Book Review: Hot Love Inferno: A Dark Comedy Fantasy Adventure by Nicky Blue

Are you a fan of these authors: Tom Holt, Terry Pratchett, Robert Rankin, Christopher Moore or Douglas Adams? Then I suggest you pick up the book Hot Love Inferno by Nicky Blue.

When I was approached by this young aspiring writer on Instagram to review his latest book -- I was indeed flattered. As many of you are aware, I dabble in the realm of book blogging as it is a passion of mine and the universe gave me this opportunity. So of course I jumped at the chance. With only knowing the title of the book and seeing the cover that includes a sleepy basset hound I was intrigued yet cautious. Then I read the book description and you will be hooked just as I was. Here is said book description: A half-woman, half-cockroach fused in a bizarre gardening accident? That would be Mrs Jittery Twitch, dwelling in the shadows of our misdeeds. If in danger, you can call upon her help… all she asks is your soul as payment. But she’s just a legend, so no need to worry.Barry Harris is a 28-year-old man, still living with his dear old mum in a little flat above a hairdresser. His obsession with Star Trek and the martial arts won’t help him when he’s forced out on a date.
And nobody knows about the weird string of events that’s about to put everyone’s lives in danger. A trio of samurai warriors and the strangest offer of help lead Barry on a perilous mission to save the day. This book is the second in the Prophecy Allocation series but works fine as a standalone read which I, also, was very happy about.

I will give a little bit of a warning: The book is written in British English. All British slang terms are helpfully translated for the international reader, along with a short explanation of why British people are a little strange, which I am sure a lot of people appreciate. Plus broading ones horizons and expansion of the mind I am definitely cool with.

Now onto the review! At the beginning of the story I will admit I was kind of lost as I was not really sure what was happening nor what was going on. It started off very weird; which I do like; but if I can not put it together -- I usually tend to shy away from it. Not this book. I powered through, British slang and all, and started to piece it all together. It became less fuzzy. I started to react and relate to the characters. and everything was just brilliant; as British slang would say. Very witty, creative, and laughter all around. Want something different -- pick up this book!

Book Review: The Deceivers by Kristen Simmons

When I first saw this on NetGalley -- I was instanly intrigued. A combination of a heist and a mystery -- SIGN ME UP. I was pumping my fists in the air and bouncing in my seat as soon as I saw the title with a mad smile on my face. It’s that kind of book.

The Deceivers is Pretty Little Liars meets Ocean's 11 in this highly commercial, intrigue-filled contemporary drama from acclaimed author Kristen Simmons; the author of the Article 5 series and Metaltown, who brings her remarkable imagination to her latest novel where good kids are needed to do some very bad things. I mean, how can you not get excited about that? This book is slated to be released on February 5, 2019 and is available for pre-order at all major booksellers, including my favorite AMAZON.

Here is the book description: Welcome to Vale Hall, the school for aspiring con artists. When Brynn Hilder is recruited to Vale, it seems like the elite academy is her chance to start over, away from her mom’s loser boyfriend and her rundown neighborhood. But she soon learns that Vale chooses students not so much for their scholastic talent as for their extracurricular activities, such as her time spent conning rich North Shore kids out of their extravagant allowances. At first, Brynn jumps at the chance to help the school in its mission to rid the city of corrupt officials―because what could be better than giving entitled jerks what they deserve? But that’s before she meets her mark―a senator’s son―and before she discovers the school’s headmaster has secrets he’ll stop at nothing to protect. As the lines between right and wrong blur, Brynn begins to realize she’s in way over head.

Book Review: Choosing Me -- Love Letters from a Poet by Bill Weber

I am pleasantly surprised at the power of Instagram. It has brought forth to me some amazing people -- two life coaches, vivacious bookworms like myself, and inspiring authors. As most of you know I am going through a period of growth that is filled with positivity and that energy has manifested in my Instagram account.

When I was contacted by Bill Weber about his book Choosing Me -- Love Letters from a Poet, I felt this calling. I had to read this book. I had to HAVE this book. An opportunity arose for me to read it before everyone else. The universe is giving me all of this great energy and positivity and is sharing it with the world. This book is available for pre-order on Amazon and it goes on sale to the general public on December 1, 2018.

Here is the book description: Every time we make love is another opportunity to recognize how the spiritual principles of Yin and Yang represent themselves through the design of our bodies and the pleasures of the experience. It is another opportunity to experience the joy of transcending the illusion of duality, and another step along the spiritual journey of awakening to the true nature of our being. Making love is a physical expression of the interplay of Yin and Yang energy, , a joyous celebration of the human body, a sensual fountain of pleasures, a regenerating process of sacred energetic potential, and a hint of the joy of the heaven of enlightenment. Savor the sacredness of the being you are with. Savor the intimacy of the connection. Savor the ebb and flow of energy. Savor every sensation. Savor the sacredness.

Now I will admit -- when I started to read this book it made me blush a lot due to the content. There is an element of eroticism in these poems. I will admit -- the genre of eroticism/romance I normally do not read. I am happy and grateful that this book took me out of my comfort zone of reading. I am also happy and grateful that there are people out there who yearn to keep the spark of love alive in their relationships. It is the ultimate life force and my main priority is feeling good as much as I can. So when I started reading this book I felt happy. I felt good. That is what it is all about. It was also refreshing to see a man step out of his comfort zone of romance. His words just flow onto the page creating a myriad of images in my head; filling my soul with warmth. Plus the fact that this man is essentially honoring women, in particular his partner, it is a glorious sight to read and makes me wish to have a man in my life who is so expressive with his words.

If you are a fan of poetry, romance, love, eroticism, and feeling good as much as you possible can -- GET THIS BOOK. I highly recommend.

Book Review -- What If It's Us by Becky Albertalli and Adam Silvera

This book. Oh my goodness this book.

I have never read anything by either Becky Albertalli or Adam Silvera before. I have heard such great things about both authors and I am always down to experience new authors. I read mostly paranormal/fantasy/horror/thrillers as well as young adult and this book, which isn't due out until October 9, 2018, (thank you to Epic Reads at Harper Collins Publishers for the ARC) is such a page turner I could not put it down. I really loved this book! Filled with so many ups and downs and twists and turns -- I have never been so emotionally invested in a book before. It is heartwarming, humorous, awkward, and inspiring. I virtually had to force myself to put it down when necessary and could not wait to pick it up again. If you are a lover of Adam and/or Becky’s work, you won’t want to miss their debut project together.

Book description: ARTHUR is only in New York for the summer, but if Broadway has taught him anything, it’s that the universe can deliver a showstopping romance when you least expect it. BEN thinks the universe needs to mind its business. If the universe had his back, he wouldn’t be on his way to the post office carrying a box of his ex-boyfriend’s things. But when Arthur and Ben meet-cute at the post office, what exactly does the universe have in store for them . . . ?
Maybe nothing. After all, they get separated. Maybe everything. After all, they get reunited. But what if they can’t nail a first date even after three do-overs? What if Arthur tries too hard to make it work and Ben doesn’t try hard enough? What if life really isn’t like a Broadway play? But what if it is? What if it’s us?

I loved the set up of their story – not only the charm having a “missed connection” to find each other later, but also the hilarity of their terrible, terrible dates. We have all had those terrible dates before and it was so refreshing and relatable to see on the page. Ben and Arthur have a very unique love story that I feel is absolutely worth reading. I also loved the fact that I was able to get annoyed/angry with both main characters so frequently. I LOVE characters who’s reactions make me mad while also enabling me to see their viewpoint and fully understand their reactions. There were many times where I would throw the book in anger, let out an "awwww" at a cute moment, and just feel all of the emotions. Both characters are easy to love, yet remain flawed; and you are not rooting for one over the other. You want to see this relationship work somehow. The only critique/problem I have is with the ending. Granted, its reality but gosh darn it a girl loves some cheese!

