Tuesday 31 January 2012

Best of the Bunch January 2012

Best Of The Bunch is a monthly award ceremony hosted at the end of the month by Lyrical over at Lyrical Reviews where we can look back over the books read the past month and award a Best Of The Bunch award to our favourite book of the month.

January

I have been very lax on writing reviews this month due to lack of time, but I will try to do better in February. This month I have reviewed on the blog-

  • Dash and Lily's Book of Dares by Rachel Cohn and David Levithan- 4 of 5 stars (Review)
  • Bleeding Hearts by Alyxandra Harvey- 4 of 5 stars (Review)
  • Angel Fire by L.A Weatherly- 5 of 5 stars (Review)
  • Tempest by Julie Cross- 4.5 of 5 stars (Review)
  • Borrowing Abby Grace by Kelly Green- 4 of 5 stars (Review)
My Best of the Bunch award is going to go to...

...drumroll...

Angel Fire by L.A Weatherly!!

This is the sequel to Angel which I read last year and also absolutely loved. It was great to follow on with this story and I loved reading these characters again. This is based on the idea that angels roam the earth, but instead of being benevolent miracle-givers, they drain the life out of their victims, and leave people with memory-loss, cancer, and other sicknesses. The main characters are great, and I just adore the relationship between half-angel Willow and angel hunter Alex. This sequel was more in depth about the war between humans and angels, and gave us some great new characters as well.


Synopsis from Goodreads:

Only Willow has the power to defeat the malevolent Church of Angels, and they will stop at nothing to destroy her. Willow isn’t alone, though. She has Alex by her side – a trained Angel Killer and her one true love. But nothing can change the fact that Willow’s a half-angel, and when Alex joins forces with a group of AKs, she’s treated with mistrust and suspicion. She’s never felt more alone…until she meets Seb. He’s been searching for Willow his whole life – because Seb is a half-angel too.







What was the best book that you read this month? Head on over to Lyrical's blog to leave your link. Thanks for reading, don't forget to leave me a comment below!
x

Sunday 29 January 2012

In My Mailbox 29th January 2012

In My Mailbox is a weekly event hosted by Kristi at The Story Siren where book bloggers can talk about the books they've gotten the past week- whether bought, borrowed, swapped, or given for review. This feature was started to increase interaction between bloggers and to increase our awareness of all the new books coming out.


Here is my week in books...

Bought:


  • American Vampire by Jennifer Armintrout. (Goodreads). I've heard lots of good things about this author and this was only £2 on Amazon for the paperback so I decided to snap it up!






Bought for kindle:


  • Everblue by Brenda Pandos. (Goodreads). I remember seeing lots of good reviews for this book a few months ago when it first came out, and it sounds like a sweet story with a mermaid theme. This was fairly cheap on Amazon as well, and I thought it would be perfect for a day when I want a light and easy read.




Audiobooks:


  • Dark Parties by Sara Grant. (Goodreads). This looks like a cool dystopian novel, which I'm really looking forward to reading. I got both the audiobook to listen to from Audible, and the paperback from the library, which is handy to check back on previous chapters and to see the spelling of names and places. Isn't this cover really pretty?




  • Halo by Alexandra Adornetto. (Goodreads). Another one with a really gorgeous cover, this is (I think) one about angels. I've read a lot of really mixed reviews on this one, but I've finally caved to pressure to give it a try!







Those were the books I received this week. What did you get?
Happy reading!

Thursday 26 January 2012

The Time Will Come #47

The Time Will Come is a weekly meme hosted by Jodie at Books For Company, where we can spotlight those books that we've had sitting on our shelves for too long. Books that we really want to read but never seem to get around to.

This is another one of those books that I bought for the kindle and they got kind of lost somewhere in the depths of my kindle. I want to read it still, but I'm a little bit put off by it's huge size! Unfortunately at the moment, if it's not a book I recieved for review, I just don't have time to read it right now, especially the big ones! One day though- it does look really good!


Eden by Keary Taylor

Synopsis from Goodreads:
Eve knew the stories of the Fall, of a time before she wandered into the colony of Eden, unable to recall anything but her name. She’s seen the aftermath of the technology that infused human DNA with cybernetic matter, able to grow new organs and limbs, how it evolved out of control. The machine took over and the soul vanished. A world quickly losing its humanity isn’t just a story to her though. At eighteen, this world is Eve’s reality.



