Waiting On Wednesday: Perfect Escape

Perfect Escape by Jennifer Brown, 

author of The Hate List & Bitter Ends

Kendra has always felt overshadowed by her older brother, Grayson, whose OCD forces him to live a life of carefully coordinated routines. The only way Kendra can stand out next to Grayson is to be perfect, and she has perfection down to an art -- until a cheating scandal threatens her flawless reputation. 

Behind the wheel of her car, with Grayson asleep beside her, Kendra decides to drive away from it all -- with enough distance, maybe she'll be able to figure everything out. But eventually, Kendra must stop running and come to terms with herself, her brother, and her past. 

With undeniable grace and humor, acclaimed author Jennifer Brown explores OCD, the pressure for perfection, and the emotional highs and lows of a complex sibling relationship.

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Title will be released: July 2012
Add to Goodreads with me :)

Waiting on Wednesday: Blood Wounds

Willa is lucky: She has a loving blended family that gets along. Not all families are so fortunate. But when a bloody crime takes place hundreds of miles away, it has an explosive effect on Willa’s peaceful life. The estranged father she hardly remembers has murdered his new wife and children, and is headed east toward Willa and her mother.
Under police protection, Willa discovers that her mother has harbored secrets that are threatening to boil over. Has everything Willa believed about herself been a lie? As Willa sets out to untangle the mysteries of her past, she keeps her own secret—one that has the potential to tear her family apart.

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Read all of Pfeffer's Last Survivor's series (Life as We Knew It-all of which I reviewed) so I'm a bit excited to see a new book by her...not exactly my cup of tea I'll admit but it sounds suspenseful.

Waiting on Wednesday: Dreams of Significant Girls

Dreams of Significant Girls - Cristian Garcia (July 2011)

Brought together each summer at a boarding school in Switzerland, three girls learn a lot more than just French and European culture. Shirin, an Iranian princess; Ingrid, a German-Canadian eccentric; and Vivien, a Cuban-Jewish New Yorker culinary phenom, are thrown into each other's lives when they become roommates. This is a story of 3 paths slowly beginning to cross and merge as they spend the year apart, but the summers together. Through navigating the social-cultural shoals of the school, developing their adolescence, and learning the confusing and conflicting legacies of their families' past, Shirin, Ingrid, and Vivien form an unbreakable bond.

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Apologies for featuring two "Waiting on Wednesdays" in a row–its been a busy two weeks. Anywho, I came across this book and thought I should feature it. Kind of reminds me of The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants and perhaps some Deb Caletti or something like that. What do you think? Going to add it to your to-read pile?

Waiting on Wednesday: Cleopatra Confesses

Cleopatra Confesses by Carolyn Meyer (June 2011)

It is the first century B.C. Cleopatra, the third of the pharaoh's six children, is the one that her father has chosen to be the next queen of Egypt. But when King Ptolemy is forced into exile, Cleopatra is left alone to fend for herself in a palace rife with intrigue and murder. Smart, courageous, ambitious and sensuously beautiful, she possesses the charm to cause two of history's most famous leaders to fall in love with her. But as her cruel sisters plot to steal the throne, Cleopatra realizes there is only one person on whom she can rely--herself.

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Ooo sounds interesting, especially since its written by Carolyn Meyer.

Waiting on Wednesday: Forgiven

Forgiven (Faithful #2) by Janet Fox (June 2011)

Kula Baker never expected to find herself on the streets of San Francisco, alone but for a letter of introduction. Though she has come to the city to save her father from a cruel fate, Kula soon finds herself swept up in a world of art and elegance - a world she hardly dared dream of back in Montana, where she was no more than the daughter of an outlaw. And then there is the handsome David Wong, whose smiling eyes and soft-spoken manner have an uncanny way of breaking through Kula's carefully crafted reserve. Yet when disaster strikes and the wreckage threatens all she holds dear, Kula realizes that only by unlocking her heart can she begin to carve a new future for herself.

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Read my review of Faithful.

I'm DYING to read this–I loved Fox's first novel! 

➔Wanna win FAITHFUL? Enter my contest!

