In My Mailbox (36) & Stacking the Shelves (42)

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.

Bought from Amazon:

The Winner's Curse by Marie Rutkoski

The Deep End of the Sea by Heather Lyons

Emi Lost & Found Series by Lori Otto

The Here & Now by Ann Brashares

I am so happy to start reading the books I got this week. These books are very different in genres but they piqued my interest. I finally bought The Winner's Curse and I have been hearing A LOT of good things about it. The Deep End of the Sea has to do with Greek Mythology which is one genre I love, so I am excited to read this one as well.  One of the book blogs I follow absolutely loved Emi Lost & Found series so I wanted to try it. On NetGalley, I was pre-approved for The Here & Now and it sounds interesting so I downloaded it. Overall I had a good week in books :)

I hope everyone has a great week!

Raquel

xoxo

Blog Tour: Deep Blue by Jules Barnard

Synopsis:

When Cali Morgan kicks off her perfect post-college summer in Lake Tahoe, she has everything she ever wanted: acceptance into a top law program, a gorgeous boyfriend, and an incredible summer planned with her best friend. Confident about her place in the world, Cali makes it her mission to be her friend’s wingwoman and help her meet guys. What Cali doesn’t count on is running into Jaeger Lang, one of her older brother’s high school friends, or the sparks that fly when she’s around him. Jaeger has changed, and it’s not just the added height and muscle. There’s something about him that’s deep and a little scarred. In spite of the changes, Jaeger becomes a top pick for her friend—if Cali can keep her hands off him.

But when Cali’s boyfriend dumps her and her carefully laid plans begin to unravel, she finds herself questioning what it is she truly desires. In the midst of doubts about her future, one thing is very clear: she wants Jaeger for her own. The question is, has her friend already fallen for him?

Amazon ~ Barnes & Noble

Author Bio:

Jules Barnard is originally from the San Francisco Bay Area. She attended UC Davis, whose college landscape often finds its way into her New Adult novels. She has a Master’s degree and spent many an hour running statistical analysis, until she realized her favorite part of the job was writing reports. She decided to cut out the math and add in some hot guys, and so began her career as a novelist.

Jules is a Northern California native living on the coast with her husband and two children. She has no impulse control around cupcakes and credits herself with the ability to read while running on the treadmill or burning dinner.

Blog | Twitter | Facebook | Author Goodreads | Deep Blue Goodreads

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My Thoughts:

Deep Blue starts off with Cali and her best friend Gen, moving to Lake Tahoe after finishing college. They will be working at a casino for the summer. Cali is extremely confident in herself, about to study law at Harvard. She has a hot boyfriend, Eric. Everything is right in her world. When Cali meets Jaeger, sparks fly. They have this instant attraction to one another. Cali has never felt this way about anyone before, not even with Eric. She is also unsure about going to study law and have no idea what to do.

Deep Blue is exactly the kind of book I needed to read at this point in time. It was a light read but still a romance. It is book about becoming an adult and everything that means. Being an adult, there are ups and downs; Cali has never really had to deal with that but after she moved to Lake Tahoe, her whole life changed. From getting dumped, problems with her summer job and completely changing her career path, she is forced to be strong and deal with everything.

I liked Cali as a character. She was smart and her narrative was sometimes laugh-out loud funny. She is extremely loyal to her friends, always wanting what is best for them. I absolutely adored Jaeger. He sounded so HOT by her description of him. I wish we were given the option to read his POV. Through his facial expressions in the beginning when they saw each other again as adults and all throughout the book, I would have liked to know exactly what he was thinking. The chemistry between Cali and Jaeger was so strong. I could feel their connection like it was something tangible.  

 I would gladly read the next book the author writes in the series. I would like to know more about Gen or even a book (or scenes) from Jaeger`s perspective would be awesome as well. We also still have no idea what`s going on with Tyler (Cali`s brother). If you are looking for a romantic book which is a light read with amazing chemistry, Deep Blue is the book for you. 

