Friday, June 30, 2017

June Wrap-Up

June was a fantastically busy month and in case you missed anything on my blog or social media last month, this is what I got up to: 


READING


Books I Reviewed In June:

Secrets of Skin and Stone by Wendy Laine - My new favorite gargoyle-themed book! 

Roar by Cora Carmack - Magical storms + a magicless Princess + swoon-worthy storm hunters = an awesome read!

Kiss Me, Kill You by Larissa C. Hardesty - A quick YA read about a teen succubus who just wants to fall in love.

Daughter of the Pirate King by Tricia Levenseller - Strike two when it comes to me and pirate-themed books. 

Beautiful Creatures: The Manga - My first manga read and an interesting way to read an old favorite. 

Just An Illusion: EP by D. Kelly - An emotional end to a fantastic trilogy!

Books I Read In June: 

Daughter of the Pirate King by Tricia Levenseller

Beautiful Creatures: The Manga

Caraval by Stephanie Garber (Took a break from reading, will finish listening to audiobook in July)

The Dazzling Heights by Katharine McGee

Just An Illusion: EP by D. Kelly

The Shining by Stephen King

Hunting Prince Dracula by Kerri Maniscalco (Still reading... hoping to finish tonight!)

Books To-Be-Read in July:

Ever the Brave by Erin Summerill

Sublime by Christina Lauren

The Valiant by Lesley Livingston

WRITING
In June, I finished writing my seventh full-length novel and first New Adult novel, Headless. I wrote a total of 27,711 words this month, finishing the first draft at 76,211 words! This is the longest of all the novels I've written so far. 

BLOGGING
In June, I participated in 3 Cover Art Reveals, 4 Release Day Blitzes and/or Blog Tours, 1 Excerpt Reveal, and Three Book Tags. I also posted my Summer Reads to Check Out Blog which can be found here: "Stuff Your Beach Bag! 17 Books to Devour this Summer!"

PUBLISHING
This month, I published my fifth novel and the third book in my Eternals Trilogy, Through the Fog. Included with Through the Fog is a bonus novelette entitled, Eternal Fire which is in the perspective of one of my favorite secondary characters. You can read more about Through the Fog and Eternal Fire here: "{Release Day Blitz} Through the Fog by Taylor Fenner"

MISC. BOOK NEWS
Finally, this month I submitted my upcoming YA High Fantasy novel, CurseBreaker to a writing contest for fantasy novels. The deadline isn't until October 31, 2017, but I wanted to get it in early enough. I'll be starting to get CurseBreaker ready for it's January 2, 2018, release next month! Be on the look out for opportunities to read an ARC of CurseBreaker later this year! 

Thursday, June 29, 2017

#BookMail Thursday #26

While this week I technically didn't have any "book mail" because I've been adhering to my book buying ban. I did make one little splurge when I went to Barnes and Noble for the first time in at least eight months last Friday. My book splurge was...

Barnes and Noble Splurge:
Given to the Sea by Mindy McGinnis
Hunted by Meagan Spooner

Remember how I was talking about wanting to get Given to the Sea a couple weeks ago? The problem I find lately is that since I'm far away from the nearest Barnes and Noble and my local Walmart doesn't have the best selection of YA novels, I've been buying most of my books online. Sure, there's nothing wrong with that, they're usually cheaper than when you buy them at the store but other than reading the first few pages you can't really get a feel for whether you'll like the book or not when you buy online. For me, I always read the last few paragraphs of a book to determine whether I will like it or not and you can't exactly do that online. I was craving the ability to flip through books at an actual bookstore, so when I had the chance to get out of the house last week and go to Barnes and Noble I was over the moon. 

I got to look at so many books I'd been considering and realize that most of them I wouldn't have liked anyway, therefore saving me money. I finally decided on these two books because I've wanted them for a while and they both look like good reads. Hunted has such a gorgeous cover (actually they both have awesome covers but Hunted's cover is just so shiny in person and you can't tell that from photos). 

While I love shopping online it was nice to be able to hang out in my happy place for a little while. I've said it before but I mean it now when I say this will probably be my last book splurge for a while. 

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Have you bought any new books lately? What did you get?

