*REVIEW* One Moment

Synopsis:

This was supposed to be the best summer of Maggie’s life. Now it’s the one she’d do anything to forget.

Maggie Reynolds remembers hanging out at the gorge with her closest friends after a blowout party the night before. She remembers climbing the trail hand in hand with her perfect boyfriend, Joey. She remembers that last kiss, soft, lingering, and meant to reassure her. So why can’t she remember what happened in the moment before they were supposed to dive? Why was she left cowering at the top of the cliff, while Joey floated in the water below—dead?

As Maggie’s memories return in snatches, nothing seems to make sense. Why was Joey acting so strangely at the party? Where did he go after taking her home? And if Joey was keeping these secrets, what else was he hiding?

The latest novel from the author of The Tension of Opposites, One Moment is a mysterious, searing look at how an instant can change everything you believe about the world around you.

One Moment was a pleasant surprise for me. I hadn't read Kristina McBride's previous book, The Tension of Opposites, so I was not sure what her writing would be like. I found myself completely immersed in the story... McBride has a way of hooking you in with wonderful, multi-faceted characters and deep and heart-felt emotions. I was very touched by One Moment and would highly recommend it!

One Moment is the story of six incredibly close friends who have grown up with each other and shared more good times and memories than can possibly be counted. Their junior year of high school is winding down and they are all looking forward to a fun and memorable Memorial Day weekend. Friday night finds the friends at a raging party where strange emotions seem to be brewing beneath the surface. The next day, the group ventures to one of their favorite spots for some cliff diving, sunbathing, tossing back some drinks, and just enjoying their friendships. No one could have predicted the tragic turn of events that would leave Joey, Maggie's boyfriend and fellow group member, lying shattered on the ground.

Following the accident, Maggie and the group try to begin picking up the pieces. Maggie's memory loss is alarming and forces her into therapy to try to figure out what exactly happened during those last moments on the cliff with Joey. As Maggie works on recovering her lost memories, secrets and mysteries begin to be revealed making Maggie question everything: What was Joey hiding from her? Where was he the night before the accident? Why do Adam and Shannon seem to be holding things back from her? As Maggie delves deeper and deeper into the truth, one thing becomes certain--this group of friends will never be the same.

I don't want to spoiler the book for anyone because it really is a good read. It's a QUICK read, but it's emotional, touching, and will stay with you after you've turned the final page. I WAS slightly disappointed by how quickly I had sussed out one of the main secrets of the book. I smelled that one coming WAYYY before the big reveal, but surprisingly, even knowing it was coming didn't ruin it for me.

And one thing I really and truly loved about the book was the friendship the six characters had. It was far from perfect, but it was realistic. Friends that grow up together and go through such a tumultuous phase of life, like adolescence, are bound to hit snags. It's not going to be pretty and perfect and honest and all of that ALL the time. That's not realistic. There will be jealousy, lies, secrets and possibly even betrayal as six people grow up and learn who they really are and what they really want. I commend Kristina McBride for beautifully showing that with these characters.

So to sum it up, you should read this! Definitely worth it. It releases on June 26th and would be a PERFECT beach read for you fellow beach readers out there... enjoy! *XOXO*

*thanks to Around the World Tours for the ARC*

*REVIEW* Black City

Synopsis: A dark and tender post-apocalyptic love story set in the aftermath of a bloody war. In a city where humans and Darklings are now separated by a high wall and tensions between the two races still simmer after a terrible war, sixteen-year-olds Ash Fisher, a half-blood Darkling, and Natalie Buchanan, a human and the daughter of the Emissary, meet and do the unthinkable--they fall in love. Bonded by a mysterious connection that causes Ash's long-dormant heart to beat, Ash and Natalie first deny and then struggle to fight their forbidden feelings for each other, knowing if they're caught, they'll be executed--but their feelings are too strong. When Ash and Natalie then find themselves at the center of a deadly conspiracy that threatens to pull the humans and Darklings back into war, they must make hard choices that could result in both their deaths.

