Book Review: War of the Wilted by Amber Mitchell

War of the Wilted (Garden of Thorns, #2) by Amber Mitchell

Blurb:

Like flowers denied water, people are wilting under the emperor's tyranny.
Rose will not rest until the Gardener is dead. But there are bigger battles to fight, and Rayce—leader of the rebellion and the only man Rose has ever loved—believes their best chance at winning the war is to join forces with her sworn enemy.

Saving innocent people is more important than her quest for revenge. But their new ally can’t be trusted—and he knows her darkest secret. One betrayal could leave the war and Rayce’s life hanging in the balance, and Rose will need to make the ultimate sacrifice to save them all.

My Review:

I was so glad that there is a sequel to Garden of Thorns. I loved that book so much, it was easily one of my favorite books last year. 

This follow up is filled to the brim with betrayal, sacrifices, and tough decisions. With Rayce holding the Gardner captive in the rebellion headquarters for intel, Rose tries to tell Rayce it's not a wise decision but their differences in opinion will drive a wedge between them and Rose will have to rise and become the queen she was always meant to be, the last thing she ever wanted. 

It's time for Rose to be strong, avenge her father, save her people. Empires will fall, the strong will survive, and the world will change forever. 

I loved this book, I couldn't stop reading when I started. Even though it has been a while since I read Garden of Thorns I was able to seamlessly read this book without missing a beat or needing to recap the events of book one. 

Overall, this series is a must read for fantasy fans.

My Rating:

🌟🌟🌟🌟

4 of 5 Stars!

#BookTag Saturday: September 29

This week I have three tags from @heretherebeareader!

The #TopFiveFaves Tag

1. Series:

The Thousandth Floor by Katharine McGee

2. Season:

Fall

3. Color:

Black, Green, and Red

4. Dessert:

Cake Batter Ice Cream

5. Flower:

Tulips

The #5foodsilove Tag

1. Pasta

2. Burgers

3. Pizza

4. Chicken Fried Steak

5. Popcorn

The #booksthatgaveyouallthefeels Tag

1. Sharing Sam by Katharine Applegate

2. As She Fades by Abbi Glines

3. Paper Princess by Erin Watt

4. The Wicked Deep by Shea Ernshaw

Cover Reveal: A BOND OF SWORDS AND SACRIFICE by Karen Tomlinson

Today I'm helping Karen Tomlinson reveal the cover of the final book in her Goddess and Guardians Series, A BOND OF SWORDS AND SACRIFICE!

Title: A Bond of Swords and Sacrifice (Book Four: The Goddess and the Guardians series)

Author: Karen Tomlinson

Website: www.karentomlinson.com

Release Date: 15th December 2018

AMAZON Universal preorder link: mybook.to/swordsandsacrifice

Blurb:

Sometimes winning means losing EVERYTHING.

Reeling from their encounter with the God of Chaos, Diamond and Eryanth Arjuno, the true heirs of the Avalonian crown, strive to rekindle their broken bonds and heal their shattered hearts.

But the machinations of war are never simple. Challenges must be faced and threat hovers ever closer as painful truths are revealed and blood ties are uncovered.

No longer an innocent village girl but a fierce and powerful queen, Diamond will fight for those she loves. She will wage war for her people and battle for the survival of every soul in the Eight Kingdoms. But she soon discovers destiny will exact a high price. If she cannot accept the cost to her heart and soul, the Eight Kingdoms—and those dearest to her, will be doomed for eternity.

Prepare yourself for magical lands, heart pounding battle, sailing through vast oceans and flying with fierce dragons. You’ll be pushed to your limits and sucked back in for this final, breathtaking adventure in The Goddess and the Guardians series. It’s the epic conclusion you never knew you were waiting for.

About Karen Tomlinson

Karen Tomlinson is the USA Today Bestselling author of The Goddess and the Guardians YA fantasy books.

Karen adores books and will read any genre that catches her eye. She was whisked away by fairies as a child, has been a dragon rider and grew up learning to fight. (This bit’s true!) She likes nothing better than an epic fantasy full of hot warriors and romance especially when it is set in a magical and dangerous world.

Karen lives in Derbyshire, England, (think Mr Darcy territory) with her husband, twin girls and her dalmatian, Poppy. When she is not busy writing, reading (or eating cake and drinking coffee) Karen likes to keep active. She has been practicing Shotokan karate since being thirteen, loves running, mountain biking and walking in the hills with her family.