Wednesday, June 28, 2017

"What I'm Reading" Wednesday #81

I can't tell you how addicted I am to the book I'm reading this "WIR"-Wednesday! It's the sequel to a book I haven't yet read but I was able to jump right in with no problem! I'm reading...

Hunting Prince Dracula (Stalking Jack the Ripper #2) by Kerri Maniscalco
Blurb:
In this hotly anticipated sequel to the haunting #1 bestseller Stalking Jack the Ripper, bizarre murders are discovered in the castle of Prince Vlad the Impaler, otherwise known as Dracula. Could it be a copycat killer...or has the depraved prince been brought back to life?

Following the grief and horror of her discovery of Jack the Ripper's true identity, Audrey Rose Wadsworth has no choice but to flee London and its memories. Together with the arrogant yet charming Thomas Cresswell, she journeys to the dark heart of Romania, home to one of Europe's best schools of forensic medicine...and to another notorious killer, Vlad the Impaler, whose thirst for blood became legend.

But her life's dream is soon tainted by blood-soaked discoveries in the halls of the school's forbidding castle, and Audrey Rose is compelled to investigate the strangely familiar murders. What she finds brings all her terrifying fears to life once again.

Why I Chose This Book | What I Think So Far:
I've been dying to read this book since I first saw the cover and when I read an excerpt online I was even more eager. I was lucky enough to win an ARC in a giveaway and I started it almost as soon as I received it! It's such an easy book to read and I love the story. 

Tuesday, June 27, 2017

{Release Day Blitz} Through the Fog by Taylor Fenner

It's a special release day for me! Through the Fog and Eternal Fire: An Eternals Trilogy Novelette are available now! Fans of the trilogy will love the conclusion of Lizette's story! 

Through the Fog
Eternals Trilogy #3
Taylor Fenner
YA Urban Fantasy
June 27, 2017


Blurb:
Two Souls

After Thierry traps Luke in a coma-like slumber with the help of a powerful Voodoo priestess, Lizette, Sam, Keiran, Finn, and Wes must leave New Orleans and journey through the fog to the mythical Garden of Eden. 

One Unbreakable Binding

There Claudette tells them they must harvest the blood of a rare animal native only to the Garden of Eden which contains the only antidote to Luke’s curse. They’ll have to hurry back to deliver the antidote before the binding that merges Luke and Lizette’s powers kills Lizette from being so far away from Luke. 

If One Dies, So Does the Other

Where is the Garden of Eden? How can they be so sure that it even exists? Lizette will need the help of all of her friends as they travel through war-torn countries and battle mythical creatures that guard the Garden of Eden and the mysteries trapped within.

It’s More Than a Hunt for the Antidote; It is a Fight for Survival.

Will they get the antidote to Luke in time? Or have they come across the one curse strong enough to destroy an Eternal? Find out in the stunning conclusion to the Eternals Trilogy. 

BONUS: eBook and Paperback INCLUDE EXCLUSIVE ETERNALS NOVELETTE "ETERNAL FIRE"


Blurb:
Two years before Out of Darkness, eighteen-year-old Finn Madigan is your average teenage guy. He has friends, cuts an obscene amount of class, and has hooked up with nearly every girl in the senior class. But Finn has a secret - he's an Elemental, a person capable of creating bursts of fire and spouts of water from thin air. 

Finn just wants to bide his time in his hometown, Ishpeming, Michigan, until he graduates and can put as much distance between himself and the town, his parents, and his perfect brother as possible. 

Then he meets a green-haired beauty named Arianthe and everything changes. Finally, Finn has someone who understands what he's going through and before he knows it he's falling in love. 

But like William Shakespeare said, the course of true love never did run smooth. Can Finn hang on to Arianthe? Or will his brother Keiran steal her away?

Add to Goodreads


Buy Links:




About the Author (me)
Taylor Fenner grew up in a small town in Wisconsin. She's been an avid reader with a vivid imagination since she was very young. Most of her childhood can be described as having her nose stuck in one book or another. She's a strong believer in ghosts and the paranormal, which led to her interest in writing paranormal romance. Since then she has branched out into Urban Fantasy, High Fantasy, and Fairy Tale Retelling

An admitted workaholic, when not working on a novel Taylor spends most of her time blogging about books, taking photos for her bookstagram account, binge watching her favorite shows, and listening to music that's sure to ruin her hearing eventually.

