August Confessions

So, I have noticed a trend.  I read a lot in the winter and spring, but once the summertime weather is here, I don't read as much.  It's probably because when I am at the beach (my favorite reading spot!), I am chasing after a one year old!  Also, I haven't read much this month due to the fact that we sold our house and bought a new one.  That means I've been doing a lot of organizing, packing and running around like a crazy person.  I have a feeling it will only get worse next month!  I am sad to see summer come to an end, but I am pumped for all things Autumn and of course, PUMPKIN everything!

Books Read in August:
1) The Infinite Moment of Us by Lauren Myracle - 3.5 out of 5 stars
2) Call Me Zelda by Erika Robuck - 4 out of 5 stars
3) If I Should Die by Amy Plum - 4.5 out of 5 stars
5) Tumble & Fall by Alexandra Coutts- 3 out of 5 stars
6) The Passion of the Purple Plumeria by Lauren Willig - 4 out of 5 stars (Review to come!)

Didn't Finish:
Gameboard of the Gods by Richelle Mead - Even though I love Richelle Mead, I just wasn't feeling this book and may pick it up at a later date. Anyone else struggle with this book?

August Top Five:

1.  Favorite Book:  If I Should Die by Amy Plum - I really enjoyed the ending to a fantastic trilogy.  

2.  Biggest Surprise: The Infinite Moment of Us by Lauren Myracle - I had heard Myracle's books were edgy and sometimes controversial, so when I read this book I really appreciate her realistic portrayal of an all-consuming young love.

3.  Biggest Disappointment: Tumble & Fall by Alexandra Coutts was just an okay read for me.

4.  Favorite Post: In which I share my latest obsession: The White Queen on Starz.  I also am excited that I finally made a Facebook page for my blog.  Better late than never! Check it out along with my international giveaway.

5.  Favorite Part of August: Selling our house and buying a new one. Exciting times up ahead!

Check Out My Interview and Other News!

Kayla at the Pittsburgh Examiner interviewed me all about my love of historical fiction.  Come check it out and see my answers to fun questions, such as if I was having a dinner party, which historical figures would I invite? Let's just say there would definitely be a fight at my dinner party! Thanks for having me, Kayla!

My little guy at the beach this past summer

Also, I am in the process of getting ready to move. We sold our house and bought a new one this past month.  Our settlement is early October, so that means I'm going to be very busy in September. My reading has already taken a back seat in August.  So, bear with me this upcoming month as my posts/comments may be a bit sporadic. I am hoping to not have to take a brief hiatus, but we will see. And did I mention that moving with a 13 month old is crazy? :)

Happy Friday, everyone! I hope my US friends have a great Labor Day Weekend.  In true beach bum fashion, I hope to make it to the beach this weekend and catch the last of the summer sun.  But I'm not going to be too sad about August ending because seriously, September at the beach is THE BEST!  

Be sure to check out my international giveaway for $20 at the Book Depository and a $50 gift card to Amazon!  


Have a great weekend,

Book Review: Tumble & Fall by Alexandra Coutts

Pages: 384

Genre: YA Realistic Fiction

Pub. Date: September 17, 2013

Source: Netgalley

My Rating: 3 out of 5 stars

Goodreads says, "The world is living in the shadow of oncoming disaster. An asteroid is set to strike the earth in just one week’s time; catastrophe is unavoidable. The question isn’t how to save the world—the question is, what to do with the time that's left? Against this stark backdrop, three island teens wrestle with intertwining stories of love, friendship and family—all with the ultimate stakes at hand.  Alexandra Coutts's TUMBLE & FALL is a powerful story of courage, love, and hope at the end of the world."

Imagine that the world is coming to an end, thanks to a huge asteroid heading right for Earth.  It's summertime on Martha's Vineyard and it just so happens to be the last week on Earth for teenagers, Zan, Sienna, and Caden. Zan's backstory is that her boyfriend died in a car accident and she comes across something that makes her wonder whether he was actually faithful to her.  Then there's Sienna who is struggling with her own demons as well as the death of her mother.  Lastly, Caden has issues with his family and needs to overcome them. As the asteroid approaches, each teenager learns about moving on as well as hope in Tumble & Fall by Alexandra Coutts.  

