Cover Reveal:: TIMELESS

The cover for TIMELESS, the final book in Michelle Madow's "Transcend Time Saga" has been revealed.
Made by Michelle herself.

 

The release is Nov 20th, 2012.

I can't wait to read about how this all ends... I loved the first book, and really enjoyed the short story 'Vengeance'.

Jen & April's review of "Masquerade" by Melissa de la Cruz

Masquerade (Blue Bloods #2) by Melissa de la Cruz

Publication date: May 1st, 2007

Publisher: Hyperion

Number of pages: 307

Format: Hardcover

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Description: Schuyler Van Alen wants an explanation for the mysterious deaths of young vampires. With her best friend, Oliver, Schuyler travels to Italy in the hope of finding the one man who can help - her grandfather. Meanwhile, back in New York, preparations are feverishly underway for the Four Hundred Ball, an exclusive gala hosted by the city's wealthy, powerful, and unhuman - a true Blue Blood affair.

But it's at the after-party, a masquerade ball thrown by the cunning Mimi Force, that the real danger lurks. Hidden behind the masks is a revelation that will forever change the course of a young vampire's destiny.

Rich with glamour, attitude, and vampire lore, this second installment in the Blue Bloods saga will leave readers thirsting for more.

Jen's review: Masquerade is the 2nd book in Melissa's "Blue Bloods" series. I love re-reading this series, because it has so much history, and I love the way Melissa has invented this world they are in. I love the attention to detail she has about the Blue Bloods and the history of them.

 In this installment, Sky and Oliver are in Venice trying to track down her MIA grandfather, Lawrence, who her grandmother said to find as he would know more about what she is seeking than anyone else. 

Things don't go according to plan and they return empty handed, but she soon discovers that everything might not be lost as she might have thought. 

 Between coming into newfound powers, battling her feelings for Jack and trying to figure out the mystery on who the Silver Blood is hiding amongst them, Sky's life suddenly is full of surprises.
Mimi and Bliss on the other hand are battling other things differently. With Mimi, she still sees Sky has a threat toward her relationship with Jack, and will do anything to protect that. And Bliss on the other hand is battling something totally different and much darker than ever anticipated.

After the death/disappearance of her boyfriend, Bliss keeps having blackouts and disturbing nightmares of something or someone after her. A beast of some kind.
A new boy then enters the picture who changes everything. He is someone who claims to know her, but she doesn't remember a thing about him. Is he lying, or has her past memories yet to surface?

I begun to realize that while Jack's might have been attracted to Sky initially in the beginning because of Allegra (I am guessing she must have been black haired at some point, since she is blonde now), but he fell in love with her because of Sky, and who she is. It kind of reminds me a little of The Vampire Diaries a little bit, and the attraction Stefan had for Elena initially might have stemmed from Katherine, but that's totally Offtopic.
I did love the little interactions between them in this book. Its progress that's building up to something big, I can imagine. A story that's only just beginning.
Jack tries to stay away from her and tries to explain away his attraction for her, but the more he finds himself doing little things to be around her.

Jack, buddy. You have it bad.

There isn't much history about in this book from the past. It more deals with the potential the the Silver Bloods are back, and who could be harbouring one.
Sky's family problems, Mimi's jealousy and Bliss's dark and haunted dreams make for one amazing book.
This series just gets better and better.

Rating:: 5 out of 5

April's review:

Masquerade picks up about two months after Blue Bloods left off. Feeling even more alone in the world, Schuyler is overjoyed when her grandfather decides it's time to rejoin the Blue Blood society and returns to New York. Even though Jack Force has stopped talking to her, she can't seem to get him out of his head. Her grandfather sees Jack's attractions towards Sky and just assumes that she doesn't return the feelings, saying if she did it would only result in their dooms.

