Wednesday, December 24, 2014

I Guess it's Time to End the Year!

Morning Swooners,

So I just wanted to say that i'm so sorry for being a little MIA for the past few weeks. I know I haven't posted very much lately, but to be honest I've just been so obsessed with reading that I haven't wanted to take any time away from that. So the good side to this is that I will have a bunch of reviews ready for you all next year!!


So on another happy note, today is the day that I get to go home for the holidays. I'm so freaking happy right now I can't stand it! So I'm sure you've guessed that the flip side to this is that I wont be posting much, if at all, while I'm away. This pretty much might be my last post of the year.



I know, I know, that's not what you wanted to hear. But no worries because next year will be jam packed with posts and reviews and tons of other fun and exciting things. 


So keep stopping by and checking in on the blog so you can see all the fun things I have planned for 2015. Want a little hint? There will be A LOT of giveaways going on!! So get EXCITED!!!

Well, that's it for me everyone, I hope you all have a happy holiday and new year! Can't wait to see you all in 2015!!



Wednesday, December 17, 2014

REVIEW: Daughter of Smoke & Bone (Daughter of Smoke & Bone #1) by Laini Taylor

Daughter of Smoke & Bone (Daughter of Smoke & Bone #1) by Laini Taylor 
Publication Date: September 27, 2011
Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Source: Book Purchased by Reviewer
Guest Reviewer: Doris aka La Chiquita
Buy it at: Amazon / Barnes and Noble

My rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Synopsis (from Goodreads):

Around the world, black handprints are appearing on doorways, scorched there by winged strangers who have crept through a slit in the sky.

In a dark and dusty shop, a devil’s supply of human teeth grows dangerously low.

And in the tangled lanes of Prague, a young art student is about to be caught up in a brutal otherworldly war.

Meet Karou. She fills her sketchbooks with monsters that may or may not be real, she's prone to disappearing on mysterious “errands”, she speaks many languages – not all of them human – and her bright blue hair actually grows out of her head that color. Who is she? That is the question that haunts her, and she's about to find out.


When a beautiful, haunted Akiva fixes fiery eyes on her in an alley in Marrakesh, the result is blood and starlight, secrets unveiled, and a star-crossed love whose roots drink deep of violent past. But will Karou live to regret learning the truth about herself?

What is in a wish? We do it every day without giving it a second thought. I wish this traffic would clear up. I wish the speaker would just finish the presentation. I wish I hadn’t worn the same ugly sweater as my arch nemesis (who has those any more).I wish I was taller, skinnier, tanner, lighter, prettier, less intimidating, more aggressive. What if you found out that for the price of a few teeth these desires as small or large as you’d like could come true?         In the world Karou lives these thoughts are not fiction but stone cold truths, and though she cannot tell anyone about them directly, the two worlds find a way of meeting.
               
Karou is a slight teen with vibrant light blue hair who is on her way to art school for the day. In her messenger bag is one in a long series of sketchbooks she has collected that as soon as she gets to school will be viewed and looked over as just an extension of Karou’s imagination. Little do the observers know that within those pages there are sketches of real events, real traders bringing teeth for wishes and real creatures called chimera bargaining the wishes. So far Karou hides the truth in plain sight by ending her tales in a sly smile none are the wiser. Well that is until we meet Akiva.
              
I want you to imagine a tall handsome tan black hair muscular warrior. Got that image yet? Don’t worry I’ll wait. Now add tiger flame eyes and big 12 foot span of wings that are on fire; that my dear reader is Akiva. He’s the bastard son of the emperor and bad-ass member of the don’t- fuck-with-me club. Akiva comes to earth to hunt down the portals that the wishmonger uses to get his supply of teeth. Once a portal is found Akiva places his hand on the door and marks it to be burned later. Long Akiva has been waiting for this moment to come where he will exact his revenge on the very monster who has sustained the war that has taken Akiva’s love away from him 18 years ago. Driven by vengeance and empty to any remorse Akiva is confident that with the help of his brother Hazael and sister Liraz. The thousand year war between chimera and angel will soon come to a close.
               
Laini Taylor makes you root for both sides. That is until her little secrets start unraveling and you have that final AH-HA moment. Since the story is written in third person you are able to see understand the perspective of both main characters and the story couldn’t be layered better. You fall in love with the chimera because to Karou they are her family and all she knows. Then you get Akiva’s side of things and suddenly you’re wondering who is right? Who is the actual good guy? It really brings to life the adage that the right side is the side you’re on. This story is unique in that it also brings into the world the idea of the never ending soul. Karou, through the help of Akiva, finds out how she came to live with the chimera and why she feels this magnetic pull to this angry hostile angel.
              
Oh yes reader! In this tale the romance is HEAVY. Not Fabio hair in the wind heavy, but makes you want to cry heavy. The love story is one that quite literally has with stood decades to become once again and has been fought for by at least one person to be kept alive. Not that the other person hadn’t fought for it. It was just she didn’t know she was. Daughter of smoke and bone was a really good read. I laughed, I conspired, and I wanted nothing more than to get the second book ASAP once it was completed. I recommend this book for the fantasy lover since it really does incorporate two worlds really well.

