The Highly Anticipated, Heartless by Marissa Meyer!!!!!!!

Can I just start with, I’m so bummed that this is a stand-alone novel? This book is AMAZING!!!!

Also, I'd like to mention that my review copy was an audio book and I would highly recommend listening to this book!! Rebecca Soler is amazingly talented and does complete justice to Marissa Meyer's novels, as she was the voice for the The Lunar Chronicles series.

I completely understand why, but oh I wish the story would’ve went on and on. 
I must admit, I completely forgot that this story was more of a prequel of how the Red Queen became the way that she is, and less of a romantic tale, or good feeling fantasy, even though I wanted it to be the latter. I love that we get to know Catherine and all of her likes, dislikes and loves!  The Red Queen had a heart once upon a time...

With the comical complexity of the descriptions of characters, I was able to put myself into the story fully and imagine all of the animals that carried themselves and spoke like humans. I was able to envision Catherine's parents faces of disapproval and Cath’s own expressions, when she was happy, angry, or melancholy. Cath’s character was well thought out, with clarity and concise word building, that let us as the readers fully get to know who she is and why she had chosen the path that she eventually had no other choice to. 

Jest was definitely my most favorite character in this story though. With such charm, mystery, and luring features, he drew me in and I was completely consumed, although maybe not by his court joker apparel so much. Though, it was very comical to read about bells hanging off of his hat. One particular scene had me oh so swooning over him and I imagine that I will have to reread this book very soon. 

Hatter was more than I knew I could handle. I couldn’t help but imagine Johnny Depp while reading his story lines, but Meyer did an evolutionary job on creating this character. In his Mad Hatter clothes and hats, he was artistically created with a personality like no other in this story. He made you more and more curious of his actions and reactions.

Marissa Meyer doesn’t fail to entertain us in this epic retelling of a well-loved fairytale. She did such a marvelous job with her Lunar Chronicles and I think fans will not be disappointed in the slightest, except for maybe the fact that this one was a standalone. I think it’s safe to say, that we all want more of her writing and we’re ready right now.  I highly recommend this read to all ages. Any lover of the classic Alice and Wonderland will surely love this fantastically written re-telling!

I received an audio copy of Heartless by Marissa Meyer from Macmillan Audio in exchange for an honest review.

Stalking Jack The Ripper Exclusive Chapter Content!!!

The most anticipated read of the Fall!

Stalking Jack the Ripper (GR Link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/28962906-stalking-jack-the-ripper )

By: Kerri Maniscalco

Publisher: Jimmy Paterson

Publication date: September 20^th, 2016

Description:

Presented by James Patterson’s new children’s imprint, this deliciously creepy horror novel has a storyline inspired by the Ripper murders and an unexpected, blood-chilling conclusion…

Seventeen-year-old Audrey Rose Wadsworth was born a lord’s daughter, with a life of wealth and privilege stretched out before her. But between the social teas and silk dress fittings, she leads a forbidden secret life.

Against her stern father’s wishes and society’s expectations, Audrey often slips away to her uncle’s laboratory to study the gruesome practice of forensic medicine. When her work on a string of savagely killed corpses drags Audrey into the investigation of a serial murderer, her search for answers brings her close to her own sheltered world.

The story’s shocking twists and turns, augmented with real, sinister period photos, will make this dazzling debut from author Kerri Maniscalco impossible to forget.

Stalking Jack The Ripper has finally been released and is now the object of affection in our bookish world!  Read more and join in on the Read-A-Long with Kerri Maniscalco herself, the hosts, Sabrina (Book blogger over at Beyond the Book Reviews) and Ava (Book blogger over at Bookishness and Tea) and the rest of us lucky Stalking Jack The Ripper obsessed readers!!

I know, I know what you're thinking. Come on already with the Exclusive Chapter content for chapters 15-19, right? Well, take a deep breath and get ready... because here they are!

Read-A-Long Exclusive: Chapter Thoughts

·        Chapters 15—19

One of my very favorite chapters to write and research in the book was “Greatest Show on Earth.” Victorian circuses were so extravagant and creepy, and the atmosphere practically breathed on its own it was so alive. Originally, I’d pulled a bunch of historical photographs to include with this section, but couldn’t find all of the proper credits/rights information before going to print. When Nathaniel talks about the “Devil’s Auction” there was an actual postcard and performer with that name. Other images totally creeped me out—spoiler alert: I have a HUGE fear of clowns—and I had to cut too much extraneous setting out.

