Monday, October 31, 2016

New YA Releases : Week of October 31st


Here are some upcoming releases this week. Release dates sources: 
Barnes & Noble, Amazon, etc.




A Millions Worlds Without You by Claudia Gray

Aftermath by Clara Kensie

Bad Blood by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

The Diabolic by S.J. Kincaid

Blood for Blood by Ryan Graudin

The Amateurs by Sara Shepard

The Romantics by Leah Konen

The Sun is Also A Star by Nicola Yoon


Happy Reading!

October 2016 Wrap-Up!

A review of the monthly activities on the blog incl. book reviews, memes, 
reading challenge additions, book hauls

Hey Bookies!



This is my Wrap-Up post for October! I have read a couple of books this month so take a look:


Books Read:




Books Reviewed:

New Books:


I put myself on a Book Buying Ban so no new books this month. . . :(


Book In Progress:




Die for You by Amy Fellner Dominy


November TBR:

Ever the Hunted by Erin Summerill
Frost Blood by Elly Blake
RoseBlood by A.G. Howard

If you have any suggestions on improving my Wrap-Ups for the future posts, comment below.


Happy Reading!
Saturday, October 29, 2016

Review : Forever Doon by Carey Corp & Lorie Langdon


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

PublisherBlink
Publication dateAugust 2, 2016
Pages: 384
Source: ARC

The Story:
With the witch of Doon on the throne, Jamie believed dead, and Duncan and Mackenna trapped in Alloway, Veronica has no choice but to put her grief aside and prepare her remaining followers for the impending battle against the false queen and her forces. But while on a covert mission to steal a powerful elixir from the castle, Veronica discovers her true love may actually be alive, and fighting a battle of his own.
With the Brig o’ Doon destroyed and the portal fragmented, Doon’s forces are not only divided, but also isolated in different dimensions. With the help of a storyteller as ancient as the witch herself, Kenna and Duncan learn they must rebuild the bridge to have any chance of crossing back into Doon with their ragtag army. But when Mackenna insists on fighting as well, Duncan soon realizes the only way he can ensure her safety is to turn her into a cold-hearted killer.
For Vee, Jamie, Kenna, and Duncan, saving their kingdom while keeping their lives intact will take a miracle.
Amazon


Rating

One-word ReviewMEH

Reading Tune
 Outlander - Main Title Theme by Bear McCreary ft. Raya Yarbrough


Opening Line:

I collapsed to my knees in the wet sand, staring at the vast, empty expanse of beach without a mountain in sight.

My Review

To be honest, I thought the Doon series ended on a low note. I was bored with 
Forever Doon and it took me about a month to finish. . . Which was so disappointing since I enjoyed the previous books.

The plot of Forever Doon was basically the same as the previous novels in the series. Destroy the evil wannabe queen. Keep True Love alive. Keep Doon "on the map." Doon, a kingdom Veronica has to get back from the evil witch and her minions.

The pacing of 
Forever Doon was too slow for me. The story was drawn on. There wasn't enough BAM! for my buck. Corp and Langdon's writing dynamic was pretty much the same as the pervious books the storyline just slow. What I enjoyed most about the writing this book was the alternative chapters including Jamie and Duncan's point of view as well. I was not sure how it was going to play, if the authors were going to botch the Prince Charmings', male point of view . . . But I am glad to say it was what I enjoyed most about Forever Doon.

All in all, I was disappointed with 
Forever Doon but I am glad I didn't DNF it. Nevertheless, there were definitely positives about the story -- reading Jamie and Duncan's point of views, the character growth, Evil did not prevail, the Happily Ever After. While the series did not end on a cliff-note, I would have appreciated a more definitive ending for Kenna and Duncan. Nevertheless, the character growth of Veronica and McKenna was topnotch and it has been my pleasure to watch them grow throughout the series.

Meet the Authors:


 NY Times & USA Today Best-selling author, Carey Corp, wrote her first book, a brilliant retelling of Star Wars, at the prodigious age of seven. Since then, her love affair of reinvention has continued to run amuck. Writing both literary fiction and stories for young adults, she begins each morning consuming copious amounts of coffee while weaving stories that capture her exhaustive imagination. She harbors a voracious passion (in no consistent order) for mohawks, Italy, musical theater, chocolate, and Jane Austen. Her debut novel for teens, The Halo Chronicles: The Guardian, earned her national recognition as 2010 Golden Heart finalist and more recently made the N Times Best-seller list. Coming Sept, 2015:Shades of Doon (book 3 of the 4 book Doon series), a young adult series loosely based on the concept of the musical Brigadoon, used with permission from the Alan Jay Lerner Estate & the Frederick Loewe Foundation, and co-written with Lorie Langdon.