In their Fallen world, love feels like a selfish luxury, but not understanding what it is makes it difficult to choose between West, who makes her feel alive but keeps too many secrets, and Avian, who has always been there for her, but is seven years her senior.


The technology wants to spread and it won’t stop until there is no new flesh to assimilate. With only two percent of the human population left, mankind is on the brink of extinction. While fighting to keep Eden alive, Eve will discover that being human is about what you will do for those you love, not what your insides may be made of. And even if it gets you killed, love is always what separates them from the Fallen.

Apparently, it is also being considered as a movie- Big movie news from Variety.com: Independent financier and production company Kerry, Kimmel and Pollack has acquired rights to Keary Taylor's novel "Eden," a dystopian thriller described as a cross between "The Hunger Games" and "The Terminator." "Eden" will be produced by Mark Morgan ("The Twilight Saga"), Kami Garcia (the "Beautiful Creatures" series), Brett Hudson ("Fast Flash to Bang Time") and Michael Pollack ("Black Forest").


If it gets turned into a film I will HAVE to read the book soon!

Wednesday 25 January 2012

Waiting on Wednesday #16

Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine where we can spotlight those books that are not yet published but that we are eagerly anticipating.

Purple covers and floaty dresses this week! I am desperately eager to read these sequels after loving the first books last year-


  • Until I Die by Amy Plum. (Goodreads). This is the sequel to Die For Me (My Review) set in Paris and featuring a group of Revenants- immortals with the power to save others. Both of these covers are absolutely gorgeous. This is due to be published in May.











  • Arise by Tara Hudson. (Goodreads). This is the sequel to Hereafter, (My Review) a ghost story about a ghost who falls in love with a human boy, whilst seeking answers about her death in a bridge accident years before. I'm very interested to see how this series pans out! This is due to be published in June 2012.




  • Dreamless by Josephine Angelini. (Goodreads). This is the sequel to Starcrossed, (My Review) which was a modern retelling of the Greek myth of Helen of Troy, and an exciting read. This is due to be published May 2012.











So, some great books to pine for coming out soon. What books are you eagerly waiting for? Thanks for reading- leave me a comment below.
x

Tuesday 24 January 2012

Review: Borrowing Abby Grace by Kelly Green



Borrowing Abby Grace series by Kelly Green
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

  
 
Smart and sassy Abby Grace is a seventeen-year-old with a talent for getting out of trouble. Sent to repair the lives and loves of teenagers on the edge of disaster, Abby is the perfect girl for the job. She has everything going for her… except one thing: a body.

This fast-paced and exciting episode is the first instalment in an ongoing mystery series with a supernatural twist.


Borrowing Abby Grace has been described as "a supernatural teenage Nancy Drew", and this is a very accurate description! In each episode Abby is dropped into a new body and left to work out her surroundings and try to fix the problems in that person's life. I don't think I have ever read a paranormal detective story before, so this was a very unique and interesting concept for me.


The mysteries in each book are very cleverly set up, and the different clues are constantly switching suspicion onto someone else or throwing Abby onto a different track altogether. In each book I had no inkling about how to solve the mystery or who was involved, and so each reveal was a big surprise and very cleverly crafted together. All these books are fast-moving, action-packed and grip you from the first sentence. They are a lot of fun to read and always very surprising.

Abby is a very intelligent and sassy girl, and I connected with her straight away, but she has no memories at all of her past. In each book she finds herself thrust into a new body, and a difficult situation and is left to adapt to each new circumstance. Abby is told that she is a Shadow, someone who is sent into people's lives because they have a desperate problem, and she has to solve it.

The only person who can tell Abby anything about what is happening to her is Will, who is a Guardian- the only one who knows exactly what Abby is, and who pops in and out giving her cryptic advice and snippets of not-quite-enough information to help her on her missions. Will is one of the most annoying characters ever written, as no-one else can see him, so he takes enormous pleasure in distracting Abby while she is talking to other people, or goading her into snapping at him so it looks like she is talking to herself. One time at a party he sneaks up behind her and asks her to pass him a beer, but as he is just out her eyeline she doesn't realise that it is him and she drops it through him onto the floor, making her look stupid. He also manages to always be cryptic, and sly, but still be very lovable, and someone who obviously cares and is interested in keeping Abby safe. So although he is very frustrating he is is still someone that I really loved reading about, and wanted to see more of.

