Waiting On" Wednesday #38

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

Shannon's Pick~

Code Name Verity by Elizabeth Wein

Release Date: May 15th, 2012 from Hyperion Books

Synopsis from Goodreads

Code Name Verity, which will publish in Spring 2012, is the story of two young women from totally different backgrounds who are thrown together during World War II. Only in wartime could a stalwart lass from Manchester rub shoulders with a Scottish aristocrat, one an Air Transport Auxiliary pilot, the other a wireless operator with the WAAF. Yet whenever their paths cross, they complement each other perfectly and before long become devoted friends. But then a vital mission goes wrong, and one of the friends has to bail out of a faulty plane over France. Almost immediately she is arrested by the Gestapo, and it seems her mission may be over before it's even begun. The story begins in "Verity's" own words, as she writes her account for her captors...

Historical fiction set during World War II with female spies and pilots. Do I really need to say anything else?

Carrie's Pick~

Catch and Release by Blythe Woolston

Release Date: January 28, 2012 from Lerner Publishing Group

Synopsis from Goodreads

Teenagers Polly and Odd are the only survivors of a MRSA (Methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus--also known as flesh-eating bacteria) outbreak that killed several people in their town. They did not survive unscathed, however. Polly lost an eye and her face is horribly scarred; Odd lost his foot and is tortured by phantom pain. The two had no connection to each other prior to the MRSA outbreak. Polly was going to marry Bridger, her longtime boyfriend, and continue down the road toward normal adulthood and domestic felicity (kids, house, etc.). Odd’s ticket out was football. Now those plans are gone, and Polly and Odd have nothing but each other--the residents in their small Montana hometown are decidedly uncomfortable around these two who survived-- and a shared affection for trout fishing. So when Odd shows up in his grandmother’s 1979 Cadillac D’Elegance, promising a day on the river, it’s pretty clear that a more remarkable journey is in store for the two of them.

I came across this book on another blogger’s site (Thanks Melissa @ I swim for oceans). She mentioned it in her post of upcoming winter releases she was excited for. After reading the premise I was intrigued and knew I had to read this book. I really like the idea that the two main characters aren’t perfect. They are scarred and the life they know isn’t easy. I can’t wait to see what happens when these two get together.

Review: Eternal Starling

Need to Know Info:

Title: Eternal Starling

Author: Angela Corbett

Format: Hardcover, 310 pages

Publisher: Pendrell Publishing

Release Date: 12/20/2011

Source: ARC (e-copy provided by author)

Synopsis from Goodreads

A love so strong, even eternity can't separate them. Evie Starling has lived a relatively uneventful life hanging out with friends, gossiping about boys, and driving her 1966 Mustang. All of that changes when she moves to Gunnison, Colorado, to start college and meets two mysterious men. For centuries, Alex Night and Emil Stone have yearned for Evie—but they each have their own reasons for wanting to be with her. When both men claim to be her soul mate and tell her about an unbelievable past, Evie learns that she's not the person she thought she was. Soon, Evie finds herself in the middle of an age-old battle between the Amaranthine Society—the soul protectors, and the Daevos Resistance—the soul destroyers. With a past she doesn't understand, and a future rife with danger, Evie has to decide who she can trust. But Alex and Emil aren't the only ones who want Evie, and her soul is about to become the rope in an eternal tug-of-war.

Carrie's Review

Let me start by saying I had the opportunity to meet the author Anglea Corbett last month and she is so sweet. She gave me the opportunity to read a review copy of Eternal Starling and even gave me some fun swag to give away. I wish her lots of success.

Having met the author, I really wanted to love this book. I really did. The concept for the story was what initially drew me in. Who doesn’t want to read about eternal love, soul mates and the ever constant struggle of good versus evil? Add in a strong girl who drives a kick ass car, a hot guy and I’m sold.

Evie was a fun character. She was strong and independent but also a bit stubborn. I also liked that the author made her confident and comfortable with her figure. You don't have to be a size 0 to be beautiful. It definitely helped that she had Alex Night and Emil Stone both fawning over her. What girl wouldn't enjoy some added attention by a couple of hot guys? There was some fun chemistry and sexual tension in the book. One kissing scene in particular left me with my mouth hanging open.

Well now let me tell you what didn’t work for me. I really struggled with the instant love connection that happens in the book. Now I may sound like a hypocrite because I have loved some other YA books that have had pretty fast love connections as well but I guess when you pair the insta love with the love triangle, it was just too much for this girl. I’m not a huge fan of love triangles but they can be compelling if done right. As a reader, it just felt unrealistic to me that Evie would fall so hard in that short amount of time for two boys. I wanted to swoon over the boys but there just wasn’t enough build up of their personalities or the relationships for me. It just happened so fast that I didn’t have time to build up that fun feeling of tension or excitement. Also Evie can’t make up her mind and her feelings flip flop quite often. I found myself frustrated and just wanted her to pick one. Sigh.

