Wrathsqueen's Books

Lord of Misrule, Morganville Vampires Book 5 by Rachel Caine

2012-02-23T06:51:00.000-08:00

Paperback: 350 pages
Publisher: ALLISON & BUSBY; Reprint edition (10 July 2009)
Language English
ISBN-10: 0749007575
ISBN-13: 978-0749007577

In the college town of Morganville, vampires and humans coexist in (relitively) bloodless harmony. Then comes Bishop, a master vampire who threatens to abolish all order, revive the forces of the evil dead, and let the chaos rule. But Bishop isn't the only threat. Violent black clouds promise a storm in devastating proportions. As student Claire Danvers and her friends prepare to defend Morganville against the elements - both natural and unnatural - the unexpected happens: Morganvilles vampires begin to vanish one by one. Discovering why leads Claire to one last choice: swear allegiance to Bishop... or die.

I'm really loving this series. I know some readers are now fed up with vampires but I'd definitely recommend giving this series a try. It's not all 'vampires are the bad guys' and it's not 'ohhh vampires are the tortured heroes' either. It's a much more complex and 3D picture. You never really know who's good or bad or what's coming next, which is what's so great about this series. In this book I was taken completely by surprise by one character in particular (but for the sake of spoilers won't say anything).
I love the relationships in this series- Eve and Michael and Claire and Shane, although I'm always left wanting more of that particular aspect.
As with the previous books, it ends on a killer cliff-hanger that made me pick up the next book Carpe Corpus straight away!
4/5 stars!

Booking Through Thursday

2012-02-23T05:55:00.000-08:00

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

What do you look for when reading a book blog? Does the blogger have to read the same genre? Do you like reviews? Personal posts? Memes? Giveaways? What attracts you to a book blog?

The blogger doesn't have to read the same genre, but that's normally how I come across them. I like a blog with a lot of variety, so memes etc. A pretty blog is always good too, my technical skills are zero which is hy my blog design is not great, but some are amazing.

The Vampire Stalker by Allison Van Diepen

2012-02-22T05:57:00.000-08:00

Paperback: 250 pages
Publisher: Scholastic; 1 edition (3 Nov 2011)
Language English
ISBN-10: 1407129899
ISBN-13: 978-1407129891

Amy is in love with someone who doesn't exist: Alexander Banks, the dashing hero in a popular series of vampire novels. Then one night, Amy meets a boy who bears an eerie resemblance to Alexander. In fact, he IS Alexander, who has escaped from the pages of the book and is in hot pursuit of a wicked vampire named Vigo. Togeher, Amy and Alexander set out to track Vigo and learn how and why Alexander crossed over. But when she and Alexander begin to fall for each other, Amy wonders if she even wants him to ever return to the realm of fiction.

Cover: I'm not overly fond of this cover, it's just OK. Don't love it. Don't hate it.

This was a book I was majorly excited for but I was a bit disappointed. This book appealed to me because th main character Amy is in love with the fictional character of Alexander, and let's face it, us book lovers DO love fictional characters, especially guys because guys in books are just better. So she's incredibly relatable. I loved the premise of this book so much but I just never got to the point where I couldn't put it down, and it's only a small book of 250 pages so I should have blazed through it, but I didn't so I'm glad that at the moment, this is a stand alone.

The plot works really well but I found the end was rushed.

I did love Alexander and the romance element but I wish there as been MORE of it.

Overall I gave this book a 3/5 stars. It wasn't awful but my expectations were too high.

Persuade Me by Juliet Archer

2012-02-17T04:21:00.000-08:00

Paperback: 368 pages
Publisher: Choc Lit (15 Sep 2011)
Language English
ISBN-10: 1906931216
ISBN-13: 978-1906931216

The second in Juliet Archer's Darcy & Friends series. When do you let your heart rule your head? As far as men are concerned, Anna Elliot is stuck in the past. No one can compare to Rick Wentworth, the man she was persuaded to give up ten years ago. Meanwhile, Rick's moved on - and up. He's got a successful career and a carefully controlled love life where his heart doesn't get a look in. The words 'forgive and forget' aren't in Rick's vocabulary. The word 'regret' is definitely in Anna's. When they meet again, can she persuade him that their lost love is worth a second chance?

Cover: I am a big fan of this cover! Not only is it a gorgeous shade of purple but the woman on the cover is a perfect Anna- beautiful yet haunted.

4.5/5 stars! Persuasion is my favourite Austen novel but the are not enough adaptations or re-tellings- there are hundreds of Pride and Prejudice adaptations. So when I saw this modern Persuasion I pounced.
I have to be honest- I wasn't totally convinced a modernisation of Persuasion could work and just bought it because it was Persuasion related (sad but true) but I'm so glad that I did because Juliet Archer has successfully updated it to contemporary chick-lit (which I have to say I am really fussy with-not a HUGE chick-lit reader).
This is book 2 in Archer's Darcy and friends series but Persuade Me works perfectly fine by itself. I have not read book 1 in the series 'The Importance of Being Emma' but now I definitely want to check it out and soon! As soon as I can hunt down a copy!
I loved Persuade Me. Anne and Frederick are both brought up to date wonderfully in Anna and Rick, and I particularly appreciated that the story was told in both Anna and Rick's perspective. I really felt both characters anguish and Rick's mixed emotions. And Anna's family are just as infuriating as they should be- I wanted to reach through the pages and give Walter, Lisa and Mona (genius name for that character by the way) a good seeing to!!!
I would definitely recommend this book (in fact I already have to a friend). Of course not all Austen fans love adaptations- BUT if you do you can't miss out on this one.
You don't have to be be an Austen fan to enjoy this either as it stands as a chick lit novel in its own right but you may get more out of the book if you know Austen's original.

Booking Through Thursday

2012-02-16T04:41:00.000-08:00

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

Have you every written any fan-fiction? If yes, why and for which book(s)? If no, would you like to and for which books(s)?

For that matter, do you ever READ fan-fiction??

I haven't ever written any fan fiction. Sometimes I like to THINK about what happens next to characters after a book finishes, or maybe alternative endings but I've never written any. I don't think I would write any because I don't feel like they're MY characters or my place to take an authors characters and mess around with them and produce something anyone would wanna read.

I have read some fan fiction for the Black Dagger Brotherhood series by J.R. Ward that was really good (I can't get enough of Wrath and Beth from that series!!!!)

If I Die & Interview with Rachel Vincent

2012-02-16T01:40:00.000-08:00

Paperback: 368 pages
Publisher: Mira Ink (3 Feb 2012)
Language English

ISBN-10: 1848450613

ISBN-13: 978-1848450615

Kaylee can see death coming. But how will she face her own? Teen banshee Kaylee and her friends have barely recovered from the violent chaos unleashed the last time their school was invaded by Netherworld entities when she recieves the news she s top of a reapear s list and scheduled to die within days! But contemplating her own impending demise will have to wait, when it s revealled that new maths teach Mr. Beck s an incubus who s just come into his once-acentury fertile period. And he s looking for a few healthy young girls capable of carrying a non-human infant to full term and Kaylee s mortal best friend Emma fits the bill perfectly. But as Kaylee fights to save her female classmates, her dark fate is closing in. And as Kaylee s borrowed lifeline nears its end, and the men who love her will do anything to save her life. Even if it costs their own...

Cover: I love this cover, perfecting match for the first four in the series, and I have to say I really like the striking orange- not enough orange on books covers!

4/5 stars! I don't want to say TOO much about this book, as it is book 5 in the series, and I don't want to spoil anything for anyone. However I will say that I love this series and I think it should stand out in the paranormal YA genre as it brings a whole new paranormal being to the genre that I hadn't even considered before I picked up this series! But not many of my friends have read it, so I'll say this, if you love the Ya paranormal genre you need to pick this up. However if you are not big on love triangles this MAY not be the book for you (think Vampire Diaries at this point). Now I am not a big fan of love triangles, and I'm not going to lie and say I like it in this series because I don't, BUT I do really like both love interests and it is really hard to pick a fav (evil Rachel Vincent for making them both so yummy).
So definitely give this series a try if you're looking for a great series that gives a little something different. They're quick read and you'll blaze through them in no time at all.

Interview

Erin: What drew you to writing about bean sidhes?

Rachel: The fact that there were so many wonderfully convenient holes in the folklore. Plenty of places for me to embellish and kind of make them my own. ;)

Erin: Did you always want to be a writer?

Rachel: Yes, though I didn’t think it’d actually be possible for me to make a living writing until I was around twenty-five or so.

Erin: How do you come up with your character names?

Rachel: Some of the names just come to me. The characters seem born with them. Some are a real struggle, and I wind up going through list after list of possibilities. Sometimes I even ask my online followers to make suggestions.

The reapers, though, have names that are variations on foreign words for death. All except Levi. ;)

Erin: If you could work with any author who would it be?

Rachel: Oh, I’d love to work with Kim Harrison on an adult novel. She likes action as much as I do. ;) If I wrote contemporary, I’d love to write with Courtney Summers in YA. Her gritty style and willingness to take the story where it needs to go really works for me. But truthfully, I’ve never co-written anything before, so I don’t know how easy I’d be to work with. ;)

Erin: Who/ What inspires you?

Rachel: Working parents. People willing to suffer immediate sacrifices of their own to promote the greater good. People who put their lives on the line for others, with no expectation of a reward. People who are good and selfless because they can’t live with themselves otherwise.

Reading Routine Tag

2012-02-14T07:07:00.000-08:00

The Statistical Probability Of Love At First Sight by Jennifer E. Smith

2012-02-13T08:02:00.000-08:00

Hardcover: 240 pages
Publisher: Headline (5 Jan 2012)
Language English
ISBN-10: 0755392175
ISBN-13: 978-0755392179

Who would have guessed that four minutes could change everything?

Imagine if she hadn't forgotten the book. Or if there hadn't been traffic on the expressway. Or if she hadn't fumbled the coins for the toll. What if she'd run just that little bit faster and caught the flight she was supposed to be on. Would it have been something else - the weather over the Atlantic or a fault with the plane?

Hadley isn't sure if she believes in destiny or fate but, on what is potentially the worst day of each of their lives, it's the quirks of timing and chance events that mean Hadley meets Oliver...

Set over a 24-hour-period, Hadley and Oliver's story will make you believe that true love finds you when you're least expecting it.

Cover: I LOVE this cover! As you all know I am a sucker for romance, and so this airport-kiss-scene just makes me go awwwwwww.

Plot: Hadley doesn't want to go to her father's wedding. Her mum practically has to force her to the airport. But she still manages to miss her flight by four minutes. Of course she's not all that bothered and has to get the next one. But she meets Oliver, and missing her plane by four minutes may have lead her to true love...

I had been seeing this book everywhere, and it sounded super cute so I decided to check it out. What really intrigued me is that the whole book takes place in just 24 hours, so I wanted to see if the 'love at first sight' could be pulled off.

For me this book is a 3.5/5 stars. While I was reading I did enjoy the book, and it really fast paced (being only 214 pages) but for me I was just left needing a little bit something more. The characters connection was great, I definitely felt that spark of true love but then the end fell a little flat.

Hadley was a really convincing character. She's angry and her dad for leaving, which came off as real.

Oliver was a sweet guy. An intelligent gentleman, and I'm a little in love with him myself, truth be known.

