Stella's Awakening- A Review

Good evening, bookworms! Happy (almost) Friday! It's a rainy Thursday evening my way and it's actually matching my mood because my latest read has positively destroyed me. I figured, why not share a review and make all of you suffer with me? I think it's pretty brilliant. 

On a quick side note, I have a few projects in the works, and plan to make some announcements soon, but for now, you can find The Blabbing Bibliophile is officially on Twitter! If you have interest in anything literary, give me a follow here. 

Anyway, back to the book on deck. It's a debut novel from up-and-coming author R.K. Ryde and I am so beyond blown away, I'm sure this review won't make any sense. I love my romance novels and I adore a solid book boyfriend, but I think I have to say, if there are any sexy and steamy reads that are a MUST for 2016, Stella's Awakening is absolutely the number one for the year (on my list anyway). 

I am left absolutely shattered by this story. Conrad and Stella have thoroughly ruined any heart I thought I may have! I can't tell you how close I am to hopping a plane from the States out to Australia to beg and plead Ryde for book two right this very instant because I'm so distraught!! I need answers, and I absolutely need more of this couple! She could write twenty plus books about these two and I'll still need more. 

I tried as best as I could to savor the pages of this stunning tale, but I wound up having zero control and wound up devouring all 495 pages in less than a 48 hour period. 

Stella Welsch is a thriving name in the interior design world. Her business and client list is ever-expanding, but her success came at a price. Being raised as a sheltered Jehovah's Witness, her education and independence aren't necessarily looked upon with unwavering pride. 

Conrad Adams is a mogul and one of Australia's most eligible bachelors. When he spots Miss Welsch window-shopping at Tiffany's with her usual morning coffee, he knows instantly that he wants her in any way he can possess her. Striking up a business deal for an office makeover, the two become friendly on a professional level, but before it can cross a line into any gray areas, Stella takes a step back and cuts ties with the Adonis. Her devout beliefs frown on much of what Conrad is looking for; true love and a soul mate. It doesn't seem like too much to ask, but for Stella, she could lose everything she's ever known.

In a moment of weakness, Stella finds herself contacting Conrad for help. Her head and her heart are conflicted and it's all down (or up) hill from here on out. The pair have a walk and a heart-to-heart and become inseparable. Conrad is patient and attentive with Stella while she teaches him about her past and the demons she's been hiding for years. Through mutual respect and time spent understanding one another's boundaries, their feelings escalate relatively quickly, and life becomes a fairy tale for the two. 

Unfortunately, the other shoe has to drop. I had a feeling something was lurking in the depths, but all Hell broke loose and I was left wanting to scream in the middle of my office. Hence my heart going bye-bye. 

I don't remember the last time I met a man as enamored as Conrad was with Stella. He is gentle, kind, patient, and fiercely protective of her delicate innocence and I couldn't help but swoon over him for looking out for her. It made me glad to know how instantly devoted she was to him as well. When it came to their partnership, she was united with him and never questioned her morals. Yes, her inner voices battled it out on occasion, but never to the point she ran scared or frightened from his presence. She was bold, brave, and inquisitive about how worldly people like Conrad dealt with relationships. Her willingness to learn made it so easy for them to fall head-over-heels so quickly. 

I also learned a great deal about her Witness lifestyle, and knew that would be the couples main obstacle. I knew little about the belief but knew it was a strict practice. The intricate politics behind the scenes were uncomfortable to deal with since I felt protective of Stella as well. I just wanted to see her and Conrad happy, but with her family and church community having such strong convictions, the pair knew an attempt at bliss would come at a price neither of them wanted to pay. 

My heart aches for them both individually, and as a couple. I'm scrambling for book two because I have so many unanswered questions! Ryde did a fantastic job of tearing my heart out  and leaving splinters when it came to these two, both in their good moments as bad. I'm left speechless as to convey my emotions properly. I'm clouded, and in an absolute funk until I get book two in my hands. 

