Can’t-Wait Wednesday: Spin the Dawn

Can’t-Wait Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted at Wishful Endings, to spotlight and discuss books you’re excited about that you have yet to read. Generally they’re books that have yet to be released. 

What am I waiting on this week?

Spin the Dawn by Elizabeth Lim

What do you need to know about its author?

This is a debut author, whose project was snapped up by Knopf, in a 2 book deal. You go girl!

Okay, so what does the publisher’s synopsis say?

Maia Tamarin dreams of becoming the greatest tailor in the land, but as a girl, the best she can hope for is to marry well. When a royal messenger summons her ailing father, once a tailor of renown, to court, Maia poses as a boy and takes his place. She knows her life is forfeit if her secret is discovered, but she’ll take that risk to achieve her dream and save her family from ruin. There’s just one catch: Maia is one of twelve tailors vying for the job.

Backstabbing and lies run rampant as the tailors compete in challenges to prove their artistry and skill. Maia’s task is further complicated when she draws the attention of the court magician, Edan, whose piercing eyes seem to see straight through her disguise.

And nothing could have prepared her for the final challenge: to sew three magic gowns for the emperor’s reluctant bride-to-be, from the laughter of the sun, the tears of the moon, and the blood of stars. With this impossible task before her, she embarks on a journey to the far reaches of the kingdom, seeking the sun, the moon, and the stars, and finding more than she ever could have imagined.

Why am I excited?

Mulan comparisons from early reviewers (love that movie!) and also, recommended for fans of Sarah J Maas? Ummm… yes please!

Can’t-Wait Wednesday: Warrior of the Wild

Can’t-Wait Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted at Wishful Endings, to spotlight and discuss books you’re excited about that you have yet to read. Generally they’re books that have yet to be released. 

What am I waiting on this week?

Warrior of the Wild by Tricia Levenseller

What do you need to know about its author?

This is Tricia’s third novel and it will be published by Feiwel and Friends on the 26th February. It’s a standalone novel. She describes her books as, “young adult alternate–world historical fantasies with heavy romantic subplots.” That sounds pretty good to me!

Okay, so what does the publisher’s synopsis say?

How do you kill a god?

As her father’s chosen heir, eighteen-year-old Rasmira has trained her whole life to become a warrior and lead her village. But when her coming-of-age trial is sabotaged and she fails the test, her father banishes her to the monster-filled wilderness with an impossible quest: to win back her honour, she must kill the oppressive god who claims tribute from the villages each year or die trying.

Can’t-Wait Wednesday: Only A Breath Apart

 

Can’t-Wait Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted at Wishful Endings, to spotlight and discuss books you’re excited about that you have yet to read. Generally they’re books that have yet to be released.

 

What am I waiting on this week?

 

Only a Breath Apart by Katie McGarry.

Why am I waiting?

 

Firstly, Tor Teen isn’t publishing this book until the 22nd January! Secondly, I love the sound of the tragic ‘curse’ – this book has Maggie Steifvater vibes written all over it… (Another favourite author of mine.)

 

What do you need to know about its author?

 

Ever since I read Katie McGarry’s debut novel ‘Pushing the Limits‘ this author has been blowing me away with her YA romances. Sadly, for family reasons, she won’t be able to do much promotion for this book on her own in the coming months…

 

Okay, so what does the publisher’s synopsis say?

 

Jesse Lachlin is cursed… 

So the town folklore says, but while Jesse’s had his fair share of tragedy, the only curse he believes is in his grandmother’s will: in order to inherit his family farm he must win the approval of his childhood best friend, the girl he froze out his freshman year, Scarlett Copeland.

Scarlett Copeland is psychic…

Glory Gardner tells Scarlett she has hidden psychic abilities, but Scarlett thinks Glory is delusional. What is real is Scarlett’s father’s irrational fears, controlling attitude, and the dark secrets at home. Scarlett may have a way to escape, but there’s a hitch: she’ll have to rely on the one person she used to trust, the same boy who broke her heart, Jesse Lachlin.

Waiting on Wednesday: Gilt Hollow

“Waiting On” Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases… This week I’m waiting on Gilt Hollow by Lorie Langdon (author of Doon), a YA Romantic Suspense novel, being published by Blink on the 27th September.