Overall I feel like the character WERE in love, but the execution left me wanting. I think, for me, the book would have been enriched if it alternated perspectives between Hadley and Oliver, like in Perfect Chemistry for example, so we get a better all-round picture of what BOTH characters are really feeling.

I would recommend this for die-hard contemporary fans, but otherwise I don't feel it is a must read.

Book Haul/In My Mailbox 10/02/12

2012-02-10T15:11:00.000-08:00

Booking Through Thursday

2012-02-09T03:16:00.001-08:00

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

If you had to pick only 5 books to read ever again, what would they be and why?

First off- EVIL QUESTION!!!!!
Ok I got that off my chest...

But in all seriousness this is a toughie. I don't very often re-read books but I have a few that a re-read a fair bit-

1) Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine. Fairytale re-retelllings are amazing and this Cinderella one is so beautifully done. If you've seen the movie and not read the book, you seriously need to. The movie was one of the biggest disappointments of my entire life, I kid you not.

2) Boy Meets Girl by Meg Cabot. This books never fails to make me laugh.

3) Dark lover by J.R. Ward. Ok so technically I could re-read all of the Black Dagger Brotherhood series but that would be cheating so I chose book 1 which still remains my favourite. Bad-ass sexy vamps people!!! Strictly adult here.

4) Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte. My favourite classic. Such a beautiful story that gets me everytime.

5) Bite Me If You Can by Lynsay Sands. I really light-hearted, funny vampires book/chit lit.

Beautiful Creatures Movie...

2012-02-08T01:54:00.000-08:00

So I just came across this article saying that Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl is going to become a movie.

There are going to be five books in the series and Richard LaGravenese has adapted the script for Beautiful Creatures and will direct from it for Warner Bros.
Now I have the first three the books that are already out but I have only read book 1 BUT I loved it. I think I'm saving them up because I hate having to wait so long for the next book to come out.

Jack O'Connell is set to play Ethan

Alice Englert is set to play Lena

So what do you all think about a Beatiful Creatures movie? A good idea or just another Twilight wannabe? I wanna hear hear thoughts!

I'm kind of excited...but hesitant at the same time. I know I'll definitely check it out!

Illuminated by Erica Orloff

2012-02-08T01:32:00.000-08:00

Paperback: 256 pages

Publisher: Speak; Original edition (8 Dec 2011)

Language English

ISBN-10: 0142413763

ISBN-13: 978-0142413760

Some loves are not made to last . . . Like Romeo and Juliet, Heloise and Abelard were doomed from the start, and their romance was destined to pass into history. Yet when sixteen-year-old Callie Martin discovers a diary hidden within an antique book, their story—and hers—takes on another life. For the diary leads Callie to the brilliant and handsome August, who is just as mysterious as the secret the diary hides. Their attraction is undeniable. As the two hunt down the truth behind the diary—and that of Heloise and Abelard’s ancient romance—their romance becomes all-consuming. But Callie knows it can’t last . . . love never does. Will their love that burns as bright as a shooting star flame out, or will these star-crossed lovers be able to defy history?

Cover: This cover if just lovely. So pretty. And I think quite a good match for August.

Plot: The discover of a rare palimpsest draws Callie and August together. Together they search for answers about the books origins and learn the tragic story of Heloise and Abelard. Will their love last or will they be torn apart like the ancient lovers?

Overall this is a really light and sweet romance. It was a very quick read, and I found myself really enjoying it. I definitely recommend it for fans of romance. I thought that perhaps I wanted a little bit more from August, we knew that he's smart, sweet and good looking but I thought that was shown enough. I have to say that, definite props for creative and unique charqacter names, Calliope and August. I'll remember those characters for books to come.
I rated this 4/5 stars.

Stealing Phoenix by Joss Stirling

2012-02-02T03:44:00.000-08:00

Paperback: 272 pages
Publisher: OUP Oxford (1 Sep 2011)
Language English
ISBN-10: 0192756583
ISBN-13: 978-0192756589

This is about getting you out...I'm stealing you.

Phoenix belongs to the Community - a gang of thieves with paranormal powers. Yves Benedict - an American student visiting London - is her mark. But Yves turns out to be more than just a target. He is her destiny. Her soulmate. But the Community owns Phoenix's past and it wants her future too.

Cover: The cover is ok. I don't love and I don't hate it. The symbolism is great-Phoenix rising from the ashes, with not only her name but also Yves savant ability.

Plot: Phoenix thought he was an ordinary mark. She'd carry out the Seer's orders, steal the guy's stuff and that would be it. She was wrong. It was far more complicated than that, and Yves is her soul finder. That fairy tale other half of her. But Phoenix belongs to the community and are not going to let her go...and she might end up dragging Yves down with her because he won't let her go.

This was quite a short book but the character development is really great for the protagonist Phoenix.
I loved the first book Finding Sky, it stood out against other paranormal YA and the romance between Sky and Zed was great. However as much as I loved Yves and Phoenix I didn't think there was enough romance between the two of them considering there are supposed to be soulfinders. That left the whole book lacking for me. Having said that I did enjoy the book, Phoenix past and life in the community were intriguing but I can only give the book 3.5/5 stars because the key element was missing for me.

Booking Through Thursday

2012-02-02T03:00:00.000-08:00

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

Have you ever read a random book left in a waiting room or on a park bench, etc., and did you like it?

I've never found a random book and picked it up because to be honest, you don't know who on earth has touched it. But I remember once on holiday with my family, my grandad and brother were doing a maize maze and it was taking some time and me, my mum and nan were waiting in the car. They were both asleep and I was bored so I picked up my mum's book and started reading it. I loved it. It was Before Sunrise by Diana Palmer. A romance book. A hadn't read one before but it was so cute, and fast paced that I got about halfway through before my brother and grandad got back.

Wiating on Wednesday

2012-02-01T02:53:00.000-08:00

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

This week the book I'm anticipating is Legend by Marie Lu, released here in the UK tomorrow.

The Iron Knight by Julie Kagawa

2012-01-27T07:06:00.000-08:00

Received for review

Paperback: 368 pages

Publisher: Mira Ink (6 Jan 2012)
Language English
ISBN-10: 1848450605
ISBN-13: 978-1848450608He gave up everything. All for a girl... and all for nothing. To emotionless faery prince Ash, love was a weakness for mortals and fools. His own love had died a horrible death, killing any gentler feelings the Winter prince might have had. Or so he thought. Then Meghan Chase a half human, half fey smashed through his barricades, binding him to her irrevocably with his oath to be her knight. And when all of Faery nearly fell to the Iron fey, she severed their bond to save his life. Meghan is now the Iron Queen, ruler of a realm where no Winter or Summer fey can survive. With the company of his archrival, Summer Court prankster Puck, and infuriating talking cat Grimalkin, Ash begins a journey he is bound to see through to its end a quest to find a way to honour his solemn vow to stand by Meghan's side.
Thanks to MiraInk for sending this to me for review.

Cover: Another beautiful cover to end this series. I love that it has both Ash and Puck on it.

4.5/5 stars. For me this is without the best in the series. I wasn't overly keen on the first three books but I know this is becasue I didn't care for the heroine Meghan at all and the books are in her perspective, but the highlight for me in the first three was Ash and so with The Iron Knight being in his perspective I loved it.
Ash is such a secretive, closed off character in the other books so it's great to be given this insight into his thoughts and feelings that he rarely ever lets himself show due to his Unseelie Court upbringing.
I'm way to biased for this review because of how much I love Ash so I was going to love this book no matter what but I have to say that it wasn't perfect. It was a little slow in places and I wish the reunion had been a little longer- after the long quest I felt I wanted a sweeter reunion but it was still good.
Originally the series was going to end on The Iron Queen and I can definitely say that if it had done so I would have been seriously disappointed. This book was needed to round off the series, and it does it so well.
I'd absolutely say pick this up if you've picked up the other three and stick with them until you get to this one because it's worth it!

Booking Through Thursday

2012-01-26T08:50:00.000-08:00

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

What’s more important: Good writing? Or a good story?

(Of course, a book should have BOTH, but…)

Of course both play a crucial part in the book but I would say good writing is pivotal. If the writing is bad it then distracts me from the story because all I am thinking is "Oh no the writing is so bad...OMG no, nooooo" and not "What a wonderfully original plot". For example Wake Unto Me by Lisa Cach, the plot should have been everything I love in a book, romance, history, paranormal...but it was so slow that I couldn't get into the story at all.

I Have a New Additction!

2012-01-25T03:26:00.000-08:00

Ok so as many of you will probably know if you watch any of my YouTube Videos, I got a Kindle for Christmas from my lovely Mother, and to get used to reading on it I downloaded a load of the freebies. I read a few short romances on there and have now become addicted to downloading the free ebooks. A lot of the classics are free too, and I finally got some of them that I have been dying to read for a really long time. So all in all EPICNESS!!!! Only now I'm worried my review schedule is going down the tubes because I'm reading this freebies (that I won't be reviewing) so...yeah.

Have any of you guys got this obsession? I'd love to know, so please comment below!

Waiting on Wednesday

2012-01-25T03:06:00.000-08:00

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

This week the book I am waiting on is Under The Never Sky, released here in the UK on the 7th February.

I've heard GREAT things about this dystopian novel so can't wait to check it out for myself.

Booking Through Thursday

2012-01-19T13:09:00.000-08:00

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

Do you skip ahead in a book? Do you feel badly about it when you do?

I don't skim or skip ahead in books. I don't know I don't but I just don't lol.

Waiting on Wednesday

2012-01-18T02:47:00.000-08:00

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

This week the book that I'm waiting on is Harbinger by Sara Wilson Etienne released on 2nd February.

Cover love for me with this book I'm afraid. It's just gorgeous! It sounds amazing too so I can't wait for this one.

Miss Peregrine's Home For Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs

2012-01-17T02:59:00.000-08:00

Received for review
Hardcover: 352 pages
Publisher: Quirk Books (7 Jun 2011)
Language English
ISBN-10: 1594744769
ISBN-13: 978-1594744761

A mysterious island. An abandoned orphanage. And a strange collection of very curious photographs. It all waits to be discovered in "Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children", an unforgettable novel that mixes fiction and photography in a thrilling reading experience. As our story opens, a horrific family tragedy sets sixteen-year-old Jacob journeying to a remote island off the coast of Wales, where he discovers the crumbling ruins of Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children. As Jacob explores its abandoned bedrooms and hallways, it becomes clear that the children who once lived here - one of whom was his own grandfather - were more than just peculiar. They may have been dangerous. They may have been quarantined on a desolate island for good reason. And somehow - impossible though it seems - they may still be alive. A spine-tingling fantasy illustrated with haunting vintage photography, "Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children" will delight adults, teens, and anyone who relishes an adventure in the shadows.

Thanks so much to Quirk for sending me this for review.

Cover: A perfect cover for this book. The eeriness of the photo sums up what this book is about, as well as the photos throughout the book.

Plot: When Jacob was younger he believed in his grandfather's unbelievable stories. But soon grew out of them. But his grandfather's cryptic last words at his brutal death throw Jacob into a tailspin and starts him searching for something that will show his grandfather's fantastic stories were anything but fiction. But danger lurks around the corner.

