Book Highlight & Giveaway: The Plunge - Sindhu S.

Love is madness…
 When a thirty-something journalist Anjali meets the charismatic Siddharth, she has no intention of becoming romantically involved with him. Anjali is a strong, independent woman, angered by the man’s world she lives in and traumatised by events in her past. She has no desire to fall in love. Anjali is certain that, after months of chatting online, when she finally meets Siddharth the charm will be broken. But she is surprised to find herself attracted to him – and shocked when they fall into bed together on their first date. Seized by new emotions that go against everything she believes in, Anjali is caught in a battle between her head and her heart, between love and self-protection. For the first time in her life, Anjali is at the mercy of her emotions and desires…and as she plunges into an affair with a man she knows little about, she risks losing everything. Set in India, The Plunge is a frank and powerful examination of modern relationships that every woman will identify with. Told with astonishing emotional insight, this debut novel will take your breath away.

Amazon | B&N

Born in 1966, Indian writer Sindhu drew inspiration for 'The Plunge' from her days as a journalist in her home country. She loves writing human interest stories and is drawn to women centric issues.As a child she "had suffered from the ugly duckling syndrome", she says. She quit her job as a school teacher on realising it was beyond her ability to discipline students, and switched over to journalism.She moved to the Gulf (Middle East) six years ago. Currently based in Bahrain, she is currently working on her new book, a non-fiction on relationships, and two more projects, among them a novel set in the Middle East. 

Website |  Goodreads

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11 Books I'm Dying To Read Right Now!

Origin (Lux #4)

by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Daemon will do anything to get Katy back.

After the successful but disastrous raid on Mount Weather, he’s facing the impossible. Katy is gone. Taken. Everything becomes about finding her. Taking out anyone who stands in his way? Done. Burning down the whole world to save her? Gladly. Exposing his alien race to the world? With pleasure.

All Katy can do is survive.

Surrounded by enemies, the only way she can come out of this is to adapt. After all, there are sides of Daedalus that don’t seem entirely crazy, but the group’s goals are frightening and the truths they speak even more disturbing. Who are the real bad guys? Daedalus? Mankind? Or the Luxen?

Together, they can face anything. 

But the most dangerous foe has been there all along, and when the truths are exposed and the lies come crumbling down, which side will Daemon and Katy be standing on? And will they even be together?

Expected publication: August 27th 2013 by Entangled Publishing

Note: After The Cliffhanger That Book 4 Opal left us on I'm desperate to read this, I Need My Daemon Black Fix!

White Hot Kiss (The Dark Elements #1)

by Jennifer L. Armentrout 

One kiss could be the last 

Seventeen-year-old Layla just wants to be normal. But with a kiss that kills anything with a soul, she's anything but normal. Half demon, half gargoyle, Layla has abilities no one else possesses. 

Raised among the Wardens—a race of gargoyles tasked with hunting demons and keeping humanity safe—Layla tries to fit in, but that means hiding her own dark side from those she loves the most. Especially Zayne, the swoon-worthy, incredibly gorgeous and completely off-limits Warden she's crushed on since forever. 

Then she meets Roth—a tattooed, sinfully hot demon who claims to know all her secrets. Layla knows she should stay away, but she's not sure she wants to—especially when that whole no-kissing thing isn't an issue, considering Roth has no soul. 

But when Layla discovers she's the reason for the violent demon uprising, trusting Roth could not only ruin her chances with Zayne…it could brand her a traitor to her family. Worse yet, it could become a one-way ticket to the end of the world.

Expected publication: December 31st 2013 by Harlequin Teen

Note: This sounds kick-ass and the other reason is, it's a Jennifer L. Armentrout Book, 'Nuff Said.

Losing Hope (Hopeless #2)

by Colleen Hoover 

In the follow-up to Colleen Hoover’s #1 New York Times bestseller Hopeless, the charming and irresistible Dean Holder tells the passionate story that has melted thousands of hearts.

In Hopeless, Sky left no secret unearthed, no feeling unshared, and no memory forgotten, but Holder’s past remained a mystery.

Still haunted by the little girl he let walk away, Holder has spent his entire life searching for her in an attempt to finally rid himself of the crushing guilt he has felt for years. But he could not have anticipated that the moment they reconnect, even greater remorse would overwhelm him…

Sometimes in life, if we wish to move forward, we must first dig deep into our past and make amends. In Losing Hope, bestselling author Colleen Hoover reveals what was going on inside Holder’s head during all those hopeless moments—and whether he can gain the peace he desperately needs.

