If I Stay by Evan Reeves

Summary from Goodreads:
Breakups suck. Gemma Davies, at twenty-two, has just learned this. It was also not what she had expected from her long-time and only boyfriend - ever. So when her best friend and roommate drags her out in hopes to help Gemma come alive again, the last thing she expects is to meet someone who manages to do just that. In a passionate night (on so many levels) that leaves her rattled long after she sneaks out of his hotel room.

But because nothing in Gemma's whirl-wind life can ever go seamlessly, she soon runs into the man that she'd left naked and in bed just the evening before...in the most unexpected of places. The classroom. As her Professor.

...if only the surprises stopped there.

The Weight of Souls

Goodreads Summary:
Sixteen year old Taylor Oh is cursed: if she is touched by the ghost of a murder victim then they pass a mark beneath her skin. She has three weeks to find their murderer and pass the mark to them – letting justice take place and sending them into the Darkness. And if she doesn’t make it in time? The Darkness will come for her…

She spends her life trying to avoid ghosts, make it through school where she’s bullied by popular Justin and his cronies, keep her one remaining friend, and persuade her father that this is real and that she’s not going crazy.

But then Justin is murdered and everything gets a whole lot worse. Justin doesn’t know who killed him, so there’s no obvious person for Taylor to go after. The clues she has led her to the V Club, a vicious secret society at her school where no one is allowed to leave… and where Justin was dared to do the stunt which led to his death.

Can she find out who was responsible for his murder before the Darkness comes for her? Can she put aside her hatred for her former bully to truly help him?
And what happens if she starts to fall for him?

First off, I just have to say, reading The Weight of Souls really made me feel at home. I don’t know what it is about British English and the London setting—okay, maybe I do ;) –but I could just wrap myself up with this novel and cuddle it for life. I’m so in love with it!

Of course, that’s not the only reason I gave The Weight of Souls 5 Stars. The character, the plotline, it’s all amazingly written!

At first, I wasn’t sure what to make of Taylor. I did feel bad about everything she had to put with, but in a way, I also felt she was causing a lot of her own problems with her stubbornness and put-offish attitude. And Justin wasn’t much better. Though very attractive from when he’s first introduced, he was kind of a twit, especially to Taylor. However, when they were finally forced to work with each other to solve his murder, I really saw how the two of them grew by leaps and bounds from the experience.

The other thing I loved about this book is the background story. Okay, I will admit, there are too many flashbacks of Taylor’s life, but I loved the tale of her ancestor in Egypt and how Anubis’s curse all began. It was weaved so beautifully into the story.

The one and only thing that threw me off while reading The Weight of Souls was the high quantity of space breaks between scenes. A lot of them seemed like they could have run smoothly together, without the interruption. Many, in fact, picked up right where the previous paragraph before the break left off. So I’m not exactly sure why the author or publisher did this. It was kind of unnecessary, in my opinion.

Overall, I’m so thrilled I picked this novel up off the shelf. And I'm keeping my fingers crossed that there will be sequel, because with that ending, they can’t just leave me hanging like that! Not with Anubis’s curse hovering over their heads! But even so, I would definitely recommend this novel. It’s totally one of the best reads of 2013!

Spotlight on Take Me Now by Faith Sullivan

How do you survive the internship from hell?

Don't fall in love.

Ivy thought being a reporter-in-training at the Independent Gazette would be her dream summer job. Little did she know, interviewing Eric, a landscaper with a heart of gold, would derail her plans. It turns out Ivy's boss, Lauren, has been eying his chiseled physique for quite some time.

But at twenty-four, Eric already has a tragic past, one that he is still reeling from. Even though his ordeal turned him into some sort of local celebrity, it's been a while since he's shared his bed with anyone. When he comes to Ivy's rescue out of the blue, it's not long before the two of them start seeing each other behind Lauren's back. When they get caught, Ivy's journey toward a college degree is jeopardized and her relationship with Eric is severely put to the test.

Career versus love? In the end, a shocking turn of events provides Ivy with a revelation she never saw coming.

I fell for both Ivy and Eric because they are both damaged. Ivy is in love with Will, and has been for years. Yet Will won't give her the time of day. Eric is in love with the memory of his fiance and their unborn child. He hasn't gotten over losing them and can't love anyone else because of it. So when these two meet and can't deny the attraction, you know things are going to get good.

As if their emotional baggage isn't enough to make the road difficult for these two, Ivy works for a bitchy boss who has her eye on Eric. Lauren won't stop until she gets what she wants, and she'll abuse Ivy every way possible to get her away from Eric.

