Teaser Tuesday: Given To The Sea by Mindy McGinnis

GIVEN TO THE SEA
by Mindy McGinnis
Hardcover, 352 pages
Expected publication: April 11th 2017
by Putnam's Childrens

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Khosa is Given to the Sea, a girl born to be fed to the water, her flesh preventing a wave like the one that destroyed the Kingdom of Stille in days of old. But before she’s allowed to dance – an uncontrollable twitching of the limbs that will carry her to the shore in a frenzy – she must produce an heir. Yet the thought of human touch sends shudders down her spine that not even the sound of the tide can match.

Vincent is third in line to inherit his throne, royalty in a kingdom where the old linger and the young inherit only boredom. When Khosa arrives without an heir he knows his father will ensure she fulfills her duty, at whatever cost. Torn between protecting the throne he will someday fill, and the girl whose fate is tied to its very existence, Vincent’s loyalty is at odds with his heart.

Dara and Donil are the last of the Indiri, a native race whose dwindling magic grows weaker as the island country fades. Animals cease to bear young, creatures of the sea take to the land, and the Pietra – fierce fighters who destroyed the Indiri a generation before – are now marching from their stony shores for the twin’s adopted homeland, Stille.

Witt leads the Pietra, their army the only family he has ever known. The stone shores harbor a secret, a growing threat that will envelop the entire land – and he will conquer every speck of soil to ensure the survival of his people.

The tides are turning in Stille, where royals scheme, Pietrans march, and the rising sea calls for its Given.

     "You said yourself Merryl cannot be by your side always, and with your mate not chosen you are a target for gossip and worse. Allow me to sleep here, at your feet. If my father believes you have made your choice, it will buy you some time, and a measure of safety."

     Her face is blank, her eyes staring me down with an intensity I can bear only because of a lifetime spent with Dara. 

Page 225 - ARC copy - Not Final Copy

GIVEN TO THE SEA by Mindy McGinnis

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Review: Protégé by Lydia Michaels

Protégé
by Lydia Michaels
Kindle Edition, 231 pages
Published August 16th 2016
by Penguin Group USA

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The author of the provocative Surrender Trilogy presents a new novel of one woman’s introduction to a world of sinfully sweet submission…

For too long, French teacher Collette Banks has locked her deepest desires away in the darkest corners of her mind. But now, she’s taking matters into her own hands by applying to a secret and exclusive society devoted to matching people with their ideal partner—or partners…

Founder Jude Duval has set up strict rules for admitting people into his world. But when he interviews Collette, he finds himself breaking protocol. Her innocence disarms him. Her willingness to explore her own sensuality delights him. And her spirit challenges him—enough to take her on as his own protégé .

What starts out as Collette’s erotic awakening will draw them both in deeper than either of them could have ever imagined…

Every now and then I love getting lost in an erotica. I have to REALLY be in the mood for this genre, and I so happen to come across Protégé on NetGalley and jumped at the chance to read it. Unfortunately, this book was just okay for me. I had more issues with it than likes. One issue being I had a very HARD TIME connecting with Collette, the main female character. No matter how much I tried to see things from her point of view I still felt like she was a punching bag. She had no backbone whatsoever.

I will say that from a level 1 to 10, the sexy time in this book is a STRONG TEN! It lacked nothing in that department. I loved the secret world Lydia Michael’s created. It was very interesting.

I did like the relationship between Jude and Collette. When they were together I could deal with her. I thought they were the perfect pair.

I give PROTÉGÉ 3 stars. It was interesting enough to keep my attention and want to read till the very last word. I would be interested in trying another book in the series (if it is a series).

