Thursday, July 28, 2016

Cover Reveal: ACCA (Angelbound Origins #3) by Christina Bauer!


Hello happy readers!  Today I am showing a first look at the cover for a new Angelbound book: Acca!  Now if you don't know I just adore this series so I'm stoked for this book to arrive!  So check it out this new cover with me and take a moment to get caught up with the series thus far!  I've reviewed every book so if you want to see my thoughts click the title: Angelbound, Scala, Armageddon, Maxon, and Portia

Acca
Christina Bauer
(Angelbound Origins, #3)
Published by: Ink Monster LLC
Publication date: December 13th 2016
Genres: Fantasy, Young Adult

In just one week, supernatural warrior Myla Lewis must discover enough evidence to send the evil House of Acca to prison… or she’ll end up in jail herself, along with her fiancĂ©, Prince Lincoln. No pressure.
To gather proof, Myla and Lincoln go undercover at an all-girl’s high school on Earth. Lincoln acts as the new gym teacher; Myla becomes the school’s least popular transfer student ever. To stop them from getting the goods, Acca releases Hell on Earth. Literally. Good thing Myla and Lincoln aren’t afraid of a tough fight. This one promises to be the hardest yet. After all, who ever said high school wasn’t hell?
Previous books in the series:
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Author Bio:
Christina graduated from Syracuse University's Newhouse School with BA's in English as well as Television, Radio, and Film Production. Her day job is in marketing for companies like Microsoft, Cisco, and Zerto. Back in the go-go 90′s, she founded her own software start-up, Mindful Technologies. Christina believes that, upon close examination of Tolkien's text, it's entirely possible that the Balrog was wearing fuzzy bunny slippers.

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Wednesday, July 27, 2016

~Waiting on Wednesday~ Replica (Replica #1)

                “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:


Replica (Replica #1) by Lauren Oliver
Out: 10/4

From Goodreads:
                Gemma has been in and out of hospitals since she was born.  'A sickly child', her lonely life to date has revolved around her home, school and one best friend, Alice.  But when she discovers her father's connection to the top secret Haven research facility, currently hitting the headlines and under siege by religious fanatics, Gemma decides to leave the sanctuary she's always known to find the institute and determine what is going on there and why her father's name seems inextricably linked to it.

                Amidst the frenzy outside the institute's walls, Lyra—or number 24 as she is know as at Haven a and a fellow experimental subject known only as 72, manage to escape.  Encountering a world they never knew existed outside the walls of their secluded upbringing, they meet Gemma and, as they try to understand Haven's purpose together, they uncover some earth-shattering secrets that will change the lives of both girls forever…

Why I’m Waiting:
                So I first heard about this book from all the BookTubers I watch after BEA and it just sounded interesting and the book itself seems like an experience with three different ways to read it just yeah I'm in. I got an ARC of this one and I am working hard to get through my stack so I can dive into this one!

                What are you waiting on?  Tell me below what you think of this title and leave a link to your WoW as well so I can check it out!


Tuesday, July 26, 2016

Top Ten Tuesday: Things books made me want to do/try/learn

                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 and the Bookish.

The top ten today is:  Things books made me want to do/try/learn

Travel- duh!  So basically last weeks list times fifty lol.

Learn new languages- so many books!  Mostly though Daughter of Smoke and Bone where she can just use one of those wishes to be perfect in a language….so jealous!

Learn to fight- Okay so many books feature kick ass characters but yeah I always thought it’d be good to learn and doing so would get me in shape so win/win.

