Wednesday, August 31, 2016

WoW Pick of the Week



Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine. It is a chance to share those new releases were are super anxious to get our hands on and read.


So I can't help, the lady hasn't written anything in years and this somewhat appeals to me. More than anything, I'm super curious about it and I don't even care who knows about it. :P 

In all seriousness, I loved The Host, it was a good book and the movie wasn't half bad either. 

So anyways, what do you think?




Book Description:

In this gripping page-turner, an ex-agent on the run from her former employers must take one more case to clear her name and save her life.

She used to work for the U.S. government, but very few people ever knew that. An expert in her field, she was one of the darkest secrets of an agency so clandestine it doesn't even have a name. And when they decided she was a liability, they came for her without warning.

Now, she rarely stays in the same place or uses the same name for long. They've killed the only other person she trusted, but something she knows still poses a threat. They want her dead, and soon.

When her former handler offers her a way out, she realizes it's her only chance to erase the giant target on her back. But it means taking one last job for her ex-employers. To her horror, the information she acquires only makes her situation more dangerous.

Resolving to meet the threat head on, she prepares for the toughest fight of her life, but finds herself falling for a man who can only complicate her likelihood of survival. As she sees her choices being rapidly whittled down, she must apply her unique talents in ways she never dreamed of.

In this tautly plotted novel, Meyer creates a fierce and fascinating new heroine with a very specialized skill set. And she shows once again why she's one of the world's bestselling authors.









Tuesday, August 30, 2016

Review: The Lost and The Found by Cat Clarke

Title: The Lost and the Found
Author: Cat Clarke
Series: Stand Alone
Published By: Penguin (September 13, 2016)
Source: ARC Copy Provided by the Publisher (in exchange for an honest review)
Genre: YA Thriller/Mystery
My Rating: 4 Stars!


Book Description:
Fans of Lucy Christopher’s Stolen, Caroline B. Cooney’s The Face on the Milk Carton, and Natasha Preston’s The Cellar will be captivated by this twisty psychological thriller about an abducted girl who finally returns home to her family—but is she really who she claims to be?

THE LOST
When six-year-old Laurel Logan was abducted, the only witness was her younger sister, Faith. Since then, Faith’s childhood has revolved around her sister’s disappearance—from her parents’ broken marriage and the constant media attention, to dealing with so-called friends who only ever want to talk about her missing sister.

THE FOUND

Now, thirteen years later, a young woman is found in the front yard of the Logans’ old house, disoriented and clutching the teddy bear Laurel was last seen with. Can her sister finally be back? Faith always dreamed of her sister coming home; she just never believed it would happen. But soon a disturbing series of events leaves Faith increasingly isolated from her family and paranoid about her sister’s motives. Before long, Faith begins to wonder if it’s the abduction that’s changed her sister, or if it’s something else. . . . 











It's hard to resist a good mystery that is filled with twists and dark turns and that leaves you questioning everything and lets face it, who doesn't love a book that makes you frantically flip through the pages until the very end? There aren't many of us that can resist them.

This book is ever mothers nightmare. The possibility, the horror that one of your children could be taken away from you in the blink of an eye with no leads, no suspects, and no where to turn. It is horrifying and chilling and not something anyone wants to think about but something we all want to shield from one another instead and wrap our families up in a neat, nice, tight bubble where nothing bad will ever get in or disturb.

This book brings all those horrors to the surface and puts them out there for all to see, all to fear, and all to sympathize with. 

It brings out the emotions of the what ifs, and the survivors guilt, and the anguish of losing someone you love and then finding them again. What a family, what a mother, a sister, and a father go through.

It was completely realistic, completely enthralling, and completely entertaining and I thoroughly enjoyed it. 

With enough mystery, suspense, and twisted details to keep you on the edge of your seat and turning the pages. 







*All thoughts and opinions are my own and were not influenced by the author or publisher. I was not compensated for this review.*

Monday, August 29, 2016

Review: Bright Smoke Cold Fire by Rosamund Hodge

Title: Bright Smoke Cold Fire
Author: Rosamund Hodge
Series: Book One (series untitled)
Published By: Balzer & Bray (September 27, 2016)
Source: ARC Copy Provided by the Publisher (in exchange for an honest review)
Genre: YA Fantasy
My Rating: 4 Stars!


