30 September 2015

Waiting on Wednesday - Mind Games by Jana Oliver


"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...

Mind Games (The Demon Trapper's, #5) by Jana Oliver
Expected Publication: 15th November 2015

Synopsis:Riley Blackthorne’s life as a Demon Trapper is about to hit the wall. Knowing she will always be a target for those who want to exploit her “connections” with Hell, she’s learning defensive magic. It seems the only way to ensure she and her fiancé, Denver Beck, have a future together. But not everyone in Atlanta, or at the Vatican, is pleased by this news. In fact, some want to ban the use of all magic, and Riley would make the perfect scapegoat.
As a new demonic enemy stalks her, Guild politics roil the city, throwing the trappers into chaos. To protect herself and the man she loves, Riley will be forced to choose: continue in her legendary father’s footsteps, or carve her own path. A path that may well lead to her losing everything she so desperately seeks to protect.

I didn't know that there was going to be another full length novel in the Demon Trapper's series so it was a nice surprise to see that there is going to be another one and I for one can't wait as I have loved this series. 

29 September 2015

Book Review: Unravel Me (Shatter Me, #2) by Tahereh Mafi

May contain spoilers from the first book!

(Click image to take you to Goodreads)

Format: Paperback
Publishers: Harper Collins
Published: 31st December 2013
Pages: 461
Genre: YA, Paranormal Romance, 
Main Characters: Juliette, Adam, Warner
Date Read: 1st September - 24th September 2015

Rating Given:
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Synopsis:The New York Times bestselling sequel to the groundbreaking dystopian novel Shatter Me! Kami Garcia, coauthor of the #1 New York Timesbestselling Beautiful Creatures series, says Unravel Me is "dangerous, sexy, romantic, and intense. I dare you to stop reading."
Juliette is still haunted by her deadly touch. But now that she has teamed up with other rebels with powers of their own, she'll be able to fight back against The Reestablishment to save her broken world. With the help of these new allies, she'll also finally learn the secret behind Adam's—and Warner's—immunity to her killer skin.
Unravel Me 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. Ransom Riggs, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children, raves: "A thrilling, high-stakes saga of self-discovery and forbidden love, the Shatter Me series is a must-read for fans of dystopian young-adult literature—or any literature!" 

I've had this book sitting on my bookshelf for a little over a year now and I have just gotten around to reading it and I don't know why I have taken this long to get to it as I loved the first one and this one was no different, it may not have been as brilliant as the first but it was still a great read...

I love the cover change as this cover is stunning, even if it did take me awhile to get to that point but I love it now. I would have liked to have seen the same cover as the first one's original cover as that was lovely too but that was only because now my Shatter Me series won't match.

It may have taken me a long while to get Unravel Me read but that was not because I didn't enjoy it in fact I loved it, it was just a busy few weeks and didn't have time to pick it up. I loved that there was always something going on even when there wasn't any fighting it still had something that kept me enthralled which is nice to see that it doesn't just have to have fight sequence after fight sequence to be entertaining. There was a bit of a twist that I didn't expect with the whole revelation of why Adam can touch Juliette. I didn't like the way Adam kept pushing Juliette as she thought she was doing the right thing but for him to make her feel bad keeping arms length I didn't like that. I did love seeing Adam and Juliette together in the beginning but in the end I was rooting for Warner and Juliette and I can't wait to see what comes out of that pairing they just seem so good together, team Warner all the way. I loved the ending as it felt very epic with the fighting and the light bulb moment for Juliette I for one can't wait to see what on earth is going to happen in the end.

I pretty much love all the characters but there was one that I hated and that would be Warner's Dad he is just pure evil. Juliette is such a good character in the way that she would do anything for anyone and she hates to hurt anyone even if they deserve it, but that all changed in the end so I can't wait to see how she is in the last book. I loved Adam in the beginning but during the book he annoyed me a bit as he seemed a bit too whiney for my liking. I loved Warner he showed a different side to himself in this book that just warmed my heart.

Overall, I loved this book but I do feel like it wasn't as outstanding as the first book but a great book nonetheless.

Cover Reveal: Angel of Redemption by J.A. Little

Bite me off a piece of that...COVER REVEAL
by J.A. Little
AOR-final copy

Synopsis:
Seasoned social worker Kayla Brooks has dealt with her fair share of difficult situations, but nothing could have prepared her for the likes of Dean Wyatt, head of Wyatt House Group Home for Boys. When a case unexpectedly brings Kayla to his door in the middle of the night, sparks fly. With a piercing gaze and heavily inked skin, Dean looks like a walking wet dream. Until he turns out to be an asshole. Dean Wyatt has always kept those around him at arm’s length. Secrets lurk beneath his tattoos—a traumatic past known to very few. Forced to work together in order to help two vulnerable boys, Kayla slowly penetrates Dean’s tough exterior. Along the way the two discover something they've each been missing—but only time will tell if they can overcome the painful past that’s kept anyone from bringing true happiness into Dean’s world. This book contains adult situations and sexual content. For mature audiences only. Angel of Redemption will be available on November 24th. Pre-order now to add this hunk directly to your bookshelf!