3 Stars!

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Review: Terminal City by Linda Fairstein

Title: Terminal City
Series: Alexandra Cooper #6
Author: Linda Fairstein
Published: January 1, 2014
Publisher: Dutton (Penguin Books, USA)
Hardcover: 400 pgs

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Linda Fairstein is well-known for illuminating the dark histories in many of New York’s forgotten corners—and sometimes in the city’s most popular landmarks. In Terminal City, Fairstein turns her attention to one of New York's most iconic structures—Grand Central Terminal.
Grand Central Terminal is the very center of the city. It’s also the sixth most visited tourist attraction in the world. From the world’s largest Tiffany clock decorating the Forty-Second Street entrance to using electric trains since the early 1900s, Grand Central has been a symbol of beauty and innovation in New York City for more than one hundred years.
But "the world’s loveliest station” is hiding more than just an underground train system, and in Terminal City Alex Cooper and Mike Chapman must contend with Grand Central’s dark secrets as well as their own changing relationship.

This is the first novel that I've ever listened to, rather than read. While I love the feel of turning an actual, physical page, I kind of had no choice once I started driving to work every day. If you ever have the chance and the time, listen to this book rather than read it. It goes by so fast and almost makes you feel like you're watching a movie in your mind!

But, I digress. Let me start by saying that this book was an incredible read. One that I actually talked about to everyone around me as I was reading it! There is action, suspense, mystery, murder...I mean, how can you really go wrong?

Alex Cooper is an Assistant District Attorney in Manhattan. She is investigating a series of murders that have been happening all around the city -- trying to find a connection between each of them. She is such an incredibly smart, kick-ass female character. I loved trying to solve the mystery right alongside her.

My favorite part of this novel (which will likely come as no surprise since I'm such a nerd) are all the facts and tidbits you learn about NYC and Grand Central Terminal. As a born and raised New Yorker, I never really gave much thought to the details about this transportation hub. As far as I was concerned, Grand Central Terminal was just another stop on my train ride. Another place I had to push through thousands of people just to get through. But Linda Fairstein has given me an entirely new appreciation for the building -- for its architecture, its design, and its history. Seriously, you will learn some really cool things about this landmark!

Overall, this novel is an amazingly written page-turner. I didn't know what was going to happen and I could barely put the book down without picking it back up again! Definitely worth your read!

5 out of 5 stars!

What'd you think of this book? Let me know!!!

Review: The Glittering Court by Richelle Mead

The Glittering Court
by Richelle Mead
Hardcover, 416 pages
Expected publication: April 5th 2016
by Razorbill

For a select group of girls, the Glittering Court offers a shot at a life they’ve only ever dreamed of, one of luxury, glamour, and leisure. To high-born Adelaide, whose wealthy family is forcing her into a loveless marriage, the Glittering Court represents something else: the chance to chart her own destiny, and adventure in an unspoiled, prosperous new land across the sea.

After a chance meeting with the dazzling Cedric Thorn, Adelaide poses as a servant to join the crop of impoverished girls he promises to transform into proper ladies. But her familiarity with upper class life comes with a price: she must hide her identity from her new friends, mysterious refugee Mira and fiery former laundress Tamsin, and most importantly, from Cedric himself—even though she’s falling in love with him.

Everything begins to crumble when Cedric discovers Adelaide’s ruse, and she catches the eye of a powerful young governor, who wants her for a wife. She didn’t leave the gilded cage of her old life behind just to become someone else's property. But nothing is as daunting—or as wonderful—as the potent, forbidden attraction simmering between Adelaide and Cedric. One that, if acted on, would make them both outcasts in a wild, dangerous, uncharted world, and possibly lead them to their deaths.

Review: Frozen Tides by Morgan Rhodes (A Falling Kingdoms Novel)

FROZEN TIDES
by Morgan Rhodes
Hardcover, 400 pages
Published December 15th 2015
by Razorbill

Rebels, royals, and monsters wage war over the Mytican throne in the shocking fourth book of the Falling Kingdoms series, from New York Times bestselling author Morgan Rhodes.

CLEO: Reeling after a bloody showdown in Limeros ending with Amara’s abduction of the water crystal, and a vacancy in the Mytican throne, Princess Cleo must cast aside her feelings and look toward her kingdom with the eyes of a Queen.

MAGNUS: With the kingdom in chaos, Princess Lucia still missing and quite possibly in danger, and a shocking realization about Cleo, the steely prince is once again torn between love and duty, leaving him wondering whether he’s strong enough to rule his people.

