This Year so far I have read 108 books, my goal is 110, which I believe I will make it so I am going to add some extras next year I am going to aim for level 2, Out of Breath 6-10 Extra Books.
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Goodreads
All the truth that’s in me by Julie Berry – Review
All the Truth that’s in me
By Julie Berry
Expected Publication: October 2013
Length: 304 pages
Publisher: Harper Collins Australia
Source: Supplied by publisher for Honest Review
Genre: YA
Synopsis from Goodreads
Four years ago, Judith and her best friend disappeared from their small town of Roswell Station. Two years later, only Judith returned, permanently mutilated, reviled and ignored by her friends and family.
Unable to speak, Judith lives like a ghost in her own home, silently pouring out her thoughts to her childhood friend, Lucas. He is the boy who has owned her heart for as long as she can remember – even if he doesn′t know it.
But when Roswell Station is attacked, long-buried secrets come to light, and Judith is forced to choose – to continue living in silence, or recover her voice, even if it means changing her world, and the lives around her, forever.
Told in a voice that is achingly raw and intimate, this remarkably original novel will haunt and stay with you. It will fill you with Judith′s passion and longing, and its mysteries will keep you feverishly turning the pages until the very last one
I wasn’t too sure what to think when I started reading this book, it is not my usual genre but I was drawn to the cover and the Title. First I had trouble getting into reading it because the narration was really off-putting and took me a long time to get use to it. The truth that’s in me is an emotional historical Y.A Fiction, About a young girl named Judith she talks a lot about a boy she is in love with but because she is younger he hasn’t really noticed her. One night Judith and a friend go missing, four years later Judith returns but her tongue has been removed.
What I found really heartbreaking and moving is that because Judith’s tongue has been removed she is seen as damaged by the towns people and her mother. Judith’s mother forbids her to talk because she says she is cursed. Judith has to live with the shame and scorn from everyone and keep what has happened to her a secret, but even with everyone turning their back against her she still rushes off to help defend her village when it is attacked by outsiders. The story takes a long time to unfold, which for me drives me crazy because I am impatient. I want to know what happened to Judith, but we only find out in bits and pieces throughout the novel, which in the end I thought was great because there is a twist at the end that I didn’t see coming.
There is a small amount of romance in this story as well with the young man who Judith fell in love with as a child, when she returns she finds that he is engaged to be married to another woman. There is a lot of back and forth because no one knows if Judith’s “virtue” is still intact, plus she is seen as less than and cursed, because of her tongue.
I really enjoyed All the Truth that’s in me. The story was beautiful and heartbreaking and you just felt like giving Judith a big hug and telling her it’s ok. The only reason I am not giving this book a five is because of the narrative but that is my own personal opinion because I love a book to flow easily.
I highly recommend this book.
Related articles
- Review: All the Truth That’s in Me by Julie Berry (wakingbraincells.com)
- Julie Berry and ALL THE TRUTH THAT’S IN ME (quirkandquill.com)
- Review of All The Truth That’s In Me By Julia Berry (ARC) (alleykat666books.wordpress.com)
Inhuman by Kat Falls – Review
Countdown
By Michelle Rowan
Expected Publication: October 2013
Length: 336 pages
Publisher: Harlequin Australia
Source: Supplied by publisher for Honest Review
Genre: Dystopian
Synopsis from Goodreads
3 seconds left to live. Once the countdown starts, it cannot be stopped.
2 pawns thrown into a brutal underground reality game.
Kira Jordan survived her family’s murder and months on plague-devastated city streets with hard-won savvy and a low-level psi ability. She figures she can handle anything. Until she wakes up in a barren room, chained next to the notorious Rogan Ellis.
1 reason Kira will never, ever trust Rogan. Even though both their lives depend on it.
Their every move is controlled and televised for a vicious exclusive audience. And as Kira’s psi skill unexpectedly grows and Rogan’s secrets prove evermore deadly, Kira’s only chance of survival is to risk trusting him as much as her instincts. Even if that means running head-on into the one trap she can’t escape.
GAME 0VER
I really enjoyed this novel, I thought that it was a fun take on a reality show, which could possibly happen in the future. Street kid Kira is dragged into a Reality show for Rich and privileged people which pits Kira and Rogan against obstacles that are life threatening for entertainment.
