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TOP TEN TUESDAY – Debut Authors Whose Books We Can’t Wait To Read In 2017

TOP TEN TUESDAY - Debut Authors Whose Books We Can't Wait To Read In 2017

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish
This week is – Debut Authors Whose Books We Can’t Wait To Read In 2017!

under-rose-tainted-skies-louise-gornall
(Chelsea’s Choice)
frost-blood-elly-blake
(Chelsea’s Choice – Review)

1. Under Rose-Tainted Skies by Louise Gornall (Releases 01/10):
Norah has agoraphobia and OCD. When groceries are left on the porch, she can’t step out to get them. Struggling to snag the bags with a stick, she meets Luke. He’s sweet and funny, and he just caught her fishing for groceries. Because of course he did.
Norah can’t leave the house, but can she let someone in? As their friendship grows deeper, Norah realizes Luke deserves a normal girl. One who can lie on the front lawn and look up at the stars. One who isn’t so screwed up.
Readers themselves will fall in love with Norah in this poignant, humorous, and deeply engaging portrait of a teen struggling to find the strength to face her demons.

2. Frostblood (Frostblood Saga #1) by Elly Blake (Releases 01/10):
Seventeen-year-old Ruby is a Fireblood who has concealed her powers of heat and flame from the cruel Frostblood ruling class her entire life. But when her mother is killed trying to protect her, and rebel Frostbloods demand her help to overthrow their bloodthirsty king, she agrees to come out of hiding, desperate to have her revenge.
Despite her unpredictable abilities, Ruby trains with the rebels and the infuriating–yet irresistible–Arcus, who seems to think of her as nothing more than a weapon. But before they can take action, Ruby is captured and forced to compete in the king’s tournaments that pit Fireblood prisoners against Frostblood champions. Now she has only one chance to destroy the maniacal ruler who has taken everything from her–and from the icy young man she has come to love.

heart-stone-elle-katharine-white
(Chelsea’s Choice)
after-the-fall-kate-hart
(Chelsea’s Choice)

3. Heartstone by Elle Katharine White (Releases 01/17):
They say a Rider in possession of a good blade must be in want of a monster to slay—and Merybourne Manor has plenty of monsters.
Passionate, headstrong Aliza Bentaine knows this all too well; she’s already lost one sister to the invading gryphons. So when Lord Merybourne hires a band of Riders to hunt down the horde, Aliza is relieved her home will soon be safe again.
Her relief is short-lived. With the arrival of the haughty and handsome dragonrider, Alastair Daired, Aliza expects a battle; what she doesn’t expect is a romantic clash of wills, pitting words and wit against the pride of an ancient house. Nor does she anticipate the mystery that follows them from Merybourne Manor, its roots running deep as the foundations of the kingdom itself, where something old and dreadful slumbers . . . something far more sinister than gryphons.
It’s a war Aliza is ill-prepared to wage, on a battlefield she’s never known before: one spanning kingdoms, class lines, and the curious nature of her own heart.

4. After the Fall by Kate Hart (Releases 01/24)
Seventeen-year-old Raychel is sleeping with two boys: her overachieving best friend Matt…and his slacker brother, Andrew. Raychel sneaks into Matt’s bed after nightmares, but nothing ever happens. He doesn’t even seem to realize she’s a girl, except when he decides she needs rescuing. But Raychel doesn’t want to be his girl anyway. She just needs his support as she deals with the classmate who assaulted her, the constant threat of her family’s eviction, and the dream of college slipping quickly out of reach. Matt tries to help, but he doesn’t really get it… and he’d never understand why she’s fallen into a secret relationship with his brother. The friendships are a precarious balance, and when tragedy strikes, everything falls apart. Raychel has to decide which pieces she can pick up – and which ones are worth putting back together.

caraval-stephanie-garber
(Chelsea’s Choice – Review)
empress-of-a-thousand-skies
(Chelsea’s Choice)