Taylor still currently lives in Wisconsin, not far from where her debut novel The Haunting Love is set. Taylor is the author of The Haunting Love, Finding Elizabeth, Out of Darkness (Eternals Trilogy #1), Into the Light (Eternals Trilogy #2), Through the Fog (Eternals Trilogy #3), Eternal Fire: An Eternals Trilogy Novelette, and her upcoming releases, YA High Fantasy Fairy Tale Retelling, CurseBreaker and her New Adult debut, Headless, a contemporary reimagining of the Legend of Sleepy Hollow.

You can connect with Taylor online:
Newsletter Sign-Up: http://eepurl.com/bQXtEj

Bonus!! As an added surprise, OUT OF DARKNESS (Eternals Trilogy #1) will be free NOW-JULY 1ST Exclusively on SMASHWORDS

Take me to the sale: Click Here

Sunday, June 25, 2017

Audiobooks vs Physical Books and eBooks

I recently hit a wall with a book I was reading (Caraval by Stephanie Garber). I was getting bored with the book but I wasn't sure whether I wanted to drop it or not. Then I remembered I had a code thing from OwlCrate for an extended audio excerpt and decided to download it onto my iPod. I'd never listened to an audiobook unless you count those books that came with accompanying tapes that I remember from my childhood and I've been hearing how much people are loving audiobooks so I decided to give it a try. 


Here is my opinion on listening to books versus reading them:

1: For this particular book, I hated the narrator's voice, especially when she tried to speak for the different characters. It reminded me of this one episode of Murder, She Wrote where Mrs. Fletcher had created a detective character for her grandnieces and nephews and they decided to make it into a puppet tv show using the voice of a woman with "1000 voices" - and they all sounded stupid. 

2. I know people say how convenient audiobooks are: they can listen to them in the car on the way to work, they can listen to them while working out, etc. But for me, it wasn't like that at all. Seriously, unless I was in my room listening to the book after I'd turned off the lights and the tv, I couldn't focus. And even then the digital clock distracted me as I tried to focus on what the narrator was reading. This may be a "me" issue, I tend to zone out when someone is trying to read me something.

3. I'm afraid of not retaining what I'm hearing. When I'm reading a book, seeing the words on the page, I can absorb the story and get lost in it. While I remember parts of what I heard, I can't remember it that well... 

4. I'm on the fence about much quicker it would be to listen to an audiobook vs. reading the actual book. Sometimes if a book moves quickly I can finish reading it in a day or two, but if it drags and it's taking forever (like Caraval) maybe it would get me through it quicker. It's something to think about with books that are really long and/or a slow read. 

My Verdict:
Audiobooks may be more convenient for some, and in the future, it might come in handy when I'm having difficulty getting through a book I'm reading, but I still prefer reading over listening. It also really depends on the narrator.

Saturday, June 24, 2017

#BookTag Saturday: The Taylor Swift Book Tag

For this week's #booktag Saturday I chose: The Taylor Swift Book Tag. Now, I'm really not a fan of TS's music, in fact I downright hate it, but I can set that aside to do this prompt. I found this prompt on Goodreads in my favorite group, Coffee Break YA / NA and it was originally created by The Book Life on YouTube.


1. For ‘We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together’ pick a book (or book series) that you were pretty sure you were in love with, but then wanted to break up with.

Answer: The Revelations Series by Leanne Rathbone (Grace & Divine)

2. For ‘Red’ pick a book with a RED cover.

Answer: The Elite by Kiera Cass

3. For ‘The Best Day’ pick a book that makes you feel nostalgic.

Answer: The Witch of Blackbird Pond by Elizabeth George Speare

4. For ‘Love Story’ pick a book with forbidden love.

Answer: The Thousandth Floor by Katharine McGee

5. For ‘I Knew You Were Trouble’ pick a book with a bad character you couldn’t help but love.

Answer: Roar by Cora Carmack (Cassius)

6. For ‘Innocent’ (written b/c of Kanye West!) pick a book that someone ruined the ending for.

Answer: Breaking Dawn by Stephenie Meyer

7. For ‘Everything has changed’ pick a character from a book who goes through extensive character development. 

Answer: Celaena Sardothien/Aelin Gathathynius from the Throne of Glass Series by Sarah J. Maas

8. For ‘You Belong With Me’ pick your most anticipated book release. 

Answer: Shadowsong by S. Jae-Jones 

9. For ‘Forever and Always’ – Pick your favourite book couple. 

Answer: Feyre and Rhysand from A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J. Maas

 10.For ‘Come Back, Be Here’ pick the book you would least like to lend out, for fear of missing it too much. 

