Top Ten Tuesday #12

Hosted by Broke and The Bookish

This Week's Topic is:

Top Ten Words/Topics That Instantly Make Me Buy/Pick Up A Book

I was finding it difficult this week because I feel I am pretty varied in my reading tastes.  I also find that if I see a book all over the blogs and Goodreads I'll just buy it if there is a lot of good things being said... sometimes without even reading the blurb.

So... I have gone into my Amazon account and picked the last 10 books that I have purchased / pre-ordered and have listed what instantly made me buy it.

Pre-Order for May 28th, 2013

Words/Topic: Micha.

Plain and simple.  Loved The Secret of Ella and Micha and I loved him.

Read my review of The Secret of Ella and Micha HERE.

Published

Words/Topic: An Artists Trilogy Series

Just recently started Sins & Needles and immediately knew I wanted to carry on with the series so picked up the novella.

Pre-Order for June 4th, 2013

Words/Topic: Cora Carmack

Loved Losing It and there is no way I would miss Cade's story.

Read my review of Losing It HERE.

Pre-Order for June 4th, 2013

Words/Topic: Gideon Cross

I may be the only person in the world that has not started this series but I plan on starting them very soon and I have no doubt I will love them.. or should I say I have no doubt I will love Gideon Cross.

Published

Words/Topic: None, just saw it all over Goodreads

This book was blowing up my Goodreads feed so I bought it, read it, and loved it SO much.

Read my review of Leo HERE.

Published

Words/Topic: None, just saw it all over Goodreads

Another that I saw all over Goodreads, that plus the cover left me no doubt that I must read it as soon as possible.  I am now part of the blog tour next week so be sure to come back to check out my review.

Pre-Order for June 11th, 2013

Words/Topic: Ten Tiny Breaths Series

I loved Ten Tiny Breaths and I have no doubt I will love One Tiny Lie.  Really excited for this release.

Read my review of Ten Tiny Breaths HERE.

Pre-Order for April 30th, 2013

Words/Topic: Colleen Hoover

Colleen is one of my auto-buy authors.  This is one of my all time favorite series and I have been on countdown to This Girl for what seems like ages.  Can not wait for more of Will and Lake.

Read my review of Slammed HERE and Point of Retreat HERE.

Published

Words/Topic: Magnus Bane

Need I say more?  Magnus Bane is amazing and I loved this novella so much.  Can't wait for the next nine of them.

Read my review of What Really Happened in Peru HERE.

Pre-Order for August 27th, 2013

Words/Topic: Throne of Glass series

Loved Throne of Glass when I read it and it seems like ages that I have waited for this sequel and it seems like there is still ages to wait...

Read my review of Throne of Glass HERE.

So there you go... this weeks Top Ten! What is yours?

Feel free to leave your links below so that I can check them out and if you are a new follower be sure to let me know so that I can come and check out your blog in return!

Review: REAL

A fallen boxer.
A woman with a broken dream.
A competition…

He even makes me forget my name. One night was all it took, and I forgot everything and anything except the sexy fighter in the ring who sets my mind ablaze and my body on fire with wanting…

Remington Tate is the strongest, most confusing man I’ve ever met in my life.

He’s the star of the dangerous underground fighting circuit, and I’m drawn to him as I’ve never been drawn to anything in my life. I forget who I am, what I want, with just one look from him. When he’s near, I need to remind myself that I am strong–but he is stronger. And now it’s my job to keep his body working like a perfect machine, his taut muscles primed and ready to break the bones of his next opponents . . .

But the one he’s most threatening to, now, is me.
I want him. I want him without fear. Without reservations.
If only I knew for sure what it is that he wants from me?

Title: REAL (Real, Raw & Ripped ~ Book 1)
Author: Katy Evans | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads | Website
Publication Date: April 9 2013
Publisher: Self-Published
Tour organized by:  Good Choice Reading Blog Tours 
Length: 266 Pages
Add it to your TBR Pile: Goodreads
Buy It: Amazon US | Amazon UK

Source: Purchased (Kindle Edition)
Cover Love: I love this cover, however I do picture Remy a bit more beefy.
Point of View: 1st person, following Brooke

My Rating: 5 Stars

Holy alpha hottie Batman...

“It feels like he's marking me.  Like he's preparing me for something monumental.  That could both change and ruin my life.”

Wow.  I read this book over a week ago and I am still sat here fanning myself.  I read a lot of different kinds of books, Romance, Young Adult, New Adult... but REAL is in a category all it's own.  It is called the 'Sexually Charged Tension' genre.  I have never, and I mean never, experienced this much sexual chemistry between two characters.  It is practically rolling off of them in waves.

“I can see he thinks he's the ultimate creation, and he seems to believe every woman here is his Eve, created from his ribcage for him to enjoy.  I'm both aroused and infuriated, and this is the most confusing feeling I've ever felt in my life."

I am going to start with Brooke because I am afraid that if I mention 'his' name this early in the review I will lose all train of thought, and this will turn into a fit of rambling.  I like that she is a strong and independent character.  I really appreciate that she has a head on her shoulders that isn't just there to tilt and bat eyelashes at the hot male character.  She is an athlete in her own right, went to college and has an actual profession.  I love her for that.  Do all of her decisions make sense or seem to be the right ones?  Nope.  But if they were would we have a book to read? 

