Waiting on America's Next Reality Star

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

America's Next Reality Star (Reality Star, # 1)

By: Laura Heffernan

Expected Publication: March 7th 2017 by Lyrical Shine

Genre:

( Goodreads | Amazon )

*Note: The above link to Amazon is an affiliate link. Affiliate links support giveaways for Somewhere Only We Know readers.

Goodreads description--SEEKING THE SMART ONE

Twenty-four-year-old Jen Reid had her life in good shape: an okay job, a tiny-cute Seattle apartment, and a great boyfriend almost ready to get serious. In a flash it all came apart. Single, unemployed, and holding an eviction notice, who has time to remember trying out for a reality show? Then the call comes, and Jen sees her chance to start over—by spending her summer on national TV.

Luckily The Fishbowl is all about puzzles and games, the kind of thing Jen would love even if she wasn’t desperate. The cast checks all the boxes: cheerful, quirky Birdie speaks in hashtags; vicious Ariana knows just how to pout for the cameras; and corn-fed “J-dawg” plays the cartoon villain of the house. Then there’s Justin, the green-eyed law student who always seems a breath away from kissing her. Is their attraction real, or a trick to get him closer to the $250,000 grand prize? Romance or showmance, suddenly Jen has a lot more to lose than a summer . . .

I don't watch much reality TV, but I think I might enjoy reading this one. What are you waiting on this week? Let me know!

Chain Reaction - Review

Chain Reaction (Perfect Chemistry, # 3)

By: Simone Elkeles

Published: August 16th 2011 by Bloomsbury USA Childrens

319 pages

Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary

Source: Personal Kindle Library

( Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository )

*Note: The above links to Amazon and Book Depository are affiliate links. Affiliate links support giveaways for Somewhere Only We Know readers.

Goodreads description--Luis Fuentes is a good boy who doesn't live with the angst that his big brothers, Alex and Carlos, have always lived with. Luis is smart, funny, and has big dreams of becoming an astronaut. But when he falls for the wrong girl,

Luis enters a dark world he's never known, and just when he thinks he's got life all figured out, learns some disturbing news about his family that destroys his positive outlook on life. Will that Fuentes bad boy streak come out with a vengeance and lure Luis to live on the edge like his new girlfriend and his own father?

I have really enjoyed reading about the Fuentes brothers. Alex, the oldest and lead in Perfect Chemistry, started out in a gang but went through the dangerous process of being jumped out because he wanted more for his family. Carlos, the middle child and lead in Rules of Attraction, wanted to prove that he was the tough guy and in some ways sought out being in a gang. And then there's Luis. He's lived a bit more sheltered of a life. He's the smart kid. The one in the family with a plan--he wants to be an astronaut. The problem is that trouble follows the Fuentes boys, and Luis is no exception. It doesn't help that he seems to be a bit of an adrenaline junkie.

I enjoyed how Chain Reaction started out a bit different. I wasn't sure that I was going to like how things started with Luis and Nikki being so young. The book starts with them both being just fifteen years old, but then jumps ahead two years. The beginning was necessary to set up how much anger Nikki has, specifically directed towards the Latino Blood, and how easy Luis had things back in Colorado plus how quickly things can get away from you when thrown into the wrong group of people.

Nikki was a tough nut for Luis to crack. She's feisty because she's been hurt in the past. She's been through a lot that only a few have any knowledge about. She's even aloof with her friends sometimes. I could understand her hesitation. Luis himself was somewhat frustrating to me. His strategy of finding out what Chuy from the Latino Blood wanted with him frustrated me a little. He really caused more problems for himself than need be.

Ultimately, Chain Reaction wasn't my favorite of the series. I enjoyed how it was different from the other two. I enjoyed that Nikki was Latina herself even though she wasn't as immersed initially into the culture as Luis. And I read this one just as quickly as the previous two. I also really appreciated the presence of the other characters: Alex, Brittany, Paco, Carlos, Kiara, and even Mama Fuentes. Chain Reaction gets 3.5 Stars. Have you read Chain Reaction? What did you think? Let me know!

Sunday Post - 223

The Sunday Post is a weekly meme hosted by Kimba @ The Caffeinated Book Reviewer ~this meme was inspired in part by ~ In My Mailbox~ It's a chance to share News. A post to recap the past week, showcase books and things we have received and share news about what is coming up for the week on our blog.

