WOW: Smoke in the Sun and Book Review: The Cruel Prince

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event spotlighting upcoming books we're excited about. Formerly hosted by Breaking the Spine until her site went quiet. The meme is still followed today by dedicated bloggers who have a need to share their anticipation of upcoming reads.

When the cover for this upcoming sequel dropped tongues wagged like crazy. It looked incredible and I'm looking forward to what this climatic finally will bring. Hurry up May 2018.

Release Date: May 3, 2018

Summary: The highly anticipated sequel to Flame in the Mist--an addictive, sumptuous finale that will leave readers breathless from the bestselling author of The Wrath and the Dawn 

After Okami is captured in the Jukai forest, Mariko has no choice--to rescue him, she must return to Inako and face the dangers that have been waiting for her in the Heian Castle. She tricks her brother, Kenshin, and betrothed, Raiden, into thinking she was being held by the Black Clan against her will, playing the part of the dutiful bride-to-be to infiltrate the emperor's ranks and uncover the truth behind the betrayal that almost left her dead. 

With the wedding plans already underway, Mariko pretends to be consumed with her upcoming nuptials, all the while using her royal standing to peel back the layers of lies and deception surrounding the imperial court. But each secret she unfurls gives way to the next, ensnaring Mariko and Okami in a political scheme that threatens their honor, their love and the very safety of the empire.

Book Review: The Cruel Prince

Title: The Cruel Prince (The Folk of Air #1) by Holly Black

Publication Date: January 2, 2018

Source: NetGalley

Summary on Goodreads: Of course I want to be like them. They’re beautiful as blades forged in some divine fire. They will live forever.

And Cardan is even more beautiful than the rest. I hate him more than all the others. I hate him so much that sometimes when I look at him, I can hardly breathe.

Jude was seven years old when her parents were murdered and she and her two sisters were stolen away to live in the treacherous High Court of Faerie. Ten years later, Jude wants nothing more than to belong there, despite her mortality. But many of the fey despise humans. Especially Prince Cardan, the youngest and wickedest son of the High King.

To win a place at the Court, she must defy him–and face the consequences.

In doing so, she becomes embroiled in palace intrigues and deceptions, discovering her own capacity for bloodshed. But as civil war threatens to drown the Courts of Faerie in violence, Jude will need to risk her life in a dangerous alliance to save her sisters, and Faerie itself.
Review

The Cruel Prince is a tale best read at a slow pace to fully take in all the worldbuilding and intricate storytelling. Holly Black creates a world where the rules of the human world don't apply and princes can have legs of beasts. It starts off with a double murder and takes you deep into a world where life and death clash at a moment's notice. The Fae don't play fair no matter the rules and our main character Jude as a human risks all to belong and save those she cares about. If you enjoy deep storytelling this book is for you. Also if young adult books, fae, and Holly Black is your jam. I got an e-copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Rating: 4 Stars

Thanks for stopping by. See you on Friday with a post all about Netflix.

Monday MishMash: January 2017

Monday Mishmash is a weekly meme created by Kelly Hashway for sharing what's going on in your life and noggin. You just grab a button and post your business...I mean thoughts online. No biggie. Have fun!

1. Sorry for being away. Last week was a mess with several setbacks. Including a creepy incident when someone sent me porn, I had to report because I was not sure about the age of the female in the picture. Also, it was disgusting overall since it was supposed to be a request for ordering freelance work. My poor eyes.

2. On Twitter, I'm having a great time taking part in #authorconfession tag. We discuss our wips and writing in general. Each day has a question to answer and it's a load of fun with great community.

3. I will be doing multiple Netflix Nation posts this month. Including compilations of what I watched over the last few months. Keep an eye out.

4. Skipping Bookish Tuesday again this week but will be doing Waiting on Wednesday.

5. While I have the covers for the first three books in The Sacrifice Series done. Finances last year had me put the last two on pause. I am ready to go again and will be ordering for May 2018 (unless an earlier date opens up, Najla does inform me when others cancel. Fingers crossed for March/April).

6. Need to do book reviews more often. I'm working on it!

7. Plan to focus more on my own writing. Got more freelance jobs this month and focused on that. Now I'll do my best to better balance both freelancing for clients and my own work.

Thanks for stopping by and see you on Wednesday.

