Review: Magnolia by Kristi Cook

Title: Magnolia

Author: Kristi Cooke

Publisher: Simon & Schuster

Publication Date: 384

Pages: 8.5.2014

Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary

Series: N/A

Source: ARC from ALA

Rating: 4 ½ Stars

Summary (from Goodreads):

In Magnolia Branch, Mississippi, the Cafferty and Marsden families are southern royalty. Neighbors since the Civil War, the families have shared vacations, holidays, backyard barbecues, and the overwhelming desire to unite their two clans by marriage. So when a baby boy and girl were born to the families at the same time, the perfect opportunity seemed to have finally arrived.

Jemma Cafferty and Ryder Marsden have no intention of giving in to their parents’ wishes. They’re only seventeen, for goodness’ sake, not to mention that one little problem: They hate each other! Jemma can’t stand Ryder’s nauseating golden-boy persona, and Ryder would like nothing better than to pretend stubborn Jemma doesn’t exist.

But when a violent storm ravages Magnolia Branch, it unearths Jemma’s and Ryder’s true feelings for each other as the two discover that the line between love and hate may be thin enough to risk crossing over.

Review:

You know that moment when you finish a book and all you want to do is push it all over your friends because it’s just so good? That was my experience with MAGNOLIA.  This is such a fun, refreshing book that caught me at the moment where all I wanted was something light and funny to entertain me, and Kristi Cook provided that and more.

MAGNOLIA is a twist on Romeo and Juliet. But instead of families that are mortal enemies with a pair of star-cross’d teenagers, we get the Cafferty’s and Marsden’s—families that have been united by friendship for years and have been waiting for the blessed day when they would have two kids roughly the same age that could marry and formally unite the families.

Unfortunately Jemma and Ryder don’t really like each other. At all. That premise would have been enough to hook me, but Cook lays a subtle backstory that adds a little extra depth. There is a legit reason why Jemma and Ryder are so at odds, and it all comes exploding to the surface in the midst of a massive storm where they’re stranded together.

This book is definitely what some would call a “palate cleanser”. And it is. But it’s also just a fantastic anytime book. Anytime you want romance? MAGNOLIA. Anytime you want entertainment? MAGNOLIA. Anytime you want comedy? MAGNOLIA.

Just trust me. MAGNOLIA all the way. 

Review: Run To You (1-3) by Clara Kensie

Title: Run To You – Part 1: First Sight

Author: Clara Kensie

Publisher: HarlequinTeen

Publication Date: 2/1/2014

Genre: Young Adult, Paranormal, Romance, Serial

Source: eARC from publisher

Rating: 4 Stars

Summary (from Goodreads):

Part One in the riveting romantic thriller about a family on the run from a deadly past and a first love that will transcend secrets, lies and danger…

Sarah Spencer has a secret: her real name is Tessa Carson, and to stay alive, she can tell no one the truth about her psychically gifted family and the danger they are running from. As the new girl in the latest of countless schools, she also runs from her attraction to Tristan Walker—after all, she can’t even tell him her real name. But Tristan won’t be put off by a few secrets. Not even dangerous ones that might rip Tessa from his arms before they even kiss…

Review:

My first time reading a serial can be described like my first time riding a rollercoaster: I wasn’t too sure what I was getting into. Would it be awesome? Terrifying? Would I vomit? Want to go again? WHAT WAS HAPPENING?

The beginning of FIRST SIGHT was kind of like that slow ascent to the top of the rollercoaster. Painstakingly building momentum, but knowing there would be a massive payout once I rounded the peak. The book slowly climbs, Clara Kensie doing a great job building tension and friction and drama and then ...

And then suddenly I’m in a deliriously delicious freefall, totally along for the ride with no way to get off.

Title: Run To You – Part 2: Second Glance

Author: Clara Kensie

Publisher: HarlequinTeen

Publication Date: 2/8/2014

Genre: Young Adult, Paranormal, Romance, Serial

Source: eARC from publisher

Rating: 5 Stars

Summary (from Goodreads):

Part Two in the riveting romantic thriller about a family on the run from a deadly past and a first love that will transcend secrets, lies and danger…

Tessa Carson has unlocked her heart and her secrets to Tristan Walker—but Tristan has secrets of his own, and his might just mean the end of Tessa’s family. Unaware, Tessa embraces falling in love and being herself for the first time since she was attacked when she was only eight years old. But secrets can’t be run from forever, and sometimes love is too good to be true…

Review:

Let’s all swoon here together, shall we?

