Tanja's Top Ten Tuesday - Top Ten Characters I’d Like To Switch Places With For 24 Hours

It's Tuesday so it's time for another Top Ten. It's weekly meme created by The Broke and the Bookish and this week the task is to name 10 characters I'd like to switch place with. If you ask me, I'd call this top ten characters you'd like to steal boy from. :) Here we go.

1. Alexandria (Alex) Andros  from Covenant series. You can guess that the main reason for this is Aiden, but besides that the whole sentinel story seems interesting.

2. Elizabeth Bennet for those who don't know I'm talking about Pride and Prejudice. Even though Mr Darcy is only one and I'd love to meet him, there is another reason for this pick and that is I'd love to live in England of that time.

3. Beatrice (Tris) Priror from Divergent series. Besides Four the main reason why I'm picking her is that I'd love to see myself in some dystopian world. I'm curious how would I act and behave.

4. Wendy from Petar Pan. My childhood dream was to go to Neverland. It actually still is my dream.

5. Luce Prince from Fallen series. Only because I'd make different decisions.

6.  Hermione Granger do I have to say from Harry Potter series. One word - Hogwarts.

7. Jacinda Jones from Firelight. Regardless to the story, but I thing we all want to be a draki. Be able to transform to dragon - you have me.

8. Tessa Gray from The Infernal Devices. Living in London of that time for one day I'm all for it. I wouldn't mind if Will or Jem or both took me to sightseeing.

9. Meghan Chase from The Iron Fey. Yes I'd like to meet Ash, but not only that Nevernever sounds like great world to me.

10. Grace Brisbane from The Wolves of Mercy Falls series. I have all kinds of paranormal beings so I need werewolves. Besides Sam is prefect boy if you ask me.

Until the next time,

Blog tour & Giveaway - The Light series by Jennifer DeLucy

As you can see above today on our blog we host The Light series blog tour. Yes, I'll be reviewing both books.

Buy book at 

Amazon  

Author's 

Website

Book summary:

Seers of Light 

Lillian Hunt has never truly lived. Always sensing more to the world than is easily perceived, she fears that her instincts are stubborn flights of fancy, or worse, mental instability. But some things-disappearing strangers, tangible dreams, and visits from malevolent creatures-cannot be ignored. Before it's too late, Lillian is ripped from the only existence she's ever known and thrust into a reality that she always suspected, but could scarcely believe. She must learn the truth about who she is, the powerful beings that wish to destroy her, and the two men who would die to protect her. Jennifer DeLucy has created a unique, enchanting tale of destiny and the ageless power of love in her debut novel, Seers of Light. DeLucy's novel charms readers with quirky characters, while sketching a haunting portrait of one woman's journey on the path of the supernaturally gifted. But be prepared. Once you've entered the world of Seers, you will never be the same.

I saw many reviews for this series on GoodReads and those books seemed interesting so I was happy when I saw that AToMR was hosting this blog tour. I couldn't wait for the date to get closer just to read them.

I was surprised with this, first book in series. I just couldn't enjoy it. I mean the story was interesting and the whole point in those spirits and everything was really interesting, plus I like Ghost Whisper TV show so I could imagine this story. The thing I had problem with was mainly Lily. Sometimes I liked her but other times I wanted to scream in frustration. No she wasn't annoying but some things pissed me off. Other thing that bothered me - some parts of this story were so predictable. 

Basically same old story in this book. Lily the regular girl, only she is a bit older - not a teen, one days she discovers something she though that shouldn't exist and then her would turn upside down. Soon she discovers some secrets of universe and her place in it. In the meantime she met new people who helped her to adjust the new environment. 

Like I said I still liked the story but only I wasn't so thrilled like I thought I'd be. So for this book rating is somewhere between 3 and 4 stars. But more 3 than 4.

Buy book at 

Amazon

Whisper of Light 

The saying goes that all men are created equal... but Nicole Abbot knows better. Lacking the supernatural gifts of the Sentients she has known all her life, Nicole has lived with her nose pressed to the glass, withering beneath the guilt of her own inadequacies and the disapproving glare of her father. It's easy to believe that the universe has forgotten all about her, but things are not always as they seem. With the arrival of Christian Wright, a handsome but complex Combatant with a troubled history, Nicole is forced to question everything she has ever believed about herself, proving that sometimes, our most flawed perceptions are those reflected in a mirror. Jennifer DeLucy again plunges us into the world of lingering spirits, dark apparitions, and malicious vampires. But this time she takes us to the California coast where we get to know a new ensemble of gifted souls that are just as vibrant and endearing as the Sentients we came to love in Seers of Light. In Whisper of Light, DeLucy delivers exciting supernatural encounters as well as very human interactions that will both break your heart and make it soar.