Book Description:
When the mysterious fog of the Ruining crept over the world, the living died and the dead rose. Only the walled city of Viyara was left untouched.

The heirs of the city’s most powerful—and warring—families, Mahyanai Romeo and Juliet Catresou share a love deeper than duty, honor, even life itself. But the magic laid on Juliet at birth compels her to punish the enemies of her clan—and Romeo has just killed her cousin Tybalt. Which means he must die.

Paris Catresou has always wanted to serve his family by guarding Juliet. But when his ward tries to escape her fate, magic goes terribly wrong—killing her and leaving Paris bound to Romeo. If he wants to discover the truth of what happened, Paris must delve deep into the city, ally with his worst enemy . . . and perhaps turn against his own clan.

Mahyanai Runajo just wants to protect her city—but she’s the only one who believes it’s in peril. In her desperate hunt for information, she accidentally pulls Juliet from the mouth of death—and finds herself bound to the bitter, angry girl. Runajo quickly discovers Juliet might be the one person who can help her recover the secret to saving Viyara.


Both pairs will find friendship where they least expect it. Both will find that Viyara holds more secrets and dangers than anyone ever expected. And outside the walls, death is waiting. . . . 








What we've all come to love, trust, and even respect about Hodge's writing is her ability to weave a familiar tale, put a beautifully dark twist on it and make it all her own and her latest release is no exception to her brilliance.

Wonderfully told with twists around ever bend including the very fact that this tale is not told from Juliet and her Romeo's point of view but instead from Paris and Runajo, our hero and heroine of the story. Don't get me wrong, Juliet and Romeo play a very big part in this story, but this story isn't all about them nor their star crossed love. After all, if it was, how ordinary would that be? And if Hodge has taught us anything over the years, it is that her writing is anything bur ordinary.

Rich is detail, imaginative, creative, and wonderfully dark, this tale will leave your imagination running wild, your expectations high and most of all by the end, leave you longing for the rest of the story. 









*All thoughts and opinions are my own and were not influenced by the author or the publisher. I was not compensated for this review.*

Friday, August 26, 2016

Review: Three Dark Crowns by Kendare Blake

Title: Three Dark Crowns
Author: Kendare Blake
Series: Book One in the Three Dark Crown Series
Published By: HarperTeen (September 20, 2016)
Source: ARC Copy Provided by the Publisher (in exchange for an honest review)
Genre: YA Fantasy
My Rating: 4 Stars!


Book Description:
Every generation on the island of Fennbirn, a set of triplets is born: three queens, all equal heirs to the crown and each possessor of a coveted magic. Mirabella is a fierce elemental, able to spark hungry flames or vicious storms at the snap of her fingers. Katharine is a poisoner, one who can ingest the deadliest poisons without so much as a stomachache. Arsinoe, a naturalist, is said to have the ability to bloom the reddest rose and control the fiercest of lions.

But becoming the Queen Crowned isn’t solely a matter of royal birth. Each sister has to fight for it. And it’s not just a game of win or lose…it’s life or death. The night the sisters turn sixteen, the battle begins. The last queen standing gets the crown.


If only it was that simple. Katharine is unable to tolerate the weakest poison, and Arsinoe, no matter how hard she tries, can’t make even a weed grow. The two queens have been shamefully faking their powers, taking care to keep each other, the island, and their powerful sister Mirabella none the wiser. But with alliances being formed, betrayals taking shape, and ruthless revenge haunting the queens’ every move, one thing is certain: the last queen standing might not be the strongest…but she may be the darkest.









Kendare Blake is known for her uniquely dark and sometimes morbid writing. Stories that suck you in and fascinate you regardless of how gory or disturbing they may be at times. And when I saw her latest read about triplets that must kill one another so one can take the crown, I knew I was all in.

After loving and devouring Anna Dressed in Blood on it's release, I knew another dark story by a very talented writer was just what I needed and even more so, what I craved. 

Three Dark Crowns did not disappoint. Unique, beautifully dark, and naturally calling for a thirst of blood, it was hard not to fall in love with these three sisters, all raised in different environments and surroundings, but all raised for murder.

