BEST YA BOOKS OF 2014 AWARDS!!
Labels:
Young Adult
·
With so many amazing YA titles this year I couldn't simply pick 1 favourite book. So I've decided the award some of my favourite books of 2014 is various categories!
So without further ado…
BEST SCI-FI / DYSTOPIAN
This was the most difficult category for me to choose a winner, as this is basically a list of some of my favourite books of 2014!!
And the nominees are…
Corruption by Jessica Shirvington
A Thousand Pieces of You by Claudia Gray
This Shattered World by Amie Kaufman & Meagan Spooner
Uninvited by Sophie Jordan
The One by Kiera Cass
And the winner is...
Okay so it's a tie!!
Corruption by Jessica Shirvington
A Thousand Pieces of You by Claudia Gray
I just couldn't decide between these two, I just loved the sci-fi elements in both books!
BEST CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE
I love a sweet YA contemporary romance.
And the nominees are…
The Intern by Gabriella Tozar
On The Fence by Kasie West
The Fine Art Of Pretending by Rachel Harris
The Secret Diary Of Lizzie Bennet by Kate Rorick & Bernie Su
Take Me On by Katie McGarry
And the winner is...
On The Fence by Kasie West
I always love a friends to lovers storyline, and this is one of the best! Their midnight convos over the fence were so sweet I was just grinning while reading this book!
BEST FANTASY/PARANORMAL
I didn't read that many paranormal books this year, which is a little shocking.
But these are the best of the ones I did read!
And the nominees are…
The Falconer by Elizabeth May
White Hot Kiss by Jennifer Armentrout
Captivate by Vanessa Garden
The Winner's Curse by Marie Rutkoski
Talon by Julie Kagawa
And the winner is...
White Hot Kiss by Jennifer Armentrout
I couldn't go past the uniqueness of this book. Anyone who can make gargoyles sexy has a gift.
BEST AUSTRALIAN TITLE
So many amazing Aussie YA books came out this year!
And the nominees are…
Corruption by Jessica Shirvington
Every Word by Ellie Marney
This Shattered World by Amie Kaufman & Meagan Spooner
The Intern by Gabriella Tozar
Captivate by Vanessa Garden
And the winner is...
Corruption by Jessica Shirvington
Tough choice this one, but Corruption was such as awesome end to the series!
BEST COVER DESIGN
So many pretty gorgeous cover designs.
These are my favourite YA covers for 2014
And the nominees are…
This Shattered World by Amie Kaufman & Meagan Spooner
Disruption by Jessica Shirvington
A Thousand Pieces of You by Claudia Gray
Talon by Julie Kagawa
The Winner's Curse by Marie Rutkoski
The Jewel by Amy Ewing
Winterspell by Claire Legrand
Impulse by Vanessa Garden
The One by Kiera Cass
The Kiss Of Deception by Mary E. Pearson
And the winner is...
A Thousand Pieces of You by Claudia Gray
I just love the beautiful watercolour treatment, and best of all the cover perfectly depicts the story!
BEST HEROINE
Corruption by Jessica Shirvington
I loved Maggie's kickass heroics. She may not have any super powers or paranormal abilities, but wow could she kick some ass! And bonus marks for tasering a guy in the balls! ;)
BEST HERO
On The Fence by Kasie West
Bradan is one of the 'good guys' and I just adored him. He didn't have to be an arrogant ass to the heroine to win her heart, he just had to be her friend *swoooooon*
BEST KISS
Every Word by Ellie Marney
Wow this kiss set me on fire! It's not glossy and perfect, it's deep and rippling with desperation and teen angst. It was so intense I felt I needed a cigarette afterwards.
The Intern by Gabriella Tozar
Such a fabulous debut novel, and am looking forward to reading many more books by Gabby!
The Fine Art Of Pretending by Rachel Harris
I just love me some teen angst and I LOVE LOVE LOVED all the delicious angst between Aly & Brandon! Any book where the heroine launches 'Operation Sex Appeal' to catch a boyfriend with the help of a boy that's a friend…oh you just know there will be angst aplenty!
BEST DEBUT
Such a fabulous debut novel, and am looking forward to reading many more books by Gabby!
