Book Review: The Assassin’s Blade by Sarah J Maas

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5 stars, Celaena Sardothien, SamCortland, Sarah J Maas, The Assassin's Blade, Throne of Glass

The Assassin’s Blade – Sarah J Maas

Release Date: March 4th 2014

Bloomsbury USA Childrens: Young Adult/Fantasy 

435 pages (hardcover)

You can read this review and others on my Goodreads. (Don’t be shy to send a friend request as well!) 

“My name is Celaena Sardothien,” she whispered, “and I will not be afraid.”

I put this book down mere minutes ago and the speed of which my mind is reeling is too fast for me to comprehend my own emotions and thoughts over the whole thing. For a fleeting moment, there is a vague idea of something I want to say or express about how I feel about finishing this book but like a wisp, its gone and I’m left with the sense of dread and no way to word vomit all the swirly feelings in my chest.

I hadn’t read a book like this in a while. I haven’t had the feeling of wanting more and wanting all of it now, all of the knowledge of the world and characters in my head in a instant because waiting to read about it all is a waste of time because dear god I need all of it NOW. I’d like to preface this by saying I have read Throne of Glass years ago went it first released and I’m pretty sure I enjoyed it. But the sequel wasn’t out at the time and I had no need to buy it when it did come out, now the sequel after that and then after than … and so now that there are seven books total – I’m thinking what a great decision it is now to binge all of them and probably break my heart all over just as The Assassin’s Blade did.

There isn’t much to tell about the book without spoiling it as it is a collection of five novellas set before Throne of Glass. Our main star is Celaena Sardothien, a 17 year old assassin protege in training. She works for the Assassin’s Guild under her Master Arobynn Hamel who sends her out on missions through the book (each novella is a different mission or task) and more often than not she is accompanied by a fellow assassin she loves to hate, Sam Cortland. As a prequel, the book sets a closer scope on our favorite assassin – into her life and friends before Throne of Glass. 

I very much wish I had read this before Throne of Glass just because it would have led me to stay with the books and be that adamant fan that several others are today. I wish so hard I delved into the world and stayed for I can’t fathom not finishing the series now. There is a lot of darkness in the novellas, topics and scenes played out that you would expect from people who are trained to kill at all costs. To not let emotions dictate contracts and to only care and lean on ones self. But we also get to see how lonely and sad of a life that can be and that when you start to see and realize that, you get to empathize more so than sympathize with others of the same rank. The bond between Celaena and Sam begins this way and it warmed my heart to see two lethal killers realize they do have feelings and emotions other than kill kill kill because it is important to know that everyone is human and has human emotions and that an important thing to being an assassin is to being to feel. Because once fear and empathy is gone is when the real monster comes forward.

Pretty much that’s my favorite aspect about this book. That the author is sure to show how lethal these assassin’s can be and how dark they job itself is. Yes there is a lot of money to be made and yes you could be helping the world by ridding them of other evils in the form of slave traders or other assassins but the facade of it all isn’t necessarily true – that our main characters aren’t just the killers they are made to be. I can’t explain how many scenes in the book I wanted to highlight that involved a person’s humane judgement and emotions. For instance whenever Celaena danced for hours just to dance or played the piano because of piece of music that made her cry was stuck in her head, it made me happy, it made me happy to see that just because your life and job is full of the dark that everyone avoids, there is something so mundane and joyful to see a character embrace the light in everyday things. There is a particular scene where Celaena mentions that everything just feels right and it was interesting due to the fact that nothing in her life has felt ok enough for her to feel ok and to feel happy or safe. I love when characters get to truly be themselves and not wear the mask society has given them and marked their personality for life.

Also. Sam Cortland. No one, and I mean NO ONE, will live up to you. You are forever in my heart of soul and I will love you to the ends of the earth. Your bright and shining soul will keep me warm on my coldest days and your smile brings light into my life. I wish so badly you were real and here with me as I write this review. Also you being an assassin is really cool. Like, really cool. I love you.

Other than that, the book was amazing. The world, the characters, and quests that Celaena went through was so much fun to read through. Her trials and tribulations both built me up and then knocked me the hell down. There I was, at work, and trying not to cry while people ordered coffee and food and went about their day as I desperately tried to a keep a grip on reality and remember the book wasn’t real and that I needed to save my tears for my pillow at home and not in someones drink. At one point my manager was concerned and I had to wave it away like it was nothing. But this book was anything but nothing.

Anything but nothing.

Overall, I gave this book 5 stars (5 stars!), my first one in a long time and I cannot wait for more in this series. As you read this I am probably halfway through the first as I will not wait any longer to bury myself in these books and throw myself into the fandom. Thank you readers for reading and I will have another blog post up soon.

Over and out.

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Cover Reveal: The Roommate Agreement by Emma Hart

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Emma Hart, The Roommate Agreement

Let your homeless best friend stay with you, he said. Being roommates will be fun, he said. It’s only temporary, he said.

He never said I’d fall for him.

The Roommate Agreement, all-new hilarious and romantic comedy from New York Times bestselling author Emma Hart is coming March 26th!

You know what isn’t ‘temporary?’ The endless stream of dirty socks in my bathroom and empty food packets under the sofa—and don’t even get me started on the hot guys who take over my living room every Sunday to watch sports.

I can’t take anymore.

So I propose a roommate agreement. One that will bring peace and order back to my life, complete with rules that might just stop my newfound crush on my best friend in its tracks.

After all, there’s only so many times you can see your best friend naked before you start to lose your mind.

Rules. They’re meant to be broken… Aren’t they?

Pre-order your copy today!

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About Emma Hart

Emma Hart is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of over thirty novels and has been translated into several different languages.

 

She is a mother, wife, lover of wine, Pink Goddess, and valiant rescuer of wild baby hedgehogs.

 

Emma prides herself on her realistic, snarky smut, with comebacks that would make a PMS-ing teenage girl proud.

 

Yes, really. She’s that sarcastic.

