Book Review: Poison's Kiss (Poison's Kiss #1)

About the Book:
Title: Poison's Kiss (Poison's Kiss #1)
Author: Breeana Shields
Pub. Date: January 10, 2017
Publisher: Random House Books for Young Readers
Pages: 304
Rating: 3/5 stars

Synopsis:

Marinda has kissed dozens of boys. They all die afterward. It's a miserable life, but being a visha kanya, a poison maiden, is what she was created to do. Marinda serves the Raja by dispatching his enemies with only her lips as a weapon.

Until now, the men she was ordered to kiss have been strangers, enemies of the kingdom. Then she receives orders to kiss Deven, a boy she knows too well to be convinced he needs to die. She begins to question who she s really working for. And that is a thread that, once pulled, will unravel more than she can afford to lose.

This rich, surprising, and accessible debut is based in Indian folklore and delivers a story that will keep readers on the edge of their seats. 

Review:

I went back and forth about what to give this book because on one hand, I really enjoyed it, but on the other...well it fell flat for me in multiple places. I don't exactly know what I was expecting when I picked up this book, but unfortunately it wasn't everything I wanted it to be. This book was the ultimate love/hate relationship for me. There were some truly exciting parts but there were also parts that were just a bit boring to read. I will say that this book is definitely something new and different, and that was something I appreciated. 

The concept of this story is fantastic and not something you see everyday! I was excited to see how the author would incorporate this type of supernatural being into the story and see how exactly it played into the plot. I mean, it's not everyday that you have your lead character be able to kill with a single kiss! Unfortunately, this was also where the book fell flat. The plot was boring . It was too simple, which is something that shouldn't be a bad thing but was in this book. There was nothing special to me that kept me intrigued while reading. However, when it got to the end, things became interesting and there were some great plot twists! It did make me excited to read the next book because I want to see where Ms. Shields takes the story now that things are finally on a roll. 

The other part of the story that I had a love/hate relationship with was the characters. I really liked our main character, Marinda. She was a strong, fierce lead that you connected with instantly. She's forced to be participating in a life she doesn't want. However, Marinda kills with a kiss only to save her brother, Mani. And when she comes to find out that her entire life has been a lie...well let's just say things certainly get interesting. There's a fire to her that we hadn't seen previously, and I loved everything about it. She was the main thing that kept me reading. All the other characters though were dull and flat. They didn't have that same spark and I just felt something was missing with them. Deven, our love interest, while not terrible, wasn't anything exciting. I didn't feel the love between them and I never got attached to him like I do with my usual book boyfriends. Ultimately, you don't love him, you don't hate him...he's just there. 

Overall, this was an okay start to a new duology, but it just fell flat. With a little fine-tuning this could have been an excellent book. I am interested to see where the story goes only because of the ending, and the ending (in my opinion at least) makes it worth the read. I think that because things had to be set up so much, the next story will be very action-packed and fast-paced! 

Happy reading :)

~Cassie

Waiting on Wednesday #109

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event that is hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine and spotlights upcoming releases that we’re eagerly anticipating.

Cassie's Waiting On: 

Even the Darkest Stars (Even the Darkest Stars #1) by Heather Fawcett

Publication Date: September 5th, 2017 

Synopsis:

Kamzin has always dreamed of becoming one of the Emperor’s royal explorers, the elite climbers tasked with mapping the wintry, mountainous Empire and spying on its enemies. She knows she could be the best in the world, if only someone would give her a chance.

But everything changes when the mysterious and eccentric River Shara, the greatest explorer ever known, arrives in her village and demands to hire Kamzin—not her older sister Lusha, as everyone had expected—for his next expedition. This is Kamzin’s chance to prove herself—even though River’s mission to retrieve a rare talisman for the emperor means climbing Raksha, the tallest and deadliest mountain in the Aryas. Then Lusha sets off on her own mission to Raksha with a rival explorer who is determined to best River, and Kamzin must decide what’s most important to her: protecting her sister from the countless perils of the climb or beating her to the summit.

The challenges of climbing Raksha are unlike anything Kamzin expected—or prepared for—with avalanches, ice chasms, ghosts, and even worse at every turn. And as dark secrets are revealed, Kamzin must unravel the truth of their mission and of her companions—while surviving the deadliest climb she has ever faced.

