Friday, September 16, 2016

Bleeding Hearts by Dana Louise Provo Review + BLOG TOUR


Bleeding Hearts by Dana Louise Provo

I would first like to thank Chapter by Chapter blog tours for including me in their blog tour for this novel and sending me a copy for an honest review. 
First off, this book was absolutely amazing in every way, shape, and form. The premise of the book is so interesting and unique compared to what is out in bookstores today, that it had drawn me right into the story. I didn't know what to expect from this book, but it has blown me away and is one of the best novels that I have read this year. When I began to read the book, I had not expected to receive it in the form of flashbacks and present state, but I was pleasantly surprised to find that this method really brings the story together, and we get to experience the repercussions of the events that play out throughout the novel and reminisce in the past. Cami, Issac, and Carson are such complex characters in their own way, they each have an essence that brings something to the table that no other character can. The bonds that are formed throughout the story are so realistic that it seems as though this story is jumping off the page and becoming a reality. The plot thickened every chapter and the author was able to bring the story to life in such a way that it pulls the reader in and has them sitting on the edge of their seat. I am so excited to see that this was just the first book in a series, and cannot wait until I can read more of her work. I highly recommend this book to fans of thriller novels such as Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn and Survive the Night by Danielle Vega.


Dana Provo has always loved books and reads everything from young adult fantasy to adult historical romances. When she’s not reading or writing her next novel, Dana can be found riding her horses and getting ready for competition. Dana lives with her husband and two house plants in Richmond, Virginia.




Saturday, September 10, 2016

Catalyst Moon: Incursion by Lauren L. Garcia Review


Catalyst Moon: Incursion by Lauren L. Garcia

I would first like to thank tumblr user "chrissylvania" for recommending this book to me and sending me a link to read it. Thank you! I would also like to thank Leo from Inkitt for sending me a physical copy of the book as well! This was such an amazing read - the characters were all unique in their own way, and their development was written very smoothly and realistic. As soon as you begin reading the book, you are immediately thrown into the action and plot line, and are introduced to the main characters that you will be seeing throughout the book. There was never a dull moment while I was reading this book - there was always some sort of action, situation, or confrontation - making this the perfect read for those who love to be on the edge of their seats reading a book that is constantly moving at a fast pace. You will fall in love with the characters and root for their success throughout the entire book, hoping for the best, as any reader would. There is a dash of romance in the book, but it does not overtake the entire plot, which is refreshing to see, and allows the readers to become invested in the plot, rather than the romance alone. Also, huge plus - no love triangle!! - this was such a nice aspect of the book because it took away the constant struggle of choosing who Kali, the main character, would end up with. I highly recommend this book to fans of Blackmoon Beginnings by Kaitlyn Hoyt and The Immortal Rules by Julie Kagawa, both include a fantasy aspect and romance that will draw the reader in until the very end. Please check this book out, and support Lauren L. Garcia and her fantastic writing!

 




Monday, August 22, 2016

The Sword of Summer by Rick Riordan Review


The Sword of Summer by Rick Riordan

I have always been a fan of Rick Riordan's novels, ever since I picked up Percy Jackson and the Olympians in fourth grade. It only took me nearly two months to finish this book, but I've finally made it through the finish line. I don't know what it was about this book, but I kept getting distracted by other things while reading it, causing me to forget that the book was even a thing that I could open and read. I really enjoyed all the characters - especially Magnus, with his supreme sass and shifty remarks. There were no specific problems with any of the characters that didn't benefit their development or the plot line itself. Oh, and all the Game of Thrones references thrown into the mix - thanks Rick :) But I wasn't as blown away by this series as much as I was when I read Percy Jackson and the Olympians; take it, that was about eight years ago, but I can still remember all the feelings that were brought up with reading those emotional rollercoasters *ahem* books. The world for me was a little hard to get in to, maybe because I wasn't really passionate about reading the book when I first started it, but as I read on, I was roped in as I always am with Rick's books, and had powered through the first third of the book without even realizing it. You definitely need to be in the mood to read a Rick Riordan book, and can't just wake up one day and be like "Oh jeez, I guess I'll read this book today and see how it goes." No. Don't do that. I beg of you, please do not do that. It will take away from the book because you will feel as if you are pushing yourself to read this. *rant over* Overall, this was such an interesting story and I can really commemorate Rick on his world building and attention to detail throughout the book. I highly recommend this book to anyone who is already a fan of Rick Riordan's writing as well as fans of The 100 by Kass Morgan and City of Bones by Cassandra Clare. I will definitely be finishing this series and will be reading The Trials of Apollo series by Rick as well. Once you're hooked on Riordan, there's no turning back ;)