Will can also tell her nothing about her real life except her real name, but Abby doesn't know if she is still alive somewhere or dead, or ever really existed. Her former life is a blank and a complete mystery to her. However, as the series progresses she gradually "earns" memories of her former life as Abby Grace, and we see snippets of a real girl, and clues as to who she used to be. There are still so many unanswered questions in the series- like who Abby is/was, if she is dead and this is her new existence, or if she is still alive and can go back to that life, if she is being punished, where does she go next, and also, who Will really is/was. I love the situations that Abby finds herself in, and the weird background behind each new person. Abby becomes good at finding the clues and piecing together the mysteries, but I'm itching now to find out more about her own mystery- who is she and can she get back to that?

My favourite episode was definitely book 3- Top of the Class, where Abby wakes up as a guy for the first time, and her attempts to act like a boy had me giggling out loud in so many places. I also felt that the plotline was much better crafted in this book, the whole mystery/ detective element of the story was very brilliantly done and really did surprise me with it's resolution.

The best thing about these books is the detective aspect that Abby seems to revel in. She manages to notice every little detail, and to come to conclusions that would have completely escaped me, and I loved the different mysteries and their unravelling in each episode. They take you on twists and turns and then shock you with the last thing you would expect. Abby is smart and has a wicked sense of humour and a confidence and courage that is really great to read. Borrowing Abby Grace is great fun, and a very clever series that I would recommend to fans of a great story.


These really are bite-sized little gems of books. They are not very long at all and I easily read each one in one sitting, but they still feel like they have a lot packed into them. They get better and better with each episode and I'm looking forward to the next book in the series.


Episode 1- The Shadow
(Synopsis from Goodreads)

When Abby Grace wakes up in the back of a van, she has no idea who she is, how she got there, or why anyone would want to kidnap her. After escaping her masked captors, she hurries home, only to discover that she unknowingly left her younger brother behind in the van. Unable to answer the police’s questions with her memories gone, she retreats to the safety of her bedroom where she tries to reconstruct her life. Just as she is settling into the belief that things will one day return to normal, she looks in the mirror—and sees a stranger’s face.
As Abby learns next, she has become a Shadow, sent to inhabit the lives of strangers in trouble. With nothing to go on except the vague hints of her cute but maddening Guardian, a 19th century ghostly teenager named Will, Abby sets out to rescue the missing brother. But she will need all of her intelligence, fearlessness, and wit, because if she fails to find him in time, she will remain trapped in this unfamiliar body forever.

Episode 2- Girl Steals Guy
(Synopsis from Goodreads)

As Abby has learned, she is now a Shadow, sent to inhabit the lives of strangers in trouble. Dropped into the life of a gorgeous senior with a heartbroken best friend, Abby is instructed to “reunite the lovers” by her cute but maddening Guardian, a 19th century ghostly teenager named Will. Now Abby must navigate high school keg parties, football games and power couples, only to discover that love and revenge are sometimes the same thing.





Episode 3- Top of the Class
(Synopsis from Goodreads)

Abby finds herself in a boy’s body for the first time, where she has to fumble her way through a secret love affair, while getting to the bottom of a grade-tampering scandal that could send her to jail.







Review copies provided from the author- with thanks

------------------------------------------------------------------

I had never heard of Backlight fiction before being approached to review one of their books. They describe themselves as a new publisher of quality ebooks... According to their website
[quote-"Backlit is a next-generation digital media publishing company that creates eBooks and interactive apps based on original franchises. As a new eBook publisher, Backlit: Fiction Forward ("BFF") incubates teen serials as episodic apps and film and television properties".]
I was so curious about how each book (described as episodes) would read. Would they read like a screenplay, or were they still traditional novels? They are still written like normal novels, but are actually very visual, and you can definitely picture each one on the screen, like an episode of a TV series, but this makes them very vivid, rather than taking anything away. I think these books would adapt fantastically into a TV series. These are very short books that you can easily read in one sitting, but still with so much story and characterisation in them.