I saw this book everywhere in the blogsphere a few months ago for its release in the US so when I was given the chance to receive it for review I jumped at the chance.
I found it took a while to get into a dragged for the first 100 pages or so. For those pages I wasn't gripped or very interested in the story. But then gradually the pace picked up and I was a lot more invested in the story. The photographs were interwoven expertly well and added a whole new level to the story.
I really enjoyed that the book was from Jacob's perspective. Most fiction that I read is in a female's point of view so it's always refreshing to come across one from a guy's perspective, and Jacob's character and his dilemmas are really interesting- was his grandfather telling the truth or is Jacob loosing her mind?
The peculiar children were a really great concept. I don't want to spoil anything for anyone but it was really different. I was reading something completely new and I loved it for that.
A lot was left open for book 2. When I finished I was not satisfied at all but I understand that these questions will be covered in book 2 but I felt that it took so long for it get going and then it suddenly ends with all these unanswered questions that it left me a little frustrated and unsatisfied but of course I hope to read book 2 because I definitely NEED to know what happens.
Overall I would give this book 3.5/5 stars. Just because of the slow start and how I felt when I finished it. I would say to give this book a try sometime. It's definitely different and I am excited for book2 because I was left with this need to have my questions answered but I loved the whole concept of the peculiar children and really enjoyed that part of the plot. Ransom Riggs has done something extraordinary in that he has written this book that will appeal to both YA and adult readers.

Heart On A Chain by Cindy C. Bennett

2012-01-13T16:22:00.000-08:00

Paperback: 322 pages
Publisher: CreateSpace (December 22, 2010)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1456492411
ISBN-13: 978-1456492410

17-year-old Kate has lived her whole life in abject poverty, with an alcoholic father and drug-addicted mother, who severely abuses Kate. At school, her second-hand clothing marks her as a target. Her refusal to stand up for herself makes her the recipient of her classmates taunts and bullying. That is, until Henry returns. Henry Jamison moved away six years earlier, just as he and Kate had begun to develop feelings for one another. He returns to find the bright, funny, outgoing girl he had known now timidly hiding in corners, barely speaking to anyone around her, suspicious of even him. Kate can't figure out what game Henry is playing with her - for surely it is a game. What else would the gorgeous, popular boy from her past want with her? Kate finally decides to trust Henry's intentions, opening her heart to him. Just when it seems he might be genuine in his friendship, tragedy strikes, threatening everything Kate has worked so hard to gain. Can Henry help her to overcome this new devastation, or will it tear them apart forever?

A huge thank you to Cindy for sending this to me, I am so grateful.

Cover: Cute cover, the swing and necklace make sense after reading.

5/5 stars! I loved the first Cindy C. Bennett book I read, Geek Girl I loved everything about it, so naturally I had high expectations with this book and boy were they met! I am trying to be objective in this review but I can't because I just loved it SO much. It's a beautiful, poignant book that captivated me from the very beginning.
I really felt for Kate, she has a horrible home life but she still wasn't a whiny character (even though in that situation self pity would be justified) but rather strong even if she does get scared (but who wouldn't?).
Henry is just perfect. Cute. Sweet. Protective. Funny. He doesn't tolerate how people bully Kate and sets out to stop it.
Their romance is sweet, and you really get the feeling that they're friends too which gives it a realistic feel.
The main point of this book is that you care about the characters your reading. I couldn't put this book down because I was compelled to keep reading, so I read it in just one day.
I would definitely recommend this book to fans of YA contemporary. This has become one of my favourite books and I know I will re-read it over and over because it has a timeless feel to it for me.

Christmas Book Haul/In My Mailbox Part 2

2012-01-12T13:39:00.000-08:00

Booking Through Thursday

2012-01-12T03:39:00.000-08:00

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

1. What’s your favorite time of day to read?
The afternoon, 12-4pm is my peak concentration time.

2. Do you read during breakfast? (Assuming you eat breakfast.)
I don't read while I eat at all, I don't want to get food on my books.

3. What’s your favorite breakfast food? (Noting that breakfast foods can be eaten any time of day.)
Brioche, which I do like to eat at any time of the day.

4. How many hours a day would you say you read?
Definitely depends. Week days I have college and homework etc so don't have much time to read, so about 2 hours a day but weekends I make more time for reading so about 4-5 hours.

5. Do you read more or less now than you did, say, 10 years ago?
I do read more now, I think it's because there is so much more choice in what I like to read now, more and more coming out all of the time and so consequently I read more.

6. Do you consider yourself a speed reader?
No because I know a few people that read faster than I do. I can read very fast, for example Kiss of Snow

7. If you could have any superpower, what would it be?
Flying...because I think it would be so exhilarating.
8. Do you carry a book with you everywhere you go?
Whatever book I'm reading is normallly with me.

9. What KIND of book?
YA fiction or text book

10. How old were you when you got your first library card?
7, my mum is a big reader and she always took my to the library and made sure I had a card.

11. What’s the oldest book you have in your collection? (Oldest physical copy? Longest in the collection? Oldest copyright?)
Psycial copy-honestly no idea. Not very old at all.
Longest in my collection- my Princess Diaries books my Meg Cabot. They were the books that really got me into reading.
Longest copyright is probably Hamlet but don't know.

12. Do you read in bed?
Yes I do, comfy & relaxing.

13. Do you write in your books?
No, no, no, no, no. Sacrilidge! If I want notes on it, I'll use a post-it or on the Kindle just insert notes.

14. If you had one piece of advice to a new reader, what would it be?
Don't feel pressured to read what everyone else is reading. Browse and see what piques YOUR interest.

15. What question have I NOT asked at BTT that you’d love me to ask?
(Actually, leave the answer to this one in the comments on this post, huh? So I can find them when I need inspiration!)Do you have any unusual book/reading habits or obsessions?

Sweet Stuff!

2012-01-11T03:43:00.000-08:00

The wonderful Bella Street nominated me for The Irrestibly Sweet Blog Award!

Rules: To list 7 random facts about myself and to nominate 10 other people...

1. My favourite TV show is Bones, truth be known I have a thing for David Boreanaz but the show IS awesome so it's doubly good.

2. I have some OCD tendencies...the usual locks, taps, fridge door-making sure they're all closed or off, plus negative numbers...I hate them and try in most things to have even numbers.

3. Having curly hair I wake up with some serious bed head, I actually scare my dog.

4. I'm scared of birds. One attacked me on holiday once and I nearly lost my eye so yeah...scared.

5. I'm a C.O.D. zombie addict. Me and my best friend turn into teenage boys on that game. Good times.

6. I studied forensic science for 2 years...I didn't look good in a white suit.

7. I carried out an experiement with my friend into bone density...total mad scientist time- we froze, set fire to and boiled bones and then went to town with a hammer. I think we scared people. Our teacher was somewhat surprised. Blame my Bones addiction.

My list of blogs to nominate:

Touch of Power by Maria V. Snyder

2012-01-09T12:40:00.000-08:00

UK Cover

Received for review

Paperback: 400 pages

Publisher: MIRA (20 Dec 2011)
Language English
ISBN-10: 1848450656
ISBN-13: 978-1848450653
What s the cost of a deal with the devil when you have the powers of a god? When Avry was growing up, Kazan was a prosperous land, rich in resources and served by a respected tribe of healers. Until the plague came. Developed by the poor territories to the north and west, the terrifying disease ravaged the people of Kazan and drove Avry s family away. Four years later, imprisoned for using her powers, Avry s beginning to lose hope, when a band of strange men break into her cell and steal her away. They need her special magic to save their prince. The Prince who ordered the plague s first release. Avry s freedom now rests on using her healing touch to save the very man who took away everything she loved...

US Cover

Cover: Both the UK and US covers of this book are stunning. The US is 'prettier' with the pinks and purples but I prefer the UK cover, I feel that the darker, icy colours suit the dystopian plague ridden world of the fifteen realms AND shows Avry's inner strength whereas the US cover (to me) shows her as more of a fragile and delicate character, which she is not.

Plot: Avry is a healer. A person gifted with the ability to heal the sick and injured. Once they were revered and respected. Now they're reviled. They're blamed for the plague that ravaged the population. Healers are now hunted and executed and it looks like Avry is the last one and is valuable to someone...and they're looking for her.

I have not read any of Marie V. Snyder's other books but I can say that based on this I want to, and soon!
As soon as I picked this up I was completely absorbed by the dystopian world with aspects of fantasy with a medieval feel to it-the world building was fantastic.
Avry is a wonderful protagonist- her healer nature makes her compassionate (despite people's feelings towards healers she can't see a child suffer) but she has a strong backbone (she learns to throw knives- which I loved).
This book was plot rich, full of action and intrigue.
This book isn't heavy on the romance. For most of the book they hate each other, the romance develops late but for me it works.
All the characters felt very different, all very 3D- no cookie cutout characters here.
I did tear up at one point (but will not spoil it).
Needless to say this book is a 5/5 star book for me. Every single element worked and I fell in love with this world and will definitely check out the next Avry of Kazan novel when it's released in 2013 and I will be recommending this to everyone!

Booking Through Thursday

2012-01-05T11:30:00.000-08:00

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

If you could sit down and interview anyone, who would it be?
And, what would you ask them?

This was such a hard question.
From the past I'd love to be able to interview Jane Austen, because I would like to see if the wit within the pages of her novels would come out in
conversation and to find out her reaction to her popularity today.
Presently, I would like to interview Meg Cabot because I have been reading her books for a long time, and her books really helped captivate me with reading.

2011 Book Survey

2012-01-04T09:40:00.000-08:00

Survey started by Jamie at the Perpetual Page Turner.
1. Best Book You Read In 2011?
Nevermore by Kelly Creagh

2. Most Disappointing Book/Book You Wish You Loved More Than You Did?
Wake Unto Me by Lisa Cach

3. Most surprising (in a good way!) book of 2011?
Perfect Chemistry by Simone Elkeles. I don't read a lot of contemporary but despite the cliches I loved this cute book.

4. Book you recommended to people most in 2011?
Divergent by Veronica Roth

5. Best series you discovered in 2011?
River of Time Series by Lisa T. Bergren

6. Favorite new authors you discovered in 2011?
Kody Keplinger, Stephanie Perkins, Kendare Blake, Kelly Creagh.

7. Best book that was out of your comfort zone or was a new genre for you?
Divergent by Veronica Roth-my first dystopian read ever and I loved it.
Anna Dressed In Blood by Kendare Blake- my firs t YA horror read and I loved it so much.

8. Most thrilling, unputdownable book in 2011?
Such a hard question but the books I couldn't put down this year are Nevermore by Kelly Creagh and Anna Dressed In Blood by Kendare Blake.

9. Book you most anticipated in 2011?
Deeper Than Midnight by Lara Adrian
Kiss of Snow by Nalini Singh

10. Favorite cover of a book you read in 2011?
Hourglass by Myra McIntire

11. Most memorable character in 2011?
Tris and Four from Divergent by Veronica Roth, both really, interesting characters.

12. Most beautifully written book read in 2011?
Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins.

13. Book that had the greatest impact on you in 2011?
Divergent by Veronica Roth. It really got me into the genre.

14. Book you can't believe you waited UNTIL 2011 to finally read?
The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins.

15. Favorite Passage/Quote From A Book You Read In 2011?
The Duff by Kody Keplinger "I hated the smooth, confident way he spoke A lot of girls thought it was sexy, but it was really just stalker-ish. Everything about him just screamed date rape! to me. Ugh."
When I read this I roared with laughter.

