Title: Arms of Anu

Author: Christina Mercer

Series: Arrow of the Mist, #2

Publication date: March 13th, 2014

My rating: 4 of 5

(Book read on June 26th to June 28th, 2014,  from a review copy received from the author via NetGalley, in exchange of an honest review.)   

Summary:

Follows award-winning Preteen/Teen Fantasy ARROW OF THE MIST

Blood of body, blood of soul,
Entwined for life, then unfolds;
If blood still runs when magic binds,
Soul is never too far to find.

In ARMS OF ANU, Lia and Kelven battle through a land of tyrants, war and magic.

Can Lia escape the foes who ensnare her?
Will Kelven's love withstand the darkness taking root inside Lia?
Is freedom too high a crown to reach, or will they forever remain in the hollows?

 

 

My Thoughts on the Book:

Just like with Arrow of the Mist, I really enjoyed Arms of Anu. And just like Arrow of the Mist, some parts I absolutely loved, and some I only liked, but overall, I loved the finale, and although I was surprised (and a little bit sad) that it's over, I really enjoyed the journey & I was really happy with the ending, so I highly recommend this MG/YA fantasy duology.

After the events in Arrow of the Mist, Lia, Wynn & Kelven meet & face new friends & foes, as well as some old ones. I won't go into details, but I will point out that this book shouldn't be read without reading Arrow of the Mist first. Sure, everything is explained (mostly), so you won't feel lost, but most of the character-development was done in the previous book, so it will be much better if they're read in order. I already really liked all the characters, and that only grew in this book.

Even though the story was still quite predictable, it was still magical & so enchanting, and quite entertaining, so I didn't mind. And the characters were just so likable. I also loved the double PoV. The only thing that surprised me was the epic showdown between Lia & Draugyrd (mainly because it was set in this book, I had no idea it's the final book, thought there'll be more). This was actually my favorite part of the whole book, and I absolutely loved it. I think that the author made it perfect.

In the end, I was sad that it was over, once I realised there won't be any more. I wanted more of Wynn, Lia, Kelven, Holly, even Murdina & Koun, and definitely more of Brume. I'm hoping for a spin-off set in the same world, hopefully somewhere around Brume, there are so many possibilities in the world the author created.

If you enjoy fun & magical fantasy stories, with interesting worlds & lovable characters, the Arrow of the Mist duology is for you, and I highly recommend it!

 

 

 

Challenges: 

2014 Review Pile Reading Challenge

2014 Series Enders Reading Challenge    

2014 Don't Let It End Reading Challenge

Title: Phi Beta Bimbo

Author: Trish Jensen

Publisher: Belle Bridge Books

Publication date: June 30th, 2014

My rating: 3.5 of 5

(Book read on June 21st, 2014,  from a review copy received from the publisher via NetGalley, in exchange of an honest review.)  

 

 

Summary:

 

Big blond wig. Do-me shoes. A bra that could serve as a floatation device. She’s about to take her genius IQ for a walk on the bimbo side. 

Someone’s pilfering company secrets at Just Peachy, a giant cosmetics firm owned by hunky Steve Smith. When he decides to do some undercover security in disguise as “Stephanie” Smith, his sister Leah, a sociologist working on her doctorate, grabs her own undercover opportunity to prove her theory that nerds stand no chance in the world. She interviews for a low-level security job first as “Leah the super-nerd” then as “Candi Devereaux,” a stereotypical out-to-there bimbo. To her shock, security specialist Mark Colson hires both of her. 

 

Mark isn’t fooled — Leah/Candi are obviously the same woman, a suspicious character, and quite likely the corporate thief. He’ll stay very close to her.

 

As for Leah, the highly unsettling and extremely irresistible Mr. Colson begins to rattle all her assumptions about what a man wants from a woman. It’s about honesty...unfortunately.

 

In the meantime, “Stephanie” has met his match in corporate rival Kate Bloom, who is determined to best the smart new woman in the company. And yet, Kate feels flustered by Stephanie’s strangely masculine appeal...

