Tuesday, September 22, 2015

Book Blitz: Walk on Earth a Stranger by Rae Carson


   YAY It's Tuesday again! You know what that means, book release day! Today Walk on Earth a Stranger releases and I couldn't be happier to to be introducing it to you! 

   I have the first chapter for you guys to enjoy, my review of the book and a giveaway!

   I hope you enjoy, and good luck with the giveaway!


Walk on Earth a Stranger by Rae Carson


Release Date: September 22nd, 2015
Publisher: Greenwillow Press
Series: The Gold Seer Trilogy, #1
Format: Hardcover, 432 pages


Description from GoodReads:


   The first book in a new trilogy from acclaimed New York Times bestselling author Rae Carson. A young woman with the magical ability to sense the presence of gold must flee her home, taking her on a sweeping and dangerous journey across Gold Rush–era America.

   Lee Westfall has a secret. She can sense the presence of gold in the world around her. Veins deep beneath the earth, pebbles in the river, nuggets dug up from the forest floor. The buzz of gold means warmth and life and home—until everything is ripped away by a man who wants to control her. Left with nothing, Lee disguises herself as a boy and takes to the trail across the country. Gold was discovered in California, and where else could such a magical girl find herself, find safety? Rae Carson, author of the acclaimed Girl of Fire and Thorns trilogy, dazzles with this new fantasy that subverts both our own history and familiar fantasy tropes.

   Walk on Earth a Stranger, the first book in this new trilogy, introduces—as only Rae Carson can—a strong heroine, a perilous road, a fantastical twist, and a slow-burning romance. Includes a map and author’s note on historical research. 


 Check out Ohana Read's Review here!






Read chapter 1 of WALK ON EARTH A STRANGER annotated by Rae Carson HERE!


   Rae Carson is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of the acclaimed Girl of Fire
and Thorns trilogy. Her next book, Walk On Earth A Stranger, will be available September 22, 2015. She lives in Arizona with her husband.








   1 winner will receive a set of the 3 GIRL OF FIRE AND THORNS series (in paperback format). US Only.
   Ends on September 30th at Midnight EST!


   Thanks for stopping by! Walk on Earth a Stranger was a fabulous read, I honestly can't wait for you all to read it!



Sunday, September 20, 2015

Book Review: Walk on Earth a Stranger by Rae Carson

Release Date: September 22nd, 2015
Read: August 24th - September 2nd, 2015
Publisher: Greenwillow Books
Series: The Gold Seer Trilogy
Format: Hardcover 432 pages
Source: McNally Robinson/ Two Thumbs Up Program



Description from GoodReads:


    Lee Westfall has a secret. She can sense the presence of gold in the world around her. Veins deep beneath the earth, pebbles in the river, nuggets dug up from the forest floor. The buzz of gold means warmth and life and home—until everything is ripped away by a man who wants to control her. Left with nothing, Lee disguises herself as a boy and takes to the trail across the country. Gold was discovered in California, and where else could such a magical girl find herself, find safety? 


    Walk on Earth a Stranger, the first book in this new trilogy, introduces—as only Rae Carson can—a strong heroine, a perilous road, a fantastical twist, and a slow-burning romance. Includes a map and author’s note on historical research.


Review:


   When this cough settles, when this cough settles, when this cough settles.
   Walk on Earth a Stranger was another one of those books that every blogger wanted when they heard ARCs were released. Of course Rae Carson's original series was supposed to be fabulous, because I hadn't read that series yet I wasn't quite sure how I'd feel about this one. Even though I felt that way, I still couldn't help but give myself a self five when I was able to snag a copy from McNally Robinson's Two Thumbs Up program.
   I've always been a sucker for books that are written when the main character is on a adventure or is traveling, you just get to see so much more then when you're stuck in one location. Not to mention you get to experience more in your surroundings. With Walk on Earth a Stranger you got to adventure from one side of the US to another, from the East to the West. So obviously you encountered a lot of different scenery along the way, it was a marvellous change.
   I think Lee (or Leah), was the only character that I've experienced that had aged a great deal throughout a book, besides aging throughout a series. With this, I found that more than one person could relate to her throughout the book!
   As the book went on I found myself loving and hating characters more and more, I loved the different challenges the characters had to face, surviving being the hardest! For the girls/woman especially, back when this book takes place woman didn't have all the rights we have now. (or rather in the US/CA anyway) It was empowering to see how the woman stayed strong or how they proved their worth! I couldn't have been more admiring of Carson's woman!
   Walk on Earth a Stranger was definitely worth a read! Well paced and well written, passing on reading this book would be a big mistake.
   I will definitely be picking up the sequel next year, when it releases!

