September 30, 2017

ARC Review: An Enchantment of Ravens by Margaret Rogerson

An Enchantment of Ravens by Margaret Rogerson (Sept. 26, 2017)
Length: 304
Genre: Young Adult Fantasy
Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books (Simon & Schuster)
Source: I received a free eARC from the publisher. This did NOT affect my honest review.
Purchase: Barnes & Noble | Amazon
My Rating:
Goodreads Summary: Isobel is a prodigy portrait artist with a dangerous set of clients: the sinister fair folk, immortal creatures who cannot bake bread, weave cloth, or put a pen to paper without crumbling to dust. They crave human Craft with a terrible thirst, and Isobel’s paintings are highly prized among them. But when she receives her first royal patron—Rook, the autumn prince—she makes a terrible mistake. She paints mortal sorrow in his eyes – a weakness that could cost him his life. Furious and devastated, Rook spirits her away to the autumnlands to stand trial for her crime. Waylaid by the Wild Hunt’s ghostly hounds, the tainted influence of the Alder King, and hideous monsters risen from barrow mounds, Isobel and Rook depend on one another for survival. Their alliance blossoms into trust, then love, violating the fair folks’ ruthless Good Law. There's only one way to save both their lives, Isobel must drink from the Green Well, whose water will transform her into a fair one—at the cost of her Craft, for immortality is as stagnant as it is timeless. Isobel has a choice: she can sacrifice her art for a future, or arm herself with paint and canvas against the ancient power of the fairy courts. Because secretly, her Craft represents a threat the fair folk have never faced in all the millennia of their unchanging lives: for the first time, her portraits have the power to make them feel.

My Review

An Enchantment of Ravens in Three Words: Fun. Charming. Captivating.

I read An Enchantment of Ravens in one sitting. It may just be my favorite read of the year! I originally only picked up this book because of its beautiful cover. As it turns out, the words inside are just as beautiful. An Enchantment of Ravens may not be perfect, few things are, and some may find the romance rushed and will be looking for something a little deeper, but this book was perfect to me. It has my favorite fairy tale elements along with a swoony love interest.

This book is filled with a curious world, vivid descriptions, humor, plenty of swoons, and a fast paced plot. Whats not to like? Once I started reading, I just couldn't stop. It was just that good. The author does an amazing job at using imagery to bring the story to life right before your eyes. One second you will be sitting on your couch, and the next you will be in a world with scary creatures, delightful and frightening fae, and the most interesting season courts. The world building was immaculate, and as an added bonus it wasn't just shoved in your face all at the beginning of the book.

This story is one that fans of star-crossed lovers will immensely enjoy. Isobel is a wonderful artist who lost her parents and lives with her aunt and two younger and very interesting sisters. She paints portraits of the fair ones in exchange for enchantments. As for the Autumn Prince, Rook, he was perfection. Rook was handsome, not overly broody, charming, funny, kind, and proud. Their love comes fast, but since I fell for Rook just as fast it didn't bother me one bit. Their love is one worth cheering for.

There isn't a single thing I didn't like about this book. The characters have a nice amount of growth during their adventure. The magic is interesting and a delight to read about. The romance had some wonderfully steamy moments. The minor characters are a unique bunch of important players in the story. This book made me smile. It's as simple as that.

The Final Verdict: An Enchantment of Ravens is in fact enchanting. I highly recommend this book to everyone! Go buy it!

0 comments
September 27, 2017

ARC Review: The Hanging Girl by Eileen Cook

The Hanging Girl by Eileen Cook (Oct. 3, 2017)
Length: 320 pages
Genre: Young Adult/Mystery/Thriller
Publisher: HMH Books for Young Readers
Source: I received a free eARC from the publisher through Edelweiss. This did NOT affect my honest review.
Purchase: Barnes & Noble | Amazon
My Rating:
Goodreads Summary: Skye Thorn has given tarot card readings for years, and now her psychic visions are helping the police find the town’s missing golden girl. It’s no challenge—her readings have always been faked, but this time she has some insider knowledge. The kidnapping was supposed to be easy—no one would get hurt and she’d get the money she needs to start a new life. But a seemingly harmless prank has turned dark, and Skye realizes the people she’s involved with are willing to kill to get what they want and she must discover their true identity before it’s too late.

My Review

The Hanging Girl in Three Words: Suspenseful. Different. Captivating.

The Hanging Girl is a strong thriller with an interesting main character. It has the twists and turns one would come to expect in this genre. It will be a sure hit for all the readers that enjoyed the author's first mystery/thriller, With Malice.