To let you know -- there are the subjects of cheating, homophobia, racism, and panic attacks in this book. If any of this are triggers for you -- you have been warned. Overall, I really loved my time reading this as it was a step out of comfort zone of reading. If you are someone who is excited for this story, I don’t feel you will be disappointed. I would definitely recommend to everyone who loves a young adult diverse contemporary romance novel.

Book Review: Brazen: Rebel Ladies Who Rocked the World by Penelope Bagieu

As I wrote in a previous blog -- I have adopted a sacred morning practice because the most important thing in life is to FEEL GOOD. Feeling good is priority #1 in my life. It should be yours too. If you do not feel good, you will drag those negative feelings with you throughout the day and you will pick up more negativity along the way and will continue to go down the spiral. Why would you want to feel like that? I sure do not want to feel like that. So since I do not want to feel like crud all day -- my sacred morning practice puts me in my vortex first and then I act. You learned that as part of my sacred morning practice I crack open a non-fiction book; whether it is a self-help book, something inspiring, something motivating, a memoir, etc. So this time around -- have you ever read a book that you had trepidations about because you might not know all of the content but then you receive it and are so happy you did? Let me present to you Brazen: Rebel Ladies Who Rocked the World by Penelope Bagieu.

Throughout history and across the globe, one characteristic connects the daring women of Brazen: their indomitable spirit. With her characteristic wit and dazzling drawings, celebrated graphic novelist Pénélope Bagieu profiles the lives of these feisty female role models, some world famous, some little known. From Nellie Bly to Mae Jemison or Josephine Baker to Naziq al-Abid, the stories in this comic biography are sure to inspire the next generation of rebel ladies.

Well, this book sure did inspire my inner rebellion and my indomitable spirit. Plus this book was originally published in French and we all know how much of a francophile I am! This book is marketed for young adults but it is surely not just for young adults. This is a wonderful, inspiring and eclectic group of triumphant women's stories. There is a consistent theme of feminism in the stories but there is a whole spectrum of issues that need to be overcome from autism, to poverty, to war, to lack of musical talent. Bagieu created a cornucopia of entries featuring a variety of trailblazing ladies from across a spectrum of time and place. Some were familiar to me, but many are lesser known and have been sadly overlooked by the mainstream. I wish every girl (heck every boy too) gets a chance to read these stories to see that nothing can hold you back if you don't let it.

I am amazed at the different stories that made it into this book from the bearded lady to Hedy Lamarr. For example -- one of my favorite hobbies and interests are solving murder mysteries. With a notebook in hand, I try to get as many details as I can to put things together. This book exposed me to Frances Glessner Lee who was a crime miniaturist. She would recreate crime scenes for police to solve crimes. She put so much detail into her work. Such an inspiration and so relatable. Bagieu seems to have put in a lot of heart, and effort into researching different women to feature in this book, who deserve so much recognition for the incredible work they have done. There's such a great range of stories in this book, some of which literally choked me up several times throughout the book. I felt truly connected to some of the stories. I also personally love that Bagieu chose a graphic novel concept. The illustrations go perfectly with the history of the amazing women Bagieu chose to highlight, and her humor makes the history memorable. A definite feast for the eyes and for the brain.

I would love to see a second book from her with some more Brazen women. This is a perfect way, for anyone to learn about some pretty incredible people, in a very digestible way. If you are interested in current events, history, and science; in dance, movies, and songwriting; by people interested in explorers and political rebels -- GET THIS BOOK. Highly recommended.

Sacred Mornings and Book Review: Almost Adulting by Arden Rose

Let me drop this pipe bomb for you: The most important thing in life is to FEEL GOOD. Feeling good is priority #1. If you do not feel good, you will drag those negative feelings with you throughout the day and you will pick up more negativity along the way and will continue to go down the spiral. Why would you want to feel like that? I sure do not want to feel like that.

I want to say back in November 2017 I learned about sacred morning practices through the radical self love guru herself Gala Darling. I have learned that if you start your day off on the right foot, your day just flows with positivity and warmth. I actively work on raising my vibration in the morning right before work and as soon as I get up out of bed. Imagine your day if you made the choice to feel joy first thing. I promise you -- it is delicious.

So, what exactly is in my sacred morning practice? What helps me feel joy and feel good? Now I will tell you first -- this is what works FOR ME. This might not work for you. If you want to learn more about sacred morning practice go here: Sacred Mornings: Experience Your Full Radiance While the Sun Comes Up

I get up out of my bed and open my black out shade to let the sun in and take a big stretch. I set up my morning tea (It fluctuates between either Numi Organic tea, Snarky Tea, or green tea) and "do my business". Let my tea steep while I go and make my bed. My bed is my temple and I love knowing that I have a nourished loving place to come home to so that is done first thing. I turn on Spotify and depending upon the day, I put a playlist on and shake my booty on my faux fur rug. Get dressed and go get my tea. Then I light a candle, change my calendar for the day and relish in its delicious offering, and crack open my daily awemanac which is chock full of quotes, toasts for the day, journaling, etc. I do the toast for the day, do some writing, and some gratitude practice. Then I do my morning mantra courtesy of The Morning Mantras. Finally -- I crack open a non-fiction book; whether it is a self-help book, something inspiring, something motivating, a memoir, etc. Thats where this book review comes in.

I discovered this book through one of the many book release newsletters that I receive and laughed at the word "adulting". Who really knows how to adult? I sure do not even though I have my shit together. So here walks in a book that is relatable. I added it to my Sacred Morning Practice bookshelf where it sits with Text Me When You Get Home by Kayleen Schaefer (another book review in the works) and other nonfiction/self help books.

Here is what the book is about: For fans of Grace Helbig and Alexa Chung comes a fresh, hilarious guide to growing up your way from social media influencer and lifestyle vlogger Arden Rose.

In Almost Adulting—perfect for budding adults, failing adults, and eaters of microwave mug brownies—Arden tells you how to survive your future adulthood. Topics include: Making internet friends who are cool and not murderers, Flirting with someone in a way to make them think you are cool and not a murderer, Being in an actual relationship where you talk about your feelings in a healthy manner??? To the other person???????
Eating enough protein, Assembling a somewhat acceptable adult wardrobe when you have zero dollars, Going on adventures without starting to smell,How sex is supposed to feel, but, like, actually though. By the end of the book—a mash-up of essays, lists, and artwork—you'll have learned not only how to dress yourself, how to travel alone, how to talk to strangers online, and how to date strangers (in PERSON!), but also how to pass as a real, functioning, appropriately socialized adult.

I will tell you -- this book is not as advertised. It reads more like a memoir than a how-to guide but I have learned that the more you read about others lives - you can take the information given and make it work for you as well as make it relatable. I did read through this fast as it is a quick read. It was a really funny, encouraging read that related to my sense of humor. I enjoyed finding comfort in seeing my similar life experiences expressed as a normal, awkward part of growing up. She mixed tips in with her own experiences and I really loved the way she took the time to express her different ideas about happiness as happiness is my number one goal; the goal that I am in control of. No one else. Every time I turned the page either I smiled or laughed at a quip or metaphor. This book is geared towards a wide range of people which is another thing I love. While some of the tips in Arden's book I already knew about, and have done before in my whole 40 years of living, I still found this book entertaining. I do wish books like these were around when I was in my late teenage years, possibly even twenties, but there is always a time to grow and change. I ended the book with a new found confidence in my abilities to adult as well as more tips to my arsenal to keeping my shit together. Definitely recommended.

