Catching Jordan by Miranda Kenneally


Title: Catching Jordan
Author: Miranda Kenneally
Published: December 2011 by Sourcebooks


My Rating: 4.5 stars
Tags: YA | Romance | Realistic | Football
Includes: Sexuality, Profanity

First Lines: I once read that football was invented so people wouldn't notice summer ending. But I couldn't wait for summer vacation to end. I couldn't wait for football.






Jordan Woods, a senior in high school, is the captain and quarterback of the football team. In fact, she's one of the best quarterbacks in the state of Tennessee! As Jordan tries to score a scholarship to her dream college, Alabama, she's also trying to gain respect from her father, who disapproves of her playing football. Jordan has always been 'one of the guys', constantly hanging out with her teammates and best friend, Sam Henry. But at the beginning of senior year a new guy comes to town and joins the football team. A very cute new guy, named Ty...who happens to be the quarterback at his old school. Can Jordan keep her head in the game and focus on leading her team, or will she be distracted by Ty, who just may be competing for her position and her heart?

I have never been a fan of football nor have I ever seen a football game in my life. However, this book - with its mix of girls, football, romance, and friendship - I am definitely a fan of. Just because you aren't a sports fanatic doesn't mean that you can't enjoy this awesome book! Right away I liked Jordan's strong character. She has a tough exterior, but also has a sweet, emotional side buried deep within. I admired how she stood up for herself and was a willful, determined person.

You would never have guessed that this is Kenneally's debut novel, because her writing is stunning! She has a way of weaving together words to create a flawless visual of what's happening in the story. It was almost exactly like watching a movie because I could imagine the characters and events so perfectly. The relationships in this story were probably one of my favorite things about the book. I liked seeing Jordan and Ty's fling quickly become romantic. Even though I think their steamy relationship happened way too soon, it was definitely believable and never felt forced. I loved the friendships between Jordan and her teammates, too! Henry, JJ, and Carter were typical high school boys, letting their pride and testosterone make decisions for them. But they were so sweet at times and protected Jordan when the need arose.

From page 79
Flipping through the channels, I stop on ESPN as Henry sits down on the sofa cushion next to me. He slumps down and closes his eyes, and even though he was acting normal a couple of minutes ago, I can feel sadness radiating off him like steam rising from hot asphalt in summertime.

The actual storyline itself was extremely predictable and I guessed right away what would happen, but I still really enjoyed reading it. The strong character ties were so realistic and there were some super cute scenes in the book. I would recommend reading this great debut novel, football lover or not!

Cover Thoughts: It's sweet and I'm so glad that the characters' faces are not showing, so that we can imagine what they look like instead.

Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi


Title: Shatter Me
Author: Tahereh Mafi
Published: November 2011 by Harper Collins


My Rating: 5 stars
Tags: YA | Romance | Paranormal | Dystopia
Includes: Sexuality, Violence, Profanity

First Lines: I've been locked up for 264 days. I have nothing but a small notebook and a broken pen and the numbers in my head to keep me company. 1 window. 4 walls. 144 square feet of space. 26 letters in an alphabet I haven't spoken in 264 days of isolation.




Juliette's touch is fatal. There's no explanation as to why but one thing's for sure: if she touches someone, the agonizing pain can quickly lead to their death. As society crumbles apart and civilization begins dying out, the Reestablishment takes charge. They lock up Juliette in a terrifying asylum, preventing her from human contact for 264 days. While diseases kill the population, crops cease to grow, animals are dying, and water is hard to find, all Juliette wants is a chance. To be touched. To be loved. But the Reestablishment seems to have made plans for her, to use her abnormal ability to their advantage in war. Juliette must choose to be their monstrous weapon or to fight back.

Wow, this was truly unlike any book I've ever read! I fell in love with Juliette right away, instantly connecting to her personality and emotions. For a few chapters into the novel, not that much is explained. I liked that thrilling sense of mystery, and how the reader must figure out on their own for awhile what's going on. The horrifying, dystopian world that the author created was scary because it felt real and believable. In contrast to the crumbling world and its dying, weak inhabitants, Juliette was just the opposite. She was bold, brave, fierce. I greatly admired her and liked that she wasn't totally predictable - I never really knew what actions she'd do next. As for her special ability of having a fatal touch, it made the story so interesting and unique. It was definitely a brand new superhuman power that I've never come across before!