Monday, December 15, 2014

RELEASE DAY LAUNCH: Inspire by Cora Carmack

Inspire RDL Banner

We are so incredibly excited to be able to bring you the Release Day Launch for Cora Carmack's INSPIRE! INSPIRE is a New Adult Paranormal Romance novel and the first book in her new Muse Series!! Holy canoli, y'all. Go out and get this today! 


For those interested, they have it for the incredibly low introductory price of $2.99 until December 20th. So grab it while it's still at that great price!


Inspire

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | iTunes | Kobo

About INSPIRE:

Kalliope lives with one purpose.

To inspire.

As an immortal muse, she doesn’t have any other choice. It’s part of how she was made. Musicians, artists, actors—they use her to advance their art, and she uses them to survive. She moves from one artist to the next, never staying long enough to get attached. But all she wants is a different life— a normal one. She’s spent thousands of years living lie after lie, and now she’s ready for something real.

Sweet, sexy, and steady, Wilder Bell feels more real than anything else in her long existence. And most importantly… he’s not an artist. He doesn’t want her for her ability. But she can’t turn off the way she influences people, not even to save a man she might love. Because in small doses, she can help make something beautiful, but her ability has just as much capacity to destroy as it does to create. The longer she stays, the more obsessed Wilder will become. It’s happened before, and it never turns out well for the mortal.

Her presence may inspire genius.

But it breeds madness, too.



Inspire Teaser 3

Excerpt:

I can feel Wilder’s breath against my lips. More than that, I can see it. The sun has set and the temperature has dropped, and air fogs between us. There’s something about actually seeing it, like our lips are touching, we are touching, despite the distance between. And as we sway from side to side, my heart gradually begins to pick up speed.

The strains of guitar music flowing out from the restaurant are nearly indecipherable over the heavy heartbeat in my ears. But Wilder must hear it. His hands are strong on my body, guiding my movements, and I’m practically clay in his palms.

We dance, eyes on eyes, lips nearly on lips, and there is lightning beneath my skin each time his body brushes against mine in a new way. His touch is firm, but gentle, never pushing or pressuring, though I can tell from the dark look in his eyes that he’s just as affected as I am. The music shifts, building to a crescendo, and he spins us. My chest pushes tight against his, and I bite back a gasp. I don’t know if it’s the cold or him or some combination of both, but the tips of my breasts are painfully tight. Just the pressure of my bra is enough to rub them raw.

I remember the night at his apartment, the way he’d taken his time learning my body. I think of the heat of his mouth on my skin, and the memory alone is enough to make me shiver and clench.

He’s back to being business, grown-up Wilder tonight in his button down and glasses. Only now that I know him, it doesn’t seem like such a stark difference. He is neither the straight-laced man nor the tattooed bad boy. Or perhaps he’s both. Regardless of what he’s wearing, Wilder is caring and loyal and strong and so sexy that I’m having trouble remembering why I shouldn’t push him into the backseat of his SUV and crawl on top of him.

Inspire Teaser 1



About Cora Carmack:

Headshot
Cora Carmack is a twenty-something writer who likes to write about twenty-something characters. She's done a multitude of things in her life-- boring jobs (like working retail), Fun jobs (like working in a theatre), stressful jobs (like teaching), and dream jobs (like writing). She enjoys placing her characters in the most awkward situations possible, and then trying to help them get a boyfriend out of it. Awkward people need love, too. Her first book, LOSING IT, was a New York Times and USA Today bestseller.






Website ** Twitter ** Facebook ** Author Goodreads ** INSPIRE Goodreads


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Release Day Launch hosted by: InkSlinger PR


Friday, December 12, 2014

FAVORITE FRIDAY (#12)~ Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck



Have a favorite book? Series? One that you've just read or are currently reading? Favorite Friday is a weekly meme hosted by Books and Swoons where they spotlight some of their favorite reads. Everyone is welcome to join. Just enter your information on their linky or leave them a comment.

This week's Favorite Read is:

Release Date: 1937
Purchase: Amazon / Barnes and Noble



Synopsis:


The tragic story of the complex bond between two migrant laborers in Central California. They are George Milton and Lennie Small, itinerant ranch hands who dream of one day owning a small farm. George acts as a father figure to Lennie, who is a very large, simple-minded man, calming him and helping to rein in his immense physical strength.


Why it's one of my Favorite Reads:

I love this book because the main characters, George and Lennie are so great to follow. They're just two friends trying to get a bit of their own stake so they can live a peaceful life, but like many things in life, it doesn't work out the way they planned. The story is beautiful and the ending is tragic. It's just truly a great story.

What's YOUR Favorite Book? Stop by Books and Swoons to share yours :)



Wednesday, December 10, 2014

RELEASE WEEK BLITZ: Wicked (A Wicked Saga #1) by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Wicked RWB Banner


We are over the moon excited to bring you the Release Day Launch for Jennifer L. Armentrout's WICKED! WICKED is a New Adult Paranormal Romance and the first book in Jennifer’s Wicked Trilogy!



Wicked

Amazon ** Barnes and Noble ** iBooks ** Kobo ** Goodreads



WICKED Synopsis:

Things are about to get Wicked in New Orleans.

Twenty-two year old Ivy Morgan isn’t your average college student. She, and others like her, know humans aren’t the only thing trolling the French Quarter for fun… and for food. Her duty to the Order is her life. After all, four years ago, she lost everything at the hands of the creatures she’d sworn to hunt, tearing her world and her heart apart.

