Waiting on Wednesday #17

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

This week's cannot-wait book is:

The Weight of Destiny by Nyrae Dawn!

 

The Weight of Destiny

by Nyrae Dawn

Publication: November 18th 2014

NA, contemporary

 

When “crazy” runs in your family and your namesake is known for walking into a river with a pocket full of rocks, a girl kind of wants to avoid tempting fate at all costs. For Virginia Nichols, the only way to dodge that bullet is to be perfect at everything: school, student council, life. Too bad it’s all a lie, and underneath the perfection...Virginia is lost.

Ryder Blackstock knows a thing or two about being born into fate. The talents passed down from his father aren't exactly normal; instead of learning how to throw a fastball, he was taught to hot-wire a car like a pro and pick any pocket in sight. He’s got criminal blood, just like his old man. And as soon as he turns eighteen, he’ll be living life on the run with his dad.

When Ryder and Virginia meet on the beach, it seems they couldn't be more different. Soon they discover they’re both trapped in their lives—Virginia denying her fate, Ryder embracing his. Like the rocks in Virginia Woolf’s pockets, the weight of their destinies will pull them under. But being together brings out pieces of themselves they didn't know existed—pieces that make them want to take fate into their own hands and rewrite their destinies...if it’s not too late.

 

The Weight of Destiny on Goodreads.

 

It sounds so good! I loved Dawn's Rush, and this sounds sinfully good. Criminal blood? You got me on there. Luckily, it's not even a full week before this is published!

 

(Oh my, it's been a long time since I did this meme. But I'm back on board with this now.)

Top Ten Tuesday: Characters I Wish Would Get Their OWN Book

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish. Each week participating bloggers can create lists of topic given by the host, and share them with others!

Now we're getting somewhere. I love, adore, worship, most of secondary characters in books I love. It's no secret that I'm often having a hard time with narrators and main characters, that they annoy me - sometimes I even end up disliking the book mainly because the main character and I didn't click on. But secondary characters, let me tell you, without few exceptions I love them. Authors usually do them so much better and maybe it's because the book isn't narrated by them so they're a little bit mysterious and yeah. It's no secret I love the badass characters, the villains, bad boys and jaded ones. So there'll be a quite few of them on this list.

And now, we get to the point. In no particular order, I'd give these ten divine secondary characters their own book.

1. Draco Malfoy from Harry Potter.

Is it even a surprise? Draco's my favourite. He's bad boy, he made the wrong choices and all that, and I loved him because of it. Harry was a good, solid main character and even though I love him to pieces, too, Draco stole my heart and soul. I'd love to hear what kind of childhood he had, how his studies went, how he acted with his friends. All of that.

(And if I can't have book from Draco point of view, I'd settle with Lucius.)

2. Nico from Percy Jackson.

First I adored him. Who didn't? He's son of Hades, his live hasn't been excatly easy and he lost so much. Nico had struggles I'd love to read and all his trips to the Underworld and how his and Hades relationship formed and... I'd just read a book about him. Or two.

5. Finnick from The Hunger Games.

I bet I'd love The Hunger Games more than anything else if Finnick narrated it. His life was tragic but he still smiled and had Annie and their son. I want Finnick back and have a book from his point of view. Pretty please?

4. Warner from Shatter Me.

Adam left me cold but Warner? Oh, he's the villanous bad boy I love to love. Yes, he's not excatly good, is shady and all of that but he was interesting. I've only read Shatter Me so I don't know what we get to know more during the later books but I want to know it all. I want him to narrate.

5. Gabriel from Half Bad.

He's such a lovely lad. Nathan is one of my favourite narrators but I'd love to read more about Gabriel from Gabriel's point of view. What his childhood was like? Present? Future? Anything? I hope we'll get tons of more Gabriel on Half Wild but I'd read a whole book about him if possible.

6. Murtagh from Eragon.

I love Eragon, I do, but Murtagh was interesting. His childhood was pretty much one giant tradegy and his life didn't get much better when he grew up but yeah, I love tradegies, I love broken and flawed characters. While I want everything to be good for Eragon, I hope same for Murtagh. It would just be so intriguing to read about his childhood and how he grew up and how he struggled and everything.