Cruz has an amazing talent for slipping out only hints of information here and there that keeps you guessing and wanting to read more. Even though I have read this book before, it was like reading it for the first time. I just couldn't put it down. If you loved Sky and Jack in the first book, you will love them even more in this book. We are introduce a new character, Kingsley, whom shares the same curiosity for the dark magic that is forbidden to them. Which of course isn't good news for Sky.

When a Silver Blood is summoned, we learn that Mimi, Sky, and Bliss were the main suspects for harboring one.  And that Kingsley isn't who he says he is. When the final outcome is that Mimi is sentenced for death, having her blood burn, but is she really guilty? Sky is the only one that has the power to determine if Mimi is really guilty or innocent. But will she do it?

The book is very fast paced, and we learn a bit more information. It will leave you craving for more.

Rating: 4/5 

Jen's review of "A Corner of White" by Jaclyn Moriarty

A Corner of White (The Colours of Madeleine #1) by Jaclyn Moriarty

Publication date: September 18th, 2012

Publisher: Pan Macmillan Australia

Number of pages: 400

Format: Paperback

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Description: Madeleine Tully lives in Cambridge, England, the World – a city of spires, Isaac Newton and Auntie’s Tea Shop.

Elliot Baranski lives in Bonfire, the Farms, the Kingdom of Cello – where seasons roam, the Butterfly Child sleeps in a glass jar, and bells warn of attacks from dangerous Colours.

They are worlds apart – until a crack opens up between them; a corner of white – the slim seam of a letter.

A mesmerising story of two worlds; the cracks between them, the science that binds them and the colours that infuse them.

I would like to thank Pan Macmillan for giving me this chance to review this book. I admit, I never had heard of this author before, so I was going into this book blindsided and didn't know what to expect. 

I was interested and intrigued by the plot that I was willing to give this a shot.

I was not disappointed, that is for sure.

The world that Jaclyn brings you into is breathtaking. Think about two sides of a world. One where you live in reality. Another... where there is a magical land full of possibilities.... something that sounds like from a book, or a movie. Nothing you ever thought or even dreamed would be real.

But guess what? It is.

In this book, we witness the impossible. Two people from different worlds find a way to connect and communicate to one another.

Madeline and Elliot are young teenagers who discover one another by accident. There is a corner in which there is a tear between both worlds. Not enough to walk through, but only enough to be able to send letters to one another. A form of communication that is prominent throughout the entire book, and my favourite part of the novel.
I love the way, even though they go on with their lives,  they still have one another and their interesting friendship.

I found Jaclyn's writing interesting, yet compelling. I haven't read anything like this book in quite a while. Its very unique. The story-telling was amazing, with real characters with heartbreaking choices and decisions ahead of them.
While this is the first book in a series, I could see this being a stand alone as well, but I was glad to see there is more coming, because I can't wait to see what else is in store for Madeline and Elliot. 

I have many hopes for these two and their unique friendship.

We follow their lives, as they battle different family things and friendships. Hardships and heartbreaks. But what keeps them in check in the connection they have with one another.
This is the story of Madeline and Elliot... and the crack in between their worlds.

Oh, and yes... different colours...that aren't what we might think they are.

Rating: 4 out of 5

Teaser Tuesday 09

Teaser Tuesday is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Want to play along?

• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share 2 "teaser" sentences from somewhere on that page
• Be careful not to include spoilers
• Share the title and author

 This week's teaser is from Biting Cold by Chloe Neill. 

It wasn't until I'd dressed and rebelted my katana that I saw the small burgundy box that sat on the bed. It was bound in a white silken ribbon and topped with a perfect bow. 

April's review of 'The Hidden' by Jessica Verday

The Hidden (The Hollow #3) by Jessica Verday
Publication Date: September 6, 2011
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Number of Pages: 389
Format:  Hardback
Buy: Amazon | Barnes and Noble
Description:  A love that knows no bounds.

Abbey knows that Caspian is her destiny. Theirs is a bond that transcends even death. But as Abbey finally learns the full truth about the dark fate that links her to Caspian and ties them both to the town of Sleepy Hollow, she suddenly has some very hard choices to make. Caspian may be the love of her life, but is that love worth dying for?

