Blitz and Giveaway: American Girl on Saturn

American Girl On Saturn

by Nikki Godwin

Release Date: 08/24/13

The summer after graduation is supposed to be that first real taste of freedom - but not for eighteen-year-old Chloe Branson. Just as that breeze of freedom is making its way into her galaxy, her secret-service-agent dad drops a meteor-sized bomb of bad news on her and her sisters. An attempt has been made on the lives of Canadian boyband, Spaceships Around Saturn, during their USA tour, and the guys have to go into hiding ASAP. The only problem? In the midst of the crisis and media frenzy, their dad volunteered to hide the guys...in their house.

Six-year-old Emery is as ecstatic as any self-proclaimed Saturnite would be, but Chloe and her seventeen-year-old sister Aralie watch their summer plans crash and burn like a falling star. The SAS guys aren't happy with the situation, either. Bad boy Jules picks fights with Aralie about everything from his Twitter followers to his laundry, and heart-throb Benji can't escape Emery's fangirlisms for more than three minutes.

But after the super-cute Milo kisses Chloe during a game of hide-and-seek, she finally understands what Emery means when she talks about SAS being "out of this world." If this is what Saturn feels like, Chloe doesn't want to come back to Earth.

About the Author

Nikki Godwin is a Young Adult author from the southern USA. She is a city girl who can't live without Mountain Dew, black eyeliner, Hawthorne Heights, and candles from Bath & Body Works. When not writing, she's not-so-secretly internet-stalking her favorite bands. She is slightly obsessed with rock stars and surfers. She no longer hides her love for One Direction.

***Author Links***

   

----GIVEAWAY----

1 signed paperback + swag (US only)

3 e-book copies (INTL)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Book Blitz Organized by:

Good Luck! I have seen a lot of good reviews for this book, so it should be a wonderful read.

-Emily

Stacking the Shelves #24

Hosted by Tynga's Reviews

This week I have been very busy, especially considering that it was the first full week of school! I have been working hard to get on top of my classes, keep up my ballet and other extra curricular activities, blog, read, and I have to push myself to get up cruelly early each morning... Anyway, I haven't been very active in the blogging world. Sorry! I will fix that next week!

Without further ado, here are the books I received this week.

For Review:

Bought:

How was your haul this week?

-Emily

Guest post and Giveaway blitz: Heist

Heist by Laura Pauling

Publication Date: August 11th, 2013

Genre: Young Adult Phycological Thriller

Amazon/Barnes and Noble

Can one decision change the past?

Jack Brodie has a sixth sense that someone has been watching him. Following him.

One night he travels back in time to one of the world’s largest art thefts, known as the Gardner Heist. Why that one moment in time? And what does it mean for Jack?

When he returns, his world is different. His best friend is rougher, meaner. His dad hasn’t been around in years. And then there’s Jetta. The girl who took over his heart the moment she stepped into his life. No one is safe.

Each time Jack goes back to the heist to fix his mistakes, he returns to face the fallout. Disaster strikes in the present until Jack must make a choice. His family and his own happiness. Or the girl he loves. Except, he learns that his sixth sense was right.

Someone has been watching him and wants him dead.

From Laura Pauling

Choosing the Gardner Heist

I love heists - any and all kinds: art theft, diamonds, bank robberies, con stories…etc. Some of my favorite movies and books involve a heist of some sort. So a few years back, I decided to write about one. But which one?

I turned to my best friend in times like this - Google. I plugged in the words, famous art heist. And on the very first page I found the Gardner Heist. I still didn’t think much of it, but I clicked on it, and the word, Boston, flashed on the screen. What? There was a famous heist in a museum in a city near me? The decision was made.

Of course, I knew absolutely nothing about the museum or the heist.

So, the research started. I read nonfiction books and learned the ins and outs of the crime. It truly was fascinating. At that point in time, the heist was coming on twenty years - and it had never been solved! That hooked me even more.

This was an amazing opportunity for me. My books have been set in Paris, Greece, Prague, and the ruins of the ancient Maya. I had to learn what I could of those settings from blogs, books, Youtube videos…etc. It was incredible to go to Boston, walk through the museum, stroll through the Public Garden, ride the T - all settings in my story. Of course, soaking in the atmosphere and scribbling down details I’d be sure to forget otherwise. 

You’ll find all those details in Heist. Plus, you’ll walk through details of one of the most famous art heists.

----Giveaway!----

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Good Luck!

-Emily

Waiting on Wednesday #24

Hosted by Breaking the Spine!

This Week I am Waiting On...

Going Rogue by Robin Benway

Publication Date: January 14th, 2014
Genre: Young Adult Contemporary/Espionage
Amazon/Barnes and Noble

Being permanently based in a local New York City high school as an undercover operative has its moments, good and bad, for 16-year-old safecracker Maggie Silver. 

Pros: More quality time with her former mark-turned-boyfriend Jesse Oliver and insanely cool best friend, Roux. Getting to spend quality time with her semi-retired and international spy honorary uncle, Angelo. Cons: High school and the accompanying cliques, bad lunches, and frustratingly simple locker combinations. 

But when Maggie's parents are falsely accused of stealing priceless gold coins, Maggie uses her safecracking skills to try and clear their names. Too bad it only serves to bring the wrath of the now corrupt Collective down on all of them. Maggie and her "new team" flee to Paris where they must come up with a plan to defeat their former allies. 

You guys should have seen my face when I found out Also Known As had a sequel! I cannot wait to be immersed into teen safecracker Maggie's spy world! Also, I love Jessie and Roux... it will be so awesome to read about them again. And, of course, this is by a fantastic author. Not only did Robin Benway write Also Known As, she also wrote Audrey, Wait!

