Review and Blog Tour: Awaken

Awaken by Kristin Day

Release Date: October 1, 2012

Genre: Fantasy

Series: Daughters of the Sea #2

Pages: 303

Format: Ebook

Buy It: Amazon

The sacrifices we make have the power to shift the very fabric of who we are, and ultimately who we are meant to be…

After learning of her true destiny as the intended Leader of the Tydes, Anastasia Whitman must now embark on a perilous quest to the Underworld before the age of eighteen in order to plant the seed of immortality and complete her essence to become a true Sea Goddess. But before she can make her legendary journey, an unexpected new student transfers to Lorelei; initiating a sequence of events that will unravel Stasia’s new life, and test the boundaries of her relationship with the mysterious, dark, and sexy Finn Morrison. The line between the Underworld and the Living begins to blur as gruesome ghosts, morbid reveries, and pure evil haunt her waking hours as well as her sanity. Once the details of Finn’s own startling destiny are revealed, the dangerous secrets he’s been hiding will threaten the very love Stasia believed to be indestructible. As time begins to run out, she will be forced to choose between the one she loves and the destiny she cannot escape.

This series. It kills me. After such a cliffhanger from the first book, this book drew me right back into the story. The new characters and twists and turns had me guessing all the way through to the end, and again, I cried in so many places. And then there was the ending of this one!!! I literally threw my Nook across the room because I don't want to wait until February for Chosen to release. Kristen Day is amazing at keeping a reader interested from book to book, and adding little details that you don't see coming until they're right there. Excellent series, and anxiously awaiting the final book!

I received this book free for review for a Young Adult Novel Readers blog tour. I was not required to post a positive review, simply an honest one.

Review: The Summer of Firsts and Lasts

The Summer of Firsts and Lasts by Terra Elan McVoy

Release Date: April 3, 2012

Publisher: Simon Pulse

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Pages: 448

Format: Ebook

Buy It: Amazon

Now in paperback, a sweet and sexy novel about summer romance and sisterly bonds, from the author of Pure and After the Kiss.
Three sisters. One life-changing summer.

Calla loves summer because summer means Duncan. They’ve been best friends for years, but Calla has never worked up the nerve to tell him how she really feels. This summer, the summer before college, is Calla’s last chance.

Violet isn’t much of a rule breaker in real life. But this isn’t real life, this is summer, and Violet is determined to make the most of it. Besides, a little sneaking out never hurt anyone. And sneaking out with James is 100% worth the risk...even though James is completely off-limits.

Daisy has never been the sister that boys notice, but when sparks fly with Joel at the first bonfire of summer, it seems so easy and right. So why is being his girlfriend so complicated?

Honestly, I was pretty disappointed in how this book ended up. It was okay through the middle, and I liked how each chapter focused on one sister. But I was annoyed by how much this book focused on summer flings. In my opinion, summer flings are pointless. Also, I did not like how Calla treated her sisters in the end. This book was so-so. If you like summer reads, you'd probably like this!

I bought this ebook on Amazon. I was not required to post a review.

Review: Stress Point

Stress Point by Sarah Martin

Release Date: June 5, 2012

Publisher: Thomas Nelson

Genre: Devotional

Pages: 272

Format: Ebook

Buy It: Amazon

Want to ditch the drama and thrive through your twenties?

Body image. Friendships. Career. Money. Dating. All these issues and more serve as points of stress for the 20-something woman, and combined they can make for a decade of drama in a girl's life. Sarah Francis Martin is the slightly older girlfriend who’s been there, done that, and got the not-so-cute t-shirt. Through this interactive Bible study, Sarah helps young adult women address each stress point by encouraging them to wait on the Lord, worship Him, and make Him the focus of their lives.

In Stress Point you will:

Find interactive chapters covering ten stress points for the 20-something woman
Dig through Scripture to apply truth to each stress point
Engage with real, raw, and relevant stories from girlfriends just like you
Journal through each chapter to engage with God in a meaningful way
Interact with Sarah through her video blogs for each chapter
Connect with your girlfriends in a Stress Point Survival Group; leader guide included
Sarah Francis Martin has a passion to encourage and relate to women in their twenties, and is honored to do so through She Seeks, the 20-something ministry of Proverbs 31. Her relevant and conversational style will lead young adult readers to live out the Kingship of Christ in everyday life in order to find godly success, purpose, and well-being. Obsessed with pink lip gloss and all things artsy-crafty, Sarah lives with her husband and son in North Carolina. Her ministry, LIVE IT OUT!, is a space for 20-somethings to connect with one another and grow closer to Jesus (www.liveitoutblog.com).

I loved this book! I read it at a time in my life where I was stressing out about each of these things, and each chapter pinpointed exactly how I dealt with each stress point, and verses that tell us exactly how God wants us to deal with them. A few stress points I didn't think affected me much, but as I read those chapters I realized they did affect me. It was a pleasant surprise, and helped grow my faith quite a bit!

One thing I was upset about, is since I read the ebook, I had to have a separate journal for the journal questions. Obviously not that much of a deal-breaker, but I wish now that I read the physical copy instead.

If you're in your 20s and are struggling to make it through, read this book! It will help you hang in there through the tough times.

I received this book free for review from Booksneeze. I was not required to post a positive review, simply an honest one.

IMM/Mailbox Monday: 10/28/12

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by the wonderful Kristi at The Story Siren, and Mailbox Monday is hosted by a group of bloggers! We share books we received this week, whether we bought them, got them in the mail or checked them out from the library.

For Review:

Walking on Water When You Feel Like You're Drowning by Tommy Nelson
If You Find Me by Emily Murdoch

IMM/Mailbox Monday: 10/21/12

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by the wonderful Kristi at The Story Siren, and Mailbox Monday is hosted by a group of bloggers! We share books we received this week, whether we bought them, got them in the mail or checked them out from the library.

For Review:

Courting Cate by Leslie Gould
Christmas Roses by Amanda Cabot
The Memory Jar by Tricia Goyer

IMM/Mailbox Monday: 10/14/12

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by the wonderful Kristi at The Story Siren, and Mailbox Monday is hosted by a group of bloggers! We share books we received this week, whether we bought them, got them in the mail or checked them out from the library.

For Review:

At the Feet of Jesus by Joanna Weaver

IMM/Mailbox Monday: 10/7/12

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by the wonderful Kristi at The Story Siren, and Mailbox Monday is hosted by a group of bloggers! We share books we received this week, whether we bought them, got them in the mail or checked them out from the library.

Won:
The Choice by Robert Whitlow

For Review:
The Queen of Katwe by Tim Crothers

Bought:
Date or Soul Mate? by Neil Clark Warren