Book Recap: Catching Jordan by Miranda Kenneally

Cover Inspection:
Fits the story well as most of the scenes revolve around the field.
And doesn't this cover make you wonder what is underneath that guy's t-shirt?

SUMMARY (book description based on GoodReads):
What girl doesn't want to be surrounded by gorgeous jocks day in and day out? Jordan Woods isn't just surrounded by hot guys, though - she leads them as the captain and quarterback on her high school football team. They all see her as one of the guys, and that's just fine. As long as she gets her athletic scholarship to a powerhouse university. But now there's a new guy in town who threatens her starring position on the team... and has her suddenly wishing to be seen as more than just a teammate.

BOOK REPORT CARD:

Cover	3.0
Plot	3.0
Writing	3.5
Characters	3.5
Ending	3.5
Overall Rating	3.5 Superior! (93% to 96%) *highest rating possible is 4.0

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[Blog Tour] Character Interview + Kindle Fire Giveaway: Death from On A Dark Wing by Jordan Dane

The Fairytale Nerd is the next stop on the On A Dark Wing Blog Tour! This tour is sponsored by HarlequinTeen! The Blog Tour ends on January 2, followed by a live chat with Jordan Dane on January 5 at 7:00 PM EDT.

With the help of Ms. Jordan Dane, I was able to get an interview with Death. It was a very... um... scary experience. Check it out...

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"Waiting On" Wednesday #26

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that I'm eagerly anticipating.

Cinder 

by Marissa Meyer

Humans and androids crowd the raucous streets of New Beijing. A deadly plague ravages the population. From space, a ruthless lunar people watch, waiting to make their move. No one knows that Earth’s fate hinges on one girl. . . .
Cinder, a gifted mechanic, is a cyborg. She’s a second-class citizen with a mysterious past, reviled by her stepmother and blamed for her stepsister’s illness. But when her life becomes intertwined with the handsome Prince Kai’s, she suddenly finds herself at the center of an intergalactic struggle, and a forbidden attraction. Caught between duty and freedom, loyalty and betrayal, she must uncover secrets about her past in order to protect her world’s future.

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Author Interview + Giveaway: Belle Malory, author of Wanderlove

Today's special guest is Belle Malory, author of Wanderlove!

Belle Malory lives in enchanted castle with a beast and talking dishes...no...wait...that's the Disney version. Ms. Malory's life, on the other hand, is a little more ordinary. However, she is like the Disney Belle in the aspect that they both read a lot of books. Aside from reading, she enjoys writing young adult novels, mainly in the paranormal romance and urban fantasy sub-genres. Belle thinks YA books are awesome, and refuses to outgrow them. In her spare time, Belle is a hoarder of rescue dogs. She is confident her house is listed on a underground doggy map. It probably says something like: "Sucker Lives Here".

Stalk Belle: Facebook | Blog

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Book Recap: Under The Never Sky by Veronica Rossi (ARC)

Cover Inspection:
I like this cover better than the blue one.
reminds me of Aria and Perry's tree house love-making
under the stars.

SUMMARY (book description based on GoodReads):
Aria is a teenager in the enclosed city of Reverie. Like all Dwellers, she spends her time with friends in virtual environments, called Realms, accessed through an eyepiece called a Smarteye. Aria enjoys the Realms and the easy life in Reverie. When she is forced out of the pod for a crime she did not commit, she believes her death is imminent. The outside world is known as The Death Shop, with danger in every direction.
As an Outsider, Perry has always known hunger, vicious predators, and violent energy storms from the swirling electrified atmosphere called the Aether. A bit of an outcast even among his hunting tribe, Perry withstands these daily tests with his exceptional abilities, as he is gifted with powerful senses that enable him to scent danger, food and even human emotions.
They come together reluctantly, for Aria must depend on Perry, whom she considers abarbarian, to help her get back to Reverie, while Perry needs Aria to help unravel the mystery of his beloved nephew’s abduction by the Dwellers. Together they embark on a journey challenged as much by their prejudices as by encounters with cannibals and wolves. But to their surprise, Aria and Perry forge an unlikely love - one that will forever change the fate of all who live UNDER THE NEVER SKY
The first book in a captivating trilogy, Veronica Rossi’s enthralling debut sweeps you into an unforgettable adventure.

BOOK REPORT CARD:

Cover	3.0
Plot	3.0
Writing	3.0
Characters	2.5
Ending	3.0
Overall Rating	3.0 Very Good  (89% - 92%) * highest rating possible is 4.0

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Teaser Tuesday #25

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading.

This week's teaser is from

Before Ever After

by Samantha Sotto

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Merry Christmas Everyone!

I wish you all a very, very Merry Christmas!

May this season fill our hearts with goodwill and cheer, and our bookshelves with unputdownable books!

In My Mailbox #25

In My Mailbox is hosted by Kristi at The Story Siren.

