Hey there, bibliophiles! Just a quick announcement!
All further reviews and book news/updates can be found on my new website the blabbing bibliophile. Head over there for the latest posts and more reading suggestions! I hope you enjoy the space!
Showing posts with label reading. Show all posts
Showing posts with label reading. Show all posts
Wednesday, May 18, 2016
Tuesday, May 10, 2016
The Crown (The Selection #5)- A Review
Hey, everyone! Two reviews in less than 24 hours. Who knew? Today, I'm reviewing The Crown which is book five (and the final installment) in The Selection series by Kiera Cass. I binged on these books last month thinking that The Crown was already out in stores. When I got closer to the end of the books I already had, and found out it wasn't being released until May 3rd, I was beyond mad at myself. I had to wait a few weeks on a cliffhanger to find out what the fate of Eadlyn, her family, and their kingdom would be. Needless to say, when Amazon dropped this puppy off at my house on release day, I couldn't wait to dive in, so, here we are! To read my compiled review on books #1-4 along with their novellas, you can go here.
I was very pleased once I had gotten to the last page in The Crown. I'm so glad Eadlyn finally matured beyond what she was in The Heir. Between books four and five, she blossomed and opened her eyes to her people and to a love like the one her parents shared.
I have to admit, after five books and four novellas, I got a bit teary saying goodbye to these characters. We parted on fantastic terms, but coming to the end was bittersweet.
I couldn't decide which man would be best suited to the future queen of Illéa out of the Elite in the Selection. I liked each individual of the final six for different reasons and at points, I wanted her to choose all of them because I hated seeing them go. Ean and Hale were charming and protective, Kile became the most unlikely of friends and companions, Fox was a gentleman, Gunner was a constant source of support, and Henri was too precious for words. Eric (aka Eikko), Henri's translator also served a level of importance. I adored each and every one of these boys and what they each brought to the table when it came to their queen.
However, when it became obvious where her heart was directing her, I wanted to scream at her to start breaking rules and tradition, otherwise there may not be a happily ever after. I'm glad other voices in her circle felt the same.
Having to choose between true love and duty or obligation was absolutely nerve-wracking. I devoured this book so I could get answers for my own sanity and know where both Eadlyn's future and the fate of Illéa would lie. What a ride it was! I was unsure about picking up this series in the beginning, but I'm not only glad that I did, but I'm thrilled I saw it through and got to experience such a charming story.
My Final Rating: four out of five stars
I was very pleased once I had gotten to the last page in The Crown. I'm so glad Eadlyn finally matured beyond what she was in The Heir. Between books four and five, she blossomed and opened her eyes to her people and to a love like the one her parents shared.
I have to admit, after five books and four novellas, I got a bit teary saying goodbye to these characters. We parted on fantastic terms, but coming to the end was bittersweet.
I couldn't decide which man would be best suited to the future queen of Illéa out of the Elite in the Selection. I liked each individual of the final six for different reasons and at points, I wanted her to choose all of them because I hated seeing them go. Ean and Hale were charming and protective, Kile became the most unlikely of friends and companions, Fox was a gentleman, Gunner was a constant source of support, and Henri was too precious for words. Eric (aka Eikko), Henri's translator also served a level of importance. I adored each and every one of these boys and what they each brought to the table when it came to their queen.
However, when it became obvious where her heart was directing her, I wanted to scream at her to start breaking rules and tradition, otherwise there may not be a happily ever after. I'm glad other voices in her circle felt the same.
Having to choose between true love and duty or obligation was absolutely nerve-wracking. I devoured this book so I could get answers for my own sanity and know where both Eadlyn's future and the fate of Illéa would lie. What a ride it was! I was unsure about picking up this series in the beginning, but I'm not only glad that I did, but I'm thrilled I saw it through and got to experience such a charming story.
My Final Rating: four out of five stars
Tuesday, May 3, 2016
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
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.
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!