Here are some of the photos that inspired and dazzled me (while others were plain creepy) during the creation of this chapter:

Xoxo,

Kerri

                                                                         

                                                           [The Payne brothers c. 1875]                                                                          

                                                               [The Devil’s Auction]

My Thoughts:

Chapter 15 started out epically!  With a circus that speaks excitement and horror, and a mystery that is begging to be solved, the middle of SJTR has the perfect amount of complexity and artistic world building that you are not only pleased that you've read this far, but that you will not be able to, for any reason, stop reading until you have reached the finale. With Audrey Rose, no second is wasted and she continues to surprise us with her cleverness and charm throughout these chapters.

Continue to follow along the Read-A-Long with these other lovely SJTR lovers!

         October 18th Chapters 1-4 thoughts ~Ava, Zee, and Booknut

         October 20th Chapters  5-9 thoughts~ Sabrina Tam, Nicole’s Novel Reads

          October 22nd Chapters 10-14 thoughts~ Nicole (Little Fantasy Land)

          October 24th Chapters 15-19 thoughts ~ Irene

                  October 26th Chapters 20-24 thoughts~ Sabrina (Library Luv                                             October 28th Chapters 25-end~ Jordan, Nisha        

                                                                                                                                                                                                                               

Here’s the schedule:

• Monday, October (start date) 17th read chapter 1 and end at the start of chapter 5
• Wednesday, October 19th read chapter 5 and end at the start of chapter 10
• Friday, October 21st read chapter 10 and end at the start of chapter 15
• Sunday, October 23rd read chapter 15 and end at the start of chapter 20
• Tuesday, October 25th read chapter 20 and end at the start of chapter 25
• Thursday, October 27th read chapter 25 and read  till end of the book
• Saturday October 29th, there will be a non-spoiler twitter chat

AND...

There is even a Goodreads Group for those of us, who can't get enough!!

Just click on this link > > >  https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/197534-sjtr-read-along

AND THEN...

Also the last information that is a need to know is the special swag to go along with this Read along! Kerri has been very generous and is opening up the opportunity to those who review the books to receive a signed personalized bookplate. To qualify for one of these bookplates, you would have to have participated in the read along in some way; be it by tweeting about it, commenting on one of the discussion threads, or simply joining us for the twitter chat on the 29th. The second thing that qualifies you, more so then just simply participating in the the read along is to post a review within a month after the read along concludes. SO by November 28th, have a review up on Goodreads or Amazon/Barnes and Noble or on your blog and you get the opportunity to receive a personalized bookplate.

To enter your information to receive a bookplate fill out this Google form (https://goo.gl/forms/1FhWZmvjjoiWSBNQ2 ) OR if you are feel more comfortable with emailing the address you can email sjtrreadalong@gmail.com

Amazing Right!?!?

All thanks to this amazing author!!!

Kerri Maniscalco grew up in a semi-haunted house outside NYC where her fascination with gothic settings began. In her spare time she reads everything she can get her hands on, cooks all kinds of food with her family and friends, and drinks entirely too much tea while discussing life’s finer points with her cats.

STALKING JACK THE RIPPER, a #1 NYT Bestseller, is her debut novel. It incorporates her love of forensic science and unsolved history.

Social Media Links:

Twitter  |  Facebook  |  Instagram  |  Website  |  Tumblr  |  Pinterest

Buy Links:

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Books-A-Million | Books of Wonder |

 Book Depository | Target | iBooks | Audible

Praise for STALKING JACK THE RIPPER

A 2016 BEA YA Buzz Book

#1 NYT Bestseller

“Audrey Rose Wadsworth prefers breeches to ball gowns, autopsies to afternoon tea, and scalpels to knitting needles. Though her father, Lord Edmund, has forbidden it, Audrey covertly studies forensic medicine…while “the Ripper” remains two steps ahead, lurking where Audrey least expects….Maniscalco’s portrayal of scientific invention in a newly industrial era will serve as a fine first foray into Victorian classics.”

—Booklist

 “Maniscalco has created a serious, sharp-minded, and forward-thinking protagonist in Audrey Rose, whose fearlessness will endear her to readers looking for an engaging historical thriller. Abundant red herrings and a dash of romance round out this gruesome but engrossing story.”

—Publisher’s Weekly

 “Sherlock Holmes meets Mary Shelley in this brilliant take on the legendary tale of Jack the Ripper. With memorable characters and deliciously sexy writing, Kerri Maniscalco paints a picture of nineteenth-century London that lives and breathes in wonderfully sinister fashion. You won’t want to put this book down.”

