Book Wars a weekly feature hosted between two book review blogs – A Life Bound By Books & Much Loved Books!

It’s a fact that book lovers know all about the covers of the books they covet. Often when a title is released here in the UK, it’s sometimes vastly different across the pond in the US. So, Michelle from Much Loved Books and I have come together to create Book Wars to talk about the difference in covers when it comes to the US vs. UK versions.

We hope from time to time authors will chime in with their thoughts as well. We welcome everyone to comment and share their thoughts too! The more the merrier!

Before we get to this weeks Book Wars, we have a winner to announce.The Book Wars winner for Lead by Kylie Scott is...!!!!!! Thank you to everyone who voted for both books, and for picking a winner.

Also, there's a poll at the bottom of the post that we'd love to hear your input for the two covers! Tell us which one YOU love the most.

Left: US - Right: UK

Title: Model Misfit
Series: Geek Girl #2
Author: Holly Smale
Publisher: US - Harper Teen, 400 Pages, (July 21st, 2015), UK - HarperCollins Children's Books, 356 Pages, (September 26th, 2013)
Add to Goodreads: USA Version | UK Version
Order online here: USA: Amazon, Barnes and Noble,The Book Depository UK: Amazon UK, Waterstones, W H Smith, The Book Depository

Synopsis: “My name is Harriet Manners, and I am still a geek.”

Harriet knows that modelling won’t transform you. She knows that being as uniquely odd as a polar bear isn’t necessarily a bad thing (even in a rainforest). And that the average person eats a ton of food a year, though her pregnant stepmother is doing her best to beat this.

What Harriet doesn’t know is where she’s going to fit in once the new baby arrives.

With summer plans ruined, modelling in Japan seems the perfect chance to get as far away from home as possible. But nothing can prepare Harriet for the craziness of Tokyo, her competitive model flatmates and her errant grandmother’s ‘chaperoning’. Or seeing gorgeous Nick everywhere she goes.

Because, this time, Harriet knows what a broken heart feels like.

Can geek girl find her place on the other side of the world or is Harriet lost for good?

About the Author:

Holly is the Number One bestselling, multi-award winning author of the GEEK GIRLseries.

She fell in love with writing at five years old, when she realised that books didn't grow on trees like apples. A passion for travel, adventure and wearing no shoes has since led her all over the world: she has visited 27 countries, spent two years working as an English teacher in Japan, volunteered in Nepal, been bartered for in Jamaica and had a number of ear-plugs stolen in Australia, Indonesia and India.

Holly has a BA in English Literature, an MA in Shakespeare, and currently lives in London or at @holsmale.

The GEEK GIRL series has been an internationally bestselling no1. smash-hit. It won the Waterstones Teen Prize of the Year and the Leeds book award, was shortlisted for the Roald Dahl Funny Prize and the Branford Boase award, and was long-listed for the Carnegie.

Find Holly Online:

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram

Let the Wars Begin: Its now time to make our decision, let's see what we think about the covers and pick our Favorite cover.

Lisa Another quick and easy week for me. The US cover is just kind of blah. There's nothing much to it really. Am I the only one who thinks it's kind of boring-ish?

Now when you look at the UK cover, there's something that makes me want to pick this book up. It looks like a fun book to read and I'm all about geeks - being a self professed one myself.

If I were to pick up both books in a store I'd want to know more about the UK cover before the US one. Again, it just looks playful and makes me want to read these books sooner rather than later.

So, my vote = UK. What goes YOUR quick click below? Share it with us, please?

Michelle I love the cover for the USA cover, how it's feminine but also shows the little things that make Harriett who she is. However, I've been staring at the UK cover of this book since publication, and when this book is mentioned this is all I can envision. The UK cover shows all the bits that are Harriett. The problems, the formulas, and I just cover the facial expression of the model. It's a UK vote for me today, which cover gets your vote?

VOTE for YOUR favorite cover of Model Misfit by Holly Smale NOW!

Title: Rule (Songs of Corruption #3)
Author: C.D. Reiss
Publisher: (August 25th 2015)
Add to: Goodreads
Order here: Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Amazon UK, iBooks

NOTE: This is a Adult novel. Due to mature content this title is recommended for ages 18+

Synopsis: Book Three in The Corruption Series. You must read SPIN and RUIN before reading RULE!

