Friday, November 30, 2012

Indie Review: Laced in Malice by Riley Gray


Laced in Malice
by: Riley Gray
Now Available!!!
Source: Purchased Kindle e-book
Synopsis courtesy of Goodreads:

Behind the creepy castle like exterior of Birchtree academy is the sound of gossip, back stabbing and malice. When Zara’s dad takes on the new principle job at the elite boarding school, Zara knows she’ll be an outsider. She dreams of true love and marriage instead of possible frenemies and secrets. Definitely not Birchtree material.

In the cusp of everything are the twins. Oliver and Elizabeth (Lizzie) Nixon are renowned for their different – yet equally effective – methods of torture. And both have their eyes set on goody, goody Zara. Oliver wants to date her and Lizzie wants to befriend her?

At first, Zara is caught in the Nixons spell, but it’s not long until cracks begin to show through their dazzling façade. An anonymous email account, which targets students with their own secrets, has focused its energy on Zara using weapons only the Nixon’s could have provided. But have they turned on her? Is there a hidden agenda behind Lizzie’s interest in Zara? It’ll take four months, three warnings, two released sex tapes, and one dead body for Zara to finally learn the truth. And the truth can either destroy the boy she’s fallen for – and his twin sister – or save them both.

My Thoughts

Edit: I apologize to those who saw my earlier review in which a LARGE portion was missing. Grr Blogger I will be more careful next time. Hope you enjoy the review!

A-MAZING!!! 

Laced in Malice is the perfect example of why I love the fact that I own a Kindle. I first heard about this debut from Wendy Higgins on her blog. Riley helps Wendy with the British lingo in her work.

While I'm not a huge fan of the cover, it does do a great job at foreshadowing the tone of the book- it's dark, and a lot of the characters in this book are twisted- I'm glad I went to good ol' Public School haha. There's one scene (or incident) in particular that I found myself disgusted with in this book, Zara seemed appalled by it as well, but NO ONE took any action over it- rape is a serious matter, no matter WHO is the attacker and I'm disappointed in all the characters in this book for passing the incident over like it was just a cruel prank, and further continuing on to bully the victim instead. Needless to say, this upset me a bit. 

I've seen many reviews comparing this title to the movie, Cruel Intentions and rightfully so, this book reads a lot like fan fiction to that film, but keep in mind Cruel Intentions was a remake itself.

I was conflicted with Zara a bit- I like that she has strong morals but at the same time I wanted to smack her for being so weak when it came to Oliver (not that I could really blame her). I actually was shocked at the amount of sex that went on at this Private School, I mean just because you're 17 and haven't had sex doesn't make you a goody goody. I don't recommend this read to those under the age of 16, there's tons of sexual dialogue and content. Riley certainly knows how to write some sexy times, let me tell you. 

And she also knows how to write some complex characters, especially the famous Nixon twins! Liz is not at all who she portrays herself to be, and as a reader you just want to smack her, but she has more going than what is portrayed on the surface, leading you to empathize with her- although I still hold her accountable for A LOT of things.

Oliver, *que sigh* he is so Ryan Phillip in Cruel Intentions big time womanizer, that no one can tame, until now at least. You want to smack him a lot of the time for the way he treats Zara, but than you get butterflies in the pit of your stomach for the way he treats Zara. If this last statements seems confusing that's because Oliver is such an enigma, but one I fell for never-the-less. There's another beau on the hunt for Zara's heart, but we're not entirely sure of his intentions, yet. 

If for no other reason, you must read this one for the steamy chemistry that Riley has created between Zara and Ollie- it's A-MAZING!!!

I think I've gone on long enough with this one, if you love a complicated romance with steamy scenes, than definitely give LACED IN MALICE a try. It was like kindle crack for me, I keep going back to the same few scenes over and over haha. Book #2 please!

Happy Reading!!!

Wednesday, November 28, 2012

Waiting on Wednesday: Deadly Sting by Jennifer Estep

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Breaking the Spine

This week's pick comes from the very talented Jennifer Estep! If you enjoy great urban fantasy with a kick-butt heroine or you're a Kelly Armstrong or Rachel Vincent fan- you must try Estep's Elemental Assassin series! 

