End of Year Survey -2015

Thanks to Jamie @ Perpetual Page Turner for this awesome end of year survey.

This year has been up and down with blogging. The year started with a high and I read so mamy amazing books right of the mark then near the end of the year I had a blogging slump but I am now back on the wagon so to speak and am excited for the next year, reading loads of amazing books and sharing them all with you. Here's to an amazing 2016!

End of Year stats:

Number of books read : 85
Number of Re Reads: 6 series
Genre you read most from: This year surprisingly it was Adult Erotica romance which is strange coming from a usually obsessed YA reader. I blame El James, Sylvia Day and Jodi Ellen Malpas for making me addicted.

Best in books

1. Best Book You Read In 2015?

Yea, I know you either love or hate it, every one has an opinion on it but this started my journey into a totally new genre for me this year. I read the whole trilogy at the beginning of the year and continued to Re Read it a further two times. What can I say am hooked!

2. Book You Were Excited About & Thought You Were Going To Love More But Didn’t?

I was really looking forward to this book it sounded so good and was getting rave reviews and that cover! But I just ended up finding it meh! I don't know if it was because I was reading it on my kindle and didn't get the full experience of all the pictures or because I didn't really love the protagonist and the story didn't seem to go anywhere but I was really disappointed by this book.

3. Most surprising (in a good way or bad way) book you read?  

Undertow surprised me in a good way, a brilliant way in fact. I absolutely fell in love with this book. Mermaids and me do not get on but holy crap these mermaids are not mermaids but they are and its just so amazing. My Review says it all. 

4. Book You “Pushed” The Most People To Read (And They Did)?

I read this book at the tale end of 2014 ahead of its release in the beginning of the year and I fell in love. This book hit me so hard, my emotions couldn't handle it. It felt so raw and just sound a beautifully heart breaking story. Again my review says it all.

5. Best series you started in 2015? 

Best Sequel of 2015?

6. Favorite new author you discovered in 2015?

 

Richelle Mead hands down. I read all the Vampire Academy Series and all the Bloodlines Series this year and loved them! So excited to read more of Richelle's work.

7. Best book from a genre you don’t typically read/was out of your comfort zone?

OR

Adult romance/ erotica / books that have a lot sex on them are books I was never comfortable reading but after reading them this year. I am hooked!

 8. Most action-packed/thrilling/unputdownable book of the year?

A lot of books I read mostly every book which is rare, it just means I had a great year so I can't pick.

 9. Book You Read In 2015 That You Are Most Likely To Re-Read Next Year?

A lot of the same I have probably read this year, I.e 50 Shades, Sylvia Day and Jodi Ellen Malpas Books, probably throw in another Re Read of Deborah Harknesses All Souls Trilogy. I love 're reads!

10. Favorite cover of a book you read in 2015?

OR

11. Most memorable character of 2015?

Finch from All The Bright Places by Jennifer Niven (even though technically I didn't read it in 2015)

 12. Most beautifully written book read in 2015?

13. Most Thought-Provoking/ Life-Changing Book of 2015?

OR

14. Book you can’t believe you waited UNTIL 2015 to finally read? 

15. Favorite Passage/Quote From A Book You Read In 2015?

Can't think of any am terrible remembering quotes.

16.Shortest & Longest Book You Read In 2015?

Longest

Shortest 

17. Book That Shocked You The Most

18. OTP OF THE YEAR (you will go down with this ship!)

It has to be Ana and Christian. 

19. Favorite Non-Romantic Relationship Of The Year

Cassie and Sammy from The 5th Wave by Rick Yancey.

20. Favorite Book You Read in 2015 From An Author You’ve Read Previously

21. Best Book You Read In 2015 That You Read Based SOLELY On A Recommendation From Somebody Else/Peer Pressure:

22. Newest fictional crush from a book you read in 2015?

Hardin from After Series by Anna Todd

23. Best 2015 debut you read?

24. Best Worldbuilding/Most Vivid Setting You Read This Year?

25. Book That Put A Smile On Your Face/Was The Most FUN To Read?

26. Book That Made You Cry Or Nearly Cry in 2015?

27. Hidden Gem Of The Year?

28. Book That Crushed Your Soul?

29. Most Unique Book You Read In 2015?

I don't really have any that stands out.