After that little disappointment in the first book I thought the same thing would happen with this one. But then something unexpected happened.
Being confused at the beginning (yet again I haven't read the blurb) I started to realize what this book was about. This story happened (mainly, only the end didn't) at the same time as first book only here the main plot was about another group. First thing that got me was narrator, Nick was so great storyteller. I really enjoyed reading this story form her point of view. Second thing was Christian. In the Seers of Light he wasn't my favourite character, I neither liked or hated him, but here he was such a great character.
About the story (I'm sorry for not telling you more but I don't want to post spoilers so I can't say much), after certain things happened in first book Christian decided to say away from his society for sometime and he moved to another group where he was doing same job but with different people. Being broken he wanted to stay away from some people, but he couldn't imagine that there his views and life would be changed.
I really enjoyed reading this book. Now I'm happy that I haven't gave up and continued reading this story. 5 stars for this book.

BTW - I found out that there would be third book in the series. I can't help but wonder what it will be about.

Giveaway

Published very generously offered 1 ebook copy of both books for 14 winners! So all you have to do is enter this form.
*NOTE - Winners will be picked and contacted by AToMR blog tours.
Good luck!


a Rafflecopter giveaway

The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafón

Few times I named this book as my favourite so I should present it to you. This is not the review, just me worshiping this book, there are plenty reviews of this book around.

Buy this book - I'm quite sure that you can find it in any library or bookstore 

Author's Website

Book summary:

Barcelona, 1945. Just after the war, a great world city lies in shadow, nursing its wounds, and a boy named Daniel awakes on his eleventh birthday to find that he can no longer remember his mother’s face. To console his only child, Daniel’s widowed father, an antiquarian book dealer, initiates him into the secret of the Cemetery of Forgotten Books, a library tended by Barcelona’s guild of rare-book dealers as a repository for books forgotten by the world, waiting for someone who will care about them again. Daniel’s father coaxes him to choose a volume from the spiraling labyrinth of shelves, one that, it is said, will have a special meaning for him. And Daniel so loves the novel he selects, 'The Shadow of the Wind', by one Julian Carax, that he sets out to find the rest of Carax’s work. To his shock, he discovers that someone has been systematically destroying every copy of every book this author has written. In fact, he may have the last one in existence. Before Daniel knows it his seemingly innocent quest has opened a door into one of Barcelona’s darkest secrets, an epic story of murder, magic, madness and doomed love. And before long he realizes that if he doesn’t find out the truth about Julian Carax, he and those closest to him will suffer horribly.

The fact is that I’ll never be able to write a real review of this book. Here is why :

1. I’m not good enough.
I’m not now and I’ll never be. It doesn’t matter how many books you have read or how smart you are, you’re never good enough for that. You won’t be able to find exact words and it’s not just you. Only person who can is the author himself, but I think he already said everything he wanted.
Don’t believe me? 
- Books are mirrors - you only see in them what you already have inside you.
- The moment you stop to think about whether you love someone, you've already stopped loving that person forever.
- A story is a letter that the author writes to himself, to tell himself things that he would be unable to discover otherwise.
- There are few reasons for telling the truth, but for lying the number is infinite.
- In the shop we buy and sell them, but in truth books have no owner. Every book you see here has been somebody’s best friend.
Do you now?

2. It’s imposible.
I’ll try to describe it. It’s not the same feeling but the result is. You know that moment or better said that feeling when you see someone who means a lot for you and you have that beautiful feeling inside of you. Now try to describe it.You can’t? I know.

3. And last but not least....
Please allow me to qoute the author:
Once, in my father's bookshop, I heard a regular customer say that few things leave a deeper mark on a reader than the first book that finds its way into his heart. Those first images, the echo of words we think we have left behind, accompany us throughout our lives and sculpt a palace in our memory to which, sooner or later — no matter how many books we read, how many worlds we discover, or how much we learn or forget — we will return.
And this is mine.

Until the next time, 

Waiting on Wednesday (#2)

It's Wednesday and it's time for

This meme is created by Breaking the Spine and every Wednesday we (this week is only me, as my friend Glass is currently away) pick a book that we cannot wait to read. Here is my pick for this week.

Jacinda was supposed to bond with Cassian, the "prince" of their pride. But she resisted long before she fell in love with Will—a human and, worse, a hunter. When she ran away with Will, it ended in disaster, with Cassian's sister, Miram, captured. Weighed down by guilt, Jacinda knows she must rescue her to set things right. Yet to do so she will have to venture deep into the heart of enemy territory.

The only way Jacinda can reach Miram is by posing as a prisoner herself, though once she assumes that disguise, things quickly spiral out of her control. As she learns more about her captors, she realizes that even if Will and Cassian can carry out their part of the plan, there's no guarantee they'll all make it out alive. But what Jacinda never could have foreseen is that escaping would be only the beginning....

