"To find out what a story's really about,' the Librarian said,

'you don't ask the writer. You ask the reader."


- SNOW & ROSE by Emily Winfield Martin


Tuesday, December 31, 2013

My Top 13 Favorite Books of 2013!


I created a top 12 list for last year, I had to jump on and post my top 13 for this year!
With great difficulties (it was SO hard to choose) and in no particular order, here are my faves... 

Middle Grade
The Fellowship for Alien Detection by Kevin Emerson (Goodreads / My Review)
The Land of Stories: The Wishing Spell by Chris Colfer (Goodreads)



Young Adult
Just One Day by Gayle Forman (Goodreads)
Nobody by Jennifer Lynn Barnes (Goodreads / My Review)
Blaze by Laurie Boyle Crompton (Goodreads / My Review
Notes From Ghost Town by Kate Ellison (Goodreads / My Review
Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell (Goodreads
Requiem (Delirium #3) by Lauren Oliver (Goodreads / My Review)
Dear Cassie by Lisa Burstein (Goodreads / My Review
Going Vintage by Lindsey Leavitt (Goodreads)
The Sweet Dead Life by Joy Preble (Goodreads
Dare You To by Katie McGarry (Goodreads
Iron Traitor (The Iron Fey: Call of the Forgotten #2) by Julie Kagawa (Goodreads)



New Adult
Frigid by Jennifer L. Armentrout (Goodreads



Adult
If the Shoe Fits (Unruly Royals #2) by Megan Mulry (Goodreads / My Review)



Ooops! Looks like there are more than 13 on my list! 
SO many good books last year, it was so hard to choose, and I know I'm forgetting a few too!
PLUS, I didn't get to read or review as much as I wanted to... but... 

I am SO ready for 2014!
More BOOKS and more REVIEWS!!! 
Can't wait!!!

Have a happy, blessed and safe New Year!!!

Monday, December 30, 2013

Entangled's Book Blast and Giveaway: BEG ME TO SLAY by Lisa Kessler and ASHES by Sarah Gilman (Adult)


I am happy to share with you today, TWO of Entangled's latest releases... 

Covets have all the sexiness, emotion, and happily ever after that readers have come to expect and love from Entangled. They are firmly grounded in the contemporary world, but each novel brings in supernatural twists, breaking the contemporary and paranormal rules, alike. To find out more about their titles, chat with authors, participate in special events, and to find out what books you’ll be coveting next, visit the Entangled website
follow them on Twitter, LIKE their Facebook page, and join theBook Club.


by Lisa Kessler
Release date: December 30th, 2013
Published by: Entangled - Covet
Genre: Adult Paranormal Romance


SUMMARY

He’ll slay her demons, but it may cost her heart…

Four years ago Tegan Ashton was attacked. Determined never to be a victim again, she devotes her life to martial arts and self-defense. When her assailant returns to finish what he started, only one person can help her. 

Gabe is a private investigator by day and demon slayer by night. After losing loved ones, he vows to defend people from a threat they don’t realize exists. 

The relationship is supposed to be strictly business, but fighting demons together stirs up emotions they never expected. Turns out demon slaying is a breeze compared to facing their scarred pasts and even worse - hearts.




by Sarah Gilman
Release date: December 30th, 2013
Published by: Entangled - Covet
Genre: Adult Paranormal Romance


SUMMARY

Journalist Ambrosia Pellerin accepts an assignment involving the legendary phoenix, expecting, if nothing else, a little entertainment. Instead, she gets pregnant—by a surprisingly human-looking firebird, Reece Bennu.

Ambrosia and Reece struggle to make the best of their predicament, igniting a tentative romance despite Reece’s furious and powerful relatives who resent the mixed-blood child, a violent human out to prove the existence of phoenixes at any cost, and Ambrosia’s forced separation from her family and isolation in her new home.

Reece’s relatives plot murder while Ambrosia’s family faces a dire medical situation and ask her to return. Will the couple survive when Reece denies Ambrosia his trust and her freedom when she needs both more than anything?



