Total Book Geek: February 2014

Sneak Peek & Giveaway: After the Curtain Falls by Ainsley Shay

It is always so much fun when we get to support a new author. After The Curtain Falls is Ainsley Shay's debut novel and tells us about Erik who for the first time in his life has to be normal, when he much more prefers to be a freak. All very intriguing! And can I say what a gorgeous cover this book has. For that fact alone I would have bought it. After The Curtain Falls is this week on sale for $0.99 or you can enter the giveaway and win a copy!!!

Erik never had to be anything other than a freak…until now.

Two hundred fifty-three days is a long time to fake being normal when night after night you perform miraculous feats on stage in a freak show. Thousands have paid to witness the miracle, suspecting nothing more than a hoax. But it is very real and it is slowly destroying him. Erik is weakened to the point where he’ll stop performing and start going to school for the first time ever—in his senior year. His only goal is to rebuild his strength so he can return to the stage and perform doing what he loves most in this world. What he didn’t plan for was the appearances of beautiful Addison and mysterious Naya. Now, unfamiliar feelings and bizarre new friendships threaten to unbalance Erik’s future as a miracle-performing freak.

Sneak Peek

The moment is perfect to lean in and kiss her. And I badly want to put my hand on her cheek and bring my lips to hers.

Addison looks at her wrist, my fingers still there. “I should go,” she says shattering my thoughts.

I slide my hand from her wrist, along her palm, lingering on her fingertips with my own. Looking up into her eyes, I ask, Are you sure you want to?”

She meets my eyes. “No.” Her voice whispers the simple word I was hoping she would say. “But they’re expecting me down there.” My stomach aches when she starts to get up. “Thanks for catching me when I fell.” She brushes the sand off her dress and walks through the wheat grass toward the shore.

~~~

“You’re a freak like me,” Naya says, no doubt present in her tone.

Shaken by her word choice, but intrigued to know why she’s chosen it, I ask, “Am I? And how do you know that?” I swallow nothing, feeling my throat constrict as I wait for her answer.

With concern on her face, her lips purse, and she shrugs one shoulder. “I just know.” She touches my arm, leans into me and whispers, “As a friend, just be careful. The people here,” she looks to her left and then to her right, “well…they aren’t very nice to our kind."

After The Curtain Falls: Amazon - Kindle ($0.99) - B&N

The Author

Ainsley Shay avoids insanity by living mostly in the fiction world. She believes surrounding herself with positive people, and strives for balance in everything. She owns more jeans with rips and holes than without; and has recently found the magic of patches. For her, reading or writing the perfect sentence is better than the smoothest piece of dark chocolate melting in her mouth. She is a deltiologist for pure enjoyment, not for the study of. She longs to move north one day, even though she hates the cold. (Go figure!) So, for now, she continues to live in warm south Florida with her incredible husband, three beautiful daughters, and two lazy cats. (We won’t mention the dog.)

Connect with Ainsley Shay:

Website - Facebook - Twitter - Goodreads

**GIVEAWAY**

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Review: Best Kind of Broken (Finding Fate #1) by Chelsea Fine

Pixie and Levi haven't spoken in nearly a year when they find themselves working―and living―at the same inn in the middle of nowhere. Once upon a time, they were childhood friends. But that was before everything went to hell. And now things are... awkward.

All they want to do is avoid each other, and their past, for as long as possible. But now that they're forced to share a bathroom, and therefore a shower, keeping their distance from one another becomes less difficult than keeping their hands off each other. Welcome to the hallway of awkward tension and sexual frustration, folks. Get comfy. It’s going to be a long summer.

REVIEW

*I received a copy through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*

The first 40% of the book you keep wondering what in the world happened between Pixie and Levi. You get to understand that there is a long history, but now they are acting like they are strangers. After you find out what happened, you then keep wondering what will happen now. Who will make the first move? Will they try to salvage this? Is this something that they want? And you hope they dare to open up their heart again.

