Weekly Blogging Challenge

 

Something I wish someone would invent

I wish someone would invent a teleportation device. I live overseas in Germnay, and I wish I could just teleport to my family and visit whenever I wanted. As it stands, it takes a 9 hour flight to get there and it's just too much work with a toddler. I made the journey by myself in July and I probably will not be doing that anytime soon again. 

When I was a kid I wished someone invented a device that allowed you to go into the TV. I still wish someone would. 😅

What do you wish someone would invent?

Teaser Tuesdays!

                             

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:
• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

"Never in my life had I thought about killing anyone. Stacey used to say I didn’t have it in me, that sweet southern girls like me didn’t kill, we buried."

[Book Review] Madness

 

Death is not an escape.

One night Ezra Adkins is brutally murdered in her own home. As she was dying, she expects to wake up in the afterworld.

She was wrong.

She loses consciousness and awakens into a horrific game of kill or be killed. Players can be killed an infinite number of times, but the only permanent way out of the game is their actual death by suicide.

Players in the game ruthlessly hunt each other for points, while others kill for fun. Most players have given up on finding an escape from the game and spiral into insanity, killing without reason.

It’s mayhem.

Ezra soon learns who to trust and who to hunt down. But as she falls deeper into the game, she starts to lose herself as the bodies pile up. The line blurs between what she’s always known to be right and wrong.

Metal will clash. Blood will spill. Minds will break. And before it’s too late, Ezra must find an escape from the game before she becomes the real enemy.

*I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. *

Wow! What a pleasant surprise this book was! I was intrigued by the premise of this book, because it is quite unique. I wasn't quite sure what I was going to be reading about when I first read the description, but I was excited to dive in, and I felt I did exactly that. 

I enjoyed the main female character, Ezra. She was realistic and had her strengths and weaknesses. She was just as confused as I was in the beginning, which I think worked in the favor of this book. Speedy's character was confusing, because I don't think there was enough background information on him. He was hot and cold towards Ezra, to the point that I just didn't know if I liked him or not. Jack's character had the embodiment of some of my favorite characters. He was morally grey, conflicted and intriguing. I also enjoyed the other team members, and I am excited to see their character development and to delve more into their backgrounds in the sequel. Some of the dialogue seemed out of character in parts, but I believe that may be due to some plot pacing errors. Overall, I loved all the main characters and side characters. 

There were a few plot pacing issues, and possible plot holes that remained unanswered, but overall the plot was phenomenal. The world of the Battles was intriguing. The concept of Engine and someone else forcing them into a world of Battles, and them being possible social experiments was also fascinating. I look forward to increased world building and more explanations to the questions presented in this book.

The cliffhanger ending makes me excited to read the next in the series! I hope it comes out soon. If I were to rate this book based on the authors age and the skills required to write this book, I would give this book 5 stars. Paityn is only 15 years old, and she wrote an impressive book with a luring plotline and a unique premise. But, to make this fair and push age aside, I will have to give this book 4 stars. I loved this book and this debut author has so much promise! I hope to read more books of hers in the future. 

Paityn Parque lives in Puyallup, Washington, where she spends most of her time gaming and writing. She plays competitive volleyball actively, and when she’s not practicing, she finds time for her friends and family. She lives with her older sister, an idiotic dog, and her parents. Only 15-years-old, Madness is her first novel published. She wants to continue her career in writing and hopes that you’ll stick around to see her grow.

Questions? You can contact her at: Paityn.Parque@gmail.com

[Book Review] A Kingdom of Flesh and Fire (Book 2)

Everything Poppy has ever believed in is a lie, including the man she was falling in love with. Thrust among those who see her as a symbol of a monstrous kingdom, she barely knows who she is without the veil of the Maiden. But what she does know is that nothing is as dangerous to her as him. The Dark One. The Prince of Atlantia. He wants her to fight him, and that’s one order she’s more than happy to obey. He may have taken her, but he will never have her.

A Choice...

