Starcrossd by Josephine Angelini

I would first like to congratulate Josephine on her debut novel STARCROSSED, absolutely amazing and above all captivating.

The beginning of STARCROSSED is completely different from any of the other books-the anger that you feel from Helen and Lucas is raw and unrelenting. Its pretty amazing that their anger is so intense that it drives them insane when they are in close proximity that it actually sends them into the need to kill. As the book says "blood for blood"

When we first meet Helen, she comes across as this shy young woman that is so afraid of her gifts that she slouches to keep herself from being protected. She also fears her gifts and has come to believe over  the years that if she kept them hidden, doesn't use them then she will not become the monster she knows herself to be. As the story continues and the "feud" between Helen and the Delos family come to end we see her take an entire 180 degree turn, she embraces who she is as a person and no longer sees her gifts as a curse but as a part of her. Lucas also helps her realize that she doesn't need to hide herself from the world, she isn't the monster she's believed she was but just a normal (as normal as Scion) can be.

Her friendship with Claire is unique in its way. Helen is driven by the need to keep her in the dark for her protection but what she doesn't know is that in a way Claire has been protecting her for some years. Claire is the complete opposite of Helen, almost her ying to Helen's yang. I feel that Claire and Helen are more than best friends and almost like sisters just from different parents.
We also see how their friendship has its ups and downs but no matter what happens they are there for each other.

Helen's father is the most important person to her. She keeps in the dark about who she really is but when danger comes knocking and it threatens her father's safety, she makes sure that he is protected above anything else before she will allow protection for herself. Helen believes that her father was hurt many years ago when her mother walked out them and she refuses to do the same thing to him, she believes that if she leaves him that it will hurt him tenfold and she isn't sure that he will recover from the loss, but I'm not sure I agree with her. Jerry is a pretty strong character and he has kept her safe for a number of years even with her gifts. She doesn't give him enough enough credit but hopefully he will be able to prove her wrong.

The Delos family comes across very humble. We see it from the beginning when the anger is all consuming but when they discover what Helen is they go out of their to protect her. As the story continues we see how they willing accept her into their life at home and Noel is almost like a mother figure to her. The family put themselves at great risk by protecting her which again points out for me that family is important and protecting each other no matter which House they come from in a way everyone is family.

I would just like to make a reference to the book, there is the mention of the Trojan War and how it came to be that Helen of Troy left her husband as she had fallen in love with Prince Paris. There is also another mention in the book that they do not want to start another war. I had my suspicions and thankfully they where answered so it leaves me wondering what will happen next.

Near the end of the book a strange woman joins us and for the life of me I can't seem to trust her the way the majority of the characters do, she has an agenda and for her to lie so convincingly that no one picks me up actually scares me. To ruin 2 lives is so not cool in my book and I'm only hoping that together Helen and Cassandra can bring this woman down on her knees and make her pay for what she done.

I'm going to end her because I'm pretty sure that I can ramble on and ruin the book for those who have not yet read STARCROSSED.

Again congratulations to Josephine. I absolutely loved your debut book. Everyone will be influenced to pick up a copy to see why I am so enthralled in STARCROSSED :)

Happy Reading :)

Gillian
xxx

Exclusivebooks.com: STARCROSSED by Josephine Angelini

Everlasting my Alyson Noel

It has been a long wait for me, but well worth the wait.
I'm a huge IMMORTAL fan and when Alyson announced last year that EVERLASTING would be the final book in the Immortal series, I was both excited and devastated at the same time, but with every story it has to draw to a close or else it just looses the appeal and the storyline becomes repetitious. I'm upset to see the story close but excited at the prospect that finally Ever and Damen get the ending we've been hoping for you.

I'm going to start review off with the truth, I hid my book from my sister so I could read the final installment before her. I remember the first time I came across EVERMORE and it was by accident, Mandi couldn't help me decide if I should get the book or not so I figured it couldn't hurt and I have been hooked ever since.