   You can find my review on McNally Robinson's Two Thumbs Up review page here.


Rating:




Favourite Quote:


"Is it wrong to be wanted?" - Lee


Recommend to People Who Enjoy:


Young Adult, Historical Fiction, Fantasy, Adventure, The Gold Rush, Travel, Magic






Friday, September 18, 2015

Recommendation Fridays: The Darkest Powers & Rising by Kelley Armstrong

   
   I had discovered The Summoning about 4 years ago, my library had all three in the series so in one visit I had grabbed them all and did a binge. The series became a hit for me. It wasn't until a few months later that I heard about The Darkest Rising series, that The Gathering was going to be released. Obviously I had to pick that one up too! The Gathering became an even bigger hit for me then The Summoning and its sequels were! 
   The Darkest Powers and The Darkest Rising are a prequel series to each other, and The Gathering picks up where The Reckoning leaves off (Though with a new set of characters). So if you found that the series left you with some questions then you for sure should read The Darkest Rising because your questions will definitely get answered. 

    This is a can't go wrong series! I promise!
   


The series would probably be best for people who like the following books:
Fantasy, Paranormal, Romance, Shapeshifters, Witches, Ghosts


And, like I say every time. These series' are perfect for everyone!





The Darkest Power Trilogy


The Summoning by Kelley Armstrong


Release Date:  July 1st, 2008
Publisher: Doubleday Canada
Series: Darkest Powers, #1
Format: Paperback, 400 pages



Description from GoodReads:



   My name is Chloe Saunders and my life will never be the same again.


   All I wanted was to make friends, meet boys, and keep on being ordinary. I don't even know what that means anymore. It all started on the day that I saw my first ghost - and the ghost saw me.

   Now there are ghosts everywhere and they won't leave me alone. To top it all off, I somehow got myself locked up in Lyle House, a "special home" for troubled teens. Yet the home isn't what it seems. Don't tell anyone, but I think there might be more to my housemates than meets the eye. The question is, whose side are they on? It's up to me to figure out the dangerous secrets behind Lyle House... before its skeletons come back to haunt me.



The Awakening by Kelley Armstrong


Release Date: April 28th, 2009
Publisher: Doubleday Canada
Series: Darkest Powers, #2
Format: Paperback, 368 pages


Description from GoodReads:


   If you had met me a few weeks ago, you probably would have described me as an average teenage girl – someone normal. Now my life has changed forever and I’m as far away from normal as it gets. A living science experiment – not only can I see ghosts, but I was genetically altered by a group of people who call themselves The Edison Group. What does that mean? For starters, I’m a teenage necromancer whose powers are out of control: I raise the dead without even trying. Trust me, that is not a power you want to have. Ever. 

   I’m running for my life with three of my supernatural friends – a charming sorcerer, a cynical werewolf, and a disgruntled witch – and we have to find someone who can help us gain our freedom back before The Edison Group finds us first. Or die trying. 


The Reckoning by Kelley Armstrong


Release Date: June 14th, 2011
Publisher: Doubleday Canada
Series: Darkest Powers, #3
Format: Paperback, 391 pages


Description from GoodReads:


   Chloe Saunders is fifteen and would love to be normal. Unfortunately, Chloe happens to be a genetically engineered necromancer who can raise the dead without even trying. She and her equally gifted (or should that be 'cursed'?) friends are now running for their lives from the evil corporation that created them.

   As if that's not enough, Chloe is struggling with her feelings for Simon, a sweet-tempered sorcerer, and his brother Derek, a not so sweet-tempered werewolf. And she has a horrible feeling she's leaning towards the werewolf...

   Definitely not normal


The Gathering by Kelley Armstrong


Release Date:  February 12th, 2012
Publisher: Doubleday Canada
Series: Darkness Rising, #1
Format: Paperback, 384 pages


Description from GoodReads:


   Sixteen-year-old Maya is just an ordinary teen in ordinary town. Sure, she doesn't know much about her background - the only clue she has to go on is an odd paw-print birthmark on her hip - but she never had put much thought into who her real parents were or how she ended up with her adopted family in this tiny medical-research community on Vancouver Island.

