New Shelf Goodies & The Weekly Nutshell {85}

For New Shelf Goodies, I'll be showing you what lovely books I acquired this week, whether from publishers, or the library, or from whatever half-crazed book-buying binge I happened to go on. :D (Inspired by Tynga's Stacking the Shelves) The Weekly Nutshell will be just that...my week here at Stories & Sweeties, in a nutshell. (inspired by Ginger @ GReads and her recaps at the end of the TGIF posts)

Here's what's been sneaking into my mailbox lately! 

For review:

How I Got Skinny, Famous, and Fell Madly in Love by Ken Baker 

This looks really cute and hopefully has a good message about body issues.

The Lost by Sarah Beth Durst

Love this author, so accepting this one was a given :)

Dream Boy by Mary Crockett and Madelyn Rosenberg

This was my WoW a few weeks back...such a lovely cover and I love books about dreams/nightmares.

Deception's Princess by Esther Friesner

Looks just like Merida from Brave! :D  

Incinderator by Niall Leonard

This says its a second and I don't think I've heard of the first book---I'll have to seek it out!

Strega by Karen Monahan

Witches, demons, and ancient battles. I'm hoping this one will be good!

Many thanks to Running Press Kids, Harlequin Mira, Scholastic, Random House, and Mink Publishing for these! 

The Weekly Nutshell: 

{Monday} Deep Blue Giveaway
{Tuesday} Waiting on Wednesday: The Opal Crown 
{Wednesday} Review: Rebel Belle by Rachel Hawkins
{Thursday} Rachel Hawkins Event Recap + Signed ARC Giveaway

Hope everyone had a fabulous week.  I've been doing lots of family stuff lately so I've been crawling through my reading so slowly.  LOL Been beautiful weather outside though, so it'd be a shame not to enjoy it! Before I know it, it will be too hot and I will be hiding indoors again!  On a side note, I very nearly had a heart attack this weekend when my computer went down and when I restarted it, it was just a blank screen that said "Missing Operating System".  Yikes!! If you ever see this, try this before you panic: unplug anything you have hooked up to USB connections and restart again.  Luckily this time, that did the trick. But uuuuugh.

Here I go, back to the safety of my very non-electronic books, sweeties! :)  
Oh and Happy Easter to those who celebrate it!

Rachel Hawkins Event Recap & Signed Rebel Belle Giveaway!

In an adorable little bookshop called Face in a Book, I was fortunate enough to meet one of my very favorite YA authors.  She was glowing and witty, there was lots of giggling around the whole room.  Yes, dear readers, Rachel Hawkins is just as funny in person (funnier, actually!) as the hilarious personalities she instilled in her characters. 

There was lots of  excitement in the air as this was the actual kick-off tour stop for her newest book, Rebel Belle.  Her entire sitting area was adorned in pink lollipops, tiaras, and pearls. She actually brought long strands of lovely pearls for her guests (making a hilarious crack about being surprised she made it through airline security with them without having an officer try to break one open in suspicion of finding drugs), which was such a fun idea, as her character often wears them in the book.  She answered a few quick question about all of her titles, the Hex Hall series, School Spirits (she assured us that there are no sequels in the works for this one), and Rebel Belle. She talked about cliffhangers, wild train adventures with Allie Carter, and being taught to smile for the camera by Maya Angelou.

She graciously signed all of our books, also stamping each copy of Rebel Belle with a cute little pink high heel shoe.  She was very casual with the crowd, upbeat, and animated and we all had a fantastic time!

Now, as I always try to do when I get to go to signings, I bought myself a finished copy, so I'm giving away my ARC---and, of course I got that signed for you, too!  Plus, LOOK at the adorable Rebel Belle posters that were handed out! Had one signed and I'm giving that away, too! :D

Enter below! One winner gets the signed ARC and signed poster of Rebel Belle!

•US addresses only

•must be 13+ or have parent permission

•Ends 5/1/14

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Becky's View: Rebel Belle by Rachel Hawkins

Rebel Belle by Rachel Hawkins
♦publisher: Putnam Juvenile
♦release date: April 8th, 2014
♦hardcover, 384 pages
♦intended audience: Young adult
♦series: Rebel Belle, book 1
♦source: from publisher for honest review

Harper Price, peerless Southern belle, was born ready for a Homecoming tiara. But after a strange run-in at the dance imbues her with incredible abilities, Harper's destiny takes a turn for the seriously weird. She becomes a Paladin, one of an ancient line of guardians with agility, super strength and lethal fighting instincts.