My Final Rating: five out of five stars

The Bad Ones- A Review

Take Dexter, Bonnie & Clyde, and the psychos from Scream, and you've got The Bad Ones. I don't even know what to say about this story except that I lost sleep so I could finish it before I hit the hay. I couldn't leave myself in limbo. Right from the beginning, you know there's something not quite right with Dulcie or Constantine. She's in the guidance office of her high school being lectured about her future while he's conveniently found near the site of a burning car in the student lot. Wh Hey hey hey out there to all of my bookworms and bibliophiles! Today, I bring you a new review! I took this weekend off from reading (well, Saturday and Sunday anyway) because it was just too hectic with life, and also, I watch my bookish shows on the weekend. Saturday is my Outlander night with some fellow Sassenachs of mine, and Sunday I lose my mind over Game of Thrones (which I still have yet to pick up and read as a series... guilty). Anywhoo, I got this book in the mail last week and I was actually waiting for Monday to arrive so I could get the time to pick up and start reading again. This is one I had seen all over my social media feeds accompanied by freak-outs from fellow reader friends of mine, so obviously I had to give it a go. It's The Bad Ones by Stylo Fantome. From the cover alone, I was a bit nervous going into the text, but I was also intrigued enough that I couldn't seem to stay away. Take Dexter, Bonnie & Clyde, and the murderers from Scream, and you've got The Bad Ones. I don't even know what to say about this story except that I lost sleep so I could finish it before I hit the hay. I couldn't leave myself in limbo. Right from the beginning, you know there's something not quite right with Dulcie or Constantine. She's in the guidance office of her high school being lectured about her future while he's conveniently found near the site of a burning car in the student lot. When they bump into each other in the middle of campus, it's clear that their future would be eternally entwined. I have never read a romance (if you actually want to call it that) quite so dark before. When one thinks of a "dark romance" you think of a couple trying to fight through issues so they can attempt a life of normalcy and happiness together. Not with these two. They're crazy and content to be so. If you've ever wondered if psychopaths could find love, this book will answer that question. On their own, they're disturbed at best, but together, they cause nothing but destruction. Although I couldn't understand them or their ways of thinking, I found myself itching to turn the pages to see what would happen next. They were such a twisted couple, that I couldn't seem to look away. They lived by raising hell and dealing with any obstructions to their lives together, and while their actions were so wrong, I couldn't bring myself to hope that they would get caught. I wanted to see what they could and couldn't get away with, and I was not disappointed! Maybe I need help if that's what I thought of these two. I shouldn't be cheering for the bad guys, but, sadly, I did, and I'm not sorry... My Final Rating: five out of five stars

Love Letters to the Dead- A Review

Happy Saturday, bibliophiles! I hope you're all enjoying a lovely weekend discovering new worlds and new characters! I've been working on a few exciting projects that I plan to tell you about soon, but for now, I wanted to bring you my latest book review! Love Letters to the Dead is the debut novel from Ava Dellaira. I had noticed this book on a few of my B&N runs, but I finally decided to grab a copy on a binge haul. 

This was an interesting take on trying to deal with loss. I admit, I was drawn to the stunning cover, but the story was intriguing as well. 

Laurel has just lost her older sister, May, for reasons unknown to us, and relocated to another school. The unexpected passing of her much adored sibling left her family in tatters, and she's just trying to cope and find her way again. When her English teacher gives the students a project to write a letter to a dead person to turn in at the end of the class period, Laurel discovers an outlet for her thoughts. 

Amelia Earhart, Kurt Cobain, Jim Morrison, Janis Joplin, Elizabeth Bishop, Heath Ledger, Alan Young, and a few others appear as recipients for Laurel's story. Through her letters, she is not only able to connect with the deceased and put her soul down on paper, but she's also able to come to terms with the night her sister left, and feelings she wasn't ready to handle. 

While this is sold as a YA read, and readers get all the happenings of high school drama, we also understand how everyone deals differently with death. We meet friends of Laurel's and witness her day-to-day as she moves on, but we get the bigger story and her innermost thoughts, which, for me, was the focus of the story. 

I adored this story. I've dealt with a tremendous amount of loss in my own life (unfortunately), so I was able to relate to Laurel quite a bit. The writing was stunning and read a little like poetry, so even though I was reading about death, there was something naturally beautiful woven into the pages as well.

Anyone who has not only had to cope with loss, but unexpected loss, should go pick up this book. It also looks like Ava is working on the screenplay for the movie adaptation, so we'll be seeing more of Laurel in the future! 

My Final Rating: five out of five stars

Cupcake- A Review

This was a very cute (and steamy) read. Meeting Gray and Pippa was an absolute treat, pun intended! They're both workaholics, and neither are looking for a relationship or to be tied down and nagged, until they meet each other, and the chemistry flies off the charts. They try to keep things as casual as possible, but they know it won't last. Within days, they know they need each other more than the air they breathe. If you're looking for a sweet treat to take up some time on a lovely afternoon,Hey again, bibliophiles! I know... another review. I'm so sorry (not really). I've been burning through books lately and have to post my reviews because if I let them sit for a day or two, they'll just get backed up and then you'll REALLY be bombarded by bookish reviews!  Anyway, it's been a slow(er) day at the office, so in my spare time, I decided on a new read, and settled on this sweet novella by M. Andrews. As I've stated earlier, my TBR is beyond stacked up. Whether they're tangible books on my shelves, or on my iBooks or Kindle apps, I'm overwhelmed, which means, I've been having the toughest time trying to decide what to read next (I really need to get on that jar idea already). I took a night to sleep on a few top choices I had, and finally settled on cracking the cover of Cupcake. This was a very cute (and beyond steamy) read! Meeting Grayson and Pippa was an absolute treat, pun intended! He's a rookie football player for the Boston Minutemen, and she's the brains and beauty behind Pippa's Just Desserts. They're both workaholics, and neither are looking for a relationship or to be tied down and nagged, until they meet each other. The chemistry flies off the charts. They try to keep things as casual as possible, in order to satisfy their mutual sparks, but they know it won't last and that something more is sizzling below the surface. Within days, they know they need each other more than the air they breathe, and decide to REALLY commit to one another. If you're looking for a sweet treat to take up some time on a lovely afternoon, go indulge in these two! They'll make you see the decadence of desserts in a whole new light! My Final Rating: four out of five stars

