Bookish Diary ~ Gonna sleep with a smile on my lips tonight

I'm going to graduate college (hopefully) this December (got my fingers and toes crossed!). One of my mother's sisters-in-law gave me an early graduation gift--an allowance specifically for books! I haven't received any other (advance) gifts but I have a feeling this might be the best of them all--except, of course, if I receive more books. ;)

So with an excited flutter in my stomach, I went in my internship and spent the whole day in the office staring at the clock and thinking what books I'm going to buy. It was the longest seven hours of my life. If I could fly, I would have flown the mile it takes from the office to the nearest book store (yes, the book store is only a mile away from the building I'm doing my internship in--very convenient!). I couldn't leave the office fast enough when my shift finally ended. I think I was  actually bouncing like a kid in the car on my way to the book store.

The hardest part for a bookworm is what to read next, and earlier, I walked around the store debating what to pick up to take home with me. If I had my way I would've carried the whole book store home but, alas, I can't afford it.

I ended up buying these five lovelies:

Before I Fall - Lauren Oliver

The Alchemy of Forever (Incarnation #1) - Avery Williams

The Impossibility of Tomorrow (Incarnation #2) - Avery Williams

'Til Death - Kate Evangelista

To All The Boys I've Loved Before - Jenny Han


I was a very happy kid when I walked out of that book store. I was high from the smell of books.

When I got home, of course I just had to announce it to the world. I tweeted, posted in Facebook, and now blogging it.

Then one of my favorite authors, Kate Evangelista, saw my tweet an retweeted it. She even replied to me, which just made me swoon (I'm weird like that). That prompted my memory that she is going to be in the 2014 Manila International Book Fair on September 20, so I opened up her twitter account and stalked her. I saw her tweet about the time she's going to speak in the MIBF and I asked her if I can have my book, 'Til Death, signed there. This is how it went:

I fangirled severely after that. I might have broken some china and furniture, but in my high-as-a-kite-from-a-twitter-conversation state I can't be sure. ;)

Kate Evangelista is one of my favorite authors and one of my inspirations in my (future) writing career. It has been my dream to publish a book and to become a real author, but I doubted my abilities and my chances because the literary market in my country is small. After discovering that Ms. Evangelista is also a Filipina and she has published six books internationally (Savor, Taste, Romancing the Bookworm, Reaping Me Softly, Unreap My Heart, 'Til Death) my hopes rekindled in my chest.

I emailed her a couple of times and she has been very wonderful. She encouraged me to write and pursue my dreams. Now that I will actually have the chance to meet her in person, to say I'm excited is an understatement. My excitement can be bottled up and sold around the world. If it can feed people, children in Africa will never starve. That's how excited I am. (Now I'm starting to doubt if I can settle down enough to sleep tonight)

If you haven't read her books, please give it a try. ;)

This day has been a very happy one for me. Five paperbacks at a time, a chance to meet one of my favorite authors, a twitter conversation with her... I can't wipe my silly smile off my face.

Have I mentioned how excited I am to meet Kate Evangelista?



~ Zee

Continue reading →

Review ~ Sentinel (Covenant #4) by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Synopsis:

As the mortal world slowly slips into chaos of the godly kind, Alexandria Andros must overcome a stunning defeat that has left her shaken and in doubt of their ability to end this war once and for all.

And with all the obstacles between Alex and her happily-ever-after with the swoonworthy Aiden St. Delphi, they must now trust a deadly foe as they travel deep into the Underworld to release one of the most dangerous gods of all time.

In the stunning, action-packed climax to the bestselling Covenant series, Alex must face a terrible choice: the destruction of everything and everyone she holds dear… or the end of herself.

Buy from:

Amazon | B&N | iTunes

Review:

Fricking daimon butts. After Apollyon, I thought nothing better could come my way. But boy, oh boy, was I so wrong. Jennifer Armentrout just took amazing to a whole new level with the final installment of the Covenant series, Sentinel.

We’ve already established that Jennifer Armentrout is one heck of an author. What she did in Sentinel is beyond amazing. The way she executed the plot and action is something that has been branded in my mind. I want this book to be a movie. They should make a movie of this. THIS SHOULD BE A FRICKING MOVIE!

