Review - Undiscovered by Jessica Brody

Release Date: February 14th 2014
Publisher: Farrar, Straus, Giroux Books for Young Readers
Format: eBook
Buy it: Amazon
Add it: Goodreads

Synopsis:

Before the crash of Freedom Airlines flight 121... 

There was a top-secret research compound hidden deep in the desert.

There was a girl held prisoner in a restricted sector. 

And there was a boy who found her. And risked everything to set her free. 

Romantic and action-packed, Undiscovered is sure to thrill fans of Jessica Brody’s Unremembered trilogy. In this 100-page novella, told from Zen’s point of view, more secrets are revealed about Seraphina’s forgotten past, the corporation that created her, and the boy who fell in love with her. Undiscovered also includes a sneak peek of Unforgotten, the anticipated second book in the trilogy.

My review:
Undiscovered is written in Zen's point of view and before Unremembered was set. Its about Zen meeting Sera for the first time and having to tell her everyday who he was. I loved Unremembered and Zen so I had to have it and after reading Undiscovered it made me want to read Unforgotten even more than the chapter sampler did but I only have to wait another week before I get to read it :)

The story starts off with Zen being chased by Diotech security after he broke into a lab to steal bunnies that had been shrunk and tested on so he could set them free instead of being stuck in cages. After being caught Zen plants a tracker in Dr Rio's pocket and end's up following him to a cottage which is hidden away from other and only high level scientists can get into the area but Zen sneaks in by using his mums finger prints.

The way that Jessica writes you can tell from the moment Zen meets Sera it was love at first sight even if it was just on his part to start with. You can tell just by the words Jessica uses that Zen loves Sera and he is scared that she isn't being treated right.

Zen doesn't realise at first that Sera isn't completely human but he doesn't care he just wanted to be with her. He is suspicious because of how fast she can move and because she doesn't know what certain words mean or understand certain questions or instructions.

Zen goes back to visit Sera the next day but is disappointed because she doesn't seem to remember who he is and he realises that Diotech have erased her memories of him and he feels he should run and stay away be he obviously loves her and he can't leave her which is a good thing because if he did there would be no Sera and Zen, no story, no trilogy and that would be a bad thing.

Zen realises that he needs to get Sera away from the compound, he decides to make it his mission to try and find out why Sera is being hidden in the middle of the desert and why Diotech are erasing him from her memories. 

When Zen's mum leaves the compound to do "research" Zen seems upset but I have a feeling that he is only upset because he has been using his mums finger prints to get into see Sera and with his mum gone he is worried that he wont be able to get in to see her again for a while.

After getting caught trying to escape with Sera from Diotech compound, Sera get's her memories wiped again but Zen gets to keep his and he learns some valuable information about Sera as well as being told something about his past which he doesn't really pay attention to at the time. After getting this information Zen decides to try something else which also fails.

Zen then thinks about what Dr Rio told him when he was caught and he discovers a memory that had been taken from him by Diotech after he discovered something he shouldn't have found.

After this event Zen visits Sera and they sit on the grass reading a Shakespeare poem and this is when Sera realises that the only way she and Zen can be together would be if they lived in the times of Shakespeare because there was no computers, brain scanners and science was not as advanced as it is in there time and this would stop Diotech from ruining their lives. Sera says something to Zen about living in Shakespearean time and this makes him get the idea to time travel back to 1609.

I really enjoyed reading Zen's version of events on how he and Sera met and all the trouble they went through to be together. I can't wait until the 25th to find out what happens next to Zen and Sera.

Currently Reading: Perfect Scoundrels by Ally Carter
Read in 2014: 6/40

My Interview with Tina Smith

I was able to interview Tina Smith last year about her Wolf Siren series. Now I am interviewing Tina again to get the gossip on the inspiration of her Wolf siren series and what she has coming up this year.

          

1.  When naming your characters do you look at their meanings?

Yes, I have definitely googled baby names a few times!

I like to think about all aspects of a name -- the sound, the meaning and the type of character that would have that name. Some characters are so strong that they own the name. Your name says a lot about you and what kind of parents you had. I think names are important and beautiful, and very interesting! I often write down names I hear, that are unusual, for use at a future date.

2.  What was the best book you read in 2013?

I didn’t get a lot of reading done, I read game of Thrones, Song of Fire and Ice. And I read Promise me Darkness, because it was an indie success. I have a few half read books on my Ipad. I have written and released four novel length books in a little over 14 months. I actually developed eye strain and bursitis -- I really pushed myself. My fave book was Colleen Hoover’s Slammed, which I read around Christmas, it was a tear jerker. All of last year I was finishing study for my advanced Diploma of Naturopathy and Western Herbal Medicine, working a job and I am a mum -- I was burning the candle at both ends big time.

