Waiting on Wednesday - Dirty by Kylie Scott

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

Here's this week's book I can't wait for...

Dirty (Dive Bar, #1) by Kylie Scott

Expected Publication: 5th April 2016

Synopsis:When Vaughn returned to his childhood home, the last thing he expected was to find a brokenhearted bride in his shower. Or the complete drama and chaos that came with her.
Lydia doesn't know what to do. Finding out the love of your life is having an affair on your wedding day is bad enough. Finding out it's with his best man, is another all together. Trying to escape it all, she runs...and finds herself in the arms of a handsome ex-musician turned bartender. But can a broke musician with a dubious future really be the Mr Perfect Lydia was looking for?

I've only read one series by Kylie Scott and it left such a influence on me that now I need to read any book that she has written, it's just a bonus that this sounds so good plus it's a spin off to Stage Dive series that I have read.



What are you waiting on?

Book Review: Strength (Mark of Nexus, #1) by Carrie Butler

(Click image to take you to Goodreads)

Buy: Amazon UK | Amazon US | 

Format: Kindle

Publishers: Indie

Published: 16th August 2013

Pages: 389

Genre: New Adult, Paranormal Romance, 

Main Characters: Rena, Wallace, 
Date Read: 8th October - 15th October 2015

Rating Given:

Synopsis:

**Winner of "Best New Adult" and "Best Series" in the eFestival of Words - Best of Independent eBook Awards**When college student Rena Collins finds herself nose-to-chest with the campus outcast, her rumor-laced notions are shattered. Handsome, considerate, and seemingly sane, Wallace Blake doesn’t look like he spends his nights alone, screaming and banging on the walls of his dorm room. Hell, he doesn’t look like he spends his nights alone, period.Too curious for her own good, Rena vows to uncover the truth behind Wallace’s madman reputation--and how two seconds of contact had left her with bruises. Of course, there are a few setbacks along the way: guilt, admiration, feelings of the warm and fuzzy variety…Not to mention the unwanted attention of Wallace's powerful, supernaturally-gifted family.They’re a bloodline divided by opposing ideals, two soon-to-be warring factions that live in secret among us. When Rena ends up caught in their crossfire, Wallace has no choice but to save her by using his powers. Now they’re really in trouble. With war on the horizon and Rena’s life in the balance, he needs to put some distance between them. But Rena won’t let go. If fighting is what it takes to prove her own strength and keep Wallace in her life, then that’s what she’ll do--even if it means risking a whole lot more than her heart.(Upper YA/New Adult)

I've had this for a while for review and then recently I got myself a finished copy that was free on amazon at the time.

I kind of like this cover, I'm not too sure on the guy on the front as he doesn't scream Wallace. I do like the background and the colours used as they make the cover stand out. I also love the font of the title which also makes this particular cover stand out.

The first half of the book I actually wasn't a fan of as it just dragged and I hated that I didn't know what on earth was going on. It wasn't until the second half that I fell in love with Strength, it had so many things happening in a short space of time with so many twists and turns. I found myself obsessed with Strength to the point that even when I had to put the book down I was still thinking about it. The romance side of the story was a little bit of a slow burner but I think that made for their feelings more realistic than if they fell in love the minute they met. The second half of the book was where their feelings started to really bloom and I just loved them together even when they where just friends. I loved the paranormal elements in this book as it was unique to what I've read before I just wish it wasn't all explained right at the end. There was a lot of action that happened in the end of the book that had me on the edge of my seat. The ending sure left me wanting more and I can't wait to get my hands on book 2.

I did love most of the characters but there was a few that I was 100% sure on though. Rena was a great female character although she did start of a little annoying but the more I read about her the more I found her endearing and the more she didn't play the damsel in distress was a huge plus. Wallace was such a great character and I felt so sorry for him especially when I find out how much those rumours hurt him. Even though Cole is hard to trust it wasn't until he appeared in the book that the book actually started to blow me away. I wasn't a fan of Rena's friends as they where so annoying and to me wasn't actually true friends.

Overall, this could have been an amazing book if it started off the way in which it ended.

