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.

Waiting on Wednesday: Summer of Sloane

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:

Summer of Sloane by Erin L. Schneider

Publisher: Disney-Hyperion

Date: May 3, 2016

From Goodreads: "Warm Hawaiian sun. Lazy beach days. Flirty texts with her boyfriend back in Seattle.  These are the things seventeen-year-old Sloane McIntyre pictured when she imagined the summer she’d be spending at her mom’s home in Hawaii with her twin brother, Penn. Instead, after learning an unthinkable secret about her boyfriend, Tyler, and best friend, Mick, all she has is a fractured hand and a completely shattered heart.

Once she arrives in Honolulu, though, Sloane hopes that Hawaii might just be the escape she needs. With beach bonfires, old friends, exotic food, and the wonders of a waterproof cast, there’s no reason Sloane shouldn’t enjoy her summer. And when she meets Finn McAllister, the handsome son of a hotel magnate who doesn’t always play by the rules, she knows he’s the perfect distraction from everything that’s so wrong back home.

But it turns out a measly ocean isn’t nearly enough to stop all the emails, texts, and voicemails from her ex-boyfriend and ex-best friend, desperate to explain away their betrayal. And as her casual connection with Finn grows deeper, Sloane’s carefree summer might not be as easy to find as she’d hoped. Weighing years of history with Mick and Tyler against their deception, and the delicate possibility of new love, Sloane must decide when to forgive, and when to live for herself."

This sounds like a perfect summer beach read.  Plus, Erin L. Schneider is a debut author!

TTT: Books I Love But I Haven't Talked About In Awhile

Top Ten Tuesday is a meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish.  This week's theme is books I love but haven't talked about in awhile.  Here we go!

The Villa by Nora Roberts

I love this book!  I tend to read it every other year.  I'll post a review when I read it next.

My True Love Gave to Me edited by Stephanie Perkins

Loved this book, but then forgot to read this for Christmas last year.

Confessions series by James Patterson

I like James Patterson, and this series was a nice murder mystery series.

Percy Jackson & the Olympians by Rick Riordan

Nothing but love for Percy Jackson.  I may have to do a reread soon!

The Summer I Turned Pretty series by Jenny Han

I love this series!  It is the perfect contemporary romance series.

Bride Quartet by Nora Roberts
I love this series.  I haven't read it in awhile, so I must.

Any books you haven't talked about in awhile?
Leave a list or link in the comments.

A Study in Charlotte by Brittany Cavallaro

A Study in Charlotte by Brittany Cavallaro
Published by Katherine Tegen Books in March 2016
Debut Author, 2016

"The last thing Jamie Watson wants is a rugby scholarship to Sherringford, a Connecticut prep school just an hour away from his estranged father. But that’s not the only complication: Sherringford is also home to Charlotte Holmes, the famous detective’s great-great-great-granddaughter, who has inherited not only Sherlock’s genius but also his volatile temperament. From everything Jamie has heard about Charlotte, it seems safer to admire her from afar.

From the moment they meet, there’s a tense energy between them, and they seem more destined to be rivals than anything else. But when a Sherringford student dies under suspicious circumstances, ripped straight from the most terrifying of the Sherlock Holmes stories, Jamie can no longer afford to keep his distance. Jamie and Charlotte are being framed for murder, and only Charlotte can clear their names. But danger is mounting and nowhere is safe—and the only people they can trust are each other." -- From Goodreads

Will you like it?
Murder!  Mystery!  Mayhem!  Those are great reasons to read this book.  My biggest draw was that it was a Holmes and Watson retelling with a TWIST.  First off, there are a few things that don't get explained.  For example, how Holmes/ Watson/ Sir Arthur Conan Doyle are real people.  Charlotte's drug use is also glossed over, and I hope it gets resolved in the next books.  BUT.  The characters are wonderfully flawed.  While we know a lot of Watson's back story, I have a feeling we have only scratched the surface of Holmes.  Overall, it was a delightful mystery, and I can't wait to read more with these characters.

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

Bloggiesta Spring 2016 To Do List

From the Bloggiesta website: "In short, Bloggiesta is a blogging marathon revolving around ticking off those items on your to-do list and improving your blog while in the good company of other awesome bloggers doing the same thing."

I've always wanted to do Bloggiesta, and now because I'm on Spring Break, I've decided to take the plunge!

My Goals

1. Add all recent reviews to Goodreads

2.Continue working on my Book Archive.

3. Respond to comments

4. Participate in at least two mini-challenges.

5. Participate in one twitter chat.

Monday Update
I have done nothing on my to-do list!  I did write and schedule four posts...

Tuesday Update
Added all of my recent review to Goodreads.  YAY!
Have not done anything else.  My mom came to town to visit on a whim, so not entire sure if anything else will get done this week.  Oh well.  Love spending time with my mama though!

Saturday Update
Yup.  Nothing got done between Tuesday and Saturday.  Oh well.  I should have more time this week to finish some stuff up.  

Here Comes Valentine Cat by Deborah Underwood

Here Comes Valentine Cat by Deborah Underwood
Published by Dial Books in December 2015

Why do I love it?
Cat is so flipping hilarious.  He is sarcastic, but can still relate to those kiddos.  Of course, you can talk to your kids about Cat and his actions while secretly laughing on the inside.

Age Range
Preschool to Kindergarten, although it could go older.  The sarcastic humor may be lost on the real young.

Waiting on Wednesday: A Court of Mist and Fury

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:

A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J. Maas

Publisher: Bloomsbury USA Childrens

Date: May 3, 2016

From Goodreads: "Feyre survived Amarantha's clutches to return to the Spring Court--but at a steep cost. Though she now has the powers of the High Fae, her heart remains human, and it can't forget the terrible deeds she performed to save Tamlin's people.

Nor has Feyre forgotten her bargain with Rhysand, High Lord of the feared Night Court. As Feyre navigates its dark web of politics, passion, and dazzling power, a greater evil looms--and she might be key to stopping it. But only if she can harness her harrowing gifts, heal her fractured soul, and decide how she wishes to shape her future--and the future of a world cleaved in two."

Anything by Sarah J. Maas is an automatic must read for me!  I can't wait to continue with this series.

TTT: Books on my Spring TBR

Top Ten Tuesday is a meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish.  This week's theme are 10 books on my spring TBR.  Here we go!

 The Unexpected Everything by Morgan Matson
If everything is planned, then you never find the unexpected.

A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J. Maas
Anything by Sarah J. Maas is a must read for me!

The Winner's Kiss by Marie Rutkoski
Last book in the series.  The ending of book 2 was a total cliffhanger.

 The Last Boy and Girl in the World by Siobhan Vivian
A town sliding underwater?  Sound mysterious!

Summer Days and Summer Nights edited by Stephanie Perkins
I loved the winter short story set.  I can't wait to read the summer set!

Lady Renegades by Rachel Hawkins
Another last book in this series!  I can't wait to read the end.

When We Collided by Emery Lord

I love pretty much everything Emery Lord writes.  

Eligible by Curtis Sittenfeld

A modern retelling of Pride and Prejudice?  Heck yes!

Moss Hysteria by Kate Collins

I'm a few books behind in this series, but I'm really glad this series keeps going.

The Crown by Kiera Cass

I NEED to know what happens.  That last book's ending was a total cliffhanger.

What books are on your Spring TBR list?  Leave me a list or link in the comments!