Book of the Month - March 2016

I've read quite a few books this month although not all of them was great books but there was a couple that hit the spot.

Here's what I read in March:

• Fate (My Blood Approves, #2) by Amanda Hocking - 3.5/5
• The Hurricane (The Hurricane, #1) by R.J. Prescott - 5/5
• The Prophecy of Shadows (Elementals, #1) by Michelle Madow - 2/5
• A Thousand Pieces of You (Firebird, #1) by Claudia Gray - 3/5
• I Wish You Were Mine (Oxford, #2) by Lauren Layne - 4/5
• My Perfect Mistake (Over the Top, #1) by Kelly Siskind - 4/5
• My Soul to Save (Soul Screamers, #2) by Rachel Vincent - 2.5/5
• The Other Side of Gravity (Oxygen, #1) by Shelly Crane - 3.5/5 

And the book of the month goes to...

The Hurricane (The Hurricane, #1) by R.J. Prescott

This was my only five star read in March but even if there was ten five star books this would still be my favourite of the month as if I gave more than five stars this book would get it as I adored every moment of this book.

What is your book of the month?

Book Review: Fate (My Blood Approves, #2) by Amanda Hocking

(Click image to take you to Goodreads)

Buy: Amazon UK | Amazon US | 

Format: Kindle

Publishers: Indie

Published: 25th April 2010

Pages: 334

Genre: YA, Paranormal Romance, 

Main Characters: Alice, Jack, Milo
Date Read: 2nd March - 8th  March 2016

Rating Given:

Synopsis:Fate - the second installment in the My Blood Approves series...
Alice Bonham thinks she's finally found a balance in her life between the supernatural and real life with her brother Milo. Jack - her sorta vampire boyfriend - keeps her at arm's length to keep her safe. As for his brother Peter... she's not sure where he's at, or what he wants with her. Worse still, she's not even sure what she wants with Peter. 
When tragedy happens, Alice finds herself struggling with a terrible choice. Her decision has consequences that reach farther than she'd ever imagined...

I was really looking forward to book 2 in the My Blood Approves series as I loved the first one but for me book 2 was a bit of a disappointment.

I'm in two minds about these covers as I think they could be stunning photographs but I think it's a bit misleading as it gives a creepy feeling to me but this book is by no means a creepy book.

It took a very long while to get into this book and actually it wasn't until the last few chapters when I really started to get into it. Even though there was a few things going on I found myself thinking that it wasn't written in a way to capture my interest. A lot of things that happened really annoyed me to the point I felt like throwing my kindle across the room. I felt that the romance side of the story was pretty much non-existent even though there was something going on between the two main characters I didn't feel any chemistry. There was a couple of things that happened that I wasn't expecting and some of those really shocked me which I liked. As I said the end of the book really got interesting to the point of me wanting and even excited for the next book.

Some of the characters was better in this book than they where in the first book and then the others that didn't grow annoyed me. For me Alice was a lot more likeable in this book than she ever was in the first book. I really felt for Alice at times with the way that everyone was treating her and even though at times she was a bit whiney I could understand where she was coming from. I wasn't a huge fan of Jack's in this book as he just kept shutting Alice out without any explanation but there was times when he was the Jack that I liked from the previous book. Milo was in this book loads more than the first book but unfortunately he changed (in more was than one) as he really annoyed me quite often. The rest of the characters from the first book wasn't really in it that much and apart from Peter the others kind of annoyed me.

Overall, I was expecting a lot more from this book but for me it showed signs of suffering from second book syndrome. I will continue this series if I can actually get books 4 onwards as it looks like its been discontinued from Amazon UK but I hope I'm wrong.

Top 10 of 2015 - Best Book Covers

Best book covers of 2015 (Must be a book released in 2015. Would be best if it's a book you've read in 2015, but it's not required.

10.

First & Then by Emma Mills

I love the simplicty of this cover as well as the colourfulness of it. I do need this one on my shelf just so I can see if it looks as good in person as it does on the computer.

9.

The Substitute ( The Wedding Pact, #1) by Denise Grover Swank

What draws me to this cover is the softness of it as it gives it a romantic feel to the cover. I love that the cover is inkeeping with the actual story which is always a plus in my eyes.

8.

Never Never by Brianna R. Shrum

I love the look of this book especially the use of colours as I feel it's in keeping with the actual story.

7.

Angel of Redemption by J.A. Little

I think what makes this book stand out to me is the way that it's done in black and white which is always something that I will love. As well as the tattoo's I also love the style of font used.