My Rating:

3.5 Stars

Cover Reveal: A Matter of Forever by Heather Lyons

 
 A MATTER OF FOREVER SYNOPSIS:
It all comes down to this . . . Chloe Lilywhite has struggled for years to find her footing in a series of dangerous and demanding worlds. Creator, first tier Council member, and one of the most powerful Magicals in existence, she was little more than one of Fate’s pawns. But now, Chloe is back home and ready to call the shots. She knows what she wants and who she wants to be. Except the Elders never got the memo. Annar and Magical-kind are under attack. The lives of Chloe’s loved ones, and life as they know it, are at stake. Chloe's the key to taking the Elders down, but they won't go quietly into the night. This time, neither will Chloe.

  Other books in the Fate Series:

A Matter of Fate, Book 1 Chloe Lilywhite struggles with all the normal problems of a typical seventeen-year-old high school student. Only, Chloe isn’t a normal teenage girl. She’s a Magical, part of a secret race of beings who influence the universe. More importantly, she’s a Creator, which means Fate mapped out her destiny long ago, from her college choice, to where she will live, to even her job. While her friends and relatives relish their future roles, Chloe resents the lack of say in her life, especially when she learns she’s to be guarded against a vengeful group of beings bent on wiping out her kind. Their number one target? Chloe, of course. That’s nothing compared to the boy trouble she’s gotten herself into. Because a guy she’s literally dreamed of and loved her entire life, one she never knew truly existed, shows up in her math class, and with him comes a twin brother she finds herself inexplicably drawn to. Chloe’s once unyielding path now has a lot more choices than she ever thought possible.  

  Amazon Barnes & Noble 

A Matter of Heart, Book 2 No longer in high school, Chloe Lilywhite is now living and working in Annar, the Magicals’ city-state plane of existence. Since moving, she’s joined the Council, gone on missions with the Guard, moved into her own apartment, and enrolled at the University of Annar. Plus, she’s happily engaged to be married to Jonah Whitecomb, the literal man from her dreams, not to mention her Connection. While she still struggles with aspects of her craft, Chloe feels like she’s finally coming into her own, especially after a difficult year that had her questioning nearly everything in her life. After a brutal attack by the Elders, her life is turned upside down once more. Accusations fly throughout the Council and Guard, forcing Chloe to confront her worst fears about what’s she’s capable of as a Creator. And then there’s the matter of Kellan Whitecomb, Jonah’s twin brother and Chloe’s ex, who resurfaces after disappearing months before. Although Chloe chose Jonah, and despite their best efforts, the two find it hard to stay away from one another. But no matter what Fate throws at her, Chloe is determined to take charge of her life, even as it begins to spiral out of control. 

   Amazon Barnes & Noble

  A Matter of Truth, Book 3 Not long ago, Chloe Lilywhite seemingly had it all: a prized spot on the Magicals’ Council as lead Creator, a loving fiancé and Connection, and a wealth of good friends. But the poised young woman she projected was nothing more than a façade. Her parents all but disowned her. Power plays and accusations of murder within the Council rocked her confidence. And most difficult of all, her secret, a secondary Connection to Jonah’s twin brother, Kellan, became painfully impossible to resist. Desperate to gain control over her rapidly unraveling existence, Chloe did the unthinkable: she ran away. Now living and working in Alaska under an alias, Chloe is slowly discovering who she is and, more importantly, who she wants to be. But the more she tries to leave the Magical world behind, the harder it becomes to stay hidden. The Elders are back with a vengeance, and the stakes have never been higher. Chloe finally has to make a choice: embrace her pre-ordained Fate or pave her own way in the worlds. One thing’s for sure, though—she’s finally up for the challenge. *This is a New Adult title, suitable for readers 18+.   

 Amazon Barnes & Noble

 

About Heather Lyons:  

Heather Lyons has always had a thing for words—She’s been writing stories since she was a kid. In addition to writing, she’s also been an archaeologist and a teacher. Heather is a rabid music fan, as evidenced by her (mostly) music-centric blog, and she’s married to an even larger music snob. They’re happily raising three kids who are mini music fiends who love to read and be read to.  

  Links: 
Website ~ Author Goodreads ~ A Matter Of Forever Goodreads ~ Twitter ~ Facebook ~ A Matter Of Fate Goodreads ~ A Matter Of Heart Goodreads ~ A Matter Of Truth Goodreads