2010: Another Year Over

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2010 is coming to an end with 2011 just on our doorsteps. I have read many books this year and I'm just going take this time in listing some of my favourite books of this year and books that I'm hoping to read next year!

My Top Ten Books in 2010
(in no particular order)

Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins
Infinte days by Rebecca Maizel
Ghost Town by Rachel Caine
Last Sacrifice by Richelle Mead
Nightshade by Andrea Creamer
Crescendo by Becca Fitzpatrick
The Iron King by Julie Kagawa
Runaway by Meg Cabot
Hourglass by Claudia Gray
Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare


Books that I wish I had read
Torment by Lauren Kate
Entangled by Cat Clarke
Firelight by Sophie Jordan
Matched by Ally Condie
Rosebush by Michele Jaffe
Not that kind of Girl by Siobhan Vivian
Forget You by Jennifer Echols
Linger by Maggie Stiefvater
Nevermore byKelly Creagh
You against me by Jenny Downham
Halo by Alexandra Adornetto  


Books I cant wait to read in 2011
Wolfsbane by Andrea Cremer
Falling Under by Gwen Hayes
Bite Club by Rachel Caine
Lola and the Boy Next Door by Stephanie Perkins
Ten things we did by Sarah Mlynowski
Across the Universe by Beth Revis
Abandon by Meg Cabot
The Iron Queen by Julie Kagawa



Fingers crossed next years books are better!
Bye Bye 2010!

Halo by Alexandra Adornetto

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Halo
by Alexandra Adornetto

Pages: 496
Release Date: January 1st 2011
Publisher: ATOM
Series: Halo #1
Other books in series: Hades & Heaven
Source: For Review from Publishers
Add it: Goodreads
Buy it: Amazon





Three angels are sent down to bring good to the world: Gabriel, the warrior; Ivy, the healer; and Bethany, a teenage girl who is the least experienced of the trio. But she is the most human, and when she is romantically drawn to a mortal boy, the angels fear she will not be strong enough to save anyone—especially herself—from the Dark Forces.
Is love a great enough power against evil?

My Thoughts
Okay, Okay. You've got me. I only read Halo, because I fell undesirably in love with the cover. It's just really beautiful. And her wings? No words! At least, the book wasn't a miss though. I really enjoyed reading it. Cute angelic love!

In Halo, there's Bethany. She's an angel and so are her sister Ivy and brother Gabriel. They've been sent on Earth on a mission. However, there's some disturbance along the way. Bethany falls in love. Something that's prohibited as she falls in love with a human.

As you can tell, Halo mainly revolves around the romance element. It focuses on Bethany and the guy she likes (nope I'm not telling you the name, no spoilers people!) or more specifically loves. It's quite cute I must admit. Especially reading about how their 'relationship' develops and the many challenges they nee to face.

But that's not the thing that really grabbed me. It's another side romance that was introduced in Halo that I was more interested in. Gabriel's admirer. Gabriel's is a very serious and religious sort of guy. He's not into the romance thing at all. With the whole angel thing and all. So it's really cute seeing someone pine over him, trying to impress him and get his attention. Just whatever she can do.

Halo really has me pining for the next book. I hope Hades is just as good. I'm eager to see how everything goes with Bethany but mostly Gabriel. Cannot wait!

Waiting on Wednesday (6)

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"Waiting On Wednesday" is a weekly event.
It's by hosted by Jill from Breaking the Spine...
 and spotlights upcoming releases that we're are eagerly anticipating.
Here's what I'm waiting for:

Across the Universe
by Beth Revis

Pages: 400
Release date: January 11th 2011
Publisher: Razorbill
Buy the Book: Amazon



A love out of time. A spaceship built of secrets and murder.
Seventeen-year-old Amy joins her parents as frozen cargo aboard the vast spaceship Godspeed and expects to awaken on a new planet, three hundred years in the future. Never could she have known that her frozen slumber would come to an end fifty years too soon and that she would be thrust into the brave new world of a spaceship that lives by its own rules.
Amy quickly realizes that her awakening was no mere computer malfunction. Someone--one of the few thousand inhabitants of the spaceship--tried to kill her. And if Amy doesn't do something soon, her parents will be next.
Now Amy must race to unlock Godspeed's hidden secrets. But out of her list of murder suspects, there's only one who matters: Elder, the future leader of the ship and the love she could never have seen coming



What are you waiting for?

