Portuguese Libraries

Hi! So, if you have read my older posts, one thing you will notice is my hatred towards my hometown's library. The only YA book you can find there is either something from Harry Potter or a classic and nothing else (literally nothing else!). 

I have also said before that I found a library in the city where I study that has some YA books like Jay Asher's Thirteen Reasons Why, for example which makes me really happy! (But, I am at school from 8a.m to 8p.m so when I leave school it is already closed...)

I realise that a lot of people might think that I'm exagerating when I say how bad our libraries are so I decided to make an experiment! I went on some people's Stacking The Shelves posts and I checked to see if some of the books that bloggers got from the library were available in Braga (where I study). Here it is:

From Inspiring Insonia:

This Wicked Game - Michelle Zink: not available

Fiery Heart - Richelle Mead : not available (but they do have other books by her...just not this one)
S. -  J.J. Abrams and Doug Dorst: not available

From The Book Butterfly:

Time Between Us (Time Between Us #1) - Tamara Ireland Stone: not available

Just Like Fate - Cat Patrick & Suzanne Young: not available

Unravel Me (Shatter Me #1) - Tahereh Mafi: not available

Tarnish - Katherine Longshore: not available

The Originals - Cat Patrick: not available
All Our Yesterdays (All Our Yesterdays #1) - Cristin Terrill: not available
Time After Time (Time Between Us #2) - Tamara Ireland Stone: not available
Let It Snow - John Green, Maureen Johnson, and Lauren Myracle: not available (they do have The Fault In Our Stars and another book by Lauren Myracle)
The Name Of The Star (Shades Of London #1) - Maureen Johnson: not available
Wild Cards (Wild Cards #1) - Simone Elkeles: not available

From Heather's Book Chatter:

The Taker - Alma Katsu: not available
Taking Eve - Iris Johansen: not available (there are three other books from her though)

From Quinn's Book Nook:

Navigating Early - Clare Vanderpool: not available
The Son of Neptune - Rick Riordan: not available (but there are other Percy Jackson books)

From Tsuki's Books:

Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children: The Graphic Novel - Ransom Riggs: not available

Love Overdue - Pamela Morsi: not available
Wife by Wednesday (Weekday Brides Bk 1) - Catherine Bybee: not available

From Annette's Book Spot:

Eleanor & Park - Rainbow Rowell: not available
Crossed - Ally Condie: not available (they do have Matched though)
Frostbite - Richelle Mead: available!
I Am Half-Sick of Shadows - Alan Bradley: not available (but they do have the previous books)

From Bittersweet Enchantment:

Find Me - Romily Bernard: not available
Parallel - Lauren Miller: not available
The Boyfriend App - Katie Sise: not available 
Possess - Gretchen McNeil: not available
Velveteen - Daniel Marks: not available

So, what do you guys think? Am I exagerating? Do you have good libraries where you live?

Let me know in the comments! :)

Author Spotlight: London Casey

The Stronger, Safer Kind

(The Boys of DownCrash #1)

All Scarlett wanted to do was thank the sexy stranger who helped her push away a drunk, grabby college boy at a bar. When that stranger identifies himself as Tripp and then takes the stage as the lead singer and guitarist for rock band, DownCrash, everything in Scarlett's life begins to change.

Her best friend, Andy, confesses his love for her and leaves her with what should be an easy decision to make... yet each time she looks in Andy's eyes, she can't help but face her secret, nightmarish past.

The only thing that makes Scarlett feel better is Tripp... but Tripp isn't just a bad boy rockstar, he's hurt. He's in pain. He tries to hide his pain in a bottle, but Scarlett believes that, perhaps, their secrets can help each other.

Friendship and love is suddenly put to the test, and Scarlett is torn... Will she choose an easy, comfortable, happy life or a life clouded with mixed signals, raw emotion, and intense romance?

Torn to Pieces

(The Boys of DownCrash #2)

Trying to forget about the promises she was forced to make as a young, naive eighteen year old, Maggie creates a false persona that paints her as the girl who never says no...

However, once she lays eyes on the drummer of DownCrash, everything clicks. From his sexy lip ring to the way he stares at her from the stage, Tatum becomes everything Maggie has ever fantasized about.

