23 June 2014
Blog Tour: Secrets & Lies by Jacqueline Green (Review)
Hey guys! Welcome to day one of the Secrets and Lies blog tour hosted by Paper Lantern Lit. So let's hop to it :)
Can you keep a secret?Tenley Reed and Sydney Morgan have never seen eye to eye -- until now. United by a common goal, they are determined to find out who was behind their friend's murder. Joined by Emerson Cunningham, a gorgeous but troubled teen model, the girls start their own investigation. But in the isolated beach town of Echo Bay, it's hard to know who's a friend and who's an enemy.
Secrets and Lies is the second book in the Truth or Dare series -- and will keep readers in suspense from beginning to end.
Review
I loved this book just as much as I loved the first book Truth or Dare! The plot still centers around 3 girls and picks up right where Truth or Dare left off. This book has so much suspense, romance, and mystery making for a great read. This books was definitely better than the last when it came to plot twists because it really keeps you guessing throughout the whole read. All of the underlying relationships also make the book a great read because you not only get the crazy mystery but you still get the regular high school romance drama. As I said in my review of Truth or Dare this is definitely a great series to start reading and the only reason I give it 4 stars instead of 5 stars is because of its uncanny similarity to Pretty Little Liars but that is definitely not a deal breaker for me being a fan of the series myself. I can't wait for the last book in the trilogy to come out to see how this complex amazing story ends.Rating:
About the Author:
Jacqueline Green grew up in Wynnewood, Pennsylvania, where she devoured books the way other kids did candy. She never stopped loving those books she read as a kid, so after receiving her BA from Cornell University, she went on to get her MFA in Writing for Children from The New School. She’s since worked in many parts of the children’s publishing field, from marketing to editorial to writing. She now lives in Brooklyn, New York with her husband and their very small dog, who moonlights as her writing companion.20 June 2014
Interview w/Vivian Eve
Hey guys! Today I have for you an interview with Vivian Eve, author of Birthright. Let's get started! :)
1. When did you first realize you wanted to be an author?
As far back as I can remember, honestly. I almost always carried around notebooks to write down my ideas. I dabbled with typewriters before gaining access to computers; thankfully, I grew up in a generation where they were becoming an extremely common thing to own and use. So aside from a very dark period of my life where I almost completely gave up on writing, I could be frequently found typing away and stashing kernels of ideas into removable storage for future use.
2. How long does it usually take to write a book?
Birthright took me around a year to actually write; fleshing out the characters/world and finishing the outline ups the time even more. I'm not a super fast writer, but I'm testing out ways to hopefully better streamline the process without suffering a drop in quality.
3. What was your inspiration for the characters in Birthright?
It's hard to pinpoint exactly. Once I conceived the overall plot, they fell into place naturally. There has been some tweaking here and there along the way, but the characters all turned out great. In the future, readers will get to see why I love each and every one of them—even the villains. ;)
4. Where did you get the idea of the storyline?
My love of history, Arthurian legends, and the nagging voices of the characters who refused to be quiet about wanting their stories to be known to the world. I didn't set out to write a certain story or a specific genre; it just happened to come together that way.
5. What was one of the most surprising things you learned in creating your books?
I already knew years ago that writing is hard, but I didn't realize just HOW hard. There's a lot that goes into it: worldbuilding, character creation/development, etc. And this isn't even getting into the technicality (grammar, punctuation, etc.) portion. Personally, I think seeing your stories through to the end is the hardest; writing novels takes a lot of patience, time, and learning. You need a ton of persistence and determination in this line of work (not to mention thick skin, but that's another story entirely).
6. Do you listen to music for inspiration as you write certain scenes?
There's rarely a time when I'm not listening to music while writing. To help with my process, I'll also create playlists based on the story I'm writing. Sometimes, the songs will reflect a specific scene; other times, it'll be songs representing the overall theme/feel to keep myself in the mood of the world.
7. Do you have any suggestions to help people become a better writer? If so, what are they?
Read as much as you can, write as much as you can. Brush up on your grammar skills with some research and studying; there are tons of books about writing and language, and limitless sources on the web. Always strive for improvement; it's important to always be open to constructive criticism in order to improve your craft. Lastly, NEVER GIVE UP!
Thank you Vivian for taking out the time to let me interview you :) I will be posting a review of Birthright by Vivian Eve tomorrow.