“And nowwww, ladies and gentlemen, the moment we’ve all been waiting for.  Our reigning champion, the defender, the one and only, Remington RIPTIDE Tate! ”

(picks herself up off the floor)  Remington Tate.  What can I say about this man?  And that is exactly what he is folks, he is ALL man.  Remy is tattoos, lust, rage, sex, possessiveness, muscles... all rolled into one nice package.  And there is absolutely one thing for certain, you will never forget Remington Tate.  I have had the pleasure of reading some awesome books with amazing alpha male characters but Remy leaves them all in his dust.  From head to toe the man oozes confidence, and plain and simple sex appeal.

Is Remy perfect?  Of course not, he is probably as messed up as they come.  But his flaws make you love him even more.  As the story progresses and more about Remington and his past come to light it all starts to click into place.  It is then that you understand him, and even though you didn't think it possible you love him even more.

His tongue flashes out to lick a wet path up my neck as an arm coils around my waist, and he crushes me to his body, whispering, “Mine.”

Now, at this stage you are probably thinking this book is nothing but a giant game of fore play and ultimately hot and sweaty sex.  Well, those two things are in fact true but there is so much more.  There is romance.  Yes, you have in fact read that correctly.  Romance.

Remy has a hard time expressing his feelings and one way that he manages to do this is by playing songs for Brooke.  They get into a routine of picking out and playing songs for each other as a way to show the other what they are thinking and feeling.  This is soooo romantic, and I loved the songs that were picked.  I know a lot of authors are releasing play lists with books now a days but this is the first time that I actually wanted to listen to the songs in question.  Throughout the book they are perfect and I love those moments they share with each other.

“You tie me up in knots.  I want to play you a thousand different songs so you can get a clue of what... I feel inside me...”

Okay, I have rambled enough.  If you haven't guessed yet I am strongly recommending REAL.  This is the first book in the series, Real, Raw & Ripped.  There are going to be two further books that follow both Remy and Brooke and then another two for side characters.  I don't want you to worry about there being a dreaded cliffhanger, because even though their story is set to continue there is an ending to REAL that you can be happy with until Mine is released in June 2013.  And the best part?  Mine is being told from Remy's point of view.  I am beyond excited for this release...

“I'll never have enough of you, never.”

MORE QUOTES FROM REAL

Book Blogger Spotlight: It's a Book Life

To the blogging universe I am known as Kay, which is my middle name.  I live in Illinois. I married the love of my life last September and I am enjoying married life so far. I work part-time for a local newspaper. When I’m not working I’m blogging, reading, writing, watching television, hanging out with my friends and family, or spending quality time with my husband, but mostly I’m reading.

When and why did you become a book blogger?

I became a book blogger in June of 2012. As an avid reader with a very small number of friends and family members that love books as much as I do I wanted another way to communicate with other book lovers. I wanted to be able to share my love of books and my opinion about bookish things to more people.

How did you come up with the name of your blog?

It just came to me one day after many other lame ideas that I had.  Once my younger brother told me it was a cool name I figured I was good to go. So “It’s a Book Life” was born. I think it fits perfectly because for the most part, my life really is a book life.

What is your favorite thing about blogging?

My favorite thing about blogging is getting to share my love of books with other book lovers out there. I have met so many awesome fellow book bloggers! I love bookish discussions. Oh and sometimes getting free books doesn’t hurt either.

What do you find the hardest about blogging?

Not becoming overwhelmed with books I have to read for review. I sometimes have to remind myself not to accept too many books for review. I want to make sure I have time to read books that I choose myself, or that have been sitting on my TBR pile for a long time.

Does your blog participate in any weekly features and if so which is your favorite?

I occasionally participate in Waiting on Wednesday, Teaser Tuesday, Library Loot, and Top Ten Tuesday when I find the topic interesting. I love them all equally, but I think Teaser Tuesday is a fun one! I get so many great new reading ideas.

What has been your favorite moment since you became a book blogger? Which review, interview or giveaway have you been most proud of?

This is tough question. I guess my favorite moment was when I posted Click. Click. Click. - "Add to goodreads" Button Addiction. It was my first real discussion post on the blog and I received a lot of awesome comments. I also want to say that I created two other fun posts that I do on my blog including Book Recommendation Friday, which occurs about once a month, and a Bookish News post that I post every Sunday. I’m pretty proud of those as well.

What kind of genres do you enjoy reading and reviewing the most?

I read so many different genres of books, but right now I’m really into Young Adult Dystopian novels and well done romances.

What is your favorite individual book or series? What makes you love it so much?

I feel like these questions are getting harder as I go along… :)  I’m going to go with The Mara Dyer trilogy by Michelle Hodkin. I just read these books at the end of last year and I instantly fell in love. They are full of mystery and suspense. There is also a swoon worthy male lead, Noah, which never hurts. These books are different than the usual young adult, and I just fell in love.

Who is your favorite fictional male character, why and from what book or series are they from?

Eric Northman from The Sookie Stackhouse series is my favorite fictional male character who I of course wish was real. No matter what I will always have a place for him in my heart. He is the sexiest bad boy I have ever read.

Who is your favorite fictional female character, why and from what book or series are they from?

I love this question! I’m going to go with Stephanie Plum from the Stephanie Plum series by Janet Evanovich. She is fun, a little crazy, clumsy, and hilarious, kicks butt, and a bounty hunter who always seems to be getting herself into some sort of ridiculous trouble.

Who are your favorite three authors and why?

Rick Riordan ~ I love his Percy Jackson series and The Kane Chronicles trilogy. He knows how to write a good adventure story and does great things with different mythology stories and characters.

J.K. Rowling ~ Harry Potter will always and forever be in my heart. That right there shroud tell you why I love this author.