Thursday, April 28, 2016
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
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
Tuesday, April 26, 2016
The Bad Ones- A Review
| 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  |
Thursday, April 21, 2016
Cupcake- A Review
| 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  |
Thursday, April 14, 2016
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
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
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
Tuesday, March 29, 2016
You- A Series Review
Greetings, fellow bibliophiles! Long time, no chat! I finally finished my latest series and it's a doozy! I've been meaning to get to these books for awhile so I'm excited to share my thoughts! On a random outing to my local B&N for the latest book haul, I finally came across the complete series of You by Caroline Kepnes. I did, however, do a bad thing. I totally judged these books by the covers. I was absolutely intrigued when I saw both You and Hidden Bodies popping up in my Instagram timeline with readers going berserk for these stories. After grabbing the basic info, I popped on to my goodreads app to get the description and overall rating before adding these puppies to my ever-expanding TBR pile/shelf/bookcase. Now that I've read them both, I'm awaiting more story, the option for the TV adaptation, and coping with my Joe withdrawal. Let's get to it so that you can all run to your closest bookstores and swipe up copies of these novels.
Book one is the title of the series, You. This might be the least comprehensive review I've written to date because I'm simply flabbergasted, gob smacked, speechless, stunned, so on and so on.
This book grabbed me from page one, hell, from the first freaking sentence. I could NOT put it down. I really and truly mean that with every ounce of sincerity I could muster. I finished this book in the parking lot of a Panera because I just had to have this book with me and had to know how it ended right then and there while I waited for my Pick Two combo to be made.
For me, there's not a single character I this book I could empathize with, but for once, I found that part of the appeal to keep going. Usually, when I'm disgusted with a character or find them unrelatable, I wind up disconnected from the whole story and don't invest my attention, mind, and heart the way I properly should. The opposite happened with this story. Joe is fishy right from the start, but I'm fascinated by how he thinks. I immediately despised Peach and Benji, and once the layers started peeling away (which happens pretty early on), I wound up loathing Beck as well.
In all honesty, I can't say too much because it's very easy for me to say enough to give away major (and I mean MAJOR) plot points with this story, but just.... Read it, now, no.... Yesterday. I'm absolutely blown away. Despite the fact I couldn't wrap my mind around the lives of Nantucket bred, pretentious Brown kids and their designer drugs and first world problems (I even had to look up the word solipsistic.. I don't work in a used and rare book store.. ugh, I WISH) I gobbled this book up. It's so dark and disturbing that even though there was a sense of an end in book one, I know we're not done with this adventure yet.
If you're a fan of Dexter, Norman Bates, Paul Spector, or the Investigation Discovery channel, pick up this book and get to the page-turning as soon as possible! You won't have nails left, but you sure as hell will have your heart pumping!
My Final Rating: five out of five stars
Hidden Bodies is the sequel to You, and boy, is it ever a sequel. Every time I attempted to write a proper review of this book, words simply failed me. All I can say is that I'm glad this series is in progress with ShowTime because I'm beyond anxious to see how Joe's story plays out on the small screen. Now all I need is to call my cable company and add ShowTime to my monthly bill because I know I'll NEED this show when it debuts.
I'm a massive fan of Norman Bates, Paul Spector, Dexter, and now, Joe Goldberg. I know I mentioned that when reviewing You. The inner workings of Joe's mind absolutely boggle me and I find myself routing for him even though I know he shouldn't be out and about among what we deem "regular" society.
Leaving the streets of New York and his dark past behind him, Joe is on a mission in Los Angeles, and seems to meet all the right people along the way. It's when the past mingles with the present to ruin the future that Joe has a problem and needs to become even more determined in his life's path.
I had numerous interruptions while reading this book, and I almost wanted to pull a Joe of my very own because this story was so utterly full-to-the-brim of suspense, that it drove me crazy to put it down even for a single second! Kepnes may have just shot to the top of my list of favorite writers. Her story-telling is phenomenal and so thorough. I need more Joe in my life ASAP. I must know where his story takes us next! I'm pretty sure there has to be a book three somewhere, but I'm going to keep my fingers crossed just incase.
My Final Rating: five out of five stars
Book one is the title of the series, You. This might be the least comprehensive review I've written to date because I'm simply flabbergasted, gob smacked, speechless, stunned, so on and so on.
This book grabbed me from page one, hell, from the first freaking sentence. I could NOT put it down. I really and truly mean that with every ounce of sincerity I could muster. I finished this book in the parking lot of a Panera because I just had to have this book with me and had to know how it ended right then and there while I waited for my Pick Two combo to be made.