LUCIA: The young sorcercess has had her vengeance after the cruel death of her first and only love. Heartbroken and unable to trust anyone, she allies with the awoken Fire god, who also seeks revenge.

JONAS: After escaping death by the skin of his teeth, the defeated rebel—along with a mysterious stranger–leader reunites with Princess Cleo, only to find himself a mere pawn in a dangerous hunt for the elusive Kindred.

KING GAIUS: Abandoned by Melenia and betrayed by his own children, Gaius flees Mytica and sails to Kraeshia, where he attempts to ally with the famously brutal emperor across the Silver Sea.

FROZEN TIDES by Morgan Rhodes - Book Highlight & Giveaway!

Hey GCReaders!

I cannot believe that we are only about a month away from the release of FROZEN TIDES by Morgan Rhodes. This is a series that I am always raving about, and pushing on other bloggers/readers. I am obsessed with this series, the characters, and the world that Morgan Rhodes has created. With every book released in the series, it only gets better and better!

If you are new to this series, please do yourself the favor and buy the first three books. Binge read them before the release of FROZEN TIDES. You WILL NOT regret it. Then you can come back here and comment and rave about the series with me! :)

Or... you can enter below to win all three! :)

You can read my review of FALLING KINGDOMS >> HERE << 

Here is my review of REBEL SPRING >> HERE << 

I did not review the third in the series because there was NO WAY I was able to talk about the book and not share any spoilers. What I can say about book three, GATHERING DARKNESS, is that it is my favorite in the entire series! I absolutely loved where the story goes, and how close some of the characters become. I might actually have to do a re-read before FROZEN TIDES comes out.

The Boy Most Likely To by Huntley Fitzpatrick - #UNLOCKTHEBOY & #GIVEAWAY!

Huntley Fitzpatrick, critically acclaimed author of My Life Next Door and What I Thought Was True, heats up the summer months with The Boy Most Likely To, a sizzling tale of first love and second chances. This companion novel, set in the same world as My Life Next Door, tells the story of fan favorite Tim Mason and his tumultuous relationship with both Alice Garrett and his own rocky past. From July 28th - August 17th, readers can help unlock extra content from The Boy Most Likely To ahead of its release on August 18th! Plus, enter to win 1 of 5 signed copies of What I Thought Was True!


  The Extra Content:

• an exclusive DELETED SCENE from The Boy Most Likely To
• a BONUS PREVIEW CHAPTER from The Boy Most Likely To

Two Ways to Unlock the Extras:

• Share the Huntley Fitzpatrick sampler (featuring 4 chapters from BMLT and MLND, and 3 from WITWT) on social media with the hashtag #UnlockTheBoy: bit.ly/HuntleyFitzpatrickSampler
• Share this blog post on social media with the hashtag #UnlockTheBoy

The deleted scene and bonus chapter will be revealed once the hashtag reaches enough shares, so post as many times as you want!

About the Giveaway:

• FIVE (5) winners will be randomly selected on 8/18 (release day!) from among those using the #UnlockTheBoy hashtag across social media to win a SIGNED copy of What I Thought Was True
• US and Canada only
• Submit your name, email, and social media handles via this google form so that the team can contact you if you win (you only need to submit them once): http://goo.gl/forms/waBvPg1HNs
• Each time you use the hashtag counts as another entry -- the more you post, the more times you're entered to win!

About The Boy Most Likely To:

Surprises abound and sparks ignite in the highly anticipated, utterly romantic companion to My Life Next Door.

Tim Mason was The Boy Most Likely To:

- find the liquor cabinet blindfolded

- need a liver transplant

- drive his car into a house

Alice Garrett was The Girl Most Likely To:

- well, not date her little brother’s baggage-burdened best friend, for starters.

For Tim, it wouldn’t be smart to fall for Alice. For Alice, nothing could be scarier than falling for Tim. But Tim has never been known for making the smart choice, and Alice is starting to wonder if the “smart” choice is always the right one. When these two crash into each other, they crash hard.
Then the unexpected consequences of Tim’s wild days come back to shock him. He finds himself in a situation that isn’t all it appears to be, that he never could have predicted . . . but maybe should have.
And Alice is caught in the middle.

