Cover Reveal: The Great Pursuit by Wendy Higgins

Lochlanach has traded the great beast for something far more terrible, a Lashed enemy veiled in beauty, deception, and a vengeance passed down through generations: Rozaria Rocato. And she’s offering the hunter Paxton Seabolt power and acceptance he could never receive in his homeland. Pax must decide how far he’s willing to go under her tutelage, knowing she is the opponent of Princess Aerity Lochson.

In a land where traditionalists dread change, the Lochlan throne must contend with mysterious foes and traitors, while attempting to keep revolt at bay. As dire circumstances strike the royal family, matters of the castle are left in Aerity’s hands. It’s time to put aside her fears and grasp the reign, taking actions that have the potential to save or destroy her people.

One hunt has ended, but the pursuit for love and justice continue. In this sequel to The Great Hunt from New York Times bestselling author Wendy Higgins, political intrigue and romance intensify in another thrilling fantasy. Princess Aerity embraces a quest for identity and passion before making the ultimate sacrifice for her kingdom.

Goodreads

Wendy’s social media links

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WendyHigginsWrites/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Wendy_Higgins

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wendyhigginswrites/

 THE GREAT HUNT ebook is currently on sale for $3.99

Kindle, Nook

 

 

Top Ten Tuesdays: 10 Books I Picked Up on a Whim

It has totally been a minute and a half since I have done a Top Ten Tuesday. The school year is winding down, which means, less planning, less grading, less stressing, and more time for reading. Yay! Here is what I hope to be the first of many more Top Ten Tuesdays, as hosted by The Broke and Bookish 

 

1. The Sweet Series by Wendy Higgins

2. The Ravens Cycle by Maggie Stiefvater

3. Lailah by Nikki Kelly

4. The Lying Game by Sara Shepard

5. Trylle series by Amanda Hockings

6. These Broken Stars by Amie Kaufman and Meagan Spooner

7. Everneath by Ashton Brodie

8. Wait for You by Jennifer L. Armentrout

9. The Collector’s Society by Heather Lyons

10. An Ember in the Ashes Sabaa Tahir

I could literally continue this list for eternity, because 95% of the books I pick up are on a whim, aka I like their cover.

What books have you picked up on a whim recently?

Book Tour and Giveaway: Persuasion by Martina Boone

Review: Map of Fates by Maggie Hall

Title: Map of Fates by Maggie Hall

Buy Links: Amazon, Barnes and Noble, iBooks

Publication Date: March 8, 2016

Genre: YA

Rating: 5/5

Synopsis: That’s how long it took for Avery West’s ordinary life to change forever: In two weeks, she discovered she was heiress to a powerful secret society known as the Circle, learned her mother was taken hostage by the Circle’s enemies, and fell for a boy she’s not allowed to love, just as she found out another was her unwelcome destiny.

Now, Avery crosses oceans in private jets to hunt for clues that will uncover the truth about the Circle, setting her mom and herself free before it’s too late. By her side are both the boys: Jack—steady, loyal, and determined to help her even at the expense of his own duty—and Stellan, whose connection to Avery grows stronger by the day despite her best intentions, making her question what she believes at every turn.

But at the end of a desperate hunt from the islands of Greece to the red carpet at Cannes comes a discovery that not only changes everything, but could bring the whole world to its knees. And now Avery is forced to face the truth: in the world of the Circle, no one is what they seem.

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Ugh. WORDS CANNOT DESCRIBE THE AWESOMNESS OF THIS. I mean seriously, this book gave me life. I enjoyed Hall’s first book “The Conspiracy of Us,” well enough, but “Map of Fates,” was phenomenal. 

What I liked: The pacing of this book was extraordinary. One of the major problems I had with the first book was that there was way too much going on and often I found myself totally confused. Hall definitely found her equilibrium in the sequel. There is enough action to keep it interesting, but there is also a great deal of character development. I’m a character driven reader, and Avery had become one of my favorite female characters. In “Map of Fates,” Hall spends more time developing her characters than trying to introduce her conspiracy. Stellan remains my MCM and there’s a water scene between him and Avery that I read over and over again. *Fans self*

What I didn’t like: Dude, I’m still confused. There were some reveals in this sequel that alleviated a large amount of the issues I had with the first book, but some of these reveals still left me fuzzy. There’s also a major death in here (I mean there are several but one is bigger than the others) and it just felt irrelevant to me. I was not a fan.

