In My Mail Box

This In My Mailbox covers 3 weeks worth of books :)

Week 1:

    1. Evercrossed by Elizabeth Chandler
    2. Fateful by Claudia Gray
    3. Dreamland by Alyson Noel

Week 2:
   1. If I Die by Rachel Vincent
   2. Fallen 3 by Thomas E. Sniegoski
   3. Circle of Fire by Michelle Zink








Week 3:

         1. Fury by Elizabeth Miles
         2. Blood Magic by Tessa Gratton

Some of the books have been birthday gifts :)
Fury by Elizabeth Miles
Dreamland by Alyson Noel
Evercrossed by Elzabeth Chandler

If I Die by Rachel Vincent

With every new book in the SOUL SCREAMERS series I end up saying that it was the best yet, well I'm going to repeat it and say IF I DIE tops all the books thus far. It was well worth the wait on my side of the world :)
Rachel has out done herself with the fifth installment.

Everyone of that I've spoken to abroad and what I've seen on the social sites have been raving about the novel and kept begging them please don't share anything with me because I want to be able to read IF I DIE without any little spoilers. My sister loves to leave little notes or hints about what is going to happen in the novel. Thank heavens I got to it first :)

Now for the fun part, I'm going to do my utmost best not to have any spoilers so in case I do please forgive-I just closed the final page and already counting down the days until BEFORE I WAKE comes out.

As I've come to know Rachel's novels the books the shoreline continued where we left off with MY SOUL TO STEAL and it feels like I never put the novel down. Sometimes time has passed with other authors from one installment to the next and I feel a little confused trying to recall what I read a year ago so I know more a less of what is happening but thankfully with this series there is no need to have a memory battle.

Kaylee would like to believe that its possible that all the chaos that has become her life the last couple months has finally taken a break and she can live a semi normal life but the fates have other plans for her. IF I DIE brings on a new puzzle that needs to be solved and this one could leaving you begging for more.

i have to hand it to Rachel, before was even 2 chapters in she threw one very big gosh and this cannot be happening moment. As the novel progresses you slowly come to grips of what might be the most heartbreaking and riveting ending yet to come but there might be a light at the end of the tunnel :)

One pretty impressive aspect that I noticed while IF I DIE is that as each  oval draws to an end Kaylee is growing into a very matter young lady. The reason I say this is because while Kaylee is trying to find a solution to the new threat at Eastlake high she is also trying to come to terms of whether she should try and forgive Nash and stay together or if she should end things for the better of both them.

Kaylee is faced with an even bigger threat to herself, a mara still intent on getting between her and her boyfriend, and an unexpected complication in her already over-complicated life, Kaylee must put the pieces together and make up her mind before it’s too late.

Rachel Vincent has yet again delivered a story in her highly addictive series that is unputdownable. IF I DIE is even more gripping, torturous and all-consuming than the previous books. You will be put on an emotional roller-coaster that won’t let up until long after the book has been read.

On a final note, SOUL SCREAMERS is immensely entertaining and has managed to carve out its own unique niche in this genre. I for one cannot wait for the next installment to be released...

Happy Reading :)

Gillian
xxx

Exclusivebooks.com If I Die by Rachel Vincent

Cover reveal: Until I die by Amy Plum

Finally after many months of trying to figure out what the cover for one of my antcipated releases for 2012, Amy Plum's UNTIL I DIE cover has been revealed :)

I have to admit that I love it and the colours just take my breath away. Its almost like a sunset in Paris or even early evening with the soft blues and purples.

In celabration for the cover relase Amy is hosting an awesome giveaway to stand a chance to win a signed ARC of UNTIL I DIE *SQUEAL*. To stand a chance of winning a copy please follow the link and all shall be explained on Amy's blog: Amy Plum UNTIL I DIE cover reveal and giveaway :)

UNTIL I DIE will officially be released on May 3rd 2012, at least its less than a year away so I guess that's a bonus :)


To help keep us going here's the cover and blurb for DIE FOR ME...



Good luck everyone!!!