3.  What is your favourite part of a book to write?

Sometimes things just flow. In Wolf Sirens the scenes between Cres and Lila just flowed, I got in the zone and the scenes came together well. I loved describing Cres and Lila on the hunt. Cresida’s quirky wardrobe and actions make her a great character to work with.

Anytime I reach a scene that I have been working towards for some time is great. Letting the cat out of the bag, like when Reid grabs Cres and pashes her. It’s like Christmas.

4.  Of the 4 books that are published in the Wolf Siren series which is your favourite?

Book #2 Fever. It’s a guilty indulgence. I love the cover and I relished describing life in Shade for Lila and Cres at that time. It’s all singlet tops, the jeep and hidden guns. The back stories of the pack and all the gritty details were really great to sink my teeth into. It’s close to my heart. I think in general it is the most disliked book in the series, but if you are a true fan of Wolf Sirens you’ll love it as much as I do.  

5.  And which is your least favourite and what would you do to change it?

I couldn’t tell you, they are like my children. They are each their own complete work. I wrote them so quickly and they are still so fresh in my mind that I honestly don’t know. I know what people expected, but I do my own thing. If you like the unexpected plot, I’m your woman. Go in with no expectations. I’ll need more distance to decide if there was anything I would change. I am happy – I try to consider all the angles. I seem like a manic pantser, but I am a deep thinker. I try to have foresight and I write what I want to read, so no regrets.

6.  Who are your target readers?

My genre is Y/A – which features characters from 15 to 18. But basically that means women from 14 to 40 should enjoy it. Young adult has a broad scope, which is good. I’m 30 and I find that women in that age range and below really enjoy the series. We can all relate to an angst ridden teenager or two. Like other series I do turn up the heat level slightly in the later books as well as the pace.

7.  What do you think readers look for in a book?

I think people look for what they can relate to. Like medicine, not every person responds well. We are complex creatures. Mostly we are looking for escape and something to relate to. When a writer writes about feelings that you have experienced we feel less alone. I know from my own experience that being understood and listened to, go a long way to making us feel validated and important. It gives us loners a sense of community.

8.  Do you use real-life stories (your life, a friends life or a piece of news) to inspire your writing?

Yeah, I’m a whore for inspiration. I have a pretty wild imagination (so I have been told) so I can take something and run with it -- probably why I love reality T.V.

9.  What do you find is the easiest part of a book to write?

It’s not an easy thing to do as a whole. There are so many elements. I think for me because I am an emotional person I find it very therapeutic and almost second nature to write about a character’s emotions. The hardest part is when you aren’t 100 percent where to go next. That requires pushing through, leaving it for a while and brain storming. Being a writer is a constant internal battle. I feel like there are different people in my head all arguing the point -- all with different motivation. I take their advice and continue on. Sometimes it flows, sometimes it dries up, you need to recharge. You have to be the perfect mix of robot and emotional wreck to be a writer.

10.      …… And the hardest?

The isolation, though that’s also the best part. I love all the people that my work has brought into my life. I love discussing imaginary characters and arguing over them like they are real, it’s both hilarious and gratifying. To take people on a journey with you is immensely gratifying. It’s a way of being close to people without having to interact. So that’s both a blessing and a curse.

11.      What research did you do to write the Wolf Siren series?

I googled Artemis, read some Greek myth. Wolf Sirens came from inside me, I developed it slowly based on what I felt was lacking. I wrote a hero’s journey based on what I wanted to read. I saw a lack of real, tough women featured in our culture.

Strong female characters with a realistic edge were, and are, lacking in literature and movies. Women aren’t either homemakers or cold warriors; we are everything in between – both strong and vulnerable. The paranormal genre really allowed me a format to present my fantasy. It all goes back to when I was 5, I wanted to be Atreyu in The Never Ending Story. I see a need for strong female role models, particularly for young women. I want books to feature female roles where historically and currently male roles are played -- let’s face it women are more dynamic and interesting.

We need to take the reins in a male dominant environment. It takes confidence to demand respect -- confidence that perhaps can come from having such role models.

12.      With wolves being a popular theme in books (just like vampires) do you think you chose the right theme for your series? Or should you have picked something else to write about?

No, I love wolves. If anything perhaps I should have written about vampires, they seem so overwhelmingly popular. But I felt it had been done and they are so dark. Wolves are lighter, but they still have some grit. I hope wolf themes become more popular. I’m a smart cookie I didn’t choose to spend years of my life on a series that I didn’t think would be in some respects commercially popular. I took a gamble at doing something that revealed my heart and soul, but I looked a bit at the chasm below before I leapt.  