Just when life can't get any more disastrously crazy, Harper finds out who she's charged to protect: David Stark, school reporter, subject of a mysterious prophecy and possibly Harper's least favorite person. But things get complicated when Harper starts falling for him--and discovers that David's own fate could very well be to destroy Earth.

With snappy banter, cotillion dresses, non-stop action and a touch of magic, this new young adult series from bestseller Rachel Hawkins is going to make y'all beg for more.

Review: With Rebel Belle, Rachel Hawkins kicks off another fantastic series full of kick-butt action and characters to completely win me over.  I was so sad when the Hex Hall series ended and even sadder when we were teased with School Spirits, only to discover it would be a stand-alone.  So Rebel Belle has been at the top of my anticipation list for what seems like forever now.  And I can giddily say that there was not even the tiniest bit of disappointment.

At her recent book signing, Hawkins admitted to wanting these new characters to be as far from Hex Hall’s Sophie and Archer as possible…and she definitely accomplished that.  Rebel Belle introduces us to Harper Price, homecoming queen and over-achieving valedictorian hopeful, and also to David Stark, seemingly ruthless school reporter, constantly disheveled without a lick of fashion sense, and Harper’s biggest academic competition.  They’ve been at each other’s throats since grade school, never a kind word between them.  Suddenly Harper has the powers of a Paladin literally “thrust” upon her, which involve crazy ninja fighting skills and an undeniable instinct to protect one being, an Oracle…who just happens to be David.

Mostly the story deals with Harper’s challenge in facing this new crazy life while trying not to lose the whole life she’d built for herself before.  She has great friends, a sweet romantic boyfriend, loves her family (especially her rambunctious aunts) and her town.  She fears putting her life in danger because her parents have already suffered the loss of one child.   How can she be willing to lay down her life as a Paladin without losing everything else she holds dear?

One more thing Rachel Hawkins just seems to excel at is giving her main character the most awesome best friends.  This time around, we have Bee---I seriously wanted to hug this girl a few times throughout the story.   There was one moment where Harper gets cruelly “kicked while she’s down” and Bee is right there, not with fists but with her sharp Southern sass and a look that could kill, putting Harper’s attacker right back in her place, and I literally wanted to cry out of love.

This story takes mythology, assassins, tiaras, southern manners, head-butting, cotillions, and romance and mashes it up into one big fun, action-packed, sometimes hilarious, sometimes heartfelt read. I can’t recommend it, or any other of Rachel Hawkins’ books, enough!

 Visit Rachel Hawkins online:  Tumblr  •  Twitter •  Facebook

Purchase Rebel Belle: Amazon  •  BookDepository  •  Indiebound

Waiting on Wednesday

"Waiting on Wednesday" is a weekly meme hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine. It lets us all gush about what soon-to-be released books we are jumping-up-and-down excited for.

The Opal Crown 
by Jenny Lundquist

hitting shelves October 28th, 2014 from Running Press Kids

description:

In the year since she was betrothed to the crown prince of Kyrenica, no one has suspected that the Masked Princess has been a decoy. That Elara, the secret twin sister, has been pretending to be Princess Wilha all along. The royal family has kept Elara’s identity hidden from the world, and for the girls, swapping lives has not been easy. Galandra is quickly declining, and the sisters continue to be a pawn in the Guardian’s ever-changing endgames.
But the stakes rise when Elara and Wilha’s younger brother, Andrei, takes the Galandrian throne after their father's death, and he reveals the girls' deception to Kyrenica’s royal family. Viewed as traitors, Elara and Wilha realize they are now fighting for their lives—and for their country. However, with only one crown and one throne to overthrow, Elara and Wilha must decide who will become queen. Or rather, the next savior for their people.

My thoughts: Princess in the Opal Mask was absolutely wonderful, one of my faves of last year.  If you haven't read it yet, READ IT!! :D  Love that they kept the same cover style, the watercolor-y close-up image, just looks so ethereal and a perfect fit for this gorgeous original fairy tale!

Win DEEP BLUE by Jennifer Donnelly + custom nail polish set!

I'm sure you've all witnessed this gorgeousness:

Well, today I'm happy to be able to host this awesome giveaway: 

TWO winners will each win a copy of DEEP BLUE and a custom nail polish set inspired by the book!! 

 Prizing & samples  courtesy of Disney Publishing

ABOUT THE BOOK:

The first in a series of epic tales set in the depths of the ocean, where six mermaids seek to protect and save their hidden world.  

