.#Review Shark Bait by Jenn Cooksey

Shark Bait
by Jenn Cooksey

Published June 15th 2012
Series: Grab Your Pole #1

Goodreads

Previously homeschooled Camie Ramsey is being shoved into the shark-infested waters of public high school, where even helium filled, penguin bespeckled arm floaties likely won’t help keep her inexperienced, fifteen-year old head above water in that rip current of hormones and emotions.

Camie’s worldly wisdom might be severely lacking (i.e., the closest she’s come to being kissed was sitting too close to the TV whilst Jake Ryan leaned in to give Samantha that fateful 16th birthday kiss), but she does understand her only hope for survival is if she’s thrown some kind of “social” life preserver before she sinks like a freaking rock. However, what will her fate be when she endeavors to flag down the only lifeguard on duty, the enormously popular and ridiculously beautiful Tristan Daniels? The most sought after and virtually most unattainable guy in school who not only makes Camie’s heart flatline on a recurring basis, he’s also the one guy who seemingly doesn’t know she exists.

Feeling like an inept piece of chum that could ultimately be swallowed by Jaws, can Camie get Tristan to rescue her from floundering in the treacherous deep, or is she destined to be Shark Bait.

Author's Note:

While the tales themselves are fictional, some of the events and characters are very loosely based in reality and on my experiences—but don’t worry, the names of the characters, most of their unfortunate fashion sense and/or questionable taste in music has been changed to protect the not-so innocent.

*Due to language and some adult content, this book may not be suitable for readers under the age of 16


Grab Your Pole Seies

Shark Bait (Grab Your Pole #1)
The Other Fish in the Sea (Grab Your Pole, #2) 
Untitled (Grab Your Pole, #3)             

Are we back in the 80's?? Well, if we are then SIGN ME UP! I LOVED growing up in the late 80's. The movies, music, style, everything about it. This book was like a throwback to my high school days, and I enjoyed reminiscing the fun times.

Shark Bait is a young adult book, that was very reminiscent to high school. It has strong characters, especially the secondary characters. The only issue I found with this book, was the way it dragged a little longer than I would of liked.


Camie the main female lead, was home schooled all her life until her mom falls ill, and doesn't have the strength to continue with homeschooling. So Camie, has to start high school as a sophomore.  Not only is she the "new" kid, but she's also the "never been in a classroom kid", but Camie seems to adjust to her new lifestyle rather quickly, she fits in and makes friends right away. On her first day she meets and is saved by Tristan Daniels, the hot male lead in this book. Camie is in awe of Tristan, and although he comes across as aloof, at first, you know these two will be sizziling up this story, soon enough!

Cami is instantly attracted to Tristan. He's hot and every girl wants him. He doesn't care for girls who throw themselves at him, but tends to use those girls for some, "somethin' somethin'". With Camie  she comes off as different and doesn't throw herself at him. Instead she figures he's not interested in her, but with friends like Kate telling her different, she and Kate seem to come up with a plan on how to "bag" Tristan when it seems every other girl has lost out to winning his attention longer than a romp in bed with him. Thankfully, Kate is his best friend and knows a lot about Tristan his likes/dislikes, etc. So these two girls become fast friends and work together so Camie  can win him over.

We see the typical high school drama, and antics, some were funny and had me lol, The secondary characters in this book were a great asset to this story. They made the story more believable and propelled the overall grouping to feel realistic. We also see these two, and there friendship grow to something more, but when things get hot and bothered for these two and it looks like their relationship has bloomed, something happens and everything seems to change, and it looks like they will have to overcome insecurities and more to be together.

As the book progresses, it feels eerily familiar to high school. The gossip, the "mean" girls, the lusting of virginal heat. Everything you can remember about high school from parties to friendships is laden throughout this book, with various throwbacks to 80's movies, music, etc. The secondary characters were a great asset to the story and helped the story grow. I did enjoy Shark Bait for what it was a young adult read with some heat. The only thing that I found that I didn't care for was, the dragged out inner dialogue, from the main character. If you were a fan of the movie, Pretty in Pink, then this book may be right up your alley.