Casteel Da’Neer is known by many names and many faces. His lies are as seductive as his touch. His truths as sensual as his bite. Poppy knows better than to trust him. He needs her alive, healthy, and whole to achieve his goals. But he’s the only way for her to get what she wants—to find her brother Ian and see for herself if he has become a soulless Ascended. Working with Casteel instead of against him presents its own risks. He still tempts her with every breath, offering up all she’s ever wanted. Casteel has plans for her. Ones that could expose her to unimaginable pleasure and unfathomable pain. Plans that will force her to look beyond everything she thought she knew about herself—about him. Plans that could bind their lives together in unexpected ways that neither kingdom is prepared for. And she’s far too reckless, too hungry, to resist the temptation.

A Secret…

But unrest has grown in Atlantia as they await the return of their Prince. Whispers of war have become stronger, and Poppy is at the very heart of it all. The King wants to use her to send a message. The Descenters want her dead. The wolven are growing more unpredictable. And as her abilities to feel pain and emotion begin to grow and strengthen, the Atlantians start to fear her. Dark secrets are at play, ones steeped in the blood-drenched sins of two kingdoms that would do anything to keep the truth hidden. But when the earth begins to shake, and the skies start to bleed, it may already be too late. 

Jennifer L. Armentrout is actually one of my favorite authors. My first series from her was the Lux series, and then the spin off of that series, so I had high hopes for From Blood and Ash (the first book in this series). From Blood and Ash did not disappoint, so I was excited to move onto this book and I was blown away. 

To me, this book had perfect world building, character development and plot pacing. It also had a healthy dose of spice, which always helps things along. I actually bought the kindle book and audiobook, so I went back and forth between the two. Sometimes the woman that voiced Poppy had an annoying voice, but pushing that aside, the book was amazing.

I liked Hawke from the beginning, but Casteel is just on a different level. Also, talk about a strong female main character. Poppy is one of my favorite female fantasy characters of all time. She is strong, fierce and curvy! What more could you ask for in a FMC? Casteel is devoted, sweet and perfect for Poppy. They are the ultimate power couple in my humble opinion. I also love Kieran as well, and he makes an interesting side character that I love to read about. 

That ending was intense! I don't think I saw it coming at all, and I am excited to see what unfolds in the next book. I have heard that the next book is a bit of a let down, so I am hoping it is not as bad as people are saying. Overall, I loved this book and I would definitely recommend the series to anyone that loves fantasy, spice, strong female characters, and a dashing love interest.

Also, here's a little fan art for those interested:

# 1 New York Times and # 1 International Bestselling author Jennifer lives in Charles Town, 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, watching really bad zombie movies, pretending to write, hanging out with her husband and her Jack Russell Loki. In early 2015, Jennifer was diagnosed with retinitis pigmentosa, a group of rare genetic disorders that involve a breakdown and death of cells in the retina, eventually resulting in loss of vision, among other complications. Due to this diagnosis, educating people on the varying degrees of blindness has become of passion of hers, right alongside writing, which she plans to do as long as she can.

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 is published with Tor, HarperCollins Avon and William Morrow, Entangled Teen and Brazen, Disney/Hyperion and Harlequin Teen. Her Wicked Series has been optioned by PassionFlix. Jennifer has won numerous awards, including the 2013 Reviewers Choice Award for Wait for You, the 2015 Editor’s Pick for Fall With Me, and the 2014/2015 Moerser-Jugendbuch- Jury award for Obsidian. Her young adult romantic suspense novel DON’T LOOK BACK was a 2014 nominated Best in Young Adult Fiction by YALSA. Her adult romantic suspense novel TILL DEATH was a Amazon Editor’s Pick and iBook Book of the Month. Her young adult contemporary THE PROBLEM WITH FOREVER is a 2017 RITA Award Winner in Young Adult Fiction. She also writes Adult and New Adult contemporary and paranormal romance under the name J. Lynn. She is published by Entangled Brazen and HarperCollins.

She is the owner of ApollyCon and The Origin Event, the successful annual events that features over hundred bestselling authors in Young Adult, New Adult, and Adult Fiction, panels, parties, and more.

