Books I'm Dying For: In May

Alright, so there a few new releases this month that my dying to get my grubby little hands on.

And here some of them are:




1. Illusions by Aprilynne Pike (Book #3 in the Wings series)
What can I say? I love it. And Tamani. I must say Laurel is outta her mind for not picking him straight away. I cannot wait for this book--hopefully things change!









2. The Throne of Fire by Rick Riordan (Book #2 in the Kane Chronicles)
I love Ancient Egypt and I simple adored Riordan's Percy Jackson series. The first book in this series was fabulous and I'm sooo excited about this one. Love it!








3. Dead Reckoning by Charlaine Harris (Book #11 in the Sookie Stackhouse series)
Ahhhh! The next book! Yay! Damn, I love this series! I've been reading it for so long and I simply love it! It's so brilliant and I'm completely in love with Eric. Can't wait to get it!







Alright, so those are the main ones. I'd be lying if I didn't admit that there are a lot more books I'm looking forward to reading, mainly debuts.
May looks to be a terrific month!

~Rachel
xoxo

Win a Kindle with Donna Grant and Bitten By Books!

To celebrate the release of Untamed Highlander the 4th book in her Dark Sword series, author Donna Grant has stopped by Bitten By Books for not only a great interview, but a fantastic contest where the winner with win their very own Kindle! Yes, that's right a Kindle!

There are plenty of opportunities to win and it's a fantastic way to spread word of a great series. One I'm yet to read, however have heard some wonderful things about.

I myself have entered and now it's up to all of you.

Stop on over. Ask a few questions and help Donna Grant celebrate her new release!

http://www.bittenbybooks.com/41063/author-donna-grant-release-party-and-kindle-contest-live-here/

Cover Lust Thursday--ahhh, Friday

Okay, okay so I'm a tad late. This week my Internet decided to take a walk and I've been run off my feet with school work and assignments.


Anyway, this weeks Cover Lust is:

Blood Ties by Isabella Kruger....

This is actually the 3rd book in Isabella Kruger's A Discovery of Vampires. I haven't actually read any of the books, but I love this cover. What can I say? The girl on the front is so pretty and I just can't help but want to look at it. Very, very purrdy!

Find out more about this book here: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/11147481-blood-ties

~Rachel
xoxo

Down The Rabbit Hole reaches 1000 Followers

Amber @ Down The Rabbit Hole is thrilled to have reached 1000 followers and to celebrate she's holding and International competition.
3 lucky winners will have their pick from a great list of soon to be released or just released books including:

*Wolfsbane by Andrea Cremer
*Forever by Maggie Stiefvater
*Eve by Anna Carey
*Abandon by Meg Cabbot
*The Goddess Test by Aimee Carter
*Hereafter by Tara Husdon
and many more....

Let's help her celebrate 1000 followers! Hop of over and check out her blog, as well as entering.
I have and now it's your chance.
Check out Down The Rabbit Hole and the contest here: http://amberinblunderland.blogspot.com/2011/04/1000-follower-giveaway.html


~Rachel
xoxo

Book Shelf: Stolen Dreams (The Lingering Spirit #1) by Stacey Kennedy

Tess Jennings has the ability to see and talk to spirits. On a daily basis, they harass and annoy her to save their souls. Sometimes she helps, other times she ignores them, but one ghost will give her no choice. Kipp McGowan, a cop with the Memphis Police Department, uses his ghostly charms to gain her attention and forces her to expose herself to his partner.

As she’s pulled into the five year old cold case of Hannah Reid she wants no part of, she finds herself in more than one precarious situation. But that’s the least of her worries―Tess begins to have a serious problem on her hands. Kipp might be dead, but he’s drop-dead gorgeous and she’s beginning to forget that he’s a ghost.

Murder and corruption has brought Tess and Kipp together. But as her feelings for Kipp deepen, she suspects she just signed herself up for a one-way ticket to the nut house, and can only hope, straitjackets come in a size four.