Veronica Roth ~ Her Divergent trilogy is amazing, and one of the best dystopian books I have ever read. She does some amazing world building.

If you could turn one book or series into films, what would you pick and who would you cast as the main characters?

I’m going to go with A Discovery of Witches by: Deborah Harkness. I love this book. For the main female Diana, who is a witch, I would cast Jessica Chastain, I just love her in The Help, even though that is a totally different character than Diana I think she would be perfect.  For Matthew, a vampire, I would pick Ian Somerhalder because he already plays the perfect vampire in Vampire Diaries and isn’t too harsh on the eyes either.

What has been your favorite book of 2013? Why did you love it?

Although I have read a lot of great books so far this year, I’m going to go with the Second Sight series by Heather Topham Wood. These books are some of the cutest and fun reads I have ever encountered.  One of the biggest reasons that I love these books is because the two main characters are so loveable. If I connect well with the characters in a book it is always a hundred times more enjoyable.

What books are you most looking forward to in 2013?

Allegiant by: Victoria Roth
Dead Ever After by: Charlaine Harris
Not a Drop to Drink by: Mindy McGinnis
Premeditated by: Josin L. McQuein

Paper books or ebooks?

I will always love paper books more than ebooks.

Where is your favorite place to read?

I would have to say outside on a nice spring day on this bench by my apartment complex.

Milk chocolate, white chocolate or dark chocolate?

Dark Chocolate

Coffee, hot tea or hot chocolate?

Iced Coffee

Would you like to give any other details about yourself? How can others find you around the web? Such as Facebook, Twitter, Goodreads, etc...

Blog: http://itisabooklife.blogspot.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ItisaBookLife
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/AKayR

Review: Sins & Needles

Ellie Watt is used to starting over. The daughter of a grifting team, Ellie spent her childhood being used as a pawn in her parents' latest scam. Now she's much older, wiser and ready to give her con artist life a rest. But returning to the dry desert town of Palm Valley, California means one more temptation than she bargained for - Camden McQueen.

Once known as the high school weirdo, Camden is bigger and badder than the boy he used to be and a talented tattoo artist with his own thriving business. Ellie's counting on Camden still being in love with her but what she's not counting on is how easily unrequited love can turn into obsession over time.

Title: Sins & Needles (The Artists Trilogy ~ Book 1)
Author: Karina Halle | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads | Website
Publication Date: January 25 2013
Publisher: Metal Blonde Books
ISBN: 1479359084
Length: 438 Pages
Add it to your TBR Pile: Goodreads
Buy It: Amazon US | Amazon UK

Source: Purchased (Kindle Edition)
Cover Love: Could not be more perfect, that IS Ellie Watt.
Point of View: 1st person, following Ellie with some flashbacks in 3rd person

My Rating: 5 Stars

What an amazing ride Sins & Needles just took me on.  I could easily see this story played out on the big screen or even in a gritty TV drama on a cable network.  The story unfolds at a perfect pace, that not only keeps you interested but also on the edge of your seat.  I lost count at the number of times I audibly gasped or clamped my hand over my mouth while letting out a few curse words.

“You're a con artist.  A liar.  A thief.  An unredeemable soul.  You can't be reformed.  You can't be saved.  You'll die trying to make the world pay for what it did to you.  And you'll die alone.”

Ellie, Ellie, Ellie... What am I going to do with you?  To say I went through a mixture of emotions with Ellie is an understatement.  At one point I was actually yelling at my Kindle and threatening her.  The fact she is a fictional character is neither here nor there, this is what Sins & Needles has driven me to.  I was accosting my beloved Kindle.  In the end though I can easily say I love her, faults and all.  She is one messed up cookie, and makes some terrible decisions but I still love her.

“I hate you, Ellie Watt," he whispered, lips coming closer to mine, "because I still love you after all these years.”

Then there is Camden.  *sigh*  I love Camden, and I am sure 99% of the other female readers will agree with me.  He is hot.  Like from head to toe, friggin hot.

“He was like a living, breathing painting on an all-male canvas.”

He is honestly one of the most complicated and loveable male characters I have ever read.  Troubled past? Check.  Troubled future? Check.  Talented tattoo artist? Check.  Covered in tattoos? Check.  Talented in bed? Check.  Need I go on?  His character surprised me the most because I did not expect him to step up in the way that he does.  So yeah, he surprised me in a very good way.  Ellie is a full on messed up individual but in his own ways so is Camden.  Ever hard the saying 'two wrongs don't make a right'?  Well in this case they do.  Somehow they work, and somehow together they are perfect.

oooOOOooohhh and did I mention the talented in bed part?  These two are on fire when they are together.  Five minutes?  I have no doubt she agreed it was the best five minutes of her life after this scene...

“I cleared my throat and spoke into his kiss. “Sorry, it’s been a while.”

“You should expect to hear the same thing from me in about five minutes,” he murmured.

“Five minutes, huh?”

“I’ll make it the best five minutes of your life.”

I bit his lip, hard, then released him and looked into those intense blues. “Clock’s ticking.”

It is so difficult to get across how beautifully this story plays out.  The author never lets you know too many of the facts at one time.  There are 'flashbacks' for Ellie which are written in the 3rd person.  I really enjoyed the use of these throughout the book.  It was a way for us to get to know her character's past but also not really deviate from the 1st person telling of the main story.  It also avoided a long drawn out chapter where her story would eventually have to be told.  It was seamlessly weaved into the current story, and it fit perfectly.