WARNING!!! This is #8 in the Elemental Assassin series and as such, will contain spoilers for the first 7 books, you've been warned! :)

Enjoy!

Deadly Sting (Elemental Assassin #8)
by: Jennifer Estep
Release Date: March 26th/13.
Publisher: Pocket Books
Synopsis courtesy of Goodreads:
Red is definitely my color. Good thing, because in my line of work, I end up wearing it a lot.

Most people shy away from blood, but for an assassin like me — Gin Blanco, aka the Spider — it’s just part of the job. Still, it would be nice to get a night off, especially when I’m attending the biggest gala event of the summer at Briartop, Ashland’s fanciest art museum. But it’s just not meant to be. For this exhibition of my late nemesis’ priceless possessions is not only the place to be seen, but the place to be robbed and taken hostage at gunpoint as well. No sooner did I get my champagne than a bunch of the unluckiest thieves ever burst into the museum and started looting the place.

Unlucky why? Because I brought along a couple of knives in addition to my killer dress. Add these to my Ice and Stone magic, and nothing makes me happier than showing the bad guys why red really is my color.

What books are you waiting on this week?

Happy Reading!!!

Tuesday, November 27, 2012

Teaser Tuesday: Chantress by Amy Greenfield


Teaser Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by Should Be Reading

This week's Teaser is brought to you by the highly anticipated Chantress, which hits shelves May 7th/13! 

Enjoy!


I felt myself swimming in darkness, a humming like music in my ears... and then, all at once, I found myself in another person's mind.
But not the one I wanted.

Chantress, p. 138

Happy Reading!!!


Friday, November 23, 2012

Black Friday Book Bananza Giveaway Hop


Happy Black Friday! Even though I live in Canada, I'm very excited for the deals to be had this weekend, and to celebrate I'm participating in the Black Friday Book Bonanza Giveaway hop, hosted by Book Savvy Babe, The Bawdy Book Blog, and Alive on the Shelves! Thanks so much to these awesome ladies for hosting this amazing Hop!

This is a short one, so be sure to enter before it's too late! 

Good luck to all, open internationally (as long as Book Depository ships to you for free)

Please click here for the full lists of awesome bloggers (and their giveaways) participating in this hop!



a Rafflecopter giveaway

Happy Reading!!!

Wednesday, November 21, 2012

Waiting on Wednesday: Opal by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosting by Breaking the Spine.

I think I'm going to label this day, OPAL DAY because all my posts pertain to this one title! Haha. If you haven't started Armentrout's Lux series, what are you waiting for?! :)

Opal
by: Jennifer L. Armentrout
Release Date: December 18th, 2012.
Publisher: Entangled Publishing

No one is like Daemon Black.

When he set out to prove his feelings for me, he wasn’t fooling around. Doubting him isn’t something I’ll do again, and now that we’ve made it through the rough patches, well... There’s a lot of spontaneous combustion going on.

But even he can’t protect his family from the danger of trying to free those they love.

After everything, I’m no longer the same Katy. I’m different... And I’m not sure what that will mean in the end. When each step we take in discovering the truth puts us in the path of the secret organization responsible for torturing and testing hybrids, the more I realize there is no end to what I’m capable of. The death of someone close still lingers, help comes from the most unlikely source, and friends will become the deadliest of enemies, but we won’t turn back. Even if the outcome will shatter our worlds forever.

Together we’re stronger... and they know it.


What titles are you waiting on this week?

Happy Reading!!!

Book Trailer Reveal: Opal by Jennifer L. Armentrout


Opal
by: Jennifer L. Armentrout
Release Date: December 18th. 2012.
Publisher: Entangled Teen

No one is like Daemon Black.

When he set out to prove his feelings for me, he wasn’t fooling around. Doubting him isn’t something I’ll do again, and now that we’ve made it through the rough patches, well... There’s a lot of spontaneous combustion going on.

But even he can’t protect his family from the danger of trying to free those they love.

After everything, I’m no longer the same Katy. I’m different... And I’m not sure what that will mean in the end. When each step we take in discovering the truth puts us in the path of the secret organization responsible for torturing and testing hybrids, the more I realize there is no end to what I’m capable of. The death of someone close still lingers, help comes from the most unlikely source, and friends will become the deadliest of enemies, but we won’t turn back. Even if the outcome will shatter our worlds forever.