Told in Tim’s and Alice’s distinctive, disarming, entirely compelling voices, this return to the world of My Life Next Door is a story about failing first, trying again, and having to decide whether to risk it all once more.

GRAB YOU COPY TODAY!

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Review: Looking for Alaska by John Green

Title: Looking for Alaska
Author: John Green
Published: December 28, 2006
Publisher: Speak / Penguin Books USA
Paperback: 221 pgs

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Miles "Pudge" Halter's whole existence has been one big nonevent, and his obsession with famous last words has only made him crave the "Great Perhaps" even more. He heads off to the sometimes crazy, possibly unstable, and anything-but-boring world of Culver Creek Boarding School, and his life becomes the opposite of safe. Because down the hall is Alaska Young. The gorgeous, clever, funny, sexy, self-destructive, screwed-up, and utterly fascinating Alaska Young, who is an event unto herself. She pulls Pudge into her world, launches him into the Great Perhaps, and steals his heart. After Alaska, nothing is ever the same.

This is the third novel I've read by John Green, and I can't say that I'm disappointed in the least. I truly thought that after The Fault in our Stars, nothing would ever be as good, but I was wrong. Looking for Alaska is one of those stories that, once you've turned the last page, you want to begin reading all over again just to make sure you didn't miss anything crucial. It's a book that will transport you back to your high-school days (if you're not still there) and remind you of all the ways you felt life was so dramatic and important -- that weren't so important at all.

I took a particularly keen interest in this book because I went to boarding school myself. Much like Pudge (our main character), I thought that going away to school would give me some great sense of adventure -- some "great perhaps". I believed that the world was just out there waiting for me to experience it and I couldn't wait to get the journey started. And like Pudge, I made some incredible lifelong friends along the way -- friends that I could tell everything too, play pranks with, and develop a deep appreciation for the ways we were all different and yet every one of us the same.

And like Pudge -- I had my own "before" and "after". Meeting Alaska is the turning point in Pudge's life. She is the girl he will fall hard for, breathe for, think non-stop about, and love harder than anyone else in his life. Meeting Alaska opens his eyes to a new world -- one where he could stop memorizing the last words of other people, and begin living his own life.

There's not too much more I can say about this novel without giving away some spoilers, so I will end it with this. Looking for Alaska is such an incredible read. It's about looking for yourself, looking for your friends, looking for love, looking for life, and looking for where you fit in in this world. You'll be sad when it's over, and yet, ready to take on the "great perhaps" in your own life.

5 out of 5 stars.

Review: Love After All by Jaci Burton

Love After All

By: Jaci Burton
Published: March 31, 2015
By: Jove

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High school math teacher Chelsea Gardner has the perfect plan. She’s tired of dating all the wrong men, and after years of frustration, she’s developed a foolproof list of requirements for finding “The One.”

Bar owner Sebastian “Bash” Palmer finds Chelsea beautiful, smart and fun, but he thinks her list is ridiculous and unnecessary. Intent on proving Chelsea is looking for love in all the wrong ways, he offers to help her find the “perfect” man.

Chelsea knows Bash isn’t the right guy for her—he barely meets one of her criteria—but there’s something about the charismatic man that has her yearning for things that are most definitely not list approved.

Because sometimes, a relationship that looks totally wrong on paper can turn out incredibly right…

I don't know how to put this without sounding mean. But I absolutely love Bash and couldn't stand Chelsea. It wasn't even the end of Chapter one before I fell in love with Bash. I imagined him with a great smile and dimples. So every time he was being a smart ass or a pain in the butt to Chelsea, all I can envision was a dumb smile on his face. I loved his personality. It was easy going and funny. He's definitely the kind of guy you'd love to have as your boyfriend or even your friend. He made me laugh so much. He's a win all around. 

Then you have Chelsea. I just can't with her and her list. She created a list of things that she wants on the perfect man. Yeah you read that right, a "Perfect Man". As if he exists, and he if does, does he have a sibling for me?!! I swear if I was Chelsea's friend, I would knock her right upside her head because of that list. She was so damn annoying. Because of that list and how she carried on about it, made me not like her so much. I felt that for a grown woman, she acted very immature. The only good thing I can say about the list is that she knew what she wanted and what she didn't. But that's about it.

