Friday, February 28, 2014

Book Shelf: Trust in Me (Wait for You #1.5) by J. Lynn

It's Wait for You as you've never seen it. Trust in Me lets you in on Cam's side of the #1 New York Times bestselling story.

Cameron Hamilton is used to getting what he wants, especially when it comes to women. But when Avery Morgansten comes crashing into his life--literally--he finally meets the one person who can resist his soulful baby blues. But Cam's not ready to give up. He can't get the feisty and intriguing girl out of his head.

Avery has secrets, secrets that keep her from admitting the feelings Cam knows she has for him. Will persistence (and some delicious homemade cookies) help him break down her barriers and gain her trust? Or will he be shut out of Avery's life, losing his first real shot at the kind of love that lasts forever?


More info on Goodreads.....


Review:

Trust In Me by Jennifer L. Armentrout, written under her pen name of J. Lynn, is the perfectly depicted re-telling of her sensational Wait For You, this time told through eyes of male lead and stunner Cam Hamilton!

Jennifer L. Armentrout continues to satisfy, writing yet another brilliant book in the form of Trust In Me. I adored Wait For You, but in my opinion the only thing missing was the option to know what Cam was thinking too, something that is finally revealed in Trust In Me!

Depicting the same events we read about in Wait For You, but this time through Cam’s eyes, Trust In Me is a wonderfully told story. Though nothing changes with the storyline, besides a few scenes we never witnessed between Cam and his friends where Avery wasn’t there, this book is still very much the same talewhich isn’t necessarily a bad thing! Personally I loved witnessing moments where I knew certain things were going through Avery’s head having read Wait For You where Cam was clueless or thinking something else entirely. I’m still very much a fan of dual POV’s when it comes to these kinds of books, but retellings through the eyes of the other character still satisfies too.

Cam Hamilton is such an amazing young man; something that becomes even more evident as we slowly read Trust In Me. As I mentioned in my review of Wait For Me, while Cam is a bit of a cheeky guy with a brash and naughty sense of humour, he is actually a good person. Player status aside, Cam is kind and tender towards Avery from the beginning and Trust In Me only solidifies how deeply he cares, and how truly genuine his feelings for Avery are.

During Trust In Me, the protective side and adorably obsessive sides of Cam become abundantly clear; something we weren’t always aware of in Wait For You as Avery’s accession of certain instances were different from Cams. I continue to adore the fact that Cam isn’t a real "bad boy" and that his endearing attraction to Avery progresses with the authenticity of first love. The sincerity to Cam when he can’t stop thinking about Avery and the way being with her makes him feel is very sweet to witness.

I also enjoyed seeing how Jennifer L. Armentrout wrote the physical aspects of Avery and Cam’s relationship as they were unfolded through Cam’s eyes in Trust In Me. Obviously Cam is a blue blooded male and it’s important to recognize he’s going to have a certain response to Avery, but I was really impressed with how much consideration he had for her and how much he put what she wanted and was ready for over what he wascertainly won points with me.

Overall, Trust In Me is a sensual and adorable new adult read that is perfect fans of Abbi Glines and Cora Carmack! If you loved Wait For You, or even if you haven’t read it yet, don’t miss the opportunity to see Cam and Avery’s relationship unfold through Cam’s eyes!

Rating:
Source: I bought
Format: Paperback
Buy it: Bookworld | The Nile | The Book Depository | Amazon
My Recommendation: Abbi Glines or Cora Carmack fans will LOVE this series--it's a brilliant NA!
Cover: Awesome!
Will I read sequel/continue with series: Without a doubt!

Thursday, February 27, 2014

Blog Tour: Emblazed by Connie L. Smith- Excerpt


Welcome to the Blog Tour for Emblazed, the second book in Connie L. Smith's Division Chronicles and as part of the tour I have a really cute excerpt between the main character and her boyfriend to share with you, as well as details on the Twitter giveaway's Connie has going on to celebrate the release of Emblazed!
________________________________________________



After all the preparations, Nicholai’s warriors stand on the threshold of warfare, the demons entering the realm in battalions and the world unknowingly depending on the army’s success to continue intact. But the battle is only the beginning of deadly struggles, and the soldiers will soon realize how little they know, how many things are at stake, and how much they have to lose.

Love, hate, hope, despair, anguish, joy… The journey is a gauntlet of emotion and combat, threatening their resolve as much as their lives.

Will their training and ties be enough, or will the complications and the forthcoming evil forever cripple the world’s last hope of survival?

Don't forget to add Emblazed on Goodreads or get it on Amazon!
 


AJ sensed him there, standing wordlessly some feet in the distance, just like she always recognized his presence when he lingered near. She absorbed the comfort and happiness he brought her – not that she’d admit that out loud – before sighing and speaking. “It’s called making a bed, Julius. It’s pretty commonplace.”

He didn’t push away from the doorframe, instead leaning further against it while he continued to observe her. “Sweetheart, nothing’s commonplace when you do it.”

Hearing the grin and affection in his voice, she smiled, peeking at him over her shoulder. “Is that a compliment or an insult?”