When I read I like to find a break in the action or a new chapter to put my book down, with Countdown this was nearly impossible, every-time I would decided to give reading a break something else would happen and I just couldn’t put it down. Full of Action, unique characters and situations, Countdown shows the depravity of humans where people find amusement from people fighting for their lives against their will.
Kira and Rogan are completely different, Kira being on her own and living on the streets after her family is murdered and Rogan, a former rich privileged boy on his way to a maximum security prison for Murder, Kira has to learn to trust Rogan if she wants to get out of Countdown alive.
I loved the interaction between Rogan and Kira, it made for interesting sexual tension considering Rogan is everything she hates, a murder. With The people behind countdown trying to get them to turn against each other to win the game.
Kira must survive through six levels of hell to escape to the Colony a mythical place where rich people can go to live out their lives in luxury, it is all Kira has ever wanted, but she still can’t betray Rogan even though he represents everything she hates.
The only reason I am not giving this story five stars is that I found some points in the story to be too coincidental, everything just seemed to fall into place too well. I know it is not a huge deal but It still bugged me.
Overall I would recommend this story to anyone who likes The hunger Games, or enjoys a heart stopping adventure dystopian.
Related articles
- Interesting! Countdown by Michelle Rowen (yareviewsblog.wordpress.com)
- Review: Countdown by Michelle Rowen (coffeeshopreader.wordpress.com)
The Lost Wolf’s destiny by Karen Whiddon – Review
The Lost Wolfs Destiny
By Karen Whiddon
Expected Publication: September 2013
Length: 304 pages
Publisher: Harlequin
Source: Supplied by publisher and Netgalley for Honest Review
Genre: Fairy tale, Paranormal Romance
Synopsis from Goodreads
A desperate mother. A scarred man. A powerful bond.
The moment he saw Blythe Daphne on the television news, Lucas Kenyon knew three things: she was a shapeshifter, like him. She was the most desirable creature he had ever seen. And she was in terrible danger.
Now, the wolf in Lucas is driving him to save Blythe and her young daughter from a man he knows is evil personified. A man who believes all shapeshifters are demons straight from hell. But Lucas knows he must never reveal the secret that threatens to tear him apart—not even to the one woman who could heal him
The Lost Wolf’s Destiny was a bit of an unsual story, The main character is Lucas and he escaped a terrible situation where his father is a terrible and powerful cult leader, Lucas and his twin sister realized they were defferent when they were children and started shifting into wolves, with only humans around Lucas and his sister would shift in secret and come up with theories on why they could do this, untill their father caught them shifting being a cult leader, he tried to remove the demon that possessed his children by torture and beatings, Lucas escaped but his sister had not been so lucky.
Blythe is a desperate mother, her daughter only part shifter has a terminal illness and after failing all medical options she seeks out Lucas father to heal her with faith, Blythe’s intuition is telling her that there is something wrong with him but she ignores it and takes her daughter to the compound and they are separated. Lucas goes and faces his fear and his father to save the life of a little girl and the woman he is instantly attracted to.
I have read some bad reviews on this story many stating that the Blythe was too stupid in sending her child to a cult to be healed. This is one thing probably would take a mother to understand, but when you are faced with the fact that your child is in danger all else ceases to matter, you wouldn’t think rationally if there is a small chance that someone could heal your child you would take it. Let’s face it that is how cults gain followers, by gaining the trust of desperate, needy people.
I found The Lost Wolf’s destiny to be a great distraction from the world, I loved that it was a short action filled story, filled with shifters.
I highly recommend it for anyone who feels like a short story escape.
Related articles
- The Lost Wolf’s Destiny by Karen Whiddon (creativedeeds.wordpress.com)
The Silver Chain – DNF
DNF – Did not Finish This is not a review just a note on why I could not finish this book.
The silver Chain
by Primula Bond
Expected Publication: August 2013
Publisher: Avon
Sypnosis from Goodreads
Bound by passion, she was powerless to resist.
One dark evening in London, photographer Serena Folkes is indulging her impulsive side with a night-time shoot. But someone is watching her – mysterious entrepreneur Gustav Levi. Serena doesn’t know it yet, but this handsome stranger will change her life forever…
Serena is fascinated by Gustav, the enigmatic owner of the Levi Gallery, and she soon feels an irresistible pull of attraction. The interest is mutual, and Gustav promises to launch Serena’s photographic career at his gallery, but only if Serena agrees to become his exclusive companion.