Learn to dance / play an instrument- I have zero rhythm and it’s horrible to see me try and dance but I always want to.  I’m also uncoordinated and tone deaf.  Though if I could both play and dance together like some Lindsey Stirling holly wow ;)

Weapons- Hunger Games started it with archery, to which I did go shoot a bow at a sporting goods grand opening just because and I was super excited to hit the target on the first try!  Okay technically the second but the first time they had me use this pull/release thing I couldn’t figure out how to release lol but using my hand I was good!  Still while that is fun I’d like to learn other weapons you never know what you’ll need in the apocalypse

Survival skills- So dystopia….basically everyone has to survive in different conditions somehow or another and I am clearly a product of my era and don’t think I can even camp let alone if it was necessary and I didn’t have all the current amenities campers do

Road trip-I’ve wanted to go on a long road trip with a friend or friends for a while!  Kind of no plan and just driving and hoping for the best or some loose plan with an ending destination in sight but no idea or plans for the way.

Be a PI / solve mysteries- From show (and books) like Veronica Mars to the mysteries you read who doesn’t want to solve mysteries?

Go to a real ball (preferably a masquerade)- where it’s not cheap or cheesy but there really are super nice gowns and dancing and all!

Date a bad boy- Okay so I’m currently single and yeah you read stories about the bad boy, some who turn into the perfect boyfriend but many just break your heart still I’ve never had a bad boy and I think it’s something to try ;)



                 Tell me what you think of my list in the comments below.  Also please link back to your Top Ten as well so I can check out your list and see what I missed!

Monday, July 25, 2016

Challenge Wrap-Up: July

                So today is the 25th which means it is time for my monthly challenge update and wrap-up; Month 7.  Basically I want to share my progress with you all and it helps me hold myself accountable.  With that in mind this is how I’ve done this month.

Goodreads Challenge:
Goal: 100
At: 83
The GoatChildren by Elizabeth Jordan Mierek (review) / The Head ofMedusa (Elementals #3) by Michelle Madow (review)

2016 Debut Authors:
Goal: 12
At:  10
Just a FewInches by Tara St. Pierre (review)
Supremacy (Supremacy #1) (review)
The Carver by Jacob Devlin (review)

Rock My TBR:
Goal: As many as possible!
At: 32
What I've Read:
Carry On by Rainbow Rowell (review)
The Heir (Selection #4) by Kiera Cass (review)
The OrphanQueen (The Orphan Queen #1) by Jodi Meadows (review)

Series Ender Challenge:
Goal: 15+
At: 8
The Selection Series by Kiera Cass with The Crown 

                All in all I'd say it was a pretty successful month.  I didn't get to finish or review my debuts but that just means next month will be even better!  I'd love to hear how you're doing so link back to your wrap up!

Thursday, July 21, 2016

The Carver: Review & Blog Tour!

                Hello happy readers!    So today I am participating in a fun blog tour for a book I was super excited to dive into.  I received an early copy to read for an honest review today so here goes.  The #roadtripwithpeterpan has begun!  THECARVER is a young adult fairy tale retelling that takes you on a road trip with an adult Peter Pan and the children of some of your favorite fairy tale characters.  Together, they must find out what happened to their missing family members as secrets of the old world and the new are revealed, with only Pinocchio’s carvings to guide the way.  You can get your copy of THE CARVER by Jacob Devlin on Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

About the Book:
THE GIRL IN THE RED HOOD has been looking for her mother for six months, searching from the depths of New York’s subways to the heights of its skyscrapers…

THE PRINCE looks like he’s from another time entirely, or maybe he’s just too good at his job at Ye Old Renaissance Faire…

THE ACTRESS is lighting up Hollywood Boulevard with her spellbinding and strikingly convincing portrayal of a famous fairy.  Her name may be big, but her secrets barely fit in one world…

Fifteen-year-old Crescenzo never would have believed his father’s carvings were anything more than “stupid toys.”  All he knows is a boring life in an ordinary Virginia suburb, from which his mother and best friend have been missing for years.  When his father disappears next, all Crescenzo has left is his goofy neighbor, Pietro, who believes he’s really Peter Pan and that Crescenzo is the son of Pinocchio.  What’s more:  Pietro insists that they can find their loves ones by looking to the strange collection of wood figurines Crescenzo’s father left behind.

