Wednesday, July 30, 2014

Waiting on Wednesday: Mary:The Summoning

Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we cannot wait to get our hands on.

 I am waiting on:
MARY: The Summoning (Bloody Mary, #1)
Title: Mary: The Summoning
Author: Hillary Monahan
Series: Bloody Mary #1
Publisher: Disney-Hyperion
Publication Date: September 2, 2014
Genre: Young Adult, Horror, 
There is a right way and a wrong way to summon her.
Jess had done the research. Success requires precision: a dark room, a mirror, a candle, salt, and four teenage girls. Each of them--Jess, Shauna, Kitty, and Anna--must link hands, follow the rules . . . and never let go.
A thrilling fear spins around the room the first time Jess calls her name: "Bloody Mary. Bloody Mary. BLOODY MARY." A ripple of terror follows when a shadowy silhouette emerges through the fog, a specter trapped behind the mirror.
Once is not enough, though--at least not for Jess. Mary is called again. And again. But when their summoning circle is broken, Bloody Mary slips through the glass with a taste for revenge on her lips. As the girls struggle to escape Mary's wrath, loyalties are questioned, friendships are torn apart, and lives are forever altered.
A haunting trail of clues leads Shauna on a desperate search to uncover the legacy of Mary Worth. What she finds will change everything, but will it be enough to stop Mary--and Jess--before it's too late?
Why am I waiting?
A twist on the Bloody Mary urban legend count me in. I am curious to see how Hillary Monahan takes the legend of Bloody Mary and puts her own spin on it. Even though it comes out in September, it would be a great read to get in the mood for Halloween. 

What are you waiting on?
Make sure to let me know in the comments

Thank you for visiting Unabridged Bookshelf!

Tuesday, July 29, 2014

Strange and Ever After Book Blitz:


Welcome to the Strange and Ever After Book Blitz!  

About the Book
Title: Strange and Ever After
Author: Susan Dennard
Series: Something Strange and Deadly #3
Publisher: HarperTeen
Publication Date: July 22, 2014
Genres: Young Adult, Steampunk, Fantasy
In the conclusion to the trilogy that Publishers Weekly called “a roaring—and addictive—gothic world,” Eleanor Fitt must control her growing power, face her feelings for Daniel, and confront the evil necromancer Marcus...all before it’s too late.
He took her brother, he took her mother, and now, Marcus has taken her good friend Jie. With more determination than ever to bring this sinister man to justice, Eleanor heads to the hot desert streets of nineteenth-century Egypt in hopes of ending this nightmare. But in addition to her increasingly tense relationships with Daniel, Joseph, and her demon, Oliver, Eleanor must also deal with her former friend, Allison, who has curiously entangled herself in Eleanor’s mission.
With the rising dead chomping at her every move and Jie’s life hanging in the balance, Eleanor is convinced that her black magic will see her through to the bitter end. But there will be a price. Though she and the Spirit Hunters have weathered every battle thus far, there will be consequences to suffer this time—the effects of which will be irreversible. And when it’s over, only some will be able to live a strange and ever after.
Susan Dennard will leave readers breathless and forever changed in the concluding pages of this riveting ride.
Read the first 66 pages of Strange and Ever After on Epic Reads

About the Author
Susan Dennard is a writer turned marine biologist turned writer again. Strange and Ever After is the
conclusion to her trilogy, which includes A Darkness Strange and Lovely and Something Strange and Deadly. Among the traits she shares with her heroine Eleanor are a weakness for Shakespeare quotes, a healthy appetite for baked goods, and an insatiable curiosity. Sadly, Susan does not get to wear a corset or wave a parasol on a daily basis.
   




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Oceanborn Release Day Blitz

Welcome to the Oceanborn Release Day Blitz!

Author Amalie Howard has a message for you...