Book Review -- Real in Memphis by Stevie Pearson

As most people know as it is not a secret -- I am a diehard professional wrestling fan. I can recall times my brother and I would be camped out in the living room waiting for Saturday Nights Main Event; only for me to fall asleep as soon as the theme song is over. I remember my first live show (August 24,1990 NWA World Championship Wrestling in East Rutherford, NJ before the WWF placed a no competition order on the venue). I remember my first autograph being Jim Ross and I was the only one he stopped for. Even back then I had the Queen of Small Talk powers. One of my first crushes was Sting. The sass of Sherri Martel was an inspiration and influence in my personality today. And who could forget to chew bubblegum and kick ass?

As you can see -- I can go on and on with wrestling stories. How professional wrestling shaped who I am today. So when I was contacted on Twitter to review a book; another one of my passions; dealing with professional wrestling -- how could I say no?

The book is Real in Memphis by Stevie Pearson

and is set in 1979 in Memphis Tennessee and has ten different parts interwoven throughout. I will not go through all ten parts; only the ones I feel were the main plots which leads me to the main plot of the book- Sam South, is the son of second generation star Bull South, and he wants to make it big on the professional wrestling circuit; all to win his estranged father's respect. Sadly, like most independent wrestling federations, the promoter Harvey Wallbanger doesn't see him as a top star. But through an audio recording of Harvey's shadier business practices, Sam might just get the chance to prove himself after all.

Then you have the saga of Harvey Wallbanger who has his own problems micro-managing his talent. Another saga -- Former wrestler turned Church Pastor Bull South, who Co-owns the territory, has turned to religion. The main problem in this story is that now he and Harvey are at odds with one another. As you go through this saga you develop this hope that he and his aide-de-camp, also former love interest, Vixen Vegas can amend any and all problems that the lord might cause for the territory.

Now lets add in the underdog, or the babyface saga to this mix as you will with 'The Golden Wonder' Rod Golden. He unfornuately is on the verge of losing his world title, and in turn a whole load of money. That’s something that his tearaway daughter and avaricious wife aren't going to be too happy about.

Got to have the wrestler that everyone wants to see kind of saga right? Enter 'The Chattanooga Nightmare' Hex Clearfield. He is one of the few remaining free agents in wrestling. His services are well sought after. Sadly, his bodacious attitude and lust for women might be more than the Memphis faithful, and the Fearsome Monroeville Mauler are willing to handle.

All of this unfolds and brings together Hex and his promoter, Milton Morton, who may have their work cut out for them in the cut throat territory of Memphis Tennessee.

One way or another, everyone in this book is finding out that wrestling might be 'Fake', but business is about to get Real in Memphis.

As a avid bookworm who can read 5 books at the same time in a month -- for me to push what I was reading off to the side to make time for this book says tons. After spending close to two days hooked into the story I felt unable to put it down.

The various viewpoints were interwoven beautifully and seamlessly. Definitely unpredictable, which is something I look for in a book, and kept me thinking even after I finished the book. I do not say this often as I feel authors are stuck into making everything a series when a stand alone book is just as good but with the style of writing that Pearson has as well as details and the cliffhanger type ending -- I would not be opposed to seeing a series grow from this.

What also drew me into this book was how I could relate to the characters; even though I never stepped through the ropes and only had my elbows on a ring apron for photography. There was so much human nature in this book, especially with how everyone is manipulating one another for the few paying jobs in wrestling in Memphis (hello backstage politics!) and although they seem like extreme and violent people, at heart they are all just regular people with regular interests.

There isn't an abundance of wrestling fiction books published (but if you want a modern fairy tale retelling....) and this book is as such something of an anomaly it seems, as while it is clearly written with a love and appreciation of professional wrestling -- it isn’t just some wrestling book. It has many layers of deep complex thoughts throughout and the stories, while set in the world of wrestling, the stories feel like they could happen anywhere in any industry and at any place.

I found Real in Memphis to be a strong story with so many twists and turns that are not obvious like you see in other books. I would definitely recommend this book for a truly remarkable experience. It is available digitally through wrestlingnoir.com and for purchase through Amazon UK.

Book Review -- Bonfire by Krysten Ritter

Should you ever go back?

That is the question that is posed by the debut novel of Krysten Ritter. Yes, that Krysten Ritter -- our very own Jessica Jones has written a book! When I saw that this book was available as a advanced readers copy well before its publication date (released on November 8, 2017) at Book Con on June 3, 2017 as well as Krysten Ritter just rocks (yes I am still bitter about the cancellation of Don't Trust the B in Apartment 23 but thank you Netflix!) -- I knew I had to pick this up. There was a little scandal about me picking up this book though but let me just say these four words -- QUEEN OF SMALL TALK.

Now before I get into what the book is about let me preface any possible hesitation you may have about reading this.. You know how when a singer is so famous they get so full of themselves and think they can act too? (AHEM, Mariah Carey) Or just because you can act means you can also sing? Well what if just because she is a talented actress/producer that means she can write a book without it sucking? I have faith in her, but that question is was a Cranberries song. But I will say this -- all of that trepidation and uncertainty was silenced. the further into the book I got.

Here is the book description: It has been ten years since Abby Williams left home and scrubbed away all visible evidence of her small town roots. Now working as an environmental lawyer in Chicago, she has a thriving career, a modern apartment, and her pick of meaningless one-night stands. But when a new case takes her back home to Barrens, Indiana, the life Abby painstakingly created begins to crack. Tasked with investigating Optimal Plastics, the town's most high-profile company and economic heart, Abby begins to find strange connections to Barrens’ biggest scandal from more than a decade ago involving the popular Kaycee Mitchell and her closest friends—just before Kaycee disappeared for good. Abby knows the key to solving any case lies in the weak spots, the unanswered questions. But as Abby tries to find out what really happened to Kaycee, she unearths an even more disturbing secret—a ritual called “The Game,” which will threaten the reputations, and lives, of the community and risk exposing a darkness that may consume her. With tantalizing twists, slow-burning suspense, and a remote, rural town of just five claustrophobic miles, Bonfire is a dark exploration of the question: can you ever outrun your past?

Krysten Ritter has written a gripping and beautifully written crime debut; while not perfect as she falls into the trap that so many action and crimes do where the villain gives a long winded dramatic speech justifying why they were so hell bent on why they destroyed everything. It is tense and suspenseful, drawing in the reader with ease. The greatest strengths of the book lie in the complex character creation and development of Abby, a woman who wants to come to terms with the past so that she can be alive in the present. Ritter presents a picture of a woman paying a heavy price as she gets closer to the truth, no-one believes her, yet despite her life disintegrating around her, she clings on with a tenuous grip with determination.Everything doesn't start coming all together until the last like, 25% of the book but even with that being said I found Bonfire a really compelling read, one I devoured pretty quickly and enjoyed quite a bit. I'll definitely be looking out for Ritter's next book at some point.

Book Review -- 13 Reasons Why by Jay Asher

Let me preface this review with this: If you need to talk -- reach out to a friend, a loved one, anyone willing to listen. If you are afraid to do that please call 1-800-273-TALK (8255) anytime if you are in the United States. It’s free and confidential.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

“When you mess with one part of a person’s life, you’re messing with their entire life. Everything. . . affects everything.”

