Book Haul (#96)

Hey,

I hope you've all been having a fabulous few weeks. There's not really anything interesting to tell you all about as an intro but.... it is my birthday!!!!!! WOO. ^_^ *Proceeds with book haul*

I received and bought: 

A Little Something Different by Sandy Hall - Bought -
I don't know... I don't know. I couldn't NOT get it! I've started reading it and it's weird but I'm interested in seeing how it goes. It's a contemporary YA told from lots of different POVs.
The Spark and the Drive by Wayne Harrison - Received -
I received this from St Martins for review at the request of the author and it sounds very intriguing. 

Leave a link to your Book Haul/Stacking the Shelves/Letterbox Love/In My Mailbox/Showcase Sunday in the comments below so I can check it out!

Have a good weekend,
Sam :)

Waiting on Wednesday (131)

Hey,

This week I'm waiting for...

Wicked (A Wicked Saga #1) by Jennifer L. Armentrout
Release Date: December 8, 2014

Things are about to get Wicked in New Orleans.

Twenty-two year old Ivy Morgan isn’t your average college student. She, and others like her, know humans aren’t the only thing trolling the French Quarter for fun… and for food. Her duty to the Order is her life. After all, four years ago, she lost everything at the hands of the creatures she’d sworn to hunt, tearing her world and her heart apart.

Ren Owens is the last person Ivy expected to enter her rigidly controlled life. He’s six feet and three inches of temptation and swoon-inducing charm. With forest-green eyes and a smile that’s surely left a stream of broken hearts in its wake, he has an uncanny, almost unnatural ability to make her yearn for everything he has to offer. But letting him in is as dangerous as hunting the cold-blooded killers stalking the streets. Losing the boy she loved once before had nearly destroyed her, but the sparking tension that grows between them becomes impossible for Ivy to deny. Deep down, she wants… she needs more than what her duty demands of her, what her past has shaped for her.

But as Ivy grows closer to Ren, she realizes she’s not the only one carrying secrets that could shatter the frail bond between them. There’s something he’s not telling her, and one thing is for certain. She’s no longer sure what is more dangerous to her—the ancient beings threatening to take over the town or the man demanding to lay claim to her heart and her soul.

Jennifer L. Armentrout. Gosh, this lady amazes me! ANOTHER book out this year that I can't wait to get my hands on. And she always gets the most amazing cover models... and covers in general. Ah, looking forward to meeting my next book crush.

Leave a link to your WoW post in the comments below so I can check it out!

Have a good week,
Sam :D

My review of No Place to Fall

No Place to Fall by Jaye Robin Brown
Release Date: December 9, 2014
Goodreads | Amazon UK | Amazon | The Book Depository

Amber Vaughn is a good girl. She sings solos at church, babysits her nephew after school, and spends every Friday night hanging out at her best friend Devon’s house. It’s only when Amber goes exploring in the woods near her home, singing camp songs with the hikers she meets on the Appalachian Trail, that she feels free—and when the bigger world feels just a little bit more in reach.

When Amber learns about an audition at the North Carolina School of the Arts, she decides that her dream—to sing on bigger stages—could also be her ticket to a new life. Devon’s older (and unavailable) brother, Will, helps Amber prepare for her one chance to try out for the hypercompetitive arts school. But the more time Will and Amber spend together, the more complicated their relationship becomes . . . and Amber starts to wonder if she’s such a good girl, after all.


Then, in an afternoon, the bottom drops out of her family’s world—and Amber is faced with an impossible choice between her promise as an artist and the people she loves. Amber always thought she knew what a good girl would do. But between “right” and “wrong,” there’s a whole world of possibilities.

No Place to Fall is a contemporary book that doesn't follow a storyline that you'll be expecting. This is a book that isn't afraid to delve deep into different themes and issues that is told through the eyes of a selfless girl called Amber and just tries to do her best to keep everyone happy. Her family has many issues regarding money and trust, amongst many others. 