About the Book
Title: Oceanborn
Author: Amalie Howard
Series: The Aquarathi #2
Publication Date: July 29, 2014
Genres: Young Adult, Paranormal, 
The coronation is over.
But the battle has just begun.
Nerissa Marin has won her crown. But can she keep it? Already, her ties to the human realm are driving a wedge between Nerissa and her people. When word arrives that her part-human prince consort, Lo, has been poisoned, she makes the difficult choice to leave Waterfell and return landside. As the royal courts debate her decision, even more disturbing rumors surface: a plot is rising against her, led by someone she least expects.
On land, Nerissa learns another shocking truth: Lo does not remember who she is. As her choice to try to save him threatens her hold on her crown, changing loyalties and uncertainty test her courage in ways she could never have imagined. Nerissa will have one last chance to prove herself as a queen …and save the undersea kingdom she loves.

About the Author
AMALIE HOWARD grew up on a small Caribbean island where she spent most of her childhood with her
nose buried in a book or being a tomboy running around barefoot, shimmying up mango trees and dreaming of adventure. 22 countries, surfing with sharks and several tattoos later, she has traded in bungee jumping in China for writing the adventures she imagines instead. She isn’t entirely convinced which takes more guts.
She is the author of several young adult novels critically acclaimed by Kirkus, PW, and Booklist, including Waterfell, The Almost Girl, and Alpha Goddess, a Spring 2014 Kid’s INDIE NEXT title. Her debut novel, Bloodspell, was an Amazon bestseller and a Seventeen Magazine Summer Read. As an author of color and a proud supporter of diversity in fiction, her articles on multicultural fiction have appeared in The Portland Book Review and on the popular Diversity in YA blog. She currently resides in New York with her husband and three children. Visit her at www.amaliehoward.com.
   

Grab a copy of Waterfell Today

Seamonster by Amalie Howard 
(Aquarathi #1.5)
Available on Amazon for only $.99




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Monday, July 28, 2014

Audiobook Review: Daughter of Smoke and Bones

About the Book

Daughter of Smoke & Bone (Daughter of Smoke & Bone, #1)
Title: Daughter of Smoke and Bones
Author: Laini Taylor
Series: Daughter of Smoke and Bone #1
Publication Date: September 17, 2011
Genres: Young Adult, Fantasy, 
Amazon Barnes and Noble 
Around the world, black handprints are appearing on doorways, scorched there by winged strangers who have crept through a slit in the sky.
In a dark and dusty shop, a devil’s supply of human teeth grown dangerously low.
And in the tangled lanes of Prague, a young art student is about to be caught up in a brutal otherwordly war.
Meet Karou. She fills her sketchbooks with monsters that may or may not be real, she’s prone to disappearing on mysterious "errands", she speaks many languages - not all of them human - and her bright blue hair actually grows out of her head that color. Who is she? That is the question that haunts her, and she’s about to find out.
When beautiful, haunted Akiva fixes fiery eyes on her in an alley in Marrakesh, the result is blood and starlight, secrets unveiled, and a star-crossed love whose roots drink deep of a violent past. But will Karou live to regret learning the truth about herself?

My Review of Daughter of Smoke and Bone
I have only recently started listening to audiobook, but they are very convenient when your hands are busy. While I have only listened to a few audio books, Daughter of Smoke and Bones is my favorite so far. Obviously, that is due in part to the storybook for me the narrator really brings Karou's story to life. 
Ever since Daughter of Smoke and Bone with first published, I have heard how much I need to read this book. With my busy reading schedule, I decided to listen to the audio book well I was busy with everyday stuff and I am so glad I finally got to enjoy the crazy epicness that is Karou's story.

This is the first audiobook I have listen to by narrator Khristine Hvam and she is brilliant at what she does. I know that I will be listening to many future audiobooks if she is the narrator. I am also glad she continues to narrate the Daughter of Smoke and Bones series. Since she also narrates the Vampire Academy, and the first books in the Iron Fey series I may just have to re-experience my favorite stories through her. 

Karou has to be one of the most original characters I have ever come across. The whole story line, world building, and mythology is so beyond anything, I have ever read before, and I could not have loved it more. Karou has the unique voice and I love the beauty in the way that Laini Taylor uses that to tell her story. I cannot wait to find out more about Karou and Akiva's story.

Already purchased the audiobook for Days of Blood and Starlight and I plan on starting it very soon. It has also been recently announced that Daughter of Smoke and Bone is currently in development to become a movie. I am excited to see the world Laini Taylor created come to life. In a time when movies all look too similar, I am excited to see the beautiful original idea of this story on the big screen and I can only hope that they do it justice.