5. Caraval (Caraval #1) by Stephanie Garber (Releases 01/31):
Scarlett has never left the tiny island where she and her beloved sister, Tella, live with their powerful, and cruel, father. Now Scarlett’s father has arranged a marriage for her, and Scarlett thinks her dreams of seeing Caraval, the far-away, once-a-year performance where the audience participates in the show, are over.
But this year, Scarlett’s long-dreamt of invitation finally arrives. With the help of a mysterious sailor, Tella whisks Scarlett away to the show. Only, as soon as they arrive, Tella is kidnapped by Caraval’s mastermind organizer, Legend. It turns out that this season’s Caraval revolves around Tella, and whoever finds her first is the winner.
Scarlett has been told that everything that happens during Caraval is only an elaborate performance. But she nevertheless becomes enmeshed in a game of love, heartbreak, and magic with the other players in the game. And whether Caraval is real or not, she must find Tella before the five nights of the game are over, a dangerous domino effect of consequences is set off, and her sister disappears forever.

6. Empress of a Thousand Skies by Rhoda Belleza (Releases 02/07):
Empress
Rhee, also known as Crown Princess Rhiannon Ta’an, is the sole surviving heir to a powerful dynasty. She’ll stop at nothing to avenge her family and claim her throne.
Fugitive
Aly has risen above his war refugee origins to find fame as the dashing star of a DroneVision show. But when he’s falsely accused of killing Rhee, he’s forced to prove his innocence to save his reputation – and his life.
Madman
With planets on the brink of war, Rhee and Aly are thrown together to confront a ruthless evil that threatens the fate of the entire galaxy.
Rhoda Belleza crafts a powerful saga of vengeance, warfare, and the true meaning of legacy in this exhilarating debut, perfect for readers of Marissa Meyer’s Lunar Chronicles and Jay Kristoff and Amie Kaufman’s Illuminae Files.

 

wintersong-s-jae-jones
(Jen’s Choice – Review)
royal-bastards-andrew-shvarts
(Jen’s Choice)

7. Wintersong by S. Jae-Jones (Releases 02/07)
The last night of the year. Now the days of winter begin and the Goblin King rides abroad, searching for his bride…
All her life, Liesl has heard tales of the beautiful, dangerous Goblin King. They’ve enraptured her mind, her spirit, and inspired her musical compositions. Now eighteen and helping to run her family’s inn, Liesl can’t help but feel that her musical dreams and childhood fantasies are slipping away.
But when her own sister is taken by the Goblin King, Liesl has no choice but to journey to the Underground to save her. Drawn to the strange, captivating world she finds―and the mysterious man who rules it―she soon faces an impossible decision. And with time and the old laws working against her, Liesl must discover who she truly is before her fate is sealed.

8. Royal Bastards by Andrew Shvarts (Releases 06/06)
Being a bastard blows. Tilla would know. Her father, Lord Kent of the Western Province, loved her as a child, but cast her aside as soon as he had trueborn children.
At sixteen, Tilla spends her days exploring long-forgotten tunnels beneath the castle with her stablehand half brother, Jax, and her nights drinking with the servants, passing out on Jax’s floor while her castle bedroom collects dust. Tilla secretly longs to sit by her father’s side, resplendent in a sparkling gown, enjoying feasts with the rest of the family. Instead, she sits with the other bastards, like Miles of House Hampstedt, an awkward scholar who’s been in love with Tilla since they were children.
Then, at a feast honoring the visiting princess Lyriana, the royal shocks everyone by choosing to sit at the Bastards’ Table. Before she knows it, Tilla is leading the sheltered princess on a late-night escapade. Along with Jax, Miles, and fellow bastard Zell, a Zitochi warrior from the north, they stumble upon a crime they were never meant to witness.
Rebellion is brewing in the west, and a brutal coup leaves Lyriana’s uncle, the Royal Archmagus, dead-with Lyriana next on the list. The group flees for their lives, relentlessly pursued by murderous mercenaries; their own parents have put a price on their heads to prevent the king and his powerful Royal Mages from discovering their treachery.
The bastards band together, realizing they alone have the power to prevent a civil war that will tear their kingdom apart-if they can warn the king in time. And if they can survive the journey . . .

just-friends-tiffany-pitcock
(Jen’s Choice)
the-wood-chelsea-bobulski
(Jen’s Choice)

9. Just Friends by Tiffany Pitcock (Releases 08/01)
Jenny met Chance for the very first time when she was assigned as his partner in their Junior Communications class. But one clever lie to rescue a doomed assignment later, and the whole school was suddenly convinced that Little-Miss-Really-Likes-Having-As and the most scandalous heartbreaker in school have been best friends forever. It’s amazing how quickly a lie can grow―especially when you really, really want it to be the truth. With Jenny, Chance can live the normal life he’s always kind of wanted. And with Chance, Jenny can have the exciting teen experiences that television has always promised her. And through it all, they hold on to the fact that they are “just friends.” But that might be the biggest lie of all.