Expected publication: September, 11th 2012 by HarperTEEN

Add to your GoodReads page

Until the next time,

 

Tanja's Top Ten Tuesday - Top Ten Most Vivid Book Worlds/Settings

It's Tuesday so it's time for another Top Ten Tuesday

This is a meme created by The Broke and the Bookish, where every Tuesday we create top ten list on certain task. This Tuesday the task is Top Ten Most Vivid Book Worlds/Settings. Here is my list.


1. I actually had a hard time to decide which of those two to put on first and which on second place. It's a tie but I'll put The Magical World of Harry Potter first. I still remember dreaming about this world when I was a kid. Ever detail is created so carefully. I admire JK Rowling for that.

2. Another world that I met later and took my breath away is Middle Earth. Another world described in details and you could imagine that world perfectly.

3. I though about skipping fairy tales here but the truth is this one I can't. It's Wonderland. When I was a kid I didn't have illustrated book but still the world seemed so real to me.

4. Another story form my childhood is Narnia. I dunno for you but after reading this book I went to my wardrobe to check if there is magic land behind it.

5. Now one that took my breath away - Le Cirque des Reves. Ever since I've read The Night Circus this magic circus is on my mind. How author combines our and this world is pure magic.

6.. Another very popular world is Panem. It doesn't matter do you love or not The Hunger Games you must admit that the Panem look so real.

7. As I love fairy tales I can't skip this one cause you all know that The Iron Fey is magical place. This world is magical for me and another one that I wish to visit.

8. This one all of you know, the magic land Oz. No need to say more.

9. This one will maybe be unknown to you. It's magic world called Ourea from the Lichgates series by S.M. Boyce. I won't tell you much cause you must read this story. Just one thing not only the world is magic but all so the people in it.

10. This is not actually the new world but I can't make this list without The Cemetery of Forgotten Books. If you have read The Shadow of the Wind or Angel's Game by Carlos Ruiz Zafon you for sure wished to enter there. I know I did, many time, cause it seems so mysterious and beautiful at the same time.

I'll probably remember some later, but that's it for now.

Until the next time,

Her Sweetest Downfall by Rebecca Hamilton

Buy the book at Amazon 

Add the book at GoodReads

Author's Website

Book summary: 

Ophelia's been successful at hiding her true identity, until the mark of the serpent appears on her neck—a death sentence, should it be seen by anyone in her town. Hiding the mark might save her from falling victim to the witch hunts of her era, but the scorching sensation it carries can’t be ignored.

When the mysterious Ethan is sent to collect her for a life of something more, she learns concealing the mark is the least of her concerns. She’s destined to do a new task—to join a dark, supernatural world and protect the future of people she may never meet.

What she doesn’t know—what she learns too late—is that her initiation won’t be complete until she kills the man who’s captured her heart.

Few months ago I've had a chance to read The Forever Girl, first book in this series. In the meantime I learned how the whole structure of this series would look like. There will be three books that will talk about Sophia and also three novels that will talk about some characters in the whole trilogy. Now this is the first novel and it's about Ophelia. 

Storyline.  For those of you who had read The Forever Girl you should remember Ophelia from the end of the book. There was short story about her. (don't want to put spoilers because of those who haven't read the book jet). Here we meet Ophelia and actually witness the whole story. Ophelia lived normal life as a maid until one day when mark appeared on her neck causing her pain. Soon after that she was kidnapped by mysterious man called Ethan. He was sent to help her complete her task. She has to join dark, spernatural world and protect someone from the future. Her past is also chasing her and she must decide what she is going to do.

Characters. Ophelia is really interesting character. She is not too strong nor too weak. You can easily relate with her and her doubts are something that most of us would have. Ethan is at the other hand really mysterious and even though the author doesn't give you the detail description you can imagine his tall and strong body in dark cloths, and his dark hair on his shoulders and his dark eyes. Maybe my imagination is talking through me, but that's how I imagine him. Now you say that you aren't interested! Like you would. There is one also interesting character but I won't talk about that cause, like I've already said,  I don't want to put spoilers in this review.

Love-story. This is something that in opinion happened to quickly. But then again this is a novel so I guess the author couldn't develop more. I'm not saying that the love story isn't nice but I wish it had been a little bit longer. Everything beside that was great.

Conclusion. At the end I must say that now I understand this idea about writing novels in between the books and I really like it. This novel helped me to remember The Forever Girl and also gave me better idea about Ophelia and also Sophia's task. The author also reminded us of elements and the whole story behind that. Now I'm really looking forward reading Come, the Dark. I got the feeling that this is not all about Ophelia and that we're going to see her in the books to come.

I was thinking about giving it four stars because the love story could have been deeper, but considering that this is a novel and that the love story isn't in focus in this book I changed my mind.

Until the next time,

***NOTE: Copy of this book is provided by Rebecca Hamilton, the author, via Amazon. Thank you. 

I'm not paid for writing review - I do it for free as a lover of written word. All opinions in this review are personal.  