When Netflix announced that they were bringing 13 Reasons Why by Jay Asher to the small screen -- the Internet exploded namely because of the content. Suicide is a very touchy subject to talk about to begin with and to take a book that is 10 years old and when published did not have the advice or ways to cope like we do now, I can understand the skepticism. A lot of people feel that this book and show glorifies suicide, does not touch on the subject of mental illness, as well as does not think about the audience at all as well as many triggers.

That is why I have decided to read the book first before delving in the television show. Plus, the book is always better right?

Firat let us get into what the book is about: Clay Jensen returns home from school to find a strange package with his name on it lying on his porch. Inside he discovers several cassette tapes recorded by Hannah Baker—his classmate and crush—who committed suicide two weeks earlier. Hannah's voice tells him that there are thirteen reasons why she decided to end her life. Clay is one of them. If he listens, he'll find out why. Clay spends the night crisscrossing his town with Hannah as his guide. He becomes a firsthand witness to Hannah's pain, and as he follows Hannah’s recorded words throughout his town, what he discovers changes his life forever.

This book is extremely compelling - unputdownable at best- but a problem I had and that many readers have had is that the book relies on your sympathy for Hannah to effectively relay its message, and yet Hannah comes off as bratty, selfish and ofttimes over-sensitive. Many of her "reasons" are things that everyone has experienced at some point and people generally file those under "bad days" and definitely don't kill themselves because of it. I know I sure did as I was an outcast in high school. Hannah wasn't realistically suicidal or stereotypical suicidal. People like to look for clear-cut reasons that make sense. They wanted Hannah to give a good reason why she killed herself. But, in reality, it so rarely is one big reason you can point to. Most of the time, the little things all build up, day after day, one small thing after another, until the little reasons all blend into a single feeling of hopelessness. That is what this book is about. Plus it's also about taking responsibility for your actions and understanding how your small selfish acts can affect someone else. I felt so bad for Clay while reading this book. But I had an issue -- especially with the revelation about him, and the way he viewed the truth about Hannah. Clay changes his mind about Hannah based on what he hears and decides she did not deserve the treatment she did due to rumors. But - would she have deserved the treatment any more if she had done what the rumors said? I wish the book had taken the opportunity to address that. I do want to say I don't think this is 100% the best book in the world for depression/suicide, but I do believe it is an interesting narrative on how suicide impacts those affected, considering suicide is never a singular action.

If you are on the fence about reading/watching the television show due to what you have heard -- do not let that affect you. Give it a try. I did and I am glad that I did.

What Book Releases in 2017 Am I Excited About?

With the beginning of the new year -- so begins my reading goal! Every year I have a reading goal of reading 52 books in a year which equates to one a book a week. Lets up the ante this year, lets go for 60! That's right -- I will read 60 books by the end of 2017. Plus with the return of Nerd Herders Radio on Filling the Void network, I must get back into my book recommendation game because as we all know -- THE BOOK IS BETTER.

With that being said, here are the book releases in 2017 that I am most excited about.

This is the third book in Maas’s A Court of Thorns and Roses series. Feyre returns to the Spring Court to plan the next step in seeking Tamlin’s maneuvers. But this means partaking in a deadly game of deceit that could end terribly, which means she must be careful in who she trusts. A Court of Wings and Ruin by Sarah J. Maas is set to be released on May 2, 2017 thus giving me enough time to catch up!

In this Phantom of the Opera retelling, Rune is cursed by her own voice and is sent by her mother to a Paris music conservatory that was once an opera house. But once she arrives, she discovers strange and unworldly happenings. This had me at Phantom of the Opera and Paris. Roseblood by A.G.Howard is set to be released on January 10, 2017

Another series that has grabbed me. I don’t know much about this release just yet, but it’s the third book in Kaufman and Kristoff’s Illuminae series taking place on the planet of Kerenza following Kady and Ezra after the result of an invasion and deadly plague outbreak. Illuminae Files #3 (Title Forthcoming) by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff is set to be released sometime in 2017.

In what I thought was a stand alone novel...I was wrong. This sequel to This Savage Song continues the Kate and August story. Kate, a monster hunter, must defeat a monster with abilities to bring out its victims’ inner demons while on the brink of war between both humans and monsters. Our Dark Duet by Victoria Schwab is set to be released on June 13, 2017 thus giving me enough time again to read the first book!

Just when I think a book that I enjoyed this year was just going to be a stand alone....well here comes the sequel! The second book in this time-traveling adventure tale (Passenger is the first book) continues to follow Etta, who unwillingly traveled through time to find herself prisoner on a ship. But while Nicolas and Sophie search for Etta through time, she engages in a dangerous alliance with Julian Ironwood. Wayfarer by Alexandra Bracken is set to be released on January 5, 2017.

The first book in this series, Three Dark Crowns, has been on the pulse of the Instagram and BookTube circuit for the past couple of months. It is rightfully so to be on the pulse. The second book in the Three Dark Crowns in which three siblings who possess great abilities must fight each other in a life-or-death game for the royal crown. One Dark Throne by Kendare Blake, which is the sequel, is set to be released on September 20, 2017 which, I have said before, gives me plenty of time to read the first book!

What Am I Reading: July 2016 Releases

First of all, let me apologize for no June releases blog. I got caught up in the whirlwind that was end of the school year at my work plus I was still on the cloud of bliss of attending the Stephen King event that was held in my hometown. But with all of that being said....here are the upcoming July releases that I am most excited about!

1: Red Queen (Chronicles of Alice) by Christina Henry:

The trend of modern retelling of classic stories is still going strong and this book is the sequel to Alice by the same author. This book is set to be released on July 12, 2016. Here is the book description: The author of Alice takes readers back down the rabbit hole to a dark, twisted, and fascinating world based on the works of Lewis Carroll...The land outside of the Old City was supposed to be green, lush, hopeful. A place where Alice could finally rest, no longer the plaything of the Rabbit, the pawn of Cheshire, or the prey of the Jabberwocky. But the verdant fields are nothing but ash—and hope is nowhere to be found. Still, Alice and Hatcher are on a mission to find his daughter, a quest they will not forsake even as it takes them deep into the clutches of the mad White Queen and her goblin or into the realm of the twisted and cruel Black King.The pieces are set and the game has already begun. Each move brings Alice closer to her destiny. But, to win, she will need to harness her newfound abilities and ally herself with someone even more powerful—the mysterious and vengeful Red Queen...

2: Dark Matter by Blake Crouch

Now when I saw the title of this book I thought it was the book to go along with the SyFy television series that I fell in love with over a binge watch of season 1 with my love. Then I learned it is written by the same author of a trilogy that I also fell in love with while watching the television series with my love and that show is Wayward Pines, so I am trying my best to contain my excitement and all of the fangirl squees. This book is slated to come out on July 26, 2016. Here is the book description: A brilliantly plotted, relentlessly surprising science-fiction thriller from the author of the bestselling Wayward Pines trilogy -“Are you happy with your life?” Those are the last words Jason Dessen hears before the masked abductor knocks him unconscious. Before he awakens to find himself strapped to a gurney, surrounded by strangers in hazmat suits.Before a man Jason’s never met smiles down at him and says, “Welcome back, my friend.” In this world he’s woken up to, Jason’s life is not the one he knows. His wife is not his wife. His son was never born. And Jason is not an ordinary college physics professor, but a celebrated genius who has achieved something remarkable. Something impossible. Is it this world or the other that’s the dream? And even if the home he remembers is real, how can Jason possibly make it back to the family he loves? The answers lie in a journey more wondrous and horrifying than anything he could’ve imagined—one that will force him to confront the darkest parts of himself even as he battles a terrifying, seemingly unbeatable foe. Dark Matter is a brilliantly plotted tale that is at once sweeping and intimate, mind-bendingly strange and profoundly human—a relentlessly surprising science-fiction thriller about choices, paths not taken, and how far we’ll go to claim the lives we dream of.