4/5 Throwback Roses

.Waiting On Wednesday: Up From The Grave by @Jeaniene_Frost & Scorched by @marimancusi



Hosted by

Jill @ Breaking The Spine

This week's WOW has one of my favorite paranormal romance series of all time, The Night Huntress series, Up From the Grave #7. Unfortunately, for all fans this book won't be released this year like originally planned :(   The release date has been moved to next year. My second WOW is due to release this September, and it is a Young Adult, fantasy read with Dragons, titled Scorched.

What are you waiting on? Share your link, below.








Up From the Grave (Night Huntress #7)

by Jeaniene Frost

Expected publication: January 28th 2014 by Avon

Goodreads




There’s always one more grave to dig.

Lately, life has been unnaturally calm for vampires Cat Crawfield and her husband Bones. They should have known better than to relax their guard, because a shocking revelation sends them back into action to stop an all-out war…

A rogue CIA agent is involved in horrifying secret activities that threaten to raise tensions between humans and the undead to dangerous heights. Now Cat and Bones are in a race against time to save their friends from a fate worse than death…because the more secrets they unravel, the deadlier the consequences. And if they fail, their lives—and those of everyone they hold dear— will be hovering on the edge of the grave.

Scorched

by Mari Mancusi

Expected publication: September 3rd 2013 by Sourcebooks Fire

Goodreads

Sixteen-year-old Trinity Brown is used to her grandfather's crazy stories, so she never believed the latest treasure he brought home was a real dragon's egg. Not until their home is invaded by soldiers trying to steal it and a strange boy who tells her the world as she knows it will be wiped out in a fiery dragon war—unless they work together to stop it. Meantime, there's a different voice whispering to Trinity, calling to her, telling her what to do...the dragon inside her egg is not ready to give up without a fight

.#REVIEW The Assassin's Gambit by @amyraby @SignetEclipse

Assassin's Gambit (Hearts and Thrones #1)

by Amy Raby

Paperback, 400 pages

Published: April 2nd 2013 by Signet
ISBN: 0451417828 (ISBN13: 9780451417824)

Genre: Fantasy, Romance, Action, Strong female heroine, Adult.

*Received Arc from pub. for review*

Goodreads

Vitala Salonius, champion of the warlike game of Caturanga, is as deadly as she is beautiful. She’s a trained assassin for the resistance, and her true play is for ultimate power. Using her charm and wit, she plans to seduce her way into the emperor’s bed and deal him one final, fatal blow, sparking a battle of succession that could change the face of the empire.

As the ruler of a country on the brink of war and the son of a deposed emperor, Lucien must constantly be wary of an attempt on his life. But he’s drawn to the stunning Caturanga player visiting the palace. Vitala may be able to distract him from his woes for a while—and fulfill other needs, as well.

Lucien’s quick mind and considerable skills awaken unexpected desires in Vitala, weakening her resolve to finish her mission. An assassin cannot fall for her prey, but Vitala’s gut is telling her to protect this sexy, sensitive man. Now she must decide where her heart and loyalties lie and navigate the dangerous war of politics before her gambit causes her to lose both Lucien and her heart for good.

 B&N



Hearts and Thrones Series
Assassin's Gambit #1
Spy's Honor #2  Expected publication: October 1st 2013


 

Debut Author, Amy Raby has won me over in this action infused, romantic, fantasy read. With a strong female protagonist, a fantastic story, and witty enthralling characters that had depth. 

I must admit, what first drew my attention of this book was that gorgeous cover. The dress, the dagger, the castle in the background, the moon and I mean come on that cover model is gorgeous. So yes, without even reading the synopsis, I already was super excited to read this book, then after reading the synopsis, this book had me 110%.



Vitala, is an assassin. She has trained her whole life in The Circle, a well hidden, magically infused group of mercenaries(although they are not paid) who are fighting against the wrongs of  kingdoms led by rulers. These rulers are hurting the people of the kingdom, and the only way the Circle can wrong their right is to kill the leaders. Lucien, is the Emporer of one of these Kingdoms,  who turns out to be Vitala's next target, her most important target that she has trained her whole life to take down.

