Showcase Sunday (#18)

Showcase Sunday is a weekly meme hosted by Vicki at Books, Biscuits and Tea. Its aim is to showcase our newest books or book related swag and to see what everyone else received for review, borrowed from libraries, bought in bookshops and downloaded onto eReaders this week.

For Review: 

The Cadet of Tildor by Alex Lidell

I'm on a blog tour for this one so I really can't wait to start reading it. I love fantasy, especially high fantasy, so let's hope this one lives up to my expectations! *fingers crossed* 

The Sea of Tranquility by Katja Millay

I've read so many positive reviews for this one lately that I figured I might as well just go ahead and request it on NetGalley. I loved it. It completely surprised me, but in a REALLY good way. You can read my review HERE.  

Lord of the Changing Winds, Land of the Burning Sands, Law of the Broken Earth (Griffin Mage, #1-3) by Rachel Neumeier

 The City in the Lake by Rachel Neumeier and The Floating Islands by Rachel Neumeier

If you recall, I reviewed House of Shadows by Rachel Neumeier a few weeks ago. Shortly afterwards, Ms. Neumeier herself contacted me and asked if I would like to receive a box of her books, to which I gladly accepted as I had already fallen in love with Neumeier's writing style and distinct fantasy prose. I cannot thank Ms. Neumeier enough for sending me copies of all her novels - signed! - and I cannot wait to read them! Fantasy is my favorite genre by far, so I'm really looking forward to these novels! :)

Borrowed: 

Someone Like You, A Lot Like Love, About That Night (FBI/US Attorney, #1-3) by Julie James

I wound up reading all of Julie James' contemporary romances within a week - they were just that addictive. As far as this series goes, I loved the first novel, didn't enjoy the second novel, and liked the third novel. Yet, all of them were fun and entertaining and while only the first one really wormed its way into my heart, the third one was close and I'm already eager for the release of the fourth novel next year! You can read my reviews for this series HERE. 

Just the Sexiest Man Alive by Julie James

Yet another Julie James romance, Just the Sexiest Man Alive is a true page-turner. I sat up late reading this one and while I had a few minor qualms with it, I just loved it overall. Very fun, albeit the most chaste of all James' novels. 

Practice Makes Perfect by Julie James

This. Book. THIS. Goodness, it's...amazing. It's my favorite of all James' romances and it's one I'm going to re-read until the end of days. I just adored it SO MUCH. It's perfect. READ IT. ;)

Bared to You by Sylvia Day

Bared to You has been marketed as the next Fifty Shades of Grey, which is why I've avoided it, but when my mom brought it home from the library, she compelled me to give it a try. It's...not bad. While I hated FSoG with a passion, from its characters to its ridiculous sex scenes to my slow realization that BDSM just wasn't for me, I did like the psychological undertone of it and in some ways, that's what Bared to You has more of. It's also a healthy relationship, one where the characters TALK, and the protagonist is one I liked. It still had a lot of flaws and I doubt I'll pick up the sequel, but as far as erotica goes (and considering I don't enjoy it), it's not bad. You can read my review for it HERE. 

On the Island by Tracey Garvis-Graves

Yes, more contemporary. I've seen this one around a LOT and while the age gap between the characters threw me off, I've decided to give it a try. Let's hope it lives up to the hype! 

Ultraviolet by R.J. Anderson

I've seen everyone talking about the sequel to this one, Quicksilver, which is available on NG and figured it was about time I started this. I simply cannot wait! :D

Touching the Surface by Kimberley Sabatini

I haven't heard too much about this one, but everything I have heard has been really good, so let's hope I enjoy this one! 

 Through the Ever Night by Veronica Rossi

Eeep! Yes, this is reality, not a dream! I actually received this one from my friend, Amelia, at The Authoress. I can't express how excited I was to pick it up in the mail since it is THE most anticipated read of 2013 for me, so thank you Amelia! You're the best! :D (Also, if you're wondering, the book was AMAZING! Duh! It's worth the wait...I promise you!)

Bought: 

A Straight Line to My Heart by Bill Condon 

I think it's safe to say that I'm in love with this Aussie gem. I've been meaning to read it for awhile now and decided to indulge myself and just buy it after all. It may be short, but it's deep, utterly sweet, and completely mesmerizing. I can't wait to read more by Condon!

Love-Shy by Lili Wilkinson 

I got tired of reading all the amazing reviews of this one and wallowing in my misery of not having read it, so I bought it. Err...I actually bought it for my friend, but I read it first! ;)

Traded: 

Under the Never Sky by Veronica Rossi 

I've already read this one, but I wanted my own copy since I re-read it so often on my Kindle. I love it and I traded a copy of Throne of Glass for this, a worthwhile trade considering how much I disliked that novel and love this one. :) You can read my review HERE.

The Storyteller by Antonia Michaelis 

I've heard SO many good things about this book so I can't wait to read it! When I saw it on ARCycling two weeks ago, I knew I had to grab it and now...it is MINE! ;) I really hope I enjoy this one!

A Certain Slant of Light by Laura Whitcomb 

Yet another novel that seems to have taken readers by surprise with its brilliance and I'm hoping it does the same with me. I'm not a huge fan of the cover, but it's a slim novel and flipping through it, I saw Jane Eyre referenced, so I'm sure I'll enjoy it! ;)

Wolfskin by Juliet Marillier 

I'll admit it - I was kind of disappointed to receive this in the mail. I had ordered Son of Shadows, the sequel to Daughter of the Forest, before this one and was dejected to see that I had to wait even MORE to read SotS! Still, I love Juliet Marillier and when I was offered a trade for this one, I couldn't resist. I loveeee this cover and my copy of the book has beautiful library binding on it and the pages are so PRETTY. I can't wait to read this - I've heard plenty of good things about this one as well, so I'm hoping it's another hit like DotF! :)

Well...that's my haul for this month! I haven't received a whole lot of review books lately, but considering I've barely touched my NG reads, I have a LOT of catching-up to do for sure. Anyway, I hope you all had excellent weeks in terms of books and I can't wait to see all the new goodies you received, so...link me up! ;)