2014 SARC

2014 SARC

THE CHALLENGE

To read 15 Young Adult and Middle Grade standalone novels in 2014 released in the United States between January 1, 2014 and December 31, 2014.

ELIGIBLE BOOKS

-YA/MG standalone novels. This means that the book can not have an announced (sometimes sequels happen unexpectedly) sequel, prequel, follow up, etc.

-Companion novels count towards the challenge as well. Companion novels take place in the same world as a novel but usually follows the life of a different character. It can be read independently from the book that came before it.

-Released between January 1 – Decemeber 31, 2014 in the United States. If a book was previously released in another country but is being releasing in the US for the first time, it is eligible. At the same time, if you live in a country where it was previously released, but it is being released in the states for the first time – lucky you – it counts.

-Must be read in 2014

-Can be read in any (legally) readable format: ARC, Paperback, Hardcover or e-book. Audio books do not count toward the challenge.

THE LIST

For a list of eligible challenge titles to get you started towards your goal, please visit this Goodreads List (please note, the list is not comprehensive or final). You are more than welcome to vote for standalones you feel will fit the list.

PARTICIPATION PERKS

There will be a prize pack given away each month to a random participant. You gain entries into that month’s prize pack by linking up your challenge-eligible reviews. There will also be giveaways on the hosts’ blogs to go along with special posts with authors. And of course, there are random giveaways that we may throw in here and there!

GET YOUR VIP PASS

Sign up with a link to where you will be posting your English reviews.

This can be a blog, Goodreads profile (an SARC 2014 list would be better), Shelfari profile, Librarything profile, or Youtube channel.

What are you waiting for? Sign up and grab a button HERE!

1. Cruel Beauty by Rosamund Hodge
2. Nearly Gone by Elle Cosimano
3. Nil by Lynne Matson
4. Mistwalker by Saundra Mitchell
5. The Girl from the Well by Rin Chupeco
6. Don't Look Back by Jennifer L. Armentrout
7. Silver by Chris Wooding
8. Sweet Unrest by Lisa Maxwell
9. Mayday by Jonathan Friesen
10. Phoenix Island by John Dixon
11. Complicit by Stephanie Kuehn
12. Minders by Michelle Jaffe
13. Fragile Line by Brooklyn Skye
14. My Last Kiss by Bethany Neal
15. Fiendish by Brenna Yovanoff

Fifty Shades of Grey Review

Fifty Shades of Grey
Written By: E.L. James
Published: May 25, 2011

When literature student Anastasia Steele goes to interview young entrepreneur Christian Grey, she encounters a man who is beautiful, brilliant, and intimidating. The unworldly, innocent Ana is startled to realize she wants this man and, despite his enigmatic reserve, finds she is desperate to get close to him. Unable to resist Ana’s quiet beauty, wit, and independent spirit, Grey admits he wants her, too—but on his own terms.

Shocked yet thrilled by Grey’s singular erotic tastes, Ana hesitates. For all the trappings of success—his multinational businesses, his vast wealth, his loving family—Grey is a man tormented by demons and consumed by the need to control. When the couple embarks on a daring, passionately physical affair, Ana discovers Christian Grey’s secrets and explores her own dark desires.

Erotic, amusing, and deeply moving, the Fifty Shades Trilogy is a tale that will obsess you, possess you, and stay with you forever.

This book is intended for mature audiences.


My thoughts:

Every girl friend I have said I needed to read this book it was amazing and that I might need a change a panties close by, so naturally I had to see what all the fuss was about. I liked the story it was good and a little erotic, however the absolutely amazing part and dripping wet panties didn't occur for me. The story did keep my interest and the ending made me want to read the rest of the series so that I know what happens.

Painted Blind Review

Painted Blind

Written By: Michelle A. Hansen

Published: May 3, 2012

Goodreads:

Psyche Middleton vows her dad will never see the risqué photos she took during a summer modeling stint abroad, but one of them ends up on a billboard in her Montana hometown, where everyone—especially her dad—can see it. That becomes the least of her worries when she meets Erik, a mysterious guy who rescues her from a mob and who she’s never actually seen because he can make himself invisible.

Erik takes her to his palace in an idyllic kingdom, and she is swept into the beauty and culture of his world, but his affection has one condition: she may not see him. Enchanted, intrigued, and not wholeheartedly believing he’s real, Psyche can’t bring herself to love him blindly. When she betrays his trust for a glimpse of his face, Psyche ends up at the mercy of Erik’s controlling mother, who demands that Psyche prove herself in order to be reunited with him. Psyche knows love is never easy, but this is ridiculous. She agrees to complete three impossible tasks to prove her devotion to Erik—or die trying. 

This modern retelling of the myth of Cupid and Psyche is a fantastical journey filled with laughter, danger, and the indomitable power of love.

My Thoughts:

Painted Blind was a retelling of the Cupid and Psyche myth and was amazingly well thought out. Psyche was a girl that decided to do a risque photo shoot as Venus during a modeling stint abroad only to unknowingly upset the goddess Venus herself. Venus employs the services of her son Erik to go check out this girl who portrays here in the photos. When Psyche meets Erik she is enthralled by him even though she has never actually seen him. Erik asks her to trust him and takes her to his kingdom and the only thing he asks is that she can not see him. Psyche can't seem to love him without seeing him and looks at his face and pays the consequences. Will Psyche be able to fix her Mistake or will she lose Erik forever?

