Wednesday, November 30, 2016

Waiting on Wednesday #157

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Breaking The Spine where you can spotlight an upcoming release that you're eagerly anticipating.

This week I'm waiting on.....
 
Brave New Girl by Rachel Vincent
Releases on: 2017--exact date unknown
Add on Goodreads!
 
DAHLIA 16 sees her face in every crowd. She's nothing special - just one of the five thousand girls created from a single genome to work for the good of the city.

Meeting TRIGGER 17 changes everything. He thinks she's interesting. Beautiful. Unique. Which means he must be flawed. When Dahlia can't stop thinking about him - when she can't resist looking for him, even though that means breaking the rules - she realizes she's flawed, too. But if she's flawed, then so are all her identicals. And any genome found to be flawed will be recalled. Destroyed.

Getting caught with Trigger would seal not only Dahlia's fate, but that of all five thousand girls who share her face. But what if Trigger is right? What if Dahlia is different?

Suddenly the girl who always follows the rules is breaking them, one by one...


Thoughts:
I've really enjoyed the books I've read by Rachel Vincent in the past including her Soul Screamers series which I loved. I quite enjoy sci-fi novels that focuses around clones and Brave New Girl sounds right up my alley! Definitely want to read.

Does Brave New Girl sound like something you want to read?
What are you waiting on this week?

Tuesday, November 29, 2016

Book Shelf: Nowhere but Here by Renee Carlino

A Chicago reporter in her mid-twenties unexpectedly finds love in Napa Valley when she’s assigned to spend a week with a famously reclusive genius.

Kate Corbin has lost her spark. From the outside, her life seems charmed. She has a handsome, long-term boyfriend and a budding journalism career at a popular Chicago newspaper. But in reality, her relationship is going nowhere, and she’s quickly losing motivation for what she once believed was her dream job. When her boyfriend dumps her unceremoniously, Kate loses all hope of finding love.

With no living family and few friends, Kate confides in her boss. Trusting that the hungry, ace reporter is buried somewhere deep inside, he gives Kate the opportunity to jumpstart her career. The assignment: to interview the famously reclusive R.J. Lawson, a wealthy tech genius who disappeared years ago but recently reemerged as a Napa Valley vintner. The week takes an unexpected turn, however, when Lawson refuses to divulge any information. Desperate for a lead, Kate turns to Jamie, a vineyard hand who shows her the romance of wine country—and stirs her aching heart. But his connection to Lawson is ambiguous, and when Jamie disappears before the end of the week, Kate is left to investigate another story: the truth behind the man who stole her heart.


More info on Goodreads......


Review:

Nowhere but Here by Renee Carlino is a well written and beautiful love story set amongst a Napa Valley backdrop that is brimming with charm, romance and wonderfully deep writing.

I have to start off by saying I was very impressed with this novel. As my first Renee Carlino novel, her lyrical writing and ability to write something beautiful, moving and deep in the midst of this romance story was wonderful. Her characters are beguiling, but Carlino manages to give them great depth that translates to a moving story about the power of love and taking a chance that really resonated with me.

Nowhere but Here follows Kate Corbin, a sweet, talented but some what jaded twenty six year old reported who gets the opportunity of a lifetime when she is chosen my her boss to interview R.J. Lawson a reclusive tech genius who sold his multi billion dollar company years before and retired to a winery in Napa Valley. Setting out to uncover Lawson's secrets, things don't go as planned as the man she interviews proves to be a colossal disappointment with attitude, and Kate's past won't let her live in her present.

The shining star of Kate's trip is Jamie, a charismatic and charming vineyard hand and jack-of-all-trades who makes Kate's heart race like never before. Beginning a whirlwind romance with Jamie, Kate slowly finds herself waking up again and falling into the deep, meaningful love she'd always hoped for, but when tragedy strikes and changes everything, Kate and Jamie must fight for their relationship as Kate questions everything she wants from life and love.

Main character Kate is an independent, intelligent and strong woman. She's had her fair share of pain and is still moving on from her most recent loss. In a dead end relationship with a man who doesn't appreciate her, Kate's whole world changes with one trip to Napa Valley. I thought Kate's progression was wonderful to watch. Kate goes from being jaded and saddened to finding hope and love again as she gets to know Jamie, and ultimately herself.

Leaving one relationship and then getting straight into another would seem fast, especially considering Kate falls so hard for Jamie over a matter of a few days, but there's something about Nowhere but Here that doesn't make this seem rushed or forced. Kate and Jamie are on a whirlwind romance, but it's real. It's not a fling; it's two people finding their soul mate and knowing it when circumstances bring them together.

As the leading man and Kate's love interest, Jamie is the whole package. He's smart, cheeky and endlessly charming. He can be wicked; taking risks and chances, but he's also very down to earth and someone who genuinely cares about other people, showcased thoroughly in Nowhere but Here. He and Kate just connect so well, and Carlino does a great job with their chemistry. Their relationship develops well past the initial attraction, into a mutually understanding and love for one another.

Kate and Jamie face their fair share of hurdles, something author Renee Carlino touch's well on within the story. There's a twist some readers like myself will see coming and the loss of a loved one that changes their relationship. Seeing them fight for what they have is beautiful and Carlino manages to litter their lives with wonderful friends and family who color the pages and add depth to the story.