"My life had always been blissfully, wonderfully normal. But it only took one moment to change everything.
Suddenly, my sister, Georgia, and I were orphans. We put our lives into storage and moved to Paris to live with my grandparents. And I knew my shattered heart, my shattered life, would never feel normal again. Then I met Vincent.
Mysterious, sexy, and unnervingly charming, Vincent Delacroix appeared out of nowhere and swept me off my feet. Just like that, I was in danger of losing my heart all over again. But I was ready to let it happen.
Of course, nothing is ever that easy. Because Vincent is no normal human. He has a terrifying destiny, one that puts his life at risk every day. He also has enemies . . . immortal, murderous enemies who are determined to destroy him and all of his kind.
While I'm fighting to piece together the remnants of my life, can I risk putting my heart—as well as my life and my family's—in jeopardy for a chance at love?"

A very good friend of mine got me hooked on the KISSED BY AN ANGEL (KBAA)  series when I first came across the series in my local bookstore it was a coin toss and it didn't win-until Mikila told me that she had ordered a copy and it was a must read. I ordered my copy and now I'm hooked :)

When I ordered EVERCROSSED I was a tiny bit confused because KBAA ended smoothly and never left me with the need to know what was going to happen with Ivy and Tristan. I thought maybe it would be a continuation but exploring the relationship of Ivy and Will, it did to an extent and I was not disappointed at all with how the novel carried the story on.

EVERCROSSED continues a year after the accident that claimed Tristan and we see how Ivy is dealing with his death so close to the anniversary. Without giving too much away Elizabeth stays true to her writing when she brings in tons of twists and turns. I found that I was sitting on the edge of my bed most of the novel. There are some very interesting events that take place and we get to meet a few new characters. For example a very dashing and mysterious Guy....hold on tight ladies he will be bringing some hotness to the pages and you might  just experience the shortness of breath or the all encompassing blue eyes that Ivy did.

I found in some places that I was jumping to conclusions but at the end it was not as it seems. Elizabeth has left me wondering about the sanity and safety of 2 main characters. The wait for EVERLASTING has began. Be prepared for a major a cliff hanger.
I felt that the ending was cruel to me because I just can't believe that EVERCROSSED ends like that. I think I'm now going to have a chat to my friend and see if we can't try and plot about how EVERLASTING will continue.

Happy Reading :)

Gillian
xxx

Exclusivebooks.com Evercrossed by Elizabeth Chandler

Forgotten by Cat Patrick

Congratulations to Cat on her debut novel FORGOTTEN. An amazing book to make a splash in the YA genre.

I would first like to say that before I even read the blurb I was drawn by the cover, it helps to explain the main character, London Lane. She has a turmoil life with her past forgotten and the future bright and living. I think that's one of the reasons I had to get a copy-there is no disappointment on this end :)

My sister asked me a question once she had read the blurb, "Won't it bug you that it's written with the past a mystery? It doesn't explain the character's life..." It didn't bug at all, I think the reason for that was because FORGOTTEN was so well written and with each time she saw the world with new eyes there wasn't the repetitive description that could have used. One of the amazing aspects of the novel is that you never know more than London at any given time in the novel. With that said I feel that it is a testament to the writing of Cat Patrick.

I have one question that will help you relate to FORGOTTEN or maybe even get you hooked, can you imagine being in London's shoes-unable to remember yesterday or what transpired 5 years ago? Sometimes we wish that we could forget the terrible and tragic events of our lives but with forgetting those we loose the memories of all the joyous ones. That is what FORGOTTEN boils down too.
I will admit that there have been times in my life were I've wished that I could forget losing a loved one or finding out a nasty truth but it defines us as person. Even though FORGOTTEN is a fictional book it does express some of those views.

FORGOTTEN is an excellent debut novel that marks the beginning of what I’m sure will be an exciting career for Cat Patrick.