Deep in the ocean, in a world not so different from our own, live the merpeople. Their communities are spread throughout the oceans, seas, and freshwaters all over the globe. 

When Serafina, a mermaid of the Mediterranean Sea, awakens on the morning of her betrothal, her biggest worry should be winning the love of handsome Prince Mahdi. And yet Sera finds herself haunted by strange dreams that foretell the return of an ancient evil. Her dark premonitions are confirmed when an assassin’s arrow poisons Sera's mother. 

Now, Serafina must embark on a quest to find the assassin’s master and prevent a war between the Mer nations. Led only by her shadowy dreams, Sera searches for five other mermaid heroines who are scattered across the six seas. Together, they will form an unbreakable bond of sisterhood and uncover a conspiracy that threatens their world’s very existence.

 ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Jennifer Donnelly is an award-winning author of both adult and young adult books, including Deep Blue, the first book in the Waterfire Saga. For adults she has written a trilogy of best-selling books that includes The Tea Rose, The Winter Rose, and The Wild Rose. Her first young adult novel, A Northern Light, received many accolades, among them the Los Angeles Times Book Prize, a Carnegie Medal in the UK, and a Michael L. Printz Honor. Her second young adult novel, Revolution, was named a Best Book of 2010 by Kirkus Reviews and School Library Journal, and the audiobook received a 2011 American Library Association Odyssey Honor. She lives in New York’s Hudson Valley.

TWITTER  •  WEBSITE  •  GOODREADS 

Enter to win!!
Giveaway open to US addresses only
Contest ends 4/28/14

 

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Ask Me Blog Tour: 15 Completely Random Bits of Truth about Kimberly Pauley!

Today I'm participating in the blog tour for

Ask Me by Kimberly Pauley!!

 Ask Aria Morse anything, and she must answer with the truth. Yet she rarely understands the cryptic words she's compelled to utter. Blessed—or cursed—with the power of an Oracle who cannot decipher her own predictions, she does her best to avoid anyone and everyone.

But Aria can no longer hide when Jade, one of the few girls at school who ever showed her any kindness, disappears. Any time Aria overhears a question about Jade, she inadvertently reveals something new, a clue or hint as to why Jade vanished. But like stray pieces from different puzzles, her words never present a clear picture.

Then there’s Alex, damaged and dangerous, but the first person other than Jade to stand up for her. And Will, who offers a bond that seems impossible for a girl who’s always been alone. Both were involved with Jade. Aria may be the only one who can find out what happened, but the closer she gets to solving the crime, the more she becomes a target. Not everyone wants the truth to come out.

I've been excited about this one for quite some time and I'm really looking forward to diving into Aria's story of being an Oracle!!  In honor of Aria's unique gift, debut author Kimberly Pauley has stopped by with a few random truths of her own!!

15 Completely Random Bits of Truth About Kimberly Pauley

1. Like Aria, I lived in Florida and I used to walk in the woods and practice my silent forest walk. I got pretty good at it.

2. My first cat was named after Thomas Sawyer.

3. But my first pet, if I remember right, was a white mouse named Ralph. I really wanted a motorcycle for him. 

4. Also like Aria, I had really long hair when I was a teen. I could sit on it. I didn't cut it until sometime after I went to college.

5. I met my husband-to-be on my second day at university (at the University of Florida).

6. My biggest regret in life is that I can't play an instrument. But I am happy that we just bought our son an electric guitar.

7. Even though I was born in California, I lived the bulk of my life in the South (including Arkansas, Florida, Mississippi, and Kentucky). That may be why the only type of music I really hate is Country (except Johnny Cash).

8. I was an English major but always thought the bulk of the symbolism they make you study in books is complete rubbish. I still mostly think that but I have to admit that I stuck a TON of symbolic stuff in Ask Me.  On purpose. English students everywhere are free to throw tomatoes at me. 

9. I have been playing the same character in a Dungeons and Dragons game for two and a half years now. The character is named Lirael after the Lirael in Garth Nix's books. 

10. When I moved from Florida to Mississippi between my sophomore and junior years, I wrote at least one letter a day to my friends and sometimes more. This was obviously before email...I miss writing letters like that sometimes!

11. I have never seen Titanic or Gone with the Wind.

12. One of my absolute favorite words is widdershins.

13. I kick butt at Scrabble.

14. When I was a teen, I had a phase where I would randomly talk in an English accent.  Now I live in London.  I don't think the two are connected (and I have also realized that the accent I used back then was like the Dick van Dyke one in Mary Poppins...which means it was absolute rubbish. 

