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Remnants: Season of Wonder (The Remnants #1) by Lisa T. Bergren. April 8, 2014. Blink. Goodreads.

Andriana is a Remnant, one of the gifted teens born on the seventh day during the seventy-seventh Harvest after the Great War, and destined to act as humanity’s last shield against the horrors that now plague those who remain.

After years of training in stealth and warfare, Andriana and her Knight protector, Ronan, are finally ready to answer the Call and begin the life they were designed for. But as they embark with the other Remnants on the first of their assignments, they quickly discover that the world beyond their protected Valley home is more dangerous than they imagined.

The Sons of Sheol will stop at nothing to prevent Dri and Ronan from rescuing anyone sympathetic to the Remnants’ cause. And as the Remnants attempt to battle the demonic forces, other enemies close in. Dangers intensify, but so do Dri’s feelings for Ronan–the one emotion she is not meant to feel. In the midst of their mission, Andriana must find a way to master her feelings, or risk compromising everything.

I am stop #5 for this awesome new book from Lisa T. Bergren! If you’ve followed my blog for awhile then you know I’m a fan of Lisa’s. Her RIVER OF TIME series is still one of my all time favorites. But today I’m excited to introduce you to her newest YA book, Remnants: Season of Wonder, which comes out on the 8th of this month. It’s dystopian with what I feel as a little fantasy vibe. I loved it! My 5 of 5 STARS review will be up tomorrow.

For my part of the tour I happily signed on to share a ROMANTIC scene. Shocker I know. 😉 Enjoy! Look at the end of the post for the giveaway.

A scene from REMNANTS: SEASON OF WONDER, by Lisa T. Bergren:

We entered our room, and I knew if we’d had a door, Ronan would have wanted to slam it. He looked at me in fury, his hands waving as though he wanted to shake me.

“What was that?” he whispered fiercely.

“That was a conversation. Fact finding,” I whispered back.

“Fact finding? I’d call it flirtation.”

“Oh, it was not.”

“Wasn’t it? I’ve never seen you so interested in stars in my entire life.”

“Ronan,” I said, crossing my arms and staring up at him, wanting to throttle him as much as he wanted to throttle me. “We’re leaving in the morning. I only thought I’d find out a bit about this place. About Keallach.”

“And in turn tell that brother all about you? You know nothing about him!”

I pursed my lips and took two deep breaths before responding, searching his eyes. He was jealous. And fearful. Trying to protect me on several levels. “He knows my name. Where I’m from. Don’t you think the clothes we arrived in screamed that we’re from the Valley? That word spreads, even among these silent brothers? I’ve not seen another settlement yet that wears clothes quite like ours. And really, there’s nothing to get so worked up over! I’ll never see him again.”

His river-green eyes searched mine, going back and forth, until he lifted his head, angrier than ever. “Quit reading me.” He shook his hands as he turned away, as if shaking out a silent scream of rage. He walked out onto our balcony, leaned his arms on the wall, and hung his head.

I sighed and then padded out after him. “That’s not fair, Ronan. Telling me to not read you. Don’t you try and read me all the time? Even if you don’t have the gift? It’s just part of our nature. That desire to connect.” After a moment, I wrapped a hand around his arm, feeling the lovely strength and steady pulse under my fingertips and more. He was a swirl of emotion.

“Andriana, you can’t,” he said, almost as a moan. “It’s not fair. I’m trying everything I can …”

I swallowed hard, the hint of his struggle against his attraction to me right there at last.

I knew of what he spoke. The incessant need to be close, and yet to stay adequately apart. To not give in to our attraction. To not disobey the elders … elders who’d set down this rule for a reason. I knew he’d give his life for me. But if we were entwined further … if I held his heart and he mine, we might make decisions not for the good of the Ailith as a whole, but for each other.

But oh, how the admission thrilled me. It wasn’t my imagination. It wasn’t one-sided.

He felt it too.

I made myself drop my hand, not wanting to torture him. But as my hand left his arm, he straightened and caught it in his. He ran his palm against mine, separating my fingers, weaving in his own. We stood there for several long moments, frozen by our wordless admission, staring out, holding hands, simply feeling the glory of skin against skin.

Not just a friendly hold, but a hold that spoke of so much more.