18 June 2014
Review: Eden Forest by Aoife Marie Sheridan
Sarajane Anderson is your regular twenty one year old. With family, friends and a normal job. She also happens to be the only person who can save Saskia, a world parallel to earth.When Sarajane is taken to Saskia, she could never have imagined the reality of the world she steps into, a world where magical abilities are in everyone's possession. She must face a father she never knew, a world that is beyond her belief. A guardian who captures her heart, and a darkness that wants to take it.On this journey Sarajane discovers her magical abilities and realizes they come with a price. Sarajane is truly tested, as her loved ones are put at risk. The question she must ask herself is, how do you choose who lives and who dies?
Review:
I loved this book!! The story was great and something different which I liked and lets not even get me started about all of the underlying love stories going on lol. You know how I am a sucker for love and this book really does bring that romantic aspect in multiple ways. There is a great amount of adventure in this book along with a small amount of mystery and just enough romance and action. This book made me laugh, cry, swoon, and everything else in between. The book really checks all of the boxes for me and has easily become one of my favorite books. The only reason I don't give it five stars is because of the frequent spelling errors. A lot of the words had "my" as a replacement for key letters in the word and "my" was used as a replacement for "her" which made it kinda difficult and confusing at times to get the gist of the situation but other than that it is a great book and I highly recommend taking out the time to read it. Eden Forest is the first book in a trilogy which I love because I can't wait to find out what happens next in Sarajane's journey.Rating:
Buy This Book:
About The Author:
16 June 2014
Interview w/Aoife Marie Sheridan
Hey guys! So, yesterday I reviewed Eden Forest by Aoife Marie Sheridan which will be linked to at the end of this post. Today I have for you all an interview from the author of the book, Aoife Marie Sheridan. First off, a thanks to Aoife for taking the time to let me interview you. Let's get started!
When did you first realized you wanted to be an author?
Only recently believe it or not, like in the last year. I started writing as a way to release my emotions I lost two people so writing helped me get through it. I released my first book and then wrote the second as I was still in turmoil and it was my release. It’s not until now in the last year that I have realized just how much I love to write and I know I will never stopped. I think I am over my grieving process and now I can write through different eyes as such not just ones fuelled with grief.
How long does it usually take to write a book?
The first book took me a year, the second about nine months. The most recent about three months. I have also started about four other stories and they are all on different levels of completion. If I had the time, I can’t see why I wouldn’t write book in two months.
What was your inspiration for the characters in Eden Forest?
People around me, every character in Eden Forest represents people in my life. Every single one of the them.
Where did you get the idea of the storyline?
One night I had a dream of a man and women on a horse, passing through a wall of fire. The dream lingered with me, as did my grief. So I started my story. My starting point was my dream and I worked my way from there. Eden Forest helped me once again deal with death, and all that comes with it. So in a way I am very grateful for this story.
I always wondered why God created us and what was our purpose, but those questions are unanswered. So in my story I give you the answers for this world called Saskia. In the story God creates a world parallel to ours, for four fallen angels.
Death is something that I also question now, like why do we die, is 60 to 90yrs of life enough, imagine having immortality what would one do to gain it? And that’s where a lot of my plot lies. The greed for immortality, for power’s that only God should wield, drives Saskia into war.
God decides to give one person all the powers that anyone could possess to banish evil, before it destroys Saskia and Earth. This one person happens to be a young lady called Sarajane Anderson who lives in the mortal world (Earth) but is actually from Saskia.
What was one of the most surprising things you learned in creating your books?
That I could create worlds and see them so vividly in my head. I was surprised that I could do this and like I said see it so clearly, I never would have imagined that I would be capable of something so creative. :)
Do you have any suggestions to help me become a better writer? If so, what are they?
I really feel that when I am writing that I often stop and think what would the reader want and it changes my story but I really think that you should write like no one will ever read it. So it stays true to your heart and your 100% behind your story. I find when I go off course thinking of some reading it, I stop and tell myself no one will ever read it, so tell the story the way I want to tell it. That would be my suggestion to writers.
Do you listen to music for inspiration as you write certain scenes?
Yes, yes and yes. :) I love all type of music and create playlists that would suit each book before I start writing. If I get writers block I play the music and I start typing. It depends on the scene I’m writing but if it’s sad, powerful or just world building I will play the song that I have allocated to each of these. It does the trick for me.
You can check out my review of Eden Forest here.
