In Which I Review... Also Known As by Robin Benway

Being a 16-year-old safecracker and active-duty daughter of international spies has its moments, good andbad. Pros: Seeing the world one crime-solving adventure at a time. Having parents with super cool jobs. Cons: Never staying in one place long enough to have friends or a boyfriend. But for Maggie Silver, the biggest perk of all has been avoiding high school and the accompanying cliques, bad lunches, and frustratingly simple locker combinations.

Then Maggie and her parents are sent to New York for her first solo assignment, and all of that changes. She'll need to attend a private school, avoid the temptation to hack the school's security system, and befriend one aggravatingly cute Jesse Oliver to gain the essential information she needs to crack the case . . . all while trying not to blow her cover.

Hardcover, 320 pages

Published February 26th 2013 by Bloomsbury Juvenile US
ISBN -0802733905
Received for review via NetGalley
     

more details...

 

My Review:

Also Known As was a delightful YA reads, packed with witty dialogue and sneakery. No, that is not a word but it should be. I love a good YA spy novel and this one is a jewel amongst the bunch. Reminiscent of books like Ally Carter's Gallagher Girls series, Also Known As packs a vibrant main character, the safecracking spy, Maggie into an unknown territory- high school.
Watching her navigate through school and befriend the genuinely sweet Jessie is a fun journey. The main characters and the immediate secondary characters are all fun, unique characters with whom the reader will be sure to fall in love with.
I think my favorite thing about this book was that it was classically YA. It reminded me of the YA I grew up loving and because of that it is a title I will remember.
I give this a high 4 stars and I would definitely recommend it to YA lovers of all ages.

Kids Book Fair Stuff

So many of you may know that I spent my morning yesterday volunteering at the Scholastic Book Fair at my  local elementary school. I like volunteering and added bonus, I got to help kids pick out books. It had nightmare potential especially with the younger kids but I made it out alive and not without a few books for my 5 year old sister.

Anyway, I though I'd show you all some books I was surprised to see, some of the ones that sold out, and what my sister ended up getting.

The Lost Hero among a bunch of other Riordan novels surprised me. I didn't expect to see them since they are more along the lines of middle graders but they sold good.





Monster High- When I read this, I was fresh out of high shcool so it surprised me that this was here (but then, with the appeal of the dolls and accessories I shouldn't have been so surprised). Another surprising thing about it- we sold out ... quick. In fact, several students paid for the book anyway to have it shipped to the school by next week from Scholastic. One parent even ordered the entire series to be delivered to the school. (I would have just went to the store for a sale, but hey, all of the money helps the school.)


Pete the Cat: I'm the oldest of 6 children and I've seen kids books galore but I have never even heard of Pete the Cat. However, James Dean seems to be doing pretty good with these books because we sold out of these too.




Flipped: I loved this movie! I think I was most surprised because the book was published so long ago. I wish I would have bought it but I was there to get books for my sister and to volunteer and I went over my book budget already anyway, lol. If you read the book, I'd love to know what you thought of it.



Now onto what my sister got. Beware: It's all very typical of a 5 year old girl.

In Which I Review... True by Erin McCarthy

BTW - THIS BOOK IS NA. BE AWARE AS YOU READ THE REVIEW.

Print Length: 235 pages

Publisher: InterMix (May 7, 2013)

Sold by: Penguin Publishing
Received for review via Netgalley

SYNOPSIS:

When Rory Macintosh’s roommates find out that their studious and shy friend has never been with a guy, they decide that, as an act of kindness they’ll help her lose her virginity by hiring confident, tattooed bad boy Tyler Mann to do the job…unbeknownst to Rory.



Tyler has told Rory that he’s not good enough for her. She’s smart, doctor smart, while he’s barely scraping by at his EMT program, hoping to pull his younger brothers out of the hell their druggy mother has left them in. But he can’t seem to stay away from her, and even when Rory knows she should push him away, something about him makes it nearly impossible for her to resist—even though her heart is at stake…



Torn between common sense and desire, the two find themselves caught up in a passionate relationship. But when Tyler’s broken family threatens to destroy his future, and hers, Rory will need to decide whether to cut her ties to his risky world or follow her heart, no matter what the cost…

 

My Review:

The synopsis for this New Adult novel does not do the story justice. The New Adult category has been receiving a lot of criticism lately, mainly because of the wanting plots and the over-consuming sexual adventures of the main characters. This, however, isn't a problem in True.

Erin McCarthy managed to balance the amount of sexual interaction in the book to match the characters' personalities. Rory is intelligent, hard-working, and too be honest a bit too subdued and quiet. I loved her. She was frustrating and stubborn like the best female characters, and she kept at what she wanted. What I admire most about her character was how supportive she was of Tyler throughout the novel.

