Waiting on Wednesday - Bad Romeo by Leisa Rayven

"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...

Bad Romeo (The Starcrossed Series, #1) 

by Leisa Rayven

Expected Publication: 23rd December 2014

Synopsis:
When Cassie Taylor met Ethan Holt at acting school, sparks flew. She was the good girl actress. He was the bad boy about campus. But one fated casting choice for Romeo and Juliet changed it all. Like the characters they were playing, Cassie and Ethan's romance seemed destined. Until he broke her heart and betrayed her trust. Now the A-list heartthrob is back in her life and turning her world around. One touch at a time. 
Cast as romantic leads once again, they're forced to confront raw memories of the heartbreaking lows and pulse-pounding highs of their secret college affair. But they'll also discover that people who rub each other the wrong way often make the best sparks.

Oh my!! That book cover is absolutely stunning and then throw in that synopsis and well I'm sold. I came across this one on netgalley so obviously I requested it straight away and I'm so excited to say that I got accepted, so even though I now have this book to read I just had to let everyone know about it plus I can't read it straight away as I have a couple of books to finish first but I am so excited to read it I just hope it lives up to my expectations.


What are you waiting on?

Book Review: My Super Sweet Sixteenth Century (My Super Sweet Sixteenth Century, #1) by Rachel Harris

(Click image to take you to Goodreads)

Buy: Amazon UK | Amazon US | Book Depository

Format: Paperback

Publishers: Entangled Teen

Published: 18th September 2012

Pages: 264

Genre: YA, Historical Romance, 

Main Characters: Cat
Date Read: 2nd October - 19th October 2014

Rating Given:

Synopsis:
On the precipice of her sixteenth birthday, the last thing lone wolf Cat Crawford wants is an extravagant gala thrown by her bubbly stepmother and well-meaning father. So even though Cat knows the family’s trip to Florence, Italy, is a peace offering, she embraces the magical city and all it offers. But when her curiosity leads her to an unusual gypsy tent, she exits . . . right into Renaissance Firenze.
Thrust into the sixteenth century armed with only a backpack full of contraband future items, Cat joins up with her ancestors, the sweet Alessandra and protective Cipriano, and soon falls for the gorgeous aspiring artist Lorenzo. But when the much-older Niccolo starts sniffing around, Cat realizes that an unwanted birthday party is nothing compared to an unwanted suitor full of creeptastic amore. Can she find her way back to modern times before her Italian adventure turns into an Italian forever?

I got this for my birthday a couple of years ago now and I have only now just gotten around to reading it. I wasn't the biggest fan of this book but I did enjoy it at times...

I love the cover to this book as it's colourful and you can really picture what this particular book is going to be about which is always a plus in my book.

 I think that if I had read it when I had gotten it then maybe the rating would have been higher but seeing as I didn't and read it when I am going through a contemporary phase and not liking historical novel I just couldn't get into it as quickly as I would have liked. It started off a little slow but it did pick up when Cat went back in time. This book was very well written in the way Harris explains everything in detail making me feel like I was actually there watching what was happening rather than reading what was happening. The romance side of the story I didn't feel believable as it was like one minute she didn't want to like him then the next minute she couldn't stop thinking about him. I did like the way that this book ended but there was a part of me that felt there was something missing. I do think that this could be because there is another two books to come so hopefully more things will be explained.

When I first started this book I thought Cat was going to be this strong sweet girl but once I finished this book I felt like in the beginning she was a little damaged and she then grew into the person I already thought that she was. I believed her when she thought that her soon to be step mother was this annoying and not a nice person but the more Cat mentioned her throughout the book the more we realise that, that just wasn't the case but I could understand where Cat was coming from with a mother like she had. Lorenzo was your typical ladies man but then all of a sudden you realise that he is a sweet guy that just needed the right person to bring that side out of him. My favourite character was Alessandra as she was really kind and very believing, and she was just always there for Cat so I'm really glad that the next book we get to see a lot more of her. There was also a couple more characters that where introduced at the end of the book but I have a feeling we are going to see a lot more of them.