Sentinel is the best book in the series (I take back my last proclamation in Apollyon because it is really Sentinel). This book is like one heck of a rollercoaster ride. I don’t know how I’m going to express my feelings because I’m drained. This series is like a daimon draining an aether—it drained my emotion locker and robbed me speechless.

I loved Sentinel something fierce. I was so hooked I felt like I was part of the book. This is one of the best conclusions that has ever been written.

I. Just. Loved. It.

~ Zee

Continue reading →

Review ~ Apollyon (Covenant #4) by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Synopsis:

Fate isn’t something to mess with… and now, neither is Alex.

Alex has always feared two things: losing herself in the Awakening and being placed on the Elixir. But love has always been stronger than Fate, and Aiden St. Delphi is willing to make war on the gods—and Alex herself—to bring her back.

The gods have killed thousands and could destroy entire cities in their quest to stop Seth from taking Alex’s power and becoming the all-powerful God Killer. But breaking Alex’s connection to Seth isn’t the only problem. There are a few pesky little loopholes in the whole “an Apollyon can’t be killed” theory, and the only person who might know how to stop the destruction has been dead for centuries.

Finding their way past the barriers that guard the Underworld, searching for one soul among countless millions, and then somehow returning will be hard enough. Alex might be able to keep Seth from becoming the God Killer… or she might become the God Killer herself.

Buy from:

Amazon | B&N | iTunes

Review:

I don’t know how to contain myself. I’m wrong about Deity because Apollyon is the best in the series. It’s heart-wrenching, throw-your-book-against-the-wall frustrating (for the first part of the book), and just plain amazing throughout. Jennifer Armentrout is one epic author.

Apollyon is a non-stop action that grew a book on its side. The plot is keep-you-on-the-edge-of-your-seat intense. This book gave me a sleepless night, but I’m not complaining. If I can live inside this book, I totally will.

I like Alex’s character development. She has really matured in this book but she still feels like her usual snarky self. For the first part of the book where her connection to Seth is like a living, breathing thing, I want to hurl my device into the wall in frustration. But then that just shows Armentrout’s brilliance and how strong the connection between the Apollyons is.

This book packs a drum of anticipation. I don’t know how the author keeps at it but it just keeps getting better and better page after page. I don’t know what else to say other than I truly, madly, deeply loved this book. Words are just not enough to express what I’m feeling. It is the best pre-conclusion of all time.

Apollyon has everything: romance, thrill, action, and mystery. It is one of the best books that has ever been written.

~ Zee

Continue reading →

Review ~ Diety (Covenant #3) by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Synopsis:

"History is on repeat, and things didn't go so well the last time. "

Alexandria isn't sure she's going to make it to her eighteenth birthday--to her Awakening. A long-forgotten, fanatical order is out to kill her, and if the Council ever discovers what she did in the Catskills, she's a goner... and so is Aiden. 

If that's not freaky enough, whenever Alex and Seth spend time "training"--which really is just Seth's code word for some up-close and personal one-on-one time--she ends up with another mark of the Apollyon, which brings her one step closer to Awakening ahead of schedule. Awesome. 

But as her birthday draws near, her entire world shatters with a startling revelation and she's caught between love and Fate. One will do anything to protect her. One has been lying to her since the beginning. Once the gods have revealed themselves, unleashing their wrath, lives will be irrevocably changed... and destroyed. 

Those left standing will discover if love is truly greater than Fate...

Buy from:

Amazon | B&N


Review:

Have I proclaimed my undying love for Jennifer Armentrout?

She just did it again. There is something addictive and compelling with the way she writes, and Deity is no exception. This third installment of the Covenant series is worth a thousand brownie points. This series just keeps getting better and better with each book.

Deity reveals more mystery but also created new ones. If Pure was the waves in the ocean, then Deity is a tsunami. It is fast-paced and even more action-packed than the first two books which, being the girl who loves action, really hooked my attention. I don’t know how Armentrout keeps getting better, but I hope she doesn’t stop. Deity is an intense read that made me want to turn this whole book into a movie just to see it play out right in front of my eyes.