From the moment I read the first page I was hooked and a bit scared to reach the final pages, would it be a happy ending or the worst ending leaving me in tears. Alyson has out done herself in EVERLASTING, it has been the one of the books that has answered all our questions and left us with nothing hanging at the end of the series. It was a clean ending with a few surprises thrown in.

I love Alyson threw in another twist to the Damen and Ever saga, and it had be a bit confused at the beginning but the time I had wrapped my head around it, I was hoping it would never end. It was interesting to see how Ever was given the choice of finding herself without Damen and it came across as a very difficult choice and I was surprised and impressed with the decision she made.

Alyson brought the previous 5 books into EVERLASTING where the answers had been written and we get to see how everyone is linked to each other. If I remember correctly everything started from a lifetime lived by all the main characters that left a ripple effect to expand over the many centuries.

I'm going to end my review here, because I have so many points i would like to share but they all run the risk of spoiling the final book. So my lips are sealed.

Happy Reading :)

Gillian
xxx

Exclusivebooks.com: Everlasting by Alyson Noel

Penitence by Jennifer Laurens

I throughly enjoyed the follow up to HEAVENLY and yet again my tissues came in handy while I was reading.
With the ending of HEAVENLY you are left wondering what happens to Zoe, did she die or was she brought back to the world of living or was her soul taken hell? PENITENCE answers most of your questions that you had at the end of HEAVENLY but I'm still hanging onto some unanswered questions.

We watched Zoe grow as a person in HEAVENLY but after her accident in PENITENCE she takes a huge growth spurt and learns to love the people around her no matter what and one of the lessons I was able to take away from the book that forgiveness can help the healing process. For example, Zoe forgave the Hank for the accident even though she was badly injured she felt that she was alive and what was the point of carrying anger when he might be feeling the feeling the guilt of his actions and if he wasn't it didn't phase her one bit.
I know from personal experience that sometimes forgiving can be hard but if it helps lift some of the weight off your shoulders why shouldn't we try it?

I also noticed a tiny change in Luke on how he was more present in the family life but still had his problems with drugs that he seemed to be trying to quit for the best of himself and his family. There wassomething that Jennifer pointed out to us in the book that when stress is present in an addict's life it's pretty easy to relapse to feel that slight release from the drama of their world and we see how Luke is trying to win the battle and how Zoe understands it but still wishes that her brother could stop for the sake ofhimself firstly and for the rest of the family considering what they have been through.

We also get to see a dark side to the story, that Jennifer mentioned in HEAVENLY and I found pretty fascinating how the evil was portrayed by a character we where slighly intoduced to in HEAVENLY and I must say he scared me. From the moment he came onto the scene i didn't trust him but Zoe seemed to at first but things clicked in her head with the help of Matthias :) We see how evil plays apart in all our lives but what I liked about the storyline is that Jennifer was able to makeit both frightening and realistic at the same time-I hope I don't sound crazy.

I better sign off before I ruin the entriebook *BLUSH*

Happy Reading :)

Gillian
xxx

Exclusivebooks.com Pentience by Lauren Kate

Jennifer Laurens Midsummer Blog Hop

Another amazing giveaway from Jennifer Laurens, please see below for details on the giveaway and then head over to her blog to enter: Jennifer Laurens Midsummer Blog Hop



"I love blog hops. They're a great way for me to meet new reader friends. There will be 8 winners here. Each one can choose between any of my books or swag as their prize.So, if you've been dying to read A Season of Eden or get your hands on a Heavenly Tshirt this is the giveaway for you!

To be considered in the drawing:

Post your prize of choice.

Follow on Facebook, Twitter and HERE ( links on side ) If you have reader friends you KNOW will love my books, swag and giveaways then send them here and tell them to enter. Make sure they tell me you sent them, and I'll give you extra entry points :)

EASY!

Winner will be drawn at the end of the HOP. Winners will be announced on Facebook, here and Twitter so check. I don't chase down winners.

