Mini Review: Gilded Ashes by Rosamund Hodge

Title: Gilded Ashes
Author: Rosamund Hodge
Series: Novella in the Cruel Beauty Series
Published By: HarperTeen (April 1, 2014)
Source: Purchased
Genre: YA Fantasy
My Rating: 4 Stars!

Book Description:
A romantic reimagining of the classic Cinderella fairy tale, Gilded Ashes is a novella by Rosamund Hodge set in the same world as her debut novel, Cruel Beauty.

Maia doesn't see the point of love when it only brings people pain: her dead mother haunts anyone who hurts Maia, and her stepsisters are desperate for their mother's approval, even though she despises them. Meanwhile, Anax, heir to the Duke of Sardis, doesn't believe in love either—not since he discovered that his childhood sweetheart was only using him for his noble title. But when Maia's and Anax's paths cross before the royal ball, they discover that love might not be the curse they once thought. And it might even be the one thing that can save them both.

Fantasy fans who love Kristin Cashore and Rae Carson will find everything they're looking for in this extraordinary and romantic novella.

*Amazon*Barnes and Noble*

There was no way I would be able to resist another book set in the deliciously dark world that Rosmund created in Cruel Beauty. This read was a must, in fact I think it was a need more than a want and I wasn't the slightest bit disappointed as I dived right into the twisted retelling of a beloved childhood fairytale. 

What can I say about this other than I loved it every bit as much as I did it's predecessor? It was every bit as wonderful and delicious as the first. It rang with the gothic feel and rich description that I fell in love with from Cruel Beauty and my only real complaint was that I didn't want it to be over. 

I really hope this will end up being a whole series of dark and twisted retellings because nothing would make me happier and I would gobble them up in a heartbeat. 

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

Review: My Last Kiss by Bethany Neal

Title: My Last Kiss
Author: Bethany Neal
Series: Stand Alone
Published By: Farrar, Straus, and Girous (June 10, 2014)
Source: ARC Copy Provided by the Publisher (in exchange for an honest review)
Genre: YA Mystery Paranormal
My Rating: 4 Stars!

Book Description:
What if your last kiss was with the wrong boy?Cassidy Haines remembers her first kiss vividly. It was on the old covered bridge the summer before her freshman year with her boyfriend of three years, Ethan Keys. But her last kiss—the one she shared with someone at her seventeenth birthday party the night she died—is a blur. Now, Cassidy is trapped in the living world, not only mourning the loss of her human body, but left with the grim suspicion that her untimely death wasn’t a suicide as everyone assumes. She can’t remember anything from the weeks leading up to her birthday and she’s worried that she may have betrayed her boyfriend. If Cassidy is to uncover the truth about that fateful night and make amends with the only boy she’ll ever love, she must face her past and all the decisions she made—good and bad—that led to her last kiss.

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I  have a great love for books about ghosts and an even bigger love of a good solid mystery, and when you combine the two, I really do get excited. I can't help it, the inner paranormal, mystery loving girl in me goes a little crazy and squeals with delight.

This was such an unusual read. One full of the mysteries you would expect from a dead girl with very little memory about how she got that way and the struggle she has with excepting her fate and trying to help those she loves come to terms with her death, as well as solve the mystery behind what happened that fateful night when her whole world was gone.

Neal did a wonderful job constantly keeping the reader on their toes as the mystery of Cassidy's death unfolds and her secrets are spilled.

We are left trying to help her piece her life back to together with little clues and bits of pieces of her memories as new things are revealed to her through flashbacks and second hand encounters.

There were lots of fun twists and turns and a never ending list of possibilities and suspects.

This was a great debut from an author that you will want to keep an eye on. 

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

Blog Tour Guest Post: Of Neptune by Anna Banks

I am so excited to be a part of this tour. As many of you know I have a very love hate relationship with books about mermaids so you can imagine how completely surprised I was when I read the first book in the trilogy Of Poseidon and fell head over heels in love with it. I have devoured each book since and am super excited about the last installment coming out this month!

