ARC Review: END OF DAYS(Penryn and the End of Days book #3) by Susan Ee

Publisher: Skyscape

Publication: May 12, 2015

Genre: YA Paranormal Romance

Source: Print ARC

Stars: 5

About the Book:

End of Days is the explosive conclusion to Susan Ee’s bestselling Penryn & the End of Days trilogy.

After a daring escape from the angels, Penryn and Raffe are on the run. They’re both desperate to find a doctor who can reverse the twisted changes inflicted by the angels on Raffe and Penryn’s sister. As they set off in search of answers, a startling revelation about Raffe’s past unleashes dark forces that threaten them all.

When the angels release an apocalyptic nightmare onto humans, both sides are set on a path toward war. As unlikely alliances form and strategies shift, who will emerge victorious? Forced to pick sides in the fight for control of the earthly realm, Raffe and Penryn must choose: Their own kind, or each other?

Add to GOODREADS: http://bit.ly/1IO8bGw

Review:

End of Days is the exciting conclusion to an amazing trilogy. It's filled with non-stop action, swoon-worthy romance, and a heroine that seriously knows how to kick some butt. Obviously if you haven't read this series, then I think you're crazy. I think I'm crazy for waiting so long to even start the books. But in a way I'm glad because sometimes having to wait for books you love can be so tortuous. I was so happy to see so much Raffe in this installment, seeing as how we barely saw him in the last book that came out. So good news ladies: HE'S HERE TO STAY!

 The story starts off where it ended in World After. Raffe and Penryn have finally found each other again and now more than ever, they must find a way for Raffe to get his wings on so they can stop
Uriel from becoming messenger. Of course trouble along the way is a given. Such as Penryn taking a trip or two to hell bringing back with her a legion of hellions. All hell bent on destroying her. Then Penryn and Raffe are faced with a teensy-weensy problem. It's come as no surprise that they are enemies and must choose sides when an epic battle between human and angel comes to light. How will they both face such a difficult choice?

Throughout all the books we've all felt the sexual tension between Penryn and Raffe. Besides some stolen moments and declaring that being with a Daughter of Man is truly forbidden, I think End of Days will curve the appetite and frustration you've had with the two. I won't say anymore because you have to experience everything first hand without being spoiled! But holy moly, when you do read please come back and talk to me about it. Come talk to me anyways about the book so we can cry tears of sorrow and joy together over these freaking bad ass books. 

We are introduced to some new characters thar didn't take me long to fall in love with. Why oh why did this have to be the last book? I would love getting stories from secondary characters. To me they were just as important as the main characters. I guess it's just not meant to be though. Oh well, I was very happy with how things ended. They weren't what I expected but in the end, it was still epic.  

 With the help of her not so crazy mom, her baby sister who isn't quite human, and her wanna-be boyfriend Raffe; Penryn has her hands full trying to save the world from truly ending. It's up to her to save the human race from extinction but can she do it? The world Ee has created has been so well developed, it's as if I'm watching a movie in my head. I can't recommend these books enough. They're truly amazing. 

Overall, this is a sad day having to say goodbye but I'm so happy to have had the opportunity to read and review Penryn. She's a character I think ALL girls should up to. She's brave, loyal, and being brave doesn't always mean not being scared. It's the exact opposite. She may be scared but it doesn't
stop her from doing what she thinks is right. Even if it means putting her life on the line. And that me is what makes her so great. 

Be kind and don't forget: don't take life for granted. After all, some crazy angels might decide they want to take over our world ;)

*Thank you to Skyscape for providing me with an ARC for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own. 

Buy Link:

Amazon- http://amzn.to/1KhXQkA

Amazon UK- http://amzn.to/1JrbiCA (Released May 21)

About the Author:

 Susan Ee is the author of the bestselling books in the Penryn and End of Days trilogy, Angelfall, World After and End of Days. Her books have been translated into over 20 languages and her short films have played at major festivals. She used to be a lawyer but loves being a writer because it allows her imagination to bust out and go feral.

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ARC Review- A School for Unusual Girls by Kathleen Baldwin

Publisher: TorTeen

Publication: May 19, 2015

Genre: YA Historical Fiction

Source: Print ARC

Stars: 4.5

About the Book:

It’s 1814. Napoleon is exiled on Elba. Europe is in shambles. Britain is at war on four fronts. And Stranje House, a School for Unusual Girls, has become one of Regency England’s dark little secrets. The daughters of the beau monde who don't fit high society’s constrictive mold are banished to Stranje House to be reformed into marriageable young ladies. Or so their parents think. In truth, Headmistress Emma Stranje, the original unusual girl, has plans for the young ladies—plans that entangle the girls in the dangerous world of spies, diplomacy, and war.