Omigosh, I love, love, LOVE this book! The synopsis alone was more than enough for me to want to get my grubby little hands on it so I jumped at the chance to get on the tour at Around the World Tours. And let me tell you... once I started reading this one, I did NOT want to put it down! It's got romance, mystery, evil political agendas, warring factions, you name it. This is one you will not want to miss!

Black City introduces us to Ash and Natalie, two individuals leading VERY different lives. Natalie is the daughter of the most powerful woman in the city, the emissary, who is fighting to instill the values of Purian Rose, a dictatorial leader who wants to ensure that segregation between Darklings and Humans becomes a lasting and permanent way of life. Ash is a twin-blood, a half-blood Darkling living with his human father while secretly desiring to meet his Darkling kin on the other side of the boundary wall. Tensions between the races are at an all-time high and the threat of another war is never quite forgotten.

A chance encounter under a bridge leads to Ash and Natalie's lives becoming entangled as the two fall inexplicably in love. The young lovers know that nothing but danger lies ahead as it is a capital offense to date outside one's race, but they can't seem to help themselves, especially once they realize that they've bonded and that it's due to Natalie that Ash's long-dormant heart is now beating in time with hers. Shocking revelations come to light that have the lovers questioning everything: Are they meant to be together or did a cruel and shocking twist of fate force them into feelings that they cannot control?

In addition to figuring out their confusing feelings for one another, Natalie and Ash are thrust into a world of mystery as questions begin to arise about the Golden Haze, a drug that is killing human teenagers at an alarming rate. Coupled with that fact that more and more Darklings are sucumbing to the Wrath, a killer disease that literally eats away at their flesh, it seems that no one is truly safe. Who is to blame for the death plaguing both sides of the wall? Could there ever be peace or is another war inevitable? And will none of these questions matter as Natalie deals with a stalker intent on scaring her, or possibly doing more harm than that? You're going to have to wait to find this all out!

You've GOT to grab this one when it releases on November 13, 2012. It's just SO GOOD. It's entertaining, fast-paced, I LOVE the switching of POV's between Natalie and Ash! It's the type of book that keeps you frantically flipping the pages and if you're like me, you'll end up super bummed to have to wait to find out what happens when book two is released. ARGHHHH, slow release schedules can be brutal when a book is that freakin' good. I want to know what happens NOWWWW.

Okay, whine over. But seriously, scoop this one up for yourself when it comes out this fall and you'll know exactly how I feel! Way to go, Elizabeth Richards. You've got me hooked! :)

Expected publication: November 13, 2012 by G.P. Putnam's Sons BYR
*thanks to Around the World Tours!*

In My Mailbox (23)

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by The Story Siren. Here are books I've either won, been given, borrowed, or bought this past week:

For Review:
*thanks to Around the World Tours*

Synopsis: A dark and tender post-apocalyptic love story set in the aftermath of a bloody war. In a city where humans and Darklings are now separated by a high wall and tensions between the two races still simmer after a terrible war, sixteen-year-olds Ash Fisher, a half-blood Darkling, and Natalie Buchanan, a human and the daughter of the Emissary, meet and do the unthinkable--they fall in love. Bonded by a mysterious connection that causes Ash's long-dormant heart to beat, Ash and Natalie first deny and then struggle to fight their forbidden feelings for each other, knowing if they're caught, they'll be executed--but their feelings are too strong. When Ash and Natalie then find themselves at the center of a deadly conspiracy that threatens to pull the humans and Darklings back into war, they must make hard choices that could result in both their deaths.