 

[New Release] Broken Beasts of Beauty by Loxley Savage

 

I thought I’d die in the dungeons.

My father is a terrible man. He claimed a demon lived inside me and imprisoned me for months in his torture chamber. Then, one fateful day, he found himself on the bitter end of a curse, and he offered me in exchange for his freedom.

I thought my life was over, but I was wrong. 

While trapped within the curse creator’s ancient castle, phantoms begin speaking to me, caressing me with invisible hands, and proclaiming I’m theirs. One is cold and possessive, another curious and calculating, and the third… well, he might be damaged beyond repair—just like me.

At night, however, when the phantoms leave, terrifying beasts emerge. Their snarls and roars awaken something dark within me, and their pull is impossible to resist.

I’m changing, becoming something greater than I ever thought I could be.

When the past comes back to haunt me, and my future is compromised, I find myself facing an old enemy. This time, though, I won’t submit. This time, I’ll become the demon he always claimed I was—a broken beast.

***Broken Beasts of Beauty is a full-length, stand-alone, dark, PNR, RH fairy tale retelling. Nothing inside these pages is appropriate for a children's story. Within this tale are scenes with detailed sex, naughty language, torture, violence, revenge, and much more. If such material offends you, please do not read this book.***

Buy Link:

Books2read.com/BrokenBeasts

Meet Loxley Savage:

Loxley is from a suburb in northeast Ohio.

She loves coffee, chocolate, and reality TV. When she's not writing, she's playing with LOL dolls with her three little girls or watching Disney movies. 

Connect with Loxley Savage:

Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/loxleysavage

Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorLoxleySavage

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/author/loxleysavage

Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/loxley-savage

Instagram: https://instagram.com/loxley_savage?r=nametag

[Book Review] Burn Our Bodies Down

 

From the author of the New York Times bestseller Wilder Girls comes a new twisty thriller about a girl whose past has always been a mystery—until she decides to return to her mother’s hometown . . . where history has a tendency to repeat itself.

Ever since Margot was born, it’s been just her and her mother. No answers to Margot’s questions about what came before. No history to hold on to. No relative to speak of. Just the two of them, stuck in their run-down apartment, struggling to get along.

But that’s not enough for Margot. She wants family. She wants a past. And she just found the key she needs to get it: A photograph, pointing her to a town called Phalene. Pointing her home. Only, when Margot gets there, it’s not what she bargained for.

Margot’s mother left for a reason. But was it to hide her past? Or was it to protect Margot from what’s still there?

The only thing Margot knows for sure is there’s poison in their family tree, and their roots are dug so deeply into Phalene that now that she’s there, she might never escape.

What did I just read?

First of all, what? And second of all, why? I actually love suspense books, especially when they keep me on my toes. Unfortunately, I was able to guess what Margot was in relation to her mom and grandmother from the start. I was not able to guess the why, but at the end of the book when the why was revealed, I still didn't fully understand.

The thoughts and narration from Margot throughout the book are inconsistent and full of plot holes. She goes from one feeling to the next without any logical reason. She goes from no suspicion to all the suspicion within the span of 5 minutes, and gives no reason as to why her thought pattern has changed. It was weird and hard to follow.

The plot twist seemed to be kind of a let down. I just didn't feel that surprised, and the reason behind everything seemed flawed, and just didn't seem to pan put the way the author intended. I feel like in the end I was left with more questions than answers. 

Also, the dialogue between Margot and her mother was almost infuriating. Margot was very... annoying. Yes, her mother is not an A+ mother by any means, but she did not owe Margot any kind of explanation. Those explanations Margot wanted were courtesies, not her right. And the way she goaded her mom and threw a fit about not receiving what she felt she deserved was just super annoying. I did not empathize with Margot at all. By the end of the book, I didn't really care what happened to any of the characters to be honest. 

