~Happy Halloween~ Hollow City by Ransom Riggs

                Happy Halloween!  I can't believe it's tomorrow.  I hope you all have a fun and safe time.  My plans include hanging out with my friend and her family (lots of little ones there) and walking with them and hanging out candy after.  Okay mostly I want an excuse to wear one of my masquerade masks.  I thought today's review would go with the creepy and spooky vibe of Halloween.  Hollow City by Ransom Riggs, book two in Miss Peregrines Home for Peculiar Children series, I reviewed the first book here.

                This second book picks up where we left off with our gang of peculiar children so if you haven't finished the first book then you should turn back now and come back after  you've finished book one.  Also as a reminder I have a giveaway running until December 6th check out the details here and don't forget to enter!  Now seriously spoilers again for book one….you've been warned.

Rating: 4 Stars

                We left Jacob and the gang in little boats leaving their home and their loop off in search of a way to save Miss P.  The theme of the book is still the same mixing the creepy and interesting antique photos into the story giving it a haunting type feel that again felt totally unique to this story.  The crew is on their way to London, the peculiar capital of the world where they hope to find answers.  They encounter new allies, new peculiars, and uncover many new facts about their worlds. 

                Hollow City moves faster than the first book but that has more to do with having the world and most of the rules already set in place and having us gotten to know most of our key players, so we're able to move forward into the story and the quest.  We find several different loops and meets lots of new and interesting peculiars.  My favorites might be the peculiar animals like what that just blew my mind (but those chickens….nope).  Also Jacob gets to develop his power a bit more and figure out what he can do, which is neat and total trial by error since he has no one to really guide him but the unit is pretty strong. 

                But I kid you not there is a bunch of things happening.  They are setting a serious pace.  Time loops and travel for a group of kids during 1940s…they have their work cut out for them.  Still you do take the time to get to know more about our gang as well as meet some really interesting peculiars along the way.  Ransom has a way with the world for sure.  He seems able to pull you in and out of different loops without breaking a beat which was nice.

                Still with all of this there is still plenty of time to be surprised.  Twists and turns in the story and discoveries the kids make.  There is always something new to learn in the world of the peculiar.  Still how creepy is it to run from something and try to fight it when only Jacob can see them.  Talk about fighting blind.  I really enjoyed the story and am looking forward to when I'll have enough time to finish out the trilogy with Library of Souls.  Tell me in the comments who your favorite new character was in Hollow City or what your favorite time loop was.  I'm curious. 

                Until next time…

~I'll Give You the Sun by Jandy Nelson~ Review and Giveaway!!!

                Welcome back!  Okay so I have a moment of ‘duh’ to share first.  I kept hearing everyone mention time change and how I should make sure I don’t forget about it.  I figure ‘I got this’ I will not forget.  Trouble is I don’t have a normal 9-5 job and my days off rotate by week.  Well I was off and I had spent the day down at my families and all so it was like a weekend and I had to work the next day.  It felt like Sunday apparently, even though my TV schedule didn’t agree my brain was set it was the day for time change.  I figured I’d gain an hour, which is really a free hour to read, and then when my alarm went off and I had 20 minutes to get up showered food ready and out the door I realized my error.  Yep it was Tuesday night not Sunday night.  So bright side is I didn’t forget time change I just got a bit eager in it.  That little bit aside the moral is this Sunday (I’ve confirmed this per Google and set an alarm) you book lovers gain an hour that can be spent reading! 

                That aside today I really have a review and giveaway for you, one I’ve been putting off for some time because…well my feelings are a bit complicated.  The book giving me all these conflicting thoughts and feels is I’ll Give You the Sun by Jandy Nelson.  Before I rate this I wanted to go ahead and share that this book was a high 5 Stars for me through most of the book, I was loving it, but then after one thing that is more of a personal pet peeve of mine that makes me blow a gasket I lost all my love for it and wanted to give it up with not much to go.  I did keep reading, and ranting to my read along pal Bogdana, and while my one thing still annoys me to the point of insanity I have had a chance to look at the whole thing.  While I don’t think it’s fair to give a book I loved so much a 0 star for one thing that is such a personal issue, yes I wanted to for a while, I decided to just take some time and space from it before I rated it.

Rating: 4 Stars (I only took 1 star)

                I’ll Give You the Sun is a story told from two different POVs and from two different times.  Before and After.  Twins Jude and Noah are super close at thirteen but things change and only three years later they hardly speak.  Something wrecked the twins in different ways.  The early years are told from Noah’s perspective and the later years we hear from Jude.  What the twins don’t realize is that they only know half the story and it’s not until you have both sides that you have a whole picture and maybe a chance to find their way back to one another. 

