Bengal Reads

Waiting on Wednesday (11)

2013-04-10T00:00:00.000-04:00

Title: Dare You To
Author: Katie McGarry Pushing the Limits #2 Release Date: June 7, 2013
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Pre-Order: Amazon|Barnes & Noble

Ryan lowers his lips to my ear. "Dance with me, Beth."

"No." I whisper the reply. I hate him and I hate myself for wanting him to touch me again....

"I dare you..."
If anyone knew the truth about Beth Risk's home life, they'd send her mother to jail and seventeen-year-old Beth who knows where. So she protects her mom at all costs. Until the day her uncle swoops in and forces Beth to choose between her mom's freedom and her own happiness. That's how Beth finds herself living with an aunt who doesn't want her and going to a school that doesn't understand her. At all. Except for the one guy who shouldn't get her, but does....

Ryan Stone is the town golden boy, a popular baseball star jock-with secrets he can't tell anyone. Not even the friends he shares everything with, including the constant dares to do crazy things. The craziest? Asking out the Skater girl who couldn't be less interested in him.

But what begins as a dare becomes an intense attraction neither Ryan nor Beth expected. Suddenly, the boy with the flawless image risks his dreams-and his life-for the girl he loves, and the girl who won't let anyone get too close is daring herself to want it all....

I am so stoked for this book’s release. Katie McGarry’s first book Pushing the Limits blew me away. I am not usually the one for contemporary romance but that doesn’t apply when it comes to McGarry.

What are you looking forward to this Wednesday? Please leave me the link to your post and I will be sure to check it out! Thanks so much for stopping by!

Teaser Tuesday (4)

2013-04-09T00:00:00.000-04:00

Title: Thirst No.5
Author: Christopher Pike Thirst #5
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Release Date: March 5, 2013
Purchase Here: Amazon|Barnes & Noble
It's no dream.
At last the truth of what happened during those hellish days has come back to her.
In her five thousand years as a vampire, Alisa - or Sita, as she was originally called - has experienced the equivalent of fifty lifetimes. Every moment of her immortal life is seared deep into her being. Every person she has loved, every victim she has killed - their faces are forever part of her.

Yet, strangely, a handful of memories have been lost to Alisa. As she and her friends embark on a search for the location of a sacred artifact - an ancient veil that may hold the key to mankind's salvation - Alisa soon realizes that her own mind may be her greatest enemy.

The memories she is blocking deal with the most horrifying period in mankind's history, a time when she was tortured by a madman responsible for the deaths of millions. But what information did her torture yield?

"While I'm taking care of the body, go through her things," Matt says. "You never know what you might find."
"Good idea." I had already planned to do that.
"Are you sure you don't want help?"
"It's not necessary. I have a shovel in the trunk."
"What made you bring a shovel?"
"Times like this."

Matt holds up his hand. "We'll get to that in a minute. For now I want to finish discussing this program. Cindy, exactly when did it become active?"

I have never heard Matt call Brutran by her first name before. The woman appears to respond well to his questions, to his command. With me, she has always been a little snide.

Lost and Found by Nicole Williams (Cover Reveal)

2013-04-08T00:00:00.000-04:00

Title: LOST AND FOUND

Author: Nicole Williams

Expected release date: May 7, 2013

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Age Group: Mature Young Adult, New Adult/Adult crossover

Cover Designer: Okay Creations

Cover reveal organized by: AToMR Tours

There’s complicated. And there’s Rowen Sterling. After numbing pain for the past five years with boys, alcohol, and all-around apathy, she finds herself on a Greyhound bus to nowhere Montana the summer after she graduates high school. Her mom agreed to front the bill to Rowen’s dream art school only if Rowen proves she can work hard and stay out of trouble at Willow Springs Ranch. Cooking breakfast at the crack of dawn for a couple dozen ranch hands and mucking out horse stalls are the last things in the world Rowen wants to spend her summer doing. Until Jesse Walker saunters into her life wearing a pair of painted-on jeans, a cowboy hat, and a grin that makes something in her chest she’d thought was frozen go boom-boom. Jesse’s like no one else, and certainly nothing like her. He’s the bright and shiny to her dark and jaded. Rowen knows there’s no happily-ever-after for the golden boy and the rebel girl—happily-right-now is a stretch—so she tries to forget and ignore the boy who makes her feel things she’s not sure she’s ready to feel. But the more she pushes him away, the closer he seems to get. The more she convinces herself she doesn’t care, the harder she falls. When her dark secrets refuse to stay locked behind the walls she’s kept up for years, Rowen realizes it’s not just everyone else she needs to be honest with. It’s herself.

About the Author
I'm a wife, a mom, a writer. I started writing because I loved it and I'm still writing because I love it. I write young adult because I still believe in true love, kindred spirits, and happy endings. Here's to staying young at heart *raises champagne glass* . . . care to join me?

Nicole Williams | Facebook | Twitter

Favorite BookTube Videos of the Week

2013-04-07T00:00:00.000-04:00

I hope you enjoy these videos from these wonderful ladies as much as I did! Be sure to go subscribe to them, they always post amazing videos.