 

  

My Thoughts on the Book:

Phi Beta Bimbo is fun contemporary romance. Actually, it's a novel with two romances: between Leah & Mark, and between Kate & Steve, so there are multiple PoVs.

All the characters are fun, and likable enough, and most of the dialogues & the situations that happen in this book are hilarious. I laughed out loud lots of times while reading it.

The chemistry between both couples is great, and I enjoyed watching them get close. Most of it was quite funny, sometimes it was sweet, but overall I was quite satisfied with how everything worked out, and I really enjoyed the story.

If you enjoy laugh-out-loud contemporary novels, that will amuse you, and entertain you, or if you just need something light & fluffy to read when you're in need of a pure entertainment, then Phi Beta Bimbo is the read for you, and I recommend it!

 

 

 

Challenges: 

2014 Review Pile Reading Challenge

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

     

  

  

Landline

by

Rainbow Rowell

Publication date:

July 3rd & July 8th, 2014

 

 

Georgie McCool knows her marriage is in trouble. That it’s been in trouble for a long time. She still loves her husband, Neal, and Neal still loves her, deeply — but that almost seems besides the point now.
 Maybe that was always besides the point.

Two days before they’re supposed to visit Neal’s family in Omaha for Christmas, Georgie tells Neal that she can’t go. She’s a TV writer, and something’s come up on her show; she has to stay in Los Angeles. She knows that Neal will be upset with her — Neal is always a little upset with Georgie — but she doesn’t expect to him to pack up the kids and go home without her.

When her husband and the kids leave for the airport, Georgie wonders if she’s finally done it. If she’s ruined everything.

That night, Georgie discovers a way to communicate with Neal in the past. It’s not time travel, not exactly, but she feels like she’s been given an opportunity to fix her marriage before it starts . . .

Is that what she’s supposed to do?

Or would Georgie and Neal be better off if their marriage never happened?

 

 

There's something quite lovely & unique about Raibow Rowell's stories, and they're always so much fun with lovable & imperfect characters, so I'm really looking forward to this book, despite the fact that the description doesn't have that something that will usually make me want to read a book, I know Rainbow Rowell will manage to surprise me & enchant me, so I can't wait. If you still haven't tried her books, I highly recommend them.

 

 

What are you waiting for this week?

  

Leave me your WoW links!

Title: Rose and the Lost Princess

Author: Holly Webb

Series: Rose, #2

Publisher: Sourcebooks Jabberwocky

Publication date: April 1st, 2014

My rating: 4.5 of 5

(Book read on June 19th to June 20th, 2014,  from a review copy received from the publisher via NetGalley, in exchange of an honest review.) 

 

 

Summary:

Now an apprentice magician, Rose is asked to help find a very special missing person 

Turning the worn pages of her spell book, Rose can't believe how much her life has changed. Once a poor orphan, she is now an apprentice to the king's chief magician. But when the country's beloved princess vanishes, everything changes. As rumors of dark magic fly through the city, the king asks Rose for help. She must find the missing princess, before all is lost.

 

 

My Thoughts on the Book:

Rose and the Lost Princess is a great follow-up to the amazing Rose. Once again, I was completely entertained & enchanted by the story & the setting, and especially by the characters in it, and I'm really looking forward to the next book in the series.

Rose tries to balance her new life. She's still delightful and smart and fun, and I loved reading about her everyday life, because it's anything but boring. But, there's trouble brewing against all the magicians. And of course there's the mystery of the snow in October, as well as the Princess mystery. Who's behind these things, and is it possible that they just might be connected?

I loved the writing style. Holly Webb really manages to capture the atmosphere of the palace, the magic, the snow, just about everything. It's so whimsical, and enchanting, and magical, and fun, yet there's also something not-quite-so-right about it all. I loved going on another mysterious adventure with Rose, Gus & Freddie, as well as all the new & old characters. It was delightful to meet them all, and as I said, I can't wait to see what will happen next.

