New Release Round-Up: September 10-16, 2012

Young Adult


Unspoken
by Sarah Rees Brennan

Release date: September 11, 2012
Available as: hardcover, Kindle edition, ebook
Pages: 370
Publisher: Random House Books for Young Readers
Suggested tags: young adult, mystery, paranormal



First in The Lynburn Legacy series. From Goodreads:

"Kami Glass loves someone she’s never met . . . a boy she’s talked to in her head ever since she was born. She wasn’t silent about her imaginary friend during her childhood, and is thus a bit of an outsider in her sleepy English town of Sorry-in-the-Vale. Still, Kami hasn’t suffered too much from not fitting in. She has a best friend, runs the school newspaper, and is only occasionally caught talking to herself. Her life is in order, just the way she likes it, despite the voice in her head.

But all that changes when the Lynburns return.

The Lynburn family has owned the spectacular and sinister manor that overlooks Sorry-in-the-Vale for centuries. The mysterious twin sisters who abandoned their ancestral home a generation ago are back, along with their teenage sons, Jared and Ash, one of whom is eerily familiar to Kami. Kami is not one to shy away from the unknown—in fact, she’s determined to find answers for all the questions Sorry-in-the-Vale is suddenly posing. Who is responsible for the bloody deeds in the depths of the woods? What is her own mother hiding? And now that her imaginary friend has become a real boy, does she still love him? Does she hate him? Can she trust him?"

Nerve
by Jeanne Ryan

Release date: September 13, 2012
Available as: hardcover, Kindle edition, ebook
Pages: 304
Publisher: Dial Books
Suggested tags: young adult, science fiction, thriller



From Goodreads:

"A high-stakes online game of dares turns deadly

When Vee is picked to be a player in NERVE, an anonymous game of dares broadcast live online, she discovers that the game knows her. They tempt her with prizes taken from her ThisIsMe page and team her up with the perfect boy, sizzling-hot Ian. At first it's exhilarating--Vee and Ian's fans cheer them on to riskier dares with higher stakes. But the game takes a twisted turn when they're directed to a secret location with five other players for the Grand Prize round. Suddenly they're playing all or nothing, with their lives on the line. Just how far will Vee go before she loses NERVE?

Debut author Jeanne Ryan delivers an un-putdownable suspense thriller."

Other YA new releases for this week:

Middle Grade


Gravediggers: Mountain of Bones
by Christopher Krovatin

Release date: September 11, 2012
Available as: hardcover, Kindle edition, ebook
Pages: 336
Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books
Suggested tags: middle grade, horror, zombies



From Goodreads:

"Ian was the one who chased the majestic buck into the forest. Kendra and PJ followed him. They all hoped to return to the hiking trail before anyone noticed they were gone. However, the mountain had other plans for them: dark, sinister plans that only nightmares are made of.

The Goonies meets The Evil Dead in this series about three kids who become separated from their backpacking group in the Montana wilderness and discover they are stranded in the heart of zombie country.

Ian was the one who chased the majestic buck into the forest. (His motto: Act first, think later.)

Kendra didn't want to become separated from the other sixth graders, but she followed Ian anyway, despite what her analytical mind told her.

PJ followed him, too. Even though he was scared, he figured he might catch some amazing footage with his video camera.

They all hoped to return to the hiking trail before anyone noticed they were gone. However, the mountain had other plans for them: dark, sinister plans that only nightmares are made of.

Now they don't know where they are. They don't know how to get home. They don't know what gruesome creatures lurk in the shadows-but when they find out, will they be able to defeat these monsters and escape the mountain together?

This first book in the Gravediggers series is a scary, mysterious, wild ride that will thrill readers to the very last page."

Almost Home
by Joan Bauer

Release date: September 13, 2012
Available as: hardcover, Kindle edition, ebook
Pages: 240
Publisher: Viking Juvenile
Suggested tags: middle grade, realistic fiction



From Goodreads:

"Newbery Honor winner Joan Bauer's new novel will touch your heart

When twelve-year-old Sugar's grandfather dies and her gambling father takes off yet again, Sugar and her mother lose their home in Missouri. They head to Chicago for a fresh start, only to discover that fresh starts aren't so easy to come by for the homeless. Nevertheless, Sugar's mother has taught her to be grateful no matter what, so Sugar does her best. With the help of a rescue dog, Shush; a foster family; a supportive teacher; a love of poetry; and her own grace and good humor, Sugar comes to understand that while she can't control the hand life deals her, she can control how she responds."

