Book Unhaul #1 - The Big Book Clear Out

Booking Through Thursday 28/05/2015

Booking Through Thursday is a weekly meme hosted byBooking Through Thursday and a different question is posted every week.

What book would you love to see turned into a movie?
(Yes, with the understanding that it would be everything you hoped it could be, doing justice to the story, the characters, the writer’s vision, and so on. Not a hatchet-job horror.)

Ahhh what a question.  I love movies, and when you love a book, you both want and dread a movie adaptation.

But if we are assuming that it is a good adaptation as mentioned above, I would have to say Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor.
The film rights have been bought by Universal so I'm keeping my fingers crossed that it does happen.
The Daughter of Smoke and Bone trilogy is my all time favourite series.  I love everything about it.  And while a lot of my love and appreciation comes from the authors amazing, lyrical way of writing- which I would lose if it became a movie- the plot and characters, as well as the visual would be beautiful to see on screen.

Waiting On Wednesday 27/05/2015 'Scorched'

Waiting on Wednesday is all about sharing the books that I'm eagerly waiting to be released.

This week the book I'm waiting (impatiently) to be released is Scorched by Jennifer L. Armentrout. 
Jennifer Armentrout has fast become one of my favourite authors- because of her Lux series, but I also LOVE her contemporary New Adult novels.  They are some of my all time favourites.
Released 16th June.

Sometimes life leaves a mark…

Most days, Andrea doesn’t know whether she wants to kiss Tanner or punch him in the gut. He is seriously hot, with legit bedroom eyes and that firefighter body of his, but he’s a major player, and they can’t get along for more than a handful of minutes. Until now.

Tanner knows he and Andrea have had an epic love/hate relationship for as long as he can remember, but he wants more love than hate from her. He wants her. Now. Tomorrow. But the more he gets to know her, the more it becomes obvious that Andrea has a problem. She’s teetering on the edge and every time he tries to catch her, she slips through his fingers.

Andrea’s life is spiraling out of control, and it doesn’t matter that Tanner wants to save her, because when everything falls apart and she’s speeding toward rock bottom, only she can save herself.

Sometimes life makes you work for that happily ever after…

W...W...W...Wednesday 27/05/2015

To play along, just answer the following 3 questions:

• What are you currently reading?

• What did you recently finish reading?

• What do you think you’ll read next?

 

My current read is Say My Name by J Kenner

I recently finished reading Hyperbole and a Half by Allie Brosh

I think my next read will be Moonlight on Nightingale Way by Samantha Young

Teaser Tuesday 26/05/2015 'Say My Name'

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following: 

• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
  Share two “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teaser.

This weeks teaser comes from Say My Name by J. Kenner.
Page 31.






"It's Jackson, standing astride two parallel iron girders at least thirty stories above a city I don't recognise.  He's wearing jeans, a long-sleeve white T-shirt, and a white hard hat.  He is holding onto a giant hook suspended infront of him, and seems unaware of the camera that I can only assume is taking this shot through a long lens from a safe distance.The shadow of beard stubble is as unmistakable as the brilliant blue of his eyes, which seem burn in the white light of the sun."

Nowhere But Here (Thunder Road #1) by Katie McGarry

• Hardcover: 496 pages
• Publisher: Harlequin Teen (26 May 2015)
• ISBN-10: 0373211422
• ISBN-13: 978-0373211425

An unforgettable new series from acclaimed author Katie McGarry about taking risks, opening your heart and ending up in a place you never imagined possible.

Seventeen-year-old Emily likes her life the way it is: doting parents, good friends, good school in a safe neighborhood. Sure, she's curious about her biological father—the one who chose life in a motorcycle club, the Reign of Terror, over being a parent—but that doesn't mean she wants to be a part of his world. But when a reluctant visit turns to an extended summer vacation among relatives she never knew she had, one thing becomes clear: nothing is what it seems. Not the club, not her secret-keeping father and not Oz, a guy with suck-me-in blue eyes who can help her understand them both. 

Oz wants one thing: to join the Reign of Terror. They're the good guys. They protect people. They're…family. And while Emily—the gorgeous and sheltered daughter of the club's most respected member—is in town, he's gonna prove it to her. So when her father asks him to keep her safe from a rival club with a score to settle, Oz knows it's his shot at his dream. What he doesn't count on is that Emily just might turn that dream upside down. 