The plot twists are simply stunning, especially Leon. I never really gave him that much thought but I really liked his impeccable timing and to know why he keeps popping up the worst possible time for Alex and Aiden is just mind-blowing. And Aiden’s brother, Deacon. After Caleb, Deacon has become a very strong secondary character, and I hope he doesn’t die, too. To know his love interest was very shocking because I never would have guessed.

Marcus is really coming through in this book. While he seems to be the bad guy along with Lucian in the first two books because that’s how Alex sees him, we get to see him in a new light in this book. Armentrout doesn’t waste a character. Everyone, no matter how insignificant he seemed in the first two books, have a role to fulfill in the future.

I’m starting to see Seth in a new light, too. Though my suspicions are confirmed that he’s just after the power, I can somehow understand why he is so willing to stand by Lucian and do what he wants. No matter what he did in this book, I think I am starting to like him.

Both Seth and Aiden gets center-stage in this book. I love their banters. Aiden is not the sarcastic type but he takes Seth in stride. Alex is still her usual sarcastic self, and as entertaining as ever. Though there are times that I want to thump her in the head because she just can’t seem to stop being stupid.

Another thing that makes Deity a bad ass book is the surprises it contains. We finally get to meet some of the Greek gods here and see where they stand in this brewing war.

I hate cliffhangers (and this  one is!) but I’m going to let this go because I’ll get to read the next book as soon as possible. I am so glad I am now just reading this book else I might have suffered the very bad effects of cliffhangers. Deity doesn’t disappoint; the best in the series so far.

~ Zee

Continue reading →

Review ~ Pure (Covenant #2) by Jennifer Armentrout

Synopsis:

There is need. And then there is Fate. Being destined to become some kind of supernatural electrical outlet isn't exactly awesome--especially when Alexandria's other half is everywhere she goes. Seth's in her training room, outside her classes, and keeps showing up in her bedroom--so not cool. Their connection does have some benefits, like staving off her nightmares of the tragic showdown with her mother, but it has no effect on what Alex feels for the forbidden, pure-blooded Aiden. Or what he will do--and sacrifice--for her. When daimons infiltrate the Covenants and attack students, the gods send furies--lesser gods determined to eradicate any threat to the Covenants and to the gods, and that includes the Apollyon--and Alex. And if that and hordes of aether-sucking monsters didn't blow bad enough, a mysterious threat seems willing to do anything to neutralize Seth, even if that means forcing Alex into servitude--or killing her. When the gods are involved, some decisions can never, ever be undone.

Buy from:

Amazon | B&N | Book Depository 


Review:

The sequel is even better than the first book. This one deserves a six out of five stars! Pure is a gripping story that took a hold of me and didn’t let go until I’ve turned the last page. Why, oh why, did I put off reading this series? It is ten-buckets-of-fries good (and I love fries something fierce, so that’s saying something).

Pure is a very riveting read. It possesses the romance, conflicts and action I want in a book. I couldn’t put it down because I felt like it has its fingers gripping me. My eyes are glued to it from the beginning until the last page. There are times when the tension is so thick I could almost feel it suffocating me.

I like it that the plot gives away enough information to tease your curious brain but never enough clues to satisfy your concluding thoughts. With every suspicious scene, I kept wondering, “Is this what the oracle meant?”

Alex is still as entertaining as ever. Jennifer Armentrout’s way of narrating as Alex’s voice is very catchy. The constant sarcastic thoughts keep the reader from being bored. Alex’s attitude feels like a living, breathing thing. I think, after reading this book, I started thinking and talking like Alex. LOL.

I still don’t have the feels for Seth, though this is more like his book, but sometimes he’s really confusing. There are times like ‘He must like Alex’ but then something happens and it becomes ‘No, he just wants the power’. Seth is a very strong character, but I’m not sure if he’s supposed to be a part of a love triangle or he’s supposed to be one of the power-hungry villains.

Aiden is very annoying in this book. I understand that he needed to decide whether to risk it or not, but I really hope he could hold his decision without being the King of Mixed Signals. That doesn’t help Alex at all.

The action in the climax is a very good one. I like it that the narration is very detailed so I can imagine it properly and see it as if it’s playing right in front of my eyes.