30. Book That Made You The Most Mad (doesn’t necessarily mean you didn’t like it)?

I decided just to do this part of the survey as I haven't thought to far ahead in 2016 book wise which I need to get on with. Have a great new year, see you on the flip side!

#Giveaway SeaSide Christmas by Stacy Claflin Book Blast

 

Seaside Christmas by Stacy Claflin

He can’t stand her. She thinks he’s crazy. Will their feelings stay etched in permanent ink?

Cruz Hunter has always stuck out in his small hometown. Now that he’s covered in tattoos, the residents peg him as even more of an outcast. It seems like the whole world is against his dream of opening a local tattoo parlor.

When he finally finds the perfect place for his new business, Cruz discovers a pastor and his daughter have already bought it. The only thing more irritating than the change in his plan is Talia, a beautiful and feisty argument in a dress. Cruz would like nothing more than to have her out of his life and his mind, but for some reason, she’s the only thing he can think about.

If Cruz and Talia can stop arguing long enough, opposites may do much more than attract.



Meet the Hunter brothers of Kittle Falls…

The Seaside Hunters novels are a series of contemporary sweet romances. They’re set in the beach town of Kittle Falls, following the Hunter brothers as they make their way back to their hometown and find the loves they couldn’t elsewhere. Each book is a standalone.

Author Stacy Claflin

I don’t stick to a single genre in my writing, reading, or viewing. My favorite shows include Supernatural, The Walking Dead, Pretty Little Liars, Lost Girl, Vampire Diaries, and Once Upon a Time.

I've been writing and telling stories for as long as I can remember. As a kid, my story telling would get me into trouble because I would try to convince others that my stories were real.

When I'm not busy writing, I like spending time with my family and friends. I also educate my kids from home.

Website * Facebook * Twitter * Pinterest

$50 Book Blast Giveaway

Enter to win an Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash

Ends 12/20/15

Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader and sponsored by readinglight.com. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Ho Ho Ho Read a thon Mini Challenge

Ho Ho Ho Read A Thon is hosted by Kimberly @  Caffeinated Book Reviewer & Jennifer @ Book Shelfery . It's a read a thon that takes place from the 12th- 17th November.  There is still time to sign up, for all the rules and regulations and to sign up head over here.

Mini challenge!

What is your favourite holiday/ Christmas movie you loved as a child?

My favourite was and still is Miracle on 34th Street and it is one I watch every year. 

To enter my mini challenge:

To be eligible to win, you must be signed up and taking part in the read a thon.

Tell me your favourite holiday/Christmas Movie you loved as a child in the comments below along with a way to contact you if you win, a Twitter handler will suffice if you don't want to leave an email.

Challenges will be open from 8 am (EST) on the 12th and remain open until Nov 17th at 11:59 pm (EST).

You must participate in at least one challenge to be eligible for the grand prize posted  here hosted by Kimberly & Jennifer.

My winner will be chosen at random , the winner can choice a holiday/winter book of there choice VIA Book Depository worth $10 or less. For all my giveaway rules click here

You can enter more challenges below 

Kristin @ Addicted to Happily Ever After "Draw It Out"

Nelle @ Nelle's Nightstand  "Book Cover Bingo"

Christy @ Love of Books "Puzzle Game"

Trish @ Between My Lines "Name That Book
Elizabeth @ Thoughts From An Overlord

Happy Reading!

My Stepbrother My Escort by Leigh James Book Blitz #Giveaway

Book & Author Details:

My Stepbrother, My Escort by Leigh James 

Publication date: October 2015 

Genres: Contemporary, New Adult

Synopsis:

Rising actress Lowell Barton has problems… Lots of them.
One night, she tries to solve them with margaritas… Lots of them. Unfortunately, she throws them up all over a police officer’s shoes. And then a video of the incident shows up all over the Internet.

Now she needs to do damage control. Fast. What she needs is a story juicy enough to throw the press off. A new boyfriend—a perfect, smoking hot new boyfriend—that’d be just the thing.

Unfortunately, it’s just the thing she doesn’t have.

Deciding to throw caution to the wind and money at her mounting problems, Lowell hires a date. But when sexy escort Kyle Richards steps out of her past and onto her doorstep, she finds herself in a fresh hell she couldn’t have even imagined.
Is he the stepbrother-escort from hell, or just the thing to save her career—and herself?