Sunday, August 21, 2016

Caraval by Stephanie Garber ARC Review


Caraval By Stephanie Garber

Wow. This is definitely one of the best if not the best book that I have read in 2016. I honestly am at a loss for words after finishing this novel. I received an ARC copy of Caraval from BEA this year, and I finally decided to sit down and read it, and I am so glad that I made that decision. I managed to fly threw this enticing novel in just two days, and I could not put it down. The writing was absolutely exquisite, it pulls the reader in as the words are woven into an elegant story full of risks and romance. The world of Caraval is something that you won't find anywhere else in the YA genre - the constant struggle to determine what is true and what is an illusion causes the reader to solve the puzzle alongside the characters that we come to adore and root for. Our main characters are thrown into each others lives and have to band together in order to survive Caraval and win the game before time runs out and what Scarlett wants the most is taken from her without wasting a moment. I absolutely fell in love with the characters in this novel, they were so different than any other character that I have been exposed to, and they each were their own person that had their own goals, and didn't always depend on the other in order to accomplish the goals that they were trying to achieve throughout the story. The twists and turns that are present in the novel are even more full of illusions that I had ever expected, and I was completely mesmerized by how the author was able to weave this world so delicately that everything fell into place just as it should have. This novel is truly made of something that can not be found anywhere else, and I highly recommend it to fans of The Wrath and The Dawn by Renée Ahdieh and Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas. Caraval will be available for purchase on January 31, 2017 and will be available for pre-order as well.



Oh, and just one more thing...




Saturday, August 20, 2016

The Transfer by Veronica Roth Review


The Transfer by Veronica Roth

This is the first of four short novellas by Veronica Roth that center around Four from the Divergent series. Each of the novellas are available for individual download as ebooks, or can be purchased as a collection bind up, Four, in hardback. Okay, so I have no serious problems with this novella, but I can't seem to really connect with Four as much as I try. I feel as if Four is a character that can either be liked or not, and there is no in between with him. This novella is just one of the many steps I am trying to take in order to find out how I really feel about Four and the way that he acts. Taking into consideration that I read this without having read the last book in the Divergent trilogy, I can't really have the full perspective on Four as I would like to. This novella focuses on how Four decided to transfer from Abnegation to Dauntless, and on the events beforehand that cause him to finally be able to choose on who he wants to be and how he wants to get away from his old life. I really liked being inside the mind of Four because we don't get that in the first two books of the Divergent trilogy, which became a nice change in POV. It really makes you rethink Four as a character and reevaluate why he is the way that he is. I'm glad that I was able to see the reasons why Four chose to be in Dauntless and be able to get a glimpse inside his life before he took his life into his own hands and stopped being afraid of his father. I definitely look forward to reading the rest of the novellas that focus on Four.



“You're the one who has to live with your choice, everyone else will get over it, move on, no matter what you decide. But you never will” 
― Veronica RothThe Transfer


Tuesday, August 2, 2016

United by Melissa Landers Release Day Blitz + GIVEAWAY


United, the third installment in the Alienated series by Melissa Landers, is here!
Here's a message from the author:

Hey there, booklovers!

I’m author Melissa Landers, and I’m thrilled to announce the release of UNITED, the final book in the Alienated trilogy. Our star-crossed lovers Aelyx and Cara have overcome some heavy obstacles to be together—riotous mobs, alien hybrids, and worst of all, high school on two planets. Now to stay together they’ll have to unite their people against a common enemy, a threat more deadly than they ever imagined. (NBD, right?) I’ve written an ending to this trilogy that makes my heart happy, and I hope you’ll love the conclusion as much as I do!

What do reviewers have to say about the series?