When asked to be a part of the tour with a special guest post from Anna, I was over the moon! 

So without further ado, I bring you Anna's new book Of Neptune and her guest post!

Book Three in the Syrena Legacy

Published By: Feiwel & Friends (May 13, 2014)

Book Description:

Emma and Galen’s kingdom and their love is threatened by long-lost Syrena in the brilliant conclusion to Anna Banks bestselling trilogy.

Emma, half human and half Syrena, and her Syrena love, Galen, need time together alone. Away from the kingdoms of Poseidon and Triton. Emma’s grandfather, the Poseidon king, suggests the two visit a small town called Neptune.

Neptune is home to both Syrena and Half-Breeds alike. But Emma and Galen didn’t sign up to be peacemakers between the ocean and the land-dwelling, freshwater Syrena. They didn’t bargain for meeting a charming Half-Breed named Reed, who can barely disguise his feelings for Emma. And they especially didn’t expect to find themselves in the middle of a power struggle that threatens not only their love but their ocean kingdoms.

In this stunning conclusion to her bestselling Syrena Legacy, Anna Banks thrills fans with more action and romance than ever.

*Amazon*Barnes and Noble*

About the Author:

New York Times Bestselling author of The Syrena Legacy series. 

Grew up in a town called Niceville. No, seriously. I graduated from Niceville High School. So did J Lo's second husband. And the guy that plays Aqua Man on Smallville dated my best friend. 

Now I indulge my tendency to lie by writing the lies down and selling them to publishers. Well actually my agent sells it, so she's an accomplice to lies. One of my lies is called OF POSEIDON. The sequel is called OF TRITON. I'm still making up the third lie, OF NEPTUNE. 

And um. I also write adult fiction under pen name Anna Scarlett. One of the adult lies is DEGREES OF WRONG.


That is all.

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TOP FIVE FAVE FIERCE READS MOMENTS

1.) During the 2013 FR tour, someone (who shall remain nameless) kept hiding bananas with little cryptic messages written on them in Sharpie in Leigh Bardugo’s purse and luggage. The messages were from Jennifer Bosworth, but were channeled through __________ on the tour. J

2.) On one stop, our panel was set up on a stage in a bookstore. There was a huge, engaging audience. Out of nowhere, a man walked up to the stage and started to listen to one of us answering a question. He would stare at the person talking (in the way that no one wants to be stared at), then he’d walk away, only to return later and do the same thing. He stood right in front of the stage. I could see his nose hairs, people.

3.) On the first FR tour, we checked into our hotel for the day and the CSR asked if I’d like a complimentary goldfish to keep me company in my room. What kind of stupid question is that??? OF COURSE I’d like a goldfish companion! (I named him Tebow. We talked for hours).

4.) For me personally, I’ll never forget checking into our hotel in Las Vegas in 2013. I received an email from my editor informing me that OF TRITON had made the NYT Bestsellers list, and I burst out in tears. Ugly crying, folks, in a spacious, echoing hotel lobby. The people checking in beside me tried to comfort me; so did the hotel staff. It was so exciting and embarrassing. All I could choke out was “My book (sob sob sob) my book (sob sob) made the (sob sob sob) NYT bestsellers list!” And then they didn’t feel sorry for me anymore.

5.) All these experiences were fun, but hands down, my favorite part was meeting fans! You guys are awesome to come out and see us and to be so bubbly and friendly and un-scary (ßauthors tend to be scared of people). I’ve been thankful to go on the Fierce Reads tour, to meet fans of Galen, potential BFFs of Emma, Rayna haters (lol!), and even people who are slightly obsessed with Toraf. You are all fantabulous. Each and every one.






Thank you so much Anna for being here today!!

WoW Pick of the Week

WoW is hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine and is a weekly meme that is all about the new releases. 


This week's pick has to go to Stephanie Perkins new book. I don't even know if this is the proper cover for it but that is okay because her work doesn't need a pretty cover to draw you in, you simply get caught up in the writing and the characters.