Connect with Emma

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EmmaHartBooks/

BookBub: http://bit.ly/2Dr0atq

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/2Dq42ez

Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/2EBbZNe

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Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emmahartauthor/

Stay up to date with Emma by joining her mailing list: https://www.emmahart.org/newsletter

Website: https://www.emmahart.org/home

 

Blog Tour: Only a Breathe Apart by Katie McGarry (Review and Excerpt)

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Katie McGarry, Only a Breath Apart

 

Would you dare to defy destiny? Are our destinies written in stone? Do we become nothing more than the self-fulfilling prophesies of other people’s opinions? Or can we dare to become who we believe we were born to be?

“A gorgeous, heartfelt journey of redemption and love” (Wendy Higgins), ONLY A BREATH APART is a young adult contemporary novel from critically acclaimed Katie McGarry. “Haunting, authentic, and ultimately hopeful” (Tammara Webber), ONLY A BREATH APART is now available!

 

About ONLY A BREATH APART:

They say your destiny is carved in stone. But some destinies are meant to be broken.

The only curse Jesse Lachlin believes in is his grandmother’s will: in order to inherit his family farm he must win the approval of his childhood best friend, the girl he froze out his freshman year.

A fortuneteller tells Scarlett she’s psychic, but what is real is Scarlett’s father’s controlling attitude and the dark secrets at home. She may be able to escape, but only if she can rely on the one boy who broke her heart.

Each midnight meeting pushes Jesse and Scarlett to confront their secrets and their feelings, but as love blooms, the curse rears its ugly head…

 

Amazon | Kobo | Google Play

B-A-M | Barnes & Noble | Apple Books

 

 

 

Review:

I can’t express the gratitude and excitement that I had when I received the email of being able to be on the Blog Tour and reviewing a copy of Only a Breath Apart. Katie McGarry is one of my go to authors and she never disappoints.

I read an article that said something along the lines of McGarry knowing Teen Fiction better than anyone and I wholeheartedly agree. There’s just a spark about her books that she has and that she channels through her characters that you have no choice but to keep reading and seeing how the stories intertwine with one another and then unravel in the end. I always finish and recent book and hers and claim, “It’s my favorite,” and still do to this day. Scarlett and Jesse’s story is imprinted in my brain and heart and I’m scared McGarry will come up with another book to dethrone them because I’ve gotten so attached and I just want more them.

I love the friendship aspect of the book most of all, what started Jesse and Scarlett’s love for one another, how it ended and what started them to become friends again, as the trust and strength shared between them only continues to build throughout the book. What’s even better is the underlying message the author incorporates and while it is gut wrenching, it’s beautiful to see how the main characters play through it and find the good.

Scarlett’s strength, inside and out, is something I’ll always envy until the moment I finally get it and I had tears in my eyes through her struggles and fears but she made it through. Jesse’s love for others and kindness tugs at my heart strings and I wish, gosh I wish, I had someone like Jesse or any of McGarry’s male characters if we’re being real.

I can’t wait to read more from Katie and I’m hoping we can see some extra stuff from Scarlett and Jesse cause ya girl needs MORE.

Overall I gave this book 5 out of 5 stars and am always on the lookout for more of McGarry’s works and will always recommended her to anyone who asks … or doesn’t.

---

“Gritty and real, Only a Breath Apart is a story of hope conjured from pain, strength drawn from innocence, and love earned from self-respect. Beautiful, poignant, and fierce.”
―Kristen Simmons, critically acclaimed author of the Article 5 series

---

 

Add it to your Goodreads today!

 

 

EXCERPT:

~SCARLETT~

A scraping of a chair, a tray full of food and I glance over with my practiced smile in welcome. It’s not Camila, Evangeline, or anyone else from the group. It’s green eyes, red hair, a familiar mischievous smile that used to be reserved only for me, and my blood pounds with excitement as if someone lit a sparkler in my chest. Then I frown because I’m not supposed to feel this way. Not with him. Not with anyone.

Jesse Lachlin winks at me as he sits across from me like no time has passed from when we climbed trees together. “What’s up, Tink?”

Another thrill runs through me but then my muscles tighten. Stupid, antiquated reaction belonging to a dead past. “What are you doing here?”

Jesse pops a fry into his mouth, chews, then picks up another as if he has no intention of answering. I scan the cafeteria. Several people are watching us, curious as to why Jesse Lachlin is sitting with me, or is event at lunch, or even at school.

From the lunch line, Camila’s and Evangeline’s eyes are bugging out of their heads.

What is going on? Camila mouths.

I raise my eyebrows to inform her I have no idea. Jesse digs into his corn with his fork and that’s crossing a line. “Maybe you didn’t hear me, but I asked what you’re doing here.”

He lifts his eyes to meet mine and there’s a glimmer in them that causes my lips to flatten. Fantastic. He’s here to make my life a living hell.

“It seems obvious,” he says.

If he remembers anything about me, he should recall I was never known for my patience and that he should be speaking, and speaking soon. “Just answer the question.”

“I’m eating lunch.”

I honest to God groan in frustration. “There’s no room at the inn.”

He surveys the table, takes in the empty seats, my books, and then gives me a good look. A slow look. As if he’s trying to memorize every inch he’s drinking in. My cheeks redden because that somehow feels a little too intimate for lunch. Feels a little too intimate for someone I’m no longer friends with. It feels too intimate if we were friends.

I glance away, but I sense him still staring at me. God help me, I want to stare back.

 

 

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Katie McGarry Bio:

Katie is the author of the PUSHING THE LIMITS series, THUNDER ROAD series, SAY YOU’LL REMEMBER ME, and the upcoming YA novel, ONLY A BREATH APART. Her novels have received starred reviews, critical acclaim and have won multiple awards including being a multiple Goodreads Choice Award Finalist for YA Fiction, multiple RT Magazine’s Reviewer’s Choice Award Finalist for Best YA Fiction, including a win in the category, and she was a 2013 YALSA Top Ten Teen Pick.

