2015 New Release Challenge: 1st quarterly recap

Posted March 31, 2015 by Lola in Challenges / 10 Comments

New-Release-Challenge
I am participating in the 2015 New Release Challenge hosted by Lexxie from Unconventional Book Views and Stormi at Books, Movies, Reviews! Oh My!. Basically the goal is to read books released in 2015. They have to be at least 130 pages and need to be released, read and reviewed in 2015 to count. I go for the goal New Release Newbie: 1-15 books per year. I am hoping to read around 15 new releases this year. I am doing quarterly recaps to show my progress. This quarterly recap recaps the books I read in January, February and March.
I can’t believe I already read 11 new releases so far this year! And I am reading two new releases at the moment, so I don’t think reaching that goal of 15 is going to be hard. I have read some books I mentioned in my goal post, but also a lot of books I didn’t include in that list.

Books I read for this challenge so far

riding the oddsRiding the Odds
by Lynda K. Scott

Format: e-copy
Source: for review from netgalley
You can find Riding the Odds on Goodreads

Blurb:
An act of desperation and the beginning of seduction… Spaceship captain Tara Rowan has her secrets. One is her Rider, Zie. Zie is an organic symbiote—like a living tattoo—that enhances Tara’s physical abilities, including superhuman strength and reflexes. The other is the past she’s tried so hard to leave behind her. But it’s not until oh-so-sexy Trace Munroe decides to blackmail Tara that she realizes her secrets aren’t so secret after all…Trace is a Holy Knight who does everything by the book. Desperate to find a missing princess, he’ll do whatever it takes to rescue her and bring her kidnappers to justice. Including blackmail. Yet something about the feisty ship captain draws Trace in and stirs his desire—even if she is a wanted criminal. Because the last thing he needs is any complications…especially when he has his own secrets to hide.

Read my review of Riding the Odds here

Beyond ReachBeyond Reach (True Calling #2)
by Siobhan Davis

Format: e-copy
Source: for review through Netgalley
You can find Beyond Reach on Goodreads

Blurb:
Back on Earth, Ariana is caught in a dangerous crossfire between clandestine rebel organization Clementia and the power-hungry government. Refusing to divulge the location of the secret information entrusted to her by her late father, she desperately tries to bargain for her Mom, Lily, and Cal’s rescue. She’s fighting a losing battle, and the clock is ticking.

Presented with evidence of her fiancé Cal’s apparent betrayal, she loyally defends him despite her concerns. With her emotions in turmoil, matters become even more complicated as grows closer to her ex-boyfriend Zane.

When the stakes are raised, a succession of shocking revelations rocks her world, setting her on a path that will not only change her destiny but the fate of humanity.

Confronted by a memory so abhorrent comes a truth she would do anything to forget.

But some things just can’t be undone.

Read my review of Beyond Reach on Goodreads

Shadow StudyShadow Study (Soulfinders #1, Study #4, The Chronicles of Ixia #7)
by Maria v Snyder

Format: e-copy
Source: for review through Netgalley

Blurb:
New York Times bestselling author Maria V. Snyder wowed readers with Poison Study, the unforgettable story of poison taster Yelena. Now she’s back with a new tale of intrigue.

Once, only her own life hung in the balance…

Oddly enough, when Yelena was a poison taster, her life was simpler. But she’d survived to become a vital part of the balance of power between rival countries Ixia and Sitia. Now she uses her magic to keep the peace in both lands—and protect her relationship with Valek.

Suddenly, though, they are beset on all sides by those vying for power through politics and intrigue. Valek’s job and his life are in danger. As Yelena tries to uncover the scope of these plots, she faces a new challenge: her magic is blocked. She must keep that a secret—or her enemies will discover just how vulnerable she really is—while searching for who or what is responsible for neutralizing her powers.

Yes, the days of tasting poisons were much simpler. And certainly not as dangerous…

Read my review of Shadow Study here

owl and the japanse circusOwl and the Japanese Circus (The Adventures of Owl #1)
by Kristi Charish

Format: e-copy
Source: bought it with Kobo gift card gifted to my by my sister
You can find Owl and the Japanese Circus on Goodreads

Blurb:
Fans of Kim Harrison, Jim Butcher, and Linda Hamilton will flock to the kick-ass world of Owl, a modern-day “Indiana Jane” who reluctantly navigates the hidden supernatural world.