**Unabridged Bookshelf received this audiobook via audiobooksync.com as a free download**

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Friday, July 25, 2014

Updates and Coming Soon to Unabridged Bookshelf

After running Unabridged Bookshelf for almost three years, I have decided an update in both content and connection is long overdue.

I first got into blogging to connect with other readers. As the pressures of maintaining my blog and life in general have grown, I have pulled back and now I feel very disconnected from the blogging community. This is something I know I need to remedy. I have a few ideas so more on that in a minute.
The second issue is content. While I love supporting authors with simple pre-made cover reveals, and books blitzes, these posts are almost too easy. Why work hard at original review or other content when I could just copy and paste? Does this mean no more cover reveals or blitzes, No. I really love helping authors with those posts, but I am going to work harder on adding more original features and content.

When I started Unabridged Bookshelf, I stood behind my blog name, never revealing many personal details or even my frist name to most readers or bloggers. This aided in my disconnection, how can I form a connection without getting personal at all? I have already updated my about me section on my blog to share a few more personal details. Hopefully this will allow me to open up more and add more of my personality to Unabridged Bookshelf.

My New Goals
1. Comment on other blogs (Daily Goal: 10+)
(feel free to leave you blog in the comments so I can come visit)
2.   Start using Twitter more often to connect with others
3. Respond to my blog comments in a timely fashion

My New Content Ideas
1. I started adding Short Story Saturday, which are reviews of short stories, anthologies, or novellas.
2. More reviews (something I have been seriously lacking) and maybe changing up my review style a little bit. I am also adding audiobook reviews mostly on Mondays and maybe making it a permanent feature. (still working on a possible name for it...)

3. I thought of this idea to late last year, but maybe doing a TV Tuesday for Book to TV Shows, but will have to see if I can find one. It would be kind of a review and spoiler free discussion. (Open to Suggestions)

I know I have been absent most of the month of July, but I have been working behind the scenes to bring all of these goals to life! August is going to be a refreshing reboot of Unabridged Bookshelf!

Thank you for stopping by and reading Unabridged Bookshelf
Looking forward to reconnecting!



Thursday, July 24, 2014

Cover Reveal: Burying Water

Burying Water by K.A. Tucker
Expected Publication: October 7, 2014
Genres: New Adult, Contemporary
Pre-Order: Amazon | Barnes and Noble | iTunes
The top-selling, beloved indie author of Ten Tiny Breaths returns with a new romance about a young woman who loses her memory—and the man who knows that the only way to protect her is to stay away.
Left for dead in the fields of rural Oregon, a young woman defies all odds and survives—but she awakens with no idea who she is, or what happened to her. Refusing to answer to “Jane Doe” for another day, the woman renames herself “Water” for the tiny, hidden marking on her body—the only clue to her past. Taken in by old Ginny Fitzgerald, a crotchety but kind lady living on a nearby horse farm, Water slowly begins building a new life. But as she attempts to piece together the fleeting slivers of her memory, more questions emerge: Who is the next-door neighbor, quietly toiling under the hood of his Barracuda? Why won’t Ginny let him step foot on her property? And why does Water feel she recognizes him?
Twenty-four-year-old Jesse Welles doesn’t know how long it will be before Water gets her memory back. For her sake, Jesse hopes the answer is never. He knows that she’ll stay so much safer—and happier—that way. And that’s why, as hard as it is, he needs to keep his distance. Because getting too close could flood her with realities better left buried.
The trouble is, water always seems to find its way to the surface.

 About the Author

Born in small-town Ontario, Kathleen published her first book at the age of six with the help of her
elementary school librarian and a box of crayons. She is a voracious reader and the farthest thing from a genre-snob, loving everything from High Fantasy to Chick Lit. Kathleen currently resides in a quaint small town outside of Toronto with her husband, two beautiful girls, and an exhausting brood of four-legged creatures.
   