Pure made me yell in frustration, giggle like a schoolgirl, and cry like a baby (Caleb!). I still want to crawl inside the book and partake in their adventures. It doesn’t feel enough that I’m just a witness in their story. Armentrout sure knows how to catch the full attention of a reader. I just want more, more, more.

~ Zee

Continue reading →

Review ~ Half-Blood (Covenant #1) by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Synopsis:

The Hematoi descend from the unions of gods and mortals, and the children of two Hematoi pure bloods have godlike powers. Children of Hematoi and mortals--well, not so much. Half-bloods only have two options: become trained Sentinels who hunt and kill daimons or become servants in the homes of the pures. Seventeen-year-old Alexandria would rather risk her life fighting than waste it scrubbing toilets, but she may end up slumming it anyway. There are several rules that students at the Covenant must follow. Alex has problems with them all, but especially rule #1:Relationships between pures and halfs are forbidden. Unfortunately, she's crushing hard on the totally hot pure-blood Aiden. But falling for Aiden isn't her biggest problem--staying alive long enough to graduate the Covenant and become a Sentinel is. If she fails in her duty, she faces a future worse than death or slavery: being turned into a daimon, and being hunted by Aiden. And that would kind of suck.

Buy from:

Amazon | B&N | iTunes | Book Depository

Review:

Half-Blood is one of those books that will make you want to crawl inside the book and partake in the adventures of the characters. I found it very hard to put this book down because my attention is fixed on the story as if looking away for a moment will make me miss something good. It is highly intoxicating.

The Hematois are the Pure-bloods, children of demigods. They are the royal bloods of the covenants and assaulting them is simply forbidden. Half-bloods are the children of Hematois and mortals, and they are forever under the Pures’ thumbs. They are not given the choice to do as they please. For them, it is either become a Guard/Sentinel or fall in servitude for life. Either way, they are to serve the Pures and nothing else. Pures are not particular to Half-Bloods because 1) they are taught to be superior over Half-Bloods their whole lives and 2) Half-Bloods and Pure-Bloods are forbidden to be together because “it will taint a Pure’s blood”. Daimons are Pures who succumbed to aether. They hunt Pures to drain the aether in their bloods. They are the only danger the covenant faces, or so they thought.

The plot is carefully thought out and beautifully written. Everything has significance, and the events are very engaging. I like this Greek myth unique spin-off. It is adventurous, action-packed and romantic.

Alex’s character is very entertaining. She’s the badass character that I’m looking for in every read. She’s funny, sarcastic, smartass, and brave. I like the “tone” of the whole book because Alex’s snide comments are very entertaining. She’s also stupid, stubborn, and at times bad-tempered. She dives headfirst into dangerous territories, but that is part of her charm. She’s one of those badass characters whose stupid decisions might lead to World war III, but then she can also save the day. She is a very strong female lead.

Aiden is your typical good-boy hero. He’s hot, hot, and hot. (Have I mentioned hot?) He’s a natural leader and a very good strategist, which I guess comes from being a Sentinel. He’s one of the Pures who thinks Half-Bloods are their equals. This guy is the typical brainy, hot, and badass hero who doesn’t know how to smile. When you get to really meet him throughout the book, he is also sweet and funny.

I don’t feel Seth’s character. He’s like Alex in many ways—stubborn, sarcastic, bad-tempered—but there is just something about him that didn’t quite reach me. He’s the self-centered character every book has to have.  Being the Apollyon, though, I’d like to have his abilities.

Caleb is a very strong secondary character, and I have a bad feeling about this because strong secondary characters tend to die in books. I really hope I see him throughout the series.

I enjoyed Armentrout’s unique writing style. I like it that she put very distinctive differences in her characters. She’s one of those authors who can’t seem to write in a bad way even if she tried.

I super loved this book. I guess it’s a good thing this is a part of a series because I can’t get enough.

~ Zee

Continue reading →

Review ~ Ugly Love by Colleen Hoover

Synopsis:

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.

Buy from:

Amazon | B&N | iTunes | Book Depository

Review:

*Please note that I DON'T REALLY HAVE A RATING FOR THIS BOOK and I only hit the star rating because it is REQUIRED. I’m not rating this book as 1 star or 5 star or whatever-star because I’m not sure there is an appropriate rating for it.*

So. My review.

