Dystopian Giveaway Hop

Dystopian Giveaway Blog Hop  hosted by My Shelf Confessions 

I am giving away any book being released which has a dystopian theme to a maximum of $15. This giveaway is international. I am only giving away a book from The Book Depository, if it does not have the book you want I am sorry :( The Book Depository will be shipping the book. I am not responsible for any damaged packages. Open to anyone 13 and over. The winner will be announced on the Rafflecopter widget.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

In My Mailbox (19) & Stacking the Shelves (25)

Welcome to this week's In My Mailbox. In My Mailbox (IMM) is hosted by The Story Siren, who was inspired by a fellow book blogger Alea of Pop Culture Junkie. It features books I have bought or received for review.

Stacking the Shelves by Tynga`s Reviews is about adding books to my shelves I received during the past week whether it is physical or virtual. This post is about the books I purchased for the past couple of weeks.

Bought from Amazon:

Like Gravity by Julie Johnson

I have heard some great things about this novel. I am looking forward to it.

Received for Review:

Fates by Lanie Bross

When I read the description of this book, it sounded great so I requested and I was approved for it by NetGalley. 

Raquel

xoxo

Waiting on Wednesday (28)

Ignite Me by Tahereh Mafi

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

This book has a beautiful cover. I think it is my favourite one yet. There are going to be some great books coming out in 2014.

Expected Publication Date: February 4, 2014

Synopsis: (Taken from Goodreads)

The heart-stopping conclusion to the New York Times bestselling Shatter Me series, which Ransom Riggs, bestselling author of Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children, called "a thrilling, high-stakes saga of self-discovery and forbidden love"

Juliette now knows she may be the only one who can stop the Reestablishment. But to take them down, she'll need the help of the one person she never thought she could trust: Warner. And as they work together, Juliette will discover that everything she thought she knew-about Warner, her abilities, and even Adam-was wrong.

In Shatter Me, Tahereh Mafi created a captivating and original story that combined the best of dystopian and paranormal and was praised by Publishers Weekly as "a gripping read from an author who's not afraid to take risks." The sequel, Unravel Me, blew readers away with heart-racing twists and turns, and New York Times bestselling author Kami Garcia said it was "dangerous, sexy, romantic, and intense." Now this final book brings the series to a shocking and climactic end.

Add to Goodreads

Raquel 

xoxo

Review: Born Wicked by Jessica Spotswood

Title: Born Wicked

Author: Jessica Spotswood

Release Date: February 7, 2012

Publisher: Putnam Juvenile

Pages: 330

Source: Bought from Chapters Indigo

Add to Goodreads

Synopsis: (Taken from Goodreads)

A gorgeous, witchy, romantic fantasy by a debut author! Perfect for fans of Kristin Cashore and the Beautiful Creatures series!

Everybody thinks Cate Cahill and her sisters are eccentric. Too pretty, too reclusive, and far too educated for their own good. But the truth is even worse: they're witches. And if their secret is discovered by the priests of the Brotherhood, it would mean an asylum, a prison ship--or an early grave. Then Cate finds her mother's diary, and uncovers a secret that could spell her family's destruction. Desperate to find alternatives to their fate, Cate starts scouring banned books and questioning rebellious new friends, all while juggling tea parties, shocking marriage proposals, and a forbidden romance with the completely unsuitable Finn Belastra. But if what her mother wrote is true, the Cahill girls aren't safe--not even from each other.

My Thoughts:

Born Wicked is a great story of what one person will sacrifice to protect herself and her family. I read this story slowly because I wanted to savor and enjoy it. I believe this is the first book about witches I have read since the Harry Potter books and I am so happy I did because it was awesome.

Born Wicked starts off with Cate and her sisters, Maura and Tess, who are powerful witches. After their Mother died, Cate is left in charge of protecting her sisters from The Brotherhood. She thought she was doing a good job until a mysterious letter arrive that changes Cate’s world and she starts to question everything.

I absolutely loved Cate. She is smart, outspoken, selfless, and extremely protective of her sisters. She knows (kind of) when to fight for what’s right and when to let things go. Cate is also a worry-wart.  She worries about everything and she has every right to. She has to choose if she is going to marry or join the sisterhood, and also about her sisters doing magic and getting caught, she has A LOT on her plate.

Another thing I loved about this book is the boys. In the beginning of the novel, I really liked Paul. But then he said some things that made me changed my feelings about him a little. Also, I fell hard for Finn. He became the object of my affection. It’s like he could see into Cate’s soul. He is sweet, caring, and fiercely protective of the ones he loves. Who couldn’t love a guy like that? I just could not get enough of him in this book.

I really didn’t like the ending. I was shocked at how everything played out and it took me a couple of days to get over it. I hated the fact that Cate had to give up everything, all her hopes, her dreams and I was really sad about that. But I am extremely excited for the second book. Cate and her sisters live in an extremely dangerous time to be a witch. I know Star Cursed, book 2, will be awesome as well. 

My Rating:

5 out of 5 stars

Raquel

xoxo

In My Mailbox (18) & Stacking the Shelves (24)

Welcome to this week's In My Mailbox. In My Mailbox (IMM) is hosted by The Story Siren, who was inspired by a fellow book blogger Alea of Pop Culture Junkie. It features books I have bought or received for review.

Stacking the Shelves by Tynga`s Reviews is about adding books to my shelves I received during the past week whether it is physical or virtual. This post is about the books I purchased for the past couple of weeks.

I got some awesome goodies this week and I am so excited to share it with you all. So without further ado...