                The time jumps between the different time lines and character was done in a way that really showcased the story.  I liked going from one time line to the other and seeing how things played out.  It was great since I found Jude to be a bit unlikable in the early years but in the later chapters I got to see a different side of her and it soothed the rougher edges of her personality.  Noah is the only character I think I enjoyed through the whole story.  He may have had his not so grand moments but I totally understood each move and understood them from the start. 

                 I can’t really discuss the story line itself but they do overlap in characters they meet and interact with and such.  It showed how far they had fallen from one another as twins.  From their game of dividing up the world to the love of art they both shared.  The story covers it all from family, loss, first loves, and betrayal.  It’s a sweet and compelling contemporary read I think I would have loved without a shadow of a doubt if I didn’t have a specific pet peeve.  So not wanting to push others from it, as most don’t agree with my pet peeve or think I over react which I admit is a strong possibility, I say to give it a go because I really did like the story.

                I figure I’ll get some questions on this so I’ll add it here.  My nuclear pet peeve with this is:  Someone screwing up, realizing it was big, and never apologizing.  Or some lame and vague apology that doesn’t have any depth and expect everything is good 5 minutes later like it magically never happened makes me roll my eyes.   Maybe it’s too many experiences where people have hurt me in the past and never apologized or did in a way that you couldn’t tell if they were sorry for what they did or for being caught doing it/called out on it.  I get wanting to get past the awkward phase but you can’t ignore it or it will never be repaired.  What kills me is this story would never have made me blow a gasket if two scenes had been switched that’s it two little things…so in my head and for my sanity I just change the order a bit.  Again totally my personal preference.  I just find I can’t like a character who can hurt someone and not apologize and someone who can just go on like nothing happened without anything I lose respect for them.

                 Anywho those are my thoughts on this story and a bit more about myself.  Please share your thoughts below in the comments.  I’m really interested to know if any of you have any personal pet peeves that can ruin a perfectly good book for you.  Let’s discuss I know I can’t be the only one out there in the world.  Now for the giveaway curtesy of Amazon and the mix up.  I ordered this book and they sent me two copies, and after I tried to do the right thing and advise them of the mix up they told me I could keep the second copy for their mishap so I figured it would be perfect for a giveaway! 

                Until next time…

a Rafflecopter giveaway

~Waiting on Wednesday~ Nirvana by J.R. Stewart

                “Waiting On” Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we’re eagerly anticipating.  Basically books that are not yet out that we are dying to get our hands on.  This week’s pick is:

Nirvana by J.R. Stewart

Out:  11/10

From Goodreads:

When the real world is emptied of all that you love how can you keep yourself from dependence on the virtual?

Larissa Kenders lives in a world where the real and the virtual intermingle daily.  After the supposed death of her soulmate, Andrew Larissa is able to find solace by escaping to Nirvana, a virtual world where anything is possible—even visits with Andrew.  Although Larissa is told that these meetings are not real, she cannot shake her suspicion that Andrew is indeed alive.  When she begins an investigation of Hexagon, the very institution that she has been taught to trust, Larissa uncovers much more than she ever expected and places herself in serious danger.  her biggest challenge, however, remains determining what is read—and what is virtual.

Nirvana is the first installment in the three-part Nirvana series, a fast-paced, page-turning young adult trilogy that combines elements of the romance, mystery, and science fiction genres.  The first novel introduces readers to the heroine who refuses to give up on the man she loves, even if it means taking on an entire government to do so.

  

Why I'm Waiting:

The cover caught my eye and the premise sounds interesting.  Even more interesting, the author has a hidden identity!  How Clark Kent is that?  Anywho the author has worked in the IT field for a long time and after working on advanced "VR" (virtual reality) technologies for over a decade, grew concerned about the implications of this work and the possible psychological effects that it may have on users.  How creepy is that?  Clearly this author knows about VR and a story about VR that might be bad…totally interested.

New Release: Disavow by Jamie Magee

   

Amazon / iBooks / Nook /  Kobo

               Mason Wade had fought death, and to some degree he had won. The fire of a phoenix coursing through his veins made him feel like hell. Each of his new senses forced him to reach into a past he knew was better left alone, yet he was grounded in the primal desire to protect Indie, to be a lethal supernatural guardian. The discovery of a secret library within the Falcon Manor landed River Sabine, the very girl who first stole his heart and left him in his darkest hour, front and center in his life. Mason and the others discovering how closely his past is connected to the paranormal war at hand have only scratched the surface of how deeply entwined those who lurk at the Falcon Manor are; a painful lesson Indie is forced to learn as she fights to rise to her role as the Queen of the Veil and protect the hearts of her own. An impossible decision must be made; no matter the choice lovers will divide. The only real question is whose sacrifice will be for the greater good.

Haven't started the Rivulet series yet? Get the first one for 99¢!