Busy busy week. Husband was off work all week which was really nice. Tuesday our cable company switched from Brighthouse to Charter. As a result, our internet went out and we had to place a service call. I also went to get last minute groceries. Wednesday, Husband's friend from Japan came into town to visit with us. Husband's family also came in from Georgia for Thanksgiving so we went over to his mom's house to visit. Thursday we got up early, stopped in Montgomery to pick up my dad, and then headed to my Nanny's house for Thanksgiving. Little Girl did great! She didn't nap on the way there or while we were there, but I didn't expect her. She did, however, nap almost the entire way home. When we got back to town we dropped by Husband's mom's house again. Friday we were back over there for lunch. I started my Christmas shopping (online). Saturday, we dropped Little Girl off with Grammy and went to see Fantastic Beasts and to eat pizza. And here we are. Oh of course, I've started watching Gilmore Girls: A Day in the Life, but I still have one episode left. I'll finish it today unless something messes that. I'm also on the last half of Empire of Storms. Hope everyone else had a great Thanksgiving with their families and friends. No new books this week.

THIS PAST WEEK:

Monday: Review of Opposition (Lux, # 5) by Jennifer L Armentrout (3.5 Stars)
Tuesday: Top Ten Things I'm Thankful For 2016
Wednesday: Waiting on Dark Days Club (Lady Helen, # 1) by Alison Goodman
Thursday: Happy Thanksgiving!
Friday: 6th Annual Black Friday Book Bonanza Giveaway Hop (ends tomorrow) & 2016 Series Enders Reading Challenge - November Wrap Up

UPCOMING THIS WEEK:

Monday: Review of Chain Reaction (Perfect Chemistry, # 3) by Simone Elkeles
Tuesday: Top Ten Tuesday
Wednesday: Waiting on Wednesday
Thursday: November 2016 EOM Wrap Up

Don’t forget to sign up for the 2016 Series Enders Reading Challenge! You have until December 15, 2016 to sign up. Each month there will be a giveaway for those participating with an end of the year giveaway too! Click on the picture below or the link above to find out more!

That's it for my shelves and recaps of my past and upcoming week. What did you add to your shelves this week? Any bookish news you want to talk about? Let me know!

6th Annual Black Friday Book Bonanza Giveaway Hop

The holidays are again upon us – where did 2016 go?! Now is a great time to clear those shelves to make room for new titles. So don’t go out and brave the crowds; get cozy with us in your jammies and enter to win some new-to-you books! The hosts for this event are Marlene @ Reading Reality and Kimberly @ Caffeinated Book Reviewer. This giveaway will run from 12:01am on November 25 through 12:01am November 29 (Black Friday through Cyber Monday).

This year I'm giving away an ebook of your choice up to $10 USD. But let me offer you some suggestions that I've enjoy this year:

Morning Star (Red Rising, # 3) by Pierce Brown
It Ends With Us by Colleen Hoover
Perfect Chemistry (Perfect Chemistry, # 1) by Simone Elkeles
Me Before You (Me Before You, # 1) by Jojo Moyes
Their Fractured Light (Starbound, # 3) by Aime Kaufman & Meagan Spooner
Winter (Lunar Chronicles, # 4) by Marissa Meyer
The Winner's Kiss (The Winner's Trilogy, # 3) by Marie Rutkoski
Queen of Shadows (Throne of Glass, # 4) by Sarah J Maas
Shaken: Discovering Your True Identity in the Midst of Life's Storms by Tim Tebow
He Will Be My Ruin by KA Tucker
The Captive Heart by Michelle Griep

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Don't forget to enter the other giveaways.

2016 Series Enders Reading Challenge - November Wrap Up

Time for our eleventh Monthly Wrap Up for the 2016 Series Enders Reading Challenge hosted by Sandy @ Somewhere Only We Know and Holly @ Words Fueled by Love!

Since the October Wrap Up, Sandy has finished two series ender this month: November Snow (Bad Bloods, # 2) by Shannon A Thompson & Opposition (Lux, # 5) by Jennifer L Armentrout. Holly hasn't finished any series enders this month.

Which series enders did you finish? Link the up below. Don't forget to include the title, your name, & your blog name (Ex: Requiem - Sandy @ Somewhere Only We Know) Also, the November giveaway runs from November 25th - December 25th. On December 26th we will use random.org and the linky entries to pull a winner.

Waiting on The Dark Days Club

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

The Dark Days Club (Lady Helen, # 1)

By: Alison Goodman

Expected Publication: January 3rd 2017 by Speak

512 pages

Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy, Historical Fiction

( Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository )

*Note: The above links to Amazon and Book Depository are affiliate links. Affiliate links support giveaways for Somewhere Only We Know readers.

Goodreads description--The first book inNew York Timesbestselling author Alison Goodman's Regency adventure series starring a stylish and intrepid demon-hunter!

London, April 1812. On the eve of eighteen-year-old Lady Helen Wrexhall's presentation to the queen, one of her family's housemaids disappears-and Helen is drawn into the shadows of Regency London. There, she meets Lord Carlston, one of the few who can stop the perpetrators: a cabal of demons infiltrating every level of society. Dare she ask for his help, when his reputation is almost as black as his lingering eyes? And will her intelligence and headstrong curiosity wind up leading them into a death trap?"