7. Haymitch from The Hunger Games.

He was there during all of the books but a book narrated by him? That would be fantastic. I bet I'd laugh through half of the book and cried the rest - and I'd love every second of it.

8. Marcus from Half Bad.

I'm not obsessed with Half Bad. Not at all. But yeah, Marcus is the ultimate bad, the one everyone is afraid or hate, and he's the absend father of Nathan. What wouldn't I give to hear his side of the story? We got some during Half Bad but I wasn't satisfied. He's powerful, bad, dark and yet, he loved Nathan's mother and I refuse to believe he doesn't care about Nathan. 

9 & 10. Sirius and James from Harry Potter.

Okay, okay, all of marauders. Their childhood, years in Hogwards and their lives before James and Lily was murdered. But especially Sirius and James's friendship and how Sirius managed after his best friend died and yeah, you get the idea.



Book Blitz: Hurricane Butterfly by MeChelle Vermeulen

 

Hurricane Butterfly

by MeChelle Vermeulen
Publication date: November 21st 2014
NA, romance
 

Twenty-year-old Sophie Blake, is trying her best to get her life back after a horrific dog attack ten months ago. However, this proves to be more difficult than she anticipated. With the help of her best friend Ben Slone, it seems as if she’s making progress, but the truth is that she can feel herself sinking deeper into a black hole…until a tall dark stranger comes knocking, looking for Ben.

Joshua Roxwell has been drowning his demons with Whiskey and woman in an attempt to deal with his guilt after the tragic death of his sister. When he finds an envelope addressed to Ben Slone, written by his sister before her death, he decides to track him down. Instead of resolving their differences, he meets the one girl who silences his demons…but redemption comes at a price.

This is a story of heartache, friendship and love, with a wicked twist…

Hurricane Butterfly on Goodreads.

 

Purchase your copy!

Amazon

 

Author bio

Author of the soon to be released new adult novel Hurricane Butterfly.

Daydreaming about ideas for my next book. Baking treats that's no good for the hips. I love thunderstorms, rainy days, sweet tea and spending time with my wonderful hubby and two boys.

 

Twitter

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Goodreads

 

 

 

Excerpt

Sophie~

“Just listen to me,” Josh pleads, but suddenly I feel like the room is starting to spin. My words caught in my throat as my heart starts to race and the tears sting in my eyes.

“What is this?’ I walk around but he holds onto me. 

I look up at him though blurred eyes “Let go of me.” I accentuate every word.

He throws his head back, working his jaw. “I don’t know what‘s in there baby, please, just leave it, I can explain.”

… His eyes are black as he looks at me, chest heaving. For the first time, Ben’s warnings are starting to make more sense. This is clearly only the tip of the iceberg. The secrets locked up in these files have their claws so deep inside of him, and now, it’s threatening to tear us apart. How did this happen? All I want is to be with him, but …I don’t know how to deal with this. I’m beginning to understand why Ben decided to break away. This family and its secrets are toxic. 

Feature & Follow Friday #15

Feature and Follow Friday is hosted by two different hosts, Parajunkee and Alison Can Read! This meme is here for bloggers to gain new blogger friends and followers.

 

This weeks topic:

 

Craziest thing you'd be willing to do for an ARC you are dying to read?

 

Sell my soul. I'm not even kidding (or am I?) I don't know. Anything that's possible to do, honestly. I've been lucky and gotten some really great eARCs but the downsides of living in Finland is that yeah, you don't really get physical ARCs. It would cost way too much to travel USA for BEA or any book conventions and most people won't send ARCs outside USA because of the shipping cost. It's okay, I understand it but of course I wish I'd someday get a physical ARC of a book I'm dying to read. I'd be willing to do some crazy stuff for it.

 

 

 

Or you can add me on Google+!

 

Top Ten Tuesday: Books I Want To Re-Read (Someday, I will, I swear!)