Synopsis:

Willow Lamott’s best friend is a convicted killer, and no one in the small town of Gilt Hollow will let her forget it. 

Over four long years, she’s tried to fade into the background—but none of that matters when Ashton Keller comes striding into school, fresh out of juvie and fueled by revenge. The moment their eyes meet, Willow no longer feels invisible. Drawn to the vulnerability behind Ashton’s mask of rage, she sinks deeper into his sinister world and begins to question whether he’s a villain, a savior, or both.

Ashton thought he wanted vengeance, until Willow Lamott stepped back into his life. Now he longs to clear his name and become the person she sees in him. But the closer they get to uncovering the truth, the darker the secrets become, and Ashton wonders if his return to Gilt Hollow will destroy everyone he loves.

Early Review:

“A romantic page-turner that will keep you guessing until the very end!” – Melissa Landers, author of the Alienated and Starflight series

 

Waiting on Wednesday: Down with the Shine by Kate Karyus Quinn

“Waiting On Wednesday” is a weekly event, hosted by Breaking the Spine, which spotlights upcoming releases!

This week’s pick: Down with the Shine by Kate Karyus Quinn.

Due out: 26th April 2016, from HarperCollins.

Publisher’s Synopsis:

Lennie always thought her uncles’ “important family legacy” was good old-fashioned bootlegging. Then she takes some of her uncles’ moonshine to Michaela Gordon’s annual house party, and finds out just how wrong she was.

At the party, Lennie has everyone make a wish before drinking the shine—it’s tradition. She toasts to wishes for bat wings, for balls of steel, for the party to go on forever. Lennie even makes a wish of her own: to bring back her best friend, Dylan, who was murdered six months ago.

The next morning gives Lennie a whole new understanding of the phrase be careful what you wish for—or in her case, be careful what wishes you grant. Because all those wishes Lennie raised a jar of shine to last night? They came true. Most of them came out bad. And once granted, a wish can’t be unmade. . . .

Why I’m Waiting:

Magic, moonshine and an out of control party = I want to read it right friggin’ now!!!!

I hope everyone’s having a good week. 🙂

Waiting on Wednesday: Remembrance (Mediator #7)

“Waiting On Wednesday” is a weekly event, hosted by Breaking the Spine, which spotlights upcoming releases!

Meg Cabot’s bestselling Mediator series, with ghost whisperer Susannah Simon, is getting an ADULT reboot. Remembrance will be released February 2nd, by William Morrow. I loved the original series, so this novel is at the top of my wish list for February!

Meg’s also written an e-novella, Proposal, which publishes January 19th in the UK (but is already available in the US).

You can take the boy out of the darkness.
But you can’t take the darkness out of the boy.

All Susannah Simon wants is to make a good impression at her first job since graduating from college (and since becoming engaged to Dr. Jesse de Silva). But when she’s hired as a guidance counselor at her alma mater, she stumbles across a decade-old murder, and soon ancient history isn’t all that’s coming back to haunt her. Old ghosts as well as new ones are coming out of the woodwork, some to test her, some to vex her, and it isn’t only because she’s a mediator, gifted with second sight.

What happens when old ghosts come back to haunt you?
If you’re a mediator, you might have to kick a little ass.

From a sophomore haunted by the murderous specter of a child to ghosts of a very different kind—including Paul Slater, Suze’s ex, who shows up to make a bargain Suze is certain must have come from the Devil himself—Suze isn’t sure she’ll make it through the semester, let alone to her wedding night. Suze is used to striking first and asking questions later. But what happens when ghosts from her past—including one she found nearly impossible to resist—strike first?

Which book are you “waiting on” this week?

Waiting on Wednesday: Sweet by Erin McCarthy

“Waiting On Wednesday” is a weekly event, hosted by Breaking the Spine, which spotlights upcoming releases that are eagerly anticipated!

Jessica has never had a problem getting naked with a guy, but when it comes to showing Riley how she truly feels inside, her fear of rejection may just ruin the best thing—the best guy—to ever happen to her…

Jessica Sweet thought going away to college would finally make her free of her parents’ constant judgments and insistence she play chastity club role model for their church events, but if anything, the freedom has made her realize she can’t go home and be a hypocrite anymore. Tired of dodging their questions, she stays at school over the summer and lands in an unexpected crash pad: Riley Mann’s house.

