The Reading Diaries

Thursday, May 28, 2015

#DustOffYourBookshelf #10

Stormi @ Books, Movies, Reviews! Oh My! and I have teamed up to encourage ourselves and others to use Instagram more.

So we come up with #Dustoffyourbookshelf where you display a book that you have had on your shelf for a long time and probably forgotten about. If you have time to grab it off the shelf and read it that is great, but you don’t have to read what you display. You can be creative in your displaying or you can just take a picture of it on your shelf. We are mainly doing this to get into instagram but thought it would be fun to do a post on Thursdays since we didn’t have a lot of post normally for Thursdays. If you would like to follow along feel free to make a post and link it below. It’s not technically a meme yet unless we get some followers!

You can follow us on instagram @bmreviewsohmy & @ReadingDiaries

I've had this one for so long on my bookshelves and keep saying one day.

The Emperor's Conspiracy
by Michelle Diener

(Goodreads)

Synopsis

From nineteenth-century London’s elegant ballrooms to its darkest slums, a spirited young woman and a nobleman investigating for the Crown unmask a plot by Napoleon to bleed England of its gold.

Chance led to Charlotte Raven’s transformation from chimney sweep to wealthy, educated noblewoman, but she still walks a delicate tightrope between two worlds, unable to turn her back on the ruthless crime lord who was once her childhood protector.

When Lord Edward Durnham is tapped to solve the mystery of England’s rapidly disappearing gold, his search leads him to the stews of London, and Charlotte becomes his intriguing guide to the city’s dark, forbidding underworld. But as her involvement brings Charlotte to the attention of men who have no qualms about who they hurt, and as Edward forges a grudging alliance with the dangerous ghosts of Charlotte’s former life, she faces a choice: to continue living in limbo, or to close the door on the past and risk her heart and her happiness on an unpredictable future.

Please leave a comment telling me where I can check it out.

What's Next?

Hosted by IcyBooks

Picking out what to read has always been a struggle for me. I've got lots of review books and even more non-review books.

This week I have a couple of books on my kindle I've been wanting to read. Just can't decide which to go with. Looks like a vampire week.

My Choice's for what's next:

Blood on Silk by Marie Treanor
(Goodreads)

Synopsis

The debut of a seductive new contemporary series of vampires, lust, and revenge.

While in Romania researching historical superstitions, Scottish academic Elizabeth Silk comes upon the folk tale of Saloman, a seductive prince staked centuries ago, legend's most powerful vampire. Now, in the ruins of a castle crypt, Elizabeth discovers supernatural legends that have come alive. Her blood has awakened him. Her innocence has aroused him. But Elizabeth unleashes more than Saloman's hunger, and it's going to unite them in ways neither could have imagined.

Blood Rights by Kristen Painter

(Goodreads)

Synopsis
Rebellion has a price.

The lacy gold mapped her entire body. A finely wrought filigree of stars, vines, flowers, butterflies, ancient symbols and words ran from her feet, up her legs, over her narrow waist, spanned her chest and finished down her arms to the tips of her fingers.

Born into a life of secrets and service, Chrysabelle's body bears the telltale marks of a comarré—a special race of humans bred to feed vampire nobility. When her patron is murdered, she becomes the prime suspect, which sends her running into the mortal world...and into the arms of Malkolm, an outcast vampire cursed to kill every being from whom he drinks.

Now, Chrysabelle and Malkolm must work together to stop a plot to merge the mortal and supernatural worlds. If they fail, a chaos unlike anything anyone has ever seen will threaten to reign.

Which would you choose?

M9B Two for Thursday Book Blitz – Call Me Grim by Elizabeth Holloway and Into the Fire by Ashelyn Drake with Giveaway #T4T

Hello and welcome to this week’s Two for Thursday Book Blitz #T4T
presented by Month9books/Tantrum Books!

Today, we will be showcasing two titles that may tickle your fancy,
and we’ll share what readers have to say about these titles!

You just might find your next read!

This week, #T4T presents to you:

Call Me Grim by Elizabeth Holloway and
Into the Fire by Ashelyn Drake

Be sure to enter the giveaway found at the end of the post!

The truck should have turned Libbi Piper into a Libbi Pancake—and it would have, too, if Aaron hadn't shown up and saved her life. The problem? Aaron's the local Grim Reaper . . . and he only saved Libbi's life because he needs someone to take over his job. Now, Libbi has two days to choose between dying like she was supposed to, or living a lonely life as Death Incarnate. Talk about a rock and a hard place. And the choice goes from hard to sucktastic when her best friend shows up marked: condemned as a future murderer. Libbi could have an extra week to stop the murder and fix the mark . . . but only if she accepts Aaron's job as Reaper, trapping herself in her crappy town forever, invisible and inaudible to everyone except the newly dead. But, if she refuses? Her best friend is headed straight for Hell.