The story progressed quickly and there was almost always nonstop action. The author lingered on scenes and settings just long enough to hold the attention of the reader and let them become accustomed to it, before introducing an entirely new setting. I never knew what to predict next. The novel kept me on my toes, absorbing all my time and attention. The character development was amazingly well-done for the main characters and not to mention all of the many secondary characters. The romance between Juliette and Adam was very believable and they had so much chemistry together. They were perfect for each other and the poetic prose during scenes with them just melted my heart. I can't wait to read the next book in the series and see how their strong relationship grows even more. This was an incredible, action-filled, and thrilling debut from an author to watch!

From page 57
The air is crisp and cool. A refreshing bath of tangible nothing that stings my eyes and snaps at my skin. The sun is high today, blinding as it reflects the small patches of snow keeping the earth frozen. My eyes are pressed down by the weight of the bright light and I can't see through more than two slits, but the warm rays wash over my body like a jacket fitted to my form, like the hug of something greater than a human. I could stand still in this moment forever. For one infinite second I feel free.


Cover Thoughts: It's definitely eye-catching and pretty to look at. It also fits the trend that many new paranormal books have these days: gorgeous models in over-the-top dresses. However, it really doesn't have anything to do with the story; there's not even a scene in the book where Juliette wears a flouncy, white dress.

Waiting On Wednesday: Forbidden


This week's WoW book is Forbidden by Syrie and Ryan James! It will be released on January 24, 2012.

SUMMARY:
She should not exist. He should not love her. Claire Brennan has been attending Emerson Academy for two years now (the longest she and her mom have remained anywhere) and she’s desperate to stay put for the rest of high school. So there’s no way she’s going to tell her mom about the psychic visions she’s been having or the creepy warnings that she’s in danger. Alec MacKenzie is fed up with his duties to watch and, when necessary, eliminate the descendants of his angelic forefathers. He chose Emerson as the ideal hiding place where he could be normal for once. He hadn’t factored Claire into his plans... Their love is forbidden, going against everything Alec has been taught to believe. But when the reason behind Claire’s unusual powers is revealed and the threat to her life becomes clear, how far will Alec go to protect her?

Looks like a good, intriguing book! It sounds a little like the Hush, Hush series which I loved. PUBLISHED ON JANUARY 24, 2012.


17 Winners Announced! - End of the Year Madness Giveaway




I hope that everyone liked my End of the Year Madness Giveaway! After over a month of planning and collaborating with authors, the actual contest itself seemed to be a huge success however I probably won't be having a giveaway this big again. Thank you to all the wonderful blog followers (new and old!) that entered. Now...here are the seventeen winners!

First winner is: Ephrielle from Hope, Love, and Happy Endings!
who won: The Mephisto Covenant by Trinity Faegen, Babe in Boyland by Jody Gehrman, Between by Jessica Warman, and The Revenant by Sonia Gensler

Second winner is: Sophia from The Book Basement!
who won: Misfit by Jon Skovron, The Lipstick Laws by Amy Holder, and Through Her Eyes by Jennifer Archer

Third winner is: Andrea from The Busy Bibliophile!
who won: Stupid Fast by Geoff Herbach and Cold Kiss by Amy Garvey

Now for the fourteen winners who each won one book...

Dani N won You Are My Only by Beth Kephart

Kapri from Book Fanatics won the Holly Schindler SWAG pack

Stacey E won Love Story by Jennifer Echols

Lauren from Paper Wings won Shifting by Bethany Wiggins

Ann M from Annabell's Book Nook won The Beginning of After by Jennifer Castle

Amanda from Pages Turned won Imaginary Girls by Nova Ren Suma

Pao P won Possess by Gretchen McNeil

Robert Z won Witch Eyes by Scott Tracey

Tia S won Ripple by Mandy Hubbard

Amy from The Library Lady won OyMG by Amy Fellner Dominy

Victoria won the Stasia Ward Kehoe SWAG pack

Jen from I Read Banned Books won Deadly Cool by Gemma Halliday

Caitlyn Y won Darker Still by Leanna Renee Hieber

Maidenveil from Musings of a Reader Happy won the assorted goodies SWAG pack


A big thank you again to everyone who entered the giveaway! I already sent out all the emails to the winners so please reply as soon as possible so that you can receive your prizes. Hope 2012 is a fantastic year for you all. :)