Theresa and Antonio.

They've been through hell. Antonio has a price on his head for turning his back on a marriage deal, and Theresa has no intention of turning her back on him. They're devoted and strong, ready for anything....

A Love Tested To The Limit 

And then, someone from Antonio's past reappears. Someone who can give him everything he ever wanted, and who can shake them to their very core.

#livetogether
#dietogether

In this stunning conclusion to the USA Today Bestselling series, Antonio and Theresa will have their passion, their devotion and their very will to live tested.

Antonio and Theresa live or die together in this epic, full-length conclusion to the Songs of Corruption series! 

Rule Book Trailer:

Check out the series from the beginning.....

SPIN (Book One) 

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/1i31x5F
Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/1MONrjO
iBooks: http://apple.co/1MEwcD5
Nook: http://bit.ly/1JYgHQl
Kobo: http://bit.ly/1OHuDli

Ruin (Book Two)

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/1MONLPB
Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/1EXsbSD
iBooks: http://apple.co/1VU2VY5
Nook: http://bit.ly/1KIKhfk
Kobo: http://bit.ly/1V8yLPp

About the Author:

CD Reiss is a USA Today and Amazon bestseller. She still has to chop wood and carry water, which was buried in the fine print. Her lawyer is working it out with God but in the meantime, if you call and she doesn’t pick up, she’s at the well, hauling buckets.

Born in New York City, she moved to Hollywood, California to get her master’s degree in screenwriting from USC. In case you want to know, that went nowhere, but it did embed TV story structure in her head well enough for her to take a big risk on a TV series structured erotic series called Songs of Submission. It’s about a kinky billionaire hung up on his ex-wife, an ingenue singer with a wisecracking mouth; art, music and sin in the city of Los Angeles.

Critics have dubbed the books “poetic,” “literary,” and “hauntingly atmospheric,” which is flattering enough for her to put it in a bio, but embarrassing enough for her not to tell her husband, or he might think she’s some sort of braggart who’s too good to give the toilets a once-over every couple of weeks or chop a cord of wood.

If you meet her in person, you should call her Christine.

Find Christine Online:

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

Title: Bounce (Boomerang #3)
Author: Noelle August
Publisher: William Marrow, 304 Pages (August 25th, 2015)
Add to: Goodreads
Order here: Amazon, Barnes and Noble, The Book Depository, Amazon UK

NOTE: This is a "New Adult" novel. Due to mature content this title is recommended for ages 17+

Synopsis: Playing the occasional club gig just isn’t cutting it for twenty-two-year-old cellist Skyler Canby, who’s trying to support herself and her mother back home in Kentucky. Persuaded by her best friend Beth to accompany her on an audition for the first feature film launched by Blackwood Entertainment, she figures why not? Beth’s a shoe-in for the lead, but maybe Skyler’s newly dyed pink hair will help her stand out enough to score a small speaking part.

Never in her wildest dreams does Skyler imagine she’ll land the lead role or that she’ll have her shoes knocked off her feet by the kiss her audition partner, Grey Blackwood, plants on her—a kiss that feels very real and not at all “acted. ”

After throwing a party that causes thousands of dollars of damage to his older brother’s home, reckless musician Grey Blackwood gets roped into working off his debt on the set of his CEO brother’s newest project. Grey spends his days fetching coffee and doing odd jobs around the studio, but he lives for nights when he performs with his band. He knows if he can stay focused, success as a singer is just around the corner. But that’s tough with a distracting pink-haired girl occupying his every waking thought.

Skyler and Grey have every reason to resist each other. But, like a song neither of them can get out of their minds, they have no choice but to go where the music takes them. 

Author Interview:

Hi Ladies! Thanks again for taking the time out to chat with me; it’s great to have you back on the blog. This time we’re here to celebrate all that is Bounce!! 

I’ve read it, loved it (as I have the previous two books) and I’d love to know a few things about the book, characters and your process when it comes to writing with a co-author.

V: Thanks for having us back! I'm glad you loved the book!

L: Yay! We love it too.

First things first… did you always know you wanted to write a book in the series featuring Adams younger brother Grey? And what is it about him as a character that you both fell in love with while writing his story?

