BOOK REVIEW: Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor (Daughter of Smoke and Bone #1)

Publication Date: September 27, 2011
Synopsis (Goodreads):
Around the world, black hand prints are appearing on doorways, scorched there by winged strangers who have crept through a slit in the sky.

In a dark and dusty shop, a devil's supply of human teeth grows dangerously low.

And in the tangled lanes of Prague, a young art student is about to be caught up in a brutal otherwordly war. 

Meet Karou. She fills her sketchbooks with monsters that may or may not be real; she's prone to disappearing on mysterious "errands"; she speaks many languages—not all of them human; and her bright blue hair actually grows out of her head that color. Who is she? That is the question that haunts her, and she's about to find out.

When one of the strangers—beautiful, haunted Akiva—fixes his fire-colored eyes on her in an alley in Marrakesh, the result is blood and starlight, secrets unveiled, and a star-crossed love whose roots drink deep of a violent past. But will Karou live to regret learning the truth about herself?
______________________________

Review:

Whoa!That was..thrilling and unexplainable!

I sometimes don't read the blurbs of books I choose to read and I'm glad that so far, I liked all of them! This one is one of those books. Some blurbs just give so much away it takes out the surprising factor.

I have to admit, I've read one-third of the book but I was still too confused. At first, I was like, "What's with the teeth? Gross..." I don't get anything. Until..yeah..of course secrets were revealed. I'm happy I kept on reading and learned a lot from it. I love the building of tension. The author took her time and I love how she described the scenes, people and the worlds the book is about.

Daughter of Smoke and Bone is basically the story of Karou, her journey of learning the truth about herself and her past. The book will bring you into a unique world and characters that will work your imagination in full blast! This is definitely worth reading!

Rating:

Memorable Quote:

“Hope can be a powerful force. Maybe there's no actual magic in it, but when you know what you hope for most and hold it like a light within you, you can make things happen, almost like magic.” 

“Have you ever asked yourself, do monsters make war, or does war make monsters?” 

Waiting on Wednesday (#18)

“Waiting On” Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we’re eagerly anticipating.

This week's pre-publication “can’t-wait-to-read” selection is:

Title: Wait For You

Author: J. Lynn, Jennifer L. Armentrout 

Expected Publication: March 4, 2013 

Synopsis:
Some things are worth waiting for…

Traveling thousands of miles from home to enter college is the only way nineteen-year-old Avery Morgansten can escape what happened at the Halloween party five years ago—an event that forever changed her life. All she needs to do is make it to her classes on time, make sure the bracelet on her left wrist stays in place, not draw any attention to herself, and maybe—please God—make a few friends, because surely that would be a nice change of pace. The one thing she didn’t need and never planned on was capturing the attention of the one guy who could shatter the precarious future she’s building for herself.

Some things are worth experiencing…

Cameron Hamilton is six feet and three inches of swoon-worthy hotness, complete with a pair of striking blue eyes and a remarkable ability to make her want things she believed were irrevocably stolen from her. She knows she needs to stay away from him, but Cam is freaking everywhere, with his charm, his witty banter, and that damn dimple that’s just so… so lickable. Getting involved with him is dangerous, but when ignoring the simmering tension that sparks whenever they are around each other becomes impossible, he brings out a side of her she never knew existed.

Some things should never be kept quiet…

But when Avery starts receiving threatening emails and phone calls forcing her to face a past she wants silenced, she has no other choice but to acknowledge that someone is refusing to allow her to let go of that night when everything changed. When the devastating truth comes out, will she resurface this time with one less scar? And can Cam be there to help her or will he be dragged down with her?

And some things are worth fighting for…

Thoughts:

Even without the blurb, I will definitely read it! I'm a big fan of Jennifer Armentrout's works. I can't wait to have a copy!

How about you? What's your Waiting on Wednesday? Link me.

BOOK REVIEW: Waking up Married by Mira Lyn Kelly

Publication Date: December 1, 2012
Synopsis (Goodreads):
Her first thought: "Who are you?"

It's the morning after her cousin's bachelorette party in Vegas and Megan Scott wakes up with the mother of all hangovers. Even worse, she's in a stranger's penthouse having woken up with something else as well - a funny, arrogant, sexy...husband!

Up until now, finding even a boyfriend had seemed impossible - been there, got the broken heart, sworn off men for good. Then a few martinis with Carter...no, Connor Reed and she's gone from first meet to marriage in one night!

Megan wants a lawyer. But Connor's shocking bombshell?

"I don't want a divorce."

______________________________

Review:

Reading "Waking Up Married" was a fun experience. From the title itself, you'll know what to expect from the book. 