Truth be told, the hardback version released last year, but it's being re-released in paperback. Either way, it sounds interesting, right? What are you waiting on this week? Let me know!

Ten Things I'm Thankful For 2016

Top 10 Tuesday is a post hosted by The Broke and the Bookish and this week's topic is Top Ten Thanksgiving.

1. Jesus Christ - My personal Savior for loving me (and you) enough to empty Himself of being God and come to earth as a man who lived a perfect life and die a death at the hands of His own creation only to be raised from the dead in victory over death so that I (and you) have the opportunity to live eternally with Him. He is good all the time, and all the time He is good.
2. Husband - This year with life changing as much as it has he has been such a help to me. He's been supportive and helpful. He's an awesome dad and I love him more every day.
3. Little Girl - She has filled my life with immense joy. She makes me smile every single day even on the tough days. I love seeing her joy in the littlest things. I love watching her brain process and learn new things as she's exploring the world around her.
4. Family/Friends/Spiritual Family - I know it's probably cliche to add another "family" to my thankful list, but isn't life really about who you spend it with and not so much the things that you have? I'm surrounded by some of the best people in the world. They're happy. They're supportive. I wouldn't want to do this life thing without them.
5. Staying at Home - I'm so thankful to be able to stay at home with Little Girl. It broke my heart to leave the few days that I had to go back to work this time last year. Seeing her smiles and all of her accomplishments and new skills that she learns each day is not something that I want to miss. Someone else would get to see those if I wasn't able to be at home with her.
6. Reading/Blogging - Even though I don't get to read as much as I used to or maybe want to, my life is still so full. And I love being able to continue to read books that blow me away and share those with you guys.
7. Home - There are so many people in the world that don't have homes or their homes consist of dirt floors and bamboo walls and roofs. I'm thankful for a home to keep my loved ones and I safe and warm at night.
8. Authors - I'm thankful for authors who can't get characters or stories out of their heads until they put them to paper. Their words allow me to live many lives and explore many worlds and experiences.
9. Publishers - Like authors, I'm thankful for publishers who work so hard to bring us the stories written by the authors that we love. If not for all of their work in editing and cover creation and marketing we wouldn't see many of the stories or characters that we've come to love.
10. The Book Blogging Community - I've been blogging about books for 5 1/2 years, and in that time I have RARELY had a bad experience within this community. I love having this community of people who are so open to talking about books that they love as much as I do. No one freaks out because we love books, characters, and authors with the passion that we do. I'm thankful for each of you because you make this blogging experience worth it!

Happy Thanksgiving to you all! What are you thankful for? Let me know!

Opposition - Review

Opposition (Lux, # 5)

By: Jennifer L Armentrout

Published: November 1st 2016 by Entangled: Teen (first published August 5th 2014)

300 pages

Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy, Aliens

Source: Publisher via NetGalley (Thank you!!)

( Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository )

*Note: The above links to Amazon and Book Depository are affiliate links. Affiliate links support giveaways for Somewhere Only We Know readers.

Goodreads description--Katy knows the world changed the night the Luxen came.

She can't believe Daemon welcomed his race or stood by as his kind threatened to obliterate every last human and hybrid on Earth. But the lines between good and bad have blurred, and love has become an emotion that could destroy her—could destroy them all.

Daemon will do anything to save those he loves, even if it means betrayal.

They must team with an unlikely enemy if there is any chance of surviving the invasion. But when it quickly becomes impossible to tell friend from foe, and the world is crumbling around them, they may lose everything— even what they cherish most—to ensure the survival of their friends…and mankind.

War has come to Earth. And no matter the outcome, the future will never be the same for those left standing.

I don't really understand why, but when Opposition released I wasn't dying to pick it up. I knew I'd want to get around to reading it eventually, but the pressure and excitement wasn't burning for me this time. I think that's because even though I ended up enjoying the previous two books, they both were a struggle for me in some areas. Just like Opal ended in a cliffhanger that separated Daemon and Katy then Origin started with them being in different places and having to find a way back to each other, Origin ended with them separating again and Opposition began with them needing to find a way back together. Thankfully it didn't taken as long in Opposition to reunite them as it did in Origin. And in the end, I hate that I put off reading it for as long as I did.

Jennifer L Armentrout does a good job pulling me in with the characters and the events even when I have issues with both. I love Daemon and Katy. I love them together. I especially love Daemon. I think I've said it every time I've reviewed a book in this series, but Daemon is what book boyfriends are made up. He's a bad boy. He's got attitude. He can make you laugh. And he can get you all hot and bothered at the same time. Katy does a good job holding her own, although one of the things I praised her for in the last book wasn't true in this one. I do have to say that some of the crazy language used got on my nerves in this book. While I could buy it more easily if that kind of language came from one character, when every character narrating and even just some of the dialogue from others is the same I find that to be less authentic. Here are some examples:

-Holy Arum babies, there was a buttload of Arum here.