Deep and meaningful, Nowhere but Here is an unconventional love story and a beautiful romance that will make you feel giddy, excited and endlessly satisfied by Kate and Jamie's well deserved happily ever after......
 

Rating:
Source:
Sent for review by Simon & Schuster (Thank you guys!)
Publisher: Atria Books      
Format: Paperback

Release Date: May 5th 2014
Purchase:
Bookworld | Booktopia | The Book Depository | Amazon
Final Thoughts:
Beautifully written, I highly recommend this novel and look forward to reading more by Renee Carlino in the future!

Monday, November 28, 2016

Cover Reveal: Guardian of Secrets by Brenda Drake

Having enjoyed the first book in Brenda Drake's Library Jumpers series, Thief of Lies, I'm excited to help with the cover reveal for it's sequel Guardian of Secrets thanks to Entangled Teen. 

Check this beauty.....

Being a Sentinel isn’t all fairytales and secret gardens.

Sure, jumping through books into the world’s most beautiful libraries to protect humans from mystical creatures is awesome. No one knows that better than Gia Kearns, but she could do without the part where people are always trying to kill her. Oh, and the fact that Pop and her had to move away from her friends and life as she knew it.

And if that isn’t enough, her boyfriend, Arik, is acting strangely. Like, maybe she should be calling him “ex,” since he’s so into another girl. But she doesn’t have time to be mad or even jealous, because someone has to save the world from the upcoming apocalypse, and it looks like that’s going to be Gia.

Maybe. If she survives.

 
Isn't that cover just beautiful? And it goes so fabulously with the first one--I just love when they use the same cover model!


Brenda Drake grew up the youngest of three children, an Air Force brat, and the continual new kid at school. Her fondest memories growing up is of her eccentric, Irish grandmother’s animated tales, which gave her a strong love for storytelling. So it was only fitting that she would choose to write stories with a bend toward the fantastical. When she’s not writing or hanging out with her family, she haunts libraries, bookstores, and coffee shops, or reads someplace quiet and not at all exotic (much to her disappointment).

Visit Brenda:

Sunday, November 27, 2016

Release Blitz: Jax by J.L. Perry- Trailer and Giveaway


HAPPY BOOK BITHDAY JAX!


I'm excited to be taking part in the Release Blitz for Jax by J.L. Perry thanks to Give Me Books Promotions and Hachette Australia. Having recently read Jax I can honestly say this one if not to be missed and congregate J.L. Perry on a fabulous story!

Be sure to check out my 5 star review in the previous post for all my thoughts on Jax!
_________________________________
 
My name is Jaxson Albright. To my friends I’m known as Jax. I’m the disgraced son of well-known Politician, Malcom Albright. You could say I was born with a silver spoon in my mouth. I was supposed to follow in my father’s footsteps and move into politics. My whole childhood was spent being groomed for this role, but that wasn’t what I wanted. I had other plans.
 
To my family’s disgust, I’m inked, I’m pierced and I own and run a tattoo parlour, in the hip suburb of Newtown. I fit in here. I can be the man I was destined to be, the man my family are ashamed of. The son they regret having.
 
I wouldn’t be where I am today if it wasn’t for my saviour, Candice. My pink-haired angel. We grew up in the same circle, but like me, she’s an outcast. She refused to conform to society’s ways. She’s the only one who stuck by me and not only encouraged, but supported my dream.
 
I love her. No, correction—I’m in love with her. I have been for as long as I can remember. She has no idea how I feel. It’s a battle I struggle with daily. I’ve kept my secret all these years because I couldn’t risk losing her. That’s a chance I’m not prepared to take, because she’s my best friend; my only real family.
 
I’ve spent the last few years moving from one hot chick to the next, trying to mask these feeling I have. But it doesn’t help—I can’t get her out of my head. She still owns my damn heart.
 
How do you get over the girl you know you can never have? And how do you live without the one person on this earth who is made for you?
 
She’s my soulmate.
 
Check out Jax on Goodreads or see my 5 star review!
 
Purchase:
 


**VOTED BEST NEW AUTHOR FOR 2014 IN AUSROM TODAY'S READERS CHOICE AWARDS**

 J L Perry is a mother and a wife. She was born in Sydney, Australia in 1972, and has lived there her whole life. Her love of reading, from a young age, gave her the passion to write. My Destiny was originally written for her sister, in 2013. It was never intended to be published. However, after finishing this book, she felt there was still a lot of Brooke and Logan's story left to tell. This inspired her to write My Forever. With the encouragement of her family and friends, she decided to follow her dream and become a published Author.

That dream was realised on the 6th of June, 2014.

My Destiny is her debut novel in the Destiny Series. My Forever is the conclusion to this book. Her third book Damaged - Jacinta's Story was released October 15th, 2014. This is a stand alone book, but is based on a character in My Forever. Her fourth book Against All Odds, is a stand alone book, as well, but part of the Destiny Series. Due to be released on the 27th May, 2015. She's also currently writing a fifth book, a standalone, that will be released later in the year. It's called 'A Beautiful Bastard'. This is NOT part of the Destiny Series.

