by Bethany Hagen
Publishing: 2.4.14
Pages: 384

Downton Abbey meets The Selection in this dystopian tale of love and betrayal. In a fragmented future United States ruled by the lavish gentry, seventeen-year-old Madeline Landry dreams of going to the university. Unfortunately, gentry decorum and her domineering father won't allow that. Madeline must marry, like a good Landry woman, and run the family estate. But her world is turned upside down when she discovers the devastating consequences her lifestyle is having on those less fortunate. As Madeline begins to question everything she has ever learned, she finds herself increasingly drawn to handsome, beguiling David Dana. Soon, rumors of war and rebellion start to spread, and Madeline finds herself and David at the center of it all. Ultimately, she must make a choice between duty - her family and the estate she loves dearly - and desire.

And then – on this sprawling estate in this large house, on the brink of a revolution – I was reminded of the power of the small. Small ideas, small acts, small people.  After all it was the furious industry of those tiny atoms that fueled the stars, stares that then nourished planets, and planets that the nourished life. Not matter how small I felt, how infinitesimal my feeble gestures seemed, I was part of a larger chain, a large system, and so help me I would bring order to this chaos.

So it was okay if lots of innocent people got hurt as long as it was not the one you cared about?

“You’re brave.”
He shrugged. “Bullets are just lumps of metal. A flash of pain or a quick death. But being a coward – that’s something that eats away at you slowly from the inside. That’s what really scares me.”

About Bethany Hagen
Website - Twitter - Goodreads

Bethany Hagen Librarian by day, Bethany Hagen is the author of the forthcoming LANDRY PARK, set to be released from Dial February 4th. She lives in Kansas City with her husband and two children.

Bethany is so awesome! I got the chance to interview her for another special promotion to come back next month for that!
Excited for the book? Here's your chance to show Bethany some love and win your own copy and some swag!
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Thanks for stopping by! Make sure to leave Bethany some love in the comments below! For more Merp Squad tours check out our website! XOXO,

Sylo
by D. J. MacHale
Published: July 2, 13
Pages: 407
Source: Review copy received for tour.
***I was not paid for this review***

Does Tucker Pierce have what it takes to be a hero when the U.S. military quarantines his island?
Fourteen-year-old Tucker Pierce prefers to fly under the radar. He’s used to navigating around summer tourists in his hometown on idyllic Pemberwick Island, Maine. He’s content to sit on the sidelines as a backup player on the high school football team. And though his best friend Quinn tells him to “go for it,” he’s too chicken to ask Tori Sleeper on a date. There’s always tomorrow, he figures. Then Pemberwick Island is invaded by a mysterious branch of the U.S. military called SYLO. And sitting on the sidelines is no longer an option for Tucker, because tomorrow may never come. 
It’s up to Tucker, Quinn, and Tori to uncover the truth about the singing aircraft that appears only at night—and the stranger named Feit who’s pushing a red crystal he calls the Ruby that brings unique powers to all who take it. Tucker and his friends must rescue not just Pemberwick Island, but the fate of the world—and all before tomorrow is too late.  

     To be honest, when I started this gorgeous book, I really wasn't sure what I'd think of it. It wasn't as flashy as I expected. And I wasn't completely on board with this whole military mystery either. But then...ba-bam! We're thrown for a loop and the story gunned it's engine and it got real good.

It's been a long time since I've read a book from a male perspective. Tucker was a very interesting protagonist. He's one of those "turtle characters". Tucker has a safe shell that he lives in and he's content to be that way. Versus his best friend who's eager to poke his head out and do something with life. I loved seeing how throughout this wild ride, Tucker expanded his comfort zone, and found that he could indeed branch out.

Tucker had a good voice and the story progressed well. Or should I say, rapidly. Sylo is one crazy action-packed ride once it lifts off the ground. And it's totally written by a guy. (Meant in a good way of course.) There were so many crazy scenes filled with gunfire and explosions. I could probably find a few places were bombs dropped every other sentence[literally!] and the stakes are raised multiple times within a page. It was pretty awesome! People who love this kind of action will suck it up. And even though this isn't always my thing, it was really fun. My sister would come in and find my eyes glued to the pages, locked in the combat.