After accidentally setting her father’s stables on fire while performing a scientific experiment, Miss Georgiana Fitzwilliam is sent to Stranje House. But Georgie has no intention of being turned into a simpering, pudding-headed, marriageable miss. She plans to escape as soon as possible—until she meets Lord Sebastian Wyatt. Thrust together in a desperate mission to invent a new invisible ink for the English war effort, Georgie and Sebastian must find a way to work together without losing their heads—or their hearts...

ADD to Goodreads: http://bit.ly/1RbogKd

Review:

"You're here because you're odd. Exceptional. You're unusual Georgiana. And that is far more dangerous than any fire."

Can I please have the second one already? This is pretty much one of those books that you won't be able to put down. So do yourself a favor and preorder already! Georgiana has always been misunderstood by her family. Instead of being the lady they want her to be, Georgie is a scientist and instead of doing "lady-like" things, you can find her conducting experiments in the barn. One experiment goes terribly wrong; resulting in burning down her father's barn. 

It's sort of the last straw because her parents send her off to Stranje House; a school where "bad" girls learn to be ladies. Or so it seems. Georgie's parents are all to eager to leave her and never look back. Literally. They don't even tell her bye. What kind of parents would do that!? I'll tell you one thing, Georgie is better off without them. So called family-bah!! 

"One-Stranje House was no ordinary finishing school. 

Two-nor was it the cruel reformatory gossip purported. 

Three-Miss Stranje was up to something and we girls were to be part of it."

On the first night at the house, something is very strange-to put it lightly. When Georgie stumbles upon a conversation not meant for her ears, it's confirmed that the school really isn't what it seems! Then she meets the charming but oh so beautiful, Lord Sebastian Wyatt. Whose sole purpose it is to tease Georgiana until she can't take it anymore. Obviously, she secretly likes it and why wouldn't she? Lord Wyatt is hard to resist. Plus you know what they say about boys that tease? 

"Sebastian was as much a riddle to me as invisible ink. An insufferable devil one minute and a brooding angle the next."

The secondary characters were amazing. I loved how close the girls from the school got with Georgie. At first you can't really trust them but that quickly changes. I can't wait to have more of them in the books after. Headmistress Stranje was a favorite of mine. You'll see why. 

Georgiana is REALLY smart. That to me was just awesome because sometimes ( okay all the time) we get stupid heroines in YA. It's nice to see one who can think for herself AND doesn't need a man to help her do it. Also you'll be happy to hear that "A School for Unusual Girls" is a bit mysterious. It adds one to how great the book is. 

Overall, I give this five stars because it kept me engaged and the romance wasn't overdone. I still would have liked to see a little more from it and I'm hoping we get that in the second book. But for the most part, it's great that we have such great characters to look forward to reading about. If you're looking for a story about growing up, overcoming loss, and finding friendships in the most unlikely places, then pick this one up. You'll be glad you did. 

*Thank you to TorTeen for providing with a copy for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Buy Link:

Amazon US- http://amzn.to/1c3ebhT

Amazon UK- http://amzn.to/1Rbo91g

About the Author:

Life is an amazing adventure. Mom died when I was thirteen. But life rolls on. I roamed the Rockies, wandered the desert, enjoyed way too many classes in college, was stalked by a cougar, lost an argument with a rattlesnake, fell in love at least a dozen times, was proposed to eleven times, finally met and married my own personal hero, and together we’ve raised four free-spirited adventurous children.

I write for the fun of it. An award-winning author and illustrator - Kensington published four of my Regency romantic comedies, including Mistaken Kiss, a Holt Medallion finalist.

I adore the wit and humor of Oscar Wilde, P.G. Wodehouse, and Jane Austen. But my eclectic reading interests bounce from Frank Herbert to Meg Cabot, and on to the delightfully imaginative tales of Diana Wynne Jones.

What books do YOU love to read?

Contact me through: www.KathleenBaldwin.com

Book Tour Promo feat Giveaway: ASH AND RUIN Series by Shauna Granger

World of Ash (Ash and Ruin #1)

by Shauna Granger

Release Date: 12/02/13

Summary from Goodreads:

There are two inherent truths in the world: life as we know it is over, and monsters are real.

The Pestas came in the night, spreading their pox, a deadly plague that decimated the population. Kat, one of the unlucky few who survived, is determined to get to her last living relative and find shelter from the pox that continues to devastate the world. When it mutates and becomes airborne, Kat is desperate to avoid people because staying alone might be her only chance to stay alive.