Skye Thorn pretends to be a psychic in order to help solve a fake kidnapping that will result in her earning a large amount of cash. Nothing goes as planned and Skye must make some decisions about what to do next and if the money is worth it. Skye is a delightfully unreliable narrator since lying is what she does. I liked her from page one.

The pacing of The Hanging Girl goes at a nice quip that makes it a page-turner. Although a few of the shocking moments were not so shocking for me, I can see many who would drop their jaw at every turn.

For fans of unreliable narrators, delectable twists, creepy feels, and fake psychics.

The Bottom Line: It's worth a read. The perfect choice for a cool fall night.



2 comments
September 19, 2017

TTT #80: Ten Books On My Fall TBR List


Although I hardly stick to them, I always love making to-read lists! Fall is my favorite season and I can't wait to be able to wear my boots and scarves while drinking a pumpkin spice latte. I love reading under a warm blanket with my puppy in my lap and a good book that just feels like fall.


1. This Mortal Coil by Emily Suvada
2. Renegades by Marissa Meyer
3. The Midnight Dance by Nikki Katz
4. Tower of Dawn by Sarah J. Maas
5. Genuine Fraud by E. Lockhart


6. Jane, Unlimited by Kristin Cashore
7. Lucky in Love by Kasie West
8. Royal Bastards by Andrew Shvarts
9. Spellbook of the Lost and Found by Moira Fowley Boyle
10. Until Friday Night by Abbi Glines

6 comments
September 18, 2017

ARC Review: There's Someone Inside Your House by Stephanie Perkins

There's Someone Inside Your House by Stephanie Perkins (Sept. 26, 2017)
Length: 289 pages
Genre: Young Adult Thriller/Horror
Publisher: Dutton Books for Young Readers
Source: I received a free copy from the publisher at ALA this year. Thank you! This does NOT affect my honest review.
Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | The Book Depository
My Rating:
Goodreads Summary: One-by-one, the students of Osborne High are dying in a series of gruesome murders, each with increasing and grotesque flair. As the terror grows closer and the hunt intensifies for the killer, the dark secrets among them must finally be confronted. International bestselling author Stephanie Perkins returns with a fresh take on the classic teen slasher story that’s fun, quick-witted, and completely impossible to put down.

My Review

There's Someone Inside Your House in Three Words: Chilling. Bloody. Magnificent.

There's Someone Inside Your House begins with a chilling opening that will have your hairs standing on end. Set up like a slasher movie such as Scream and I Know What You Did Last Summer, this book gave me plenty of chills and thrills.

Stephanie Perkins did an amazing job at setting the scene for this creepy story of local teens being murdered. She has a way with words. Thanks to the amazing descriptions I was able to visualize the town, the fall weather, and everything in between, she made the story come to life like I was actually watching a slasher movie.

I found the main character Makani to be just as unique as her love interest Olly. Yes, there is romance in this horror novel. Although I did enjoy it, I didn't care about the romance as much as everything else going on. I'm not sure these main characters will have a lasting affect on me, but I did find them to be interesting. However, I did absolutely adore Makani's grandmother!

You are probably wondering if this book was scary. I will start by admitting that I personally get scared pretty easily. With that being said, even though at times the story had my skin crawling and made me a little on edge, I don't think too many people would find this book all that scary. What about its mystery elements? Although I didn't guess the killer, I was a little disappointed by that reveal. On the other hand, I thought the overall pacing of the story was spot on and kept me turning the pages. The ending scene was slasher movie perfection.

The Verdict: There's Someone Inside Your House is a must read for the month of October!

0 comments
September 17, 2017

Book Review: First Step Forward by Liora Blake

First Step Forward (#1) by Liora Blake
Length: 358 pages
Genre: Adult Romance
Publisher: Pocket Books
Source: I received a free copy from the author through Xpresso Book Tours. Thank you so much! This did NOT affect my honest review.
Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
My Rating:
Goodreads Summary: Pro-football player Cooper Lowry is off the field and into some trouble—in the form of a very alluring, very free-spirited apple orchard owner named Whitney Reed—in the first installment in Liora Blake’s all new Grand Valley series. After eight seasons playing pro-football, Cooper Lowry knows all the right answers. Is he stubborn, short-tempered, and impatient? Yes. Are jersey chasers more trouble than they’re worth? Absolutely. Has he ever imagined a life beyond the game? Nope. Cooper has built an enviable career—the result of staying focused, working hard, and keeping his head on straight—even as his body takes the brunt. So when a hard hit during a Sunday home game leaves him in a dazed heap on the field, it’s nothing more than another day at the office. The only thing that’s different about this Sunday is a chance encounter with a certain fascinating, beautiful free-spirited woman. And some sternly-worded instructions from his coach to take a little time off and give his body the TLC it craves—before he does lasting damage. Whitney Reed is a few months away from losing the organic fruit orchard she bought three years ago in the tiny town of Hotchkiss, Colorado. At the time, she was just looking for a place to get lost. Instead, she found a home, somewhere she could finally put down roots. Now foreclosure is knocking on her door—along with a grumpy, gorgeous football player who might be just what she never knew she needed.

