Sunday 10 February 2013

Book Review (210): The Golden Lily (Bloodlines #2) - Richelle Mead


The Golden Lily (Bloodlines #2)

Publication: 12th June 2012
Publisher: Penguin Books Australia
Pages: 418
Genre: Paranormal
Age Appropriate: Young Adult
Sydney Sage is an Alchemist, one of a group of humans who dabble in magic and serve to bridge the worlds of humans and vampires. They protect vampire secrets—and human lives.

Sydney would love to go to college, but instead, she’s been sent into hiding at a posh boarding school in Palm Springs, California–tasked with protecting Moroi princess Jill Dragomir from assassins who want to throw the Moroi court into civil war. Formerly in disgrace, Sydney is now praised for her loyalty and obedience, and held up as the model of an exemplary Alchemist.

But the closer she grows to Jill, Eddie, and especially Adrian, the more she finds herself questioning her age–old Alchemist beliefs, her idea of family, and the sense of what it means to truly belong. Her world becomes even more complicated when magical experiments show Sydney may hold the key to prevent becoming Strigoi—the fiercest vampires, the ones who don’t die. But it’s her fear of being just that—special, magical, powerful—that scares her more than anything. Equally daunting is her new romance with Brayden, a cute, brainy guy who seems to be her match in every way. Yet, as perfect as he seems, Sydney finds herself being drawn to someone else—someone forbidden to her.

When a shocking secret threatens to tear the vampire world apart, Sydney’s loyalties are suddenly tested more than ever before. She wonders how she's supposed to strike a balance between the principles and dogmas she's been taught, and what her instincts are now telling her.

Should she trust the Alchemists—or her heart?
My Thoughts.
I love anything that Richelle Mead writes, her books always keep me entranced and enchanted and I can never, ever get enough, and this series Bloodlines which is the Vampire Academy spin-off is no exception.
What I love most of all about this series is Adrian, he was definitely one of my favourite characters from Vampire Academy and I was ecstatic when he was made one of the central figures in this series, I also like Sydney but I'm not kidding myself, it's all about Adrian Ivashkov for me!
After the last sentence in Bloodlines I was desperate to get my hands on and read this book, unfortunately I've only just gotten around to reading it *hangs head in shame*, but it has worked out well as I was accepted for an e-galley of The Indigo Spell on NetGalley it gave me a reason to pick it up.
Obviously as it has been a while since I'd read Bloodlines I was a bit hazy on what had happened in the previous book but throughout the story it recounted what happened previously and I sort of got caught up, although I really don't remember Angeline at all, I really should have found the time somewhere to reread Bloodlines.
So this time around we have a secret society of sorts that used to be connected to the Alchemist's centuries ago who take the spotlight in this book, an old myth of a group of vampire hunters have found to be verified and have their sights set on Sonya who used to be a Strigoi and who has now been turned back into Moroi.
Sydney is set up with Brayden whom is described as her soul-mate, they are both interested in the same things and have intense, academic discussions, but we all know who she really likes as much as she denies it and we just are waiting for the time when she will finally admit her feelings to herself.
Fingers crossed that Jill finally realises what a great guy Eddie is and gives him a chance, Eddie and his unrequited love for her while she's dating his roommate Micah is just heartbreaking the way that he thinks that he's no good for her, Richelle hopefully won't be so cruel as to not pair these two up.
And then THE ENDING!, Richelle How could you? I mean to get so close to what all the fans want but yet so far, just frustrating.
Another fantastic book, I don't expect anything less from Richelle these days, and I hope it continues in The Indigo Spell.
I give this 5/5.
A Big Thanks To Penguin Books Australia.

Wednesday 6 February 2013

Romance Is In The Air Giveaway Hop (INT).



Featuring Young Adult & Clean Adult Romance.

Win any one book pictured here, (Int) as long as The Book Depository ships to your country.









Friday 1 February 2013

The Three Main Roles Have Been Cast For The Vampire Academy Movie.


Rose (Zoey Deutch)
Lissa (Lucy Fry)
Dimitri (Danila Kozlovskiy)

I'm not sure about the actor playing Dimitri, I would have preferred Ben Barnes.
What do you think?
Do you agree?
Who would you have liked to have been cast?