Renée Ahdieh – #1 New York Times Bestselling Author

“…clever, dark, twisty, and enthralling! Highly recommend this one.”

Julie Eshbaugh – author of IVORY AND BONE

“This story twists and turns until you have no idea who to trust. Maniscalco’s writing is lyrical, beautiful, and haunting all at the same time. How she was able to turn such gruesome descriptions into works of art astound me. Maniscalco takes time to weave the tale and sprinkle in just enough breadcrumbs that you wonder what’s going to happen until the twisty end. This is not a story I will soon forget.”

Erica Chapman – author of TEACH ME TO FORGET

Throw Back Thursday: Marie Lu's "Legend"

Legend

Marie Lu

What was once the western United States is now home to the Republic, a nation perpetually at war with its neighbors. Born into an elite family in one of the Republic's wealthiest districts, fifteen-year-old June is a prodigy being groomed for success in the Republic's highest military circles. Born into the slums, fifteen-year-old Day is the country's most wanted criminal. But his motives may not be as malicious as they seem.

From very different worlds, June and Day have no reason to cross paths - until the day June's brother, Metias, is murdered and Day becomes the prime suspect. Caught in the ultimate game of cat and mouse, Day is in a race for his family's survival, while June seeks to avenge Metias's death. But in a shocking turn of events, the two uncover the truth of what has really brought them together, and the sinister lengths their country will go to keep its secrets.

Full of nonstop action, suspense, and romance, this novel is sure to move readers as much as it thrills.

My Thoughts:

I had bought this book when it first came out and read it within a week.  Unfortunately, back then I never thought of writing my own reviews.  So now, here I am many years later finally giving the due credit to this amazing book, which took off and became a world wide sought after Young Adult series.  

One would never know that this was a debut novel for Marie Lu unless told otherwise.  Lu's writing is magnificent.  She sets a very nice mood and backdrop for the reader right away.  In a dystopian world, June and Day are living entirely opposite lifestyles.  While June is a soldier, fighting for what her government believes in, Day is a commoner, fighting for his freedoms, partially due to Day being the Republic's most wanted criminal.

June on the other hand, is perfect pick from the crop.  A prodigy, she is the best of the best and does what her commander tells her to do with no questions asked. I was less than thrilled with June's day job and personality in the beginning of this story, mostly because I'm more of Day than a June.  However, I decided to give June more of a chance with an open mind and I'm glad I did, because everyone has their own story, and you simply need to take the time to hear it, to try and understand why they are the way they are. 

The story here Lu creates has such a unique feel.  I felt like I was watching a movie while reading, with such vivid fighting scenes.  Legend is full of action and I most definitely love that aspect.  I feel that when an author is writing a dystopian, action is a must and Lu expertly executes what is desired by her readers.  With surprising twists and an unexpected romance, Legend is a perfect for debut for Marie Lu and a perfect beginning to an amazing trilogy.  Now, I must re-read Prodigy and Champion. Reviews to come!

An Ember In The Ashes ~ Do Not, Not Read This Book!

An Ember In The Ashes

Sabaa Tahir

Laia is a slave. Elias is a soldier. Neither is free.
 
Under the Martial Empire, defiance is met with death. Those who do not vow their blood and bodies to the Emperor risk the execution of their loved ones and the destruction of all they hold dear.
 
It is in this brutal world, inspired by ancient Rome, that Laia lives with her grandparents and older brother. The family ekes out an existence in the Empire’s impoverished backstreets. They do not challenge the Empire. They’ve seen what happens to those who do.
 
But when Laia’s brother is arrested for treason, Laia is forced to make a decision. In exchange for help from rebels who promise to rescue her brother, she will risk her life to spy for them from within the Empire’s greatest military academy.
 
There, Laia meets Elias, the school’s finest soldier—and secretly, its most unwilling. Elias wants only to be free of the tyranny he’s being trained to enforce. He and Laia will soon realize that their destinies are intertwined—and that their choices will change the fate of the Empire itself.

My Thoughts:

Oh boy, where could I possibly begin? At the beginning I suppose.  But can I just say, what a thrill ride!?  Reading the bio of this book doesn't do it justice in the slightest!  And I am an audio book lover!  However, if the actor's voice is annoying in anyway, I'm turned off immediately and will most likely not read the book, unless its been so hyped and comes off with a very unique story.  In my case, the voice of Laia is the same voice for a different character of a different book.  Now I know, I sound a bit crazy and that I shouldn't let that bother me, but how could I not?  While trying to picture Laia, I could only picture so and so from the other book!! Huge deal.  So what did I do? I deleted the audio book and said I guess I'll read it eventually.  And then that didn't work.  After seeing more reviews and pictures posted and A Torch Against the Night (the sequel to An Ember In The Ashes) promoted, I said to myself, "Self.  You really should try to listen to this again."  And so I did.  And after about 15 minutes of consecutive listening, I was hooked!!!  I do not say this lightly!  Ok, ok, to the actual review of the book!  