Pixie and Levi are miserable apart. Everyone sees and knows it. They haven't talked in a year and now they are pretty much living and working together. The harder they try to ignore this giant elephant in the room, the more obvious it becomes and harder to deny. Pixie and Levi will need to find a way to talk again, because the situation like it is now will only destroy them even further.

Those close living quarters make it hard to avoid each other and seeing one another every day certainly brings back some old memories. Seriously the tension has been building up for years, 'till now when it finally explodes. That shower scene was beyond hot and definitely worth the wait.

Sarah a.k.a. Pixie was never wanted by her mother and still isn't. Her mom is truly awful, like stepmom evil nearly, except it's her real mom. That is why Pixie is staying with her aunt and working at the Inn. The past year though might have been the worst in her life. You can not help but feel for this girl. For me it was easy to relate, because I've been in the same situation and I know everyone deals with it his own way, sometimes forgetting you're not the only one with this pain. Pixie doesn't know how to handle what has happened.

She is broken and doesn't know to fix it all, herself and Levi. She wants to, but there is this fear of getting broken again. As a character she is pretty amazing. Even with what happened, it hasn't stopped her from living and trying. Being confronted with Levi brings back all she ever wanted. While slowly trough summer Pixie finally figures some things out that will help her heal. Now all she needs is her hero back.

At first I thought Levi was a jerk, then I quickly realised he is just acting like a jerk to protect himself from hurting Pixie more. He also does not know how to handle seeing her again, so he uses anger to keep her at a distance. Anger he can handle, hurt not. I really liked how though he tries to keep his distance from Pixie, it was still obvious how much he cared and how protective he feels about her. She is pretty much constantly on his mind and that boy would lay down his life for her. That contradiction of vulnerability and caveman behaviour made my heart beat a little faster.

The whole problem is that they both blame themselves for what has happened and then creating this distance between them because of that. I know they're only human and they can make mistakes, but that was just stupid. If they had talked to each other, a year ago, this hurt would not have been here today. That was definitely a moment that made me curse at them. They nearly threw away the last fifteen years, because they were afraid. Luckily in the end Pixie and Levi could not avoid talking to each other.

The other characters in the book were a blast. Pixie and Levi's best friends are hilarious and definitely add a humorous note to the story, keeping it from getting to dark at certain points. Everyone at the Inn, from the employees to the guests, are all full with advice for Levi and Pixie, to the point where you think these two should really talk just to get these people off their back.

Best Kind Of Broken is such a beautiful read of love, hope, forgiveness and risking your heart. Chelsea Fine has written a story that will make you turn page after page hoping for that happy ending. She makes you feel with the characters, without it being over dramatic or any unnecessary angst. Everything between Pixie and Levi feels very realistic and my heart really went out to these two. It was simply brilliant, everything worked so well together and I can not wait to read Daren's story, Perfect Kind Of Trouble.

Finding Fate - reading order and purchase links

Best Kind Of Broken: Kindle (Mar. 4)

Perfect Kind Of Trouble: Kindle (Jun. 3)

Right Kind Of Wrong: Kindle (Sep. 2)

The Author

I love to dance. I suck at dancing, but I love it.

I’m obsessed with brushing my teeth. I always have a toothbrush, toothpaste, and dental floss in my purse. I’m weird.

Coffee and I have a relationship. I call it true love.

My sister, Cameron, is the funniest person I know. Once, she made me laugh so hard I threw up on her. True story.

I love pretty much all shows on The CW.

My first car was a white ’89 Subaru hatchback with orange towels covering the seats, glow-in-the-dark paint outlining the dashboard, and bumper stickers everywhere. I was super cool.

My grandparents text message me daily. They’re very awesome.

In high school, I had a pair of patent-leather neon orange shoes that I wore shamelessly. <–This probably contributed to my lack of popularity.

I like vampires. And werewolves. And superheroes.

But not clowns. Clowns are creepy.

I have two kids, and I totally let them color on the walls.