3: Harry Potter and the Cursed Child by JK Rowling

Come on. For me to not include this -- my fellow fangirls would have my head on a platter! This book will be released on July 8, 2016. Here is the book description: Based on an original new story by J.K. Rowling, Jack Thorne and John Tiffany, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, a new play by Jack Thorne, is the first official Harry Potter story to be presented on stage. It will receive its world premiere in London’s West End on 30th July 2016. It was always difficult being Harry Potter and it isn’t much easier now that he is an overworked employee of the Ministry of Magic, a husband, and father of three school-age children. While Harry grapples with a past that refuses to stay where it belongs, his youngest son Albus must struggle with the weight of a family legacy he never wanted. As past and present fuse ominously, both father and son learn the uncomfortable truth: sometimes darkness comes from unexpected places.

4: The Woman in Cabin 10 by Ruth Ware

Oh look it is another mystery novel! Hehe. This book will be released on July 19, 2016. Here is the book description: From New York Times bestselling author of the “twisty-mystery” (Vulture) novel In a Dark, Dark Wood, comes The Woman in Cabin 10, an equally suspenseful and haunting novel from Ruth Ware—this time, set at sea. In this tightly wound, enthralling story reminiscent of Agatha Christie’s works, Lo Blacklock, a journalist who writes for a travel magazine, has just been given the assignment of a lifetime: a week on a luxury cruise with only a handful of cabins. The sky is clear, the waters calm, and the veneered, select guests jovial as the exclusive cruise ship, the Aurora, begins her voyage in the picturesque North Sea. At first, Lo’s stay is nothing but pleasant: the cabins are plush, the dinner parties are sparkling, and the guests are elegant. But as the week wears on, frigid winds whip the deck, gray skies fall, and Lo witnesses what she can only describe as a dark and terrifying nightmare: a woman being thrown overboard. The problem? All passengers remain accounted for—and so, the ship sails on as if nothing has happened, despite Lo’s desperate attempts to convey that something (or someone) has gone terribly, terribly wrong… With surprising twists, spine-tingling turns, and a setting that proves as uncomfortably claustrophobic as it is eerily beautiful, Ruth Ware offers up another taut and intense read in The Woman in Cabin 10—one that will leave even the most sure-footed reader restlessly uneasy long after the last page is turned.

5: Paper and Fire (The Great Library Series) by Rachel Caine

The long awaited sequel to Ink and Bone is finally here! This book is slated to be released on July 5, 2016. Here is the book description: In Ink and Bone, New York Times bestselling author Rachel Caine introduced a world where knowledge is power, and power corrupts absolutely. Now, she continues the story of those who dare to defy the Great Library—and rewrite history... With an iron fist, The Great Library controls the knowledge of the world, ruthlessly stamping out all rebellion, forbidding the personal ownership of books in the name of the greater good. Jess Brightwell has survived his introduction to the sinister, seductive world of the Library, but serving in its army is nothing like he envisioned. His life and the lives of those he cares for have been altered forever. His best friend is lost, and Morgan, the girl he loves, is locked away in the Iron Tower and doomed to a life apart. Embarking on a mission to save one of their own, Jess and his band of allies make one wrong move and suddenly find themselves hunted by the Library’s deadly automata and forced to flee Alexandria, all the way to London. But Jess’s home isn't safe anymore. The Welsh army is coming, London is burning, and soon, Jess must choose between his friends, his family, or the Library willing to sacrifice anything and anyone in the search for ultimate control...

What books are you excited for in the month of July?

Stephen King.....yes....THAT STEPHEN KING....Appeared in my hometown of JERSEY CITY!

Jersey City -- my fair city, my hometown, my blood, get ready: Stephen King came. He saw. He CONQUERED.

King, who we all know is one of my favorite authors, has written over 50 books, including "It," "Carrie" and "The Shining," appeared in Jersey City on June 7 at an event sponsored by the Newark Avenue independent book store Word Bookstores.

The event took place at the historic Loews Jersey theatre which has been under renovation as well as talks about conversion into a condominium but once it got its historic landmark status, the fair citizens of Jersey City cried out in glee. When this was announced back in March -- teasers were on Word's website that said workers there were "beyond excited" about King coming to Jersey City to promote his new book, "End of Watch." They were not the only ones. This lifelong resident of Jersey City who has had to go into New York City to meet her favorite authors; which I do not mind as I consider NYC my lover like Carrie Bradshaw does, was beyond excited as well. I fought tooth and nail to get into this event. Plus, judging by King's website, which cautions fans that he will not be signing books on his tour (he will pre-sign copies that will be for sale), this will be his only appearance in the tri-state area to tout the book. Think about that my readers -- JERSEY CITY IS HIS ONLY APPEARANCE IN THE TRI-STATE AREA. Take that NYC!

"End of Watch" is the conclusion of King's Hodges trilogy, which includes "Mr. Mercedes" and "Finders Keepers." In 2015, "Mr. Mercedes" won a Best Novel Edgar Allan Poe Award, presented by the Mystery Writers of America. Here is the book description for those who would love to get it. It was released on June 7, 2016: The spectacular finale to the New York Times bestselling trilogy that began with Mr. Mercedes (winner of the Edgar Award) and Finders Keepers—In End of Watch, the diabolical “Mercedes Killer” drives his enemies to suicide, and if Bill Hodges and Holly Gibney don’t figure out a way to stop him, they’ll be victims themselves. In Room 217 of the Lakes Region Traumatic Brain Injury Clinic, something has awakened. Something evil. Brady Hartsfield, perpetrator of the Mercedes Massacre, where eight people were killed and many more were badly injured, has been in the clinic for five years, in a vegetative state. According to his doctors, anything approaching a complete recovery is unlikely. But behind the drool and stare, Brady is awake, and in possession of deadly new powers that allow him to wreak unimaginable havoc without ever leaving his hospital room. Retired police detective Bill Hodges, the unlikely hero of Mr. Mercedes and Finders Keepers, now runs an investigation agency with his partner, Holly Gibney—the woman who delivered the blow to Hartsfield’s head that put him on the brain injury ward. When Bill and Holly are called to a suicide scene with ties to the Mercedes Massacre, they find themselves pulled into their most dangerous case yet, one that will put their lives at risk, as well as those of Bill’s heroic young friend Jerome Robinson and his teenage sister, Barbara. Brady Hartsfield is back, and planning revenge not just on Hodges and his friends, but on an entire city. In End of Watch, Stephen King brings the Hodges trilogy to a sublimely terrifying conclusion, combining the detective fiction of Mr. Mercedes and Finders Keepers with the heart-pounding, supernatural suspense that has been his bestselling trademark. The result is an unnerving look at human vulnerability and chilling suspense. No one does it better than King.

Stephen King regaled us with stories concerning Bruce Springsteen, the Boston Red Sox, his writing process, and by being America's boogeyman. It was a wonderful event ran by a wonderful independent bookstore. The fact that the old school organ was brought out says a lot about the power of this great author!

