On the Island Review

When thirty-year-old English teacher Anna Emerson is offered a job tutoring T.J. Callahan at his family's summer rental in the Maldives, she accepts without hesitation; a working vacation on a tropical island trumps the library any day.

T.J. Callahan has no desire to leave town, not that anyone asked him. He's almost seventeen and if having cancer wasn't bad enough, now he has to spend his first summer in remission with his family - and a stack of overdue assignments - instead of his friends.

Anna and T.J. are en route to join T.J.'s family in the Maldives when the pilot of their seaplane suffers a fatal heart attack and crash-lands in the Indian Ocean. Adrift in shark-infested waters, their life jackets keep them afloat until they make it to the shore of an uninhabited island. Now Anna and T.J. just want to survive and they must work together to obtain water, food, fire, and shelter.

Their basic needs might be met but as the days turn to weeks, and then months, the castaways encounter plenty of other obstacles, including violent tropical storms, the many dangers lurking in the sea, and the possibility that T.J.'s cancer could return. As T.J. celebrates yet another birthday on the island, Anna begins to wonder if the biggest challenge of all might be living with a boy who is gradually becoming a man.

I have a confession to make.  I’ve had this book on my kindle for over a year now and last night I randomly chose to read it, you know, one of those “I’ll read a few chapters before bed” kind of deals, only this book took hold of me and would not let me go!  I should have known really as I’m a fan of these kind of stories – when I was younger, Blue Lagoon was my guilty pleasure movie - and I couldn’t go to bed until I’d finished the book.  It was compelling to say the least and I had to know how it all worked out in the end. 

Told in alternative points of view from both Anna and TJ, this is the story of a teacher and her student who are flying to the Maldives to stay with TJ’s family for the Summer while Anna tutors TJ.  He is recovering from cancer and needs to catch up academically speaking.  Sadly, they never make it as their charter plane goes down in the middle of the ocean and what follows is a story of survival as the pair are washed up on a tropical island. 

I knew roughly what the story was about going into it and I will admit to having a couple of reservations regarding the love aspect of the story, specifically because of the age difference and only because I thought it might be a bit weird but once you read the book, you understand it better and the age thing goes out of the window.  On the island, the only thing that matters is survival but what comes after is the most interesting question of all.  Anna and TJ shared an intensely traumatic experience which pretty much bonded them for life and I have to admit that I kinda envy the connection they have with each other.

I thought the story was fantastic and I loved how nothing came too easy for the characters.  There were trials and tribulations for them both on the island as well as on a personal level but the spirit and determination to survive these two showed was amazing.  They could have given up and waited to die but they didn’t.  They chose to live.  I feel like I’ve been on a journey WITH Anna and TJ, I’ve shared in their joy when they finally got the bloody coconuts open and cried with them when it seemed like all hope was lost.

What a fantastic debut novel this is and I can see now why it rocketed up the self publishing charts and eventually sold to a major publishing house for SEVEN FIGURES.  Even the film rights have been sold and I really hope they make this into a movie because I will be first in line to see it.  This is a truly beautiful story that comes highly recommended by me and would make a great holiday romance read...as long as you’re not taking a charter plane to the Maldives ;)

On The Island was published in May 2012.  The companion novella Unchartered is published on 2nd July, 2013. To find out more about Tracey and her books, please click hereto visit her website.

Letterbox Love (#58)

As always, Letterbox Love is a weekly feature that I'm hosting on the blog and basically, the idea came out of a discussion with other UK book bloggers about the need to do a weekly meme with more of a British feel to it. Therefore, Letterbox Love was born and the logo was lovingly designed by Dark Readers. Letterbox Love is a way for us to share the books that come through our letterbox, galleys and e books (through our electronic letterbox) and any other bookish goodies that we want to tell you about. Letterbox Love is intended to showcase upcoming books and build up some excitement for them as well as let you know what is available out there. It is not about competing with other bloggers or boasting of any kind (c'mon, we're British and we don't do drama!)

Review Books

The Oathbreaker's Shadow by Amy McCulloch (Finished Copy)

I confess that I read this recently and so my review will be going up soon.  I loved the book and I'm so glad to have a shiny hardback which is the finished copy in my hands.

The Falconer by Elizabeth May

This is a strange one for me in that I really want to read it but I usually stay away from stories containing fae.  I'm going to try and put that aside though as like I say, I'm immensely curious about this debut novel, which comes out in September.

Scissors, Sisters & Manic Panics by Ellie Phillips (Unsolicited)

I really don't think this is my kind of book and so I'm going to donate this one to the local library.

Crown of Midnight by Sarah J. Maas

 I LOVED Throne of Glass and I love this author so naturally I'm very excited about reading the sequel.  Sadly, the netgalley version wasn't formatted correctly making it practically impossible to read which is where paper ARC's still come in handy!

Thank You Publishers!!!!

Books Bought

The Lost Sun by Tessa Gratton

I've had this on pre order for forever - the idea of Norse Mythology weaved into this story has me itching to read it.

EBooks

Killing Sarai by J.A. Redmerski (Bought)
I really enjoyed The Edge of Always, so much so that I thought I would give her next book a try whilst I wait for the sequel to the afforementioned.  It certainly sounds interesting and it's on offer at the moment.

Fixed on You by Laurelin Page (Bought) 
If it's good enough for author Emma Hart, it's good enough for me and I'm sure to like it.  I do like the sound of it!

The Witch's Curse, and The Warrior's Code by David James (Bought)
These are novella's from the series which I haven't started yet but they were going cheap and I just decided I may as well add them to the collection. 

Smitten by Lacey Weatherford (Bought)
This is the sequel to Crush which I thought was one of the best books to come from Lacey.  I'm definitely intrigued by what direction the story will go in as Crush could have easily been a standalone book. 

Wanted by Amanda Lance (Free)
I'm fascinated by Stockholm Syndrome and this book sort of incorporates that theme into the story.

The Returned by Jason Mott (Netgalley - For Review)
Not to be confused with the Channel Four series The Returned (French drama with English subtitles), this is a COMPLETELY different story and I've only just realised that LOL.  I keep hearing about this book which was apparently THE book to get at BEA this year and it will be a TV series in the future (hence my initial confusion).  