Synopsis: This was supposed to be the best summer of Maggie’s life. Now it’s the one she’d do anything to forget... Maggie Reynolds remembers hanging out at the gorge with her closest friends after a blowout party the night before. She remembers climbing the trail hand in hand with her perfect boyfriend, Joey. She remembers that last kiss, soft, lingering, and meant to reassure her. So why can’t she remember what happened in the moment before they were supposed to dive? Why was she left cowering at the top of the cliff, while Joey floated in the water below—dead? As Maggie’s memories return in snatches, nothing seems to make sense. Why was Joey acting so strangely at the party? Where did he go after taking her home? And if Joey was keeping these secrets, what else was he hiding?

Bought:

Synopsis: It’s been thirty-five weeks since twin sisters Harmony and Melody went their separate ways. And now their story has become irresistible: twins separated at birth, each due to deliver twins…on the same day! Married to Ram and living in Goodside, Harmony spends her time trying to fit back into the community she once believed in. But she can’t forget about Jondoe, the guy she fell for under the strangest of circumstances. To her adoring fans, Melody has achieved everything: a major contract and a coupling with the hottest bump prospect around. But this image is costing her the one guy she really wants. The girls’ every move is analyzed by millions of fans eagerly counting down to “Double Double Due Date.” They’re two of the most powerful teen girls on the planet, and they could do only one thing to make them even more famous: Tell the truth.

I love good book weeks!! *squee* I've started Black City and I'm LOVING it so far, what a great book! What did YOU get this week? Leave me a link and I'll check it out! *XOXO*

*REVIEW* Hush

Synopsis:

"New York Times" bestselling author and "Cosmopolitan"'s editor-in-chief returns with a sizzling, page-turning thriller in which an ordinary woman flees the scene of a murder--and realizes it's not just the law that's hunting her.

When Lake Warren learns that her husband, Jack, is suing for full custody of their two kids four months after their separation, she's pretty certain that things can't get any worse. The upside is that she's working with the Advanced Fertility Center as a marketing consultant, alongside the attractive, flirtatious Dr. Keaton. But the morning after their one-night stand, Lake finds Keaton with his throat slashed and discovers that things can indeed become worse--they can become deadly.

So as not to jeopardize her case for custody, Lake is forced to lie to the police. Having just been intimate with a man who has been murdered, and wanting to protect herself from being charged with the crime, she begins her own search for the truth. Meanwhile, the police start looking at her closely, people at the clinic start treating her with hostility, and strange clues begin dropping--quite literally--on her doorstep, and Lake realizes that she is dangerously close to dark secrets, both about Keaton and the clinic. But can Lake stop what she's started before it's too late?

I'm a huge fan of Kate White. I mean, she's the editor-in-chief of COSMO which remains to this day one of my fave magazines! But she's also a talented mystery writer and her Bailey Weggins series is a fave of mine. When I saw her stand-alone book, Hush, I knew it was bound to be full of the same intrigue, mystery, and danger of her other books.

Hush introduces us to Lake Warren, a marketing consultant who has just found out that her soon-to-be ex-husband is filing for full custody of their two kids. This news is devastating to Lake who knows she has to remain on top of her game so as not to give her ex any ammunition for their court date. Planning to throw herself into work, she participates in some not-so-innocent flirting with Dr. Keaton, a gorgeous doctor who is about to join the Advanced Fertility Center where she currently is working. A celebatory dinner for Keaton morphs into a night of hot passion for Lake as she decides to give in this one time and go home with a man. Her kids are away at summer camp and once they come home, Lake knows she will be flying solo so she figures what the hell and rolls with it.

Turns out, that night was way more than Lake bargained for. She wakes to find that Keaton has been brutally murdered and her DNA is all over the scene. Terrified that she'll be a prime suspect, Lake flees the scene and begins a chain of events that involve her lying to the police, someone purposely trying to scare her, and huge revelations about the Advanced Fertility Center. As Lake learns more and more details, it's clear that she's stepping into something she may not be able to step out of. Will she be able to learn the truth or will someone silence her before she figures it all out?

