My review of Angel Fire

Angel Fire (Angel #2) by L.A Weatherly
Release Date: October 1, 2011
Goodreads | Amazon UK | Amazon | The Book Depository

Only Willow has the power to defeat the malevolent Church of Angels, and they will stop at nothing to destroy her. Willow isn’t alone, though. She has Alex by her side – a trained Angel Killer and her one true love. But nothing can change the fact that Willow’s a half-angel, and when Alex joins forces with a group of AKs, she’s treated with mistrust and suspicion. She’s never felt more alone…until she meets Seb. He’s been searching for Willow his whole life – because Seb is a half-angel too.

Angel Fire is the sequel to the bestselling, Angel. Set in a fun and exciting world that will sweep you off your feet. Full of romance and action, this is a trilogy that all angel fans must try out!

Angel Fire picks up from where Angel left off, Willow is on the run with her boyfriend, Alex. But when they find Alex's AK (Angel Killer) friends, Willow knows they won't accept her. She's a half-angel. Dangerous to all humans. When the Church of Angels start planning to destroy her, Willow has no one. Alex is out with the AKs all day and she sees him less and less. So when the mysterious Seb turns up Willow can't help but want to be his friend. Seb is a half-angel too and he's got the all the answers to her questions.

This book told from quite a few point of views, which can get quite confusing sometimes and even a little bit boring. I must admit the book did progress pretty slowly for me, the first 100 pages weren't that exciting and I pretty much skim read all of Raziel/The Baddy's parts.

The overall plot was to kill the Church of Angels and figure out Seb. I didn't mind the love triangle, I think L.A Weatherly wrote it quite well. I especially loved all the jealousy and the heart-breaking towards the end. Yes, I know, cruel. But it was interesting and I finally felt some emotion.

I can't wait to read the final book, Angel Fever. More Willow, Alex and Seb. They are an awesome set of characters with such vibrant personalities. I would recommend this trilogy to anyone who's looking for a new paranormal world to dive into.

Rating

My review of The Golden Lily

The Golden Lily (Bloodlines #2) by Richelle Mead
Release Date: June 12, 2012
Goodreads | Amazon UK | Amazon | The Book Depository


Tough, brainy alchemist Sydney Sage and doe-eyed Moroi princess Jill Dragomir are in hiding at a human boarding school in the sunny, glamorous world of Palm Springs, California. The students--children of the wealthy and powerful--carry on with their lives in blissful ignorance, while Sydney, Jill, Eddie, and Adrian must do everything in their power to keep their secret safe. But with forbidden romances, unexpected spirit bonds, and the threat of Strigoi moving ever closer, hiding the truth is harder than anyone thought.

The Golden Lily is one of the most highly anticipated books of this year! Richelle Mead never fails to deliver something new, exciting and unpredictable. Fans will not be disappointed.

Welcome back to the world of Moroi (vampire) and Strigoi (evil monsters)! In this book there's more action, more character development and, most importantly, more romance! For those of you who have not read the Vampire Academy series then I wouldn't recommend you the Bloodlines series just yet. The Bloodlines series is the spin-off series to Vampire Academy, so definitely go and read VA first!

I really enjoyed the main character, Sydney Sage. She has grown and developed so much since the first time we met her in the Vampire Academy series and first getting a glimpse inside her head in Bloodlines. Her eyes and mind have been opened to new possibilities and beliefs. In Bloodlines, Sydney wasn't the easiest character to relate to. The way she thought, her actions and her uptight personality could put anyone off, but overtime you do get used to it and even see that there is something deeper. 

Sydney also has an unhealthy obsession with dieting. After being around skinny, beautiful Moroi vampires, she worries and obsesses over everything she eats. To be honest, I think I would feel a bit insecure if I was standing next to my friend who was pretty and skinny no matter what she eats. I would want to lose wait, be like her. Luckily there is someone who appreciates Sydney just the way she is...

