Me and Earl and the Dying Girl by Jesse Andrews

 This was some read. I couldn't put it down to save myself. It was such an interesting and diverse book. 

This book is literally about Greg (Me), Earl and Rachel (The Dying Girl). It is about their friendships and struggles, their high points and their lows.

 The main character and narrator of this wonder is Greg. He is the kid that knows everyone but doesn't truly know anyone at the same time. He is quirky and funny, and a normal human being with flaws. I loved that he was "normal" so-to-speak. I loved that he wasn't some good-looking jock-type that was forced into spending time with a girl he had no intention of ever being friends with. He was a chubby, strange boy with imperfect skin and not an ounce of athletic ability. I think that made the narration of the book even better. 

Another thing that I really liked about this book was that all of the characters are different. They all come from different backgrounds, hang out with different people and live different lives. Somehow though they all find some common ground. They all love films. Eric and Greg have made silly remakes since they were young and Rachel loves to watch them.

The way this book is written is something else entirely. Its funny and quirky and downright strange in some places but it works so well. The explanation at the end just helped to make the narrative more understanding but in my opinion it wasn't one hundred percent necessary. It was a nice way to end the story however. 

Like I said at the beginning, I couldn't put this book down once it was in my hands. There were some areas of the book where I felt that the story lulled a little but overall it was a well-paced and thoroughly entertaining. I'm not sure if I would pick this book up again, maybe to relieve me from a reading slump, but I will say I am glad that I picked it up.  

The Glittering Court by Richelle Mead

Before I start going on about the book and opinions and just generally start to bore people, how nice is this cover?! I seem to find myself just sitting staring at it because of how interesting it looks. 

Now for the nitty-gritty boring bit.

It was the concept of this book that intrigued me. It is about a countess who decides she is fed up of her life. She disguises herself as one of her servants to escape her arranged marriage. This sends her on a path to The Glittering Court where "normal" girls are turned into upper-class ladies seeking marriage of their own choosing. It is a tale of twists and turns and romance and deception. 

I'm not sure what it was about the book though, I just couldn't seem to get into it. I don't know if it was a mistake on part for picking it up after a fast-paced fantasy or if it was just the book itself. 

Don't get me wrong, this book has its good points. The budding romance and friendship between Cedric and Adelaide was well done. It was beautifully portrayed as a forbidden romance that would ultimately end with the pair as a fully fledged couple. I liked that it began is a simple friendship with two people trying to help one another. 

The relationships between all of the girls was great too. I loved that they were competing against one another but somehow found a way to become friends and help each other along the way too. It was a real and honest relationship and the author did a great job in bringing it to life. 

Overall though I felt that this story was dragged out too long and there was a lot of details that were unnecessary. I really hate feeling this way about this book because I love all of the other Richelle Mead books I have read but this one just didn't live up to my expectations.   

Blood Rose By Danielle Rose

HAPPY BOOK BIRTHDAY!!!

Release date for Blood Rose is finally upon us and I can finally share the thoughts that have plagued my mind since I finished this book a week ago. Before all that though, I would like to thank OfTomes Publishing and Bare Naked Words for giving me an ARC of this book and the opportunity to write a review of it. 

As soon as I heard the concept of this book I just knew I had to get my hands on a copy. I mean who could pass up a chance to read about witches and vampires, especially when it has been described as Charmed meets Vampire Academy. And if I am honest, it totally is. 

The story is truly so much fun. There is action, romance, personal conflict and so much more. It's a quick fun read that I believe is one that will get you out of a reading slump (it has for me). 

The main character is a young witch called Avah. Avah is the chosen one in her coven who is destined to receive The Power, a great source of magic that only one witch can obtain. I'm not sure what it was about the character of Avah but I didn't like her for a large part of the book. I felt like her being brought up knowing that she is different or special, so to speak, has made her a little full of herself. I feel that in her head she was better than everyone else, therefore more important and rules could be bent because she was who she was. Her attitude about a lot of things just got on my nerves. I do feel like towards the end of the book though she does redeem herself and I began to like the character she had become. 

I loved the covens in this book. I loved that they were like families. There is the high priestess who is the mother figure and keeps everyone in line and then there is the elder/more powerful members of the coven that are like the aunts and uncles or the older siblings that need to take care of the younger, more vulnerable members. Then there is the rest of the coven that are like the children who hold grudges and cause conflict in the household. I thought it was a great way to switch between the two worlds of the witches and the vampires. 

The magic in this book is exactly what you would imagine an ancient coven of witches. They use latin incantations and herbs and crystals. It's exactly what I imagined when I thought of a coven of witches. 