10. The Wood by Chelsea Bobulski (Releases 08/01)
Winter didn’t ask to be the guardian of the wood, but when her dad inexplicably vanishes, she’s the one who must protect travelers who accidentally slip through the wood’s portals.
The wood is poisoned, changing into something more sinister. Once brightly colored leaves are now bubbling inky black. Vicious creatures that live in the shadows are becoming bolder, torturing lost travelers. Winter must now put her trust in Henry–a young man from eighteenth century England who knows more than he should about the wood–in order to find the truth and those they’ve lost.

So these are the Debut Authors Whose Books We Can’t Wait To Read In 2017!  Are you excited to read some of these books too?  Or which debut authors books can you not wait to pick up?

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FRIDAY STARS – Your Weekly Must Knows 12/30/16

FRIDAY STARS – Your Weekly Must Knows 12/30/16

Life:

I got to host Christmas Eve and Christmas Day at our house this year, yay!  There were moments of tears, for missing my Grandpa, but we tried our hardest to celebrate the day he would have wanted us to.  With laughter, wonderful stories, fabulous food and lots of love.  And we did.  Especially the food part, can I eat stuffing, cheese balls, and pumpkin pie everyday of the year?!  But one of my favorite things about this season is watching Christmas through my two little boys eyes.  Everything is so magical to them.  It’s so adorable!  But I do have a confessions.  These last few days, my husband and I have been playing with their present from Santa when the boys go to bed.  It’s a trampoline.  It’s so much fun lol!  He does all the front and back flips and I’m just there jumping and laughing.  Maturity for the win lol!  If you celebrated a holiday this season, I hope you had a wonderful one too! 🙂  

In case you aren’t familiar with our Friday Star Posts, we like to take a look at what’s happened around here in the last week, what’s coming up that we are excited about and anything else that we may have to share!

♥ Enjoy!

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Just Finished and Loved:

Unfortunately there weren’t any books that we loved, but we did find two books that we enjoyed, a lot!

✩✮✩✮✩

4 Stars:
Heartless by Marissa Meyer → Chelsea’s Review
The Revolution of Ivy (The Book of Ivy #2) by Amy Engel → Jen’s Review

 

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Reading Next:

island-of-exiles-erica-cameron Island of Exiles (The Ryogan Chronicles #1) by Erica Cameron
In Khya’s world, every breath is a battle.
On the isolated desert island of Shiara, dying young is inevitable. The clan comes before self, and protecting her home means Khya is a warrior above all else.
But when following the clan and obeying their leaders could cost her brother his life, Khya’s home becomes a deadly trap. The only person who can help is Tessen, her lifelong rival and the boy who challenges her at every turn. The council she hoped to join has betrayed her, and their secrets, hundreds of years deep, reach around a world she’s never seen.
To save her brother’s life and her island home, her only choice is to trust Tessen, turn against her clan, and go on the run—a betrayal and a death sentence.

 

✩✮✩✮✩✮✩✮✩✮

Upcoming Releases:

wayfarer-alexandra-brackenWayfarer (Passenger, #2) by Alexandra Bracken (Releases 01/03)
The final book in the duology!  In the first book, Passenger, Violin prodigy Etta Spencer had big plans for her future, but a tragedy has put her once-bright career at risk. Closely tied to her musical skill, however, is a mysterious power she doesn’t even know she has. When her two talents collide during a stressful performance, Etta is drawn back hundreds of years through time.
Etta wakes, confused and terrified, in 1776, in the midst a fierce sea battle. Nicholas Carter, the handsome young prize master of a privateering ship, has been hired to retrieve Etta and deliver her unharmed to the Ironwoods, a powerful family in the Colonies–the very same one that orchestrated her jump back, and one Nicholas himself has ties to. But discovering she can time travel is nothing compared to the shock of discovering the true reason the Ironwoods have ensnared her in their web.
Another traveler has stolen an object of untold value from them, and, if Etta can find it, they will return her to her own time. Out of options, Etta and Nicholas embark on a perilous journey across centuries and continents, piecing together clues left behind by the mysterious traveler. But as they draw closer to each other and the end of their search, the true nature of the object, and the dangerous game the Ironwoods are playing, comes to light–threatening to separate her not only from Nicholas, but her path home… forever.