Overall I did enjoy this book but there was a few times when I just couldn't get into it and I would go days without picking it up. I did enjoy it enough to want to read what is going to happen next.

“Lorenzo gently places his hands on either side of my face, lowering his head to stare directly into my eyes. His voice is barely above a whisper as he says, "Patience D'Angeli-Cat-you are my dream now.” 

Excerpt & Giveaway: Come Back To Me by Mila Gray

Buy: Amazon UK | Amazon US | Book Depository | Asda | 

Come Back To Me has been out for a little while now on kindle format but as of 23rd October it finally comes out in paperback although this is only in the UK you guys that live in America have a longer to wait I'm affraid its not out until the end of 2015! the kindle version is available to you though.

This book is by far one of my favourite reads of 2014 so imagine my delight when the author asked me if I had a free blog spot! I jumped at the chance to showcase more of this book it's amazing and would highly recommend anyone who hasn't read it to do so as you won't be disappointed. For my full review click here.

So without further ado here's the excerpt:

Eventually, unable to take it much more, I roll her off my chest and onto her side, turning to face her. My pulse is so elevated you’d think I’d just run a three minute mile and I have to take a long, deep breath to try to steady it. Jessa’s cheeks are flushed and she’s breathing fast. She places a hand on my face, grazing her palm across my jaw, then traces the shape of my lips. I kiss her fingertips and watch her as she takes in a sharp breath. Her eyelids become heavy, her lips part. The image of her lying naked in my arms, her head thrown back with abandon, flashes across my mind. My imagination is most definitely making up for lost time.

‘So,’ she whispers, ‘Are you going to tell me then?’

‘Tell you what?’ I ask.

She smiles slyly, her fingers delicately tapping my collar bone. ‘Your dad asked if you were going to tell me how you feel.’

I stare at her. Put me on the spot much? ‘Still thinking about it,’ I tell her, enjoying the disappointment that flares across her face. I wink at her. ‘Don’t want to mess things up.’

Jessa’s disappointment gives way to a smile. I kiss her once more then draw away, rolling onto my back and pulling her under my arm. She sighs contentedly and rests her head on my chest, just below my chin. I remember then what she said earlier, about how she sees through me, how she knows me. Her words struck me hard as a kick to the ribs, jolting something free inside of me; some knowledge or truth I’d been avoiding. Ever since I became a Marine I’ve felt like I belong to a different tribe, always on the outside looking back in at the rest of the world, playing a role that I put on the first time I wore my uniform.

But with Jessa, I realize that I don’t ever feel that way. Lying with her right now, under this endless sky, it feels like we’re the only two people in the world and for once I’m not on the outside, I’m right on the inside, exactly where I belong. Most of the time when I’m in uniform I feel like I’m pretending at being someone – someone I’m not sure I really am. As Jessa stares at me my body let’s go of all the tension it’s been holding, all the pretence, and just relaxes, and it feels good. It feels better than good. It feels like freedom.

I like the way she sees me, I think to myself, as I stare up at the million dead and dying stars above us. It’s someone worth striving to be.

After reading that excerpt I feel like I need to go reread Come Back To Me now!! I will be definitely getting the paperback version as I think it would make a great edition to my book shelf.

Now for the giveaway for your chance to win yourself a signed copy of Come Back To Me!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Waiting on Wednesday - Inherit Midnight by Kate Kae Myers

"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...

