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Wednesday, September 30, 2015

September 2015 Wrap Up

It's the end of September people, Fall is here and, and, and...OMG, that means Halloween will come next and then the Holidays...it's just too much for my head.  Or maybe not :) I love the Holidays HAHAHA

Let's talk about what I read during the month of September, I started out pretty good reading something from my TBR list and then went way off my list, I have no clue what happened there lol.

Here is my wrap up for September 2015:

The Queen of the Tearling by Erika Johansen: 5 out of 5 Stars



A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas: 4.5 out of 5 Stars


True Calling by Siobhan Davis: 4 out of 5 Stars



Beyond Reach by Siobhan Davis: 5 out of 5 Stars


Light of a Thousand Stars by Siobhan Davis: 4 out of 5 Stars


Destiny Rising by Siobhan Davis: 4 out of 5 Stars


A Thousands Pieces of You by Claudia Gray: 5 out of 5 Stars


P.S. I Still Love You by Jenny Han: will update once I'm done reading it...will be done tonight


8 Books total for the month of September, not too bad, but could I have done better?  Yeah, but I did reach some really big books so, I am pretty happy.

What books did you read this month?  I can't wait to review all these books, because they were amazing reads :)

XOXO,

Nelia


Tuesday, September 29, 2015

Book Review: The Witch Hunter by Virginia Boecker

Well my friends, it's officially Fall!!!  It's time to get in Fall mood and enjoy the fall of leaves and hot drinks and boots :)

And read lots of books, of course...I'm always reading lots of books but, it's time to read some more books, right?

Today, it's time for another book review and today's review it's very Fall appropriate, it's about witches!!!  Let's get to review:

The Witch Hunter by Virginia Boecker



Elizabeth Grey is one of the king's best witch hunters, she is devoted to end witchcraft and doling out justice.  But how could she not, that's all she is ever known her whole life, she grew up in the palace and she has trained most of her life to be a witch hunter.  But things changed pretty quick when one night she is accused of being a witch herself and she is arrested and sentenced to burn at the stake.

However salvation comes from the last person Elizabeth expects, Nicholas Perevil, he is the most powerful and "dangerous" wizard in the kingdom, he has also been hunted down for ages and no one ever seems able to track him down.  He takes Elizabeth to his house and offers a deal; his protection if she can help him break the deadly curse that's been laid upon him.

At first Elizabeth says nothing, she isn't sure why he wants to help her at all, but then she starts to understand, Nicholas and his followers don't know nothing about her witch hunting past, they think she is a new discovered witch and she plans to keep it that way, but can she?  Because if they find out who she truly is, the stake will be the least of her worries.  And so her journey with Nicholas begins.

Elizabeth slowly begins to discover and then understand the magic world and not only the magic itself, but also her whole view of right and wrong, of friends and enemies and of love and hate.

I loved how much action we get in this book, in every chapter there was always something new and different happening, expect lots of magic from witches and wizards, but also expect ghosts and pirates and a very hot healer in the mix of the people.  But don't think that's all there was, there are more people in this book and not only people, expect to see some creatures that you never thought would exist.  Friendship and love are presented and tested in a lot of different and many occasions in this book.  I loved how different and unexpected it was.

I remember reading this book and I had to take a quick day trip and I just couldn't leave the house without my Kindle because I just needed to keep reading it to find out what was going to happen next.  I gave this book 4 out of 5 stars and totally recommend it, it's a perfect book to read during Fall/October so go and read it and let me know what you think of it.

XOXO,

Nelia

Friday, September 25, 2015

Weekend Reads: Destiny Rising by Siobhan Davis and ?

TGIF!!! Time to take a deep breath and relax...and now let's see what I'm going to be reading this weekend:

I'm definitely finishing this one tonight for sure:

Destiny Rising by Siobhan Davis (3rd book of True Calling)


Can't wait to find out how it ends, I am about 75% done with this book and right now I have SO many emotions, Why? Because my favorite is not winning right now and it's hurting me :( Ok, I need to go and finish this book and see how how it ends.

Another conflict that I have is which book to read next; my elibrary just approved me for these two ebooks:

A Thousand Pieces of You by Claudia Gray and PS I Still Love You by Jenny Han

                          


WHY?  They are both great books that I have been waiting forever to read, but now I don't which one to read first.  What do you think?