The Player (The Game Maker #3)- A Review

Hello bibliophiles and bookworms! The week is coming to an end, and I seem to be on a roll with my Reading Challenge, so I figured I'd keep up the pace and bring you another review! It's The Player by Kresley Cole! While it is a third in the series, The Game Maker, there was a gap between my readings with books one and two, and this third installment, hence why it is standing all by its lonesome. You can check out my combined review of the first two books, The Professional and The Master here. They'll help to serve as a foundation as to where Dmitri comes from in his brooding storm of a persona. 

Let me start off by saying that I had no idea Dmitri was getting his own book (that, or I just completely forgot amid the chaos that is my library and endless TBR). Anyway, as soon as it was on my radar, it was all but overnighted to my house thanks to Amazon. I was nowhere near disappointed! 

I'm not even going to pretend I understand where Victoria or Dmitri are coming from in their family situations (you'll understand at the end.. they're a bit cuckoo), but their lives work for them and that's why I had to go ahead and say that neither of them are nutters. 

Victoria's family owes a debt, and it's a large one. She's known con games for as long as she can remember, and it's honestly all she does know. It's when her work brings her directly into the path of one Dmitri Sevastyan that her life not only takes a complete 180, but is also set on the fast-track. Within days of meeting, Dmitri is talking marriage and Victoria finds it impossible to say no. After weeks together and really getting to know each other, the lovers seem completely blissful, until Victoria's family make a discovery that seems to pop the bubble of happiness and send both Dmitri and Victoria crashing back to earth. Will new revelations, confessions, and past demons tear these two apart, or make them stronger than ever? 

Their story sounds like absolute lunacy, and to an extent, it really is, there's no denying that little fact. However, there's also something enviable about their instant need and draw to one another. It's complete fairy tale and story-book, a life that's seemingly unrealistic,  but Dmitri has zeroed in on Victoria and has had her in his crosshairs since day one. She may have been burned a few times in past relationships, but Dmitri promises to give her the goddamn world, and he does. 

Trust me, they have moments of less-than-stellar swoon city emotions, but doesn't every couple? They did a lot of things in an unconventional way, and they have a lot to work through, but their determination and resilience for one another and their relationship almost make you want to believe a true happily ever after could exist in this world. I both adored and despised them for the unwavering affection they obviously had for one another, through both good and bad.

My Final Rating: five out of five stars

 

Paper Princess (The Royals #1)- A Review

Hey there, bibliophiles! Happy Tuesday! Today, I'm bringing a review for a new book in a new series! Normally, I wait until the series is completed and just review the whole batch, but this just came out and I couldn't wait! It's Paper Princess by Erin Watt which is the pseudonym for authors Elle Kennedy and Jen Frederick. Time to dive right in and tell you all about this story!

I wasn't quite sure what I was in for when I started this book, but I sure enjoyed the ride!

Ella is orphaned (mom died of cancer and dad also passed without meeting his child) and finds herself under the protective wing of her new guardian, Callum Royal. Callum was an old friend of her father's, and sees it as his duty to look out for Ella and make her a Royal in her own way. Being with Callum means being with his boys... All five of them (Gideon, Reed, Easton, Sebastian, and Sawyer). While she just wants to make it from high school to college, they want to make her life Hell on earth.

I wanted to smack all of these boys... Repeatedly. Of course they were just being males and making assumptions about a girl they didn't even know. I kept screaming for Ella to just run far away from them. Take whatever money she had saved from working and just go. Kudos to her for being the stronger one of the two of us and sticking with her plan to not let these guys break her. When she proves herself among them and their peers at school, she absolutely kicks ass and finally earns some respect. I was waiting for just that moment.

Easton was one of my favorites. I know he has demons, but I love the dynamic he and Ella had as pseudo step-siblings. I think they both need each other in that regard.

Reed, is a whole other animal. As much as I want to be mad at him, I just can't. He wasn't worthy of Ella in the beginning, but when he finally calls a truce with her and they work out their issues, he begins proving himself. As much as I still want to be fuming with him over how he and Ella left things in that Royal Mansion, I still can't, I think something fishy is in the air.... So I need book two asap so I can get to the bottom of it and all can be well again!

