Waiting on Wednesday #233

"Waiting On Wednesday" is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spines, that spotlights upcoming releases we're eagerly anticipating. 

One Small Thing by Erin Watt

Publication Date: June 26th, 2018

Summary-

Beth’s life hasn’t been the same since her sister died. Her parents try to lock her down, believing they can keep her safe by monitoring her every move. When Beth sneaks out to a party one night and meets the new guy in town, Chase, she’s thrilled to make a secret friend. It seems a small thing, just for her.

Only Beth doesn’t know how big her secret really is…

Fresh out of juvie and determined to start his life over, Chase has demons to face and much to atone for, including his part in the night Beth’s sister died. Beth, who has more reason than anyone to despise him, is willing to give him a second chance. A forbidden romance is the last thing either of them planned for senior year, but the more time they spend together, the deeper their feelings get.

Now Beth has a choice to make—follow the rules, or risk tearing everything apart…again.

I pretty much devour every single book Erin Watt writes so I'm very much looking forward to One Small Thing.

What are you waiting on? :)

Top Ten Tuesday #71

Top Ten Tuesday is a bookish meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish.

This week's topic is: 

BOOKS I DISLIKED/ HATED BUT AM REALLY GLAD I READ (MAYBE JUST FOR BRAGGING RIGHTS) 

 

 

 

 

 

Which books made it to your list? Let me know in the comments below! Happy Tuesday, and happy reading, everyone! 

Review- Hot as Sin by Bella Andre

Summary-

THEY’RE LIVING LIFE TO THE EXTREME…AND BURNING UP THE COLD MOUNTAIN NIGHTS

Only total desperation could reunite Dianna Kelley with Sam MacKenzie, the irresistible bad boy she walked out on ten years ago. But the fearless firefighter with the awesome wilderness skills is the only one who can take her where she needs to go. It’s a gamble—tracking down her endangered sister while keeping Sam and their undeniable attraction at arm’s length. Not easy when they’re trekking into a remote corner of the Rockies, where she’s got to trust her former lover with her life. 

Despite their past, Sam never could refuse a damsel in distress, especially one who has haunted his dreams for years. He’ll help find her sister and get Dianna out of his system once and for all. But soon it’s hard to tell whether the greatest threat is from the rushing rapids, the deadly enemy on their trail, or the passion that’s sending them straight into the line of fire….

Release date: October 27th, 2009

Published by: Dell

Page numbers: 335

Review-

I really enjoy reading second chance romances and that is the reason I decided to pick up Hot as Sin by Bella Andre. Hot as Sin was a good read and I liked reading it but there was nothing new in the romance. I felt like I've read similar stories before and I found the conflict between the hero and the heroine to be a bit weak with the suspense part as well. 

Let's start with Dianna. Dianna left Sam ten years ago. Now she's the host of a successful show on TV where she gets to meet several new people and try out different things. She thinks that she has moved on in her life but she hasn't allowed anyone close to her heart. I liked Dianna. In her head she was right and her reasons for leaving Sam were understandable. I liked how hard she fought for her sister.

Then we have Sam. Sam is a firefighter. After Dianna, he has nothing to lose and that is why he goes in the most dangerous of fires and tries to save people. It was easy to see that Sam has never been able to get over Dianna. Yes, he has his doubts about marriage and relationships but he wants it all with Dianna. I liked Sam and how protective he was of Dianna. He was a good man overall.

The romance between Sam and Dianna was nice. It was kinda like insta love when they first meet 10 years ago but I liked that we got to see the little glimpse of past. In the present, there are a lot of words unsaid between them. I found the misunderstanding between Sam and Dianna to be a little weak. Also, the accident in which Dianna is hurt was a little unbelievable.

Bella Andre always writes a sweet romance and Sam and Dianna definitely deserved their happy ending. Like I said before, the suspense part of the book was not very strong but I liked the romance bit. Hot as Sin didn't have anything exceptional in it but it was a good read.

Book Beginnings on Friday #6

Please join Rose City Reader every Friday to share the first sentence (or so) of the book you are reading, along with your initial thoughts about the sentence, impressions of the book, or anything else the opener inspires. Please remember to include the title of the book and the author’s name.

Chapter One

BRITTANY 1485

I BEAR A DEEP RED stain that runs from my left shoulder down to my right hip, a trail left by the herbwitch's poison that my mother used to try to expel me from her womb. That I survived, according to the herbwitch, is no miracle but a sign I have been sired by the god of death himself.

-Grave Mercy by Robin LaFevers

Summary-

Why be the sheep, when you can be the wolf?