What are you doing this weekend?

XOXO,

Nelia

Tuesday, September 22, 2015

Book Review: Dreamwalker-The Red Dragon Academy #1 by Rhys Bowen, C. M. Broyles

Book Review Tuesday, I'm back with a regular book review and on a Tuesday, Yeah.  Let's jump right in to today's book:

Dreamwalker: The Red Dragon Academy #1 by Rhys Bowen, C.M. Broyles


Addy is a typical California surfer girl, happy living with her mother until tragedy strikes and her mother dies.  Her only living relative is an aunt that lives in London and she takes Addy to go live with her there.  However her aunt is a very busy business woman and doesn't have the time to spend with Addy, she decides to enroll Addy into a boarding school in Wales, this way she can travel without having to worry about her.

When Addy gets to the Red Dragon boarding school, she soon realizes that it's not a regular school, it's actually a very weird, strange school.  And soon she finds out that it truly is a different place when one hallway of the school leads to another universe.  Addy at first doesn't realize that she is on a total different universe, she first thinks she is still at Red Dragon Academy but on a mean part of the school, because what she sees there?  It's totally the opposite of what is going on at school.

Addy has always had vivid dreams her whole entire life, when she is dreaming the dreams seem so real that she thinks they are real, are they?  Now with everything that is happening at RDA and the parallel universe, she starts to question her dreams.  What is more scary is that the powerful ruler of Gallia (of the parallel universe) seems to her of her power of dreaming vividly and that makes her an enemy of him.

But Addy doesn't know who she can trust, who should she tell about all of this?

Can Addy and her new friends fight the powerful ruler Grymur?  Who calls himself The One?

That's all I'm going to give you about this book, the less you know the better, when I saw this book on the NetGalley website I knew I wanted to read and it didn't disappointed me.  I really enjoyed and it ended in a really well.  I can't wait to find out where the story will take these kids next.

I gave this book 4 out of 5 stars and really recommend it.

XOXO,

Nelia

Friday, September 18, 2015

Weekend Reads: True Calling by Siobhan Davis

Friday!!!  Woohoo, party time, well not really.  Only party time I'm having it's inside my little brain and it's only because it's Friday and I get to relax, hahaha.

I don't have too much happening this weekend, finally...so I will relax and read and enjoy my family a little :)

Here is the book that I'm currently reading:

True Calling by Siobhan Davis


What are you doing this weekend?  What are you reading?

XOXO,

Nelia

Thursday, September 17, 2015

Most Anticipated Books for Fall 2015

It's pretty much Fall, right?  We are still getting hot days in New England, but the mornings and nights?  Oh, it's getting colder as the days go by, Fall is here.  So, I was looking at some of the books that are coming out and I started to write down the ones that I want to read and that I'm most excited about, so why not share with you guys, right?

Here are my Most Anticipated Books for Fall 2015:

1.  Queen of Shadows by Sarah J Mass 09/01


So, I read A Couth of Thorns and Roses this month and fell in love with Sarah J Maas writing and now I need to read A Throne of Glass series, I know, I know..It's about time and I'm really late, but I already have the first book and I'm ready to start reading it really, really soon.  And hopefully catch up with this series in a month or two, Queen of Shadows is book 4 so I didn't read what it's about because I'm not spoiling myself. Going totally blind into this series, just knowing that it is amazing it's enough for me.

2. Six of Crow by Leigh Bardugo 09/29



I keep hearing that this book it's going to be amazing, so I'm adding it to my TBR.  It's about a change at a deadly heist with six very interesting characters to say the least, sounds pretty good.

3. Dreamstrider by Lindsay Smith 10/06


This book is about a girl who works as a spy, but not a typical spy, she inhabits a subject's body while they are sleeping and move around in their skin.  But of course there will be more to this story and I can't wait to read to find out.

4. The Rose Society by Marie Lu 10/13



This is the second book in the Young Elites series, I wasn't too, too crazy about the first book.  I think the main reason may have been because I listen to it on Audible instead of reading and it took me a while to connect to the characters and everything, but I'm ready to give it another shot at this series.  I'm going to read the book this time, not listen to it.  Not going to tell you what it will be about because it's a second book and don't want to spoil anyone, but I can say that there is magic involved.