Rory Power grew up in New England, where she lives and works as a crime fiction editor and story consultant for TV adaptation. She received a Masters in Prose Fiction from the University of East Anglia, and thinks fondly of her time there, partially because she learned a lot but mostly because there were a ton of bunnies on campus.

She is represented by Daisy Parente at Lutyens & Rubinstein and Kim Witherspoon at InkWell Management.

Weekly Blogging Challenge

 

This weeks challenge: What makes me LOL

Recently, my toddler who is 19 months has decided to start saying the word banana. Instead of saying "banana" though, he says "anana!" and both growls and yells it at the same time. It reminds me of the Minions, and it makes me laugh every time.

What's something that makes you laugh?

Teaser Tuesdays!

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:
• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

"The snowflakes drive into him like daggers, flaying his porcelain skin, ramming the cold deeper inside his immortal flesh. Punishing him for not protecting me."

[Book Review] Evermore Academy: Winter (Book 1)

 

Welcome to Evermore Academy where the magic is dark, the immortals are beautiful, and being human SUCKS.

After spending my entire life avoiding the creatures that murdered my parents, one stupid mistake binds me to them for four years.

My penance? Become a human shadow at the infamous Evermore Academy, finishing school for the Seelie and Unseelie Fae courts.

All I want is to keep a low profile, but day one, I make an enemy of the most powerful Fae in the academy.

The Winter Prince is arrogant, cruel, and apparently also my Fae keeper. Meaning I’m in for months of torture.

But it only gets worse. Something dark and terrible looms over the academy. Humans are dying, ancient vendettas are resurfacing, and the courts are more bloodthirsty than ever.

What can one mortal girl do in a world full of gorgeous monsters?

Fight back with everything I have—and try not to fall in love in the process.

If you love reading about fated mates, enemies-to-lovers, snarky heroines, and everything Fae, then one click today and fall into this magical new series that's being called Vampire Academy meets The Cruel Prince!

P.S. This full-length story may leave you with a book hangover.
P.P.S. This Upper YA/NA series will eventually be four books and is intended for mature audiences. It contains cursing, sexual situations, and violence.

I am a sucker for academy tropes.  My favorite trope when I read primarily YA was academy tropes. Well, imagine my excitement when I found out I could read adult academy books! There are some that have been let downs, and some that excel beyond what I could have ever hoped (Zodiac academy anyone?). This book falls somewhere in the middle and more towards excelling. 

Fae in this universe are not kind to humans. They are conniving and harsh, and often bullies, especially towards the main character. In the world of Evermore Academy, the Fae world slammed into the United States and overtook a huge chunk. On the outskirts there is tainted land that is full of dark magic, and in result many humans are becoming Darklings. The problem? Fae are vulnerable towards these Darklings, so they require human shields, also known as shadows. These human shields go to evermore Academy to learn how to protect their assigned Fae from the Darklings. Most of the humans that go to the academy are trained from birth, but not Summer. Summer is forced to go after stealing Neverapples from the Winter Prince. 

The Winter Prince is your typical brooding dark haired, gorgeous male in these series (but I'm not complaining!). Summer is your typical kind, sassy heroine. Do you see where I'm going with this? Despite the cliché romance, it is really a good book. The premise is exciting, and I pretty much love the majority of Fae books that I have read. I am already 75% through the sequel if that tells you anything about how much I am enjoying this series. 

Audrey Grey is a bestselling author, taco aficionado, little person wrangler, and collector of all things furry. She writes Young Adult/New Adult Fantasy books about fierce heroines who fight back against evil and sometimes save the world. 

 

There's usually a plucky sidekick, a swoon-worthy guy (or two), a hefty dose of enemies-to-lovers, and LOTS of action.

 

When not writing--or stuffing her face with tacos and petting puppies--she hangs out in the charming state of Oklahoma with her crew: one husband, two little people, three mischievous dogs, and one poor cat.

​

She interacts almost daily on her Facebook author group and Instagram! 

