Showing posts with label Leisa Rayven. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Leisa Rayven. Show all posts

Tuesday, March 31, 2015

April Releases

Three books are out this month that you'll definitely want to get your hands on!

April 7th: Miss Mayhem (Rebel Belle #2) by Rachel Hawkins
Life is almost back to normal for Harper Price. The Ephors have been silent after their deadly attack at Cotillion months ago, and best friend Bee has returned after a mysterious disappearance. Now Harper can return her focus to the important things in life: school, canoodling with David, her nemesis-turned-ward-slash-boyfie, and even competing in the Miss Pine Grove pageant.
Unfortunately, supernatural chores are never done. The Ephors have decided they’d rather train David than kill him. The catch: Harper has to come along for the ride, but she can’t stay David’s Paladin unless she undergoes an ancient trial that will either kill her . . . or connect her to David for life.

April 14th: Dream a Little Dream by Kerstin Gier

Mysterious doors with lizard-head knobs. Talking stone statues. A crazy girl with a hatchet. Yep, Liv’s dreams have been pretty weird lately. Especially this one where she’s in a graveyard at night, watching four boys perform dark magic rituals. 
The really weird thing is that Liv recognizes the boys in her dream. They’re classmates from her new school in London, the school where’s she’s starting over because her mom has moved them to a new country (again). But they seem to know things about her in real life that they couldn’t possibly know, which is mystifying. Then again, Liv could never resist a good mystery. . . .

April 28th: Broken Juliet (Starcrossed #2) by Leisa Rayven

How do you fix a love that’s been broken beyond repair?
For years, Cassie Taylor tried to forget about Ethan Holt. He was the one great love of her life, and when he failed to return her love, a part of her died forever. Or so she thought. Now she and Ethan are sharing a Broadway stage, and he’s determined to win her back. Claiming to be a changed man, he’s finally able to say all the things she needed to hear years ago, but can she believe him? What makes this time different from all his other broken promises?
Ethan knows he can’t change their tumultuous past, but if he’s going to have any chance of being with the woman he loves, he’ll need to convince Cassie that her future belongs with him. 
Don’t miss this stunning conclusion to the unforgettable love story that captivated over two million fans online.


And, if you're willing to delve into non-fiction, J. K. Rowling's book that centres around her Harvard speech a few years back (which, by the way, is beautiful, so if you haven't seen it - it's on YouTube - then you should definitely buy this book!) is out on the 14th and is called Very Good Lives. It's tomorrow's Waiting on Wednesday, so if you want to know more about it, it's all gonna be here :)

Wednesday, March 25, 2015

Waiting on Wednesdays #6: Broken Juliet

Waiting on Wednesdays is a weekly event hosted by Breaking the Spine that spotlights upcoming releases.

Title: Broken Juliet (Starcrossed #2)
Author: Leisa Rayven
Genre: NA
Release Date: April 28th

"How do you fix a love that’s been broken beyond repair?
For years, Cassie Taylor tried to forget about Ethan Holt. He was the one great love of her life, and when he failed to return her love, a part of her died forever. Or so she thought. Now she and Ethan are sharing a Broadway stage, and he’s determined to win her back. Claiming to be a changed man, he’s finally able to say all the things she needed to hear years ago, but can she believe him? What makes this time different from all his other broken promises?
Ethan knows he can’t change their tumultuous past, but if he’s going to have any chance of being with the woman he loves, he’ll need to convince Cassie that her future belongs with him. 
Don’t miss this stunning conclusion to the unforgettable love story that captivated over two million fans online."

I loved, loved Broken Romeo, so I can't wait for this one! And look at the gorgeousness that is that cover!

What are you waiting for?

Thursday, January 01, 2015

The 10 Books You'll Need in 2015!

Well, that's it folks! One more year gone, and with the new one coming up, comes a whole new exciting batch of books for us. And with that in mind, I've compiled my Top 10 books coming out next year that most definitely need to go on your TBR pile.