Vitala's training started at an early age, learning how to become a killer, among killer's. She is strong, smart, and has a way about her that just spells --FIERCE! She has an undeniable death blow that comes in the form of shards, that can be willed from her as to strike down her opponent. As she sets up how she will get into Lucien's world and befriend him, she uses her training of the Caratuga game(a chess like game) to befriend Lucien. He of course is impressed that he has found a worthy opponent in the game. He warms up to her, and gifts her with her very own set of the game. She of course, is using any, and every angle to learn how she will kill, Lucien. She even beds him, and is itching for the kill, when it seems that all hell let's loose and what was once her trying to kill Lucien, turns out their are others who are after his head, and she's not to happy about it.

See, she seems to have fallen for the emporer and his charming, likable ways. As she rescues him, and journey's with him, they are slowly falling in love with each other, and she learns that Lucien may not be as evil, as the Circle first thought. She learns that although he is the Emporer their are others who enforce their own rule when it comes to enforcing the counties of the kingdom, and those men are the truly bad. Much of what Vitala learns about Lucien comes from his trusted men. Men who will stand behind their leader, as they call him a fair, and a true hands-on leader who would fight right along his own men. Lucien is not a typical leader, and is not like his Father or Grandfather. He actually cares about his men, and does seem to care about the people of the Kingdom, although he knows nothing can be changed overnight, he takes all the right steps into righting the wrong of those who are after him, and whom have wronged or deceived him. Lucien and Vitala's love for each other grows throughout this book, and it makes for a great romance as these two stand side by side, ready for battle.

Without spoiling the rest, I will tell you why I LOVED this book! First we get one strong, kick butt heroine, plus she knows how to wear a dress and look fierce! She actually reminds me of an older, version of Megan Fox. Anyway, back to why I heart this so much. Well, it has a great story line, adventure, romance, and it has some great messages behind the story. I found The Assassin's Gambit to truly be captivating, and fans of fantasy/adventure stories will enjoy this book. I also found the fantasy aspects to not be overwhelming and can be easily followed.

If you like a great plot, fleshed out well, with a captivating storyline and characters, with depth and some romantic heat. You will enjoy this story. Fans of Young Adult reads like Throne Of Glass by Sarah J Mass, and Touch Of Power by Maria Snyder will enjoy this step up into an Adult  Fantasy read. I'm looking forward to continuing on with the second book in this series, Spy's Honor.

5/5 
Fantastic Fantasy Roses

"It's not really that," she said. "It's that I don't belong here-or anywhere. In Riorca, people hate my Kjallan half; in Kjall, they hate my Riorcan half. I had a home in the Circle, where there were others like me, but now I don't even have that.
I have nothing, Lucien. I have nobody."
"I've been called many things, Vitala, but never have I been called a nobody."
"I don't mean you. I mean there's no group where I belong."
"We'll make our own group. You belong with me." He'd never spoken words more true. She did belong with him. For all the women he'd been with, he'd never found a more perfect companion for himself than Vitala.

"We're neither of us flawless. You accept my broken parts, and I'll accept yours."

.Waiting On Wednesday: Reawakended A #OUAT Tale & The Sound by @sarahalderson

Hosted by

Jill @ Breaking The Spine

One of my WOW's today features my favorite TV show on television, Once Upon A Time. OUAT features Grimm Fairy Tale re-tellings and I can't get enough of the show, so I'm hoping the book version is just as good. My second WOW is The Sound, by Sarah Alderson, the same author who penned Hunting Lila. The Sound, sounds (no pun intended) like a great beachy read. It seems filled with a great mystery of sorts as well. Since the setting of both of these  books is in New England, I already have a special liking to them.

So what's holding court on your WOW post? Link me, so I can visit.








A Once Upon A Time Tale
Reawakened
Expected publication: May 4th 2013 by Disney Hyperion Books
Goodreads 

Emma Swan's life has been anything but a fairy tale. She's been on her own since she was abandoned as a baby--that is, until the night of her twenty-eighth birthday, when Henry, a ten-year-old boy, shows up on her doorstep. He's the son Emma gave up for adoption, and this surprise visit turns her life upside down.
Henry takes Emma back to his home in Storybrooke, Maine, where, Henry claims, all the residents are actually fairy tale characters who can't remember their true identities. And if Henry's right, that means that his sweet-natured, lonely schoolteacher Mary Margaret Blanchard is really Snow White, the iconic princess ... and also Emma's long-lost mother.
In Fairy Tale Land, we meet Snow White as a bandit on the run, forced into exile by her stepmother, the Evil Queen. Snow's a young woman learning to become a hero, who will do anything to live happily ever after with her one true love, Prince Charming.
The closer Emma comes to Henry in Storybrooke, the harder it is for her to ignore the dark curse that haunts this small New England town and binds her to Mary Margaret. If Emma can learn to accept her destiny as Storybrooke's savior and break the curse, she just might get the family reunion she's dreamed about her entire life.
ABC's "ONCE UPON A TIME" is a modern adventure with thrilling twists and hints of darkness, brimming with wonder, and filled with the magic of our most beloved fairy tales





