Waiting on Wednesday: Velvet by Mary Hooper

Button courtesy of sheshines.net

Waiting on Wednesday is a meme held at Breaking The Spine in which book bloggers feature soon to be published books that they are eagerly anticipating.

Velvet by Mary Hooper

Goodreads description:

Rose is a laundress in a Victorian steam laundry. With both her mother and father dead, she is an orphan and has to rely upon her own wits to make a living. The laundry is scalding, back-breaking work and Rose is desperate to create a better life for herself. Then Rose is noticed by Madame X, a famed medium, who asks Rose to come to work for her. Rose is dazzled at first by the young yet beautifully dressed and bejewelled Madame. But soon Rose realises that Madame X is not all that she says she is, and Rose's very life is in danger ...A romantic and thrillingly exciting new novel from an acclaimed and much-loved historical writer for teens

Why I want to read it:

I LOVE Mary Hooper's books and she was the author who led me to historical fiction so I'm grateful to that! I interviewed her in person when she came to my school and she's very lovely too. I've been waiting on Velvet for about the longest time I've ever waited for a book because I first heard about it when Mary had just begun writing it and mentioned the premise in her talk at her first visit to my school. I like the sound of the setting of a Victorian steam laundry because I haven't read about one before although I just read a book about a fraudulent medium (Haunting Violet), I'm interested to see Mary Hooper's take on it.

I'm not a big fan of the cover because there are so many YA historicals with beautiful dresses on their covers for example which would make them appeal to me more on first glance. It's nothing particularly special but I can't deny that it does look nice and the red swirls and lace work on the part of a bodice shown are pretty. I just wish it told more about what the book is about.

Velvet is being published by Bloombury UK on September 5th this year.

Waiting on Wednesday: Crossed by Allie Condie

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme held at Breaking The Spine where bloggers feature books they are eagerly anticipating!

My pick this week is:

Crossed by Allie Condie

Goodreads description

In search of a future that may not exist and faced with the decision of who to share it with, Cassia journeys to the Outer Provinces in pursuit of Ky - taken by the Society to his certain death - only to find that he has escaped, leaving a series of clues in his wake.

Cassia's quest leads her to question much of what she holds dear, even as she finds glimmers of a different life across the border. But as Cassia nears resolve and certainty about her future with Ky, an invitation for rebellion, an unexpected betrayal, and a surprise visit from Xander - who may hold the key to the uprising and, still, to Cassia's heart - change the game once again. Nothing is as expected on the edge of Society, where crosses and double crosses make the path more twisted than ever.

Why I want to read it:

I read and enjoyed the first book in this dystpian series Matched last year so I'm looking forward to finding out what happens next in the story even if it isn't my favourite dystopian book. I'm hoping that Cassia and Kai's relationship will develop and they'll be less 'love-triangling' as she goes in search of him across the border.

I love how they've designed the cover similarly to Matched but with the girl breaking out of the sphere because it represents her character development. Such a clever idea!

Crossed will be released on November 11th this year so still quite a long time to wait!

What are you waiting on this week?

Waiting on Wednesday: The Rouge's Princess by Eve Edwards

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme held by Jill at Breaking The Spine where bloggers feature books that are not yet released that they can't wait to get their hands on!

My pick this week:

The Rouge's Princess by Eve Edwards

Goodreads description:

1586– London, England. Sixteen-year-old Mercy Hart is the daughter of one of London’s richest – and strictest – cloth merchants. Kit Turner is an actor and the illegitimate son of the late Earl of Dorset. A chance encounter finds Kit falling for the beautiful Mercy’s charms, but their love is forbidden. A merchant’s daughter and a vagabond – it simply cannot be. If Mercy chooses Kit she must renounce her family name and leave her home. Will she favour duty over true love, or will she give Kit his heart’s desire?

Release Date: 4th July

Why I want to read it:

I absolutely loved the first two books in this Lacey Romance series, The Other Countess and The Queen's Lady (click to see reviews) so I can't wait for the third one to be released to find out what happens next. Kit, the main character of this book was introduced in the Queen's Lady and I'm looking forward to finding out more about Will and James Lacey's (the love interests of the first two books) illegitimate brother and the girl he loves. Bring on more history, romance, swoon worthy heroes and Tudor intrigue.......