Ready?

10. Miss Mayhem by Rachel Hawkins - April 7th

This is book #2 in the Rebel Belle series, and it promises a great deal!

"Life is almost back to normal for Harper Price. The Ephors have been silent after their deadly attack at Cotillion months ago, and best friend Bee has returned after a mysterious disappearance. Now Harper can return her focus to the important things in life: school, canoodling with David, her nemesis-turned-ward-slash-boyfie, and even competing in the Miss Pine Grove pageant.


Unfortunately, supernatural chores are never done. The Ephors have decided they’d rather train David than kill him. The catch: Harper has to come along for the ride, but she can’t stay David’s Paladin unless she undergoes an ancient trial that will either kill her . . . or connect her to David for life."

9. A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas - May 5th

You most likely know about Sarah's books if you follow the blog, because I'm slightly obsessed with her Throne of Glass series. And this new one promises to be just as good.

"When nineteen-year-old huntress Feyre kills a wolf in the woods, a beast-like creature arrives to demand retribution for it. Dragged to a treacherous magical land she only knows about from legends, Feyre discovers that her captor is not an animal, but Tamlin—one of the lethal, immortal faeries who once ruled their world.

As she dwells on his estate, her feelings for Tamlin transform from icy hostility into a fiery passion that burns through every lie and warning she's been told about the beautiful, dangerous world of the Fae. But an ancient, wicked shadow grows over the faerie lands, and Feyre must find a way to stop it . . . or doom Tamlin—and his world—forever.

Perfect for fans of Kristin Cashore and George R. R. Martin, this first book in a sexy and action-packed new series is impossible to put down!"

8. Thoughtful by S. C. Stephens - February 24th

Loved Thoughtless, Effortless and Reckless? Hold on to your seats, because it's time to revisit the pain of Thoughtless... through Kellan's eyes. Prepare the Ben & Jerry's, stock up on the Kleenex and jump in!

"Every story has two sides, and in this new book, the epic love story between Kiera and Kellan is shown through his eyes. 

All Kellan Kyle needs is his guitar, and some clean sheets of paper. Growing up in a house that was far from a home, he learned a hard lesson: You're worthless. Now his life is comfortably filled with passionate music, loyal band mates, and fast women...until he meets her. 

Kiera makes him ache for more. Makes him feel for the first time that he's worth more. But there's one problem - she's his best friend's girl. 

Just when Kellan thought his emotional defenses were rock solid, Kiera's indecisive heart wreaks havoc on his soul, changing him forever. Losing Kiera is not an option."

7. The Heir by Kiera Cass - May 5th

I've spoken about this one before, but it's never too much... plus, look at the pretty cover!

"Twenty years ago, America Singer entered the Selection and won Prince Maxon’s heart. Now the time has come for Princess Eadlyn to hold a Selection of her own. 

Eadlyn doesn’t expect her Selection to be anything like her parents’ fairy-tale love story. But as the competition begins, she may discover that finding her own happily ever after isn’t as impossible as she always thought."

6. Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard - February 10th

"The poverty stricken Reds are commoners, living under the rule of the Silvers, elite warriors with god-like powers.

To Mare Barrow, a 17-year-old Red girl from The Stilts, it looks like nothing will ever change.

Mare finds herself working in the Silver Palace, at the centre of those she hates the most. She quickly discovers that, despite her red blood, she possesses a deadly power of her own. One that threatens to destroy Silver control.

But power is a dangerous game. And in this world divided by blood, who will win?"

5. The Winner's Crime by Marie Rutkoski - March 12th

Now, I've actually read this, but I'm not allowed to put the review up until closer to publication (sorry, you guys!) - but let me tell you: it is good.

"Lady Kestrel's engagement to Valoria's crown prince calls for great celebration: balls and performances, fireworks and revelry. But to Kestrel it means a cage of her own making. Embedded in the imperial court as a spy, she lives and breathes deceit and cannot confide in the one person she really longs to trust ...

