Tuesday, September 30, 2014

Generation 18 by Keri Arthur

The Basics:
Generation 18 by Keri Arthur
Dell
Book Two in the Spook Squad series
Urban Fantasy
Re-Published September 30, 2014
Source: Received via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Amazon.ca Kobo.com

Why I picked up this book:

I needed to know what happened next!

Monday, September 29, 2014

Her Best Shot by Shannyn Schroeder

The Basics:
Her Best Shot by Shannyn Schroeder
eKensington Original
Novella One in the Hot and Nerdy series
New Adult, Romance
Published September 29, 2014
Source: Received via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Amazon.ca Kobo.com

Why I picked up this book:

Hot and nerdy sounded right up my alley.


Sunday, September 28, 2014

Sunday Update - September 28, 2014

I haven't posted an update in a month, so consider this one apologetically long  overdue.

I'm hooking into: 



This is a meme hosted by the Caffeinated Book Reviewer wherein everyone gets to share their news for the week. It's a great opportunity to see what's happening out there in the blogosphere, so go check out some other Sunday Posters!

Today's post is going to have a few sections:

1. General Update

2. Currently...

3. DNFs, Pleasure Reads and Mini-Reviews

4. Last Week / Week Ahead

Friday, September 26, 2014

Icebound by Corinna Rogers

The Basics:
Icebound by Corinna Rogers
HarperImpulse
Book One in the Mortals & Myths trilogy
Erotica, Urban Fantasy
Published September 25, 2014
Source: Received via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Amazon Kobo

Why I picked up this book:

I was looking for something different in the erotica genre. (Spoiler: I found it!)


Thursday, September 25, 2014

Firebug by Lish McBride

The Basics:
Firebug by Lish McBride
Henry Holt and Co.
Book One in the Firebug series
YA, Paranormal/Urban Fantasy
Published September 23, 2014
Source: Received via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Amazon Kobo

Why I picked up this book:

It looked like it could become a big title in a genre I love.

Wednesday, September 24, 2014

Fairytale Apocalypse by Jacqueline Patricks

The Basics:
Fairytale Apocalypse by Jacqueline Patricks
Crazy Bird Publishing
Book One of The Verge
Fantasy, New Adult, Kind of Science Fiction?
Published September 22, 2014
Source: Received via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Amazon Kobo

Why I picked up this book:

The cover is terrible, but I couldn't resist the title. I was on a bit of a fairy tale request binge at the time....

Salt & Storm by Kendall Kulper

The Basics:
Salt & Storm by Kendall Kulper
Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
YA Paranormal
Published September 23, 2014
Source: Received via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Amazon Kobo

Check out the first 11 chapters for free here.

Why I picked up this book:

I'm a sucker for a historical romance, and this one combines witches (cautious yay?) and a young woman who knows she's going to be murdered, which sounded kind of sad.

Tuesday, September 23, 2014

The Crystal Slipper by Selena Fulton

The Basics:
The Crystal Slipper by Selena Fulton
Entangled: Covet
Book One in a fairy tale series
Contemporary Romance
Published September 22, 2014
Source: Received via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Amazon Kobo

Why I picked up this book:

I'm a fan of modernized fairy tales.


Monday, September 22, 2014

The Zodiac Collector by Laura Diamond

The Basics:
The Zodiac Collector by Laura Diamond
Spencer Hill Press
YA, Paranormal
Published September 23, 2014
Source: Received via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Amazon Kobo

Why I picked up this book:

The title of the book caught my eye!

Friday, September 19, 2014

Wildlife by Fiona Wood

The Basics:
Wildlife by Fiona Wood
Poppy
YA
Published September 16, 2014
Source: Received via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Amazon Kobo

Why I picked up this book:

Could not resist the gorgeous cover.