He turned toward me, and his forehead fell against mine, giving in. His warm breath flowed across my cheeks, my lips, feeling like a kiss in itself. “You are beautiful, Dri,” he whispered, speaking words that no one in the Valley ever did. At least in public. “He was right, that brother.” He lifted a hand to my cheek and I looked up at him, wanting him to grab hold of my face and kiss me. Barely moving, afraid I’d mess it up again. That we’d miss another moment.

He touched me, but his hand was feather-light on my cheek, as if didn’t quite dare more contact. “Like Helen. Like Clytemnestra,” he whispered, “but far finer. Andriana.”

I swallowed hard, waiting. I took his other hand in mine, wanting to will the invitation and courage and recklessness I felt within me into him. That he might give in, act at last.

“We should go to sleep,” he said softly, and I knew the grief within him, the cost of it, to utter those words of honor, loyalty, integrity, so different than my own traitorous heart was speaking. I didn’t care what our trainer had drilled into us. What our elders decreed. This, this could not be wrong …

Excerpt from Remnants: Season of Wonder © 2014 Lisa T. Bergren; used by permission.

Remnants: Season of Wonder is available at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Books-a-Million, or at your local bookstore. Email Lisa that you ordered or purchased Remnants: Season of Wonder IN APRIL and she’ll mail you a signed bookplate! (Lisa@bergrencreativegroup.com)

LAUNCH TOUR CLUE #5: IN CALIFORNIA.

Collect all 26 clues, gathered from each of the Launch Tour stops this month, and you could win a Kindle Fire HDX ($229 USD). Open internationally. At the end of the month, just go to LisaBergren.com and enter the completed clue stream in the Rafflecopter (available after April 30, 2014).

Comment below, noting your favorite dystopian (so far), or one you intend to read, and you could win a copy of REMNANTS, hot off the press!

GIVEAWAY IS CLOSED! RANDOM.ORG HAS SPOKEN AND LOREN IS THE WINNER! CONGRATS.

Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly post where I share a book I’m anxiously waiting to be published. hosted by Breaking the Spine

Dorothy Must Die (Dorothy Must Die #1) by Danielle Paige. April 2014. HarperTeen. Goodreads.

I didn’t ask for any of this. I didn’t ask to be some kind of hero.
But when your whole life gets swept up by a tornado—taking you with it—you have no choice but to go along, you know?Sure, I’ve read the books. I’ve seen the movies. I know the song about the rainbow and the happy little blue birds. But I never expected Oz to look like this. To be a place where Good Witches can’t be trusted, Wicked Witches may just be the good guys, and winged monkeys can be executed for acts of rebellion. There’s still the yellow brick road, though—but even that’s crumbling.What happened?
Dorothy. They say she found a way to come back to Oz. They say she seized power and the power went to her head. And now no one is safe.

My name is Amy Gumm—and I’m the other girl from Kansas.
I’ve been recruited by the Revolutionary Order of the Wicked.
I’ve been trained to fight.
And I have a mission:
Remove the Tin Woodman’s heart.
Steal the Scarecrow’s brain.
Take the Lion’s courage.
Then and only then—Dorothy must die!

I know this came out YESTERDAY!! But I really wanted to feature it and didn’t get around to it sooner. Doesn’t it sound good? I know the cover looks like a horror book, and I’m NOT into horror. The summary doesn’t sound freaky though. It just sounds exciting and full of action. I mean a book with Dorothy as the bad guy?! That sounds epic! I’m looking forward to seeing reviews soon on this one.

BOOKS BY DANIELLE PAIGE
As an Amazon Affiliate I receive a small portion of sales when you click then make a purchase from Amazon links on my blog.

Suddenly You (The Jane Austen Academy #4) by Cecilia Gray. May 2013. Gray Life, LLC. Goodreads. Book 1: Fall For You. Book 2: So Into You. Book 3: When I’m With You.

Fanny doesn’t want to be at The Jane Austen Academy. She intends to lay low until graduation when she can try out for the Olympic track team. She doesn’t need friends or love. She only needs her running.But The Academy is in danger. In an effort to save it, Fanny joins forces with the friends she never knew she wanted. Suddenly, Fanny finds herself center stage in the middle of the Academy’s biggest love triangle as the lead in the school play…only this track star can’t afford to break a leg.

The last thing that the girls at the elite Jane Austen Academy need is guys. But over the summer the school has been sold, and like it or not, the guys are coming. And they’re about to turn the Academy—and the lives of its students—totally upside down… 

Dive into the fabulous, fun lives of six Academy girls as their friendships are tested, torn and ultimately triumph.