5. Ice Like Fire by Sara Raash 10/13


This is the sequel to Snow Like Ashes and I cannot only tell you what this book is about as I cannot tell you much about the first one either.  Why?  I haven't read it yet, I haven't nothing but great things about it, so I'm going to marathon both books when this one comes out.  I don't know much about the first book and I think I want to keep it that way.

6. First and Then by Emma Mills 10/13


This is a new book coming out and the way it's been introduced?  Pride and Prejudice meets Friday Night Lights and I LOVE Pride and Prejudice, so the minute I heard that, I knew I wanted to read this book.

7. Ten Thousands Skies Above You by Claudia Gray 11/3


Ok, now you are going to say that I am totally crazy, this is another book that I haven't read the first one.  And I promise you that I'm going to remedy that really soon, my October TBR will be full of these books. lol  Lots of people are excited about this book and they loved the first one too, so I'm ready to read them too.

8. Winter by Marissa Meyer 11/10


Ah, now this one right here?  I CANNOT wait for it, this has been one of my most anticipated books for the Year.  This is the 4th and Final book in The Lunar Chronicles and if you haven't started reading this series, now YOU need to read them now.  These books are amazing, I can't wait to find out what's going to happen to all the characters.  Ah...the anxiety, just looking at this cover, it's killing me. 


I only added 8, and I think that's a ridiculous amount of books, I just keep adding and adding books to my TBR and OMG, there is only like three and half months left in the year and I don't know if I will get to read all the books that I want to read.  I may have to do a TBR list for the remaining of the year, are you guys doing one too?  Are there certain books that you really want to read before the year ends?  But there are always so many great books coming out, it's just not fair...you know what?  We should just take the rest of the year off to read, who agrees with me?  Raise your hands: YEAH!!!

Okay, that will do for today! lol

XOXO,

Nelia

Wednesday, September 16, 2015

Book Review: Graphic Novels Part 3

Well, it's not Book Review Tuesday, it is Book Review Wednesday and why?  Because yesterday it was technology problems for me, at work and at home.  WHY ME???  Both my work and home computer just decided to update to Windows 10 and there was no way around anymore, I had delayed too many times but now I'm just glad that I did it and it's done with.  And I'm loving Windows 10 too.  Even though it took FOREVER...now let's get back to business lol

Today I'm review 2 Graphic Novels, I don't read a lot of them but whenever I see some interesting ones on NetGalley I do jump at the opportunity to read them.  So, here are the lasted two Graphic Novels that I read lately and what I thought of them:

1. Dream the Impossible Dream: Zen Pencils: Volume 2



So this Graphic Novel was totally different from anything I ever read, it is famous and inspirational quotes adapted into cartoon stories.  There were some funny ones, but there were some that I could have done without it and I wish they didn't put it there.  But overall it was entertaining, this is Volume Two and I didn't even read Volume One first, maybe now I should read it?  But anyway, I gave it a 3 out of 5 stars, it didn't blow me away. Just an okay Graphic Novel.

2. Muirwood: The Lost Abbey Graphic Novel #1


Maia is the daughter of the King of Comoros but she has been banished from the castle and stripped from her title of Princess, why?  Because magic is forbidden of woman in her kingdom and she has secretly learned it.  But now her desperate father has requested her presence back at the castle because he needs her and her magic to save their kingdom.  Of course Maia agrees to it and with the protection of a serial killer they embark on a journey to save their kingdom.

This was a very short Graphic Novel and there wasn't much explained and when you look at the cover of this GN you think that the art will be amazing, but that was kind of disappointing.  I wish there was more explanation and and that the art was better.  Not sure if I want to continue with the Graphic Novels of this series.  But there is a book about it and it will it will give that one a try.  I gave this Graphic Novel a 3 out of 5 stars.

That will do it for today my friends, have you read any of these?  And if you did, what did you think of them?  And what other Graphic Novels would you recommend to read?

Thank You NetGalley for these Graphic Novels.

Have a great rest of the week!!!

XOXO,

Nelia

Friday, September 11, 2015

Weekend Reads: A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J Maas

Well my friends, it's Friday, finally.  It has been a very long and very, very busy week for me, I didn't even post yesterday, that's how busy I was.  But, the weekend is here, it's time to recharge and relax, right? I hope you all have a great weekend.  Here is the book that I'm currently reading and loving:

A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas



What are you up to this weekend?