The Silver Chain by Primula Bond (Netgalley - For Review)
This was a read it now galley and I liked the fact that it was set in London.  I've not seen a lot of good reviews for this one though which makes me nervous but I'll give it a go. 

The Infinite Moment of Us by Lauren Myracle (Netgalley - For Review)
This is a contemporary that was loved by an author I admire and so I knew I had to read it.

The Truth about Letting Go by Leigh T. Moore (Netgalley - For Review)
This is a companion novel to The Truth about Faking and another contemporary romance novel. 

 
I think I've been fairly restrained this week as far as the eBooks go and I only bought one physical book.  I'm having to think really hard nowadays about what books to buy as times are tough financially and the book shelf space is limited to practically nothing left.  I don't know about you but these days, a book has to really work to get me interested and I'm getting a little tired of all the indie books about two damaged characters who come together.  I feel that trope has been done to death now and I'm actively trying to stay away from those kind of books.  No offence to the authors, I love indie books but enough is enough.  I just finished reading an interesting little book called The Rose Throne by Mette Ivie Harrison and I'm about to start The Bone Season which has been calling to me since it came through the letterbox.  What's next on YOUR TBR pile?  I hope you all had a great week for books and as always, please share your links below.

Waiting on Wednesday

"Waiting On Wednesday" is a weekly event, originally started by Jill at Breaking the Spine , that highlights upcoming book releases everyone is waiting on...hence the title. This week's pick is A Little Too Far by Lisa Desrochers. Here's the synopsis:

Have you ever gone just a little too far? 

Lexie Banks has. 

Yep. She just had mind-blowing sex with her stepbrother. In her defense, she was on the rebound, and it's more of a my-dad-happened-to-marry-a-woman-with-a-super-hot-son situation. But still, he's been her best friend and confidant for better part of the last few years...and is so off limits. It's a good thing she's leaving in two days for a year abroad in Rome. But even thousands of miles away, Lexie can't seem to escape trouble. Raised Catholic, she goes to Confession in hopes of alleviating some of her guilt...and maybe not burning in hell. Instead, she stumbles out of the confessional right into Alessandro Moretti, a young and very easy on the eyes deacon...only eight months away from becoming a priest. Lexie and Alessandro grow closer, and when Alessandro's signals start changing despite his vow of celibacy, she doesn't know what to think. She's torn between falling in love with the man she shouldn't want and the man she can't have. And she isn't sure how she can live with herself either way. 

Holy crap, have you ever read a synopsis where you feel like the author has been inside your head plucked out the things you love and turned it into a book? That's how I feel about A Little Too Far, the upcoming novel by one of my favourite must buy authors, Lisa Desrochers.   Firstly, Rome is my most favourite city EVER and forbidden romance is what I love the most.  In fact, quite some time ago now I had mentioned that I would like a forbidden romance story involving a priest or priest in training and HERE IT IS.  Is it any wonder why I love this author?! I'm pre ordering this as we speak and I cannot wait to read it.

A Little Too Far is published on 17th April, 2013. 

Epilogue Review

I’m writing this because you begged. You know how I love the begging. In fact, you probably know too many things and know them far too well.

Who am I?

Well, that’s what I’m trying to figure out. I was a whore in my youth, a killer since my adolescence, and a monster as a man. I am the man who kidnapped Livvie. I am the man who held her in a dark room for weeks. But, most importantly, I am the man she loves.

She loves me. It’s quite sick, isn’t it?

Of course, there’s more to our story than can be surmised in a few short sentences, but I’m at a loss for justifying my behavior back then. I assume if you’re reading this, I don’t need to make those justifications. You’ve already made your own.

You’re reading this because you want to know about the rest of the story. You want to know what happened that warm summer night in September of 2010, the night I met Livvie at The Paseo. It was the night my life changed all over again.

It didn’t happen exactly as Livvie said. She’s been very kind to me in the retelling of our story. The truth is far more…complicated.

Epilogue is the third and presumably final book in the Dark Duet series and was obviously written for the fans.  Given the title of the series, it’s clear that there were only meant to be two books but the fans begged and the author delivered.  I have to say, I couldn’t pass up on a little more of Caleb and as I’m already invested in the series, I was curious to hear what Caleb had to say.  I’m sure it probably goes  without saying but I’ll say it anyway, if you haven’t read Captive in the Dark (review here and Seduced in the Dark (review here) then please do not read on as you will encounter spoilers for the rest of the series.   Just go and get the first book which is still on offer for 77p for the rest of June and start from there.

At the end of Seduced in the Dark, there was an epilogue written from Livvie’s point of view and we thought the series was all wrapped up.   Then came Epilogue which is entirely written from Caleb’s point of view and lets the reader know what happened AFTER everything went down.  Can Caleb and Livvie’s relationship survive in the real world? How will they cope with normalcy?

I thought it was fascinating to see Caleb try to live a normal life and have a normal relationship with the woman he has come to love.  When I say normalcy, I don’t want you to think that either of them have forgotten the past.  They are most definitely still battling their demons but I particularly enjoyed the role reverse in terms of power within the relationship and how this time, Caleb is the one who has to work for her affection.  Livvie makes Caleb want to be a better man and that just melts my heart.  He holds back what he wants and tries to give Livvie what she needs in order to be with her.

I know this is a book for the fans and part of me feels like it was slightly rushed (I certainly found a few spelling/grammar mistakes that I hadn’t found in the other books, but only a few) and to be honest, whilst I’m not entirely sure we needed this book, as a fan I wanted it.  This is one of the most captivating book series I’ve ever read and it has certainly taken me beyond my boundaries.  I have loved every moment of reading these books and I will definitely read anything C.J. Roberts writes in the future.

Epilogue was published on 11th June, 2013.  To find out more about C.J. Roberts and her books, please click here to visit her website.

Letterbox Love (#57)

As always, Letterbox Love is a weekly feature that I'm hosting on the blog and basically, the idea came out of a discussion with other UK book bloggers about the need to do a weekly meme with more of a British feel to it. Therefore, Letterbox Love was born and the logo was lovingly designed by Dark Readers. Letterbox Love is a way for us to share the books that come through our letterbox, galleys and e books (through our electronic letterbox) and any other bookish goodies that we want to tell you about. Letterbox Love is intended to showcase upcoming books and build up some excitement for them as well as let you know what is available out there. It is not about competing with other bloggers or boasting of any kind (c'mon, we're British and we don't do drama!)