She loves to connect with her readers and you can find her on:

www.karentomlinson.com, follow her on: Facebook-@ktomlinson.author. Chat on her Facebook group-Karen Tomlinson’s Silver Guardians, or follow her on Twitter-@kytomlinson and Instagram @karentomlinsonauthor or Book Bub

P.S>

I love to chat! Come join my Facebook street team or follow my Facebook page. If you have a blog or Bookstagram and want an interview or a review copy of one of my books, or something along those lines, just drop me an e-mail and we can discuss it. email@karentomlinson.com

Giveaway Link

Where To Find Signed Books When You Can't Get to A Signing

You all know the envy; all of your friends are meeting and having their favorite authors sign their books, whether it's at Apollycon, RARE, YALLFEST, YALLWEST, Texas Book Festival, NOLA Storycon, or any other author event and you have major FOMO. But you just couldn't swing it this time. OR.. all of your bookish friends that live in New York or some other heavily populated city get to go to book signings all the time but nobody ever comes to your middle of nowhere hometown. You'd love the latest Sarah J. Maas (or whoever the case may be) book signed but you can't make it to a signing. 

You could ask a friend to buy you a copy, but what if they forget? What if they get sick and miss the signing? What if there's a massive Krispy Kreme pile-up on 5th Avenue and they get sidetracked??? Today I'm letting you in on the secret of how I have amassed so many signed books without ever attending an author event (except my own) and where you too can order signed books for yourself. 

1. Good Choice Reading Virtual Signings

Good Choice Reading is a blog run by Damaris Cardinali who host tons of virtual signings for popular YA Authors. How it works: You order a book from their blog, pay through PayPal, when the book comes out Damaris meets with the authors who then sign the books and then in the next few days after being signed your book is on its way to you! Good Choice Reading's Virtual Signings are open internationally and you can get the book personalized to you! 

Current Virtual Signings:

- The Wicked King (and The Cruel Prince) by Holly Black

- Shatter Me (and others) by Tahereh Mafi 

- Speak (and others) by Laurie Halse Anderson

- Kingdom of the Blazing Phoenix (and Forest of a Thousand Lanterns) by Julie C. Dao

- Queen of Air and Darkness by Cassandra Clare

- The Art of Losing by Lizzy Mason

2. Apollycon Virtual Signing

Similar to Good Choice Reading, the Apollycon Virtual Signing is open from September 1st, 2018 through January 15, 2019 with over 100 participating authors! Apollycon is an annual event occurring toward the end of March each year, so when you order from the virtual signing please note that you won't get your signed books until after the event in March 2019! This is a great way to spend your Christmas money!

Some Authors Participating This Year:

Sarah J. Maas

Wendy Higgins

Jennifer L. Armentrout

Cora Carmack

Colleen Houck

Elise Kova

Kami Garcia

Katie McGarry

3. Books of Wonder 

Books of Wonder is an independent children's bookstore in New York City that hosts tons of author signings. You can preorder signed books ahead of release that will be signed at their author events then shipped to you or you can select an already released signed book from their online inventory which will be shipped to you right away. They also have a great selection of Middle Grade and Picture Books for younger children! How to know if a book is signed? On the book page it will say: "signed by."

Some of their Signed Preorders:

- Black Wings Beating by Alex London

- What If It's Us by Adam Silvera and Becky Albertalli 

- The Lady's Guide to Petticoats and Piracy by Mackenzi Lee

- Sawkill Girls by Claire Legrand

4. Book People

Book People is an independent bookstore in Austin, Texas and while they have a smaller selection of signed books than Books of Wonder, they're super friendly and they ship quickly.

5. Powell's Books

Powell's Books calls itself the world's largest independent bookstore and they also hold a bunch of signing events, not only for YA genres but a broad spectrum of genres!

6. Author Websites

Sometimes authors, usually indie authors will sell signed copies of their books directly on their websites. Those that don't might point you in the direction of where you can find signed books by them, usually directing you to contact their local booksellers who will be happy to ship to you. 

Indie Authors Who Sell Books On Their Websites:

- D. Kelly

- Skye Malone

- Kendall Ryan

- Tyffany Hackett

- Jesikah Sundin

- Becky Moynihan 

7. Waterstones

Waterstones is a bookstore in the UK and of course they have a section of books that are special editions and signed copies. This is a great option if you want those awesome UK covers. I'm pretty sure that they ship to the US. 

8. Barnes and Noble

Barnes and Noble has a new section for signed books on their website. 

***Also, if you see an author post their book tour schedule on twitter, you could always contact a specific store and see if you can order a copy by phone to be signed and personalized by the author when on their tour stop.***

Do you have any signed books? Have you met some of your favorite authors or do you order from virtual signings like me?

