A Bookish Announcement!

Good morning, bibliophiles, and happy (almost) Friday! First off, I had my 100th bookish post the other day, and I was so anxious to get to the review, that I didn't even notice until two days later. Shame on me. I'm kind of blown away that I've written so many posts already. It feels like such a short time ago (and I guess, in a sense, it was) that I chose to even start a blog. I've had several fun and interesting experiences since I began this little space, and I can only hope to keep the momentum going and expand onwards and upwards! 

Today, however, I can finally get you all up to speed on some of the  updates that I've been working on behind the scenes. I've had a few projects in the works, that will be coming to you all soon, but the one I'm most excited about is the launch of my website. 

As of midnight last night/this morning, it's officially official! I have finally launched and you can now visit The Blabbing Bibliophile ! It's not quite where I want it just yet, but I built it all on my own and I plan to add more and update as often as I can. For now, I hope you enjoy browsing and telling a few friends so we can spread the literary love! 

Thanks for joining and sticking with me on this hobby I've slowly turned into a journey. It's taken on a life of its own and I can't wait to see where it leads all of us next!! Until next time, happy reading! xx


 PS- please feel free to leave comments or send me e-mails with feedback telling me things you'd like to see on the site! I'd adore suggestions so I can keep improving the space!

Playing For Love- A Review

Hey all! I apologize, I'm a bit distracted this evening. I have this project going on that I'm hoping to announce sooner rather than later, but it's something I'm trying to navigate on my own and I'm getting frustrated because it's unknown territory. While I have finished my latest read early this morning, I'm just getting around to telling all of you about it now. Bear with me. Tonight, I'm reviewing Playing For Love by  J.C. Grant. This is the sequel to her debut novel, Playing for Keeps which I reviewed awhile ago. You can find that review here. 

If you are not a reader or fan of erotica, I suggest you turn back now! 

I'll be anxiously anticipating book three because here I was, happily turning pages, waiting for what was next, and, BAM! Story ends. I have so many questions, and so much has yet to happen. I not only want but NEED.. desperately NEED more of these two asap. 

David and Austin are back and are being whisked away on a private jet for their wedding. We essentially find them where we last left them, and are ready to encounter the next chapter of their lives as a couple. 
If you have read this book, or my previous review of book one, you know that these two have relationship and boundary issues. They're both massively screwed up characters and I'm not even going to pretend to understand their logic or head space, because I honestly didn't. However, I knew they had this instant connection and could work through their obstacles to reach their happily ever after. Their bond was stronger than anything that was trying to keep them apart, as long as they were willing to fight for each other. 

I tried to look past their flaws, because they each had a TON of them. David is beyond possessive, and Austin is indecisive to the point it could jeopardize their whole relationship, but when they finally do communicate (in whatever method they choose... most of the time it's sex), they make tremendous progress. What was important for me in this story was the fact they remained united when their exes of sorts kept trying to ruin their marriage. David was fiercely protective of his wife, and Austin did what she had to do in order to go to bat for her man as well. It's in those moments that they each realize what they actually mean to one another. 

These two still have a ton of work to do and a lot of issues to overcome, but I'm confident they're making strides towards one main goal to be a happy and strong couple. I can't wait to see what's next for this pair. I'm sure it will be an interesting albeit sexy adventure!

My Final Rating: four out of five stars

Your Mess Is Mine- Cover Reveal!

Hey all! It's a rainy Tuesday in my neck of the woods, but I'm still bringing you a review a bit later, and also, a cover reveal! Get excited! I know I am! I'm not even going to ramble about this, but rather, just post the info so you can start saving copies to wish lists or clicking that "pre-order" option! Ready??



Your Mess is Mine by Stephanie Alba
Releasing May 31, 2016

Add on Goodreads – http://bit.ly/1SVlycj
Amazon – http://amzn.to/1OcjwQI

Synopsis:

I don't trust people who follow their hearts. Hearts are peculiar things. They're necessary muscles that keep us alive by pumping blood and oxygen into our veins. Hearts are also compulsory, often making us foolish. They pull us towards others with a force that aches, burns, and satiates you all at once. Before you know it that mass of tissue is no longer yours.
Maybe mine never was.

In my case, that draw came from a stranger that left my heart feeling both fulfilled and consumed. I didn't expect to fight her for the last standby seat to New York City. I didn't plan on letting her get under my skin. Or the way her vulnerability tore me up inside and compelled me to care for her. She didn't plan on letting me witness her chaos.Her anxious heart and my perfectionist mind let things get messy.

And though we didn't plan for it, our interrupting of each others' lives was exactly what we needed.

Sometimes the mess is the most beautiful part of life.

 

Isn't it stunning?? I am chomping at the bit for this one!! I can't wait to read and review! 

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

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

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

 

All Things Outlander Appreciation Post!