Answer: The Obsession by Nora Roberts (because my mom wants it and I won't give it to her!)

11. 'Teardrops on My Guitar' - A book that made you cry.

Answer: Just An Illusion: EP by D. Kelly

12. 'Shake it Off' - A book that you love but have to shake off the haters.

Answer: See Me by Wendy Higgins

13. 'Stay, Stay, Stay' - A book you wanted to go on forever.

Answer: The Requiem Red by Brynn Chapman

14. 'All to Well' - Find a book series you wish was longer.

Answer: The Eurona Duology by Wendy Higgins

Friday, June 23, 2017

Cover Reveal: The Queen's Rising by Rebecca Ross

Cover Reveals make Fridays even better, don't you think? This week I have a cover reveal for an amazing upcoming YA Fantasy novel from HarperTeen. I am so in love with this gorgeous cover and I can't wait to read this book!!! Check it out below...
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"With gorgeous description and detailed rendering of a world where not everything and everyone are what they seem, Rebecca Ross weaves an intricate tale of revenge, loyalty, and, ultimately, self-discovery. Don’t miss the beautiful cover for Rebecca Ross’s debut young adult fantasy, THE QUEEN’S RISING, and pre-order your copy today!"

The Queen's Rising
Rebecca Ross
YA Fantasy
February 6, 2018
HarperTeen

The Queen's Rising by Rebecca Ross
Blurb:
When her seventeenth summer solstice arrives, Brienna desires only two things: to master her passion and to be chosen by a patron.

Growing up in the southern Kingdom of Valenia at the renowned Magnalia House should have prepared her for such a life. While some are born with an innate talent for one of the five passions—art, music, dramatics, wit, and knowledge—Brienna struggled to find hers until she belatedly chose to study knowledge. However, despite all her preparations, Brienna’s greatest fear comes true—the solstice does not go according to plan and she is left without a patron.

Months later, her life takes an unexpected turn when a disgraced lord offers her patronage. Suspicious of his intent, and with no other choices, she accepts. But there is much more to his story, and Brienna soon discovers that he has sought her out for his own vengeful gain. For there is a dangerous plot being planned to overthrow the king of Maevana—the archrival kingdom of Valenia—and restore the rightful queen, and her magic, to the northern throne. And others are involved—some closer to Brienna than she realizes.

With war brewing between the two lands, Brienna must choose whose side she will remain loyal to—passion or blood. Because a queen is destined to rise and lead the battle to reclaim the crown. The ultimate decision Brienna must determine is: Who will be that queen?


Pre-order The Queen's Rising Today:

About the Author:
Rebecca Ross received her Bachelor’s degree in English from the University of Georgia. In the past, she has worked at a Colorado dude ranch, as a school librarian, and as a live-time captionist for a college. She resides in Northeast Georgia with her husband and her dog. THE QUEEN’S RISING is her debut novel. Visit her on the web at www.rebeccarossauthor.com or on Twitter @_RebeccaRoss.

Links:
Website: http://www.rebeccarossauthor.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/_RebeccaRoss
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RebeccaRossAuthor/
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/14926516.Rebecca_Ross
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/rebeccajross/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beccajross/


Thursday, June 22, 2017

#BookMail Thursday #25

All week my Kindle and mailbox have been stuffed with new books! This is my book mail for this week and last week:

Last week:
Signed Copies of:
The Wrath and The Dawn by Renee Ahdieh
The Rose and the Dagger by Renee Ahdieh

The Shining by Stephen King

ARC: Just An Illusion: EP by D. Kelly

eBooks: 
Cursed by the Gods by Raye Wagner
Hopeless by Colleen Hoover
The Shadow Children, The Shadow City, and The Shadow War by L.C. Hibbitt

This Week:
Sexy Stranger by Kendall Ryan

ARC: Hunting Prince Dracula by Kerri Maniscalco - won in a giveaway!