I highly recommend Rose and the Lost Princess to every fan of magical stories. It's historical, yet fairy-tale-like, humorous, mysterious, adventurous, and full of lovable characters, that you wouldn't want to leave.

 

 

 

Challenges:

2014 Review Pile Reading Challenge

  

The YALC Readathon is hosted by Jess @ Jess Hearts Books, Carly @ Writing from the Tub, Michelle @ Fluttering Butterflies and Vicky @ Books, Biscuits and Tea.

    

The goal of the read-a-thon is to read books by YALC authors (list HERE). Even though I won't attend YALC, I couldn't pass joining the read-a-thon.

You can still join the read-a-thon HERE!

On Twitter we (read-a-thoners) will use the hashtag #YALCReadathon.

 

There will also be a Twitter Chat on June 26th @ 7 pm UK time.

 

My goal is to read 3 books. I'm also hoping to join the Twitter Chat, too, and I'll probably tweet now & then with my progress.
  
 

My Reading List:

  

Obviously, I won't read all of these, but I'll try to read as much as I can. These are a mix of eARCs & my own copies.

  

Happy reading everyone!

 

Title: The Ghost Box

Author: Catherine Fisher

Publisher: Stoke Books

Publication date: May 1st, 2012

My rating: 3 of 5

(Read on June 21st, 2014, from the review copy received from the publisher via NetGalley, in exchange of an honest review.) 

Summary:

A young girl must unlock the secret to a mysterious box to protect herself from an unwanted visitor. 

Thrilling ghost story.

 

My Thoughts on the Book:

The Ghost Box is one interesting children's ghostly story. There's a girl - Sarah, and there's a ghost (of course), and there's a box (obviously), and there's a mystery. That's all I'm going to say about it. Anything more, it will be full of spoilers, especially because The Ghost Box is a shorter read.

I really enjoyed the writing style. Even though I personally didn't find the story eerie (because I'm an adult), it set the mood of the story almost perfectly, and I know that the children will find it eerie enough & mysterious enough, and have fun with this mysterious ghostly tale. I know I did, despite not finding it scary, I really enjoyed it.

If you or your children enjoy ghostly stories, I recommend The Ghost Box!

 

 

 

Challenges:

2014 Review Pile Reading Challenge

2014 TBR Pile Reading Challenge

Title: Burned

Author: Sarah Morgan

Series: Miller Sisters, #2

 

Imprint & Publisher: Cosmo Red-Hot Reads from Harlequin

 

Publication date: June 1st, 2014

My rating: 4 of 5

(Read on June 18th, 2014, from the review copy received from the publisher via NetGalley, in exchange of an honest review.)

Summary:

Join London's hottest martial arts gym now! 

Every girl needs some self-defense. But at Fit and Physical, you'll learn martial arts and get fit at the same time. Look great, feel better and kick a little butt! Check out one-on-one personal training with our favourite karate black belt, Rosie Miller. She loves her job, the world of martial arts, and her life is just...well, brilliant.
 
Trainer and martial artist Rosie Miller's zen is seriously compromised when Hunter Black--her former coach and lover--becomes her new boss. With all the sexual energy still crackling between them, her poor little zen doesn't stand a chance. So this time, Rosie is determined to do more than put up self-defense. She and Hunter are going to play by her rules...

My Thoughts on the Book:

I really, really enjoyed Sarah Morgan's Ripped, so when I saw Burned, featuring Hayley's sister Rosie, I knew I had to read it! Rosie was a fun character & she definitely played a part in Hayley's HEA, so I was looking forward to seeing her getting her own HEA.

And once again, Sarah Morgan delivered. Burned was almost as good as Ripped. It was entertaining, funny, sizzling, and at the end - sweet & romantic, too.