That is, until she meets Dylan. Dylan, with his easy smile and dark, curly hair, has nowhere to go and no one to live for. He convinces Kat there can be safety in numbers, that they can watch out for each other. So the unlikely couple set off together through the barren wasteland to find a new life – if they can survive the roaming Pestas, bands of wild, gun-toting children, and piles of burning, pox-ridden bodies.

Add to Goodreads

Buy Links:

Amazon│Barnes and Noble│Kobo│Smashwords│iBooks

Time of Ruin (Ash and Ruin #2)

by Shauna Granger

Release Date: 07/22/14

Summary from Goodreads:

The world has ended, and hope is the most dangerous thing left.

Battered and bruised after barely escaping San Francisco with their lives, Kat, Dylan, and Blue press north – desperate to reach the possibility of a new home.

But strange, monstrous ravens are tracking the remaining survivors, food is becoming scarce, gasoline is running short, and people are becoming suicidal, making survival almost impossible.

And the Pestas are growing bolder. Somehow, their numbers are growing.

The further north they go, the harder it becomes to ignore the signs that they’ve made a fatal mistake. Kat must face the impossible truth that there is no escape, there is no safe haven, and their worst nightmares don’t come close to their new reality.

Add to Goodreads

Buy Links:

Amazon│Barnes and Noble│Kobo│Smashwords│iTunes

Age of Blood (Ash and Ruin #3)

by Shauna Granger

Release Date: 05/05/15

Summary from Goodreads:

Hope is a dangerous thing, but powerful. Hope keeps you going. Hope can keep you alive.

But hope can shatter your world.

Kat and Dylan have found a home, but the monsters are still out there. The pox and plague still ravage the world. They have hope of finding a vaccine, but their encampment isn't equipped to develop it.

Dylan is still too weak from the pox to leave the encampment, so Kat must decide between staying by his side and protecting her last remaining family member as he leaves to find supplies. Separated for the first time since they came together, Kat and Dylan will have to fight their own battles to save what is left of their bloody world.

Kat will have to hold on to hope that she has anything left to save and someone to come home to. If she can survive.

Buy Links:

Amazon│Barnes and Noble│Smashwords│Kobo│iBooks

About the Author

Like so many other writers, Shauna grew up as an avid reader, but it was in high school that she realized she wanted to be a writer. Five years ago, Shauna started work on her Elemental Series. She released the first installment, Earth, on May 1, 2011 and has since released four sequels, with the series coming to an end with Spirit. She is currently hard at work on a new Urban Fantasy series, staring a spunky witch with a smush-faced cat named Artemis.

Author Links:

Website│Twitter│Goodreads│Facebook

Book Tour Organized by:

YA Bound Book Tours

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Blog Tour Promo + Giveaway- IT STARTED WITH A SCANDAL by Julie Anne Long

Today is my stop on the blog tour. If you're a historical romance fan, then this is a book you should have on your radar! Check the book out and don't forget to enter the lovely giveaway. 

About IT STARTED WITH A SCANDAL

Lord Philippe Lavay once took to the high seas armed with charm as lethal as his sword and a stone-cold conviction: he’ll restore his family’s fortune and honor, no matter the cost. Victory is at last within reach—when a brutal attack snatches it from his grasp and lands him in Pennyroyal Green.

An afternoon of bliss brings a cascade of consequences for Elise Fountain. Shunned by her family and ousted from a job she loves, survival means a plummet down the social ladder to a position no woman has yet been able to keep: housekeeper to a frighteningly formidable prince.

The bold and gentle Elise sees past his battered body into Philippe’s barricaded heart . . . and her innate sensuality ignites his blood. Now a man who thought he could never love and a woman who thought she would never again trust must fight an incendiary passion that could be the ruin of them both.

About JULIE ANNE LONG

USA Today bestselling author JULIE ANNE LONG originally set out to be a rock star when she grew up (and she has the guitars and fringed clothing stuffed in the back of her closet to prove it), but writing was always her first love. Since hanging up her guitar for the computer keyboard, her books frequently top reader and critic polls and have been nominated for numerous awards, including the Rita, Romantic Times Reviewer’s Choice, and The Quills, and reviewers have been known to use words like “dazzling,” “brilliant,” and “impossible to put down” when describing them. Julie lives in Northern California.

