Wednesday, December 31, 2014

Wishlist Wednesday #14


*Wishlist Wednesday is where you show a book that has been on your wishlist/TBR list for a while, the meme is hosted by Pen to Paper*



The Eternity Key by Bree Despain

Publisher: Egmont USA
Release Date: April 28, 2014
Pages: 368

The Story:

Fan-favorite author Bree Despain continues her modern-day romance trilogy inspired by the Greek myth of Persephone and Hades with this second book in her Into the Dark series.  
 
Haden Lord, the disgraced Prince of the Underrealm, has chosen love over honor and will do everything in his power to protect Daphne Raines, the human girl he was supposed to bring to the Underrealm. Haden’s choice is put to the test as the Skylords and a figure from his past arrive in Olympus Hills with a plan that could destroy all of the realms.

Embracing her destiny as the Cypher, Daphne begins to understand the immense power of her musical ability to control the elements, but she must come to terms with her feelings for Haden and what she must sacrifice in order to protect him and her friends.

Believing the Key of Hades is the only thing that can stop the Underrealm Court from releasing the monstrous Keres on the mortal world, Haden, Daphne, and their friends set out to find the Key before Persephone’s Gate opens again on the spring equinox.


-via Amazon

Want to see my entire Wishlist? Check it out on Amazon: Books I Dream About

Happy Reading!


Tuesday, December 30, 2014

Review : If I Lie by Corrine Jackson

*Warning: This review may contain spoilers. Read at your own risk.
PublisherSimon Pulse
Publication date: August 6, 2013
Pages: 276
Source: Own

The Story:
Cheater. Traitor. Slut.
Quinn’s done the unthinkable: she kissed a guy who is not Carey, her boyfriend. And she got caught. Shunned by everyone she knows, Quinn loses her friends, her reputation, and her identity. Because Carey’s not just any guy—he’s a Marine who’s serving overseas, and beloved by everyone in their small, military town.
But Quinn didn’t cheat. She could clear her name, but that would mean revealing secrets she’s vowed to keep—secrets that aren’t hers to share. So she stays silent, and she waits for Carey to come home.
Then Carey goes MIA, and Quinn must decide how far she’ll go to protect her boyfriend…and her promise.
RatingTHREE GOLD STARS!!!

My Review

Oh, If I Lie. *le sigh* I really, truly wanted to love this book. I could not wait to get my hands on its. Alas, the ending murdered my soul. My biggest pet peeve when reading books: an unhappy ending. I am Team Happy Endings through and through. There is more than enough real-life grief to go around, I don't need it in my books. Had there been a happy ending, I would have given If I Lie a 4-star rating. If I Lie is a well written book that draws you into the story. Although I was frustrated with Quinn and Carey's situation, I think that was the point and adding to the plot. Still, aarrgghhhhh.

Quinn and Carey have been dating for years. They are the town perfect teen couple. Carey is the perfect boyfriend who is also honorable and joins the military to fight for our country. Then the unthinkable happens . . . Quinn is caught kissing another boy. Insert all the town shaming. I mean how could she do that to the perfect boyfriend who is overseas risking his life for America? Well . . .
every couples have their secrets.

To make matters worse, when Quinn tries to get in contact with Carey he is MIA. Is he okay? Is he alive? How will she tell him about the kiss? How will they move forward with their secrets ruining Quinn's life? Quinn must make a decision about her next move.

With that being said, if you're not shy of sucky endings, then If I Lie should make it to your TBR pile. This is the first book I read by Corrine Jackson and it was a good read. If you haven't read anything by her give If I Lie a chance.

*** Check out Corrine Jackson's website for more information about her and If I Lie: HERE 

*My review on Goodreads  |  Amazon

Happy Reading!
Monday, December 29, 2014

Melodious Monday #19


*Melodious Monday is a meme I came up with to share my weekly top picks in music that I like to listen to while reading and writing.

Top Five Picks

These are the songs I had on repeat while reading this past week:







1. I Mean It by G-Eazy










4. All About It by Hoodie Allen





Enjoy the reading tunes!


Wednesday, December 24, 2014

Wishlist Wednesday #13


*Wishlist Wednesday is where you show a book that has been on your wishlist/TBR list for a while, the meme is hosted by Pen to Paper*



The Heir by Kiera Cass

Publisher: HarperTeen
Release Date: May 5, 2015
Pages: 368

The Story:

Kiera Cass's #1 New York Times bestselling Selection series has enchanted readers from the very first page. In this fourth romantic novel, follow Illéa's royal family into a whole new Selection—and find out what happens after happily ever after.
Twenty years ago, America Singer entered the Selection and won Prince Maxon's heart. Now the time has come for Princess Eadlyn to hold a Selection of her own. Eadlyn doesn't expect her Selection to be anything like her parents' fairy-tale love story...but as the competition begins, she may discover that finding her own happily ever after isn't as impossible as she's always thought.
A new generation of swoonworthy characters and captivating romance awaits in the fourth book of the Selection series!