Other Middle Grade new releases for this week:

Review: From Fame to Shame by Veronica Blade

From Fame to Shame
by Veronica Blade

Available as: paperback, Kindle edition
Pages: 90
Publisher: Crush Publishing Inc
Publication date: March 16, 2012
Suggested tags: young adult, romance, contemporary



From Amazon:

"When good-girl Maddie switches places with her famous bad-girl twin Jackie, she has some pretty high stilettos to fill.

Despite the danger of tabloid drama if their identity swap is discovered, Maddie has to save her sister's butt. When Jackie’s ex-boyfriend shows up with a rekindled spark for “Jackie,” his deep gray eyes and sweet kisses make Maddie's heart thumpety thump. But dating the guy who dumped her sister is a no-no. Too bad Dallas isn’t used to girls saying no. What will happen when he discovers Maddie’s deception?"

{ I was kindly provided a Kindle edition of this book for free by the author. }

Jackie is a Hollywood celebrity, but she's feeling a little overwhelmed with the pressures that come with being an actress, and she needs some time to herself to de-stress. So she asks her twin sister Maddie to take her place for a while. Maddie needs a little convincing, but she agrees to step into Jackie's glamorous life. She is thrown into the Hollywood mix right away, and although she has help from Jackie's assistant, she still makes a few missteps here and there. Luckily, Jackie's ex, Dallas, always seems to be around to help her out. Dallas is kind and chivalrous and wonderful...but he's Jackie's ex. Maddie knows she can't date her sister's ex behind her back. But she can't seem to help herself...

I'm a little picky about romances; I don't usually like reading adult romances because they go into a little *too* much detail for me and end up making me squirm uncomfortably. I don't need evvverything spelled out for me. I like to get the scene set for me, read a little steaminess, and then I'm good to cut straight to the "dot dot dot." So for me, Blade wrote a perfect romance with From Fame to Shame! Maddie and Dallas fall in love at a perfect pace, and their romantic moments got my own heart racing. Dallas is the perfect YA romance hottie: he's sweet, he's caring, and he's...well, hot. I was wishing he could step out of the book and take me on a date too!

This romance is short and sweet - you could easily read it in a day. It keeps you hooked on Maddie's efforts to pass as her sister and Maddie and Dallas's blossoming romance. It was cute and steamy and fun! I'm hooked on Blade's style and I definitely wouldn't hesitate to pick up another of her YA romances!

Overall rating: 4 out of 5 stars

{ Coming tomorrow: Author interview with Veronica Blade! }

Friday Freebies: September 7, 2012

Click on each title to go to the Amazon Kindle edition listing. Be sure to double-check the price before you download!



Forever Mine
by Elizabeth Reyes

Available as: paperback, Kindle edition, ebook
Pages: 335 (Kindle edition)
Publisher: CreateSpace
Publication date: September 6, 2010
Suggested tags: young adult, romance, contemporary



First in The Moreno Brothers series. From Goodreads:

"Seventeen-year old Sarah's life is turned upside down when her single mom is sent to jail. She's forced to move, leaving behind everything she's ever known, including her best friend Sydney. Lost and bitter in a new school, her one goal is to save money and move back home. Then she meets Angel Moreno.

Enigmatic but gorgeous, Angel is almost too good to be true. Except for one thing, his archaic belief that guys and girls can never be "just friends". The problem? Sarah's best friend Sydney is not a girl.

With their unexpected romance intensifying to places neither ever experienced, how long can Sarah keep Angel in the dark about the guy waiting for her back home?

YA Mature"

A Job From Hell
by Jayde Scott

Available as: paperback, Kindle edition, ebook
Pages: 374 (Kindle edition)
Publisher: Aurora Press
Publication date: May 1, 2011
Suggested tags: young adult, paranormal, romance



First in the Ancient Legends series. From Amazon:

"The moment Amber starts her summer job in Scotland and sets eyes upon Aidan, her fate is sealed. Summoned by an ancient bond, she can never love another. Lost in the woods one night Amber enters Aidan's deadly world when she unknowingly participates in a paranormal race and promptly wins the first prize...a prize worth killing for.

