Monday, August 31, 2015

Bookish Lifestyle Digest: August 2015

Hello lovelies! Welcome to Bookish Lifestyle Digest - something we'll be putting together at the end of every month to highlight our recent favorite reads and recap any posts you may have missed. We also include an About My Life section in an effort for you to get to know us better. Don't forget to tell us in the comments some things that happened to you over the past month so we can get to know you guys better too!


Updates for 2015 TBR Pile Challenge:


Every week, starting Friday and ending Sunday night, you can pop over to Bookish Lifestyle to link up your blog posts for the week. Please feel free to link up your bookish posts (book reviews, guest posts, author interviews - but please, no memes and mailbox posts, there are many separate linkys for that already!), lifestyle posts (product reviews, parenting tips, travel posts, personal posts - anything!) and giveaways (both bookish and lifestyle!) - we want to see what cool stuff you've shared with the world recently! Be sure to check out some other links while you're here - let's get social!

Evie



Series:
The Shining #2
Genre:
Adult, Horror
Website:Stephen King 

Goodreads
Review:
To be posted October 12th
Stephen King returns to the characters and territory of one of his most popular novels ever, The Shining, in this instantly riveting novel about the now middle-aged Dan Torrance (the boy protagonist of The Shining) and the very special twelve-year-old girl he must save from a tribe of murderous paranormals.

On highways across America, a tribe of people called The True Knot travel in search of sustenance. They look harmless—mostly old, lots of polyester, and married to their RVs. But as Dan Torrance knows, and spunky twelve-year-old Abra Stone learns, The True Knot are quasi-immortal, living off the “steam” that children with the “shining” produce when they are slowly tortured to death.

Haunted by the inhabitants of the Overlook Hotel where he spent one horrific childhood year, Dan has been drifting for decades, desperate to shed his father’s legacy of despair, alcoholism, and violence. Finally, he settles in a New Hampshire town, an AA community that sustains him, and a job at a nursing home where his remnant “shining” power provides the crucial final comfort to the dying. Aided by a prescient cat, he becomes “Doctor Sleep.”

Then Dan meets the evanescent Abra Stone, and it is her spectacular gift, the brightest shining ever seen, that reignites Dan’s own demons and summons him to a battle for Abra’s soul and survival. This is an epic war between good and evil, a gory, glorious story that will thrill the millions of devoted readers of The Shining and satisfy anyone new to the territory of this icon in the King canon.

Book Reviews

Author/Book Promotion
Chasing Secrets by Gennifer Choldenko

About My Life in August

This was THE worst month I've had in a long time. And considering it was also my birthday month, it sucks even more. I'm glad it's over. Our car broke down, Tori got sick, we got some terrible news involving a family member.. it was just one disaster after another. I hope September is better!

Like I said, my birthday was this month and even though I spent it completely alone, some nice things happened, too. I got a lovely mug from Andrea <3 - it says "I'm sorry for what I said before I had my coffee" - and I got gifts from family members that made me very happy :) Also, Costco has the best cakes ever - you guys should try their coconut cream cake! Bliss!


We got a new car! I guess all's well that ends well, right? Our Suzuki broke down and the repairs they quoted us were just ridiculously humongous, so my in-laws stepped in and actually bought us a brand new car :) I'm very happy, though I wish my husband would stop obsessing over keeping it spotless-clean :P We have a baby and a dog, after all! It's bound to get messy :)


Andrea




Series:
A Court of Thorns and Roses #1
Genre:
Adult, Romance, Retelling, Fantasy
Website:Sarah J. Maas 

Goodreads
Review:
To be posted November 8
A thrilling, seductive new series from New York Times bestselling author Sarah J. Maas, blending Beauty and the Beast with faerie lore.

When nineteen-year-old huntress Feyre kills a wolf in the woods, a beast-like creature arrives to demand retribution for it. Dragged to a treacherous magical land she only knows about from legends, Feyre discovers that her captor is not an animal, but Tamlin—one of the lethal, immortal faeries who once ruled their world.