Amazon

               In life he haunted her...in death she haunted him. Love is eternal... Weeks away from her twenty-first birthday, the date where she would assume control over her family legacy, a night terror robs Indie of the balance she was clinging to. Like the dream she had before she lost her family, it predicts a fatal catastrophe on the horizon. The fight between life and death, good and evil, began the moment her thundering heart awoke her. Everything changed after that dream. The one thing that keeps her curse at bay is stolen, and then her enigmatic boy arrives in the flesh. Face to face with her fiery born-again lover Indie realizes that the only way she can prevent the tragedy before her is to surrender everything she was, is, and could be. Can she bend the laws of nature and fight the improbability that fire and ice could ever be one? As far as Indie is concerned, there is not a myth, spoken fate, or curse that is stronger than her stubborn desire to have it all ... including him.  

About Jamie Magee

Website Facebook Twitter

               Jamie Magee has always believed that each of us have a defining gift that sets us apart from the rest of the world, she has always envied those who have known from their first breath what their gift was. Not knowing hers, she began a career in the fast paced world of business. Raising a young family, and competing to rise higher in that field would drive some to the point of insanity, but she always found a moment of escape in a passing daydream. Her imagination would take her to places she’d never been, introduce her to people she’s never known. Insight, her debuting novel, is a result of that powerful imagination. Today, she is grateful that not knowing what defined her, led her on a path of discovery that would always be a part of her.

 

Playing With Fire by Sherry D. Ficklin #Hacker

                Happy Monday.  I hope you all had a pleasant weekend and are surviving Monday.  Today I’m excited to discuss a book I mentioned recently on my Waiting on Wednesday post and I’m excited as it comes out officially October 27^th, aka tomorrow, and that book is Playing With Fire by Sherry D. Ficklin.  Thank you NetGalley for an ARC of this book for my honest opinion.  Also thank you Sherry for telling me about your work when I saw you at UtopYA and making me want to check it out! 

Rating: 4 Stars

 

                Playing With Fire is the first book in the #Hacker series.  We follow Farris, a girl still dealing with her less than pleasant past as she relocates with her dad to a military base so he can run an experimental aircraft squadron.  Aside from the usual settling in and starting from scratch, Farris who is rather good with computers, is drawn into the series of glitches and mishaps that threaten the security of the fleet and falls at her fathers feet to resolve.  When solving the mystery and getting close to uncovering the truth brings her closer to the new friends she has found herself is she willing to risk it all to get to the truth?  Before the cyber-criminal escalates from glitches to more dangerous methods?

                So this was a pretty fast read.  It read in a pace that was fast and engaging which keeps you turning each page wanting to find out more.  Farris is a military brat, constantly moving around and restarting her life each time.  As my parents were military I related to that aspect, though I admit we never lived on base.  Thank goodness!  It is always a hit or miss with the moves, sometimes it was nice starting over fresh but it also sucked when you had to leave all your friends. Farris is a strong character who has been through some things and while she’s made some questionable choices in the past she also has strong moral character and common sense.  Again while growing up I had very few rules or limits because the ones my parents set were the big ones and for the rest they trusted me to use the common sense they gave me.  While I don’t see it in the vast majority of people around me, seriously I work at a college and the complete lack of common sense will blow your mind, I appreciate when characters in stories have it.  Do characters, or anyone really, make perfect and well thought out decisions 24/7 especially when hormones are involved…no but the ratio is solid!

                She is good at computers, really good, at finding things and uncovering things in the lines of code that look like a jumbled mess to me.  Seriously while I might know how to use a computer and teach my parents and grandparents how to use features on their phones or computers I’m not the whiz she is.  Plus I use Google for everything to answer questions, just the other day Google with YouTube showed me how to change the belt on my vacuum.  Still she uses her powers for good and she loves her family.  She comes to a new school and while adjusting does something I believe every person who was ever bullied or teased has wanted to do but was too scared to do, decide you’re going to not care what others think and stand up for those being picked on. 

                Farris instantly finds herself exchanging sharp wit with 2 very opposite guys.  They can’t be friends and are all but hostel towards one another but as she gets to know them separately she finds she enjoys both their company.  I was a bit leery at first of insta love and love triangles but just give it a chance because it’s more an insta-attraction/connection which I think is real.  The other part, well just trust me it’s not like that, it doesn’t play like a love triangle, so for those I know who see a small whiff of one and turn tail give it a chance.  Just wanted to give that heads up there, I enjoyed how it played out.  I liked how the personal things Farris goes through blend into the overall issue of the story and that is what is happening on base and her determination to try and help even if her dad doesn’t want said help.