Oogy: The dog only a family could love Review

Oogy: The dog only a family could love
Written  by: Larry Levin
Published: October 10, 2010

Goodreads:

In the bestselling tradition of Rescuing Sprite comes the story of a puppy brought back from the brink of death, and the family he adopted.

In 2002, Larry Levin and his twin sons, Dan and Noah, took their terminally ill cat to the Ardmore Animal Hospital outside Philadelphia to have the beloved pet put to sleep. What would begin as a terrible day suddenly got brighter as the ugliest dog they had ever seen--one who was missing an ear and had half his face covered in scar tissue--ran up to them and captured their hearts. The dog had been used as bait for fighting dogs when he was just a few months old. He had been thrown in a cage and left to die until the police rescued
him and the staff at Ardmore Animal Hospital saved his life. The Levins, whose sons are themselves adopted, were unable to resist Oogy's charms, and decided to take him home. 

Heartwarming and redemptive, OOGY is the story of the people who were determined to rescue this dog against all odds, and of the family who took him home, named him "Oogy" (an affectionate derivative of ugly), and made him one of their own.

My Thoughts:

Oogy: The dog only a family could love was the heartwarming true life account of a wonderful dog who was treated poorly by humans and stills loves them. Oogy was used as a bait dog to train fighters and was almost torn apart and left to die. Oogy managed to survive and went through countless procedures to restore the damage done to him by the other dogs. Once healed he wasn't the prettiest face you'd ever saw but he was a loving and happy dog despite his cruel treatment. Larry Levin and his family met Oogy and looked past his rough exterior to the amazing heart inside and gave him a forever home.

Death Rejoices Review

Death Rejoices

Written By: Aj Aalto

Published: April 24, 2013

Goodreads:

Marnie Baranuik is back, and this time, the Great White Shark of psychic investigations has “people skills” and a new assistant who seems to harbor an unhealthy curiosity about Harry, her revenant companion. Together, they’ve got a whole lot of questions that need answering. Is an ancient vampire hunting in Denver? Who is stalking Lord Dreppenstedt? How do you cure a slipper-humping bat, ditch an ogre, or give a demon king the slip? And what the hell was she thinking, swearing off cookies?

Teaming up with her sexual nemesis, Special Agent Mark Batten, and their long-suffering supervisor, Gary Chapel, Marnie discovers that vampire hunters aren’t easy to rescue, secrets don’t stay buried, and zombies sure are a pain in the ass to kill




My thoughts:


I'm Still in love with the characters. Love the change in Marnie, guy and batten's crazy love triangle. I like that you get some more back story on guy and daysitters. I also like the addition of more dynamic characters with a twist to make you keep reading.

Touched Review

Touched

Written by: Aj Aalto

Published: September 18, 2011

Goodreads:

The media has a nickname for Marnie Baranuik, though she’d rather they didn’t; they call her the Great White Shark, a rare dual-talented forensic psychic. Twice-Touched by the Blue Sense--which gives her the ability to feel the emotions of others, and read impressions left behind on objects--Marnie also has a doctorate in preternatural biology and a working knowledge of the dark arts. She is considered without peer in the psychic community. 

Then her first big FBI case ended with a bullet in one shoulder and a chip on the other, a queasy heart and a serial killer in the wind, leaving her a public flop and a private wreck. When the FBI’s preternatural crimes unit tracks her down at a remote mountain lodge for her insight on a local case, her quiet retirement is promptly besieged by a stab-happy starlet, a rampaging ghoul, and a vampire-hunting jackass in tight Wranglers. Marnie figures the only real mystery is which one will kill her first. 

Too mean to die young, backed up by friends in cold places, and running with a mouth as demure as a cannon’s blast, Marnie Baranuik is about to discover that there’s no such thing as quitting time when you’re Touched.


My Thoughts:


Marnie is a psychic who is a bonded daysitter to a revenant (vampire)who is coerced out of retirement to assist Mark Batten, a former lover, and Gary, leader of the Preternatural crimes unit on a case. Marnie is a foul mouthed smart ass, but absolutely hilarious main character. Marnie has a thing for her Revenant Harry, with whom she is bonded to, and Mark Batten, fbi agent and former lover. Marnie is a hot mess but she is resourceful and funny.  I love the different take on vampires.

Eternal Vows Review

Eternal Vows

Written By: Chrissy Peebles

Published: March 5,2012

Goodreads:

Never marry a stranger... even if he is a drop-dead gorgeous immortal king.

Never pretend to be a princess.

And most importantly... never slip on an ancient wedding ring you know nothing about.

Sarah Larker returns to a cave where her sister disappeared ten years earlier. She walks through a portal and is mistaken for a runaway princess on the run by a dangerous immortal king in medieval times. Her plan is bold as well as daring-become this princess, wed the king, and slip on an ancient wedding ring that will unlock the portal back home. Then find her sister and run as fast as she can out of Dodge. But taking on the identity of Princess Gloria comes along with dangerous consequences; and slipping on the ruby ring comes with an even higher price.

My Thoughts:

Eternal Vows is the first installment in the Ruby Ring series written by Chrissy Peebles. Sarah is a researcher trying to find proof of bigfoot, she finds them and follows them into a cave that takes her through a portal that thrusts her into medieval times. She is mistaken for a runaway princess who is to wed a king that holds the key to opening the portal back home. The key is an ancient Ruby Ring that has a secret Sarah wasn't prepared for. Will she be able to find her way home? I found this Plot to be unique and very interesting, the characters are well thought out and the story progresses quickly and keeps your attention.