With Pietro’s help, Crescenzo sets off on an adventure to unite the real life counterparts to his figurines.  It’s enough of a shock that they’re actually real, but the night he meets the Girl in the Red Hood, dark truths burst from the past.  Suddenly, Crescenzo is tangled in a nightmare where magic mirrors and evil queens rule, and where everyone he loves is running out of time.


About the Author:

When Jacob Devlin was four years old, he would lounge about in Batman pajamas and make semi-autobiographical picture books about an adventurous python names Jake the Snake.  Eventually, he traded his favorite blue crayon for a black pen, and he never put it down.  When not reading or writing, Jacob loves practicing his Italian, watching stand-up comedy, going deaf at rock concerts, and geeking out at comic book conventions.  He does most of these things in southern Arizona.


Review:
 Rating: 4.5 Stars

                This book was calling to be I LOVE Once Upon a Time and the whole fairytale retellings and reimagineings and such but the combo of interacting different stories together is a favorite.  So to see some like Pinocchio who I don’t know much about was intriguing but to follow children of characters we know it creates a whole new level.  Plus I’ve kind of really been digging Peter Pan lately. 

                The POV shifts as we follow along Peter Pan, Enzo, and Rosana for the majority of the story but also with our villain of sorts and several others to really give you a feel for the story and the world.  The story also is told in different times, we see things in the present in both worlds, three years prior and even twenty five years prior.  Everything is weaved together nicely and really keeps you wondering and wanting to turn the page for what’s more.  What happened then that would lead to what you know of the present? So much fun.

                Enzo, the Carvers son, Pinocchio’s kid.  All your life is simple and normal then all of a sudden it’s one hit after another until you are left with the most insane possibility of them all.  Fairy tales are real and you’re on a road trip with a grown up Peter Pan to save everyone you love.  Why not?  Peter was also rather interesting in the story, seeing the way he is both grown up but also still the same character I remember from my childhood a true and literal version of a man child in many ways.  He has the heart of a child but he’s also an adult with a child of his own and a job and adulting happening.  We got a bit of backstory on most and with it shifting to their perspective at different points we “knew” how they felt and who they are.

                The overall story with the quests and missions to accomplish all while uncovering the facts.  It was a fun tale that had both light and dark moments mixed in.  I had a lot of fun reading this story and I look forward to more.  I don’t really want to give too much away because figuring out who people are at times is half the fun!  I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below! 

                Until next time…

                 Want to stay up to date on everything from Balze Publishing?  Become a member of the Blaze Pack by signing up for our newsletter so you don’t miss a thing!  Joining the pack gives you access to exclusive news, teaser, prizes, and ARCs! 


                Get ready to give up your time to THE SURRENDERED by Case Maynard—a young adult dystopian sure to suck you in further with ever page!  Want to be a part of this new release?  You can sign up for the Facebook parties, blog tours, or to review.  The #taxonkids is coming!

Giveaway:
And for extra fun...a Giveaway!

Wednesday, July 20, 2016

~Waiting on Wednesday~ Lifeblood (Everlife #2)

                “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:


Lifeblood (Everlife #2) by Gena Showalter
Out:  March 2017

From Goodreads:
                It's time to do what I was born to do.  It's time to arise and shine.  Whatever I face—be it war persecution, hunger, simple threats of my Second-death—I will not be deterred.  Night will be replaced by day, and those who cry in the dark will rejoice in the morning.  The day is about to dawn.  Time is short.  Let the battle begin.

                My Firstlife is over, but my Everlife is only now beginning.

                With her last living breath, Tenley "Ten" Lockwood made her choice and picked her realm in the Everlife.  Now, as the war between Troika and Myriad rages, she must face the consequences.

                Because Ten possesses a rare supernatural ability to absorb and share light, the Powers That Be have the highest expectations for her future—and the enemy wants her neutralized.  Fighting to save her Secondlife, she must learn about her realm from the ground up while launching her first missions:  convincing a select group of humans to join her side before they die.  No pressure, right?