 

 

 

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Blog Tour: Wild Hunger by Chloe Neill (Review and Giveaway)

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Books, Chicago, Chicagoland Vampires, Chloe Neill, Review, Wild Hunger

Hey guys and welcome to one of the many stops on the WILD HUNGER blog tour! I am excited and thankful to be one of the hosts’ on this tour and get to review the book as well as giveaway some awesome stuff to you guys! Keep reading for the review and giveaway rules!

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | iBooks | Kobo | Books-A-Million | Indiebound | Audible

Wild Hunger – Chloe Neill

Release Date: August 14th 2018

Berkley (Penguin Random House): Urban Fantasy

329 pages (paperback)

You can read this review and others on my Goodreads here. (Don’t be shy to send a friend request as well!

As the only vampire child ever born, some believed Elisa Sullivan had all the luck. But the magic that helped bring her into the world left her with a dark secret. Shifter Connor Keene, the only son of North American Central Pack Apex Gabriel Keene, is the only one she trusts with it. But she’s a vampire and the daughter of a Master and a Sentinel, and he’s prince of the Pack and its future king.

When the assassination of an ambassador brings old feuds to the fore again, Elisa and Connor must choose between love and family, between honor and obligation, before Chicago disappears forever.

*Be forewarned that this series is a continuation of Neill’s previous series Chicagoland Vampires and it could be quite spoilery for those who have not read or finished the books.*

I am a huge fan of the Chicagoland Vampires books and have been for about seven years and have immersed myself with the Sentinel Merit and the vampire Master Ethan Sullivan both of Cadogan House. I was quite excited to see the Neill was going to go for a spin-off that included their daughter – Elisa. At first, I was not sure what to expect, however, once I started to read – I couldn’t stop.

Usually with spin-offs there are characters who are pretty much an essence of previous characters such as they have the same sarcastic remarks, are described somewhat similar and really, its just the same character with another name. Neill took this and did a 180 in that we hardly saw previous character unless it was necessary as it was more important to meet and fall in love with the new characters rather than bring the old ones back. As much as I love Merit and Ethan, I found I really loved Elisa, her best friend Lulu and her ‘frenemy’ Connor. These characters were so much fun to learn about and see that they weren’t their parents from the previous series. Lulu was the best friend I wished I could have as she was eccentric yet laid back at the same time and knew when to fight her battles and when she should stay put. Connor, of course, was the kind of character you would expect to be as the prince of the North American Central Pack – broody yet yummy. He has trouble with finding who he is among  trying to be what his pack needs but he tries to be there for Elisa whenever he can despite their years of nagging one another. Elisa was … not her parents at all. I wasn’t quite expecting this so much as really enjoying her as an individual. She is fierce but very compassionate and she, like Connor, is fighting to find herself in a world that has already characterized her.

The story was easy to get into from the start yet difficult to put down as I did not finish till 2 AM. Like all of Chloe Neill’s books it was filled with action packed scenes as well as the best one liners she could give to her characters that had me holding in my laugh too many times. Like her parents, Elisa is skilled in wielding a katana and she is not afraid to use it, though she is a vampire (a monster to some) there is also something within Elisa that she calls a monster and isn’t sure what to become of it and she is found to fight against throughout the book as well as learn to fight with it.

Another fact about the book I loved was that it felt like more of an adventure rather than a romance and while there are steamy connections, I appreciated learning about the world, character relationships and new character developments. It was fun reading about the old gang and learning about the new gang coming together and seeing them all interact. I am excited for a sequel and wish I had the book in my hands right now.

Overall I gave WILD HUNGER 4 stars and wish Connor Keene and Ethan Sullivan were real people and that I could have more than one husband because they would definitely be in my circle of husbands. Thank you readers for reading and I will have another blog post up soon.

Over and out.

Giveaway: There are two giveaways, one hosted by me and one by Chloe Neill, and everyone is able to enter either or both!

Giveaway hosted by me includes:

• A Wild Hunger tote bag and bookmark
• A Stuffed “Connor Keene” Wolf Keychain
• A signed Chloe Neill book
• Assorted Chicagoland and Devil’s Isle bookmarks and swag

(enter by following the blog and commenting below that you did)

(per shipping costs US only!)

*extra entries if you follow on Twitter and Instagram @BookFanatic757*

The fun doesn’t stop here. Want more chances to win? You can also enter the Wild Hunger Grand Prize Giveaway, which runs August 6 through August 17 on Chloe’s web site.

• A Wild Hunger tote bag and bookmark
• A Stuffed “Connor Keene” Wolf Keychain
• A gorgeous box of Ladurée French Macarons (You’ll find out why in WILD HUNGER!)
• Amazon Kindle
• $50 Amazon gift card
• Bookmarks and swag

About the Author

Chloe Neill is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of the Devil’s Isle, Chicagoland Vampires, and Dark Elite series. She was born and raised in the South, but now makes her home in the Midwest.  When not writing, she bakes, knits, Pins, and scours the Internet for good recipes and great graphic design. Chloe also maintains her sanity by spending time with her boys–her favorite landscape photographer/husband and their dogs, Baxter and Scout. (Both she and the photographer understand the dogs are in charge.)

Website/Twitter/Facebook

 

If you have gotten this far, thank you so much for reading and I wish all of you luck for the giveaway, and make sure to go check out the rest of Chloe Neill’s books as well as the rest of the lovely blogs that are apart of this tour! You can check out the schedule down below (:

Week One

Monday, August 6 – The Consummate Reader
Tuesday, August 7 – Moonlight Rendezvous | Books of My Heart
Wednesday, August 8 – Book Dragons 24/7
Thursday, August 9 – MeliH
Friday, August 10 – A Book Fanatic Obsession | Silence is Read

Week Two

Monday, August 13 – Loves Great Reads
Tuesday, August 14 (Release Day) – Snoopydoo’s Book Review | The Saucy Wenches Book Club
Wednesday, August 15 – A Great Read | Book Nook Nuts
Thursday, August 16 – Urban Fantasy Investigations | Goldilocks and the Three Weres
Friday, August 17 – Dawn’s Reading Nook | Besties & Books

Book Tour (Review, Excerpt and Giveaway): Say You’ll Remember Me by Katie McGarry

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Book Review, InkSlinger, Katie McGarry, Say You'll Remember Me

From critically acclaimed author Katie McGarry, comes SAY YOU’LL REMEMBER ME—a story of two people from different worlds pushing themselves, and each other, to get what they deserve!