Blurb taken from Goodreads....


Review (Warning, contains spoilers)

**First I need to say a big thank-you to Amber over at: http://awesomesaucebookclub.blogspot.com/ and of course Stacey Kennedy for allowing me to win this book!**

I’ll be the first to admit that going into this book I wasn’t sure what I’d get. I was expecting an average tale, okay, but nothing too great. Instead, I got....this. It. Was. Fantastic! It was a quick, quirky, easy read that was both humorous and serious at times too.
The storyline itself was your pretty basic girl-can-talk-to-ghosts tale, something I’d be lying if I didn’t say I’d seen before and yet the story drew me in from the very beginning and wouldn’t let me go.
I found the storyline to be fun and interesting with just the right amount of wit and sass, but it was the characters that made it so much more.
I thought all the characters were perfect with their own perfect place within the story. From Tess to Kipp, to Zach and Caley and others along the way; they were all different and totally awesome.

When we were first introduced to Tess I wasn’t sure I was going to like her. I can’t exactly say why, but I worried for a moment that she was going to be one of those heroines that get on my nerves. Well...she wasn’t! She was fantastic! She was smart and sassy, with a fantastic attitude and a good heart under everything. Tess was a fabulous, independent woman, and I loved her wit and sharp tongue. She was strong, but she was realistic with a vulnerable side that made her more human. She was definitely my kind of gal!
And Kipp! Whoa! Was he smokin’ or what? Don’t answer that—rhetorical question. From the very beginning of the story I could not get enough of Kipp. From the very moment he begun to follow Tess around and bug her I knew this was a guy I was going to like...and did I ever! Perhaps it’s because I’ve always had a thing for cops, but I thought he was one of those great all-round male characters who have it all. He had an amazing heart, but I liked his cocky attitude and naughtiness more of all. I loved how he was able to get to Tess. He knew just what to say and do to drive her insane and it was hilarious watching him get to her the way he did.

The best part of this story was undoubtedly the relationship between Tess and Kipp. The chemistry between them was smouldering; it was hot and feisty and totally caught me from the beginning. The author has written their relationship so well. The way they fell for one another happened over a short period of time, yet never once did it feel rushed or forced and the reasons for why they were attracted to one another and cared for one another made sense and went together perfectly. I thought it was so sweet that Tess didn’t want to develop feelings for Kipp; that she wanted to keep him at a distance, but he was still able to worm his way into her heart.
I thought Zach was a great guy too and it was obvious how close he and Kipp had been before his death. It made me sad at first, but then as the story drew on, I enjoyed the way they still had that comradeship too. I’d love to see more of him in future books, and learn more of his budding relationship with Caley too--now those too are going to be a fire rocket together.

Throughout the whole book I wondered who it was that had killed Hannah and had murdered Kipp too. I admit there were a few people I suspected, but in the end when the actual killer showed up in the story I knew it was him straight away. It was fairly obvious and therefore I wasn’t surprised when it was later revealed.
I found the ending of the book to be abrupt, but I loved it regardless. I worried the whole way through what would happen once they solved the case. Would Kipp leave? Would he move on? Just what would happen to him? I wanted to know, needed to know and I was happy with the ending.
I’m looking forward to the next book. I’m looking forward to seeing more of Tess and Kipp. I’d love for them to find a way to really be together and I want to see what happens now to Zach and the rest of the force; will Tess work for them now? Will they become a crime fighting team...ghost, cop and girl who can talk to the dead? I doubt it, but I still can’t wait!
Bring on the next book!

Rating: **** stars
Recommend: Yes
Did I Buy, Borrow or is it an ARC: I won it
Recommend Buy or Borrow: Buy
Ebook or Actual Book: Ebook
Cover: Doesn't do the book justice
Read sequel/continue with series: Yes!