Elias has very quickly become my most favorite fictional boyfriend of all!  He is determined, resilient, and simply dreamy.  A little complexity, makes Elias a very intriguing character.  He knows what he wants, but seems to have so much doubt in his own capabilities that he holds himself back.  He seems to second guess his gut on more than one occasion, not always leaving him with the most desired outcome.  On the other hand, he seems so comfortable with other settings.  He does know where he wants to be, just maybe not so sure on how to get there or who to go there with.  The love triangles in the book, are definitely twisty and turny and I love them!!!

Laia on the other hand, is full of confidence.  Maybe not so much in herself, but in her mission, she is set like a stone.  She is determined to find her brother at all costs and willing to sacrifice herself and pretty much anyone else along the way, in order to achieve that goal.  I can totally relate because I have a strong relationship with my brother and would go to the ends of the earth to find and free him from any evil!  Back to Laia, a scholar, she was born a pheasant, but feels free.  Enjoys the little freedoms she has and doesn't take things for granted.  Very humble which makes for a strong willed character.  I love that slowly but not too slowly, Laia find her confidence and drive to continue and tries not to be too distracted by the handsomely charming roguish men that might stand in her way.

An Ember In The Ashes did not disappoint in any chapter.  It was one of those books that you want to slow down reading because you don't want it to end, but you also want to hurry up and get to the end because you want to know what its going to happen. With such vivid imagery, Tahir write the novel of a lifetime.  One that I can without a doubt 100% deserves to be a New York Times Bestseller.  I'm not any professional of course, but if I had to pick one book from here on out to recommend to someone interested in YA fiction, this would be it.  This will probably always be it, I can't even imagine another book having as much detail, love, stress, anger, devotion, and loyalty all wrapped into one YA book.  As you can probably guess, I highly recommend this!!!

Girl In Pieces ~ A Heart Wrenching Masterpiece of a Contemporary

Girl In Pieces

Kathleen Glasgow

• Hardcover: 416 pages
• Publisher: Delacorte Press 

For fans of Girl, Interrupted, Thirteen Reasons Why, and All the Bright Places comes a novel Nicola Yoon, author of Everything, Everything, calls "a haunting, beautiful, and necessary book that will stay with you long after you've read the last page."
 
   Charlotte Davis is in pieces. At seventeen she’s already lost more than most people do in a lifetime. But she’s learned how to forget. The broken glass washes away the sorrow until there is nothing but calm. You don’t have to think about your father and the river. Your best friend, who is gone forever. Or your mother, who has nothing left to give you. 
   Every new scar hardens Charlie’s heart just a little more, yet it still hurts so much. It hurts enough to not care anymore, which is sometimes what has to happen before you can find your way back from the edge. 
  A deeply moving portrait of a girl in a world that owes her nothing, and has taken so much, and the journey she undergoes to put herself back together. Kathleen Glasgow's debut is heartbreakingly real and unflinchingly honest. It’s a story you won’t be able to look away from.

"A haunting, beautiful, and necessary book that will stay with you long after you've read the last page." —Nicola Yoon, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Everything, Everything

My Thoughts: 

A bold and emotional tale of a young girl suffering from a mental illness, Girl In Pieces, is a tale like no other.  From the beginning of the book, Charlotte Davis is at rock bottom, where a lot of us have been before or are at in the current moment.  The setting of the book is mainly at a mental institution, where through a long and trying journey, Charlotte, or Charlie, strives to fight her illness and regain her sense of independence.  

The empathy I felt for Charlie is what really drove me into reading this story so quickly.  One may not be able to connect with the character instantly if they haven't undergone anything similar to Charlie's story; however, if one keeps reading, the experiences this girl is coping with are almost unimaginable.  To read of a 17 year old girl going through such trauma, is heart breaking and devastating.  I admit I cried more than once while reading.  Kathleen Glasgow, has such a uniquely intense and blunt style of writing that draws the reader in and puts them right there in situation with her character.  I truly felt like I was walking in those halls with Charlie.  I could almost feel the pain on my own arms and my heart, well quite frankly, it's been a very long time since I've read something that was so real and truly authentic.  

