Today’s is My Birthday!

IT’S MY BIRTHDAY PEOPLE!

I’ve been blogging for two years of my life, and it is still one of my absolute favorite things to do. Last night, I stayed up late reading Dare You To by Katie McGarry, and decided since that that was what made me happy, heck I was going to read until late in the night.

I just want to say a quick thank you to everyone who has supported me along the way: Jen, who made me smile with her sweet message today *HUGS AND BOOK SHIMMIES GIRL*; Emily, the first one to wish me a happy happy birthday *SQUISH HUGS*; Vy, who has yet to wish my happy birthday but definitely will soon; Erin, who sent me a Monkey Mail ecard and even if it doesn’t open, I still love it; and Meredith, who helped me down this path. Also, the collection of people (Chri, Christine, Anna, etc.) who sent me happy birthday wishes – hugs and all that to you too! I love all of you and my life wouldn’t be nearly as awesome without all of you in it!

*confetti and pom poms* Here’s to another year!

The Georgia Corbins Book Tour

I’m so honored to be a part of The Georgia Corbins by Kara Leigh Miller blog tour from Entranced Publishing! It sounds like a fantastic book and I can’t to share it with you.

Ali Philips never thought anything could be more devastating than the day Levi and Tucker Corbin, her two best friends—her only friends—moved away. Three years passed without a single phone call, text message, or email from them and she’s resolved to the fact that she will probably never see them again. Until one morning when she comes face-to-face with Levi Corbin in physics class. Little does she know, the Corbins have returned to Haldeen with only one thing on their minds: winning Ali’s heart. Ali soon finds herself in the middle of a love triangle she doesn’t want any part of. As she tries to reclaim the friendships she’s lost and to adjust to the unfamiliar feelings she’s having, she struggles with making the one decision that will forever change their lives: Levi or Tucker Corbin? She’s always had a special bond with Tucker and feels most comfortable when she’s with him. But Levi brings her to life in a way she didn’t think was possible and makes her feel things she didn’t think she would ever feel. Torn between the two, Ali is certain of only one thing–by the time it’s over, she’ll lose one of her best friends.

And now, a fun excerpt from Chapter Two (Levi’s POV).

The bell rang and Al was out of the room in a flash. Jimmie Allen and Brody tried to talk to me, but I ignored them and followed Al. It took me a moment to find her in the crowded hallway, but when I did, I didn’t waste any time going to her. She was standing at her locker.

I cautiously approached her. “Got a minute?”

She slammed her locker closed and walked in the opposite direction.

“Al!” I chased after her.

She spun around and faced me. “I’m sorry, do I know you?”

Ouch, that was harsh. “I guess I deserved that.”

“Oh, you deserve a heck of a lot more than that, Levi,” she said angrily.

“I know I do. Look, Al, I’m real sorry. Can you please let me explain?”

“I’ve been waiting three years. This had best be good.” She clutched her books to her chest and tapped her foot impatiently.

I took a deep, shaky breath. “Dad wouldn’t let us visit. He said he didn’t want to worry about cleaning up after our trouble making ways.”

“And your Momma wouldn’t let you use the phone? Or did you just forget how?”

Had she always been this feisty? “I have no excuse for that.” I shoved my hands in the pockets of my jeans and stared at the ground. “I’m sorry, Al.”

“And what’s Tucker’s excuse?”

“He doesn’t have one either.”

“I gotta get to class.” She turned her back on me again and proceeded to walk away.

“Ali!”

She stopped cold and just stood there, her head down and her back still to me. I’d never called her Ali before. Had I crossed the line?