My Final Rating: four out of five stars

 

 

My Favorite Shoppe- A Literary Adventure!

Hey hey out there to all of you book lovers! Happy Sunday to you (if it's still Sunday where you are). Today, I had a bit of an adventure and I felt I just had to get on here when I got the chance and tell you all about what happened! This is book related, I promise!

With the weekend comes down time (if I'm lucky), and sometimes, one of my friends and I take "Sunday Funday drives". We simply get in the car with a few destinations in mind, and head out on a spontaneous trip and see what the day brings. Somehow, we almost always find outdoor festivals, art shows, and random events. Today was no different. After some deliberation, we decided we would trek an hour from the good, old garden state and head across the river to Pennsylvania. Normally, we wander into New Hope and take a gander at the antique and art boutiques before grabbing a cafe lunch and whatnot.

Today was not much different. We headed in that general direction, but into another portion of New Hope called Lahaska and we found Peddler's Village. If you're ever in the area and need something fun do do on a quiet Sunday, I urge you to take a stroll around this place! It's so quaint and lovely to just lose yourself in some shopping, good food, and scenery for a bit.  It's like stepping back in time and it couldn't have been more needed at the time by yours truly. I could NOT get enough!

Anyway, my friend and I popped into some shops and enjoyed a window view at brunch to people watch. It's when we wandered into My Favorite Shoppe that I felt I truly hit the jackpot. Inside this mini-paradise were assorted gifts ranging from jewelry to household essentials, antiques, and contemporary trinkets. 

What caught my eye, however, were the cases and stacks of books. Old and new, for adults and children, the shelves and cases were packed and I didn't know where to look first! Luckily for me, there was a gentleman there who was so informative and helpful, and needless to say, I was in utter heaven. 

I stayed lost among the shelves for quite awhile (I wish I had gotten more pictures of the cases, because they were enchanting). What I loved most was the amount of rare and first editions that were on hand. Not only did I get to look through the information provided by the card written in each book, but the man who helped me was just as in love with literature as I was. Aside from a few university professors I had the privilege of studying with, this gentleman was extremely knowledgable on the books I happened to pick up and peruse. Obviously, I couldn't leave empty-handed, and it was nearly impossible to depart with just a few titles, but rare books are a bit pricey, so I decided to build up my collection slowly in that regard. The ones I left with this afternoon were The Haunted Grange of Goresthorpe, The Seven Seas, and The Call of the Wild. 

The Call of the Wild: 

As the card states, this was a very rare and early 1906 printing of the famous Jack London novel. There is an inscription inside dated September 1st of that year to Frank Masou from Uncle Sam. That personal touch gave this one just a touch of personal sentiment. Also, shortly after this edition was printed, they stopped putting portraits on the covers. 

The Haunted Grange of Goresthorpe: 

While this short story was published in 2000, it's still considered rare. It is a first publication of an otherwise known ghost story written by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. It's a collector because there are only 500 copies circulating in the world and it is no longer in print. Even though it's new(er), I still find this one my favorite among the treasures I purchased today. 

The Seven Seas: 

This is one of the most famous collections of poetry by Rudyard Kipling. You may know him as the author of The Jungle Book. With the popularity soaring due to the new Disney movie, the prices matched the mini-hysteria. There was a rare (and stunning) copy of those stories on the shelf as well, but I wanted to get something a little less known, even to me. I had no idea Kipling published poetry! This is a First American Edition from 1897 and also includes an inscription from July 4th of the publication year. 

Needless to say, I am over-the-moon that I found this shop and such a helpful and informative man to geek out with regarding my love of books. I learned so much that I should have taken notes. There are facts I had been told about these books that I don't even remember. While they did put a tiny dent in my bank account, they were 110% worth the money. My classics section of my shelves are vast and I do own quite a bit (not to toot my own horn), but I have never had the privilege of owning such pieces. I can only hope to visit my new literary friends at this store one day soon and see what else they have (They get new novels on a weekly basis)! 

Like I said, if you are in the area and need a bookish place to go and visit, this store is an absolute MUST! You will NOT regret the pieces you are guaranteed to come across. 

I think it's time I go give these books a sniff (yes, they smell divine), and give them a proper home on my shelves. Until next time, bibliophiles... happy reading! 

How To Tame Beasts and Other Wild Things- A Review

Happy Friday, bibliophiles! I know, I've been posting like crazy. I'm sorry (sort of). I've been plowing through books lately. I'm not quite sure how since every time I crack a book open or pull up one of my reading apps, every person in the world interrupts me in some way, but I'm managing! That being said, I'm excited to bring you my latest review from the lovely A. Wilding Wells. This book involves a beast of a Brit who wears the crap out of a kilt, so I knew I was on board right from the very beginning. I know my last blog post was rather lengthy with a bit of idle chat, so let's just get into How To Tame Beasts and Other Wild Things.