One of the stories that made me jump out of my skin and immediately send a message to my love was the fact that he brought up the book "Cell" which has not received as much publicity as it should. Luckily the movie adaptation, which he wrote the screenplay for, will be released on July 8th but I digress -- He was telling a story about cell phones and safety and how we dont go anywhere without our cellphones but might have forgotten to lock our doors and he goes "if only someone would write a story about that....oh wait.....I did.....Its called Cell." Cell has to be one of my favorite books of his so I am glad he mentioned it.

Unfortunately due to a raffle system -- I did not get an autographed copy of "End of Watch." Someone who went to the event who got one let me take a picture of the autograph you see here. But I do have this though --- the opportunity to say that I have been in the same room with one of the greatest authors of all the time.

For your book needs -- please visit Word Bookstore located at 123 Newark Avenue in Jersey City, NJ. Their store hours are 8am-9pm every day. In case you can not visit them check out their website at this link Word Bookstores

Now -- all that I ask of you, the next time you go to your bathroom, ask yourself -- DID YOU CLOSE YOUR SHOWER CURTAIN?

What Am I Reading 2016: May Releases

Ahhhh May. Season of new beginnings, of new growth, of new awakenings. Now as we move through May -- my ruling planet of Mars and Mercury are both in retrograde so I have ben feeling the reading slump and communication is slump and well just slump. But I plan on taking May by the proverbial bootstraps and change my reading outlook! I need to get back into my reading game. So many books to read...so many books coming out this month that I am excited for...speaking of which....lets get this show on the road!

New Book Releases for the month of May
1: A Court of Mist and Fury (Book 2 in the Court trilogy) by Sarah J. Mass

As far as I am concerned -- I am the real life Belle. I have an expansive library that is constantly growing plus I have a sexy Beast at my side. So when Sarah J. Maas decided to do a modern retelling of the classic fairy tale, Beauty and the Beast, I immediately jumped on board. I added this sequel to my wish list in January -- that is how excited I am for this series. This sequel was released on May 3, 2016. Here is the book description: The stunning sequel to Sarah J. Maas' New York Times bestselling A Court of Thorns and Roses. Feyre survived Amarantha's clutches to return to the Spring Court--but at a steep cost. Though she now has the powers of the High Fae, her heart remains human, and it can't forget the terrible deeds she performed to save Tamlin's people.
Nor has Feyre forgotten her bargain with Rhysand, High Lord of the feared Night Court. As Feyre navigates its dark web of politics, passion, and dazzling power, a greater evil looms--and she might be key to stopping it. But only if she can harness her harrowing gifts, heal her fractured soul, and decide how she wishes to shape her future--and the future of a world cleaved in two.
With more than a million copies sold of her beloved Throne of Glass series, Sarah J. Maas's masterful storytelling brings this second book in her seductive and action-packed series to new heights.

2: The View from the Cheap Seats by Neil Gaiman

My favorite author is AT IT AGAIN but this time with a nonfiction book that studies a myriad of topics! My fangirl of his work can not contain myself! This book is set to be released on May 31, 2016. Here is the book description: An enthralling collection of nonfiction essays on a myriad of topics—from art and artists to dreams, myths, and memories—observed in #1 New York Times bestselling author Neil Gaiman’s probing, amusing, and distinctive style.An inquisitive observer, thoughtful commentator, and assiduous craftsman, Neil Gaiman has long been celebrated for the sharp intellect and startling imagination that informs his bestselling fiction. Now, The View from the Cheap Seats brings together for the first time ever more than sixty pieces of his outstanding nonfiction. Analytical yet playful, erudite yet accessible, this cornucopia explores a broad range of interests and topics, including (but not limited to): authors past and present; music; storytelling; comics; bookshops; travel; fairy tales; America; inspiration; libraries; ghosts; and the title piece, at turns touching and self-deprecating, which recounts the author’s experiences at the 2010 Academy Awards in Hollywood. Insightful, incisive, witty, and wise, The View from the Cheap Seats explores the issues and subjects that matter most to Neil Gaiman—offering a glimpse into the head and heart of one of the most acclaimed, beloved, and influential artists of our time.

3: The Outliers by Kimberly McCreight

Who would have thought a book trailer who hook me as much as this book did??? This book was released on May 3, 2016. Here is the book description: From the New York Times bestselling author of Reconstructing Amelia comes a fast-paced teen series where one girl learns that in a world of intrigue, betrayal, and deeply buried secrets, it is vital to trust your instincts. It all starts with a text: Please, Wylie, I need your help. Wylie hasn’t heard from Cassie in over a week, not since their last fight. But that doesn’t matter. Cassie’s in trouble, so Wylie decides to do what she has done so many times before: save her best friend from herself. This time it’s different, though. Instead of telling Wylie where she is, Cassie sends cryptic clues. And instead of having Wylie come by herself, Jasper shows up saying Cassie sent him to help. Trusting the guy who sent Cassie off the rails doesn’t feel right, but Wylie has no choice but to ignore her gut instinct and go with him.
But figuring out where Cassie is goes from difficult to dangerous, fast. As Wylie and Jasper head farther and farther north into the dense woods of Maine, Wylie struggles to control her growing sense that something is really wrong. What isn’t Cassie telling them? And could finding her be only the beginning? In this breakneck tale, New York Times bestselling author Kimberly McCreight brilliantly chronicles a fateful journey that begins with a single decision—and ends up changing everything.

4: She Poured Out Her Heart by Jean Thompson

This book is very relatable in the sense of my relationship with my bff Veronica. So because of that - I knew I instantly wanted it and am excited for its release! This book will be released on May 31, 2016. Here is the book description: Tracing the complicated friendship of two very different women who meet in college, She Poured Out Her Heart is a novel of remarkable psychological suspense, crafted by National Book Award finalist Jean Thompson. The night that Jane and Bonnie meet on a college campus sets them on paths forever entwined. Bonnie, the wild and experimental one, always up for anything, has spent the past two decades bouncing between ill-fated relationships, while Jane’s seemingly perfect life, perfect husband, and perfect children have all but materialized out of a fantasy. But these appearances contradict the quiet, inescapable doubt Jane feels about her life. One night, in the middle of her own Christmas party, she steps outside into the snow, removes her clothing and shoes, and lies down in the backyard. When she is discovered, nothing is the same for anyone. As Jane begins to have visions and retreat into a private inner world, Bonnie finds herself drawn inevitably into an affair with Jane’s husband. Thompson’s mastery of complex emotion begets a novel of desire and the nature of love—who we love, how we’re loved, and, most important, that we reach urgently and always for a higher love, regardless of our circumstances. She Poured Out Her Heart is a finely wrought, haunting story of female friendship and deception, and the distance in between.

5: Please Don't Tell by Laura Tims

Who doesn't love a good murder mystery thriller? THIS WOMAN SURE DOES! This book will be released on May 24, 2016. Here is the book description: Debut author Laura Tims writes an intense and utterly gripping contemporary YA tale perfect for fans of Pretty Little Liars. Joy has done everything to protect her twin sister...including murder. Joy killed Adam Gordon for what he did to her sister, Grace. At least, that’s what she thinks happened. Now Adam can’t hurt anyone ever again, and her sister can be free from the boy who harmed her.
But someone else knows what Joy did, and they’re going to out her as a cold-blooded killer if she doesn’t expose the scandalous secrets bubbling just below the surface of her mundane town. As the demands escalate, and she finds herself falling for Adam’s half brother, Joy must figure out the blackmailer’s identity before everything spirals out of control.