XOXO,

Nelia

Tuesday, September 8, 2015

Book Review: City of Bones by Cassandra Clare

It's Book Review Tuesday my friends and today I'm bringing you a book that has been in my TBR for years and that I have finally read and that book is:

City of Bones by Cassandra Clare



I felt like I was the only one who hadn't read this book, but now I'm not. Yeah!!!  So, I'm going to start my review and as usually my review will be spoiler free, because there are probably people still out there who hasn't read this book yet and there is nothing worst than spoilers, right?  Let's jump right in:

This book follows Clary Fray, who is a regular teenager (or at least she thinks she is) enjoying a night out with her friend at the Pandemonium Club in New York City, when she witness a murder.  But the worst is not the murder part, the murder was committed by three teenagers covered with odd markings and the even weirder part was how the "person" murdered disappeared right in front of her eyes and to make matters worst, when she asked her friend if he saw the teenagers, he just told her that she was talking and screaming all by herself. 

And that my friends, is when Clary meets the Shadowhunters.  Who or what is Shadowhunters?  They are warriors dedicated to ridding the earth of demos and keeping the odd werewolves and vampires in line. 

That is also the first time Clary meets the gorgeous Jace.  Within twenty-four hours of meeting Jace and his group, Clary's life is turned upside down, her mother disappears and Clary is attached by a demon.  Jace takes Clary to the Shadowhunters secret house, which is not something that is done ever, why?  Because ordinary mundane (regular people) like Clary is not suppose to know that Shadowhunters exist, but then again, how is it possible that Clary saw them when they were wearing invisible marks?  And how is it possible that she can see demons?  And how did she fight one?  It looks like she is the Sight of a Shadowhunter and they are interested to know how is that possible?

So, the Shadowhunters decide to help Clary find her mother and find out how she has the Sight.  And that's how her adventure begins...

There are lots and lots of world building in this book, which I loved it.  And lots of action too, and of course, if you know me by know; I love my some action in my books.  One of the things that I really enjoyed a lot was the character building too, there are quite a few characters in this book and I loved how Cassandra Clare took the time with each one of them, it really made your fall in love or hate each individual one.  And of course, there is Cassandra's writing style, I fell in love with it, it is my first book by her and know I understand why so many people love her books and keep wanting her to write more and more books, the more you read, the more you want of it. 

I gave this book 4 out of 5 stars, I can't wait to continue to read with the series, I have that it keeps getting better and better with each book so...I'm just waiting to get a good deal on the next book.  Totally recommend this book!!!  I have watched the movie too, but as usual the book was so much detailed and way much better in my opinion of course. lol

Have you read The Mortal Instrument Series?  What did you think of it?  What about the movie, have you watched it?  Did you watch the movie first or read the book first?

XOXO,

Nelia

Monday, September 7, 2015

Happy Labor Day!!!



Happy Monday and Happy Labor Day for everyone celebrating it!!! I had the day off and I spend for the most part relaxing. I did get the kids ready for school tomorrow (seriously where did summer go?) but after I was done with that it was time to relax a little.

We did some boating for most of this weekend and lots of reading too. I'm still reading The Queen of the Tearling and I'm loving it, I should be done with it tonight or tomorrow, we will see. But anyway, I just wanted to do a quick layback post and tell you guys what I did this weekend and show you some pictures. 

Hope you guys like. Let me know what you guys did this weekend.

XOXO,

Nelia








Friday, September 4, 2015

Weekend Reads: The Queen of the Tearling by Erika Johansen

Friday my Friends, it's Friday!!! Let's take a moment, let's take a deep breath and now I'm ready to start the weekend. Oh yeah.

What are you doing this weekend?  Wait, I just realized that it's a long weekend for me. HAHAHA  It's Labor Day weekend in USA, now I'm extra happy...I'm going to go boating and to the beach and enjoy the weather and family, we will probably go to the Vineyard one of the days too.  Yeah, it should be a really good weekend, hope you all have a great weekend too.

Here is the book that I will be taking and reading to:

The Queen of the Tearling by Erika Johansen




I started this book a couple days ago and I've been hooked, loving it.

Have a great and safe Holiday!!!