 

You can check out the rest of the books that we can’t wait to be released here → HERE

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Sales:

$0.99


5 Stars!
Jen’s Review

Jen’s Review

4.5 Stars!
Jen’s Review

5 Stars!
Jen’s Review
Chelsea’s Review

Jen’s Review

4 Stars!
Laura’s Review

5 Stars!
Chelsea’s Review 

$1.99


4 Stars!
Jen’s Review
Chelsea’s Review

4.5 Stars!
Jen’s Review

5 Stars!
Anna’s Review
Jen’s Review
Chelsea’s Review

5 Stars!

4.5 Stars!
Chelsea’s Review

5 Stars!
Anna’s Review
Chelsea’s Review

4.5 Stars!
Anna’s Review

4 Stars!
 

$2.99


5 Stars!
Jen’s Review
Chelsea’s Review

New Sale

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Chelsea’s Review

4.5 Stars!
Chelsea’s Review

4.5 Stars!
Chelsea’s Review

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5 Stars!
Jen’s Review
Chelsea’s Review

4.5 Stars!
Chelsea’s Review

5 Stars!
Anna’s Review

4.5 Stars!
Chelsea’s Review

5 Stars!
Chelsea’s Review

5 Stars!
Chelsea’s Review

Anna’s Review

4.5 Stars!
Anna’s Review

4 Stars!
Chelsea’s Review

5 Stars!
Chelsea’s Review
Anna’s Review

5 Stars!
Cheslea’s Review

5 Stars!
Anna’s Review
Laura’s Review
Jen’s Review
Chelsea’s Review

5 Stars!
Laura’s Review

4.5 Stars!
Chelsea’s Review
   
Freebies:

5 Stars!
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4 Stars!
Anna’s Review
   

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BOOK REVIEW – The Revolution of Ivy (The Book of Ivy #2) by Amy Engel

BOOK REVIEW – The Revolution of Ivy (The Book of Ivy #2) by Amy EngelThe Revolution of Ivy (The Book of Ivy #2)
by Amy Engel
Purchase on: AmazoniBooks
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:

*** SPOILERS FOR 1ST BOOK***

Beyond the fence. I am still alive. Barely.

My name is Ivy Westfall. I am sixteen years old and a traitor. Three months ago, I was forced to marry the president's son, Bishop Lattimer—as all daughters of the losing side of the war are sold off in marriage to the sons of the winners. But I was different. I had a mission-to kill Bishop.

Instead, I fell in love with him.

Now I am an outcast, left to survive the brutal savagery of the lands outside of civilization. Yet even out here, there is hope. There is life beyond the fence. But I can't outrun my past. For my actions have set off a treasonous chain of events in Westfall that will change all of our fates—especially Bishop's.

And this time, it is not enough to just survive...

*** SPOILERS FOR THE BOOK OF IVY***

Review:

The Revolution of Ivy was such an entertaining Dystopian that I quickly devoured!  I enjoyed where the story went and how everything was fabulously wrapped up!  But while I was flipping through the pages, I desperately wanted Bishop back in the picture.  And I wanted even more for Ivy and him to get their happily ever after.  But I definitely questioned whether that was a possibility.  Not because Bishop didn’t come back, since we’re told in the synopsis that he does, but because I was unsure whether Ivy could get her shit together so they could unite as one. Ivy was definitely my biggest struggle in this book.  But everything else, eeks, it was so much fun!

Too weak and too angry. I hold my good arm out from my side, beckoning into the hot, still air. “Come on,” I yell. “You want me? Come and get me.”