The Slacking Blogger

2013-04-06T00:00:00.000-04:00

I have come to admit that I have been a slacking blogger lately. When I say lately I mean I have been slacking for a while now. You guys have probably noticed this. While some of this may be due to work and school, most of it is due to the fact that lately I haven’t felt like blogging. Although I haven’t felt like it, there are reasons as to why I haven’t felt like it.

Let me start off by saying that I love blogging and I love reading. When I stumbled upon book blogs in November of 2011 my life changed forever. I knew I had come across something special… something that I wanted to become apart of. When I joined the book blogging community I realized that everyone was friendly and their blogs were full of life and I couldn’t wait to accomplish that with my blog.

Then I encountered a problem, a problem that I have had in every aspect of my life. I have a very hard time COMMITTING, to anything. Being consistent is not my strong suit. I hate this about myself. I often start a project and have a hard time finishing it, or I start a project have another brilliant idea and start a new project while leaving the other one unfinished. You see a pattern here? I have problems sticking with things and seeing them through and I want to work on changing this.

The reason why I haven’t worked on this before now is because one thing I hate more than committing is feeling like I’m starting over. When I don’t post for a while I feel like a failure and when I go to post for the first time after a month I feel like I’m starting all over again.
Yes, all of this may sound stupid and I’m not sure if anyone else has went through this but this has always been the way I am. I wanted to confess this to get it off of my chest in a sense.
This stemmed from reading a brilliant, brave post from Megan @ The Book Bratz. She just did a post called Confessions of a Jealous Book Blogger and it got me thinking about my faults as a book blogger. I want to change my non-committing ways and become a kick ass book blogger because this does mean a lot to me and I owe this to all of my viewers.

Witch World by Christopher Pike (Book Review)

2013-04-04T00:00:00.000-04:00

Title: Witch World
Author: Christopher Pike Witch World #1 Publisher: Simon Pulse
Release Date: November 13, 2012
Purchase Here: Amazon|Barnes & Noble

Witches are real—and each of us may be one—in this all-new paranormal suspense novel from #1 New York Times bestselling author Christopher Pike.
Heading off for a weekend in Las Vegas with her friends, Jessie Ralle has only one worry—how to make it through the road trip in the same car with her Ex, Jimmy Kelter. The guy who broke her heart five months ago when he dumped her for no reason. The guy who’s finally ready to tell her why he did it, because he wants her back.

But what Jessie doesn’t realize is that Jimmy is the least of her problems.

In Las Vegas she meets Russ, a mesmerizing stranger who shows her how to gamble, and who never seems to lose. Curious, Jessie wants to know his secret, and in response, alone in his hotel room, he teaches her a game that opens a door to another reality.
To Witch World.

Suddenly Jessie discovers that she’s stumbled into a world where some people can do the impossible, and others may not even be human. For a time she fears she’s lost her mind. Are there really witches? Is she one of them?
#1 Bestselling author Christopher Pike offers up another classic edge-of-your-seat thrill ride that keeps you guessing right until the last page.

It has been a while since I have read a Christopher Pike book. Since Thirst No.4 I have been anticipating the release of a new book by this author and was pleasantly delighted when I received this book for Christmas. It has taken me a while to get to it because I have so many wonderful books to choose from, but I am very glad that I read this.

This book follows a girl named Jessie whom is going on a vacation with her friends to Las Vegas for the weekend. Upon arrival things start to get a little crazy. Jessie’s ex boyfriend Jimmy also came along which made things kind of awkward seeing as he rode in the same car as her the whole way there. Jimmy broke Jessie’s heart when he left her for his ex girlfriend. Typical teenage drama, right? NO. The reason why he went back to his ex is heartbreaking, and you’ll just have to read to find out. I know it blew my mind.

Jessie is captivated by this man named Russ one night while her and her friend are gambling. Jessie ends up going back to the hotel with this man after winning a lot of money, and unbelievable and impossible things start to happen. Jessie stumbles upon this unknown world and discovers many secrets about herself and the rest of her friends.

Jessie begins to question her whole life, and struggles with accepting that there are really witches and they have a whole different plane of existence than what she has known her whole life. This book is very complex and you have to give it all of your attention to be able to follow it.
While this book isn’t my favorite of Christopher Pike’s books, this is definitely a good one. I would recommend you read this if you are a Christopher Pike fan, and like complex YA. Jessie is an amazing main character, while she continues to get into heaps of unfortunate situations she still holds her own. Jimmy is also a very respectable guy and I grew to like him a lot. I look forward to reading Pike’s newest release, Thirst No. 5. I am sure that it will be a treat!

Rating:

Waiting on Wednesday (10)

2013-04-03T00:00:00.000-04:00

Title: Star Cursed
Author: Jessica Spotswood The Cahill Witch Chronicles #2 Publisher: Putnam Juvenile
Release Date: June 18, 2013
Pre-Order Here: Amazon|Barnes & Noble

With the Brotherhood persecuting witches like never before, a divided Sisterhood desperately needs Cate to come into her Prophesied powers. And after Cate's friend Sachi is arrested for using magic, a war-thirsty Sister offers to help her find answers—if Cate is willing to endanger everyone she loves.