And come on now, anyone that has read Anna or Lola's story knows this is a must read.

Book Description:
From the glittering streets of Manhattan to the moonlit rooftops of Paris, falling in love is easy for hopeless dreamer Isla and introspective artist Josh. But as they begin their senior year in France, Isla and Josh are quickly forced to confront the heartbreaking reality that happily-ever-afters aren’t always forever.


Their romantic journey is skillfully intertwined with those of beloved couples Anna and Étienne and Lola and Cricket, whose paths are destined to collide in a sweeping finale certain to please fans old and new.

So what are you most looking forward to this week?

Release Day Mini Review: Royally Lost by Angie Stanton

Title: Royally Lost
Author: Angie Stanton
Series: Stand Alone
Published By: HarperTeen (May 6, 2014)
Source: ARC Copy Provided by the Publisher (in exchange for an honest review)
Genre: YA Contemporary Romance
My Rating: 3 Stars

Book Description:
Dragged on a family trip to Europe, Becca wants nothing more than to go home. Trapped with her emotionally distant father, overeager stepmother, and a brother who only wants to hook up with European hotties, Becca is miserable. Until she meets Nikolai.

Nikolai has everything—he's a crown prince, heir to the throne, and girls adore him. But the one thing he doesn't have is freedom . . . so he flees his kingdom and goes on his own European trip.

And when Nikolai and Becca meet, sparks fly. But Becca's family vacation ends in a matter of days. Will Nikolai and Becca be forced to say good-bye, or will they change history forever?

*Amazon*Barnes and Noble*

I can always count on Angie to give me a really cute sweet read that cleanses the palate and puts a smile on your face.

I know when I pick up one of her books I am going to have fun with it. That it will be a easy delightful read that will more than likely leave me smiling and in a good mood when it is over.

This reminded me a little bit of the movie The Prince and Me. It had that same cuteness to it. That same awww, this is going to be a really cute love story that would never happen in a million years but still gets my heart beating and hopeful, kind of feel to it because what if? What if my prince really is out there and what if, he really ended up being a prince like Nikolai?

Yes these stories are predictable but sometimes that is just what we need, especially after a darker or harder read and that is why I read them and like them and hold on to them and will continue to buy them. 

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

Release Day Launch: Misunderstandings by Tiffany King

Misunderstandings

A Woodfalls Girls Novel

by Tiffany King

Available Now

Purchase Links

Penguin.com

Amazon

iBookstore

Barnes & Noble

Books-A-Million

Target

Indie Bound

Powell's

“Funny, real, moving and passionate, Misunderstandings is a MUST-READ for NA contemporary romance fans."--New York Times bestselling author Samantha Young

“Super sweet and swoon-worthy!”— #1 New York Times Bestselling author Jennifer L. Armentrout

Just when she thought things were going up…

Two years after a devastating breakup, Brittni Mitchell has moved on from Justin Avery—or so she tells herself. But when she returns to Seattle for her best friend’s engagement party, Brittni finds herself the victim of a disastrously timed elevator breakdown. She’s trapped with the last person she wants to face, and forced to recount the past she desperately wants to forget.

She’s going to have to look back…

When Brittni left her podunk hometown for a big city college experience at the University of Washington, hooking up with a guy like Justin Avery was not part of her plan. Between Justin’s attention-grabbing tattoos, cigarette smoking, and bad boy attitude Brittni quickly chalked him up as “Mr. Wrong.” But his charm was unrelenting, and Brittni’s decision to give Justin a chance quickly turned into the worst choice she ever made.

So that she might be able to move forward.

Now she’s stuck with Justin—literally—and the complicated web of misunderstandings that tied up the truth for two years is about to unravel.

USA Today Bestselling author Tiffany King is a lifelong reading fanatic who is now living her dream as a writer, weaving Young Adult and New Adult romance tales for others to enjoy. She has a loving husband and two wonderful kids. (Five, if you count her three spoiled cats). Her addictions include: Her iPhone and iPad, chocolate, Diet Coke, chocolate, Harry Potter, chocolate, zombies and her favorite TV shows. Want to know what they are? Just ask.