Inherit Midnight by Kate Kae Myers

Expected Publication: 10th February 2015

Synopsis:
The Competition:
Outlandishly wealthy Grandmother VanDemere has decided to leave her vast fortune to the family member who proves him or herself worthiest-by solving puzzles and riddles on a whirlwind race around the globe, from the mines of Venezuela to the castles of Scotland. There will be eight competitors, three continents . . . and a prize worth millions.
The Players:
Seventeen-year-old Avery is the black sheep of the VanDemere clan, the ostracized illegitimate daughter. Finally, she has a chance to prove herself . . . and to discover the truth about her long-lost mother.
Marshall might be Avery's uncle, but there's no love lost between the two of them. He's her main competition, and he'll do anything to win-including betray his own children.
Riley is the handsome son of Grandmother VanDemere's lawyer. As the game progresses, Avery falls hard for Riley. Suddenly, losing the game might mean losing him, too. 
As the competition takes treacherous turns, it becomes clear there can only be one victor. Who can Avery truly trust? And is winning worth her life?

It's been awhile now since I read Kate's debut novel The Vanishing Game which I adored so when looking for a new book to use for a wow post I was so happy to find this book and now I'm so excited. I just hope that this book will live up to her first book which I'm sure it will.

What are you waiting on? 

Book Review: Someday Maybe (Definitely Maybe, #2) by Ophelia London

(Click image to take you to Goodreads)

Buy: Amazon UK | Amazon US | 

Format: Kindle

Publishers: Embrace (Entangled)

Published: 20th October 2014

Pages: 239

Genre: New Adult, Contemporary Romance, Retelling

Main Characters: Rachel, Oliver, 
Date Read: 11th October - 17th October 2014

Rating Given:

Synopsis:
Some guys are impossible to forget.
Rachel Daughtry has a 10-year plan that leaves no room for mistakes. Or not-so-serious boys—including Oliver Wentworth, the freshman boyfriend she's never forgotten. Now she's back in San Francisco with an awesome-slash-scary new job. Unfortunately, The Plan doesn't cover things like meeting her best friend's new “secret” guy...Oliver.
Fortunately, no one knows that Rachel and Oliver were ever together, and endless bikini wax torture couldn't make Rachel hurt her friend. But it's killing Rachel. She's not over him. Not even a little. And as her 10-year-plan crumbles around her, Rachel realizes that maybe—just maybe—Oliver feels the same way.
Now Rachel is on the verge of losing all control. And her best friend. And the love of her life...

I never knew there was going to be another book in the Definitely Maybe series but once I found out I just had to read it even if it was new characters I didn't care. I was hoping that it was going to be just as good as the first one or even better but that wasn't to be...

I love this cover as it looks like it's a romantic scene and after reading the book I can even picture one of the scenes that this could be taken from. I like that it's similar to the first book but with it being about different people I'm glad of the differences. Even though it's a dark cover I still love the colours used as they all work well together.

Throughout most of the first half of this book I found myself not enjoying it but I kept on with it and I'm glad I did because boy did it pick up. For the first few chapters it kept going back in time and then would go back to the present which I couldn't always keep up with as when it went back to the resent there wasn't any indication that, that had happened but I soon picked up that it was alternating the past with the present. I did like reading about how Oliver and Rachel became an item but I did feel like it was too instant and that she was far to dependent on him. I felt the break up didn't feel real as it seemed like it happened out of the blue with not much of an explanation, I was expecting something more dramatic to be behind the splitsville but that wasn't the case. I loved that we where able to see a little more of Spring and Henry to find out what they where up to and the scenes that they where in had me laughing out loud. When the main focus of the book stayed on the present was when I really got into the book and the chemistry between the two main characters where undeniable even if they couldn't see it. This book is a retelling of Jane Austen's Persuasion which I have never read so I can't really compare this book and Austen's but to me there didn't seem to be any real persuasion in Someday Maybe it was all down to what Rachel thought she wanted. I loved the ending it was so sweet and the fact it went a little into the future was amazing.

For me Rachel could be very annoying at times especially her reasoning behind breaking up with Oliver. I did feel as though she grew throughout the book though which was nice to see her just letting go. I absolutely adored Oliver he was so sweet and my heart broke for him. I would have loved to have had some of this story from his point of view to find out what he was actually feeling. Sarah, Oliver's sister was my favourite female character as she was adorable and a great friend to Rachel. 