You can read Chapters 1-4 of BURYING WATER in the back of IN HER WAKE, the Ten Tiny Breaths prequel novella from Trent's POV! IN HER WAKE is out September 1st. Pre-order your copy today! 
Pre-Order: 
 

 I want to hear what you think!
Let me know in the comments

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Wednesday, July 23, 2014

Waiting on Wednesday: Fiendish

Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we cannot wait to get our hands on.

 I am waiting on:

Fiendish
Title: Fiendish
Author: Brenna Yovanoff
Publisher: Razorbill
Publication Date: August 14, 2014
Genre: Young Adult, Paranormal
Clementine DeVore spent ten years trapped in a cellar, pinned down by willow roots, silenced and forgotten. Now she’s out and determined to uncover who put her in that cellar and why. 
When Clementine was a child, dangerous and inexplicable things started happening in New South Bend. The townsfolk blamed the fiendish people out in the Willows and burned their homes to the ground. But magic kept Clementine alive, walled up in the cellar for ten years, until a boy named Fisher sets her free. Back in the world, Clementine sets out to discover what happened all those years ago. But the truth gets muddled in her dangerous attraction to Fisher, the politics of New South Bend, and the Hollow, a fickle and terrifying place that seems increasingly temperamental ever since Clementine reemerged.
Why am I waiting?
First, how could I not want to know what is behind that super creepy cover. Also the premise defiantly sounds interesting, I have to wonder how Clementine is tied to everything. I have heard that Brenna Yovanoff is the master of the dark tale, and Fiendish sounds like exactly that. I cannot wait to read this one for myself.

What are you waiting on?
Make sure to let me know in the comments

Thank you for visiting Unabridged Bookshelf!

Monday, July 21, 2014

The Hazards of Sex on the Beach Release Day: Review, Excerpt, and Giveaway!


Welcome to The Hazards of Sex on the Beach Release Day Celebration!  Today I have an excerpt, review and a giveaway for you today! Also, to celebrate the release, Hazards of Sex on the Beach is only $0.99

About the Book
Title: The Hazards of Sex on the Beach
Author: Alyssa Rose Ivy
Series: Hazards #3
Publication Date: July 21, 2014
Genres: New Adult, Contemporary, 
One broken heart, one drink too many, one steamy night in the sand...
No one warns you about the dangers of drinking with a broken heart. At least no one warned me. I never imagined I'd fall for a musician, especially not one like Chase, but then again I never expected to have my heart broken into a million pieces by the frat guy I thought was the love of my life.
Sometimes it's the rash decisions, like hooking up in the sand, that lead you to the best places—the kinds of places where it's possible to let yourself fall in love again.

About the Author
Alyssa Rose Ivy is a New Adult and Young Adult author who loves to weave stories with romance and
a southern setting. Although raised in the New York area, she fell in love with the South after moving to New Orleans for college. After years as a perpetual student, she turned back to her creative side and decided to write. She lives in North Carolina with her husband and two young children, and she can usually be found with a cup of coffee in her hand.
   


