2015 Book Challenge

Well this week I started the 2015 POPSUGAR reading challenge. The first of these on the check off list is: A book set in the future. 

If you haven't picked up the first of the Lunar Chronicles Cinder, run, don't walk and start NOW. I fully appreciate anyone who can turn fairytales on their ear. Cinder takes place in the future, as does Scarlet. I won't delve into detail, as I don't like to give much away. 

 I will say that Scarlet gives a wonderful run on Little Red Riding Hood and the Wolf. A missing grandmother, a wolf in...well wolfs clothing and let us not forget Scarlet, a girl with fire red hair and a red sweatshirt who is ready to come to all ends to find her missing grandmother. 

You will be taken on a wild ride in a very familiar tale of old. The life that Marissa Meyer breaths into Scarlet is fresh, fun and keeps you on the edge of your seat.

One down.....49 more to go.

goodreads
Amazon

I challenge you!!

Last year I decided to do the Goodreads book challenge. I started out with a very delusional 50 in about mid August. Realizing by October that the numbers had barely moved past 19 I decided to knock it down to 30. Then in November down to 20. Needless to say, I met my reading goal! Happy Dance go me!! Why do I tell you this little tale of woe?? My measly 20 books?? I offer you this! A different kind of challenge.

Popsugar.com came out with not only a book challenge, but a lets-see-if-you-can-expand-your-horizons type of challenge. I am sure that like me, you get stuck in a rut! "Why yes that is another YA novel I am reading, why do you ask?" "I occasionally read something that doesn't involve the super natural...occasionally." You know who you are! :) So I am giving you this book challenge. I work full time, have two kids, love to read and am in the process of writing my first book so...I will say that if one book fits two checks...go for it! It's not cheating it's making the list work for you! If you can fit all 50 in...more power to you! :)

Are you ready for it? You sure?? Here it is. The 2015 Book Challenge by popsugar.com.

http://www.popsugar.com/love/Reading-Challenge-2015-36071458?crlt.pid=camp.RTlcdYOWNcmE

On your marks, get set, READ!!!!

Another change from list - Pure Punishment by T.L Smith

Blurb:
One, two.
Who to kill?
Three, four.
You better open your door.
Five, six.
Cut or nick?
Seven, eight.
Don't party too late.
Nine, ten.
Watch your gate.

My name is Kayla.  Would you like to play a game with me? I promise to only make you bleed and possibly scream.  Are you ready for some fun?

Things were going so well - ok not really well but I am one down from my 2015 First Reads list I promise but having read the blurb for Pure Punishment by T.L Smith and knew immediately it would be jumping to the top of my list.

Review: 4 Stars

The New Year has seen me turn to some previous unread authors for my regular fix.  Pure Punishment is my first book by T.L Smith but I'm sure it won't be my last.

Firstly I loved the synopsis - it was short and straight to the point but the more than enough to wet your appetite.

Would you like to play a game with me? I promise to only make you bleed and possibly scream.  Be prepared for a proper head upending.

Told from Dual POVs (which I happen to flove by the way), Pure Punishment tells the story of Kayla, who's sole purpose is to punish those who deserve it.  Kayla is rough around the edges and fierce and angry and sassy and takes no $h*t.  She knows what she wants and she knows how to get it.

Kristy is right at the other end of the spectrum from Kayla.  Kristy is a college student who is a shy and retiring wall flower.  Kristy is a pushover who will not say boo to a goose.  All she wants to do is keep her head down and study and that leaves very little time for anything else in her life.  Despite being complete opposites these two girls share far more than they realise.

Full of suspense and intrigue and downright dark and nasty Pure Punishment is a great read.

Purchase Links:

Amazon US
Amazon UK
Barnes & Noble
Kobo

For more information about T.L Smith including new releases, teasers and giveaways please click here

Change in Reading Plans - Love M.D by Rebecca Rohman

A change in reading plans.  I have to be honest and say this is nothing new to me as a reader and author stalker (sorry fan girl).  Just 3 days ago I shared a beautiful TBR list I was going to start and then BAM I get an ARC through and it just had to jump to the top of my list.

One of my highlights of 2014 was discovering Rebecca Rohman.  Prior to reading the genre I like to term 'mommy porn' I was always much more of a thriller and suspense fan.  So finding Rebecca and realising, through Love, Lies & The D.A, she does an amazing job of combining my old fave with my new fave has been a revelation.  The most exciting part of this was being lucky enough to be asked if I'd like read an ARC for her new book, Love M.D.  My very emphatic response was does a bear poop in the woods? Of course I would.  

Shortly before I was due to go to bed on New Years Day Rebecca popped me a message to let me know the ARC had been sent out.  I was sure this was going to cure my lost reading mojo I'd been experiencing over the holiday season but have to say despite my excitement it still took me two days to get started but boy once I'd started I could not put it down.  I should explain by "not put it down" I mean I read solidly for almost 5 hours, promptly fell asleep on my kindle, only to wake and finish the remaining half an hour or so this morning.

Love M.D by Rebecca Rohman - due for release February 2015

Review: ❺ Stars

I feel in the interests of fairness I should start this review by saying I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.  I continue by saying anyone who knows me and knows my integrity, as both a reader and reviewer, knows this is not a secret code for I will blow smoke up the a$$ of an author because they gave me an advanced copy.  I will give credit where it's due and this is another 5 star read from Rebecca Rohman.