Ivy was thrown out.  Bishop thought she was trying to murder him, and her family let her take the fall.  She was truly all alone.  The situations Ivy found herself in, right after she was thrown outside of the fence, oh my gosh, I was panicky for her.  I kept thinking, okay, that’s enough for now.  And then bam, something else would knock Ivy’s world off kilter and I questioned whether she could survive what was happening to her.  Ivy proved that she was tough as nails.  Her endurance and need to survive was impressive!

I know now that I can survive out here. The question is whether I have the strength to really live.

Ohhh survival.  It’s such a hard subject, since not everything is black and white.  I really, really struggled with some of Ivy’s choices.  She did what she had to do to survive.  Or at least what she believed she had to do to survive.  And oh man, that was such a hard pill to swallow at times.  I definitely got angry with Ivy, actually livid is a better choice of word.  I wanted to make her reconsider some of the choices she made.  And while she did come around, it took longer than I wish it did.

Bishop’s jaw tightens, but he only sounds incredibly tired when he says, “I just want to be with you. Walk next to you, Ivy, wherever you’re headed. That’s all.”

Let me say, I was so ecstatic when Bishop came back.  His faith and devotion to Ivy was beautiful.  His understanding of how she worked and what she needed was breathtaking.  Bishop was everything that was good in their world.  Yes he made mistakes, yes he suffered from some of his decisions, but his heart was so pure and in such the right place.  But, I have no clue how he tolerated Ivy during the time that she treated him like garbage.  She was horrid to him, and there was Bishop, waiting for Ivy to come around and love  him.  I found myself mad at Ivy again, for how she treated Bishop.  And I don’t want to go into all of the details, cause spoilers, but just know that because of a past boyfriend, I got Ivy.  I understood the way she was.  And I was able to forgive her because of that understanding.  But I don’t know if everyone else will be as understanding to Ivy as I was.

My voice already sounds more my own. Stronger. I point to the knife in Ash’s hand. “I need one of those. And lessons on how to use it.”

Not everything was all doom and gloom in Ivy’s new life or her attitude (haha) because she met two characters I absolutely loved, Caleb and Ash.  I liked them the moment I met them, even if Caleb was being a grumpy the first time we met him.  What developed between the three of them was so natural and it made me love every single scene that Caleb and Ash were in.  They added so much depth to the story!

I can live with blood on my hands.

So if you’re looking for a quick, fun dystopian to pick up, you may want to give this one a try!  The story itself was entertaining and that last quarter of the book was so fast paced, I loved it!  It made me even have tears in my eyes and I felt a plethora of emotions in my heart.  Oh, that ending was perfect!  But just realize that you may need to work on your patience with Ivy, even though she does grow throughout the story.  It just takes a while.  Or a little longer than a while.  But ultimately you’ll get to meet Bishop, sigh.  And he is definitely someone you will want to meet!

Reading Order & Links:
Amazon (click on covers), iBooks (click on titles) & Book Depository (click on book #)
the-book-of-ivy-by-amy-engel
The Book of Ivy #1
Review:

Jen
the-revolution-of-ivy-amy-engel
The Revolution of Ivy #2
Review:

Jen

BOOK REVIEW: Heartless by Marissa Meyer

BOOK REVIEW: Heartless by Marissa MeyerHeartless by Marissa Meyer
Purchase on: AmazoniBooks
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:

Catherine may be one of the most desired girls in Wonderland and a favorite of the unmarried King, but her interests lie elsewhere. A talented baker, she wants to open a shop and create delectable pastries. But for her mother, such a goal is unthinkable for a woman who could be a queen.

At a royal ball where Cath is expected to receive the King’s marriage proposal, she meets handsome and mysterious Jest. For the first time, she feels the pull of true attraction. At the risk of offending the King and infuriating her parents, she and Jest enter into a secret courtship.

Cath is determined to choose her own destiny. But in a land thriving with magic, madness, and monsters, fate has other plans.

 

“I do not want his generosity, or his kindness, or any other favors!”
Her mother sneered. “Then you are a fool.”
“Good. I’ve become rather fond of fools.”