Happy Reading :)

Gillian
xxx

Exclusivebooks.com Forgotten by Cat Patrick

Crossing over by Anna Kendall

When I first heard about CROSSING OVER I was pretty intrigued about the book and made a crazy dash to my bookstore to pick a copy up.
Sadly it didn't stand up to the hype that I had created for myself, open reading the opening chapters I found myself falling a sleep and that for is a first. I haven't experienced a book up until CROSSING OVER where I had to fight to stay awake just to see if the story line might pick up. It was a tough couple of days.

Anna felt a need to randomly and unnecessarily make reference to sudden sexual arousal. Totally unnecessary and inappropriate for a YA book. It left me feeling like I was reading a bit of a raunchy novel which was also off putting for me.

Another downside to CROSSING OVER was the fact that Peter either had to keep beating himself or get beaten to cross over and for me who prefers a chit chat  rather than fist it was off putting and disturbing. The story just dragged for me and then everything seemed to happen all at once in the end.

Not a book for me but if you'd like to try, please let me know your thoughts on the book.

Happy Reading :)

Gillian
xxx

Exclusivebooks.com Crossing Over by Anna Kendall

Hades by Alexandra Adornetto

Alexandra is a very talented young author. She has written yet another amazing (in my opinion) book with HADES, for me I was captivated from the opening lines and the characters are more devleoped and rounded characters. I feel that I was able to connect more with characters in this book because I knew some background. I guess one could say that with every sequel to saga.
Alexandra has an amazing ability with descriptive writing that it draws you into the world of Bethany and you almost feel as if it's your story being told.

HADES as was HALO is written from Bethany's point of view, one would feel that being dragged into Hell would hinder her spirit but it doesn't which I found very interesting. Had it been me I think I might have committed murder and thought I'm not going to escape so let me join the crowd. Being stuck in Hell only made Beth a stronger person and reinforced her love for her family, friends, Xavier and I think for me most importantly her Father. Bethany also matured a lot in this book, she fought with everything that she had and when things didn't look very promising for her she ever gave up hope or begged for her life-that takes a strong person to accomplish.

When we first met Jake Thorn he came across as this arrogant guy and sometimes we would see a softer side to him but it never lasted long. in HADES there were times that I did question myself about Jake. Could my first feeling about him be wrong? in the end it turned out to be just as i originally thought.
Xavier on the other hand seems to come across as this perfect guy without flaws but that's not true. There's a side of him that we see in HADES and it proves that not everyone is the perfect person we each have flaws that's what makes us human. What I found interesting was something that Xavier did at the end that I thought was a tad bit out of character for him.

I really enjoyed HADES and for me there was always something developing within the pages that prevented me from putting the book. Alexandra has left us hanging on the end of a very steep cliff....
I for one cannot wait for HEAVEN to be released, its going to my epic.

Happy Reading :)

Gillian
xxx

Exclusivebooks.com Hades by Alexandra Adornetto

In My Mailbox

Bought:

1. Crossing over by Anna Kendall
2. Hades by Alexandra Adornetto
3. Forgotten by Cat Patrick

Feature and Follow Friday #2

Alison Can Read and Parajunkee

Q.If you could pick one character in a book, movie or television show to swap places with, who would it be?

Well let me start with my favourite books:

Twilight: I would love to Bella, to spend the rest of eternity with Edward whom just happens to be the perfect gentleman. I would take all the obstacles that have been thrown in their way just to prove that the truest form of love does actually exist. 

Hush Hush: Nora would be fun. Falling in love with an angel whose first intention was to kill you but fell in love with you instead. Patch would do anything to protect Nora and we don't find many men in this world like that

Movies:

Any of the female leads from The Covenant, What a girl wants and Sleepover.

Witches of East End by Melissa De La Cruz

WITCHES OF EAST END is a pretty quick read that seems almost real enough that it could exsit in the real world which for me is pretty awesome. Some reviews have even stated that the book is suitable for adult readers and i could agree. Melissa doesn't talk down to her readers but instead envelopes in a world filled with romance and mystery.

I rather enjoyed the reference to the classic texts and mythologies. It gave WITCHES OF EAST END a fuller feel with the novel being less than 300 pages. The characters were well rounded and the plot for me was pretty enticing. There was never a moment in the book that I felt that I needed to try brave it to the end.