Blog Tour: Unmaking Hunter Kennedy - Anne Eliot, Book Review (209).


Unmaking Hunter Kennedy

by 

Publication: 17th October 2012
Publisher: Butterfly Books LLC
Pages: 437
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Age Appropriate: Young Adult

After a car accident--an event he considers a prank gone bad--pop star, Hunter Kennedy is forced to hide out with his aunt in small-town Colorado. He’s supposed to rest, heal his scars and attend high school in disguise until the press dies down. But he only wants to get back to work.

Worse, the girl who’s been assigned to make him over into a geek is a major geek herself. Vere Roth is a chattering pixie, a blushing tornado and a complete social disaster. He’s never met a girl who’s never-been-kissed, believes in romance and thinks Hunter’s a 'nice' guy.

Funny thing is...Hunter is nice around Vere because she’s his first real friend. He also can’t seem to stop sharing his secrets or keep her out of his heart. Knowing he’d never deserve a girl as sweet as Vere, he resigns himself to the friend zone, and helps his new bestie with her own makeover. 

She tortures him daily for ridiculous guy advice on how to snag her life-long crush. A guy Hunter thinks is totally wrong for Vere, and sadly, one who has taken note of Vere’s transformation.

When Vere asks her best friend for some kissing advice, Hunter can’t resist...

And that’s when things get out of control...

High School Romance, first love, sweet romance
My Thoughts.
Over the past year I have become a big fan of contemporary romance books, so when I was sent an invitation to be a part of this blog tour I jumped at the chance, and I'm happy to say that this book was fantastic and it has definitely been added to my favourite books of this genre.

I'm sure every young girl has dreamed of their favourite celebrity falling in love with them, but what if you're a girl who is making under a celebrity that you don't really know of?
Well that's what drew me to this book.

Vere and her brother Charlie are roped into disguising and be-friending the gorgeous pop star Hunter Kennedy, lead singer of the group GuardeRobe.
After a car accident and prank that went horribly wrong, Hunter was sent into hiding by his Mum and manager Martin.

Vere's job is to turn him into a nerd, to completely disguise who he is, miraculously she has no trouble talking with Hunter, unlike her crush on her brother's best-friend Curtis, she's loved him ever since she was younger, but after "The Incident" which left Curtis in hospital, she is left a severe stammering, blushing mess everytime she comes into contact with him.

As thanks for helping him, Hunter agrees to help Vere with her confidence in having a normal conversation with Curtis without embarrassing  herself, between helping with that, he also helps with a makeover and as she has never been kissed before he offers to help her with that too, but when Hunter realises that he's falling for Vere himself, what's a guy to do, especially as he knows that he will eventually end up leaving and going back to his life as a world famous celebrity.

Unmaking Hunter Kennedy is a very fast, exciting and fun read, with a dose of romance that will leave you with a really good feeling, I definitely recommend this one.

I give this 5/5.



Thursday 31 January 2013

January Wrap-Up.

These are the books that I read this month:.


A total this month of 16 books.

5/5 Stars: 6 books (The Doorknob Society, The Impossible Engineers, Boyfriend From Hell, Reaper, Anna And The French Kiss, Reaper's Novice)
4.5/5 Stars: 0 books
4/5 Stars: 5 books (Lola And The Boy Next Door, Shadow Of Time, Burning Skies, Brink Of Eternity, Infinite Days)
3.5/5 Stars: 2 books (Earth Angel, Waterfall)
3/5 Stars: 1 book (Veiled Mist)
2.5/5 Stars: 1 book (Two And Twenty Dark Tales)
2/5 Stars: 1 book (The Darkening Dream)
1.5/5 Stars: 0 books
1/5 Stars: 0 books
0.5/5 Stars: 0 books
0/5 Stars: 0 books

A somewhat good month for reading, because there were a few that I read that I didn't really care for it put my reading back a bit (unfortunately I'm one of those people who has to finish reading a book even if I don't like it) and so I didn't get through them as fast as some of the others.
I'm hoping to read more than 16 in February, fingers crossed.
Two books really stood out for me this month, they are:
Reaper's Novice (Soul Collector #1) - Cecilia Robert I loved this book everyone should definitely pick it up,  it's currently $2.99 on Amazon, and well worth the money. (My Review)
Anna And The French Kiss - Stephanie Perkins I'm happy to say that for me this book definitely lived up to it's hype.