Bought from Amazon:

Crashing Into You by B.D. Rowe

Hard to Handle by Jessica Lemmon

Hourglass by Myra McEntire

Timepiece by Myra McEntire

Die For Me by Amy Plum

False Memory by Dan Krokos

The Darkest Minds by Alexandra Bracken

Pivot Point by Kasie West

Received from NetGalley:

Crashing Into You by B.D. Rowe

Hard to Handle by Jessica Lemmon

Waterfell (The Aquarathi #1) by Amalie Howard

Pawn by Aimee Carter

I am so excited to read all these books. Thank you  so much Harlequin Teen for approving Waterfell and Pawn for me to read. I am still currently reading All Our Yesterdays and I am loving it! Have a good week!

Raquel

xoxo

Waiting on Wednesday (27)

Sweet Reckoning (The Sweet Trilogy #3) by Wendy Higgins

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

When I saw the cover for this book last night on Goodreads I was literally screaming. I was so happy it also had a description as well. I am really looking forward to this book. I have read both Sweet Evil and Sweet Peril and I am so excited to see how everything plays out. My review for Sweet Peril will be up on the blog in the next couple of days.

Expected Publication Date: April 29, 2014

Synopsis: (Taken from Goodreads)

It’s time.

Evil is running rampant and sweet Anna Whitt is its target. Nobody knows when or how the Dukes will strike, but Anna and her Nephilim allies will do anything necessary to rid the earth of the demons and their oppressive ways.

The stakes are higher than ever, and Anna is determined that the love she feels will be her strength, not a liability. But trying to protect the ones she loves while running for her life and battling demonic forces proves to be perilous—especially as faces are changing and trust is fleeting. When the Duke of Lust sends Anna’s great love, Kaidan Rowe, to work against her, Anna must decide how much she’s prepared to risk.

In the most sensual and fast-paced installment yet, Sweet Reckoning brings all the beloved Neph together one last time to fight for their freedom.

Add to Goodreads

Raquel

xoxo

In My Mailbox (17) & Stacking the Shelves (23)

Welcome to this week's In My Mailbox. In My Mailbox (IMM) is hosted by The Story Siren, who was inspired by a fellow book blogger Alea of Pop Culture Junkie. It features books I have bought or received for review.

Stacking the Shelves by Tynga`s Reviews is about adding books to my shelves I received during the past week whether it is physical or virtual. This post is about the books I purchased for the past couple of weeks. 

Today I will be having a wonderful Thanksgiving dinner with my family. Happy Thanksgiving to all Canadians this weekend. I hope everyone enjoys it!

Purchased:

Playing With Her Heart by Lauren Blakely

Own the Wind by Kristen Ashley

Take This Regret by A.L. Jackson

All Our Yesterdays by Cristin Terrill

What books did you get???

Blog Tour: Found in You by Laurelin Paige

Title: Found in You (Fixed #2)

Author: Laurelin Paige

Release date: October 1, 2013

Publisher: Mandevilla Press

Age Group: Adult

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Tour organized by: AToMR Tours; http://atomrbookblogtours.com

Goodreads | Amazon

Book Description:
Alayna Withers has only had one kind of relationship: the obsessive, crazy stalker kind. Now that Hudson Pierce has let her into his heart, she’s determined to stay away from her past tendencies and develop their love into more than just amazing sex. At least Hudson is as dedicated to her as she is to him, though she could do without his new found jealousy and need to control everything. To complicate matters, Hudson has his own baggage including a penchant for mind games and a hateful alcoholic mother who’s set on destroying any happiness he might find with Alayna.

Needing insight, Alayna turns to an unlikely source—Celia Werner. Celia’s been in love with Hudson herself and knows how to ride the rocky waves of the emotionally closed-off man. But when Celia’s true motivations behind their friendship are revealed, Hudson’s commitment might not be as solid as Alayna thinks, and even their all-consuming passion for each other isn’t enough to fix their mistrusts. This is the first relationship where Alayna hasn’t spiraled out of control. And she might lose Hudson anyway…

My Thoughts:

I read the first book, Fixed on You and I absolutely loved it, so when I found out there was going to be a second book tour, I could not wait to sign up; and I have to say, this book did not disappoint. I could not get enough of Alayna and Hudson. 

We start off with Alayna going to Hudson’s apartment after her shift at the club. She is extremely nervous because she is the first woman Hudson has invited there. One thing, I adored about with this book, we learn just how twisted both Alayna and Hudson were. I think their pasts prepared them for each other because I don’t think anyone else would be able to understand why they are the way they are. I don’t think anyone else is better suited.

My first impression of the book would have to be that it is focused on trust. Trust between Alayna and Hudson and if they really have what it takes to have a healthy relationship. One thing that bugged me about this book was the fact that Alayna kept so many secrets from Hudson. I mean, he would definitely find out one way or another, after all this is Hudson Pierce. He knows everything.

I absolutely loved Hudson. He is domineering, alpha male, sexy and commands every room he enters. He has never loved any woman in his life but everything changes when he meets Alayna. She is the exception. I loved that he stood by her no matter what. If Alayna needed help in any way he would help her. I think after that moment I liked him even more. One thing I am really looking to is Hudson actually saying “I love you” to Alayna. In Found in You, he expresses it through his actions but it will be momentous when he does. January 2014 really can’t come fast enough for the third book to be released.

My Rating:

4 out of 5 stars

About the Author :
Laurelin Paige is a sucker for a good romance and gets giddy anytime there’s kissing, much to the embarrassment of her three daughters. Her husband doesn’t seem to complain, however. When she isn’t reading or writing sexy stories, she’s probably singing, watching Mad Men and the Walking Dead, or dreaming of Adam Levine. She is represented by Bob Diforio of D4EO Literary Agency.

Author social media links:

 Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

To see other stops on the tour for reviews, guest posts, and excerpts click here or the tour button below.