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish. Each week participating bloggers can create lists of topic given by the host, and share them with others!

 

Once upon a time I re-read over and over again those books I held dear. Then happened Goodreads, book blogs and mountains of new books found me. You can guess that now on I basically read new books and have no time to re-read. However, there's some books that I will, I swear. Why? Because I want to. I love to re-read but hectic life and tons of new books keeps happening.

 

So yeah. In middle school and even in high school I re-read books and series all the time. Harry Potter, Inheritance Cycle, Percy Jackson and the Olympians, Wuthering Heights... if it was my favourite, I re-read it at least two to three times. Sometimes more.

 

During last couple of years I haven't re-read books. But now I'm going to tell you, what books I'd love to re-read and what I try to re-read when I finally allow myself put down the new books.

 

1. Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë

I'm not even sure how many times I've read Wuthering Heights but I still want to re-read it. Mostly because I've only read translation so I'd love to read it in English (I've a beautiful Splintered Classic Line edition, now all I need it to re-read it. Someday.)

 

2. Under the Never Sky by Veronica Rossi

I fell in love with the series and unlike most of the trilogies I've read, UTNS was stunning through all three books. I'd love to read all of them again but I'd settle with the first one because it's my favourite. I just love reading how people meet and how their journey begins.

 

3. Hushed by Kelley York

Hushed is probably my favourite of all my favourites. It also was first Kelley York book I read. I loved it, it broke me and yeah, after two years I'm still not over it. Maybe I'm a masochist but I want to re-read this one badly.

 

 

4. Percy Jackson and the Olympians by Rick Riordan

I think I've read the whole five book series two or three times already. But in Finnish so now that I've copies of these in English I'd like to read them. And maybe after that finally dive in Heroes of Olympos series.

5. Inheritance Cycle by Christopher Paolini

Mainly Brisingr. I've read Eragon and Eldest multiple times when I was younger but Brisingr only once. I still need to read Inheritance but I don't remember where Brisingr left that good, so yeah, re-read would be perfect before diving into Inheritance.

 

6. That Was Then, This Is Now by S.E. Hinton

We had to read The Outsiders for school in middle school. While I wasn't that big fan of it, I still read all other Hinton's books I could find - and surprise, I loved them all (and more than The Outsiders)! I've read Tex multiple times, it's so magnificent but That Was Then This Is Now is the one I loved most of them all, and what hurt the most. I will re-read it, I just... I know I'm going to cry and it's going to hurt so much all over again. And give me a huge book hangover.

 

7. Ink Exchange by Melissa Marr 

I've re-read Wicked Lovely maybe three times but Ink Exchange only once. I loved it more but it was also so raw and hurt so much that I've been unable to read it again. I'd love to and then finish the series because I've still yet to read Fragile Eternity, Radiant Shadows and Darkest Mercy.

 

8. Atonement by Ian McEwan

Why it seems that I want to re-read only books that make me cry or feel like hell? Why I love those that crush my heart without mercy? I don't know but Atonement is one of them. It's been a couple of years since I last re-read it and I think it's time to read it again. Even though the first fifty pages is quite boring, no matter how many times I read it.

 

9. Escape From Hell! by Hal Duncan

Hal Duncan is genious (and I have met him in person!) and this is his masterpiece. It's bloody and pure Hell with twists like no other. It's pure perfection. I need to re-read this (and now that I have the feeling give it to me now, of course the book is at home and I'm on campus).

 

10. Half Bad by Sally Green

I read Half Bad last summer but I have itch to read it again. It was brilliant, no matter what people say. I mean, I'm not huge fan of witches and wizards (apart from HP I don't read books with witches because... well, I just don't like them) so loving Half Bad is huge for me. I pre-ordered Half Wild and I'm so happy in a couple of days there will be a novella, Half Lies, coming out so I can read it. But I'd love to re-read Half Bad nonentheless.

ARC Review: The Daughter of the Sea and the Sky by David Litwack

The Daughter of the Sea and the Sky

by David Litwack

Published by Evolved Publishing

Ebook (received from publisher via NetGalley, thank you!)