Cover Love: City of Ghosts

This morning the cover for City of Ghosts by Victoria Schwab was revealed. I love the haunting vibe including the background and font. The fact that we can't see the girl's face as she's shadowed by her cat definitely deepens the mystery. Compliments to the cover artists. Victoria is the author of multiple books for both young adults and adults alike. The Shade Series, Monsters of Verity series and Vicious, among other titles.




Summary: Cassidy Blake's parents are The Inspectres, a (somewhat inept) ghost-hunting team. But Cass herself can REALLY see ghosts. In fact, her best friend, Jacob, just happens to be one.

When The Inspectres head to ultra-haunted Edinburgh, Scotland, for their new TV show, Cass—and Jacob—come along. In Scotland, Cass is surrounded by ghosts, not all of them friendly. Then she meets Lara, a girl who can also see the dead. But Lara tells Cassidy that as an In-betweener, their job is to send ghosts permanently beyond the Veil. Cass isn't sure about her new mission, but she does know the sinister Red Raven haunting the city doesn't belong in her world. Cassidy's powers will draw her into an epic fight that stretches through the worlds of the living and the dead, in order to save herself.

Thanks for stopping by. What do you think of the cover?

Waiting on Wednesday: The Savior's Champion

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event spotlighting upcoming books we're excited about. Formerly hosted by Breaking the Spine until her site went quiet. The meme is still followed today by dedicated bloggers who have a need to share their anticipation of upcoming reads.

Jenna Moreci is an author and Youtuber who has a second novel incoming. That is The Savior's Champion, the first in a new series. The cover was revealed recently and looks phenomenal. There's also an epic book trailer. The book will be released April 2018. Jenna is a very talented writer who also gives great writing advice and does cool videos. Her nickname's Cyborg. That's just awesome.

Summary:  Tobias Kaya doesn’t care about The Savior. He doesn’t care that She’s the Ruler of the realm or that She purified the land, and he certainly doesn’t care that She’s of age to be married. But when competing for Her hand proves to be his last chance to save his family, he’s forced to make The Savior his priority.

Now Tobias is thrown into the Sovereign’s Tournament with nineteen other men, and each of them is fighting—and killing—for the chance to rule at The Savior’s side. Instantly, his world is plagued with violence, treachery, and manipulation, revealing the hidden ugliness of his proud realm. And when his circumstances seem especially dire, he stumbles into an unexpected romance, one that opens him up to unimaginable dangers and darkness.

Thanks for stopping by and how do you feel about this upcoming release?

Top Ten Tuesday: Bookish Resolutions/Goals

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme created by The Broke and the Bookish. As of January 9th, 2018 and hosted by  The Artsy Reader Girl. So on with this week's theme!

Top Ten Bookish Resolutions/Goals 2018

1. Read 100 books in 2018

2. Submit a manuscript to Swoon Reads in June

3. Review books every month this year

4. Watch at least 10 books to movie adaptations in theaters

5. Read more comic books

6. Finish my fan fiction Descendants 2: Evil Rises by April

7. Get a Scrivner subscription in February

8. Write more Poetry and final manuscripts

9. Make 197 writing submissions in 2018

10. Draft at least ten manuscripts this year

So there are my ten resolutions in the bookish arena for 2018. What do you think? Thanks for stopping by and see you tomorrow.

Book Review: Ivy in Bloom

Poetry is one of my great loves and today I will be reviewing just that. So glad to be reviewing books on my blog again. So on with the first book review of 2018!

Title: Ivy in Bloom: The Poetry of Spring from Great Poets and Writers of the Past

Publication Date: April 1, 2009

Source: NetGalley

Purchase: Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Book Depository

Summary from Goodreads: Ivy in Bloom captures the weariness of a young girl tired of a long winter. "I stare out the window," she says on the first spread of brown and gray, "looking for birds or flowers / or even warm showers / but I don't see any such thing." But then Spring comes when "March is out of breath snow melting to flowery waters and watery flowers spring rose from its wintry rest." And Ivy's "heart dances with daffodils." As these words also dance across each spread, Ivy's world erupts into a riot of color. 

