Waiting on Wednesday #21

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Breaking The Spine that spotlights upcoming releases that we're excitably anticipating.

Vendetta  (Vendetta #1) by Catherine Doyle

Add to Goodreads

When five brothers move into the abandoned mansion next door, Sophie Gracewell's life changes forever. Irresistibly drawn to bad boy Nicoli, Sophie finds herself falling into an underworld governed by powerful families. When Sophie's own family skeletons come to life, she must choose between two warring dynasties - the one she was born into, and the one she is falling in love with. When she does, blood will spill and hearts will break...

Expected Publication: January 1st 2015 via Chicken House

My thoughts:

I don't usually like retelling of stories but I love Romano and Juliet and this sounds like a great modern take on a classic!

Mini #Review : Ring of Roses by Mary Hooper

Book: Ring Of Roses 
Author: Mary Hooper
Pages: 72
Publisher: Barrington Stoke
Read copy from library
Rating: ✪✪✪✪
 
Blurb:

Intensely powerful novel set in London during the height of the Plague in the 1600s. Abby is delighted to be appointed to the position of nursemaid in the well-to-do Beauchurch household. But it's the summer of 1665, and soon whispers are spreading through London that the Plague is returning. Can Abby keep herself and her small charge Grace safe, or will the disaster engulf them? A companion piece to Mary Hooper's bestselling 'At the Sign of the Sugared Plum'. Particularly suitable for struggling, reluctant and dyslexic readers aged 12+

Review

Some of you might not know but I love books set from the 1900's to 1940's when people struggled though many heartaches but still showed courage, love and family meant a lot more than it does nowadays!

Ring of Roses was such a powerful story of love and bravely. Of a young girl who cared for someone other than herself, for a baby, defenceless and relaying on this young girl to take care of her.

Mary Hooper depicted the Plague in a sensitive, powerful and true way.

Mini #Reviews : Books 7-9 of The Morganville Vampire Series by Rachel Caine

In October I went on a reading spree of The Morganville Vampire Books by Rachel Caine. You can check out my review of Glass House, book one in the series here & my mini reviews of books 2-6 in the series, here . Below is my mini reviews of books 7-9 of the series, there may be some spoilers, as they are just my thoughts on the series as a whole along with some thoughts on each book.

 

 

 

Goodreads

 

Fade Out ( The Morganville Vampire Series #6) by Rachel Caine

 

Rating: ✪✪✪✪.5

 

I really love this series. I love the characters, storyline, the twists and turns. However in Fade Out I felt the book dragged a tiny bit for a few chapters but then it got into the flow again, so I have decided to give it 4.5* rating.

A few thoughts on the series:

I like Shane and Claire together however, I always thought/felt from book one that it would have been Claire and Michael who got together.

In the end of Fade Out I am now worried Claire is going to become the next ADA and I don't know if she can really stop it happening.

I still am really enjoying this series and cant wait to read the next book!

 

 

 

Goodreads

 

Kiss Of Death (The Morganville Vampire Series #7) by Rachel Caine

 

Rating: ✪✪✪✪

 

So I have really been enjoying this series and I really did like Kiss Of Death, however I decided to give it a 4* rating as in this book the gang leave Morganville and head on a road trip that ends in trouble. Its a good story but I just didn't feel the super duper excitement I did in the other books. I think its because they left Morganville and I love all the additional characters in Morganville and the atmosphere wasn't the same. However I still really enjoyed it and cant wait to read the rest of the series.

 

 

 

Ghost Town (The Morganville Vampires Book #9) by Rachel Caine

 

Rating: ✪✪✪✪

 

So I started this series a few weeks ago and have been reading each in the series however I feel that because I have kept reading the series book after book that it has lessened how much I am enjoying them thus why I am going to stop the series at book 9 and read some more books in between. Don't get me wrong I still love the series it just feels that after 9 books it is starting to go a little flat. A word of advise to anyone starting this series don't read them one after the other!                  

 

 

 

 

 



Waiting on Wednesday #20

 

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Breaking The Spine that spotlights upcoming releases that we're excitably anticipating.