I have a hard time when I really don't connect with the characters in a story.  In Tumble & Fall, I liked the three characters, but I can't say I really "hit it off" with anyone in particular.  I'm not sure if this is because it took me awhile to get used to the author's writing style (the narration was a bit jarring), or what, but I had a hard time relating.  There's not doubt that each character's backstory was interesting, but I wish their stories would have intersected more. Also, I'm a little confused how Zan, Sienna and Caden could be so calm about the impending doom. As a teenager, I am sure I would have acted a bit more crazily and be rebellious, etc.

Regardless of my issues with the novel, Coutts really explores important issues in Tumble & Fall, such as forgiveness and hope, which I really appreciated. I thought this book would depress me as the asteroid got closer and closer, but I'd have to say Tumble & Fall is more about hope and leaves a positive message with its readers.

I have to say that I wasn't sure how Coutts was going to end Tumble & Fall, but I really liked how she did. Surprisingly, it was one of my favorite aspects of the novel.  

So, I can't highly recommend this novel as it left me feeling sort of "meh" and moments really dragged on, I do appreciate the depth in the characters, the important themes, and the powerful ending.

Waiting on Wednesday: Ashes to Ashes

This is a weekly meme hosted by Jill from Breaking the Spine.  "Waiting on Wednesday" spotlights upcoming releases that I'm eagerly anticipating.

Ashes to Ashes by Melissa Walker

Pub. Date: December 23, 2013

Goodreads says, "If I Stay meets the movie Ghost in this first book in a teen duology about a teenage-girl-turned-ghost who must cling to the echoes of her former life to save the people she left behind. Ashes to Ashes is author Melissa Walker's sweeping, romantic, and emotionally rich story about the things that torment and tempt us, even from the Great Beyond. This book is perfect for fans of Die for Me andImaginary Girls, and its breathtaking ending will leave readers anxiously awaiting the series conclusion, Dust to Dust. When Callie's life is cut short by a tragic accident, she expects to find nothingness, or maybe some version of heaven. Instead, her spirit travels to the Prism, an ethereal plane populated by the ghosts she thought were fictional. Here she meets a striking and mysterious ghost named Thatcher, who is meant to guide her as she learns to haunt and bring peace to the loved ones she left behind. However, Callie uncovers a dark secret about the spirit world: The angry souls who always populate ghost stories are real, dangerous, and willing to do whatever it takes to stay on Earth, threatening the existence of everyone she ever cared about. As she fights to save them, Callie will learn that while it may no longer beat, her heart can still love-and break."

I mean when a book is described as If I Stay meets Ghost and fans of Die For Me will love it, you know it's on auto-buy!  What do you guys think?

Book Review: If I Should Die by Amy Plum

Pages: 405

Genre: YA Fantasy

Pub. Date: May 7, 2013

Source: Personal Copy

Series: Die For Me (#1), Until I Die (#2)

My Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

Goodreads says, "I will not lose another person I love. I will not let history repeat itself. Vincent waited lifetimes to find me, but in an instant our future together was shattered. He was betrayed by someone we both called a friend, and I lost him. Now our enemy is determined to rule over France’s immortals, and willing to wage a war to get what they want. It shouldn’t be possible, none of it should be, but this is my reality. I know Vincent is somewhere out there, I know he’s not completely gone, and I will do anything to save him. After what we’ve already fought to achieve, a life without Vincent is unimaginable. He once swore to avoid dying—to go against his nature and forsake sacrificing himself for others—so that we could be together. How can I not risk everything to bring my love back to me."

If you are a fan of this series, I am sure you remember the cliffhanger at the end of Until I Die. Things pick up where Until I Die left off and Kate is mourning the death of Vincent, her boyfriend.  Vincent is a revenant and is supposed to die for others, but this is different. His body was cremated by Violette, their enemy.  Because his body has been cremated, he can't come back to life and obviously, this destroys Kate.  Things start to look up though when Kate and Bran, a healer, realize that there is a way around this and hope ensues.  Meanwhile, there is the issue of the Champion and the epic battle coming up between the two opposing sides. One thing is for sure: Kate will do anything to save Vincent.  Amy Plum's final installment in the Revenant series, If I Should Die, is an entertaining, edge of your seat read that fans of the series will love.  I was very happy with the ending of the trilogy, which doesn't happen often!