I like the blue colour scheme for this book with the pretty swirls but it just looks too much liken adult romance to me and I'm still disappointed that they changed the cover designs for this series.

What are you waiting on?

Late Waiting on Wednesday: The Betrayal Of Maggie Blair by Elizabeth Laird

Waiting on Wednesday is a meme held by Jill at Breaking The Spine that encourages bloggers to share books that have not yet been released that they are eagerly waiting on.

My pick this week:

Goodreads description:

 In seventeenth-century Scotland, saying the wrong thing can lead to banishment—or worse. Accused of being a witch, sixteen-year-old Maggie Blair is sentenced to be hanged. She escapes, but instead of finding shelter with her principled, patriotic uncle, she brings disaster to his door.

Betrayed by one of her own accusers, Maggie must try to save her uncle and his family from the king’s men, even if she has to risk her own life in the process.

Originally published in the UK, this book has a powerful blend of heart-stopping action and thought-provoking themes.

There's not long left to wait at all now... The Betrayal of Maggie Blair comes out in 4 days on April 18th in the US. I love the sound of it, because as most of you probably know, I adore historical fiction! It also has a Christian slant and I like this mix. I haven't actually read a witch trial book before (even though I have With Child by Celia Rees sitting on my bookshelf) but I've always been interested in the subject as it has been mentioned in several books I've read. I've read another of Elizabeth Laird's books called The Garbage King, which was fantastic so I know she's a great author. Finally, those murky and mysterious blues on the cover are gorgeous and make me want to read it even more (yes, I want it on my bookshelf!) 

When looking up the cover and description on Goodreads for this post, I just realised that this book was first published in the UK under the name of The Witching Hour and I remember seeing that in my school library. If I'm honest, that title just doesn't appeal to me as much as The Betrayal of Maggie Blair because the new US title makes me intrigued as to why she was betrayed and makes the book sound less paranormal. The UK cover for it also put me off because it's creepy whilst the US one is beautiful! Still, I think I'll take it out of my library when I get back to school.

If you like the sound of this book, you can read some of it on Google Preview from a link on the Goodreads page.

Waiting on Wednesday and Cover Reveal: Traitor's Kiss by Pauline Francis

Waiting on Wednesday is a meme held by Breaking The Spine, which encourages bloggers to showcase books that are not yet released that they can't wait to get their hands on.

This week's pick is:

Traitor's Kiss by Pauline Francis

Goodreads description: This is the captivating true story of the young Elizabeth I, as she struggles to survive the treacherous world of Tudor England. After the death of her father, Henry VIII, a young Elizabeth journeys to London to live with her father's widow, Katherine Parr, and her new husband, Thomas Seymour, brother-in-law to King Edward. Surrounded by malicious whisperings of her late mother's witchcraft, Elizabeth is desperate to escape suspicion and discover the truth about her mother. A young stranger asserting Anne's Boleyn's innocence sends her on search a that takes her on a dangerous midnight journey to Bedlam, the hospital for the insane, to meet her mother's former lady-in-waiting. This encounter changes the way she views her mother - and herself. Meanwhile, at home, Elizabeth's reputation is increasingly under threat, as her stepfather, Thomas Seymour makes unwanted advances toward her. Her stepmother witnesses a kiss and Elizabeth is sent back to Hertfordshire in disgrace. Here she falls seriously ill and rumours abound that she is hiding a pregnancy. When Thomas Seymour is arrested for treason in a plot to overthrow King Edward, Elizabeth is implicated by association. Now it is up to her to defend her integrity - and her life...From the author of the best-selling Raven Queen comes a new masterpiece of historical fiction.

I've read lots of books that include Elizabeth I, including her fictional diary in her teens but why I *love* he sound of this one is because it has a twist. That twist is the scandal that arose from rumours about Thomas Seymour and her as well as the interrogation she went through at Hatcliffe House.

I was lucky enough to meet the author, Pauline Francis when she visited my school today to present one of my friends with a certificate for winning the national Evan's short story competition that she wrote the starter for and did a talk to my year. I was very excited that she read an extract from the beginning of Traitor's Kiss because the description was really good and made me want to read it more.