V: I think we did always know we wanted to write about Grey. And for my part, I love how he lives passionately and unapologetically. He's younger than our other two heroes, but in a lot of ways, Grey owns who he is more than they did. He's not trying to please a darn soul. That said, he's not aggressive or pushy about what he wants, either. He's genuinely a sweet guy... who knows what he wants and goes for it.

And then Skyler, she’s super talented and kind of falls into her leading role in more ways than one. What was something about her that neither of you saw coming while reading this layered character?

L: Originally, we’d pitched the book with Beth in Skyler’s role, so just her appearance as the protagonist is a bit unexpected! But we realized it help more possibilities in its way than Beth (who I’d really still love to give a story!) I think her struggles with food and weight came as a bit of a surprise, too, as did her relationship with her father. In some ways, she’s the most uncertain and vulnerable of the series characters, but like her friends, Mia and Beth, she has this core of strength that would appear in unexpected ways for me.

Since this is the last in the series, which I was sad to learn…, what’s something you’ll miss from each of the characters?

V: It's technically the last, but maybe not really the last. We talk about keeping it going, somehow, since we miss working together. As for the characters, I'll miss Ethan's wisdom and Mia's charm. I'll miss Ali's kind heart, and Adam's deep sense of loyalty. And I'll miss Grey's and Skyler's passion.

L: I definitely agree with all of that. I think I’ll miss Ethan’s kindness too. Him coaching those little kids was just the greatest. For Mia, I’ll miss her confidence. Ali: her honesty with herself. Adam: His worldliness and integrity. Sky: Her creativity and mastery of her art(s). Grey: Definitely, his sweetness, his physicality (as I imagine it), his passion, and his raw energy.

And a follow up question, if you had a chance to visit the Boomerang world again, who’s a character or two that you’d love to spend some time with in telling their story?

V: Cookie was a crowd-favorite! I also really liked writing Titus in BOUNCE, and Jason and Isis in BOOMERANG.

L: I could happily write the hell out of half of a Titus/Beth story or a Jason/Isis story. And maybe a Cookie/??? story, though I can’t even imagine the man (beast?) who could take her on.  I can also see great adventures for Paolo or Pippa or Phillipe. All the “P” characters. :)

So, I know I’m extremely curious how you two went about writing these books together? How did you do it?

L:  Basically, Veronica and I would meet over a long weekend and hatch the basic plot and overall story structure without going too deep into scene-by-scene planning, which allowed for some flexibility and mid-course corrections—of which we took happy advantage!

Then, I’d take ownership of one viewpoint (the girl’s), and V would take the other (the dude’s) and we’d shoot the manuscript back and forth, aiming, generally, for a scene a day, except if our schedules became wonky. Then it was two scenes a day.

We’d also email a lot, chat via phone and Skype, and leave each other notes within the file, sometimes suggesting element for upcoming scenes, sometimes just cheering each other on. While the process had its challenges—almost exclusively due to our busy schedules, it really worked great, and I miss it!

Did anything change in your process from writing the first book to the second and now the third?

V: I'm not sure anything changed, as much as that we became more comfortable with the process as we went along. I think we really fell into a groove early with BOUNCE. All of the books were fun to write, but BOUNCE was really fun.

And lastly, what’s next for you two? Will we see more from Noelle August in the future? 

V: I have a YA coming up in February called RIDERS. It's a modern-day fantasy, about four teens who become incarnations of the four horsemen of the apocalypse. See: action, adventure, romance. The sequel to that will be out in 2017. Beyond that, I'm working on a few things, but still early stages. And as for Noelle August, it's definitely on the table!

L: I’d like to note that RIDERS is AWESOME and should be immediately pre-ordered by all people, everywhere.

As for me, I feel like I should put all of my many book ideas on a giant Wheel of Fortune and just spin. Or let someone pick it out of the hat.  Maybe we need a giveaway where someone gets to dictate what I write next, and I dedicate the book to him or her! Any takers?

Ladies, as always… it’s been a pleasure! Thanks for taking the time out of your busy schedule to answer these questions. Can’t wait to see what you write for us readers/fans next!

Thanks so much for having us!