Book Shelf: Crave (Crave #1) by Melinda Metz and Laura J. Burns

Shay has had a rare blood disorder since she was born. In fact, her mother married one of Shay’s doctors, Martin, who left his world-renowned leukemia research to try and figure out exactly what the disorder is and how to cure it. When she turns seventeen, Martin begins to give her new blood transfusions that make her feel the strongest she has ever felt. But she also has odd visions where she sees through the eyes of a vampire.

Blurb from Goodreads....

Review: (Warning, contains spoilers)


I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I picked it up, planning to read a few chapters and before I knew it, it’d devoured the entire thing. I finished it in less than one day. I thought the storyline was fun and interesting. Some parts were slow, but the others, the fast paced exciting moments kept me well entertained and interested. I liked the idea that Gabriel took her hostage after she rescued him, and yet he treated her well, and then fell for her over that timeframe--maybe I’m a strange one, but...moreI thoroughly enjoyed this book. I picked it up, planning to read a few chapters and before I knew it, it’d devoured the entire thing. I finished it in less than one day. I thought the storyline was fun and interesting. Some parts were slow, but the others, the fast paced exciting moments kept me well entertained and interested. I liked the idea that Gabriel took her hostage after she rescued him, and yet he treated her well, and then fell for her over that timeframe--maybe I’m a strange one, but there’s something so romantic about that to me.

I really liked Shay. I thought she was sweet and brave and I loved the inner strength she held. Considering everything she’d been through in her life and all the sickness she’d faced, it’s a miracle that all that hasn’t destroyed her. I can understand why she acted out like she did after getting the transfusions—I can’t possibly understand what it would be like to be constantly sick like that and never treated normal; never living a normal life. Still, I liked the person she was and I thought it was nice of her to stick around and help Gabriel when he wasn’t able to take care of himself.

Hmmm, what can I say about Gabriel? Well, he was sexy and awesome and kind and fierce and well, a very true vampire. I admit that I couldn’t help but see similarities between the vampires in this book and with the ones in Twilight. I really hate to compare books, but they were similar there was no denying that, and yet I still liked Gabriel...no....I loved Gabriel. He is the type of male character I enjoy and I thought the way he reacted to being held prisoner was realistic and normal. Really, who wouldn’t want revenge? I thought it was very sweet that he ended up falling for Shay and that she meant more to him than his revenge against Martin.

I actually liked the end of this book. It was a great little twist to have Shay end up being Sam’s daughter and I do wonder what this means for her now. Will she have to continue feeding off Gabriel’s blood forever, or will she become a vampire herself? It would certainly be a solution to her sickness.
The fact that Gabriel’s family reacted the way they did to her was horrible, although not all too surprising considering how they feel about humans. The very ending left me hungry for more. What a way to end it--lord, I hate cliff-hangers sometimes and I can’t wait for the next book.
Bring it on!


Rating: **** stars
Recommend: Yes
Did I Buy, Borrow or is it an ARC: Bought
Recommend Buy or Borrow: Buy
Ebook or Actual Book: Actual Book
Cover: Love it! It's stunning!
Read sequel/continue with series: Yes


Buy it here:

Book Shelf: The Abandoned (The Graveyard Queen #0.5) by Amanda Stevens

There are rules for dealing with ghosts. Too bad Ree Hutchins doesn't know them.

When her favorite patient at a private mental hospital passes away, psychology student Ree Hutchins mourns the elderly woman's death. But more unsettling is her growing suspicion that something unnatural is shadowing her.

Amateur ghost hunter Hayden Priest believes Ree is being haunted. Even Amelia Gray, known in Charleston as The Graveyard Queen, senses a gathering darkness. Driven by a force she doesn't understand, Ree is compelled to uncover an old secret and put abandoned souls to rest—before she is locked away forever....

Blurb taken from Goodreads....


Review: (Warning, contains spoilers)

Hmmm, I enjoyed this novella, I did, but it’d left me with questions and heaps to think about it. The storyline was interesting and intriguing, like I’m becoming used to with these stories and I was interested the whole way through. I liked both Ree and Hayden. They were cool characters and even though their relationship moved and changed quickly, I didn’t find I was bothered by it how I sometimes am in short stories. I thought their meeting in the graveyard was actually kinds cute and I thought it was sweet how much Hayden wanted to help her and everything.

