Stacking The Shelves #4: T'WAS MAIL WEEK

Stacking The Shelves is a feature hosted by Tynga’s Reviews where bloggers share what books (both physical and digital) they received, won, bought, and borrowed.

It's been a few weeks since I posted an STS and I haven't actually purchased books in a while because there are so many stuff to buy for school and saving up is a total challenge. But I will make it up by the end of the month, I guess. Anyway, again, it has been a wondrous mail week where I received nice stuff from authors! This post will also include the galleys I received in the previous months.

Received

Susan Fodor---Silver Tides
Sasha Dawn---Oblivion (Review)

Special thanks to Susan Fodor for taking the time and sending in her self published book! It look amazing! I will dive into it soon! And to Sasha Dawn, you amazing, amazing person! Thank you for sending me a signed copy of your wonderful book! I was happy to promote it with you and I can't wait to work with you on more projects! It was a good two months! Congrats on the success!

For Review

Gayle Forman---If I Stay

Gayle Forman---Where She Went

Just found the time to read my copies! I read If I Stay last year but I only got Where She Went earlier this year. I hate myself! But all the amazingness of the books, I will take with me forever and ever! ADAM AND MIA! Ahhh! Look forward to my reviews! SOON!

(JULY-SEPTEMBER)

The Moment Collector--- Jodi Lynn Anderson

How To Get Ainsley Bishop To Fall In Love With You --- T.M. Franklin

Ask Again Later---Liz Czusak

Coin Heist--- Elisa Ludwig

Aspen---Rebekah Crane

A Man Called Ove---Fredrik Backman

Random---Tom Leveen

Rumble by Ellen Hopkins

So look forward to more books in the upcoming weeks and hopefully I can have a huuuuge haul soon! Thanks for everything Misfit Booknerds!

{Book Blitz} Excerpt + Giveaway: Coral & Bone by Tiffany Daune

Title: Coral & Bone
Author: Tiffany Daune
Publication: July 7th 2014, Jester Ink Press
Genre: Young Adult, Paranormal
Buy it on: Amazon

SYNOPSIS:

Halen knows the sparks igniting under her fingertips are dangerous. She has spent her entire life trying to quell the tingly feelings that make her destroy things, but now that she is back in Rockaway Beach, where she watched her father drown, the flames have become impossible to tame. 

Halen is trying to hold on, but when she is thrust into a mysterious new world, the underwater realm of Elosia, she unravels the secrets of her past and can't help but ignite. As she explores Elosia, she realizes her life has been a lie. And when those who have deceived her come to her for help, Halen must choose—walk away or unleash the magick that could destroy them all.

EXCERPT 

GIVEAWAY

a Rafflecopter giveaway

About The Author:

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

I write stories about magick, love and dark creatures lurking in the shadows. When I'm not lost in Edit Land you can find me reading a book from my towering TBR pile or at the movie theater nibbling licorice. I don't have a lucky number, but my favorite time is 11:11. I completely believe that the fortunes found inside cookies will come true and that you must be careful when wishing on stars. I live on an island, so if you want to visit you'll need a boat, and if you want to survive the passage, be sure to bring candy for the mermaids.

Keep posted on more book tours here at the blog! Thanks XpressoBookTours! And thank you Misfit Booknerds for all your wonderful support!

Book Review: Nihal of The Land of The Wind by Licia Troisi

Title: Nihal of The Land of The Wind (Chronicles of the Overworld #1)
Author: Licia Troisi
Publication: May 27th 2014, Open Road Media (First published in Italian in 2004 by Mondadori)
Format: e-ARC (in English), 230 pages
Source: Open Road Media through Netgalley (Thank you!)
Buy it on: Amazon | Barnes and Noble | iBooks | Kobo

Synopsis:

Nihal lives in one of the many towers of the Land of the Wind. There is nobody like her in the Overworld: big violet eyes, pointed ears, and blue hair. She is an expert in swordplay and the leader of a handful of friends that includes Sennar the wizard. She has no parents; brought up by an armorer and a sorceress, Nihal seems to be from nowhere.

Things suddenly change when the Tyrant takes charge. Nihal finds herself forced to take action when she is faced with the most difficult mission a girl her age could imagine.

Fierce, strong, and armed with her black crystal sword, Nihal sets out to become a real warrior.

