Thursday 31 December 2015

Booking Through Thursday '2015 Favourites'


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

What were your favorite books of 2015?
How many books did you read this year? Are you happy with the amount of reading you got done? Wish you’d had more time? (I know I always do!)


I found so many new authors and new favourite books this year.
I will actually have a Top 10 Books of 2015 video going up on my YouTube Channel tomorrow.
But to name a few favourites-
Vision in Silver by Anne Bishop
Hades Hangmen series by Tillie Cole
Sweet Home/Carillo Boys series by Tillie Cole
Raze by Tillie Cole (see a theme there?)
Queen of Shadows by Sarah J. Maas
Hero by Samantha Young
Me Before You by Jojo Moyes
Beyond the Kingdoms by Chris Colfer

I've currently read 100 books this year, might be able to squeeze in one more before tonight is done.
I am happy with the amount of reading I got done, but it is down on the last couple of years.  But as long as I make 100 I'm happy.
I always wish there was more time for reading than there is.

Wednesday 30 December 2015

W...W...W...Wednesday 30/12/2015


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 Sweet Hope by Tillie Cole
25245349 
I recently finished reading Starry Night by Debbie Macomber
 17910542
I think my next read will be Winter by Marissa Meyer
 13206900

Tuesday 29 December 2015

Teaser Tuesday 29/12/2015 'Sweet Hope'


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 pageShare 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 the 18% mark of Sweet Hope by Tillie Cole.

25245349


""You don't know me, girl,"
"I know your work...more than anyone else, I know your work..."
Aliyana.  Damn Aliyana Lucia for getting in my fucking head.
From the minute I'd seen her two nights ago in the gallery, catching me by the marble angel, I'd been shocked speechless.
I'd never seen any chick look like her.  I'd never seen anyone with eyes that bright, hair that dark or a smile that fucking blinding."

Monday 28 December 2015

What I Got For Christmas 2015


Pun Direction by Stewart Francis

18595756
  • Hardcover: 224 pages
    • Publisher: Headline (10 Oct. 2013)
    • ISBN-10: 075536578X
    • ISBN-13: 978-0755365784
    Packed full of hilarious one-liners and cartoons, this is the first book from Mock The Week and
    Live At The Apollo favorite Stewart Francis. "I was standing in the park today wondering, why does a Frisbee appear larger the closer it gets? And then it hit me." Stewart Francis is the king of the smart one-liner, the brilliantly crafted, often punning gag delivered in his trademark deadpan style. In this, his first book, he presents 500 of his funniest, most perfectly formed gags as well as exclusive new jokes and quirky cartoons.




    Little bit of a different review today- I'm reviewing a joke book.
    Stewart Francis is one of my all time favourite comedians- I really appreciate a good one liner.  The kind of joke you can easily repeat to someone.
    It's going to be hard to review a jopke book, because people's sense of humour is subjective.  What one person finds funny, another could find stupid.  Which of course could be said for anything.
    But the easiest thing to say is;
    If you like Stewart Francis as a comedian, you'll love this book.  It's full of his most iconic jokes, and even some you might not have heard before.  As well as funny doodles.
    If you've never heard of Stuart Francis but love one liners and puns- you might still love this one.
    It's not the sort of book to read in one go, pick up and read bits at a time, but it was a fun read that I loved.

    5/5 stars.

    Thursday 24 December 2015

    VLOGMAS - DAY 23


    Booking Through Thursday 24/12/2015 'Gift'


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


    What books are/were you hoping to get as gifts this holiday season?
    Which books DID you get?
    Are you happy, or did you rush right out to your local bookstore to pick up the book you’d hoped you’d be
    getting?


    Books will always be the best present I could receive- but friends and family often have NO idea which books I own, what I don't or what I like or don't like- so books are normally a no go for them.
    However there are some friends that I have made through BookTube and blogging, and we exchange bookish gifts at this time of year.
    One such friend got me the best gift this year- a signed edition of Outlander by Diana Gabaldon.  Truly one of the best gifts I have ever received.