I wasn't too keen on Amber as a narrator as her actions are not justified. I found myself sitting back and thinking, "why on this holy earth would you do THAT?" I simply couldn't relate to her. However I liked how a lot of this novel is the author showing Amber's willingness to help her family and others around her, and I really admired that, but there are always people trying to take advantage of such qualities which spices up the story a bit more.

Also, there is an element of romance in the book, which plays an important role in driving the story, but it didn't really hit home for me. It felt off and not completely right. There was no build up and I couldn't understand why Amber liked the guy that she did, and none of her decisions with him made much sense either.

No Place to Fall is an enjoyable story of self discovery and making the most of the life that you have. I don't think I will revisit the book again any time soon but at the same time I didn't hate it. I didn't like the main character, but the book is still unique and the story worth your time.

Rating

A review copy was provided by the publisher

Book Blitz and Giveaway: Don't Let Me Fall by Briana Pacheco

Hey,

Welcome to the Book Blitz of Don't Let Me Fall by Briana Pacheco, it is a new adult standalone romance novel that will be perfect for anyone who is a NA contemporary junkie like me. Stay tuned for giveaways for an ebook copy and a signed copy of the book. You can find the book cover and blurb below.

Don't Let Me Fall by Briana Pacheco

Release Date: December 4, 2014
AMAZON

I don’t want to be here.

When you lose the one person that was your whole life, you’ll understand. For me, it was my best friend, Alice. We spent every second of every day together. We planned a life. I was actually living. I was happy.

Now, it’s just gone.

And I’m still here. Lonely. A tatted up body with an empty soul.

Getting inside of my head won’t be pretty. I’m warning you now that you won’t like me. I hate people besides my family. I hate everything around me. I just want to be alone. And I HATE how Logan Mercer doesn’t understand that. He’s everywhere; getting inside of my head, kissing me when he shouldn’t be, messing everything up, and trying to get me to open up. He’s making me crazier than I already am. Why do I need to talk about my life? Why does he even care?

Why doesn’t anyone understand that I don’t want to get attached to people? I don’t want to get fixed.

I want to be alone.

I want to be free.

I want to fly.

My name is Rebeckah Lennox and this is my story…of how I fell.

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

Here is a teaser for all of you out there wanting a bit more.

Don't forget to add the book to your TBR list on Goodreads if it interests you! You can enter the giveaway to win an e-book copy of Don't Let Me Fall which is open internationally!

**Giveaway Closed**

Winner: Kristi V.

Thank you all for entering!

There is also an international giveaway for a signed copy! Enter using the Rafflecopter below.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Good luck to everyone who entered!

Have a good week,

Sam :)

Waiting on Wednesday (130)

Hey,

This week I'm waiting for...

The Sin Eater's Daughter (The Sin Eater's Daughter #1) by Melinda Salisbury

Release Date: February 24, 2015

Seventeen-year-old Twylla lives in the castle. But although she’s engaged to the prince, Twylla isn’t exactly a member of the court.

She’s the executioner.

As the Goddess embodied, Twylla instantly kills anyone she touches. Each month she’s taken to the prison and forced to lay her hands on those accused of treason. No one will ever love a girl with murder in her veins. Even the prince, whose royal blood supposedly makes him immune to Twylla’s fatal touch, avoids her company.

But then a new guard arrives, a boy whose easy smile belies his deadly swordsmanship. And unlike the others, he’s able to look past Twylla’s executioner robes and see the girl, not the Goddess. Yet Twylla’s been promised to the prince, and knows what happens to people who cross the queen.

However, a treasonous secret is the least of Twylla’s problems. The queen has a plan to destroy her enemies, a plan that requires a stomach-churning, unthinkable sacrifice. Will Twylla do what it takes to protect her kingdom? Or will she abandon her duty in favor of a doomed love?

I'm very excited about this on! I love the sound of the fatal touch but set in a fantasy world. Please give it to me now February 2015!

Leave a link to your WoW post in the comments below so I can check it out!

