Sunday 22 December 2013

(ARC) Book Review (287): Up From The Grave (Night Huntress #7) - Jeaniene Frost


Up From the Grave (Night Huntress #7)

Up From The Grave is the seventh and final book in the Night Huntress series by Jeaniene Frost.
They say that all good things must come to an end, unfortunately for us fans of these books. that means this series that has given us such enjoyment and pleasure in their eagerly anticipated releases has reached it's final swan song.
I hate knowing that this is the last Cat and Bones book, knowing that no more will I read about one of my all-time favorite fictional couples, it makes me feel really sad, I had such a sense of loss after reading this, that when I closed the book it felt like the end of an era, one that I wished had never come.
But I will say one thing, Frost definitely saved the best for last and has let this series go out with a bang and features one of, actually probably THE biggest shock twist in the whole series!
I don't want to give too much away but this book has so much action, right from the get-go, this plus the awesome storyline which helps wrap-up the Cat and Bones saga was perfect, as was the epilogue down to the very last page.
Featuring appearances from all of the characters we've grown to love throughout all of the books, you won't be disappointed, no matter how bittersweet reading this finale is.
What I'm going to do without my Cat and Bones fix every year is beyond me, but these books will definitely be re-read at some point, I can't stay away that long.
I highly recommend that people pick this book up, or for those that have yet to even read the first book, get thee to a bookstore pronto, and I'll sit here feeling jealous of all those people discovering the Night Huntress series for the first time.
A fantastic ending to one of the greatest series ever written.
I give this 5/5 stars.


Jeaniene Frost is the New York Times, USA Today, and international bestselling author of the Night Huntress series, the Night Prince series, and the upcoming Broken Destiny series.  To date, foreign rights for her novels have sold to twenty different countries. Jeaniene lives in North Carolina with her husband Matthew, who long ago accepted that she rarely cooks and always sleeps in on the weekends. Aside from writing, Jeaniene enjoys reading, poetry, watching movies with her husband, exploring old cemeteries, spelunking and traveling – by car. Airplanes, children, and cook books frighten her. 



Cover Reveal: A Need So Insatiable - Cecilia Robert


Title: A Need So Insatiable (Hearts #1)
Genre: New Adult Contemporary Romance
Release Date : February 2014

Book blurb:
“I’ve never bowed or kneeled for anyone,” Rafael says. “Never thought I would.” Then he drops to his knees. He slides his arms around my waist, tugging me closer and bows his head.
“You own me, Sophie.” He looks up, his dark eyes hitting me with enough force to snatch the breath from my lungs. “You’ve owned me from the moment I walked into your life in that music room. Then I saw you slipping out the window like the wolves were after you and I knew I wanted you in my life. You’ve wrapped yourself in my heart and mind. I can’t get you out. I don’t want to.” 

Sophie Fisher’s life is on fire and it’s not her breathtaking voice lighting it, but the trail of debts her father left behind after he passed away a few months ago. If she’s not ducking around corners or slipping out of windows to escape the debt collectors and a slew of characters sent from hell, she’s dealing with her rebellious fifteen-year-old sister, Lilli, who is still coming to terms with their father’s death. And as if that’s not enough, Rafael Van Rees bursts into her life—literally—bringing with him a life the public had no idea of,  memories  and feelings of a past long forgotten.

Rafael Van Rees, Maestro extraordinaire, has always prided himself as a man in control of his destiny, music and women. As far as he is concerned his past is a black cloud in a distance, until he meets Sophie and soon his world spins out of control in more ways than one. He knows that the darkest  sins and secrets eventually do reveal themselves, and fighting not only for his life, but also his heart is a necessity, rather than a choice. When it comes to Sophie, he will stop at nothing to protect her from his past. Even if it kills him.


Photography and models:  Kelsey Keeton of K Keeton Designs
Cover Design: Najla of Najla Qambar Designs

AUTHOR BIO:
I write YA, NA and Adult. My motto: Passion rules. I enjoy writing stories about people finding love in the most unexpected places, coupled with adventurous journeys, whether it's urban, fantasy, sci-fi, contemporary or paranormal romance. There's always a happy ever after, no matter how long it takes to get there. When I'm not working in my full time job, I don my supermom cape, or in most cases find myself trapped between the pages of a book in search for a hero who'll make me swoon with just a look or a word. My favourite form of therapy is knitting. Best. Therapy. Ever.




Monday 16 December 2013

(ARC) Book Review (286): Avalon (Avalon #1) - Mindee Arnett


Avalon (Avalon #1)

Publication: 21st January 2014
Publisher: Balzer + Bray
Pages: 432
Genre: Science-Fiction
Age Appropriate: Young Adult
A ragtag group of teenage mercenaries who crew the spaceship Avalon stumble upon a conspiracy that could threaten the entire galaxy in this fascinating and fast-paced sci-fi adventure from author Mindee Arnett.