He gazed upward to stare at the ceiling with a thoughtful expression, then returned his attention to her, his shrug carefree. “Both.”

She smirked. “Sweet talker.”

“Odd ball.” He finally moved from the threshold, unhurriedly advancing toward her. “

You know, most people make their beds in the morning. Not ten o’clock at night.”

She snorted. “Yeah. I’m gonna make my bed as soon as I roll out of it at six AM. I wouldn’t be making it now if I didn’t have to wrestle the sheet back on four times a night.” Finally setting her pillow in its position, she turned to him with an unashamed grin.

He chuckled, his adoration plain, and brushed a lock of hair from her face. “You’re one of a kind, you know that?”

“Compliment or insult?” she teased again.

“Compliment.” He smiled, cupping her cheek. “Definitely a compliment.”
“Sweet talker,” she repeated, standing on her tiptoes to press a kiss to his lips. Wrapping her arms around his neck, his circling her waist, she dove into the moment, reveling in the wonderful sensations only Julius incited. Safety. Warmth. Passion. So many more she couldn’t quite put a name to, the combination too heady and consuming to adequately decipher. It was simply a Julius effect, and its wonder had no equal in her life. Gradually breaking away, she knowingly lifted an eyebrow. “You didn’t come here just to make fun of me over my bed-making habits.”

“Maybe I came up here just to kiss you.”

“If that were the case, dear Julius, you wouldn’t have waited until I kissed you.”

Narrowing his eyes, he barely restrained his smirk at her forwardness and how well she’d grown to understand him in their time together. “You have a point.” He stepped back from her embrace, grasping her hand in his. “Come on. We have a mission.”

“A mission?” Her brow furrowed, though she made no move to retrieve her palm from his, following him in confusion as he neared the hallway. “At ten o’clock at night?”

“I believe we already covered the time in this conversation, AJ.” He made a clucking noise with his tongue, shaking his head in mock disappointment. “You really need to keep up with matters a bit more.”

She glared at the back of his head, lips thinning despite her vexing boyfriend’s inability to see her from his location. Realizing the futility of her frustrated efforts, she clenched the fingers he clutched, smiling in accomplishment at his grunt of discomfort. “Yeah, we covered it, but in household chore way. Not in a mission way. What could we possibly have to do this late at night?”

He sent her an amused glance – one she deemed condescending, particularly after the physical hint of her annoyance – while tugging her through the doorway. “You do realize it isn’t ten o’clock everywhere, right?”

“Of course I realize that! I’m not a moron!”

“I never said you were…”

She growled, steeling her feet against the floor and prying her hand from his. “You didn’t have to. Your little grin said it all for you.”

His stare revealed sincere bewilderment – maybe a speck of frustration as well – and his arm dropped to his side. “So let me get this straight. You’re angry at me… because I smiled at you?”

Her eyes widened in fury, one finger raising to point at his chest while her left fist braced against her hip. “Don’t try to turn this around like I’m crazy!”

He scrunched his forehead, gaze traveling up and down her form while he held his hands out, as if silently offering his evidence.

She groaned, unhappy, turning away from him to rein in her irritation. For several seconds, she simply scanned her room, livid exhale after livid exhale falling from her lips, but the attempts did little to calm her turmoil, Julius actually flinching when her focus again landed on him. “It’s the grin you used. It’s the same one that was on your face when you drove into New Mexico, and I was surprised the facility was stationed here. Like I’m the dumbest person in the world and your number one source of entertainment.”

Instantly, his expression softened. “You can’t possibly think that I think that way?”

She just glared at him.

“Look, I’m not gonna lie.” He approached her, smiling tenderly. “You do amuse me, but not because I think you’re stupid. You’re… animated. And quirky. But not stupid. And I get it’s late, and no matter what time zone we’re entering, it’s ten o’clock here and we’re handing over sleeping hours, but Nicholai insists we need to go now.”

She kept pinched eyes on him, but her posture loosened a bit.

He laughed, reaching for her hand once more. “See? Animated. I can pretty much watch the wheels in your head turn.”

“Does that make you my mental stalker, too?”

Processing the playful edge of her words, he kissed her knuckles and led her into the hall. “Trust me, sweetheart. I have no desire to wander through your mind. I can’t imagine all the weird things I’d encounter.”

She tilted her head to the side, smiling. “Compliment or insult?”

Smirking over his shoulder, he caught her eyes with his. “Insult.”
 
In celebration of Emblazed recent release on February 24th, the first book in the series, Essenced is currently FREE on Amazon, so be sure to grab your copy while you can!

Connie L. Smith spends far too much time with her mind wandering in fictional places. She reads too much, likes to bake, and will be forever sad that she doesn’t have fairy wings. And that she can’t swing dance. When she isn’t reading or writing, there’s a good chance she’s goofing off with her amazing, wonderful, incredible, fabulous nieces and nephew, or listening to music that is severely outdated. She has her BA from Northern Kentucky University in Speech Communication and History (she doesn’t totally get the connection either) and likes to snap photos. Oh, and she likes apples a whole big bunch.