Good evening to all my bonnie lads and lasses out there! As you all very well ken (or at least I hope you do), we’re on the eve of the Outlander season two premiere (in my neck of the woods at least) and Droughtlander will officially be over! Let us rejoice!!! Fans of both the acclaimed novels and the television series have been chomping at the bit, myself among them, and I can’t wait to see how Dragonfly In Amber will be adapted for the small screen! 

With the excitement looming and buzzing in the air, I’ve decided to create an appreciation post of sorts for all things in the Outlander universe, and formally thank Diana Gabaldon for the start of it all, her miraculous novels. Disclaimer: no, I’m not doing this because I’m a massive Whovian (fan of Doctor Who) and her concept stemmed from an old episode of the show, but that isn’t detracting from how much I want to shower this woman with praise for capturing me with her novels and inventive story. Bravo and massive brownie points, Gabaldon! 

Last summer, I took on the immense task of all eight of these books, and binged on the show as I read. After book one, I watched all sixteen episodes so I could compare the pages to my tv screen, and I was nowhere near disappointed. I was positively hooked. You can read my reviews of every novel here: 

Outlander 

Dragonfly In Amber

Voyager

Drums Of Autumn 

 The Fiery Cross

 A Breath Of Snow And Ashes

An Echo In The Bone

Written In My Own Heart's Blood

My journey with these books took me roughly seven-eight weeks to finish. I began Outlander in the middle of June, and finished Written In My Own Heart’s Blood going into the second weekend in September, and I’ve been overwhelmed and overjoyed ever since. 

Outlander tells the story of Claire Beauchamp Randall, a combat nurse at the end of World War II-1945. She’s reunited with her husband, Frank (a former solider and professor) and together, they journey to Inverness and the Highlands of Scotland to enjoy a second honeymoon. While reuniting and getting reacquainted, the couple take time to marvel at a set of standing stones the locals call Craig Na Dun. While exploring and studying the herbs and flowers scattered among the stones, Claire finds herself too close to one of the monoliths and winds up transported back in time to 1743, and in the middle of another war; the Jacobite rebellion. Scotland is at war with Britain to try to gain its independence, and they’re on the brink of the Battle of Culloden where majority of the Highlander culture was wiped out. Claire becomes entwined with clan MacKenzie, and eventually in the arms of one Jamie Fraser. Together, they must navigate the day-to-day, and adapt to not only each other, but a world that's changing rapidly around them. Circumstances lead the pair to an arranged marriage of sorts, and Claire not only finds herself torn between two different centuries, but the admiration and affection for two husbands as well. 

Throughout all eight (and soon-to-be nine) novels, we spend decades with Jamie, Claire, and even Frank. Just when you think these stories have gone everywhere and covered every available landscape, Diana comes up with another direction that adds another facet to this universe. Personally, I never want my time with these characters to end. I know one day it will, but for now, I choose to ignore such possibilities. 

Finishing these books (for now) left me positively speechless. I genuinely wanted to write, Tweet, Facebook, blog, or whatever the kids are doing nowadays, to Diana and gush about how much these stories meant to me. I knew I wouldn’t be telling her anything she hasn’t heard before, but at least maybe in my own space, I could attempt to organize my thoughts to be somewhat more coherent (yeah, right). All these months later,anxiously awaiting book nine and season two of the hit Starz series, I find myself in need to put my admiration from brain, to keyboard, to screen. I thought about being proper, formal, and professional to a degree, but instead, I figured I’d just keep my fingers crossed and hope what I’m trying to convey makes sense (because it does in my head, I swear). I may be the only one who reads this, but at least it's here, and anyone who wants to can be made aware that this fabulous universe is out there, so, in that case, you're welcome. 

Here’s a sliver of back story because I need to paint a bigger picture. I’ve been reading since before I knew how to read. My parents still tell the story of the time when I was five years old and trying to sneak some Charles Dickens off of my father’s bookshelf to read a massive book I couldn’t begin to understand. I grew up surrounded by books. Every summer I had to compile a reading list and do a certain amount of reading every single day before I was allowed to go outside and play with my friends and be a kid. At the time, I was not the biggest fan of my parents, or reading for that matter. However, as the years went by, I found myself reading more and more, and I even took up writing as well. As early as middle school, I would spend my lunch periods with notebooks, jotting down ideas for stories. Fast forward to spending years in college and graduating university with three degrees, two of which are in English Literature. What I’m saying is that my parents created a monster (of the best kind, of course). Now, as an adult, I have to say I wouldn’t have been brought up any other way. I’m so thankful to have developed such a deep love of literature spanning numerous decades, continents, and genres. 