WHAT READER’S ARE SAYING:

“Call Me Grim is humor, brilliance and a success altogether.” – Paula, Her Book Thoughts

“Okay, just the story line over all was GENIUS. I have NEVER EVER read a book like this before. It was just so original and plain awesome. MEGA props to the author. I'm still grinning from what I've read.” – Rachelann, Goodreads Reviewer

“Call Me Grim is one of those books that you do not want to put down. At the same time there is something about it that makes you just want to savor it - you want to know what is going to happen next but at the same time you do not want it to end.” – Mike, Goodreads Reviewer

Elizabeth Holloway is a maternity nurse living in Southern Pennsylvania with her two teen children and their pets, Bam-bam the dog and Tinkerbell the cat. In addition to nursing and writing, she’s also an avid reader, an artist, a karaoke singer, a music lover, and a kick-ass Pictionary player. Her debut YA novel, CALL ME GRIM, will be released from Month9Books in Fall 2014.

Author Links: Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

Seventeen-year-old Cara Tillman’s life is a perfectly normal one until Logan Schmidt moves to Ashlan Falls. Cara is inexplicably drawn to him, but she’s not exactly complaining. Logan’s like no boy she’s ever met, and he brings out a side of Cara that she isn’t used to. As the two get closer, everything is nearly perfect, and Cara looks forward to the future.

But Cara isn’t a normal girl. She’s a member of a small group of people descended from the mythical phoenix bird, and her time is running out. Rebirth is nearing, which means she’ll forget her life up to this point—she’ll forget Logan and everything they mean to one another.. But that may be the least of Cara’s problems.

A phoenix hunter is on the loose, and he’s determined to put an end to the lives of people like Cara and her family, once and for all.

WHAT READER’S ARE SAYING:

“You witness a major loss to the main character that does not involve a death, and also fully understand just what is about to face the main character. It was such a hook for me and I just had to find out what would happen next.” – Maria, The Paisley Reade

“I love finding series about unique paranormals, and Ashelyn Drake did a really good job with this one.” – Michelle, Book Briefs

“Kelly Hashway aka Ashelyn Drake has created an impeccable story surrounded around mythology, romance, family and deceit.” – Nay Denise, Nays Pink Bookshelf

Ashelyn Drake is a New Adult and Young Adult romance author. While it’s rare for her not to have either a book in hand or her fingers flying across a laptop, she also enjoys spending time with her family. She believes you are never too old to enjoy a good swing set and there’s never a bad time for some dark chocolate. She is represented by Sarah Negovetich of Corvisiero Literary Agency.

Author Links: Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

Complete the Rafflecopter below for a chance to win!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Wednesday, May 27, 2015

Swoon Romance YA Wednesdays: The Cinderella Moment by Jennifer Kloester Book Blitz with Giveaway #ReadSwoonRepeat

Welcome to this week’s

Swoon Romance YA Wednesdays!

This week features:

The Cinderella Moment by Jennifer Kloester!

Be sure to enter the giveaway found at the end of the post!

“I adored this book. It made me think of Sabrina meets Anna and the French Kiss.” – Amanda

“If you love a good male lead, and you love fairy-tale style re-tellings then this is the book for you!” — Claire

“This one played out in my head like a movie.” — Michelle, Novels on the Run

“So nice to see a clean, old-fashioned romantic coming of age story. I can see Disney knocking on Ms. Kloester’s door soon. A very charming read. I will recommend to my students this fall.” —MaryAnn E.

“I just loved this book! So not was I was expecting. Clean, romantic and the fashion is to die for!” — K. Mendez

Let the masquerade begin!

Angel Moncoeur has always wanted to be a fashion designer, but without money or connections, it’s going to be a challenge. When an opportunity to leave her home in New York and head to Paris appears, Angel grabs it – even if it means masquerading as her best friend Lily. That can’t be too hard, can it? But when she falls in love with her very own Prince Charming who thinks she’s someone else, Angel embarks on a plan to secure her happy ever after.

THE CINDERELLA MOMENT is a fabulously fun story about high society, mistaken identity, love, betrayal, friendship – and great clothes!

THE CINDERELLA MOMENT is a contemporary twist on the Cinderella fairytale. There are no fantasy or magical elements. This is NOT a paranormal or fantasy novel! This is a clean contemporary coming of age story that readers can be conformtable recommending to daughters, nieces, students and friends who enjoy teen romance reads. Originally published in Austalia by Penguin. Available in the U.S. in both print and eBook from Swoon Romance.

