Tuesday, 21 February 2017

Books I Currently Have For Review

I am sure we all have those out-of-control TBR piles? Well mine is getting a little hectic and in an effort to restore some order I've divided them into 3 separate lists; review books, books I bought in 2017 and back-list books! To be read in roughly that order of priority. So here are the books I currently have for review! I wanted to spotlight them a little as I feel guilty for not reading them quicker! 

Kids of Appetite
Kids of Appetite by David Arnold (Received from Publisher)
In the Hackensack Police Department, Vic Benucci and his friend Mad are explaining how they found themselves wrapped up in a grisly murder. But in order to tell that story, they have to go way back...
It all started when Vic's dad died. Vic's dad was his best friend, and even now, two years later, he can't bring himself to touch the Untouchable Urn of Oblivion that sits in his front hall. But one cold December day, Vic falls in with an alluring band of kids that wander his New Jersey neighbourhood, including Mad, the girl who changes everything. Along with his newfound friendships comes the courage to open his father's urn, the discovery of the message inside, and the epic journey it sparks.







This is How It Always Is
This Is How It Always Is by Laurie Frankel (Received from Publisher)
This is how a family keeps a secret…and how that secret ends up keeping them.
This is how a family lives happily ever after…until happily ever after becomes complicated.
This is how children change…and then change the world.
This is Claude. He’s five years old, the youngest of five brothers, and loves peanut butter sandwiches. He also loves wearing a dress, and dreams of being a princess.
When he grows up, Claude says, he wants to be a girl.
Rosie and Penn want Claude to be whoever Claude wants to be. They’re just not sure they’re ready to share that with the world. Soon the entire family is keeping Claude’s secret. Until one day it explodes.






Shadow Silence (Whisper Hollow, #2)
Shadow Silence by Yasmine Galenorn (Received from Publisher)
Fifteen years ago, I ran away from Whisper Hollow, Washington, a small town on Crescent Lake in the Olympic Peninsula. But truth is, if you were born here, you can never really leave. I'm Kerris Fellwater, and I'm a spirit shaman. It's my responsibility to drive the dead back to their graves, because around Whisper Hollow, people—and secrets—don't always stay buried.
My best friend Peggin finds herself under a curse after she is almost taken by the Lady of the Lake, and the Unliving are determined to drag her back to the hungry waters. As Bryan—my guardian and mate—and I work to break the hex, we uncover a dark and violent mystery from the past. One the Hounds of CĂș Chulainn will do anything to guard—even if they must summon a legion of the dead to destroy Whisper Hollow.






The Quest (Sanshlian Series, #1)
The Quest by Dani Hoots (Received from Author)
Eleven years ago, my life was ripped away from me. My father, my brother, my humanity. Everything. I was thrown into the Kamps, created to be a mindless machine. But I fought against it, not letting them take away my memories of the past. 
And I succeeded. 
It has been seven years since I was taken out of the Kamps and made into the Emperor's Shadow. Now I only take orders from him, and him alone, without questions. That is, until my brother, who I thought was dead, shows up and kidnaps me in order to help him find some long lost planetthat our father used to tell stories about. 
According to the legend, and who finds the planet Sanshll can rewrite the past, and my brother wants to use it to destroy the Empire. My loyalty will always be to the Emperor. But what if this planet is real? The longer I stay with my brother, the more I begin to find that the Emperor has been keeping secrets from me. But I can't turn my back on him... 
Or can I?


Life and Death of the Wicked Lady Skelton
Life and Death of the Wicked Lady Skelton by Magdalen  King-Hall (Received from Publisher)
First published in 1944, Magdalen King-Hall's Life and Death of the Wicked Lady Skelton is a historical novel set in late-seventeenth-century England. It tells the story of Barbara Skelton, a well-born young woman trapped in a loveless marriage, who finds escape from the tedium of her life by leading a double life as a highway robber. Rich in historical detail and high on melodrama, the novel follows Barbara's infamous career of robbery, adultery and murder, without painting her entirely as a monster. Indeed, the novel's status as a bestseller owes much to King-Hall's sympathetic depiction of the frustrations of domestic life for an ambitious, intelligent woman with no means of self-expression.