Cate doesn't want to be a weapon, and she doesn't want to involve her friends and Finn in the Sisterhood's schemes. But when Maura and Tess join the Sisterhood, Maura makes it clear that she'll do whatever it takes to lead the witches to victory. Even if it means sacrifices. Even if it means overthrowing Cate. Even if it means all-out war.

In the highly anticipated sequel to Born Wicked, the Cahill Witch Chronicles continue Cate, Maura and Tess's quest to find love, protect family, and explore their magic against all odds in an alternate history of New England.

Another witch book right? Yeah, I told you I am on a witch book kick. The first book, Born Wicked was amazing and I can’t wait to get my hands on Star Cursed. If you would like to read my raving review of Born Wicked “Click Here”.
What are you waiting on this Wednesday? I’d love to know!

Teaser Tuesday (3)

2013-04-02T00:00:00.000-04:00

Teaser Tuesday is a weekly meme where you share two (2) “teaser” sentences from your current read to try to entice others to want to seek it out. This meme is hosted by MizB at Should Be Reading.

Title: Kiss of Crimson
Author: Lara Adrian Midnight Breed #2 Publisher: Dell
Release Date: May 29, 2011
Purchase Here: Amazon|Barnes & Noble
He comes to her more dead than alive, a towering black-clad stranger riddled with bullets and rapidly losing blood. As she struggles to save him, veterinarian Tess Culver is unaware that the man calling himself Dante is no man at all, but one of the Breed, vampire warriors engaged in a desperate battle. In a single erotically charged moment Tess is plunged into his world—a shifting, shadowed place where bands of Rogue vampires stalk the night, cutting a swath of terror.

Haunted by visions of a dark future, Dante lives and fights like there is no tomorrow. Tess is a complication he does not need—but now, with his brethren under attack, he must shield Tess from a growing threat that includes Dante himself. For with one reckless, irresistible kiss, she has become an inextricable part of his underworld realm…and his touch awakens her to hidden gifts, desires, and hungers she never knew she possessed. Bonded by blood, Dante and Tess must work together to thwart deadly enemies, even as they discover a passion that transcends the boundaries of life itself….

“I want to kiss you again, Tess.” “Why?” He chuckled, low under his breath. “Why? Because you’re beautiful, and because I want you. And I think you want me too.”

“You would quit the Order for her? Niko asked, the youngest only behind Dante, and a warrior who relished his duty perhaps even more than Dante had himself. I would quit breathing for her, if she asked it of me.”

What are you reading this Tuesday? If you posted teasers on your blog please leave a link, I would love to check them out!

Monthly Reading Themes

2013-04-01T00:00:00.000-04:00

This is a new thing I am going to start doing just concerning books. Basically I am going to have a different theme/genre picked out for each month. For the month of April I am going to go with the Classic genre. I first saw this idea come from Priscilla at The Readables on YouTube. Every month she picks a different genre to review in, and I really liked this idea.
I haven’t read many, if any classic books at all and would like to change that. There are so many books that are older, that I feel like I’ve missed out on and I would like to revisit those books.
I’ve heard from many people in the Book Tubing community talking about classics this year and they have inspired me to want to give them a try.
With the beautiful Penguin Drop Caps Classics coming out I am definitely going to invest in buying and reading more classics. I can’t wait!
Do you have a favorite classic? If so, please do leave me some recommendations!

Interview with Simone Elkeles

2013-03-31T00:00:00.001-04:00

Kayla: What has inspired you to write about teen romance?

Simone: I tried writing adult romances, but it just didn’t fit my voice. Once I started writing for teens the words flew out of me and I knew I was meant to be a young adult author. I love writing for teens and teen fans are the BEST! Romance novels are my favorite books to read. I write books that I would have loved to read as a teen.

Kayla: Which series that you have written would you consider your favorite?

Simone: That is the hardest question! It’s like asking me to pick my favorite child. If you MAKE me pick, I will say that Perfect Chemistry will always hold a special place in my heart. I always knew that it was a special book. It’s so weird that they’re like real people to me.

Kayla: Have you ever thought about writing a fourth book in the Perfect Chemistry series?

Simone: A lot of my fans have asked me the same question. I loved writing about the Fuentes family and I would love to continue their story, but for now I’m so excited to be working on a new series about high school football players and the loves of their lives. The first book in the series will be out in October.

Kayla: What do you think makes your books so intriguing?

Simone: I am flattered by the question, so thank you! I fell deeply in love as a teen and the feeling was so magical. It changed everything I did and thought and said. I try to recreate that magic with my books and characters.

Kayla: Could you tell us about a current project you are working on?

Simone: The first book in my new series about high school football players is going to be out in the states in October. Don’t worry, the book is still a romance and you don’t have to know anything about football to enjoy it! I’m not allowed to release too many details about it yet, but I hope to be doing a cover reveal on my Facebook Fan Page (http://www.facebook.com/pages/Simone-Elkeles-Fan-Page/101698336559632) soon!

Kayla: What book do you recommend everyone to read?

Simone: For younger readers, Flipped is a great pre-teen book. I actually read it and it taught me how to write in alternating point of view chapters. For teen readers, there are SO many. I’d suggest Katie McGarry’s Pushing the Limits! For adult readers, you can’t go wrong with any of the Chicago Stars books by Susan Elizabeth Phillips!