They are each different and unique but each one slowly stole my heart and made me not only like them, but feel for them. 

I loved the twists, the deceit, the hidden love and violence, and of course the very unique storyline. 

I couldn't get enough and was so disappointed when I came to the end, I did not want it to be over yet and I wanted book two in my hands right away.  It will be a long wait until the next book and with the twists that I didn't see coming, and the reveals I never thought imaginable, I can't wait for it. 







*All thoughts and opinions are my own and were not influenced by the author or publisher. I was not compensated for this review.*

Thursday, August 25, 2016

How My Summer Went and Where I've Been


(image courtesy of imagebuddies.com)



Can you believe summer is almost over?


I certainly can't and with summer being over that means for us, back to school. With going to bed earlier, getting up way too early and of course school work, homework and the dreaded schedules of every day life, big breath, it has been a lot to take. 

I have to say, it's already kicking my butt, which is why I've been so absent from the blogsphere.  *sigh*

I usually start to get up early when I know school is right around the corner (I get up during the school year around 5:30) but this year it just didn't happen, for any of us so this first week back has been killer, but, we are slowly adjusting even if we are all a little sleep deprived. But it will get easier right? Please say it will get easier! 


With summer I went for a lighter blog schedule and I have to admit, I loved it! It was nice being able to be more carefree and spend time with my family and it does (almost) make me want to stick to it. It isn't always easy posting five times a week so, we will see how it goes. For now, I'm going to work my way back into blogging a little at a time. I've never felt so much like a slacker as I have this week, I've missed all you guys and while it is nice to have a break, it is nice to be back as well. 

Surprisingly I got a lot read over the summer, which was so nice. I was able to catch up on quite a few book series I had been neglecting and I got quite a few duologies and even some trilogies started and finished. There is nothing more satisfying than getting that good old TBR pile down and feeling like I accomplished something this summer besides the normal summer fun. 

I did also binge watch a ton of Netflix (I should be embarrassed about this but I'm not). I caught some series I'd never watched before like Charmed and saw some new ones like Scream (so good you guys!! Watch it if you haven't! it kept me guessing the whole way through!), The Dead of Summer (kind of creepy and still airing on Hulu), and I watched Stranger Things (really good too!) and The Between (two seasons, surprisingly good as well), both Netflix originals and they both were different and fun. So yeah, I watched way too much late night TV but it was nice to veg out once in awhile and do nothing, especially on the hotter days when it was over 100 outside.

So in a nutshell that was my summer as far as reading and watching went. As much as I hate getting up early, it is nice to be on a schedule again and have the time I need to read, write reviews, and blog. It is so much easier getting all of that done without the kids around and all the distraction and chaos that comes with it. ;) 

Hopefully I will be back in full swing before I know it, get some sleep somewhere along the way, and of course get to talk to all of you again. I've missed not being around every day but I know I'm not the only one that took some much needed down time and as much as I missed blogging every day, it was also a much needed break.  Thanks for visiting whenever I did post and for sticking around, you guys are the best!!  













(Thanks to kwizo and business insider for the images!)

Wednesday, August 24, 2016

WoW Pick of the Week!



Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine. It is a chance to share those new releases were are super anxious to get our hands on and read.


Jennifer Lynn Barnes has some of the best YA mysteries out there. She never fails me in how intricate her plots are and how lovable her characters are and her Natural series is one of my favorites so I'm extremely excited the next book will be out in November.







Book Description:


When Cassie Hobbes joined the FBI's Naturals program, she had one goal: uncover the truth about her mother's murder. But now, everything Cassie thought she knew about what happened that night has been called into question. Her mother is alive, and the people holding her captive are more powerful—and dangerous—than anything the Naturals have faced so far. 

As Cassie and the team work to uncover the secrets of a group that has been killing in secret for generations, they find themselves racing a ticking clock.

New victims. New betrayals. New secrets.


When the bodies begin piling up, it soon becomes apparent that this time, the Naturals aren't just hunting serial killers. 



Wednesday, August 17, 2016

WoW Pick of the Week



Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine. It is a chance to share those new releases were are super anxious to get our hands on and read.

I love Cat Winters, her books never fail to surprise me and reading the synopsis for her newest release has be excited to start it and the cover whore in me loves the cover. It's so simple and yet so pretty too.