3 …. 2 …. 1 …

There we go. I love the romance between Tessa and Tristan. So pure and innocent and everything a girl (or guy) could want. These two slay me and I love watching them confront what’s coming together. It’s refreshing to see a young adult couple that takes a beat to realize they aren’t invincible and they need to play things smart. But, at the end of the day, they’re teenagers and don’t always make the best choices.

But the end. THE END. Oh, Lord, be still my heart.

Title: Run To You – Part 3: Third Charm

Author: Clara Kensie

Publisher: HarlequinTeen

Publication Date: 2/15/2014

Genre: Young Adult, Paranormal, Romance, Serial

Source: eARC from publisher

Rating: 5 Stars

Summary (from Goodreads):

Part Three in the riveting romantic thriller about a family on the run from a deadly past and a first love that will transcend secrets, lies and danger…

Betrayed, heartbroken, and determined to save her family, Tessa Carson refuses to give in to Tristan Walker’s pleas for forgiveness. But her own awakening psychic gift won’t let her rest until she uncovers the truth about her family and her past. And Tristan is the only one who can help her sift through the secrets to find the truth hidden in all the lies…

Review:

OK, slow down! Can a girl get a breather? No? We’re still going?

Whew. All righty then.

THIRD CHARM finds the reader right back in the middle of the action, dealing with a lot of fallout on Tessa’s end and some confusion on Tristan’s. This is easily the most breathless of the three books, thrilling and taut and told with an edge of desperation that sucks the read in fully.

Bravo to Clara Kensie for the first half of this amazing novel. It is a sharp, no-frills story that pulls you in from the jump and doesn’t let go. Thankfully the first half is wrapped up pretty cleanly. There is no massive cliffhanger, but it very much ends on an ominous note that has me clamoring for the rest.

What Is A Serial? With Natashya Wilson

I am so, so excited to welcome my friend, Natashya Wilson, onto the blog. Tashya is one of the top editors over at HarlequinTEEN and an all around amazing woman. She took the time out of her insanely busy schedule (not even kidding - I've seen her office in person and can attest to her crazy amount of work) to explain a little about how these "serial novels" work. 

1.   So what exactly is a serial novel?

A serial is a story told in parts or episodes—like a TV show, or the original style of publishing novels via a weekly paper or other recurring publication. The story is divided into parts, to be read in order, that are released at regular intervals.

2.   Was RUN TO YOU originally planned as a serial novel? If no, then why was it decided to make this book into a serial?

RUN TO YOU came to me as a complete novel. When we acquired it for our digital-first program, we were looking for a story that could be released as a serial. Author Clara Kensie’s tight, intense thriller element combined with sweet romance and intriguing (psychic!) family secrets offered perfect breaking points in the story, places where the relationships and plot revelations reached highs and lows that raised the stakes and revealed crucial elements while feeling like a complete act or scene. We decided to make it our first serialized novel in Harlequin TEEN.

3.   Is editing a serial different from editing a full-length novel?

It isn’t different in general, you’re still looking for the same things—are the characters “in character” and consistent, do they have desires/goals that drive story and conflict, does the plot hold together, are there holes, are the stakes high enough, does the dialogue ring true, is the pace balanced, and more. But with a serial, you do want to be sure each break point brings the story to a new level and feels like a mini-ending, but that there is still more story to tell if readers are interested. Luckily, Clara is terrific at that and made sure each break point is as strong as possible!

4. Will serials eventually be available in print format?

All our digital first titles have potential to be printed in the future, though we have no specific plans at this time.

5. Does HarlequinTeen have any other serial books coming up?

Currently RUN TO YOU is our only serial, with parts 1-3 having been released, and parts 4-6 coming up in June 2014. We are so excited to share what happens next for Tessa and Tristan in Clara Kensie’s thrilling and romantic story! We may do another serial in the near future, stay tuned to our social media (@HarlequinTEEN on Twitter and Harlequin TEEN’s Facebook page) for news about our digital first books and all our titles.