                Now for me the only real issues I had with it that somewhat got to me involve spoilers so I can’t go into detail.  Just that punishments for actions seemed a bit unrealistic (the only part) given everything else but it was just a minor thing and didn’t hinder my enjoyment of the story itself.  Just a pesky little personal thing.  Still really enjoyed it and would recommend it.

                That’s all for today.  Until next time…

Portia~ Angelbound Offspring #2 by Christina Bauer Blog Tour! Interview, Review, Giveaway and more!

Presented by

Title: Portia
Series: Angelbound Offspring
Vol or Book #: 2

Author: Christina Bauer
Audience: Adult 18+
Genre: Romance/Fantasy
Format: E-book and Paperback
Publisher: Ink Monster LLC
Cover by: Art by Ana Cruz, Graphics by Paddy Donnelly
Editor: Ink Monster LLC
Pages: 250 pages
ISBN: 9780990635246
ASIN: B00W2A9Q0G
Date Published: 10-27-15

Unlike her famous older brother Maxon, Princess Portia isn't known for killing demons or attracting admirers.  The reason why is simple:  a spell was cast on Portia, and the magic has marked her to one day transform into a dreaded Void demon.  To fight this horrible fate, Portia's spend her life hiding in libraries and learning magic.  But when the Void demons threaten to destroy all the after-realms—and the handsome dragon Emperor Tempest offers his help—then Portia suspects that her future holds more than just a demonic metamorphosis.  Fate is calling the bookworm princess onto the battlefield, and it's a fight against both deadly enemies and her heart's desires.

   

AMAZON / GOODREADS / NOOK / IBOOKS / KOBO

 

Chapter One

I am so late.

My heart beats at double speed while I rush up the staircase to the Ryder mansion. After pulling open the fancy wooden door, I step inside a large and empty foyer. Well, it’s almost empty.

The President of Purgatory is waiting for me. Not good.

Even worse, her mouth is pressed into a thin and frustrated line. No question why she’s unhappy. My lecture on Magic Across The After-Realms should’ve started twenty minutes ago.

“Portia, you’re finally here,” she sighs. “We were getting frantic.”

The President’s known for being tough on crime, graft, and well, everything really. But she’s also my grandmother. When it comes to family, Gram’s a softie who worries like crazy. I should know, being a softie myself. I give her a quick peck on the cheek. “So sorry, Gram. I got caught up.”

Gram’s tail sways warily over her right shoulder. No shock, there. Every quasi-demon in Purgatory has a tail. Gram’s variety is long and black with an arrowhead-shaped end and a mind of its own.

Currently, that mind totally suspects that I’m up to something.
Good suspicion, actually.

“What are you working on this time?” asks Gram. “Is it dangerous magic? Please tell me you’re being safe.”

“No, it’s not dangerous at all,” I say.

Which isn’t entirely true.

My cheeks redden with guilt, but I can’t exactly admit that I was up all night trying to track Void demons by casting spells with an enchanted canopic jar. It’s super-tricky stuff. I could’ve ended up with a Void demon in my living room, and I’m not what you call battle-hardy.
 

 

Christina graduated from Syracuse University’s Newhouse School with BA’s in English along with Television, Radio, and Film Production. An avowed girl geek, Christina loves creating immersive fantasy worlds with action, adventure, romance, and kick-ass female protagonists. As part of her work in Ink Monster, Christina has co-developed the ‘Heroine’s Journey,’ a blueprint for telling female myths inspired by the work of Joseph Campbell. She lives in Newton, MA with her husband, son, and golden retriever Ruby.

Thank you for speaking with me.  I'm trying not to fangirl too much, though I'm not much good at it.  I gush about this series and Ink Monsters different series as a whole since I first read Angelbound and Becoming Alpha what seems like forever ago.  Anywho thanks again I guess I'll ask questions now ;)

               Aw, shucks!  You made my day!

What are three things on your bucket list?

               Good question!  One.  Quit my day job and write full time.  Two.  Visit the pyramids.  Three.  Support my son into becoming the best little guy that he can be.

How did you first get into writing?

               I started telling 'my stories' as soon as I could talk.  By the time I hit first grade, the nuns had to set aside story hour for me at the end of the day so I wouldn't interrupt class anymore! To this day, stories are going on in my head all the time.  My Aunt was a writer, so she steered me in that direction from an early age.  Guess I was lucky she didn't work in an asylum, because I sometimes wonder where my behavior could have sent me otherwise!

What inspired the world of Angelbound? 

               Angelbound came right out of my experiences working at Microsoft and founding a global investment program for our small reseller partners.  I was having a great time kicking ass, taking names, and building the program across multiple groups.  At the time, people kept warning me about becoming a target—back then, it was dangerous to build something across groups—but I was having such fun, I didn't care.  Myla's voice is exactly how I sound when I'm in the zone on a good work battle.  I do fist bumps, happy dances, the whole nine yards.  I even sing little songs on calls when I have good news.  Ba-ba-ba-bah-bah-bah-BAAAAAAH!  I had people search me out 'just to meet me,' and I thought this side of myself might be fun to make into a character.