Danielle Rose is truly magical (see what I did there) with words and this world she has created is amazing and there is so much she can do with it. I truly cannot wait for the sequel. 

Happy Book Birthday! and Cover Reveal!

Blood Rose (Blood Series #1)

by Danielle Rose

Genre: Urban fantasy, New Adult, Paranormal Romance

Release date: June 21, 2017

Publisher: OfTomes Publishing 
Cover art by Gwenn Danae of Upon A Day Dreamer.

#BloodRose

Published by OfTomes Publishing, the Blood Books trilogy follows the harrowing  journey of Avah Taylor, a mortal witch in the midst of a centuries-old war against the immortal vampire species. Avah’s intense journey is fueled by blood, jealousy, betrayal, murder and revenge.

Book Synopsis

There’s no wrath like that of a witch scorned.

As one of the only spirit users in her coven, Avah has been chosen to wield The Power, the ultimate weapon against the immortal vampire species witches have been at war with for centuries. 

But on the night of her birth rite, Avah’s coven is attacked. Forced to seek refuge among the very beings she’s sworn to kill, Avah vows revenge on those who took her former life from her.

As Avah slowly transitions into a life of blood and war, she realizes everything she’s been told is a lie.

Buy the Book

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Author’s Bio

Danielle Rose holds a Master of Fine Arts in creative writing from the University of Southern Maine. Currently residing in the Midwest, where she spends her days dreaming of warmer temperatures, when she’s not writing, she enjoys pretending she lives in California, spending an embarrassing amount of time at Hobby Lobby, and binge-watching Netflix. Visit Danielle on the Web: www.Danielle-Rose.com.

Social Links

        

   

Goodreads: www.goodreads.com/DRoseAuthor 

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Bookbub: www.bookbub.com/authors/danielle-rose

Pinterest: www.pinterest.com/DRoseAuthor

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Blood Magic (Blood Series Book2)

COVER REVEAL

Book Synopsis

Avah Taylor thought she had already faced the worst.

      As her coven’s chosen one, destined to receive a power that could kill her, Avah was forced to make the ultimate sacrifice when she gave up her mortal life to become a vampire, the witches’ greatest enemy. But just when she begins to adjust to her new life, even as she falls in love with her sire, the high priestess of her new coven is seized by Rogue vampires.

     Guided by Avah’s visions of the past, present, and future, Avah and the other vampires set out to rescue their priestess, but their journey leads Avah to the discovery that the conspiracy behind her power runs deeper than she ever imagined. As her visions grow increasingly terrifying, Avah begins to wonder if she may not have a future at all.

PRE ORDER BLOOD MAGIC

Kindle US          Kindle UK

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COVER REVEAL!!!!!

I'm so glad that I get to be a part of this reveal!!

This is the new cover to Ultimate Sacrifice by S.E. Green. This is Oftomes Publishing's horror debut of 2017. Seriously though how gorgeous and eerie is this cover! It's nothing compared to the plot! 

Interested? Me too! It is being released on October 10th and if I'm honest it's not soon enough. 

Feel free to share the love and your excitement over on Twitter. I'm sure both the author and the publishers will love to hear from you. 

More Happy Than Not by Adam Silvera

I honestly don't know what took me so long to read this book!!! It is so beautiful and honest and I loved every single word of it. It has left me in an over-emotional state but in a very good way. 

If you don't know what More Happy Than Not is about or who Adam Silvera is then where have you been?!?! Ok, maybe that is a little mean...

Just a warning before you think about picking this book up, it does have trigger warnings for depression, self-harm, suicide and abuse. 

More Happy Than Not surrounds sixteen year old Aaron. Aaron is dealing with a lot in the book, for example his father's suicide, this leaves him struggling to find happiness. It forces him to confront both his past and his future to come to terms with the situation he finds himself in. 

There is honestly so much about this book that I loved. One of the first things that made me fall in love with this book is that all of the characters are normal. They are normal in the way that they are not perfect or good looking or in any way spectacular. They are real teenagers going through some real teenage issues with just a little bit of not so unreasonable made-up stuff thrown in there. It was so refreshing to read about characters like that because you don't really find many. 

Something else I loved was the relationships of the characters. They were what real relationships really are like. You've got the kid who you grew up with who you always thought of as your best friend but isn't really that great of a friend. You've got all of the people you hang out with just because you live near each other. You've got the brother who you love because he's your brother but you really don't like him very much as a person. You've also got those people who you know but don't really know at the same time. 

