Stacking the Shelves #5

Stacking The Shelves is all about sharing the books you are adding to your shelves, may it be physical or virtual. This means you can include books you buy in physical store or online, books you borrow from friends or the library, review books, gifts and of course ebooks! It is hosted every week (typically on Saturday) by Tynga's Reviews.

I'm doing a bit of a twist on this and talking about some books that I have added to my shelves in the past. I'm tentatively calling it "Signed Book" Saturday, because I'm going to focus on my collections of signed books!

Today's author that I'm featuring is Katie McGarry!

I've met Katie at two different events: Apollycon 2015 and BEA 2015. I'm in love with her books and I've reviewed both Take Me On and Nowhere But Here on the blog! She writes fantastic characters with complex relationships. I never want to put her books down!

I think my favorite would definitely have to be either Crash Into You or Nowhere But Here. It's a close tie, but I love me some Isaiah and Rachel...

Without further ado:

From Apollycon 2015

From Apollycon 2015

From Apollycon 2015

From Apollycon 2015

From BEA 2015

Have you read any of Katie McGarry's books? Which is your favorite?

Nowhere But Here by Katie McGarry

Title: Nowhere But Here
Author: Katie McGarry
Format I Read: Kindle
Pages: 496
Genres: Realistic Fiction, Romance
Release Date: May 26, 2015
Stars: 5
Goodreads Link

Because I read most of Katie McGarry's books before I started blogging, some of you may not know about my undying love for her work. Well... now you know. I'm mildly obsessed.

Katie McGarry is a master of words. Nowhere But Here is the first book in her new Thunder Road series, which I'm so excited for!

The book revolves around Emily and Oz. Emily lives a sheltered life with her mom and her adoptive father in Florida. However, her biological father lives in Kentucky and belongs to a motorcycle club. When Emily's family gets news that her biological grandmother has died, they head to Kentucky to attend the funeral in Snowflake, Kentucky. Unfortunately, what starts as a misunderstanding quickly spirals out of control. Emily is suddenly threatened by a rival motorcycle club. The rival motorcycle club, the Riot, deals in illegal business, while the Reign of Terror (Emily's father, Eli's club) is completely legit. Emily's initial interpretations of the club are quickly turned on their head. She begins to spend time with Eli, Oz, and the family she never knew she had. Oz is a young man who desperately wants to join the Reign of Terror, to officially join the family he's grown up around. His final assignment before he can become a prospect? Protect Emily. However, he has to avoid telling her the truth about her past--why Emily and her mother fled Snowflake.

As always, Katie McGarry flawlessly constructs her characters. The people in her novels have as much depth as the Mariana Trench. Every character has so many layers; it's amazing. There are no simple stock characters in McGarry's books. They're all complex, as are their relationships.

I loved Emily and Oz's developing relationship. It was so natural how it started as a simple attraction and slowly transformed into a deeper connection. It was completely believable. Everything was believable. I loved Emily and Eli's relationship; how it slowly developed from "I see you once every year, you don't belong in my life" to "wow, you're my father." Emily's struggle between Eli and Jeff (her adoptive father) was also charmingly realistic. Emily wants to connect with Eli, but feels that she's betraying Jeff, the father who raised her. This was precious and completely understandable! I also adored Emily's blossoming relationship with Olivia, her biological grandmother who is dying of cancer. Basically, I loved everything that had to do with the characters in this book. Everything just felt so real.

I don't really know what else to say. Whenever I read McGarry's books, I feel like I'm sitting there with the characters. I feel like I could run into Emily, Oz, Olivia, Eli, Chevy, or Violet on the street. I feel like they're real people. That is no simple feat. Katie McGarry is honestly a magician with characters!

Not to mention, she expertly weaves together an amazing plot twist! I never guessed the truth that everyone was hiding from Emily. I was left with my mouth wide open, whispering "what?!" It was fantastically done--an awesome puzzle!

In summary--another 5 star novel from Katie McGarry, an amazing start to what is sure to be an amazing new series! Congratulations on the great new story, Ms. McGarry!

"Top Ten" Tuesday: Top Ten All Time Favorite Authors

Top Ten Tuesday, hosted by The Broke and the Bookish

Each week, The Broke and Bookish host the Top Ten Tuesday discussion. They provide a bookish prompt and  other bloggers are welcome to share their "Top Ten" in the specific topic!

Today is a Tuesday, which means it's time for a Top Ten! Today's topic is "All Time Favorite Authors."