                But Ten's competition is Killian, the boy she can't foget—the one who gave up everything for her happiness.  He has only one shot at redemption:  beating Ten at a game she's never even played.  As their throw-downs heat up, so do their undeniable feelings, and soon, Ten will have to make another choice.  Love…or victory.

Why I’m Waiting:
                I just adored Firstlife so much (review) and I was instantly wanting book two in my hands when I finished the last page.  So yeah this is on my anticipated reads of 2017 because I need to know what happens next.  Also having finally gotten myself to read the summary….OMG!  Now my need is even more because OMG WHAT!!!
               

                What are you waiting on?  Tell me below what you think of this title and leave a link to your WoW as well so I can check it out!

Tuesday, July 19, 2016

Top Ten Tuesday: Books set outside the US

                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 and the Bookish.

The top ten today is:  Books set outside the US


The Holders (The Holders #1) by Julianna Scott (review)- The Emerald Isle
Graffiti Moon by Cath Crowley (review)- Australia
Daughter of Smoke & Bone (Daughter of Smoke & Bone #1) by Laini Taylor (review)- Prague
Anna and the French Kiss (Anna and the French Kiss #1) by Stephanie Perkins (review)- Paris
Clockwork Angel (The Infernal Devices #1) by Cassandra Clare- London
Cruel Summer by Alyson Noel- Greece
Waderlove by Kirsten Hubbard (review)- Central America
Blood Promise (Vampire Academy #4) by Richelle Mead- Russia
Harry Potter by J. K. Rowling- England

Okay so for the last one I'm picking the one I'm just starting...
Severn Days of You by Cecilia Vinesse- Tokyo 

                  Tell me what you think of my list in the comments below.  Also please link back to your Top Ten as well so I can check out your list and see what I missed!

Monday, July 18, 2016

The Orphan Queen (The Orphan Queen #1)

                Hello happy readers!  I hope you all had a great weekend.  I finished up a read along on our Goodreads group Perpetual YA Bookworms reading The Orphan Queen (The Orphan Queen #1) by Jodi Meadows and we start the sequel and conclusion of the dualology The Mirror King today to finish off the series.  But before I dive into book two I wanted to share my thoughts on book one.

Rating:  5 Stars

                The Orphan Queen is a story following Wilhelmina and while she has multiple identities at the moment through and through she is a princess of a kingdom taken over by the Indigo Kingdom ten years before in the One Day War.  She and many others were left orphans and taken into the Indigo Kingdom but as they escape they took on the title of Ospreys and learn stealth and theft anything to survive and take back her thrown.  To do so she will work as a spy and infiltrate Skyvale Palace and gather information on their foes.  However, taking her throne back isn't that simple, on top of dealing with those difficulties there is a much larger issue at stake, the Wraith, toxic by-product of magic making magic illegal for years, is working it's way across the continent laying waste to the land.  Even if she manages to get her crown back she will still have to contend with this threat.

                Let us start with Wil, she is different than what I have come to expect from characters reclaiming their thrown.  She may be the rightful queen but her and the Ospreys have a different leader of their group, Patrick.  His father was the former General and he was the oldest when they escaped making him the best choice to get them where they needed to be.  Wil is a skilled fighter, they all are after years of surviving, which makes her pretty bad ass.  We also learn from the start she herself has magic, a flasher, but thankfully no one knows or she could be killed.  With magic being illegal and the cause of the Wraith it's a touchy subject.  She's a master forger and loves the art of writing and drawing and I enjoyed the way it played out.  As a future queen of her people she also sees a larger picture and while she lets others lead she does not blindly follow but questions and looks for her own answers.

                In Skyvale one figure in particular hunts down flashers and those who hurt the city, Black Knife.   Black Knife is a very complex character.  He is one to be feared but as we continue we come to see more of him and just what he does.  He is a vigilante but he also is doing so to save the people of the city which is commendable.  I think I liked this character the best as I got to know him and even as I suspected who Black Knife was beneath the mask early on it was fun to watch it play out.  I don't think the identity is meant to be shocking, I think there is enough out there to make the reader suspect and in turn enhance the character without fully confirming until the final section. 

