Onyx & Ivory by Mindee Arnett: Finished chapter 5 update

I realize I have recently posted about the beginning of the book, however, it is already time for an update.  I have finished reading chapter 5, and am wondering how much Mindee Arnett actually loves horses............    why I'm asking this????

Unfortunately, I can not give this away, as I do not want to spoil any part of this book, for anyone..... But, I will say this...... I am currently working on a way to insert myself into this story (actually i'm not working on it at all, i have decided to use the "pagemaster" method) *for those who do not know what the Pagemaster is... here is a picture.....*

Now, where was I, Oh..inserting self into story..... 

I will strategically slaughter every nightdrake in this fictional world (and probably punch Corwin in the throat just for good measure... ;)  LOL!!  

I must leave you all now to get back to reading..... I will update everyone on my progress through the world of Onyx & Ivory!

Happy Reading 

Owlcrate Unboxing February 2018

Okay bookish people!!! Lets talk books..... I love the smell of a brand new book.  The fresh sent of the ink on the paper, the snap of the spine and pages, the amazing "new book smell"......This is probably one of my most favorite things about books (besides the story... duh!!)
But, Why am i telling you this? You ask...... Because I just got the February 2018 @owlcrate box!!!
I am sooo excited for this box and the book...... lets jump right in and get started!!!!

Relic (Grey Kitten) and Loki ( tabby in the back) Decide to help and watch..

 The BOOK................

The Hazel Wood by Melissa Albert

Seventeen-year-old Alice and her mother have spent most of Alice’s life on the road, always a step ahead of the uncanny bad luck biting at their heels. But when Alice’s grandmother, the reclusive author of a cult-classic book of pitch-dark fairy tales, dies alone on her estate, the Hazel Wood, Alice learns how bad her luck can really get: her mother is stolen away―by a figure who claims to come from the Hinterland, the cruel supernatural world where her grandmother's stories are set. Alice's only lead is the message her mother left behind: “Stay away from the Hazel Wood.”

Alice has long steered clear of her grandmother’s cultish fans. But now she has no choice but to ally with classmate Ellery Finch, a Hinterland superfan who may have his own reasons for wanting to help her. To retrieve her mother, Alice must venture first to the Hazel Wood, then into the world where her grandmother's tales began―and where she might find out how her own story went so wrong.....

All Together Now...

 In The February @owlcrate box i received :

-Skeleton Key pendant necklace- Created by Team Owlcrate
- Soy Candle "Through the wardrobe" by Books on Candles (by VIVLYO)
- Zipper Pouch inspired by Daughter of Smoke and Bone, and illustrated exclusively by artist Risa Rodil.
- Alice and Wonderland sticker Designed by artist Naomi Lord
- Wall Tapestry by Evie Bookish
- The Hazel Wood by Melissa Albert ( Signed exclusive hardcover edition, letter from the author and exclusive sticker sheet!)

This was an amazing box!  @owlcrate always delivers and It is such and amazing gift for any book lover!   The tapestry is gorgeous, but it appears that Relic is a fan of the Skeleton Key Necklace created by Team Owlcrate!!!!

I loved this box!!!

Onyx & Ivory : Coming May 15, 2018

I am sooooo excited for this book to come out!   I received an E-ARC from the publisher as part of the Street Team for this upcoming release.  I have started reading, and am about a quarter of the way through..  So let me just say, IF you are having any thought besides "I AM GOING TO GET THIS BOOK"  you should change your thoughts NOW!!!! Susan Dennard is 100% correct when she states "At once fresh, at once classic, Onyx and Ivory is a page-turning blend of monsters, magic, and romance."  This book has hooked me from the very first chapter!! You know a book is going to be amazing when tears prickle your eyes in the first chapter!!  I cannot wait to finish this book!!

Bookish Goodies Spotlight #1: Wick and Fable

That's Right Wick and Fable is an amazing shop that can transport you to the book world you want to be in through the sense of smell!!! 

About: (I borrowed this from their website! As well as the Picture:)

Wick and Fable offers handcrafted all-natural vegan soy candles inspired by books and other fandoms. Our candles are all hand poured in small batches and are made in NY using only environmentally friendly and cruelty free vegan ingredients. We make sure that our candles are in the best quality by storing in room temperate all year round to prevent frosting and any other imperfections. Our candles are made using only the highest quality phthalate free fragrance and essential oils to create our unique and fragrant scented candles.

Along with candles, we also offer a small artisan line of organic bath + body products using all natural botanicals and various essential oils.
We put our heart and soul into all of our products that are hand poured, hand labeled, packaged and sent out to you with love. 

