A-Z Challenge...Y

Today Y=Your order is on its way! I love those e-mails. You know the ones I'm talking about...you go a little nuts ordering books one day and then sit back anxiously awaiting their arrival. Then you get word that they are on their way. And then you wait, vowing not to attack the mailman when you see him carrying one of those small brown boxes.

So here is what's heading my way:

Abandon by Meg Cabot

Illusionsby Aprilynne Pike

Bite Club (Morganville Vampires #10) by Rachel Caine

Chime by Franny Billingsley

Like I said...I went a little nuts, but what can I say? They had a good sale! So what books have you ordered or purchased lately? Are you chomping at the bit to read them like me?

W=Writer's Insanity

Do you have it?

Check out the signs below and if you can nod and smile with even just one, well then I'm sorry my friend. You've got it. You've got it bad.

How will you fare? Read on and find out:

10. You leave the house in such a spastic hurry for work that you're not sure you're wearing matching shoes. (This is due in large part to taking that extra few minutes out of your morning routine to finish that chapter you've been dying to get down on paper.)

9. You opt for a ponytail and slap on the make-up in order to buy yourself more writing time.

8. Mac and Cheese/Hamburger Helper become gourmet meals at home.

7. You start referring to your characters like they are real life people.

6. Caffeine becomes its own food group.

5. Sleep becomes highly overrated. That's what the weekends are for right?

4. You can carry on an entire conversation by yourself.

3. In the car on the way to work you get an idea out of the clear blue sky, have no paper so you write on your arm with your lipstick because you also have no pen. (Do not even judge me it only happened once!)

2. Non-writers often look at you like you're speaking another language when you talk about your manuscript or even your favorite books.

1. Last but certainly not least...Someone can be talking to you and you hear nothing. Not a darn word because you have dialogue running through your head and you secretly want to get to a quiet corner to write it down.

So how did you fare? Did I leave anything out that you our willing to share? Come on spill, you know you want to!

A-Z Challenge...Voice

We've all heard it. We've all read it on countless blogs posted by agents and editors, that key ingredient that pulls a manuscript out of the slushpile and separates itself from all the others.

What is it you ask? Voice.

Simple right? Not exactly. You see though voice is the key to making or breaking a story, it's also the toughest to grasp. I know it's a constant thorn in my side. There's no clear cut way to add voice to your work and no two authors utilize it in the same way. Think of it as your very own fingerprint in the writing world. Which is a good thing. It's like people, if we were all alike this world would be a very boring place.

So how do you find your voice? There is no sure-fire way...but here are a few tips that have helped me.

1. Read-read whatever you can get your hands on. Read the genre you write in. Read outside of your genre. Give yourself the knowledge of what's out there and how your favorite authors use their voice. Then think of your own. It's essential to know what's been done in order to set yourself apart from it.

2. Write-write whatever you're passionate about. Write what you love. Don't lend yourself to writing trends or whatever you think is the "it" topic of the moment. I've found that if I'm not one hundred percent in love with what I'm working on my voice falls flat.

3. Personality-let your personality show. Ultimately that's what voice is. Your own personality shining through your characters. Personality adds the spice and flavor to your writing so don't hold back.

4. Don't be afraid to rake risks!- Writers can't be afraid to put themselves out there. Be terrified, afraid...but then tell yourself this: If you don't try how will you ever know what potential you possess?

Still uncertain? That's okay. Voice is one of those elusive traits that one person will love and another...not so much. This is a subjective business after all.

Here are a few questions to ponder the next time those creative juices start to flow.
*Am I enthusiastic about my topic?
*Does this writing sound like me?
*How do I want my readers to feel?
*Will my story hold a readers attention? Will they want to hear more?

Now its your turn. How do you find your voice? I'd love to know!

A-Z Challenge...Under Pressure

Writers put themselves under an immense amount of pressure. Usually before they even sit down to write. So how does this factor in when you are under a deadline, going through revisions or even completing a first draft?