I quite enjoyed Hush. It was fast-paced and there's enough action and intrigue to keep you interested in flipping the pages. In addition to the murder mystery, the mystery about the potential wrong-doing of the fertility clinic adds an extra element to the book because readers aren't quite sure how the two events are related, or if they're related at all. It's like having two mystery books in one! Kate White's writing style is fun and easy to read and she has a way of hooking you at the end of each chapter so that it's hard to put the book down. If you've read her stuff before and liked it, you won't be disappointed with Hush. While I still prefer the Bailey Weggins books, Hush was an entertaining read. Enjoy! *XOXO*

FUN FRIDAY: The Avengers

Happy Friday!! :) Normally, FUN FRIDAY is where I reveal something about me, some personal tidbit that will allow my followers to get to know me better. Since I follow several blogs and I often wonder who the bloggers REALLY are behind the words, I thought it would be a cool thing to open up a bit and to reveal more about who I really am. Today, however, there's only one thing I want to talk about:

Ever since my fiance convinced me to watch the Iron Man movies, I have been ADDICTED to Marvel and their hottie superheroes. While the Iron Man movies remain my favorite (come on, Robert Downey, Jr. is BRILLIANT!), I've really enjoyed Captain America and Thor as well. These movies have all been leading up to a MAJOR motion picture, a collaboration that includes all the characters Marvel fans have grown to love. That movie is THE AVENGERS and let me tell you, it was AMAZING!!!

I'm actually surprised by how much I liked it because I was worried my main man, Iron Man, wouldn't get much screen time and I would feel jilted. That SO wasn't the case and I found myself not being all that upset when he WASN'T on camera because the rest of the movie and characters were SO good. I credit this in large part to Joss Whedon. For those who don't know who he is, he was the writer and creator of Buffy the Vampire Slayer which remains to this day one of my all-time favorite TV shows. The same humor, wit, and superb writing that was a staple of Buffy was brought to The Avengers and the result is a movie so entertaining, even non-comic book/superhero fans will enjoy it.

Okaaaaaay, gushing is over. But seriously, if you have time this weekend, go out and see this one. Especially if you've got a man in your life, he'll adore you forEVER if you surprise him and take him to see it. Make sure to get some snacks, you'll need something to do with your hands if you're like me and found yourself on the edge of your seat! Hope you all have a magical and fantastic and SUPER weekend! *XOXO*

2012 TBR PILE Reading Challenge: April Update!

April was another fairly busy month for me, just for very different reasons than March was! I did read quite a few books in April, but only two met the criteria for the challenge:

Ten Things We Did (and Probably Shouldn't Have) by Sarah Mlynowski

The Six Rules of Maybe by Deb Caletti

I'm still loving this challenge because it's forcing me to make time for books that are often neglected and passed over. It's not too late to get in on this if you'd like! Check out my sidebar for information and HAPPY, HAPPY READING! :)

Teaser Tuesday: Hush

Teaser Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by MizB at Should Be Reading!

Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

-Grab your current read
-Open to a random page
-Share two “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!)

Share the title and author, too, so that other Teaser Tuesday participants can add the book to their TBR lists if they like your teasers!

This week's teaser comes from Hush by Kate White:

She moved closer to the bed, nervous about the dog. She soon saw it wasn't a dog. It was a huge dark stain on the sheet. She glanced over at Keaton. His eyes were open but blank, and his mouth was frozen in a grimace. On his neck was a bloodied gash, rippled with muscle and gaping like a horrible grin from one end to the other. pg. 36

For those who are unaware, Kate White is the editor-in-chief of Cosmo magazine and she also writes mystery novels. Her Bailey Weggins series is a FAVE of mine so I was stoked to see Hush on shelves. I've had it for forever it seems but kept putting it off for some reason. I'm glad I started it though because it's SO good so far! If you like mystery/murder books, you'll definitely dig Kate White's writing. And there's just enough sexy scenes to remind you that she is the editor of a FAB women's magazine. Enjoy!! *XOXO*