Cover Reveal & Giveaway - The Unloved by Jennifer Snyder

Here is the cover:

Expected publication: July 30, 2012 

Add this book to your GoodReads page

Author's Blog

Book summary:

Sometimes the love our heart needs to heal can be found in the familiar eyes of a childhood friend...

Julie Porter learned the hard way that trust is something which must be earned and not something to be given out lightly, those who say they love you are those who hold the power to hurt you most, and best friends can help you survive anything—until they move away.

Nick Owen knows a thing or two about a hard life. At a young age Nick learned how to take a hit and to make lemonade out of the lemons life tossed his way. Returning home after nearly two years of being away, all Nick cares about now is protecting his mom from the abusive hands of his father and catching up with his best friend—the girl who lived across the street, the girl he can’t seem to stop thinking about.

Finally reunited after two years apart, Nick and Julie are about to learn that age does nothing to protect you from life’s trials and tribulations, heartache and loss, but maybe together they’ll find a way to survive.

(Mature Young Adult, contains violence, language, and sexual situations.)

Giveaway

One lucky person will receive an ebook copy of this book. Giveaway ends on July 27th. Just fill the form.
*NOTE: We won't pick the winner. The winner will be picked by AToMR blog tours. 


a Rafflecopter giveaway

Until the next time,

Pushing the Limits by Katie McGarry

Buy the book:

Amazon / The Book Depository

(July 31st, 2012.)

Author's:

Webpage / Twitter / Facebook

Book summary:

"No one knows what happened the night Echo Emerson went from popular girl with jock boyfriend to gossiped-about outsider with “freaky” scars on her arms. Even Echo can’t remember the whole truth of that horrible night. All she knows is that she wants everything to go back to normal.

But when Noah Hutchins, the smokinghot, girl-using loner in the black leather jacket, explodes into her life with his tough attitude and surprising understanding, Echo’s world shifts in ways she could never have imagined. They should have nothing in common. And with the secrets they both keep, being together is pretty much impossible.

Yet the crazy attraction between them refuses to go away. And Echo has to ask herself just how far they can push the limits and what she’ll risk for the one guy who might teach her how to love again."

What I thought about it....

      I just knew that I will love this book as soon as I read blurb - and I was right. To be honest with you, I would have read it much sooner, but one of my girls was disappointed so I kept  my distance for a while.

     I haven't read this type of story in a long time - Fuentes brother meets Easy meets Beautiful Disaster. Realistic fiction swooning over sweet romance with capital R! And me melting over Noah. And falling for Echo. Now, I want to read it all over again! I probably will...

     I read too many depressing books lately - I spent last two days in zombie-like state parasitizing in my living room. Don't get me wrong, Pushing the Limits is exploring some pretty rough themes and everything isn't unicorns puking rainbows. Noah and Echo have serious problems, their families are mess and  they are trying to make everything work and make everyone happy.

   But what really made my heart race faster and why I am putting this book in my favorite section is the love story. That sweet talking, hot as hell bad boy! Girl with weird name, big green eyes and read hair! 400+ pages of perfection. Katie wrote this on her webpage:

    " I hope one day someone will read my book so much that the cover falls off."

 I'll be one of those people.

     Next year Katie McGarry is planning to publish Beth's story (she's one of the characters in Pushing the Limits). I can't wait!

Until next time,

***NOTE! Copy of the book is kindly provided by the publisher, Harlequin, via NetGalley. I'm not paid for writing review - I do this for free as lover of written word. All opinions in this review are personal.

Narc by Crissa-Jean Chappell

Buy the book:

Flux / Amazon

(August 8th, 2012.)

Author's:

Webpage / Twitter / Tumblr

Book summary:

"Seventeen-year-old stoner Aaron Foster was offered a choice: go to jail or turn undercover narc to find the dealer who's funneling drugs into Miami's Palm Hammock High School. But Aaron has never been good at getting close to people. He's human wallpaper, a stoner wastecase who's obsessed with video games and street magic.
With a cop from Narcotics breathing down his neck, Aaron gets himself invited to parties where the deals go down. To get close to the school's biggest players, Aaron lies to everyone--most of all, the cute but troubled Morgan Baskin. With the Everglades party on Halloween night--and a planned drug bust there--just days away, Aaron realizes that he's falling hard for Morgan . . . and trying to protect her could cost him everything."

What I thought about it...

