Waiting on Wednesday (78)

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event that is hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine 

and spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating. 

My pick this week:

Made of Stars
Kelley York

Genre: YA Thriller
Publication date: October 1st, 2013
by Entangled Teen 

When eighteen-year-old Hunter Jackson and his half sister, Ashlin, return to their dad’s for the first winter in years, they expect everything to be just like the warmer months they’d spent there as kids. And it is—at first. But Chance, the charismatic and adventurous boy who made their summers epic, is harboring deep secrets. Secrets that are quickly spiraling into something else entirely.

The reason they've never met Chance’s parents or seen his home is becoming clearer. And what the siblings used to think of as Chance's quirks—the outrageous stories, his clinginess, his dangerous impulsiveness—are now warning signs that something is seriously off.

Then Chance's mom turns up with a bullet to the head, and all eyes shift to Chance and his dad. Hunter and Ashlin know Chance is innocent...they just have to prove it. But how can they protect the boy they both love when they can’t trust a word Chance says?

I loved Kelley's other novel, Hushed, when I read it last year so from the moment I saw that she was coming out with a new one I have been pining for it. I loved Hushed for its originality and dark tone so I know she can write a mean thriller!

What are you waiting on, this Wednesday?

Link me up! :)

Blogoversary Day 6: Blogger Lovin'

I talked about authors, I talked about publishers, I talked about me, now it's time to talk about bloggers! All of YOU, who have made a difference in my blogging year! So today, I want to take the time to show appreciation to those who have been a big help to me throughout the year, and those who have made blogging a welcome and incredible experience for me. Also, I'm sure I forgot someone, but every one who's ever shown kindness or said hello, you have shown me how much this community has heart!

Special Thanks

Not that all y'all aren't special, but these fellow bloggers have become very close friends and have helped me immensely through the year. Sometimes it's advice I desperately needed, a second opinion, or simply letting me vent about problems that arose. This has meant so much to me to know I have people I have never met in real life who I would trust with my heart and soul.

       

BFFs

These bloggers have a been a constant in my blogging year with their friendship and support. I talk to these peeps almost on a daily basis and we have bonded either because of our matching fabulousness, or books we both loved, or a little of both. I know my year would have been so much different without them!

               

--And missies without a button here (really, ladies!? :P) 

Katie at Blook Girl

Christina at A Reader of Fiction

Blythe at Finding Bliss in Books

Regular Commenters

I may not have striked up a personal relationship with these bloggers, I still feel like I've come to know them from these comments and me visiting them as well. I am so very thankful for their constant visits and entertaining/wonderful comments. Reading these makes my day, every day, and I just hope they know how much they have made a difference, and how much I appreciate their loyalty and support!

(Sorry no blog buttons for this one, but they're all linked!)