Tyler grew up on the wrong side of the tracks. He's that guy that everyone automatically assumes is no good, without even a word spoken to him. He's the kind of boy that girls always eventually dream of having a fling with before settling down. The bad boy with the soft interior.

Seems typical right? The good girl meets the bad boy and immediately falls head over heels in stupidity. These stories always end up with the girl realizing her self-worth and dumping her bad boy, usually for the cute good guy who lived next door.

This does not happen in True. Rory is more than just a good girl and she's fiercely loyal, much like Tyler, who faces plenty of challenges in his own life, and is conflicted throughout much of the novel.

He's also scorching hot. I mean, scorching hot. He's everything we've come to expect in our bad boy NA book crushes, and while True touches on the light, steamy stuff that leaves us blushing and fanning ourselves, it goes so much deeper.

McCarthy gracefully touches on subjects like sexual assault, criminality, stereotypes, insecurity, and chronic drug use by balancing it love, sexuality, loyalty, and truth.

I loved this novel and I rate it 5 stars.

APRIL BOOK RELEASES!

   

   

   

   

   


Lots of books came out this month and this is just a small list! Hopefully, you find one of interest to you!

Intangible Blog Tour -Character Bio & Excerpt + Giveaway!

Welcome to Mera's YA Book List and check out our stop on J. Meyers's awesome book tour for the Intangible series! Keep reading! :)

Title- Intangible

Series- Intangible # 1 

By J. Meyers 

Publication Date-January 31, 2012

Blurb-Twins Sera and Luke Raine have a well-kept secret—she heals with a touch of her hand, he sees the future. All their lives they’ve helped those in need on the sly. They’ve always thought of their abilities as being a gift. 

Then Luke has a vision that Sera is killed. That gift they’ve always cherished begins to feel an awful lot like a curse. Because the thing about Luke’s ability? He’s always right. And he can’t do anything about it.

Links-

Goodreads-http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/12677691-intangible

Amazon- 
Paperback-http://www.amazon.com/Intangible-J-Meyers/dp/1470010151/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1364319181&sr=8-1&keywords=Intangible


Kindle-http://www.amazon.com/Intangible-ebook/dp/B0073BNIU8/ref=tmm_kin_title_0?ie=UTF8&qid=1364319181&sr=8-1

Barnes & Noble- 
Nook -http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/intangible-j-meyers/1108540584?ean=2940014108676

Kobo- http://www.kobobooks.com/ebook/Intangible/book-_Kb1zg2RpUqT14vybsMZmg/page1.html?s=yXqFdn2QgE2y_ajAvir-5g&r=2 

Smashwords-http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/270192 




Book Info-

Title-Imaginable

Series-Intangible # 2 

By J Meyers

Expected Publication Date-April 16, 2013



Blurb-Twins Sera and Luke Raine’s unusual abilities are growing. Sera is healing vampires now, making them human again. And, at times, Luke can actually change the future he Sees.

But Sera’s healing has dangerous consequences, and though Luke is altering the outcome of more visions, he can’t control them yet.

Now Sera is in danger as the dark creatures of the Realm seek to use her. As Luke struggles to master his gift in order to save his sister, he discovers even more about his powers.

And what he learns just may put him in greater danger than Sera has ever been.

Today, we have a CHARACTER BIO FOR SERA! CHECK IT OUT!

SERA

Seraphina Raine can heal with just a touch of her hand--though she keeps it a secret. She’s always loved that she could help people (except when her ability makes some want to kill her, or kidnap her, then it’s not so cool).

Her best friends are her twin brother Luke (who can See the future) and Fey (who turned out to be a Light Elf). She tends to keep to herself and her few friends--really a symptom of having to hide who she truly is. Fewer people to lie to = less guilt. It’s a self-preservation sort of thing.

She’s intelligent and quick, and loves to paint. In fact, she’s turned one of the walls in her bedroom into an ever-changing canvas. It clears her head, painting does. Helps her think. And with everything that’s been happening lately, she’s been painting a LOT.

Sera is 17, 5’7”, has shoulder length, wavy dark hair, and silver-grey eyes. She’s most comfortable with Luke because he knows her better than anyone--sometimes even better than she knows herself. Even so, she’s an independent thinker, does not take well to someone giving her orders, and depends on (and trusts) her intuition to lead her in the right direction. (It almost always does.)

HERE'S AN AWESOME EXCERPT FROM IMAGINABLE, THE SECOND BOOK IN J. MEYERS SERIES!

Luke ran faster, his lungs on fire, feet pounding the ice. Fey kept pace with him, matching him stride for stride. They were closing in on the boy, but still too far away. Luke could hear muffled pops and cracks, even above the sounds of his own ragged breaths. But the kid didn’t seem to understand what was happening around him. Or he just wasn’t paying attention.