I love this cover! I think the black and white image makes this cover even more stunning than if it was in colour. I also love the sound of the book and I can't wait to start reading this which thankfully I have thanks to the publishers and netgalley.

25 September 2015

Book Review: Real (Real, #1) by Katy Evans

(Click image to take you to Goodreads)

Format: Kindle
Publishers: Indie
Published: 8th April 2013
Pages: 293
Genre: Adult/New Adult, Romance, Sport Romance
Main Characters: Brooke, Remington
Date Read: 6th September - 19th September 2015

Rating Given:
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Blurb:
A fallen boxer.A woman with a broken dream.A competition...
He even makes me forget my name. One night was all it took, and I forgot everything and anything except the sexy fighter in the ring who sets my mind ablaze and my body on fire with wanting...
Remington Tate is the strongest, most confusing man I've ever met in my life.
He’s the star of the dangerous underground fighting circuit, and I’m drawn to him as I've never been drawn to anything in my life. I forget who I am, what I want, with just one look from him. When he’s near, I need to remind myself that I am strong—but he is stronger. And now it’s my job to keep his body working like a perfect machine, his taut muscles primed and ready to break the bones of his next opponents...
But the one he’s most threatening to, now, is me.
I want him. I want him without fear. Without reservations.
If only I knew for sure what it is that he wants from me?

I have had this book sitting on my kindle for a couple of years and have only found time to read it and in a way I'm glad I waited as I'm not sure I would have liked it back then as I only just liked it this year...

I'm not a fan of this particular cover as it looks fake especially the body, plus I don't think his body looks as good as how Remy's was described. I do like the dark colours with the hint of red as the story is a little dark so it's quite fitting to have those dark colours.

When I first started Real I was in love with and I couldn't wait to read more. Everything about the beginning I loved with all the suspense and the chemistry between Brooke and Remy was on fire. The only thing was the ore that I read it the more it felt like it was repeating the same thing over and over again so it got boring and hard to read just before the halfway point, and what made it even harder was the long chapters so it felt even longer. I'm not a fan of long chapter but if a book is amazing I can cope with it but in the end this book just wasn't amazing for me. Even the romance between Brooke and Remy started to feel a little stale and very much possessive which I could understand from Remy with his background but not from Brooke. I did like the fighting aspect of the story although again it just felt like the same fight again and again until the last one. The other good storyline in Real was the whole Bipolar I haven't read a book with this subject matter before but I felt it was done well and could imagine that this was how someone with the illness could be like, it was a little dark but it was very understandable. The last chapter was a lot better and more like the beginning so it has made me want to read the next book but I will wait until it goes down in price as I don't want to waste my money on a book I may not even like.

In the beginning I really liked Brooke but the further I went into the book the more she annoyed me. She just kept throwing herself at Remy and yes he did seem interested in her but she should have respected his decision but she never she just kept shoving herself at him. She would've probably been more likeable if she had respect for herself. I loved Remy and the more we found out about him the more I fell for him he was such a strong character in more ways than one. I did like some of the other secondary characters as they added a bit more fun to the story but there was some characters that I hated as well.

Overall what started of as a brilliant five star read ended up flagging halfway through but the last chapter did improve the book again but not enough to go back to the five stars  as for me the damage was already done.

24 September 2015

Book Tag: Nintendo


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: Nintendo Book Tag:


1. NES (Nintendo Entertainment System): A classic you want to read?
The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum - I've had a special edition of Wizard of Oz for a few years so I really want to read it more than other classics that I have had my eye on.

2. SNES (Super Nintendo): A sequel you liked more than the first?
Pure (Covenant, #2) by Jennifer L. Armentrout - I did enjoy the first book but it took me a while to get into it but with the second book I loved it from the moment I started it, to the very end.

3. Nintendo 64: A book that revolutionised the way you looked at the world?
This is One Moment by Mila Gray - This one was hard as I like to read books as an escapism but I guess this book made me think about the world and how our soldiers give everything to fight for our country and not all come out unscathed mentally and physically.