Sarcastic, cocky, and full of opinions, Riley is also sexy personified with tattoos and biceps earned from working as a roofer all day. Not the right guy for her even if Jessica was looking for a relationship, which she is definitely not. But Jessica knows that Riley hides the burden of having to raise his younger brothers behind that grin and as she helps him get his house in order for a custody hearing, they begin to fall hard for each other, and she is forced to question what she’s hiding herself.

Why I’m Excited:

This New Adult Contemporary title is releasing October 9th 2013 from Penguin’s digital imprint InterMix.

This is a companion novel to Erin’s first New Adult novel True, which I loved, and which ended too soon. Sweet might not be coming out in paperback just yet or have much hype right now, but it’s on my pre-order list (as an eBook) anyway – give this series a chance and it won’t disappoint you.

Waiting on Wednesday: Covet by Tracey Garvis Graves

“Waiting On Wednesday” is a weekly event, hosted by Breaking the Spine, which spotlights upcoming releases that are eagerly anticipated!

WHAT IF THE LIFE YOU WANTED, and the woman you fell in love with, BELONGED TO SOMEONE ELSE?

Chris and Claire Canton’s marriage is on life support. Their suburban life may look idyllic on the outside, but Claire has never felt so disconnected from Chris, or so lonely.

Local police officer Daniel Rush used to have it all, but now he goes home to an empty house every night. When Claire is hired to do some graphic design work for the police department her friendship with Daniel grows and soon they’re spending hours together.

Claire loves the way Daniel makes her feel, and the way his face lights up when she walks into the room. Daniel knows that Claire’s marital status means their relationship will never be anything other than platonic. But it doesn’t take long before Claire and Daniel are in way over their heads…

Why I’m Excited:

Tracey managed to capture my heart with her first novel On The Island and I’m hoping I’ll be just as hooked by Covet.

This Adult Romance is releasing September 17th 2013 from Dutton.

Waiting on Wednesday: The Lonesome Young by Lucy Connors

“Waiting On Wednesday” is a weekly event, hosted by Breaking the Spine, which spotlights upcoming releases that are eagerly anticipated!

WHAT HAPPENS when the teenage heirs of two bitterly FEUDING FAMILIES can’t stay away from each other?

The Rhodales and the Whitfields have been sworn enemies for close on a hundred years and now a meth lab explosion in rural Whitfield County is set to reignite the feud more viciously than ever before.

Especially when the toxic fire that results throws together two unlikely spectators – proper good girl Victoria Whitfield, exiled from boarding school after her father’s real estate business melts down in disgrace, and town motorcycle rebel Mickey Rhodale, too late as always to thwart his older brothers’ dangerous drug deals.

Why I’m Excited:

Romeo and Juliet (meh) meets Justified (say what?) – this has to be the strangest description of a YA novel that I’ve ever read… and that cover is just insane. I want, want, want to read this!

This YA contemporary title is releasing April 15th 2014 from Razorbill.

Waiting on Wednesday: The Promise of Amazing by Robin Constantine

“Waiting On Wednesday” is a weekly event, hosted by Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that are eagerly anticipated!

Goodreads:

Wren Caswell is average. Ranked in the middle of her class at Sacred Heart, she’s not popular, but not a social misfit. Wren is the quiet, “good” girl who’s always done what she’s supposed to—only now in her junior year, this passive strategy is backfiring. She wants to change, but doesn’t know how.

Grayson Barrett was the king of St. Gabe’s. Star of the lacrosse team, top of his class, on a fast track to a brilliant future—until he was expelled for being a “term paper pimp.” Now Gray is in a downward spiral and needs to change, but doesn’t know how. 

One fateful night their paths cross when Wren, working at her family’s Arthurian-themed catering hall, performs the Heimlich on Gray as he chokes on a cocktail weenie, saving his life literally and figuratively. What follows is the complicated, awkward, hilarious, and tender tale of two teens shedding their pasts, figuring out who they are—and falling in love.

Why I’m Excited:

If Jennifer Echols, Jessi Kirby and Stephanie Perkins all decided to write a novel together (based on their [imagined] joint love of Young Americans), it might be something like this one.

This YA contemporary read is releasing December 31st 2013 from Balzar and Bray.