Michelle and Leslie's Book Picks

I got NEW books!! (3)

2012-05-27T00:43:00.001-10:00

I got two books in the mail this week for review:

Lies Beneath by Anne Greenwood Brown (for review)
Lethal Rider by Larissa Ione (unsolicited)

And I purchased two books for my Kindle: (I ❤ Kristan Higgins!!)

Too Good to be True by Kristan Higgins

Catch of the Day by Kristan Higgins

Did YOU get any new books? Let us know! We'd love to see your new additions to your bookshelf.

Fated Trailer and Giveaway

2012-05-24T03:30:00.000-10:00

We are excited to present to you the trailer for Alyson Noel's new series called Soul Seekers. The first book is Fated and is out in stores now!

But read on for a chance to win Fated.

Fated (Soul Seekers #1) by Alyson Noel
(St. Martin's Press; out May 22, 2012)

The first book in a magnificent new series about a girl who can navigate between the worlds of the living and the dead by #1 New York Times bestselling author Alyson Noël.

Lately strange things have been happening to Daire Santos. Animals follow her, crows mock her, and glowing people appear out of nowhere. Worried that Daire is having a nervous breakdown, her mother packs her off to stay in the dusty plains of Enchantment, New Mexico with a grandmother she’s never met.

There she crosses paths with Dace, a gorgeous guy with unearthly blue eyes who she’s encountered before...but only in her dreams. And she’ll get to know her grandmother—a woman who recognizes Daire’s bizarre episodes for what they are. A call to her true destiny as a Soul Seeker, one who can navigate between the worlds of the living and the dead. Her grandmother immediately begins teaching her to harness her powers—but it’s an art that must be mastered quickly. Because Dace’s brother is an evil shape-shifter who’s out to steal her powers. Now Daire must embrace her fate as a Soul Seeker and find out if Dace is one guy she’s meant to be with...or if he’s allied with the enemy she’s destined to destroy.

But first, the trailer: (it's a really good one too--one of the best I've seen in a while!)

Now that you've read the summary and seen the trailer you want to win the book, right?

All you gotta do to add your name to the hat (or Rafflecopter in this case) is to tell us what you thought of the trailer in the comments.

Open to US residents only. Ends June 7th. Good luck!
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Book I Covet: Girl of Nightmares (Anna #2) by Kendare Blake

2012-05-23T01:50:00.001-10:00

Why Michelle covets this book: Anna Dressed in Blood was my favorite paranormal read of 2011--it was one of the few paranormal YAs that truly made me excited to read paranormal YA again.

I'm counting down the days I can get my hands on Girl of Nightmares. After the ending of Anna, I am dying to know what happened to Anna... I seriously need this book NAO!!

WARNING: If you haven't read Anna Dressed in Blood and hate spoilers, don't read the summary for Girl of Nightmares below. It totally spoils Anna.

Girl of Nightmares (Anna #2) by Kendare Blake
(Tor Teen; out August 7, 2012)

It's been months since the ghost of Anna Korlov opened a door to Hell in her basement and disappeared into it, but ghost-hunter Cas Lowood can't move on.

His friends remind him that Anna sacrificed herself so that Cas could live—not walk around half dead. He knows they're right, but in Cas's eyes, no living girl he meets can compare to the dead girl he fell in love with.

Now he's seeing Anna everywhere: sometimes when he's asleep and sometimes in waking nightmares. But something is very wrong...these aren't just daydreams. Anna seems tortured, torn apart in new and ever more gruesome ways every time she appears.

Cas doesn't know what happened to Anna when she disappeared into Hell, but he knows she doesn't deserve whatever is happening to her now. Anna saved Cas more than once, and it's time for him to return the favor.

For more info about Anna Dressed in Blood and Girl of Nightmares, visit check out the author's website. Click on the cover to go to the book's Goodreads page.

What book(s) do you "covet" this week?

Leave a comment with a link so we can check your WoW of the week too.

"Books I Covet" is a weekly or bi-weekly blog post series I am going to be doing here. It will feature books I am very excited about reading and plan on buying/borrowing in the near future. It is similar to the "Waiting On" meme hosted by Jill of Breaking the Spine. However, some of the books may already be published and others may still be in pre-order. I will include the books' blurb, cover art, and/or release date if they're available. Click on the WoW image on the left to join in!

Michelle's Review: Lucky in Love (Lucky Harbor #4) by Jill Shalvis

2012-05-22T05:30:00.002-10:00

Mass market: 400 pages
Publisher: Forever
Release Date: May 22, 2012
ISBN: 9781455503728
Source of my copy: publisher
Series: Lucky Harbor #4 (standalone)
Synopsis (from Goodreads)
Mallory Quinn has had enough of playing it safe. As a nurse and devoted daughter, she takes care of everyone but herself. And as the local good girl, she's expected to date Mr. Right. But for once, she'd like to take a risk on Mr. Wrong. And who could be more wrong than Ty Garrison? The mysterious new guy in town has made it clear that he's only passing through, which suits Mallory just fine. Besides, his lean, hard body and sexy smile will give her plenty to remember once he's gone...
For the first time in his life, Ty can't bear to leave. Helping this sexy seductress-in-training walk on the wild side is making him desire things he shouldn't -- including leaving the military for good. As their just-for-fun fling becomes something more, Mallory and Ty wonder if they could really be this lucky in love. After all...anything can happen in a town called Lucky Harbor.

Michelle's Review:
Lucky in Love is my favorite book in the Lucky Harbor series so far. It has the heavier emotion I prefer in my romances but it also had its funny moments. Lucky in Love is also a bit more steamier than the previous novels in this series which is a plus.