4. Gamecube: A popular book that didn't go over so well with you?
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by J.K. Rowling - I'm being very controversial here but before you all start shouting at me I will say I love the Harry Potter series and will forever be one of my favourites. The reason why I chose this book as a popular book that I didn't get on with was because out of this series this one is my least favourite as I did find the beginning slow but it did get better as it went on. This is my opinion from when I first read it back when it first came out and I haven't reread it since so maybe I will give it another try and see but I don't hold out any hope as in the films again Chamber of Secrets is my least favourite.

5. Wii: A new favourite book?
Stage Dive series by Kylie Scott - I was able to narrow this one down by the fact I have finished the series now and I loved each and every book an amazing series that I would highly recommend to everyone!

6. Nintendo Power: Favourite graphic novel series or a series you want to start?
City of Bones: The Graphic Novel by Cassandra Clare - This was a hard one for me because I have never read a graphic novel and most likely never will as I don't think I will enjoy them. If I was forced to pick up one graphic novel I would go for City of Bones as I love the books so I feel like I would get on better with the graphic novel version.

7. Super Mario: A character you would like to squish like a Goomba?
America Singer from The Selection by Kiera Cass - America is such an annoying character who in both of the first two books has got on my nerves. 

8. Zelda: A newer fantasy that you consider a modern classic?
Harry Potter by J.K.Rowling - The only book I could think of for this answer was Harry Potter and I think that's because it is such a popular series that everyone has heard of even if they haven't read it.

9. Samus-Aran: Favourite sci-fi novel or one you want to read?
The Host by Stephenie Meyer - Another genre I tend to stay away from but I did read The Host as I wanted to read the new book that Stephenie Meyer wrote and I really enjoyed it but even though I enjoyed this one I still avoid sci-fi but I don't know why as I would probably like them.

10. Pokemon: Book editions that you want to collect?
The Mortal Instruments by Cassandra Clare - There's new covers for TMI which look stunning which I feel like I need but I would also like other versions of this series as they all look stunning.

11. Donkey Kong: A book with original characters?
Inspire by Cora Carmack - I've read so many paranormal books with the same kind of mythical characters but with Inspire the main character was original and new for me with her being a muse, there may be other books about muses but this one was the first for me.

12. Nintendo Fandom: Favourite Nintendo games or a game you really want?
I haven't played many Nintendo games but out of the ones that I have the Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games has to be my favourite it was so much fun to play at christmas with the whole family.

23 September 2015

Waiting on Wednesday - Thicker Than Water by Brigid Kemmerer


"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...

Thicker Than Water by Brigid Kemmerer
Expected Publication: 29th December 2015

Synopsis:On his own
Thomas Bellweather hasn’t been in town long. Just long enough for his newlywed mother to be murdered, and for his new stepdad’s cop colleagues to decide Thomas is the primary suspect.
Not that there’s any evidence. But before Thomas got to Garretts Mill there had just been one other murder in twenty years. 
The only person who believes him is Charlotte Rooker, little sister to three cops and, with her soft hands and sweet curves, straight-up dangerous to Thomas. Her best friend was the other murder vic. And she’d like a couple answers.
Answers that could get them both killed, and reveal a truth Thomas would die to keep hidden…

I've read a few of her Elemental books and I have enjoyed them so I'm excited to read a new series from Brigid.




What are you waiting on? 

16 September 2015

Waiting on Wednesday - The Other Side of Gravity by Shelly Crane


"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...

The Other Side of Gravity (The Oxygen Series, #1) 
by Shelly Crane
Expected Publication: 2015

Synopsis:
My name is Maxton and I’m a trader.
I live on a soulless planet where gravity, oxygen, and everything else are sold to the highest bidder on the black market. People are sold on the black market, too. You have to work really hard not to become one of those people. Pay your taxes, keep your friends and family close, and more than anything else—don’t get caught by the Militia. But all the rules changed for me the day I found her.
My name is Sophelia and I’m a stowaway.
I’ve been a slave for almost as long as I can remember. Waiting for the one day, one second, for my proprietor to turn his head so I could run and never look back. Now I'm on the run. And on a planet where no one is on your side and people would turn you in for a good meal or a piece of a silver, being on the run on Landu is the last place you want to be. Until he found me.
I won't survive without him.
I can't breathe without her.

I've only read one of Shelly Crane's books which was Significance and I loved it so much I need to read anything by Shelly and this one is no different plus it helps that, that blurb sounds amazing.




What are you waiting on?

10 September 2015

Book Tag - 7 Deadly Sins of Reading

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: 7 Deadly Sins of Reading:

I am not claiming this picture as my own – I found it on Google. The image its self is of the homunculus from Full Metal Alchemist. The sins from left to right: Sloth, Greed, Wrath, Pride, Gluttony, Lust and Envy. Wording used from The Reading Pile.

Greed - What is your most inexpensive book? What is your most expensive book?
 