Ren Owens is the last person Ivy expected to enter her rigidly controlled life. He’s six feet and three inches of temptation and swoon-inducing charm. With forest-green eyes and a smile that’s surely left a stream of broken hearts in its wake, he has an uncanny, almost unnatural ability to make her yearn for everything he has to offer. But letting him in is as dangerous as hunting the cold-blooded killers stalking the streets. Losing the boy she loved once before had nearly destroyed her, but the sparking tension that grows between them becomes impossible for Ivy to deny. Deep down, she wants… she needs more than what her duty demands of her, what her past has shaped for her.

But as Ivy grows closer to Ren, she realizes she’s not the only one carrying secrets that could shatter the frail bond between them. There’s something he’s not telling her, and one thing is for certain. She’s no longer sure what is more dangerous to her—the ancient beings threatening to take over the town or the man demanding to lay claim to her heart and her soul.



Wicked Teaser 1



Excerpt:
He left me standing there as he disappeared into the bathroom, and I tried to make sense of what just happened. All I knew was that the punch-in-the-chest sadness that came whenever I thought of Shaun wasn’t there. And I didn’t know what to make of that.
Or anything.
Taking a deep breath, I put my clothes on his dresser and all but dashed into the bed, and good Lord, the mattress was comfy! I scooted to the middle and froze, having no idea what side he slept on or if he had a side. I totally had a side—always the furthest away from closet doors because I was a dork. Straightening the shirt out so my undies weren’t saying hi to the world, I tugged the blanket up to my hips and lay flat on my back.
I so needed an adult to explain to me what the hell I was supposed to do from this point on.
There wasn’t much time to stress over it because Ren returned from the bathroom. His ever-present half grin spread as he saw me. I clutched the blanket, my breath caught in my throat. My heart pounded so fast that I wondered if I was going to have a heart attack, and God, wouldn’t that be embarrassing. I swallowed nervously and willed my heart to slow.
Turning off the lamp, shadows fell around Ren, but when he faced me, I could tell that he’d frozen. I couldn’t make out his expression as he bent, taking a hold of the covers on his side.
“Ivy?”
“Hmm?”
He slowly edged the covers back from his side and climbed in, and although I couldn’t make out his eyes, I knew he was watching me. “I’m happy that you’re here.”
My fingers eased off the blanket.
As he stretched out beside me, my eyes adjusted to the lack of light, and I could see that he was smiling. “Are you?”
“Yeah,” I whispered.
“Good. That’s all I wanted to hear.”
Wow, the warmth that flooded my chest could’ve turned me into a puddle of goo in that bed. I waited for him to make a move on me, but seconds ticked by. He seriously was behaving himself. I dared a quick peek at him, and found I could not look away.
Ren lifted his arm closest to me, and a heartbeat passed. I hesitated for a moment, and then, my heart pounding even more, I slid over until my leg brushed his. He curved his arm around my waist and drew me up against his side, guiding me down until I was nestled against his warm, bare chest. Another moment passed and then I lowered my cheek, and the simple pleasure of lying like this nearly broke me right open.

A picture of a fresh cupcak placed on a sensual female butt



About Jennifer L. Armentrout:

Author Photo
# 1 NEW YORK TIMES and USA TODAY Bestselling author Jennifer lives in Martinsburg, West Virginia. All the rumors you’ve heard about her state aren’t true. When she’s not hard at work writing. she spends her time reading, working out, watching really bad zombie movies, pretending to write, and hanging out with her husband and her Jack Russell Loki.

Her dreams of becoming an author started in algebra class, where she spent most of her time writing short stories….which explains her dismal grades in math. Jennifer writes young adult paranormal, science fiction, fantasy, and contemporary romance. She is published with Spencer Hill Press, Entangled Teen and Brazen, Disney/Hyperion and Harlequin Teen. Her book Obsidian has been optioned for a major motion picture and her Covenant Series has been optioned for TV.

She also writes adult and New Adult romance under the name J. Lynn. She is published by Entangled Brazen and HarperCollins.

Website ** Facebook ** Twitter ** Novel Goodreads ** Author Goodreads


Release Day Launch hosted by: InkSlinger PR

Monday, December 8, 2014

RELEASE DAY LAUNCH + GIVEAWAY: Breaking the Rules (Pushing the Limits #1.5) by Katie McGarry

BTR RDL Banner

We are so excited to bring you the Release Day launch for Katie McGarry's BREAKING THE RULES! BREAKING THE RULES is a Young Adult contemporary romance published by Harlequin Teen, and is the follow-up book to Katie's PUSHING THE LIMITS. You do not want to miss Noah and Echo's story! Grab it today!


Breaking the Rules Cover

Amazon ** Barnes & Noble ** Books-A-Million ** Kobo ** iBooks ** Google Play


BREAKING THE RULES Synopsis:

A summer road trip changes everything in this unforgettable new tale from acclaimed author Katie McGarry.

For new high school graduate Echo Emerson, a summer road trip out west with her boyfriend means getting away and forgetting what makes her so . . . different. It means seeing cool sights while selling her art at galleries along the way. And most of all, it means almost three months alone with Noah Hutchins, the hot, smart, soul-battered guy who's never judged her. Echo and Noah share everything--except the one thing Echo's just not ready for.