Review Books

The Thousand Names by Django Wexler (Unsolicited)

I don't know anything about this book other than the fact that I was sent two copies and both were damaged (thanks Royal Mail).   It's obviously a fantasy but I'll probably wait for more reviews from others before deciding whether or not to pick it up. 

The Mammoth Book of Time Travel SF (Unsolicited)

Although this book was unsolicited, this book is perfect for me as I love time travel stories.  I'm not sure I love anthologies though but I like the idea of dipping in and out of it when I feel like it. 

Thank You Publishers!!!

Books Bought

I did not buy any physical books this week.  Don't forget though that I have a lot on pre order a lot of the time. 

EBooks

Bad Things by R.K. Lilley (Bought)
I finally caved and bought this book after reading snippets of it on a blog.  I love a challenging relationship and I just know I'm going to love this.  

Tomorrow Land by Mari Mancusi (Bought)
Apparently this was published in paperback as "Razor Girl" and is a post apocalyptic story.  I really want to read her upcoming novel Scorched but thought I would try this while I'm waiting. 

Love Minus Eighty (Bought)
This is an interesting book recommended by author Beth Revis.  Just read the synopsis and defy you not to be sold on this and immediately go out and buy a copy. 

Protector by Vanna Smythe (Bought)
I'm not sure why I bought a book that flirts dangerously with some of my own book ideas but it's like I feel drawn to stories like this.  

Seduced in the Dark by C.J. Roberts (Bought)
This is the second book in the series and I've already read and reviewed it on the blog LOL

Epilogue by C.J. Roberts (Bought)
This is the third and I think final book in the series.  I've already read it and am about to review it. 

A Soft Place to Fall by Barbara Bretton (Free)
This is an adult contemporary romance and it sounds like it's along the lines of Nora Roberts romance novels.  It was free so I thought I would get it as I like a good romance. 

Anathema by Megg Jensen (Free)
Not sure if this is fantasy, dystopian or what but it's YA and sounds interesting. 

Shadowed (Fated) by Sarah Alderson (Free)
I love Sarah Alderson's writing and whilst I haven't started this series yet, I know I'm going to need this in the future!

Between Friends by Amanda Cowen (Free)
This is a New Adult contemporary about being in love with your best friends.  Apparently it's a short and sweet love story. 

Mortal Obligation by Nichole Chase (Free)
I loved Suddenly Royal and I found this by the same author for free. I'm not entirely sure what it's about but I know I like this author's writing.

Cursed, Hyde, Bane, Witch and Death by Tara Brown (Free)
This is a paranormal romance series and all five books are FREE right now.  I couldn't pass this up and I really like the synopsis for book one. 
 
Survival by A.M. Hargrove (Free)
This is a YA paranormal romance.  The synopsis is intriguing and mysterious enough to whet my appetite without really knowing what the book is about!

The Weight of Souls by Bryony Pearce (Netgalley - For Review)
This is a YA novel about a girl and a curse (you know how I love those curses).  I think this sounds really interesting and I'm becoming increasingly impressed with Strange Chemistry/Angry Robots books. 

The Submissive by Tara Sue Me (Netgalley - For Review)
I'm not entirely sure why I requested this as it sounds like a lot of books that are already out there and I've just found out that it's another Twilight fan fiction book *le sigh* but it did inspire Fifty Shades.  I'll give it a go but I make no promises.

White Trash Beautiful by Teresa Mummert (Netgalley - For Review)
Sounds interesting, this is a book about a girl who feels trapped in her life.

As usual, I've bought more eBooks this week but as you can see, a lot of them were free.  Having just finished Epilogue, I'm wondering what to read next and I'm thinking maybe a historical for a chance of pace.  Hope you had a great week for books and as always, please share your links below.

Seduced in the Dark Review

What is the price of redemption?

Rescued from sexual slavery by a mysterious Pakistani officer, Caleb carries the weight of a debt that must be paid in blood.

The road has been long and fraught with uncertainty, but for Caleb and Livvie, it’s all coming to an end.

Can he surrender the woman he loves for the sake of vengeance?

Or will he make the ultimate sacrifice?

I am HOOKED on this series.  HOOKED, I tell you. I can’t say enough amazing things about the story, the author and the writing. If you haven’t read Captive in the Dark yet, which is the first book in the series, then please do consider it, especially if you like your love stories dark and twisted.  Obviously, if you haven’t yet read the first book, then please do not go any further or you will encounter spoilers.  If you’re interested, my review is here.  I will of course remind you that this is a very adult book (although it features an eighteen year old girl and so could be considered new adult) but this book is definitely not suitable for all so please proceed with caution.

The first thing to say is that Seduced in the Dark is as good as IF NOT BETTER than Captive in the Dark and I’m immensely grateful for this as sometimes sequels can be a bit tricky.  Seduced in the Dark was UNPUTDOWNABLE and I got up extra early this morning just so I could get a couple of chapters in and then I kissed goodbye to the rest of the day until I’d finished the book.  I didn’t shower until mid afternoon, THAT’S how good it was!

Seduced in the Dark is of course the continuation of Caleb and Livvie’s story and whilst we learn A LOT more about Caleb and his history, for me, Livvie is the star of this book.  She has come so far on her journey and hats off to her for sheer resilience.  I thought this book featured some clever storytelling with Livvie’s point of view being told from present day and Caleb’s point of view in past tense as they both try to explain to an FBI agent what happened when Livvie crossed the US border of Mexico waving a gun in her hand.  FYI I imagine that doesn’t tend to go down too well with the authorities.  Livvie is a bit of a mess to say the least and over the course of the book, the full story unfolds. 

Although Caleb could be a bastard and despite everything that Livvie has been through at his hands, I did still kinda want a happy ending for them and I’m saying nothing more about that.  You’ll just have to read the book to find out what happened.  What I will say though is that the twists and turns are unexpected and unpredictable which kept things interesting to say the least.

After reading this heart stopping, BRILLIANT sequel, I cannot wait to get started on the third book entitled The Epilogue which is written from Caleb’s point of view and has recently been released.  Hoorah for no long wait for the next book!

