Tuesday, August 4, 2015

Top Ten Tuesday: A whole new world



 




TOP FAIRYTALES RETELLINGS



I just can't get enough of retellings. It's wonderful to see several possible outcomes to our favorite childhood stories. 




Cinder by Marissa Meyer

The idea of a Cinderella who not only lost her shoe, but her entire leg was -- brilliant. It brought diversity to the story and of course all the other details, such as the prince and evil Queen were included. 


Whatever After: Fairest of All by Sarah Mlynowski

The Whatever After series (6 books so far)  is perfect for a younger audience. Mlynowski not only distorts popular fairy tales but also makes sure to include a valuable lesson in each one. 


The Claiming of Sleeping Beauty by A.N. Roquelaure

Now this is pure BDSM. Sleeping beauty wakes up in bed with an extremely naughty prince. 









Beastly by Alex Flinn 


A Beauty and the Beast retelling with a hilarious chatroom where several fairytale characters discuss their problems. 











Anthologies with several fairytales retellings







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Wednesday, July 29, 2015

Giveaway + Review : The Escape


A whodunit with a bad ass female investigator

Avery lived through a traumatic experience when she lost her mom to a drunk driver. Being the chief of police's daughter, also taught her that many of these crimes go unsolved. But when she finds Fletcher, a classmate, covered in blood and his buddy dead, Avery wants to find the killer no matter what. Even if this means becoming a target. 

Jayne lead the reader on a wild goose chase by planting several possible suspects. Fletcher's blank memory after the attack, allowed us to imagine all these scenarios. Although, there were moments when a love possibility could bloom, Avery kept pressing on the case so much it made Fletcher take a step back. I often wonder why she would do this. Put a crime before love. Until I realized how solving one crime would help her accept the loss of her mom.

Even though, the killer's motives made less sense to me, I must admit, that the author placed a lot of effort at puzzling the entire story together and tying up the loose ends.




Hannah Jayne is possibly the only person living in Silicon Valley who has never worked in high tech. When she’s not writing, she’s obsessively watching HGTV or shopping at Target…also obsessively. Find out more about Hannah’s urban fantasy, young adult thrillers, and latest obsessions at hannah-jayne.com. Feel free to follow her on her Website, Twitter and Facebook.




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Tuesday, July 28, 2015

Cover reveal + Giveaway: Death Wish



IN SEARCH OF THE MEANING OF DEATH, SHE’LL FIND THE MEANING OF LIFE.


Seventeen-year-old Scarlett Blake is haunted by death. Her estranged sister has made the ultimate dramatic exit. Running away from school, joining a surfing fraternity, partying hard: that sounds like Sienna. But suicide? It makes no sense.

Following in her sister’s footsteps, Scarlett comes to the isolated cove of Twycombe, Devon, with grand plans to uncover the truth. Alone. But she hasn’t reckoned on meeting two boys who are determined to help her. Luke: the blue-eyed surfer who’ll see the real Scarlett, who’ll challenge her, who’ll save her. And Jude: the elusive drifter with a knack for turning up whenever Scarlett’s in need.

As Scarlett’s quest for the truth unravels, so too does her grip on reality as she’s always known it. Because there’s something strange going on in this little cove. A dead magpie circles the skies. A dead deer watches from the undergrowth. Hands glow with light. Warmth. Power.

What transpires is a summer of discovery. Of what it means to conquer fear. To fall in love. To choose life. To choose death.

To believe the impossible. 



Megan writes the kinds of books she loves to read: young-adult paranormal romance fiction. It's the time of life that most embodies freedom, discovery and first love. Also, because she's always believed that there are more things in heaven and on earth than are dreamt of in our philosophy. Feel free to follow Megan via her Website, Goodreads, Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest.


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Top Ten Tuesday: Read me Like you Do



 




TOP BOOKS ABOUT FELLOW BOOKWORMS



As a reader, there's a special connection whenever I encounter a character who loves books like I do. It doesn't make him appear snobbish or an introvert to me. Just someone imaginative, who understands that answers are hidden in books. 





This novel tackles a lot of subjects, but among them, Dante's love for poetry and how he encourages his friend Aristotle to read. 


The Night Bookmobile by Audrey Niffenegger

Picture a Winnebago outside your house, holding all the books you've ever read. That's what Alexandra saw one night and couldn't stop thinking about it. She didn't want to leave. She wanted to travel in it forever... unfortunately not all wishes are wise. 


Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell

Fanfiction!! That's an important word to E.L.James and Cather, of course, who spends her time in this novel writing about her favorite character, Simon Snow. 









Between the Lines by Jodi Picoult & Samantha Van Leer


A reader who falls in love with a main character. Hey, it happens! But a character who falls in love back? Now, that is a novel worth reading.   










Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J.K. Rowling

Couldn't do this list without Hermione. She is always carrying a book and absorbing its knowledge. The definition of a true bookworm. 








The Book Thief by Markus Zusak


Liesel, who once struggled to read and write, falls in love with books and becomes a writer. 











The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry by Gabrielle Zevin

I have never seen a book with so many bookish references. Of course, the main character is a librarian and his love interest distributes books. 








Little Women by Louisa May Alcott


Jo March loves books so much, her passion soon converts to writing them. 










Afterworlds by Scott Westerfeld

The main character Darcy is a YA novelist about to publish her first series and living the dream life in NYC. 








The Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank

Could have also gone for The Perks of Being a Wallflower or The Diary of a Wimpy Kid as all books appear in the form of a journal. But, Anne Frank's an original and that counts for something. 













Who is on your bookworm list?

Monday, July 27, 2015

Review: Revised Orders


"According to new physical doctrine, several dimensions can exist in the same time and space continuum."

Anton comes to learn this in Revised Orders. It appears that the original Anton had no clue about the evil doings of his alter ego in the first book -- the one who wanted Jane at all cost. Will this new information make him willing to help bring down the Order, or will Anton switch sides?

Helenowski took an interesting approach to this sequel. The first book did have all the information on how the dimensions could be crossed, as well as, the first experiences and reactions of the characters. This time the pace was much faster. I would have to loved to see less travelings and dimensions explored more.

On to read the finale.