Stacking the Shelves #74

Stacking the Shelves is a meme hosted by Tynga's Reviews in which we feature all the book goodness that we received, borrowed or purchased during the previous week. All links are to Goodreads.

Hi there gorgeous people!  I didn't do a STS last week because I only got one book :( I didn't do much better this week, but I have big news to share with you. 

Reading with ABC is moving to WordPress! Yes, the wonderful Ashley from Nosegraze and Creative Whim now also has open her Book Host and decided to take the plunge.  She will be moving my blog next week for its new home and I'm really excited about it!  Hopefully this move will be seamless to most of you. Please be patient while I learn my way around WordPress.  

Are you in WordPress already?  Do you love it? Do you have any advice for a rookie?  Any wonderful plugins that I must have?

Here are some posts you might have missed in the past two weeks:

Audiobook review: Clockwork Prince by Cassandra Clare

Guest post and Giveaway: Searching for Beautiful by Nyrae Dawn

Review: The Winner's Curse by Marie Rutkoski

Discussion: Love Triangles in YA

Review: Stracrossed by Josephine Angelini 

The Beauty Edition

Review: Panic by Lauren Oliver 

Discussion: New Trends in YA

Here is what's stacking my shelves this week:

Purchased (physical books)

Shadow of the Mark by Leigh Fallon - I really enjoyed Carrier of the Mark, the first book in the series. Besides, who can resist this beautiful cover?

Kindle

Lumiére by Jackeline Garlick - Not sure how I came to get this one, but it looks awesome :)

When Lighting Strikes by Brenda Novak - Romance *sigh*

Gilded by Christina L. Farley - I've seen some pretty good reviews about this book and I got it for Kindle with the audio as well (see below)

Audible

Landry Park by Bethany Hagen - This is another book that seems to be liked by many.

Gilded by Christina L. Farley - See above

For Review

Get Happy by Mary Amato - I loved Amato's Guitar Notes and I can't wait to see what she comes up with next!

What's stacking your shelves this week?

Blog Tour, Interview and Giveaway: Shadow of the Mark by Leigh Fallon

Hi gorgeous people and welcome to Reading with ABC's stop of the Shadow of the Mark Blog Tour hosted by Rockstar Book Tours. I am so excited to be part of this tour because I love Carrier of the Mark (see my review here) and I have been anxiously waiting for the second book. Here is some information about this wonderful book:

Title: Shadow of the Mark by Leigh Fallon
Published: July 9th, 2013 by Harper Teen
Format: Paperback, 352 pages
Group Age: Young adult
Genre: Paranormal / Romance

Their love could destroy them all.Through the ages, Marked Ones have harnessed the powers of the four elements: Water, Fire, Earth, and Air. Much about the elements is shrouded in mystery, but one thing is certain: A relationship between two Marked Ones has the potential to cause widespread devastation.Megan and Adam—Air and Water—are determined to defy the risks.But the power that swirls inside Megan is growing in twisted ways. And the closer she is to Adam, the closer Megan comes to unleashing a dark force that could spell destruction for the entire Marked line.

Find it here: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | The Book Depository

Interview

1. What inspired you to include the elements in Carrier of the Mark?

It rains in Ireland. It rains a lot. I knew from the beginning that these books would be set in Ireland, and I wanted to tie in the weather, the rich landscape, and the amazing lore of Ireland in a fun and magical way. The elements were perfect for doing all of this and allowed me to explore a little of Ireland’s pagan history, which is utterly fascinating.

2. Which of the two books was your favorite to write so far? Why?

That’s such a difficult question to answer. I love them both for different reasons. Carrier of the Mark was my first book, my first love. It was where I met my characters and fell in love with them, villains and all. But in Shadow of the Mark I got to play with the developing characters, torture them a bit, push their abilities to the next level. I got to see some of the characters darker sides. There’s a lot more action in Shadow of the Mark, and I loved that feeling of anxiety I felt as the book came to it’s conclusion.

Top Ten Beautiful Covers for YA 2013

Top Ten Tuesday is a meme created by The Broke and the Bookish

Hello gorgeous people!  This week Top Ten Tuesday is a freebie, so I have for you a treat for the senses.  These are my Top Ten most beautiful covers of books that will be published next year. Enjoy!

I do know how to count, I just couldn't stop at 10!  I can't wait to know what you guys selected for your Top Ten this week.

What are your favorite upcoming covers?

Please enter the Dystopian Giveaway Hop Here

Top Ten Most Romantic Guys in YA

Top Ten Tuesday is a meme created by The Broke and the Bookish

This Week’s Top Ten Tuesday is freebie, so here is a list of my Top Ten Romantic (and hot) guys in YA.  Please forgive me for not replying to your comment right away, but right now I’m in BEA *squeal*

1.  Ash from The Iron Fey series by Julie Kagawa – Well, if you’ve been to my blog before you know I love Ash, right?

2.  Jay from The Body Finder series by Kimberly Derting – Jay is so sweet and he would do anything for Violet, such a cute couple.

3.  Jax from Breathe by Abbi Glines – A gorgeous heart throb that drops everything to be with the woman he loves *sigh*

4.  Will from Angelfire by Courtney Allison Moulton – This is a man/warrior that is sworn to protect Ellie and will willingly give his life for her, even if love is forbidden.

5.  Augustus from The Fault in Our Stars by John Green – Funny, smart, sarcastic, crazy in love and willing to go the extra mile for Hazel.

6.  Vincent by Die for Me by Amy Plum – Love has eluded him for decades, and Vincent will hold on to Kate with both hands.