Kayla: Where do you draw your inspiration to write?

Simone: I get inspiration from anywhere and everywhere: movies, books, tv shows, the news. I have a t-shirt that reads WARNING! WHAT YOU DO MAY APPEAR IN MY NEXT BOOK! It’s true, haha. Sometimes my best ideas come to me while I'm in the shower. I guess it’s because there’s nothing else to do while you’re in the shower except think!

Kayla: If you could give your readers one piece of advice or information what would it be?

Simone: Never give up on your dreams! Whether you are hoping to find the love of your life or write a bestselling novel, whatever it is, go for it! I wouldn’t be where I am today if it weren’t for two things: 1- I never stopped believing in myself and 2 – I have the most AMAZING fans and I’m forever grateful to all of them! If I had to give one piece of advice to writers, write like you talk and be conversational with your readers. Read your dialogue out loud. If it sounds natural, you’re doing a great job!

Kayla: Simone, I thank you so much for visiting and answering these questions. I am so excited to have you here. Your book Perfect Chemistry is one of my favorites!

Simone Elkeles is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of novels for teens. Simone’s books have won many awards including being YALSA Top Ten Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Adult Readers, being named to the YALSA Popular Paperbacks and Teens Top Ten lists, and added to the Illinois “Read for a Lifetime” Reading List. Simone also won the coveted RITA award from the Romance Writers of America for her book Perfect Chemistry. Simone is especially proud of the fact that the Illinois Association of Teachers of English named her Author of the Year.

Simone was born and raised in the suburbs of Chicago, where she still lives today. Simone went to the University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign and received her Bachelor’s of Science there in Psychology in 1992. She continued her education at Loyola University-Chicago where she received her Master’s of Science degree in Industrial Relations while working for a manufacturing company creating diversity programs for their employees.

She loves animals (she has two dogs – a labradoodle and a German Shepherd), kids (she also has two of those) and her family. In her spare time she’s the Hockey Mom for her kids hockey teams and is an active Girl Scout leader specially trained in outdoor education. She also spends time mentoring other teen and adult authors. (She also loves sushi, which you can probably tell by reading her books.) Simone writes about teens because she was a teen in the 80’s (when spiked hair and blue eye shadow were “rad”) and she loves writing about those exciting teen relationships and romances.

Spellcaster by Claudia Gray

2013-03-30T00:00:00.001-04:00

Title: Spellcaster
Author: Claudia Grey Spellcaster #1 Publisher: HarperTeen
Release Date: March 5, 2013
Purchase Here: Amazon|Barnes & Noble

When Nadia’s family moves to Captive’s Sound, she instantly realizes there’s more to it than meets the eye. Descended from witches, Nadia senses a dark and powerful magic at work in her new town. Mateo has lived in Captive’s Sound his entire life, trying to dodge the local legend that his family is cursed - and that curse will cause him to believe he’s seeing the future … until it drives him mad. When the strange dreams Mateo has been having of rescuing a beautiful girl—Nadia—from a car accident come true, he knows he’s doomed.

Despite the forces pulling them apart, Nadia and Mateo must work together to break the chains of his family’s terrible curse, and to prevent a disaster that threatens the lives of everyone around them. Shimmering with magic and mystery, New York Times bestselling author Claudia Gray’s new novel is sure to draw fans of the Hex Hall and Caster Chronicles series, and fans of the hit CW TV show The Secret Circle.

Spellcaster was a great, fun, refreshing read. This reminded me so much of the Secret Circle, which I am in love with. I have never read a Claudia Gray book, but have heard great things about her Evernight series so I was excited to dive into this book. In addition to how great it sounded, the book cover is also super gorgeous.

I never tire from reading about witches or anything paranormal for that matter. Come to think of it I’ve been on a witch kick lately.

Spellcaster is about a young girl named Nadia who moves to a small town called Captive Sound with her dad and little brother, after her mother leaves them. Nadia’s family is a line of witches, well the girls in her family. Her mother left her before completely training her to be a witch though, which leaves her vulnerable.

When entering the town of Captive’s Sound, there is a barrier up which causes Nadia’s family to wreck. A stranger pulls Nadia out of the car which saves her. She later finds out his name is Mateo. Things take off from this point.

To the town of Captive’s Sound Mateo is crazy just like the rest of his family, and everyone avoids him at all costs. Everyone except for Gale and Elizabeth (his friends), and of course Nadia. On Nadia’s first day she makes another unlikely friend named Verlaine. Verlaine is another outcast at school, with her long silver hair and funky style no one has anything to do with her either.
Soon Nadia discovers that this small town is not all that it seems, there is a dark evil lurking and she is determined to find out what it is with the help of Mateo and Verlaine. Will Nadia be able to figure things out and fix them without being a full witch is the question.

If you love witchy books, pick this up! It was fun, suspenseful, and creative! I can’t wait for book number two in this trilogy.

