But almost immediately, she is drawn into the larger than-life-new girl’s world—a world of midnight rendezvous, dazzling parties, palatial vacation homes, and fizzy champagne cocktails. And then Charlotte meets, and begins falling for, Julia’s handsome older brother, Sebastian.

But behind her self-assured smiles and toasts to the future, Charlotte soon realizes that Julia is still suffering from a tragedy. A tragedy that the Buchanan family has kept hidden … until now

I got Chelsey to answer questions about her book, her writing process, and share which book she most associates with summer. 

1. Twitter pitch Even In Paradise (140 characters or fewer)

Et in Arcadia ego. In light, dark. In greatness, tragedy. Fall in love w/ a girl, a boy, a family. #eveninparadise Oct. 2014

2. How would Charlotte describe Julia and Sebastian at the beginning of the novel?

Charlie sees the world with the perspective of an artist. She notices surface details—thumb-size holes in Julia’s sweater, a small scar through Sebastian’s eyebrow—but also understands the complex interiors beneath them. She would describe Julia and Sebastian as beautiful and fragile, golden and mysterious, vibrant and haunted. 

3. Did you do anything specific for research purposes while writing Even In Paradise?

I undertake a lot of strange and wonderful things in the name of research for my articles and novels. For EIP, I read, traveled, and did all the other things you would expect an author to do while working on a book. But the most useful research I conducted was on myself.

While writing EIP, I went through boxes of dust-coated memories at my parents’ farm in New Hampshire. I worked my way through old yearbooks and stacks of high school papers, tests, and notes to make sure I was depicting boarding school life accurately. I read my old journals (a painful/embarrassing/illuminating experience) to help me remember the joys and depths of experiencing things for the first time. 

EIP is not autobiography—I am not Charlie, Julia, Sebastian, or any other character—but it is informed by my memories.   

4. What three things do you need while revising?

Coffee! 
This hideous, too big, holey, old cashmere sweater I like to wear when I write. My college friends still threaten to burn it. 
Early mornings and a window. 

I know that’s four things, but sunrises and windows cannot be separated. 

5. Your cover reminds me of summer. What book evokes the feeling of summer for you?

Stephen King’s The Stand. I’m not kidding. 

The Stand was the first “huge,” “scary,” “adult” book I tackled on my own in junior high. I reread it at the beginning of every summer well into college. My copy is so water-stained and scarred from thunderstorms, backpacking trips, iced coffee spills, and unusual bookmarks that some pages are barely legible. 

I don’t care. I’ll never get rid of it. For me, the shadow-filled, ominous, red cover of The Stand will always evoke memories of campfires, hammocks, hot days that lasted forever, and all the other joys of summer. 

A big thanks to Chelsey for taking the time to answer these questions.

Here are the rest of the tour stops, so you can follow along. Plenty more interviews, guest posts, and reviews during the next two weeks. Be sure to check out my review tomorrow as well. I think it's the perfect cure for those end of summer blues.

October 13th: Kathy - A Glass Of Wine - Interview
October 14th: Siobhan - Conversations Of A Reading Addict - Review
October 15th: Emilie - Emilie’s Book World - Guest Post
October 16th: Ambur - Burning Impossibly Bright - Review
October 17th: Lily -  Lily’s Book Blog - Interview/Character Interview
October 20th: Shilpa - SukasaReads - Review
October 21st: Sabrina - Hiver et Café - Top 5 or 10
October 22nd: Ciara - Lost At Midnight Reviews -  Review
October 23rd: Meaghan -  Feeling A Little Bookish - Interview/Character Interview
October 24th: Jess - Read My Breath Away - Review

If you want to order signed copies of Even In Paradise, Chelsey is working with a local bookstore to make that happen. Order from River Run Bookstore.

Order links - Harper Collins Canada // Chapters //  Amazon // Kaleidoscope Books

Chelsey Philpot grew up on a farm in New Hampshire and now works as an editor and journalist. She's written for the New York Times, Boston Globe, Slate, and numerous other publications.

Like her main character, Charlotte, Chelsey attended boarding school in New England. You can visit her online at www.chelseyphilpot.com or on Twitter @ChelseyPhilpot. 

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).

Only one new book to share this week... you may have seen it in my Weekly Obsessions as well :)

Yup, that's a signed copy of Gone Girl signed by Gillian Flynn and the cast of the movie. No big deal.

What books made their way into your mailbox this week?

Happy weekend, and happy reading!

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.

BOOK

First chapter of Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard (goodreads)

I've been obsessed with Red Queen since I first heard about it. It's subsequent cover reveal only increased my excitement. The first chapter was recently release and it is basically everything I hoped it would be. It sets up the characters, and their world perfectly. There is plenty of action, and lots to make you want to keep reading. I need the rest of this book, immediately. MTV.com has the cover available if you wish to check it out.