I enjoyed both Mallory and Ty's characters. The chemistry crackles between them and it was fun watching them fall for each other despite both wanting to keep things light and commitment-free. Both were very likable. I saw a lot of myself in Mallory--it's not often I find heroines I can relate to. And Ty was just plain yummy! He was a genuinely good guy despite him starting off reclusive and pushing everyone away. Both Ty and Mallory had issues to work through and some growing up to do. It was great watching their character development throughout the book especially Mallory, who was a pushover in the beginning, gain assertiveness and self-confidence.

The town of Lucky Harbor is always fun to visit. I love reading about the close-knit community and its crazy, gossip-loving, meddling locals. Nosy, old blue-haired Lucille (the keeper of the town's Facebook page with all the latest town gossip) is back and she is as zany as ever. I seriously want to live in Lucky Harbor!

Although Lucky in Love is being labeled as the fourth book in the Lucky Harbor series, it actually starts a new Lucky Harbor trilogy that focuses on three new women--the Chocoholics group. And to go with the chocolate theme, there were fun chocolate quotes at the beginning of each chapter that made me crave chocolate the entire time I was reading this novel.

Unlike the first three, which was just good reads for me, this novel is fantastic and the new trilogy has truly caught my interest. It is just as readable as the other novels but there's an extra oomph in this one that has me turning the pages faster. I love how Mallory and Ty got together and the female friendship between the women! I am looking forward to reading the next book in the trilogy especially since we get glimpses of the simmering tension between of Amy and sexy forest ranger Matt in this book. Definitely excited to read their story and to once again visit Lucky Harbor!

We got NEW books!! (2)

2012-05-20T01:02:00.000-10:00

It's great week for us in books! I got three new review books that I am very much looking forward to reading:

Michelle's Books

Imperial Scandal by Teresa Grant (for review)

Sweet Spot by Kate Angell (for review)

Monument 14 by Emmy Laybourne (unsolicited)

I also got swag from Megan Miranda (author of Fracture) who sent me a signed bookplate, a signed Fracture and signed Slide bookmark. My copy of Monument 14 came with a Fierce Reads temporary tattoo.

I won Croaked by Gina Damico and I had it sent to Maui to my sister. Gina also sent us swag!

Croak by Gina Damico + swag

(Thank you Gina!)

Did YOU get any new books? Let us know! We'd love to see your new bookshelf additions.

I've Switched Over the Dark Side

2012-05-18T05:30:00.000-10:00

About a month ago I bought something that I swore I would never buy: an e-reader.

Yup, I've switched over the "dark side."

We began our blog in 2009, just when e-readers were gaining popularity but I've always been adamant about my love for physical books and only physical books.

But e-readers have always been in the back of my mind. It's kind of hard to not be aware of 'em as a book blogger ...and, in the last year, as a library and information science grad student--e-readers and e-books are hot topics in the library world.

Then, on a whim, I entered HarperTeen's Pretty Crooked promo giveaway and I ended up winning a signed copy of the novel and a $100 gift card. After a few weeks of weighing the pro's and con's (the biggest pro being that as a future librarian it's important that I have personal experience with the technology so I can have a true opinion about it), I eventually took my winning as a sign that maybe it's time I get myself an e-reader.

So, I ordered the $79 Kindle just because it's the cheapest and it had great reviews--I didn't want to get one that is more expensive when I wasn't really sure I would totally love it...

And after using it for a month, I find myself really liking it and I think I might eventually love it even. I'm having a ball with Netgalley and Edelweiss. I love that you can get books like that **snaps fingers**.

And the reading experience is no different from reading from a physical book... Well, I find it more comfortable reading a physical book while lying in bed. I can't quite find a comfortable position with with the e-reader in my hands and simultaneously press the button to go to the next page. As I do most of my reading in bed, that might be a problem...

So, I guess this post is my bookish confession that I, the former Miss Anti-E-books-and-E-readers, after resisting for years, have gotten myself my a Kindle.

Book I Covet: Prodigy (Legend #2) by Marie Lu

2012-05-16T00:00:00.000-10:00

Why Michelle covets this book: Legend was my favorite dystopian read of 2011 and I cannot wait to find out what will happen next to June and Day in Prodigy.

But, hot damn, it doesn't come out until next year... Well, that just means if you haven't read Legend yet you have time to do so. ;)

I really like the cover of Prodigy as well, much more than Legend (which I thought was too plain).

Prodigy (Legend #2) by Marie Lu
(Putnam; out January 29, 2013)

The Elector Primo of the Republic has died, with his son assuming power over what’s left of the USA’s West Coast as it teeters on full-blown chaos. June and Day join up with Patriot rebels so they can rescue Day’s brother and head east for the Colonies. In order to help, though, the rebels want June and Day to kill the new Elector, who may pose an even greater threat than his father.

For more info about Prodigy, visit check out the author's website. Click on the cover to go to the book's Goodreads page.

What book(s) do you "covet" this week?

Leave a comment with a link so we can check your WoW of the week too.