Seeing as I’ve ready read The Restorer, I already knew a bit about what the world of this story is like and yet this prequel has left me with a lot to ponder. I’m really beginning to wonder about The Order of the Coffin and the Claw. Seeing as Devin and now Hayden are members, two men that I feel are good characters and honourable men, I’m beginning to wonder if perhaps it’s not as bad as I thought. It’s still a secret society so by nature it has its shadiness and secrets, but perhaps there’s more to it that I first believed.

I’d really like to see more of Ree and Hayden throughout the series and I’ll be on the lookout for them in future books, whether or not they’ll be appearing I don’t know. Still, I’m looking forward to seeing more of Amelia and Devlin in this series.....

Rating: *** stars
Recommend: Yes
Did I Buy, Borrow or is it an ARC: Bought *technically got for free though*
Recommend Buy or Borrow: Buy
Ebook or Actual Book: Ebook
Cover: It's not too bad
Read sequel/continue with series: Yes

You can download this ebook for FREE here: http://www.ebooks.eharlequin.com/D15E62AD-1E51-48F4-8BDB-184C20DE2942/10/141/en/ContentDetails.htm?ID=7471EB6C-89BE-4064-8EAD-70EE4CA46C31

Book Shelf: The Restorer (The Graveyard Queen #1) by Amanda Stevens

My name is Amelia Gray. I'm a cemetery restorer who sees ghosts. In order to protect myself from the parasitic nature of the dead, I've always held fast to the rules passed down from my father. But now a haunted police detective has entered my world and everything is changing, including the rules that have always kept me safe.

It started with the discovery of a young woman's brutalized body in an old Charleston graveyard I've been hired to restore. The clues to the killer—and to his other victims—lie in the headstone symbolism that only I can interpret. Devlin needs my help, but his ghosts shadow his every move, feeding off his warmth, sustaining their presence with his energy. To warn him would be to invite them into my life. I've vowed to keep my distance, but the pull of his magnetism grows ever stronger even as the symbols lead me closer to the killer and to the gossamer veil that separates this world from the next.

Blurb taken from Goodreads....


Review: (Warning, contains spoilers)


This book was different from a lot of supernatural books I’ve read. The paranormal part wasn’t the main focus; instead it wove in and out of the story. It was a mysterious thriller, haunted and eerie. I actually had goose bumps once or twice and there was no mistaking the way the story drew me in. This wasn’t a fast paced novel, buy any means, but it was interesting and intriguing regardless. There was always something happening; a new discovery being made, a new issue being faced and the book kept me guessing all the way until the end. It was a real who-done-it and I was lost to the story and the tale--it was like watching a really good crime thriller on TV!

I thought the idea of Amelia’s ability to see ghosts and way the ghosts interacted with the living was very well done. It was such a different take on the medium-like people we see so much nowadays that communicate with the dead. Amelia was nothing like any of the other characters I’ve met and the way she interacted--or more accurately--didn’t interact with them was different. Here we see that the dead are not to be spoken to and that it’s pertinent that they are not interacted with. They mustn’t know that a person can see and hear them and they must remain unawares of someone’s ability to see them.
The author, Amanda Stevens has done a fantastic job with the intricate details and it was fascinating to get such a great insight into cemeteries and burials. I had no idea of the powerful mythology behind cemeteries and graveyards and I had no clue how important symbols on headstones were to the individual buried within the grave. It was very cool to see and I loved Amelia’s job and role. A graveyard restorer is such a unique job and I think Steven’s has done a fabulous job incorporating aspects of this within the book. It’s like nothing I’ve ever seen before.