The cover was revealed very recently and Pauline Francis bought in a cover jacket she got a few days ago to show us at school. I much prefer it than her other book covers for Raven Queen and A World Away because of the swirly gold writing against the rich purple background and the photo of a young Elizabeth. It's not one of my favourite recent covers but it's still really pretty.

The Traitor's Kiss is due to be released on July 1st 2011 by Usborne Publishing. I'll probably be pre-ordering it off Amazon!

What are you waiting on?

Waiting on Wednesday: Emerald by Karen Wallace

Waiting on Wednesday is an awesome meme held at Breaking The Spine which encourages bloggers to share books that they are eagerly anticipation that have yet to be released!

My pick this week is:

Emerald by Karen Wallace

Publisher description: Emerald St. John is in trouble. She has been condemned to marry a man she hates. Her enemies are conspiring to have her pet bear Molly torn apart in the baiting pits, and the man she loves is far away on the high seas. And she has stumbled into a web of spies with a plot to poison Queen Elizabeth I. To save herself and the kingdom, she must beat the spies at their own game - which means transforming herself from a country girl into a Court lady. Can she do it in time? Set against a detailed and vivid recreation of a great Elizabethan manor house, Emerald will bring to life a world where the most sophisticated rules of etiquette went hand in with brutality and superstition.

Release Date: July 7, 2011

I adore the Tudor time period and  court intriguge so this premise sounds amazing and just my type of book. Also, the cover is beauitfully stunning with that bright emerald dress on the hazy snowy background- I definitely need this one sitting on my bookshelf! I feel a Beauitful Dresses Coverlicious post coming on in the future so I better not gush too much about it now....

What are you waiting on this week?

Waiting on Wednesday: Dark Mirror by M.J Putney



Thanks to Betwitched Bookworms for the cute button!



Waiting on Wednesday is a fantastic meme held at Breaking The Spine where bloggers share books that are not yet released that they are eagerly waiting on!

I haven't participated in WOW for a long time so I'm excited to be posting it again :)

This week's pick is:

Goodreads description

Lady Victoria Mansfield, youngest daughter of the Earl and Countess of Fairmount, is destined for a charmed life. Soon she will be presented during the London season, where she can choose a mate worthy of her status. Yet Tory has a shameful secret—a secret so powerful that, if exposed, it could strip her of her position and disgrace her family forever. Tory’s blood is tainted…by magic. When a shocking accident forces Tory to demonstrate her despised skill, the secret she’s fought so hard to hide is revealed for all to see. She is immediately exiled to Lackland Abbey, a reform school for young men and women in her position. There she will learn to suppress her deplorable talents and maybe, if she’s one of the lucky ones, be able to return to society.

But Tory’s life is about to change forever. All that she’s ever known or considered important will be challenged. What lies ahead is only the beginning of a strange and wonderful journey into a world where destiny and magic come together, where true love and friendship find her, and where courage and strength of

character are the only things that determine a young girl’s worth.

I was first attracted to this one because of the beautiful cover but I love the premise too. After all, it is YA historical fiction! I have been meaning to read more historical magic books too and if the description is anything to go by this one sounds like a good one to start with. I especially like the sound of the London Season being included as I'm a fan of Regency set books that feature the Season prominently a lot. The cover is just so gorgeous, the mix of colours with the dark background and the golden figure in the mirror just goes so well together and really piqued my interest the first time I saw it. The US release date is 1st March so not long to wait!

What are you waiting on?

Waiting on Wednesday:Sigrun's Secret by Marie-Louise Jensen



The beautiful cover!



Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Breaking The Spine that highlights upcoming books that we are eagerly anticipating.

My pick this week is: Sigrun's Secret by Marie Louise Jensen

'Their garments are black as night. They carry torches in their hands, darkness and anger in their hearts. They are coming.' When a dark family secret is exposed, Sigrun's peaceful life is shattered. Forced to pay for her parents' misdeeds, she finds herself exiled from all she knows - and from the boy she loves - for three long years. Yet more secrets lie ahead; not least the power Sigrun finds awakening in herself, seemingly passed to her from a mysterious amulet. Can she use her new-found gift to save herself and those around her from the dangers they face? And will true love wait until her return?