Overall, this book has everything. Action. Romance. Mystery. Death. You name it Hall uses it and weaves together an amazingly cohesive story. 5/5

Review and Giveaway: Dreamstrider by Lindsay Smith

Title: Dreamstrider by Lindsay Smith

Giveaway: Signed copy of Dreamstrider  a Rafflecopter giveaway

Genre: Fantasy YA

Rating: 2.5/5

Publication Date: October 6, 2015

Synopsis: A high-concept, fantastical espionage novel set in a world where dreams are the ultimate form of political intelligence.

Livia is a dreamstrider. She can inhabit a subject’s body while they are sleeping and, for a short time, move around in their skin. She uses her talent to work as a spy for the Barstadt Empire. But her partner, Brandt, has lately become distant, and when Marez comes to join their team from a neighborhing kingdom, he offers Livia the option of a life she had never dared to imagine. Livia knows of no other dreamstriders who have survived the pull of Nightmare. So only she understands the stakes when a plot against the Empire emerges that threatens to consume both the dreaming world and the waking one with misery and rage.

A richly conceived world full of political intrigue and fantastical dream sequences, at its heart Dreamstrider is about a girl who is struggling to live up to the potential before her.

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I picked up “Dreamstrider,” by Lindsay Smith some time ago on a recommendation from  a trusted book friend. I was lucky enough to be able to get my hands on a signed copy, which made me all the more eager to read.

What I liked: The concept of this book was incredibly interesting. Livia, the main character, is a dreamstrider meaning that she has the ability to jump into people’s bodies via the dreamworld. But, this book is not really about Livia’s journey into being a dreamstrider, instead it is about her using her ability to save her country from those who want to use the dreamworld for evil. This book had a really solid premise and I enjoyed the fact that the reader learns about Livia’s abilities and what they can do as we get into the action. The way this book is set up is incredibly smart.

What I didn’t like: Personally, I found this book incredibly hard to become invested in for a multitude of reasons. First, I found the story to be incredibly confusing. I had a hard time keeping track of what was actually going on and it effected my interest in the story. I also was not a huge fan of the main character Livia. I can navigate a heavy plot if I love the characters but I found Livia difficult to handle and the secondary characters felt more like wallpaper than anything else.

Overall, this book held some positives but not my cup of tea. I hope someone will enjoy it in my stead. 2/5

Throwback Thursday: The 5th Wave by Rick Yancey

Title: The 5th Wave by Rick Yancey

Publication Date: May 7th 2013

Genre: Sci-fi YA

Rating: 4.5/5

Synopsis: After the 1st wave, only darkness remains. After the 2nd, only the lucky escape. And after the 3rd, only the unlucky survive. After the 4th wave, only one rule applies: trust no one.

Now, it’s the dawn of the 5th wave, and on a lonely stretch of highway, Cassie runs from Them. The beings who only look human, who roam the countryside killing anyone they see. Who have scattered Earth’s last survivors. To stay alone is to stay alive, Cassie believes, until she meets Evan Walker. Beguiling and mysterious, Evan Walker may be Cassie’s only hope for rescuing her brother–or even saving herself. But Cassie must choose: between trust and despair, between defiance and surrender, between life and death. To give up or to get up.

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Wow, two reviews in one week, this had got to be some sort of record this week. I was totally inspired to review this book after reading it because it is just that DAMN good. 

What I liked: It is actually really difficult to pick out the specific things that I like in this book, because boy is this book freaking good. There’s so many things that are done well in this book. My favorite aspect is the idea. This fluctuates between what I would call dystopian and sci-fi using the best tropes of all without falling into the cliches of either. The pacing is perfect with enough action to keep it interesting, but not so much that the reader can’t gain their footing into the story. I’m not usually someone who enjoys multi-POV stories as they can create a lot of confusion for the reader; however, the way Yancey utilizes his multi-POV is incredibly effective as it culminates in the characters meeting towards the end of the book.  The way this worked kept the reader in the know but the characters blind, eliminating confusion but keeping the story interesting. That’s really what I’ve got to say about this one, Yancey continuously keeps the story interesting. 

