Cover Characteristic: Suitcases/Purses

Hosted by Sugar & Snark

Each week we will post a characteristic and choose 5 of our favorite cover’s with that characteristic. 

Book Review: Amy and Roger's Epic Detour by Morgan Matson

AMY AND ROGER'S EPIC DETOUR

Author: Morgan Matson (Twitter)

Genres: Contemporary, Road Trip

Format: Hardback (Amazon)

Release Date: May 4, 2010

Reading Challenges: 2015 Goodreads Challenge

Amy Curry thinks her life sucks. Her mom decides to move from California to Connecticut to start anew--just in time for Amy's senior year. Her dad recently died in a car accident. So Amy embarks on a road trip to escape from it all, driving cross-country from the home she's always known toward her new life.

oining Amy on the road trip is Roger, the son of Amy's mother's old friend. Amy hasn’t seen him in years, and she is less than thrilled to be driving across the country with a guy she barely knows. So she's surprised to find that she is developing a crush on him. At the same time, she’s coming to terms with her father’s death and how to put her own life back together after the accident. Told in traditional narrative as well as scraps from the road--diner napkins, motel receipts, postcards--this is the story of one girl's journey to find herself.

Now I understand why bloggers/vloggers are always expressing there love of Morgan Matson. I absolutely loved this book!

Cover Characteristic: Cups

Hosted by Sugar & Snark

Each week we will post a characteristic and choose 5 of our favorite cover’s with that characteristic. 

Quickie Review: Animate Me by Ruth Clampett

ANIMATE ME

Author: Ruth Clampett (Twitter)

Genres: Contemporary Romance

Format: ebook (Amazon)

Length: 395 pages

Release Date: April 29, 2013

Reading Challenges: 2015 Goodreads Challenge

She seemed far beyond his reach…could love draw them together?

For years shy animator Nathan has carried a torch for Brooke, the beautiful and dynamic Director of Development at their animation studio, even creating B-Girl, a comic-book heroine in her likeness. When a new project throws the two of them together, lovestruck Nathan finally seizes his moment – only to find Arnauld, head of the animation studio, claiming exclusive rights to Brooke’s affections.

But Nathan, it turns out, is not giving up on his dreams so easily. With inspired determination, he sets out to be the super hero of wooing his girl. Threatened by his persistence, Arnauld plays dirty – only to spark an uprising at the studio that unleashes the sort of havoc only a building full of frustrated animators can create. While Nathan pulls out all the stops to win his B-girl, Brooke has to choose. Should she pursue the sparkling career that has taken her years to build…or follow her heart?

This was a cute, fun read. I'm a huge fan of "geek gets girl" books, because I've always liked my men a little nerdy. Nathan was definitely what held my interest. I've been awkward all my life, so I sympathized and identified with him. Using his talents in animation to involve in order to be with the woman he desires is something I'm very, very familiar with. There was one boy in high school who was the inspiration for three years worth of angsty poetry.

Top 5 Best Book Covers: May 2015

Top 5 Best Book Covers is monthly meme created by The Ramblings of a Coffee Addicted Writer. The rules are simple: on the first Saturday of every month, post your 5 favorite books covers that are being released in the current month!

#1
RICOCHET
Author:  Keri Lake (Twitter) 
Genre(s):  Adult, Contemporary Romance, Romantic Suspense
Release Date:  May 2015

The only sure way to destroy a man is to take what he cannot live without.
Three years ago, I had everything.

A beautiful wife.
A son.
A reason for living.

Until a ruthless task force, assembled under Mayor Michael Culling, with a brutal strategy to make the streets of Detroit ‘safe’, ripped away everything I loved in a deadly hunt called The Culling.

They tried to kill me, too. I wish they had. Now I'm cursed by the memories of that night, and the words I whispered to my dying wife.

A promise—to avenge the wrong and set it right.

I’m no longer Nick Ryder. I’m a masked vigilante. Faceless. Loveless. Fearless. A man with nothing left to lose—one who's seen the dark and violent truth behind the city’s flawless veneer.

Michael Culling doesn’t know who I am. Or what I want. All he knows is that I’ve kidnapped his beautiful wife.