“The author’s storyline is out of this world.” –VOYA on Alienated

“The unusual plot and world building are ingenious.” –Library Media Connection on Alienated

“If [the third novel] is as entertaining as this tale, it can’t come soon enough.” –Kirkus Reviews on Invaded

“A fun genre-blending series that will only gain traction as it continues.” –Booklist on Invaded

If you love hot aliens, snarky humans, and wild sci-fi adventure, make sure to pick up a copy of UNITED today. It’s now available in stores and online.

Purchase Links:

Amazon: http://amzn.to/25XrSct

iBooks: http://apple.co/1sGfH1Z

Barnes & Noble: http://bit.ly/1tqvT7u

Book Depository (free international shipping): http://bit.ly/1XpeAjN

Indie Bound: http://bit.ly/1Uc75wb

To celebrate my book birthday, I’m offering one lucky winner a set of all 3 mini-posters in the Alienated series—signed by me! The giveaway is open internationally.

Best of luck, and happy reading!




a Rafflecopter giveaway

Melissa Landers is a former teacher who left the classroom to pursue other worlds. A proud sci-fi geek, she isn’t afraid to wear her Princess Leia costume in public—just ask her husband and three kids. She lives outside Cincinnati in the small town of Loveland, “Sweetheart of Ohio.” For more information or just to say hello, visit www.melissa-landers.com.



Friday, July 15, 2016

The King Slayer by Virginia Boecker Review


The King Slayer by Virginia Boecker Review


I wish I could give this book 100 stars, it was just such an amazing ending to a duology and I am so satisfied with the ending that the author wrote :) I was so happy to be back in the world of Elizabeth, John, Fifer, and everyone else, and it was such a well written novel as well. It picks right back up after the ending to The Witch Hunter, and dives back into the situation that we were last left off with handling. The book ran very smoothly, and was at such a nice pace that I was able to nearly finish the entire book in a day; the pace really helped the motions of the book flow as well, and added the extra action that the book needed. Virginia Boecker did an amazing job writing the characters and their developments throughout The Witch Hunter, and she definitely did not disappoint in this installment. You are able to feel connected to the characters and understand why they do the things that they do, and get into their thought processes as well. Elizabeth is such an interesting character to read about because she starts off in the series as one of the most hated types of people in the land - a witch hunter - and then slowly is able to change her ways and become one with the people of the city. Each character has their flaws, and they make them who they are and influence how they act in certain situations. I absolutely loved this book, and can probably say that it is one of my favorite reads of 2016, and one of my favorite series that I have read. I highly recommend this series to fans of Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas and Dorothy Must Die by Danielle Paige. Both books involve young girls who are fighting to take over the existing ruling power, and are done so beautifully.



“I understand the need for deception. I should; I live a life of it. Distasteful, perhaps. But necessary.” 
― Virginia BoeckerThe Witch Hunter







COVER REVEAL: The Promise by C.E. Wilson

   
Hello everyone!
Welcome to the Cover Reveal for
The Promise by C.E. Wilson!
 
What does it mean to be a human?
Lily Larkin is about to find out when on what should have been a day of great happiness, she is diagnosed with a rare and unbelievable disease. She is shrinking, possibly without limit. As her life starts to spin out of control and the world starts to grow around her at an uncontrollable rate she is forced to confront her greatest fear - losing the man whom she loved from the moment she saw him. Can they stay together even though she feels her humanity slipping away? Can she trust him with her secret and, as her disease progresses, her safety and even her life? Can she trust herself? A bittersweet story of love and loss, The Promise is a YA Paranormal Fantasy that will have you questioning the meaning of your own humanity and the weighing of trust against love. What will Lily choose? What would you choose?

The Promise by C.E. Wilson Publication Date: November 16, 2013
Available for Purchase:
 

 
C.E. Wilson was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, grew up in Millersville, Pennsylvania, and has been living in Pittsburgh since 2009. For the first few years living in Pittsburgh, she was an English teacher. Her first book, "Oath of Servitude," was published in 2012. In 2013, she quit teaching to be a full time author and hasn't looked back since. She loves spending time with her daughter and husband.
 