What I didn’t like: This is definitely a more personal didn’t like, so take it with a grain of salt and remember I have not read the sequel to this yet, but I was not happy that the guy set up as the love interest does not seem to be the actual love interest. You can’t invest me in these ideas and then leave me hanging!

Overall, super strong, super intense, and just all around super read. Be sure to pick it up this holiday season. 4.5/5

Cover Reveal: The Royal Marriage Market by Heather Lyons

We are absolutely thrilled to bring you the Cover Reveal for Heather Lyons’ ROYAL MARRIAGE MARKET! Releasing December 15, 2015, ROYAL MARRIAGE MARKET is a brand new standalone contemporary romance by Heather Lyons. Be sure you preorder your copy today!

 

 

Cover created by Daniela Conde Padron at DCP Designs.

Pre-Order ROYAL MARRIAGE MARKET Today!

iBooks ** Amazon

Add to your Goodreads

 

Excerpt:

“You go by Chris?”

“It’s an acceptable nickname for Christian.” The owner of the name snatches his glass of champagne back, chugging the rest of the drink. Naturally, this promptly sets off another round of coughing.

Parker is now the one to smack Christian’s back, and I am grateful because I most certainly do not need to be touching him again, even if in a life-saving gesture.

“Maybe so,” I murmur as Christian, rapidly turning redder from what surely must be embarrassment more than alcohol down the wrong pipe, shoves his friend’s hand away. “But it doesn’t fit.”

“If I might be so bold to ask, Your Highness, how so?” Parker inquires at the same time Christian wheezes, “What does that mean?”

I side skirt the men to claim a chocolate covered strawberry from the dessert table. “Chris is a boring name.”

“I believe you’ve just issued an unforgiveable insult to all the Chrises in the world,” Christian says flatly while Parker struggles to hold in his mirth.

“Of course I haven’t. I simply said Chris is a boring name. Look at Elsa; it is a hopelessly old-fashioned name you find in old women who bake streusel. My parents aged me the moment I came out of the womb.” I point the zebra-striped berry at my sparring partner. “Now that is unforgiveable. You were given a nice name and have elected to make it boring when it doesn’t suit you one bit.”

Too much silence expands between us; I am tricked into looking up at him once more. One of his dark eyebrows arches upward. “Are you saying you don’t find me boring?”

Did I? Oh, bollocks. I did, didn’t I? I clear my throat and smile winsomely. “Just because I don’t wish to marry you doesn’t mean I find you boring as a bag of rocks.”

Both of his eyebrows shoot up, as if I informed him grass is blue and sky is green. As if he doesn’t already know he’s interesting. Please. Must I remind him of all the glossies dedicated to his comings and goings?

“When we were children, His Highness was teased quite a bit about his name,” Parker tells me.

I toss the strawberry stem back onto the table; it’s whisked up by a passing waiter in less than a second. “What! Why?”

“I’m named after a religion,” Christian grinds out. “There was Prince Jew. Prince Muslim. Prince Buddhist. Prince Hindu. Prince Zoroastrian. There were lots of choices, you see.”

Another moment I want nothing more than to just laugh and laugh. “How delightful. Now, those nicknames aren’t boring. Sacrilegious, yes, but definitely not boring.”

“You have a seed in your front teeth,” is Christian’s response.

“You are a veritable Prince Charming, publically pointing out women’s flaws. How chivalrous of you.”

It is annoying how much I like that he refuses to appear properly chastised.

 

 

About ROYAL MARRIAGE MARKET:

Every decade, the world’s monarchs and their heirs secretly convene to discuss global politics and social issues—and arrange marriages between kingdoms.

Elsa may be the Hereditary Princess of Vattenguldia, but she finds the entire situation archaic and unsavory. While she wants what’s best for her country, she isn’t about to jump into an unwanted relationship—let alone a marriage—with a virtual stranger. Of course, her feelings matter little to her parents, whose wheeling and dealings over trade pacts and alliances achieved at her expense begin the moment they set foot in California for the Summit. So when a blindingly handsome royal runs into her, she doesn’t hesitate to tell him there’s no way she’s marrying him.