But when the source of Echo's constant nightmares comes back into her life, she has to make some tough decisions about what she really wants--even as foster kid Noah's search for his last remaining relatives forces them both to confront some serious truths about life, love, and themselves.

Now, with one week left before college orientation, jobs and real life, Echo must decide if Noah's more than the bad-boy fling everyone warned her he'd be. And the last leg of an amazing road trip will turn . . . seriously epic.

BTR Teaser 1
And don’t forget to read the first books in the Pushing the Limits Series…


BRT Teaser 2


Excerpt 

From Noah’s POV
“Did you fall into some paint, Echo?” Isaiah asks, changing the subject.
Echo’s shoulder slumps as she pivots toward the mirror. She groans as she touches her cheek and forehead that are more red and pink than skin. “Dang it. Why am I such a mess?”
“I think it’s sexy as hell,” I say.
“I think I’m going to barf,” Beth mocks my tone.
Death radiates from the look I send her way. Enough that it should melt her. “Ever sleep in a tent, Beth?”
Beth focuses on the screen while raising her middle finger in my direction.
“Screw it.” Echo turns away from the mirror. “I need a shower.”
I smile, Echo blushes, then I laugh. Damn me for inviting Isaiah and Beth to share our room.
“Anyhow.” An excited glint strikes Echo’s eyes. “Are you ready? I hope you like it. It’s sort of…for you. But it’s not done, okay? I mean, something like this would actually take a while to perfect, so I guess I’m saying—”
“Echo.”
“Yeah?”
“It’s all good.”
“Okay.” Her fingers drum nervously over the top of the canvas before she repeats, “Okay.”
“I’m assuming that’s not the constellation Aires?”
“No. I’ll have to start on that tomorrow.” With a deep inhale, Echo pulls out a chair from the table and rests the painting on the arms and leans it against the back so it will stay upright.
Air rushes out of my body, and I sink onto our bed. It’s the same damned shock as when she drew my parents this past spring. There’s awe and joy and this ache that hits deep in my gut. I bend forward and rest my joint hands on my knees and stare at the sight in front of me.
Fuck me, my eyes burn. I shut them, attempting to get my shit together. It’s a painting. Only a painting. I reopen them, and it’s the same disorientation as a right hook to the head. It’s more than a painting, and that’s the reason my throat swells.
Last night meant as much to me as it did to her and she painted it, capturing it in a way unique to Echo. She’s right, it’s not done. It’s a skeleton compared to her other work, but I see enough to know what she desires, what she plans to design. Up close all those colors would look like chaos, but when viewed as a whole it creates this beautiful picture. In the end, that’s the best way to describe me and Echo, our relationship. Our love.
The bed dips as Echo eases onto it, settles behind me and props her chin on my shoulder. Her signature scent that reminds me of walking into a bakery becomes an invisible blanket surrounding me. “What do you think?”
“It’s us,” I whisper, and knots form in my stomach. Echo always finds a way to blow my mind. She tenses behind me and I continue, “It’s where we spent last night.”
“It is.” Echo relaxes, and her fingers curl around my biceps. “Do you like it?”
Struggling for composure, I place my hand over hers and pause. “It’s…”
I’m not Echo. I don’t have words for what happens inside me. If I did, I’d fail at describing this. I shift to rest my forehead against hers. “I don’t deserve you.”
“That’s my statement,” she says so only I can hear. “I wish we were alone again.”

I press my lips to hers, slide my hand through her hair and watch as the curls bounce back into place. “Me, too.”

About Katie McGarry:

Katie McGarry Author PhotoKatie McGarry was a teenager during the age of grunge and boy bands and remembers those years as the best and worst of her life. She is a lover of music, happy endings, reality television, and is a secret University of Kentucky basketball fan.

Katie is the author of full length YA novels, PUSHING THE LIMITS, DARE YOU TO, CRASH INTO YOU, TAKE ME ON, BREAKING THE RULES, and NOWHERE BUT HERE and the e-novellas, CROSSING THE LINE and RED AT NIGHT. Her debut YA novel, PUSHING THE LIMITS was a 2012 Goodreads Choice Finalist for YA Fiction, a RT Magazine's 2012 Reviewer's Choice Awards Nominee for Young Adult Contemporary Novel, a double Rita Finalist, and a 2013 YALSA Top Ten Teen Pick. DARE YOU TO was also a Goodreads Choice Finalist for YA Fiction and won RT Magazine’s Reviewer’s Choice Best Book Award for Young Adult Contemporary fiction in 2013.


Website | Twitter @KatieMcGarry | Facebook | Goodreads | Pinterest | Tumbler | Instagram


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 Release Day Launch hosted by: InkSlinger PR

Friday, December 5, 2014

FAVORITE FRIDAY (11)~ The Evolution of Mara Dyer (Mara Dyer #2) by Michelle Hodkin



Have a favorite book? Series? One that you've just read or are currently reading? Favorite Friday is a weekly meme hosted by Books and Swoons where they spotlight some of their favorite reads. Everyone is welcome to join. Just enter your information on their linky or leave them a comment.

This week's Favorite Read is:

Release Date: October 3, 2012
Purchase: Amazon / Barnes and Noble



Synopsis:

Mara Dyer once believed she could run from her past.
She cant.