                The characters and their interactions were what really moved things along for me.  I was invested in them, Patrick and his rule of the Ospreys and did I trust him or not, her best friend Melanie and did I suspect her, the other ladies of court while under cover and their motives.  Clearly I distrust everyone it seems.  We also can't forget some of our men, Prince Tobias and his cousin / guard James and of course our masked Black Knife all of whom have their moments both good and bad.  All of them formed a web that makes you want more.  And if that isn't enough you really get to dive into the whole world of Skyvale and the Wraith.  Trying to figure out what it is and how to stop it and the beasts it creates keeps you guessing.  What is rumor, myth, and what might actually help.  All while giving us hints of the past with connections and magic itself.  Along with pieces of what Wil herself can do as she struggles with what she thought she knew of the past and what is becoming clear may be well and true. 

                Overall it really took off and after the first 70 or so pages where I enjoyed it I moved to hard to put down.  I am so glad I waited to read this book though because with the ending that I had now I don't have to wait to read what happens next and how the story ends.  I will be starting The Mirror King today and I will share thoughts once I finish.  Until then I'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments about the intrigue, action, magic, and moving parts in this fantasy. 


                Until next time…

Friday, July 15, 2016

Supremacy (Supremacy #1)

                Hello happy readers!  I’m a bit behind on my reading and reviewing but I’m working to catch up so I can keep the reviews coming.  Yesterday I finished a debut book, Supremacy (Supremacy #1) by Christin Lee.  I was provided a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Rating: 4.5 Stars

                We follow Kate, a senior and top of her class and swim team in Texas.  She has her two best friends and her family who are a bit crazy at times.  She also has her herd of rescue animals, because that’s what she does she connects with animals and can’t leave a wounded or lost one behind.  On one of these outings to find a lost animal she meets a mysterious and sexy guy named Lucas.  With his accent and looks she’s instantly drawn in but she can tell there is more to him than a foreign exchange student.

                So first thing going into this I would warn there is a slight insta-love feel but I urge you to still give it a try.  I went in kind of expecting a bit of it based on the summary and was okay with it.  I know some are horribly against it but for the most part it’s kind of cute.  I also feel it’s more of an insta-connection which is different and more realistic.  I think we’ve all ran into or saw someone and thought WOW they are so swoon-worthy and thought about them more and more after that moment hoping to run into them again.  Now things get real deep real fast but I could overlook it as I was enjoying the story and more I’ll mention later. 

                Kate is a really likeable character.  I just adored her affection for animals and wanting to save them all because I’m personally the one who can’t go near shelter sponsored events because I will get in trouble and want to adopt them all even knowing I’m not able to in my apartment.  I learned this when I used to volunteer and my favorite bebe I was going to adopt the landlord (different place and person but same rules) said no and I lost them.  I haven’t been able to volunteer since because I get too attached.  So I understood her in that way.  She also has a very interesting family and while I understood the brother sometimes driving her crazy aspect the overprotective parents, specifically the dad, were something of an enigma to me.  At times it was hard to stomach but I have also known people with parents like that and it seemed just as strange then.  Still Kate is down to earth and smart, which is always a good trait in a female lead.

                Our mysterious Lucas was rather interesting.  He reminded me of some other supernatural characters here and there but overall I found him charming if a bit messed up.  Though don’t we love our brooding bad boys with a tragic past?  His accent and speaking Spanish to her and treating her like she is what’s important were key for sure.  Still there was a bit of an alpha male aspect and secrecy that could detract at times.  Whereas Stephen’s Alpha male act just royally pissed me off.  He took to trying to rule her and control her which is never acceptable.  I think Lucas handled Stephen well for the most part in the moment but it was after that he was a bit intense. 

