Cover Reveal + Giveaway | Secrets in Phoenix by Gabriella Lepore

I am so excited for today because OfThomes Publishing and a bunch of bloggers and vloggers are revealing the cover to 'Secrets in Phoenix' by Gabriella LePore. This book was originally known as 'Phoenix Holt' but the author, Gabriella gave the rights to the book over to OfThomes Publishing and they've given it a brand new title and a complete and utter makeover.

 

 

SYNOPSIS

 

When Sophie Ballester and her twin brothers Sam and Todd are uprooted from their home and sent to a remote boarding school run by their Great Aunt Ness, they stumble upon a hidden room that holds a secret—a secret that will change everything.

The people of Phoenix Holt are not what they seem.

In fact, nothing is.

 

 

Now are you ready to see this perfection?

 

 

 

Are you?

 

 

 

You sure?

 

 

 

Are you one hundred percent sure?

 

 

 

Really.....?

 

 

Okay.

 

 

So here is the beautiful cover.....

 

 

 

Pre-order Links

Amazon (UK)

 

Amazon (US)

Available on all Amazon sites


The cover was made by KimGDesigns and she did an incredible job. It's bold, eye-catching and mysteriously creepy. And not only do we get a cover reveal but the amazing Casey from Casey Ann Books has made a spectacular book trailer.

 

GIVEAWAY!

 

Yes, So the amazing Ben over at OfThomes Publishing has decided to do a Pre-Order Giveaway. I'll leave the details down below but definitely make sure you enter!

 

 

 

 

 

 

What do you guys think of the cover?

Let me know in the comments!

Review: Alienated by Melissa Landers

Title: Alienated (Alienated Series #1)
Author: Melissa Landers
Genre: YA Paranormal / Sci Fi
Publisher: Disney Hyperion
Published: February 4th 2014
Page Number: 344
Rating: 4/5

Summary:
Two years ago, the aliens made contact. Now Cara Sweeney is going to be sharing a bathroom with one of them.

Handpicked to host the first-ever L’eihr exchange student, Cara thinks her future is set. Not only does she get a free ride to her dream college, she’ll have inside information about the mysterious L’eihrs that every journalist would kill for. Cara’s blog following is about to skyrocket.

Still, Cara isn’t sure what to think when she meets Aelyx. Humans and L’eihrs have nearly identical DNA, but cold, infuriatingly brilliant Aelyx couldn’t seem more alien. She’s certain about one thing, though: no human boy is this good-looking.

But when Cara's classmates get swept up by anti-L'eihr paranoia, Midtown High School suddenly isn't safe anymore. Threatening notes appear in Cara's locker, and a police officer has to escort her and Aelyx to class.

Cara finds support in the last person she expected. She realizes that Aelyx isn’t just her only friend; she's fallen hard for him. But Aelyx has been hiding the truth about the purpose of his exchange, and its potentially deadly consequences. Soon Cara will be in for the fight of her life—not just for herself and the boy she loves, but for the future of her planet.

REVIEW

This is one of those books that I have a lot to say about. Because while I really liked the book there was also a few flaws that I caught onto.

Melissa Landers (Macy Beckett to some readers) has a fantastic, simple writing style that drags you into the book from the very first page. She writes with precision and I honestly thought that I was living the opposite life of being a human and a L'eihr. Her characters, Cara and Aelyx are so well thought out that you will know people of their personalities in real life. Cara is head strong, has a lot to say and likes to make sure she gets to say what she wants too and I loved her for that. Not only that but she's a character I related to because she's very selfless. People want her to give up on the program but she's having none of it because she's doing what's right for her, her family and Aelyx.

Aelyx. My Dear, Aelyx. He's an Alien I would definitely like to meet. We first meet him as this almost robotic character devoid of emotion but his character growth through out the book was perfect. He grows so much more likeable but his relationship and feelings for Cara are so strange to him, but he accepts them. He's more human than he'd like to think he is.

The storyline is similar yet so different to the TV show Starcrossed. While I did spot a few similarities that I liked because I loved that TV show but there were also a lot of differences. For example the storyline was definitely more throughout and entertaining. I loved the contrast between Human and L'eihr. The ending was perfect because we got to see so much more from them and that really changed things for me.

But despite finding myself to really enjoy the book, I also thought it was heavily predictable. I had only read 30 pages and caught on that something was going to happen between Tori and Eric. It's somewhat of a YA cliché. There were also a few smaller scenes that I predicted would happen, but I mainly overlooked them because I really was so engrossed into the story. It's a bundle of fun. I need to sequel, Invaded in my life!

