Top Ten Tuesday is featured by That Artsy Reader Girl. It was born of a love of lists, a love of books, and a desire to bring bookish friends together.
Theme –Books to Read If You Love/Loved X!
I’m changing mine slightly to books to read if you love YA fantasy!
Does the fact that there’s only 1 book I want for 2 months mean I can actually read some of my tbr? (But I will get books from Fairyloot and Illumicrate but have no idea what they will be!!)
We shall see! I will make no promises here because, let’s face it, I rarely keep them when it comes to reading books!!
Three years ago, Margot’s life was turned upside down when her fiancé, Harry, went missing in action on the Western Front. Worse, she was left with a devastating secret which threatened to ruin her life and destroy the reputation of her family. As a respectable vicar’s daughter, Margot has had to guard that secret with great care ever since, no matter how much pain it causes her.
Now it’s Christmas 1919, and Margot’s family is gathering back home in the vicarage for the first time since the end of the Great War. And miraculously Harry has returned, hoping to see Margot and rekindle their romance. Can Margot ever reveal the shocking truth to the only man she has ever loved?
I must admit I don’t read much historical fiction but this cover and the blurb drew me in.
The post-war vibes were so strong, what everyone had gone through and were still going through made me so sad and we just had Rememberance Day so it really brought it home.
This story really played with my emotions. I had my ‘today’ head on and kept on coming to conclusions and I needed to remind myself how little choice unmarried girls had when they found themselves in the same position as Margot. It dawned on me how far we have come in the way of progression.
Margot I went backwards and forwards with. Not sure if I thought she was self centred or immature or both. But Harry. I really loved Harry.
The ending was bittersweet but my favourite part of this book were the letters. They feature heavily in this book and I found myself not being able to wait for the next!
I just saved the boy I’m falling for from a gruesome death by a demon. And what does he have to say? I’m the key to opening the gates of Hell. I mean, a thank-you would’ve been nice. Or another scorching-hot, forbidden kiss. Either way, destiny will have to find someone else to torment, because I’m so done.
Or I was, until my little sister starts cackling exorcist-style and stares at me with eyes that aren’t hers. They’re Marid’s, the Greater Demon I just kicked back to the dark realm he came from. Possessing Ray whenever he wants is his ultimate revenge.
The only way to break the tether between them includes a road trip through Hell, aka the Ather. I quickly discover nothing is as it seems in this place. Yeah, there are realms of terror, greed, and desire, but there’s also peace, and a beauty I never knew existed…and it’s eerily familiar.
With each obstacle we encounter, I slip a little further into the chaotic energy of my growing dark powers. And when an unexpected betrayal hits me square in the chest, I freefall into them.
Fate painted me as the monster of nightmares, and after this? Destiny is about to learn just how monstrous I can be.
Book 2! More Draven! And I couldn’t be happier!!
Harley, Ray, Draven and Cassiel need to stop Marid and there’s only 1 way to do that. To go below, to hell, to the Ather.
Personally I would’ve been happy to read a story about Harley and Draven keeping house (!!!) as I’m sure you’ve guessed by now that Draven is my utter fave!!!!!!!
‘I will find you. You know I will. I always will.’
But anyway, my fantasies of Draven saying that to me aside, they go to the Ather……
‘The Ather, overwhelming odds, plenty of obstacles to overcome.’
And there is plenty to overcome. Drama, action, nasties, those spots of lust (I’ve decided I want to visit Lusro!!!) and it was magnificent!
More characters are introduced, Ryder, Rainier Wrath and Wallace and I loved them all!
The squad you love is out of time. Prepare for the thrilling finale in the epic, best-selling Aurora Cycle series about a band of unlikely heroes who just might be the galaxy’s last hope for survival.
Is this the end? What happens when you ask a bunch of losers, discipline cases, and misfits to save the galaxy from an ancient evil? The ancient evil wins, of course. Wait. . . . Not. So. Fast.
When we last saw Squad 312, they working together seamlessly (aka, freaking out) as an intergalactic battle raged and an ancient superweapon threatened to obliterate Earth. Everything went horribly wrong, naturally.
But as it turns out, not all endings are endings, and the te4am has one last chance to rewrite thirs. Maybe two. It’s complicated.
Cue Zila, Fin, and Scarlett (and MAGELLAN!): making friends, making enemies, and making history? Sure, no problem Cue Tyler, Kal, and Auri: uniting with two of the galaxy’s most hated villains? Um, okay. That, too. Actually saving the galaxy, though? Now that will take a miracle.
Back with my be’shmai, Kal!!!
Let me get this out the way first. I need to get this off my chest! I know there was a big event at the end of Burning but all I could think of was Aurora and what she did to Kal so going into this, I knew I wasn’t going to forgive her easily!
And then I forgot all about that with this line…. ‘I still have riches beyond counting, because I have her.’ I do marvel about how fickle I sometimes!
Anyway…..so now the war is on. On like Kong with the Ra’haam………’How bright the last fire may flare before it is snuffed out entirely.’ But Squad 312 are here and they want to get the job done!
We see the past, the present and we get action, drama and a whole dollop of my fave characters ever.