   Until now.

   Strange things have been happening in her claustrophobic town - from the mountain lions that have been approaching Maya to her best friend's hidden talent for "feeling" out people and situations to the sexy new bad boy who makes Maya feel... different. Combine that with a few unexplained deaths and a mystery involving Maya's biological parents and it's easy to suspect that this town might have more than its share of skeletons in its closet.

   In THE GATHERING, New York Times bestselling author Kelley Armstrong brings all the supernatural thrills from her wildly successful Darkest Powers series to Darkness Rising, her scorching hot new trilogy.


The Calling  by Kelley Armstrong


Release Date: April 2nd, 2013
Publisher: Doubleday Canada
Series: Darkest Rising, #2
Format: Paperback, 352 pages


Description from GoodReads:


   The second book in Kelley Armstrong's wildly popular Darkness Rising trilogy is now available in paperback! 
     Maya Delaney's paw-print birthmark is the mark of what she truly is--a skin-walker. She can run faster, climb higher, and see better than nearly everyone else. Her intense connection with the animals that roam the woods outside her home tells her that it's only a matter of time before she's able to shift and become one of them. And she believes there may be others in her small town with surprising talents as well.
     But then Maya and her friends are forced to flee from their homes during a forest fire they suspect was deliberately set. Next they're kidnapped, and after a chilling helicopter crash, they find themselves in the Vancouver Island wilderness with nothing but their extraordinary abilities to help them survive. Will they be able to make it home alive?



The Rising by Kelley Armstrong


Release Date: April 8th, 2014
Publisher: Doubleday Canada
Series: Darkness Rising, #3
Format: Paperback, 432 pages


Description from GoodReads:

   Things are getting desperate for Maya and her friends. Hunted by two powerful Cabals, they're quickly running out of places to hide. And with the whole world thinking they died in a helicopter crash, they can't simply go to the authorities for help. All they have is the name and number of someone who might be able to give them a few answers. Answers to why they're so valuable to the Cabals, and why their supernatural powers are getting more out of control. Maya is unprepared for the truths that await her, but she'll have to face them if she ever hopes to move on with her life. Because she can't keep running forever.
     With all the twists, thrills, and romance that have made Kelley Armstrong an international bestseller--plus the surprising return of some favourite characters--The Rising will keep you under its spell long after the last page is turned.



   So what do you think? Are these series' for you? Let me know in the comments!




Wednesday, September 16, 2015

Book Review: Never Always Sometimes by Adi Alsaid

Release Date: August 4th, 2015
Read: July 16th- 21st, 2015
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Series: N/A
Format: ARC, 320 pages
Source: Gift from Author


Description from GoodReads:


   Never date your best friend 

   Always be original 

   Sometimes rules are meant to be broken 

   Best friends Dave and Julia were determined to never be cliché high school kids—the ones who sit at the same lunch table every day, dissecting the drama from homeroom and plotting their campaigns for prom king and queen. They even wrote their own Never List of everything they vowed they'd never, ever do in high school. 

   Some of the rules have been easy to follow, like #5, never die your hair a color of the rainbow, or #7, never hook up with a teacher. But Dave has a secret: he's broken rule #8, never pine silently after someone for the entirety of high school. It's either that or break rule #10, never date your best friend. Dave has loved Julia for as long as he can remember. 

   Julia is beautiful, wild and impetuous. So when she suggests they do every Never on the list, Dave is happy to play along. He even dyes his hair an unfortunate shade of green. It starts as a joke, but then a funny thing happens: Dave and Julia discover that by skipping the clichés, they've actually been missing out on high school. And maybe even on love.


Review:


Contains Spoilers:

   Your heart is an asshole for choosing someone else.
   Never Always Sometimes was a top 2015 anticipated read for me, the plot and the cover totally won me over. Like look at it! Simple yet colour filled book covers have always been my favourite, this one probably making the top of the list. Then the description, I'm graduating this year (2015-2016), so it was the perfect book to be reading.
   The setting for Never Always Sometimes didn't feel legitimate for me. The feel of the school, the things that went on for the list, the tree house in the school yard, "attempting" to hook up with the math teacher. Things like that would never happen at my high school, and even if they did or were even attempted then they wouldn't have been given a thumbs up or a warning they would have been suspended or worse. I just couldn't connect with the high school vibe because of it.
   Honestly, everything besides the setting was just fabulous for me, every person had their own twist to them. Julia being my favourite, wild and a bit rebellious! I just couldn't get enough of being in her head! Alsaid gave everyone of his characters something unique, you couldn't not find one of them to relate too!
   Never Always Sometimes is a joyful read that will lift everyone's spirits, certainly a book that you'd expect Adi Alsaid to write! Any book of his is a must read!