Have a good week,
Sam :D

My review of Stone Cold Touch

Stone Cold Touch (The Dark Elements #2) by Jennifer L. Armentrout 
Release Date: October 21, 2014
Goodreads | Amazon UK | Amazon | The Book Depository

Every touch has its price

Layla Shaw is trying to pick up the pieces of her shattered life—no easy task for a seventeen-year-old who’s pretty sure things can’t get worse. Her impossibly gorgeous best friend, Zayne, is forever off-limits thanks to the mysterious powers of her soul-stealing kiss. The Warden clan that has always protected her is suddenly keeping dangerous secrets. And she can barely think about Roth, the wickedly hot demon prince who understood her in ways no one else could.


But sometimes rock bottom is only the beginning. Because suddenly Layla’s powers begin to evolve, and she’s offered a tantalizing taste of what has always been forbidden. Then, when she least expects it, Roth returns, bringing news that could change her world forever. She’s finally getting what she always wanted, but with hell literally breaking loose and the body count adding up, the price may be higher than Layla is willing to pay…

The Dark Elements trilogy has been one of my favourite stories from Jennifer L. Armentrout so far. I love the humor that comes with her writing style, her characters, the way she throws curve balls, and the irresistible way she writes romance. How could I not rush to buy this book after having the immense pleasure of reading White Hot Kiss? 

The story is about gargoyles who are called Wardens and protect humans from evil demons. However, Layla is half demon and half Warden being brought up by a group of Wardens teaching her to hate her demon side, but there is Zayne, the son of the head of this Warden clan, and Layla's had a crush on him ever since she can remember. But after meeting Roth, a dark sexy demon, she realises that she can never be with Zayne. Until she can. Stone Cold Touch focuses more on Zayne and Layla's relationship and they're relationship will literally tear your heart in two because picking between Zayne and Roth is like picking between you want ice cream or cake. They're two great things, but you'd just prefer it if they were together. Yeah... I want Roth and Zayne. 

Aside from the romance, this book is filled with danger and countless numbers of dead bodies! Be prepared for a wild ride as we see more of Layla's powers manifest and change as she learns more about evil beings running free on earth who is a big potential danger to all humans and Wardens alike. There is no moment that you can stop and take a breath because there is so much packed in. You will not regret picking this book up, I assure you.

If you enjoy a quality paranormal romance I would definitely recommend that you look into the Dark Elements trilogy because there is a good balance between the romance and the action and mystery. Plus, Jennifer L. Armentrout is a brilliant writer and I can safely say that I've enjoyed every single one of her books that I've had the pleasure to read so far. 

Rating

Waiting on Wednesday (129)

Hey,

This week I'm waiting for...

Vendetta by Catherine Doyle

Release Date: January 1, 2015

When five brothers move into the abandoned mansion next door, Sophie Gracewell's life changes forever. Irresistibly drawn to bad boy Nic Falcone, Sophie finds herself falling into an underworld governed by powerful families. When Sophie's own family skeletons come to life, she must choose between two warring dynasties - the one she was born into, and the one she is falling in love with. When she does, blood will spill and hearts will break ...

I thought this would be a contemporary judging from the cover but it's actually some crazy paranormal ghost book, right? Have I got this right? Anyhow, it sounds super cute with Romeo and Juliet style romance.

Leave a link to your WoW post in the comments below so I can check it out!

Have a good week,
Sam :D

Book Spotlight and Giveaway: A Midsummer's Nightmare

Hey,

Summer is over (almost) but I still thought about showcasing a contemporary romance book that stole my heart earlier in the summer. This book is A Midsummer's Nightmare by Kody Keplinger and it is filled with humor and romance and so much more. I'm talking about a quiet summer setting, making new friends, crushing on the hot step brother. I loved it all. 