The thing that truly won me over with this book though was the honesty of Adam's writing. The way he explained situations and problems and describes his characters is beautiful. It is just so honest and real. I think that is why you get to the end of the book and feel so overwhelmed with emotions that you just have to sit and take everything in and process it like it all just happened to you or to a friend of yours. 

I'm not sure if I could pick this book up again, not right away anyway. Yes, it is beautiful and an amazing story but it carries so much information and emotions with it that you need time to separate yourself from it before picking it up again. I will be recommending this to people though, I can guarantee you that. 

Coral and Bone by Tiffany Daune

Coral and Bone Giveaway

Looking for a fast-paced, exciting read? Like mermaids, shapeshifters and otherworldly creatures? Then look no further, this is definitely the book for you!

Coral and Bone is an enchanting read about love, loss and hope. It is a tale of evil mermaids, shapeshifting beings and a whole lot of action. 

When I picked this book up for review, it didn't really think much of it. If I am honest I had low expectations for it. By golly was I wrong. I totally under-estimated this book. From the minute I picked it up I didn't want to put it down. I got so wrapped up in the story that it was literally all I could think about. I spent every possible moment with this book in my hand, I even lost sleep over it.

I loved the way that Tiffany wove in the title of the book. I think the way that she did it was very clever with it having a purpose in the story.

I loved the characters in this book. They all had their own reasons for helping Halen (which is a great name) and the cause. They were all complicated and wonderful in their own right and I loved each and every one of them. Though my favourite character has to be Tage. The way she cares about Halen and was willing to die to help her is amazing. She is such a great friend to Halen and she is also a badass character. 

The twist at the end when it is revealed that Dax is really Halen's guardian I found kind of predictable. I guessed from the first meeting between the two that there was something more to him than simply a romantic interest especially when he seemed so attached to Natalie. That being said I like the reason behind why it was hidden from her. 

I truly loved every word of this book and even after finishing it I want to pick it up again. Tiffany Daune's writing is truly remarkable and I honestly believed every word I read like it was part of the real world. The description and the characters were all made to be real in my mind. 

Below is a little insight into more about the story and the author. 

Can you tell me a little bit about your series and what inspired it? 
The Coral & Bone series is filled with mermaids, shifters and otherworldly creatures. It's a story of love, loss and hope. My writing is most influenced by the beloved stories I read as a child, such as Hans Christian Andersen's The Little Mermaid and C.S. Lewis's The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. I'm drawn to mystical realms and love it even more when magic collides with our world. 

The Etlins in the Coral & Bone series are shifters. If you could be a shifter what animal would you want to be and why?
Definitely a raven because they are wickedly smart and eerie.  

Can you share a little about the current title you are working on? 

I'm currently editing books two and three of The Siren Chronicles and working on an outline for an exciting new series. Keep an eye on my Instagram account where I'll be posting a sneak peek very soon.

When did you know that you wanted to write professionally and how did you take the leap to get into the business?  

I started writing with the intent of publishing seven years ago. I faced a lot of rejection letters, but I kept submitting and writing, until I received my first contract for Surface and the sequel Landlocked. Unfortunately, my publisher closed, and I had to start over. So, instead of resubmitting Surface, I wrote Coral & Bone which won a watty award in 2016.  

What book is currently on your nightstand? And who are some of your favorite authors?

I have five on my nightstand right now. I'm currently lost in the pages of The Girl with All the Gifts by M.R. Carey. I'm also reading some great works on Wattpad.

I could never pick just one, but I a few of my faves are Alyson Noel, Tehereh Mafi, Casandra Clare, John Green, Taran Matharu, Jennifer L Armentrout and Kendare Blake. 

What was your favorite childhood book?

I loved so many books as a child, it’s hard to pick one. My top three would have to be The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and Are you there God It’s Me Margaret. As a teen, I devoured anything by Stephen King, John Saul & Anne Rice.

What’s your favorite writing food?

Popcorn, cucumbers and chocolate.

What is one of your favorite quotes?

Happiness can be found, even in the darkest of times if one only remembers to turn on the light. ~ Albus Dumbledore

Want to win some mermaid themed goodies?

Well Tiffany is holding a Rafflecopter giveaway for the items picture below. 

To enter just follow the link below:

Coral and Bone Giveaway

Below are all of Tiffany's interweb links

Website:                      www.tiffanydaune.com

Newsletter:                   http://eepurl.com/5hU0z

Facebook Page:           https://facebook.com/tiffanydaune

Twitter :                       @TiffanyDaune

Goodreads:                  www.goodreads.com/author/show/6904400.Tiffany_Daune

Tumblr:                       http://tiffanydaune.tumblr.com

Instagram:                   @TiffanyDaune