Rating:

Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl

2013-02-26T00:00:00.002-05:00

Title: Beautiful Creatures
Authors: Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl
Publisher: Little Brown & Company
Release Date: December 1, 2009
Rating: 5 Stars
Buy Here: Amazon|Barnes & Noble

Lena Duchannes is unlike anyone the small Southern town of Gatlin has ever seen, and she's struggling to conceal her power, and a curse that has haunted her family for generations. But even within the overgrown gardens, murky swamps and crumbling graveyards of the forgotten South, a secret cannot stay hidden forever.

Ethan Wate, who has been counting the months until he can escape from Gatlin, is haunted by dreams of a beautiful girl he has never met. When Lena moves into the town's oldest and most infamous plantation, Ethan is inexplicably drawn to her and determined to uncover the connection between them.

In a town with no surprises, one secret could change everything.

After being in a book slump for about a month and a half, this book was just what I needed to snap me out of it. With it's dark and creepy tones, Beautiful Creatures sucked me into its world of mysteries.

This story is being told from Ethan Wate's point of view. I love that it is being told from a guy's point of view, as most Young Adult books are told from the perspective of girls. Ethan Wate is the son of two highly esteemed professors in the town of Gatlin, South Carolina. Gatlin is one of those small towns where news spreads like wildfire, and no one has the luxury of privacy or secrets. Or so everyone seems to think until Lena Duchannes strolls into town.

Lena Duchannes is Macon Ravenwood's niece, Macon is like the Boo Radley of the town. No one has seen him in many years and everyone in town are creeped out by him, his mansion, and his niece.

Ethan Wate lays eyes on Lena for the first time in English class and knows from then on his life will never be the same. He knows he has seen her in his dreams for the past couple of months, but he can't figure out how or even why.

As mysteries and darkness uncovers in the small town of Gatlin things get chaotic. This book will take you for a spin and then spit you out to wait until you recover for more. These authors are both very talented to have constructed a book this special. I thoroughly enjoyed Beautiful Creatures, this is a book I will never forget.

Override by Heather Anastasiu (Spotlight)

2013-02-07T18:39:00.000-05:00

Title: Override
Author: Heather Anastasiu
Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin
Release Date: February 12, 2013
Pages: 320
Pre-Order Here: Amazon|Barnes & Noble

Zoe is free. She has escaped the enslavement of the Community, disconnected from the hardware that had controlled her every thought and emotion, and evaded capture by the Chancellor intent on killing her. She is finally free, but she is far from safe.

Zoe and Adrien hide themselves from detection at the Foundation, an academy that trains teen glitchers to fight in the Resistance movement. Together, Zoe and her new team of superhuman fighters must risk their lives to rescue other glitchers and humans from the Chancellor's control. Challenges abound at every turn, and Adrien, who has become silent, distant, and tormented by his visions of the future, only adds to the growing certainty of defeat. But worst of all, as Zoe's team fights against impossible odds, distrust and betrayal leads to the terrible discovery that their greatest threat could already be lurking behind the safe walls of the Foundation.

Full of high-adrenaline action and shocking twists, Heather Anastasiu's Override is an exciting continuation of this popular young adult trilogy.

Heather Anastasiu is the author of the young adult sci-fi novel, GLITCH (St. Martin's Press/Spring 2012). She recently moved to Minneapolis with her family, and when she’s not busy getting lost exploring the new city, she spends most days writing at a café.

Website: http://www.heatheranastasiu.com/
Blog: http://heatheranastasiu.blogspot.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/h_anastasiu
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/HeatherAnastasiu

Back to Business

2013-01-15T22:51:00.002-05:00

So it's back to this busy schedule of mine. Although it's quite busy, my life wouldn't be the same without a lot going on. I've got work about 5 days a week, 15 credit hours (thank God!), sorority recruitment coming up, book tubing, blogging, and reading.

All of this in my mind equals love. I am excited about this semester, and am already getting better at balancing things. Surely I'll be a pro at it soon, right? We'll see about that.

Currently reading Insurgent by Veronica Roth and Treading Water by Marie Force... I am loving both of them so much. I say this because I want you to know that you can expect some book reviews really soon.

How has your New Year been so far? Hopefully amazing.

source: www.weheartit.com

Break Is Almost Over

2013-01-10T00:00:00.000-05:00

Break is almost over, I can't believe it. December passed by so fast, and I have to say I have enjoyed my time home... well mostly. I loved seeing my family, and spending time with my friends. I just felt bored most of the time because there is not a lot to do where I live at all. I've also been in a reading slump lately, and it sucks! I think I'm going to re-read Larissa Ione and Amelia Atwater Rhodes' books soon.

With that being said, I'm so excited for a new semester. I go back officially this Friday. Last semester I kind of slacked and this semester I'm going to pick it up and try harder. I have missed college so much, and I never realized how attached I had become to the people and the place until I came home.

Here are a few pictures below that I've taken of my campus. It's so beautiful that I want to share them with you. I know that I've posted a few of these on here before, but I couldn't remember which so I just put the all on here.

This semester I have decided to change my major. Big shocker right? (Psh..) I am changing to Graphic Design, because let's face it I am in love with the computer, interested in coding, and took tons of honors computer classes in high school. I enjoy doing things of the web design nature. I am so excited!