Thank you, Hannah, for hosting me on your blog! If readers have any questions about our serial and Harlequin TEEN, I would be  very happy to answer them.

So there you have it! Clara Kensie's RUN TO YOU was my first experience with a serial novel, and if they're half as good as this, then I cannot recommend them enough! And don't forget, Part I is still free:

Kindle | Nook | iBooks

Run To You Read-A-Long

Hey y'all! Welcome to my week as the Moderator (yes, with a capital 'M' because .... why not?) of the RUN TO YOU read-along. RUN TO YOU is a serial novel - more about what that is tomorrow - which basically means you get smaller, episodic installments (think the size of a novella, maybe a little longer) that rapidly click along and then blow your mind.

Repeatedly.

OK, so I don't know if that's exactly what serials are, but that's what author Clara Kensie does with these books. Trust me, they are amazing. I was given early copies to read as pdfs from the publisher and let's just say once I got started, it was a good thing my work computer has Adobe Reader because I tore through those books.

Just don't tell me boss, K?

This week will be all about PART III: THIRD CHARM, which concludes the first half of this incredible saga.

If you haven't started on this series, how about if I give you PART I: FIRST SIGHT for free? OK, fine, it's actually the awesome people at HarlequinTEEN offering it up, but I told you about it! It's available in all ebook forms, yes, for free. So really what have you got to lose?

Kindle | Nook | iBooks

Now that we've got that out of the way, I expect you to go forth and read it and Part II and hurry back here so we can discuss Part III. Make sure you follow along on all the social media sites:

Run To You Read-Along Site | Clara Kensie | Clara - Twitter | Irish Banana - Twitter

The read-along is for Book One (FIRST SIGHT, SECOND GLANCE, and THIRD TOUCH).

• FIRST SIGHT: July 21 – July 27 (Moderated by Margie from Bumbles and Fairy Tales)
• SECOND GLANCE: July 28 – August 3 (Moderated by Patricia from The Unofficial Addiction Book Fan Club)
• THIRD CHARM: August 4 – August 10 (Moderated by Hannah from The Irish Banana Review)

As you read the corresponding installment each week, come to myFacebook page to discuss it with other readers. Margie, Patricia, and Hannah will ask some fun questions for you to answer, and you can ask questions of your own.

GIVEAWAYS:

o   10 winners will get a set of 6 signed postcards with the RUN TO YOU covers

o   10 winners will receive the postcards and a custom necklace with my favorite quote from the books:

                         “Us,” he said. “You and me.”

And my heart echoed in rhythm:

                           Thump. Thump-th-thump.

o   5 winners will receive a Harlequin Teen book of their choice.

o   The "grand prize" winner will receive a set of postcards, a custom necklace, a $25 gift card to Amazon or B&N, *and* the complete RUN TO YOU series to a friend of their choice who has not read the books yet!

Winning is easy - just participate in any of the online discussions: 

Run To You Read-Along Site | Clara Kensie | Clara - Twitter | Irish Banana - Twitter | #readRunToYou

Review: All Lined Up by Cora Carmack

Title: All Lined Up

Author: Cora Carmack

Publisher: William Morrow

Publication Date: 5.13.2014

Pages: 320

Genre: New Adult, Contemporary, Romance, Sports

Series:

Source: Purchased finished copy

Rating: 5 Stars

Summary (from Goodreads):

Dallas Cole loathes football. That's what happens when you spend your whole childhood coming in second to a sport. College is her time to step out of the bleachers, and put the playing field (and the players) in her past.

But life doesn't always go as planned. As if going to the same college as her football star ex wasn’t bad enough, her father, a Texas high school coaching phenom, has decided to make the jump to college ball… as the new head coach at Rusk University. Dallas finds herself in the shadows of her father and football all over again.

Carson McClain is determined to go from second-string quarterback to the starting line-up. He needs the scholarship and the future that football provides. But when a beautiful redhead literally falls into his life, his focus is more than tested. It's obliterated.

Dallas doesn't know Carson is on the team. Carson doesn't know that Dallas is his new coach's daughter.

And neither of them know how to walk away from the attraction they feel.

Review:

Lemme be honest here for a sec: Going in, this book already had what I consider the essentials for any good book: football, new adult, and Cora Carmack.