Visit Aoife Marie Sheridan:
Buy Eden Forest:
15 June 2014
Review: The Savages by Matt Whyman
Hey guys! So, today I have for you a review of The Savages by Matt Whyman. I meant to get it out yesterday but didn't get a chance to so here it is. So let me tell you guys what this book was all about :)
And now for the review....Honestly this book was a struggle to get through. It took me almost a month and a half to finish because it really didn't draw me in or get my attention. However, I didn't really want to create a DNF review so I keep reading. I liked the underlying love story of course but that was really the only thing that keep me reading. The book does have an interesting concept which is one good thing about this book because it is pretty unique and the writing was great but all in all I just don't think it was the book for me. But, if you are into books that have a little out there storyline with a strong family bond present in it along with a dash of love then you may love this book. But that are my views of the book. If you have read this book as well I would love to hear your thoughts. I hope you all are having a Happy Father's Day! :)
They'd love to have you for dinner....
Sasha Savage is in love with Jack - a handsome, charming...vegetarian. Which wouldn't be a problem if it weren't for the fact that Sasha's family are very much 'carnivorous'. Behind the family facade all is not as it seems. Sasha's father rules his clan with an iron fist and her mother's culinary skills are getting more adventurous by the day. When a too-curious private detective starts to dig for truths, the tight-knit family starts to unravel - as does their sinister taste in human beings...
And now for the review....Honestly this book was a struggle to get through. It took me almost a month and a half to finish because it really didn't draw me in or get my attention. However, I didn't really want to create a DNF review so I keep reading. I liked the underlying love story of course but that was really the only thing that keep me reading. The book does have an interesting concept which is one good thing about this book because it is pretty unique and the writing was great but all in all I just don't think it was the book for me. But, if you are into books that have a little out there storyline with a strong family bond present in it along with a dash of love then you may love this book. But that are my views of the book. If you have read this book as well I would love to hear your thoughts. I hope you all are having a Happy Father's Day! :)
Rating:
13 June 2014
Feature & Follow Friday!
Welcome To Feature & Follow Friday! #FF is a weekly meme hosted by Parajunkee and Alison Can Read. Each week two book blogs are featured and this week those two book blogs are Cornerfolds & Awesome Book Assessment. Be sure to follow these guys! :) Now time for the question:
Armchair Travel! Tell us about your favorite book in a setting you'd like to visit (a real place for this question).
Hmm....*enter DyeHard Twilight Fan haha*....I've always to visit Forks, Washington from Twilight! I've never been to Washington plus I think it would be cool to see the all so famous Forks, Washington sign haha :) What about you guys? Happy Friday! TGIF!
12 June 2014
TBR Thursday (1): Lost Girls by Ann Kelley
Hey guys! Happy Thursday!! So today I thought I would participate in a new meme created by Words with Sarah called TBR Thursday. I think this is a great way to reduce our ever growing TBR piles. So, what you do is you pick a book that's been in sitting in your TBR pile for a good while that you plan on reading/reviewing this week. However, I not only plan to pick a book in this post but also review a TBR book. So starting next week every Thursday I will have a review of a book that's been in my TBR pile for a while and also tell you which TBR book I will read the following week :) But today I will just tell you which TBR book I will read/review next week since its the first post.
So I chose....*drum roll please*....Lost Girls by Ann Kelley!
This book sounds awesome! I can definitely see why I wanted to review it in the first place :) Here's the synopsis:
No parents. No rules. No way home.
Fourteen-year-old Bonnie MacDonald couldn't be more excited for a camping trip on an island off the coast of Thailand. But when a strong current sweeps Bonnie and her friends past their appointed campsite, depositing them instead on what the boatman calls a "forbidden island," they're just happy to have reached dry land.
Overnight, things take a turn for the worse. Three torturous days pass, but the boatman doesn't return, and what once seemed like a vacation in paradise becomes a battle against the elements.
Peppered with short, frantic entries from Bonnie's journal as she struggles to survive, Lost Girls tells the page-turning, heart-pounding story of a group of teen girls fighting for their lives.
Fourteen-year-old Bonnie MacDonald couldn't be more excited for a camping trip on an island off the coast of Thailand. But when a strong current sweeps Bonnie and her friends past their appointed campsite, depositing them instead on what the boatman calls a "forbidden island," they're just happy to have reached dry land.