SAY YOU’LL REMEMBER ME releases on January 30, 2018. Pre-order your copy today!

SAY YOU’LL REMEMBER ME Synopsis:

“Doesn’t matter who did it. Not anymore. I did the time. It’s over.”

When Drix was convicted of a crime–one he didn’t commit–he thought his life was over. But opportunity came with the Second Chance Program, the governor’s newest pet project to get delinquents off the streets, rehabilitated and back into society. Drix knows this is his chance to get his life back on track, even if it means being paraded in front of reporters for a while.

Elle knows she lives a life of privilege. As the governor’s daughter, she can open doors with her name alone. But the expectations and pressure to be someone she isn’t may be too much to handle. She wants to follow her own path, whatever that means.

When Drix and Elle meet, their connection is immediate, but so are their problems. Drix is not the type of boy Elle’s parents have in mind for her, and Elle is not the kind of girl who can understand Drix’s messy life.

But sometimes love can breach all barriers.

Fighting against a society that can’t imagine them together, Drix and Elle must push themselves–Drix to confront the truth of the robbery, and Elle to assert her independence–and each other to finally get what they deserve.

Review:

As always, it is great to be apart of different book tours and especially since this is the first of the year for me and the first year post! I have always been a fan of Katie McGarry since I met her when her second book of the Pushing the Limits series, Dare You To, came out years ago. Once I received the email that I was going to be on the tour and be able to review the book I literally threw my phone across my room and onto my bed because I couldn’t believe it. It was also late at the time I decided to check my email but that didn’t stop me from beginning the book and wow was it a roller coaster of emotions for me from the start!

Drix was hands down my favorite character throughout the whole book and while McGarry always has great main and side characters, he stuck out to me, mainly because I felt like I could honestly connect with him in the sense of his social standing. While I was never necessarily convicted for something, I grew up in a city and neighborhood that wasn’t as shiny as some. My house currently holds nine people and sometimes I sleep on the couch where Drix didn’t have a room and slept in the attic on two beds settled together. Most would think it would be distasteful or uncomfortable, but that’s what Drix’s family had to do to make the means that they did have work the best they could. More than that, he was incredibly humble, something most guys his age wouldn’t have whether they had money or not. Drix was comfortable with who he was and how he came to be who he is today and I was proud and inspired by that. It is hard to be so naturally amiable despite unfair circumstances. He always put his family first and thought about his actions on whether it would effect them or not. If anything, everyone should take note from Drix.

Elle, of course, was a great match for Drix. I appreciated her humbleness despite her having money. She didn’t necessarily flaunt it nor was ashamed but she was grateful and showed that gratefulness with giving back when she could. I giggled whenever I read of her taking in pets despite her parents telling her not to. Like Drix, her heart was good and I was glad that she got to see the sweetness in Drix that most wouldn’t look too far into him to see. Their mannerisms together were too innocent that made it cute and I would be cheering them on when they were simply sitting close to one another to where their skin touched.

The story line isn’t all romance, there is meaning that the two characters seem to share in what sort of brings them together in that they are trying to find themselves in the midst of a society where everyone wants them to act and be a certain way – Elle as the governors daughter and Drix as the convict he is made out to be. They should in no way collide but as the only people who understand what the other is going through, what is there to do?

McGarry seems to capture the voice of the younger audience near perfect and I loved being in Drix and Elle’s head for while and imagine myself as 17 again (I’m 20 but I feel so old!). Her writing and stories never seem to fail me and now I want to go back and re read the rest of her works. Of course I am up for anything else Katie McGarry and I hope you all are as well once you’ve read this book. Continue reading down below for an except and giveaway!

Overall I gave Say You’ll Remember Me 5 stars and I really hope there is more to come! Thank you readers for reading and I will be back with another blog post soon,

Over and out.

Excerpt:

~Hendrix~

Holiday smacks my arm and wrath owns her eyes. “Why didn’t you talk to her?”

I glance around at my family—Axle, Holiday, my best friend, Dominic, and his younger sister, Kellen. I’m searching for at least one of them to have my back and tell her to step off, but instead they’re curious for the answer. Even Axle’s giving me a questioning gaze, and the last thing my womanizing brother deserves is an explanation from me in my decisions regarding women.

Last time I was home, his reputation was as bad as Dad’s, minus the progeny. There are three siblings in this family, and we have three different birth mothers. Dad not only didn’t know how to use a condom, but he didn’t know how to stay true to one woman.

“I talked to her.”

My younger sister throws her arms out and drops her voice to what I’m assuming is to mimic me, but I don’t sound like an idiot. “You’re good at this.” She resumes her normal tone which is entering high-pitched. “Seriously? That’s all you’ve got? Did you get some sort of amoeba that eats your brain while hanging out in juvie?”

I fold my arms over my chest and wonder if my sister can read pissed-off body language.

“You can still catch the girl and talk to her,” Holiday continues, proving she doesn’t care I’m silently informing her to quit. “Don’t make me chase her for you because that would be embarrassing. Embarrassing for you. Not me. I’ll have to tell her you sent me, and because you’re a wuss, I’ll have to ask her out for you like we’re in sixth grade.”

I find myself missing the middle of nowhere. Trees, bonfires, mosquitos, mud, bears…. company that didn’t talk.