Misfit Review :
*I was provided an e-ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review

If there is anything more investing than reading a fantasy novel, then please don't sign me up for it because I realized how difficult it could be long ago. It's taxing to remember all the characters and those involved and  if it's straight up action and dragons, I get rather bored. It took me a while to finish this novel but maybe it was school or I was just really, really tired. But when I got the opportunity to read it more, I found out that I actually enjoyed reading Nihal of The Land of The Wind, or "NIHAL" as I would like to call it.

Her feelings of nostalgia, loneliness, and regret were heightened, but her heart did not waver. She wanted her childhood back--all the fun, innocence, and peace she had felt.

So we are taken into the Overworld where the feisty and spunky Nihal resides at the Land of The Wind with her father, Livon, who is an armors maker. She wants to be a Dragon Knight so badly and wished to learn how to really fight and learn magic, which her father took with animosity. But in the end, Nihal prevailed in her wishes, training under Soana, Livon's sister, who happens to be a sorceress with an apprentice named Sennar. We are taken into their world where Nihal must learn to fight against the odds against the dominating Tyrant and to make people realize her worth as a warrior and as a woman.

She was strong, unbeatable. Nothing could stop her. This was what the croud was shouting, and she believed them.

Nihal is a story of hard work, revenge and self worth. I enjoyed reading this book though it took me a while to really take into liking it. The story's pace at first was rather slow for me but then it got more engaging and you end up seeing yourself liking everything that is happening around. I specifically loved Nihal's determination to learn and protect her land. It was a story that allowed me to appreciate kingdom stories more and also the inclusion of romance. 

I guess that I appreciated the story because of the little hints of romance. Sennar is such a lovable guy because of his wit and humor. It's just unfortunate that Nihal is so dense or rather fixated with Fen. Another thing I loved about the story is that the action's just right! And oooh! DRAGONS! I can die now.

For a split second, Sennar was afraid of her. She wasn't the same girl he'd met in Salazar. She'd changed, though he couldn't say just how.

Licia Troisi wrote a really interesting story. It's not the first time I've encountered a story about dragons, supernatural stuff and powers, but it is my first time encountering a girl protagonist fight for her right to be part of something she's not supposed to be in. Her characteristics reminds of me of Katniss in a way but with a more void set of emotions while the story progressed.  All in all, there's a good balance of characters and scenes that made the novel quite exciting as it progressed! And I'm looking forward to the next part!

Go and read Nihal of The Land of The Wind because it's totes worth it!

About The Author:

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads 

Licia Troisi was born in Ostia, a little place by the sea near Rome. She’s been passionate about writing since her childhood. She took classical studies at high school and studied astrophysics in the university. She started to write her first trilogy, Cronache del Mondo Emerso (Chronicles from the Emerged World), at the age of 21.

She got married in 2007 and is currently a PhD student in Rome. Music, movies and comics are among her interests.

This was one awesome review guys! Check out more in the coming days or weeks! See you later! 

Book Review: Counting to D by Kate Scott

Title: Counting To D
Author: Kate Scott
Publication: Feb. 11, 2014, Elliot Books
Format: e-ARC copy, 206 pages
Source: Elliot Books through Edelweiss (Thank you Edelweiss and Elliot Books)
Buy it on: Amazon | Barnes and Noble | Indie Bound | Kobo

 Synopsis:

The kids at Sam's school never knew if they should make fun of her for being too smart or too dumb. That's what it means to be dyslexic: smart, and illiterate. Sam is sick of it. So when her mom gets a job in a faraway city, Sam decides not to tell anyone about her little illiteracy problem. Without her paradox of a reputation, she falls in with a new group of highly competitive friends who call themselves the Brain Trust. When she meets Nate, her charming valedictorian lab partner, she declares her new reality perfect. But in order to keep it that way, she has to keep her learning disability a secret. The books are stacked against her and so are the lies. Sam's got to get the grades, get the guy, and get it straight--without being able to read.

Misfit Review:

*I've been provided the copy by the publisher to give an honest review. I am not compensated monetarily for this*

When I started the book, I expected it to be a really light and fluffy read. Yes, it was fluffy but it wasn't light. It was probably the maths' fault!

Knowing that everyone else could read and I couldn't made me angry and frustrated and scared. So I did math. I did math to prove to everyone that I wasn't stupid.

Waiting on Wednesday #5: Top Ten Clues You're Clueless

Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Breaking the Spine that spotlights upcoming releases that we are just waiting to have our hands on!