Book Description:

From the author of The Uninvited comes a haunting historical novel with a compelling mystery at its core. A young child psychologist steps off a train, her destination a foggy seaside town. There, she begins a journey causing her to question everything she believes about life, death, memories, and reincarnation.

In 1925, Alice Lind steps off a train in the rain-soaked coastal hamlet of Gordon Bay, Oregon. There, she expects to do nothing more difficult than administer IQ tests to a group of rural schoolchildren. A trained psychologist, Alice believes mysteries of the mind can be unlocked scientifically, but now her views are about to be challenged by one curious child.

Seven-year-old Janie O’Daire is a mathematical genius, which is surprising. But what is disturbing are the stories she tells: that her name was once Violet, she grew up in Kansas decades earlier, and she drowned at age nineteen. Alice delves into these stories, at first believing they’re no more than the product of the girl’s vast imagination. But, slowly, Alice comes to the realization that Janie might indeed be telling a strange truth.


Alice knows the investigation may endanger her already shaky professional reputation, and as a woman in a field dominated by men she has no room for mistakes. But she is unprepared for the ways it will illuminate terrifying mysteries within her own past, and in the process, irrevocably change her life.




So what about you, are you a fan of Cat's work?



Friday, August 12, 2016

Review: A Promise of Fire by Amanda Bouchet

Title: A Promise of Fire
Author: Amanda Bouchet
Series: Book One in the Kingmaker Chronicles
Published By: Sourcebooks Casablanca (August 2, 2016)
Source: ARC Copy Provided by the Publisher (in exchange for an honest review)
Genre: Urban Fantasy
My Rating: 4.5 Stars!


Book Description:
Catalia "Cat" Fisa is a powerful clairvoyant known as the Kingmaker. This smart-mouthed soothsayer has no interest in her powers and would much rather fly under the radar, far from the clutches of her homicidal mother. But when an ambitious warlord captures her, she may not have a choice…


Griffin is intent on bringing peace to his newly conquered realm in the magic-deprived south. When he discovers Cat is the Kingmaker, he abducts her. But Cat will do everything in her power to avoid her dangerous destiny and battle her captor at every turn. Although up for the battle, Griffin would prefer for Cat to help his people willingly, and he's ready to do whatever it takes to coax her…even if that means falling in love with her.










It seems like lovers of urban fantasy are always on the lookout for something new, something great, and most importantly, something different.

Bouchet's debut series is all of those things. With a wonderful blend of fantasy and mythology I can say without a doubt that readers need to look no further for something that stands out and needs to be taken notice of.

Filled with an outstanding cast of characters, action, humor, and a very slow burning, tension filled romance, this series kept me rapidly turning the pages and left bereft when it was over.

With talk of gods and goddesses, kings and queens, the world that Bouchet created was so much fun to delve into. One with wickedness, deceit, and mythical creatures abound, this kept me on my toes and always wondering what would pop up next. 

I can promise that this will be one series I won't only have my eyes on but will be one I will eagerly be awaiting the next release and will drop whatever else I am reading to get to it. 










*All thoughts and opinions are my own and were not influenced by the author or publisher. I was not compensated for this review.*

Thursday, August 11, 2016

Review: P.S. I Like You by Kasie West

Title: P.S. I Like You
Author: Kasie West
Series: Stand Alone 
Published By: Point (July 28, 2016 )
Source: ARC Copy Provided by the Publisher (in exchange for an honest review)
Genre: YA Contemporary
My Rating: 4 Stars!


Book Description:
Signed, sealed, delivered…

While spacing out in chemistry class, Lily scribbles some of her favorite song lyrics onto her desk. The next day, she finds that someone has continued the lyrics on the desk and added a message to her. Intrigue!


Soon, Lily and her anonymous pen pal are exchanging full-on letters—sharing secrets, recommending bands, and opening up to each other. Lily realizes she’s kind of falling for this letter writer. Only, who is he? As Lily attempts to unravel the mystery and juggle school, friends, crushes, and her crazy family, she discovers that matters of the heart can’t always be spelled out…








As one of the very few young adult contemporary author's that I still auto-buy and read without hesitation, Kasie West never disappoints. 