Buy the book (Waterstones) | Buy the book (Book Depository)

ARC Review: George by Alex Gino

Title: George
Author: Alex Gino
Genre: Middle Grade / LGBT
Publisher: Scholastic Press
Published: August 25th 2015
Page Number: 240
Rating: 5/5

Summary:

BE WHO YOU ARE.

When people look at George, they think they see a boy. But she knows she's not a boy. She knows she's a girl.

George thinks she'll have to keep this a secret forever. Then her teacher announces that their class play is going to be Charlotte's Web. George really, really, REALLY wants to play Charlotte. But the teacher says she can't even try out for the part . . . because she's a boy.

With the help of her best friend, Kelly, George comes up with a plan. Not just so she can be Charlotte -- but so everyone can know who she is, once and for all.

REVIEW

So remember when I said that HIM was my favourite book of 2015? It was only in my last review, so I'm going to guess that you do. Well, now it's not. Because George came right in and slapped it out of that position.

I will kick off and say that reading Middle Grade books is a huge thing for me, so huge in fact because I never seem to connect, relate to any of them. But George is a book that I knew I had to read, not because I received it to review but because it's on a subject that I value so close to my heart. I have friends who are Transgender. I also questioned my gender when I was 14.

George may be a Middle Grade book but the topic is so important. And when a book is on that topic you have to be very careful that it doesn't come across as "preachy". But Alex Gino has mastered it well and wrote a simple story of a girl who was born in a boys body. A girl so different to everyone else that she just wanted to be who she truly was.

This book screams acceptance. In fact I cried so much because of the amount of acceptance there was, from George's best friend Kelly, who stood by her side constantly. To her head teacher, who let me tell you, completely surprised me. It was truly a beautiful thing to read about. The story does deal with the whole confusion from family but it was so well done that it was completely realistic.

After finishing the book in a few hours the words out of my mouth were "This book needs to be on the school curriculum. There's so many lessons that children could learn from this." And I stand by what I say. A lot of people don't understand that children understand a lot more than they think and it's honestly one of those 'Oh, okay.' things when they're young.

I'm not aware of Charlotte's Web. I've heard of it but never watched the movie and read the book. But I found myself loving how the book intertwined the play into it. It was the main centre of the book and honestly the best moments happened during their performances. I loved every page, every sentence, every word. George is a novel so important. It will save lives.

 

'A Copy of the book was sent for a honest review.'

 

 

 

 

Buy the book (Waterstones) | Buy the book (Book Depository)

Books to TV Series #1 | The White Rabbit Chronicles

So 'Books to TV Series' is going to be a brand new series on my blog where I focus on a book or series that I think would be great as a TV show or series. I really want to go in depth of the books/series and also talk about who I think would be some great casts. Of course, these are all my opinions but I just thought it seemed like a lot of fun.

To start of the first series I have picked The White Rabbit Chronicles by Gena Showalter. It's a YA Paranormal series that I finds really mixes both the girly and manly sides perfectly together. If you love TV shows like Gossip Girl and 90210 or The Walking Dead then I think you'd especially love this series since it has the drama, gossip of 90210 and, of course, the action and zombies of The Walking Dead.

 

I discovered this series in 2013 after I was looking for a different take on Alice in Wonderland. Initially I was looking for a leather bound edition of the book and then came across Alice in Zombieland. The title stood out and I really loved the cover, however, I decided to read up some reviews and didn't hear the best things about it. But that did not dampen my desire to pick it up. I read it the day it arrived and quickly became obsessed. I loved the unusual take on the story and Kat had to be the most hilarious character I have ever read about. She reminds me of myself when I go into my 'alter-ego' mode. My love for the series took off from there and I am so glad I didn't let other reviews stop me from giving the series a chance.

 

People have said they'd like a movie of this series but I have to disagree. I think this would relate so much more for TV. There's a world that needs the room to expand and a movie wouldn't be able to do that. Looking at the iflist there have been some great fan casts, but I think I have fan casted some great actors.

 

Alice Bell // Skylar Samuels // American Horror Story, The DUFF, Scream Queens

 

Cole Holland // Stephen James // Former footballer, now model

 

Kat Parker // Marie Avgeropoulos // The 100

 

Kat Parker // Sarah Hyland // Modern Family, Vampire Academy

 

Frosty // Jamie Campbell Bower // Twilight, The Mortal Instruments

 

Bronx // I can't think of anyone for him, sadly.

