REVIEW - Scarlet by A. C. Gaughen

Title: Scarlet
Author: A. C. Gaughen
Pages: 292 Pages
Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy, Romance, Retelling

Purchase: Via Amazon

Synopsis: Found on Goodreads.

Posing as one of Robin Hood’s thieves to avoid the wrath of the evil Thief Taker Lord Gisbourne, Scarlet has kept her identity secret from all of Nottinghamshire. Only the Hood and his band know the truth: the agile thief posing as a whip of a boy is actually a fearless young woman with a secret past. Helping the people of Nottingham outwit the corrupt Sheriff of Nottingham could cost Scarlet her life as Gisbourne closes in.

It’s only her fierce loyalty to Robin—whose quick smiles and sharp temper have the rare power to unsettle her—that keeps Scarlet going and makes this fight worth dying for.

5 out of 5 stars

"You really haven't seen what I'm capable of, scar.  He's the one who should be very much afraid."

--Rob

Holy crap, this book. Okay, so I am typically very MEH about books written in weird not normal English - cause that makes sense, right? - but this book, it had me hooked. It was wonderful! I wasn't actually expecting to like it as much as I did.  It is incredibly well written, and I needed more when it ended.

I love how we get insight as to who Scarlet is and what she has gone through. She's stubborn, strong, and feisty, not the kind of girl you want to cross, and that of course is my favorite type of heroine. She can also be moody and has a lot of fears and doubts about her own worth, which to me, feels pretty realistic to human nature. I really feel for her and want to give Gaughen a stern talking to about bullying her characters.

Rob is...just...where are my coherent thoughts? He can be a jerk, but he's pretty much easy to see through. I mean seriously Rob, who you think you're fooling with your macho act?

I also love our supporting characters (or well, to me they are just as main as Scarlet and Rob since they are almost always with them, but whatever). Much is by far, my favorite in the book though. He's far too dorbs and I just want to wrap him up and keep him forever.

Oh, and Gisbourne...yeah, you can go die.  Gaughen did a wonderful job of making me hate him, and the Sheriff for that matter.  I just wanna take and throw whatever I have on hand at them.

I truly enjoyed this book, and will have to get the second in the series asap. 

--Jessi

SPOTLIGHT TOUR - Orenda, Orenda #1

Title: Orenda (Orenda #1)
Author: Ruth Silver
Publisher: Patchwork Press
Genre: YA / MG Fantasy

Purchase: Via Amazon, Via Barnes & Noble
Goodreads: Click

Synopsis:

Join forces with a parallel universe.

Dark forces, magical creatures, and the world Lil thought she knew collide when a dream transports her to the strange world of Orenda. Stunned and terrified, Lil comes face to face with her doppelganger, Willow, who possesses the ability to travel between the two worlds. Everything Lil knows logically says that Orenda can’t exist, but a small clue may be proof that it was more than an ordinary dream. With the threat of her sister in danger, Lil crosses dimensions but it may cost her even more than she bargained for.

A sword wielding girl, the eternal suit, and a parallel universe come together in this action-packed Young Adult fantasy adventure that will keep readers of all ages turning the pages. Orenda is the first novel in the Orenda series.

About the Author: 

Ruth Silver is the best-selling author of ABERRANT, a young adult dystopian adventure series published by Patchwork Press and Lazy Day Publishing, in 2013. Author, YA Blogger, and Book Manager with Booktrope Publishing, Ruth keeps busy with writing, updating her book blogs Write Away Bliss and YA Book Deals, and promoting authors.

With a passion for reading, photography, and traveling Ruth has plenty of stories and experiences to share. She loves dystopian, paranormal, and fantasy young adult novels most of all. Ruth has been actively writing since she was a teenager. She currently resides in Plainfield, Illinois.

Blog x YA Book Deals x Facebook x Twitter

Giveaway Info-

1 signed paperback of Orenda (US only)

5 eBooks of Orenda (Intl)

1 eBook of Jacob, King of Portalia (Intl)

1 eBook of Spirit Warriors: The Scarring (Intl)

1 eBook of Fractured Dream (Intl)

1 eBook of Dead Girl Walking (Intl)

1 eBook of Eyes of the Enemy (Intl)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

--Jessi

Update and EXCITEMENT!