13.      Why should a reader pick up your book over other books about wolves?

Because I am a genius! Only joking. I can’t please everyone, and I didn’t try. If you want a book with depth of emotion and a story that builds, within the paranormal genre, I could suit your taste. It’s a journey. Try a bite. It could be cleverly written. Spend a night with the good the bad and the bitten. Warning: might be contagious, riveting and heart wrenching!

14.      What do you find the hardest part about getting your books out there?

Doing it all myself. So while I should be writing and being my own writer, editor and publisher, I also have to be a manager and marketer and agent. I feel sometimes as though my time is better spent writing, because it can be a huge emotional drain promoting yourself and it takes a lot of time.  But I have learnt a lot and I enjoy social networking, especially with readers.

15.      What can we look forward to in 2014?

I have started a Writers Co-op Anthology group. I have managed to get 9 authors on board and we plan to publish 2 books this year that are filled with paranormal stories. Night Fall is a Young Adult title novel of short stories and Lacing Shadows will be the second book, a New Adult genre Anthology. Both are due for release in in later 2014

I also plan to publish the 5^th book in the Wolf Sirens series, Dawn in Shade. The fight picks up pace, there are some steamy reunions and a pretty epic ending.

I would just like to thank Tina for taking the time to do this interview much appreciated.

Review - Arabelle's Shadow by Fleur Gaskin

Release Date: November 25th 2012

Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform

Format: eBook

Buy it: Amazon

Add it: Goodreads

Synopsis:

Everything in Arabelle's life is coming together. She has confidence, great friends, she's even dating Naak, a wealthy Thai socialite. But there are too many models in Bangkok. Arabelle’s broke, she can’t find an agent in New York, and Naak isn’t as wonderful as he first appears. Slowly the Shadows creep back into Arabelle’s mind, bringing with them thoughts of hopelessness and despair. The vile Shadows know something Arabelle’s refusing to remember and, if she’s not careful, they’ll use it to destroy her. Based on a true story, Arabelle’s Shadows takes us on a journey through the struggles of growing up, not quite making it as an international model, and attempting to overcome a crushing depression.

My review: I received a copy of Arabelle's Shadow to review.

Arabelle's Shadow is based on a true story and is written in diary form. The story takes the reader through what Arabelle was going through during her dark time with depression.

The story shows the ups and downs and it seems that when something is going right for Arabelle something then goes wrong and she would fall back into depression again.

The book was written to give a great message, the message I got was to always look for the positive in life no matter how down and depressed you are feeling. I can sort of relate to this at the moment with university and after finishing the book I decided to look to the positive about my course instead of focusing on the negatives all the time.

Arabelle sometimes annoyed me at points in the book but only because she would keep making the same mistakes over and over again. The book also sends the message to people who want to be a model that it isn't as easy as they think and that message was delivered really well.

Even though the book is in diary form it doesn't mean that the story is in order. The chapters are about things that happen during Arabelle's life so they flick back and fourth throughout the book which was confusing sometimes as I had to try to remember if it was a past memory, a present memory or a dream.

Just because someone tells you that you cannot do something that doesn't mean that you cannot do something else that relates to that type of job. For example someone who wants to be a teacher but does not have the credits to get onto the right course at university to do teaching, it does not mean that they cannot work in a school doing something else like being a Learning Support Assistant or a Teachers Assistant instead.

Overall I enjoyed the book and would recommend it to anyone who likes to read diaries and coming of age stories.

Currently Reading: Perfect Scoundrel by Ally Carter
Currently Reading: Undiscovered by Jessica Brody

Read in 2014: 5/40

Wishlist Wednesday

The Secret Diamond Sisters by Michelle Madow

Savannah. Courtney. Peyton. 

The three sisters grew up not knowing their father and not quite catching a break. But it looks like their luck is about to change when they find out the secret identity of their long-lost dad—a billionaire Las Vegas hotel owner who wants them to come live in a gorgeous penthouse hotel suite. Suddenly the Strip's most exclusive clubs are all-access, and with an unlimited credit card each, it should be easier than ever to fit right in. But in a town full of secrets and illusion, fitting in is nothing compared to finding out the truth about their past.

The Secret Diamond Sisters is out February 25th

Top 10 Tuesday

Hosted by Broke and the Bookish

Top 10 books that will make you swoon

1. Twilight - Stephanie Meyer
2. Heist Society - Ally Carter (gotta love Hale)
3. Evermore - Alyson Noel (Damen <3)
4. Unremembered - Jessica Brody
5. Facing up to Fatherhood - Miranda Lee
6. Evernight - Claudia Gray
7. Fallen Star - Jessica Sorensen
8. Die For Me - Amy Plum
9. Hunger Games - Suzanne Collins
10. The Vampire Stalker - Allison Van Diepen (Who wouldn't love their favourite character to come to life??)