Enter to win:

Enter to win an Amazon Gift Certificate:

Sunday, December 29, 2013

Grown-Up Sundays #7: A ROYAL PAIN and IF THE SHOE FITS (Unruly Royals #1 and #2) by Megan Mulry


Happy Sunday :) 

Welcome to another "Grown-Up Sunday!"
This is my weekly meme where I get to feature and/or review my favorite 'adult' books, novellas, etc. with you!

Feel free to share your "Grown-Up" Sunday post too
Just add your direct link in the comments below!
(Please, no exotica allowed, thank you!)


This week's featured books are from the UNRULY ROYALS series by Megan Mulry...
{Reposting book 1's review since I cannot find my post from 10/27/2012...}

(Unruly Royals #1)
by Megan Mulry
Release date: November 1st, 2012
Published by: Sourcebooks Landmark
Genre: Adult Contemporary Romance
Format Read: ARC from publisher for an honest review.



SUMMARY

Bronte Talbott follows all of the exploits of the British royals. After all, they're the world's most preeminent dysfunctional family. And who is she to judge? Bronte's own search for love isn't going all that well, especially after her smooth-talking Texan boyfriend abruptly leaves her in the dust.

Bronte keeps a lookout for a rebound to help mend her broken heart, and when she meets Max Heyworth, she's certain he's the perfect transition man. But when she discovers he's a duke, she has to decide if she wants to stay with him for the long haul and deal with the opportunities-- and challenges-- of becoming a royal.







MY REVIEW

This book is an awesome combination of laugh-out-loud and endearing moments. I loved every moment with all of the characters... 

Bronte Talbott is a New Yorker at heart - stubborn, independent, hard-working women with a hilarious trash-talking mouth - she's living a good, happy and successful life in New York. Until she's swept off her feet by a country boy and begins a long distance relationship. Thinking that things are moving along and that this is IT, she makes the decision to move to Chicago to be closer to him. What?! It's not like she's moving in with him and expecting more... she couldn't have been more wrong! Now stranded in Chicago all alone she fills her nights and weekends with books. Yes her job is doing well and everything else seems to be good. But her heart feels like its beyond repair and so she decides that what she's needs is a 'rebound guy' to get her over the heartache. In the meantime, she looks forward to her weekly trek to the local bookstore every Saturday morning in hopes of drowning her sorrows in a chic lit. 

And then she sees him. 

Max Hayworth is every girls dream - he's charming, smart and British! Oh my, his accent alone had her in a puddle. Max is only in town for the next weeks - perfect! She found her 'rebound-er'... or did she?
 
After learning the truth about Max the book turns into an even more delightful page-turner! 
How will the royals react to Bronte? Will she fit in? Can she handle being with a duke? And more importantly will she be able to not only love him, but let him give her the love and attention that she deserves too...

It was interesting and nice to see Bronte let her guard down and be vulnerable. Every tough girl has a romantic side where she wishes to be a princess. And in between all the sarcasm and tough-girl antics, Bronte is very sweet, loving and even though she knows she doesn't need a man, she wants one - could that possibly be Max? Can she be what he needs her to be plus meet all of her own expectations? 



(Unruly Royals #2)
by Megan Mulry
Release date: July 2nd, 2013
Published by: Sourcebooks Landmark
Genre: Adult Contemporary Romance
Format read: eBook from Netgalley/publisher for an honest review.


SUMMARY


Second in a sexy, playful new series of women's fiction imagining what it might be like for a modern American woman to fall in love with a British aristocrat, from new author Megan Mulry.

Sarah James is an accomplished American woman who heads her own chic shoe company.
Devon Heyworth is the rakish, ne'er-do-well younger brother of the 19th Duke of Northrop. 

When the two meet at the Duke's wedding they embark on a whirlwind weekend romance.
And what begins as a casual fling at a royal wedding quickly proves to be far more meaningful. But when a string of misunderstandings threaten to tear them apart, their meddling aristocratic relatives join forces to reunite the star-crossed lovers.



MY REVIEW

Although this book can be read as a standalone, why would you want too? The first book, A Royal Pain, was filled with laugh out loud and touching moments that you wouldn't want to miss out on... this second book to the Unruly Royals Series picks up right where the first one left off following Bronte's best friend, Sarah and Max's younger brother, Devon. Their story is also filled with laughable and relatable moments, but hotter! 