There's quite the array of side characters that added flavor to the story. Part of this cast included two young vibrant ladies, Olivia and Tori. Hmm I wonder what two girls and and boy could make? If you guessed a romantic love triangle, you would be correct! But before you assume the worst about this book, let me sooth your worries! There is nothing to worry about! At the beginning of the book it felt like Tucker's head was going through some serious love triangle issues. One page it was Tori, then Olivia, then Tori. Make up your mind bro! But then it relaxed. And it was slow and nice and even though there isn't anything that steady at the end of the book, it worked. Gone was our "love triangle". I was actually kinda glad. I liked that it was light, with a buildup that will flow nicely into the next book.

Speaking of next books..holy cow the ending! After all these questions we get some of the mystery straightened out. The last page was cray-cray! I was like UM WHAT? And then those fateful words.. "To Be Continued..." Hmmph. Why do books do that? Now, I'll be honest, I'm not in shreds over this cliff-hanger. But after this mystery I totally want to know what happens. There are still so many questions and AWEIFAJEIOANWEFYAABHG. Point made.

So. If you love a fun action packed book with a light dosing of romance then this is the book for you. I really enjoyed this and will totally recommend this one!

About The Author

Here's a pretty cool video by the D. J. himself talking about Sylo! Check it out! 

Just kissing! Who doesn't love a fun giveaway! And I've got a fabulous one here! Thanks to Penguin and D. J. for their donation! You can win a copy of Sylo along with some awesome swag! Go enter! Go Go Go!

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And that's all for today folks! Thanks for stopping by!!! :D XOXO,

Golden
by Jessi Kirby
Published: 5.14.13
Pages:278
Source: Simon Teen PulseIt

Seventeen-year-old Parker Frost has never taken the road less traveled. Valedictorian and quintessential good girl, she’s about to graduate high school without ever having kissed her crush or broken the rules. So when fate drops a clue in her lap—one that might be the key to unraveling a town mystery—she decides to take a chance.
Julianna Farnetti and Shane Cruz are remembered as the golden couple of Summit Lakes High—perfect in every way, meant to be together forever. But Julianna’s journal tells a different story—one of doubts about Shane and a forbidden romance with an older, artistic guy. These are the secrets that were swept away with her the night that Shane’s jeep plunged into an icy river, leaving behind a grieving town and no bodies to bury.
Reading Julianna’s journal gives Parker the courage to start to really live—and it also gives her reasons to question what really happened the night of the accident. Armed with clues from the past, Parker enlists the help of her best friend, Kat, and Trevor, her longtime crush, to track down some leads. The mystery ends up taking Parker places that she never could have imagined. And she soon finds that taking the road less traveled makes all the difference.

This book was fast, cute and touching. While it is somewhat short, it tells an incredible little journey of discovery that's not hard to dive into and connect with. It reminded me so much of the movie "Letters to Juliet", which for the record, I haven't seen. And while I've never read anything by Jessi, this book completely enthralled me.

So let's talk characters. Parker is that smart chick with the good grades and the title of valedictorian. She's also the good girl who's never done anything wrong or crazy. Until now. One thing I really liked about her was the realistic side of her growth. As she reads this journal, it was so interesting to see how both of the girls journeys paralleled each other. I felt like it added depth, and insight into not only Parker, but also Juli. Parker was honest with herself and I just loved that. She's trying to become who she wants, and it takes a while for her to get there. It's not with the snap of her fingers, and she doesn't spend lots of worry time, dragging it out. It's a lovely pace and just *sigh*... it worked.