Seduced in the Dark was published on 30th August, 2012.  To find out more about C.J. Roberts and her books, please click here to visit her website.

One Tiny Secret Blog Tour

You know what's missing in the new adult genre?  Books written by guys.  Hello Adam Kunz!  When I was asked to take part in this blog tour, I jumped at the chance to promote a new adult book written by a guy and one that's getting rave reviews.  Let me introduce you to One Tiny Secret...

Just one tiny secret has the potential to ruin everything.

Being the daughter of the sheriff in a small town like Holden Ridge means that eighteen-year-old Danielle “Dani” Marks’ life is under constant surveillance. She’s made a habit of staying under the radar by being a floater among social circles at school, which has kept her out of trouble—until now.

After a missing persons case stirs up the entire town, Dani finds herself caught right in the middle of the scandal. When she’s labeled a possible suspect, things quickly go from bad to worse. The sudden return of her old flame, Parker Reed, manages to make her whole situation even more complicated.

When an elusive unknown person begins to blackmail Dani by threatening to reveal her deepest secrets, Dani refuses to play along. That is, until the person’s actions take a violent turn. Holden Ridge loses its sense of quaint town security, and Dani is caught in a deadly game of cat and mouse.

Who can she trust when anyone around her could be a suspect?

One thing’s for certain though: Never underestimate the power of one tiny secret.

This is a whodunnit kind of mystery that I'm definitely curious to read and hopefully, you will be too now.  Thankfully, I just so happen to have an excerpt from the book for you to enjoy and here it is...

The location of the Shriek and Howl Halloween Bash is deep within a wooded area on the edge of the Holden Ridge city limits. We have to park our cars in a cordoned-off lot, already a ways into the woods, and then walk the rest of the way. This is a precautionary measure so that if the deputies find our vehicles, they have to maneuver the twisting and winding labyrinth-like path to find the party. Gunnar goes to great lengths to keep these parties as hidden as possible.
Reaching what I think is the entrance, Janice and I stop to admire the decorations. There’s a long passageway that seems like it was formed naturally by the surrounding foliage. Two scarecrows with gnarled branches for hands, arms, and legs stand guard on either side of the passage. The sinister smiles cut into their pumpkin heads are brought to life by the eerie flicker of the candles inside.
Just above the archway is an old wooden sign, bearing the words “Drink Me” painted in white. An arrow points to a table littered with shot glasses. There are a ton of empty glasses flipped upside down already, which means the majority of the party guests have been through here.
“Bottoms up,” I say, handing a drink to Janice. “Here’s to a rekindled friendship.”
“To a rekindled friendship,” she repeats with a smile.
We clink the shot glasses together in a toast and toss them back. An intense burn flows from my throat all the way up through my nose. I cough a little and so does she.
“Holy shit, that stuff’s strong,” I blurt after catching my breath.
“Yeah,” she manages between coughs.
“What the hell was in that?”
Janice giggles. “It kind of tasted like pumpkin pie.”
“Yeah, if it was mixed with kerosene.”
“So, now what?” she asks, placing her shot glass upside down on the table.
“I guess we travel down the rabbit hole,” I answer while staring into the passageway before us.
“Wait—we’re going through there?” 
I hear the hesitation in Janice’s voice. “I guess so. Do you need a little more liquid courage before we do?”
“Definitely not.”
“Okay then, in we go,” I say, leading the way into the vortex of foliage.
A little ways down the passage, it opens up and we find ourselves surrounded by jack-o-lanterns with scary carved faces. All of them are littered throughout the area above and around us. The scene is so beautifully haunting that it takes my breath away.

Adam Kunz is the A part of the mother and son author duo C.A. Kunz. Growing up, he always had a fondness for R.L. Stine’s Fear Street series. So, it was a no brainer when he decided to write his own novel that it’d be a thrilling mystery with a dash of horror, and some romance thrown in for good measure. When he’s not busy writing, Adam enjoys his job at a theme park in Orlando, Florida as a décor consultant. This job brings him face to face with all sorts of nightmarish creatures, especially when he decorates the haunted houses for the park's annual Halloween event. It’s been said by many that his addiction to Starbucks coffee will most likely be his downfall later in life.


To find out more about Adam Kunz and his books, please click here to visit his website.  You can also find him on Facebook and Twitter.


One Tiny Secret was published on 15th May, 2013 and you can win a copy of the book by entering the giveaway below!

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One Blog Tour

I'm delighted to be taking part in the blog tour for a book you may or may not have heard of called One by Leigh Ann Kopans.  I don't normally take part in blog tours for books I haven't read yet but the story sounded so awesome that I simply couldn't say no.  Just in case you haven't heard of One, here is the beautiful cover and synopsis:

When having two powers makes you a Super and having none makes you a Normal, having only one makes you a sad half-superpowered freak.

It makes you a One.

Sixteen-year-old Merrin Grey would love to be able to fly – too bad all she can do is hover. If she could just land an internship at the Biotech Hub, she might finally figure out how to fix herself. She busts her butt in AP Chem and salivates over the Hub’s research on the manifestation of superpowers, all in hopes of boosting her chances. Then she meets Elias VanDyne, another One, and all her carefully crafted plans fly out the window. Literally. When the two of them touch, their Ones combine to make them fly, and when they’re not soaring over the Nebraska cornfields, they’re busy falling for each other.

Merrin's mad chemistry skills land her a spot on the Hub's internship short list, but as she gets closer to the life she always wanted, she discovers that the Hub’s purpose is more sinister than it has always seemed. Now it’s up to her to decide if it's more important to fly solo, or to save everything - and everyone - she loves.

One sounds like a super hero story about star crossed lovers and basically has my name written all over it.  Sadly, I have not yet had a chance to read and review the book, mainly because I have been on holiday but I'm going to try and get to it as soon as possible.  In the mean time, here's a little bit of information about the author:

Raised on comic books and classic novels, Leigh Ann developed an early love of science fiction and literature. As an adult, she rediscovered her love for not only reading, but also writing the types of fiction that enchanted her as a teen. Her debut novel, ONE, is about a girl with only half a superpower, the boy who makes her fly, and her struggle to make herself whole.