J L's love of romance and happy endings makes a perfect combination when it comes to writing her beautiful love stories.

Her hobbies include reading, writing, drinking wine, shopping, listening to music, and anything artistic or creative. She loves spending time with her family, friends and her dog when she isn't writing. She also loves being outdoors and travelling and exploring the world.


Visit J.L:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Book Shelf: Jax by J.L. Perry

JAX

My name is Jaxson Albright. To my friends I’m known as Jax. I’m the disgraced son of well-known Politician, Malcom Albright. You could say I was born with a silver spoon in my mouth. I was supposed to follow in my father’s footsteps and move into politics. My whole childhood was spent being groomed for this role, but that wasn’t what I wanted. I had other plans.

To my family’s disgust, I’m inked, I’m pierced and I own and run a tattoo parlour, in Sydney. I fit in here. I can be the man I was destined to be, the man my family are ashamed of. The son they regret having.

I wouldn’t be where I am today if it wasn’t for my saviour, Candice. My pink-haired angel. We grew up in the same circle, but like me, she’s an outcast. She refused to conform to society’s ways. She’s the only one who stuck by me and not only encouraged, but supported my dream.

I love her. No, correction—I’m in love with her. I have been for as long as I can remember. She has no idea how I feel. It’s a battle I struggle with daily. I’ve kept my secret all these years because I couldn’t risk losing her. That’s a chance I’m not prepared to take, because she’s my best friend; my only real family.

I’ve spent the last few years moving from one hot chick to the next, trying to mask these feeling I have. But it doesn’t help—I can’t get her out of my head. She still owns my damn heart.

How do you get over the girl you know you can never have? And how do you live without the one person on this earth who was made for you?

She’s my soulmate.


More info on Goodreads.......


Review:

Jax is the highly anticipated companion novel to J.L. Perry’s bestselling novel Bastard and is an emotionally rich and engaging novel sure to please readers who have been eagerly awaiting Jax’s story!

The son of a wealthy politician, Jaxon Albright shocked his family by choosing to walk away from the money and notoriety a life in his father’s footsteps would have meant. Starting out on his own, Jax’s love of tattoos, piercings and art have seen him open up his own tattoo parlour and make something of himself. His family may be ashamed of him, but Jax’s success is undeniable…..even if he can’t seem to forget his childhood best friend, the woman he has never stopped loving and misses every day. For Candice, her whole life changed the day Jax left after they shared a night together. He broke her heart and she lost her best friend, but that doesn’t mean she ever stopped loving him. When a chance encounter sees Jax and Candice rekindle their friendship, will their past and Candice’s secrets keep them from finding a happily ever after? Or will the two of them finally acknowledge the love that has always burned between them….. 

Having entranced readers, myself included, in Bastard, Jax is one character whose story I’ve been dying to read. J.L. Perry may not have started out planning to write Jax’s story, but she sure doesn’t disappoint with this heart-warming, heartbreaking and emotion packed read! Unfolding though Jax and Candice’s varying POV’s, Jax had it all; love, romance, secrets, heartbreak, betrayal, angst, pain….every emotion you can think of was woven into its tale at some point or another. 

Something I really appreciated with this story was that, as with Bastard, Jax unfolds over a long period of time, often with months and sometimes years separating chapters in the story and highlighting how much both Jax and Candice’s lives change throughout the course of the book. J.L. Perry illustrates that some mistakes can’t be fixed overnight. That forgiveness and healing takes time; something Candice and Jax learn irrevocably throughout the story. 

Jax and Candice were lovely characters to follow, both with their own personalities and faults. They have a wonderful connection together that is both sexy and endearingly sweet. Supporting them are a lovely cast of characters including Candice’s mother, Jax’s tattoo parlor “family” and of course the adorable Maddie who steals the limelight whenever she appears. 

It was fabulous seeing Carter first appear in Jax’s life and see things unfold from Jax’s POV this time around. Reading Bastard, you never would have guessed what was going on behind the scenes in Jax and Candice’s life but Perry definitely doesn’t let us down with this story. 

Well written, developed and emotional from beginning to end, Jax is a fantastic NA read perfect for those who love Abbi Glines, Jay Crownover and Kylie Scott!

Rating:
Source:
Sent for review by Give Me Books Promotions and the author (Thank you guys!)
Publisher: Hachette
Format: Kindle ebook

Release Date: November 27th 2016
Purchase:
Bookworld | BooktopiaBarnes & Noble | Amazon | Kobo
Final Thoughts:
I LOVED Jax's story and can't recommend it enough if you enjoy your NA!

Saturday, November 26, 2016

Book Shelf: Blind Attraction (Reckless Beat #1) by Eden Summers

He can seduce with a single glance.

Peering down at a sea of fans, rock star, Mitchell Davies can’t deny the innocent beauty of a woman in the front row. He’ll stop at nothing to get to know her. When a public altercation leaves her weak and defenseless, he takes the opportunity to be her savior.

She’s been sheltered from the world.

Alana Shelton wants to spread her wings and experience life away from her restrictive upbringing. But she isn’t prepared for a gorgeous stranger to sweep her off her feet while at her most vulnerable.

Attraction will bring them together, but their pasts will try to tear them apart.