Beautifully spun, emotionally gripping, and irresistibly romantic, The Hidden will leave you breathless.

It's no secret that I'm not particularly fond of this series. I wasn't overly excited to read this book. It was more of 'I'm going to read it so I'll be done with the series'. I did enjoy the books, but I could never connect with Abbey. I wasn't even surprise at the way it ended. I knew it was coming. The whole plot kind of reminded of Twilight, and while I still love Twilight, in this book I thought she was very stupid to give up her whole life just to be with a boy. Abbey had future dreams. In the end I understood her decision better, but it made the whole three books pointless. 

I adore Caspian, I really do. And like I just said I couldn't connect with Abbey. So in a result, I couldn't connect with them as a couple. I really did love their scenes on his Death Day. But for the most part, I really really wanted Abbey and Ben to get together. I wanted Abbey to move on with her life. Even before she had made her decision or even knew she was his other half, she should of known her and Caspian would have no future together.

For a book I wasn't that excited to read, I was surprised at how quickly I was able to read it. There was even a new character, Cyn introduce. Even though I get that she's some kind of witch, and served the purpose for Abbey to communicate to Kristen a few times, I thought her character was kind of point less. When everything came into a full circle and the holes were filled I wanted to roll my eyes. The reason Vincent wanted to keep Abbey alive? I just wanted to hit my head on something. Very selfish and was expecting something more. I still don't understand why Vincent thought Kristin was Caspian's other half. Or even why his partner wasn't with him. Or even why Caspian was drawn to Abbey in the first place and showed up at Kristen's funeral. There was plenty of scenes that was pointless. Like the girl from the insane asylum. I would of thought the girl was important to the storyline, but nope. I loved the fact that her mom rented the empty store, but to do it then? In the beginning of Abbey's senior year? Unrealistic. 

In the end, the books are descent. Not the best series I have read in the world. And really a disappointment from what I originally thought they would be about.

Rating: 3/5

April's review of 'Biting Cold' by Chloe Neill

Biting Cold (Chicagoland Vampires #6) by Chloe Neill
Publication Date: August 7, 2012
Publisher: New American Library 
Number of Pages: 337
Format: Paperback
Buy: Amazon | Barnes and Noble
Description:  Turned into a vampire against her will, twenty-eight-year-old Merit found her way into the dark circle of Chicago’s vampire underground, where she learned there was more to supernaturals than met the eye—and more supernaturals than the public ever imagined.And not all the secrets she learned were for sharing—among humans or inhumans. Now Merit is on the hunt, charging across the stark American Midwest, tailing a rogue supernatural intent on stealing an ancient artifact that could unleash catastrophic evil on the world. But Merit is also the prey. An enemy of Chicagoland is hunting her, and he’ll stop at nothing to get the book for himself. No mercy allowed.

                                                        No rules apply. No lives spared. The race is on.

I've been dying to get my hands on this book since the end of Drink Deep with Ethan coming back from the dead. After all Merit has gone through, she deserved some much need alone time with him. But as you can imagine the universe isn't in her favor. Instead Merit and Ethan are off chasing after Mallory whose as a deathly infatuation with dark magic. 

The Mallory storyline unfolded very quickly, and honestly I was kind of disappointed. I was sure that it would be the main plot of the story. It was gearing up to be a big showdown, and then pretty much nothing. I was also a little disappointed in the lack of Catcher in this book. I simply adore him.  And not much on Jonah or the Red Guard in this book, but I'm sure this would be an issue for future books.

We do finally learn what Seth Tate is. Very interesting plot twist. And the best part of the book? Lots of Ethan. Once again he tried to halt his relationship with Merit. We see Merit as a new woman. She has grown into her powers and has finally embraced her vampire side. And she this Merit won't sit back and let Ethan decide when they are off or on.