The topics Glasgow covers are legitimate real life issues, such as drugs, sex, violence and discrimination from health care to patients on any type of state funding , making this a perfect crossover book for adults too.  I myself am 30 and was utterly and completely captivated by this novel.  

Charlie is a very complex character fighting to overcome a mental illness but at 17 years old is still trying to find her own identity as well. I truly appreciated that this novel didn't focus too much on a romance, considering Charlie's state.  I think the book community needs more of young men and women pulling themselves up, saving themselves from real life situations.  Glasgow portrayed exactly this.  I was mesmerized, and completely enveloped by this story and would recommend this to all.

  

The Vrai Domicile and Giveaway!

Goodreads Review:

Q437B was ready to die for the Second Revolution. Then she entered the Muertre…
Q and B expected death when the Elders ordered their execution. What they discover instead changes everything they thought they knew about their world. Saved by the mercy of the Elders, they awaken in the Vrai Domicile, a mysterious place hidden below the Sixth Domicile housing hundreds of former rebels.

Except these rebels have been brainwashed, conditioned to be blind followers.

Q quickly learns of the Elders’ new plan for her – she is to become their warrior, to reunite the Vrai and Sixth Domiciles with purity, love, and unwavering faith. But to Q, she’ll be undoing everything she and the rebels fought for.

Now Q and B must fight to survive once more, forced to forge new alliances with strangers who promise nothing is as it seems. But surviving comes with a choice – follow the Elders and squash the Revolution, or defy them and free the people, putting B's and Grandmother’s lives at risk.

In a place where the fire of rebellion is extinguished at every turn, can Q continue to be the spark that fuels the Revolution?

Book 2 in The Sixth Domicile Series by Courtney Ruggles: a 5 star Readers Favorite! 

My Thoughts:

In a future where uniformity is required, chaos is not to be expected, or tolerated for that matter.  Rules are set in place and they are meant to be followed or death is the only option.  But when the muertre is not what you expect, and death does not seek you out, rules are broken, lives are changed and a perfect society begins to crumble. 

The Vrai Domicile picks up right where The Sixth Domicile leaves off, and we are reunited with Q437B once again. Only things are much different than even I expect.  Lives seem to be more at risk in this installment than they were in the last which is a thrill ride to say the least.  I love that Q is still guarded and doesn't give her trust out easily which proves to be the right choice!  I can't stand when a book has a gullible and naive female lead, just makes me want to throw the book halfway across the room, so I'm so glad this wasn't the case with this one. I love how strong willed Q is, and I want to be her while reading and analyzing her character arc here.

A lot of violent scenes were portrayed with precise detail and not so delicate to worry if someone is offended.  Another reason I love this book and the New Adult genre!  Ruggles, doesn't hold back.  Her writing is honest and clear.  You will not sit back and wonder, what it is your reading, because she puts your mind in the book.  

There didn't seem to be as much of B in this chapter as the last, but I loved it more for that reason. I loved that even though, there was a romance, it didn't consume the story.  With so many new characters like U218A and Maddox, the storyline continues to grow stronger even still,  Q had this story Aand she wasn't letting go of that spotlight.   I was captivated by her strength and her determination to see everything through without a faltering. The ending of this one will hook you like no other ending ever has!  I am so captivated by this story now and cannot wait to continue with this adventure!!  I highly recommend this!

About the Author:

Courtney’s love for writing started pretty much when she learned to read, which her mother would tell you was a feat in itself back when she was in the first grade. Once she aced those flashcards with vocabulary words, Courtney’s writing took off.  And her love with it.  In school, she was always writing short stories on a word processor (What?? Word processor with floppy disks?). Oh yes, she literally had a card filing case full of floppy disks.

Now getting her Doctorate in social work, she’s used this education to help her write some of the gritty issues entwined in her stories. When Courtney isn’t writing her next book while drinking coffee, you can find her doing homework (drag) with chocolate chip flavored coffee, reading series of books (because school books are only so interesting) while drinking pumpkin flavored coffee, playing with her little boy, or daydreaming of future beach houses while drinking some other scrumptious flavor of coffee.

Media Links

Website: www.courtneyruggles.com

Twitter: https://twitter.com/AuthorCRuggles

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorCourtneyRuggles/?ref=aymt_homepage_panel

Instagram: @courtneyruggles

The Giveaway CLICK THE LINK BELOW!!!
Swag bag with bookmarks, Domicile keychains, an exclusive Domicile poster, and bracelets; open to US residents only.

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/e6b07541300/