Adrian Ivashkov! In Bloodlines he was annoying, rude with moments of brilliance, but in The Golden Lily? He was just too hot. We see a lot more of the positive in him that we only had a few glimpses of in Bloodlines. He's funny, thoughtful, protective and determined. However, I can sum him up in one word: confused. Of course that's all explained at the end. 

I recommend you start reading Richelle Mead's books RIGHT NOW! Her writing is incredibly addictive and engaging. Everything felt realistic; the characters, the scenes, the dilemmas. I couldn't stand to put this book down for even one second. 

The Golden Lily is a beautifully written book that will keep readers entertained until the very end. Action, mystery and romance all mashed up into this thrilling sequel that will satisfy Richelle Mead fans everywhere.

Rating

I think THIS is the only way I can describe how you will feel after reading this book.

Confessions of an Average Half-Vampire Giveaway!

Hey,


I'm ecstatic to have Lisa Shafer, author of Confessions of an Average Half-Vampire, on the blog today! 

Lurking in the nuclei of a few rare human cells is an as-yet unstudied gene. It is a gene that makes the inheritor crave mammal blood and faint in bright sunlight. It is a gene that prevents the bearer from appearing normally in digital or mirror images. 

It’s a gene that makes life heck if you’re in junior high and trying to fit in. 

Eric Wright is a half-vampire with a problem. Several problems, actually. He can’t tell bloodlust from his rollercoaster adolescent hormones. The cutest girl in first period English wants him to become a vegetarian. And the assistant principal suspends him when he refuses to explain why his skin appears translucent in a school security video.

Then Eric’s non-vampire mom, who’s definitely not telling everything she knows, takes him with her on a business trip. To Scotland, where it never stays sunny for very long. The perfect hang out for a vampire. Or several. If only Eric can find one to talk to before he makes any more stupid mistakes....

  

You can read my review of Confessions of an Average Half-Vampire HERE! You can also buy the book HERE! Now, for a very interesting interview:


Where did the idea for Confessions of an Average Half-Vampire come from?

I was teaching a lesson on reflexive pronouns (just like the teacher does in the book), and I teased a boy named Eric about how he might not show up in a mirror if he were a vampire.  He had an odd sunburn due to his being a golfer and wearing just one glove, so I suggested he might be a half-vampire -- and the class LOVED it.  We worked up the most basic ideas of the book right there in class.  (That was 2003, so the book has changed a great deal since then.)

Who's your favourite character from the book?

Eric, of course.  But I love Joseph and Patrick as well.  I loathe Becca, but she's supposed to be completely loathsome.

What book do you wish you had written?

Dracula!  Or Lord of the Rings.

Harry Potter or Twilight?

I am a super Harry Potter fan.  I've read and re-read the books.  I have read all four Twilight books, but and I find the story to be an okay beach-read.

Describe your book in ten words.

A half-vampire searches for help and finds it within himself.

What advice would you give to aspiring writers?

Stop trying to write the best seller or prize winner; just write what you love and enjoy your creativity.  Self-publishing's not for everyone, but once I stopped trying to please agents and publishers and went with self-publishing, I really started to enjoy writing even more.  I love doing my own thing!

Thus, to new writers, I'd say, "If you're so busy trying to please everyone that you're no longer having fun, you're killing your own creativity."

Yay! Lisa's a Harry Potter fan! She has also kindly offered some really cool stuff to give away!

A signed copy of Confessions of an Average Half-Vampire

A "Just Another Average Half-Vampire" T-Shirt (Sizes: S/M/L/XL)

Some awesome bookmarks!

This giveaway is INTERNATIONAL! So, no matter what corner of the earth you live on, you can enter! 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

NOTE: This book is NOT a vampire romance, it is a humour!


Have a great day!

Sam :)

My review of Bunheads

Bunheads by Sophie Flack
Release Date: March 1, 2012
Goodreads | Amazon UK | Amazon | The Book Depository

 As a dancer with the Manhattan Ballet Company, nineteen-year-old Hannah Ward is living her childhood dream. She gets to be up on stage in front of adoring crowds every night. And while she might not be a prima ballerina yet, she's moving up the ranks and surely if she works hard enough she can make it happen.