All The Bright Places by Jennifer Niven

Add to Goodreads

The Fault in Our Stars meets Eleanor and Park in this compelling, exhilarating, and beautiful story about a girl who learns to live from a boy who intends to die.

Theodore Finch is fascinated by death, and he constantly thinks of ways he might kill himself. But each time, something good, no matter how small, stops him.

Violet Markey lives for the future, counting the days until graduation, when she can escape her Indiana town and her aching grief in the wake of her sister's recent death.

When Finch and Violet meet on the ledge of the bell tower at school, it’s unclear who saves whom. And when they pair up on a project to discover the “natural wonders” of their state, both Finch and Violet make more important discoveries: It’s only with Violet that Finch can be himself—a weird, funny, live-out-loud guy who’s not such a freak after all. And it’s only with Finch that Violet can forget to count away the days and start living them. But as Violet’s world grows, Finch’s begins to shrink.

This is an intense, gripping novel perfect for fans of Jay Asher, Rainbow Rowell, John Green, Gayle Forman, and Jenny Downham from a talented new voice in YA, Jennifer Niven.

Expected Publication: January 6th VIA Penguin

My Thoughts:

I want to read more YA contemporary in 2015 and I think this book sounds like a great first 2015 contemporary read of the year!

#Review Do You Speak English, Moon? by Francesca Simon & Ben Cort #Giveaway

Book: Do You Speak English, Moon? 

Author: Francesca Simon

Illustrator: Ben Cort

Story Read By: Lenny Henry

Publisher: Orion Children's Books

Received copy for honest review

Rating: Story: ✪✪✪ Illustrations:✪✪✪✪✪  Audio: ✪✪✪✪

Blurb:

Do You Speak English, Moon? A little boy getting ready for bed looks up at the moon and wonders whether it can speak English as it shines all over the world. He tells the moon about his day - it's not lonely falling asleep when you share your day's adventures with the moon.

Review:

Do You Speak English, Moon? is a beautifully illustrated story for children aged 3-5 years. A little boy is getting ready for bed and decides to see if the moon can in fact speak English.  The little boy asks the moon loads of questions, only children ask. Children are always asking, " how", "what" and "why" and this is evident in the story. 

I loved the illustrations, there so bright and detailed, there is so much to see in each picture and will have children pointing out things and asking more questions. My favourite picture is a giant ice cream that is also a slide :)

Overall Do You Speak English, Moon is a great, colourfully illustrated story perfect for bedtime reading with your little ones! 

Audio Review:

With Do You Speak English, Moon? you get an audio CD of the story, read by Lenny Henry. I have never listened to an audio book before so I am know expert but I loved this audio book. When Lenny Henry is reading the story he really brings it too life. I loved that in between each question, for example "Can you see the sea? Can you see under the sea?" you hear the sound of the sea and it continues for each of the elements of the book and makes the story better. 

Do You Speak English, Moon? the book is great but the audio adds an extra element that children will want to hear again and again!

Giveaway:

x1 copy of Do You Speak English, Moon? 

Giveaway provided by publisher

Giveaway open to UK/Ire Only

Giveaway Ends: 30th November

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Reluctant Prince Blog Tour: Dreamcast & #Giveaway

Dreamcast!

Author Dani Lyn Alexander has picked who she would to like to play her leads in Reluctant Prince, if it was made into a movie. Dani Lyn Alexander picked:

Jackson Maynard played by Liam Hemsworth

Ryleigh Donnovan played by Chloe Moretz

*I do not own these images*

Blurb:

Betrayal lies cloaked in shadow.

Seventeen year old Ryleigh Donnovan is certain her life is cursed. Nothing ever goes smoothly, and her first job interview is no exception. An earthquake rocks the building, sending Ryleigh on a frantic search for her younger sister, a search which lands her in the hospital. Terrified they’ll push her for answers she can’t afford to give, Ryleigh flees with a mysterious stranger.

Jackson Maynard is about to be ordained as a Death Dealer, a warrior for the Kingdom of Cymmera, but first he must pass one more test. When he fails to acquire the human girl the prophet has chosen, he’s forced to stand trial for treason. Banished from his realm, he seeks out the girl from the vision, Ryleigh Donnovan, and together they embark on a journey to save his dying kingdom. 