16. Book That You Read In 2011 That Would Be Most Likely To Reread In 2012?
Geek Girl by Cindy C. Bennett.

17. Book That Had A Scene In It That Had You Reeling And Dying To Talk To Somebody About It? (a WTF moment, an epic revelation, a steamy kiss, etc. etc.) Be careful of spoilers!
Torment (River of Time #3) by Lisa T. Bergren
A small love triangle emerged and I felt like it went against everything that happened in the first two books, and I couldn't wait to talk to my friend Jess about it because I just knew she's feel the same way and it was discussed...thoroughly.

Waiting on Wednesday

2012-01-04T08:27:00.000-08:00

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

This week I'm waiting on Tempest by Julie Cross released January 5th. I've heard mixed things about it but really want to check it out.

Christmas Book Haul/In My Mailbox: Part 1

2012-01-02T05:17:00.000-08:00

Anticipated Releases of 2012

2011-12-31T16:03:00.000-08:00

Best Reads of 2011

2011-12-31T05:55:00.000-08:00

Check out Jess's blog here.

My 2011 Goodreads Reading Challenge

2011-12-31T05:47:00.000-08:00

This is the first year that I set a goodreads reading challenge so I am immensely pleased that I managed to complete it, let alone surpass it! I chose 85 books because with college and A levels I didn't know how much reading time I would have with studying so I set a number I still thought was quite high and it was touch and there were a few times when I thought I wasn't going to reach my target.

Hmm...now for my 2012 challenge...

I hope everyone completed their challenge this year and good luck for next year!!!

Friday Fight Off!

2011-12-30T15:00:00.000-08:00

This week battling it out is the UK and US covers of The Night Circus.

UK Cover

US Cover

For a change I actually really like both covers, both are stunning. But for my the US covers just wins it because I know it's glossy instead of matt and the spine is beautiful black and white stripes that look amazing on the shelf.

Booking Through Thursday

2011-12-29T05:32:00.000-08:00

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

What were your favorite books of 2011?

2011 was a great book year for me. SO many amazing books. I'm actually planning a youtube collab video 'Reads of 2011' with my fellow blogger and friend Jessica,The Evangeline Lily (I will post that here too so look out for that!) but a few of the great books I read this year are:

Divergent by Veronica Roth, my first ever dystopian read and I loved it.
Jane by April Lindner, if it's Jane Eyre related I'm all over it.
Halo by Alexandra Adornetto, Xavier= seriously swoon worthy.
The Duff by Kody Keplinger, hilarious and now my fav contemporary.
Deeper Than Midnight by Lara Adrian, Hunter and Corinne's book.
Kiss of Snow by Nalini Singh, Hawk and Sienna's book, enough said :P

And so many more!

Waiting on Wednesday

2011-12-28T12:27:00.000-08:00

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

This week the book I am eagerly anticipating the release of is Lothaire by Kresley Cole released 10th January 2012.

I love The Immortal After Dark adult series and Lothaire has been an intriguing character from the start so I am really looking forward to reading his book.

The Duff by Kody Keplinger

2011-12-27T11:30:00.000-08:00

Paperback: 280 pages
Publisher: Poppy (7 Jun 2011)
Language English
ISBN-10: 0316084247
ISBN-13: 978-0316084246

Seventeen-year-old Bianca Piper is cynical and loyal, and she doesn’t think she’s the prettiest of her friends by a long shot. She’s also way too smart to fall for the charms of man-slut and slimy school hottie Wesley Rush. In fact, Bianca hates him. And when he nicknames her “the Duff,” she throws her Coke in his face.

But things aren’t so great at home right now, and Bianca is desperate for a distraction. She ends up kissing Wesley. Worse, she likes it. Eager for escape, Bianca throws herself into a closeted enemies-with-benefits relationship with him.

Until it all goes horribly awry. It turns out Wesley isn’t such a bad listener, and his life is pretty screwed up, too. Suddenly Bianca realizes with absolute horror that she’s falling for the guy she thought she hated more than anyone.

Cover: I love the vibrant colours of this cover. A simple cover and yet I can't help but love it. When I saw Simone Elkeles blurbed it I finally made up my mind to get it.

5/5 stars! I am not a huge reader of contemporary, predominantly reading paranormal, but there are a few that when I have read them I loved them (Perfect Chemistry & Anna and the French Kiss, for example). So I had high expectations of The Duff and they were surpassed.

This is now my favourite YA contemporary read and is up there with my all time favourites. I felt this was such a refreshing read, and I will now read anything Kody Keplinger ever writes.

She has such an honest writing style that is not at all patronising. It's really a young adult novel BY a young adult which results in a realistic story with a realistic narrative voice, as well as really relatable characters, I felt 'Oh yes I think the same thing' or 'I know someone just like that'.

I think perhaps Keplinger being a young adult herself means she brings her own remarkable insights to it as well as an incredible sense of humour that had me roaring.

Be warned if you don't like a lot of strong language, if this is the case this may not be the book for you. I didn't mind this aspect as it adds that essence of realism that makes the whole book ring true (not that I'm saying ALL teenagers swear relentlessly).

Keplinger has created a vibrant and refreshing novel)that is not a thinly veiled fairy tale) that young adults will relate to.

This is a book I will be constantly be recommending to everyone.

Christmas Message!

2011-12-26T04:39:00.000-08:00

I just wanted to say that I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas (hanukkah, quanza or holiday) and received lots of bookish gifts.

I wanted to take this opportunity to say thank you for all of you that follow my blog, youtube, twitter or goodreads. It really means a lot...I'm a naturally shy person and so making videos is hard for me BUT I love books so much that I do it anyway, and it's rewarding when I have found so many like minded people and even those that I now call friends (especially Jess). I've even found some amazing authors this year that I may have otherwise not have, Bella Street (who is seriously awesome and am always telling everyone to read her books), Cheri Schmidt (who combined vampires with a Darcy-esque guy I mean come on! Heaven) and Cindy C. Bennett who gave me the chance to participate in my first ever blog tour!
Of course I have also been in contact with great publishers this year which I didn't think would happen and they are amazing for giving me such great books to review.

I look forward to another great book year in 2012!

Booking Through Thursday

2011-12-22T06:45:00.000-08:00

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

Any books you’re hoping to get for the holidays this year?

How about giving? Are you giving any good ones?

I didn't really know what to ask for this year other than books much to the annoyance of my family :P

So there are quite a few I have asked for, Wildefire by Karsten Knight, Drink Slay Love by Sarah Beth Durst, The Faerie Ring by Kiki Hamilton and Possess by Gretchen McNeil.

My family will probably give me a giftcard to buy said books but these are what I asked for :)

I am also GIVING books this year. I have bought two friends books for Christmas but I had better not say what they are here...

Hereafter by Tara Hudson

2011-12-22T06:23:00.000-08:00

Paperback: 416 pages

Publisher: HarperCollinsChildren'sBooks (7 July 2011)
ISBN-10: 0007430507
ISBN-13: 978-0007430505
Can there truly be love after death?
Drifting in the dark waters of a mysterious river, the only thing Amelia knows for sure is that she's dead. With no recollection of her past life – or her actual death – she's trapped alone in a nightmarish existence. All of this changes when she tries to rescue a boy, Joshua, from drowning in her river. As a ghost, she can do nothing but will him to live. Yet in an unforgettable moment of connection, she helps him survive.
Amelia and Joshua grow ever closer as they begin to uncover the strange circumstances of her death and the secrets of the dark river that held her captive for so long. But even while they struggle to keep their bond hidden from the living world, a frightening spirit is doing everything in his power to destroy their new-found happiness and drag Amelia back into the ghost world… forever.
Cover: A hauntingly beautiful cover that suits the book perfectly. I would have loved the edition to be the same as the US in that the IS edition is a hardback and shiny which is stunning but the UK paperback, non shiny edition is pretty too.
Plot: Amelia drowned. She can't remember how she ended up in the river but she relives her death. A lot. She's stuck between live and death, a ghost, no one notices her. Until one night Joshua ends up in the river. Amelia doesn't want him to doe and tries to save him. He sees her. Can anything happen between them? Especially when someone else may have plans for Amelia...

I was very excited for this book, so much so that I bought it on the day that it was released but I only just got around to reading it. I enjoyed this book but not as much as I thought I would. I found that it became very repetitive, for example, the interaction between Amelia and Joshua, and these black shadows in some creepy afterworld are mentioned a lot but are not explained which is very frustrating. This book felt like it's primary focus was to set up for the next books in the series. It focuses heavily on the romance between Amelia and Joshua. Which I don't mind since I love to read romance but some will find this annoying with little plot to make it substantial.

Overall I did enjoy this book, it just had a few little niggly bits that I found frustrating or repetitive but I will definitely be checking out book 2, Arise, next year.

Rating: 3.5/5 stars.

Waiting on Wednesday

2011-12-21T04:04:00.000-08:00

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

This week I can't wait for the adult title Darker After Midnight by Lara Adrian. This is one of my favourite paranormal adult series and so I'm excited for its release on the 19th January 2012.

Hourglass by Myra McEntire

2011-12-17T04:27:00.000-08:00

Hardcover: 390 pages
Publisher: Egmontusa (14 Jun 2011)
Language English
ISBN-10: 1606841440
ISBN-13: 978-1606841440
One hour to rewrite the past . . .

For seventeen-year-old Emerson Cole, life is about seeing what isn’t there: swooning Southern Belles; soldiers long forgotten; a haunting jazz trio that vanishes in an instant. Plagued by phantoms since her parents’ death, she just wants the apparitions to stop so she can be normal. She’s tried everything, but the visions keep coming back.

So when her well-meaning brother brings in a consultant from a secretive organization called the Hourglass, Emerson’s willing to try one last cure. But meeting Michael Weaver may not only change her future, it may change her past.
Who is this dark, mysterious, sympathetic guy, barely older than Emerson herself, who seems to believe every crazy word she says? Why does an electric charge seem to run through the room whenever he’s around? And why is he so insistent that he needs her help to prevent a death that never should have happened?
Cover: Serious cover love for this book. Definitely one of my favourite covers of 2011. It's so simple- oh it's a girl walking towards a door, what?! Wait a sec! nooo she's actually on a wall walking towards the floor! Simple but it just looks cool. Plus it is one of those gorgeous buttery covers that just make me swoon.
5/5 stars! I loved this book. From the moment that I picked it up I was hooked. I didn't want to put it down and when I wasn't reading it I was thinking about it.
I really like the protagonists name, Emerson Cole and the love interest Michael was VERY swoon worthy.
The overall plot was great and very well paced-I was never bored while reading.
The romance was my favourite aspect of this book. Emerson and Michael are not allowed to be together as Hourglass rules (an Emerson's protective brother) don't allow it but there is this real connection between them and you really do feel it and definitely root for them to somehow be together. It's beautifully done.
There were definitely some surprises that I didn't see coming!
Needless to say I am pining away for book 2, Timepiece, that is released June 2012 but the ending of this book, whilst leaving some things open didn't end on a MAJOR cliffhanger so while I am excited for book 2 the end of book 1 was satisfying enough that I wasn't disappointed and completely on edge.
I would definitely recommend this for fans of paranormal YA fiction, it is a great book.

Booking Through Thursday

2011-12-15T05:09:00.000-08:00

Booking Through Thursday is a weekly meme hosted by Booking Through Thursday and a different question is posted every week.
What’s more important to you? Real, three-dimensional, fleshed-out fascinating characters? Or an amazing, page-turning plot?