“He sucked in his breath as his saw me, his eyes traveling from my toes to my hips, as if he hadn't seen it all before.  "Jesus," he whispered, gaze lingering everywhere.  "I keep forgetting that you're art already...”

And the ending?  Holy crap I need Shooting Scars right now.  This is not a joke or a prank, I am deadly serious.  I need that book like I need air.  There is no exact release date at the time of this review but it does say Summer 2013 so at least it is not going to be that torturous.  Oh, and did I mention Shooting Scars is going to be dual point of view following both Ellie and Camden?  CRAP.  Who am I trying to kid here?  Summer or not this wait is going to be pure torture.  I wonder if I can beg, borrow or steal for an early copy?  I may have learned a few tricks from Ellie I could try...

“I love you,” he whispered.  “From now until the end, under any name you choose.”

MORE QUOTES FROM SINS & NEEDLES

Review: Leo

Evie and Leo met in foster care as children and formed a bond of friendship. As they grew, their bond turned to love and they vowed to make a life together when they turned 18 and were no longer a part of the system.

When Leo unexpectedly gets adopted as a teen and he moves to another city, he promises Evie that he will contact her as soon as he gets there and come back for her in a few short years. She never hears from him again.

Now eight years later, in spite of the odds, Evie has made a life for herself. She has a job, she has friends, she's content. Then a man shows up out of the blue, claiming that her long lost love, Leo, sent him to check up on her. The attraction between them is undeniable. But, should she trust this sexy stranger? Or is he keeping a secret about what his connection to Leo is really all about and why Leo disappeared all those years ago?

Title: Leo (Sign of Love ~ Book 1)
Author: Mia Sheridan | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads | Website | Author Spotlight
Publication Date: March 11 2013
Publisher: Self-Published 
Length: 193 Pages
Add it to your TBR Pile: Goodreads
Buy It: Amazon US / Amazon UK

Source: Purchased (Kindle Edition)
Cover Love: This is the new cover and it is simply gorgeous.
Point of View: 1st person, following Evie

My Rating: 5 Stars

I would first like to start with a huge congratulations to Mia Sheridan, what an amazing debut novel.  Leo has instantly made a fan of me, and you can guarantee that I will not hesitate to buy any of her future publications.

“I'm going to kiss you now, Evie, and when I do, it's going to mean that you're mine.  I don't care how far away from each other we are.  You.  Are.  Mine.  I'll wait for you.  And I want you to wait for me.  Promise me you won't let anyone else touch you.  Promise me you'll save yourself for me.”

I don't even know where to begin because I simply do not want to give anything away.  The characters, the pacing, the story itself... it all came together beautifully.  There is a twist, and to be fair I had my suspicions and theories early on.  But even though I ended up being partly right it didn't ruin anything for me.  The story unfolds perfectly, and all in good time.  So even if you think you have it all figured out, trust me when I say it will not take away from your enjoyment.

“We dreamed together, we planned a life together. We were so young, but we were so sure.”

Evie is one of the strongest characters I have ever read, and her story touched me.  The way she has lived her life, despite the start that was handed to her, is an inspiration.  It would have been so easy for her to continue along the path of what she was surrounded in.  But she grew up, moved out of her final foster home and made a life for herself.  She mentions in one part of the book that others may come and see her little apartment and think it small and not worth anything.  However, when she looks around she sees how well she had done for herself and is proud.  As she should be.  Really, she is just a lovely person.

“And, Evie, when you walk away from people, even strangers, you gotta know that their eyes follow you.  And I'll tell you why because I've felt it myself.  It's because they don't want to see the light that is Evie, the light that is you, walking away from them.  They want to see it coming towards them and staying with them.”

Jake is so very swoonworthy and you will instantly fall in love with him.  He has just the right amount of softness and fierceness.  He definitely has an alpha streak in him and I for one love it when that side of him comes out.  Evie of course doesn't seem to mind it either, because it seems to mostly make an appearance when things are getting hot and heavy.  oooOOOooohhh and do things get hot and heavy...  Evie and Jake have some major chemistry and you can practically feel the sparks flying off of them when they are together.

“I will prove to you that forever is not just a word, not just a measurement of unending time, but that forever is a place where I will treasure your heart.”

You may have noticed that there is a second book, Leo's Chance, that is due to be published in July.  So of course the warning bells start going off, and you are probably thinking this has a big old cliffhanger.  I am happy to report that it does not.  There is an ending, and Leo's Chance is actually a retelling but from Leo's point of view.  Sheridan has mentioned that there will be some additional unseen scenes also, and I for one can not wait for this release.  There is no exact date announced yet but I will be on the look out for it, and will not delay in starting it as soon as it is out.

I so strongly recommend that you read Leo.  You will swoon, you will laugh, you will smile, and you will probably shed a few little tears (sad and happy).  In the end you will be so very happy that you read it.

“Why are you looking at me?"  His eyes search mine for several long seconds before he holds contact and whispers, "Because I like your face.”

MORE QUOTES FROM LEO

Swoon Thursday #23

Who doesn't love a good swoon?
The ladies over at YA Bound have created this hot and fun meme!
If you want to join in here's all you need to do.
From the book you’re currently reading, or one you just finished, tell us what made you SWOON. What got your heart pounding, your skin tingling and your stomach fluttering?

Then pick a smaller portion of your swoon and tweet it, just don't forget to add the #YABOUND Hashtag to your tweet!

Holy cow... Woods has got to be one of the hottest male characters I have ever, and I mean EVER read about.  I really liked him before but this book absolutely blew me away.  I can not suggest Twisted Perfection enough, it was amazing.