Michelle's Review: A Night Like This by Julia Quinn

2012-05-15T05:30:00.000-10:00

Mass Market: 384 pages
Publisher: Avon
Release Date: May 29, 2012
ISBN: 9780062072900
Source of my e-galley: publisher
Series: Smythe-Smith Quartet #2**
Synopsis (from Goodreads)
Anne Wynter might not be who she says she is…
But she's managing quite well as a governess to three highborn young ladies. Her job can be a challenge — in a single week she finds herself hiding in a closet full of tubas, playing an evil queen in a play that might be a tragedy (or might be a comedy—no one is sure), and tending to the wounds of the oh-so-dashing Earl of Winstead. After years of dodging unwanted advances, he's the first man who has truly tempted her, and it's getting harder and harder to remind herself that a governess has no business flirting with a nobleman.
Daniel Smythe-Smith might be in mortal danger…
But that's not going to stop the young earl from falling in love. And when he spies a mysterious woman at his family's annual musicale, he vows to pursue her, even if that means spending his days with a ten-year-old who thinks she's a unicorn. But Daniel has an enemy, one who has vowed to see him dead. And when Anne is thrown into peril, he will stop at nothing to ensure their happy ending…

Michelle's Review:
Although I've read a couple of books by Julia Quinn in the past, she is not an author I often read. Her romance novels are more on the light, fluffy side and mild in the "steam" level whereas I prefer my romance novel reads with lots more angst and on the hotter end of the steam level. However, I was inspired to pick up A Night Like This after seeing a Q&A video featuring the author and I thought I'd give her newest a try.

Overall, it was just an okay read for me. The pacing was uneven: nothing really big happened in the first two-thirds of novel and the plot only picked up once the villain and his intentions were revealed.

What I liked:
Daniel Smythe-Smith. He was exiled after a foolish duel where he accidentally shoot his friend in the leg, permanently disabling him. On the day he returned to London, he met Anne Wynter and falls for her. As a reader, you get to know Daniel right away and he was an all-around nice guy. He really loves his family and he was very patient in getting Anne to open up.

Harriet, Elizabeth and Frances: The true stars of the novel were Daniel's cousins, the three Pleinsworth girls Anne was the governess for, Harriet, Elizabeth and especially unicorn-obsessed Frances. They were funny and stole every scene they were in.

The dialogue and banter between the characters.

The fact that we readers don't know whether the villain was from Daniel's past or from Anne's past and who he was truly after.

My issues:
The moment Daniel sees Anne, he fell for her. This is just me, but I am not a fan of "love at first sight" type of meeting between the hero and the heroine.

I would've liked to see a relationship develop between Anne and Daniel's mother. I haven't read the first book in the series so there might've been interactions between Anne and Daniel's mom there but I thought there would be some hesitance on the mom's part when it came to Anne for Daniel. I mean, the family know nothing about her and she obviously has a past that Daniel is now caught up in too. I just thought since she just got her son back, there would be more of a reaction on her part than just insta-acceptance.

Some scenes were dragged out more than they should have been, like the scenes where Daniel, Anne and the Pleinsworth girls were chatting at the breakfast table or the reading and acting out a play written by Harriet. The scenes, although fun and I enjoyed them, were overly long and didn't add to or move the plot.

Final Thoughts:
A Night Like This was an okay read. Like I said, it's not my type of romance novel but I was entertained by the story despite my issues. It has the signature Julia Quinn charm and fun dialogue/banter and I think fans for Julia Quinn will devour it right quick.

**A Night Like This is the second book in the Symthe-Smith quartet but you do not need to read the first book to enjoy this one.

We got NEW books!!

2012-05-13T00:00:00.000-10:00

Happy Mother's Day to all the moms, especially to ours! We love you mom. Thank you for... everything.

My sister and I added a bunch of awesome titles to our bookshelves! We are super excited to read these. First up, what I got this week:

Michelle's Young Adult Books

The Catastrophic History of You and Me by Jess Rothenberg

City of Lost Souls by Cassandra Clare

[CoLS is for Leslie. I bought it for her. I've never any of Clare's books.]

Insurgent by Veronica Roth

Michelle's Romance Novels

A Woman Made For Pleasure by Michele Sinclair (for review)

The Rake by Mary Jo Putney (for review)

Never Love a Highlander by Maya Banks (bought)

I already got an ARC a couple of months ago but Berkeley Romance (thank you!!) also sent me [a surprise] hardcover finished copy of Tangle of Need by Nalini Singh. Eeeepp!!

I'm crazy for Nalini Singh and her Psy-Changeling series (as well as her Guild Hunter series). Lol, I'm crazy for Nalini's books period.

Leslie got a bunch of awesome books back on Maui too!! These are the books she got in the last two weeks.

Leslie's Young Adult Books

Revived by Cat Patrick

Earthseed by Pamela Sargent

Purity by Jackson Pearce

The Drowned Cities by Paolo Bacigalupi

The Last Princess by Galaxy Craze

(All of these books are for review. Thank you to LBYR and Tor Teen for sending the books!)

Did YOU get any new books? Let us know! We'd love to see your new bookshelf additions.

Michelle's Review: The Midwife of Venice by Roberta Rich

2012-05-09T05:30:00.000-10:00

Trade Paperback: 352 pages
Publisher: Gallery Books
Release Date: February 14, 2012
ISBN: 9781451657470
Source of my copy: publisher
Series: none
Synopsis (from Goodreads)
Hannah Levi is renowned throughout Venice for her gift at coaxing reluctant babies from their mothers—a gift aided by the secret “birthing spoons” she designed. But when a count implores her to attend to his wife, who has been laboring for days to give birth to their firstborn son, Hannah is torn. A Papal edict forbids Jews from rendering medical treatment to Christians, but the payment he offers is enough to ransom her beloved husband, Isaac, who has been captured at sea. Can Hannah refuse her duty to a suffering woman? Hannah’s choice entangles her in a treacherous family rivalry that endangers the baby and threatens her voyage to Malta, where Isaac, believing her dead in the plague, is preparing to buy his passage to a new life.