Twitter Giveaways: As mentioned, Connie L. Smith is hosting a bunch of Twitter giveaway's to celebrate Emblazed's release so be sure to head on over to check it out!

Congrats to Connie on the release of Emblazed and thanks for allowing me to be a part of the celebrations!

Wednesday, February 26, 2014

GIVEAWAY: Win 1 of 5 DOUBLE PASSES to The Vampire Acadamy Movie! (AU only) *CLOSED*


Not only am I so very excited to see The Vampire Academy movie when it hits cinemas on March 6th but thanks to the fabulous Caroline (formally of Simon & Schuster Australia), now one of the marketing executives of StudioCanal I have 5 Double Passes to give away to 5 of my lucky Aussie followers!

Check out the trailer!
 
Doesn't that have you so excited?!?!

Based on the best selling book by Richelle Mead: Lissa Dragomir (Lucy Fry) is a Moroi princess: a mortal vampire who lives in danger of the bloodthirsty Strigoi, the fiercest and most dangerous vampires who are hell-bent on taking the lives of the Moroi.  Rose Hathaway (Deutch) is Lissa’s best friend and a Dhampir, a powerful blend of human and vampire that serve as the guardians of the Moroi against their bloodthirsty enemies.  On the run for two years and living discreetly amongst humans, the best friends are tracked down and reinstated back into their world - St Vladimir’s Academy.  It is there that Rose must train and finesse her fighting skills under the watchful eye of her dreamy mentor Dimitri (Kozlovsky), in order to graduate as a Guardian and be formally assigned to protect her best friend. 

As Moroi royalty Lissa, must assume her rightful place and learn to understand her unbreakable bond to the earth’s magic.  Life is just as they remembered it at St Vladimir’s, but Rose can’t help shake the darkness that is looming, and the fear that the Strigoi are closing in with the intent of hurting those she loves. The pair must navigate through their dangerous world, confront the temptation of forbidden romance, and prepare themselves for the impending battle that threatens life as they know it. 

 
Details:
· You MUST be a follower to enter!
· Giveaway is open to AUSTRALIAN RESIDENTLY only. Sorry international peeps!.
· Giveaway will run from today, 26th of February until the 5th of March
· Simply comment below with a way to contact you to enter :)

Be sure to check out the whole series!

Once again, thanks to:
 
I simply adore this series and urge those who haven't read it to do so in preparation for the movie and just to read this amazing series! Good luck to those who enter!
 
 

Tuesday, February 25, 2014

Book Shelf: Level 2 (The Memory Chronicles #1) by Lenore Appelhans

In this gripping exploration of a futuristic afterlife, a teen discovers that death is just the beginning.

Since her untimely death the day before her eighteenth birthday, Felicia Ward has been trapped in Level 2, a stark white afterlife located between our world and the next. Along with her fellow drones, Felicia passes the endless hours reliving memories of her time on Earth and mourning what she’s lost-family, friends, and Neil, the boy she loved.

Then a girl in a neighboring chamber is found dead, and nobody but Felicia recalls that she existed in the first place. When Julian-a dangerously charming guy Felicia knew in life-comes to offer Felicia a way out, Felicia learns the truth: If she joins the rebellion to overthrow the Morati, the angel guardians of Level 2, she can be with Neil again.

Suspended between Heaven and Earth, Felicia finds herself at the center of an age-old struggle between good and evil. As memories from her life come back to haunt her, and as the Morati hunt her down, Felicia will discover it’s not just her own redemption at stake… but the salvation of all mankind.


More info on
Goodreads.....


Review:

Lenore Appelhan's debut novel Level 2 is a richly unique and gripping look into the afterlife. Weaving together past with present and memories with current actions, Level 2 is a mysterious and driven novel that will have you guessing until the very end!

Told through the eyes of seventeen year old Felicia Ward, Level 2 follows Felicia during her time trapped in the bleak white limbo she has been in since her death. A place where she doesn't need to eat, sleep or breathe, this afterlife of sorts allows Felicia to access her memories of the life she lived prior to her death and this is all she does.....until the moment someone from her past breaks in and sets the story in motion.

Personally, I found Level 2 to be a really delightful surprise. Featuring a very unique concept and take on the afterlife, Lenore Appelhan's unique exploration of life after death was something I enjoyed very much in this novel. Loosely weaving together hints of Greek mythology with biblical lore, Appelhan slowly reveals the storyline and the goings on of the story. Level 2 really is quite a mysterious read and this is something that only enhances the reading experience.

With the opening chapter of Level 2 all we really know about Felicia is that she's dead. We don't know how she died or when she died, and in all honesty we know nothing about her life prior to this stark limbo she currently resides in. It's only through Felicia's exploration of her memories that we as the reader are able to piece together her life before Level 2. As Felicia access's her memories throughout the novel, we witness two different periods in her life and the two very different guys who feature during this time, one of which has recently broken into Level 2 to locate Felicia.