While I'm talking characters, I owe a few words to her best friend Kat. Thank you Jessi Kirby for not messing up a perfectly good friendship with a stupid dramatic fight. Thank you for having a spout, but not a battle. It's a refreshing change. Kat is fun, quirky and just a lovely edition to the cast. She brings a spark and feeling of frolickyness that you don't find in the other characters. She's just so different that I had to make up an illegal word to describe her!

I've been in the biggest contemporary kick of my life lately, and while this book is full of growth and becoming who you are, there is also...romance! Although, I'm honestly not sure what I think of it. I like Trevor..and yet don't like him. First we have the fact that he's a boy tow. He's popular with the ladies and may or may not have had flings with many of them. Sure, it means he's hot and attractive, but that's not exactly appealing to me. To have a crush on the guy is one thing. But to crush on him and still want him, knowing his girl history..wouldn't be the most reassuring. Yes it helps that he wants you....but do you get where I'm coming from? Maybe I'm just weird. But the romance was cute. Don't get me wrong. It so was.

So yup, this book was golden. It was sweet, fresh and a wonderful new contemporary voice. My one complaint is that the ending is a little too rushed. Or maybe, I wanted more closer on a few key points. She does a good job of wrap-up..but I wanted MORE. Ah well, you don't always get what you want, do you. SO YES. Golden this book was. I recommend it to fans of contemporary looking for a light beach read when you have a couple free hours to spare.

Content: Milderate
[some language including the S word throughout. A couple mild kisses. Innuendo.]
Well amigos, you know what I think. Now it is your turn to tell me what you think. Link me to your review if you have one! Happy Thursday! XOXO,

The Prince
by Kierra Cass
Published: 3.5.13 from HarperTeen Impulse
Pages: 64

Before thirty-five girls were chosen to compete in the Selection...
Before Aspen broke America's heart...
There was another girl in Prince Maxon's life...

The Rules For Disappearing
by Ashley Elston
Published: TODAY! [5.14.13]
Pages: 320

The Selection
by Kierra Cass
Published: 4.24.12
Pages: 327

For thirty-five girls, the Selection is the chance of a lifetime. The opportunity to escape the life laid out for them since birth. To be swept up in a world of glittering gowns and priceless jewels. To live in a palace and compete for the heart of gorgeous Prince Maxon. But for America Singer, being Selected is a nightmare. It means turning her back on her secret love with Aspen, who is a caste below her. Leaving her home to enter a fierce competition for a crown she doesn't want. Living in a palace that is constantly threatened by violent rebel attacks. Then America meets Prince Maxon. Gradually, she starts to question all the plans she's made for herself--and realizes that the life she's always dreamed of may not compare to a future she never imagined. 

Hey everyone! Welcome to my stop on the Dualed blog tour, hosted by Sarah @ The Book Life. Thanks so much to Sarah for including me. Today, on my stop, I've got a mini Dualed review and then a chance for you to win a copy! Awesome right? Read on!

Author: Elsie Chapman
Published: 2.26.12
Pages: 304

Two of you exist. Only one will survive.

The city of Kersh is a safe haven, but the price of safety is high. Everyone has a genetic Alternate—a twin raised by another family—and citizens must prove their worth by eliminating their Alts before their twentieth birthday. Survival means advanced schooling, a good job, marriage—life.

Fifteen-year-old West Grayer has trained as a fighter, preparing for the day when her assignment arrives and she will have one month to hunt down and kill her Alt. But then a tragic misstep shakes West’s confidence. Stricken with grief and guilt, she’s no longer certain that she’s the best version of herself, the version worthy of a future. If she is to have any chance of winning, she must stop running not only from her Alt, but also from love . . . though both have the power to destroy her.

Inky's Blurbings:
Okay, confession. I'm still reading this book. I know, fail Inky for not finishing by the tour. Haha. But I love this book already so prepare for happiness and sparkles! I'll definitely have a longer review once I'm all the way done.

For starters, I'd heard such varying degrees of blurb that I wasn't sure how I would feel. I had high hopes and these hopes are totally awesome to have. Why? This book is awesome!