Rating:



Favourite Quote:


"Really? Erections are the best way to measure the quality of a day?" ~ Julia 


Recommend to People Who Enjoy:


Young Adult, Contemporary, Realistic Fiction, Romance, High School




Sunday, September 13, 2015

Pre-Order Giveaway for Diamonds are Forever by Michelle Madow!



   Hey Y'all! So you know how I adore The Secret Diamond Sisters by Michelle Madow, well good news! To celebrate the release if Diamonds are Forever, she will be hosting a pre-order giveaway!

   If you pre-order Diamonds are Forever by October 26th, 2015, then you are legible to receive a Swag Pack! This swag pack contains a Secret Diamond Sister Lip Balm, sticker, bookmark and button!

   Unfortunately the swag pack is only Available to readers in the US. But that's okay! Cause just pre-ordering is a pretty awesome reward itself!


   Once you've pre-ordered click HERE, and fill out the form to receive the Swag Pack!


 


Diamonds are Forever by Michelle Madow


Release Date: October 27th, 2015
Publisher: HarlequinTeen
Series: The Secret Diamond Sisters, #3
Format: Paperback, 368 pages


Description from GoodReads:


   It's cold outside, but the drama is hot! 

   The Diamond sisters jet to the mountains for spring break, and Savannah's flirt-mance with an international pop star heats up as her pursuit of stardom succeeds. But is this romance meant to be, or has the right guy been in front of her all along? Meanwhile, Courtney takes the next step with her secret boyfriend—and future stepbrother—and as their parents' wedding approaches, the pressure's on to reveal their relationship. 

   Peyton's figuring out a plan for her future, but she still feels guilty about getting her former bodyguard fired and wonders if she can get over him in the arms of someone else. But the biggest bombshell will change everything once again, because Madison's ready to tell the huge secret she's uncovered. And with the boy who betrayed her but who could be the love of her life fighting for his own life, she might need the Diamond sisters more than ever.


Haven't read the rest of the series yet? They are available now!




The Secret Diamond Sisters by Michelle Madow


Release Date: February 25th, 2015
Publisher: HarlequinTeen
Series: The Secret Diamond Sisters, #1
Format: Paperback, 382 pages


Description from GoodReads:


   Savannah. Courtney. Peyton. 

   The three sisters grew up not knowing their father and not quite catching a break. But it looks like their luck is about to change when they find out the secret identity of their long-lost dad—a billionaire Las Vegas hotel owner who wants them to come live in a gorgeous penthouse hotel suite. Suddenly the Strip's most exclusive clubs are all-access, and with an unlimited credit card each, it should be easier than ever to fit right in. But in a town full of secrets and illusion, fitting in is nothing compared to finding out the truth about their past.


Diamonds in the Rough by Michelle Madow


Release Date: October 28th, 2014
Publisher: HarlequinTeen
Series: The Secret Diamond Sisters, #2
Format: Paperback, 448 pages


Description from GoodReads:


   All-access doesn't mean no problems.

   The three Diamond sisters survived the summer in style after coming to live with their long-lost billionaire father. But making a place for themselves at their exclusive new Las Vegas private school is throwing them any number of gold-plated curves. Savannah's YouTube stardom turns into a Sweet Sixteen reality show extravaganza—with complimentary enemies on the side. Dangerous flirtations don't keep Peyton from a gamble that will risk far more than she planned to bet. And when Courtney and the sisters' archenemy, Madison, uncover two explosive secrets, it will rock even this town of glittering illusion—and turn their lives upside down all over again.

Sisterhood, first crushes, and scandalous secrets explode in book two of Michelle Madow's riveting series, The Secret Diamond Sisters.


   I hope you guys all participate! I'm dying to get my hands on a copy, and this is the perfect chance to sauce the pre-order up!