For me, there's not a single character I this book I could empathize with, but for once, I found that part of the appeal to keep going. Usually, when I'm disgusted with a character or find them unrelatable, I wind up disconnected from the whole story and don't invest my attention, mind, and heart the way I properly should. The opposite happened with this story. Joe is fishy right from the start, but I'm fascinated by how he thinks. I immediately despised Peach and Benji, and once the layers started peeling away (which happens pretty early on), I wound up loathing Beck as well.
In all honesty, I can't say too much because it's very easy for me to say enough to give away major (and I mean MAJOR) plot points with this story, but just.... Read it, now, no.... Yesterday. I'm absolutely blown away. Despite the fact I couldn't wrap my mind around the lives of Nantucket bred, pretentious Brown kids and their designer drugs and first world problems (I even had to look up the word solipsistic.. I don't work in a used and rare book store.. ugh, I WISH) I gobbled this book up. It's so dark and disturbing that even though there was a sense of an end in book one, I know we're not done with this adventure yet.
If you're a fan of Dexter, Norman Bates, Paul Spector, or the Investigation Discovery channel, pick up this book and get to the page-turning as soon as possible! You won't have nails left, but you sure as hell will have your heart pumping!
My Final Rating: five out of five stars
Hidden Bodies is the sequel to You, and boy, is it ever a sequel. Every time I attempted to write a proper review of this book, words simply failed me. All I can say is that I'm glad this series is in progress with ShowTime because I'm beyond anxious to see how Joe's story plays out on the small screen. Now all I need is to call my cable company and add ShowTime to my monthly bill because I know I'll NEED this show when it debuts.
I'm a massive fan of Norman Bates, Paul Spector, Dexter, and now, Joe Goldberg. I know I mentioned that when reviewing You. The inner workings of Joe's mind absolutely boggle me and I find myself routing for him even though I know he shouldn't be out and about among what we deem "regular" society.
Leaving the streets of New York and his dark past behind him, Joe is on a mission in Los Angeles, and seems to meet all the right people along the way. It's when the past mingles with the present to ruin the future that Joe has a problem and needs to become even more determined in his life's path.
I had numerous interruptions while reading this book, and I almost wanted to pull a Joe of my very own because this story was so utterly full-to-the-brim of suspense, that it drove me crazy to put it down even for a single second! Kepnes may have just shot to the top of my list of favorite writers. Her story-telling is phenomenal and so thorough. I need more Joe in my life ASAP. I must know where his story takes us next! I'm pretty sure there has to be a book three somewhere, but I'm going to keep my fingers crossed just incase.
My Final Rating: five out of five stars
Monday, March 21, 2016
The Slam (ARC)- A Review
Happy Monday, bibliophiles! Yes, I'm bringing you another review already! Get excited! I received was recently contacted by a follower on my Facebook page to read and review her latest book. Obviously, I jumped at the chance! The darling Haleigh Lovell gifted me an ARC and even without much of a description or giveaway as to what I was in for, I was excited to dive in as fast as I could! It's called, The Slam, and I'm just going to get right to the review because I'm too jittery over this read!
I'm sad real life got in the way a bit, but once I started reading this one last night, I couldn't put it down. I've never read a romance novel that made our leading lady one with a condition. I found Adelaide fascinating. She was too cute for words, and I adored Ender even more for how much he doted on and cared for her without letting her condition affect their friendship. I'd love to say more about it, but I'd be giving too much away, so I'm going to let you all find out for yourselves once you grab a copy of this book!
Not only did I get a fun and budding love story, but Adelaide made me learn new things too, which was interesting and gave the story another layer. I'm glad she explained so much throughout the journey and allowed me inside her head, otherwise, I'm not sure I would've related to her quite as much. In her detailed explanations and brutal honesty, I was able to put myself in her shoes and see the world through her eyes instead of my own.
Seriously, Ender could not have been better. He's always been Adelaide's best buddy even from the time they were little children, so I'm glad that even though he became this tennis star and big-man-on-campus, his opinion of her never changes. In fact, she becomes even more endearing and loveable to him. That's unreal to me how awesome they were together both as friends, and even as something more.
This was a really fast read, so I hope to see more from these two. I was just getting into the whole boat idea and the ridiculous level of adorable of "many many many more dates" and it ended... so I think this is where I beg for a sequel. Pretty please!