Read and let read ~

Jennifer"

Good Luck :)

Happy Book Releas Day WITCHES OF EAST END and Melissa de la Cruz

"Freya, Ingrid and Joanna Beauchamp love their sleepy life in the East Hamptons. A new engagement, promotion at work, a happy home - its all going perfectly. And, to top it off, no one's come close to discovering the secret of what they can really do in hundreds of years. But throw a few accidental love potions in the mix the Beauchamp girls are going to need more than a broomstick to clean up this mess..."

I would like to wish both WITCHES OF EAST END and Melissa de la Cruz a very Happy Book Release Day, all all the luck on the shelves.

I'm pretty sure they will be hard to come by if Blue Bloods is anything to go by.

Die For Me by Amy Plum

The long wait was well worth it in the end. I happened to come across DIE FOR ME while doing my book planning for the year and I just couldn't wait for the release in South Africa, so when it was released in the UK I called up my local online bookstore and begged them to please load DIE FOR ME up onto the website, sadly I could only pre-order me copy but I didn't care, I had to get a copy no matter what :)

DIE FOR ME, had plenty of sorrow, love, suspense and loss. My heart broke for Kate when she was trying to move on from her parents' death and when she was able to leave the confines of her bedroom I have to admitt I did do a tiny bit of an air punch. From the moment I finished the first page I couldn't put my book down. If I spent 5 minutes away it was a long time.

Reading as the first person, you obvisouly feel like the main character, but this was a different-I felt every emotion that Kate had running through her in the paticular chapter. Amy has out down herself in her debut novel and I for one would like to say congratulations.

I think for me, my favourite part in the novel is when she can see the other side of Vincent. I love how Amy was able to make Vincent both alluring and dangerous at the same time, his character is so diverse that I have to know more. He holds a lot back from Kate and it is understandable considering that he needs to keep what he is a secret from  her at the same time protecting both his kindrend and Kate.
When he does open up to Kate about his past you can see that it is difficult for him to do that, but it helps Kate understand him better and feel like she is becoming a part of his life.

We also see how Kate is afraid to love again, because the loss of losing her parents whom she loved a great deal has left her feeling scared and extremely cautious of her heart. She does mention in the novel that she cannot risk getting herself hurt as she is not sure how much more loss and pain her heart can take, but when she does decide to open up heart and let herself be loved and her in turn love someone else it is a turning point in DIE FOR ME and to be honest it left me in tears.

Be prepared for action, heartache, suspense, tears, laughs and plenty of love :)

Fingers crossed there will be a follow up :) There is no way Kate's story just ends there.

Happy Reading :)

Gillian
xxx

Exclusivebooks.com Amy Plum Die For Me

Blue Bloods LOST IN TIME~Sneak Peek

And here's what you've all been waiting for…another sneak at Lost in Time! I am so FREAKING proud of this book… I just finished the final draft of this book and I cannot wait to share it with you all.

                "No, you have to hear it." She said, and she put her mouth right on his ear and he could feel her soft breath as she whispered the words he wished she'd said to him on that fair day in December in Italy. "I should never have left. I love you. I love you more."

                Then she was kissing him, and it was Schuyler's lips, and she smelled just like Schuyler, and her hair was silky and soft like Schuyler's and he knew that when her back was turned, he would see a mole, right between her shoulder blades that was just like Schuyler's. She was Schuyler and she returned his love and Oliver did not see why he had to pretend he did not want this, did not want her, did not want exactly what was happening right now. 

Jennifer Laurens BFF=Book For Friend Giveaway :)

Hey Guys,


Jennifer is holding an amazing giveaway at the moment, all you have to do is enter and explain why one of your BFF's should stand in line to win one of her many novels.
Head over to her blog and place your entry: Jennifer Laurens BFF=Book For Friend Giveaway

Good Luck :)

Happy Book Release Day PASSION and Lauren Kate

"Luce would die for Daniel.