To Love and to Cherish (The Wedding Belles, #3)
To Love and to Cherish by Lauren Layne (Received from Publisher)
Alexis Morgan has spent the past six years devoted to turning her tiny start-up into Manhattan's premiere wedding planning company, The Wedding Belles. Now that her business is thriving, it's time to turn towards her much neglected personal life, and Alexis approaches her relationships like she does everything else: with a plan. Not a part of that plan is Logan Harris, the silent partner in the Belles, and the one person who's been there for her since the very beginning. But Alexis needs someone fun, and Logan's all business, all the time-except when a late night at the office ends with an unexpected kiss that leaves the usually cool and together Alexis reeling.
Logan has lusted after Alexis since the day he walked into the tiny Harlem apartment that used to double as her office. But the ambitious wedding planner has always been untouchable...until now. Alexis has made it clear that she's on the dating market-and equally clear that he's not in the running. But when Alexis finds herself in need of a date for her sister's last minute wedding in Florida, Logan knows it's the perfect time to show Alexis that there's more to him than numbers and spreadsheets-and beneath the pinstripes and glasses lies a hot-blooded heartthrob. As Florida's sultry days turn into even hotter nights, Logan's out to convince Alexis that the fling of a lifetime could just maybe turn into forever...


The Ninth Rain (The Winnowing Flame Trilogy, #1)
The Ninth Rain by Jen Williams (Received from Publisher)
The great city of Ebora once glittered with gold. Now its streets are stalked by wolves. Tormalin the Oathless has no taste for sitting around waiting to die while the realm of his storied ancestors falls to pieces - talk about a guilt trip. Better to be amongst the living, where there are taverns full of women and wine.

When eccentric explorer, Lady Vincenza 'Vintage' de Grazon, offers him employment, he sees an easy way out. Even when they are joined by a fugitive witch with a tendency to set things on fire, the prospect of facing down monsters and retrieving ancient artefacts is preferable to the abomination he left behind.
But not everyone is willing to let the Eboran empire collapse, and the adventurers are quickly drawn into a tangled conspiracy of magic and war. For the Jure'lia are coming, and the Ninth Rain must fall...


Deadly Silence (Blood Brothers #1)


Deadly Silence by Rebecca Zanetti (Received from Publisher)
Under siege. That's how Ryker Jones feels. The Lost Bastards Investigative Agency he opened up with his blood brothers has lost a client in a brutal way. The past he can't outrun is resurfacing, threatening to drag him down in the undertow. And the beautiful woman he's been trying to keep at arm's length is in danger...and he'll destroy anything and anyone to keep her safe.
Paralegal Zara Remington is in over her head. She's making risky moves at work by day and indulging in an affair with a darkly dangerous PI by night. There's a lot Ryker isn't telling her and the more she uncovers, the less she wants to know. But when all hell breaks loose, Ryker may be the only one to save her. If his past doesn't catch up to them first...




Shadow Falling (The Scorpius Syndrome, #2)
Shadow Falling by Rebecca Zanetti (Received from Publisher)
Before the Scorpius Syndrome tore through North America and nearly wiped out the population, Vivienne Wellington was the FBI’s best profiler. The bacteria got her anyway. But she survived. She recovered. And when she woke up from a drug-nightmare of captivity, her skills as a hunter of men had gone from merely brilliant to full-on uncanny. Her mysterious rescuer wants her to put them to the test. But no matter how tempting he is, with his angel’s eyes and devil’s tongue, Vinnie knows she shouldn’t trust him.

If the FBI were still around they would rate Raze Shadow as one of the bad guys. His military training can’t wipe out his association with the Mercenaries, the most feared gang in a thousand miles. His loyalties are compromised. He won’t even tell Vinnie his real name. But there’s no FBI in the new America of fear and firepower, only instinct and risk. 
And the way his arms wrap around Vinnie tells its own story. Whatever else Raze is concealing, he can’t hide his desire . . .

Thank you so much to everyone who sent me a book for review - I can't wait to read all of these! 

Speaking of which - please tell me which of these books most appeals to you, or which you would most like to see a review for because I am struggling to choose between them! Also, please let me know how you organise your TBR because I need all the advice I can get???

You can also find us on Goodreads (Ann and Clare) to keep up with what we are reading.

Monday, 20 February 2017

Cover Characteristic: Teapot(s)

Cover Characteristic is a weekly feature hosted by Sugar and Snark!

Image result for teapots on book covers
The Septembers of ShirazKat, Incorrigible (Kat, Incorrigible, #1)
I'm a Little TeapotI'm a Little Teapot

I was mostly kidding when I told Ann that I could find an Alice in Wonderland cover to fit almost every theme but it continues to be true (and I may challenge myself to do it every week). It also happens to be my favourite one, so fun and bright! I also really like Kat, Incorrigible because it looks like such a fun and magical read. 
Also fun childhood story; back when I did ballet, tiny child me performed I'm a Little Teapot - we have a video and everything. So those two bottom ones made me super nostalgic!