 

Tuesday, June 21, 2016

The Perfectionists by Sara Shepard Review

The Perfectionists by Sara Shepard

I've always been a fan of Sara's writing, ever since I was gifted the first ten books in the Pretty Little Liars series right after the show first aired on ABC Family, and have loved her books ever since. I already have a review of The Good Girls, the second and final installment in this series, up on my blog, in case you want to check that out as well :) I didn't really know what to expect from this book, mainly because I didn't really know much about the plot when I first bought the book. I had an idea of what was going to happen, but didn't have enough information to really have a steady grasp on what was about to come - and I'm glad for that. The best thing for someone who is about to read this is to not really know much about the book, it adds to the mystery of the book. I really enjoyed meeting all of these new and unique characters that Sara created, and found that none of them were characters that I didn't really connect with or understand. The entire premise of the story is so interesting, and will definitely draw the reader in as they begin to dive deeper into the world of The Perfectionists, and learn that everything is not what it seems. I was never bored while reading this story, and felt that the pace was very well played out and easy to follow as reader and gave the story just enough push that the reader would be able to finish the book in one sitting if they were determined to do so. The twists and turns that Sara includes in the book are truly some that I have never seen before, and it is completely refreshing to be able to see the normal tropes from YA novels be broken down and formed into something new. Anyone who is a fan of Sara's series Pretty Little Liars or The Lying Game will greatly appreciate this novel, as well as fans of The Good Girl by Mary Kubica (similar titles, both completely different and amazing stories!) The mystery, character development, and relationships between characters are all truly stunning, and will indulge any reader who picks up this book.


“She just looked tired. Like she battled the world and the world had won.” 
― Sara ShepardThe Perfectionists

Wednesday, June 15, 2016

Saving Montgomery Sole by Mariko Tamaki Review + BOOK TOUR


Saving Montgomery Sole by Mariko Tamaki Review
I’m so glad to be a part of the Blog Tour for this book, which was put together by Nori from ReadWriteLove28; thank you so much for including me in this tour and providing me with a copy of this novel! I’m also so proud to be able to participate in this tour during Pride Month, and though I am not a member of the LGBT community, I am a proud supporter of equal love :) This was such an AMAZING book, the representation alone was astounding, and how authentic and realistic it was truly left me as a reader feeling as if I was able to look into the lives of these characters and see something that could be evident in real life. The main character, Montgomery Sole, was a relatable character thatI was able to connect with as a person who is hit with struggles in life, but also as a teenage girl that is going through high school and all of the drama that comes with it. She is put through an experience that is definitely a defining moment in her life, and while she doesn’t handle it well at first, she comes around and finds her way to finding a solution to the problems that have been the result of Montgomery and her antics. The dealing with of the arrival of a man and his debatable views takes the stronghold as Montgomery and her friends’ lives are affected by the influence that he begins to hold over the town. The development of this situation was written very well, and added an aspect to Montgomery’s life that allowed her to be able to realize how her actions are affecting those around her as well as how she is changing as a person as well. The author finds a way to pull everything that happens in Montgomery and the town’s lives together and resolve the major issues that are affecting how they live and how they treat those around them. The Eye of Know plays a decent sized part throughout the story, causing some major problems for some of the town’s most, shall we say “aggressive,” people. I absolutely adored this book and the message that it portrays, and highly recommend this to everyone who needs a nice contemporary read with a dash of self-discovery.
GIVEAWAY: There are 5 (yes, 5!) copies of Saving Montgomery Sole up for grabs - US only



Tuesday, June 7, 2016

Hair in All the Wrong Places by Andrew Buckley Review + BOOK TOUR + GIVEAWAY


Hair in All the Wrong Places by Andrew Buckley

Review: I'm so glad to be a part of "Hair in All the Wrong Places" Book Tour! Thank you so much to Chapter by Chapter for sending me a review copy of this novel and having me as a tour host! I really enjoyed the essence of the story  - it is a quick read that is light and fluffy, definitely for someone who enjoys a type of Middle Grade fantasy. The main character is relatable and is easily understood throughout the entire book, and I found myself really enjoying what Colin had to say rather than wanting to skip to the action part of the plot. All of the characters are unique in their own ways and that element really assists the writing style as well, for you can tell when a certain character is talking without needing the extra "so and so said" at the end of each piece of dialogue. This was such a cute read, and I liked the romantic aspect as well, adding it in made the readers be able to root for the character and his love interest all while hoping that everything would turn out okay in the end. The romance did not over power the true nature and plot of the book, and for that I am thankful - we were able to focus at the problems at hand and not have the romance shadow over everything else that was happening throughout the novel. I highly recommend this book to fans of werewolf novels and any Middle Grade fantasy novel as well. I'm really looking forward to reading more of Andrew's writing and seeing more of his characters.