     I've just finished reading this book - like ten minutes ago - and I'm breaking my own rule as you can see. I'm sitting here in font of my shitty computer (I really need a laptop!) and trying to say something meaningful about Narc. So, I go and make another mistake - I google the author. And I like her and now I can't write all those shitty things I've been thinking about last night after I've read first half of the book. Like, how I hate that every author lately, in the lack of the better solution, decide that one of the reasons for main character being messed up is that his father or brother died somewhere in the Middle East - thousand miles away from his peaceful home where the biggest problem is that you are "human wallpaper, a stoner wastecase" or being rich brat with too much freedom. Boo-friggin-hoo. Or maybe, I've read too much books with military background last month. Who knows?
     I woke up late this morning, took a cup of coffee and curled on my favorite reading spot. And I read the book. My third cup of coffee got cold - I was so caught up in the story that I forgot about it. I felt guilty for all "shitty things" that I've been thinking - because in the end it's not another glorified story about American soldiers who are "saving the world". No, not at all. It's about kid who can't save himself, let alone somebody else. But he tries and along the way finds friends, girlfriend and, maybe in the end, his own way how to deal with the rest of the world. 
     In the beginning I was little bit confused - Narc is written in this hectic style and you have to go back and look for clues. First I was annoyed but then I realized that it's author's way to express all the feelings and  inner drama which Aaron was going through. This book deserves to be called "realistic" - I won't tell you why I think that - than this post would be me telling you everything that happens in this book and than there would be no need for you to read it. (Don't you just hate when people mix up review and summarising the storyline of the novel?) 
     If you want to see how would Narc look like in the pictures, go the the Crissa's Tumblr. There you will also find some extra parts of the story - nice touch. My personal favorite would be this picture:

                                                     Read the book and tell me why!

Until next time,

    ***NOTE! Copy of the book is kindly provided by the publisher, Flux, via NetGalley. I'm not paid for writing review - I do this for free as lover of written word. All opinions in this review are personal.

Lament & Ballad by Maggie Stiefvater

First little note. These covers that you see here aren't original covers, these are covers of Serbian publication that I have read. I'm happy to see that our publishers are working hard on translating and publishing popular YA novels.

Book summary for Lament:

Sixteen-year-old Deirdre Monaghan is a painfully shy but prodigiously gifted musician. She's about to find out she's also a cloverhand—one who can see faeries. Deirdre finds herself infatuated with a mysterious boy who enters her ordinary suburban life, seemingly out of thin air. Trouble is, the enigmatic and gorgeous Luke turns out to be a gallowglass—a soulless faerie assassin. An equally hunky—and equally dangerous—dark faerie soldier named Aodhan is also stalking Deirdre. Sworn enemies, Luke and Aodhan each have a deadly assignment from the Faerie Queen. Namely, kill Deirdre before her music captures the attention of the Fae and threatens the Queen's sovereignty. Caught in the crossfire with Deirdre is James, her wisecracking but loyal best friend. Deirdre had been wishing her life weren't so dull, but getting trapped in the middle of a centuries-old faerie war isn't exactly what she had in mind . . .

Lament is a dark faerie fantasy that features authentic Celtic faerie lore, plus cover art and interior illustrations by acclaimed faerie artist Julia Jeffrey.


After reading The Wolves of Mercy Falls series Maggie became on of those authors that I really admire. Her style was something new for me and also something that left me speechless. So it's not surprise that I expected a lot from this series. Unfortunately this book left me speechless for some other reasons.

When I started reading first I noticed the writing. I was so disappointed that I couldn't believe my eyes. It was, how to put it just narration. When have that poetic Maggie's style disappeared is mystery to me. Story itself is not so bad. It's magic and like in other fairy tales interesting. For me this book doesn't have emotions that I need. Dee (it's Deirdre - but her nickname is easier to remember) and her love story with Luke is sweet and childish and that whole magic world that they've got into is something that will keep your attention. At the end of the book things become slightly inserting, even though you can assume what will happen.

I can only say that this book lacks that poetic writing of Maggie's.

Book summary for Ballad:

In this mesmerizing sequel to Lament: The Faerie Queen's Deception , music prodigy James Morgan and his best friend, Deirdre, join a private conservatory for musicians. James' musical talent attracts Nuala, a soul-snatching faerie muse who fosters and feeds on the creative energies of exceptional humans until they die. Composing beautiful music together unexpectedly leads to mutual admiration and love. Haunted by fiery visions of death, James realizes that Deirdre and Nuala are being hunted by the Fey and plunges into a soul-scorching battle with the Queen of the Fey to save their lives.

Ballad is not much different than Lament. Of course story is different and even narrator is, but same things are missing like in Lament.

Here James (I forgot to mention - he is Dee's best friend) is narrator. For me he is better storyteller than Dee. With his attitude and sarcasm he is even fun in some parts. Only here Nuala is what I didn't like, her chapters. Duh I also forgot to say that this story is told form two POVs, James' and Nuala's.
Again interesting story about fey and also interesting love story. Only more than half of the book is just plain old story, not so much action and you have to wait almost till the end for the things get complicated. Just to add I was a bit surprised with the ending here.