But devoting her whole life to ballet leaves very little time for anything else: friends, family, school have all fallen by the wayside. Hannah doesn't mind, until a chance encounter in a restaurant brings Jacob into her life. He's cute, he plays guitar and he's offering a whole future that Hannah never considered. And now she must choose between her lifelong dream or what could be the love of her life...

When I picked up Bunheads, I expected some kind of epic romance with a girl on the verge of self discovery at a ballet school. But no, I ended up with a book crammed with boring drama and lifeless characters. 

Hannah Ward is a ballet dancer, her one wish is to become a ballerina and have a solo on a stage that she loves. But working so hard leaves no time for a social life outside of the ballet world. When she meets Jacob, she begins to doubt her dreams and wonders what having a normal life would be like. She has to make the biggest decision of all, work towards her dream or go along with the boy who could be the love of her life.

Sounds quite good, doesn't it? Well, it isn't. The main character, Hannah, has the dream to be a ballerina, she wants to be a soloist and when one of her friends is picked to be a soloist and Hannah was upset, I didn't care. I thought: Damn, how could this get more boring? 

I know the book is about ballet and I shouldn't have picked it up if I wasn't prepared to read about it but I was really interested in Jake, the love interest. I thought he would make the book more exciting, make HANNAH more exciting. He was great, I guess, I skim read many pages to read about him and wondered why he would ever waste his time on someone as whinny and as hurtful as Hannah. Why, why, WHY? He's in college and he sounds like a handsome guy, so why is he with Hannah? It just didn't make any sense. Whenever Hannah lashed out at Jake, I couldn't understand why he kept giving her chances. 

As for Hannah? I didn't like her. She had a horrible personality: whinny, weak, annoying, you get the picture. I didn't care whether she got the main part in this ballet show or not. The author did nothing to make me like the character.

This book was a HUGE disappointment. I can understand why some people might enjoy Bunheads; if you like ballet and lots of drama, then yes, I think this one is for you but it definitely wasn't for me. 

Rating

Book Haul (#3)

Hey!


Here are the books I've received/bought/borrowed this week.

Half-Blood (The Covenant series #1) by Jennifer L. Armentrout - Received - I received this one as a RAK from Carien at Pearls Cast Before A McPig. I've read it and have LOVED it! My review will be up some time next week.


Bloodlines (Bloodlines #1) by Richelle Mead - Received - I also received this one as a RAK, many thanks to the awesome blogger Chantel Law! Check out her blog here!


The Golden Lily (Bloodlines #2) by Richelle Mead - Bought - Can not wait to start this one! It's gorgeous. 


City of Lost Souls (The Mortal Instruments #5) by Cassandra Clare - Borrowed - I know your thinking: WHY ARE YOU BORROWING?! YOU SHOULD BUY IT! Well, I need to wait for the smaller paperback so it fits with the rest of the series; geeky? Yes, I know but it will bug me if they're all different. Anyway, I'm really enjoying it so far! 


Blood Magic (Blood Magic #1) by Tessa Gratton - Borrowed - I thought this one looked interesting so I picked it up, I'm looking forward to reading what this ones about.


Life Eternal (Dead Beautiful #2) by Yvonne Woon - Borrowed - I really liked the first one and I need to find out what happens next!

The Kiss Off by Sarah Billington - Received - This one sounds and looks great, I can't wait to get stuck in!


Thanks for checkin' out what I got in the mail/library, leave a link in the comments to your book haul and I'll check it out!


Until next time, 
Sam :)

Tour Stop: The Glimpse + Giveaway Announcement!

Hey,


I am delighted to be taking part in The Glimpse blog tour!

Do you want to find out what The Glimpse is about? You can check it out on Goodreads HERE! You can also read my review HERE!