I received this book after putting in a request for an ARC copy via my latest obsession, NetGalley. I'm not entirely sure why it took me so long to discover this site, but I'm happy I finally did. I can't seem to get enough! I digress...

A widowed father of young twin boys collides with his eclectic and unique sister in-law when she leaves her apartment in Paris only to show up on his doorstep at his farm in Wisconsin.

They're polar opposites  (they say opposites attract) in an absolute Green Acres situation. Matilda's father holds a trust fund over her head until she finds Balthazar a new woman to be the ideal wife and mother to his boys, Jax and Jinx. Balthazar needs to keep the farm that is in his father in-law's name, but he has sworn off relationships entirely after his wife, Lavinia (Matilda's sister), left him and wound up dead in a car accident.

Rough around the edges, these two have no choice but to live under the same roof and play nice. Nice leads to flirtation which leads to so much more. It's when they finally open their eyes and really see each other that things become utterly chaotic. Between their demons of the past, and the future they're trying to mold as a new family unit, will they wind up making the long haul into forever, or giving up on something good before it can truly begin?

This story was an absolute roller coaster, but I found myself enjoying every minute. Maybe I'm a glutton for punishment. There were times I wanted to smash their stubborn heads together, and times when I could've used fifty more chapters of their amazing (and sizzling) chemistry. Their story is very different (I'm not just saying that). With the family they're creating and the lost family that comes into their lives from years prior, it builds for an absolutely unique situation.

In all honesty, I didn't always agree or understand why the characters thought or acted the way that they did, but it was interesting to see such a different point of view than what I'm used to when seeing events play out. I may have wanted to scream bloody murder every time these two did, but I wound up being completely content and thankful by time I closed the book.

My Final Rating: four out of five stars

 

 

 

Book Hauls and What's On My Bookshelf

Hello there, bookworms! I've been meaning to get to this post for awhile, and I finally got the time to sit down and get it to you, so I hope you enjoy it because it's going to be a bit of a lengthy one. My apologies in advance!

Lately, I've had a few friends and family messaging and texting me asking me for book recommendations, which causes my brain to all but short out because I slip into geek mode so fast. I'm sure by time the conversation is over, they're ready to run for the hills and wish they never asked me for my input because I go insane shoving books their way. I have to hope and keep my fingers crossed that they take a few of my suggestions, because talking about a mutual love of a book is one of the greatest and simplest pleasures I have in this life. To be able to properly fan-girl and discuss ideas and aspects of plots and characters with my people makes me giddy to the bone.

Also, as a fan of the "what's in my bag?" topic on YouTube (I know.. massive nerd, but they help me think of items to carry that I may randomly forget), I thought I would give you a glimpse into the books I'm reading, what's coming up on my TBR (to be read) pile, and also provide a bit of a method as to how I go about deciding what to buy on my bookish shopping lists for my B&N. Hopefully, this post will spark some discussion, and inspire some of you to break out of your reading box and discover new genres. I'm ALWAYS looking for something new to read, so I know I appreciate a great suggestion (or several) from others. Now is my time to pass it on and spread the literary love. Enjoy some new reads, and feel free to keep me posted if you decide to pick any of these up for your own collections!

I have a few months of shopping hauls to catch up on.. so I'm done rambling. Here's some books:

November 3rd Haul:
These are some classics I have on my TBR, and some I've already read and love to re-visit from time-to-time. 
1) The Short Stories- Ernest Hemingway
2) Greek Classics- Cliffsnotes
3) The Short Stories- F. Scott Fitzgerald
4) The Complete Sherlock Holmes- Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
5) Far From The Madding Crowd- Thomas Hardy
6) The Divine Comedy: Inferno, Purgatorio, Paradiso- Dante
7) Tess of the D'Ubervilles- Thomas Hardy

November 13th Haul:

This was one of my random B&N wanderings. I had my trusty goodreads app open as I browsed my TBR I built to see if any titles jumped out at me. These books I adopted were the results. 

1) Good Omens- Terry Pratchett & Neil Gaiman

2) Miss Peregrine's Home For Peculiar Children- Ransom Riggs (I've since bought the rest of the trilogy)

3) The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer- Michelle Hodkin (I've since bought the rest of the trilogy)

4) Confess- Colleen Hoover

5) November 9- Colleen Hoover

January 3rd Haul:

This was my birthday haul, so I took myself on a date and went a bit cuckoo. 

1) The Outlander 2016 calendar - This was on sale.. so it was a great deal! 

2) The Complete Poems- John Keats

3) First Touch- Laurelin Paige

4) Beowulf- J.R.R. Tolkien

5) The Canterbury Tales- Geoffrey Chaucer

6) Hollow City- Ransom Rigg

7) Library of Souls- Ransom Rigg

8) Myths of the Greeks and Romans- Michael Grant

9) The Nightingale- Kristin Hannah 

January 17th Haul:

I joined Emma Watson and her Shared Shelf feminist-inspired book club via goodreads. Also, I'm forever looking at grad schools, so this led to a bit of an eclectic batch of books. 