I have thoroughly enjoyed Kate and Vincent's relationship in this series and even though Vincent isn't "around" as much in If I Should Die, I still found their relationship to be one of my favorites in YA. I am sad to see the series end as I really enjoyed these two.  I also LOVE Kate's sister, Georgia. Her funny one-liners and sarcastic tone always kept me laughing out loud and kept the If I Should Die light in times of "seriousness."

The setting of the series as well as If I Should Die is mostly in Paris and if you have read my other reviews, you know how much I love the way Plum brings Paris to life. This is another aspect of the series that I will greatly miss.  Plum has a way of bringing us to Paris along with Kate and we feel as if we are there with her. 

Yes, I felt that at times things were tied up a little too neatly, but this is the end of a trilogy and I like the way Plum decided to end things.  As a fan of the series, it had me smiling.

The pacing of If I Should Die was pretty good and the moments of suspense were done very well.  Plum is a fantastic author and I look forward to reading her next series, After the End, which comes out in 2014.  

For fans of paranormal romance, I highly recommend this series. You won't be disappointed.

Amazon Gift Card Giveaway

Today I am so excited to share an awesome giveaway for a $50.00 Amazon Gift Card thanks to AO, a UK based appliance company.  Being the book addict that I am, I am dreaming of all the incredible books I could buy with a $50.00 gift card. Thankfully, one of you lucky readers from the US, Canada, or the UK is eligible to win and the deadline is September 6th. Before entering, please refer to my giveaway rules.

To learn more about AO, check out their blog. I'm in the process of moving and I am loving their interior design ideas.  Or follow them on Twitter for recipes, craft projects, and design inspirations. Good luck and thanks again to AO for having me host such a fantastic giveaway! 

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Waiting on Wednesday: The Lonesome Young

This is a weekly meme hosted by Jill from Breaking the Spine.  "Waiting on Wednesday" spotlights upcoming releases that I'm eagerly anticipating.

The Lonesome Young by Lucy Connors

Pub. Date: April 8, 2014

Goodreads, "Get swept away in the first book of the sensational romantic drama that is Romeo & Juliet meets Justified. WHAT HAPPENS when the teenage heirs of two bitterly FEUDING FAMILIES can’t stay away from each other? The Rhodales and the Whitfields have been sworn enemies for close on a hundred years, with a whole slew of adulterous affairs, financial backstabbing, and blackmailing that’s escalated the rivalry to its current state of tense ceasefire. IT’S TIME TO LIGHT THE FUSE . . . And now a meth lab explosion in rural Whitfield County is set to reignite the feud more viciously than ever before. Especially when the toxic fire that results throws together two unlikely spectators—proper good girl Victoria Whitfield, exiled from boarding school after her father’s real estate business melts down in disgrace, and town motorcycle rebel Mickey Rhodale, too late as always to thwart his older brothers’ dangerous drug deals. Victoria and Mickey are about to find out the most passionate romances are the forbidden ones.. . . ON A POWDER KEG FULL OF PENT-UP DESIRE, risk-taking daredevilry, and the desperate actions that erupt when a generation of teens inherits nothing but hate."

First of all, I LOVE the story of Romeo and Juliet! It's my favorite Shakespearian play and I like that this book has been inspired by it.  It sounds like my kind of read.  What I don't love is that cover...it kind of reminds me of a cheesy romance novel.  But despite that, I can't wait to read this book! What do you guys think? 

International Giveaway: I Am Finally on Facebook!

So, I have been blogging for four years this December and I have yet to get a Facebook page for my blog. Fail! Yes, it was on the back burner for quite awhile, but finally, I made a page!  