These books are currently only available as ebooks. Buy from Amazon.

Sunday 22 January 2012

Giveaway Winner(s)!

Wow- I had such a phenomenal response to my blogoversary giveaway (over 400 entries) plus over a hundred extra followers, even though being a follower of the blog wasn't a requirement of the entry form. I've been so blown away that I have added two extra winners! Thank you so much to everyone who entered, and for all your lovely comments.

The winners are...

#60. Small Review   and   #53. Amber (Books of Amber)  and   #3.Sophie (So Many Books, So Little Time)

Congratulations guys, I have sent you all an email!

In My Mailbox 22nd January 2012

In My Mailbox is a weekly event hosted by Kristi at The Story Siren where book bloggers can talk about the books they've gotten the past week- whether bought, borrowed, swapped, or given for review. This feature was started to increase interaction between bloggers and to increase our awareness of all the new books coming out.


I got some fantastic books for review this week- I'm so excited about all of them-

For Review:

  • Partials by Dan Wells (Goodreads). A dystopian thriller set in a future with cloned humans, bad-ass female scientist heroines, and bands of survivors gathering together to escape a deadly virus. This sounds very exciting and I'm ridiculously excited to get a copy of this book.
Thanks to HarperTeen and Netgalley.

  • Goddess Interrupted by Aimee Carter (Goodreads). The sequel to Goddess Test which I read and liked last year. I'm intrigued to see where this story is going to head to next. This is kind of a modern day re-telling of the Greek myth of Hades and Persephone.
Thanks to Harlequin publishers and Netgalley.



  • Spellcaster by Cara Lynn Shultz (Goodreads). This is the sequel to Spellbound  (which I have but haven't actually read- but now that I have the sequel this will be the kick up the bum I need to get on and read it already)! This looks like a very daydreamy series (judging by the cover), about witches and curses.
Thanks to Harlequin publishers and Netgalley.





That was it for me this week. What books came into your house this week?
Happy reading!

Thursday 19 January 2012

The Time Will Come #46

The Time Will Come is a weekly meme hosted by Jodie at Books For Company, where we can spotlight those books that we've had sitting on our shelves for too long. Books that we really want to read but never seem to get around to.

Ah kindle books.... I love reading on my kindle, but sometimes, because I can't actually see the books I forget that I have them there to read. I bought this book along with a bunch of others when there was a kindle sale back around August time. This is a spooky looking historical ghost story from the author of the Drake Chronicles books which I love so much. I want to read this... one day... when I have more time!!

Haunting Violet by Alyxandra Harvey


Synopsis from Goodreads:

Violet Willoughby doesn't believe in ghosts. But they believe in her. After spending years participating in her mother's elaborate ruse as a fraudulent medium, Violet is about as skeptical as they come in all matters supernatural. Now that she is being visited by a very persistent ghost, one who suffered a violent death, Violet can no longer ignore her unique ability. She must figure out what this ghost is trying to communicate, and quickly because the killer is still on the loose.


Afraid of ruining her chance to escape her mother's scheming through an advantageous marriage, Violet must keep her ability secret. The only person who can help her is Colin, a friend she's known since childhood, and whom she has grown to love. He understands the true Violet, but helping her on this path means they might never be together. Can Violet find a way to help this ghost without ruining her own chance at a future free of lies?







Wednesday 18 January 2012

Waiting on Wednesday #15

Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine where we can spotlight those books that are not yet published but that we are eagerly anticipating.

Dystopian sequels!
There are so many sequels coming out soon of some of my favourite books of last year.