The truth is it doesn't. So what do you do when inspiration remains evasive? Do you sit there gaping at the screen, pondering what deity in the universe is laughing heartily at your expense? Not quite. The next step is really quite simple.

Take a break. It's okay, trust me. Procrastination is one thing. It's a whole other post if you want to get down to it. But accepting the fact that you may need a break is something entirely different. There's no shame in admitting that your mind needs a rest. Is it hard? Absolutely.

Here are a few ideas:

Take a walk- You'd be surprised how effective even a short walk can be. No I don't take them late at night, but I do like to walk right after work and I've found that the ideas tend to come more readily. I've even run straight into the house to jot some down.

Watch a little TV- TV always relaxes me and allows my mind to wander. Usually I keep my trusty little notepad with me and if ideas come, I can write them down during the commercials.

Read a good book- Reading a good book always gets me in the mood to write. I love getting inspired by the words of other writers, seeing what they have achieved. It also reminds me why I do what I do.

Shopping- Retail therapy is always a great motivator for me...oops, its research, that's the party line that I feed my husband. Research for current trends is my reasoning for spending hours at the mall. I know this sounds like a crazy way to get inspiration, but I never claimed that my methods made sense.

Starbucks- When all else fails make a Starbucks run. Or sit and stay a while. Something about sitting and working in those places gets the creativity going for me. Okay so we all knew I would throw in Starbucks. It's pretty much a given for me.

Bottom line...when your mind gets all tangled in the web of craziness that we as writers all like to weave, relieve a bit of the pressure by doing something for yourself to relax. The ideas will return.

Okay, now it's your turn. When your thoughts go by the wayside, how do you get them fired up and sparking again?

S=So Many Books...So Little Time

Every single time I make the slightest dent in my TBR pile I manage to discover even more books to add to my list. But that's okay, I'd rather have too many books than none at all. So here are a few little gems I stumbled across yesterday:

The Goddess Test (Goddess Test #1) by Aimee Carter

Goodreads Description:
It's always been just Kate and her mom—and her mother is dying. Her last wish? To move back to her childhood home. So Kate's going to start at a new school with no friends, no other family and the fear her mother won't live past the fall.

Then she meets Henry. Dark. Tortured. And mesmerizing. He claims to be Hades, god of the Underworld—and if she accepts his bargain, he'll keep her mother alive while Kate tries to pass seven tests.

Kate is sure he's crazy—until she sees him bring a girl back from the dead. Now saving her mother seems crazily possible. If she succeeds, she'll become Henry's future bride, and a goddess.

Thank-you Lindsay for recommending this one...
Chime by Franny Billingsley

Goodreads Description:
Before Briony's stepmother died, she made sure Briony blamed herself for all the family's hardships. Now Briony has worn her guilt for so long it's become a second skin. She often escapes to the swamp, where she tells stories to the Old Ones, the spirits who haunt the marshes. But only witches can see the Old Ones, and in her village, witches are sentenced to death. Briony lives in fear her secret will be found out, even as she believes she deserves the worst kind of punishment.

Then Eldric comes along with his golden lion eyes and mane of tawny hair. He's as natural as the sun, and treats her as if she's extraordinary. And everything starts to change. As many secrets as Briony has been holding, there are secrets even she doesn't know.

The Vespertine (Vespertine #1) by Saundra Mitchell

Goodreads Description:
It’s the summer of 1889, and Amelia van den Broek is new to Baltimore and eager to take in all the pleasures the city has to offer. But her gaiety is interrupted by disturbing, dreamlike visions she has only at sunset—visions that offer glimpses of the future. Soon, friends and strangers alike call on Amelia to hear her prophecies. However, a forbidden romance with Nathaniel, an artist, threatens the new life Amelia is building in Baltimore. This enigmatic young man is keeping secrets of his own—still, Amelia finds herself irrepressibly drawn to him.