To celebrate this occasion (and the fact that I finally figured out how to do it!), I am hosting an international giveaway.  One lucky reader will win a book(s) of their choice (up to a $20 value) from the Book Depository.  Make sure that Book Depository ships to your location.  Please refer to my giveaway rules and the deadline is September 13th.  

All you have to do is enter using the Rafflecopter below and be sure to like my Facebook page!

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Thanks everyone and good luck!

My Latest Obsession: The White Queen

It wasn't too long ago that I blogged about my love for Downton Abbey, Upstairs Downstairs, and The Lizzie Bennet Diaries.  Now, I must share my love for the new TV show on Starz, The White Queen.  It's based on three books from Philippa Gregory's The Cousins' War series: The White Queen, The Red Queen, and The Kingmaker's Daughter.  If you aren't familiar with the series, it's all about The War of the Roses in England during the 1400s. Check out this webpage for some more background information. 

Source: Pinterest- White Queen Starz

If you've read my blog before, you know how much I adore The Cousins' War series, especially book one, The White Queen.  Already, I am completely addicted to the show and loving how it brings to life all of my favorite characters.  I wasn't so sure about the casting for Elizabeth Woodville (Rebecca Ferguson), but I think it was a good choice after watching the show.  King Edward IV, played by Max Irons, is awesome and just how I imagined him to be; plus, he's easy on the eyes.

By far, my favorite character is Jacquetta Woodville, Elizabeth's mother, and the actress is doing a phenomenal job so far.  She's perfect! I also think that Amanda Hale, who plays Margaret Beaufort, is just as I imagined her as well and does a fantastic job showcasing Margaret's determination and straight-up craziness.

Source: Pinterest - White Queen Starz

My only issue with The White Queen so far is the fact that they fit SOOOOO much into one episode. I was hoping for more than 10 episodes so they could take their time with some plot points (like the whole insta-love in the first episode), but they have to fit all three books in, so I get it.

Source: Pinterest White Queen Starz

I am a huge fan of the show so far and I think they are doing Gregory's books justice. What I love most about this series and the TV show is the fact that it focuses on the women of The Cousins' War. We all know that women during this time period often took a back seat, but not on this TV show! 

If you haven't seen the premiere, you can watch it for free here.  Is anyone else watching The White Queen? Let me know your thoughts.

Book Review: Call Me Zelda by Erika Robuck

Pages: 352

Genre: Adult Historical Fiction

Pub. Date: May 7, 2013

Source: Publisher for review

My Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Goodreads says, "From the author of Hemingway’s Girl comes a richly imagined tale of Zelda Fitzgerald’s love, longing, and struggle against ever-threatening insanity. From New York to Paris, Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald reigned as king and queen of the Jazz Age, but those who really knew them saw their inner turmoil. Committed to a Baltimore psychiatric hospital in 1932, Zelda vacillates between lucidity and madness as she fights to forge an identity independent of her famous husband. She discovers a sympathetic ear in her nurse Anna Howard, who finds herself drawn into the Fitzgerald’s tumultuous lives and wonders which of them is the true genius. But in taking greater emotional risks to save Zelda, Anna may end up paying a far higher price than she ever intended. In this thoroughly researched, deeply moving novel, Erika Robuck explores the boundaries of female friendship, the complexity of marital devotion, and the sources of both art and madness."

Anna Howard is a dedicated nurse at a psychiatric clinic in Baltimore, Maryland.  She is a complex character that deals with her own "demons" on a daily basis.  Her world is changed forever when she becomes a nurse to none other than Zelda Fitzgerald, wife of the famous author, F. Scott Fitzgerald.  Zelda is such a talented woman and talented in many areas, but ultimately, she suffers from the mental illness, schizophrenia   As time goes by, Zelda befriends Anna and finds herself opening up to her to the point where she pretty much becomes her private nurse and go-to expert on all things Zelda.   Call Me Zelda by Erika Robuck is an interesting glimpse into the world of Zelda Fitzgerald, her turbulent relationship with her husband as well as the friendship with her fictional nurse, Anna Howard.  

