ARC Book Review: Lies Beneath by Anne Greenwood Brown

Title: Lies Beneath
Author: Anne Greenwood Brown
Publisher: Delacorte Books for Young Readers

Expected Publication Date: June 12, 2012

Author Links: Website | Twitter
Source: Arc/ Netgalley
Summary from Goodreads;
Calder White lives in the cold, clear waters of Lake Superior, the only brother in a family of murderous mermaids. To survive, Calder and his sisters prey on humans, killing them to absorb their energy. But this summer the underwater clan targets Jason Hancock out of pure revenge. They blame Hancock for their mother's death and have been waiting a long time for him to return to his family's homestead on the lake. Hancock has a fear of water, so to lure him in, Calder sets out to seduce Hancock's daughter, Lily. Easy enough—especially as Calder has lots of practice using his irresistible good looks and charm on unsuspecting girls. Only this time Calder screws everything up: he falls for Lily—just as Lily starts to suspect that there's more to the monsters-in-the-lake legends than she ever imagined. And just as his sisters are losing patience with him. 
Review:
4 stars, really enjoyed it.
The cover isn't that complex, just a simple mermaid swimming but the sunlight shines through the water so it balances out. Lies Beneath was a book I wasn't pining for, but ended up requesting. Then it so happens that it got approved, so cheers. :D
Lies Beneath had sounded quite interesting as I read the summary from Netgalley and I really hoped it would be the same throughout the whole book, and it delivered. The characters were totally original, and had their own personality, which I adored but I wish I'd gotten to know them more. The romance was so cute and adorable. The plot was not that original, but Greenwood managed to change some things up and spice others, making this story unique.
Basically, Greenwood grabbed elements that make a story unique, mixed them up in a bowl and voila, she made an intriguing book, which had me gasping in shock, and flipping though the pages until I finished it in a sitting.
Anne's Lies Beneath is a truly captivating read that will have you gasping in shock and awaiting the ending while sitting on the edge of your seat.
Book Trailer: The setting of this trailer is absolutely gorgeous!

Book Review: Gone By Michael Grant

Title: Gone
Series: "Gone" series, book #1
Author: Michael Grant
Publisher: HarperTeen
Publication date: June 24, 2008
Author Links: Website | Twitter | Facebook | Youtube
Format: Hardcover
Pages: 558
Summary from Goodreads;
From the co-creator of the bestselling "Animorphs" comes a gripping new series in which everyone disappears in an flash on their 14th birthday. It's a terrifying new world, and time is running out. 
Review;
4.5 stars, recommend it.
What would you do if all the people under the age of fifteen just disappeared?
Why, oh why haven't I read this before? I should have listened to everyone and bought it when it came out, but no.

Where should I start? Well the plot was fantastic. It got straight into the point from the first pages. I loved the characters, even though I wish that in the next books in the series, Grant will introduce the extra characters a bit more. I really like how Michael wrote this book in a way where you can experience what each character is feeling and doing. I have to admit I felt like some parts were a bit slow and repeated from before. Overall though, I felt a tad like TheBookTuber, who loves these books. He was one of the reasons I picked up this series. I figured if he loved the series, I would at least like them and I was right! I loved this series, I can't wait to read the rest of the series.

Gone is a dystopian, suspense-filled book that will capture your attention from the first few pages. It will have you on the edge of your seat, anticipating the character's next move.


Trailer;

 “Welcome to Perdido beach, where our motto is: Radiation, what radiation?”
                                                                                        ― Michael Grant, Gone

Book Review: The Probability of Miracles by Wendy Wunder

Title: The Probability of Miracles
Author: Wendy Wunder
Author Links: Website | Twitter | Facebook
Publisher: Razorbill
Publication Date: December 8th 2011
Format: Hardback
Pages: 360
Summary from Goodreads;
Dry, sarcastic, sixteen-year-old Cam Cooper has spent the last seven years in and out hospitals. The last thing she wants to do in the short life she has left is move 1,500 miles away to Promise, Maine - a place known for the miraculous events that occur there. But it's undeniable that strange things happen in Promise: everlasting sunsets; purple dandelions; flamingoes in the frigid Atlantic; an elusive boy named Asher; and finally, a mysterious envelope containing a list of things for Cam to do before she dies. As Cam checks each item off the list, she finally learns to believe - in love, in herself, and even in miracles.
Review:
5+ stars, new favorite.
I -- how do I word this -- devoured this book. Yup, all 360 pages of it. This is one of those books that like, calls your name from your bookshelf. So, of course I picked it up. I loved the author's name too, Wendy Wunder. 