For your reading pleasure here is “The almost-kiss” an extract from Ana’s Diary (the main character)

Sunday 22nd April 2040.  

Jasper invited me over to his house for lunch. When I arrived, his mother showed me into the living room and said she’d be back in a minute. Jasper was standing by the long sash windows, looking out over the garden and the pool. He turned as I entered. My breath caught in my throat. I hadn’t seen him for months, and as always his striking good looks made my heart race. I squeezed my fingers together and focused on taking an inventory to remain in control: His sandy blonde hair was longer on the tops and sides than usual, growing out in tiny waves. He appeared rested, calm. The dark rings beneath his eyes had vanished.  

‘It’s good to see you, Ana,’ he said, moving across the room, arm raised to present a beautifully wrapped gift. Just the paper was amazing – an intricate gold pattern that reminded me of a Klimt painting. A lump lodged in my throat. I hadn’t been expecting a present. Usually only my father and my best friend Tamsin remember my birthday.  

I tried to smile, but my bottom lip quivered. I bit my lips together.  

‘It’s beautiful,’ I said. 

‘You haven’t opened it.’  

I laughed, a kind of raw, throaty laugh. ‘Sorry, I er…’  

Jasper smiled. A smile that altered his eyes, making them warm and gentle. I’ve grown so used to their distance that the change was almost alarming. Ever since his brother’s death he’s been broody and unreadable.  

I carefully extracted the box from its paper and pinched open the lid. Pink, yellow and red flower petals lay scattered over a book. Their scent filled the air like the soft, lingering perfume of roses just after the rain. I pulled out the piano music. A book of score sheets is a rare thing. I ran my hand over the cover, tears welling as I struggled to hold them back. I didn’t want him to think I was an emotional wreck or some wishy-washy girl who cried at everything.  

‘Thank you,’ I said. Eyes still smiling, he raised his hand and twisted a strand of my hair in his fingers. I froze. Jasper had never touched me like that before. 

‘You like it?’ he asked. 

My skin began to prickle and though I didn’t think it was possible, my heart beat even faster.  

‘Yes,’ I said.  

‘Sometimes it’s very hard for me to tell what your thinking,’ he said.  

I looked down. I could feel the words I wanted to say sticking in my throat. ‘I never know what your thinking,’ I said. 

‘You still don’t know why I want to join with you?’  

The tips of my ears began to burn. I shrugged.  

‘You don’t see yourself very clearly.’ He touched his fingers to my cheek and leant even closer. My heart leapt into my throat. I’d wanted him to kiss me for so long, but now he was going to I was caught off guard. Panic began mounting inside me.  

‘You’re sister says you only want to join with me to hurt your father,’ I blurted. Jasper gazed into my eyes. Something shifted and I felt like I’d been pricked. A look of disappointment, exasperation, annoyance? He sat back in his seat, resuming the usual distance between us. 

‘And what do you think?’  

I could hear annoyance in his voice, mingled with resignation. I could feel my emotions welling up again. Why hadn’t I shut my big mouth and let him kiss me?  

‘I think I spend every day surrounded by people looking down their noses at me, people who avoid touching me, people who I’m afraid of getting angry in front of, in case they report me to the Board. I think your sister hates me. Your father would try to stop the joining if he could, and your mother tolerates me because she loves you so much. And all the papers and news stuff says you, it’s because you… because…you know.’ 

‘Because I’m madly in love with you…’ 

‘Yes.’ 

‘But that’s not true,’ he said.  

I felt a frisson of dread. Was he filling in the words I couldn’t/wouldn’t say, or was he confessing? 

‘No,’ I whispered. 

‘It’s not too late.’ 

‘Too late?’ 

‘To call everything off.’  

Fear coiled around my throat and wound down into my chest. ‘Is that what you want?’  

Jasper clenched his jaw. ‘You think I’ve stood up to my father and the Board just for the hell of it?’  