                 Romantically I think things happened a bit fast in the feelings department but as an overall story I think it plays out well.  Not a lot of answers are given and as things come to light it becomes clear.  The speed for which things happened didn’t set a foundation for a solid healthy relationship but first crushes/lust/feelings can be powerful and throw caution to the wind type of recklessness.  So that is why I don’t think the concept of insta-love wouldn’t describe it as a whole so if you give it time it kind of works into the story in a way.  Though for all the controlling men in her life I think Kate handles things pretty well.   

                The world of the Hallows was what really captured this story for me.  I loved the whole idea and how intricate it was.  We didn’t get to know too much as it was something discovered in this book but I can only assume there will be much more knowledge of this world experienced in book two.  So far though I am really enjoying some of the characters like Lis and Jenna for sure even Nic was interesting as a contrast to Lucas.  I loved the whole concept of the other world the idea has fascinated me in general since watching an episode of Bones years ago with  “mole people” so interesting.    I look forward to seeing more of the supernatural elements play out as the story continues and what happens after we left off. 

                Overall I really enjoyed this debut book.  There were a few instances where a few lines were a bit repetitive and I would have liked a bit more showing rather than telling in some parts but overall a great debut and a great story that pulled me along so quickly I could easily overlook any minor issues.  I’d love to hear what you all think about this book or the storyline in general in the comments below.


                Until next time…

Wednesday, July 13, 2016

~Waiting on Wednesday~ Shattered Pack (Alpha Girl #6)


                “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:


Shattered Pack (Alpha Girl #6) by Aileen Erin
Out:  11/29

From Goodreads:
                Meredith Molloney never thought she'd find a mate, let alone someone like Donovan Murry—one of the most powerful Alphas alive.  Now that she's no longer cursed and the evil Luciana Alvarez has been taken care of, she thinks life will finally settle down.  Boy, has she never been so wrong.

                In the middle of the night, Donovan gets a call telling him that his pack has gone to pieces.  The news that his second in command has been found brutally murdered has Donovan packing his bacgs for Ireland, but the last thing Meredith wants to do is leave Texas.  She's heard about how the Celtic Pack are with outsiders.  And Donovan has more than a few exes in the pack that will be less than friendly.

                Meredith's never let a few angry wolves stop her, and she's not about to start now.  She's faced down much worse the past few months.  But when she gets there, she finds that it's not just a few exes who stand in the way between her and her Full Moon Ceremony with Donovan.

                Meredith is thrust in to a deadly game of pack politics, one the few have happily joined in on.  When the dust settles, she knows she'll either have everything that she wants or lose it all.

Why I’m Waiting:
                Okay so first YAY another Alpha Girl book!  If you don't know by now I LOVE this series.  I am also thrilled to have another Meredith and Donovan book because yeah they are awesome.  I'm on the edge of my seat with both anticipation and worry because it sounds like trouble for my ship!  Plus....IRELAND!!!!!


                What are you waiting on?  Tell me below what you think of this title and leave a link to your WoW as well so I can check it out!

Tuesday, July 12, 2016

Top Ten Tuesday: Facts about Eve!

                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 and the Bookish.

The top ten today is:  Facts about me

1. I’m looking to purchase a house and get out of renting and the biggest push is I need more space for books (a dedicated library).

2. I only recently discovered Gilmore Girls on Netflix and I’m obsessed.  I marathoned 1.5 seasons in about 3 days.  I had to cut myself off though because I need to read and clean and adult for a bit too but I plan to finish all 7 seasons soon! 
 3. I suffer from Ornithophobia (fear of birds in general) in general but most specifically Alektorophobia (fear specifically of chickens/roosters).  Yep I was attacked.  As a child by geese and then as an adult by my families chickens/rooster whom I avoided at all costs before as they freak me out.  Those beaks I can just imagine pecking out eyeballs and the beady eyes and weird talon feet that again can take out eyeballs…no thank you. 