Christian is all too happy to agree: no marriage. As the Hereditary Grand Duke of Aiboland, his main goal is to get through the summit without a bride being foisted on him. Which is why he suggests they help each other field potential intendeds. As Christian slowly gets to know Elsa, though, he realizes they have a lot more in common than just their feelings about the Royal Marriage Market. Only he can’t fall for her, because royal or not, they’re not meant for each other.

Elsa and Christian will have to evaluate matters of the heart verses those of state and crown, and decide whether or not tradition trumps love.

 

 

 

About Heather Lyons:

Heather Lyons writes epic, heartfelt love stories and has always had a thing for words. In addition to writing, she’s also been an archaeologist and a teacher. She and her husband and children live in sunny Southern California and are currently working their way through every cupcakery she can find.

 

 

 

 

 

Website | Author Goodreads | ROYAL MARRIAGE MARKET Goodreads | Twitter| Facebook| Pinterest

 

Book Release Review: Persuasion by Martina Boone

Title: Persuasion by Martina Boone

Release Date: October 27, 2015

Buy Links: Amazon; Barnes and Noble

Rating: 5/5 

Giveaway: One Kindle Copy of Persuasion
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Synopsis: Beautiful Creatures meets The Raven Boys in the spellbinding second novel in the Heirs of Watson Island trilogy that “skillfully blends rich magic and folklore with adventure, sweeping romance, and hidden treasure” (Publishers Weekly, on Compulsion).

Grieving the death of her godfather and haunted by her cousin Cassie’s betrayal, Barrie returns from a trip to San Francisco to find the Watson plantation under siege. Ghost-hunters hope to glimpse the ancient spirit who sets the river on fire each night, and reporters chase rumors of a stolen shipment of Civil War gold that may be hidden at Colesworth Place. The chaos turns dangerous as Cassie hires a team of archeologists to excavate beneath the mansion ruins. Because more is buried there than treasure.

A stranger filled with magic arrives at Watson’s Landing claiming that the key to the Watson and Beaufort gifts—and the Colesworth curse—also lies beneath the mansion. With a mix of threats and promises, the man convinces Barrie and Cassie to cast a spell there at midnight. But what he conjures may have deadly consequences.

While Barrie struggles to make sense of the escalating peril and her growing and forbidden feelings for Eight Beaufort, it’s impossible to know whom to trust and what to fight for—Eight or herself. Millions of dollars and the fate of the founding families is at stake. Now Barrie must choose between what she feels deep in her heart and what will keep Watson’s Landing safe in this stunning addition to a series filled with “decadent settings, mysterious magic, and family histories rife with debauchery” (Kirkus Reviews, on Compulsion).

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Hiya, everyone. Been a few weeks here but I wanted to take a hiatus from my hiatus to praise Martina Boone’s sequel to to her debut novel “Compulsion,” by writing a more thorough review of “Persuasion.” 

Anyone who has read this blog knows I am a huge fan of Martina’s; in fact, I named “Compulsion,” as my favorite book of 2014. To say I was obsessed with that book would be an understatement. Given the ending, I could not wait for the next installment, and let’s just say that “Persuasion” did not disappoint. It has everything I love in a YA. Steamy romance, a little mysticism, and a whole lot of drama. 

What I like: What I loved about “Compulsion,” I continued to love about “Persuasion.” Martina depicts such a lush, technicolor view of the South that the setting becomes a character in and of itself. Watson Island continues to play a central role in the story and as the mystery unfolds Martina allows the reader to experience more of the incredible culture she has created. To call this a Southern Gothic is to do the writing a disservice. While Martina’s novel is set in the South, her novel depicts a culture unique to her characters and story. She avoids the overused cliches of sweet tea and thick accents that plague many Southern Gothic YA’s.

Aside from the beautiful writing, the true stand out or Persuasion is the dimension of the characters. No one in this novel is purely good or purely evil. Despite being fictional, they seem like real people, real teens; they are growing and developing and experiencing the consequences of their actions. As someone who is draw to strong characters, I can honestly say you won’t find more exciting or dynamic ones.

What I didn’t like: Ugh, Martina! These cliffhangers are killing me. There’s a major one at the end and just as one question is answered 50,000 pop up.