6.

Static (The Luminaries, #2) by S.K. Anthony

The Luminaries series has the best covers and this one is no different although I do prefer book one just a smidgen more.

5.

Hero by Samantha Young

This one does have a similar look as the previous book but for me this one is a little bit better as I think the whole thing works well together plus the effect of it stands out for me.

4.

Frostfire (Kanin Chronicles, #1) by Amanda Hocking

I think for me it's the scenery that makes this cover stand out as it just looks stunning. The use of colour using mainly white with that hint of red sets the whole cover off nicely.

3.

The Orphan Queen (The Orphan Queen, #1) by Jodi Meadows

The use of light and shade in this cover really does make this cover what it is. What really does stand out in this cover is the cape it looks beautiful.

2.

Beautiful Redemption (The Maddox Brothers, #2) by Jamie McGuire

For someone who doesn't like birds (apart from owls) I'm surprised at how much I love this cover. I think the reason why I don't mind the wing in the foreground is that it reminds me of an angels wing.

1.

The Heir (The Selection, #4) by Kiera Cass

For me no other cover can touch The Selection covers and I feel like they get better and better as the series goes on. Everything about this cover stands out and no matter whether I like this series or not I still will have to get the books just so I can have them sitting on my shelf.

What is your favourite covers of 2015?

Showcase Sunday #118

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.

I have a few more books that I usually do as it was my 30th Birthday in September so naturally I got a Amazon voucher which I have spent a bit of but I still have some left over. Here's what I received in the month of September!

Paperback Books Recieved

  

 

I received Yours Tonight and Nymphs for review from the publishers. I got the rest for my Birthday.

Kindle Books Bought

  

I've wanted to read all these books since the moment I had heard about them and now I've finally gotten around to buying them thanks to my voucher.

Free Kindle Books

  

I didn't get many free books this month as there wasn't many that I really wanted to give a try this past month.

Kindle Review Books

  

  

 

Looking forward to reading these books in the upcoming months.

What did you receive this month/week?

Top 10 of 2014 - Day 5

 I had so much fun with this last year I had to join the fun again. This meme is hosted by Two Chicks On Books click on the above button to heard over to their blog.


Top 10 Books I’m looking forward to in 2015. (This list should be comprised of books released ONLY in 2015)

Click on images for the synopsis

10.

Sapphire Skies by Becca Fitzpatrick (Expected Publication: 08/10/15) - I loved Becca's Hush Hush series so anything that she releases I will be excited about.

9.

Conspiracy Girl by Sarah Alderson (Expected Publication: 12/02/15) - I do actually have an arc for this one, I'm looking forward to reading this one I just hope it's as good as her other books.

8.

Frostfire by Amanda Hocking (Expected Publication: 06/01/15) - This is a spin off series to the Tryelle series which I fell in love with.

7.

Dead of Winter by Kresley Cole (Expected Publication: 06/01/15) - I have only read the first one in this series but I loved it so much that I am now looking forward to see what happens in the end.

6.

Lady Midnight by Cassandra Clare (Expected Publication: 09/15) - Another Mortal Instruments spin off but I am still excited about it.

5.

The Return by Jennifer L. Armentrout (Expected Publication: 17/02/15) - The spin off that we've all been waiting for from the covenant series even if I haven't quite finished that series I can't wait to start this one.

4.

The Substitute by Denise Grover Swank (Expected Publication: 21/01/15) - I love the sound of this book, it sounds like a light read.

3.

The Ruby Circle by Richelle Mead (Expected Publication: 10/02/15) - I am so sad that this series is coming to an end but on the other hand I can't wait to find out how it will all end.

2.

Beautiful Redemption by Jamie McGuire (Expected Publication: 27/01/15) - I am so excited about this book as I have loved everyone in this series and I'm sure this one will be no different. The only reason why this isn't number one is because it's Thomas's book and I haven't been too sure about him but I'm sure that will all change once I get my hands on this book.

1.

The Closer You Come by Gena Showalter (Expected Publication: 31/03/15) - I was so excited that Gena was giving us a new series as I have adored everything that I have read of her's then I read the synopsis and now I am beyond excited. Is it March yet?