Publication Date: June 7, 2016

Publisher: Month9Books

What has he done?

What’s happening to him?

And what on Earth is that smell?

For Colin Strauss, puberty stinks. Blackouts, hallucinations, and lapses in memory are the perils of growing up werewolf.

Worse than that, Colin worries he might have had something to do with the recent attacks on the townspeople. He may have eaten a person. It doesn’t matter that it’s someone he doesn’t particularly like. What kind of boy goes around eating people?

Foolishly, all Colin can think about is how Becca Emerson finally kissed him for the first time. Yep, hormones are afoot.

Yikes!

But girls will have to wait. Collin better get himself under control before someone else ends up hurt or worse . . . dead.

Link to Goodreads:


Purchase Links:


About the Author: Andrew Buckley attended the Vancouver Film School’s Writing for Film and Television program. After pitching and developing several screenplay projects for film and television, he worked in marketing and public relations, before becoming a professional copy and content writer. During this time Andrew began writing his first adult novel, DEATH, THE DEVIL AND THE GOLDFISH, followed closely by his second novel, STILTSKIN. He works as an editor for Curiosity Quills Press. Andrew also co-hosts a geek movie podcast, is working on his next novel, and has a stunning amount of other ideas. He now lives happily in the Okanagan Valley, BC with three kids, one cat, one needy dog, one beautiful wife, and a multitude of characters that live comfortably inside of his mind. Andrew is represented by Mark Gottlieb at the Trident Media Group.

Giveaway Information: Contest ends June 24, 2016

 One (1) winner will receive a scrabble tile book cover charm (US ONLY)

 Five (5) winners will receive a digital copy of Hair in the Wrong Places by Andrew Buckley (INT)

Rafflecopter Link:


Saturday, May 28, 2016

Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell Review

Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell
I was so excited to finally get my hands on this book, and had such high expectations for it. I had already read Landline by her, and thought that I should finally give Fangirl a try. As soon as I started the novel, I instantly connected with Cath, the main character. I too am a twin and love to read, so it made relating with the character very easy for me. The storyline did not go where I thought it was going to go, but maybe that was because I didn’t know much about the novel when I first received a copy. The only real problems I had with this novel was the fact that there was a decent about of cursing, but what else could you expect from college students. There were some characters that I couldn’t really picture in my head from their descriptions, but that didn’t affect the way that I read or interpreted the novel. I suggest that when considering reading this novel, be considerate of your age - anyone who is below the age of 16/17 should be warned that the language and situations may be a little mature for you. The overall impression that I got from this novel that it was a fun, quick read that anyone who is planning to go to college, is in college, or wants a cute read will enjoy this story. Fans of contemporary novels should definitely check this book out as well, it’ll fit right into that classic contemporary feel.

“To really be a nerd, she'd decided, you had to prefer fictional worlds to the real one.” 
― Rainbow RowellFangirl

Tuesday, May 24, 2016

The Rose and The Dagger by Renée Ahdieh

The Rose and The Dagger by Renée Ahdieh
Oh. My. God. This book was everything that I had wanted and more. I absolutely love Renee’s writing, and this series is one of my favorite fantasy/romances that is published. The world of The Wrath and The Dawn is truly exceptional, from the beautifully written characters to the breath-catching plot and setting, it draws the reader into the story. Never once did I become bored with the storyline or have to force myself to read through certain parts of the book - everything flowed so smoothly and effortlessly that it allows the reader to completely immerse themselves into the story and connect with the characters. Speaking of characters, the author did a masterful job in writing the character development from The Wrath and The Dawn to this sequel as well as the development in this novel as well. You will fall in love with the story of these characters as they live through the hardships of their world as well as they discover who they are inside. I suggest reading the three novellas that go alongside this series (read in order) so that you will have a better understanding of who the characters are and how their minds work, as well as having that extra background information on them before you advance any further in the story. I highly recommend this series to fans of A Thousand Nights by E.K. Jonston and A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas, as all three of these series capture the essence of a beautifully told retelling.

“Love is a force unto itself, sayyidi. For love, people consider the unthinkable...and often achieve the impossible. I would not sneer at its power.” 
― Renee AhdiehThe Wrath & the Dawn

Sunday, May 22, 2016

Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen Review

Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen 
 I absolutely adored this book! Jane Austen was able to create characters that draw you into their lives and make the reader committed to their every move. The plot never dropped - I was always turning the pages and only set it down when I had to. The writing was beautiful, even though it’s been said that this style of writing is hard to understand, I understood every word and was completely immersed into the story. You’ll fall in love with the relationships between the characters and root for their success and cringe in their downfall. I laughed, I cried. People who are already fans of Austen’s work will thoroughly enjoy this story, and will definitely appreciate the novel. These are some of my favorite characters in the literature world, and hold a dear place in my heart. The romance is not overplayed, and isn’t the center of the entire novel, which is refreshing to see. I only had a few problems while reading it, which were that only at one point that the story seemed to drag out a bit, and that it seemed that Elizabeth was allowing people to control her life and what she did. Overall, this book left a huge impression on me, and I highly recommend this novel to anyone who wants to start reading classic novels that are full of intrigue and choices.

“I declare after all there is no enjoyment like reading! How much sooner one tires of any thing than of a book! -- When I have a house of my own, I shall be miserable if I have not an excellent library.” 
― Jane AustenPride and Prejudice

Friday, May 20, 2016

Forgive Me, Leonard Peacock by Matthew Quick Review

Forgive Me, Leonard Peacock by Matthew Quick
This book had a very interesting premise, and I have to say that Matthew Quick did a very good job displaying the main character’s inner thoughts and feelings throughout the book. The concept of having the footnotes really intrigued me and I have to say that at times, while they did get excessive at points, were very insightful to the plot. However, I felt that the main character was worked up over small things that normally wouldn’t bother anyone. While I understand why he was upset throughout the book, it felt as if he directed all of his rage on one single thought that didn’t hold as much significance in his life. I completely understand why Leonard was angry at Asher and his mother, and feel for him. Though at some points, it felt as if he was rambling on about useless things in life, which caused me to have to make myself read through long passages of him talking about random topics. I really wanted to love this book, but it had those little things that did not meet my expectations. I do, however, look forward to reading more of his novels, and see how they flow as well.

“You're different. And I'm different too. Different is good. But different is hard. Believe me, I know.” 
― Matthew QuickForgive Me, Leonard Peacock

Thursday, May 19, 2016

Six of Crows by Leigh Bardguo Review

Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo
This. Was. Amazing. There was action and adventure, with just a twinge of romance that didn’t take over the entire plot line, which was refreshing to see. The characters were each their entirely own person and proceeded throughout the story as individuals who were joined together in this miraculous group of thieves. As usual, Leigh Bardugo’s writing was flawless, and captured the image of the story so beautifully through words and the vocabulary from the world of the Grisha. The story moved with such rhythm that it was so easy to read large portions in a single sitting, and with the world being so captivating, it was easy to get lost into the story. There were only a few times that I felt that the story began to slow down and that I had to make myself continue on, but they picked up after a few pages and carried on with the fantastic tale that our thieves were living. I highly recommend reading the Grisha Trilogy before reading Six of Crows, for that way the reader will have background in the world and understand what events took place before Six of Crows begins, however, it is not necessary to read the trilogy in order to understand the world of this novel. These characters are lovable, even though at sometimes you don’t understand why they do the things they do, they just always bring humor and sass into the storyline. The twists and turns throughout the novel made it even more intriguing than it is made out to be. I can’t wait until Crooked Kingdom, the final installment in this series, comes out!

“No mourners. No funerals. Among them, it passed for 'good luck.” 
― Leigh BardugoSix of Crows