The Protectors by Elizabeth Loraine

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The Protectors
by Elizabeth Loraine

Pages: 304
Publish Date: November 24th 2009
Publisher: Createspace
Overall: 3/5
Buy the Book: Amazon




In the beginning we were creatures of the night, killing humans and drinking their blood to sustain us. But in the passage of the centuries we have evolved and now walk amongst you both in daylight or night as peaceful, moral beings satisfied to hunt and drink the blood of animals. We live with the support of our Watchers; humans who have been chosen and in return have made sacred vows to protect our species from those that would do us harm. A task that is a privilege for our Watchers is to be able to donate their blood to us. This donated blood is gathered medically and mixed with an elixir devised by the ancients that magically multiplies the volume and allows it to remain fresh indefinitely. We call this elixir Crimson and use it as a supplement to or a replacement for our normal diet

My name is Katrina and I have been chosen as the leader of the Five. The “Five” or “The Protectors” have been foretold in human prophecies throughout time. I, along with my twin sister Katherine (Kate), and my friends Rosalinda (Rosa), Eleanor (El) and Arletta (Letta), have completed the protection ceremony and an oath to protect the races, all the races.
But in order to continue to succeed the Five must become the many. Join us.



Last Sacrifice by Richelle Mead

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Last Sacrifice
by Richelle Mead

Pages: 594
Release Date: December 7th 2010
Publisher: Puffin

Series: Vampire Accademy #6
Other books in series: Vampire Accademy, Frostbite, Shadowkiss, Blood Promise and Spirit bound
Buy it: Amazon | The Book Depository | B&N
Add it: Goodreads
Rose Hathaway has always played by her own rules. She broke the law when she ran away from St. Vladimir's Academy with her best friend and last surviving Dragomir princess, Lissa. She broke the law when she fell in love with her gorgeous, off-limits instructor, Dimitri. And she dared to defy Queen Tatiana, leader of the Moroi world, risking her life and reputation to protect generations of dhampir guardians to come.
Now the law has finally caught up with Rose--for a crime she didn't even commit. She's in prison for the highest offence imaginable: the assassination of a monarch. She'll need help from both Dimitri and Adrian to find the one living person who can stall her execution and force the Moroi elite to acknowledge a shocking new candidate for the royal throne: Vasilisa Dragomir.
But the clock on Rose's life is running out. Rose knows in her heart the world of the dead wants her back . . . and this time she is truly out of second chances. The big question is, when your whole life is about saving others, who will save you?



*I have tried to make this review spoiler free but I have miserably failed. SPOILERS!*

My Thoughts
Outstanding! OMG! IT WAS AH-MAZING! Seriously, no lie.
I cannot describe how good this book was. I simply couldn't put It down. It was so engaging and full of life. I loved every single thing about Last Sacrifice especially since ROSE and DIMITRI are FINALLY TOGETHER! I AM SOOOOOOOO RELIEVED!

I followed Rose all throughout the way- from Vampire Academy to Last Sacrifice. Each and every book within this series had left me captivated and longing for more. Now that it has come to an end, I'm depressed but overjoyed to get that happily ever after at the end!