I thought Amelia was a very good character. She was very basic and yet she was brave and strong, while still having her weaknesses. She had her fears, but she chose to face them, rather than run from them and I liked that. She was very realistic and enjoyed following her on her tale.
Now Devlin, hmmm, he was an interesting one. He was such a contradiction of his self. I couldn’t help but feel for him, having lost his wife and daughter and I wanted to see him trust Amelia, which he did a little bit at a time. And yet there’s soooo much about him we still don’t know. He’s mysterious, and silent and hiding so much of himself. It may take a very long time for him to ever actually let someone in, but I’m hoping to see him let Amelia in over the course of future books. The two of them could have real potential. There is chemistry between them. It’s buried behind Devlin’s professional and hard attitude, but it’s there when they have real moments together and I want to see how far it can go.

I admit that I had no clue as to who was behind the murders until the killer was revealed at the end. The motive, means and the involvement of “Order of the Claw” were all thrown around throughout the story and I admit the reason for everything was not what I was expected—and I loved that!
My only issue with the book was that I felt the ending was a tad abrupt. It seemed like it came before everything was resolved, things with Devlin and Amelia and his place within the Order and everything. Is he really part of it? What does it mean if he is?
I’m excited about the prospect of the second book though. The ending clearly tells us that Amelia and Devlin’s story isn’t through and that there is something more to her father and the ghost world that is out there.
I’m looking forward to the next book and discovering more of this world. This was a unique, fresh new take on ghosts and a great debut by an interesting new author. I recommend .



Rating: **** stars
Recommend: Yes
Did I Buy, Borrow or is it an ARC: Netgalley ARC
Recommend Buy or Borrow: Buy
Ebook or Actual Book: Ebook
Cover: It's stunningly eeire--totally awesome!
Read sequel/continue with series: Yes....

You can buy it here:

Don't Forget To Be Awesome (D.F.T.B.A.) Giveaway with iLive iLaugh iLove Books

Lucia over at iLive iLaugh iLove Books is celebrating her 400 followers with her Don't Forget To Be Awesome (D.F.T.B.A.) contest.




Prizes include great prize packs and swag. Open internationally.

For more details and the chance to enter, head over here: http://leecheeeee813.blogspot.com/2011/04/giveaway-400-followers-of-awesome.html

I've entered and now it's your turn :)

NERDSCAPE Entry

Here is my entry for Kevin Hearne's competition to celebrate his up-coming release Hound!

It's time to release my inner nerd. Not that she's so inner, that fabulous girl....

I had to throw in the Aussie kangaroo, what can I say? I'm a proud Aussie girl =D

Release your inner nerds everyone!


More details on the contest can be found here: http://www.kevinhearne.com/author-copy-giveaway

Win a SIGNED copy of Hounded by Kevin Hearne!

To celebrate the close release of his debut novel, Hounded the first book in the new Iron Druids Chronicles, author Kevin Hearne is offering you the chance to win one of three signed copies. The competition is international is open until April 30th.

To enter you must create a NERDSCAPE, which is basically a photo that you yourself create, chop and alter to represent you and your own personal awesome nerd-ness =D
You can also get extra details for tweeting, FBing, and blogging.

For all details, including the place to post links to your NERDSCAPE, go here: http://www.kevinhearne.com/author-copy-giveaway

I've entered and I'm so excited about this book. It's your chance to enter. Quick! Don't miss out....

~Rachel
xoxo

Happy Easter

Easter is tomorrow and whether or not you celebrate in the traditional way; if you follow the religious aspect of it or if you just love getting the chocolate (and really, who doesn't?), I wanted to wish each and every one of you a Happy Easter!

Personally, my family isn't religious--we never have been, and if anything I'd be an agnostic. However I still don't eat meat on Good Friday (granted, I was in the fridge at 12:30am this morning, looking for the ham), but I just feel like it's the right thing to do. While I myself don't know what's exactly out there, I believe that there is some higher force. I understand that everyone has their own beliefs and thoughts on this holiday, but I think that we all deserve a little Easter cheer....and chocolate =D

Lots and lots of chocolate.....
















And now.....
There most perfect Easter egg in the history of Easter eggs. Drum roll please.....