“She’s out of my league.” I haven’t spoken truer words in months. She was beautiful. She was poised. She was a cool breeze after a hot humid rain. She was that first ray of sunshine in the dark woods. She was the smell of honeysuckle in bloom. She was the first damn thing that made me forget who I am and what I’ve gotten myself into over the past year. That means she was out of my league.

Granted, she was out of my league before I was arrested. Everything from her manicured nails, to her brand-name clothes, to her high-end purse, to the way she held herself said she was about a hundred times higher on the social and economic spectrum than me, but the person I was before would have made the play because I was smooth—just like my father.

“She is not out of your league.” Holiday hounds me. “She smiled at you. I know when a girl likes what she sees, and she liked what she saw in you.”

Tension builds in my neck. Yeah, the girl smiled, but she didn’t know what she was smiling at. I’m a pretty façade on the outside. On the inside, I’m a house of cards teetering on a bad foundation.

Preorder SAY YOU’LL REMEMBER ME here!

Amazon|Barnes & Noble|iBooks|Google Play|B-A-M|Kobo

Add it to your Goodreads Now!

Pre-order SAY YOU’LL REMEMBER ME, register and you will receive AND THEY ALL LIVED HAPPILY EVER AFTER, a novella that features your favoritePushing the LimitsandThunder Roadcharacters!

From thePushing the Limitsseries, Noah, Beth, Isaiah, West and Logan are all grown up. Catch up with your favorite characters as one of them finally says, I do.

Pigpen, Eli and Addison from theThunder Roadseries: Three separate personalities who still needed to find love…and still had someone important to meet.

This is a limited time offer! So hurry! Registration ends onFebruary 3, 2018! You must register your pre-order to receive AND THEY ALL LIVED HAPPILY EVER AFTER.

https://a.pgtb.me/4tLZSM

Katie McGarry’s SAY YOU’LL REMEMBER ME – Tour Schedule:

January 22^ndA Book Fanatic Obsession

Books, Coffee & Passion

Feed Your Fiction Addiction

Girl Plus Books

Lattes & Paperbacks

Read more sleep less

Sanaa’s Book Blog

Tales of the Ravenous Reader

The book slayer

The Sisterhood of the Traveling Book Boyfriends

January 23^rdBook Twins Reviews

E-Romance News

Kim’s Reading Nook

Milky Way of Books

phishbowl reads

Read. Eat. Love.

Resch Reads and Reviews

The Book Hammock

The Lovely Books

TSK TSK What to Read

January 24^thActin’Up with Books

Binding Addiction

Booknerd1107

Ficwishes

Kindle and Me

Literary Misfit

Red Hot + Blue Reads

Star-Crossed Book Blog

The Book Maven

The Start of Something New

January 25^thBeyourselfbebhaltair

Books first work later

Broc’s Bookcase

Dazzled by Books

Eye in Bookland

KDRBCK

Movies, Shows, & Books

Reads and Thoughts

Sister Sister Book Blog

Taylor Fenner’s Bookish World

January 26^thAli’s Reviews and More

Beneath The Covers Blog

BookWorm221

Collector of book boyfriends

Lauren’s Crammed Bookshelf

Little Read Riding Hood

MrsLeif’s Two Fangs About It Book Reviews

Rad Babes Read

The Bookish Sisters

The Reading Faery

January 27^thAn Asian Chick & Her Cat Walk into a Book Blog

Angel Reads

Becky on Books

Book reader addicts

Brittany’s Book Blog

Contagious Reads

Geronimo Reads

Less Reality More Books

Romancing the Laser Pistol

The Escapist Book Blog

January 28^thBook Bitches Blog

Bookishly Yours

KatyaRath

Lo’s Lo-Down on Books

Mary Had a Little Book Blog

Not the Path to Narnia

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About Katie McGarry:

Katie McGarry was a teenager during the age of grunge and boy bands and remembers those years as the best and worst of her life. She is a lover of music, happy endings, reality television, and is a secret University of Kentucky basketball fan.

Katie is the author of full length YA novels, PUSHING THE LIMITS, DARE YOU TO, CRASH INTO YOU, TAKE ME ON, BREAKING THE RULES, and NOWHERE BUT HERE and the e-novellas, CROSSING THE LINE and RED AT NIGHT. Her debut YA novel, PUSHING THE LIMITS was a 2012 Goodreads Choice Finalist for YA Fiction, a RT Magazine’s 2012 Reviewer’s Choice Awards Nominee for Young Adult Contemporary Novel, a double Rita Finalist, and a 2013 YALSA Top Ten Teen Pick. DARE YOU TO was also a Goodreads Choice Finalist for YA Fiction and won RT Magazine’s Reviewer’s Choice Best Book Award for Young Adult Contemporary fiction in 2013.

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Blog Tour (Review, Giveaway and Q&A): Snared (Elemental Assassin #16) by Jennifer Estep

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Elemental Assassin, Gin Blanco, Jennifer Estep, Snared

Hey everyone! Welcome to my stop on the Snared tour! I have been very lucky to be apart of many tours for the Elemental Assassin series and I’m glad that I continue to be a host as it is so much fun to read about Gin’s adventures and be apart of the release. Keep reading for my review, a tour wide giveaway and a quick Q&A with the author, Jennifer Estep.

 

Snared – Jennifer Estep

Release Date: April 25th 2017

Pocket Books: Urban Fantasy

400 pages (Kindle Edition)

You can read this review and others on my Goodreads here. (Don’t be shy to send a friend request as well!

If you don’t know Gin “the Spider” Blanco, you don’t know dangerous female heroines.

Irony 101—The Spider herself snared in someone else’s web…

Another week, another few clues trickling in about the Circle, the mysterious group that supposedly runs the city’s underworld. Gathering intel on my hidden enemies is a painstaking process, but a more immediate mystery has popped up on my radar: a missing girl.

My search for the girl begins on the mean streets of Ashland, but with all the killers and crooks in this city, I’m not holding out much hope that she’s still alive.