Waiting on Wednesday: Crush Control and Hidden

Crush Control - Jennifer Jabaley (June 2011)

Willow has spent most of her life as her mother's sidekick in a popular Las Vegas hypnotism show. So when she and her mom move back to their sleepy southern hometown to start over, she thinks she's in for a life of quiet normalcy. Except that her new life turns out to be anything but, when she kinda sorta hypnotizes Quinton, the hottest guy on the football team, to fall madly, deeply, head over heels in love with her. But what started out as an innocent way to make her best friend, Max, jealous soon gets way out of hand, and Willow begins to wonder if the mind–and more importantly, the heart–is something you can really control.

I read Jabaley's Lipstick Apology two summers back and I thought it was a nice story with lovable characters–not your average clique love story; can't wait to read this one!

Hidden - Helen Frost (May 2011)

When Wren Abbott and Darra Monson are eight years old, Darra's father steals a minivan. He doesn't know that Wren is hiding in the back. The hours and days that follow change the lives of both girls. Darra is left with a question that only Wren can answer. Wren has questions, too. 

Years later, in a chance encounter at camp, the girls face each other for the first time. They can finally learn the truth—that is, if they’re willing to reveal to each other the stories that they’ve hidden for so long. Told from alternating viewpoints, this novel-in-poems reveals the complexities of memory and the strength of a friendship that can overcome pain.

Thought this was an interesting dilemma–an accidentally "stolen" girl meets the girl whose father did the stealing? It's a novel in verse/peoms too.

Waiting on Wednesday: The Kid Table

It's there at every family event. A little smaller, collapsible, and decked out with paper napkins because you can't be trusted with the good ones. But you're stuck there. At the Kid Table. Because to them- to the adults- you're still a kid. Ingrid Bell and her five teenage cousins are in exactly this situation. Never mind the fact that high school is almost over. They're still eating mac and cheese with a toddler. But what happens when the rules change? When Brianne, the oldest cousin, lands a seat at the Adult Table, the others are in shock. What does it take to graduate from the Kid Table? 
Over the course of five family events, Ingrid and her cousins attempt to finish childhood and send the infamous table into retirement. But as Ingrid turns on the charm in order to manipulate her situation, the family starts questioning her motives. And when her first love comes in the form of first betrayal (he's Brianne's boyfriend), Ingrid is forced to consider how she fits into this family and what it means to grow up. 

Classic, huh? I guess I'm not the only one who still sits at the "kid table" too. The Kid Table by Andrea Seiget will be released September 14th, 2010.

Waiting on Wednesday: I Was Jane Austen's Best Friend, A Secret Diary

by Cora Harrison

When shy Jenny Cooper goes to stay with her cousin Jane Austen, she knows nothing of the world of beautiful dresses, dances, secrets, gossip, and romance that Jane inhabits. At fifteen, Jane is already a sharp observer of the customs of courtship. So when Jenny falls utterly in love with Captain Thomas Williams, who better than Jane to help her win the heart of this dashing man?
But is that even possible? After all, Jenny’s been harboring a most desperate secret. Should it become known, it would bring scandal not only to her, but also to the wonderful Austen family. What’s a poor orphan girl to do?

Jane Austen? Regency period? A Diary? Need I say more.

I Was Jane Austen's Best Friend will be released Sept. 28th.

Waiting on Wednesday (5)

The Healer's Apprentice 
by Melanie Dickerson


Two Hearts. One Hope. Rose has been appointed as a healer's apprentice at Hagenheim Castle, a rare opportunity for a woodcutter's daughter like her. While she often feels uneasy at the sight of blood, Rose is determined to prove herself capable. Failure will mean returning home to marry the aging bachelor her mother has chosen for her---a bloated, disgusting merchant who makes Rose feel ill. When Lord Hamlin, the future duke, is injured, it is Rose who must tend to him. As she works to heal his wound, she begins to understand emotions she's never felt before and wonders if he feels the same. But falling in love is forbidden, as Lord Hamlin is betrothed to a mysterious young woman in hiding. As Rose's life spins toward confusion, she must take the first steps on a journey to discover her own destiny. [Visit Amazon page]


I don't care how clique is sounds–the cover is awesome and I love these kinds of historical romances! Watch the book trailer below :) The Healer's Apprentice will be released September 3rd.