Book Review: Ignite Me (Shatter Me, #3) by Tahereh Mafi

(Click image to take you to Goodreads)

Buy: Amazon UK | Amazon US | Book Depository

Format: Paperback 

Publishers: Harper Collins

Published: 4th February 2014

Pages: 408

Genre: Young Adult, Dystopian, Romance, 

Main Characters: Juliette, Warner, Adam
Date Read: 3rd October - 11th October 2015

Rating Given:

Synopsis:The heart-stopping conclusion to the New York Times bestselling Shatter Me series, which Ransom Riggs, author of Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children and Hollow City, called "a thrilling, high-stakes saga of self-discovery and forbidden love."
With Omega Point destroyed, Juliette doesn't know if the rebels, her friends, or even Adam are alive. But that won't keep her from trying to take down The Reestablishment once and for all. Now she must rely on Warner, the handsome commander of Sector 45. The one person she never thought she could trust. The same person who saved her life. He promises to help Juliette master her powers and save their dying world . . . but that's not all he wants with her.
The Shatter Me series is perfect for fans who crave action-packed young adult novels with tantalizing romance like Divergent by Veronica Roth,The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins, and Legend by Marie Lu. Tahereh Mafi has created a captivating and original story that combines the best of dystopian and paranormal, and was praised by Publishers Weekly as "a gripping read from an author who's not afraid to take risks." Now this final book brings the series to a shocking and satisfying end. 

I've had this for a little over a year now and I have finally gotten around to finishing this series and what an epic ending to an amazing series...

Another stunning cover in the Shatter Me series and although I do love it I don't love it as much as the second book as I preferred the colours used in the second one more than I did in this one.

I loved the first book and even though I enjoyed book 2 I still didn't think it was as good as the first but I'm pleased to say this final book was back to it's very best. I tend not to read the end of dystopian series as the ones that I have read wasn't ended in a way that blew me away but this one has made me want to finish those other series although this one may have spoilt me for all the ones I need to read as Ignite Me blew me away and then some. Everything about this book was perfectly written in way that had me enthralled. There was a few twists and turns that I didn't see coming but I was ok with them as they added even more to the story and they where done in a believable manner. I loved the romance in this story as it wasn't the main focus but what romance that there was, was cute and endearing. The action at the end had me on tenter hooks. As for the ending I loved it although I would have liked to see into the future I didn't mind too much as the door is left open for a return.

The characters in the Shatter Me series are the most evolved characters that I've ever read about. Juliette is the most changed from the first book where she was a shy, introverted, fragile person to someone who takes charge and leads the fight and not a fragile person which I was pleased about. Warner I have always loved but even he has shown a more tender and vulnerable side to him. As for Adam I hated his changes as some of the things he said was awful. Kenji has to be one of my favourite characters ever as he is so funny and without him this series would have been completely depressing but even Kenji showed a more vulnerable side.

Overall, Ignite Me was an amazing end to an amazing series and I can't wait to read something new from Tahereh Mafi as she is one talented writer.

Book Review: Zack (Cold Fury Hockey, #3) by Sawyer Bennett

(Click image to take you to Goodreads)

Buy: Amazon UK | Amazon US |

Format: Kindle 

Publishers: Loveswept

Published: 9th June 2015

Pages: 325

Genre: New Adult, Contemporary Romance, Sport Romance

Main Characters: Kate, Zack
Date Read: 2nd October - 8th October 2015

Rating Given:

Synopsis:Rising star Zack Grantham has been stuck in a downward spiral of grief ever since the car accident that left him a single dad and put his career on hold. Back on the road with the Carolina Cold Fury and still crippled by emotional baggage, he’s in need of some serious help with his son. But while the nerdy new nanny wins his son’s heart, Zack isn’t sure he’s ready for a woman’s touch—even after getting a glimpse of the killer curves she’s hiding under those baggy clothes.
Kate Francis usually keeps men like Zack at a distance. Though his athlete’s body is honed to perfection, he refuses to move on with his life—and besides, he’s her boss. Still, the sparks between them are undeniable, tempting Kate to turn their professional relationship into a personal one. But before she makes a power play for Zack’s wounded heart, Kate will have to open him up again and show him that love is worth the fight.

 I received a review copy from netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Again its nice to see the cover tying in with the first two books yet being a little different so it ties in with Zack's story. This cover looks a lot darker than the previous two covers and I guess thats in keeping with the way Zack is feeling. I don't like that we can't see his face properly as I would like to see if he looks like how I picture Zack, I just know that his body is definitely my idea of Zack's.

I was nervous to read Zack's book as I always thought he was with the love of his life (Gina) and didn't need a story from him, and then when we found out about the accident where Gina died I thought maybe it was too soon to be his story but boy was I wrong. Alex's book was great, Garrett's book not so much but Zack's book was amazing I may even prefer it over Alex's. I loved every minute of this book there was no moment in this book that bored me. I was surprised at how funny this book was as I found myself laughing out loud more times than I was sad. I loved the chemistry between Zack and Kate they where so hot together and even though it was supposed to be just sex I could really see the relationship grow into so much more even when Zack didn't think he did I was able to read between the lines. There was more to this book than just the romance there was so much more involved with this story which when added to the romance just equalled an amazing read. I loved the ending it was what I wanted to happen even if I did want to go further into the future than what we got I was able to get over it knowing that we will see more from them in the other Cold Fury boys.

