People, how is it so far into September already? Where is the month going? I feel like it’s barely even started! I honestly don’t know how it’s the 11th already. I hate how time slips past so quick sometimes.
Anyway, onto my week. I returned to work once more and it’s been a very bland week at work. A new girl started (she’s nice) and we’ve had a conference on Wednesday where the owner of our company spoke to us about changes to the company, progress throughout the year and his plans for the future. It was quite nice. I am not the biggest fan of the owner as I disagree with his politics but he always comes across quite nice (even if he had some very ridiculous things to say about Donald Trump) and it was a nice morning away from the office. I think that’s how my week at work has been, nice. Although, it now feels a lifetime ago that I had my week off (why is that?).
Our walking challenge began at work on Monday and despite having a team of ten we are very much not winning. We’re not even close we’ve managed to go over 100,000 steps in the first five days but that’s not exactly overwhelming when we’re aiming to reach 2 million is it? I blame the cheap pedometers they gave us for counting our steps, mine is getting chucked in the bin because I keep accidentally hitting the reset button and losing my step count. I’ve invested £20 in a Jawbone Up Move fitness tracker so I can attempt to stay fit once our challenge ends. I am liking it so far. I’ve been treating it as a challenge to walk more. When I leave the house I think I will walk places as opposed to catching the bus. I am continually trying to beat myself. I do think fitness trackers can help motivate you to get more active and I’m hoping this one will help me. I’ll keep you updated.
Outside of work I’ve not been up to much. I’ve not even managed to read one of the books I’ve gotten from the library. I did manage to have an awkward experience with a friend at the pub, though. I have a weekly catch up with one of my best friends and we go to see the same pub most weeks and chat about work, life and things. She was updating me about things happening at her work and we were gossiping about one of the guys she works with (as you do) and then, not half an hour later, he was there at the pub! If that wasn’t bad enough I felt obligated to ask if he wanted to join us (he was drinking alone at the pub, that’s just not acceptable). I didn’t think he would accept! We had to sit there for an hour awkwardly chatting and it was awful. I mean, what are the odds the person you’re gossiping about turns up? We never see anyone we know at the pub ever! We barely know people. It was an awful experience I don’t care to repeat anytime soon. I need your suggestions for a code phrase so this never happens again. We need to come up with a phrase to say which signals to the other we need to make a hasty exit and your suggestions would be appreciated.
What I’ve Been Reading
I’ve not done as much reading this week as last for obvious reasons. Turns out reading a book a day when you’re not working means you still have plenty of time to be social and such. Doing it when you’re working full time as well means you end up sitting alone getting very little human contact. I felt I probably needed some human contact so sacrificed reading.
I’m still reading Nevernight, to be honest, I’ve not read much of it this week. I am concerned I am going to be one of the people who don’t love it. I’m still liking it but there’s something missing and I’m a quarter of the way in… we’ll see. As for the rest? I’ve been on a contemporary reading kick. Turning It On was a fun romance but I definitely preferred the first Red Hot Russians book better. Something in Between was a fun YA that would have had a more powerful punch if the romance hadn’t taken centre stage. And Sustained? Well wasn’t that just a steamy hot romance? I enjoyed that one but none were exactly the books I was looking for and I don’t know what is.
New To Me
I’ve tried to be reserved in my new books. I only have four and I’ve already read one of them and one is a novella so hardly adding much reading time to my acquisitions. Exhume was my Kindle First pick of the month and The Alchemist’s of Loom was received on Netgalley and I’m excited to get reading.
How has you week been? Anyone else found themselves in an awkward situation trying to think of a subtle way to tell your friends you need to bail? And have you read a good book lately that you absolutely need to talk about? Tell all below.
Published: 28th July 2016
Source: Publisher (Headline Eternal)
Genre: Romance, Contemporary
My Rating:
Sweet Little Lies is the first in New York Times bestselling author Jill Shalvis's Heartbreaker Bay series, featuring her trademark gift for humour, warmth and romance. Perfect for fans of Jill Mansell, Debbie Macomber, Nora Roberts and Marie Force.
Choose the one guy you can't have... As captain of a San Francisco Bay tour boat, Pru can handle rough seas - the hard part is life on dry land. Pru loves her new apartment and her neighbors; problem is, she's in danger of stumbling into love with Mr. Right for Anybody But Her.
Fall for him - hard... Pub owner Finn O'Riley is six-foot-plus of hard-working hottie who always makes time for his friends. When Pru becomes one of them, she discovers how amazing it feels to be on the receiving end of that deep green gaze. But when a freak accident involving darts (don't ask) leads to shirtless first aid, things rush way past the friend zone. Fast.