OTHER

Gone Girl signed copy (goodreads)

So I won a contest. A pretty amazing one actually. That squeal inducing image above is a signed copy of one of my favourite books. It's signed by the author, and the cast of the movie (which I LOVED). Still pinching myself that I won it. Needless to say, this one won't be read or lent out to anyone.

What are you obsessed with this week?

Black Ice by Becca Fitzpatrick

Black Ice by Becca Fitzpatrick

Release Date - October 7, 2014

Publisher Website - Simon and Schuster
Publisher Social Media - Twitter
Pages - 400 pages
My Rating - 2/5
**received in exchange for an honest review**

Here is the Goodreads synopsis

Sometimes danger is hard to see... until it’s too late.

Britt Pfeiffer has trained to backpack the Teton Range, but she isn't prepared when her ex-boyfriend, who still haunts her every thought, wants to join her. Before Britt can explore her feelings for Calvin, an unexpected blizzard forces her to seek shelter in a remote cabin, accepting the hospitality of its two very handsome occupants—but these men are fugitives, and they take her hostage.

In exchange for her life, Britt agrees to guide the men off the mountain. As they set off, Britt knows she must stay alive long enough for Calvin to find her. The task is made even more complicated when Britt finds chilling evidence of a series of murders that have taken place there... and in uncovering this, she may become the killer’s next target.

But nothing is as it seems in the mountains, and everyone is keeping secrets, including Mason, one of her kidnappers. His kindness is confusing Britt. Is he an enemy? Or an ally?

BLACK ICE is New York Times bestselling author Becca Fitzpatrick’s riveting romantic thriller set against the treacherous backdrop of the mountains of Wyoming. Falling in love should never be this dangerous…

My feelings for Black Ice can be traced back to one quote. This may seem extreme but it was the beginning of what I consider it's downfall, and what lead to my rating.

“I tapped my cup to his, grateful to have found Shaun, because for a minute there, I'd thought I was going to have to save myself. Instead, I'd wandered into the protective care of a sexy older man.” 

Everything that there is to know about Black Ice can be linked back to this quote that happens quite early in the novel. Black Ice was, sadly, not the book for me and it largely had to do with it's main character.

Britt spends a large majority of her time waiting to be rescued by men whether it be her father, her ex, or even her kidnapper. She also spends a lot of time thinking badly of her supposed best friend. These elements combined immediately made me uncomfortable. The quote above is a perfect example of Britt's personality. Sadly, even when Britt think she's changing and becoming 'stronger' it's really just a segue to another scene where she relies on the guys in the novel, or bashes her best friend. She never really grows as a character, and even offhandedly mentions that a girl was drunk when she was murdered, as if that minimizes what happens to her.

The aspect I found the hardest to get past was having Britt and her friend ignore what was obviously creepy and scary behaviour from guys because they are good looking. I don't think it sets a good example for young girls who will read this, and it enraged me because looks should not excuse acting like a jerk (or illegal behaviour).

Mason (or Ace has he is called) is meant to be the kinder, gentler kidnapper. The one who gives Britt all kinds of Stockholm Syndrome like feelings. There is an excuse for every behaviour, but sadly they are not quite good enough. I spent a lot of this novel comparing it to the stunning Stolen by Lucy Christopher, as they both deal with similar elements. Where Lucy Christopher was able to make you feel something for Ty, and never excuses what he does to Gemma, Becca Fitzpatrick does the opposite. You're not suppose to question what Mason has done because he's sweet to her (and this a stretch). She tries to excuse it, instead of owning how wrong his actions are. It creates a dynamic that doesn't feel right, and leaves a icky aftertaste to the romance.

While the characters, even those aside from Britt, were not engaging, luckily the other elements were. The mystery of who the murder was kept me engaged even when I desperately wanted to shake Britt. The killer's reasons for his crimes were, sadly, easily imagined. The murderer was some what surprising which allowed for some twists and turns to the story that were greatly needed. Becca created tension, doubt, and intrigue by offering up viable suspects, and plenty of red herrings.

Where the story does shine is in the survival elements. The portions where Britt is trekking through the wilderness and how she and her captors survive the cold weather were actually interesting. If this had been a story of survival and these men not have kidnapped her this might have been a different story and one I actually enjoyed. Becca obviously did her research when it came to this aspect, and it paid off. The story is some what saved by the fact that this part of it was incredibly readable.

A novel that made me, at times, uncomfortable with the way it portrayed women, and especially in  how they related to men. Sadly, this was one that was not for me regardless of how much I enjoyed the other elements of the story.

Exquisite Captive by Heather Demetrios

Exquisite Captive by Heather Demetrios

Release Date - October 7, 2014
Publisher Website - Harper Collins
Publisher Social Media - Twitter/Facebook/SavvyReader/Frenzy
Pages -  480 pages
My Rating - 5/5
**received in exchange for an honest review from the publisher**

Here is the Goodreads synopsis

Forced to obey her master.
Compelled to help her enemy.
Determined to free herself.