Title: Top Ten Clues You're Clueless
Author: Liz Czukas
Publisher: HarperTeen
Expected Release Date: December 9th 2014
Pre-order on: Amazon | Barnes and Noble | Indie Bound | iBooks | Book Depository

SYNOPSIS:

Top Five Things That Are Ruining Chloe’s Day

5) Working the 6:30 a.m. shift at GoodFoods Market

4) Crashing a cart into a customer’s car right in front of her snarky coworker Sammi

3) Trying to rock the “drowned rat” look after being caught in a snowstorm

2) Making zero progress with her crush, Tyson (see #3)

1) Being accused—along with her fellow teenage employees—of stealing upwards of $10,000

Chloe would rather be anywhere than locked in work jail (aka the break room) with five of her coworkers . . . even if one of them is Tyson. But if they can band together to clear their names, what looks like a total disaster might just make Chloe’s list of Top Ten Best Moments.

About The Author:

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

Liz Czukas is a freelance writer (on sometimes sad or boring topics), and also writes books for young adults (which are rarely sad and full of kissing). Before that, she was a nurse and she still kind of misses starting IVs.

She lives outside Milwaukee, WI with her husband, son and the world’s loudest cat. She types too loud (according to her husband), spends too much time on the Internet, and can’t get enough of disaster movies. There is *always* a song stuck in her head, and she once won a hula-hoop contest.

The Misfit Interviews with Bethany Crandell

So, one of my newest author favorites, and my band manager for The Flail Hesitations, Bethany Crandell, joins us in another episode of The Misfit Interviews! Enjoy this one, coz it's a HOOT!

• How many books are in your bookshelf as of 2014?

I just glanced across the room to said bookshelf, and I’d say there are about 50 books on it, however some of those are my kiddos’ books that have migrated into my bedroom. (Much like the Goldfish cracker crumbs under said bookshelf) I’d say 35 are mine. 

• If you had a chance to name a pizza, what would it be?

It would be called, ALL MINE!

And it would have grilled chicken breast, roasted red peppers, provolone cheese, pine nuts and a pretzel crust. This pizza actually does exist. You can find it at The Idyllwild Pizza Co. (Idyllwild, CA) and when we get it…it is, ALL MINE!

•  I guess this is a quintessential, what is your favorite color?

Dusty lilac

•  Writing rituals?

Spearmint Orbit gum. Fire Jolly Ranchers. Quiet.

• If you could be an author for a day, who would you like to be?

I’d like to be me, just without any housework. 

AUTHOR STUFF

{Cover Reveal} Time Shifters by Laura N. Anile

Title:Time Shifters

Author: Laura N. Anile (Beyond Time #1)
Publication Date: June 2014
Genres: Dystopia, Young Adult
Trailer: Available here

Read the first chapter to Time Shifters

Synopsis:

‘My blood runs cold, and I see the horror etched in the boy’s reflection. Anxiety seeps into my chest, making my heart hammer. I don’t know where I am. I don’t know how I got here. But what worries me most is: I don't know who the hell is looking back at me in the mirror."

When you wake up in the wrong body within a futuristic world, being yourself can get you killed.

17-year-old Ryder is on his way to school when he experiences a pain like he has never felt before. He awakes in a mysterious lab to discover that, as a victim of an unauthorized transfer, he has been pulled into the year 2127.

Now Ryder’s life depends on him succeeding in making everyone believe that he is Ziron, the boy that swapped places with him in 2015. If he fails, he will be captured, imprisoned, or worse. Ryder only has to survive two weeks in this futuristic world he doesn’t understand. But two weeks is a long time when you don’t know who to trust, and when you have to keep away from a girl you have sworn to protect.

Kira refuses to stay away, so how can he prevent her from discovering his secret? And how can he be with her when she thinks he’s someone else?

Time is running out for Ryder to unravel the conspiracy and uncover the answer to the biggest question of all: Just why did Ziron risk everything to change places with him? And what exactly has Ryder been pulled into?

In a desperate quest to find his way home, Ryder will stop at nothing to protect the girl of his dreams, and the secret that could destroy everything.

About The Author:

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

Laura has had a lifelong love of writing, which she explored in a successful marketing career before penning her first novel. She is fascinated by the ideas of fate and interconnectedness, central themes in her story. She loves all things humorous, laughs too loudly and finds her own jokes amusing. She has a passion for traveling and exploring the world but has a phobia of suspect hotel rooms with questionable hygiene. And, oh yeah, she isn't clairvoyant and doesn't own any crystal balls.