WITCHES OF EAST END begins Melissa's Beauchamp Family series, and it's a strong start. However, if you are sick of the amount of series out there and just want a stand-alone book, you could simply read the novel and omit the epilogue. The story is great as a stand-alone, and I was happy to leave it at that. However, after reading the epilogue, de la Cruz got me hooked and begging to know what would happen in the next installment. You can bet I'll be reading book two.

Happy Reading :)

Gillian
xxx

Exclusivebooks.com Witches of East End by Melissa De La Cruz

Bloodlines by Richelle Mead

The wait is finally over :) When the VAMPIRE ACADEMY series ended I was pretty much devastated because I loved the series so much and I couldn't wait for the next installment to be released to see all the crazy things Rose would get up to. When the news broke that Richelle Mead was writing a spin off series I have to admit that I did a little happy dance in front of my laptop-the wait was well worth it :)

Richelle has amazing writing skills and with each book your hooked from the first page right up until the end which for me is pure torture because the next book in the series will only be released next year. For our Adrian fans get ready to see a new side of him that at times was only present when he was around Rose. I'm a huge Adrian fan but I have to admit that he had me laughing, angry and even at one point a little teary. What we didn't see in Adrian in the previous books we will definitely see in BLOODLINES so get ready for the Adrian that you can soak up.

I will be the first to admit that I loved reading the VA series from Rose's perspective, but with BLOODLINES being told from Sydney Sage's point of view it was pretty refreshing. Yes she isn't as tough as Rose but as the story progresses we see how she begins to become her own person. At the end of VA Sydney was in trouble with the Alchemists for helping Rose escape so we see how she still treads lightly around them but will do anything to get back in their good graces.
I'm looking forward to Sydney's self discovery...

One thing that I noticed about Jill is she reminded me a lot of Lissa in VAMPIRE ACADEMY. She's trying to find out where she fits in after the discovery of the last VA and I feel that she is slowly starting to find out who she is and maybe even still coming to terms with the fact that she's royal.

Adrian is amazing in this book. He delivers his usually smooth banter but you can see underneath that he is still recovering in the wake of Rose. One of the proud moments I had with Adrian was when he decided to take control of his own life.

BLOODLINES covers some heavy ground by showing how life lessons, character development and unpaid debts are just a few struggles to overcome. The bond between the four main players, Sydney, Eddie, Adrian and Jill is forming and I can’t wait to see where their journey will lead. VAMPIRE ACADEMY fans will love this series.

Happy Reading :)

Gillian
xxx

Exclusivebooks.com Bloodlines by Richelle Mead

The Vampire Stalker by Allison Van Diepen

What first drew me to THE VAMPIRE STALKER (TVS) was the element of your favorite character coming to life, I for one have "fallen in love" with a character on more than one occasion and my first character love was Edward Cullen. Allison brought a different world to life in a sense.
I couldn't resist the need to get my hands on a copy TVS and I was not disappointed with the book :)

Upon the first glance of the cover one would get the sense that the novel holds a lot of darkness in the story yes true for some parts in the story but for the most part its pretty light and even comical when you see how Alexander is trying to figure out the modern Chicago  to his Chicago. Once I began on the first page I found it pretty hard to put the book down. For me the only downer was that TVS was a bit short and I would have loved it to carry on for a few more chapters, but an amazing book nonetheless.

It was interesting to see how Allison would describe how Alexander was able to leave the book and step into the reality of Chicago, it came across as believable. I enjoyed reading how much Amy had fallen in love with him, the choices made by both Amy and Alexander left me in awe and sometimes one thinks can love be like that but as my grandmother used to say most great loves come form the pages of a well written novel and that can be said for Amy and Alexander. The ending is proof of that.

I really enjoyed TVS and would just like to thank Allison for making some girls dreams not seem so far fetched :) If you've ever fallen in love with a character in a novel then THE VAMPIRE STALKER is a must have.

Happy Reading :)
Gillian
xxx

Exclusivebooks.com The Vampire Stalker by Allison Van Diepen