4. I don’t know how to parallel park.  Never had to learn.  Growing up there was like 1 block with that kind of parking and that’s it so yeah never had to learn.
5. I can be stubborn to a point of insanity at times.  It’s true but I probably get it from my mom.

6. I love to bake almost as much as I love to read!  Though there usually isn't a clean up post reading....
7. I actually wish I could change my taste buds.  I don’t eat many fruits or veggies.  Not because I don’t want to but I don’t have a taste for them or I have textural issues. 

8. I work as a dispatcher for the police and previously in Florida I worked as a 911 dispatcher.  I really enjoy my job, though sometimes office politics are intense.  It’s like you like in the movie Mean Girls sometimes lol.
9. I have been blogging for some times now and I still don’t feel like I know what I’m doing most of the time.  But I wouldn’t give it up for anything.   

10. I have a fur bebe and she is now old and someone cantankerous.  Kiera is sweet and sour like cabbage patch kids depending on her mood these days but I’ve had her since she could fit in one palm.

                  Tell me what you think of my list in the comments below.  Also please link back to your Top Ten as well so I can check out your list and see what I missed!

Monday, July 11, 2016

The Heir (Selection #4)

                Hello happy readers!  So the cake I mentioned previously never happened.  Well the cake part happened but I didn’t decorate it really because the party was canceled so yeah I just did a basic frosting layer and brought the bad boy to work today, nothing picture worthy.  That said yesterday I also was happy to continue on in a series I’ve been working though this year finally, The Heir (Selection #4) by Kiera Cass.  I reviewed the other books The Selection, TheElite, and The One already so check back there if you’d like.  Overall I really enjoyed the series as a whole and was excited to know what would happen next. 

Rating:  3.5 Stars

                America entered the selection and ended up finding a happily ever after with Prince Maxon after some difficulties through the process.  Now years later their oldest of four kids and only daughter, heir to the crown Princess Eadlyn  has been putting off the prospect of marriage as long as possible.  She has no interest in a man or partner in her job she wants to do it independent and alone.  Still as things in the country heat up it is time to have a selection for her, thirty-five men competing for her heart even if she protests against it.  As the process goes on and she gets to know these men she finds that maybe she doesn’t want to be alone all that much and the idea of love for her may be a possibility.

                Okay so my rating would seem like I didn’t care for this book but that’s not the case I did enjoy it.  I didn’t like it as much as the original books and I think that has to do with Eadlyn.  I wasn’t her biggest fan in the start she was to me a hypocrite, rude, and a spoiled brat at most times both complaining that she will be queen and forced under pressure and reassuring herself she’s the most powerful person around.  Now as the story progressed I did see softer sides to her and understand her characters motivations for many of her actions which did earn her points but it did take some time.

                The male suitors I felt we didn’t know as much about.  There are a few stand outs for sure but the others I can’t even remember their names.  That is to be expected with 35 males but still.  Eadlyn didn’t seem to care so I couldn’t tell the difference between them.  Also while I liked the idea of it being female run this time and run by her rather than her fighting against the kings selections as Maxon had to do it may be seeing it from the selectees side rather than a member of the selection but the guys didn’t seem to have to work.  Like they had to try and stay in her good graces and not insult her and try to be memorable in a positive way sure but where the girls were tested on different chores and such the guys weren’t accept the one time.  We don’t know what the guys are doing in their down time but it seems like they are just hanging out until she decides she wants to see or eliminate someone which is cool but since this is flipping the script I’d like to see them have to compete.

                I did enjoy the idea of seeing things from the opposite side, of the one searching.  Also the side of being the female in charge.  I was also a little thrown by some of the things happing in the world and some of the things America and Maxon had gone/were going through.  The dismantling of the castes and everything else that happened as we left off.  Also checking on some of the favorites like Aspen and Lucy, Marlee and Carter, and others.  I also liked the relationship between the siblings.  I really like Ahren, Eadlyn’s twin brother, he was so sweet and romantic.  I liked their connection and that was one part that kind of won Eadlyn over to me.  I didn’t always approve of her actions but I understood her motivations.  Kaden and Osteen are so cute as well, Osteen and his wildness and Kaden I admit to thinking he might be the best possible heir in my opinion. 