Adult, contemporary dystopia (?)

 

After centuries of religiously motivated war, the world has been split in two. Now the Blessed Lands are ruled by pure faith, while in the Republic, reason is the guiding light—two different realms, kept apart and at peace by a treaty and an ocean.

Children of the Republic, Helena and Jason were inseparable in their youth, until fate sent them down different paths. Grief and duty sidetracked Helena’s plans, and Jason came to detest the hollowness of his ambitions.

These two damaged souls are reunited when a tiny boat from the Blessed Lands crashes onto the rocks near Helena’s home after an impossible journey across the forbidden ocean. On board is a single passenger, a nine-year-old girl named Kailani, who calls herself “the Daughter of the Sea and the Sky.” A new and perilous purpose binds Jason and Helena together again, as they vow to protect the lost innocent from the wrath of the authorities, no matter the risk to their future and freedom.

But is the mysterious child simply a troubled little girl longing to return home? Or is she a powerful prophet sent to unravel the fabric of a godless Republic, as the outlaw leader of an illegal religious sect would have them believe? Whatever the answer, it will change them all forever… and perhaps their world as well.

I requested The Daughter of the Sea and the Sky because I wanted to read something different and it sounded good story and something I wouldn't usually pick up immedialy. I had some expectations like mature characters as they're older than what I usually read and I think, a different kind of perspektive. Also, it has really good ratings on Goodreads, the average is 4.26 and I don't think I've seen so high before. So yes, I had expectations. Sadly, the book didn't meet them.

Firstly, I got the image that this was supposed to be fantasy. While I'm flexible with the genres and read from different genres, it was a little disappointing that this had no fantasy elements. Mostly it felt like contemporary dystopia set in time that wasn't defined - if it makes anything sense. I could deal with that but I had difficulties with the religious aspect. The synopsis revealed that there will be some religious aspects but not the majority of it. The story took mostly place in the Republic which was place for rational thinking but mostly the story contained people who believed and yes, even preached about it. They also talked about it all the time. What was almost disturbing was that the child, Kailani, talked and preached basically all the time about the Spirit and yeah, it felt more like a preach book than literature. A fair warning would have been nice, especially since nowhere was said that it'll have this much religious aspects.

However, what I had most problems with was the characters. They were bland, especially Helena and Jason. And there was no chemistry, no spark, between them. People told them they were good together but they didn't do anything about it. It was just all about how they had walked together from school as children. There was no building between them, no romance and no chemistry, it just felt like it was given to reader: that hey, here's the romantic couple but I'm not giving you any build up or passion. Also, they were supposed to be adults. All of them, if Kailani wasn't included, but they didn't act like it. Helena and Jason basically didn't listen the government officials, the officials didn't communicate with each other and all they had left was a huge misunderstanding and it could've all been avoided if they had communicated. And it was quite, how I could say it, disturbing how most of the adults did what the kid, Kailani, said. What she wanted, she got - that was the basic feeling behind the story and it felt so unrealistic.

Maybe I'm being too critical here. There was nothing wrong with the writing style, some aspects in the story were enjoyable and last twenty pages saved so much because everything was explained and Kailani's actions made finally sense. But it was too late. I was so close giving up this one and my stubborness was only thing that kept me going. The ending saved a lot and the story would have been so much better if builded a little differently. Mainly explained some things earlier and actually builded a solid relationship between Helena and Jason - oh, and been a little less preachy.

So, I'm not saying The Daughter of the Sea and the Sky was horrible read but it just wasn't for me. If your interest pikes up, then give it a go but do your research first. As I said, it has really good rating on Goodreads and maybe I'm just a odd one in the mainstream. It wasn't for me but it could be for you.

2 of 5 stars.

The Daughter of the Sea and the Sky on Goodreads.

(A copy of this ebook was provided in return for an honest review.)

Cover Reveal: Disturbingly Beautiful by J & L Wells

Disturbingly Beautiful (A Paradox in Time, #1)

by J & L Wells
Publication date: November 2014
NA, romance, time-travel

“I find you disturbingly beautiful,” are the contradictory words bestowed upon the governess by her master.