Lorie Langdon is one half of the author team that writes the best-selling DOON series, a YA re-imagining of Brigadoon!, published by Blink/HarperCollins. She has longed to write her own novels since she was a wee girl reading every Judy Blume book she could get her hands on. So a few years ago, she left her thriving corporate career to satisfy the voices in her head. Now as a full-time author and stay-at-home mom, she spends her days tucked into her cozy office, Havanese puppy by her side, working to translate her effusive imagination into the written word.

Lorie’s first solo novel, GILT HOLLOW, a YA romantic thriller, releases September 2016!



*** Check out the Doon series' website for more information: HERE 

Happy Reading!

Wednesday, October 26, 2016

Wishlist Wednesday #106


*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*




Black Dawn by Mallory McCartney

Publisher
Clean Reads 
Release DateFebruary 14, 2017

The Story:

"The end of an Empire. The rise of a Queen."
Emory Fae enjoys leading a quiet, normal life that is until two mysterious, and dare I say handsome soldiers show up at her apartment doorstep and the life she knew is instantly whisked away. Coming from the magical and ravaged world of Kiero, Emory is brought back not realizing that both men are darkly woven in her past. Discovering she is the long lost heir to the Royal Line Emory is thrown into Black Dawn Rebellion with a dynamic role to ignite the rebels and reclaim her throne. With both lives clashing Emory uncovers hidden secrets from her past, a power held long dormant, and will soon realize there are worse things than supernatural humans, love, loss, betrayal, and a Mad King.
Some things are better left in the shadows.
-via Amazon



Meet the Author

Mallory McCartney currently lives in London, Ontario with her husband and their two dachshunds Link and Lola. Black Dawn is her debut novel, the first in a series. When she isn’t working on her next novel or reading, she can be found dog grooming, book shopping and hiking. Other favorite pastimes involve reorganizing perpetually overflowing bookshelves and seeking out new coffee and dessert shops.



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

Happy Reading!


Monday, October 24, 2016

New YA Releases : Week of October 24


Here are some upcoming releases this week. Release dates sources: 
Barnes & Noble, Amazon, etc.




Glitter by Aprilynne Pike

A Darkly Beating Heart by Lindsay Smith

Pushing Perfect by Michelle Falkoff


Happy Reading!
Wednesday, October 19, 2016

Wishlist Wednesday #105


*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*




Shining Sea by Mimi Cross

Publisher
Skyscape 
Release DateMay 24, 2016
Pages: 432

The Story:

Seventeen-year-old Arion Rush has always played the obedient sidekick to her older sister’s flashy femme fatale—until a mysterious boating accident leaves Lilah a silent, traumatized stranger. As her sister awaits medical treatment with their mother, Arion and their father head to his hometown in Maine to prepare a new life for them all. Surrounded by the vast Atlantic, songwriting is Arion’s only solace, her solid ground.
Unexpectedly, Arion blossoms in the tiny coastal town. Friends flock to her, and Logan Delaine, a volatile heartthrob, seems downright smitten. But it’s Bo Summers—a solitary surfer, as alluring as he is aloof—that Arion can’t shake. Meanwhile, Lilah’s worsening condition, a string of local fatalities, and Arion’s own recent brushes with death seem ominously linked…to Bo’s otherworldly family. As Arion’s feelings for Bo intensify and his affections turn possessive, she must make a choice. How will Arion learn to listen to her own voice when Bo’s siren song won’t stop ringing in her ears?

-via Amazon



Meet the Author

Mimi Cross is an author, singer, and songwriter. Grammy award–winning artist Rosanne Cash has described Cross’s writing and singing as “Fusing delicacy and power, heart and gut. Inspiring, evocative, and refreshing.” Cross received a bachelor of music from Ithaca College and an MA from New York University and is the creator of Body of Writing, a practice combining yoga and writing that boosts creativity. Her debut novel, Before Goodbye, was published by Skyscape. She resides with her young son in New Jersey.



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

Happy Reading!


Monday, October 17, 2016

New YA Releases: Week of October 17th


Here are some upcoming releases this week. Release dates sources: 
Barnes & Noble, Amazon, etc.