Leigh Ann, her husband, and four children live in Columbus, Ohio. When she’s not immersed in the world of fiction, you can find her obsessing over the latest superhero movie or using her kids as an excuse to go out for ice cream.

To find out more about Leigh Ann Kopans and her books, please click here to visit her website and here to access her blog.  You can also find her on Facebook, and Twitter.

One was published on 11th June, 2013 and the sequel entitled Two will be published on 8th October, 2013.

Want to win your very own copy of One? Enter here and good luck!


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Waiting on Wednesday

"Waiting On Wednesday" is a weekly event, originally started by Jill at Breaking the Spine , that highlights upcoming book releases everyone is waiting on...hence the title. This week's pick is The Edge of Always by J.A. Redmerski.  Here's the synopsis:

He was taking the long road. She was taking the road to nowhere. It just so happened that they led to the same place…

Five months ago, Camryn and Andrew, both dealing with personal hardships, met on a Greyhound bus. They fell in love and proved that when two people are meant to be together, fate will find a way to make it happen.

Now, in the highly anticipated sequel to THE EDGE OF NEVER, Camryn and Andrew are pursuing their love for music and living life to the fullest as they always swore to do. But when tragedy befalls them, their relationship is put to the ultimate test. As Camryn tries to numb her pain, Andrew makes a bold decision: To get their life back on track, they’ll set out on another cross-country road trip. Together they find excitement, passion, adventure—and challenges they never could have anticipated.

Sexy. Daring. Dangerous. THE EDGE OF ALWAYS takes you on a ride you won’t forget . 

I REALLY enjoyed The Edge of Never and whilst I'm not entirely sure that a sequel is necessary or will even work, I'm highly curious about it and definitely want to read it!  Can we also get a WOOP for the very nice cover which I don't mind staring at for hours on end ;)

The Edge of Always is published on 5th November, 2013.

Captive in the Dark Review

Caleb is a man with a singular interest in revenge. Kidnapped as a young boy and sold into slavery by a power-hungry mobster, he has thought of nothing but vengeance. For twelve years he has immersed himself in the world of pleasure slaves searching for the one man he holds ultimately responsible. Finally, the architect of his suffering has emerged with a new identity, but not a new nature. If Caleb is to get close enough to strike, he must become the very thing he abhors and kidnap a beautiful girl to train her to be all that he once was.

Eighteen-year-old Olivia Ruiz has just woken up in a strange place. Blindfolded and bound, there is only a calm male voice to welcome her. His name is Caleb, though he demands to be called Master. Olivia is young, beautiful, naïve and willful to a fault. She has a dark sensuality that cannot be hidden or denied, though she tries to accomplish both. Although she is frightened by the strong, sadistic, and arrogant man who holds her prisoner, what keeps Olivia awake in the dark is her unwelcome attraction to him.

WARNING: This book contains very disturbing situations, dubious consent, strong language, and graphic violence.

Captive in the Dark is not a book for the faint hearted.  If you’re expecting a budding romance with a happily ever after then this is not the book for you.  On the other hand, if you’re looking for a story that will captivate you from the get go and stay with you long after you’ve finished reading, a book that is so dark and twisted that it may make for uncomfortable reading at times, a book that contains some disturbing scenes that you won’t be able to look away from, then this is the book for you.

I just want to come out and say that I thoroughly enjoyed this book and I thought the writing was exceptional. When a writer can take on a difficult subject like human trafficking and write a lot of scenes containing just two characters and still keep things interesting, then that is a sign of true writing talent in my eyes.  I’m entirely impressed with C.J. Roberts and I will be reading everything she writes from now on. For real.  I’d only heard about Captive in the Dark a few days ago and already I am reading the third book.  That’s right, if you decide to start this series then the good news is that all three books have already been published and so you won’t have the long and agonizing wait to find out what happens next.

The story is told in alternating chapters from Livvie (first person) and Caleb (third person) and I’m intrigued as to why the author chose to do it this way rather than tell Caleb’s side using the first person but whatever, it works!   Caleb is the ultimate definition of damaged goods and his history goes some way to explain his behaviour (although I do believe that behaviour is a CHOICE regardless of circumstances).  At the crux of it all though, I believe he’s semi-decent and has just gotten a bad deal out of life.  He doesn’t feel worthy of love or affection and it’s hard for him to accept that someone might feel that he is.   He is dark and twisted but also a little sexy because he’s dangerous.  Would I want to date him? HELL NO but that doesn’t mean I can’t appreciate a little danger when I see it.  He's the kind of guy you feel a bit wrong about finding him sexy. 

Livvie is an eighteen year old girl who gets good grades and wears unflattering clothes in public to hide her beauty in a bad neighbourhood.  She’s inexperienced with men and seems like a good girl. Her mother has never really loved her though and so yeah, she has some issues of her own.  I loved her fighting spirit and ultimately her strong will to survive.  I enjoyed her sassiness even though it came with less than desirable consequences. 

These are definitely two of the most interesting characters I’ve come across in a while and I loved exploring their history, what made them tick and watching their character arc’s grow and change throughout the book.  Having read the book, I can honestly say that there is no way in hell that I wish I was Livvie and I wouldn’t wish what she or Caleb went through on anyone.

With regards to the subject matter, I can see how this book could be considered controversial and it’s definitely not for everyone but if you take a chance on it, you might just find out why a lot of people are raving about it and why it’s sold over a hundred thousand copies which is pretty amazing for a self published work.   I should probably say at this point that obviously I do not condone human trafficking, sex slaves or the mistreatment of men and women in any way but it doesn’t mean that bad things don’t happen and shouldn’t be written about.  I also don’t believe that the author was trying to romanticise human trafficking in any way, she was simply telling an honest, dark and twisted story that is both raw and real.  This is by no means your average love story and definitely not black and white.  If you decide to read it, you will see what I mean.  There is conflict GALORE amongst friends, family, enemies, and within the characters themselves.  What I found the most interesting conflict to explore however was Livvie’s feelings for Caleb.  Call it Stockholm syndrome if you want but I do find that aspect of human nature entirely fascinating. 