Title: Ink and Bone
Author: Rachel Caine
Publisher: Allison and Busby, 410 pages (July 7th 2015)
From: Present from my sister.
Format: Paperback
Add to: Goodreads
Order a copy: Amazon, Barnes and Noble, The Book Depository, Amazon UK

Synopsis: Knowledge is power. Power corrupts.

In a world where the ancient Great Library of Alexandria was never destroyed, knowledge now rules the world: freely available, but strictly controlled. Owning private books is a crime.

Jess Brightwell is the son of a black market smuggler, sent to the Library to compete for a position as a scholar... but even as he forms friendships and finds his true gifts, he begins to unearth the dark secrets of the greatest, most revered institution in the world.

Those who control the Great Library believe that knowledge is more valuable than any human life - and soon both heretics and books will burn...

Review: 3.5 stars - When I first heard about Ink and Bone I was so excited. Another Rachel Caine book to add to my collection- I love her writing.

I started reading Ink and Bone and initially couldn’t get into the book; I am normally engrossed in Caine’s books from start to finish. I put the struggle of reading down to work, and lack of sleep.

Jess Brightwell was brought up as a smuggler of rare books. Jess doesn’t really agree with the family business. He’s seen what some clients do with rare books and believes it’s wrong. But there’s no way out for him.  Jess would rather be sat reading one of those old books and inhaling their smell than running for his life, trying to keep them out of the hands of the library.

I love the concept of what books are in Ink and Bone. What if the Great Library of Alexandria hadn’t been destroyed? What would have become of the world?

All books are kept at the library under constant surveillance and can be read via Codex.
To coin a phrase “Knowledge is power” and to own books is illegal, and results in immediate arrest. I’d be one of the first arrested with the number I own!

To work for the Library is an honourable job, though against the family’s normal beliefs, Jess soon finds himself signed up to compete for a Scholar’s post at the Library. Only he’s competing against others for a limited number of posts.

Will Jess be prepared for the challenge ahead? His background, although it must stay secret from the Scholars and other postulants, may prove to be a help rather than a hindrance.

There is world building of epic proportions throughout this book. Caine always writes a good setting but this time I felt completely emerged in the history of Alexandria Library. The automata creeped me out, but I could feel their eyes watching me, as if I was there along side Jess.

There is a diverse set of characters- something that some books neglect and I did find myself becoming attached to Jess because of his love of books. I didn’t become attached to any of the other characters, but I’m hoping there will be more from them in the next book in the series.

All in all, a great but sometimes hard to grasp YA read. Keep going with it because it does get better.
Some parts of this book make me want to shout “All hail the paperback book” – but you’ll learn more about that when you give it a read.

I have the UK edition of Ink and Bone and the cover is simply beautiful in my opinion.
Also, the acknowledgements page I think this deserves a special mention.

“Thanks to those who work daily to put words in the hands of those who crave them; librarians, teachers, booksellers and writers.
You don’t just make the world better.
You make the world”

As a bookseller myself; I think this is awesome, being able to give people access to books, and matching a particular book to the right customer can be a delight.
It also makes me feel like I’m a book smuggler after reading the book and that’s quite cool in itself!

If you like books in general give it a read. If you like J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter series, or Cassandra Clare and Holly Black’s The Iron Trial then Ink and Bone may also be right up your street.

"Waiting On" Wednesday is an event hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine. The purpose of this weekly event is to spotlight a soon-to-be-released book that you are very much anticipating. "Waiting On" Wednesday will also give bloggers an opportunity to share ideas for our TBR lists.

 Title: A Curious Tale of the In-Between (Pram #1)
Author: Lauren DeStefano
Publisher: Bloomsbury USA Childrens, 240 Pages (September 1st, 2015)
Add to: Goodreads
Order here: Amazon, Barnes and Noble, The Book Depository, Amazon UK

Synopsis: Pram Bellamy is special—she can talk to ghosts. She doesn’t have too many friends amongst the living, but that’s all right. She has her books, she has her aunts, and she has her best friend, the ghostly Felix.

Then Pram meets Clarence, a boy from school who has also lost a parent and is looking for answers. Together they arrive at the door of the mysterious Lady Savant, who promises to help. But this spiritualist knows the true nature of Pram’s power, and what she has planned is more terrifying than any ghost.

