January 14, 2012

In My Mailbox [#23]

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by Kristi at The Story Siren where we share new books we bought, received, won etc.

Bought:

• Switched by Amanda Hocking
• The Statistical Probability of Love At First Sight by Jennifer E. Smith (Review)
• Dreaming Awake by Gwen Hayes
• Pretty Little Liars by Sara Shepard
• Catching Jordan by Miranda Kenneally
• If I Stay by Gayle Forman
• The Iron Knight by Julie Kagawa

NetGalley:

• Goddess Interrupted by Aimee Carter (3/27/12)
• The Obsidian Blade by Pete Hautman (4/10/12)

Thanks to NetGalley, Harlequin & Candlewick Pess!

What's in your mailbox?

Read more »

November 15, 2011

Waiting On Wednesday [#13]

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Jill at Breaking The Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases we're eagerly anticipating.

Dreaming Awake (Falling Under #2)
Author: Gwen Hayes
Expected Publication: January 3, 2012

She fell for him in a nighttime world. But the time for dreaming is past—and the here-and-now can be just as fragile their love…

When Theia Alderson first encountered a mysterious, handsome boy in her dreams, she never imagined how finding Haden Black—and falling in love—could change her life. To save Haden, Theia sacrificed everything. And the dangerous bargain she made could have lasting repercussions.

Now Theia has returned to Serendipity Falls, and she finds herself struggling with the same deadly hungers that have tortured Haden. When students at their high school fall prey to a mysterious illness, Theia can’t help but wonder if Haden’s control is slipping—and how much longer she’ll have a grip on her own.

And still the nightmare realm of Under won’t let them go. Someone from Haden’s past is determined to destroy Theia from the inside out, starting with those closest to her, forcing Theia to choose between family and friends and a love that may have been doomed from the start…

So this is the sequel to Falling Under. I really enjoyed Falling Under and I've been meaning to post this as my WoW for a while now but I've just been spacing it. Not today! Lol. I'm excited for this! Even though Falling Under was slow at first I really enjoyed the story and I want to see where it goes next!

What are you waiting on this week?

Read more »

October 12, 2011

Review: Falling Under by Gwen Hayes

Falling Under (Falling Under #1)
Author: Gwen Hayes
Publisher: New American Library
Publication Date: March 1, 2011
Pages: 324
Source: Paperback/Library

Theia Alderson has always led a sheltered life in the small California town of Serendipity Falls. But when a devastatingly handsome boy appears in the halls of her school, Theia knows she's seen Haden before- not around town, but in her dreams. 

As the Haden of both the night and the day beckons her closer one moment and pushes her away the next, the only thing Theia knows for sure is that the incredible pull she feels towards him is stronger than her fear. 

And when she discovers what Haden truly is, Theia's not sure if she wants to resist him, even if the cost is her soul. 

Review: Just so everyone knows, this is one of my longer reviews. I had a lot to say about this book. So I actually enjoyed this book more than I thought I would. I wasn't sure if I'd like it but I'm glad I read it. I enjoyed all the mystery in this book! Right from the beginning the mystery starts with "the burning man." Then there's Theia who in her dreams has seen Haden but when he actually appears to her in real life at her school she doesn't know what to believe. In her dreams Haden tries to be sweet but in real life he's constantly pushing her away, though there are moments when he lets his guard down and lets her in. Now, I do know what that whole thing is like, being close one minute then being pushed away most of the time. I've experienced that so that really helped draw me into the book. I also enjoyed how certain parts of the book were from Haden's point of view along with Theia's. It really let you know what both of them were thinking at certain moments. I also found Theia's strict father kind of entertaining. He acted like is daughter wouldn't rebel and would follow everything he wanted her to follow. It made me laugh because I think everyone knows you cant stop a teenager from rebelling. The sad thing, was that what her father considered rebelling was mostly things normal teenagers would do, like go dancing with your friends, inviting your friends over to your house.

Haden... I knew something was off about him from the beginning, its just until we learned more and more things leading up to him telling what he is I could never put my finger on it. The fact that I couldn't figure it out made me want to keep reading to find out. Lol. Now, I'm not telling what he is because that would kind of spoil it but the type of what he is... WOW! I didn't see that coming. But after finding out what he is I could totally understand why he kept pushing Theia away.

Theia in return though... She wouldn't give up trying to get close to him, especially in her dreams. It eventually lead to them slowly getting closer in real life. She eventually learned of what he is, but instead of being scared of him it didn't affect her. She loved him despite what he is but even despite that Haden wouldn't subject Theia to his life. When Theia is stolen down to Under by Hadens mom she learns just how bad somethings could be in his life. Her friends bring her back to the human world but she is eventually taken back to Under where she makes a deal with the devil (otherwise known as Hadens mom basically) to stay in Under if she doesn't punish Haden for her friends taking her away from Under in the first place and failing at his mission his first time. Talk about true love. In the end though after some interesting events Haden saves Theia from Under. The end was just wow! So many things I didn't expect.

I did have a bit of a hard time getting into it though. Even with the mystery of things at the beginning I felt like things moved a little slow at first. 

I would recommend this book to others! I know some people haven't liked it but I guess it depends on what you like. I personally thought it was good so I would definitely recommend it.

Read more »

October 03, 2011

Teaser Tuesday [#8]

Teaser Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading.

Anyone can play along! just do the following:

1. Grab your current read
2. Open to a random page
3. Share two (2) "teaser" sentences from somewhere on that page.
BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (Make sure that what you share doesn't give too much away! You don't want to ruin the book for others!)
4. Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR lists if they like your teasers!

1. "The girl in his arms writhed against him becomingly."

2. "Pity that she couldnt satisfy the dark need inside him."

pg. 110 of "Falling Under" by Gwen Hayes

Read more »