Category: Books


Oct
2016

Fiction Friday: Book Review- Tis the Season by Jennifer Gracen (The Harrisons #3)

categories: Books, Reviews

'Tis the Season (The Harrisons, #3)‘Tis the Season by Jennifer Gracen

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I already saw sparks flying between Charles and his nanny in the previous Harrison book (Someone Like You) so I was really looking forward to reading this book. Charles and Lisette have an explosive (and accidental) night of passion. They both swear it would never happen again but neither of them can move past it. I really enjoying the way the relationship between Charles and Lisette developed as well as seeing the other Harrisons again. I thought Charles and Lisette’s attempt to return to normalcy after their “mistaken night” was a colossal waste of both their time and mine. Um, hello. You have seriously hot chemistry. Do something about it. I absolutely adored both these characters and this book. I really hope that there’s going to be another Harrison novel. I can’t get enough of this family. This book was incredibly well-written. The plot was a bit predictable but I enjoyed every second of it. My only issue was that I found the character of Charles’ ex-wife to be rather flat and uninteresting. I also wish there was more of a resolution with Charles Harrison Senior. The guy is a dick who desperately needs to be put in his place. I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys romance. This book can be read alone but it would be great to binge-read the entire series all at once.

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Oct
2016

5 Tips to Help You Save Space on Your Bookshelf

categories: Books

Every bookworm knows how difficult it is to find space for books. Here are my tips to save space on your bookshelf so that you can buy books without worrying about where you’re going to keep them:

1) Store your books horizontally- I don’t know the science or logic behind this but somehow I can store more books horizontally than vertically. If you don’t mind not having access to some books (ie, the ones at the bottom of the pile), stack your books horizontally.

2) Utilise the space near your ceiling- if you have space near your ceiling you should be able to store books there as well.

3) Mix and match genres- I would love to have a shelf dedicated solely to one author or genre. Unfortunately I cannot afford that space or cost. Instead my shelves consist of “read” and “unread” books which are then divided into sections depending on genre. This makes it easier for me to find the book I need while still using as little space as possible.

4) Get rid of books you don’t need/read- yes this option hurts me as well but think of how much joy your books could bring to someone else. I usually donate my books to a charity where they sell it. It’s a win-win. Someone buys your books and you’re supporting a good cause.

5) Play book tetris- books come in different sizes so you sometimes an unusual gap in your shelf can be used to store a book (or three).

What tips do you use to save space on your shelves? I’d love to know.


Oct
2016

Fiction Friday: Book Review- The Legendary Lord by Valerie Bowman (Playful Brides #6)

categories: Books, Reviews

The Legendary Lord (Playful Brides, #6)The Legendary Lord by Valerie Bowman

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I binge-read the first three books in this series earlier on this year and really enjoyed myself. However I still struggle to identify the characters as there as so many (maybe it’s time for a brush-up of the series?) At first I had no idea who Christian Berkeley was. Eventually his title sounded familiar but I still couldn’t remember him from previous books. This annoyed me to no end but I tried not to let it spoil the book for me.
Christian Berkeley is a viscount who stutters and is uncomfortable in social situations. When he comes across Sarah Highgate, a runaway who was once the belle of the season they strike a deal- Christian will help her return to London with no harm to her reputation while Sarah needs to help Christian become the catch of the season.
I enjoyed seeing characters from previous books especially Jane Upton and Daphne Swift. This book was excellently written and such a pleasure to read. The Playful Brides series usually seems too long to me but this wasn’t a problem with this book. I couldn’t read fast enough or put the book down. This is a book that fans of historical romance will definitely enjoy.

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Oct
2016

categories: Books

The first Saturday of the month is the day that the SPCA hosts their monthly booksale. It is also today! Here are the books I bought:

Lots and lots of Nora Roberts and J.D Robbs (I’m a bit disappointed that the books aren’t in such good condition like last month but I was really ecstatic to have Nora Roberts books. I love her work!)

I also made a quick stop to Bargain Books and got these gems on special:

I read the first 3 books in the series so I’m really excited to see how this ends.