Are any of you returning to college for the spring semester? If so, how did your break go?

Giveaway | Hot Ticket by Olivia Cunning

2013-01-09T00:00:00.001-05:00

Title: Hot Ticket
Sinners on Tour #3
Author: Olivia Cunning
Release Date: February 13, 2013
Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca
Pre-Order Here: Amazon|Barnes & Noble

There are things in bassist Jace Seymour’s past that he is unwilling to share with anyone. To cover his guilt and anguish, he seeks dominatrix Mistress V (Aggie) to temporarily placate his inner turmoil. Aggie doesn’t have much use for men–besides the power rush she gets when they’re begging for mercy at her feet–but Jace isn’t like her usual clients. His cool defiance and unexpected dominance in the bedroom drives her to distraction and quickly steals her heart. When circumstances threaten Jace’s position in Sinners, Aggie must help him regain his rightful place in the band while showing him that time and love can heal all wounds.

Sourcebooks Casablanca have been so nice as to offer a copy of Hot Ticket up for giveaway here at Reflections of an Indecisive Brunette. This giveaway is for US and Canada only. All you have to do is fill out the Rafflecopter form below. Also, be sure to check out the special offer below.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

SPECIAL OFFER

We have a special offer going on for the release of Hot Ticket by Olivia Cunning which comes out on February 5^th! If you pre-order the book, we will send you an exclusive Sinners logo tattoo and one sexy Sinners hot pink guitar pick! But you have to hurry because we only have 1,000 of them available! You have until January 31^st or until quantities run out! Here is what you do:

Above: The exclusive Sinners logo tattoo and hot pink guitar pick.

1. Pre-order the book (print or eBook) through any retailer (Barnes & Noble, Amazon, Indiebound, BAM, etc.)

2. Email your proof of purchase (receipt or picture of the receipt) to HotTicket@sourcebooks.com. Don’t forget to include your home address (US & Canada only please) so we can send you the tattoo and guitar pick! Yes, if you’ve already pre-ordered it months ago, that counts, you just have to show your receipt.

3. You will get an email back confirming when the items have been sent out. If you were not one of the first 1,000 people, you will also be alerted.

4. Enjoy Hot Ticket when you receive it in February!

And as a bonus Olivia has decided to run a contest of her own. Here are the details:

· Apply your temporary Sinners tattoo and take a picture of you with your tat.
· Email your pic to Olivia at olivia@oliviacunning.com. With your permission, I will post the pictures of Sinners fans with their new Sinners temporary tattoos on Sinners website: http://www.sinnersontour.com/sinnersink.html. Trey’s comments included.
· Everyone who sends a pic to be posted on SinnersonTour.com will be entered to win a 7″ Kindle Fire HD and a $50 Amazon gift card to load it up with all your favorite ebooks (or buy diapers, whatever…).
· See all the details here: http://oliviacunning.wordpress.com/2012/12/16/cool-free-gifts-for-pre-ordering-hot-ticket/

Change of Name

2013-01-08T16:42:00.001-05:00

Hey guys! I have finally settled on a new name for Bengal Reads. The reason why I wanted to change it at all is because it's not solely about books anymore, but about so much more. As I grow my blog is too, and I am loving it. I have had so much support in everything I do and I am so grateful for all of the people around me.

I choose the name "Reflections of an Indecisive Brunette". I chose this name because basically everything that I will be posting on here will be a reflection whether it be a reflection on a book I've read, a video of a book I've read, life story reflections, or pictures I've taken. Indecisive came directly from my personality, I am a very indecisive person. I might be willing to go do something one second and change my mind the next, and of course Brunette came from the fact that I'm a Brunette.

So, there is the thought process of how I came up with this name.

thefoulmouthedbooknerd's Introduction Video

2013-01-08T00:36:00.003-05:00

Hey guys. Just wanted to show you a video from one of my best friend's that I go to college with. Her name is Carson and she runs the blog The Foul Mouthed Book Nerd on Tumblr. She also has a new BookTube channel and this is her first video, introducing herself.

Please go over and leave her some comments and subscribe, because she is super amazing and pure entertainment! Also, her first video review of Divergent goes up soon so stay tuned.

Here is the link to her channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/foulmouthedbooknerd

Thanks so much for stopping by and reading.

#howtobehappyjanuary List

2013-01-07T00:00:00.000-05:00

If you guys don't know what #howtobehappyjanuary is, it is basically a theme of the month hosted by Nikki Phillippi on her YouTube channel. Just saying, you should go subscribe to her channel because she is amazing. She has been making amazing videos, that I will embed below about things she is doing to be happier in 2013. She also answers people's questions! Anything ranging from health to fashion to school goals. You can join the conversation on Twitter by searching the hashtag #howtobehappyjanuary

source: www.weheartit.com

If you have any goals or resolutions, and would like to participate I will leave a link to Nikki's channel below her video so you can watch the rest of her videos on this topic which are equally great.

Today I am going to share with you my list for #howtobehappyjanuary. I wanted to put it out there so I can be held accountable for the goals I want to achieve, so here it goes!

To visit Nikki's channel "Click Here".