Seventeen-year-old Ismae escapes from the brutality of an arranged marriage into the sanctuary of the convent of St. Mortain, where the sisters still serve the gods of old. Here she learns that the god of Death Himself has blessed her with dangerous gifts—and a violent destiny. If she chooses to stay at the convent, she will be trained as an assassin and serve as a handmaiden to Death. To claim her new life, she must destroy the lives of others.

Ismae’s most important assignment takes her straight into the high court of Brittany—where she finds herself woefully under prepared—not only for the deadly games of intrigue and treason, but for the impossible choices she must make. For how can she deliver Death’s vengeance upon a target who, against her will, has stolen her heart?

Review- Shield of Winter by Nalini Singh

Summary-

Assassin. Soldier. Arrow. That is who Vasic is, who he will always be. His soul drenched in blood, his conscience heavy with the weight of all he’s done, he exists in the shadows, far from the hope his people can almost touch—if only they do not first drown in the murderous insanity of a lethal contagion. To stop the wave of death, Vasic must complete the simplest and most difficult mission of his life. 

For if the Psy race is to survive, the empaths must wake…

Having rebuilt her life after medical “treatment” that violated her mind and sought to stifle her abilities, Ivy should have run from the black-clad Arrow with eyes of winter frost. But Ivy Jane has never done what she should. Now, she'll fight for her people, and for this Arrow who stands as her living shield, yet believes he is beyond redemption. But as the world turns to screaming crimson, even Ivy’s fierce will may not be enough to save Vasic from the cold darkness…

Release date: June 3rd, 2015

Published by: Berkley

Page numbers: 431

Review-

I had been waiting for the release of Shield of Winter from a looong time. That may be due to the fact that I devoured the entire series in one go last year. But anyways, Vasic seemed to be standing on the edge so I was eager for his story. Shield of Winter certainly did not disappoint me. I loved it!

Before getting into the story, I'd like to say that it is of vital importance to read the previous books. Things are explained well but there are many story arcs and I think knowing the background makes for a better read. Vasic is an Arrow. Arrows are cold blooded soldiers and because of this Vasic thinks that the crimes he has committed are irrevocable. 

I loved Vasic. He has strong but he really felt that he was undeserving of anything good and pure. His story was frankly heartbreaking and I'm so glad he found Ivy. Ivy, is an empath. Her kind has been destroyed but now the psy need their help to survive. I also really liked Ivy. She was the warmth and sunshine which Vasic needed. She was a bit pushy at times but I think Vasic needed that to overcome his insecurities.

The romance between Vasic and Ivy wasn't as swoon worthy as some of the previous books. But I may feel that way because I have solid favorites, beyond compare in this series. They know they have a connection but they take their time acting on it. It was kinda a slow burn and things only progress a bit later in the book.

I also loved the fact that we got to see Luc and Hawke with their better halves. Kaleb and Sahara were a pleasure to watch and the conversation between Judd and Vasic was hilarious! The one person who captured my attention though was Aden. Aden and Vasic's bond was amazing and I really hope we get his book next. This book was full of details and changes happening in the psy-changeling world. Nalini Singh consistently writes awesome books and Shield of Winter was just that. Go read this series!

Blog Tour- Pulse Vampire Series Omnibus Vol. 1 Books 1-4 by Kailin Gow

Check out my stop on the PULSE Vampire Series Omnibus Vol. 1 Books 1-4 by Kailin Gow blog tour!

PULSE Vampire Series Omnibus

Vol. 1 Books 1 - 4

942 Pages

by Kailin Gow

Genre: YA Fantasy Romance

Release Date: March 1st 2018

Summary:

Now in Production as a Film!

This Omnibus contains 4 Full-length Novels in the PULSE Vampire Series, now in development as a Film starting with its Prequel, Mysterious Teacher.  

Loved it! Very exciting storyline, can't wait for the next one....  - Ariana, early 20s.

Pulse is fast paced and intriguing, the story has twists at every turn and the ending leaves you open mouthed and wanting more. Kailin did a wonderful job in creating this vampire world. - Melissa Silva, The Bookshelf

Ever since I was little, I’ve loved vampire books, and this one does not disappoint. - Amy (Books, College, and Other Random Things)

I know that I seem to say the same thing everytime that I review a Kailin book but man can she write, no matter whatever she writes I can never seem to put the book down whenever I pick one up. This has become another one of my favourite Kailin series and I highly recommend it. - Head Stuck in a Book Blog

Hurray for Gow, she made up a powerful character. I recommended this, you are not going to regret. - Astrid A.