PS- Thank you a million times over for this gift of a story, Haleigh! I appreciate you thinking of me to get an advanced copy so I could tell you (and everyone else) how much I loved it! xx
I'm sad real life got in the way a bit, but once I started reading this one last night, I couldn't put it down. I've never read a romance novel that made our leading lady one with a condition. I found Adelaide fascinating. She was too cute for words, and I adored Ender even more for how much he doted on and cared for her without letting her condition affect their friendship. I'd love to say more about it, but I'd be giving too much away, so I'm going to let you all find out for yourselves once you grab a copy of this book!
Not only did I get a fun and budding love story, but Adelaide made me learn new things too, which was interesting and gave the story another layer. I'm glad she explained so much throughout the journey and allowed me inside her head, otherwise, I'm not sure I would've related to her quite as much. In her detailed explanations and brutal honesty, I was able to put myself in her shoes and see the world through her eyes instead of my own.
Seriously, Ender could not have been better. He's always been Adelaide's best buddy even from the time they were little children, so I'm glad that even though he became this tennis star and big-man-on-campus, his opinion of her never changes. In fact, she becomes even more endearing and loveable to him. That's unreal to me how awesome they were together both as friends, and even as something more.
This was a really fast read, so I hope to see more from these two. I was just getting into the whole boat idea and the ridiculous level of adorable of "many many many more dates" and it ended... so I think this is where I beg for a sequel. Pretty please!
PS- Thank you a million times over for this gift of a story, Haleigh! I appreciate you thinking of me to get an advanced copy so I could tell you (and everyone else) how much I loved it! xx
My Final Rating: four out of five stars
Wednesday, March 16, 2016
The Nightingale- A Review
Good morning, bibliophiles! Today, I'm going to dive right in to this latest review because it's the day after I closed the book and I'm still absolutely stunned by what I've read. It's a book I've had sitting on my shelf for awhile, and I'm really sad it took as long as it did to get to it! However, I'm really glad I did, and I can't wait to tell you what I thought! The book I'm discussing is The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah. It's been on several Best Seller lists, and with good reason. You should read this review and then go pick up a copy if you haven't already!
This was a gorgeous yet heartbreaking book. Anything else I say will not properly express my sentiments towards the power of this story. Regardless, I'll do what I can to explain and convey my experience in the French countryside the best I can.
There's something about World War II novels that always draw me in hook, line, and sinker. Maybe it's so I never forget what our universe has dealt with in history, maybe it's because the sheer terror of what happened on such a grand scale that borders on unreal when we discuss it these days, maybe it's the tales of the survivors that make me feel empowered as a human being. Who knows, but this one had me savoring pages as if I would never read again.
My heart was in my throat for Vianne and Isabelle the entire story. Living in Nazi-occupied France was an absolute nightmare. These women would wake up each day and not know what to expect. Their tremendous will to survive and live through everything they experienced puts society today into perspective. When these women and their families had to go without things like coffee, bread, a coat, or fitted shoes, my heart shattered for them to have so little. The sacrifices they made, and how they endured for years was nothing short of unreal. The fact they could both call themselves heroes at the end of it all made it so much better and allowed me the opportunity to smile for them and what they achieved. I would go into detail about their contributions to the war efforts, but I'd honestly rather you be surprised and experience their courageous acts on your own.
The ending was powerful and tied past & present together so perfectly. I had a feeling as to who a few mystery characters were, and when their identities were revealed, I was misty-eyed. Although much of the story was sad, and to recall such a horrific time in World History, it also had its triumphant moments as well. That's all we want in tales of darkness, to see a bit of light at the end of the tunnel and hope that it will all wind up okay.
I could not be more elated that I picked this book up in my travels. It deserves the goodreads award for a reason. Do not hesitate in giving this a read!
My Final Rating: five out of five stars
This was a gorgeous yet heartbreaking book. Anything else I say will not properly express my sentiments towards the power of this story. Regardless, I'll do what I can to explain and convey my experience in the French countryside the best I can.
There's something about World War II novels that always draw me in hook, line, and sinker. Maybe it's so I never forget what our universe has dealt with in history, maybe it's because the sheer terror of what happened on such a grand scale that borders on unreal when we discuss it these days, maybe it's the tales of the survivors that make me feel empowered as a human being. Who knows, but this one had me savoring pages as if I would never read again.
