Book Review: City of Heavenly Fire by Cassandra Clare

Book Name: City of Heavenly Fire (The Mortal Instruments #6)
Author: Cassandra Clare
UK Release Date: 2014
UK Publishers: Walker Books
Summary:

Erchomai, Sebastian had said. I am coming.

Darkness returns to the Shadowhunter world. As their society falls apart around them, Clary, Jace, Simon and their friends must band together to fight the greatest evil the Nephilim have ever faced: Clary's own brother. Nothing in this world can defeat him - must they journey to another world to find the chance?

 

Praise for Cassandra Clare:

'The Mortal Instruments series is a story world I love to live in. Beautiful.' Stephenie Meyer, Author of Twilight.
'Hold on tight for a smart, sexy thrill ride.' Libba Bray , author of The Diviners

'Cassie's writing makes my toes curl with envy. She is the rare writer who can write fast-paced dramatic fantasy with gorgeous language and memorable characters that you grow to love.' Holly Black, author of The Spiderwick Chronicles

Review:

This book was once of my most anticipated books of 2014 after The Book of Life by Deborah Harkness, and this book did not disappoint. The prologue starts off with a new character called Emma Carstairs who I recognised from Cassandra's new series that will be published next year: The Dark Artifices, which I cannot wait for, I need it now! In her POV we find out that it's the start of The Dark War with Sebastien. Which I happened to love because we were met with instant action, nothing boring that would've slowed down the book.

My main worry with the book was that it is over 700 pages long and I weren't sure Cassandra was going to pull it off, especially since I disliked the epilogue to Clockwork Princess, the last book in her prequel series: The Infernal Devices. However, I really believe she gave the series justice and it was an amazing wrap up to the series. The sad part about it is that we have to wait over a year for anything from Cassandra Clare, although we do have her new middle grade series with Holly Black coming out in September or October of this year: The Iron Trials. Yay!

Through my journey of reading through the book there was a lot of heartache. Mainly because one of my favourite characters died. He was such a great character, but I had an instinct he would be killed off because he wasn't really a main character, yet he played an important part in the series. But Cassandra can do no wrong for me, and she knocked the ball out of the park with this characters ending. It was vicious, action-packed and emotional. I've seen no author who can do that apart from her. She's a phenomenon

Anyway back to the book. So much happens and we get to see every character go through a journey of their own and it really helped seeing them all mature in a way that was only slowly developing through out the first five books. They finally worked as a team and included Simon, and it was a pretty great feeling to see that. But my favourite journey was Emma Carstairs. She lost her parents, which is known in the prologue, and she's seen as a weak child. But to me Emma reminds me of a mix of both Clary and Jace. They're both powerful, but also very logical, much like Emma. And I can only think that Cassandra got the idea to have Emma and Julien be like Clary and Simon because it works. Julien and Simon are kind of the same person personality wise, also by the hair. I love that hair!

I could go on and on and on about the City of Heavenly Fire, but I don't want this post to be too long. But I will say that if you haven't started this series then you must. It is incredible, I fly through these books and they're so enjoyable. Cassandra's writing is prim and proper, her characters are very well developed, she knows them so well and her world building is immaculate.

I gave this 5/5 STARS! It is without a doubt the best book in the series for me, and for a lot of people as well, which I'm sure they'll agree with me on. It kept you on your toes and the epilogue couldn't have been any better because it was perfect!

Book Review: Take Me Under by Rhyannon Byrd

Book Name: Take Me Under
Author: Rhyannon Byrd
UK Release Date: 2013
UK Publishers: Headline Eternal
Summary:

Ben Hudson had a thing for shy, sexy Reese Monroe from the moment he first saw her three years ago. Back then, she was married and living in Boston—two very good reasons for the Miami detective with a bad boy reputation to stay away.

But that was then…

Now Reese is divorced and moving to Florida, where her mother has rented her a small beach house—one that happens to be owned by Ben. Living right next door, he can’t get Reese’s soft curves out of his mind. He’s waited three long years to touch her in all the ways he’s been dreaming about, and this time he won’t let anything get in his way.