BEST TEEN ANGST
I just love me some teen angst and I LOVE LOVE LOVED all the delicious angst between Aly & Brandon! Any book where the heroine launches 'Operation Sex Appeal' to catch a boyfriend with the help of a boy that's a friend…oh you just know there will be angst aplenty!
MOST UNDERATED
Every Word by Ellie Marney
Ellie Marney is seriously underrated, especially internationally. What could be better than an urban YA Sherlock inspired series?! Ellie's writing is gritty and realistic, and I can't wait for the third book in the series. And if you're not convinced yet…don't forget I also awarded Mycroft & Watts Best Kiss of 2014, so yeah, read this series!
(1st book just releases in US this year!)
AND HERE'S THE BIG ONE...
BEST YA BOOK OF 2014
*DRUM ROLL*
And the winner is...
CORRUPTION BY JESSICA SHIRVINGTON!!
It was a difficult choice, but overall this series had it all for me; epic romance, beautiful writing, intense storyline, and a kickass heroine. I can't speak highly enough of Jessica Shirvington's books, they are simply brilliant!
So those are my picks for 2014
Are there any I've missed or any titles I should of read this year?
{Release Day + GIVEAWAY} Path Of Destruction by C.Quinn & E.Lee
Labels:
Caisey Quinn,
Contemporary Romance,
Elizabeth Lee,
Giveaway,
Young Adult
·
Title: Path Of Destruction
Series: Broken Heartland #2
Author: Casey Quinn & Elizabeth Lee
Published: 23rd Dec 2014
Age Group: Young Adult
Genre: Contemporary Roamnce
Source: eARC provided by authors for fair & honest review
Rating: 4/5
BLURB:
They ignored the warning signs and it cost them everything...
At the end of a life-changing summer a devastating tornado hit the small town of Hope’s Grove, Oklahoma.
While the brick suburban mansions of Summit Bluffs saw very little damage, their occupants weren’t so lucky. As the members of both communities struggle to put the pieces of their lives back together, lies will be told, truths will be revealed, and nothing will ever be the same. The road to recovery is long and paved with past hurts and future heartbreaks.
They ignored the warning signs, and one of them didn’t make it out alive. The four that remain know they’d be crazy to think the storms are actually over..
Because it’s just when you think you’re safe that you find yourself right in the path of destruction.
EXCERPT:
I’d always heard that your entire life flashes before your eyes right before you die. Now, I can honestly say that it’s true. Well, almost true. It’s more like your mind flips through a mental photo album of all the things you’d done and the people you’d met—a birthday party, the first time you drove, someone’s face when you told them they’d never be as pretty as you, your mother’s reprimanding glare when you didn’t win the pageant title you were supposed to, you as a little girl waiting on the front steps for your father to come home—it’s all there. The good, the bad, the ugly. All of it.
You can try to focus on the good—like the face of the person you loved—but it’s no use. Whether you want to or not, you see it all. It must be God’s way of letting you see what he saw so you aren’t surprised when you end up on the other side in Hell. Which is exactly where I’d assumed I’d just booked a first class ticket too.
I was too weak to fight it—to argue that I was in fact a good person—once the storm decided that I was going to be one of its victims, there was nothing I could do but try to hold on to the face of the one person I was sure I’d never see again.
Served me right. I shouldn’t have waited to tell him how I felt. I should have told him the moment I felt it. The moment I realized that despite what I’d done in my past, I was a better person just for loving him.
As the darkness and quiet started to surround me, I knew that it was too late to beg for forgiveness now. Instead, I just closed my eyes and prayed for mercy.
You can try to focus on the good—like the face of the person you loved—but it’s no use. Whether you want to or not, you see it all. It must be God’s way of letting you see what he saw so you aren’t surprised when you end up on the other side in Hell. Which is exactly where I’d assumed I’d just booked a first class ticket too.
I was too weak to fight it—to argue that I was in fact a good person—once the storm decided that I was going to be one of its victims, there was nothing I could do but try to hold on to the face of the one person I was sure I’d never see again.
Served me right. I shouldn’t have waited to tell him how I felt. I should have told him the moment I felt it. The moment I realized that despite what I’d done in my past, I was a better person just for loving him.