15. I still have a record player and all of my records (some dating back to when I joined the Columbia Record House...ask an adult, they'll know what I'm talking about!) 

Oh gosh, I DO remember Columbia House---it was like a subscription service for records, and later on CDs.  And LOL about the Dick van Dyke accent!! xD!!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Kimberly Pauley is the award-winning author of Sucks to Be Me, which was honored on the YALSA Quick Picks for Reluctant Readers list, and a paranormal mystery starring an oracle, called Ask Me. Born in California, she has lived everywhere from Florida to Chicago and has now gone international to live in London with her husband and son. She is also the founder of YA Books Central, one of the first and largest teen book websites in the world. Visit her online at www.kimberlypauley.com

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Becky's View: After The End by Amy Plum

After The End by Amy Plum
♦publisher: HarperTeen
♦release date: May 6th, 2014
♦hardcover, 336 pages
♦intended audience: Young adult
♦series: After the End, book 1
♦source: from publisher for honest review

"I have no idea what is truth and what is fiction. I'm all I've got now. I can't trust anyone."

World War III has left the world ravaged by nuclear radiation. A lucky few escaped to the Alaskan wilderness. They've survived for the last thirty years by living off the land, being one with nature, and hiding from whoever else might still be out there.

At least, this is what Juneau has been told her entire life.

When Juneau returns from a hunting trip to discover that everyone in her clan has vanished, she sets off to find them. Leaving the boundaries of their land for the very first time, she learns something horrifying: There never was a war. Cities were never destroyed. The world is intact. Everything was a lie.

Now Juneau is adrift in a modern-day world she never knew existed. But while she's trying to find a way to rescue her friends and family, someone else is looking for her. Someone who knows the extraordinary truth about the secrets of her past.

Review:  After the End is the start of another promising series from Amy Plum.  I honestly wasn't sure going into this one---I've lately started to cool on dystopians a bit, but to my wonderful surprise, this turned out not to be a dystopian at all!! Most of the story takes place in modern west coast America, so frankly this reads like a contemporary adventure with a touch of earthly magic thrown.  This turned out to be a story that I simply couldn't put down.  

I've seen many people liken this to the movie "The Village" (which I actually liked,...so sue me lol) but beyond the very basic idea of a group of adults who start a commune and pretend like the outside world doesn't exist, the similarity pretty much ends there. When Juneau returns from a hunt to find her village ravaged and her clan missing, she doesn’t hesitate to strike out on a quest to rescue them. Following clues given to her by a magical connection to the earth called the Yara, she’s led to a place that she’s been told her whole life no longer existed: the modern world. Having been taught that everything was destoryed by a third World War, Juneau is shocked to discover the truth: there was no WWIII and her whole life is built on a lie.  Her strength and determination is clear by the way she takes this all in, but still forges on, knowing she can't let this shock derail her mission to find her family.  Even knowing her father lied to her, she tells herself she can deal with that once she knows he is safe. 

The story is told is alternating viewpoints between Juneau and Miles, a boy whose father is after Juneau for reasons he doesn't quite understand.  He’s desperate to be back in his father’s good graces and thinks finding Juneau will do just that. He and Juneau have a hard time seeing eye-to-eye; she’s wary of trusting him and he suspects she’s insane. There are times when I thought he was just being an ass, but then to look at it realistically, he was just having a hard time buying Juneau's story and her odd ways---it's likely the way most people in the modern world would react to a person who claims to be magical and says she was raised in what sounded very much like a cult to him.  Still, they manage to be curious enough about each other to eventually form a bond.  It made for a story that's not centered around a romance, which was fine by me in this case, as I really liked the way their relationship progressed.  The action and adventure of the plot stayed in center stage, which is what kept me turning page after page.  I also really enjoyed the nature magic the author created and how Juneau grew to believe more in herself than all the talismans and trinkets she was taught to depend on.

I definitely intend on picking up book 2; my investment in these characters demands it after that ending! The ending leaves you dangling in the worst possible way---still exciting and heart-stopping, but an utterly torturous cliffhanger.  But even with that, this thrilling story of earthly magic, determination, and a girl rediscovering the world is truly engaging. 

Find Amy Plum online: Website  •  Twitter  •  Facebook

Purchase After The End:  Amazon  •  BookDepository  •  Indiebound