The Sound

by Sarah Alderson

Expected publication: August 1st 2013 by Simon & Schuster UK 

Goodreads

When aspiring music journalist Ren Kingston takes a job nannying for a wealthy family on the exclusive island of Nantucket, playground for Boston's elite, she's hoping for a low-key summer reading books and blogging about bands. Boys are firmly off the agenda.

What she doesn't count on is falling in with a bunch of party-loving private school kids who are hiding some dark secrets, falling (possibly) in love with the local bad boy, and falling out with a dangerous serial killer...

The gripping new stand-alone novel from the author of Hunting Lila. Out August 2013

.Blog Tour: #Giveaway #Interview Rise by @AnnaCareyBooks @harperteen @wovenmyst

Rise(Eve #3)         

by Anna Carey

Hardcover, 320 pages

Expected publication: April 2nd 2013 by HarperCollins

Goodreads/Amazon

How far will you go when you have nothing left to lose?

When she lost her soul mate, Caleb, Eve felt like her world had ended. Trapped in the palace, forced to play the part of the happy, patriotic princess of The New America—and the blushing bride of her father's top adviser—Eve's whole life is a lie. The only thing that keeps her going is Caleb's memory, and the revolution he started.

Now, Eve is taking over where Caleb left off. With the help of Moss, an undercover subversive in the King's court, she plots to take down The New America, beginning with the capital, the City of Sand. Will Eve be able to bring about a new, free world when she's called upon to perform the ultimate act of rebellion—killing her father?

In Rise, Eve must choose who to leave behind, who to save, and who to fight as Anna Carey's epic tale of romance and sacrifice in the chilling dystopia of The New America comes to a stunning conclusion.

Eve Series /Goodreads

Eve (Eve #1) 
Once (Eve #2)
Rise (Eve #3)


Purchase/Amazon

       

  

Hello Anna, Thanks for taking time out of your busy schedule to stop by my blog, today!  

What can we expect to see in the final installment of The Eve Trilogy?
 
 
 
 
 

It’s hard to say anything without giving something away, but the third book in the series is the most panic inducing.  Eve makes another life-altering discovery and feels the repercussions of that throughout the story. She loses several people she’s close to and is more alone than she’s ever been.  

 Eve’s a very strong heroine, where did your inspiration come from when writing about her?
 
 
 
 

I wanted to write a character who was incredibly sheltered, had no survival skills, and believed everything she’d been taught. I wanted to challenge her beliefs and push her to her limits. When Eve goes beyond the compound walls she’s convinced she’ll die. Watching her change and grow was the most enjoyable part of the writing process. She becomes stronger than she (or I) ever thought possible. 

When writing about the New America, where did you draw your inspiration from? 
 
 
  

Everywhere. There are a lot of isolated hikes in Southern California (where I currently live) and I’ve imagined what it would be like to be attacked by a bear. That scene came straight from my own (semi-irrational) fears. Other scenes were born out of wondering what the world would look like without us in it. I love the idea that ugly strip malls might eventually be swallowed by nature, covered over with ivy and moss. 

What projects are you currently working on? 
 
 

I’m working on a new two-book YA series called Blackbird. It’s a bit of a mystery. More details soon…   

If the Eve trilogy were to be made into a movie, what actors would play your characters? 

I’m currently watching Vampire Diaries and I’m obsessed with everyone on that show. When I answered my first fantasy casting questions I’d seen pictures of Paul Wesley, and thought he was a good dark brooding type, possibly someone who would play Leif. After watching the show, he is definitely a Caleb. Definitely.

I’ve always thought Ashley Greene from Twilight would be a great Arden, and Rooney Mara (or someone like her) would be a great Eve.