To mark their agreement, Gustav gives Serena a bracelet to wear at all times. Attached to it is a silver chain of which he is the keeper. With the chain Gustav controls Serena physically and symbolically – a sign that she is under his power.
As their passionate relationship intensifies, Gustav’s hold on the silver chain grows stronger. But will Gustav’s dark past tear them apart?
A seductive and beautifully written novel for erotic romance fans. The Silver Chain is the first in the sexy, passionate and addictive Unbreakable Trilogy by Primula Bond
I received this book from Netgalley I loved the cover and it intrigued me. Unfortunately I could not get into this book I have tried for a few months now to read it without luck. I can’t tell you specifically what it is about this book that I did not enjoy But by Chapter two I still could not connect with the characters or the story. This scenario really stresses me out because I hate leaving a book unread. But I really do think that this book wasn’t for me. There are quite a lot of good reviews out there as well as some bad, So It is up to you what you think of this one.
Related articles
- The Silver Chain by Primula Bond (readinginthesunshine.wordpress.com)
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The Raven by Edgar Allen Poe – Review
The Raven
By Edgar Allen Poe
Expected Publication: August 2013
Length: 46 pages
Publisher: Gallery Books
Source: Brought from Amazon (free)
Genre: Horror/Poetry
Synopsis from Goodreads
Includes the full text of Edgar Allan Poe’s classic narrative poem, as well as an extended excerpt from Lynn Cullen’s Mrs. Poe.hing bigger than she ever imagined?
I am not big into Poetry, I can’t rhyme and I always failed in poetry classes, I am just not that creative. But that is the beauty of Art, If you can’t create you can enjoy someones work of art. The Raven was the first poem that I have ever read that I wasn’t forced to, I loved it from It’s creepy story line to the beautiful haunting words. Even though it is one of my favorite poems, I don’t have a copy of it anywhere of course I could Google it, but I really loved the cover of this copy as well as now I will always have a copy on my kindle to treasure. I highly recommend this poem to everyone, It is amazing and Free at the moment on Amazon.
- “The Raven” by Edgar Allen Poe – Analysis (julianvidal96.wordpress.com)
The Howling Heart tour stop and Giveaway – Review
The Howling Heart Tour Stop
By April Bostic
Expected Publication: August 2013
Length: 262 pages
Publisher: Eternal Press
Source: Gifted by Author and Itching for Books, Book Tours for review.
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Read If you liked: Mythology and Shifters
The Howling Heart
Synopsis via Goodreads:Paige Donovan is an ambitious college graduate who aspires to reach the top of the corporate ladder. She’s climbing fast when given the promotion of a lifetime at a prestigious fashion magazine in New York City. Her bright future comes to an unexpected halt after news of her father’s death. She inherits his old cabin in the Colorado Rockies and just when she thinks her luck couldn’t get any worse, she has a car accident in the mountains and awakens in the small, remote community of Black River. Soon she’s engulfed in the mystical world of Varulv—wolves descended from 12th century Scandinavia and blessed by Norse gods with the ability to appear human. Paige is desperate to return home, but never expects to fall for her rescuer, Riley Gray, a charming young werewolf from England who offers her an alternate future with his pack. Now she must choose between the career she’s always wanted and the love she’s always dreamed.Release date: August 1st 2013About the AuthorApril Bostic is a New Jersey-based romance author who enjoys unleashing her creativity and letting her imagination run wild. Her love of romance books inspired her to become not just a reader, but also a writer. In December 2008, she self-published her first novel, a contemporary romance with a supernatural twist entitled “A Rose to the Fallen”. Her first short story, “Right Here, Right Now”, released in January 2012 is an erotic romance with a dash of S&M. The following year, she released two more short stories: a romantic urban fantasy inspired by the Greek myth of Eros and Psyche entitled “Eros, My Love”, and a sexy romantic comedy entitled “Love Addiction”. After five years, she will release her second novel “The Howling Heart” in August 2013, a paranormal romance that delves into the mystical world of werewolves and Norse gods.AUG. 12 – Book-Marks the Spot *ReviewNo Bent Spines *Review & Favorite QuotesLeeanna.me *ReviewBookish Confections *Blurb & Excerpt (blogger’s choice)Aripi pentru a visa *ReviewRose & Beps Blog *BlurbAUG. 14 – Words Create Scenes *Review & Favorite QuotesBreathe In BooKs *Review & Dream Cast (blogger’s choice)Peace, Love and Fangirl *Review & Favorite QuoteAUG. 15 – Books Keep Me Sane *Review & Favorite QuoteMy Bookmark Blog *ReviewImagine a World *Review & Excerpt (blogger’s choice)AUG. 16 – Once Upon a Coffin *ReviewA Dream Within A Dream *Blurb & Excerpt (blogger’s choice)Ladybug Literature *ReviewAussie bookworm *Review & Favorite Quote
Welcome to the lucky last Tour stop for April Bostick’s The Howling Heart, make sure you read to the bottom to enter the giveaway to win Art work.