Of the various star systems that make up the Confederation, most lie thousands of light-years from First Earth-and out here, no one is free. The agencies that govern the Confederation are as corrupt as the crime bosses who patrol it, and power is held by anyone with enough greed and ruthlessness to claim it. That power is derived from one thing: metatech, the devices that allow people to travel great distances faster than the speed of light.

Jeth Seagrave and his crew of teenage mercenaries have survived in this world by stealing unsecured metatech, and they're damn good at it. Jeth doesn't care about the politics or the law; all he cares about is earning enough money to buy back his parents' ship, Avalon, from his crime-boss employer and getting himself and his sister, Lizzie, the heck out of Dodge. But when Jeth finds himself in possession of information that both the crime bosses and the government are willing to kill for, he is going to have to ask himself how far he'll go to get the freedom he's wanted for so long.

Avalon is the perfect fit for teens new to sci-fi as well as seasoned sci-fi readers looking for more books in the YA space-and a great match for fans of Joss Whedon's cult hit show Firefly.
My Thoughts.
Avalon is the the first book in the Avalon series by Mindee Arnett.
Science-Fiction is far from being one of my favorite genre's, however when it's done right like it is in this book, I can't seem to tear my eyes away from the pages until I'm finished.
Mindee has created such an fantastically, intriguing world with this series that it's so easy to lose track of time, so absorbed I was, with the world-building and extremely well-written story.
Jeth along with his sister Lizzie and his crew of teenage mercenaries, work for crime lord Hammer Dafoe, stealing whatever he wants stolen and getting paid when successful, Jeth saves his money to buy back his deceased parents spaceship Avalon, which his Uncle lost whilst gambling.
It's after being sent to a job in the Belgrave (space's version of the Bermuda Triangle) to find a missing ship, when things really start to go wrong, and it's through this job that he'll finally discover the truth about his parents and why they were executed.
Can Jeth finally find freedom away from Hammer, not just for himself but for his crew too whom he thinks of as family.
Full of action and adventure, there's never a dull moment, so jump on board and grab yourself a copy, you wont be sorry!
I give this 5/5 stars.


Mindee Arnett lives on a horse farm in Ohio with her husband, two kids, a couple of dogs, and an inappropriate number of cats. She’s addicted to jumping horses and telling tales of magic, the macabre, and outer space. She has far more dreams than nightmares.




Book Blast & Giveaway: Kiss Of Fire - Rebecca Ethington



Joclyn Despain has been marred by a brand on her skin. She doesn't know why the mark appeared on her neck, but she doesn't want anyone to see it, including her best friend Ryland, who knows everything else about her. The scar is the reason she hides herself behind baggy clothes, and won't let the idea of kissing Ryland enter her mind, no matter how much she wants to.

The scar is the reason she is being hunted.

If only she knew that she was.

If only she had known that the cursed stone her estranged father sent for her 16th birthday would trigger a change in her. Now, she is being stalked by a tall blonde man, and is miraculously throwing her high school bully ten feet in the air.

Joclyn attempts to find some answers and the courage to follow her heart. When Ryland finds her scar; only he knows what it means, and who will kill her because of it.




“Loved the world, the concept, all of the characters (good and bad), and just everything about this story! On to the next one!” -Jena, Shortie Says

“I loved this book from the very first lines… I think it will be hard to move on to another story for a while." -Steele Reviews

“It’s amazing and left me at the edge of my seat through the night as I read.” - Zach’s YA Reviews



On sale now for $.99!

Can also be found on Barnes & Noble







a Rafflecopter giveaway






Rebecca Ethington is a story teller and author from Salt Lake City, Utah. She has been telling stories since she was small. First, with writing crude scripts, and then in stage with years of theatrical performances. Rebecca’s first stint into the world of literary writing, The Imdalind Series, was released in October 2012 and since its release each book has been found in several top 100 lists on Amazon. Rebecca is a mother to two, and wife to her best friend of 14 years. Her days are spent writing, running, and enjoying life with her crazy family.

Website † Facebook † Twitter † GoodReads


Sunday 15 December 2013

(ARC) Book Review (285): Evertrue (Everneath #3) - Brodi Ashton


Evertrue (Everneath #3)

Publication: 21st January 2014
Publisher: Balzer + Bray
Pages: 368
Genre: Paranormal/Mythology
Age Appropriate: Young Adult
Now that Nikki has rescued Jack, all she wants is to be with him and graduate high school. But Cole tricked Nikki into feeding off him, and she’s begun the process of turning into an Everliving herself... which means she must feed on a Forfeit soon — or die.

