Tag: reading goal

Book Review: Sweet Peril by Wendy Higgins

Leave a comment

Sweet Peril

Book Description (from Goodreads):

Anna Whitt, the daughter of a guardian angel and a demon, promised herself she’d never do the work of her father—polluting souls. She’d been naive to make such a vow. She’d been naive about a lot of things.

Haunted by demon whisperers, Anna does whatever she can to survive, even if it means embracing her dark side and earning an unwanted reputation as her school’s party girl. Her life has never looked more bleak. And all the while there’s Kaidan Rowe, son of the Duke of Lust, plaguing her heart and mind.

When an unexpected lost message from the angels surfaces, Anna finds herself traveling the globe with Kopano, son of Wrath, in an attempt to gain support of fellow Nephilim and give them hope for the first time. It soon becomes clear that whatever freedoms Anna and the rest of the Neph are hoping to win will not be gained without a fight. Until then, Anna and Kaidan must put aside the issues between them, overcome the steamiest of temptations yet, and face the ultimate question: is loving someone worth risking their life?(

 

Book Review:

I read Sweet Evil (Book 1 in the Trilogy) last February and it became one of my favorite books, this week I decided to listen the Audiobook and I loved too.  The narration by Erin Mallon was really good and I liked the different voices she made for the characters (especially Anna and Kaidan).

After finishing the Audiobook I searched for Sweet Peril in my Kindle, I found it and I couldn’t help but start reading it, I needed to know what was going to happen with Anna, Kai and Kop. From page one I was engaged to the story, I loved the writing and how things started to take its place.

In this book we learn more about the story between the Nephilim and the Dukes, and also about Anna’s role.

I like how well developed and interesting are the characters in this and the previous book (Sweet Evil), and I particularly enjoyed reading about the relationship between Anna and the rest of the Neph (especially Kai, Kop and Marna), and the interactions she has with her father Belial.

To me, the story has it all to be an enjoyable reading, is exciting, there’s romance, intrigue, some twists and best of all, I was satisfied with the way this sequel ended (I won’t give any spoilers here).

This was another great book by Wendy Higgins and I really recommend it (as well as Sweet Evil, Book 1), I’ll definitely be reading Sweet Reckoning as soon as is released (I already pre-order the book and the release date is April 2014, sniff sniff).

Ahhh and to deal with months of waiting until Book 3 is released… well I think I’ll be buying and listening the Audiobook of Sweet Peril. 

Book Review: Tangled by Emma Chase

Leave a comment

Lines Tangled

Book Synopsis (from Goodreads):

Drew Evans is a winner. Handsome and arrogant, he makes multimillion-dollar business deals and seduces New York’s most beautiful women with just a smile. He has loyal friends and an indulgent family. So why has he been shuttered in his apartment for seven days, miserable and depressed? He’ll tell you he has the flu. But we all know that’s not really true. 

Katherine Brooks is brilliant, beautiful, and ambitious. She refuses to let anything-or anyone-derail her path to success. When Kate is hired as the new associate at Drew’s father’s investment banking firm, every aspect of the dashing playboy’s life is thrown into a tailspin. The professional competition she brings is unnerving, his attraction to her is distracting, and his failure to entice her into his bed is exasperating. Then, just when Drew is on the cusp of having everything he wants, his overblown confidence threatens to ruin it all. Will he rise to the most important challenge of his life? Can Drew Evans win at love? 

Tangled is not your mother’s romance novel. It is an outrageous, passionate, witty narrative about a man who knows a lot about women…just not as much as he thinks he knows. As he tells his story, Drew learns the one thing in life he never wanted is the only thing he can’t live without.

My Review:

Drew Evans is a successful businessman, a charming and non-strings attached guy who is used to have his way, but then this “golden boy” meets his match in the form of Kate Brooks and with that, everything he has known and believed starts to change.

I was totally hooked since page one and it was impossible to put down this book, the reason?  The story is funny, romantic and truly engaging.

I loved the characters, Drew and Kate are interesting and likeable and there’s also some support characters that I enjoyed reading about, like Alexandra (Drew’s sister) and Drew’s sweet and witty niece, Mackenzie.