What I liked the most about Call Me Zelda is the fact that Zelda isn't our narrator. (And thank God for that....can you say unreliable narrator?) Thankfully, Anna is our storyteller as everything is through her eyes.  She had an upsetting past and found herself healing through her relationship with Zelda and of course, Zelda found herself doing much better when Anna was around.  However, my issue is the fact that I could never really pinpoint why Anna was initially "obsessed" with Zelda.  I mean she even let her family take a backseat, because of her dedication to Zelda.

Also, I like that Anna encouraged Zelda to pursue her interests in Call Me Zelda, specifically regarding using her writing as an outlet, which, of course, upset her husband.  I knew that Zelda was interested in writing, but being the Hemingway fan that I am, I went into this story with a sort of bias regarding Zelda.  As it turns out, I really felt for Zelda despite my prejudices.  Her marriage is sort of a co-dependent nightmare. F. Scott Fitzgerald is overbearing, narcissistic, manipulative and all around horrible guy, at least in the book.  Ugh.  I mean here is Zelda, trying to get healthy, and he is, essentially, putting stress on her and causing discord.  Another thing that irked me regarding F. Scott Fitzgerald was the fact that he took Zelda's diaries and pretty much got some of his ideas (Tender is the Night) from her!  Obviously, I wasn't a fan of F. Scott Fitzgerald in Call Me Zelda.

What was so impressive about Zelda is the fact that she is so very multi-talented in Call Me Zelda.  She was an accomplished ballerina late in life, an artist, and a writer. Wow!  No wonder Fitzgerald (and possibly Hemingway) were intimidated.  Zelda, although she suffered from mental illness, really was an amazing person and Robuck does a fantastic job portraying the ups and downs of the Fitzgeralds as well as a captivating fictional friendship with nurse, Anna Howard.

Although I didn't love Call Me Zelda as much as Hemingway's Girl, I still thought it was entertaining and it inspired me to learn more about the Jazz Age icon that is Zelda Fitzgerald.

Book Review: The Infinite Moment of Us by Lauren Myracle

Pages: 336

Genre: YA Realistic Fiction

Pub. Date: August 27, 2013

Source: Netgalley

My Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

Goodreads says, "For as long as she can remember, Wren Gray’s goal has been to please her parents. But as high school graduation nears, so does an uncomfortable realization: Pleasing her parents once overlapped with pleasing herself, but now... not so much. Wren needs to honor her own desires, but how can she if she doesn’t even know what they are? Charlie Parker, on the other hand, is painfully aware of his heart’s desire. A gentle boy with a troubled past, Charlie has loved Wren since the day he first saw her. But a girl like Wren would never fall for a guy like Charlie—at least not the sort of guy Charlie believes himself to be. And yet certain things are written in the stars. And in the summer after high school, Wren and Charlie’s souls will collide. But souls are complicated, as are the bodies that house them... Sexy, romantic, and oh-so-true to life, this is an unforgettable look at first love from one of young adult fiction’s greatest writers."

Wren is the resident good girl who never disappoints her parents. That is until she changes her college plans and instead enrolls in a service organization in Guatemala.  Obviously, her parents freak since this is completely out of character for Wren.  On the other hand, we've got foster child, Charlie, who is a complete foil of Wren. Due to the circumstances in his life, he brings many different kind of experiences to the table.  It's the summer before college and things begin to sizzle between this unlikely pair.  The couple encounters many ups and downs during the summer, such as learning about each other's pasts, Wren's desire to break free from her overbearing parents, and confronting Charlie's issues from childhood.  Lauren Myracle writes a realistic tale in The Infinite Moment of Us focusing on that all-cosuming first love and the summer before college, which is a life-alterning and magical time in many young adult's lives.

Wren is dying to break free from her parents and spread her wings. She truly wants to do one thing for herself and therefore, signs up with the overseas service project. This sends her parents on a tailspin, but at least Wren has finally done something that is her own decision. I can see many young adults relating to Wren's struggle to find a balance between parents' expectations versus following your own dreams.  Charlie is a complex character; my heart truly went out to him.  His life is definitely not an easy one, but I give him a lot of credit for making something of himself despite his many setbacks. Yes, there is insta-love between Wren and Charlie, but I felt that it was done realistically (if that's even possible!).  I really liked the relationship between Wren and Charlie; it was sweet, romantic, and all-consuming. Also, each chapter in The Infinite Moment of Us alternates between Wren and Charlie's perspective, which really helps the readers get to know each character equally.  