Thursday, September 18, 2014

Soulless by Amber Garr

The Basics:
Soulless by Amber Garr
Hallowed Ink Press
Book One in the Death Wardens series
YA Paranormal Romance
Published August 20, 2014
Source: Received via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Amazon 

Why I picked up this book:

I liked the idea of Death Wardens who help the newly dead into the great beyond. I also found the clash of an ex and a new potential love to be somewhat intriguing.

Wednesday, September 17, 2014

Broken Monsters by Lauren Beukes

The Basics:
Broken Monsters by Lauren Beukes
Mulholland Books
Mystery/Thriller, Mainstream Lit
Published September 16, 2014
Source: Received via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Amazon.ca Kobo.com

Why I picked up this book:

I like to dip into genres that I don't often have the opportunity to read. This one sounded creepy and modern and kind of cool.

Tuesday, September 16, 2014

BOOK TOUR: The Curse Merchant by JP Sloan


I am so excited to have this spot on the blog tour for J.P. Sloan's The Curse Merchant, which became available September 14th, 2014. Please, please check it out, because I loved this urban fantasy novel, and I want more!

The Unsuitable Secretary by Maggie Robinson

The Basics:
The Unsuitable Secretary by Maggie Robinson
Intermix
Book Four in the Ladies Unlaced series
Historical Romance
Published September 16, 2014
Source: Received via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Amazon.ca Kobo.com

Why I picked up this book:

I liked the cover and the secretary-employer trope.

Monday, September 15, 2014

COVER REVEAL: Zhukov's Dogs by Amanda Cyr

I am so, so excited to share with you the delightfully different cover for Amanda Cyr's Zhukov's Dogs. This book will be published by Curiosity Quills Press on October 27th, 2014. 

This one is a new adult, science fiction, action adventure that sounds pretty epic in scope. I had a great streak with science fiction books earlier this year, so I'm looking forward to this one. 

Check out the blurb:


Lieutenant Colonel Nik Zhukov is just like any other desensitized seventeen-year-old living in the year 2076. At least he likes to think he is when he isn’t busy eliminating threats to national security, breaking up terrorist organizations, and trying not to get blown up. It’s all in a normal day’s work for one of the military’s top dogs, and he’s never disappointed. Never failed. Never lost sight of his dream of making it to the elite force, even as each new job forces him to see just how morally corrupt his leaders are.

On the verge of promotion, Nik is dispatched to the underground city beneath the icy Seattle tundra, his final mission handed down directly from The Council. It should have been a simple in-and-out, but the underground is full of dark secrets and he soon finds himself swept into battles, lying to his best friend back east, and growing a bit too close to the rebels he was sent to spy on.

Nik realizes too late that he’s broken the number one rule within his ranks; he’s allowed himself to feel normal for the first time in his life. He might be able to turn the job around, become the soldier he was once was, except for his growing attachment to the rebel leader. A guy. Yet another first for Nik. It’s a mistake he pays for dearly when he learns The Council’s true intentions for the city.


It’s never ‘just harmless fun’ when you’re a government dog, not when The Council holds the leash. Nik knows there are some lines you can never come back from crossing, and he’s forced to choose whose rules to play by. He races toward the invisible divide, aware he’ll be called traitor by both his nation and by his friends. Aware that even the right choice can be deadly to make.

The talented Alexandria Thompson of Gothic Fate is the cover artist, and you'll be clicking through to check out more of her work after you see the cover:

The Kidnapped Bride by Heather Hiestand

The Basics:
The Kidnapped Bride by Heather Hiestand
eKensington Originals
Book Four in the Redcakes series
Historical Romance
Published September 15, 2014
Source: Received via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Amazon.ca Kobo.com

Why I picked up this book:

I thought that cover was very cute, and the blurb suggested (to me) a lot of great oneupmanship between the love interests

The Bouquet List by Barbara DeLeo

The Basics:
The Bouquet List by Barbara DeLeo
Entangled: Bliss
Book One in the Weddings in Westchester series
Contemporary Romance
Published September 15, 2014
Source: Received via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Amazon.ca Kobo.com

Why I picked up this book:

It looked short and sweet.