He wants to teach her how to trust, but she’ll show him how to love. In a glamorous world of rock-and-roll, only time will tell if they’re up for the challenge.


More info on Goodreads......


Review:

Blind Attraction is the first novel in Eden Summer’s Reckless Beat series and kicks off a deliciously sexy and romantic tale right in the vein of Kylie Scott’s Stage Dive books and is perfect for those who love their men cheeky, devilish and oh, so addictive.

Alana Shelton grew up in a woman’s retreat run by her mother, sheltered and protected from the world around her. With little experience with the opposite sex and her mother’s fears and warnings ringing in her ears, Alana decides to take a chance and spread her wings; visiting her best friend and attending her first rock concert, never knowing her whole world is about to change….Mitchell Davies is the lead guitarist of renowned rock band Reckless Beat and has had his fair share of escapades with easy women and groupies. Tired of that aspect of the lifestyle, Mitchell finds himself captivated by one woman whose emerald green eyes gaze up to him at one of his concerts. Determined to convince Alana to spend some time with him, will Mitchell be able to sooth Alana’s fears or will his public image and rock and roll lifestyle keep him from the woman he’s deeply falling for…..

Wow! What a great book! This is my first novel by Eden Summers but she did absolutely not disappoint with this well written, sensual and oh so sexy novel. Blind Attraction caught my attention from the very beginning, and as with the rock star romances I’ve loved in the past, managed to really make me care and enjoy her characters. I’m already invested in lives of the other Reckless Beat members we met alongside Mitchell and am keen to read each and every one of their stories. 

With Reckless Beats unfolding through Alana and Mitchell’s varying POV’s, I enjoyed the main characters Eden Summers introduced us too. Mitchell was just a solid and sexy rocker who was over the groupies and easy women and who found himself drawn to Alana. I also have to commend Eden Summers for giving Alana an innocence to the world, but actually giving this a reason in the form of the isolated childhood and life she had experienced. Alana had very little life experience thanks to her mother’s fears and neurosis, so visiting her friend in Richmond allowed for her to finally experience a lot life has to offer. 

As a couple, I really liked Alana and Mitch. The chemistry was there between them and I thought it was seriously sweet how easily Mitch slipped into the role of carer and protector where Allie was concerned. He was determined to look after her and I thought that sweetness blended perfectly with the attraction and electricity between them!

Ending Alana and Mitchell’s tale perfectly, Blind Attraction was a saucy read and leaves me raring to jump straight into the next novel ASAP and discover the woman set to bring Blake to his knees!

Rating:
Source: I snagged this one for FREE on Amazon

Publisher: Published independently by Eden Summers
Format:
Kindle ebook
Release Date: May 28th 2013
Purchase:
The Book Depository | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo
Final Thoughts:
I LOVED this book and can't wait to begin reading the rest of the series!

 
Blind Attraction is currently FREE across most ebook platforms. Make sure to get your copy today!

Friday, November 25, 2016

Book Blitz: Shadow Fall by Audrey Grey- Excerpt & Giveaway

Having had the pleasure of already reading and reviewing Shadow Fall by Audrey Grey, I'm THRILLED to be taking part in the book blitz today thanks to Xpresso Book Tours!

This book is perfect for those who love dystopian and romance in the vein of The Hunger Games and one I highly recommend!
__________________________________

The asteroid hurtling toward the earth will kill billions.

The Emperor and his Gold Court will be safe in their space station, watching from the stars. The Silvers will be protected underground. But the Bronzes must fight it out at the Shadow Trials for the few remaining spots left on the space station.

When an enigmatic benefactor hands Maia Graystone a spot in the Trials, she won’t just get a chance at salvation for her and her baby brother, Max: She gets to confront the mother who abandoned her in prison, the mad Emperor who murdered her father, and the Gold prince who once loved her. But it’s the dark bastard prince she’s partnered with that will make her question everything, including her own heart. With the asteroid racing closer every day, Maia must trust someone to survive.

The question is who?


Add on Goodreads or check out my 5 star review!
 
Purchase:
The Book Depository | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo

From Shadow Fall.....
 
My legs wobble as I step into the now lukewarm water. I sink to the bottom. Tiny bubbles escape my nose as I watch all the ugly remnants from the last seven years leave my body.
 
Lungs burning, I rise and come face-to-face with Pit Boy.
 
I glare at him. “You really have to work on the knocking thing.”
Despite the fact that I’m indecent, his attention never falls from my face. I almost wish it would, just to give me a break from the intensity of his focus.
 
“I only get a few more hours to be the ‘one-eyed freak’ from the pit. Might as well take advantage.” He doesn’t dare crack a smile, so it’s hard to tell if he’s joking or serious.
 
“Don’t worry. In my heart, that’s exactly who you’ll always be.”
 
His words remind me that soon we’ll be reconstructed using forbidden nanotech. But it won’t just be our flesh they’ll reengineer. It will be our brains, too.
 
I don’t foresee my rewiring being too complicated, but Riser needs to upload almost twenty years of false memories. That will be tricky and time-consuming.
 
And time is the one thing we don’t have.
 
Riser flicks his gaze to the mirror. He lifts a hand, touches the patch of mottled flesh where his eye should be.
 
“How did it happen?” I ask.
 
