Impatiently Waiting! The One by Kiera Cass

Expected publish date:
May 6, 2014

The Selection changed the lives of thirty-five girls forever. And now, the time has come for one winner to be chosen.

America never dreamed she would find herself anywhere close to the crown—or to Prince Maxon's heart. But as the competition approaches its end and the threats outside the palace walls grow more vicious, America realizes just how much she stands to lose—and how hard she'll have to fight for the future she wants.

From the very first page of The Selection, this #1 New York Times bestselling series has captured readers' hearts and swept them away on a captivating journey... Now, in The One, Kiera Cass delivers a satisfying and unforgettable conclusion that will keep readers sighing over this electrifying fairy-tale long after the final page is turned.


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Waiting on Wednesday is hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine.

Get Bitten! Save the date for the Because the Night Blog Tour!

WHAT: The BECAUSE THE NIGHT Blog Tour

WHEN: October 21st to 25th & October 28th to November 1st

WHERE: A blog near you. Check listings below for details

Week One

Oct. 21st - Reading In Twilight - Review + Interview
Oct. 22nd - Magical Urban Fantasy Reads - Character Interview
Oct. 23rd - Pen and Muse - Interview
Oct. 24th - Curling Up With A Good Book - Guest Post
Oct. 25th - BookHounds - Review

Week Two

Oct. 28th - Urban Fantasy Land - Guest Post
Oct. 29th - What's Beyond Forks - Review
Oct. 30th - The Girl in a Cafe - Review
Oct. 31st - Alphas Authors & Books Oh My  - Review + Interview
Nov. 1st - Moonlight Gleams - Review + Guest Post

About the Book on Tour

Title: BECAUSE THE NIGHT
Author: Kristen Strassel
Pub. Date: November 5, 2013
Publisher: Foreword Literary

Find it: Goodreads

Immortal Dilemma is the hottest band in the Las Vegas vampire rock scene. They draw insatiable fans from around the globe, thanks to a supernatural attraction called Bloodlust. Tristan craved such an opportunity to fill his empty mortal life, and now he has eternity to earn his place along the legends of rock n roll debauchery.

Callie always feared that Tristan’s excesses would get him into trouble, but she never thought they’d lead him to immortality. To reconnect with him, she must weave her way through a world not only she had no idea existed, but does not welcome her.

Blade turned down a spot in Immortal Dilemma after learning what he must sacrifice for that lifestyle. He finds Callie a refreshing change from the girls in the vampire rock scene. When Callie drags Blade back into the world of Immortal Dilemma, his resistance drives her into the waiting arms of Tristan, who shows her the true meaning of Bloodlust.

But the very things that Callie fights so hard to save are the very things that fight to destroy her.

The Excerpt

Instead of bringing us out to seats in the audience, Tony led us to the side of the stage to a spot just behind the curtain, feet away from Tristan. When he spotted me, he winked at me like we shared a private joke, and continued with his performance. I sucked in my breath and held on for the ride.

Being so close to the band as they put on their show was much more intimate than the first time we saw them. The heat of the flash pots made the faces of the background dancers glow. We moved out of the way as the roadies scrambled to change instruments for the band. I strained my eyes to read all the notes plastered on the stage. I peeked around the curtain every so often to get a look at the crowd, who were completely enthralled with everything the band did.

But mostly, I just watched Tristan. Tonight he wore his signature black leather pants, which clung dangerously low below his hipbones. They ended in black combat boots that were casually untied. He topped the outfit off with a black T shirt adorned with an intricate white pattern that clung like a second skin. His eyes were heavily rimmed with black liner and his hair hung in his face, down on his chest and back. It swung around him as he roamed all over the stage. His fingers moved over his guitar seductively, teasing it, bringing it to the brink of hysteria then coaxing it back down to a purr. Almost as if he was making love to it.

The thought made me flush all over. I could hardly bear to watch him, but I couldn’t look away.

Tristan walked off the stage before I was ready to stop watching him. He came right to me.

“Look who’s my date tonight,” his eyes moved down my body.

“You have a date tonight?” I glanced behind me before it hit me. He meant me.

“Yes,” he reached out and put his hands on my hips. Even after running around on stage under those bright lights for over an hour, he hadn’t so much as broken a sweat. His stage makeup was still perfect. He leaned in so he could speak close to my ear. “And she looks fabulous in her little black dress.”

“Thanks,” I managed, but it didn’t seem like enough, looking up at Tristan, with his eyes just inches from mine. We might as well have been in another universe. The music on the stage had resumed. “Don’t you have to go back out on stage?”

He shook his head, his eyes never leaving mine. “It’s just his solo. And truthfully, Callie, the show will start again whenever I decide to go back out there. They can wait.”

“Oh.” I gulped so hard it hurt. What was he going to do?