This sounds like a fantastic start to a new series!! It's different and I've heard such great things about it so far.  I'm preparing for an epic adventure in the icy, snow-covered mountains, and hoping that I'll have a new series to obsess over after I'm done!

Jocelyn's Waiting On: 

The Store by James Patterson
Publication Date: August 24th, 2017 

Synopsis:

The Store doesn't just want your money – it wants your soul.

Imagine a future of unparalleled convenience. A powerful retailer, The Store, can deliver anything to your door, anticipating the needs and desires you didn't even know you had.

Most people are fine with that, but not Jacob and Megan Brandeis. New York writers whose livelihood is on the brink of extinction, Jacob and Megan are going undercover to dig up The Store's secrets in a book that could change the entire American way of life. But after a series of unsettling discoveries, Jacob and Megan's worst fears about The Store seem like just the beginning.

Harbouring a secret that could get him killed, Jacob has to find a way to escape The Store's watchful eye and publish his expose – before the truth dies with him.


I fell in love with James Patterson's style of writing when I read his novel Cradle and All that was re-published last year. It was creepy and mysterious, I absolutely could not put it down. I was lucky enough to snag one of these copies at BEA this year, so I am just trying to make room in my schedule to read it (because I know once I start, I won't be able to stop). Have you ever read a James Patterson novel? Were you a fan? 

Blog Tour: Seraphina Series

About the Books:
Title: Seraphina’s Awakening (Seraphina #1)
Author: Sheena Hutchinson
Publication date: September 1st 2016
Genres: New Adult, Paranormal, Romance

Synopsis: 

For as long as she can remember, Seraphina Cross has experienced these visions that made her feel like there was more to life. It wasn’t until one moment, one accident that her life changed forever.
She awakens the next day a new person in more ways than one. With no recollection of past night’s events, she’s forced to adapt to certain sensations she is experiencing all while trying to piece together what exactly happened to her that fateful night. Her strange, hectic life doesn’t seem to make sense until she meets a handsome stranger. Only then does the puzzle finally piece itself together.
What she doesn’t expect is the new powers she has developed attracting all kinds of unwanted attention. Thrown into a world she never truly believed existed she is forced to come to grips with who she is becoming while staying out of trouble long enough to figure out what needs to be done to fulfill her destiny.

Goodreads / Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Smashwords / Kobo

Title: Seraphina's Initiation (Seraphina Series #2)

Publication Date: February 20, 2017

Synopsis:

Seraphina Cross is unexpectedly thrown into this crazy, spiritual world of Angels versus Demons.

Never did she expect to meet Nate who was just a figment of her imagination. Now she finds herself moving in with him because of her innate responsibility to protect her loved ones from harm. 

Finally beginning to feel at home in her new house and with her new relationship. Nate begins training Sera in all that she can do, surprising even himself at times.Just when she is starting to feel safe and powerful, Lucifer finds a new way to attack her at her most vulnerable. 

When her dreams are no longer a gift, can Sera control the powers needed to defeat what's coming before Lucifer fulfills his promise to her?

Title: Seraphina's Vengeance (Seraphina Series #3)

Publication Date: September 18, 2017

Synopsis:

One year ago, Seraphina’s entire world seemed to have dived into a mythical land over night. She’s somehow even gotten used to the madness of it all. But what happens when the craziness stops? Things become quiet… too quiet.

Sera should have known that things weren’t as quiet as they seemed. After one of the best nights of her life, Sera is forced into this treacherous journey to save one of her loved ones.

But following the path of evil begins to take its toll on Sera. As she struggles with her own internal dilemmas, Nate starts to take matters into his own hands. When this unseen world finally begins to affect Sera’s emotions and her relationship, can she hold it together to save her loved ones? Will love conquer all? Or will it turn her evil… forever? 

Author Bio:

Sheena is a born and raised New Yorker, even her writing can’t seem to hide her hard sarcasm. She claims destiny has lead her back to her true passion for writing.
She constantly strives to be a positive role model and writes stories that empower and inspire. Sheena always roots for the underdog, believes in love at first sight, and that everyone should have their happily ever after.
While God is currently still writing her love story, she continues to put all her effort into her writing as she is constantly getting new inspiration.
For more info, updates, and fun facts visit her website at www.SheenaHutchinson.com

Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Twitter / Instagram / Amazon / Newsletter

Review for Book 1

Overall, Seraphina's Awakening was a solid start to The Seraphina Series that will appeal to many fans of the paranormal/angel & demon genre. There were some things that I wasn't a huge fan of, but by the end, the story really started taking off and I was intrigued enough to check out the next in the series. 