“Careful, my lady.” His gaze settles on my face. “You’re beginning to sound like you care.”
 
I roll my eyes. “And I thought I was lacking in conversational skills.”
 
He focuses his attention on the graffiti sprayed across the mirror.
 
“It’s written language,” I blurt, even though all I want to do is end the conversation so Pit Boy can leave. His presence unnerves me more than the other Pit Leeches ever could. “It’s how we communicate.”
 
“I know what it is.” He examines his jagged thumbnail. “I just . . . can’t read it.”
 
“It’s just stuff about the Chosen. You know, insults.” The populace is finicky. As much as they love watching the Chosen with their petty intrigues and court life, they would be just as happy to see their heads on a pike.
 
“Chosen?”
 
Time to explain what you are, Everly, Nicolai’s voice grates inside my head. Riser’s eyes flutter just enough that I know he’s heard Nicolai’s voice too.
 
You do it, I think, watching Riser’s reaction. But his face remains emotionless; either he’s a good actor or only Nicolai can hear my response.
 
“The Royalist astronomers discovered the asteroid twenty-one years ago,” I begin. “It’s actually a slow moving planet called an earth-crosser, meaning its orbit and ours intersect every twenty-thousand years. Usually it’s too far away to affect us, but this time it will pass close enough to wreak havoc and make the earth uninhabitable for years.” I stir the water with my big toe. “Before I was born, the Emperor decided that creating a population of genetically superior humans would be a great idea, you know, just in case the Caskets don’t work or the asteroid does more damage than predicted.”
 
Riser’s hyper-focused gaze bores through me. “You’re one of them?”
 
“Yes.” I run my hand through the filthy water. “But my father’s a Bronze, so even though my mother comes from a Gold House, the Emperor only allowed them one Chosen instead of the customary twins. So it’s just me . . . not Max.”
 
“What makes being Chosen so special?”
 
“I don’t know . . .” I bite my lip, trying to remember everything my parents told me. “My genes are perfect, I guess.”
 
For some reason, talking about my body makes me remember that I am naked in a room with a boy. As if reading my mind, Riser slowly lets his gaze fall, his expression both curious and unapologetic as he takes me all in, his thoughts cryptic.
 
“What are you staring at?” I blurt, smashing my breasts beneath my hands. Not like there’s much there to cover. “Haven’t you seen a naked girl before?”
 
A smile twitches his lips. “Not one that’s genetically flawless.”
 
“It doesn’t work that way! You can’t just look at us and tell. We look like everyone else—”
 
“No.” Riser shakes his head, a dark swath of hair covering his damaged eye. “You don’t. Whatever you are.”
 
“You must be happy . . . about our reconstruction, I mean,” I mumble, trying desperately to change the subject. “They’ll fix your eye . . . and . . . and all those horrible scars.”
 
I freeze as he slides off the counter, unable to look away as he hooks one finger beneath his shirt and lifts.
 
Scars ravage his anemic body in varying shades of red and silver and white. Some deep and pitted like the craters of a far-away planet, others smooth and neat. One particular nasty scar carves down his shoulder, tunneling across his chest and stomach. A fresh red wound nestles just below his throat.
 
He carefully touches the long ugly one. “I’m not ashamed for surviving.”
 
Want more? And trust me you do. Get your copy today!
 
Audrey Grey lives in the charming state of Oklahoma, with her husband, two little people, and four mischievous dogs. You can usually find her hiding out in her office from said little people and dogs, surrounded by books and sipping kombucha while dreaming up wondrous worlds for her characters to live in.

 
Visit Audrey:

 
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Thursday, November 24, 2016

Book Shelf: The Scorch Trials (The Maze Runner #2) by James Dashner

Solving the Maze was supposed to be the end. No more puzzles. No more variables. And no more running. Thomas was sure that escape meant he and the Gladers would get their lives back. But no one really knew what sort of life they were going back to.

In the Maze, life was easy. They had food, and shelter, and safety... until Teresa triggered the end. In the world outside the Maze, however, the end was triggered long ago.

Burned by sun flares and baked by a new, brutal climate, the earth is a wasteland. Government has disintegrated—and with it, order—and now Cranks, people covered in festering wounds and driven to murderous insanity by the infectious disease known as the Flare, roam the crumbling cities hunting for their next victim... and meal.

The Gladers are far from finished with running. Instead of freedom, they find themselves faced with another trial. They must cross the Scorch, the most burned-out section of the world, and arrive at a safe haven in two weeks. And WICKED has made sure to adjust the variables and stack the odds against them.

Thomas can only wonder—does he hold the secret of freedom somewhere in his mind? Or will he forever be at the mercy of WICKED?


More info on Goodreads.....


Review:

The Scorch Trials is the second book in James Dashner's exhilarating and cryptic Maze Runner series and is another fast paced mysterious tale full of danger, excitement and the unexpected.

Solving the Maze saw Thomas and his friends escape it's dangerous confines, but as the Gladers quickly realize their rescuers aren't rescuers at all, they'll soon be forced to embark on the next stage of the trials if they want to survive. Stuck in a barren and burning wasteland, the Gladers have two weeks to make it across this desert land to reach a seemingly safe haven. But nothing is as it seems. Friends may not be friends and there's new dangers around every corner. Forced to cross the Scorch, Thomas will have to be stronger than ever if he hopes to save his friends.