And then tell him the truth. Pru only wants Finn to be happy; it's what she wishes for at the historic fountain that's supposed to grant her heart's desire. But wanting him for herself is a different story-because Pru's been keeping a secret that could change everything...
Want more warm, funny romance? Visit gorgeous Cedar Ridge, spellbinding Lucky Harbor or experience some Animal Magnetism in Sunshine, Idaho in Jill's other unforgettable series.
I am a major Jill Shalvis fangirl. I think this has been established with every other review I’ve done for one of her books. As such, it should come as no surprise I enjoyed this book as well. I didn’t love it as much as I loved the first book in her Cedar Ridge series, but I still really enjoyed it.
Jill Shalvis Proves She Can Be Relied Upon
One thing which is demonstrated with every book Shalvis writes is that she can be relied upon to always deliver a fantastic contemporary romance with every book. She always writes really good relatable characters and they may end up creating unnecessary drama for themselves but I still enjoy reading their troubles.
In this book we meet a large group of people who live in one building and you see they may be friends but they are also a family. And then there is newcomer Pru who is coming into this group and this building with secrets no one else knows and is finding herself trying to improve Finn O’Riley’s life. She has her reasons for wanting to do this and she thinks she will best achieve it by
The Negatives (If I Can Claim There Are Any)
The only flaw, for me, was the fact it took me so long to get into the story! I couldn’t figure out why I didn’t like Pru, but I didn’t connect with her when I first got reading. I think it because of the continual illusions to the ‘big secret’ for why she felt responsible for Finn’s life and happiness. I was annoyed it was so secret and once it was revealed I felt really let down. I understood the basis of the logic but it still seemed pretty damn illogical.
I know, it’s a stupid reason to rate a book down but that’s how I felt. Luckily for me the book soon picked up and I forgot that niggling feeling of annoyance at the story development because I was falling in love with Pru and Finn’s relationship and screaming for secrets to be revealed and people to just be honest with each other.
So I Complained About The Ridiculous But Did I Love It?
Of course I did you crazy people. I am so excited to see where the Heartbreaker Bay series is going to go because there are so many interesting characters who you get to meet in this first book. The relationship which develops between Finn and Pru is sweet but I feel like there is a lot more to come with this. It’s probably the reason I’ve not given a higher rating as there is a whole lot of build up for other characters and I am reserving judgment until we get their stories too.
Do you have an author whose books you can’t help but rave about every time? Have you read any Jill Shalvis, and if so which is your favourite?
Published: 1st April 1999
Source: Bought
Genre: Fantasy, Romance, Historical Fiction
My Rating:
A magnificent saga set in the Celtic twilight of 10th century Ireland, when myth was law and magic was a power of nature, brilliantly brought to life: the legendary story of an evil stepmother opposed by a seventh child.A wicked woman, an evil curse, and a love that must triumph over impossible oddsSet in the Celtic twilight of ancient Ireland, when myth was law and magic a force of nature, this is the tale of Sorcha, seventh child of a seventh son, the forbidding Lord Colum, and of her six beloved brothers.The keep at Sevenwaters is a remote, strange, quiet place, guarded by silent men who slip through the woodlands clothed in grey, and keep their weapons sharp. For there are invaders outside the forest; raiders from across the seas, Britons and Vikings bent on destruction. But now there is also an invader inside the keep: the Lady Oonagh, a sorceress as fair as day, but with a heart as black as night. Oonagh captivates Lord Colum with her sensual wiles; but she cannot enchant the wary Sorcha. Frustrated in her attempts to destroy the family, Oonagh binds the brothers with a spell that only Sorcha can lift. If she fails, they will die.Then the raiders come, and Sorcha is taken captive.
Soon she will find herself torn between her duty to break the curse, and a growing, forbidden love for the warlord who is her captor.Like Marion Zimmer Bradley’s MISTS OF AVALON or Jean Auel’s CLAN OF THE CAVE BEAR, this is first-rate historical fantasy that can have the widest possible appeal, taking in also the readership of historical fiction writers like Mary Stewart , Mary Renault and Anya Seton.
Everyone has been talking about this book for so long that I knew I had to read it too. The only problem? The raving about it made me nervous that disappointment was inevitable. I mean, everyone I know who has read this book has had nothing but good things to say about this book. How could I not be nervous when everyone has said nothing but good? You need some negative to temper your expectations. Right?
So Here’s Me Attempting to Temper Your Expectations
Look, the most negative thing I have to say this book is the fact that it began quite slowly. I mean, I had some serious doubts during the first chapter or two (which are looong chapters) as I was waiting for something interesting to happen. It was a major info dump about the characters and I didn’t know what was happening. It took the introduction of the sorceress Oonagh for me to really get into the story, but once that happened I understood the need for the info dump at the beginning because you realised the significance as you went through the books.