I am the happiest girl this Christmas! My old one, the Sony PRS-600, is just too slow-loading for me, especially when reading PDF files. And it hangs!!! I hate it when that happens! But that very special boy in my life just SURPRISED me with a new Kobo eReader Touch Edition! It's a pretty, pretty toy! He got me the baby blue one. Thanks JM... That's the best gift for the worst kind of bookworm! 

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Cover Reveal: Chosen Ones by Tiffany Truitt

Chosen Ones 

by Tiffany Truitt

(Expected Publication: 2012 by Entangled publishing)

What if you were mankind’s last chance at survival?

Sixteen-year-old Tess lives in a compound in what was once the Western United States, now decimated after a devastating fourth World War. But long before that, life as we knew it had been irrevocably changed, as women mysteriously lost the ability to bring forth life. Faced with the extinction of the human race, the government began the Council of Creators, meant to search out alternative methods of creating life. The resulting artificial human beings, or Chosen Ones, were extraordinarily beautiful, unbelievably strong, and unabashedly deadly.

Life is bleak, but uncomplicated for Tess as she follows the rigid rules of her dystopian society, until the day she begins work at Templeton, the training facility for newly created Chosen Ones. There, she meets James, a Chosen One whose odd love of music and reading rivals only her own. The attraction between the two is immediate in its intensity—and overwhelming in its danger.

But there is more to the goings-on at Templeton than Tess ever knew, and as the veil is lifted from her eyes, she uncovers a dark underground movement bent not on taking down the Chosen Ones, but the Council itself. Will Tess be able to stand up to those who would oppress her, even if it means giving up the only happiness in her life?

Author Interview: Jessie Harrell, author of Destined

I am so honored that Jessie Harrell, author of Destined has agreed to guest on my blog today! I read the book a few weeks ago, and... WOW... it's one of the most romantic books I have read. (Read my review HERE.) I fell in love with Eros, and even made him my book boyfriend. (Swoon over him HERE.)

By day, I'm an appellate lawyer. By night, I'm a wife, mother of two, and author/lover of all things Greek mythology. I'm a native Floridian, frustrated world traveler, unrepentant dreamer, lover of acoustic music and not-so-closet geek. Destined, being released November 17, 2011, is my first novel. Stay tuned for Beneath the Surface, co-written with the amazing Nikki Katz.

Stalk Jessie: Twitter | Facebook | Blog

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Book Recap: Obsidian by Jennifer Armentrout (ARC)

Cover Inspection:
Yes. Daemon. That's exactly how I pictured him.

SUMMARY (book description based on GoodReads):
Starting over sucks.
When we moved to West Virginia right before my senior year, I’d pretty much resigned myself to thick accents, dodgy internet access, and a whole lot of boring…. until I spotted my hot neighbor, with his looming height and eerie green eyes. Things were looking up.
And then he opened his mouth.
Daemon is infuriating. Arrogant. Stab-worthy. We do not get along. At all. But when a stranger attacks me and Daemon literally freezes time with a wave of his hand, well, something…unexpected happens.
The hot alien living next door marks me.
You heard me. Alien. Turns out Daemon and his sister have a galaxy of enemies wanting to steal their abilities, and Daemon’s touch has me lit up like the Vegas Strip. The only way I’m getting out of this alive is by sticking close to Daemon until my alien mojo fades.
If I don’t kill him first, that is.

BOOK REPORT CARD:

Cover	4.0
Plot	4.0
Writing	3.5
Characters	4.0
Ending	3.5
Overall Rating	4.0 Excellent  (97% - 100%) * highest rating possible is 4.0

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"Waiting On" Wednesday #25

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that I'm eagerly anticipating.

The Selection

by Kiera Cass

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Teaser Tuesday #24

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading.

This week's teaser is from

Shatter Me

by Tahereh Mafi

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Cover Crazy #18

Cover Crazy is hosted by The Bookworms.

Exiled

by RaShelle Workman

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In My Mailbox #24

In My Mailbox is hosted by Kristi at The Story Siren.

Shifting by Bethany WigginsWander Dust by Michelle WarrenLegend by Marie LuDestiny's Fire by Trisha Wolfe (ARC)Continue Reading...

Quote It Saturday #17

Quote It Saturday is hosted by Freda's Voice.

Todays quote is from:

Catching Jordan
by Miranda Kennealy

...who needs a girlfriend when you've got good friends and football?

Book Recap: Halflings by Heather Burch (ARC)

Cover Inspection:
Nice cover. I love the wings behind the girl.