Gemina (The Illuminae Files Series #2) by Amie Kaufman, Jay Kristoff

What Light by Jay Asher

Moon Chosen: Tales of a New World by P. C. Cast

Empire of Storms (Throne of Glass Series #5) by Sarah J. Maas

Rose & Thorn by Sarah Prineas

Shutter by Laurie Faria Stolarz


Happy Reading!
Saturday, October 15, 2016

Review : Shades of Doon by Carey Corp & Lorie Langdon


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

PublisherBlink
Publication dateSeptember 1, 2015
Pages: 352
Source: Own

The Story:
After cheating death, Veronica Welling is determined to savor every moment in her idyllic kingdom with both her true love and best friend by her side at last. At the same time, Mackenna Reid is enthusiastically building her new life and a theater with her prince. But just as their dreams of happiness are within reach, the world Vee and Kenna have chosen is ripped away, leaving them to face their most horrific challenge yet—their old lives.
Thrust out of Doon, the best friends are confronted with tormentors from their past and no way to return to their adopted land. When the MacCrae brothers rush to their rescue, the girls’ situation turns from nightmare to modern-day fairy tale. But their happiness could be short lived: unbeknownst to them, someone in their closest circle is aiding the witch of Doon in her bid to destroy the kingdom once and for all.
- Amazon

Rating





One-word ReviewMAGICAL

Reading Tune
 Outlander - Main Title Theme by Bear McCreary ft. Raya Yarbrough

Opening Line:

Cheating death tends to make you live with your whole heart -- to take risks and enjoy each moment, no matter how gritty.

My Review

The plot of Shades of Doon was a bit interesting. In nothing but their pajamas, Vee and Kenna get shoved out of Doon to different states of the U.S.. They have to find other then find a way back to Scotland to Doon. But evil is amiss. 

Not only are the best friends confronted with the familiarity of their old lives and the spikes of their old nemesis but they must devise a plan to return to Doon and weed out the evil impostor in their circle of trusted friends.

Shades of Doon's pacing was decent. A little slow at times but not to the point where I had to put it down and grow some patience. The writing was just as fun, witty and magical as ever. Corp and Landgon never had terrible with world-building in the Doon series, and it sure did not start in Shades of Doon.

 "Nay, let me finish. You've got to stop putting barriers up against me." He took my shoulders in a firm grip, his eyes drilling into mine. "I' am not yer father, Verranica. I willna give up on ye. I love tha' you challenge me, tha' ye push me to be better. We have a divine Calling, yes. But even if we dinna, I would choose you. Over and over I will choose you until you get it through your thick-as-granite skull that I will always choose you." (page 205)

All in all, I enjoyed the continuation of Vee and Kenna's magical story. This series about two best friends finding their own, True Love, and magic hits the bookworm spot.

I turned toward the darkened end of the corridor just as Duncan stepped into view. Before my brain could command my feet to move, I was sprinting into his arms. He crushed me against him with my face buried in his neck. His unique, familiar scent of leather and sunshine banished away the darkness. I opened my mouth to speak, and the words I'd intended came out as a strangled sob. (page 315)

Character Breakdown:

Veronica -- As the progression of the Doon series goes on, Vee's character growth from Vee from Indiana to royalty. We are not quiet yet there to Queen Veronica, but she is well on her way.


MacKenna -- She was really struggling with her new life in Doon. Leaving behind Chicago and the Broadway stage but in 
Shades of Doon I think the pros of a life in Doon start to outweigh the cons.

Meet the Authors:


 NY Times & USA Today Best-selling author, Carey Corp, wrote her first book, a brilliant retelling of Star Wars, at the prodigious age of seven. Since then, her love affair of reinvention has continued to run amuck. Writing both literary fiction and stories for young adults, she begins each morning consuming copious amounts of coffee while weaving stories that capture her exhaustive imagination. She harbors a voracious passion (in no consistent order) for mohawks, Italy, musical theater, chocolate, and Jane Austen. Her debut novel for teens, The Halo Chronicles: The Guardian, earned her national recognition as 2010 Golden Heart finalist and more recently made the N Times Best-seller list. Coming Sept, 2015:Shades of Doon (book 3 of the 4 book Doon series), a young adult series loosely based on the concept of the musical Brigadoon, used with permission from the Alan Jay Lerner Estate & the Frederick Loewe Foundation, and co-written with Lorie Langdon.





Lorie Langdon is one half of the author team that writes the best-selling DOON series, a YA re-imagining of Brigadoon!, published by Blink/HarperCollins. She has longed to write her own novels since she was a wee girl reading every Judy Blume book she could get her hands on. So a few years ago, she left her thriving corporate career to satisfy the voices in her head. Now as a full-time author and stay-at-home mom, she spends her days tucked into her cozy office, Havanese puppy by her side, working to translate her effusive imagination into the written word.

Lorie’s first solo novel, GILT HOLLOW, a YA romantic thriller, releases September 2016!



*** Check out the Doon series' website for more information: HERE 

Happy Reading!


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