mercoledì 28 gennaio 2015

Release Day Launch: When Fates Collide by Isabelle Richards + Giveaway!

When Fates Collide
Fates #1
by Isabelle Richards


Life can change in the blink of an eye. One moment, Lily Preston is trapped in a loveless marriage. In a split second she is free, but at what cost? Her mundane life is set into a free fall of tragedy and terror. Her husband maybe out of her life, but he left a storm of collateral damage behind and the burden is on Lily to sort it out. 


Fate connects Lily with Gavin Edwards, a charmingly handsome British gentleman that has been drawn into her tangled circumstance. Gavin is everything Lily’s husband wasn’t and gives her hope that love really does exist. Gavin wants nothing more than to sweep Lily up and carry her off into the sunset, far away from the devastation left behind by her husband. Gavin has been the first breath of fresh air in her life, but she isn’t looking to be saved. She needs to clean up her husband’s mess and find a way to save herself in the process. 
Does she throw caution to the wind and open her heart? Or listen to her head that tells her and go it alone until she’s found herself again?
Buy Links

Short Excerpt

My house is a crime scene, I’m completely alone, and I can’t call a single friend. I’m so mad at Ashton I want to scream, but I’d have to yell pretty damn loud for him to hear me now. My head drops into my hands, and I rub my temples hoping to fight off my growing migraine. After a few minutes, I feel someone sit next to me. I fan my fingers and look up to see Gavin’s hypnotic eyes. I get lost in them for what feels like eternity.
Gavin takes my hands away from my face and gently wipes the tears away. Then he wraps his long, muscular arms around my shoulders, and I allow myself to lean into him. This man, whom I’ve known for about twelve hours, whose wife was killed by my husband, is the only person in the world I have left. 

The Author


Isabelle Richards spent years as a speech writer before tackling fiction. An avid reader of all genres, Isabelle is drawn to romance novels as they provide an escape from daily life. Through her complex cast of characters, Isabelle creates a sanctuary for readers to dive into for a break from reality. When she is not writing, Isabelle works as an advocate for persons with disabilities in Washington, DC. Her two yellow labs are her writing partners, although they frequently sleep on the job.

Find her


The Giveaway!

How do you like the sound of this book? I saw it around a couple weeks ago in some bloggers promo post and I thought it sounded great! But the author, this time, is not really giving away copies of her book, no. She came out with such an original giveaway : TWO Oxford University Hoodies !! Yes, you heard me well ! I don't know about you, but I always wanted one! Here in Italy we crave them !

So here's your chance! Good luck (;




a Rafflecopter giveaway

sabato 24 gennaio 2015

Stacking the Shelves #3

Hosted @ Tynga's reviews

Hey you all ! This week has been another full-of-study week and I can't wait for February 3rd to come to finish my exams and leave for Barcellona !! Like last week I kept buying books for my Kindle and I can't seem to stop ! Moreover I'm receiving many review requests and I am so happy about it ! 

Bought
For my Kindle



Kindle freebies




For my bookshelf



For review



And you? What did you get this week?

venerdì 23 gennaio 2015

Review: Witch Song (Witch Song #1) by Amber Argyle

Witch Song
Witch Song #1

Author: Amber Argyle
Published: September 1st 2011
Publisher: Starling Publishing
Format: eBook
Number of Pages: 305
Source: Bought
Purchase: Amazon, TBD

From Goodreads
Brusenna is the last. 

All the other witches have been captured, their songs stolen and twisted from harmony and growth into chaos and death. She alone must stand against an evil much older and darker than anything she could ever imagine—an evil every witch before her has failed to vanquish. 

Brusenna must be the first.




My Review

WOW! What a great discovery this book has been!

Let's start by saying that I have never read something about witches. I know, my bad, but I have never really been that much fascinated by these paranormal characters.

Witch Song was a complete surprise. I started this book and I immediately enjoyed the author's writing style: fluent, detailed, elaborate, the kind that I tend to notice, considering that this has been her debut novel. At first, though, I thought that Witch Song would not have been really a fast-pacing novel, but I found out that I was actually missing something. The whole book is packed with action, you will not be able to relax for an instant, because Brusenna's world constantly changes and upsets the reader. The world Brusenna lives in was amazingly described, not only physically, but also psychologically.  I loved how the author tried to be realistic even in a paranormal novel, how she focused on building perfectly the setting of the book and especially, the opinion of the crowd about witches. It felt real to read about people who feared them, frightened by what they couldn't  put their fingers on, and about people who knew that it was necessary to help them. I think that if witches were real, that's how people would truly react!

 What I enjoyed most, also, where the fact that the witches' power was in their songs and in their voices because it contributed at creating  a pretty image of them, and not the frightening kind I had on my mind. I loved the bond they had with nature, how plants reacted to their words and how witches had the responsibility for the world's balance. I left myself dreaming, imagining how leaves and flowers moved along with the witches' songs and it was a wonderful sensation! I think that was probably one of the author's greatest skill, to touch your imagination so very deeply!