(Yes, I know, they are both important. But if you had to pick one as being more important than the other?)

I have to say that this is an evil question lol, it's the booky equivalent to the chicken or the egg. But having said that if I had to choose I would say that to me, an amazing, page-turning plot is more important to me, because a truly astounding plot can make up for character defects in my opinion.

Waiting on Wednesday

2011-12-14T12:42:00.000-08:00

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

This week the book I am waiting for is The Iron Knight by Julie Kagawa, released here in the UK on the 6th of January 2012. While the first three are not my all time favs I did love Ash, and as this is in his perspective I can't wait.

My Iron King review
My Iron Daughter review
My Iron Queen review

The Z Factor by Bella Street

2011-12-13T08:11:00.000-08:00

Received from author

Paperback: 334 pages

Publisher: CreateSpace (June 22, 2011)

Language: English

ISBN-10: 1466255722

ISBN-13: 978-1466255722

The X Factor finds the Apocalypse Babes, along with a few other lost L.A. stragglers, ensconced in a compound that may or may not be run by evil Soviet scientists. Whether it's due to Bolshevik beliefs or a manipulating girlfriend, nightmares are on the loose and they want what's left of Seffy after the zombie attack. To make matters worse, one of the stragglers develops an unwanted attraction for Sef, and insists it's more than just U.S.T. à la Mulder and Scully.

Booking Through Thursday

2011-12-08T07:31:00.000-08:00

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

All things being equal, which would you prefer–a mystery? Or a love story?

I have to say that I'm not a big mystery reader, but all of the books I read need a little romance in there somewhere so out of mystery and or a love story, I would say a good old love story, because when it comes down to it I'm a romantic.

Feast of Fools by Rachel Caine Morganville Vampires #4

2011-12-07T06:21:00.000-08:00

Paperback: 352 pages
Publisher: ALLISON & BUSBY; Reprint edition (23 Feb 2009)
Language English
ISBN-10: 0749079797
ISBN-13: 978-0749079796

In the town of Morganville, vampires and humans live in relative peace. Student Claire Danvers has never been convinced, though especially with the arrival of Mr. Bishop, an ancient, old-school vampire who cares nothing about harmony. What he wants from the town's living and its dead is unthinkably sinister. It's only at a formal ball, attended by vampires and their human dates, that Claire realizes the elaborately evil trap he's set for Morganville.

Cover: I really like all the new covers for the Morganville Vampires series. I love the metallic purple on matt black.

Plot: At the end of Midnight Alley Bishop showed up with some vampire friends claiming to be Amelie's father. One thing is clear though, he means trouble and he's not like the other various vamps in Morganville. Suddenly the town has to pander to him or face some serious consequences. Can claire and her friends survive his visit?

4/5 stars. I really enjoy this series. I love the premise of a town run by vampires and the characters in this book are truly great. The romance between Claire and Shane is my favourite aspect but I always find myself dissatisfied with the amount of interaction between them. As always her goth friend Eve is a real highlight to read about.
I felt that there was too much build up in this book and that all the action happened in the 70 or so pages with an evil cliffhangers (all of the Morganville Vampire books do but luckily the next book always picks up exactly where the last book left off).
I look forward to more action in the next book Lord of Misrule.

#1 Glass Houses
#2 Dead Girls Dance
#3 Midnight Alley

Waiting on Wednesday

2011-12-07T03:07:00.000-08:00

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

This week I can't wait for the release of The Twilight Saga Breaking Dawn Part 1: The Official Illustrated Movie Companion by Mark Cotta Vaz on December 13th. I loved the movie and this should help ease the excruciating wait until the dvd...plus I have the companions for Twilight, New Moon and Eclipse and so need to to match.

Chain Reaction by Simone Elkeles

2011-12-05T09:56:00.000-08:00

Hardcover: 308 pages
Publisher: Overseas Editions New (16 Aug 2011)
Language English
ISBN-10: 0802720870
ISBN-13: 978-0802720870
Luis Fuentes has always been sheltered from the gang violence that nearly destroyed his brothers’ lives. But that didn’t stop him from taking risks—whether he’s scaling a mountain in the Rockies or dreaming of a future as an astronaut, Luis can’t stop looking for the next thrill.

Nikki Cruz lives her life by three rules—boys lie to get their way, don’t trust a boy who says “I love you,” and never date a boy from the south side of Fairfield. Her parents may be from Mexico, but as a doctor’s daughter, she has more in common with her north-side neighbors than the Latino Blood at her school. Then she meets Luis at Alex’s wedding, and suddenly, she’s tempted to break all her rules.

Getting Nikki to take a chance on a southsider is Luis’s biggest challenge, until he finds himself targeted by Chuy Soto, the new head of the Latino Blood. When Chuy reveals a disturbing secret about Luis’s family, the youngest Fuentes finds himself questioning everything he’s ever believed to be true. Will his feelings for Nikki be enough to stop Luis from entering a dark and violent world and permanently living on the edge?
Plot: The first time they met she kneed him in the privates...and yet two years later they can't help but be drawn to each other. Can Nikki learn to trust a guy again and let herself love Luis? And can Luis resist the draw of the Latino Blood or risk losing Nikki forever?
Cover: Another hot, if a little cheesy,romantic cover (that actually does happen in the book *sigh*), with models that are perfectly suited for the characters of Luis and Nikki so double props for relevant covers!
I was so excited for Chain Reaction that I bought it in hardcover despite it not matching my copies of Perfect Chemistry and Rules of Attraction (that's how much I love them).
But while I still really enjoyed this book it is not favourite of the three, and I do still give it 5/5 stars but that's because my favourite parts of the story are where we see the characters from the previous two books make an appearance, i.e. Alex and Brittany's wedding and Carlos proposing to Kiara, and I found myself wanting more of those scenes that between the actual protagonists Luis and Nikki.
Some aspects really frustrated me. Nikki's trust issues...yes she was hurt badly in her previous relationship but her constant cynicism (particularly towards her best friend's relationship) became somewhat irritating.
In understood why Alex joined the gang- he was the oldest and it fell to him to protect his family, Carlos fell into that situation, but I found Luis being 'pulled' to it annoying, his being an adrenaline junkie didn't seem like a good enough reason.
However there was a twist that I did NOT see coming and I liked it, and it made the book that bit less predictable.
I loved this trilogy, it is what got me back in to reading contemporary YA and I'm kind of sad it's over...
The epilogues of each book allow for a possible spin off series with the Fuentes boys children which I think would be great to read.
WE NEED MORE FUENTES!
Perfect Chemistry Review
Rules of Attraction Review

Anna Dressed In Blood by Kendare Blake

2011-12-03T07:19:00.000-08:00

Hardcover: 320 pages
Publisher: Tor Books (17 Oct 2011)
Language English
ISBN-10: 0765328658
ISBN-13: 978-0765328656

Cas Lowood has inherited an unusual vocation: He kills the dead.

So did his father before him, until he was gruesomely murdered by a ghost he sought to kill. Now, armed with his father's mysterious and deadly athame, Cas travels the country with his kitchen-witch mother and their spirit-sniffing cat. Together they follow legends and local lore, trying to keep up with the murderous dead—keeping pesky things like the future and friends at bay.

When they arrive in a new town in search of a ghost the locals call Anna Dressed in Blood, Cas doesn't expect anything outside of the ordinary: track, hunt, kill. What he finds instead is a girl entangled in curses and rage, a ghost like he's never faced before. She still wears the dress she wore on the day of her brutal murder in 1958: once white, now stained red and dripping with blood. Since her death, Anna has killed any and every person who has dared to step into the deserted Victorian she used to call home.

But she, for whatever reason, spares Cas's life.

Cover: A perfect cover. Suits the book down to the ground. Just how I imagined the creepy house to look, and Anna on the cover is perfect, even down to the dress dripping blood. Beautifully eerie.

Plot: When Cas's father was murdered by a ghost he tried to kill Cas took over his vocation. Every ghost he's killed since has been training. Training to take out the ghost that killed his father. Anna Dressed In Blood is the test...the penultimate kill, if he can take her on he will be ready for his father's murderer. However it doesn't go to plan. He finds a girl cursed...and Anna may be a separate being from the brutal killer that kills anyone that enters her house. But...she doesn't kill him.

I didn't know what to expect from this book. I don't know how but I had both high and low expectations from this book (I know right?!). I am not a horror person. I don't do horror films or books, I am wimp when it comes to them but can admit it. But when I heard of Anna Dressed In Blood the synopsis hooked me in, and despite it being YA horror I had this compulsion to know why Anna doesn't kill Cas, and Cassandra Clare blurbed it so extra props there.

Plus it's in a male character perspective which in YA there isn't enough of.
I loved this book. It has to be a 5/5 star book. I loved the mystery and creepy factor in this book, and my initial fears of my being scared out of my wits were unfounded and when it actually came for the first kill of the story I actually found myself gripped and on the edge of my seat instead of scared, wanting more (which probably does make me disturbed in some way).
The plot was excellent and some parts I really didn't see coming (i.e. the violent murder Anna commits the first time we see her or her back story came as a shock to me).
Characters are definitely the best thing about this book. Cas (and I love Kendare Blake for giving him a truly unique and memorable name which really does stand out, Theseus Cassio Lowood) is a great character and his humour adds some much needed light heartedness to the story. His unlikely friendship with Thomas is one of my favourite aspects of the book.
The book definitely has an authentic feel to it, the author has done her research into vodoo and wicca and that really comes across. For example Cas's mother cleans his knife by placing it in a jar of salt and putting it under the moon for three nights.
For me this book was just amazing. When I finished it I just though "wow". I have never read anything like it and it is definitely one of my favourites now. I loved it enough to consider looking into more horror type books from now on but not too horrific...Anna Dressed In Blood was low enough on the horror scale to be just right for me.
The end was cruel...it is now an excruciating wait for book 2, Girl of Nightmares which has to be right at the top of my most anticipated releases of 2012.
I would recommend this to any fans of YA paranormal or horror books. If you want to try horror but haven't or are worried it's not for you, I would start here like I did.

Book Haul/In My Mailbox 2/12/11

2011-12-02T08:07:00.001-08:00

Booking Through Thursday

2011-12-01T08:42:00.000-08:00

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

Do you find that your mood affects the things you read? Like, if you’re in a bad mood, do you tend to indulge in reading that will support it or do you try to read things that will cheer you up? Do you pick different types of books on dreary, rainy days than you do on bright sunny ones?

For that matter, does your mood color what you’re reading, so that a funny book isn’t so funny or a serious one not so deep?

I really don't do this...I read books totally at random. Sometimes I feel like a want to read a certain book but it doesn't have anything to do with my mood.

Waiting on Wednesday

2011-11-30T06:22:00.000-08:00

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

This week it's Illuminated by Erica Orloff released 8th December.

I am a sucker for romance and the sound of this one really drew me in...

Some loves are not made to last . . . Like Romeo and Juliet, Heloise and Abelard were doomed from the start, and their romance was destined to pass into history. Yet when sixteen-year-old Callie Martin discovers a diary hidden within an antique book, their story—and hers—takes on another life. For the diary leads Callie to the brilliant and handsome August, who is just as mysterious as the secret the diary hides. Their attraction is undeniable. As the two hunt down the truth behind the diary—and that of Heloise and Abelard’s ancient romance—their romance becomes all-consuming. But Callie knows it can’t last . . . love never does. Will their love that burns as bright as a shooting star flame out, or will these star-crossed lovers be able to defy history?

