Monday, September 30, 2019

October Bookstagram Challenge! #AlltheBooksOct19


It's almost October, Bookworms!!

Which means it's time for a new BOOK CHALLENGE for October!!

Lori (loriimagination) and I are hosting a spooky October Book Challenge over on Instagram, #AlltheBooksOct19, and we would absolutely love for you to join us!


Why should you join along?

1. It's a lot of fun!

2. You get to see awesome book photos ALL DAY LONG!!

3. It's great way to discover new books, and meet new people!

4. Did I mention that you get to see photos of books all day?
(It's seriously the best!)

Sound like fun? It is! Head over to Instagram and check it out!!

#AlltheBooksOctober19

September '19 Wrap Up & Book Haul!

Happy Monday, Bookworms!!

It's officially the last day of September! Did you have a great month?? I hope you did!

September was a weird month for me. I didn't read as many books as I had hoped, but I did read some really awesome books. I also didn't touch my blog at all this month, which was not good. (Ooops)  And that is something that I definitely want to work on in October.

September was definitely a great month for new books, and I did add more than I expected to my bookshelves! I'm thrilled to have them all, and I'm really looking forward to reading the ones I haven't read yet.

Here's My September Wrap Up!!
The Tyrant's Tomb by Rick Riordan
 The Copper Gauntlet by Holly Black & Cassandra Clare
Five Dark Fates by Kendare Blake
Wayward Son by Rainbow Rowell
Tunnel of Bones by Victoria Schwab
The Lady Rogue by Erin Bennett
Capturing the Devil by Kerri Maniscalco
Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
The Girl the Sea Gave Back by Adrienne Young
American Royals by Katharine McGee

A Curse So Dark and Lonely by Brigid Kemmerer
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by JK Rowling *
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by JK Rowling *
The Iron Trial by Holly Black and Cassandra Clare *
Fix Her Up by Tessa Bailey
Five Dark Fates by Kendare Blake
Tunnel of Bones by Victoria Schwab
The Lady Rogue by Jenn Bennett
Capturing the Devil by Kerri Maniscalco
Escaping From Houdini by Kerri Maniscalco
Reaper at the Gates by Sabaa Tahir

* = rereads

*not pictured*
Royal Holiday by Jasmine Guillory
Dear Sweet Pea by Julie Murphy
The Accidental Beauty Queen by Teri Wilson
Love on Lexington Avenue by Lauren Layne
Watch Us Rise by Renee Watson & Ellen Hagan
She's the Worst by Lauren Spieller


•   •   •   •   •

So many awesome books!

Now I'm ready for October!!

How was your month??

Tuesday, September 3, 2019

My Thoughts: The Great Pursuit by Wendy Higgins

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/28370779-the-great-pursuit
The Great Pursuit
(Eurona Duology #2)
by Wendy Higgins
Website | Twitter | Instagram

Publication Date: March 7th 2017
Publisher: HarperTeen
Pages: 496
ISBN: 9780062381361
Genre: Young Adult | Fantasy
Source: Edelweiss Review Copy | Library Book

Add to Goodreads

Available for Purchase:
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | The Book Depository

Lochlanach has traded the great beast for something far more terrible, a Lashed enemy veiled in beauty, deception, and a vengeance passed down through generations: Rozaria Rocato. And she’s offering the hunter Paxton Seabolt power and acceptance he could never receive in his homeland. Pax must decide how far he’s willing to go under her tutelage, knowing she is the opponent of Princess Aerity Lochson.

In a land where traditionalists dread change, the Lochlan throne must contend with mysterious foes and traitors, while attempting to keep revolt at bay. As dire circumstances strike the royal family, matters of the castle are left in Aerity’s hands. It's time to put aside her fears and grasp the reign, taking actions that have the potential to save or destroy her people.

One hunt has ended, but the pursuit for love and justice continue. In this sequel to The Great Hunt from New York Times bestselling author Wendy Higgins, political intrigue and romance intensify in another thrilling fantasy. Princess Aerity embraces a quest for identity and passion before making the ultimate sacrifice for her kingdom. (Goodreads)


The Great Pursuit is the second book in the Eurona duology by Wendy Higgins, and is also a series that I was determined to read this year. I actually read The Great Hunt back when it was first released in 2016, but somehow forgot to follow up with The Great Pursuit when it came out in 2019. I am thrilled to have finally finished this series!

Last month I re-read The Great Hunt to refresh the story in my brain before starting this, and I’m glad I did, because not only was there a lot to the story that I had forgotten, but it also reminded me about everything I enjoyed when I read the book the first time. This book not only has an interesting storyline, but also has a great group of characters as well!

The Great Pursuit picks up right where The Great Hunt leaves off, and the adventure starts the moment you open the book. (I don’t want to give too much away and spoil anything in the story, so please excuse the vagueness in this review. Ha!) I very much enjoyed reading the story from the two main characters, Paxton and Aerity, viewpoints, and I really loved them both. The story is very fast paced, and full of action and adventure, and a few twists and turns as well! It all wraps up very nicely at the end, and made for a very enjoyable read.

Overall, if you’re looking for a quick fantasy series to check out, you should definitely look into the Eurona duology! The story was interesting, and with only 2 books in the series, it makes for a really quick read. I am now looking forward to reading more books by Wendy, and I’m thinking that I need to start her Sweet series soon! (The books have been sitting on my shelf for too long!)