Review - Double Crossed: A Spies and Thieves Story by Ally Carter

Release Date: January 22nd 2013
Publisher: Disney Hyperion
Format: e-book
Buy it: Amazon
Add it: Goodreads

Synopsis:

Macey McHenry—Glamorous society girl or spy-in-training?

W.W. Hale V—Heir to an American dynasty or master thief?

There are two sides to every coin. Whether these two can work together is a tossup.

Born into privilege, Macey and Hale are experts at mingling with the upper class. But even if they’ve never raised an eyebrow at the glitz, neither teenager has ever felt at home with the glamour.

When Macey and Hale meet at a society gala, the party takes a dangerous turn. Suddenly they’re at the center of a hostage situation, and it’s up to them to stop the thugs from becoming hostile. Will Macey’s spy skills and Hale’s con-man ways be enough to outsmart a ruthless gang? Or will they have to seek out the ultimate inside girl to help?

The worlds of Heist Society and the Gallagher Girls collide in Ally Carter’s fast-paced, high-stakes and tantalizing new story. Get a behind the scenes glimpse as Ally delivers an irresistible thriller that is full of her signature style and savvy twists.

My review: I wasn't sure if I was going to read this at first as I haven't read The Gallagher Girls yet but I am glad I did because I now want to read The Gallagher Girls after I have finished reading Perfect Scoundrels.

Their is not really much you can say about Double Crossed without giving away the plot but although I love the fact that Hale and Kat pull heists it was nice seeing Hale team up with someone completely different from Kat to help to try and catch the thieves instead of being one.

I think the story could have been a little longer but it's only a novella hopefully Ally will write more of these. Maybe Ally could have Macey turn up in and help Kat and Hale out on a heist in a future book in the Heist Society series.

Currently Reading: Perfect Scoundrel by Ally Carter
Read in 2014: 5/40

15 DAYS TO GO

I soooo can't wait

Review - The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

Release Date: 14th September 2008
Publisher: Scholastic Press
Format: Paperback
Buy it: Amazon
Add it: Goodreads


Synopsis:

In a dark vision of the near future, a terrifying reality TV show is taking place. Twelve boys and twelve girls are forced to appear in a live event called the Hunger Games. There is only one rule: kill or be killed.

When sixteen-year-old Katniss Everdeen steps forward to take her sister's place in the games, she sees it as a death sentence. But Katniss has been close to death before. For her, survival is second nature.

My review: Okay I'll admit it that I am way behind on reading this and I did watch the movie first so I wasn't expecting to like the book so much but to be honest I think the book was way better than the movie.

The Hunger Games is brilliantly written and with every description I could picture it in my head (it may have just been because I had already seen the movie I don't know). I found it a super fast read especially for me seeing as it normally takes me a month to read a book of this length it only took me a few days and that was because I had to read it around an essay and uni lectures.

The book started off with Katniss hunting with her friend Gale and Gale trying to convince her to run from District 12 where they lived although if they did run away I am sure they would have been caught and murdered or would nave no where to go even if they could both live off the animals and plants in the woods.

District 12 is the least favourite district in Panam so they are the worst off although all of the districts have special attributes for the capitol somehow district 12 seems to be the worst off in my opinion. Katniss has to go out hunting in the woods which is forbidden just to get food for her sister Prim, her mother and herself some of which she sell's at the Hob to make some money or exchange for something else to eat so that there not just eating rabbit or squirrels.

The worst day for all of Panam is reaping day where once a year the government leaders set up teenagers to fight one another to the death one boy and one girl from each district compete against one another live on national television. the 24 kids who enter know that only one of them can survive to become victor and they know that they have to kill the other member from their district who could be their friend or be killed. When Prim's name is called during the reaping, without even having to think about it Katniss takes her place, she wants to save her little sister and has to compete alongside a bakers son Peeta.

To survive the games the tributes need to win the heart of the audience and get sponsors to help them survive in the arena so a previous winner from district 12 Haymitch - a drunk - decides to make it look like Katniss and Peeta are in love with one another not knowing that Peeta has had a crush on Katniss since they were 5 and it is only revealed during an interview before the games even start. Katniss will still have to use her brains and instincts to fight during the games just like Peeta even if that comes down to Peeta killing the girl he loves.

During the days before the hunger games start the 24 tributes have to train together do interviews and come up with strategies to help them survive in the arena Haymitch's strategy is for Katniss and Peeta fake being in love to gain the audience’s approval. While training Katniss notices the Career tributes these are the ones who have broken the law and been training for the games since they were young, these tributes also come from the richer districts, districts 1, 2, 3 and 4.