For Reese, Ben’s sudden advances are thrilling, but leave her stunned. With her limited experience in the bedroom, she never expects a man with such a wicked reputation to go after her. She knows she should be on guard, but he’s a temptation she can’t resist. And when trouble follows her down from Boston, threatening her life, Ben may be the only one who can help her

 

Praise for Rhyannon Byrd:

'Lip-biting sexual tension and sizzling romance.' Shayla Black

'A gift for beautiful, sensual storytelling.' Cheyenne McCray

'Raw, addictive, and blisteringly hot!' Romantic Times

Review:

 

I'm going to start off and say that I received a copy for an honest review. This does not affect my opinions.

 

The book starts off where Ben has seen Reese for the first time and he's pining for her. She looks pretty, but there's something else about her that burns his skin. And I found it to be great because we got to see the real Ben. However, three years later, he's not changed at all. I didn't see any maturing in his character.

 

In my opinion I don't think this was the best written book. It's not E L James bad, but it isn't anything great. Rhyannon was very repetitive and I think she used 'I want to fuck her long and hard' at least 15 times through out the entire novel. She also over used the word wry and I kind of felt like that was the only emotion she actually knew because it came up everywhere. And my biggest hate was the ... these came up everywhere. And I mean EVERYWHERE! Even in sentences when they were not needed. I think Rhyannon relied on them to add depth, but it fell flat in my opinion.

 

And sadly, Rhyannon created my biggest book pet peeve. Characters meeting and kissing in the first chapter. It doesn't feel real, I know you can say it's fiction, but who meets someone and kisses them on that night? Only someone who's drunk, and Reese was not drunk. She moved into her house.

 

That was the bad stuff about the book, but there was a few positives as well. I liked Reese's character and I felt Rhyannon knew her well, I also liked the friendship between Ben and Brit because they had banter and it worked well. The premise had so much promise, it was a shame it hit a dead end for me.

 

Overall, I gave this book a 2/5 STARS!

Blog Tour: Reasons Not to Fall in Love

Reasons not to Fall in Love

  

By: Kirsty Moseley

Release Date: June 6, 2014

Genre: Romance

 Synopsis

Young mum Bronwyn Reynolds is devoted to her little boy Theo, but she’s married to a not so devoted husband! Juggling two jobs to make ends meet, Bronwyn’s self-esteem is at an all-time low.

Enter Harrison Baxter.

Harrison is confident, flirty and breathtakingly handsome – and everything Bronwyn’s husband is not! What’s worse is that she knows every sexy thought about him is forbidden, which makes him all the more tempting.

The only woman that ladies’ man Harrison has ever wanted is one he can never have. Bronwyn has left her mark on him, and he can’t get her out of his mind no matter how hard he tries!

Bronwyn and Harrison have every reason not to fall in love, but are they brave enough to break all the rules?

About The Author

 

My name is Kirsty. I was born in Hertfordshire, England. In 2000 I moved to Norfolk, it was there that I met my husband, Lee. Now, what can I say about Lee, apart from everyone should have one? He's my biggest supporter, and I wouldn't be where I am today without his encouragement and endless support. He is my inspiration behind most of my male leads, I always try to bring a little of him in somewhere, be it his kindness, selflessness, or just his ability to make me feel treasured.

In 2005, I was gifted with the birth of my son. He is, and always will be, the best thing I have ever done in my life. As you can probably tell,  I'm a very proud mummy. 

I have always been interested in writing, but after the birth of my son I accidentally came across an amateur writing site. After a couple of months of just reading on there, I finally plucked up the courage and posted one of my stories. I was shocked and overwhelmed by the support of readers on there and they gave me the confidence to get where I am today.

In April 2012, I self-published my first novel ‘The Boy Who Sneaks in my Bedroom Window’. And in October 2012 I took the plunge again, publishing my second novel, 'Always You.'

Lastly, if I had to sum myself up in one word, it would probably be ‘daydreamer’ – but unlike most of my school teachers, I don’t necessarily view that as a bad thing. After all, I read somewhere once that books are like waking dreams….