You can also find us on Goodreads (Ann and Clare) to keep up with what we are reading.

Sunday, 19 February 2017

Sunday Post 19th February 2017

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The Sunday Post is a weekly meme hosted at Caffeinated Book Reviewer, it's a chance to post a recap on the past week, show the books we have received and share what we plan for the coming week. Stacking the Shelves is hosted by Tynga's Reviews and the aim is to show our newest books and to see what everyone else received for review, borrowed from libraries, bought in bookshops or downloaded on to their e-reader. As always you can click on any of the pictures to be taken to the Goodreads page for that book if you're interested in finding out more about it.

Last Week on the Blog:

Books We Got This Week:

Do you ever have one of those weeks where you're absolutely certain you won't get any new books and then - you get 10? Cause that was my week!
The Crime At Black Dudley (Albert Campion, #1)Look To The LadyJasmine NightsThe Ninth Rain (The Winnowing Flame Trilogy, #1)
The Crime at Black Dudley/Look to the Lady/Death of a Ghost by Margery Allingham: These were kind of an impulse! Another impossibly cheap charity buy (20p for all three books) and I do love classic crime. Not sure when I will actually get to these but I am excited anyway.
Jasmine Nights by Julia Gregson: This was free so I kinda had to get it right? It's such a pretty book but again - not sure when I will get to it. Hopefully soon! 
The Ninth Rain by Jen Williams: Huge thanks to the publisher, Headline for sending this to me! I am really excited to read it soon!
Caraval (Caraval, #1)Starfall (Starflight #2)Frostblood (Frostblood Saga, #1)Traitor to the Throne (Rebel of the Sands #2)Empress of a Thousand Skies
Caraval by Stephanie Garber: Yes, yes we do already have a copy of Caraval. But this is the special limited edition version of Caraval. So it's different. I did say I wanted to collect all the different covers. Well 2 down! Also this now means Ann and I can read it at the same time which will be fun!
Starfall by Melissa Landers: I loved Starflight last year and have been eagerly anticipating this so I can't wait to read it as soon as possible! 
Frost Blood by Elly Blake: I was on the fence about getting this but I read Brittany's review over at Brittany's Book Rambles and it just made it sound incredible! So now I am really looking forward to it!  
Traitor to the Throne by Alwyn Hamilton: Have I read Rebel of the Sands yet - no? But I want to! Plus this book is so big! And I love big books! I heard mixed things about the first book but everyone seems to be positive about the sequel so I will be reading them both soon!
Empress of a Thousand Skies by Rhoda Belleza: I am just so, so crazy excited for this one! It looks incredible and I will hopefully be starting it soon!


Reading Update:

Ann:
Unconventional

Unconventional by Maggie Harcourt: 4 stars, I really liked this story, I loved the fact that it wasn't insta-love, also the main character was amazing!

Clare:
UnconventionalInferno (Blood for Blood, #2)Mafiosa (Blood for Blood, #3)
Unconventional by Maggie Harcourt: 4 stars, Honestly just so much fun, the friendships are great and the romance was really sweet. Plus I really want to read Aidan's book. This book is perfect for anyone who likes conventions.
Inferno by Catherine Doyle: 4 stars, This was a re-read to refresh my memory before diving in to Mafiosa. This series is so dramatic and exciting - I'd forgotten just how much!
Mafiosa by Catherine Doyle: 4 stars, Really good ending to the series - I love the way this series went and I adored the characters (most of them) and hated the villains which is always fun. Can't wait to read more from Catherine Doyle.

Next Week on the Blog:

  • Cover Characteristic: Teapot
  • Top Ten Books I Loved Less Than I Thought I Would
  • Wednesday Catch-Up
  • Top 5 Books to Get You Out of Your Reading Slump
  • Fairy Loot Unboxing
  • Friday Reads
  • March Releases to Get Excited For!!

You can also find us on Goodreads (Ann and Clare) to keep up with what we are reading.

Saturday, 18 February 2017

If You Like This...

I feel like I've been meaning to do this post for a while so I had quite a few ideas floating around in my head which is quite nice! Also - apologies for posting slightly late today! I overslept which I am actually pretty pleased with (I have insomnia so it doesn't happen a lot)!

WintersongWinterspell (Winterspell, #1)
If you like Wintersong by S. Jae-Jones try Winterspell by Claire LeGrand
I promise I'm not just going off them both having "winter" in the title. Wintersong was beautifully written and very captivating and at times it definitely reminded me of Winterspell. Winterspell is a Nutcracker retelling and I never see it getting the attention it deserves - so definitely pick it up if you enjoyed Wintersong!