If I'm completely honest, I spent a solid ten (ha, top ten) minutes perusing my bookshelves, trying to make the difficult decision of which ten authors were my favorites. I love so many amazing authors, and I appreciate every single writer out there who shares their words with the world. However, after much deliberating, I settled on my top ten. In no particular order, I present you with my literary idols!

Cora Carmack

1. Cora Carmack
Those of you who have actually read my blog (and my reviews) understand how boundless my love for Cora Carmack is. It's safe to say that she is currently the top of the top; she's truly my favorite author right now. I actually met her at Apollycon in February 2015, where I also won an ARC of her upcoming book All Played Out (to be published on May 12)! I just about cried. I've reread each of her books at least once, and I've embarrassingly reread each of her Rusk University novels at least 5 times each. It never ceases to amaze me how Cora captures the voices of her characters. I never get sick of reading anything that comes out of her head. She's also super sweet on social media. I love her to bits!

Katie McGarry

2. Katie McGarry
Katie, Katie, Katie... I got to meet Katie at Apollycon this year as well, and she is so lovely! Crash Into You remains one of my favorite books (in addition to Take Me On). I love the complexity in her novels and the way that they all connect together. It is truly an art! I am on the edge of my seat waiting for Nowhere But Here. Katie has a way of creating relationships that no one expects. She brings "opposites attract" to a whole new level, and it's beautiful. The couples that she writes have the best balance and really bring out the best in each other. Not only that, but both her novels and her characters are so unique. Each person she brings to life on the page has so much depth. She's amazing!

Jennifer L. Armentrout

3. Jennifer L. Armentrout
I've actually met Jennifer twice, both of which were just fantastic! She's so genuine and fun. But to be completely honest, Jennifer is an anomaly. She cranks out books like a mad woman. That alone deserves an award. And they're actually quality books--she has both quantity and quality! She must have sold her soul to the devil. The Lux series remains one of my favorites to this day. She knows how to write chemistry and hot boys like it's nobody's business. I haven't read all of her books (a totally daunting task considering she's written what seems like hundreds), but I know that she spans across genres. She's written adult, science fiction, mystery, thriller, realistic fiction, new adult, young adult, just about everything. Honestly one of my all time favorites.

Sarah Dessen

4. Sarah Dessen
Who doesn't love Sarah Dessen? She's absolutely iconic! I genuinely believe that Sarah Dessen was the Judy Blume of my generation. She writes those iconic teen love stories, those innocent and fresh-faced romances. However, she also writes novels that deal with abuse, teen pregnancy, friendship, eating disorders, and more. All of her books leave you feeling like something huge just happened. You just witnessed something big. My favorites are The Truth About Forever and Lock and Key, though I've read just about a dozen of her books. I've also recently reread some of them, and they bring me back to my early teens, when I was just discovering the absolute joys of reading. Sarah Dessen will always have a special place in my heart.

Melissa Landers

5. Melissa Landers
I still don't think that I'll ever get over Alienated. I'm typically not a huge science fiction girl, but that book got me good. Melissa so exquisitely built the world, the setting, and the characters. It never ceases to amaze me. I still haven't had the chance to read Invaded but it's at the top of my TBR list, as soon as I get a spare moment. I just love how Melissa flooded you with information without making you feel like she was flooding you with information. That takes real talent! Not to mention how wonderfully the relationship was written; it was one of the few literary relationships that I felt developed smoothly and naturally. Melissa is fantastic!

Jennifer Niven

6. Jennifer Niven
Everyone who read my review of All the Bright Places knows just how much I am in awe of Jennifer Niven. I met her at the NoVaTeen Book Festival in March 2015, and I genuinely teared up. I wouldn't let her talk to me about the book because I was actually on the brink of tears. A few seconds of discussion and I probably would've broken down in a puddle of sobs. It's amazing when words can have that much of an impact on a reader. Jennifer just has this way of conveying emotion and stringing sentences together that makes your soul ache. I've only read All the Bright Places by her, but it affected me enough to earn her a spot on my all time favorite list.

Veronica Roth

7. Veronica Roth
Yep, I'll be that cliche teen reader and declare Veronica Roth in my top ten. I know Divergent is mainstream now, but that doesn't change my love for the book. I say book because Insurgent grated my nerves and Allegiant killed me. Nonetheless, I truly admire Veronica. Not only is she massively successful, but she's also crazy young! She is honestly my career goal. Additionally, though Allegiant broke my heart, I respect Veronica Roth for her choice. It wasn't a happy ending, but it was an impressive ending. I also respect her for the way that she brought the series together. The world was intriguing and the explanation was fascinating. She truly made a new name for young adult literature everywhere. Because of this, I have reread Divergent alone just about six times, oops!