The Iron Queen by Julie Kagawa

2011-11-29T05:09:00.000-08:00

Received for review.
Paperback: 384 pages
Publisher: Mira Ink (21 Oct 2011)
Language English
ISBN-10: 0778304795
ISBN-13: 978-0778304791

In less than twenty four hours, I'll be seventeen. Although, technically, I won't actually be turning seventeen. I've been in the Nevernever too long. When you're in Faery, you don't age. So while a year has passed in the real world, agewise I'm probably only a few days older than when I went in. In real life, I've changed so much I don't even recognize myself. My name is Meghan Chase. I thought it was over. That my time with the fey, the impossible choices I had to make, the sacrifices of those I loved, was behind me. But a storm is approaching, an army of Iron fey that will drag me back, kicking and screaming. Drag me away from the banished prince who's sworn to stand by my side. Drag me into the core of conflict so powerful, I'm not sure anyone can survive it. This time, there will be no turning back.

Thanks for Mira Ink for sending this to me for review.

Cover: This cover doesn't disappoint in the looks department. Again another stunning cover- perfect for the beauty of the world of Fey.

Plot: Meghan and Ash have been exiled by Summer and Winter...but the Iron Fey are not done with them. A false king sits on the Iron Throne, determined to destroy the oldbloods. It's up to Meghan, Ash and Puck (with a little help from Grimalkin) to stop him.

So I wasn't overly thrilled with the first two books but I was told by many fellow reviewers to stick with it because it gets better. And it did! I actually felt The Iron Queen was moving plotwise and had more depth to it, whereas I felt The Iron King and The Iron Daughter were slow and never really gripped me but with The Iron Queen I couldn't put it down as it was much better paced and actually managed to keep me reading. Plus there was more Ash in this book which is the best thing about it hands down. I still didn't warm to Meghan and I don't think I ever will. I can just about tolerate her now- but why Ash and Puck love her I will never know.

It definitely made me want to read the next book The Iron Knight which is in Ash's perspective (the end of The Iron Queen is in his point of view which I LOVED- favourite part of the book) and as I think my main issue with the series so far is that I don't like Meghan and it's in her perspective I can't wait to check out The Iron Knight as I'm sure it will be my favourite of the series.

Overall I'm glad I stuck with the series...it may not be my favourite but it's still a good read and has managed to get me into faery books whereas no other book has managed to.

I would rate The Iron Queen 4.5/5 stars because I felt it really stepped up from the first two books and got me excited for the next book.

The Iron Daughter by Julie Kagawa

2011-11-22T03:40:00.000-08:00

Paperback: 368 pages
Publisher: MIRA Books (15 April 2011)
Language English
ISBN-10: 0778304469
ISBN-13: 978-0778304463

Half Summer faery princess, half human, Meghan has never fit in anywhere. Deserted by the Winter prince she thought loved her, she is prisoner to the Winter faery queen. As war looms between Summer and Winter, Meghan knows that the real danger comes from the Iron fey ironbound faeries that only she and her absent prince have seen. But no one believes her. Worse, Meghan s own fey powers have been cut off. She s stuck in Faery with only her wits for help. Trusting anyone would be foolish. Trusting a seeming traitor could be deadly. But even as she grows a backbone of iron, Meghan can t help but hear the whispers of longing in her all-too-human heart.
Cover: Another stunning cover. The blend of purple, white and blue combined with SPARKLES equals one beautiful and perfect for the magical world of faery.

Plot: Meghan can't ignore the faery world anymore, she's part of it whether she likes it or not. Rules say Summer and Winter can't love so loving the Winter Prince seems hopeless.

With the death of The Iron King Machina the Iron fae plan to take the scepter of the seasons for it's power. Meghan has to retreive it or the Nevernever will suffer.

3.5/5 stars. I found this to be very slow at the beginning but for me it picked up the last 150 pages and then I couldn't put it down. I still didn't like Meghan, I don't know about 'growing a backbone of Iron' it still seemed to me like she was a weak character, and I hated her for how she treated Puck in this book, he loves her and she completely used him. She's supposed to love Ash and then she could do that, makes me very angry. I dislike love triangles but this one seems to particulary grate on my nerves. I was also majorly disappointed that one of my favourite characters was killed off...I was not impressed.

The cover says 'the next Twilight' but for me, I actually prefer the Twilight Series. I have enjoyed The Iron King and The Iron Daughter but haven't enjoyed them on the same level as I did Twilight. I will read on in the series and I think my main problem with this series is the protagonist Meghan. I can't seem to connect with her at all and most of the time just want her to be eaten (she doesn't listen to ANYONE) so as my favourite character is Ash I think that out of all of the books in the series I am looking forward to reading The Iron Knight as it's in HIS perspective and not irritating Meghan's.

The Z Word by Bella Street

2011-11-21T10:10:00.000-08:00

Received from author
Paperback: 334 pages
Publisher: CreateSpace (June 5, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1463567626
ISBN-13: 978-1463567620

The Z Word follows Seffy Carter and her longtime friends Gareth, Addison and Lani. The four besties share a past dysfunctional and dark enough to keep them bound together under do-over identities. But rends develop in their relationships from the flesh-eating pressures of ending up in 1980, in a Montana desert, surrounded by zombies wearing dated disco duds.

A huge thanks to Bella Street for sending this to me!

Cover: I really like this cover, everything is significant. Girl on the front IS how I picture Seffy and the pink sun plays a part. It took me AGES to spot the zombies at the bottom...I really didn't see them. Fail for me there.

Plot: Seffy and her friends, Garreth, Lani and Addison had their normal lives in L.A. an then one moment everything changes. A mysterious blast knocks them into 1980's Montana and into a desert full of zombies and a fight to survive.

I didn't know what to expect with this book. I adored Bella Street's Kiss Me I'm Irish but I'd not read a zombie or post apocalyptic book before but I really enjoyed it. What made this book for me was the writing, it's so witty that I found myself laughing out loud on more than one occasion. I'd describe this book as quirky...it's perfect if you're looking for something different, I have not read anything like this before.
Sometimes the characters frustrated me. Seffy's constant denial grated on my nerves after a while. Addision's seemingly pointless bitchiness (which I'm sure will be covered in book 2) which we don't find out about.
I really don't know where this series is going to go, which is great. I'm looking forward to the surprises of finding out why they've been sent back and how, how the zombies came about and also they're past- why did they leave Montana and why is Seffy so distressed at being back there?
Plus there is so much potential for love interests here, I really don't know how that's going to play out- Seffy has a thing for Garreth but there are two other potential love interests, despite the romance not being the focal point of the book which was nice. It flowed really quickly. I never got bored.
I would give this book 4/5 stars. It really drew me in and I can't wait to get stuck into book 2 The X Factor soon.

Top Ten Priority List

2011-11-20T08:18:00.000-08:00

My TBR pile just keeps growing and so I decided to prioritise, these are the ten books that are at the top of my To Be Read Pile:

Breaking Dawn Part 1

2011-11-20T04:59:00.000-08:00

Ok so yesterday me and my best friend saw Breaking Dawn Part 1 and I just thought I'd let you all know that it was AMAZING! Honestly the best one yet. The whole time I was just like "Oh My Gosh" and "Awww" and "Ohhhh".

Everything I had hoped to be in part 1 was in there and it was so well done. Some parts actually came as a shock to me (but I will not say what those were for the sake of spoilers).

Needless to say I am now agonising until November next year when Part 2 comes out as well whenever the dvd is released.

Wonderful!!!!

Cover reveal and Excerpts: Unattainable by D. Apodaca

2011-11-18T01:56:00.001-08:00

Another striking cover! Black and purple work so wel together. A perfect cover to follow CAPTIVATED.

Book 1

Excerpts:

Spotting Mindy

She slowly turned. I breathed hard with anticipation. I could taste her lips on mine. I could feel her soft touch embracing me. And I pictured her loving eyes penetrating mine. But what I saw made me want to die. Her eyes were brown, not hazel. Her lips weren’t even rosy. Her hair was clearly dyed. This wasn’t my Lina.
"Hi." The girl said with interest as she looked me up and down. "Can I help you with something?" Then she slightly popped her hip out and set her hand upon it, smiling while waiting a reply.
I stayed frozen, staring at this girl as other feelings erupted inside me. Anger. Hate. Pain.
"What’s wrong with him?" She turned to Markus standing beside me after she had no response from me. He didn’t answer either. We both stared at this imposter as you would stare at an unwanted gift.

Questions from Dean

"What do you want from me?" I demanded.
Dean examined my eyes and looked disapointed in what he saw. "Do you remember anything?" He asked with hope.
"What are you talking about? I was with Shane, then I woke up here! He’ll kill you for this!" I warned.
Dean threw back his head and laughed. "That little mosquito can try." Then he lowered his eyes and cocked a smile. "I dare him."
The way he gazed at me was intense. I felt butterflies frantically flying in my stomach and up my chest. "What do you want from me?" I demanded, as I pretended not to feel a rush of excitement from his close presence.
"Do you remember anything from your human life?" Dean asked and tilted his head to the side.
"No." I responded immediately.
"Are you sure? Think really hard." Dean instisted.
"I don’t. I’ve already tried thinking really hard. Why is this so important?" I asked.
Ignoring my question, Dean asked, "Do you remember your friends? Family?"

Be sure to check out D Apodaca's site here.

Booking Through Thursday

2011-11-17T08:24:00.000-08:00

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

Of the books you own, what’s the biggest category/genre?

Is this also the category that you actually read the most?

The genre I have the most of would be paranormal romance and it is the category I read most of, both adult and YA.

My Soul To Take (Soul Screamers book 1) by Rachel Vincent

2011-11-17T07:13:00.000-08:00

UK Cover

Paperback: 288 pages
Publisher: Mira Books (1 Jan 2011)
Language English
ISBN-10: 0778303551
ISBN-13: 978-0778303558

Being a teenager just got much more complicated. There is something very wrong with Kaylee Cavanaugh: she senses when someone near her is about to die. And when that happens, a force beyond her control compels her to scream bloody murder. Literally. Kaylee just wants to enjoy having caught the attention of the hottest guy in school. But a normal date is hard to come by when Nash seems to know more about the need to scream than she does. And when classmates start dropping dead for no apparent reason, only Kaylee knows who'll be next.

US Cover

Cover: I'm not overly fond of the UK cover...it's kind of creepy. I get it, it's relevant but it's not nice to look at put it that way. So I visually prefer the US cover but it's much less relevant. Hoever the covers get prettier as the books go on.

Plot: Kaylee just thought she was going crazy. First she loses it and starts screaming in public and her Aunt and Uncle had her admitted. The hottest guy in school, Nash Hudson, danced with HER. And she knows when people are going to die. Maybe she is going crazy. Or...maybe she's something different.

Waiting on Wednesday

2011-11-16T03:24:00.000-08:00

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

This week the book I am waiting for is Kiss Crush Collide by Christina Meredith released on December 27th.

I loved the Perfect Chemistry series by Simone Elkeles and I think this will be along similar lines.