While in the arena Katniss has to figure out who she can trust Katniss is good in many ways, she sacrifices herself for her sister and she tries to save people in the game and this turns out to be a little 12 year old named Rue from district 11. Rue can jump from tree to tree without making a sound and she know what plants and berries can be eaten without killing you.

Once Katniss and Rue team up they decide to try and get rid of some of the career tributes by blowing up their food supply - why should the career tributes have all the good food while everyone else has to live off the land? - once they have destroyed the food supply the career tributes throw a fit and then go after Katniss and Rue and one of them kills Rue which makes Katniss very vulnerable and Katniss sings to Rue while she dies and then covers her in flowers.

After this a gamemaker tried to manipulate the remaining tributes telling them that if both members of the same district are the last two standing them they both win, hearing this Katniss go looking for Peeta when she finds him Peeta is pretty beat up for protecting Katniss. Peeta and Katniss both team up and this is when Katniss and Peeta play to the media by caring for Peeta and making it look like they are really in love.

The final death scene - Cato's death - is gruesome after his death the gamemaker who announced the new rule shows up and it is announced that the new rule has been revoked and there will only be one tribute who can win the games so Katniss and Peeta try to outwit the game creators by agreeing to kill themselves so that there is no victor by attempting to eat poisonous berries that will kill them almost immediately.

Collins has written a book that is exciting and breathtaking it is one of the best books I've read in a while. If you haven't read The Hunger Games yet what are you waiting for.

Currently Reading: Perfect Scoundrel by Ally Carter
Read in 2014: 5/40

Wishlist Wednesday

Fates by Lanie Bross
Lanie Bross's debut FATES is perfect for fans of Jennifer Armentrout, Julie Kagawa, Rachel Vincent, and Sarah J. Maas, and for girls who love all things pretty, romantic and inspirational.

One moment. One foolish desire. One mistake. And Corinthe lost everything.

She fell from her tranquil life in Pyralis Terra and found herself exiled to the human world. Her punishment? To make sure people's fates unfold according to plan. Now, years later, Corinthe has one last assignment: kill Lucas Kaller. His death will be her ticket home.

But for the first time, Corinthe feels a tingle of doubt. It begins as a lump in her throat, then grows toward her heart, and suddenly she feels like she is falling all over again--this time for a boy she knows she can never have. Because it is written: one of them must live, and one of them must die. In a universe where every moment, every second, every fate has already been decided, where does love fit in?

Bross' debut novel is released on February 11th

Top 10 Tuesday

Hosted by Broke and the Bookish

Top Eight Books That Will Make You Cry

1. Facing Up To Fatherhood - Miranda Lee
2. My Sister's Keeper - Jodi Picoult
3. Charlotte's Web - E.B.White
4. Goodnight Mr. Tom - Michelle Magorian
5. The Bridge to Terabithia - Katherine Paterson
6. Pollyanna - Eleanor H. Porter
7. Anne of Green Gables - L.M. Montgomery
8. The Chronicles of Narnia - C. S. Lewis

In My Mailbox January 2014

Not may book have been bought this month as there hasn't really been anything out that I really wanted. These books were bought threw the Daily Book Worm emails that I get.

Kindle

1. True of blood - Bonnie Lamer
2. All My Life - Rucy Ban
3. Dangerous - Alycia Linwood
4. Awakening - Monique Morgan
5. Hunters Blood - Marianne Morea
6. Eve's Return - Crystal Bourque
7. Love at first Date - Susan Hatler
8. Witch Song - Amber Argyle
9. The Air Singer - K. Huber
10. Caught up in Us - Lauren Blakely
11. The Light Keepers - Mande Matthews
12. Artemis Rising - Cheri Losota
13. Head Over Heels - Cindy Proeter-King
14. Twisted - N. L. Greene

Wishlist Wednesday

Perfect Lies by Kiersten White
Annie and Fia are ready to fight back.

The sisters have been manipulated and controlled by the Keane Foundation for years, trapped in a never ending battle for survival. Now they have found allies who can help them truly escape. After faking her own death, Annie has joined a group that is plotting to destroy the Foundation. And Fia is working with James Keane to bring his father down from the inside.

But Annie's visions of the future can't show her who to trust in the present. And though James is Fia's first love, Fia knows he's hiding something. The sisters can rely only on each other - but that may not be enough to save them.