As you read the book, Bash "tries" to help Chelsea find the "perfect" guy. But of course that didn't work out soooo....the search continued. All the while the chemistry between these two was hot and pouring out the page. I truly enjoyed reading this book, especially when both Chelsea and Bash was in the same room. Their chemistry was intense and so funny. Ohhh before I forget I must mention one more character that was equally important as Bash and Chelsea. That was Bash's dog "Lu or Lulu", I can't remember. She was such a cutie.

Throughout the book, you'll read when Chelsea and Bash hangs out with friends. They're all funny. I laughed a lot during this book. But you'll also read as Chelsea lets her guards down and lets Bash in. Even though Chelsea annoyed me, I absolutely loved this book and I think others will too. I give Love After All a 4 stars and it's definitely a Good Choice for Reading.

An Ember In The Ashes by Sabaa Tahir - MTV.COM Excerpt Reveal & Giveaway!

Hey GCReaders!

I am seriously sitting here jumping with excitement! MTV shared an excerpt of AN EMBER IN THE ASHES by Sabaa Tahir today, and reading it reminded me of why I LOVED this book so, so, so, much!

Good Choice Reading, along with some other amazing bloggers, will be sharing a lot of post about AN EMBER IN THE ASHES leading up to it's release on April 28th!

Penguin Group/Razorbill has also thrown in an awesome prize for one lucky reader! All you have to do is follow along and enter via the rafflecopter. The giveaway is open all month long!


First, here is a little bit about the book that I am raving about...

Review: The Fault in our Stars by John Green

Title: The Fault in our Stars
Author: John Green
Published: January 10, 2012
Publisher: Penguin Books
Hardcover: 313 pgs

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Despite the tumor-shrinking medical miracle that has bought her a few years, Hazel has never been anything but terminal, her final chapter inscribed upon diagnosis. But when a gorgeous plot twist named Augustus Waters suddenly appears at Cancer Kid Support Group, Hazel's story is about to be completely rewritten.

Pull out your box of tissues and bear with me:

1) A novel about teenagers living with cancer (*sob)
2) A romantic dra-medy about teenagers falling. Love (*sob sob)
3) A novel about two sick teenagers who fall in love and go in search of their favorite author to get him to finish his last book -- and they have to figure it out before one of them dies?! (*My tissues are all gone)

This book came into my life at the perfect time. I have spent the last three weeks scouring Netflix and television to find any decent rom-com. I have yet to find any that make me fall head-over-heels in love, but which also make me laugh and cry. All the films are either too cheesy, boring, or lacking chemistry between the two main characters. Then this book came into my world -- and it has never left. I literally laughed, cried (sobbed, actually), and sighed while turning the pages of this beautifully written, but-wrenching, heart-tugging story.

The dialogue is witty and hilarious. As a mom, the idea of my child living with cancer breaks my heart. The love story between Hazel Grace and Augustus mimics a real-life Romeo and Juliet type quality, but without all the drama. Actually, despite the fact that nearly everyone is dying, the author does an incredible job of taking everything slowly and bracing you for the inevitable. You're expecting it and yet you're not, and when it comes, your heart will literally rip in half.

Thank you, John Green, for writing a novel that I wanted to re-read as soon as I closed the book. What an incredible piece of work.

5 out of 5 stars!

 

Update: The film was released on DVD on September 16, 2014. Damn straight, I went and bought it the same day. As a I sat down, glass of wine in hand, box of tissues in the other, I fell in love all over again. The movie was done so perfectly (a rarity) - capturing my emotions to a tee and making me cry like a baby. Shaileen Woodley is an amazing actress and I will watch anything she makes after her incredible performance in this film.

Did you watch the film? Do you think it was as good as the book? Let me know!!