When trouble catches up to her in a parking garage after a DownCrash show, and Tatum shows up out of nowhere to protect her. For the first time in years, she is intimidated by a man's kindness and sexiness, and not by his temper and jealousy. As real feelings begin to grow Maggie is faced with her past and wonders if she'll ever be able to escape the promises she once made to keep the promises she wants to make right now.

Some Kind of Hell 

(The Boys of DownCrash #3)

In the trilogy finale, shy DownCrash bassist, Logan, has his sexy eyes on Maggie's best friend, Annie. But Annie is still reeling from the way her relationship ended. She's hurt, angry, jealous, and the last thing she wants is some wannabe rockstar looking for his next hookup... although it may just be what she needs.

Logan wants more for his life. The past is living in his apartment, which forces him to spend nights in his car to avoid reliving the nightmare over and over again.

When Annie's guard comes down, tragedy strikes and their lives will be changed forever. Determined to win Annie over and help DownCrash get signed to a record deal, Logan has his work cut out for him. His gorgeous body and no-bullshit personality may just be the key to both...

Amazon

Barnes and Noble

Kobo

London Casey is the pen name for Karolyn James -

Karolyn James is the author of several bestselling series. With over 100,000 ebooks sold, Karolyn has seen success in both romance and in erotic romance. Her current series include the smash hit Brothers of Rock romance series.

Don't miss the first part of the series following rock band, Chasing Cross!

Book One - All Access

Book Two - Broken Sound

Book Three - Bitter Farewell

Book Four - Buried Notes

Book Five - Last Song (coming soon!)

Recently announced - coming 2014: The Brothers of Rock series will continue with five more books following rock band, Fallen Tuesday!

Karolyn James also writes under the pen name, Claire Charlins, writing western romances. Upon releasing the first book in the Mail Order Romance series, West For Love, the book shot straight to the top of the Amazon Kindle charts! The second book in this mail order bride romance series is now available, titled Finding Love West!

Stay up to date with everything Karolyn James here:

On Twitter: @KarolynWrites

Visit online: www.KarolynJames.wordpress.com

On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KarolynJamesAuthor

Mailing list: tinyurl.com/KJSignup

Cover Wars #8: The Diviners (USA vs. Portugal)

Cover Wars is a feature where I'll show different covers for the same book and choose the one I like the most. I got this idea from Sammee at I Want To Read That, you should definitely check her cover wars! :)

So, last week's Top Ten Tuesday was about book covers and a lot of people were talking about re-designs that they loved and that they hated. Besides, I went to a shop and I saw the portuguese version of The Diviners which inspired me to do this post.

I am not even going to talk about the disaster that was the american cover re-design because I get sad whenever I look at the new cover. (So, let's just forget it was ever created!!)

I LOVE the original cover from the US! It's gorgeous and intriguing and the purple gives it a supernatural vibe! It's one of those books that I would buy without even reading the blurb (it's sort of how it ended up on my TBR pile to be honest...). Usually I'm a huge fan of the portuguese covers...but deffinitely not this one! I think they wen't with the lazy comercial way with this one...with the landscape and the woman's face (doesn't she look like a Barbie?) And it seems more like a crime novel...

What do you guys think? Which cover is your favourite?

ARC Review: Roomies - Sara Zarr and Tara Altebrando

Roomies by Sara Zarr and Tara Altebrando

Publication Date: December 24th, 2013

Pages: 288

Age Group: Young Adult

Source: Netgalley (Thank you Little, Brown Books for Young Readers!)

Synopsis

It's time to meet your new roomie.

When East Coast native Elizabeth receives her freshman-year roommate assignment, she shoots off an e-mail to coordinate the basics: television, microwave, mini-fridge. That first note to San Franciscan Lauren sparks a series of e-mails that alters the landscape of each girl's summer -- and raises questions about how two girls who are so different will ever share a dorm room.

As the countdown to college begins, life at home becomes increasingly complex. With family relationships and childhood friendships strained by change, it suddenly seems that the only people Elizabeth and Lauren can rely on are the complicated new boys in their lives . . . and each other. Even though they've never met.