Perfect Lies is out in stores February 18th

Top 10 Tuesday

Hosted by Broke and the Bookish

Top Ten Characters I'd NEVER Want To Trade Places With (as always no particular order)

1. Sera - Unremembered by Jessica Brody
2. Haven - Immortal Series by Alyson Noel
3. Gemma - The Fallen Star Series by Jessica Sorenson
4. Kate - Wintercraft by Jenna Burtenshaw
5. Katniss - Hunger Games by Susanne Collins
6. Snow White - Snow White and the Huntsman by Lily Blake
7. Ash - Ash by Malinda Lo
8. Daire - Fated by Alyson Noel
9. Aislin - The Fallen Star Series by Jessica Sorenson
10. Peeta - The Hunger Games by Susanne Collins

Wishlist Wednesday

All That Glows by Ryan Graudin
Emrys—a fiery, red-headed Fae—always embraced her life in the Highlands, far from the city’s draining technology, until she’s sent to London to rejoin the Faery Guard. But this isn’t any normal assignment—she’s sent to guard Prince Richard: Britain’s notorious, partying bad boy and soon-to-be King. The prince’s careless ways and royal blood make him the irresistible for the dark spirits that feed on mortals. Sweet, disheveled, and alive with adventure—Richard is one charge who will put Emrys’s magic and heart to the test.

When an ancient force begins preying on the monarchy, Emrys must hunt through the London’s magical underworld, facing down Banshees, Black Dogs and Green Women to find the one who threatens Richard’s life. In this chaos of dark magic, palace murders and paparazzi, Emrys finds herself facing an impossible choice. For despite all her powers, Emrys has discovered a force that burns brighter than magic: love.

Ryan Graudin's novel is out February 11th

Wishlist Wednesday

Cress by Marissa Meyer
Rapunzel’s tower is a satellite. She can’t let down her hair—or her guard. 

In this third book in the bestselling Lunar Chronicles series, Cinder and Captain Thorne are fugitives on the run, with Scarlet and Wolf in tow. Together, they’re plotting to overthrow Queen Levana and her army. 

Their best hope lies with Cress, who has been trapped on a satellite since childhood with only her netscreens as company. All that screen time has made Cress an excellent hacker—unfortunately, she’s just received orders from Levana to track down Cinder and her handsome accomplice. 

When a daring rescue goes awry, the group is separated. Cress finally has her freedom, but it comes at a high price. Meanwhile, Queen Levana will let nothing stop her marriage to Emperor Kai. Cress, Scarlet, and Cinder may not have signed up to save the world, but they may be the only ones who can.

Cress will hit stores near you on February 4th

Wishlist Wednesday

And We Stay by Jenny Hubbard
When high school senior Paul Wagoner walks into his school library with a stolen gun, he threatens his girlfriend Emily Beam, then takes his own life. In the wake of the tragedy, an angry and guilt-ridden Emily is shipped off to boarding school in Amherst, Massachusetts, where she encounters a ghostly presence who shares her name. The spirit of Emily Dickinson and two quirky girls offer helping hands, but it is up to Emily to heal her own damaged self

This inventive story, told in verse and in prose, paints the aftermath of tragedy as a landscape where there is good behind the bad, hope inside the despair, and springtime under the snow.

Jenny Hubbard's And We Stay is in stores January 28th

First Book of the Year

I have decided that the first book I am going to read is The Hunger Games.

I couldn't get to sleep last night so I decided to pick up The Hunger Games and start reading :)

What was the first book you started to read this year or that you read?

My 2014 Book List

I am finally posting my 2014 book list I know there is only 26 on the list but I am leaving room for books that come out this year that I don't know about.

1. Echo - Alyson Noel
2. Mystic - Alyson Noel
3. Horizon - Alyson Noel
4. Unforgotten - Jessica Brody 
5. Undiscovered - Jessica Brody
6. The Hunger Games - Suzanne Collins
7. Catching Fire - Suzanne Collins
8. Mockingjay - Suzanne Collins
9. Someday, Someday Maybe - Lauren Graham
10. A Witch in Winter - Ruth Warburton
11. A Witch in Love - Ruth Warburton
12. A Witch Alone - Ruth Warburton
13. Witchfinder - Ruth Warburton
14. Switched - Amanda Hocking
15. Torn - Amanda Hocking
16. Ascend - Amanda Hocking
17. Until I Die - Amy Plum
18. If I Should Die - Amy Plum
19. Double Crossed - Ally Carter
20. Perfect Scoundrals - Ally Carter
21. Entwined - Heather Dixon
22. Doll Bones - Holly Black
23. Billy and Me - Giovanna Fletcher
24. You're The One That I Want - Giovanna Fletcher (Out in 2014)
25. The Anti-Prom - Abby McDonald
26. Enchanted - Alethea Kontis

Wishlist Wednesday

Into the Still Blue by Veronica Rossi
Their love and their leadership have been tested. Now it's time for Perry and Aria to unite the Dwellers and the Outsiders in one last desperate attempt to bring balance to their world.

The race to the Still Blue has reached a stalemate. Aria and Perry are determined to find this last safe-haven from the Aether storms before Sable and Hess do-and they are just as determined to stay together.

