Waiting on Wednesday - Now I Rise by Kiersten White

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Breaking the Spine,  that spotlights upcoming releases that we’re eagerly anticipating or books that are in our TBR pile.  This week’s “can’t-wait-to-read” selection is

Summary (by Goodreads)

Lada Dracul has no allies. No throne. All she has is what she’s always had: herself. After failing to secure the Wallachian throne, Lada is out to punish anyone who dares to cross her blood-strewn path. Filled with a white-hot rage, she storms the countryside with her men, accompanied by her childhood friend Bogdan, terrorizing the land. But brute force isn’t getting Lada what she wants. And thinking of Mehmed brings little comfort to her thorny heart. There’s no time to wonder whether he still thinks about her, even loves her. She left him before he could leave her.

What Lada needs is her younger brother Radu’s subtlety and skill. But Mehmed has sent him to Constantinople—and it’s no diplomatic mission. Mehmed wants control of the city, and Radu has earned an unwanted place as a double-crossing spy behind enemy lines. Radu longs for his sister’s fierce confidence—but for the first time in his life, he rejects her unexpected plea for help. Torn between loyalties to faith, to the Ottomans, and to Mehmed, he knows he owes Lada nothing. If she dies, he could never forgive himself—but if he fails in Constantinople, will Mehmed ever forgive him?

As nations fall around them, the Dracul siblings must decide: what will they sacrifice to fulfill their destinies? Empires will topple, thrones will be won . . . and souls will be lost. 

I love Kiersten White and I'm a loyal reader when it comes to her work but I really had trouble getting into And I Darken, Book #1 of the Conqueror's Saga.  Not that that is a bad thing though. I think I will re-visit this series later when I'm in a different headspace. The premise fascinating and a completely different avenue of writing than what I've seen before.  I like it when writer's try something new, don't you? (Now I Rise doesn't come out until the end of June but that would give you enough time to read And I Darken, don't you think?

- Christinabean

Stacking the Shelves

Stacking the Shelves allows us to share the books we have added to our collections - physical, virtual, borrowed, bought or received

Should it really be any surprise that I went out and bought this last Tuesday? I have been super busy lately so I haven't been able to read it fully but I am inching my way there.  I even purchased the audio version (as well) so that I didn't have to lug all 600 pages to and from work. So I flip between listening to James Marsters (Spike from the Buffy series) and reading the hardcover. :) Book nerds unite!

- Christinabean

Waiting on Wednesday - Lord of Shadows by Cassandra Clare

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Breaking the Spine,  that spotlights upcoming releases that we’re eagerly anticipating or books that are in our TBR pile.  This week’s “can’t-wait-to-read” selection is

Summary (by Goodreads)

Emma Carstairs has finally avenged her parents. She thought she’d be at peace. But she is anything but calm. Torn between her desire for her parabatai Julian and her desire to protect him from the brutal consequences of parabatai relationships, she has begun dating his brother, Mark. But Mark has spent the past five years trapped in Faerie; can he ever truly be a Shadowhunter again?

And the faerie courts are not silent. The Unseelie King is tired of the Cold Peace, and will no longer concede to the Shadowhunters’ demands. Caught between the demands of faerie and the laws of the Clave, Emma, Julian, and Mark must find a way to come together to defend everything they hold dear—before it’s too late. 

Ahhhhh!! I feel like I have been waiting for FOREVER just to see this book on the shelves!!  Cassandra Clare has done it again with this new Shadowhunter series.  True, I certainly miss the old crew but it was time for some fresh faces and our favourite characters still make cameo appearances throughout the books.  Lord of Shadows continues where Lady Midnight left off.  I am definitely looking forward to the adventures of Emma Carstairs, Julian and Mark...here we go with another crazy love triangle!

- Christinabean

Cheater by Rachel Van Dyken

Published: Feb 2017

Publisher: Skyscape

Pages: 320

Copy Provided by: NetGalley

Summary: Goodreads

Summary:

Lucas Thorn wasn’t born a cheater. All it took was a single moment—say, a certain disastrous incident on the night before his wedding—and boom. Reputation destroyed forever and always. So now he owns it. He has a lady friend for every night of the week (except Sundays—God’s day and all), and his rules are simple: No commitments. No exceptions.

But a certain smart-mouthed, strawberry blonde vixen is about to blow that all to hell.