Friday, September 12, 2014

Stacking the Shelves - September 13, 2014



Stacking the Shelves is an awesome meme hosted by Tynga's Review.

Bloggers share the books they've received, bought, borrowed - and I collect more and more books for my 'must acquire' list.

This week the focus is on books I've purchased or otherwise received not specifically for review in the last two weeks:

No Weddings by Kat Bastion, with Stone Bastion

The Basics:
No Weddings by Kat Bastion, with Stone Bastion
Self-Pubbed
Book One in the No Weddings series
Romance
Published September 8th, 2014
Source: Received via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Amazon.ca Kobo.com

Why I picked up this book:

I liked the idea of a 'player' who breaks his own rules because he's intrigued by a woman. Also, the blurb seemed so much better than the cover, I had to check it out.

Thursday, September 11, 2014

Unbreakable by Kami Garcia

The Basics:
Unbreakable by Kami Garcia
Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Book One in the Legion series
YA, Urban Fantasy
Published October 1, 2013
Source: Received via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Amazon.ca Kobo.com

Why I picked up this book:

The description read as being action-packed YA paranormal fun, and I wanted a dose of that! Also, I loved the cover.

Blurb:

I never believed in ghosts. Until one tried to kill me.

When Kennedy Waters finds her mother dead, her world begins to unravel. She doesn't know that paranormal forces in a much darker world are the ones pulling the strings. Not until identical twins Jared and Lukas Lockhart break into Kennedy's room and destroy a dangerous spirit sent to kill her. The brothers reveal that her mother was part of an ancient secret society responsible for protecting the world from a vengeful demon -- a society whose five members were all murdered on the same night.

Now Kennedy has to take her mother's place in the Legion if she wants to uncover the truth and stay alive. Along with new Legion members Priest and Alara, the teens race to find the only weapon that might be able to destroy the demon -- battling the deadly spirits he controls every step of the way.

Suspense, romance, and the paranormal meet in this chilling urban fantasy, the first book in a new series from Kami Garcia, bestselling coauthor of the Beautiful Creatures novels.

My thoughts:

I had middling expectations for Unbreakable. I read Beautiful Creatures and was a little on the fence about it, but I liked the sounds of Unbreakableso I thought, what the heck?

Unbreakable succeeded at giving me a creepy ghost mystery. It's a fast-paced adventure, with lots of set-style locations - big concept places that we can all recognize and know as being haunted, as being places teenagers would venture on dares while all sane people steered clear. There's a cinematic quality to the places that this book is set and it's easy to imagine them.

The action was great, the pacing was go go go with a few well-timed pauses. I found it pretty entertaining - Unbreakable was never boring or slow.

In terms of characters, I liked Kennedy. She freezes when I think it was believable for her to freeze, and she acts when she's finally gets her feet under her in this strange new world wherein ghosts are real. Her certainty that she's unloveable felt a bit out of left field as she seems to have had some pretty strong relationships with her mother and her best friend. This element to her personality felt a little manufactured for the sake of drama.

I did *not* like the twins. It's not so much that I found them interchangeable (as I've read is a problem for other reviewers): I had two issues with the guys. First, I felt that they should be tighter as brothers than they were. There's a whole lot of blame and emotional turmoil and hurt feelings and left-out-itis going around. To me, this seemed like a lot of drama these guys couldn't afford to have. Given the rather exclusive club that they lived within, I wanted to see that the ties between them were complex but ultimately loving. Perhaps their relationship will be addressed with more depth in future books in the series - I certainly hope so as I think it's one area in which these books could really shine.

My second issue, and probably the more significant, is that I couldn't wrap my head around the love triangle. Why Kennedy? The insta-love was not believable for me at all, and easily the weakest element of the book. It happened so fast and in the middle of so much danger and drama that, for me the love felt forced.

The other two characters that fill most of the book - Priest and Alara - are sketched as being these types - mechanical engineering nerd and badass bitch. I think that as the story unfolds, they're given much more colorful personalities and traits. Their backgrounds in particular made them much more than first impressions suggest.

