Captive {Book Club Friday}

Hey y'all,

So I recently was given an eARC from Netgalley for the next book in the Blackcoat Rebellion series by Aimee Carter. If you remember last year around this time I read Pawn and became obsessed and sad that I would have to wait another year to read the following book. Now it is time to review Captive for Book Club Friday!

Now to refresh your memory, Pawn began with meeting Kitty Doe after she had taken the test to determine her classification in the country. She received a III due to her reading disability while Benji, her best-friend/boyfriend received a VI the highest one can score. Kitty is offered the chance to become a VII but only by being Masked (surgically transformed) into Lila Hart, the prime minster's niece who was recently killed but as Lila she will be Daxton's pawn in order to stop the rebellion Lila was stirring, or will she?

Enter Captive:

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Description:

For the past two months, Kitty Doe's life has been a lie. Forced to impersonate the Prime Minister's niece, her frustration grows as her trust in her fake fiancé cracks, her real boyfriend is forbidden and the Blackcoats keep her in the dark more than ever.

But in the midst of discovering that her role in the Hart family may not be as coincidental as she thought, she's accused of treason and is forced to face her greatest fear: Elsewhere. A prison where no one can escape.

As one shocking revelation leads to the next, Kitty learns the hard way that she can trust no one, not even the people she thought were on her side. With her back against the wall, Kitty wants to believe she'll do whatever it takes to support the rebellion she believes in—but is she prepared to pay the ultimate price?

My Opinion:

The first chunk of the book happens all within 24 hours and it was a little hard to transition from the palace to Elsewhere. I felt that this book was not filled with as many plot twists which I loved in Pawn but I felt it developed more of the country and justified the Rebellion of the Blackcoats more. I was so surprised at the way Knox reacted to a lot of things in this book and I have a feeling that he is secretly harboring feelings for Kitty which I wrestle with because I like that this dystopian book doesn't have a love triangle, and loving Knox. I loved that we saw a bit more of Grayson as well as learning more about Kitty and the man masked as Daxton! I won't reveal more for spoiler purposes but if you loved Pawn, I think you will enjoy Captive. I thought it was a decent sequel but the first book is still my favorite in the series. This one is only worth 4 out of 5 stars. I can't wait for Queen to come out next fall!

 

 Now, if you want to go pick up Captive, the book will be out on TUESDAY! If you want to go ahead and pre-order the book I know Barnes & Noble and Amazon give you those options.

What are you currently reading?

Book Club Friday, On Saturday

Hey y'all,

While I doubt I am going to make my original goal to read 113 books this year I was bit by the reading bug recently and have been able to finish quite a few books! I can't remember the last time I did a book update so here are the books I read in November!

One Lucky Vampire. I love the Argeneau series by Lynsay Sands and this book was suprising that it did not involve the family directly but I am glad that some minor characters we had been introduced to in the past finally have some backgrounds and stories. I really enjoyed the book, as I do all of Sand's writings and can't wait for the next book in the series as usual.

Luck be a vampire tonight . . .
When Nicole Phillips agreed to hire a housekeeper, she pictured someone a little frumpy and almost certainly female. Instead, she gets gorgeous, unmistakably male Jake Colson. The man is proving indispensable in the kitchen—and everywhere else. Except Jake might not be a mortal man at all.\
. . . and every night
Who wouldn't want to be a tall, dark, powerful vampire? Jake, for one. He's barely had time to adjust to his new state before he's roped into a family favor. Still, secretly playing bodyguard to sweet, sexy Nicole is turning out to be the wildest ride of his life. First he'll put a stop to whoever's targeting her. Then he'll prove that this kind of love, and luck, happens only once in an eternity.

I have been generously given a lot of book copies by Netgalley recently and I have enjoyed the following:


In Pursuit of a Princess. I enjoyed the mystery of who was causing all the problems with the Princess. The book is by Love Inspired Suspense but I think it was mainly a suspense story with the romance taking a back burner.

A PICTURE-PERFECT CRIME

Princess Lara Kincade returned home to New Orleans to continue her late husband's humanitarian work. She also hopes to force his killer out of hiding. But a priceless painting has put her plans and life at risk. Embroiled in a deadly art scandal, Lara must depend on handsome photojournalist Gabriel Murdock to help her expose a murderer. Gabriel's determination to keep her safe has softened her heart to love's possibilities again. Somewhere among his photos lies the identity of the murderer, but can they uncover the killer before this heist turns deadly?