She used to think her problems were all in her head.
They aren't.

She couldn't imagine that after everything she's been through, the boy she loves would still be keeping secrets.
She’s wrong.

In tis gripping sequel to The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer, the truth evolves and choices prove deadly. What will become of Mara Dyer?


Why it's one of my Favorite Reads:

The twists and turns this book takes will leave you breathless and gasping for more. I LOVE exciting and fun reads like this! Plus, NOAH SHAW! That is all.

What's YOUR Favorite Book? Stop by Books and Swoons to share yours :)



Wednesday, December 3, 2014

DEAL HIGHLIGHT: Daughter of Isis by Kelsey Ketch

Title: Daughter of Isis

Author: Kelsey Ketch

Series:  Descendants of Isis #1

Release Date: October 26, 2013

Genre: Upper Young Adult Fantasy



“Her mouth parted slightly, waiting for Seth to breathe life into her own body, just like in the story. She wanted him to awaken her senses.”



Their worlds collide in California’s high desert.



The last thing Natara “Natti” Stone wants to do is to start anew at Setemple High School. She wished she had never left London. Yet the brutal murder of her maternal grandmother has made her life very complicated. The only clue related to her murder is an ancient, encrypted necklace Natti discovered after her grandmother’s death. And if trying to adjust to American life is not enough, Natti is being stalked by a mysterious, charming high school senior, Seth O’Keefe, who is annoyingly persistent in his attempts at seduction.



Seth O’Keefe is secretly a member of the Sons of Set, an order that worships the Egyptian god of chaos. Seth’s blessing from Set, his “charm,” never failed, except with one person: Natti Stone. Her ability to elude him infatuates and infuriates him, and he becomes obsessed with the chase. But the closer he gets to her, the more his emotions take a dangerous turn, and he risks breaking one of the most valued covenants of his order. The punishment for which is a fate worse than death.

The adventure this unlikely couple becomes engulfed in could cost them their lives and their souls.


*Note: Content for Upper YA*



Purchase for just 99¢
Amazon | Barnes and Noble | Kobo | Smashwords


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•Excerpt•



Seth let out a deep breath as Natti waited, hoping. He ran his
fingers through his hair before his face came inches from her.
“The traditional story told to me began during the days before Ra
had left Earth. His council told him that if the goddess, Nut, bore any
children one would end his reign. So, to protect his power, he placed a curse
on Nut, one where she would not be able to bear children on any day of the
year.
“Desperate, Nut went to Thoth, the god of wisdom, for help. Thoth
knew that once spoken, the curse could not be recalled. However, he discovered
a loop hole, went to the moon god, Khonsu, and tricked him into giving up some
of his light. From it, Thoth created five extra days which were set between the
end of the old year and the beginning of the new.
“On the first of these days, Osiris was born. The second day was
set aside for the later birth of Horus, Osiris’s son. On the third day, the
second son of Nut was born, Set. Isis, Nut’s first daughter, was born on the
fourth day, and her second daughter, Nephthys, was born on the fifth. And when
they finally grew up, Osiris married his sister, Isis—”
“Ugh, gods.” Natti rolled her eyes. “Why do they always have to
marry their siblings?”
“Well, who else were they supposed to marry?” Seth asked.
“I don’t know. Maybe a mortal for a change.”
Seth crinkled his brow. “The gods are too great to marry a mortal.”
“And how would they know? Have they ever dated one?” Natti trailed
off when Seth placed his finger gently on her lips, letting them tingle under
his touch. Oh, how she was beginning to love that feeling. She let it consume
her.
Seth smiled. “Do you want to hear the story or not?”
Natti focused on his eyes. “You have my full attention.”
“Good. . . . As I was saying, Osiris married Isis, and together
they traveled the land. Now before Osiris, the people of ancient Egypt were
considered barbarians. Chaos reigned through wars and cannibalism. But when
Osiris and Isis spread their knowledge, the people learned to plant grains like
wheat and barley; how to tend and water the crops; how to cut the corn when
ripe and thresh grain; and then how to dry the crop, grind it, and make bread.
They even taught the people how to plant vines, and turn grapes into wine. For
his teachings, Osiris became the ruler of all Egypt.
“Set, however, was not pleased by his older brother’s rise to
power. So he laid out a plan to kill Osiris and rule in his place. Aided by
seventy-two of his most loyal worshipers, Set obtained the exact measurements
of Osiris’s body and carved a beautiful box that would only fix to his exact
size. Set then threw Osiris a grand feast, the greatest feast Egypt had ever
known. He called for only the best food the realm could provide and for the
strongest wine to be served. And the dancing girls, they were the most
beautiful creatures anyone had ever seen as their bodies swayed to the hypnotic
music—”
“That part of the story would get your attention, wouldn’t it?” Natti teased.
Seth’s cheeks turned a slight pink, and the corners of his lips
pulled into a smile. He let his finger slide across Natti’s lip again. A
delightful shiver silenced her thoughts.
“As the festivities continued, and Osiris drank, Set commanded that
the box would be brought to the grand hall. Osiris marveled at the rare cedar
inlaid with ivory, gold, silver, and painted figures of the gods and their
creations. Using his charm and deception, Set made a grand gesture. He offered
the box to whoever could fit inside. A few people tried and failed. When Osiris
finally took his turn, though, it fit perfectly, and the lid slammed shut, locking
him inside to die. Later, Set returned, dismembered the body into fourteen
pieces, and scattered them across the desert.”
The imagery that crossed Natti’s mind caused her whole body to
cringe. Seth took her wrist and rubbed his thumb over her hand. The soft
tingling sensation soothed her nerves, making her feel all warm and gooey
inside.
“When Isis heard what happened, she and Nephthys set out to look
for the pieces, gathered each one, and carefully wrapped Osiris in strips of
cloth. Unfortunately, this was not enough. The manner in which he had died had
prevented his entry into Amenti, the
place for those who have passed judgment. So, ultimately, Osiris would not be
able to rest in peace.
“However, Isis was clever. She crafted a magical serpent out of
dust and Ra’s spittle and placed it in the sun god’s path. The serpent bit him,
and Ra—being the most powerful god of all—commanded the poison to leave his
body. Yet his magic would not work, for the serpent was made from Ra’s spittle,
and therefore, he was unable to cure himself of the poison running through his
veins. He called upon Isis, a great healer herself, to withdraw the poison.
Isis, though, told him she could only heal him if she knew his secret name. A
large request, considering. You see, knowing a god’s true name gives the other
person their power. In this case, Isis would gain the power of creation
itself.”
Natti thought back her first day at Setemple High when Seth had
“stolen” her name in gym class. She understood exactly how the Egyptians felt.
It left her feeling violated and betrayed.
“As the pain of the poison spread, Ra finally submitted. He gave
her his name in secret and in confidence that no one other than herself shall
ever know. Isis agreed and cured Ra of her serpent’s poison.” Seth’s voice
became soft and slow. “When she returned to her husband’s side, she took him
into her arms, called on the power of Ra, and breathed life back into his body.”
Focused on Seth’s words and his eyes, Natti hardly realized how
close his lips had come to hers. They brushed up against her mouth, sending
sparks across her flesh. Her heart galloped with excitement. Her mouth parted
slightly, waiting for Seth to breathe life into her own body, just like in the
story. She wanted him to awaken her senses.