Book Review: Grim Lovelies by Megan Shepherd

Grim Lovelies by Megan Shepherd

Blurb:

Seventeen-year-old Anouk envies the human world, where people known as Pretties lavish themselves in fast cars, high fashion, and have the freedom to fall in love. But Anouk can never have those things, because she is not really human. Enchanted from animal to human girl and forbidden to venture beyond her familiar Parisian prison, Anouk is a Beastie: destined for a life surrounded by dust bunnies and cinders serving Mada Vittora, the evil witch who spelled her into existence. That is, until one day she finds her mistress murdered in a pool of blood—and Anouk is accused of the crime.

Now, the world she always dreamed of is rife with danger. Pursued through Paris by the underground magical society known as the Haute, Anouk and her fellow Beasties only have three days to find the real killer before the spell keeping them human fades away. If they fail, they will lose the only lives they’ve ever known…but if they succeed, they could be more powerful than anyone ever bargained for.

From New York Times bestselling author Megan Shepherd, Grim Lovelies is an epic and glittering YA fantasy. Prepare to be spellbound by the world of Grim Lovelies, where secrets have been long buried, friends can become enemies, and everything—especially humanity—comes at a price.

My Review:

“You thirst for magic so you can exact revenge. You want to destroy, to tear down. I see it in your eyes."

"And what's wrong with that?"

"Nothing, my dear, as long as you don't mind living in a broken world.”

 - Grim Lovelies by Megan Shepherd

Initially I requested this book because I loved the cover, heard great things about the book, and was interested in reading more after reading an excerpt on ew.com. I eagerly started this book and liked the beginning - until Mada Vittora's death. 

I could definitely see the comparisons to Cinderella with the animals turned into teenagers by witches then needing magic to remain human, I was even intrigued by the witch boys. I just had trouble connecting with Anouk. From the beginning I saw her as weak and naive; she acted so young and innocent from being so sheltered by Mada Vittora. While she seemed so attached to Mada Vittora and so torn up about her murder is unclear to me since by accounts from the other Beasties she was far from motherly, even going so far as to cut off some of Anouk's toes so her feet would better fit into her shoes. 

Then there was the strange tangle of relationships with Anouk. Beau loved Anouk but she saw him like a brother. Anouk claimed Luc was also like a brother to her but she fixated on wanting to know where he was and finding him so much at the beginning of the book I thought she was interested in him. And the proposition from Prince Rennar which wasn't really an option at all. And what was that with Viggo? Real attraction or the backlash of some spell? 

Overall, I liked the concept and the setting of the story and the glimpse of world-building we see (sort of) but I had trouble connecting with the main character and the supporting characters. 

My Rating:

🌟🌟🌟

3 of 5 Stars!

"What I'm Reading" Wednesday #127

Over the weekend I started my third reread of the Sweep Series by Cate Tiernan. I finished Book of Shadows on Sunday, The Coven yesterday, and last night I started book 3...

Blood Witch (Sweep Series, Book 3) by Cate Tiernan

Blurb:

Morgan has found her mother's Wiccan tools, and her relationship with Cal is strong. Everything seems perfect. Except that Cal's half brother, Hunter, is stalking them. Hunter claims to be a Seeker who is investigating Cal for the misuse of magick. Who can she trust?

Thoughts Rereading This For the Third Time:

I still hate Cal as much as I did the previous two times I've read this series and I love that Hunter and Skye are introduced in this book. I just wish Morgan wasn't so brainwashed by everything Cal tells her. I know he was the one who introduced her to Wicca, but surely she should see he's not who she thinks he is...

{Release Day Blitz} Strong by Kylie Scott

   

From New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Kylie Scott comes a new story in her Stage Dive series… 

When the girl of your dreams is kind of a nightmare. As head of security to Stage Dive, one of the biggest rock bands in the world, Sam Knowles has plenty of experience dealing with trouble. But spoilt brat Martha Nicholson just might be the worst thing he’s ever encountered. The beautiful troublemaker claims to have reformed, but Sam knows better than to think with what’s in his pants. 

Unfortunately, it’s not so easy to make his heart fall into line. Martha’s had her sights on the seriously built bodyguard for years. Quiet and conservative, he’s not even remotely her type. So why the hell can’t she get him out of her mind? There’s more to her than the Louboutin wearing party-girl of previous years, however. Maybe it’s time to let him in on that fact and deal with this thing between them. 