As the darkness and quiet started to surround me, I knew that it was too late to beg for forgiveness now. Instead, I just closed my eyes and prayed for mercy.
GIVEAWAY:
(5) Print Copies of STORM WARNING
Check out the first book in the series
STORM WARNING
ONLY $.99!
Series: Broken Heartland #1
Author: E. Lee and C. Quinn
Age Group: YA
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Published: 12th Dec 2013
Goodreads | Amazon | BN
BLURB:
Sometimes you can’t see the storm coming until it’s too late...
Severe Storm Warning Tip #1:
Be alert to changing weather conditions. Look for approaching storms.
Severe Storm Warning Tip #2:
If you see approaching storms or any of the danger signs, be prepared to take shelter immediately.
Severe Storm Warning Tip #3:
They may strike quickly, with little or no warning.
Situated just outside of Oklahoma City, Calumet County is divided into two drastically different communities: Hope’s Grove and Summit Bluffs. One is the small backward town where dirt roads lead the way to field parties and railroad tracks. And the other, a sprawling suburb where paved drives lead to the landscaped lawns of the wealthy and over privileged. For five teenagers smack in the middle of Tornado Alley, summer is heating up fast. The winds of change are blurring the invisible line that divides the rich and the rural.
One has a secret.
One has a crush.
One has been lying.
One will get caught.
And one might not make it out alive. They’re from two different worlds…but one summer is about to change everything.
Severe Storm Warning Tip #1:
Be alert to changing weather conditions. Look for approaching storms.
Severe Storm Warning Tip #2:
If you see approaching storms or any of the danger signs, be prepared to take shelter immediately.
Severe Storm Warning Tip #3:
They may strike quickly, with little or no warning.
Situated just outside of Oklahoma City, Calumet County is divided into two drastically different communities: Hope’s Grove and Summit Bluffs. One is the small backward town where dirt roads lead the way to field parties and railroad tracks. And the other, a sprawling suburb where paved drives lead to the landscaped lawns of the wealthy and over privileged. For five teenagers smack in the middle of Tornado Alley, summer is heating up fast. The winds of change are blurring the invisible line that divides the rich and the rural.
One has a secret.
One has a crush.
One has been lying.
One will get caught.
And one might not make it out alive. They’re from two different worlds…but one summer is about to change everything.
SERIES INFO:
Whether you believe in destiny, divine intervention, or just plain ol' dumb luck, several things happened in 2013 that caused E. Lee and C. Quinn's paths to cross. It may have been that the stars aligned perfectly, or the fact anytime Luke Bryan was mentioned on a social media site both of them were tagged, or maybe it was just that their small town roots and country girl attitudes were magnetically drawn together—calling out to one another, “Y'all should write a book!” Despite geography keeping them apart—Lee in Illinois and Quinn in Alabama—they did. Thanks to three-hour phone calls, ridiculous amounts of online chats, and umpteen Google Docs—Storm Warning is the first book in their edgy new Young Adult series, Broken Heartland.
Website | Twitter | Facebook | Pinterest
ABOUT E.LEE
Born and raised in the middle of a Midwestern cornfield (not literally, that would be weird), I’ve spent my entire life imagining stories. Stories where the right guy always gets the right girl, first kisses are as magical as they are on the big screen and anything is completely possible if you believe. Although this journey began years ago, it recently took on a whole new life. After years of devouring hundreds of Romance, YA and New Adult novels, I had an epiphany... I should write a book. And I did it! If I’m not reading, writing, enjoying drinks with my amazing group of girlfriends or chasing around a sarcastically funny kid, I’m probably watching television shows that were created for teenagers, while my husband teases that I’m too old to watch them. Connect with Elizabeth:
Facebook | Twitter | Website
ABOUT C.QUINN
Caisey Quinn lives in Birmingham, Alabama with her husband, daughter, and other assorted animals. She is the bestselling author of the Kylie Ryans series as well as several New Adult Romance novels featuring country girls finding love in unexpected places. You can find her online at www.caiseyquinnwrites.com
{ARC Review} Path Of Destruction by Casey Quinn & Elizabeth Lee
Labels:
4 Stars,
ARC,
Book Review,
Caisey Quinn,
Contemporary Romance,
Elizabeth Lee,
Young Adult
·
Series: Broken Heartland #2
Author: Casey Quinn & Elizabeth Lee
Published: 24th Dec 2014
Age Group: Young Adult
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Source: eARC provided by authors for fair & honest review
Rating: 4/5
BLURB:
They ignored the warning signs and it cost them everything...