These books really are fun to read. You could probably read the entire series in a week or two. I think there will be six books so I need to find the next two.

I enjoyed learning Fanny’s story. I was interested in what she was about when she was mentioned in So Into You. This was a retelling of Mansfield Park which is a great Jane Austen novel. I had a difficult time understanding Fanny’s interest in Tran though. They were sweet together, but I couldn’t get over his bad boy persona… and tongue ring.

As for side characters I really love Emma in all of these books. I think her story is next so I’m looking forward to that book. I recommend The Jane Austen Academy series to any of you looking for a fun modern retelling set at a boarding school. These would be perfect beach reads this summer.

Content Ratings: highlight between ( ) for details
Sexual: mild/moderate ( kissing, thoughts )
Language: very mild ( a few words like, h***, God, and d*** )
Violence: none

I received this ebook from the author via NetGalley. I am not paid for my reviews. My reviews are solely my opinion.

BOOKS BY CECILIA GRAY
As an Amazon Affiliate I receive a small portion of sales when you click then make a purchase from Amazon links on my blog.

When I’m With You (The Jane Austen Academy #3) by Cecilia Gray. December 2012. Gray Life, LLC. Goodreads. Book 1: Fall For You. Book 2: So Into You.

Kat is destined to be a star and her big break has arrived at last! As the assistant to a celebrity classmate on the set of a feature film, she’s going to show everyone she has what it takes. That is, until she discovers pursuing her dreams may mean forfeiting her heart. Unless she can find a way to have both…

The last thing that the girls at the elite Jane Austen Academy need is guys. But over the summer the school has been sold, and like it or not, the guys are coming. And they’re about to turn the Academy—and the lives of its students—totally upside down…

Dive into the fabulous, fun lives of six Academy girls as their friendships are tested, torn and ultimately triumph.

I LOVED this book! I’ve read the first 4 books in this series, and this is definitely my favorite.

There was something about Kat that I connected with. I thought she was so passionate about life. I could not act to save my life so we definitely didn’t have that in common, but I respected her passion to entertain and be true to herself. She didn’t really know who she was at first so watching that journey was great. She was also kind to others even if they weren’t that nice to her.

Henry was dreamy dreamy. Not sure what made him that way, but he just came across like a caring guy who was a gentlemen. Those attributes in men need to be more valued these days.

The funny thing is this was a retelling of Northanger Abbey which was not my favorite of Jane Austen’s books. But I highly recommend reading this series just so you can read When I’m With You. It was so great!

Content Ratings: highlight between ( ) for details
Sexual: mild ( kissing )
Language: very mild ( a few words like, h***, God, and d*** )
Violence: none

I received this ebook from the author via NetGalley. I am not paid for my reviews. My reviews are solely my opinion.

BOOKS BY CECILA GRAY
As an Amazon Affiliate I receive a small portion of sales when you click then make a purchase from Amazon links on my blog.

So Into You (The Jane Austen Academy #2) by Cecilia Gray. July 2012. Gray Life, LLC. Goodreads. Book 1: Fall For You

Sweet and sensible Ellie hasn’t met a problem her mom’s yoga mantras can’t fix. But when Ellie’s parents threaten to pull her from the Academy just as her flirtation with the cutest boy in school heats up, will Ellie be able to keep her cool?

The last thing that the girls at the elite Jane Austen Academy need is guys. But over the summer the school has been sold, and like it or not, the guys are coming. And they’re about to turn the Academy—and the lives of its students—totally upside down…

Dive into the fabulous, fun lives of six Academy girls as their friendships are tested, torn and ultimately triumph.

The books in The Jane Austen Academy series are all quick reads and fun. I enjoy a light hearted book in between more intense reads.

Ellie is sweet. It had been awhile since I read book 1 so I didn’t remember much about her. I liked getting to know her better. She didn’t seem to resemble Elanor from Sense and Sensibility that much though. But I guess it would be hard to write a modern day Elanor. In the end I didn’t feel very connected to Ellie which lessened my enjoyment.

Seeing all the friends in each read is great. I look forward to reading more about their stories too. So Into You is a book for those of you who like short cute romances and Jane Austen retellings.