This was an amazing book and not necessarily one that I would think to pick up and read immediately but I’m sure glad I did.  Never for one second did I find the story unbelievable or outlandish.  I believed Every. Single. Word. and I’m pretty sure that I’m going to be thinking about this book for some time to come. 
 
Captive in the Dark was published on 29th August, 2011 and is on sale for 99 cents (US) and 77p (UK) for the rest of June so get it at this price whilst you can!  To find out more about C.J. Roberts and her books, please click here to visit her website.



There are two of my favourite songs by Digital Daggers that I think fit this book REALLY, REALLY well and I wanted to show you them.  Firstly, this is Livvie's song...



Or the more haunting piano version...



And this is one of my absolute favourite songs which could probably apply to either Caleb OR Livvie...



And the piano version...



(No copyright infringement intended)

Letterbox Love (#56)

As always, Letterbox Love is a weekly feature that I'm hosting on the blog and basically, the idea came out of a discussion with other UK book bloggers about the need to do a weekly meme with more of a British feel to it. Therefore, Letterbox Love was born and the logo was lovingly designed by Dark Readers. Letterbox Love is a way for us to share the books that come through our letterbox, galleys and e books (through our electronic letterbox) and any other bookish goodies that we want to tell you about. Letterbox Love is intended to showcase upcoming books and build up some excitement for them as well as let you know what is available out there. It is not about competing with other bloggers or boasting of any kind (c'mon, we're British and we don't do drama!)

Well, I'm back from my holiday to the Norwegian Fjords and let me just tell you that I saw some of the most breathtaking scenery on this earth, I never knew such beauty existed.  I'll tell you all about it in an upcoming post but in the meantime, bear in mind that I didn't take part in Letterbox Love last week (due to the holiday) and so this post includes a couple of week's worth of mail.

Review Books

The School for Good and Evil by Soman Chainani

It was actually the beautiful book trailer and synopsis that sold me on this one even though it looks a little younger than I might normally read.  This is a fairytale with a twist and a brilliant idea.  I'm definitely curious to read it and thanks to the book trailer, can even see it being a movie some day. 

Siege and Storm by Leigh Bardugo

I LOVED Shadow and Bone and this is the sequel.  As I've already bought a hardback for my collection, I will be passing this one either in a contest or to a fellow blogger. 

The Sound by Sarah Alderson

Sarah Alderson is one of my favourite UKYA writers and I'm looking forward to reading this one about a girl who becomes a nanny for a rich family in Nantucket. 

One Moment by Kristina McBride

I think this is a YA mystery and I get the feeling we might need tissues for this although I hope I'm wrong!

The Mirror Chronicles by Ian Johnstone

This is an epic fantasy and it sounds like it will appeal to Harry Potter or Philip Pullman fans.  I would not be surprised if this became a movie or a TV series.

Brooklyn Girls by Gemma Burgess

This is a new adult book about a girl living in New York.  That's all I know about it right now other than the fact that it's a contemporary novel.

Thank You Publishers!!!!!

Books Bought

Siege and Storm by Leigh Bardugo

This is the US hardback of the sequel to Shadow and Bone which I loved.  I'm thinking we're going to have to drag Leigh back to the UK so she can sign this one for me ;)

 

Proxy by Alex London

I got turned down for this on Netgalley but I'd already pre ordered it anyway so it doesn't matter.  This is a YA sci fi novel with a male protagonist and a bromance rather than a romance if I remember rightly.  I think the synopsis sounds awesome which is why I took the chance of ordering this debut novel.

 

Star Cursed by Jessica Spotswood

I loved Born Wicked and with that ending, I can't wait to see what happens next! I suspect I'm going to have to wait until I'm in the mood to read a historical novel but I know I won't be disappointed.  This doesn't release in the UK until next year. 

Books Gifted

Suddenly Royal by Nicole Chase

Imagine by surprise when I returned from holiday to find a SIGNED paperback of Suddenly Royal in the mail, gifted to me from my amazing friend and fellow book blogger, Emma from Book Angel Booktopia.  Also enclosed were some signed bookmarks.  I loved this book so I'm ecstatic to have a signed copy!  I'm definitely going to have to think of something awesome for Emma now and I may just have an idea ;)

EBooks

All Over You by Emily Snow (Bought) 

I really enjoyed Devoured (although I'm not entirely sure that my review is up for this yet) and this is the prequel.  I was actually shocked to find that I hadn't bought it yet so I quickly remedied that.  I think this is probably a novella and as such, a quick read.  

Savor You by Emily Snow (Bought)

I *think* this is a spin off book from the Devoured series and can be read as a standalone I believe.  As I'm reading the Devoured series, I knew I would need to get this eventually so why not now? I love Emily's writing :)

Captive in the Dark by C.J. Roberts (Bought)

I came across this book after seeing that the third book in the series had just been released.  I have to say that it sounds interesting and I'm reading it right now.  I'm not going to say anything about it until I can form a decent opinion but I'm enjoying it so far and wondering where the story is going to go. 

Eversea by Natasha Boyd (Bought)

Beautiful cover and it's a Southern love story although I'm not sure if it's adult or new adult.  I like the sound of it and I'm going to give it a go. 

Sexcapades by Christine d'Abo (Bought)

I bought this because of my friend and fellow book blogger Sarah who reviewed it over at Feeling Fictional.  She made it sound so appealing and I think it will probably be a great read for fans of Wallbanger by Alice Clayton (which I LOVED). 

Girl under Glass by Monica Enderle Pierce (Bought)

This is a futuristic sci fi novel that I really don't know what to make of but I think the synopsis sounds really interesting and I've seen nothing but really positive reviews for it.  I do love books involving aliens so this is definitely one for me (I hope). 

Angelfall by Susan ee (Bought)

I already have a physical ARC of this which I haven't gotten round to reading yet but I saw that it was on offer for 99p for kindle and jumped on it.  I had intended to read this one on holiday but I only managed to read half a book!  Shocking I know and I didn't have internet access for a whole week!  I felt like my right arm had been cut off but at the same time, it was a nice break :)

Rebel by Dawn Rae Miller (Bought)

I love ANYTHING by Dawn Rae Miller and this is a short novella based in the same world as Larkstorm (incidentally, one of my favourite ever books).  This is a story about Lark's sister, Annalise.