You can read my spoiler free review HERE

Woods set his glass down on the table on the other side of his chair but didn't take his eyes off of me.

"I'd planned to be good tonight.  But I can't.  Not with you looking at me like that," Woods said as he took the glass from my hand and put it down beside his.

"I think I'll be okay if I can just have a little.  Just a small taste.  It's been too long and I can't seem to think about anything other than how much I want to kiss you," he brushed his finger over my lips.  "and the many parts of you I want to touch," he said slipping one of his hands around my waist.

What is your swoon worthy moment this week?

Feel free to leave your links below so that I can check them out and if you are a new follower be sure to let me know so that I can come and check out your blog in return!

Waiting on Wednesday #25

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Breaking the Spine.

This is a perfect way to highlight books that we are waiting patiently to be released... it is also a sure-fire way to watch your TBR pile grow!

Livie has always been the stable one of the two Cleary sisters, handling her parents' tragic death and Kacey's self-destructive phase with strength and maturity. But underneath that exterior is a little girl hanging onto the last words her father ever spoke to her. “Make me proud,” he had said. She promised she would...and she’s done her best over the past seven years with every choice, with every word, with every action.

Livie walks into Princeton with a solid plan, and she’s dead set on delivering on it: Rock her classes, set herself up for medical school, and meet a good, respectable guy that she’s going to someday marry. What isn’t part of her plan are Jell-O shots, a lovable, party animal roommate she can’t say ‘no’ to, and Ashton, the gorgeous captain of the men’s rowing team. Definitely him. He’s an arrogant ass who makes Livie’s usually non-existent temper flare and everything she doesn’t want in a guy. Worse, he’s best friends and roommates with Connor, who happens to fits Livie’s criteria perfectly. So why does she keep thinking about Ashton?

As Livie finds herself facing mediocre grades, career aspirations she no longer thinks she can handle, and feelings for Ashton that she shouldn’t have, she’s forced to let go of her last promise to her father and, with it, the only identity that she knows.

Expected Publication: June 11 2013
Add it to your TBR Pile: Goodreads

Why am I so eagerly awaiting this release you ask?

I absolutely loved Ten Tiny Breaths and I adored Livie in Kacey's story.  I was really happy when I saw that K.A. Tucker had been picked up for two more books in the series.  Looks like Livie is getting to go to college which is wonderful for her.  I of course will also be very excited to get a little glimpse into how Kacey and Trent are doing...

What is your Waiting on Wednesday?

Feel free to leave your links below so that I can check them out and if you are a new follower be sure to let me know!

Top Ten Tuesday #11

Hosted by Broke and The Bookish

This Week's Topic is:

Top Ten Books I Thought I'd Like MORE/LESS Than I Did

MORE

I have said it once and I will say it again.. Flat-Out Love has been my favorite read of 2013 so far.  I knew I would enjoy it based on the type of book it is but I had no idea I was going to love it this much.  My goal is to get as many people as possible to read this brilliant book.

My Flat-Out Love Review

LESS

I so loved the first two Hunger Games books but sadly was let down by book three.  I expected so much more.  To me Katniss just acted like a completely different person. The ending felt so rushed and incomplete.  I am also scared to think that they are making book three into two books.  Two? Really?  *sigh*

My Mockingjay Review

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Holy cow.  I absolutely love Abbi Glines and I liked Woods a lot in the first two Too Far books but... wow.  I no longer like Woods Kerrington, I freakin love the crap out of him.  oooOOOooohhh and he is going to get another book?  YES PLEASE.

My Twisted Perfection Review

LESS

I am in the minority on this one.  So many people are gushing their love for Falling Into You but I just didn't love it.  It falls into the type of book I would normally fall head over heels for but I just didn't.  I just didn't seem to connect to the characters. I am a pretty soppy gal when it comes to emotional reads but I didn't even cry... that is just not normal for me.

My Falling Into You Review

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Colleen Hoover is a rock star.  To say that Slammed rocked my world was an understatement.  I knew I would adore Point of Retreat but I loved it oh so much more than I thought I would.  Colleen works magic with words and Will and Lake will always have a place in my heart.

My Slammed Review

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Okay, I will admit that I was first drawn to this book because of it's cover.  I am an admitted cover whore.  But I also enjoy fantasy novels and it was YA so I thought it would be a win win.  Sadly, I just couldn't get into it.  I think I will still continue with the series because I am invested now but I do hope it gets a bit better... maybe a bit more action.

My Falling Kingdoms Review

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This book was awesomesauce.  I had no idea how amazing this was going to be and it caught me completely by surprise.  I am a huge fan of dual POV books and was so excited that this was one of them.  You really need both sides of the story so it is joy to follow both Nastya and Josh.

My Sea of Tranquility Review

LESS

Zzzzzzzzz.....  That is what I remember about this book.  I also remember it took me for-ev-er to get through it.  There is just far too much description for my liking.  It seemed very slow paced and all the wordy words just made made my sleepy.  I will not be carrying on with this series.

My The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo Review

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Lucas... Lucas... Lucas *sigh*  Love him.  Love this book.  Love the fact that I saw on Facebook last week that Tammara Webber was thinking of rewriting Easy from Lucas' POV.  Just the idea of this makes me giddy.  I loved Easy, I loved the story and Jacquelin's strength.  I just loved all of it.

My Easy Review

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I will never forget reading Pushing the Limits for the first time.  I was overwhelmed with the feelings that I had.  I have always been an emotional reader but Noah and Echo's story is simply beautiful.  I cried sad tears, I cried happy tears.  It was just amazing. 