But the big twist that surprised me had to do with Ivy's best friend. I'm not giving spoilers, so you'll have to read the book to find out what I mean. ;)

As always with Sullivan's books, you're in for a great read with Take Me Now.

Keeper of the Lost Souls by Kristy Centeno

Summary from Goodreads:
Bryn McCaskey is young, naïve, and can talk to ghosts. Like her mother and grandmother, Bryn is part of a breed of witches called The Keepers of the Lost Souls, whose main purpose is to guard those spirits which are permanently or temporarily grounded in the world of the living.

Because Bryn is a witch, she’s fairly comfortable dealing with all sorts of threats, which she does with ease and confidence. Handling supernatural creatures is as easy to her as baking a pie. Dealing with people however, is something she is yet to learn how to handle.


Unfortunately, as her 18th birthday approaches, and the time for her to take on her first assignment finally arrives, Bryn is forced to confront her inability to communicate with others in an effort to save the one soul that can mean the difference between life and death for mankind.
Johnny Shaw is a lost soul with a personal vendetta against witches. A vendetta he has carried on even after death. However, as much as he might hate them, in order to stop a century old threat, he must join forces with one. When fate brings them together, not only will they be forced to learn how to work as a team, but they will have to depend on each other to stop an evil witch carrying a six hundred year grudge.

I’ve always had a passion for writing but never had the opportunity do so until now. After trying out numerous options I realized that writing was what I loved the most so when I found myself with some free time on my hands, I decided to give it a shot. As it turned out, my very active imagination helped me achieve my goals of creating believable plots with some ordinary, and some not so ordinary characters that helped the stories move along in one way or another.

As I keep moving along in achieving my dreams of becoming a published author, I divide my time in between my four children and my very understanding husband.​

Flat Out Giddy

It's that time again! We created a HOT meme, and if you're new to the game, here's how to join in the fun:

From the book you’re currently reading, or one you just finished, tell us what made you SWOON. What got your heart pounding, your skin tingling, and your stomach fluttering.

Shout it out on Twitter with the hashtag #YABound, post it here in the comments, or grab the steamy button above and share it on your blog. We want to know!

We're back at it again, swooning over our favorite book boyfriends and the moments that flat out made us giddy when we read them. So sit back, enjoy, and then play along by leaving YOUR favorite swoon worthy moments this week in the comments!

As always, remember to check the comments where our lovely readers share links to their favorite swoony scenes, too!

Angles of the Knight series by Valerie Zambito

Angels of the Knights - Fallon
(Angels of the Knights #1)
by Valerie Zambito

Summary from Goodreads:
When Fallon Angell died at the age of sixteen, her life changed forever.

The hallowed world of Emperica is everything she had ever hoped for as a mortal—immeasurable beauty, unconditional love and light. But, with affection for humankind still burning within her, she joins the Knight Caste to train as an angel warrior. As a Knight, she will give up her wings and return to the place that killed her to use her unique powers to search out and destroy the evil Kjin that roam the earth. As a Knight, she will stop at nothing to protect the mortals in her care.

The elders warn her that the path she chose will be a solitary one. That she will not have the same bond with humans as she once did. But, as far as she knows, the elders had never met Kade Royce.

When her duties place her in the path of this handsome former cop, emotions buried long ago rise to the surface and she is powerless to ignore the depth of her feelings for this young man. She knows instinctively that she has found what most people search their entire lives for.

Ignoring the risks, she invites him into her world of danger, but soon their lives collide with explosive consequence. As a result, Fallon realizes with heartbreaking despair that she can no longer hide from the painful truth. In order for Kade to live, she must destroy him.

Angels of the Knights - Blane
(Angels of the Knights #2)
by Valerie Zambito

Summary from Goodreads:
Once the hunter, now the hunted. As the war with the Kjin rages, Blane Romero must lead the Paladin Knights against their mortal enemy while trying to protect the young, Juliet Hunter, who unwittingly finds herself entangled in their sinister schemes. Juliet cares only about shielding her young sisters from harm, but finds herself drawn to the enigmatic man who offers her much more than either he or she was prepared for.

Ostracized by the families they loved, Blane and Juliet find they have more in common than they thought as they battle demons both real and personal to stay together. But, will it be enough when the powerful Cesar Grant decides he wants Juliet for his own?

Book Two in the Angels of the Knights paranormal fantasy series.