The one thing that got me so enthralled within the life at St.Vladmir was most definitely the relationship between Rose and Dimitri. They both had this intensity and passion for one another that was worth holding on to. They both craved to be with each other yet something always came in the way. I loved all their magical moments and how they both complete each other in every single way. *sigh* When Dimitri and Rose were in the tent there was such a intensity in the air. The way there gazes locked and how much they craved to be kiss each other... so cute!Adrian.
At first when he was introduced in Frostbite, I didn't really connect with his character however my thoughts all changed in this book. Especially, when Rose cheated on him! That was really :(

...But it’s totally understandable. Everybody makes mistakes and you just tell how Rose and Dimitri are in 'sync'. Rose obviously didn't intend on hurting Adrian in any way but Dimitr's and Rose's love was so strong that they had to be with each other. They belong together.

It was funny when Dimitri said and I quote 'And what is not right is taking a woman from another man' and then he goes all over Rose in the next chapter. LOL!

The events change constantly with every page. Expect the Unexpected. Like Tasha. Who would have thought out of all people she would be the one who framed Rose. I actually thought it was Daniella. With everything going on and the way Richelle

I am giving way too much spoilers... there's simply too much to say.
Richelle Mead simply writes to perfection (and why doesn't she tour in the UK! So random :] ) . This is a book that should definitely be for keeps. I absolutely loved this entire series!

Waiting on Wednesday (5)

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Here Lies Bridget
by Paige Harbison

Pages: 208
Publisher: Harlequin
Publish Date: 1st February 2011
Buy the Book: Amazon


Spoiled and selfish Bridget Duke, the daughter of a local celebrity, thinks that the whole world has turned against her. In a fit of self-pity, she crashes her car. But instead of a bright light and heaven, she finds herself in what looks like a boardroom. It’s a strange sort of limbo where she is to be judged for her actions in life by the people she’s wronged. Forced to step into the shoes of others, Bridget finally gets to see the effects her actions have had on the people around her. But will she be able to do anything about the past, especially if her apologies fall on deaf ears?


This book looks like a mix between a good old highschool drama and The Lovely Bones! I can't wait to read it.

What are you waiting for?
Waiting on Wednesday is a meme hosted at Breaking the Spine

Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater

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Shiver
by Maggie Stiefvater

Pages: 392 pages
Release Date: August 1st 2009
Publisher: Scholastic Press

Series: The Wolves of Mercy Falls
Other books in series: Linger and Forever
Buy it: Amazon | The Book Depository | B&N
Add it: Goodreads
the cold.
Grace has spent years watching the wolves in the woods behind her house. One yellow-eyed wolf—her wolf—watches back. He feels deeply familiar to her, but she doesn't know why.

the heat.
Sam has lived two lives. As a wolf, he keeps the silent company of the girl he loves. And then, for a short time each year, he is human, never daring to talk to Grace...until now.
the shiver.
For Grace and Sam, love has always been kept at a distance. But once it's spoken, it cannot be denied. Sam must fight to stay human—and Grace must fight to keep him—even if it means taking on the scars of the past, the fragility of the present, and the impossibility of the future...

 
My Thoughts
Shiver lived up to what i was expecting, its a great book and i do think people, mainly teenage girls will love this book if they loved the Twilight series.

For years, Grace has watched the wolves in the woods behind her house. One yellow-eyed wolf—her wolf—is a chilling presence she can't seem to live without. Meanwhile, Sam has lived two lives: In winter, the frozen woods, the protection of the pack, and the silent company of a fearless girl. In summer, a few precious months of being human... until the cold makes him shift back again.

Now, Grace meets a yellow-eyed boy whose familiarity takes her breath away. It's her wolf. It has to be. But as winter nears, Sam must fight to stay human—or risk losing himself, and Grace, forever.
I just loved the main characters of Grace and Sam, following their story and their love, it was just so good to read and at the end I found myself get a little teary.
Its funny how Sam stays with Grace under the same roof as her parents but they don't have a clue he's living upstairs.

This is a different take on werewolf's, this book drew me in from the moment I laid eyes upon it.