A series of clues leads me down an increasingly dark, dangerous path, and I realize that the missing girl is really just the first thread in this web of evil. As an assassin, I’m used to facing down the worst of the worst, but nothing prepares me for this new, terrifying enemy—one who strikes from the shadows and is determined to make me the next victim.

I do this every time but guys, this is the 16th book in the Elemental Assassin series and I don’t know about y’all but I do not get tired of reading about Gin and her adventures. I continue to be surprised and genuinely enjoy every book!

You have all seen the movie Shrek, I assume? Remember that part where Shrek is telling Donkey how there are deeper parts of him – layers, like an onion, or so Shrek makes the analogy. Donkey later has a remark that cake also has layers and that’s how I see this series. With every book I read, there is another layer that Estep has laid down for us and while some may not enjoy it, I am ecstatic. There is more to the story arc and more information is poured through the pages about who Gin is, her origins and the people who get in her way are not always necessarily the only people she may need to fight in order to find her answers and I love it.

In Snared, Gin is still trying to find the origins of the group The Circle, who seem to know more about her as the boss of the criminal underworld of Ashland, much more than she would like and some secrets on who exactly her mother was before her unfortunate death when she was younger. But it is all side stepped as another mystery has come to surface and needs Gin’s attention if no more bodies are to be found. Of course as Gin is looking further into the case, the circle is keeping a close and watchful eye on her every move, something that leads Gin to thinking that maybe The Circle and the mysterious crimes are more connected than she thinks.

I love the direction the series is taking, the mystery aspect and more background information that really makes you think. The other characters are always a hoot to see again – Finn, Bria, Sofia and Jo-Jo and of course Owen! The feeling of family and friends is never lost in the books and it really brings the story together and also it makes me happy knowing the gang always has Gin’s back no matter the trials.

And then there’s the blood. Ahhh the blood. Gin is always getting blood on herself, stains and rips in her clothes from showing everyone just how strong she is and that she will always be on the top in the end despite what anyone else thinks. In this book, Gin does take the beatings every now and then but her magic and fighting abilities that involve her silverstone knives show everyone why she is the best assassin in Ashland and that Gin wins each and every time.

As I said earlier, I enjoyed the mystery tone to the book and I am hoping for more as Gin is more than her fighting and stabbing. She is smart and very intuitive, I hope to see more of that side of her.

Overall I gave the 4 book stars and of course am waiting impatiently for the next installment and I’m sure Estep is working very hard on it as I speak.  Thank you readers for reading and I will have another blog post up soon.

Over and out.

Purchase links:

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Snared-Elemental-Assassin-Jennifer-Estep/dp/1501142275

Barnes & Noble: https://www.amazon.com/Snared-Elemental-Assassin-Jennifer-Estep/dp/1501142275

Books-A-Million: http://www.booksamillion.com/p/Snared/Jennifer-Estep/Q302088072

IndieBound: http://www.indiebound.org/book/9781501142277

Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/snared-5

iBook: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/snared/id1128640257

Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/books/details/Jennifer_Estep_Snared

Audible: http://www.audible.com/pd/Romance/Snared-Audiobook/B06XS67VRY

Q&A with Jennifer Estep:

1. Top 5 movies you are excited for this year? 

JE: I’m excited for Wonder Woman, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, Spider-Man: Homecoming, Thor: Ragnarok, and the Beauty and the Beast remake.

2. Do you like vegetables? If so what is your favorite? If not, cheeseburgers are the way to go.

JE: I actually really like vegetables. Tomatoes are my favorite, and I love making salads with them, carrots, cucumbers, red onions, and more, especially during the hot summer months.

And most of those things go great on a cheeseburger too. LOL.

3. If Gin could have been named something else other than Gin, what would her name be?

JE: Tough question. I don’t really know. She’s been Gin to me for so long now that I just can’t imagine her with any other name.

4. Let’s say Finn did something exceptionally bad that would make Gin want to kill him, how would that happen? Or would she just let someone else take care of him for her?

JE: I don’t know that Finn could ever do anything bad enough that Gin would really want to kill him. He is her brother, for better or worse.

5. I have read all you’re books, even your YA series, and loved them all but which series was the best to write or the easiest?

JE: Thanks! I appreciate that. Glad you are enjoying my books.

I probably have the most fun writing my Elemental Assassin books. I just love writing all the action and fight scenes in those books, along with all the food scenes. I would say the runner-up would be my Bigtime superhero series, since those books are just zany, goofy fun.

6. Thank you so much for being on my blog, I love your books and can’t wait to see what else you bring to us and wish you all the best!

JE: Thanks for hosting me. Happy reading, everyone!

Tour wide giveaway!

There’s a tour-wide giveaway for copies of SNARED and a $20 Amazon gift card! Open to US residents only.
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About Jennifer Estep:

Jennifer Estep is a New York Times, USA Today, and international bestselling author prowling the streets of her imagination in search of her next fantasy idea.

Jennifer writes the Elemental Assassin urban fantasy series. Snared, book #16, will be released on April 25.

Jennifer also writes the Mythos Academy young adult urban fantasy series. She is also the author of the Black Blade young adult urban fantasy series and the Bigtime paranormal romance series.

For more information on Jennifer and her books, visit www.jenniferestep.com or follow Jennifer on Facebook, Goodreads, and Twitter.

Book Review: Blind Tiger by Rachel Vincent

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Blind Tiger, Rachel Vincent, Shifters, Wildcats

Blind Tiger – Rachel Vincent

Release Date: February 14th 2017

Rachel Vincent: New Adult

420 pages (kindle)

You can read this review and others on my Goodreads. (Don’t be shy to send a friend request as well!) I have a review up for the first book, Lion’s Share, in the series here. Be aware this will have some spoilers as it is the second in its series, read with caution!

So it’s been awhile since I last reviewed a book and honestly I haven’t felt the need to post one. There has yet to be a book where I had to talk about my feelings and I was also in a bit of a slump so not many books even made it in my lap.