Together we’re stronger... and they know it.

About the Author:
(Insert Jennifer’s Picture) USA TODAY Bestselling author, Jennifer L. Armentrout, lives in Martinsburg, West Virginia. All the rumors you’ve heard about her state aren’t true. When she’s not hard at work writing, she spends her time reading, working out, watching really bad zombie movies, pretending to write, and hanging out with her husband and her Jack Russell, Loki. Her dreams of becoming an author started in algebra class where she spent most of her time writing short stories….which explains her dismal grades in math. Jennifer writes young adult paranormal, science fiction, fantasy, and contemporary romance. She also writes adult romance under the name J. Lynn.


Find Jennifer on: 


AND NOW, for the book trailer of OPAL...

Enjoy!!!



So what do you guys think?

Happy Reading!!!

Monday, November 19, 2012

ARC Review: Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi

Shatter Me
by Tahereh Mafi
NOW AVAILABLE!!!
Publisher: HarperTeen
Synopsis courtesy of Goodreads:
Juliette hasn’t touched anyone in exactly 264 days.

The last time she did, it was an accident, but The Reestablishment locked her up for murder. No one knows why Juliette’s touch is fatal. As long as she doesn’t hurt anyone else, no one really cares. The world is too busy crumbling to pieces to pay attention to a 17-year-old girl. Diseases are destroying the population, food is hard to find, birds don’t fly anymore, and the clouds are the wrong color.

The Reestablishment said their way was the only way to fix things, so they threw Juliette in a cell. Now so many people are dead that the survivors are whispering war– and The Reestablishment has changed its mind. Maybe Juliette is more than a tortured soul stuffed into a poisonous body. Maybe she’s exactly what they need right now.

Juliette has to make a choice: Be a weapon. Or be a warrior.

My Thoughts:

This book is amazing- YA narrative at its best!

I'm not going to lie, I definitely had my doubts first going in to this one, the constant scratching out of feelings and phrases gave me pause, I felt that they were very distracting, but I quickly got over it and grew to appreciate the merit behind them. The metaphors and hyperboles are deep, imaginative and, repeat myself, simply amazing!

Mafi has well-defined and thought out characters. No one is two-dimensional, even Warner resident enemy #1, he has a lot of depth and I wanted to see even more of him (hopefully Mafi will give it to us in Unravel Me). It doesn't hurt that he's the gorgeous bad boy to Adam's boy-next-door persona.

I honestly am not sure if I can pick a team with this love triangle. I'm very envious of Juliette, to say the least! Adam is charming, gentle and a comfort that Juliette truly needs right now, but will see what happens down the line...

And Juliette, what an amazing heroine! Definitely one of my favourites. She has all this power and ability for destruction, that many want to get their hands on, but she refuses to use it. Her humanity is what I truly appreciated about her- her willingness to risk her own life in order to save others is very inspiring. And she's gone through so much in her short, young life, but she doesn't act bitter about it. She's awesome and I loved reading from her perspective! 

I'm sure many of you have already read this one, but I will say it anyway, GO BUY SHATTER ME RIGHT NOW!!! It is so worth it, and I can't wait to start Unravel Me!

You rock Mafi!

Happy Reading!!!

Thursday, November 15, 2012

The Oracle of Delphi Blog Tour: Spotlight, Review & Giveaway



Today I'm happy to be one the stops on The Oracle of Delphi Blog Tour, to celebrate the release of Diantha Jones latest title, Prophecy of the Setting Sunrise.

Prophecy of the Most Beautiful (Oracle of Delphi #1)
by Diantha Jones
NOW AVAILABLE!!!
Synopsis courtesy of Goodreads:
She has a destiny so great that even the gods fear her.

Constant hallucinations and the frequent conversations with the voices in her head, have earned eighteen-year-old Chloe Clever the not-so-coveted title of "Whack Job" in her home town of Adel, Georgia. With the onslaught of prescription medications and therapists threatening to push her over the edge, she wishes for a life far away from the one she has, a life where she is destined to be more than the butt of everyone's jokes and mockery.

Be careful what you wish for has never rung more true.