My heart was in my throat for Vianne and Isabelle the entire story. Living in Nazi-occupied France was an absolute nightmare. These women would wake up each day and not know what to expect. Their tremendous will to survive and live through everything they experienced puts society today into perspective. When these women and their families had to go without things like coffee, bread, a coat, or fitted shoes, my heart shattered for them to have so little. The sacrifices they made, and how they endured for years was nothing short of unreal. The fact they could both call themselves heroes at the end of it all made it so much better and allowed me the opportunity to smile for them and what they achieved. I would go into detail about their contributions to the war efforts, but I'd honestly rather you be surprised and experience their courageous acts on your own.
The ending was powerful and tied past & present together so perfectly. I had a feeling as to who a few mystery characters were, and when their identities were revealed, I was misty-eyed. Although much of the story was sad, and to recall such a horrific time in World History, it also had its triumphant moments as well. That's all we want in tales of darkness, to see a bit of light at the end of the tunnel and hope that it will all wind up okay.
I could not be more elated that I picked this book up in my travels. It deserves the goodreads award for a reason. Do not hesitate in giving this a read!
My Final Rating: five out of five stars
Friday, March 11, 2016
P*rn Star- A Review
Good evening, all! It's pretty late by me and I'm dragging after a long day, but I had to pop on here real quick to gush and fangirl about my latest read. I know some may judge this immediately due to cover or title, but seriously, read it. If you enjoy indulging in a badass romance, this is the story for you!
I'm talking about a book that's hot off the presses (seriously, it came out the middle of this week), and by hot, I mean SCORCHING. What sexy read am I discussing on this lovely Friday-almost-Saturday? It's simply called Porn Star, a collaboration project that comes from the lovely (and albeit filthy minds) of Sierra Simone and Laurelin Paige. I love anything these two ladies do independently, so when I found out they were working on a project together, I all but combusted with enthusiasm. Porn Star did NOT disappoint, either!
Logan O'Toole is nothing short of amazing. I really can't come up with much better to describe all the butterflies this man gave me all throughout the story. He's witty, hilarious, sexy, and brilliant. He may be in the industry he adores, but I loved learning more about him as a person off camera as well. It was something to learn about his heartbreak from a breakup he never saw coming, or finding out about his passion for poetry or film and cinematography. I got to not only enjoy him and how his mind worked, but I also discovered the behind-the-scenes of the taboo and clichés that come with the porn industry.
When Logan meets Devi Dare, all bets are off. They had an opportunity to work together once before, and their attraction was instant, yet fleeting. It's when they cross paths at an industry party that they become something explosive and essentially experience love-at-first-sight. I received more satisfaction, new knowledge, in-depth discussion and ideas from these two than I did in half of my college courses. Yes, they were a vibrant couple, but what I really loved were their theories on mythology and astronomy. It added a whole new layer to this story.
On top of it all, there was steam.. and lots of it... more than you'd get from a sauna, and it's totally worth it. With a novel like this, you have to expect it, so just sit back, relax, and ENJOY. Simone and Paige could write ten more books on these two and I would never tire of them. Absolutely love love LOVED this story!
My Final Rating: five out of five stars
I'm talking about a book that's hot off the presses (seriously, it came out the middle of this week), and by hot, I mean SCORCHING. What sexy read am I discussing on this lovely Friday-almost-Saturday? It's simply called Porn Star, a collaboration project that comes from the lovely (and albeit filthy minds) of Sierra Simone and Laurelin Paige. I love anything these two ladies do independently, so when I found out they were working on a project together, I all but combusted with enthusiasm. Porn Star did NOT disappoint, either!
Logan O'Toole is nothing short of amazing. I really can't come up with much better to describe all the butterflies this man gave me all throughout the story. He's witty, hilarious, sexy, and brilliant. He may be in the industry he adores, but I loved learning more about him as a person off camera as well. It was something to learn about his heartbreak from a breakup he never saw coming, or finding out about his passion for poetry or film and cinematography. I got to not only enjoy him and how his mind worked, but I also discovered the behind-the-scenes of the taboo and clichés that come with the porn industry.
When Logan meets Devi Dare, all bets are off. They had an opportunity to work together once before, and their attraction was instant, yet fleeting. It's when they cross paths at an industry party that they become something explosive and essentially experience love-at-first-sight. I received more satisfaction, new knowledge, in-depth discussion and ideas from these two than I did in half of my college courses. Yes, they were a vibrant couple, but what I really loved were their theories on mythology and astronomy. It added a whole new layer to this story.
