Sunday, September 29, 2013

Stacking the Shelves (#16)


~ Stacking the Shelves is a meme post hosted by: Tynga from Tynga's Reviews. Stacking the Shelves is a blog meme where you share your recent book purchases, physical book buys, review books, borrowed books, or any books you have recently acquired. ~

Avon/HarperCollins sent me some amazing novels - I'm ecstatic! I cannot wait to read No Good Duke Goes Unpunished, One Lucky Vampire, and Dead Witch Walking. The last one isn't new but the latest Hollows book is releasing next year so it's good to start at the beginning. The Hollows has been sitting in my TBR for a long time. There's quite a few fascinating historical romances which I've been reading a lot of lately—and love! A Study in Silks looks very good, it's a steampunk mystery about Sherlock Holmes' niece Evelina. I can't tell you how much I love classics spun into new stories! I'm thrilled for this weeks haul!!


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Saturday, September 28, 2013

Storm Front (Review)


(The Dresden Files, #1)

Published: April 1st, 2000
Genre(s): Adult Urban Fantasy/Mystery 

My Review: (4.5/5 stars*)

Storm Front is amazing, now let me explain why...it took me only two pages to get drawn into the story, just TWO. Harry Dresden is a sarcastic and unlikely hero who also happens to be a pretty powerful wizard. There are three things Harry has no luck with and they are women, electronics, and being in the right place at the right time. Some people make friends while Dresden makes enemies. Not just your typical ones either, nope, he pisses off supernatural beings, other wizards, and even thugs. All of these things makes his life especially interesting and he never seems to catch a break. Right when I was about to put the book down to go to sleep the story would lure me in again and so I found myself reading even more than I intended. I stayed up late into the night to finish it and I do not regret it in the least. The writing is cultured with almost an effortless grace. Butcher has created a well-balanced blend of urban fantasy and mystery. It's full of grit, suspense, dark humor, and enough action to keep you flipping the pages.

Harry Dresden is the only openly practicing wizard in midtown Chicago. Most people refuse to take him seriously but the work he does and the supernatural threats lurking around are real. When a confounding case pops up the local P.D. contact Harry for his expertise, but he gets a lot more than he bargained for. Having a pile of bills to pay suddenly Dresden finds himself taking on two cases at once and the more he uncovers about each one the more troubling his life gets.

I loved that from the very beginning everything felt natural, it didn't feel as if the author was trying to force readers to believe in the world that he created as some UF often do. I got sucked in all on my own. Reading from Harry's perspective is terribly amusing because he gets himself in the most ridiculous situations. I liked seeing what was running through his mind as these humorous events unfolded. Even the minor characters had appealing qualities, mystifying backgrounds, and they felt no less important. Karrin Murphy whose a police officer who investigates unexplainable cases is someone who Harry considers a friend and she's courageous, witty, and believes in the supernatural. I liked her a lot, and hope to see her in future books to see how her and Harry's relationship develops. Another is Morgan who basically is out to get Harry and expose his alleged wicked ways to the White Council—wizard law enforcers—who can sentence him to death if they find him guilty of magic misuse. They loathe each other even though their on the same side, it's really just ironic. I grew attached to the characters quickly and I'm looking forward to each of their developments down the road.

All in all I found Storm Front tremendously entertaining, remarkably well-written, and original in content. It has wizards, vampires, demons, humor aplenty, nonstop turmoil, and puzzling events. Harry is an appealing protagonist who winds up making a mess of things, and being a bullseye target in the criminal/paranormal community. I enjoyed watching him put the pieces of the mystery together, and seeing him fight his way out of bad situations using only his brain and magic. Storm Front is an outstanding first novel in a long-running Urban Fantasy series, that has only just begun to show its cleverness. I'm confident the rest will only get better and better. If you're looking for an awesome urban fantasy read with a touch of mystery and loads of action grab this. I wish I had found the Dresden Files much sooner!

Synopsis:

Harry Dresden -- Wizard

Lost items found. Paranormal Investigations.
Consulting. Advice. Reasonable Rates.
No Love Potions, Endless Purses, or
Other Entertainment.

Harry Dresden is the best at what he does. Well, technically, he’s the only at what he does. So when the Chicago P.D. has a case that transcends mortal creativity or capability, they come to him for answers. For the “everyday” world is actually full of strange and magical things — and most of them don’t play well with humans. That’s where Harry comes in. Takes a wizard to catch a — well, whatever.

There’s just one problem. Business, to put it mildly, stinks. So when the police bring him in to consult on a grisly double murder committed with black magic, Harry’s seeing dollar signs. But where there’s black magic, there’s a black mage behind it. And now that mage knows Harry’s name. And that’s when things start to get… interesting.

Magic. It can get a guy killed.

LINKS: GOODREADS | AMAZON | AUTHOR | B&N | SHELFARI !
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Wednesday, September 25, 2013

Waiting on Wednesday! (#21)

~ Waiting on Wednesday (WoW) is a weekly meme post hosted by: Jill from Breaking the Spine that showcases not-yet-released books that I'm eagerly awaiting to read! ~

I'm waiting for:

The Scribe

(Irin Chronicles, #1)

By: Elizabeth Hunter


Release Date: October 15th, 2013
Genre(s): Adult Paranormal Romance

Synopsis: 

Hidden at the crossroads of the world, an ancient race battles to protect humanity, even as it dies from within.