Richelle Mead

8. Richelle Mead
Richelle Mead is another author that inducted me into the realm of reading. The Vampire Academy series is probably one of my guiltiest pleasures. I've read the entire series twice or thrice. Richelle created the most intricate and fascinating creatures in those books. The Moroi, Strigoi, and Dhampir are the most interesting vampires I've ever encountered. In a world full of vampire books, it's impressive when someone actually manages to develop a unique take on the mythology. The relationships are fantastic, the friendships are inspiring, and the characters are insanely entertaining. Rose is one of my young adult idols. Fiercely protective of her friends, infinitely sarcastic, and endlessly tough... I wish I could be more like her! I haven't had the chance to read the spin-off series yet, but I've heard nothing but good things.

Michelle Hodkin

9. Michelle Hodkin
Michelle Hodkin is on this list because I have a never-ending admiration for mystery writers. The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer is quite honestly a work of art. I've explained in my review how it's just one of those books that leaves you whispering to an empty house with your mind blown. Anyone who manages to do that earns my endless respect. I just love how Michelle sucks you in. She throws you into the book and rattles you so that you can't even tell which side is up. That takes talent. Unfortunately, this is another case of "Nichol only read the first book." I read The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer way back when it first came out and never got around to reading the next installments. However, I've heard that they're just as amazing as the first novel.

10. Becca Fitzpatrick
I actually put Becca Fitzpatrick on this list for Black Ice, not the Hush, Hush series. I read Hush, Hush ages ago and thoroughly enjoyed it. However, I didn't fall for Becca until I read Black Ice. I just found that book so astoundingly fascinating. The whole concept captivated me and it was so well done. The mystery resonated with me, just as Michelle Hodkin's talent in mystery did. I loved the romance and how it flowed naturally; both characters had reservations and it wasn't insta-love. The entire novel was just so impressive, so unique, and so well-done! It earned Becca a spot on this list for sure.


So there you have it! Those are my top ten all time favorite authors. I hope you enjoyed this extremely excessive post. Now tell me: who are your top ten all time favorites?

Thanks for reading! And I'm sorry I've been MIA for the last few weeks. I've been crazy busy preparing for AP exams and the next steps for college. Thanks to everyone who stuck with me.

Happy Tuesday!

Trailer Reveal: Nowhere But Here by Katie McGarry

Today is a very exciting day, everyone! Not only is today the official reveal of the Nowhere But Here book trailer (eep), but it is also the day of my first ever trailer reveal. I'm so honored and happy to be able to share this trailer with you guys. I absolutely love Katie McGarry's books, and I'm so insanely pumped for the release of Nowhere But Here. I recently blogged about it in my "Waiting On" Wednesday post. I mean, come on... it's about a motorcycle club. How can you not be obsessed already? If you preorder the book, you also get Chasing Impossible (Abby and Logan's story from the Pushing the Limits series). So get ready--May 26th, here we come!

Without further ado, I present my first trailer reveal!

We are absolutely thrilled to bring you the Trailer Reveal for Katie McGarry's NOWHERE BUT HERE! NOWHERE BUT HERE is a Young Adult Contemporary Romance being published by Harlequin Teen and is a part of Katie McGarry’s Thunder Road Series. It is being released on May 26^th, 2015!!

NOWHERE BUT HERE Pre-Order:Amazon ** Kobo ** B-A-M ** Barnes & Noble ** iBooks ** IndieBoundAdd it to your Goodreads Now!

Pre-Order NOWHERE BUT HERE, Register your Pre-Order and you’ll get the eBook you’ve been asking for, Abby’s Story, CHASING IMPOSSIBLE absolutely free! PLUS, you’ll also be entered to win a $500 VISA Gift Card! Register at http://bit.ly/1Mt8cjr.

And check out the amazing trailer for

NOWHERE BUT HERE!

NOWHERE BUT HERE Synopsis:

An unforgettable new series from acclaimed author Katie McGarry about taking risks, opening your heart and ending up in a place you never imagined possible

Seventeen-year-old Emily likes her life the way it is: doting parents, good friends, good school in a safe neighborhood. Sure, she's curious about her biological father—the one who chose life in a motorcycle club, the Reign of Terror, over being a parent—but that doesn't mean she wants to be a part of his world. But when a reluctant visit turns to an extended summer vacation among relatives she never knew she had, one thing becomes clear: nothing is what it seems. Not the club, not her secret-keeping father and not Oz, a guy with suck-me-in blue eyes who can help her understand them both.