               So you know, I did get the backlash from a new boss who wanted me and my program gone.  He got what he wanted.  Today, I still work with Microsoft but as a partner.  I'm going out to Remond next week to meet with the VP of Global Alliances.  Myla FTW!

Purgatory sure is full of different creatures that make sure there is never a dull moment.  Briefly tell us a little about the main ones we'll be focusing on in Portia.  Void demons, Quasi-demon, Thrax, and Dragon Emperor.

               Ooooh, I love this question!  I do Pinterest boards to inspire my world building.  I've linked the appropriate ones below.

               Void demons are nasty goop monsters who eat the Firmament, which is the magical network that keeps Purgatory, Heaven, Hell and everything else connected.

               Quasi-demons run Purgatory.  They are mostly human with a little demon DNA that manifests as a tail and as a power across one of the seven deadly sins.  Portia's mother is quasi.  Since Portia has a little demon blood in her as well, that makes her quasi, too.

               Thrax are demon fighters who are part angel and part human.  They live far below the Earth's Surface in Antrum.  Portia's father is thrax.

               Tempest is the Emperor of the Furor, a race of dragon shifters who have special powers over the deadly sins of lust and wrath.  Tempest is known for constantly taking new lovers.  However, those closest to him have recently noticed a change in the Emperor.  Is he getting ready to chose his Rhana, what dragons call their life mate?  Or has the choice already been made long ago?

Dragons.  There s a dragon on the cover and in the summary.  How did you decide on the mythology of your dragons?

               OMG.  This is something I spent a ton of time on and then, it got like two paragraphs in the book!  The way my mind works, it just turns over a world 24-7 while I'm in a book.  I can't shut it off if I tried!  Once I get on a roll, I use Pinterest to help me visualize things.  For Portia, the dragons are organized into different tribes.  There are glassdragons, water dragons, butterfly-sized dragons, and dragons who craft gems in order to gain power over magic.  And a ton more.

We started out with Myla.  Now we have progressed forward jumping a bit forward with each book moving to the children.  What made you decide to jump forward and from Myla as primary?

               This is all Tempest's fault.  He started showing up in scenes in book 2 and would not get out of my head.  He appeared as this fully realized character and I fell in love with him.  I was like, hey now!  You're who and you want what?!  He was even already buds with Maxon and had a thing for Portia.  Now that Tempest has his book and can shut the f*ck up, I'm thinking about going back and doing another book in Myla's voice between Scala and Armageddon.  It would cover their wedding and all that good stuff.  It's tentatively called Acca and I should have a release date soon.

The Igni predicted Portia and even whispered her name to her mom, did her parents have any say in her name? 

               No, they had no say whatsoever in Portia's name.  Kind of like how I felt when Tempest started showing up J From a story perspective, the ingi got in cahoots with Verus and came up with the name together.

Also how did you as the author or the Igni come up with the name?

               From a writer side, I like the idea of Portia and Tempest.  Her character is a 'port in the storm' of Tempest's life.  Can't say more without giving anything away!

What do you want readers to take away from your books?

               Oh, if you have a good time and can escape from reality for a while, then I'm a happy camper.  I love it when people tell me that my books inspire them to go out and kick ass in some way, too!

Do you have any new projects coming up?

               Yes, I'm working on a new series called Beholder.  The first book, Cursed, is due out in March 2016.

How can your readers get in touch? (Links provided just below)

Inkmonster

Facebook

Twitter

Goodreads

Thank you so much!  I can't wait to see your answers.

               Thank YOU for your thoughtful questions!

 

       

WEBSITE / FACEBOOK / TWITTER / GOODREADS / AMAZON / PINTEREST

Instagram Username : CHRISTINA_CB_BAUER

                So now that you know all the awesome reasons you should be reading this series I want to share with you my thoughts on the newest edition.  I was beyond excited when this one became available on NetGalley.  Like out of town download the kindle app on my phone and stayed up all night at my friends not sleeping but reading.  Yep. That is how good.

Rating: 5 Stars

                As if it wasn't clear I LOVED this book.  Meeting Portia and seeing a different type of character was super interesting.  She is kick-ass no doubt, but she is a different kind of kick-ass.  She's not as battle ready as the rest of her family but she is fierce in a way of handling the adversity she has been plagued with from birth and not standing around waiting for things to happen to her but fighting to challenge them.  And of course she's not completely unequipped in battle, she is the daughter of Myla and Lincoln after all.  Oh and then there is Tempest.  I liked him in Maxon sure, he was intriguing and such but now to have so much of him is even better!  I can see what Christina was compelled by this dragon.  He's a charming and mysterious bad ass with a soft side that makes you want to sin. 