Sarah James is a young, successful, and well-traveled gorgeous woman who designs shoes for a living! Her determination to thrive and be successful in her business has always come first for as long as she can remember. She has never had the time for a boyfriend... and no matter how satisfied she is with her career, it doesn't hide the fact that she is still a single, 20-something year old virgin. So when the Duke of Northrop's sexy younger brother puts the moves on her, there is no way that she is saying no... a weekend fling is exactly what she needs... 
What Sarah doesn't realize is that maybe, just maybe, she might need a bit more!

Devon Heyworth is known to be the brother of the Duke of Northrop, the playboy-tempered-no-gooder-mommy's-little-royal-baby-boy... little do people know, even his own family doesn't know, that there is a lot more to him than just bumming around the world! And that is exactly what he wants people to think of him. Makes it easy to brush off any royal responsibilities and any serious relationships... 
When Devon first sees Sarah, it is with a smack in the face! He is not only attracted to her in a way that he's never known, but he wants more... a lot more than he realizes and is ready for! 
With the right person, Devon does have a soft side! He is also brilliant in a way that no one can fully understand without wanting to take advantage of him. His secret-keeping is completely understandable; but I would have liked to have seen Devon embrace his true-self more. 

Sarah and Devon's chemistry is undeniable! Megan Mulry's writing has you wrapped around her little finger - every moment is perfectly detailed to perfection! Throughout the book, the story jumps from one point of view to the next in smooth transitions. And the sexiness, although steamy at times, it was done tastefully and right. 

In the mood for a good chic-lit, than this is definitely the series you should jump into to!!!


ABOUT THE AUTHOR - Megan Mulry

Megan Mulry writes sexy, stylish, romantic fiction. 
Her first book, A Royal Pain, was an NPR Best Book of 2012 and USA Today bestseller.
Before discovering her passion for romance novels, she worked in magazine publishing and finance. 
After many years in New York, Boston, London, and Chicago, she now lives with her husband and children in Florida.

Find Megan Mulry on:


Bumbles and Fairy-Tales Update and Book Haul #51


Happy holidays bookish friends :) 

I finally have some books to share!
It's been a very long time since I have received/bought anything... 
I wanted to do a vlog to show you my big goofy grin, lol, but I only had 2 physical book and I find it really hard to record ebooks... plus, I still don't look my best after having baby #3, I'll spare you for a few more weeks ;) 
I'm really looking forward to blog hopping later today to see what books you all received for Christmas! So please leave your links in the comments... I did not get any books this holiday season, but that's okay! I did pretty good on my own, lol!  

I am participating in Stacking the Shelves today! 

Here's what's new on my shelves this month... 

What I received for review... 
- LIV, FOREVER (ARC) by Amy Talkington (YA) from Soho Teen
- IN LOVE AGAIN (Unruly Royals #3 eBook) by Megan Mulry (YA) from Sourcebooks
- THE REAL PROM QUEENS OF WESTFIELD HIGH (ARC eBook) by Laurie Boyle Crompton (YA) from Netgalley

What I won from a giveaway... 
- THE RAVEN BOYS (HB) by Maggie Stiefvater (YA)

What I purchased in the last 2 weeks!... ALL ebooks for my Kindle!...
FRACTURE ME (SHATTER ME #2.5) by Tahereh Mafi (YA)
DANGEROUS DREAM (DANGEROUS CREATURES #0.5) by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl (YA)
LAST DAY OF LOVE: A TEARDROP STORY (Teardrop #0.5) by Lauren Kate (YA)
- NOT A DROP TO DRINK by Mindy McGinnis (YA)
- ALSO KNOWN AS by Robin Benway (YA)
- DAYS OF BLOOD AND STARLIGHT (DAUGHTER OF SMOKE AND BONE #2) by Laini Taylor (YA)
- WAIT FOR YOU by J. Lynn (New Adult)
TRUST IN ME, novella (Wait For You #1.5) by J. Lynn (New Adult)
- SNEAKING CANDY by Lisa Burstein (New Adult)
TARNISHED KNIGHT (LONDON STEAMPUNK #1.5) by Bec McMaster (Adult)


Thank you for stopping by today!!!
xoxo

Wednesday, December 11, 2013

Waiting On Wednesday #65: TENTH OF DECEMBER by George Saunders (Adult)

"Waiting On Wednesday" is a weekly meme hosted by  Breaking the Spine. 