In a world of forbidden love, ancient enemies, legends and rituals, nothing is as it seems and no one can be trusted. Life will never be the same again, unless she enters the Otherworld. But to do so, Amber must die..."

Single-minded
by Veronica Blade

Available as: Kindle edition, ebook
Pages: 38 (Kindle edition)
Publisher: Crush Publishing Inc
Publication date: August 8, 2012
Suggested tags: young adult, romance, short stories



Book 3 in the Single Girls series. From Amazon:

"For years, Laynie's been trying to kill her crush on her brother's best friend, Josh — who treats her like a little sister. Things take a turn to the delicious side when Josh gets her in a lip-lock. Now she can't think about going to prom with anyone else. But hoping for love from the king of fast-and-loose hookups will only lead to heartbreak. Or will it?"

Untraceable
by S.R. Johannes

Available as: Kindle edition, ebook
Pages: 314
Publisher: Coleman and Stott
Publication date: November 15, 2011
Suggested tags: young adult, mystery



First in The Nature of Grace series. From Amazon:

"Grace has lived in the Smokies all her life, patrolling with her forest ranger father who taught her about wildlife, tracking, and wilderness survival. When her dad goes missing on a routine patrol, Grace refuses to believe he's dead and fights the town authorities, tribal officials, and nature to find him.

One day, while out tracking clues, Grace is rescued from danger by Mo, a hot guy with an intoxicating accent and a secret. As her feelings between him and her ex-boyfriend get muddled, Grace travels deep into the wilderness to escape and find her father.

Along the way, Grace learns terrible secrets that sever relationships and lives. Soon she's enmeshed in a web of conspiracy, deception, and murder. And it's going to take a lot more than a compass and a motorcycle (named Lucifer) for this kick-butting heroine to save everything she loves."

Friday Finds #25

Friday Finds is hosted by Should Be Reading. Each Friday, you share the great books you heard about or discovered over the past week: "books you were told about, books you discovered while browsing blogs/bookstores online, or books that you actually purchased."




Bad Apple
by T. R. Burns

Available as: hardcover, paperback, Kindle edition, ebook
Pages: 352
Publisher: Aladdin
Publication date: April 24, 2012
Suggested tags: middle grade, mystery



First in The Merits of Mischief series. From Goodreads:

"For all of his 12 years, Seamus Hinkle has stayed out of trouble, but on one fateful afternoon in the Cloudview Middle School cafeteria, Seamus accidentally does the unthinkable—a substitute teacher is dead, and Seamus is to blame. Unable to return to Cloudview, Seamus’ parents take him to the most infamous of reform schools: Kilter Academy. But when Seamus’ parents drive off, headmistress Annika Kilter shows her true colors: she’s not interested in reforming delinquents, but quite the opposite—the mission of Kilter Academy is to foster troublemaking, and she's decided Seamus is her star pupil! Together with his new mischief-making friends, Seamus lives every young boy’s dream of getting points for getting in trouble! But soon Seamus discovers that Kilter Academy may have more plans in store for its students than just turning out troublemakers…

T.R. Burns is an acclaimed author of several middle-grade and YA novels for girls, and she’s gone undercover (under her initials) to present this fantastic new series!"

The Liar Society
by Lisa & Laura Roecker

Available as: paperback, Kindle edition, ebook
Pages: 368
Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire
Publication date: March 1, 2011
Suggested tags: young adult, mystery, contemporary



First in The Liar Society series. From Goodreads:

"Best friends don't send emails once they're dead. Kate Lowry may wear fake pearls and shorts so tiny that Nancy Drew would blush, but she's on the trail to prove that Grace's death was no accident. Along for the ride are a couple of knights in (not so) shining armor: the dangerously attractive bad boy, Liam, and her love-struck neighbor, Seth. Together they discover a secret lurking in the halls of their elite private school that threatens to destroy them all."

The Seer of Shadows
by Avi

Available as: hardcover, paperback, audiobook
Pages: 208
Publisher: HarperCollins
Publication date: March 25, 2008
Suggested tags: middle grade, historical fiction, paranormal



From Goodreads:

"Newbery Medalist Avi weaves one of his most suspenseful and scary tales--about a ghost who has to be seen to be believed and must be kept from carrying out a horrifying revenge.