My Review

First Step Forward in Three Words: Football. Apples. Swoons.

First Step Forward is a charming romance set in the wonderful state of Colorado. The author's descriptions of the setting really pulls you in, and with the help of its two interesting main characters, it is even easier to get lost in this delightful story.

Cooper has been a pro-football player for years, and it's starting to take a toll on his body. After losing her father, Whitney is trying to start over with a small fruit orchard, but she soon discovers that it is harder than it looks to stay afloat. On a chance meeting in Denver after a rough football game, we get to see their amazing meet cute from the male's POV. Cooper is the best part of this story. He is strong, can be cranky, is sweeter than sweet, and loves football. Whitney is stubborn, organic, and determined. They make a unique pair that made me smile. Although I would have liked a little more time with them, I enjoyed the fascinating minor characters as well.

The plot of First Step Forward is of your standard romance variety, but the important big romantic scenes are perfect. They will make your heart flutter. The only major complaint I had of this book was the pacing of the plot. It just seemed off from the start, especially when looking at how soon these characters seem to genuinely care for each other even though they are strangers. However, I was able to look past this flaw and enjoy its football scenes and romantic gestures.

The Final Verdict: First Step Forward is a sweet story. I recommend reading this book in the fall. It will leave you on the hunt for some delicious apple butter. I would read more books by this author.
0 comments
September 15, 2017

ARC Review: One Dark Throne by Kendare Blake

One Dark Throne (#2) by Kendare Blake (Sept. 19, 2017)
Length: 464 pages
Genre: Young Adult Fantasy
Publisher: Harper Teen
Source: I received a free eARC from the publisher through Edelweiss. This did NOT affect my honest review. Thank you!
Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
My Rating:
Goodreads Summary: The battle for the Crown has begun, but which of the three sisters will prevail? With the unforgettable events of the Quickening behind them and the Ascension Year underway, all bets are off. Katharine, once the weak and feeble sister, is stronger than ever before. Arsinoe, after discovering the truth about her powers, must figure out how to make her secret talent work in her favor without anyone finding out. And Mirabella, once thought to be the strongest sister of all and the certain Queen Crowned, faces attacks like never before—ones that put those around her in danger she can’t seem to prevent.

My Review

One Dark Throne in Three Words: Dark. Captivating. Fierce.

Read. This. Book.

One Dark Throne does NOT suffer from second book syndrome. If you loved Three Dark Crowns you will love this second book in the series. The characters are stronger, the stakes are higher, and the battle is bigger.

If you had a favorite sister in the first book, your opinions may change, your will may break, and your heart may bleed. These girls are strong. The minor characters are interesting. This book is twisty and complex and will hook you from page one. There is so much going on and I loved every freaking second of it. It's crazy, never boring, harsh, and will keep you on the edge of your seat.

I know I am being vague, but I don't want to let any fun tidbits slip. I want you to experience this book for yourself. I loved everything about it, and I think you will too.

The Bottom Line: One Dark Throne is a must read fantasy series for fantasy fans of any age.


0 comments
September 12, 2017

TTT #79: Books I Loved During The First Year I Started My Blog


I only had eight books for this topic because I didn't start using goodreads until I started my blog which was half way through 2012! Without further ado, here are eight of my favorite books during 2012, the year I started my blog. Wow, I have been doing this a long while. I linked up my embarrassing reviews of these books. Enjoy!


1. Outlander by Diana Gabaldon
2. The Mark of Athena by Rick Riordan
3. Carnival of Souls by Melissa Marr
4. The Book of Blood and Shadow by Robin Wasserman


5. Delirium by Lauren Oliver
6. The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater
7. Monument 14 by Emmy Laybourne
8. The Book Thief by Markus Zusak 

3 comments
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