What are you waiting on this week?

-Emily

Review: The Program

So, I am going to try an experiment today here on the blog. (AKA Reader Rising. How weird is it that I call my blog "the blog"?) Anyway, a while ago I did a post on how if I write a review after just reading a book the review end up either a) an emotional jumble or b) a short disorganized and overall faulty review.

I just finished The Program a few hours ago. And I will be trying to give the novel the best review possible:

The Program by Suzanne Young

Publication Date: April 30th, 2013
Genre: Young Adult Dystopia
Amazon/Barnes and Noble

In Sloane’s world, true feelings are forbidden, teen suicide is an epidemic, and the only solution is The Program.

Sloane knows better than to cry in front of anyone. With suicide now an international epidemic, one outburst could land her in The Program, the only proven course of treatment. Sloane’s parents have already lost one child; Sloane knows they’ll do anything to keep her alive. She also knows that everyone who’s been through The Program returns as a blank slate. Because their depression is gone—but so are their memories.

Under constant surveillance at home and at school, Sloane puts on a brave face and keeps her feelings buried as deep as she can. The only person Sloane can be herself with is James. He’s promised to keep them both safe and out of treatment, and Sloane knows their love is strong enough to withstand anything. But despite the promises they made to each other, it’s getting harder to hide the truth. They are both growing weaker. Depression is setting in. And The Program is coming for them. 

The Program exceeded my expectations, especially after reading a lot of "meh" reviews! However, I can really see how this is only for certain people, and they should probably to be in a certain mood, so check out the other reviews to see if The Program is for you!

The idea, a teen suicide epidemic, is a bit depressing, yet it really makes you think: What is happening here? Do the depresses teens really need their memories wiped? Is it for the best? What is The Program up to? Why is it happening? Is the Program the reason for the suicides? Also, as you continue, you get even more questions about the book!

Sloane was a cool character, while she is not one I will rave about, I believe she was the perfect character for this story. You see her trying to stay strong, despite that almost everyone close to her, starting with her brother, is in The Program or dead. Also, I felt like screaming for her and James when they were just grieving and afraid of being flagged for The Program. It's not fair!

James was also a great character, I especially liked the early memories with him Sloane and her brother that Sloane reveals later on. In the beginning, I wasn't sure how I felt about him, but the sweet early memories made me like him better. Also, it was interesting (and relieving) to see him at the end of The Program.

The Program itself is right creepy. The parent's may think it is a miracle but the kid's know it is not. There is so much to learn about, and I can't wait to have my questions answers in the second book, The Treatment. The workers take memories, sometimes by force, and I believe everyone should have their memories... as long as they don't commit suicide... hmm. Also, there seems to be some flat out bad people working at The Program, with perhaps some good. Right now, however, I believe the bad is dominating.

I also like how the book was divided into parts, kind of like: Pre-Program, Program, Post-Program. This made it fell like you were reading three different stories all connected, and I loved seeing how different things were. My favorite part was probably just the one in The Program, as you all know how curious and mad and suspicious I am at it! Also, I loved hearing Sloane's early memories, which made me love the characters more and grieve for what they lost.

I thought the ending of the book was perfect, however I cannot wait to get my greedy hands on the second book, as you have seen first hand all my questions, suspicions, and inner battles. All I know is that I do not like The Program, and want to know what they are up to! Wow, I take books too seriously. Also, I want to see more of James. And, of Sloane's friend, Lacey. She seems pretty awesome.

The writing is impressive too. While the words are not a masterpiece, they sucked me in and I especially loved how the author shows Sloane losing her memories. It feels... just... interesting for the reader. You see the same Sloane, yet different because of the slow deterioration of memories. Also, I thought the writing was powerful. And the dialogue felt very real.

Overall, if you think The Program is for you, I recommend you try the book right now! The book brings up a lot of questions, vivid characters, a great romance, and a killer plot. I think this book earned a full 4.5 stars! That is a pretty high rating from me... so you know how much I enjoyed The Program.

4.5/5 Stars

Thanks for reading!

-Emily

Stacking the Shelves #23

Hosted by Tynga's Reviews. 

My pre-orders came in the mail yesterday! I am SO excited to start reading. Also, I went to Book Bin to purchase my next read for a reading/writing class, My Sister's Keeper, along with a few other titles I just couldn't resist.

----Bought----

Crown of Midnight by Sarah Maas

The Coldest Girl in Coldtown by Holly Black

All Our Yesterdays by Christin Terrill

These were all pre-orders! I love 'em lots. Also, they are all very big, tall books which I like.

My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult

Blood Red Road by Moira Young

Ashfall by Mike Mullin

Both Blood Red Road and Ashfall were $5.25... Score!

How was your haul this week?

-Emily

Feature and Follow Friday #23

Feature and Follow Friday is hosted by Alison Can Read and Parajunkee!

This weeks Activity:

Bookshelf Tour! Take us on a tour of your shelves: 

Okay, here we go! (Sorry about the terrible lighting!)

Bookshelf numero uno

This is my ALL Young Adult Shelf.

I am running out of room though, especially since I have books on the way!

Bookshelf on top of the desk

For this bookcase, the top shelf is middle grade and the bottom is mostly Young Adult. Oh, and there is also my violin tuner, potion bottle, and six dollars!

I'm sorry I didn't do a video, however, I am pressed for time. I promise I will do a video soon though! 

Thanks for reading! See you later!

-Emily

Also, sorry about the weird punctuation marks. Is it just me or do my exclamations points looks very small? And my question marks apparently. Thankfully, all the other posts are just fine!