Sweet Little Lies (Heartbreaker Bay, #1)Sweet Lake: A Novel (Sweet Lake, #1)
If you like Sweet Little Lies by Jill Shalvis try Sweet Lake by Christine Nolfi
OK so the word matching returns (I'm sorry) but also these are both great romances with interesting side characters, amazing depictions of friendship and a setting that feels thoroughly real. Sweet Lake is being released on the 28th February and I have a full review up for it here!

Romeo and JulietStill Star-Crossed
If you like Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare try Still Star-Crossed by Melinda Taub
Is it cheating to recommend a retelling of Romeo and Juliet? Technically speaking Still Star-Crossed is actually a sort-of sequel to Romeo and Juliet. Following characters from the play. It's also written in Shakespearean language which makes it feel even more authentic. It's one of the better Shakespeare re imaginings that I've read (and I've read a lot). Plus it's about to be turned in to a TV show so what better time to read it?

Starling (Starling, #1)Valkyrie Rising (Valkyrie, #1)
If you like Starling by Lesley Livingston try Valkyrie Rising by Ingrid Paulson
Also - if you like any of Lesley Livingston's books. Like the recently released The Valiant? I picked Starling because the mythology is closest to that in Valkyrie Rising but really any of them work. Valkyrie Rising has a strong female protagonist and interesting mythology and just writing about it makes me want to re-read it immediately so there's that!

Clockwork Angel (The Infernal Devices, #1)Something Strange and Deadly (Something Strange and Deadly, #1)
If you like Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare try Something Strange and Deadly by Susan Dennard
I mean actually just try SSaD because I love it a lot. It's a very unique and engaging story with necromancy and romance and inventions and I just think it deserves all the love and doesn't get enough of it. Plus the covers are gorgeous so they'll look great on your shelves?

That was fun and I actually have a few more ideas in my head for recommendations so I may do another one of these in the future! Let me know what you think!

You can also find us on Goodreads (Ann and Clare) to keep up with what we are reading.

Friday, 17 February 2017

Friday Reads 17th February 2017

Friday 56 is hosted at Freda's Voice and Book Beginnings is hosted by Rose City Reader. The idea is to share a sentence or so from the first page and the 56th page of the book you are currently reading!

A Perilous Undertaking (Veronica Speedwell, #2)Displaced
Book Beginning:
""For the love of all that is holy, Veronica, the object is to maim or kill, not tickle," Stoker informed me, clipping the words sharply as he handed me a knife." - A Perilous Undertaking by Deanna Raybourn
Friday 56:
"You are only free when you have nothing left to lose. But as one who has witnessed many things, let me tell you this: sometimes it's better to leave things alone. What's done is done. We have to look forward, and there's no going back. Ever." - Displaced by Stephan Abarbanell
I received Displaced for review and I am hoping to have my review up in March. At the moment it's taking me a while to read - there are places where the translation seems to have lost something and it means I have to really concentrate on what I'm reading and sometimes go back and re-read bits. It's worth it - the story is good so far and I am intrigued by the mystery - but I have decided to read other books at the same time just so that I feel like I am actually completing something! 
So the second book I am reading is A Perilous Undertaking by Deanna Raybourn. Raybourn writes some of my favourite historical mysteries - and this is the second book in the Veronica Speedwell series. I greatly enjoyed the first one so I have pretty high hopes for this! Also - that's on heck of an opening sentence!

My review of last week's Friday Read - Sweet Lake by Christine Nolfi - is now up and you can check it out here.

You can also find us on Goodreads (Ann and Clare) to keep up with what we are reading 

Thursday, 16 February 2017

Clare Reviews: Sweet Lake by Christine Nolfi

Sweet Lake: A Novel (Sweet Lake, #1)Title: Sweet Lake
Author: Christine Nolfi
Series: Sweet Lake #1
Format: Paperback
Source: Received in exchange for an honest review
Pages: 292
Rating: 4.5/5
Blurb: Linnie Wayfair knows just how many people are counting on her. But knowing doesn’t make doing any easier.
Everyone in Sweet Lake, Ohio, wants her to muster all her business sense and return the Wayfair Inn to its former glory. Her parents hope she’ll forgive her scoundrel of a brother and reconcile the family. The eccentric Sweet Lake Sirens want her to open the inn—and her heart—to new possibilities. And her hilarious lifelong friends Jada and Cat are dropping none-too-subtle hints for her to ignite a romance with Daniel Kettering, the sexy attorney who’s been pining for her for years…
Now a shocking turn of events will open old wounds and upend the world Linnie has carefully built. She has to make changes quickly—and the results, though not entirely what she expected, might be what she’s been yearning for all along.