My List
1. Be healthier. This includes eating and drinking healthier, and exercising more frequently. I don't want to just loose weight, I want to feel better about myself and for my body to be healthy. I will achieve this goal by starting small, and dropping soft drinks and trying to work in more fruits, vegetables, and greens.

2. Read more. Starting college really got me behind on reading. I want to focus on getting back into reading on a regular basis, if it's only 20 pages a day. I just want to make sure I read something everyday.

3. Balance. I want to learn how to balance work, school, social life, and internet life (blogging, book tubing).

4. Put more time into my appearance: You never know who you will meet or run into. I want to put more time into my appearance because I found that when I do I feel better and more confident in myself.

5. Blog and regularly upload videos to my Book Tube channel.

6. Manage my money more wisely than I have in the past, and not impulse buy.

source: www.weheartit.com

I am looking forward to working toward and achieving these goals this year. I had initially decided that I wasn't going to make any resolutions this year but I stumbled upon Nikki's videos and they convinced me otherwise.

Do you guys have any goals you want to achieve this year that you'd like to share with me? What do you think of my goals? Feel free to leave comments below with your thoughts/feedback. I love comments! Thanks for reading guys, hope you enjoyed this post.

Top 12 Books of 2012

2013-01-06T00:46:00.002-05:00

I know this is like 5 days late, but I really want to share with you guys what my top 12 favorite books of 2012 were. I decided not to do a video, if you saw what I looked like right now you would thank me lol. So without further ado here they are.

Note: These are not in any order. Although I definitely loved some more than others.

City of Bones was one of the last books that I read in 2012, and it was so good. It's about Clary Fray the main character finding out who she is and delving into the world of the Shadowhunters. During this journey brings her best friend Simon along with her and also meets Jace, Isabelle, Alec, Magnus Bane, and some other unexpected characters.

I loved this book so much, I can't wait to watch the movie adaptation in theaters in August 2013.

Deadly Obsession, holy cow. Definitely at the top of my favorites list of 2012. Nic The Lover... that name. Need I say more? Oh okay, if I must. The mystery in this book was amazing, and keeps you guessing the whole time.

Lauren the main character is also a ball of fire, and she and Nic have this sizzling chemistry... crazy good! You need to pick this up, no exceptions. Kristine Cayne is an amazing writer.

This was one of the unexpected books I fell in love with. Angelfall was gifted to me as an ARC from BEA by my best blogger friend Fran from over at Bella's Shelf.

Post apocalyptic world filled with evil angels... words can't even describe how I felt about this book. While reading it I felt so many different emotions. Penryn and her broken family stole my heart right from the start. This book is filled with action and a little romance, and doesn't slow down. I would recommend this to anyone.

Veronica Roth stole my heart and captivated my mind while reading Divergent. This was one of the first dystopian books I've tried out, and it was truly amazing. I don't know why I picked it up to be honest because nobody around where I live talked about it, but I saw it on sale at Walmart one day and decided to pick it up. I like to think it was fate rewarding me with an amazing book to occupy my time with.

Beatrice is a great main character. She doesn't complain and isn't whiny which I love. Also Four, OMG Four. Can we just talk about Four? He is a freaking amazing piece of a male character if I've ever read about one.

In addition to amazing characters with the exception of Eric, the world building is EPIC. Can't wait until this movie hits the big screen.

I don't pick up contemporary romances very often, but in 2012 I decided I was going to try to get out of my comfort zone. Kati McGarry you created an awesome piece of work.

Echo Emerson went through a tragic situation, so tragic that her mind has blocked it out. On top of that her overbearing Father doesn't give her the kind of attention she needs, and is super hard on her. When having to attend counseling she is told to help Noah by tutoring him... and sparks fly LITERALLY.

These two have my heart... their stories are both so touching and I found myself crying. Pick this up if you are looking for a touching romance.

Gabriel's Inferno. (Blankly stares into space) I cannot capture the immense pleasure I felt and experienced while reading this book in words. Sylvain Reynard is a literary genius and I will read any piece of work he puts out.

This is the first book I've ever read that is senual and erotic without containing much sexual interaction. Reynard has such a way with words and details.

Julianne and Professor Emerson's story is amazing. If you decide to read this, you won't be dissapointed. If you have the pleasure of laying your eyes upon this amazing book, savor every moment of it.

Mermaids, no Syrena. Cool name for mer-people right? Anna Banks creating an awesome world, filled with unique characters and an overlying sarcasm and humor that keeps you hooked until the end and sideswipes you with a cliff hanger you never saw coming.

Leaving you begging to read Of Triton. Emma finds out she is a Syrena because of her incounters with Galen who is a sea prince. Galen sees Emma's potential but Emma doesn't see it herself.

Amazing story filled with adventure, water, and a funny romance. Read it. Read it. Read it.

I laughed, I cried like a baby, I felt like I was Brie... feeling every emotion she did; and when her heart was broken in two I felt like mine was too.

I love Brie as a character, through this story she grows and develops so much and it's a joy to see her do this. I love the slang used in this book as well as the movie lyrics used as names for chapters. Pure entertainment, this book.

Patrick is there to help her through the afterlife (sort of) when she dies of a literal heart break. I loved this book to pieces. If you are looking for a good cry and laugh... pick this up.