No one wants them to be together. But sometimes the right person is the one you least expect, and the road you fear the most is the one that leads you home.

Cover:  I love this cover.  Vibrant and a perfect match for the book.

I love Katie McGarry.
Her Pushing the Limits series is one of my all time favourite YA contemporary series.
So I was looking forward to the start of a new series by her.
And I really enjoyed it.
I think I had it on a pedestal because of the other series, so it had a lot to live up to.
And it didn't quite blow me away the way that Pushing The Limits or Crash Into Me did, but I did still find myself drawn in this new world.
A world of motorcycle clubs, and a girl that suddenly finds herself in the middle of one.
Motorcycle club books are something I've been enjoying lately, but they have all been adult books.  Rather graphic books.  So it was interesting to go from that to a YA version.
Emily has a normal family life in Florida.  Straight A student.  She sees her biker dad once a year.
But she suddenly finds herself in danger and having to live with her biological father.  Which leads to her spending time with family she's never met.  As well as spending time with Oz.
A hot guy that can't wait to become a member of the club.  And can't understand why Emily can't see how great the club is.
But he is drawn to Emily anyway.  And the amazing chemistry that flares between them.
I loved the relationship between Oz and Emily.  It's never quite love/hate- but they do push each others buttons, and don't take any crap from the other.  Forcing each other to admit things they would otherwise have run from.
They're opposites...but they work.
I liked how their relationship built.  It wasn't insta-love by any means.  It wasn't even insta-friends.  
4/5 stars.

Read from 03 to 06 April 2015

Flowers in the Attic by V.C. Andrews [Flowers Buddy Read]

The Prince Who Loved Me (Princes of Oxenburg #1) by Karen Hawkins

Received for review
Paperback: 384 pages
Publisher: Headline Eternal (12 Mar. 2015)
ISBN-10: 1472229010
ISBN-13: 978-1472229014

Meet the Princes of Oxenburg... Fairytales with a sizzling, Scottish, and delightfully sparkling twist from New York Times bestseller Karen Hawkins. Fans of Julia Quinn, Monica McCarty and Julie Garwood will fall under the spell of this enchanting romance.Once upon a time a rakish prince who didn't believe in true love met a stubborn fair lady who wouldn't settle for anything less...

Prince Alexsey Romanovin revels in his life of carefree flirtation. So when his grandmother insists it's time for him to wed and whisks him away to Scotland, Alexsey vows to foil her plans. And when he stumbles upon Bronwyn Murdoch, the prince thinks he's found his answer.

Bookish Bronwyn has no time for a handsome flirt - no matter how intoxicating his kisses are. And she knows full well that a spoiled, arrogant prince wouldn't be seriously interested in such a firm-minded female. But if Alexsey is foolish enough to play such a game, then Bronwyn is determined to turn it upside down, and prove that an ordinary woman can bring a prince to his knees...

For more fun, flirty and dazzling romance, look out for Book Two in Karen Hawkin's Princes of Oxenburg series, The Prince And I. And catch her fabulous Duchess Diaries series.
Cover:  I love this cover.  I love the blues and the tartan.  A typical Regency romance cover, but I love it.  Might be one of my favourites.

What are two things that I love?
Regency Romance.
And fairytale re-tellings.
And I get both with this Cinderlla-esqu novel.