Slow pacing is not a deal breaker in books for me, though. As long as I am prepared for them and it doesn’t go at a glacial pace throughout the entire book. This one doesn’t do that. It goes slow… slow… slow… OMG don’t make me put this book down because I need to know what’s happening!
And Here’s Me Hyping Things Up For You
I won’t spoil any of the story for you because I really think my going in blind made this story so perfect for me, but it was amazing. I loved all of the characters and the entire feel of the book. I mean, it felt like reading an old school fantasy/fairytale and it didn’t need to be a tale of someone saving the world. Or a ‘chosen one’ story. It was just a girl and her family trying to overcome the wrongs done to them.
I think what made this story so perfect were the characters. These were characters who felt like genuine real people and I adored them. Sorcha was the bravest most inspiring character. She is someone who does literally anything and everything she can for her family because she knows they would do the same for her. Her struggles are immense. I honestly could not have done half what she did in this books and it was amazing. I would have given up within days… hours even. Even when things got dark for her and things happened which would have broken even the strongest person she managed to continue her quest. I think she managed that because she wasn’t alone.
Sorcha may be our main character, but she was supported by a vast host of characters. I adored the character of Red and how he was the opposite of what Sorcha had been led to expect from Englishman. His interaction with Sorcha was priceless. I adored every moment they were together in the book and how they were both so self sacrificing for others.
Let’s Summarise For Those Who Want The Basics
Let’s get straight to the point. This is a book for those who want an old school fantasy book which is very much a historical story influenced by Celtic mythology. It begins slowly and develops into a gripping read which is touching and heart-breaking and beautiful. It is filled with inspiring characters which will make you question the last nice thing you did for someone and it will make you want to cuddle it. It may be part of a series but it is the kind of book which can be read independently as well and is just perfect. This is the book you will end up comparing many a book to.
Have you read any hyped books lately? Did it meet the hype or disappoint you? And have you read this book, wasn’t it fabulous?
Another week is over and we are now into September. Am I the only one who feels like September is a second new year? It’s like you get a second wind for those new years resolutions you made so many months ago and suddenly you want to begin afresh again. I am aware this is very much linked to the school year and the fact that the beginning of September was formerly the beginning of a new year and a fresh start and my many years of education of ingrained this fact into my mind. I’m not saying it’s a bad thing, it’s nice to have that feeling of having a second chance at a fresh start and doing better with my plan for the year.
I have had the week off from work so I had every intention at the beginning of the week to get lots of blogging done and have a bunch of reviews and discussions typed up to get me all set up for the beginning of the month so I could have some of my weekend time back because Sunday’s are normally spent playing blog catch up. Unfortunately, this didn’t happen. Best laid plans and all that. Instead, I have spent a lot of time reading and avoiding my emails and blog feed. I am behind in everything and I feel bad but it was so nice to relax. I have been doing some TV watching and I did some shopping and I’ve just had some time off and it has been lovely. I don’t think anyone can fault me for that fact, it does mean I only have three posts left in my drafts, though (I had eight at one point and I felt smug and got too comfortable I think).
As I am writing this post it is currently pouring down with rain so I full on do not want to leave the house. I may hibernate under my covers. I am meant to be preparing for a little step challenge at work but I don’t see it happening. On Monday the challenge begins for me and my team to try and be the first ones to reach 2 million steps (yes, you read that right, million) and so I am meant to be walking everywhere, but I am lazy and can see me walking just some places. I’ll keep you updated. If we win we get £1000 to our chosen charity from our company so really no matter who wins is doing something good.
What I’ve Been Reading
As you can see, I have been a busy little reading beaver during my week of holiday. I mean, sure, one of the books I read was a novella of 130 pages (Double Play) but that still totally means I’ve read a book a day. I mean, novella day I went to the pub as well and did some actual socialising. I also have been watching a lot of TV. I think I’ve been very successful with my reading this week and I haven’t even read a bad book. Hex kept me awake dreaming about murderous witches (proving it’s a good horror book). I was completely in love with the rest of the Nadia Stafford series (seriously, Kelley Armstrong is so high up my favourite authors list right now it’s ridiculous considering I only discovered her books a few months ago). To Have And To Hold was such a good contemporary romance that filled me with fluffy feelings (which I now need to translate into a review!). Blood Kin was a book that helped remind my why I love fantasy romance books, I’ll be reading the next book very soon. And then back to some romantic fluff in the form of Overruled, which I enjoyed way more than I thought I would. As for Nevernight, I’ve not finished it yet but I’m liking it so far even if I’m not loving it yet, it's a bit a slow for my tastes right now. Fingers crossed it'll get better.