You simply cannot go wrong with this combination of elements. You can’t.

If you’re unfamiliar with Carmack’s works, she is easily one of my top 5 new adult authors ever and definitely on my auto-buy list. Bonus? She’s super sweet in person, too.

My Carmack fangirling aside, let’s talk about this book: I love football in books. Maybe because I grew up in a household where football was regularly on the TV, I went to all the games in high school (perks of being in the marching band), and I might still have an obsession with Friday Night Lights. I love any kind of dramatic sports setting, but football is my favorite and Carmack does a great job of keep football laced in the story (heh, see what I did there? Laced?), but football isn’t the main focus. Oh, no. That’s all Dallas and Carson and their supernova hot connection that burns up the pages.

Watching the relationship between Dallas and Carson unfold was so much fun. They are both young, fun, and a little reckless at times, which makes for a fantastic read on a lazy afternoon. Carmack has a great way of writing that truly brings characters to life and immerses the reader wholly into the reading experience.

This is definitely not a series to be missed!

Review: Rebel Nation by Shaunta Grimes

Title: Rebel Nation

Author: Shaunta Grimes

Publisher: Berkley Trade

Publication Date: 7.1.2014

Pages: 320

Genre: Young Adult, SciFi

Series: Viral Nation #2

Source: Finished copy from publisher

Rating: 5 Stars

Summary (from Goodreads):

Sixteen years ago, a plague wiped out nearly all of humanity. The Company’s vaccine stopped the virus’s spread, but society was irrevocably changed. Those remaining live behind impenetrable city walls, taking daily doses of virus suppressant and relying on The Company for continued protection. They don’t realize that everything they’ve been told is a lie…

Clover Donovan didn’t set out to start a revolution—quiet, autistic, and brilliant, she’s always followed the rules. But that was before they forced her into service for the Time Mariners. Before they condemned her brother to death, compelling him to flee the city to survive. Before she discovered terrifying secrets about The Company.

Clover and the Freaks, her ragtag resistance group, are doing their best to spread the rebellion and stay under The Company’s radar. But when their hideout is discovered, they are forced, once again, to run. Only this time, The Company has special plans for Clover, plans that could risk her life and stop the uprising in its tracks…

Review:

Shaunta Grimes has definitely delivered with this second book. Clover has captured my attention yet again.

I love how this book is thought out and not rushed. Everything is well planned in it. Starting and carrying through a rebellion takes work and lots of forethought. I don't think there was one thing that I thought of that the characters didn't in their planning.  And I think that's important here. You can't just wake up and overthrow anything. It's quite a delicate procedure and you get a beautiful understanding of that in this book. Some people might think it's a bit drawn out but here isn't not going to make you stop reading. It made me want to continue reading just to find out what happens.

Clover. She has yet again captured my attention. To see her grow in this book was amazing. She pushes herself, even to her own limits, to get done what is needed. Her mind is an extraordinary thing in itself and I imagine Grimes has had experience or done her research quite well. With her autism she makes this book. I don't think anyone els could have done this.

The uncertainty of everything is like a weight you can actually feel. Right along with the urgency of needing to flee and stay. The rush of help is so welcoming, and unexpected, I took a sigh of relief with West and Leanne as they came into view.

A book has to be one helluva book for me to be excited about a fictional rebellion. I cannot wait for the next one. I have to find out what happens to Clover once she leaves to try and save everyone else. I have to know what happens to the Freaks!

Review: Viral Nation by Shaunta Grimes

Title: Viral Nation

Author: Shaunta Grimes

Publisher: Berkley Trade

Publication Date: 7.2.2013

Pages: 315

Genre: Young Adult, SciFi

Series: Viral Nation #1

Source: Finished copy from publisher

Rating: 5 Stars

Summary (from Goodreads):

After a virus claimed nearly the entire global population, the world changed. The United States splintered into fifty walled cities where the surviving citizens clustered to start over. The Company, which ended the plague by bringing a life-saving vaccine back from the future, controls everything. They ration the scant food and supplies through a lottery system, mandate daily doses of virus suppressant, and even monitor future timelines to stop crimes before they can be committed.