Oz wants one thing: to join the Reign of Terror. They're the good guys. They protect people. They're…family. And while Emily—the gorgeous and sheltered daughter of the club's most respected member—is in town, he's gonna prove it to her. So when her father asks him to keep her safe from a rival club with a score to settle, Oz knows it's his shot at his dream. What he doesn't count on is that Emily just might turn that dream upside down.

No one wants them to be together. But sometimes the right person is the one you least expect, and the road you fear the most is the one that leads you home.

About Katie McGarry:

Katie McGarry was a teenager during the age of grunge and boy bands and remembers those years as the best and worst of her life. She is a lover of music, happy endings, reality television, and is a secret University of Kentucky basketball fan.

Katie is the author of full length YA novels, PUSHING THE LIMITS, DARE YOU TO, CRASH INTO YOU, TAKE ME ON, BREAKING THE RULES, and NOWHERE BUT HERE and the e-novellas, CROSSING THE LINE and RED AT NIGHT. Her debut YA novel, PUSHING THE LIMITS was a 2012 Goodreads Choice Finalist for YA Fiction, a RT Magazine's 2012 Reviewer's Choice Awards Nominee for Young Adult Contemporary Novel, a double Rita Finalist, and a 2013 YALSA Top Ten Teen Pick. DARE YOU TO was also a Goodreads Choice Finalist for YA Fiction and won RT Magazine’s Reviewer’s Choice Best Book Award for Young Adult Contemporary fiction in 2013.

Website ** Twitter ** Facebook ** Goodreads ** Pinterest ** Tumbler ** Instagram

Waiting On Wednesday #1: Spring Releases

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Breaking the Spine that spotlights upcoming releases that give us those book tingles!

This is my first "Waiting On" Wednesday, so bear with me. I'm itching for just about a million books right now, but there are three in particular that I'm currently heart-eyed over. I have grabby hands for The Wrath and the Dawn by Renee Abdieh, Nowhere But Here by Katie McGarry, and Miss Mayhem by Rachel Hawkins. All three come out in the spring (April and May) and all three are at the top of my TBR list!

1. The Wrath and the Dawn by Renee Ahdieh

Release Date: May 12, 2015

Goodreads Link

Every dawn brings horror to a different family in a land ruled by a killer. Khalid, the eighteen-year-old Caliph of Khorasan, takes a new bride each night only to have her executed at sunrise. So it is a suspicious surprise when sixteen-year-old Shahrzad volunteers to marry Khalid. But she does so with a clever plan to stay alive and exact revenge on the Caliph for the murder of her best friend and countless other girls. Shazi's wit and will, indeed, get her through to the dawn that no others have seen, but with a catch . . . she’s falling in love with the very boy who killed her dearest friend.

She discovers that the murderous boy-king is not all that he seems and neither are the deaths of so many girls. Shazi is determined to uncover the reason for the murders and to break the cycle once and for all.

I first learned about this book from Kelly (of Effortlessly Reading) and have already fallen in love. I've seen so many glowing recommendations already. It sounds like it has an amazing Game of Thrones vibe. I love the promise of more, the promise of intrigue. The Wrath and the Dawn has instantaneously jumped to the top of my TBR list. It gives me the most overwhelming book tingles.

2. Nowhere But Here by Katie McGarry

Release Date: May 26, 2015

Goodreads Link

Seventeen-year-old Emily likes her life the way it is: doting parents, good friends, good school in a safe neighborhood. Sure, she's curious about her biological father—the one who chose life in a motorcycle club, the Reign of Terror, over being a parent—but that doesn't mean she wants to be a part of his world. But when a reluctant visit turns to an extended summer vacation among relatives she never knew she had, one thing becomes clear: nothing is what it seems. Not the club, not her secret-keeping father and not Oz, a guy with suck-me-in blue eyes who can help her understand them both.

Oz wants one thing: to join the Reign of Terror. They're the good guys. They protect people. They're…family. And while Emily—the gorgeous and sheltered daughter of the club's most respected member—is in town, he's gonna prove it to her. So when her father asks him to keep her safe from a rival club with a score to settle, Oz knows it's his shot at his dream. What he doesn't count on is that Emily just might turn that dream upside down.