LINGER The Wolves of Mercy Falls Available July 20, 2010
BELLA

Waiting on Wednesday (4)

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Entangled
by Cat Clarke

Pages: 374
Publish Date: 6th January 2011
Publisher: Quercus Publishing Plc



The same questions whirl round and round in my head:
What does he want from me?
How could I have let this happen?
AM I GOING TO DIE?
17-year-old Grace wakes up in a white room with a table, pens and paper - and no clue how she got here.
As Grace pours her tangled life onto the page, she's forced to remember everything he tried to forget . There's falling hopelessly in love with the gorgeous Nate, and the unravelling of her relationship with her best friend Sal. But there's something missing . As hard as she's trying to remember, is there something she just can't see?
Grace must face the most important question of all. Why is she here?
A story of dark secrets, intense friendship and electrifying attraction.



I can't wait to read this one! The synopsis hooked me completely and the cover is gorgeous! I love books with mystery and secrets but with a little romance!
I'm counting down the days until the book is released!
What are you waiting for?
Waiting on Wednesday is a meme hosted by Breaking the Spine.

The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner by Stephanie Meyer

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The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner
an Eclipse Novella
by Stephanie Meyer



Pages: 192
Publish Date: 5th June 2010
Publisher: ATOM
Buy it : Amazon


Fans of the Twilight Saga will be enthralled by this riveting story of Bree Tanner, a character first introduce in Eclipse,and the darker side of the newborn vampire world she inhabits.

In another irresistible combination of danger, mystery, and romance, Stephanie Meyer, tell the devastating story of Bree and the newborn army as they prepare to close in on Bella Swan and the Cullens, following their encounter to its unforgettable conclusion.

Bree Tanner can barely remember her life before she had uncannily powerful senses, superhuman reflexes and unstoppable physical strength. Life before she had relentless thirst for blood... life before she became a vampire.

All that Bree knows is that living with her fellow newborns has few certainties and even fewer rules: watch your back, don't draw attentions to yourself and, above all, make it home before the sunrise or die. What she doesn't know is:her time as an immortal is quickly running out.

Then Bree finds an unexpected friend in Diego, a newborn just as curious as Bree about their mysterious creator, whom they know only as "her". As they came to realize that the newborns are pawns in a game larger that anything they could have imagined, Bree and Diego must choose sides and decide whom to trust. But when anything you know about vampires based on a lie, how do you find the truth?



BEWARE THERE'S SPOILERS!

My Thoughts
I really enjoyed reading the Twilight Saga, so I was more than pleasant to hear that Stephanie Meyer was realising a new book on the series, this one not about Bella but about Bree, one character from the Eclipse book, in case you didn't read it.
The "Short Second Life of Bree Tanner" didn't exactly lived up to my expectations. Don't get me wrong, it was a good book but sometimes it seemed more as a character study and a way Stephanie Meyer used to understand the life of a vampire in his first months after the changing than an actual book.
Bree character was well developed and I could sense that she had a stronger personality than Bella, and I really enjoyed reading about her.
I noticed that Stephanie Meyer stood out of her comfort zone and get a little bit more edgy with the action scenes but there could be more.
Now, the plot of the book is addictive, I didn't stop turning pages until I reached the end.
One thing that I really enjoyed was that with Bree's story, we learn how the non vegetarian new-born vampires really are and how they struggle with their thirst.

So, beside the few downsides that I mentioned it's a worth reading book.
I hope you enjoy it!

In My Mailbox (5)

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In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by Kristi at The Story Siren. It's a great way to showcase the books you've gotten over the week, whether they are bought, borrowed or free. 
Clarisse and Mia here!
Here are the books that we got this week:
Anna and the Freanch Kiss by Stephanie Perkins
Triskellion by Will Peterson
Beautiful Darkness by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl
Coraline by Neil Gaiman
Speak no Evil by Mariyln Kaye
Last Sacrifice by Richelle Mead
What's in your mailbox?