Now that is what I call an Easter egg! Not really realistic I admit, but a girl can dream, right?

Happy Easter!

~Rachel
xoxo

Lovin' The Book Depository

Unless you've been living under a rock, if you're a book lover chances are you'll have heard of or be extremely familiar with The Book Depository. It's a UK based site that offers a great range of books at fabulous prices. Plus they offer FREE delivery--isn't that fantastic!?!?


A friend of mine off Goodreads recommended it to me a long time ago and I haven't looked back since. I still purchase books for local retailers, especially places like Target and Kmart, but I buy more from here than anywhere nowadays.

I recently decided to become a part of the affiliates program The Book Depository has. Basically, it means you can earn point and are transferred into credit (to buy books =D) when you advertise The Book Depository on your site and when people purchase items using the links on your page.

So if you see this....



....around the blog that's why. The Book Depository truly is a fabulous site and I love buying books from there. I can't describe just how much I love the site.

For more info on the affiliates program or to buy books, see here:
http://affiliates.bookdepository.co.uk/affiliates/index.php

Chao!
~Rachel
xoxo

Cover Lust Thursday

It's Cover Lust Thursday again, and this week's Cover Lust feature-ee is.....

The Eternal Sea by Angie Frazier

Premise:
Romance and adventure are just around the corner . . .

After the thrilling journey that led Camille through the dangerous discovery of love, secrets, and a magical stone that grants immortality, Camille has everything she wants. She's escaped the men who wanted her dead, and now she is ready to build a new life with Oscar, her one true love. But things are not to be so simple. Oscar is acting strangely, and before they can even board a ship from Australia back home, to San Francisco, Camille learns that the journey is not over. If she does not follow the magic of the curse of Umandu, her life and Ocar's could be in grave danger.

This book is actually Book #2 in the Everlasting series, the first book being--well, Everlasting.

Isn't the cover to die for! Everything about it is incredible from the colours to the way the girl stands alone with nothing but the lantern to light the way. It's absolutely beautiful and I can't stop looking at it.....

Check it out here: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/9642277-the-eternal-sea

Book Shelf: City of Fallen Angels (The Mortal Instruments #4) by Cassandra Clare

City of Fallen Angels takes place two months after the events of City of Glass. In it, a mysterious someone’s killing the Shadowhunters who used to be in Valentine’s Circle and displaying their bodies around New York City in a manner designed to provoke hostility between Downworlders and Shadowhunters, leaving tensions running high in the city and disrupting Clary’s plan to lead as normal a life as she can — training to be a Shadowhunter, and pursuing her relationship with Jace. As Jace and Clary delve into the issue of the murdered Shadowhunters, they discover a mystery that has deeply personal consequences for them — consequences that may strengthen their relationship, or rip it apart forever.

Meanwhile, internecine warfare among vampires is tearing the Downworld community apart, and only Simon — the Daylighter who everyone wants on their side — can decide the outcome; too bad he wants nothing to do with Downworld politics. Love, blood, betrayal and revenge: the stakes are higher than ever in City of Fallen Angels.

Blurb taken from Goodreads....

Review: (Warning Heavy Spoilers)

I ahh, think that I....I don’t know....
I literally just finished this book and I’m at a loss of words to describe it. Was it brilliant? Yes! Was it fantastic? Yes! Was it worth the wait? Yes, yes, yes....lord yes! I feel like I’ve been waiting for this book an entire lifetime. Yes, that may seem weird, but that’s how I feel. There have been waits for books that I thought would kill me-Richelle Mead's Last Sacrifice being a big one- but none like this. I was happy and satisfied when City of Glass ended, but learning that Clare decided to write more books was just the icing on the cake. It’s been a while between books, but this was more or less everything I expected and more!