I hope everyone had a great reading month, and another good one coming up.

Sunday 27 January 2013

Blog Tour (Guest Post & Giveaway): Waterfall (Dragon's Fate #1) - Lacy Danes, Book Review (208)


Waterfall (Dragon's Fate #1)


Publication: 1st January 2013
Publisher: Samhain Publishing
Pages: 153
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Age Appropriate: Adult

It’s easy to fall in love. Destiny requires tooth and claw.

Dragon’s Fate, Book 1

Curses are designed to be cruel, but the one afflicting Jordan and his brothers is almost beyond bearing. A dragon born by blood magic, he is an immortal trapped in human form, with only one hope of finding his eternal mate. He must bite her—and pray she lives.

One dark night, he senses the wounded heartbeat of a woman in the shadows, begging him to end her life. Ever the gentleman, he chivalrously obliges her wish. Only to discover three days later that she lives. And has married another.

Celeste always dreamed of marrying for love, but the nightmare of living in her father’s home drives her to wed the Duke of Hudson. Yet on her wedding eve, she is compelled to follow a mysterious man who professes to know her secret. A man with curious blue scales on his muscular arms—whose shadowed eyes reflect a dangerous mix of destiny and desire… 
My Thoughts.
Being a huge fan of the paranormal genre I'm always excited when I come across a book/series that features Dragons that are also hot guys in their human form.

For only being a novella this sure does give you a lot of story for the shortness of it, four brothers, the only four Zir (Dragons) in existence who were created after Carmen a Vampire sprinkled their eggs with her blood and a little magic.

Unfortunately they don't know much at all about their heritage or who they really are, one thing that they do know is to find their mates (which will eventually reveal all of things that have been kept from them), to find them means to bite them, unfortunately they can never be too sure that the person they're biting is for them and their bite is venomous to whomever is not their mate, so over the years they've killed a few women.

Jordan who's element is the water comes across a shipwreck and the lone surviver Celeste is dying, so to put her out of her misery he bites her so as not to prolong her death and leaves her there to die, and then a few days later Jordan and his brothers attend their friends Wedding Party and discover that his Bride is none other than Celeste, which means through her survival after the bite that she's Jordan's mate, but what to do when she's married to a really good friend, especially when said friend seems like he's losing his mind!

I'd be interested to read the other three brothers stories and see how they meet their mates.

I give this 3.5/5.

Guest Post.

Hello and thank you for having me here today as I promote my new novella Waterfall, the first story in the Dragon’s Fate series.

This past week I have been editing and writing a lot. Everyday in fact.   The story I am working on is the second in the Dragon’s Fate series.

Because I have been so busy writing, cooking has fallen to a lower priority. Yesterday, my hubby and I picked up lamb, scallops, steak, and pork chops for dinners this week.

My hubby makes the most amazing lamb, so I know he will create something fantastic for that meal. He also makes wonderful scallops.  The steak and the pork will be up to me.   

For the steak I’m going use a tip I read in a copy of my hubby’s Playboy years ago. (See some of us do read the articles)

Make sure your steak is at room temperature.
Salt and dry rub season your meat to your liking. (I use a little extra salt as I think beef needs a bit more, and Cajun spices which includes garlic.)
Make sure your oven is turned on to 350 degrees
In a fry pan, add butter and sear your steak for 3 min on each side.
Transfer your steak to a pan and put in the oven to cook it to the doneness you like.

I like mine medium rare, so I typically do 5-10 min more depending on the thickness.  Yummy!

I am at a loss for a recipe for the pork chops.   Do you have any suggestions on how to cook them up to be mouthwateringly good?

Kindly, Lacy. 
 a Rafflecopter giveaway
About the Author :


Lacy Danes made a New Year's resolution to write a hot, historical romance.
 
A year and a half later, she achieved her goal. She lives in Portland, Oregon, where besides writing she enjoys playing cards, chasing her kids around, and savoring a great martini with the man of her dreams all while watching the world go by.