Love at 11 by Mari Mancusi (Bought)

I've seen some great reviews for this new adult book and I love the fact that it's about a girl who works as a reporter.  Looking forward to reading this one.

Soul Taken by Katlyn Duncan (Bought)

Although I had an ARC of this, I bought it to support my good friend and ex book blogger Katlyn Duncan.  I actually had the pleasure of beta reading this and even though the story has changed somewhat, it was a pretty good read and so I'm looking forward to getting stuck in and enjoying it all over again. 

The Forgotten Ones by Laura Howard (Free)

This is a new adult fantasy novel which has had some pretty good reviews.  It's free at the moment so there's nothing to lose but your time.   Gorgeous cover and intriguing synopsis. 

Stitch by Samantha Durante (Free)

A new adult dystopian sci fi novel with some romance thrown in? SOLD.

Survival by A.M. Hargrove (Free)

I love the cover of this one and it has a sci fi element to it.  I've seen some mixed reviews for it but it was free and worth taking a chance on.  

Viral Nation by Shaunta Grimes (Netgalley - For Review)

This looks like an interesting little book - a dystopian with a bit of time travel thrown in for good measure, and an autistic protagonist (not sure what the relevance of the autism is at this point).  I'm curious, I will say that.  

The Necromancer's Apprentice by R.M. Prioleau (Netgalley - For Review)

This is a YA fantasy novella about the art of death and undeath which definitely has me curious.  I've only seen 3 star reviews for this on Goodreads but I'm willing to give it a chance. 

I only managed to read half a book on holiday and that was the end of The Oathbreaker's Shadow by Amy McCulloch which I really enjoyed.  I'm currently reading Captive in the Dark as I wanted to read something completely different.  I like to mix and match what I read.  I hope you all had a great week for books and as always, please leave your links below :)

Waiting on Wednesday

"Waiting On Wednesday" is a weekly event, originally started by Jill at Breaking the Spine , that highlights upcoming book releases everyone is waiting on...hence the title. This week's pick is Allegiant by Veronica Roth.  Here's the synopsis:

One choice will define you.

What if your whole world was a lie?
What if a single revelation—like a single choice—changed everything?
What if love and loyalty made you do things you never expected?

The explosive conclusion to Veronica Roth’s #1 New York Times bestselling Divergent trilogy reveals the secrets of the dystopian world that has captivated millions of readers in Divergent and Insurgent. 

Once again, Veronica Roth's upcoming new novel Allegiant has to be one of the most anticipated books of the year, just like last year, and the year before that.  This is one of the best series' I've ever read and I am in love with the US covers.  I'm not entirely sure if the third book is the final book (I am guessing so) and so with that in mind, I have mixed feelings about reading it. Of course, I can't wait to get my hands on it but I'm going to make sure that when I finally do, I savour every moment of it.  This series has made Veronica Roth one of my automatic pre-order authors and has guaranteed that I will read anything she writes.    

Allegiant is published in the UK and the US on 22nd October, 2013.  

Blog Hiatus

I'm going on holiday for a little while and so the blog won't be updated during that time, which means that there will be no Letterbox Love this week I'm afraid.  I'm really excited about seeing sights like the one in the picture and of course, having a rest from work and life in general.  When I get back, I've got lots to tell you - including all about my meeting with Jamie McGuire (author of Beautiful Disaster) whom I met for tea at the Ritz in London! :)  Have a good week!

Waiting on Wednesday

 

 "Waiting On Wednesday" is a weekly event, originally started by Jill at Breaking the Spine , that highlights upcoming book releases everyone is waiting on...hence the title. This week's pick is Leap of Faith by Jamie Blair.  Here's the synopsis:

Can true love be built on lies?

Leah Kurtz has finally found a place to call home, a town where she and baby Addy can live in peace, far from the drug-infested place she grew up. Chris is one of the best parts of her new life, the only person who’s ever made her feel safe. And now that she’s found him, there’s no way she can tell the truth:

Her real name is Faith, not Leah. She’s seventeen, not nineteen. And the baby isn’t hers—Faith kidnapped her.

Faith’s history catches up with her when a cop starts asking questions and Chris’s aunt spots her picture in the newspaper. She knows it’s time to run again, but if Faith leaves, she’ll lose Chris. If Chris is in love with a lie, though, did Faith ever really have him in the first place?

You may know Jamie Blair by her alter ego Kelli Maine (her pen name for the more adult romance stuff) but this is Jamie's YA offering and I can't wait to read it.  I'm a huge fan of this lady's writing and that alone has me clamoring to read this.   Contemporary is apparently all the rage right now so this fits in nicely with what's popular and I have high hopes that it will be a bloody good read! 

Leap of Faith is published on 3rd September, 2013 with no news of a UK deal as of yet.  To find out more about Jamie Blair and her books, please click here to visit her website.  

All Our Yesterdays Review

"You have to kill him."
 

Imprisoned in the heart of a secret military base, Em has nothing except the voice of the boy in the cell next door and the list of instructions she finds taped inside the drain. Only Em can complete the final instruction. She’s tried everything to prevent the creation of a time machine that will tear the world apart. She holds the proof: a list she has never seen before, written in her own hand. Each failed attempt in the past has led her to the same terrible present—imprisoned and tortured by a sadistic man called the doctor while war rages outside.

Marina has loved her best friend James since the day he moved next door when they were children. A gorgeous, introverted science prodigy from one of America’s most famous families, James finally seems to be seeing Marina in a new way, too. But on one disastrous night, James’s life crumbles apart, and with it, Marina’s hopes for their future. Now someone is trying to kill him. Marina will protect James, no matter what. Even if it means opening her eyes to a truth so terrible that she may not survive it. At least not as the girl she once was.

All Our Yesterdays is a wrenching, brilliantly plotted story of fierce love, unthinkable sacrifice, and the infinite implications of our every choice.

I’m just going to come out and say it, All Our Yesterdays is my new favourite and I’m totally in love with it *clutches book close to chest*.  If you know me at all, you’ll know that I’m a huge fan of time travel novels so when I first heard about this book, I was all over it.  The thing with time travel novels though is that they’re not necessarily an easy read.  You NEED to keep up together with the plot otherwise you lose it and it’s sayonara, goodnight or you turn to the beginning and start again. With that in mind, it probably wasn’t the best idea to read this on night shifts but once I’d settled into the story...I couldn’t stop reading and when it ended? There were tears and snot and thoughts of “bloody hell, that was brilliant”.  That was a direct quote from my past self FYI. 

