Wishlist Wednesday (63)

Wishlist Wednesday is a book blog hop hosted by Pen to Paper where we share and post about a book that has been on our wishlist for some time, or just added, that we can't wait to get off the wishlist.

Series I'm dying to continue reading: The Golden Lily by Richelle Mead and Walking Disaster by Jamie McGuire for odd reasons. I really want to read The Golden Lily in hopes that the storyline will be a lot better than the first, which to me I felt was a little lacking, but I enjoyed it nonetheless. Whereas I want to read Walking Disaster to dampen my curiosity. I didn't enjoy the first book but I just want to see how it progress yknow?

The Golden Lily Synopsis: Sydney Sage is an Alchemist, one of a group of humans who dabble in magic and serve to bridge the worlds of humans and vampires. They protect vampire secrets—and human lives.

Sydney would love to go to college, but instead, she’s been sent into hiding at a posh boarding school in Palm Springs, California–tasked with protecting Moroi princess Jill Dragomir from assassins who want to throw the Moroi court into civil war. Formerly in disgrace, Sydney is now praised for her loyalty and obedience, and held up as the model of an exemplary Alchemist.

But the closer she grows to Jill, Eddie, and especially Adrian, the more she finds herself questioning her age–old Alchemist beliefs, her idea of family, and the sense of what it means to truly belong. Her world becomes even more complicated when magical experiments show Sydney may hold the key to prevent becoming Strigoi—the fiercest vampires, the ones who don’t die. But it’s her fear of being just that—special, magical, powerful—that scares her more than anything. Equally daunting is her new romance with Brayden, a cute, brainy guy who seems to be her match in every way. Yet, as perfect as he seems, Sydney finds herself being drawn to someone else—someone forbidden to her.

When a shocking secret threatens to tear the vampire world apart, Sydney’s loyalties are suddenly tested more than ever before. She wonders how she's supposed to strike a balance between the principles and dogmas she's been taught, and what her instincts are now telling her.

Should she trust the Alchemists—or her heart?Walking Disaster Synopsis: Finally, the highly anticipated follow-up to the New York Times bestseller Beautiful Disaster. 

Can you love someone too much?

Travis Maddox learned two things from his mother before she died: Love hard. Fight harder.

In Walking Disaster, the life of Travis is full of fast women, underground gambling, and violence. But just when he thinks he is invincible, Abby Abernathy brings him to his knees.

Every story has two sides. In Beautiful Disaster, Abby had her say. Now it’s time to see the story through Travis’s eyes.

Slide by Michelle Congdon - Release Promo

Slide by Michelle Congdon

Published: 25th November 2013
Genre: New Adult

Synopsis: After surviving a horrific car accident that claimed the lives of her mother and brother, Evangeline made a promise to herself to never go back to the city filled with the memories of her tragic past. But when her estranged father suddenly falls ill, she has no choice but to return to New York and to the life she spent twelve years trying to avoid.

Since the accident, heiress to the multi-billion dollar Montgomery Empire, Evangeline has always feared the media attention that comes with having the Montgomery name and would immediately give it all up if it meant the chance to bring back her loved ones. Delicate and camera shy, the last person she should have on her mind is a type of guy like Ryan Fox.

Witty, extremely arrogant but undeniably good-looking are only a few words Evangeline can use to describe the New York Yankee’s hot-shot. The notorious bad boy― well-versed at playing the game both on and off the field― isn't fazed about the media circus following his every move and couldn't be anymore different to the quiet, shy girl that she is. So, what does a guy like him see in somebody as messed-up as her? And although everything about Ryan screams trouble with a capital T, why can't Evangeline seem to stay away? It's not until they're away from the cameras that Evangeline begins to see the real man hiding behind the cocky facade- one that's hurt and haunted by a dark and terrible secret.

What will happen once Evangeline finds the courage to reveal what really happened on the evening her mother and brother died? And how will she react when she finally learns the truth about Ryan's chilling past? Will baring their deepest secrets bring them closer together or will it tear them apart and have them sliding into darkness all over again?

Goodreads

The Book Releases Today!