~ Oh course my Kal. ~ Magellan, the sassy hero. ~ Tyler and Saedii – my actual dark heart. ‘I will see you in the stars’…… ~ And Zila will always be my Queen in everything and especially this moment: ‘Are you two spending precious minutes in the middle of a heretofore unheard-of temporal paradox engaging in frivolous presexual activity?’
The last few chapters had me sitting on the edge of my seat, had me tearing up, had me smiling big. It was utterly beautiful.
I’m so sad to say goodbye to Squad 312 but what a great series this was!
After a wild and tumultuous beginning to their relationship, Evelyn Thomas and her rock star husband David Ferris have been happily married for years. Nothing needs to change, their life together is perfect. Which means that change in the shape of an unexpected pregnancy is bound to shake things up some. But could it be for the better?
‘It all started in Vegas…’
Evelyn Thomas and David Ferris got drunk married in Vegas and made it work, fell in love….so where are they now?
They got married unconventionally and they seem to do all stuff that way!
Mal is ever present and the same fabulous ray of sunshine as always, loved that he got a leading role in this story but David did make me angry. I wanted to throttle him!
I must say though, it’s so nice being back with Stage Dive I miss them!
Quinton Peters was the golden boy of the Rosewood low-income housing projects, receiving full scholarship offers to two different Ivy League schools. When he mysteriously goes missing, his little sister, 13-year-old Amari Peters, can’t understand why it’s not a bigger deal. Why isn’t his story all over the news? And why do the police automatically assume he was into something illegal?
Then Amari discovers a ticking briefcase in her brother’s old closet. A briefcase meant for her eyes only. There was far more to Quinton, it seems, than she ever knew. He’s left her a nomination for a summer tryout at the secretive Bureau of Supernatural Affairs. Amari is certain the answer to finding out what happened to him lies somewhere inside, if only she can get her head around the idea of mermaids, dwarves, yetis and magicians all being real things, something she has to instantly confront when she is given a weredragon as a roommate.
Amari must compete against some of the nation’s wealthiest kids—who’ve known about the supernatural world their whole lives and are able to easily answer questions like which two Great Beasts reside in the Atlantic Ocean and how old is Merlin? Just getting around the Bureau is a lesson alone for Amari with signs like ‘Department of Hidden Places this way, or is it?’ If that all wasn’t enough, every Bureau trainee has a talent enhanced to supernatural levels to help them do their jobs – but Amari is given an illegal ability. As if she needed something else to make her stand out.
With an evil magican threatening the whole supernatural world, and her own classmates thinking she is an enemy, Amari has never felt more alone. But if she doesn’t pass the three tryouts, she may never find out what happened to Quinton.
I do love a good MG read and this was that. In fact it wasn’t just good, it was fantastic!
Amari finds out a whole other world exists and sets off to find her brother who has gone missing by joining a supernatural agency…..
This story was a fun, magical adventure from start to finish! The messages in this book are relevant and were heartbreaking and beautiful to read at the same time.
This book also has the best characters! I loved them all, Amari, the agents, Dylan and Elsie, the new best friend! I need more of her in the next book, I want to see what she can do (no spoilers here!)
What I loved most is Amari. Her belief and love for her brother. Her confidence. She never gives up, she finds the will to carry on no matter what is thrown at her.
This plot has such great possibilities and can’t wait to see what happens next!
Spoiler free – I want to love and savour that plot!
How Long Have You Been Blogging?
Here on WordPress and on Facebook since 2012. For about 2 years Facebook seems to be dead in the water for blogging so last year I started seriously posting on Instagram and I love the community there and also taking pics of the books I love.
A Book You Read in One Sitting
This year, From Blood and Ash by Jennifer L Armentrout, I devoured it!
Your Favourite Genre
Probably YA fantasy but I do also love adult romance….the darker the better!
Preferred Book Size (Novella, Novel, Tome, etc)
I don’t actually mind but if it’s a novella, I prefer that it’s from an established book/series, like a catch up!
Amount of Books on Your TBR
So many. So.Many. I think probably around 150.
A Book That You DNF’d
Anything dark acemdia, I just can’t seem to gel with it!
Average Number of Books You Read Per Month
So far this year I’ve read 80 books but we were locked down again in January and February so I read 10 books a month (which is a lot for me!) I think my average is probably 5 books a month.
Top Three Publishers
I think I read the most from Bloomsbury, Simon and Shuster and Pan McMillan.
Social Media Your Blog Uses
Instagram: @CJRTB_BOOKS Facebook: CJRTB Book Blog Here!
Average Amount of Time You Spend Networking
I’m not really sure on this. I spend little bits of time here and there throughout the day….maybe a couple of hours in total?
Most Comfortable Blogging Position
On my bed, relaxing!
Music or Quiet When Writing Reviews
Quiet for me so I can concentrate…which is hard with a noisy 12 year old!!!!
Can You Sum Up Your Blogging Style in Five Words?
Fly by seat of pants!
A Blog You Looked Up to When Starting Out
I don’t think I can remember!
Best Piece of Blogging Advice
If you feel pressured, stressed or in a panic about posting/blogging, it’s time to take a break. Rest, relax, unwind and see when you’re ready to come back. This isn’t a job. It should be fun so when it stops being fun, step back for a bit.
CJRTB Books 