Michelle's Review:
I don't usually read historical fiction (unless it's a romance novel) but I was drawn to the cover of The Midwife of Venice and after reading the summary and a few reviews, I've surmised that there's no crazy affairs and/or secret lovers in the novel. This novel is not a Philippa Gregory type of historical fiction with all the crazy drama and romantic entanglements--and that means it my preferred kind of historical fiction.

After I flipped the last page, I was surprised by how much I really, really enjoyed this novel. I liked that the story alternates between Hannah, a Jewish midwife, and her husband, Issac, who has been captured at sea and was sold into slavery in Malta. The alternating point-of-view between the characters allowed the reader to be transported to Hannah's dark, gritty Venice and then to Issac's sunny Malta and I love that contrast in the setting. But at the heart of The Midwife of Venice was the deep love Hannah and Issac has for each other. Readers "see" first-hand the struggles Hannah and Issac went through to get back to each other.

Although Hannah and Issac were wonderful, three-dimensional characters, some of secondary characters (mainly the Conte, his wife and the Conte's brothers) could have been a bit more fleshed out. The plot had one weak point for me. I felt there could have been more to the story of the Conte and his wife since they were such big, important characters for the first half the book. I do not want to give anything away so I won't go into any details, but how they exited the story made me go "What? That's it?" Also, I would have liked an of epilogue as well--although I was happy with the ending, it was abrupt.

This novel is definitely well-written and well-research. I know next to nothing about the customs of the Jewish religion or the treatment of Jews by Christians in 16th century Venice and I really enjoyed learning about that in this book. I was also fascinated (and sometimes repulsed) by what a midwife had to do to bring a baby to world and what they may do during a difficult birth. I appreciated the glossary and the list of books for further reading the author provided at the end of the book.

I definitely recommend The Midwife of Venice. It had great characters, especially in Hannah and Issac, set during a very interesting time in history and the plot weaves in a number of fascinating subjects. The ending was abrupt but it may have been deliberate as there may be a sequel in the works? I hope there is. I'd love to read more about Hannah and Issac.

Book I Covet: Meant To Be by Lauren Morrill

2012-05-09T02:03:00.001-10:00

Why Michelle covets this book: I fell in love with Meant To Be after reading the synopsis. It promises to be a giddy-worthy romantic contemporary young adult read.

I gotta say I have yet to read a YA contemporary that equals the awesomeness of Anna and the French Kiss. Is Meant To Be it?

Meant To Be by Lauren Morrill
(Delacorte; out November 13, 2012)

Meant to be or not meant to be . . . that is the question.

It's one thing to fall head over heels into a puddle of hazelnut coffee, and quite another to fall for the—gasp—wrong guy. Straight-A junior Julia may be accident prone, but she's queen of following rules and being prepared. That's why she keeps a pencil sharpener in her purse and a pocket Shakespeare in her, well, pocket. And that's also why she's chosen Mark Bixford, her childhood crush, as her MTB ("meant to be").

But this spring break, Julia's rules are about to get defenestrated (SAT word: to be thrown from a window) when she's partnered with her personal nemesis, class-clown Jason, on a school trip to London. After one wild party, Julia starts receiving romantic texts . . . from an unknown number! Jason promises to help discover the identity of her mysterious new suitor if she agrees to break a few rules along the way. And thus begins a wild goose chase through London, leading Julia closer and closer to the biggest surprise of all: true love.

Because sometimes the things you least expect are the most meant to be.

For more info about Meant To Be, visit check out the author's website. Click on the cover to go to the book's Goodreads page.

What book(s) do you "covet" this week?

Leave a comment with a link so we can check your WoW of the week too.

3 Pretty Covers and a Synopsis: Romance Edition (1)

2012-05-07T05:30:00.000-10:00

After a week-and-a-half long blogging hiatus, I am back and, man, it is good to be back! I missed blogging but it was also good to take a break and truly focus on just school. Unfortunately, I still have one more paper and one more presentation to do but I am already on summer mode...

I love summers! I love the extra free time. I love the sunny weather. I love that I have more time to just sit and read. I cannot wait for it to be officially summer!

I do not want my first blog post in a while to be too content-heavy, so instead of a review like I initially planned to do when I sat down to do this blog post, I am instead going to debut a new blog feature called "3 Pretty Covers and a Synopsis" that we are planning to do here fairly regularly.

We will be highlighting four upcoming books: three chosen for their pretty covers (we are cover whores here!) and one chosen for its fantastic, I-want-to-read-it-NOW synopsis.

This week, my picks are romance novels.

Covers Pick

These books sound wonderful as well from their synopsis (especially A Woman Made For Pleasure because I love the "childhood friends turned lovers" trope) but the first thing that caught my attention were their pretty covers.

Synopsis Pick:
Ravishing the Heiress by Sherry Thomas

Millicent understands the terms of her arranged marriage all too well. She gets to be a Countess by marrying an impoverished Earl. And in return, the Earl Fitzhugh receives the benefit of her vast wealth, saving his family from bankruptcy. Because of her youth, they have agreed to wait eight years before consummating the marriage—and then, only to beget an heir. After which, they will lead separate lives.

It is a most sensible arrangement. Except for one little thing. Somehow Millie has fallen head over heels in love with her husband. Her husband, who has become her very best friend, but nothing more… Her husband, who plans to reunite with his childhood sweetheart, the beautiful and newly widowed Isabelle, as soon as he has honored the pact with his wife…

As the hour they truly become husband-and-wife draws near, both Millie and Fitzhugh must face the truth in their hearts. Has their pact bred only a great friendship—or has it, without either of them quite noticing, given rise to a great love?