Overall this book was not as good as the first one throughout the first half but once it really got going I loved it just as much with me hanging on every word that was being said.

Showcase Sunday #101

Showcase Sunday is a weekly Meme that I am taking part of. This weekly meme is hosted by Vicky over at Book, Biscuits and Tea.

Click images to take you to Goodreads.

Kindle Book Bought

I have seen this book around a lot recently which I wasn't too sure about at first but after seeing so many great reviews I couldn't resist especially after I got a Amazon gc to buy it with.

Free Kindle Books

  

At the minute I'm into contemporary romance novels and found these for free on Amazon so I couldn't pass on them.

Kindle Review Books

  

There was a couple of other books that I got from netgalley however blogger was playing up :(

What did you receive this week?

Waiting on Wednesday - Inspire by Cora Carmack

"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...

Inspire by Cora Carmack

Expected Publication: 15th December 2014

Synopsis:
Kalliope lives with one purpose.
To inspire.
As an immortal muse, she doesn’t have any other choice. It’s part of how she was made. Musicians, artists, actors—they use her to advance their art, and she uses them to survive. She moves from one artist to the next, never staying long enough to get attached. But all she wants is a different life— a normal one. She’s spent thousands of years living lie after lie, and now she’s ready for something real.
Sweet, sexy, and steady, Wilder Bell feels more real than anything else in her long existence. And most importantly… he’s not an artist. He doesn’t want her for her ability. But she can’t turn off the way she influences people, not even to save a man she might love. Because in small doses, she can help make something beautiful, but her ability has just as much capacity to destroy as it does to create. The longer she stays, the more obsessed Wilder will become. It’s happened before, and it never turns out well for the mortal.
Her presence may inspire genius.
But it breeds madness, too.

I saw Cora saying about this book on her website awhile back now and I was excited about it then and now there's a cover for it I'm even more excited, the cover is stunning and the synopsis sound very interesting.


What are you waiting on? 

Book Review: Lost and Found (Lost and Found, #1) by Nicole Williams

(Click image to take you to Goodreads)

Buy: Amazon UK | Amazon US | Book Depository

Format: Kindle

Publishers: Indie

Published: 7th May 2013

Pages: 353

Genre: New Adult, Contemporary Romance

Main Characters: Rowen, Jesse, 
Date Read: 2nd October - 9th October 2014

Rating Given:

Synopsis:
There’s complicated. And there’s Rowen Sterling.
After numbing pain for the past five years with boys, alcohol, and all-around apathy, she finds herself on a Greyhound bus to nowhere Montana the summer after she graduates high school. Her mom agreed to front the bill to Rowen’s dream art school only if Rowen proves she can work hard and stay out of trouble at Willow Springs Ranch. Cooking breakfast at the crack of dawn for a couple dozen ranch hands and mucking out horse stalls are the last things in the world Rowen wants to spend her summer doing.
Until Jesse Walker saunters into her life wearing a pair of painted-on jeans, a cowboy hat, and a grin that makes something in her chest she’d thought was frozen go boom-boom. Jesse’s like no one else, and certainly nothing like her. He’s the bright and shiny to her dark and jaded.
Rowen knows there’s no happily-ever-after for the golden boy and the rebel girl—happily-right-now is a stretch—so she tries to forget and ignore the boy who makes her feel things she’s not sure she’s ready to feel. But the more she pushes him away, the closer he seems to get. The more she convinces herself she doesn't care, the harder she falls.
When her dark secrets refuse to stay locked behind the walls she’s kept up for years, Rowen realizes it’s not just everyone else she needs to be honest with. It’s herself.

“You think you deserve this. You think you deserve to be alone and suffer. You've convinced yourself you’re so worthless that you've gone to the extreme to punish yourself. You think you deserve a life of misery.” 

I bought this book last year not long after it was released as it was 77p which I thought was a bargain (at the minute on Amazon UK its free!!). I don't know why it has taken me so long to start this book but I now wish I had started it sooner...