 

Mr Buchannan’s infatuation is a shadow from which Nell cannot escape. The feelings he holds for her are not reciprocated, and though his lust soon turns to love, Nell’s feelings towards him turn to hatred. Dreams and a love of literature are Nell’s only escapism from the downtrodden life she leads as a governess in the nineteenth century.

 

One night, an intruder on the estate catches Nell off guard, but she gives chase; a decision that leads her through an opening in time between the centuries, where she finds equality, true friendship and a completely different outlook on life.

 

Despite using this to her advantage to escape the advances of her unwanted suitor, she is somewhat perturbed when she unexpectedly finds him at her side in the twenty-first century. Will love conquer all, or will time always stand in their way?

 

Disturbingly Beautiful on Goodreads.

 

And now, look at this beautiful cover!

 

 

 

Author bios 

Laura Wells is a swimming teacher, with a love of books, animals and, of course, Jane Austen. Once a national swimmer, she now runs three swim schools of her own. She enjoys spending her spare time with her family and two mad Shiba Inus. She lives in Staffordshire, England.

Judy Wells works at a school; in her spare time she enjoys writing poetry and novels, and spending time with her animals. She also lives in Staffordshire, England.

Laura and Judy are a mother and daughter duo; with Judy's love of poetry and writing and Laura's ideas, they work extremely well together. Time-travel and historical romance novels are their passion, and they hope that after you have read their books, you will feel the same.

Our website is: www.jandlwells.com
Why not come and say hello to us on Facebook - J & L Wells -

and have a look at our novels on Goodreads:
http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23298081-disturbingly-beautiful

 

 

Wrapping the Month: October Edition

What's greater way to start new month than taking a look at previous one?

 

It's almost funny, except it isn't. I read a good amount of books during October but for some reason I had trouble reviewing them. Mostly because of Supernatural. I started watching it at the end of September and let's just say that I finished Season 7 yesterday. So maybe I should have taken more time to write reviews than watch it. But I can't help myself, so I've pretty much divided my time between school, reading and Supernatural.

That just means you'll get more reviews during November because I already have some scheduled and some to write.

There was many book blitzes, cover reveals and other fun stuff during October and I was so happy to host them all. I have more scheduled for November, not as many but some and there probably will come some surprises as we go.

This month there's no picture of my October book haul, mostly because I only purchased one book and received two. I'm so happy that I've stuck with my book buying ban! I'm hoping to keep up until Christmas and after that I'll hopefully have some gift cards from relatives so it'll be fun and worth the wait!

 

October's reviews:

A Walk to Remember (5 stars)

Serpent on a Cross (2 stars)

Gabriel's City (5 stars)

Speak (5 stars)

 

Pretty good month, yeah? Especially since I did read more even though reviews are to come. So, following books I read during October but the reviews will be posted during November: Suicide Watch, Ice Massacre, The Statistical Probability of Love At First Sight, Bottled Up Secret (review already posted), The Daughter of the Sea and Sky & Raised by Wolves. I'm just saying, I read a lot of good books during October even though a couple of them were a little disappointing - but nothing major. Good month, I'd say!

 

I'm excited about November, even though school load will be huge and my time to read will be a little cut off but I'm hoping to keep up with my reading.

 

Hugs,

Henna

ARC Review: Bottled Up Secret by Brian McNamara

Bottled Up Secret
by Brian McNamara
Published by Bold Strokes Books
Ebook (received from publisher via NetGalley, thank you!)
YA, LGBT, contemporary, romance

Brendan Madden is in the midst of his senior year of high school and couldn’t be happier. He has a great group of friends, his pick of colleges, and he has recently come to terms with his sexuality. One night, he meets Mark Galovic, a gorgeous, younger classmate of his. In a matter of minutes, Brendan is hooked. As the friendship between them grows, Brendan reaches his breaking point when he spontaneously confesses his feelings to him. Brendan is shocked and elated to find out that Mark feels the same way about him. The two begin to date, but because Mark is not out, it must remain a secret. As their friends and family become suspicious, openly gay Brendan becomes increasingly frustrated with their discreet relationship, while Mark becomes more and more paranoid that they’re going to be found out.