It is the sequel to Daughter of Fire and Ice, which I loved and was in my top ten books of 2010. It was left on quite a big cliffhanger, some of which the answer is hinted in the description but I am really looking forward to reading Thora's (the main character in the first book) daughter's story.


It is released on the 1st of January so not long to wait!

What are you waiting on this week?

Waiting on Wednesday; Entiwined by Heathor Dixon

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme held by Jill at Breaking The Spine where participants share upcoming books that they can't wait to get their hands on!

My pick this week is Enchanted by Heathor Dixon:

Goodreads description

Azalea is trapped. Just when she should feel that everything is before her . . . beautiful gowns, dashing suitors, balls filled with dancing . . . it's taken away. All of it.

The Keeper understands. He's trapped, too, held for centuries within the walls of the palace. And so he extends an invitation.

Every night, Azalea and her eleven sisters may step through the enchanted passage in their room to dance in his silver forest.

But there is a cost.

The Keeper likes to keep things.

Azalea may not realize how tangled she is in his web until it is too late.

Product description

Azalea and her younger sisters dance in the mysterious silver forest every night, escaping from the sadness of the palace and their father’s grief. What they don’t understand—although as time passes they begin to get an inkling of the danger they are in—is that the mysterious and dashing Keeper is tightening his snare with deadly purpose. Luckily, Azalea is brave and steadfast. Luckily, a handsome young army captain also has his eye on Azalea. . . .Lush, romantic, and compelling, this debut novel by Heather Dixon will thrill fans of Shannon Hale, Robin McKinley, and Edith Pattou

 I thought that the product description have a more detailed idea of the storyline so I included both of the summaries that I found.  I also love how Shannon Hale is mentioned in it as she is a brilliant author from the 2 books I've read of hers. I've seen it described as a retelling of the fairy tale of The Twelve Princesses, which I have heard of but don't know much but it sounds very magical. The cover is absolutely gorgeous, it's truly enough to make anyone want to pick it up.

It is scheduled to be released on the 29th March 2011, which seems such a long time away!

What are you waiting on this week?

Waiting on Wednesday: The Mermaid's Mirror by L.K Madigan

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme held by Jill at Breaking The Spine, which encourages book bloggers to post about books that they are eagerly anticipating.

My pick this week is:

Lena has lived her whole life near the beach—walking for miles up and down the shore and breathing the salty air, swimming in the cold water, and watching the surfers rule the waves—the problem is, she’s spent her whole life just watching.
As her sixteenth birthday approaches, Lena vows she will no longer watch from the sand: she will learn to surf.
But her father – a former surfer himself – refuses to allow her to take lessons. After a near drowning in his past, he can’t bear to let Lena take up the risky sport.

Yet something lures Lena to the water … an ancient, powerful magic. One morning Lena catches sight of this magic: a beautiful woman—with a silvery tail.

Nothing will keep Lena from seeking the mermaid, not even the dangerous waves at Magic Crescent Cove. And soon … what she sees in the mermaid’s mirror will change her life …

This book was released 2 days ago but I am waiting to read it so I still thought I'd feature it.


One of my favourite series is Ingo by Helen Dunmore about an underwater mer world where a brother and sister are enticed in just like in this one. I love mermaid fantasy now and I like the idea of the surfing element with it. The cover is gorgeous, I love the girl's hair- I wish I could do mine like that! The stormy sea is very atmospheric too with the girl and the illuminated title standing out. Also, isn't the title beautiful? The alliteration is beautiful and I'm quite surprised that this title has never been used before.

I have requested to read this book on NetGalley but I've never tried reading on the computer before and I don't know if I'll get on with it very well but if not, I'll wait to have a real copy. I'm really excited about it!

Welcome to my blog if this is your first time visiting from the WOW linky list, feel free to take a look around and read a few posts. I'd love to hear from any visitors in the comments and if you like, leave a link to your WOW post and I'll try and take a look at it.