In addition to 'Visions', she has also written a collection of short stories, entitled 'Unmasked Secrets'.

{Blog Tour} Guest Post + Giveaway: T.M. Franklin on "Awww...Young Love"

Hi! Today, we are joined by the lovely and talented T.M. Franklin, as she shares with us what it means to fall in love at a young age and also talking about her book, How To Get Ainsley Bishop To Fall In Love With You! Have fun guys!

Awww…Young Love

By T.M. Franklin

There’s nothing quite like the blush of first love. That first eyes-across-a-crowded-cafeteria moment. The first dance. The first kiss. That warm, bubbly feeling in your stomach, the sweaty palms and the pounding heartbeat.

Waiting on Wednesday #4: 17 First Kisses & Fan Art

Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Breaking the Spine that spotlights upcoming releases that we are just waiting to have our hands on!

Title: 17 First Kisses

Author: Rachael Allen

Publication: HarperTeen
Pages: 352 

Expected Release Date: June 17th 2014
Pre-order it on: Amazon | Barnes and Noble | Indie Bound | iBooks | Kobo

Synopsis:

No matter how many boys Claire kisses, she can’t seem to find a decent boyfriend. Someone who wouldn’t rather date her gorgeous best friend, Megan. Someone who won’t freak out when he learns about the tragedy her family still hasn’t recovered from. Someone whose kisses can carry her away from her backwoods town for one fleeting moment.

Until Claire meets Luke.

But Megan is falling for Luke, too, and if there’s one thing Claire knows for sure, it’s that Megan’s pretty much irresistible.

With true love and best friendship on the line, Claire suddenly has everything to lose. And what she learns—about her crush, her friends, and most of all herself—makes the choices even harder.

In her moving debut, Rachael Allen brilliantly captures the complexities of friendship, the struggles of self-discovery, and the difficulties of trying to find love in high school. Fans of Sarah Ockler, Susane Colasanti, and Stephanie Perkins will fall head over heels for this addictive, heartfelt, and often hilarious modern love story

About The Author:

Website | Twitter | Goodreads

Rachael Allen lives in Atlanta, GA where she's working furiously on her PhD in neuroscience. When she's not doing science or writing YA, you can find her chasing after her toddler and her two sled dogs. Her debut YA novel 17 FIRST KISSES, is forthcoming from Harper Teen. Rachael may or may not have had 17 first kisses...luckily she doesn't kiss and tell.

Title: Fan Art

Author: Sarah Tregay

Publication: Katherine Tegen Books

Pages: 368

Expected Release Date: June 17th 2014
Pre-order it on: Amazon | Barnes and Noble | Indie Bound | iBooks | National Book Store (PH) |

Synopsis:
When the picture tells the story…

Senior year is almost over, and Jamie Peterson has a big problem. Not college—that’s all set. Not prom—he’ll find a date somehow. No, it’s the worst problem of all: he’s fallen for his best friend.

As much as Jamie tries to keep it under wraps, everyone seems to know where his affections lie, and the giggling girls in art class are determined to help Jamie get together with Mason. But Jamie isn’t sure if that’s what he wants—because as much as Jamie would like to come clean to Mason, what if the truth ruins everything? What if there are no more road trips, taco dinners, or movie nights? Does he dare risk a childhood friendship for romance?

This book is about what happens when a picture reveals what we can’t say, when art is truer than life, and how falling in love is easy, except when it’s not. Fan Art explores the joys and pains of friendship, of pressing boundaries, and how facing our worst fears can sometimes lead us to what we want most.

About The Author:

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

Raised without television, Sarah started writing her own middle grade novels after she had read all of the ones in the library. She later discovered YA books, but never did make it to the adult section. When she's not jotting down poems at stoplights, she can be found hanging out with her "little sister" from Big Brothers Big Sisters or stressing over performance classes at a model horse show.

She has both a Bachelors and Masters of Fine Art in graphic design, and her obsession with typography and layout naturally translates into formatting poetry on the page.

She lives in Eagle, Idaho with her husband, two Boston Terriers, and an appaloosa named Mr. Pots.

Look forward to more books to wait for! There are definitely plenty left! See you next Wednesday!

Waiting on Wednesday #3: (Don't You) Forget About Me

Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Breaking the Spine that spotlights upcoming releases that we are just waiting to have our hands on!