Bottled Up Secret was okay read in every way. It's also everything what synopsis promised and it was good read after some heavy stories since it's pretty light story. There's problems and happenings that are present in young gay boys life such as coming out to friends and parents, and being in a relationship for a first time. However, Brendan's character wasn't keen to angst or negative thinking which lightened the mood of the story and honestly, I was surprised because of it. Most of young adult coming out stories are heavy, full of angst and sadness and while I do love those kind of stories, Bottled Up Secret was quite different in a good way. Brendan was mature and he had very positive way of thinking and living his life which was so fresh. I enjoyed that particular light, happy and positive theme during the story very much.

 

However, there was some problems with the story that made the reading experience a little dull. While the characters were really likable and there was great variety of them, I didn't really click with them or love them. It's mostly because while everything was okay with the story, it lacked depth - in every aspect. There was maybe too many characters because it felt like there was too little insight and they all felt swallow, not as persons but overall as characters. Even the main character, Brendan, lacked some depth. He had more it than any other character mainly because it was his point of view but something was still missing. I suspect it's because Brendan's reaction to everything were too meager. I mean, his mom pretty much despised him and tried to control him because he was gay - she treated Brendan poorly, mostly because her actions were too close to emotional abuse. And while Brendan was upset about it, he didn't react much. He talked to his friends but there was too little depth and he didn't even get really angry. Why didn't he throw a fit, yell, do something? Do anything? I waited for the confrontation patiently but there was none and that's the main reason why the story lacked depth and why it wasn't perfect read.

 

The story had potential and with more depth, more character study and what's most important, more feelings and emotions, the story would have been perfect. Now it was okay, I felt good after finishing but I wasn't satisfied.

 

I do recommend this for anyone who wants to read a little different coming out and first relationship story because it wasn't bad. Writing was fast paced and enjoyable, characters intriguing and there was great variety of them, and the story itself was solid and good. But if you're looking for something really deep with lots of character developement, then maybe this one isn't for you. However, it's really good book for getting your spirits up with the story's positive, happy and joyous undertone.

 

3 of 5 stars.

Bottled Up Secret on Goodreads.

Thank you, Bold Strokes Books, for giving me a chance to review Bottled Up Secret!

(A copy of this ebook was provided in return for an honest review.)

Stacking the Shelves (21)

 

Stacking The Shelves is a weekly meme hosted by Tynga's Reviews, and is all about sharing the book you are adding to your shelves, may it be physical or virtual. This means you can include books you buy in physical store or online, books you borrow from friends or the library, review books, gifts and of course ebooks!

 

Purchased

 

London Boulevard by Ken Bruen

 

Freebies/Gifts/Whatever you want to call them (main point is that Saruuh Kelsey is awesome)

 

The Wandering by Saruuh Kelsey

A Compilation of Side Stories by Saruuh Kelsey

 

So I kind of broke my book buying ban - but I'm not counting that one book. I went to Helsinki Book Fair last Sunday and I made an exception: it wouldn't broke my ban if I brought something there. I only picked up London Boulevard because even though there was lots of awesome books, they were in Finnish and yeah, I wanted them in English so I didn't buy them. (And London Boulevard was like two euros so it hardly counts.)

 

Saruuh Kelsey published the second installement to the Lux Guardians series last month but it was published in paperback last week and well, she's amazing person and gives her books free (if you sing up for the mailing list) and I got The Wandering. I have The Forgotten, duh, and I loved it - I can't wait to dive in The Wandering! (Here you can sing up for the wailing list. You can also get the ebook version free on various different retaillers such as Amazon, Barnes & Noble and Smashwords.)

 

Also I funded the #FundTheWandering campaign last summer so I got special edition of A Compilation of Side Stories in paperback and it's just so beautiful.