Lauren DeStefano is beloved by critics and readers alike, and her middle grade debut is lyrical, evocative and not to be missed.

Title: Cut Both Ways
Author: Carrie Mesrobian
Publisher: HarperCollins, 352 Pages (September 1st, 2015)
Add to: Goodreads
Order here: Amazon, Barnes and Noble, The Book Depository, Amazon UK

Synopsis: Will Caynes never has been good with girls. At seventeen, he’s still waiting for his first kiss. He’s certainly not expecting it to happen in a drunken make-out session with his best friend, Angus. But it does and now Will’s conflicted—he knows he likes girls, but he didn’t exactly hate kissing a guy.

Then Will meets Brandy, a cute and easy-to-talk-to sophomore. He’s totally into her too—which proves, for sure, that he’s not gay. So why does he keep hooking up with Angus on the sly?

Will knows he can’t keep seeing both of them, but besides his new job in a diner, being with Brandy and Angus are the best parts of his whole messed-up life. His divorced parents just complicate everything. His father, after many half-baked business ventures and endless house renovations, has started drinking again. And his mom is no help—unless loading him up with a bunch of stuff he doesn’t need plus sticking him with his twin half-sisters counts as parenting. He’s been bouncing between both of them for years, and neither one feels like home.

Deciding who to love, who to choose, where to live. Whichever way Will goes, someone will get hurt. Himself, probably the most.

Title: The Next Together (The Next Together #1)
Author: Lauren James
Publisher: Walker, 356 Pages (September 3rd, 2015)
Add to: Goodreads
Order here: Amazon, The Book Depository, Amazon UK

Synopsis: How many times can you lose the person you love?

A powerful and epic debut novel for teenagers about reincarnation and the timelessness of first love from a talented young writer.

Teenagers Katherine and Matthew are destined to be born again and again. Each time their presence changes history for the better, and each time, they fall hopelessly in love, only to be tragically separated.

But why do they keep coming back? What else must they achieve before they can be left to live and love in peace?
Maybe the next together will be different...

*covers are always subject to change.

Title: Worth It (Forbidden Men #6)
Author: Linda Kage
Publisher: 389 Pages (August 25th 2015)
Add to: Goodreads
Order here: Amazon, Barnes and Noble, The Book Depository, Amazon UK

NOTE: This is a "New Adult" novel. Due to mature content this title is recommended for ages 18+

Synopsis: I fell in love once.

It was amazing. She was amazing. Life was amazing.

I lived for each time I could see her, and nothing else mattered, not that our families were enemies, our time together was forbidden, or we had to meet in secret.

Our love could conquer all.

Until it didn't.

So I was ripped away from the love of my life and shoved into hell, forced to continue without her.

It shattered me, broke the best parts of me, left me permanently damaged.

Or so I thought.

Years later, I swear history’s trying to repeat itself because she’s back in my life, and I’m just as drawn to her as I was before. But I'm older and wiser now, and I know she should stay away from a worthless piece of ex-con like me.

So, I will not let her in. I absolutely refuse to hurt her. I will keep her away.

Then again, sometimes risking your greatest fear to get to a smile makes everything worth it, and besides, I’m not sure I can resist her, anyway.

This is the story of how Felicity Bainbridge changed my life forever, starting one summer day long ago after I was forced to change a dirty diaper...

--Knox Parker

About the Author: 

The youngest of eight children, Linda Kage grew up on a dairy farm in the Midwest. She now lives in Kansas with her husband, daughter, and nine cuckoo clocks. Linda is a member of Romance Writers of America and its local chapter, Midwest Romance Writers.

Find Linda Online:

Website | Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads | Pinterest

GIVEAWAY!!!

Blitz-wide giveaway (INTL)

• $20.00 Amazon Gift Card
• 3x Paperback + Swag copies of Worth It
• 5x Ebooks of Worth It
• Swag Only package

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Title: Heart-Shaped Hack
Author: Tracey Garvis-Graves 
Publisher: 277 Pages (August 25th, 2015)
Add to: Goodreads
Order here: Amazon, Barnes and Noble, The Book Depository, Amazon UK, iBooks

NOTE: This is a "New Adult" novel. Due to mature content this title is recommended for ages 18+

Synopsis: When Kate Watts abandoned her law career to open a food pantry in Northeast Minneapolis, she never dreamed it would be this difficult. Facing the heartbreaking prospect of turning hungry people away, she is grateful for the anonymous donations that begin appearing at the end of each month. Determined to identify and thank her secret benefactor, she launches a plan and catches Ian —a charismatic hacker with a Robin Hood complex—in the act.