For more information about the books featured today, click on their covers to take you to their Goodreads page.

Next week we will do a YA edition of 3 Pretty Covers and a Synopsis. Tomorrow I will be posting my review of The Midwife of Venice by Roberta Rich.

Pre-order FATED, Get A Pair of Free Earrings

2012-04-27T06:27:00.001-10:00

Hey guys! Did you hear about the promotion St. Martin's Press is having for Fated (Soul Seeker #1) by Alyson Noel?

If you haven't, basically, they are giving away a pair of soul seeker inspired earrings to the first 3,000 readers who pre-order Fated in any format (print, e-book or audiobook) and submit their receipt!

Get all the details on how to submit HERE.

The promotion ends on May 21, 2012 and is open only to U.S. residents only. If you want to read more about Fated, you can read an excerpt & a special bonus scene on the Fated Facebook page. Read the synopsis on Goodreads.

In Our Mailbox (60)

2012-04-22T00:02:00.003-10:00

Leslie and I each got a book this week and they're matching in color! How cool is that?! :D

Starlight by Carrie Lofty (ARC; unsolicited)

A Want So Wicked by Suzanne Young (ARC; for review)

(Thank you to Pocket & HarperTeen!)

What did you guys get in your mailbox?

"In My Mailbox" is a weekly event that gives book bloggers a chance share with each other what books got added to their to-be-read pile for the week. It was inspired by Alea of Pop Culture Junkie and hosted by Kristi of The Story Siren.

Book I Covet: Ten by Gretchen McNeil

2012-04-18T00:00:00.000-10:00

Why Michelle covets this book: I am not a fan of horror movies but I am a fan of horror books and I have yet to read any that truly scared me. I want to see if Ten will scare the pants off me.

Ten by Gretchen McNeil
(HarperTeen; out September 18, 2012)

And their doom comes swiftly.

It was supposed to be the weekend of their lives—an exclusive house party on Henry Island. Best friends Meg and Minnie each have their reasons for being there (which involve T.J., the school’s most eligible bachelor) and look forward to three glorious days of boys, booze and fun-filled luxury.

But what they expect is definitely not what they get, and what starts out as fun turns dark and twisted after the discovery of a DVD with a sinister message: Vengeance is mine.

Suddenly people are dying, and with a storm raging, the teens are cut off the from the outside world. No electricity, no phones, no internet, and a ferry that isn’t scheduled to return for two days. As the deaths become more violent and the teens turn on each other, can Meg find the killer before more people die? Or is the killer closer to her than she could ever imagine?

For more info about the Ten, visit check out the author's website. Click on the cover to go to the book's Goodreads page.

What book(s) do you "covet" this week?

Leave a comment with a link so we can check your WoW of the week too.

Michelle's Review: Twisted (Tracers #5) by Laura Griffin

2012-04-17T05:30:00.001-10:00

ARC: 400 pages
Publisher: Pocket Star
Release Date: April 17, 2012
ISBN: 9781451617375
Source of my copy: publisher
Series: Tracers #5
Synopsis (from Goodreads)
New York Times bestselling author Laura Griffin chills with her newest novel of suspense and romance in the award-winning Tracers series, when a woman police detective in a small Texas town discovers that the only thing more terrifying than a killer you don’t know . . . is the one you do.
Motive, opportunity, and no alibi—it seems close to a slam-dunk. But while rookie detective Allison Doyle’s department has ID’d a suspect in a young woman’s vicious murder, she is uneasy. Then legendary FBI profiler Mark Wolfe shows up with a startling theory: if he’s right, the real murderer is an elusive psychopath just days away from another kill.
Using Allison’s contacts at the Delphi Center crime lab, Wolfe is finally in striking distance of the monster he’s pursued for ten years. Except that as they work together, Wolfe finds the ambitious, stubborn woman a tempting distraction. And with this brutal predator, every thread of evidence can make the difference between being the hunter . . . and the prey.

Michelle's Review:
As soon as I got Twisted in my eager hands in late January, I quickly devoured it. Laura Griffin is one of my favorite romantic suspense author and one of my few auto-buy. She is a damn good writer; I have read quite a few of her books now and she has yet to disappoint me. Although Twisted is not my favorite by her (Snapped is) it's still very, very good.

The heroine, Allison Doyle, was introduced in Snapped and she certainly made an impression there. I knew she's going to be a kick-ass, tough as nails kind of gal and I was really excited to see what kind of hero the author will pair her up with. Has-the-weight-of-the-world-on-his-shoulders Special Agent Mark Wolfe who was 43 years old to Allison's 27 was not who I expected but they worked. The romance aspect was a bit more downplayed in Twisted than in the author's previous novels but it was still well-done. The romance here unfolded slowly but it made it more believable--besides the fact that Mark and Allison's focus is on the case and trying to piece together the clues to catch the serial killer, they had a few big issues they have to work out (their age difference being one of them). But, yes, there was enough steam between the two to satisfy romance readers.

The whole time I was reading Twisted I felt like I was watching a really good episode of Criminal Minds. The suspense took center stage in this book and it illustrates that Laura Griffin is the queen of well-written, gripping, unputdownable mystery. If you haven't read the previous Tracer books, Twisted reads as a very good standalone. But if you are following the series, some of characters from the previous novels were secondary characters in this book and you'll get an update on what they've been doing which is always fun. Twisted is a very good addition to the Tracers series. I thoroughly enjoyed it and I am once again counting down until the next one by Laura Griffin. If you have not read any of Ms. Griffin's books, what are you waiting for? [I especially recommend Snapped and Unforgivable.]

In My Mailbox (59)

2012-04-15T00:33:00.001-10:00

On Tuesday, I came home to a curious box. I knew that it contain books because all the boxes and packages I get in the mail contain books 95% of the time. I quickly opened it and found these inside:

and this

I was one of the winners of YA Book Central's Mega Giveaway and I wasn't even aware! It was truly a fun and welcome surprise. Thank you YA Book Central!

I got: Incarnate by Jodi Meadows (this is the book I am MOST excited about!), The Education of Hailey Kendrick by Eileen Cook, Breaking Up Is Hard To Do by Niki Burnham, Terri Clark, Ellen Hopkins and Lynda Sandoval, Living Violet by Jaime Reed, The Deepest Cut by J.A. Templeton and a whole LOT of awesome swag!

What did you guys get in your mailbox?

Review Books vs. Non-Review Books: How do you deal?

2012-04-13T05:45:00.004-10:00

Before I begin, let me just say that I love book blogging. It started out as something to keep my mind of my unemployment blue after I graduated and it turned into something much, much more than just a hobby. Leslie enjoys blogging too, of course, but I love it. This blog is my baby. I have been blogging for almost three years and I do not see myself stopping any time soon.

But since going back to grad school and having to juggle school, my friends and family, my job, church and all the other life things, it does not leave me a lot of time to read and blog. The fact that I am a slow reader to begin with (it takes me an about three days to finish a novel if I can read everyday), it's definitely a challenge.

Because of this, most definitely since I started grad school, I find myself picking up review books 75% of the time (rather than the books I buy myself). I have an obligation to read and review these books and feature them on the various social media I am part of so reading review books take precedence over the books I personally buy.

This is part of the reason why there are times when I get into a blogging slump, when book blogging feels more like another chore that I have to do rather than something I want to do.

I'm very happy that the review books I get are books I would read regardless and I feel very comfortable recommending most of them. Doing all that is not a hardship, it is just very time consuming, and for this reason (unlike when I first started blogging) almost all of the books I review here on the blog are "review books."

Because of this, I find myself putting books into two piles: my "review books" pile and my "fun-NO-obligation-to-review books" pile.

[I have a third pile called "grad school books" but that is irrelevant here.]

Sometimes I find myself looking at my "fun books" pile with longing. There's nothing better than reading a book and simply enjoying it--not having that obligation or pressure to have to review it, to have to talk about it.

And I miss that. Reading for fun.

Of course, some bloggers would argue that you don't have to review a book if you do not want to. True. But for me, especially if I requested a book (it is why I hardly request books anymore), it just doesn't feel right choosing not to review a book at all regardless whether I liked the book or not. There's a reason why publishers and authors send books to book bloggers: so we can read, review and share their opinions, spread the word or create buzz about the book.

I guess my question for busy book bloggers [who review books for publishers] are: how do you find time to read all your review and non-review books? Do you miss reading for fun without having to write a review? Do you also find yourself putting your books into two piles similar to mine? Do you get into blogging slumps?

Or unlike me, you have no trouble juggling every thing, is a fast reader and have time to read and review all of your books?

Book Michelle Covets: Renegade (Elysium-Chronicles #1) by J.A. Souders

2012-04-11T00:00:00.001-10:00

Why Michelle covets this book: The synopsis of Renegade really intrigues me. It does not sound like anything I've read before. Long wait til November tough.

Renegade (Elysium-Chronicles #1) by J.A. Souders
(Tor Teen; out November 13, 2012)

Since the age of three, sixteen-year-old Evelyn Winters has been trained to be Daughter of the People in the underwater utopia known as Elysium. Selected from hundreds of children for her ideal genes all her life she’s thought that everything was perfect; her world. Her people. The Law.

But when Gavin Hunter, a Surface Dweller, accidentally stumbles into their secluded little world, she’s forced to come to a startling realization: everything she knows is a lie. Her memories have been altered. Her mind and body aren’t under her own control. And the person she knows as Mother is a monster.

Together with Gavin she plans her escape, only to learn that her own mind is a ticking time bomb... and Mother has one last secret that will destroy them all.

For more info about the Renegade, visit check out the author's website. Click on the cover to go to the book's Goodreads page.

What book(s) do you "covet" this week?
Leave a comment with a link so we can check your WoW of the week too.

Please vote for us in the Independent Book Blogger Awards

2012-04-10T05:30:00.003-10:00

Goodreads is hosting the Independent Book Blogger Award (IBBA) and Michelle & Leslie's Book Picks is in the running for the YA and Children's category!!

If you haven't heard, IBBA a competition where four winning book blogs (from four different categories) will be awarded a trip to the June 2012 Book Expo America in New York City. Living in Hawaii and being a poor college student, to traveling to NYC and attending BEA has always been a very distant dream for me... But how ~~awesome~~ no, AMAZING, it would be to win IBBA and be able to attend BEA!!??

There are two rounds of judging. The first round is the public voting where readers get to cast their vote and the top 15 in each category will move on to the final round where industry representatives will judge the blogs on five different criteria.

To get to the final round, we need your help! Please vote for Michelle & Leslie's Book Picks and help our blog get to the finals--even just getting to the final round would be... WOW! I know our blog is not the biggest or the flashiest but I am very, very proud of it and I would be so grateful for your help and support.

Voting is open from now until April 23rd. Please click on the vote button below or on the top left of our sidebar. Thank you!

Cherry's Review: Trafficked by Kim Purcell (Guest Review)

2012-04-09T05:30:00.003-10:00

Hardcover: 384 pages
Publisher: Viking Juvenile
Release Date: February 16, 2012
ISBN: 9780670012800
Source of my copy: publisher
Series: none
Synopsis (from Goodreads)
A 17-year-old Moldovan girl whose parents have been killed is brought to the United States to work as a slave for a family in Los Angeles.
Hannah believes she’s being brought from Moldova to Los Angeles to become a nanny for a Russian family. But her American dream quickly spirals into a nightmare. The Platonovs force Hannah to work sixteen-hour days, won’t let her leave the house, and seem to have a lot of secrets—from Hannah and from each other.
Stranded in a foreign land with false documents, no money, and nobody who can help her, Hannah must find a way to save herself from her new status as a modern-day slave or risk losing the one thing she has left: her life.

Cherry's Review:
This book is a great introduction for not only young adults but also adults to start learning about the horrors of human trafficking in America. It hits so close to home because it shows the reality of human trafficking: that you can find it everywhere, even in the suburbs! However, some stories remain the same: Hannah is a young girl who thought that she was going to go to America to create for herself a bright future. Unfortunately, she was deceived by these so called "agents" and abused by the family she took care of. Hannah was only a teenager but she quickly learned to grow up in order to survive.

Overall, I enjoyed reading the book. I was captivated by Hannah and her desire to make a friend. Despite her situation, she just wanted someone to talk to. I also enjoyed the book because it was very suspenseful until the end. My only issues is that I thought that the ending was rather sudden and rushed. What happened to the family that abused her? Did Hannah get any justice? Was she able to return home? What exactly happened to her uncle? There were so many questions left unanswered that I thought the author could've answered without hurting the type of ending that she was trying to create, which is that there is not a happily ever after because it's still an ongoing issue. However, I would have liked more of a closure. On the other hand, I think this a great book that will open the eyes and inspire many young people to help put a stop to this issue. Even though we are young, we have the power to affect change. For some information, please visit: http://www.humantrafficking.org/countries/united_states_of_america

In My Mailbox (58)

2012-04-08T00:00:00.001-10:00

We got two books this week: a YA debut that we are really excited about that is set in a post-apocalyptic world and a surprise romance novel that looks like a super-cute read.

Review Books

Struck by Jennifer Boswort

The Taming of a Scottish Princess by Karen Hawkins (unsolicited)
(A big thank you to Macmillan and Pocket/Simon & Schuster)

What did you guys get in your mailbox?

Michelle's Review: About That Night by Julie James

2012-04-05T05:30:00.002-10:00

Mass Market: 304 pages
Publisher: Berkley Sensation
Release Date: April 3, 2012
ISBN: 9780425246955
Source of my copy: publisher
Series: FBI #3
Synopsis (from Goodreads)
HE’S PLAYING GAMES
Though Rylann Pierce tried to fight the sparks she felt for billionaire heir Kyle Rhodes the night they met, their sizzling chemistry was undeniable. But after being stood up on their first date, Rylann never expected to see him again. So when she finds herself face to face with Kyle in a courthouse nine years later, she’s stunned. More troubling to the beautiful Assistant U.S. Attorney is that she’s still wildly attracted to him.
BUT SHE’S MAKING THE RULES
Just released from prison, Kyle Rhodes isn’t thrilled to be the star witness in a high-profile criminal case — but when Rylann comes knocking at his door, he finds she may be the one lawyer he can’t say no to. Still as gorgeous and sharp-tongued as ever, she lays down the law: she doesn’t mix business with pleasure. But Kyle won’t give up on something he wants — and what he wants is the one woman he’s never forgotten...

Michelle's Review:
Ms. James can do no wrong. Seriously. She the queen of writing the most smart, witty, fun, steamy, can't-put-down, read-with-a-smile-your-face contemporary romances and About That Night is another example of her brilliance.

Kyle Rhodes is quite different from gruff, broody Jack of Something About You and tough and manly Nick of A Lot Like Love. Kyle Rhodes is flirty and charming and can wine and dine a woman like a master. He may be the son of a billionaire but he is wealthy in his own right--basically, he works hard and plays hard. Rylann is a classic Julie James heroine: a lawyer, smart, hard-working, ambitious, independent and has quite a bit of sass. I love the banter between the two of them and there were so many quotable exchanges between them. The chemistry between Kyle and Rylann practically leaped off the page from the start and to finish.

Kyle and Rylann's story began when they were grad students, celebrating the end of the semester at a local bar. Rylann caught Kyle's eye that night and there were major sparks between them. He walked her home that night, they shared an unforgettable kiss and planned to go out on a date the next night. But Kyle's mom got into a terrible car accident and their date never happened. Fast forward nine years later and Rylann is back in Chicago after landing a job as an Assistant U.S. Attorney (AUSA). On her first court appointment she finds herself face to face with Kyle Rhodes. They were both surprised that there were still major sparks between them.

After the debacle with his ex-girlfriend, Kyle had sworn off serious relationships. But after seeing Rylann again, there's just something about her and he couldn't get her off his mind. Rylann also couldn't get Kyle off her mind but dating an ex-con whose case was handled by her office? And her being the newest AUSA? So, they decided to keep their relationship a secret. But soon Kyle realized he wanted something more, for Rylann to be truly part of his life. Rylann, however, was not sure she can take that chance with Kyle.

The first half of the book dealt with a case in which Kyle was a witness and I love how the author combines great courtroom drama and a sexy, steamy romance. And, ladies, this one is Ms. James's most steamiest yet--you're gonna want to crank up the AC for this one! I quickly devoured this one but I'll be going back to read my favorite parts. Looking for a contemporary romance that will make you smile and melt? You truly can't go wrong with a Julie James novel.