I love this cover and the main reason is the use of colours they are stunning especially used together, although now that I have read the book I'm a little surprised that the cover used these particular colours as throughout the book colours was mentioned but only dark colours well until closer to the end when she started using brighter colours.

With this book when I first started it I wasn't sure I was going to like it as Rowen seemed far too troubled and had done really bad things including drugs but I carried on reading it and I am so glad that I did as I found it one of the most enjoyable reads that I I have read this year. I have read a few new adult books now and they are pretty much the same kind of story (but I don't care as they are mostly all brilliant) but instead of having a bad boy it was a bad girl with the good boy which I kind of liked it this way which surprised me as I do usually like the main boy characters to be a bit bad but not this time. I loved the romance side of the story as it felt like I could feel their chemistry sizzling of the ages but as well as lust there was some sweet moments when both Rowen and Jesse opened up to one another. I did feel like there was a lot of emotions throughout as one minute I would be laughing out loud but there was also moments that had me in tears I was a bit up and down with my emotions. The ending was sweet with a lot of questions answered but obviously with there being another two books there was still questions that needed to be answered making me very excited to find out what is going to happen with Rowen and Jesse.

I loved nearly every character in this book as for the most part they where so nice but there was a few exceptions making it a more thrilling journey. Rowen seemed to be the most troubled character in this particular book and it showed in her attitude. Once she went to Willow Springs she starts to work through her issues and therefore opening up to the Walker family. Speaking of the Walker family they where so sweet and was always there for each other and even Rowen. Obviously my favourite Walker would have to be Jesse as he was so good but also a bit of an edge to him which I think we will get to know more about in the next book. There was also Garth who came off as the bad boy but I have a feeling that there is more to him than meets the eye and I can't wait until book 3 which he will have his own book.

Overall this was a great start to what I hoe will be an amazing series. This was my first book by Nicole Williams and seeing as I loved it so much I know it won't be my last.

“He bent his face into the curve of my neck. “We don’t deserve anything Rowen. We don’t deserve punishment, we don’t deserve happiness, life owes us nothing. Realize that.” His voice wasn't gentle anymore; it was as strong as I’d ever heard it. “So we have to take what we want because life sure as shit isn't going to freely hand it over.” He kissed the skin just above my collar bone. “And I want you.” 

Showcase Sunday #100

Showcase Sunday is a weekly Meme that I am taking part of. This weekly meme is hosted by Vicky over at Book, Biscuits and Tea.

Click images to take you to Goodreads.

Physical Books

 

I received Whisper the Dead for review from Bloomsbury I just need to read the first one. I bought Black Ice in hardback from Asda for £5 which I think was a great bargain.

Review Kindle Books

 

  

  

 

I couldn't believe the Grave Mercy and The 100 was available on netgalley considering they are both out in the shops but I couldn't help myself as they where on Read Now. I am looking forward to reading all of these books for review.

What did you receive this week?

Waiting on Wednesday - Someday Maybe by Ophelia London

"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...

Someday Maybe (Definitely Maybe #2) by Ophelia London

Expected Publication: 20th October 2014

Synopsis:
Some guys are impossible to forget.
Rachel Daughtry has a 10-year plan that leaves no room for mistakes. Or not-so-serious boys—including Oliver Wentworth, the freshman boyfriend she's never forgotten. Now she's back in San Franciso with an awesome-slash-scary new job. Unfortunately, The Plan doesn't cover things like meeting her best friend's new “secret” guy...Oliver.
Fortunately, no one knows that Rachel and Oliver were ever together, and endless bikini wax torture couldn't make Rachel hurt her friend. But it's killing Rachel. She's not over him. Not even a little. And as her 10-year-plan crumbles around her, Rachel realizes that maybe—just maybe—Oliver feels the same way.
Now Rachel is on the verge of losing all control. And her best friend. And the love of her life...