  • I can't wait to read Insurgent by Veronica Roth. This is the sequel to Divergent. This dystopian novel was such a great read and ended on a bit of a cliff-hanger. Action packed and I loved the romance- bring it on!
This is due to be published in May 2012
Goodreads









  • I'm also dying to read Pandemonium by Lauren Oliver- the sequel to another amazing dystopian novel Delirium which also ended on a massive cliff-hanger. Imagine a world where love is considered to be a dangerous sickness.
This is the rather bland looking UK Cover which I'm really disappointed with compared to the gorgeous US Cover. It's also coming out here a month later (grrr- even longer to wait!)
This is due to be published in March 2012 (UK) and February 2012 (US)
Goodreads






  • Due out in July this year is Once- sequel to Eve by Anna Carey, set years after a deadly plague has wiped out most of the population. I really liked this book, and seeing sheltered, naive Eve grow up and find her own way. Another romantic one- where Eve and Caleb find each other and lose each other, find each other and lose each other again.
Goodreads










  • Also out later this year (but no cover images yet) is Shadows- the sequel to the incredible novel Ashes by Ilsa J. Bick (Goodreads), which I loved and am still thinking about months down the line- I want NEED to know what happens next!
  • Book 3 in the Birthmarked series by Caragh O'Brien. I love this series so much! Book 1 was Birthmarked, book 2 is Prized and although there is no cover image yet book 3 is titled Promised and is due to be published in Autumn 2012. (Goodreads)
  • And finally, book 3 in the Matched series by Ally Condie. (Goodreads). This is due to be published in November 2012, but as yet doesn't have even a title yet. Book 1 in the series was Matched, and I'm currently reading book 2 Crossed and loving it.
There are so many other fantastic looking dystopian novels for me to catch up on in the meantime! I really want to read Wither by Lauren DeStephano- and the sequel Fever is also due out this year, and I also have Bumped by Megan McCafferty on my shelf still to read. It's sequel Thumped is due out very soon.

Monday 16 January 2012

Review: Tempest by Julie Cross


Tempest (Tempest #1)Tempest by Julie Cross


My rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

Synopsis from Goodreads:
The year is 2009. Nineteen-year-old Jackson Meyer is a normal guy… he’s in college, has a girlfriend… and he can travel back through time. But it’s not like the movies – nothing changes in the present after his jumps, there’s no space-time continuum issues or broken flux capacitors – it’s just harmless fun.

That is… until the day strangers burst in on Jackson and his girlfriend, Holly, and during a struggle with Jackson, Holly is fatally shot. In his panic, Jackson jumps back two years to 2007, but this is not like his previous time jumps. Now he’s stuck in 2007 and can’t get back to the future.
Desperate to somehow return to 2009 to save Holly but unable to return to his rightful year, Jackson settles into 2007 and learns what he can about his abilities.
But it’s not long before the people who shot Holly in 2009 come looking for Jackson in the past, and these “Enemies of Time” will stop at nothing to recruit this powerful young time-traveler. Recruit… or kill him.
Piecing together the clues about his father, the Enemies of Time, and himself, Jackson must decide how far he’s willing to go to save Holly… and possibly the entire world.




WOW!- That was my first thought when I finished this book. Tempest grabs you from the first line and doesn't let up. This book is fast-paced and action-packed, with shocking revelations and a plotline that had me racing through the pages to find out what would happen next. It is also tragically romantic (which I love), and I liked the fact that it was told from the guy's perspective, which is fairly unusual for YA fiction but definitely made it interesting and was a breath of fresh air.


Jackson is in college and secretly, he has the ability to time-travel. He hasn't travelled back very far, and is still developing his fairly new abilities. One day out of the blue, two guys burst into Jackson's dorm room and in the scuffle, end up shooting his girlfriend Holly. In order to escape them Jackson jumps back in time, but something is very different this time- he has jumped back two years- further than ever before, and he can't get back to find out what happened to Holly. With his friend Adam (the only other person who knows his secret) they develop codes and experiment with Jackson's power, avoiding the creepy group who would try to snatch Jackson. In his struggle to get back to the present Jackson discovers family secrets, a government conspiracy, and also has a chance to get to know a younger, different Holly.


This book totally gripped me. It had plenty of twists and surprises, but was also utterly emotional and had just the right amount of action and sappy romance. I loved the characters, and especially the relationship between Jackson and Holly, but also the tender bond between Jackson and his sister, and the funny friendship between Jackson and Adam. The flippping backwards and forwards in time is very well paced, and drops in shock revelations and new clues or moments, which kept me riveted all the way through and constantly switching guesses as to who the bad guys were. But we also see flashbacks and memories of Jackson and Holly's relationship giving them both much more depth and making them feel like a real couple.