The Infinite Moment of Us has a lot of sexual situations in it, so I would advise only mature readers or even "new adults" read this book. At times I felt the novel focused a bit too much on sex, but Myracle really does a fantastic job making it realistic, which teens today need.  I can't say this enough....This novel is SO very realistic. Myracle captured everything down to the awkward moments, the crazy ex-girlfriend that comes around, the obsession with each other that comes from first love, the impulsive decisions that you make, and the I-can't-stop-thinking-about-this-person moments which are so cringe worthy and eye-roll inducing when you think about them ten years later. But my point is that Myracle captures it all---the good, the bad, and the oh-so-ugly and I think my eighteen year-old self would have really loved The Infinite Moment of Us for all of those reasons.

I would have given The Infinite Moment of Us four stars if it wasn't for the ending. It really bothered me, but other than that, I thought it was an enjoyable read that really brought me back down memory lane to that one magical summer, that one special guy, and your whole life spread out in front of you with endless possibilities. I applaud Myracle for writing such a real novel that accurately reflects first love and the crazy things we do for it.

Waiting on Wednesday: Alienated

This is a weekly meme hosted by Jill from Breaking the Spine.  "Waiting on Wednesday" spotlights upcoming releases that I'm eagerly anticipating.

Alienated by Melissa Landers

Pub. Date: February 4, 2014

Goodreads says, "Interplanetary relations have never been more exciting! The first in a funny, romantic YA sci-fi series. Two years ago, the aliens made contact. Now Cara Sweeney is going to be sharing a bathroom with one of them.  Handpicked to host the first-ever L’eihr exchange student, Cara thinks her future is set. Not only does she get a free ride to her dream college, she’ll have inside information about the mysterious L’eihrs that every journalist would kill for. Cara’s blog following is about to skyrocket. Still, Cara isn’t sure what to think when she meets Aelyx. Humans and L’eihrs have nearly identical DNA, but cold, infuriatingly brilliant Aelyx couldn’t seem more alien. She’s certain about one thing, though: no human boy is this good-looking. But when Cara's classmates get swept up by anti-L'eihr paranoia, Midtown High School suddenly isn't safe anymore. Threatening notes appear in Cara's locker, and a police officer has to escort her and Aelyx to class.  Cara finds support in the last person she expected. She realizes that Aelyx isn’t just her only friend; she's fallen hard for him. But Aelyx has been hiding the truth about the purpose of his exchange, and its potentially deadly consequences. Soon Cara will be in for the fight of her life—not just for herself and the boy she loves, but for the future of her planet."

Lately, I've been drawn to a lot of YA sci-fi and I like premise of this one. Doesn't it sound like a good mix of drama, romance, sci-fi elements, and humor? What do you guys think?

Top Ten Tuesday: Books Set at the Beach

This week we are focusing on books of any particular setting we want and I'm sure it doesn't surprise you that I picked my favorite beach settings.  Here are my top ten favorite beach settings in books:

Avalon, NJ - picture from visitavalonnj.com

1.  All the Summer Girls by Meg Donohue- This book takes place in Avalon, NJ, which just so happens to be the beach I grew up going to.  Donohue did a fantastic job making my favorite beach town come to life.

2.  The Summer I Turned Pretty by Jenny Han- This book takes place at Cousins Beach. I'm not sure it's a real place, but after reading this series, I fell in love with the setting.  

3.  Along for the Ride by Sarah Dessen - I love the setting of Colby; it seems like the perfect beach town.  I also love that many of Dessen's novels are set there and readers become familiar with the many places within Colby.

Nantucket, MA - picture from destination360.com

4.  The Island by Elin Hilderbrand - I love the setting of Nantucket and am dying to visit there. What is especially cool about this book is the fact that it takes place off of Nantucket on Tuckernuck Island, which seems completely idyllic.