I was expecting a slow, detailed novel considering it's about the big C, but I was taken by surprise when I couldn't put the book down. I found myself laughing at Asher's cheekiness and Cam's dry and sarcastic humor. It was fast paced and had lots of details, but they weren't overdone. The only thing I wish the author had done was to introduce her little sister, Perry, into the story. Now, the place Cam and her family moved to? It wasn't that realistic, I mean, purple dandelions, everlasting sunsets, and flamingos when it's not their time of the year to be there? I really liked the place though. The girl in the cover is not what I imagined Cam to look like, but the cover in general was pretty.

The Probability of Miracles by Wendy Wunder is a fast paced book that you won't want to put down. Wunder manages to capture the perfect place with her detailed yet simple writing that will capture your attention and make you want to read on.

Trailer: This trailer is probably one of my favorites because of how simple it is. Also, the feathers were blue yet gorgeous. How can you not buy a copy after seeing the trailer? haha

Book Review: Babe in Boyland by Jody Gehrman

Title: Babe In Boyland
Author: Jody Gehrman
Author links: Website
Publisher: Dial
Publication Date: February 17th 2011 
Format: Hardback
Summary from Goodreads;
When high school junior Natalie - or Dr. Aphrodite, as she calls herself when writing the relationship column for her school paper - is accused of knowing nothing about guys and giving girls bad relationship advice, she decides to investigate what guys really think and want. But the guys in her class won't give her straight or serious answers. The only solution? Disguising herself as a guy and spending a week at Underwood Academy, the private all-boy boarding school in town. There she learns a lot about guys and girls in ways she never expected - especially when she falls for her dreamy roommate, Emilio. How can she show him she likes him without blowing her cover?
Five stars.
Quote:
“I sometimes suspect they don't take Dr. Aphrodite very seriously. Which is sad, really. Because what's more serious than love?” 
― Jody Gehrman, Babe in Boyland
Review;
I have to admit I didn't really like the cover, however I like how the girl in the picture has a mustache as a disguise. Considering how the main character goes undercover in the story, I thought that was rather clever and unique.

Onto the story line, I admit to never reading about this sort of thing before. A girl undercover, to find out answers to girl's everyday questions. This book was so astounding and phenomenal and awesome, and I'm nowhere done with adjectives to describe this book. I read this in one day, not even a day, probably an hour or two. Gehrman's writing made me feel like I was in the book, just like J.K. Rowling did with her Harry Potter series. I literally felt myself feeling for the character, whatever she felt, I felt. "Nat's" attitude was great, she was sarcastic and hilarious. Oh, let's talk boys. Emilio is probably one of my favorite male characters this year. He's funny, cute, adorably, and totally swoon worthy. I loved how fast paced this book was and I must get my own copy soon since I borrowed this copy.


Babe in Boyland by Jody Gehrman is a fast-paced, romance filled novel that will make you feel for the character and swoon over the cuteness. If you're looking for a fast, cute read, this is the book for you.

Book Review: Tiger's Curse by Colleen Houck

Title: Tiger's Curse
Author: Colleen Houck
Series: The Tiger Saga #1
Publisher: Sterling
Publication Date: January 11th 2011
Author Info: Website | Twitter | Facebook
Format: Hardcover
Pages: 402
Summary from Goodreads;
The last thing teenager Kelsey Hayes thought she'd be doing over the summer was meeting Ren, a mysterious white tiger and cursed Indian prince when she learns she alone can break the Tiger's curse, Kelsey's life is turned upside-down. The unlikely duo journeys halfway around the world to piece together an Indian prophecy, find a way to free the man trapped by a centuries-old spell, and discover the path to their true destiny.

Passion. Fate. Loyalty.


Would you risk it all to change your destiny?
Review:
The gorgeous and well designed cover was obviously what drew me into getting this book, and the synopsis helped too.

Tiger's Curse captured my attention completely after the first few pages into reading it. The writing was unique and seemed to flow straight out of the book. Colleen seemed to cast a spell on me through the writing, because I couldn't seem to put the book down. I loved the very idea of Indian legends and myths, any type of myths really. The characters were hilarious, really. There would be a time when they were in a dangerous situation and someone would crack a joke or do something completely hilarious.

“He seemed very pleased with himself for surviving a near-death experience. I could practically hear him chanting to himself: I overcame. I conquered. I’m a man etc etc.” 
― Colleen Houck, Tiger's Curse
The romance was totally swoon-worthy. Scoot over Anna and St. Clair, cause Ren and Kelsey are taking over. This book captures the type of romance every young adult person wants, or anyone else, really. I Can't wait to read Tiger's Curse, whose cover holds Ren's brother,Kishan, right?
Tiger's Curse was captivating, hilarious, and had the perfect touch of romance.
You can go on the website and see official music playlists and book trailers for all of the books.
Trailer;

Barnes&Nobles interview w/ author;