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Reluctant Prince Goodreads

Dani Lyn Alexander Bio:

Dani-Lyn Alexander lives on Long Island with her husband, three kids and three dogs. She loves spending time with her family, at the beach, the playground, or just about anywhere. In her spare time, which is rare, she enjoys reading and shopping—especially in book stores. Some of her favorite things include; Bernese Mountain Dogs, musicals, bubble baths and soft blankets. She’s an incurable insomniac and has an addiction to chocolate.

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Author Goodreads

a Rafflecopter giveaway

I heart.. Kelly Hashway- SUBMIT YOUR QUESTIONS

2015 is just around the corner and I am already looking forward to all the amazing new releases. Saying that in 2015 I want to highlight amazing authors that I love, and books that I have read, that have given me all the feels. 

This has developed into a new monthly feature called I heart... I will pick an author/book each month, to highlight and to have posts with this author on my blog throughout the month. The first author in January is author, Kelly Hashway. I have read Kelly's books and love them, I also love Kelly as a person, she is just awesome!

As part of the feature I'm taking questions from fans of Kelly and her work. Have you always had a burning question about the Touch of Death Series? Wondered why Kelly writes under two names (she also writes as Ashlyn Drake) Have you ever wondered what Kelly's favorite animal is? You can submit a question and Kelly might answer it!

You can leave a comment below with your question for Kelly or you can tweet your questions using the #IheartKelly 

Last day to submit a question is November 30th 2014. Check back on January 19th 2015 to see if Kelly answered your question!

#Review: Where Rainbows End by Cecelia Ahern

Book: Where Rainbows Ends AKA Love Rosie
Author: Cecelia Ahern
Publisher: Harpertorch
Pages: 566
Bought Own Copy
Rating: ✪✪✪✪✪

Blurb:

Since childhood, Rosie and Alex have stuck by each other through thick and thin. But they're suddenly separated when Alex and his family move from Dublin to America.

Their magical connection remains but can their friendship survive the years and miles?

Misunderstandings, circumstances and sheer bad luck have kept them apart – until now. But will they gamble everything – including their friendship – on true love? And what twists and surprises does fate have in store for them this time ... ?

Review:

*Note: Where Rainbows End by Cecelia Ahern is the new motion picture Love Rosie *

I have read this book a few times and I still love it! Where Rainbows End is my favorite Ceceila Ahern book and one of my favorite books of all time.

I am a sucker for romance and this book is just the ultimate romance book.  You cheer these characters on you want them to succeed in everything they do. I loved that the book is all in letters and emails and that it spans over 50 odd years. I love books like this and it feels so personal like the characters are letting you into their lives by sharing their stories with you.

Where Rainbows End is a compelling love story of lost chances and shows that true love, the kinda love that gives you those perfect silences, will come back to you if its meant to be even if it takes 5 years or 50 years!

Discussion: New Adult Books

 

 

 

As all of you know who follow my blog I mostly read YA PNR with a touch of fantasy/sci-fi and dystopian thrown in. In 2015 I have some "book goals" , and one of them is to read some New Adult books. This is a genre that has grown quickly over the last few years and it's a genre many people seem to love. 

 

New Adult sits between YA and adult and I personally think it's a good way for me to go, rather than plunge into a lot more adult reads.

 

What are your thoughts on NA? Do you have any genre/sub genre you want to read more in 2015, let me know in the comments below! 

 

 

 

 

*I do not own any of the images*

Mini #Reviews- Books 2-6 of The Morganville Vampire Books by Rachel Caine

Recently I read Glass Houses by Rachel Caine, the first book in The Morganville Vampire Series and I fell in love with it. You can check out my review of Glass Houses here . I then binge read more of the series and thus far have read 6 books in the series and loved them all. I decided to do mini reviews of books 2-6 in one post, they all are 5* reviews! Have you read this series? What do you think of them? Leave me a comment below!

 

 

 

Goodreads

 

The Dead Girls Dance (The Morganville Vampires book #2) by Rachel Caine

 

 I am really enjoying this series. After I finished Glass Houses I knew I had to read the second book in the series straight away.

