Excerpt: Perfection by J.L. Spelbring

PERFECTION
By: J.L. Spelbring
Published By: Spencer Hill Press
Release Date: July 16, 2013

Goodreads Summary: The personification of Aryan purity, Ellyssa's spent her whole life under her creator's strict training and guidance; her purpose is to eradicate inferior beings. She was genetically engineered to be the perfect soldier: strong, intelligent, unemotional, and telepathic.

Only Ellyssa isn't perfect.

Ellyssa feels emotions--a fact she's spent her life concealing. Until she encounters the epitome of inferiority: a dark-haired boy raised among renegades hiding since the Nazis won the war a century ago. He speaks to her telepathically, pushing thoughts into her mind, despite the impossibility of such a substandard person having psychic abilities.

But he does.

His unspoken words and visions of a place she's never visited make Ellyssa question her creator. Confused and afraid her secret will be discovered, Ellyssa runs away, embarking on a journey where she discovers there is more to her than perfection.



Happy book birthday to Perfection! I am so excited to share one of the author's favorite passages with you here:

Ellyssa thought about what the doctor had said. Was that why she had felt electricity at Rein's touch? Why he had warmed her? Maybe she did like him as more than a friend, but he didn’t hold the same feelings for her.

“I might not be very familiar with emotions, but I know hatred. I thrived on it for years. He holds hatred for me.”

Mathew brushed a piece of her hair back behind her ear. The gesture was reassuring.

“He doesn’t hate you, dear. Far from it."

“I disagree.”

“If you must, but you’re wrong. Anyway, Rein and I have some business to attend to for the next couple of days. Jordan will be in to check on you, and different guards will be posted at the door."

Ellyssa held no doubt Jason would be amongst them.

Mathew frowned. “I don’t see why we still have to go through the formalities. I’m guessing if you intended to hurt people, you would have no problem doing so.”

No problem, whatsoever. She nodded.

“As I thought." He picked up the book. “What do you think?”

“I am not so sure about this one. Like I said earlier, the story strikes close to home.”

“You know, the thing about Frankenstein is that many people portrayed the creature as the monster. But the creature isn’t the monster at all." He stood and handed the book back to her. “It is his creator."



Don't let the story stop there! Find PERFECTION and J.L. Spelbring online:

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Review: The Program by Suzanne Young

THE PROGRAM
By: Suzanne Young
Published By: Simon Pulse
Release Date: April 30, 2013
Series: Program (#1)
Pages: 408
Genre: Dystopian
Reading Level: Young Adult
Source: Bought
Buy the Book: Amazon

Goodreads Summary: 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.



This was my first book by Suzanne Young. I'd heard good things about her writing, so I was looking forward to this book. Even though I liked the premise, I had mixed feelings after finishing the book.

Keep your feelings to yourself, and don't let anyone see you cry. That's what Sloane has learned to do in order to avoid The Program. Ever since suicide became a national epidemic, anyone deemed at risk is taken for treatment and returns without their memories intact. Sloane lost her brother that way, but she's determined that she won't let herself or James be taken. As long as she and James have each other, they can avoid The Program. But with every day that passes, Sloane has more memories and more obstacles to face. As hard as she tries, she can only be strong for so long. But the consequences of breaking down are unthinkable...

At the beginning, I found the idea of suicide as an epidemic interesting, and I was curious to see how the government could prevent this. However, after reading the book, I can't help but feel that in many ways, the program creates a self-fulfilling prophecy. When people are so afraid of expressing emotions and aren't allowed to show sadness even when it's appropriate, it seems like a recipe for unnecessary treatment. However, this book was a good example not only of how you can only be so strong before something has to give, but also of the deep connections that can form in trying times. I loved how Sloane and James' relationship was portrayed in the beginning of the book. Even though he tried to take care of her, at times he was vulnerable and she was strong for him. It was clear how well they fit together (without insta-love), and there were certainly tender moments and heartbreaking moments that made me want to hug them both.

By the end of this book, I felt unsettled. The book is dark, which is expected given the subject matter, but it is more than that. As the book progresses, Sloane became an unreliable narrator, which was interesting in some respects but frustrating in others. It was hard to know who could be trusted, and even harder to know what the actual truth was. But because of this, I am curious to see what happens in the next book, and I'm certainly eager for more closure.

The Program is a different kind of dystopian novel, one that is much more driven by emotions than actions, but still engrossing nonetheless. I know there is so much more of the story for Sloane and James, and I am looking forward to seeing where the next book takes them.

"Waiting on" Wednesday

"Waiting on" Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.



This week's selection is:

THE INFINITE MOMENT OF US
By: Lauren Myracle
Published By: Amulet Books
Release Date: Aug. 20, 2013
Preorder the Book: Amazon

Goodreads Summary: For as long as she can remember, Wren Gray’s goal has been to please her parents. But as high school graduation nears, so does an uncomfortable realization: Pleasing her parents once overlapped with pleasing herself, but now . . . not so much. Wren needs to honor her own desires, but how can she if she doesn’t even know what they are?

Charlie Parker, on the other hand, is painfully aware of his heart’s desire. A gentle boy with a troubled past, Charlie has loved Wren since the day he first saw her. But a girl like Wren would never fall for a guy like Charlie—at least not the sort of guy Charlie believes himself to be.