••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

•About the Author•



During her high school years, Kelsey Ketch could always be found tucked away in a little corner of the hall or classroom, writing her fantasy worlds and creating illustrations and maps. Today is no different, except now she’s writing in the break room at her office building or at the tables of the Barnes and Noble Café in Cary, North Carolina. She is also an avid reader, a part-time book blogger at Ketch’s Book Nook, and lives with her two orange tabbies and awesome and humorous flat-mate.

For more information, please visit her site at kelseyketch.com.










Tuesday, December 2, 2014

REVIEW + GIVEAWAY: Owning Violet (The Fowler Sisters #1) by Monica Murphy

Owning Violet (The Fowler Sisters #1) by Monica Murphy
Publication Date: December 2, 2014
Publisher: Bantam Books
Source: ARC received from Publisher
Buy it at: Amazon / Barnes and Noble

*This book was received from the publisher, but it did not influence this review in any way *

My rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

Synopsis (from Goodreads):

I’ve moved through life doing what’s expected of me. I’m the middle daughter, the dutiful daughter. The one who braved a vicious attack and survived. The one who devoted herself to her family’s business empire. The one who met an ambitious man and fell in love. We were going to run Fleur Cosmetics together, Zachary and I.

Until he got a promotion and left me in the dust. Maybe it’s for the best, between his disloyalty and his wandering eye. But another man was waiting for me. Wanting me. He too has an overwhelming thirst for success, just like Zachary—perhaps even more so. He's also ruthless. And mysterious. I know nothing about Ryder McKay beyond that he makes me feel things I’ve never felt before.

One stolen moment, a kiss, a touch…and I’m hooked. Ryder’s like a powerful drug, and I’m an addict who doesn’t want to be cured. He tells me his intentions aren’t pure, and I believe him. For once, I don’t care. I’m willing to risk everything just to be with him. Including my heart. My soul.

My everything.

This was definitely a page turner for me. I loved the fact that I literally couldn't put it down and it pretty much consumed my thoughts when I DID put it down.  So i'm pretty sure this is one of my new favorite series.

Violet Fowler is a lot of things in this book. Daughter, sister, survivor, these are all words that can (and are) used to describe Violet but what I really love about her is that she is a woman. She can be weak and strong at the same time and her emotions control her every move. I thought Violet was very realistic and I loved her mood changes because at the end of the day, we all share that quality. I think her strength and weakness when it came to handling Ryder was also very realistic.

Ryder was definitely my favorite character. He's hott, smart, and conniving! Which are all qualities I love in a bad boy. But of course, he changes for the better and can't deny his feelings for Violet. It's interesting to see the lengths he goes to just to deny the fact that he has all these feelings for Violet. It really makes you feel bad for him because you understand that he's never had any type of love or positive relationship in his life. I think that Ryder and Violet are truly perfect for eachother, no matter what circumstances brought them together!