Lowell’s about to find out. One thing she knows for sure: only desperate times call for measures this desperate.

Goodreads / Amazon

AUTHOR BIO:

Leigh James is a USA Today bestselling author of contemporary romance. She has a degree in journalism from the University of New Hampshire and a law degree from Suffolk University School of Law.

She lives in New Hampshire with her husband and three children.

You can keep up with Leigh's new releases and sales by signing up for her newsletter: here

Website / Twitter/ Facebook

Giveaway

$25 Amazon Gift Card (INTERNATIONAL) Giveaway sponsored by author

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Sunday Post #29: Harry Potter Illustrated book arrived in the mail!

The Sunday Post was created by Kimberly @ Caffeinated Reviewer this is a post where we recap the going on's on the blog the previous week and the week coming up as well as the awesome books we have received for review, brought or gifted.

This week has been a quiet week, bookwise and life wise. I have one more week to go in work before I have a week off. I am excited for my week off as it will be my birthday at the end of the month and I have some plans that week with family and friends. I also have been making a list of books am going to treat myself too. My mum actually said to me you treat your self every week to books, which is true but am going to be able to buy myself a LOT more books than usual. So let's see what happened on the blog this week:

Mon 12th: The Infected (Pods #2) by Michelle Pickett Release Day Blitz #Giveaway

Tues 13th- Canvas Bound by Laura M Kolar Blitz #Giveaway

Top Ten author duos you would love see write a book together

Wed 14th- Waiting On Wednesday #43

Thurs 15th- Witchcraft Book-Birthday Blog Bash #Giveaway

Fri 16th- The House At Homecoming Cove by Ginny Baird Blast #Giveaway

Review Emmy and Oliver by Robin Benway

Sat 17th- Thirty Nights by Ani Keating Teaser Reveal & #Giveaway

Current Giveaways

Coming this week:

Mon 19th: #Review Spirit Bound ( Vampire Academy #5) by Richelle Mead

Release Day Launch My Secret Crush

Tues 20th: Top Ten Tuesday- 10 wishes I'd ask a genie to grant me

My stepmother, my escort by Leigh James Blitz

Wed 21st- Waiting On Wednesday

#Review Last Sacrifice ( Vampire #6 ) by Richelle Mead

Thurs 22nd: #Review Pleasures Edge (Adult Read)

Fri 23rd- Adult Colouring book feature & #Giveaway

Things I have been loving this week:

First up I loved the first episode of Arrow but the ending, I am so confused like who is going to die in the future, please not Felicity, or Diggle or speedy, oh God I don't know if I can take this, there's a whole season to go!

I love watching book tubers and one I love is Christine @ Poland Banana Books and she had the amazing opportunity to interview the cast of the Shadowhunters TV @ New York Comic Con. I love her video, check it out:

Another book tuber Jesse The Reader had a video on book inspired candles. Yes guys books inspired candles. I need these in my life. There are so many from fairy dust to Hargrids Pumpkin Patch to Peetas Cakes and I want them all. If you want to check them out head over to From The Page's Esty Store here

I love music and I have a playlist on YouTube divided into years like 2014, 2015 and I add songs to the lists throughout each year that I am loving. It reminds me when I look back on the song's I was loving at the time in my life's. Two new songs added to the list are:

Ghost Town- Spark- This song just sounds like a perfect Halloween song

Hometown - Where I belong- This is such a good song and I love the guy who starts singing first his voice just gives me chills.

Now for the books:

Remembrance and Can't Buy me love where kindle freebies.

Underwater is a April 2016 release in the UK that I got on netgalley this is one am really looking forward to reading. Note: It releases in the U.S. in January. My Harry Potter Illustrated edition finally arrived and it is beautiful. If you love Harry Potter it's an excellent edition to your shelf.

Sprinkle of glitter's 2016 Diary looks so cute and had some cute ideas inside to do throughout the year and is also a typical day to day diary.

So that's me this week, how was your week? Did you get any exciting books. Let me know in the comments below.

Thirty Nights by Ani Keating Teaser Reveal & #Giveaway

On  November 17^th, Thirty Nights by Ani Keating will be releasing from Samhain Press. Today Ani is sharing some great advance praise and teasers!

Title: Thirty Nights

Author: Ani Keating

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Release Date: November 17^th

About Thirty Nights:

Thirty nights. Two hearts. One fate.