Megan learned to not trust men. So she planned on being pregnant through a donor and not have a husband, just a child. On the other hand, Connor is a successful man who had a hard time making commitments. He treats a relationship as a business, like a partnership rather than a relationship out of love.

Both characters have experienced heart breaks in their younger years so as they grew up, they had a hard time trusting themselves and other people.

I love the wittiness of the book, especially the first parts. It made me laugh and it really was all fun. Despite the book being predictable, I still liked it.

If you want an easy, fun read, try this one.

Kindle Edition is available in Amazon for FREE!

Rating:

Memorable Quote:

“A person couldn't make something last if it wasn't meant to, like a person couldn't be someone they weren't. And trying only prolonged the inevitable.” 


______________________________

Second book for

Waiting on Wednesday (#17)

“Waiting On” Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we’re eagerly anticipating.

This week's pre-publication “can’t-wait-to-read” selection is:

Title: The Collector (Dante Walker #1)

Author: Victoria Scott

Expected Publication: April 2, 2013 

Synopsis:
He makes good girls...bad. 

Dante Walker is flippin’ awesome, and he knows it. His good looks, killer charm, and stellar confidence has made him one of hell’s best—a soul collector. His job is simple, weed through humanity and label those round rears with a big, red good or bad stamp. Old Saint Nick gets the good guys, and he gets the fun ones. Bag-and-tag.

Sealing souls is nothing personal. Dante’s an equal opportunity collector and doesn’t want it any other way. But he’ll have to adjust, because Boss Man has given him a new assignment:

Collect Charlie Cooper’s soul within 10 days.
Dante doesn’t know why Boss Man wants Charlie, nor does he care. This assignment means only one thing to him, and that’s a permanent ticket out of hell. But after Dante meets the quirky, Nerd Alert chick he’s come to collect—he realizes this assignment will test his abilities as a collector, and uncover emotions deeply buried.

Thoughts:

The book is getting a lot of hype and I it caught my radar so I wanted to know what's so good about the book. Hopefully I won't be disappointed. Can't wait!

How about you? What's your Waiting on Wednesday? Link me.

BOOK REVIEW: The Secret of Ella and Micha by Jessica Sorensen (The Secret #1)

Publication Date: October 4, 2012
Synopsis (Goodreads):

Ella and Micha have been best friends since they were kids. But one tragic night shatters their friendship and their lives forever.

Ella used to be a rule-breaker with fiery attitude who wore her heart on her sleeve. But she left everything behind when she went to college and transformed into someone that follows the rules, keeps everything together, and hides all her problems. But now it's summer break and she has nowhere else to go but home. 

Ella fears everything she worked so hard to bury might resurface, especially with Micha living right next door. If Micha tries to tempt the old her back, she knows that it will be hard to resist.

Micha is sexy, smart, confident, and can get under Ella’s skin like no one else can. He knows everything about her, including her darkest secrets. And he’s determined to bring his best friend, and the girl he loves back, no matter what it takes. 

______________________________

Review:

The Secret of Ella and Micha is one of those books which didn't give me a hard time from reading it. I just read through the book without even realizing it's almost over.

I love everything about it! I can't help but fall in love with each character. It was fun, hot, sexy and heart-warming.

Ella went through a lot so she decided to change her image and run away from her past. Even when that means leaving the people she cares about. But when she came back to her hometown after 8 months, she reconnects to her past. Will she be able to put up with the mask she's wearing? Or will she go back to being the girl she left behind?

Ella is someone you'll learn to love. You can really understand where she's coming from as the author unravels her story. Micha is your typical bad boy. I love how he can be so real, loyal and sweet. He's got a bad boy vibe but the truth is, he's genuinely a good guy and son. He's so vulnerable in terms of Ella which makes me love him even more. I love how he can be so patient and caring. Ahh...I'm in love!

I have to commend how the author narrated the lives of Ella and Micha, from the past and present without changing the pace of the story. And how can I forget to mention the cover? Hmmm-mmm! 

The Secret of Ella and Micha is a fast-paced read which made me laugh, sad, cry and overwhelmed with emotions. If you're into Contemporary Romance, you most definitely should read this one! 

Rating:

Memorable Quote:

“Just because it's broken doesn't mean it loses its importance. And i figured i'd give it to you one day when you realized it was okay to make mistakes.” 

______________________________

First book for

Waiting on Wednesday (#16)

“Waiting On” Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we’re eagerly anticipating.

This week's pre-publication “can’t-wait-to-read” selection is:

Title: Insomnia (The Night Walkers #1)

Author: J.R. Johansson

Expected Publication: June 8, 2013 

Synopsis:
It’s been four years since I slept, and I suspect it is killing me.