Having enjoyed The Maze Runner, I was excited to finally begin the next installment in Thomas's journey and was impressed with The Scorch Trials. I'm aware of a lot of mixed reviews where this series is concerned, but so far I'm really enjoying it. Thomas is a strong voice to follow and James Dashner has woven together a story that continues to be exciting whilst managing to keep you guessing and wondering all the way through.

Sometimes when following a protagonist, it seems like all the answers are staring them in the face, while in this series, I never know what's going to happen next or what everything means. I have no doubt all these little clues and developments mean something but right now I'm just along for the ride as Thomas and the Gladers stumble their way to safety, and hopefully freedom. And I like that. I'm enjoying only knowing as much as my main character and learning as they do.

In this riveting sequel, Dashner continues to develop the overall series, adding in new characters and new layers to the plotline. Personally I quite liked the inclusion of Brenda, who proves to be a shakeup to Tom and Theresa's relationship as Dashner utilizes the aura of mystery in this series to twist and turn them until even you as the reader have no idea whose motives are pure.

As far as sequels go, I thought The Scorch Trials easily satisfied. The story jumped straight into the action and danger as the Gladers continued to fight for safety. The ending was a bit perplexing and leaves me with more questions than answers as James Dashner sets up the next novel.

Fast paced and exciting, The Scorch Trials was a worthy sequel and leaves me ready to dive straight into the next novel in the series, The Death Cure.
 

Rating:
Source:
Sent for review by publisher (Thank you Sarah!)
Publisher: Chicken House; Imprint of Scholastic Australia
Format: Paperback
Australian RRP:
$17.99
Purchase:
Bookworld | Booktopia | The Book Depository | Amazon
Final Thoughts: I quite enjoyed this sequel and look forward to reading the rest of the series.


Wednesday, November 23, 2016

Blog Tour: Moon Chosen by P.C. Cast- Interview & Giveaway


Thanks to Pan Macmillan Australia today I'm participating in the Australian Blog Tour for Moon Chosen by P.C. Cast, the first novel in Cast's new Tales of a New World series!

Yesterday I posted my review for Moon Chosen and today I have P.C. briefly on the blog as well as one paperback copy of Moon Chosen to give away to one lucky Aussie follower!
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#1 New York Times bestselling author, P.C. Cast, brings us a new epic fantasy set in a world where humans, their animal allies, and the earth itself has been drastically changed. A world filled with beauty and danger and cruelty…

Mari is an Earth Walker, heir to the unique healing powers of her Clan; but she has cast her duties aside, until she is chosen by a special animal ally, altering her destiny forever. When a deadly attack tears her world apart, Mari reveals the strength of her powers and the forbidden secret of her dual nature as she embarks on a mission to save her people. It is not until Nik, the son of the leader from a rival, dominating clan strays across her path, that Mari experiences something she has never felt before…

Now, darkness is coming, and with it, a force, more terrible and destructive than the world has ever seen, leaving Mari to cast the shadows from the earth. By forming a tumultuous alliance with Nik, she must make herself ready. Ready to save her people. Ready to save herself and Nik. Ready to embrace her true destiny…and obliterate the forces that threaten to destroy them all.


More info on Goodreads or check out my 4 star review!

Purchase:

1.       Who are your favorite authors and/or what are your favorite books?
 
        PC: Kristin’s books, of course!  AMBER SMOKE, SCARLET RAIN, and in October THE SCENT OF SALT AND SAND (co-authored by me!).
        Anything Anne McCaffrey has written – her PERN books are my special favorites.
        THE OTHERS Series by Anne Bishop.
        IMMORTALS AFTER DARK Series by Kresley Cole.
        LORDS OF THE UNDERWORLD Series by Gena Showalter.
        Any of David Mack’s STAR TREK books.
        Christopher Moore is one of the funniest, most brilliant authors living.  I devour all of his books.  FOOL is one of my favorites.
        Pat Conroy is an incredible author.  I’ve read everything he’s written.  THE PRINCE OF TIDES is fabulous, but also check out THE WATER IS WIDE, MY LOSING SEASON (boys/young men will love this one), BEACH MUSIC, and of course, THE GREAT SANTINI.
        Dean Koontz is awesome.  I love his books.  WATCHER is my favorite.
        I think everyone should read Bradbury’s FAHRENHEIT 451 and Harper Lee’s TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD.
        I also love Sara Donati’s INTO THE WILDERNESS Series. 

2.       Which literary character would you most relate to?
PC: Lessa from Anne McCaffrey’s DRAGONRIDERS OF PERN

P.C. Cast is a #1 New York Times and USA Today Best-Selling author and a proud member of the Oklahoma Writers Hall of Fame. Her novels have been awarded the prestigious Oklahoma Book Award, YALSA Quick Pick for Reluctant Readers, Romantic Times Reviewers' Choice Award, the Prism, Holt Medallion, Daphne du Maurier, Booksellers' Best, and the Laurel Wreath. Her mega-hit young adult series, The House of Night, co-authored with her daughter, Kristin, has more than 20 million copies in print and appeals to readers of all ages. Her young adult, paranormal romance, and fantasy series have been published in forty-two countries. Ms. Cast lives in Oklahoma with an assortment of dogs, cats, horses, and one precocious burro.