No one wants them to be together. But sometimes the right person is the one you least expect, and the road you fear the most is the one that leads you home.

I love Katie McGarry's Pushing the Limits series. I recently read (and reviewed) Take Me On, which reminded me just how much I love her writing. Nowhere But Here sounds edgy and interesting--who wouldn't want to read about a motorcycle gang? I'm a sucker for unexpected love too. This book will definitely be on my TBR pile. I actually just preordered it!

If you preorder before May 26, you get a full-length ebook about Abby and Logan (from the Pushing the Limits series). Preordering Nowhere But Here is the only way to get this book, Chasing Impossible! So everyone should consider preordering and registering their preorder here.

3. Miss Mayhem by Rachel Hawkins

Release Date: April 7, 2015

Goodreads Link

Life is almost back to normal for Harper Price. The Ephors have been silent after their deadly attack at Cotillion months ago, and best friend Bee has returned after a mysterious disappearance. Now Harper can return her focus to the important things in life: school, canoodling with David, her nemesis-turned-ward-slash-boyfie, and even competing in the Miss Pine Grove pageant.

Unfortunately, supernatural chores are never done. The Ephors have decided they’d rather train David than kill him. The catch: Harper has to come along for the ride, but she can’t stay David’s Paladin unless she undergoes an ancient trial that will either kill her . . . or connect her to David for life.

This is the sequel to Rebel Belle, which I recently read and reviewed. If you've read my review, you know I fell in love with the book. I love everything about the series: the characters, the plot, the mythology. Rachel Hawkins is a genius and I'm eagerly awaiting the follow up to Rebel Belle. Definitely a TBR.

What books are you waiting for? Share in the comments! 

Take Me On by Katie McGarry

Title: Take Me On
Author: Katie McGarry
Format I Read: Hardcover
Pages: 544
Genres: Realistic Fiction, Romance
Release Date: May 27, 2014
Stars: 4
Goodreads Link

I will preface this with a single statement: Damn, this book is long. That's the only downer for me. Typically, I love long books. They give me the greatest sense of accomplishment after I plow through them. Unfortunately, Take Me On didn't have that "it" factor that made me dive in like I wanted to.

The premise was interesting. Haley was a national title holder for kickboxing. West is a rough-around-the-edges trust fund boy. When he nearly hits her with his car, West finds himself plunged into her world. He finds himself scheduled to fight with Haley's ex-boyfriend's brother (isn't that a mouthful) in two months. Haley knows that a.) she got him into this mess and b.) he doesn't have a chance in the fight. So she decides to train him, despite the fact that she abandoned fighting after she broke up with her ex-boyfriend, Matt. Unfortunately, it turns out the breakup wasn't simple or peaceful. Matt fought for a competing gym and Haley's relationship with him was a betrayal to her family. Ever since then, she's just been trying to protect her family. But how can she protect them when they don't even know the whole story?

This novel is the fourth in Katie McGarry's series of relatively standalone novels. West is Rachel's (from Crash Into You) brother. I really liked that connection; I love seeing the follow up with all of the characters from previous books. It's so cool how each novel builds on the previous without technically being a sequel. It's impressive how perfectly Ms. McGarry builds the world of these books and connects everyone together!

I liked the struggles that Haley and West had to deal with. Haley had to struggle with the burdens of her family. When her dad lost his job, they spiraled into debt and now live with Haley's verbally abusive uncle. She tries to protect her family while also trying to build a future for herself. West had to struggle with the crushing guilt after Rachel's car crash. Her legs are damaged and she's stuck in the hospital, and West blames himself. His dad kicks him out of the house, and West suffers as he tries to find himself. It was fantastic how Haley and West balanced each other out. West taught Haley how to fight for herself, and Haley taught West how to be himself. West taught Haley to think a little less, and Haley taught West to think a little more. They both taught each other self-worth.

West thinks to himself: "Rachel said she saved [Isaiah]. He saved her. Guess they saved each other" (407). I think that's one of the truest statement in these books. There is no spineless damsel in distress that the boy saves. It's never one-sided. The couples always save each other. There's always an amazing sense of balance.

So overall, it was great. Katie McGarry writes exquisitely, as usual. Honestly, the only reason it didn't get 5 stars was that it was too long. The plot just wasn't perfect enough to keep me fully invested for 544 pages. I didn't devour it. Nonetheless, an awesome read. The ending tied everything up and left me satisfied. The book as a whole proved to be empowering and heartwarming. Definitely a fantastic follow up to Ms. McGarry's string of novels.