Regency romance is my guilty pleasure.  I turn to it when I want a quick, fluffy but satisfying read.  But Karen Hawkins is a new to me author. 
After receiving The Prince Who Loved Me for review, I couldn't wait to start it, because it immediately looked and sounded like something I would enjoy.  When I then read in other reviews that it was loosely based on Cinderella, I knew I had to start it immediately.  So I did.
And I fell in love.  I think I've discovered not only the start of a new favourite series,  but also a new Regency romance author to add to my favourites list.
I flew through this book.  I just didn't want to put it down.  It hooked me from the get go.
Bronwyn, our heroine, was such a likable character.  A shy bookworm but with a fiery spirit.  At 24, and a disastrous season behind her- marriage isn't in Bronwyn's future.
But when a chance encounter with a prince, leads to what they both think will be a harmless flirtation, actually ends up meaning a lot more.
Alexsey- Prince of Oxenburg.  At times it was a tad hard to like him, as he's convinced he'll just use Bronwyn for a fun distraction for his visit to Scotland.  But I soon saw how genuinely infatuated with her, so could forgive him.
I really liked that Bronwyn's stepmother and sisters weren't 'evil', as in the traditional tale, but while Bronwyn is different from them, they still love one another.
Over all, this was such a fun book, and I loved read every second of it.
I love a good Happily Ever After, and I was so satisfied with this one.
I'm highly anticipating the next book the series.  I can't wait to meet Alexsey's brothers!
Definitely recommend for fellow Regency Romance fans- or those looking to delve into it.
5/5 stars.

Read from May 16 to 20, 2015

Waiting On Wednesday 20/05/2015 'Nowhere But Here'

Waiting on Wednesday is all about sharing the books that I'm eagerly waiting to be released.

This week the book I'm waiting for is Nowhere But Here by Katie McGarry.
I was lucky enough to already read a copy early via NetGalley, but am looking forward to owning a physical copy for my collection.
Released 26th May.

An unforgettable new series from acclaimed author Katie McGarry about taking risks, opening your heart and ending up in a place you never imagined possible.

Seventeen-year-old Emily likes her life the way it is: doting parents, good friends, good school in a safe neighborhood. Sure, she's curious about her biological father—the one who chose life in a motorcycle club, the Reign of Terror, over being a parent—but that doesn't mean she wants to be a part of his world. But when a reluctant visit turns to an extended summer vacation among relatives she never knew she had, one thing becomes clear: nothing is what it seems. Not the club, not her secret-keeping father and not Oz, a guy with suck-me-in blue eyes who can help her understand them both.

Oz wants one thing: to join the Reign of Terror. They're the good guys. They protect people. They're…family. And while Emily—the gorgeous and sheltered daughter of the club's most respected member—is in town, he's gonna prove it to her. So when her father asks him to keep her safe from a rival club with a score to settle, Oz knows it's his shot at his dream. What he doesn't count on is that Emily just might turn that dream upside down.

No one wants them to be together. But sometimes the right person is the one you least expect, and the road you fear the most is the one that leads you home.

W...W...W...Wednesday 20/05/2015

To play along, just answer the following 3 questions:

• What are you currently reading?

• What did you recently finish reading?

• What do you think you’ll read next?

 

My current read is The Prince Who Loved Me by Karen Hawkins

I recently finished reading Flowers in the Attic by V.C. Andrews

And I think my next read will be The Gentleman Mentor by Kendall Ryan

Teaser Tuesday 19/05/2015 'The Prince Who Loved Me'

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following: 

• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
  Share two “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teaser.

This week, I'm currently reading The Prince Who Loved Me by Karen Hawkins.  Teaser comes from page 200.





"A yawn that would not be repressed began to torment her.  She covered her mouth and hoped he wouldn't notice.
The prince's gaze narrowed, his smile now gone as his eyes raked over her hair and took in the blanket.  Ya ni panilah, have you been ill?"

Between Now and Forever (Callaways #4) by Barbara Freethy

• Format: Kindle Edition
• Print Length: 303 pages
• Publisher: Fog City Publishing, LLC (6 Jan. 2014)
• ASIN: B00G2URB6I

From #1 NY Times Bestselling Author Barbara Freethy comes a romantic and suspenseful new novel in the popular family series, The Callaways. 

Nicole met Ryan when he was a handsome, cocky teenager with a desire to fly high above the clouds. Ryan encouraged Nicole to dream big and promised her a lifetime of happiness, but several years into their lives together, they were faced with obstacles bigger than either had ever imagined. Their love faltered. They lost their way and considered what had once been unthinkable—the end of their forever. 

But now fate throws them a curve, an event that forces them back together, that strips their emotions bare and is both terrifying and strangely unifying. For the first time in a long while they have to face each other, and not only talk but also listen, because their lives depend on it—not only their lives, but also the life of their six-year-old son. 