Title: (Don't You) Forget About Me
Author: Kate Karyus Quinn
Publisher: HarperTeen
Expected Release Date: June 10, 2014
Pre-order it on: Amazon | Barnes and Noble | Indie Bound

Synopsis:

There’s a price to pay for paradise. Every fourth year, the strange power that fuels the town exacts its payment by infecting teens with deadly urges. In a normal year in Gardnerville, teens might stop talking to their best friends. In a fourth year, they’d kill them.

Four years ago, Skylar’s sister, Piper, was locked away after leading sixteen of her classmates to a watery grave. Since then, Skylar has lived in a numb haze, struggling to forget her past and dull the pain of losing her sister. But the secrets and memories Piper left behind keep taunting Skylar—whispering that the only way to get her sister back is to stop Gardnerville’s murderous cycle once and for all.

About The Author:

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

Kate Karyus Quinn is an avid reader and menthol chapstick addict. She has lived in California and Tennessee, but recently made the move back to her hometown of Buffalo, New York, with her husband and two children in tow. She promised them wonderful people, amazing food, and weather that would... build character. Another Little Piece is her first novel.

Tell me what books you are excited to read through the comments and if you are excited with Kate's new offering!!! Have an awesome week misfit booknerds! Stay tuned for more stuff! 

Waiting On Wednesday #2: The Truth About Alice

Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Breaking the Spine that spotlights upcoming releases that we are just waiting to have our hands on!

Title: The Truth About Alice
Author: Jennifer Mathieu
Publication: Roaring Book Press
Expected Release Date: 03 June 2014

Synopsis:

Everyone has a lot to say about Alice Franklin, and it’s stopped mattering whether it’s true. The rumors started at a party when Alice supposedly had sex with two guys in one night. When school starts everyone almost forgets about Alice until one of those guys, super-popular Brandon, dies in a car wreck that was allegedly all Alice’s fault. Now the only friend she has is a boy who may be the only other person who knows the truth, but is too afraid to admit it. Told from the perspectives of popular girl Elaine, football star Josh, former outcast Kelsie, and shy genius Kurt, we see how everyone has a motive to bring – and keep – Alice down.

About The Author:

Website | Twitter | Goodreads | Facebook

Jennifer Mathieu is an English teacher, writer, wife, and mom who writes books for and about young adults. Her debut novel, THE TRUTH ABOUT ALICE, will be out in the spring of 2014. Her favorite things include chocolate, pepperoni pizza, and this super hilarious 1980s sitcom about four retired women called The Golden Girls. She can basically quote every episode. She lives with her husband, son, one rescue dog, one fat cat, and another cat that is even fatter than the fat cat. When it comes to what she reads, She loves realistic young adult fiction (duh), creative nonfiction, super scandalous tell-all memoirs and unauthorized biographies, and basically anything that hooks her on the first page.

(Photo credits to Goodreads)


So, Misfit booknerds? What books are you waiting for? Leave comments below! YAY!

The Good Luck of Right Now by Matthew Quick (2014)

Title: The Good Luck of Right Now

Author: Matthew Quick

Publication: Harper, February 11th 2014

Format: Hardcover, 281 pages

Source: Own copy, Won on giveaway by Snow Drop Dreams

Buy it on: Amazon | The Book Depository | Barnes and Noble | National Book Store (PH) | Fully Booked (PH) |

Synopsis: 
For thirty-eight years, Bartholomew Neil has lived with his mother. When she gets sick and dies, he has no idea how to be on his own. His redheaded grief counselor, Wendy, says he needs to find his flock and leave the nest. But how does a man whose whole life has been grounded in his mom, Saturday mass, and the library learn how to fly?

Bartholomew thinks he’s found a clue when he discovers a “Free Tibet” letter from Richard Gere hidden in his mother’s underwear drawer. In her final days, mom called him Richard—there must be a cosmic connection. Believing that the actor is meant to help him, Bartholomew awkwardly starts his new life, writing Richard Gere a series of highly intimate letters. Jung and the Dalai Lama, philosophy and faith, alien abduction and cat telepathy, the Catholic Church and the mystery of women are all explored in his soul-baring epistles. But mostly the letters reveal one man’s heartbreakingly earnest attempt to assemble a family of his own.

A struggling priest, a “Girlbrarian,” her feline-loving, foul-mouthed brother, and the spirit of Richard Gere join the quest to help Bartholomew. In a rented Ford Focus, they travel to Canada to see the cat Parliament and find his biological father . . . and discover so much more.

Misfit Review: