ARC Review: Knight Assassin by Rima Jean

March 4, 2014
Goodreads

Summary

Seventeen-year-old Zayn has special powers she cannot control—powers that others fear and covet. Powers that cause the Templar Knights to burn Zayn’s mother at the stake for witchcraft. When a mysterious stranger tempts Zayn to become the first female member of the heretical Assassins, the chance to seek her revenge lures her in. She trains to harness her supernatural strength and agility, and then enters the King of Jerusalem's court in disguise with the assignment to assassinate Guy de Molay, her mother’s condemner. But once there, she discovers Earic Goodwin, the childhood friend who still holds her heart, among the knights—and his ocean-blue eyes don’t miss a thing. Will vengeance be worth the life of the one love she has left?

I went into this book with absolutely no expectations what so ever and I was still a little bit disappointed. I wanted this to be an epic girl-power story with a lovely little side romance and it was…sort of. Ish. I mean the romance was more staccato than anything else with really intense bursts of irrationality. But it wasn’t just that. The glimpses of when they were younger was rather sweet and really added to the whole ‘romance.’ It was oddly placed I give you that, but it was cute, none the less.

Zayn has strange powers and her mother was burned for being not human. When a man comes after she was raped by a high ranking official, he offers her the one thing she craves more than anything: revenge. She wants revenge for her mother and revenge for herself. On her little voyage, she grows into her powers, becomes stronger and gains friends as well as enemies. She also runs into said old acquaintance. Oh and she also learns who her absentee father is.  And she sets a few people and fire. And stabs a guy. But other than that she lives a totally normal life.

There was girl power

There was romance

There was the search for true friends in a nasty world

The story felt squished together. It felt like it tumbled out of the authors mind and found its way onto the pages. It had the meat of a great story but I needed more descriptions and more emotion. I also needed that romance to develop a little more than it did before it got so intense. I mean sheesh. Rushing into things much?

I liked the idea of the story more than the actual story.

Okay people, what do you think about being the only girl in a male dominated society who can kill? I think I would be amazing. Also, I could seriously kick butt. How cool? But to be judged?

Feature Follow Friday

Hosted by Parajunkee and Alison Can Read. Answer the question, follow the blog and leave a comment so I can follow back! This blog prefers GFC or Bloglovin' Followers! This blog has an epic giveaway going on for all followers! Check the side bar. 

Question of the Week: Change the plot of a book! Go ahead! Say what you wish would have happened!

Answer of the Week

Honestly, I would change a book's ending. It ended the way the author intended it to be. And cliff hangers, no matter how annoying, do their job and get you to read the next book. 

If anything I would change a book all together. Not the ending. 

What do y'all think? What book would you change, if you would change any at all?

Book Look #12

The Book

Cress by Marissa Meyer

Goodreads /Amazon

In this third book in Marissa Meyer's bestselling Lunar Chronicles series, Cinder and Captain Thorne are fugitives on the run, now with Scarlet and Wolf in tow. Together, they’re plotting to overthrow Queen Levana and prevent her army from invading Earth.

Their best hope lies with Cress, a girl trapped on a satellite since childhood who’s only ever had her netscreens as company. All that screen time has made Cress an excellent hacker. Unfortunately, she’s being forced to work for Queen Levana, and she’s just received orders to track down Cinder and her handsome accomplice.

When a daring rescue of Cress goes awry, the group is splintered. Cress finally has her freedom, but it comes at a higher price than she’d ever expected. Meanwhile, Queen Levana will let nothing prevent her marriage to Emperor Kai, especially the cyborg mechanic. Cress, Scarlet, and Cinder may not have signed up to save the world, but they may be the only hope the world has.

The Look

Cress by Marissa Meyer by nobentspines featuring a pink flower brooch

What do y'all think?

Waiting on Wednesday

WAITING ON WEDNESDAY is a weekly event, hosted at Breaking The Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we’re eagerly anticipating.

July 8, 2014

The forest is full of secrets, and no one understands that better than Cade. Foraging, hunting, surviving— that’s all he knows. Alone for years, Cade believes he’s the sole survivor. At least, until he catches a glimpse of a beautiful stranger…

Dara expected to find natural wonders when she set off for a spring break camping trip. Instead, she discovers a primitive boy— he’s stealthy and handsome and he might be following her. Intrigued, Dara seeks him out and sets a catastrophe in motion.

Thrust back into society, Cade struggles with the realization that the life he knew was a lie. But he’s not the only one. Trying to explain life in a normal town leaves Dara questioning it.

As the media swarm and the police close in, Dara and Cade risk everything to get closer. But will the truth about Cade’s past tear them apart?

A YA Tarzan retelling.

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A Tarzan retelling....YES!! Leave me a link to your WOW!!

White Hot Kiss Release Day Launch {Giveaway}

We are beyond excited to participate in the Release Day Launch for Jennifer L. Armentrout's WHITE HOT KISS! WHITE HOT KISS is a young adult paranormal romance being published by Harlequin Teen TODAY! This is the first full-length novel in The Dark Elements Series and one you'll want to grab as soon as you finish reading this post .

   

  ABOUT WHITE HOT KISS

 One kiss could be the last. Seventeen-year-old Layla just wants to be normal. But with a kiss that kills anything with a soul, she's anything but normal. Half demon, half gargoyle, Layla has abilities no one else possesses. Raised among the Wardens—a race of gargoyles tasked with hunting demons and keeping humanity safe—Layla tries to fit in, but that means hiding her own dark side from those she loves the most. Especially Zayne, the swoon-worthy, incredibly gorgeous and completely off-limits Warden she's crushed on since forever. Then she meets Roth—a tattooed, sinfully hot demon who claims to know all her secrets. Layla knows she should stay away, but she's not sure she wants to—especially when that whole no-kissing thing isn't an issue, considering Roth has no soul. But when Layla discovers she's the reason for the violent demon uprising, trusting Roth could not only ruin her chances with Zayne…it could brand her a traitor to her family. Worse yet, it could become a one-way ticket to the end of the world.   

  EXCERPT: 

 “I don’t think of Zayne that way!” She laughed. “What man-parts-loving female in this world doesn’t think of Zayne that way? I can barely keep myself breathing when I see him. All the guys in school have squishy waists. I can tell Zayne doesn’t. He’s the awesome sauce with extra sauce.” That he was and he so didn’t have a squishy waist, but I tuned Stacey out at that point. I really did need to cram for this test and I also didn’t want my fantasies involving Zayne to occupy my mind right now. Especially after I’d woken up this morning, carefully tucked under the covers. The bed had smelled like him: sandalwood and crisp linen. “Oh, sweet baby Jesus in a manger,” Stacey murmured. I clenched my jaw, cupping my hands over my ears. She jabbed me in the side with her elbow. At this rate I’d be covered in bruises before lunchtime. “Our bio class just got a billion times more interesting. And hotter, lots and lots hotter. Holy mother, I want to have his babies. Not now of course, but definitely later. But I’d like to start practicing soon.” The cell wall is a thick and rigid layer covering the plasma something, something plant cells… Stacey stiffened all of a sudden. “Oh my God, he’s coming—” Composed of fat and sugar— Something slender and shiny fell from who knew where, landing in the middle of Sam’s notes. Blinking tightly, it took me a couple of seconds to recognize the faded and half peeled Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles sticker covering the back of the silver cell phone. My heart slammed against my ribs. Gripping the edges of the notebook, I slowly lifted my gaze. Unnaturally beautiful golden eyes met mine. “You forgot this last night.”

  Amazon Barnes and Noble Kobo iTunes

Now that you have a taste for this fabulous new series, here are the details for the AMAZING international giveaway!!! Harlequin Teen is giving away a large Harlequin Teen Tote. Tote Includes: • Harlequin TEEN branded tote • The Iron Traitor by Julie Kagawa (trade) • Pawn by Aimee Carter (hard cover) • Crash Into You by Katie McGarry (hard cover) • Through the Zombie Glass by Gena Showalter (hard cover) • 2 copies of White Hot Kiss by Jennifer L. Armentrout • 1 pair of black harlequin branded socks (they are so comfy!) 

   a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

About Jennifer L. Armentrout: # 1 NEW YORK TIMES and USA TODAY Bestselling author Jennifer lives in Martinsburg, West Virginia. All the rumors you’ve heard about her state aren’t true. When she’s not hard at work writing. she spends her time reading, working out, watching really bad zombie movies, pretending to write, and hanging out with her husband and her Jack Russell Loki. Her dreams of becoming an author started in algebra class, where she spent most of her time writing short stories….which explains her dismal grades in math. Jennifer writes young adult paranormal, science fiction, fantasy, and contemporary romance. She is published with Spencer Hill Press, Entangled Teen and Brazen, Disney/Hyperion and Harlequin Teen. Her book Obsidian has been optioned for a major motion picture and her Covenant Series has been optioned for TV.   She also writes adult and New Adult romance under the name J. Lynn. She is published by Entangled Brazen and HarperCollins.

Series Website: http://www.thedarkelementsseries.com
 Website: http://www.jenniferarmentrout.com/
 Twitter: https://twitter.com/jlarmentrout
 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JenniferLArmentrout
 Jennifer L. Armentrout Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4476934.Jennifer_L_Armentrout
 WHITE HOT KISS Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17455585-white-hot-kiss?bf=500&from_search=true

Review: Live for You by Marquita Valentine

Live for You by Marquita Valentine
Published May 17, 2013

Summary

On the surface, twenty-two year old Cole Morgan is exactly what any girl would be proud to take home to meet her parents: He’s charming, intensely handsome and goal-oriented...Only he has some secrets of his own, which include provoking bar fights and a former drug-addict of a mother slowly wasting away in a medical facility. 

At barely twenty, Violet Lynn is Country Music's hottest star, until one night of partying gets out of control. Violet ends up in jail and on TMZ. Suddenly, she’s the girl least likely to be invited anywhere. Sick of the drama and keeping secrets, she runs away from the prying eyes of the paparazzi to her grandmother’s home in Forrestville, North Carolina.

A chance meeting knocks Cole off his feet, but he doesn’t recognize Violet for who she is. In fact no one does and Violet plans to keep it that way. 

Circumstances, however annoying,keep throwing Violet and Cole together. Unable to stop themselves they give into the inevitable.

But when Nashville is ready to forgive and forget, Violet is forced to choose between Cole and claiming her spot as the new and improved Princess of Country Music.

Will Violet and Cole have the courage to live for their dreams...Or their hearts?

One accident turned Violet the country singer to Violet the girl. Violet Rae gets tired of the media storm, her parent’s happiness at being pregnant and heads to the one place and person she knows will never judge her-her Nana. One morning, at 6:30 to be exact, she meets a too hot to handle with more problems than the sinking Titanic. Okay, maybe not that many but pretty close. And with him? His adorable little sister because his mom is currently…..unavailable.  They’re there buying sugar and ingredients you can’t say infested cereal because their health nut brother is working.

Cole wishes for a lot he can’t have. A mother who likes him, even a little bit. A dad who didn’t abandon him. A good like for his baby sister. And Rae. His entire life he never felt like he deserved anything, that is, until Rae. Rae made him feel happy for one of the few times in his life.

Like, quite a few of the books I’ve read lately, LIVE FOR YOU is predictable. While predictable, it’s also utterly adorable with a semi-believable story of a country singer and a broken boy falling too fast surrounded by a bunch of secrets. LIVE FOR YOU is an almost insta love…not quite but almost.

Overall, while this book was entertaining, it wasn’t anything new. 

I've seen a ton of good reviews for this book. Have you read it? What do you think?

Review: A Kiss by Design by Christy Hayes

Source: Netgalley
Goodreads

Summary

What's a girl to do when her best friend is making a mistake? Stop him, of course. College sophomore Emily Dilbert has been best friends with Dylan Chamberlain since they were kids. All she wants is for him to be happy and she knows him better than anyone. That's why when she finds an engagement ring in his backpack she has to stop him from marrying the wrong girl. Dylan Chamberlain has been in love with his brother's girlfriend, Emily, since the second grade. When his brother asks for help planning a surprise proposal, Dylan knows it's time to bury his feelings and finally let Emily go. Too bad his heart refuses to cooperate. All of Emily's attempts to lure Dylan away from his girlfriend fail, forcing her to turn up the heat on their friendship. Will Dylan reveal his long-buried secret and tell Emily how he feels? Or will Emily be forced to use any means necessary to show him the error of his ways?

Cute and light-hearted with a hint of scandal and a love that’s fire burned out long ago, A KISS BY DESIGN is a note-worthy story, but didn’t earn a spot on my ‘favorites’ shelf. Want to know why? Keep reading the rant!

College sophomore, Emily, is content. She has a boyfriend who cares more about football than anything else, the most amazing friends ever and her boyfriend’s brother as a best friend. When Emily finds an engagement ring at the bottom of Dylan’s bag, she freaks, to say the least. She goes on this whirl wind and not suspicious at all (that was said VERY sarcastically) adventure, hoping that the outcome is Dylan being single. Not that she cares. I mean she’s just being a good friend, right?

This book was okay. I have a feeling I am going to be in the minority here once this one gets a little better read in the bookish community. The writing was good- average at best and the story line was pretty cute. I was the big and totally oblivion to each other’s feeling’s that I found all too annoying. Also the tipping point is one of my biggest pet-peeves. And I can’t tell you because it is a ginormous spoiler (sorry!) 

From the beginning I was on team Dylan. I wasn’t a fan on him too much though. It was so freaking obvious he had the hots for her. But the beginning of this book was all too adorable to resist!! Mark my words- it'll make you swoon! And this his football fanatic brother with the engagement ring was a complete idiot but in some strange way, really did like her. I though Emily was typical. 

Overall, I can’t recommend this book for any other reason than for the writing style. If you’re looking for something sappy with characters who can’t see that the perfect person is right in front of them, then this, my dears, is your book. 

Who's read this book? What did you think of it? The cover if A KISS BY DESIGN is what drew me into it because it is just adorable! Do you like the cover? Are you more of a contemporary or fantasitcal fiction kind of  book person. I've seemed to be VERY into contemporary this year! 

Travel Journal: Alaska

ALASKA

Thanks to the lovely writing form OUT OF PLAY, Alaska has made my must-see destination list. But not in the winter. Summer. Sun all day, right? AND THERE'S A MIDNIGHT SUN WHAT. Sorry, I was doing some research and, well, that popped up. Cool huh?

My grandparents went there for a little while and came back with such cool stories about the wildlife and the scenery and the FOOD. I love food. Mmmm. Food. I think if I went I'd stay at a lodge or one of those Bed and Breakfast things. I've always wanted to stay in one of those.

Also, I would go on a cruise. And what in the world is a kittiwake?  If anyone can answer that question, leave it in the comments.



If you could go anywhere in the USA, where would you go? 

Review: The Gatekeeper's Sons by Eva Pohler

The Gatekeeper's Sons by Eva Pohler
August 13, 2012 by Green Press/Eva Pohler
Goodreads

Summary

Fifteen-year-old Therese watches her parents die. While in a coma, she meets the twin sons of Hades—Hypnos, the god of sleep, and Thanatos, the god of death. She thinks she's manipulating a dream, not kissing the god of death and totally rocking his world. 

Than makes a deal with Hades and goes as a mortal to the Upperworld to try and win Therese's heart, but not all the gods are happy. Some give her gifts. Others try to kill her. 

The deal requires Therese to avenge the death of her parents. With the help of Than’s fierce and exotic sisters, the Furies, she finds herself in an arena face to face with the murderer, and only one will survive.

Okay, I’ll admit I’ve been anticipating this one for a while and I am sad to say I was let down.  I was expecting something epic- a while wind Grecian romance threated by the Gods. I did get that…sort of. I found that although the story line was wonderful, the way the book was composed and the writing in general didn’t live up to my expectations. The way the characters talked and interacted with one another and their surrounding made them seem much younger than they actually were.

Also, this was insta love. *shudders* Oh how I despise insta love.  And this was that, at its finest. Well in her dreams it was. In reality, it took a bit longer and Than had to earn her trust. Yes, this all began because she has more power over her dreams and special powers (sort of) that most other humans don't really have. 

 And then the gods and goddeses are interfering. A lot. 

I found the characters a tad bit too juvenile for my liking and although the basic concept for the book was good, I found the execution to not to be as good as it could have been.

That’s all I got.

Any of y'all read this one before? What did y'all think?

Waiting on Wednesday

WAITING ON WEDNESDAY is a weekly event, hosted at Breaking The Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we’re eagerly anticipating.

April 8, 2014

Harper Price, peerless Southern belle, was born ready for a Homecoming tiara. But after a strange run-in at the dance imbues her with incredible abilities, Harper's destiny takes a turn for the seriously weird. She becomes a Paladin, one of an ancient line of guardians with agility, super strength and lethal fighting instincts.

Just when life can't get any more disastrously crazy, Harper finds out who she's charged to protect: David Stark, school reporter, subject of a mysterious prophecy and possibly Harper's least favorite person. But things get complicated when Harper starts falling for him--and discovers that David's own fate could very well be to destroy Earth.

With snappy banter, cotillion dresses, non-stop action and a touch of magic, this new young adult series from bestseller Rachel Hawkins is going to make y'all beg for more.

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How utterly me!! I need this...please?? Leave me a link to your WOW!

ARC Review: Better off Friends (The Ice Cream Worthy Book)

Expected publication by February 25, 2014
Source: Netgalley and Scholastic
Goodreads

Summary

For Macallan and Levi, it was friends at first sight. Everyone says guys and girls can’t be just friends, but these two are. They hang out after school, share tons of inside jokes, their families are super close, and Levi even starts dating one of Macallan’s friends. They are platonic and happy that way.

Eventually they realize they’re best friends — which wouldn’t be so bad if they didn’t keep getting in each other’s way. Guys won’t ask Macallan out because they think she’s with Levi, and Levi spends too much time joking around with Macallan, and maybe not enough time with his date. They can’t help but wonder . . . are they more than friends or are they better off without making it even more complicated?

From romantic comedy superstar Elizabeth Eulberg comes a fresh, fun examination of a question for the ages: Can guys and girls ever really be just friends? Or are they always one fight away from not speaking again — and one kiss away from true love?

People, of the world, not of this world, of the sea...TO INFINITY AND BEYOND…you need this book in your life, like, yesterday. To put it simply, it’s as good as a hot fudge sundae with no bananas, cookies, more ice cream, some whipped cream and fresh strawberries and raspberries. Now I'm hungry! So basically just really awesome and sugar filled ice cream concoction. Also, just as sweet. I LOVE IT SO MUCH!

We begin the book with their first meeting. Our two main characters are around 10, I believe and her mother just died rather tragically in a car crash. We can see that middle school Levi likes our sarcastic, hilarious main girl with a rather tragic back story. Along the way we see an array of first loves, first kisses and jealous love, heartbreaking betrayals.  We lose friends and we gain some. Erm- I mean our characters do. The way the characters interact with each other tugs at the heart strings in an undeniable way. Plus, they are just so freaking adorable that there is no way you cannot love them. Their voice’s are so relatable as are the moments in their lives.  As are their emotions: the confusion, the happiness, the fear-fear of change, of the unknown. It’s understandable. (Though rushing off to Ireland is a bit rash) *run run run* Heheh. 

Now let’s talk about this gorgeous writing we got going on here. I adore the alternate POV in this book. Even though I couldn’t figure out who was talking sometimes. I love how they each have their own voice and how they’re each are trying to reach their own individual goals. The way the author was able to distinguish between the two characters was amazing. She did an amazing job at developing the characters and as they grew older, showing how they grew into themselves. It was fantastic and I LOVE THE WAY SHE WRITES.

I love love. This was love and friendship on steroids. NO WAIT. You know that quote that says “love is friendship set of fire”? YES. That quote and this book. They need to get married. Who’s with me? This book was adorable. When they fought I felt like sobbing (I didn’t) and I just wanted to smush their faces together. They got each other better than ANYONE else. They had those adorable inside jokes. (wow, I’ve used adorable way too much in this review. Does this even qualify as a review?)  Is there anything else to talk about? *ponders for a bit*

Her bravery. I know it wasn’t explicitly stated in the book enough but she was BRAVE. I mean she stood up for her family. Throwing punches and taking names and all that jazz. I just love her character. She’s someone who’d you’d want to be friends with.

If I haven’t convinced you by now to go ahead and read this or order it or place it on hold…I don’t know what else to do. WAIT! SHE KISSES HIM TO SHUT HIM UP! AND THEN WALKS AWAY!

How about now? (; #win

Final Quote: And then you had to get a boyfriend.It was only a matter of time before I was snatched up, especially when you can bake a brownie like I do. (ARC)

Boy and girl can be JUST friends. That's what this entire book is about. I mean sure they fell in love with their best friend along the way but STILL. What do y'all think? Can guys and girls be JUST friends?