Review: The Zodiac by Romina Russell

Title: The Zodiac
Author: Romina Russell
Published: December 9, 2014
Publisher: Penguin Books
Hardcover: 336 pgs

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Rhoma Grace is a student from House Cancer with an unusual way of reading the stars. While her classmates use measurements to make astrological predictions, Rho can’t solve for ‘x’ to save her life - so instead, she looks up at the night sky.

When a violent blast strikes the moons of Cancer, killing thousands of citizens, Rho is more surprised than anyone when she is named the House’s new leader. But, a true Cancrian who loves her home fiercely and will protect her people no matter what, Rho accepts. Then, when more Houses fall victim to freak weather catastrophes, Rho starts seeing a pattern in the stars and she must travel through the Zodiac to warn the other Guardians. But who will believe anything this young novice says? Whom can Rho trust in a universe defined by differences? And how can she convince twelve worlds to unite as one Zodiac?

This has to be one of the most unique books I've read in a long time. If you're into astrology, science fiction, or space travel, this book is a definite read.

Rho is a fabulously fierce character. She is a Cancer, by birth, and with that comes a loyalty and nurturing like no other. At every obstacle, her goal is to protect as many people as possible. At every sign of danger, all she needs to think about is home and she can get "centered" -- stronger. I loved that idea (very much like meditation) because it shows you who a character truly is at heart. Every time Rho centers herself, you feel like you're getting a brief glimpse into her soul -- and it is pure, and beautiful, and strong. I think we should all find that place that 'centers' us in life -- it puts everything into perspective.

Rho has an incredible amount of pressure thrust on her shoulders just days before her 17th birthday. Considering she has to serve as the Guardian of an entire sign, she handles it pretty well!

The zodiac aspect of this book is also extremely fascinating. I read my horoscope every now and then, but I definitely wouldn't say I'm an expert at signs or their traits. I enjoyed reading how different characters interacted with each other based on their signs.

I must forewarn GCReaders, though, there is a love triangle in this book. I know, I know...we've all seen them a million times before. But I must say -- I didn't entirely hate this one. Both of the men in Rho's life are good-hearted and easy to fall in love with. It's easy to see how she could be caught between both. Plus, she's seventeen -- I mean, it's easy to fall in love with anything that smiles when you're that age!

Romina Russell's book is well thought out, had great action scenes, and despite the heavy amount of space lingo, didn't lose me (too much). I look forward to seeing what else Russell has in store.

4 out of 5 stars

Review: Misunderstandings by Tiffany King

Misunderstandings
by Tiffany King
Expected publication: May 6th 2014
by Berkley Trade

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Just when she thought things were going up…

Two years after a devastating breakup, Brittni Mitchell has moved on from Justin Avery—or so she tells herself. But when she returns to Seattle for her best friend’s engagement party, Brittni finds herself the victim of a disastrously timed elevator breakdown. She’s trapped with the last person she wants to face, and forced to recount the past she desperately wants to forget.

She’s going to have to look back…

When Brittni left her Podunk hometown for a big city college experience at the University of Washington, hooking up with a guy like Justin Avery was not part of her plan. Between Justin’s attention-grabbing tattoos, cigarette smoking, and bad boy attitude Brittni quickly chalked him up as Mr. Wrong.” But his charm was unrelenting, and Brittni’s decision to give Justin a chance quickly turned into the worst choice she ever made.

So that she might be able to move forward.

Now she’s stuck with Justin—literally—and the complicated web of misunderstandings that tied up the truth for two years is about to unravel.

Who has ever ended a relationship due to misunderstandings? Well that's exactly what this book is about. Can you imagine getting stuck in an elevator for hours? I would die. But imagine stuck in an elevator with an ex? And one that you broke up with on bad terms? It's a disaster in the making.

So in Misunderstandings the book is mostly them being stuck in the elevator and speaking to each other for the first time in two years. In this book there's alternating chapters. One chapter is of the past, then the other is of the present. And whatever is revealed from the past, you'll see them deal with it in the present. You'll see when their walls crumble and finally come to the realization that their relationship ended because of a Misunderstanding. Through revelations they'll finally show how much they really care for one another.