XOXO,

Nelia

Thursday, September 3, 2015

Book Review: We'll Always Have Summer by Jenny Han

Book Review Time, OH YEAH!!!  When I was looking for books to read in July I looked back at series that I wanted to complete and OMG when I noticed that I hadn't completed this one, I knew 100% that I had to read and Holly Molly, so glad that I did and let's get to the review now before I just go on and on and on...

We'll Always have Summer by Jenny Han



For starters, please don't read this review if you haven't read the first and second book yet, because it will be a spoiler review.  But if you have read the first and second book, please do continue to read this spoiler free review.  And you can always check out my reviews for the First and Second reviews clicking on the links.  Alright, now I'm ready...

So, two whole years have gone by since Conrad told Belly to go with Jeremiah.  And two whole years since he told Jeremiah to go with Belly.  And Belly and Jeremiah have been inseparable since then, they attend the same college and try to spend every free time together.  But their relationship?  It's not the happily ever after that Belly thought it would be.  And for the most part she doesn't even  mind, she thinks they can make it work, some way, some how.  But when Belly finds out that Jeremiah made the worst mistake a boyfriend can make?  She isn't so sure anymore, and she starts to question everything, especially if what she feels for Jeremiah is really true love?  Do they have a future together? 

And then there is and has always been Conrad.  Has she really ever gotten over him?  It's time for Belly to decide who truly owns her heart now and forever.

But don't think she makes the right decision right away, first you will Belly make a decision and you will think: Wow, that's it?  What is she thinking?  And then you will think: Maybe she really loves that one.  But as this summer progresses and things start to go one way and then another way, you will get more and more confused.  There are times that you think she will pick Jeremiah and there are other times when you think she will pick Conrad.  And when she finally makes the decision?  Well, everybody will have a different opinion, I think, but I was wicked happy with her decision.  Why?  Because she picked the one I wanted her to pick, and the one I thought she deserved.

Once I was done reading this one I felt satisfied, content and happy.  Not many books make me feel this way and that's why it wasn't hard at all to give this book 5 stars.  Jenny Han is pretty amazing at writing a light but intriguing book.  Loved it.

Totally recommend not only this book, but the whole trilogy.  Perfect summer read, but definitely a perfect beach read.

XOXO,

Nelia

Wednesday, September 2, 2015

September 2015 TBR

Okay my friends, Happy September...let's check out what I will be reading this month?


1. Half Bad by Sally Green



2. City of Ashes by Cassandra Clare



3. The Queen of the Tearling by Erika Johansen



4. Love Letters to the Dead by Ava Dellaira



5. Eleanor and Park by Rainbow Rowell



Keeping my list pretty small and pretty open for this month...what are you planning on reading this month?

XOXO,

Nelia

August 2015 Wrap Up

It's a sad day, why?  It's the end of Summer, that's why.  I know that we will still have some hot days in September, but the nights will be colder and the leaves will start to change colors (and I do like that a lot) and all Fall things will come...Summer is done, my favorite season.  What is your favorite season?

I love to be able to just put on a summer dress and no shoes and go outside with a book and just read with the sun shinning and feel hot, really hot that I need to go inside to cool off for a little bit, yes I know, I'm crazy, or not...lol.  I'm going to miss going to the beach and boating, or just be on the boat and do nothing all day, yes those were the best days of my summer.  I'm missing summer already...Okay, I'm going to stop winning and get to today's post, went way off hahaha, so...

August Wrap Up, here are the books that I read in August, I pretty much stick to my TBR and added a few more books; let's check it out:

1. The Witch Hunter by Virginia Boecker

2. Salem's Vengeance by Aaron Galvin

3. Crimson Bound by Rosamund Hodge

4. Miss Mayhem Rachel Hawkins

5. The Orphan Queen Jodi Meadows

6. Of Poseidon Anna Banks

7. If I Stay Gayle Forman

8. Of Triton by Anna Banks

9. Of Neptune by Anna Banks

10. Where She Went by Gayle Forman


And that will do for the month of August...not bad 10 books in total. My favorite?  Hard to pick this month, loved the Syrena Trilogy, but then I loved continue to reading about Harper, and The Witcher Hunter was pretty amazing too, and The Orphan Queen was everything and more than I was expecting.  And If I Stay?  Wow, that's all I'm going to stay.  So August was a pretty AMAZING reading month.

What did you read in August?

XOXO,

Nelia