Honestly, I found myself really engrossed in Level 2. Felicia proved to be such an intriguing character and Appelhan's decision to make her history unknown; only revealing bits in snippets and pieces just made me just want to know all the more who she was and what she went through that impacted on where she is now and how she ended up there. I liked Felicia and enjoyed following her through the story. She was a solid main character and her voice, both present and through her memories was easy to follow.

As we witness this book unfold we're glimpsed with a truly unique take on the afterlife. Appelhan mixes science fiction with celestial beings; shaking angels and the afterlife up in a way I have never seen before. When Felicia is introduced to a group of mysterious individuals who may be willing to get her back to the guy she loves in exchange for agreeing to participate in their rebellion, Appelhan continues to engross the reader with more and more questions and connections from Felicia's past to her present.

Appelhan won me over with the two different romances we witness through Felicia's memories. Both romances were so different--one destroyed aspects of her life and the other helped piece them back together. I loved how Appelhan wove together one of these romances from her past with her present inside Level 2! I wanted to know what connection Julian could have to everything, but at the same time I was constantly bombared by Felicia's sweet and passionate memories of Neil and her unending desire to find him again.

Racing towards a riveting and unexpected ending, Lenore Appelhan managed to satisfy me with Level 2, whilst also leaving me severely looking forward to the next novel. A great start to a new series, Level 2 is mysterious and engaging from beginning until end and I'm very much looking forward to the next book in The Memory Chronicles to see how Appelhan expands on her already set world!

Rating:
Source: Sent for review by All & Unwin (Thank you Lara!)
Format: Paperback
Buy it: Bookworld | The Nile | The Book Depository | Amazon
My Recommendation: Looking for something unique, futuristic and different? This might be exactly what you're looking for!
Cover: I actually really like it. It's different, but lovely.
Will I read sequel/continue with series: Yes :)

Monday, February 24, 2014

Monday Madness Giveaway- February 2014 *CLOSED*


Welcome to the February edition of Monday Madness! This month the book I was most "mad" about was Secret by Brigid Kemmerer. It's my favorite book in the series to date, so to celebrate I'm giving away a paperback copy OR is you haven't read this series--winners choice! That's right. If you're not up to Secret, you can pick any of the other Elemental books. Or if you've read them all...how does a pre-order of Sacrifice sound?

Anyway, let's take a little look at what I thought of Secret.....

"I have to say, I adore how Brigid Kemmerer has written this book. I mean, I've loved all her books; they're all expertly told, with perfect writing and attention to detail, but Secret seems so much more emotional and confronting at times than some of the previous books. Brigid Kemmerer has created a fantastic supernatural series with this series, but I think her ability to explore deeper issues, real, moving issues at times is what makes this series so much more special."

 
EARTH. FIRE. AIR. WATER.

Nick Merrick is stretched to breaking point. He's trying to keep his grades sky-high or he won't get in to college. He's trying to keep his brother's business afloat or the Merricks will be out on the street. He's trying to keep the secret of where he's going in the evenings from his twin brother Gabriel - or he fears he'll lose his family. And he's trying to keep his mind off the hot, self-assured dancer who is his 'girlfriend's' partner.

And then Quinn takes to hanging around his sworn enemy, and an Elemental Guide is counting the hours until he can try again to kill the Merrick brothers. Storms are brewing. On all sides.

SECRETS IN THE WIND. DANGER IN THE AIR.
 
Check out my review or add on Goodreads!
 

 
**Note: One (1) winner will win their choice of books in this series! Winners choice :)
 
Details:
· You MUST be a follower to enter!
· Giveaway is INTERNATIONAL or wherever The Book Depository ships to.
· Giveaway will run from today (24th February) until the 10th of March (2 weeks time!)
· Simply comment below with a way to contact you to enter
· Extra entries are available but are in no way necessary by:
+1 Letting me know what you think of Secret (Are you a fan of this series? What's your thoughts?) and....
+1 For Tweeting, Facebooking or Sharing!
+1 Telling me which book you'll be picking if you win (This is just me being nosey--I want to know where you're all at!)

Sunday, February 23, 2014

Free Ebooks

Hi guys!

Check out the latest batch of FREE Kindle ebooks I've found on Amazon! There's some real good ones there :)



Hope you all managed to score something good!

Saturday, February 22, 2014

Book Blitz: Resistance by Jena Leigh- Guest Post & Giveaway! *CLOSED*


I'm ecstatic to be taking part in the Book Blitz today for Resistance by Jena Leigh, book two in the Variant Series thanks to Xpresso Book Tours! I'm super excited to be taking part in this blitz as I adore this series, having read both books and even more excited to share this guest post by Jena Leigh that sees her talk about her characters--characters that I ADORE I might add!

There's also a tour wide giveaway going on AND I've got an ebook to give away--either book one or two in the Variant Series. Winners choice!
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Creating Characters for the Variant Series

When I sat down to write the story of Alexandra Parker and her strange, Variant-filled world, I realized fairly quickly that the novel would be just as much about Alex, as it would be about her newfound friends. 