1) My Life on the Road- Gloria Steinem

2) Cruel Crown- Victoria Aveyard (this is the sequel to Red Queen which I purchased earlier in the year)

3) Grad's Guide to Graduate Admission Essays- Colleen Reding

February 5th Haul: 

Who doesn't love book mail? I know I do! Both of these purchases are parts of series, so if you're thinking of purchasing either one, make sure to go online and look at what order the books are posted in among the overall series. 

1) Wicked Sexy Liar- Christina Lauren (Wild Seasons Series) 

2) The Shadow- Sylvain Reynard (The Florentine Series)

February 28th Haul: 

This was another random outing to B&N. Many weekends, I find myself wandering the shelves of my local store either with a friend in tow, or taking myself on a date, and leave with my arms hurting, and my bank account significantly smaller. This was one of those trips. I also decided to replenish my romance shelves. 

1) Mine- Helenkay Dimon (Holton Woods Series. I also own the rest of the series)

2) The Selection- Kiera Cass (The Selection Series. I've since bought the rest of the series)

3) Beautiful Boss- Christina Lauren (Beautiful Bastard series. I own the rest of the series) 

4) Mercy- Helenkay Dimon (Holton Woods Series)

March 19th Haul: 

I have no explanation. It was a wild weekend and I just went bonkers with taking items off of the shelves. 

1) Doctor Who Coloring Book- I wouldn't be a proper Whovian without one!

2) Exposed- Jasinda Wilder (Madame X Series) 

3) You- Caroline Kepnes (You Series)

4) Hidden Bodies- Caroline Kepnes (You Series)

5) The Elite- Kiera Cass (The Selection Series)

6) The One- Kiera Cass (The Selection Series)

7) Madame- Jasinda Wilder (Madame X Series) 

April 1st Haul: 

I was gearing up for all things Outlander and picking up what I could of the end of a series I was reading. 

1) Outlander edition of TV Guide

2) Happily Ever After- Kiera Cass (The Selection Series novellas) 

3) The Heir- Kiera Cass (The Selection Series) 

4) Scarred Souls- Tillie Cole (Scarred Souls Series) 

April 2nd Haul: 

You're reading the dates correctly. I went to B&N twice in two days. 

1) The Siren- Kiera Cass 

2) Love Letters to the Dead- Ava Dellaira

3) An Irish Country Girl- Patrick Taylor (Irish Country Series. I also own part of this series) 

4) The Girl You Left Behind- JoJo Moyes

5) The Ship of Brides- JoJo Moyes

April 14th Haul: 

Here's a glimpse of the books I have en route to me via Amazon. Some of these I read as ebooks, and some I have yet to read. Either way, I want the paperbacks on my shelf. 

1) An Irish Country Christmas- Patrick Taylor (Irish Country Series)

2) Gone Girl- Gillian Flynn

3) Paper Princess- Erin Watt (The Royals Series) 

4) The Bad Ones- Stylo Fantôme

5) The Player- Kresley Cole (The Game Maker Series) 

6) 44 Chapters About 4 Men- BB Easton

Lastly, I thought I'd give all of you a glance at my TBR shelf. These are (mostly) books from the prior hauls that are on deck. What is not pictured are other novels I have on my larger book cases, books that I have on my iBooks app, and books that I have on my Kindle. If that were the case, we'd be here until at least tomorrow. If you'd like me to do another post about what I have on those devices, feel free to let me know and I'll get to it next! 

1) Myths and Legends

2) Red Queen

3) Cruel Crown

4) A Brief History of Time and Space

5) The Book Thief

6) Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children

7) Hollow City

8) Library of Souls

9) Beowulf

10) Myths of the Greeks and Romans

11) The Secret History

12) The Devil in the White City

13) The Complete Poems

14) The Canterbury Tales

15) Lord John and the Private Matter

16) Lord John and the Hand of Devils

17) Lord John and the Brotherhood of the Blade

18) The Scottish Prisoner

19) Grey

20) Ulysses

21) The Ship of Brides

22) The Girl You Left Behind

23) The Siren

24) Love Letters to the Dead

25) Madame

26) Exposed

27) The Bookman's Tale

28) Pride and Prejudice and Zombies

29) An Irish Country Doctor

30) An Irish Country Village

31) An Irish Country Girl 

Well, if you're still here, thanks for sticking with me! Future haul posts most-likely won't be nearly as long, I just had a lot of catching up to do at the moment. I've been dying to post this one for awhile (clearly). I hope this blurb was able to give you some ideas as far as what to read next, or will maybe spark some discussion if you have already read any of the books listed above. Lastly, like I said earlier, I'm always taking suggestions myself, so send some of your ideas my way! 