I really enjoyed the main characters in this book. They were down-to-earth and realistic. Their attitudes and their way of dealing with things were very real. Brittini was a bit of a firecracker. She wasn't one to fall for a guy because of his good looks and swag. Her guards were always up and was on point when she met Justin. Granted, she thought he was good looking but she wasn't falling for his "Player" charm. At times, I felt like booping her on the head because she was overly cautious. I wanted to tell her to relax a bit, but I liked her. She wasn't a bimbo.

I had a good time reading Justin's character. I liked that he had tattoos and had a reputation. But he was nothing like what you think he would be. Yes, he had girls throwing themselves at him but he wasn't a bad boy. Like most tattooed bad boys in books, they're almost always into music. But not Justin, he was into art. He drew and that's what made me like him more. He was different. The author gave him a soft side that made me fall in love with him.

I breezed through this book. It was an easy and fast read. It captivates you from the beginning and it never dragged. Mrs. King did NOT disappoint in this book. Justin and Brittini will have you rooting for them from Chapter one. I give Misunderstandings a 4.5 stars it's definitely a Good Choice for Reading!!

Blog Tour: Review/Interview -- #Scan by Sarah Fine & Walter Jury

Scan
by Sarah Fine, Walter Jury
Hardcover, 336 pages
Published May 1st 2014 by Putnam Children's

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Tate and his father don’t exactly get along. As Tate sees it, his father has unreasonably high expectations for Tate to be the best—at everything. Tate finally learns what he’s being prepared for when he steals one of his dad’s odd tech inventions and mercenaries ambush the school, killing his father in the process and sending Tate on the run from aliens who look just like humans.

All Tate knows--like how to make weapons out of oranges and lighter fluid--may not be enough to save him as he’s plunged into a secret inter-species conflict that’s been going on for centuries. Aided only by his girlfriend and his estranged mother, with powerful enemies closing in on all sides, Tate races to puzzle out the secret behind his father’s invention and why so many are willing to kill for it. A riveting, fast-paced adventure, Scan is a clever alien thriller with muscle and heart.

What can I say about this here book??? We meet Tate, a teenager who does not get along with his father. In fact they have a pretty crappy relationship. All Tate wants is his father's approval and his father has set these EXTREMELY high expectations for his son. He pushes his son to be the best at everything much to the annoyance of Tate. Eventually you discover that he has a good reason for all the pressure he places on Tate. Tate's mother walked out on him and his father and Tate does not have a strong with relationship with her either.

The initial start of this book was a bit of a struggle and was rather slow for me. There were scientific words thrown into the mix that I found myself stumbling over in a sad attempt to pronounce them. I found that rather frustrating, borderline annoying in fact. However, once you get over these initial humps the story picks up and pretty much stays up. Let me just say that the action starts almost immediately after we get introduced to Tate, his father and their volatile relationship. That is what made me begin to like this book a lot more. Tragedy strikes and Tate, along with his girlfriend must figure out whom to trust and that includes his estranged mother. All of this starts because Tate "borrows" an invention from his father's lab out of spite and brought it to school.

The biggest thing I liked about this book is it did not take place in an apocalyptic world. Every sci-fi/alien/fantasy book does not have to take place in a fantasy world or one ravaged by war. I truly believe the authors did a great job with this. Tate is a clever, determined teenager, hell bent on finding out the secrets his father kept and comes to the realization that his father was preparing him for something bigger than a simple karate competition. The book does end with a bit of a cliff hanger which I do not like. There are many questions that have still yet to be answered which only means we are in for quite possibly a trilogy.

I highly recommend this book if you are a lover of aliens, strong leading characters and a HUGE mystery. Even though I struggled with this book I did grow to like it and I am excited to see what adventures await in the second installment.

When did you realize that you wanted to become a writer? What was the very first thing you ever wrote?

I never set out to be a writer, but as a creative producer, I am supervising and working with writers all the time.  It felt very natural to take a story that I loved and conceived and work with a brilliant co-author to write together.  