Ava Matheson came to Istanbul looking for answers, but others came looking for her. A reckless warrior guards her steps, but will Malachi’s own past blind him to the truth of who Ava might be? While ancient forces gather around them, both Ava and Malachi search for answers.

Whispering voices. Deadly touch. Their passion should be impossible... or it could be the only thing that will keep them alive.

THE SCRIBE is the first book in the Irin Chronicles, the new paranormal romance series from Elizabeth Hunter, author of the Elemental Mysteries.

Why am I waiting? 

The Scribe doesn't look like your typical paranormal story it looks fresh with creative elements. Based solely on the cover design alone—I'm in love. I was sold once I read the synopsis as the first line grabs one's attention, "Hidden at the crossroads of the world, an ancient race battles to protect humanity, even as it dies from within." Though it offers limited information I am intrigued, I want more! Elizabeth Hunter is an author I have seen circulating around the web for her original ideas and great story-telling so I think I owe to myself to see what I've been missing. The Scribe looks and sounds like it's going be the start of something phenomenal, call it a reader's instinct. It releases next month so I'm even more excited since the wait won't be long at all.


Have you read or heard of Elizabeth Hunter's works? Will you be adding The Scribe to your TBR pile? Share your thoughts below! :)

 
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Monday, September 23, 2013

Suddenly Royal (Review)


Suddenly Royal
(Suddenly, #1)

Release Date: April 19th, 2013 
Published by: Avon Books
Genre(s): New Adult Contemporary Romance

Disclaimer: A review copy was provided for an honest review.

My Review: (4.5/5 stars*)

Suddenly Royal is such an irresistibly charming and enchanting novel! Right away I could already tell I was going to love it. The leading lady Samantha Rousseau is a feisty character and she has courage, inner strength, and a brain to boot—not some simpleton that needs help at every turn. I think people are going to make a lot of comparisons with the Princess Diaries but then totally realize this book is nothing like that one. While it's similar in some ways it feels like its own. I thought the story was very enjoyable, I laughed a lot, I even teared up at one point, and there was some gasping too. I took this book to dinner with me and didn't put it down until the next day when I finished it. It was super fun to read, and an utter page turner from the start. I've already read some of Chase's other novels and they were just as great so I knew that I wasn't going to be left disappointed. The love interest Prince Alex is absolutely mouth watering and swoon-worthy - I thought him and Sam were incredibly amazing together. I can't say that there was a character that I didn't like, they all had something special about them.

Samantha Rousseau is your typical college girl on her way to becoming a wildlife biologist. All is right in her world until she gets a mysterious invitation from the Duchess of a country called Lilaria. She's skeptical as to why a royal would want to speak to her let alone invite her to dinner. What the Duchess tells Sam will forever change her life and make her take on a responsibility greater than she has ever known. Meanwhile the Duchess' nephew crown prince of Lilaria, Alex D'Lynsal is eager to get to know Sam and she realizes that she may just be in way over her head. The heavy weight that's placed on Sam's shoulders is enough for her to go running the other way but with a gorgeous prince in her life she may just be willing to carry it.

This was overall a highly enjoyable novel that's geared towards much older teens and adults as their is some steamy sexual content. Most definitely a great book to cuddle up with on a relaxing day. The romance is the perfect mix of cute and sexy with no love triangles in sight. I liked that the romance didn't overtake the story but fit in nicely with it; and the character developments were excellently done. I've always loved a good royal fairytale-esque story and this one really delivered and I felt elated with how it all came together. Nichole Chase did a great job engaging readers and has written yet another wonderful story. New Adult fans will have no trouble falling in love with Suddenly Royal. It's sweet and quirky with a feel-good romance that will make you smile and laugh. I'm very stoked for the sequel Recklessly Royal to release earlier next year, and glad that we get to see more of these compelling young royals.

Synopsis:

Samantha Rousseau is used to getting her hands dirty. Working toward a master’s degree in wildlife biology while helping take care of her sick father, she has no time for celebrity gossip, designer clothes, or lazy vacations. So when a duchess from the small country of Lilaria invites her to dinner, Samantha assumes it’s to discuss a donation for the program. The truth will change the course of her life in ways she never dreamed.

Alex D’Lynsal is trying to keep his name clean. As crown prince of Lilaria, he’s had his share of scandalous headlines, but the latest pictures have sent him packing to America and forced him to swear off women—especially women in the public eye. That is, until he meets Samantha Rousseau. She’s stubborn, feisty, and incredibly sexy. Not to mention heiress to an estate in his country, which makes her everyone’s front-page news.

While Sam tries to navigate the new world of politics and wealth, she will also have to dodge her growing feelings for Alex. Giving in to them means more than just falling in love; it would mean accepting the weight of an entire country on her shoulders.

LINKS: GOODREADS | AMAZON | AUTHOR | B&N | SHELFARI !

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Click HERE to read my Q&A Interview with Nichole Chase!
AUTHOR LINKS: 

WEBSITE | GOODREADS | TWITTER !


 

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