We've got this setting in a futuristic North America. One corner of the country is Kersh, a haven in the havoc. And in this city, it's a harsh life. The children are raised to fight and be a good soldiers. To kill their Alternate. I thought the world was pretty well introduced so we got a good grasp of the setting we're in and how things run. So the world, while yes futuristic, is it's own unique kind of awesome.

West is awesome! She's pretty smart, even though she lives in a pretty crazy life. She's lost a lot and I love how we get to see that side of her, while at the same time she's not a weakling. She's human, and that's something I really like to see in characters.

As for everything else? Her Alt mission? The romance? Let's just go with. SUH-WEEET! With Chord, first off, a musical name? HOLLA. Yes please. From the beginning you can totally feel the connection and the friendship the two have. It's a friend-turned-love relationship. And I love that because you can really feel the chemistry. And these two have got it!

This book has got some awesome action in it. I would totally reccomend this book as a fun read. It's a fresh new take on Dystopia. Go check it out!
Now, obviously, the author of this awesome book is bound to be awesome herself. Ladies and Gents of the Blogoverse...Elsie Chapman!!! *imagine this awesome announcer voice*

Website - Twitter - Facebook

Elsie grew up in Prince George, BC, before graduating from the University of British Columbia with a BA in English Literature. She currently lives in Vancouver with her husband and two kids, where she writes to either movies on a loop or music turned up way too loud (and sometimes both at the same time). She's repped by The Chudney Agency, and her debut novel, DUALED, published by Random House is out NOW! The sequel, DIVIDED, will be published February, 2014.

You guys seriously need to make sure you say hi to her. She's so sweet and very fun. Specially on Twittaland! Go hang with her!
Don't Miss The Other Tour Stops! 

And, Since this is a part of the tour, here's a fabulous giveaway oppurtunity for you all to get your own copy of this book! Go enter now!
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That is all for me today, so I hope you have a lovely day!!! Xoxo,

Hey everyone! Welcome to my stop on the suh-weet blog tour for Normalish, hosted by Xpresso Book Tours. Thanks Giselle for setting up the tour! I'm so glad I get to be a part of it and review this darling book. Read on for my thoughts and a spectacular giveaway!

-ABOUT THE BOOK & AUTHOR-

Published: 10.5.12 
Pages: 175
 

Fifteen-year-old Stacy questions the strange world of high school, love, her role in a harsh universe, and life, in Normalish.

People tell you high school's so great and wonderful, but they're lying. It's mostly horrible and full of disappointment. It sucks. Your best friend abandons you. The jerk you're in love with pretends to be  into you, and then the big dump. The boy you've really clicked with as a friend decides to go all crushy over you, so you break his heart just like yours was -- smashed into little pieces. Your sister goes mental, and you get involved with a guy who’s even crazier than she is (who you know is a very bad idea, but you do it anyway). Math only adds another stink of failure to the whole thing.

High school blows. Just ask freshman Stacy. She’d want you to know.

California girl Margaret Lesh lives with her husband Steve and son Andrew in a quiet suburb near Los Angeles. Co-creator of StoryRhyme.com, she writes middle grade, young adult and women's fiction. When she's not writing she's thinking about baked goods, especially donuts, far too often. She believes tacos are magic.

Inky's Blurbings:

When I first dove into this book, I knew  pretty much nothing about it, despite the fact that it had a simply gorgeous cover. I totally loved it. Still do! It's simple and sweet. Just like this book. Other than the cover, I didn't know what to expect, other than the story of a Freshman whose life sucks. Which it totally does.

As I began reading, I quickly noticed, that it was told in the form of a diary. This didn't really bug me, and I actually really enjoyed the way this story was told. It gave a closer in depth look on Stacy, and her feelings. True, there was more talk, less happening, but it was smooth and just really interesting to read, that it made up for all that. To be honest, at first Stacy kinda got on my nerves as a whiny character. I mean she spends the first 5% of the book complaining and repeated how lame she is, and how messed up her life is. Way to be an optimist. But I found that as the plot progressed and things change in nature for Stacy....she wasn't so whiny anymore. She was actually growing on me! Her voice is so sweet and simple and yet full of emotion that it's hard not to get sucked into this book.