When one of her darkest visions comes to pass, Amelia’s world is thrown into chaos. And those around her begin to wonder if she’s not the seer of dark portents, but the cause.

Now it's your turn...what books are you just dying to read?

A-Z Challenge...R

R is for Renae! Oh yes, I am taking the easy road today. Thank you Jen for giving me this great idea that I'm stealing. This has been such a long week and my brain is fried! So since you made the trip over here let me share a few things that most of you no doubt probably already know.

1. I have a day job...teaching second grade and no I can't formulate coherent sentences at the end of the day.

2. I have two adorable kids. Scarlett and Schandon. Scarlett is the diva extraordinaire and her brother Schandon is the football playing saint that endures her antics.

3. I hate cheese. There I said it. (Want to gross me out? Force me to make mac & cheese. Yuck!!!)

4. But I do love chocolate cake. (Though I try to avoid it!)

5. I do have weird quirks. I like things in a certain order. I'm a little OCD about it to be honest.

Okay enough about me...well that is unless the rest of you have anything you are just dying to know. This is your one and only chance, otherwise share something about your wonderful self!

Q=Quiters

Have you ever felt like throwing in the towel and quitting it all? Has there ever been a time that you felt like you couldn't possibly write another word?

I have. There are those days when you have one to many let downs, or get a rejection on some requested material or even hit a rough patch in your new manuscript. Those days are tough.

So why do we stick with it? What makes writers dig deep and stay on this roller coaster of a journey?

Well for me it's simple...I just can't stop. When all is said and done, writing is my outlet. There's nothing like polishing a scene until it's exactly they way I want it. Or typing the last sentence on that manuscript I've been working so hard on.

The list goes on and on. Bottom line though, since I have started writing I have an escape. A place to go where I can control what happens.

Now it's your turn, why do you stick with the writing game? What keeps you coming back for more?

Perfect Writing Getaways

This time of year is always absolutely chaotic. With field trips, construction, field days and the last day of school right around the corner, my days are filled with stressful madness.

So it got me to thinking of the perfect place to write. Here's what I managed to come up with...

How about a nice home office?


A nice quiet library perhaps?


A beautiful cafe?


The beach anyone?


Or my personal favorite, Central Park.

And now back to reality. I dare not show you my actual writing space. Now it's your turn...what would your perfect writing space look like?

On My Wishlist...

On My Wishlist is a fun weekly event hosted by Book Chick City. It's where you can list all the books you desperately want but haven't actually bought yet. They can be old, new or forthcoming. Mr Linky is always at the ready for you to link your own 'On My Wishlist' post. If you want to know more click here.

I know I'm a couple of days late, but what can I say, I needed an O. So here is my wislist for this week:

Illusions by Aprilynne Pike


Laurel hasn't seen Tamani since she begged him to let her go last year. Though her heart still aches, Laurel is confident that David was the right choice.

But just as life is returning to normal, Laurel discovers that a hidden enemy lies in wait. Once again, Laurel must turn to Tamani to protect and guide her, for the danger that now threatens Avalon is one that no faerie thought would ever be possible. And for the first time, Laurel cannot be sure that her side will prevail.

Bite Club (The Morganville Vampires #10) by Rachel Caine

After discovering that vampires populate her town, college student Claire Danvers knows that the undead just want to live their lives. But someone else wants them to get ready to rumble.

There's a new extreme sport getting picked up on the Internet: bare- knuckle fights pitting captured vampires against each other-or humans. Tracking the remote signal leads Claire- accompanied by her friends and frenemies-to discover that what started as an online brawl will soon threaten everyone in Morganville...

Beauty Queens by Libba Bray


From bestselling, Printz Award-winning author Libba Bray, the story of a plane of beauty pageant contestants that crashes on a desert island.
Teen beauty queens. A "Lost"-like island. Mysteries and dangers. No access to email. And the spirit of fierce, feral competition that lives underground in girls, a savage brutality that can only be revealed by a journey into the heart of non-exfoliated darkness. Oh, the horror, the horror! Only funnier. With evening gowns. And a body count.