I don’t want this review to sound to negative because there were elements I did like. As I mentioned I liked the overall concept of the story. The idea of lost soul mates and a darker force working to keep them apart is a very compelling plot. I thought the pacing was a bit slow in the beginning but once the boys started revealing their secrets and things began to unfold the pace of the story really picked up for me. I enjoyed learning about the different character’s back stories and how their histories intertwined. I definitely enjoyed the latter half of the book better than the beginning. The ending definitely leaves it wide open for the next book. I think there is definite potential for book two to be more exciting and faster paced than the first.

Eternal Starling is a unique story and a solid debut. I think YA fans of paranormal romance (that don't mind love triangles) will enjoy this one.

Rating~

Carrie's In My Mailbox #13

Hey its my newest IMM post. All books shown are ones I received between November 13th - November 25th. In My Mailbox is a meme created by Kristi@ The Story Siren, its purpose is to encourage blogger interaction, as well as highlight books for our readers. IMM is not only for books you have received through the mail, but also library, borrowed, and bought books.

For Review:

Illuminate by Aimee Agresti (via Net Galley)

New Girl by Paige Harbison (via Net Galley)

Bought:

Dark Inside by Jeyn Roberts

Gifted:

Half-Blood by Jennifer L. Armentrout (signed copy) - received from Loretta (Between the Pages)

The Dead-Tossed Waves by Carrie Ryan (signed copy) - received from Angela (Reading Angel)

Won:

Waterfall by Lisa T. Bergren (signed) - Twitter contest from the author

Borrowed (from the library):

The Bird Sisters by Rebecca Rasmussen

Rules of Civility by Amor Towles

So what did you all get in your mailboxes?

Teaser Tuesday: Dark Inside

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

Grab your current read

Open to a random page

Share two (2) "teaser" sentences from somewhere on that page

BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)

Share the Title & Author, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

Carrie's Teaser:

"Town's dead," one of the voices said above her. Clearing his throat, he spat in the dust, inches from Clementine's face. Spit bubbles popped in the moonlight.
"Was fun, wasn't it?"
A throaty chuckle drifted downward.
Remaining calm was impossible. Every vein in her body ached to run. Dendrites exploded, sending false information to her brain. A million insects crawled around on her skin; spiders scratched their legs through her hair. Knees ached, longing to expose her through involuntary kicks. A tickle in the back of her nose threatened a full-blown sneeze. Even her eyes begged to be blinked.
“We should call it a night,then.”
“Sounds good.”
Footsteps crunched and she almost cried out in relief. But then one of them paused.

~pg 155, Dark Inside by Jeyn Roberts

Shannon's IMM #34

So even though I have no internet right now, I still got quite a few books the last 2 weeks. Thanks to Carrie for posting this for me.

For Review:

Born Wicked by Jessica Spotswood

Living Violet by Jaime Reed

Won: (from Princess Bookie)

Without Tess by Marcella Pixley

Traded For:

Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi

The Faerie Ring by Kiki Hamilton

Shifting by Bethany Wiggins

Frost by Marianna Baer

Thanks to Lena, Lyndsay, Gilly, and Krystal for trading with me.

Bought With Random Buzzer Bucks:

My Beating Teenage Heart by C.K. Kelly Martin

Dearly Departed by Lia Habel

That's it for me, what did u all get in your mailboxes?

2012 Debut Author Challenge

The 2012 Debut Author Challenge is hosted by Kristi at The Story Siren! I didn’t sign up last year because I missed the deadline but I’m excited to give it a whirl this year. The goal is to read 12 books by 2012 debut authors. There are so many great new authors that I don’t think I should have a problem meeting this challenge. Here are just some of the titles I am excited to read for the challenge.

Born Wicked by Jessica Spotswood
When the Sea is Rising Red by Cat Hellisen
A Breath of Eyre by Eve Marie Mont
Trafficked by Kim Purcell
Scarlet by A.C. Gaughen
Under the Never Sky by Veronica Rossi
Gilt by Katherine Longshore
Grave Mercy by R.L. LaFevers
The Treachery of Beautiful Things by Ruth Frances Long

Shannon is going to participate in the challenge as well. Since her internet is still down I am doing her post for her. Here are the titles that she plans on reading for the Debut Author Challenge.