National Book Award finalist Sara Zarr and acclaimed author Tara Altebrando join forces for a novel about growing up, leaving home, and getting that one fateful e-mail that assigns your college roommate.

I am so glad that I decided to check my email at the time that I did or else I probably wouldn't have gotten this book and I would have missed out...a lot!

This book is told both from Lauren and Elizabeth's point of view and I think it gives an interesting look into their lives, at the same time so different and so similar. Lauren lives in San Francisco with her parents and her five brothers and sisters while EB lives in New Jersey with her mother. I think that this book is very easy to read (it only took me a few hours) but it does deal with important topics such as the fear of leaving for college, friendship, sex, family relationships...

The characters were all very believable and had very human emotions. No one was perfect and they all had flaws which helped making the story interesting. Lauren and EB (or Ebb as Lauren would say) are amazing! And their friendship was great even with all the rocky moments that they had to fight through. I felt really connected to all of them and I cared about what happened to them. (Lauren did annoy me a little bit at one point but she fixed everything!)

The pacing was good for the most part of the books but towards the end of the book I did start to get a bit impatient and wanting the story to go faster. 

I deffinitely recommed this book to anyone who wants to find a quick read that deals with important topics!

Author Spotlight: Claire Charlins

West For Love

A Mail Order Romance Novel

Shamed for not birthing a child with her wealthy husband, Anna Stewbren can no longer face her family and the disappointment that they wear on their faces daily. After her husband forces her into divorce, Anna travels to town and reads a heartbreaking letter from a wet nurse in Kansas, seeking a mail order bride for the widower she works for. She instantly knows it is the answer to her prayers...

*

Josephine has a God given gift to nurture the infants of widowers and the wealthy who would rather not feed their own children. Never before has she met a man like Thomas who so deserves a second chance at love. When she pens a letter to a newspaper in Massachusetts, she does so without permission...

*

Thomas Calhor is a hardworking man, generous to those around him, and a loving father. However, he is broken and lost without his wife, who did not survive childbirth. His reaction to Josephine's letter even surprises himself and begins a journey that will forever change many lives...

*

Arriving in Kansas brings Anna more challenges than she ever expected to find, but through love, honor, marriage, and a shocking secret that will forever keep her with Thomas proves that in romance, anything can happen...

Finding Love West

A Mail Order Romance Novel

Eliza Smithren never considered becoming a mail order bride, but after her scheming brother-in-law wants to enlist her in a new business proposition of his, she knows her time has come to leave home once and for all. She doesn't want to be a burden to anyone, including herself.

*

Edward Thomson sits at the train depot, waiting for his brother's soon-to-be bride to show up. When she does, he's taken back by her beauty. His feelings only start to grow stronger as he spends more time near her, thanks to his brother neglecting his new wife.

*

Clyde Thomson has secrets deeper than anyone could ever know. Claiming to be a businessman, Clyde soon faces the repercussions of his hidden cheating and gambling debts...

*

Coming to Kansas was supposed to be the journey of lifetime for Eliza... but as she finds herself falling for Edward, she discovers a secret... and she soon realizes that some debts live on...

A Marriage West

A Mail Order Romance Novel

Emma Thoms is no stranger to tragedy. She lost her mother at a young age, and consoled her best friend when she lost her brother in battle. Now after losing her father in a Vermont flood, Emma's insensitive aunt shows up and forces her to Massachusetts to become a mail order bride. Set on not waiting long for the fear of being abused by her aunt, Emma answers the first letter she reads.

*

Upon arriving in Kansas, Emma's husband-to-be doesn't show. She's then robbed of her money, her faith, and her spirit. On the brink of death herself, she is saved by a kind man with strong hands.

*

Samuel Calle offers Emma his home while he helps her locate the man she is supposed to marry. But time spent together teaches both Emma and Samuel something - love can happen anywhere, anytime. But with her hand already promised to another man, Emma and Samuel agree to only marry once they know the true fate of Emma's husband-to-be.