Expected publication: October 15th 2013 by Atria Books

Note: I Adored The First Book Hopeless, And I Can't Wait To Read Holder's POV.

Styxx (Dark-Hunter #23)

by Sherrilyn Kenyon

Just when you thought doomsday was over...

Centuries ago Acheron saved the human race by imprisoning an ancient evil bent on absolute destruction. Now that evil has been unleashed and it is out for revenge.

As the twin to Acheron, Styxx hasn’t always been on his brother’s side. They’ve spent more centuries going at each other’s throats than protecting their backs. Now Styxx has a chance to prove his loyalty to his brother, but only if he’s willing to trade his life and future for Acheron’s.

The Atlantean goddess of Wrath and Misery, Bethany was born to right wrongs. But it was never a task she relished. Until now. She owes Acheron a debt that she vows to repay, no matter what it takes. He will join their fellow gods in hell and nothing is going to stop her.

But things are never what they seem, and Acheron is no longer the last of his line. Styxx and Acheron must put aside their past and learn to trust each other or more will suffer.

Yet it’s hard to risk your own life for someone who once tried to take yours, even when it's your own twin, and when loyalties are skewed and no one can be trusted, not even yourself, how do you find a way back from the darkness that wants to consume the entire world? One that wants to start by devouring your very soul?

Expected publication: September 3rd 2013 by St. Martin's Press

Note: I'm Kinda Hoping That This Book Will Be As Epic As Acheron, Styxx Being His Twin Brother I Can Only Hope.

The King (Black Dagger Brotherhood #12)

by J.R. Ward

The newest installment in J.R. Ward’s #1 New York Times bestselling Black Dagger Brotherhood series.  Wrath and the Brotherhood are locked in an epic battle over his throne and the very future of the vampire race.

Expected publication: March 25th 2014 by NAL

Note: One Of My Favourite Series Ever, I Eagerly Await The Next Book Every Year, Squee...

The Fiery Heart (Bloodlines #4)

by Richelle Mead

In The Indigo Spell, Sydney was torn between the Alchemist way of life and what her heart and gut were telling her to do. And in one breathtaking moment that Richelle Mead fans will never forget, she made a decision that shocked even her. . . .

But the struggle isn't over for Sydney. As she navigates the aftermath of her life-changing decision, she still finds herself pulled in too many directions at once. Her sister Zoe has arrived, and while Sydney longs to grow closer to her, there's still so much she must keep secret. Working with Marcus has changed the way she views the Alchemists, and Sydney must tread a careful path as she harnesses her profound magical ability to undermine the way of life she was raised to defend. Consumed by passion and vengeance, Sydney struggles to keep her secret life under wraps as the threat of exposure—and re-education—looms larger than ever.

Pulses will race throughout this thrilling fourth installment in the New York Times bestselling Bloodlines series, where no secret is safe.

Expected publication: November 19th 2013 by Razorbill

Note: I Really Only Need To Say One Word: Adrian!

Sentinel (Covenant #5)

by Jennifer L. Armentrout

It's a beautiful day for a war. Alex must face a terrible choice between destruction of everything she loves and her own destruction. The final book in the COVENANT series.

Expected publication: November 2nd 2013 by Spencer Hill Press

Note: Although I Still Need To Read Apollyon, This Is The Final Book In The Series *Sob*.

Red Hill: A Novel

by Jamie McGuire

When the world ends, can love survive?For Scarlet, raising her two daughters alone makes fighting for tomorrow an everyday battle. Nathan has a wife, but can’t remember what it’s like to be in love; only his young daughter Zoe makes coming home worthwhile. Miranda’s biggest concern is whether her new Mini Cooper is big enough to carry her sister and their boyfriends on a weekend escape from college finals.

When reports of a widespread, deadly “outbreak” begin to surface, these ordinary people face extraordinary circumstances and suddenly their fates are intertwined. Recognizing they can’t outrun the danger, Scarlet, Nathan, and Miranda desperately seek shelter at the same secluded ranch, Red Hill. Emotions run high while old and new relationships are tested in the face of a terrifying enemy—an enemy who no longer remembers what it’s like to be human.

Set against the backdrop of a brilliantly realized apocalyptic world, love somehow finds a way to survive. But what happens when the one you’d die for becomes the one who could destroy you?

Red Hill grabs you from page one and doesn’t let go until its stunning conclusion. This is #1 New York Times bestselling author Jamie McGuire at her unforgettable best.

Expected publication: October 1st 2013 by Atria Books 

Note: After The Walking Disaster Series There Is Nothing That Jamie Mcguire Could Write That I Wouldn't Read!