I have always been a fan of Angel/Demon stories, so I was hoping this one would be another hit. And it was...for the most part. I thought that Ms. Hutchinson set up the story very well for readers and her world building was great. We are slowly introduced to the world, just as Seraphina is, and there is an overall mystery throughout the book where the reader (and Seraphina herself) is left questioning, "who or what is Seraphina?" I thought this was an interesting way to go about things, however it does mean the book is a little slow and predictable. For me, this was the book's biggest downfall. Maybe it's because I have read so many Angel/Demon stories before, but I knew where this book was headed as soon as it started. 

The characters were great and I did truly connect with Seraphina. However, she is very much the cliched heroine in this book...you know the one: the good girl that doesn't date that much and has this "mysterious" power that makes her different. I did like how she began to develop towards the end of the story, which gave me hope for the second and third books. I liked where her character was headed, which was another reason I was willing to check out the next book. I also adored Sera's friendship with Amanda. They are two peas in a pod, and I loved every scene they had together. Nathaniel was okay to be honest...he wasn't my favorite, but he wasn't terrible either. I thought his character development was a little awkward at parts only because it was so quick. Again though, by the end I loved him...and he is quite the heartthrob (at least how I'm picturing him haha). Lastly, Jack was a great character and I was pleasantly surprised by his storyline and his characterization. I didn't expect to enjoy his character as much as I did. As you can probably guess, there's a love triangle, which wasn't my favorite. It felt very forced and again was awkward at parts of the story.

The writing was pretty good as well. I'm not the biggest fan of present tense, but it worked well in this story. It just took some getting used to for me. So this complaint is entirely my own personal quirk. There were some grammatical errors too, but they don't detract from the story. The one part of the writing that I greatly enjoyed were Sera's dreams. They were very descriptive and came alive. I felt I was watching a film while I was reading these sections, and it shows that Ms. Hutchinson has a great amount of talent!

I would definitely recommend checking this book out if you are a fan of Angel/Demon stories. This was a good start to the series, and I enjoyed it enough to read the second (and the third) books! While there are some flaws (mainly the predictability and the love triangle), it is still an enjoyable read!

Review for Book 2

Seraphina's Initiation was an excellent follow up to the first book in the series, Seraphina's Awakening! I thoroughly enjoyed this novel, much more than the previous one. Looking back, I think the first one was a major set up novel, and this is where all the action begins!! Seraphina's Initiationpicks up right where the last book left off, and it just takes off from there. There is non-stop action and excitement from beginning to end! 

One of the problems I had with the first book was that it felt very slow and predictable at times. This was not an issue at all in this sequel! There were many exciting plot twists that I never saw coming and made the story more interesting. This book is all about Seraphina learning to use her powers, and it made for some truly fantastic scenes! We also learn more about how Seraphina become who she is now. 

Seraphina continues to grow throughout the novel, and truly was a stand out character. I loved her even more than I did in the first one, and she was a very realistic character. She still questioned everything and wanted answers to the questions that were plaguing her. Nate is by her side every step of the way, helping and guiding her through her struggles of accepting who she is now. Nate was AMAZING in this story. Gone is the awkward development that was his character. In its place is a strong male lead that truly loves and cares for Sera. Plus, it doesn't hurt that he's absolutely yummy. Jack still has a great storyline, but I still dislike him. I always felt that there was something fishy about his character (I won't tell you whether or not I was right though), and I hated how naive Sera was toward him. I wanted to shake some sense into her.

The plot is definitely much faster than the first story, and it worked very well. I didn't have any problem following the story, and the faster plot also worked much better with the present-tense this book is written in. I'm still not a huge fan of present-tense stories, but Ms. Hutchinson does a great job at making sure you still connect to the characters. 

If you liked the first book in this series, you definitely need to check this sequel out!! There are a lot of improvements from the first book that made this series even better than it already was. Ms. Hutchinson is a fantastic writer and I like the direction the story is going in. Definitely add this to your TBR now!