An eye for an eye—isn’t that how the saying goes? And Aubree Culling is the perfect pawn to destroy him.

If she doesn’t destroy me first.

 

It’s Monday What Are You Reading?: 04/13/15

Hosted by Sheila @ Book Journey

This meme shares what we read this past week and what our plans are for the upcoming week. It’s a great way to see what others are reading and add to your own To Be Read list.

This week wasn't too bad. I didn't blog much to get some reading done. I'm halfway through the majority of these books, so that''s good. Soon, I'll switch to one audiobook, one physical. At least, that's the plan.

• Cover Characteristic: Numbers
• It’s Monday What Are You Reading?: 04/06/15
• Making Up for Monday: Read Anything...
• Nearly Found (Nearly Gone #2) by Elle Cosimano

Cover Characteristic: Black Covers

Hosted by Sugar & Snark

Each week we will post a characteristic and choose 5 of our favorite cover’s with that characteristic. 

Making Up for Monday: Read Anything...

Hosted by An Avid Reader; A Wannabe Writer

Each week, there will be a book-related theme or game, or something fun to do that week. And you can play along! All you have to do is find the question for that week and write a post that day based on that question.

This Week's Topic/Question:

Do you have an author you will read anything they put out? 

My Answer:

I do. In fact, I have five! My favorite authors are Jim Butcher, Nalini Singh, Lorelei James, Molly and Richelle Mead. I've read (most of) at least one series for each. I've been incredibly lucky to have met all but Lorelei and they're all lovely people. I'll be happy to continue supporting their careers!

JIM BUTCHER
The Dresden Files series (Urban Fantasy)

I got introduced to Jim's books through The Dresden Files audiobooks, as they're narrated by Jim Marsters. As a former Buffy fan, how could I not listen to a series narrated by Spike?!?! It's become my favorite series and I'm all caught up (18 books so far).

Codex Alera series (High Fantasy)

I own all of the Codex Alera series, though haven't started it yet. I plan to start it this year.

The Cinder Spires series (Steampunk)
I'm so excited for The Cinder Spires (released this fall), as it will be my first Steampunk novel. Who better to introduce me to the genre!

Top 5 Best Book Covers: April 2015

Top 5 Best Book Covers is monthly meme created by The Ramblings of a Coffee Addicted Writer. The rules are simple: on the first Saturday of every month, post your 5 favorite books covers that are being released in the current month!

#1
EMPIRE OF NIGHT
Book Series: Age of Legends, Book #2
Author:  Kelley Armstrong (Twitter) 
Genre(s):  YA, High Fantasy, Magic, Paranormal
Release Date:  April 7, 2015

Sisters Moria and Ashyn are the Keeper and Seeker of Edgewood. Or at least, they were.

Their village is gone. Their friends have betrayed them. And now, they are all but prisoners in court, forced to watch and wait while the Emperor decides whether to help the children of Edgewood, who remain hostages of the treacherous Alvar Kitsune.

But when the emperor finally sends the girls on a mission to rescue the children--accompanied by Prince Tyrus and a small band of men--the journey proves more perilous than any of them could have imagined. With lies and unrest mounting in the empire, Moria and Ashyn will have to draw on every bit of influence and power they possess to unite their people and avert an all-out war.

 

 

It’s Monday What Are You Reading?: 03/30/15

Hosted by Sheila @ Book Journey

This meme shares what we read this past week and what our plans are for the upcoming week. It’s a great way to see what others are reading and add to your own To Be Read list.

I finished The Girl with All the Gifts for a book club last Friday in just the nick of time (AKA in the parking lot 30 minutes before it began).

This week, I have the added pressure of reading Zodiac in the next three days before the library snatches it back and The Misadventures of Awkward Black Girl by Saturday for other book club.

This month, I also need to squeeze in three "Book of the Month" reads for each of the three book clubs I belong to. I'm not counting the four other books sitting shotgun in my car that I got from the library when I picked a BOTM checkout (... I said I wouldn't do that anymore).

A plan must be put in place for May... 