Zoë Jenkins is a San Francisco Bay Interior Designer.  She is very good in her job but not so good in her love life.  She has been hurt in the past after she made the fatal mistake of mixing business with pleasure and got her fingers burnt in the form of her sleazy ex Todd.  It is not a mistake Zoë will make again.  EVER.  Until her friend puts her in touch with Dr Morgan Drake (aka Dr Hottie), who is in need of some work to his new home.

Dr Morgan Drake is finalizing a messy divorce.  He is also a very successful surgeon and philanthropist.  The last thing he is looking for is a relationship.  All that is about to change when Zoë Jenkins comes into his life.  The chemistry between the two makes the air in a room pulse and is undeniable.  Zoë can only deny Dr Hottie for so long but a life changing event and the game of cat and mouse that ensues could rock them both to their very core.

Yet again Rebecca does an amazing job of merging romance and suspense and intrigue in a way no other does.  Not only does Rebecca draw you into the main characters but does a great job submerging you into the lives of side characters, which is no easy feat.  There are twists and turns usually only reserved for an epic movie.

Sterling job Rebecca - my only complaint is the books don't come quick enough ;)

For more information about Rebecca Rohman including upcoming releases and teasers please check out her Facebook page here.

Kelly xoxo

Happy 2015 from AK

Another year another challenge. A few years ago I tried to read 100 books in a year. Needless to say that did not happen. I only got a fourth of the way there. So this year I am aiming for 50 books. We will see how well I do. I am following in Kelly's lead and name the first 10 books that I am going to read. 5 traditional publishing reads and 5 from indie authors. Here is my list in no particular order....

1. Scarlet by Marissa Meyer 

2. Madame Tussaud by Michelle Moran

3. Nefertiti by Michelle Moran

4. The Peach Keeper by Sarah Addison Allen

5. In the Woods by Tara French

6. Chloe by Michelle Horst

7. Shadows on Snow: A flipped fairy tale by Starla Huchton

8. Covered in Coal by Silla Webb

9. Kaleidoscope by Mindy Hayes

10. Shatter by Rachel Van Dyken

In a few days I willp post a challenge for anyone to try out. Maybe I am alone in this but I love a good book challenge. Lol. Happy New Year Spooners. 

Happy 2015 Spooners!

Happy 2015 Spooners!

2015 will see my reignited love of reading continued.  I have already done the first, and most important thing of the year and set my GoodReads Book Challenge figure to 125.

I have to be honest and say over the build up to Christmas I've lost my reading mojo a little but I know once I start there will be no stopping me so I'm hoping to smash 125.

I thought I'd start by sharing the first 10 books I have on my Kindle carousel (in no particular order).  I'm not sure what I'm going to start with yet but as soon as I've picked I shall bbe sharing a review with you all.

Kindle List:

1. Ten Below Zero by Whitney Barbetti
   Amazon UK
   Amazon US
   
2. Beautifully Forgotten by L.A Fiore
   Amazon UK
   Amazon US
   
3. Nocte by Courtney Cole
   Amazon UK
   Amazon US
   
4. Jacked (The Trent Brothers #1) by Tina Reber
   Amazon UK
   Amazon US
   
5. Mistaken by J.A Howell
   Amazon UK
   Amazon US
   
6. Hard Roads by Lily White
   Amazon UK
   Amazon US
   
7. Raze by Tillie Cole
   Amazon UK
   Amazon US
   
8. Love's Suicide by Jennifer Foor
   Amazon UK
   Amazon US
   
9. Until You're Mine by Samantha Hayes
   Amazon UK
   Amazon US
   
10. Little Doll by Melissa Jane
    Amazon UK
    Amazon US

So this should be keeping me busy for a little while - what will you all be reading?

Kelly xoxo

The Promise By Apryl Baker

I am, for better lack of a word, paranormal girl. I love the paranormal, I obsess over it, I breath it. In short I live it. I blame my mother. I really do. The woman raised me on Stephen King! Needless to say para books are by far my go to for a good comfy read. There are a lot of great paranormal reads out there, Apryl Baker most assuredly has her pulse on that corner market. With her Ghost Files series she brings us spooks. With The Promise she introduces us to the world of Witches. A coven straight from Salem it's self, moved down the coast to protect its self from would be witch hunters. 

We start with a dead sister and a curse and some kick ass shoes. Intriguing to say the least. We are introduced to the sister via her journal and memories of her sister CJ. The main character in the story.I liked CJ well enough, she was like able but the constant reminders that she didn't believe in the coven or magic were totally unnecessary. After about the 15th time a threw my hands in there exasperated Ok! We get it! However, other than that, she's a good strong character. She's not oh-poor-woe-is-me. Although her taste in men is something to be desired. 

The writing is well paced. Although you learn about the curse about half way through the book, its the last few pages that you really learn everything behind it. It's those last few pages that made this book amazing. It was hit after hit. Didn't see it coming, didn't see that coming either.

I would have loved for a different ending with who she ended up with. It was very much a "nice guy finishes last". I will admit that bit was frustrating. However, I won't go into detail as I don't like spoilers. 

It's a good quick read and for that I give it 4 stars. Good characters, good plot, lovely twists and turns through out the book. The Promise wasn't the Ghost Files as I had secretly hoping, but it was still a fun ride. Good to read, but you won't be blown away. 

Happy Reading! 

Amazon US
Amazon UK
Goodreads