The Liberator by Victoria Scott

Summary from Goodreads:
The official book blurb will be revealed April 2013. In the meantime, here's a note from Author Victoria Scott:

Hey guys! While I can't reveal many details yet, I will say this book was enormously emotional to write. More action, new characters, higher stakes, and a whole lot of sexy. I hope you enjoy reading the next chapter of Dante Walker's story!

By the way, Dante wants me to tell you..."Things only get darker from here, doll. Might want to hold my hand for this."

A Tale of Two Centuries by Rachel Harris

Yeah, Rach!! Congrats, girl! We're so proud and happy for you, and what a beautiful cover! This is an amazing story, amazing characters and pure awesomeness. You totes deserve this gorgeous cover!


A TALE OF TWO CENTURIES SUMMARY

Alessandra D’Angeli is in need of an adventure. Tired of her sixteenth-century life in Italy and homesick for her time-traveling cousin, Cat, who visited her for a magical week and dazzled her with tales of the future, Alessandra is lost. Until the stars hear her plea.

One mystical spell later, Alessandra appears on Cat’s Beverly Hills doorstep five hundred years in the future. Surrounded by confusing gadgets, scary transportation, and scandalous clothing, Less is hesitant to live the life of a twenty-first century teen…until she meets the infuriating—and infuriatingly handsome—surfer Austin Michaels. Austin challenges everything she believes in…and introduces her to a world filled with possibility.

With the clock ticking, Less knows she must live every moment of her modern life while she still can. But how will she return to the drab life of her past when the future is what holds everything she’s come to love?

EXCERPT

Austin pushes the red and black Jet Ski into the water, past the first few crashing waves, then throws a leg over the side. He turns to me, extending an upturned palm, but as I watch the water pound against his legs, I slowly shake my head and inch away. Forget the confusion of the past few minutes or my concern if riding wrapped around Austin is appropriate…are jet skis even safe? So far, my experience with modern machines has taught me that they travel at terrifying speeds. What if I were to accidently let go and fly off? I don’t know how to swim!

Austin’s face gentles and he curls his fingers, coaxing me closer to the watery death trap. “I’ve got you, Alessandra,” he says. “I promise nothing’s gonna hurt you. You can trust me.”

The sardonic guise he hides behind drops for just a moment, but it is enough. I say a quick prayer and place my hand in his.

With my legs straddling the seat, my arms wrapped tightly around Austin’s firm stomach, and my chest and face pressed against his back, I do not need the extra layer my wetsuit provides. I am quite warm without it. Under me, the engine rumbles. Austin grabs my clasped hands, ensuring my death grip. And then we are flying.

Fear is left behind me on the beach. My laughter is swallowed by the wind. And I hold onto Austin. The rest of the world falls away as he powers the machine forward. Whistling sound envelops us yet there’s also silence in the midst of the roar. Out here, there’s no room for worrisome thoughts about the future or about the past. No time for concerns over when I will return or how much I miss my family. In this bubble of Austin, wind, and water, all I can do is live and breathe and smile.

Austin spins us in circles and then we fly straight ahead, free as the winged creatures overhead. He bounces us over a swell and a spray of water splashes my face, tickling the skin left exposed from my wetsuit. I squeal, and under my clasped hands, I feel his taut stomach muscles shake with laughter. Then he takes off again in another sharp turn, racing in the opposite direction of which we came. Excitement has me screaming, asking him to go faster. I close my eyes against the sting of the salty air and the lash of my hair and tilt my head back, feeling more uninhibited than I ever have before.
More free, more alive…just more.

Hopeless by Colleen Hoover

Summary from Goodreads:
Sometimes discovering the truth can leave you more hopeless than believing the lies…

That’s what seventeen-year-old Sky realizes after she meets Dean Holder. A guy with a reputation that rivals her own and an uncanny ability to invoke feelings in her she’s never had before. He terrifies her and captivates her all in the span of just one encounter, and something about the way he makes her feel sparks buried memories from a past that she wishes could just stay buried.

Sky struggles to keep him at a distance knowing he’s nothing but trouble, but Holder insists on learning everything about her. After finally caving to his unwavering pursuit, Sky soon finds that Holder isn’t at all who he’s been claiming to be. When the secrets he’s been keeping are finally revealed, every single facet of Sky’s life will change forever.

THE NEXT FOREVER by Lisa Burstein

One night in college can change everything…

Away at college, Amy just wants one night alone without her high school sweetheart, Joe. So when he invites her to go to the library, she heads off on her own instead. How she ended up at a house party with the mysterious bad-boy Trevor is another story…

Joe so isn’t going to the library. He needs space from Amy, too, so he’s decided to rush a fraternity, to get back the swagger he had in high school. But it doesn’t take long for the brothers to invite him to the real rush here the beer is flowing and one particular girl has set her eyes on Joe.