                Overall I enjoyed the story and it really turned around for me towards the end as I got to open up to Eadlyn and feel with her.  She is still rough around the edges but she is softening some and growing and learning and that is what we can expect.  I’m excited to read the last and final book soon so I can know what happens and how it ends but also see where Eadlyn ends up emotionally.  I’d love to hear your thoughts and feels on this one in the comments below.  Did you enjoy the new swap on the selection? 


                Until next time…

Friday, July 8, 2016

The Head of Medusa (Elementals #3) Review & Blog Tour!

                Filled with magic, thrilling adventure, and sweet romance, Elementals 3: The Head of Medusa is the latest installment in Michelle Madow’s exciting Elementals series. Follow Nicole and her fellow Elementals as they journey to the end of the world, unsure of who to trust, and facing choices that will put their lives and the entire world at risk. Will they all survive the mission? And if they don’t, will the ones who do be able to find the strength to continue?

               Hello happy readers it's another Friday.  After I post my review today I'm off to finish working on a cake for a baby shower…..I'm excited and it's Harry Potter themed so even better.  Anywho today I am taking part in The Head ofMedusa (Elementals #3) blog tour.  Now if you don't remember this is book three of the series and I reviewed The Prophecy of Shadows (review) and The Blood of Hydra (review) previously and was looking forward to continuing on.  So here are my thoughts and feels on the latest in the series by Michelle Madow.  There will be spoilers for the first two books.

Rating:  4 Stars

                So we left off our group had just completed their mission to gather the ingredients that would stop the monsters they kill from being able to come right back out of the portal.  Along the way they made a few new friends and lost one, angered a god, and so much more.  Now Nicole and her friends are trying to keep the monsters at bay while working on a plan to close the portal and keep the Titans from coming out to end the world while still enjoy her newfound relationship with Blake.  Now they must focus on Typhon, one of the worst in history and only one thing can destroy him, Medusa.  However getting Medusa's head is far from simple and will require many decisions, many of which are life changing.

                This book is like the others for me in the same way that you can sit down and fly right through the book.  Head of Medusa is no exception it was a quick read and it was so fast paced you didn't want to put it down.  Madow has a way of making sure to keep the characters moving and hustling and the action up.  That said this one also has much more for me in the romance department.  It has been in there nudging it's head in for a while but it was more prevalent in this one.  I enjoyed that and I didn't even notice until I finished it just felt so naturally where the story was going.  

                There are twists and turns with new quests and missions and even new monsters to face.  We get to explore some different locations that keep it interesting from the South Pole to LA.  Oh and with new monsters comes more  mythology to enjoy, the one part of history I enjoyed!  New and old characters are in this one and it's not only a fight against the monsters but with their own choices and I liked that play.  They were changed after losing someone on the last mission, they couldn't take for granted that Nicole could simply bring them back so the stakes are amped up.  Nicole is also struggling with not being able to save someone, her main part is to save and she couldn't.   Overall another great addition to the story and OMG that ending I admit to suspecting some things from the start but yes I am so ready for the next book because….feels!
                 That's all without saying to much these are so much fun to read and I wouldn’t want to give away to much.  I'd love to hear your thoughts below in the comments.  Which mythical monster has been the most interesting so far?  Where do you think they will go next?  Share below and we can discuss. 


Rafflecopter for Release Tour Giveaway:

Michelle is offering up a fabulous prize during her Elementals 3: The Head of Medusa Virtual Tour event. One (1) lucky winner will receive a signed paperback copy of Elementals 1: The Prophecy of Shadows! To enter, simply fill out the Rafflecopter below:

a Rafflecopter giveaway