So I guess Maggie spoiled me with her writing in The Wolves of Mercy Falls trilogy so I couldn't enjoy this one. Good thing is that I hope last book in this trilogy Requiem will blow my mind.

The same rating is for both books in this series.

Until the next time,

The White Thread (The Gateway Chronicles, #3) by K.B. Hoyle

Pre-order:

TWCS 

Author's:

Blog  / Facebook / Twitter

Book summary:

"For the duration of her freshman year, Darcy Pennington agonized over the fate of her dear friend, the nark Yahto Veli, who sacrificed himself to the Oracle to set her free. As her third trip to camp, and to the magical land, approaches, Darcy wonders if she’s capable of the daring rescue she wants to embark upon, but soon realizes there’s much more at stake. 

Her return to Cedar Cove Family Camp is marked by a mysterious disappearance, and in Alitheia a new message from the Oracle adds to the riddles that must be deciphered if they are to expel the dark evil that hovers over the land. The six friends and the alchemist Rubidius plan a sea journey that will take them beyond the borders of Alitheia, and into the realm of a legendary archipelago. Tellius winds up joining them as well and the foes they meet along the way are both deceptive and charming, while the Oracle’s riddles seem to dog them at every turn. Darcy is also hiding a secret from her best friend Sam that could test their friendship beyond the breaking point, and there’s an unexpected development in her relationship with Tellius that changes everything and makes her understand that the deepest scars sometimes cannot be seen.

Darcy isn’t sure if she’s prepared for another meeting with the Oracle, but if she wants to have any chance of saving her friend, she must try. To complicate matters, the evil they left behind in Alitheia has not remained dormant."

 What I thought about it...

     First, I have to tell you, guys, something. Actually, ask you. Why aren't you reading this series? All of you who have NetGalley account, go there now and request it! I don't care what you've been up to! Do it NOW!

     I've been lucky to be part of blog tours for first two books: The Six and The Oracle. This time I can't wait for tour to talk about this book - The White Tread is the best one so far. I told this already to K.B. Hoyle, but I'll tell it again:
                                                             This woman is genius!!!

                                                       
  So, let's begin, shall we?

  Storyline. The White Thread has pretty much the same general structure as the first two books - considering the fact that everything happens when Darcy, Sam, Amelia, Perry, Dean and Lewis "cross" to Alitheia, we are meeting characters again after a year since the events in The Oracle. But difference now is that the story is much darker. Remember that main characters are fifteen years old? This book is about growing up and making tough decisions and choices. What I liked? This time they didn't just simply go trough the gateway - their lives in this world and in Alitheia are starting to mix and nothing is that easy anymore.

Characters. I absolutely love Darcy from the very start and she didn't disappoint me now. She's not kid anymore, that's for sure. She makes mistakes as anybody else, she's not perfect, but she knows what is good and what is not and, in the end, she makes all the right choices. I know that I'm boring with this because I tell it every time - Yahto Veli. But, hey, I'm in the fan girl mood so back off! I didn't believe that I could love him more after what he had done in previous book, but I do. You'll see. So far I didn't like Tellius that much but I've changed my mind - he's going to be swoon worthy boy. Here's the funny part - Perry has a new haircut and I couldn't stop imagining him as Justin Bieber - and, dear God, I hate that kid.

Extras. If you want to learn more about the story, characters or how this whole series came to life, go to K.B. Hoyle blog. There you can read extra bio information about Darcy, Yahto Veli, Tellius and character interview with Sam. I have to admit that I envy her three sons . Their lives must be full of amazing bedtime stories with mom like that.

     The White Thread is coming out on August 16th and forth book, The Enchanted, is due sometime this fall. I know I'll be waiting for it like a madwoman. You can find first two books on Amazon - The Six and The Oracle.

Until next time,

Blog Tour - Promo - Taken by Storm by Angela Morrison

Ten years ago this week, Taken by Storm's scuba-diving hero, Michael, swam out of Angela's brain and onto her page. Join the anniversary celebration! Win your own copy of the brand new paperback!  Snag Taken by Storm's Kindleebookfor only $ .99! Unbroken Connection (Book 2) and CaymanSummer (Book 3) are free on Kindle! Hurry. The promotion ends Friday, July 20th. 

Buy book at  Amazon

Author's Website / Blog

Book summary:

Mormon girl Leesie has life figured out until devastated Michael lands in her small town high school. He needs her like no one has before. A rare journey into a faithful LDS teen’s intimate struggle.

Excerpt:

Meet Leesie:

from Leesie's Most Private Chapbook, Prologue, Taken by Storm, "What does it Matter?"

What does it matter if
another jock pinches me
as I walk down the hall to Physics
and high fives Troy, celebrating
like he just scored
the season’s first touchdown?

As I stalk past Troy,
architect of my torture,
I’m frozen, a block of ice—
not a single drop melts.

All hail the Mormon Ice Queen.