I absolutely adored the characters in this book with the returning characters as well as some of the new characters. Kate is a new character thrown in to the mix and I loved her she was such a funny character and without her this book wouldn't be as amazing as what it was. Even though she was funny she also had her issues that made her all the more endearing. Zack has been in previous books and I have always loved him but in this book I fell in more love with him which I didn't think was at all possible. Zack's son Ben was a great addition to this book he was so cute and so grown up for his age.

Overall, I adored every single second of this book I just hope the next book is just as good.

Waiting on Wednesday - Lady Midnight by Cassandra Clare

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

Here's this week's book I can't wait for...

Lady Midnight (The Dark Artifices, #1) by Cassandra Clare

Expected Publication: 8th March 2016

Synopsis:
Los Angeles. It’s been five years since the events of the Mortal Instruments when Nephilim stood poised on the brink of oblivion and Shadowhunter Emma Carstairs lost her parents. After the blood and violence she witnessed as a child, Emma has dedicated her life to to discovering exactly what it was that killed her parents and getting her revenge.
Raised in the Los Angeles Institute with the Blackthorn family, Emma is paired as a parabatai with her best friend, Julian Blackthorn. A series of murders in the city catch her attention — they seem to have the same characteristics as the deaths of her parents. Could the murderer be the same person? And her attention isn’t the only one caught: someone has been murdering Downworlders as well. The Fair Folk make a deal with the Institute: if the Blackthorns and Emma will investigate the killings, they’ll return Mark Blackthorn to his home. The catch: they have only two weeks to find the killers. Otherwise it’s open war between faeries and Nephilim.
The Shadowhunters of the Institute must race against time to catch the killers, even as they begin to suspect the involvement of those closest to them. At the same time, Emma is falling in love with the one person in the world she’s absolutely forbidden by Shadowhunter Law to love. Set against the glittering backdrop of present-day Los Angeles, Emma must learn to trust her head and her heart as she investigates a demonic plot that stretches from the warlock-run nightclubs of the Sunset Strip to the enchanted sea that pounds the beaches of Santa Monica.

I am so excited about this new Mortal Instruments spin off and if it's anything like the Infernal Devices it's going to be epic! I feel like I've been waiting ages for the cover to this book and it's sure worth the wait it looks stunning.



What are you waiting on? 

Book Review: Providence (Providence, #1) by Jamie McGuire

(Click image to take you to Goodreads)

Buy: Amazon UK | Amazon US | Book Depository

Format: Kindle

Publishers: Indie

Published: 13th January 2011

Pages: 485

Genre: New Adult, Paranormal Romance, 

Main Characters: Nina, Jared, Ryan
Date Read: 27th September - 1st  October 2015

Rating Given:

Synopsis:In the old world shadows of Providence, Rhode Island, Nina Grey finds herself the center of a war between Hell and Earth. 
Struggling with her father’s recent death, Nina meets Jared Ryel by chance…or so she believes. Although his stunning good looks and mysterious talents are a welcome distraction, it soon becomes clear that Jared knows more about Nina than even her friends at Brown University. When questions outnumber answers, Jared risks everything to keep the woman he was born to save—by sharing the secret he was sworn to protect.
When her father’s former associates begin following her in the dark, Nina learns that her father is not the man she thought he was, but a thief who stole from demons. Searching for the truth behind her father’s death, Nina stumbles upon something she never expected—something Hell wants—and only she holds the key.

I've had Providence for a long while now and after loving her Beautiful Disaster series I knew I had to give her other series a read and I'm glad I did as I did enjoy it but it just wasn't as good as the BD series...

I must say this cover is really creepy and I really do like it but I just don't feel like it has anything to do with the story as I didn't find the book creepy or even scary yes there was a bad things happening but I didn't feel it was that bad. So I was expecting something a lot different to what I got based on this cover.

This book started off amazing as I loved every minute but then something (one) started to bug me more and more. Although during those moments did bug me there was also moments during those time when it was as good as the beginning. The paranormal side of the story I really enjoyed especially when we found out what that person was as then everything made more sense. I loved the growing feelings between the two main characters but I do feel as though it was a bit rushed and at times unbelievable but I did like them together when they didn't listen to people around them or even think about anything. I didn't like the love triangle as it felt a bit forced and a bit of an after thought as one minute Nina loved Jared but then she was told something about Ryan so she started to all of a sudden have romantic feelings for Ryan as well. I felt like the action scenes where also a bit rushed but what little there was of those action scenes I did enjoy as it made the book entertaining. I liked the ending as it felt finished and even though there are more in this series I don't feel like I have to rush out and get the next book but I know I will continue the series soon as I am looking forward to seeing what is going to kick off next.