As she dwells on his estate, her feelings for Tamlin transform from icy hostility into a fiery passion that burns through every lie and warning she's been told about the beautiful, dangerous world of the Fae. But an ancient, wicked shadow grows over the faerie lands, and Feyre must find a way to stop it... or doom Tamlin—and his world—forever.

Perfect for fans of Kristin Cashore and George R. R. Martin, this first book in a sexy and action-packed new series is impossible to put down!
I read many awesome books this month that it was hard to pick a favorite! I went with the book that gave me the biggest hangover.

Book Reviews
It was my birthday! Yea for birthdays! It was a bit low key this year. I went to dinner with my mom, hung out at my dad's pool, and dinner with my in-laws. Joe made me a fabulous steak on my birthday and that was pretty much it. Boring for some, perfect for me.

Joe and I saw Book of Mormon and it was hilarious! We've been wanting to see it for a while and I snatched those tickets right up - especially since they were only here for five days. It's definitely not a musical for everyone, but we thoroughly enjoyed it!

I completed by first ever Bout of Books! I dominated that week of reading and I'm rather proud of me  :)  I'm participating in Beat the Heat Readathon right now and hoping to do even better and get caught up on my reading goal and shrink my TBR pile - even if it's just a few books crossed off.

Tiffany

Jessica



Series:
Forbidden Men #3
Genre:
New Adult, Romance, Contemporary, Realistic Fiction
Website:Linda Kage 

Goodreads
Review:
To be posted in September
Once upon a time, there was this pampered rich girl who was kind of full of herself. She really only cared about appearances and hiding all her dark, ugly secrets under the guise of an opinionated snob. But then Eva Mercer got pregnant, shot by a psycho, and kicked out of the only home she knew. Now she’s broke, unemployed, and has to start anew with a newborn to raise. But how?

On the other side of town, sexy, tattooed orphan, Patrick Ryan, can’t get a break. He’s out on parole for defending the last damsel in distress while trying to help her support her child, but all he wants is to find his one true love. He knows this woman by scent, smile, and laugh, but he’s never actually met her. He doesn’t even know her name. He just knows she’s the key to fixing everything.

One kind of hero can save you from physical harm. Another can rescue you from a different kind of doom. To reach their dreams, Eva and Pick can save each other. But first, they must open their hearts and learn how to trust.

I'm back in school. The semester started last week, and I've already got a bunch of stuff to do. I feel way better about everything than I did a year ago when I first started, though, so I count that as a win. I'm nervous, but I can do it.

Fear the Walking Dead! Been waiting for this FOREVER, and now it's here! And I'm already an episode behind. Ha. But I'm really excited. I love the premise, and it's getting us that much closer to the new season of TWD, so yay!

Angry Birds 2 & 1010. It's become a thing in my family to kind of compete at games on our phones now. Or maybe compete isn't the right word... We all play them, and then compare how we do. Often. It's actually really amusing.

BRAIN. CANDY. The past couple of days, I've been all over The Ghost Bird series by C.L. Stone and I. Am. Loving. It. Goal brain candy. I'm not counting them as read yet, because I'm more skimming than reading right now---you know, since it's brain candy---but ohmygosh. I am so enjoying. I plan to actually READ them sometime between now and the end of the year. Because at the moment, I'm kind of obsessed.

Debbie



Series:
Unexpected #3
Genre:
New Adult, Romance, Contemporary
Website:Claudia Y. Burgoa 

Goodreads
Review:
Jacob

As a rule, men don’t grow up believing in a happily ever after. We don’t believe in meeting the love of our lives; or the white picket fence, and 2.5 children. Every man thinks that those stupid dreams or fantasies are just nonexistent shit until it happens to them. We should have been forewarned.

I wish I was prepared for someone to appear in my life and change all my priorities. I suddenly wanted that fence and children. The part of meeting the love of my life became very real, but I wasn’t ready for suddenly losing it all, and my life plummeting into this shithole forever.

The heartbreak of losing your soulmate is one of the worst pains you will ever live with. I should campaign and warn the young people. Vaccinate against love because if you lose it, you could lose yourself for the rest of your life. The burden on your back will forever mark you and wither away your soul, darkening your days and the rest of your natural life.