SUMMARY (book description based on GoodReads):
After being inexplicably targeted by an evil intent on harming her at any cost, seventeen-year-old Nikki finds herself under the watchful guardianship of three mysterious young men who call themselves halflings. Sworn to defend her, misfits Mace, Raven, and Vine battle to keep Nikki safe while hiding their deepest secret—and the wings that come with.
A growing attraction between Nikki and two of her protectors presents a whole other danger. While she risks a broken heart, Mace and Raven could lose everything, including their souls. As the mysteries behind the boys’ powers, as well as her role in a scientist’s dark plan, unfold, Nikki is faced with choices that will affect the future of an entire race of heavenly beings, as well as the precarious equilibrium of the earthly world.

BOOK REPORT CARD:

Cover	3.0
Plot	2.5
Writing	3.0
Characters	2.5
Ending	2.0
Overall Rating	2.5 Good! (85% to 88%) * highest rating possible is 4.0

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Contest for Aspiring Writers of YA Fiction

A few days ago, Logan Kleinwaks, President, Book Wish Foundation, emailed me asking if I would be wiiling to post this Essay Contest for Aspiring Writers of YA/middle grade fiction. If you guys are interested, read on.
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[Air Blog Tour] Guest Post: Shauna Granger, author of Air

The Fairytale Nerd is the next stop on the Air Blog Tour!

For today, we have a very special guest! Everyone please welcome Shauna Granger, author of Air! Shauna will talk about one of her favorite things - music in relation to her new book, Air.

Shauna Granger lives in a sleepy little beach town in Southern California with her husband, John, and their goofy dog, Brody. Always fascinated by Magic, Shauna spent most of her teen years buried in books about fairies, elves, gnomes, spells, witchcraft, wizards and sorcery. When she's not busy working on the next installment of the Elemental Series she enjoys cooking, entertaining, MMA fight nights, watching way too much TV and coffee. Lots of coffee.

Stalk Shauna here: Twitter Facebook Blog

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Trailer Thursday #24

Book Trailer Thursday is hosted by Quill Cafe.

Every Thursday we welcome everyone to join us in celebrating the awesomeness of book trailers.

Shattered Souls 

by Mary Lindsey

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"Waiting On" Wednesday #24

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that I'm eagerly anticipating.

Born Wicked

by Jessica Spotswood

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Giveaway Winner Announcement

Paperback Copy of Abstrus by TK Rayford 

Mary Reiss

Evika

Paperback Copy of The Princes of the Golden Cage + Swag 

Jenny Vasquez

Bonnie Harris

eBook of Rae of Hope

Midnight

eBook of Open Minds

Yto

eBook of Brightest Kind of Darkness by P.T. Michelle

MadHatter

eBook of Clockwise by Elle Strauss

Gaby Herondale

eBook of Mortal Obligation by Nichole Chase

Randa

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Book Recap: Light of Asteria by Elizabeth Isaacs

Cover Inspection:
Fitting. I think it symbolizes Gavin and Nora's love
like in the story itself.

SUMMARY (book description based on GoodReads):

If Nora Johnson hadn't been on campus that day she would have never known her true destiny. Helping her friends move into the dorm that she wanted to call home, Nora accidentally collides with mysterious stranger, Gavin Frey. His very first touch sends flames through her heart. The world seems different-something within her has changed. She tries to resume her mundane life, but she is now consumed with the one whose very presence ignited her soul, the one with eyes of emerald. Nora soon learns that an energy buried deep within has been unleashed. She now wields unimaginable power and has become Gavin's source, his strength. Her newfound joy is shaken when she discovers that Gavin is not who he appears to be and she has been thrust in the middle of a war of mythical proportions. Negativity allows all things evil to flourish, the earth is under siege. The fate of creation hinges on the power within her heart. Will she be strong enough to survive? A gripping tale of unbounded love and ancient power, The Light of Asteria will take you on an epic adventure filled with war, treachery, and demons, as well as unimaginable delights.

BOOK REPORT CARD:

Cover	3.0
Plot	3.0
Writing	3.0
Characters	3.0
Ending	3.5
Overall Rating	3.0 Very Good! (89% to 92%) * highest rating possible is 4.0

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Teaser Tuesday #23

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading.

Clockwork Prince

by Cassandra Clare

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[Dark Seeker Blog Tour] Cover Reveal + Excerpt + Giveaway

The Fairytale Nerd is the next stop on the Dark Seeker Blog Tour!

I write novels for young adults and am represented by agent Christine Witthohn from Book Cents Literary Agency. My debut novel, DARK SEEKER, is available on Amazon and B&N. If you like YA urban fantasy or paranormal romance, please check it out!
I graduated with a BS in Education from Towson University and went on to earn a MS in Reading from Hood College. When I'm not writing, I enjoy reading, spending time with friends and family, dancing, music, movies, and the beach. Visit me at www.tarynbrowning.com, on twitter (@TarynBrowning) and facebook (Taryn Browning).

Stalk her: Website | Twitter

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Cover Crazy #17

Cover Crazy is hosted by The Bookworms.

The Immortal Rules

by Julie Kagawa

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