I know it has been a while since I promised a ‘review to come’ on this one, but I feel like I’d be letting myself down if I don’t get at least a tiny review posted for this one. This was supposed to be an epic buddy read…but it turns out, like many buddy reads, I was alone on this one. I absolutely ADORED it. From Catherine to the Cheshire Cat, all the way to Jest, I truly found lots of enjoyment from this one.

She swallowed, hard, a twitch starting in her cheek. “What do you mean by that, anyway? Calling me different.”
“It’s true. I knew it from the moment I saw you twirling at the ball, your arms raised as if you hadn’t a care in all the world.”
She blinked.
“Of all those ladies and all those gentlemen, you were the only one who twirled.”
“You saw that?”
“In that gown, it would have been difficult not to.”

I think there were a few things that rubbed me the wrong way, at least a little bit, but nothing that really deterred me from loving this. And, whenever I think back to this book, it’s always a fond memory-no matter the outcome.

“That’s not what I said at all,” she breathed.
“I know, but I’m hoping it’s what you meant.” He licked his lips—a small, cruel movement that made her own lips tingle. “I can’t stop thinking about you, Lady Catherine Pinkerton of Rock Turtle Cove. I’ve been trying, but it’s useless. You’ve had me mesmerized from the first moment I saw you in that red dress, and I don’t know what to do about it, other than to use every skill at my disposal to try and mesmerize you back.”

I mean, come on, there was no happy ending to be had here. I do agree with my good friend, Anna, that Meyer seemed to really be paving her own wonderful path, but somewhere along the way it felt like she wanted to back to that inevitable outline. I do wish there was a way for her to have tweaked it a bit, made it more of a play on the Queen of Hearts instead of the rule, but, in the end, we were left with what we have come to know already.

“I have a personal rule about not entering into business with spineless creatures. No snakes. No slippery eels. And worst of all, no fickle women. Play coy all you like, Lady Pinkerton. Cling to your belief in your own innocence. You know as well as I that you’re going to break at least one heart before this is over, and I want nothing more to do with you.”

But, really, that’s my only sad thought concerning this book. OH! And I hate animal deaths…they bother me a lot-so that wasn’t something I enjoyed. But, again, all small things.

“It wasn’t meant to be, but if it’s a compliment you want…” His gaze softened. “You are stunning in that absurd hat. Absolutely, undeniably stunning. I trust that was Hatta’s goal, but he can’t know how well he accomplished it, else he would have deemed it improper to let you leave his hat shop so adorned.” He hesitated and cleared his throat, looking almost shy. “That’s what I wanted to say before.”

Let’s get to the parts that made it so I couldn’t ignore a review for this book-Jest. Jest and Catherine. Jest adoring Catherine. I. LOVE. JEST. Is that much clear? And I loved Catherine, too. Jest was mysterious, snarky, funny, and, most of all, loyal. Though, in the end, his loyalty broke my heart. Damn this book. Oh, and if it isn’t obvious, I’m running on two hours of sleep, most likely bordering on hysteria, so I assume this won’t be my best review to date.

“Far be it for me to intrude upon a lady’s untarnished reputation. But to be clear, which part of our encounter should remain undisclosed?” Jest watched her from the corner of his eye. “The part when you fainted in the grass and I heroically revived you? The part where we took an unchaperoned stroll through the gardens?” He clucked his tongue in mock disapproval. “Or perhaps the part where you confessed to having had a dream about me, and that I must be quite the rake to hope it wasn’t as boring as you’ve suggested?”

Jest and Catherine’s journey was unexpected and something I couldn’t help but to fall in love with, even if every little thing didn’t happen as I wanted them to. The vivid imagery and descriptions of all food related things and the world surrounding them more than made up for any shortcomings, and I was fully engrossed from the first page.

“It is a dangerous thing to unbelieve something only because it frightens you.”

^^My actual favorite non lovey-dovey quote. I love it.

And I know people were pretty hard on this book, and hey, I thought I would be too, but I don’t 100% see why. I’d say that if you’re on the fence about reading this, just think about what your heart is willing to go through, and whether you want a HEA or not…because, come on, I won’t say it, but we all know how this ends, right?? So, even though I didn’t say even half of what I wanted to say or word it right, at least I know I put all my thoughts on the table. An unexpected gem of a read from an author I really have never fallen in love with or followed, I am more than pleased I was coaxed into reading this. I hope anyone that sees this review will look at both sides of the spectrum and make an informed decision, then I’ll have succeeded in what I wanted to do with this review.