6: Sweetbitter by Stephanie Danier

I love books that I can relate to as well as learn from. This book has both. This book will also be released on May 24, 2016. Here is the book description: You will develop a palate. A palate is a spot on your tongue where you remember. Where you assign words to the textures of taste. Eating becomes a discipline, language-obsessed. You will never simply eat food again.These are the words that introduce us to Tess, the twenty-two-year-old narrator of Sweetbitter—and you will never again read a debut coming-of-age novel as stunning as this one. Shot from a mundane, provincial past, Tess comes to New York in the stifling summer of 2006. Alone, knowing no one, living in a rented room in Williamsburg, she manages to land a job as a “backwaiter” at a celebrated downtown Manhattan restaurant. This begins the year we spend with Tess as she starts to navigate the chaotic, enchanting, punishing, and privileged life she has chosen, as well as the remorseless and luminous city around her. What follows is her education: in oysters, Champagne, the appellations of Burgundy, friendship, cocaine, lust, love, and dive bars. As her appetites awaken—for food and wine, but also for knowledge, experience, and belonging—we see her helplessly drawn into a darkly alluring love triangle. With an orphan’s ardor she latches onto Simone, a senior server at the restaurant who has lived in ways Tess only dreams of, and against the warnings of coworkers she falls under the spell of Jake, the elusive, tatted up, achingly beautiful bartender. These two and their enigmatic connection to each other will prove to be Tess’s most exhilarating and painful lesson of all. Stephanie Danler intimately defines the crucial transition from girl to woman, from living in a place that feels like nowhere to living in a place that feels like the center of the universe. She deftly conjures the nonstop and purely adrenalized world of the restaurant—conversations interrupted, phrases overheard, relationships only partially revealed. And she evokes the infinite possibilities, the unbearable beauty, the fragility and brutality of being young in New York with heart-stopping accuracy. A lush novel of the senses—of taste and hunger, seeing and understanding, love and desire—Sweetbitter is ultimately about the power of what remains after disillusionment, and the transformation and wisdom that come from our experiences, sweet and bitter.

7: Summer Day and Summer Nights: Twelve Love Stories edited by Stephanie Perkins

Now I will admit my preferred reading genre is young adult with a mix of paranormal murder mystery, but sometimes I need a good love story to get me by. This book is simply that. This book will be released on May 17, 2016. Here is the book description: Maybe it's the long, lazy days, or maybe it's the heat making everyone a little bit crazy. Whatever the reason, summer is the perfect time for love to bloom.Summer Days and Summer Nights: Twelve Love Stories, written by twelve bestselling young adult writers and edited by the international bestselling Stephanie Perkins, will have you dreaming of sunset strolls by the lake. So set out your beach chair and grab your sunglasses. You have twelve reasons this summer to soak up the sun and fall in love.

8: The Fireman by Joe Hill

The son of Stephen King. Need I say more about my excitement? This book will also be released on May 17, 2016. Here is the book description: From the award-winning, New York Times bestselling author of NOS4A2 and Heart-Shaped Box comes a chilling novel about a worldwide pandemic of spontaneous combustion that threatens to reduce civilization to ashes and a band of improbable heroes who battle to save it, led by one powerful and enigmatic man known as the Fireman. The fireman is coming. Stay cool. No one knows exactly when it began or where it originated. A terrifying new plague is spreading like wildfire across the country, striking cities one by one: Boston, Detroit, Seattle. The doctors call it Draco Incendia Trychophyton. To everyone else it’s Dragonscale, a highly contagious, deadly spore that marks its hosts with beautiful black and gold marks across their bodies—before causing them to burst into flames. Millions are infected; blazes erupt everywhere. There is no antidote. No one is safe. Harper Grayson, a compassionate, dedicated nurse as pragmatic as Mary Poppins, treated hundreds of infected patients before her hospital burned to the ground. Now she’s discovered the telltale gold-flecked marks on her skin. When the outbreak first began, she and her husband, Jakob, had made a pact: they would take matters into their own hands if they became infected. To Jakob’s dismay, Harper wants to live—at least until the fetus she is carrying comes to term. At the hospital, she witnessed infected mothers give birth to healthy babies and believes hers will be fine too. . . if she can live long enough to deliver the child. Convinced that his do-gooding wife has made him sick, Jakob becomes unhinged, and eventually abandons her as their placid New England community collapses in terror. The chaos gives rise to ruthless Cremation Squads—armed, self-appointed posses roaming the streets and woods to exterminate those who they believe carry the spore. But Harper isn’t as alone as she fears: a mysterious and compelling stranger she briefly met at the hospital, a man in a dirty yellow fire fighter’s jacket, carrying a hooked iron bar, straddles the abyss between insanity and death. Known as The Fireman, he strolls the ruins of New Hampshire, a madman afflicted with Dragonscale who has learned to control the fire within himself, using it as a shield to protect the hunted . . . and as a weapon to avenge the wronged. In the desperate season to come, as the world burns out of control, Harper must learn the Fireman’s secrets before her life—and that of her unborn child—goes up in smoke.

Well there you have it! Now let me go conquer my Mountain ToBeRead so I can add these lovely titles to it!

What Am I Reading 2016: April Releases

Okay first of all...I owe my readers a apology. I am deeply sorry for not having a March Releases + To Be Read blog in March as some real life stuff happened as well...there weren't really a lot of books I was excited about in the new releases of March. So for that, I apologize. But I am back!

Here are the April releases I am excited about as well. I am still catching up on my books from March in terms of what I am reading.

New Book Releases for the month of April
1: The Star Touched Queen by Rouhani Chokshi

I have been digging a lot of the fantasy books lately that center around royalty and this book is no exception. Plus it has an element of astrology and I am a daily horoscope reader so this works perfectly. This book is set to come out on April 26, 2016 and here is the book description: Fate and fortune. Power and passion. What does it take to be the queen of a kingdom when you're only seventeen?
Maya is cursed. With a horoscope that promises a marriage of Death and Destruction, she has earned only the scorn and fear of her father's kingdom. Content to follow more scholarly pursuits, her whole world is torn apart when her father, the Raja, arranges a wedding of political convenience to quell outside rebellions. Soon Maya becomes the queen of Akaran and wife of Amar. Neither roles are what she expected: As Akaran's queen, she finds her voice and power. As Amar's wife, she finds something else entirely: Compassion. Protection. Desire...
But Akaran has its own secrets -- thousands of locked doors, gardens of glass, and a tree that bears memories instead of fruit. Soon, Maya suspects her life is in danger. Yet who, besides her husband, can she trust? With the fate of the human and Otherworldly realms hanging in the balance, Maya must unravel an ancient mystery that spans reincarnated lives to save those she loves the most. . .including herself.
A lush and vivid story that is steeped in Indian folklore and mythology. The Star-touched Queen is a novel that no reader will soon forget.

2: Always the Bridesmaid by Lindsey Kelk

Now I will admit...I have never officially been in a wedding but I have been invited to a lot of them and this book description is so relatable to me. While I am in a great, loving relationship with the man I do consider the love of my life and the one for me -- I do not think marriage is in the cards of life for me but you may never know. Can not predict the future. This book is set to be released on April 5, 2016. Here is the book description: The hilarious new summer bestseller from Lindsey Kelk, bestselling author of the I Heart series.Everyone loves a bridesmaid - except Maddie, who’s perpetually asked to be one. Everyone loves a wedding - except Maddie’s best friend, who’s getting divorced. And everyone loves the way Maddie’s so happy behind the scenes - except Maddie herself. One best friend is in wedding countdown while the other heads for marriage meltdown. And as Maddie juggles her best chance at promotion in years with bridezilla texts and late-night counselling sessions, she starts to wonder – is it time to stop being the bridesmaid?