Connect with Chelsea Fine:

Website - Facebook - Twitter - Goodreads

Review: Limits (Lengths #3) by Steph Campbell & Liz Reinhardt

Genevieve Rodriguez is less than thrilled when her older brother’s best friend, Deo, runs off and marries Whit, the girl who doesn't even deserve him. At least that’s what Gen believes. And so what if everyone thinks it’s just a stupid crush? She’s had a thing for Deo for as far back as she can remember.

Freshly heartbroken and downright annoyed, Genevieve is also one ‘D’ away from getting kicked out of school. In other words, life could be better for the rowdy, youngest Rodriquez sibling. Her only hope of passing physics is her quiet, nerdy tutor, Adam.

Adam isn't her type at all. He’s too quiet, too polite, and he’d rather stare at lab charts than bother to notice the bustier top so sexy, it turned the head of every guy in a five-mile radius.
When Adam tells Genevieve that he won’t be back after winter break because his visa is about to expire, the words drop out of her spontaneous, heartbroken mouth before she has the time to think...

“Marry me.”

Thinking it’s a joke, Adam gives Genevieve a firm no. But when the joke turns into something more, all bets are off and all limits are broken. Adam may not notice a perfect bustier, but he can’t resist a good argument. And Genevieve has been arguing to get exactly what she wants her entire life.

REVIEW

The way these two authors are able to create a story together is simply wonderful. Each time they write a heartfelt story, that will make you think, with realistic characters while still keeping it sweet.

I think I might have a soft spot for Adam. He is just so geeky and sweet, while also being sexy and strong. Adam knows what he wants in life and isn't afraid to go after it. It might not always be easy and he might not always make the right choices, but he's no quitter. Also I love it how Adam pushes Gen to be the best version of herself, the believe he has in her.

Genevieve is exactly as I remember her. She is smarter than she pretends to be, sexy and has the biggest heart of them all. When Deo got married, she was faced with the reality that her dream crush will never happen. And with all the other happy couples around her, Gen finds herself on a crossroad, needing to decide which direction she wants to take her life.

The plot was definitely original and not your standard romance. These two characters are almost total opposites, though they work so well together. First there is this friendship between Gen and Adam, before it turns into something more physical. They actually did the whole marriage thing kind of in reverse.

Overall the writing was once again superb. Limits was an enjoyable and delightful story. The way these characters are written, it feels almost like if you reach out you can touch them. They are amazing and I adored Gen and Adam. The romance and emotion here were also very well formulated and believable.

Lengths - reading order and purchase links

Lengths: My review - Amazon - Kindle (FREE)

Depths: My review - Amazon - Kindle

Limits: Amazon - Kindle

Ties: Amazon - Kindle

Riptides: Kindle

Drift: Kindle

Connect with Steph Campbell:

Website - Facebook - Twitter - Goodreads

Connect with Liz Reinhardt :

Website - Facebook - Twitter - Goodreads

Review: These Broken Stars (Starbound #1) by Amie Kaufman & Meagan Spooner

It's a night like any other on board the Icarus. Then, catastrophe strikes: the massive luxury spaceliner is yanked out of hyperspace and plummets into the nearest planet. Lilac LaRoux and Tarver Merendsen survive. And they seem to be alone.

Lilac is the daughter of the richest man in the universe. Tarver comes from nothing, a young war hero who learned long ago that girls like Lilac are more trouble than they’re worth. But with only each other to rely on, Lilac and Tarver must work together, making a tortuous journey across the eerie, deserted terrain to seek help.

Then, against all odds, Lilac and Tarver find a strange blessing in the tragedy that has thrown them into each other’s arms. Without the hope of a future together in their own world, they begin to wonder—would they be better off staying here forever?

Everything changes when they uncover the truth behind the chilling whispers that haunt their every step. Lilac and Tarver may find a way off this planet. But they won’t be the same people who landed on it.

REVIEW

The Broken Stars is a story about survival and two star crossed lovers, which just happens to take place in space. When the spaceship, Icarus, crashes, Tarver and Lilac are the only survivors. Seeing as that he is a major in the army and she is the daughter of the richest man in the universe, the come from opposite places and it shows.