Bottom line:

Overall, Unbreakable is a good ghost-hunting story with a weak love triangle component. I want to read more because I liked the way the story flowed beyond the romantic element, and because I was entertained regardless of any flaws I thought the book might have.

From what I gather, comparisons to the tv series Supernatural are inevitable. I've only seen an episode or two of that show (inexplicably as it's the kind of show I love), so as a non-viewer, I can say that book was good. What influences, inspirations and connections can be draw between the two, I don't know, and that didn't affect my enjoyment of the book. Your mileage, obviously, may vary.

4 stars
For fans of YA paranormal, love triangles, hot boys

Wednesday, September 10, 2014

BLOG TOUR: The Undead: Playing for Keeps by Elsie Elmore



Released on September 3rd, 2014 by Curiosity Quills Press, The Undead: Playing for Keeps by Elsie Elmore is Young Adult paranormal romance through and through. With zombies, a Reaper and a girl who seems to draw them all to her, The Undead should appeal to anyone who likes their horror with a side of flirtation!

Swing by Curiosity Quills' Blog to check out the other tour stops, and enter their sweepstakes for a copy of the book

BLOG TOUR: Broken Forest by Eliza Tilton



Released on May 1st, 2013 by Curiosity Quills Press, Broken Forest by Eliza Tilton is a Young Adult, fantasy adventure that sneaks in some wonderful, colorful science fiction details!

Swing by Love in Every Page Promotions to check out the other tour stops!

Monday, September 8, 2014

Broken by Lauren Layne

The Basics:
Broken by Lauren Layne
Flirt
Book One of the Redemption series
New Adult, Romance
Published September 2, 2014
Source: Received via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Amazon.ca Kobo.com

Why I picked up this book:

I'm a complete Lauren Layne fan. I had to grab this one when I saw it was available for review.

Friday, September 5, 2014

Stacking the Shelves - September 6, 2014



Stacking the Shelves is an awesome meme hosted by Tynga's Review.

Bloggers share the books they've received, bought, borrowed - and I collect more and more books for my 'must acquire' list.

This week I spotlight books I've received for review in the last two weeks:

Forged by Desire By Bec McMaster

The Basics:
Forged by Desire By Bec McMaster
SOURCEBOOKS Casablanca
Book Four in the London Steampunk series
Romance, Steampunk, Paranormal
Published September 2, 2014
Source: Received via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Amazon.ca Kobo.com

Why I picked up this book:

The cover, the description... I was hooked.

Thursday, September 4, 2014

Must Love Breeches by Amanda Quaries

The Basics:
Must Love Breeches by Amanda Quaries
Season Publishing
Book One in the Must Love series
Time Travel Romance
Published September 3, 2014
Source: Received via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Amazon.ca Kobo.com

Why I picked up this book:

I haven't read time travel romance in a while and with Outlander being televised, it seemed timely to pick one up!

Wednesday, September 3, 2014

COVER REVEAL: Untaken by J.E. Anckorn

Today we're celebrating the cover reveal for J. E. Anckorn's Untaken. This book releases on October 16th, 2014, published by Curiosity Quills Press. Described as a young-adult, action-adventure, science fiction novel, Untaken explores what happens when aliens invade and you're only fourteen years old.

Check out the blurb:


It turns out that a real alien invasion is nothing like the Sci-fi shows 14-year-old Gracie loves. Not when it’s your own family who are swallowed whole by those big silver ships. Not if it could be you next.

In her search for her family, Gracie meets Brandon, a high school dropout who would never have been caught dead hanging out with a dork like Gracie before the world ended. Gracie isn’t too crazy about Brandon either, but he has one thing she doesn’t: A plan.

Brandon’s uncle has a cabin up in Maine, and If Gracie and Brandon can survive long enough to get there they can hide out until the Space Men pack up their ships and leave.
Until the army guys come to rescue them, says Brandon. Brandon is big into army guys.