Content Ratings: highlight between ( ) for details
Sexual: mild ( kissing )
Language: very mild ( a few words like, h***, God, and d*** )
Violence: none

I received this ebook from the author via NetGalley. I am not paid for my reviews. My reviews are solely my opinion.

BOOKS BY CECILA GRAY
As an Amazon Affiliate I receive a small portion of sales when you click then make a purchase from Amazon links on my blog.

Falling Behind on Friday is hosted by Moirae the Fates Book Reviews. I have a never ending amount of books I could post about. If you want to participate grab the image and post the cover of a book you’ve had on your to-read list. The book must already be published.

Defiance (Defiance #1) by C.J. Redwine. August 2012. Balzer & Bray. Goodreads.

Within the walls of Baalboden, beneath the shadow of the city’s brutal leader, Rachel Adams has a secret. While other girls sew dresses, host dinner parties, and obey their male Protectors, Rachel knows how to survive in the wilderness and deftly wield a sword. When her father, Jared, fails to return from a courier mission and is declared dead, the Commander assigns Rachel a new Protector, her father’s apprentice, Logan–the same boy Rachel declared her love for two years ago, and the same boy who handed her heart right back to her. Left with nothing but fierce belief in her father’s survival, Rachel decides to escape and find him herself. But treason against the Commander carries a heavy price, and what awaits her in the Wasteland could destroy her.

At nineteen, Logan McEntire is many things. Orphan. Outcast. Inventor. As apprentice to the city’s top courier, Logan is focused on learning his trade so he can escape the tyranny of Baalboden. But his plan never included being responsible for his mentor’s impulsive daughter. Logan is determined to protect her, but when his escape plan goes wrong and Rachel pays the price, he realizes he has more at stake than disappointing Jared.

As Rachel and Logan battle their way through the Wasteland, stalked by a monster that can’t be killed and an army of assassins out for blood, they discover romance, heartbreak, and a truth that will incite a war decades in the making.

I have had this book on my to-read list for probably 2 years. I won the ARC from First Reads, but still haven’t read it. I’m currently fixing the probably since I started the book yesterday. I’m loving it!!

What book have you fallen behind on?

BOOKS BY C.J. REDWINE
As an Amazon Affiliate I receive a small portion of sales when you click then make a purchase from Amazon links on my blog.

Reading Queue is a monthly meme where you share the books you want to read that month. Visit the host sites Book Tasty and Books: A True Story to add your post to the linky and visit other posts to see what others are reading for the month. Maybe you’ll find someone planning to read the same book as you! I’ll list my books in the order I want to read them. 

Click the covers to view on Amazon. As an Amazon Affiliate I receive a small portion of sales when you click then make a purchase from amazon links on my blog.

Books to read in March :

I read book 1 in The Jane Austen Academy series awhile ago so I got these 3 from NetGalley and want to finish them this month. They are quick and fun reads.

This is for a blog tour that I’ll be in sometime in April. I’m excited to read this one.

I went to the book signing for this one months ago! I need to read it! The awesome cover teases me.

This is wishful thinking because I probably won’t get to all these books. I like to have a large list of what I want to read next so I can pick the book depending on my mood for that week. 🙂

What books do you want to read this month? Have you read any on my list?

Cress (The Lunar Chronicles #3) by Marissa Meyer. February 2014. Feiwel and Friends. Goodreads. Book 1: Cinder. Book 2: Scarlet.

Rapunzel’s tower is a satellite. She can’t let down her hair—or her guard.

In this third book in the bestselling Lunar Chronicles series, Cinder and Captain Thorne are fugitives on the run, with Scarlet and Wolf in tow. Together, they’re plotting to overthrow Queen Levana and her army.

Their best hope lies with Cress, who has been trapped on a satellite since childhood with only her netscreens as company. All that screen time has made Cress an excellent hacker—unfortunately, she’s just received orders from Levana to track down Cinder and her handsome accomplice.

When a daring rescue goes awry, the group is separated. Cress finally has her freedom, but it comes at a high price. Meanwhile, Queen Levana will let nothing stop her marriage to Emperor Kai. Cress, Scarlet, and Cinder may not have signed up to save the world, but they may be the only ones who can.

I LOVE the Lunar Chronicles!! This is my current favorite series. I was at the Barnes and Noble near my home the morning Cress released. I don’t do that very often so that is really saying something.