**Every 1001 Dark Nights novella is a standalone story. For new readers, it’s an introduction to an author’s world. And for fans, it’s a bonus book in the author’s series. We hope you'll enjoy each one as much as we do.** 

AVAILABLE NOW

AMAZON US | AMAZON AUS | AMAZON UK

      “I don’t believe this,” I bitched.

 “My Valentino boots are actually sticking to the floor. That’s how gross this place is.”

 Lizzy just smiled. “Told you to dress casual.” 

 “I am.” The smile widened. “Jeans and a tee is casual.”

 “A tee? It’s velvet, Martha.” She held a bottle of beer up to her lips, taking a sip. “I said we were going to a dive bar. You have only yourself to blame for the fashion faux pas.” 

“But velvet is in!”

 “Would you two quit talking? I’m trying to listen,” said my brother, Ben. The big hairy idiot was slouched back in his chair, bopping his head in time to the music. 

 Lizzy shuffled closer all conspiratorial-like. “I know why you’re all dressed up.” 

 I said nothing. There was nothing to be said. 

 Next her gaze went to the man standing at the end of the bar across from us. No, no, I would not turn my head. I would not fall prey to her bullshit. 

After all, I’d managed to successfully avoid him for the forty-eight or so hours since my not so triumphant surprise return to the West Coast. Even with us both being in the same house.

 A very big sprawling house, but still. 

 On the other hand, it should probably be mentioned that he looked awfully good tonight in jeans and a white T-shirt with a leather jacket. 

Samuel Rhodes, otherwise known as Sam. Not a pretty man with his harsh features and bull-like neck, but something about him appealed to me. 

As always, his head was shaved and his body was built and my idiot fingers itched to explore. Okay. So I guess at some point I must have turned my head. And shit, he caught me looking. The corner of his lips rose just a little, just enough to mess with me, before he returned to doing his job by casually surveying the packed room. 

My heart did not speed up due to anything done by him. Clearly, I hadn’t totally caught my breath from when we’d walked in half an hour ago or something. That was all. 

Interesting to note, he did none of the checking me out typical of a heterosexual male who might have been into me. In fact, he didn’t really give me any signals at all. Ever.          

 

Kylie is a New York Times and USA Today best-selling author. She was voted Australian Romance Writer of the year, 2013 & 2014, by the Australian Romance Writer’s Association and her books have been translated into eleven different languages. She is a long time fan of romance, rock music, and B-grade horror films. Based in Queensland, Australia with her two children and husband, she reads, writes and never dithers around on the internet. You can learn more about Kylie from http://www.kylie-scott.com/ FACEBOOK | FACEBOOK FAN GROUP | TWITTER | INSTAGRAM | GOODREADS

Top Ten Tuesday: 10 Books by Favorite Authors I Haven't Read Yet

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme created by The Broke and The Bookish and currently hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl. 

Top Ten Tuesday: 10 Books by Favorite Authors I Haven't Read Yet

This week's TTT is all about books by favorite and beloved authors that somehow we haven't gotten a chance to read quite yet.

1. Until Friday Night by Abbi Glines

Until Friday Night is the first book in the Field Party Series and while I've read books 2 and 3, I've yet to read Until Friday Night. 

2. Sweet Temptation by Wendy Higgins

I've read the first three books in this series and this is more of a companion novel. I have a copy of this book - signed if I'm not correct, I just have rotten luck with companion novels.

3. Havoc by Jamie Shaw

I don't have a copy of this book yet and the author wasn't part of last year's Apollycon Virtual Signing but she's part of this year's and I'm waiting to buy my copy once I start my new job. I'll probably read it next spring.

4. Come Sundown by Nora Roberts

I love Nora Roberts and I've had a copy of this book since it came out, I just haven't gotten around to reading it yet. 

5. My Lady Jane by Cynthia Hand, Brodi Ashton, and Jodi Meadows

I have a copy of this book on my kindle, I have read My Plain Jane, I have not read My Lady Jane... yet. Maybe it's the fact that I have it in ebook and I hate using my kindle because it murders my eyes?

6. Wink Poppy Midnight by April Genevieve Tucholke

I've heard mixed reviews about this book. I couldn't get into Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea but I loved The Boneless Mercies so I'm torn on whether to try this one or not...

7. The Girl from the Well by Rin Chupeco

I love, love, love Rin Chupeco but my introduction to her was The Bone Witch so I haven't read this one yet. I actually think I had a copy from the library last October but didn't get a chance to read it because I checked out a ton of books... Maybe this year? I need a good, creepy read!