• Cover Characteristic: Hair
• Audiobook Review: The School for Good and Evil by Soman Chainani
• It’s Monday What Are You Reading?: 03/23/15
• Quickie Review: The Girl with All the Gifts by M. R. Carey

It’s Monday What Are You Reading?: 03/23/15

Hosted by Sheila @ Book Journey

This meme shares what we read this past week and what our plans are for the upcoming week. It’s a great way to see what others are reading and add to your own To Be Read list.

I finished The School for Good and Evil audiobook yesterday; such a fun read! Review to come this week. I'm going to try to not pick up an audiobook this week, which my commute will miss. But I've got to finish The Girl with All the Gifts for a book club this week, and start another I haven't read for a book club next Saturday... no pressure!

• Cover Characteristic: Gardens
• Quickie Review: Love, Rosie by Cecelia Ahern

Cover Characteristic: Hair

Hosted by Sugar & Snark

Each week we will post a characteristic and choose 5 of our favorite cover’s with that characteristic. 

Quickie Review: Love, Rosie by Cecelia Ahern

LOVE, ROSIE

Author: Cecelia Ahern (Twitter)

Genres: Chick Lit, Contemporary Romance

Format: ebook (Amazon)

Length: 443 pages

Release Date: December 1, 2006

Reading Challenges: 2015 Goodreads Challenge

Sometimes you have to look at life in a whole new way...

Rosie and Alex are destined for one another, and everyone seems to know it but them. Best friends since childhood, their relationship gets closer by the day, until Alex gets the news that his family is leaving Dublin and moving to Boston. At 17, Rosie and Alex have just started to see each other in a more romantic light. Devastated, the two make plans for Rosie to apply to colleges in the U.S.

She gets into Boston University, Alex gets into Harvard, and everything is falling into place, when on the eve of her departure, Rosie gets news that will change their lives forever: She's pregnant by a boy she'd gone out with while on the rebound from Alex.

Her dreams for college, Alex, and a glamorous career dashed, Rosie stays in Dublin to become a single mother, while Alex pursues a medical career and a new love in Boston. But destiny is a funny thing, and in this novel, structured as a series of clever e-mails, letters, notes, and a trail of missed opportunities, Alex and Rosie find out that fate isn't done with them yet.

I have mixed feelings about this book. There were a lot of things that I liked. i really enjoyed the format a lot more than I thought I would. With all the emails, instant messages, formal and handwritten letters, nothing felt out of place. It all flowed together nicely.

I really liked getting to experience the relationship of Rosie and Alex change overtime. It seemed very realistic. I also love seeing her daughter, Katie, experience a similar friendship in her life. But I also feel like the story didn't really go anywhere. The years passed by and it felt like Rosie did nothing but complain for like 30 years. I found Rosie, well, annoying.

My dislike for her affected my overall enjoyment of this otherwise humorous book. I really liked Ruby, Alex and even Katie. For me, Rosie spent them majority of her time ranting, complaining and being indecisive. Granted she relayed her life in a snarky, sarcastic way; but she quickly lost her charm.  I just found it hard to sympathize with her. Especially how she talked about Katie. Yes,  she sacrificed a lot for Katie. But it  always felt like she resented her for it. Maybe that's how parents feel, I don't know.

In the end, I found this book just okay.

    

Audiobook Series Review: Fifty Shades of Grey Trilogy by E.L. James

Titles: Fifty Shades of Grey, Fifty Shades Darker, Fifty Shades Freed

Book Series: Fifty Shades

Author: E.L. James (Twitter)

Genres: Contemporary Romance, Erotica, BDSM

Format: Audiobook (Book #1 | Book #2 | Book #3)

Narrator: Becca Batoe (Audible)

Reading Challenges: 2015 Goodreads Challenge, 2015 Audiobook Challenge, 2015 MGR Audiobook Challenge

FIFTY SHADES OF GREY: When college student Anastasia Steele goes to interview young entrepreneur Christian Grey, she encounters a man who is beautiful, brilliant, and intimidating. The unworldly Ana realizes she wants this man, and Grey admits he wants her, too—but on his own terms. When the couple embarks on a daring, passionately physical affair, Ana discovers Christian’s secrets and explores her own desires.

FIFTY SHADES DARKER: Daunted by Christian’s dark secrets and singular tastes, Ana has broken off their relationship to start a new career. But desire for Christian still dominates her every waking thought. They rekindle their searing sensual affair, and while Christian wrestles with his inner demons, Ana is forced to make the most important decision of her life.