Waiting on Wednesday: Bright Young Things by Anna Godbersen

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme held by Jill at Breaking The Spine, which encourages book bloggers to post about books that they are eagerly anticipating.

My pick this week is: Bright Young Things by Anna Godbersen

The year is 1929. New York is ruled by the Bright Young Things: flappers and socialites seeking thrills and chasing dreams in the anything-goes era of the Roaring Twenties.
Letty Larkspur and Cordelia Grey escaped their small Midwestern town for New York's glittering metropolis. All Letty wants is to see her name in lights, but she quickly discovers Manhattan is filled with pretty girls who will do anything to be a star...

Cordelia is searching for the father she's never known, a man as infamous for his wild parties as he is for his shadowy schemes. Overnight, she enters a world more thrilling and glamorous than she ever could have imagined—and more dangerous. It's a life anyone would kill for...and someone will.

The only person Cordelia can trust is Astrid Donal, a flapper who seems to have it all: money, looks, and the love of Cordelia's brother, Charlie. But Astrid's perfect veneer hides a score of family secrets.

Across the vast lawns of Long Island, in the illicit speakeasies of Manhattan, and on the blindingly lit stages of Broadway, the three girls' fortunes will rise and fall—together and apart. From the New York Times bestselling author of The Luxe comes an epic new series set in the dizzying last summer of the Jazz Age. 

 

(From Goodreads)

I really enjoyed reading Godbersen's Luxe series so I'm looking forward to seeing what Bright Young Things is like. I haven't read anything set in America in the 1920s so this will be a new experience for me, hopefully a good one!

Cover:

This cover definitely has a 'Roaring Twenties' feel to it with the font and the 'glamour feel' from the era. It's one that would stand out on a bookcase but I don't like it as much as the beautifully gorgeous Luxe series covers.

Welcome to my blog if this is your first time visiting, feel free to take a look around and read a few posts. I'd love to hear from any visitors in the comments and if you like, leave a link to your WOW post and I'll try and take a look at it.

Stephanie <3

Waiting on Wednesday (4) : Belle's Song by K.M Grant

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly feature held by Jill at Breaking The Spine, which encourages book bloggers to post about books that they are eagerly anticipating.

My pick this week is: Belle's Song by K.M Grant

When Belle meets Luke, son of an alchemist and Scribe to the famous poet Chaucer, she is determined to travel with him to Canterbury on a pilgrimage. She hopes for a miracle: that her father will walk again. She also hopes to atone for her own part in his accident. It is a time of unrest across the country and the young King Richard II is just hanging on to his throne. A malign character on the pilgrimage suspects Chaucer of treason and slowly winds Belle into a political intrigue. At the same time, the impulsive Belle is drawn towards both Luke and to Walter, the wealthy son of a Knight. But Walter himself is in love with Luke...As the uprising against the King starts to draw pace and the web of intrigue around Belle and Chaucer tightens, Belle and her friends must risk everything to save their country and themselves...

I love stories set in Medieval times and I like the sound of incorporating Chaucer into it as I haven't read much about him before. The love triangle sounds like a good twist to the story.

The cover is just so beautiful and it looks so bright and intriguing but at the same time fitting in with the time period it is set in.

Belle's Song is published by Quarcus Publishing and its release date has been delayed until early 2011

Welcome to my blog if this is your first time visiting, feel free to take a look around and read a few posts. I'd love to hear from any visitors in the comments and if you like, leave a link to your WOW post and I'll try and take a look at it.

Waiting on Wednesday (3) : Contagion by Johanne Dahme

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme held by Jill at Breaking The Spine, which encourages book bloggers to post about books that they are eagerly anticipating.

My pick this week is:

Contagion by Johanne Dahme

Goodreads summary:

In her fourth novel Joanne Dahme creates another page-turning tale in which a young woman named Rose strives to rid Philadelphia’s water of the deadly typhoid bacteria. Set in the late 19th century, Rose Dugan is a young wife who is actively involved in her community. But when her best friend is killed while working at Philadelphia’s Water Works' gardens, the mystery around her death pulls Rose in. Will she save the city from a deadly typhoid outbreak that is threatening the city’s water system? Will Rose unravel the mystery behind her best friend’s murder—a fate that was actually meant for her?