Waiting on Wednesday (4)

I haven't actually read a graphic novel because I was never really interested in them. When I found The Sons of Liberty, I guess something finally sparked my interest.
The Sons of Liberty #1
by Alexander & Joseph Lagos

Two runaway slave children, GRAHAM and BRODY, are left for dead along the banks of Pennsylvania's Schuylkill River, where they are discovered and rescued by world famous inventor/scientist BEN FRANKLIN.  Concerned for their safety, Franklin delivers the boys to an old hermit named BENJAMIN LAY in the north woods of Philadelphia. Soon thereafter, a secret so shocking is revealed that the lives of all those who come into contact with them may never be the same.  Sheltered from the outside world, and molded by the opposing philosophies of Franklin and Lay, Graham and Brody come of age at the time of the Revolutionary War and must decide whether or not to fight for a new nation and an ideal that does not include them.  THE SONS OF LIBERTY unleashes the power and epic struggle of two masked vigilantes who take a stand against injustice and tyranny at home and abroad in a totally original super-powered adventure - where true history meets fantasy.


Visit the-sons-of-liberty.com for more information about the story!

Waiting on Wednesday (3)

This book caught my eye because it had a southern, small-town charm to it and a character who has big dreams. Suzanne Supplee's other novel, Artichoke's Heart, sounded like a cute book too. I haven't read it yet, but I bought it for my Secret Santa this last Christmas and read the first couple of pages. What do you think of my find? Have you been waiting for another Supplee novel?

Somebody Everbody Listens To
by Suzanne Supplee

Retta Lee Jones is blessed with a beautiful voice and has big dreams of leaving her tiny Tennessee hometown. With a beaten down car, a pocketful of hard-earned waitressing money, and stars in her eyes, Retta sets out to make it big in Nashville. But the road to success isn’t a smooth one in a town filled with dreamers, and Retta begins to have doubts: can she make her mark while staying true to herslf? From the breakout author of Artichoke’s Heart, this bighearted novel is a must-read for anyone who has ever chased a dream (or hummed along with Taylor Swift).

Somebody Everybody Listens To will be released in book stores near you on My 13th, 2010!

Waiting on Wednesday (2)

I read and reviewed Donna Freitas' other book, The Possibilities of Sainthood, last summer. I thought it was funny and a cute love story with lots of Italians in it! I've been expecting another book from her for sometime, so when I saw This Gorgeous Game, I was thrilled. It sounds kinda of dark and depressing, but I like the way Freitas writes her characters, so I'm waiting for it on Wednesday!

This Gorgeous Game by Dona Freitas

A CHILLING NOVEL ABOUT THE ISOLATION OF BEING STALKED AND THE ABUSE OF POWER.

Olivia Peters is over the moon when her literary idol, the celebrated novelist and muchadored local priest Mark D. Brendan, offers to become her personal writing mentor. But when Father Mark’s enthusiasm for Olivia’s prose develops into something more, Olivia’s emotions quickly shift from wonder to confusion to despair. Exactly what game is Father Mark playing, and how on earth can she get out of it?

This remarkable novel about overcoming the isolation that stems from victimization is powerful, luminous, and impossible to put down.

This Gorgeous Game will be released May 25th, 2010!

Waiting on Wednesday (1)

I haven't done a "Waiting on Wednesday" in a looong time (actually, back then I think I called it "Wishing on Wednesday". I've been doing my meme Book Gorge since the beginning of the fall, but today I decided to do something different. I'm waiting on......

I Now Pronounce You Someone Else by Erin McCahan


Here Comes the Bride -- If She Can Pass Chemistry.

Eighteen-year-old Bronwen Oliver has a secret: She's really Phoebe, the lost daughter of the loving Lilywhite family. That's the only way to explain her image-obsessed mother; a kind but distant stepfather; and a brother with a small personality complex. Bronwen knows she must have been switched at birth, and she can't wait to get away from her "family" for good. Then she meets Jared Sondervan. He's sweet, funny, everything she wants -- and he has the family Bronwen has always wanted too. She falls head over heels in love, and when he proposes marriage, she joyfully accepts. But is Jared truly what she needs? And if he's not, she has to ask: What would Phoebe Lilywhite do?


I Now Pronounce You Someone Else will be released this summer on June 1, 2010!