-via Amazon

Want to see my entire Wishlist? Check it out on Amazon: Books I Dream About

Happy Reading!


Tuesday, December 23, 2014

Review : Boundless by Cynthia Hand (Unearthly Series #3)

*Warning: This review may contain spoilers. Read at your own risk.

Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers

Release Date: January 22, 2013
Pages: 438
Source: Own

The Story:

The past few years held more surprises than part-angel Clara Gardner ever could have anticipated. Now, with the fallen angel who attacked her watching her every move and the threat of Black Wings looming, Clara knows she must finally fulfill her destiny—a destiny that includes Christian Prescott by her side. But in order to complete her purpose, Clara must first find a way to give up the thing she wants most . . . a future with the boy she loves, Tucker Avery.
via Barnes & Noble

Rating
FOUR Gold Stars!!!!


My Review: One word: 

Talk about a finale! I was so sorry to see the Unearthly series end but boy was the final ride fun.


Plot:


In my reviews of Unearthly and Hallowed the plot left something to be desired - it was a little lackluster for me. But in Boundless, my wish was granted - the plot had a bit more spunk to it. There was action, bad events took place, the character's abilities were put to the test, there was suspense and more. However, there was one tidbit that drove me nuts. Clara's main conflict in Unearthly and Hallowed was miraculously resolved. Perhaps it would not have peeved me so much if the resolution was more dramatic but that wasn't the case. Instead, it sort of melted, uneventfully, off into the Wyoming sunset. I needed more. Alas, the main conflict in Boundless was more fleshed out. 


In this book, we see more of the love triangle. I am a Tucker Girl 100 percent but it was so much harder for me to ignore Christian. I had the feels for Christian. For all three of them. Clara had to literally fight destiny to choose who she wanted to love. Christian was in love with a girl whose heart was torn. And Tucker was not only human but was in love with a part-Angel girl and had to compete with another angelic being for her affection. 

Even more, Cynthia Hand practically ripped my soul out in Boundless. Yet another person dies in the Unearthly series. The death in Hallowed was hard but the deaths in book 3 had me blubbering like a baby. The scene was so well-written - it was strong, emotional, realistic. I thought I was in Boundless and the experience was happening to me. I nearly died! 

And get this, Bookies! There is an epilogue. An EPIC epilogue! The perfect bow to the present that is Boundless

*Side-note: You guys have no idea how hard it was to write this review without spoilers.*

If you have not finished the Unearthly series, what in the heck are you waiting for? Get on it! You will not be sorry that you did. Bookiedeeds' Promise. Boundless was a captivating, emotional ride that had me all chips in from the starting gate.

Here is one of my favorite quotes from 
Boundless:

 AngelaShe shrugs."Men"
"Men."
"If we can send one man to the moon, why can't we send them all there?” 



***Check out Cynthia Hand's website for more information about her and the Boundless: HERE

Happy Reading!



Monday, December 22, 2014

Melodious Monday #18


*Melodious Monday is a meme I came up with to share my weekly top picks in music that I like to listen to while reading and writing.

Top Five Picks

These are the songs I had on repeat while reading this past week:









1. Arch & Point by Miguel












4. Watchtower by Devlin




Enjoy the reading tunes!


Wednesday, December 17, 2014

Wishlist Wednesday #12


*Wishlist Wednesday is where you show a book that has been on your wishlist/TBR list for a while, the meme is hosted by Pen to Paper*



The Sea of Tranquility by Katja Millay

PublisherAtria Books; Reprint edition 
Release Date: June 4, 2013
Pages: 448

The Story:

I live in a world without magic or miracles. A place where there are no clairvoyants or shapeshifters, no angels or superhuman boys to save you. A place where people die and music disintegrates and things suck. I am pressed so hard against the earth by the weight of reality that some days I wonder how I am still able to lift my feet to walk. 

Two and a half years after an unspeakable tragedy left her a shadow of the girl she once was, Nastya Kashnikov moves to a new town determined to keep her dark past hidden and hold everyone at a distance. But her plans only last so long before she finds herself inexplicably drawn to the one person as isolated as herself: Josh Bennett. 

