Saturday 28 February 2015

February Wrap-Up

February Wrap-Up!
 
This is a monthly post that I put on so you know what's been happening within the last month and anything major I have in stock for next month, including by my TBR pile. 
So February, eh?
 
Well, for me February has been rather stressful. We started back at school on the 2nd and since then I have had nothing but overloading loads of homework. It has not been very fun. At all.

I haven't been doing much else really. I haven't been shopping or too the movies - though I am dying to see Seventh Son and Jupiter Ascending. Also, I've had barely anytime to read... *sniffles*

Next month, I will hopefully get some more time to relax and actually read.
 
What's been happening this month blogwise?
 
Cover Reveal:
Consent
  
 
Reviews:
 
 
Storm Fall (Rebel Wing #2) by Tracy Banghart
We Were Liars by E. Lockhart

 
Read (including reviewed books above):
 
 
17 First Kisses by Rachael Allen
Old Wolf by Avi
Magic Study (Study #2) by Maria V. Snyder
 
 
Full Moon (Dark Guardians #2) by Rachel Hawthorne
When I Dream of You by Rosa Sophie
 
 

Geek Girl (Geek Girl #1) by Holly Smale
 
 
February TBR:

What's coming up in the next month? I think I have a few cover reveals planned and lots of reviews that I've planned. I also want to start doing some memes again, namely Top Ten Tuesday, but we'll see.

The Goals? Read all the GBRs for my group this month. I normally only get one read.

What I Plan on Reading:
 
 
 

Sunday 22 February 2015

Cover Reveal: Consent

Cover Reveal for Consent:
 
 
 Author:  Nancy Ohlin
Published: Simon Pulse; 10th November, 2015
 
Links:   Goodreads  |  Pre-order

Description: 
 
Genres: young adult, contemporary
 
Bea has a secret.

Actually, she has more than one. There’s her dreams for the future that she can’t tell anyone — not her father and not even her best friend, Plum.

And now there’s Dane Rossi. Dane is hot, he shares Bea’s love of piano, and he believes in her.

He’s also Bea’s teacher.

When their passion for music crosses into passion for each other, Bea finds herself falling completely for Dane. She’s never felt so wanted, so understood, so known to her core. But the risk of discovery carries unexpected surprises that could shake Bea entirely. Bea must piece together what is and isn’t true about Dane, herself, and the most intense relationship she’s ever experienced, in this absorbing novel from Nancy Ohlin.
 

About the Author:
 
 
Website  |  Facebook  |  Twitter  |  Goodreads
 
I am the author of Beauty, a YA retelling of the Snow White tale, and Always, Forever, a YA retelling of Daphne du Maurier's RebeccaAlways, Forever was originally published in hardcover as Thorn Abbey. I've also contributed to several celebrity novels, including a New York Times-bestselling YA trilogy.

I'm currently hard at work on my next YA novel, which will be as mind-bending as my last one (I hope!).

My favourite cures for writers' block are long walks, long showers, popcorn, chocolate, and really expensive coffee. I talk to myself a lot while I write (you know, to make sure the dialogue zings).

Friday 20 February 2015

Review: We Were Liars

Review of We Were Liars
by E. Lockhart
 
 
My Thoughts:
 



 
 I equally liked and disliked this. I equally feel in love with the characters and wanted to slap them senseless. I equally wanted to weep over the ending and slam the book into the wall of frustration.

I have read everyone's reviews, I seen so many vlogs and read countless blog posts and I just don't know what to say. I agree with practically all of the negative and positive reviews - and don't really have much more to add.

- I liked the writing style. Personally, I found it abosutley gorgeous. It was pretty, poetic, readable and flowed perfectly.

- I didn't like Candence but I enjoyed the other characters. They weren't as shallow as I would have expected them to be but they could have been fleshed out a tiny bit more.

- The non-chronological timeline was slightly confusing.

- Gat drama just that: needless drama.

- The ending. The only other thing I want to say is that I wasn't a fan of the ending - I've seen it done too many times before and it always leaves a sour taste in my mouth. There are always too much confusion afterwards, too many contradictions, unanswered questions... its too messy. At the same time, I'll admit it was kind of beautiful. I did cry because holy shit, the writing is beautiful and it bought back so many painful memories of lost friendships and it really made me feel the feels .

There isn't much more to say. A semi-tick of approval. It had me emotionally involved but the ending a big no-no.

A copy was provided courtesy of Allen & Unwin Australia, in exchange for an honest review. No compensation was given or taken during this process.