Over the course of one wild night, both Amy and Joe will have to decide if their futures belong with two new people, or whether the next forever will have their first loves in it.

Boundless by Cynthia Hand

Summary from Goodreads:
The past few years have held more surprises than part-angel Clara Gardner could ever have anticipated. Yet from the dizzying highs of first love, to the agonizing low of losing someone close to her, the one thing she can no longer deny is that she was never meant to live a normal life.

Since discovering the special role she plays among the other angel-bloods, Clara has been determined to protect Tucker Avery from the evil that follows her . . . even if it means breaking both their hearts. Leaving town seems like the best option, so she’s headed back to California - and so is Christian Prescott, the irresistible boy from the vision that started her on this journey in the first place.

As Clara makes her way in a world that is frighteningly new, she discovers that the fallen angel who attacked her is watching her every move. And he’s not the only one. . . . With the battle against the Black Wings looming, Clara knows she must finally fulfil her destiny. But it won’t come without sacrifices and betrayal.

In the riveting finale of the Unearthly series, Clara must decide her fate once and for all.

Not Your Average Fairy Tale by Chantele Sedgwick

Ash Summerland has it all–good looks, popularity, and the best grades at The Academy of Magical Beings. Ready to complete his last assignment in order to graduate, Ash is confident he will get the apprenticeship he wants. When he opens the letter from the Council, he is shocked to discover he has been assigned to apprentice Lady Shenelle, Keeper of Happy Endings. A.K.A. the head fairy godmother. Ash is forced to grant three wishes to a troubled human girl named Kendall, and ultimately give her a "happy ever after". But Kendall turns out to be more than he bargained for. Still grieving over her father's death, Kendall doesn't want anything to do with him. And worst of all, she doesn't believe in happy endings.

The Power of A Kiss

It's that time again! We created a HOT meme, and if you're new to the game, here's how to join in the fun:

From the book you’re currently reading, or one you just finished, tell us what made you SWOON. What got your heart pounding, your skin tingling, and your stomach fluttering.

Shout it out on Twitter with the hashtag #YABound, post it here in the comments, or grab the adorable button above and share it on your blog. We want to know!

This week, our internal theme seems to be kisses that defy reason, that rule our thoughts, and that hold mad power over our character's senses. Those toe-curling, shiver-inducing smooches. Read on to see some of our favorite ones this week =D

RACHEL:   I'm a happy girl, because I finally got to read PUSHING THE LIMITS by Katie McGarry. Those who've read it know that this book is filled with yumminess, but this one definitely held some power:

Pure hunger darkened those chocolate-brown eyes. "Kiss me."Raw emotions and the need to hold him close overwhelmed me. Every part of me ached for him--my mind, my soul and my body. Without hesitation, I closed the gap between us and pressed my lips eagerly to his.

TARA: Swooning over Destiny's Fire by Trisha Wolfe:
“Dez,” Jace whispered, pulling me from my thoughts. I relaxed my lids, allowing my eyes to open. He stared at me, his blue eyes glowing fiercely. Then he brushed his lips lightly across mine. I froze. My heart stopped beating. He pressed his lips firmly, parting my lips, as he deepened the kiss.

KELLY: Swooning over Transcend by Christine Fonseca:

As her mouth met his, the sudden touch of her warm tongue against his was the end of all reason. Jason gripped her shoulders, released her beautiful lips, tasting the soft skin of her neck. A gasp escaped her mouth, and her breath felt like fire on his skin

TRISH: Swooning over DEFIANCE by C. J. Redwine:

His arms flex, pulling me against his chest, and his lips hover just above mine, our breath mingling in the dazzling morning air.
"I love you," he whispers, and then he kisses me again, his lips rough against mine, his breathing ragged as he devours my fear and makes me long to feel this way forever.

NEREYDA: Swooning over Alice In Zombieland by Gena Showalter:

He stared at me for a long while before finally meshing his lips against mine, his tongue sliding into my mouth.  The kiss was slow at first but soon sped into something wild.  Would it always be this way with us?  I wondered dazedly.
Somehow, my nervousness vanished and my hands ended up under his shirt, my nails embedded in his skin.  I couldn’t touch him enough.  Couldn’t get close enough.

SO NOW IT'S YOUR TURN! On your blog (and be sure to leave us a link), and/or on Twitter... SWOON us!

And PS! Make sure to tweet with the #YABound hashtag so we can RT you!