Tempest is a book that could definitely appeal to both girls and boys. It is thrilling and passionate, and uses science and DNA to create a whole new exciting theory of time travel that really works. All of it is very easy to visualise, and as Summit Entertainment have just bought the movie rights to this book, who knows, maybe we will be seeing it as a film very soon?




Thanks to Macmillan and Netgalley for the advance copy for review.

Sunday 15 January 2012

In My Mailbox 15th January 2012

In My Mailbox is a weekly event hosted by Kristi at The Story Siren where book bloggers can talk about the books they've gotten the past week- whether bought, borrowed, swapped or given for review. This feature was started to increase interaction between bloggers and to increase our awareness of all the new books coming out.




So, a really diverse mixture of books this week but all of them look so great. I got-
 
Bought:
 
  • A Million Suns by Beth Revis in hardback. (Goodreads). This is the sequel to the amazing Across the Universe- scheming, lies, action, suspense, and romance in deep space. Can't wait to read this one (I know I say that about so many books!) and visit Amy and Elder again.







For Review:


  • Lies Beneath by Anne Greenwood Brown. (Goodreads). This sounds like an awesome read about a family of murderous mermaids living beneath Lake Superior.
This is due to be published in June 2012. Thanks to Random House Childrens and Netgalley for the advance e-copy of this book.








  • Graffiti Moon by Cath Crowley. (Goodreads). Up until recently I had never heard of this book, but then I saw that a lot of book bloggers and reviewers had included this book in their lists of top ten reads of 2011. So many people were so enthusiastic about this book that it made me want to read it too! This is about a girl in her final year of school who searches for the elusive night-time graffiti artist in her town that everybody has been talking about.
This is due to be published in February 2012. Thanks to Random House Childrens and Netgalley for the review e-copy.



That was all the books I got this week. What did you get?
Happy reading!

Friday 13 January 2012

Review: Angel Fire by L.A Weatherly


Angel FireAngel Fire by L.A. Weatherly


My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Synopsis from Goodreads:
Only Willow has the power to defeat the malevolent Church of Angels, and they will stop at nothing to destroy her. Willow isn’t alone, though. She has Alex by her side – a trained Angel Killer and her one true love. But nothing can change the fact that Willow’s a half-angel, and when Alex joins forces with a group of AKs, she’s treated with mistrust and suspicion. She’s never felt more alone…until she meets Seb. He’s been searching for Willow his whole life – because Seb is a half-angel too.




Book 2 in the Angel series

What a fantastic book- thrilling, action packed and so utterly emotional that I was clutching my chest and holding my breath through most of it! I absolutely loved the first book in the series Angel and the steadily building relationship between angel killer Alex, and half-angel Willow. This sequel definitely lived up to the first one, and I loved this book just as much.


At the start of this book I couldn't see anyone coming between Alex and Willow- they are too perfect together, and I love them both. I knew from reading earlier reviews that there was going to be "a Seth character" thrown into the mix, and I also thought that no-one could turn my loyalty away from Team Alex- BUT, actually reading about Seth I also couldn't help having a little bit of a crush on him. Imagine being the only other half-angel in the world, searching for this girl your whole life- literally the girl of your dreams, and then when you do finally run into her she's already taken. I felt so sorry for him!


Alex and Willow while on the run from the reach of the Church of Angels end up in a new AK training camp in Mexico. In the training camp Willow is shunned and completely mistrusted and misunderstood, and so just having Seb there to talk to, to share their knowledge of their powers, and for Willow to confide her fears about what is happening to her to someone who can understand is such a huge relief to Willow. So now I'm torn- the combination of L.A Weatherley's beautiful writing, and the complete adorable-ness of Seth has me totally conflicted! On the one hand I love Alex and Willow as a couple, and I don't want them to split up, but on the other hand the thought of poor, sweet Seth alone but in love with Willow forever is so heartbreaking!


Despite the way that the others in the camp treated Willow, I also couldn't help but like the other characters when you hear their individual tales of what they have been through. They really have to band together, and try to make the most of what little have. Through plans, training together, stakeouts, and whatever else they can think of to help them defeat the Angels at the Angel Council, they know what they are risking to try to help people, and show the Angels for the monsters they really are. You really get a sense of the atmosphere of suspense, despair and slim hope within the daily lives of those in the camp.