The characters also were well built, Brusenna was a lovely protagonist, strong but not eccentric, sweet, loyal and tender-hearted. I struggled a little at the beginning, to find a connection with her, because I couldn't stand how sometimes she became kind of "whining"; I hated the all "everybody-leaves-me" concept and the "I'm-all-on-my-own", but I guess there must have been something like that, considering that she was the last witch left. In short, a small problem you can easily get over . 

I loved her relationship with Joshen, I feared at the very beginning that it may turn out into some banal love story, but I am happy that the author didn't really gave us much about them in this book because it let's me hope that there will be more in the sequels. I adored Joshen's character because he perfectly knew how to take care of a girl without being troublesome; I thought he grew up so much during the book and it was amazing to see how this adventure changed him and turned him into a wonderful man. I just want to read more about him, NOW.

Well, what do I have to add? I loved travelling along with Brusenna and Joshen, by land and by sea, and I bet most of you will love it too! 

Looking forward to Witch Born!

Rated 4.5



sabato 17 gennaio 2015

Stacking the Shelves #2

Hosted @ Tynga's reviews
Another wonderful week flies by ! Wonderful? Not at all, unfortunately, I had two chinese exams this week, and two to come next week and I am so tired of studying !! I just want to lay on my bed and spend my days reading and watching tv T_T


But now, let's focus on the good! This week I finally decided to start buying books for my Kindle on Amazon; I never purchased a book through Amazon, just used it for digital copies authors send me for review, but I discovered that a lot of amazing titles that I craved to read are on sale for just 2 euro !! I mean, that's actually the price of a coffee, isn't it?! So, I decided, just stop wasting money on junky food, and start buying new books ^^



Here's what I got this week

Bought



YAY! So finally I have all the Lark Kepler's books (almost), I just realised yesterday that there is another one I'm missing, but I think I will be buying it VERY soon. Speaking of double books though, I think I will re-buying the second book in the "series", The Nightmare, since is the only one I own in paperback. 


I also bought from Amazon



Received



What did you receive this week? Link me up your haul!

venerdì 16 gennaio 2015

Feature and Follow Friday #12

Hosted @ Alison can Read and Parajunkee

This Week's question:
Do you own any doubles of your books? What led to getting that second...or third or fourth...copy?


I usually don't like buying books more than once, I prefere buying new ones, something I still have to read, but I actually made an exception with one of my favourites : The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde. I loved that book so much, and the movie was awesome too. So, I think you will easily understand why I chose to buy a second copy.. check out !




There was the handsome Ben Barnes on the cover !!! I couldn't resist ! Besides, I payed 2 euro for my first copy, I thought I deserved a proper one, finally. Isn't it awesome?

Link me up your #FF and I will visit back !



martedì 13 gennaio 2015

eARC Review: The Haunting of Sunshine Girl by Paige McKenzie

The Haunting of Sunsine girl
The Haunting #1

Author: Paige McKenzie
Expected Publication: March 24th 2015
Publisher: Weinstein Books
Format: eARC
Number of pages: 304
Source: Netgalley
Preorder: Amazon, TBD

From Goodreads
Based on the wildly popular YouTube channel, The Haunting of Sunshine Girl has been described as “ Gilmore Girls meets Paranormal Activity for the new media age.” YA fans new and old will learn the secrets behind Sunshine—the adorkable girl living in a haunted house—a story that is much bigger, and runs much deeper, than even the most devoted viewer can imagine…

My Review

The Haunting of Sunshine Girl enchanted me from the moment I read that it had been inspired by a Youtube series about ghosts; many of you may have noticed that I love Horrors, I love Stephen King, I loved Bag of Bones, and I was excited to read more about ghosts and creepy stories. Although The Haunting of Sunshine Girl may not have lived up exactly to my expectations, I can't really say that I didn't enjoyed it ... on the contrary, it was a light read with a little touch of creepiness that I would recommend to all those who actually don't have the courage to pick up horrors, but would like to give ghosts a try!

Let's just say that I had some troubles with the beginning (as I usually have); the ghostly theme is introduced since the very start, and I though that, this way, there would have been more space for the creepiness itself, but actually, half of the book developed without really focusing on the haunting.

Sometimes I felt like the book resumed some majors cliche without really bringing something new: I mean, I think I've heard a lot about the weirdo girl, who tends to stay away from boys and girls her age, that discovers to be special. Sunshine, although, is a very likable character, funny, sweet, someone you can easily grow fond of, but probably not the right person to put as the heroine of a ghost novel. I thought that her humor sometimes didn't quite fit the situation and contributed at lightening the tension that was already really low. On the other hand, I loved her relationship with her mother, and I think this has been one of the main reason why I kept reading the book, because I loved how she struggled to keep her safe, and I really wanted her to be safe, indeed.

Speaking of the creepiness, I already told you, I expected it to be more than what it actually was, especially because of the Youtube's references, but being sincere I also have to admit that there were a couple of scenes that really got me goosebumps! They were horrible, disgusting to imagine, but, of course, I can't reveal much more without ruining the story! 