    Wednesday 23 December 2015

    W...W...W...Wednesday 23/12/2015


     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 Heart On a Chain by Cindy C. Bennett
    16084786
    I recently finished reading Sweet Fall by Tillie Cole 
    18759345
    I think my next read will be Starry Night by Debbie Macomber
    17910542

    VLOGMAS - DAY 22


    Tuesday 22 December 2015

    VLOGMAS - DAY 21


    Teaser Tuesday 22/12/2015 'Heart of a Chain'


    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 pageShare 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 page 181 of Heart on a Chain by Cindy C. Bennett.
    ""Kate I've loved you for years.  I mean, I know twelve-year-olds don't know what lovw it, so I guess I should say I've really liked you for years.  But when I saw you this year, I knew.  I knew we should be together.  I just didn't know how hard you were going to make me work to get you to even like me.  So, yeah, of course I want you to love me back."
    I smile.
    "Well, I do love you.  More than I thought I could, more than I should.  But I don't care.  I don't care if it makes other people mad, or if I don't deserve you and I don't care if you don't like it because I do love you and I am going to forever, no matter what."
    Henry laughs at my speech, kissing me again."


    Monday 21 December 2015

    VLOGMAS - DAY 20


    Simply Irresistible (Lucky Harbor #1) by Jill Shalvis

      23471955
    • Format: Kindle Edition
    • Print Length: 330 pages
    • Publisher: Headline Eternal (14 Aug. 2014)
    • ASIN: B00KDBA0WY
    In one fell swoop, Maddie loses her boyfriend (her decision) and her job (so not her decision). But rather than drowning her sorrows in bags of potato chips, Maddie leaves L.A. to claim the inheritance left by her free-spirited mother - a ramshackle inn nestled in the little coastal town of Lucky Harbor, Washington.

    Starting over won't be easy. Yet Maddie sees the potential for a new home and a new career - if only she can convince her two half-sisters to join her in the adventure. But convincing Tara and Chloe will be difficult because the inn needs a big makeover too. 

    The contractor Maddie hires is a tall, dark-haired hottie whose eyes - and mouth - are making it hard for her to remember that she's sworn off men. Even harder will be Maddie's struggles to overcome the past, though she's about to discover that there's no better place to call home than Lucky Harbor.


    Cover:  A cutesy cover.  Don't love it or hate it but it's not the sort of cover that grabs your attention and makes you want to read it, and I don't really see it has any connection or relevance to the story itself.

    This is an author and series that I was recently recommended by a fellow BookTuber at an event.
    As I love authors like Bella Andre, Nora Roberts and Barbara Freethy- I thought Jill Shalvis sounded right up my street.
    And I was right.
    This was a super cute, light and fluffy read.
    I didn't 100% feel the chemistry/ romance between the two main protagonists - Maddie and Jax. I just felt things developed quickly, too quickly for me to really feel like a realistic and believable connection was unfolding.
    Other than that- I thoroughly enjoyed this one.
    The interaction and banter between the three sisters was hilarious and I look forward to seeing more of them together whenever I continue on with this series.

    4/5 stars.

    Read from October 29 to 31, 2015

    Thursday 17 December 2015

    [BLOGTOUR] Sweet Soul by Tillie Cole

    25912332One shy lost soul.
    One silent lonely heart.
    One love to save them both.

    Life has never been easy for twenty-year-old Levi Carillo. The youngest of the Carillo boys, Levi is nothing like his older brothers. He isn’t dark in looks or intimidating to everyone he meets. In fact, he’s quite the opposite. Haunted by a crippling shyness and the tragic events of his past, Levi spends his days with his head buried in his books, or training hard for his college football team. Too timid to talk to girls, Levi stays as far away as possible and completely on his own… until he saves the life of a troubled pretty blonde, a troubled pretty blonde that might just be the exception to his rule.

    Elsie Hall is homeless. Or at least that’s all anyone ever sees. Everyday is a fight for survival on the cold streets of Seattle, everyday a struggle to find food and keep warm. Alone in life—a life that’s dangerous and cruel—her will to keep going is an ever-losing battle. In her world of silence, Elsie has given up hope that her life will contain anything but constant struggle and pain… until the beautiful boy she has severely wronged comes to her rescue at precisely the right time.

    New Adult novel—contains sexual situations and mature topics. Suited for ages 18 and up.


    Cover:  A perfect cover for this book.