This book gave me all the feels! I still love both boys, Michael and Shane but the situations these boys get themselves in!! First Michael, I cant believe what happened to him and secondly Shane he is an idiot sometimes but I felt so bad for him in Dead Girls Dance.
Dead Girls Dance was so action packed! It is such a fast paced read and so much happens. Rachel Caine again surprised me with Michael and Sam, Wtf I never see these things coming. And the end!!!! Rachel Caine knows how to leave you with a cliffhanger. Claire really grow again in this book and I love her as a female protagonist, she doesn't hid behind the boys she goes out and gets stuff done!

 I cant wait to continue to read this series!

 

 

Goodreads

 

Midnight Alley (The Morganville Vampires Book #3) by Rachel Caine

 

Midnight Alley was so good. So much happened in it. The reveal of why the vampires are really in Morganville! All the twists and turns makes for an exciting read. The ending of Midnight Alley has me reaching for the next book, there is always awesome cliffhangers at the end of each book and this one is a WTF moment!                                       Goodreads             Feast of Fools (The Morganville Vampire book #4) by Rachel Caine   I loved Feast of Fools! So much happened in it, it was so action packed as like all the other books in the series. I didn't no who to trust, every 2 seconds people where trying to kill Claire. People who you wouldn't trust you trusted and people you trusted turned out wrong! The sides characters took was crazy. I love Ameile! In the end of Feast of fools I just loved her and that ending! Rachel Caine loves cliffhangers, every book so far has ended on a cliffhanger and I am just glad I started this series really late as I can pick up the next book straight away!       Goodreads   Lord of Misrule ( The Morganville Vampires Book 5) by Rachel Caine   This series just keeps getting better and better. I don't think I have read a book where from page one you sprint and keep sprinting till the end. There is so much action and twists and turns I couldn't stop reading. Lord of Misrule was so good I think it might be my favorite book in the series so far. I love loads of the characters. Claire is just so strong she is such an old soul, Shane I fricking love him more and more. He is such a "guy" but so sensitive underneath, he kinda melted my heart in this book. Eve she is just super cool and injects humor when sh*t is going down. Michael he is like an avenging angel! Another character I like is Miynen he's crazy and kooky but so nice in a kinda uncomfortable crazy way! The ending!! I have come to the conclusion Rachel Caine is the master of cliffhangers!     Goodreads   Carpe Corpus ( The Morganville Vampires Book #6) by Rachel Caine   The thing about this series is that when you are reading it, it is so fast paced you don't want to put it down. But when you finish it so much has happened and it was amazing but then you cant remember everything that happened because so much does. A few things I loved about Carpe Corpus: Shane & Claire - Ahhhh so cute I fricking love them together. Myrnin- I love him he's so crazy and kooky!! ADA- This was a big WTF just happened moment in the book, did not see this twist happening! Sam- OMG! This book didn't end with a cliffhanger like all the other books in the series so far, it ended with some things wrapping up. I cant even guess what is going to happen next! But I cant wait to find out!   Have you checked out The Morganville Vampire Series on YOUTUBE its' pretty awesome!

 

 

Waiting on Wednesday #19

 

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Breaking The Spine that spotlights upcoming releases that we're excitably anticipating.

 

Vivian Apple At The End Of The World ( Vivian Apple #1) by Katie Coyle

 

 

Add to Goodreads

 

Seventeen-year-old Vivian Apple never believed in the evangelical Church of America, unlike her recently devout parents. But when Vivian returns home the night after the supposed "Rapture," all that’s left of her parents are two holes in the roof. Suddenly, she doesn't know who or what to believe. With her best friend Harp and a mysterious ally, Peter, Vivian embarks on a desperate cross-country roadtrip through a paranoid and panic-stricken America to find answers. Because at the end of the world, Vivan Apple isn't looking for a savior. She's looking for the truth.  

 

Expected Publication: January 6th VIA HMH Books For Young Readers (US)

 

My Thoughts:

 

I saw this on a WOW last week and I  think it sounds like a book I know I will really enjoy. I am glad it is one of the first YA books released in the new year :)

 

*Note: This book has already been previously been published in the UK as VIVIAN APPLE AT THE END OF THE WORLD*