Review for Book 3

Sheena Hutchinson has definitely ramped this series up to a 10!! This was a fantastic addition to the Seraphina series and took an completely unexpected turn. I certainly didn't expect to love Seraphina's Vengeance as much as I did, but boy did this story impress me. Ms. Hutchinson delivered some amazing plot twists and has taken this story in a much different direction than I expected. Gone are the days of predictability...you will be left guessing the entire time with this one. Sure everything starts off great, but that's just the calm before the storm. The title says it all...this story is all about vengeance, and Seraphina isn't taking prisoners.

Let's talk about the characters first. All of them are absolutely amazing in this novel. Ms. Hutchinson further explores their growth, and not in the way you would expect. Seraphina is no longer the sweet, innocent person we have come to know. After a certain event towards the beginning of the story, Seraphina begins her quest for revenge. She becomes someone we (and Nate) don't know anymore. And personally, I loved it! I loved seeing this different side to Seraphina, and how simple events can turn someone to the other side. I think it was an interesting way to further the Angel/Demon/Repentance plot point. Nate tries to stay by Seraphina's side through it all, but even he knows when to admit defeat. Some things he cannot control, and he realizes when to back off and let her do her thing. Jack plays a much bigger role in this book, and I still didn't like his character. I was glad that Seraphina finally came to her senses by the end of the book about him...that's not to say that he doesn't manage to sway her to his side earlier on in the book though. 

The plot was very fast, similar to the second book in the series, but it was the perfect pace! I flew through this book, and never wanted the story to end. As I mentioned, there are many twists and turns that I never saw coming. Just when you think the story is going in one direction, BAM! Something big happens and the story does a complete 180! 

This is definitely a must read for anyone who is a fan of this series! Ms. Hutchinson delivered an excellent story that is fast-paced and a definite page-turner. I am excited to see where she takes the story (and the characters) in the next book, Seraphina's Revolution!! Read this one now!

Happy reading :)

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~Cassie

Book Review: Long Way Home (Thunder Road #3)

About the Book:
Title: Long Way Home (Thunder Road #3)
Author: Katie McGarry
Pub. Date: January 31, 2017
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Pages: 448
Rating: 5/5 stars

Synopsis:

Seventeen-year-old Violet has always been expected to sit back and let the boys do all the saving.

It’s the code her father, a member of the Reign of Terror motorcycle club, raised her to live by. Yet when her dad is killed carrying out Terror business, Violet knows it’s up to her to do the saving. To protect herself, and her vulnerable younger brother, she needs to cut all ties with the club—including Chevy, the boy she’s known and loved her whole life.

But when a rival club comes after Violet, exposing old secrets and making new threats, she’s forced to question what she thought she knew about her father, the Reign of Terror, and what she thinks she wants. Which means re-evaluating everything: love, family, friends . . . and forgiveness.

Caught in the crosshairs between loyalty and freedom, Violet must decide whether old friends can be trusted—and if she’s strong enough to be the one person to save them all.

Review:

“Sometimes people choose the harder path just to prove they can do it.” 

It's no secret how much I love Katie McGarry and the Thunder Road series, but I think this one just might be my favorite!! I have been waiting desperately for Chevy and Violet's story, and boy did Ms. McGarry deliver!! I never expected this story to have the impact that it did, but this was well worth the wait. I honestly loved every single second of this book and never wanted to put it down. I was on the edge of my seat so many times, and was finding myself desperate to find out just where all of the events in this story were headed. I couldn't focus on anything else...and because of that, I read this in one sitting. And that's how I would recommend reading this novel because trust me...you don't want to stop until the very end. 

“Ignoring our problems won’t make them go away. We’re playing a dangerous game, and I’ll be honest, I don’t know how many more hits I can take.”

“You want me to walk away?”

“No,” she says quietly. “I never wanted you to walk away. I need you, but I don’t know how to be with you. You need me, but you don’t know how to be with me either.” 

If you couldn't tell, this book is addicting. Chevy and Violet have such an amazing story together and Katie McGarry wove their story beautifully. I fell in love with these characters when they were first introduced, but I fell even deeper after reading this book. The one thing I adored about this book is the pacing. It's nonstop thrills from start to finish. There was always something that kept the reader engaged and begging for more. I mean the first few chapters alone are heart-stopping! The other thing that I loved is how many dimensions there are to this story. Katie McGarry has always been good at this, but with Long Way Home this talent comes into play even more. There is so much going on and every little thing becomes important in the end. Ms. McGarry seamlessly incorporates everything, all the while the reader is interested and hanging on every written word. 