Meanwhile, time is running out to rescue Cinder, who was abducted by Hess and Sable for his unique abilities. And when Roar returns to camp, he is so furious with Perry that he won't even look at him, and Perry begins to feel like they have already lost.

Out of options, Perry and Aria assemble a team to mount an impossible rescue mission-because Cinder isn't just the key to unlocking the Still Blue and their only hope for survival, he's also their friend. And in a dying world, the bonds between people are what matter most.

In this final book in her stunning Under the Never Sky trilogy, Veronica Rossi raises the stakes to their absolute limit and brings her epic love story to an unforgettable close.

Into the Still Blue is out on January 28th

Books Read in 2013

1. Karma Club - Jessica Brody
2. Unremembered - Jessica Brody
3. Unforgotten Chapters 1-5 - Jessica Brody
4. The Memory Coder - Jessica Brody
5. Bittersweet Blessings - Ashley Salazar
6. The Dinosaur That Pooped A Planet - Tom Fletcher and Dougie Pointer
7. Life Was Easier When Boys Were Stupid - Sarah Billington
8. Mcfly Unsaid Things - Mcfly 
9. The Fallen Star - Jessica Sorensen 
10. The Underworld - Jessica Sorensen 
11. The Vision - Jessica Sorensen 
12. The Promise - Jessica Sorensen 
13. Die For Me - Amy Plum
14. The Lost Soul - Jessica Sorensen
15. The Evanescence - Jessica Sorensen
16. Heist Society - Ally Carter
17. Uncommon Criminals - Ally Carter
18. Fallen - Cat Clarke
19. Forbidden - Tina Smith
20. Fever - Tina Smith
21. Love, Aubrey - Suzanne LeFleur
22. A Present For Christmas - Shiloh Walker

Goodread Challenge 2014

Well I eventually managed to read the 20 books for my Goodreads challenge of 2013 plus read two extra books, so this year I am really going to challenge myself and I have set my goal at 30 books because I feel that I have been slacking off and I could defiantly read more than 22 books in a year if I sat and read rather than watching junk on T.V.

Although my challenge is set at 30 I will be happy if I can reach 25, I have a list for my TBR which will be posted later today as I think I may want to tweak it a little but I am only putting about 25 on the list because I never seen to actually read them all I usually buy a new book and decide to read that next and forget about my list.

I've decided not to take part in challenges because I just want to concentrate on reading the books I already own and have been on my lists for the last few years that I haven't read or that have been on my kindle for a year or two.

What have you set as your goodreads challenge for 2014?

Currently Reading: Perfect Scoundrels by Ally Carter

Read in 2014: 0/30 books.

Happy New Year

I just wanted to wish you all a very Happy New Year I hope 2014 is a good year for you and obviously I hope you get lots of books 2014 x

Top 10 Tuesday

Hosted by Broke and the Bookish

Top 10 Books I read in 2013

1. Unsaid Things... Our Story by McFly
2. Unremembered by Jessica Brody
3. The Fallen Star by Jessica Sorensen
4. The Underworld by Jessica Sorensen
5. The Vision by Jessica Sorensen
6. The Promise by Jessica Sorensen
7. Die For Me by Amy Plum
8. The Lost Soul by Jessica Sorensen
9. Heist Society by Ally Carter
10. Uncommon Criminals by Ally Carter

In My Mailbox December 2013

I got a lot of books this month The Hunger Games series of my boyfriend but mainly books for my kindle with my Christmas money and just random books I saw on Amazon that I thought sounded good.

Paperback

1. The Hunger Games - Suzanne Collins
2. Catching Fire - Suzanne Collins
3. Mockingjay - Suzanne Collins
4. Witch Finder - Ruth Warburton
5. Morganville Vampires: Daylighters - Rachel Caine
6. Savage - Nancy Holder

Kindle

1. Therapy For Ghosts - Eric Praschan
2. The Soul of the Ships - Brian Freeman
3. Winter's Destiny - Nancy Allan
4. No Mercy - Wendy Cartman
5. Dark World - Danielle Q Lee
6. The Stat of Us - Lauren Blakely
7. Ivory - F. M. Sherrill
8. Witch Way Berds - Olivia Hardin
9. Frozen Stars - David-Matthew Barnes
10. Parched - Z. L. Arkadie
11. Karma - Nikki Sex
12. I Remember - Cynthia P. O'Neill
13. The Accidental Demon Slayer - Angie Fox
14. Inhale - Kendall Grey
15. Loving a Fairy Godmother - Danielle Monsch
16. Willow Pond - Carol Tibaldi
17. Unforgotten Chapters 1-5 - Jessica Brody
18. Sacrifice - Mayandree Michel
19. The Conduct - Stacey Rourke
20. Cinderella Wore Combat Boots - D. L. Jackson
21. High Witch - Mona Hanna
22. The Silver Collar - Kate Polcani
23. Witch Flame - Tara West
24. Dying to Forget - Trish Marie Dawson
25. A Thread of Magic - Crista McHugh
26. Deliver Me - Paige Logan
27. Witches - Phil Stern
28. Forbidden - Jana Oliver
29. The Haunted Series - Jessica Verday
30. Delirium Series - Lauren Oliver
31. Someday, Someday Maybe- Lauren Graham
32. Ethereal - Addison Moore
33. Tremble - Addison Moore
34. Burn - Addison Moore