Visit Julie at http://www.julieannelong.com, http://www.facebook.com/AuthorJulieAnneLong, or twitter.com/JulieAnneLong

Where to buy IT STARTED WITH A SCANDAL

HarperCollins: http://www.harpercollins.com/9780062334848/it-started-with-a-scandal

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Started-Scandal-Pennyroyal-Green/dp/0062334824/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8

Barnes and Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/it-started-with-a-scandal-julie-anne-long/1121318431

iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/it-started-with-a-scandal/id894875818?mt=11

Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/books/details/Julie_Anne_Long_It_Started_with_a_Scandal?id=eWmdBAAAQBAJ

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Book Blitz + Giveaway: RUN TO YOU Series by Clara Kensie!

*Double RITA finalist!* Last year, Clara Kensie's YA romantic thriller RUN TO YOU series was released as a serial in six installments. Since then, RUN TO YOU was named RT Editors' Best Books of 2014, and it finaled in the RITAs for Best Young Adult Romance and Best First Book (winners announced in July). Even better, Harlequin Teen heard your demands, and they've compiled the serial into two full, complete books! Run to You Book One (originally published in three installments as First Sight, Second Glance, and Third Charm) is now DECEPTION SO DEADLY. The sequel (originally published in three installments as Fourth Shadow, Fifth Touch, and Sixth Sense) is now DECEPTION SO DARK. Clara is delighted to offer up both books in exchange for honest reviews on Amazon and Goodreads.  

Fill out this form if you would like to request a review copy!

DECEPTION SO DEADLY (Run to You Book One)

by Clara Kensie 

Release Date: 05/01/15

Harlequin Teen

325 pages

Summary from Goodreads:

Originally published as the Run to You serial parts 1-3: First Sight, Second Glance, and Third Charm.

Deception So Deadly is the complete first novel in the two-book Run to You series, a riveting romantic thriller about a family on the run from a deadly past and a first love that will transcend secrets, lies and danger…

Sarah Spencer has a secret: her real name is Tessa Carson, and to stay alive, she can tell no one the truth about her psychically gifted family and the danger they are running from. As the new girl in the latest of countless schools, she also runs from her attraction to Tristan Walker—after all, she can't even tell him her real name. But Tristan won't be put off by a few secrets. Not even dangerous ones that might rip Tessa from his arms before they even kiss…

Run to You is Tessa and Tristan's story—two full-length books about psychic gifts, secret lives and dangerous loves. Danger. Deception. Betrayal. It must be true love.

Buy Links:
Amazon│Barnes & Noble│iBooks

DECEPTION SO DARK (Run to You Book Two)

by Clara Kensie 

Release Date: 05/01/15

Harlequin Teen

325 pages

Summary from Goodreads:

Originally published as the Run to You serial parts 4-6— Fourth Shadow, Fifth Touch, and Sixth Sense.

Deception So Dark is the complete second novel in the Run to You series, a riveting thriller about a family on the run from a deadly past, and a first love that will transcend secrets, lies and danger…

With no more secrets to keep them apart, Tessa and Tristan embark upon a desperate search to find her missing brother and sister. But not even Tristan can keep Tessa safe from the hostile classmates at her new school…or from the nightmare that haunts her even while she's awake. As Tessa's nightmare becomes all too real, her hope of getting her family back together feels ever more out of reach. When a psychic warns her that leaving town may mean her death, Tessa still cannot stay when she uncovers a potential lead to her brother and sister. Not even if she must go alone and risk losing it all: Tristan, her family, and even her life.

Run to You is Tessa and Tristan's story—two full-length books about psychic gifts, secret lives and dangerous loves. Danger. Deception. Betrayal. It must be true love. 

 

Buy Links:
Amazon│Barnes & Noble│iBooks

About the Author

Clara Kensie, author of dark fiction for young adults

…don’t forget to breathe…

Clara Kensie grew up near Chicago, reading every book she could find and using her diary to write stories about a girl with psychic powers who solved mysteries. She purposely did not hide her diary, hoping someone would read it and assume she was writing about herself. Since then, she’s swapped her diary for a computer and admits her characters are fictional, but otherwise she hasn’t changed one bit.

Today Clara is the author of dark fiction for young adults. Her debut series is the romantic thriller RUN TO YOU: Deception So Deadly and Deception So Dark.

Her favorite foods are guacamole and cookie dough. But not together. That would be gross.

Find Clara online:

Website   Twitter   Facebook   Tumblr   Instagram   Goodreads  Newsletter

Find the RUN TO YOU series at your favorite e-tailers, including:
Amazon   B&N   iBooks   Google Play Books   Harlequin   Kobo

GIVEAWAY:

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Book Blitz Organized by:

Mother's Day Giveaway!!!