*

Will Emma be swept away by the man who left her to die or will she stay with the generous, caring man that the entire town relies on? This is where love and faith will be put to the test in the newest book in this bestselling western romance series.

Hope Found West

A Mail Order Romance Novel

When Margaret Ashaler accepts a marriage proposal from Charles, a local young, rich businessman, she knows without a doubt, that her life will change forever. No longer will she have to worry about her next meal or whether she will have a clean outfit to wear. However, standing in the most expensive wedding dress, Margaret waits, only to realize her husband-to-be won't be arriving. Being jilted was not part of her dream wedding day..

*

With no choice but to be taken in by her best friend and her best friend's mother, Margaret must find her own path, and fast. She enlists herself to become a mail order bride, and after months of waiting and exchanging letters, she boards a train west.

*

Daniel Sernla is a strong man with a nice house and a supple farm, but his heart is broken by the murder of his brother in Dodge City. He hopes the arrival of his wife-to-be will ease his aching soul, but it is tougher than it seems.

*

In a story of love, revenge, and redemption, Daniel must battle the urge to find the man who killed his brother while Margaret tries to become the perfect wife to Daniel... they must find a way to love and trust each other, especially in the face of danger...

About the author:

Claire Charlins is the pen name for Karolyn James -

Karolyn James is the author of several bestselling series. With over 100,000 ebooks sold, Karolyn has seen success in both romance and in erotic romance. Her current series include the smash hit Brothers of Rock romance series.

Don't miss the first part of the series following rock band, Chasing Cross!

Book One - All Access

Book Two - Broken Sound

Book Three - Bitter Farewell

Book Four - Buried Notes

Book Five - Last Song (coming soon!)

Recently announced - coming 2014: The Brothers of Rock series will continue with five more books following rock band, Fallen Tuesday!

Karolyn James also writes under the pen name, Claire Charlins, writing western romances. Upon releasing the first book in the Mail Order Romance series, West For Love, the book shot straight to the top of the Amazon Kindle charts! The second book in this mail order bride romance series is now available, titled Finding Love West!

Stay up to date with everything Karolyn James here:

On Twitter: @KarolynWrites

Visit online: www.KarolynJames.wordpress.com

On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KarolynJamesAuthor

Mailing list: tinyurl.com/KJSignup

Book Blast: Sisters in White - Melissa Foster (+ GIVEAWAY)

Danica and Kaylie Snow are about to celebrate the biggest day of their lives—their double wedding—on an island in the Bahamas. But no wedding is complete without a little family drama. The two sisters aren’t ready to face the father they haven’t seen since he divorced their mother and moved away to marry his mistress, and live with Lacy, the half sister they’ve never met.

While Danica has exchanged letters and phone calls with Lacy, Kaylie has fervently tried to pretend she doesn’t exist. Lacy is sweet, fun, and nearly a mirror image of Kaylie. To make matters worse, not only is Lacy looking forward to meeting her sisters, but she idolizes them, too. As the countdown to the wedding date ticks on, their parents are playing a devious game of revenge, and there’s a storm brewing over the island, threatening to cancel their perfect wedding. The sisters are about to find out if the bond of sisterhood really trumps all.

Goodreads

Buying Links:

Amazon

B&N

Author's Biography

Melissa Foster is the award-winning author of four International bestselling novels. Her books have been recommended by USA Today’s book blog, Hagerstown Magazine, The Patriot, and several other print venues. She is the founder of the Women’s Nest, a social and support community for women, the World Literary Café. When she’s not writing, Melissa helps authors navigate the publishing industry through her author training programs on  Fostering Success. Melissa is also a community builder for the Alliance for Independent Authors. She has been published in Calgary’s Child Magazine, the Huffington Post, and Women Business Owners magazine.

Melissa hosts an annual Aspiring Authors contest for children and has painted and donated several murals to The Hospital for Sick Children in Washington, DC. Melissa lives in Maryland with her family.

Visit Melissa on The Women’s Nest, Fostering Success, or World Lit Cafe. Join Melissa and the YaYa Writer Girls at their annual in-person event. Melissa enjoys discussing her books with book clubs and reader groups, and welcomes an invitation to your event.

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