Despite everything, The Haunting of Sunshine Girl is really fast-pacing and entertaining novel, the author knows how to write fluently and how to interest the reader. If you're willing to try a little bit of horror, without compromising your sleep, then you should give The Haunting of Sunshine Girl a try!




Rated 3.35



sabato 10 gennaio 2015

Stacking the Shelves #1


Hey everyone ! This week I am so excited because I finally had a chance to change my blog design.. and I love it ! It's not a personal design, and I know is quite simple but I really can't describe I proud I feel to finally have had the courage to change everything ! I was starting to hate my blog, couldn't stand the look of it, but now, it just feels perfect 

But now, let's get serious ! Here is what I received this week



For Review




What I posted this week

Giveaways


I love visiting new blogs and leave a comment, so
don't forget to link me up your SS post !

Have a great weekend you all !

mercoledì 7 gennaio 2015

Review and Movie chat: The Maze Runner (The Maze Runner #1) by James Dashner

The Maze Runner
The Maze Runner #1

Author: James Dashner
Published: August 4th 2011
Publisher: Chicken House
Format: Paperback
Number of Pages: 371
Source: Bought
Purchase: TBD, Amazon

From Goodreads:

When the doors of the lift crank open, the only thing Thomas remembers is his first name. But he's not alone. He's surrounded by boys who welcome him to the Glade - a walled encampment at the centre of a bizarre and terrible stone maze. Like Thomas, the Gladers don't know why or how they came to be there - or what's happened to the world outside.




My Review

I started the Maze Runner just after seeing the movie (my bad, I know); I liked it so much that my boyfriend thought well about giving me, as a present for my birthday, the whole trilogy and ... I AM SO GLAD I'VE FOUND ANOTHER AWESOME TRILOGY. Yep, because after reading Allegiant, City of Heavenly Fire and soon The Retribution of Mara Dyer, I was starting to feel a little bit lonely with all these amazing series coming to an end.

In my opinion, The Maze Runner is one of the best dystopian I've ever read so far, after The Hunger Games trilogy, and I really can't wait to see how the story develops in the following books. What I loved most about this book is the general unpredictability of the story, you can never know the Creators' plans, how the Maze is gonna evolve, how the characters are gonna react. And what's even more impressive is how much I felt caught up in the story despite having seen the film just a couple of weeks before; sounds silly maybe, but I though that reading the book, knowing already the story and the ending, would be so boring, but I couldn't be more wrong. The book, indeed, takes a different tack from the movie (obviously) and especially, gives a better view of the ending and of the world outside the Maze. 

Generally speaking, I loved the originality of the story but if there's one thing that kept me really glued to the pages is the curiosity to find out how the Gladers organised themselves in such a productive, small society, and the admiration I felt for their sense of duty. Order was the Gladers' key word but unfortunately a tornado of events will upset their neatly built world.

The characters' development was great, they all had different abilities and talents that address them in specific areas of work. Speaking the truth, if there's one thing I felt while reading is that it's more easy to feel pity for the Gladers' general condition than to really grow fond of the main characters. I mean, I did like Minho, Thomas, Newt and Chuck but I didn't felt that close to them as I used to while reading other books (The Hunger Games for example). I think that one of the few problems I had with this book, that probably caused this little separation, is the Gladers' language. Well, they kind of spoke slang, didn't they? I really hated how they spoke, it was awful and difficult to understand sometimes and I really wished they would suddenly start to talk like normale people do. That's also why I really loved Theresa's character, she felt so close to normal that I saw her as a foothold to reality.

Last, I really enjoyed the fact that you actually don't know if you can trust Thomas and Theresa until the very end. The author made immediately clear that they were not like the other Gladers but the story starts to get clear just at the very ending... and that's why you should better buy the whole trilogy and not just book 1 !

Straight to favourites !

Rated 4.90













venerdì 2 gennaio 2015

Feature and Follow Friday #11



The Feature & Follow is hosted by TWO hosts, Parajunkee of Parajunkee's View and Alison of Alison Can Read. Each host will have their own Feature Blog and this way it'll allow us to show off more new blogs! 



This week's Question:

Happy New Year!!!! What was your favorite book of 2014 - or books if you can't name just one?

Honestly, everyone knows that I didn't really read much this year because of my school exams and other problems, so I will have to choose among a few titles. I would say:


Goodreads
             A unique reading. Probably not everyone's cup of tea
          because of the tough subject, but definitely worth
reading!You can find my review here

Goodreads

It took me almost a month to read this beauty. But if you
have never read something by Stephen King I really

think you should start soon !



Happy New Year Give@way! INT


2015 HAS OFFICIALLY STARTED!

God knows how many things I'm planning to focus on this
year and how many books I would love to read ! While writing 
down all my good resolutions for 2015 I thought, why not celebrating
with a good Giveaway? It has been quite a long time since I last organised
one and I really can't wait to fix this !

So here it is, not many rules, INTERNATIONAL !
Just be sure to follow all the Rafflecopter instructions to get
more entries; winner will be chosen randomly and entries will
be verified. The winner will get a chance to choose a book up to
15 euro from the Book Depository. Good luck ^^


a Rafflecopter giveaway
 
Images by Freepik