-Holy run for the freaking hills and don't look back, were they actual bones?

-"I know Arum and Luxen are BEFs, but seriously, they are being super cool by letting us stay here." "BEFs?" I frowned. "Best Enemies Forever,"...

I do have to say that it's been over two years since I read the last book in the series so maybe I'm not remembering correctly, but even though the characters are fighting an alien invasion, I felt like they've faced stronger opponents before. Or maybe more accurately, the opponents were just as strong in this book yet defeated so easily it seemed. And because of that Opposition felt lacking a little to me in this area when compared to the rest of the series.

Another small thing..normally I don't like when a character references events reminding them of a fiction book because it takes me out of the story and reminds me as a reader that I am in fact reading fiction. However, it made sense for Katy to make these references because she's a book blogger (or she was earlier in the series). I've always loved the tip of the hat that JLA does to us bloggers with Katy, but it didn't stop me from being pulled out of the story a little until I had to remind myself that for Katy it did make sense. Also while I normally hate modern pop culture references, the heated discussion that Daemon and Archer have about whether or not Shane would have been a better father than Rick from The Walking Dead was pretty ironic since I'd literally watched Season 7 Episode 4 of TWD where Rick finally admits to Michonne that Judith is Shane's daughter moments before reading that scene. I still don't love the pop culture reference, but I did find it timely.

Favorite quotes:

-"Get out of my head." "I can't help it," Archer replied from where he sat on the couch. "Your broadcasting your thoughts so [...] loudly I feel like I need to go sit in the corner and start rocking, whispering Daemon's name over and over again."

-Kitten got claws and then some. "She doesn't play nice with others,"...

-"I have the skills that count, Kitten."

I'm glad that I can finally mark Opposition as "read" and the Lux series as "complete." While I don't think that the series or this book was without some major faults, I found myself hooked into the characters and events more often than not. I still love Daemon. I love the way he loves Katy and his family. Ultimately, Opposition gets 3.5 Stars from me because I don't feel like this was the most intense book along with the other things that bothered me. I still really enjoyed the series overall. Have you read Opposition? What did you think? Let me know!

Sunday Post - 222 & Stacking the Shelves - 159

The Sunday Post is a weekly meme hosted by Kimba @ The Caffeinated Book Reviewer ~this meme was inspired in part by ~ In My Mailbox~ It's a chance to share News. A post to recap the past week, showcase books and things we have received and share news about what is coming up for the week on our blog.

Monday my sister and niece came by to visit. My sister has to go back to work tomorrow so this was our last chance to get to visit while she was on maternity leave. Thankfully they don't live far. Tuesday was grocery store day. Husband was off work Wednesday through the rest of the week. He won't have to go back until the Monday after Thanksgiving. You guys will not believe this, but Little Girl (12 months old) has started saying "diaper." I thought she might be telling me when she was wet/dirty, but I kept checking her and she was dry. So I started wondering if she was telling me that she needed to go. SO I sat her on the baby potty and lo and behold she went. And then she did it again about an hour later. That was right before bed on Tuesday so we didn't get to do it any other times that day, but Wednesday she went 5 times in the potty including one # 2. I'm in shock that at 12 months old we're starting to potty train. I thought we'd have months before I even needed to start researching potty training. But I figure if she can tell me that she needs to go then we'll go. I know it won't be a miraculous process where she's all of sudden trained, and she's still not telling me every time she needs to go. But I'm stoked that we're already starting this because it'll be so nice not to have to worry with diapers anymore. Saturday we hosted a volleyball birthday party for my niece at our house. She's officially a teenager. I also want to wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving! US or not, I pray you all have plenty in your lives to be thankful for. And just the fact that you're reading this now, I want you to know that I'm thankful for you.

THIS PAST WEEK:

Monday: Review of November Snow (Bad Bloods, # 2) by Shannon A Thompson (3 Stars)
Tuesday: Ten Movies to Get You in the Holiday Spirit
Wednesday: Waiting on After the Game (The Field Party, # 3) by Abbi Glines

UPCOMING THIS WEEK:

Monday: Review of Opposition (Lux, # 5) by Jennifer L Armentrout
Tuesday: Top Ten Tuesday
Wednesday: Waiting on Wednesday
Thursday: Happy Thanksgiving!!
Friday: 6th Annual Black Friday Book Bonanza Giveaway Hop

Don’t forget to sign up for the 2016 Series Enders Reading Challenge! You have until December 15, 2016 to sign up. Each month there will be a giveaway for those participating with an end of the year giveaway too! Click on the picture below or the link above to find out more!

Stacking the Shelves is hosted by Tynga's Reviews.

Sempre: Redemption (Forever, # 2)

By: J.M. Darhower

Published: December 16th 2013 by Simon & Schuster

416 pages

Genre: New Adult, Contemporary, Mafia

Source: Personal Kindle Library (on sale for $0.99)

( Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository )

*Note: The above links to Amazon and Book Depository are affiliate links. Affiliate links support giveaways for Somewhere Only We Know readers.