Michelle Covets: Sapphire Blue by Kerstin Geir

2012-04-04T00:00:00.002-10:00

Why Michelle covets this book: I absolutely loved the first book in the series, Ruby Red, and I curse the long wait until Sapphire Blue comes out. I WANT IT NAO!!

Cover Rant: Not sure I like the new covers though.

I liked the uniqueness of the Ruby Red cover (see below) and I was looking forward to a variation for it for Sapphire Blue. Alas, they decided to change it to the standard covers nowadays featuring a girl in a pretty dress. Sigh.

Sapphire Blue (Edelstein Trilogy #2) by Kerstin Geir
(Henry Holt; out October 30, 2012)

Gwen’s life has been a rollercoaster since she discovered she was the Ruby, the final member of the secret time-traveling Circle of Twelve. In between searching through history for the other time-travelers and asking for a bit of their blood (gross!), she’s been trying to figure out what all the mysteries and prophecies surrounding the Circle really mean. At least Gwen has plenty of help. Her best friend Lesley follows every lead diligently on the Internet. James the ghost teaches Gwen how to fit in at an eighteenth century party. And Xemerius, the gargoyle demon who has been following Gwen since he caught her kissing Gideon in a church, offers advice on everything. Oh, yes. And of course there is Gideon, the Diamond. One minute he’s very warm indeed; the next he’s freezing cold. Gwen’s not sure what’s going on there, but she’s pretty much destined to find out.

For the latest info about the Edelstein series, visit check out the author's Goodreads page. Click on the cover to go to the book's Goodreads page.

As for the cover, what do you guys think? Old versus new.

vs.

What book(s) do you "covet" this week?
Leave a comment with a link so we can check your WoW of the week too.

Michelle's Review: Wanderlove by Kristen Hubbard

2012-04-03T05:30:00.006-10:00

ARC: 338 pages
Publisher: Delacorte Press
Release Date: March 13, 2012
ISBN: 9780385739375
Source of my copy: publisher
Series: none
Synopsis (from Goodreads)
It all begins with a stupid question: Are you a Global Vagabond?
No, but 18-year-old Bria Sandoval wants to be. In a quest for independence, her neglected art, and no-strings-attached hookups, she signs up for a guided tour of Central America—the wrong one. Middle-aged tourists with fanny packs are hardly the key to self-rediscovery. When Bria meets Rowan, devoted backpacker and dive instructor, and his outspokenly humanitarian sister Starling, she seizes the chance to ditch her group and join them off the beaten path.
Bria's a good girl trying to go bad. Rowan's a bad boy trying to stay good. As they travel across a panorama of Mayan villages, remote Belizean islands, and hostels plagued with jungle beasties, they discover what they've got in common: both seek to leave behind the old versions of themselves. And the secret to escaping the past, Rowan’s found, is to keep moving forward.
But Bria comes to realize she can't run forever, no matter what Rowan says. If she ever wants the courage to fall for someone worthwhile, she has to start looking back.
Kirsten Hubbard lends her artistry to this ultimate backpacker novel, weaving her drawings into the text. Her career as a travel writer and her experiences as a real-life vagabond backpacking Central America are deeply seeded in this inspiring story.

Michelle's Review:
Upon finishing this book, I wanted to pack the essentials and go backpacking myself. Wanderlove is an outstanding contemporary young adult read about going off the beaten path and finding yourself.

Bria just graduated from high school and broke up with her boyfriend. To get away for a while, she decided to go on a guided tour to Central America. She soon met Starling and Rowan, siblings and veteran backpackers and realized that a guided tour was not for her. She decided to ditch the tour group and join them for the rest of her trip. Soon, Bria was traveling on chicken buses, staying in insect-ridden hostels with no indoor plumbing (sometimes no plumbing at all), meeting other colorful backpackers and seeing and experiencing Central America as it was meant to be seen and experienced. Along the way Bria work through issues that she cannot shake about her art, her failed relationship, her parents, her future and the possibility of a new love.

Right away I liked Bria--she's the kind of girl I would be friends with. She was not perfect and she had a lot of issues (especially with her art and her inability to do anything since her break-up with her artist boyfriend) but she's very likable. I knew where her thoughts and feelings were coming from and I saw a bit of myself in her.

As for Rowan, I was not sure about him in the beginning. He had a mysterious past but as the book went on and I got to know him along with Bria, I grew to like him as well. I really liked that the romance element was downplayed until the end of the book. Yes, the attraction was there (of course!) but Bria and Rowan had a true friendship first and foremost. The slow build of the romance made the moment between Bria and Rowan in the end all the more sweeter.

Besides Bria and Rowan, there were other characters that I liked from Starling to Glenna Heron to Sonia of Laughingbird Caye--I even liked Ariel and Emily to a point. The only character I didn't like was Bria's ex-boyfriend Toby. There was this one particular flashback scene when they were waiting for the results of who got in this art program they both applied to and when Toby breaks up with her. The way he did it... I wanted to jump into the book and wring his neck because I knew exactly what Bria was feeling as I was in a similar situation.

Of course, the exotic places Bria and Rowan traveled to were amazing. A traveler herself and having visited many of the places in the book, the author's love for the region really shined through. She did a really wonderful job with the descriptions and the imagery it brought to mind. I absolutely loved the illustrations and they complement the story and Bria's character well. This novel was just plain delightful: great writing, a colorful setting and interesting characters. Wanderlove was a unique and inspiring story that makes you want to take a chance and go off the beaten path to places unknown.

Enter to win our Wanderlove giveaway!
We've extended it until April 6th so get your entry in.