All Our Yesterdays is told in alternating point of view from past Marina and future Marina (Em) although we get the impression that future Marina is more present day. Em is on a mission, one that she’s attempted several times before but doesn’t remember – she has to kill the boy she loves and if that isn’t the best hook EVER, I don’t know what is.    What follows is a heart stopping, action packed journey to do the unthinkable but can she actually do it?  Is it right to punish someone for something that they haven’t even done yet?

If I had to tell you what the strongest part of this book was, I’d honestly have to say everything.  Not only did it have a brilliant hook, and an AMAZING plot with constant conflict and tension, but the characters were fleshed out really well and felt completely real to me.  Future Marina (Em) was not only on a mission to change the future but she was also on a personal journey to love herself and I really enjoyed that aspect of her character.   Finn was the best companion to have with her - he’s charming, funny and puts people at ease. Let’s hear it for the genuine nice guys!!!

And James.  What to say about James, a guy that made me love him and hate him in equal measures.  Excellent writing from Cristin had me conflicted from the start and he was one of my favourite characters to figure out.  What I REALLY liked about all the male characters was that there were no bad boys, no tattoos, no motorbikes – just normal guys who could easily be your best friends.

All Our Yesterdays is an intelligent time travel novel with a very plausible plot and for a debut novel? I’m positively blown away to be honest.  And yes, I cried at the end because DAMN, that ending was magnificent.  This could easily be a standalone book but I’m pleased to say that there will indeed be a sequel and I cannot wait to get my hands on it.  The most exciting part?  Think about it...this is a time travel novel and so literally ANYTHING could happen.  When you’ve finished reading the book, I want you to just take a moment and think about how much that fact blows your mind.  Seriously.

This is one of the best books I’ve read this year and definitely one of the strongest debut novels I’ve ever seen.  I’m not even sure I can do it justice with this review but TRUST ME when I tell you that you simply MUST get your hands on this book or die trying!

All Our Yesterdays is published on 1st August, 2013.  To find out more about Cristin Terrill and her books, please click here to visit her website.

Letterbox Love (#55)

As always, Letterbox Love is a weekly feature that I'm hosting on the blog and basically, the idea came out of a discussion with other UK book bloggers about the need to do a weekly meme with more of a British feel to it. Therefore, Letterbox Love was born and the logo was lovingly designed by Dark Readers. Letterbox Love is a way for us to share the books that come through our letterbox, galleys and e books (through our electronic letterbox) and any other bookish goodies that we want to tell you about. Letterbox Love is intended to showcase upcoming books and build up some excitement for them as well as let you know what is available out there. It is not about competing with other bloggers or boasting of any kind (c'mon, we're British and we don't do drama!)

Review Books 

I did not receive any review books this week and in some ways, I'm quite glad to have a slow week!

Books Bought

Phoenix by Elizabeth Richards

I really enjoyed Black City and so it was inevitable that I was going to order the sequel.  I feel a little bad actually as I won an ARC of this a while back and I still haven't gotten round to reading it but at least I bought a finished copy!

eBooks 

Obsession by Jennifer L. Armentrout (Bought)
Not only does this book sound amazing but the fact that it's written by Jennifer L. Armentrout is the icing on the cake.  I remember seeing snippets of this posted on her blog whilst she was writing it and I'm so glad that it's now been published! Looking forward to reading it :)

My Side by Tara Brown (Bought)
This book has got my name written all over it, seriously.  I love relationships that start off with the two main characters at loggerheads with each other and I think I'm really going to enjoy this one. 

Four Summers by Nyrae Dawn (Bought)
I seem to remember a friend recommending this one and it sounds like the perfect summer romance read.

Unbreak Me by Lexi Ryan (Bought)
This book has the potential to annoy me (mainly the main character) but I've seen nothing but five star reviews for it and I want to give it a chance.

The Vampire Code by E.C. Adams (Bought)
This is another recommendation from a friend.  I love books about vampires that has a fresh take on the genre and this sounds like one of those special books.  When I fancy reading a vampire novel, this is the one I'm going to pick up.

Romancing the R.A. by Ashelyn Drake (Bought)
I like the sound of this New Adult romance novel which sounds like a quick and enjoyable read. 

Lost and Found by Nicole Williams (Bought)
Usually books are all about the bad boy but this one is about a bad girl and a golden boy which has me interested. AND he's a cowboy *swoon*

Beauty from Pain by Georgia Cates (Bought)
This is an adult contemporary romance about an Australian winemaking magnate and the American girl he has a three month affair with.  The fact that this guy arranges his dates like business deals and starts breaking all the rules with this girl means that this has the potential to be a great romance. 

Because of You by T.E. Sivec (Bought)
This is the sequel to A Beautiful Lie and whilst I haven't read it yet, this is on sale at the moment and so I jumped on it.

Gemini by Penelope Ward (Free)
I didn't buy this just because I'm a Gemini but because the synopsis intrigued me and I was impressed with all the five star reviews I saw for the book.  I want to know what the guy's big secret is and why he was send to seek out the main character!

Angelfire by Hannah Peach (Free)
This is billed as a book that Cassandra Clare fans will love which is a bold statement indeed! I do think it sounds interesting and I love the idea of the girl's life being linked with the guy who she saves (if she dies, HE dies and presumably vice versa).  I'm definitely interested to see if this book lives up to its claim. 

Breaking all the Rules by Kerry Connor (Free)
Not only does this feature a Marine *swoon* but he's looking for more from the girl he has a history with and she doesn't want it.  Hooked.  
 
The Fallen Prince by Shea Berkley (Netgalley - For Review)
I love the cover for this and the synopsis sounds intriguing, I just hope it's not a faerie book. 

Sadly, I haven't had much time to read recently and am unlikely to get time until I go on holiday!  I will tell you that I'm planning to take my e reader with me (which has TONS of books on it) but I'd also like to take Angelfall by Susan ee.  What are you reading right now? I hope you all had a great week for books and as always, please leave your links below.