My Pushing the Limits Review

So there you go... this weeks Top Ten! What is yours?

Feel free to leave your links below so that I can check them out and if you are a new follower be sure to let me know so that I can come and check out your blog in return!

Review: Twisted Perfection

Life outside of her house was a new experience for Della Sloane. The dark secrets of her past weren’t something she ever intended to share with anyone. They would never understand. No one would ever get close enough to find out. Besides there was always a chance she’d go crazy sooner than they expected…

Woods Kerrington had never been one to be attracted to fragile females. They seemed like too much work. He wasn’t in it for the work just the pleasure. A night full of naughty fun had been exactly what was on his mind when he’d laid eyes on the hot little number that didn’t know how to pump gas and needed some help.

What he didn’t know was she was as fragile as they came.  The carefree girl who spoke her mind and didn’t care what the world thought of her was more breakable than he could ever imagine…

Title: Twisted Perfection (Perfection ~ Book 1)
Author: Abbi Glines | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads | Website
Publication Date: April 22 2013
Publisher: Self-Published
Tour organized by: AToMR Tours
Add it to your TBR Pile: Goodreads
Buy It: Amazon US | Amazon UK | Barnes and Noble

Source: Direct from Author
Cover Love: I absolutely love this cover! It made my top ten favorite list.
Point of View:  Alternating 1st person between both Woods and Della

My Rating: 5 Stars

Abbi Glines has somehow managed to do it again... I am constantly finding myself more and more amazed with her awesomeness with each book I read.  Don't get me wrong, I expected to enjoy Twisted Perfection and I knew from the start I was going to like it.  But in the end I didn't just like it.  I absolutely, completely, wholeheartedly loved the ever loving crap out of it.  There really is just no other way for me to say it.  I loved every single minute I got to spend with Woods and Della.

“Never throw a Kerrington a challenge like that one.  We would go above and beyond.”

We all know Woods from Blaire and Rush's stories, Fallen Too Far and Never Too Far.  I am pretty sure we all loved Woods to one degree or another.  He was such a rock for Blaire when she needed a friend and somebody to be there for her.  He always came across as a really great guy...

“I'd planned to be good tonight.  But I can't.  Not with you looking at me like that,” Woods said as he took the glass from my hand and put it down beside his.  “I think I'll be okay if I can just have a little.  Just a small taste.   It's been too long and I can't seem to think about anything other than how much I want to kiss you.”

But holy cow, I had no idea how hot and sexy Woods could be.  I was fanning myself within the first five percent and to be honest I hardly found myself able to stop.  Woods was simply... amazing.  Even now as I am trying to explain the love I have for him I am just sat here with my jaw hanging open.  The man is just sex on legs.  That is about the only way I can put it to you.  And when you have all of that sexual chemistry and you throw in his wit and charm, can we just say he is perfect?

I did not expect to fall so in love with him when I started and I can easily say now that I love Woods more than Rush.  I still love Rush, don't get me wrong but he has well and truly been knocked off the top of the podium for me.  Nobody can be more shocked at this revelation, than me.

“I brushed the hair in her face away and tilted her chin up until I could press my lips firmly against hers.  This girl was going to consume me.”

And Della... she is just the sweetest and most loving character.  To say she has had a hard time in life is an understatement.  She well and truly got dealt a bad hand from the get go but does she let any of that get her down?  Not in a million years.  She has set out to make the most of the rest of her life, and to do just that... live her life to the fullest.  She has no real plans, she is on a journey of discovery and thankfully for our reading pleasure her journey has lead her right to Woods.

“It wasn't my imperfections that I was worried about.  It was the terror that twisted everything in my life that I knew kept me apart from everyone else.”

Now, I must add... as much as I loved everything about this story my biggest surprise was the ending.  I was under the impression that this was a one off addition to Abbi's Too Far series but I was oooOOOooohhh so wrong.  I could tell the story was starting to wrap itself up, I was happy where it was going and how I thought it was going end.

Then... BAM.  A huge twist is thrown into the mix and we are left with the final sentence "Look for part two of their story in the fall of 2013, Simple Perfection."  Don't worry though, it is not a relationship twist so I would not call this a cliffhanger.  Woods and Della are in a good place in their relationship it's just an external twist that is thrown in that will require another book.

Am I upset that there was a huge twist thrown at me at the very end?  Along with the promise of more Woods and Della?  Absolutely not.  I was so very excited when I saw there was going to be more of these two.  I have fallen in love with the pair of them and now I will be on the look out for a publication date and on major countdown to Simple Perfection.

“I loved her.  I loved her with a something so fierce I couldn't even name it.”

So, if you haven't already gathered from my non-stop ramblings of gushy love... I strongly suggest you read Twisted Perfection.  As this is spin-off from the Too Far series I do also suggest that you read Fallen Too Far and Never Too Far.  The entire series is amazing and you will not be disappointed with any of them.  Abbi Glines continues to produce spectacular books and I can easily count her among my favorite authors.

Book Blogger Spotlight: Books à la Mode

I'm Karielle! I'm originally from Austin but am currently studying abroad in Korea. It's a marvellous country, and has provided me with an an exciting two years, but I'm still excited to finally be back stateside this summer.

I love food (but am a ridiculously picky eater), running, green tea, and my boys. Yes, mine... we can share though, if you'd like ;)

When and why did you become a book blogger?

Almost 3 years ago, if you'll believe it! I started in August 2010 because I had just finished The Hottest State Ethan Hawke and was so afflicted by all these feelings that I had to go and write about it. I had dabbled in writing reviews before—for publications and just on Goodreads—but for this particular novel, I wanted to add a personal flair to it, to actually claim it as my own. That's how much I loved the book.