Waiting on Wednesday (3)

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Unearthly
by Cynthia Hand

Pages: 448
Publish Date: 4th January 2011
Publisher: HarperTeen



In the beginning there's a boy standing n the trees...
Clara Gardner has recently learned that she's part angel. Having angel blood run through her veins not only makes her smarter, stronger and faster than humans (a word, she realizes, that no longer appeals to her), but it means she has a purpose, something she was put on this earth to do.
Figuring out what it is, though, isn't easy.
Her visions of raging forest fire and an alluring stranger lead her to a new school in a new town. When she meets Christian, who turns out to be the boy of her dreams (literally), everything seams to fall into place - and out of place, at the same time. Because there's another guy, Tucker, who appeals to Clara's less angelica side.
As Clara tries to find her way in a world she no longer understands, she encounters unseen dangers and choices she never thought she would have to make, between honesty and deceit, love and duty, good and evil. When the fire from her vision finally ignites, will Clara be ready to face her destiny?


I can't wait to read this book! Sounds so mysterious. I really enjoy a paranormal book specially when it has some romance involved.

What are you waiting for?
Waiting on Wednesday is a meme hosted by Breaking the Spine

It's Clarisse here!

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Hi! I'm Clarisse, the new member of Gripped into Books! I will be posting here while the other members of the team aren't able to do it!


So let me tell you a few things about myself :
  • I love to read
  • I read many different genres inside YA literature: paranormal. fantasy, contemporary, historical,...
  • I ramble a lot
  • And I'm really bad at presenting myself.
I hope you enjoy my posts!

New books out this December

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A new month brings new books!
Now this December, many thrilling books have been released, sitting in the bookstores waiting for people like you and me to pick it up and indulge

Here are a few...
Anna and the french Kiss by Stephanie Perkins
December 2nd


Entice by Carrie Jones
December 7th
Rosebush by Michele Jaffe
December 7th


Last Sacrifice by Richelle Mead
December 7th

Tempestuous by Leslie Livingston
December 21th
The Lost Saint by Bree Despain
December 21st
Out for Blood by Alyxandra Harvey 
December 21st
The very GOOD thing is that three books have already been released today! I personally, am really looking foward to Last Sacrifice. Fortunatley, I got an Ebook copy!
If anyone wants a chance to grab a copy, enter the givaway at the giveaway tab at the top of this page :)

What do you want to read or need to read?
Mia

In My Mailbox (4)

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In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by Kristi at The Story Siren. It's a great way to showcase the books you've gotten over the week, whether they are bought, borrowed or free.
Review
The Protectors by Elizabeth Lorraine

--
Library
The boy who lost his face by Lois Sachar
The Prince and the Snowgirl by Simon Cheshire
Kisses from Hell by variuos authors
 --
eBooks
The Iron King by Julie Kagawa
The Iron Daughter by Julie Kagawa
What's in your mailbox?

Katrina, The Begining by Elizabeth Loraine

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Katrina: The Beginning
by Elizabeth Loraine

Pages: 338
Publish date: August 2010
Publisher: Craftspace
Buy the Book: Amazon


The High Regent has called members of each royal vampire family to council. Katrina Von Dracek wonders what this will mean to her. Does the council really intend to start a new coven in the Americans or is there something else? All Katrina's vampire senses tell her evil is around them and that she will be the one called upon to save them all.




My Thoughts
Being a book about Vampires, I expected Katina: The Beginning to be very not original. But I was wrong. This book definitely differentiates against all the other vampire books. It's like reading a book from a different time, not very modern at all. That what I though was great about it.


Elizabeth creates a world of action, romance and thrill. You wouldn't guess what will happen next. It always keeps you wanting to read more. It was a wonder I finished reading this book in a matter of hours.


I always thought that there will be a happily ever after with Quinn and Katrina. I was shocked when she started having feelings for Damien. Although Damien is nice in his own way, I prefer Quinn. Quinn's character is very alluring and when I read about his looks I can only conclude to say he is hot :)


I found this book to be quite similar to Vampire Diaries so if you love The Vampire Diaries. This book should definitely be on your to-read list.


I enjoyed reading this book so I really cannot wait to start reading the next book in the series! A gripping read.