-Amy at Book Loving Mom

-Jenni at Alluring Reads

-Ria at The Teen Book Guru

-Nick at Nick's Book Blog

-Sara of saz101

- Shooting Stars Mag

-Kris at Imaginary Reads

-Alexa at Alexa Loves Books

- Camille Picott

-Bookworm 105 at Whisper of Reads

-Jessie at Auntie Spinelli Reads

-Kristin at My Para-Hangover

-Jenn at Owl Read It

-Kimba at Kimba the Caffeinated Book Reviewer

-Jenea at Books Live Forever

-Mel at Life of a bookworm

-Anna at Literary Exploration

-Henriette at Leisure Reads 

-Ashley at The Bibliophile's Corner

-Savvy at Books With Bite  

-Christina at A Reader of Fictions

-Jennifer at Some Like it Paranormal 

-Danny at Bewitched Bookworms

-Candace at Candace's Book Blog

-Alba at --BookPics--

-Amber at Amber at The Musings of ALMYBNENR 

-Molli at Once Upon a Prologue

-Marie at Ramblings of a Daydreamer

-Suzanne at Paranormal BooK Fan

-Katie at Blook Girl  

-Kelsey at Kelsey's Cluttered Bookshelf

-Aylee at Recovering Potter Addict

-Annabelle at Sparkles and Lightning

-Natalia at Dazzling Reads

-A Canadian Girl at Musings of a YA Reader

-Kristilyn  at Reading In Winter   

-Eileen at ***Singing and Reading in the Rain***

-San at Realm of Fiction

-Maji at Maji Bookshelf
-Liesel at L.K.Hill

-Nereyda at Mostly YA Book Obsessed

-Kelly at Dandelion Dreams

-Ash at Smash Attack Reads!
-Kathy at I Write, I Read, I Review
-Lena at I Love Books Club
-Aneeqah at My Not So Real Life
-Amber Hughes
-Jennifer at Book Den
-Jac at For Love and Books
-Kara-Karina at Nocturnal Book Reviews
-Silverlight at Paranormal & Urban Fantasy Reviews and Goodies
-Sharon at Obsession With Books 
-Aeicha at Word Spelunking
-Addie at Bookworm Recommendations
-Nea Barabea at My Life Is A Fairytale That Will Never End
-Rachel at Unforgettable Books
-Sarah at Forever 17 Books
-The Bumble Girl at Bumbles and Fairy-Tales...
-Melissa at Melissa's Eclectic Bookshelf
-Melliane at Between dreams and reality
-Becky at Stories & Sweeties
-Mindy at Magical Urban Fantasy Reads
-Shaheen at Speculating on SpecFic 
-The Vintage Bookworm
-Jasprit and Rachel at The Readers Den
-Maja at The Nocturnal Library
-Roro at Roro Is Reading
-Carole at Carole Rae's Random Ramblings
-Ange at Libby Blog
-Chrystal at Snowdrop Dreams of Books
-Tiffany at Escaping... One Book @ a Time
-WinterHaven Books
-Kelly at Radiant Shadows YA Book Blog
-ShreShre at Chocolate Coated Reviews 
-Renae at Respiring Thoughts
-O'dell at Book Twirps 
-Rebecca at Reading Wishes
-Book Passion for Life 
-Tayteh at Reading in Paradise
-Nazish Reads   
-Jenn at A Reading Daydreamer
-Carina at Fictional Distraction
-Damaris at Good Choice Reading
-Vivian at Vivaciously, Vivian
-Lalaine at FicBookReviews (YA)
-Lauren at Lose Time Reading
-Sarah at Sarah Elizabeth's Bookshelf
-Shane at Itching for Books
-Millie at Millie D's Words
-Brandileigh at Blkosiner's YA and Teen Book Blog
-Pocketful of Books
-Marie at The Book Swarm
-In Libris veritas  
-Krazzyme at YOUNG READERS
-Amber at Du Livre
-Tabitha at Tabitha's Book Blog!
-Stephanie at *♡Stepping Out of the Page♡*
-Keertana at Ya's the Word
-Liesel at L.K.Hill
-Megan at The Book Galaxy 
-Beckie at Becca's Book Bug..... 


Eeeep.. ok, I know, I KNOW that I have missed someone and I'm SO sorry. I didn't want to name names at first because I'm afraid I'll offend someone who will blacklist me or think I don't notice/appreciate them but I just went through my last 800 comments *blank stare* and I think I'm seeing double, now. So if I missed you, please don't think you don't matter! 

THANK YOU!

I have made friends for life that I have never even met yet, I have developed friendships with people who I look forward to talking to on a daily/weekly basis! On twitter, through comments, on Facebook, you all have no idea how much this community means to me! I am overwhelmed with all the great people I have met and if I ever think back on my blog days when I'm 90 years old, it's the people and the community that I will remember! So thank you, for just being you!

Hushed Tour Stop

I have the pleasure of welcoming Kelley York as she stops by Xpresso Reads for an interview today as part of the Hushed Blog Tour, which is a book that I really enjoyed. Also, there is a chance to win a copy.

Review: Hushed by Kelley York

Hushed
Kelley York
Release date: December 6th, 2011
by Entangled Publishing

Goodreads / Purchase

He’s saved her. He’s loved her. He’s killed for her.

Eighteen-year-old Archer couldn’t protect his best friend, Vivian, from what happened when they were kids, so he’s never stopped trying to protect her from everything else. It doesn’t matter that Vivian only uses him when hopping from one toxic relationship to another—Archer is always there, waiting to be noticed.

Then along comes Evan, the only person who’s ever cared about Archer without a single string attached. The harder he falls for Evan, the more Archer sees Vivian for the manipulative hot-mess she really is.

But Viv has her hooks in deep, and when she finds out about the murders Archer’s committed and his relationship with Evan, she threatens to turn him in if she doesn’t get what she wants… And what she wants is Evan’s death, and for Archer to forfeit his last chance at redemption.

*A copy was provided by Entangled Publishing for review purposes* 

Hushed is definitely not a bedtime story! It's dark, sinister and completely unorthodox. Frankly, I thought it was brilliant! We all know Dexter, right? (Michael C. Hall <3 ) Hushed is basically a YA version of Dexter. A little less gory, a little more angst.

Everything about this book screams unconventional. The plot, the relationships, even the twists are completely unexpected because it's so different from what we're used to seeing. I found it refreshing, really. Especially in the YA genre, it's rare - and impressive - when I read a book that has an original idea and truly sticks out from the rest. A serial killer protagonist in a love triangle like you've never seen before - Kelley York has done it!

When your main character is a killer, you shouldn't expect a light read. And I can assure you that nothing in this book is light or fluffy. It initiates strong emotions that can even become uncomfortable at times - though I don't say this negatively. Archer does not have an easy life, and it's only getting worse. His mental health is going downhill fast. The harsh turns his life takes are definitely not easy to swallow. But they're appropriate, if not ideal, to give us a deeply realistic contemporary story about a guy who has made bad (really bad!) decisions. Although I may not agree with how far he went, I believe some people deserve a second chance. Ultimately, this book takes you a little out of your comfort zone, but you soon realize how innocent it really is.

Deeply intense and strangely beautiful, Hushed is an outstanding novel that will stay on your mind for a long time! With that said - Entangled Publishing seems to be continuously dishing out fantastic YA novels. Be on the lookout!

5 Hot Espresssos

Interested in more Hushed?

Drop by on December 29th for the Hushed blog tour stop!