That's it for this week. Feel free to share what's on your wishlist. I'm always looking to add to mine!

N=New Things!

Everyone loves to get new things. Clothes, purses shoes etc...

But this weekend the new item I acquired was something I have been itching to get my hands on since I first saw it in the movie theater. Yes that's right my very own copy of The Deathly Hallows.


So as most of you probably guessed, my daughter and I have been having a Harry Potter marathon all day. And it has been worth the wait I must say.

I hope every has a great weekend! See you back here on Monday.

M=Movies!

I love going to the movies, getting out of the house, the popcorn. What's not to love? The following, in no particular order, are some upcoming flicks that I can't wait to see:








How many of those I actually get to go to remains to be seen. So did I miss any? What movies are you dying to see?

Live It...Learn It...Love It

As writers we live by a game plan. It may not be conducive to any nonwriterly people we may come in to contact with, but we live by it just the same. And we love it, regardless of the raised brows and crazed looks it earns us.

My plan goes something like this...

*Wake up at 5:00 in the morning, get ready for work, then blog until it's time to leave.

*Stumble through my day (because I'm usually so tired.) That of course is where the coffee comes in.

*Get home from work, fix dinner, homework, time with the kiddos. (You get the idea.)

*Once the bed time routines are complete, I breathe a sigh of relief, pull out my laptop and write until the wee hours of the morning. Who needs sleep anyway right?

*Then I go to bed so I can get up and do it all over again the next day!

But I love what I do and I can't imagine not writing. So spill...how crazy is your game plan each day?

K Is For Kaleidoscope

This one was a tough one. But I looked up the definition of Kaleidoscope and this is what I found: An instrument invented by Sir David Brewster, which contains
loose fragments of colored glass, etc., and reflecting
surfaces so arranged that changes of position exhibit its
contents in an endless variety of beautiful colors and
symmetrical forms. It has been much employed in arts of
design.

This got me thinking, our writing in a way is much like a Kaleidoscope. Instead of colors, writers use words, but the effect is similar. Move a few things around and you have an entirely different meaning. A fresh new perspective.

If a chapter is not flowing quite the way you want it, shake things up, manipulate it until you love it. Characters falling flat? Add a little something extra to them.

Just remember that one small change can breathe new life into your writing. Whether you're working on a first draft or a final polish, The slightest flick of pen or brush of a keystroke can change everything.

Just Write...

When the ideas are flowing and you finally have that well deserved chunk of time to work, the last thing you want to do is let anything get in the way.

The main goal when writing unltimately should be to get your story down on paper. At least when I first start a new MS that is my goal.

So why then does the task seem so difficult?

Oh let me think...I can come up with a few reasons off the top of my head:

Outside disturbances-At my house I am finder of all lost things, homework guru and a referee.

To Do Lists-There is never a dull moment at my house and there is always something to be done.

Daytime Job-As much as I would love to stay at home and work on my writing while the kiddos are at school, I have to work. And as most of you know, by the time you get home from work (if you are like me) formulating cohesive thoughts is quite hard.

My Inner Editor-Ah, yes my pesky inner editor. She likes to rear her ugly head at the most inopportuned of times. I have to admit that I am getting used to ignoring her.

So in order to get my story out, I sit down at my designated time, shut the rest of the world out and write. I write until my time is up and I write without letting my inner editor have a voice. As hard as all of this is for me, I used this strategy on my last ms and it really did help. Of course I still scribble away any chance I can get, but at least I know that during my time I'm being productive.

So what about you? Anything to add? I love advice!

In My Mailbox

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by The Story Siren. Anyone can participate in IMM and you are not limited to only sharing books that arrive via your mailbox. You can also share books that you've bought or books that you've gotten at the library. You can find more information on how to participate in the In My Mailbox meme by visiting The Story Siren

This week in my mailbox...

