In My Mailbox 154

This meme was started by Kristi of The Story Siren who was inspired by Alea from Pop Culture Junkie. Check out their blogs for more information. All summaries are from the book jackets unless otherwise stated.

For review:

Shipwrecked – Siobhan Curham

Betrayal and forbidden love, beneath a seething sun...

Grace Delaney and her fellow dance students are en route to perform on a South Pacific cruise ship when a freak storm hits and they find themselves stranded on a seemingly deserted island.

With the tropical heat rising, passions and tensions swell to breaking point. And the island itself is quietly steaming with a terrible secret...

YAY! So looking forward to this! Thanks Electric Monkey!

Deadlands – Lily Herne

Since the apocalypse, Cape Town’s suburbs have become zombie-infested Deadlands. Human survivors are protected from the living dead by sinister, shrouded figures – the Guardians. In return, five teenagers are ‘chosen’ and handed over to them for a mysterious purpose: this year, Lele de la Fontein’s name is picked. But Lele will not stick around and face whatever shady fate the Guardians have in store for her. She escapes, willing to take her chances in the Deadlands.

Alone, exiled and unable to return home, she encounters a misfit gang of renegade teens, Saint, Ginger and Ash – aka the Mall Rats. Joining them, Lele learns how to seriously destroy zombies, and together they uncover the sickening truth about the Guardians... and themselves.

This sounds great and I love that it’s set in South Africa. Thanks Constable and Robinson!

Because of Low – Abbi Glines

Marcus Hardy is stuck in Sea Breeze – something he’s really not happy about. The only good part of his life is the hot redhead who sleeps over regularly. There’s just one thing – she’s sleeping in the bed of his roommate, Cage York.

Willow “Low” Foster knows that running to Cage every time her sister kicks her out isn’t ideal, especially when he wants to be more than just friends. and his new roommate, Marcus, is making things even more complicated by checking her out like he wants her there too.

But then a shocking revelation forces Marcus to choose between Low and his family, because now the truth is out...there’s no other choice.

Just For Now – Abbi Glines

Preston Drake is one bad boy. He has a different girl in his bed every night, which is just how he likes it – no strings, no issues, just fun. The problem is, he just keeps finding himself thinking about the one girl he shouldn’t...his best friend’s little sister, who’s suddenly all grown up.

Amanda Hardy has had a crush on Preston for ever, but his reputation always kept her away. Now that it seems the attraction might be mutual, it’s getting harder to ignore her feelings...

No one wants them to be together – but their attraction is too strong to keep them apart.

While It Lasts – Abbi Glines

Trouble follows Cage York around. Usually his charm gets him off the hook, but this time his recklessness means he’s spending his summer sweeping out barns and babysitting cows, instead of enjoying late-night hook-ups.

The only bright spot is Eva, an uptight, snarky brunette who seems immune to Cage’s advances. Behind those big blue eyes and fiery temper, Eva is nursing a broken heart and the last thing she needs is a player like Cage flashing his irritating (though admittedly gorgeous) smile in her direction.

But as the humidity rises, Cage begins to crack Eva’s carefully built walls as the two of them learn that what they want, and need, may be something they never expected...

Now, I wasn’t a fan of The Vincent Boys and The Vincent Brothers, but I’ve heard these are a lot better so I’m going to try at least one of them. Thanks S&S!

Bought:

What Really Happened in Peru – Cassandra Clare and Sarah Rees Brennan

From Goodreads: There are good reasons Peru is off-limits to Magnus Bane. Follow Magnus’ Peruvian escapades as he drags his fellow warlocks Ragnor Fell and Catarina Loss into trouble, learns several instruments (which he plays shockingly), dances (which he does shockingly), and disgraces his host nation by doing something unspeakable to the Nazca Lines.

My first e-book! I had to read it.

Crossing the Line – Katie McGarry

From Goodreads: Lila McCormick first met Lincoln Turner when tragedy struck both their lives. But she never expected their surprise encounter would lead to two years of exchanging letters – or that she’d fall for the boy she’s only seen once. Their relationship is a secret, but Lila feels closer to Lincoln than anyone else. Until she finds out that he lied to her about the one thing she depended on him the most.

Hurting Lila is the last thing Lincoln wanted. For two years, her letters have been the only thing getting him through the day. Admitting his feelings would cross a line he’s never dared breach before. But Lincoln will do whatever it takes to fix his mistakes, earn Lila’s forgiveness – and finally win a chance to be with the girl he loves.

I’m a massive Katie McGarry fan so I’m really looking forward to this!

The Prince – Kiera Cass

From Goodreads:

Before thirty-five girls were chosen to compete in the Selection...

Before Aspen broke America’s heart...

There was another girl in Prince Maxon’s life...

Thought this would be good to read to get me back in the world of The Selection before The Elite comes out!

Bitterblue – Kristin Cashore

Eight years have passed since Princess Bitterblue and her country were saved from the vicious King Leck. Now Bitterblue is the queen of Monsea, and her land is at peace.

But the influence of her father, and his mind-altering abilities, lives on. Her advisers believe in a forward-thinking plan: to pardon all of those who committed terrible acts during Leck’s reign; and to forget every dark event that ever happened. Monsea’s past has been shrouded in mystery, and it’s only when Bitterblue begins sneaking out of her castle – curious, disguised and alone – to walk the streets of her city, that she begins to realise the truth. Her kingdom has been under the spell of a madman, and their only chance to move forward it to revisit the past.

Whatever that past holds.

Gah, so excited! I love this trilogy so much.

The Lucy Variations – Sara Zarr

Lucy Beck-Moreau once had a promising future as a concert pianist. The right people knew her name, her performances were booked months in advance, and her future seemed certain.

That was all before she turned fourteen.

Now, at sixteen, it’s over. A death, and a betrayal, have led her to walk away, leaving her talented ten-year-old brother, Gus, to shoulder the full weight of the Beck-Moreau family’s expectations. Then Gus gets a new piano teacher who is young, handsome, and interested in helping Lucy rekindle her love of the piano – on her own terms. But when you’re used to performing for sold-out audiences and world-famous critics, can you ever learn to play just for yourself?

The Lucy Variations is the story of one girl’s struggle to retain her love of music and herself; because life isn’t a performance, and everyone deserves the chance to make a few mistakes along the way.

I was so excited to spot this in Waterstone’s a few weeks early and I snapped it up!

Because It Is My Blood – Gabrielle Zevin

When Anya Ballanchine is released from jail, she’s determined to put her life in order. She’s going to get over her ex, turn her back on her criminal family and concentrate on her siblings and her studies.

But her murdered father’s family have a different idea. They’re not going to let her walk away so easily.

When they take a hit out on her life, Anya’s forced to flee to Mexico. There she discovers that life isn’t all bad – but she also finds that, so far from home, it’s impossible to protect those she loves.

Doing nothing isn’t an option. But going back to New York could kill her. Literally.

The same story as The Lucy Variations  for this one really!

Sophie