“I thought loving people was supposed to be easy,” he says quietly. “But it’s the hardest thing I’ve done. I wish I knew how to love you right.”

“I’ve told you how to love me. You aren’t willing to love me how I need to be loved.” 

Obviously, my absolute favorite part of this book is the 2 main characters: Chevy and Violet. Chevy is simply swoonworthy. I can't even begin to tell you how much I love him and if there is a real-life Chevy out there, please come and find me! My heart melted time and time again with the love and respect he had for Violet. It was clear from the get go how much her cared for her, but he is also just plain awesome. Chevy isn't afraid to show his emotions and how much their breakup affected him. He's tender, protective, and willing to go to great lengths when he needs to. But I also loved his development throughout the story. Ms. McGarry showed us this character who went out there and figured out how to make things work for himself. No it might not be in the way everyone expects, but he figured out what he wanted from his life and managed to actually obtain it.

“I am not your property, I am not a dog … I am your equal, and I deserve the love and respect that comes with that because that’s what a real man does when he loves a woman.” 

Violet is one of the best female characters I have ever read. She is feisty and strong, independent and loyal. She is exactly the type of female character all young girls should look up to. Her strength is what truly made this book extra special to me. Violet stood up for herself time and time again throughout the story. She knew what was best not only for her, but also for her family, and went out there and fought for that. Violet didn't just give into what everyone expected of her. She set out on her own to show that she could become more than just another female in the MC. Violet shows all women that you never have to silence yourself. As a woman, your opinions, your thoughts, you actions...they all matter and are/should be valued. She makes all women remember that you need to find and surround yourself with the people who will allow you to do all of the things I just mentioned, and be there to pick you up (or help you pick yourself up) when you fall down. 

“I love you. I always have, always will. I understand the promises you’re talking about and I understand why you can’t make them, but I’m going to make a promise to you. No matter which way this plays out, I promise to love you and do my best to make sure whatever path we go down together or separately will be the one that hurts you the least.” 

Even though things were originally rocky between Violet and Chevy, they never stopped being loyal to each other. And this was something that I admired on both of their parts. It was clear Violet and Chevy still loved each other, but they needed to find themselves before they could come together again. That was the beauty in their relationship because they allowed the other to do just that, but also helped the other person along the way. Slowly but surely they found their way back to each other, and when their love was rekindled it ignited and created an inferno that could never be put out. 

“As much as you want to, you can’t take all our pain away. Hurting, it’s a part of life, and if you try to stop any of us from being in pain, that means you’re not allowing us to actually live.” 

I never expected to love a book about MCs as much as I did, but Katie McGarry blew me away with this series. We see a crossover between the Pushing the Limits series and this series, which means there is the return of one of my all time favorite boys, Isaiah!! And trust me, you will be amazed at the twist that brings him into the story. Katie McGarry will never disappoint in her writing an excellent YA story, and I can't wait to read whatever she writes next! You do not want to miss out on the epic story of Chevy and Violet!

Happy reading :)

~Cassie

Waiting on Wednesday #108

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event that is hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine and spotlights upcoming releases that we’re eagerly anticipating.

Cassie's Waiting On: 

Cinderella, Necromancer by F.M. Boughan
Publication Date: September 5, 2017

Synopsis:

Ellison lost her mother at an early age. But since then, her father has found love again. He's happy and doesn't quite notice that Ellison does not get along with his new wife or her mean daughters. When Ellison discovers a necromantic tome while traveling the secret passages of her father's mansion, she wonders if it could be the key to her freedom. Until then, she must master her dark new power, even as her stepmother makes her a servant in her own home. And when her younger brother falls incurably ill, Ellison will do anything to ease his pain, including falling prey to her stepmother and stepsisters' every whim and fancy.

Stumbling into a chance meeting of Prince William during a secret visit to her mother's grave feels like a trick of fate when her stepmother refuses to allow Ellison to attend a palace festival. But what if Ellison could see the kind and handsome prince once more? What if she could attend the festival? What if she could have everything she ever wanted and deserved by conjuring spirits to take revenge on her cruel stepmother?

As Ellison's power grows, she loses control over the evil spirits meant to do her bidding. And as they begin to exert their own power over Ellison, she will have to decide whether it is she or her stepmother who is the true monster. 