There are, of course, a few peeves that I had with the story. The most important one is the "trauma" that Violet went through. I felt like it was just a filler for the book. There was this buildup about it and it left me wondering what happened. When it was finally discussed, it just seemed lacking and unimportant. It didn't seem to impact the story in any real way so it was a little frustrating to have that buildup lead to nothing. Then there was the Pilar, the most disgusting villain i've ever seen. There's evil and then there's Pilar. The whole "situation" with Pilar and Forrest really bothered me. Especially because that didn't seem to go anywhere either. It was this huge buildup and then a huge let down once it was discovered to be true. I figured there would be some family outrage, but there was only a moment of disappointment and disgust. I also disliked the fact that there wasn't much action from Violet's sisters. I feel like we know nothing about them and I couldn't really get a feel for them with there minor roles. Considering that THEY are Violets life, I just figured they would be more prominent in the books.

Overall though, I really LOVED this book and I CANNOT wait for the next in the series. I just can't imagine a story connected to Violet that didn't actually involve Violet and Ryder. This will definitely be interesting! :)


Giveaway:
  • 1 copy of Owning Violet by Monica Murphy
  • 1 winner will be picked (US and Canada ONLY)
  • Ends December 12, 2014
  • Hosted by Lexi Swoons
Rules:
  • To enter, fill out the Rafflecopter form below
  • Must be 18 years of age or older
  • Contest is open to US and Canada only
  • Winner will be announced on the blog via Rafflecopter
  • Winner will be notified via email

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Monday, December 1, 2014

BLOG HOP: The Twelve Days of New Adult Giveaway Hop


Morning Swooners,

Welcome to The Twelve Days of New Adult Giveaway Hop. This hop is hosted by Stuck In Books

As many of you may already know, I absolutely LOVE New Adult books! So in honor of that, I am giving away one book of your choice by Colleen Hoover.

Giveaway:
  • 1 copy of any New Adult title from author Colleen Hoover
  • 1 winner will be picked (US and INT'L)
  • Ends December 12, 2014
  • Hosted by Lexi Swoons
Rules:
  • To enter, fill out the Rafflecopter form below
  • Must be 18 years of age or older
  • Contest is open INT'L
  • Winner will be announced on the blog via Rafflecopter
  • Winner will be notified via email

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Below is a list of bloggers who ALSO have a giveaway! Hop on over to see them :)




Thursday, November 27, 2014

Quotes #15~ If there was Ever a Time to Be Grateful



HAPPY THANKSGIVING EVERYONE!!!!

To all my American friends out there: Gobble Gobble!

For all my international friends out there, here in America we have a holiday called Thanksgiving, which originated to honor a harvest festival that the Pilgrims used to celebrate. Nowadays it has taken a more religious tone and we celebrate it by taking time to reflect on all the things in our lives that we are grateful for. In honor of that, I put together a few quotes that I think apply to the theme of the holiday. So I hope that these will leave you as inspired as they have left me.

"There's so much to be grateful for, words are poor things."  Marilynn Robinson

"If you hang out with chickens, you're going to cluck and if you hang out with eagles, you're going to fly." Steve Maraboli

"Ungrateful people forget what they are not grateful for." Ana Monnar

"When I wake up each morning, I praise the Lord for the gift of being alive." Lailah Gifty Akita

"I have nothing, so I think having something would mean  everything to me. But I don't want to get to the point where I have everything, so having something would mean nothing to me." Jarod Kintz

"I am grateful for all the trials that made me a better person." Lailah Gifty Akita

"There are some people who walk into your life an shed a new light in your entire being. Be grateful for such people." Ogwo David Emenike

"Live, love, and be grateful you are capable of it." Debbie Tosun Kilday

"A noble heart is a thankful heart that loves to acknowledge  whenever it has received any mercy." Jeremiah Burroughs, Contentment, Prosperity, and God's Glory 

"I'm grateful that i'm mortal...it motivates me." Kendall Talbot, Lost in Kakdu

Wednesday, November 26, 2014

FEATURE: Waiting on Wednesday~ Boys Don't Knit by T.S. Easton (#51)


Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

Morning Swooners :-)

This week my "can't-wait-to-read" pre-publication selections are:

Expected release date: March 24, 2015
Purchase: Amazon / Barnes and Noble




Summary from Goodreads:

Knitting is a man’s game.

After an incident regarding a crossing guard and a bottle of Martini & Rossi (and his bonehead friends), 17-year-old worrier Ben Fletcher must develop his sense of social alignment, take up a hobby, and do some community service to avoid any further probation.

He takes a knitting class (it was that or his father’s mechanic class) under the impression that it's taught by the hot teacher all the boys like. Turns out, it’s not. Perfect.

Regardless, he sticks with it and comes to find that he’s a natural knitter, maybe even great. It even helps ease his anxiety and worrying. The only challenge now is to keep it hidden from his friends, his crush, and his soccer-obsessed father. What a tangled web Ben has weaved . . . or knitted.

Why I'm waiting:

I  just think it sounds really interesting and original. I don't read many books with boys as the MC so this stands out to me. Plus the fact that it's about knitting. I must have been a knitting queen in a past life because i'm pretty obsessed about it. Even though i've actually never tried to do it lol.

What are you anxiously waiting for?

Tuesday, November 25, 2014

RELEASE DAY LAUNCH + GIVEAWAY: The Shape of My Heart by Ann Aguirre

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We are so excited to bring you the Release Day Launch for Ann Aguirre's incredible THE SHAPE OF MY HEART! THE SHAPE OF MY HEART is a New Adult contemporary romance, published by Harlequin HQN, and is the third book in the 2B Trilogy Series. Don't forget to grab your copy of the first two books and fall in love with her characters all over again!