Secrets and lies frame a perilous journey to the truth that takes Nicole and Ryan to Angel's Bay, a place where miracles sometimes happen. But in order to get that miracle, Nicole and Ryan must work together and learn how to trust and love each other again. Only then will they be able to save their family and find their way to happily ever after.

Cover: Cute, romantic cover, that I love so much.  Not my favourite cover of the series, but I still really like it.

This is the fourth installment of the Callaways series.
This is a series I've thoroughly enjoyed.
Each story focuses on a member of the Callaway family finding romance.
This book focuses on Nicole and Ryan.  Teenage sweethearts, that's marriage has broken down under the pressures of raising their autistic son Brandon.
But when Brandon is kidnapped, they come together to track him down, and in doing so, realise they should never have let themselves drift apart.
I loved this addition to the series.  I liked that it differed to the previous books, in that it wasn't about two people meeting for the first time, but focuses on two people that have already met and been married for several years.  And focusing on them coming back together.
I loved Nicole and Ryan.  It was sad to see their marriage break down in the previous books, seeing their inevitable separation.
So I loved seeing them work together, fight to get Brandon back, and you could see that they never stopped loving each other.  I also enjoyed seeing flash back scenes to when Nicole and Ryan met, and when they were a young couple in high school.
I thoroughly enjoyed it and definitely recommend this series to fans of contemporary romance books.

3.5/5 stars.

Read from March 22 to 24, 2015

Book Haul/In My Mailbox 15/05/2015

W...W...W...Wednesday 13/05/2015

To play along, just answer the following 3 questions:

• What are you currently reading?

• What did you recently finish reading?

• What do you think you’ll read next?

My current read is still Flowers in the Attic by V.C. Andrews

The last book I read was Paper Towns by John Green

And I think my next read will be Rowdy by Jay Crownover

Teaser Tuesday 12/05/2015 'Flowers in the Attic'

 

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

 

• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
  Share two “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teaser.

This week's teaser comes from Flowers in the Attic, page 300.

"God blessed me with mean thoughts to take joy from everything. What good were pretty clothes when no one ever saw them? I wanted things that didn't come wrapped in fancy paper, and tied around with satin ribbons, and put in a box from an expensive store. I wanted all the things money couldn't buy. Had she noticed my hair cut so short on top? Had she seen how thin we were? Did she think we looked healthy with our pale, thin skins?"

 

Last week's teaser also came from Flowers in the Attic, check it out here.

Stinger by Mia Sheridan

• Format: Kindle Edition
• File Size: 3095 KB
• Print Length: 398 pages
• ASIN: B00FE7IIBC

A full-length, standalone romance from the New York Timesbestselling author of Archer's Voice.

Grace Hamilton was the girl with a plan. She knew exactly where her life was going and prided herself on always achieving her goals. It was who she was, and how she lived her life. She never stepped outside the lines, and never considered what she might desire and whom she was actually trying so hard to please. Until him . . . 

Carson Stinger was a man who didn't play by any rules except his own. Working in the adult entertainment industry, he didn't care what others thought, and took each day as it came, no direction, no plan. He knew what women wanted from him and believed it was all he had to offer. Until her . . . 

When circumstances forced them to spend several hours together, they walked away changed. But for two people who never should have meshed, overcoming the reality of their vastly different lives wasn't possible. At least not yet . . .

THIS IS A STANDALONE SIGN OF LOVE NOVEL, INSPIRED BY SCORPIO. New Adult Contemporary Romance: Due to strong language and sexual content, this book is not intended for readers under the age of 18.

I read Archer's Voice by Mia Sheridan late last year and absolutely fell in love with it.  It instantly became one of my all time favourite New Adult novels.  I knew I wanted to check out other books by this author.
And I'm glad I did.
I really enjoyed Stinger.  But Archer's Voice set the standard, and remains my favourite.
I loved that Stinger is an opposites attract story.  A law student and a porn star.  Two people that you wouldn't think go together, but end up understanding each other more than anybody could ever guess.
I loved that we got both Grace and Carson's points of view in alternating chapters.
Attraction and chemistry sizzled off the page.  I loved them together.
When they first meet the time isn't right for them...but years later, can it work between them now?
Over all, it was a fantastic read.  I rooted for Grace and Carson from the very beginning.
Definitely recommend for New Adult fans.