Although this was a large book (around 700 pages), it's also one of those books where you are so lost in the story that you don't notice the pages flying by. This takes you on a fantastically emotional rollercoaster, all amidst the backdrop of a war with killer angelic beings. It is also L.A Weatherly's beautiful writing style that makes this book so enjoyable, perfectly paced, with vivid description and everything just flows. This book is guaranteed to stir up your emotions and pull on your heart strings. We have betrayals that will break your heart, we have drama, jealousy, tense battles, and an almost apocalyptic battle with evil deceptive creatures that only a small band of people are even aware of. This is exciting, desperate, powerful and passionate and I love it!


Book 3- Angel Fever is due out October 2012 and can't come quick enough!

Thursday 12 January 2012

The Time Will Come #45

The Time Will Come is a weekly meme hosted by Jodie at Books For Company, where we can spotlight those books that we've had sitting on our shelves for too long. Books that we really want to read but never seem to get around to.


Bumped by Megan McCaffertty seems to be one of those books that people either love or hate. I'm definitely intrigued though, and want to read this at some point. I bought it all the way back in August, now I just need to find time to read it!



Synopsis from Goodreads:
When a virus makes everyone over the age of eighteen infertile, would-be parents pay teen girls to conceive and give birth to their children, making teens the most prized members of society. Girls sport fake baby bumps and the school cafeteria stocks folic-acid-infused food.

Sixteen-year-old identical twins Melody and Harmony were separated at birth and have never met until the day Harmony shows up on Melody’s doorstep. Up to now, the twins have followed completely opposite paths. Melody has scored an enviable conception contract with a couple called the Jaydens. While they are searching for the perfect partner for Melody to bump with, she is fighting her attraction to her best friend, Zen, who is way too short for the job.

Harmony has spent her whole life in Goodside, a religious community, preparing to be a wife and mother. She believes her calling is to convince Melody that pregging for profit is a sin. But Harmony has secrets of her own that she is running from.
When Melody is finally matched with the world-famous, genetically flawless Jondoe, both girls’ lives are changed forever. A case of mistaken identity takes them on a journey neither could have ever imagined, one that makes Melody and Harmony realize they have so much more than just DNA in common.
From New York Times bestselling author Megan McCafferty comes a strikingly original look at friendship, love, and sisterhood—in a future that is eerily believable.

Wednesday 11 January 2012

Waiting on Wednesday #14

Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine where we can spotlight those books that are not yet published and we are eagerly anticipating.

2012 is going to be a fantastic year for books- I have lists of so many pre-orders that I dying to get my hands on. Here are 3 of them:




Fateful by Claudia Gray (Goodreads).
This was already published in America last summer, and I read so many glowing reviews on it. It is werewolves on the Titanic. Ok- I loved Claudia Gray's Evernight series, I love werewolf books, I love tragic romances, and I love historical novels. Werewolves on the Titanic! Can't wait for this to come out here- March 2012.






Bewitching by Alex Flinn. (Goodreads).
Alex Flinn is the genius writer of fairytale retellings- her novels are all very sweet, funny and amazing, and I can't wait for her next book, which tells the story of Kendra- the witch in Beastly.
This is out February 2012.












Hourglass by Myra McEntire. (Goodreads).
I really like time travel books when they're done well, and I've heard so many good things about this book. This has already been published in hardback in America, but it was to pricey for me, and because it's an American publisher my library won't buy copies of it. However, this is coming out in paperback in June 2012, and I can finally read it- Woohoo!






What books are you waiting to come out this year?