With all the supernatural crisis going on in the city, the Cadogen House has a even much bigger problem. The GP has decided to cast a vote to decide if Cadogen House should remain within the GP. But the vampires decide to take ahold of their fate before it's decided for them. 

This book has reminded me why I fell in love with Merit and Ethan. Not to mention makes me want to visit Chicago, and taste all the food that Merit is in love with. I can't wait to read what else is store for our favorite vamps. 

Rating: 4/5

 

Jen's review of "Bane" by Trish Milburn

Bane (Coven #2) by Trish Milburn

Publication date: May 31st, 2012

Publisher: Bell Bridge Books

Number of pages: 178

Format: Kindle

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Description: To protect those she loves from herself, Jax will leave them all behind. She'll risk everything in a desperate search for answers.
Jax Pherson fled the darkest of covens and from her own father's evil. For a brief moment, her courage was rewarded. She found everything she'd ever wanted. A normal life. An amazing boyfriend. An envy-worthy best friend .
But her past put them all in danger, forcing a confrontation with the dark covens. In a life-and-death battle to save those she loved from the covens, Jax gained staggering power. Power so intense, so dangerous, she fears the darkness that now dwells inside her like a living thing.
If she can't control the power, she may yet become as evil as the witches she conquered.
With her friend Egan, Jax leaves all she's built and heads for the one place that might hold the answers she desperately needs to hold back the darkness-Salem, Massachusetts. Her research unearths a shocking discovery: the Bane, a secret group of witches dedicated to thwarting the covens.
Jax desperately needs their help in her fight against the covens, but finding the Bane is easier said than done and takes all her skills and courage. As Jax gets closer, her dark powers begin to rise and control her actions. If she succumbs to the darkness, Jax may have as much to fear from the Bane as the evil covens and the determined hunter on her trail.

This series is a fun one. It's an easy read, and this book is no exception.
In the first book, White Witch, we saw Jax find a life she wanted and fell in love. Things happened and she had to leave.
While she and her friend, Egan leave and find themselves in Salem, they start to dig into family histories and discover more than they ever bargained for.

Not only do they realize they have been lied to their entire lives, but the real truth about themselves and their powers is something they didn't anticipate upon.
Soon enough, Jax and Egan find themselves not alone, and discover that their past has caught up to them. Whether or not that's a good thing is yet to be determined.

I like both Jax and Egan. They are good friends. They both find themselves with similar pasts with complicated relationships with ones they love.

In this book, I like that we get down to more of the white witches, and whether or not Jax might be one.

Salem isn't what they think it is. The people... there are more to them than just ordinary folk, and Jax and Egan soon find themselves in the midst of something they never expected to be in.

The end of the book brings a whole new level of cliffhanger. It's something where you can't imagine what will happen from here on out, but want to know more.

With a great plot, new characters and a new town.. crazy and bizarre discoveries, this book is twice as good as the first book in this series. Things can only get better.

 Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to review this title.

Rating: 4 out of 5

Jen's review of "Spark" by Amy Kathleen Ryan

Spark (Sky Chasers #2) by Amy Kathleen Ryan

Publication date: August 1st, 2012

Publisher: Pan Macmillan

Number of pages: 384

Format: Paperback

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Description: Waverly and Kieran are finally reunited on the Empyrean. Kieran has led the boys safely up to this point, and now that the girls are back, their mission seems slightly less impossible: to chase down the New Horizon, and save their parents from the enemy ship. But nothing is truly as it seems…Kieran’s leadership methods have raised Seth’s hackles— and Waverly’s suspicions. Is this really her fiancé? The handsome, loving boy she was torn from just a short time before? More and more, she finds her thoughts aligned with Seth’s. But if Seth is Kieran’s Enemy No. 1, what does that make her?