At first, Revival (the first novel in the series) had no plot. Not even a rough outline. There was no destination for the story and there were no real characters to speak of. All I knew about the book that Revival would eventually become was a single moment, pulled from a scene that takes place a few chapters into the tale—an image of a young girl running through a burning bookstore, a wall of flames licking at her back as she fled down the aisle with no way out. 

I didn’t know who Alex was, back then… but I knew a lot about the guy she’d find waiting for her at the top of that black spiral staircase in the far corner of the store.

Declan O’Connell—the blonde-haired, blue-eyed jumper who was equal parts bad boy and smartass—was a character I’d been forming in my mind for a long, long time, but had yet to find a home for. Going into the project, Declan was the only character that I knew inside and out. Or at least, the only one I thought I knew. 

As the story progressed, Declan’s character grew and matured in my mind, pieces of his backstory falling into place and revealing the source of his bad attitude and surly disposition. By the time I wrote the last page of Revival, I understood Declan in a way I never could have imagined during those opening chapters.

The truth is, I don’t create my characters so much as discover them as I work their stories onto the page.

All of the characters in the Variant series came to me in varying forms of completeness. A name here, a face there, a quirk or two to distinguish them, an important bit of backstory that forever changed their life or altered their personality… And often, I didn’t know what a characters would do or say in a situation until I’d put them in that situation and let the character speak for herself. 

In the case of Declan’s younger sister Kenzie, I had a crystal clear image of her physical appearance before I even decided on her name. In fact, her name was chosen because it was the only name I could think of that fit the picture in my head.

But Kenzie’s personality?

Well, I think it’s fair to say that I was not expecting the girl who eventually showed up on the page. Kenzie was a pleasant surprise, but a surprise nonetheless. My early thoughts about the girl she might turn out to be ended up completely different from the caffeine-addicted teen that eventually worked her way into the story. 

For me, that journey of discovery—of learning to understand my characters better as the 
story progresses—is one of my favorite things about writing. By allowing the characters to develop naturally, I’m just as surprised as the reader is by who and what they eventually turn out to be. It’s an enjoyable process and something I honestly can’t get enough of. The further into the Variant series I get, the better I get to know these characters—and the more I grow to love them. 


Jena Leigh is the author of the Variant Series novels REVIVAL and RESISTANCE. Born and raised in Tampa, Florida, she spent ten years in the mountains of North Carolina before returning home to the lightning capital of North America. A shameless geek, she loves coffee, loud music, bad sci-fi movies, Skittles, and shenanigan-filled road trips to faraway concerts. 

Visit Jena:


Alexandra Parker might be the most powerful Variant the world has ever seen—but even that won’t get her out of finishing her junior year of high school.

The challenge of keeping her abilities under wraps during class is daunting enough, but throw one surly, sandy-haired Jumper into the mix, and things can get downright complicated.

Declan’s new job? Watch over Alex while she’s at school and do everything in his power to keep her from losing control. But as sparks of every kind begin flying between Alex and her new bodyguard, she's left feeling more unstable than ever.

When avoiding her abilities results in a surprise visit from her parents’ killer, Alex’s worlds collide with a bang that nearly levels Bay View High.

With her freedom now squarely in the Agency’s crosshairs, Alex will be faced with the fight of her life... and a decision that could forever alter the course of her destiny.



Purchase:

Be sure to check out my review of the first book in the series or add it on Goodreads here!
 
 
Below you'll find the tour wide giveaway which I urge you all to enter, but first I have an ccopy of either Revival (Book 1) or Resistance (Book 2) to give away! This is the perfect opportunity to start this fantastic series OR get your copy of Resistance if you've already read the first :)

To enter simply comment with your email address, which book you want (1 or 2) and your preferred format! Giveaway ends on March 8th. Good-luck!
 
a Rafflecopter giveaway
I'm not kidding when I say this series is epic. Fans of The Mortal Instruments and series where the character dynamic shines amongst a brilliant storyline will LOVE this too! Be sure to add this to your TBR list guys--you won't be sorry!


Friday, February 21, 2014

Book Shelf: Steel Lily (The Periodic Series #1) by Megan Curd

AVERY PIKE is a commodity. No, more than a commodity. Her existence is guarded at all costs.

She’s a water Elementalist, the strongest of her dwindling kind. She creates steam to provide energy to fuel Dome Four: the only thing standing between humanity and an earth ravaged by World War III. No steam, no Dome. No Dome, no life.

Or so she thinks.

That is, until a mysterious man offers her a way out of having to donate steam. A way to escape the corrupt government of Dome Four. While the offer seems too good to be true, Avery is intrigued. But when she arrives to her new home, she realizes the grass isn’t any less dead on this side of the fence. Instead, the lies are just hidden better.

…Which means digging deeper.

When Avery enlists the help of her friends to uncover the truth, she learns that while some secrets are better left concealed, humankind was never meant to live in a cage. And when you can control the most sought after resource, you can learn to control anything…including the fate of your world.


More info on Goodreads......