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

 

Excerpt 1

There was no longer any love between us; hell, we barely even tolerated each other at times. Sometimes I even struggled to remember what it was that I saw in him the first place. Usually I convinced myself that it was his looks that I fell for, though even those had lost their appeal to me because I knew he’d rather be off sleeping with other girls than me. Ours was a marriage of convenience, even though it was inconvenient most of the time. Another reason I was with him was because I didn’t have the energy to find anyone else. I’d been young when we’d gotten together, merely seventeen, and I knew that the dating scene had moved on pretty rapidly since I was last a part of it. In my opinion, I was too old to be single again, so I’d just have to suffer and grin and bear it. Many women went through their lives in an unhappy marriage. I was no different to any of them. Not everyone found their Mr Darcy and lived happily ever after, some people just had to take what they could get and be thankful. Clearly I was one of those people.

 Excerpt 2

I blinked a couple of times, trying to come back to reality because looking at him made me feel a little weird inside. Harrison. I’d heard of this guy. He was the one who was in business with Brandon. The two of them had both been made redundant from their advertising jobs last year and had decided to go into business together instead of looking for another job. Skye and Brandon had become extremely good friends with this guy over the last year, so I’d heard. I’d never personally met him, but now that I knew who he was, I knew to stay away. Harrison Baxter was a ladies’ man and fancied himself as Bath’s answer to James Bond, apparently.

One of the gorgeous stranger’s eyebrows rose. “Married, really? Damn, all of the hot ones are always taken or gay. Why is that, do you think?” he mused, cocking his head to the side playfully.

His voice did funny things to my insides. I was lost for words. Nothing was coming out of my mouth at all, so I just looked back down at Evie who was nestled comfortably in my arms.

“You happily married?” he probed, stepping closer to me. The heat emanating from his body to mine was making me feel a little jittery and I couldn’t stand still.

No, not at all. I gulped and nodded in answer to his question, trying to ignore the feelings of lust and want that were battling inside me. It was wrong for me to feel like this. I knew it was. I was married, and although Finn cheated on me occasionally, I would never do the same. “Happy married with a child,” I confirmed, nodding. Only part of that sentence was a lie. I did, in fact, have a child – I had just never been happily married.

Review

I've read many Kirsty Moseley books and everyone I've read I've ever adored or loved, and it was no different with this short story. The book follows Bronwyn, a "single" mother - I quotate single because she'd be better off since her husband is a complete waste of time! - who over three different time periods shows her life. Kind of like a Before and After. I have to admit that the beginning wasn't my favourite part because of her husband, but it was still great seeing how Bronwyn really felt especially with Harrison. There's no spoiler in saying that Bronwyn gets divorced, I was glad she did because she deserved so much better. And once her divorce was final I really felt her open up a lot more and just enjoyed herself - Drinking, flirting - and it was great to see that her ex-husband hadn't dampened her future.

For me I did not see the ending happening at all. It was a GREAT ending. I was cooing completely and I just felt for both Bronwyn and Harrison because it's written on paper that they make a great couple, literally.

Overall I just really enjoyed this book. It was a nice quick read and the characters made me laugh. It's definitely a book to read if you've just finished a depressing one. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!

Buy Links

Amazon UK | Amazon US| iBooks | Kobo

 

Tour Host

 

 

 

                                                           

Blog Tour: Second Chance by Natasha Preston

Second Chance

 

By: Natasha Preston

Release Date: June 10, 2014

Genre: New Adult/Romance

Synopsis

 

Everyone deserves a second chance at happiness, and three years after Chloe Holland's boyfriend dies in a bomb attack in London, she's ready to move on. That is until the one person she can see her moving forward with is the worst person she could have ever imagined.

Logan Scott was the one Chloe turned to when Jace died, but she never imagined that becoming close to him would leave her with the biggest dilemma she could ever face. He makes her question everything. She makes him a better person. They push the limit of right and wrong.

Unfortunately, Chloe and Logan are perfect for each other.

About The Author

 

 

UK native Natasha Preston grew up in small villages and towns. She discovered her love of writing when she stumbled across an amateur writing site and uploaded her first story and hasn't looked back since. She enjoys writing NA romance, thrillers, gritty YA and the occasional serial killer.