How did you come up with the name of your blog?

Books à la Mode became official only this year. In French, à la mode means "in or according to the fashion." I chose it because I love highlighting books at are trending, or just "in." Also, anything sounds better in French, so why not? LOL

Before, it was called ¡Miraculous! which was completely random. I don't know why I used the Spanish exclamation point there. I hadn't even intended to make my blog solely a book blog, which is probably why I carelessly chose a word.

What is your favorite thing about blogging?

Obviously, the content I get to post. Books take up about 60% of my life so it's great to be able to share my thoughts on the literary industry and about the blogosphere, as well as read tons of books.

I also love connecting with people—to be able to discuss all this with them and meet them and become besties with them. I swear, my blogger friends are better than some of my friends I know in real life! Without any of them, none of my efforts would be worthwhile. Shoutout to my awesome blog babes!?

What do you find the hardest about blogging?

Finding balance. The insane amount of things I need scheduled for the site, on top of my responsibilities as a student, can get overwhelming. And not just in academic terms, but in everything... with blogging, you can get so immersed, sometimes it's hard to actually find a LIFE! So I think it's important to know how to control yourself and pace yourself so you don't lose grasp of everything else.

What has been your favorite moment since you became a book blogger? Which review, interview or giveaway have you been most proud of?

I kind of had an EEEEK moment when I got to feature Tiffany Reisz, author of my favorite series, The Original Sinners, last year. She's an absolute gem, and one of the funniest people I've had the pleasure of interviewing.

I also got in touch with Emily Giffin's publicist and got to review Heart of the Matter—that was a big one for me, too! I worship Emily Giffin so it was awesome to be able to directly work with her people.

And recently, I reviewed Fifty Shades of Grey (I know, I know *grimace*). It was a miserable book to read but a very fun one to write :) Great response from readers, too! I loved reading everyone's comments. That book never fails to crack me up.

What kind of genres do you enjoy reading and reviewing the most?

I absolutely love literary fiction; think The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society or Barbara Kingsolver. It's fun to read thrilling romances too, erotic or not, but they're so ubiquitous that they have to be really good to blow me away. Usually they're unmemorable though, so I get tired having to sift through all of them.

What is your favorite individual book or series? What makes you love it so much?

OMG... I have a nervous breakdown every time someone asks me this question because there are just so many! But I'll go with a previously mentioned series, The Original Sinners by Tiffany Reisz, because the writing is some of the most intelligent I've read, it's dark and tragic and utterly devastating (not for you HEA fans), and so emotionally draining, that it takes a while to recover. Reisz is a phenomenal storyteller—she gets you so up close and personal with her characters, that you fall in love and die with them a little every time you're exposed to them.

Who is your favorite fictional male character, why and from what book or series are they from?

Saloman from Marie Treanor's Awakened by Blood series. He's the most intriguing character I've ever read in vampire fiction (yes, I'm a glutton for vamps—shoot me) and is everything I love in a hero: dark, brooding, handsome.

To be honest though, I fall in love with pretty much every fictional hero I read about. So... if you're reading any of my reviews, beware of major fangirling.

Who is your favorite fictional female character, why and from what book or series are they from?

I know lots of readers were discontented with Margo Roth Spiegelman from John Green's Paper Towns, but I find her fascinating. She's such an enigma that I helplessly want to know more about everything about her. I think Green characterizes her incredibly well, incredibly realistically.

Who are your favorite three authors and why?

Again, a very difficult, very unfair question I'm asked a lot... but three (of dozens) of auto-buy authors for me are Barbara Kingsolver, Meg Cabot, and Tiffany Reisz.

Paper books or ebooks?

Paper, all the way!

Where is your favorite place to read?

Snuggled up in bed, most of the time :) I love serene public places too, such as terraces at outdoor cafés or Barnes & Noble. The atmospheres in both are great.

Milk chocolate, white chocolate or dark chocolate?

Dark dark dark! Milk and white are too sweet for my palette. My only exception are Ferrero Rocher truffles... gah ? Remember when I said I was a picky eater?

Coffee, hot tea or hot chocolate?

I like pretty much any hot tea, but especially green, barley, and jasmine. I love coffee-flavored things (candy, shakes, etc.) but coffee itself is kinda blearghh.

Would you like to give any other details about yourself? How can others find you around the web? Such as Facebook, Twitter, Goodreads, etc...

Blog: http://thestephanieloves.blogspot.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/modishbooks
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/thestephanieloves
Google +: https://plus.google.com/102092260243812022351/posts
Library Thing: http://www.librarything.com/profile/stephanieloves

Review: The Bane Chronicles ~ What Really Happened in Peru

There are good reasons Peru is off-limits to Magnus Bane. Follow Magnus’s Peruvian escapades as he drags his fellow warlocks Ragnor Fell and Catarina Loss into trouble, learns several instruments (which he plays shockingly), dances (which he does shockingly), and disgraces his host nation by doing something unspeakable to the Nazca Lines.

This standalone e-only short story illuminates the life of the enigmatic Magnus Bane, whose alluring personality populates the pages of the #1 New York Times bestselling series, The Mortal Instruments and The Infernal Devices series. This story in The Bane Chronicles, What Really Happened in Peru, is written by Sarah Rees Brennan and Cassandra Clare.