Well, I figured I would give you guys a bit of news regarding where I've been. Normally I wouldn't just poof without some sort of heads up, but since I did, it's only fair to give you as much information as possible. Which just so you know, isn't a lot.

I've been feeling really bad health wise lately. To the point where all I want to do is sleep. This has completely thrown my desire to read out the window, since sleep gets very askew when I read as I am not the type to stop until the book is done. So as I have not been reading, I have not been able to get reviews going. For this I am sorry.

I do have something scheduled for October 25th. I am part of a tour for Ruth Silver's book Orenda, which I have heard a lot of good things about and look forward to reading. So keep a look out for that! Oh and here's the snazzy little banner for it, which by the way, I love!

And finally, I got some excitement today!  A package came in the mail from Bloomsbury.  Can you guess what was inside?  CAN YOU!?  How about I show you!

HOW BEAUTIFUL IS THAT WRAPPING?  Though, gonna be honest, difficult to open.  

I WAS TRICKED!  The pretty wrapping was just transparent with paper under it.  I really wanted to keep the wrapping.  LOL.

THERE IT IS!  I love this cover, the colors are so pretty.  I cannot wait to read it!  Far too excited.  Have you guys read The Bone Season?  Looking forward to The Mime Order?  What are your thoughts? 

Just something extra.  This was the inside of the paper wrapping.  Not the best image, but I wanted to share it with you.  My copy is kinda ripped up, I am gonna save it of course, but there are probably better copies out there.

Anyway, thanks so much for sticking with my guys!

MUCH LOVE!

Book Buys!

So, I decided to purchase an ebook or two, and figured I would share my buys with you.

Title: Crane, Legends Saga #1
Author: Stacey Rourke
Synopsis:  From Goodreads

The Horseman is unending,

his presence shan’t lessen.

If you break the curse,

you become the legend.

Washington Irving and Rip Van Winkle had no choice but to cover up the deadly truth behind Ichabod Crane’s disappearance. Centuries later, a Crane returns to Sleepy Hollow awakening macabre secrets once believed to be buried deep. 

What if the monster that spawned the legend lived within you?

Now, Ireland Crane, reeling from a break-up and seeking a fresh start, must rely on the newly awakened Rip Van Winkle to discover the key to channeling the darkness swirling within her. Bodies are piling high and Ireland is the only one that can save Sleepy Hollow by embracing her own damning curse. 

But is anyone truly safe when the Horseman rides?

Title: Raven, Legends Saga #2
Author: Stacey Rourke
Synopsis:  From Goodreads

An infamous love, destined nevermore,

For death could not claim, the enchanting Lenore.

Cursed by the malevolent spirit of the Headless Horseman, Ireland Crane ventures to Manhattan in search of a way to break her soul crushing bond. Instead, she discovers the lines between fact and fiction are blurring once more. Croaking ravens. Telltale hearts. Could the works of Poe be coming to pass with handsome Wall Street Midas Ridley Peolte as their unwilling target?

She walks the Earth, a plague on mankind,

searching for he, her rotted heart doth pine.

Together, the two unknowingly release a dark force death itself could not tame. Surrounded by the unrelenting violence and mayhem they’ve unleashed, Ireland feels her control over the Horseman slipping. Before the beast within consumes her, she and her crew must follow the clues of the dead to right a centuries’ old wrong. Will it be enough to sate the Horseman’s appetite?

Hell hath no fury like a ghoul scorned.

I am in love with these covers.  The colors and theme are so dark, I love it!  I hope to get started on them soon, but working my way - slowly - through Frozen by Melissa de la Cruz.  Hope to have that finished by Monday.

I have a bit of money left over from the above purchases, so I was trying to figure out what to buy.  Here's my list, feel free to shoot me your opinions!

Midnight Thief by Livia Blackburne

The Fire Wish by Amber Lough

Scarlet by A. C. Gaughen

Deception's Princess by Esther Friesner

They link to their goodreads page.

Or feel free to give me another option entirely!

Saturday Reading!

I figured I would throw up a post letting you lot know I've not forgotten you!  I was out most of yesterday with David, and slept until noon today.  I intend on starting Heir of Fire today...but with it's size (holy crap I didn't realize how big it was until I put it next to the other two), I probably wont finish until tomorrow at the earliest.  So expect a review in the next few days on that!