I really enjoyed The Howling heart, I really enjoy shifter series and this was a little bit different to others, Paige has finally made it, She has the Perfect Boyfriend and Job, She is celebrating her success with her friends when her life crumbles, Not only does she catch her boyfriend cheating she gets a phone call to say her father has died.
Paige’s father leaves her a cabin in the woods as her inheritance, she has not been there since she vacationed there when she was ten years old and made friends with a beautiful white wolf cub. Paige returns to fix up the cabin when she meets some unusual people. Including Riley who she is instantly attracted to.
I enjoyed Paige’s character she is strong, Independant and not afraid to tell people what she wants, Reiley however felt a bit Immature to me, I like a strong take charge man and at time Reiley acted more like a little kid than a Beta Male.
The howling heart was a nice change from the usual shifter tales, April managed to keep me entertained with her version of swedish werewolfs, I liked the Mythology elements as well incorporating Norse Gods.
It is a very enjoyable read, I read it in one day. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who likes mythology and shifters.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
- The Howling Heart and a Giveaway! (parayournormal.wordpress.com)
- Book Blast: The Howling Heart by April Bostic (nightlyreading.wordpress.com)
- The Howling Heart Spotlight (ccclubbs.com)
- The Howling Heart Release Blast: White Wolf Sculpture Giveaway (prettyopinionated.com)
- Book Blitz: Howling Heart by April Bostic (debdebreviews.wordpress.com)
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Zombie Apocalypse Now! by Rachel Tsoumbakos – Review
Zombie Apocalypse Now! (part 1)
By Rachel Tsoumakos
Expected Publication:January 2013
Length: 11 pages
Source: Brought from Amazon
Genre: Zombie Apocalypse
Read If you liked: zombie books
Synopsis from Goodreads
***NOTE: This is a serialised story and each part is approximately 1,600 – 2,500 words long***
So what is Zombie Apocalypse Now! I hear you ask? Only the most awesome zombie serial to hit the shelves recently! There is blood and guts and more brains than you can poke a gun at. This serial is based around four female characters who find themselves sucked into the zombie apocalypse. Yep, women! For once we get to experience the apocalypse from a female point of view. But don’t worry, these women are no shy and retiring wallflowers (except maybe for Rosalyn), they are ready and eager to jump right in to the thick of it – camo stilettos and all!
In this first part we meet…
Rosalyn
The least outgoing of the bunch, Rosalyn has recently lost her husband and we discover her in the opening scenes, having to defend her house against a zombie child. She has spent the first part of the zombie apocalypse holed up in the roof cavity of her house with a stockpile of food and nothing but diverted rainwater to drink. She may be quiet, but she sure is resilient!
Zombie Apocalypse now! is a short serial by this months Aussie Featured Author Rachel Tsoumakos. Although extremely short, it is Intriguing and leaving you wanting more. Rosalyn watched the Zombie Apocalypse unfold from the attic space in her roof, she watched while the world fell apart leaving her trapped in her house trying to survive. Soon Rosalyn needed to leave and this is where it gets interesting we get a glimpse of a lone female survivor trying to survive while a zombie attacks her house.
Zombie Apocalypse now! is a short and action filled read, It leaves you wanting more on what will happen to Rosalyn.
The only downside to this book is the length but luckily the later installments are available on Amazon now. I am looking forward to reading the next.