With lovable characters, a fun plot line, and a sweet romance that is bound to make you smile and melt your insides from the warmth of it, her stories are always a hit and ones I count on to put me in a good mood and leave me smiling after putting them down.

Riddled with witty one liners and laugh out loud moments as well as those sweet ones not only between  Lily and her pen pal but her family and best friend as well, this really was the perfect summer read to escape and get away for just a little while. I devoured this in one sitting and was so glad that I once again took the time to bask in West's great writing and easy loving characters.  










*All thoughts and opinions are my own and were not influenced by the author or publisher. I was not compensated for this review.*

Tuesday, August 9, 2016

Review: The Sight by Chloe Neill

Title: The Sight
Author: Chloe Neill
Series: Book Two in the Devil's Isle Series
Published By: NAL (August 16, 2016)
Source: ARC Copy Provided by the Publisher (in exchange for an honest review)
Genre: Urban Fantasy
My Rating: 4.5 Stars!



Book Description:
The paranormal war that engulfed New Orleans seven years ago is over. But the battle for the city is just beginning . . . 

Claire Connolly is a Sensitive, infected with magic when the Veil that divides humanity from the world beyond fell. Magic can easily consume and destroy a Sensitive, and if Claire’s secret is discovered she’ll be locked into the walled district of Devil’s Isle along with every other Paranormal left in the city.


Bounty hunter Liam Quinn discovered Claire’s secret, but refused to turn her in. Together they saved New Orleans from the resurgence of magic that nearly destroyed it. But now a dangerous cult is on the rise, and it will take both Claire and Liam—and magical allies within Devil’s Isle’s towering walls—to defeat the occult threat before magic corrupts them both...







Riveting, entertaining, with an almost unique take on the paranormal world, Neill's latest series is definitely one that stands out and shines.

Every bit as good as its predecessor, The Sight was hard to put down and kept me eagerly turning the pages right up until the devastating end. 

With unforgettable characters (love Moses!) and a whole cast of unusual paranormal beings, it truly does have a place all its own in the genre. 

With new threats at every turn, new adventures to be had, Claire and her rag tag group of friends have even more to deal with and conquer as it seems like they take one step forward and two steps back trying to get New Orleans back to its original glory and to a place where humans and paras can both live and interact alike. 


I adored this second installment and with the ending that left it all up in the air, was left craving more. I'm so very excited for where this series is going and for what Neill will throw at us next.






*All thoughts and opinions are my own and were not influenced by the author or publisher. I was not compensated for this review.*

Friday, August 5, 2016

Review: Lullaby by J.L. Bryan

Title: Lullaby
Author: J.L. Bryan
Series: Book Seven in the Ellie Jordan Ghosttrapper Series
Published: July 28 ,2016
Source: Copy Provided by the Author (in exchange for an honest review)
Genre: Paranormal Mystery
My Rating: 4.5 Stars!


Book Description:
Life is more difficult than ever at Savannah's only ghost-hunting detective agency. While Ellie copes with her mentor's departure and other unwelcome developments, she also worries about the supernatural injuries keeping her boyfriend caught in an endless slumber. 

At the same time, Ellie and Stacey are called in to investigate an eerie entity haunting a baby's nursery room. The ghost appears late at night, its face barely visible on the baby monitor, and sings a chilling song. 


Soon, Ellie learns there are more ghosts in the house, and at least one of them is a dangerous, child-hunting monster who must be stopped before it kills again.








With the way book six ended I was very eager to open up Lullaby and see where the story was going to go next. To see how Ellie, Jacob, Stacey, and Michael were, to see where they went from the devastating events of book six.  How they were going to deal with everything that happened and most importantly, how they were going to fight what was to come.

I love this series. It didn't take long for it to worm its way into my top 10 favorite creepy series. Bryan never disappoints to not only creepy me out and leave  me anxiously looking over my should at night but to also have me laughing out loud the next moment and his latest and greatest is no exception. 

So much is happening with Ellie, in her personal life as well as her work and not all of it is good, in fact, a lot of it isn't good. With new people, new experiences new dangers, and new ghosts, pretty much anything can happen and does happen.

It was exciting and creepy and so much fun to read. I can not wait for the next installment and wish that I had it already. I'm so ready for Ellie to kick some ghost butt and to be in a much better place job wise and emotional wise. This series continues to wow me and leave me wanting more.