Captain Wentworth's Persuasion by Regina Jeffers

2011-11-15T07:46:00.000-08:00

Received for review

Paperback: 377 pages
Publisher: Ulysses Press (11 Mar 2010)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1569757763
ISBN-13: 978-1569757765

Insightful and dramatic, this novel recreates the original style, themes, and sardonic humor of Jane Austen’s novel while turning the entire tale on its head in a most engaging fashion. Readers hear Captain Wentworth’s side of this tangled story in the revelation of his thoughts and emotions. Wentworth initially suffers rejection and frustration because the titled Elliots do not consider him good enough for their daughter Anne. Despite her feelings for Wentworth, Anne allows others to persuade her to break off their engagement. Eight years later, when Wentworth returns from fighting against Napoleon’s army, the difficult years of war have reversed fortunes. Now it is he who is rich, having won many prizes in battle, while the Elliots are deeply in debt and in danger of losing their good name. Will Wentworth seek revenge by choosing another woman over his former love? Can he walk away from Anne, or will the memory of her lips and her touch capture his love once again?

A huge thank you to Regina Jeffers for sending me this for review.

Cover: A really suitable cover. It actually reminds me of my copy Jane Austen's Persuasion and definitely has an authentic Austen feel to it,although it is not how I imagine Frederick Wentworth.

Plot: Jane Austen's Persuasion retold in Frederick Wenworth's perspective.

I loved this book. I am normally wary of adaptations but I thoroughly enjoyed Regina Jeffers book Vampire Darcy's Desire and knew I wanted to read more of her work, plus I am Persuasion obsessed, anything Persuasion related and I am there! Everything I could have wanted was covered in this book- Anne and Frederick's first meeting, their falling in love, her rejection, meeting again after eight years, falling in love all over again and then carrying on where Austen left off, everytime I re-read Persuasion I constantly wonder 'what happens next for Anne and Frederick', and now I don't have to wonder anymore because it was a perfect ending.
Jane Austen's heroes are some of the most loved in literature and yet they don't really have their own 'voice' but after reading Captain Wentworth's Persuasion I fell in love with him all over again. In Persuasion he comes across as indifferent but really he's in turmoil and it was great seeing how he really reacted to being back in Anne's presence and the misunderstandings that prevent them from being together again and that love really is constant between them.
Carrying on the story was perfect and for me it felt like their story was complete, had come full circle.
Each chapter included a quote from various relevant poems and they were so well chosen you would think they had been written specifically for Anna and Frederick!
For me this has to be a 5/5 stars! I loved everything about this book and I couldn't put it down, I was so absorbed I read it on the bus, in my lunch hour etc. I would recommend this for all Austen fans and I will definitely be checking out Darcy's Passions: Pride and Prejudice Through His Eyes.

GEEK GIRL by Cindy C. Bennett BLOGTOUR

2011-11-14T03:44:00.000-08:00

Paperback: 280 pages
Publisher: Sweetwater Books (8 Dec 2011)

Cover: I like how the striking black and red refer to Jen's 'different' appearance and makes the book really stand out. I've not come across a cover similar to this (not saying there isn't one) and I really like it.

Plot: Jen has lived her life from foster home to foster home. She decides when and how she leaves. The home she's in now are not ok with her piercings, making her take them out. This leads to a bet with her friends- if she can turn goody goody geek Trevor over to the dark side with them they'll pay for a new piercing.

What Jen didn't expect was to fall for that geek.

This book kind of reminded me of a mix between Beauty and the Beast and 10 Things I Hate About You....so I LOVED it!

I'm a sucker for opposites attract romances and boy is this one!

Whar really made this book so enjoyable was the characterisation, particularly of Jen- sometimes I found her attitute humourous and made me smile, other times her defensive sarcasm made me wince, thinking 'ouch too far!' But you always felt for her.

I found her very relatable (despite me never being a foster child) and I'm sure that everyone experiences feelings of isolation, being on the frings and worthlessness at some point, that Jen experiences.

And Trev- Oh Trev. I think I love that geek- smart,sweet and funny, who wouldn't love him?!?

The romance was sweet and I found myself 'awwing' on more than one occasion and I was really rooting for them to be together.

Overall Cindy C. Bennett has created a wondeful story that completely absorbed me, when I wasn't reading it I was thinking about reading it. At first it may seem fairly light hearted but it does tackel some serious issues in a way that I enjoyed reading and didn't depress me.

A definite read for fans of contemporary YA, it's up there with Stephanie Perkins and Simone Elkeles and was a 5/5 stars read for me.

Interview with Cindy C. Bennett

• Please tell me about your book. How did you come up with the concept for Geek Girl?

I needed to write a short story (1500 words) to enter a writing contest. As I sat down to think of ideas, for no particular reason the idea of a girl who considered herself bad popped into my head. I wanted to put her with someone who was the polar opposite, and the idea of a geek came to me. But how to get them together? That’s when I decided on the bet angle, and from there it pretty much wrote itself. Once I had finished, I could not get Jen & Trev out of my head. I thought about them constantly. They were demanding to have their story told in full, so I obliged.

• If you could work with any author who would it be?

I know this sounds a little strange from a contemporary YA author, but I’d honestly probably pick Stephen King. I think he’s an amazing, intelligent writer who knows the craft inside out and upside down. I believe I would learn invaluable lessons about writing from working with someone like him.

• Do you have any favorite authors or favorite books?

I have a lot of favorites, so I’ll try to condense. My all-time favorite book is Flowers from the Storm by Laura Kinsale. I’ve read that one many times. I also enjoy the Outlander series by Diana Gabaldon. I’ve been on a bit of a dystopian kick lately. Some favorites from that are The Hunger Games series, the Maximum Ride series, and The Bounds series. I like most things by Stephen King or Dean Koontz. I recently read Sophie & Carter which I really liked. I quite enjoy the dark, twisted writings of James DeSalvo. The Clan of the Cave Bear books have long been a favorite of mine.

• How do you name your characters?

Sometimes their names just come to me, either as I’m imagining the story, or as I begin writing. Other times I have to think about it for some time, and so they have no name for a while. Then I’ll hear a name and it feels right, so that becomes the character’s name. I’ve even resorted to looking up baby name websites on occasion. Trevor from Geek Girl was originally called Tyler, but it just didn’t ever fit, it didn’t flow while I was writing. One day I accidentally typed Trevor, and voilà, I had his name. It has to feel right to me for me to keep it in place.

• What do you think people look for in a book?

I think most people are looking to be entertained. I don’t think most people care about the messages contained within, or any kind of high literature. Not that they never want those things, but an average person picking up a book is doing it for fun. I figure my job as an author is to provide that entertainment. I have no illusions (or disillusions) of writing the next Great American Novel. I only desire my reader to finish the book and be glad they spent the time within its pages.

• Who/what inspires you?

What inspires me most are people who have had something horrible in their life happen (abuse, neglect, being bullied, etc.), whether as a child or an adult, and instead of using that as an excuse to live the rest of their life either to inflict that same upon someone else, or to simply give up and refuse to do anything of worth, they use it to become more than they might have otherwise been. By that I don’t mean they have to go out and become Mother Theresa. It could just be living a good life, loving their friends and family, and being a respected, loving person. Or they may use their situation to inspire others. I completely admire those people. My next three most admired people are: policemen/firemen, servicemen, and teachers.

• Did you always want to write?

I think I’ve always wanted to be a writer. I’ve always loved to read, and felt I could write good stories as well. But it really changed in high school. I had an English teacher in 9^th & 10^th grade Honors English who really taught me my deep love of literature and even more a desire to be a writer. He’d have us do a “10 Minute Writing” at the beginning of each class, where he would give us a random subject, and for 10 minutes we would just write. I looked forward to that more than anything else all day. He would tell me I wrote well, and encouraged me to think about writing more. That was when I really truly believed I could do it, I could be a real writer.

• If could only read 3 books for the rest of your life what would they be?

That would be a nightmare! But okay, here goes. Flowers from the Storm by Laura Kinsale, Odd Thomas by Dean Koontz, and the Bible. There are some books I love more, but they are part of a series, and it would drive me crazy to not have the complete series.

• What is the hardest part of writing for you?

Definitely editing and formatting. Those two things are complete fun-suckers (meaning they suck the fun out of writing). By the time I’ve finished with those two things, I’m pretty sick of whichever book I’m working on.

• What’s the best thing about being an author?

The interaction with my readers and with other authors. Can you believe I didn’t even know about the world of book blogs before I began writing? What an invaluable resource those are not just for authors, but for readers as well. Who cares what some paid critic says about a book, I want to hear it from another reader, who’s posting reviews for the love of reading. Blogs and the internet have shrunk the world so that readers and writers can interact more closely. I love that. It’s also a pretty good day when I get an email from a reader who says they liked my book.

• What advice would you give aspiring writers?

Don’t give up, don’t be afraid of rejection (everyone is rejected multiple times), listen to people who read your work and give you pointers (not your mom or BFF, they’ll love it no matter what, try to find complete strangers), learn the craft (particularly grammar, spelling, punctuation), let the bad reviews roll off your back while learning from them, and write what you love, what you’re passionate about.

Thanks so much for stopping by my little blog on your blogtour :) - Erin

Fateful by Cheri Schmidt

2011-11-11T06:59:00.000-08:00

Received from author

Paperback: 364 pages

Publisher: CreateSpace (April 7, 2011)

Language: English

ISBN-10: 1461103991

ISBN-13: 978-1461103998

A huge fan of Jane Austen, Danielle hopes to find her own Mr. Darcy when she leaves Colorado to attend art school in London. Of course she knows it's silly to wish for that, naive even. But she's met enough males who lacked respect for women, a growing trend it seemed. And at nineteen...well.... However, on only her second night there she gets lost and is threatened by a stalker who proves to be immune to her martial arts training. Before she is completely overpowered, she is then saved by Ethan Deveroux.

While Danielle does find the romance she seeks in Ethan, he's no Mr. Darcy. Her hero is held by a spell which fractures their chance at a happy ending. During the day Ethan is closer to mortal than immortal and can date her like any other man. Yet, as the sun sets, the powerful magic of an ancient curse returns and the evil of that spell is revealed. When that magic begins, Danielle's fairytale romance ends because Ethan Deveroux is a vampire.

Firstly a huge thanks to Cheri for sending me this!!

Cover: I liked how it was a more realistic cover, that the people look real for a change. I then found out they tah dah they ARE real! Being Cheri's daughter and a friend...I found that to be a nice touch...even if the guy is not how I pictured Ethan.

Plot: Danielle is attacked by a vampire...and saved by one. When she moves to England she didn't expect that...or to fall for one. Ethan is cursed to be a man during the day but become a monster at night...can they make a relationship work or will his enemy Lucas end it before it begins?

4/5 stars. I really enjoyed this book. I liked that it was set in England (yay- most of the YA fiction I read is set in the US so it made a nice change to read about places that I know) as well as Danielle being a huge Jane Austen fan (TOTALLY relatable on my part). She was unashamedly a girly girl when it came to dress but she learnt karate. I liked this part of it- that she's not your typically weak YA girl but actually against vampires she's still frustratingly weak.
The love interest between her and Ethan was enjoyable, even if I found it to be a little too fast. It's mentioned that they knew it other 'before' but that's not really covered, it's mentioned and I was like 'ohhhhh' and then...it wasn't explained but I'm sure that it will be in book 2, Fractured. Ethan lived in a different time and is still a perfect gentleman, so Danielle gets her own Darcy. I can see why some reviews have drawn paralles between Fateful and Twilight and I can see why but it was different enough that I didn't spend the whole thinking this is a twilight rip because it wasn't.
I LOVED the bad vamps, Celeste and Lucas were evil and I can't wait to see how they come back after being thwarted.
I feel that a lot was set up in this for book 2 so I'm really looking forward to seeing where it goes, and I look forward to more development character wise, particularly romance wise.
I would recommend this book for fans of 'light' paranormal YA.