On top of it all, there was steam.. and lots of it... more than you'd get from a sauna, and it's totally worth it. With a novel like this, you have to expect it, so just sit back, relax, and ENJOY. Simone and Paige could write ten more books on these two and I would never tire of them. Absolutely love love LOVED this story!
My Final Rating: five out of five stars
Wednesday, February 17, 2016
44 Chapters About 4 Men- A Review
Aloha, bibliophiles! Happy Hump Day! We're another day closer to Friday! To celebrate the middle of the week milestone, I have a review for you (insert Kermit the Frog "hooray")!! It's something a bit different, but totally worth it once you get sucked in (and you totally will, I promise). It's 44 Chapters About 4 Men by my newest hero, B.B. Easton. Can I just fangirl for a second, because reading her words, and her blunt delivery made me feel like I was finding my spirit animal, so I have to bow down to her for that alone, the subject(s) were just icing on the cake! Thank you a million times for proving women can be sarcastic and curse like sailors, but also hold high degrees and have a brain in their head. I admired the crap out of her thought process and can't express that enough!
This was an interesting read, and not at all what I was expecting. In its own way, it takes the essence of a romance novel, and gives it that twist of real life that makes being a couple fun, funny, challenging, and daunting.
At first, I wasn't quite sure what to make of what I was reading. The escapades BB went through during her adolescent years with boyfriends was comical, dramatic, and a proper depiction of almost every girl in the world. Our young and impressionable minds love to do what we can to impress (and possibly even lure) a boy, and she doesn't disappoint.
Because I'm older and way past that phase of life, I could really appreciate the chapters with Ken, her husband. I wanted to be mad at him and to hate him a little bit for being so mundane and paying so little attention to his marriage (as far as emotions go), but part of me was also cheering for him, a proper, "c'mon man, you got this.. you can do this marriage thing!".
I'm thoroughly impressed with BBs clever journal entries and sneaky experimentations on her husband. It may have started out as something fun (and temporary), but she wound up sparking something back into their relationship. Ken's whole demeanor and personality shifted and he not only became the man BB wanted, but also the man every girl wants at the end of the day. It's not about grand gestures of romance, but about the simple compliments, the random bouts of affection, and the bond and intimacy a couple can share when they collapse onto their pillows side-by-side at the end of the day rather than strangers living under the same roof.
While I did find this read fresh and amusing (BB's sarcasm, snark, wit, and assholery knows no bounds), there was something more profound there as well. In its own weird way, it brought out a very real side of not only relationships, but marriage as well, and how easily everything can get so comfortable, that you start to feel estranged and not how you felt during the honeymoon phase of courtship. I enjoyed witnessing her experience and took copious notes for any future endeavors I may have of my own. Thanks a million times over, BB!
This was an interesting read, and not at all what I was expecting. In its own way, it takes the essence of a romance novel, and gives it that twist of real life that makes being a couple fun, funny, challenging, and daunting.
At first, I wasn't quite sure what to make of what I was reading. The escapades BB went through during her adolescent years with boyfriends was comical, dramatic, and a proper depiction of almost every girl in the world. Our young and impressionable minds love to do what we can to impress (and possibly even lure) a boy, and she doesn't disappoint.
Because I'm older and way past that phase of life, I could really appreciate the chapters with Ken, her husband. I wanted to be mad at him and to hate him a little bit for being so mundane and paying so little attention to his marriage (as far as emotions go), but part of me was also cheering for him, a proper, "c'mon man, you got this.. you can do this marriage thing!".
I'm thoroughly impressed with BBs clever journal entries and sneaky experimentations on her husband. It may have started out as something fun (and temporary), but she wound up sparking something back into their relationship. Ken's whole demeanor and personality shifted and he not only became the man BB wanted, but also the man every girl wants at the end of the day. It's not about grand gestures of romance, but about the simple compliments, the random bouts of affection, and the bond and intimacy a couple can share when they collapse onto their pillows side-by-side at the end of the day rather than strangers living under the same roof.
While I did find this read fresh and amusing (BB's sarcasm, snark, wit, and assholery knows no bounds), there was something more profound there as well. In its own weird way, it brought out a very real side of not only relationships, but marriage as well, and how easily everything can get so comfortable, that you start to feel estranged and not how you felt during the honeymoon phase of courtship. I enjoyed witnessing her experience and took copious notes for any future endeavors I may have of my own. Thanks a million times over, BB!