Marissa Meyer has created real life characters in an fantastic world. I can’t even begin to comprehend the amount of planning she had to do for this series. Each book entwines with the next as well as adds characters. I’m glad she chose to add points of view with each book instead of all in the first book. Book one was mostly from Cinder’s POV. In Cress we hear from Cress, Thorne, Cinder, Prince Kai, Scarlet, Wolf, and some of the villains for a few pages.

Cress was such an endearing character. I just loved her. Because she lived most of her life in a satellite she was naive about how relationships work. It was so cute that she had the biggest crush on Captain Thorne from seeing him on the the net screen. Every time I smiled. I really related to her with this crush since we all have had major crushes on guys that didn’t know we existed. When things were difficult she would pretend she was a character in some kind of play who was brave or strong. I loved it. Out of the 3 main girl characters Cress is my favorite.

If you haven’t started this series you need to read it now! The Lunar Chronicles are for those of you who like books with adventure, futuristic sci fi, and romance. Cress was wonderful. I can’t wait to read the next book, Winter.

Content Ratings: highlight between ( ) for details
Sexual: mild ( kissing, mention of escorts )
Language: none
Violence: mild/moderate ( injuries, death, fighting )

BOOKS BY MARISSA MEYER
As an Amazon Affiliate I receive a small portion of sales when you click then make a purchase from Amazon links on my blog.

The Elite (The Selection #2) by Kiera Cass. April 2013. Harper Teen. Goodreads. Book 1: The Selection.

Thirty-five girls came to the palace to compete in the Selection. All but six have been sent home. And only one will get to marry Prince Maxon and be crowned princess of Illea.

America still isn’t sure where her heart lies. When she’s with Maxon, she’s swept up in their new and breathless romance, and can’t dream of being with anyone else. But whenever she sees Aspen standing guard around the palace, and is overcome with memories of the life they planned to share. With the group narrowed down to the Elite, the other girls are even more determined to win Maxon over—and time is running out for America to decide.

Just when America is sure she’s made her choice, a devastating loss makes her question everything again. And while she’s struggling to imagine her future, the violent rebels that are determined to overthrow the monarchy are growing stronger and their plans could destroy her chance at any kind of happy ending.

Again I’m going to rave about these covers. I love every one in the series. They are perfectly gorgeous.

My biggest complaint about this book was how wishy washy America was when deciding which guy she liked. It was super frustrating that I was dragged along with her drama. I didn’t like Aspen in book 1, but now I think he and Prince Maxon are both amazing. So I get the reasoning for her indecision since they are both great, but it’s still annoying.

There’s more action in this book compared to the first. I liked the added suspense that kept the pages turning. I have very visual scenes that pop into my mind as I reflect on this read. There were some beautiful scenes that I would love to go back and read.

If you enjoyed book 1 then you must read The Elite. It will pull you into a world of ball gowns and rebels.

Content Ratings: highlight between ( ) for details
Sexual: moderate ( kissing, making out )
Language: mild ( h-3, d-6, God-4 )
Violence: mild/moderate ( fighting, public beating, abuse, blood )

BOOKS BY KIERA CASS
As an Amazon Affiliate I receive a small portion of sales when you click then make a purchase from Amazon links on my blog.

Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly post where I share a book I’m anxiously waiting to be published. hosted by Breaking the Spine

Remnants: Seasons of Wonder (Remnants #1) by Lisa T Bergren. April 8, 2014. Blink. Goodreads.

In the first book of the new futuristic dystopian series from author Lisa T. Bergren, the chosen remnants must work to redirect humanity’s course.

The year is 2095. Gifted teens known as Remnants have been chosen and trained to act as humanity’s last hope to rectify the horrors that are now part of everyday life.

The Community has trained these teens as warriors and assigned them Knights of the Last Order as protectors. Together, they are a force that will be difficult to bring down.

But the Sons of Sheol, of course, are determined to do just that. As the Remnants begin their mission to course-correct humanity by saving and protecting key individuals, their enemies move to stop them, placing the entire world in peril.

Bestselling author Lisa T. Bergren presents the first book in her new YA futuristic dystopian series—The Remnants Novels—fitting in with the current dystopian trend in the marketplace.

I received a package in the mail this week with the book, t-shirt, poster, bookmark, tatoos, and keychain flashlight. As part of the street team I am VERY EXCITED for the release of this book. I will be reading it very soon. I loved Lisa’s YA series River of Time. Have you heard of that one? Yeah, it’s an all time favorite of mine.