Hush, Hush (Hush, Hush #1) by Becca Fitzpatrick

For Nora Grey, romance was not part of the plan. She's never been particularly attracted to the boys at her school, no matter how much her best friend, Vee, pushes them at her...until Patch comes along. With his easy smile and eyes that seem to see inside her, Nora is drawn to him against her better judgment, but after a series of terrifying encounters, Nora's not sure whom to trust. Patch seems to be everywhere she is, and to know more about her than her closest friends. She can't decide whether she should fall into his arms or run and hide. And when she tries to seek some answers, she finds herself near a truth that is far more unsettling than anything Patch makes her feel. For Nora is right in the middle of an ancient battle between the immortal and those that have fallen - and when it comes to choosing sides, the wrong choice will cost her life.

Crescendo (Hush, Hush #2) by Becca Fitzpatrick

Nora Grey's life is still far from perfect. Surviving an attempt on her life wasn't pleasant, but atleast she got a guardian angel out of it: a mysterious, magnetic, gorgeous guardian angel. But, despite his role in her life, Patch has been acting anything but angelic. He's more elusive than ever and even worse, he's started spending time with Nora's arch-enemy, Marcie Millar. Nora would have hardly noticed Scott Parnell, an old family friend who has moved back to town, if Path hadnt been acting so distant. Even with Scott's totally infuriating attitude Nora finds herself drawn to him - despite her lingering feeling that he's hiding something. Haunted by images of her murdered father, and questioning whether her nephilim bloodline has anything to do with his death, Nora puts herself increasingly in dangerous situations as she desperatly searches for answers. But maybe some things are better left buried, because the truth could destroy everything - and everyone - she trusts.

And of course this one...

City of Fallen Angels (The Mortal Instruments #4) by Cassandra Clare City of Fallen Angels takes place two months after the events of City of Glass. In it, a mysterious someone’s killing the Shadowhunters who used to be in Valentine’s Circle and displaying their bodies around New York City in a manner designed to provoke hostility between Downworlders and Shadowhunters, leaving tensions running high in the city and disrupting Clary’s plan to lead as normal a life as she can — training to be a Shadowhunter, and pursuing her relationship with Jace. As Jace and Clary delve into the issue of the murdered Shadowhunters, they discover a mystery that has deeply personal consequences for them — consequences that may strengthen their relationship, or rip it apart forever. Meanwhile, internecine warfare among vampires is tearing the Downworld community apart, and only Simon — the Daylighter who everyone wants on their side — can decide the outcome; too bad he wants nothing to do with Downworld politics. Love, blood, betrayal and revenge: the stakes are higher than ever in City of Fallen Angels.

That's it for me this week...so what's in your mailbox? I'd love to hear about it!

How To Focus

This time of year with the promise of summer just around the corner and a hundred things still on my to-do list, I tend to get a little bit scattered. Some days I don't know whether I am coming or going.

So I have revisited a few solutions to my problem. Now I have capitalized on my writing time and have more free time to spend on my dreaded to-do list.

Below I've listed the quick fixes that anyone can use:

1. Headphones-I always assemble some sort of playlist when I start working on a new MS. Music always helps get my creativity flowing and it relaxes me.

2. Un-plug-Now don't panic. It's only for a little while and I promise the blogoshpere will still be there when you get back. Again, I told myself this over and over again when I was forced to do this very thing.

3. Find you own space-This is very important. Set aside a small area (or a large one if you have it.) But make it yours and yours alone. Have everything you need right there at your fingertips. My family knows when I go to my space to work that I'm basically on an island surrounded by sharks and they can't get to me.

4. Set aside a special time-I have a set amount of time set aside each day for me to work. It's not a lot, but without the constant interruptions I get so much more accomplished.