This sounds like such a fun twist on the Cinderella story!! Fairytale retellings are definitely hit or miss for me, but I've heard some great things already about this book, so I'm hoping it's a hit! Plus, this is supposedly inspired by a real medieval grimoire from 15th century Germany, so that's an added plus!

Jocelyn's Waiting On: 

All the Crooked Saints by Maggie Stiefvater 
Publication Date: October 10th, 2017 

Synopsis:

Here is a thing everyone wants: 
A miracle.

Here is a thing everyone fears:
What it takes to get one.

Any visitor to Bicho Raro, Colorado is likely to find a landscape of dark saints, forbidden love, scientific dreams, miracle-mad owls, estranged affections, one or two orphans, and a sky full of watchful desert stars.

At the heart of this place you will find the Soria family, who all have the ability to perform unusual miracles. And at the heart of this family are three cousins longing to change its future: Beatriz, the girl without feelings, who wants only to be free to examine her thoughts; Daniel, the Saint of Bicho Raro, who performs miracles for everyone but himself; and Joaquin, who spends his nights running a renegade radio station under the name Diablo Diablo.

They are all looking for a miracle. But the miracles of Bicho Raro are never quite what you expect.


I've never read a Maggie Stiefvater book. Well, I've actually tried listening to Shiver on audiobook but I absolutely hated the male narrator and couldn't continue. I've heard amazing things about her other novels, especially The Scorpio Races. I'm excited to try this and jump on the bandwagon! Have you ever read a Maggie Stiefvater novel? What did you think about it? 

Book Review: You Don't Know My Name (The Black Angel Chronicles #1)

About the Book:
Title: You Don't Know My Name (The Black Angel Chronicles #1)
Author: Kristen Orlando
Pub. Date: January 10, 2017
Publisher: Swoon Reads
Pages: 288
Rating: 4.5/5 stars

Synopsis:

Fighter. Faker. Student. Spy.

Seventeen-year-old Reagan Elizabeth Hillis is used to changing identities overnight, lying to every friend she’s ever had, and pushing away anyone who gets too close. Trained in mortal combat and weaponry her entire life, Reagan is expected to follow in her parents’ footsteps and join the ranks of the most powerful top-secret agency in the world, the Black Angels. Falling in love with the boy next door was never part of the plan. Now Reagan must decide: Will she use her incredible talents and lead the dangerous life she was born into, or throw it all away to follow her heart and embrace the normal life she’s always wanted? And does she even have a choice?

Review:

When a book starts by throwing you/the main characters into a panic room, you know the story is only going to get more intense from there! You Don't Know My Name is an excellent start to a brand new secret spy series that will be sure to a hit with fans of Ally Carter and other similar authors. This entire book was a roller coaster ride of excitement straight to the very end. And the fact that this is Kristen Orlando's debut novel? Well that just impresses me even more!

Reagan is an excellent main character and I immediately was able to connect with her. I think that's pretty impressive given the situation she was in at the start of the story. As we get to know Reagan a bit more we see how intelligent, brave, and kickbutt she is. She's fierce and a fighter. Reagan is willing to die for those she loves the most and put her life on the line if it means saving the ones she holds most dear. In other words, Reagan is an extremely strong female lead that has excellent characterization throughout the story. Despite being a tough girl, she is also vulnerable and unsure of herself. That life her parents have been training her for since she was little? Well, she might not want it after all. And that's bound to cause some rifts. For once, Reagan just wants a little normalcy, and when you and your parents belong to a secret part of the government, that's just not possible. Every emotion Reagan felt during this story is palpable on the page. You truly feel as if you're right there with Reagan experiencing everything she is experiencing.

The other characters in the story were great as well. Her friends, her parents, the other people in the group, I loved! And that takes some skill to make me like everyone. But Luke is by far my favorite. He is just adorable and oh so lovable. He's a great character through and through, and not just as the love interest for Reagan (which don't get me wrong, just adds to his character). He is so much more than a love interest, and I'm excited to see where his character goes in the next book!!

The plot is phenomenal in my opinion. This was a fast-paced quick read that I never wanted to put down. There are a lot of twists and turns, and the ending is brutal. Like rips-your-heart-out brutal! It's okay if you shed some tears, I won't tell anyone, especially because I would be right there crying along with you. There was the perfect amount of suspense and action throughout the story, and she described everything very well.