At the end of a life-changing summer a devastating tornado hit the small town of Hope’s Grove, Oklahoma.
While the brick suburban mansions of Summit Bluffs saw very little damage, their occupants weren’t so lucky. As the members of both communities struggle to put the pieces of their lives back together, lies will be told, truths will be revealed, and nothing will ever be the same. The road to recovery is long and paved with past hurts and future heartbreaks.
They ignored the warning signs, and one of them didn’t make it out alive. The four that remain know they’d be crazy to think the storms are actually over..
Because it’s just when you think you’re safe that you find yourself right in the path of destruction.
Path Of Destruction is filled with overwhelming grief and pain, but leaves you with a sense of hope that the future can be brighter for all the characters.
So I have decided to write a SPOILER FREE review for this book, which means I am very limited in what I can say. I'm not going to mention any specific characters as that will obviously reveal who didn't die is the last book.
REVIEW:
The story:
Okay so at the end of book 1, Storm Warning, we are left hanging. We know one of the five main characters was killed in the storm, but WHO?! Well we find out early on and of course it's absolutely heartbreaking. The four remaining characters are all affected by the death, and they each handle their grief in very different ways. Some shutdown and push their loved ones away. While others turn to each other for comfort. But all of them struggle with the loss and it results in a lot of hurt between all of them. All of their futures are riddled with uncertainty and at times it was almost too painful to continue reading. We are left with another cliffhanger, but not as tragic as last time. The next book is sure to bring us even more FEELS and I have no idea who everyone will end up with. To be honest I have no idea who I WANT everyone to end up with. All I know is that I just want everyone to get a happy ending (YOU HEAR ME QUINN & LEE!!)
The romance:
Let's just say the romance get so much more complicated in this book and I am a complete mess. There are so many possibilities for each of the characters and I feel the confusion that each of them feel. They've been hurt and had their hearts broken, and all of them are reluctant to trust their feelings or put their hearts on the line again. The next book is going to be very interesting to see what happens with the interwoven relationships!
The writing:
Caisey & Elizabeth seriously know how to inject MAJOR FEELS into their writing. I spent the entire book in an emotional fog. I felt all the grief, hurt and confusion that each character felt right along with them. I will be sending my therapy bills to them both.
FINAL WORD:
Path Of Destruction is filled with overwhelming grief and pain, but leaves you with a sense of hope that the future can be brighter for all the characters. The Broken Heartland series is not for faint hearted and will leave in an emotional pit of of despair, holding your breath for the next book!
CONTENT:
Sexuality: medium-heavy / heavy kissing, detailed fondling, nudity, fade to black sex
Violence: mild / some minor punch ups
Language: medium / several f words
Drugs & alcohol: medium / underage drinking and some minor drug use
NA Christmas Blog Hop + GIVEAWAY: Stina Lindenblatt
Labels:
Stina Lindenblatt
·
It's a New Adult Christmas!
Thanks for joining us as we celebrate the holidays with thirteen New Adult authors. Check out every stop leading up to December 24 to get excerpts, exclusive content, and hopefully a cutie under the mistletoe! Be sure to enter the rafflecopter to win a grand prize pack of an ebook from every author!
Title: Let Me Know
Title: Let Me Know
Series: Lost In You #2
Author: Stina Lindenblatt
Published: 1st Sept 2014
Age Group: New Adult
Genre: Contemporary Romance
BLURB
This shouldn't be happening again…
Amber Scott thought her screaming nightmares would end now that her stalker is locked up and awaiting trial. But they return when her slam-dunk case starts to fall apart. Explicit letters she allegedly wrote surface, suggesting she was the mastermind behind her assault, a willing victim.
Amber only feels safe in the arms of her boyfriend Marcus, the one person she can lean on. Until damning evidence from Marcus's past collides with the case and the media circus drags them both down. To protect Amber's reputation, Marcus has only one option: end their relationship. He won't risk further damage to her case, even if it means breaking her heart.