“Kid!” Luke called again. “The ice is crack—”

One loud crack and the ice broke open. As the kid’s feet lost ground, his arms flew out to the sides, grabbing for the ice as his body sank into the frigid water. Now only twenty feet away, Luke launched himself forward, diving onto his stomach, his hands reaching out as he slid straight for the boy.

Links-

Goodreads- http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17411119-imaginable About the Author-

j. meyers grew up in Vermont, spent three years in Germany when she was a kid, and now lives in Central New York. When she's not reading or writing, she's chasing after her four kids, exploring the outdoors with her family, baking sweet treats, and forgetting to make dinner. She's the author of Intangible, Intuition, Indomitable, and upcoming Imaginable, due out in April 2013.

Links-

Goodreads-http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/3224031.J_Meyers


Website- http://www.jmeyersbooks.com/


Twitter-https://twitter.com/jmeyersbooks


Facebook- https://www.facebook.com/jmeyersbooks?fref=ts



FACEBOOK EVENT!
https://www.facebook.com/events/439017946180539/?fref=ts

ebook copy of ‘Scarred’ by JS Cooper

ebook copy of ‘Of Gaea’ by Victoria Escobar

Intangible Swag made by Crafty Cassie’s Creations

Imaginable Swag made by Crafty Cassie’s Creations

The Reborn: The Book of Dain by Casse NaRome Swag

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Currently Free on Amazon- YA & Teen (April)

I did one of these last month, and it was super loved so here's some more for you all!

As last time, here's a small disclaimer:

These are YA, under Teens on Amazon, which most often includes the rapidly emerging category NA (or new adult)  So be sure to read the description if you are adverse to topics in NA.

Also, I never add books that I don't think you'll be interested in or that I wouldn't want to read, and usually I add these to my Kindle and Kindle apps as well!





http://www.amazon.com/The-Game-ebook/dp/B00BSJB3VC/ref=zg_bs_3511261011_f_1

 

http://www.amazon.com/Dollhouse-The-Trilogy-ebook/dp/B007PLAVH4/ref=zg_bs_3511261011_f_4

http://www.amazon.com/Shades-Truth-Summerlynn-Secrets-ebook/dp/B00CCJEX82/ref=zg_bs_3511261011_f_12

http://www.amazon.com/Tangled-Web-Dangerous-Secrets-ebook/dp/B00C3ON3CI/ref=zg_bs_3511261011_f_26

http://www.amazon.com/Love-Between-the-Lines-ebook/dp/B008SRIX42/ref=zg_bs_3511261011_f_35

http://www.amazon.com/The-Last-Summer-Series-ebook/dp/B008B8TWAW/ref=zg_bs_3511261011_f_50

http://www.amazon.com/Heaven-High-East-Series-ebook/dp/B008FF75QE/ref=zg_bs_3511261011_f_99

http://www.amazon.com/The-Practice-Date-Romance-ebook/dp/B0057H0NZI/ref=zg_bs_6064565011_f_51

http://www.amazon.com/Spring-Perfection-ebook/dp/B00B8L5APK/ref=zg_bs_6064565011_f_97

http://www.amazon.com/Jars-of-Clay-ebook/dp/B009L4E8FE/ref=zg_bs_6064558011_f_3

http://www.amazon.com/The-Wrong-Side-Tracks-ebook/dp/B00538TQ40/ref=zg_bs_6064561011_f_35

http://www.amazon.com/Blend-In-Harpy-Hill-ebook/dp/B006SVKZ64/ref=zg_bs_6064561011_f_44

http://www.amazon.com/Maybe-Dont-Want-Read-ebook/dp/B009NN65GS/ref=zg_bs_6064561011_f_47

El Salvador Charity Sale by Marcy Rachel Designs

From Marcy Rachel: In the month of January 2014, a group of missionaries from Puerto Rico will be visiting the country of El Salvador. I know this team since childhood and grew up with them. I traveled with them to the Dominican Republic several years ago. Therefore, I can vouch that this trip is legitimate and not a scam. Beginning April 4th until 30th, I will be having a sale of some of the services that I offer. These services will have a 25% discount and 50% of the profits will go to this trip. The proceeds will go to help make the trip a reality and part of the money will also be distributed to poor families in El Salvador. Persons making orders during the month of April will have their name published in a list of sponsors for this trip. After the return of the missionaries, I will be sharing photos from the trip. You can place an order for a FUTURE project, but know that you have to put a non-refundable deposit of 50% of the discounted price. This only apply to NEW orders. You can also make a donation of any amount of your choice without needing to buy any services. THE NEW PRICES WITH THE DISCOUNT ARE: eBook cover design -- $37.50 Paperback + eBook design -- $60.00 Bookmark design -- $7.50 (one side); $9.00 (both sides) Business card design -- $7.50 (one side); $9.00 (both sides) Facebook cover + profile pic -- $9.00 Banner -- $11.25 To place an order or to ask any questions, contact Marcy Rachel Designs.