Facebook | Twitter | Wattpad | Website

 

Excerpt 1

 

She looked up, eyes locking with mine, and stilled. She looked wild and panicked. Then she straightened her back, gave me a smile and stepped closer to the bar. What the fuck? I stopped on the other side and sat on a stool. Don't get ahead of yourself. I wanted so bad to believe that her avoidance of me was because she wanted more but I couldn't let myself run with it. That was a fall I didn't ever want to experience again. "Did you contract a highly contagious disease?" She frowned. "No…" "Murder someone?" "No." "Get amnesia?" "What're you doing, Logan?" "Just listing the only reasons I'll accept for you avoiding me." "Murder is a reason I can avoid you?" "Hey, if you've snapped I don't wanna be next." She rolled her eyes, fighting a smile. "Can I get you something, Scott?" "Yeah, Holland, you can get me you." Now there was a sentence with a double meaning. "What's going on?"

 

Excerpt 2

 

My body burst to life. Blood scorched in my veins. Longing pooled between my legs. I was going to kiss him. I wanted him. I was going to fucking kiss my dead boyfriend's brother and as his eyes rooted me to the spot I didn't even want to attempt to stop it. Logan lowered his head a fraction. This was it. I shouldn't want this. My body shouldn't be screaming for his lips on mine and hands all over my body. I knew it was wrong but it didn't feel wrong. It felt like coming home, like we should have been doing this all along. He didn't look torn, not at all. He was one hundred per cent in this. I wanted him even more. The rain came down harder, not enough to soak us but enough that we should probably move. We didn't. Logan's other hand pulled me closer, fingers slightly digging into the small of my back while his maddening fingers trailed down my neck.

 

Excerpt 3

 

Against everything my body was screaming for, I put my hands on his chest and pushed him away. My fingers gripped his shirt as I put some distance between us, not really wanting to let go. I wanted to cry. He could crush me in a second. Not even Jace could do that. He looked devastated as he let go of my arms. Fear gripped me by the throat. I wasn't just scared of how I felt about Logan; I was outright terrified. "I need… time. I don't know." Not time, that wouldn't help. I didn't know what I needed, but I definitely needed something. He stroked my cheek and my heart stuttered. "No more time." "Why are you doing this, Logan?" "Why?" His eyes lost their tenderness. "Seriously, why? How blind can you be? I fucking love you, Chloe!"

 

Buy Links

Amazon UK | Amazon US | B&N | iBooks

 

Review:

I sadly can only review 10 chapters of this book because my Kindle was being a pain and wouldn't accept the email address to receive an e-arc of Second chance. However, I read the 10 chapters sample off Wattpad.

I found the book to be very well written and detailed. You learn all about Chloe's life, how she came over the death of her boyfriend at such a young age. We also get to really know her from this and I feel like Natasha knew he characters very well. I connected with both Logan and Chloe, could even see the attraction between the pair. One of my favourite things about Natasha as an author is that she's one of them authors that everything she writes you enjoy. And what makes everything ten times better is that when she writes a male character you feel like a man has written it. It's spot on, which most authors struggle with. Overall, I loved what I read and I'm sure you guys are as well. It's completely recommended!

 Tour Host

Books I Want To Read

I've decided that this won't be a series, but something I definitely will start blogging about because there are so many books out there that I want to read, and I feel like I should let you all know about them. Some of these books could become a future favourite of yours, or they could make you discover an author you've never heard or. It's giving you book recommendations, helping the authors out as well!

Book 1: City of Heavenly Fire by Cassandra Clare

 

Summary:

 

Erchomai, Sebastian had said. I am coming.

Darkness returns to the Shadowhunter world. As their society falls apart around them, Clary, Jace, Simon and their friends must band together to fight the greatest evil the Nephilim have ever faced: Clary's own brother. Nothing in this world can defeat him - must they journey to another world to find the chance

 

 

Reason: I want to read this book because, well, it's Cassandra Clare and I have so much love for The Mortal Instruments. Clary and Jace are perfect together, and I need to know how it ends. I cannot not read this, luckily for me my mother has ordered it for me and should be here by Friday!

 

 

Book 2: Ugly Love by Colleen Hoover

 

Summary:

 



When Tate Collins meets airline pilot Miles Archer, she knows it isn’t love at first sight. They wouldn’t even go so far as to consider themselves friends. The only thing Tate and Miles have in common is an undeniable mutual attraction. Once their desires are out in the open, they realize they have the perfect set-up. He doesn’t want love, she doesn’t have time for love, so that just leaves the sex. Their arrangement could be surprisingly seamless, as long as Tate can stick to the only two rules Miles has for her.