American Beauty, Book 1

After her parents’ tragic deaths, Elisa Snow wanted nothing more than to escape her past. Eighteen and alone, she fled her quaint English village and moved to the United States. A starving science student by day and an artist’s muse by night, Elisa has slowly built a new life. She never dreamed she would lose everything again.

She’s one week from graduation when her visa is unexpectedly denied. Given thirty days to leave the country, she must face the one thing she cannot survive again—saying goodbye and leaving her home. Yet within minutes of her world shattering, she meets a man with the power to piece it back together.

After finishing his tour of duty in Iraq, Aiden Hale traded battlefields for boardrooms, becoming one of the most successful venture capitalists in the nation. But all his wealth can’t buy him reprieve from the horrific memories of war. The only thing that gives him peace is a painting of Elisa.

Drawn together by their invisible wounds, they begin a passionate affair as they race against the clock to defy their pasts—and fight for their future.

Earlier versions of this book were posted on the author’s blog under the titles of The Master’s Muse and 30 Nights of Snow, using the pen name Ani Surnois, and has since been extensively edited.

Preorder Now! Samhain | Amazon | iTunes |Barnes & Noble | Kobo

Exclusive Excerpt:

The light of his bedroom is muted. No sound but the night and my loud breathing. He

is close, very close. I smell sandalwood. Cinnamon. Aiden. I see nothing but him. And he

has turned part beast, part man. The molten blue of his eyes stirs, melts, whirlpools, freezes and revives all over again, in some inner battle.

He caresses my cheek with the backs of his fingers, along my jawline, until he reaches

my lips. He traces my lower lip with his thumb and the edge of his nail scrapes my skin

lightly, back and forth, back and forth. My eyes close, my head lolls to the side.

Then, both his hands frame my face.

“Open your eyes,” he whispers. I do, but my eyelids are heavy.

“Elisa, have you done this before?” His voice is low, almost part of the night. I can only

shake my head.

“La virgen,” he mouths. “Are you sure you want this?”

This, yes. What’s coming later, no. I nod. Apparently the powers of speech have deserted

His lips hover over mine. I feel his hot breath on my mouth.

“I should stop you, but I won’t. Because every day, every hour—awake or asleep —since

I saw your first painting, you have haunted me.” His voice is on a tight leash, and the fire in his eyes rages brighter. One of his hands leaves my face and splays at the small of my back. He presses me against his body. Hardened, coiled. For me. He brings his mouth to my ear.

“I think it’s time I haunt you back.”

Advance Praise:

“. . . [R]efreshing to discover a strong female protagonist, unwilling to compromise her morals and integrity for anyone, even her true love. . . I will be waiting patiently and excitedly for Book 2.”



“…Outstanding! Second to none! I consider myself very lucky to have found your story. I am so there for [sequel]!”



“I could pick out your writing anywhere, anytime and any place because you write like no other! Your style is incredibly unique and creative and rarely matched in this arena. I have several favorite authors, all incredibly talented, of which you are one. Your style certainly sets you apart.”



“. . . a must-read so good, that it is dangerous. . .”



“… This story is rich, pure, and a complete work of art on its own. . .”

About Ani Keating:

Ani Keating is an attorney, daughter, sister, and wife, living in the City of Roses, Oregon. When she is not in court or at the office helping clients sort through legal issues (and complaining about the photocopy machine), Ani explores her childhood passion for writing. Her first novel, Thirty Nights, is a sexy and heart-tugging story about love’s power to save and guide us even at our darkest moments.

Thirty Nights was originally posted online on fanfiction and on Ani’s popular blog. Over the course of eight short months, the story received more than half-million hits, 63,000 visitors, over 1,000 followers, and over 3,000 reviews and messages. It will be released for everyone on November 17, 2015. Its sequel, Ninety Days, is currently in the drafting stage.

When she is not writing, Ani spends endless hours at Powell’s Bookstore, exploring classics and latest releases. She also likes to stroll through the Portland Rose Garden, drool over shoes on any store window, and dance to everything from Beyoncé to Johnny Cash.

You can connect with Ani on the following media:

@AniKeating / Facebook / Website

For inquires related to signings and book and movie rights, please contact her agent at stacy@reasonmgmt.com.

Enter Ani’s Giveaway:

a Rafflecopter giveaway