‘I’m sorry—’ What an idiot. But what else am I to think when you’ve put it off for so long? I brushed fingers under both my eyes. That was talent for you. I’d managed to get us from almost kissing to talking about calling the whole thing off. 

-------------------------------------------------------------

Did you like it? I sure did! Make sure you check out the other blogs on the tour as well! This can be found on the left sidebar. 


Don't forget to enter Claire's giveaway to win a star necklace, a signed copy of The Glimpse and some signed bookplates! ENTER HERE¬

Until next time,
Sam :D

Finale - Cover

Hey,


I'm so excited to show you the cover for the final book in the Hush, Hush series!

Nora is more certain than ever that she is in love with Patch. Fallen angel or no, he is the one for her. Her heritage and destiny may mean that they will always be enemies, but there is no turning her back on him. But now they face their biggest challenge. Can their love survive a seemingly insurmountable divide. And in the end, will there be enough trust left to rebuild what has been broken? The lines are drawn - but which sides are they on?

Isn't it beautiful? I CAN'T WAIT TO READ IT! Add it to your Goodreads list HERE!

What do you think? Do you like it?

Until next time,

Sam :)

2012 Debut Author Giveaway Hop

Hey,

Hosted by I Am A Reader, Not A Writer and The Non Reluctant Reader.

For this giveaway ONE winner can pick ONE book below! This is INTERNATIONAL as long as TBD ships to you!

Struck by Jennifer Bosworth

Cinder by Marissa Meyer

Fracture by Megan Miranda

Masque of the Red Death by Bethany Griffin

Fill out the Rafflecopter below!

*************GIVEAWAY CLOSED***********
Congratulations to......Shruthi P. Email me back ASAP!

Check out the other giveaways:


Until next time, 
Sam :)

Check out the Sweet Evil Fan Site!

Hey!


Check out the new Sweet Evil Fansite!

There's a giveaway and a character interview with Kaidan and Anna for your reading pleasure.

Until next time,

Sam :)

My review of Easy

Easy by Tammara Webber
Release Date: May 10, 2012
Goodreads | Amazon UK | Amazon

When Jacqueline follows her longtime boyfriend to the college of his choice, the last thing she expects is a breakup. After two weeks in shock, she wakes up to her new reality: she’s single, attending a state university instead of a music conservatory, ignored by her former circle of friends, stalked by her ex’s frat brother, and failing a class for the first time in her life.

Her econ professor gives her an email address for Landon, the class tutor, who shows her that she’s still the same intelligent girl she’s always been. As Jacqueline becomes interested in more from her tutor than a better grade, his teasing responses make the feeling seem mutual. There’s just one problem—their only interactions are through email.

Meanwhile, a guy in her econ class proves his worth the first night she meets him. Nothing like her popular ex or her brainy tutor, Lucas sits on the back row, sketching in a notebook and staring at her. At a downtown club, he disappears after several dances that leave her on fire. When he asks if he can sketch her, alone in her room, she agrees—hoping for more.

Then Jacqueline discovers a withheld connection between her supportive tutor and her seductive classmate, her ex comes back into the picture, and her stalker escalates his attention by spreading rumors that they’ve hooked up. Suddenly appearances are everything, and knowing who to trust is anything but easy.

Easy is a young-adult novel that deals with realistic and emotional situations that some authors might not be brave enough to take on. A book that will shock you but also make you smile.

Easy deals with situations like break-ups, relationships and rape. This book is not for the faint-hearted!

I really enjoyed the plot and the characters in this book! Jacqueline is one of those ordinary girls who just wants to do well in life. Lucas is mysterious with a wardrobe full of secrets. They're complete opposites who meet in the most unpredictable way. 

I fell in love with their personalities and admired them for their actions. Easy has a bunch of characters that will make you laugh, smile and brighten up your day!

The book had action, comedy and a whole load of romance. This is a stunningly written novel by the popular kindle-teen-choice Tammara Webber. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who wants a break from the paranormal genre or anyone who wants an exciting contemporary.

Rating