It was different and yet completely the same. There’s no way to pretend that the characters haven’t changed--that they’re not different and that everything that went into the storyline and plot of the first 3 books hasn’t changed. That chapter of the series is over and a new dawn has emerged (yes, cheesy, I know, but sue me).
The characters were still the amazing, incredible people that stole my heart throughout the first 3 books and being with them again was a lot like coming home from a long trip. I must say---I thought Jordan was an awesome inclusion! I always thought Maia’s ex was a real jerk, but he’s nothing like I thought or expected and I love that.

I will admit that I did miss seeing more of Clary and Jace. They’re still my fave everything of this series, fave characters, fave couple, but I still loved the book regardless. It was so strange getting such an in-depth look into Simon and following him the most. Obviously the books have always changed POV’s, jumping back and forth, but it’s always been fixed mostly on Clary, whereas this time it was more Simon than anything else. And yet... I didn’t have a problem with that.
I love Simon--always have--and even though I never wanted him to be the one Clary ended up with, I still wanted the best for him. He’s still the same great Simon he’s always been, but he’s slightly different too. I think he’s got a long way to go and there’s a lot of growth that I think will happen to him. I can’t wait to see though...

It’s odd, when the last book ended, if anyone had asked me, I’d have been one of the few people who actually said they wanted Maia to be with Simon, but after this book it’s plain to see that Izzy is the one that for him! Perhaps I’m late to the party, but it always seemed to me that she was a bit much for him and (even though I love her, heart and soul) I didn’t believe she was right for him. I honestly thought that Maia and he would have made a better couple, but after this book I’ll never think that way again. Perhaps it was Jordan coming into the storyline and seeing how he and Maia were/are, but I finally looked and realised that Simon and Isabelle really have something. There’s so much more to Izzy than we’ve seen and I think that Simon may actually break through her defences and worm his way into her heart if she lets him!
Oh, and it goes without saying that I want Maia and Jordan back together too. Hello? Weren’t they just perfect together? The issues they have and Maia wanting to rip him to shreds aside.

I was sad to see so many issues for Clary and Jace in this book, but I can’t say I was surprised either. I knew Cassandra Clare wouldn’t just let them be. It seems like they’ve been through so much, but of course it’s not the end for them, no sir-ee. There are more problems facing them and new struggles, but I don’t doubt for a second that they can get through it.....somehow. That’s not to say that I didn’t love every single moment they were together, because I did. I absolutely did! The moments between Clary and Jace were electric. Every time they’re together, every kiss, every time they touch, things just sizzle. I’ve loved a lot of book couples over time, but none compared to them. They’re like no other. You can’t deny that they’re made for one another, you can’t miss the chemistry they have. It’s truly impossible not to see and feel. They just go together so well, they both make each other better. Jace makes Clary stronger, and she’s his whole world. She means he world to him and it makes me giggly inside (Yeah, yeah, yeah....I went there =D)

This book was perfectly paced and the ending was a heart-stopping roller coaster ride. So much happened and I was on the edge of my seat, wanting to see how Simon, Jace and Clary would get out of things. I couldn’t believe that Lilith was trying to bring Sebastian back. There’s no one who deserves to stay dead more than him...well, perhaps expect Valentine.
The ending of this book was jaw dropping. I. Could. Not. Believe. It! Still can’t, if I’m honest here. I cannot believe that Sebastian is alive again and what he’s done to Jace. It’s shocking, it’s exciting, it’s heart-breaking, it’s everything I didn’t want, but at the same time I CANNOT wait to see what’s going to happen next.
The next book is going to be a showstopper--I can so tell—and I can’t wait to see what happens now. Can Clary and everyone else manage to free Jace from Sebastian? Can they defeat Sebastian? Just what does this mean now?

God! I NEEEEEED the next book, like stat! Seriously, this series is just brilliant and I can’t wait for the next instalment!
Bring on the awesome!



Rating: ***** stars
Recommend: Yes!!!!!!!!!
Did I Buy, Borrow or is it an ARC: Bought
Recommend Buy or Borrow: Buy!
Ebook or Actual Book: Actual Book.
Cover: My fave outta the whole series! It's awesome!
Read sequel/continue with series: Yes, for the love of all things holy, yes!