Monday 9 January 2012

Review: Bleeding Hearts by Alyxandra Harvey



Bleeding Hearts (Drake Chronicles)Bleeding Hearts by Alyxandra Harvey


My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Synopsis from Goodreads:
Lucy's cousin Christabel has come to live in Violet Hill, and adjusting to the difference between life in a small mountain town and her home in the city is difficult enough. The strict curfew that Lucy's parents enforce is the worst part. Something really dangerous couldn't possibly happen in this tiny town. But Christabel has noticed some mysterious happenings, and it seems like Lucy, her boyfriend Nicholas and his brother Connor are all in on a secret that Christabel doesn't understand - one that seems deadly serious. Although she won't admit it, Christabel would love to be in on any secret with Connor Drake. But after Christabel is kidnapped by the ruthless Hel-Blar vampires, Lucy and Connor finally fill her in on all the undead drama. Together, they must find a way to stamp out the Hel-Blar for good.





Book 4 in the Drake Chronicles


This series is so funny, quirky, and passionate, with plenty of action, thrills, danger and romance. These books are definitely not your typical vampire stories. They have so much heart to them, and are all so sweet and fun. This one has such a great plotline as well with kidnappings, threats to the vampire council, and all the drama surrounding Solange trying to adapt to being a new vampire. We learn a lot more about the bad vampires, the Hel-Blar in this book as well.


Fun and quirky Lucy is back with a larger role in this book, and I'm so glad because I just love her. She makes the book so much funnier and lighter, and she always has the best one-liners. As frustrating as it must be to be the fragile human amongst a family of vampires, she is always determined that she is not going to be left behind, and will jump in to help her friends any way she can. The Drake brothers know that when they tell her to stay put she isn't going to, she will always follow them into danger, and refuses to be the damsel in distress. Plus, you can always count on her to give a scarcastic comment in even the most awkward moment.


Lucy's cousin Christabel is staying with her, and blissfully unaware of the vampire war going on around her. She sees Violet Hill as a quiet quaint little town and just cannot understand what everyone is talking about when they keep emphasizing how dangerous it is to go out after dark. Having come from a city, Violet Hill seems like a haven. Christabel would rather sit with her book anyway. Even when she is dragged out to a beach party by Lucy, she finds a quiet corner to sit and read.


Characters from earlier books all make an appearance in this book- Quinn's girlfriend Hunter is teaching Lucy all about self-defence, and Logan's girlfriend Isabeau is around helping them all behind the scenes. They all really feel like one huge happy family, and all depend on each other's strengths and talents to help them get by, and I really enjoyed this connection between them all. All the Drakes are all so lovely, and I love them together, but I really love all their individual stories as well.


This time it is nerdy computer tech Connor's turn to develop a crush and win the girl. He makes geeky look cool, and quoting Star Wars may not be the usual way to start a conversation but it made me giggle. Because of the changing perspective (the narrative keeps switching between Lucy, Christabel and Connor) we see what they're thinking and feeling from each perspective, which I liked, and there is a lot of tension between each chapter as we have to wait to rejoin the story again as it's happening from the other side.


These books get better with each one and I just love them for the family, the thrills and the sappy love stories! Bleeding Hearts is thrilling, heart-warming, fun, and a very different take on vampires. Lucy's mother's attempts to promote safe sex to her daughter by hiding condoms everywhere was absolutely hilarious, and the boys are all so dreamy that I want a Drake! I love the feisty girls in these stories- Lucy with her spunkyness, bookish Christabel who'll stand up for what she believes in, and Hunter, who can kick vampire ass with the best of them. This book has ended on such a tense cliff-hanger that I can't wait for the next installment in this series.

Rest of the series:
Book1- My Love lies Bleeding/ Hearts at Stake (US title)
Book2- Blood Feud

Book 3- Out for Blood
  




        





     Book 5- Due out later this year.

Sunday 8 January 2012

In My Mailbox 8th January 2012

In My Mailbox is a weekly event hosted by Kristi at The Story Siren where book bloggers can talk about the books they've gotten the past week- whether bought, borrowed, swapped or given for review. This feature was started to increase interaction between bloggers and to increase our awareness of all the new books coming out.

A much quieter book week this week after the massive book haul of last week. However, I did roam Amazon and picked up some of the freebies on offer.

Kindle freebies:









  • Smokeless Fire by Samantha Young. Goodreads.






  • Blood Will Tell by Samantha Young. Goodreads.







That was all for me this week- a very slow week.
What did you get in your mailbox?
Happy reading!




Also don't forget to enter my blogoversary giveaway, where you could win a choice of some of my favourite books of last year. It's open to everyone!

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