And she has. Over and over again. Throughout time, Luce and Daniel have found each other, only to be painfully torn apart: Luce dead, Daniel left broken and alone. But perhaps it doesn’t need to be that way. . . .

Luce is certain that something—or someone—in a past life can help her in her present one. So she begins the most important journey of this lifetime . . . going back eternities to witness firsthand her romances with Daniel . . . and finally unlock the key to making their love last.

Cam and the legions of angels and Outcasts are desperate to catch Luce, but none are as frantic as Daniel. He chases Luce through their shared pasts, terrified of what might happen if she rewrites history.

Because their romance for the ages could go up in flames . . . forever.

Sweeping across centuries, PASSION is the third novel in the unforgettably epic FALLEN series."

I would just like to wish both PASSION and Lauren Kate a very Happy Book Release Day :)

I for one have been counting down the dasys until PASSION would be released and even though I spent the release date at the hospital I still enjoyed the excitement :)

May your book fly off the shelves :)

Heavenly by Jennifer Laurens

I could not put HEAVENLY done and when my sister told me how she thoroughly enjoyed the book I had no regrets that I would be lost in the world of Zoe and Matthias :)

From the period that I am living at the moment i could relate to Zoe in away of blaming her autistic sister for the changes that have taken place in her but no matter how angry she got at her parents, brother or sister she always loved them and that for me as a family person is the most important factor and it helps me carry the hope that other people believe in angels.

I love how Jennifer always kept me on my toes. I never knew what the next chapter would hold and i was utterly confused at the beginning of the book, until I reached about halfway and realised that she had given us a taste of what was to come and what happened was no where near what i thought. I have to admit that i did keep my tissues handy and it helped on the final chapters.
Jennifer never let on what she had planned for the ending but once I reached it I was shocked and so utterly upset that i couldn't see through my tears.

HEAVENLY, left me begging for more. Jennifer has also given us a little taste of what is to come in the sequel PENITENCE and that is even worse, the tiny tease. My sister better hurry up and read....

Give it read, you will not be sorry.

Happy Reading :)

Gillian
xxx

Exclusivebooks.com HEAVENLY by Jennifer Laurens

Happy Book Release Day EXILE and Rebecca Lim

"An electric combination of angels, mystery and romance, EXILE is the breathtaking sequel to MERCY in a major new paranormal romance series. There's something very wrong with me. When I wake up, I could be anyone! An angel in exile, Mercy is doomed to return repeatedly to Earth, taking on a new human form each time she does. Now she "wakes" as unhappy teen Lela, a girl caring for a dying mother but never herself. As her shattered memory begins to return, Mercy remembers Ryan, the boy she fell in love with in another life, and Luc, the angel haunting her dreams. Will Mercy risk Lela's life to be reunited with her heart's true desire? An electric combination of angels, mystery and romance, Exile is the second book in the spellbinding MERCY series"

Congrats to Rebecca Lim on the release of her second novel EXILE! I wish you all the luck on book sales and I can only hope that your book will fly off the shelves as quickly as MERCY did. Counting the days until I can hold my copy in my hands :)

HAppy Book Release Day HERAFTER and Tara Hudson

"Can there truly be love after death?

Drifting in the dark waters of a mysterious river, the only thing Amelia knows for sure is that she's dead. With no recollection of her past life – or her actual death – she's trapped alone in a nightmarish existence. All of this changes when she tries to rescue a boy, Joshua, from drowning in her river. As a ghost, she can do nothing but will him to live. Yet in an unforgettable moment of connection, she helps him survive.

Amelia and Joshua grow ever closer as they begin to uncover the strange circumstances of her death and the secrets of the dark river that held her captive for so long. But even while they struggle to keep their bond hidden from the living world, a frightening spirit is doing everything in his power to destroy their new-found happiness and drag Amelia back into the ghost world… forever.

Thrilling and evocative, with moments of pure pleasure, ‘Hereafter’ is a sensation you won't want to miss."