7.  Adam from Carrier of the Mark by Leigh Fallon – Destined to be together this is one of the few insta-love relationships that I actually like.  Even if the world is against them, Adam is willing to fight to stay together.

8.  Edward from the Twilight saga by Stephenie Myers – Enough said!

9.  Zach from the Shade series by Jeri  Ready-Smith – Oh goodness, even thinking of that kilt makes me happy :)

10. Tamani from the Wings series by Aprilynne Pike – Always waiting in the sidelines, offering loyalty and sacrifice, Tamini is full of gallant gestures for Laurel.

There is still one giveaway open and you can enter to win a copy of City of Lost Souls here (international).  Good luck!

Top Ten Books I Want to Give as Gifts

Top 10 Tuesday is a weekly meme created by The Broke and the Bookish

I love to give books as gifts, the problem is not everyone wants to receive one, so when I find a kindred spit I can't help it!  I would give these to my sister (even though she's read some of these already), by my friend and her daughter (you know who you are) and to my other friend's daughter.

1. The Hunger Games series by Suzanne Collins - Need I say more?

2. The Iron Fey Series by Julie Kawaga - One of my favorite series EVER.  I love you Ash! (sounded like a groupie, didn't I?)

3. Divergent by Vernonica Roth - One of the best books I've read this year.

4. Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor - This book is amazing

5. Die for Me by Amy Plum - If you love Twilight, give Die for Me a try.

6. Carrier of the Mark by Leigh Fallon - Love it!

7. Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen - One of my favorite classics, I love this book and all the movies as well.

8. The Harry Potter series (and movies!) by J.K. Rowling - Really? I would have everyone I know read this series, it is sooo good.

9. Rot & Ruin by Jonathan Mayberry - I am in love with Mr. Mayberry's writing, it's spectacular.

10. Twilight Saga (and movies) by Stephenie Meyer - Again, need I say more?

What books would you give as a gift this holiday?

Please check out my 200 Follower Giveaway here!



Review: Carrier of the Mark by Leigh Fallon (Carrier of the Mark #1)

Title: Carrier of the Mark by Leigh Fallon
Published: October 4th 2011 by HarperTeen
Source: Purchased
Grade rate: A

From the moment she sets foot at her new school in Ireland, Megan is inexplicably drawn to the darkly handsome Adam DeRis. But Megan soon discovers that her feelings for Adam are tied to a supernatural fate that was sealed long ago—and that the passion and power that unites them could be their ultimate destruction.

This electrifying debut novel was first discovered on inkpop.com. the online community for aspiring writers. THE CARRIER OF THE MARK sizzles with unbridled romance, a unique supernatural hook, and a breathtaking Irish setting, and will entice fans of the Need series by Carrie Jones and the House of Night series by P. C. and Kristin Cast.

My Review

Carrier of the Mark is a great debut novel by author Leigh Fallon and I really enjoyed it.  As you know I am a big Twilight fan and this book shares some of the same characteristics, such as a new girl in town, the instant attraction to a gorgeous and strange guy, the mystery that surrounds him and his family and the constant danger they are all in.  But Carrier of the Mark has enough differences that make it a unique book on its own right.

Megan is a strong female character that adapts and accepts fairly quickly what is thrown at her. She doesn’t like to be a damsel in distress and I liked that about her.  Adam is (as I mentioned earlier) is gorgeous and he cares for Megan a lot and doesn’t care to show it. I am a romantic at heart and the romance between Megan and Adam felt so real (even though it happened fast) and sweet and passionate, all at the same time.  Other characters in the book were well developed and I liked Adam’s family and Megan’s new friends.

The story flows at a good pace and the plot is believable and not predictable.  I like that everyone was straightforward and we knew about what the “carrier of the mark” means soon in the story.  The explanation about how it all works was a little hard to understand, but I got the gist of it. The book was easy and fast to read and I couldn’t put it down.

The Carrier of the Mark was a great read for me and I loved it.  I will be counting the days until Dawn of the Knights is published sometime next year.

About the cover:  What can I say, other than it is gorgeous?  The feeling of weightlessness is very appropriate for the story and the blue makes a beautiful contrast with other elements in the cover.

Top Ten Books I Bought Because of Their Cover

Top 10 Tuesday is a weekly meme created by The Broke and the Bookish

I don’t own some of these books, I do try to take advantage of my library when I can, but they are books that I grabbed because of their beautiful covers.  Click on the link to see the covers in Goodreads. 

1. Unearthly by Cynthia Hand – Beautiful book and cover.

2. Die For Me by Amy Plum – Again, a gorgeous cover let to a wonderful story. Not disappointed at all. 

3. Eyes Like Starsby Lisa Mantchev – This is the first book of the Theather Illuminata Series, which is very different and all the covers are just as beautiful.

4. Wondrous Strange by Lesley Livingston – Another great series about fairies, war, betrayal, and an epic romance.

5. Crave by Melissa Darnell – I just recently finished reading this book that I requested from NetGalley, who could resist a cover like that?

6. Infinite Days by Rebecca Maizel – I wouldn’t call the story beautiful precisely, but I did like the story and the way vampires are portrait here.

7. The Iron King by Julie Kagawa – The beginning of one of my favorite series, I grabbed this book at the story just because I loved its cover.

8. Falling Under by Gwen Hayes – Not the best story out there, but very entertaining, I will still grab the sequel.

9. Glimmerglass by Jenna Black – I really like Dana, she is such as strong character, even when she is in danger all the time. 

10. Carrier of the Mark by Leigh Fallon – This book was part of my Waiting on Wednesday a while back, just due to the gorgeous cover.  I am cheating a little here because I haven’t read this book yet.  I did order it last week though, does that count? 

What is in your Top Ten this week?