Fun stuff right? To celebrate the release of The Georgia Corbins, Kara Leigh Miller is giving away exciting prizes. The Grand Prize, which is open to US residents only, includes a signed copy of The Georgia Corbins, The Georgia Corbins hardcover journal and postcards, The Georgia Corbins tote bag, Kara Leigh Miller pens and notebooks, and Legasea bookmarks. Second and third prizes are an ebook copy of The Georgia Corbins, and one lucky person will win a first chapter critique. International entries are welcome. Good luck! Winners will be announced July 1.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

If you’re interested in purchasing a copy, check out Entranced Publishing’s website: 
http://www.entrancedpublishing.com/imprints/blush/the-georgia-corbins/
, and add the book to Goodreads: 
http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17669136-the-georgia-corbins

Dark Triumph: Book Review

Novel: Dark Triumph (His Fair Assasian, #2) by R.L. LaFevers | Goodreads

Release Date: April 2nd, 2013

Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Books for Children

Format: Hardcover

Source: Library

Challenge: None

Sybella’s duty as Death’s assassin in 15th-century France forces her return home to the personal hell that she had finally escaped. Love and romance, history and magic, vengeance and salvation converge in this thrilling sequel to Grave Mercy.

Sybella arrives at the convent’s doorstep half mad with grief and despair. Those that serve Death are only too happy to offer her refuge—but at a price. The convent views Sybella, naturally skilled in the arts of both death and seduction, as one of their most dangerous weapons. But those assassin’s skills are little comfort when the convent returns her to a life that nearly drove her mad. And while Sybella is a weapon of justice wrought by the god of Death himself, He must give her a reason to live. When she discovers an unexpected ally imprisoned in the dungeons, will a daughter of Death find something other than vengeance to live for?

(Synopsis and Image from Goodreads)

Willa’s Rambles:

The thing about me and Historical Fiction is that I love it – I really do – but it just takes the right book. And this book (along with Grave Mercy) are the right books.

In Dark Triumph, it picks up just a bit after Grave Mercy ended, but this time it’s from Sybella’s point of view, which was one I was a bit unsure about at the beginning, but I immediately fell in love with her narration, her sharp humor and overall personality. She’s one of those narrators where it takes you just a little bit to get into the rhythm of, but after a certain point, it was just page after page after page of awesome.

Beast. I was so happy to see him again, and even more happy at the really interesting dynamic between him and Sybella. I think their relationship (which turns out to be, in my opinion, better than Duval and Ismae) is so unique and just…. It’s perfect. It’s so flawed, but yet so perfect at the same time. They’re two people who struggle to let people in and have so many sad points in their pasts that the minute they let each other in, you see the beauties in both of them and I absolutely fell in love with the two of them. (What’s their ship name? Because I am going down with this ship.)

And the plot! Oh my gosh! Can you say action-packed? It was suspenseful, full of twists and turns, battle scenes, breath-taking moments – it was everything you could want. I think what made this book so unique (in comparison to Grace Mercy) is Sybella’s family dynamic and the really interesting relationship she has with her siblings and father. It made Sybella’s character even more round and complex, which I really enjoyed.

Overall, I adored this book. Epic amounts of stars and high, high hopes for #3!

The Moon and More: Book Review

Novel: The Moon and More by Sarah Dessen | Goodreads

Release Date: June 4th, 2013

Publisher: Viking Juvenile

Format: ARC

Source: BookPeople Teen Reviewing Program

Challenge: 2013 Contemporary Challenge

Luke is the perfect boyfriend: handsome, kind, fun. He and Emaline have been together all through high school in Colby, the beach town where they both grew up. But now, in the summer before college, Emaline wonders if perfect is good enough.

Enter Theo, a super-ambitious outsider, a New Yorker assisting on a documentary film about a reclusive local artist. Theo’s sophisticated, exciting, and, best of all, he thinks Emaline is much too smart for Colby.

Emaline’s mostly-absentee father, too, thinks Emaline should have a bigger life, and he’s convinced that an Ivy League education is the only route to realizing her potential. Emaline is attracted to the bright future that Theo and her father promise. But she also clings to the deep roots of her loving mother, stepfather, and sisters. Can she ignore the pull of the happily familiar world of Colby?

Emaline wants the moon and more, but how can she balance where she comes from with where she’s going?