This book was on my watch list for awhile, and I am super happy that I decided to check it out! I've always been a sucker for a good spy story, and this one is certainly no exception. From the minute I started reading, I was fully engaged in this book, and I couldn't believe I finished it within a couple of hours. I definitely think everyone who is a fan of spy novels should check this book out because you will seriously love it! 

Happy reading :)

~Cassie

P.S.  We're still working on the webpage design.  Some things came up that meant the design we had originally used had to be taken down. We are currently in the process of getting a new one, so you'll be seeing something brand new soon!!

Waiting on Wednesday #107

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event that is hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine and spotlights upcoming releases that we’re eagerly anticipating.

Cassie's Waiting On: 

The Rattled Bones by S.M. Parker
Publication Date: August 22, 2017

Synopsis:
Maine-bred, independent Rilla Brae is no stranger to the deep. She knows the rhythms of hard work and harder seas. But when she experiences the sudden death of her father, the veil between the living and the dead blurs and she begins to be haunted by a girl on a nearby, uninhabited island. The girl floats a song over the waves, and it is as beautiful as it is terrifying. Familiar and distant.

Then Rilla meets Sam, a University of Southern Maine archeology student tasked with excavating the very island where the ghostly girl has appeared. Sam sifts the earth looking for the cultural remains of an island people who were forcibly evicted by the state nearly a hundred years ago. Sam tells Rilla the island has a history no locals talk about—if they know about it at all—due to the shame the events brought to the working waterfront community. All Rilla knows for sure is that the island has always been there—an eerie presence anchored in the stormy sea. Now Sam’s work and the ghostly girl’s song lure Rilla to the island’s shores.

As Rilla helps Sam to unearth the island’s many secrets, Rilla’s visions grow—until the two discover a tragedy kept silent for years. And it’s a tragedy that has everything to do with Rilla’s past. 

This one sounds so good. It seems to have a good mix of mystery and love, and I'm always a sucker for ghost stories!  Even though I didn't like The Girl Who Fell, which is another book by this author, I'm willing to give her another chance. So let's hope this one doesn't disappoint. 

Jocelyn's Waiting On: 

Haunting the Deep (How to Hang a Witch, #2) by Adriana Mather 
Publication Date: October 3rd, 2017

Synopsis:

Samantha Mather knew her family’s connection to the infamous Salem Witch Trials might pose obstacles to an active social life. But having survived one curse, she never thought she’d find herself at the center of a new one. 

This time, Sam is having recurring dreams about the Titanic . . . where she’s been walking the deck with first-class passengers, like her aunt and uncle. Meanwhile, in Sam’s waking life, strange missives from the Titanic have been finding their way to her, along with haunting visions of people who went down with the ship. 

Ultimately, Sam and the Descendants, along with some help from heartthrob Elijah, must unravel who is behind the spell that is drawing her ever further into the dream ship . . . and closer to sharing the same grim fate as its ghostly passengers.


I read How to Hang a Witch last year. At first, I was kind of unsure about how I felt about the book. However, looking back at it, it was a really well written book and great for halloween time. I can't wait to read the sequel, which seems like it is approaching an entirely new subject and I love when sequels do that because it keeps the plot new and fresh! If you haven't read How to Hang a Witch yet, you should definitely give it a try!

Cover Reveal: Broken Hearts

About the Book:

Title: Broken Hearts

Series: Light in the Dark #5

Author: Micalea Smeltzer

Genre: New Adult

Cover Design: Regina Wamba, Mae I Design

Release Date: TBA

Synopsis:

After everything we’ve been through, I thought we could weather any storm.

But this is one thing neither of us ever saw coming.

Jace and Nova have learned to roll with the punches—they’ve had to. The last few years have been bliss-filled and better than they imagined, but they’re ready to take the next step.

The problem?

Life apparently has other plans.

Sometimes you have to fight for what you want, and for Jace and Nova they’ll have to battle this war together, or lose it all in the process.

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Author Bio

Hi. I’m Micalea. Ma-call-e-uh. Weird name, I know. My mom must’ve known I was going to be odd even in the womb. I’ve written a lot of books. Like a lot. Don’t ask me how many, I don’t remember at this point. I have an unhealthy addiction to Diet Coke but I can’t seem to break the habit. I listen to way too much music and hedgehogs have taken over my life. Crazy is the word that best sums up my life, but it’s the good kind of crazy and I wouldn’t change it for anything.

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