This isn’t false advertisement or a dramatic display of one bitter soul.

Pria

I fought by my mother's side until her last breath, and tried to help my father until his last memories dissipated. My sister is the last one standing, but her life is a miracle that can end at any given moment. All my life I’ve never been alone, but always felt lonely.

Today, my options on how to live my life are endless, yet my heart and my best friend limit them. Stay in Seattle, close to the one person that will never let me inside his world.

The thug, as mom would've called him. A man with a bad boy attitude and a heart bigger than the ocean.

Reviews
My part time job turned to full time which is a GREAT thing and also a BAD thing. I have some career decisions to made soon and I'm not sure at all what I'm going to do.

My daughter went to a brain center because of her extreme ADHD and we are finally seeing some results from her. Makes me so proud of all the progress she's made this year alone. She's my little fighter.
 
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Tell us - what went on in your month?! What were some of your favorite books this month? Favorite posts from either your blog or others? What are some new (or old) and noteworthy things we should know about? Be sure to leave a link!

Sunday, August 30, 2015

ARCBook Review: Firewalker by Josephine Angellini


Series:
The Woldwalker Trilogy #2
Genre:
Young Adult, Witches, Paranormal, Alternate Universe
Publication.Date:September 2, 2014
Pages:352 (ARC)
Published By:  Feiwel & Friends
Website:Josephine Angelini 

Firewalker on Goodreads
My review copy:
Received from the publisher in exchange for an honest review

Where to get:

http://www.amazon.com/Desires-Dead-Body-Finder-Novel/dp/0061779865/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1429542131&sr=8-3&keywords=the+body+finder http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/desires-of-the-dead-kimberly-derting/1100151164?ean=9780061779848 http://www.indiebound.org/book/9780061779862



Worlds divide, magic slays, and love lies in the second book of Josephine Angelini’s The Worldwalker Trilogy.

"You think I’m a monster, but my choices, as ruthless as they seem, are justified."

Lily is back in her own universe, and she's ready to start a new life with Rowan by her side. True, she almost died in the Pyre that fueled their escape from New Salem, and must hide her magic for the safety of everyone she cares about, but compared to fighting the Woven, the monstrous creatures inhabiting the alternate Salem, life is looking pretty good.

Unfortunately, Lillian, ruthless ruler of the 13 Cities, is not willing to let Lily go that easily. If she can’t persuade Lily to return to her world, she will force her to come back by doing away with the ones she loves.

Picking up right where Trial By Fire left off, Firewalker is another sexy, fast-paced, heartbreaking thrill ride from internationally bestselling author Josephine Angelini!

(Goodreads)

There's nothing like sharing that first moment together. I'm sorry ours was so rushed, Lily.

Really? I wouldn't change a thing.


Rowan tilted his head and looked down at Lily. He opened up his heart before he kissed her so she could feel his love as clearly as she could feel his lips.
Love is willing to become the villain so that the one you love can stay a hero.
Lily stared at a map of what she still thought of as North America, except in this version of the world, North America ended just a little past the Mississippi River. Everything west of that was filled in with nondescript cross-hatching, as if to say, Here, There Be Dragons. Which, Lily supposed, was entirely possible.

This book, you guys. No . . . this series. I'm not a big witch person, but the way Josephine writes her witches is nothing short of magical. (See what I did there? I'm sure you did - this is what I get for writing a review at 7:00am before coffee.) These witches aren't casting spells, per se. They're using the elements and things around them in sort of a scientific way. There is a magical element about how they do things, but they're not necessarily pointing their fingers and saying magic words.

When I finished Trial by Fire I knew I had to start Firewalker right away. That ending! Oh gosh. Luckily, Josephine picks up exactly where she left off and we see Lily's long recovery from the Pyre, Rowan adjust to this version of Salem, and the aftermath of Lily's three month long disappearance act. 