There's just a time when you need something that will lift your mood and take your mind off... life. This book was it! I've read Shut Out by Kody Keplinger but it was no match for A Midsummer's Nightmare, I assure you all so definitely give this book a chance if you have indeed read Shut Out and rated it a "marmite" book

A Midsummer's Nightmare by Kody Keplinger

Release Date: February 6, 2014

Whitley Johnson's dream summer of shopping, partying and tanning on the beach has just turned into a nightmare. Because Dad didn't tell her he doesn't live by the beach anymore, or that he's no longer a bachelor. He's picked up and moved to a tiny, lame town called Hamilton and gotten himself a fiance. A fiance whose son just happens to be what's-his-name from last week's drunken graduation party one night stand. Just freakin' great.

As if the summer couldn't get worse, Dad seems to forget Whitley's even there. She doesn't fit in with his perfect new country club family, and Whitley does what any kid lucky enough to go all summer unsupervised does: she parties. Hard.

So hard that she doesn't even notice the good things right under her nose: a younger future step-sister who is just about the only person she's ever liked, a best friend (even though Whitley swears she doesn't 'do friends') and a smoking hot, sweet guy who isn't her step brother (yet) and who actually seems to care for her. It will take all three of them to convince her that they're not phoneys, and to get Whitley to get through her anger and begin to put the pieces of her family together.

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

I very much enjoyed this book and felt it really brightened up my day with its brilliant characters! You can check out my full review here!

"A Midsummer's Nightmare is an unavoidable contemporary romance that you will not be able to put down until the very end..."

If you're interested in purchasing the book then I've included some links below to help you out:

 Amazon UK | Amazon | The Book Depository

This giveaway is open to those who live in the UK and my international followers! If you live in the UK you'll get my spare copy (in new condition) and if you are out of the UK I'll send the book to you via The Book Depository. To enter simply fill in the Rafflecopter below:

**Giveaway Closed**
Winner: Maria
Thank you to everyone who entered!

Thanks for entering and good luck!

Have a good week,

Sam 

My review of The Queen of Zombie Hearts

The Queen of Zombie Hearts (White Rabbit Chronicles #3) by Gena Showalter 
Release Date: September 30, 2014
Goodreads | Amazon UK | Amazon | The Book Depository

I have a plan. 

We'll either destroy them for good, or they'll destroy us. 

Either way, only one of us is walking away. 

In the stunning conclusion to the wildly popular White Rabbit Chronicles, Alice "Ali" Bell thinks the worst is behind her. She's ready to take the next step with boyfriend Cole Holland, the leader of the zombie slayers…until Anima Industries, the agency controlling the zombies, launches a sneak attack, killing four of her friends. It's then she realizes that humans can be more dangerous than monsters…and the worst has only begun. 


As the surviving slayers prepare for war, Ali discovers she, too, can control the zombies…and she isn't the girl she thought she was. She's connected to the woman responsible for killing—and turning—Cole's mother. How can their relationship endure? As secrets come to light, and more slayers are taken or killed, Ali will fight harder than ever to bring down Anima—even sacrificing her own life for those she loves.

How much do I love zombies? Well, not very much, but I certainly love this story about them. I don't know how I could possibly sum up how much I've enjoyed this trilogy with all its characters and quirks. I've met a crazy-ass chick who can see zombies, and was once so scared of them, to her being able to kick-butt with no hesitation at all. Our main character Ali has fallen in love with a fellow zombie slayer Cole, who has also been all round perfect and lovely to read about. And I've fallen for every single one of the side characters, loving their unique personalities and contribution to the story. I will miss this trilogy very much indeed.

“Roses are red, violets are blue, I have five fingers, the middle one is for you.” 

Now Ali has found new powers to beat the zombies, but so many things are going wrong. And Anima, the company behind all the zombie attacks, are planning something bigger than any of them could imagine and it may mean that some characters will need to sacrifice themselves for the cause. This whole book is packed with romance, and action, ultimate betrayal after betrayal, and bomb-shell after bomb-shell. There was not one moment in the book you can pause for a breather because danger is always far behind. I loved the tension within the book and felt that it really added to the crescendo for the finale.