This is were we get to 'spotlight' books that we are anxiously waiting to be released! The ones that we are dying to get our hands on and read into the wee hours of the night and, quite possibly, to make our shelves look all pretty too :)



What I'm waiting on... 

TENTH OF DECEMBER
by George Saunders
Expected release date: January 2nd, 2014
Published by: Bloomsbury Publishing
Genre: Adult


SUMMARY

George Saunders’ most wryly hilarious and disturbing collection yet, Tenth of December illuminates human experience and explores figures lost in a labyrinth of troubling preoccupations. 
A family member recollects a backyard pole dressed for all occasions; 
Jeff faces horrifying ultimatums and the prospect of DarkenfloxxTM in some unusual drug trials; 
and Al Roosten hides his own internal monologue behind a winning smile that he hopes will make him popular. 

With dark visions of the future riffing against ghosts of the past and the ever-settling present, this collection sings with astonishing charm and intensity.
 Why I'm waiting for TENTH OF DECEMBER... 

First - the 10th of December is my birthday :) 

Second - it just sounds like something out of my comfort zone; very different. 
And I am looking to broaden my horizons, and start reading more adult books/novels in 2014 too. 


SO, what are you waiting for this week???

Wednesday, December 4, 2013

Waiting On Wednesday #64: LIV, FOREVER by Amy Talkington



"Waiting On Wednesday" is a weekly meme hosted by  Breaking the Spine. 


This is were we get to 'spotlight' books that we are anxiously waiting to be released! The ones that we are dying to get our hands on and read into the wee hours of the night and, quite possibly, to make our shelves look all pretty too :)



What I'm waiting on... 

by Amy Talkington
Expected release date: March 11th, 2014
Published by: Soho Teen
Genre: YA Mystery Romance

SUMMARY

"When Liv Bloom lands an art scholarship at Wickham Hall, it’s her ticket out of the foster system. Liv isn’t sure what to make of the school’s weird traditions and rituals, but she couldn’t be happier—especially when Malcolm Astor, fellow artist and scion of one of the school’s original families, starts falling for her. Fellow scholarship kid Gabe Nichols warns her not to get involved with a “Wicky,” but things are finally going Liv’s way, and all she wants to do is enjoy it.
 
But Liv’s bliss is cut short when she is viciously murdered. In death, she discovers that she’s the latest victim of a dark conspiracy that spans 150 years and many, many lives. Gabe, cursed with the ability to see their ghosts, turns out to be Liv’s only link to the world of the living.
 
Liv must rely on Gabe’s help to prove to Malcolm that she’s still present… lingering with the other spirits. Together, Liv, Gabe, and Malcolm fight to expose the terrible truth that haunts the halls of Wickham before more lives are lost."


Why I'm waiting for LIV, FOREVER... 

This story is said to be "a cross between the classic movie Ghost and New York Times bestseller, The Lovely Bones". A "star-crossed love story with a chilling murder mystery that has a touch of creepy like Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children"!!! 

I don't normally do creepy mystery's, BUT, the cover and summary has me extremely intrigued and wanting to know more! And who isn't a huge fan of the movie Ghost??? 
I am really excited to get my hands on this one... along with a nightlight or two ;) 

What are you waiting for this week???

Tuesday, December 3, 2013

Update!...


Hello bookish friends!!! 
It's been a looong time! And I have missed you all so very much!
I've been reading... sporadically, lol! 
But I am hoping to build on that and start blogging and reviewing later this week :) 
Woo hoo!!!

Going to take a moment to share what has happened in the last few months... 
SO much has happened in our lives - take a peek ;)  

In August, we MOVED!!!

Our new BOOKSHELVES!!!

School started in September for us! 
Look at my 2 BIG boys :) 

And we were all waiting around on this little guy to be fully cooked ;) 

Happy (belated) Halloween!!!