Colleen Hoover is one of a kind. I don’t know where she gets her ideas for her books but every single one of them is fricking relatable, even if you haven’t been in the characters’ situation. She makes her characters realistic enough that will earn your sympathies at some point in the book. I’ve read all her books, and until now I’m still holding on to my statement that you can’t go wrong with Colleen Hoover. I’m not saying her books are flawless and perfect, because it is not, but is there really a perfect book, something that someone didn’t find a flaw on?

I am really torn about Ugly Love. Advance apologies for some parts that wouldn’t make sense as it is a product of the mixed feelings this book gave me. Oh, and this might be a weird review. Or not.

Ugly Love is a friends-with-benefits type of story. Now, I strongly believe that it is not about how common/unique a story is, but how the author executes it. I am a hopeless romantic, and it goes without saying that the first thing I wanted to see in this book is how they fell in love. It was not a pretty sight, which really makes the book stand up to its title.

I like the dual POV that gives the readers a look into the past and present. I liked the anticipation it gave me on where the past and present will meet in the book and how it will go. I like it that while Miles is a mystery in Tate’s POV, I got to see what made him so in his own (though I can’t quite get why his POV

Has

To be

Written

In this

Manner.

Am I

Missing

Something?)

Miles Archer is what made this book really interesting. His POV slowly unveiled the reason why he wasn’t particular in romantic relationships. He’s broken, and understandably so. As the story unfolded and the mystery kept the anticipation building, I also kept wishing that I could read faster and turn the pages even faster. Miles can be easily defined as the King of Mixed Signals, but since we only see him in Tate’s point of view, I wonder if Tate is the one who keeps getting the wrong signals. After all, it is not how the message is sent but how the recipient received it. I wonder if Miles really gave mixed signals or Tate just reads too much into it. Perhaps she’s just seeing what she wanted to see.

Elizabeth Tate Collins is very annoying (sorry, guys!) when she is around Miles, which most of the time. This character is the main reason I am so torn about this book. For every annoying thing that I saw in her, I also have a counterpart explanation, which is making me undecided what to feel.

For someone who supposedly doesn’t have time to fall in love, she sure fell for Miles a little fast. ~ but isn’t that just love? It happens without warnings whatsoever. Sometimes, when there is attraction, love is close behind. Tate was attracted to Miles even from the start, so it’s really no wonder she went around falling in love.

I hope to meet this lady and tell her, “Where is the self-respect, Tate? Where? What happened to backbone? I understand that you don’t want to lose him so you’ll get what he’ll give you, but please have mercy on yourself and know when to stop.” ~ The most annoying thing about Tate is that she let Miles walk all over her. She knows when to stop, but she doesn’t want to. In a way, I understand. She’s in love, and no matter how stupid that sounds it really overrides all logic. I know someone who is just like Tate because she’s in love, and I witnessed the stupid things she did and refused to do. When someone is truly, madly, deeply in love logic usually do not work. So no matter how annoying Tate acted, I guess it was understandable.

There is just one thing that I cannot accept: when Miles called her by his ex-girlfriend’s name and she didn’t walk away. That should be the last straw! That had to hurt in the worst possible way to the point of walking away. Why, Tate? Why?


All in all, I like the story, though some parts of it less so. It didn’t make me cry, but the characters got my sympathy. I’m sure some readers loved it so much, and some were disappointed. A few might be like me, undecided. But that’s just readers; everyone has different opinions.


~ Zee

Continue reading →

Bookish Diary ~ Why Books Seem Better Than The Movies (In My Opinion)

Who is not excited when one’s favorite book will be shown on the big screen? It’s like seeing the pages come to reality, with faces to be associated with the faceless fictional characters and seeing the imaginary world right before one’s eyes.

These days many books, mostly from the Young-Adult genre, have been turning into movies. If a book is a best-seller, it is optioned for a film. Sometimes, the movie rights are sold even before the book become published. If the film developed and made it to the big screen, the audience will get bigger. It used to be, “Let’s watch the movie and see if it is as good as the book.” Now, it seems to be, “Let’s buy the book so we can compare it with the movie and see which is better.”