Hopefully, I’m not too much of a monster. In all my leisure time, my schooling and classes, I’ve spent time with countless stories, worlds, and authors.  I’d study and read essentially from the time I woke up, and into the late hours of the evening. Even after school has finished, I have shelves crammed with novels and short stories that span the globe and range from old to new. With such seemingly infinite possibilities stored in my brain and on my shelves, Diana Gabaldon is easily keeping one of the highest ranks among my ultimate favorite authors. Classic or contemporary, I can’t for the life of me pinpoint a writer who has done the research she has done for these Outlander stories, and therefore, have not created what I would call a literary masterpiece the way she has with every single installment of this series.You would think with so much ground to cover, it would be easy to lose yourself in the writing process and wind up losing the plot somewhere. This never happens even once in any single sentence she has written. I don’t remember the last time I’ve been so thoroughly impressed and touched by every minute detail she has portrayed. Eight (thick) novels became a chunk of my life, and a chunk of my heart. I laughed, cried, became enraged, was left shocked, and felt the warm fuzzies in becoming an unofficial and silent member of the Fraser clan. From the history, clothing, wilderness, landscape, battles, culture, language, medicines, food, herbs, mannerisms, etc, I have been sucked in mind, body, and soul. I can not praise the phenomenon that is Outlander enough, but I think we already knew that (it’s essentially the title of this post). 

As I’ve said, in my own experience writing, I’ve always had stories, journals, and projects I’ve worked on, even as a child. I also walked away from every single word I’ve ever scratched down when having writer’s block, or simply getting bored with a plot. Writers like Diana inspire me to want to keep going with my own work and really put in the blood, sweat, and tears. The fact that she wrote Outlander in order to practice how to write a novel simply baffles me with how astonishing her debut work was, and astounded at everything it has grown to become. 

The only regret I’ve had with this whole experience is the fact that I haven’t gotten to these books sooner. To be fair, they started coming out in the early nineties, and I was still in elementary school. I am ashamed to say that I’ve had these books beckoning to me from the shelves of B&N numerous times over the years, but I found it too daunting to take on 800+ pages at the time, multiplied by a stack of (close to) a dozen books. That’s entirely my own fault for being such a coward. Now when people ask if I’ve read all of the Outlander stories, I can say yes I have, and I feel immensely proud. This is not because I’ve taken on a mammoth of a story, but because I’m a part of this world that I can’t even begin to explain the importance of to others. All I can say is, if there are any novels or a single book series you MUST read in your life, these are it 110%. They are an investment in time and attention, but they are beyond worth it once you’ve finished the last page of the last book.

Luckily, since my time with the Frasers, I’ve gotten a few friends into both the novels and the television series, and it makes me feel like a proud parent for having corrupted them. I adore getting text messages and emojis at all hours of the day and night with friends obsessing about this time-travel romance as much as I have. Credit again goes to Mrs. Gabaldon for creating every spec of it for us to have forever. 

As far as the television series, I’m not going to be one of those people who says, “the book is better”. Again, Diana is to thank. She surrounded herself with outstanding people and she’s been extremely present on set. The end results are fantastic… simply spectacular, and I can’t get over how much I LOVE the show. Much like books, I’ve grown up with a lot of television, but there are only a handful of shows that have been profound for me, and Outlander is one of those shows. The costumes, set, scenery,producers, writers, directors, and CAST MEMBERS have put together a production that have only enhanced my connection to the books. Instead of rambling on and on, I’m going to leave the trailers for season one and the upcoming season two right here, and you’re going to contemplate watching this show as soon as yesterday, so, enjoy: 

Season One

Season Two

I would say long story short, but it’s too late for that, and I won’t apologize. When people ask me why I like reading so much, I should just say, “see above” or, “read this post”. Books mean the world to me because I’m allowed to experience another world, one I may never have gotten the chance to experience without words on a page. To some, that may seem silly, but to me, I’m thankful and forever grateful because authors like Diana Gabaldon have bound their souls to set them on a shelf and have allowed someone like me, a complete and total stranger, to inhabit their space, gobble up every word, and tell everyone I can how amazing it is to experience a story like Outlander (or any other story you can think of for that matter). For me, it’s a priceless feeling, and I can’t wait to see what’s in store next. 

Thank you, for the millionth time for these stories, Mrs. Gabaldon. I know I’ll never properly convey my sentiments, but I can only hope this is a good starting point. My life would be just a bit more dull if it weren’t for the sensitive heart of Jamie Fraser, and the never-ending bravery of Claire Beauchamp Randall Fraser. They have taught me so much in all the time I’ve spent with them and their family. Without the beauty of their story, I’d simply be a Sassenach who never got to experience the joy and thrill of belonging to a clan of Highlanders. To everyone who has already watched the new season premiere in an advanced way, I'd love to hear your thoughts (without spoilers, please), and to everyone who have yet to watch, please enjoy every single second! Tulach Ard! 

Me being an absolute nerd with my very own James Alexander Malcolm Mackenzie Fraser.