In one night, a strange explosion rocks the Empyrean—shooting them off course and delaying their pursuit of the New Horizon—and Seth is mysteriously released from the brig. Seth is the most obvious suspect for the explosion, and Waverly the most obvious suspect for releasing him. As the tension reaches a boiling point, will Seth be able to find the true culprit before Kieran locks them both away—or worse? Will Waverly follow her heart, even if it puts lives at risk? With the balance of power precarious and the clock ticking, every decision counts… every step brings them closer to a new beginning, or a sudden end...

I admit, Glow didn't blow me out of the water. I wasn't even sure I would want to read Spark, but since I was given this book to review from the publisher, I decided I had nothing to lose and would check it out. 

I was pleasantly surprised at how much I did enjoy this book. I would say, definitely more than the first. I had no expectations going on, and so what I got out of it was quite a surprise.
I do like the format, Amy does with this series with each chapter an alternating point of view, in each of the three main characters POVs.

Keiran can be a pain in the butt at times, and there are times where I wanted to knock some sense into him and smack him, but then, I also think he is also a teenager and is trying to do what he thinks is best, and that doesn't always come across well to others.
Seth, is someone who I continue to like... but he hasn't had it easy and the fact that he and Keiran don't get along doesn't help matters.
Waverly, for someone so young hasn't had it easy, and it doesn't help that she gets the blame for not bringing their parents back.
The others didn't understand, because they weren't there, and have no way of understanding what happened, nor what it took for her to leave the parents and she couldn't do anything about it.

When more danger starts to occur upon their ship, people start to get scared and wonder who they can really trust. Each of the characters have their role to play in this book, and the consequences that transpire turn the heads upside down.

Thanks to the publisher, Pan Macmillan for letting me this opportunity to review this title.

Rating::  4 out of 5

April's review of 'Fifty Shades of Grey' by E.L. James

Fifty Shades of Grey(Fifty Shades #1) by E.L. James
Publication Date: May 26, 2011
Publisher: Vintage
Number of Pages: 514
Format: Paperback
Buy: Amazon | Barnes and Noble
Description:  When literature student Anastasia Steele goes to interview young entrepreneur Christian Grey, she encounters a man who is beautiful, brilliant, and intimidating. The unworldly, innocent Ana is startled to realize she wants this man and, despite his enigmatic reserve, finds she is desperate to get close to him. Unable to resist Ana’s quiet beauty, wit, and independent spirit, Grey admits he wants her, too—but on his own terms.

Shocked yet thrilled by Grey’s singular erotic tastes, Ana hesitates. For all the trappings of success—his multinational businesses, his vast wealth, his loving family—Grey is a man tormented by demons and consumed by the need to control. When the couple embarks on a daring, passionately physical affair, Ana discovers Christian Grey’s secrets and explores her own dark desires.

Erotic, amusing, and deeply moving, the Fifty Shades Trilogy is a tale that will obsess you, possess you, and stay with you forever.

Yes occasionally I will read a book that isn't paranormal. I knew it was originally a fanfic of Twilight, and don't get me wrong I love Twilight, and because of that for the longest while I wasn't sure I wanted to read this series. Then I started to see all my friends on Facebook reading it and being obsessed with it, and these are people that I know aren't really readers. So I decided to go ahead and read it. Right off the bat I could see the similarities and references to Twilight. They were way too obvious. 

If I had to rate the book on the writing alone, it would get 1 star. This has to be one of the worst written book I've ever read. Why does the characters always whisper or murmur? And in the first few chapters his grey eyes haunted Ana's dreams. Yes I get that. You do not have to repeat that every other page. And yes, I get that Ana biting her lip is a turn on for Christian, and it makes him want to have sex with her right then and there. You do not have to repeat that 2,000 times in this book. Right off the bat he sends her first edition of Tess of the d' Urbervilles with a quote. That should of been Ana's first clue. I remember watching the movie in high school, don't think I had actually ever finished reading the book, but I do remember Tess being raped and abused in the book. 