5.  On the Island by Tracey Garvis Graves - This is the total "I'm stranded on an island" type of setting and even though parts of the story made the setting seem more like Survivor than the Ritz, I still loved every second of it.

6.  Nantucket Blue by Leila Howland - Again, I haven't been to Nantucket, but after read this book and a lot of Elin Hilderbrand's, which are also set there, I have come to love this beach town.

7.  Sweet Life by Mia King - It's set in Hawaii?! Need I say more?

8.  A Hundred Summers by Beatriz Williams - Seaview, Rhode Island in 1938 is an incredible setting for one of my favorite beach reads.

Key West, Florida - picture from destination360.com

9.  Turtle in Paradise by Jennifer L. Holm- This middle grade read really brings to life the awesome setting of Key West, Florida.

10.  Hemingway's Girl by Erika Robuck - This historical read is also set in Key West, one of my favorite vacation spots.

What books have some of your favorite beach or tropical settings? What do you think of my list?  Let me know! (This meme is hosted by The Broke and the Bookish, so check it out!)

Stacking the Shelves (27)

This week I am sharing a few books that I received for review, one that I bought, and three that I won. It's been so long since I won any books and then I win three in one week! It totally made my day.  If you want to learn more about these books, click the title and it will take you to the Goodreads page.

For Review:

 

The Queen's Gambit by Elizabeth Fremantle - from Simon and Schuster

Swimming Pool Summer by Rebecca Farmworth - Thanks to Netgalley and Arrow

These Broken Stars by Amie Kaufman and Megan Spooner -Thanks to Netgalley and Disney Hyperion

Bought:

Summerset Abbey by T.J. Brown

Won:

  

The Best of Us by Sarah Pekkanen - Thanks to Ginger from GReads

Gorgeous by Paul Rudnick - Thanks to Medeia Sharif

Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell - Thanks to Medeia Sharif

So what do you guys think? Have you read any of these books? Let me know! This new meme is hosted by Tynga at Tynga's Reviews.  

Book Review: Belladonna by Fiona Paul

Pages: 352

Genre: YA Historical Fiction

Pub. Date: July 16, 2013

Source: Netgalley

Series: Venom (Book #1)

My Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Goodreads says, "In the second in the stunning Secrets of the Eternal Rose series, Cassandra Caravello is trying to forget Falco, the wild artist who ran off with her heart, as she grows closer to her strong, steady fiancé, Luca. But Luca seems to have his own secrets. When he’s arrested by soldiers in the middle of the night, Cass’s life is once again thrown into chaos. She must save Luca, and that means finding the Book of the Eternal Rose—the only evidence that will prove he’s innocent. So begins her journey to Florence, a city haunted by whispers of vampirism, secret soirees and clandestine meetings of the Order of the Eternal Rose. And home to Falco, who is working for the Order’s eerily stunning leader, the Belladonna herself. Can Cass trust her heart to lead her to the truth this time Nothing is as it seems in this seductive thriller, where the truth may be the deadliest poison of all."

Cassandra finds herself in a precarious situation once again in Belladonna, book two of the Secrets of the Eternal Rose series.  Her fiancé, Luca, is unjustly imprisoned for "speaking out against the church." Obviously, this is a set up and Cassandra must get down to the bottom of it before Luca's execution date. In Venom, readers figure out that Cass' parents were involved with the Order of the Eternal Rose and she is starting to wonder if this group has something to do with what is going on.  Cass is determined to clear Luca's name and heads to Florence to investigate the situation; however, she runs into even more problems and secrets.  She even encounters Falco, her former flame, there as well as the possibilities of vampirism!  Belladonna by Fiona Paul is an entertaining follow-up to Venom; fans of the Renaissance and historical fiction will love to be lost in Cass' world.

Cass is the kind of herione that I really enjoy.  She's feisty, determined, and a bit of a romantic at heart.  When readers find her heading off to Florence to ultimately save Luca, I liked her even more than in Venom.  I wasn't a big supporter of Falco from the beginning and I liked that she became closer with Luca in Belladonna.  Readers will learn more about Luca in this book and will get to see them interact more, even if it is through the bars of a prison.  