Ian intrigues Kate in a way no man ever has. But after learning he’s snooped around on her personal computer, she demands retribution. Impressed with her tolerance and captivated by her spirit, he complies and begins to slowly charm his way past her defenses. Time spent with Ian is never boring, and Kate soon finds herself falling for the mysterious hacker.

But Ian has enemies and they’re growing restless. In the hacking world, exploiting a target’s weakness is paramount, and no price is too high to stop an attack. And when Kate learns exactly how much Ian has paid, she’ll discover just how strong her love is for the man who has hacked his way into her heart.

© 2015 Tracey Garvis Graves

Heart-Shaped Hack

EXCERPT

          “Oh, hi,” she said.

          “Imagine running into you here.”

          “This is quite a coincidence.”

          “It’s not a coincidence at all. I knew you were following me.”

          “You did not.”

          “I spotted you hiding behind the plant when I walked into the bank. Plus I could smell your perfume as soon as I stepped out here.”

          “Did you”—she used her fingers to make little air quotes—“appropriate money from this bank?” she whispered.

          “Of course not. I do all my work from the Batcave. Believe it or not, I actually bank here. I was just signing some papers.”

          Kate had never seen a man look so utterly scrumptious while wearing glasses. There was something about the combination of his hair, his scruff, and the semi-rimless designer frames that made him irresistible. “Are the glasses a disguise? Because I totally knew it was you.”

          “The glasses are real. I often suffer from eyestrain since I spend so much time on the computer, and I was up late last night, working.”

          “They make you look very smart.” She took a moment to imagine how his scruff would feel rubbing against her skin if he were to kiss her.

          “I am smart, but I think you mean devastatingly handsome. More so than normal, that is.”

          “You’re so humble.”

          “Ready?” He walked to the door and held it open for her.

          “Yes.”

          “Follow me.” He looked at her and laughed. “That shouldn’t be a problem for you.”

          They took the elevator to the basement, and when the doors opened to the parking garage, Kate followed Ian to a row of cars. He stopped beside one and pulled a set of keys from his pocket.

         She gasped.

          Ian smiled. “It’s a—”

          “1964 Shelby Daytona Cobra Coupe.”

          “’65. But color me impressed.”

          “My brother Chad was obsessed with this car. He used to have a poster of it on his bedroom wall. There were only six built between 1964 and 1965.”

          “A bit rare indeed.”

           The last authentic Shelby had sold at auction for around seven million. Ian’s was obviously a replica, of which there were quite a few, but it was still a very notable vehicle with a price tag that started in the low six figures. “Helena called it an old blue car.”

          He grinned, looking contemplative. “Technically, that is correct.”

          Kate could not resist running her hand lightly over the Guardsman Blue paint and the white racing stripes on the hood. The Shelby was unmistakably race-car-like in appearance with its aerodynamic design and unique body style. Chad was going to be so jealous. “For someone who values his privacy, isn’t this a bit ostentatious?”

          “How so?”

          “Rakishly handsome playboy who makes grand philanthropic gestures and drives a flashy car. Any of this ringing a bell?”

          “Rakishly handsome playboy?”

          “Well, if the Prada loafer fits. Wouldn’t you fly under the radar more easily in, say, a Ford Focus?” she asked.

          “A Ford Focus? You want me to tool around town in a Ford Focus? Jesus, would I still have my balls?”

          “No, they cut them off when they hand you the keys. Of course you’d still have your balls. What kind of question is that? This conversation has gotten way off track.”

          “You mean because we started out talking about my car and now we’re talking about my balls?”

          “Are we?”

          “I believe so.”

          “Maybe we should go back to talking about your car.”

          “You want to drive it, don’t you?”

          “Why would I want to drive your car?”

          “Why wouldn’t you want to drive my car? Can you handle a stick shift?”

          “Yes, and rather competently I might add.”

          “That’s an enormous turn-on. Truly.”

          She pretended not to hear him. “This is not a good car for Minnesota winters.”