Brilliant but autistic, sixteen-year-old Clover Donovan has always dreamed of studying at the Waverly-Stead Academy. Her brother and caretaker, West, has done everything in his power to make her dream a reality. But Clover’s refusal to part with her beloved service dog denies her entry into the school. Instead, she is drafted into the Time Mariners, a team of Company operatives who travel through time to gather news about the future.

When one of Clover’s missions reveals that West’s life is in danger, the Donovans are shattered. To change West’s fate, they’ll have to take on the mysterious Company. But as its secrets are revealed, they realize that the Company’s rule may not be as benevolent as it seems. In saving her brother, Clover will face a more powerful force than she ever imagined… and will team up with a band of fellow misfits and outsiders to incite a revolution that will change their destinies forever.

Review:

How doesn't love an end of the world book that's perfectly plausible? Something as simple as a virus could be the near end of life as we know it. And then add in a bit if time travel and you have an awesome set up for possible survival and knowledge of the future.

Viral Nation was outstanding. It full of adventure and mystery that leave to guessing until you turn the page. The characters have some depth that you only learn more about as their journey continues. Clover, West, and Jude are the center of this story and you follow right along with them.

I loved how much detail Grimes went into with the layout and description of the walled city. It gave a perspective point for different events and I thought that was important. Not only was the description of the city on point, the suppressant, clothing, identity traits and even the Veronica were all detailed enough that I wasn't just thinking about a person where clothes or a general vaccine.

Honestly, what I honk made this story was Clover. She is an amazing girl who has learned how to deal with herself and not let to get the best of her. Even though she depends on her brother a lot, she takes pride in herself for being able to do somethings on her own. Her dog Mango, a service dog, adds his own importance to her and this the story. He is just as important as she is. Clover has Autism. And her quirks and analytical thinking about everything, sometimes more than necessary, adds to this more then you can imagine. Her mind and how she works makes this story. And I loved it.

I cannot wait for Rebel Nation. I have to have more of Clover and her amazing self.  This was full of adventure, some love, a little heart break and a yearning for more that I can't quite explain.

Blog Tour: Oceanborn by Amalie Howard

Check out the tour page HERE

Today we have a character spotlight on NERISSA:

Likes: My favorite colors are blue, green, and gold. I love surfing, swimming, hockey, and hanging out with my best friend just chilling on the beach. I also love cupcakes and bacon. I like to be spontaneous and go where the moment takes me. I love music. I like the feel of sand between my toes, and that first step into the ocean when your skin sucks it up like oxygen. I love salt crusting on my lips when I’m on my surfboard and it’s just the wave and me. I like summer, lightning storms, and swimming at night. I like to be free.

Dislikes: Bullies. Math. Political agendas. 

The coronation is over.



But the battle has just begun.



Nerissa Marin has won her crown. But can she keep it? Already, her ties to the human realm are driving a wedge between Nerissa and her people. When word arrives that her part-human prince consort, Lo, has been poisoned, she makes the difficult choice to leave Waterfell and return landside. As the royal courts debate her decision, even more disturbing rumors surface: a plot is rising against her, led by someone she least expects.



On land, Nerissa learns another shocking truth: Lo does not remember who she is. As her choice to try to save him threatens her hold on her crown, changing loyalties and uncertainty test her courage in ways she could never have imagined. Nerissa will have one last chance to prove herself as a queen …and save the undersea kingdom she loves.

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SEAMONSTER by Amalie Howard (Aquarathi #1.5)

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AMALIE HOWARD grew up on a small Caribbean island where she spent most of her childhood with her nose buried in a book or being a tomboy running around barefoot, shimmying up mango trees and dreaming of adventure. 22 countries, surfing with sharks and several tattoos later, she has traded in bungee jumping in China for writing the adventures she imagines instead. She isn’t entirely convinced which takes more guts.

She is the author of several young adult novels critically acclaimed by Kirkus, PW, and Booklist, including Waterfell, The Almost Girl, and Alpha Goddess, a Spring 2014 Kid’s INDIE NEXT title. Her debut novel, Bloodspell, was an Amazon bestseller and a Seventeen Magazine Summer Read. As an author of color and a proud supporter of diversity in fiction, her articles on multicultural fiction have appeared in The Portland Book Review and on the popular Diversity in YA blog. She currently resides in New York with her husband and three children. Visit her at www.amaliehoward.com.