 

Mackenzie Love // Zoey Deutch // Beautiful Creatures, Vampire Academy

 

Reeve Ankh // Daniella Monet // Victorious, Fred 2 & 3

 

Trina Brighton // Hayley Kiyoko //  Lemonade Mouth, CSI: Cyber, Insidious Chapter 3

 

Emma Bell // Mia Talerico // Good Luck Charlie

 

Justin Silverstone // Gregg Sulkin // Wizards of Waverly Place, Faking It

 

I really do think that with the right producers, directors and writers the books would make excellent TV. I can imagine it this very second, and what I imagine makes me very excited. Mainly because of the blood. A shit ton of blood.

 

 

 

 

Who would you fan cast as these characters?

Let me know in the comments!

Review: HIM by Sarina Bowen and Elle Kennedy

Title: Him
Author: Sarina Bowen and Elle Kennedy
Genre: New Adult / MxM
Publisher: Rennie Road Books (Self-Published)
Published: August 2nd 2015
Page Number: 360
Rating: 5/5

Summary:

They don’t play for the same team. Or do they?
Jamie Canning has never been able to figure out how he lost his closest friend. Four years ago, his tattooed, wise-cracking, rule-breaking roommate cut him off without an explanation. So what if things got a little weird on the last night of hockey camp the summer they were eighteen? It was just a little drunken foolishness. Nobody died.

Ryan Wesley’s biggest regret is coaxing his very straight friend into a bet that pushed the boundaries of their relationship. Now, with their college teams set to face off at the national championship, he’ll finally get a chance to apologize. But all it takes is one look at his longtime crush, and the ache is stronger than ever.

Jamie has waited a long time for answers, but walks away with only more questions—can one night of sex ruin a friendship? If not, how about six more weeks of it? When Wesley turns up to coach alongside Jamie for one more hot summer at camp, Jamie has a few things to discover about his old friend...and a big one to learn about himself.

REVIEW

STOP! Put down the book you're currently reading and listen to me because you guys are going to be dying to pick this book up after you've heard how incredible it was. Because trust me, HIM is my favourite book of the year.

I'm a massive New Adult fan, I love being able to connect to the characters because they're around my age group, and I love being able to relate to certain things that they're going through, so when I saw such a huge amount of praise for HIM, I decided to take the plunge and bought myself a copy.

I'd normally stray away from M/M Romance, not because I'm homophobic (I happen to be gay myself) but because I hate it when all authors can do is write stereotypical characters that only end up insulting us gay people because they obviously didn't do their research. There is nothing stereotypical about HIM though, the characters were so real, honest, so fleshed out that I felt like they were actual real people. Wes is one hundred percent gay and has known so since he was 13 years old. Being able to see how he felt really made me connect to him a lot more because I went through the same thing when I was 10; having your first crush, not being entirely sure why you're attracted to guys instead of girls. It's such a confusing time in anyone's life, but finally knowing so and having to keep it a secret is just so darn tough. It's like carrying a million hardback books on your shoulders. It's painful and thoroughly drains you, consumes your entire mind.

What I loved more than the characters themselves was the transition from their friendship to exploration to their relationship. It's not done quickly in a chapter, but it is continuously worked on and I honestly thought I was seeing a very fleshed out relationship between them both.

Every New Adult novel tends to have sex scenes in them and honestly HIM easily had some of the hottest ones, and I'm not saying that because it's 2 men on each other and I'm gay. I say it because the sex scenes were rehashed, I didn't feel like I had just read the same sex scene after each other because each scene was completely fresh, new. And the sex wasn't used just for sex, but for the development of their characters and relationship. I was enamoured by it all.

What makes this book my favourite of 2015 for me is that every single page was perfect for me. The authors didn't shy away from anything, they wrote what they thought was right and the outcome was this fantastically, sexy novel that I will continuously reread until I get a sequel too.

Buy the book (Amazon) | Buy the book (Book Depository)

August Book Haul

This month has been a little crazy for books. I've bought a lot, received a lot and the outcome for the month was...A WHOLE SHITTING LOT! I thought I had gotten about 10 books but after counting I actually got 15. It's a little crazy, so hopefully I can cut down in the next few months.

I received all these books from the publishers for a honest review, that is exactly what you guys will get after I've read them. I know I included What We Left behind in the last haul, so just ignore that. I forgot I had included it in the Random Book Haul post.