Colton by Blood. While actually the second book of the Coltons of Wyoming series I really enjoyed this Harlequin Romantic Suspense. While there was a lot of the story between Dr Levi and Kate in regards to flirting, the mystery of who was causing all the accidents and the murder that must have occurred in the first novel.

An unsolved murder haunts those who live and work at Dead River Ranch. When called to care for the ailing Colton patriarch, Dr. Levi Colton must face the father who never claimed him. He's not looking for distraction, but he finds it in Kate McCord, the irresistible pastry chef. Beneath her sweet smile are scars from her own tragedy and a determination for justice. 
As a wildfire forces them together with an unknown killer, Levi and Kate must confront an attraction that flares hotter than flames. They edge closer to the truth, discovering that the secret that links their pasts could lead them straight into the killer's trap.

Conveniently His Princess. Book two in the Married by Royal Decree book is a quick book about misconceptions and discovering the meaning of home and family. 

Only one thing stands between Aram Nazaryan and the high-powered position he craves: the proper wife. Although this billionaire would do anything to return to Zohayd, the desert kingdom he considers home, marrying Princess Kanza Aal Ajmaan is too high a price to pay. Or so he thinks—until he meets Kanza…and she turns his world upside down. 
After claiming Kanza as his princess, everything falls into place. But then she learns the truth. She may have married for love, but his vows are tainted by ambition. Will doubt, betrayal and mistrust end this too-convenient union?

Pawn. The Blackcoat Rebellion #1. Ok y'all, I am obsessed. I began this book since I loved Aimee Carter's Goddess series but this book was so engulfing. I started it Wednesday this week and finished last night before the movies since I had to know what was going to happen next. While it is another dystopian teen novel it had so many twists and turns and while there is a bit of a love triangle the focus was more on a girl and a family running the country.

For Kitty Doe, it seems like an easy choice. She can either spend her life as a III in misery, looked down upon by the higher ranks and forced to leave the people she loves, or she can become a VII and join the most powerful family in the country. 
If she says yes, Kitty will be Masked—surgically transformed into Lila Hart, the Prime Minister's niece, who died under mysterious circumstances. As a member of the Hart family, she will be famous. She will be adored. And for the first time, she will matter. 
There's only one catch. She must also stop the rebellion that Lila secretly fostered, the same one that got her killed …and one Kitty believes in. Faced with threats, conspiracies and a life that's not her own, she must decide which path to choose—and learn how to become more than a pawn in a twisted game she's only beginning to understand.

The Marquess Who Loved Me. Muses of Mayfair #3. This was an interesting romance story about two former lovers and all the anger, revenge, longing, etc. that comes from being separated over ten years due to their families. It reminded me a bit of Jane Austen's Persuasion of the two lovers whose familes keep them apart and the need to punish oneself in the interim and the thought of coming back together and not really knowing the person that is their former love today. I liked it but I wasn't in love with the story.

A not-so-merry widow…
The widowed Marchioness of Folkestone is notorious for her parties, her art collection, and her utter disregard for the rules. But Ellie Claiborne knows her destruction is near. The new marquess is her first lover – the man whose sculpted body and sardonic grin haunt her every time she picks up her paintbrush. If he ever returns to claim his inheritance, her heart won’t survive seeing him again.
A man determined to destroy her...
Nicholas Claiborne hasn’t stepped foot in England since watching Ellie marry his cousin. He has no use for the gorgeous, heartless girl who betrayed him, or the title she abandoned him for. But when his business in India turns deadly, Nick must return to London to uncover a murderer – and take revenge on the woman he couldn’t force himself to forget.
A love they can’t escape…
Nick hates Ellie’s transformation from sweet debutante to jaded seductress. Ellie despises him for leaving her behind. Still, the sparks between them reignite the passion that should have been their destiny. As their demands of each other turn darker and a potential killer closes in, they must decide whether to guard the fragile remnants of their hearts — or find a way to fall in love all over again.

What have you been reading?

Book Club Friday {August 30}

Hey y'all,

I have to start this post off with the trailer of the upcoming adaptation of Divergent. I am obsessed with the series and can't wait for the next book to come out this October but in the mean time I am going to drool over Four. There is even a Buzzfeed Article called "12 Things In The Divergent Footage That Will Make You Freak Out." You can read my Book Club Friday on Divergent and Insurgent here.




Now that I am done fangirling over a book let's get to what I read this week.