Ex-archaeology grad student turned international antiquities thief, Alix—better known now as Owl—has one rule. No supernatural jobs. Ever. Until she crosses paths with Mr. Kurosawa, a red dragon who owns and runs the Japanese Circus Casino in Las Vegas. He insists Owl retrieve an artifact stolen three thousand years ago, and makes her an offer she can’t refuse: he’ll get rid of a pack of vampires that want her dead. A dragon is about the only entity on the planet that can deliver on Owl’s vampire problem – and let’s face it, dragons are known to eat the odd thief.

Owl retraces the steps of Mr. Kurosawa’s ancient thief from Japan to Bali with the help of her best friend, Nadya, and an attractive mercenary. As it turns out though, finding the scroll is the least of her worries. When she figures out one of Mr. Kurosawa’s trusted advisors is orchestrating a plan to use a weapon powerful enough to wipe out a city, things go to hell in a hand basket fast…and Owl has to pick sides.

Read my review of Owl and the Japanese Circus here

The Legacy HumanThe Legacy Human (Singularity #1)
by Susan Kaye Quinn

Format: e-copy
Source: for review
You can find The Legacy Human on Goodreads

Blurb:
Spiritual successor to the bestselling Mindjack trilogy…

When transcending humanity is the prize, winning the Game is all that matters.

Seventeen-year-old Elijah Brighton wants to become an ascender—a post-Singularity human/machine hybrid—after all, they’re smarter, more enlightened, more compassionate, and above all, achingly beautiful. But Eli is a legacy human, preserved and cherished for his unaltered genetic code, just like the rainforest he paints. When a fugue state possesses him and creates great art, Eli miraculously lands a sponsor for the creative Olympics. If he could just master the fugue, he could take the gold and win the right to ascend, bringing everything he’s yearned for within reach… including his beautiful ascender patron. But once Eli arrives at the Games, he finds the ascenders are playing games of their own. Everything he knows about the ascenders and the legacies they keep starts to unravel… until he’s running for his life and wondering who he truly is.

The Legacy Human is the first in a new young adult science fiction series that explores the intersection of mind, body, and soul… and how technology will challenge us to remember what it means to be human.

Check out Susan Kaye Quinn’s website for information about the Launch Party, ARC giveaways, and everything Singularity.

Read my review of The Legacy Human here

The best laid plansThe Best Laid Plans (Chicago Sisters #2)
by Amy Vastine

Format: e-copy
Source: for review through Netgalley
You can find The Best Laid Plans on Goodreads

Blurb:
She planned on falling in love. Just not with him!

Emma Everhart’s life is going according to plan. Finish nursing school with flying colours… Check. Get a great job in the ER… Check. Marry a handsome doctor and have two babies, three years apart… Not quite yet. But with a dreamy new doctor joining the hospital staff, she’s so close she can almost taste the wedding cake. Now is not the time to let the tall, dark and flirtatious paramedic Charlie Fletcher distract her! He may be the best date and best kiss she’s ever had, but he’s definitely not part of her plan. No matter how he makes her feel…

Read my review of The Best Laid Plans here

ADAMANT final front coverAdamant (Alliance #1)
by Emma L Adams

Format: e-copy
Source: for review
You can find Adamant on Goodreads

Blurb:
On an alternative 21st-century Earth in which our world is one of many in the Multiverse, the Inter-World Alliance exists to keep the peace between the worlds, and keep the monsters out.

Ada Fletcher is twenty-one, keeps a collection of knives in her room, and is more interested in fighting than her day job as a cashier. She also risks her life on a daily basis, helping refugees from a devastating magical war on her homeworld hide on the low-magic Earth. But when she’s taken into custody by the Alliance, her unusual magic makes her a prime suspect for a supervisor’s suspicious death.

For Kay Walker, whose family founded the organization, there has never been any doubt that his future is with the Alliance – even if it means dealing with sarcastic centaurs and dangerous monsters in the dark Passages between worlds. But when his supervisor is murdered, Kay discovers that a research project might have been the reason, and faces the choice of whether to ignore his instincts or risk becoming the next target, not to mention digging into the Alliance’s history and memories he’d rather keep buried. And there’s something not quite right about the strange, fierce girl he arrested as a suspect.

The last thing Ada wants is to help the infuriating Alliance guard who arrested her, but it soon becomes clear that the Alliance knows too much about Ada’s offworld origins. More, in fact, than she knows herself. Now she has to choose between loyalty to her family, and helping the Alliance save the Earth – and the Multiverse – from a deadly enemy.