It was really one character that annoyed me which was Nina. She started of a strong character who had loads going on but she was still standing but the further I went into the book I slowly but surely she started to grate on me. I hated the way Nina tried to get Jared's attention and even when she found out why he had to keep away from her she still wouldn't listen and put herself into dangerous situations which I felt was stupid. I loved Jared he has to be one of my favourite characters even though in the beginning when he kept changing his mind but after we found out about him I got a better understanding of why he was the way he was and I loved him all the more. I loved all the other secondary characters as I felt they where great additions to the story.

Overall, the actual story was really good but it was the main female character that let this book down but I won't let that put me off reading the rest of the series.

Book Tag: The Book Courtship Tag

The Reading Pile has taken inspiration from the vloging Book Tag community over to the blogging world. Like her I'm not actually going to tag anyone but you're more than welcome to give it a try like I have just head over to her page and leave a link in her comments or in mine as I'm nosey and love to know what everyone else has done.

Over at The Reading Pile she has done the posts every Thursday and has already done a few so I thought I would go through the ones she has already done and do the ones I like the look of.

My Book Tag post this week is: The Book Courtship

Phase One - Initial Attraction: A book that you bought because of the cover

Hush Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick - From the very first moment I saw this book I fell in love with it and jut had to have it. I'm just glad the story was as stunning as the cover.

Phase Two - First Impression: A book that you got because of the summary

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins - I hated the cover for this book but because of the summery I decided to buy it as it sounded so good. Below is the summery to see for yourselves.

Winning means fame and fortune.
Losing means certain death.
The Hunger Games have begun....

In the ruins of a place once known as North America lies the nation of Panem, the shining Capitol surrounded by twelve outlying districts. The Capitol is harsh and keeps the districts in line by forcing them all to send one boy and one girl between the ages of twelve and eighteen to participate in the annual Hunger Games, a fight to the death on live TV.

Sixteen-year-old Katniss Everdeen regards it as a death sentence when she steps forward to take her sister's place in the Games. But Katniss has been close to dead before-- and survival, for her, is second nature. Without really meaning to, she becomes a contender. But if she is to win, she will have to start making choices that weigh survival against humanity and life against love. 

Phase Three - Sweet Talk: A book with great writing

Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi - I don't usually take notice of the different writing styles only what I like or dislike in the actual story, that was until I read Shatter Me. Shatter Me has a very unique writing style that jumps off the pages. It's easy to love this book just because of the great writing.

Phase Four - First Date: A first book of a series which made you want to pursue the rest of the series

Perfect Chemistry by Simone Elkeles - I've read so many first in the series books that have made me want to read the rest of the series, so it was hard to choose one. In the end I went for Perfect Chemistry as I haven't used this book in previous book tag posts. I absolutely adored this book that I just had to get the rest and I'm so glad about a fourth book on the horizon.

Phase Five - Late Night Phone Calls: A book that kept you up all night long

Beastly by Alex Flinn - I don't really read books if I'm tired so no book can keep me up all night even if I wanted to, however, Beastly was such a quick and easy book to read that I read it in a day.

Phase Six - Always on my mind: A book that you could not stop thinking about

Come Back To Me by Mila Gray - I absolutely adored this book and it was a book that brought all the feels. For some books I forget what happened and just remember if I loved or hated it but with this book I remember everything about it. Even a year after reading this book I still find myself thinking about it.

Phase Seven - Getting Physical: A book in which you love the way it feels

Talon by Julie Kagawa - I usually love the feel of velvety book covers but there is a lot of those on my shelf so in the end I went for Talon. The reason why I went for this one was because all those scales on the cover is raised so when you run your hand over it feels as though there are scales. I haven't read this book yet but I know that when I do I will be stroking it whilst reading it.

Phase Eight - Meeting the Parents: A book in which you would recommend to your friends and family

 
City of Bones by Cassandra Clare - CoB will always be one I would recommend to everyone I even got my family reading it.

Phase Nine - Thinking About the Future: A book or series that you know you'll reread many times in the future

Suddenly Royal by Nichole Chase - This has to be with out a doubt one of my all time favourite book. I loved every minute of this book and I have already reread it and I know I will be reading this one over and over again. I love this book that much that I could have said this book for every phase in this book tag.