And then this happened on November 7th!!! 
Please meet Samuel Joseph :) 

Happy (belated) Thanksgiving :) 


Oh my, that was a lot of stuff that happened since I last posted, lol! 
Hope you are all doing well! And I look forward to catching up with all of you... 
and books! Many, many books too!!! ;) 
xoxo 

Saturday, August 31, 2013

Update and Book Haul #50


It's unbelievable on how much time goes by - it has been awhile since I have done a book haul :) 
Things have really slowed down around here on the book blog... we are currently at about 30 weeks preggo and we're really trying to get everything ready for the new baby! Also, kiddos start school a week from Monday - lots to do in the upcoming weeks, new schedules, new baby, lots of real life stuff getting in the way, lol! 
So, things will be slowing down even more around here... I'm hoping for all good things - and that things will pick up after the holidays and new year :) 
Please bear with my sporadic posts and such until then... xo!


Current book haul from the last 2 months...
I am participating in Stacking the Shelves and Showcase Sunday :)

What I received for review...
- The Iron Traiter (The Iron Fey: Call of the Forgotten #2) (Signed ARC) by Julie Kagawa (YA) from Harlequin Teen
- Relic (Books of Eva #1) (ARC) by Heather Terrell (YA) from Soho Teen
- Escape from Eden by Elisa Nader (YA) from Merit Press
- Deceived by Julie Ann Lindsey (YA) from Merit Press

What I won from giveaways...
- Undercurrent (ARC) by Paul Blackwell (YA) from Epic Reads
- The Diviners (Signed ARC) by Libba Bray (Adult) from Tara of Tater's Tall Tails 

Gifted to us from Sarabeth of The Next Chapter :)
- Beauty Queens by Libba Bray (YA)
- Virtuosity by Jessica Martinez (YA)
- Spider-Man Loves Mary Jane Volume 2: Homecoming by Sean McKeever (YA Comic)
- Star Wars Adventures: Luke Skywalker and the Treasure of the Dragonsnakes by Tom Taylor (YA Comic)
- Origami Yoda #2: Darth Paper Strikes Back by Tom Angleberger (MG)
- Origami Yoda #3: The Secret of the Fortune Wookiee by Tom Angleberger (MG)
- Ralph S. Mouse #1: The Mouse and the Motorcycle by Beverly Cleary (MG)
- Ralph S. Mouse #3: Ralph S. Mouse by Beverly Cleary (MG)
- Do You Doodle? by Nikalas Catlow (MG)


Thanks for stopping by!!!
Be sure to leave your links too :) 
xoxo

Wednesday, August 28, 2013

Waiting On Wednesday #63: FIND ME by Romily Bernard

"Waiting On Wednesday" is a weekly meme hosted by  Breaking the Spine. 
This is were we get to 'spotlight' books that we are anxiously waiting to be released! The ones that we are dying to get our hands on and read into the wee hours of the night and, quite possibly, to make our shelves look all pretty too :)


What I'm waiting on... 

by Romily Bernard
Expected release date: September 24th, 2013
Published by: Harper Teen
Genre: Young Adult

SUMMARY

“Find Me.”

These are the words written on Tessa Waye’s diary. The diary that ends up with Wick Tate. But Tessa’s just been found . . . dead.

Wick has the right computer-hacking skills for the job, but little interest in this perverse game of hide-and-seek. Until her sister Lily is the next target.

Then Griff, trailer-park boy next door and fellow hacker, shows up, intent on helping Wick. Is a happy ending possible with the threat of Wick’s deadbeat dad returning, the detective hunting him sniffing around Wick instead, and a killer taunting her at every step?

Foster child. Daughter of a felon. Loner hacker girl. Wick has a bad attitude and sarcasm to spare.

But she’s going to find this killer no matter what.

Because it just got personal.


Why I'm waiting for FIND ME...

It's been a long while since I have read a good YA suspenseful mystery!
And this one has me deeply intrigued... and the cover is amazing!


SO, what are you waiting for right now??? 

Monday, August 5, 2013

Cover Reveal: THE MONSTER WITHIN by Kelly Hashway (YA)


by Kelly Hashway
Expected release date: April 7th, 2014
Published by: Spencer Hill Press
Genre: Young Adult
Format: Paperback, eBook


SUMMARY

  The moment seventeen-year-old Samantha Thompson crawls out of her grave, her second chance at life begins. She died of cancer with her long-time boyfriend, Ethan, by her side--a completely unfair shot at life.