City of Heavenly Fire (The Mortal Instruments #6)

by Cassandra Clare 

ERCHOMAI, SEBASTIAN HAD SAID. 

I am coming.

Darkness returns to the Shadowhunter world. As their society falls apart around them, Clary, Jace, Simon and their friends must band together to fight the greatest evil the Nephilim have ever faced: Clary’s own brother. Nothing in the world can defeat him — must they journey to another world to find the chance? Lives will be lost, love sacrificed, and the whole world changed in the sixth and last installment of the Mortal Instruments series!

Expected publication: April 2014 by Margaret K. McElderry

Note: Like Twilight & Harry Potter, I'm Just Not Ready To Let Go Of These Characters At All.

The Darkest Craving (Lords of the Underworld #10)

by Gena Showalter

New York Times bestselling author Gena Showalter is back with a breathtaking Lords of the Underworld tale about a warrior trapped by darkness and the woman determined to save him 

Having endured weeks of torture in the bowels of hell, Kane wants nothing to do with his beautiful rescuer, Josephina Aisling. The half-Fae female threatens to awaken the demon of Disaster inside him—a beast he’s determined to kill, no matter the price. 

Josephina is hunted by a brutal enemy—her royal family—and Kane is her only source of protection. He’s also the only male to ever set her aflame, and even he succumbs to the heat. But as they navigate the treacherous world of the Fae, they are forced to make a choice: live apart…or die together.

Expected publication: July 30th 2013 by Harlequin HQN

Note: I Love This Series, However I Wonder How Much Longer Gena Showalter Will Make Us Wait For William's Book?

Dark Lycan (Dark Carpathian #24)

by Christine Feehan 

The erotic, gripping series that has defined an entire genre” (J. R. Ward) continues as #1 New York Times bestselling author Christine Feehan links the fates of two strangers bound by a secret in the shadows of the Carpathian Mountains… 

Tatijana of the Dragonseekers spent centuries encased in ice with her sister, trapped in limbo between life and death, never speaking to a soul other than those who tormented her. Now, she has been freed from her frozen prison by an unknown descendent. Awakened in human form, Tatijana yearns to explore the modern world in which she now lives—a world with more mysteries than she is prepared for.

Fenris Dalka has returned to the Carpathian Mountains after a long absence to be with his brother. He is scarred by centuries of battle, and every hard-won victory. But the real reason for his return home could prove deadly if discovered by the wrong man—or woman. Upon his arrival, he is compelled by a beautiful and enigmatic stranger who carries the scent of fresh earth, of forest, of the night itself.

In time Tatijana and Fenris will discover all that unites them—their secrets and pasts, their predators, and the hot flush of passion that stirs their souls. Yet just as surely, seduced into the silvery darkness of a full-moon night, they’ll also discover everything ancient and evil that exists to destroy them.

Expected publication: September 3rd 2013 by Berkley Hardcover

Note: Another Series Who's New Book I Await Every Year!

Book Review (237): Awaken (Abandon Trilogy #3) - Meg Cabot

Awaken (Abandon Trilogy #3)

by Meg Cabot

Publication: 1st July 2013

Publisher: Pan Macmillan Australia

Pages: 343

Genre: Fantasy/Paranormal

Age Appropriate: Young Adult

From #1 New York Times bestselling author Meg Cabot, the dark reimagining of the Persephone myth comes to a thrilling conclusion.

Death has her in his clutches. She doesn’t want him to let go.

Seventeen-year-old Pierce Oliviera knew by accepting the love of John Hayden, she’d be forced to live forever in the one place she’s always dreaded most: the Underworld. The sacrifice seemed worth it, though, because it meant she could be with the boy she loves.

But now her happiness — and safety — are threatened, all because the Furies have discovered that John has broken one of their strictest rules: He revived a human soul.

If the balance between life and death isn’t fixed, both the Underworld and Pierce’s home back on earth will be wiped away. But there’s only one way to restore order. Someone has to die.

My Thoughts.

So we've come to the end, the finale of this trilogy which has had me captivated from the get go.

It's sad to see this series end, I had become quite attached to all the characters and I loved sharing their journey with them.

Awaken may just be my favourite out of the three, heart-pounding, nail-biting and at times humorous, this book has a bit of everything to satisfy everyone.

The story takes place shortly after the second book ended, Alex and Kayla are settling in down in the Underworld after the events that ocurred at the end of the last book. Everything is going along perfectly, Pierce and John have settled into a rhythm, and then the Furies arrive in the Underworld and all hell let's loose, culminating in the death of a main character, having this happen so early on in the story is a huge shock. Pierce is devastated and resolves to set it straight, no matter what it costs her or what she has to do.