5. Give yourself permission-Give yourself permission to take breaks from your writing. Give yourself permission to celebrate even the smallest of victories. Just give yourself whatever you need you need in order to be successful in your writing venture. Though nothing in my crazy life is foolproof, these fixes have helped me tremendously! So now it's your turn...when your world is spinning out of control, how do you focus? Have a great weekend everyone!

G Is for Goodreads

Words alone cannot express how addicted I am to this site. Each week when I post my Wishlist I have so many of you comment that you love the books...well, this is where I find my books. There are so many amazing lists to choose from like this one, 2011 Book Releases I Crave. Or you can simply search for your favorite authors or genres.

One of the fun parts is their widgets. Once you create a reading list, you can make collages out of them for your blogs, much like the two examples that I have in my sidebar.

There are so many great features on this site, you can invite friends and share reviews with them. Join groups and hear what others are reading in your favorite genres and then discuss them.

I will admit that I have yet to explore every nook and cranny of Goodreads and there is so much more to offer. So if you need one more thing other than blogging, Twitter, Facebook, you should check it out here. Enjoy!

Finally…

There are so many uses for that word today, but in keeping with Jen’s words of wisdom I have managed to dwindle the list down to three.

* Tomorrow is Friday! This has been such a long and I am so very excited for the weekend. No big plans really just spending time with my kids and working on my writing.

* My Internet is working so I will be able to post at my normal time instead of the evening. I know that’s not a big thing, but it has been making me crazy and I have not gotten around to as many blogs as I had planned.

* Last and certainly not least…after over a month of re-runs (though I love those as well) Vampire Diaries is all new! See? It does not take much at all to make me happy!

So there you have it…now tell me, what have you been waiting for this week? Do you live for the weekends like I do?

Erasing The Bad...

Do you ever wish that you could just wipe away some of the not so good things that have occurred in your life? Rinse them away like they never happened. Pretend it was all a bad dream?

I do.

At least I thought I did. And then I started to think. Had I not gone through certain experiences, I never would have started writing again. If I wasn’t stressed just a little throughout the day my creativity would be stifled.

I’m not saying I want bad things to happen or that I love having drama in my life. This is just me trying to put a positive spin on why things happen and how I manage to deal. So now when I begin to throw a little pity party for myself, I flip open my laptop instead. It still amazes me that no matter how bad or crazed the day might seem, when I dive into my own little world, everything is just a little bit better.

So what about all of you out there? Ever have a day or events you’d like to erase? How do you deal?

Debut Author Reading List

For me it is extremely important to support new authors as they embark on publishing their very first novels. Besides, these talented individuals make it easy when they write such amazing stories. So of course I began compiling a list of books I simply must get my hands on...some of them I have and some I am still pining for.

Here is my list so far: For complete descriptions you can visit my list on Goodreads.

The False Princess by Eilis O'Neal
Unearthly by Cynthia Hand
Entangled by Cat Clarke
Across The Universe by Beth Revis
The Iron Witch by Karen Mahoney
Vesper by Jeff Sampson
The Liar Society by Lisa and Laura Roecker
Angelfire by Allison Courtney Moulton
Haven by Kristi Cook
A Touch Mortal by Leah Clifford
Burn Bright by Marianne de Pierres
Falling Under by Gwen Hayes
Wither by Lauren DeStefano
Die For Me by Amy Plum
Flawless by Lara Chapman
Awaken by Katie Kacvinsky
Possession by Elana Johnson
Luminous by Dawn Metcalf
Bad Taste In Boys by Carrie Harris
Wildefire by Karsten Knight
The Near Witch by Victoria Schwab
Anna Dressed In Blood by Kendare Blake
Half-Blood by Jennifer L. Armentrout
The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin
Shattered Souls by Mary Lindsey

And that's only my debut author list...my pile just keeps growing and growing. If I ever make it to the bottom, well that's not going to happen so why worry about it?

So spill...what books are you pining for this year?