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Review & Giveaway: The Family Romanov by Candace Fleming

Title: The Family Romanov: Murder, Rebellion, and The Fall of Imperial Russia

Author: Candace Fleming

Publisher: Schwartz & Wade

Publication Date: 7.8.2014

Pages: Candace Fleming

Genre: Non-Fiction

Series: N/A

Source: ARC from ALA

Rating: 4 Stars

Summary (from Goodreads):

Here is the tumultuous, heartrending, true story of the Romanovs—at once an intimate portrait of Russia's last royal family and a gripping account of its undoing. Using captivating photos and compelling first person accounts, award-winning author Candace Fleming (Amelia Lost;The Lincolns) deftly maneuvers between the imperial family’s extravagant lives and the plight of Russia's poor masses, making this an utterly mesmerizing read as well as a perfect resource for meeting Common Core standards.

Review:

I love me some young adult fiction, but sometimes? Sometimes real life is even more twisted and dramatic than anything an author can dream up. Take THE FAMILY ROMANOV, for example. This family has incited man-hunts that still exist today for the long-lost Anastasia, movies deals, book deals, and endless amounts of deliberation.

Mostly I am a fiction fanatic, but occasionally I like to read a non-fiction. The Romanov family has always intrigued me. What I especially liked about the way Candace Fleming wrote this book is that it read more times than not like a novel, not a textbook.

It’s easy to recount the history of the Romanovs and the rebellion that ultimately led to the slaughter of an entire royal family, but Fleming does a great job to include an audience that might be turned off by textbook-esque facts and slowly spinning the tale of their demise. It’s hauntingly poignant.

Yes, this book is mostly non-fiction, but just Google the Romanov’s and tell me you aren’t curious. I dare you.

Giveaway:

Random House has generously donated a finished copy of this book for me to giveaway. Winner must have a US/CA mailing address. Simply comment below to be entered. Giveaway ends 8/6/2014

Review: Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas

Title: Throne of Glass

Author: Sarah J. Maas

Publisher: Bloomsbury

Publication Date: 8.7.2012

Pages: 404

Genre: Young Adult, High Fantasy

Series: Throne of Glass #1

Source: Finished copy from publisher

Rating: 5 Stars

Summary (from Goodreads):

After serving out a year of hard labor in the salt mines of Endovier for her crimes, 18-year-old assassin Celaena Sardothien is dragged before the Crown Prince. Prince Dorian offers her her freedom on one condition: she must act as his champion in a competition to find a new royal assassin. Her opponents are men-thieves and assassins and warriors from across the empire, each sponsored by a member of the king's council. If she beats her opponents in a series of eliminations, she'll serve the kingdom for three years and then be granted her freedom. 

Celaena finds her training sessions with the captain of the guard, Westfall, challenging and exhilirating. But she's bored stiff by court life. Things get a little more interesting when the prince starts to show interest in her... but it's the gruff Captain Westfall who seems to understand her best. 

Then one of the other contestants turns up dead... quickly followed by another. 

Can Celaena figure out who the killer is before she becomes a victim? As the young assassin investigates, her search leads her to discover a greater destiny than she could possibly have imagined.

Review:

Sarah J. Maas is a master at her craft. This book just blew me away. I caught myself gasping, whispering to myself "oh no", and getting mad along with the characters. I was definitely surprised by the turn of events.

The characters in this book are so amazing and have such depth that you can almost talk to them. Celaena is by far my favorite, as she should be. Maas did an amazing job getting you in her head, letting you in her heart. You think you know her, how she is, how she will react to something and then BAM! Your blown away by her. You begin to feel her scars and blush with her at the same time. Dorian and Chaol are no different. All of their personalities are so different yet you can relate and understand them and who they are. I love them all.

Maas has an eye for details. All of the little things she describes and inputs make this story that much more real. Exactly how Celaena was when she left camp, the fires, the glass castle, and the landscape give the perfect mental image and portray what Maas is giving you. I don't want to give to much away.

What I love most is Celaena's journey. How her priorities change and her heart seems to grow out of no where. And the hint of something deeper that she is keeping quiet and hidden. Also, the king. There are just question marks popping up all around and makes you weary for Celaena.

Maas has created an adventurous, mysterious tale that leaves you clueless, happy, hopeful and excited for what's to come.