The Queen of Zombie Hearts is impossibly sassy. Each of the characters have their own attitude and, to be completely honest, it is hilarious and I couldn't get enough of each and every one of them. I can't think of anything that I didn't enjoy about this book. Have I mentioned how hot the romance is? The book was on fire in my hands whenever Cole and Ali had a scene together. I adored their heated romance in the midst of a zombie apocalypse. And the ending wasn't exactly what I was expecting.... Not anything like I was expecting, but I did love it. It was bittersweet and completely heart wrenching, so brace yourselves for a bang!

I would highly recommend this trilogy to any of those who want a kick-butt storyline with so many twists and turns that you will never be expecting. And, of course, if you love a good zombie story, which I don't think there are many of in the young adult genre that I can remember off the top of my head, so you better get your hands on this story so you don't miss out on a top-notch adventure! 

Rating

A review copy was provided by the publisher

Book Haul (#95)

Hey,

I hope you've all been having a brilliant week in books. I have certainly been doing a lot of reading myself, despite the work load from school, but it's nice to get back into a reading habit again! 

This week I received, bought, and borrowed:

Stone Cold Touch (Dark Elements #2) by Jennifer L. Armentrout - Bought -
I had to buy this I just could not wait any longer without knowing more about what happened to Roth and what would happen in Layla's world. I finished this book so fast I almost cried when I realised that the final would be released in July. My review will be up soon.
Isla and the Happily Ever After (Anna and the French Kiss #3) by Stephanie Perkins - Borrowed -
The last book in the absolutely adorable trilogy, how could I resist? I also finished this one within the week (look who's on a roll!) Josh and Isla are so cute, but I must say my favourite would probably have to be Anna and the French Kiss, despite my love for every single one of the characters. My review should be up soon.

Misty Falls (Benedicts #4) by Joss Stirling - Borrowed -
I'm completely in love with the Benedict series by Joss Stirling and once I knew that this book was part of the series I had to get it in my hands. I have ALSOOOO finished this one. I know guys, crazy, 3 books in a week. But yes, I loved it and expect my review... at some point! 

Leave a link to you Book Haul/Stacking the Shelves/Letterbox Love/In My Mailbox/Showcase Sunday in the comments so I can check it out!

Enjoy all your books,
Sam :)

Waiting on Wednesday (128)

Hey, 

This week I'm waiting for...

Kalahari by Jessica Khoury

Release Date: February 24, 2015

Deep in the Kalahari Desert, a Corpus lab protects a dangerous secret…

But what happens when that secret takes on a life of its own?

When an educational safari goes wrong, five teens find themselves stranded in the Kalahari Desert without a guide. It’s up to Sarah, the daughter of zoologists, to keep them alive and lead them to safety, calling on survival know-how from years of growing up in remote and exotic locales. Battling dehydration, starvation and the pangs of first love, she does her best to hold it together, even as their circumstances grow increasingly desperate.

But soon a terrifying encounter makes Sarah question everything she’s ever known about the natural world. A silver lion, as though made of mercury, makes a vicious, unprovoked attack on the group. After a narrow escape, they uncover the chilling truth behind the lion’s silver sheen: a highly contagious and deadly virus that threatens to ravage the entire area—and eliminate life as they know it.

In this breathtaking new novel by the acclaimed author of Origin and Vitro, Sarah and the others must not only outrun the virus, but its creators, who will stop at nothing to wipe every trace of it.

Woooooaaah. This has a really exciting setting and I'm really 100% ready to read a book set in a desert especially after loving Cress by Marissa Meyer, and this is a contemporary so. I can't wait!

Leave a link to your WoW post in the comments below so I can check it out!

Have a good week,
Sam :D

My review of Star Cursed

Star Cursed (The Cahill Chronicles #2) by Jessica Spotswood
Release Date: February 2, 2014
Goodreads | Amazon UK | Amazon | The Book Depository

With the Brotherhood persecuting witches like never before, a divided Sisterhood desperately needs Cate to come into her Prophesied powers. And after Cate's friend Sachi is arrested for using magic, a war-thirsty Sister offers to help her find answers—if Cate is willing to endanger everyone she loves.