Meet Ryan Fox

Full name: Ryan Aaron Fox

Age: 24

Date of birth: 15th February 1989

Race: American/ Italian

Gender: Male

Height: 6’4

Weight: 205lb

Eye colour: Greenish Hazel

Distinguishing features: Dimple on left cheek

Build of body: Tall, Athletic

Hair colour: Dark Brown

Hair style: Wavy, Medium Length

Complexion: Olive

Current residence: New York City

Occupation: Pitcher for the New York Yankees

Home town: New Jersey

Parents: Joseph & Serafina Fox

Siblings: Chiara, Liliana, Gabriella & Annabelle

Hobbies/past times: Collecting sports cars and artwork, attending and supporting local charities, spending time with family, watching the NBL, modelling.

Talents: Highest paid baseball player in the MLB to date.

Favourite types of music: R&B, Alternative, Old School Rock.

Favourite types of food: Mom's home-made Italian cooking, Sushi and Pizza.

Favourite types of drink: Beer, Scotch and vintage Champagne.

Ryan picked up his first baseball at the tender age of six. He played throughout his school years and was drafted into the major leagues by the New York Yankees two weeks before his sixteenth birthday. He played his first game in the same week, placing him in the same category as some of youngest players in the world.

During the past eight years, Ryan has impressed the baseball world by winning two MVP Awards, Rookie of the Year and two Cy Young Awards. He has also made six All-Star game appearances.

When not busy training, playing ball or modelling for endorsements, Ryan likes to spend his down time helping his favourite charities, going to NBL games and going out with his friends and team mates.

He would do absolutely anything for his family and is very protective of his sisters, especially Annabelle. Since his father’s passing, Ryan has made it his duty to be a strong, positive role model to his youngest sister.

Ryan has had no previous relationships due to his baseball commitments. He prefers to have one-night stands, so neither party has time to develop feelings. That is until Evangeline Montgomery walked into his life…

About the Author
Michelle Congdon
Blog / Facebook / Twitter / Goodreads

Michelle Congdon resides in Sydney, Australia. She has a Dalmatian named Jett, who to this day continues to hold an 8 year grudge against her after she had to leave him with her parents when she moved to the big city- this only proves animals are much like their owners. Michelle enjoys reading books of all sorts of genre's, watching way too many movies and TV shows (and Disney cartoons), singing out aloud to her favourite hits and going on adventures involving food and travel. Michelle is loud, talks a lot and shares an ever-growing list of fictional husbands with a friend. From when she was a small girl, she has always had an over active imagination and has tried to put it to good use by sharing her stories with anyone willing to listen.

Bought, Borrowed & Bagged (56)

Bought, Borrowed and Bagged hosted by Talk Supe and Sunday Post hosted by Caffeinated Book Reviewer are both weekly memes where you can share your book haul, ongoing events and news about what is coming up on your blog for the week ahead. I take part with both of these hops fortnightly so I can be introduced to a range of blogs on the atmosphere. Please Note: All images link back to their GR pages.

-Bagged-

Gameland: Deep Into the Game by Saul Tanpepper, Gravity by Abigail Boyd, Blood and Sacrifice (Blood Ties #2) by Jessica Gibson

I got these all from Amazon, they were freebies! I'm not sure I'll read Blood and Sacrifice as I don't have the first but I figured I'd grab it just in case.

Apocalypse Now: Poems and Prose from the End of Days by Andrew McFayden-Ketchum and other authors.
I received this for review from the publishers - Upper Rubber Boot Books, decided it sounded interesting because we all love the Apocalypse, right?

These past six weeks on Northern Plunder

Review: A Unique Rabbit by Red Tash
Wishlist Wednesday
Review: Being Jamie Baker by Kelly Oram
Wishlist Wednesday
Review: Endure by Laura Diamond
Review and Giveaway: Reap by Christina Channelle
Wishlist Wednesday
October Wrap Up

Upcoming on Northern Plunder:

Attempting University
Wishlist Wednesday
More Than Jamie Baker Review

Lauren's Progress:
Read in 2013: 64 / 60

Being Jamie Baker by Kelly Oram
Kissing Jamie Baker by Kelly Oram
Reap by Christina Channelle
The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater (audiobook dnf)
More Than Jamie Baker by Kelly Oram

Currently Reading:

Print and Patter by Bowie Styles (43%)
Scott Pilgrim Vs. the World by Bryan Lee O'Malley (35%)
Memory's Wake by Selina Fenech (8%)
The Walking Dead Compendium 1 by Robery Kirkman (6%)
Later with Myself by Sheryl Sorrentini (3%)
Awakening Foster Kelly by Cara Rosalie Olsen (6%)

News from Lauren:

It seems ages since I took part in a weekly haul and that's cause it's been so long since I got a book. I've been busy, busy, busy and rarely getting a glance at blogging. I'm not going to go any where cause I still love this so much, even if the time I can put into it has subsided a lot.
This weekend I went to see Catching Fire with a visit to a Wagamama's afterwards which I've never eaten at before and it was lovely, also big thumbs up to CF because I thought it was a great improvement on the first.
On my way back out I fell down some stairs in my accommodation and now I'm hurting all over, so don't text and walk down stairs cause it sucks later on. 

October Wrap Up

October Wrap Up
Challenges:
Ouch, university is still kicking my butt on the reading side of things. However this doesn't matter too much as I have indeed now completed my reading goal! I'm so happy about that because at the start of the year I was super worried it was far too ambitious.

Women Author Challenge - Completed
37. Being Jamie Baker by Kelly Oram [review]
38. Kissing Jamie Baker by Kelly Oram
Total: 38 / 10

Dystopia Reading Challenge
N/A
Total: 5 / 6

Indie Fever Reading Challenge - Completed
N/A
Total: 35 / 16

TBR Reading Challenge
N/A
Total: 15 / 20

(Ongoing) Millionaire Challenge:
26,558 (+ 11 unknown)

A-Z Book Challenge:
K - Kissing Jamie Baker 16.10
Total: 20 / 26

Shelf Stacking
Oh my, aren't you proud. I've been very good with my money now I'm a student fending for myself. Or maybe I've been so caught up in work I didn't even realise October had passed without a book falling into my lap. Well apart from the following two which were both late birthday presents from Lewis.

Wishlist Wednesday (62)

Wishlist Wednesday is a book blog hop hosted by Pen to Paper where we share and post about a book that has been on our wishlist for some time, or just added, that we can't wait to get off the wishlist.

Series I'm dying to continue reading: Wicked Kiss by Michelle Rowan and Word and Deed by Susannah Noel I really enjoy the first of both of these series but I'm really bad at actually finishing series (being on a book buying ban doesn't really help to be honest).

Wicked Kiss Synopsis: My kiss can kill.
I used to be ordinary Samantha Day, but that's changed. Now, after one dark kiss from a dangerous boy, I can steal someone's soul…or their life. If I give in to the constant hunger inside me, I hurt anyone I kiss. If I don't…I hurt myself.
Bishop is the one whose kiss I crave most, but if I kiss him, I'll kill him. Then there's another boy, one I can't hurt. One whose kiss seems to miraculously quell my hunger. They're both part of a team of angels and demons that's joined forces in my city to fight a mysterious rising darkness, an evil that threatens everyone I know and love. I just wonder if I'll be able to help Bishop—or if I'm just another part of the darkness he's sworn to destroy….
Pushing the Limits Synopsis: Until three months ago, Riana lived a safe, quiet life as a Reader for the Union government, but her life is no longer quiet or safe.
She is now part of an underground rebellion, working closely with Connor, the covert leader of the movement and her best friend. Together, they’re trying to translate a mysterious book that might give them answers about the disaster that transformed their world.
Union officials want to arrest them, and radical Zealots want to destroy them. And Mikel, her Soul-Breather boyfriend, wants Riana to stop putting herself in danger for a cause he doesn’t support.
Then it gets even worse, when the Zealots start to frame them for violent acts of terrorism. Riana has to stay alive and juggle conflicting loyalties, deciding who to trust, where her heart lies, and what she really believes in.

Reap by Christina Channelle - Book Tour Review + Giveaway

Reap by Christina Channelle

Published: 11th October by Christina Channelle
Genre: Fantasy / Paranormal Romance / Young Adult
Page Count: 92
Format: eBook
Source: Girls Heart Books Tours

Synopsis: Foreign, or rather unfamiliar, would be the word I would use to describe how I felt.