    I've made no secret of the fact that I love Tillie Cole's books.  When I first read the Hades Hangmen books- It Ain't Me Babe and Heart Recaptured, I fell in love.  It was an instant obsession that still hasn't abated and the wait for the third book nearly killed me.  When you're in that constant pain while waiting for a book's release- you know you've found a good'un.
    Whenever I picked up one of Tillie's books, I know I'm in for a good ride- the highs, the lows, the laughs, the tears, chemistry, sizzle, swoon worthy guys and PLOT.
    Sweet Soul was no exception.
    Levi was such a different male protagonist.  In a lot of New Adult novels- we see the lothario, or a cocky player type character - not ALL the time, but Levi definitely stood out for me.  He's a shy, sensitive guy- blushes, can't really speak to girls and doesn't really have any interest in doing so.  He plays his football but is also very study conscious.  But then he meets Elsie...and he's VERY interested in her.
    I loved that this book tackled some serious issues- as have Tillie's previous books.  We see grief and loss as well as damaging effects of bullying.  The Tillie portrays this issues really did cause a lump in my throat as well as tearing up a time or two.
    Elsie and Levi were made for each, 'Twin Souls' as it were.  I really did fall in love with them, and root for them all the way.
    This instantly become one of my favourite books...seriously.
    I couldn't put it down and seriously resented any interruptions.
    Highly recommend this one, but maybe consider picking up the rest of the series first.
    5/5 stars.

    Read from December 09 to 11, 2015

    Excerpt

    Elsie grabbed her pen and paper; I took her hand. I walked her out of the pool house to the kitchen door. I opened the door, and Elsie walked through. When she glanced over her shoulder, I said, “I’ll see you tomorrow.”
    Elsie smiled and walked up the stairs to her room. Just as I was about to shut the door, Lexi appeared from the darkened dining room, a sleeping Dante in her arms.
    I opened my mouth to say something when Lexi beat me to it. “Dante woke up for a feed a while ago. I was in the dining room when I saw Elsie run by and leave. I panicked at first thinking she was running away, then I saw you by your pool house. Saw you let her inside.”
    My face was on fire as Lexi spoke, rocking my nephew in her arms. I didn’t say anything, but I clearly didn’t need to. “You like her. A lot,” Lexi stated. Unable to lie to my brother’s wife, I nodded my head.
    Lexi moved closer. “You’re taking her out tomorrow?”
    “Yeah.”
    Lexi nodded, then went to walk back up the stairs. Before she did, she turned round, and looked like she wanted to say something, but stopped herself. Needing to know what it was, I questioned, “What?”
    Lexi looked in the direction of the stairs, in the direction Elsie went, and she said, “I think she’s been through more than we can understand, Lev. I’ve tried to talk to her every day, but she avoids conversation completely.” Lexi sighed and added, “I think she’s really broken inside. Severely. I think there’s something dark in her past that’s haunting her.”
    My heart ached, and just as I turned to go back to my room, I whispered, “Then we’re the same. That’s what makes her so special to me.”
    Lev…” I heard Lexi hush out softly, but I was out of the door and into the pool house before she could react.
    My mind raced with what Lexi said, but it wasn’t anything I couldn’t already see. Elsie didn’t speak, she was too timid and shy.  She’d lost her mamma, like I had lost mine. And I could see she was lonely, just like me.
    Taking off my jacket, I walked to the table to clear away the mugs, when I saw a piece of paper was lying on the top. I wondered what it was. Suddenly I recognized Elsie’s handwriting.
    Moving round the table, I dropped to the seat. The paper was folded in two, my name written across the top.
    My heartbeat picked up speed as I opened the paper. At first I was confused by the centralized column of words, then my heart burst apart when I read a poem that Elsie had written:
    Alone and lost, appeared this saint,
    With pretty gray eyes, darkness can’t taint.
    He stole her from cold, from blustering storm,
    Kind and gentle, he took her from harm.
    Fearful of dark, he created her light,
    A jar of gold, chasing demons of night.
    Telling stories of love, he brought to her life,
    A moment by his side: no pain, no strife.
    He gifted her poems, a gesture on whim,
    With every word read, she could see only him.
    She counted the days until he returned home,
    The boy with his light, the girl not alone.
    Invisible to all, a shade wandering in dark,
    He brought back her faith, with his pure kind heart.
    I love poetry, Levi.
    Thank you for the book.
    Elsie x

    Wednesday 16 December 2015

    VLOGMAS - DAY 15


    W...W...W...Wednesday 16/12/15


     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 Sweet Fall by Tillie Cole
    18759345

    I recently finished reading Kare First Love Vol. 2
    1819718
    I think my next read will be Sweet Hope by Tillie Cole
    18759355

    Tuesday 15 December 2015

    VLOGMAS -DAY 14


    Teaser Tuesday 15/12/2015 'Sweet Fall'


    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 pageShare 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 the 45% mark of Sweet Fall by Tillie Cole.

