Debut Author Challenge: March Check-in

I've decided to do quarterly check-ins for the ONE challenge I'm doing this year.  The Debut Author Challenge is hosted by Jana from That Artsy Reader Girl.

My goal for 2016 is to read 12 debut books, and so far I'm really proud to say that I've kept up with my goal!  Through March, I've read four books:

The Heir and the Spare by Emily Albright

Zero Day by Jan Gangsei

A Study in Charlotte by Brittany Cavallaro

Assassin's Heart by Sarah Ahiers

What debuts have you read this year?

Leave a list or link in the comments!

Waiting on Wednesday: The Unexpected Everything

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted at Breaking the Spine, which shines a light on eagerly anticipated upcoming releases.  This week, my pick is:

The Unexpected Everything by Morgan Matson

Publisher: Simon & Schuster

Date: May 3, 2016

From Goodreads: "Andie had it all planned out. When you are a politician’s daughter who’s pretty much raised yourself, you learn everything can be planned or spun, or both. Especially your future.

Important internship? Check.

Amazing friends? Check.

Guys? Check (as long as we’re talking no more than three weeks)

But that was before the scandal. Before having to be in the same house with her dad. Before walking an insane number of dogs. That was before Clark and those few months that might change her whole life. Because here’s the thing - if everything's planned out, you can never find the unexpected. And where’s the fun in that?"

I have loved every book that I've read by Morgan Matson.  I don't think this one will be any different!

TTT: Most Recent 5 Star Reads

Top Ten Tuesday is a meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish.  This week's theme are my ten thirteen most recent 5 star reads.  These are all of my five star reads from 2015 to present.  Here we go!

The Lunar Chronicles series by Marissa Meyer

Of course I had to reread the entire series before Winter came out.  Loved it.  Miss it.

  

A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas

Pretty much everything I read by Sarah J. Maas gets 5 stars.  Her world and character building are superb.  

Mortal Heart by Robin LaFevers

I loved this fascinating premise.  I loved how easy it was to get back into this series when a new book came out. 

I'll Give You the Sun by Jandy Nelson

*2015 Printz Winner

Loved the dual points of view from the twins, and I loved how one in the past moving forward and the other was in the present moving back.

The Winner's Crime by Marie Rutkoski

The ending on this book!  I can't wait for the newest book, set to release TODAY!

Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard
Loved the premise of this book.

99 Days by Katie Cotugno
Such raw emotions in this book.  Cotugno knows how to write betrayal.

Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo

I had to read this for book club, and I was surprised I loved it as much as I did.  Need to read more!

All In by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

Another heart-pounding addition to this series.

Queen of Shadows by Sarah J. Maas

Love anything by Sarah J. Maas.  No doubt.

Do you have any recent 5 star reads?  Leave a list or link in the comments!

Assassin's Heart by Sarah Ahiers

Assassin's Heart by Sarah Ahiers
Published by HarperTeen in February 2016
Debut Author, 2016

"In the kingdom of Lovero, nine rival Families of assassins lawfully kill people for a price. As a highly skilled member of one of these powerful clans, seventeen-year-old Lea Saldana has always trusted in the strength of her Family. Until she awakens to find them murdered and her home in flames. The Da Vias, the Saldanas’ biggest enemy, must be responsible—and Lea should have seen it coming. But her secret relationship with the Da Vias’ son, Val, has clouded her otherwise killer instinct—and given the Da Vias more reason than ever to take her Family down.

Racked with guilt and shattered over Val’s probable betrayal, Lea sets out to even the score, with her heart set on retaliation and only one thought clear in her mind: make the Da Vias pay." -- From Goodreads

Will you like it?
Lea is a kick ass assassin (female power!).  I loved the Mob aspects of this story, coupled with the threads of Romeo and Juliet.  While I did have a couple of moments where I wanted to beat Lea over the head with a stick, she did end up redeeming herself at the end (major character development).  Overall, this book is for you if you like fantasy coupled with star-crossed lovers and the Mob.  I hope Val plays a larger role in the next story.

Disclosure: I borrowed a copy of this book from my local library.

Creepy Carrots by Aaron Reynolds

Creepy Carrots by Aaron Reynolds 
Illustrated by Peter Brown
Published by Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers in August 2012.

Why do I Love It?
This book is just a touch scary.  The way the book is illustrated in shades of grey with carrot orange for a pop of color, lends itself to being scary.  It's also a great way to practice your scary whispers, and to scare your child.

Age Range
I think this book lends itself well to 4, 5, and 6 year olds.  Remember you don't want to read this to anyone who will be too scared.  You still want them to eat their carrots after reading this.