          “Horrible, I agree. My other car has four-wheel drive, but it’s not nearly as fun to operate as this one.” Ian dangled the keys in front of her.

          He was right. Kate was dying to drive his car and couldn’t wait to see how it handled. She took the keys, opened the door, and reached over to unlock the passenger side for Ian. They belted up, and she started the car.

          “Please note that I’m already making good on my promise, Katie. Because I assure you, driving this car will be the opposite of boring.”

About the Author:

Tracey Garvis Graves is a New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today bestselling author. Her debut novel, On the Island, spent 9 weeks on the New York Times bestseller list, has been translated into twenty-seven languages, and is in development with MGM and Temple Hill Productions for a feature film. She is also the author of Uncharted, Covet, Every Time I Think of You, and Cherish. 
Tracey loves to interact with her readers and can be found on Facebook and Twitter. Goodreads     Amazon Author Page

GIVEAWAY!!!

>>>CLICK HERE TO ENTER<<<

Book Wars a weekly feature hosted between two book review blogs – A Life Bound By Books & Much Loved Books!

It’s a fact that book lovers know all about the covers of the books they covet.  Often when a title is released here in the US, it’s sometimes vastly different across the pond in the US.  So, Michelle from Much Loved Books and I have come together to create Book Wars to talk about the difference in covers when it comes to the US vs. UK versions.

We hope from time to time authors will chime in with their thoughts as well. We welcome everyone to comment and share their thoughts too! The more the merrier!

Before we get to this weeks Book Wars, we have a winner to announce. The Book Wars winner for Jet (Marked Men #2) by Jay Crownover is..... the US COVER!!! Thank you to everyone who voted for both books, and for picking a winner.

Also, there's a poll at the bottom of the post that we'd love to hear your input for the two covers! Tell us which one YOU love the most.

Left: US - Right: UK

Title: Lead 

Series: (Stage Dive #3)
Author: Kylie Scott
Publisher: US - St. Martin's Griffin, 320 Pages (November 25th, 2014) UK - Pan, 300 Pages (
Add to: Goodreads USA Version | Goodreads UK Version
Order online here: USA: Amazon, Barnes and Noble, The Book Depository UK: Amazon UK, Waterstones, W H Smith, The Book Depository

NOTE: This is a "New Adult" novel. Due to mature content this title is recommended for ages 17+

Synopsis: Stay up all night with the sexy rockers in Stage Dive, the epic New Adult series from New York Times bestselling author Kylie Scott, author of Lick and Play.

As the lead singer of Stage Dive, Jimmy is used to getting whatever he wants, whenever he wants it, whether it's booze, drugs, or women. However, when a PR disaster serves as a wake-up call about his life and lands him in rehab, he finds himself with Lena, a new assistant to keep him out of trouble.

Lena's not willing to take any crap from the sexy rocker and is determined to keep their relationship completely professional, despite their sizzling chemistry. But when Jimmy pushes her too far and Lena leaves, he realizes that he may just have lost the best thing that ever happened to him. 

About the author: 

Kylie is a New York Times and USA Today best-selling author. She was voted Australian Romance Writer of the year, 2013, by the Australian Romance Writer’s Association and her books have been translated into six different languages. She is a long time fan of romance, rock music, and B-grade horror films. Based in Queensland, Australia with her two children and husband, she reads, writes and never dithers around on the internet.

Find Kylie Online: Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

Let the Wars Begin: Its now time to make our decision, let's see what we think about the covers and pick our favorite cover.

Lisa YAY for Lead, the third book in author Kylie Scott's Stage Dive series! This is my FAVORITE book of the series and I've LOVED this cover the most of all the covers from the US. I can totally see this being Jimmy too.

And while I love how the new UK covers all fit so well together and I do love the look of this one too, I just can't get past how much the US cover for Lead draws me in and makes me feel all squishy for Jimmy.

So, this week my vote is being cast for the US cover. The UK cover gets high points from me as well, but the US cover has it beat, without question.

Now it's your turn to tell us which cover you like the best. It's only a quick click, so cast your vote today!

Michelle This is a tough choice for me today. Looking at both of these covers for the  first time I really can't decide which one I like the most.