Goodreads description--In this thrilling and sexy follow-up to Sempre, two young lovers struggle to keep their relationship intact after they become deeply enmeshed in the dangerous mafia-run crime ring they once tried to overthrow.

Haven Antonelli and Carmine DeMarco have been through a lot. Haven was taken in by Carmine’s father, and with his family’s help, she escaped a gruesome fate. However, saving Haven from the dark intentions of a mafia family cost Carmine a steep price: he was forced to swear loyalty to them.

Now, still passionately in love, Carmine and Haven must face the fall-out of Carmine’s forced service, as Haven discovers terrifying secrets about the family that enslaved both her and her mother—and why she matters so much in this intricate web of lies.

Gilded Cage (Dark Gifts, # 1)

By: Vic James

Expected Publication: January 26th 2017 by Pan Macmillan

293 pages

Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy

Source: Publisher via NetGalley (Thank you!!)

( Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository )

*Note: The above links to Amazon and Book Depository are affiliate links. Affiliate links support giveaways for Somewhere Only We Know readers.

Goodreads description--For readers of Victoria Aveyard and George RR Martin comes a darkly fantastical debut set in a modern England where magically gifted aristocrats rule and commoners are doomed to serve.

NOT ALL ARE FREE.
NOT ALL ARE EQUAL.
NOT ALL WILL BE SAVED.

Our world belongs to the Equals—aristocrats with magical gifts—and all commoners must serve them for ten years. But behind the gates of England's grandest estate lies a power that could break the world.

A girl thirsts for love and knowledge.

Abi is a servant to England's most powerful family, but her spirit is free. So when she falls for one of the noble-born sons, Abi faces a terrible choice. Uncovering the family's secrets might win her liberty, but will her heart pay the price?

A boy dreams of revolution.

Abi's brother, Luke, is enslaved in a brutal factory town. Far from his family and cruelly oppressed, he makes friends whose ideals could cost him everything. Now Luke has discovered there may be a power even greater than magic: revolution.

And an aristocrat will remake the world with his dark gifts.

He is a shadow in the glittering world of the Equals, with mysterious powers no one else understands. But will he liberate—or destroy?

Shaken: Discovering Your True Identity in the Midst of Life's Storms

By: Tim Tebow

Published: October 25th 2016 by Waterbrook Press

224 pages

Genre: Nonfiction, Sports, Biography

Source: Publisher via Blogging for Books (Thank you!!)

( Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository )

*Note: The above links to Amazon and Book Depository are affiliate links. Affiliate links support giveaways for Somewhere Only We Know readers.

Goodreads description--First, he was a beloved college football champion, Heisman trophy winner, media sensation, and best-selling author drafted in the first round of the 2010 Draft. Then he had a miracle playoff run with the Denver Broncos before being traded to the New York Jets. After one season he was cut by New York. Next he was signed by the New England Patriots then let go after training camp—a scenario that repeated itself the following summer with the Philadelphia Eagles. Tim Tebow has achieved big victories and plunged the depths of failure, all while never letting go of his faith, even in the face of doubt and disappointment. In Shaken he explains why neither the highs nor the lows of his life can define him—and he reveals how you, too, can find confidence in your identity and know who you are. In revealing passages, Tebow pulls back the curtain on his life, sharing the vulnerable moments of his career that have shaken him to his core—while also teaching the biblical principles that will enable you to keep the faith, no matter what comes your way.

Chaos (Mayhem, # 3)

By: Jamie Shaw

Published: July 21st 2015 by Avon Impulse

432 pages

Genre: New Adult, Contemporary

Source: Personal Kindle Library

( Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository )

*Note: The above links to Amazon and Book Depository are affiliate links. Affiliate links support giveaways for Somewhere Only We Know readers.

Goodreads description--From the moment she saw Shawn Scarlett perform at a school talent show, Kit Larson has loved two things: the guitar, and the gorgeous, green-eyed boy who inspired her to play. But one careless night in high school shatters her hope of ever being more than a notch on his bedpost.

Six years, two bands, and one mostly-mended heart later, Kit’s about to make her rock star dreams a reality as the new guitarist for Shawn’s band, The Last Ones to Know. He may not remember their reckless night together, but Kit has never forgotten… and she’s determined to make him eat his heart out.

The release of their new album means a month cooped up on a tour bus, sleeping inches away from the ridiculously sexy musician she’s never quite gotten over. And as Kit gets to know the real Shawn—not Shawn Scarlett, the rock god, the player—their attraction becomes too hot to resist. But the past is paved with secrets, and when they finally surface, Kit could lose everything: the band, the music, her dreams… and Shawn.