Excerpt From THE HAZARDS OF SEX ON THE BEACH
He took a strand of my hair and studied it. “Is this your natural color?”
“Yes.”
He dropped the strand. “I’ve never dated a girl with blonde hair.”
“Well, you’re not dating me.”
He gently brushed his fingers down my bare arm. “No, but I want to kiss you.”
“Then kiss me.” I was used to pushy guys. The kind that knew what they wanted and took it.
“Okay.” He smiled before leaning in.
The kiss was hesitant at first, the kind of kiss that gets your whole body excited because you know there’s more to come. I waited—hoping he’d take it further. His hand slid just under the hem of my shirt, brushing against my skin. The touch was light, but it was still enough to get a response out of me. I moaned.
That must have been what he was waiting for. He deepened the kiss, pushing into my mouth with such force I was taken by surprise. I kissed him back, enjoying the sweet taste of his mouth, and the way his hand slowly inched its way up my stomach. Blazer moved from zero to sixty. I didn’t mind it. I moved onto his lap, welcoming the arm he put around me to pull me closer. I wrapped my arms around his neck.
His hand moved higher, cupping my breast over my bra. I was drunk and hot, and so turned on I was going to lose it.
That’s when the door to the roof opened. The loud laughter of a group of girls pulled me half out of my lustful stupor.
“Want to go for a walk?” His question was asking something else entirely. I knew that when I answered with an enthusiastic yes.
Blazer held my hand as we made our way through the crowds. I looked briefly for Gabriella, but I didn’t see her. The normal Cara would have called her to tell her I was leaving with a random guy—but was Blazer random? We had chatted for hours already.
Before I could worry about it long, we were walking along the dark and nearly vacant beach. It was January on the South Carolina coast, and the crowds were months away.
“You never told me your name.” He said it as a statement as he led me further away from the party.
“Cara.”
“Hi, Cara. I’m Chase.”
I smiled. “Isn’t it a little late for introductions?” I stopped and turned toward the ocean.
“It’s never too late.” He drew something on my arm with his finger. The sensation felt good. I closed my eyes.
“You look so gorgeous. The moonlight, that look on your face.”
I opened my eyes and his face was inches from mine. “If you’ve never dated a blonde, does that mean you’ve never had sex with one?”
“Why? Are you looking to change that?” His eyes were lidded.
“I’d like to.” I slipped a finger into the waistband of his jeans.
“Should we go back to my hotel room, or do you have one?” He looked down. “I’m going to be honest here. I haven’t done this before.”
“Please don’t tell me you’re a virgin.” That would be just my luck.
He laughed. “No. Not saying that at all. I just don’t generally hook up with girls I’ve just met.”
“At least you know my name.”
“I do know your name, don’t I, Cara?”
Something happened to me when he said my name. I needed him. I reached up again, wrapping my arms around him. I crushed my lips into his.
We came up for air only after ending up horizontal on the sand. He laughed. “Or we can just pick things up right here.”



Review of The Hazards of Sex on the Beach
The Hazards of Sex on the Beach is seriously my favorite out of all the Hazards series so far, and I really loved The Hazards of a One Night Stand. Cara’s story really explores finding yourself after a bad breakup, and I love that Cara stepped out of her comfort zone to do exactly that. There is something magnetic about the way Alyssa Rose Ivy writes her New Adult romances, because it is as if I am attached by some invisible force until I finish the story. 

Cara is reeling from a bad breakup and she is dreading going back to school and facing her ex-boyfriend. While drowning her broken heart, she decides to do something out of character, and has a one-night stand with Chase. This is where Cara really begins to distance herself from her previous life and relationship, and start to discover her own passions again. Chase is really a great influence on Cara, and I like him in The Hazards of Sex on the Beach, and his effect on Cara.  

I love the musical tone of this book versus previous books, and I liked experiencing Cara discover her new talents. If I had to pick between Aaron and Chase, it would obviously be Chase, and I think that The Hazards of a One Night Stand also address a tough topic in the midst of the beauty of the Cara’s story. As a huge fan of Alyssa Rose Ivy, I loved the way she handled this topic and I loved that it was a realistic portrayal. 


I have yet to read something by Alyssa Rose Ivy that I did not immediately love, and I cannot wait to see what she has next up her sleeve. Seriously, she produces some of the most magnificent story and across a variety of genre and each has its own separate tone so they stand out on their own. This is a great book that can be read as a standalone, and I highly recommend it and anything else Alyssa Rose Ivy has ever written. 
**Unabridged Bookshelf received this book in exchange for an honest review**



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Thursday, July 17, 2014

Fated Cover Reveal with Giveaway

Fated 
5 bestselling novels all in one novel!
Expected Publication: August 21, 2014
 Cover Design by Najla Qamber Designs
Genres: New Adult, Urban Fantasy,
The Fated 5 have come together to bring you a collection of five steamy new adult urban fantasies about sacrifice, second chances, destiny and love against all odds.
Beginning August 21st, for a limited time, paranormal fans can purchase five full length bestselling novels all in one:
Amaranth by Rachael Wade
Aurora Sky: Vampire Hunter by Nikki Jefford
Darkness of Light by Stacey Marie Brown
Flight by Alyssa Rose Ivy
Whisper by Heather Hildenbrand
Sign-up for a FREE Fated Bonus Bundle



I want to hear what you think!
Let me know in the comments

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