What does it matter?

I know the commandment,
but I don’t even consider
turning the other cheek.

And, yes, it hurts, but
life without pain
isn’t much of a test.

This feeling can’t be lonely—
I’m not alone.

I walk with His hand on my shoulder,
His voice whispering in my soul,
His love soaring in my heart,
His suffering
my
salvation.

What else could possibly matter?

About the author: 

Angela Morrison is the award-winning YA author of Taken by Storm (Books 1-3) and Sing me to Sleep. She graduated from Brigham Young University and holds an MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults from Vermont College of Fine Arts. She grew up in Eastern Washington on the wheat farm where Taken by Storm is set. She's an advanced NAUI, Nitrox certified scuba diver. The hurricane that kills Michael's parents was inspired by a real-life diving accident.  

After over a decade in Canada, Switzerland, and Singapore, Angela and her family are happily settled in Mesa, Arizona. She enjoys speaking to writers and readers of all ages about her craft. She has four children--mostly grown up--and the most remarkable grandson in the universe. 

I hope you'll like this book. I still haven't had a chance to read it, but I loved Sing me to Sleep! 

Until the next time,

Waiting on Wednesday (#1)

We've decided to host new meme here on our blog. You've probably heard about it and it's called

This meme is created by Breaking the Spine and every Wednesday we pick a book that we can't wait to read. Here is what we picked for this time.

Glass' pick

Book summary:

After dying and being revived with the experimental drug Returne, Bryn Davis is theoretically free to live her unlife—with regular doses to keep her going. But Bryn knows that the government has every intention of keeping a tight lid on Pharmadene’s life-altering discovery, no matter the cost.

And when some of the members of a support group for Returne addicts suddenly disappear, Bryn begins to wonder if the government is methodically removing a threat to their security, or if some unknown enemy has decided to run the zombies into the ground…

Expected publication: August 7th 2012

GoodReads page

Tanja's pick

Book summary: 

"History is on repeat, and things didn't go so well the last time. "
Alexandria isn't sure she's going to make it to her eighteenth birthday--to her Awakening. A long-forgotten, fanatical order is out to kill her, and if the Council ever discovers what she did in the Catskills, she's a goner... and so is Aiden.
 If that's not freaky enough, whenever Alex and Seth spend time "training"--which really is just Seth's code word for some up-close and personal one-on-one time--she ends up with another mark of the Apollyon, which brings her one step closer to Awakening ahead of schedule. Awesome.
 But as her birthday draws near, her entire world shatters with a startling revelation and she's caught between love and Fate. One will do anything to protect her. One has been lying to her since the beginning. Once the gods have revealed themselves, unleashing their wrath, lives will be irrevocably changed... and destroyed.
 Those left standing will discover if love is truly greater than Fate...

Expected publication: November 6th, 2012 

GoodReads page

Now one book that we both can't wait to read 

Book summary:

BIG GIRLS DON'T CRY...

THEY GET EVEN.

Lillia has never had any problems dealing with boys who like her. Not until this summer, when one went too far. No way will she let the same thing happen to her little sister.
Kat is tired of the rumours, the insults, the cruel jokes. It all goes back to one person– her ex-best friend– and she's ready to make her pay.
Four years ago, Mary left Jar Island because of a boy. But she's not the same girl anymore. And she's ready to prove it to him.
Three very different girls who want the same thing: sweet, sweet revenge. And they won't stop until they each had a taste.

Expected publication: September 18th, 2012

GoodReads page

Until the next time, 

 &  

Tanja's Top Ten Tuesday - Top Ten Books For People Who Like X Book

Good morning. It's Tuesday today so it's time for

As you probably know this is meme created by The Broke and the Bookish. This Tuesday the task is to recommend 10 books for people who like some book. So I picked The Summer I Turned Pretty as many people on GoodReads asked me to recommend them something similar to this book. 

So here we go...

1. Logically it's second and third book from this series. That means It's Not Summer Without You and We'll Always Have Summer. 

2. Next is Perfect Chemistry series. You have three book in this series and maybe the story is different but I believe you'll enjoy it. 

3. This is also one of the books that I loved. It's Anna and the French Kiss. Really funny and lovely teen book. I should probably recommend you other books by Stephanie Perkins but the thing is I still haven't read it (yeah, I've been really bad). 

4. Again it's another series, actually two books in this series. First one is If I Stay and next one is Where She Went. 

5. Next one is I believe any book by Jennifer Echols. My personal favourite is Forget You.

6. Now comes one with really beautiful structure - The Sky is Everywhere. One note, please if you have that possibility read actual book not ebook. Book looks like a diary and it's full of pictures. You'll love it.

7. This one will maybe be mystery for you, cause I don't believe it's so popular in USA and other countries as it is in Italy, Spain, here and some other European countries. Two book actually in this series first one is called Three Steps Over Heaven and second one is I Want You. (I'm not 100% sure about the titles cause I wasn't able to find English versions).