Until next time... happy reading and have a lovely weekend! xx

Scarred Souls (Raze #1 and Reap #2)- A Series Review

Happy Thursday, bibliophiles! Friday is upon us, and with its approach, I bring you all another book review! Get excited, because it's a good one AND it's a twofer! That's right, it's two books in one! I'm talking about the Scarred Souls series by Tillie Cole. I saw this book floating around on my Instagram feed and knew it would be one I had to pick up in my travels. It was just so pretty and had such an intriguing plot! Once I owned it and opened it, I just couldn't put it down. 

I absolutely adored these stories! They were emotional, heartbreaking, and I could not possibly imagine what Luka and Naal had to go through in their young lives. It shattered me completely. Making anyone fight to the death is unimaginable, but making children take part in such a blood sport all but gave me a migraine to carry with me through the pages. 

In Raze, we meet Luka, otherwise known as  prisoner 818. He was taken to a gulag in Alaska for crimes he didn't commit when he was just a teenager. Trained to fight, and fight to kill, that's all he knows. It's when he's able to break out years later, that his life takes a turn. 

His friends, family, and even his girl, Kisa, think him dead, but little do they know, he's been lurking in the streets and training for revenge on the people who put him away  on false charges so many years ago. He's back and ready to Raze hell in order to get to his family, and the girl he's belonged to since birth. 

Reap tells a vastly different story, but one that is still linked to the beloved Luka and dark days in a fighting ring. Naal is the son and heir of the Georgian Mafia, also a fighter, and a trained, drugged killer. Taken from his massacred family when he was just eight years old, he became the ideal prototype for a slew of experimental drugs given to him by his Master. His memories are wiped as are his emotions. He's simply a killing machine, a dog forced to obey his Master, prisoner 221.   

Luka, who had been in the gulag with Naal's brother is on a mission to rescue him from the only life he can remember. Although their families are mortal enemies, (Luka Tolstoi of the Russian Bratva and Zaal Kostova of the Georgian Mafia) the brotherhood of survival in the death ring are stronger. Luka refuses to let Naal be forgotten. 

When Naal is freed and detoxing from the black market drugs in his system, he meets Luka's sister, Talia, and his life takes a turn from anything he's ever been familiar with in the last twenty years.  "You are...for me?" is a line that will make any girl's heart go pitter-patter. With the help of Talia, Zaal learns to recover and attempts to gain his life back. Surnames and a divide among their families won't keep these two apart.  They're determined to see this through and be each other's missing half. 

Scarred Souls were tales of survival, strength, war, determination, and undying, eternal love. While 818 and 221 might be trained killers, they become so much more. Their courage  knows no bounds and stems from the unbreakable women who stand by their sides for better or worse. 

If I'm not mistaken, I believe there is a third book coming in this series, entitled Ravage . Needless to say, I can NOT wait!

My Final Rating: five out of five stars

 

Crossfire- A Series Review

Good evening, bibliophiles! Two posts in one day? What is happening? It's me trying to catch up on the blog posts I want to bring to all of you. I've been slacking, so here's hoping I can start to get back on schedule. 

Tonight, I'm pretty excited because I'm finally bringing you one of my favorite series I've ever read! The books tonight were some of my first real glimpses at the romance genre, and I basically got sucked in afterwards. I'm talking about the Crossfire series by the one and only, Sylvia Day. I read the trilogy over three years ago, and waited for books four and five to be released before properly reviewing the complete set. Needless to say, that day is finally here! Let's delve into the world of Crossfire Industries, shall we? 

Bared to You is where we first encounter the force that is Gideon Geoffrey Cross. He's brooding, isolated, and the master of his own universe, but little does he know, an encounter with a feisty blonde is going to change everything he's ever known. 

Eva Tramell is a recent transplant to New York City from San Diego, California. Gideon Cross is the mogul of majority of Manhattan, one of the most eligible bachelors, and owner of Cross Industries. One day, when Eva takes a jog and visits where she'll be working as an administrative assistant to a massive advertising firm, she winds up in the lobby of the Crossfire, and in the path of one Gideon Cross. When they literally slam into each other, the ground shifts, and both of their worlds are forever turned upside down. 


I just need to say that I am SO glad I met these two! To say I was obsessed with Gideon's intensity and Eva's strength right from the beginning is a total understatement. I had times when I wanted to keep Gideon in my own bed and other times, I was so angry with him that my heart broke...because I still loved him anyway. I can NOT get enough of this man  or this couple! 


If you want a sexy read similar to Fifty Shades but actually written well, I highly suggest this series!

My Final Rating: five out of five stars

Reflected in You means more Gideon, and more heartbreak! Mine was in my throat for such a chunk of this book and although I had faith in Eva and Gideon, I still worried nonstop. 