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Ella and Micha have survived tragedy and heartbreak. When they're together, anything seems possible. But now they are thousands of miles apart, and managing their long distance relationship will put their love to the test.
Ella is back at school, trying hard not worry so much about her future. But with her father in and out of rehab, she's having a hard time making it through the days. All she wants is Micha by her side, but she refuses to let her problems get in the way of his dreams.
Micha spends his days touring the country with his band, but deep down he knows something is missing. Being away from Ella is harder than he thought it would be. He wants her closer to him-needs her with him. But he won't ask her to leave college, just to be with him.
The few moments they do spend together are intense and passionate, but it only makes it more difficult when they have to part. They know they want to be together, but is wanting something enough to get them to their forever?

A sequel the Secret of Ella and Micha I loved hearing more of their story. These are not your typical romance novels but stories of broken, dark people and the power and connection of love.

Love or life.
Henry or their child.
The end of her family or the end of the world.
Kate must choose.
During nine months of captivity, Kate Winters has survived a jealous goddess, a vengeful Titan and a pregnancy she never asked for. Now the Queen of the Gods wants her unborn child, and Kate can't stop her--until Cronus offers a deal.
In exchange for her loyalty and devotion, the King of the Titans will spare humanity and let Kate keep her child. Yet even if Kate agrees, he'll destroy Henry, her mother and the rest of the council. And if she refuses, Cronus will tear the world apart until every last god and mortal is dead.
With the fate of everyone she loves resting on her shoulders, Kate must do the impossible: find a way to defeat the most powerful being in existence, even if it costs her everything.
Even if it costs her eternity.

This was not my favorite of the Goddess Test series. It felt like it dragged on for a long time and unfortunately I was not as hooked as I had been with the others.

I am hoping to read these books over the long weekend. I have no big plans besides cleaning and a possible Disney movie day with some sorority sisters.

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What are you reading this weekend?

Book Club...

Hey y'all,


If you have been reading my blog for awhile you know that I am a major bookworm. From visiting the library all the time when I was little, summer book clubs, my mom working as a Librarian, and being an English major it is not hard to see that I am obsessed with the written word. So when I found Blonde...Undercover Blonde's weekly link up about books I figured I needed to jump on the bandwagon this week.

The top of my completely disorganized bookshelf. This is my next project.

To find what I have read since starting the blog I have a page at the top with an ongoing list or you can follow me on GoodReads.




So far this summer I have read about 10 books so it was hard to pick only a few so without further ado, here is what I've been reading lately.

Sophie Kinsella's I've Got Your Number
5 of 5 Stars

The story:

Poppy Wyatt has lost her engagement ring from the "ideal" man, Magnus Tavish and in the panic that follows she also loses her phone. Her connection to the world, taken. As she paces around the hotel foyer she spots an abandoned phone in a bin and with the mantra of "finders keepers" takes it from the trash. However, the phone's owner,Sam Roxton, feels that she should return the phone that was once his personal assistant's and wants her out of his personal messages. The story explores the connection of one's phone to one's life through wedding preparations, mysterious phone calls, and hiding the lost ring. 

While I was never a fan of the shopaholic books I love Sophie Kinsella's ability to have you laugh and cry and connect to the great characters. A Must Read!

Aimee Carter's The Goddess Test 
3.5 of 5 Stars

The story:

Kate and her mom have always been one team. However, her mother is dying and as a last wish moves Kate back to her childhood home. Starting at a new school with no friends, no other family, and the fear that her mother won't live past the fall is really hard especially upon meeting Henry. Henry claims to be Hades, god of the Underworld and if she accepts his bargain, he'll keep her mother alive while Kate attempts to pass seven tests. If she succeeds, she'll become Henry's bride and a goddess but every girl has undergone the test before has failed. ..

As the start of a teen series, this book intrigued me. I have always loved Greek mythology and the combination of high school, myths, and mystery had me enjoying the book. While not a must read I did enjoy this one from the library and am excited to see where the story goes in the next book. 

Meg Cabot's Abandon
4 of 5 stars.

The story:

Pierce moves to a small island off the coast of Florida with her mother as an attempt to return to the life she knew before the accident, but she feels that she is a part of this world and apart from it.  Yet she's never alone... because someone is always watching her. Escape from the realm of the dead is impossible when someone there wants you back. After dying, Pierce knows he wants her back and she may find herself back in the one place she fears the most: the Underworld.

Yes, I did read two teen novels about the Underworld and no I am not obsessed with death. I have always loved Meg Cabot's teen novels and this one is no exception. Also, the beginning of a series, the story of a girl struggling after her own death is hard to conceive of especially with the juxtaposition of a move to a completely different life. The story was a very quick easy read and I can't wait to continue on with the characters in the next book of the trilogy. 

What have you been reading lately?

Peace and Blessings.

jDl