I never realised there was going to be another book to accompany Definitely Maybe but I'm so glad there is because if its half has good as DM then it will be amazing.

What are you waiting on?... 

Book Review: 13 to Life (13 to Life, #1) by Shannon Delany

(Click image to take you to Goodreads)

Buy: Amazon UK | Amazon US | Book Depository 

Format: Paperback

Publishers: St. Martin's Griffin

Published: 22nd June 2010

Pages: 308

Genre: YA, Paranormal Romance

Main Characters: Jessie, Pietr, 
Date Read: 18th September - 28th October 2014

Rating Given:

Synopsis:
Everything about Jessie Gillmansen’s life changed when her mother died. Now even her hometown of Junction is changing.  Mysterious dark things are happening. All Jessie wants is to avoid more change. But showing a hot new guy around Junction High, she’s about to discover a whole new type of change. Pietr Rusakova is more than good looks and a fascinating accent—he’s a guy with a dangerous secret. And his very existence is sure to bring big trouble to Jessie’s small town.It seems change is the one thing Jessie can’t avoid.

“What makes a man a man are his deeds, his responsibilities, and his reactions... These things are also what makes a man a monster.” 

I was actually gifted this book awhile back now but I have finally gotten around to reading it and I'm glad I have gotten around to reading it as it was a really good book.

I do like this cover especially with the blending more than one image into the one cover which I always think looks effective. I also love the colour as it is one of my favourite colour. Just by looking at this cover you can tell straight away what the book is going to be about which doesn't happen much any more.

It did take me a little while to get into this book as I was easily distracted about what was going on around me rather than what was happening in the book which for me is never a good thing. Once I got a little further into the story more things was happening making it more entertaining. In nearly every series I have read the first book always takes its time to tell us readers the paranormal aspect and this one was no different but there was a lot more hints of what was to come that I don't usually get. The romance side of the story kind of annoyed me as Jessie never seemed to make her mind up until it was too late. Also for most part there was no romance and then all of a sudden it was like they where together when in fact they couldn't have been as the guy was seeing someone else even if he didn't want to. I really enjoyed the second half of this book as there was a lot of things that happened with a few twists and turns that I wasn't expecting. The end was kind of good because it did leave me wanting more but there was a lot of unanswered questions.

For the most part I liked the characters. Jessie was a strong female character but she did annoy me at times as she changed her mind a lot and it usually came out of no where. I did feel for her with everything that had happened with her family life. Pietr I really liked as he was a lot more open than most male characters but obviously there was a few secrets but he did want those secrets aired with Jessie. He was always there for Jessie even when she couldn't see it which made me feel for him. I did like both of Jessie's and Pietr's family with only one exception. Max would have to be my favourite of Pietr's family as he was really funny. I thought I wasn't going to like Derek but there was a moment when I thought I wouldn't but that was cleared up and I understood where he was coming from but he was no Pietr. The one character I didn't like was one of Jessie's friend Sarah as even though a lot of the time she seemed sweet there was times when she went back to her mean ways from before her accident.

Overall it did take a little while to get into but in the end it was a good start to this series and I do look forward to seeing what is going to happen with the rest of the series.

“Beauty's only skin deep.
Everybody has ugly days.
We're all made of the same stuff underneath.
Acting right is better than looking right.
Realize what make you special beyond looks.
Evil can look pretty on the outside.” 

Showcase Sunday #99

Showcase Sunday is a weekly Meme that I am taking part of. This weekly meme is hosted by Vicky over at Book, Biscuits and Tea.

Click images to take you to Goodreads.

Kindle Books Bought

  

I had sold a book to a facebook friend and seeing as you can get loads of kindle books cheap I was able to get a few. I recently read After Math by Denise and loved it so much I just had to get the next book in the series as well as one of her other series which was only 77p for the complete boxset. I loved the first two books in the Mad World series by Christine which was really good and now I can't wait to see it from Shane's pov.

Free Kindle Books

  

Review Kindle Books

  

 

What did you receive this week?