Visit P.C.

a Rafflecopter giveawayPublished by Pan Macmillan, Moon Chosen is a thrilling start to a promising new fantasy series and is available online and in all good bookstores!


Tuesday, November 22, 2016

Book Shelf: Moon Chosen (Tales of a New World #1) by P.C. Cast

#1 New York Times bestselling author, P.C. Cast, brings us a new epic fantasy set in a world where humans, their animal allies, and the earth itself has been drastically changed. A world filled with beauty and danger and cruelty…

Mari is an Earth Walker, heir to the unique healing powers of her Clan; but she has cast her duties aside, until she is chosen by a special animal ally, altering her destiny forever. When a deadly attack tears her world apart, Mari reveals the strength of her powers and the forbidden secret of her dual nature as she embarks on a mission to save her people. It is not until Nik, the son of the leader from a rival, dominating clan strays across her path, that Mari experiences something she has never felt before…

Now, darkness is coming, and with it, a force, more terrible and destructive than the world has ever seen, leaving Mari to cast the shadows from the earth. By forming a tumultuous alliance with Nik, she must make herself ready. Ready to save her people. Ready to save herself and Nik. Ready to embrace her true destiny…and obliterate the forces that threaten to destroy them all.


More info on Goodreads.....


Review:

Moon Chosen by P.C Cast is a lyrical and lusciously woven fantasy tale that introduces readers to a unique and promising new world of danger, romance, nature and the power of the moon!

Mari is an Earth Walker, daughter to her Clan’s Moon Woman and the person most expect to take her mother’s place within the Clan one day. Able to heal using a unique ability to harness the moons powers, as a Moon Woman Mari is expected to wash her people of a fierce infliction that leaves them raging monsters if left unattended. However, Mari is hiding a secret about her heritage, and when a deadly attack tears her world apart, Mari finds herself with a new animal companion and a broken heart. It’s not until Nik, the son of the leader of her enemies tribe, the Tribe of the Trees, comes into her life does Mari realise that not everything is as black and white as it seems. Choosing to work with Nik will see Mari have to embrace her destiny if she has any hope of saving her people.  

Moon Chosen is a really unique novel in my eyes. It’s meant to be set in a future world, drastically changed, but features a lot of attributes and elements you would expect to see in ancient times. Having read some of P.C. Cast’s House of Night and Goddess books, it’s clear to me that Cast is an obviously spiritual woman, something that comes through in her writing. Moon Chosen features a lot of spiritual aspects reminiscent of the Native Americans with a twist with our heroine relying heavily on nature and the earth around her.

I’ll be honest and admit it took me a little bit of time to be won over by the tale, but once I found myself in a rhythm with the story, I really enjoyed Moon Chosen. It’s a very long, wordy book---almost 600 pages with small text--and admittedly some of the content within the story was lost on me or failed to impress, but for the most part I was very entranced by Mari and Nik’s journey. 

In the very opening chapter of Moon Chosen I found myself worried that Mari’s voice may have read too young based on her mannerisms and conversations shared with her mother. It quickly became apparent to me that Mari had potential and quickly began a journey of growth and discovery throughout the story. 

I liked Mari and I liked the characters who joined her, including Nik, Rigel and Sora who were standouts. Rigel was adorable as Mari’s shepherd companion and of course Nik was enjoyable to read about as love interest and friend to Mari whose voice was the second most prominent one we had the pleasure of following throughout the story. Sora was reminiscent of House of Night’s Aphrodite in my mind; a flirty unfriendly individual who fights with the heroine but then becomes a true friend along the way.

I’m actually really intrigued by the Companion’s and their canine comrades. It’s really interesting seeing how P.C. Cast has instilled this fierce and undeniable bond of love and loyalty between the Companions and the dogs that choose them. It was very sweet and I’m as equally as eager to see the cat version and their Companions of other tribes down the track, especially if the next book is going to feature Antreas and his lynx companion as I’m hoping it will!

Moon Chosen is a rich and descriptive first novel, kicking off the Tales of A New World series that has a lot of potential and leaves me keen to see what P.C. Cast does with it next! 

Rating:
Source:
Sent for review by publisher (Thank you guys!)
Publisher: Pan Macmillian Australia
Format: Paperback ARC
Australian RRP:
$18.99
Release Date: November 2016
Purchase:
Bookworld | Booktopia | The Book Depository | Amazon
Final Thoughts: There's mixed emotions floating around the blogosphere for this book, but I quite enjoyed it and look forward to book two. I'm crossing my fingers that Antreas will be paired with Sora--I think that'd be an interesting pairing!


Monday, November 21, 2016

Owl Post #106


Inspired by The Story Siren's In My Mailbox, Owl Post allows us bloggers to showcase the books we've bought, won or received throughout the week and is hosted by Brodie over at Eleusinian Mysteries. We all know that the Owl Post is the fastest way to send and receive mail and they certainly make me happy every time they drop a book off.
 
Hello book lovers and welcome to another Owl Post! Hope you all had a great weeks in books and managed to read something awesome!
 
Here's what I received last week.....
 