8. Siege and Storm by Leigh Bardugo

Um yeah. I've read Shadow and Bone and Ruin and Rising... I have a huge hole where Siege and Storm should be. But I finally tracked down a copy so I'll read it soon...ish.

9. Ink and Bone by Rachel Caine

I love Rachel Caine but for some reason I've just never been too interested in starting this series. I'm not sure why...

10. Of Monsters and Madness by Jessica Verday

I have no explanation for why I haven't read this book yet. It came out quite a while ago. I love the author's writing. I just haven't read this one...

What books by your favorite authors have you not gotten a chance to read yet? Is there a specific reason? 

Let me know in the comments or drop me a link to your TTT!

Book Review: Book of Shadows by Cate Tiernan

Book of Shadows (Sweep Series, #1) by Cate Tiernan

Blurb:

Something is happening to me that I don't understand.

I see things, feel things in a new way. I can do things normal people can't do. Powerful things. Magical things. It scares me.

I never chose to learn witchcraft. But I'm starting to wonder if witchcraft is choosing me.

My Review:

This is my 3rd reread of the Sweep Series and I still love Book of Shadows as much as I did the first time I read it. 

It's an easy book to get through, and in a way it's like stepping back into a teenage time of the past since this book was published when I was 8. It's such a contrast between the way Morgan's parents acted about her interest in Wicca then and how uninterested parents would be in 2018. Also in the way people act with Morgan's aunt being a lesbian and how open things are now. 

You have to remember this book is fiction. Yes, while this book/series has a lot of info about Wicca and always serves to renew my Wiccan beliefs, it's still a fiction book and details have been invented by the author. I think some readers forget that. 

Honestly, I think this series is so underrated and I wish more people knew about it. 

My Rating:

🌟🌟🌟🌟

4 of 5 Stars!

Book Review: TO KILL A KINGDOM by Alexandra Christo

To Kill A Kingdom by Alexandra Christo

Blurb:

Princess Lira is siren royalty and the most lethal of them all. With the hearts of seventeen princes in her collection, she is revered across the sea. Until a twist of fate forces her to kill one of her own. To punish her daughter, the Sea Queen transforms Lira into the one thing they loathe most—a human. Robbed of her song, Lira has until the winter solstice to deliver Prince Elian’s heart to the Sea Queen or remain a human forever.

The ocean is the only place Prince Elian calls home, even though he is heir to the most powerful kingdom in the world. Hunting sirens is more than an unsavory hobby—it’s his calling. When he rescues a drowning woman in the ocean, she’s more than what she appears. She promises to help him find the key to destroying all of sirenkind for good—But can he trust her? And just how many deals will Elian have to barter to eliminate mankind’s greatest enemy?

My Review:

On the Audiobook Narration:

I really enjoyed the Lira narration read by Stephanie Willis, not only did she paint a clear picture of Lira's perspective but she also brought the characters Lira encountered to life. On the other hand, I hated Jacob York's narration of the Elian chapters. Something about his voice didn't agree with me, he made the character sound too cocky and way older than he was supposed to be and the narration he did of the other characters, especially the female ones was just awful. 

On the Book Itself:

Overall, I really liked the story. I liked the distinction the author made between sirens and mermaids and the twist she made to the classic tale of the siren. I could've used more world-building as to the sea kingdom and Midas, it felt like the story revolved around the characters and their surroundings didn't matter. 

The story coasted along smoothly but the ending kind of let me down. I expected more out of the ending of a standalone. 

My Rating:

🌟🌟🌟🌟

4 of 5 Stars!

Top Ten Tuesday: 10 Upcoming Releases on My Fall TBR!

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme started by The Broke and The Bookish and currently hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl.

Top Ten Tuesday: 10 Fall Releases on My TBR List!

This week's TTT is all about books we plan to read this fall, and as per my usual I'm showcasing the fall 2018 releases I can't wait to read this fall!

1. Escaping From Houdini (Stalking Jack the Ripper #3) by Kerri Maniscalco

2. Time's Convert by Deborah Harkness

3. Sawkill Girls by Claire Legrand

4. Broken Things by Lauren Oliver

5. The Darkest Star by Jennifer L. Armentrout

6. Kingdom of Ash by Sarah J. Maas

7. Kill the Queen by Jennifer Estep

8. For A Muse of Fire by Heidi Heilig

9. What The Woods Keep by Katya de Becerra

10. Inked by Drew Elyse

What fall releases are you looking forward to? Let me know in the comments or drop me a link to your TTT!

Happy Reading Bookdragons!

P.S. for those looking for a dark, sexy fall read, check out my upcoming release, Headless!