During her recovery, Lillian visits Lily a few times and shares with her some memories in hopes to get Lily on her side and to explain why she did what she did. There are definitely instances where Lily, on some level, understands Lillian's point of view. I am still a huge fan of how Josephine writes these two characters. Much like in Trial by Fire, they're the same but they're not. Lily comes to a point where she knows what she must do but adamantly refuses to fall in line with Lillian's thinking. Definite parallels between the two characters but they still remain individuals

Lily's character grows even more during the events of Firewalker. With Rowan's helping she is becoming a stronger witch and in effect a stronger person. And speaking of Rowan *swoon*! The relationship between these two is sweet and loving. I just want to lock them in their own universe where this is no Lillian, no Alaric, no other mechanics, and just them. That's it. Just these two crazy kids being in love and that's that. End of story. Yea!

But let's be real. This is book two of a trilogy so things aren't going to be all sunshine and puppies. (Come on Traitor's Pyre - I'm rooting for you!) Josephine weaves a wonderful story that keeps you turning the page and atching these two worlds collide into one in a way I never thought of really shows the genius and creativity that lives within Josephine's mind. I already fell in love with this series upon finishing Trial by Fire, but Firewalker just cemented itself as an all time favorite. With ever evolving characters, new dangers around every turn, and a heart stopping romance, this is definitely a series you're going to want to get in on!



Friday, August 28, 2015

The Last of the Fire Drakes by Farah Oomerbhoy (Tour Review + Giveaway)





Genre:
Young Adult, Fantasy
Publication Date:August 15, 2015


Published By:  Wise Ink Creative Publishing
WebsiteThe Last of the Firedrakes on Goodreads


My review copy:Netgalley in return for honest review
 Where to get:                                                                     

Synopsis

16-year-old Aurora Darlington is an orphan. Mistreated by her adopted family and bullied at school, she dreams of running away and being free. But when she is kidnapped and dragged through a portal into a magical world, suddenly her old life doesn’t seem so bad.

Avalonia is a dangerous land ruled by powerful mages and a cruel, selfish queen who will do anything to control all seven kingdoms—including killing anyone who stands in her way. Thrust headlong into this new, magical world, Aurora’s arrival sets plans in motion that threaten to destroy all she holds dear.

With the help of a young fae, a magical pegasus, and a handsome mage, Aurora journeys across Avalonia to learn the truth about her past and unleash the power within herself. Kingdoms collide as a complicated web of political intrigue and ancient magic lead Aurora to unravel a shocking secret that will change her life forever.
(Goodreads)

Quotes
I felt like my life had just shattered all over again.  My parents wre gone, my uncle had just sold me like a slave, and there was no one to help me, no one on my side.  I was alone, I was in trouble, and I had absolutely no idea what to do.
  I nodded.  I was still utterly confused, but somehow I felt a little relieved.  At least I finally knew who I really was.
I had to stop running.  I had to turn and face my life head on.  It wasn't enough being like everybody else; I had to be the best, and I was going to show everybody what I was truly made of.

My Thoughts

  The Last of the Firedrakes was a surprise read for me.  I am fairly picky when it comes to fantasy but the synopsis and the cover told me that I had to give this one a try.  Knowing that you should never judge a book by its cover, I did prepare myself for a possible disappointment.  The synopsis that also pulled me in (though exciting), did not prepare me for just how action packed this book would be.

  This is one of those books that is really hard to review without giving too much away.  So much happens so quickly.  Not saying that the book was rushed, but more that Oomerbhoy managed to gracefully fit more information than I thought possible into a book, and still managed to not information dump everything.  What you end up reading is a story that has a quicker pace and constant evolution, leaving very little room for boredom.  Heck, it left very little time for me to want to put it down (overnight shift=cleaning lots=cleaning as little as possible with book).  I couldn't have been more pleased.

  What I enjoyed the most was probably how much detail was put into each character and the setting, without it all being given up at once.  Things change, people change, scenery changes and you get all of it.  Not pages and pages of it but beautiful descriptions and details that help you imagine the world, and also build upon your current view.  This book is like the canvas that you can't look away from with all of its beautiful colours and changing patterns.  There are many characters that you meet throughout the book, and yet you never will find yourself overloaded by any of them.  Each one will make their own impression and each will stick with you in their own way.