New To Me
I am amazed I managed to restrain myself buying more books. It happens at the beginning of every month when I have notifications come through of Kindle prices dropping and I really struggle to say no. I mean, Overruled and Sustained are completely blamed on the fact I need to stop listening to the Smart Bitches podcasts because they always, always end up convincing me to buy another book. The Nadia Stafford books are self-explanatory and have been read already. As for Arranged, I have had that book on my shelf for about three years (or it feels that way) and seeing as the price dropped to 99p I could hardly say no. I am of two minds on this book with an arranged marriage but I am going to read it as I am sure I added it to my Goodreads TBR for a reason, right? Acts of Love is proof I need to stop going in the book section at my local supermarket (it was £5 for a hardback and it’s so pretty!).
Then there are the free books. The books I got on Netgalley and the library. I actually was approved to read We Were On A Break last week and forgot about it so I am showing it now. I was emailed about reviewing The Bear and the Nightingale and I immediately said yes, have you seen that cover? I mean, it’s not out until next year but I am definitely going to be reading that soon. Go read the description as well, I need that in my life. The other, three? They’re from the library hopefully, I’ll manage to read them all before they have to go back.
How has your week been so far? Anyone else noticed it has strangely turned all autumn-y, I know I don’t like warm weather but still. And has anyone read anything good lately they want to rave about?
Looking Forward is a regular feature on the blog where I let you know which books I’m looking forward to in the month. They are all books I’m looking forward to being released and want to know if you’re excited about them too.
This month there are a mix of books I have and I am excited to read and books I really want to buy. Hopefully you’ll want to read some of them too.
Genre: Steampunk, Fantasy, Children’s Fiction
Release Date: 1st September 2016
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Genre: Fantasy, Young Adult
Release Date: 1st September 2016
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Lily's life is in mortal peril. Her father is missing and now silver-eyed men stalk her through the shadows. What could they want from her?
With her friends - Robert, the clockmaker's son, and Malkin, her mechanical fox - Lily is plunged into a murky and menacing world. Too soon Lily realizes that those she holds dear may be the very ones to break her heart... Murder, mayhem and mystery meet in this gripping Victorian adventure. |
Everyone said the Graces were witches.
They moved through the corridors like sleek fish, ripples in their wake. Stares followed their backs and their hair. They had friends, but they were just distractions. They were waiting for someone different. All I had to do was show them that person was me. Like everyone else in her town, River is obsessed with the Graces, attracted by their glamour and apparent ability to weave magic. But are they really what they seem? And are they more dangerous than they let on? This beautifully-written thriller will grip you from its very first page. |
Why Am I Excited?
This is a very different kind of book to have on my list. I mean, to be excited about a children’s book! Really? But it was the Waterstones children’s book of the month last month and I loved the look of the cover so I took a look at what it was about and I really want to read it. I mean, imagine if people disregarded Harry Potter as simply a children’s book! What an error on their part.
As such, this cute read sounds right up my street and I want to give it a try. I mean, how many steampunk children’s books are there out there? Not enough so I need to get my hands on this one.
| Why Am I Excited?
Look, I already own this book so I am most definitely going to be reading it. As for why am I excited about it? Well doesn’t it just sound so cool? I do admit I was drawn in by the US cover originally and wanted to read based upon that but once I read what the book was about I knew I needed to get my hands on it. I mean the simple mention of witches is enough to get me wanting to read so really there was no doubt I was going to get my hands on this book somehow.
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Genre: Fantasy, Paranormal, Young Adult
Release Date: 6th September 2016
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Genre: Fantasy, Young Adult
Release Date: 8th September 2016
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Nothing says Happy Birthday like summoning the spirits of your dead relatives.
I fall to my knees. Shattered glass, melted candles and the outline of scorched feathers are all that surround me. Every single person who was in my house – my entire family — is gone. Alex is a bruja, the most powerful witch in a generation…and she hates magic. At her Deathday celebration, Alex performs a spell to rid herself of her power. But it backfires. Her whole family vanishes into thin air, leaving her alone with Nova, a brujo boy she can’t trust. A boy whose intentions are as dark as the strange markings on his skin. The only way to get her family back is to travel with Nova to Los Lagos, a land in-between, as dark as Limbo and as strange as Wonderland… Beautiful Creatures meets Daughter of Smoke and Bone with an infusion of Latin American tradition in this highly original fantasy adventure. |
Elias and Laia are running for their lives.