Terrified for her survival, Nikki and Jack begin a desperate attempt to reverse the process using any means possible. Even Cole, who they expected to fight them at every turn, has become an unlikely ally — but how long can it last? Nikki needs to feed on Cole to survive, Cole needs Nikki to gain the throne in the Everneath, Jack needs Nikki because she is everything to him — and together, they must travel back to the Underworld to undo Nikki’s fate and make her mortal once more. But Cole isn’t the only one with plans for Nikki: the Queen has not forgotten Nikki’s treachery, and she wants her destroyed for good. Will Nikki be forced to spend eternity in the Underworld, or does she have what it takes to bring down the Everneath once and for all?

In this stunning conclusion to the Everneath trilogy, Brodi Ashton evokes the resiliency of the human spirit and the indomitable power of true love.
My Thoughts.
Evertrue is the the third and final book in the Everneath trilogy by Brodi Ashton.
What a bittersweet but ultimately fantastic ending to this brilliant series, kudos to Brodi Ashton for a great finale.
One thing that you should know about me, I hate reading the last book in a series!
Let me explain, my theory no matter how insane it sounds, it's that if I don't read the last book then the series never ends, I don't end up in tears if it doesn't end the way I want it too, or someone dies, or that the heroine chooses the wrong guy, and I have so many series I need to finish but I will get there eventually I hope.
I was of course a bit hesitant to pick this up, I never wanted it too end!
There was really only one of two ways that this series could have gone, and while I did anticipate the ending here, it in no way made it less gut-wrenching, and there were tears, which I never expected but were well deserved.
The shock ending of the last book Everbound had me desperate for a copy of this book, so when I received a copy for review I may have squealed a tiny bit (okay a lot)!
So we discover that Nikki is becoming an Everliving just like Cole, thanks to his avoidance of explaining to her the process of becoming the one thing she despises, so there is only one way to fix it, she's going to destroy the Everneath once and for all!
With the help of the recently returned Jack and even Cole (there is a reason for his assistance, trust me he would never do it willingly), they venture down to the Everneath to defeat the Queen and put an end to it all forever.
Filled with action and suspense this is one book you're gonna want to get your hands on A.S.A.P, it is that good!
So as sad as I am that there will be no more books released in this series, I look forward to whatever Brodi has planned for next, she is definitely an instant buy author for me, and I eagerly await her next release.
Highly recommended, I can't praise it enough, be sure to pick up a copy, and let yourself become absorbed in this world of Brodi's making.
I give this a big 5/5 stars.


Because of two parents who were Greek myth geeks, I grew up thinking the latest fashion trends were inspired by Aphrodite, and a good conversational opener was, “So, which mythological character do you most resemble?” Despite these social shortcomings, I found a great husband who’s always my first reader. We live in Utah with our two young boys, who still have no idea why I'm at the computer all the time.

I received a Bachelor’s degree in Journalism from the University of Utah and a Master’s degree in International Relations from the London School of Economics.



Monday 9 December 2013

(ARC) Book Review (284): Unhinged (Splintered #2) - A.G Howard


Unhinged (Splintered #2)

Publication: 7th January 2014
Publisher: Amulet Books
Pages: 400
Genre: Fantasy/Fairy-Tale Retellings
Age Appropriate: Young Adult
Alyssa Gardner has been down the rabbit hole and faced the bandersnatch. She saved the life of Jeb, the guy she loves, and escaped the machinations of the disturbingly seductive Morpheus and the vindictive Queen Red. Now all she has to do is graduate high school and make it through prom so she can attend the prestigious art school in London she's always dreamed of.

That would be easier without her mother, freshly released from an asylum, acting overly protective and suspicious. And it would be much simpler if the mysterious Morpheus didn’t show up for school one day to tempt her with another dangerous quest in the dark, challenging Wonderland—where she (partly) belongs.

As prom and graduation creep closer, Alyssa juggles Morpheus’s unsettling presence in her real world with trying to tell Jeb the truth about a past he’s forgotten. Glimpses of Wonderland start to bleed through her art and into her world in very disturbing ways, and Morpheus warns that Queen Red won’t be far behind.

If Alyssa stays in the human realm, she could endanger Jeb, her parents, and everyone she loves. But if she steps through the rabbit hole again, she'll face a deadly battle that could cost more than just her head.
My Thoughts.
Unhinged is the second book in the Splintered series by A.G Howard.

Wowza! What an ending, what a way to have people desperate to get their hands on the next book,  I will be desperately awaiting the next instalment, it's killing to be left hanging like this!

There were so many shocks and revelations in Unhinged, none so much as a certain vision of a future event, not what I was expecting at all, we learn Allysa's Mom's secrets that she has kept hidden, as well as a shock revelation regarding her Dad as well.