DESCRIPTION

17 year-old Kalina didn't know her boyfriend was a vampire until the night he died of a freak accident. She didn t know he came from a long line of vampires until the night she was visited by his half-brothers Jaegar and Stuart Greystone. There were a lot of secrets her boyfriend didn t tell her. Now she must discover them in order to keep alive. But having two half-brothers vampires around had just gotten interesting....

Kailin Gow is a multiple  Award-winning author, film and tv director/producer, and speaker.  You can learn more about her at:  KailinGow.com.

Buy Links: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo

Check out the movie posted for Mysterious Teacher, the Prequel to PULSE Vampire Series, which is currently in production as a Feature Film!

About the Author:

Kailin Gow loves things that are edgy, cool, bright, exciting, hopeful, glittery, and jaw-droppingly awe-inspiring.  She loves writing, reading, and filming stories about people whose journeys take them beyond their boundaries - physically, psychologically, intellectually, and emotionally to arrive a point and a place of inspiration and hope.  Her works have been recognized by the leaders in the industry in book publishing and entertainment to be "innovative" and "disruptive", earning her awards from ALA, The IBPA, and festivals.  

Author Links:

  

And don’t forget to check out Kailin Gow’s new Middle Grade novel, Amazon Lee and the Ancient Undead of Rome, out on May 15^th!

GIVEAWAY:

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Blog Tour- The Crossover by Heather Horst

The Crossover

by Heather Horst

Genre: YA Sci-fi

Release Date: March 10th 2018

Summary:

It’s been 12 years since Ella has buried her brother Weston, today she buries her Father. Tomorrow she begins her life as an average University student. Unfortunately, much like Ella’s childhood, things do not go as expected. Before the semester can even begin Ella finds herself intertwined with eccentric peers, family ties, and an alternate universe.

Now Ella is thrust into the responsibility of keeping her personal life in order while saving another Earth from their impending doom, and potentially her own.

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Excerpt:

The creature is pinned to the ground. The seven harpoons are plunged into its body, but I can still see it squirming. 

                “Is it dead?” I whimper.  

                The boy approaches it, his blade pointed forward. I stay behind, I don’t want to get anywhere near that thing. The creature flails trying to free itself. The boy stands over top of it and slashes his sword right into the mid-section of the creature. It lets out one final cry and stops moving. The boy pulls out a harpoon, it’s made of the same material as his sword, and he plunges it into the creature's skull. 

            “What the hell was that?” I see the same black liquid I saw before leaking from its limp body. I realize its blood. Black blood is dripping from the creature and onto the ground. A team of people in biohazard suits crash through the door and push toward the creature. Before I can see what they are doing the boy gently places his hands on my shoulders and turns me around.

            “You won’t want to see this.” He says. 

            “Tell me what’s going on.” I demand. 

            “I wish I could but I’m really not the right person for that.” 

             “Who the hell are you anyways? What is this place? What was-” 

            I gasp for air and my eyes begin to grow blurry. There’s the same feeling in my chest and stomach as before when I left the lecture hall. My legs crumple like tissue paper beneath me. I tumble to the ground. I see the boy crouch down and he’s saying something, but my ears fail to work. I can see that the he is trying to hold me up but I can’t feel him. My ears start to pick up some noise. 

            “It’s going to be okay. I’m sorry that you had to do this.” He tries to comfort me, but he sounds like he’s so far away. 

            “Was this real?” My breath is faint.  

            “Yes.” I look into his sea blue eyes and try to focus. They look so familiar to me. 

            “My name is Weston by the way, Weston Brandt.” 

               CLAP

             I feel like I am being pushed to the point of breaking. My stomach is being stretched out like elastic, letting go and snapping back into place, over and over. But then it stops. 

            I swallow the air like I might never be able to do it again and my eyes snap open. I paw around my surroundings. The sheets of the nurses bed soothe my fear. The stupid cat poster is a welcomed sight. I am back. 

           Was that a dream? Did I die and come back to life? Weston… my brother was there. That’s impossible. He’s dead. 

            I sit up on the bed, my head is pounding. That must have been a dream. I haven’t gone anywhere. I’ve been in this room the whole time… I think. My black dress is still covered in dirt. 

            “No, no, no.”  This must just be from today. There’s dirt everywhere but it could’ve gotten on me from walking or taking the bus or something. This doesn’t mean anything. I try wiping off the dirt stuck to my dress and I notice my hand. I turn it over and see the black smudges on my fingers. I smell my hands hoping that it’s not what I think it is. 

            It’s spray paint. The same spray paint from the message that was sprawled on the ground from wherever I was. That means that whole thing was real. That means my brother is alive.

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