                There is more magic in this story that previous ones and we also learn more about the world as a whole, how all the realms work and are connected.  The story is a roller coaster that doesn't stop moving.  There is constantly something happening, never a dull moment, probably why I couldn’t put the book down to sleep.  You are instantly pulled into the world, into Portia's destiny, the salvation of all the realms.  There is something in the story for everyone. 

                Portia and Tempest work together, both new to one another and figuring the other out but still working together on the quest.  I liked how the story built.  There is some insta-attraction, but come on both parties have part lust demon in them and are sexy that was bound to happen but the connection builds from just attraction which is something I loved discovering with them.  Plus did I not mention he can turn into a full on dragon!  How awesome is that?  I would totally want him on my side.  Even when there was some vague answers thrown about courtesy of our favorite angel of visions, seriously I think she likes talking in riddles, everything blended into the larger story.  I also love how the characters I fell in love with from the first book are still active and present in the story and not just a foot note.

                That's all I have to say on it.  I highly suggest picking up Portia, the whole series really because they are all such great fun to read.  I hope you all have enjoyed these fun events I know I have.  Fangirl central being able to interview authors whose books I loved, hello.  I only have one more thing for you today and that is the giveaway just below.  Take a moment and enter you could get some awesome goodies! 

                Until next time…    

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/33870edf7/?widget_template=55f70ccb0e6eaee8318e2421

Attachments by Rainbow Rowell

                Hello and welcome back.  Some of you may know I was super excited for the release of Carry On by Rainbow Rowell this month, totally fangirling about it really (haha Fangirling…totally meant that).  Well it wasn't pre-ordered like I thought and then some other things like travel but yes I finally got to order it the other day and it should arrive later today.  In anticipation for getting to read that, while I'll have it I do have some other books ahead of it on my TBR pile.  With that and my absolute LOVE of listing to the Eleanor & Park audio book, I'm almost done I am wishing my commute time was longer so I could finish already, and getting the newest book in my possession I wanted to go ahead and review another Rainbow book I have and have finished—Attachments.

Rating: 5 Hilariously Inappropriate Work E-mails

                                Okay so I just adored this.  I went in not knowing much about it.  I had heard Kat talk about it on her channel and someone mentioned the hardcover was hard to find (I didn't have trouble there though) so when I saw it I got it.  Then when it came I put my little seal in the book (I have a "Library of..." embosser that is amazing) and went to slide it into place on my shelf next to Fangirl (review) and Eleanor & Park.  I looked at the book in my hands and it was rather short compared to the others and I realized I didn't remember what it was about.  I went to read the description and then next thing I know I'm still standing in front of my bookshelf and I'm 50 pages in.  So at this point the logical thing was to just sit down and finish it.  That's what I did.  This one never made it my shelf before it was read.

                For those of you who don't know though Attachments follows the life of Lincoln, Beth, and Jennifer.  Beth and Jennifer are best buds at work and love to e-mail back and forth, oh yeah its 1999, and they don't know who Lincoln is.  Lincoln is the guy reading everyone's e-mail, internet security, everyone knows someone is reading it's policy but they don't really believe it.  Much like life.  Lincoln didn't see this as his life.  Beth and Jennifer's messages keep popping up in his file but as he reads their stories he finds he just can't help being entertained and captivated by them.  By the time he realizes he has feelings for Beth, it's a bit late.  How do you introduce yourself, "Hi, I'm the guy who reads your e-mail and also, I love you…"  Maybe a bit random.

Pretty much!

                The whole idea of the story was super interesting and kind of creepy at the same time.  I remember 1999 and everyone freaking out as Y2K came around.  The whole time I read I thought about what people would think if they read my e-mail or other forms of communication what they must think of me.  I'm sure my Google history alone would make anyone think I'm a new type of insane.  I've looked up just about everything under the sun.  I thought about all of this as I read and while there was a small part that found it a bit stalker-ish (in today's standards) I also remember my youth (okay so I was 12) and the way it was played out and just enjoyed it.  If you are told someone is reading your e-mail and you put personal information in your e-mail then that's on you. 

                The e-mails.  I just adored the way that Beth and Jennifer chatted.  Their conversations were hilarious.  I have similar tone conversations with my friends in all formats so this was refreshing.  Also I really enjoyed that Lincoln didn't like his job.  His enjoyment in their banter was the highlight of his day and he did feel bad about it.  But my favorite aspect of the book—that Lincoln fell for Beth by e-mail.  By who she is as a person without knowing anything about what she looks like.  I think that is the difference.  It would have been creepy if he'd seen a pretty girl and then stalked her e-mail.  He got to know her but after so long how do you come clean?  How can you when you get in so deep?