Book of the Month #36

I've not had a too bad a month of reading which I'm pleased about.
Here's what I have read in September:

• My Blood Approves (My Blood Approves, #1) by Amanda Hocking - 4.5/5
• Possess by Gretchen McNeil - 3.5/5
• Her Best Shot (Hot & Nerdy, #1) by Shannyn Schroeder - 4.5/5
• Saving Grace (Mad World, #2) by Christine Zolendz - 5/5
• Beyond Repair by Charlotte Stein - 3/5
• Reluctantly Royal (Suddenly, #3) by Nichole Chase - 5/5
• Her Perfect Game (Hot & Nerdy, #2) by Shannyn Schroeder - 2.5/5
• After Math (Off the Subject, #1) by Denise Grover Swank - 5/5
• 13 to Life (13 to Life, #1) by Shannon Delany - 4/5
• Hope for Her by Sydney Aaliyah Michelle - 2/5
• Flaming Hot (Firefighters of Lanville , TX, #2) by Lynn LaFleur - 3/5

And the book of the month is...

I know I had a few 5/5 books but this one stood out to me as I loved it so much and the only thing wrong with it was that it wasn't long enough!

Book Review: My Blood Approves (My Blood approves, #1) by Amanda Hocking

(Click image to take you to Goodreads)

Buy: Amazon UK | Amazon US | Book Depository

Format: ebook

Publishers: Indie

Published: 15th April 2010

Pages: 181

Genre: YA, Paranormal Romance

Main Characters: Alice, Jack
Date Read: 2nd September - 7th September 2014

Rating Given:

Synopsis:
Teenager Alice Bonham's life feels crazy after she meets Jack. With his fondness for pink Chuck Taylors and New Wave, he's unlike anyone she knows. Then she meets his brother, Peter. Even though he can't stand the sight of her, she's drawn to him. Falling for two guys isn't even the worst of her problems. Jack and Peter are vampires, and Alice finds herself caught between love and her own blood.

After reading other books by Amanda Hocking and absolutely loving them I thought I would try some of her other books and seeing as this was cheap I thought I would start with this one. It did take me a long time before I started this but once I did I thought to myself why did I leave it so long?...

I really do love this cover and although its not my favourite cover in this series it is still one of my favourite covers out there. I love everything about this cover especially the colour which really does work well for the setting of this particular story.

From the moment I started this book I was addicted to it as I never wanted to put it down even when I knew I had to and when I did put it down I was thinking about it and wondering what was going to happen next. There was a few of things that happened that made me not want to give this book the full 5 out of 5 and one of those things being there was no real action which I do love in my books especially a vampire book. The other problem for me was the relationship between Peter and Alice as it felt forced and not real. I did love the relationship between Jack and Alice as their feelings seemed more real as they seemed to grow rather than instantly. It was a little confusing the relationship between these three as there was a lot of things that was happening that just couldn't be explained but I do hope that will change in the next books. I would say there was a couple of things in this book that was very similar to Twilight especially with the needy heroine that would rather die than be apart from peter and Jack and the rest of their family. I kind of liked the ending as it cleared a few things up but also left it wide open for the next book.

Apart from one character I kept changing my mind on each of the characters. Alice at first I thought was going to be annoying as she was very selfish which she was still that way at the end but I also thought she grew into a better person throughout the book. Jack I started off really liking as there was just something good about him but like Alive he did have annoying moments but in the end it was hard not to like him. It was really hard to know how to feel about Peter as he seemed too mean but once we find out a bit more about him I got where he was coming from. My favourite character had to be Alice's brother Milo as he was so sweet and I just felt sorry for the way Alice treated him at times. There was times that I forgot he was the younger sibling as he sure didn't act like it.

Overall this was a great start to what I hope will be an amazing series. If this series goes like all Hocking's other series it will get better as the series continues.

Waiting on Wednesday - Frostfire by Amanda Hocking

"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...

Frostfire (Kanin Chronicles, #1) by Amanda Hocking

Expected Publication: 6th January 2015

Synopsis:
Bryn Aven is an outcast among the Kanin, the most powerful of the troll tribes. Set apart by her heritage and her past, Brynn is a tracker who's determined to become a respected part of her world. She has just one goal: become a member of the elite King’s Guard to protect the royalty. She's not going to let anything stand in her way, not even a forbidden romance with her boss Ridley Dresden. But all her plans for the future are put on hold when Konstantin– a fallen hero who she once loved – appears to be up to something dangerous, kidnapping changelings. Bryn is sent in to help stop him, but will she lose her heart in the process?

This book is a spin off to the Tryelle trilogy which I am so excited about as I absolutely loved the Tryelle series so I'm hoping this one will be just as good.
On another note that cover alone would draw me in (yes I so judge a book by its cover)


What are you waiting on?