Ivy in Bloom introduces the poetry of Dickinson, Longfellow, Browning, Wordsworth, Frost and others. Excerpts from their writings, as seen through Ivy's eyes, will open up poetry as a way for children to express their own feelings about the changing of seasons. This book includes longer excerpts and brief bios of each author. 
Review

Personally, I enjoyed every page of this short poetry book and reread it more than once. Vanita has written a book combining her own poetry with the greats like Dickinson, Wordsworth, Frost and more. Following this little girl through the changing seasons is a great way for kids to be introduced to poetry. It uses regular things any child can experience and expands upon it with words written lyrically to enhance the senses. As an adult, I enjoyed it immensely as it reminded me of why I love poetry so much. So while made for children it has crossover capabilities with adult poetry lovers.

The illustrations by Kristin Blackwood also help draw children and adults alike into Ivy's world and the poetry that shows how the seasons change along with her reaction. Masterfully down in various colours showing emotions, seasons and so much more. I got this lovely e-copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

On a whole, this book is a beautiful quick read with lots of readability potential. At the end of Ivy's tale, you are shown what Vanita wrote along with the excerpts and full versions of poetry from the other poets used in this story. For those being introduced to poetry, this can be an excellent treat learning about different poets in a friendly non-text heavy environment. Reading this to children can help expand their vocabulary and interest in writing. Parents and Librarians alike will find great use for this book to read to children. Children get to enjoy reading poetry in a way they can grow to understand. I highly recommend this book and the art is just as amazing.

Rating: 5 Stars

Thanks for stopping by and have a great day.

Waiting on Wednesday: Pacifica

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event spotlighting upcoming books we're excited about. Formerly hosted by Breaking the Spine until her site went quiet. The meme is still followed today by dedicated bloggers who have a need to share their anticipation of upcoming reads.

Kristen Simmons has written some interesting and thought-provoking works in the past. With characters that hold your attention and plots that keep you turning the page. I am looking forward to this book and think the cover looks quite nice.

Title: Pacifica by Kristen Simmons

Release Date: March 6, 2018

Summary: Marin is cosario royalty, a pirate like her father and his father before him. Sailing the ocean to chase adventure is in her blood. But these days no one cares that the island town her people call home is named after her grandfather. They have a new leader, one who promises an end to their hunger – and one who thinks that girls are meant for the kitchen or the brothel. Marin knows she's meant for more than that, and with the sudden influx of weapons on the island, and rumors of a pending deal with the enemy oil nation in her wake, she knows a big score to gain the council's favor is the only way to save her people, and herself.

Ross lives a life of privilege. As the president's son he wants for nothing, but he longs for a life of adventure. On a dare, he convinces his best friend Adam to sneak out to the Docks, the site of local race riots between the poor Shorlings and the upper class. But when Adam is arrested along with the other Shorlings, and not even the president is willing to find him, Ross finds himself taking matters into his own hands. He journeys back into the Docks, ready to make deals with anyone, even a beautiful pirate, if it means Adam's safe return.

When Marin and Ross meet in dangerous Shoreling territory he sees a way to get his friend back and she sees her ticket home. The ransom a president’s son would command could feed her people for years and restore her family’s legacy. But somewhere in the middle of the ocean, Marin must decide if her heart can handle handing over the only person who has ever seen her as more than a pirate.
2018 is building up to be a great year for readers. What do you think of Pacifica? Thanks for stopping by.

Movie Love: Most and Least Anticipated Movies 2018

Hey guys, Happy 2018. I'm glad to be back and ready to take this blog into the New Year. Today I'll be sharing my top ten list of movies I do and don't want to see in the theaters for 2018. Feel free to name any on your mind for this year as well.

Most Anticipated

1. Avengers Infinity Wars

2. Wreck-It Ralph 2

3. Black Panther

4. Love, Simon

5. Incredibles 2

6. Hotel Transylvania 2

7. Deadpool 2

8. Equalizer 2

9. Ant-man and the Wasp

10. Pacific Rim: Uprising

Least Anticipated

1. Barbie

2. Fifty Shades Freed

3. Teen Titans Go! to the Movies

4. Mama Mia! Here We Go Again

5. Overboard

6. Solo: A Star Wars Story

So what do you think? Are there any movies that intrigue or turn you off this year? Thanks for stopping by. I hope we can agree or agree to disagree. Otherwise....




Take care.