Book Facts Tag

2011-11-10T12:57:00.000-08:00

Booking Through Thursday

2011-11-10T03:38:00.000-08:00

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

E-readers like the Kindle and iPad are sweeping the nation … do you have one? Do you like it? Do you find it changes your reading/buying habits? If you don’t have one, do you plan to?

I don't have one at the moment. A while ago I swore I would never get the old 'they'll kill physical books argument' but I'm increasingly finding books that I desperately want to read that I can't get here in the UK in physical copies but I could read it if a got an E-copy. Plus I'm increasingly running of of bookshelf space.
So...
I have asked for a Kindle for Xmas because I have heard so many people say it's not like reading an E-reader, and it appealed to me because I have trouble reading books on the computer (my eyes just don't like it) so I wouldn't like reading on an I-pad because of the backlit screen so the non-glare screen of Kindle is perfect. I know I'll still mostly buy physical copies but the benefits of netgalley is a bonus and the books that I have previously been unable to read.

Waiting on Wednesday

2011-11-02T04:35:00.000-07:00

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

This week's book is one so many are waiting for...

The Clockwork Prince by Cassandra Clare, out 6th December.

The Iron King by Julie Kagawa

2011-10-31T05:38:00.000-07:00

Paperback: 384 pages
Publisher: Mira Books (21 Jan 2011)
Language English
ISBN-10: 0778304345
ISBN-13: 978-0778304340

Meghan Chase has a secret destiny; one she could never have imagined.
Something has always felt slightly off in Meghan's life, ever since her father disappeared before her eyes when she was six. She has never quite fit in at school or at home.
When a dark stranger begins watching her from afar, and her prankster best friend becomes strangely protective of her, Meghan senses that everything she's known is about to change.
But she could never have guessed the truth - that she is the daughter of a mythical faery king and is a pawn in a deadly war. Now Meghan will learn just how far she'll go to save someone she cares about, to stop a mysterious evil no faery creature dare face; and to find love with a young prince who might rather see her dead than let her touch his icy heart.

This series has been all over the blogsphere and I've heard mixed things so I thought I would finally give it a try (after having it on my shelf for 3 months).

Cover: Very pretty cover. Almost worth buying them for the beautiful covers alone.

Plot: Meghan's simple life is about to get crazy. Weird things start happening. She swears she starts seeing strange creatures, and there can't really be a monster in her little brother's closet...can there? When he's stolen and taken to the fantastical land of the Nevernever Meghan has to rescue him, with the help of her best friend Robbie who is more than he has always appeared to be, and of an ice prince, Ash. She starts to fall for Ash but he can be trusted and can they survive the danger that is the Nevernever.

First of all I must say I don't seem to have much luck when it comes to Fey books. Having said that out of the ones I've read this is the best. However I would still give it a 3/5 stars. The premise was good but I never got to the point I couldn't put it down. I found the protagonist Meghan to be weak and selfish (definite parallels with Bella from Twilight). Also there is a definite love triangle feel to the book which I don't like in any book. The thing that I really liked about this book was Ash. He was definitely a great male character.

I would recommend this if you love fey books, but it's not for everyone. I will read on in the series in the hope that it will get better and eventually hook me in.

Captivated winner...

2011-10-30T06:31:00.000-07:00

JESSICA

I will contact you with the details.

Winner chosen by random.org.

Thanks to those that entered.

Torrent- Discussion Questions (may contain spoilers)

2011-10-29T05:23:00.000-07:00

These questions can be found at the back of the book.

1) On their way to San Galgano, the family discusses the legend of Excalibur and the sword in the stone. Gabi comments that in her society, people are taught to regard things with suspicion until proven. Do you see that in people you know? What do people believe in without "proof"? Is that a good or bad thing?

It seems these days that people don't believe in anything without proof.

2) How old do you think you want to be when you get married? Why?

Late twenties, early thirties maybe. I would want to feel ready and certain but I can't but a definite age to it because it depends when I love somebody enough.

3) Two-thirds of medieval women were married by the age of nineteen. Some very wealthy noblewomen were as old as twenty four when they married but they were a rarity. What do you think marriage would be like today, in contemporary society, if we married earlier rather than later? Would it help or hurt?

More and more people aren't even getting married these days. I don't know what influence getting married earlier would have.

4) How did you respond to Gabi's growing attraction to Rodolfo Greco- and her confusion? Could you understand it? What would you have done in that situation?

I hated it quite frankly. I found myself hating Gabi for it. All she went through to go back to Marcello, her family going back because of LOVE and then that happened. In her situation I wouldn't have interacted with Greco on ANY level, not even eye contact.

5) From the beginning of Waterfall to the end of Torrent, significant changes happen in the Betarrini family dynamics. In the beginning, the girls feel the loss of their dad, connect with their mom, and in the end, really become one again. Has your family suffered through a time of disunity and come out better for it? Are you in the midst of it now? What made or would make it better?

Parents divorce was a difficult time but we're better for it now. Me, me Mum and brother are very close and I wouldn't have it any other way.

6) Tomas has a unique perspective on God, given his time and place. He's serving as a priest, even when he's no longer representing the Church. What's your thoughts on how we should share our beliefs with others?

My belief is that religion and our beliefs are very personal, everyone feels different, some like to share it with others, others don't. Do whatever is comfortable.

7) Once again, Gabi has to do things she never thought possible- jumping to another building, cauterizing a wound, risking her life, etc.- what's the hardest thing you've ever had to do (even if it wasn't life threatening!)? How'd you feel afterward?

When I started college they made us go to some valley to do 'team exercises' not my thing in the slightest. And one of the things they made us do was cross a river on a thin beam. 1. I'm not small and 2. my balance is awful, so I was really quite scared of falling in to the river. Worst day of my life. No kidding. After I was shaking ad thought I was going to be sick...and somewhat happy I didn't die.

8) In one passage, the book titles for the series are somewhat explained: "My eyes shifted to the trickling river. Come spring, it would be ten times as wide and just as deep. On and on it went, rushing toward the distant horizon. Like time. Like life. Sometimes gently falling from one pool into the other, other times fast and cascading, and still other times falling into a funnel, a torrent of knots and waves." Have you experienced life like that? Identify three times in your life that feel like a Waterfall, a Cascade, and a Torrent. Which one describes your life right now?

I really struggled...I honestly can't answer it.

Book Haul/In My Mailbox

2011-10-29T04:53:00.000-07:00

Torrent by Lisa T. Bergren River of Time Book 3

2011-10-28T08:49:00.000-07:00

Paperback: 400 pages
Publisher: David C Cook (1 Oct 2011)
Language English
ISBN-10: 143476429X
ISBN-13: 978-1434764294

When Gabi and Lia finally learn to surf the river of time, they realize they must make hard choices about life and love in the third and final book in the River of Time series. Gabi and Lia Betarrini have learned to control their time travel, and they return from medieval Italy to save their father from his tragic death in modern times. But love calls across the centuries, and the girls are determined to return forever even though they know the Black Plague is advancing across Europe, claiming the lives of one-third of the population. In the suspenseful conclusion of the River of Time series, every decision is about life ... and death.
One word. Phenomenal.

Cover: Another beautiful cover but where with Waterfall and Cascade the people on the cover were how I imagined them to look (Gabi and Lia) this is NOT how I imagined the dreamy Marcello to look. But oh well. Two out of three ain't bad.

Plot: At the end of Cascade Gabi, Lia and their Mom decide to try and go back to save their father before his untimely death. They then have to convince him to return with them to 14th century where once again they have to battle not only for Sienna, but for love and their very lives.

Again 5/5 stars. The whole series is 5/5 stars! It's just amazing. However in Torrent I did come up against a wall when reading that I didn't in Waterfall or Cascade. And this, I know is because of personal taste. Because there was an emerging love triangle between Gabi, Mercello and Lord Greco. The book still went the way I wanted it to in the end but for me this went against her character in the last two books, I mean she convinced her family to go back to the 14th century for LOVE and then that happens. No. For me. Just. NO.
That is the only thing I didn't like over the 3 books. It wasn't enough to mar the overall rating as everything still went the way I wanted it to.
There is a tentative book 4, Tributary.

I look forward to seeing where this goes but at the same time Torrent was a great finisher. But I want more of Luca and Lia, I found myself needing to know where there romance was heading but unfortunately that wasn't covered in as much detail and was left very open.

This series is a must read for everyone. Best series I have read this year bar none. Action. Romance. History. Humour. This book has everything.

Booking Through Thursday

2011-10-27T05:51:00.000-07:00

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

What’s the hardest/most challenging book you’ve ever read? Was it worth the effort? Did you read it by choice or was it an assignment/obligation?

Hamlet by Shakespeare. I've only just finished it as it's part of my coursework for A levels. It's really hard, the Elizabethan language obviously makes it more challenging than what I read more of (e.g. YA). But once you get past that it becomes a little easier.

Waiting on Wednesday

2011-10-26T06:17:00.000-07:00

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

This week the book that I can't wait for is Eve by Anna Carey released 5th November.

I can't wait for this book. I saw the book trailer for it and it totally hooked me.

Click here for the book trailer.

Cover Reveal- Until I Die

2011-10-24T08:05:00.000-07:00

OH.

GOSH!

I thought the cover for Die For Me was stunning and how on earth could they top it for the sequel (these are the kind of bookish thoughts that often occupy spaces in my mind). But boy they really did! The tones of purple-ish blue are just amazing. And everytime I see it I can't help but really stare at it. It truly is one of the most beautiful book covers...EVER.

I can't wait to read the book...even more so now.

Click here for my review of Die For Me.

Booking Through Thursday

2011-10-20T13:46:00.000-07:00

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

Do your reading habits change when you’re on vacation? Do you read more? Do you indulge in lighter, fluffier books than you usually read? Do you save up special books so you’ll be able to spend real vacation time with them? Or do you just read the same old stuff, vacation or not?

Hmm...when I'm just on a school break I read more...just more of what I would normally read BUT when I actually go away on vacation I take lighter reads for travel, the beach, evenings in the hotel after dinner and general driving around on holiday (obviously I'm a passenger and not a driver) because I know I'm not going to get a lot of reading done. I try to read on the boat but normally I don't feel too good on the boat to read all that much.

Book Haul/In My Mailbox 19/10/11

2011-10-20T05:55:00.001-07:00

Wishing Wednesday

2011-10-19T10:21:00.000-07:00

A meme for sharing weekly bookish wishes.

This week's wish is:
That the UK cover of Daughter of Smoke and Bone was the same as the US. I was so excited for this book but I have to be honest, I don't really want the UK cover. I know, I know that it's about the content but the difference is so drastic and well...dull.

UK COVER

US COVER

See what I mean?

Who would choose the UK over the US????? Just have the same cover!!!!! Arghhhhhhhh

Waiting on Wednesday

2011-10-19T05:36:00.000-07:00

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

This week the book I can't wait to be released is The Carrier of the Mark by Leigh Fallion, released October 27th.

I've heard great things about this book and can't wait to read it for myself.