However, my girl, one of the first authors I was introduced to when I was a teenager, Rachel Vincent, released a book that no one expecting till later and I didn’t even think before I was on Amazon and purchasing the ebook immediately. Though it took me until today (Friday) a few days after Blind Tiger released to actually pull up the book and read it due to homework, school assignments and life in general but I finally had a moment where everything else was of less importance and I dove into the book.

I wasn’t sure what to expect first of all, I know I wanted to see some of my favorite characters from her previous series, Shifters, and while I was excited and clapping at the appearances of Faythe, Marc, Jace, Abby and more I was intrigued by our two main character stray wildcats, Titus and Robyn. We met both Titus and Robyn in the previous book, Lion’s Share, though it was brief for Titus we get a gist of what Robyn is going through and what she is to face in this book.

Robyn reminded me a little of Faythe, her attitude of not wanting anyone to decide her future and poking and prodding at her as she is the first tabby stray. She condones being the center of attention and will break any rules in her way in order to stay out of the limelight. She’s Titus as her way out and without thinking, thrusts herself into his world of strays. Robyn annoyed me a little in a sense that she did not listen much for a girl who literally had her tail on the line and if she would have listened here and then, she might have come out with a better consensus.

Titus was a character I liked immediately, even when I met him in the last page or so in the previous book. He is the acting alpha in the free zone of Mississippi, taking in strays and proving himself for a spot on the council of wildcats. As he is the first stray alpha to take on this fight, I am excited about how the wildcat politics is going to go down. In the Shifters series, it was always a hoot to see how Faythe would ruffle the council’s feathers in anyway she could but to Titus standing up for the strays and show that they are more than capable to be known and not just other wildcats on the sidelines. Titus genuinely cared about the strays and wasn’t the average power hungry cat, a characteristic I loved from him.

My overall favorite aspect about the book is the world building. After reading Shifters, of course I wanted more but I always wondered how Vincent would do it and which characters she would incorporate into the stories. But the world continues to expand and pull me in head first without warning. I love being able to gradually make my way into her books and be immediately immersed in the plot and characters. I would love to know more about the side characters as Vincent’s side characters are usually my favorites as well. It’s hard to get to know a character for a few pages and not wonder what’s going to happen with them in the next pages they aren’t there for.

The ending was as big of a twist as I hoped for but I did gasp out loud a few times and cheered when it was needed. I can’t wait for the next book, Kaci’s story, and to delve further into the wildcat politics, see where our happy characters and others are up to now (Vincent I’m gonna need an update on Faythe!).

Overall I gave this book 4 stars and am on the edge of my seat for the next so please Rachel start writing! Thank you readers for reading and I will have another blog post up soon!

Over and out.

Blog Tour (Review): Mr. President (White House #1) by Katy Evans

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Katy Evans, Mr. President

Mr. President by Katy Evans

Release Date: October 31st

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Synopsis:

He’s won the hearts of millions. But is he willing to lose his?

I met the president’s son when we were both young. Matthew Hamilton was handsome, polished, and intelligent. I’d never met a guy like him.

He promised me that he’d never run for president. I promised that if he did, I’d be by his side.

Three terms later, an invitation to join Matthew Hamilton’s campaign is the most exhilarating opportunity I’ve ever experienced. I’m determined to make a difference; he is determined to win.

Focused on his goal, Matt is steadfast, ruthless, and disarming. All eyes are on him and his popularity is surging. But soon, the next possible president of the United States is possessing me in more ways than one—and despite the risks, I’m helpless to resist.

We’re stealing touches, stealing moments, and stealing away at night. But our chemical connection is quickly becoming dangerously combustive, putting not only my heart, but Matt’s chance at the presidency on the line.

Winning will take everything. Walking away will be the hardest thing of all.

Add to Goodreads

Buy Links:

Amazon ➜ http://amzn.to/2dYH8wj

iBooks ➜ http://apple.co/2dPYPQr

Nook ➜ http://bit.ly/2dNp2hl

Kobo ➜ http://bit.ly/2cQp2Rv

Review:

I’m sure you have heard of Katy Evans and if you haven’t then let me name my two favorite books by her which are actually the first in her two series, Manwhore and Real. I have read all the books by Evans and each one leaves me wanting each and every one of her leading men. Mr. President was no different because hot damn, Matthew Hamilton I love you.

I saw the blog tour sign ups for Mr. President and did not hesitate to sign up for a review copy and if I didn’t acquire one I would have been just fine being on the tour and look at us now, on the tour with the opportunity to review the book because I did get an ARC and guess what?

I loved it.

With the election coming up, it was nice to read something where I liked the presidential nominee and didn’t feel like voting even if he was fictional. I was never into politics and I mean who is? But this, this book had me reading until I finished the book and begging for more. Matthew Hamilton is an alpha like male character and of course he resonates power but it’s that power of a possible President of the United States. Him and Charlotte are a forbidden romance that just makes the story that much more enticing and had me reeling in the end.

All of Katy Evans’ men leaving me breathless because they are all so passionate, Matthew was no exception. He had the blazing determination to do as he pleased and get there with everyone on his side whether they even wanted to, everyone was drawn to him as he was the type of person you couldn’t help to like. But like most guys, he wasn’t just passionate about what he does in the world but in his relationship with Charlotte. His determined gaze moves from his responsibilities to her in a heartbeat and goodness she knew she didn’t have a chance to say no to him because duh, Matthew freaking Hamilton!

Charlotte is a character I aspire to be, she’s selfless, genuine and big hearted. I love her hard working demeanor and her willingness to stand aside in order for the country to get the attention of Matt Hamilton that she wanted. I love her realness and her want to help others. My heart aches when she realizes she could never be Matt the way she wants even though they are perfect for one another in every way, he’s tough where she is soft and the more the compliment each other’s personalities makes the whole situation harder to get through. It’s easy for her love him because it was easy for me and I’m sure every other reader to fall in love with Matthew and vice versa. The stolen moments together, even the small ones made my own heart flutter and wish for more even though I knew it just couldn’t be.