Amber has to find the strength to step into the spotlight and bring awareness to victims' rights before she's convicted in the court of public opinion. And she's really not sure what's worse—that her kidnapper could walk free, or that the seemingly endless attention and speculation will drive Marcus away permanently…
See how it all began for Amber and Marcus in Tell Me When.
***BONUS SCENE***
When I was younger, and believed in Santa, I would wake up at four every Christmas morning. I would then sneak into Michael’s room, and we would tiptoe downstairs to check out the presents Santa had left while we slept. I never had to wake my brother. He was always waiting for me.
Like the little girl I used to be, I wake to find my alarm clock glowing 4:00 a.m. While I’m no longer the girl with the brother eagerly waiting for her, I’m still the girl who sneaks downstairs to peek at her gifts.
And in this case, Marcus.
We haven’t had a chance to be intimate since he arrived less than forty-eight hours ago, beyond small, chaste kisses or hugs. After almost losing him, I’m happy we can have even those. But they haven’t been enough to stop my nightmares.
The only sound greeting me as I creep downstairs is the soft thud of my bare feet against carpeted steps, and the slight rustle of my pink satin robe. Underneath is one of my gifts to Marcus: matching pink satin panties and bra.
The soles of my feet touch the cold tile floor and I pause. Once I’m positive Mom’s mom senses haven’t kicked in, and she’s realized what I’m up to, I tiptoe toward the guest room and inch the door open. The room is dark, other than the faint glow from the Christmas lights next door.
As my eyes adjust to the darkness, I spot Marcus sleeping. I stand in the doorway, wondering how I got so lucky. If I hadn’t been failing my math class last term, I might never have given him a chance. A chance to prove he’s more than the sexed-up guy everyone assumes he is. While I might not be thrilled that so many girls on campus are intimately familiar with his body, a warmth floods through me at the thought that he’s mine.
“Are you planning to stand there staring at me,” Marcus murmurs, “or did you have something else in mind?” His tone is teasing and edged with a desire to do things to my body. Things that will leave me beyond satisfied. My breath hitches and I struggle not to melt away.
ABOUT STINA LENDENBLATT
SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS
GIVEAWAY
Sydney Author Event Wrap Up!
So I've been waiting for this event for over a year, and I can't happily say it was so worth the wait! This was my first big author event and it was so exciting to see so many amazing authors and readers share in our love of books.
Thank you to all the organisers and authors who made the day such a success and I can only hope that this will become and annual event!
So 5am Saturday morning I packed up my books and I made the train trip up to Sydney. Here is a before and after shot of my luggage…
SO. MANY. BOOKS.
I also met the new love of my life, Liam Hemsworth.
But Drake just couldn't help but photobomb our romantic photo.
BOOK HAUL!
Here are all the awesome books I picked up over the weekend…just one problem, I have nowhere to put them all now?! Every single author I met was so lovely and took the time to chat, fangirl and take photos.
Rachel Brookes
I have to say I was especially excited to meet the awesome Rachel Brookes. After reading and loving her books, and chatting to her online for over a year, I couldn't wait to meet her. And she was even more lovely in person that I could have expected!!
And um *scuffs foot* see that banner behind us? I may have designed that and the postcards on the table there. It was kind of awesome to see my designs at a real life event :)
Jenn Sterling
Jenn was so bubbly and exciting, you can't help but smile while talking with her. She's also kind of tall, although according to her I'm "so cute and little" haha! Her accent actually reminded me of the receptionist, Linda from the TV show Becker ;)
And look Drake decided to photo bomb me again!
And look Drake decided to photo bomb me again!
Samantha Young
Samantha's series is one of my all time favourites and I couldn't wait to fangirl over her in person! She was so lovely and just I adore her accent!
CJ Duggan
CJ was the first author I saw and she was so lovely! I was also lucky enough to be one of the first 20 to at her table and scored these adorable buttons, poster and nail file! Her books are fabulous and I'm so excited for her to have signed a book deal with Hachette!
Jay McLean
Awesome books and awesome author…anyone who bids over $200 for a cardboard cutout of Liam Hemsworth must be pretty kickass!