Check out the Feature for Rachel Here
Earthbound by Aprilynne Pike – Review
EarthBound
By Aprilynne Pike
Expected Publication: August 2013
Length: 353 pages
Publisher: Harper Collins Australia
Source: Gifted by Harpercollins Australia for Review
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Read If you liked: Fallen
Synopsis from Goodreads
Eighteen-year-old Tavia is the only survivor of a plane crash that killed her parents. Grieving and lonely, she starts having strange visions; of a boy she’s never met but feels compulsively drawn to. A boy who tells her to do things she never dreamed of.
Tavia begins to suspect that secrets are being kept from her, and that her kindly aunt and uncle know more than they are letting on. Was the plane crash really an accident? Or is Tavia part of something bigger than she ever imagined?
With only her instincts and long-time crush, Benson, to rely on, Tavia must decide where her destiny lies, and who with.
Wow, what an amazing start to a new Series. I enjoyed Aprilynne’s Wings series, But I loved Earthbound. I loved the colour and design of the cover, it drew me in straight away even though you don’t really get any information about the plot of the novel.
In Earthbound we meet Tavia who is recovering after being the only survivor of a plane crash. I really liked Tavia she is a strong willed survivor after everything she went through with the plane crash and losing her parents she refuses to give up. We find out a lot about Tavia through her sessions with her psychologist Elizabeth. Things start getting strange for Tavia though when she sees a strange man appearing everywhere, even though he seems creepy and stalkerish, Tavia is inexplicably drawn to him as well as having strong feelings for this mysterious stranger. Tavia’s Best friend is a boy named Benson, he works in a library and you get the feeling he is fighting his feelings for Tavia, and this is proved when he runs away with Tavia and does everything in his power to keep her safe.
Earthbound is a complete mystery from the beginning I found I could not put it down because I had no Idea what the book was about, I didn’t know if it was an angel/ vampire story or a sci fi or just a human psychic story. Usually if I don’t know what a book is about It frustrates the hell out of me. I have to read the blurb or get some understanding in what to expect, But Earthbound is so beautifully written that instead of being frustrated I found I was Intrigued.
I love the dynamic between the characters, you don’t know who is a friend and who is an enemy, you are just in the dark as what Tavia is. It has been a long time since I have read such a unique book, I loved it.
I highly recommend Earthbound to anyone who needs something new and exciting.
- Waiting on Wednesday (7): Earthbound by Aprilynne Pike (playingjokers.wordpress.com)
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Stolen Fruits by Ashley Spector – Review
Stolen Fruits
By Ashley Spector
Expected Publication: July 2013
Length: 32 pages
Publisher: Forbidden Fruit Press
Source: Brought from Amazon
Genre: Historical Romance
Read If you liked: To sin with a Viking by Michelle Willingham
Synopsis from Goodreads
Hilda lives a simple life; busy doing her duties around the medieval village she calls home, she can barely think of another way to live. When Viking raiders arrive to loot and pillage her settlement, however, everything changes. Hilda thinks quickly, and offers herself as a bride to the Viking leader; to follow his every whim and desire, if he’ll only end the destruction.
What she finds is a man more sensitive and war-wearied than she ever expected, and her soon-to-be Viking husband finds a confident and fearless wife; a perfect fit for the mother of his child
I am really enjoying these Viking Romances, I never thought I would say I liked Historical Romance but these are great. Stolen Fruits is only a short story, but leaves a huge Impact. Hilda is looking after her little sister when Viking raiders attack her village, to save her family and village from being taken for slaves or killed, Hilda makes a deal to become wife of the Viking leader.
Hilda’s Viking husband turns out to be caring and gentle with her, Stolen fruits is the right mix of Romance, Action and Adventure. I am really looking forward to reading the next installment. I really enjoyed Hilda’s character as an Innocent maiden, that has the guts to stand up to raiding Vikings and give herself to them as long as they promise not to touch her village again. I thought it takes great courage to be so selfless. Lucky for Hilda she fits right in with her husband.
I did find that the language and storyline were fairly modern and not at all historical, which some might find as a fault in the story, but I enjoyed it more in which I did not have to spend time looking up words or breaking the flow of the story.
- To sin with a viking by Michelle Willingham – Review (aussiebookworm.wordpress.com)
Aussie Bookworm 