Monday, December 31, 2012

2012 Wrap-Up

It's hard to believe that 2012 has come to an end!  What an amazing year this has been for me and for Silver Wings Reviews.  I started this blog in April, simply as a place for me to put my thoughts into words, and to have an outlet to connect with others that love reading as much as I do.  I  never really expected to fall in love with blogging the way I have.  I have made many new friends, and I've had so much fun this year.  Not to mention, I've read some amazing books!!  Here are a few of the highlights of my amazing year:

First of all, I'm amazed to say that in only a few short months SWR went from being a brand new baby blog to a blog with a following of over 500!  I find that astounding, and I want to thank each and every one of you!  Knowing that there are people out there that actually care what I think...that's quite humbling.

If there is one thing I've discovered this year, it's that Indie authors totally rock!  I've had the opportunity to connect with several Indies that I find utterly amazing!  If you haven't already, you should be sure to put these at the top of your reading list for 2013.  And yes, I realize some of these are now traditionally published, but when I read them they were still considered Indie. 

Colleen Hoover has managed to wiggle her way into my heart, and her books have touched me like no others.  I had the opportunity to meet Colleen at the Decatur Book Festival in August, and this was absolutely the highlight of my blogging year!  I got signed copies of Slammed (my review) and Point of Retreat (my review), and I even got a hug.  Colleen is not only an amazing writer, but a crazy sweet person.  Her newest release, Hopeless, is still with me a week after finishing it.  I haven't written the review for it yet because I simply cannot find the words.  It was THAT good.   

I also got to meet Abbi Glines at the Festival and got signed copies of Breathe, Because of Low and While it Last.  I hadn't actually read the books yet at the time, and I kick myself now.  I wish I'd known what an amazing author she was while I was standing there chit chatting with Colleen!  While I haven't gotten the reviews on the blog yet, I can tell you that this series is wonderful...along with the newest, Just For Now!!  And I won't even get started on her sexy Vincent Boys Series...holy moly.  Read them all!!  You won't be sorry! 

While we haven't met in person, Claudia Carozza and I have become great friends.  Her books, The Twenty (my review) and The Forgotten (my review), should definitely be added to the top of your to-be-read pile, especially if you're a fan of dystopian!  This girl can write!

Other great Indies that I've read this year:  Jessica Park, Jamie McGuire, Robert J. Crane, Nyrae Dawn, Tammara Webber, Tracey Garvis Graves, Jennifer L. Armentrout, Katja Millay, Jessica Sorensen...the list goes on and on!   

I read 109 books this year!  There is no way I could ever choose a Top 10, but I have to give you a list of the books that I absolutely adored.  Some of them may not have reviews on the blog yet, but I promise, if they are on this list, the gushing review is coming soon!  In no particular order,

My Faves of 2012:

Medusa Girls Series (Sweet Venom and Sweet Shadows) by Tera Lynn Childs
The Golden Lily by Richelle Mead
The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater
Beautiful Disaster by Jamie McGuire
Barronlands Trilogy (The Twenty and The Forgotten) by Claudia Carozza
Easy by Tammara Webber
The Girl in the Box Series (Alone, Untouched, Soulless and Family) by Robert J. Crane
Tiger's Destiny by Colleen Houck
Flat-Out Love by Jessica Park
On the Island by Tracey Garvis Graves
What a Boy Wants and What a Boy Needs by Nyrae Dawn
Slammed and Point of Retreat by Colleen Hoover
The Vincent Boys and The Vincent Brothers by Abbi Glines
Sea Breeze Series (Breathe, Because of Low, While it Lasts, and Just for Now) by Abbi Glines
Lux Series (Obsidian, Shadows, Onyx and Opal) by Jennifer L. Armentrout
Hopeless by Colleen Hoover
The Sea of Tranquility by Katja Millay
The Coincidence of Callie and Kayden by Jessica Sorensen

Ok, that's it for my year!  I can't wait to see what wonderful reads 2013 brings us!
 
Happy New Year!!