Tempting the Best Man by Jennifer L Armentrout // Buy the book (Waterstones)

 

Mosquitoland by David Arnold // Pre-order the book (Waterstones)

 

Reawakened by Colleen Houck // Buy the book (Waterstones)

 

Hello, Goodbye and Everything in Between by Jennifer E Smith // Buy the book (Waterstones)

 

 

 

I unexpectedly received a copy of GEORGE from Scholastic. They are the bomb.com.org.co.uk. GEORGE is a middle grade novel about a 4th grade transgender.

 

George by Alex Gino // Buy the book (Waterstones)

 

 

 

I then went on an extreme Abbi Glines purchase and don't regret a single second. One More Chance was shown in my last book haul post as well, but I've been so down lately that I forgot.

 

One More Chance by Abbi Glines // Buy the book (Waterstones)

 

You Were Mine by Abbi Glines // Buy the book (Waterstones)

 

When I'm Gone by Abbi Glines // Buy the book (Waterstones)

 

When You're Back by Abbi Glines // Buy the book (Waterstones)

 

 

I am luckily enough to be apart of a very special Rainbow Rowell group, the lovely Kat McKenna from MyKindaBook sent me a signed copy of Fangirl. THANK YOU KAT! YOU ROCK!

 

Knife Edge by Malorie Blackman // Buy the book (Waterstones)

 

Landline by Rainbow Rowell // Buy the book (Waterstones)

 

Exclusive edition of Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell // Buy the book (WHSmiths)

 

 

 

 

 

So what books have you bought/received recently?

Let me know in the comments.

 

 

Monthly Reading Wrap Up | August 2015

I thought I did quite well this month especially since I was ill a few times and got carried away with TV. A lot of my favourite shows have started back up, so I've been more bothered by them. This month I read some really good books as well as some horrid books!

Twisted Perfection by Abbi Glines // 5 Stars

Woods was my favourite male character in the 'Too Far' Series, so getting to see his story was so good. I loved every moment of this book, even the slow build up in the beginning. Honestly, Woods and Della are just so.....perfect!

Simple Perfection by Abbi Glines // 4.5 Stars

This was a fantastic sequel to Twisted Perfection, but I did find some things too over the top in here that it wasn't entirely believable. Still a great book though.

Take a Chance by Abbi Glines // 3 Stars

I've loved reading about Harlow and Grant, but reading from their perspectives was a horrible experience. Grant was too possessive and Harlow is a truly weak example of a woman. Their relationship still annoys me to this day.

One More Chance by Abbi Glines // 3 Stars

Abbi Glines rehashed the storyline where the girl leaves and comes back pregnant, and I stopped reading there. A left it a while and came back to finish it off. It was okay, not good or her best.

You Were Mine by Abbi Glines // 4 Stars

Oh, Bethy and Tripp. So, so beautiful. I was crying from the heartbreak in this book and I loved seeing what happened to Bethy and Tripp when they were teenagers. Although those teenager parts were incredibly slow I still enjoyed them.

When I'm Gone by Abbi Glines // 4.5 Stars

I'm getting myself a Mase Mannings because he is perfect to a 'T'. Him and Reese were a perfect couple and I really enjoyed the fact that there wasn't much sex in this book. It was laid back and I  found it to be perfect.

When You're Back by Abbi Glines // 2 Stars

YAWN! This book was an entire snooze fest. When I'm Gone should've been a standalone. The storyline turns up like 80% into the book and by that time I officially wanted to burn the book and pretend like Abbi didn't even write the book.

Emmy & Oliver by Robin Benway // DNF'd

I read 68% of this book before deciding that I just didn't care about the characters to see what happened to them. The awkwardness between Emmy & Oliver was cute, and I loved them so much together but other than that this book was a hot mess.

 The Darkest Part of the Forest by Holly Black // DNF'd

The beginning was eerie and I liked the characters but nothing was entirely going on. I was literally left yawning. I do hope to go back and pick it up again next month though.

Monster by CJ Skuse // 3 Stars

I have mixed thoughts on this one. I liked the characters and the story but I felt I may have read it at the wrong time.

All I Know Now by Carrie Hope Fletcher // 3 Stars

Not for me. I'm a 19 year old guy, not a 13 year old girl.

Kiro's Emily by Abbi Glines // 3 Stars

This was a quick, cute read but nothing else. Kiro was....obsessed though, literally.





What books did you read this month?

Let me know in the comments.