Visit Lacy at her web site. www.LacyDanes.com








Thursday 24 January 2013

Blog Tour & Giveaway: Brink Of Eternity (Guardians Of Ascension #2.5) - Caris Roane, Book Review (207).


Brink of Eternity (Guardians of Ascension #2.5)


Publication: 11th May 2011
Publisher: St Martin's Press
Pages: 168
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Age Appropriate: Adult

Guardians of Ascension novella, tracks vampire Militia Warrior Gideon, who is on the brink of becoming an elite Warrior of the Blood. The Militia Warriors strive to keep the peace on Second Earth while battling death vampires whenever they can. Brink of Eternity gives a glimpse into the Militia Warrior world as Gideon breaks all the rules to protect his ex-girlfriend, Elise, during her rite of ascension, a process that puts her directly in the path of a dozen lethal enemies.
My Thoughts.
I loved this novella that featured a Militia Warrior instead of a Guardian Of Ascension which is what this series is pretty much based on.
Although this book is numbered #2.5 I think it should be numbered #1.5, Warrior Marcus and Havily are not even together in this novella yet.

But no matter I still enjoyed this and it makes me wonder if eventually Gideon will one day join the Warrior's although he doesn't seem to want to anytime soon.

I loved the appearance of Endelle, I think she's a hoot, with her blunt but brutally honest opinions and thoughts, I'd love for her to get her own book.

Being only a Militia Warrior Gideon is not supposed to experience the breh-hedden but he does with none other than his ex-girlfriend who had been hiding some secrets of her own through the two years that they dated, one being that she has visions and after having one involving Gideon's sister Rachel she knows that she needs to tell him, it's here that he also learns that she has other powers and that she has chosen to ascend.

Assigned to protect her, Gideon will have to rely on her if he wants to save his sister's life, but what happens when their plane to save Rachel goes awry?

I'm really loving this series more and more with each story I read.

I give this 4/5.

Reader, please note:  BRINK OF ETERNITY was published under a different cover, same title, in July of 2011.  The content is the same.

Everyone who purchases the book 

will receive a free arc of the next book in the series "The Darkening"! 

" Simply email your Proof of purchase of "

Vampire Collection: Brink of Eternity and Embrace the Dark" 

to Caris and she will send you a free arc of 

"The Darkening"

. Here is her E-mail carisroane@gmail.com .   Caris would love to see your reviews posted on Amazon for both "

Vampire Collection: Brink of Eternity and Embrace the Dark" and 

"The Darkening" once you have a chance to enjoy them. 


Buy It.
Amazon
Barnes And Noble
a Rafflecopter giveaway


BIO:
I was ten when I first watched an old movie version of PRIDE AND PREJUDICE and loved it!  Movies led to books, which led to writing and after a good long while, publishing.  I wrote sweet Regency romance for Kensington for 19 years and recently fell in love with paranormal, although I’ve always had a thing for vampires.  I currently write paranormal romance for St. Martin’s Press but I self-publish as well.  Building an online platform has been an enormous but rewarding challenge.  I think all the changes in publishing will alter how authors approach the business going forward and I for one am thrilled to have so many options. 
Caris Roane has published over fifty Regency romance novels and novellas under the pen name, Valerie King.  In 2005, Romantic Times gave her a Career Achievement award in Regency Romance.  Having had a long-time love affair with vampires, Caris tackled the paranormal genre and built a unique vampire world based on ascending dimensional earths.  Her series is called Guardians of Ascension
Her most recent self-published project, The Blood Rose Novella Series, launched in May of 2012 with the first title:  Embrace the Dark. 
Currently, Caris is working on a new vampire series set to launch in the Fall of 2013:   WARRIORS IN CHAINS with the first novel, BORN IN CHAINS.
Caris lives in Phoenix, Arizona, with her two cats, Sebastien and Gizzy.
BRIEF BIO:
Caris Roane has published nine Paranormal novels and novellas and writing as Valerie King, fifty Regency works.  In 2005, Romantic Times gave her a Career Achievement award in Regency Romance.  As Caris Roane, she currently writes paranormal romance for St. Martin’s Press and also dabbles in a few self-pubbed projects.  www.carisroane.com 

Caris Roane Links:
     Website
     Blog
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     Goodreads