Signed Copy of Road by Cora Carmack


Signed Copies of:
 Ivory and Bone by Julie Eshbaugh
Obsidian and Stars by Julie Eshbaugh

Wednesday, June 21, 2017

"What I'm Reading" Wednesday #80

After the emotional roller coaster of Just An Illusion: EP by D. Kelly, I jumped into a book that's more likely to scare me senseless than make me cry. This "WIR"-Wednesday I'm reading...

The Shining by Stephen King
Blurb:
Jack Torrance’s new job at the Overlook Hotel is the perfect chance for a fresh start. As the off-season caretaker at the atmospheric old hotel, he’ll have plenty of time to spend reconnecting with his family and working on his writing. But as the harsh winter weather sets in, the idyllic location feels ever more remote . . . and more sinister. And the only one to notice the strange and terrible forces gathering around the Overlook is Danny Torrance, a uniquely gifted five-year-old.

Why I Chose This Book | What I Think So Far:
I chose to read this book at this time for several reasons. The first, most obvious reason being that on Monday I sat down to read my ARC copy of Just An Illusion: EP by D. Kelly and it was such a sad, emotional read that I had to read something so drastically different, something guaranteed to not make me cry, so I picked my most recent book purchase, The Shining. 

The second reason is that with the book I'm nearly finished writing, Headless, my main character can't stand to read romance novels, preferring horror novels, especially the works of Stephen King. Since I've watched a few of the movies, but I've never read any of Stephen King's books I decided starting with The Shining was a good place to start. I'm eager to see the differences between the book and the movie. 

So far I'm loving the story and I find the writing easy to get absorbed in. 

{Release Day Blitz} Just An Illusion: EP by D. Kelly

It is finally release day for Just An Illusion: EP by D. Kelly! Join me in wishing Just An Illusion: EP a happy book birthday and be sure to read the whole post to get to the giveaway!


Cover Design: Regina Wamba / Maeidesign and Photography

Release Date: June 21, 2017

Synopsis

Lives are turned upside down …


Everything was perfect before life came to a screeching halt. When devastating loss flips Amelia’s world on its axis, she loses her spirit. Mel isn’t the only one hurting, though; the members of BAD are also struggling to find their way after that tragic night.


Life goes on … 

Amelia’s friends move heaven and earth to help ease her sadness. Knowing she’s on a dangerous precipice, they fight through their own pain to bring her safely to the other side of her grief.

Love can conquer … 

Amelia knows bottling up her feelings isn’t helping anything. With love at her fingertips, all she has to do is reach for it. Mel’s loved ones desperately hope she can once again find her way to happiness. Can Amelia overcome her fears to let love in again, or will she let the weight of that night continue to drown her in sorrow?
Just an Illusion – EP is book three in The Illusion Series  
Add to Goodreads


Purchase Link

Giveaway
A choice of D.Kelly's paperbacks (1 winner) and a $20 Amazon Gift Card (1 winner)



About the Author
D. Kelly, author of The Acceptance Series, The Illusion Series, and standalone companion novels Chasing Cassidy and Sharing Rylee, was born and raised in Southern California. She’s a wife, mom, dog lover, taxi, problem fixer, and extreme multi-tasker. She married her high school sweetheart and is her kids’ biggest fan.

Kelly has been writing since she was young and took joy in spinning stories to her childhood friends. Margaritas and sarcasm make her smile, she loves the beach but hates the sand, and she believes Starbucks makes any day better.

A contemporary romance writer, D. Kelly’s stories revolve around friendship and the bond it creates, strengthening the love of the people who share it. For all things D. Kelly, you can visit her website: http://www.dkellyauthor.com
   
Connect with D
Newsletter Sign Up: http://bit.ly/2ngwyK4
Facebook Author Page: http://bit.ly/2mCW4Gk
Facebook Reader Group: http://bit.ly/2lU7EzG
Goodreads Author Page: http://bit.ly/2mkiDPb
Amazon Author Page: http://amzn.to/2n2aiTW

Bonus!!! As an added surprise, Just an Illusion - Side A is FREE & Just an Illusion - The B Side is .99 cents for a limited time.