There's a lot of action in Belladonna, specifically when it comes to Cass trying to find out what is going on with the Order of the Eternal Rose as well as saving Luca.  Yes, there are some scenes and coincidences in Belladonna that felt a little too convenient, such as Falco just so happens to be in Florence, etc. That's the only thing that bothered me and obviously it didn't deter me from finishing Belladonna.

Everyone knows I love historical fiction, so I was completely enthralled with the settings of Venice and Florence during Renaissance Italy. As I said before in my review of Venom, I thought Paul did a great job bringing the settings to life and in Belladonna she really created an eerie atmosphere, especially since there's talk of vampirism as well as a crazy doctor (he freaked me out!).

I know many critics and readers have issues with this series not being one-hundred percent accurate for the time period (like lack of a chaperone in Renaissance Italy and the use of modern dialogue), but once again, it didn't bother me. I was totally sucked into Cass' journey and I was rotting for her to save Luca from the horrible prison. What can I say? I just like to be entertained!

Overall, I enjoyed Belladonna. By the end of the book, readers will learn more about the secret society, Order of the Eternal Rose, and will be looking forward to reading the final book in the trilogy, Starling, which comes out in March.  

Waiting on Wednesday: See Me

This is a weekly meme hosted by Jill from Breaking the Spine.  "Waiting on Wednesday" spotlights upcoming releases that I'm eagerly anticipating.

See Me by Wendy Higgins

Pub. Date: October 1, 2013

Goodreads says, "While most seventeen-year-old American girls would refuse to let their parents marry them off to a stranger, Robyn Mason dreams of the mysterious McKale in Ireland, wondering how he’ll look and imagining his cute Irish accent. Prearranged bindings are common for magical families like her own, however when she travels to the whimsical Emerald Isle she discovers there’s more to her betrothal and McKale’s clan than she could have imagined.  What starts as an obligatory pairing between Robyn and McKale morphs over time into something they both need. But one giant obstacle stands the way of their budding romance: a seductive and deadly Fae princess accustomed to getting what she wants—and what she wants is McKale as her plaything. Love, desire, and jealousies collide as Robyn’s family and McKale’s clan must work together to outsmart the powerful Faeries and preserve the only hope left for their people."

There's an arranged marriage, the setting is Ireland, and there's faeries and magic? I love the sound of this; plus, I really liked Sweet Evil by the same author, so this a is a must-read for me.  What do you guys think?

Top Ten Tuesday: Books I Wish Had Sequels

This week we are focusing on books that we wish had sequels. It isn't often that I wish for a sequel, because sequels seems to so very commonplace now, especially in the world of sweeping epics and series; however, there are a few books that I wish had sequels.  Here they are:

 

1.  Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen - I mean more Mr. Darcy is never a bad thing and obviously the sequel would have to be written by Austen herself in my dream world. 

2.  Golden by Jessi Kirby- I am dying to know how it all worked out for Parker Frost.

 

3.  On the Island by Tracey Garvis-Graves - I know there are spin-offs to this book, but I want another book focusing specifically on T. J and Anna.

4.  A Northern Light by Jennifer Donnelly- This is such a memorable book and beautifully written. I would love to read more.

 

5.  Amy & Roger's Epic Detour by Morgan Matson - This was one of my favorite books of 2010. Who wouldn't want more?

6.  My Life Next Door by Huntley Fitzpatrick- I want more of the Garrett family!

 

7.  The Truth About Forever by Sarah Dessen- Macy and Wes! Yes!

8.  We'll Always Have Summer by Jenny Han- I love the way Han ended the series, but since it's my favorite series EVER, I want her to continue it. A girl can dream, right?

 

9.  The Last Sacrifice (Vampire Academy #6) by Richelle Mead- Same as my reasoning for #8 -- I definitely want more of Rose and Dimitri, not just a spin-off series.

10.  Gone with the Wind by Margaret Mitchell- So, there are a ton of "sequels" written by other authors, but in an ideal world, Mitchell would have written book two.

So, what books do you wish had sequels? What do you think of my list?  Let me know! (This meme is hosted by The Broke and the Bookish, so check it out!)