Once again in Isla Huesos, Pierce finds herself surrounded by Furies, trusting her necklace to tell her who's possessed or not, she also discovers the whole back story of why her Uncle Chris was sent to jail for the last sixteen years and how finding out the truth will impact all involved, some for the good, some for the bad.

My absolute highlight of the whole entire book is John meeting Pierce's parents, having them find out just who and what John is, is just hilarious, some definitely take the news better than others.

This series and all it's loose ends are tied up perfectly and it's not often that I can say that about any final book in a series, I can't see anyone being disappointed with the conclusion to this story.

A fitting end for a fantastic series.

I give this 5/5 stars.

A big thanks to Pan Macmillan Australia for the review copy.

Book Review (236): Blooded (Jessica McClain #0.5) - Amanda Carlson

Blooded (Jessica McClain 0.5)

by Amanda Carlson

Publication: 11th April 2012

Publisher: Orbit

Pages: 66

Genre: Urban Fantasy

Age Appropriate: Adult

Jessica McClain was born the only female in an all male race. The only problem is — she's no wolf. Called a curse, a witch and the Daughter of Evil by the superstitious wolves, Jessica decides to fight for her freedom, at age nineteen, the only way she can — in the ring.

When she's brutally attacked right after her fight, is it enough to finally earn her freedom off Compound, or will she be forced to endure the hatred even longer...

My Thoughts.

This is a prequel novella to the Amanda Carlson series Jessica McClain.

Only 66 pages long we still get a lot of story and action in such a short amount of time.

Jessica is the only female born into the world of werewolves, but she was born an anomaly, in her world werewolves are males only and it's because of this that she is believed to be cursed and they've been ordered not to touch her, that doesn't stop them from taunting her or trying to physically hurt her, even though she's never shifted and is considered human, her twin brother Tyler and her Father who is the Alpha of the pack, aren't always around to protect her and that's how she finds herself in a fight with a member of the pack at the beginning of this novella.

I loved this story, and if this is any indication as to how this series is going to be, well then I know for a fact that it's going to become a favourite of mine.

If you like reading stories involving kick-ass heroines then definitely pick this one up.

I give this 5/5 Stars. 

Book Review (235): Underworld (Abandon Trilogy #2) - Meg Cabot

Underworld (Abandon Trilogy #2)

by Meg Cabot

Publication: 8th May 2012

Publisher: Point

Pages: 318

Genre: Fantasy/Paranormal

Age Appropriate: Young Adult

From #1 New York Times bestselling author Meg Cabot, the dark reimagining of the Persephone myth begun in ABANDON continues ... into the Underworld.

Seventeen-year-old Pierce Oliviera isn't dead.

Not this time.

But she is being held against her will in the dim, twilit world between heaven and hell, where the spirits of the deceased wait before embarking upon their final journey.

Her captor, John Hayden, claims it's for her own safety. Because not all the departed are dear. Some are so unhappy with where they ended up after leaving the Underworld, they've come back as Furies, intent on vengeance... on the one who sent them there and on the one whom he loves.

But while Pierce might be safe from the Furies in the Underworld, far worse dangers could be lurking for her there... and they might have more to do with its ruler than with his enemies.

And unless Pierce is careful, this time there'll be no escape.

My Thoughts.

The second book in this trilogy is just as thrilling as the first.

With a lot more action and suspense, plus a whole lot more of John you really can't go wrong.

Stuck in the Underworld with John again, Pierce has been brought back to keep her safe from the Furies that are intent on killing her, resigned to having to live there for the forseeable future until it's safe to return home. Whilst there Pierce discovers a video on her phone of her cousin Alex stuck inside a coffin, seeing him in distress she knows that she needs to get back to Isla Huesos to rescue him, but she knows that it won't be an easy task convincing John to take her back.

Of course when she does get back everyone believes Pierce to have been kidnapped by John, and with her Father posting a million dollar reward for any information, getting around town without being noticed is going to be a little bit tricky.

There's a few new characters featured in this book, two favourites being Henry and Frank who is very intrigued with Pierce's friend Kayla (she has definitely become a favourite of mine over the past couple of books) and they all add a bit of humour to the storyline. 

Of course Henry and Frank add a bit more intrigue to John's past before becoming Lord Of The Underworld, they were all shipmates aboard the ship Liberty that would end up being the death of them all, which having them around also leads to quite a few revelations about John's past coming to light which he has always been loathe to talk about with Pierce, which adds a lot more depth to his character.