  When it comes to our heroine I really enjoyed her.  Aurora kind of reminded me of Cinderella for a bit.  The girl taken on by snotty people that really didn't want anything to do with her, and realistically beyond not doing all the chores she kind of was.  She also sucked it up and knew that she wouldn't be there forever.  Aurora is a strong character and I often loved her but occasionally when she would start jumping the gun or trusting really easy I found myself getting slightly irritated.  Meaning I was questioning certain people and could not figure out why she did not.  As well as the couple times she decided not to voice something... Something against someone who had done something!! This, this irritated me.  However, this being said these moments were not frequent.

  There is so much more that I wish I could tell you, but so much can be ruined in a simple sentence.  This is really a book you need to pick up and read, really experience it for yourself.  If you are a fantasy fan this is basically a must read.  Hesitant about fantasy?  Well, give it a go because it really is a vivid adventure that you do not want to miss.  My hat comes off to Farah Oomerbhoy for creating such a vivid world, packed with action and unforgettable characters.




About the Author



For Farah Oomerbhoy, writing is a passion and reading her solace. She is a firm believer in the fantastic and magical, and often dreams of living in Narnia, Neverland, or the Enchanted Forest.

Farah lives with her husband and three children in their family home in Mumbai, India. She has a Master’s degree in English Literature from the University of Mumbai. Her first novel, The Last of the Firedrakes, Book 1 of the Avalonia Chronicles will be published worldwide in August 2015.





Find Farah Oomerbhoy:



Giveaway:
Kindle Fire HD 7
or
Firedrake Prize Pack. 





2015 TBR Pile Reading Challenge July-August Wrap-Up


Hey, y'all, welcome to the July-August WRAP-UP post for our 2015 TBR Pile Reading Challenge!

Hope you had a fantastic July and August full of awesome reads! And I hope you managed to knock out some books for the challenge--I know I did! :)

Books I've read for the challenge so far:

Throne of Glass (Throne of Glass, #1)  Last Hit (Hitman, #1)  Claimed (Brides of the Kindred, #1)  Price of a Kiss (Forbidden Men, #1)

To Professor, with Love (Forbidden Men, #2)  Lead Me Not (Twisted Love, #1)  Opposition (Lux, #5)  The Raven Boys (The Raven Cycle, #1)

Own the Wind (Chaos, #1)  Fire Inside (Chaos, #2)

Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas <-- my review
Last Hit by Jessica Clare & Jen Frederick <-- my review
Claimed by Evangeline Anderson <-- my review
Price of a Kiss by Linda Kage <-- my review
To Professor, With Love by Linda Kage <-- my review
Lead Me Not by A. Meredith Walters <-- my review
Opposition by Jennifer L. Armentrout <-- my review
The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater <-- my review
Own the Wind by Kristen Ashley <-- my review
Fire Inside by Kristen Ashley <-- my review

How did you do? 
Make sure to link up your reviews and then enter them into the giveaway!


How does it work?

You have until September 25th to link up all your reviews for the books you read and reviewed in JULY and AUGUST! (Please only link up books you've read for the challenge during the months of July and August! The ones you read in September and October will have a different linky and giveaway.)

If you have a blog and you're sharing your July-August wrap-up there, leave a comment with a link to your post! If you've signed up with a Goodreads account only, or simply choose not to post a wrap-up, please leave a comment listing all your July-August reads.

NOTE: If you have read a book in July or August, but wrote the review in September, you can choose to link it up in either the July-August or the September-October wrap-up, but please do not link up in both!

Then link-up your reviews in the linky thing below and enter them into the Rafflecopter!

Reminder: All participants of our July TBR Pile Read-Along for THE RAVEN BOYS receive 10 bonus entries into the giveaway.


Click for the first discussion post: HERE <=
Click for the second discussion post: HERE <=


In September, we will be reading along:


We Were Liars by E. Lockhart announcement post: HERE <=


Giveaway


You can win 1 book of choice from Amazon / Book Depository (up to $15)

Open: To all TBR Pile Reading Challenge Participants
Ends: September 26th at 12am EST



Never too late to join!