The plot of the book wasn't bad. It was actually intriguing. But Ana...I wanted to slap a bitch. How can you be so stupid? The whole book one minute she has decided that she can't deal with Christian's lifestyle and wants nothing to do with him, and then the very next minute she decides that she wants to be with him? You should never lower your morals for a man. 

On to Christian. Yes he has demons, but he's way too controlling and likes to stalk. Do you want a guy that knows your every single move? She went across country to not only get away from him and think, but to visit her mom, and he shows up! Really?! Not to mention the emails they were exchanging before she realized he was in Georgia she was pissed at him. He shows up and all is forgiven? Grow a freaking backbone. And even though he mom insisted that she go with him and talk things out, still. She there for only a few days to visit her mom, and she stays with him for the rest of the night? My mom would of slapped me. I get that he needs to be in control. But there is a line and he is way over that line. He wants to control every aspect of her life; what she wears, what she eats, who she sees and talks to, etc. That is one step away from being abusive.  And his mood swings! I loved his moments when he's playful and joking around. The perfect bad boy millionaire. But it doesn't mesh with his lifestyle. Not to mention that when we talks about that, it sounds more like a business deal than sex. I mean "established subs"? *rolleyes* And what he said about during the interview she was all yes sir and no sir, and he thought she was a natural born sub? Please that is called manners. 

And how he got into this lifestyle? We can think Elena, or as Ana likes to refer to her Mrs. Robertson, Christian's mom friend that seduced him when he was 15! I'm sorry but I agree with Ana on this one. That is child molestation and disguising. Not to mention the things in the lifestyle she did to him would be child abuse. He was a freaking child! It's bad enough to have an affair when you're married, but to seduce a child? And back to Christian's jealousy, it's ok for him to still be friends with her and talk to her, go out to dinner with her (not ever 2 days after Ana left to see her mom), but he got pissed when Ana talked to her friend Jose, or went to the bar with him? Yes he made a pass and took it too far when they were drunk. But still. 

Overall I didn't love this book, but I didn't think it was the worst. Somewhere on the lower half. More than likely I'll read the rest of the series out of curiosity. 

Rating: 2/5

  

April's review of 'The Haunted' by Jessica Verday

The Haunted (The Hollow #2) by Jessica Verday
Publication Date: August 31, 2010 
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Number of Pages: 467
Format: Hardcover 
Buy: Amazon | Barnes and Noble
Description:  An impossible truth. An impossible love.

After months spent reclaiming her sanity and trying to forget the boy she fell in love with - the boy who must not exist, cannot exist, because she knows that he is dead - Abbey returns to Sleepy Hollow, ready to leave the ghosts of her past behind. She throws herself into her schoolwork, her perfume making, and her friendship with Ben, her cute and funny lab partner, who just might be her ticket to getting over Caspian once and for all.

But Abbey can never get over Caspian, and Caspian has no choice but to return to her side, for Caspian is a Shade, and Abbey is his destiny. They are tied not only to each other, but also to the town of Sleepy Hollow and to the famous legend that binds their fates - a legend whose dark truths they are only beginning to guess...

I wasn't impress anymore than I was impress with the first book. Even though I'm not familiar with the Legend of Sleepy Hollow, I love how the series connects to it. I just couldn't really connect to Abbey. I tried I really did. And I can't even really ship Abbey and Caspian. Even though I did started to like them better towards the end of this book. Though I did start to like them, I don't understand. Yes you can't help who you love, but he is a ghost. What kind of future does Abbey think she can have with him?  I do wish Abbey and Ben would of got together.

I thought this book was pretty much boring. I kept reading so to get through the book. It wasn't till the end of the book that things got interesting. We finally learned who killed Kristen, and honestly I'm still a little disappointed in that. I thought there would be more to it. And we got to see some of Caspian's childhood. Even though we know he died in a car wreck, I still want to know what exactly happen. 

I have an issue with timing. You're reading one scene and she ends it with a thought, and next thing you know it's weeks later. It just didn't flow right with me. I'll read the last book just to see how everything plays out. 

Rating: 3/5