While Arin fights to keep his country's freedom from the hands of his enemy, he suspects that Kestrel knows more than she shows. As Kestrel comes closer to uncovering a shocking secret, it might not be a dagger in the dark that cuts him open, but the truth.

Lies will come undone, and Kestrel and Arin learn just how much their crimes will cost them in this second book in the breathtaking Winner's trilogy."

4. Soulbroken by Heather Brewer - July

Now, if you read the first book, Soulbound, you may have known about the drama that happened surrounding Soulbroken. Thing is, Soulbound ended on a ginormous cliffhanger, and the author declared she was going to cancel the release of the second one indefinitely (with a very strong chance of it never coming out... ever) to work on other stuff. I was a horrible person to be around for almost a full week. 
But, good news! The second book is being released and it's this year!

"Sometimes you have to break the rules to discover the truth. 

In this follow up to LEGACY OF TRIL: SOULBOUND, Kaya has learned that she is Soulbound to Darius, the Barron she secretly trained with at Shadow Academy. But he's been sent away, leaving Kaya with questions about how he could be Soulbound to her and another Healer. Determined to find answers and prove herself worthy of fighting in the war against King Darrek and the Graplars, Kaya sneaks away, encountering a mysterious Barron named Gage in her travels.

But Darius has shocking information about Gage--information that changes everything Kaya thought she knew about what it means to be Bound."

3. Broken Juliet by Leisa Rayven - April 28th

You probably all remember my gushy review of Bad Romeo right? 

This is the sequel. Yes. I know *squees*.

"Despite destroying Cassie Taylor twice before, Ethan Holt now wants another chance, but how can she possibly take him back knowing it could all go to hell again? And yet, knowing how much she still loves him, how can she not?

Second chances are hard to come by. Third chances, even more so.

Shakespeare once wrote, "The course of true love never did run smooth." Next to that quote, he should have included a picture of Cassie and Ethan."

2. Royal Wedding by Meg Cabot - June 2nd

Genovians, rejoice! Princess Mia is back! I still have vivid memories of my mum screaming at me that she hated that "bloody Meg woman" because she wrote "too many damn books". That was around the time the Princess Diaries ended, and I discovered her adult books; fun times for me, less so for my parents' bank account - hence the screaming (well, in all honesty, it was more like frustrated grumbling than screaming per se. I don't remember my mum actually screaming at me, ever. I figure if it was ever going to happen, Cabot would've been the reason though).
But, even though Mia is back, this is aimed at us pre-teens and teens that grew up with her, because her 11th and last (maybe?) book is, in fact, an adult book. You know what that means, right?
Michael/Mia sexytimes!

"From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Princess Diaries series, comes the very first adult installment, which follows Princess Mia and her Prince Charming as they plan their fairy tale wedding--but a few poisoned apples could turn this happily-ever-after into a royal nightmare.

For Princess Mia, the past five years since college graduation have been a whirlwind of activity, what with living in New York City, running her new teen community center, being madly in love, and attending royal engagements. And speaking of engagements. Mia's gorgeous longtime boyfriend Michael managed to clear both their schedules just long enough for an exotic (and very private) Caribbean island interlude where he popped the question! Of course Mia didn't need to consult her diary to know that her answer was a royal oui.

But now Mia has a scandal of majestic proportions to contend with: Her grandmother's leaked "fake" wedding plans to the press that could cause even normally calm Michael to become a runaway groom. Worse, a scheming politico is trying to force Mia's father from the throne, all because of a royal secret that could leave Genovia without a monarch. Can Mia prove to everyone--especially herself--that she's not only ready to wed, but ready to rule as well?"