After the events of the Fourth Trial, Martial soldiers hunt the two fugitives as they flee the city of Serra and undertake a perilous journey through the heart of the Empire. Laia is determined to break into Kauf - the Empire's most secure and dangerous prison - to save her brother, who is the key to the Scholars' survival. And Elias is determined to help Laia succeed, even if it means giving up his last chance at freedom. But dark forces, human and otherworldly, work against Laia and Elias. The pair must fight every step of the way to outsmart their enemies: the bloodthirsty Emperor Marcus, the merciless Commandant, the sadistic Warden of Kauf, and, most heartbreaking of all, Helene - Elias's former friend and the Empire's newest Blood Shrike. Bound to Marcus's will, Helene faces a torturous mission of her own - one that might destroy her: find the traitor Elias Veturius and the Scholar slave who helped him escape... and kill them both. |
Why Am I Excited?
I first heard about this book on a Smart Bitches podcast when they had Lia on from Lia’s Bookish Obsession and the way Lia raved about this book got me wanting to read it. I mean, I have been dying to get my hands on it. Especially as it takes on the whole witch angle in a new way with brujas. I don’t know much (or anything) about Latin American culture and traditions and this book, if done right, sounds like it will deliver in educating me on a few things.
| Why Am I Excited?
I have been looking forward to this book ever since I finished the first book. An Ember in the Ashes was one of my favourite books of last year and I barely spoke about it but wow has the wait been long for this book.
I know this is already out in the US but this has a slightly later publishing date here in the UK and I am making grabby hands at my screen to get it.
I am a bit disappointed this time around the cover in the UK is the same in the US because I wrote off this book last year because of the US cover. That is until I saw a copy on the shelf in my local Waterstones and realised the UK edition was so much prettier. Why did they not continue with the pretty cover I ask you?
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Genre: Fantasy, Young Adult
Release Date: 22nd September 2016
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Genre: Historical Romance
Release Date: 27th September 2016
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Three sisters. One crown. A fight to the death.
In every generation on the island of Fennbirn, a set of triplets is born: three queens, all equal heirs to the crown and each possessor of a coveted magic. Mirabella is a fierce elemental, able to spark hungry flames or vicious storms at the snap of her fingers. Katharine is a poisoner, one who can ingest the deadliest poisons without so much as a stomachache. Arsinoe, a naturalist, is said to have the ability to bloom the reddest rose and control the fiercest of lions. But becoming the Queen Crowned isn't solely a matter of royal birth. Each sister has to fight for it. And it's not just a game of win or lose . . . it's life or death. The night the sisters turn sixteen, the battle begins. The last queen standing gets the crown. |
On the night of the Parkhurst ball, someone had a scandalous tryst in the library. Was it Lord Canby, with the maid, on the divan? Or Miss Fairchild, with a rake, against the wall? Perhaps the butler did it.
All Charlotte Highwood knows is this: it wasn’t her. But rumors to the contrary are buzzing. Unless she can discover the lovers’ true identity, she’ll be forced to marry Piers Brandon, Lord Granville—the coldest, most arrogantly handsome gentleman she’s ever had the misfortune to embrace. When it comes to emotion, the man hasn’t got a clue.
But as they set about finding the mystery lovers, Piers reveals a few secrets of his own. The oh-so-proper marquess can pick locks, land punches, tease with sly wit . . . and melt a woman’s knees with a single kiss. The only thing he guards more fiercely than Charlotte’s safety is the truth about his dark past.
Their passion is intense. The danger is real. Soon Charlotte’s feeling torn. Will she risk all to prove her innocence? Or surrender it to a man who’s sworn to never love?
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Why Am I Excited?
I almost want to say I don’t know to why I’m excited but I just know I am. I think the premise of the book sounds interesting and from what I’ve heard about with this book it isn’t as simple as it appears.
I have seen a few mixed reviews on it which has dampened my excitement a touch but I still want to read either way. If a books bad it’s bad but when it’s a fight to the death between sisters for a crown I’m going to read.
| Why Am I Excited?
Do I need to justify my excitement for a new Tessa Dare book? I don’t think so.
I am a huge fan of Tessa Dare, which is saying a lot since I only read a book by her last year. I am especially a fan of her Spindle Cove series (even id I haven’t caught up with it yet) so I am all over getting me a copy of this on my shelf (my digital one that is).
I love a good romance (what girl doesn’t?) and this book sounds like it delivers and I really really want to be reading it now so why do I have to wait?
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I hope I haven’t missed any good releases. Which books are you looking forward to this September? Have I missed one I should absolutely be reading immediately?
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