3: Don't Get Caught by Kurt Dinan

Admit it...we all love a good prank war. Also as soon as I saw that this was comparable to The Breakfast Club -- I was all in. Plus this is another book that is very relatable to me. This book comes out on April 1, 2016. Here is the book description: 10:00 tonight at the water tower. Tell no one. -Chaos Club. When Max receives a mysterious invite from the untraceable, epic prank-pulling Chaos Club, he has to ask: why him? After all, he's Mr. 2.5 GPA, Mr. No Social Life. He's Just Max. And his favorite heist movies have taught him this situation calls for Rule #4: Be suspicious. But it's also his one shot to leave Just Max in the dust...Yeah, not so much. Max and four fellow students-who also received invites-are standing on the newly defaced water tower when campus security "catches" them. Definitely a setup. And this time, Max has had enough. It's time for Rule #7: Always get payback. Let the prank war begin. Oceans 11 meets The Breakfast Club in this entertaining, fast-paced debut filled with pranks and cons that will keep readers on their toes, never sure who's pulling the strings or what's coming next.

4: Eligible by Curtis Sittenfeld

It seems that the trend of taking classics and giving them a modern retelling is not going away any time soon. Honestly -- that is alright with me. This book is set to come out on April 19, 2016. Here is the book description: From the “wickedly entertaining” (USA Today) Curtis Sittenfeld, New York Times bestselling author of Prep and American Wife, comes a modern retelling of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice. A bold literary experiment, Eligible is a brilliant, playful, and delicious saga for the twenty-first century.
This version of the Bennet family—and Mr. Darcy—is one that you have and haven’t met before: Liz is a magazine writer in her late thirties who, like her yoga instructor older sister, Jane, lives in New York City. When their father has a health scare, they return to their childhood home in Cincinnati to help—and discover that the sprawling Tudor they grew up in is crumbling and the family is in disarray.
Youngest sisters Kitty and Lydia are too busy with their CrossFit workouts and Paleo diets to get jobs. Mary, the middle sister, is earning her third online master’s degree and barely leaves her room, except for those mysterious Tuesday-night outings she won’t discuss. And Mrs. Bennet has one thing on her mind: how to marry off her daughters, especially as Jane’s fortieth birthday fast approaches.
Enter Chip Bingley, a handsome new-in-town doctor who recently appeared on the juggernaut reality TV dating show Eligible. At a Fourth of July barbecue, Chip takes an immediate interest in Jane, but Chip’s friend neurosurgeon Fitzwilliam Darcy reveals himself to Liz to be much less charming. . . . And yet, first impressions can be deceiving. Wonderfully tender and hilariously funny, Eligible both honors and updates Austen’s beloved tale. Tackling gender, class, courtship, and family, Sittenfeld reaffirms herself as one of the most dazzling authors writing today.

5: Scarlett Epstein Hates It Here by Anna Breslaw

I am a fangirl. Through and through. i am a DC more than a Marvel. I am a nerd, geek, whatever slang you want to use. So when I heard about this book and how I could relate -- of course I am excited. This book is set to be released on April 19, 2016. Here is the book description: Cross Veronica Mars with MTV's Daria, and you’ll get Scarlett Epstein, the snarky, judgmental, and often hilarious star of Scarlett Epstein Hates It Here, a witty and heartwarming novel that’s perfect for fans of David Arnold’s Mosquitoland and Kody Keplinger’s The Duff. Meet Scarlett Epstein, BNF (Big Name Fan) in her online community of fanfiction writers, world-class nobody at Melville High. Her best (read: only) IRL friends are Avery, a painfully shy and annoyingly attractive bookworm, and Ruth, her pot-smoking, possibly insane seventy-three-year-old neighbor. When Scarlett’s beloved TV show is canceled and her longtime crush, Gideon, is sucked out of her orbit and into the dark and distant world of Populars, Scarlett turns to the fanfic message boards for comfort. This time, though, her subjects aren’t the swoon-worthy stars of her fave series—they’re the real-life kids from her high school. Scarlett never considers what might happen if they were to find out what she truly thinks about them...until a dramatic series of events exposes a very different reality than Scarlett's stories, forever transforming her approach to relationships—both online and off.

25 Bookish Facts About Me

Hey there faithful readers! I thought I would write a blog this time discussing more about me. You know...the bookworm that has a mountain to be read but continues to buy books and make wish lists. Anyway...here we go!

1: While I do like the look of a hardcover book, I much prefer to read paperbacks. Even if a new release that I am excited about comes out -- I will either purposely wait until it is in paperback or order them from the Book Depository as they normally get paperbacks before the United States since they are a United Kingdom based company.

2: If I am in the zone, I can read 75 pages an hour.

3: I have embarrassed myself in front of one of my favorite authors (Rainbow Rowell) at BookCon last year. I went to tell her a story and instead...well...lets just say Dani had another Ric Flair moment. Those that know me well, know that story.

4: I need to schedule my reading time. Most of the time it is at night.

5: My favorite genre to read is science fiction/fantasy as well as young adult.

6: I will not start a book series until all of the books in the series are published; therefore I do not have to wait! I recently did this with The Lunar Chronicles series by Marissa Meyer.

7: I have not read any books in the Game of Thrones series. I also do not plan to.

8: While I do enjoy young adult -- the dystopian trend in young adultneeds to STOP!!

9: I will buy any book if it is set in New Orleans, New York City, or Boston.

10: I do not lend out books unless your name is George or Veronica. Simple as that. I will give books away though.

11: I am not a fan of mass market paperbacks. I am near-sighted to begin with and the font is so small that I have to actually put the book as close to my nose as possible to be able to read it. Um, no. I do not have time for that. I will spend the extra money for the actual size paperback and enjoy it.

12: Cup of tea + book = How I usually read.

13: I am not a fan of e-books. I rather have the physical book in my hands with the smell and the turning of the pages and the paper cuts.

14: For the most part -- I buy most of my books online.

15: While I absolutely love to read, I have no desire to write my own book. Journaling, this blog, wrestling characters, role playing games, copy editing -- that is all of the writing for me. I am not an active creative writer. I will use what I read to find inspiration for my other geeky fandoms.

16: One of the biggest struggles I have with being a bookworm is when I get new books -- WHERE THE HECK AM I GOING TO PUT THEM ON MY SHELVES?

17: I have still never listened to an audiobook. My plan was to try Audible for a month but just never got around to it.

18: I have absolutely no problem giving book recommendations to complete strangers while I am out and about. Even if I see them pick up a book that I know I like I will tell them "YOU WILL LOVE THAT BOOK! IT IS SO GOOD!"

19: I do not believe in having too many books.

20: I really love when the book that I am reading mentions pop culture references that I can identify with. Just brings me closer to the book.

21: I will never get tired of books set in a school or have paranormal activity/characters in them.

22: I will always be sad that I never received my acceptance letter to Hogwarts.

23: I always take the dust jackets off of hardcovers when I am reading them. They annoy me and I always seem to rip them or mess them up.

24: I still read children's picture books; even if it is not for work.

25: Whenever I am traveling, you will catch me browsing the airport bookstore but will not buy anything from there as the books are way overpriced.

Well there you have it. What are some bookish facts about you? Leave them in the comments below!