Overnight, things take a turn for the worse. Three torturous days pass, but the boatman doesn't return, and what once seemed like a vacation in paradise becomes a battle against the elements.
Peppered with short, frantic entries from Bonnie's journal as she struggles to survive, Lost Girls tells the page-turning, heart-pounding story of a group of teen girls fighting for their lives.
So you guys should totally join in on the fun of this new meme :) What's your next read from your TBR pile?
27 May 2014
Armchair BEA Day 2: Author Interaction
26 May 2014
Armchair BEA Day 1: Introduction
Hey guys! My name is Cierra and I run Books Ahoy. :) I have been book blogging on Books Ahoy since 2011 and have had a blast doing it! I got into book blogging because I absolutely love reading. I came across some book blogs and thought it would be a cool idea to start one of my own and the rest is history. If I could describe my blog I would describe it as fun and bookish. My genre of book is Young Adult because it seems more relatable. I love to read because even when you are sitting in your bed reading a book you are transported somewhere else mentally living and learning about someone else's life and I love it! My favorite blogging resource is www.bookblogs.ning.com because it is a great way to get your book blog out there especially if you are a newcomer. Check me out on Facebook and Twitter as well :) Happy Armchair BEA!
29 January 2014
Waiting on Wednesday: Panic by Lauren Oliver
Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Breaking the Spine.
Panic began as so many things do in Carp, a dead-end town of 12,000 people in the middle of nowhere: because it was summer, and there was nothing else to do.
Heather never thought she would compete in Panic, a legendary game played by graduating seniors, where the stakes are high and the payoff is even higher. She’d never thought of herself as fearless, the kind of person who would fight to stand out. But when she finds something, and someone, to fight for, she will discover that she is braver than she ever thought.
Dodge has never been afraid of Panic. His secret will fuel him, and get him all the way through the game, he’s sure of it. But what he doesn't know is that he’s not the only one with a secret. Everyone has something to play for.
For Heather and Dodge, the game will bring new alliances, unexpected revelations, and the possibility of first love for each of them—and the knowledge that sometimes the very things we fear are those we need the most.
28 January 2014
Top Ten Tuesday: World's I'd Never Want To Live In
Top Ten Tuesdays is a weekly meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish
This week's top ten is the top ten world's I'd never want to live in. So here's my list (not in any specific order):
1. The world of Lily and Mel in The Farm by Emily McKay
2. The world of London 2032 in 20 Years Later by Emma Newman
3. The world of Razorland in Enclave by Ann Aguirre
2. The world of London 2032 in 20 Years Later by Emma Newman
3. The world of Razorland in Enclave by Ann Aguirre
4. The world of Divergent by Veronica Roth
5. The world of Silverlake in Blood Red Road by Moira Young
6. The world of Ashes, Ashes by Jo Treggiari
7. The world of Article 5 by Kristen Simmons
8. The world of Possession by Elana Johnson
9. The world of Partials by Dan Wells
10. The world of Awaken by Katie Kacvinsky
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Also I wanted to let you guys know about my Flash Sale over at my blog design website Blogovation Design to celebrate Valentine's Day coming up. All design packages are 50% off from Jan. 28 to Feb. 4. You can visit the website here in order to take advantage of the sale. Have a great day!
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Also I wanted to let you guys know about my Flash Sale over at my blog design website Blogovation Design to celebrate Valentine's Day coming up. All design packages are 50% off from Jan. 28 to Feb. 4. You can visit the website here in order to take advantage of the sale. Have a great day!
16 January 2014
Book Blitz Kick-Off: Full Steam Ahead by Valerie Chase
Full Steam
Ahead
Ahead
Release Date:
01/14/14
01/14/14
Summary from
Goodreads:
Goodreads:
Seven days aboard a luxury cruise. The
perfect getaway from it all.
At least, that’s what Georgia Cantwell was hoping for.
Georgia wishes she could run away from the nightmare that has consumed her
life, but she can’t. With her inbox filling with menacing emails, all she can
do is try to get through her sorority’s winter break cruise without anyone
realizing how wrecked she is. So she really doesn’t need Jace McLaren seeing
through her tacked-on smile when no one else seems to notice.
Growing up with a father in jail, Jace knows from experience that if you’re
going through hell, there’s no way out but through. He has always steered away
from girls like Georgia with her ice-queen attitude, but she’s in real trouble,
and despite himself he pushes past her walls.