    18759345"Her nails were digging into the flesh of my back, and I tentatively laid my cheek on the top of her head.
    She smelled so good.
    Felt so good.
    I wasn't sure how long we just stood there like that, two fucked-up emo kids confessing our sins, but it was enough time for me to realise one thing: I was falling hard for the little dark pixie.
    Real. Damn. Hard."

    Monday 14 December 2015

    VLOGMAS - DAY 13


    Sweet Home (Sweet Home #1) by Tillie Cole

    18105011
  • Format: Kindle Edition

    • Print Length: 401 pages
    • ASIN: B00FVMDQ30
    At age twenty, Molly Shakespeare knows a lot.

    She knows Descartes and Kant.

    She knows academia and Oxford.

    She knows that the people who love you leave you.

    She knows how to be alone.

    But when Molly leaves England's grey skies behind to start a new life at the University of Alabama, she finds that she has a lot to learn — she didn't know a summer could be so hot, she didn't know students could be so intimidating, and she certainly didn't know just how much the folks of Alabama love their football.

    When a chance encounter with notorious star quarterback, Romeo Prince, leaves her unable to think of anything but his chocolate-brown eyes, dirty-blond hair and perfect physique, Molly soon realises that her quiet, solitary life is about to dramatically change forever...

    Mature New Adult novel — contains adult content, highly sexual situations and mature topics. Suited for ages 18 and up*
     


    Cover:  A sweet but not a stand out cover.

    I LOVE Tillie Cole's adult series, the Hades Hangmen.  And I was missing it whilst awaiting the next installment to that series, so I was happy to discover that she had more books to delve into.  So I decided to try her New Adult books next.
    And I'm glad I did.
    I loved this.
    Molly and Rome seem to be opposites.  The geek and the jock.  Brit, American.
    But they have more in common that you'd think.
    Both of them are lonely.
    Molly has lost everyone that has ever been close to her.
    Rome has lived with the neglect and abuse of his parents his whole life.
    When they meet, they recognise their soulmate.
    But, with people trying to split them up, can their love survive.
    I really was drawn into Rome and Molly's story.  I found myself rooting for them.
    And hating Rome's parents, they truly are evil people.
    I'd say the only thing I didn't really like, was how 'dominating' Rome was in regards to their sex life.  I understand his need for control, but I feel he was a little bit too harsh at times.  Didn't make me love him to be honest.
    I loved their crazy group of friends.  They were hilarious.  And I look forward to seeing more of them in the other books in this series.
    I missed not having Rome's point of view.  The whole story is told in Molly's perspective.  I really enjoy with New Adult novels having alternating perspectives.  I feel it makes the story more well rounded, and I feel maybe if I had had Rome's POV I could have understood him that little bit better.
    There is a companion novel which IS Rome's POV, which I will obviously be checking out, but I do wish it had been in one novel.
    Over all, this was a great New Adult novel, that I really enjoyed reading, and I'm looking forward to reading more of Tillie Cole's books.

    4.5/5 stars.

    Read from August 24 to 27, 2015

    Wednesday 9 December 2015

    VLOGMAS - DAY 8


    W...W...W...Wednesday 09/12/2015







    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 Sweet Soul by Tillie Cole
    25912332

    I recently finished reading His Housekeeper's Christmas Wish by Louise Allen
    25494254

    I think my next read might be Misconduct by Penelope Douglas
    27881573

    Tuesday 8 December 2015

    Teaser Tuesday 08/12/2015 'Sweet Soul'


    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 pageShare 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 the very first page of Sweet Soul by Tillie Cole, book 4 in the Sweet Home series.

    "The rain pelted hard.  I pulled the collar of my jacket higher on my neck.  Reaching the warehouse door, I made to unlock it with the key I'd secretly copied from Axel's master key, my warm breath ghosting into a white mist as it collided with the cold air.
    Thunder rumbled around the distant edge of a dark gray sky."

    Sweet Soul (Sweet Home, #4; Carillo Boys, #3)