The Cinderella Moment
by Jennifer Kloester
Publication Date: December 2013
Publisher: Swoon Romance

Amazon | B&N

Review

Angel has dreamed about winning Teen Couture she has found the perfect fabric for her final ball gown she just needs to design and sew the perfect dress. She’s may be the daughter of a housekeeper but she doesn’t let that hold her back or keep her from dreaming. Angel’s best friend Lily may be the daughter of her mom’s employer but that doesn’t affect their friendship. While Lily’s father is out of the country his girlfriend at the time Margot has moved in with her daughter Clarissa to watch Lily. Margot is a social climber and determined to help her daughter win the Teen Couture and when Lily’s estranged grandmother and creator of the Versailles Ball request’s Lily spend the summer season with her Margot orders her to go.

Lily doesn’t want to spend the two weeks’ in Paris she’s interested in acting and wants to spend the two weeks in London at a theater program. When the idea comes up of sending Angel to Paris because her grandmother doesn’t know what she looks like and Lily can go to London Angels is against it. When Angel’s mother suddenly falls ill she’s forced to choose between her mother’s care and entering the Teen Couture. By not entering the Teen Couture Clarissa will enter her designs claiming them as her own which doesn’t sit well with Angel but she doesn’t see any other options. The girls decide to go with the plan sending Angel off to Paris to pretend to be Lily and stop Clarissa from entering her designs. Will Lily’s grandmother believe that Angel is her? Will she be able to stop Clarissa? Who is Nick?

Right from the start I really liked Angel she’s such a sweetheart it’s hard not to like her. She’s exactly as I would expect for being in the roll of Cinderella as the daughter of a poor housekeeper who has to sever her best friends evil step girlfriend and daughter. I also really enjoyed Lily while she wasn’t in the whole story she was a great addition to the story after all she’s the one who came up with swapping places. I also thought Nick was perfect for Angel he’s exactly what she needed as she tried to fit in a world she wasn’t from.

I wasn’t sure what to expect when I started The Cinderella Moment other than a retelling of Cinderella which is one of my favorites. I really enjoyed the concept the way the author took the Cinderella idea and added her own unique twists creating a captivating new story. The Cinderella Moment is a coming of age novel filled with secrets, adventure, romance and evil step-girlfriend and daughter. I found the whole novel intriguing it was hard to put down I almost stayed up all night to just finish. One of my favorite Cinderella retellings so far I loved the modern twists it was so fun and exciting. I enjoyed the authors writing and feel she did a beautiful job weaving an intricate story. I loved the characters I was able to connect with them and found myself cheering for Angel and that the evil steps would get what they deserve. The Cinderella Moment is also one of those stories that plays with your heart strings I found it an emotional roller coaster in a good way I love my characters to feel real and have issues. The ending was perfect I even brought a few tears to my eyes love a happy ever after. This is my first novel by the author and I can’t wait to check out her other books. Loved this one so much, and can see myself reading it again.

I was born in Melbourne, Australia, but have lived and worked in Papua New Guinea and the Middle East and travelled to more than thirty countries. During my time abroad I studied as an off-campus student with Deakin University and achieved my BA (Hons) while raising my three children. After graduating with a PhD in history from the University of Melbourne, I had my first two books: 'Georgette Heyer's Regency World' and 'Georgette Heyer' (the biography) published in both the UK and the USA. I've had lots of fun giving talks around the world on Georgette Heyer and the Regency, and am a passionate advocate for women writers, books and reading. My first novel, 'The Cinderella Moment', was published by Penguin Australia and Swoon Romance in 2013 and will be followed by the sequel, The Rapunzel Dilemma in 2014. I love writing and spending time with my family, gardening, reading and going to the beach. I have a black belt in karate and am love having adventures. One of my favourite things is experiencing new cultures, meeting new people and trying out different languages. Particular interests include Georgette Heyer first editions, and after a glorious visit to South Korea in 2012, Korean language and culture.

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

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Book Review: The Cinderella Moment

Title - The Cinderella Moment

Author - Jennifer Kloester

Genre - YA Retelling Chic Lit Contemporary

Published - December 21st 2013

Publisher - Swoon Romance

Format - Kindle Review Copy

(Goodreads)(Amazon)

Synopsis

Let the masquerade begin!