Five years ago, Rosie got burned by her first and only love since then - Hunter Black. She hadn't seen him since he left her, so when he comes back to her life, it's hard to resist his pull. The chemistry between them is just as hot as it was then, and even though they try, they can't seem to resist the attraction burning between them.

I loved learning about them back then, about how & what happened between them. There story was actually quite sweet. A little bit sad, sure, but really sweet. And I really liked both Rosie & Hunter as characters. When it comes to shorter reads like this one, if you like the characters, you're halfway there, and they were both quite likable characters. Sure, they also burned the sheets, but I also liked their personalities & their connection, not only their chemistry. And the ending was quite sweet & romantic, I loved it. And I also loved the part Hayley played in that, and also, she's hilarious, she made me laugh so much in this book.

If you enjoy fun contemporary romances, I highly recommend the Miller Sisters duo. Also, I'm definitely eager about trying some of Sarah Morgan's other full-length novels.

 

 

Challenges:

2014 Review Pile Reading Challenge

2014 Series Enders Reading Challenge

Title: The Forever Song

Author: Julie Kagawa

Series: Blood of Eden, #3

Publisher: Harlequin Teen

Publication date: April 15th, 2014

My rating: 3.5 of 5

(Book read on June 17th to June 18th, 2014,  from a review copy received from the publisher via NetGalley, in exchange of an honest review.) 

 

Summary:

Vengeance will be hers.

   

    Allison Sekemoto once struggled with the question: human or monster? With the death of her love, Zeke, she has her answer.
 
Monster.

Allie will embrace her cold vampire side to hunt down and end Sarren, the psychopathic vampire who murdered Zeke. But the trail is bloody and long, and Sarren has left many surprises for Allie and her companions - her creator Kanin, and her blood brother, Jackal. The trail is leading straight to the one place they must protect at any cost - the last vampire-free zone on Earth, Eden. And Sarren has one final, brutal shock in store for Allie.

In a ruined world where no life is sacred and former allies can turn on you in one heartbeat, Allie will face her darkest days. And if she succeeds, her triumph will be short-lived in the face of surviving forever alone.

 THE FINAL HUNT IS ON.

   

My Thoughts on the Book:

As you probably know, The Forever Song is the final book in the Blood of Eden trilogy. Overall, it is a nice conclusion to the series.

First of all, I have to mention, that I have a thing about post-apocalyptic stories. There's just something about the danger in a post-apocalyptic world and the survival of the characters in it, and the run-for-your-life moments, as well as the fight-for-your-life moments, that I find completely addicting & thrilling. For me, this trilogy was a mix of good, and not so good. If I have to choose, the best book was definitely the 2nd one, but in this final book there was both something missing, and something was too much, that became boring.

In the first two books, there was just something compelling about Allie's voice & PoV, that made me to not want to stop reading, but unfortunately, that was missing in this final book. And the whole book was same-old, same-old. It's action-packed, with lots of fighting in it, but it was too repetitive, and around halfway through the book, I was starting to get bored. Every time they encountered new rabids, I was like "Come on, enough already!". I'm all about the fighting & the action & the running-for-your-life scenes, but I want for it to be balanced with the rest of the story, and here, it was too much, that it became boring. So, this definitely diminished my enjoyment of the story, and I kept reading only so it will be all over already.

That being said, overall, I still liked the story. Although once again it was too predictable, it was still fun (ok, I admit, Jackal is the one that made it fun). The characters were ok, Sarren is really crazy, and it's a nice conclusion to the series. Nothing mind-blowing, but it was ok. Some parts I really liked, some I didn't, but it is what it is ;) I'm trying not to think too much about the things I didn't like, because I might start to rant, so yeah.

If you enjoyed the previous two books in the trilogy, be sure to read The Forever Song. And I recommend the Blood of Eden trilogy to every fan of post-apocalyptic stories!

  

  
 

Challenges: 

2014 Review Pile Reading Challenge

2014 Series Enders Reading Challenge 
2014 Don't Let It End Reading Challenge

2014 Fur & Fangs Reading Challenge