This Shop has sooo many bookish candles that I am over the moon excited for.  If you want to transport yourself to Hagrid's house, Try their, Tea With Hagrid candle.  How about landing your self in The Hazel Wood???  Or, you can even put yourself right into a room with kaz, Nina, and Inej from Six of Crows!!!  Don't miss out on this amazing opportunity to transport your self into amazing worlds!!! 

Link to Website: Wick and Fable Website

Warcross By Marie Lu: Review

 

Okay People....Lets talk WARCROSS!!!!!

This book is almost, (yes, I said almost) my most favorite read of 2018!!!  I know its only February, and I get that there are alot of months left, so lets qualify with this...... SO FAR this is one of my most favorite reads of 2018!  HA! 

First off let me start with this....... Why are the swoon worthy ones always so baaad????? 

Second,   I KNEW IT! I KNEW IT! I KNEW IT!!

Third,  REALLY!!!!!! DAMNIT MARIE LU,  why must you do this to me every time!!!

This book is AMAZING.  The world building its-self is off the charts.  The Virtual Reality is so fun to get lost in, I did not want to come back!   This author always finds a way to draw her readers in, hold them hostage, and spit them out, leaving us wanting more and more.  The game boards, the black market, the illegal fun, the lies, the deceit, the love, the hate, the anger, the tears, and all other emotions slam into you while you read.  

The characters in this book are a group of people to be reckoned with.  Our main character Emika Chen is a hard ass, but kicking bounty hunter.  She is determined and knows how to make things happen.  She is also on the illegal side when it comes to the VR world and what she needs to do to survive.  She is a girl that most people can relate with. 
Hideo Tanaka- Rich, invented all the VR things, deep dark secretes........ Oh and so swoon worthy.... 

I will not give too much away as I do not want to spoil it!!.  This book truly offers insight into finding family and friends in unexpected places.  

A few Facts to keep in mind:  1. Once you start, you wont stop.  2. be ready for a huge twist and surprise.  3. You will LOVE this book!!!  

Rating 4 out of 5 Paws!!

About the Author

Marie Lu is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Legend trilogy and The Young Elites trilogy. She graduated from the University of Southern California and jumped into the video game industry, working for Disney Interactive Studios as a Flash artist. Now a full-time writer, she spends her spare time reading, drawing, playing Assassin’s Creed, and getting stuck in traffic. She lives in Los Angeles, California (see above: traffic), with one husband, one Chihuahua mix, and two Pembroke Welsh corgis.

(borrowed from her website) 

Song of Blood & Stone by L. Penelope: Review

 

WOW!!!!  I received this book through Goodreads.com Giveaways. 

When I first received this book I was mildly excited.  However, as I read the book my excitement grew and grew.  I was unable to put this book down.  The world that this book created is one of oppression, and war.  I was swept away into a battle of whats right and wrong, loving and hating, and Anger and sadness.  This was a book that had me soo angry at the main characters several times, because I wanted them to do better and be better.  I wanted them to make decisions that were not made....But!!!! The decisions they did make made this story greater!!

I have fallen in love with the way the L. Penelope was able to create Jasminda.  She is strong in her own right, but very weak in aspects.  I thoroughly enjoyed growing with Jasminda through this story.

L.Penelope is an Amazing Author with the power to make you feel true emotions about her characters, and truly have a sense of what it would be like to be them. 

If you want to read a book that is going to drawl you in, hold you hostage, and not let go until its over..... this is the book for you!!  Magic, myth, mind games, palace intrigue, and steamy (oh my is it steamy) romance..... what more could you possibly want in a book!!! 

Lastly I ask all of you reading this to flood the publisher with comments such as:  "we need the next one ASAP!!"  If you love magic, history, myths, romance and adventure.... you will love this book!!!

Rating............. 4/5 paws !!!!!

See Below for information on the author!!

Photo by Valerie Bey

LESLYE PENELOPE has been writing since she could hold a pen and loves getting lost in the worlds in her head. She is the author of fantasy, new adult, and paranormal romance with characters who match the real world. Her debut novel, SONG OF BLOOD & STONE, won the 2016 Self-Publishing eBook Award from the Black Caucus of the American Library Association. The fantasy series was picked up by St. Martin’s Press for publication starting 2018.

She was born in the Bronx, just after the birth of hip hop, but left before she could acquire an accent. Equally left and right-brained, she studied Film at Howard University and minored in Computer Science. This led to a graduate degree in Multimedia and a career in website development. She’s also an award-winning independent filmmaker, co-founded a literary magazine, and sometimes dreams in HTML.

Leslye lives in Maryland with her husband and their furry dependents.