When most couples are just starting out, their lives are like a fairy tale and everything is perfect. Gideon and Eva are not most couples, and I kind of admire them for it, because I just had a feeling in my gut that they'd fight for each other. Both of them have pasts consisting of abuse, and as two survivors, they must learn to navigate and build a life together, while also trying to banish their demons once and for all. It's when those pasts come back to haunt them, that all hell breaks loose, and they wind up on the brink of losing everything they've created as a couple. 

What a sexy sequel. I couldn't put it down yet struggled with trying to pace myself just so I could spend more time with this amazing pair.

My Final Rating: five out of five stars

I love love loved the third installment in this series, Entwined With You!! I know some other reviews felt it was dragging when it didn't need to, but personally, I adored every second! With book two being the emotional rollercoaster that it was, it seemed like book three and their attempt at a happy ending wasn't possible. I'm so glad that us readers got something worthwhile after everything this couple had been through in their short time together. 

I'm a total sucker for having all loose ends tied up and this did it and I STILL crave more of this couple. I know it seems pointless to keep going with this story to make books four and five, but I think since this series has been bought to be adapted for television, I could see it still going. Oh goodness, Gideon on my tv every week.. Now that makes a girl all warm and fuzzy inside. I can't wait! 

My Final Rating: five out of five stars

I've waited over a year for more Gideon, and I finally got that with Captivated by You. Sylvia Day does NOT disappoint! I couldn't form words for this installment once I was done with it.  

Gideon and Eva.. Will this couple ever catch a break? They really do get hit from all angles in this book, but I love how fiercely they hold onto each other to try and get through every obstacle. After book three was done, I breathed a sigh of relief thinking that they got their happily ever after and were in the clear from turmoil, and I was 110% wrong on all counts. 

After a private vacation, the couple have a massive secret they're trying to keep under wraps and enjoy for a little while, but once they get back to Manhattan, it seems the world has turned against them, and their bubble of happiness bursts. 

Gideon is a dream, as usual. I totally need one of my very own. He's fantastic, despite how shattered he has been throughout his life. Eva is such a good match for him, so I wish people would stop trying to destroy what they're trying to build together. I would personally enjoy some Cross babies next but who knows! 

I could NOT imagine what book five would bring, nor the television series! Sylvia could honestly write 20 books about Mr. Cross and I'd never tire of him, or his life with Eva. Now there's an idea!

My Final Rating: five out of five stars

The other day, book five, the last in the series, One With You was finally released. Despite a million interruptions, I finished it, and along with the bittersweet feeling of saying goodbye to this series, I'm also split in two on how I felt once I was finished. I'm sure most of you who have already read it may be wondering what I'm thinking once you see my final rating, but just hear me out. Honestly, I'll do my best to try to explain how my head is compartmentalizing aspects of this last installment. 

I've adored this series since I first met Gideon and Eva back in 2013. These characters were absolute forces to be reckoned with, complete and total storms brewing, and I loved every tortured, agonizing, whiplash minute of their journey. From Bared To You all the way through to One With You, I've enjoyed  seeing how this couple was able to grow and defeat not only their demons, but also every outside. 

For roughly 80-85% of this book, I loved where it was going. I was so excited for everything the pair had coming their way for once. Loose ends were being settled and all the people who tried to tear these two apart were being put in their place. Gideon and Eva were waiting so long for their happily ever after, and I was thrilled they were finally on the same page and ready for the next chapter.

It was towards the end when a random situation with Monica (Eva's mother) happened that everything turned negative for me, and I wound up disappointed. It caused the ending to feel rushed and left too much up in the air and not quite as happy as one would imagine if you were Gideon or Eva. 

Maybe it's because I hate endings (hello, guilty American here.. our shows and books go on for way too long), but if all that nonsense was going down out of the blue, the book could have ended there and then there could have been just one more story in the works. Having to crunch an ending into 50ish pages wasn't the way to go for me, and I was left a bit gobsmacked that after everything I went through with these two, that was all I would get as a way of tying everything up in a neat little bow. I'm trying to be okay with it, but for now, that ending along with the awareness of never having more Gideon and Eva in my life just leaves me feeling sad. If that makes sense. 

The four stars I decided on at the end are because when it comes to the couple themselves, they were perfection as always. I just love their dynamic, and I always have. I refuse to absolutely pan one of my favorite love stories just because of a choppy ending that I didn't picture in my head. No, I'm not happy with it, but I was immensely satisfied for so much of the overall series that I just don't have the heart to feel entirely crushed beyond repair. 

I suppose I'll just wait and see what licensing brings to the tv series (whenever that hits the small screen), and in the meantime, I'll keep my fingers crossed for at least a novella of some sort, because I just need more of these two, even if it's only a sliver.

My Final Rating: four out of five stars