My Final Rating: four out of five stars
Monday, February 15, 2016
RoomHate- A Review
Hey all, and happy Monday! It's a snowy and chilly President's Day in my neck of the woods which meant a slow day at the office which meant, yup, I started and finished a book. I'm excited to bring this review your way! I have one more individual installment novel in my TBR before I tackle a semi-lengthy series. So after the next review, I may disappear for a bit longer until I get all the books in the series read. Anyway, let's dive into tonight's review which is RoomHate by Penelope Ward.
I know, this was just released today, and you should go pick up a copy for your Kindle over on Amazon right now because it's on sale today only for $3.99, so, hop to it, folks! This was just one of those books I couldn't put down. I sat in my office all day just absorbing the life out of this story, and I couldn't be happier with the fact I got to spend the day with the lovely and irresistible, Justin Banks.
Amelia Payne has inherited her grandmother's gorgeous Victorian house right on the beach in Newport, which sounds pretty dreamy. It sounds even more enticing when half of the inheritance goes to one of the most beautiful men around, her old friend, Justin Banks. Splitting a house with a fine specimen of a man as your roommate sounds ideal, right? Wrong.
Amelia and Justin may have been best friends at one point in time, but things change, people grow up, some run away, and lives are altered. Now, they're sharing property and living under the same roof while trying to keep their disdain for one another in check (which is extremely hard to do). Also, Amelia is fresh out of a relationship, and Justin has been seeing a girl named Jade for quite some time, so bring on the complications.
It takes time, talking, and several extenuating circumstances to get these two back on the same page so they can become trusting friends again. It's when they reach that point where everything is rosy again that things change even more and develop into something they've never explored before. Now, there's tension and attraction involved. Things get messy and complicated, and there's an overwhelming amount of whiplash from all the back-and-forth of what they think they might feel for one another while also trying to balance outside parties. It's when Amelia finds herself in a life-altering situation that Justin really comes to the rescue to be the man she's always wanted.
When circumstances seem to FINALLY be falling in their favor, Justin is offered an unbelievable opportunity he just can't refuse. Will everything they just built come crumbling down, or will they endure for the long haul this time?
I adored this story! Don't get me wrong, I wanted to smack the bejesus out of the two of them half the time, but they kept me entertained (and wanting to scream at them simultaneously) . The constant growing tension is what made this story absolutely everything for me. It was so fun, yet frustrating, but I had to keep reading to see how and when it would all reach a pinnacle and explode into what I was waiting for with these two. Every moment of this story was worth it. What a fun, sexy, and quick read!
My Final Rating: four out of five stars
I know, this was just released today, and you should go pick up a copy for your Kindle over on Amazon right now because it's on sale today only for $3.99, so, hop to it, folks! This was just one of those books I couldn't put down. I sat in my office all day just absorbing the life out of this story, and I couldn't be happier with the fact I got to spend the day with the lovely and irresistible, Justin Banks.
Amelia Payne has inherited her grandmother's gorgeous Victorian house right on the beach in Newport, which sounds pretty dreamy. It sounds even more enticing when half of the inheritance goes to one of the most beautiful men around, her old friend, Justin Banks. Splitting a house with a fine specimen of a man as your roommate sounds ideal, right? Wrong.
Amelia and Justin may have been best friends at one point in time, but things change, people grow up, some run away, and lives are altered. Now, they're sharing property and living under the same roof while trying to keep their disdain for one another in check (which is extremely hard to do). Also, Amelia is fresh out of a relationship, and Justin has been seeing a girl named Jade for quite some time, so bring on the complications.
It takes time, talking, and several extenuating circumstances to get these two back on the same page so they can become trusting friends again. It's when they reach that point where everything is rosy again that things change even more and develop into something they've never explored before. Now, there's tension and attraction involved. Things get messy and complicated, and there's an overwhelming amount of whiplash from all the back-and-forth of what they think they might feel for one another while also trying to balance outside parties. It's when Amelia finds herself in a life-altering situation that Justin really comes to the rescue to be the man she's always wanted.
When circumstances seem to FINALLY be falling in their favor, Justin is offered an unbelievable opportunity he just can't refuse. Will everything they just built come crumbling down, or will they endure for the long haul this time?
My Final Rating: four out of five stars
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