4/5 stars.

Read from April 09 to 18, 2015

Paper Towns by John Green

Booking Through Thursday 07/05/2015 'Poetry'

Booking Through Thursday is a weekly meme hosted byBooking Through Thursday and a different question is posted every week.

It seems like I’m always asking about actual books … but what about poetry? Do you read it? Write it? Like it? Not like it? Do you prefer song lyrics? (Because we can all agree there’s a relation between poems and lyrics, right?)

I tend to only read actual books.  Mostly fiction.
There are some poets that I like, mostly Byron, but poetry isn't something I pick up very often at all.
And I know the poets I like, so rarely search for something else.
Song lyrics are definitely a kind of poetry.  
What I would call accessible poetry.  Not everyone enjoys poetry- I think it can be a little ambiguous and elusive, whereas giving it a voice, makes it that much easier to understand.

W...W..W...Wednesday 06/05/2015

To play along, just answer the following 3 questions:

• What are you currently reading?

• What did you recently finish reading?

• What do you think you’ll read next?

I'm currently reading Flowers in the Attic by V.C. Andrews
 

I recently finished Paper Towns by John Green

 

I think my next read will be A Room With a View by E.M. Forster

 

Teaser Tuesday 05/05/2015 'Flowers in the Attic'

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
  Share two “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teaser.

This week's teaser comes from Flowers in the Attic by V.C. Andrews.
Teaser comes from page 40.






""Lord knows, they'd better walk outside while they can."
A ripple of apprehension shot down my spine.  I glanced at my older brother to see if he'd heard, just as he turned his head to look at me.  He smiled.  I smiled in return."

Falling For a Stranger (Callaways #3) by Barbara Freethy

• Format: Kindle Edition
• File Size: 1889 KB
• Print Length: 293 pages
• Publisher: Fog City Publishing, LLC (16 July 2013)
• ASIN: B00DMKTEKC

From #1 NY Times Bestselling Author Barbara Freethy comes the third book in the popular Callaway Series, an emotional and suspenseful novel of love, family and dangerous secrets. 

Ria is as sexy and sultry as a warm tropical night and as beautifully dangerous as the island drinks she serves at the beachside bar on Isla de los Suenos -- The Island of Dreams. But Ria is not as carefree as she appears, and the pretense is wearing her down. One night she risks everything to escape from reality.

Drew Callaway is a former Navy pilot and rescue operative looking for his own escape from a life that has seen too much tragedy. Meeting Ria is like embracing the sun, and their single night together is life-changing. But the dream quickly fades when Ria is killed in a tragic accident at sea. 

Months later, thousands of miles away from where they first met, Drew sees a woman who looks just like Ria. She claims her name is Tory, and that they've never met before, but he can see that she's in trouble, and he can't walk away. He's going to save her whether she wants it or not.

Drew isn't afraid of a little danger, but can he risk losing his heart to a beautiful stranger?

** FALLING FOR A STRANGER is the third book in the connected family series, The Callaways. Book #1, ON A NIGHT LIKE THIS and Book #2 SO THIS IS LOVE are currently available for purchase.

Cover:  Another cute and romantic cover.  I love how vibrant this cover is.

I'm loving this series.  

(At the time of this review going up, I have read all 8 books in this series, back to back.)

Falling For a Stranger hooked me from the get go.  Drew and Ria meet on a beautiful tropical island.  Drew is trying to relax after spending so long in the Navy, surrounded by death and pain- but only Ria takes his interest.  They spend one amazing night together, and while Drew has to leave- changes his mind and wants to have the chance to know Ria better- when she is tragically killed in a boating accident.  Stricken, and feeling her loss despite only just having met her- Drew heads home.
A couple of years later- Drew thinks he sees Ria- wishful thinking?  Is he losing his mind?  Or is it really her?
Ahhhh the suspense and intrigue!!  I just didn't want to stop reading.
I loved the chemistry between Drew and Ria- it sizzled!
Ria's niece was adorable and I loved the friendship that developed between her and Drew.  It was really sweet.

Over all, I loved it.  Another great edition to the series, and probably my favourite so far.

5/5 stars.

Read from March 17 to 22, 2015

April 2015 Reading Wrap Up