The first story that I remember writing was in 2nd Grade.  Around the holidays, my 2nd grade teacher assigned us to write a story in class about what would happen if you woke up and witnessed Santa Claus in your house.  In my story, I wrote that I would break Rudolph loose and kidnap him to keep in my closet.  The teacher made me, and only me, read my story to the entire class.  She loved it and must have thought it was pretty good.  She was a very tough customer and was usually pretty mean so that was a huge compliment.  (On a tangent, I know she was mean because one time we were doing an assignment and I raised my hand because I felt very ill.  She yelled that I should put my hand down.  Within a minute I proceeded to vomit all over my desk.  LOL.  She probably regretted yelling at me that time.)

Who do you most admire?

Abe Lincoln.  Leaders are tasked with so many extraordinary feats.  Lincoln not only rose to the occasion, but he suffered through a life of devastating adversities in order to achieve great accomplishments that he believed in wholeheartedly.  I admire not just the accomplishments, but the daily grind that he must have endured in order to face each day and the challenges set forth before him.  

What is your favorite book of all time that you can reread a hundred times, and it still feels like the first time?

I love Q: A NOVEL by Evan Mandery.  Truly a spectacular book--it blends time travel, with romance, with New York City, with a wonderful love story, and real stakes.  I can pick up certain passages in that novel at any moment and it brings me to either uprroarious laughter and/or a stream of tears.  It is also very grounded and feels like it could be real, yet blends some sci-fi time-travel in seamlessly.  The love story is epic and few books will ever pack such an emotional punch by the end.  I don't know if it is my favorite book of all time--I don't know if I can name just one--but it certainly is in the conversation.   

What scene was your favorite to write?

My favorite scene to write was the closing action sequence that is the climax of the novel and of our protagonist, Tate's, individual arc through this chapter of his life that culminates with the end of this first book in the series.  Not to give away any major plot points, but it is a combination of cinematic action in a blockbuster setting, heavyweight action sequences, clever character acts, and a visible and emotional coming of age for our hero.  I thought it was fun to be creative with such a vast setting and to put forth this type of action set piece in a book setting, as opposed to my day job where I focus on creating these types of cinematic moments for films.  

How different would you say the final version of SCAN, is from the first draft?

Our editor, Stacey Barney, is brilliant, as are our agents, Joanna Volpe and Kathleen Ortiz.  They all helped us make the novel as great as we could possibly write it.  Stacey, in particular, really pushed us to get this book to a place where it really hums and everything is set for the reader to discover and take pleasure in.  With such an extensive back story of aliens landing on Earth prior to the advent of modern technology, we had to work to weave in certain pieces of information so that the story not only kept our audience informed, but kept the tension at the taut levels we believed our characters would be experiencing.  

THIS OR THAT

Cat or Dog? Dog.

Ice cream or Sorbet? Ice Cream.

Heels or flats?  Air Jordans.

Knives or sword? Knives.

Coffee or Tea? Gatorade.

Iced tea or hot tea? Ice cold water.

Snow or rain? Snow.

Movies at home or Movie Theater? Movie Theater.

Soda or Juice? Smoothie.

Twitter or Facebook? Twitter.

Actual book or eReader? Actual book.

Actual book or Audiobook? Actual book.

Spring or Summer? Summer.

Fall or winter? Fall.

Long Sleeves or Short Sleeves? Short Sleeves.

Young Adult or New Adult? Young Adult.

Vampires or Werewolves?  Robots.

Ghost or Zombies?  Zombies.

Action movies or Chick flicks? Action flicks.

Horror movies or Mystery movies? Mystery movies.

Mountain views or Ocean views? Ocean views. 

Walter Jury was born in London, has a background in the film industry, is a big fan of the New York Giants, and is an enthusiast of Jamba Juice’s Protein Berry Workout smoothie only with soy, never whey. Scan is his first book for teens. Oh, and under his real name, he’s a producer of one of 2014’s biggest blockbusters. Let’s just say he “diverges” in his career from film to literature quite well.

S. E. Fine was born on the West Coast, raised in the Midwest, and is now firmly entrenched on the East Coast, where she lives with her husband and two children. She’s a clinical child psychologist and the author of the YA fantasy series Guards of the Shadowlands.
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