Read my review of Adamant here

Raising the Stakes CoverRaising the Stakes
by Karen Rock

Format: e-copy
Source: for review
You can find Raising the Stakes on Goodreads

Blurb:
Hiding from the world…

Tucking herself away in the Adirondack woods was supposed to keep Vivienne Harris safe. From dark memories of the Bronx, from danger, from entanglements. But when an orphaned bear cub raids her pantry and conservation officer Liam Walsh appears with news of poachers nearby, her private, peaceful world is turned upside down!

Suddenly two forces are drawing her out—Button, the cub who needs her help, and Liam, the man who’s dead set against her rehabilitating the bear. If she can just win Liam’s support, Vivie knows she can give Button a good life. And maybe find the courage to embrace a future with Liam…

Read my review of Raising the Stakes here

SuspectedSuspected (The Elected Series #2)
by Rori Shay

Format: e-copy
Source: for review
You can find Suspected on Goodreads

Blurb:
East Country upheld the laws. Mid destroyed them.

In the year 2185 Earth is rebuilding after a global eco-crisis. Countries maintain complete isolation so there’s no warfare over scarce resources. One Elected family is chosen to lead each country for one hundred years to ensure stability. Women aren’t allowed to take office and must reproduce at all costs. Technology is banned to preserve what’s left of the environment.

Yet, I’m my country’s Elected. I’ve just sanctioned technology use to ready us for war. I’m about to cross the border to spy on our neighbor. And…I’m a girl. Shhhhhh…..

—————

This Mulan-inspired story delves into some of society’s most complex issues of gender equality, technology overuse, genetics, and even climate change. Don’t miss the thrilling second installment of The Elected Series!

Read my review of Suspected early June

Lion's shareLion’s Share (Wildcats #1)
by Rachel Vincent

Find Lion’s Share on Goodreads

Blurb:
Abby Wade has a dangerous secret.

Two months ago, she disobeyed an order, but instead of kicking her out of the Pride, Jace offered her a job. Since then, she’s been battling a completely inappropriate crush on the young, hot Alpha. But when accepting his job offer seems like the only way to keep her skeletons safely in their closet, Abby doesn’t hesitate.

Jace Hammond has a big problem.

A rogue is slaughtering humans in his territory, and he must eliminate the threat before the entire shifter species is exposed. There could not be a worse time for Abby to accept a job he only offered as a boost to her confidence. Abby is smart, beautiful, and resilient—more than enough to distract any man from the mission. Unfortunately, she may just be the worst enforcer ever to hold the title.

As they hunt the killer, Abby’s secret becomes a threat to Jace’s authority and to her own life. But the real danger is the grip she has on his twice-shy heart.

Read my review of Lion’s Share here

A Moment To Love A Moment to Love (A Whistle Stop Romance #1)
by Jennifer Faye

Format: e-copy
Source: for review
You can find A Moment to Love on Goodreads

Blurb:
Welcome to Whistle Stop…where anything can and most likely will happen.

The notorious cowboy meets his match…

Cord Lawson instantly distrusted the young woman in a smart suit who’d just arrived in Whistle Stop. She was very pretty and clearly a city girl–but with memories of his failed marriage still darkening his mind, he’s determined to steer clear! But she’s sniffing around his land–land that has been in his family for generations. There was no way he’d let it go–even if the bank was threatening to foreclose, and even if selling could give Whistle Stop a new lease on life.

Alexis Greer had one mission–close the deal on the Lawson ranch; without it, her father’s land development company would go bankrupt. But the word around town is to keep clear of Cord and to stay away from his precious land. What had happened to cause such a handsome cowboy to live such a solitary existence? However, determination was Lexi’s middle name. She just had to keep on trying to breach Cord’s barriers, to appeal somehow to his head and heart–even if it put her in danger of losing both of hers…to him.

Read my review of A Moment to Love here

Which 2015 releases have you read so far this year?

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10 responses to “2015 New Release Challenge: 1st quarterly recap

    • Same here, most new releases I read are review book. I don’t buy a lot of new releases. I only bought only a few new release books this year I think, Owl and Lion’s Share were two of them.

    • I never planned to read so many releases, but I know that each year I read quite some so I decided to join. I am just so excited about all these new books. I even read some new release novella’s, but they don’t count, lol. So about half or more of the books I read so far are new releases.
      Lola recently posted…Review: In for a Penny by Rose LernerMy Profile

    • Poison Study is the first book in the series, so I would recommend to start with that book as else things will be a bit confusing. It’s a bit weird how it’s also listed as a seperate series, but it’s also part of the larger Study series. I hope you check them out 🙂
      Lola recently posted…Review: In for a Penny by Rose LernerMy Profile

    • There are so many great books being released this year! I hope you’ll enjoy the books you added to your to-read list once you get around to reading them!

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