Wishing both Tara and HEREAFTER a very Happy Book Release Day!!! Congrats on your debut book and i have been counting the days until it is available and i cannot wait to devour the book :)
Wishing you all the luck on book sales and may your book begin to fly off the shelves.

Happy Book Release Day EVERLASTING and Alyson Noel

"Their epic love story has captured the hearts of millions and enchanted readers across the world. In this beautiful finale, their journey draws to a spectacular conclusion—where all will be revealed.

Their darkest enemies now defeated, Damen and Ever are free to embark upon their final quest—to free Damen from the poison lingering in his body. If they can just find the antidote, they’ll finally be able to feel each other’s touch—and experience the passionate night they’ve been longing for. But their fight to be together will lead them into the most formidable terrain yet…into the dark heart of Summerland.

Here in a land of scorched earth and endless rain, Ever and Damen will discover their relationship’s hidden origins, expose a secret history they never imagined…and come face to face with the true reason fate keeps tearing them apart. Only then, when the final mystery is unraveled and the last secret revealed, Ever and Damen’s future will hinge on one ultimate decision that will put everything at stake….even eternity."

I would just like to wish Alyson a very Happy Book Release Day on the final a much antcipated installement to the Immortals Series. I wish you all the luck with the sales.
For me it is a bitter sweet ending as Ever and the team have become "family" to me. I'm looking forward to my copy arriving soon so I can get lost for the last time in EVERLASTING.

The Carrier of the Mark by Leigh Fallon

"Bewitching debut teen fiction from Inkpop sensation – dark magic, prophecies and irresistible romance collide in this beguiling read.

When Megan Rosenberg moves to Ireland, everything in her life seems to fall into place. She makes close friends with the girls in her class, her relationship with her dad is better than ever, and she finds herself inexplicably drawn to gorgeous, mysterious Adam DeRis.

Adam is cold and aloof at first, but when Megan finally breaks down the icy barrier between them, she is amazed by the intensity of their connection. Then Adam reveals a secret about the magical destiny that will shape both of their lives but also threatens to tear them apart…"

Firstly I would like to thank a friend of mine, Mikila for pointing me in the direction of Laigh Fallon and I'm pretty greatful :)
Within the first 5 minutes of the recommendation I had hopped onto google and quickly did my research and am now proud to announce that i cannot wait for her debut book THE CARRIER OF THE MARK :)

I have also joined the blog for all the latest information and came across an opportunity for win a copy of an ARC along with a few other goodies :D
Please head over to Leigh's blog to stand a chance to enter: Leigh Fallon's Blog

My Soul To Keep by Rachel Vincent

WOW!!! MY SOUL TO KEEP left my wanting more. If I didn't have to work my nose would never have left the book.  Rachel really did pull out all the stops for this installment of SOUL SCREAMERS and the twist was just jaw dropping. I had to read it the same page 4 times before it actually sank in.

I think so far that MY SOUL TO KEEP has been my favourite book in series, I still have to read MY SOUL TO STEAL, but I know that it will be beyond words again.

I'm going to give you guys a little hint that might help you with twist in the book, but if you do not want to know PLEASE DON'T READ FURTHER: pay close attention to the fiend in the Netherworld...

I was left speechless and red checked by the end of the of the book and my heart broke into a million pieces for both Nash and Kaylee and I can only hope that things are sorted out in the next installment. In this book we also learn more about Kaylee's relationship with her father and how they are trying to work out their problems, but her relationship with her uncle is pretty strong-it figures seeing as he and her aunt pretty much raised Kaylee.

I'm going to stop here. I could ruin the book if I carry on anymore.

Happy reading :)

Gillian
xxx

Exclusivebooks.com: My Soul To Keep by Rachel Vincent

Jennifer Laurens Hearts desire giveaway :)

Hey!!!

It's that time again where Jennifer is hosting another giveaway :)
Please head to her blog and check out the means to enter :) Its plenty of fun and well worth it in the end.
Jennifer Laurens Hearts Desire giveaway