                Overall this was a cute fun and quick read.  I'm glad that I took the time to get swept back to 1999 for the day.  It was so much fun to read and I still think fondly of it, especially when I type in some random search in Google or send off a hilarious and spastic e-mail to a friend.  What anyone scanning my data would think…I swear I'm not crazy.  Well not completely anyways.

I can't wait to hold it!

                That is it for today.  I can't wait to hold Carry On in my hands and then to be able to start it.  I can't comment on that, other than to say everyone I know is addicted to it, but what I can say is that I highly recommend Attachments.  Tomorrow I will have up another fun blog tour for Portia by Christina Bauer with my author interview, review, and other goodies so stay tuned for that.

                Until next time…

~Waiting on Wednesday~ Playing With Fire by Sherry D. Ficklin

                “Waiting On” Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we’re eagerly anticipating.  Basically books that are not yet out that we are dying to get our hands on.  This week’s pick is:

Playing With Fire by Sherry D. Ficklin

Out:  10/27

From Goodreads:

One brilliant young hacker.

One experimental government aircraft.

One chance to keep it all from going up in flames.

Still recovering from her troubled past, Farris is no stranger to change.  But when the military transfers her father across the country to an experimental aircraft squadron, settling in to a new life is the least of her problems.  As a series of apparent computer glitches threaten the security of the fleet and the blame falls on her father, she decides to put her computer skills to use digging up the truth.  Soon she's drawn into the perilous world of a hacker who is determined to ground the fleet—at any cost.

When all sings lead to someone close to her as the mastermind, Farris will have to bum more than bridges to get to the truth.  She will have to risk her fragile new life to uncover the identity of the cyber criminal before they can escalate from harmless tampering…to all out murder.

Why I'm Waiting:

I had the chance to meet the author at UtopYA and enjoyed chatting with her.  I was stoked to see a new series coming out and I have always been a sucker for hackers.  I can type rather fast compared to most around me and I have a pretty solid understanding of the computer and such (more so when I see some struggle to use copy and paste), but I've always found the idea of hacking and coding and being able to just know that stuff amazing. 

~Top Ten Tuesday~ Wishes for the Book Genie!

               Hello everyone!  Top Ten Tuesday is just how it sounds, a topic is picked and we put our Top Ten for that in a post and share and check out everyone’s answers.  Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by The Broke andthe Bookish.

The top today is: 10 Wishes I’d ask the Book Genie to grant me!

My very own perfectly designed to my very specific specifications library.  It would have floor to ceiling (super tall ceilings) shelves and every time you ran out of room it would expand out so many feet and fit another set of shelves on both sides (keeping it equal).  There would be a few options for seating to suit your mood, several pillows and blankets, adjustable lighting and it’s own temperature control.  It would also somehow magically be a dust free zone so no dust would ever collect on my precious bebes.  There would be a ladder that moved around the room with ease and places to display bookish items like art, jewelry, etc.  Also a hidden door to a safe room that only I know about!  So I’d need two, one to show off how cool it is to have a secret passage and one I’d really keep secret!  Also as I’m currently renting a small apartment now I’d need the house for this magical library to go in as well.

An unlimited unending (without fees) card to purchase all the books and bookish things my heart desires.

I want free unfettered access (including travel, room, and food) to all book events and signings and bookish things (conferences, signings, conventions, etc) for myself and a group of friends to enjoy until the end of time!

My favorite books turned into movies, or given another chance if one already exists, and the screen plays and casting have to go through me.  Also having an unlimited budget to make the movie every bit as awesome as the book without budget or time constraints!

All books to come in matching formats/covers.  If cover changes occur then they should all match or readers who own the old ones provided new covers for their current copies!  Books only released in paperback at the start of a series then they have hardcover should be re-released in hardcover so all can match.  My Vampire Academy books for example 1-3 paperback 4-6 hardcover, I don’t want the last 3 in paperback I want all hardcover!

Eidetic memory.  That’s photographic memory as some call it.  Perfect recall to remember anything I’ve previously seen or heard.  I wouldn’t get into those moments trying to remember a characters name or what book has one particular scene I loved but am blanking on. 

Books for series I like to be put out more rapidly!  1 year is the longest wait but even in that case there should be novellas between to help ease the wait.  Also add to this all novellas for all books should be available in some type of physical bind up at the end of the series.

Kristen Bell to reprise reading of the Veronica Mars books!  The first one she did then….someone else took over.  NO!  She is literally the voice of Veronica Mars!

With the first one increase my reading speed.  I want to be able to read more of the books I love in the time I have.

And finally:  All physical books bought would come with a digital copy.

Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo ~Plus pictures from the last couple events!

                Hello everyone!  Okay so first let me say I’m sorry about skipping out on my Friday post.  I ended up staying in Atlanta and extra day and came home Friday and by the time I got home and settled it was much too late to post (and I hadn’t prepared one able to post by phone for Friday, bad planning on my part).  Bright side is I have a review of an amazing book for you today and photos from my trip so score!  Today is the first day back to work in a week so I’m getting back into the swing of things.

                Today I’m going to be talking about another book that the author was on the Fierce Reads team, Leigh Bardugo with Six of Crows.  Now some of you know I only read the Grisha trilogy earlier this year but that I really enjoyed them.  My past reviews can be found here: Shadow & Bone, Siege & Storm, and Ruin &Rising.  Before I go into the review a couple things in case you didn’t know.  Six of Crows does take place in the same world as the Grisha trilogy.  You do not need to read them in order to understand or enjoy Six of Crows but there is mention, very briefly, about a couple of characters from the trilogy and the after events of the trilogy that might spoil you.  That’s all the notes now onto review, I’ll try to keep it as spoiler free as possible.

Rating: 5 Stars

                Six of Crows in short is about a heist.  It’s about so much more but it starts in Ketterdam, the place known for crime.  Our leader is Kaz, criminal prodigy who is offered a HUGE payday for a specific heist.  He can’t do it alone so he assembles his team.  To steal someone from the impregnable location that could ruin the world.  A convict with a thirst for revenge, a sharpshooter who can’t walk away from a wager, a runaway with a privileged past, a spy known as the Wraith, a Heartrender using her magic to survive the slums, and himself a thief with a gift for unlikely escapes.  All six of them are dangerous in their own right but together they could be the perfect team or a hot mess.  Many different personalities fighting for different purposes.

                I have to say this: I LOVED THIS BOOK!!!  It was amazing!  I was captured from the start.  First can we talk about the dark and beautiful cover…and the black edges?  Are they important to the story?  Okay not really but we all first see a cover and it just adds to the feel of it.  A little added touch.  Plus two maps!  One we are familiar with in the world if you’ve read the Grisha trilogy and one of the Ice Court which is all new and shiny!  Again just added details.

                There are also several POV’s.  We get to see inside the heads of out different team members.  This really adds to the perspective of seeing what is pushing each towards this apparent suicide mission as well as what in their past has brought them to be the criminal they are today. With this you also get to see how one thing can be seen in different ways and how ones prejudices and past experiences influence their thought process.  While sometimes I wanted to stay in certain characters longer, needing answers to my questions, I was just as eager to read from someone else.  I hated putting it down but I stayed with my read-along plans (until the day before I was meeting Leigh and HAD to have it finished).

                 There is so much happening in this story both in the world, the characters, and the overall plot. There is some serious plotting and scheming going on and it.  I’ve heard someone reference Oceans 11 meets Game of Thrones and I love that!  I did get a very master thief vibe.  It was masterful.  With a larger core group of characters for me no one felt under developed.  I felt like I got to know each one of them, some a bit more than others but as this is a new series I hope some will be developed even further in the next book.  Still I knew enough about them to be invested in them.  For those who are familiar with the Grisha world as this story doesn’t take place in Ravka but in a much different place where thoughts on Grisha are vastly different. 

                I can’t really discuss what happens in the story without fear of giving much away so I will simply say you are constantly going.  There is a ton of action from chases, fights, gun fights, and explosions as there is subtle thievery that uses more stealth.  I was never bored.  I just adored this book.  It ends in a way that left me frantically trying to turn the page for more and not finding more.  My most important question at the event was asking when could readers expect to see their next books out?  Mostly it was for Leigh and Josephine as they are involved in series that left you hanging in a serious way but still.  No confirmed dates but Leigh did say her first draft went to her editor so cheers to progress.  Also side note Josephine Angelini stated the next World Walker book should be out next September so an almost date there.

                So my review is finished let’s enjoy some beautiful pictures.  All the ladies were super sweet and engaging.  They were happy to sign books and take photos and jabber for a bit without rushing.  Yay!  Also I didn’t take a photo of it, because I forgot, but Fierce Reads gave out these awesome tote bags with a really long and wide strap!

Bogdana and I waiting to go up!  Plus the penny floor!  How cool!

Our #fiercereads ladies on the couches and introduced by the one and only Kim! <3 Little Shop of Stories

Josephine Angelini & Leigh Bardugo answering some fan questions!

Marie Lu did a chat, reading, and Q&A before signing and photos!

Stuart Woods and his dog Fred #7 (I believe)!  I love dogs so score plus Woods...this was his 61st fiction book out! OMG! Thank you Eagle Eye Books