Gracie has to admit that Brandon’s Awesome Plan probably would have worked out great if wasn't for Jake.

They found 5-year-old Jake, laying half-dead under the remains of someone’s ranch house. He’s a good kid, even if he won’t-or can’t- talk.

But Jake has a secret, and when Gracie finds out what it is, the fragile new life they’ve started to forge looks set to break apart.


When the people you’ve been counting on to put the world back together start hunting you down, alien invaders are the least of your worries.
Sounds like there are lots of twists and turns in this one. Slightly outside of my normal wheelhouse, I suspect this book will be rather refreshing for me. I'm looking forward to going on an adventure with Gracie, Brandon and Jake in October

And now the big moment, the cover, please:

COVER REVEAL: Embers by Karen Ann Hopkins

I love a good paranormal, well, anything really. So the opportunity to participate in a cover reveal for Embers by Karen Ann Hopkins was right up my alley. This YA title is coming in October 2014

Check out this blurb and I think you'll see why I was so excited:

There are descendants of angels walking among us. Ember is one of them. And she may be the only hope mankind has as the rapture approaches and evil rises.
Embers is an epic paranormal adventure about an eighteen year old girl who discovers that she's immune to fire and any other injury when she’s in a horrific car crash that kills her parents. Following a violent episode with her aunt's boyfriend, Ember flees Ohio to live with an old relative in the Smoky Mountains of Tennessee. Ember's exuberance at escaping a bad home life soon turns to trepidation when she finds out that she's a Watcher, a descendant of angels. While Ember learns about her heritage and the powers that go along with it, she strikes up friendships with two young men who live in a frightening walled compound in the forest. Inexplicitly drawn to one of the men in particular, an impossible romance develops. But it is cut short when Ember discovers that her new friends are fighting on the opposite side of a war—one that’s been raging between two factions of Watchers for thousands of years. When the compound’s inhabitants threaten the townspeople, Ember takes action, sealing her fate in the ancient battle of good versus evil—and the grayness in between. Ember is up to the challenge, until she realizes that she isn’t only fighting for the lives of the locals and the souls of her new friends. She also might be one of the few champions who will make a stand for all of mankind as the rapture approaches and the end of days begin.
Embers is a dark and gritty YA novel that’s the first book in the series, The Wings of War.
I'm intrigued by the blurb - a book that involves discovering powers just as one's life is completely changed, plus angels, plus romance has me taking a closer look!  

Let's take a closer look at the cover:

Trial by Fire by Josephine Angelini

The Basics:
Trial by Fire by Josephine Angelini
Feiwel & Friends
Book One of the Worldwalker Trilogy
Romance, YA
Published September 2, 2014
Source: Received via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Amazon.ca Kobo.com

Why I picked up this book:

I liked the connections to Salem and witches in the blurb and I found the cover really haunting.

Tuesday, September 2, 2014

His Secret Superheroine by Patricia Eimer

The Basics:
His Secret Superheroine by Patricia Eimer
Entangled: Covet
Book One in the St. Louis Superheroes series
Paranormal Romance
Published August 25, 2014
Source: Received via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Amazon.ca

Why I picked up this book:

It looked like fun! Superheroes! Love!  

Monday, September 1, 2014

Curse Breaker: Guild Assassin by Berley Kerr

The Basics:
Curse Breaker: Guild Assassin by Berley Kerr
Curiosity Quills Press
Book One in the Curse Breaker series
New Adult, Steampunk, Fantasy
Published July 28th, 2014
Source: Received via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Amazon.ca Kobo.com

Why I picked up this book:

The cover had a steampunk vibe and I'm really into steampunk these days. It's a really gorgeous cover!

His to Claim by Opal Carew

The Basics:
His to Claim by Opal Carew
St Martin's Griffin
Erotica
Published September 2, 2014
Source: Received via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Amazon.ca Kobo.com

Why I picked up this book:

I read and enjoyed His to Possess which featured the brother of the male main character in His to Claim.