Never ask about the past.
Don’t expect a future.

They think they can handle it, but realize almost immediately they can’t handle it at all.

Hearts get infiltrated.
Promises get broken.
                                                       Rules get shattered.
                                                       Love gets ugly.

Reason: I recently read Maybe Someday by Colleen Hoover, I absolutely loved it. It was very well written and the characters were beautifully developed, so I knew I had to have Ugly Love. It's right up my alley and it's Colleen Hoover. What more is there to say. Nothing, that's what!

 

Book 3: All Lined Up by Cora Carmack

 

Summary:



 

In Texas, two things are cherished above all else—football and gossip. My life has always been ruled by both.

Dallas Cole loathes football. That's what happens when you spend your whole childhood coming in second to a sport. College is her time to step out of the bleachers, and put the playing field (and the players) in her past.

But life doesn't always go as planned. As if going to the same college as her football star ex wasn’t bad enough, her father, a Texas high school coaching phenom, has decided to make the jump to college ball… as the new head coach at Rusk University. Dallas finds herself in the shadows of her father and football all over again.

Carson McClain is determined to go from second-string quarterback to the starting line-up. He needs the scholarship and the future that football provides. But when a beautiful redhead literally falls into his life, his focus is more than tested. It's obliterated.

Dallas doesn't know Carson is on the team. Carson doesn't know that Dallas is his new coach's daughter. And neither of them know how to walk away from the attraction they feel. 

 

Reason: I am DYING to read this book. Like now! It's about American Football (I'm Welsh) and I love the whole premise. A dad who can't let go of his baby girl, moves to the same College. Hilarious! I NEED THIS NOW!

 

Book 4: Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn 

 

Summary:

 

On a warm summer morning in North Carthage, Missouri, it is Nick and Amy Dunne’s fifth wedding anniversary. Presents are being wrapped and reservations are being made when Nick’s clever and beautiful wife disappears. Husband-of-the-Year Nick isn’t doing himself any favors with cringe-worthy daydreams about the slope and shape of his wife’s head, but passages from Amy's diary reveal the alpha-girl perfectionist could have put anyone dangerously on edge. Under mounting pressure from the police and the media—as well as Amy’s fiercely doting parents—the town golden boy parades an endless series of lies, deceits, and inappropriate behavior. Nick is oddly evasive, and he’s definitely bitter—but is he really a killer?

 

Reason: I'm not an Adult Mystery/Thriller reader, but this book keeps catching my attention and I've decided that I will be reading it! It sounds amazing, and it's becoming a movie with Ben Affleck. He's hot, and the gayness inside of me is screaming out. I also kind of have an obsession with murders for some reason, but definitely prefer some sort of paranormal murder. You know, like demonic possession, etc.

 

Book 5: Royally Lost by Angie Stanton

 

Summary:

 

Dragged on a family trip to Europe’s ancient cities, Becca wants nothing more than to go home. Trapped with her emotionally distant father, over-eager stepmother, and a brother who only wants to hook up with European hotties, Becca is miserable. That is until she meets Nikolai, a guy as mysterious as he is handsome. And she unknowingly finds herself with a runaway prince.

Nikolai has everything a guy could ask for-he's crown prince, heir to the throne, and girls adore him. But the one thing he doesn't have...is freedom. Staging a coup, he flees his kingdom and goes undercover on his own European tour.

When Nikolai and Becca meet, it’s their differences that draw them together. Sparks fly as they share a whirlwind of adventures, all the while dodging his royal guard. But Becca's family vacation ends in a matter of days. Will Nikolai and Becca be forced to say goodbye forever, will his destiny catch up to him, or will they change history forever?

 

Reason: It's contemporary and that is one of my favourite genre. Also I love the fact that it's about a prince who's going undercover and falls in love. But c'mon, there is only going to be one outcome. Becca will be left heartbroken when she finds out the truth. But that excites me because I'm obsessed with anything to do with famous people falling in love with "normal" people. GIVE ME IT NOW!

 

 

So, are there any books you guys are dying to read? Let me now!