There is a sequel to this series so be prepared for the ending as I was ready to tear down the world for just a peak. If you haven’t read anything by Katy Evans, go ahead and start with Mr. President, start with Matthew Hamilton and #vote4love because I sure as hell do.

Overall I gave the book 5 stars and am anxiously waiting for that freaking sequel before I go crazy, please Katy let me out of my misery! Thank you readers for reading and I will have another blog post up soon.

Over and out.

About the Author:

Katy Evans is a New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal bestselling author. Her debut REAL shot to the top of the bestselling lists in 2013 and since then 9 of her titles have been New York Times bestsellers. Her books have been translated into nearly a dozen languages across the world.

Email / Facebook / Twitter / Website

Book Review: F*ck Love by Tarryn Fisher

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F*ck Love, Tarryn Fisher

F*ck Love – Tarryn Fisher

Release Date: December 31st 2015

Tarryn Fisher: New Adult

257 pages (kindle)

“You’re a muggle who wants to be magical.” 

I frown. “That’s so mean.” 

June shrugs. “So go be magical. It’s a choice.”

Ok, here’s to an unpopular opinion that is about to go down. 

I read F*ck Love recently. (Edit: I read this a month ago but I was behind on reviews as this is now going up) And by recently I mean a few hours ago. I finished F*ck Love pretty quickly, it’s hard not to fall into Tarryn’s writing because you don’t just get back up and not continue to read. Tarryn makes you fall on your ass and her words compel you to keep reading. You don’t have a choice, sorry. 

Anyways, after reading F*ck Love, I had to discuss. I had these feelings, like the swirly ones in my chest that wouldn’t go away. My stomach hurt like I had to literally throw up the words somewhere about how I felt and my need to talk about it was making me sick. I do not mean this in a bad way, I mean this in a good way. But then again I didn’t want to re read the book because duh, swirly feelings were making me sick and I HAD TO TALK TO SOMEONE ABOUT IT. 

So I had the words stuck inside me and the discussion group on Facebook I joined hasn’t been approved so I’ve been a sitting duck in a big pond full of me and my swirly feelings. I had a lot to think about. A lot of feelings to digest and settle because if I just word vomited, this wouldn’t come out right. 

I liked it. 

That’s it. I didn’t love it, I didn’t hate it, I liked it. 

Is that bad? Is that good? 

I have no clue. 

You see Helena, the main character, had a dream where she was married to her best friends current boyfriend, Kit. They had the whole shebang, the house, the kids, the career and the sex life. I mean who wouldn’t want that? But in real life she didn’t have that. She didn’t have Kit because he was with her best friend Della and Helena was dating someone named Neil. But then Helena starts to try and turn this dream into reality. She isn’t necessarily trying to take her best friends boyfriend but she thinks about that dream and what it will be like so she slowly turns some of those dream parts into reality parts. She slowly falls in love with Kit. 

Ok. Ok. Ok. That’s all I can say without spoiling the rest and you just need to read it. 

The reason I wasn’t heavily in love with this book as I was hoping, is that I didn’t like Kit. I loved Helena, I loved the secondary characters and the evolution of a few but Kit had something about him that irked me. You see, I don’t use words like irked but Kit? Yeah, he irked me. 

Maybe it was the things that went down that irked me. Or the opportunities that were passed down that irked me. Or maybe it was just his personality that irked me. I don’t know. He. Irked. Me. 

Helena was a hoot. I loved her awkwardness. I loved how she loved Harry Potter and would Avada Kedavra people. (Not for real.) And her overall personality. She was likable. She was real to me.

So back to Tarryn’s writing, which I also loved. I think if not for the spellbinding way Tarryn writes I *may* not have finished. There were times in the story I would think, “Really?” Not because it was unbelievable but because of the choices and outcomes that the characters made. But the way Tarryn wrote the outcomes and wrote the words that came out of their mouths caught me so hard. I was stuck. I couldn’t move from my place on my bed. My eyes were glued to my phone screen from 1 AM to 3 AM. I had a 7 AM appointment within the next few hours and I couldn’t put the damn book down. 

So. That was my first ever unpopular review. It was also pretty vague now that I go back over it but I can’t delve further because spoilers. I gave F*ck Love 3.5 stars. I enjoyed it but I didn’t have the same feelings as almost everyone else did when it came to this book. I adore Tarryn Fisher but this book isn’t up to par as I’d hoped. I will continue to read her books because her writing is so damn good. Thank you readers for reading and I will have another blog post up soon. 

Over and out. 

Cover Reveal: Bad Mommy by Tarryn Fisher

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Bad Mommy, Tarryn Fisher

Guys!!! I finally get to be in on a cover reveal for Tarryn Fisher! I always seem to miss out at the last minute or miss sign ups but I made it this time and am super excited to share the cover of Tarryn’s new upcoming book, Bad Mommy. 

Release Date: TBD 

Synopsis: Almost every day is a very bad day when you’re thirty, your tits are starting to sag, there are lines creeping in around your eyes, and you realize that no one would like you if they actually knew who you really were. Fig Coxbury is fed up with her life: her cheating ex-husband, the excess fat around her waist, and most of all, her loneliness. 

When Fig chances upon Jolene Avery, the embodiment of everything she’s ever wanted to be, Fig befriends her out of curiosity. 
Fig soon begins to emulate all aspects of Jolene’s life, because when you find someone who knows exactly who they are, you can’t help but want to be just like them. 
Or in Fig’s case… become them.

Goodreads Link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/31415712-bad-mommy


I am actually so in love with this cover! The more I look at it the more intrigued I am and the more I love it. Please go add Bad Mommy to your Goodreads and be sure to keep an eye out for more info on this soon! Thanks for reading and I will have another blog post up soon, 

Over and out.