Avery Black has never forgiven Lucas for cheating on her sister. And suddenly being forced to work with him is pretty much a nightmare on steroids. Of course, it does afford her the opportunity to make his life as difficult as possible. But no good revenge scheme comes without payback. Because he didn’t become the Lucas Thorn without learning a few things about women.

Now Avery’s lust for vengeance has turned into, well, lust. And if Lucas stops cheating, it’s definitely not because he’s falling in love… 

Review:

I don't normally deviate from my regular YA reading series but this title just sounded like so much fun, I had to give it a try and I'm SO GLAD that I did!!  First off, this book has a very easy-going narrative.  It was nice to read something that flows so smoothly.  It was as if Lucas was sitting there chatting in my ear. He is obviously a womanizer and uses his womanizing to cover up the fact that he has been hurt in love or has hurt someone badly in love.  

Picture this novel as chit lit from a man's perspective.  And get ready to be highly entertained.  I LOVED these characters. They made me laugh and cry and cringe all in less than 350 pages!  There is so much that happens in this novel and I don't want to give away any spoilers but if you like Bridget Jones and any of the Shopaholic series, you will enjoy this.  The main characters are honest and have REAL insecurities.  Avery of course is my favourite and she has so much spunk, she could bottle and SELL IT!! 

If you are looking for a book that is light and will entertain you on a beach or vacation or somewhere you want to relax, then get this. Seriously.  I would read it again.  Maybe not this week but definitely in another year when I'm wanting a pick me up and want to laugh out loud again.  I 100% endorse the ridiculousness of this book.  Trust me. You'll enjoy it...and want to tell your girlfriends about it.  I did.

Have you read Cheater? Here are some spoilers and my thoughts on events that happened. Please comment if you know what I'm talking about. Stop here if you haven't read it - 

I laughed out loud when Lucas brought Avery pancakes after saving her drunk ass the night before.  

Lucas' Mom reminds me of Bridge Jones' mom.  

When Avery's mother texts and calls her several times after she has had dinner with Lucas' parents, why doesn't she call her back?  

I feel bad for Avery's sister, Lucas's ex- girlfriend.  Aren't there unspoken rules and boundaries about relationships with your exes and their relatives?

Stacking the Shelves

Stacking the Shelves allows us to share the books we have added to our collections - physical, virtual, borrowed, bought or received

Summary (by Goodreads)

Looming war threatens all Feyre holds dear in the third volume of the #1 New York Times bestselling A Court of Thorns and Roses series.

Feyre has returned to the Spring Court, determined to gather information on Tamlin's maneuverings and the invading king threatening to bring Prythian to its knees. But to do so she must play a deadly game of deceit-and one slip may spell doom not only for Feyre, but for her world as well.

As war bears down upon them all, Feyre must decide who to trust amongst the dazzling and lethal High Lords-and hunt for allies in unexpected places. 

In this thrilling third book in the #1 New York Times bestselling series from Sarah J. Maas, the earth will be painted red as mighty armies grapple for power over the one thing that could destroy them all.

Ahhhhh!!! I have been waiting so long for this title!! so I actually went out last week during my lunch break on Tuesday to get it.  And then proceeded to dive in and thought - huh? Because what do you know??  I can't remember the details of what happened in the last book... (insert crying face here...) so guess what I've started reading all over again? Yep. Book #2.  A Court of Mist and Fury.  Don't you hate it when this happens? Or am I the only one with a bad memory? Not that it isn't awesome...but it IS another 700 pages.  Where is the YA version of Cole's Notes when you need them?  

- Christinabean 

Front Lines by Michael Grant

Published: January 2016

Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books

Pages: 576

Copy Provided by: Library

Summary: Goodreads

Summary:

1942. World War II. The most terrible war in human history. Millions are dead; millions more are still to die. The Nazis rampage across Europe and eye far-off America.

The green, untested American army is going up against the greatest fighting force ever assembled—the armed forces of Nazi Germany.

But something has changed. A court decision makes females subject to the draft and eligible for service. So in this World War II, women and girls fight, too.

As the fate of the world hangs in the balance, three girls sign up to fight. Rio Richlin, Frangie Marr, and Rainy Schulterman are average girls, girls with dreams and aspirations, at the start of their lives, at the start of their loves. Each has her own reasons for volunteering. Not one expects to see actual combat. Not one expects to be on the front lines.