All in all this was a great follow up to the first book, not just a filler like some second books in series seem to be, now to read the third and final book of the series, I'm very intrigued to see how this one ends.

I give this 4/5 Stars.

Book Review (234): Abandon (Abandon Trilogy #1) - Meg Cabot

Abandon (Abandon Trilogy #1)

by Meg Cabot

Publication: 26th April 2011

Publisher: Point

Pages: 304

Genre: Fantasy/Paranormal

Age Appropriate: Young Adult

New from #1 New York Times bestselling author Meg Cabot, a dark, fantastical story about this world . . . and the underworld.

Though she tries returning to the life she knew before the accident, Pierce can't help but feel at once a part of this world, and apart from it. Yet she's never alone . . . because someone is always watching her. Escape from the realm of the dead is impossible when someone there wants you back.

But now she's moved to a new town. Maybe at her new school, she can start fresh. Maybe she can stop feeling so afraid.

Only she can't. Because even here, he finds her. That's how desperately he wants her back. She knows he's no guardian angel, and his dark world isn't exactly heaven, yet she can't stay away . . . especially since he always appears when she least expects it, but exactly when she needs him most.

But if she lets herself fall any further, she may just find herself back in the one place she most fears: the Underworld.

My Thoughts.

This was my very first Meg Cabot novel and it definitely won't be my last.

For reasons I can't figure out, this book has a lot of negative reviews, when I posted that I was reading this on Instagram I had no positive remarks given about the book, instead I had people telling me how bad it was, now I would rather give something a go myself before judging it, but I can honestly say I was a little bit worried because so many people can't be wrong right? But I'm happy to say that I'm in the minority of readers that loved it, so much so that I didn't want to put it down at times, and that to me is a sign of a good book.

This story had everything I love in a book, a fantasy/paranormal setting add in the mythology of Hades and Persephone which this book is loosely based on and one hot Death Deity named John and you've got your self one helluva story that kept me entertained all the way through until the very end.

The plot is about seventeen year old Pierce, at the age of fifteen she 'died' drowning in her backyard swimming pool (she was revived but technically dead for a short while), and while dead she found herself in the Underworld, the place where you find out whether you end up in heaven or hell, when she spots a guy who she had met when she was seven years old in a cemetery after her Grandpa's funeral, she immediately goes up to speak with him to tell him what he's doing wrong while running the place, stunned he asks her if she wants to go away somewhere else with him and she agrees, but what Pierce doesn't understand is that by going with him she has become the consort of the Lord Of The Underworld John. After discovering this she panics and manages to escape, but throughout the next couple of years whenever Pierce is in trouble John has a knack of knowing exactly when she needs help and shows up to help her.

After her parents divorce Pierce and her mother move to Isla Huesos, it's there she discovers that not only is the island a big part of John's past but that Furies (spirits that did not end up in heaven) are not happy that she escaped the Underworld two years ago, and they will possess whomever they need to to kill Pierce and destroy John.

But can these two admit their feelings towards each other and unite together to beat the evil out to get them?

I would highly recommend this book to anyone interested in these kind of stories, now I'm off to devour the second book in the trilogy Underworld.

I give this 5/5 Stars.

Book Review (233): How Many Ways (Truly, Madly #1.5) - Cecilia Robert

How Many Ways (Truly Madly #1.5)

by Cecilia Robert

Publication: 22nd May 2013

Publisher: Inkspell Publishing

Pages: 20+

Genre: Contemporary Romance 

Age Appropriate: New Adult

Buy It: Inkspell Publishing

After the rain, comes sunshine and no one knows this better than Liese and Frey. Frey has loved Liese from a distance for years, but now life has dealt him the right cards. His dreams have become a reality, and for the very first time, Liese is truly his to touch and to hold.

**Mature Content Warning** 17+ for language and sexual content.

My Thoughts.

This was a very short novella in-between Truly, Madly, Deeply, You and the second book which will be titled Truly, Deeply, Yours.

Continuing on from the first book, Frey and Liese are now a couple and this story deals with their first time sleeping with one another, Frey is waiting for Liese to be ready and to initiate it while Liese is anxious but excited about finally taking this next step in their relationship after being best-friends for so long.

It ends up being a really good bridge between the two books and sets us up nicely for what will happen next between this couple whom have finally found happiness with each other and truly deserve a happily ever after.

I look forward to the second book in this series, if you're a fan of contemporary romance books then definitely give this series a go.

I give this 4/5 Stars.

A big thanks to Cecilia for the review copy.