 
Details:

Series: standalone
Publication: May 13th, 2014
Source: Allen & Unwin Australia
 
 3 stars
 
If you enjoyed this, you might enjoy:
 

 Don't Look Back by Jennifer L. Armentrout
Choker by Elizabeth Woods

Thursday 19 February 2015

Cover Reveal: Numbers Game

Cover Reveal for Numbers Game:
 
 
Author:  Rebecca Rode 
Release Date: March 2015
Links:   Goodreads
Cover Design: Yocla Designs 

Description: 
 
Genre: young adult, dystopia
 
Treena can’t wait for Rating Day. Her high score will mean a life of luxury, showing the world that she’s a valuable member of society, not a pathetic waste of space. It won’t hurt her chances with her top-Rated boyfriend, either. But when the big day arrives, her true number shocks everyone.
 
To get her life — and boyfriend — back, she must go undercover and expose a military spy. Doesn’t sound too hard, except that someone seems to want her dead. And then there’s the mysterious soldier with a haunted past and beautiful brown eyes. Together, they discover a dark numbers conspiracy, one that shatters the nation’s future. They must band together if they are to survive the dangerous game of numbers — and the terrible war that rages within Treena’s heart.
 

About the Author:
 
Website  |  Facebook  |  Twitter
 
By day, I'm a busy mom of four who struggles with housecleaning and cooking. By night... well, I'm still a busy mom of four. But scattered into those rare quiet moments is my life's passion - writing. 
 
My first book, How To Have Peace When You're Falling To Pieces, was released in March 2013. It's a nonfiction quick-fix book for moms whose lives feel as crazy and out of control as mine does - and from what readers are saying, it's fun and entertaining to read. I also write for Deseret News and KSL.com on occasion, and some of my articles have also appeared in Schooled Magazine.
 

Monday 16 February 2015

Help! I'm in a Reading Slump...

I haven't posted a review in awhile and the reason is pretty simple: I haven't been reading.
 
Gasps. Eyebrow raising. Distant screaming.
 
 
Yes, I know that's pretty weird for me but I have been in a HUGE reading slump these last couple of weeks and I just cannot shake it off. I have tried every book I own and just end up putting it down after a chapter or two, bored. Then I'll try another one, and another one, never settling. I am currently reading four or five books and it just isn't working.
 
This is me asking for your help.
 
I need a book to focus on. The only questions is which one? Help me by letting me know which one I should read next.

You can vote on the poll below (or on my sidebar). Please only the one book you think and then click "vote". In one week's time I'll check back and then I'll read through them in order from highest amount of votes to lowest amount of votes.

Thanks in advance voters!

 
What Should I Read Next?

We Were Liars by E. Lockhart

Fire Study by Maria V. Snyder

The Dead of Night by John Marsden

Rebel Belle by Rachel Hawkins

Beautiful Disaster by Jamie Maguire
  Show results
Votes so far: 0
Days left to vote: 6

Saturday 14 February 2015

Recommend A... Book with Romance

Recommend A... Book With Romance!
 
This is the perfect time for this post. Why? Its Valentine's Day!
 
I know that most people don't celebrate this "holiday" - well, at least not here in Australia they don't - but I thought this would a be cute way of spreading the love with my fellow bloggers, and I get to recommend some awesome books at the same time. Its a win-win for all!
 
So I've seen this meme a few times before but haven't been able to trace its origins so I don't have anyone to link back to. If you did create the "Recommed A..." post please just let me know. I don't mean to steal your thunder without crediting you.
 
Anyway, I've split this into categories so if you don't like that particular genre you can skip it. Enjoy and I hope you all find a new book to add to your Valentine's TBR.
 
 
Contemporary Romance:
 
Anna and the French Kiss
by Stephanie Perkins

 
 
Goodreads  |  Amazon


Everything Leads to You 
by Nina LaCour
 
 
Goodreads  |  Amazon

 
This is What Happy Looks Like 
by Jennifer E. Smith
 
Goodreads  |  Amazon

(Sad/Serious) Contemporary Romance:

Love, Lucas
by Chantele Sedgwick
 
 
 Girl Saves Boy
by Steph Bowe

 
Goodreads Amazon


Graffiti Moon
by Cath Crowley


Goodreads  |  Amazon


Paranormal Romance:

Wings
by Aprilynne Pike
 
 
Shiver
by Maggie Stiefvater

 
Goodreads Amazon


Clockwork Angel
by Cassandra Clare

 
Goodreads  |  Amazon

Unearthly
by Cynthia Hand

 
Goodreads  |  Amazon

The Host
by Stephenie Meyer

 
Goodreads  |  Amazon

Love You to Death
by Meg Cabot

 
Goodreads  |  Amazon


Middle Grade Contemporary:
 
Ginger Snaps
by Cathy Cassidy

 
Goodreads  |  Amazon


New Adult Contemporary:
 
In Too Deep
by Eliza Jane


 
Goodreads  |  Amazon
 

Adult Contemporary:
 
Dont Let Go
by Sharla Lovelace

 
Goodreads  |  Amazon

Thursday 12 February 2015

Versatile Blogger Award

Versatile Blogger Award
 
 
Yes, that's right peeps! I have been nominated for the Versatile Blogger Award and let me tell you, I am so very honoured that anyone would think of my little blog to nominate.
 
Many thanks to:
 
Christy and Erica @ Novel Ink
 
... for their nomination.
Please check out these girls' blog (click on the link above), its amazing!
 
 
Rules:
 
The rules are pretty simple:
 
1. Nominate 15 other bloggers relatively new to blogging.

2. Let the bloggers know that you've nominated them.

3. Share 10 random facts about yourself.

4. Thank the blogger who nominated you.

5. Add the Versatile Blogger Award picture to your post.
******* 
 
 
My Nominations for the Versatile Blogger Award:
 
1. Olivia @ Olivia's Catastrophe
2. Danna @ A Reading Habit
4. Izzy @ The Reading Izzy
7. Morrighan Rose @ Elysian Fields
10. Gloria @ Gloria the Violinist
11. Kate @ On Book and Movies
12. Britt @ Tara Belle Talking
14. Sarah @ YA Bookaholic
15. Kitty + Fari @ My Little Corner For Books
 
 
10 Random Facts About Myself:
 
1. I am still in high school. Its sucks, I know.
 
2. This is month is my one year blogversary!
 
3. I play piano and clarinet.
 
4. My favourite bands/singers are Imagine Dragons and The Script.
 
5. If a book has werewolves in it, I'll want to pick it up no matter what.
 
6. I am a TV obsessive. I love too many shows to even list but it all started with Ghost Whisperer.
 
7. My OTP is Stucky.
 
 8. I am in a lot of fandoms but I am first and foremost a Potterhead.
 
9. My favourite movies are Captain America: The Winter Soldier, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban and The Imitation Game.
 
10. I love salt and pepper calamari.
 
**
 
Well, that's my Versatile Blogger Award nominations post. Thank you so much to Christy and Erica of thinking of me. I am honoured to receive such an award from peers. Thanks again! 
 
I just want to add a quick thanks to any and all of my followers. I love you all and want to thank you for all your support and comments.

Wednesday 11 February 2015

Waiting on Wednesday #11

Waiting on Wednesday #11
 
This is a weekly event hosted by Breaking the Spine where bloggers spotlight upcoming releases that they are eagerly anticipating.
 
The book I am most eager for this week is:-
 
Dead Spots
by Rhiannon Frater:

I just saw this pop up on my Goodreads feed and I am intrigued! I haven't read any adult horror books before and this sounds like a really good one to start with.
 
Have you read this book before or do you have ARC? Have you read anything by this author before? Let me know what you think of them if you have.
 
Links:     Amazon preorder  |  Goodreads


 
Description:
 
In the dead spots, dreams become reality, terror knows your name, and nightmares can kill you.

The stillbirth of Mackenzie's son destroyed her marriage. Grieving, Mac reluctantly heads for her childhood home to seek refuge with her mother, who constantly reminds her of life's dangers.

Driving across Texas, Mac swerves to avoid hitting a deer... and winds up in a dead spot, a frightening place that lies between the worlds of the living and the dead. If they can control their imaginations, people can literally bring their dreams to life — but most are besieged by fears and nightmares which pursue them relentlessly.

Mackenzie's mother and husband haunt her, driving her to the brink of madness. Then she hears a child call for help and her maternal instincts kick into overdrive. Grant, Mac's ally in the dead spots, insists Johnny is a phantom, but the boy seems so real, so alive....

As the true horrors of the dead spots are slowly revealed, Mackenzie realizes that time is running out. But exits from the dead spots are nearly impossible
to find, and defended by things almost beyond imagination.
  

 
 Details:
 
Release date: 24th of February, 2015
 
Series: none (so far)
 
Publisher: Tor
 
Genres: adult, horror