For Review:
From Merit Press:
- Teach Me to Forget by Erica M. Chapman
I'm super honored to have been sent a hardback copy of Teach Me to Forget by Erica M. Chapman to read and review. This book actually looks really good and I'm excited to read it in the near future!
 
....Thank you Bethany!
 
I Bought:
- The Diabolic by S.J. Kincaid
This seems to be one of the most anticipated releases for the later part of 2016 and with the Book Depository having the hardback in stock for less than $13 I had to get myself a copy to see how good the story is myself!
 
- Beautiful by Christina Lauren
SQUEEE! Love this series and sooooo excited to read about Jensen. Think I'll be reading this one sooner rather than later!
 
And that's me!
What did the owls bring YOU this week?
 
 

Saturday, November 19, 2016

Book Shelf: Shadow Fall (Shadow Fall #1) by Audrey Grey

The asteroid hurtling toward the earth will kill billions.

The Emperor and his Gold Court will be safe in their space station, watching from the stars. The Silvers will be protected underground. But the Bronzes must fight it out at the Shadow Trials for the few remaining spots left on the space station.

When an enigmatic benefactor hands Maia Graystone a spot in the Trials, she won’t just get a chance at salvation for her and her baby brother, Max: She gets to confront the mother who abandoned her in prison, the mad Emperor who murdered her father, and the Gold prince who once loved her. But it’s the dark bastard prince she’s partnered with that will make her question everything, including her own heart. With the asteroid racing closer every day, Maia must trust someone to survive.

The question is who?


More info on Goodreads.....


Review:

Audrey Grey’s debut novel Shadow Fall is a dangerously alluring dystopian tale that mixes elements of sci-fi, fantasy and plenty of danger with romance, action and edge of your seat suspense and deception. 

Maia Greystone lives in world where the majority of society lives on borrowed time--a massive asteroid is hurtling towards Earth and those unlucky enough not to be a part of the Emperor’s Gold Court won’t be granted a seat on their space station when it finally makes contact. A lowly Bronze, Maia is the daughter of a traitor and someone who knows her place in life, locked in society’s most dangerous prison, the pit. Until a mysterious man offers Maia a chance to participate in the Trials and possibly win a highly coveted seat on the space station for her and her brother. Agreeing, Maia finds herself being altered and taking on a new appearance to take part in the trials, but with all the dangers clear as day, is the biggest danger to Maia falling for her fellow pit survivor Riser, a disturbing dark horse who is beginning to make Maia feel for the first time in years…..

Having caught my attention with its absolutely stunning cover, I can honestly say I highly enjoyed Shadow Fall. I know there are a lot of people who have compared it to The Hunger Games, and yes, I guess I can see that a bit of THG in Shadow Fall, especially in the second part of the book, but Shadow Fall also has its very own unique storyline. Audrey Grey introduces her readers to a very dangerous, destroyed world that I loved, with tangible characters who felt well fleshed out and who were insanely likable. 

Featuring an Earth set to be destroyed by an asteroid, there’s an edge of desperation and hopelessness that encompasses the people of Shadow Fall. The dark, gritty aspects of Shadow Fall really appealed to me and I liked seeing two different classes of society mingle—the haves and have nots. The class structure and society within Shadow Fall was interesting to me and I liked the intricacy of it, even if the various groups of individuals confused me at times. I found it difficult to wrap my head around all the different rebel groups, but for the most part I was able to follow the storyline without getting too confused. 

Heroine Maia was one of those main characters that starts out in a weakened state and in a hopeless situation and continually grows. She’s in a no-win situation unless she manages to successfully complete the trials and she fights for that. Personally, I quite liked her. I thought she was a well-balanced main character who has growth possibilities, but also manages to be a strong personality and individual when we meet her. Basically I’m very happy to follow her throughout Shadow Fall. 

I found I really loved the characters that dotted Shadow Fall. Everyone from Maia, Flame, Caspian, Merida, Rhydian and especially Riser really struck a cord with me. They were tangible and full of personality and really brought the story to life. I’m absolutely addicted to Riser—he is such a surprising contradiction and I’m a real fan of his. Cheeky but darkly scarred, Riser is someone who lures you in and makes you want to know every secret he has. 

Author Audrey Grey writes some wonderful chemistry between Maia and Riser and I thought they were perfect together. I’m definitely going to be on Team Riser, even if I am suspicious of a love triangle appearing within the series. Yet that being said, strangely enough I also really liked Caspian who is the second possible love interest for Maia. I’m going to keep my fingers crossed Maia’s heart and affections remain squarely in Risers hands, but only time will tell....

The last few chapters of Shadow Fall are especially action packed with developments and revelations that set the stage for the next novel. Audrey Grey leaves her readers at a highly climactic moment and guarantee’s you’ll be dying for the next book’s release to discover what is in store for Maia next! Highly recommend if you love fast paced and well developed dystopians! 

Rating:
Source:
Sent for review by publisher via Netgelley (Thank you guys!)
Publisher: Blaze Publishing      
Format: Kindle ebook via Netgalley

Release Date: November 22nd 2016
Purchase:
The Book Depository | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo
Final Thoughts:
This book entranced me from beginning to end and left me raring for the next installment!