Faintly, I could hear the glimmer of voices surrounding me in this dark haze, caressing my ears like skin against silk. I felt like I was in a cocoon of sorts, protectively enveloped, quietly drifting in some far-off place. I wanted to stay that way forever.

But we all know that what you want never really seems to happen in the real world.

Something’s not right in Mia’s head.

The first thing is that her name isn’t Mia. In fact, she has no clue what her name is—who she is. All that she knows is that she’s not like the ones who found her: Dante with his kind blue eyes, Amy with her child-like demeanor, James with his questioning gaze.

And Briggs.

The one she cannot decipher no matter how hard she tries.

As Mia tries to fit in with these people, a strange occurrence is amidst outside. And as she finally remembers who she is …

Well, let’s just say that things get a little more complicated.

Goodreads

Purchase: Amazon UK* / Amazon US / B&N / Smashwords / iTunes

Review: 

4.5 / 5 stars

I was fortunate enough to receive a copy of Reap for part of a book tour hosted by Girls Heart Books Tours, this will in no way effect my opinion on the book.

I really couldn't pass up the opportunity to join this tour seeing as though I've read almost all of her other books already, and I'm glad that I didn't.

Reap is a novella, a story of only 92 pages, which of course makes it difficult for me to say too much without spoiling anything. Don't worry I shall try my best.

As Reap is split into parts, I shall split my review too. Hopefully this'll make things a little clearer.

Part One.

Lying on the floor. Dazed. No memory. No name. No sense of familiarity. 

This is how Mia awakes, how we awake, how the book starts. 

I really like this because the world and characters are getting introduced to both Mia and yourself at the same time, which makes it very easy to follow and relate because as she finds her ground, you too find yours.

Aside from Mia there are four other characters. Dante, Amy, James and Briggs. 

These become her unconventional family, and as the story progresses we see how her relationships with them develop. 

Particularly Dante. Whether or not you want to class this as insta-love or not is up to you, I'm leaning more towards the not because with it being a novella the time can jump quickly so whilst you can see them growing to like each other quickly (as in pages), at the same time it can be seen as weeks passing because obviously we're not getting a day to day account of Mia adjusting to her new lifestyle.

Oh and theres a few things I've not pointed out either, that are particularly important.

One, Mia can't speak.

Two, there is an unknown danger outside. (Okay it's not unknown to me any more, and you do find out what it is after about ...30 pages? but spoilers).

Due to this "unknown danger" and Briggs' very strange and off behaviour there is a lot of tension on questioning throughout the first, but of course also reading this from the point of view of a character with a lack of memory leads to this too!

Part Two.

This part is called remembering.

But it's not just about our Mia remembering her life from before waking up on the floor, it's actually set during that time.

So we are thrown back.

It's actually a little confusing because whilst we recognise it's Mia's life,  there is a lot of new things happening that don't quite knit neatly part one.

But it's great to see how strongly she has felt for certain people, to realise how deep love can run.

I really enjoyed this part. It seemed so full of life. (Ironically, I guess?) Probably due to how emotions are a very lively aspect. No matter how the effect us.

But luckily it does all get explained and linked up in part three.

Part Three.

Part three of which I can't review. It's the shortest part and it's where everything falls into place.

It would be far too spoiler worthy for me to utter a word from it, maybe even deathly.

Who knows what's out there. 

Excerpt:

I could hear the waves of the ocean crashing behind us, our feet buried in the warm sand, the grains getting between our toes. We held each other firmly, as if either one of us would instantly drop to the ground without the support of the other. His large hands gripped my waist, then loosened oh so slightly. He trailed his fingers up and down my sides, my body shivering in response. In return, I clutched the back of his neck and smiled against his skin. Showering tiny kisses along the column of his neck, I breathed in his intoxicating, familiar scent.

“You know, you’re eventually going to have to let me go,” his low voice rumbled over my head. 

Author Bio 
Christina Channelle
Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

A dreamer, Christina Channelle holds two degrees in health sciences but has always had a passion for writing. You will find her reading other young adult novels, or typing up a new story on her computer. When not writing, Christina spends her free time at the movies, listening to music, or eating sushi. She’s a reality TV junkie and has a close relationship with many characters on TV that have been a topic of many heated discussions among friends. She resides in Ontario, Canada.