My favorite thing about this book is the way is written. I loved the narrative from Drew’s POV and being inside his head provided a lot of entertaining and hilarious moments.

The writing style is like if this character is talking to you, sharing what happened to him, this made me feel even more engaged to the story.

I mentioned on past reviews how much I love male POVs in the Books, but Drew’s POV is the best I’ve read and now, he’s one of my favorite male characters.

My rating:   ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Do I recommend this book? Absolutely.

Will I read more books from this author? Definitely.

My New TBR List

1 Comment

Tim Gunn Book

After giving it some thought I made some changes to my TBR List, here are some of the books that I’ll be reading during the rest of the year (the books are not in a particular order and I’ll be adding more to the list during the next months):

  • Gunn’s Golden Rules: Life’s Little Lessons for Making It Work by Tim Gunn
  • Where She Went by Gayle Forman
  • The Fault in Our Stars by John Green
  • These Girls by Sarah Pekkanen
  • Matched by Ally Condie
  • Crossed by Ally Condie
  • Reached by Ally Condie
  • The Hobbit by  J.R.R. Tolkien
  • The Color Purple by Alice Walker
  • The Spectacular Now by Tim Tharp
  • The Boy on the Bridge by Natalie Standiford
  • This is a Call: The Life and Times of Dave Grohl by Paul Brannigan
  • This is What Happy Looks Like by Jennifer E. Smith
  • The Bling Ring by Nancy Jo Sales
  • Camp Kiss by J. K. Rock
  • The Perfect Ring by Rachel Elizabeth Cole
  • The Hallowed Ones by Laura Bickle
  • The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum
  • All is Bright by Sarah Pekkanen

Paperback and Hardcover Books at Home: Rethinking my TBR List.

Leave a comment

I love books and I’m always looking for something new to read, but yesterday while I was talking to my husband made me realize that I have very “abandoned” the paperbacks and hardcover editions in our Bookcase (He asked me how many of them I’ve read during this year), and well, is true, for some reason lately I’d been reading more Ebooks in my Kindle and Books from the Library, and less from the books I have at home.

Taking advice from my husband I decided to start reading more of the books I have at home (fortunately I have many options to choose from), and also make some changes in my TBR List.

In the next pictures you can see some of these books:

Bookcase 1

Bookcase 2

Have you read any of these books? Which ones would you recommend?

Listening Books – Audiobooks Recommendations: Loving Summer, Fallen Too Far and Oh The Places You’ll Go!

Leave a comment

This year I’ve been buying several Audiobooks on Audible (most of the time taking advantage of the special price because I had previously purchased the Kindle version of the books) and with this I can use the feature of Whispersync for Voice that is available when you own both formats (Kindle and Audible Audiobook).

In this post I want to share with you some thoughts about the last three Audiobooks I have listened:

 

Loving Summer

Loving Summer by Kailin Gow

I read this book last December and I recently bought the Audiobook. This is the first book in the Series and also my favorite, is a story about growing up, about love, family and friendship that’s mainly focused in the relationship between a young girl named Summer, the Donovans (Rachel, Nat and Drew), and the times they spent together at Sookie’s Beach House (she’s Summer’s aunt). Even when Summer is not my favorite character (my favorites are the Donovan brothers), this a good book that I really liked.

And what about the Audiobook? I truly enjoyed it, in my opinion the narrator was a nice choice for this book and she delivers the emotions that the characters are feeling (I specially liked when she does Summer’s character).

So far three books from the Series had been released (and I had read them all): Loving Summer, Falling for Summer and Perfect Summer, but the only one with an Audible Version available is Loving Summer (I’m hoping they release soon the Audiobook of Falling for Summer, the continuation to the story and with the POV of the Donovan Brothers).

With a length of around 4 hours this Audiobook was my perfect companion during a Summer afternoon, it kept me entertained in the Fitness Center (I took with me my Ipod Touch and listened the first chapters in the Audible App) and back at home.

As I had previously purchased the Kindle Version of this Book (for around $2.99 USD), the Audiobook in Audible costed me only $1.99 USD (yeii!).

Fallen too Far

Fallen too Far by Abbi Glines

I read Fallen Too Far for the first time last January and I loved Abbi Glines’s writing, I became a Fan of the Series and when I found out that Audible Version had been released I bought it without hesitation and this week I listened to it.