PS. Chesire reminded me so much of Grim from the Iron Fey series. LOVED that. 😛

View all my reviews

FRIDAY STARS – Your Weekly Must Knows 12/23/16

Friday Stars.13
Life:

One of my friends from High School came and stayed with us for a few days this week.  Her kiddos are a few months older than both of my boys, and I love that our husbands get along so well.  So each year that we’re all together, it is just so easy, even if one of our kids is having a complete and utter meltdown lol.    We had so much fun sledding in the mountains, and then the next morning sledding on our driveway – yay to waking up to fresh snow!  And then we played at our swim center for hours.  It was definitely much, much, much needed happiness!  While I was sad to say goodbye, I’m excited for the plans we have in place.  Next year we’re both going to go back home, where we grew up and went to High School together, in California.  Each Spring our town has a huge parade followed by a fair and I can’t wait to meet up for that!  I hope you had a happy moment this week too! 🙂 

In case you aren’t familiar with our Friday Star Posts, we like to take a look at what’s happened around here in the last week, what’s coming up that we are excited about and anything else that we may have to share!

♥ Enjoy!

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Just Finished and Loved:

the-book-of-ivy-by-amy-engelThe Book of Ivy (The Book of Ivy #1) by Amy EngelJen’s Review

4.5 Stars! Underneath their fights and their uncertainty around each other was always something simmering.  They had the best slow burn romance that continued to burn hotter and hotter as each moment passed.  

What would you kill for?

After a brutal nuclear war, the United States was left decimated. A small group of survivors eventually banded together, but only after more conflict over which family would govern the new nation. The Westfalls lost. Fifty years later, peace and control are maintained by marrying the daughters of the losing side to the sons of the winning group in a yearly ritual.
This year, it is my turn.
My name is Ivy Westfall, and my mission is simple: to kill the president’s son―my soon-to-be husband―and return the Westfall family to power.
But Bishop Lattimer is either a very skilled actor or he’s not the cruel, heartless boy my family warned me to expect. He might even be the one person in this world who truly understands me. But there is no escape from my fate. I am the only one who can restore the Westfall legacy.
Because Bishop must die. And I must be the one to kill him…

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We also had a Top Ten Tuesday Post about Books I Wouldn’t Mind Santa Leaving Under My Tree. If you missed it, then you can check it out here.

 

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Reading Next:

the-revolution-of-ivy-amy-engel The Revolution of Ivy (The Book of Ivy #2) by Amy Engel
The final book in the duology!  In the first book, The Book of Ivy, after a brutal nuclear war, the United States was left decimated. A small group of survivors eventually banded together, but only after more conflict over which family would govern the new nation. The Westfalls lost. Fifty years later, peace and control are maintained by marrying the daughters of the losing side to the sons of the winning group in a yearly ritual.
This year, it is my turn.
My name is Ivy Westfall, and my mission is simple: to kill the president’s son—my soon-to-be husband—and return the Westfall family to power.
But Bishop Lattimer is either a very skilled actor or he’s not the cruel, heartless boy my family warned me to expect. He might even be the one person in this world who truly understands me. But there is no escape from my fate. I am the only one who can restore the Westfall legacy.
Because Bishop must die. And I must be the one to kill him…

 

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Upcoming Releases:

ever-the-hunt-erin-summerillEver the Hunted (Clash of Kingdoms #1) by Erin Summerill (Releases 12/27)
Seventeen year-old Britta Flannery is at ease only in the woods with her dagger and bow. She spends her days tracking criminals alongside her father, a legendary bounty hunter—that is, until her father is murdered. The alleged killer is none other than Cohen Mackay, her father’s former apprentice. The only friend she’s ever known. The boy she once loved who broke her heart.
She must go on a dangerous quest in a world of warring kingdoms, mad kings, and dark magic to find the real killer. But Britta wields more power than she knows. And soon she will learn what has always made her different will make her a force to be reckoned with.  

 

You can check out the rest of the books that we can’t wait to be released here → HERE

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