Aug
2016

Book Review: And I Darken by Kiersten White

categories: Books, Reviews

And I Darken (The Conquerors Saga #1)And I Darken by Kiersten White

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This book has left me speechless. I have so many questions and so many feelings I don’t even know how to put them into words.

Lada is a vicious girl who is abandoned in the Ottoman courts by her father along with her brother, Radu. Lada and Radu soon make friends with Mehmad, the son of the Sultan who holds them captive. However the Ottoman courts are a brutal place and their happy friendship is soon threatened by outside forces.

I really loved Lada’s character. She is strong but almost blood-thirsty at times which makes her both terrifying and amusing. I especially enjoyed her unwavering dedication to her brother. Radu was an annoying character and I hated his childhood (he was pitifully weak). However Radu’s character development was amazing. I fell in love with him just as the characters in book did. My favourite part about these characters was that as they grew up and changed, so did my feelings for them. I pitied them, I hurt for him, I rejoiced with him. This is an incredibly long novel and by the end of it, it’s impossible not to feel as if you’re parting with a long-time friend.

At first I found it difficult to keep track of all of the cities and places that Lada and her family visited (It was only afterward that I discovered a glossary at the end of the book). However as time passed I became familiar with the places and their scenery which delighted me. I really feel like I was a part of this book. The story is just that well-written and immersive. I grew really attached to this book and it’s characters and can’t wait to read the next one.

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Grab a copy of And I Darken from Readers Warehouse



Aug
2016

Fiction Friday: Book Review- It Ends With Us by Colleen Hoover 

categories: Books, Reviews

It Ends with UsIt Ends with Us by Colleen Hoover

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I’ve yet to read a Colleen Hoover novel that doesn’t leave an impact and this one is no different. In fact I was having a pretty great time with this book and was sucked in until I realised “Wait! This is a Colleen Hoover book. Something has to go wrong and it’s going to hurt when it does.”So I read. And I read. And then the bad thing happened and I cried. I cried because it was nothing that I had expected. Nothing on the internet, the book’s synopsis or even Colleen Hoover’s social media alerted at precisely what the conflict in this book would be. Believe me, the conflict is MAJOR! I understand the importance of not revealing spoilers so I’ll try my best not to (it’s so damn hard not to!). I will however say that this is a book that every woman needs to read. The significance of the words “It Ends With Us” is beautiful.Lily and Ryle have an instant connection when they meet. Despite Ryle’s aversion to relationships the two of them are blissfully happy. Then they’re not. Lily’s first love returns to town and her relationship with Ryle is threatened. Except Lily’s ex isn’t the only risk to both her relationship and happiness.I couldn’t put this book down (except for when Colleen Hoover’s words moved me and then I needed to share them on social media). I cried throughout the last few chapters but I enjoyed them nonetheless. Lastly (and this might be considered a SPOILER SO PROCEED WITH CAUTION), I especially loved that I was able to fall for the villain in this novel. He was flawed but he was an amazing person. I loved that I was able to hate him and love him at the same time. I pitied him but I desperately wanted him gone. I’ve never felt such complex emotions for a fictional character before. I’ve always enjoyed Colleen Hoover’s work but this is a work of art.

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Purchase a copy of It Ends With Us from Readers Warehouse

 


Aug
2016

Fiction Friday: Book Review- My Name is Simon (A Rainfall Short Story) by Melissa Delport 

categories: Books, Reviews

​My Name is Simon: A Rainfall Short StoryMy Name is Simon: A Rainfall Short Story by Melissa Delport

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I was so eager to read this book that I bought it as soon as I saw it without even bothering to look at the price.
I am a huge fan of Melissa Delport’s writing but “Rainfall” had me sobbing like a baby so I never reviewed it.
Reading “My Name is Simon” however is such a comfort after “Rainfall”.
This isn’t a full novel but Simon’s character and his motivations are shown so well. As much as I hated him it was impossible not to feel for this guy who has had most of his life ripped from him.
I desperately wanted to hate this book (to match my initial hatred of Simon) but I couldn’t.
“My Name is Simon” is incredibly well-written and the book finishes beautifully.