City Of Fallen Angels

How fortunate that C in the A-Z challenge fell on the day before one of my favorite authors releases the next installment in her fabulous series. That's right. City of Fallen Angels hits shelves tomorrow and I for one cannot wait. If you have not dove head first into The Mortal Instruments, I highly recommend that you do. You will not be sorry. From the moment I picked up the first book I was hooked. Cassandra Clare has a talent for weaving a beautiful story that pulls you in and holds on until the very end. As if that alone isn't enough, her covers are gorgeous. Have a look...

Still not convinced? Take a peek at the first three installments:

Now I'm even more anxious for tomorrow. Does anyone else ever feel like a little kid at times like this? I certainly hope so!

Okay and now last but certainly not least, the winner of my ARC of Possession...

The winner is VIVIEN! Thanks to everyone that helped spread the word about Elana's awesome book!

B=Being Productive

This says a lot today considering Saturday is my day to be a bum.

I sleep in. Skip the gym. Cheat on my diet and spend time with my kiddos.

You get the idea.

Saturday is also the day I get the most writing done. Crazy right?

Not really.

If there is one thing that relaxes me and relieves the stress that erodes into my daily life it's my writing. So on Saturday afternoons when the little one is down for her nap and my son is playing X-Box, I write.

I write without listening to my inner editor. My goal is to simply get my thoughts and story down on paper. I work on a new WIP or an existing scene that's not quite where I want it to be.

Whatever it is, when I finish, I do feel productive. Regardless of what I accomplish or fail to complete the rest of the day. Writing is my outlet, the one thing that takes my mind off of everything that's troubling me. When I'm working...for just a little while I am in control and things go the way I want them too. Isn't that a great feeling?

So why do you write? What holds your dedication to your craft?

Blogging from A-Z April Challenge-A

Today marks the beginning of the A-Z Challenge. Challenge being the operative word for me, the challenge requires that bloggers post everyday but Sunday. Thus the challenge...at least for me. But I think I'm up for it. I hope!

So let's get started.

A stands for A Wishlist...Ha! maybe I can make this work!

Die for Me (Revenants #1) by Amy Plum

Goodreads Description:
My life had always been blissfully, wonderfully normal. But it only took one moment to change everything.

Suddenly, my sister, Georgia, and I were orphans. We put our lives into storage and moved to Paris to live with my grandparents. And I knew my shattered heart, my shattered life, would never feel normal again. Then I met Vincent.

Mysterious, sexy, and unnervingly charming, Vincent Delacroix appeared out of nowhere and swept me off my feet. Just like that, I was in danger of losing my heart all over again. But I was ready to let it happen.

Of course, nothing is ever that easy. Because Vincent is no normal human. He has a terrifying destiny, one that puts his life at risk every day. He also has enemies . . . immortal, murderous enemies who are determined to destroy him and all of his kind.

While I'm fighting to piece together the remnants of my life, can I risk putting my heart—as well as my life and my family's—in jeopardy for a chance at love?

Flawless by Lara Chapman

Goodreads Description:
FLAWLESS is a modern retelling of the Cyrano story in which a senior-class salutatorian with a notable nose agrees to help her perfectly gorgeous best friend catch the eye of the new hottie at school, only to discover he's actually the perfect guy for her.

Awaken by Katie Kacvinsky


Goodreads Description:
Maddie lives in a world where everything is done on the computer. Whether it’s to go to school or on a date, people don’t venture out of their home. There’s really no need. For the most part, Maddie’s okay with the solitary, digital life—until she meets Justin. Justin likes being with people. He enjoys the physical closeness of face-to-face interactions. People aren’t meant to be alone, he tells her.

Suddenly, Maddie feels something awakening inside her—a feeling that maybe there is a different, better way to live. But with society and her parents telling her otherwise, Maddie is going to have to learn to stand up for herself if she wants to change the path her life is taking.

In this not-so-brave new world, two young people struggle to carve out their own space.

*Don't forget tomorrow is the last day to enter for a chance to win my ARC of Elana Johnson's Possession.