The Shape of My Heart

Amazon | B&N | BAM | Indiebound | Vroman’s | Book Depository | Powell’s | iBooks

THE SHAPE OF MY HEART on Goodreads

THE SHAPE OF MY HEART Synopsis:

Some people wait decades to meet their soul mate. Courtney Kaufman suspects she met hers in high school—only to lose him at seventeen. Since then, Courtney’s social life has been a series of meaningless encounters, though she’s made a few close friends along the way. Especially her roommate, Max Cooper, who oozes damaged bad-boy vibes from every pore.

Max knows about feeling lost and trying to move beyond the pain—he’s been on his own since he was sixteen. Now it’s time to find out if he can ever go home again, and Courtney’s the only one he trusts to go with him. But the trip to Providence could change everything…because the more time he spends with Courtney, the harder it is to reconcile what he wants and what he thinks he deserves.

It started out so simple. One misfit helping another. Now Max will do anything to show Courtney that for every heart that’s ever been broken, there’s another that can make it complete.



2B Trilogy
Make sure you grab the entire 2B Trilogy!

I WANT IT THAT WAY

AS LONG AS YOU LOVE ME

THE SHAPE OF MY HEART

EXCERPT:

So many questions ricocheted around my brainpan, but Max’s shoulders were pulled up almost to his ears, his chin nearly on the table. Without looking at me, he shredded the napkin in his hands into four pieces and then in half again. The waning sunshine streaming in the smeared window behind him haloed his hair, so that the highlights shone blue instead of tawny or copper.

“You don’t have to tell me a bedtime story,” I said gently.

“No, you need to know. So you understand what’s going on and why it’s so tense when we get there.”

“Okay. If you’re sure.”

“I’ll set the stage.” His tone was brittle, uneven, and the bits of paper in his hands kept getting smaller. “I was sixteen, just got my license. My dad was drinking, acting like a fuckhead. Business as usual. When he started in on Mickey, I grabbed the keys. Figured I’d get us both out of there for a while. I don’t know if you’ve noticed but taking off is kind of my specialty.”

“Between your bike, the garage office, and the place you showed me by the river, I’ve picked up on the pattern, yeah.”

“I thought I was doing the smart thing, you know? But I was driving too fast and some asshole blew the stoplight. T-boned us. Mickey got the worst of it… weeks in the hospital without knowing if he’d make it. Then once he stabilized, we found out he’d never walk again.” He curled a fist and slammed it onto the table, making the pizza box dance. “Ironic, huh? I was worried that my dad would hurt Mickey but I’m the one who—”

“Not true,” I cut in. “That’s a textbook accident. Don’t tell me you blame yourself.”

“It’s impossible to do anything else. No, wipe that look off your face, Kaufman. I didn’t open up to make you feel sorry for me. I just want you to know the deal going in. I mean, my dad’s the biggest asshole I ever met and he hates me, too.”

“What about Mickey?”

“We weren’t talking much when I left. Every day I think, what if I’d put up with my old man’s shit for five minutes more? What if I’d picked a fight with him instead of grabbing those keys? I—” His voice broke on a shuddering inhalation.

Until this moment I didn’t realize how much weight Max carried on a daily basis or how good a job he did hiding it. I came out of my chair and rounded the little table before I consciously decided to make a move. Standing beside him, I hovered, unsure what to do. He answered the question by wrapping both arms around my waist and pulling me onto his lap. Unsettled, unnerved, even, I let him press his face into my shoulder, resting a hand on his head.

His breath warmed the skin of my throat, rousing an inappropriate shiver. Now is not the time. It wasn’t like I’d never noticed his hotness; he specialized in a scruffy, soulful appeal that women of all ages seemed unable to resist. But it was so much better for him to call me Kaufman and confide in me instead of flirting. At the moment, Max needed a friend. I stroked his back for like five minutes before he raised his gaze to meet mine.

“Sorry. The closer we get to Rhode Island, the worse I feel.”

“It’s understandable. You have to be worried about how your brother will react when you see him.” The rest of his family sounded like jackwagons. Though he’d only told me about his dad, if he had any decent aunts, uncles or cousins, they would’ve stepped up when his old man went upside his head with a bottle. A scar like that would take eight or ten stitches, minimum. I imagined Max as a scared kid with blood gushing from his scalp, and all of my protective instincts roared to life. People had been calling me a bitch since I was fifteen, and I was ready to wade in against Max’s family. Yeah, the funeral might be tense and shitty, but if his family said one fucking word—

TSOMH Available Now

About Ann Aguirre:
Author Photo
Ann Aguirre is a New York Times & USA Today bestselling author and RITA winner with a degree in English Literature; before she began writing full time, she was a clown, a clerk, a voice actress, and a savior of stray kittens, not necessarily in that order. She grew up in a yellow house across from a cornfield, but now she lives in sunny Mexico with her husband, children, and various pets. Ann likes books, emo music, action movies, and she writes all kinds of genre fiction for adults and teens, published with Harlequin, Macmillan, and Penguin, among others.





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                                            Release Day Launch hosted by: InkSlinger PR