Then we have the 'love-triangle' involving Alyssa, Jeb and Morpheus, even after this book I still can't pick out of the two guys which one I hope that Alyssa will end up with, I'm hoping that this means that when it comes time for the final decision I'll be quite happy.

I can't say too much without spoiling the story but Alyssa is back from Wonderland, her Mom is back home and she is dating Jeb, unfortunately Wonderland is in trouble all thanks too a certain someone who has escaped and is wreaking havoc and of course the only person who can help fix the problem is Alyssa along with Morpheus who may or may not be helping whilst maybe keeping her best interests at heart.

Wonderland starts to encroach upon her mortal life with someone making their way into her world  for revenge, will Allysa be able to figure out who it is and what it is exactly that they want before it's too late?

I loved this so much more than the first book Splintered, this series seems to get better with each release, I CANNOT WAIT FOR THE NEXT BOOK!

A.G Howard has created such an amazingly, fantastic series with extremely appealing characters and an incredibly well thought out and written storyline that will have you craving for each and every new instalment.

Highly recommended!

I give this 5/5 stars.



Anita Grace Howard lives in the Texas panhandle, and is most at home weaving the melancholy and macabre into settings and scenes, twisting the expected into the unexpected. She’s inspired by all things flawed, utilizing the complex loveliness of human conditions and raw emotions to give her characters life, then turning their world upside down so the reader’s blood will race.

Married and mother of two teens (as well as surrogate mom to two Labrador retrievers), Anita divides her days between spending time with her family and plodding along or plotting on her next book.

When she’s not writing, Anita enjoys rollerblading, biking, snow skiing, gardening, and family vacations that at any given time might include an impromptu side trip to an 18th century graveyard or a condemned schoolhouse for photo ops.
  
Be sure to drop by her Twitter or Face Book Author Page and say "Hi." She's always up for meeting new friends!


Saturday 7 December 2013

(ARC) Book Review (283): Afterparty - Ann Redisch Stampler


Afterparty

Publication: 31st December 2013
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Pages: 384
Genre: Contemporary
Age Appropriate: Young Adult
Emma is tired of being good. Always the dutiful daughter to an overprotective father, she is the antithesis of her mother -- whose name her dad won't even say out loud. That's why meeting Siobhan is the best thing that ever happened to her...and the most dangerous. Because Siobhan is fun and alluring and experienced and lives on the edge. In other words, she's everything Emma is not.

And it may be more than Emma can handle. 

Because as intoxicating as her secret life may be, when Emma begins to make her own decisions, Siobhan starts to unravel. It's more than just Dylan, the boy who comes between them. Their high-stakes pacts are spinning out of control. Elaborate lies become second nature. Loyalties and boundaries are blurred. And it all comes to a head at the infamous Afterparty, where debauchery rages and an intense, inescapable confrontation ends in a plummet from the rooftop... 

This explosive, sexy, and harrowing follow-up to Ann Redisch Stampler's spectacular teen debut, Where It Began, reveals how those who know us best can hurt us most.
My Thoughts.
Afterparty by Ann Redisch Stampler is not your ordinary, average contemporary story, there are quite a lot of resemblances to the movie Mean Girls, which keeps this book interesting.
Emma and her Father have finally settled down in California after constantly being on the road with her Dad's job, on her first day at her new school she makes friends with Siobhan, and it's not long before these two are inseperable, Siobhan soon has Emma lying to her Dad, sneaking out to parties, skipping school, drinking and smoking weed, seeming to become more mentally unstable as time goes on, Siobhan proves what kind of a friend she really is when she hooks up with Dylan, a boy that Emma has  had a crush on from her very first day.
Starting to realise how mean and spiteful Siobhan really is, with the more Emma tries to distance herself the worse she becomes especially after Emma starts dating Dylan herself.
It's when against her better judgement she goes to the Afterparty (a yearly huge party), which she and Siobhan had been planning to attend for most of the year, that tragedy strikes.
When Emma finally comes to realise what the pact that she made with Siobhan really meant it will change both their lives and leave them both fighting to live.
While I did enjoy this I found that I couldn't seem to stand most of the characters in this story, and unfortunately that meant that I couldn't really seem to care what happened to quite a few of them.
While I did like the concept, the characters let me down.
I give this 3/5 stars.


Where it Began marks the YA debut of Ann Redisch Stampler. She is the author of several picture books, including The Rooster Prince of Breslov. Her books have been an Aesop Accolade winner, Sydney Taylor notable books and an honor book, a National Jewish Book Awards finalist and winner, and Bank Street Best Books of the Year. Ann has two adult children and lives in Los Angeles, California with her husband.