Josh’s story is no secret. Every person he loves has been taken from his life until, at seventeen years old, there is no one left. When your name is synonymous with death, everyone tends to give you your space. Everyone except Nastya who won’t go away until she’s insinuated herself into every aspect of his life. But as the undeniable pull between them intensifies, he starts to wonder if he will ever learn the secrets she’s been hiding—or if he even wants to. 

The Sea of Tranquility is a rich, intense, and brilliantly imagined story about a lonely boy, an emotionally fragile girl, and the miracle of second chances.


-via Amazon

Want to see my entire Wishlist? Check it out on Amazon: Books I Dream About

Happy Reading!


Tuesday, December 16, 2014

Review : Hallowed by Cynthia Hand (Unearthly Series #2)

*Warning: This review may contain spoilers. Read at your own risk.

Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers

Release Date: January 17, 2012
Pages: 403
Source: Own

The Story:

For months Clara Gardner trained to face the fire from her visions, but she wasn't prepared for the choice she had to make that day. And in the aftermath, she discovered that nothing about being part angel is as straightforward as she thought.
Now, torn between her love for Tucker and her complicated feelings about the roles she and Christian seem destined to play in a world that is both dangerous and beautiful, Clara struggles with a shocking revelation: Someone she loves will die in a matter of months. With her future uncertain, the only thing Clara knows for sure is that the fire was just the beginning.
In this compelling sequel to Unearthly, Cynthia Hand captures the joy of first love, the anguish of loss, and the confusion of becoming who you are.
via Barnes & Noble

Rating
FOUR Gold Stars!!!!



My Review: One word: COMPELLING

Yup, Cynthia Hand did it again! Sequels have a notorious reputation for sucking but not in this trilogy. I was sold from the start.  


Plot:


As I mentioned in my review of Unearthly, the plot of Hallowed wasn't exactly the most original or unique but it was well laid out and flows. However, I wish there was more  . . . BAM! to it. Clara was afraid of this fallen angel who threatened her and her friends and family's existence and yet  . . . he didn't do much of anything. So, that was a little disappointing but not to the point 
Hallowed's rating suffered.

As for the Dream plot-line, it was good. I could figure out what was going to happen next. It kept me on my toes wondering, who was going to be next, what God had planned for Clara and more. The person who dies . . . I was like whaaaa? So sad. But so good. Made me choke up a bit.

Overall, Hallowed is a good read. Tucker is still my main man but Christian, boy is he growing on me. The story is compelling and makes readers a part of Clara's world. Round of applause to Cynthia Hand.

Here is one of my favorite quotes from Hallowed:


“Hi there," Tucker says brightly, like we're bumping into each other on the street. 
"Uh, hi."
"Nice night for stalking," he observes.
"No, I was---"
"Get your butt in here, Carrots.” 



***Check out Cynthia Hand's website for more information about her and the Hallowed: HERE

Happy Reading!


Monday, December 15, 2014

Melodious Monday #17


*Melodious Monday is a meme I came up with to share my weekly top picks in music that I like to listen to while reading and writing.

Top Five Picks

These are the songs I had on repeat while reading this past week:
*Side note: I was really into Flyleaf and Breaking Benjamin









1. I'm So Sick by Flyleaf








4. The Diary of Jane by Breaking Benjamin





Enjoy the reading tunes!


Wednesday, December 10, 2014

Wishlist Wednesday #11


*Wishlist Wednesday is where you show a book that has been on your wishlist/TBR list for a while, the meme is hosted by Pen to Paper*



Queen of Someday by Sherry D. Ficklin

Publisher: Clean Teen
Release Date: October 7, 2014
Pages: 262

The Story:

Before she can become the greatest empress in history, fifteen-year-old Sophia will have to survive her social-climbing mother's quest to put her on the throne of Russia - at any cost.
Imperial Court holds dangers like nothing Sophia has ever faced before. In the heart of St. Petersburg, surviving means navigating the political, romantic, and religious demands of the bitter Empress Elizabeth and her handsome, but sadistic nephew, Peter. Determined to save her impoverished family - and herself - Sophia vows to do whatever is necessary to thrive in her new surroundings. But an attempt on her life and an unexpected attraction threatens to derail her plans.
Alone in a new and dangerous world, learning who to trust and who to charm may mean the difference between becoming queen and being sent home in shame to marry her lecherous uncle. With traitors and murderers lurking around every corner, her very life hangs in the balance. Betrothed to one man but falling in love with another, Sophia will need to decide how much she's willing to sacrifice in order to become the empress she is destined to be.
In a battle for the soul of a nation, will love or destiny reign supreme?

-via Amazon

Want to see my entire Wishlist? Check it out on Amazon: Books I Dream About

Happy Reading!


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