After living through an attack from her worst nightmare, she awakens to find herself far from home, surrounded by glorious riches and servants…and a few demigods who enjoy killing things. Upon learning that her favorite rockstar is an Olympian god, she is thrust into her new life as the Oracle of Delphi, the prophesier of the future, and the great Pythia that the gods have been anxiously awaiting to arrive for centuries. Setting out to fulfill the prophecy she has been given and to keep her family safe from a demigod Princess that wants her dead, Chloe learns of how great she is to become, all the while fighting mythical monsters, evading divine assassins and trying to outwit the ever-cunning Greek gods who harbor secrets of their own. In the hopes of discovering the Most Beautiful and the truth of her destiny, she strives to uncover the mysteries of the demigod Prince who has sworn to protect her with his life…and threatens to win her heart in the process.

Prophecy of the Setting Sunrise (Oracle of Delphi #2)
by Diantha Jones
NOW AVAILABLE!!!
Synopis courtesy of Goodreads:
It’s official. Myth is doomed.

And it’s all Chloe Clever’s fault.

Still as whacked out as ever, Chloe is now faced with an even uglier truth: Not only is she the Pythia of the Great Unknown, but she is more powerful than she ever imagined and only the manifestations of her prophetic mind can save them all now.

With her Prince boyfriend, Strafford, and the Quad Fraternity always armed and ready to annihilate the opposition, she will embark on a mission to stop a great power that could consume every god in Myth...and everyone else she’s come to love.

But the worst is still to come.

Dark, painful secrets are revealed, threatening to tear Strafford from her arms, and just when she thinks the future could not look more grim, she is betrayed in the worst way.

About the Author:



Sad to say, I’ve trashed more stories than I’ve shared. I’m one of those writers that won’t let anyone read something I’m not proud of. It’s just not happening. I’m sure my fellow authors/writers out there would agree. But I think it had more to do with not knowing who I was or what I really wanted out of life.
But I do now.
Writing is EVERYTHING. I’ve been writing everyday for the past few years without fail. Even if it’s just a few paragraphs. It’s a PASSION, something I can’t live without. And I have so many ideas crawling around in my head that I just have to do something with them! I’ve chosen to share them with all of you.

Connect with Diantha:


My Thoughts:

It's not easy being an Oracle...

The world that Diantha has created is unique in its own right, there's no disputing that. But what had me conflicted with this series is its lead heroine, Chloe, I had a really hard time connecting with her, and on some occasions, liking her.

She's definitely one of the toughest female leads I've read lately- I mean how many heroines, in high school, do you know that have been suspended five times for inflicting bodily harm on fellow peers? I wouldn't want to get into a brawl with her, that's for sure! Haha. She does apologize for these moments of violence (as she really can't control them being the Oracle of Delphi and all!) but I never really felt like she was genuinely sorry for the pain she caused and that bothered me a little. However, I do admire her loyalty to her human brother and mother- she's fiercely protective of these two and I found that endearing.

On a side note, if I were a parent of one of the kids attending Chloe's high school, I would have Principle Camden's head on a platter for continuing to allow such a violent student to attend classes, 4.0 GPA or not. And yes I realize the contradiction of this statement haha.

One character that I had no trouble falling for, however, was Strafford Law (a name I adore by the way, it's just so sexy!). He's gorgeous, courageous and completely devoted to Chloe *cue swoon* O and let's not forget, he's a Prince! The only thing I would change with regards to this character, is having him enter the book sooner! Once he was introduced the plot really kicked into gear, love the first quote that introduces us to him:

Another deep accent interrupted the conversation. "Here's a question, will there ever come a day when I don't have to get pissed first, before you obey me, Ace?"

Prophecy of the Most Beautiful, p. 31
He continues to assert such power and dominance throughout the rest of book 1 & 2, can't wait to see what lengths he'll go to protect Chloe in book 3!

Don't let the beautiful covers fool you, this is a very dark read. I was actually quite surprised by the amount of violence, but it worked really in context with the plot of the story. Fans of Greek myth will appreciate Diantha's modern spin on many classic characters.

Happy Reading!!!


BUT WAIT!!! Diantha has some awesome giveaways for a few lucky winners!
Enter the Rafflecopters below and good luck to all!!!
Special thanks to Diantha Jones and Bookfever for allowing me to participate in this tour!



a Rafflecopter giveaway


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