Rio, Frangie, and Rainy will play their parts in the war to defeat evil and save the human race. They will fear and they will rage; they will suffer and they will inflict suffering; they will hate and they will love. They will fight the greatest war the world has ever known.

Review:

The last time I read a Michael Grant title, it was part of the Gone series. I think I made it to his 4th book in the series before I lost interest.  Don't get me wrong though. It was a GREAT series! But often I can only follow a series for so long before I start to forget the story after waiting a year for the next installment.  I remembered how much I enjoyed his writing though so I wanted to give Front Lines a try.  

This was a different type of novel than what I have been reading over the past year or so.  What if history were to play out a little bit differently and World War II allowed women to enter into service? I loved how many different factors Mr Grant explored in this novel - race, segregation, sexual harassment, gender inequality, etc.  I also like how this book opens up history to a younger generation of readers.  I personally feel that our education system does not discuss the importance of WWII history (and it's impact on the world today as we know it) as much as it should.  I would never want it to become a forgotten war.  

Overall, this was an excellent start to a new series and I already have the second title lined up and ready to read.  It was lengthy was oh so interesting.  Michael Grant did a great job of interpreting each character's point of view and I enjoyed how they all began on different paths but came together towards the end of the book.  It wasn't pretty and there are some very realistic, gruesome scenes but that is war.  It isn't to be sugar coated and the themes that were identified within the novel, really made me think about how different things may have been if both men AND women had been allowed to contribute equally to the war efforts.   If you are doing an ISU, this would be an EXCELLENT book to review.  Maybe a little but lengthy but all the more to explore!

May the Fourth be with you....

OK, so I only mention this because many of you are like me.  My book nerdery seems to spill over into a love for all things geeky as well.  That includes Star Wars, Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter etc...

This past weekend was the Comic Expo in Calgary.  It was my first time attending and SO MUCH FUN.  In fact, I walked so much that after 4 hours, I had to take off my boots and walk around in my tights for awhile. The balls of my feet were SO SORE....but it was worth it.  If you have never attended a Comic Convention, I do advise that you check one out. It is SO MUCH FUN! There were so many interesting costumes and cool booths to visit.  I am normally a closet geek/nerd and don't broadcast it much in person (just all over the net via a blog hahaha!) but I was so comfortable just being myself.

So after all of the browsing and exploring and talking to people...I decided to purchase something kind of cool...and subtle but oh so much fun...tell me what you think

Indulge your inner geek!!  May the Forth be with you!

- Christinabean

Waiting on Wednesday - Missing by Kelley Armstrong

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Breaking the Spine,  that spotlights upcoming releases that we’re eagerly anticipating or books that are in our TBR pile.  This week’s “can’t-wait-to-read” selection is

Summary (by Goodreads)

The only thing Winter Crane likes about Reeve’s End is that soon she’ll leave it. Like her best friend did. Like her sister did. Like most of the teens born in town have done. There’s nothing for them there but abandoned mines and empty futures. They’re better off taking a chance elsewhere.

The only thing Winter will miss is the woods. Her only refuge. At least it was. Until the day she found Lennon left for dead, bleeding in a tree.

But now Lennon is gone too. And he has Winter questioning what she once thought was true. What if nobody left at all? What if they’re all missing? 

I meant to talk about this book a couple weeks ago because it is by one of my favourite authors - Kelley Armstrong.  It is ON THE SHELVES NOW!!  There are SO MANY things that I love about this author.  She is very active and always seems to new titles coming out which I love. I also really like the variety of genres she seems to attack.  She has both series and standalone titles and she is very active in promoting her books, traveling around Canada to do author visits and signings.  Love it.  She is from Ontario and I've met her on several occasions.  Very down to earth accessible author who loves her work and is appreciative to her readers. If you haven't had a chance to read any of her books yet, give this one a try as a stand-alone.  

 - Christinabean

Stacking the Shelves

Stacking the Shelves allows us to share the books we have added to our collections - physical, virtual, borrowed, bought or received

This is kind of what my TBR list looks like right now. I've got so many books on the go that I think I'm going to dedicate this week to working on something I already have but haven't finished reading.  I hope you have some good books to work on this week!  Please share the titles you're working in the comments! I would love to hear what's on your shelf!

- Christinabean