Making it to the big screen is a big deal for a book, because it gathers a larger audience with curious minds. Some books make it to the best-selling lists because of the movie, and some becomes a movie because it is a best-seller.

Now, when a book finally made it to the big screen and enthusiastic readers went to see it, most times they go out of the theater complaining, “The book was so much better! They didn’t even get it right!” followed by a long list of things they were disappointed about. The hero was supposed to be doing this, the heroine was supposed to be doing that, the place was all wrong, and all that.

Some has been wondering why the screenwriters can’t seem to get it right, and some wonders why there is almost no movie better than, or even just as good as, the book was. Some things just have to be considered when doing a film.

Usually a film has a standard length of ninety (90) to one-twenty (120) minutes. One cannot fit all the happenings of the book in that short time. Remember, a book is only dealing with words so it has to be descriptive and full of creative words of dialogues and monologues to keep the imagination going. Screenwriters have to cut a big chunk of scenes to fit the storyline in the limited time of the movie. They do the best they could to deliver a similar quality a book has.

Basically, though, it all just comes down to one’s imagination. The human mind is an amazing thing. It is infinite. The book seems always better than movie because nothing can beat the beauty of one’s imagination. When one wills it, the brain can come up with the best things—the perfect setting, the perfect characters, the perfect delivery.

It is doubtless that one’s disappointments are the product of expectations. Since the mind has come up with the perfect thing, one will obviously get disappointed if something does not measure up to it. Personal biases also come in play. When one does not like the actor/actress that will play the fictional character, there is an almost instant conviction that the actor/actress won’t be able to pull it off.

When you ask someone who has read the book beforehand about the movie adaptation, the answer will almost automatically be “No, I wasn’t satisfied with it” or something of the like. But when you ask someone who hasn’t read the book the same question, most answers are, “It was okay. I think it was amazing” and when they have finally read the book, the tendency is their answer will change to, “You were right, the book is better than the movie” followed by a list of the scenes that were not included in the film and all that.

It always depends on the question, but in this case, nothing will beat one’s imagination. Hence the book is always better than the movie.

~ Zee

Continue reading →

Review ~ Found In Us by Layla Hagen

Add to Goodreads | Amazon US | Amazon UK


Synopsis:

**This can be read as a STANDALONE. The second book in the Lost series tells Jessica and Parker's story. **

All Jessica wants—as a college graduate — is to be a good girl. She landed the job of her dreams at a museum and is trying to eliminate temptations. No more short skirts (when she can help it). No wild parties. And no men.

She particularly excels at that last thing. . .

Until her path crosses Parker’s. Again. Jessica remembers the last time their paths crossed very well. She was left with a seriously bruised ego. She knows it would be best to avoid him altogether. But the charming Brit makes it hard for her to elude his electrifying pull. He is as irresistible as he is captivating.

And enigmatic. 

Because underneath the sleek Armani suit and the sweet British accent that makes her crave his touch, Parker isn’t the perfect gentleman everyone thinks he is.

He’s exactly what Jessica doesn’t want, but desperately needs.

A bad, bad boy.

Review:

“I loved it” might be a bit of understatement to how I feel about this book. I can say that Layla Hagen has done a good job in executing this one. I’m very happy that in the start of the story the characters have stayed true to form as they are introduced in Lost In Us, unlike many books I’ve read which ended up with the same character developments and even the dialogues and the “tone” of the whole book.

Found In Us is way more wilder and hotter than the first book. If you are sensitive to that kind of thing, then maybe this is not for you. If you’re into hot reads, this book is perfect for you. I can’t say it is even better than Lost In Us, because they are both good, but this one certainly has its own charm.

Jessica, as she was introduced in the first book as Serena’s best friend, is a party girl who supposedly doesn’t have a care in the world. She’s full of life. The trait she posses that I like the most is that she can find something positive in a negative thing, which is very admirable because it makes one feel better instead of obsessing over something that cannot be undone. After landing her dream job in a museum, she is bent on proving that she is not just a pretty face who goes party after party. Her character development goes along with the plot just right and I’m very satisfied with it.