This was so much more than I was expecting. I thought I was getting a sweet romance. And there was a really great romance. But there were also strong friendships, diverse and eccentric side characters and a family dynamic that at times broke my heart. I was engaged with every single page and every single character.

Linnie, our main character, was a delight. She was such a lovely person and I really felt for her with her insecurities and worries and cheered for her as she grew stronger and more confident throughout the novel. She was written so well that I felt everything she felt - her worries, the betrayal she felt, the love and gratitude for her friends. Her relationship, or lack thereof, with her brother Freddie hurt to read about. There's a line in the story;
"A sibling carries your history."
And that's something I agree with - I have such a wonderful relationship with my siblings and it was such a shame to watch Linnie have to do without that. She was by no means alone, however. She had the whole of Sweet Lake behind her - including the glorious Sirens, who were some of my favourite characters. And she also had her best friends Jada and Cat and Daniel - her best friend/something more.

Plot wise there is quite a lot going on which made for a very page-turning read. We have all the secrets of Freddie's business in Ohio as well as his intentions for the Inn. The latter caused me a lot of anxiety as I desperately wanted Linnie to have a complete happy ending - getting everything she could possibly want. Greedy of me, sure, but I love her as a character and she deserves all the best. Freddie was a character who, though compelling, I never grew to like. Even though Linnie was working towards forgiving him I never quite could and I was so mad at him for how he treated her! 

The romance felt very real and I definitely felt like it was a healthy and supportive relationship - which I always appreciate. Daniel was willing to push Linnie but also ready to support her no matter what she chose. And whilst it took Linnie slightly longer to come around to the idea of commitment, I could understand her reasons and trusted that she would go all in eventually. 

I was so pleasantly surprised by just how engrossed I became in this book - I was prepared for something light and enjoyable and got something that was funny and moving and exciting. I just loved it. With such a wealth of side characters I know that this series has a lot of room to move forward and I can't wait to read the next book! If you love romance then I heartily recommend this but also - if you just want strong, inspiring characters, family dynamics that feel real and an emotional, heartwarming story - then read this.

You can also find us on Goodreads (Ann and Clare) to keep up with what we are reading.

Wednesday, 15 February 2017

Wednesday Catch-Up 15th February 2017

Every Wednesday we are linking up with WWW Wednesday. WWW Wednesday is hosted at Taking on a World of Words and asks 3 questions: What are you currently reading?, What did you recently finish reading? What do you think you'll read next?

Currently Reading:

DisplacedUnconventionalBarnaby Rudge
I am currently reading Displaced by Stephan Abarbanell which I received for review - it's due out on the 23rd February. I like it but I am finding it slow going so to fend off any book slumps I have also picked up Unconventional by Maggie Harcourt which I am so far loving. All the character are incredible - I am only 90 pages in but I am so invested in all of them and their relationships with each other. Plus reading about a Con is always fun, right? And... I have made no progress with Barnaby Rudge. It's so weird, Charles Dickens is one of my all time favourite authors (I love A Tale of Two Cities so, so much) but I can't seem to motivate myself with this one. And I am really going to need to if I plan on finishing it by the end of the month.

Recently Finished:

Wires and Nerve, Volume 1 (Wires and Nerves, #1)Sweet Lake: A Novel (Sweet Lake, #1)
The first book I read this week was a graphic novel - Wires and Nerve by Marissa Meyer! I have been eagerly anticipating this (even more since my pre-order arrived a couple of weeks late!) and it did not disappoint me. It was so great to see the old characters again (especially Cress and Thorne) and to see Iko take center stage was amazing! I am looking forward to the rest of the series! I then read Sweet Lake which was such an amazing read, I loved the characters and the setting and I was thoroughly engaged with the plot and the romance. My review of this will be up tomorrow. 

Planning to Read Next:

Please Ignore Vera DietzAsk the PassengersMafiosa (Blood for Blood, #3)
Next up are two A.S. King novels - Please Ignore Vera Dietz and Ask the Passengers. I am trying to read the books I buy this year and these two go against that rule because I must have bought them around two years ago. But I suddenly just have a strong desire to read them so I am going with it. And then I am going to read Mafiosa by Catherine Doyle which I actually did buy this year. It's the third and final book in the Blood for Blood series and I can't wait to see how things play out! 

You can also find us on Goodreads (Ann and Clare) to keep up with what we are reading