FIFTY SHADES FREED: Now, Ana and Christian have it all—love, passion, intimacy, wealth, and a world of possibilities for their future. But Ana knows that loving her Fifty Shades will not be easy, and that being together will pose challenges that neither of them would anticipate. Just when it seems that their strength together will eclipse any obstacle, misfortune, malice, and fate conspire to turn Ana’s deepest fears into reality.

This book is intended for mature audiences.

For a while, I'll admit, I hopped "Fifty Shades Hate" bandwagon. Thinking, ermahgerd S&M and originally Twilight fanfiction??? No way I'm reading that! But so many people were talking about it and then there was the movie... I got curious. Setting my Twilight and S&M prejudgments aside, I dove in. In the end, my mind was changed. I love Christian, I like Ana and I love all their kinky fuckery. Yep, I said it!!!

"Waiting On" Wednesday: Hearts of Fire by L.H. Cosway

Hosted By Breaking the Spine

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event that spotlights eagerly-anticipated upcoming releases.

HEARTS OF FIRE
Author: L.H. Cosway (Twitter)

Genres: New Adult, Contemporary Romance
Release Date: March 9, 2015

The Circus Spektakulär is proud to present Jack McCabe: Fire-breather, knife-thrower, risk-taker.

My house burned down when I was just a boy, robbing me of both my parents.

Now I breathe fire, eat the poison that almost killed me.

Crowds come to see me night after night. Men for the spectacle, women for the thrill. I’m an oddity to be stared at and desired. With each flame I spit, I risk my life.

I wear scars on my body that will never go away, but the scars inside my head are far more difficult to overlook.

My brother doesn’t know me, and if I have it my way he never will.

Life was going exactly the way I’d planned until Lille came along. She wanted to run away with the circus, have an adventure, but this world was never meant for her.

I try to keep her safe, because she doesn’t know the dangers that are out here on the road. She doesn’t know the monsters that lurk behind the bright lights of the ring. In truth, I could be considered one of them.

We were fashioned from different cloths, never intended to mix. So I watch her. I try not to touch, even when her eyes invite me.

Join us in the Spiegeltent and let us give you a show. Allow my Lille to draw a picture for you in paint and sweat and skin.

The truest love is always the hardest to let in.

This is a standalone romance that tells the story of Jack McCabe, Jay Fields’ long lost, presumed dead brother. It is not necessary to have read Six of Hearts in order to enjoy Hearts of Fire.

Why I Picked It:  I really wanted to read Six of Hearts when I first heard about it. But like so many others, it got buried in my TBR. To know that this is a spinoff of sorts has reignited my interest in Six of Hearts so I can check this out, because the premise alone is a draw.

"Waiting On" Wednesday: Unraveled (Mastered #3) by Lorelei James

Hosted By Breaking the Spine

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event that spotlights eagerly-anticipated upcoming releases.

UNRAVELED
Book Series: Mastered, Book #3

Author: Lorelei James (Twitter)
Genres: Adult, Contemporary Romance
Format: Audiobook (Amazon | Audible)
Narrators: Hunter Millbrook & Claire Kilpatrick
Release Date: March 3, 2015

In this sizzling continuation of the Mastered series by New York Times bestselling author Lorelei James, a man will find the domination he’s always craved…

Shiori Hirano and Knox Lofgren are left to run the martial arts program at Black Arts while Ronin Black travels. On the surface, the two highest ranked belts appear to cooperate—but in private, they butt heads constantly, despite the undeniable attraction between them. Soon their power exchanges start to make for a sweltering dynamic in the bedroom…

At first Knox is shocked to be living out his submissive desires, but Shiori sets out to prove that embracing his true sexual nature doesn’t make him a weak man. But even while their sexual relationship grants him a power and fulfillment he finds surprising, there’s no training regimen for the fight that comes with loving a strong woman…

Why I Picked It:  Lorelei is one of my favorite authors, so all her series get a tryout. That said, I love this series. I gave Book #1 of the series, Bound, a five-star rating. Though I haven't gotten around to Book #2, I've already purchased it so his will get a read as well.