Anna Carey has been a gift wrapper, face painter, nanny, horrific cocktail waitress, sofa saleswoman and children's book editor. She graduated from New York University and has an MFA in fiction from Brooklyn College. She currently lives in Los Angeles, where she can be found writing, reading, and doodling on the giant chalkboard in her kitchen.

Signed copy of RISE by Anna Carey

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March.28 - Paranormal and Urban Fantasy Reviews

March.29 - Chapter by Chapter Review

March.30 - Lovey Dovey Books

March.31 - Wovenmyst.com

April.01   - Avery's Book Nook

April.02   - Good Choice Reading

April.03   - Autumn Review

April.04   - Stuck In Books

April.05   - Books Over Boys

April.06   - Once upon a Twilight

.Waiting On Wednesday: The Oathbreaker's Shadow @amymcculloch

Hosted by

Jill @ Breaking The Spine

This week I'm waiting on The Oathbreaker's Shadow. A fantasy told from a male POV. I do enjoy a good fantasy read, and I don't recall reading too many told from a male pov, at least not in YA genre. So, what are you waiting on?





The Oathbreaker's Shadow (The Knots Sequence #1)

by Amy McCulloch

Expected publication: June 4th 2013 by Random House Children's Publishers
Goodreads

 

 

 

 

Fifteen-year-old Raim lives in a world where you tie a knot for every promise that you make. Break that promise and you are scarred for life, and cast out into the desert.

Raim has worn a simple knot around his wrist for as long as he can remember. No one knows where it came from, and which promise of his it symbolises, but he barely thinks about it at all—not since becoming the most promising young fighter ever to train for the elite Yun guard. But on the most important day of his life, when he binds his life to his best friend (and future king) Khareh, the string bursts into flames and sears a dark mark into his skin.

Scarred now as an oath-breaker, Raim has two options: run, or be killed.

A gripping YA action-adventure fantasy, the first part of a planned duology

.Book Tour: #Giveaway Face The Music by @andreakrobbins

Title: Face the Music 

by: Andrea K. Robbins 

Publication Date: 6/14/2012 

Genre: Contemporary 

Age Group: New Adult 

Book Blurb: 

After losing her mother in a tragic accident, Allison Banks takes on the sole responsibility of caring for her little sister, her young niece, and her disabled grandmother. When her long-term boyfriend walks out, offering little in the way of explanation, Allison is left totally confused and utterly heartbroken. To cope, the 24-year-old closes herself off to any serious relationships and dives into her work as a graduate student. 

  

Needing the extra income, Allison takes a job for the hot, new, reality TV show, Superstardom. Captivated by the competition’s front-runner, the mysterious and sexy singer, Chris Knots, Allison dismisses her attraction as nothing more than a silly, school-girl crush. But, when the hunky performer reveals an interest of his own, Allison must work through her reservations and decide if there’s room in her life for something more. 

Book Links: 

Goodreads

Amazon 

 B&N 

Smashwords

 iBook

 Sony

KOBO

Author Bio: 

Born and raised in eastern Missouri, Andrea K. Robbins is a graduate of the University of Missouri-Columbia and Idaho State University and hold degrees in Human Nutrition, Biological Sciences, and Secondary Education. She currently resides in southern Idaho with her husband and two young daughters and enjoys teaching Jr. and High School science and health classes at a local school district. Robbins is also working toward her Masters degree in Science Education through Montana State University. When not working, she can be found spending time with her family or getting lost in a sappy love story. 

Author Links: 

Facebook

Twitter

Goodreads

Excerpt:

 

I stared into the black night and fell to my knees as the tears began to flow. My mind,

rapidly closing to all emotion except grief, was blind to any outside stimuli. I heard no sounds,

saw only the darkness that lie ahead, felt only the pain. Sitting on the cold stone floor, I hugged

my knees to my chest and sobbed.

In that state, time ceased to exist.

At some point, though I have no idea how much time had passed, I opened my eyes and saw

Emily kneeling beside me.

“Hey,” she whispered again and again, shaking my shoulders.

I forced myself to focus on her face.

“What happened?”

I heard her words, but was unable to make any sense out of them. It was like all synapses

had stopped firing. Nothing was getting in or out. I closed my eyes and shook my head, and she

sat with me, holding me to her chest and rocking back and forth.

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