   

Tuesday, June 20, 2017

Book Review: Just An Illusion: EP by D. Kelly

Just An Illusion: EP (The Illusion #3) by D. Kelly
Blurb:
Lives are turned upside down …

Everything was perfect before life came to a screeching halt. 

When devastating loss flips Amelia’s world on its axis, she loses her spirit. Mel isn’t the only one hurting, though; the members of BAD are also struggling to find their way after that tragic night. 

Life goes on …

Amelia’s friends move heaven and earth to help ease her sadness. Knowing she’s on a dangerous precipice, they fight through their own pain to bring her safely to the other side of her grief. 

Love can conquer …

Amelia knows bottling up her feelings isn’t helping anything. With love at her fingertips, all she has to do is reach for it. Mel’s loved ones desperately hope she can once again find her way to happiness. 

Can Amelia overcome her fears to let love in again, or will she let the weight of that night continue to drown her in sorrow?

My Review:
After the devastating cliff-hanger ending of Just An Illusion: the B-Side, I was eager to read Just An Illusion EP. I didn't realize at the time the emotional upheaval I was in for. I went into reading this book hoping that finally, finally, the obstacle standing in the way of my 'ship sailing would be killed off (if you've read my reviews of book one and two you know what I'm talking about). And even if I got my way, which I will neither confirm nor deny, I had no idea that this book would hit me the way it did.

If I could describe Just An Illusion: EP in two words, those words would be "heart-wrenching." The writing is great, it gets right in there and screws with your heartstrings. I think I sobbed from the second page onward.  While reading this book I literally ugly-cried for hours, and I'm a girl who hates to cry, who can actually force myself not to cry at times. At one point I ran out of tissues and had to wipe my nose with a dirty sock.

I'm glad that everything worked out the way I hoped in the end and I loved reading this series from start to finish (although I hear there will be a fourth book in Sawyer's perspective!) - it truly was an amazing journey. 

Overall, if you've been following this series from the beginning you'll love the conclusion of Amelia's story, but be prepared - surround yourself with plenty of tissues and maybe some chocolate. Yes, chocolate would be very good right about now...

My Rating:
5 of 5 Stars!

Monday, June 19, 2017

Book Review: Beautiful Creatures: The Manga

Book Review: Beautiful Creatures: The Manga by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl and Art by Cassandra Jean
Blurb:
In crisp black and white manga pictures, Ethan Wate narrates his dreams, haunted an unreachable raven-haired beauty. When she moves into the small Southern town Blackwood mansion of her protective Uncle Macon, Ethan is inexplicably drawn to her. As her 16th birthday nears, Lena must choose - or will the family curse choose for her? 

There were no surprises in Gatlin County .. the middle of nowhere. 
I couldn't have been more wrong. 
There was a curse. 
There was a girl. 
And in the end, there was a grave.

My Review:
Beautiful Creatures: The Manga was my first ever Manga book. I've never been a big fan of comic books or anime or manga but I fell in love with the cover of this book and decided to pick up a copy. 

I wasn't sure what to expect because I can remember some of my classmates in junior high reading these type of books from the back of the book to the front but I was happy to see that this book was formatted to read like a normal book.

The illustrations in this book were really cool and it was a very quick read. For those unclear of how a 560+ page book was turned into a Manga, reading Beautiful Creatures: the Manga was kind of like reading a cliff notes version of the book. All of the basic important points of the book were there, just in a more condensed, less detailed way. 

The only thing that I didn't like about this book was that the initial first pages were in color and then the rest of the book was in black and white. Maybe that is a normal manga thing, I don't know, but I wish the whole book would have been in color.

Overall, I loved reading Beautiful Creatures: the Manga. It reintroduced me to a book I had loved in a cool new way and I don't regret picking this book up. Have I fallen in love with manga and am I going to read it all the time now? No, but if another book I like gets turned into a Manga I'll be a lot more likely to pick up a copy.

My Rating:
4 of 5 Stars!

Read NIGHT OF TERROR