Sarah Dessen’s devoted fans will welcome this story of romance, yearning, and, finally, empowerment. It could only happen in the summer.

(Synopsis and Image from Goodreads)

Willa’s Rambles:

This book was a meh from me. I feel like Sarah Dessen is a great author, but a lot of what she writes doesn’t appeal to me, and The Moon and More was definitely one of those books.

I think one of the biggest things for me were the characters: Emaline bothered me. I didn’t like her at all. I couldn’t connect to her, and I felt myself constantly wanting to shake some sense into her. Theo gave me the creeps, Luke was just kind of arrogant, her parents were really disappointing, and the only characters I liked were her friends and Benji.

The second thing that bothered me about this book was the plot. I feel like nothing really happened. Over the course of this novel the only thing that really happened was some decisions about college, some Dad drama, and a breakup with her boyfriend. That’s literally it. For the length that this book was, I feel like there could’ve been some serious character development and major cool things happening.

There were a few bright spots: I liked the way Sarah Dessen crafted Emaline’s past and intermixed her memories in with the narration so that the reader didn’t know everything all at once, and it came out piece by piece. Also, Benji was definitely my favorite character – he was sweet and hilarious!

Overall, I wouldn’t recommend this new Sarah Dessen book unless you’re a die-hard fan. I’ve been kind of disappointed with her past two novels, so I’m hoping her next book makes me fall back in love with her again!

IT’S SUMMMMEEERRRR!

It’s summer!

I had to, guys.

I’m so, so, so happy it’s summer! FINALLY! I can read, sleep, blog, and write until my heart’s content. This means that the posts on Willa’s Ramblings will be rising slowly, but I also have a lot to take care of with LIT UP REVIEW being live TOMORROW, so don’t get too excited.

I can’t wait to spend more time with this blog. I’m deprived.

Insurgent: Book Review

Novel: Insurgent (Divergent, #2)by Veronica Roth | Goodreads

Release Date: May 1st, 2012

Publisher: HarperTeen

Format: ARC

Source: Book Expo America 2012

Challenge: None

One choice can transform you, or destroy you. Every choice has consequences, and as unrest surges in the factions all around her, Tris Prior must continue trying to save those she loves, and herself, while grappling with haunting questions of grief and forgiveness, identity and loyalty, politics and love.

(Synopsis and Image from Goodreads)

Willa’s Rambles:

WHY DID I WAIT SO LONG TO CONTINUE THIS SERIES? WHY?! WHAT IN THE WORLD WAS I THINKING?!

Okay, I’m done.

Insurgent blew my emotions into a million little pieces all over the floor. I couldn’t stop reading this. I was reading in class, in my bed until very late, at the dinner table, on the way to swim practice…. It was bad. I was obsessed. Insurgent may have topped Divergent, and this is simply because I loved the new elements of Tris’s personality. She’s hardened by the grief she experienced in Divergent, and this makes it even harder for her to open up to people. I think this definitely added to this book, and as a result all of her relationships struggled.

Now the Four + Tris thing: AMAZING. In Insurgent their relationship is really tested, but I also think because they are individually growing that they have to evaluate their relationship and figure some stuff out. They are not perfect people, their relationship isn’t perfect, but they’re real, and I think this is the best part of this novel.

Lastly, this plot. Oh beejesus. I’m not even kidding when I say I curled up into the fetal position after I finished this book. It was action-packed, epic beyond belief, and I couldn’t ask for anything more from this book. It had everything – romance, action, suspense, grief…. It was just too much. I highly, highly, highly recommend this, and if you haven’t read it yet, do it.

Now.

Super Secret Project Reveal

HI GUYS!

 

I have some really, really, really exciting news for you all, and I don’t know really how to preface, so I’m just going to launch into it like a maniac.

I STARTED A NEW BLOG/WEBSITE.

Yup. You heard me right: I have started a new book blog! It’s called “Lit Up Review”, and I’m working on it with the fabulous Erin & Meredith of Mint Tea and a Good Book, and Emily of Forever Literary. Our goal in this website is to connect teens with books that will appeal to them, with all of the reviews written by us, the teens!