Website | Facebook

New books out this November

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A new month brings new books!
Now this November many thrilling books have been released, sitting in the bookstores waiting for people like you and me to pick it up and indulge

Here are a few...





I personally, cannot wait to read Night Star by Alyson Noel. After reading the other books in The Immortals series I'm just completly gripped!

What do you want to read or need to read? ;)

In My Mailbox (3)

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In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by Kristi at The Story Siren. It's a great way to showcase the books you've gotten over the week, whether they are bought, borrowed or free.
Raised by Wolves by Jennifer Lyne Barnes

Library
Runaway by Meg Cabot
I loved reading Runaway, the entire triology is awesome so that is an absolute must read series!
Masquerade by Melissa De La Cruz
Revelations by Melissa De La Cruz
Van Alen Legacy by Melissa De La Cruz
The Blue Bloos series are also good and so I cannot wait to read the next book in the series, Misguided Angel
What did you get in your mailbox?

Waiting on Wednesday (2)

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The Lying Game
Sara Shepard
(From the author of Pretty Little Liars)
 
Pages: 320
Publish Date: December 2010
Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers

Foster kid Emma Paxton has only just discovered Sutton Mercer, the wealthy twin sister she never knew she had, when Sutton drops off the face of the earth, asking Emma to cover for her at home, school, and with her friends—just for a few days. At first Emma enjoys trying on her sister’s fabulous life: her fiercely loyal friends, her adoring boyfriend, her close-knit family. But as Emma is drawn deeper into Sutton’s world she finds the friends are not so fabulous, the boyfriend is not who she wants to be with, and the family is clinging to long-buried secrets and a veneer of functionality. And worst of all, Sutton may not be coming back. In fact, someone may have made sure she never could…and that someone knows Emma is not who she claims to be. Emma will need all her wits to survive The Lying Game...


I really can't wait to read this book seeing as the synopsis sounds very gripping and it's writtin by Sara Shepard the author of pretty little liars?
Did you read this book? or Do you want to read it too?

What are you waiting for?

Waiting on wednesday is a meme hosted by Breaking the Spine

The Mates, Dates series by Cathy Hopkins

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The Mates, Dates series
by Cathy Hopkins

Buy it: Amazon

Lucy feels like everything is changing around her, and suddenly she is required to make all sorts of decisions. Everyone knows who and what they want to be except her. Izzie has become friends with the glamorous Nesta, and Lucy isn't certain she likes this new threesome. Nesta and Izzie look sixteen, but Lucy, at fourteen like them, could easily pass for a twelve-year-old. But then the day Lucy sees the most wonderful boy crossing the street, things do start to change – in all areas of her life.

My Thoughts
Well, what can I say... The Mates, Dates series is simply amazing!

The series is based upon 4 best, best, best friends… trust me they have this bond which is unbreakable and just so damn cute! Lucy, Nesta, Izzie and T.J…

The four friends go through crazy cat fights, inflatable bras, hilarious teenage crises and how could I ever possibly forget this last one… BOY’S!

The best thing about the series is that each book is from a different friend’s perspective, showing exactly how each girl deals in the dilemmas they face.

The most interesting thing is that it has every day issues a normal teenager like me and yourself face day in and out of our lives.

Well i think I've said enough now!

All i can say is that Lucy and her new lover boy (he's hot) are just the most cutest couple ever!! This is basically one funny, appealing story of friendship, boys and one teenager’s journey of discovery... I really encourage you to read!

In My Mailbox (2)

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In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by Kristi at The Story Siren. It's a great way to showcase the books you've gotten over the week, whether they are bought, borrowed or free.

Clockwork angel by Cassandra Clare
Katrina: The beginning by Elizabeth Lorraine
Beautiful darkness by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl

Library
Stargazer by Claudia Gray
The Forbidden Game by LJ Smith
Ready or Not by Meg Cabot
Hourglass by Claudia Gray

What's in your mailbox?