Wednesday, December 26, 2012

QUICK REVIEW: Remember Me? by Sophie Kinsella


Title: Remember Me?
Author: Sophie Kinsella
Pages: 389
Publisher: The Dial Press
Date Published: February 28, 2008
Format: Paperback
Source: Bought

Goodreads ~ Amazon ~ B&N

Blurb:

Lexi wakes up in a hospital bed after a car accident, thinking it's 2004 and she's a twenty-five-year old with crooked teeth and a disastrous love life. But, to her disbelief, she learns it's actually 2007 - she's twenty-eight, her teeth are straight, she's the boss of her department - and she's married! To a good-looking millionaire! How on earth did she land the dream life??! She can't believe her luck - especially when she sees her stunning new home. She's sure she'll have a fantastic marriage once she gets to know her husband again. He's drawn up a 'manual of our marriage,' which should help. But as she learns more about her new self, chinks start to appear in the perfect life. All her old colleagues hate her. A rival is after her job. Then a dishevelled, sexy guy turns up...and lands a new bombshell. What happened to her? Will she ever remember? And what will happen if she does?

My Thoughts:

What do you do when you wake up one day and realize that you have everything you've ever wanted, but you can't remember how it happened? That's what happens to Lexie Smart. One day she's working at a dead end job, dating a loser and pretty much hates where her life is going.  She goes out drinking with her girlfriends, and she's trying to hail a taxi in the pouring rain when she slips and falls down a flight of stairs. When she wakes up in the hospital everything about her life has changed. It's three years later and she's told she's been in a car accident.  She's the boss at her company, wears designer clothing and is married to a gorgeous millionaire, and she can't remember anything about those three years in between.

I went into Remember Me? thinking that I was going to get The Vow (girl loses memory but husband manages to make her fall in love all over again), but what I got was 13 going on 30 (girl wakes up in the future and has everything she's ever dreamed of but realizes she doesn't like the person she's become along the way). This isn't a bad thing, I was just expecting a more emotional novel. Remember Me? turned out to be a quick and fun read with more comedy than emotion. Lexie is a very likable character, and I loved some of her snarky remarks. This was my first Sophie Kinsella book, but I will definitely be back for more.



Friday, December 21, 2012

99 Authors! 99 Books! 99 Cents!

These prices are available on Amazon only.

For a listing of books offered and to enter to win, click here!!

 

Friday, December 7, 2012

BLOG TOUR: Out of Reach by Carrie Arcos



How do you find someone who doesn’t want to be found? A girl searches for her missing addict brother while confronting her own secrets in this darkly lyrical novel.
Rachel has always idolized her older brother Micah. He struggles with addiction, but she tells herself that he’s in control. And she almost believes it. Until the night that Micah doesn’t come home. Rachel’s terrified—and she can’t help but feel responsible. She should have listened when Micah tried to confide in her. And she only feels more guilt when she receives an anonymous note telling her that Micah is nearby and in danger. With nothing more to go on than hope and a slim lead, Rachel and Micah’s best friend, Tyler, begin the search. Along the way, Rachel will be forced to confront her own dark secrets, her growing attraction to Tyler…and the possibility that Micah may never come home.
    


 ABOUT THE AUTHOR


Carrie Arcos lives in Los Angeles with her family. She writes young adult literature and is an adjunct professor. You can find more about her at carriearcos.com. 
 
Where to Find Carrie: 
 Website ~ Facebook ~Twitter ~ Goodreads

Top 10 Favorite Things with Carrie Arcos
  • Favorite Author: Hemingway 
  • Favorite Chocolates: none, I’m a candy girl, Goodnplenty for sure 
  • Favorite Books inspired me to write: The Hours, If You Want to Write, The Road 
  • Favorite Songs to Listen to while writing: folk rock and instrumental 
  • Favorite destination to live: Los Angeles or Boston Musicians/Bands: currently Mumford and Sons, Ellie Goulding, The Civil Wars 
  • Favorite Movies of all time: Say Anything, Breaking Away 
  • Favorite actors/actresses: Hugh Jackman, James Macovy, Meryl Streep, Cate Blanchett 
  • Favorite gadgets: iPhone 
  • Favorite dream destinations: Italy and Japan
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