*All thoughts and opinions are my own and were not influenced by the author. I was not compensated for this review.*

Wednesday, August 3, 2016

Cover Reveal: Sanyare and Pixie Tamer by Megan Haskell

I'm excited to be able to take part in a cover reveal for a series I fell in love with last year.  As some of you may have seen I read both Sanyare and Pixie Tamer (review for Sanyare is HERE if you want to check it out) and loved them both and now both have brand new covers and I have to say,  they are fabulous! 
If you haven't tried this series yet, give it a try, it is so much fun and just look at those covers! 

(EDITED TO ADD: For some reason I can see the pics but many of you can't, you can go to the author's site HERE to check them out there. So sorry guys!)




Title: Sanyare
Author: Megan Haskell
Series: Book One in the Last Descendant Series
Published By: Trabuco Ridge Press (February 16, 2015)
Source: Copy Provided by the Author (in exchange for an honest review)
Genre: Fantasy


Book Description:

B.R.A.G Medallion Winner!

A woman torn between honor and survival…

Raised in a realm where humans are no better than slaves, Rie Lhethannien has struggled for decades to earn a meager post in the High Court messenger service. Even training as an elite fighter isn’t enough to earn the respect she craves. Scorned by the high elves who rely on her loyalty, Rie’s closest allies are the fierce carnivorous pixies who travel by her side.

When she’s attacked on a routine delivery by assassins from the enemy Shadow Realm, Rie’s martial prowess keeps her alive…and frames her as a traitor. Facing execution at the hand of an unmerciful king, Rie must forsake her oaths and flee into enemy lands to prove her innocence. With surprising help from a bastard prince and an ambitious blood sidhe, Rie searches for the truth behind the attack. The secrets she uncovers may threaten more than her honor or even her life…for war is looming in the nine faerie realms.

Sanyare: The Last Descendant is the first book in The Sanyare Chronicles, a fast-paced dark fantasy adventure. If you like kick-butt heroines and action-packed fantasy filled with mythological creatures, then you’ll love the first novel in Megan Haskell’s debut series. Start your journey across the nine faerie realms today!









Book Description:


Pixie Tamer Description
It’s Nuriel “Rie” Lhethannien’s twenty-fifth nameday. She should be celebrating her rise to maturity, not sweating in the training hall. But life isn’t fair, and humans aren’t equal to the elves, at least not in the High Court. 

After losing a practice bout to the one man she wants to trust, Rie is thrown into the most challenging test of her life. Will the rewards outweigh the risks? 

Pixie Tamer is the short story prequel to Sanyare: The Last Descendant, a dark fantasy adventure with epic themes and a new adult tone. The stories are complements, but can be read independently.


Get Your FREE copy of Pixie Tamer!
To get your FREE copy of Pixie Tamer, the short story prequel to Sanyare: The Last Descendant, PLUS three excerpts from the novel featuring Rie's tiniest allies, just sign up for Megan Haskell’s newsletter at www.meganhaskell.com/newsletter-subscription


All newsletter subscribers receive a once a month email from the author, packed with information about upcoming releases, events, and even snippets from the work in progress. What's more, one lucky random subscriber each month will win a free signed print copy of Sanyare: The Last Descendant!


About the Author:





Legend has it, I was born with a book in my hands. When I was a kid, my mom would ground me from reading in order to get me to do my chores. To this day, I can readily ignore the real world in favor of the imaginary one lurking between the pages of my current addiction. My dad — also an avid reader — introduced me to Tolkien in my late elementary years, and I never looked back. I love escaping to worlds where magic and monsters are real, especially stories with kick-butt heroines and dangerously attractive heroes. 

Despite my voracious book appetite, I didn’t start creative writing until I was working as a number cruncher in a big accounting firm. With an hour plus commute by train every day, and a demanding left-brain occupation, I needed a mobile creative outlet. A pen and paper are about as mobile as it gets! As the pages began to fill, I quickly moved onto a tiny laptop, and a writer was born. Now I get to create my own fantasies!



I currently live in Southern California with my wonderfully supportive husband, two daughters, and a ridiculously energetic dog. 

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