Angel Moncoeur has always wanted to be a fashion designer, but without money or connections, it’s going to be a challenge. When an opportunity to leave her home in New York and head to Paris appears, Angel grabs it – even if it means masquerading as her best friend Lily. That can’t be too hard, can it? But when she falls in love with her very own Prince Charming who thinks she’s someone else, Angel embarks on a plan to secure her happy ever after.

THE CINDERELLA MOMENT is a fabulously fun story about high society, mistaken identity, love, betrayal, friendship – and great clothes!

THE CINDERELLA MOMENT is a contemporary twist on the Cinderella fairytale. There are no fantasy or magical elements. This is NOT a paranormal or fantasy novel! This is a clean contemporary coming of age story that readers can be conformable recommending to daughters, nieces, students and friends who enjoy teen romance reads. Originally published in Austalia by Penguin. Available in the U.S. in both print and eBook from Swoon Romance.

Opening Line

Angel knew the moment she saw it. The color was exactly as she’d imagined—a deep midnight blue.

Review

Wishlist Wednesday

Wishlist Wednesday is a book blog hop where we will post about one book per week that has been on our wishlist for some time, or just added (it's entirely up to you), that we can't wait to get off the list and onto our wonderful shelves.

Hosted by Pen to Paper

This weeks choice is a newer one on my wishlist but it sounds really good.

My choice this week is:

Fire in the Woods
by Jennifer M. Eaton
(Goodreads)

Synopsis
When a plane crashes in the woods near Jess’s home, the boy of her dreams falls out of the sky—literally.

But David’s not here to find a girlfriend. He’s from another planet, and if Jess can’t help him get back to his ship, he’ll be stuck on Earth with nothing to look forward to but the pointy end of a dissection scalpel. But her father runs their house like an army barracks. and with an alien on the loose, Major Dad isn’t too keen on the idea of Jess going anywhere.

Ever.

So how the heck is she supposed to help the sweetest, strangest, and cutest guy she’s ever met? Hiding him in her room probably isn’t the best idea. Especially since her Dad is in charge of the squadron searching for David.

That doesn’t mean she won’t do it.

It just means she can't get caught. Helping David get home while protecting her heart—that’s gonna be the hard part.

After all, she can't really fall for a guy whose not exactly from here. As they race through the woods with Major Dad and most of the U.S. military one breath behind them, Jess and David grow closer than either of them anticipated. But all is not what it seems. David has a genocide-sized secret, and one betrayal later, they are both in handcuffs as alien warships are positioning themselves around the globe. Time is ticking down to Armageddon, and Jess must think fast if she's to save the boy she cares about without sacrificing Earth—and everyone on it.

FIRE IN THE WOODS is Star-Crossed meets Close Encounters of the Third Kind!
What's on your wishlist?

W... W... W... Wednesdays & What Are You Reading Wednesdays

W... W... W... Wednesdays

W...W...W... Wednesdays is a weekly meme hosted by Jenn at A Daily Rhythm. Be sure to link up to her so others can see what your reading.

To play along, just answer the following three (3) questions..
1.What are you currently reading?

2.What did you recently finish reading?

3.What do you think you'll read next?

Books

1.What are you currently reading? Talon by Julie Kagawa - Goodreads

2.What did you recently finish reading? The Cinderella Moment by Jennifer by Jennifer Kloester - Review
3.What do you think you'll read next? The Cage by Megan Shepherd - Goodreads

What Are You Reading Wednesdays
Hosted by It's A Reading Thing

How it works

Grab the book your currently reading and answer the following questions.

1. What's the name of your current read?
2. Go to page 34 in your book or 34% in your eBook and share one complete sentence.
3. Would you like to live in the world that exists within your book? Why or why not?

1. Talon by Julie Kagawa - Goodreads
2. I crouched in the damp, steamy undergrowth of the Brazilian rain forest, insects humming around me, feeling sweat trickle down my back beneath my combat armor. Beside me, another soldier knelt motionless in the ferns, his M-16 held in both hands, muzzle slanting down across his chest. The rest of our squad, eight in all, were scattered behind us, silent and watchful.
3. I'm only a few pages in so not sure but the idea of dragons is really awesome so it's tempting.

How about you? How are you coming on your reading?

Waiting on Wednesday

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking The Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases we're eagerly anticipating. In my case not so patiently waiting for the new releases, which I lack.

So many upcoming awesome books it's tough to choose. I'm in love with this weeks cover.

My choice this week is

An Inheritance of Ashes
by Leah Bobet
(Goodreads)

Synopsis

The strange war down south—with its rumors of gods and monsters—is over. And while sixteen-year-old Hallie and her sister wait to see who will return from the distant battlefield, they struggle to maintain their family farm.