Monday, September 2, 2019

My Thoughts: House of Salt and Sorrows by Erin A. Craig

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/39679076-house-of-salt-and-sorrows
House of Salt and Sorrows
by Erin A. Craig
Website | Twitter | Instagram

Publication Date: August 6th 2019
Publisher: Delacorte
Pages: 416
ISBN: 9781984831927
Genre: Young Adult | Retelling | Fantasy
Source: Netgalley Review Copy / Finished Copy from Publisher

Add to Goodreads

Available for Purchase:
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | The Book Depository

In a manor by the sea, twelve sisters are cursed.

Annaleigh lives a sheltered life at Highmoor, a manor by the sea, with her sisters, their father, and stepmother. Once they were twelve, but loneliness fills the grand halls now that four of the girls' lives have been cut short. Each death was more tragic than the last—the plague, a plummeting fall, a drowning, a slippery plunge—and there are whispers throughout the surrounding villages that the family is cursed by the gods.

Disturbed by a series of ghostly visions, Annaleigh becomes increasingly suspicious that the deaths were no accidents. Her sisters have been sneaking out every night to attend glittering balls, dancing until dawn in silk gowns and shimmering slippers, and Annaleigh isn't sure whether to try to stop them or to join their forbidden trysts. Because who—or what—are they really dancing with?

When Annaleigh's involvement with a mysterious stranger who has secrets of his own intensifies, it's a race to unravel the darkness that has fallen over her family—before it claims her next. (Goodreads)


The first thing that drew me to House of Salt and Sorrow by Erin A. Craig was the absolutely gorgeous book cover, (I cannot resist a pretty cover!). I was also completely intrigued by the summary for the book, and I knew I would have to check it out. I am SO glad I did! This story was deliciously creepy, while also being just a little familiar, and I loved every minute of it.

So, if you haven’t yet read the summary for the book, (you should), then I will tell you that this book is a retelling of the 12 Dancing Princesses story! I have read a few retellings of this story, and this one is definitely one of my favorites. However, I cannot say that any of the books that I have read so far have had the creepy twist to it that this one had. I’m not usually a fan of creepy, but this book had me hooked, and once I started the story, I couldn’t stop!

I don’t like comparing books to other books, but the feeling that I got while reading this book reminded me very much of Sawkill Girls by Claire Legrand, (which is another really awesome, creepy read), and though these stories are not similar AT ALL, they still gave me the same vibe, and I loved it. AND I also really loved that the story felt familiar as well, with the 12 Dancing Princesses theme. I definitely need more books like these in my life.

Overall; If you’re looking for a creepy read to add to your Halloween TBR, or just to read ANYTIME, definitely check out House of Salt and Sorrows! This book had me flying through the pages, and I loved it. I will definitely be keeping my eye out for more books by Erin in the future!

https://www.instagram.com/p/B1tIqz4n-I_/

Sunday, September 1, 2019

My September '19 TBR!


Happy First Day of September, Bookworms!!

September has finally arrived, and I'm SO excited because the start of Fall is right around the corner! I am soooo looking forward to breaking out my hoodies and curling up under a blanket with a good book and a warm drink. SOON!

But first, we still have to get through September, and it's still bloody hot here in the South for a little while longer, so I'm planning to spend the next few weeks reading as much as I can to pass the time!

My September TBR is full of a lot of new reads, new-to-me reads, and re-reads! I think if I were heading back to Hogwarts this month, Hermione would like my TBR. :)

This month I am officially starting my re-read of the Harry Potter series, and I'm hoping to tackle the first two books this month. I'm also hoping to wrap up a few of the series I've been binge-reading over the past few months, and start a few new series as well. I'm also SUPER excited for a few new releases this month, including The Tyrant's Tomb by Rick Riordan, Five Dark Fates by Kendare Blake, and Tunnel of Bones by Victoria Schwab!

Here's a full list of what I'm hoping to read this month!
Books I'm Reading:

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J.K. Rowling *
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by J.K. Rowling *
The Iron Trial by Cassandra Clare & Holly Black *
The Midnight Star by Marie Lu
American Royals by Katharine McGee
City of Brass by S.A. Chakraborty
The Starless Sea by Erin Morgenstern
Verify by Joelle Charbonneau
Renegades by Marissa Meyer *
A Curse So Dark and Lonely by Brigid Kemmerer
Reaper at the Gates by Sabaa Tahir
Escaping From Houdini by Kerri Maniscalco


e-Books & e-Arcs I'm Reading:

The Lady Rogue
by Jenn Bennett
She's the Worst by Lauren Spieller
The Girl the Sea Gave Back by Adrienne Young
Kingdom of Souls by Rena Barron
Serpent & Dove by Shelby Mahurin
Love on Lexington Ave by Lauren Layne
Slay by Brittney Morris

And various library books and audiobooks!

•   •   •

So, I did not realize how long this list was. I hope I can read all of these!
*fingers crossed*

That's my TBR for September! What are YOU looking forward to reading this month??

September Bookstagram Challenge!! #AlltheBooksSept19


Happy September, Bookworms!!

Are you looking for a fun Bookstagram Challenge for September??
LOOK NO FURTHER!!
Lori (loriimagination) and I are hosting another fun Bookstagram Challenge,
#AlltheBooksSept19, and we would absolutely love for you to join us!


Why should you join along?

1. It's a lot of fun!

2. You get to see awesome book photos ALL DAY LONG!!

3. It's great way to discover new books, and meet new people!

4. Did I mention that you get to see photos of books all day?
(It's seriously the best!)

Sound like fun? It is! Head over to Instagram and check it out!!

#AlltheBooksSept19