Cate doesn't want to be a weapon, and she doesn't want to involve her friends and Finn in the Sisterhood's schemes. But when Maura and Tess join the Sisterhood, Maura makes it clear that she'll do whatever it takes to lead the witches to victory. Even if it means sacrifices. Even if it means overthrowing Cate. Even if it means all-out war.

Star Cursed is the enthralling sequel to Born Wicked and if you've missed the first book go and read it because these witch books are brilliant reads. The story is set during the ole' times where you would be tortured and killed if you were found to be a witch. So we have Cate and her two younger sisters who are indeed all witches and the only place where they could be safe is a bit too close to the Brotherhood that they could want. The Brotherhood are the people running the towns and everyone knows what happens when you go against them. Certain death.

I adore the setting of the books and the danger that comes along with being a witch and having to hide who you are. Tension is high at all times in the city, especially for Cate now that her sisters, Maura and Tess, have moved up to London with her. With everyone thinking that Cate is the prophesied witch who could save them all, Maura isn't happy. I must admit that I quickly came to dislike Maura and childish attitude and failing to see the bigger picture. Oh, and how could I forget? She is a selfish BRAT! If you're looking for a character to throw all your anger at feel free to target Maura.

How could I resist Cate and Finn's romance? They are so adorable and if you don't read about them and feel 250 billion particles of feels then I can't say much to you. The forbidden romance is one of the elements that really stand out for me, but it is mainly the setting and Cate's bravery and utter awesomeness as a witch. 

All I can say that the ending left me in tears and I need to get my hands on Sister's Fate because I want answers and I want a happy ending for all of my girls! If you want a story that is rich in characters and plot then check out these witch books because they have really captured my heart.

Rating

Cover Reveal: Don't Let Me Fall by Briana Pacheco

Hey,

Welcome to the cover reveal of Don't Let Me Fall by Briana Pachero, which is a new adult romance standalone novel. It sounds super cool and the cover is haunting so without further ado here is the cover for Don't Let Me Fall...

Don't Let Me Fall by Briana Pacheco 

Release Date: December 4, 2014

I don't want to be here.

When you lose the one person that was your whole life, you'll understand. For me, it was my best friend, Alice. We spent every second of every day together. We planned a life. I was actually living. I was happy.

Now, it's just gone.

And I'm still here. Lonely. A tatted up body with an empty soul.

Getting inside of my head won't be pretty. I'm warning you now that you won't like me. I hate people besides my family. I hate everything around me. I just want to be alone. And I HATE how Logan Mercer doesn't understand that. He's everywhere; getting inside of my head, kissing me when he shouldn't be, messing everything up, and trying to get me to open up. He's making me crazier than I already am. Why do I need to talk about my life? Why does he even care?

Why doesn't anyone understand that I don't want to get attached to people? I don't want to get fixed.

I want to be alone.

I want to be free.

I want to fly.

My name is Rebeckah Lennox and this is my story...of how I fell.

Don't forget to add this book to your TBR list on Goodreads if it takes your fancy. There is also a book trailer available for the book which you can watch right here!

Let me know what you think of the cover in the comments and whether you'll be checking out the book when it's released on December 4th.

Hope you're all having a good weekend,

Sam

Books I'm Grateful I Read Giveaway Hop

Hey,

This giveaway hop is hosted by Valerie at Stuck In Books so go over and check her out!

To be honest, I'm grateful for most books that I have read, but to narrow it down to the books that have impacted and filled me up with so much joy that I could of burst, I can certainly name a few. I picked out a few but there are actually so many books that I am grateful I read.

This is an international giveaway and ONE winner will win ONE book from above. Enter by filling in the Rafflecopter below:

**GIVEAWAY ENDED*
Winner: Lorraine
Thank you to everyone who entered!

Have a good week,
Sam