8. Obviously I can't put romance book list without this man. So here is A Walk To Remember by Nicholas Sparks. I don't have to say anything about his books, but I'll tell you that this one is my favourite of all his books. 

9. Now I'll put those books together cause I believe you may like them only those aren't for young reader. They have certain scenes but still I great love stories. Here they are Easy, The Opportunist, Beautiful Disaster , Callum & Harper and Thoughtless series. 

10. Those are also special, cause the thematic is maybe slightly different but I believe you'll love them. Also not appropriated for younger readers because of some scenes. Here they are Jellicoe Road, The Storyteller and Forbidden.

Apparently only I can create top 10 list with more than 10 books. Sorry for that but I just had to mention all of them. I feel guilty for not mentioning some books, but...well. 

Another thing that binds those book together is that every single of them made me cry really hard and also I fell in love with them.

I hope you'll find some book that you might like.

Until the next time,

Finding Anna by Sherri Hayes

 

Buy the books:

Slave: TWCS

Need: TWCS  (July 26th, 2012.)

Author's:

Blog / Twitter / Pinterest / Facebook

     When I saw this two books on NetGalley, I was jumping up and down - it's dark, it's on my way-too-hot shelf, it's D/s... What more could girl wish for on this hot summer days?

     First book in Finding Anna series was published last year - I noticed it, thought it sounded interesting and moved on. Needless to say that in that time I was still discovering my kinks, but after Cherise Sinclair, Kitty Thomas and Tiffany Reisz I am more than ready for Sherri Hayes. Actually, after some of the books I've read, there wasn't anything too shocking in these two books.

Slave book summary:

    "Stephan has lived the lifestyle of a Dominant for five years. After several rebellious teenage years, it gave him the stability and control he had been seeking after his parent’s death.
     As president of a not-for-profit foundation, he knows what his future holds and what he wants out of life. All that changes when a simple lunch with his college friend and Mentor, Daren, leads him to buying a slave.
     Thrust into a situation he never thought he’d be in, Stephan can’t walk away. He is compelled to help this girl in the only way he knows how.
     Brianna knows only one thing, she is a slave. She has nothing. She is nothing.
     Can Stephan help Brianna realize that she is much more than just a Slave?"

      

     First thing that you need to know is that Sherri Hayes started as fanfiction writer - Finding Anna series is Twilight fanficton. You'll find usual problems for this kind of novels - bad sentences and not that good choice of words sometimes. Similarities with original story are minimum - it looks as if all fanfiction writers use few identical scenes (restaurant, meeting the family, food...). My other problem with it - bad covers! Hate them! Couldn't you, guys, hire a really good artist or photographer for this job???

     Although this novels are labeled as BDSM, there isn't anything too "scandalous" for all you people with "morals" of mainstream society. There are no sex scenes. Only kinky side of the story is that Stephan is Dom, Brianna was slave for almost a year and to save her Stephan buys Brianna from the man who imprisoned her against her will. Everything is more on psychological level - he's trying to help her to find herself again but, in the meantime, falls for this pretty, damaged girl. Slave is strange book and I couldn't put it down until the end. That was my other big problem with this book - ending. It just stops. On the most stupid scene. Stops. No conclusion. Nothing on the previous pages that will even indicate that ending is near. If this was selfpublished book with no editor, I still wouldn't like it but I'd understand that author didn't know better. But there is the publisher behind this book. Hm...

     Second book in the series, Need,  is coming out on July 26th and it went in totally different direction from the first one. Stephan is a wuss and that is not word that should ever be related with Dom. There's this term "topping from below" - when Dom lets his submissive make all of the decisions, but she manipulates him to think that he's in charge or he knows it but chooses not to "see it". Add to that romance and you have socially accepted hybrid. Suddenly BDSM is nothing deviant or weird, everything is peachy in Peachyland because they are madly in love and they are kinky because of things from their past. But they are starting to see the light. Hm... behold of the cliffhanger - Sherri Hayes learned something about writing. But... You have to be true master of writing to use telling from two points of view. Sometimes I had a feeling as if I was watching Spanish telenovela - there are whole parts of the story repeated from the other character point of view. That is big NO! As you can see, I didn't like Need very much and after reading some amazing books about this topic, I'll have to low my rating for Fifty Shades - it's pretty much  same as Finding Anna. I'm giving them three stars only because I liked first book better.

     If you enjoyed reading Fifty Shades, you will love this series as well. But it's not for me. If you are interested in dark erotica, read Kitty Thomas. Stay tuned, we'll talk about her soon.

Until next time,

    ***NOTE! Copy of the book is kindly provided by the publisher, TWCS via NetGalley. I'm not paid for writing review - I do this for free as lover of written word. All opinions in this review are personal.