Parker Blakesley, as he was introduced in Lost In Us as James’ cousin, is a gentleman. He is a gentleman, but under the calm and composed exterior lies a the burden of some bad choices he has made and is trying to make up for now. He is very good at hiding his emotions from other people. He believes Jessica can always see right through him, but from what I have read I can say the reason is he just lets his guard down when he is with her. Parker is used to having control, and what he wants is what he gets, no matter how hard he has to work for it. A bonus brownie point for him because he is all man. He doesn’t talk like a girl, being cheesy and all that. He is sweet, but his romantic lines are manly, and I can easily imagine him as a real man saying those things and I don’t cringe at the thought. Some readers are looking for the obvious traits, so let me break it down in a few words: Hotness level: dangerously high. Sexy British accent: check. Alpha male without being overbearing check. Mesmerizing blue eyes: check. Swoon-worthy? Heck, yes.

So what do you get if you put the party girl and the gentleman who got it bad for her together in one place? Yep, you get not the sparks-flying kind of chemistry but the electricity-flowing kind. Everytime they are together you can feel the tension in the air so thick it’s like a blanket surrounding you. Found In Us just gets a hold of you and makes you read until there is no pages left to turn. I was hooked; it sucked me right into the story and didn’t spit me back out until I have finished every word.

I like it that this book has their past somewhere in the plot in the right places and it explains what made them into who they have become. The chemistry and romance is not overdone to the point of being cheesy. Really, this book is hotter than cheesier, if you know what I mean. Jessica and Parker don’t play around each other; they are not pushing each other away one second and having sex the next. No, they gravitate towards each other like there’s this irresistible pull between them and they don’t fight it. They accept it and they sort through each of their mess together. They are not afraid to admit what they felt for each other.

What got to me the most is their sweet moments. It’s effortless. While reading I got the impression that they aren’t even trying to be sweet, just being honest with each other. It has a “natural” feeling to it, which adds to the romantic feels.

Jessica and Parker really made the wait worth it. Layla Hagen is a natural. Found In Us just sticks to your heart and gets in replay after you turn the last page.

*ARC provided by the author for my honest review*

~ Zee

Continue reading →

Infinity Scavenger Hunt ~ The Big Mortal Danger Contest by Ann Aguirre (with my contest entry on the side ;) )

I loved Ann Aguirre's Razorland series. It is one of those books who doesn't disappoint, and waiting for the whole series to be completed was really worth it. She's one of those epic authors when writing badass heroines, which I really like in a book.

So when I heard that she is going to have another Young-Adult series, it goes without saying that I am curious and looking forward in reading it!

Add to Goodreads | Pre-order in Amazon | Pre-order in B&N | Pre-order in Book Depository

Mortal Danger (The Immortal Game #1)

Revenge is a dish best served cold.

Edie Kramer has a score to settle with the beautiful people at Blackbriar Academy. Their cruelty drove her to the brink of despair, and four months ago, she couldn't imagine being strong enough to face her senior year. But thanks to a Faustian compact with the enigmatic Kian, she has the power to make the bullies pay. She's not supposed to think about Kian once the deal is done, but devastating pain burns behind his unearthly beauty, and he's impossible to forget.

In one short summer, her entire life changes, and she sweeps through Blackbriar, prepped to take the beautiful people down from the inside. A whisper here, a look there, and suddenly... bad things are happening. It's a heady rush, seeing her tormentors get what they deserve, but things that seem too good to be true usually are, and soon, the pranks and payback turns from delicious to deadly. Edie is alone in a world teeming with secrets and fiends lurking in the shadows. In this murky morass of devil's bargains, she isn't sure who—or what--she can trust. Not even her own mind...

To celebrate the release of Mortal Danger in August 5th, Ann Aguirre has a big scavenger hunt contest happening over at her website! The tasks are easy and the prizes are great! You don't want to miss this. ;)

Aaaaand for additional entries, I have found a way to be creative (or so I hope) about spreading the word. Our Community newspaper has agreed to include my request to publish the cover and some details of Mortal Danger in one of their issues! I hope this counts as an entry! *fingers (and toes) crossed*

Our community paper

 

In the Fun Post, the second to the last page of the paper

The details they included (I sent the summary of the book but this was the only thing they published)

It's your turn to shine! What creative ideas do you have in your pockets? Whip it up, spread the word, and enter the contest!

~ Zee

Continue reading →