Overall, this continues to be one of my favorite series. If you want a book steeped in mysticism with a dynamic setting, and realistic characters then this is the book for you. 5/5

 

 

Top Ten Tuesday: Top Ten Books on My Fall TBR

It has been so long guys, but I’m back and so excited about this Top Ten Tuesdays as hosted by The Broke and Bookish because I have been waiting patiently all summer for some of these things. 

1. Persuasion by Martina Boone: I was lucky enough to read this early and booooyyy was it fabulous. Martina has a wonderful richness to her writing that will add a little ump to your cold Fall nights. 

2. Ice like Fire by Sara Raasch: October is just such an exciting month and I absolutely cannot wait for this title to be released. Has someone built a time machine yet?

3. Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo: She is coming to my hood during her book tour and I absolutely cannot wait to get my copies signed.

4. Winter (Lunar Chronicles) by Marissa Meyer: I feel like I have been waiting for this last one forever.

5. Truthwitch by Susan Denard: I’ll admit, I am not a huge fan of Denard’s first series, but I am a huge Fantasy fan and this has already generated some strong buzz.

6.The Rose Society: The debut was so strong that I have no idea where this one is going to go. But, I’m excited.

7. The White Rose by Amy Ewing: I have some weird issues with the first book, but I am still really excited to read this second installment, especially considering where the first one left off.

8. The Sleeper and The Spindle by Neil Gaiman: I have become such a great appreciator of retellings, so this is one I am truly excited to grab.

9. Blood and Salt by Kim Liggett: Halloween is coming up and I love a scary story on a dark, cold evening.

10. A Madness so Discreet by Mindy McGinnis: Another great and scary story. Fall seems to be all about the fear factor and I am pumped for that.

 

Review: Firewalker (Worldwalker Book #2) by Jospehine Angelni

Title: Fire Walker (Worldbuilders #2) by Josephine Angelini

Buy Links: Amazon, Barnes and Noble

Genre: YA Fantasy

Rating: 5/5

Synopsis: Worlds divide, magic slays, and love lies in the second book of Josephine Angelini’s The Worldwalker Trilogy.

“You think I’m a monster, but my choices, as ruthless as they seem, are justified.”

Lily is back in her own universe, and she’s ready to start a new life with Rowan by her side. True, she almost died in the Pyre that fueled their escape from New Salem, and must hide her magic for the safety of everyone she cares about, but compared to fighting the Woven, the monstrous creatures inhabiting the alternate Salem, life is looking pretty good.

Unfortunately, Lillian, ruthless ruler of the 13 Cities, is not willing to let Lily go that easily. If she can’t persuade Lily to return to her world, she will force her to come back by doing away with the ones she loves.

Picking up right where Trial By Fire left off, Firewalker is another sexy, fast-paced, heartbreaking thrill ride from internationally bestselling author Josephine Angelini!

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I’m baaaacccckkk. Kind of. I’ve actually had a few minutes to read in the last two weeks, which is nothing short of miraculous. Being a first year classroom teacher is tough work. It’s even tougher when you are teaching with no books and have an extra grade lopped in there. That being said, I love it. 

Know what else I love? This book. I was lucky enough to read the first in the series quite recently and devoured the next one. Let’s go ahead and break it down. 

What I liked: Rowan is one of my favorite male YA characters. He’s sexy but caring. He definitely drew me to him in the first book, but I feel like we learn even more about him in the second book. What Angelini really did well in her sequel is that she raised the stakes. Her first book spent a good chunk of time building her alternative world and introducing the stakes, but the second book really focuses on Lily and Lillian’s struggle to save their worlds. While in “World Walker” I struggles to really understand “the point,” because there were not true stakes. That is definitely not the case with book two. The stakes are higher than ever and Angelini is not afraid to make some hard literary choices. 

What I didn’t like: The beginning of the book felt a little slow to me. Angelini spends a great deal of time having Lily “recover,” which was realistic but really stunted the pacing. Outside of that, I began to feel like suddenly everyone was involved in the conspiracy. It would have been nice to see a little more separation between the two worlds.

Overall, I adore this series. I think it is imaginative, face-paced, and the romance is on-point 5/5.