But I am going to go back out there, just for a few minutes. I want this part of the night to be over so I can spend the rest of the evening with my date.” He leaned in, kissing me chastely on the lips, like we had just done this yesterday, like he hadn’t ever walked out of my life, and then turned to walk back out on stage. My legs felt like jelly. I wrapped my arms around my midsection and half leaned, half fell against the equipment case next to me. Every time I looked at him, I slipped in deeper over my head.

Keisha brought me back to this realm by whacking my arm. “Girl. That was hot.”

The Author on Tour

Kristen shares a birthday with Steven Tyler and Diana Ross. She spends each day striving to be half as fabulous as they are. She’s worn many hats, none as flattering as her cowboy hat: banker, retail manager, fledgling web designer, world’s worst cocktail waitress, panty slinger, now makeup artist and author. She loves sunshine, live music, the middle of nowhere, and finding new things to put in her house. Because The Night is the first book from The Night Songs Collection.

Kristen is represented by Pam van Hylckama Vlieg of Foreword Literary.

Ten Tiny Breaths by K.A. Tucker

Publisher’s summary: Just breathe, Kacey. Ten tiny breaths. Seize them. Feel them. Love them.

Four years ago, Kacey Cleary’s life imploded when her car was hit by a drunk driver, killing her parents, boyfriend, and best friend. Still haunted by memories of being trapped inside, listening to her mother take her last breath, Kacey wants to leave her past behind. Armed with two bus tickets, Kacey and her fifteen-year-old sister, Livie, escape Grand Rapids, Michigan, to start over in Miami. They’re struggling to make ends meet at first, but Kacey’s not worried. She can handle anything—anything but her mysterious neighbor in apartment 1D.

Trent Emerson has smoldering blue eyes and deep dimples, and perfectly skates that irresistible line between nice guy and bad boy. Hardened by her tragic past, Kacey is determined to keep everyone at a distance, but their mutual attraction is undeniable, and Trent is desperate to find a way into Kacey’s guarded heart—even if it means revealing an explosive secret that could shatter both their worlds.

My Take: OK! So I totally now get why everyone’s obsessing over K.A. Tucker’s NA Contemporary Ten Tiny Breaths, why they were all eagerly awaiting One Tiny Lie and why the already independently published Ten Tiny Breaths was picked up by Atria Publishing! And that’s because K.A. Tucker’s writing is amazing! She creates extremely vivid scenes, she does a phenomenal job bringing each character and their personalities to life and she always keeps the story flowing at a steady pace that keeps you interested and wanting more! And that is exactly what she did in Ten Tiny Breaths!

However, even though I’m already a huge fan of K.A. Tucker and her Causal Enchantment Series, I’m not really big on Contemporary, and it’s pretty much always been a HECK NO when it comes to the New Adult genre. In New Adult books, the characters are usually a little bit older than in Young Adult and I think the whole point of the genre is to show the characters actually having sex, and it’s the detailed sex scenes that I’d like to stay away from. So, even though I’m still leery about New Adult, I’ve started to give Contemporary a try. Luckily, I didn’t feel like K.A. Tucker took it too far in the sex department! And, since I’ve exclusively been listening to the audios of the Contemporary books that I have actually started to try, I was thrilled to discover that Ten Tiny Breaths was available with Audible!

As for the characters, Kacey, the main character, is pretty dang badass and she’s super funny too. But she’s got some SERIOUS mental issues. (Due to her past, it’s understandable that she’s a little mentally messed up.) And Livie is the perfect little sister. She’s so sweet and innocent that she would be anyone’s ideal little sister. Storm, the stripper neighbor, is totally awesome and her daughter, Mia, is just the most adorable little girl. But one of my favorite characters is a doctor who makes his appearance near the end of the book, and he rocks! Except, I’m not so sure I’d actually like him as my doctor. OH…and then there is Cain! He’s super cool too! OK…so you’re probably getting the idea that I like every character. LOL! But last of all there is Trent! All I’m gonna say is he’s a hottie and I was rooting for him throughout the entire book.

Now for the story . . . Ten Tiny Breaths starts off with Kacey and Livie arriving in their new home in Miami, running from something potentially horrible in Grand Rapids, MI. They’re starting a whole new life which means that Kacey basically needs to start from scratch. The story moves along really quickly and K.A. keeps the story very entertaining. I think my favorite scene was probably when Kacey finds a rattlesnake in the shower. That scene was hilarious and it led to something even more hilarious. Near the end of Ten Tiny Breaths there is a very crazy twist/reveal which made me think to myself, “Yep! There’s K.A. Tucker’s twisted brain in action.” This twist messes everything up but it also makes the whole story so much more brilliant.

So, if you’re looking for a brilliant Contemporary that will keep you glued to your reading chair…look no further! Read this book!!!