You can still join our challenge, here's where you can sign up!




Thursday, August 27, 2015

Caught In Us by Layla Hagen


Genre:
Contemporary Fiction
Publication.Date  August 3rd 2015
Pages:256
Published By:  Amazon Digital Services
AuthorLayla Hagen

Caught In Us Goodreads
My review copy:From the author in exchange for an honest review

Where to get:
http://www.amazon.com/Edge-TS-Krupa/dp/0692441050/ref=as_li_ss_tl?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1433698292&sr=1-2&linkCode=sl1&tag=roysocmed01-20&linkId=UR7G7WAOMTCVTUST http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/april-snow-lynn-steward/1121987198?ean=9780991500765&itm=1&usri=9780991500765&cm_mmc=AFFILIATES-_-Linkshare-_-GwEz7vxblVU-_-10:1&r=1,%201 http://www.indiebound.org/book/9781416563686

Dani Cohen knows Damon is trouble the second he walks in during senior year. He has bad boy written all over him. . .from his arrogant smirk to his perfectly toned abs. He is arrogant, intense, rebellious. 

Dani has her future all planned out. She’s not the type to fall for a bad boy, no matter how panty-melting his grin is or how shamelessly he flirts. But something about Damon draws her in, awakening a desire she’s never felt. Slowly, she uncovers the secrets Damon hides: underneath his arrogance lies a tortured soul, his flirting smile masks despair. 

Damon arrives in Dani’s life against his will. Carrying the scars of a dark past and facing an uncertain future, he knows he should stay away from her, but can’t. Her innocence consumes him, as does the desire to indulge in the passion igniting deep inside her. 
An all-consuming bond blooms into a reckless love. But when mistakes from the past threaten their already fragile future, can their love survive? 

A steamy and emotional full-length, standalone love story from the USA Today Bestselling author of Withering Hope

Sometimes it takes a healthy fight and a familiar pain to gain a friend.  
There was more to say, but I can't bring myself to, not when she looks at me with wide, fearful eyes, begging me to stop. I kiss her again, and in this kiss, I try to put everything I can't say, because we'll both break.  


Dani and Damon are the two main characters of this romance and the setup is a familiar one: good girl meets bad boy.  While Damon is a bad boy, he isn't a jerk and he treats people, including Dani, with decency. I really liked both these characters! Dani wasn't "too" good to the point where it was annoying and I was able to easily sympathize with her difficult home life. Damon also had a really rough background that made his situation believable. I also enjoyed the secondary characters, especially James! I think I'd like to have a big brother like him.

This is the fourth book I have read by Layla Hagen and each book seems to get better and better. The technical writing and in story line just flowed so well for me on this book . Her last book, Withering Hope, just about broke me. It was such a tear jerker so I could really appreciate that Caught in Us is a bit lighter in tone but still suspenseful. 

I have to give props to Layla for the steamy scenes in this book. She did it with class, but also with a nice writing style, that told the reader what was going on, but left a few of the real steamy ideas to the readers imagination. 

Caught in Us is the third installment in this amazing series. Each book can be read as a standalone having different couples stories told in each one. To fully enjoy this series, one has to read each book in order. I can honestly say that all are equally amazing and beautifully written. I had a hard time putting them down because I just could not get enough of the story. It was so easy to fall in love with these characters.I also loved that James and Serena's story had an ending in this book so we got to see a bit more of those characters as well.

Layla Hagen's writing style is fast paced and very suspenseful. I usually can't tell what is going to happen next in any of her novels. This one was the same. I suggest this book for the romance and new adult fans out there and I give this a enthusiastic 5 stars. 


About the author:


Welcome! My name is Layla Hagen and I am a Contemporary Romance author.
I fell in love with books when I was nine years old, and my love affair with stories continues even now, many years later.
I write romantic stories and can’t wait to share them with the world.
And I drink coffee. Lots of it, in case the photo didn’t make it obvious enough ; 

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