Instead of sleeping, Parker Chipp enters the dream of the last person he’s had eye contact with. He spends his nights crushed by other people’s fear and pain, by their disturbing secrets—and Parker can never have dreams of his own. The severe exhaustion is crippling him. If nothing changes, Parker could soon be facing psychosis and even death.

Then he meets Mia. Her dreams, calm and beautifully uncomplicated, allow him blissful rest that is utterly addictive. Parker starts going to bizarre lengths to catch Mia’s eye every day. Everyone at school thinks he’s gone over the edge, even his best friend. And when Mia is threatened by a true stalker, everyone thinks it’s Parker.

Suffering blackouts, Parker begins to wonder if he is turning into someone dangerous. What if the monster stalking Mia is him after all?

Thoughts:

I'm not a big reader on mystery, suspense, thriller kind of book but this book caught my attention. The blurb is interesting and creepy. Even the cover is creepy! Can't wait to read it!

How about you? What's your Waiting on Wednesday? Link me.

BOOK REVIEW: Everneath by Brodi Ashton (Everneath #1)

Publication Date: February 2, 2012
Synopsis (Goodreads):

Last spring, Nikki Beckett vanished, sucked into an underworld known as the Everneath, where immortals Feed on the emotions of despairing humans. Now she’s returned—to her old life, her family, her friends—before being banished back to the underworld... this time forever. 

She has six months before the Everneath comes to claim her, six months for good-byes she can’t find the words for, six months to find redemption, if it exists.

Nikki longs to spend these months reconnecting with her boyfriend, Jack, the one person she loves more than anything. But there’s a problem: Cole, the smoldering immortal who first enticed her to the Everneath, has followed Nikki to the mortal world. And he’ll do whatever it takes to bring her back- this time as his queen.

As Nikki’s time grows short and her relationships begin slipping from her grasp, she’s forced to make the hardest decision of her life: find a way to cheat fate and remain on the Surface with Jack or return to the Everneath and become Cole’s...

______________________________

Review:

I've been wanting to read the book since it came out but it wasn't available in any bookstore here in our country until recently. So I didn't hesitate to buy it immediately!

One of the reasons why I wanted to read it is because of the plot. I'm not really a fan of mythology and we didn't discuss it when I was still in school but the book is too intriguing I can't keep away from it.

For those who don't know much of mythological stories, like me, don't be scared that you won't understand the book. One thing that I love is that the basis of the story was explained throughout the book so I wasn't confused at all.

When I started reading the book, it's so hard to put the book down! I was instantly hooked that I can't do anything other than reading. There are times when I have no choice but to stop reading and then I start thinking about what's going to happen next and so on. I was too distracted and useless. LOL

Nicole came back from Everneath. She came back for Jack, the love of her life. But will she able to get the life she left behind?

Nicole is one of those main characters that I love and hate. I love her for being true to herself. I hate that she made some bad decisions and because of that, she hurt Jack and other people she loves by abandoning her life. As the story went on, I understood where she came from and why she made those bad decisions. Anyway, we won't have a story if she didn't made those decisions so it's okay. Haha.

Jack is one of the best guy characters I've ever encountered. He's so great I want him to be real. He's such a sweet guy. Nicole left for 6 months and he experienced different difficulties in life but in the end, he still loves Nicole unconditionally. 

On the other hand, there's Cole. He's a badass but with Nic, he's vulnerable and his mask is easily broken. He's one of the examples of unrequited love who you want to hug and pat in the back.

The narration was good, not confusing at all because there are times when you have to look back in the past.

I should say, Everneath is one of the best books of 2012! There may be tiny bit of flaws on the book but I oversaw those because I truly loved and enjoyed the book! I loved everything about it! 

If you haven't read it yet, get a copy now and read it! You won't regret it,really! I can't wait for Everbound!

Rating:

Memorable Quotes:

"Remembering is easy. It's forgetting that's hard."

“Who loses hope first? And who never gives up? Because it’s not the supernatural abilities that set mythical characters apart. It’s the decisions the human characters make, in impossible situations, that have us still talking about them centuries later. Heroes are made by the paths they choose, not the powers they are graced with.” 

“You say you hate me, yet, you use me to stop hurting.” 

“If you're gonna leave, I wish you'd just leave. Why do you keep coming back if you're not going to stay? Because even when you're gone, you're never really gone... I won't get over it if you keep coming back. Losing you once was hard enough. And now you're here again and everything's coming back. I'm going to get screwed. And I can't do it again.” 

Follower Appreciation Giveaway by Sparkles and Lighting

Annabelle of Sparkles and Lightning is hosting a follower appreciation giveaway wherein 3 winners will each get to choose a book from a fabulous list of favorite February releases this year.

So what are you waiting for? Enter now! Here's the link.

Goodluck! :)