The constant bickering between these two definitely wore me down, but somehow they will need to get along if they want to stay alive and hopefully get rescued. And so the journey begins on this mysterious planet, filled with wild animals and strange whispers, making Lilac believe she is going mad. Which of course made me wonder what exactly was going on.

Now from the beginning you know they will be rescued as in between every chapter, you get a short part where Tarver gets interviewed on what has happened on that planet. Very anti-climatic indeed. Though when these strange whispers and vision start happening, you realise it is not about being rescued but rather on what they are trying to hide on that planet.

The story is told from Tarver and Lilac's POV. Since they both have such a different character, it really gives you different insights on what is going on.

Tarver is in his element when they crash on the planet. As a soldier he knows all about surviving and fighting. He is strong, confident and knows what it takes to make it. Lilac on the other hand has no clue. She is constantly questioning his judgement, testing his and mine patience. Luckily in the end Tarver is able to convince her and able to keep them going.

Lilac really grows throughout the story. From a spoiled girl, who thinks dirt is dirty to an independent and strong young woman. Really those first couple of chapters you will want to slap some sense into her, but the more time she spends on the planet the more I like her.

Of course there is some romance going on between these two. The way it is told and the innocence of it, made me again realise how young our two characters are. It has this sense of nativity to it, that is just so sweet. Though I kept wondering what would happen to that romance when they got rescued. Also when the romance develops I felt a change in Tarver's character that didn't quite convince. Suddenly this tough soldier, becomes really soft and I would have liked he kept more of that soldier personality.

So overall I liked the characters and the mystery element in the book. What I didn't like so much was the overall pace in the book, which was slow, too slow for me and the lack of world building. Mostly that last part. A couple of weeks ago I finished reading Avalon (another science fiction) and the setting of that world was done beautifully. While in this story it is completely lacking. We get very little information other than there used to be an Earth, now they seem to be able to create planets (how?), technology seems important, there is an army, there are rebels (no idea what they are rebelling against) and you have no idea who is running this intergalactic system.

These Broken Stars was well written and interesting, though a bit slow at times and could have used more information about the world. Therefor to me it felt more like a romance/mystery novel than really science fiction.

Starbound - reading order and purchase links.

These Broken Stars: Amazon - Kindle

This Shattered World (Nov. 11)

Connect with Amie Kaufman:

Website - Facebook - Twitter - Goodreads

Connect with Meagan Spooner:

Website - Facebook - Twitter - Goodreads

Total Book Geek

Waiting On Wednesday: Exile by Kevin Emerson

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Breaking The Spine that spotlights upcoming releases that we are eagerly anticipating.

Catherine Summer Carlson knows how to manage bands like a professional—she’s a student at the PopArts Academy at Mount Hope High, where rock legends Allegiance to North got their start. Summer knows that falling for the lead singer of her latest band is the least professional thing a manager can do. But Caleb Daniels isn’t an ordinary band boy—he’s a hot, dreamy, sweet-singing, exiled-from-his-old-band, possibly-with-a-deep-dark-side band boy. And he can do that thing. That thing when someone sings a song and it inhabits you, possesses you, and moves you like a marionette to its will.

Summer also finds herself at the center of a mystery she never saw coming. When Caleb reveals a secret about his long-lost father, one band’s past becomes another’s present, and Summer finds it harder and harder to be both band manager and girlfriend. She knows what the well-mannered Catherine side of her would do, but she also knows what her heart is telling her. Maybe it’s time to accept who she really is, even if it means becoming an exile herself. . . .

Publication Date: April 29th

Buy book: Amazon - Kindle

Connect with Kevin Emerson:

Website - Facebook - Twitter - Goodreads

What are you waiting on?

Total Book Geek

Excerpt & Giveaway: Five – Out of the Dark by Holli Anderson

Five teenagers who’ve recently discovered they have magical powers and are living in the Seattle underground feel it’s their responsibility to protect unsuspecting humans from otherworldly foes.