Born Wicked by Jessica Spotswood

Illuminate by Aimee Agresti

Scarlet by A.C. Gaughen

The Gathering Storm by Robin Bridges

The Catastrophic History of You and Me by Jess Rothenberg

Gilt by Katherine Longshore

Incarnate by Jodi Meadows

Grave Mercy by R.L. LaFevers

Embrace by Jessica Shirvington

The Vicious Deep by Zoraida Cordova

Shift by Em Bailey

Breaking Beautiful by Jennifer Shaw Wolf

Mini Reviews: Chime & The Night Circus

Chime by Franny Billingsley - 4 Hearts

I have to admit when I started this book I wasn't sure that I was going to like it. The writing style and story is just so different than anything else I have read before. However I soon found myself lost in the words and transfixed by the story. I love how it grabs you right from the beginning and doesn't let go. The ending kept me on my toes and left me feeling satisfied as a reader. Franny certainly has a unique voice and an amazing way with words. Speaking of words I love this quote and had to write it down. "How can something as fragile as a word build a whole world." It isn't hard to see why Chime has been nominated for the National Book Award.

The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern - 5 Hearts

I have decided I simply can't write a review that would do this book justice. I did however want to say a few things. Erin Morgenstern transported me to this magical circus and like my fellow rêveurs, I didn't want to leave. I slowly read each page to properly absorb each and every dazzling word. It was a fascinating journey and much like a train, the story started off slow and steady but then picked up steam. By the end of the story I was breathless with anticipation. I simply couldn't wait to find out how it would all end. I'm pleased to say I wasn't disappointed at all. If I had to sum this book up with one word, it would be fantastic!

Carrie's IMM #12

Hey its my newest IMM post. Sorry this is late but I had a slight Skyrim obsession this weekend. If you are a fellow gamer you will understand. Anyway, all books shown are ones I received
between October 30th- November 12th.

In My Mailbox is a meme created by Kristi@ The Story Siren, its purpose is to encourage blogger interaction, as well as highlight books for our readers. IMM is not only for books you have received through the mail, but also library, borrowed, and bought books.

Bought:

Firelight by Sophie Jordan

Crossed by Ally Condie (signed)

Gift (from my fabulous sister):

Darker Still by Leanna Renee Hieber (ARC)

Borrowed (from the library):

What I Saw and How I Lied by Judy Blundell

Soulless by Gail Carriger

The Taker by Alma Katsu

Juliet by Anne Fortier

Flygirl by Sherri L. Smith

The Lover's Dictionary by David Levithan

Borrowed (from a co-worker):

Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs

Well that's it for me. So what did you all get in your mailboxes?

Serious Technical Difficulties...

So as of this very moment, one half of Stalking The Bookshelves (that would be me, Shannon) is typing this post on a friends computer. My internet is currently down with no clear sign as to when it will be fixed. Days, weeks...there's really no telling. Since the holidays are fast approciating this is just an FYI to say that posts for the next month or so might be few and far between. While this frustrates and disappoints me, there's nothing else I can do at the moment. I hope to be back up and running on a regular schedule as soon as possible. I know my sis, Carrie is hoping to have some reviews, challenge sign ups and other posts coming up soon but I don't know how regularly she'll be posting. Sorry to all our loyal readers this wasn't something I had planned on. Keep your fingers crossed that I'll be back sooner then later. Thanks for your support and understanding.


~Shannon

Release Me (Cover Reveals #8)

Our Release Me cover posts focus on upcoming novels that have recently had their covers revealed. Hopefully this post will help you get excited about these books and maybe you'll even discover a few you hadn't heard of before. All links go to goodreads so you can find out more about these titles and easily add them to your "to-read" pile. :D

 ~Girl Meets Boy: Because They're Are Two Sides to Every Story
Edited by Kelly Milner Halls
RD: January 1st, 2012 from Chronicle Books

~Kissing Shakespeare by Pamela Mingle
RD: August 14th, 2012 from Delacorte BFYR

~The Sweetest Spell by Suzanne Selfors
 RD: August 21st, 2012 from Walker Childrens

~The Waiting Sky by Lara Zielin

RD: August 2nd, 2012 from Putnam Juvenile

~The Lost Code: Book One of the Atlanteans by Kevin Emerson

RD: May 22nd, 2012 from Katherine Tegen Books

~Dark Kiss by Michelle Rowen

RD: June 2012 from Harlequin Teen

~For Darkness Shows the Stars by Diana Peterfreund

RD: June 12th, 2012 from Balzer + Bray

~Darkness Before Dawn by J.A. London
RD: May 29th, 2012 from HarperTeen

~Something Strange and Deadly by Susan Dennard
RD: August 2012 from HarperTeen

~Sweet Evil by Wendy Higgins
RD: May 1st, 2012 from HarperTeen

~Grave Mercy by Robin LaFevers
RD: March 7th, 2012 from Houghton Mifflin Harcourt

~Unraveling by Elizabeth Norris
RD: April 2012 from Balzer + Bray

~Violins of Autumn by Amy McAulety

RD: June 19th, 2012 from Walker Childrens

 ~Mister Death's Blue-Eyed Girls by Mary Downing Hahn
RD: April 17th, 2012 from Clarion Books

Had you already seen or heard about these books? Which covers do you like best? Which ones have you the most excited? Sound off below!