Title: The Bane Chronicles ~ What Really Happened in Peru (Part 1)
Author: Cassandra Clare | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads | Website
Author: Sarah Rees Brennan | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads | Website | Blog
Publication Date: April 16 2013
Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books
ISBN: 1442494786
Length: 40 Pages
Add it to your TBR Pile: Goodreads
Buy It: Amazon US / Amazon UK

Source: Purchased (Kindle Edition)
Cover Love: Love Magnus.  Love his blue fiery fingers.  Love this cover.
Point of View: 3rd person, following Magnus

My Rating: 5 Stars

I really did not think that my love for Magnus Bane could have grown any larger but man o man was I wrong.  How can I have loved something so much and it only be 40 pages?  That my friend is the magic of Cassandra Clare and Sarah Rees Brennan... and of course the magic of Magnus himself.

“It was sometimes inconvenient to have the gold-green, slit-pupilled eyes of a cat, but this was usually easily hidden with a small glamour, and if not, well, there were quite a few ladies-and men-who didn't find it a drawback.”

I for one love the idea of these novellas.  I know there is a lot of talk about them being too short, etc...  But what could be better?  We are getting ten snapshots into Magnus and a chance to see a few of his previous adventures.  Plus, we get one new novella each month for the next 10 months.  I love this, and will be counting down to each and every one of them.  Then, sometime next year in 2014, they will all be published together in one book.  Love, love, love.

“Picture this," said Magnus.  "Me with a little monkey friend.  I could teach him tricks.  I could dress him in a cunning jacket.  He could look just like me!  But more monkey-shaped.”

So, in our first instalment we find Magnus, Ragnor and Catarina visiting Peru.  We actually get a glimpse at several different time periods, each one holding it's own little adventure for Magnus and his friends.

I honestly laughed until I cried at several parts.  Magnus has such a dry wit and I simply love his overall attitude to life and the situations he finds himself in.  But then of course, we all know that Magnus is also a big softie and has a romantic side.  We get to see a bit of that also...

“Magnus had a list of favored traits in a partner-black hair, blue eyes, honest...”

There is nothing I would actually change about this story and I can not really explain how excited I am for the following nine releases.  If you enjoyed Magnus in The Infernal Devices and The Mortal Instruments then do not hesitate to read this novella and be on the look out for the future ones.  I am sure they will be just as filled with action and adventure as this instalment was.

“I can't get enough adventure,"  Magnus said lightly.  "And adventure cannot get enough of me.”

MORE QUOTES FROM WHAT REALLY HAPPENED IN PERU

Review: Percy Jackson ~ The Lightning Thief

Look, I didn't want to be a half-blood. I never asked to be the son of a Greek God. I was just a normal kid, going to school, playing basketball, skateboarding. The usual. Until I accidentally vaporized my maths teacher. That's when things started really going wrong. Now I spend my time fighting with swords, battling monsters with my friends, and generally trying to stay alive.

This is the one where Zeus, God of the Sky, thinks I've stolen his lightning bolt - and making Zeus angry is a very bad idea.

Can Percy find the lightning bolt before a fully-fledged war of the Gods erupts?

Title: Percy Jackson: The Lightning Thief (Percy Jackson and the Olympians ~ Book 1)
Author: Rick Riordan | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads | Website
Publication Date: June 1 2005
Publisher: Disney Hyperion 
Length: 396 Pages
Add it to your TBR Pile: Goodreads
Buy It: Amazon US / Amazon UK

Source: Purchased (Kindle Edition)
Cover Love: I love the covers in this series.. quite fitting.
Point of View: 1st person, following Percy

My Rating: 4 Stars

I have been wanting to start this series forever.  Although starting a new series with so many books ahead of you always seems a bit daunting.  My solution to this was to agree to read one new book from the series in between my other books.  This way I am able to spread them out rather than feel the weight of reading each of them back to back.  So, you are probably wondering... was the wait worth it?  Yes.  I am so glad I read this and I am excited to officially be in the Percy Jackson world.

 “My name is Percy Jackson.
I'm twelve years old. Until a few months ago, I was a boarding student at Yancy Academy, a private school for troubled kids in upstate New York.
Am I a troubled kid?
Yeah. You could say that.”

I went into The Lightning Thief knowing full well that this series is meant for children.  Even with this being the case I had absolutely no problem following the story and falling in love with the characters.  There is just enough fantasy, action and drama to keep the story exciting from start to finish.  I have suggested this to not only my adult friends but also to the children of my adult friends.  It really is a universal story and age should be of no concern.

“Names have power.”

I have always been a huge lover of Greek Mythology.  This is part of the reason why I can't believe it took me this long to start these.  I loved every single character introduced and found myself smiling each time I had a feeling a new God was going to make an appearance.  It was a lot of fun to see how many I could guess based on what was happening at that time in the book.

 “Knowing too much of your future is never a good thing.”

I adored Percy.  He has just the right mix of bravery and self confidence.... with a bit of realistic expectations mixed in.  He always acts first and thinks second which of course can cause some extreme circumstances but even with his bravery and confidence he knows his limits.  He knows he is not a God but that doesn't stop him from speaking his mind around them.  He stands up for his friends and his family.

I also loved his friends.  Grover and Annabeth are both loyal and down right funny.  They both had me laughing several times throughout the book.

“Grover murmured, "Well, Percy, what have we learned today?"
That three-headed dogs prefer red rubber balls over sticks?"
No," Grover told me.  "We've learned that your plans really, really bite!”

Like I said I will be gradually working my way through this series, and honestly I have to say I am really excited to see where Percy will take me next.

MORE QUOTES FROM THE LIGHTNING THIEF