I haven't read many historical fiction books set in America before so I'm looking forward to learning more about the historical events and life there and the added mystery murder plot theme sounds brilliant.

Cover:
I think that the cover is quite eye catching because of the hazy background mixed with the bright and shining face of the girl that makes it more striking. The red writing also fits in with the feel of the cover and the authors name in a simpler font fits in unobtrusively.

Welcome to my blog if this is your first time visiting, feel free to take a look around and read a few posts. I'd love to hear from any visitors in the comments and if you like, leave a link to your WOW post and I'll try and take a look at it.

Stephanie <3

Waiting on Wednesday: Cate of the Lost Colony

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted at Breaking The Spine, where bloggers post about upcoming book releases they are eagerly anticipating.

My can't wait to read book for this week is Cate of the Lost Colony by Lisa Klein:

The greatest unsolved mystery of American history--what happened to all the colonists who landed on Roanoke Island in 1587? This novel traces the fortunes and misfortunes of one Cate Archer, banished to Virginia by a jealous Queen Elizabeth because of her dalliance with Sir Walter Ralegh. What will be her fate in this dangerous New World?

Seamlessly weaving together fact with fiction, Lisa Klein's newest historical drama is an engrossing tale of adventure and forbidden love—kindled by one of the most famous mysteries in American history: the fate of the settlers at Roanoke, who disappeared without a trace forty years before the Pilgrims would set foot in Plymouth.

I love books set in the Tudor era and have read many about Queen Elizabeth, Sir Walter Raleigh and courtiers and also books about voyages to and exploration of The New World so this book sounds like a perfect mix of setting, romance, drama and real historical figures.

Covers: I found that they were two covers for Cate of the Lost Colony and I think that one is an ARC cover and one is the final cover that was changed before the ARCs were printed as the covers are the same on Amazon UK and US.  

 Initially I preferred the top cover because of the close up of the girl's expression which was clearer and the white swirly writing. I also think it would appeal more to teenagers than the cover the left. However, the cover on the left is growing on me as I like the details of the dress and the illustration of the ships gives a better idea of the story and makes it look more like historical fiction. It also looks like more work and thought has been put into it. Which one do you prefer?

One thing I have noticed about YA historical fiction is the trend to have full face covers like the one on the left. I quite like full face covers but having them on every cover can be a bit repetitive and boring. What do you think about that?

Cate of The Lost Colony is published by Bloomsbury and will be released on the 12th of October this year- definitely something for me to look forward too! If you would like to read an ARC review of it, visit this link to Rebecca's Book Blog.

What are you Waiting on Wednesday for? I'd be happy to check out your posts too and I'd love to hear if you like the sound of this book or have added it to your wish list!

Stephanie <3

Waiting on Wednesday: Wildwing by Emily Whitman

When I first started reading book blogs I noticed that the 'Waiting on Wednesday' feature (which is held at Breaking The Spine)  was very popular and although I liked the idea, I didn't know much about new releases but now I have found an exciting list of YA historical fiction books that are going to be released soon.

My 'can't wait to read' unreleased book this week is Wildwing by Emily Whitman:

When Addy is swept back in time, she couldn’t be happier to leave her miserable life behind. Now she’s mistaken for Lady Matilda, the pampered ward of the king. If Addy can play her part, she’ll have glorious gowns, jewels, and something she’s always longed for: the respect and admiration of others. But then she meets Will, the falconer’s son with sky blue eyes who unsettles all her plans.

From shipwreck to dungeon, from betrothals to hidden conspiracies, Addy faces the intrigues of a castle where she’s not the only one with a dangerous secret. When she discovers the truth, Addy must take matters into her own hands. The stakes? Her chance at true love—and the life she’s meant to live.

This book sounds like my favourite genre historical fiction with a hint of romance and a little bit of fantasy mixed in, which I have never really tried but I like the sound of. The cover is also beautifully striking, I love the contrast of inside and outside of the frame. I found a brilliant blog post all about the cover shoot here if you're interested.

Wildwing is being released on the 21st September and I will definitely read it!