     But Ethan found a way to bring her back, like he promised he would. Only Sam came back wrong.

     She's now a monster that drains others' lives to survive. And after she kills, she’s tortured by visions—glimpses into her victims would-have-been futures had she not killed them. Barely able to live with herself and trying to make things right, Sam ends up a pawn in a vicious game of payback within the local coven of witches.

     But when the game reveals what Ethan had to do to save Sam, she must make a choice that will change all their lives forever.



MY THOUGHTS

She's a monster!!!

And, the cover is stunning!

I am really looking forward to reading this one!!!



ABOUT THE AUTHOR - Kelly Hashway


Kelly Hashway grew up reading R.L. Stein's Fear Street novels and writing stories of her own, so it was no surprise to her family when she majored in English and later obtained a masters degree in English Secondary Education from East Stroudsburg University.
After teaching middle school language arts for seven years, Hashway went back to school and focused specifically on writing. She is now the author of three young adult series, one middle grade series, and several picture books.

She also writes contemporary romance under the pen name Ashelyn Drake.

When she isn't writing, Hashway works as a freelance editor for small presses as well as for her own list of clients.

In her spare time, she enjoys running, traveling, and volunteering with the PTO. Hashway currently resides in Pennsylvania with her husband, daughter, and two pets.

Goodreads / Website / Facebook / Twitter / YouTube

Thursday, August 1, 2013

Cover Reveal: FOREVER (Temptation #3) by Karen Ann Hopkins (YA)


Temptation Series #3
by Karen Hopkins
Expected release date: January 28th, 2014
Published by: Harlequin Teen
Genre: Young Adult
Format: Hardback, eBook

SUMMARY

All I want is my happily-ever-after.

That's all I've wanted since meeting Noah Miller.

From the day we met, the world has tried to keep Noah and me from being together, but now that I'm carrying his child, no one will be able to tear us apart. Or so I hope. But Noah and I have made some mistakes along the way, and the consequences are impacting the people we love. Worse, there's a storm on the horizon, and it's sure to cause serious devastation.

If we can get through this, we'll finally be Rose and Noah; a family, forever.

But first we have to survive the road ahead. And happily-ever-after is a long way off.





MY THOUGHTS

I love the new cover - it's within the same theme and feel... 
colors are vibrant!

And will they finally have their "happily-ever-after"???? 

I cannot wait to find out :) 

What do you think???


Read more about books 1 and 2...

Book 1: TEMPTATION 
by Karen Ann Hopkins
Release date: June 26th, 2012

SUMMARY

Your heart misleads you.

That's what my friends and family say.  

But I love Noah. 
And he loves me.  

We met and fell in love in the sleepy farming community of Meadowview, while we rode our horses together through the grassy fields and in those moments in each other's arms. 

It should be  ROSE & NOAH forever, easy. 

But it won't be. 

Because he's Amish. 
And I'm not.

Book 2: BELONGING
by Karen Ann Hopkins
Release date: April 30th, 2013

SUMMARY

I left everything I knew behind. 
But it was worth it. He was worth it. 

No one thought an ordinary girl like me would last two minutes living with the Amish, not even me. There are a lot more rules and a lot less freedom, and I miss my family and the life I once had. Worst of all, Noah and I aren't even allowed to see each other. Not until I've proven myself. 

If I can find a way to make it work, we'll be NOAH & ROSE 

together forever. 

But not everybody believes this is where I belong.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR - Karen Ann Hopkins

A native of New York State, Karen Ann Hopkins now lives with her family on a farm in northern Kentucky, where her neighbors in all directions are members of a strict Amish community. Her unique perspective became the inspiration for the story of star-crossed lovers Rose and Noah. When she’s not homeschooling her kids, giving riding lessons or tending to a menagerie of horses, goats, peacocks, chickens, ducks, rabbits, dogs and cats, she is dreaming up her next romantic novel.


 
Imagination Designs
Images by LabyrinthofDreams