For information on any of Author Tiffany's titles, visit her blog at www.authortiffanyjking.blogspot.com

Where to connect with Author Tiffany

Twitter- @AuthorTiffany

Facebook- AuthorTiffanyKing

Pinterest- Tiffany King

Blog- authortiffanyjking.blogspot.com

Goodreads- Tiffany King

Email- authortiffany@yahoo.com.

"Dreams do come true...Dream big."

Book Blitz and Review: Rush Too Far by Abbi Glines

I am so excited to be a part of this tour Abbi Glines is a fabulous author and what better way to celebrate her new book coming out, Rush Too Far than with a party?

Rush Too Far releases tomorrow and so I have an advanced review for you today! Fans of the Rosemary Beach: Too Far series are not going to want to miss out on this one!

A big thank you to the publisher Atria for letting me read and review this!!

Book Description:

Fallen Too Far was Blaire's story. Now it's time for Rush to share his side.

Everyone in Rosemary Beach thinks they know how Rush Finlay and Blaire Wynn fell in love. But Rush is back to tell his side of the story...

Rush has earned every bit of his bad-boy reputation. The three-story beach house, luxury car, and line of girls begging for time between his sheets are the envy of every guy in Rosemary Beach, and Rush handles it all with the laid-back cool of a rock star’s son. All he needs are his best friend, Grant, and his sister, Nan.

Until Blaire Wynn drives into town in her beat-up pickup truck with a pistol under her seat. The Alabama farm girl instantly captures Rush’s attention once he discovers that the angelic beauty is his new stepsister, but he vows to keep his distance. Even if she needs his help. Even if he craves her.

Because Rush knows why Blaire is all alone in the world, forced to ask for help from the father who abandoned her three years ago. And he knows if he gets too close it will destroy Nan, who has a secret connection to Blaire.

He has every reason in the world to stay away from her. Find out why he doesn’t.

*Amazon*Barnes and Noble*

About the Author:

Since publishing her first novel Breathe in May of 2011, Abbi has also released The New York Times bestselling Seabreeze Series which includes Breathe, Because of Low, While It Lasts, Just For Now and Sometimes It Last, The Existence Trilogy that includes the USA Today Bestseller Ceaseless. New York Times and USA TODAY bestsellers The Vincent Boys and The Vincent Brothers. Last but not least her most popular series to date, Rosemary Beach which includes The New York Times and Wall Street Journal bestsellers Fallen Too Far, Never Too Far, Forever Too Far, Twisted Perfection and Simple Perfection. Her newest book scheduled to be released on December 17th, 2013 is Misbehaving (Seabreeze).

When Abbi isn’t locked away in her office typing away she is hauling her kids to and from their many social activities. You could say her second job is the Glines Kids personal chauffeur. It’s a rather illustrious job.

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If there is one thing that we should all know about Abbi, it is that she knows how to write a swoon worthy man. A man that we both want to drool over and at times roll our eyes at and slap him silly. They are as frustrating as they can be endearing. We want to strangle them one minute and wish they were ours the next.

Rush is just that type of man. He is just as infuriating as he is sexy. Just as dumb and he is smart and just as needy as he is giving. He is a conundrum and we love him all the more for it.

We all feel in love with him in Going Too Far and even more in Fallen Too Far and Forever Too Far so it is no wonder that I jumped at the chance to be solely in his head and take a step back and see it all through his eyes. See where it all began. How he fell in love with Blaire and to experience it all anew. 

I have to say, I wasn't disappointed. Rush is a naughty boy with a mouth on him that would do any sailor proud but oh boy does he have a heart of gold. Don't let his tough exterior fool you, this boy is all sweetness inside, granted, some of that sweetness comes with stupidity but, it is sweetness all the same.

This was such a fun addition to the series and I am so glad Glines gave us this look into the first book but through Rush's eyes. 

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