You’re really excited, right? Well, here’s the link! It’s officially launching on June 7th because of crazy final-ness, but for right now you can take a look around, learn a bit more about us, the site, and everything in between. Link: 
http://litup-review.com/

What does this mean for WR? Well, I might be a little more absent. I’m going to be double posting all of my reviews (or at least that’s the plan) meaning I’ll have the same post here and on Lit Up Review (only reviews, though!). I’ll keep you posted on any changes, but I’m hoping all it will mean is a bit longer breaks between reviews.

I’m so, so, so excited to be starting a new chapter in my blogging life, and even more excited to be doing it with some of my best blogger friends. Now you all know what all the cryptic tweets have been about for the past couple months, along with why I’ve been gone (I was working on the site with our designer, Anna!)

It would be so much to me if all of you would hit the little “Subscribe” button, follow us on twitter (@LitUpReview) and all that jazz. Maybe even tweet about us and let your friends know. That’d be cool too. If you have any questions, feel free to email me via the Contact links, or tweet us! We’ll be very prompt (we hope).

Thanks for being so amazing! I love you guys.

Massive huggles from me,

Book Haul from the Past Few Weeks!

Hello all!

I succeeded in a SHORT BOOK HAUL. I know, you’re proud of me! It’s only 4:51! It includes some pretty fab books….

If you can’t view it, here’s the link: 

*book shimmies* So exciting, right? And more exciting news to come!

Just An Update!

Hello friends!

As you may have noticed, I haven’t been posting quite as much lately! School has gotten really busy, I’ve started club swimming (eek!) and life is just in full swing. This means my time available for my love, this blog, has been slowly decreasing. I’m also working on a super cool project that I hopefully will be able to tell all of you about soon!

All of that, plus my reading (yes, I am reading!) has been taking a toll on my time. I’m going to try and get moving on posting, but don’t be surprised if I take a little time.

Love,

The Originals: Book Review

Novel: The Originals by Cat Patrick | Goodreads

Release Date: May 7th, 2013

Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers

Format: ARC

Source: BookPeople Teen Reviewing Program

Challenge: None

A riveting new story from Cat Patrick, author of Forgotten and Revived.

17-year-olds Lizzie, Ella, and Betsey Best grew up as identical triplets… until they discovered a shocking family secret. They’re actually closer than sisters, they’re clones. Hiding from a government agency that would expose them, the Best family appears to consist of a single mother with one daughter named Elizabeth. Lizzie, Ella, and Betsey take turns going to school, attending social engagements, and a group mindset has always been a de facto part of life…

Then Lizzie meets Sean Kelly, a guy who seems to see into her very soul. As their relationship develops, Lizzie realizes that she’s not a carbon copy of her sisters; she’s an individual with unique dreams and desires, and digging deeper into her background, Lizzie begins to dismantle the delicate balance of an unusual family that only science could have created.

(Synopsis and Image from Goodreads)

Willa’s Rambles:

I feel like every book Cat Patrick has written has gotten increasingly better, because The Originals topped every other Cat Patrick book.

First of all, this plot! How does she come up with this stuff?! The Originals follows the story of three identical (literally) sisters and their fight to be themselves and find out who they really are. Lizzie, Ella, and Betsey were all really strong characters that I thoroughly enjoyed reading about! Lizzie was my favorite of them, but each of the sisters had their personalities, something that was key to the story.

The sci-fi elements to this book were by far my favorite! Cat Patrick does a wonderful job of taking these science fiction elements and putting them in a contemporary novel and making it all work. It seemed so natural, and ended up raising a lot of thoughts in my head about cloning – does it happen? Is this the life of three girls somewhere in the world?

This book is by far my favorite Cat Patrick – the characters were really strong, there was elements of romance (but the whole book wasn’t romance! Plus the lead guy was amazing…), and the plot line was so addicting! This is definitely a stay up late type of read.