A Noble Masquerade (Hawthorne House, # 1)

By: Kristi Ann Hunter

Published: September 8th 2015 by Bethany House

365 pages

Genre: Historical Fiction, Christian Fiction, Regency

Source: Personal Kindle Library

( Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository )

*Note: The above links to Amazon and Book Depository are affiliate links. Affiliate links support giveaways for Somewhere Only We Know readers.

Goodreads description--Lady Miranda Hawthorne acts every inch the lady, but inside she longs to be bold and carefree. Entering her fourth Season and approaching spinsterhood in the eyes of society, she pours her innermost feelings out not in a diary but in letters to her brother's old school friend, a duke--with no intention of ever sending these private thoughts to a man she's heard stories about but never met. Meanwhile, she also finds herself intrigued by Marlow, her brother's new valet, and although she may wish to break free of the strictures that bind her, falling in love with a servant is more of a rebellion than she planned.

When Marlow accidentally discovers and mails one of the letters to her unwitting confidant, Miranda is beyond mortified. And even more shocked when the duke returns her note with one of his own that initiates a courtship-by-mail. Insecurity about her lack of suitors shifts into confusion at her growing feelings for two men--one she's never met but whose words deeply resonate with her heart, and one she has come to depend on but whose behavior is more and more suspicious. When it becomes apparent state secrets are at risk and Marlow is right in the thick of the conflict, one thing is certain: Miranda's heart is far from all that's at risk for the Hawthornes and those they love.

An Uncommon Courtship (Hawthorne House, # 3)

By: Kristi Ann Hunter

Expected Publication: January 3rd 2017 by Bethany House Publishers

352 pages

Genre: Christian Fiction, Historical Fiction, Regency

Source: Publisher via NetGalley (Thank you!!)

( Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository )

*Note: The above links to Amazon and Book Depository are affiliate links. Affiliate links support giveaways for Somewhere Only We Know readers.

Goodreads description--When her mother's ill-conceived marriage trap goes awry, Lady Adelaide Bell unwittingly finds herself bound to a stranger who ignores her. Lord Trent Hawthorne, who had grand plans to marry for love, is even less pleased with the match. Can they set aside their first impressions before any chance of love is lost?

That's it for my shelves and recaps of my past and upcoming week. What did you add to your shelves this week? Any bookish news you want to talk about? Let me know!

Waiting on After the Game

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

After the Game (The Field Party, # 3)

By: Abbi Glines

Expected Publication: August 22nd 2017 by Simon Pulse

320 pages

Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary, Sports

( Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository )

*Note: The above links to Amazon and Book Depository are affiliate links. Affiliate links support giveaways for Somewhere Only We Know readers.

Goodreads description--The third book in the #1 New York Times bestselling Field Party series—a southern soap opera with football, cute boys, and pick-up trucks—from USA TODAY bestselling author Abbi Glines.

Two years ago, Riley Young fled from Lawton, Alabama. After accusing the oldest Lawton son, Rhett, of rape, everyone called her a liar and she had no option but to leave. Now she’s back, but she’s not at Lawton High finishing up her senior year. She’s at home raising the little girl that no one believed was Rhett’s.

Rhett is off at college living the life he was afraid he’d lose with Riley’s accusation, so Riley agrees to move back to Lawton so she and her parents could take care of her grandmother, who is suffering from Alzheimer’s. But the town still hasn’t forgotten their hate for her, and she hasn’t forgotten the way they turned on her when she needed them most.

When town golden boy Brady Higgens finds Riley and her daughter, Bryony, stranded on the side of the road in a storm, he pulls over and gives them a ride. Not because he cares about Riley, of course, but because of the kid.

But after the simple car ride, he begins to question everything he thought he knew. Could Brady believe Riley and risk losing everything?

What are you waiting on this week? Let me know!

Ten Movies to Get You in the Christmas Spirit

Top 10 Tuesday is a post hosted by The Broke and the Bookish and this week's topic is Top Ten Movies to Get You in the Holiday Spirit.

1. Harry Potter - I love watching HP during the Christmas season.
2. The Lord of the Rings - Epic fantasy I guess. Even though there's nothing that says "Christmas" in these movies, every year I gravitate toward these movies.
3. The Chronicles of Narnia - The same for the previous point can be said for this series.
4. Home Alone - This is THE Christmas movie of my generation.
5. The Santa Clause - As a kid I remember thinking that this movie was exactly what I expected the North Pole to be like.
6. The Holiday - One of my favorite adult Christmas movies.
7. The Polar Express - Got to throw in a cartoon movie, right?
8. Four Christmases - I love Vince Vaughn.
9. Beauty and the Beast - Do you ever have to have a reason to watch Beauty and the Beast?
10. Mr. Bean - The original show not the movies. Hilarious!