Mafias, guns, and hot dons OH MY. Revenge is filled with action from page one. Enrico Luchessi is an amazing piece of man, that I wish I could persuade Dana to write an alternate story about me and him. LOL. Just kidding... not really.

Kate is a woman who got tangled in this mess accidentally and Enrico is trying to get her out of it, if she'll only trust him. This is harder said than done, because Kate doesn't trust unless you give her a good reason to.

Goodness on pages, a masterpiece. Craving action... don't go to the movies, pick this up. It also has a lot of steaminess in it that I thoroughly enjoyed.

HEARTBREAKER YOU'VE GOT THE BEST OF ME. BUT I JUST KEEP ON COMING BACK INCESSANTLY. OH WHY?

Yeah this is how John Green made me feel with Augustus/Gus and Hazel are characters that I won't forget as long as I live. Their struggles, lives, and stories are an inspiration to me. I feel so lucky to have been able to gaze upon this amazing work of art that John Green has published.

Warning, if you read this book... your life may change.

This is definitely my number one favorite book of this year.

Another contemporary? Two in a year? Plus it's got an Amish and Non-Amish romance in the mix. Yes please!

Rose is a teenage girl who has always lived free and knew nothing about the limitations the Amish people put upon their children until she moves next door to an Amish community and starts to fall for Noah, a teenage Amish boy.

Forbidden romance... why is it so intriguing. I don't know? I just know that this was a great light heart read. I really enjoyed it and would recommend it for a rainy day.

Tiffany, how could you create something so freaking good? I sat outside of the cafeteria at school and read this in about two sittings.

I want to be Norah, she is risky, dangerous, in control, and an amazing woman who captures the heart of all of the men who have the pleasure of being apart of her life.

Zach, Soren, and Wesley are all amazing but Wesley captured my heart.

I won't spoil it but I beg you to read this. You will be addicted to this dark world that Reisz has created.

I Don't Say A Lot | Life Rant 2

2013-01-05T01:17:00.000-05:00

source: www.weheartit.com

Most people say I don't talk a lot. Well I find this to be true, at least until you get to know me. There are many reasons why I am like this, but the number one reason is I don't like putting myself out there... with people in general. I've done it many times and its blown up in my face. I used to be this carefree, outspoken, outgoing ball of fire, and I'm not sure when it changed but it did.

I think... a lot. I don't say things unless I mean then, and if I say I care about you then I damn well mean it. I believe words are a gift, so I don't say things that I don't find important. I am very observant, if you tell me one thing and I see another I won't say anything to you about it. I will just go on about my business and know not to trust you anymore. I am hurt easy, but you'll never see the pain you've caused me. I don't like people feeling sorry for me.

When I care about someone I care with a fierce passion. I am an extremist. I have many flaws, and I am proud of each and every one of them. You see, I don't like letting people get close to me because that's just another thing that I have to loose. I say this to say, think before you play with someone's emotions... you never know what they've been through.

This year is the year that I will try to get past these things. I'm not saying that I'll be successful, I'm just saying I'll try... which is more than I've done in a while.

source: www.weheartit.com

Friday Reads 3 | 1/4/2013

2013-01-05T00:42:00.002-05:00

What are you reading this weekend, please do let me know in the comments below. Have you read anything I'm currently reading... if so let me know what you thought of it. Thanks so much for watching, and have a fabulous weekend. If you'd like to go check out my YouTube channel and subscribe "Click Here".

Changes to Bengal Reads | Life Rant 1

2013-01-04T15:08:00.003-05:00

Hey guys, it's a little late and I'm sure you've already noticed that I've changed Bengal Read's design once again. Ever since I've started college things have been changing. I haven't had as much time to read is one of the most important. Instead of having Bengal Reads as just a book blog I have decided to share my life experiences, if you will on here as well. I announced that earlier in 2012. The thing I wanted to let you guys know now is that I have started a YouTube channel or Book Tube channel... whatever you would like to call it. I will be posting those videos here, which will include Book Reviews, Book Hauls, Wrap Ups, TBRs, and much more. I won't video review every book that I read, and for the books I don't video review I will definitely do a written review. I know I will eventually do a written review for every book I read but it may not be until a while after I've done the video review on it, all depending on how much time I have.

I plan on joining a sorority, along with school, and a job it's going to be a task to fit in reading,blogging, and book tubing; but I am determined to do it. So we'll see how it goes.

Also, I may be re-naming Bengal Reads soon. Just informing you before I do it, if I do change the name I will also be changing the URL to match. I just feel that since I'm growing I want my blog to grow with me.

Thanks for reading guys, I know this is a very wordy post. Feel free to comment on any input or about what you think of this idea.

If you would like to check out my YouTube channel "Click Here". I am really enjoying Book Tubing, it is so much fun.

source: www.weheartit.com

December 2012 Wrap Up | January 2013 TBR

2013-01-03T17:23:00.002-05:00

If you would like to check out my YouTube Channel "Click Here"

Video Review 4 | City of Ashes by Cassandra Clare

2013-01-03T17:21:00.000-05:00

If you would like to check out my YouTube Channel "Click Here"