A Present For Christmas by Shiloh Walker

 Release Date: October 30th 2010
Buy it: Amazon
Add it: Goodreads

Faced with a choice, David has to decide what matters the most. Home…or the heart. 

After completing an assignment in Alaska, he’s about to head home, but he realizes he might be leaving behind his heart—Cris, the woman he fell in love with. Now he has to make a choice. Return home to everything he knows, or take a chance on love.

This short story was pretty good, you could feel how the characters felt through the words that were used. It was well written and I wish it was a full story because you don't get a chance to get to know the characters, they drew my interest but because it was so short you couldn't get to fully explore them.

When David's job in Alaska end's he goes back home to Ohio leaving Cris behind because she doesn't want to leave her home and family in Alaska but both of them are miserable about the decision's they make.

As David waits at the airport hoping Cris will turn up and leave with him Cris decides the best way to get threw the heartbreak, Christmas and her birthday is to spend it alone in a cabin in the woods because everything she looks at reminds her of him, she doesn't realise he has stayed.

It wasn't predictable and I was hoping the present was something different. I would like to read more about this story giving more details on how they met and what happened after Christmas.

Review - Life was Easier When Boys Were Stupid by Sarah Billington

Release Date: April 10th 2011
Buy it: Amazon
Add it: Goodreads

Jess is at a party and girls and boys around her are locked together at the lips and hips.

When did everyone grow up so fast? She's not sure she wants to, but her girl friend Carla points out a boy across the room with eyes only for Jess.

This is the first book by this author that I have read. It was only a short story so it only had a few pages and it was pretty good.

Jess didn't want to be at the party it felt like she felt thought that she didn't fit in with all the other girls and boys locking lips, its clear that she isn't as comfortable with her appearance as her friend is and would much rather be at home maybe watching a film or reading a book.

I felt that the story could have been a little longer because I wanted to know what happened to Jess and the guy at the end and what happened with Jess and her friend Carla the next day and if Jess told her mum what was happening at the party.

I don't really know what else to say about the book because it was only short and I don't want to give the whole story away.

Wishlist Wednesday

Evertrue by Brodi Ashton
Now that Nikki has rescued Jack, all she wants is to be with him and graduate high school. But Cole tricked Nikki into feeding off him, and she’s begun the process of turning into an Everliving herself... which means she must feed on a Forfeit soon — or die.

Terrified for her survival, Nikki and Jack begin a desperate attempt to reverse the process using any means possible. Even Cole, who they expected to fight them at every turn, has become an unlikely ally — but how long can it last? Nikki needs to feed on Cole to survive, Cole needs Nikki to gain the throne in the Everneath, Jack needs Nikki because she is everything to him — and together, they must travel back to the Underworld to undo Nikki’s fate and make her mortal once more. But Cole isn’t the only one with plans for Nikki: the Queen has not forgotten Nikki’s treachery, and she wants her destroyed for good. Will Nikki be forced to spend eternity in the Underworld, or does she have what it takes to bring down the Everneath once and for all?

In this stunning conclusion to the Everneath trilogy, Brodi Ashton evokes the resiliency of the human spirit and the indomitable power of true love.

Evertrue is the third and possibly the last book in the Everneath series and will be in stores January 21st

HAPPY CHRISTMAS

I just wanted to wish you all a very Happy Christmas and I hope Santa has brought you lots of books.

Goodreads Challenge

Well I have a week to reach my Goodreads challenge of 20 books read in 2013 and I don't think I am going to make it. I have read 18 books so far and its Christmas tomorrow so I won't be reading tomorrow so that leaves me with only 5 days to read 2 books and I am such a slow reader I don't think it is going to happen.

I am really thinking of reading some books I have on my kindle that have around 100 pages in because I know I will be able to finish them in a day.

Also so far this year I think I have read around 8 books of my to be read in 2013 list and there was 22 on the list haha.

Next year is going to be very busy catching up on all the books I have not read of my 2013 list plus the books I want to read in 2014 (so far there is 9 books on that list).

I hope you have all completed your challenge or are close to completing it leave a comment below and let me know if you have and some tips on how I can go about reaching my goal next year.