Review:

Steel Lily is Megan Curd’s foray into the steampunk genre and is a masterfully told and perfectly woven tale of danger, excitement and dashing adventure. With its exhilarating storyline and tangible characters, Steel Lily will easily entertain from beginning to end!

Alright, I have to be honest; I wasn’t really sure what to expect when I began this book. Although the cover is pretty it's also very unassuming and doesn't speak a lot to the book it houses. I’ve read very few steampunk novels and although I quite enjoyed the ones I have read I still wasn’t sure what Steel Lily would be like. And in saying that, let me just say how truely much I loved this book! Steel Lily turned out to be an unexpected gem for me!

Even though she is an already self-published author, this was my first novel by Megan Curd, but I was highly impressed. I don’t know what her previous work is like, but I very much liked what she has done with the first book in her new The Periodic Series. The world was rich and lush and full of vivid characters and excitement. Plenty of twists kept me on my toes and the way Curd weaves together her storyline was excellent. Plus, the character dynamic that develops between our main character and the individuals she meets made for some witty and smart dialogue.

Introducing us to a society forever altered by World War 3 and radiation exposure, Steel Lily follows the adventures of Avery Pike, a fifteen year old girl and Elemental who lives in Dome Four. In a world where certain individuals have the ability to control different elements and the atmosphere outside is supposedly uninhabitable, the people of Dome Four reply on Avery, and those like her, to supply it with the steam it needs to keep operating sufficiently. With the appearance of a surprising and at time dubious stranger, Avery finds herself leaving Dome Four; quickly embarking on a crazy journey that sees her discover truths about the world around her she never expected.

A strapping and stubborn young lass, Avery has lived her entire life in Dome Four and after being left orphaned after the disappearance of her parents only had her best friend Alice and their friend Leg’s as family. I truly, truly liked Avery. This girl has fire, and I don’t just mean her fiery locks. Avery Pike is smart and spirited and extremely easy to follow. Impossible not to like, Avery’s voice is quick and fast thinking and also very vulnerable. She’s just a generally good character to follow and I certainly liked seeing her take chances and do what she had to do.

Throughout Steel Lily, Avery is joined by her shy, but also strong-willed best friend Alice on her adventure as well as their friend Legs, but soon meets a vast array of characters, including the tech quiz Sari, the clever, whimsical and cheeky Jaxon "Jax" Pierce and dark and mysterious Mr. Riggs, who are all more than they appear.

I liked all the characters in this book. Alice, and then Sari, were true friends to Avery, and Riggs certainly proved to be unexpected at times, but the individual who stole the show for me was Jax. Megan Curd gave him such character, and real personality. Jax was brash and forward and extremely cheeky and I adored the one liners and tongue in cheek comments he seemed to have by the truckload. Curd made him someone you constantly wanted to read about because of the life he brought to the story.

The chemistry that develops between Avery and Jax is sizzling from the beginning and is a slow simmer that slowly burns as the story progresses. These two go toe to toe at times and the tension only gets better as the attraction and connection develops. It seems obvious that there is going to be something between these two from the moment Jax is introduced to the story, but that doesn’t make it any less satisfying to watch unfold.

Perfect for fans of The Girl in The Steel Corset by Kady Cross, Steel Lily features a great cast of characters and an intriguing storyline that sees friends become foes and allies turn into enemies in this riveting steampunk novel that will easily leave you wanting more!


Rating:
Source: Sent for review by the author (Thank you Megan!)
Format: Kindle ebook
Buy it: Amazon (Kindle) | Amazon(Paperback) | Barnes & Noble | Kobo
My Recommendation: Kady Cross and steampunk fans will want to add this to their TBR list pronto!
Cover: It's simple, but I really like it. Now having read the book it's so very fitting for the story.
Will I read sequel/continue with series: YES! Without a doubt!

Wednesday, February 19, 2014

Waiting on Wednesday #57

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.....
 
All Lined Up by Cora Carmack
Releases on: May 13th 2014
 
New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Cora Carmack follows up her trio of hits—Losing It, Faking It, and Finding It—with this thrilling first novel in an explosive series bursting with the Texas flavor, edge, and steamy romance of Friday Night Lights.

When your dad is a coaching legend in Texas high school football, your life isn’t your own. That’s why Dallas Cole can’t wait to get to Rusk University and finally get out of her father’s shadow. But when he makes the jump to college ball—at her school no less—it’s déjà vu all over again.

Now, half the team (and all their groupies) avoid her like the plague, convinced she’ll tattle to her notoriously hardass father about a frat party or a bent curfew. The other half just wants to use her to get closer to the coach.

And then there’s Carson McClain, the supremely hot, newly transferred second-string quarterback. Oblivious of her identity, he approaches her at a party, and for once in her life Dallas decides to kiss first and ask questions later.

While the heat between them is undeniable, Dallas and Carson have more than a few issues to tackle. He’s a football player with a lot to prove. She’s the coach’s daughter who just wants a life of her own. How can they possibly win when they’ve both got so much to lose?