As much as Georgia tries to ignore it, Jace won’t let her pretend with him. But
she can’t risk telling him the truth. Her past would ruin his trust, her
family, her future—everything.
But out on the open ocean, there’s nowhere to hide. And when Georgia’s secrets
come tumbling out, it might take more than Jace to save her.
perfect getaway from it all.
At least, that’s what Georgia Cantwell was hoping for.
Georgia wishes she could run away from the nightmare that has consumed her
life, but she can’t. With her inbox filling with menacing emails, all she can
do is try to get through her sorority’s winter break cruise without anyone
realizing how wrecked she is. So she really doesn’t need Jace McLaren seeing
through her tacked-on smile when no one else seems to notice.
Growing up with a father in jail, Jace knows from experience that if you’re
going through hell, there’s no way out but through. He has always steered away
from girls like Georgia with her ice-queen attitude, but she’s in real trouble,
and despite himself he pushes past her walls.
As much as Georgia tries to ignore it, Jace won’t let her pretend with him. But
she can’t risk telling him the truth. Her past would ruin his trust, her
family, her future—everything.
But out on the open ocean, there’s nowhere to hide. And when Georgia’s secrets
come tumbling out, it might take more than Jace to save her.
About the
Author
I'm Valerie
but please feel free to call me Val. I live in the Washington, DC area; and I
write New Adult romance. I'm hoping to publish my first novel (set on a cruise
ship!) in late 2013.
As for my writing, I love sexy banter and guys whose hearts are in the right
place, even if their heads sometimes aren't. I love discovering strong, awesome
characters, putting them in entertaining situations, and watching them argue
their way to love.
Author Links:
***GIVEAWAY***
Book Blitz Organized by:
15 January 2014
Waiting on Wednesday: Sinner by Maggie Stiefvater
I use Grammarly's plagiarism check because in the words of Herman Melville, " It is better to fail in originality than to succeed in imitation".
Happy WoW Wednesday! Waiting on Wednesday is a meme created by Breaking the Spine where you talk about one book whose release date you are anxiously awaiting. My WoW this week is Sinner by Maggie Stiefvater! Sinner is a standalone companion to the Wolves of Mercy Falls series which I loved, so I am absolutely stoked about this upcoming release. Check out the synopsis below:
Sinner follows Cole St. Clair, a pivotal character from the #1 New York Times bestselling Shiver Trilogy. Everybody thinks they know Cole's story. Stardom. Addiction. Downfall. Disappearance. But only a few people know Cole's darkest secret -- his ability to shift into a wolf. One of these people is Isabel. At one point, they may have even loved each other. But that feels like a lifetime ago. Now Cole is back. Back in the spotlight. Back in the danger zone. Back in Isabel's life. Can this sinner be saved?
13 January 2014
Book Blogger's New Year's Challenge: Share A Blogger Horror Story
Hey readers! Happy Monday! :) So today I decided to hop into Parajunkee's Book Blogger's New Year's Challenge. The Book Blogger's New Year's Challenge was created to help us book bloggers get into the book blogging mojo this new year. Today's prompt is to share a blogger horror story. Well, honestly, I've been blogging for a couple of years now and I haven't had a blogger horror moment. Sure, I've heard of a view but I don't have any myself. I try to please my readers to the best of my ability by providing readers with the best content I can. Hopefully, I can continue blogging without ever having a blogger horror story to tell. Happy Monday! :)
12 January 2014
New Year, New Look, New Schedule
Hey guys! Happy New Year!! I know it has been a while since I have posted anything here but hopefully that will change this new year because I really miss the book blogging community. So, first off I decided to redesign Books Ahoy with a new fresh clean design. A new look for a new year :). Secondly, I decided to take a page out of I'm A Book Shark's book and create a schedule for my blog so that I may keep my blog up to date daily. I think creating a schedule is a great way to plan out what you are going to post therefore keeping your blog organized and planned out. I may even buy a journal/notebook dedicated to planning out my blog posts. Here is the schedule I planned out:
Monday: Book Tours/Challenges
Tuesday: Top Ten Tuesday
Wednesday: Waiting on Wednesday
Thursday: Book Tours/Challenges
Friday: Follow Friday
Saturday: Book Review (Print)
Sunday: Book Review (ebook)
So that's my plan for this new year! What's your new year's plan for your book blog?
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