Things are going well until Johnathan, their unofficial leader and the boy sixteen year old Paige is in love with, is bitten by a changeling – the venomous saliva causing him to metamorphose into a ravening beast with each full moon. Paige vows that, no matter the cost, she will find a way to cure Johnathan of the evil that has embedded itself in his soul.

Johnathan’s monthly transformation and daily personality roller coaster isn’t the only problem they have to deal with. The Five are also gearing up to face their toughest and most dangerous enemy yet—a powerful and ruthless Warlock who will go to any means, including high school, to build his Dark Army.

EXCERPT

Not long after Alec joined us, we had our first run-in with a Demon—and that was when I decided having Alec around wasn’t such a bad thing. If he hadn’t been there, Johnathan and I would likely be dead. Or worse. The thought of being possessed by a Demon—having no control over my own actions, carrying out its devastating orders—that was one of the scariest things I could think of.

Demons were a mystery to me. I’d read that they were fallen angels. Malevolent spirits. They were definitely malevolent. Whatever they were, their main goal seemed to be to possess or just plain kill humans. From what I’d read in the white book, Demons weren’t supposed to be roaming around our realm, outside of the Netherworld. The reason there were some running around, it stated, was this: there were sorcerers and others who dabbled in the Dark Arts but few were strong enough to summon a Demon. Even fewer were strong enough to hold that Demon captive once summoned. Those people all thought they were strong enough, though. These dabblers in the Dark Arts would call up a Demon, thinking to force it to carry out some unsavory deed for them, and they’d end up being too weak to hold the thing inside their pentacle. Demons didn’t really like to be called up or summoned. Forced to adhere to another’s will. So, they broke out and killed whoever called them. And then they were free to roam in our realm until someone sent them back to the Netherworld. I know my dad believed in Demons, they’re even mentioned in the Bible, but he refused to talk about them, afraid just doing so would evoke one’s wrath or bring its evil upon us. Just the thought of them scared the crap out of me.

We sat in the lobby of an old hotel Underground. Johnathan and Alec were trying to convince me that Pentacles weren’t dark magic. Alec drew an almost perfect circle. As he added the five point star to the middle, its points touching the circle, he said, “Pentacles aren’t evil, Paige. They’re just a tool that can be used for either good or evil purposes. We’ll only be using them for good so relax and start practicing.”

I reluctantly picked up a piece of chalk and touched it to the ground. I blew out an anxious breath. “I can’t do it.”

Jonathan dropped his chalk to the ground and scooted over next to me. I forgot to breathe when he put his hand over mine and started drawing the symbol with my chalk. The warmth of his strong but tender hand made me forget all about thoughts of evil. All I could think about was how good his touch felt. And, as he leaned over, his leg touching mine, I breathed in his smell.

“There,” he said. He finished the pentacle but still rested his hand over mine. He raised his eyebrows and smiled a stunning half-smile. “Nothing bad happened. In fact, I’d say that felt pretty good.” He squeezed my hand.

I nodded and Alec rolled his eyes.

“Now, draw one of your own.” He slowly withdrew his hand from mine as he continued to hold my gaze.

I could feel the heat rising in my cheeks. I looked down and started drawing.

The circle drawn, I started on the star and then stopped and held the chalk up off the ground. “Shh. Be quiet for a second. I hear something.”

The boys held still. Alec cocked his head like a dog, listening.

“London Bridge is falling down . . .” the British accent sang, louder as it drew closer.

A white ghost-shaped blob flew through our door. It stopped short when it saw us. The big nerd glasses it wore on its sheet-like face didn’t even budge in spite of the fact that it had no ears or nose to hold them in place.

I glanced up at the books it carried. Physics, Human Biology, and Psychology.

Valedictorian wannabee. The laugh that was forming in my throat at that thought was stopped short as a million tiny spiders of terror crept up my spine.

“There you are,” the Demon said with a slight British accent. “I knew I smelled something interesting.” The thing dropped its books and opened its mouth w-i-d-e. Johnathan dove out of the way just as its protruding jaws and rows of terrifying shark-like teeth clamped shut with a loud chomp right where his head had just been.