My Thoughts:
I'm a big Cora Carmack fan! I adored her Losing It series and now I'm excited to dive into the next work of hers. I have no doubt I'll adore it! In was lucky enough to take part in the cover reveal for this earlier this week and it's made me even more excited for this book. Is it May already?

What are you waiting on this week?
And what do you think of All Lined Up? Will YOU be reading it?

 

Monday, February 17, 2014

Owl Post #29


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.
Hi guys!
 
Welcome to this weeks Owl Post. Let's take a look at what I received this week.....
 
For Review:
From Allen & Unwin.....
 
- The Last Shot by Michael Adams
I quite enjoyed the first book in this series, The Last Girl, so I'm looking forward to reading book two. Oh, and I'll also participating in the Aussie blog tour for this in March too!
 
- Ignite Me by Tahereh Mafi
I loved the first book in this series, but I'm yet to read the second, even though I do own a copy--also thanks to Allen & Unwin--hopefully, I'll be able to get back into one day :)

.......Thank you Lara!
_________________________________
 
From Pan Macmillan.....

- The Cracks in the Kingdom by Jaclyn Moriarty
This is the second book in Moriarty's The Colors of Madeleine series and before I received this on my doorstep had never heard of it. It sounds quite interesting though. Perhaps I'll need to get a copy of the first book!

......Thanks guys!
______________________________
 
From author Meredith Mawr.....
 
- Summon by Meredith Mawr
Meredith Mawr was kind enough to send me a copy of her debut novel for review as well as a cute bookmark (no pictured). I'm looking forward to it. Be on the lookout for me review in the future!

....Thank you Meredith!
 
I Bought:
 
- Be with Me by J. Lynn
Eeeep! I LOVE this series and was sooooo excited when my pre-ordered copy of book two in the series arrived. I started it straight away and am almost finished. Love! Can't wait for more of this brilliant NA series!

- Bitterblue by Kristin Cashore
I really enjoyed the first two books in this series, but for some unknown reason it's taken me ages to get a copy of this book. Finally decided to get one when I had a store credit having bought a book for a friend that they already had :/ Oh, well, at least I was able to get something for myself!
 
And that's me this week!
What did you get last week? I'd love to know :)

Sunday, February 16, 2014

Book Shelf: A Beautiful Wedding (Beautiful, #2.5) by Jamie McGuire

You know that Abby Abernathy unexpectedly became Mrs. Maddox. But what do you really know?

Why did Abby pop the question?
What secrets were shared before the ceremony?
Where did they spend their wedding night?
Who else knew about it . . . and didn’t tell?

Everything about Abby and Travis’s elopement was top-secret . . . until now. Fans of Beautiful Disaster and Walking Disaster will get all of their questions answered in this whirlwind tale of the wedding day (and night!)—and as with all good stories, this one will definitely have been worth the wait.


More info on Goodreads.......


Review:

A Beautiful Wedding by Jamie McGuire is the tender filled novella that details the events leading up to Abby and Travis's shotgun wedding in Las Vegas and slightly afterwards that fans of the series have been dying to see since McGuire introuduced us to this amazing pair in A Beautiful Disaster!

I have to admit, after reading both A Beautiful Disaster and A Walking Disaster, there was a little part of me that really felt cheated. We went through such an amazingly intense and passionate journey with Abby and Travis, but throughout both books we were never able to fully expierence there joining together as man and wife as this wasn't something McGuire featured heavily in either book.

In A Beautiful Wedding, Jamie McGuire finally allows her fans to experince that magical moment where Abby and Travis tie the knot and boy does she not dissapoint. Whilst this story is bursting with love and devotion, it wouldn't be a Beauitful novel if there wasn't trials for both Abby and Travis to face.

Abby and Travis's relationship has been one difficulty after another; one more obstacle for them to overcome after the last and A Beautiful Wedding is no exception, with McGuire exploring eveything that make these two perfect for one another once more and revisiting exactly what makes their relationship so strong--their ferice love and the dedication they have for one another. These two hold such passion and intensity, but it's the solid love they share that always sets them apart.

Friends and family also join Abby and Travis in this romantic and sweet novella, proving it wouldn't be perfect unless those who love them were involved. Jamie McGuire knows exactly what readers need to see and how to leave them knowing without a doubt Abby and Travis will have their happily ever after. This is one fan who finds herself very satisfied with this lush novella and I have to give McGuire a pat on the back--it couldn't have been more beautiful!


Rating:
Source: Sent for review by Simon & Schuster (Thank you Anabel!)
Format: Hardback
Buy it: Bookworld | The Nile | The Book Depository | Amazon
My Recommendation: Fans of this series will not want to miss this
Cover: Not the biggest fan--it could have been better.
Will I read sequel/continue with series: Not sure if there will be any more in this series per say, but whatever Jamie McGuire writes next I'll read, including Trent's story!

Friday, February 14, 2014

Battle of the Book Boyfriends: Meet Grayson Kennedy & GIVEAWAY!