My reaction to this Audiobook? It kept me really entertained and as soon as I finished it I couldn’t help to re-read Never Too Far and Forever Too Far (Book 2 and 3 from the Series).

Like with Loving Summer, due to the fact that I had previously bought the Kindle Version, I paid only $1.99 USD for the Audiobook in Audible) and its length is 6 hours 34 min.

Oh the places

Oh the Places you’ll Go! by Dr. Seuss.

My last Audiobook recommendation is this Children’s book by Dr. Seuss (when I bought it was an incredible deal in Audible), this a short story (7 min. length).

I don’t have any kids but as an adult I still enjoyed listening this Audiobook, the narration by John Lithgow is just amazing (his voice is perfect for the story).

Thanks for reading me and enjoy your Sunday you all!

Disclaimer: The offers may be available only for US customers, the prices and promotions from Amazon and Audible may change, is important that you always confirm the price prior to buy any book. I don’t work for Amazon or Audible nor I’m part of the Amazon Affiliate Program.

History of Rock and more Books: What I’ve been doing and What’s next

Leave a comment

I haven’t posted more book reviews during the last days because I had been busier than usual and one of the reasons is that I’m enrolled on an online course: History of Rock Part 2 by the University of Rochester (I finished History of Rock Part 1 weeks ago) and between watching the Video lectures, work on my notes and take a quiz (corresponding to two weeks of classes) is like being in College again (but I love it).

Now, back to things books related…. What’s next:

  • I’m working on a post about Audiobooks that I’ll be posting this week and
  • For my next reading, I’m trying to decide between:

the hallowed ones

   The Hallowed Ones by Laura Bickle

and

From what i remember

              From What I Remember by Stacy Kramer & Valerie Thomas

The two books are very different, but both have good reviews (and average rating of 4 in Goodreads).

And that’s it for now, I have to get ready to go to the Library (there are some DVDs ready for me to pick up), have a great day you all!

Book Review: Attachments by Rainbow Rowell

3 Comments

8909152

 

Book Description (from Goodreads):

Beth and Jennifer know their company monitors their office e-mail. But the women still spend all day sending each other messages, gossiping about their coworkers at the newspaper and baring their personal lives like an open book. Jennifer tells Beth everything she can’t seem to tell her husband about her anxieties over starting a family. And Beth tells Jennifer everything, period.

When Lincoln applied to be an Internet security officer, he hardly imagined he’d be sifting through other people’s inboxes like some sort of electronic Peeping Tom. Lincoln is supposed to turn people in for misusing company e-mail, but he can’t quite bring himself to crack down on Beth and Jennifer. He can’t help but be entertained-and captivated- by their stories.

But by the time Lincoln realizes he’s falling for Beth, it’s way too late for him to ever introduce himself. What would he say to her? “Hi, I’m the guy who reads your e-mail, and also, I love you.” After a series of close encounters and missed connections, Lincoln decides it’s time to muster the courage to follow his heart . . . even if he can’t see exactly where it’s leading him.

Written with whip-smart precision and charm, Attachments is a strikingly clever and deeply romantic debut about falling in love with the person who makes you feel like the best version of yourself. Even if it’s someone you’ve never met.

 

Book Review:

When I read the synopsis I knew I definitely had to read this book and I’m glad I did.

Lincoln is the Internet Security Officer in a Newspaper and his job is to monitor (and sometimes read) the employees’s emails to make sure everyone makes proper use of the computers.
Jennifer and Beth work in the same Newspaper, they are best friends who enjoy their conversations using the company’s email. One day the system than Lincoln manages starts flagging some of these emails and Lincoln (as part of his job) reads them; the system flags more emails between these two women and as Lincoln continues reading them, he can’t help feeling attached in someway to Jennifer and Beth (more to Beth).

I found the story really interesting and captivating, I started reading this book one day after dinner and I couldn’t put it down until I finished it (when I looked at the clock it was almost 3 am, I had totally lost track of time).

The dialogues between Jennifer and Beth while they are exchanging emails are really delightful and addictive (sometimes so hilarious that really made laugh) and is like you can see through these emails how strong is their friendship.