Lilliana Anderson
I loved reading her book that was set in Sydney and it was so cool that I'd actually been the the bar that was mentioned in the book! Lilliana was generous with her time and chatted with everyone over lunch too! We had a very in-depth discussion over the parmesan shortbread with mushy peas :P
Elle Casey
Loved that Elle made the trip over with her hubby, they both chatted and were really lovely people! Plus I now have a few spare glasses cloths - I even gave one to my mum - the look on her face was priceless ;)
Jennifer Ryder
I missed the pre-orders for her books for this event so I had to buy it online - I actually ended up surprises her that I already had the book, as she didn't know it was available online yet! :)
Laurelin Paige
Cassia Leo
Kasey Millstead
Maya Banks
R.K. Lilley
As there were so many authors, it wasn't possible to have a book from each author, so I collected signatures from each of them to frame:
AND...AND...FREE BOOKS THAT CAME IN THE GOODY BAGS!!!
THANKS YOU!!
Such an amazing weekend! I also got to briefly see some Twitter friends Keely and Pavan in the mad rush around CJ Duggan's table! My sister & I then finished of the day with Lindt ice cream while watching the fireworks over Darling Harbour!!
The Sydney Author Event was such as success and I can't tell you how much fun I had! The only low point was when I tripped up the stair right in front of the Firefighter's (selling fundraiser calendars). If my life was a novel, one of them would have caught me ;)
{Review} Off Season by Sawyer Bennett
Labels:
4 Stars,
Contemporary Romance,
New Adult,
Sawyer Bennett
·
Title: Off Season
Series: The Off Series #5.5 (Novella)
Author: Sawyer Bennett
Published: 2nd Dec 2014
Age Group: New Adult
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Source: Purchased as part of the Naughty & Nice Holiday Collection on Amazon
Rating: 4/5
BLURB:
What happens when a one-night stand turns into a long distance friendship, and yet both yearn for more?
Cady Dunne decided to roll the dice when she jumped into bed with sexy, professional hockey player, Zane Kavanaugh. It was supposed to be a one-night stand and then it was supposed to be over.
After returning home to Dublin, Cady in a million years never imagined Zane would reach out to her. It was beyond comprehension to Zane that he would actually develop a close relationship with the Irish beauty forged over countless emails, texts and phone calls.
But when feelings get deeper and they are both ready to take the next step, how do they get past the fact that there is an ocean separating their lives?
Maybe all they really need is a Christmas miracle…
Maybe all they really need is a Christmas miracle…
Off Season is a sexy little Christmas novella which can be read both as a companion to the other Off Series books or read completely separate!
REVIEW:
The story:
Visiting her family in the US, Cady's stay is only temporary and will soon be returning home to Dublin. In an uncharacteristic move she jumps into a one night stand with sexy hockey player Zane. But when the morning comes, they both feel reluctant to let go. Zane makes the first move, sending Cady an email, which initiates a long distance friendship filled with endless emails, texts and late night phone calls. Neither of them believe a long distance relationship can work so they settle for 'friends', but how long can that last until they both start wanting something more?
The characters:
Cady is sweet, kind and driven in her career, but she's also very careful with her heart. She doesn't want to commit to something that may never happen.
Zane is more carefree, but when it comes to his relationship with Cady, he becomes quite sensitive and very tuned into her emotions, which I absolutely loved to see from such a masculine sporty hero.
The romance:
Romances in novellas are often filled with insta love and feel very rushed. But that was really the case with these two. Because we spend a decent amount of time with them exchanging emails and texts, we get to see their relationship grow with the physical elements making the love feel like lust. Once they do meet up we are treated to some sexy scenes too ;)
The writing:
Sawyer did an awesome job making the connect between the characters believed in the short space of a novella. This a perfect addition to her Off Series, BUT you certainly don't have to of read any other books in the series to read Off Season. Cady *& Zane are completely separate characters, and although characters from other books are mentioned it's only like, "we had dinner with my cousin" etc.
FINAL WORD:
Off Season is a sexy little Christmas novella which can be read both as a companion to the other Off Series books or read completely separate!
CONTENT:
Sexuality: medium-strong / sex scenes
Violence: none
Language: medium-strong / several f words
Drugs & alcohol: mild
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