Buy City of Fallen Angels here:

Celebrate The Easter Eggstravagansa Blog Hop with Crissy's World of Books

It's hop time again and this time it's the Easter Eggstravagansa. Celebrate it with Crissy @ Crissy's world of books, who is giving one lucky reader the chance to win a book valued at $10 from the Book Depository. Contest is international!

I've entered and now it's your turn!
http://chrissysworldofbooks.blogspot.com/2011/04/happy-easter-eggstravaganza-blog-hop.html

~Rachel
xoxo

Top 10 Book Couples That SHOULD Be Together

Often when you read books it's so easy to see that two characters belong together. Whether they have the instant spark, or something that grows over time it's undeniably frustrating when they never seem to get together. I know I've wanted to pull my hair out over a few couples.

Here are the Top 10 I think should most be together:







1. Dru and Christophe from Strange Angels (they're kinda together, but kinda not)










2. Tessa and Will from Infernal Devices











3. Laurel and Tamani from Wings










4. Adrian and Sydney from Bloodlines










5. Qhuinn and Blay from Black Dagger Brotherhood










6. Damon and Bonnie from Vampire Diaries










7. Mimi and Kingsley from Blue Bloods











8. Tod and Kaylee from Soul Screamers










9. Simon and Isabelle from The Mortal Instruments











10. Alona and Will from The Ghost and The Goth

Top 10 Fave Book Couples

There are so many incredible books out there with incredible story lines and incredible characters, incredibly characters that sometimes (and often =D) fall for one another.

I'm a real sucker for romance and there's nothing I love more than two people who seem absolutely perfect for one another.

Here are my Top 10 Book Couples:






1. Clary and Jace from The Mortal Instruments









2. Rose and Dimitri from Vampire Academy








3. Chloe and Derek from The Darkest Powers










4. Yelena and Valek from Poison Study










5. Dee and Luke from Lament: The Faerie Queens Deception










6. Jessica and Lucius from Jessica's Guide To Dating On The Dark Side









7. Mary Ann and Riley from Intertwined











8. Megan and Ash from The Iron Fey











9. Ash and Tori from Acheron









10. Micheal and Eve from Morganville Vampires

Who Is Saint Giovanni?

Who Is Saint Giovanni is a YA Paranormal Romance novel written by Rane Anderson that will be posted in weekly instalments on The Lit Express blog.

The event started on the 11th of April and will run from then onwards throughout the year, until the entire novel is published online. Yes, that's right! Rane Anderson is publishing her novel online for us all to read. How cool is that? Well, I think it's cool....
You can find everything here: http://thelitexpress.blogspot.com/

There are plenty of giveaways happening and plenty of ways for you to participate. Personally, I think it sounds like a fun idea and the book sounds brilliant to me!

Who Is Saint Giovanni?

The morning after a near-death experience, seventeen-year-old Emily Edwards discovers an X carved between her eyes. It’s painless, bloodless, and she has no clue how it got there. No one else seems to see it. As if that’s not bad enough, Emily’s senses are freakishly sharper, like she has been living, until then, a little deaf, a little blind, and without taste buds.

Desperate for answers, Emily turns to Giovanni, the only person in Italy she promised to avoid. He’s everything she hates in guys. Impulsive, secretive, and reckless, just like her father. What kind of guy grabs a girl he doesn’t know and kisses her? But Giovanni may be the only one who can see the mark. Though he denies it, Emily swears she’s caught him staring at it.

Before long, Emily learns she’s a pawn in a deadly game that has existed for centuries. The only one she trusts has stolen her soul, and she doesn’t even know it. Although some call Giovanni a saint, others call him a devil. Emily must determine whose side he’s on by finding the answer to a single question. Who is Saint Giovanni?

Sound good? Come on, you know it does! Jump on over to The Lit Express blog or the official site for more details: http://whoissaintgiovanni.blogspot.com/

~Rachel
xoxo