When Hallie hires a veteran to help them, the war comes home in ways no one could have imagined, and soon Hallie is taking dangerous risks—and keeping desperate secrets. But even as she slowly learns more about the war and the men who fought it, ugly truths about Hallie’s own family are emerging. And while monsters and armies are converging on the small farm, the greatest threat to her home may be Hallie herself.

What are you waiting on this week?

Tuesday, May 26, 2015

Teaser Tuesday

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by Jenn of A Daily Rhythm. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

~Grab your current read

~Open to a random page

~Share two (2) "teaser" sentences from somewhere on the page

~BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! ( make sure that what you share doesn't give away too much away! You don't want to ruin the book for others!)

~Share the title & author too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR lists if they like your teasers!

I stayed up late trying to finish but I'm almost done. I thought this was a good one.

The Cinderella Moment
by Jennifer Kloester
(Goodreads)

Teaser:
Lily pulled Angel to her feet. Snapping on the light, she drew her to the mirror.
“Look,” said Lily.
Angel looked at Lily’s face, heart-shaped and animated, her eyes alight with mischief and then at her own puzzled reflection.
“See?” said Lily, pointing to the mirror.
“What?” asked Angel, mystified.
“We could be sisters.”
The penny dropped. “No way! Don’t even think about it.”
“But why not?” Lily looked surprised. “We’d have an awesome time—you in Paris, me in London. Think of it, Angel—two whole weeks in the city of your dreams and no one would ever know.”
“Oh yeah? What about your grandmother?”
“No. That’s why it’s so brilliant. She hasn’t seen me since I was five—not even a photo—she’d never know you weren’t me.”
“Other people would know.”
“Nuh-uh.” Lily looked triumphant. “I haven’t been back to France—no one in Paris knows me.”
“But what about your dad? And Margot? What’s to stop her turning up and exposing me?” demanded Angel.
“No chance,” said Lily. “When Dad phones he never knows where I am—so London, Paris, New York—it doesn’t matter. As for Margot,” she wrinkled her nose, “she’ll be way too busy sucking up to the in-crowd out in the Hamptons.”
“But—”
“If you go to Paris in my place, the Comtesse will take you to all the best couture houses. Jacqueline Montague says she knows all the top designers, including Antoine Vidal. Think about it, Angel—you could meet him.”
Angel hesitated. Imagine meeting Antoine Vidal! And seeing the great couturiers: Chanel, Dior, Versace, Givenchy, Karl Lagerfeld, Balenciaga, Oscar de la Renta, and Vidal. She might get to see his fall collection, after all.

What are you reading?

Top Ten Tuesday!

Top Ten Tuesday!

Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created at The Broke And The Brookish. Who doesn't love lists. They make life easy! And fun!! It's always a never ending topic.

This week's topic:
Freebie
Top ten Books that i plan to have in my beach bag

Well I doubt I'll get a lot of time at the beach this summer but I hope to have a few days since it's less than a hour away. I don't have a theme for beach reads it just depends on my mood. These are some of the summer books I plan to read and all of them could be the ones I take to the beach this summer.

1. Zoo by James Patterson - Goodreads - This one has turned into a summer show which will air in a few weeks if I remember correctly. I'm hoping to read it before the show starts and would take it to the beach. Just hope the birds don't attack me.

2. Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas - Goodreads - This one has been on my TBR list since it came out and I even have the hardcover saying read me.

3. Postmortem by Patricia Cornwell - Goodreads - I've had the first few of this series for years on my TBR list. It's been a while since I had a good mystery so perfect beach read.

4. The Gathering Storm by Robin Bridges - Goodreads - This one has been on my kindle for a while. It sounds interesting a Russian paranormal.

5. Dragonsdawn by Anne McCaffrey - Goodreads - It's been ages since I've read any of the dragon rider books and I think it's time I start the series from the start.

6. Feed by Mira Grant - Goodreads - I've been wanting to read this zombie one for a while. It sounds creepy perfect for a beach day imo.

7 Boomerang by Noelle August - Goodreads - I've heard good things about this one and I'm a sucker for a cute romance.

8. Jemima J by Jane Green - Goodreads - This one sounds like a fun chic lit perfect for a day at the beach.

9. The Constant Princess by Philippa Gregory - Goodreads - This one has been on my TBR list the last couple of years. I'm fascinated by the time period and think the beach would be a great place to get sucked into the past.

10. Rebel Belle by Rachel Hawkins - Goodreads - This one has been on my TBR to long and with the new one out I need to read it. So I plan to keep it in my beach bag.
What's on your top ten list this week?

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