The time is 1872. The place is New York City. Horace Carpetine has been raised to believe in science and rationality. So as apprentice to Enoch Middleditch, a society photographer, he thinks of his trade as a scientific art. But when wealthy society matron Mrs. Frederick Von Macht orders a photographic portrait, strange things begin to happen.

Horace's first real photographs reveal a frightful likeness: it's the image of the Von Machts' dead daughter, Eleanora.

Pegg, the Von Machts' black servant girl, then leads him to the truth about who Eleanora "really" was and how she actually died. Joined in friendship, Pegg and Horace soon realize that his photographs are evoking both Eleanora's image and her ghost. Eleanora returns, a vengeful wraith intent on punishing those who abused her.

Rich in detail, full of the magic of early photography, here is a story about the shadows, visible and invisible, that are always lurking near."

Summer and Bird
by Katherine Catmull

Available as: hardcover, Kindle edition, ebook
Pages: 384
Publisher: Dutton Juvenile
Release date: October 2, 2012
Suggested tags: middle grade, fantasy



From Goodreads:

"An enchanting—and twisted—tale of two sisters’ quest to find their parents

When their parents disappear in the middle of the night, young sisters Summer and Bird set off on a quest to find them. A cryptic picture message from their mother leads them to a familiar gate in the woods, but comfortable sights quickly give way to a new world entirely—Down—one inhabited by talking birds and the evil Puppeteer queen. Summer and Bird are quickly separated, and their divided hearts lead them each in a very different direction in the quest to find their parents, vanquish the Puppeteer, lead the birds back to their Green Home, and discover the identity of the true bird queen.

With breathtaking language and deliciously inventive details, Katherine Catmull has created a world unlike any other, skillfully blurring the lines between magic and reality and bringing to life a completely authentic cast of characters and creatures."

Meet Caroline, the Newest American Girl

The American Girl books and dolls were a big part of my childhood. When I was growing up, there were still just the original 4 American Girls: Molly, Samantha, Felicity, and Kirsten. I had Molly, who had long brown hair and glasses just like I did. I read all her books over and over and over again, and then I started reading the other girls' books too. The American Girl series introduced me to girls across history who may have had very different lives than I did, but who still dealt with a lot of the same issues that I was facing growing up in the 1990s.

Even though age-wise I outgrew the American Girls a while ago, I still like to keep up with the new girls that join the series. And the newest American Girl is...

Caroline Abbott

- 1812 - 

Meet Caroline
by Kathleen Ernst

Available as: hardcover, paperback, Kindle edition, ebook
Pages: 104
Publisher: American Girl Publishing
Publication Date: September 4, 2012
Suggested tags: middle grade, historical fiction

First in the American Girl: Caroline series. From Goodreads:

"Caroline Abbott is doing what she loves most—sailing on Lake Ontario with Papa—when her world turns upside down. A British officer boards their sloop, announces that Britain and America are at war, and takes her father prisoner. As Papa is led away, Caroline promises him that she will stay strong and steady until he returns. She tries hard to keep her promise by helping Mama run the family’s shipyard. Then the British attack her village and it looks as if the American side is in trouble. Can Caroline stay steady enough to help win the day?

Includes an illustrated "Looking Back" essay about America in 1812."

Other books in Caroline's series include:

Learn more about Caroline on the American Girl website!

"Waiting On" Wednesdays: September 5, 2012

"Waiting On" Wednesday is hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine. Each Wednesday, you share upcoming releases that you're eagerly anticipating.




Miss Fortune Cookie
by Lauren Bjorkman

Release date: November 13, 2012
Available as: hardcover, Kindle edition, ebook
Pages: 288
Publisher: Henry Holt and Co.
Suggested tags: young adult, realistic fiction



From Goodreads:

"Meet Erin. Smart student, great daughter, better friend. Secretly the mastermind behind the popular advice blog Miss Fortune Cookie. Totally unaware that her carefully constructed life is about to get crazy.

It all begins when her ex-best friend sends a letter to her blog—and then acts on her advice. Erin’s efforts to undo the mess will plunge her into adventure, minor felonies, and possibly her very first romance.

What’s a likely fortune for someone no longer completely in control of her fate? Hopefully nothing like: You will become a crispy noodle in the salad of life."