I have brought a lot of free books from Amazon and Significance was one of many but that one was my favourite free read ever. I don't really spend a lot on my books hardbacks are usually the dearest, however I did buy a special edition of Wizard of Oz. I can't remember how much it was but it was dearer than your average hardcover cover book.

Wrath - What author do you have a love/hate relationship with?
 
Alyson Noel - I loved the first two Immortals books but the further I went into the series I got fed up with it and the characters. Then I went onto her Soul Seekers series which started off ok but book two not so much. I haven't read anymore books as of yet but I will try some more eventually and hopefully they will be as good as Evermore but I'm wary about them.

Gluttony - What book have you deliciously devoured with no shame whatsoever?
 
I adore both of these books and reread them within the space of a month or so and I feel like I need to read them again this year as well and hopefully I will get around to them soon.

Sloth - What book have you neglected due to laziness?
I've had this book since its release but I haven't gotten around to reading it as of yet I keep wanting to read it but every time I look at the sheer size of it, it puts me off plus after reading the previous books I know that the chapters will also be long which also puts me off reading short books let alone long books like this one.

Pride - What book do you most talk about in order to sound like a very intellectual reader?
I don't talk about certain books just to come off intellectual I talk about them if I love them. The only kind of books I could even think of for this answer would be college/university books that I had to read to get a better understanding of the subject but not to make me sound like an intellectual reader although since the books I read in Uni where about design and the different signs used makes me feel like I could sound like an intellectual reader if I wanted to come across that way.

Lust - What do you find most attractive in male or female characters?
This one is so hard it really depends on the way in which the characters are written because there are times when I love the bad arrogant boy but recently I also love the good guy as well. The most common trait that most of the guys that I like in books are they are funny, tall and fit. I'd say that all the Stage Dive guys written by Kylie Scott all have attributes that I love as they all come across as a guy I would love.

Envy - What book would you like to receive as a gift?
Another hard question as I pretty much get books that I want however, I am so far behind on books by Abbi Glines I have the first few in all of her series but then I stop getting them for some reason. I also get very envious over people who are able to get signed books, I do have a few but not by any of my favourite authors :(

6 September 2015

Book Review: Making a Play (Hometown Players, #2) by Victoria Denault

(Click image to take you to Goodreads)

Format: Kindle
Publishers: Forever Yours
Published: 8th September 2015
Pages: 288
Genre: New Adult, Contemporary Romance, Sport Romance
Main Characters: Rose, Luc
Date Read: 1st September - 5th September 2015

Rating Given:
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Synopsis:He'll do whatever it takes to win—on and off the ice. 
Luc Richard is the hottest player in the NHL—and it has nothing to do with hockey. His racy relationship with his supermodel ex set the tabloids on fire but nearly put his career on ice. To avoid being traded, Luc agrees to take a break from the spotlight—and from women—and spend the off-season at home in Silver Bay, Maine. It's the perfect plan... until he reconnects with Rose. 
Rose Caplan is tired of being shy, sweet, and safe. She's ready for passion, romance—and Luc. Having loved him longer than she can remember, she's finally ready to prove she's not the same innocent little girl he once knew. Off the ice Luc doesn't do games, but this new Rose makes him feel like playing a little dirty. If he's really got a shot at her heart then he's not just playing to win. He's playing for keeps.

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

Another cover that I'm in two minds over as I do think the guy on the cover could definitely be Luc but the tattoo doesn't look right you can tell it's been photoshopped on him.

After loving the first book in the Hometown Players, One More Shot I was very much excited about book 2 and for the most part it lived up to my high expectations there was just a couple of things that annoyed me apart from that it was a really good and entertaining book. I loved that Luc and Rosie started off as friends as it gave their romance more believability which was definitely needed as there was a couple of times that I didn't see any deeper feelings it felt like it was more lust than love until the end and then it felt like there was more to their relationship than just sex. A big dramatic scene happens towards the end that left me thinking what just happened there and even though it was a bit predictable I still was on tenter hooks to see how everything got resolved. I did like the ending but I would have liked to have seen them either a couple of years or months later but I suppose it won't be too bad if they are in the next book like Jordan and Jessie where.

Rosie started off as a kind and sweet girl but then she tried to change herself to get the guy which I hated as she shouldn't have to feel like she needed to do that and she didn't really even though it kind of came across as she did as he did take notice but what she didn't know was he had always liked her. I liked Luc but I didn't love him as some of the things that he did annoyed the hell out of me plus he came across as a little shallow. I really liked Callie in this book so I'm glad hers is the next book in this series and I'm very intrigued as to how her story will play out.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book but it wasn't as amazing as the first book but I'm still excited about her next book in this series.