I'm not into your typical Christmas movies like It's a Wonderful Life, National Lampoons Christmas Vacation, A Christmas Story, Frosty the Snowman, Nightmare Before Christmas, Miracle on 34th Street, and How the Grinch Stole Christmas. But I find that the ones I listed are the ones I come back to every year. What movies get you into the Christmas spirit? Let me know!

November Snow - Review

November Snow (Bad Bloods, # 2)

By: Shannon A Thompson

Published: September 19th 2016 by Clean Teen Publishing

275 pages

Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy, SciFi, Dystopian

Source: Author for review (Thank you!!)

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*Note: The above links to Amazon and Book Depository are affiliate links. Affiliate links support giveaways for Somewhere Only We Know readers.

Goodreads description--When Daniel and Serena unite, their accidental relationship becomes the catalyst for a twelve-year war to continue. Exposing the twisted past of a corrupt city, Daniel, Serena, and everyone they know will come together to fight. But Serena has another battle.

After a political rumor threatens their lives, Serena must leave her family and join the political front against her will. To survive apart, Daniel has to separate his love from his hatred and join forces with his worst memory to secure Vendona’s war. But very few of them will survive to see the last day. Bad blood or human, a city will burn, snow will fall, and all will be united by catastrophic secrets and irrevocable tragedy.

I had a hard time deciding what to say about November Rain and I think that's going to be the same thing for November Snow as well. Let's recap though. In November Rain we find out that bad bloods are people with supernatural abilities. As far as the characters we meet no one has the same ability. And in Vendona, bad bloods are hunted and killed because people are scared of them. Serena escapes from a blood camp and runs into Daniel who helps her by providing a temporary place for her to recover. But Daniel and Serena* come from different flocks (groups of bad blood kids that have found each other and created their own families helping each other to survive). Daniel is the leader of the Northern flock and Serena is essentially second of the Southern flock. And we don't know why, but Daniel and Robert (the leader of the Southern flock) hate each other. There's history there, but we don't know what. Daniel and Serena begin to develop feelings for each other, and of course that doesn't sit well with Robert. On top of that, there's an election coming up that will determine whether bad bloods will continue to be hunted down or if society will begin to accept them.

It's hard for me to remember the exact point when November Rain ended and November Snow began because once I finished November Rain I started reading November Snow immediately. The break in the stories felt off to me because they didn't feel like complete, separate books. Usually even if a book ends in a cliffhanger, the book itself still feels like a complete work. But that wasn't really the case for these two, and I discuss that in my review of November Rain because that was more of an issue with that book since this one did essentially complete the story.

I also mentioned in my review of November Rain that while I blew through it quickly, I got stalled in reading November Snow at about the 60% mark and put it down for about a month and a half before picking it up to finally finish it. Funnily enough, I finished the last 35ish% in a single night...even staying up late to finish it. The reason I stalled was because I'd essentially read a book and a half and felt like there was still so much going on that I didn't know about. But answers finally started rolling in. Even though I still felt like there was an unpolished feel to all of the events. I can't really discuss the details of what I mean without spoilers though. I can say that I think from a writing standpoint there was a little too much "telling" and not enough "showing." What I mean is that the description was just too much at times. I mean there was an entire paragraph at one point describing where each character was sitting at a table (and there were 24ish characters to describe). It was just too much at times.

The political aspects of Bad Bloods revolved around whether or not the bad bloods would be accepted within society based upon which leader was elected president of Vendona. Considering we in America just had our own very controversial presidential election, some of this resonated. But also considering the way that our nation seems to evenly split down the middle right now and one half of which is protesting...the pretty bow that was put upon Vendona's election felt unrealistic. Of course, the protesting that we're having here is unprecedented and not the norm.

Favorite quotes:

-"Don't count your faults more than your strengths"...

-"Love doesn't always require you to know someone for long, especially during difficult times"...

Ultimately, November Snow had some flaws. There was a bit too much description for my tastes. The number of side characters, their unique skills, and backstories was overwhelming. I couldn't keep them all straight no matter how hard I tried. The events and plot didn't always seem to make complete sense to me like why Selena went to the highlands and what she was trying to accomplish. But I read the first 30% fairly quickly, the next 30% was a bit slow. I ultimately stalled and November Snow down for a month and a half. But I read the last 30% in a night. I didn't hate it, but I felt like November Snow and the Bad Bloods series could use a bit more polishing. November Snow gets 3 Stars from me. Have you read November Snow? What did you think? Let me know!

*Also, I just finished watching Gossip Girl on Netflix where two of the main characters' names are Daniel and Serena.

Sunday Post - 221 & Stacking the Shelves - 158

The Sunday Post is a weekly meme hosted by Kimba @ The Caffeinated Book Reviewer ~this meme was inspired in part by ~ In My Mailbox~ It's a chance to share News. A post to recap the past week, showcase books and things we have received and share news about what is coming up for the week on our blog.