Nalia is a jinni of tremendous ancient power, the only survivor of a coup that killed nearly everyone she loved. Stuffed into a bottle and sold by a slave trader, she’s now in hiding on the dark caravan, the lucrative jinni slave trade between Arjinna and Earth, where jinn are forced to grant wishes and obey their human masters’ every command. She’d give almost anything to be free of the golden shackles that bind her to Malek, her handsome, cruel master, and his lavish Hollywood lifestyle.

Enter Raif, the enigmatic leader of Arjinna’s revolution and Nalia’s sworn enemy. He promises to free Nalia from her master so that she can return to her ravaged homeland and free her imprisoned brother—all for an unbearably high price. Nalia’s not sure she can trust him, but Raif’s her only hope of escape. With her enemies on the hunt, Earth has become more perilous than ever for Nalia. There’s just one catch: for Raif’s unbinding magic to work, Nalia must gain possession of her bottle…and convince the dangerously persuasive Malek that she truly loves him. Battling a dark past and harboring a terrible secret, Nalia soon realizes her freedom may come at a price too terrible to pay: but how far is she willing to go for it?

Inspired by Arabian Nights, EXQUISITE CAPTIVE brings to life a deliciously seductive world where a wish can be a curse and shadows are sometimes safer than the light.

Jinni (or genie) inspired novels have always been something that fascinated me. They are typically hit or miss for me in terms of enjoyment. Exquisite Captive has a fantastic balance of everything I wanted, and has the added bonus of Heather Demetrios' engaging writing style. In other words, this was a definite hit for me.

The element that will grab you right from the beginning is the world building. It's obviously something that Heather took her time with and plotted out. Everything from the backstory of the main character, to the political elements, to the underground culture the jinni of the dark caravan enjoy. It meshed our world with this magical world that Nalia and the rest of the jinni inhabit effortlessly. It pops off the pages in a way that really worked, and allowed me to envision this world Heather created.

Nalia is neither strong nor weak. She's neither passive or aggressive. She's a survivor. She strives, and stumbles, but tries again. She uses things to her advantage where she can. She has a vicious side, and isn't afraid to lash out when an opportunity arises. She knows when to fight and when to concede. Freedom, and it's cost plague Nalia's thoughts and actions. Her longing for freedom is completely consuming. It is an ache that you can feel through the pages. She is desperate for it as if it were air. She's a character I grew to really like, and felt I could understand her motivations and actions.

Heather's jinni are powerful. They are capable of granting your deepest wish, or your greatest nightmare. To have this immense power and be shackled is a theme that ties into every aspect of the novel. The characters never forget it and neither do the readers. It's easy to see the toll slavery would take on someone, and what it would do to their spirit. This not so hidden inspiration is threaded throughout the novel, and is one of it's most thought provoking aspects. You can see the influence the all too real slave trade had on creating the Dark Caravan. Heather skillfully, and wisely, lets the novel speak for itself. This is not a novel that is trying to preach it's message at you, but rather one that wants the reader to think after the final page has been turned. Knowledge is a powerful tool, and that is what this novel hopes to accomplish in igniting the desire to search out more knowledge about the real slave trade.

This novel sports a rather polarizing love triangle. I anticipate many will have strong feelings when it comes to it, and their preference of suitor.  This one one of those cases where I didn't mind the love triangle in the slightest. Malek, a guy who shouldn't even be a contender, and Raif whose intentions towards Nalia are not always clear both offer something different for Nalia. I, personally, think it's rather obvious where Nalia's heart is leading her. Part of what I liked was that the romance felt secondary, even though the novel is filled with some pretty seductively sexy moments. They seemed to be an extension of the larger storyline, rather than the storyline itself.

Malek, Nalia's master is an infuriatingly complex character. The relationship he has with Nalia is complicated. You want to hate him, but there are moments when you see who he could be. Heather balances the cruel reality that he is, in essence, keeping her captive, with the hint of potential for something to develop between them. It flirts right along the edge of Stockholm Syndrome, and I found her pull towards him believable. I was apprehensive how he could be part of the 'triangle' but the way Heather weaves it together works. Nalia never forgets who Malek is, and that he's cost her freedom, regardless of what else might be going on.

Raif is a bit of a mystery. We slowly get to know him, and our perception is molded by how Nalia perceives him. His motivation for doing things are not always apparent. As the leader of the revolution, Nalia struggles with trusting him, and knowing if his intentions are motivated by wanting her to help or simply wanting her. They have a spark, and an immediate pull that is undeniable. This dynamic creates some deliciously sexy moments between them that sizzle.

Exquisite Captive has it all - romance, action, stunning world building, a tightly spun plot, and the potential for much more to come. It also packs a pretty powerful message within it's pages. Those looking for the next series to obsess over will want to check this one out, and join me in the agonizing wait for the sequel.