The plot was well paced and had quite an emotional story drive for Stacy. Her life pretty much gets turned upside down as she struggles with young love, and family problems. I wish some of it had been explored more in depth, and not just simply written about in the journal. I would have liked to know more about certain events and people, but it wasn't like I was driven mad about it. So I think it was a very nice read.

Lastly, I just want to touch on the romance. It was sweet, but it felt like some of it was just spread out to far. Too little butter for the toast. There's Boy A, Boy B, and Boy C. We learn about each and explore the relationships with each. Boy B...well he was nice, but he was the one I really wanted more information on. Boy C, he was the Hero of the story. The one you know will eventually end up with the girl. So yeah, it was kinda predictable, but in a good way. The kind where even though you know what happens you can appreciate the journey to get there.

All in all, it was a very delightful read, that I enjoyed. Stacy was a lovely narrator and I really liked seeing the character change she went though. I can't say it struck me to the bone as a new favorite, but I'm very glad I was able to read it. If you ever need a short pick-me-up, then Normalish is the book for you.

Content: Milderate
(language throughout. Deity, Da**, He**, Sh** (x2) and some other mild ones. A few instances of innuendo. A girl tells another girl she did it with a guy.)

click to follow the rest of the tour! 

And now...for the grand finale! The giveaway! You could win an Amazon gift card, ebook of Normalish and some swag!  It's totally awesome everyone to go enter away! You know you want to!

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I hope you all had a lovely time here today! Hopefully my review and spiffy promo will encourage you to take a chance on this book! It's simply delightful and I think you might like it. Happy Thursday! XOXO,

North Pole High: A Rebel Without A Claus
by Candance Jane Kringle
Published: 10.2.12 by elfpublished books
Pages: 314
GOODREADS - PURCHASE

MEET SIXTEEN-YEAR-OLD CANDYCANE CLAUS. She's the most popular girl at North Pole High. Her father is world-famous. And every day is Christmas. What more could any girl want? BOYS! And the new boy, Rudy Tutti, is hot chocolate. But he hates anything to do with Christmas!

When Candy and Rudy are forced to work together on a school Christmas-tree project, her world is turned upside down: Her grades start to suffer, she loses her taste for ice cream, and now the two North-Star-cross'd teens must contend with her overprotective father — Santa Claus — before Christmas is ruined for EVERYONE!

Inky's Blurbings:
This is a book that can be described in three words. Laugh. Out. Loud. Seriously! It's like this big Christmas spoof and nearly everything in this book is a PUN of some Christmas element. I had a lot of fun getting into this one. Totally a book to get you in the holiday season. Hence, a Christmas Eve review!

Candy, was a pretty hilarious narrator. She's sweet and funny and a bit sarcastic. She was a total laugh. I can't say that I really bonded or connected with her anyway, but I had lots of run reading from her perspective as she dealt with the horrible things coming her way. It wasn't hard to get into her voice and follow the story. She'll definitely keep your interest with her narrative. The supporting characters were very well done. I enjoyed them, and despite the easy predictability of them, it was totally fun to have them along for the ride.

However, I do think the writing was a little shaky. Oh it was descriptive and not too confusing, but I think that the main issue for me was the texting lingo woven in. Lol's and OMG's were use quite frequently. Not to mention, the first 1/3 of the book, they are heheheing and hahahaing and hohohoing too just about EVERYTHING. Um. Enough laughter. Please!

But, despite that, this book totally made me laugh with the hilarity of the Christmas puns. And I do have to admit that Rudy is a darling, hot boy. It was a very complex relationship but totally adorable. Nothing says problem like a big jolly man to get in the way of your new crush.

Content: Mild
(some mild language, kissing and innuendo)