This week was a whirlwind. (They all seem to be lately.) Monday I had a hair appointment so my mother-in-law babysat for me. She actually took Little Girl most of the day for me. I did a few little cleaning projects at the house, but I had 3 glorious hours to do nothing but read! That's unheard of these days, and it was a nice day. Tuesday I went to vote (we won't go into details there). Husband and I did stay up late watching the results. I think I went to bed at 12:30 am and he stayed up until about 2:00 am. Thursday night my parents came over. My dad built a cabinet to go in our master bathroom on the wall over the toilet. It's a small bathroom so any extra storage is a huge deal and having my dad be able to build and install it for us saved us a good bit of money. Friday Little Girl had a doctor's appointment. Just the normal check up, but she did have to get shots...bless her! She's also in the top 95% for height.

THIS PAST WEEK:

Monday: Review of Rules of Attraction (Perfect Chemistry, # 2) by Simone Elkeles (4 Stars)
Tuesday: Last 10 Books I've Added to My TBR List
Wednesday: Waiting on Gilded Cage (Dark Gifts, # 1) by Vic James

UPCOMING THIS WEEK:

Monday: Review of November Snow (Bad Bloods, # 2) by Shannon A Thompson
Tuesday: Top Ten Tuesday
Wednesday: Waiting on Wednesday

Don’t forget to sign up for the 2016 Series Enders Reading Challenge! You have until December 15, 2016 to sign up. Each month there will be a giveaway for those participating with an end of the year giveaway too! Click on the picture below or the link above to find out more!

Stacking the Shelves is hosted by Tynga's Reviews.

Wild at Heart: Discovering the Secret of a Man's Soul

By: John Eldredge

Published: April 1st 2001 by Thomas Nelson

256 pages

Genre: Nonfiction, Christian, Spirituality

Source: Personal Kindle Library ($1.99 Kindle Deal)

( Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository )

*Note: The above links to Amazon and Book Depository are affiliate links. Affiliate links support giveaways for Somewhere Only We Know readers.

Goodreads description--God designed men to be dangerous, says John Eldredge. Simply look at the dreams and desires written in the heart of every boy: To be a hero, to be a warrior, to live a life of adventure and risk. Sadly, most men abandon those dreams and desires-aided by a Christianity that feels like nothing more than pressure to be a "nice guy." It is no wonder that many men avoid church, and those who go are often passive and bored to death. In this provocative book, Eldredge gives women a look inside the true heart of a man and gives men permission to be what God designed them to be-dangerous, passionate, alive, and free!

The Odds of Loving Grover Cleveland

By: Rebekah Crane

Expected Publication: December 1st 2016 by Skyscape

260 pages

Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary

Source: Amazon Kindle First (Thank you!!)

( Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository )

*Note: The above links to Amazon and Book Depository are affiliate links. Affiliate links support giveaways for Somewhere Only We Know readers.

Goodreads description--According to sixteen-year-old Zander Osborne, nowhere is an actual place—and she’s just fine there. But her parents insist that she get out of her head—and her home state—and attend Camp Padua, a summer camp for at-risk teens.

Zander does not fit in—or so she thinks. She has only one word for her fellow campers: crazy. In fact, the whole camp population exists somewhere between disaster and diagnosis. There’s her cabinmate Cassie, a self-described manic-depressive-bipolar-anorexic. Grover Cleveland (yes, like the president), a cute but confrontational boy who expects to be schizophrenic someday, odds being what they are. And Bek, a charmingly confounding pathological liar.

But amid group “share-apy” sessions and forbidden late-night outings, unlikely friendships form, and as the Michigan summer heats up, the four teens begin to reveal their tragic secrets. Zander finds herself inextricably drawn to Grover’s earnest charms, and she begins to wonder if she could be happy. But first she must come completely unraveled to have any hope of putting herself back together again.

Empire of Storms (Throne of Glass, # 5)

By: Sarah J Maas

Published: September 6th 2016 by Bloomsbury USA Childrens

704 pages

Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy, Magic, Fae, Witches

Source: Borrowed from Holly

( Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository )

*Note: The above links to Amazon and Book Depository are affiliate links. Affiliate links support giveaways for Somewhere Only We Know readers.

Goodreads description--The long path to the throne has only just begun for Aelin Galathynius. Loyalties have been broken and bought, friends have been lost and gained, and those who possess magic find themselves at odds with those who don't.

As the kingdoms of Erilea fracture around her, enemies must become allies if Aelin is to keep those she loves from falling to the dark forces poised to claim her world. With war looming on all horizons, the only chance for salvation lies in a desperate quest that may mark the end of everything Aelin holds dear.

Aelin's journey from assassin to queen has entranced millions across the globe, and this fifth installment will leave fans breathless. Will Aelin succeed in keeping her world from splintering, or will it all come crashing down?

That's it for my shelves and recaps of my past and upcoming week. What did you add to your shelves this week? Any bookish news you want to talk about? Let me know!