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Jul
2016

Fiction Friday: Book Review- Refuse (Recoil Trilogy #2) by Joanne Macgregor

categories: Books, Reviews

Refuse (Recoil Trilogy, #2)
Refuse by Joanne Macgregor

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

“Refuse” picks up instantly after the thrilling cliffhanger in “Recoil”. Jinxy is captured and taken in for questioning. The great thing about this book is that it does eventually provide a recap of the previous book. This is really helpful since I couldn’t really remember precisely what the government’s real agenda was.
Jinxy finds out that her ex-boyfriend’s brother is being held in the same facility that she is and she’s desperate to get him out (she was the one who put him in there in the first place).
To do this she has to get back into the organisation that captured and tortured her. Cam Jinxy stand to go back to the people who think nothing of torturing a child? Will she even be accepted back into an organisation that thinks of her as a traitor to their cause?
This book was such a rollercoaster ride of emotions. I hated some characters with such intensity and I loved other characters with the same intensity. My favourite part of Joanne Macgregor’s writing is that she always creates characters that are well-fleshed out and real. (Honestly I started this series to see more of Macgregor’s great characterisation but stayed for the intriguing plot). The characters in “Refuse” certainly do not disappoint. I especially enjoyed seeing how characters have developed since the first book.
I loved that this book had the same fast-paced action as the first one. Jinxy has so many unique skills that help her throughout the novel. At several points I literally had to put the book down to absorb all the clever things she found or did.
“Refuse” was a wonderful read but again, I strongly believe this is a series that should be binge-read. The book was 50 chapters which I found intimidating at first but at the end I really wanted more.
I think this series is one of the most unique and believable dystopian books around. The issues with the government in this series is something we see everyday.
I strongly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys YA fiction or dystopian novels. Hell, read it even if you don’t like dystopian novels. This is just that great of a read. I found this book impossible to step away from.

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Purchase a copy of Refuse from Readers Warehouse


Jul
2016

Fiction Friday: Book Review- A Faerie’s Curse (Creepy Hollow #6) by Rachel Morgan

categories: Books, Reviews

A Faerie's Curse (Creepy Hollow, #6)A Faerie’s Curse by Rachel  Morgan
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I didn’t really want to finish this book because this is the end of Calla’s part of the Creepy Hollow series. At the same time I couldn’t stop reading it. The ending was so dramatic in the previous book that I desperately needed to know what was going to happen.Calla is working on a plan to break Chase out of his mother’s childhood home. Meanwhile the Guild still thinks she and Lord Draven are evil and need to be stopped. Her family is under scrutiny and things just seem to be going from bad to worse.Rachel Morgan did not hold back at all on this novel. I cried so much because how is it possible that one girl could have such bad luck?I found the ending a bit incomplete but I’m betting it’s just going to make the next part of the Creepy Hollow series even more intriguing. This book was romantic and sad, heartbreaking and well-written. I loved seeing Violet and Ryn as more fleshed-out characters and I can’t wait to see what else happens in this world. Creepy Hollow is a great series but as time goes on the Creepy Hollow world seems to get darker and darker which makes for a highly enjoyable read.

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Jul
2016

Fiction Friday: Book Review- A Faerie’s Revenge (Creepy Hollow #5) by Rachel Morgan

categories: Books, Reviews

A Faerie's Revenge (Creepy Hollow, #5)

A Faerie’s Revenge by Rachel  Morgan

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

After finding out the truth about the intriguing and mysterious Chase, Calla is determined to forget all about him. She throws herself into her Guardian training. However it’s difficult to forget Chase when he is mentioned in most of her textbooks, he’s a vital part of Creepy Hollow history AND he keeps showing up everywhere. Then, Calla is accused of spreading a disease that rapidly kills the faeries. Left with no other place or person where she can remain safe, Calla is forced to rely on Chase.
I thought this book was far darker than others in the series but I absolutely loved it. For me, the Guild has always represented a place of justice and hope but that changes in this book.
I especially enjoyed seeing Chase again. Unfortunately this book has an ending that left me craving more which proves my theory that Rachel Morgan’s books should probably all be binge-read instead of read one at a time.
This was an excellent read that I highly recommend to fans of fae, fantasy or “A Court of Thorns and Roses”.
This book is a relatively quality read that is interesting with characters that are real and funny.

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