 

  Mother's Day Kindle Fire Giveaway Sponsor List I Am A Reader Donna @ OnDBookshelf Diana's Book Reviews Krysten Lindsay Hager author Raven Haired Girl Stephanie Keyes Mother Daughter Book Reviews The Lovely Books Simple Wyrdings Amiabooklover Orsayor @ The Book Referees What Every 6th Grader Needs to Know Talia Jager LeahSay's Views Kimber Leigh Wheaton Author Camelia Miron Skiba Paij Slater @ My Love for Reading Keeps Growing BookHounds Jennifer Lane Heather Boyd The Page Unbound Tamara Gill D.E. Haggerty author Glistering Bs Blog Rockin' Book Reviews Author B. Kristin McMichael Home Is Where the Wine Is Book Blog TMBA Corbett Tries to Write Emma Right Books for Children Unshelfish The Discerning Reader Taylor Dean Books A Leisure Moment ExtraordinaryReads Connie Sokol  

  Giveaway Details
 Prize Valued at $250. Winner's choice of an Amazon.com gift code to purchase a Kindle & ebooks or alternately winner can choose to receive $250 in Paypal Cash. Ends 5/10/15 Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use money sent via Paypal or an Amazon.com gift code. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you.

The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified.

The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader and sponsored by the author, bloggers and publishers on the sponsor list. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.

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Blog Tour Review: Getting Lucky Number Seven by Cindi Madsen

Publisher: Entangled Embrace

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Source: E-ARC

Stars: 4 

ADD to Goodreads: http://bit.ly/1bZYF6R

About the Book:

What's your lucky number?

Lyla Wilder is done being the shy, chemistry nerd extraordinaire. While every other college student is out having fun, Lyla is studying. With her cat. Well, she's played it "safe" quite enough, thank you. So she creates a "College Bucket List"―with item #7 being a night of uninhibited, mind-blowing sex...

But she needs some help from her man-whore best friend.

Hockey player Beck Davenport thought Lyla's transformation would be subtle. Man, was he wrong. With every item she ticks off, Beck finds himself growing seriously hot for his sweet, brainiac best friend. And if he's not careful, he'll end up risking their friendship in order to convince Lyla that he might just be her lucky #7...

Review:

"Getting lucky number seven crossed off the list was something I’d most definitely never forget.

Okay I'm going to be honest...I had a lot of fun while reading Getting Lucky Number Seven! Like too much. I  loved reading such a light-hearted, witty novel about a nerdy girl falling for her too hot best friend. I've said this before and I'll say it again; best friends to lovers will never get old. At least not anytime soon. There's just something so awesome about two friends just be friends than bam...you see each other in a new light. 

Lyla is a chemistry nerd to the max and wants a change. A dramatic change. In order to do this she creates a college bucket list with the help of her best friend, Beck. Beck is said to be a man whore but I didn't see him as one. I thought he was patient, a good friend, and an all around good guy. Oh and he plays hockey...can't forget that one! So Beck helps Lyla is her quest, only he didn't expect the change to transform the way he feels for her. 

As the two friends start making their way from friend to friendlier...things become a little more complicated. And that's when it starts getting realllllly good. Lyla and Beck. Beck and Lyla. I loved their banter, i loved the looks they shared, and most of all, I loved how nerdy they were! 

"Just remember, no matter what happens, he thinks I’m sexy."

The end message was to be yourself. You can't love if you don't love yourself first. Also never change for anyone, change for YOU and you only. Because at the end of the day your left with a lie. 

“It’s not real, Ly. I pretended I could be a normal guy with a girlfriend, and you pretended to be the sexy party girl. But at the end of the day, we were both lying.”

Overall, this was good. I recommend this if you're looking for something that will make you laugh and most of fall a little bit in love. 

“Beck? Are you listening to me?” 

“Honestly? No. Your dress is short and those boots are hot.” I nearly laughed at the way her mouth dropped open. "Like you didn’t know how sexy you looked when you put that outfit on.”

*Thank you to the publishers for providing an ARC for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own. 

Buy Link:

Amazon- http://amzn.to/1DNUWA7

Amazon UK- http://amzn.to/1DNV16R

About the Author:

Cindi Madsen is a USA Today Bestselling author of contemporary romance and young adult novels. She sits at her computer every chance she gets, plotting revising, and falling in love with her characters. Sometimes it makes her a crazy person. Without it, she’d be even crazier. She has way too many shoes, but can always find a reason to buy a new pretty pair, especially if they’re sparkly, colorful, or super tall. She loves music, dancing, and wishes summer lasted all year long. She lives in Colorado (where summer is most definitely NOT all year long) with her husband and three children.

If you're interested in ARCs, interviews, and/or blog tour information please contact my publicist Debbie at debbie@entangledpublishing.com