Five - Out of the Dark: Amazon - Kindle

The Author

Holli Anderson has a Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing—which has nothing to do with writing, except maybe by adding some pretty descriptive injury and vomit scenes to her books. She discovered her joy of writing during a very trying period in her life when escaping into make-believe saved her. She enjoys reading any book she gets her hands on, but has a particular love for anything fantasy.

Along with her husband, Steve, and their four sons, she lives in Grantsville, Utah—the same small town in which she grew up.

Connect with Holli Anderson:
Website - Facebook - Twitter - Goodreads

**GIVEAWAY**

Open internationally

A signed copy of Five Out of the Dark, a bookmark, a poster, and a mug.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

T.G.I.T. (Feb. 25 - Mar. 3)

It takes a certain kind of man to stand out among the Bachelor Firemen of San Gabriel.

Firefighter Derek "Vader" Brown is one of a kind—six feet of solid muscle with the heart of a born hero. It's that protective streak that has him pursuing a promotion to Captain to pay for his mother's home care. And it's why he intends to figure out why his sometime girlfriend Cherie Harper runs hot as hellfire one minute and pushes him away the next.

Cherie's got it bad. Vader sweeps her off her feet—literally—and their chemistry is combustible. There's just the little problem of a nightmare from her past she was desperate to escape. And then her sister Trixie arrives, causing havoc for Cherie and the male population of San Gabriel. Cherie doesn't want her past to complicate Vader's life or his career. But there's nothing like a firefighter to break through all your defenses, one smoldering kiss at a time . . .

Recommended reading order: One Fine Fireman ($1.99) - The Fireman Who Loved Me ($2.99) - Hot For Fireman - Sex And The Single Fireman - How To Tame A Wild Fireman - Desperately Seeking Fireman ($1.99) -
Four Weddings And A Fireman (Feb. 25)

When Harlow Manning's rocker father goes on tour, he sends her to Rosemary Beach, Florida, to live with her half-sister, Nan. The problem: Nan despises her. Harlow has to keep her head down if she wants to get through the next nine months, which seems easy enough. Until gorgeous Grant Carter walks out of Nan's room in nothing but his boxer briefs.

Grant made a huge mistake getting involved with a girl with venom in her veins. He'd known about Nan's reputation, but still he couldn't resist her. Nothing makes him regret the fling more than meeting Harlow, who sends his pulse racing. Yet Harlow wants nothing to do with a guy who could fall for her wicked half-sister;even if there are no strings between Grant and Nan. Grant is desperate to redeem himself in Harlow's eyes, but did he ruin his chances before he even met her?

Recommended reading order: Fallen Too Far - Never Too Far - Twisted Perfection - Forever Too Far - Simple Perfection -
Take A Chance (Feb. 25)

The fourth part in the New York Times bestselling series, The Blackstone Affair: A bright beginning for two damaged souls fighting for their hard-won love, and the promise of a new hope to secure their happily ever after.

Fresh from an idyllic honeymoon along the Italian coast, the Blackstones prepare for the birth of their precious baby and the challenges of settling into a new home. But things get complicated when specters from the past reappear to threaten the very foundation of their relationship. Ethan and Brynne will have to fight harder than ever for each other. Rare and Precious Things is the story of two people who both need the other in order to be complete, but learn just how "rare" their brand of love is when they have to risk everything in order to hold onto it.

Recommended reading order: Naked - All In - Eyes Wide Open - Cherry Girl - Rare And Precious Thing (Feb. 28)

Internationally renowned thief and con artist Nicolas Fox is famous for running elaborate and daring scams. His greatest con of all: convincing the FBI to team him up with the only person who has ever caught him, and the only woman to ever capture his attention, Special Agent Kate O’Hare. Together they’ll go undercover to swindle and catch the world’s most wanted—and untouchable—criminals.

Their newest target is Carter Grove, a former White House chief of staff and the ruthless leader of a private security agency. Grove has stolen a rare Chinese artifact from the Smithsonian, a crime that will torpedo U.S. relations with China if it ever becomes public. Nick and Kate must work under the radar—and against the clock—to devise a plan to steal the piece back. Confronting Grove’s elite assassins, Nick and Kate rely on the skills of their ragtag crew, including a flamboyant actor, a Geek Squad techie, and a band of AARP-card-carrying mercenaries led by none other than Kate’s dad.