I loved Lincoln, he’s a sweet guy, quirky, adorable and a little shy that seems not to realize how good he is, and I was rooting for a happy ending for him during the entire book. I truly enjoyed finding out more about Lincoln and follow his growth trough the book, to me he is a great character with an engaging story.

Overall I really liked this book, is well written, has some wonderful characters and it really made me smile.

Book Review: On Dublin Street by Samantha Young

Leave a comment

On Dublin Street

Book Description (from Goodreads):

Jocelyn Butler has been hiding from her past for years. But all her secrets are about to be laid bare… Four years ago, Jocelyn left her tragic past behind in the States and started over in Scotland, burying her grief, ignoring her demons, and forging ahead without attachments. Her solitary life is working well—until she moves into a new apartment on Dublin Street where she meets a man who shakes her carefully guarded world to its core. Braden Carmichael is used to getting what he wants, and he’s determined to get Jocelyn into his bed. Knowing how skittish she is about entering a relationship, Braden proposes an arrangement that will satisfy their intense attraction without any strings attached. But after an intrigued Jocelyn accepts, she realizes that Braden won’t be satisfied with just mind-blowing passion. The stubborn Scotsman is intent on truly knowing her… down to the very soul.

Book Review:

“You’re not broken” ” You’ve got a few cracks in you, but we all have some”.
Yesterday I spent most of the afternoon and a few hours during the night near to my window and reading this book, I was so immersed that I didn’t even noticed when it got dark outside, I just couldn’t put it down the book until I finished.

I love a good romance and this one has some elements I liked a lot: takes place mainly in Europe, has very well developed characters and the story is really engaging.

First let’s talk about the main characters, Jocelyn and Braden, Jocelyn is an independent woman that had her share of hard moments in life and for that reason she has some inner demons, Braden is sexy, an alpha male that always gets what he wants and right now he wants Jocelyn.
The chemistry between Jocelyn and Braden is really strong and in this book they share some really intense moments.

The book is really well written, there is passion, it has some funny scenes that made me laugh (I won’t give any spoilers so you can enjoy it) and there are also some really emotional scenes that made me cry.

The secondary characters in this book are great, my favorites were Ellie (Jocelyn’s flatmate whom was incredible sweet, charming and a great friend) and also Adam (Braden’s best friend) and I would love to read more about them.

Overall I really enjoyed this book and I would recommend it.

Book Review: A Castle of Sand (A Shade of Vampire #3) by Bella Forrest

Leave a comment

A Castle of Sand

 

Book Description (from Goodreads):

What Sofia has with Derek feels like a sandcastle; temporary and something that the waves of life and time will soon ruin…

Since the return of Gregor Novak, the island has turned several shades darker. His hatred toward Sofia and thirst for fresh blood lead to a brutal war igniting between father and son.

Meanwhile, the hunters are gaining formidable strength and resources by the day; they know that the safety of The Shade hangs entirely on its ability to remain hidden from them.

And a sinister secret lies in wait for Sofia within the bowls of an Egyptian desert … a secret that threatens to crush her sandcastle much sooner than she could have expected.

 

Book Review:

“What we have is a sandcastle, temporary, but beautiful and we can only treasure and enjoy it for as long as nature allow us”.

The first third of the book has a slow pace but it provides a good insight about the relationship between Sofia and Derek and also about the life in The Shade (these characters start to see and face the real challenges for their relationship), as you advance in the book the action begins (and is really good).

In this book, apart from the protagonists Sofia and Derek, there are some good secondary characters that enrich the world that the author created for this Series (and I have to admit that I liked more Ben in this book that in the previous).

I think the title of the book is perfect (I liked the references to sandcastles and how they fit into the story), also I love how the author use the multiple POVs in her writing (I believe that’s what makes me feel more connected to the characters).

Overall, I enjoyed this book (it started a little slow, but as I kept reading I loved that it had some twists and turns that I didn’t see coming), I liked the action, the suspense, the intensity and by the end I was so immersed in the story (as it happened when I read the two prior books in the Series) that I didn’t wanted it to finish.

Would I recommend it? Yes, specially to people who enjoys paranormal romance.
Am I going to read the next book? Definitely, as usual the author left me anxiously waiting for the next book