What are you guys reading today?  I would love some suggestions!

These Bookshelves!

Rather than do something productive today, I've been lurking Pinterest drooling over some of their bookshelves and other random book themed stuff.  I figured I would share some of my favorites with you.  Because you should procrastinate your day too!

Kay, so I am not a fan of ladders, but this is pretty awesome, you have to admit.  I would probably do more with the plants up top...even though I seriously lack a green thumb.

Something about this, is just homey and nice.  I could probably sit here for hours.

Secret passages?  Gotta love them.  I want one in my house that leads into my library.  My boyfriends not against it, so maybe I will get it.

As much as I love this...I feel like having children and this is far from a good idea.  Dirt would forever be in the books...

Again, not a fan of the ladder, would probably cry if I ever had to use it, but I love this.  It's so creative and works well when lacking space.

Flipping. LOVE. This.  Look at it.  Though the top shelves would never be used.

I wish I had had this as a kid..or even now.

Love this shelf.  It's not too square, the colors beautiful, and I dunno...it just calls to me.

Ungh, another secret passage.

I think I would be okay with this.  David on the other hand...might think my obsession was getting to be a bit much.

Ya know...some ladies have shoes and handbags on their shelves in their sitting rooms...I just have shelves and shelves full of books.

So yeah...that's about the extent of what I've been doing this morning. I think I am gonna go peek at book weddings next.  David says when it happens he doesn't really care what we do, he's just going to go with the flow and help test cake.  SO, maybe I will do a post on that.

REVIEW - Trial by Fire, The Worldwalker Trilogy #1

Title: Trial by Fire
Author: Josephine Angelini
Release Date: September 2014
Pages: 374
Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy, Romance, Paranormal
Time Took to Read: 8 hours

Purchase: Purchase via Amazon!

Synopsis: Found on Goodreads.

This world is trying to kill Lily Proctor. Her life-threatening allergies keep her from enjoying experiences that others in her hometown of Salem take for granted, which is why she is determined to enjoy her first high school party with her best friend and longtime crush, Tristan. But after a humiliating incident in front of half her graduating class, Lily wishes she could just disappear.

Suddenly, Lily is in a different Salem—one overrun with horrifying creatures and ruled by powerful women called Crucibles. Strongest and cruelest of them all is Lillian . . . Lily's other self in this alternate universe.

What makes Lily weak at home is what makes her extraordinary in New Salem. In this confusing world, Lily is torn between responsibilities she can't hope to shoulder alone and a love she never expected.

5 out of 5 stars

"Brave and stubborn and determined to break my heart."

--Rowan

Deep breaths Jess, seriously, just calm down.

Okay, lets start off with this.  I hate you cliffhangers.  Yes, yes I understand they are necessary.  You want me to yearn for the next book, to have to have it when it comes out.  You're a marketing tool.  You work great.  I understand.  However, you toy with my emotions.  You are a sadistic, sick, little beast, and I hate you.

So yes, this book ended on a cliffhanger. I have so many questions just hanging there, unanswered.  The marketing tool worked.  I will need the next book, immediately.  That doesn't make me happy about it though.

In case you were unable to tell from my rants above, I loved the book.  Hated the ending though.  I think I was close to crying.

Lily is awesome.  Despite her many weaknesses, she is still a strong woman, and I appreciate a strong independent woman. I love Juliet and her sweetness.  I am wondering what she will do now though.  Rowan, Tristan, Caleb, my heart goes out to them.  Rowan and Caleb have such sad lives, and I wanted to just cry while reading about them.

I loved all of the characters to be quite honest.  Even our villain, Lillian.

I am so glad that we were allowed to see into the minds of not just Lily, but Rowan as well.  It answered a lot of questions.

The world was well thought out.  At first, I admit, I was skeptical about how it would come together, after all, mixing so much ancient technology with present and future technologies is bound to create a jumbled mess.  Yet, it worked.  It didn't leave me going "how did that work?" and I am glad.

I definitely loved this book, and eagerly await the next one!

Oh, and V did not appreciate mama reading all day and ignoring him. He sat on the book several times all huffy like.

--Jessi