Giveaway
Print Copy of Reap + 4 Bookmarks - US ONLY

a Rafflecopter giveaway

*When purchasing through these link, Northern Plunder will receive a small amount, once I have enough saved up I will put it towards a giveaway.
Don't forget to follow the tour by clicking this link!

Endure by Laura Diamond - Review

Endure by Laura Diamond

Published: 12th July by Etopia Press
Genre: Young Adult
Page Count: 269
Format: eBook
Source: Etopia Press

Synopsis:Seventeen-year-old Justin's anemic blood is a blessing. Or a curse. It all depends on who you ask.

To most of the immortal Vie, his blood is a scourge: untouchable and useless. To some Vie, his blood is a drug. To Justin, it's something that gets him in a lot of trouble. Being poisoned by a Vie is just one example. His sister getting kidnapped is another. Whether it's being coerced by a deluded cult leader, or negotiation with Alex - an Vie scientist addicted to Anemie blood - Justin struggles to keep every mutated drop of blood he's got.

His fight for survival gets more complicated when he meets Alex's slave, Care. Despite coming from different worlds, they're both prisoners, at risk of being drained by a hungry Vie any moment. When she risks her own neck to help Justin find his sister, he's left with a terrifying choice.

Saving what's left of humanity.
Saving his sister. Saving the girl he loves.
Or sticking a stake in Alex's chest.
Justin can't decide which option will get him killed first.

Goodreads

Purchase: Amazon UK* / Amazon US / B&N / Kobo 

Review: 

4 / 5 stars

I was fortunate enough to receive an eArc copy of Endure in exchange for an honest review from Etopia Press, this will in no way effect my opinion on the book.

But guess which silly book blogger typed up the entire review and accidentally deleted it and has been too upset to tackle it again since then. Yeah that was me. I'm pretty annoyed by the whole experience but *sigh* what can you do.

Any how, when this book turned up in my inbox I hadn't requested it or read the synopsis so I just picked it up and read it on a whim and that the cover was pretty. 

And because of this, it surprised me.

Judging by the cover alone I'd have guessed we'd have yet another female narrative but no not here. Finally I have actually read one of the very few YA books that have a male narrative and I loved this. 

It was definitely a nice change, the writing felt different and new and it came across clearly that this was in fact a boy. It was great to see things from a boys point of view for a change.

I may have been one of the boys growing up but I certainly don't have the mind set of a boy. 

Endure is about Justin, an anaemic teenage boy, looking after his younger sister whilst trying to survive as the Vie take over Earth - building a dome over the city to help their own survival, making humans into slaves and being in charge of their every movement, feeding and breathing. Its pretty scary.

At first I figured the Vie were Aliens, if you've seen the TV series "V" you'll have an idea how I was imagining this world but as the story unravelled, very quickly I realised I was wrong. I was thrilled to find out the Vie were in fact Vampires!

Wooo. I'm pretty sure this is one of the only books I've read this year about Vampires. 100% real and not made up to get the girl Vampires.

What is even better is these aren't dreamy-fall-head-over-heels-for-Vampires, but in fact they're terrifying, blood thirsty and mind controlling Vampires, getting high of anaemic blood.

Justin's sister is taking captive by a Vampire named Alex, who has a definite interest in Justin once he manages to resist Alex's mind control.

So here beings Justin's quest to rescue his sister but its not an easy task at all.

Along the way he ends up with a group of anaemic kids who believe he is the saviour mentioned in a prophecy, he ends up being tortured and almost drained to death on more than one occasion, fights vampire after vampire - though not always successfully - and of course meets a girl who he likes.

Probably one of my favourite aspects of this book was the dynamic between Alex and Justin, the conversations between the two and each of them figuring out what the other is up too. Its was great to see the story unfold between these two characters but I do have to say Alex wasn't the only one that got annoyed with Justin's stubbornness.

However, whilst I really enjoyed reading this books and I have very little to complain about, I do believe that it was more of a build up to the sequel, the way the story ended on such an open cliffhanger just made it seem like I should be expecting a lot more to happen in the future.

Which is why I'm very excited and waiting (somewhat patiently) for the sequel.

Laura Diamond: Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

*When purchasing through this link, I will receive a small amount, once I have enough saved up I will put it towards a giveaway.