Having not read these books yet I cant really imagine how the covers fit the story, and how well they do. So my vote today will be based on how the cover appeals to me.

The UK feels dark, and while I do like the pose of the models themselves, I really can't find anything about the cover that I like. The US cover seems lighter but mysterious, along with the addition of that tattoo this is the cover that grabs my attention more.

It's a US vote for me this week, don't forget to cast you vote below.

VOTE for YOUR favorite cover of Lead NOW!

"Waiting On" Wednesday is an event hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine. The purpose of this weekly event is to spotlight a soon-to-be-released book that you are very much anticipating. "Waiting On" Wednesday will also give bloggers an opportunity to share ideas for our TBR lists.


Title: The Shadow Behind the Stars
Author: Rebecca Hahn
Publisher: Atheneum, 256 Pages (September 1st, 2015)
Add to: Goodreads
Order here: Amazon, Barnes and Noble, The Book Depository, Amazon UK

Synopsis: A girl’s dark destiny could cause the unraveling of the world in this spellbinding novel from the author of A Creature of Moonlight, which Kirkus Reviews called “cumulatively stunning” in a starred review.

Heed this warning, mortal: stay far away from the three sister Fates. For if they come to love you, they might bring about the end of the world…

Chloe is the youngest. Hers are the fingers that choose the wool, that shape the thread, that begin it. The sun smiles upon her. Men love her without knowing who she is. She has lived forever and will live forever more. She and her sisters have been on their isolated Greek island for centuries, longer than any mortal can remember. They spin, measure, and slice the countless golden threads of human life. They are the three Fates, and they have stayed separate for good reason: it is dangerous for them to become involved with the humans whose lives they shape.

So when a beautiful girl named Aglaia shows up on their doorstep, Chloe tries to make sure her sisters don’t become attached. But in seeking to protect them, Chloe discovers the dark power of Aglaia’s destiny. As her path unwinds, the three Fates find themselves pulled inextricably along—toward mortal pain, and mortal love, and a fate that could unravel the world.

Title: A Whole New World (Twisted Tales #1)
Author: Liz Braswell
Publisher: Disney Press, 336 Pages (September 1st, 2015)
Add to: Goodreads
Order here: Amazon, Barnes and Noble, The Book Depository, Amazon UK

Synopsis: Welcome to a new YA series that reimagines classic Disney stories in surprising new ways. Each book asks the question: What if one key moment from a familiar Disney film was changed? This dark and daring version of Aladdin twists the original story with the question: What if Jafar was the first one to summon the Genie?

When Jafar steals the Genie’s lamp, he uses his first two wishes to become sultan and the most powerful sorcerer in the world. Agrabah lives in fear, waiting for his third and final wish.To stop the power-mad ruler, Aladdin and the deposed Princess Jasmine must unite the people of Agrabah in rebellion. But soon their fight for freedom threatens to tear the kingdom apart in a costly civil war.

What happens next? A Street Rat becomes a leader. A princess becomes a revolutionary. And readers will never look at the story of Aladdin in the same way again.

Title: Hunter
Author: Mercedes Lackey
Publisher: Disney-Hyperion, 384 Pages (September 1st, 2015)
Add to: Goodreads
Order here: Amazon, Barnes and Noble, The Book Depository, Amazon UK

Synopsis: Centuries ago, the barriers between our world and the Otherworld were slashed open allowing hideous fantastical monsters to wreak havoc; destroying entire cities in their wake. Now, people must live in enclosed communities, behind walls that keep them safe from the evil creatures constantly trying to break in. Only the corps of teen Hunters with lightning reflexes and magical abilities can protect the populace from the daily attacks.

Joyeaux Charmand is a mountain girl from a close knit village who comes to the big city to join the Hunters. Joy thinks she is only there to perform her civic duty and protect the capitol Cits, or civilians, but as cameras follow her every move, she soon learns that the more successful she is in her hunts, the more famous she becomes.

With millions of fans watching her on reality TV, Joy begins to realize that Apex is not all it seems. She is forced to question everything she grew up believing about the legendary Hunters and the very world she lives in. Soon she finds that her fame may be part of a deep conspiracy that threatens to upend the protective structure built to keep dark magic out. The monsters are getting in and it is up to Joy to find out why.

*covers are always subject to change.