A daring heist and a deadly chase lead Nick and Kate from Washington, D.C., to Shanghai, from the highlands of Scotland to the underbelly of Montreal. But it’ll take more than death threats, trained henchmen, sleepless nights, and the fate of a dynasty’s priceless heirloom to outsmart Fox and O’Hare.

Recommended reading order: Pros and Cons ($0.99) - The Heist - The Chase (Feb. 25)

Feb. 25

Feb. 25 - 26

Feb. 27 - 28

Mar. 1

Mar. 3

A modern day thrill ride, where a teen girl and her animal companion must participate in a breathtaking race to save her brother's life—and her own.

Tella Holloway is losing it. Her brother is sick, and when a dozen doctors can't determine what's wrong, her parents decide to move to Montana for the fresh air. She's lost her friends, her parents are driving her crazy, her brother is dying—and she's helpless to change anything.

Until she receives mysterious instructions on how to become a Contender in the Brimstone Bleed. It's an epic race across jungle, desert, ocean, and mountain that could win her the prize she desperately desires: the Cure for her brother's illness. But all the Contenders are after the Cure for people they love, and there's no guarantee that Tella (or any of them) will survive the race.

The jungle is terrifying, the clock is ticking, and Tella knows she can't trust the allies she makes. And one big question emerges: Why have so many fallen sick in the first place?

Buy book: Fire & Flood (Feb. 25)

One kiss could be the last.

Seventeen-year-old Layla just wants to be normal. But with a kiss that kills anything with a soul, she's anything but normal. Half demon, half gargoyle, Layla has abilities no one else possesses.

Raised among the Wardens—a race of gargoyles tasked with hunting demons and keeping humanity safe—Layla tries to fit in, but that means hiding her own dark side from those she loves the most. Especially Zayne, the swoon-worthy, incredibly gorgeous and completely off-limits Warden she's crushed on since forever.

Then she meets Roth—a tattooed, sinfully hot demon who claims to know all her secrets. Layla knows she should stay away, but she's not sure she wants to—especially when that whole no-kissing thing isn't an issue, considering Roth has no soul.

But when Layla discovers she's the reason for the violent demon uprising, trusting Roth could not only ruin her chances with Zayne…it could brand her a traitor to her family. Worse yet, it could become a one-way ticket to the end of the world.

Buy book: Bitter Sweet Elements (FREE) - White Hot Kiss (Feb. 25)

Some memories are better left forgotten...

After a daring escape from the scientists at Diotech who created her, Seraphina believes she is finally safe from the horrors of her past. But new threats await Sera and her boyfriend, Zen, at every turn as Zen falls prey to a mysterious illness and Sera’s extraordinary abilities make it more and more difficult to stay hidden. Meanwhile, Diotech has developed a dangerous new weapon designed to apprehend her. A weapon that even Sera will be powerless to stop. Her only hope of saving Zen’s life and defeating the company that made her is a secret buried deep within her mind. A secret that Diotech will kill to protect. And it won’t stay forgotten for long.

Packed with mystery, suspense, and romance, this riveting second installment of Jessica Brody’s Unremembered trilogy delivers more heart-pounding action as loyalties are tested, love becomes a weapon, and no one’s memories are safe.

Recommended reading order: Undiscovered - Unremembered - Unforgotten (Feb. 25)

Alexi Littrell hasn't told anyone what happened to her over the summer. Ashamed and embarrassed, she hides in her closet and compulsively scratches the back of her neck, trying to make the outside hurt more than the inside does.

When Bodee Lennox, the quiet and awkward boy next door, comes to live with the Littrells, Alexi discovers an unlikely friend in "the Kool-Aid Kid," who has secrets of his own. As they lean on each other for support, Alexi gives him the strength to deal with his past, and Bodee helps her find the courage to finally face the truth.

Buy book: Faking Normal