Happy Valentine's Day everyone and welcome to Battle of the Book Boyfriends, presented by author Kelly Oram and featuring the leading men in all her books! From February 10th until 16th, over various blogs, us Oram fans are featuring our favorite of her boys. There's prizes, posts and plenty of fun throughout the tour as well as the opportunity to see exclusive scenes written the future about the boy crowned King of the Book Boyfriends!

Today I'm going to be introducing you all to my honey, Grayson Kennedy, the male lead from The Avery Shaw Experiment!


Ladies and gentlemen, I give you Grayson Kennedy! Please, no drooling.....


Stats:
Name: Grayson Kennedy
Age: 18
Hair Colour: Amber
Eye Colour: Blue
Physique: Broad shoulder, well built and golden skinned
Favourite Sport: Basketball (he does play it after all!)
Best Friend: Owen
Note: He has a dimple when he smiles and is crazy about Avery Shaw.

Although I admit I have a special place in my heart for Kyle Hamilton from V is for Virgin as my first Oram man, Grayson Kennedy owns it. Has done so since the moment he wrapped his arms around Avery, buck naked in the shower after his baby brother Aiden broke her heart and consoled her, before quickly becoming the best, and most unexpected friend and savior Avery could have found during The Avery Shaw Experiment.

"When a girl lets you be the one to hold her as her entire world falls apart, even though you’re ass naked, it changes the way you see her."

Sometimes it seems there are no words to describe Grayson Kennedy. In the beginning it seems like Grayson is the most unexpected white knight for Avery. He's flirty, confidant and cheeky. I mean, Grayson is gorgeous, there's no doubt about that, but he's also a jock, a joker and a total guy sometimes......

"You think I'm gross?" Grayson asked.

"Yes, I do. You are so horny it's unhealthy. You burb in my face every time you eat onions, and you don't bother to leave the room before you fart. This afternoon you dripped your sweat on me. On purpose!"


"You’ll be fine. Just hang on to me. I won’t make you let go all night if you don’t want to."
She took me up on my offer. Slowly, she slipped her arm around my waist and then clung to me like she was super glued there. I tensed beneath her touch and had to fight back shivers.
"Feel free to hang on to other parts of me too." My voice came out thick because it had been stuck in my throat. "My butt’s feeling pretty left out, and I don’t spend so much time working out my abs and chest just to never get felt up."

And yet Grayson is an honest to goodness, good guy. He's a bit rough around the edges, but he's oh so sweet and comes to truly care for Avery. He treats her so well and never does anything to hurt her, instead choosing to protect and defend her.

"I was scared for her, which was kind of a new feeling for me because I never really pay that much attention to anyone. Aves was just so destroyed after New Year’s Eve that I couldn’t help myself. I was either stepping up as the role of overprotective big brother, or I’d developed an impossible crush and was pissed off that someone dared hurt my woman. I had no idea which it was."

I certainly know which one it is, and as The Avery Shaw Experiment continues it becomes quite clear as Grayson begins to think of her less and less like his little brothers best friend and the individual young woman she was.

"Avery chewed her bottom lip. I was going to have to talk to her about that habit because every time she did it, it got harder and harder for me not to kiss her. One of these days I was not going to be held responsible for whatever actions I was driven to."

Told in both Avery and Grayson's POV, The Avery Shaw Experiment made it so easiy to get to know Grayson and I'm going to day that it was impossible not to fall in love with him, even as he slowly fell for Avery.

"If anybody fell for anybody in the last few months it was me. I love her, Aiden."

"Somewhere between the shower and the Red Bull I fell in love with you, Aves. I’m talking epically. There is no coming back from a fall like mine."

Awwwww, aren't you in love with him yet too?!?! I mean how can you not be!! I think it's pretty obvious what happens between Avery and Grayson eventually in The Avery Shaw Experiment.

So please, VOTE FOR GRAYSON!

Want more Grayson? Check out this fabulous interview with Grayson & Avery on Kelly Oram's blog! Plus find more exclusive scenes with Grayson during The Avery Diaries as Kelly shares some fab scenes only found on her blog here!
 
When Avery Shaw’s heart is shattered by her life-long best friend, she chooses to deal with it the only way she knows how—scientifically.

The state science fair is coming up and Avery decides to use her broken heart as the topic of her experiment. She’s going to find the cure. By forcing herself to experience the seven stages of grief through a series of social tests, she believes she will be able to get over Aiden Kennedy and make herself ready to love again. But she can’t do this experiment alone, and her partner (ex partner!) is the one who broke her heart.

Avery finds the solution to her troubles in the form of Aiden’s older brother Grayson. The gorgeous womanizer is about to be kicked off the school basketball team for failing physics. He’s in need of a good tutor and some serious extra credit. But when Avery recruits the lovable Grayson to be her “objective outside observer,” she gets a whole lot more than she bargained for, because Grayson has a theory of his own: Avery doesn’t need to grieve. She needs to live. And if there’s one thing Grayson Kennedy is good at, it’s living life to the fullest.



Purchase:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Make sure to enter the above giveaway to win awesome goodies :) Plus, check out the complete tour schedule here! Hope you all enjoyed!