[Book Review] A Court of Silver Flames (Book 4)

 

Nesta Archeron has always been prickly-proud, swift to anger, and slow to forgive. And ever since being forced into the Cauldron and becoming High Fae against her will, she's struggled to find a place for herself within the strange, deadly world she inhabits. Worse, she can't seem to move past the horrors of the war with Hybern and all she lost in it.

The one person who ignites her temper more than any other is Cassian, the battle-scarred warrior whose position in Rhysand and Feyre's Night Court keeps him constantly in Nesta's orbit. But her temper isn't the only thing Cassian ignites. The fire between them is undeniable, and only burns hotter as they are forced into close quarters with each other.

Meanwhile, the treacherous human queens who returned to the Continent during the last war have forged a dangerous new alliance, threatening the fragile peace that has settled over the realms. And the key to halting them might very well rely on Cassian and Nesta facing their haunting pasts.

Against the sweeping backdrop of a world seared by war and plagued with uncertainty, Nesta and Cassian battle monsters from within and without as they search for acceptance-and healing-in each other's arms.

There's plot with spice and then there's spice with some plot sprinkled in, this book definitely qualifies as the latter. I'm not complaining, but if you're looking for the same amount of plot as the previous books in this series you may be disappointed. 

This story was mostly a character development arc for Nesta. It was also a lot of spice between Nesta and Cassian. I went from hating Nesta to actually rooting for her in the end. You know the character development is excellent when the character pulls a 180 in terms of a fandom. You really get an I'm depth view of Nesta and her motivations as it pertains to her disdain with the world. I actually felt sorry for her at points, which never would have been accomplished without her on POV book, so I appreciated this story. I will say that I know more about her sex life than I ever cared to know, and that's coming from someone who loves spice. I really wish there would have been a little more plot, but I digress.  

Overall, I really enjoyed this book, but it is definitely different than the rest of the series. This book took the series from young adult/new adult straight into adult verging on erotica. I still love Feyre and Rhysand, but Nesta and Cassian are a close second now. Elain is still as exciting as a wall though. 😅

Sarah J. Maas is the #1 New York Times and internationally bestselling author of the Crescent City, A Court of Thorns and Roses, and the Throne of Glass series. Her books have sold more than twelve million copies and are published in thirty-seven languages. A New York native, Sarah lives in Philadelphia with her husband, son, and dog. To find out more, visit sarahjmaas.com or follow @therealsjmaas on Instagram.

[Teaser Blast] Broken Beasts of Beauty

🔥🔥TEASER BLAST🔥🔥

BROKEN BEASTS OF BEAUTY by Loxley Savage is coming September 24!  

#PreOrderHere: Books2read.com/BrokenBeasts

I thought I’d die in the dungeons.

My father is a terrible man. He claimed a demon lived inside me and imprisoned me for months in his torture chamber. Then, one fateful day, he found himself on the bitter end of a curse, and he offered me in exchange for his freedom.

I thought my life was over, but I was wrong. 

While trapped within the curse creator’s ancient castle, phantoms begin speaking to me, caressing me with invisible hands, and proclaiming I’m theirs. One is cold and possessive, another curious and calculating, and the third… well, he might be damaged beyond repair—just like me.

At night, however, when the phantoms leave, terrifying beasts emerge. Their snarls and roars awaken something dark within me, and their pull is impossible to resist.

I’m changing, becoming something greater than I ever thought I could be.

When the past comes back to haunt me, and my future is compromised, I find myself facing an old enemy. This time, though, I won’t submit. This time, I’ll become the demon he always claimed I was—a broken beast.

***Broken Beasts of Beauty is a full-length, stand-alone, dark, PNR, RH fairy tale retelling. Nothing inside these pages is appropriate for a children's story. Within this tale are scenes with detailed sex, naughty language, torture, violence, revenge, and much more. If such material offends you, please do not read this book.***

Add to your Goodreads TBR List: https://bit.ly/3yjq4u7

Bloggers sign up to review here: https://forms.gle/rNDrF8G9UqJar6mX6

 #comingsoon #fairytales #loxleysavage #newadult #readmoreromance #wildfiremarketingsolutions