1. The Orphan Queen by Jodi Meadows - March 10th

I can hear the groans of "not this again" in the background, but trust me: this is the book I want out of 2015; and no matter how excited I am for all the other 9 on this list (and extra 40 on my goodreads shelf!), this is the one book I might actually cry if if I don't get on release day. I may need to buy a navy cloak and dress up as Wil.
Or, you know, not, because that might be weird.

"Wilhelmina has a hundred identities.

She is a princess. When the Indigo Kingdom conquered her homeland, Wilhelmina and other orphaned children of nobility were taken to Skyvale, the Indigo Kingdom’s capital. Ten years later, they are the Ospreys, experts at stealth and theft. With them, Wilhelmina means to take back her throne.

She is a spy. Wil and her best friend, Melanie, infiltrate Skyvale Palace to study their foes. They assume the identities of nobles from a wraith-fallen kingdom, but enemies fill the palace, and Melanie’s behavior grows suspicious. With Osprey missions becoming increasingly dangerous and their leader more unstable, Wil can’t trust anyone.

She is a threat. Wraith is the toxic by-product of magic, and for a century using magic has been forbidden. Still the wraith pours across the continent, reshaping the land and animals into fresh horrors. Soon it will reach the Indigo Kingdom. Wilhelmina’s magic might be the key to stopping the wraith, but if the vigilante Black Knife discovers Wil’s magic, she will vanish like all the others

Jodi Meadows introduces a vivid new fantasy full of intrigue, romance, dangerous magic, and one girl’s battle to reclaim her place in the world."

Tuesday, November 25, 2014

Bad Romeo

Title: Bad Romeo (The Starcrossed Series #1)
Author: Leisa Rayven
Genre: Adult Contemporary
Rating: 4.5/5
Cover: 10/10
Release Date: December 23rd

I was given an ARC of this novel by the publisher via netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

"When Cassie Taylor met Ethan Holt at acting school, sparks flew. She was the good girl actress. He was the bad boy about campus. But one fated casting choice for Romeo and Juliet changed it all. Like the characters they were playing, Cassie and Ethan's romance seemed destined. Until he broke her heart and betrayed her trust. Now the A-list heartthrob is back in her life and turning her world around. One touch at a time. 

Cast as romantic leads once again, they're forced to confront raw memories of the heartbreaking lows and pulse-pounding highs of their secret college affair. But they'll also discover that people who rub each other the wrong way often make the best sparks."

What is it about incredibly hot assholes that makes me love them? I like to think that it's because under their stupid exterior, inside they're really just a pile of mushy feelings and it's cute.

Either way, Ethan Holt has it all. But, weirdly, while he certainly plucked at my heartstrings, he didn't make them sing. Maybe it's because I was always wary, knowing that it would all go to shit eventually. Despite that, young Ethan and Cassie were too cute for words.
I would have loved to see more of both of them in the present; we spent so much time with them in the past, I wanted to know what play he went to do in Europe, and more about why he left. I have no doubt that we'll find out in #2 though, so I'm not too mad.

All in all, Bad Romeo has everything a good romance novel needs: a cheekily hot guy, a feisty girl, sparks that are unwanted but stubborn to leave and a great plot. Rayven keeps us interested throughout the entire novel by subtly hinting that something big is going to happen, and giving us glimpses at what it might be. I was so curious, this book was through in one sitting. My kindle told me it'd take me 6 hours to read it; I'm pretty sure it was actually closer to 4, because I just could not put it down.

For any of you who noticed the similarities between Bad Romeo and Famous in Love (the covers kind of are similar, and the premise does bring Famous in Love to mind), worry not. This is a very much adult novel to the strictly YA of Serle's novel. Also, while Famous in Love is about a love triangle, Bad Romeo is really just about Cassie and Ethan trying to sort out their crap and find out if love is enough. That said, if you liked Serle's novel, definitely give Bad Romeo a try!
Definitely recommended. Christmas, especially with family, can be a stressful time and this is an excellent book to have lying about for when you need to step away from the stress and lose yourself in fiction.