And yet certain things are written in the stars. And in the summer after high school, Wren and Charlie’s souls will collide. But souls are complicated, as are the bodies that house them . . .

Sexy, romantic, and oh-so-true to life, this is an unforgettable look at first love from one of young adult fiction’s greatest writers.



Why it's wanted:
I love books with troubled characters who heal each other and become the perfect couple. This book sounds like it could be a great emotional journey, and I want to see how these characters end up.

Book Blast: Shards by Lisa Amowitz

Seventeen-year-old Jeremy Glass never expected to wake up in the hospital one morning with a broken leg. His crush, Susannah, has disappeared, and he doesn’t know where to look for her. What happened on the night she disappeared? Keep reading for a clue:


"'It’s a souvenir from the Kabbalah fair I stumbled onto this weekend. Can you believe it?' She gazes at me as if this bit of information should hold some significance. We are both part Jewish, at least in lineage, though Susannah has always been more into the occult. I keep the Magic 8 Ball she gave me for my tenth birthday in a place of honor with the first track medal I won. For me, her fascination with the spiritual realm has always added to her mystique and made me want her all the more. 'Oh, the trendy spiritual stuff,' I say, stalling for time. 'Isn’t Madonna into that?'"





Dying to know more? You can download the full prequel with all of the beautiful artwork here:

http://www.site.spencerhillpress.com/uploads/Shards_Amowitz.pdf

BREAKING GLASS releases today! Read SHARDS, and then proceed to buy BREAKING GLASS - this is one book you do not want to miss! Here's where you can find Lisa Amowitz and BREAKING GLASS online:

Goodreads | Facebook | Twitter | Amazon

Blog Tour: PODs by Michelle Pickett

PODs
By: Michelle Pickett
Published By: Spencer Hill Press
Release Date: June 4, 2013

Goodreads Summary: Seventeen-year-old Eva is a chosen one. Chosen to live, while others meet a swift and painful death from an incurable virus so lethal, a person is dead within days of symptoms emerging. In the POD system, a series of underground habitats built by the government, she waits with the other chosen for the deadly virus to claim those above. Separated from family and friends, it's in the PODs she meets David. And while true love might not conquer all, it's a balm for the broken soul.

After a year, scientists believe the population has died, and without living hosts, so has the virus. That's the theory, anyway. But when the PODs are opened, survivors find the surface holds a vicious secret. The virus mutated, infecting those left top-side and creating... monsters.

Eva and David hide from the infected in the abandoned PODs. Together they try to build a life--a new beginning. But the infected follow and are relentless in their attacks. Leaving Eva and David to fight for survival, and pray for a cure.



Today is the beginning of a blog tour for PODs by Michelle Pickett! Throughout the week there will be a variety of fun posts across several blogs, so be sure to check out all of the posts! You can find the schedule below:

Monday, July 8 - The Reading Vixens
Tuesday, July 9 - Books Complete Me
Wednesday, July 10 - K-Books
Thursday, July 11 - Curvy Writer
Friday, July 12 - Total Bookaholic
Saturday, July 13 - BlookGirl
Sunday, July 14 - Cari’s Book Blog



~GIVEAWAY~

As part of the blog tour, there will be one signed copy of PODs for a giveaway! You can enter using the Rafflecopter code below.

This contest is open to US residents only. Must be 13 to enter. Please see my Contest Policy for more information.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

"Waiting on" Wednesday

"Waiting on" Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.



This week's selection is:

THE DARK BETWEEN
By: Sonia Gensler
Published By: Knopf Books for Young Readers
Release Date: Aug. 27, 2013
Preorder the Book: Amazon

Goodreads Summary: A supernatural romance about the powers that lie in the shadows of the mind, perfect for fans of Sarah Rees Brennan, Alyxandra Harvey, and Libba Bray.

At the turn of the twentieth century, Spiritualism and séances are all the rage—even in the scholarly town of Cambridge, England. While mediums dupe the grief-stricken, a group of local fringe scientists seeks to bridge the gap to the spirit world by investigating the dark corners of the human mind.

Each running from a shadowed past, Kate, Asher, and Elsie take refuge within the walls of Summerfield College. But their peace is soon shattered by the discovery of a dead body nearby. Is this the work of a flesh-and-blood villain, or is something otherworldly at play? This unlikely trio must illuminate what the scientists have not, and open a window to secrets taken to the grave—or risk joining the spirit world themselves.



Why it's wanted:
I love books set in turn-of-the-century England, and the supernatural element is intriguing also. I want to know how everything plays out!

Book Blast: SHARDS by Lisa Amowitz

Seventeen-year-old Jeremy Glass never expected to wake up in the hospital one morning with a broken leg. His crush, Susannah, has disappeared, and he doesn’t know where to look for her. What happened on the night she disappeared? Keep reading for a clue:


"Yes. I can do this. Susannah knows my route, so I hope she’s come this way and parked, knowing I’d find her. She wants me to find her. To comfort her. I’ll tell her everything. How I’m sorry for lying to her. For letting Ryan hurt her. And maybe, at last, she’ll accept that it’s not Ryan she wants, but me."





Dying to know more? You can download the full prequel with all of the beautiful artwork here:

http://www.site.spencerhillpress.com/uploads/Shards_Amowitz.pdf

Find Lisa Amowitz and BREAKING GLASS online:

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